|
|
|
The Christ Church Community Update
Friday, October 28, 2011
|
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.
|
|
Sunday, October 28
9 AM--The Holy Eucharist, Hymns and Sermon10:10 AM The Forum Where Scripture and Real Life meet
11 AM--The Holy Eucharist, Sermon, Hymns and Choral Music by the Christ Church Choir
REMEMBER--ONE SERVICE, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14 10 AM CELEBRATING THE 317TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHRIST CHURCH
|
Friends:
Recently, a member of our Life @ Christ Church class said, "Christ Church must have enough money, because you don't talk much about needing it." I tried not to look surprised, as many parishioners think I talk about money way too much.
Today, I am talking about money--bluntly.
For 2011, Christ Church budgeted $463,000 in pledges and offerings.
Using round numbers, we have 200 pledges for a total of $400,000. The largest pledge is $20,000, the average pledge is $2,000, and there are many pledges for under $500. The additional $63,000 budgeted reflects additional gifts by pledgers, offerings from visitors and non-pledgers, and special gifts at Christmas and Easter.
As of today, we have $340,000 collected of the $463,000 budgeted. We must receive $123,000 by December 31st to balance our budget.
We cannot wait until December 31st for most of that money without having to use a credit line. Pledgers should bring their giving up-to-date immediately. You may check your pledge balance, and make an online gift through our secure, member-only site, accessed here. You may also get your pledge balance by contacting Cecilia Wagner.
If you cannot meet your pledge obligation for 2012, and there are many in our community who cannot for economic reasons, please email me or call me, or our Accounting Warden Greg Staton. The most difficult thing for Greg, who is responsible for parish finances, is not knowing when a pledge will not be fulfilled.
Similarly, those of us who can increase our giving above what we have pledged for the sake of those who are responsibly lowering their pledges are asked to do so.
For those who did not pledge, and who have not given, I firmly call you to meet your financial responsibility to the parish and give now. It is wrong to take Christ Church for granted.
We are building the budget for 2012, and how we build that budget depends on the pledges our members make on Sunday November 14, when we worship at 10 AM. Every pledge for 2012 is due at that time. Every member of Christ Church must make their pledge by that time or not meet their responsibilities to our community.
For 2012, we must increase our pledge income by 15% to $460,000. Few of our members can increase their giving by 15%; in these times, many have to reduce their pledge. We can only meet this goal with 50 new pledges. That is a reachable goal. There are many people in our community who give regularly but do not pledge, or are new to the parish and haven't yet made a pledge.
Pledge letters and response cards have been distributed on Sunday and will be sent to homes as well. You may also pledge online here.
I hope I am being clear; if not, call me on my cell phone: 215.805.8085. I am being blunt because I am talking about our operating budget. This isn't about a construction budget, or preservation, or interest, or visitors and tourism. Our operating budget is the budget that runs our parish. It tunes the organ, puts music in the choir members hands, and pays the salaries. This budget heats the church school, lights the church, and puts wafers and wine on the table. This budget puts food in the hands of the hungry and makes Christ Church viable for the next 317 years.
Timothy Safford
|
Cindy Castillo Organ Recital at Christ Church, November 6, 5 PMPlease join us on November 6 at 5:00 p.m. for an organ recital in the church. Cindy Castillo, a dynamic young Belgian artist, offers a special program of French symphonic, baroque and contemporary music, played on the Curtis Memorial Organ.  | | Toccata Vierne by Cindy Castillo |
|
|
First Person Arts Festival Comes to Neighborhood House
 The most expansive use of Neighborhood House since its renovation will be when the First Person Arts Festival moves in November 10th. Come out and support Kate Spelman at the Fall Grand Slam on November 10th when she competes for "Best Story Teller in Philadelphia." John Hopkins "humanizes history" in a rare performance in the archives on November 20. All the details and tickets at First Person Arts website.
|
|
This Week's Announcements
Youth Group
Youth Group meets each Sunday at 10AM. It is led by Assistant Minister Kate Spelman and loosely follows 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. Please join us on the 1st Floor of Washburn House.
Join the Sages
Bring out your inner child this Halloween! The Sages, seasoned members of our congregation, are hosting a Halloween party for the children and mothers at St. Barnabas Mission this afternoon, from 1PM to 3PM. You don't even have to be one of the Sages to join the festivities! Please see Jean Bodine or Kate Hall to offer your assistance.
Intercessory Prayer Opportunity
Gratitude, sadness, concerns, joys...of our own and others, we bring before God in intercessory prayer at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays before the noon Eucharist. We simply sit together in the pews by the south windows to have a quiet time of conversation with God. Could you bring your presence and voice from time to time? No ticket or reservation needed!
Wednesday Noon Eucharist
No longer than 25 minutes, this simple liturgy is a perfect respite from hectic downtown life.
