From the Rector
Dear Friends in Christ,
"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." That famous line from the novel A Tale of Two Cities accurately summarizes the past few weeks for many of us, including our family.
Many of you have commented that our Christmas services were among the best you have ever experienced. The excitement and energy of the packed church at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve was contrasted with the peaceful quiet of the 10 p.m. service. And Christmas Day was a special time of hearing the wonderful stories from Scripture intermingled with great carols. Each of the services had their unique "flavor," and all of them pointed to the same amazing fact-- that God took on human form, becoming one of us so that we might become one with Him as we put our faith and trust in Him. Thank you to all of you who worked to make these services so special for so many people.
In the midst of all the wonderful anticipation and preparation for celebrating Christmas, we got the news that Nina has cancer. We have experienced the difficulty of waiting for results of tests and procedures and then dealing with news no one ever wants to hear. We are anticipating a process of chemotherapy and radiation over the next 6 to 8 months, with the expectation of full recovery to good health. We are extremely blessed with excellent medical care, a strong system of family support, an extensive network of friends around the country, and a wonderful church family. Thank you so much for your prayers and many tangible expressions of concern and love.
Many folks have asked what they could do to help. As we move into the treatment phase and have concrete needs (rides, meals, etc.), we will keep you posted on opportunities to assist us. But we firmly believe that the most important thing is to pray. Pray for healing for Nina. Pray for our kids to be able to concentrate on their studies and find the support they need while at school. Pray for the doctors and nurses providing the care. Pray for me to be supportive of Nina and to have continued wisdom in leadingChrist Church forward. We pray to a God who is compassionate and powerful, actively at work in our lives and the world.
In addition to praying, there are some other things you can do that will be a rich blessing not only for our family, but also for our entire faith community. (Actually, these are things you can do regardless of Nina's health status!!!) Here are a few suggestions: volunteer to help on the Altar Guild or the Flower Guild, facilitate a kitchen clean-up crew, deliver flowers to shut-ins, host coffee hour, answer phones or do filing in the office, participate on a Ministry Team, teach Sunday School, or help in the nursery. The opportunities are infinite, the time commitment varied, and the blessings are out of this world!
Blessings in Christ,
John Whitnah
From the Senior Warden
Our God is an Awesome God!
"God is good everyday. Every day God is good." This became a regular exchange between the members of the Five Talents mission team last summer in Uganda and Rwanda. It is also an apt response to all the wonderful ways He has blessed Christ Church this past year. I do not mean to imply that everything was rosy, far from it. In fact, we faced many obstacles and difficulties, but we sought to do His will, and we were blessed with the resources to succeed.
We began the year anticipating a $32,000 budget shortfall. In addition to that, we hired a full-time youth minister and sent two people on a mission to Africa and still managed to end the year with a budget gap of only $15,000. We don't yet have a balanced budget but we know that people are becoming more deeply committed to Christ and confident that Christ Church is doing His work because parishioner gifts were up in 2005 over the previous year and pledges for 2006 are running way ahead of 2005.
In my two years as senior warden, I have learned a lot. I've learned to ask the question, "Will this please our Father in heaven?" or more often, "Which of these uses for our time, talent and treasure will please Him most?" I've learned the power of personally inviting someone to come to church, or to join the men's breakfast group, or to serve on the vestry. I've learned that when we stretch beyond our comfort zone both individually and as a community of faith, we leave room for God to demonstrate his awesome power and love for us. I've learned what a wonderful, dedicated and loving bunch of brothers and sisters in Christ we have at Christ Episcopal Church. I've learned how powerful it is when others pray for me. I've learned that God's economy operates by His rules with uncanny results. In the economy we know, you can spend $6,000 for your child to take a course called "Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n Roll in Ancient Egypt" at a prestigious college. In God's economy, for $32 you can educate a Ugandan kid for a whole month. In His economy, past performance IS a guarantee of future results! I've learned that when Jesus told us to care for widows and visit prisoners and go and make disciples, He meant it. I learned that if you're wondering about what is His will, the best place to start is the Bible.
