April 23, 2014
Important Information
For information on the upcoming Louchery Lecture Series, please click here.  
Rector's Ramblings

Some of you have been asking about Holy Humor Sunday, which we have announced as our commemoration for this coming Sunday. My guess is that this is new to Christ Church, as it would be new in most places. I discovered it as an associate rector and got permission for my first Holy Humor Sunday, and have always had one every year since on the Sunday after Easter. It is an opportunity to celebrate God's sense of humor, an attribute that we know must be a part of God's identity, because it is a part of ours, having been made in God's image.

 

Humor is one of those divine characteristics that sets humans apart from other parts of creation. It is a complex combination of nature and nurture that allows us to create and respond to humor. When I was a kid, we used to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation, and I remember one of the ongoing bits in the series was the attempt of Data, the android officer of the Enterprise, to understand and replicate humor. He just couldn't do it. Emotion in general is hard for an android, but humor is, apparently, the most complex. Punch-lines are harder to deliver than we think!

 

But what does this have to do with the Church? There is an old tradition that can be traced to the Greek Christians of the earliest centuries who celebrated the resurrection in Easter week with laughter, humor, and practical jokes. The story goes that in the resurrection, as Jesus is raised from the dead and triumphs over death and evil, God gets the last laugh on the devil. John Chrysostom, the well known Archbishop of Constantinople (and writer of one of the most beautiful prayers in our prayer book) said in one of his sermons, "The evils of this world are to be laughed at!" Humor was seen as a spiritual tool, and an extension of our praise and worship. What better way to show we are not afraid of evil and death than to literally laugh in its face?

 

When I was in the Canterbury Scholars program back in 2004, the Cathedral staged a series of Mystery Plays, an English tradition, dating back to the 14th century, including Canterbury. Different guilds and groups would tell stories from the bible. In 2004 they used scripts from some of the medieval plays, and one of the things I was astonished by was the coarseness of the humor. What was common family humor in the middle ages wouldn't be appropriate for most families today, and yet, there were the jokes and the innuendo right in the crossing of Canterbury Cathedral!

 

I tell that story because some people think that the church is not a place for humor. Fortunately, however, many others agree that we can take our faith seriously without taking ourselves seriously. We can show great devotion in the Eucharist and the prayers while having a good time and laughing with one another. And that's what we're going to try to capture next Sunday. Bring your sense of humor to church. Wear your loudest tie. Wear mismatched shoes or clashing patterns. Let your heart be light and let your laughter form a song of praise to our God. We have nothing to fear as we continue to celebrate Easter, so why not laugh with angels and archangels?

 

Tom+

 

Thank You, thank You, thank You, generous God! You have injected life with joy, thus we know laughter. You have dabbed creation with color, thus we enjoy beauty. You have whistled a divine tune into the rhythm of life, thus we hear music. You have filled our minds with questions, thus we appreciate mystery. You have entered our hearts with compassion, thus we experience faith. Thank You, God. Amen! - C. Welton Gaddy

In This Issue
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Worship
Holy Humor Sunday
Sunday, April 27th will be Holy Humor Sunday at Christ Church.
Blessing of the Drivers
There will be a blessing of the drivers on May 18th.
Formation
The Louchery Lecture Series

The Louchery Lecture Series presents Dr. Lauren Winner, Saturday evening, May 3rd and Sunday Morning, May 4th. Lauren F. Winner is the author of numerous books, including Girl Meets God and Mudhouse Sabbath, and A Cheerful & Comfortable Faith: Anglican Religious Practice in the Elite Households of Eighteenth-Century Virginia. Her most recent book is Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis. She has appeared on PBS's Religion & Ethics Newsweekly and has written for The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post Book World, Publishers Weekly, Books and Culture, and Christianity Today. LLSeries

Wednesday Small Group Bible Study
The Wednesday Small Group Bible Study meets in the Vestry Room from 6 to 7 p.m. Tonight's reading will be the Book of Jude, verses 1-25, with the topic of False Teaching.

