July 2014 • Volume 16, Number 4
Children playing with the parachute at VBS 2014 in June
Seven Simple Habits for the Sweet Life: 2 Happening #128: 7 Learning about Islam: 8 Mark Gregston Comes to Help with Your Teen: 9 VBS Pictures: 11 From the Rector’s Book Stack: 14
FROM
In this issue: Music Ministry ...................... 6 Youth Ministry ...................... 7 Our Church Life ................... 8 Family Ministry...................10 World Missions.....................12 Planned Giving....................13 Outreach...............................13 Page Turners.......................14 Calendar of Events ............15
Sunday Services: 7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 1 9:00 a.m. Family-friendly Communion Service with Music 10:00 a.m. Christian Education for Children, Youth, and Adults 11:00 a.m. Choral Eucharist, Rite 2 6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 2 Visit us on-line at www.cecsa.org
Seven Simple Habits
“I
am disappointed,” he said, which made me wish that I had hidden behind the mound of Idaho potatoes in the produce section. Chance meetings at the PATRICK GAHAN Rector grocery store can patrickg@cecsa.org either be good or bad. Regardless, I should have known that I’d eventually be discovered while foraging for jellybeans, my evening addiction. “I am disappointed in our Sunday School program at church,” he went on, so gray faced as to drain the color out of the candy I was holding in my left hand. “You’re not reaching my two girls. With Twitter, Instagram, and texting, the church should be able to send them uplifting messages all throughout the week that will keep them on track. My girls are busy. You have to catch them on the run.” He then pushed his grocery cart down the aisle, while I stood there grasping my HEB Jellybeans that had all but lost their sweet allure. The man’s supermarket declaration followed me out of the store and back home. “Twenty-six years of ordained ministry has come to this,” I thought. “I must become like Lady Gaga, composing tweets to buoy up frenzied followers or sending instagram photos to the faithful that suddenly appear like those instructions issued on Mission Impossible, ‘Good morning, Mr. Phelps,’ and are burned to ash only moments later.”
for the
Sweet Life
We are not merely selfish or shallow, but we have been sold a “bill of goods” in modern American Christianity. We sometimes think that our faith life is contained solely in some “Damascus Road” moment. Like Saint Paul, we hope that we will be zapped into a new life in a lightening flash. But that did not even happen for Paul. Shortly after his encounter with Christ on that dusty road, he strode out to the Arabian Desert (See: Galatians 1:18. Note: The chronology of Paul’s travels leads us to conclude he was in the desert for three entire years). We believe Paul came face-to-face with his demons in that lonely landscape, and he persevered to become a radically changed man. We’re no different than the great apostle. It will take more than an occasional Tweet to make us true women and men of God. I’m not “raging against the machine here.” No card card-carrying Luddite am I. Technology is here to stay, and its footprint in our lives will grow. As a matter of fact, I applaud innovations that deliver the Gospel by inventive means. Our devices are not the problem; it’s the perception we have of ourselves. Technology may be here to stay, but we aren’t. Saint James’s words haunt me on this accord: Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a while then vanishes. James 4:13-14 Just Visiting
Cover photo by Susanna Kitayama Back cover photo by Clark Wendel 2
“Lord, you need to catch up with me because I am moving pretty darn fast,” we order. We demand God on our terms, to meet our schedule, and in small enough amounts as to not interrupt the cadence of our days or over-tax the attention we reserve for important things. Twenty seconds of religion contained in neat little pictures is all we can handle.
Merely “a mist?” Our human impermanence has been very much on my mind of late. Several personal factors contribute to this preoccupation. One is my age. In four months time, I will be sixty. Ten years ago on my fiftieth birthday, the thought occurred to me that I had already lived more of my life than I had left to experience. Approaching sixty, an exclamation
From Our Rector... point has been added to that thought. Secondly, death is a constant in any pastor’s life. Rare is the month that I do not officiate at two burials or more. Curiously, I am more emotionally involved in burials now than when I was as a younger priest. John Donne, the 17th century poet and Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London, depicts my emerging sentiment, “Never send to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee.” The ringing in my ears is announcing my own mortality. This third occurrence stirs me far more than the other two. The birth of our second grandson, Grant, has awakened me to my earthly transience. When he was born seven months ago, the hospital staff informed my daughter-in-law and son that Grant has Down Syndrome. In that moment, their outlook on the future changed. Questions erupted that they imagined were long settled. How could they continue as a two-income family while caring for a special needs child? What effect would Grant’s needs have on older brother Will’s childhood, and, for that matter, his adulthood? Could Grant ever hold a job? Achieve any level of independence? Would Sara and Clay ever revel in the serenity of an “empty nest” after their long, challenging years of raising children?
...a simple, yet profound truth settled in my heart: “We only get one life.” We get one life in which we can withhold or expend every ounce of love with which we have been entrusted. Their confusion and pain caught up with me, and a simple, yet profound truth settled in my heart: “We only get one life.” We get one life in which we can withhold or expend every ounce of love with which we have been entrusted. We get one life to repress or express the unique creativity that each one of us has been given. We get one life to ignore or engage the pain we encounter. Thus, the sum of a good life, of one lived to the fullest, is not what we’ve amassed, but
what we’ve given away. Our grandson Grant will require a great deal. Our family has been given the opportunity to give, which is the boulevard to a real life. Jesus punctuated this truth when he said:
to get what they desired, claiming it was rightfully theirs, God “gave them their marching orders.” The sweet life they had known in close communion with God was dashed against the rocks of their selfish preoccupation.