2006 promises to be every bit as challenging as 2005. Nina Whitnah, who has always been such a strong source of support and encouragement behind the scenes, now needs our support as she battles breast cancer. We need to make sure that we do that lovingly and prayerfully without being intrusive or overzealous. At the same time we need to continue the other important work of the church.
We need to continue to strengthen and balance the six purposes of our church: Administration, Discipleship, Fellowship, Outreach, Worship, and Evangelism. Administratively, we need to strengthen our financial condition and keep our building and grounds well-maintained and inviting. Discipleship-wise we will continue to build our youth ministry and our small groups as we encourage each other to move deeper in our faith. The evangelism ministry team is doing a good job and needs to widen its scope to better include the entire church and focus on bringing people to Christ, not just to church. Fellowship definitely got notched up last year and I anticipate that it will continue to be an important way for us to get to know and serve each other better. Our Outreach team is excited about building on our relationships in East Africa in general and with Five Talents International in particular. Closer to home, we will seek to enhance our ministry at Brightview Nursing Home, maintain our involvement with the Manna soup kitchen and investigate other ministry opportunities in the region.
In June, delegates from Episcopal Churches around the country will meet in Columbus Ohio for General Convention, where it is expected that some of the controversial issues that have been simmering since the last meeting three years ago will be revisited. Decisions made there could well affect the Episcopal Church's place in the worldwide Anglican Communion and perhaps even our own relationship with the diocese.
So yes, we have many blessings and many challenges but we go forward secure in the knowledge that our God is an Awesome God and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that the Holy Spirit is our Guide.
Thank you all so much for the opportunity to serve as senior warden.
Upward!
Stoddard
From the Youth Pastor
For those of you in prospective relationships, courtship is a dangerous thing. I still remember the first time I flew out to sunny Connecticut to spend some time with Karyn's family. The high point of the week was a trip to New York, a trip primarily designed to test the endurance of a skinny white suitor from Bath, Ohio. Some families subject the boyfriend to some good-natured ribbing: the brother might pull some pranks and the father might ask uncomfortable questions. I, on the other hand, was subjected to food. Massive amounts of food. Incidentally, it was on this trip to New York that I learned the true definition of pain. Pain is doughnuts for breakfast, a spread of Italian food for lunch, a full course of Chinese dumplings, pickled jellyfish, and pig's feet for second lunch, and a greasy Greek gyro for early dinner. As if that wasn't enough, the queasy ride back to Avon was nothing more than a recounting of the day's conquests, a bite by bite memorial of the animals that gave up their lives in the wake of our carnage.
What I finally realized was that this eating marathon had nothing to do with water-torture, and everything to do with relationship. Some families connect over a game of Parcheesi, some around a fireplace, and some over a plate of chilled jellyfish. Whatever your culture, however, food is one of the most powerful stimulants of human relationship. Churches rise and fall around their potlucks, families around the dinner table, and suitors across candlelit tables in Paris. Our Lord doesn't miss the significance when we gather around His table. Here the main course is Him, body and blood. As C.S. Lewis put it,
"God never meant man to be a purely spiritual creature. That is why he uses material things like bread and wine to put the new life into us. We may think this rather crude and unspiritual. God does not: he invented eating. He likes matter. He invented it."
The Lord's Table is many things. Among them is an invitation to relationship, a need as real as our need for bread and water. Many times the simplest symbols are the most profound.
In the end, I wrote this article not only as a reflection on food and relationship, but as an invitation. Karyn and I want to get to know you and your families, around the dinner table. After all, isn't that where relationships start? Over the next few months families with 6th-12th grade students will be getting a call from your new youth minister which will go something like this, "When can we get together, and what can we bring?" In honor of the season, we've dubbed it, "The Supper Bowl!" and nobody is safe. Let's make an effort this spring to spend some time together, to build relationships, and most of all, to share some good food together. But please, no jellyfish.
