Pentecost 2006
From the Rector
Dear Friends in Christ,
Getting to know others better within our parish AND reaching out into our community are the two main goals of Better Together: 40 Days of Community. I am very excited to hear wonderful success stories as people are getting to know each other and are making plans for outreach in the greater Hartford area. I believe small groups are essential to the health and growth of our congregation and I am looking forward to seeing many more get established over the next few months.
Another exciting development in our parish is our growing commitment to outreach around the world. Plans are well underway for 20 people (teenagers and adults) to travel to Juarez Mexico to build a house for a single mother and her three young boys. (A picture of the family is
in the Parish Hall). Travel dates are August 7-13. Plans are also being made for Stoddard Lane-Reticker to participate on a team with Five Talents International (an Anglican organization of micro-economic business development) traveling to Uganda and Tanzania from August 4-20.
There are several things you can do to encourage these folks who are stepping out of their comfort zone this summer. The first thing to do is to pray. In addition to a weekly Outreach Prayer in our Sunday services, we are putting together a brochure with specific suggestions for prayer. The second thing you can do is to begin writing notes of encouragement that we will send along with the travelers to read while they are on their trips. A simple note goes a long way when folks are in unfamiliar and difficult circumstances. The third thing you can do is to consider supporting these outreach trips financially. (Any gifts you make should be made out to Christ Church, Mission Fund, and should be above and beyond your regular giving to the parish operating budget.) Knowing they are going with our prayers, encouragement, and financial backing makes this special for all of us as a parish, and builds bridges with people around the world in a life-changing way.
One final note: Every three years the Episcopal Church holds its national General Convention. This year it meets from June 13-21 in Columbus, Ohio. This body is made up of deputies from each diocese, and includes bishops, clergy, and laity. The Diocese of Connecticut has held a number of informational meetings in recent weeks and we have handouts available in the office if you are interested in learning more about this important gathering. There are a lot of significant issues to be addressed, so please keep General Convention in your prayers.
"Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss,
reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen." (BCP p. 816)
Blessings in Christ,
John Whitnah
Treasurer's Report
Through 4/30/06 Actual Year to Date Budget Year to Date Variance
Income
Parishioner Gifts $78,175 $82,000
(3,825)
All Other 18,214 16,016
2,198
Total Income $96,389 $98,016
(1,627)
Expenses $106,004 $103,208
2,796
Net Income/(Loss) (9,615) (5,192)
(4,423)
Thank you to all who have kept up to date on your contributions. As you can see above, however, our actual parishioner gifts year to date is approximately $4,000 lower than pledged at this time. Please keep up to date on contributions, especially as the summer months approach. Thank you!
Tracy Wietsma
YOU'RE INVITED to the CHRIST CHURCH ANNUAL PICNIC!
Please join us for food, fun and fellowship at the annual Christ Church parish picnic.
WHEN: Sunday, June 11, after the 10:00 a.m. service
WHERE: Christ Church grounds
FOOD: We'll provide beverages, hamburgers and hot dogs. Please bring your favorite salad, side dish or dessert. (Sign-up sheet is in the parish hall, so we can calculate food needs.)
FUN: Games for all ages, moon bounce, music, soccer, and more!
FELLOWSHIP: Come see old friends and meet new ones.
Bring your family and friends to join in the fun!
CELEBRATION: Better Together: 40 Days of Community.
Come and share and hear about how this program has impacted us.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
From the Director of Student Ministries
Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." Matthew 8:21-22
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
The question is not an easy one. After all, the world we live in today is so different than the one portrayed in the Bible! If Jesus was walking through our neighborhood today with a gang of twelve disciples, we would probably call the stranger-danger hotline, not grab our sandals and fall in tow. I can only imagine the panicked mom on the phone? "Yes, officer? Well, there are thirteen men in dresses taking a spin around my cul-de-sac on donkeys, could you call in some backup?"
Imagine seeing a blind man open his eyes for the first time, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the dazzling light, a world of colors that will forever alter his reality. What about seeing your dead daughter start breathing again at the beginning of her funeral service? There are no words to describe what the disciples must have felt standing by Jesus as witnesses. With miracles like this going on, it would have been easy to follow Jesus, right? Well, let's ask the man who wanted to bury his father (see the verse at the top of the page). Let's say his name is Stan (just so we can reduce the amount of male personal pronouns in this article). It is important that we talk about Stan, because the two verses about him in the Bible are subject to some major misinterpretation.