For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. Matthew 13:12
Because this self-serving behavior is so ingrained in our psyches, it will take more than just a succession of instantaneous pious thoughts to change us. We need a new direction of life, . an utter change of habits.
Use
it or
Lose
it
“Even what they have will be taken away?” Jesus’ statement hits us with a thud. Has gentle Jesus let loose a meanspirited barb? His words are not mean at all. Rather, Jesus’ terse declaration is meant to wake us up. Life is to be fully lived. Love completely expended. Compassion generously poured out. Then, miraculously, like the loaves and fish, we discover that the more we break open our lives for others, the more we are given. On the other hand, the more love, life, and creativity we hold back, the more our days leak out like unused water from a broken pipe. Jesus was issuing a statement of fact when he said, “Whoever saves his life will lose it” (Luke 9:24). The sweet life is one that is creatively active in the service of others. How do we learn to live that way? From our toddler tantrums thrown in the aisles of department stores, through our defiant teenage standoffs with our parents, to our adult obsession with our work at the expense of our families, we have learned self-preservation. While there is certainly nothing wrong with expressing our individuality, differentiating from others, and working hard and resourcefully to make a living, the longer we center our best efforts solely on ourselves and our families, the more the sweet life Jesus extols slips away like sand between our fingers. Essentially, we go about enacting again and again the oldest sin in the Bible – promoting self over all others, including God. Is that not how Adam and Eve were kicked out of God’s garden? Conniving
As a young teenager, the grave reality of humanity’s cycle of ego-driven sin was starkly illustrated for me in a required novel for freshman English, A Separate Peace. The story begins in an adolescent Eden of sorts – a New England boarding school full of adventurous boys, who revel in their broad diversity and close friendships. Suddenly, an unholy eruption occurs in the midst of this haven. One of the boys, Gene, becomes convinced that his best friend, Phineas, secretly wants to diminish him. Harking back to that fateful tree in the middle of Eden, Gene makes Phineas fall from a high limb of an oak tree. Gene destroys his dearest friend. Paradise lost – again. Because this self-serving behavior is so ingrained in our psyches, it will take more than just a succession of instantaneous pious thoughts to change us. We need a new direction of life, an utter change of habits. This should not surprise us, because Jesus states very little about exalted thoughts and feelings, but volumes about transformed habits. Jesus graphically spoke about the – man who built his house on rock; the servant who remained awake and waiting for his master; the bridesmaids who brought enough oil; the son who finally came to himself and returned home; seeds that were planted in good soil; the mustard seed that grew into a sheltering bush; the Samaritan who nursed the injured
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From Our Rector... man; the man who sold all he had for the pearl of great price; the woman who kneaded a bit of yeast in her dough; and the list goes on. Habits
for the
Heart
We only get off the merry-go-round of Adam and Eve’s self-serving sin through the grace of God leading us into new habits of life. Concrete, practical changes must be undertaken. Conversion of life is always a fullbody experience. What follows are seven integral habits that will lead us Christians back to the high ground of Eden: 1. Worship Worship is the bedrock of all other formative Christian habits. Until we regularly join with others in worship of the Lord, we will continue living way out on that limb with Adam, Eve, and Gene worshiping ourselves. Left to our own devices, we become our personal Golden Calf. The paradox of worship is that it is the Lord Himself who enables us to take our eyes off ourselves so that we, again, can become supple and receptive to His love and return His love in praise and adoration. The opening salutation of Morning Prayer in our Prayer Book entreats – Lord, open our lips and our mouth shall proclaim your praise (Psalm 51:15). Once we commit to worship, the Lord puts the right words in our mouths. 2. Prayer The second habit of the Christian life is closely connected to the first. We must pray privately each day. Corporate worship raises our hearts in songs and praises to God. Private prayer breaks open our hearts before the Lord through confession, thanksgiving, Intercession, and adoration. How very telling it is that Jesus retreated to privately pray during the brightest, most productive and jubilant times of his ministry, as well as during the darkest hour of his doubt and despair (Mark 1:34-37 & Matthew 26:38-39). 3. Rest ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep
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it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work…(Exodus 20:810). We are so accustomed to the notion of “weekends” that we have forgotten that for most of human history no day of rest was ever considered for working people. God changed all that when he issued the most distinctive of the Ten Commandments designating every seventh day of the week as a day of rest. Keeping Sabbath is a most radical religious act. Stepping back from our work and retreating from the ordinary routine of our lives, we trust the Lord to keep creation percolating without our help. Sabbath is a gift to humanity, so that we may rest and regain the right perspective about who truly runs the universe and directs our lives. 4. Work How strange it may seem that I list the habit of work immediately after the necessity of rest. Both, however, are tied to creation. Creation is the work of God, as is rest. When we work, we share the work of God in creation. The Bible asserts, ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it’ (Genesis 2:15). No sooner does the Lord create the earth than he asks humanity to assist him with his marvelous creation. That is why we always feel the most alive, the most human, and the closest to God when we are actively working with our hands. My friend and associate Carol Miller provides an illustration of this demonstrated joy. Often I will hear her announce as she leaves the office, “This is my grass cutting day!” Immersed in the emotional demands of pastoral care from 8-5, she rushes out the door to physically get her hands back into creation. Even the act of writing a letter can reconnect us to creation and set our heart aright. ‘And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him’ (Colossians 3:17). 5. Service Most Christians I know are surprised to learn that the word used for “ministry” in the New Testament is diakonia, which in the Greek means “service.”
