The Message-July 2012

JULY 2012 • VOLUME 14, NUMBER 3

The Difference: 2 Spreading His Love: 5 Mission Accomplished: 6 Students Seeking Christ-like Character: 9

FROM

In this issue: Music Ministry....................... 4 World Missions ...................... 5 Youth Ministry ...................... 5 Children’s Ministry............... 6 Outreach ............................... 9 Our Church Life..................10 Pastoral Care.......................13 Calendar of Events ............15

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

On the cover: Children in VBS Photo by: Susanna Kitayama

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The Difference Bill’s Story Bill is different.

I hope you get to meet him some day, but that will have wait bePATRICK GAHAN to cause Bill is in Rector patrickg@cecsa.org prison.

Kay and I have known Bill for 33 years. When I was a young infantry lieutenant and Kay a fairly new ICU nurse, we would invite children from the Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock to spend weekends and holidays with us.

Clay, our oldest, was just a toddler in those days, so we had plenty of room. Of all the children we invited to share our home and lives, Bill most pulled at our heartstrings. He became like another son to us and even moved in with us for a while after I mustered out of the military.

been in prison? Bill will be like a modern Rip Van Winkle.

Mostly, I am worried that the new technologies, increased consumerism, and the amplified hedonistic culture will fill him with fear and drive him back to his old life. When I candidly told him these things in my last letter, Bill responded: Pat, don’t worry about me. I am now a different man. Tawnya and I have been talking and praying about my release for some time. I will not be chasing after technologies or trying to accumulate possessions. I have made up my mind to attend all the Sunday worship services at Miller Heights Baptist Church, Wednesday worship, and the Men’s Bible Study.

We will have family devotions in our house, which I will lead. The Internet will be screened that streams into our home. We will live within our means according to the guidelines of Financial Peace University.

I know that I cannot do this in my own strength. I will continue to rely on Jesus. As I said, I am a different man now.

I know that I cannot do this in my own strength. I will continue to rely on Jesus.

Tragically, Bill later turned to crime and has been incarcerated for 21 years. He has been married to his sweetheart Tawnya for 19 years, but they have never spent an evening together. In the midst of all this pain and separation, Bill and I trade letters pretty much every other week. Now that he is up for parole for the third time, I am hopeful he will be restored to his family and friends. With his possible release on the horizon, I have felt a keen sense of urgency to write him some solemn warnings about this strange new world that he will reenter. Can you imagine how much the world has changed during the time he has

Our Stories Bill’s response to my last letter got my attention. He reminds me that our Christian faith is much less a philosophy or a set of precepts than it is a way of life – a way to build our life’s story. When our Lord was born of Mary and entered humanity just like the rest of us, that was the beginning – not just of our salvation – but the beginning of a new way of living. We are more like Bill than we think. Until we submit to Jesus Christ and are

From our Rector... reborn into this new way of living, we are imprisoned in the tired old ways of the world. We will continue to seek happiness that is fleeting, fulfillment where there is none, and meaning on dead-end roads.

life except the one that is yoked to our Lord. He is determined to continue living along that straight path when he is again on the outside of those walls.

Although we are not pressed behind iron bars, we may feel as if we are collapsing under the burdens we have long carried. Our burdens may be the needs of our family at this particular juncture in our life – young children or aging parents or a marriage that is strained. Our burdens may stem from our work or lack of work.

Our burdens may extend from our past, dark memories that choke the life out of us. Christ calls us to give that weighty cargo to him and then follow him into a different life. Perhaps, for a while, we should all stream into the front doors of Christ Church and beneath that noble sculpture in order to remember Jesus’ enduring invitation.

Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Each time I pass by the front doors of our church, I am reminded of the new road of life to which our Lord Jesus invites us. Perched above that formidable stone entrance is the famous Charles Umlauf (1911-1994) sculpture of Jesus. The theme of Umlauf’s piece is taken from Matthew 11:28-29, where Jesus is speaking to the crowds and suddenly breaks out into prayer for them: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’

The image Jesus uses here leads us to envision a team of oxen yoked to their master, as he plows straight furrows. That hardly seems “easy.”

However, until we are yoked to Christ and follow his will and manner of life, we are on a path that leads us in pointless circles. Christ invites us to give over to him our burdens that have proved much too weighty for us and then follow him, learn from him, and lead a life worth living. Bill has learned this after 21 years behind thick stone walls of the Texas prison system.

