The Message- February 2012

march 2012 • Volume 14, Number 1

From our Rector: 2 Children’s Easter & Spring Events: 6-7 Mission Trip Opportunities: 9 Holy Week & Easter Schedule: 11

From

In this issue:

Christ Church: Inspired People Inspiring a City tell me the Vestry of Christ Church had called me to serve as your Rector. I was driving along a dark Farm to Market road twelve miles from my house when the cell phone rang.

Punctuating my elation (and my fear) over his announcement, came the words – Christ Church: Inspired People – Inspiring a City. Just as surely as young George knows he’s super, I knew that night we were being supernaturally called and fashioned to be God’s inspired people.

Music Ministry....................... 4 Student Ministry .................. 5 Children’s Ministry............6-7 World Missions ..................8-9 Our Church Life............ 10-12 Calendar of Events ............13 Hearts & Hands...................14

George Case

George wears a cape. That’s because George knows who he is.

Sunday Service Times: 8:00 a.m.

Spoken Communion Service 9:15 a.m.

Adult/Youth/Children Sunday school 10:15 a.m.

Communion Service with music 6:00 p.m.

Spoken Communion Service

Cover photo by Mary Ellen Archer

On Tuesday at Christ Church, I met George. He was intently coloring an electric, multi-hued picture at the Parish Library table, when I asked him why he wore the cape. Without missing a stroke of his orange crayon, he retorted, “I’m a super hero.”

George is inspired. He knows who he is.

If all of us at Christ Church begin to realize who we are, we’ll be wearing capes, too. Our lives will be electric like George’s Crayola masterpiece.

After all, the Bible defines us in Herculean terms: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called the children of God: and that is what we are. (1 John 3:1) Not one of us is a mistake, not one of us is an anonymous bundle of protoplasm; and therefore, not one of us is just marking time – no matter our age or present situation.

We are called children of God; and that is what we are. That fact alone should inspire us.

“Inspired”, believe it or not, was the first word that came into my head the night that Keith Orme phoned to

Not surprisingly, inspired is derived from the words in + spirare = to breathe into. Christians are the ones whom God Almighty has breathed into. I bet that combination is setting off all sorts of Church bells in your head: When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week (that first Easter), and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the authorities, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After Jesus said this, he showed them his hands and side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’

John 20:19-22 We know we are “children of God” because Christ has breathed the very Holy Spirit of God into us.

Thus, there is a lot more to each one of us than meets the eye. We are “in-spirited.” We are now made of divine stuff. Perhaps each one of us needs to be donning a cape like young George to remind ourselves that we’re super.

How will we at Christ Church engage this new extraordinary life conferred on us by our Lord? The first step is simple, but it is the most important: We will be in-

spired by our love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Worship, Bible study, and prayer will provide the foundation of our faith walk. The Christian life is always a dynamic life. We are forever being called out into deeper waters. The words “dull,” “stale”, or “stagnant” can never describe a Christian community intent on loving God through worship, study, and prayer. Centering our lives in the Bible, Sunday celebrations, and personal communion with God will continually breathe new life into us.

The second step flows from the first: We will be inspired by our love for one another. Through fellowship and caring for our brothers and sisters, the love Christ has planted within us grows and matures. Think of Christ Church as a giant incubator where we continually experience our re-birth in Christ by just deeply loving those in our fellowship. That means we want to know each other by name and know each other’s children, parents, and grandchildren. It also means that we will personally care for one another and help carry one another’s load when it gets too heavy. Loving one another will come as natural to us as breathing.

Finally, the third step is the ultimate expression of the first two: We will be inspired to extend the love of our community into the city. We know that the love of Christ that has transformed us will transform the lives of those many in our city whom we do not yet

know. The love God has breathed into us through His Son cannot be contained within the Christ Church community. It must be expressed to those the Lord puts in our path.

God will breathe his electric grace on San Antonio through us.

These three steps will lead us to become Inspired People Inspiring a City. I am determined to take each step with you and keep us from taking steps toward lesser goals. Step by step we will come to see just who we are. So grab your capes, Christ Church will be super.

Your brother, Patrick

My dear friends,

We have so much to be thankful for at Christ Church, and it was a blessing to be able to reflect on that during our 10:15 service on Sunday, February 26th.

