Vol. 31, Issue 2 * March 2015 * Christ Episcopal Church, Norway, ME *

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1 Vol. 31, Issue 2 * March 2015 * Christ Episcopal Church, Norway, ME * Dear Ones, christch@megalink.net * Website: At a recent Lenten Lunch at First Congregational (Fridays at noon; I am the guest speaker on March 20 mark your calendar!) Pastor Don Mayberry reminded us that Lent is an old German word for spring. As I write this, I am serenaded by the drip-drip-drip sound of snow melting off the roof and falling past my window, and I can begin to believe that it will not always be winter; there will be green again. But before that, we still have to get through the darkest parts of this season, the long walk to Jerusalem, the cross and grave. We can t get around the hard truth of our own mortality. And as part of that work, I have an assignment for you. Enclosed in this newsletter you will find a Funeral Planning Sheet form. Please please, please, please fill it out as best you can and give it to me to add to the file. This is not just to make my life easier; it is a gift you can give to your loved ones. There are so many decisions to be made in those days around the death. I have watched too many people pile a huge burden of guilt on themselves because they don t know if they have made the right choice for the person who has died. Filling out that form (and signing it!) is the best way to spare them that pressure. If you are uncertain about the details, fill out what you can and put it on file with me. You can always come back and change it. If the form doesn t provide you with a space, or if there is something you want included (a photo, a poem, a hymn), you can staple things to the form. Any information you can provide is helpful. Please DO plan to have something. Survivors need the closure of a time to gather, remember and celebrate you, even if it is just prayers at the graveside. A few of you already have forms filed with the office; I may ask you to come in and go over them with me in case I have any questions. You are also free to complete the new form, and add it to what is already on file. This does not need to be a gloomy project for you. I was introduced to the idea of having all of this information on file by the late George Cadigan, retired bishop of the Diocese of Missouri. He came into the office at St. Paul s, Brunswick one day, handed me something, and told me to file it with his graduation exercises. I had no idea what he meant; he smiled mysteriously and whistled out the door. The parish administrator clarified for me that Graduation Exercises was his name for the folder with his funeral plans. There s good theology in that as one prayer reminds us, life is changed, not ended. We observe this season of Lent, we walk with Jesus through the darkness of arrest, trial, crucifixion and death. But remember that the word Lent is an German word meaning spring it s leading us to the new life of the Resurrected Christ. Blessings, Nancy+ 1

2 01 Dorothy Cyr 05 Carolee Garcia 12 Catherine Bickford 14 Lynn Brown MARCH BIRTHDAYS Hank Emerson 16 Carlyn Kroitzsh Alice Tweedie 19 Thelma Cunningham 25 James Gates 30 Susan Morin Michael Trundy 31 Kathy Whittier ANNIVERSARIES IN MARCH 15 Carlyn & Jim Kroitzsh 31 Bob & Jane Dann Keep current with events at Christ Church. Website: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS ON MARCH 8TH! Remember to spring your clocks forward an hour when you go to bed Saturday night, the 7th! SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:00 A.M. WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY Tues. at 11:30 A.M. EUCHARIST Wednesdays at 9:00 A.M. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION GROUP Thursdays at 11:30 A.M. MARCH CALENDAR (SUNDAY SERVICE TIME 9:00 A.M.) (Wednesday Eucharist 9:00 A.M.) 01 8:25 A.M. Choir warmup 03 11:30 A.M. Women s Bible Study 04 11:00 A.M. Embracing the Silence 5:00 P.M. Choir rehearsal 05 11:30 A.M. Roundtable 08 8:25 A.M. Choir warmup 10 11:30 A.M. Women s Bible Study 1:00 P.M. Baking Altar Bread 11 5:00 P.M. Choir rehearsal 12 11:30 A.M. Roundtable 13 Noon Foyer Group will meet at the Lenten Luncheon, 1st Congo Church, South Paris 15 8:25 A.M. Choir warmup 9:00 A.M. Celtic Eucharist 17 11:30 A.M. Women s Bible Study 18 5:00 P.M. Choir rehearsal 6:45 P.M. Embracing the Silence 19 11:30 A.M. Roundtable 22 8:25 A.M. Choir warmup 10:00 A.M. Special Coffee Hour Outreach will present information about Maison de Naissance 24 11:30 A.M. Women s Bible Study 25 9 A.M--3 P.M. Vestry Retreat/Workshop (bring lunch) 5:00 P.M. Choir rehearsal 26 11:30 A.M. Roundtable 29 8:25 A.M. Choir warmup 31 11:30 A.M. Women s Bible Study Do you want to get your Beehive by ? Just let us know! 2015 CHRIST CHURCH LEADERSHIP DIRECTORY Rector: The Rev. Nancy L. Moore Deacon: The Rev. Lanny Wenthe Parish Secretary: Linda Caradonna Members of the Vestry Music Director/Organist: Susan Parsons Thelma Cunningham Warden:: Barbi Tinder Susan Dovell Warden: Doug Wall Ted Kehn Clerk: Peter Hammond Joanne Lowell Treasurer: Frances Martin Br. Matthias Tanner

