May Message 2011

May, 10 2011 • Volume 13, Number 3 March 1, 2011 • Volume 13, Number 2

Family Ministry, 3 Children’s Ministry, 6-8 Parish Life, 9 Calendar of Events, 11

FroM

In this issue: Family Ministry..................... 3 Ministry Spotlight.................. 4 Children’s Ministry............6-8 News from the Diocese........ 8 Parish Life.............................. 9 Student Ministry..................10 Pastoral Care.......................10 From the Kitchen................11 Calendar of Events.............12 Save your Thursday mornings this June for a special program with Bishop Frey, Table Talk. We’ll meet at 9:45 for coffee and cookies, and then gather for some stimulating biblical teaching and conversation, closing at 11:30. Program information to follow!

Sunday Service Times: 8:00 AM Spoken Communion Service 9:15 AM Adult/Youth/ Children Sunday school 10:15 AM Communion Service with music 6:00 PM Spoken Communion Service

On Easter Sunday as part of the sermon, I quoted two of John Updike’s writings.

A number of you asked me about them, so I thought I would reproduce them here.

They bear repeating during this Easter season.

Make no mistake: if He rose at all it was as His body; if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle, the Church will fall.

It was not as the flowers, each soft Spring recurrent; it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled eyes of the eleven apostles; it was as His Flesh: ours.

The same hinged thumbs and toes, the same valved heart that — pierced — died, withered, paused, and then regathered out of enduring Might new strength to enclose.

Let us not mock God with metaphor, analogy, sidestepping transcendence; making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the faded credulity of earlier ages: let us walk through the door.

The stone is rolled back, not papiermache, not a stone in a story, but the vast rock of materiality that in the Bishop Bill Frey Interim Rector slow grinding plusbill@aol.com of time will eclipse for each of us the wide light of day.

And if we will have an angel at the tomb, make it a real angel, weighty with Max Planck’s quanta, vivid with hair, opaque in the dawn light, robed in real linen spun on a definite loom.

Let us not seek to make it less monstrous, for our own convenience, our own sense of beauty, lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are embarrassed by the miracle, and crushed by remonstrance.

—John Updike (1932-2009) During these fifty days of Easter, I hope those verses speak as loudly to you as they do to me + Bill Frey

Christ Episcopal Church 510 Belknap Place San Antonio, TX 78212

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

MINISTry A Starlit Dinner & Movie on the Lawn - Fellowship for Family & Friends – 7:00 PM Friday, May 20th!

Bring your family and invite friends for fellowship on the Christ Church lawn under the beautiful trees and stars on Friday, May 20th! The critically acclaimed film Up, appealing to all ages, will be shown outside on the lawn on an outdoor movie screen. The film centers on an elderly balloon vendor named Carl Fredricksen, played by famous Ed Asner, and an earnest, young Wilderness Explorer named Russell who fly to South America by floating in Carl’s house where he lived all his life with his beloved wife who has just died.

We will grill hot dogs and hamburgers starting at 7:00 PM. At 7:30 PM, bring 50 cents for the ice cream truck, and your pocket change for a noisy offering benefitting the Good Samaritan Center for Camp Capers. Please bring your blankets, pillows and lawn chairs!

This is a wonderful opportunity for all ages of our congregation to share in fellowship, so if you cannot watch the movie, please consider joining us just for dinner!

Please RSVP to Pat at the church office by May 18. To volunteer or make a contribution to this event, please contact Laura Nell Burton at Lnburton@att.net, 219-1930 or Amy Case at amygcase@gmail.com, 723-6350.

First Wednesdays this Summer 5:30 PM – 7:15 PM Fellowship For Family & Friends!

Share in casual fellowship and fun with your Christ Church family this summer on First Wednesdays in June, July, and August!

Come to all three First Wednesdays, or drop in when your summer schedule permits! Each First Wednesday there will be a worship service in the sanctuary with music, followed by dinner served in the Parish Hall, and a special lecture given by Bishop Frey.

Childcare, as well as a corresponding children’s ministry program and youth offering is in development as well.

