|
|
|
| The time has come to replace our ramp! |
Christ Episcopal Church is open to all. Parishioners find a place of peace, love and fellowship. Visitors find a place of refuge, support and hospitality. Thousands of people come through our doors every year to worship, to attend Waffle Shop or to seek much-needed assistance from the CityHeart program. No matter what one’s reason may be for coming to Christ Church, one thing is true: All must face the same treacherous hike up our front ramp.
The time has come for the entrance to our church to become as welcoming as our parish itself. It’s time to make our ramp ADA accessible. Doris Swabb and Gordon Price are serving as Ambassadors for this project, and if you ask Doris about it, she will tell you, “It just has to be done.” Not only is the old ramp in disrepair, but people with limited mobility find tackling the ramp an extremely challenging task.
Greg Sexton has graciously collected bids for this project and determined that the cost will not exceed $38,000. In recognition of the fact that this improvement is absolutely necessary, both Doris and Gordon have pledged their personal financial support as has 100% of the vestry, wardens and clergy. These pledges, along with leadership gifts from several generous parishioners, have raised $22,000 (almost 60% of the goal) in just one month!
Construction must begin this year, before cold weather is upon us, but we need your help to make that happen. Please consider a special gift to Christ Church. Pledges can be paid as a lump sum or spread out over time. Click here for a pledge form. Printed pledge cards will be available from the church office. In order to balance the books, all payments must be received by the end of December 2011 (16 months from now.) Of course, our congregation benefits most from this project. That being said, its completion in time for Waffle Shop would serve as one more public demonstration of Christ Church’s commitment to openness and hospitality. Thank you for your support!
|
| From the Rector... |
Worshipping in the Anglican Tradition:
The Book of Common Prayer is the name we are giving to our Adult Forum course for this fall. We shall explore the history and meaning of our common prayer tradition. We’ll reflect upon what the various liturgies teach, and we’ll ask how well they speak to us today.
This offering is intended both for newcomers to our liturgical tradition and for folk long familiar with the liturgies of The Book of Common Prayer.
One criticism of our worship tradition is that it is difficult for many visitors to negotiate our liturgies with Prayer Book, hymnal, bulletins, and lectionary inserts. Add to that our jargon (e.g. nave, narthex, L.E.M.’s, collects, propers, wardens and vestry), and we Episcopalians provide newcomers with an uphill climb.
In our exploration this fall, we shall decipher some of the lingo and seek to understand what is behind the various services. We’ll explore some of the public liturgies as well as the offerings for individuals and families. Thanksgivings for birth and adoption, baptism, marriage, prayers for the sick and dying, Christian burial, special liturgies for holy days, the liturgical calendar, supplemental texts and rites will all be grist for the mill.
On one autumn Sunday, the 10:30 a.m. service will be an Instructed Eucharist where we’ll pause occasionally to teach about the various elements of the liturgy. (Of course, the instruction will take the place of the sermon, so the service won’t be overly long)! And during the latter part of the Season after Pentecost (September through November) we will use the actual Book of Common Prayer rather than the seasonal worship booklets to which we’ve become accustomed.
The Latin phrase, lex orandi lex credendi, says that the law of worship is the law of belief. Or a better translation is as we worship so we believe. As we come together week in and week out, the language and forms of our prayers and creeds and readings of the scriptures shape us as believers in, and as followers of, Jesus. Plan to join us to explore how we are being formed and what we believe as a result.
Worshipping in the Anglican Tradition: The Book of Common Prayer will involve presentations by various people. Participants will be encouraged to bring their questions and to share their experiences of worship.
Adult Forums are held on Sunday mornings during the Christian Discovery Hour from 9-10 a.m. Offerings are available for children and youth during that same time. The fall programs will begin on Sunday, September 19. Detailed schedules and outlines will be in the August Broadcast and on our website as they become available.