The burdens of separation from his family, the temptations that have beset him in such a despondent place, the sense of futility that has overcome him again and again – all have taught him that there is no real

The Good Life What will this new life yoked to Jesus look like? Again, like Bill’s witness, it cannot be a life that is directed by the world or by us. It must be a life centered on Christ. That may sound utterly impossible to those of us caught up the throes of incessant demands.

Yet remember, Christ says to put those burdens on him. Our new life in Christ will displace the frenzied, complicated pace of the world with simplicity. It will usurp the mindless activities we have adopted for

mind-full ones. It will supplant our procession of self-serving pursuits with communion with others. It will overcome our rampant consumption with fervent generosity.

It will replace our estrangement from those we once loved with reconciliation. In short, in this new life yoked to Christ we will be restored to our real self – our God-breathed, God-inspired, God-animated self.

Bill knows the secret to all this: Christians are different. We are different, not so much because we think differently, but because we live differently. The good life Christ offers does not fall on us like a brick from heaven but shows up slowly as we put one foot in front of the other on the path leading to Him and away from those empty pursuits that once defined and incarcerated us.

What Does the Bible Say? I have reported to you what Bill wrote, and I have told you what I think, but what does the most prolific writer of the New Testament have to say about how Christians live differently? During all of July and August, I will write a weekly Bible study on this subject, and Scott, Bishop Frey, and I will preach on that same subject each Sunday.

I hope we all find that these Bible studies and sermons challenge the deadly homeostasis in our lives and makes us more than a little… different!

We are different, not so much because we think differently, but because we live differently.

Your brother,

Patrick U

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From our Rector...

Sunday, July 15 Proper 10 (B) | Ephesians 1:3-14 …we have a destiny.

Sunday, August 19 Proper 15 (B) | Ephesians 5:15-20 …we make the most of our time.

Sunday, July 22 Proper 11 (B) | Ephesians 2:11-22 …we bring people together.

Sunday, August 26 Proper 16 (B) | Ephesians 6:10-20 …we put on the full armor of God.

Sunday, July 29 Proper 12 (B) | Ephesians 3:14-21 …we are empowered.

Sunday, July 1 Proper 8 (B) | 2 Corinthians 8:7-17 …we finish what we start.

Sunday, August 5 Proper 13 (B) | Ephesians 4:1-16 …we grow into maturity.

Sunday, July 8 Proper 9 (B) | 2 Corinthians 12:2-1 …we find strength in weakness.

Sunday, August 12 Proper 14 (B) | Ephesians 4:25-5:2 …we make no room for the devil.

*Each Bible study is posted on the website in advance of the week it is assigned.

The sermon texts are posted shortly after they are delivered.

MINISTRY

Calling All Students!

Calling all Students: save your Wednesday afternoons and experience the joy of making music for the Lord!

There is no better way to tuck God’s Word into your heart than to sing it, and we invite you to join the Minisingers (grade K-2) and Mastersingers (grades 3-6/up) this fall.

OWEN DUGGAN Minister of Music owend@cecsa.org

We will meet after school on Wednesdays at the church, so save that day to “… sing for joy to the Lord!” For more information, please contact Ruth Berg (422-9963) and watch for information in Sunday bulletins and newsletters.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:1-2 4

MISSIONS

Spreading His Love

by Elizabeth Martinez Two of the Junior Daughters of the King participated in a outreach mission trip to Uganda this June 16-28.

Along with John Harrison, Catherine Easley, Clark Niles and other youth participants from Christ Church, they met with the children from the Sabina Home and the Daughters of Charity in Uganda.

Supported by the Children of Uganda organization, the Sabina Home and Boarding School in Southern Uganda accomodates over 600 children from vulnerable homes in the surrounding community where the population has been particularly hard hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Clothes and under garments were

collected and distributed to the children. The Juniors, Isabella Easley and Katherine Norvell helped paint a couple of shower doors and visited the students during school hours. They also interacted with the children playing sports such as soccer “football”, helping with their chores, and exchanging email addresses.

On Saturday, June 23 a carnival of craft stations was set up in the dining hall of Sabina Home. Isabella and Katherine face painted the young children while other craft stations included beading, picture taking, and face masks and cross decorating.

Juniors and everyone else who traveled to Uganda.

Our Junior Daughters continue to keep the promise of daily prayers, faith and service to the Lord in our community and different parts of the world.

Thank God for this wonderful opportunity!