Bishop Frey’s Lecture Topics: Wednesday, June 1: Fear Wednesday, July 6: Faith Wednesday, August 3: Forgiveness Time: 5:30 PM Worship Service (with music) for Family & Friends in the Sanctuary 6:00 PM Dinner in the Parish Hall ($5 adults, $3 child, $12 maximum per family) 6:45 PM Topical Lecture given by Bishop Frey Summer Movie Nights: Expanding on First Wednesdays, on the third Wednesday evenings in June and July, bring your family and friends to dinner and a movie in the Parish Hall!

Dinner will be served at 6:00 PM and the movie will begin at 6:30 PM. Movie selections correspond with the June and July First Wednesday lecture topics. Childcare for infants and toddlers will be available in the FMC building.

Our Church Life continued on p. 5...

inistry SPoTlIGhT

Orphans and Widows Why Me Lord?

In the Bible, I think we could say that there are a lot of righteous people who at some point have asked or thought, “Why me Lord?”

How about Noah, sweating day after day working on a huge boat on dry land with no sign of rain in sight.

Then there is Abraham, with a knife in his hand, looking at his beloved son, Isaac. What about Moses pleading with Pharoah, David running from Saul, and Esther daring to go before the King? And let’s not forget the prophets Jeremiah and Jonah! So, when we wonder “why me Lord,” at least we are in good company! Hopefully that is encouraging!

I believe that when we are considering a ministry or in a ministry there are always moments when we “wonder about what we are doing.” I liken it to the image of the good Angel on one of my shoulders and the “not so good” angel on my other shoulder, both whispering in my ears what to do. I find this verse helpful, “But when

St. Jude’s photos by Greg Sethness

you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

Matthew 6:2-4.

One ministry I have been called to work with is the orphans at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. At the four major children homes in San Antonio there are about 200 boys and girls, mostly between the ages of 6 and 17, who live in small group environments without their parents to nurture and help them along. Most of us have heard of St. Peter/St. Joseph’s or Boysville, but St. Jude’s Ranch has also been in operation for as long as I can remember. St. Jude’s is slightly out in the country (Bulverde) and a little smaller, which is a nice environment for the kids.

There are usually 6-8 girls or boys in each cottage at St. Jude’s Ranch.

If you feel God calling you to serve these kids, here are some things that can be done at St. Jude’s Ranch (or most any Childrens’ Home): • Help occasionally with the Sunday 6-7 pm service (it happens once a month at St. Jude’s in their chapel).

• Go to St. Jude’s and do arts, crafts, your hobby or games with the kids on the weekend for an hour or so.

• Pray for the children, counselors and administration – we have the prayer requests we receive at each Sunday service.

• Bring food to cook a meal with the kids at one of their cottages, on the weekend.

• Invite a cottage to meet you at the zoo, movie, a play, a musical event, a Fiesta parade, the rodeo, puttputt golf, a Missions game, etc. The counselor for the cottage will come and supervise.

• Help finance one of the above activities if you can’t go.

Ministry Spotlight continued...

I do wonder sometimes why I should do anything for someone else’s kids or for an adult in need. I have my own life, problems and family to deal with.

But I also hear the good angel tugging at my heart.

No matter where we serve, God will make it rewarding. It’s especially nice, for example, when one of the children (or an adult) comes up and gives you a big hug just for being there!

Here is a prayer request received a few weeks ago by one of the children at St. Jude’s: “Please pray for me. My mom might loose her rights. We have another court date for June. I hope we are adopted by a loving Christian family that will accept us like we are.

Aren’t Christians supposed to be non-judgmental, right? We also might be moved to a foster house. Why? This place is not a home looking environment, but that’s all. Please pray.”

By Greg Sethness If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Greg at goseth@earthlink.net.

Our Church Life continued...

Wednesday, June 15: Facing The Giants Never give up. Never back down. Never lose faith. Facing The Giants is the heart-warming story of a downtrodden Christian high school football coach who turns to God when everything seems to be going against him. Trusting God to do the impossible, Coach Grant Taylor and his Shiloh Christian Eagles soon discover how faith plays out on the field … and off.

Wednesday, July 20: Antwone Fisher (for adults) & Charlotte’s Web (shown in the FMC building for children) Directed by and starring Denzel Washington, Antwone Fisher is the story of a young navy man who is forced to see a psychiatrist after a violent outburst against a fellow crewman.

During the course of treatment, a painful past is revealed and a new hope begins.