Bill Frey joined us on June 20, 2010, becoming our interim rector for the second time. We celebrated Bill and Barbara along with John Barrett and Scott Kitayama and their families.

We gave thanks for Owen, Halleta, and Clark and the programs they lovingly lead. And we thanked God for our lay leadership over this past year and a half.

All the music in the service was beautiful, including the children’s special presentation of “Jesus Loves Me.” After church we enjoyed a reception complete with birthday cake to celebrate Bishop Frey’s birthday.

It was such a joy to express our thanksgiving to our Lord. Our blessings truly abound!

“Interim” means temporary, and now that the time is coming to an end, Barbara and I want to say how grateful we are for the privilege of serving Christ Church again. We fell in love with this congregation back in 2000 and 2001, and to be frank, I would have been upset in 2010 if Bishop Lillibridge had asked anyone else to take on the job of Interim Rector.

We look forward to sharing in the next chapter in this parish’s life and are excited by the choice of Patrick Gahan to be our leader. He has a great foundation on which to build and I know you’ll give him and Kay a warm and cordial welcome.

Patrick and Kay Gahan

Celebration Sunday: A Service of Reflection and Thanksgiving

Blessings in Christ Jesus, Bill and Barbara Frey

Photos submitted by Martha Moore

mINISTrY

African Children’s Choir On January 17 the original African Children’s Choir™ came back to perform at Christ Church. This was their third visit over the past ten years.

owen duggan Minister of Music owend@cecsa.org

Camerata San Antonio Upcoming Events Sundays at Christ Church 3:00 p.m.

The Power of Dance: March 18 Wuorinen: Josquiniana

The choir is composed of seriously at risk children from seven African countries, with their headquarters in Vancouver. They are recognized worldwide for their Grammy®-nominated singing and dancing, helping to preserve and promote the practices of tribal dance while blending these amazing movements and rhythms with contemporary gospel and pop music.

The concert was sponsored by Friends of Music and resulted in raising over $2000 for the organization as well as signing on many long term givers for the future among the fortunate attendees.

During their two day stay at the church they used our upstairs classrooms and the parish hall for their schooling, a significant part of the organization’s commitment to the children.

Special thank you’s to host families the Eichelbergers, Kittrells, Sethnesses as well as Ferne Berney and Val Hoey for providing a loving home for two nights for the delightful and reportedly extremely well-behaved children.

Photos from www.africanchildrenschoir.com

Adams: John’s Book of Alleged Dances Bruce: Gumboots Crossroads: April 29 Boccherini: Quintettino, Op.30, No. 6 Yusupov: Crossroads 5 Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70

Children of Uganda On Sunday, February 19 the internationally acclaimed Children of Uganda performed at Christ Church during the 10:15 a.m. service. Established in 1995, Children of Uganda cares for orphans and other disadvantaged children in Uganda with the goal of helping them become healthy and productive members of society. John and Frances Harrison have led mission trips to the orphanage since 1997. The children have performed in the past on the David Letterman show, at the Kennedy Center, with the singer Bono, at New York City’s Joyce Theater and have visited with Hillary Clinton at the White House.

Photo by Susanna Kitayama

Youth Calendar mINISTrY

Be a “Happening” Student in 2012 Christ Episcopal high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors: This is THE year for you to attend the most incredible weekend within the Episcopal church for high school students, right here in San Antonio! The Bishop’s Happening weekend is held only three times a year (in March, August and November), and two of them for 2012 will take place in San Antonio churches: March 2-4 at St. David’s and August 3-5 at St. Luke’s. Mark one of these two weekends on your calendar now and encourage your friends to do the same!

According to the Diocese description of the weekend: “Happening is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is similar to a retreat, but very different and not a substitute for a retreat. The teachings of Jesus Christ are discussed in a feeling of joy and happiness, and there will be lots of singing and some games.” The format is almost totally student-driven. “The student who is “Rector,” the clergy, and the staff of mostly students, spend weeks working and praying together in preparation. During the weekend, those attending will listen to talks given by students and clergy; talks which are both stimulating and challenging.”