Godfrey
638 8747
Women's Formation Group 

Rev. Leigh is building  a women's formation group that meets regularly for reflection, study, and spiritual growth. The focus of the group is yet to be determined, but could include: a Bible study, a study of specific book, or the development of a spiritual practice.  Those who are interested should email Rev. Leigh. 
Episcopal Youth Community - EYC
EYC Schedule - April & May

Sunday, April 27 - EYC Meets
Sunday, May 4 - EYC Meets
Sunday, May 11 - EYC Meets (Mother's Day)
Sunday, May 18 - No EYC Meeting (Rev. Leigh away)
Sunday, May 25 - No EYC Meeting (Memorial Day Weekend)
Calling All Brave CCF Men!
The Tuesday morning men's bible study has thrown caution to the wind and embarked upon a study of The Revelation of John. Come join us in the library Tuesdays at 7:30, if you dare.
Fellowship
Celebration of Shared Ministry - A Music Offering

There will be a Celebration of Shared Ministry, a Music Offering, which was scheduled for Thursday, May 1st at 6:30 p.m. has been postponed.

Outreach
Pastoral Care: Angel Guild Members Needed
The Angel Guild of Christ Church provides meals for parishioners who have had a significant medical event, such as a hospital stay or other illness. Coordinated by Susan Imhoff, the Angel Guild falls under the umbrella of Pastoral Care. Guild members rotate the responsibility, with two members taking a month at a time. We need more people for this important ministry. If you would be interested in joining the Angel Guild, please contact Rev. Leigh ([email protected]).
ECW Collecting Gently Used Clothing
"Klara's box" is open in the PH and available for gently-used clothing that we will donate to the STAR Foundation or Goodwill.  Please remember, these items will not be shredded so make sure they are wearable and in good condition.  As the seasons change and yu update your closets around the house, please remember those who might enjoy your gently used items.
Ministry to the Sages: Drivers Needed

Christ Church has many parishioners who are unable to drive to evening or night services or events (or at all) due to vision impairment. Our Ministry to the Sages (parishioners age 55+) seeks to connect these folks with a driver who could provide transportation to and from church for evening events or services. If you feel called to assist with this much needed ministry, please contact Rev. Leigh by calling the church office (912.638.8683) or by emailing her ([email protected]).

St. Athanasius' Food Bank

The St. Athanasius' Food Bank collection day will be this Sunday, April 6th. Please bring your non-perishable food items to worship with you that weekend.

Information
Christ Church Youth Missioner
The search for the Christ Church Youth Missioner is underway. Please follow this link to view the position description.
Hearing Loop

 

 

 

The following information was provided by a seasonal parishioner, David Abell. If you have hearing loss, and use a hearing aid, this information might be useful to you when you worship with us at Christ Church.

 

Christ Church, Frederica has a hearing loop installed in its sanctuary. It can be accessed directly by any person using a hearing aid equipped with a t-coil or telecoil (or having a cochlear implant) anywhere within the seating area. This is accomplished by turning on a t-switch or changing programs on the hearing aid without need for any additional equipment. By using the hearing loop, parishioners will be able to clearly hear the speakers during the services. Those persons not having a telecoil can use the hearing loop by requesting headphones from an usher.   Because the placement of the organ speakers in the sanctuary creates additional sound to that from the microphones feeding the hearing loop, users may wish to turn off the hearing loop while listening to music. In addition, some telecoils may not be properly oriented and it may be necessary to incline one's head or sit in a different area to obtain a better signal. Persons not familiar with the telecoil or t-switch can obtain further information from an usher. Most hearing aids (other than very small aids) have a telecoil. Some users may need to consult with their audiologist to turn on or adjust the telecoil or install one. 

Pastoral Concerns Committee

The Pastoral Concerns Committee will meet on Sunday, April 27 from 1:00p to 2:30p in the Vestry Room. Lunch will be provided, so please RSVP to Rev. Leigh ([email protected]) so that we might adequately prepare. Please note that the previously published date of April 13th is incorrect.  

