The Message July 2010

July 27, 2010 • Volume 12, Number 4

Rally Day & Ministry Fair, 3 Children’s Ministry Upcoming Events, 4-5 Adult Education & Student Ministry Fall Programs, 6 Children’s Choirs at Christ Church, 7

From

In this issue: Rally Day & Ministry Fair.... 3 Fall Service Schedule............ 3 Children’s Ministry............4-5 Adult Education..................... 6 Student Ministry.................... 6 Children’s Choirs.................. 7 Prayer Requests & Pastoral Updates................... 7 Calendar of Events............... 8

Cover photo by Susanna Kitayama, Vacation Bible School, June 21-25, 2010.

A Welcome Return B arbara and I have been

overwhelmed by your gracious welcome as we return to Christ Church. Biblically speaking, retirement seems to come just after a funeral.

As we begin a fresh chapter in the life of this congregation, I am reminded of a time many years ago when I spent a weekend of teaching in the small East Coast Nicaraguan village of Marshall Point. My host was Christopher Moses, the local Catechist. When the boat came to take me home on Monday morning, I remarked on the pleasure of meeting all the villagers. Mr. Moses replied, “Oh, Father, you don’t know all of us yet.”

He then led me up a hill to a small cemetery where we sat for about 20 minutes, gazing out on the Pearl Lagoon.

“Now you do,” he said.

Christ Church is a remarkable parish and has been for over a hundred years. Our identity is not limited to our current membership. It includes our previous generations, and if you can imagine it, our future ones as well.

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Many

Christ Episcopal Church 510 Belknap Place San Antonio, TX 78212

people have been brought to faith here.

They’ve been nourished, and commissioned for ministry and service.

They remind us of our rich heritage.

Bishop Bill Frey Interim Rector plusbill@aol.com

At the same time I’ve been reminded of a familiar passage of Scripture in which Jeremiah speaks words of encouragement to the Jewish exiles in Babylon: “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). I thank God for the faithful who have gone before us. And my prayer, hope, and expectation is that we will continue in the trajectory that has been set for us, firm on the one foundation, Jesus Christ, so that future generations may look back and thank God for our witness and faithfulness. +Bill Frey

210-736-3132 office 210-733-1423 fax www.cecsa.org

All Aboard The Good Ship Christ Church!

Rally Day and Ministry Fair: September 12, 2010 D on’t Miss the Boat! We

need all hands on deck for our Rally Day and Ministry Fair, Sunday, September 12 at 9:00 AM on the parish lawn.

Christ Church is a good ship! Get on board! We need all hands on deck to do the work of Jesus! The ship has long been a symbol of the church, transporting the faithful through the unpredictable seas of this life to the safe harbor of our heavenly home. Christ Church is that kind of church with Jesus Christ as both captain of the ship and the light guiding us on our journey.

Come to Rally Day, Sunday, September 12, at 9:00 AM on the lawns to see what we will be offering in Sunday school classes for all ages, meet Sunday school teachers, and sign up to be part of these light-giving groups.

Also, come see what great opportunities are available for you to serve as a light

in our community through Christ Church outreach ministries and to the world through Christ Church missions. Christ Church is known throughout the city and beyond as a graciously giving place. Come meet our outreach and missions leaders to hear how you can be a light to the world. Our music ministry will also be represented with leaders from children’s and adult choirs available to sign you up to let your light shine by singing God’s praise. Other Bible study opportunities and service organizations including women’s and men’s bible studies, Hearts and Hands women of the church ministry, Daughters of the King, and Junior Daughters of the King will be present.

A seaworthy breakfast will be served on the lawn for all, so come enjoy food and fellowship with your shipmates. Children’s activities including Noah’s Ark Petting Zoo will be present to delight our little sailors. Bring your cameras for some great family photos. Nautical crafts and décor will set the theme making the Good Ship Christ Church come to life on this special fall kick-off day. We will all join together for worship in church and children’s chapel at 10:15.

Fall Sunday school will begin full steam ahead on Sunday, September 19, for all ages.

Fall Service Schedule (Our recent summer service schedule will continue into the fall.)

