Achieving Our Dream

As of January 21, we have received 105 pledges for 2010 of $284,618. Our goal for 2010 pledges was $282,500.  If you have not yet made a pledge for 2010 we would appreciate hearing from you.  You may return a pledge form by placing it in our offering plate or mailing it to the church. If you need an extra copy of the pledge form, please go to the Christ Church website www.christepiscopal.com or pick one up at the church.  Thanks to all who pledged!

Whenever we experience a great tragedy it seems that someone will be certain to pronounce the cause. Pat Robertson can be especially counted on in this regard. He and the late Jerry Falwell blamed 9/11 on God’s wrath toward America for abortion and promiscuity. Robertson publically declared Hurricane Katrina was God’s judgment upon New Orleans because Ellen DeGeneres was from there. And just this last month Robertson proclaimed that the Haiti earthquake was the result of a pact the Haitians made with the devil over 200 years ago.

I doubt that very many of us believe the outrageous things that Pat Robertson and the like have to say about what is on God’s mind at times like these. But for people who are not Christian, it certainly paints us all with a very judgmental and hateful brush. I hope that whenever you hear people repeating these terrible things that you will speak up for the faith and affirm that Jesus loved the sinner, forgave his enemies, and refused to condemn even his own executioners.

One cannot look at the pictures of the suffering without seeing the face of the suffering servant. You may remember an incident reported by Elie Wiesel in Night, his autobiographical account of his time in the Auschwitz concentration camp. One day the prisoners were made to watch the guards hang a young boy. An inmate asked, “Where is God now?” And Wiesel replied, “Here he is. He’s hanging here on this gallows.”

And so we ask, can’t help but ask, “Where is God now?” God is with the suffering! And we respond, as we are called to do, with compassion and generosity and much prayer.

--John Paddock

A note about the Christ Church Prayer Tree:

The names which appear on our bulletin Parish Prayer List come from parishioner prayer requests.  Members pray for those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adverse condition.  To make a prayer request, contact the church office at cecdayton@christepiscopal.com or by phone at 223-2239.  You can be a member of the prayer tree by contacting the church office and will receive the prayer requests either by email or by telephone.  Please help us to keep our list current by updating the situation or informing the office to remove your name or the name of someone for whom you have requested prayers.  Names remain on the regular list for one month and can then be moved to the list for those with ongoing needs if suitable.

Christ Church Women's Winter Retreat                          

The Winter Women's Retreat will be at Procter Conference Center on Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28, 2010.  Please fill out the registration form in you are interested in attending the Women's Retreat.

The Episcopal Church in Dayton Lenten Series: 
Dying to Old, Rising to New: Life in the Spirit

In every generation, God’s people discover the truth of the resurrection.   We experience death and God offers us new life, a life empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Things change and a new way emerges to live as God’s people.  This Lent, join us to discover the new way emerging for the Episcopal Church in Dayton.  We will use Scripture,  History, and Art as three ways of understanding what God is doing in our lives and in our church.  The Lenten Series will be held on five Tuesday nights during Lent.  The program will begin with prayer and  a simple soup supper from 6:00 – 6:45 pm. The program will have three separate tracks to choose from between 6:45-8:00 pm. 

1. The Story of People of God in Scripture: We will use Scripture as our guide and study together the new ways that emerge to be the people of God in every age, from Abraham through the Exodus, from the kingdom of David through the Exile.    We will study how God’s way is recognized throughout time.
2. The Story of the People of God in Dayton: We will study the history of the Episcopal Church in Dayton, Ohio and work to discern the new life that God is inviting us to in our time.  We will also discuss how the social changes in Dayton have shaped the churches here in the Miami Valley.
3. The Story of God’s People in Art and Culture: We will look at examples of art and culture in the Dayton area, especially how art and music have been used in our churches.   Art is a vehicle through which perceptions are challenged and new expressions or ideas are made known to the world.  We will discuss the impact of artistic expression and innovation on our understanding of God’s call to us today.

This program will be held at several of our deanery churches. We invite you to join us as you are able on this special Lenten pilgrimage!  

February 23: St. George’s
March 2: Christ Church Dayton
March 9: St. Christopher’s
March 16: St. Margaret’s
March 23: St. Paul’s

Ark Project/Ramp Rebuild

On the second floor of the parish, in the center, is a skylight area that used to display metal sculptures representing animals in Noah's Ark!  Nearly a decade ago, the sculptures were donated to Stive'rs School for the Arts and are on display in their schoolyard (See picture).  Money was donated by some of you for the renovation of the Ark area.  Thomas Clinch, as a part of his Eagle Scout project, beautified the area with plantings and landscaping.

There are still funds in the "Ark Fund" that have not been used.  The Vestry is contemplating designating these funds for use in other building projects - the primary one the replacement of the ramp leading into the main entrance to the church.  Total cost of this work will be in the range of $50,000.

If you contributed to the Ark Fund and do not wish to have your donation transferred for other uses, please contact Emily Jobe, our bookkeeper, at (937) 223-2239 or ejobe@christepiscopal.com by the end of February, 2010.