It was a meaningful experience for the

MINISTRY

Almost Time for D-NOW I hope your summer has been great. It is half over and that seems way too fast! Wanted to drop you a note to remind you to register for D-NOW, August 17-19. It’s coming together nicely with a band from the Dallas area and a trip to Sea World on Saturday.

Registration is $20 this year. It includes all meals (except while at Sea World), and a T-shirt.

You can register online at cecsa.org/youth. The Sea World group pass is $23, unless you have your own pass. Partial scholarships are available, just call me.

CLARK NILES Director of Youth Ministry clarkniles82@ gmail.com

I can’t wait to see everyone again! Get signed up soon so we can get you plugged in to your host home for Friday and Saturday nights. Don’t forget, friends are welcome. If you have any questions give me a call at210-844-4834.

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MINISTRY

Help Children Discover Their True Worth!

“The Penniless Princess” Sunday, September 2 | 9:15-10:45 a.m.

FMC Movie Theater, Room 302 Special Sunday School & Chapel Event “Whatever is true, pure, and lovely… practice these things.”

Philippians 4:8 HALLETA HEINRICH Director of Children’s Ministry halletah@cecsa.org

Sweet Sara Crewe has everything a little girl could want – a loving family, lots of friends, and a closet full of frilly dresses! But when life takes a turn and Sara goes from riches to rags, will she realize that her true worth lies not in what she has, but what she has in her heart?

Come find out in this inspiring new story from Veggie Tales that reminds kids who they are in God’s eyes. Yummy snacks will be served for all of our “princes” and “princesses” during the event. After all, they are children of the King!

Blessing of the Backpacks All students may bring their backpacks to be blessed in Children’s Chapel and during Children’s Sermon time during the 10:15 service on Rally Day, Sunday, August 26.

School starts for many the following Monday, so it’s important to start off the school year with God’s blessing. Backpacks contain the

tools of a student’s trade and the work God has called them to do at this time in their lives.

So don’t forget the backpacks! Each student will receive a symbol of faith to hang on their backpacks after the blessing, to remind them of God’s constant presence with them through all their endeavors.

Mission Accomplished Our Christ Church/St. Mark’s Episcopal Church SpaceQuest VBS was a great success! Thanks to God’s plentiful provision and the tireless work of over 65 volunteers, more than 150 kids heard and lived the promise of John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth and the life.” We were also blessed with 13 kids and two volunteers from the Good Samaritan Center who joined us each day. The kids rotated through space stations including Bible study, snack, recreation, craft and music and ended each day with worship in our sanctuary. It was a wild and wonderful week and all involved were blessed. Take a look at our awesome volunteers!

Liz Adams, Ellen Adams, Margaret Amberson, Alicia Amberson, Nancy Lee Archer, Mary Corinne Archer, Mary Ellen Archer, Suzie Bacon, Erin Badger, Henry Barrett, Ruth Berg, Davis Bray, Laura Nell Burton, Amy Case, Allie Cochran, Jennifer Colglazier, Jill Cooper, Ann Cross, Larkin Crow, Gretchen Duggan, Kaitlyn Eberhardt, Rebecca Facile, Mary Lew Finster, Barbara 6

Frey, Lisa Galloway, Kerri Grellner, Halleta Heinrich, Heather Herschell, Liza Huey, Anne Ivy, Chris Janes, John Janes, Sarah Kardys, Libby Kissling, Susanna Kitayama, Tyler Kuykendall, Meecia Little, Haley Martinez, Sheila Mayfield, Patricia McAlpin, Katie McDonough, Avery Miller, Leslie Miller, Carla Nelson, Mateo Nelson, Virginia Peche, Nick Perez, Shea Pollom, Caroline Schubach, Margaret Schubach, Renne Sethness, Kathie Sherman, Harris Stephens, Julie VanZandt, Robin Voight, Jenna Warnicke, Sally Watson, Leigh Welder, Katharine Welder, Anne Wright, Sussanah Wright, Jackson Wymer, Olivia Wymer, Greg Zuschlag, Dana Zuschlag.

Marcus and Leticia from the Good Samaritan Center, and our preachers for the week: Mike Chalk, Rector, Saint Mark’s; John Barrett, Associate Rector, Christ Church; Andy Lobban, Chaplain, Good Samaritan Center and Assisting Priest, St. Mark’s; Patrick Gahan, Rector, Christ Church (our astronaut!). *please forgive us for any names we may have left out!

Children’s Ministry...

