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The Christ Church Community Update
Friday, September 9, 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:
I jumped on the SEPTA 57 bus Wednesday and headed north on 3rd past Girard to where Germantown Avenue starts winding through Olde Kensington. There, our city's improving neighborhoods and increasing glitz fade quickly, and soon I arrived, across from the abandoned Gretz Brewery, at the Al Aqsa Islamic Society and Mosque.
Twelve years a Philadelphian and I had never visited this religious center and oasis for Muslims Americans and Arab immigrants, but this seemed the week to visit. A dozen or so taxi cabs were parked out front, and many men were praying in the stark, carpeted mosque. I checked my shoes and spent some time talking with one of the mosque's leaders. Yes, he told me, this tenth anniversary of September 11th was very solemn and significant, but he found that nearby community, and most of Philadelphia, was very understanding that September 11 was a day of sadness and grief for them as well. He was not worried about backlash, mostly because of the good relationship with the local police district and their commander, an Iraqi war veteran. Many of his members, though, with Islamic names, had been experiencing harassment, bullying and even some violence.
As the men prayed, and teenage girls in head scarves and traditional dress looked at me from afar and whispered, I felt very out of place and sorry that I didn't understand more about Islam and Arab culture. But, I couldn't think of much more to say or ask, so I tried to my way back to a bus stop, and soon was confused. "Just follow American Street," one of the taxi drivers said to me, with a thick African accent as he stuffed his prayer beads, Qur'an, and head covering back in his pocket. It seemed good and right that the same street that runs along both the back of the mosque and Christ Church is aptly named "American Street."
I commend our services this Sunday morning which commemorates this solemn anniversary. At 11 AM, our choir returns, and Parker Kitterman has composed special music for a text of the Rumi, the Muslim poet. We will also have music in Hebrew, Arabic and Bahasa. An electronic version of the service leaflet is here.
At 4 PM on Sunday, 9/11, the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia offers an Interfaith Prayer Service at the Arch Street Friends Meeting House at 4th and Arch. Information and a flyer are here.
At 5:30 PM, there is a city wide service of commemoration, led by Mayor Nutter, on Independence Mall. More information here.
Timothy Safford
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Sunday, September 11
9 AM--The Holy Eucharist, Hymns and Sermon10:10 AM--The Forum: Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of September 11
11 AM--The Holy Eucharist, Sermon, Hymns and Choral Music by the Christ Church Choir
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Our Fall Programs
Click here for an electronic copy of the Beacon which has a full description of our Fall Programs. Some highlights are here:
Career and Employment Support Group
Christ Church is offering a support group to those who are seeking employment and those in career transition with the services of our parishioner Mike Landis. Mike is a partner with a national search firm, so he spends his days searching for qualified candidates and helping others guide and shape their careers. Mike and the Rev. Palmer Hartl lead these sessions which will be held on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 7:00PM in Neighborhood House beginning on September 14. If interested, contact Cecilia Wagner at the parish office, 215-922-1695, ext 21.
Children's Choir
Christ Church is starting a Children's Choir with Wednesday rehearsals beginning September 14 at 5pm. All children and youth aged 4-13 are invited to participate, regardless of experience or religious affiliation. The choir will sing throughout the year in various Sunday morning services and other occasions. Even if you're not sure about committing, bring your child, and invite their friends, to one of the September Wednesday rehearsals and give it a shot. It promises to be a fun, challenging, and rewarding endeavor. For more information, please call or email Director of Music Parker Kitterman at 215-922-1695 x 27 or pkitterman@christchurchphila.org.
Christ Church Choir
The Christ Church Choir is accepting new singers for this season. You don't have to be a great sight-reader or have the prettiest voice. A love of singing and willingness to work will do just fine. The payoff is great-just ask any of the volunteers who joined this past year. We rehearse Thursday evenings from 7-9pm and sing Sundays in the 11A.M. Service. For more information, please call or email Director of Music Parker Kitterman at 215-922-1695 x 27 or pkitterman@christchurchphila.org.
Parish Work Day
Mark your calendars for our next parish work day, Saturday, September 17, 8:00A.M. to 2:00P.M. We'll gather as a community to clean and polish the Church and Neighborhood House in anticipation of Ministry Sunday on September 18. Many hands make light work and even one hour of your time is helpful. So come and join your fellow parishioners for a community building time.
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 September 17, 8:30-9:30am. Kids love to help, too! Questions? Please contact Wayne Christman at waynechristman@comcast.net.
Children and Youth Education
On September 18, our Sunday program for Christ Church children and youth restarts as we welcome kids back for the fall season. Check out the new schedule and come share your summer fun stories!!
Atrium 1 - 4 to 6 yr olds (9 - 10:00 a.m.)
Atrium 2 - 7 to 10 yr olds (10 - 11:00 a.m)
Journey to Adulthood - 11 to 17 yr olds (10 - 11:00 a.m.)
