Bazaar: Waffle Shop is approaching fast, and the Bazaar would love to have some items to sell. We gladly accept hand-made crafts, including clothing (hats, mittens, scarves), Christmas ornaments and jewelry. If you aren't the crafty type, consider a small gift basket, such as a flower pot containing gardening gloves and a trowel. We try to keep prices modest, so keep that in mind. Please contact Lisa Loftin at 847-1840 or ldloftin@att.net if you have questions.
Elsie's Attic: Ann Pettee will need help cleaning and sorting donations. Could you plan on coming down a time or two? Ann would really appreciate it. We have lots of stuff already, but more good quality cast-offs are needed. See Ann's piece on Elsie's Attic below.
Bake Sale: Downtown workers like to take something sweet back to the office for an afternoon snack. What can you bake for Waffle Shop? Cookies and brownies are always welcome, says chair Nancy Harrison.
Set-up and Clean-up: Can't make it down to work Waffle Shop, you say? Too busy at work? Well, how about hanging around for a while on Sunday, November 15, after the second service to help move tables and/or carry goods to the Elsie's Attic sale area? Lots of help needed here.
And how about Friday? Any way you could come in about 1:30, have lunch with us, then stick around for a couple hours putting the church back together? I can't tell you how important this is to the regular Waffle Shop staff. They are downright pooped by 2. Having some fresh bodies come in is a huge help.
Tuesday - Friday workers: Lots of help is needed in lots of places. We'd love to have you!
Waffle Shop is an amazing community builder for Christ Church members. I hope you won't miss out on deepening friendships and making Waffle Shop a success by helping. It's going to be great!
It is time to bring in your items for Elsie's Attic!
Here’s what we need:
• Now is the time to go through your closets, attics and garages for items which you no longer use, but are too good to throw away. If you are donating items, please clean them first if possible. Remember, we can't take clothing, but accessories like scarves, belts, purses, etc., are desirable. Examples of items to bring include: kitchen ware, home decorating items, toys, games, books, CDs, DVDs, records, etc. Help us by taking your donated items up to the second floor and putting them in the room by the choir loft (look for signs). If needed, a dolly is available.
• If you’re donating battery-powered items, please consider including batteries.
• We need sturdy, medium-sized boxes, the kind printer paper, apples or other fruit comes in. That way we can sort, price and store items ahead of time to have them ready for setup.
• We need volunteers to help sort. There will be a schedule posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall for sign-up. We plan three-hour shifts: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. several days a week, but any time you can spare will be appreciated.
If you’d like more information, please email Ann Pettee ampettee@sbcglobal.net or call the church office, 223-2239.
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 One of the most unique things about our CityHeart program that also sets us apart from social service agencies is that we do not have stringent rules or strict requirements that must be adhered to in all circumstances. Of course we have some very basic guidelines that we regularly follow to be consistent in our effort to treat all who come to us fairly and equally. But we also have the privilege of being able to look at individual situations, apply some common sense and make decisions on a case by case basis.
Many of you are aware that we have recently posted set hours for our CityHeart program to receive requests for assistance. This step has allowed us to give a better quality of assistance for cases that require extensive follow-up. If calls are coming in all day, there is often little time to complete the necessary work to help one person before numerous others are waiting. Let me assure you that we are not turning folks away. Those who call on the phone today, will gladly call back tomorrow if needed. If anyone ever approaches a locked door at Christ Church, the doorbell is only an arms length away, and it does get used. By setting specific hours, we have cut down mostly on our “regulars”, those who might otherwise frequent the office a few times daily and/or stay for extended periods of time just to “chat”. We have tactfully explained our reasons for defining our hours and they are responding by being respectful of our time.
One requirement that we do have is to make reports to the organizations from whom we receive grants. Anecdotal accounts are taken mainly from this column, and we have a database that is kept to assist in reporting various statistics. I am a people person, not a numbers person, but I would like to share some numbers from the past few months to indicate how many requests we receive, incidence of help given, number receiving direct financial assistance and dollars given.