Photos by Susanna Kitayama

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Children’s Ministry...

Growing Up at Christ Church – Growing In the Spirit Children’s Sunday School 10 a.m. | Family Ministry Center Growing up at Christ Church is a true blessing! Christ Church has always made ministry to children a top priority. Sunday School is the heart of our Children’s Ministry where the Gospel message of Christ is presented each Sunday by loving Sunday School Shepherds.

Through the use of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at two levels for preschool 3 year olds through second graders and Workshop Rotation Model for third through fifth graders, Christ Church is providing the very best Christian formation possible for our children.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I: Preschool 3 Year Olds – Kindergarten Rooms 201 & 204 The goal of the Level I Good Shepherd Sunday School is to help our youngest children know Jesus as their Good Shepherd who always loves them unconditionally. The environment of the class can be compared to a loving sheepfold where choices are given to the children each week within loving boundaries. Children are presented with Bible lessons from the life and teachings of Jesus, Biblical geography, seasons of the Church year, and the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism, as well as a weekly Prayer Table Time, art reflection time, and opportunity to help maintain their class environment. The children are very happy in this child-friendly, Christ-centered, Bible-centered place!

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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level II: 1st & 2nd Grade Room 208 First and second graders are ready to be part of the community of Christ, branches of The True Vine – Jesus. They are aware of God’s unconditional love in Christ and are now ready to acknowledge that they are an important part of His plan. Central to Level II Good Shepherd Sunday School is the knowledge that God has always had a plan of salvation for the world through Christ and we are part of that plan. Bible lessons from the life and teachings of Christ are presented and expanded upon with the added acceptance of responsibility in making choices between right and wrong based on God’s laws of love. Prayer Table Time, Biblical Geography, the Sacraments of Communion and Baptism are part of the curriculum as well as art reflection time and seasonal celebrations of the Church year. More group work occurs at this level to meet the growing needs of this age group to socialize and build friendships.

The Village of God’s Children Workshop Rotation Model 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Rooms 301,302, & 303 We are reviving our Workshop Rotation Model Sunday School this year for our older elementary children.

Each four or five weeks a new unit of Bible Study will be taught with the additional support of related rotating workshops such as Art, Drama, Cooking, Movies, Games, Music, Outreach/Mission Projects and Gardening. The first Sunday of each unit will contain a heavy emphasis on Bible Study with a continuing emphasis on the Bible basis of the unit each following week

along with the addition of various activities. Creative Workshop Specialists will be called in to present and direct the supporting activities.

We are fortunate to have the Village of God’s Children spaces on the third floor of the FMC including a Movie Theater, an Art Room, and a Drama Room as well as the Tomlin Room Kitchen on the first floor for cooking workshops.

Village of God’s Children Units for 2012-2013 Unit One “The Body of Christ- What the Church is Intended to Be” Unit Two “Stations of the Creche- A Walk from the Old Testament Prophets to the Nativity” Unit Three “The Miracles of Jesus– Miraculous Things He Did and Lives He Touched” Unit Four “The Mystery of Easter– Christ’s Death and Resurrection and What It Means in Our Lives” Unit Five “Let There Be Light– Celebrating God’s Creation” Unit Six “Twelve Who Changed the World – What It Means to Be a Disciple and Follower of Jesus”

Students Seeking Christ-like Character At 8:00 a.m. each Thursday morning during the school year, you’ll find 50-60 Robert E. Lee High School students -and even a few teachers -

gathered in the multipurpose room of the school library. After 10-15 minutes of praise and worship, the students listen intently as a guest speaker or a fellow student challenges those in attendance to be shining lights for Christ on their campus. At the conclusion of the talk, everyone joins hands to form a circle around the room and pray for their school and community.

“I didn’t know you could do that at a public school” is a common response I get when I tell people about this outreach that will begin its third year at Robert E. Lee High School when school resumes in August.

Originally sanctioned as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Huddle when it started in 2010, this group is now known as C4 (Christ, Character, Community, Commitment). The desire to include students not in athletics is what prompted the name change, but the “4 C’s” represent the principals that have been central to the group from the beginning –know and share Christ, build godly Char-

acter in your life, support one another as members of a Community, and honor your Commitments.

and sacrifice are amazing – Camp was an amazing experience, simply what I needed in my life.”

Seventeen Lee High School students attended the FCA Leadership Development Camp at Hardin-Simmons University, June 4-8. This is the third summer that students from Lee have been able to attend an FCA Camp due to the generosity of Christ Church and other donors who have provided money for scholarships to cover most of the costs associated with camp.