MINISTry Come Celebrate With Us! Children’s Communion Celebration Sunday, May 15 During the 10:15 AM Service Reception Following In the Parish Hall Come celebrate with us Sunday, May 15 during the 10:15 Service as we honor this year’s Children’s Communion Class and their families. Twenty eight children have completed a Communion Class and Retreat over the last semester that is designed to enrich their understanding of Holy Communion. Bishop Frey will lead us in an Instructed Eucharist that will help all of us appreciate in a new way God’s great gift of Himself through Christ as demonstrated in the Eucharist. A parish wide reception honoring the Communion Class children and their families will be held in the Parish Hall immediately following the service.

A special thanks goes to the Communion Class parents who have helped lead the class, retreat and celebration day as well as Communion Class teachers Jennifer Rose and Carmen Lewenthal.

This year’s Communion Class participants follow: Ally Atwell Samuel Joseph Barr John Crosby Barrett Elwood Bernard Boone IV

David Fraser Boone Claiborne Cage Carrington Mary Josephine Case Henry Gage Casey Jack Taylor Casey Elizabeth Thomas Green Harriett Blue Harper Grace Elizabeth Kardys Jackson Thomas Kardys Beau Kleberg Tano Kleberg Olivia Knox Carson Elizabeth Miller David Julian Miller Sydney Francisca Murray Kaitlyn Nadeau Walker Macdaniel Noble Joseph Steven Satel,Jr. Reed Shemwell James Schupbach Chandler Suzanne Simpson Chelsea Dee Ann Simpson Margaret Thomas Stevens Katharine Graham Stevens 5th Grade Graduation & Bridging Breakfast Party For All Children Sunday, May 22 At 9 AM In the Tomlin Room on the first floor of the FMC May is graduation time and we will be graduating our 5th grade class from Children’s Ministry to the Youth Ministry on Sunday, May 22 – Graduate Sunday.

The fifth graders will be honored and recognized at the 10:15 service along with our high school seniors who are moving on to college. A “Bridging Breakfast” will be

Liturgy of the Light Photo by Susanna Kitayama

held for all children and their Sunday School teachers 9 AM in the Tomlin Room on the first floor of Halleta the FMC. We Heinrich will form a Director of “bridge” and Children’s Ministry cheer on our halletah@ 5th graders to cecsa.org the Carriage House. All fifth graders are invited to attend Sunday School in the Carriage House and be part of the Youth Ministry beginning on May 22. They will be included in many exciting summer events being planned under the leadership of Clark Niles, our expert Youth Consultant and his Youth Interns.

Get Your Hands On The Bible This Summer!

Summer Sunday School Begins Sunday June 5 – August 21 with “Hands On Bible” Sunday School fun

activities, games, and fellowship as you learn about God’s Word and how to apply it.

We will be using “Hands On Bible” curriculum for children’s Sunday School this summer for both preschool and elementary classes. “Hands on Bible” curriculum is designed to help children learn and apply God’s Word through fun games and activities. It’s perfect for summer! Pockets the Kangaroo Puppet helps teach the preschoolers each Sunday. The kids LOVE her! Fun games, gadgets, and gizmos keep the elementary age children involved and happy. Detailed lesson plans that are easy to follow and give the teacher plenty to do with the children make teaching possible for all.

We ask that parents and all parishioners who love kids sign up to teach one Sunday, a month of Sundays, or all summer if desired. Sign ups to teach are located in the Tomlin Room on the first

floor of the FMC and in the entry of the Parish Hall or call Halleta at the church at 736-3132 or email at halletah@cecsa.org if you have questions. You will be provided with all the information you need and a teacher guide in order to make your experience a positive one.

Preschool “Hands On Bible” Summer Suday School for 3 year olds – Kindergarten Graduates in Rooms 205 and 206 FMC June: Peter Serves – Acts July: The Easter Story – John and Mark August: Jesus Helps Us Follow Him - Luke, John, Matthew, and Acts Elementary “Hands On Bible” Summer Sunday School for 1st – 4th Grade Graduates in Room 303 FMC June: Becoming Part of God’s Family – Romans, I John, Matthew, John, and Psalms July: Jesus’ Resurrection and Beyond – Mark, Luke, John, and Acts August: The Christian Life – John, Acts, Matthew, and Hebrews

Children’s Nursery: Family Ministry Center (FMC) from 8:45 - 11:45 AM Infants-12 months: 104 & 105 Toddlers & Two’s: 106 Children’s Ministry Sunday Schedule: 10:15 - 10:45 AM: Children’s Chapel and Preschool Cherub Choir for three year olds through kindergarten, rm 205 Elementary Chapel for 1st - 5th graders, second floor Children’s Chapel Chapel Children will be brought into the church service to join parents for Communion at announcement time. *Age and grade levels for classes and chapel as of Sept. 1, 2010.