More disturbingly, the diakonia is the root word for “butler” or “waiter” (1 Corinthians 12:5 & 16:15). Every Christian, therefore, must develop an ingrained habit of service to those who cannot pay us back. Consequently, the healthiest churches are those who expend their resources and best efforts on those outside the church. Based on the witness of Jesus, we should not be surprised, ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45). 6. Study While it is important that we need to get our bodies moving in the right direction, it is also essential to exercise our minds. The Christian habit of daily study draws us into a deeper knowledge of God. Sacred study also expands our understanding of our place and purpose in creation so we echo Saint Paul’s desire that we ‘may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ’ (Ephesians 3:18). The Christian life is like a mountain stream, meandering slowly and peacefully in some places and crashing furiously through rapids in others. Daily study of the Bible and books and recordings by sturdy Christian authors equips us to enter that ever-changing stream without fear and with the certainty that life is really headed somewhere. 7. Friendship Without a doubt, the darkest moment of my college experience occurred at a picnic for journalism students held at Olmos Park. The most esteemed professor in that department approached me and stated without equivocation, “Pat, you make friends easily, but you do not take care of your friendships.” Once I got over my surprise and anger, I realized the keeneyed journalism don had observed the truth about me. I did not attend to my friends. Our Christian religion is an entirely relational faith. At the last supper, Jesus tenderly tells the disciples, ‘I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have
From Our Rector... made known to you’ (John 15:15). We have often heard, “The Christian faith is not taught but caught.” Others come to a faith in Christ through consistently loving and nurturing friendships that we have forged and sustained with them. As the habit of friendship matures within us, we are gradually given the grace to love others even more than we love ourselves. ‘Greater love has no one than this’ declares Jesus, ‘than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ (John 15:13). Such sacrificial love does not fall from the sky. A digital photo will not inspire us towards sacrifice. A clever text message will not dilute our raging self-regard. A YouTube video will not instantly transform us into the Christian individual of God’s dreams. The Christian must undergo a complete reorientation of life that will often lead us in an entirely different direction. When Clay, our oldest son and longtime English teacher, reviewed the draft text of this article, he called to mind a powerful quotation from Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago. Set in the midst of the terrible warfare of World War I and the continuing violence of the Bolshevik Revolution, a friend of Zhivago’s meekly admits that “he was aware of the immorality of being an idle spectator of other men’s courage.” In much the same way, it is disingenuous to claim the Christian faith without a measurable change in our lives. Saint James, again, describes the result of this dishonest existence by tersely stating, ‘Faith without works is dead… Just as the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead’ (James 2:17 & 26). Hearkening back to Saint Paul’s example, conversion to Christ is more a process than an isolated event. The Holy Spirit inaugurates and sustains the process so that we are gradually transformed into generous human beings – and, at times, heroically generous. We will no longer live as vapid voyeurs, who only regard Christian courage from the outside.
Start the School Year Off Right! Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 24 During 9 and 11 AM Services Don’t miss the opportunity to start the school year off right! Children should bring their loaded backpacks to church Sunday, August 24, so they and all students can be blessed for the coming school year. For our kids, school is
Patrick and Kay in Maine, June 2014
Transformation of that magnitude can only take root in us through the adoption of new Christian habits and the perseverance to inculcate them into the heart of our life. The sweet life of admirable sacrifice, which we thought the sole possession of venerable saints, will be ours. This will take a long time – a lifetime – but it will be worth every moment and, in the end, will not disappoint us. Your brother,
Patrick U
their main job right now, so we want to bless the tools of their trade – pencils, notebooks, crayons, etc. We especially want to ask God’s blessing upon the children themselves and pray that they will do their best in school and let the Light of Christ shine through them to their class mates and teachers this year. Each student will receive a symbol of their faith to hang on their back pack as a reminder of God’s love for them through Christ and the love of their Church Family.
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MINISTRY “O Come, Let Us Sing “. . . let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving” Psalm 95:1-2
A
nother school year approaches with all the promise of fun and fellowship in music at Christ Episcopal. Our new interim director Josh Benninger OWEN DUGGAN is primed and ready to go. Josh is a Director of Music and Colleague of the prestigious American Worship Guild of Organists and is highly trained owend@cecsa.org and experienced in church music leadership. But perhaps even more importantly is he has the same enthusiasm for serving God and others through the glorious sounds of voices and instruments. Already on the schedule for the fall is the return of Christ Church lead cellist Ken Freudigman, first chair of the San
to the
Lord...”
Antonio Symphony, and his world class chamber music series Camerata San Antonio. Their first concert is October 5th at 3 PM. If you have never attended one, you will find yourself instantly uplifted and amazed. Don’t forget to ask for the Christ Church discount. Look too for an All Saints Evensong from our choir and of course Lessons and Carols during Advent, Christ Church style. Let’s all give Josh our hearty congratulations and offer ourselves and our voices for the upcoming music and worship events, to the glory of God!
