Christ Episcopal Church
Chaptico, MD
e-weekly 5.10 

March 7, 2013

In This Issue:
8am Service Schedule
10:30am & 5:30pm Service
Please Pray For
Holy Week & Easter Services
Announcements & Events
Cash Raffle: Only 400 tickets
March Birthdays
Community Happenings
SafeGuarding God's Children





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Weekly Services
 

 

~ Sunday ~
  1. 8:00am, Morning Prayer / Holy Eucharist           
  2. 10:30am, Organ & Choir / Holy Eucharist  
  3. 5:30pm,  Sung Vespers / Holy Eucharist

    ~ Wednesday ~

    7:15am Holy Eucharist,
    located in the Parish Hall,
     in Fr. Wilkins's Office




ADDRESS:

Church:  25390 Maddox Rd

 

Parish Hall:  37497 Zach Fowler Rd

 

Mailing:  P.O. Box 8, Chaptico, MD 20621









Rev. Dr. Christopher I Wilkins,  

Priest-in-Charge

ciwilkins@christepiscopalchaptico.org 

Office: 301-884-0644  

Cell: 301-247-2482

 

 

  

  

 

 

Crystal Spranger, 

Parish Administrator

Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday  

10AM to 2PM

Office Phone: 301-884-3451  

Email: office@christepiscopalchaptico.org  

    

   

    

Vestry Members

 

Robbie Loker, Sr. Warden

 

Robert Oppermann, Jr. Warden

 

Bill Dollins, Treasurer

 

Betsy Franklin

 

Julie Burch

 

Sheila Hiebert

 

Mike Oliver

 

Jill Oliver

 

Donna Gutierrez 

  


Parish Leaders

Altar Guild:
  Robbie Loker

Finance Chair:
  Herbie Redmond

Cemetery:
  Brad Reeves

Organist:
  Larry Whitbeck

Parish Life:
  Shelby Oppermann

Registrar:
  Karen Owens

Stewardship:
  Robbie Loker

Fundraising: 
David Spranger

Friday-Night Sunday School
(FNSS) Coordinator
:
 Muriel Dollins
  
  
  
Building & Grounds Team

John Colton

Mike Oliver

Robert Oppermann

Greg Penk

Brad Reeves

David Spranger

Mark Topolski  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Men's Night for  
the
Ladies Photos 
 2/23/2013

Greg Oliver
  
  

John & Karen Colton

 

 

 

Tad & Julie Burch

 



 Hall Activities

and   

Rental Information    

 

Hall  

Rental Availability

 

www.christepiscopalchaptico.org/parishhallevents.html   

 

Book Your Event Today! 

 

 

  

~ Wednesday  ~     

Holy Eucharist, 7:15am,   

Priest's Office   

Wine and Bibles, 6:30pm,   

 

 

Every Thursday ~ 

Yoga 

9 -10:15am  & 10:30am -12:00pm  

Narcotics Anonymous  Mtg, 

7:00-8:00pm  

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

Historic Churches

We are one, but not the only one.

Whereas  all modern churches look

 the same, each historic church

is historic and intriguing

 in its own way.

 

 

 

Other St. Mary's County

.Episcopal Churches   

 

 
St. George's Episcopal, Valley Lee,

 

   

St. Mary's Parish  

Ridge,  

 

 

 

All Saints Episcopal, Avenue MD  

 

 

  

 

All Faith Episcopal, 

Mechanicsville 

 

 

 

 

Church of the Ascension, Lexington Park, MD     

 

 


 

St. Andrews

Leonardtown, MD

 

 

 

 

 Diocese of Washington   

Bishop Mariann Budde

 

 

Bishop's Photo Journal

 

 

The Bishop's Blog

 

 

Letters & Writings

  

Sermon

 

 

 

 

To learn more about the

Episcopal Faith,

Please visit

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/

    

    

The Episcopal Church

Uses the Revised Common Lectionary.  

You can find it online at:

www.lectionarypage.net/      

 

 It's good to stay up to date with the
 Daily Office and weekly readings.
 The Daily Office from Mission St. Claire
is available online and as an app
 for your Smartphone.
We also have Forward Day
by Day available in the church
and at the parish hall,
which is another way to
keep up with daily prayer
and Bible reading at 

March 5, 2013

 

Saturnine Wednesday

 

Dear People of Christ Church:

  

Today was a snow day on which it did nothing but rain. Everything except the sequester, drat it, was canceled, and the stores were overrun with last-minute hoarders - or so I hear; I was not among them. The winds howl, the water soaks the saturated ground, and the leaden sky glooms, like a cosmic Eeyore, the world. It all brought to mind the tempests we get, with increasing stone-grey frequency, in warmer seasons. The earth heats, the air rushes, and the waters roil and splash and seep. Seeps terrify: a silent stain not outside and not welcome, doom.    