3 LENTEN DEVOTION "Embracing the Silence Creating a quiet place of prayer and reflection. We continue to nurture our prayer lives with "Embracing the Silence". We will meet the first Wednesday of the month in the morning and the third Wednesday of the month in the evening. We will open with praying the Scripture (Lectio Divina) followed by Taizé meditative singing, and a time of Centering Prayer. These sessions will provided an opportunity for participants to nurture their prayer life and their relationship with God, to deepen their connections with one another, and to make new connections with those who keep a prayer practice at home. All are welcome. First Wednesday of the month: 11:00a to Noon Third Wednesday of the month: 6:45p to 7:45p 2015 HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 29 Extra Readers needed for Dramatic Reading of Gospel (Speak to Nancy) MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 2 Worship: 5:30 approx. 8:00 P.M. Will begin at Trinity Lutheran with a Pot Luck Supper and footwashing. The service will move to Christ Church for Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar. Special Guest: The Rt. Rev. Stephen Lane GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 3 Noon at Christ Church Good Friday Liturgy & Solemn Collects Ecumenical Cross Walk - 1:00 P.M. Starting at Norway UU Church (across from the Advertiser-Democrat) and finishing up at Trinity Lutheran. Deacon Lanny Wenthe will represent Christ Church. (Trinity will offer Tenebrae at 7:00 P.M.) 3

4 The Deacon s Lens Alleluia and the color purple For some time I have been curious about a couple of the traditions we practice during Lent, and finally I looked them up on google. First Why can t we say Alleluia during Lent? The point of the season is a kind of exile. While the event of the resurrection has occurred in history, the days of Lent serve as a reminder that we do not yet experience the kingdom in its fullness. We live in the hope of the resurrection, but the weakness of human existence is all too evident in this life. The omission of the alleluia is one symbolic way to enter into the spirit of the season of Lent. The days of Lent are days of penance and recollection of human weakness but also days of anticipation and so we long for the day when the kingdom is finally realized. We refrain from saying alleluia during this time of penance to create a longing for the resurrection and the fulfillment of all its promise. Second What is the significance of the color purple during Lent? The color purple is a symbol of penance. Scripture tells us that a purple garment was placed on Jesus during his passion as a mockery. The color is maintained during Lent to remind us of our own sins which constitute a mockery of the love and goodness of God. Rev. Lanny PLANT & COOKIE SALE Save the date May 16th Our Annual Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, May 16 from 8 11 A.M. Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori Lent Message 2015 Lent is a journey that is about enlightenment if we re willing to think about it that way. That cross that comes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday is a reminder of the cross that s put there at Baptism, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said in her Lent Message 2015." Watch it at: Ashes To Go On Ash Wednesday, February 18, Maine churches offered dozens of services to mark the beginning of the season of Lent with the imposition of ashes. In five locations around the state, clergy and lay people shared God s love with people they encountered on a street corner or in a parking lot. All those who took part were moved by the experience. Use this URL to read the stories and see the photos photos from several people who offered Ashes to Go in Brunswick, Farmington, Lewiston, Portland, and Windham: creating-a-sheltered-center-with-ashes-to-go/ Lent Madness Who do you admire more - Hildegard or Saint Francis? Pitting diverse Episcopal saints and saintly figures against each other may seem absurd, but it's fun and makes you think about what you truly value. Follow Lent Madness and vote at lentmadness.org. 4

5 Funeral Planning Sheet (some parts borrowed from the St. Stephen s, Fargo website) Name: Address: Date of Birth: Family members and others (names, relationship and contact info) who should be notified of your death: Have you made arrangements with a funeral home? If so, which one? Do you wish to be cremated?* Yes No Location of service: Church (preferred for members) Funeral home Graveside Other: The rite of Christian burial is described in the Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 491 It is the norm to include the Eucharist. Please check here if you do NOT want Communion. What hymns (if any) would you like to include? What passages of Scripture would you like to include? (see options below, for BCP recommendations) Have you selected pallbearers? If so, who? Will there be a graveside service or a service of committal of the ashes? If so, where will this be? Have you chosen a charity to receive gifts in your name and memory? If so, what charity? Is there any other information you want to include? Signed: Date: *Cremation is an acceptable option in the Episcopal Church. If you would like more information, please ask Pastor Nancy. 5

6 From the Old Testament (choose one): Isaiah 25:6-9 (He will swallow up death for ever) Isaiah 6:1-3 (To comfort those who mourn) Lamentations 3:22-26, (The Lord is good to those who wait for him) Wisdom 3:1-5,9 (The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God) Job 19:21-27a (I know that my Redeemer lives) Other: Psalms (may choose one or two): Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation Psalm 42:1-7 My soul longs for God as a deer for the water-brooks Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength Psalm 90: 1-12 Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another Psalm 106: 1-5 Remember me, O Lord Psalm 116 I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living Psalm 121 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth Psalm 130 Out of the depths have I called to you, 0 Lord Psalm 139:1-11 Lord, you have searched me out and known me Other From the New Testament (choose one): Romans 8:14-19,34-35,37-39 (The glory that shall be revealed) I Corinthians 15:20-26,35-38,42-44,53-58 (The imperishable body) II Corinthians 4:16-5:9 (Things that are unseen are eternal) I John 3:1-2 (We shall be like him) Revelation 7:9-17 (God will wipe away every tear) Revelation 21:2-7 (Behold, I make all things new) Other: The Gospel: John 5:24-27 (He who believes has everlasting life) John 6:37-40 (All that the Father gives me will come to me) John 10:11-16 (I am the good shepherd) John 11:21-27 (I am the resurrection and the life) John 14:1-6 (In my Father's house are many rooms) Other: 6