While each student is required to make some effort to pay a portion of those costs, without the scholarship funds provided by Christ Church and others, camp would be beyond the means of their families. Including this group, over

“I am so grateful for all your help… you guys don’t understand how much you have done for my life.

Going to Camp for the second year helped me achieve goals and gain the tools I need to become a true leader and warrior for Christ.”

“I am so grateful for all your help… you guys don’t understand how much you have done for my life.”

60 Lee High School students have been able to attend an FCA Camp since this program started in 2010.

Each student who attends camp on scholarship is required to write a letter of thanks when they return home. Here are a few excerpts from this year’s letters:

“The best part was being able to learn about how to grow in your relationship with Christ and how to become a leader. To be in an auditorium with 1000 other kids, all wanting the same thing as you… that was truly a blessing.”

Before we started in the summer of 2010, the Lee campus had been without any sort of sustained on -campus ministry for almost 10 years. Our presence has opened the door for other ministries to be established at Lee, so your giving reaches beyond even the students who are involved in C4. Thank you, Christ Church for your continued support of this outreach to students at Robert E. Lee High School.

Tim Adams CREED: Community Renewal thru Evangelism, Education and Development

“The things I’ve learned on Thursdays and at Camp are priceless and the stories of perseverance 9

The Point of Christ Church 2-Point-0 “What’s the point of Christ Church 2.0,” I am sometimes asked. So why do I feel so strongly about this core course in our Adult Christian Formation series?

First, I contend that it is essential that we study and discuss the central beliefs and practices of the Christian faith. I suppose if we human beings had the ability to perfect ourselves, we would not need to engage in this formative study, but then again we would not need a Savior either. Christ Church 2.0’s curriculum is centered on our relationship with Jesus Christ and the way we fully live into that relationship.

Amazingly, we can cover all that material in eight 45-minute sessions, and enjoy ourselves a great deal in the process. And that brings me to the second and equally important point of Christ Church 2.0.

During those eight discussion classes together, we form a community of sorts. Because most 2.0 classes are made up of ten to eighteen folks, it provides an intimate oasis within a parish that sometimes can seem rather large and daunting. We always have a longtime member or two join us for the class to act as sponsor. The sponsors put out the weekly welcome mat for the participants and host a party for us at the end.

two Saturday shopping trips.

Finally, at each 2.0 class, we look closely at the nodal points of the Eucharist. As Holy Communion is the central act of worship for us Episcopalians, this gives us a chance to examine those unusual things we do and say on Sunday. Here’s a list of what we’ll learn together:

1. What is the real point of our worship in the Eucharist?

2. Who chooses the Bible passages that are publically read and why?

3. Why do we recite those archaic Creeds?

4. What is the baseline of our Episcopal faith as expressed in the Prayer Book?

In truth, it was my wife Kay who en- The third point of Christ Church 5. Why do we interrupt our solemn couraged me to design this course 2.0 seems a little selfish on my worship with the Peace? and write the book that accompa- part. Because I am the lead teach- 6. Do Episcopalians believe in the nies it. While serving in Maryland, er of the class, I get to know most real presence of Christ in the sacrashe read a text I was using for everyone who enters the parish ment?

Baptismal and Confirmation 7. Is it important that we say instruction. Upon finishing “We must know what it means to be a the Lord’s Prayer at every the text, she lamented, “Pat, Christian… It is equally important that worship celebration? you could read this entire 8. Why does one of the priests book and not know what a we pass this knowledge to our children yell at us at the end of worship Christian is, and you certainto “Go…”? and grandchildren.” ly wouldn’t know how to live like one!” So, I was off to the races. or who is preparing for baptism, I hope that I have made my point marriage, or a leadership position about Christ Church 2.0. Frankly, it The book Kay coaxed out of me is in the church. In this way, the pro- would be easier for me if we did not entitled, Foundations of Disciple- cession of people who enter our encourage and even insist that so ship, and it covers the subjects we parish become friends with the many people take it. But that would study in Christ Church 2.0: rector right away. This is an invalu- be terribly irresponsible on my part able gift to our shared life together. and yours. The world in which we 1. What is the Life of Faith?

As for time commitment, the en- live is overtly non-Christian and 2. Why is Jesus Christ the Focus of tire course requires a commitment is growing in its hostility to ChrisOur Faith? of six hours. For baptism you can tians and the unique life to which 3. How Does the Holy Spirit Animate add another thirty minutes to an our Lord Jesus Christ has called us.