Don’t miss your chance to “Happen” in your own city! Log on to the Diocese website: http://dwtx.org/index.php/diocese/Happening to learn more about The Bishop’s Happening and to register. If you would like more information or need help registering, contact Kristina Hanley or Tina Bigley. Make 2012 your “Happening year”– sign up now for a life-changing weekend you will always remember!

Fun “Happening” Fact: Did you know that our own Kristina Hanley attended the very first Happening weekend held in Harlingen in 1976?!

Since then, Kristina has mentored numerous Christ Church students who have attended, including her own children. She has helped with many of these special weekends over the years, often reconnecting with lifelong friends. Little did Kristina know as a young girl that what sounded like just a fun adventure would lead to such a life-changing experience. Nor could Kristina have imagined that she would be so enthusiastically involved more than 35 years later!

B.A.S.I.C. Caroling An enthusiastic group of Christ Church middle and high school students and their Youth Ministry leaders enjoyed a December “Fun Night” of Christmas caroling as they spread Christmas cheer all around the Christ Church neighborhood.

Photo submitted by Nancy Wright

B.A.S.I.C. Digital Photography Contest: Submit your digital photos of the Christ Church campus. The best will be displayed in the Carriage House!

Sunday Night Live (SNL): Come join Youth from across the Diocese for an evening of Music and Worship, held one Sunday each month at 5:30-7:00 p.m. in All Saints Chapel at TMI-The Episcopal School of Texas.

Spring SNL events:

March 18, April 15,

May 20th.

The Bishop’s Happening Weekend: A spiritual renewal weekend for high school students (grades 1012).

#121: March 2-4

St. David’s, San Antonio

#122: August 3-5 St. Luke’s, San Antonio

#123: November 16-18 St. John’s, McAllen

Spring Break Trip for High School Students: Travel with San Antonio Youth Leaders and their students to the Episcopal Diocese Conference Center on Mustang Island, March 12-14. Contact Jessica Lewis, Youth Ministry Intern, if you are interested in attending with B.A.S.I.C. Food and lodging is $55 per student.

Courageous Family Night Mark Wednesday, April 11th on your calendar and come to Alamo Draft House Park North at 5:30 p.m. to watch the hit movie Courageous.

Grab a friend, invite your parents, and come to the theater for music by the Christ Church Youth Band, watch the movie, and hear a welcome by our new rector, Patrick Gahan. After the movie, stay for a special message for Youth.

mINISTrY

Playground Cover Dedication In Loving Memory of Rudy Alejos We dedicated the new playground cover to God and in loving memory of Rudy Alejos February 14. Rudy was six years old and a recent graduate of Respite Care who died in an apartment fire six months ago. Bishop Bill Frey presided over the dedication that was attended

by Rudy’s family, the Respite Care children and staff and Christ Church staff members and representatives of the Playground Committee.

Our Christ Church playground is such a blessing to our own children, the neighborhood children, and especially the Respite Care children who are housed in our Family Ministry Center six days a week. There has only been one thing missing – a cover to shade the children from the intense Texas heat. A gracious anonymous donor witnessed the effect of the heat on the children last summer and decided to fund a cover that would make the playground available to the children all year. We thank this generous person very much!

We also thank Playground Committee Chairs Renee Sethness and Jennifer Shemwell for overseeing the Playground Project and their husbands Greg Sethness and Bob Shemwell for their professional advise on the completion of the cover.

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

We invite all Christ Church members to come visit our playground located between the FMC and the Carriage House anytime. You will see the joy it brings to so many children.

Owen Duggan and Bishop Frey leading in song. Playground cover. Rudy Alejos’ mother, Debbie García. Children of Respite Care.

Photos by Carmen Mercado Cary

Children’s Communion Celebration: Sunday, May 6 The children of this year’s Children’s Communion Class will be honored in a Communion Celebration Service, Sunday, May 6, during the main service. They will have completed a special class designed to enrich their Communion experience.

The class began on February 26 and will conclude with an all day Communion Retreat on Saturday, May 5, where they will bake bread for the service, decorate candles to be used in a Parent/Child Renewal of Baptism Service at the retreat, and create a cross and stole to be worn at the Communion Celebration. A parish wide reception will be held after the Communion Celebration service honoring the class and their families.