Owen Duggan Josh Benninger playing at Rob Harris’s Ordination
Students Make Joyful Music
C
alling all hummers, singers, whistlers and praisers!! Set aside your Wednesday afternoons to tuck God’s word into your heart with joyful singing. If you are between the ages of 5 and 18, we have a spot just for you in one of our student choirs. While honoring and praising God through song, choir members learn the fundamentals of music, enjoy communitybuilding activities and certainly have fun! Student choirs include: Minisingers: students in Kinder— 2nd grades (Rehearse Wednesday afternoons, 4:30-5:15) Minisingers will be directed by Jackie Shepherd and rehearsals begin September 3. jacksshep@gmail.com; (210) 823-5875 Mastersingers: students in 3rd — 6th grades (Rehearse Wednesday afternoons from 4:15-5:15)
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Mastersingers will be directed by Ruth Berg and rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 3. ruthaberg@gmail.com; (210) 422-9963 Sanctuary Singers: students in 6th — 12th grades (Seasonal Rehearsals) Sanctuary Singers will be directed by Ruth Berg with times and places tbd—join the email list! ruthaberg@gmail.com; (210) 422-9963 PARENTS: Please consider setting aside part of your student’s week this year to learn about and praise God through singing—you’ll be glad you did! For more information, contact: Ruth Berg, ruthaberg@gmail. com or (210) 422-9963.
MINISTRY
Happening #128
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hen asked to serve as parish coordinator for Happening #128 being hosted at Christ Church, I answered “YES!” immediately and would drop everything to help another Happening. You might wonder why I would jump at this chance - well, it all started with a life changing weekend back in August 1976. I was getting ready to start my senior year of high school. Our youth leader at Christ Church Laredo asked if we would like to I can’t think of anything attend a youth retreat I would rather be doing! in Harlingen being put on by a group of youth from Dallas. I said, “sure,” as it meant a trip out of town and meeting new people. Little did I know that nearly 40 years later, I would still be so excited for a youth driven weekend with Jesus at the center. I can’t think of anything I would rather be doing. That is how strongly I feel about Happening. I would like to let you know that times have changed and life is different in today’s world, but the greatness of our God is still the same. This diocese has been providing this great ministry for kids, high school sophomores through seniors, to participate in since that first weekend back in 1976. I would like to encourage all parents of students in this age group to send your kids to a Happening weekend. They are held three times a year, March, August and November. Kids, who step up and make incredible leaders, run the entire weekend. Every leader brings their own personal leadership style into the weekend. All I can say is that I love to hear their personal
stories and the love they have for Jesus. They amaze me! Now I need to ask for help. This Happening #128 weekend takes a lot of preparation and lots of food from the parish. I would love for as many people as possible to participate in this special weekend. You too could be part of it. We need people to pray for the weekend, provide meals, serve meals, Susannah Wright, Rector of drive to showers Happening #126 and Kristina Hanley, and provide lots Rector of Happening #6 and lots of snacks. So please call me at 862-9648, or find me after the 9:00 and 11:00 AM services in the gazebo. Blessings,
Kristina Hanley You’re Invited! What: Happening #128 Where: Christ Episcopal Church When: Friday, August 1 to Sunday, August 3 Who: Teens (sophomore and up) For more information and to register go to: http://www.dwtx. org/calendar-events/happening/
Scenes from the Youth Mission Trip to Guatemala
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The Christ Church Bible Study
verb vərb/
a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
August 10
Preaching Series
Mid-Late Pentecost 2014: Faith is a verb!
O
ur Christian faith is more about what we do than what we feel. When we submit to Christ, his grace begins to change the way we live. The ordinary dealings and actions of our lives become extraordinary testimonies to the power of faith.
Proper 14 (A) MT 14:22-33
August 17
Proper 15 (A)
MT 15:21-28
August 24
Proper 16 (A)
MT 16:13-20
August 31
Proper 17 (A)
MT 16:21-28
September 7
Proper 18 (A)
MT 18:15-20
September 14
Proper 19 (A)
MT 18:21-35
September 21
Proper 20 (A)
MT 20:1-16
September 28
Proper 21 (A)
MT 21:23-32
Introduction
…Peter started walking on the water… Walk: It takes a boat-load of faith to walk the walk of the Kingdom life. …even the dogs eat the crumbs… Eat: Only those who know they are in need will hungrily eat up the Kingdom life. But who do you say that I am. Say: Who we say Jesus is to us matters ultimately in the Kingdom life. Get behind me, Satan! Get: Securely inside the Kingdom we can tell the devil to get out of our lives for good! For where two or three are gathered Gather: The power, love, and comfort of the Kingdom is felt most when we gather. How often should I forgive? Forgive: When we forgive another, the love of the Kingdom multiplies. Go into the vineyard? Go: in the Kingdom, we go whenever Christ calls regardless of the challenges. By what authority are you doing this? Submit: We submit to the authority of Jesus in every area of our lives.
to Islamic
T
his fall Duane and Sharon Miller will lead a class on Islamic history and thought. This adult-Ed offering will be insightful and informative. The schedule includes: September 14 (Sharon Miller): Our missionary vocation and my life in the Middle East as a woman: Sharon will share with the congregation how we as a couple heard a call to mission among Muslims, and what it has been like spending most of the last eight years in the Middle East. September 21 and 28: Narrative and Meta-narrative in Islam and Christianity: This lecture is one of Dr. Miller’s most popular talks and it provides a comparison of the overarching stories of the two great faiths, comparing their books, founders, and understandings of God and humanity, and the end days. October 5: Muhammad and the Shari’a: We always hear about shari’a in the press, and some states have even tried to outlaw it! What is the shari’a? What are its sources? Are there generous versions of it that respect human rights? And
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and
History
and
Thought
finally, what is the place of the Christians in a shari’a-ruled state. Parishioners are encouraged to invite friends from the legal professions for whom this talk will be of special interest. October 12: The Church’s Mission to Islam: In 1900, about 12% of the world population was Muslim. Today, it is about 23%. In 1900 the world population was about 32% Christian, and that is still true today. In this lecture, Dr. Miller will speak about the main positive developments in relation to mission to Muslims over the last 40 years, and also the main challenges that confront us still. October 19: Why Muslims are Coming to Christ: Since the 1960’s we have seen a very solid increase in the number of Muslims converting to Christianity. Given that apostasy is technically publishable by death, why do people make this bold and dangerous move? October 26: Is Islam undergoing a Reformation? It is common to hear people say that Islam today is undergoing a period of reformation, like the Catholic Church underwent continued on next page
Our Church Life...