Our Faith in Christ? hour and for the sacrament of mar- We must know what it means to be 4. Why Do We Have a Church? riage another two to three hours of a Christian and how to live as one.

5. How Do I Begin to Pray? counseling is necessary. If our life It is equally important that we pass 6. Why Must Christians Discipline in Christ is the centerpiece of our this life-giving, essential knowledge Themselves? lives and if baptism and marriage to our children and grandchildren.

7. How Do I Start Reading the Bible? are the highest expressions of the That’s really the point.

8. What’s All the Fuss About Eternal love we bear for the Lord and our Life? family, we should be eager to spend Your brother, this small amount of time in prepa- Patrick U 10 ration… which amounts to about

Our Church Life...

New Classes are forming for Christ Church 2.0 Christ Church 2.0.3 Sunday, September 9 to Sunday, October 28 Christ Church 2.0.4 Sunday, November 7 to Sunday, December 11(excluding Thanksgiving weekend) Christ Church 2.0.5 Sunday, January 6, 2013 to Sunday, February 24 To enroll, contact, Anna Jewell at 736-3132 or annaj@cecsa.org

Get Ready For a Fruitful Year It’s going to be a fruitful year!

Christ Church will kick-off our Fall Christian Education offerings with Rally Day on Sunday, August 26.

The Rally Day Parish Potluck and Fellowship Time will be held after the 10:15 service in the Parish Hall, in celebration of the new Sunday School year. The church will provide a fried chicken main dish and beverages with parish members asked to bring side dishes. Please bring the following to according to your last name initial before the 10:15 service ready to serve cold or at room temperature: A – J: Side Dish or Salad K – T: Desserts U – Z: Breads and Rolls

There will be information available during Rally Day on all educational offerings for the new school year including Sunday School for all ages, Choir for all ages, Wednesday Night programs, and weekly Bible Studies. Fun arts and crafts activities and games will be available for the children.

Our theme for this year comes from Paul in his letter to the Galatians as he teaches them what fruit would be born out of the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in them. Paul speaks to us through God’s same Holy Word today as we submit to His Spirit bearing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Our Rector, Patrick Gahan, will present a preaching series and Bible Study on the Fruit of the Spirit in September. The children of Christ Church will be presented with their own Fruit of the Spirit series in Children’s Chapel during the 11:00 a.m. service and as part of the 9:00 a.m. Family Service that begins on September 9 with our new Sunday schedule.

“ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

Galatians 5:22-23

Come Bearing Fruit Fruit of the Loom, that is...

Rally Day Outreach Project for CAM Bring an offering of much needed underwear for Christian Assistance Ministry clients to Rally Day on Sunday, August 26.

an outreach element involved in all we do as a Church family whenever possible, so please find the first letter of your last name below and bring an underwear offering accordingly. New underwear, please! We know your offerings coming from generous hearts will bear much fruit for you that give and for those who receive.

Underwear in all sizes for adult men, women and children are needed as well as bras for ladies and socks for all. It is our belief at Christ Church that there should be

A – H: Men’s underwear and socks I – P: Women’s underwear, bras, and socks Q – Z: Children’s underwear and socks 11

Our Church Life...

The Faculty Sunday morning adult education at Christ Church will be led by a distinguished core of instructors.

Scott Rose has been tapped to serve as Dean of the Faculty, whose number includes Marthe Curry, Tim Adams, and Harry Parker.

Scott is already considering a course of study that will not only intrigue us, but also will challenge us.

Classes commence at 10 a.m. in the Parish Hall on Sunday, September 9.

None of these faculty members have been placed, as yet, on the Christ Church tenure track!

Wednesday Nights this Fall The Simple Life: Have you ever thought how much happier you would be if you could just simplify your life?

my money on things that matter.

Above all, if I could just simply move back into a closer relationship with God, then… !”

Have you asked yourself, “If I could just simplify my life enough get back to doing the things I really want to do. If I could simply match my priorities with who I really am.

If I could just simply have the time to make and keep healthier relationships. If I could simply spend

You’re not alone if you are asking these questions. Christians all over are asking them, too. That’s why beginning in early September, Christ Church will devote two months of Wednesday programs to The Simple Life.

