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Note from the Vicar...
Thoughts on Syria and America's response
It is seems likely that soon the United States will engage in some type of symbolic military action against the Assad regime of Syria. While some diplomatic efforts are in the works, it remains highly likely that the U.S. will be firing Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syria at some point in the near future - and critics, including many in the religious community, are raising legitimate concerns.
I don't pretend to know what is best here - or almost anywhere else - but, as a person of faith, I pray for peace and hold world leaders up to God as they search for wisdom and compassion. Like most Americans, I am weary of this nation's recent wars. I am all too aware that in almost every case of American intervention since Vietnam, it has been a disaster for our country as well as the countries we have invaded.
What puts me as much in a quandary as anything else is the uncertainty as to how the Syrian regime and its Arab neighbors will respond to any attack. I know poison gas in Syria is horrendous, and that "doing nothing" is not a real option - but the real inferno in that part of the world is even bigger than what's happening in Syria. Do a few dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles really accomplish anything? I am doubtful.
At this moment in time, my heart and head resonate with those who are trying to develop peace-making alternatives to President Obama's seeming eagerness to strike. Such alternatives will not, of course, bring the horrible civil war to an end. They do hold the hope, however, of setting in motion a peace-making agenda that can make the existing horror the "least awful" it can be.
I have never, personally, been a member of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship - but on this matter, I join them in unequivocally opposing a military strike against Syria. No matter how well intentioned an attack against Syria - attempting to end the use of outlawed chemical weapons, for example - responding with violence may beget more rather than less violence.
What I'd much rather see is a different alternative - a massive humanitarian aid campaign to the people most affected by the horrors of this civil war. Such a campaign would entail efforts by governments and non-profits to airlift medical supplies, food, tents, blankets, gas masks and other supplies to the places most in need of these vital provisions, including the refugee camps, Damascus, and other areas in Syria hard hit by this civil war.
Military strikes to punish the Assad regime for this chemical weapons attack on his own people will not end or limit the suffering of the Syrian people. We must urge our President and Congress to pursue all diplomatic, political and economic alternatives before even considering a militarily violent solution. I encourage all of you who read this to keep the effort to find a just alternative in your prayers. To that end, the Prayers of the People in both our churches this Sunday will reflect this prayer intention.
Faithfully,
Fr. Chip
A change in Fr. Chip's schedule
With the advent of our new Saturday evening service at Trinity, Fr. Chip's Saturday schedule will be changing. Instead of being "on duty" in the morning, ending in early afternoon, he will now be off in the morning, working Saturday afternoon through the conclusion of either the 5:00 service or any event that might follow it. As before, he has no set office hours in either church that day, but arranges his schedule according to the pastoral and/or administrative needs of that particular day. He will continue to be in the Trinity office Monday and Wednesday mornings 9:00-noon, and in the Christ Church office Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00-noon.
Church School teacher(s) needed
After much soul searching and prayer, J. R. Bridle has come to the conclusion that he cannot continue as the Sunday School program teacher for our two congregations. This leaves us with an important vacancy to fill - and no one signed up in our Time and Talent drive last spring as a possible successor.
If you have suggestions as to persons who may be recruited for this important ministry, please speak with Fr. Chip or the Wardens. Our current schedule places our program teacher at Christ Church on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, and at Trinity on 2nd and 4th Sundays. There are two students currently at Trinity, and possibly as many as five at Christ Church (a new family had expressed interest for this coming fall).
Any person(s) who volunteer will need to take Safe Church training if they do not have it already, and will need to undergo a background check in accordance with our Safe Church policies.
Homecoming Sunday at Christ Church
Date: Sunday, Sept. 15
Time: 11:00 am (note the slightly later than usual time!)
Location: Weather permitting, the service will be held outdoors.
More Info: There will be a pot-luck cookout following the service on Homecoming Sunday. Sign up in the Marshall Room to bring a salad, side dish or dessert. Hamburgers, hot dogs and condiments, as well as beverages, will be provided. We especially need people to help set up before the service, and clean up at the end - but the most important part is this: invite someone you know, who you haven't seen in church in a while, to come!
Directory photography make-up dates
Our new directory will only be valuable if it is complete. Accordingly, our goal is 100% participation. If you have not yet been photographed for our directory, here are our make-up dates:
- Christ Church: make-up date, Sept. 15
- Trinity Church: make-up date, Sept. 22
Members of either church may be photographed in either location.
'Bridge' Lessons
If you have never played Bridge, but want to learn, this opportunity is for you! This class, entitled "Beginner Lessons for Absolute Beginners", will be lead by Gordon Lane (of Trinity Church) starting tomorrow, Friday, September 13th. Instructions run from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. The real fun follows with three hours (1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) of beginners bridge play.
A second opportunity for 'beginner's lessons' will be offered on Friday, September 20th - following the same time format. Lessons will then continue on a weekly basis with the goal of having players develop a basic understanding of the game rules and playing knowledge.
Place: Hobbs House at Trinity Episcopal Church (please use front entrance thru September) No reservations are necessary!
Cost: $4.00 per person
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