--John Paddock
|
| Upcoming Events for Lectors & Worship Leaders |
For the enrichment of your ministry of reading our Scripture during worship:
A Workshop on Oral Interpretation
Led by Dr. Kathleen Cleary
Christ Episcopal Church
August 28, 2010
9 am until noon
Christ Church parishioner, Kathleen Cleary, has a Ph.D. in Theater from OSU and has been active as a director and actor in professional, college and community theaters. She is currently Dean of the Liberal Arts, Communications and Social Sciences Division of Sinclair Community College and was formerly the Chair of Sinclair’s Theater and Dance Department. For the workshop, please prepare as you normally would for Sunday,
one of the following upcoming lectionary texts:
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 (Proper 20 Sep 19)
Jeremiah 31:27-34 (Proper 24 Oct 17)
2 Timothy 2:8-15 (Proper 23 Oct 10)
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 (Proper 25 Oct 24)
Please let the office know if you will be attending!
This event will be open to the Deanery.
ALSO
Please plan to attend ONE of the following
Lector Training Meetings.
Sunday, Aug 8 or Sunday, Aug 29
9:30 am-10 am
Led by The Rev. Mary Slenski on August 8
and The Rev. John Paddock on August 29.
We will be reviewing the use of the Introductory Comments, leading the psalms and prayers to facilitate the participation by the Deaf, and addressing any other questions and practical matters.
|
| Worship and Picnic at Triangle Park |
Christ Church &
St. Andrew’s 6th Annual
Worship and Picnic
at Triangle Park
Where: The large pavilion at Triangle Park in Dayton
When: August 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.
Worship service followed by our Annual Picnic.
What is provided: Drinks, plates, cups and utensils, condiments,
fried chicken.
What to bring: Families whose last names begin with: A thru F (Desserts);
G thru P (Side dishes); Q thru Z (Salads)
After lunch, there will be games for all ages, including the easy-to-play card game of Bunco. We will have relay races, sack races, the corn hole game, etc. There is also a playground nearby. If you have any fun yard games you would like to bring, please do so.
Directions from Christ Church: Go east on First Street to Patterson Blvd. Turn left and go over the Miami River Bridge. Patterson Blvd. then becomes Riverside. Go up Riverside to Ridge Ave. (at a stoplight). Turn right on Ridge Ave. Go past tennis courts on left and large parking lot on right (0.3 miles), to the top of the hill. The large pavilion can be seen on the right as you go up the hill. Turn into the parking lot at the top of the hill.
Please Note: The 8:00 a.m. service will be held at Christ Church and the main service is at Triangle Park at 11:00 a.m.
|
| Women's Fall Retreat |
Christ Episcopal Church—Women’s Fall Retreat
Convent of the Transfiguration, Cincinnati, Ohio
Friday, September 24—Sunday, September 26
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. All women of Christ Church are invited for a time of retreat and reflection at Bethanna Retreat House on the grounds of the Convent. Throughout the weekend we will share times of fellowship and worship in community with other women of the parish. Our morning discussion and bible studies will explore the theme, “How Can I Be a Better Neighbor?” Saturday afternoon will allow for personal free time to walk the grounds, read or take a nap. There will be a movie on Saturday evening. We will work together to prepare some of our own meals and have a few meals in the newly remodeled retreat facility.
Please join us!
* SPACE IN THE HOUSE IS LIMITED TO 16 WOMEN *
Please complete the registration form and return with payment
to the church office to reserve your room.
(Click here for registration form)
|
| A CityHeart Moment . . . |
 The Traveler
Psalm 37: Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him.
Toni came to Christ Church on a Saturday afternoon during a funeral. She was looking for help with a Greyhound bus ticket to get home to Minneapolis. She had heard on the streets of downtown Dayton that we might be able to help her. She was told to come back on Monday to CityHeart.
On Monday morning, I received a call from a man, Joe, who had been talking to Toni and was trying to help her. He said that he was a social worker in another city but lives in Dayton and wanted to put $20.00 towards a bus ticket if we would coordinate the effort. Joe brought Toni to the church and left his name and phone number. This began the saga of a very patient woman who persevered over the course of two long weeks to get back home.