The ECW Needs Your Help
ECW teller team is almost complete but we sure could use a few more hands to count the cookbook proceeds on Monday mornings. If you have about an hour or hour and a half to spare and can lend us a hand, we sure would appreciate the help.  We are trying to get about 10-12 on the teller team so that we will have duty every 4-6 weeks.  Please let the office know if this is something you might like to do.
The Live Poet's Society
The Live Poet's Society would love to have anyone who writes poetry or is interested in writing poetry join us for our monthly meetings.  We have lost several members and need to build our number back up.  Call me at 638-2717 for more information.
Thanks,
Angie Burns
Vi Fluentis Children's Choir PJ's Concert

The Vi Fluentis Children's Choir PJ's Concert with Dinner will be 5:45 p.m. on Friday, April 25th. For more information, please contact Kathleen Turner ([email protected]).

Creative Arts Camp

The Mozart Society
The Mozart Society will hold its Annual Winners Concert in the Parish House at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27th. All are invited to attend.
Calendar of Events
Serving This Week

 

Acolytes, Altar Guild, Chalice Bearers, Chancel Masters, Lectors, Greeters and Ushers

 

April 26 - April 27: Second Sunday of Easter

 

Saturday, April 26, 5:30 p.m. - St. I

      Pat Vinton - Altar Guild

 

Sunday, April 27, 8:00 a.m. - CCF

      Nancy Butler - Altar Guild

      David Boland - Chalice Bearer

      David Boland - Lector - First Lesson

      Peg McBride - Usher

 

9:15 a.m. - CCF

      Tennyson Thompson - Acolyte - C

      Laura Ann Harrell - Acolyte - TB

      Seiler Thompson - Acolyte - TB

      Bonnie Chandler - Altar Guild

      Nancy Stoddard - Altar Guild

      Te Turner - Chalice Bearer

      Jody Bradford - Chancel Master

      Barbara Sullivan - Lector - First Lesson

      Bud Dorsey - Greeter

      Margie Dorsey - Greeter

      Bobby Rice - Usher

      Kenneth Webley - Usher

 

11:15 a.m. - CCF

      Hannah Martin - Acolyte - C

      Roberta Callaway - Altar Guild

      Linda Wood - Altar Guild

      David Boland - Chalice Bearer

      Jim Crankshaw - Lector - First Lesson

      Bootie Wood - Greeter

      Royce Wood - Usher

 

5:00 a.m. - St. I

      Susan Shipman - Altar Guild

      Susan Shipman - Chalice Bearer

      Susan Shipman - Lector - First Lesson

      Susan Shipman - Lector - Second Lesson

This Week at Christ Church

Morning Prayer is held at St. Ignatius' Chapel at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday - Friday.

Evening Prayer is held daily at Christ Church, Frederica at 5:00 p.m.

 

*Unless noted otherwise, all events take place at Christ Church

 

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

9:30 a.m. - Manna House

4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Chorister Rehearsal

6 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Bible Study - Book of Jude - Vs 1 to 25 - False Teaching

 

Friday, April 25, 2014

11:30 a.m. - Healing Service

6 p.m. - Musical Bedtime Stories

 

Saturday, April 26, 2014

5:30 p.m. - Worship at St Ignatius

 

Sunday, April 27, 2014

8 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica

10:15 a.m. - Coffee Hour

10:30 a.m. - Sunday School for All Ages

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Pastoral Concerns Committee Meeting

3 p.m. - Mozart Society Winners Concert

5 p.m. - Worship at St. Ignatius

 

Monday, April 28, 2014

9:30 a.m. - Manna House

 

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

7:30 a.m. - Men's Bible Study

2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Handbell Choir Rehearsal

 

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Chorister Rehearsal

6 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Bible Study - Colossians 1: 15 to 23 - The Supremacy of Christ

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Adult Choir Rehearsal

Christ Church, Frederica | (912) 638-8683 | [email protected] | http://ccfssi.org
6329 Frederica Road
St. Simons Island, GA 31522

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