From the Vicar...
This is Christ transforming us...from the inside
The story is told by M. Scott Peck, the famous psychologist and author, of a woman patient who was suffering from extreme depression. One day, when she was due for an appointment with him, she called on the telephone and told him that her car had broken down. Dr. Peck offered to pick her up on his way into work, but he explained to her that he had to make a hospital call before he got to the office. If she was willing to wait in the car while he made the call, they could have their appointment. She agreed.
When they got to the hospital, he had another suggestion. He gave her the names of two of his patients who were convalescing there, and told her that each of them would enjoy a visit from her. When they met again, an hour and a half later, the woman was on an emotional high. She told Dr. Peck that making the visits and trying to cheer up those patients had lifted her spirits, and that she was feeling absolutely wonderful.
Dr. Peck responded by saying, "Well, now we know how to get you out of your depression. Now we know the cure for your problem." The woman answered, "You don't expect me to do that every day, do you?"
That's the tragedy of our lives. Doing what Jesus would do lifts us out of our doldrums into a higher quality of life. And yet, we often think that imitating Jesus is something burdensome. It's not! Doing what Jesus would do feeds us emotionally and lifts our spirits.
How do we, collectively and individually, live out this transformation to which God is calling us? I think the three most important steps are these: pray, show up, and roll up your sleeves!
Jesus not only wants you, he needs you. If you and I can keep our eyes and our hearts on Jesus, I guarantee that you and I both - and, by extension, our congregations - will have more time, energy and resources than we will know what to do with. If, on the other hand, we allow ourselves to focus on our gripes and complaints and disagreements, we will find ourselves drained and emotionally tired.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, God willing, we will take an important step along this long journey from a culture of despair in which neither of our churches had a bright future ahead to a culture of transformation into what Jesus would have us be at Trinity and at Christ Church.
On the surface, it is nothing more than a vote to formalize in writing what we are already doing as two churches who share important resources and ministry opportunities. But really, adopting the Covenant for Shared Ministry we have so carefully and prayerfully developed is about more than just voting for something. It is all about praying, showing up and rolling up our sleeves to bring to reality a renewed, transformed church in both of our congregations.
In many ways, I look upon this as an action that carries forward the work begun by Christ and nurtured by the apostles. This is more than just an "agreement" between two parties. It is truly a "covenant" of transformation - this is Christ transforming us from the inside - for the strengthening of both of our congregations.
Faithfully,
Fr. Chip
Covenant roll-out continues
Last summer, the combined Bishop's Committees unanimously endorsed the draft Shared Ministry Covenant presented by the Covenant Working Group. Here are the remaining steps the Bishop's Committees established for adoption by the congregations at large:
- Open non-legislative forums have begun. Christ Church's forum was held last Sunday, Sept. 22; Trinity Church's gathering will follow this Sunday, Sept. 29 after its 8:45 service. There will be a breakfast in Hobbs Hall, followed by the forum.
- Each congregation will hold a special parish meeting in the context of its regular Sunday liturgy on Sunday, Oct. 6. The meeting will take the place of the sermon that day. As a full opportunity for discussion will have occurred at the open forums, this is anticipated to be a straight presentation, motion, and "up or down" vote. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of those present in both congregations will be required for adoption.
- The Covenant, if so adopted, will be sent to the bishop for final approval. If he approves, a signing ceremony will be scheduled allowing him to celebrate with us the signing and inauguration of our Shared Ministry Covenant.
Highlights from the September Bishop's Committee meeting
With the arrival of fall and an increase of activity in both our churches, we had a full agenda on Sept. 17. After a musical opening reflection by Gary Dozier of Christ Church, we reviewed several ongoing efforts, including the Covenant ratification process, plans for our fall Stewardship campaign, and a preview of November's Diocesan Convention.
In the case of the Covenant ratification, an agenda for the parish meetings of Oct. 6 was approved. The Stewardship campaign will run from Oct. 20-Nov. 16 under the theme, "We're All In This Boat Together." Convention will be held Nov. 1 & 2 at the Grappone Center in Concord. Among the ten resolutions to be moved are four concerning clergy compensation, four related to the revision of the Canons of the diocese, the annual Budget resolution and a social justice measure titled "The Spiritual Practice of Poverty."
Among the major actions of the evening were:
- The acceptance of the Come and See coordinating team's recommendation that we postpone that program until the Epiphany season (see last week's article from Fr. Chip).