Need Help Dealing With YOUR Teen? An Evening With Mark Gregston Wednesday, September 10 In the Christ Church Sanctuary 7 – 9:30 PM And Breakfast With Mark Gregston Thursday, September 11 8:30 – 10 AM In the Christ Church Parish Hall
M
ark Gregston, author, speaker, and expert in dealing with today’s teens, is coming to Christ Church! On September 10 and 11 he will share with us what every parent needs to know as their children get ready to enter, and are in the midst of, the challenging adolescent years. His visit is by popular demand of those parents who were part of the well-attended parenting classes held here recently, which featured Gregston’s DVD series “Dealing With Today’s Teens.” Mark Gregston’s love and knowledge
...Islam
of teens, coupled with his engaging personality will make for an exciting and helpful time of learning for parents, grandparents, teachers and leaders of preteens and teens. Parish coordinators of the event are Charles and Cindy Huey and Nancy and Mark Wright, who facilitated the “Dealing With Today’s Teens” class. “An Evening With Mark Gregston” will be held from 7 – 9:30 PM in the Christ Church Sanctuary. A coffee and dessert break will be held halfway through the evening’s seminar. Mark will touch on three main points during the evening: 1) The World of Teens Today 2)Parenting Styles That Are Ineffective in Today’s Culture 3) New Models of Parenting That Really Work. Parents will be asked to write down any questions they would like to open up for discussion the following morning. An open forum discussion of these questions will form the basis of the
“Mark Gregston’s message for parenting teenagers is truly inspirational”! Charles Huey Please register online at www.cecsa.org. A $10 offering is requested for both evening and morning sessions, and a $5 offering is requested for attending one of the events. Registration offerings will be collected at the door. Contact Halleta Heinrich at halletah@ cecsa.org or (210)736-3132 or event coordinators Charles and Cindy Huey or Nancy and Mark Wright with further questions.
continued
in the 16th century. The hope is that Muslims will be more secular, tolerant and allow for separation of mosque and state. In this lecture, presented at Christ Church for the first time, Dr. Miller will argue that Islam is indeed undergoing a period of reform, but that reformed Islam is in fact less tolerant and more militant than its predecessor, precisely because of it returning to its historical source--the life of Muhammad. November 2: To be announced. The subject of this talk will be determined based on the interests and questions asked by the congregants of the parish. Certificate of Completion: Individuals who would like a certificate of completion for the course on “Introduction to Islamic History and Thought” from Nazareth Seminary (Israel) can contact Duane at xphilosoperking@yahoo.com or (210) 454-1397 for more information. Recommended Reading: People often ask me about books to read on Islam. I recommend Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman (M. Watt) and Call of the Minaret (K. Cragg), both of which are excellent. Anyone who wants to understand militant Islam from the inside should read Milestones by S. Qutb, which is not a long book.
Duane Miller
“Breakfast With Mark Gregston” that will be held Thursday, September 11 from 8:30 – 10 AM in the Christ Church Parish Hall. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 – 9 AM followed by the discussion session from 9 – 10 am.
Who Is Mark Gregston? Mark Gregston is the founder and executive director of Heartlight, a residential counseling center for teens in Longview, TX, where he lives with 60 high school kids from around the country. He is also the host of “Parenting Today’s Teens”, a daily and weekend radio program heard on more than 1400 radio outlets, helping parents across North America navigate through the turbulent waters of their child’s adolescence. He is a popular speaker and author, combining humor and stories with insights and wisdom gained from his 38 years of working with teens and parents, and spending almost every weekend of the year leading parenting seminars in various cities.
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MINISTRY Let’s Soar On Wings Like Eagles This Fall! Rally Day and Ministry Fair Sunday, September 7 10 AM – 1 PM On the Church Lawns
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e will soar into the fall on September 7, as we kick off the new school and church year with our Rally Day and Ministry Fair with the year’s HALLETA theme from the prophet Isaiah – “Those HEINRICH who hope in the LORD will renew their Director of strength. They will soar on wings like Family Ministries eagles; they will run and not grow halletah@cecsa.org weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31). Our church family will have the opportunity to find out about new Sunday School classes, weekly Bible Studies, Wednesday Night offerings, as well as the many ministry opportunities available at Christ Church. Teachers and ministry leaders will be present with information about their classes and ministries and the chance to sign up to be part of them. The Rally Day and Ministry Fair will also be a fun time of fellowship with some great activities that will include: a (supervised) Rock Climbing “Mountain” so we can be way up high like the eagles; a visit with some of our winged friends from one of our local wildlife rescue organizations; some races to run (where we will not grow weary!); and an opportunity to join a church walking club (so we can renew our strength!). Some theme related crafts and games will be available for our younger members.