On average, when we assist people financially it ranges around $20-$25 per person. The summer months were extremely heavy in demand because utility companies use these months to “catch up” past due accounts, and many people are at risk for disconnection. As for the number of requests per month, in 2008 we averaged 94 requests per month. Averaging the first nine months of 2009, that number is now at 146 per month. As you can see we often give help other than financial, this involves lots of time spent talking with folks, giving referrals and various minor requests such as giving a bus token or sack lunch. During the four month period above we gave out 129 sack lunches valued at approximately $387.00.
On occasion we cannot help—either the need is too great, or in some circumstances the assistance offered is not accepted. It is at these times that I go home with a heavy heart, pray for those who are beyond our reach, and trust that the Lord will provide.
Kris Sexton
Notes from September 28, 2009 Vestry Meeting
- A report from the Outreach/Mission Commission meeting included: 1) Rebuilding Together Dayton: there is an effort to put together an Episcopal team for the next rehab day for next year (last Sunday in April). 2) Micro Loans: Motion made that "the vestry endorse the concept of creating a Christ Church community for micro-lending and exploration of the establishment of an account for the receipt of funds for Micro-lending purposes." This motion was approved. 3) Community Garden at St. Margaret's: This is a deanery effort and the hope is that the garden will produce enough to support two pantries.
- Stewardship Plan: a five-Sunday pledge season was laid out for November 1 through 29 and will focus on Stewardship and Waffle Shop. On November 8, a financial presentation will be held between the services.
- Building concerns: Discussed upcoming projects (church entrance ramp and brick repair). Howard Heck told the vestry about the roof repair (due to wind damage) and upcoming minor repairs. Possible work day before Waffle Shop was suggested.
- Endorsement Process: The procedure for this process was read for the second time and was approved by the vestry.
- Worship: report given about the return to the Nave after worshiping in the Parish Hall for the summer. Removed the last two rows of chairs in the Nave in order to help maintain the closeness felt in the Parish Hall. The commission instituted practices to be used during worship for the flu season.
- Treasurer's Report: The Finance Commission will be working on the budget. Discussed financial problems from last year. Made changes during the year to bring down our deficit.
The full vestry minutes are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway of the church.
YOUTH NEWS
Calling All
Youth Grades 6-12!
Regular Youth Group meetings have resumed on the third Sunday of each month from 12:00-3:00 p.m. We begin by providing lunch for the youth and then follow with programming that might include music, games, discussion, or devotions. Young adult members of the congregation  are helping to lead these meetings. The list below includes dates for upcoming youth events. Join us for a new year of fun and fellowship! Questions? Contact members of the Youth Commission: Hayward Learn (Chair), Maureen Boyles, Kris Sexton, John Strieter. Young Adult Leaders: Art Paul, Emily Sexton.
Diocesan Convention Youth Event
November 6-7, 2009
Christ Church, Glendale
Drop off: Friday between 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Christ Church, Glendale
Between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., drop off at the Sheraton, after 5:30 p.m., drop off at Christ Church.
Pick up: 3 p.m. on Saturday at Christ Church, Glendale
Cost: $20
Make sure to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, "church clothes", bathing suit and a towel!
Christ Church Glendale will be hosting this years’ annual convention youth overnight! CCG is located in a suburb of Cincinnati, and convention is being held at the Sheraton Hotel in Sharonville, Ohio. Along with fun, food, & games, this year the youth will also be more involved in convention. The youth from the diocese will be working as: acolytes, convention pages, working at the DSO youth exhibit table, & leading the end of the day worship service on Friday at 4:15pm. After dinner Friday night, we are going to the waterpark attached to the convention hotel! That's right, bring those swimsuits and flip flops to convention in November! SPACE LIMITED TO 40 YOUTH, SO REGISTER EARLY.