7 Building and Grounds This years Building and Grounds Team met in mid February and discussed things that need to be done in order to keep our church a place of welcome and hospitality to both parishioners and visitors We looked at this years needs by season. Winter: Members of the Building and Grounds Team were encouraged to help keep the steps cleared of light snow. A barrel of sand located at each entrance will be used for icy walks. Spring: Spring Clean Up will be on Sunday May 3, 2015, after the 9am Eucharist. We ll be asking the parish to join the fun raking up winter debris, trimming the hedges, pruning bushes, weeding multiple areas and mowing down the vegetation on the right side of the parking lot. We ll plan to have a make your own sandwiches lunch at the end of the clean up. Clean up of winter sand in the parking lot and on the walks will be done in early May during a time when few people are around. We will not be doing this during the Spring Clean Up because of the dust and dirt. Jeff Chaffee said that he could use his blower to move the sand into piles that will be shoveled into buckets. The vestry will do a walk around in the spring to see what needs to be addressed. Summer: During the months of June, July, August, and September, we will ask parishioners to sign up for a two week period during the summer months to keep the gardens weeded and looking nice. We had a difficult time last summer keeping up due to the hot weather. We hope teams of two or three people can make the job a little more bearable and fun. Fall: Fall pruning and general clean up will be done sometime in October. Douglas Wall Summer Camp Scholarships Summer Camp season will be here before you know it. Every year Christ Church outreach committee provides partial scholarships to summer camp. This year we have four (4) $150 scholarships available for our Christ church family. There are three (3) to Camp Bishopswood and one (1) for Camp Susan Curtis. If you are interested in being considered for one of these, please contact anyone on outreach or Nancy+ with your information. We will be making that determination at our next outreach meeting on May 13th. UPDATED 2014 FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE VESTRY BULLETIN BOARD IN THE HALL - Peter Bickford 7

8 CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Norway, ME MARCH 2015 WORSHIP AND OTHER PERSONNEL MARCH & APRIL 2015 PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SERVE ON A SCHEDULED DATE, PLEASE FIND A REPLACEMENT. LET THE CHURCH OFFICE KNOW THAT PERSON S NAME BY THE TUES. MORNING BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED DAY. Coffee Hour will be after church. Coffee is also available in the Guild Room before the church service. March 01 March 08 March 15 March 22 March 29 EUCH. MINISTER Holly Tornrose Allan Crane Priscilla McFarland Paul Bickford Peter Hammond ACOLYTE Peter Bickford Michael LaForte Mary Bickford Doug Wall Carlyn Kroitzsh LECTOR Ted Kehn OT Rosemary Laban-NT Susan Dovell-OT Br. Matthias-NT K. Willoughby OT USHERS Wes McFarland Beulah Ayer Carlyn Kroitzsh Peter Bickford Russell Tornrose Rosemary Laban Megan Bickford Steve & Carol Jones COUNTERS Priscilla McFarland Carlyn Kroitzsh Susan Dovell Marcia Pottle Priscilla McFarland Marcia Pottle Lynne Orsini Steve Jones COFFEE Rosemary Laban Jan Wall Fran Martin T. Cunningham Marcia Pottle ALTAR GUILD Feb. 28 Mar. 13 Joanne Lowell Mar. 16 Mar. 27 Bernice Kehn Mar. 28 April 10 T. Cunningham Marcia Pottle Susan Parsons Lynne Orsini Fran Martin EUCH. EASTER April 05 April 12 April 19 April 26 MINISTER Mary Bickford Barbi Tinder Sue Emerson ACOLYTE Michael LaForte Peter Bickford Carlyn Kroitzsh Peter Hammond LECTOR Ted Kehn NT Carol Jones OT Susan Dovell NT Russ Tornrose OT USHERS Russell Tornrose Bill Gibson Steve & Carol Jones Peter & Mary Bickford Wesley McFarland COUNTERS Bill Gibson Steve Jones Marcia Pottle Carlyn Kroitzsh Lynne Orsini Priscilla McFarland Bill Gibson COFFEE Need 2 volunteers for Easter Coffee Merton Lord Joanne Lowell LynneOrsini ALTAR GUILD Mar. 28 April 10 T. Cunningham April 11 April 24 Lilo Willoughby April 25 May 8 Martha Eaton Lynne Orsini Mary Bickford Jan Wall Fran Martin Holly Tornrose 8