Sunday School Locations: 9:00 - 10:10 AM Good Shepherd Sunday School Preschool 3 year olds - graduating kindergarteners: rooms 201 and 204, Level I Atruim 1st and 2nd graders: room 208, Level II Atrium Village of God’s Children 3rd, 4th, 5th graders gathering: room 302; small groups: rooms 301, 302, 303 Questions? Contact Halleta Heinrich at halletah@cecsa.org, 736-3132.

Children’s Ministry continued on p. 8...

Easter Egg Hunt and Flowering of the Cross Photos by Susanna Kitayama

ews

FroM The DIoceSe

ORDERUP for World Mission: Schedule lunch dates from May 1 to September 1 at ORDERUP (at the Stone Ridge, Lincoln Heights, and Colonnade locations) and 15 percent of the pre-tax total from all receipts will benefit diocesan world missions. All you have to do is invite your friends and coworkers, and go eat at ORDERUP and mark the back of your receipt with “DWTX World Missions”. Then place it in the Speak Up box (located by the Ipod/ Listen Up sign).

to 7 PM; the game begins at 7:05 PM. Ticket prices are: adult picnic/game tickets, $17.50; kids ages 3-12, $15.00; or game only $7.00.

Tickets are available at the Bishop Jones Center.

For more information visit www.dwtx.org or call 824-5387

Camp Capers: There are still openings available for summer camp in every session. Scholarships are available.

Episcopal Night at Wolff Stadium is scheduled for Thursday, June 16; the San Antonio Missions vs. the Midland Rockhounds. A picnic supper of hotdogs, burgers, chips, and an ice cream cup will be available from 6

Children’s Ministry continued...

Come Share A Story!

Summer Children’s Chapel: June 5 – August 21 Favorite Stories and Bible Teachings Over the past 25 years as a Children’s Minister, I have collected many beautiful story books with spiritual and biblical messages.

I want to share many of these with the children in Chapel this summer. You may have a favorite story with spiritual significance you would like to share, too. I encourage you to join me in Summer Chapel – a perfect setting for this casual time of sharing. If you don’t have a specific story or book in mind, but just want this opportunity to share with our children, I have plenty of resources, ideas, and beautiful picture books for you. Please

contact me at halletah@cecsa.org or by phone at the church at 736-3132 if you want to join us in Chapel this summer.

Mark Your Calendars Now !

Rally Day- Our Fall Kick-Off Is Sunday, August 28

MINISTry

Vacation Bible School 2011

To my Christ Church Family, I am Amy Case and I am the co-director of the Christ Church/St. Mark’s Vacation Bible School. VBS is scheduled for June 20-24 and we have an exciting new theme – Hometown Nazareth – Where Jesus Was a Kid. This summer, Christ Church and St. Mark’s will host approximately 120 children, ages 3-11, on an exciting Bible adventure. The kids will have an engaging journey through scripture with activities such as carpentry, bead-making, fabric-dying, and seed-planting. The kids will visit with Jesus’ mother, Mary, to learn exciting behind-the-scenes stories of our Savior’s childhood; they will be moving and laughing with games that make them feel like part of ancient Nazareth; and they’ll even create art masterpieces with Jesus’ grandmother!

instruction -- more ministry than many children receive in an entire year. This is a wonderful opportunity for Christ Church to reach out to not only our own wonderful families, but also the kids from the Good Samaritan center, the Thunderbird Apartments, kids from other churches, and many children who do not attend church. Personally, one of the times when I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit most distinctly is when I am with children. The joy I feel at watching kids discover, proclaim and celebrate their faith cannot be described in words.

With less than two months to go, we already have over 75 children registered and more than 25 adults volunteering.