 

But for all that, these Potomac Valley storm-skeers give us nothing so much as a bit of a break. The storms of the earth keep the storms of life at bay, at least for a time. That is, in its way, good. People often need a break. In this way they are very much not like legs or promises, or the Energizer Bunny, that little pink battery-shaped drum-beater who takes a licking and keeps on ticking.    

 

No, wait; that's a Timex, right?. "They only stay little till their Timex wears out"?

 

No, that's Carter's baby clothes. At least I think so. (After a while, the ads all run into each other in the landscape of memory.) Be that as it may, people, unlike baby clothes, need a break. When we take it in the form of a chance to work hard and play hard all at once, it can be quite effective and quite revealing. I think - and it's really more of a guess, since I wasn't there, either - that our most recent fundraiser / fellowship event, Men's Night for the Ladies, had that character. In good Mardi Gras / Carnival fashion, the parish collectively blew off steam and drank, ate and danced till it didn't so much drop as just keep going and going and going.    

 

 

Another similar event is on its way: St. Patrick's Day. Beeves will be corned. Cabbages will be boiled. Carrots will be braised. Beers will be brewed. Diners will dine, dancers will dance, players will play, and every shade of green shall appear (except on the beeves). There will, I fear and shudder to say, be a leprechaun.    

 

In the medieval church, high officials used to complain, pharisaically, about the yearly cycle of feast and festivals, particularly the Carnival-esque blowouts of which ours are but echoes, and their extravagance, indulgence and licenses to sin and, later, to regret. Pastors and priests closer to real people's lives would quietly explain that people need times and events like these, whether or not their overlords liked them, and look the other way. Friar Tuck would stick to his pipes and beer.

 

Life should not be hard, but it is. Our ways forward should be clearer than they are. We should stay young and healthy longer, or at least try harder to. We should not live to look back with regret, but we often do.

 

"Sometimes we need a snow day, even if it's mostly rain."

   
Blessings,
Fr. Christopher 

 

P.S. "Saturnine"? This storm was apparently named "Saturn." He ruled over creation and destruction, and did so pretty well. His golden age was a paradise with neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, but it is lost. His priests, held in absolute trust, guarded the treasury of Rome. Saturn himself once cut off Cupid's wings, which I think is mean. When the Romans learned of the Hebrew God Yahweh ("I am"), Saturn was the god they thought "I am" most resembled. Saturday is named for him. His festival, "Saturnalia," is where we get Christmas and was a blowout to put even Rio's Carnaval to shame. "Saturnine" itself means slow and gloomy, moody and mysterious, like the god, his priests, and today. The Romans eventually worked out that it came from lead poisoning. CIW+

  

  

  

 

  

Liturgical Schedule - March 10, 2013 

Fourth Sunday in Lent  

  

Propers

1st Lesson - Joshua 5:9-12  

Psalm - 32

2nd Lesson - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Gospel - Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 

               
Holy Eucharist  - 8:00AM        
LEM - Kathy Cooke

Greeters - David & Mary Simmons 

Lector -  Eb Cooper 

 

  

   

Holy Eucharist, 10:30AM  

LEMs - Susan McQuilkin & Mike Whitson 

Greeters - Monty & Helen Wright 

Lector -  Clare Whitbeck 

Acolytes - Tyler & Makayla Derrington, and Ava Ciabattoni 

 

10:30 Refreshments Reminder:  

The Wright Family 

  

Prayer & Eucharist (Vespers), Rite III - 5:30PM
Readings:

Joshua 5:9-12,  Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 

Please join us for this contemplative, peaceful worship service.

 

March Altar Guild: Mary Simmons and Susan Tyner 

 
Please Pray For       

 

Please pray for the following parishioners: Clare Whitbeck, Chris & Bonny Moore,  William Mattingly,  Russell Maske, Rayetta McWilliams, Keith Owens,  and Ed Moore.

 

Please also pray for: Richard Griffith - Colton; James McCarty, Judy Thomas - Rogers, Robert Whitlock - Donahue; Bill Armstrong - Baldwin, Marvin Miller, Carol Stockman, Dee Brooks, Greg Rumph - Penk; Henry & Melba Lauver, Chrissy Cliff - Moore; Michael Mulling, Grace Ann Guy, Irving Hall - Zantizinger; Claire Broadhead - Tyner;

April Sauerwein - Swann; Kay DesMarais - Edger; Dana Biacetti - Weston; Laura Wible - Cooper; Katherine Stormont - McQuilkin; Karli Trost, Janice Chearney - Sirk; Rose Kinnaman - Oppermann; William Turner  - Derrington, The Reisinger Family, Shingo Yamamoto - Fitch; John Lawton - Burch; Rebecca Comp - Drumgoole; John Woodward - McGarity Deborah Schoenbauer - Rocheleau; Michael Montillo - Montillo; Louise Phillips, Ralph Horrell, The Brizendine Family - Heflin; and Charles Laskey - Laskey.