Toni, a kind and faithful friend, traveled to Dayton to testify in court on behalf of a friend in an eviction case against a landlord who was not providing safe living conditions. That friend had provided a ticket for Toni to get here, and Toni thought she would help her get home, but then neither could afford the return ticket. In fact, that friend was now homeless and they were both staying at the St. Vincent shelter.
Although we don’t always help with transportation for people leaving the state, this was one of those times when I was reminded that Jesus often traveled from town to town relying solely on the hospitality of strangers--those he would call friends. Toni had come here to help another and was simply trying to get home.
The Greyhound bus station had moved out of downtown to Trotwood, so after a series of phone calls and conversations, we verified that the fare to Minneapolis was $132.00. The management had changed but they agreed to accept a check for our portion of the fare. We added a pledge of $40.00 to the $20.00 pledge from Joe, and encouraged Toni to try to get some help from family, friends, or other area churches. Over the course of that week, Toni checked back with CityHeart staff and volunteers to let us know she was still trying to raise the funds and staying at the shelter. On Friday she returned with $72.00 in cash and reported that she had worked to earn the money by doing hair for acquaintances. With our $60.00 check and her cash she would be able to purchase the ticket to get home.
I called the bus station to inform them Toni would be coming and they told me the fare had gone up from $132.00 to $159.00 because it was a holiday weekend. We were very frustrated at this news, but scrambled together another $27.00, someone in the church office gave $20 and Toni had come in with a new friend, Jim, who gave her the other $7. (Jim needed our help as well, but that is another long story!) We wrote the check for $60.00 and sent Toni on her way with some food and beverage for her journey, believing all was in order.
A week later, I was on vacation when Lori received a call from Toni who was now in Milwaukee, still not home. She said that the Dayton Greyhound did not accept our check when she arrived at the station and so she used all the cash she had to get as far as it would take her. She was now stranded in Milwaukee and had tried to get some work or help to no avail. Lori voided the original check and went to work to see if we could do anything for Toni online or by phone. In the end, we spent an additional $18.00 and used a debit card to purchase the ticket from Milwaukee to Minneapolis to get this poor woman home.
Toni had held up considerably well during this trying time, and sadly told me that she had missed her daughter’s high school graduation. The daughter bravely assured her that it was okay because Toni would have the opportunity again in four short years--when she graduates from college! The patient endurance of this faithful traveler made me feel especially grateful to have reliable transportation that I take for granted as I go from destination to destination. Godspeed to Toni!
--Kris Sexton
|
| Outreach Projects |
Kairos Prison Ministry
Kairos cookies are needed by the first weekend in September or earlier. Two hundred (200) dozen cookies are needed to support our prison ministry weekend in September. Please see the special instructions below in regards to the kinds of cookies needed and the packaging instructions. Please see George Slenski if there are any questions.
Kairos Prison Ministry Cookie Baking Instructions:
- Home baked cookies only
- No raisins, icing or powdered sugar
- Cool cookies before packaging
- Exactly 2 dozen per one-gallon ziplock bag
- Pray over the cookies - asking God's blessing on those who will receive them.
- Bring cookies to church on or before September 5.
|
| Look at What is Going on in our Youth Program |
 Christ Church
Canoe and Camping Trip
August 13-15
at
Morgan's Canoe
on the Little Miami River
Ft. Ancient, Ohio
Hosted by the
Youth of Christ Church
No age limit, but children younger than Youth Group must be accompanied by an adult.
Fees*: $20 per youth, $30 per adult; $65 per family.
Children under 5 free.
Payment due by August 1, 2010.
The signup sheet is posted in the Parish Hall at church. For more information, contact Hayward Learn: hlearn@sbcglobal.net.
*Cost underwritten by the Youth of Christ Church, Dayton.
The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio
2010 Summer Camp
Join other families and youth for fun at
2010 Summer Camp at Procter Camp
- Family Camp (August 11-14) $120 per adult camper, $60 per child camper under the age of 18:
-Age specific activities. Bible Study for all ages.