First of all, it's not like Stan's father is lying next to an open grave and he is skipping out on an afternoon funeral. "Let me go and bury my father" is actually an idiom, a saying that has a meaning beyond its literal interpretation. It probably really means something like, "Can't this wait a few years, until my father dies? I think he would be upset if I up and left!" Even if his father was dead, it's probably worse! Then he is telling Jesus, "Listen, I've got a gravesite to keep up, and I've got to fix-up dad's bones in a box once the flesh rots off! (This was a common practice in those days.) I can't just up and leave!"
Not all excuses are good excuses, and not all excuses count. Just ask the IRS agent doing your tax audit. Jesus saw right through Stan's excuse, too. Stan was asking Jesus if he could take the easy way out because Jesus was calling him to something socially unacceptable and counter-cultural. Stan didn't want to change his plans. He wanted to follow Jesus on his own terms. "Jesus, I'll follow you when it's convenient for me."
So, what does it mean to follow Jesus?
Too bad Stan didn't live today, or we could tell him. First, you should always go to church, well, at least when you can make it. If you're tired, you should get your rest. What about sports? Well, if it's a travel team, you should definitely play, because you paid to participate! Oh, and the last thing is, you should always pray before you eat, except in public because that might offend people. Sorry to say it, but not all excuses are good ones. The point is this: many times following Jesus challenges our priorities in life. We all choose the things that are important to us, and demonstrate it by our lifestyles. When Jesus calls us to let the dead bury the dead, he calls us to follow Him radically. Sometimes following Jesus means doing things that are socially unacceptable. Sometimes it means giving up things that we really, really, want. Sometimes it means cutting things out of our day-planners. It always means that we are witnesses of something great: the blind regaining sight and the dead coming back to life. As we look forward to Pentecost we have a great opportunity for introspection. Let's take some time to investigate our lives, as together we discover where we might end up if we hear the call, "follow me."
Ben Roberts
Christian Education
40 Days of Community
Since just after Easter the whole Christ Church community has come together to take part in Better Together: 40 Days of Community, a program designed to build community within the church and to reach out into the greater community? The program consists of weekly sermon topics, weekly small group discussions, daily individual devotions and group outreach projects. Although we are coming into the final stages, please plan to attend our Celebration Sunday on June 11 and celebrate the successes and growth that individuals and groups have experienced through this program. And, stay tuned over the summer to hear more about additional small group and outreach opportunities that will start up in the fall.
Fiesta!
On June 18 we will kick off our summer program, Fiesta! Where Kids Are Fired Up about Jesus! with the first of five of Dave Barros' wonderful dramatic creations! If your child(ren) didn't get a chance to participate last summer, mark your calendars for this fun event. Each Sunday throughout the summer we will meet to talk, learn, sing, and play in ways that help us learn how Jesus plays an important part in our lives and how we can grow our relationship with him.
Children ages 4 through those entering Grade 4 in the fall are welcome to come and enjoy dramatic presentations, music, crafts, games and even some snack preparations for "Lemonade on the Lawn." Feel free to come in casual attire as some of the games and crafts could be a little messy or wet (i.e. water balloons)! We will meet as a single group on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. during the first part of the church service and the children will join their families at the Peace.
There are opportunities for older children and/or adults to help out with the dramas or any of the other activities each week. These could be a "one time" opportunity on a Sunday morning or even just helping to prepare things or collect needed items without a Sunday morning commitment. For more information or to offer help for this fun summer ministry to children please contact me.
Thank You!
I find it hard to believe that we are coming to the end of another wonderful Sunday school year here at Christ Church. I would like to offer many thanks to all of the teachers and nursery volunteers who have spent so many hours over the past year giving of themselves to our children's ministries. Without these fantastic people we would not be able to offer such a great children's program!
In the nursery: Cami Boone, Natalie Corbett, Michelle Ferrigno, Sarah Gleason, Sarah Gromow, Laura McLellan, Anne Marie Noyes, and Emma Woodward.