Worship Commission Meeting Summary - January

Those in attendance:  The Rev. John Paddock, Dr Yun Kim Hughes, Maureen Boyles, Hayward Learn, Greg Sexton

Recap of Advent & Christmas - The arrangement of the Nave chairs has received positive feedback from the Parish, the chairs will be kept in this configuration for the time being.  Use of a communion table accomplished the feeling of bringing Christ closer but brought many logistical disruptions.  The use of the communion table may be used again periodically. 

Distribution/disposal of the Poinsettias were not well coordinated this year and fell on the office staff to manage it.  After discussion within the commission, it was decided that an Altar Flower Coordinator and a volunteer or two is needed to coordinate the disposition of altar flowers throughout the year.  John Paddock took the action item to place a note in the February Broadcast, advertising the need for volunteers to support & coordinate the altar flowers.

Worship Planning for Epiphany - Hayward Learn took the action item to prepare an Acolyte to assist Bishop Breidenthal during the worship service on January 31.  Paul Clever, Director of Good Earth Hunger Mission in Athens, OH, will be the guest speaker at the 8:00 am and 10:30 am worship services on Appalachian Sunday, February 14.  The Broken Strings band will provide music on Appalachian Sunday. 

Discussion of Prayers of The People - The Worship Commission discussed the current practice of praying for  those who have died in the war of the Iraq/Afghanistan region by name and decided to continue with this as it has received very positive feedback from the congregation overall. 

Worship Planning for Lent - The Worship Commission reviewed the previous worship booklet for Lent.  Several changes will be made in the Lent worship booklet; John Paddock will communicate this to the office staff in preparation of a new 2010 worship booklet. 

New Business - The following additional items were discussed and noted during the meeting:

• For the months of February and March, the Order of St. Luke healing ministry will provide Laying On of Hands for healing on the 1st Sunday of the month.
• A reminder will be placed in the Broadcast of the Prayer Chain.
• Hayward Learn took the action to create a laminated single sheet instruction on how to power up and operate the Nave sound system.
• Deanery wide confirmation service will be held at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church on Pentecost Sunday, May 23.

The next meeting of the Worship Commission is planned for March 3, 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the church in the Rector's office and is open to all parishioners.

Greg Sexton,
Worship Commission Chairperson

Emergency Update:  Earthquake in Haiti

As the crisis unfolds, we are working with Diocese of Haiti to provide critical, life saving assistance such as food, water and medicine, as well as long-term recovery and rehabilitation aid in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake.

Donations can be made directly to Episcopal Relief and Development (electronically or by check). To donate to the Haiti Fund electronically, visit www.er-d.org. If sending a check directly to ERD, mail to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Please put "Haiti Fund" in the memo line of all checks.

In A Side Note

Our pastor's son, Isaac Paddock, is enlisted in the U.S. Navy and is serving on the USS Carl Vinson, which is the aircraft carrier providing medical care, fresh water, rescue helicopters, and leading relief efforts in Haiti.

Downtowners' Revisited

Downtowners was formed 7 years ago as a Daytime Foyer option for members of the parish who wanted to meet with others on an informal basis, but who did not want to go out in the evening.  We chose to meet on a Wednesday so that those who wished could go to the 12.10 p.m. Chapel service, prior to the light luncheon served at 12.45 p.m.  The third Wednesday was chosen for my convenience, but we could change this if it would allow more of you to join us.

In the past we have had many of the non-profit agencies come to share what they do with us, and have nearly exhausted these options.  We would be happy to continue Downtowners if there are enough members of the congregation who would like to join us.  We encourage those of you who are newly retired, or who no longer want to go out in the evenings, or who would enjoy another time for fellowship to join us.  It is open to all.

We would appreciate your input for the type of programs you would like.  Please email Lori Rehling at the church office with your suggestions regarding the items below (lrehling@christepiscopal.com)

Guest speakers whom you would suggest
Book reviews
Games or cards
Other suggestions.

Please let us know if you want us to continue to offer the Downtowners, and which Wednesday would suit you best.  Our revised schedule, if there is enough interest, would be to meet six times a year.  March, April and May, missing the worst winter months, and September, October and December.

Whatever the decision for the future of Downtowners is, we will continue to offer the beautiful music program in December, as long as Percy Jones is available to provide this for us.

It was a cold blustery morning, a Monday in early January. The CityHeart staff and volunteers mourned the recent loss of two of our long-time friends. Two men, both just 45 years old, died suddenly of natural causes in the last week of December. One was a dear son, brother, best friend. One was a father, brother, son and beloved spouse. There had been some initial conversations with the  families in dealing with the uncertainty and confusion caused by the loss of these lives—sorrow begging questions of faith around the mysteries of life and death.

Two grieving women chose this particular winter day to come to Christ Church. Did they come for comfort, consolation or to simply find a place where they could share their stories? In the morning I listened as a mother talked about the last hours of her son's life. That same afternoon I sat with a spouse who spoke of holding her loved one as he passed in the night. We held hands, we cried together and we tried to make sense of those mysteries.