Please inform a member of the Youth Commission if you plan to attend the overnight to help with carpool and chaperone arrangements. Thank You!!
Legs-In-Motion: Move-A-Thon
On a sunny, but chilly Sunday afternoon, sixteen Christ Church parishioners gathered at Carillon Park on October 4 to suport the diocesan fund-raiser "Legs-in-Motion: A Move-a-Thon." Christ Church youth and adults joined members of five other Episcopal churches and rode their bikes, ran or walked along the Great Miami Recreation Trail. When all the sponsorships are received, the Dayton event will net almost $1,500, including $703 from Christ Church. Funds that were raised in Dayton and six other similar events throughout the diocese will be used to provide grants to youth going on diocesan mission trips in 2010. If you did not get the opportunity to sponsor a cyclist. runner or walker, make your check payable to the "Diocese of Southern Ohio." Please indicate that it is for "Legs-in-Motion" DAYTON and send it to the Diocese of Southern Ohio, 412 Sycamore St., Cincinnati OH 45202.
MVERN Borscht & Bread
 Miami Vally Episcopal Russian Network (MVERN) will host an informational "Borscht & Bread " at Christ Church following the 10:30 service on Sunday, December 6. The Coffee Hour on December 6 will double as the Christ Church MVERN Boscht & Bread. Borscht is the traditional Russian soup made from beets and beef. It is served with Russian black bread dipped in salt in the Russian style with the wish and blessing for good fortune and health. We will also serve a Russian baked treat.
 The MVERN program, hosted by Chris Saunders (member of St. Paul's and MVERN founder) will be an audio-visual tour of Sablino, the Russian village with which MVERN has been in spiritual and fraternal partnership since its inception during the early nineties. Chris has been to Sablino many times, as have members of our Christ Church family. Chris will share the mission and  experience of MVERN member parishes and cross-cultural travellers (Russian and American). Many Christ Church families have travelled to Sablino and hosted Russian youth and adults here. You'll learn more about their experiences and why the Christian outreach mission of MVERN is worth supporting.
So mark your calendars for MVERN's report to our church family after the 10:30 service on December 6, 2009 in the form of a Borscht Brunch.
Worship Commission Meeting Summary
The Christ Church Worship Commission met on September 30 to discuss several topics, the focus of the meeting was developing a ministry plan for the Sunday morning music program.
Feedback from the previous survey taken of CEC parishoners and the recent Worship Task Force highlighted the desire to continue to enhance the variety of music and music forms. The commission had much discussion on this subject and concluded the following actions are to be carried forward to implementation:
- A means for parishioners to provide their input and feedback into the music selection process will be implemented. Desired music types, specific songs and hymns, specific instrument types are examples of the inputs we need from the parishioners as well as timely feedback on the music performed.
- Be intentional about using a particular music style for the entire worship service for Sundays which have a natural theme (by church or secular calendar). Examples of this may include Appalacian Sunday, Martin Luther King Day, etc. The commission also discussed selecting a Sunday from time to time to have particular type of music, such as contemporary music, jazz, etc. Yun Kim took the action to suggest to the commision specific Sundays and music types that should be considered for this initiative.
- Continue to offer a variety of music styles for our Sunday worship. This variety is most easily fit into the communion music segment of the worship service.
The commission reviewed Worship expense line items both budgeted and actual 2009 spending. Consensus of the commission is to budget 2010 Worship expenses to be the same level as budgeted for 2009, with the exception of adding up to $400 to the 2010 budget for additional wireless microphone(s).
The commission discussed the return to the Nave worship for Sunday morning 10:30 am service. There was oncern over the effectiveness of the sound system given the back two rows of Nave chairs had been removed. Hayward Learn took the action to adjust the level of the front and rear speaker sets to optimize the sound level in the seating area.
The Bishop Thomas E. Breidenthal is planning to visit Christ Episcopal Church on the last Sunday of January, 2010.