Youth Group
Beginning Sunday, Sept. 18, Youth Group will meet between the 9 and 11A.M. Services (roughly 10am - 10:50am). Lead by Assistant Minister Kate Spelman and loosely following the acclaimed Journey to Adulthood curriculum, this group for ages 11 -17 yr olds continues to explore a range of topics affecting the spiritual and social lives of youth
The Bridge Lunch and Discussion
Spiritual. Progressive. Unexpected. The Bridge serves as Christ Church's connecting link for young adult* parishioners - spanning matters of faith and life, service and social events, the center and the margins. The Bridge meets one Sunday a month over lunch, from 12:30pm - 1:30pm, to discuss articles, films, and whatever else comes up. This year we will examine the theme of "peace" from many different angles - what is peace? How can we achieve it - in our prayer life, our families, our city? How does our local justice work contribute to building a more peaceful world? Mark your calendar! The Bridge will gather next at 12:30PM on September 25. To RSVP, contact the Rev. Kate Spelman kspelman@christchurchphila.org Please visit www.christchurchphila.org/thebridge for links to readings and other information.
Tutoring at CHAD
Last year, Chirst Church tutors offered a very successful program to juniors at the Charter High School for Architecture and Design (CHAD) which focused on helping them apply to college. The six-week program took place after school for two hours each week and concentrated on helping students complete their common application to college, increase their vocabulary for the SAT test, and work on their college essays. This year, in our third year of the tutoring collaboration with CHAD, we are excited to be offering this program again after school from Wednesday, September 28 through Wednesday, November 2 from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. Those interested in learning more about his should contact Gail or Eliot Larson at ewlarson@comcast.net.
Gay & Lesbian Fellowship
On Sunday, October 2 at 12:30P.M. join the LGBT Fellowship of Christ Church at a brunch gathering in Neighborhood House. RSVP to Ken Oakes at kwoii@aol.com.
Life At Christ Church Classes
In Life at Christ Church, all of your questions will be answered, at least your questions about Christ Church, the Episcopal Church, and your place within our community of faith. The class is especially designed for inquirers and new members in our church, but tried and true members are also invited to participate. The next class begins soon, Sunday afternoons from 12:30 to 2:30pm - October 2, 9 & 16. Please contact Cecilia Wagner at 215.922.1695, ext 21 or cwagner@christhcurchphila.org to sign up. If you need childcare, please let us know.
The Blessing Of The Animals
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 2 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!
Choral Evensong for St. Francis Day
Please join us on October 2 at 5:00pm for a Choral Evensong for St. Francis Day led by the Christ Church Choir and the Delaware Choral Society Chamber Choir. Featuring a rare performance of American composer Seth Bingham's cantata, The Canticle of the Sun, a setting of a famous poem by Francis of Assisi.
Tuesday Evening Adult Formation
"Who do you say that I am? Knowing both the Historical and Apocalyptic Jesus". A Tuesday evening class led by the Rev. Timothy Safford and Dr. Walter Lowe which includes a visit to the Philadelphia Art Museum to view the special exhibit, "The Face of Jesus." October 4 through November 15, 7:00PM -8:30PM. Though the subject is complex, the class will be totally accessible to all with a discussion base relying on scripture, and writers as diverse as Soren Kierkegaard, Walter Rauschenbusch, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Stanley Hauerwaus. Our goal is to discover how we are to act ethically in our multi-cultural society because of how we both understand and answer Jesus's question: "Who do you say that I am?"
Sign up for this class by contacting Cecilia at 215-922-1695, ext 21 or cwagner@christchurchphila.org.
Wednesday Evening Adult Formation
"A lifetime with the Prayer Book" will meet Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm - 7pm, October 5 through November 16. After sharing dinner together, we'll take a closer look at the wealth of religious and spiritual material in "the red book" led by the Rev. Kate Spelman. In addition to confronting some of life's biggest changes by looking at rites of baptism, confirmation, ordination, and burial, we will look at the daily office and explore how to integrate the BCP prayers into everyday life. Participants will explore personal and communal prayer within and beyond the prayer book's pages. Join us for a seven-week series of discussions that will cover a lifetime of material! A great way to encounter the material for the first or millionth time, this program will be suitable both for those new to the Episcopal Church as well as those who have prayed the Collects for a lifetime already. Sign up for this class by contacting Cecilia at 215-922-1695, ext 21 or cwagner@christchurchphila.org. Childcare is available for this evening class if requested in advance.
Wednesday Evening Worship At 7:00pm
Beginning on October 5, there will be a brief worship service in the church each Wednesday at 7:00PM. Filled with contemplative music and prayers to close the day, this will be a perfect time to add reflection and thankfulness to your weekly routine. Come and experience the church in the beauty of the evening and make this your habit for the fall.
Christ Church Gardeners
The volunteer gardeners gather for the next work day on October 8 at 9:00am. Please join us in the North Garden. Newcomers are always welcome. We hope to see you there. Questions? Please contact George Niedermayer at niedy711@aol.com.
Third Annual Family Retreat - Register Now!
Our Children Youth and Family Committee is hard at work on a year of great programs for families of all ages, sizes, and shapes. We remain dedicated to celebrating, including and embracing all families and children. October 14-16, families are invited to Camp Dark Waters for our annual retreat. Games, canoeing, music, yoga, and fellowship await --punctuated by casual prayers and worship. At a cost of $50 per person (which includes room and board as well as childcare and yoga), this retreat is a perfect way to escape the city and deepen bonds between family members and parish friends. There may even be a bonfire. Contact Cecilia at cwagner@christchurchphila.org to reserve a spot! |
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