Ben Roberts
Financial Update from the Treasurer
For the year ended December 31, 2005:
Income:
$254,684 (versus budget of $226,500)
Expense:
$270,041 (versus budget of $258,800)
Deficit:
$15,357 (versus projected $32,300)
Stewardship Drive Results:
As of January 10, 2006: $215,880 pledged for 2006, from 54 families or individuals, for an average pledge of $3,998. Please note that this about twice the national average for Episcopalians! Thank you.
At the annual meeting on January 29, we'll have more detail for you. See you there!
Tracy Wietsma
Christian Education
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who participated in making this year's Christmas Pageant such a special part of Christmas Eve. We had an expanded cast that included adults, children and even some teenagers. And there were some wonderful new sets and backdrops that really added to the overall effect of the scenes. A huge thank you goes out to Dave Barros who designed and built the new set pieces and who organized the lighting crew (Meg, David, Catie and Michael Barros). Many thanks also to those who helped move out the scenery after the service and restore the sanctuary to its original configuration in preparation for the 10:00 p.m. service.
Summer is coming...
Fiesta! Where Kids are Fired Up about Jesus is the theme of this year's summer program. Planning for decorations and activities will be beginning soon and we need your help. Anyone interested in helping behind the scenes or even on one Sunday during the summer please contact me at home (678-8807) or at my church office (673-9630, extension *813).
Cyndy Bezz
Notice of Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Following the 10:00 a.m. service
The agenda for the meeting will include:
1. The election of officers and Vestry members for 2006;
2. Presentation of the parish budget for 2006;
3. Recognition of the service of outgoing officers and Vestry.
Join us for this important part of parish life.
Outreach
Connecticut's VNA Hospice will be hosting a hospice volunteer training class at their office in East Hartford. This organization does wonderful work for hospice families...call Faith Fisher, Volunteer Coordinator, at 860-528-5195, extension 6795.
Memorial United Methodist Church, our neighbor on West Avon Road, is sponsoring a Bone Marrow Donor Drive on Saturday, January 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This recruitment drive is hoping to increase the number of donors on the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Anyone in good health between the ages of 18 and 60 can join the Registry for a fee of $25. After learning about the donation process and signing a consent form, volunteers give a small blood sample that is tested for tissue type. Names remain on the registry and when a match is found, donors are contacted. Should you need more information, see the information on our bulletin board.
A Thank You
Many of you contribute used books and magazines to a container (actually a beautifully handcrafted wooden box) in the rear of the church. These are picked up by Laird Mortimer, a parishioner at Trinity Church, Tariffville, who runs the Morgan Street Ministry and delivers reading material to prisons throughout the state. Most of the materials go to the Osborn Prison Library in Somers, CT. Reprinted below is a letter from their librarian.
Dear Friend of the Osborn Library:
Prisons don't pay much attention to Christmas. When safety and security must be your paramount concerns, you try to keep each day pretty much the same as the last. There are no silver bells or holiday Santas in prison. Inside Osborn the only sign of the season is the tiny artificial tree and the colored lights in the prison library.
This year our library has been completely renovated and our lights shine a little brighter. The wooden bookcases, many of them here since the building was opened, gleam as if they had just come from the carpenter's shop. The damage and wear of years has been fixed, the old finish carefully sanded off, new finishes applied. The library is freshly painted, its windows washed, a new floor and new wiring installed.
It's a gray morning, but the library looks fresh and shining in the gloomy December light. Many people put a lot of time and effort into the renovation; it's good to see that the result was worth it. But the most beautiful library and surroundings mean little without the books which are the library's heart. Without books all the paint and polish in the world only give us an empty shell.
Without the efforts of those who believe that even society's outcasts deserve decent books to read, the lights in the library wouldn't burn as brightly as they do. Each new book can help an inmate overcome the grinding sameness of prison life, to remember there is a world outside the prison--and that everyone has not given up on them. While our surroundings are better, our need remains great; so is the gratitude we feel for all you have given us through the years.
I hope you can continue to support us and that the new year brings new joy and hope to your life.