Using the 2009 book by Thom and Art Ramier, Time, Relationships, Money, God: Simple Life, we will work through this study in inventive, conversational ways that will be of benefit to all of us, no matter the stage in life.

More details will be coming later.

In the meantime, anticipate simply getting the help and wisdom we need!

Do You Know What is Behind the Kitchen Door?

At Christ Church it is the Kitchen Cabinet, a newly formed committee appointed by Patrick to support Elizabeth Martinez, our faithful and hardworking kitchen manager.

We are closing the kitchen for three weeks in August in order to thoroughly clean and reorganize. The kitchen will reopen in time for Rally Day and Sunday breakfast on August 26.

The Kitchen Cabinet is reviewing all functions of the kitchen and is working with Elizabeth on recommendations and possible changes.

Please come to our table at Rally Day and consider volunteering. In the meantime, we welcome all ideas and comments. Please call or email any of us with your ideas.

The kitchen is a busy place and it’s amazing just how many different functions there are in a given month: Wednesday night dinners, Sunday breakfast, various lunches, receptions, coffee and cookies, and funeral receptions.

Elizabeth often handles events on her own and does the clean-up by herself. It’s time to provide her with needed help and support. One of our biggest challenges is finding volunteers who are willing to prepare and serve meals.

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In His Service, Elizabeth Martinez Anne Wright Sally Watson Ferne Burney Ellen Johnson Pauleen Netting Garnett Wietbrock

CARE

Christ’s Call for a Healthy Church

by Renee Sethness Does Christ Call Us to be there for each other in our time of need? YES! A truly healthy, vibrant, healing church is one where the people minister to one another. It is not a church whose ministry is centered on the clergy, but rather it is centered on Christ in the belief that he intends to make each one of us a priest.

Peter expresses this vision in his first letter, “Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let your-

The Community of Hope is a body of believers who are committed to their own priestly ministry of caring for others. selves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 2:4-5.

If we begin to believe, really believe, that each one of us baptized believers has been anointed a priest of God, then it will rightly follow that we will become consolers, up lifters, and healers for each other.

Secondly, a truly healthy church thinks of itself as a single body and not as a collection of isolated selves. Paul states this fact repeatedly.

He writes to the Romans, “So, we, who are many, are one body in

Christ, and individually we are members of one another” Romans 12:5. And to the Corinthians he adds, “If one member (of the body) suffers, all suffer together; if one

themselves through daily prayer, Bible reading, study of the Rule of Saint Benedict, and holy conversation and support from others in the Community.

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together” 1 Corinthians 12:26.

Patrick Gahan has said more than once that the Community of Hope has more greatly enhanced the three parishes he has led as rector than any other single ministry. “To have a group of people that are prepared, willing, and devoted to the care of those who are hurting, lonely, despondent, or bereaved is God’s dream come true in the parish,” says Patrick.

member is honored, all rejoice together” 1 Corinthians 12:26. Thus, to Cain’s specious question in the first book of the Bible, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9, God responds with a resounding “Yes!” The Community of Hope is a body of believers who are committed to their own priestly ministry of caring for others.

The Community is well-trained to go out to the hurting, yet what makes them unique is that they are trained just as well to take care of

“To have a group of people that are prepared, willing, and devoted to the care of those who are hurting, lonely, despondent, or bereaved is God’s dream come true in the parish”

When and how can you be trained for your role in this ministry?

Training for Community of Hope will be at Christ Church, once a week, two hours per session for a total of 10 weeks, beginning in September. The day of the week and the time are negotiable and will depend on the needs of the majority of those taking the classes. Instruction will be provided by expert guest speakers as well as the clergy.

Christ Church needs you.

Are you open to this important ministry?

To learn more about the classes or this ministry contact Carol Miller at 736-3132, carolm@cecsa.org or Sudie Holshouser at holshouser@aol.com.

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Pastoral Care...