In order to give these kids an unforgettable experience, we need your help. Online adult and teen volunteer forms and child registration forms are available at cecsa. org/children. Paper forms are available in the lobby of the Family Ministry Center. Fill one out yourself or pass one along to a friend, relative or neighbor. All are welcome and needed and will be blessed at our Hometown Nazareth VBS! Thank you!!

In Christ, Amy

Our five day VBS program is about fourteen hours of engaging, child-centered Bible

MINISTry Graduation/Youth Sunday On Sunday, May 22nd we will celebrate the youth of Christ Church and recognize those students who will be graduating. Please come join us at the 10:15 service where the youth will lead the music, readings, and sermon. It will be a wonderful time to celebrate the good work God has done and is doing through the youth ministry of Christ Church. Please contact Clark Niles at the church office to let us know that you (or your child) are graduating. We want to make sure all seniors are recognized.

New Sunday School Format Starting May 22 we’ll be using a new and improved format for our Sunday morning time together. There will be lots of music, skits, fellowship, worship, games, and excitement!

Hope you can all join us at 9:15 in the Carriage House.

Happening #119 August 5-7 at Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi Happening is a Youth Event for High school students by High school students. If are interested in attending, please contact Clark.

care Prayers are requested for: Billy Chumney Paul Walthall Nancy DeLong Peggi Parkhill Dasa Burney Bryan Strode George Adams Paul Boldrick Greg Waters Sarah Cochran Sandy Duerr 10

Lehn Duerr Leita Carter Beverly Hilton Mary Gail Campbell Rollin Polk Charlotte Hansen Lance Lewenthal Joan Brown Georgia Henderson Dick Davis Paul Kenyon

Donny Duggan Diane Buffington

Kitchen FroMThe

The sweet smell coming out from the kitchen at Christ Church is heavenly, especially when cookies are baked.

When searching for a cookie recipe on the internet, I came across this delicious carrot cookie recipe that is the church’s favorite. Enjoy! –Elizabeth Martinez CEC Kitchen Manager Carrot Cookies with Orange Icing 3/4 cup shortening 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 2 cups flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1 cup chopped nuts 1 cup raisins 1 cup grated carrot Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg, and vanilla. Sift and add 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in 1 cup nuts, raisins, and carrot. Bake at 350 degree for 10-12 minutes. Frost when cool with icing below.

Icing: Juice of 1 orange Enough powdered sugar to thicken.

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alender oF eVeNTS

May 15: Communion Celebration 10:15 AM May 20: Dinner and Movie (Up) on the Lawn 7:00 PM May 22: Graduation/Youth Sunday 10:15 AM June 1: First Wednesday (Fear) 6:00 PM June 5 - Aug. 21: Summer Sunday School 9:00 AM June 15: Summer Movie Night (Facing the Giants) 6:00 PM June 20-24: VBS

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

July 6: Fist Wedensday (Faith) 6:00 PM

Dr. Owen Duggan, Music Minister, owend@cecsa.org

July 20: Summer Movie Night (Antwone Fisher) 6:00 PM

Joshua Benninger, Organist, joshb@cecsa.org

Visit our Church Life Page at www.cecsa.org for more info.

Ruth Berg, Director of Children’s Music, ruthaberg@gmail.com

Table Talk with Bishop Frey: Save your Thursday mornings this June for a special program with Bishop Frey, Table Talk.

We’ll meet at 9:45 for coffee and cookies, and then gather for some stimulating biblical teaching and conversation, closing at 11:30. Program information to follow!

Christ Church Support Staff: Darla Nelson, Office Mananger, darlan@cecsa.org Donna Shreve, Financial Manager, donnas@cecsa.org Bianca Leonard, Director of Communications, biancal@cecsa.org Anna Jewell, Executive Asst. to the Rector, annaj@cecsa.org Pat Wilson, Receptionist., 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

Easter Egg Hunt Photo by Susanna Kitayama 12

Send submissions for The Message, website, email newsletter, and Sunday announcements to Bianca Leonard, phone: 210.736.3132, fax 210.733.1423, email: biancal@cecsa.org.

Material is published according to timeliness and relevance to the vision of the church. Deadlines for submissions are as follows: May 10: April 26 deadline Ministry info: May 14 - July 31 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