Photo by Susanna Kitayama

Children’s Holy Week and Easter Events Palm Sunday Processional, Sunday, April 1 Children may gather outside the front of the church and receive palms to wave during the Palm Processional at the beginning of the service. They will then be accompanied to Children’s Chapel for a Palm Sunday lesson.

Children’s Good Friday Retreat, Friday, April 6, from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. during the Good Friday service - Children ages 4 through fifth grade may come to the second floor of the Family Ministry Center for a retreat in which they will prepare for Easter. Some of the activities include: a presentation on the City of Jerusalem with emphasis on all the important events that occurred there during the first Holy Week; a reenactment of the Last Supper with children playing the roles of the disciples; and preparations for the Easter Egg Hunt and

Liturgy of Light which will occur the following morning. Children will decorate a Paschal Candle to be used in the Liturgy of Light service, arrange flowers for the service and Easter Chapel, and help the Easter Bunny by stuffing eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt. * Children should eat an early lunch before coming to the retreat. Snacks will be served.

Easter Egg Hunt and Liturgy of Light Service, Saturday, April 7 at 10 a.m. – Children and families will gather in the first floor Tomlin Room of the Family Ministry Center to prepare for the Liturgy of Light Service. The hearts of the children and their families will be prepared for the gift of the Resurrection at Easter by receiving the Light of Christ and hearing the story of Easter from the Gospels.

After this brief family service, the Easter Egg Hunt will take place on

the Parish lawns. The hunt will be for all ages, toddlers through fifth graders, with a special Easter Scavenger Hunt for the older children in third through fifth grades. An Easter Family Craft will be available for all families. Easter treats will be served after the hunt. Don’t forget to bring your baskets and cameras for some great Easter photos with the Easter Bunny!

Children’s Flowering of the Cross, Easter Sunday, April 8, at the beginning of main services - Children should gather outside the front of the church fifteen minutes before each service to prepare for the Flowering of the Cross processional. They should bring flowers from home that will be used to bring life and beauty to a plain cross as a symbol of the Resurrection. Children will be accompanied to Easter Children’s Chapel after the procession for a special Easter lesson.

SpaceQuest VBS Blasts off June 18-21!

Get ready for an out-of-this world adventure this summer with Spacequest VBS! Christ Church will rendezvous with our friends at St. Mark’s from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on June 18-21, 2012. Together, we’ll host an incredible journey to spectacular space stations for crafts, snacks, recreation, and Bible fun where children discover the mission Jesus has for them in John 14:6!

VBS is open to all children ages 4-11. Children younger than 4 may attend if their parent is a volunteer and children over age 11 are needed to serve as helpers! Adult and teen volunteers are mission critical.

Our VBS program is 12 hours of engaging, child-centered Bible instruction -- more Christian education than many children receive in an entire year. This is a wonderful opportunity for Christ Church and St. Mark’s 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. For a small fee of $20 per child with a $50 family maximum, this incredibly fun, meaningful summer activity cannot be beat! VBS registration is now open for children, teen helpers and adult volunteers. Go to cecsa.org/ children to register online today! Call us with any questions!

Amy Case VBS Director 210-723-6350 amygcase@gmail.com

Halleta Heinrich Director of Children’s Ministries 210-736-3132 halletah@cecsa.org

Photo by Susanna Kitayama

mISSIoNS

Dear friends, Greetings from rainy Nazareth!

Thanks for everything you do through our work here in the Holy Land. This is, and always has been, a team effort; some go and some send, and if you do not send, then we cannot go.

I want to share some current prayer requests with you: 1) Pray for David Julian (age 7) as he is struggling with Arabic in 2nd grade. We did our best to practice with him often in the USA, but there is no substitute for actually living in a city where Arabic is the day-today language.

2) Pray for our recent Sudanese graduates. They came to Israel as refugees and wanted to study the Bible and theology and ministry, but they did not have a very solid education to begin with, ie, could not read and write English or Arabic very well. So they did not fit into our curriculum as it was. But we did feel like this was an opportunity from above, so we devised some simplified material for them and they have learned a great deal.

Now that Southern Sudan is a country, most of them will need to leave.

Pray that they will be able to use what basic lessons they learned at Nazareth Seminary as they go back to their home land. A number of them are Anglicans, by the way.

This will probably be the only professional training most of them will ever receive!