The next meeting of the CEC Worship Commission will be November 4, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the church. The commision meetings are open to all parishioners. Please contact Greg Sexton at illflyaway@sbcglobal.net or 937-427-0416 or the Rev. John Paddock for more information or to express your thoughts on worship.
The Women's Retreat
An hour's drive. A world apart
In early October, eight women of our parish gathered at the Episcopal Community of the Convent of the Transfiguration. On Friday afternoon, I drove through the storied convent grounds for the first time. Deep red maple trees cast shadows on the elegant stone buildings. It was as if I'd entered a quaint English village.
Our home for the weekend had a gracious front porch. We pulled our chairs close, grateful for the crisp fall air and each other's company. The aroma of beef stew drew us inside to dinner and a chance to linger over coffee and the world's best chocolate cookies. The living room was large, with comfortable chairs. In our circle of women we talked, sharing as little or as much as we chose. We were warmed by this special place and by the unique bond that women share.
The next morning, after a delicious breakfast, Sister Lynn arrived. She is funny and bright and, twenty minutes after she arrived, I wanted to be her best friend. After covering a table with craft materials, she led a discussion on journaling—both written and as expressed by artwork. Some gals thought, "Well, that's okay, but probably not for me." Funny thing. Pretty soon those who didn't want to write were scribbling in their little books; those who wanted no part of stickers and colored pens (me) were making like Picasso.
After a delicious lunch in the "mother house," we wandered the grounds, talking, laughing, and snapping photographs. We visited with the nuns, played with their dog, learned the history of this fascinating convent. Tidbit: In the chapel, the back row around the altar has a railing where elderly nuns can "sit" and appear to be standing.
Transfiguration, the dictionary says, is about change. "A change that glorifies or exalts." That certainly held true for me on Saturday afternoon. Sister Lynn joined our circle for lectio divina. I can't speak for the others, but each time I had tried to pray this way (reading a passage several times, each time going deeper), I failed. Not this time. We centered on Psalm 139. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Each reading delivered more personal understanding, more guidance from the freeing Spirit that was surely in that room.
Later, in the chapel, we joined the sisters in Evensong. On Sunday, Sister Lynn opened the morning session for any and all questions, revealing what it's really like to be an Episcopal nun. (Sadly, I missed this one!)
Of the memories we each carried away from the retreat: laughter, relaxation, revival—perhaps none is richer than the joy of deepening friendships. This idea is conveyed beautifully in a poem we read with Sister Lynn.
Our sharing became one story/ And we knew that in our sharing/ God's voice with Mighty breath was saying/ Love each other/ and take each other's hand/ For you are one/ though many/ And in each of you/ I live. (From: "The Sharing". Psalms of a Laywoman by Edwina Gateley.)
Peggy Barnes
To see more pictures,
click here
Hunger Ministry Update: St. Vincent DePaul
On the third Thursday of every month, volunteer servers from Christ Church and friends of servers from Christ Church fix and serve a hearty meal to the residents of the St Vincent's Hotel – a shelter for homeless men, women, and families in the Dayton area. The meal consists of delicious Kroger fried chicken, baked beans, potato salad, bread, dessert, and drinks. The fried chicken (currently 950 pieces), the baked beans (currently 12 #10 cans), and the potato salad (currently 12 one gallon containers) are purchased using donations from the Christ Church Hunger Fund – current meal cost for us is $854.90. The bread, dessert and drinks come from direct donations to St Vincent’s. At our last serving date which was Oct 15, 2009, we served fried chicken and fixings to the following numbers of people:
As you may have heard, a new men’s shelter will open soon and is expected to be fully operational by our next serving date which is Nov. 19, 2009. The new Gettysburg Gateway Men’s Shelter, at 1613 Gettysburg Ave, will house 178 men with additional space for an additional 60 men during extreme weather conditions. Since the new shelter will house the men who once stayed at St. Vincent's on Apple Street, more beds will be opened at the Apple St facility for women and families. Further, the Apple Street facility is to be renovated which will further increase the capacity. Based upon what we know to date here is our expectation of our near term hunger ministry needs – expected meal cost for us will be $950.00:
Forward Day by Day’s seminarian commentator for Monday, October 5, based her commentary on:1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1. "All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.” She talks about the relationship that belonging to a family had in creating the tipping point that led to her spiritual commitment of becoming a priest. Not seeking your own advantage, but that of the other, was St. Paul’s charge to the household or family churches of Corinth. Dr. Larry Welborn, in his current Adult Christian Discovery course, Response to Economic Crisis Among the Early Christians, talks about feeding the physically hungry people who did not belong to the family—their physical feeding led to their inclusion in the family and a sense of belonging. These were ordinary days, but they were tipping points in the growth of Christianity. Our Christ Church family is getting larger – thanks be to God! --Gary Kuziensky
Belong to our Family
According to the Gallup Organization’s research, examination, and analysis, the four outcomes that are the most relevant indicators of a church’s spiritual health are life satisfaction, inviting, serving, and giving. Outcomes are the results produced by a church community -- outcomes are the result of causes. In order to affect the outcomes that are the indicators of spiritual health, church communities must focus on improving the causes of spiritual health. It does not work the other way around. Put simply, a church does not produce lasting results in giving by conducting a well publicized stewardship campaign. But it can produce long lasting results in giving, Gallup says you can triple giving, by focusing on the two primary causes of spiritual health – spiritual commitment and congregational engagement (belonging).
Spiritual commitment describes a spirituality that goes beyond just a “Jesus and me” self—centered religiosity, to making a difference in other people’s lives. Engagement describes the degree of belonging an individual has in his or her congregation. Engaged members use the language of “family” when they talk about their churches. Forward Day by Day’s seminarian commentator for Monday, October 5, talks about the relationship that belonging had in creating the tipping point that led to her spiritual commitment: 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1. "All things are lawful," but not all things are beneficial. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.”
“The tipping point, according to the book by that title, is a culmination, a time in which a series of small changes "tips" the balance to effect a large change. Many of us who seek God can remember a "tipping point" of conversion, one seemingly small moment which tipped the balance and brought us face to face with the living God. My tipping point came in a time of loss and despair, a time when people who didn't even know me began caring not just about me, but for me. And they did it not because it would bring them some reward, but simply in the name of God. Those persons could have found much to occupy them other than my well-being. Ignoring and neglecting others has been defended; nearly "all things are lawful" because our world champions self-interest over others' well-being. But when I saw that another person might, in the name of God, seek not his "own advantage, but that of the other," I began to see God incarnate. It seemed like just an ordinary day, when I first saw God acting through people. An ordinary day, but it was the tipping point.”
Not seeking your own advantage, but that of the other, was St. Paul’s charge to the household or family churches of Corinth. Dr. Larry Welborn, in his current Adult Christian Discovery course, Response to Economic Crisis Among the Early Christians, talks about feeding the physically hungry people who did not belong to the family—their physical feeding led to their inclusion in the family and a sense of belonging. These were ordinary days, but they were tipping points in the growth of Christianity. Church members, who feel that they belong, know they are valued and that they make meaningful contributions to the mission and ministry of their churches—not in terms of dollars and cents, but in contributing their greatest talents to accomplish something bigger than themselves. Thanks be to God for our church family.
Gary J. Kuziensky
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first! The Youth Program can earn anywhere from $10 to as much as $40 a month. The money is used to help offset the registration fees for youth events including Genesis, Exodus, and Summer Camp. Thanks to all those who regularly contribute and thanks to the Nixon family for their coordination of this fundraising effort!! 
Imagine my surprise when I opened a certified mail envelope this past week to find a check from the estate of a former member of Christ Church. As these things go, it isn’t an amount of money that will redirect our financial future; but it will make an impact on a potential project or two.