In each story, the women told of those respective fateful days. It seems both of these men knew they were dying. They sensed it would be their last day and were apparently confident in the face of death. They gave their loved ones a precious gift in words of faith, love, comfort and reassurance. They were at peace. Another day at CityHeart where I received more than I gave. How heartwarming it was to hear these stories full of hope for eternal life.

Our hope is in the Gospel of John, when Jesus tells Martha at the death of her brother Lazarus, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world." 

I believe the souls of these two men live in blessed company and I pray that the welcome and hospitality of Christ Church was a comfort to our friends in their time of need. 

Kris Sexton

YOUTH NEWS

SouperBowl of Caring:
Again this year, the youth group will be collecting money for the
SuperBowl of Caring on Sunday,   February 7. 
This is one of the most celebrated days of the year and
at a time when many Americans go hungry. 
All donations go to support local Hunger ministries.

Exodus 7: A Senior High Retreat Program
Exodus is a high school aged retreat program for youth in grades 9 thru 12.
This retreat is designed, created, and implemented by high school students from across our diocese. Each retreat is different in design, location, and staff.
When: Feb 12-14, 2010
Where: St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Lebanon
Cost: $30, Scholarships available, please contact Rob Konkol
Design Team Leader: Carl Freeman
Register online NOW!!! https://diosohio.wufoo.com/forms/exodus-7/

Youth Group Meetings
All Youth grades 6-12, plan to come to church on these Sundays!!
February 21—12:00-3:00
March 21—12:00-3:00

*Youth Group Retreat*
Put this weekend on your calendars now, more info. to come!
April 9—11, 2009

Youth Group Mission Trip Fundraiser
March 28th—Mark Your Calendar!
Christ Church youth will help to feed the hungry by returning for mission work to the Good Earth Hunger Mission in Athens, Ohio this coming June . Please plan to join us on Sunday, March 28 following the 10:30 service for a Spaghetti lunch to help support this effort. Tickets will be on sale in advance of this event.

Watch for more information in the March Broadcast.

Pilgrimage to Russia

White Nights Pilgrimage to Russia
June 13-24, 2011
Sponsored by the MiamiValley episcopal Russian Network (MVERN)

The Russian Orthodox church with its gifts of iconography, liturgy, music and deep spirituality, has nourished the soul of Russia for over 1000 years.  Join Bishop and Mrs. Breidenthal and explore the cultural and historical sites in St. Petersburg and witness MVERN's outreach ministry to St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in the village of Sablino. 

Highlights of the trip:
* Discover St. Petersburg, long considered the artistic and cultural center of Russia.
* Tour the great Hermitage State Museum and the Russian Museum.
* Spend a day at tthe Palace of Petrodvorets, famous for its gardens and cascade of golden fountains.
* Witness the remarkable revival of the Russian Orthodox faith after 70 years of repression.
* Worship with the parishioners at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Sablino, 30 miles south of St. Petersburg.
* See the work of MVERN's Russian ministry in Sablino, including the outstanding Youth Education Center.
* Join youth from the Diocese of Southern Ohio as they assist with a summer camp program and work on a designated project at the Youth Center.
* Stay in a boutique hotel on St. Petersburg's main street.
* Extend your trip with an optional extension to Moscow.

For futher information, click on www.mvern.org or call (937) 435-3550.

Waffle Shop Grant Deadline February 15                       

The Waffle Shop Committee is currently accepting requests for disbursement of proceeds from last fall’s event. Some of the Waffle Shop funds stay right here at Christ Church for special needs and programs. Another sizeable portion of profits is awarded to various community organizations. All Waffle Shop fund requests should be sent by regular mail to the church office (care of Waffle Shop) or by email to Tom Schaefer (tom@earthspeaks.org). Requests are due by February 15 and will be reviewed by the Waffle Shop committee at the following grant meetings.
• Grant meeting #1: Sunday, March 7 at noon in the parlor
• Grant meeting #2: Sunday, March 21 at noon in the parlor

Waffle Shop Grant procedure:

• Internal programs and Outreach programs connected to a parishioner may request funds through a memo, letter, or form in which the need is explained in detail. Include results of previous Waffle Shop grants, if possible.
• Requests for Waffle Shop Outreach Grants from sources not connected to Christ Church should apply in a letter including the following information:
• How will a grant to your organization help Christ Church realize its mission to love and serve God in the community?
• Does your organization have a particular affiliation with a church or other non-profit organization?
• How did you learn about Waffle Shop Outreach Grants?
• Is yours a 501(c)3 organization?
• If you have received a Waffle Shop Outreach Grant in the past, how did it assist your organization and the people you serve? Stories welcomed.
• Who should we contact for an interview?
• Deadline for grant requests: February 15, 2010.
• Grant recommendations should be finalized for vestry action at its late March meeting. Checks can be cut as early as April 2010.
• For further information, contact Waffle Shop chairperson Tom Schaefer. 937.276.2162 / tom@earthspeaks.org