3) Pray for Duane, as he is trying to put together a day-conference for local believers on witness to M’s. If the vision for this ministry stays with a handful of specialists it will never really never get off the ground. If the laity of the various local churches get excited about it, then it could change everything. I

am shooting for April for this.

I need the right contacts and the right speakers, among other things.

4) Pray for Sharon, she was asked to sing with the choir again. Previously they did Handel’s Messiah in Hebrew. It was a great chance for her to make friends with some Jews, including some Messianic folks. Normally in Nazareth we don’t get that opportunity. The problem is that the practice is in Tel Aviv, which is a good 90 minutes from Nazareth.

So we need to weigh the benefits and costs.

5) Pray for good health for Samantha and Amelia, as Amelia has started preschool recently. Samantha is a bit small for her age, due to her early birth, but nothing that the doctors are worried about. Give thanks for this!

6) Pray for Duane, he is teaching in Arabic this semester, which is never easy! Give thanks that I’ve made significant progress with my doctoral thesis recently.

7) As we recently remember the feast day of Valentine, martyr and elder of the church in Rome, it is good to thank God for our happy marriage!

8) Pray for Christ Church in Nazareth, it is our Anglican parish here and has almost no vision for outreach. I don’t know what we can do, but pray for the Spirit to energize the people and the pastor.

Finally, a special request that weighs on my heart: Normally in Nazareth I try to go out at least once a week and hang out around town and get into ‘conversations’. It’s pretty hit or miss, but it has resulted in some lengthy and rather passionate conversations lately. I have no idea how much good these conversations do in terms of the Kingdom, but I do feel it is an important part of our witness. So please pray that I’ll

meet the right people and say the right things in these conversations.

Most of the other workers don’t do anything of this sort, and I guess I can understand why, as one has to invest most of a day to get into one good conversation, and even then it’s not a sure thing. But on the other hand I don’t feel we should give it up.

Peace be with all of you, as we prepare our souls and bodies for the Great Lent, or as we call it in Arabic, the Fast of the Great Feast (sawm al 3iid al kbiir). The Orthodox Christians here more or less go vegan during this time, so keep that in perspective and ask the Spirit how you can discipline your body and soul during this time of reflection and confession.

For the Kingdom, Duane and Sharon Miller

World Missions...

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE? Have you ever wondered what a mission trip would be like or asked why you should go?

God can place that desire in your heart, and once he does, it is hard to refuse! The Christ Church Missions’ Committee is here to help.

Here at Christ Church we are blessed with worldly goods and pleasures galore. Yes, we are saved, but perhaps we are a little self-centered. We want the good life and as Americans we have it. The question is, do we have a me or thee-first faith? More than ever short-term missions are within our grasp.

Our world has become smaller and is shrinking daily because of our cars, buses, airplanes, and our precious passport. Almost every corner of the world is available and we can spread the Good News! Christ Church offers us possibilities to get our bodies out of the box: Honduras Water Well Ministry. A team goes down from the diocese several times a year to drill wells and minister to adults and children.

Good health routines are discussed with the villagers. Proficiency in Spanish is not required. Several trips are planned for the year.

Kampala, Uganda, East Africa. A group from Christ Church will be going in June or July to work at the Orphanage and the girls’ school in Hoima, Uganda. This will primarily be a trip with parents and youth.

There will be arts and crafts and other programs with the children.

Several moms and kids have already expressed an interest. Call Frances or John Harrison at 822-0575 St. Petersburg, Russia. A group from local churches goes for 2 weeks in early July to help with the children’s summer camp. A portion of the campers are orphans. We will sing, dance, play games, teach English, hang out, and tell about Jesus.

Please contact Greg Sethness at goseth@earthlink.net or 822-4160.

Hogar Infantil -Children’s homein Chiapas, Mexico. Another trip is planned for June or July. A group of 20 adults and children went last summer, and many want to go again. This is about a one-week trip and is very meaningful and rewarding. Contact John Harrison at 8220575.

In all of these locations we have friends and reliable contacts. Safety and good hygiene are always at the top of our priority list. You will receive more than you give. Just ask any one who has been. Please indicate your desires early so plans can be finalized.

There are many opportunities for ministry abroad. Members of our church have gone on short and/or long term mission trips to Mexico, Uganda, Honduras, Israel, the Philipines, Scotland and Russia. Talk with anyone on the Missions’ committee to find out more. You won’t be disappointed!

