The Christ Church Community Update
For Sunday, September 19, 2010
            
Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome at Christ Church, as you are, to receive the blessings of God so freely given.
Greetings!

I am so looking forward to this Sunday morning.  In the 11 AM service, our choir returns (14 voices strong, and still room for you!), and we celebrate and commission the new ministry of Parker Kitterman as Director of Music.

Be sure to smile if you see a video camera.  We will be joined in all services by a film crew sent by the Office of Congregational Vitality of the Episcopal Church who are here to document how Christ Church has grown and welcomed the city around us.

During the 10:10 AM Forum, the small group leaders from our Fall program, Encountering the God We Never Knew, which begins next Tuesday evening, September 21.  This 10-week program forms our faith, strengthens our discipleship, builds our community, and opens our doors to others.  Learn more, and register, by clicking here, or register on Sunday.

Mark your calendar for Sunday evening, Oct. 17, 6 PM, for the Fall Fete, an evening of fun, food and fellowship in the Neighborhood House, and a celebration of the ministry and ministries of Christ Church.  At 5 PM that same evening, Parker Kitterman will give his first organ recital at Christ Church.

Timothy Safford
September 19--This Sunday at Christ Church

9 AM--The Holy Eucharist, Hymns and Sermon
10:10--The Forum:  Where Scripture Meets Real Life
Come hear about the faith formation program, Encountering the God We Never Knew.
11 AM--The Holy Eucharist with Choir and the Celebration of New Ministry
The Youth Group Welcomes the Rev. Callie Swanlund
Our new Youth and Family Minister, Callie Swanlund, begins her journey today with our youth group.  All youth 11 to 17 gather with Callie at 10:10 AM in the Harding Room (first floor of Neighborhood House, just north of the new atrium). 

Callie is a transitional deacon (meaning, she'll be ordained a priest soon) who is assisting part-time in September and October, and will be assuming more pastoral duties after Susan Richardson's transition in late October.  Welcome Callie warmly this Sunday!
Breakfast with the Rector:  What's the plan?
Join your fellow parishioners on Saturday, September 18 at 8:00A.M. in Neighborhood House for a discussion with the Tim about our many plans and challenges as we begin a search for a new Assistant Minister, welcome more programs to Neighborhood House, and face the most challenging of economic circumstances. Afterwards, stay for a while and lend a hand to our Parish Work Day
 
Parish Work Day
Please join us for our next parish work day, Saturday, September 18, 8:30A.M. to 2:00P.M. Come for an hour or two to help clean and polish the Church and Neighborhood House.  Many hands make light work, so join your fellow parishioners for some volunteer light labor, bring a friend and have fun doing it!

Sandwiches For The Homeless
Come join the crew of sandwich makers who monthly make 350 bologna sandwiches for the shelter at St. Mary's.  We gather next on Saturday, September 18, 8:30-9:30am. Kids love to help, too!  Questions?  Please contact Wayne Christman.

Tutoring at the Charter High School for Architecture and Design
Planning is now begun for the second year of Christ Church tutoring at the Charter High School for Architecture and Design (CHAD).  beginning on Monday, October 4.  Tutoring times will be available during the day, after school and on Saturday mornings.  We have listened to the wise advice of last year's tutors and incorporated many of their suggestions as a way of making the program even better.  So if you would like to be part of Christ Church's exciting justice work, consider tutoring at CHAD, and help kids make it over the barriers that our society has put before them.  Sign-up deadline: Sunday Sept. 19, Ministry Sunday. For more information, contact Gail and Eliot Larson.

First Friday Concert
The Ensemble Epomeo String Trio will be giving a free concert at Christ Church on Friday, October 1 at 8pm, featuring works by Beethoven, Hans Gal, Kile Smith, and Hans Krasa. With this performance we hope to resume music programs at Christ Church in conjunction with First Fridays in Old City.

Reserve a Space: The Second Annual Family Retreat
The 2nd annual Christ Church Family Retreat will be October 1, 2, and 3, held again at the rustic Quaker retreat center called Camp Dark Waters on the Rancocas Creek in Medford, New Jersey, in the Pinelands only about 17 miles from Philly.  Last year, families of all shapes and sizes had a blast, staying in cabins on its 15 acres, cooking meals together in the kitchen, and enjoying structured activities as well as plenty of downtime with the camp's canoes, rope course, trails, basketball, ping-pong tables, etc.  The cost will be similar to last year: approximately $35-$40 per person for the entire weekend, plus an additional small donation to the cost of meals and facilitators.  Reserve a space here.

The Blessing Of The Animals October 3, 4 PM
Our pets - precious companions in our homes and lives - are "living gifts" from God.  They teach us in their play, in their companionship, and in the assurance their company brings.  Come celebrate the feast day of Saint Francis, who served all God's creatures, on Sunday, October 3 in the North Garden at 4:00P.M.  Please invite a new friend or family to bring along their pets, and bring your own for a blessing and a time to give thanks for the joy they bring to us.  All species welcome!

Christ Church Gardeners
The volunteer gardeners will gather for their work day Saturday October 9 at 9:00A.M. Please join us in the North Garden.  Newcomers are always welcome.  We hope to see you there. Questions?  Please contact George Niedermayer.

Sign up for Red Cross Blood Drive, Sunday October 17
The Christ Church hosts the American Red Cross for our annual blood drive on Sunday, October 17 in the Neighborhood House.  Walk ins will be welcome, but signing up will be best.  Look for Julia Bergmann on Sunday mornings to get your appointment, and bring a friend to donate that Sunday.
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