8:00-8:45 AM: Spoken Rite I Communion service in Capers Chapel 9:00 AM: Coffee and pastries in the Parish Hall for adults; Nursery opens; Youth gathering/breakfast in Carriage House 9:15-10:05 AM: Adult Sunday school, Parish Hall; Youth worship/Bible study in Carriage House; Children’s Sunday school in FMC 10:15-11:30 AM: Rite II Communion service with music in sanctuary; Children’s Chapel in FMC, children come to sanctuary at offertory 6:00 PM: Spoken Rite II Communion service in sanctuary Full Parish Meeting: Sunday, August 29, following the 10:15 AM service in order to elect new vestry members.

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Upcoming Events For Our Children “Egypt - Joseph from Prison to Palace” A Great Success On to VBS 2011...

“Hometown Nazareth – Where Jesus Was a Kid” June 20-24, 2011

T hanks to all who made

this summer’s Vacation Bible School “Egypt – Joseph from Prison to Palace” a great success, especially Directors Brooke Peacock and Amy Case of Christ Church and Jennifer Allison of St. Mark’s. We had a great group of approximately 130 children and 50 teen and adult volunteers. All had fun while learning about the life and faith of Joseph.

hear her stories of her son Jesus, shop in the Nazareth Marketplace, and gather in Hometown Huddle small family groups to study bible truths. Tentative VBS 2011 dates are June 20 -24, so save space on your calendar now. Contact VBS Director Amy Case if you know you want to help.

Click here!

Watch an introduction of and learn more about “Hometown Nazareth - Where Jesus Was a Kid!” Jesus is the Light!

Come receive a reminder to attach to your backpack.

Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 22 During children’s chapel and 10:15 church service

A ll students should bring Amy Case and her 2010 VBS family group.

Amy Case will be our 2011 VBS Director and she is already making plans for next summer’s VBS, “Hometown Nazareth – Where Jesus Was A Kid.” Kids, teens, and adults will “time travel” back to Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth and learn about his childhood adventures. They will visit Mary’s house and

VBS 2010 photos by Susanna Kitayama.

their backpacks to church Sunday, August 22, so they and their backpacks can be blessed for the coming school year. Each student will receive a little lighthouse keychain inscribed with “Jesus is the Light” to remind them that Jesus is always with them, guiding them through their school lives and beyond. This little lighthouse can also be a great conversation starter to help our children reach

out to others at school who also need the Light of Christ to guide and protect them along life’s journey.

Halleta Heinrich Director of Children’s Ministry halletah@cecsa.org

During children’s chapel at 10:15 AM there will be special prayers of encouragement for the school year and a lesson shared on Christ as light and our identity as children of the light. Children will then be brought into the church service for a special blessing at the children’s sermon time. Please make sure your children are present on this Sunday before most start school to receive this assurance from God and their church family that Christ is indeed their light and they belong to him! And don’t forget your backpacks!

Special Children’s Picnic & Play Date Sunday, August 29 11:30 AM During Parish Meeting

O ur children will have fun

at a special “Picnic and Play Date” Sunday, August 29, during the parish meeting to be held after the 10:15 AM service. Children will enjoy a picnic lunch provided by our church kitchen and play on our beautiful new playground. We will then cool down with some popsicles and a fun, family movie in the FMC movie theater room 302. Parents should pick up children in the movie theater following the meeting. Nursery care will be provided in nurseries 104, 105, and 106 for infants through young three year olds.

It’s Our Turn!

Children’s C. S. Lewis Festival Come See “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” Labor Day Sunday September 5 During Sunday School and Chapel, 9 :15 – 10:45 AM

Witch, and the Wardrobe” on Sunday, September 5, during Sunday school and chapel from 9:15 – 10:45 AM in the FMC movie theater room 302. Some Narnia-theme treats will be served such as tea (iced and decaf), toast, and Turkish Delight. Adults and teens are welcome to join us. Children will join parents in the service at announcement time.

Good Shepherd Sunday School & The Village of God’s Children Return Fall Sunday School Begins Sunday, September 19 Sunday School: 9:15–10:05 Children’s Chapel: 10:15–10:45 Click here!