Missions Committee Members: John & Frances Harrison Marthe Curry Tina Honsaker Greg & Renee Sethness

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-19

Wednesday Night Lenten Series March 21st, March 28th & April 4th “The Inspired Christian Who Lives Next Door” 5:30 p.m.

Dinner 6:00 p.m. Casual Worship Service

(with music & communion, children are welcome!)

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Lenten Lecture Series Wed., March 21 Stepping Out through the Pain Just four days before Christmas, Norm and Ann Rolling received terrible news – their beautiful 16 year-old daughter had been killed in a head-on automobile collision. In the days that followed, their greatest fear was that their daughter would be forgotten. Through their fear and pain, God planted their desire to build the Emilyann Theatre, which today ministers to thousands of children and their parents every year. Norm said, “Looking back, we knew from the beginning, that Jesus was there – not to take away the pain, but to take our hands so we could walk together.”

Is God calling us to step through our own fear and pain so that we can create something to heal others? Come and hear Ann and Norm and we’ll ask that question together.

Wed., March 28 Stepping through Another Door For five years, Nate Moore was certain God was calling him to work in foreign missions. “Tibet, Nepal, Myanmar – the harder the better,” Nate thought. “I’m ready to pack up and go.” Then one door after another closed, letting him know foreign missions was not his calling. Nate was devastated. Then Nate met Sarah, only to discover that she was an elite ranked rock climber like himself. It was love at first sight and the advent of a new calling. Now Nate and Sarah Moore witness for Christ to a totally unreached population through their ministry, Solid Rock Climbers for Christ.

Is God calling us to undertake a new definition of ourselves so that we may be a more effective witness? Come and hear Nate and Sarah, and we’ll ask that question together.

Wed., April 4 Stepping Up for Others Joe and Connie Maverick were supposed to be retired. But day after day, Connie would drive by the roadside where Hispanic day laborers congregated. They consumed her thoughts. Finally, she knew God was nudging her to take action on their behalf, a tall order for a stately, well-situated lady who could not speak a word of Spanish! Connie and Joe obeyed, and Amigos de Jesus was born. Operating on a shoestring, Amigos provides nutritious breakfasts and coats for the day laborers, blankets, heaters, and fans for their homes, and ESL training and fun outings for their children.

Is God calling us to step up for those who are easily forgotten? Come and hear Joe and Connie, and we will ask that question together.

10

“Stepping Stones of an Inspired Faith” This is the first Bible Study and Preaching Series for Christ Church offered by Patrick Gahan.

Every six to eight weeks of the year, Patrick will announce another theme and note the Scripture selections on which we will concentrate for that time period.

A Bible study will be prepared each week and posted on the church’s website. If parishioners so wish, they may complete the Bible study individually or in group fellowships in advance of Sunday’s sermons.

Sunday, March 11 Lent 3 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 First Stone: The Cross Sunday, March 18 Lent 4 Ephesians 2:1-10 Second Stone: Grace Sunday, March 25 Lent 5 Hebrews 5:5-10 Third Stone: Obedience Sunday, April 1 Palm Sunday Philippians 2:5-11 Fourth Stone: Humility Sunday, April 8 Easter Day Mark 16:1-8 Fifth Stone: Courage Sunday, April 15 Easter 2 1 John 1:1-2:2 Sixth Stone: Light

Our Church Life...

“When did we see You hungry, Lord?”

by Robin Maymar “Don’t you remember? Last Saturday. I got there promptly at ten.

There were two lines, but I had never been there before. They told Me to sit inside and someone would help me with the paperwork. That’s good, because I can’t read. And the doctor just told me I have cancer and I have surgery next Friday. I can’t work any more and food stamps won’t kick in for another two weeks. I just didn’t know what to do. And you listened to me, and prayed with Me, and gave Me a hug when I was crying… then you made sure I got a good bag of groceries.

And the week before… My daughter went to prison, her husband had abandoned her a year ago, so suddenly here I am with three little boys, and me, an old man, living on a small social security check that barely covers my expenses.

And you made sure there was some powdered milk, and a big box of cereal. Some nice lady had made cupcakes, decorated them with pink icing and hearts. Each boy got one.