- Agreeing to sponsor a field trip to see the "Jerusalem" IMAX film and the "Dead Sea Scrolls" exhibit at Boston's Museum of Science on Saturday, Oct. 12 (see separate article).
- Approving an outline for a three-year capital campaign at Christ Church to help pay back the cost of the new furnace being installed there this month.
- Approving a Eucharistic Minister license for Ginnie-Lee McCaddin of Trinity. She will be serving at the new Saturday service, the first of which drew 21 worshipers on Sept. 14.
- Holding a fall United Thank Offering ingathering on the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20.
For the second month in a row, we reserved a portion of our time for each church's delegation to conduct business related only to that church. Trinity's group approved a request for the use of Hobbs Hall, and discussed matters related to the upcoming Holly Berry Fair. In addition to the Capital Campaign, Christ Church's group discussed Christmas Fair planning and scheduling a "Grubby Sunday" for Nov. 17 to do some grounds cleanup and winterizing.
Both groups were apprised of upcoming fundraising events, including the Halloween dance on Oct. 26, the Yankee Candle fundraiser throughout October, and a ham and bean supper coming up at Trinity on Nov. 9. Trinity will also hold its Soup and Chowder Challenge on Saturday, Dec. 14. The evening ended with an informal Table Eucharist.
Full minutes will be posted as they become available. The November meeting will be at Christ Church on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Blessing of the Animals: Is your pet coming?
On Sunday, Oct. 6, children and adults are invited to celebrate God's creation through our annual Blessing of the Animals service on the Christ Church lawn.
At the 12:00 service that day, you are invited to bring your cats or dogs, hamsters, gerbils, fish, rabbits or birds to receive God's blessing. Those whose pets cannot come may bring a stuffed animal as a "stand in."
This is a great occasion on which to invite a friend to join you for worship, either to witness the blessing of your pet or to bring pets of their own for a blessing. Spread the word!
NOTE: Due to the Special Parish Meeting (see above) and the Blessing of the Animals, the Laying On of Hands at Christ Church will occur at the close of the Oct. 13 service instead of on Oct. 6.
The Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit and "Jerusalem" Film at Boston's Museum of Science
On Saturday, Oct. 12, Christ and Trinity Churches will be sponsoring a field trip to Boston's Museum of Science to see the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit and the exciting new IMAX film, "Jerusalem."
Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit - In 1947, a goat herder wandered into one of the many hidden caves along the banks of the Dead Sea - and concealed inside were ancient scrolls that had not been seen in 2,000 years. These Dead Sea Scrolls include literary writings of the times and the oldest known texts of the Bible, making their discovery perhaps the most significant archaeological find of the last century.
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see fragments of the priceless scrolls (some never displayed in North America), along with one of the most comprehensive collection of antiquities from Israel ever organized. Highlights include a three-ton stone from Jerusalem's Western Wall, limestone capitals from the first temple period (1000 - 586 BCE), ossuaries from the early Roman period, and an ancient signature preserved for millennia on the Archer Seal. Together these artifacts reveal precious details about the culture, rituals, and beliefs of an influential Iron Age people. We have reservations to see this exhibit at 10:30 a.m.
"Jerusalem" Film - Take an inspiring, eye-opening tour of one of the world's oldest, most enigmatic cities. Destroyed and rebuilt countless times over 5,000 years, Jerusalem's timeless appeal endures. Learn how it became the center of the world for three major religions and how its historical, artistic, and spiritual connections have made it so important to so many different cultures. Our reservations to see this 50-minute film are for 12:00 noon.
You must submit your paid reservation no later than Sunday, Oct. 6 to be included at the group rates shown below. We must have 15 paid reservations to qualify. This is open to all both within and beyond our two congregations.
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Adults (12-59)
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Seniors (60+)
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Children (3-11)
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Museum/Scrolls:
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$29.25
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$27.25
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$26.25
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Jerusalem Film:
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$ 5.00
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$ 4.50
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$ 4.00
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Total:
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$34.25
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$31.75
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$26.25
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Please make checks payable to "Trinity Episcopal Church" with the memo, "Field Trip." Our carpool will leave the Christ Church lot at 8:45 a.m. and the Trinity Church lot at 9:00 a.m. Drivers, be aware that parking at the Museum of Science garage costs $13.75 per car for a 3-4 hour stay - so it behooves us to pack as many into each car as possible! 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. |