Read about our Children’s Ministry Sunday School programs, Good Shepherd Levels I and II and The Village of God’s Children

O ur adults have been en-

joying learning about C. S. Lewis this summer. Now it’s our turn! We will view the classic family movie representation of C. S. Lewis’ great children’s tale, “The Lion, the

eDuCATIoN

“Peculiar to Luke” T his fall Adult Education will focus

John Barrett Asst. Rector johnb@cecsa.org

Fall 2010 Adult Education Begins September 19 9:15-10:00 AM Parish Hall

on stories that are unique to the Gospel of Luke. Beginning on September 19 and led by the Rt. Rev. Bill Frey, this class will be entitled “Peculiar to Luke.” Bill is a gifted teacher who loves God’s word and who loves to share it.

Given the recent turmoil in our church body, our three previous classes will be consolidated into one class in the Parish Hall. We will preserve the same aspects of fellowship, a light breakfast, and a time of opening prayer and announcements prior to the teaching. Our hope is

that the Adult Education classes be a winsome place to welcome newcomers, to draw together in our church relationships, and to sit at the feet of a compelling teacher who will make God’s word relevant in a challenging and grace-filled way.

Our Core Values at Christ Church are a beautiful and clear reminder of our desire to be Christ centered, Spirit filled, and Bible based. As well, they remind us to be caring and outwardly focused in sharing the good news as found in Jesus Christ. May our Adult Education be about upholding these values and living them out.

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Middle School Fall Plans W e (6th-8th graders) will be exploring how

God’s word and Jesus apply to this age group. Was Jesus ever a teenager? We will use the LifeWay® program entitled: “Everything You Need to Know to Be a Teenager.”

This study is biblically based and has a few video segments along with scriptural study.

We are not above having candy and using it to get the most from the kids. Each class will begin in the downstairs of the Carriage House to be followed by the MS study upstairs. Our leaders will be Tina Bigley, Jessica Wilson, and Dennis and Lisa Eberhardt.

At the beginning of the semester, we will have a schedule of some additional activities to include movies, bowling, and laser tag.

VBS 2010 photo by Susanna Kitayama.

High School Fall Plans T his fall in

the Carriage House, the high school (9th-12th graders) will be discussing what matters most—our relationship with God. We will use Nooma®, a thought-provoking video series that takes a look at our world from the perspective of Jesus. Each Sunday will begin with breakfast and fellowship, followed by a time of worship. Daniel and Megan will continue to serve as our high school leaders. Additional events and service opportunities will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

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Tune In and Tune Up! Y es, it’s that wonderful time of year when singing God’s praises in one of our fabulous choirs begins again! All children and students, ages three through 12th grade, are invited to “tune in” and “tune up” for God’s glory.

The Cherub Choir is under the direction of Annalisa Mendiola and will continue singing his praises during the 10:15 AM children’s chapel time on Sundays beginning in September (ages three through kindergarten).

Cherubs will join other children’s choirs for the family service on Christmas Eve. Minisingers will once again be guided by Jackie Shepherd, rehearsing Wednesdays from 4:00-4:45 PM beginning September 1. Watch for them to sing tunefully throughout Prayer Requests Marsha McEldowney, Rocky Walker, Todd Heinrich, Charlotte Hansen, Bob Wallace, Elsie Strickland, Paul Adams, Tom Cox, Edna Noel, Jo Ann Bowermaster, Leita Carter, Kim Yerly, Lance Lewenthal, Joan Brown, Photo submitted by Ruth Berg.

the year, in addition to celebrating Christmas Eve and Palm Sunday with their singing counterparts.

The Mastersingers (3rd graders and up) will continue under the leadership of Ruth Berg and will “tune up” with a traveling boys choir from Haiti in November, join another incredible Lessons and Carols service in December, and prepare their annual musical during the spring. Mastersinger rehearsals are held from 4:00-5:00 PM and begin on Wednesday, September 1, as well.