Recently Departed:  
Rafaela Mesa -
Jose Gutierrez's mother;
Charles Demere - priest who lived for several years here in St. Mary's County. Obituary link:
http://www.spryfuneralhomes.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1992196&fh_id=10749    

 

 

Come Worship with us during HOLY WEEK and EASTER 

March 24 through March 31, 2013

 

 

March 24 - Palm Sunday & Procession

  • Holy Eucharist - 8:00 & 10:30am (No 5:30pm service)

SederSupperMarch 28 - Maundy Thursday  

  • Seder (Passover) Supper & Eucharist, Parish Hall 6:30pm; with Bishop Mariann Budde 

            Maundy service to follow in the church. We will celebrate

            the Last Supper of Our Lord together with all the

            Episcopal churches in the county. Please RSVP to Crystal Spranger.  

            Please contact Fr. Wilkins or Mike Whitson for additional information.

 

Note: Maundy Thursday ends with the stripping of the altar down at the church. There will be a garden of repose there as well, where people may choose to spend some time in silent prayer throughout the night.

 

March 29 - Good Friday

  • Good Friday Liturgy - 7:00pm

March 31 - Easter Day

  • Easter Eucharist- 8:00am
  • Great Vigil of Easter and Holy Baptism - 10:30am
  • No 5:30pm late service

Easter Egg Hunt: will be held in the Church cemetery following the 10:30am service. In case of inclement weather, the Easter Egg Hunt will be moved to the Parish Hall building. Questions, please contact Monty Wright @ 240-434-2883(cell), or e-mail:wrightjm@md.metrocast.net.  

  

Note: Except for the Seder and Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, all services are held in the church.  

 

 

 

Announcements and Events   

 

   

 2012 Membership Growth & Updates: 
 Baptisms: 3;  Confirmations: 3;  Received by a bishop: 8;
 New Members: 29 members and 9 families;  Wednesday's Bible Study Average: 8;
 Friday Night Sunday School: 36;  Average Sunday Attendance: 90;

 

Wednesday's, Wine and Bibles This coming week we focus on the Didache (DID-a-kee), an early near-New Testament work that is also called the teaching of the 12 apostles. It almost made it into the Bible, but was, you might say, a bit too harsh even for those days. You may find it at earlychristianwritings.com, under "D". Come read and hear what some of our Christian ancestors thought, taught, and believed at the beginning. Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Parish Hall.

 

  

SAINT PATRICK'S DINNER & MUSIC - SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2013 

at the Parish Hall. Enjoy Corned Beef and all the trimmings. Live music, and great dancing. Tickets with a reservation are $15 each and $20 at the door for adults, and children $5 each. Cocktails will be provided for a free will donation. Come out for an evening of dining, dancing, fellowship, and fun. Please R.S.V.P. to the office via email or call 301-884-3451. Accepting all major credit cards.

     

Friday-Night Sunday School Welcomes You -  Preschool to High School Ages!   Friday, March 15, 22, & 28, 2013, 6:30 - 8:00pm.  Family & friends are welcome. Contact us at the Office, or Muriel Dollins at 301-884-4710, if you are interested in participating or volunteering with this growing and vibrant program. To learn more, please visit 

http://www.christepiscopalchaptico.org/Our%20Ministries.html   

 

 

MAUNDY THURSDAY - Seder (Passover) Supper & Eucharist, at the Parish Hall at 6:30pm; with Bishop Mariann Budde.   Maundy service will follow in the church. We will celebrate the Last Supper of Our Lord together with other Episcopal churches in the county.  Please contact Fr. Wilkins for additional information.  Please RSVP to Crystal Spranger..

 

 

Annual Church Rummage Sale & Refreshments
7:00am to 1:00pm, on Christ Church Parish Hall grounds. Refreshment proceeds from drinks, and baked goods will be available to purchase. Bring your own table and rent space for $20 or rent space and a table for $25.  Contact Crystal at mailto:office@christepiscopalchaptico.org or 301-884-3451, to rent your space. Mark Your Calendar Now! Rain or Shine! Proceeds from table rental and donations to the Christ Church Rummage Table will support ministry programs.  

  

 

CAMP EDOW (Episcopal Diocese of Washington)
- Save the date!  For rising 4th-8th graders, at Lions Camp Merrick in Nanjemoy, MD; Sunday, July 28 - Friday, August 2, 2013. Cost is $500, scholarship application will be available.  Get ready for a week of fun, faith, friends, activities, and memories with an Episcopal flair! More information visit
Foundations of Episcopal Identity - Why was Jesus Jewish? Who invented the catholic church, and are we part of it? The Church of England? The Nicene Creed? Whose ideas were they? Where is this See of Canterbury, and who lives there and why? Why do we have communion every Sunday? What is communion anyway? What is the meaning of this Book of Common Prayer, and why is it sometimes so hard to read? Who wrote it and why? These questions and more lie at the heart of our particular form of Christian faith and our Episcopal identity. If you're interested in exploring these and other related questions, please see Fr. Christopher, who's looking to start a new study group for adults and clever teenagers to ask and answer them.
 