The people around here know Me. When they go to the store they are generous, they buy an extra bag of beans or a jar of peanut butter, and put it in that basket in the hall. Or they’re very tidy, and go through their pantries, looking for things they bought and have gone close to the “good by” date or stuff that the kids swore they would eat but didn’t or something you needed for a special meal, then could not find the recipe. They gather things and bring them to the basket in the hallway.”

“Wait! We are always at work, and we don’t eat at home, and there is

not much in our pantry. We are so crazy busy, when did we ever feed you?”

“Sunday morning, don’t you remember? The day before you had seen Me walking to the Hospitality Food Pantry. I may be ninety years old, but I can at least walk the fourteen blocks to get those groceries. You remembered me; Sunday you wrote “Food Pantry” at the bottom of the check.

You have touched my life with sixty to a hundred twenty five bags of groceries a week, with patient and faithful ministers who show up each Friday to bag groceries. Once a month more people come to help unload literally tons of food. (They call it their weight lifting day) Others hassle with orders from the ever changing selections at the Food Bank, trying to prepare a balanced bag: protein, fruit, cereal, pasta, staples, constantly keeping an inventory, watching the budget.

And you’re there, every Saturday from ten to eleven, carefully keeping all the statistics the city wants.

Putting the bag in the backpack on my wheelchair, making sure I have the “extras” bag, or taking groceries out to the car so I can carry the baby; listening to my stories, offering prayers, a shoulder to cry on. You are there when I need you, when I am hungry.”

Hospitality Pantry Volunteers are always welcome!

Saturdays 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Meet the public Fridays 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Sort groceries One Monday a Month Store cartons of food

Holy Week April 1: Palm Sunday, with children’s palm processional.

April 6: Good Friday, 12:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross 1:30 p.m. Choral Presentation of Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ.

April 7: Easter Eve, 5:00 p.m.

Baptismal service with childcare.

April 8: Easter Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.

Communion services with music.

6:00 p.m. Spoken Communion Service.

Hallelujah! He has burst through the three-day prison, tell it out with joyful song!

Baptism Dates The Baptism of Jesus Christ Sunday January 8th The Easter Vigil Saturday April 7th Pentecost Sunday May 27th All Saints’ Day Sunday November 4th 11

Our Church Life...

Wednesday Night is Courageous Family Night!

Adults, Parents, Youth, Kids: Are you ready to live courageously?

Right now -whether you realize it or not- you’re choosing to treat people a certain way, to stay committed to certain activities, to live a certain life, to be a certain kind of person, to not be a certain kind of person.

Each day you’re making hundreds of small decisions that amount to a big decision. A spoken (or unspoken) declaration. A defining banner hangs over your life, written in the ink of your own choices. Others can read it, even if you can’t.

Each morning you wake up on a platform, a position entrusted to you by your Maker. You are in the spotlight. Your audience of loved ones, co-workers, and public acquaintances are all watching... what do they see?

Even if you’re not the resolutionmaking type, whether you realize it or not, you’re already a person of resolutions... they’re defining who you are. They’re determining the life you’re living, the tomorrow you’re shaping.

So the question is, what if we let go of past baggage, clarified our convictions, and then pursued faithfulness to God, and those we love, for the rest of our lives? What if this became our omnipotent resolution, to live Courageously for Christ?

No matter how well you’re already doing in your faith walk, the Lord is always calling and challenging you to grow because His ability to make your life more radiant and abundant is absolutely endless. The more you grow, the more His power 12

is able to flow through you, satisfying your heart and transforming your world.

Wednesday Nights Fellowship from April 18th - May 9th, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

So join us on a Resolution Revolution. A journey that can affect your life and your relationships in every way. Are you ready to live Courageously? Your Resolution Revolution begins at Alamo Draft House, Wednesday, April 11th.

5:30 p.m. Dinner in the Parish Hall 6:00 p.m. Casual Worship Service with music and communion in Parish Hall (children are welcome participants!)

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

“Courageous Living” Study – Led by John Barrett

Alamo Draft House Movie Night on April 11th, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“Courageous Parenting” Study – Led

by Patrick Gahan

Christ Church has the exclusive use of two theatres at Alamo Draft House Park North located at 618 NW Loop 410.