The Sanctuary Singers (7th grade and up), also under the direction of Ruth Berg, will hold seasonal rehearsals with several options for locations and times available, beginning in October. They will Georgia Henderson, Dick Davis, Evie Bartholomew, Cindy Holliday, Paul Kenyon, Greg Waters, Donny Duggan, Diane Buffington, Beverly Hilton Baptisms Marguerite Bethany Burton, Elise Marion Cross, James Kerlin Barrow

Mini and Mastersingers, Lessons & Carols 2009

join the Mastersingers from time to time and certainly be “tuned in” to celebrate Lessons and Carols and Palm Sunday.

So, set time aside this year and join us as we raise our voices and “tune in and tune up” for the Lord!

For more information, contact Ruth Berg, 824-2600 or ruthaberg@gmail.com.

Marriages Analise Spalten & Carl Pfullmann Deaths Dr. Robert A. Partain, III, Alfred William Rohde, Jr., William Rohmer Campbell, III, Wendell “Carroll” Schorlemer, Dave W. Kittrell, M.D., George Milton Luhn, III

alender

Christ Church Ministry Staff: The Rt. Rev. Bill Frey, Interim Rector plusbill@aol.com

oF eVeNTS

August 17: Vestry Meeting, 5:00 PM, conference room August 22: Blessing of the Backpacks during the 10:15 AM service and children’s chapel * August 29: Full Parish Meeting, immediately following the 10:15 AM service August 29: Children’s special picnic & play date, during the full parish meeting, FMC and playground August 31: Specially Called Vestry Meeting with Bishop Lillibridge, 5:00 PM, conference room September 12: Rally Day and Ministry Fair September 14: Circle of Care begins September 14: Simply Delicious Lunch begins, $4.00 each Tuesday in the parish hall

The Rev. John Barrett, Asst. Rector johnb@cecsa.org The Rev. Scott Kitayama, Asst. Priest, scottk@cecsa.org Carol Miller, Pastoral Care, carolm@cecsa.org Halleta Heinrich, Director of Children’s Ministry, halletah@cecsa.org Richard Peacock, Director of Student Ministry, richard@palomablanca.net Megan Gensch, Asst. Director of Student Ministry, meg.faye@gmail.com Dr. Owen Duggan, Music Minister, owend@cecsa.org Joshua Benninger, Organist, joshb@cecsa.org Ruth Berg, Director of Children’s Music, ruthaberg@gmail.com

Christ Church Support Staff:

September 19: Fall Sunday school begins, 9:15 AM

Gary Birdwell, Parish Administrator, garyb@cecsa.org

September 21: Vestry Meeting, 5:00 PM, conference room

Cherelle Liddle, Executive Asst. to the Rector, cherellel@cecsa.org

September 26: Friends of Music presents Chuck Miller and Friends, 4:00 PM

Darla Nelson, Office Mananger, darlan@cecsa.org

All events at Christ Church unless otherwise noted.

Donna Shreve, Financial Manager, donnas@cecsa.org Laura Shaver, Director of Communications, lauras@cecsa.org

* Full Parish Meeting Sunday, August 29 Christ Church sanctuary immediately following 10:15 AM service Please join us during this important time to elect new vestry members.

Anna Jewell, Receptionist, annaj@cecsa.org Pat Wilson, Administrative Asst., patw@cecsa.org Elizabeth Martinez, Kitchen Manager, elizabethm@cecsa.org Robert Vallejo, Facilities Manager, robertv@cecsa.org Rudy Segovia, Hospitality Manager, rudys@cecsa.org Joe Garcia, Sexton, joeg@cecsa.org

Send submissions for The Message, website, email newsletter, and Sunday announcements to Laura Shaver, phone: 210.736.3132, fax 210.733.1423, email: lauras@cecsa.org.

Material is published according to timeliness and relevance to the vision of the church. Deadlines for submissions are as follows: September 14 issue: August 31 deadline Ministry info: September 18 - November 19 The Message is published bi-monthly by Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place, San Antonio, TX 78212.

Christ Episcopal Church 510 Belknap Place San Antonio, TX 78212 www.cecsa.org