Darrell Harrison
Librarian
Osborn Correctional Institution
Parish News
Precept Biblical Prayer Workshop
If you can believe it, Ash Wednesday is March 1! We are excited to announce an opportunity for Bible study that is sure to get your Lent off to the right start. On Saturday, March 4, Christ Church will host a Biblical Prayer Workshop, taught by Susan McCarron. Susan is a trained workshop leader for Precept Ministries International.
Precept Ministries teaches the inductive method of Bible study. By closely examining scripture (in this case we will do it by theme), you will be amazed at what you will learn.
The morning will be devoted to learning simple study tools to help us fully appreciate some Old Testament prayers, as well as passages from Paul's epistles. After lunch, Susan will guide us through the beginning of Kay Arthur's book Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days.
The workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Your fee will cover the workshop itself, lunch, and a copy of Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days. This is a great value!
Space is limited as we will set up the parish hall in classroom style. To reserve your place, please send a check for $35 as soon as possible to the parish office. The check should be payable to Christ Church, and should be clearly marked "March 4 Prayer Workshop." (We will not deposit the checks until a week before the workshop, but we need a firm handle on the numbers.)
We also plan to publicize the workshop through other churches in the Farmington Valley. However, we will wait until early February, so that we can accommodate Christ Church members and friends first. Why don't you and a friend plan to spend the day together in God's word?
We're excited about taking this bold step--let's make it a big success!
New Year's Resolution: Make the Music Director Happy!
Yes, I know this was at the top of everyone's list! Fortunately for you, it's a very easy resolution to keep. Follow these simple steps:
1. Decide on a Sunday when you can sing in the Worship Choir.
2. Sign up at least a week in advance in the Parish Hall.
3. Ask Jane for the easy-to-follow instructions you will need.
4. Plan to be robed and at the back of the church by 9:55 a.m. on your chosen Sunday.
And if you want to make the Music Director REALLY happy:
5. Invite/cajole/threaten your spouse/teenager/sibling/friend into joining you!
This will not only fulfill your resolution, it will enhance our worship and make YOU happy, too!
Did you know?
The staff has committed to praying together for the parish family during 2006. We meet weekly for Morning Prayer and will include several (5-6) households in our prayers each week. We will send you a post-card notice a week in advance so you may forward specific requests to us if you would like (you can be assured of confidentiality). And, please feel free to join us any Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m.
Avon Interfaith Brunch
This annual event is hosted this year by Avon Congregational Church. On Sunday, March 5, at 11:45 a.m. at Avon Middle School, Nora Howard, executive director of the Avon Historical Society, will do a presentation on the history of the churches in Avon. Tickets will be available soon.
If you have an interest in history, we could really use your help. Nora would like information about the history of our congregation. We have some materials already prepared, but could use help with some details and in going through some archival materials. Please contact Dalia McClintock in the church office. Thank you!
New Telephone System
Recently a new, more sophisticated telephone system was installed at the church offices. The staff can now reach each other by intercom, and the voicemail system allows for much more flexibility and professionalism. If you call during office hours, you will still get a live voice, unless no one is able to pick up. In that case, and also when the office is closed, or all lines are in use, you will hear a message.
You don't have to wait until the end of the message to leave a message for a staff member: simply press one of the following extensions and the phone will ring at their desk, and then it will roll into their voicemail, where you can leave a message.
John Whitnah: press *812
Ben Roberts: press *814
Cyndy Bezz: press *813
Jane Frogley: press *816
Dalia McClintock: press *810
Also, you can hear detailed information on the following extensions. Please do not leave messages on these extensions.
Listing of staff mailbox numbers: *820
Directions & Office Hours: *821
Service Schedule: *822
This Week's Events: *823
Cancellations & Changes: *824
Many thanks to the generous, anonymous parishioner who donated the funds for the new system!
Severe Weather Cancellations...
Should the weather cause you to wonder about scheduled events at Christ Church, you can simply call the church and, if there is no one to answer your call, press *824 once the message begins. This will take you to a special mailbox where we list cancellations.
Also, we are registered with the following radio and TV stations for announcements:
Radio: WTIC-AM, 1080 on your dial;
Television: WVIT (NBC), and WFSB (CBS) .
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Newsletter Epiphany 2007
