A Reflection

A year ago, Thanksgiving in England did not feel like Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving dinner was a cheese and celery sandwich from the grocery store, and I spent the day going from my office job to seminars (calculating leap years in the middle ages, then religious life of laywomen in the middle ages) to a Latin class (gerund versus gerundive:  discuss!) to a tutorial, in which my kind-but-direct supervisor took one look at the conclusion to my essay and said, "You really need to never write a sentence like this ever again."

So because I needed a little soul-soothing after all that, I went to evensong at New College . Despite the name, it's one of Oxford's oldest colleges, and with the remnant of the massive medieval city wall cutting through the middle of it, heavy towers and its unlit and shadowy cloisters, New College is quiet and solid and spooky. That particular evening, their college choir of men and boys was singing not the normal evening prayer, but sung Eucharist in a Mozart mass. A small group of soloists alternated with the entire choir, and the music floated light and sparkling up around the cold carved statues of saints and the worn-away pews and kneelers. I felt very, very far away, wanting to be with my family, wanting the music to continue forever, longing to be home, longing to stay enclosed by the heavy walls, and longing for something else I couldn't quite identify. The rhythm and sounds of an older language, the expressive music, the dim and echoing chapels, all came together to remind me of the words of another Oxford academic, who wrote that "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." Did C.S. Lewis scribble those words of Mere Christianity after attending evensong?

That evening, only a few of us trickled forward to take communion. As I was standing at the end of the line, gazing up at the rows and rows of saints standing in white stone behind the altar, I felt something in my hand. I looked down, and my hand was being held by a child. A little girl, blond, probably about six or seven, had slipped her hand into mine. She smiled up at me, so I smiled back and murmured a quiet hello. "My mum said if I wanted to go up, I had to go with someone," she said. "I decided to go with you.?" So I held her hand, and together we walked up and knelt down on the velvet cushions in the dusky chapel.

I tend to read the New International Version of the Bible, but as the velvet cushion shifted under my knees, it was the King James that popped into my head: Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

It was that for which I was longing, I think. She had, somehow, figured it out, and for a moment, I could identify that desire that only another world can satisfy: her simple, uncomplicated approach to Christ, the comfort of his peace, his remarkable beauty, and the joy as she skipped out through the gate and down the street after the service. Amen, Come Lord Jesus!

Lauren Whitnah

Worshiping with Children

At Christ Church

May we suggest...Just Relax

God put the wiggle in children, please do not feel

you have to suppress it here in God's house.

J    Jesus loves Children and welcomes them to worship.

U      Use a loving touch, and hug your child frequently. An arm around the shoulder or  holding hands gives reassurance.

S    Sit where you feel most comfortable and feel free to remain seated with your                 child to help point out words read or sung during the service.

T   Think about pointing out how the church uses symbols, colors, and shapes.

R   Respond, pray and sing hymns (children learn liturgical behavior by copying yours).

E    Encourage your child to participate in Holy Eucharist (even if only for a blessing).

L   Leave the sanctuary with your child if you need to, but please come back.

A   Allow your child to read, color, and enjoy the children's worship bulletin, found on the   table near the Usher's stand.

X   X-plain the parts of the service to your child.

Parish News

The Giving Tree

Check out the bulletin board in the short hallway between the education wing and the parish hall. You'll see the Giving Tree--an opportunity to prepare gifts that will be distributed by a state social worker to needy children. Choose an ornament with a child's name, and check the list to see their hobbies and interests. (Make sure you sign the list so we know who is responsible for each gift.) Please return all gifts to the parish hall by Sunday, December 10. Thank you!

Christmas Caroling

On Sunday, December 10, we will repeat this successful event from last year. We'll gather at church at 4:00 p.m. SHARP, divide into groups and pick up maps and music. We will visit parishioners in the local area for a few songs, and then we'll return to a potluck dinner and more singing. This is a great event for the entire family--the children especially enjoy it. So that our planning goes smoothly, please sign up in the parish hall no later than December 3. Hints: dress warmly, and bring a camera so you can capture the smiles of the folks who enjoy the singing!

Decorate the Church Party

This is a fun way to help out! Arrive at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, and bring chili and/or fixings. First, we'll assemble swags and hang them in the church, and we'll put up the crèches and other decorations, including the candleholders. After all is ready, we will enjoy that chili dinner together. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

Christmas 2006 Flowers

Christ Church has a tradition of beautiful services celebrating the Nativity of Christ. The magnificent flowers and greens are gifts from the parishioners of Christ Church to one another in Christ's name. Help celebrate the Christ Child's birth through the gift of flowers. Please fill in the information below and return to the parish office no later than Tuesday, December 12. If no information is given, we will list your donation in the service bulletins as "in thanksgiving for family and blessings." You can also find Christmas flower offering envelopes in the pews in early December.

Communicator Deadline

The next deadline for article submission is Friday, January 5, 2007 . Please submit your information to the parish office by e-mail, fax, or in person. Thank you.