-Spend quality time with your family.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIOCESAN SUMMER CAMP
REGISTER ONLINE NOW!
|
| St. Andrew's Summer Film Series |
 Great Movies of Faith
from 6:15-9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 4 from 6:15-9:00 p.m. and
Sunday: August 15 after the service
at
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
1060 Salem Ave.
Dayton, OH 45406
937.278.7345
Wednesday, August 4
THE APOSTLE: The 2008 movie, directed by Robert Duvall, who also stars in it as an enthusiastic, charismatic, evangelical preacher, who kills his assistant in a fit of rage after discovering his own wife is having an affair with the man. He flees punishment to set up a small church in an out-of-the-way Louisiana town, but knows that at any moment the past may catch up with him. The work explores his complex character, opposing his sincere apostolic fervor with his very human passions of sexual desire and anger.
Sunday, August 15 after the service with lunch provided at intermission.
THAIS 2009: Metropolitan Opera extravaganza starring Thomas Hampson as an early Christian, cenobitic monk who leaves his desert retreat to go to the great city, Alexandria, convinced that he can turn the glamorous courtesan (Renee Fleming) from her life of sin and pleasure. The story, based on the novel by Anatole France, opposes the hedonistic and ascetic, the physical and the spiritual, at their most extreme. In addition to great music (Massenet) and wonderful singers in parts seemingly made for their talents, Ms. Fleming's costumes were designed for her by Christian LaCroix, and the Met dancers are extraordinary. As former parishioner Peg Cooper said, it's “everything grand opera should be!”
|
| June Vestry Notes |
- Growth: The idea behind the new Welcome Table for visitors, newcomers and parishioner was explained. This is the place where visitors/newcomers/parishioners can find out how to get involved, receive information, learn how to get a permanent nametag, how to become a member, or just learn about Christ Church. The Welcome Table is set up in the front hallway of the church on the last Sunday of the month.
- Building & Grounds issues: 1) reviewing contract with Linc Services (HVAC system) and looking at another company who will also maintain our electrical system. 2) Stan Musick is the project manager in charge of redoing the handicap restroom. 3) A chairperson is still needed for the Building and Grounds Committee. Howard Heck, who has been chairperson for a long time would like to step down. He is still willing to help out in emergencies. More people are needed on the building & grounds committee. 4) A thorough assessment of the building is needed. 5) There will be a church work day scheduled in the early fall to deal with minor building issues.
- Assistant to the Rector: The Rev. Mary Slenski will remain at Christ Church on a month-by-month basis until she finds a position.
- Ramp and entryway: A report was given on the progress of the ramp project. A colored sketch will be produced by the Architectural Group to be used for fundraising purposes. Bids from contractors are still coming in. A fundraising committee was formed to raise money for the maintenance fund with the first project being the ramp project. Money raise above the amount needed will go to other building and grounds projects such as the brick work.
|
| Join the Contemplative Prayer Group in August |
Contemplative Prayer Group will resume meeting on Wednesdays on August 4 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at United Theological Seminary, 4501 Denlinger Road, Harriet L. Miller Women's Center (2nd floor). This group does not confine their prayer practice to those found exclusively in Christian groupings. Their approach to prayer respects and embraces the contemplative approach found in other religious and spiritual disciplines. They welcome serious, like-minded people who wish to cultivate an interior life of prayer. Look for more information on the Christ Church bulletin board or call Brian Billar, 937-768-5023.
|
| |
| Downtowners' Book Review |
Attendees of the last Downtowners' get-together this season discussed their favorite books they have read this past year. Below is the list of books recommended:
John Paddock recommends: "The Case for God" by Karen Armstrong
Millie Mooney: "Game Over" by Steven Leeb
Joan Franks: "Living A Year Biblically" by A. J. Jacobs & "Playing the Field"
Carol Nelson: "Fidelity & "Leavings" by Wendell Berry
Mary Slenski: "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress" by Rhoda Janzen
and "A People's History of Christianity" by Diane Butler Bass
Kay Nelson: "Andrew Jackson" by Meecham
Esther Lewis: "Highest Duty" by Solly Sullenberger
and "Dreamers of the Day" by Mary Russell
Cathy Skardon recommended books by Nichola Sparks
and "Desert Queen" by Janet Walbach
Happy Reading! |
|
|
|