Career and Employment Support Group
Christ Church offers a support group to those who are seeking employment and those in career transition with the services of 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 are held on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 7:00PM in Neighborhood House. If interested, contact Cecilia Wagner at the parish office, 215-922-1695, ext 21.
Children's Choir
Christ Church Children's Choir has Wednesday evening rehearsals at 5:30pm. 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 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.
Wednesday Evening Adult Formation
"A lifetime with the Prayer Book" meets Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm - 7pm, continues 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
Come and experience the beauty of an evening worship each Wednesday at 7:00PM. Filled with contemplative music and prayers to close the day, this is the perfect time to add reflection and thankfulness to your weekly routine.
Parish Work Day
Mark your calendars for our next parish work day, Saturday, November 5, 8:00A.M. to 1:00P.M. We'll gather as a community to clean and polish the Church and Neighborhood House. 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.
Remembering All Saints
Sunday, November 6, will be our All Saints' Day Celebration at the 9:00A.M. and 11:00A.M. Services. On that morning, we will read a list of friends and loved ones who have died since last year's All Saints' Day Celebration (November 7, 2010). If you have a name to add to this list please contact Cecilia at cwagner@christchurchphila.org or 215.922.1695.
Fall Back
Don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour for the end of Daylight Saving Time on November 6.
Photos at Christ Church
Photographer JJ Tizou will be visiting the congregation on November 6, to take photos during services, youth group, Atrium and coffee hours. We hope to use these photos to update our website and Facebook pages, and we will use them in future issues of the Beacon. We will never attach names to photos on the Christ Church website or Facebook page. However, if you would prefer not to be photographed or to have your photo (or your child's photo) on the web, please email kspelman@christchurchphila.org. You can view JJ's excellent work at www.howphilymoves.org or www.everyoneisphotogenic.com
Bishop's Blend Coffee, Tea and Honey!
Our Outreach Committee offers Bishop's Blend Coffee, tea, and honey, for sale the first Sunday of the month after Services. The proceeds of this special organic coffee, grown under fair-trade conditions, will support the work of the Episcopal Relief and Development programs.
Organ Recital at Christ Church
Please join us on November 6 at 5:00p.m. for an organ recital in the church. Cindy Castillo, a dynamic young Belgian artist, offers a special program of French symphonic, baroque and contemporary music, played on the Curtis Memorial Organ.
Christ Church Gardeners
The volunteer gardeners gather for the next work day on November 12 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.
Sandwiches For Those Experiencing Homelessness
Come join the crew of sandwich makers who monthly make 350 bologna sandwiches for the shelter at St. Mary's. We gather next on November 19, 8:30-9:30am. Kids love to help, too! Questions? Please contact Wayne Christman at waynechristman@comcast.net.
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? The Bridge will gather next November 20. To RSVP, contact the Rev. Kate Spelman kspelman@christchurchphila.org. Please visit www.christchurchphila.org/thebridge for links to readings and other information.
Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist
Please join us for our Service of thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 23, 7:00P.M. in the church.
Christ Church Advent Angel Tree 2011
The Advent Angel Tree project provides a direct connection between our Christ Church family and those who could use help in making their Christmas holiday more joyous. This annual ministry offers us the opportunity to be a secret angel by anonymously meeting the wish or need of a child, family or adult during the Advent and Christmas seasons. You are invited to select a tag from the Advent Angel Tree in Neighborhood House on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. Episcopal Community Services remains our major partner in identifying those who will be the recipients of our gifts. We will also be working with Dooley House in Camden, NJ, a hands-on initiative that provides care and housing for local medically fragile children. Gifts must be delivered to Neighborhood House on the Third Sunday of Advent, December 11. As you make your commitment to fulfill someone's wish, please remember to pray for both the person to whom your gift will be given and for the work of the program that is providing both care and support.
Justice Work With Those Struggling With Homelessness - All Welcome
Christ Church parishioners of all ages gather once a month at the homeless shelter at Old First Reformed, corner of 4th and Race Streets, 6 to 8 p.m., to create unique, excellent meals, and eat and enjoy fellowship with the men. Plus, we need help the day before to head to the Italian market to buy fresh ingredients - go local, go green! It's great to help those in need and to enjoy each other. The next shelter dinner date is November 28. Can you help, even for a few minutes? For more info on shopping, cooking or serving the food, contact Nick DiPatri at ndipatri@gmail.com or Anne McAteer at ackoerner@yahoo.com.
Baptisms at Christ Church 2012
January 8 (Epiphany), April 8 (Easter), May 27 (Pentecost). If you would like to have a baptism for yourself or your child, please contact the Rev. Timothy Safford at the church office.
he parish office at 215.922.1695 to make arrangements, or email: mail@christchurchphila.org
|
Quick Links...
Stay connected to Christ Church throughout the week! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