PreK & Kindergarten: Jo Bolk, Natalie Corbett, Dana Rau, Karyn Roberts, and Dawn Stevens.
Grades 1 & 2: Janell Henke, Daneen Huddart, and Tracy Wietsma.
Grades 3, 4 & 5: Peggy Beauregard, John Campbell, Kim Carlone, and Marge Griffin.
Rite-13 and High School: Dave and Mary Barros, Linda Lane-Reticker, Ben & Karyn Roberts,
Mary Woodward, and Kathy Zirolli.
Confirmation Class: Bill Church and Ben Roberts.
And another special thank you to Peggy Beauregard, who almost single-handedly ran the Children's Chapel for the entire school year!
Cyndy Bezz
40 Days of Community: Small Group Outreach Projects
Wow! Things are happening in and because of small groups that are meeting as a part of Better Together: 40 Days of Community. Each group is getting involved in some sort of outreach project.
If you are not a part of a small group, you can still get involved. Does one of these opportunities to serve grab your heart? Do you hear a little voice in your head saying, "I could do that," or "That really sounds like something I'd enjoy doing!" The little voice is the Holy Spirit, prompting you to act. Call or e-mail the small group, and get involved! They would love to have your help, and you will be blessed in return.
Plan to attend the celebration/parish picnic on June 11 to hear more about how small groups have had an impact on individuals, our Christ Church community, and the community at large.
Sunday Afternoon Group: Contact Cyndy Bezz at 678-8807 or cyndybezz@snet.net
This group is likely going to plug into another group's project. They have
many young children whom they want to incorporate into the activity.
Sunday Evening Group #1: Contact Anna Whilby at 673-6661 or awpagie2@aol.com
Plans are underway for an event that will involve the community in supporting the Farmington Food Bank (this group's members all happen to live in Farmington). Given the nature of the planning, a fall event is likely?probably a town-wide tag sale.
Sunday Evening Group #2: Contact Anne Marie Noyes at 673-3147 or amstunoyes@aol.com
This group has chosen an outreach project working with A Hand Up, Inc. of West Hartford. This organization collects and distributes donated furniture and household goods to people moving out of homelessness and into independent living. As a group, they have chosen to adopt a family's list of needed items, collect the items on the list and deliver them to the family.
Wednesday Morning Group: Contact Kim Carlone at 675-5533 or kcarlone@snet.net
Gifts of Love is the charity this group will help. Stay tuned for more details!
Wednesday Evening Group: Contact Stoddard Lane-Reticker at 673-6976 or teacherspet@highstream.net
This group plans to work with New Horizons, a local community for the disabled.
There is a Strawberry Festival on June 17!
Thursday Evening Group: Contact Buddy & Kay Rahardjo at 673-5236 or rahardjo@comcast.net
This group will be volunteering at Mercy Housing, a non-profit organization in Hartford that responds to the needs of those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. There is an ongoing need for various items and we are asking that you bring in any items that you may find around the house that you would like to donate (between now and May 31 - look for the box in the parish hall).
Toiletries: Travel-sized toiletry items (soap, deodorant, combs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream, shampoo) are an on-going need as folks come off the streets to take a shower, get some clean used clothing and have a hot meal.
Other Desired Items: Clean and gently used twin sheet sets, pillowcases, blankets, and new pillows; also undershirts, umbrellas, baseball caps, large containers of shampoo, sun block, feminine supplies, and towels.
Also, there is ongoing need at Mercy Housing. If your small group would like more information, please contact us. Thanks for your support.
Friday Evening Group: contact Peggy Beauregard at 675-5204 or p.beauregard@snet.net
This group is still working on their plan. More news to come.
Saturday Evening Group: contact Alana Seddon at 570-0380 or aseddon@hartford.edu
Plans are still being developed by this group. Stay tuned
Outreach: Habitat for Humanity's Homebuilders Blitz
During the week of June 4-10, six homes will be built by professional tradespeople on a parcel of land in New Britain. This is part of a nationwide event that will end with more than 500 new homes constructed all over the U.S. The Homebuilders Association of Hartford County is sponsoring the local event, which happens to be the only location in Connecticut that is participating.