Upon arrival at 5:30 p.m., adults, parents, and youth will kick off the evening with a welcome from our new Rector Patrick Gahan, followed by praise music, dinner and beverages (available for purchase), before watching the box office hit Courageous at 6:00 p.m.

Directly next door, kids will eat dinner and enjoy their own movie and activities led by Children’s Ministry Director, Halleta Heinrich. Please bring your friends! The kid’s movie will be Veggie Tales latest: Robin Good And His Not So Merry Men Children will learn lessons in courage from Robin Good as he shares his mission – fundraising from the rich and giving to the poor. Robin Good fights a greedy Prince and teaches his friends that right based in God’s Word can overcome wrong in the world.

Please note that childcare for infants and toddlers will be available throughout the evening at Christ Church starting at 5:00 p.m.

“Courageous Youth” – Led be Clark Niles (in the Carriage House) “Courageous Kids” – Led by Halleta Heinrich (in the FMC building Mark your calendars now and look for RSVP details in upcoming Sunday bulletins!

To volunteer or make a contribution to this ministry, please contact Laura Nell Burton at Lnburton@att. net, 219-1930 or Amy Case at amygcase@gmail.com, 723-6350.

oF eVeNTS March 11: Rev. Patrick Gahan’s first Sunday.

Christ Church Staff:

March 12-14: Spring Break Trip for High School Students to the Episcopal Diocese Conference Center on Mustang Island.

The Rev. Patrick Gahan, Rector patrickg@cecsa.org

March 18: Camerata San Antonio’s “The Power of Dance” 3:00 p.m.

The Rev. John Barrett, Asst. Rector johnb@cecsa.org

March 21: Wednesday Lenten Series begins.

April 1: Palm Sunday.

Children’s Palm Processional.

April 6: Good Friday, Stations of the Cross service at 12:00 p.m.

Choral Presentation of Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ at 1:30 p.m.

Children’s Good Friday Retreat, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

April 7: Children’s Easter Egg Hunt and Liturgy of Light Service, 10:00 a.m.

Baptismal service with childcare at 5:00 p.m.

April 8: Easter Sunday. Children’s Flowering of the Cross.

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 Dr. Owen Duggan, Music Minister owend@cecsa.org Joshua Benninger, Organist joshb@cecsa.org

April 11: Courageous at Alamo Draft House- Park North, 5:30 p.m.

Ruth Berg, Director of Children’s Music, ruthb@cecsa.org

April 18: Courageous Family Night begins at 6:30 p.m.

Christ Church Support Staff:

April 29: Confirmation Sunday- Bishop Lillibridge will make his annual visitation to Christ Church to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Camerata San Antonio’s “Crossroads” 3:00 p.m.

Darla Nelson, Office Mananger darlan@cecsa.org

May 6: Children’s Communion Celebration.

May 13: Children’s Choir Musical.

June 18-21: VBS. * All events at Christ Church unless otherwise noted.

Donna Shreve, Financial Manager donnas@cecsa.org Carmen Mercado Cary, Director of Communications, carmenc@cecsa.org Anna Jewell, Executive Assistant to the Rector, annaj@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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mINISTrY

Valentine’s Tea, February 7, 2012 The 4th annual Hearts & Hands Valentine Tea was a resounding success!

Liecie Hollis graciously opened her lovely home on Tuesday, February 7, for a gathering of fun and friendship for women of all ages from Christ Church. What a special treat to have Kay and Patrick Gahan as our special guests. When you meet the Gahans there is no doubt that the Lord has certainly provided for Christ Church! Also joining the women of the church were Bishop and Barbara Fry as well as Father John and Barbara Barrett. The afternoon was a reminder of what a special family Christ Church indeed is.

Many thanks to Liecie Hollis, Ann McRae and the Hearts and Hands committee for a delightful afternoon of fellowship and food that nurtured bodies as well as souls. If you were not able to attend this year, you will want to come next year!

The mission of Hearts and Hands is to offer opportunities to women at Christ Church for spiritual growth and a deepening love for the Lord, fellowship, and service.

“Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 Photos by Mary Ellen Archer

Material is published according to timeliness and relevance to the vision of the church. Visit www.cecsa.org/feature5 for deadlines.

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