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The Christ Church Summer Update
Friday, August 24, 2011
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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.
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Friends:
As I write this Friday afternoon, Hurricane Irene will be passing through Philadelphia Sunday morning. Yes, of course, we are having our 9 and 11 AM services as scheduled, and be with us if safe and prudent. Be assured that for those able to congregate, we will praise God from the center of the storm on behalf of all who cannot be there. If the storm has devastating affects on our city and surrounding area, to which we might be able to respond as a community of faith, I will share through email as able come Monday.
Please pray for Lindsey Teasenfitz and Nick DiGeorge, who are to be married at Christ Church at 4 PM on Saturday, and pray for the safe travel of their guests.
When the earthquake rumbled through last Tuesday, I didn't budge or hang up the phone, having grown up in Los Angeles where such moderate shaking was commonplace. Later, I did reflect that the construction of both the Church and Neighborhood House were precisely of the type not constructed in earthquake country, I am happy to report that everything is safe and sound. For those who found political significance in the quake, I can report that three of our founding fathers rolled right, three left, and one seemed to roll slightly both ways.
The staff took Parker Kitterman to Geno's Steaks in South Philly on Wednesday to celebrate Parker's birthday and to mark the passing of Joey Vento, founder of Geno's, who died shortly after the quake. People have looked at me somewhat askew these past few days when telling them that I admired Joey Vento. No, I didn't agree with Joey Vento on ordering cheese steaks in English and his other pronouncements about immigrants, assimilation, etc., and the other day, standing in the cheese whiz and neon temple, I was still offended by the various bumper stickers and posters that plaster the place. Still, I appreciate that Joey Vento helped put Philadelphia on the map in the 20th century through the cheese steak, whiz and neon like Benjamin Franklin did in the 18th century through the printing press, lightning rods and political compromise. Realizing, as Franklin did, that Philly runs on myth as much as history, Joey Vento created a lot of myth from Passyunk and 9th.
And I trust that upon arrival at the pearly gates that he was as surprised as we all will be when St. Peter said, "Joey, this is heaven, speak in any language you wish," and still let him pass after even getting his order wrong.
Timothy Safford
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Sunday, August 28--The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
9 AM--The Holy Eucharist, Hymns and Sermon
10:10 AM--The Forum: Where Scripture and Real Life Meet.
11 AM--Morning Prayer, Sermon, Hymns and Choral Music by the Summer Choir (no Eucharist).
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