Starry Nights
and
“..shine like the stars of the universe as you hold out the word of life…” Philippians 2: 15 and 16
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e invite Christ Church families of all ages and sizes to join us at Family Camp at Camp Capers from Friday, September 26 through Sunday, September 28. Does star gazing in the clear, hill country night sky appeal to you? Or how about a Night of the Stars Talent Show? Starry nights will be filled with family fun including a marshmallow roast with s’mores around the campfire, a talent show starring our own multi-talented Christ Church Stars, Movie Night in the beautiful new gathering space, and the peaceful beauty of stargazing while laying out on the moonlit lawn. Shining
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What is fellowship at Christ Church without food? We will earn our wings (Hot Wings, that is!) as we visit all the different ministry tables. A Water Station will be present to accompany the races we run. Some Mountain Trail Mix will be served at the foot of the climbing mountain, and some other fun and delicious snacks. Contact Rally Day and Ministry Fair coordinators Halleta Heinrich at halletah@cecsa.org or 736-3132 or Mark Wright at mwright@satx.rr.com or 393-6167 with further questions.
Halleta “Those
who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Shining Days Await days will include a hay-ride around camp, family crafts, games, swimming, a ropes course for varied ages, kayaking in the river, and fishing too. Days and nights will feature wonderful meals from the Camp Capers Chef (Yes! They have a real chef!), and Family Worship Services that include great sing-a-long worship music. Camp Capers has recently undergone an extensive renovation with the addition of new housing and gathering spaces, as well as refreshing of the old, and the enlargement of camp property. You will be impressed! Please register online through the Christ Church website at www.cecsa.org ASAP if you want to be part of this great Church Family get away. Details concerning registration fees and room and board costs will be included online. Scholarships are available to those who need them so that all members are able to come. Registration deadline is September 12. Contact Halleta Heinrich at halletah@cecsa. org or (210)736-3132 for further information.
Family Ministry...
God Guides
and
V
Provides: Fun
and
Love
acation Bible School 2014 was an incredible week that is best summed up as a remarkable collaboration of dozens of volunteers who give their energy and hearts to over 100 children over the course of four days. Some of these volunteers have regular jobs during the day and re-arrange their schedules to help with VBS - amazing! The theme this year was Wilderness Escape and the kids went on a journey with Moses learning that God guides and provides. There is a link to a beautiful video (created by Susanna Kitayama) on our website where you can witness all of the fun that was had! There were so many wonderful memories created and when it was all over, we all agreed that we can’t wait to do it again next year!
Amy Case
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MISSIONS 2014 Honduras Mission Report By Terry Koehler
I
n more than ten years of taking teams to Honduras to do short-term mission work, this July 2014 team experience was the best ever for me. Several years ago, I “got the message” that mission trips should be more about the “Body of Christ” in their midst, and less about North Americans coming to do good works. This trip truly met those criteria. Times are very tough in Chalmeca, Honduras now. The coffee harvest, due to a blight on many plants, was slim this year. The money gained from picking coffee beans (which whole families do) supplies the needs of the family for the year – school fees and uniforms, shoes, food, and any extras, like transportation and medicines, much less any small luxuries, like an ice cream. Everyone is hurting! One young girl wanted to attend 8th grade classes, but needed $50 to buy her books. Her father said they just didn’t have it. She worked for three months to earn it herself. Another family had a baby born with severe problems, and the grandmother didn’t have the money to ride the bus to visit her daughter and grandchild in the hospital. A man working with the team had his toes sticking out of his shoes, and burned them welding. And there were many more such examples of hard times. Each CECSA team member had their purpose, and accomplished it well. The theme of the week was “The light of Christ.” Fr. Brien led a devotional each morning with the Honduran men and women, and our team. He emphasized that Jesus is the light of the world, and we must take that light and let it shine in us to others. Doing that requires repentance and forgiveness. Deacon Rob Harris led our team each evening in prayers and worked hard in the sun. Nita Shaver directed the creation of a church garden. We arrived to find the ground hard, full of rocks and with poor soil. We overcame all that, mostly with joy! Nita got the ladies of Cristo Salvador very excited about growing vegetables to help feed their families, and the church community. They even formed a “Garden Club” with a president and treasurer. Mariel Rodgers, and her daughter, Kelsey were the stars of the bible school that we had each afternoon. They produced a puppet show, and the children were mesmerized. Again, the theme was “Jesus is the light of the world.” Seeing kids all over the small town “shining” their light was wonderful. Helen Merrill helped prepare the craft projects, and
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listened to the children read stories. She was the perfect team member, always willing to do whatever was needed. Robert Hundley worked in the sun and heat so hard. He helped with the garden, and with the construction of a small side room on the church building. Again, Robert was willing to do anything needed. In addition to making sure things ran smoothly and everyone had something to do, I was the official photographer. I will post photos on the mission wall at the church, and on our website. The CECSA members were joined by Donna Jones (from San Marcos), a long time “vet” of mission work in Honduras. Donna planned a wonderful new project that so excited the Hondurans! She created a rain collection system that collects water in a large tank, and she installed a solar pump to move the water up to another tank on top of the hill. The upper tank will provide water for the new garden, and gravity will make it possible to flush toilets and even provide showers for the church buildings below. The Hondurans were so excited about it, that we may have created a new industry for them – installing rain collection on houses and buildings all over Chalmeca. Donna kept us laughing with her great humor and her own special form of Spanish! The team was joined by two crucial people from Honduras – Josefina Santos and her son, David Mejia who traveled from Tegucigalpa. Josefina and David translated for us the entire week. In addition, Josefina led the children in songs, and presented a “Micro-enterprise workshop” on the last day. She helped me make all the arrangements for hotel rooms, meals, and much more. Our work could not have succeeded without the help of Josefina and David. The moment we knew that we had truly accomplished our desire of being the Body of Christ in their midst, and helping them to realize they were members with us, came on Friday morning. We made one last stop in Chalmeca before driving back to the airport in San Pedro Sula. The lay leader of the congregation, Pedro Lara, told us that our presence among them let them know that they are not alone. Then, the Hondurans encircled our team and prayed for us. We departed with tears and hugs from all. We knew well that we had made an impact on their lives through Jesus. There is nothing more that a team could hope to accomplish. Thank you, Christ Church, for sending us to Honduras, to work in Chalmeca. Thank you for your prayers for our safety. It was a blessing for us all.