Snow, snow, ice and snow -  Nearly. Almost. A bit, here and there. Now it's rain upon rain. Stay dry. Drive not on ice. Pray for rain for when we need it, too, later in the year.

 

 

On WARMIf you would like to volunteer at any of the host sites for the WARM program during this season or otherwise support the program, please be in touch with Fr. Christopher or the parish office to learn of the schedule of host sites and their various needs. Under new management, the program has strengthened its ability to safely and efficiently serve, during the chilly months of the year, those in our community who lack permanent housing. All reports indicate that the new, improved program is going quite well this season.

 

 

 

 

A
 Christ Church Cash Raffle 
3 Chances to Win!  Only 400 tickets sold!    
First Prize - $2,500;  Second Prize - $1,000;  Third Prize - $500
Drawing: June 14, 2013 (Flag Day)
Tickets are $20.00 each 
Contact Crystal at 301-884-3451 or via email , or David Spranger at 240-298-8310 to purchase a ticket.  Tickets will be for sale at all upcoming Christ Church events.  
 
 
 Christ Church Youth Birthdays in March
 
Happy Birthday To:  
Alyssa Bolton - March 3;
Tyler Derrington - March 17
;
Shawn Gregory, II - March 14
;
 

Community Happenings 




Veterans Programs and Homelessness - Friday, March 8, 2013, 9:30am to 11:30am.  Three Oaks Center requests the honor of your presence at a forum on veterans programs and homelessness, located at Southern Maryland Higher Education Center at 44219 Airport Road, California, MD.  Please come to support us regarding this challenging subject to together we can develop strategies to strengthen our community partnership.

Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance is sponsoring a Contra Dance on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the  Parish Hall. The doors open at 7:00pm and the dancing begins at 7:30. Admission is $8 for non-SMTMD members; $6 for members (band members are free). No fancy or outlandish clothing is required! You need to be comfortable, to move freely. There will be an ice cream social following the dance. For more information and directions go to www.smtmd.org.


Bishop's Bike Rides 2013 - Join Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, and other cyclists in a series of rides around the diocese this spring and summer.  The goals of these rides are having fun, getting healthy and connecting with the community and our bishop. Beginning Sunday, March 17, through June 15, 2013.  For updated information visit

 

 

Our Lady of the Wayside Food Pantry - just around the corner from us, is in need of the following items: Peanut Butter, Jelly, Hamburger Helper, Noodle & Rice Sides, Pancake Mix, Noodles, Mac & Cheese and Juice. Monetary donations are also accepted, and can be sent to the Parish office and will be forwarded to the Food Pantry.

 

Southern Maryland Food Bank - is in need of the following items: Canned Meat, Peanut Butter, Pasta, Fruits (canned or dried), Canned Soup & Vegetables, Sauces/Salad Dressing, Evaporated Milk, Powdered Milk, Oatmeal, Breakfast Cereal, Rice, and Beans (canned or dried).  If you wish to donate money you can send your donations to: Southern Maryland Food Bank, P.O. Box 613, Hughesville, MD 20637.  For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can purchase 8 pounds of food.

 
 

  

Register Today!  Safeguarding God's Children

Christ Church, Chaptico, Saturday, April 13, 2013

9:30am - 12:30pm 

Our Growing and Vibrant Youth Group
Our Growing and Vibrant Youth Group

Child Abuse Prevention Training for Paid Full-time Staff and
All Who Work With Children & Youth

Safeguarding God's Children provides participants with the information they need to protect the children they know and care for in their personal lives and the ministries in which they serve. The program is based on the philosophy that if every adult can protect just one child, the will forever change one life. If we can all change one life, together we will make a difference in this generation of children.

 

In the Diocese of Washington, we want each of our parishes to actively protect their children and youth so that we may live into our baptismal covenant and to help them grow stronger in their life in Christ.

 

Who needs to attend?

  • All paid parish staff members who have not completed a child abuse and sexual misconduct prevention of program in the last three years
  • Any volunteers working with children and youth (including Christian education leaders) who have not completed a child abuse and sexual misconduct prevention of program in the last three years
  • Anyone who wishes to learn more about how their parish can protect children and youth.  

Please contact the Crystal Spranger if you are interested in registering, or helping with setup and cleanup. 

 

Light refreshments will be provided by Christ Church Parish.

          

For further details visit http://www.edow.org/news-and-events/events/featured-events/safeguarding-god-s-children