Saint Paul and Chandler House Singing and listening to Bible readings fills the room with joy. ThankI just completed a study of the book fully, Sarah McLain faithfully helps of Acts and cannot help but re- with name tags and is another friendly face to call the last two all. Father Kern verses. We are “These Pauls live in Huff and his told that Paul wife Rebecca are stayed in his the assisted living area, there the third rented house for two years and the independent living area, Sunday. The resboldly and withand the skilled care unit. idents welcome this priest and out hindrance Some are male and his staying to preached and anoint them taught about some are female. with oil. the Lord Jesus All show forth their love Christ. Paul inPraising God in deed lives at of Jesus Christ. “ voice is someChandler House. thing I especialChrist Church has had a ministry at ly enjoy and once in a while I sing Chandler for at least twenty years. the right notes. We surely could Dan and I have been a part of this use your help with these services for the last five years, coordinat- which begin at 1:30 p.m. ing a service on the first, third, and fifth Sundays each month at 1:30 Why do we do this? It is because of all the “Pauls” who minister to us. These Pauls are not imprisoned in their homes, but they do have limited mobility. These Pauls live in the assisted living area, the independent living area, and the skilled care unit. Some are male and some are female. All show forth their love of Jesus Christ.

by Jean Goetz

You may know some of them, Rollin Polk is a former priest at Christ Church and still worships here most Sundays. I have learned much from him and also from Jean Bruton.

Rollin Polk

p.m. Attendance averages twenty each week and we begin to gather around 1 o’clock. It takes time with wheel chairs, walkers, and some good strong legs.

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ble verses and knows when to share them. She grew up in the shadow of Christ Church and attended Saint Mary Hall School. She still loves birds, flowers, and reading mysteries.

Jean will proudly tell you with that chuckle in her voice and twinkle in her eye that Bishop Capers was her Godfather and explained to me that this was not Sam Capers, the former rector of Christ Church. I’ve

Becky, Kern, Sarah, Jean & Dan Goetz

been a Texan for only six years and I need to be taught such things.

Jean Bruton is certainly one of those Pauls living at Chandler House and she gives so much to all those around her.

One Sunday only six people attended the service and Jean knew I was disappointed. She reminded me that “wherever two or three are gathered together in His name,” He is with us.

This woman remembers her Bi-

Jean Goetz, Jean Bruton, Kern Huff

OF EVENTS August 3-5: The Happening #122

Christ Church Staff:

August 17-19: D-Now Weekend

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

August 18: Christ Church 1.0 August 17-19: D-Now Weekend August 26: Rally Day

The Rev. Scott Kitayama, Assistant Rector, scottk@cecsa.org Carol Miller, Pastoral Care Administrator, carolm@cecsa.org

September 3: Labor Day / Church Office Closed

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

September 7-9: Camp Capers Father-Son Retreat

Clark Niles, Director of Youth Ministry clarkniles82@gmail.com

September 14-16: Camp Capers Mother-Daughter Retreat September 15: Christ Church 1.0 September 20 - November 15: Women’s Fall Bible Study * All events at Christ Church unless otherwise noted.

Dr. Owen Duggan, Music Minister owend@cecsa.org Joshua Benninger, Organist joshb@cecsa.org Ruth Berg, Director of Children’s Music, ruthb@cecsa.org

Christ Church Support Staff:

Baptism Dates All Saints’ Day Sunday November 4th The Baptism of Our Lord January 13, 2013 Holy Saturday March 30, 2013

Robert Hanley, Parish Administrator robert@hanleypmservices.com Darla Nelson, Office Manager darlan@cecsa.org 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

Stuff the Backpack Program The Bexar County Detention Ministries - Family Renewal Center For children of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated.

Accepting donations through August 12, 2012.

School supplies needed: Backpacks (clear or mesh), tissue boxes, antibacterial sanitizer, jumbo colors for 3 yr olds & kinder, 4 oz. bottles of Elmer’s glue, colored markers, pencils, scissors, water colors, spiral subject notebooks- wide ruled, pens (blue, black or red ink), plastic school boxes, 1 inch binders, map colors, 24 ct crayons, loose leaf paper -wide ruled, rulers, pink erasers, glue sticks, and uniforms: khaki pants, polo shirts, shoes.

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

For more information, contact Natalia Tovar at 210-299-4540.

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Bishops’ Chapel

Dear Friends, Though you gave the three of us ample notice, I was not prepared for the wonderful outpouring of love and encouragement that marked our service last Sunday evening. It was a powerful celebration and I want to thank all of you for this loving tribute. Barbara and I were very deeply moved.

We were especially grateful to be included in such illustrious company with Ben & Joanne, and John & Shirley. They have long been highly respected friends and companions in this bishop business.

As you know Chrsit Church occupies a very special place in our hearts. To have a place in the Bishops’ Chapel just seems to make it official.

God’s richest blessings for all of you,

Bishops John MacNaughton, Bill Frey and Ben Benitez at the Bishops’ Chapel Dedication on June 17, 2012.

Bill Frey

Photo by Susanna Kitayama

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

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