SOCIETY
Matthew 24:44 ...so
you also must be ready... turnout, we heard from several who were not able to attend due to all of the busy things going on in May. Many asked us if we were going to repeat this class for the church, and the answer is “Yes”! We are in agreement that this is the type of program that needs to continue, and we have already made changes in the program book and in the presentation due to some good feedback from our attendees.
September 11 6 PM
O
n May 17, we held the seminar called “Are You Ready to Go?” and spoke to 80 parishioners and friends. While the Great Commission Society leaders were thrilled with this
Sowing
M
ore than 30 Christ Episcopal Church parishioners aged 5 to 81, gathered on May 24 to install gardens for the students of James Madison Elementary School. Under the leadership of Milan and Robin Maymar, seven new gardens, designed especially for each grade, pre-K through five, were built. Volunteers cleared/tilled the ground, built boxes from timbers and railroad ties and hauled many wheel barrels of soil and compost. The finishing touch was the application of weather proofing material that allows the children to sit
the
As we prepare for our next class, we are adding information which will help you decide what kind of planned gift can be given to the church and how many varied forms such a gift can take. Remember, if you have mentioned Christ Episcopal Church in your will, your estate, or as a beneficiary of an account, we really do need to know. Contact Donna Shreve at the church office, 736-3132, to give the church your information. Your gift can be held in confidence if you prefer. Please plan to join us on September 11, from 6-8 PM.
Seeds
of
God’s Love
on the edges of the gardens without picking up splinters. While the project was expected to take approximately six hours to complete, it was done in almost half that time. This was largely due to the number of volunteers and the pre-work of Milan Maymar. Milan had measured, sketched and drawn out the layout of each garden and precut and drilled holes in the timbers so it was much like putting a Lego set together, though hammers and drills were used to secure each piece to the other.
In the Fall, each grade will plant their own garden and tend it until harvest. They will choose what to plant under the direction of Master Gardener Robin Maymar. The gardens will provide firsthand knowledge of where food comes from and the care and nurturing of plants. We know the children will be very excited to visit their gardens each week to see the progress and watch their efforts come to fruition. Thank you to the many Garden Angels that made this project a reality.
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Our Church Life..
PAGE TURNERS – From
A
h h h , summer! S u m m e r m o n t h s make for the best reading. The days are longer, schedules are lighter, and what better way to escape the heat than to read a good book. Lately, I have devoured one prize after the other. Calling and Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life, by William H. Willimon. I have been searching for the best book for Scott and me to study with Rob Harris, our newest priest. Willimon, former Methodist Bishop of Alabama and now professor at Duke, is not known for holding back his punches, as is evident in Chapter 4: Crossbearing and the Clergy: “The sacrifices demanded of clergy are worthwhile as sacrifices demanded by service to the truth who is Jesus Christ. The cross teaches us to have no qualms about suffering in service to the gospel, but rather one’s suffering in service to triviality.” Knowing God, by J.I. Packer. I am almost afraid to admit that I had never read Packer’s classic. Convicted, I ordered the volume to read as part of my morning meditation. His writing style is not my favorite; regardless, his words have repeatedly challenged me. Now I know why so many noted Christians read Knowing God every single year. In my journal one morning, I recorded these words from Packer’s eleventh chapter: “True Christians are those who acknowledge and live under the word of God.” May I be such a man! The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages, by Joan Chittister. Some of you know that I read a portion of the Rule of Benedict each day. Inspired by the Community of Hope, I began reading the ancient rule and Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister’s commentary that accompanies it. I need the concrete
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the
Rector’s Book Stack
pragmatism that the Rule insists upon. Chittister herself is anything but opaque in her comments. One of my favorites is found in the fifth chapter of the Rule, which covers Obedience: “It is so easy to begin the spiritual life,” Chittister tersely offers. We can fill in the rest…”but it is so much harder to keep at it for a lifetime!” The Gospel of John: When Love Comes to Town, by Paul Louis Metzger. I have been reading this new commentary to direct my morning Bible study. This volume is part of the new Resonate series offered by InterVarsity Press. I loved every page of the Resonate study on the Gospel of Matthew. I did not, however, “resonate” with this one. I found Metzger a bit too preachy for me (yikes!). That being said, he impressed me with his insight on John 7. Metzger compared the chapter to the pop culture film, “The Matrix.” Things are not as they seem. On the surface, life looks fine, but the machines are sucking the life out of humanity. In John, the Pharisees and temple priests look the model of propriety, but they are sucking the life out of faith and consequently out of the people. Things are a far cry from what they seem. I pray, “Lord, don’t let me be part of that dark illusion!” Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers, by Ralph Moody. Just before Kay and I left for Maine, Susanna and Scott Kitayama gave us this book and its two sequels. It is a turn-of-the-century memoir about a family moving from a factory town in New Hampshire to begin a ranch on the hardscrabble plains of Colorado. The book is told from the perspective of the family’s nine year-old son. Thus, it is perfect for reading aloud to our children and grandchildren. Kay has been reading it to me in the car as we have traveled from one hiking trail in Maine to another. The book is not only immensely entertaining – with one childhood adventure after another, but also replete with the Christian values and work ethic we want to inculcate in our young ones. Mission to Paris, by Alan Furst. This is the fourth novel of Furst’s that I have