One of the homes will be constructed by Sunlight Construction of Avon, which is owned by Bill Ferrigno. The home will be built for Dana and Evelyn Smith, whom some of you met at our Italian dinner on May 23.
Christ Church has an opportunity to join in this New Britain project! Although the actual building will be done by professionals, volunteers (age 16 and up) are needed in the evenings to clean up the site in preparation for each day's work. Beginning on Monday, June 5 through Friday, June 9, teams of 8 or 9 folks can be of real help.
Here's the plan: First, call Sunlight Construction at 677-7040 and speak with Bill Ferrigno or Donna Achilli, the office manager. Let them know when you can serve. Then come to Christ Church around 5:30 p.m. on your assigned day for a bite to eat. Bill Church, Tom Seddon and friends will be manning the grill. If you can't participate in the Habitat site clean up, please feel free to stop by and help with cooking and cleanup at church. Food donations are also much appreciated. We will be serving basic "grill out" fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken. When we get the call that the site is ready for clean-up, we can caravan over to New Britain as a group. It is estimated that this would happen between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. each evening, although it depends on how things are progressing on the site. So you'll need to be a bit flexible.
The home will be dedicated on Saturday, June 10. We'll have more details about that in the bulletin over the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned.
A Visit from Bishop William Rukirande
Once again we will be blessed by a visit from Bishop Rukirande of Uganda for Pentecost!
He arrives in Connecticut on May 31 and will be in the area until June7. The Bishop will preach on June 4, and will participate in Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. Keep an eye on your e-mail and the Sunday bulletins for more information on possible events.
Parish News
Graduates?Great Job!
Congratulations to Kim Church upon her graduation from Farmington High School. Kim will be attending Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT where she plans to major in Physical Education and minor in Coaching. Kim was recruited by both the soccer and softball coaches at Eastern and intends to play soccer in the fall and softball in the spring.
Also graduating from Farmington High School in June is Lisa Vallee. Lisa will be attending Union College in Schenectady, New York. After a courageous battle with leukemia during her senior year, we are thrilled to see her headed off to college?and our prayers go with her.
Summer Schedule
As in past years, we will make a change to the worship schedule at Christ Church during the summer. Beginning on June 18, there will be one combined service at 9:00 a.m. (rather than two services). This schedule will continue until September 10, when we will return to 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services on Sundays. It is a nice change to worship all together at one service, and the slightly earlier time for the larger service helps us deal with the summer heat.
Nursery care will be available for babies and toddlers throughout the summer.
The program for children ages 4 through Grade 4 is Fiesta!, with lots of fun and learning (see the article by Cyndy Bezz for more details). The children will come into church for communion with their families after their program.
Coffee hour becomes Lemonade on the Lawn as we enjoy the summer weather. If you haven't helped recently by hosting a coffee hour, check out the sign-up sheet in the parish hall. Find a week that works for your schedule, and then double the fun by asking a new person to help you!
Update on Nina Whitnah
Nina has completed chemotherapy (yippee!), and will begin radiation treatments in June. Thank you for your prayers and support throughout this process of healing.
Gardeners Needed?
?to water and weed the church flower beds and pots. No experience necessary?will train! Please call Pam Fleming at 693-2313.
A message from Uganda
Peter McClintock shares this e-mail received from the Rev. Jonathan Byamugisha, Five Talents International Regional Director for East Africa.
Dear Friend and Brother Peter,
Warm and love greetings from Kigezi and Uganda as a whole. Thanks so much for the Easter season message. I have just read it because it arrived when I was in Kampala meeting with the National Five Talents Uganda Staff. We have registered in the Government of Uganda as an NGO - Company Limited by Guarantee to operate in the whole of Uganda. This is a big achievement indeed. Now a national office located in Kampala will coordinate the program.
I was delighted to hear for sure that Linda's husband will be coming to Uganda in summer. We thank and praise God for that. We trust him that others will follow him in the near future. We continue to remember you and your wonderful team, your church and all members of the congregation, your Priest and all friends. Please extend our love, prayers and best regards to all.
We pray that God showers upon you his blessings with joy and good health. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-13 God bless you all.
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Newsletter Epiphany 2007