read. This one, like the other three, takes place in Europe during those dark, tense years leading up to WWII. What I love about Furst’s fiction is his array of heroes, who are cut from such ordinary cloth. When called upon, these undistinguished individuals rise to the occasion (which gives me hope for myself). In this latest book, a vain Hollywood movie star, of all people, dares to infiltrate Hitler’s intricate and highly efficient intelligence machine. City of Thieves, by David Benioff. If you ever wanted to get inside the horrible siege of Leningrad, this is the novel. The two heroes of the book are seventeen year-old Lev and thirtysomething Kolya. Both are given a reprieve at being executed by the Red Army if they can find two-dozen eggs. The book will have you wincing at unspeakable atrocities one minute and laughing your head off the next. Benioff’s understanding of the Russian culture and struggle is highly beneficial to those of us in the west. Galveston, by Nic Pizzolatto. True, I do love westerns, but I also love detectives. That’s why Kay bought me this modern crime noir novel for Father’s Day. Warning: It is gritty. Nevertheless, I loved the unlikely hero, and having served on the East Texas gulf coast, I enjoyed revisiting the back streets of Orange, Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Galveston. John Wayne: the Life and Legend, by Scott Eyman. Like I said, I do love westerns, and that means I am a John Wayne devotee. Bartlett Cocke gave this newest biography of The Duke to me. Once again, I am impressed with John Wayne’s humanity. He had clay feet like the rest of us, but what most impresses me is his utter devotion to his friends. (Have you ever noticed how you see the same actors appear with him repeatedly in his films?) Bartlett, you are a true friend… Pilgrim! Don’t let the summer slip by without enjoying a good read or two. Your brother,
Patrick U
OF EVENTS July 25:
Youth River Float Trip & Dinner in New Braunfels
Christ Church Staff:
August 1-3:
Happening #128 at Christ Church
The Rev. Patrick Gahan, Rector patrickg@cecsa.org
August 11:
Youth Beach Day and Aquarium visit in Corpus Christi
August 17:
Safeguarding God’s Children Part 1, 10 AM in FMC Movie Theater Third Sunday Lunch Bunch at Orderup, 12:30 PM
August 24:
Celebration of the Music Ministry of Owen Duggan Blessing of the Backpacks, 9 & 11 AM Safeguarding God’s Children Part 2, 10 AM in FMC Movie Theater No Sunday School
August 31:
No Sunday School
September 1:
Labor Day Holiday, church offices closed
September 3:
Children’s Choirs begin, 4:15 PM
September 7:
Rally Day
The Rev. Scott Kitayama, Associate Rector, scottk@cecsa.org The Rev. Brien Koehler, Associate Rector for Mission and Formation, brienk@cecsa.org The Rev. Rob Harris, Assistant Rector for Community Formation, robh@ cecsa.org Carol Miller, Pastoral Care Administrator, carolm@cecsa.org Halleta Heinrich, Director of Family Ministry, halletah@cecsa.org
September 10: An Evening with Mark Gregston, 7:30 - 9 PM in the Sanctuary
Clark Niles, Director of Youth Ministry clarkniles82@gmail.com
September 11: Breakfast with Mark Gregston, 8:30 - 10 AM in the Parish Hall Are You Ready To Go? Seminar, 6 - 8 PM
Dr. Owen Duggan, Music Minister owend@cecsa.org
September 14: Fall Sunday School Begins
Joshua Benninger, Organist joshb@cecsa.org
September 17: Wednesday Nights at CEC begin, 5:15 - 7 PM in the Parish Hall September 26-28: Family Camp at Camp Capers, register by September 12
Ruth Berg, Director of Children’s Music, ruthb@cecsa.org Robert Hanley, Parish Administrator robert@hanleypmservices.com Darla Nelson, Office Manager darlan@cecsa.org Donna Shreve, Financial Manager donnas@cecsa.org Gretchen Comuzzi Duggan, Director of Communications, gretchend@cecsa.org Anna Jewell, Executive Assistant to the Rector, annaj@cecsa.org
Safeguarding God’s Children Seminar Parts I and II Offered Sundays August 14 and 21 10 – 11:30 AM FMC Movie Theater Room 302
A
ll adults and youth ages 16 and older are encouraged to attend Safeguarding God’s Children Seminar offered in two parts on Sundays, August 14 and 21 from 10 – 11:30 AM in the FMC Movie Theater room 302. Those parents
who attend will have childcare and nursery provided during both sessions. Excellent presenters Carmen Lewenthall and Linda Harvey will lead the course. Safeguarding God’s Children training is a requirement of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas for anyone sixteen years or older who ministers to children or youth in the church. Please contact Halleta Heinrich at the church at halletah@cecsa.org or call 736 – 3132 if you plan to attend.
Donnis Carpenter, Receptionist donnisc@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
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The Ordination of Rob Harris on July 11, 2014
The Message (USPS 471-710) is published bi-monthly by Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place, San Antonio, TX 78212. Periodical postage paid in San Antonio, TX. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place, San Antonio, TX 78212. Volume 16, Number 4.
E P I S C O PA L Christ Episcopal Church 510 Belknap Place San Antonio, TX 78212 www.cecsa.org
Periodical Postage PAID San Antonio, TX