Christ Church Chronicle

Transcription

1 Christ Church Chronicle Produced by the congregation of Christ Church Episcopal in Sheridan, MT Volume 2 Issue 8 63 August 1, 2013 The Gift of Persistence: The DIY Church Deacon Janice Hansen The Gift of Persistence 1 Vestry Report 2 Financial Picture 2 Community Hike and Picnic 3 Service Leaders 5 Last Sunday, Cynthia at Bible Study described the many years of support and care that has been given to Christ Church. She mentioned years of very low attendance, but with persistence, the church continued. Given the gospel for last Sunday, about praying and persistence in prayer, we can consider the gift of persistence given us here at Christ Church. I think of the years Cynthia described, and I think of us now, like last Sunday, when the plans changed, and we adapted to Morning Prayer instead of Eucharist. Looking around the church, I am grateful for all those years of persistence, for the building, and its repair, for the pews (from the church in Pony, some say), for the new bell tower, for the new carpet, new sidewalk, and new accessible ramp and restrooms that will be started soon. And the service to the community including the Meals on Wheels this week. It all comes under the category of persistence -- of those who ve gone before us, and those in the congregation now serving. We are, now, in a sense a DIY Church: Do It Yourself Church. Most folks handle numerous tasks, and roles. There is a sweetness about how the church persists -- and not just in the history of Christ Church, but in the persistence of the message of the Good News, and the living out of Jesus ministry. The Bishop of Oregon was asked recently to explain Jesus and the Christian movement in a few words to someone. He later wrote down his response: To a people struggling to survive well in the world, Jesus spoke of life in the Kingdom of God as being lived in three ways: praying in community, feeding those in need, and healing each other. This is the life he lived out each day and the life he invited others to experience. Jesus suggested that this is what life with God looked like and he went to his death proclaiming that any other way of life was against God's wishes and will. The Christian movement over time has been a proclamation of the Good News that we can indeed experience life in the Kingdom of God both in this life and in the life to come. A proclamation of Good News comes through persistence. And so it is at Christ Church!

2 Vestry Happenings Sandra Baril Financial Picture Debra McNeil The access ramp and restroom project is well on its way. Proposals have been received from contractors and the Vestry has authorized Frank Ford and Bill Callaway to execute a best and final signed contract within 10% of $5156. The project will be started as soon as possible and should be completed before cold weather sets in. The ramp entrance will be built on the east side of the Parish Hall and extend in both south and north directions. The ramp, entrance, and restroom will meet ADA requirements. Funds have also been donated to repair and reupholster the kneelers and that project will be proceeding as planned. The community hike and picnic was a great success, check out the photos and story on page 3. We plan to continue finding more ways to reach out to our community in the Ruby Valley. Debra and Janice are working on an event focused on families with young children. They are planning Sprinklerama! -- a sprinkler party in Riverside Park in Twin Bridges on Saturday, August 24. Look for more details to come on our website. Vestry members will be taking the Caring for God s Children class. There will be time devoted to this training during the next three Vestry meetings. Convention will be in Kalispell in October. Our delegates this year will be Sandra Baril and Deacon Janis Hansen. Check the Diocesan website EVENTS.html for information about the convention. Information on topics, speakers, and issues will be posted over the next two months. If you have any questions please talk to Sandra or Janice. Humor Corner EXAM ANSWERS - Statements about the Bible from school exams - spellings have not been corrected! The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery Solomon, one of David s sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus she sang the Magna Carta The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibles One of the oppossums was St Matthew who was a taximan St. Paul cavorted to Christianity, he preached holy acrimony which is another name for marriage

3 Volume 2, Issue 8 Page 3 Community Hike and Picnic Sandra Baril The day of the picnic was one of those perfect Montana days. Several vehicles gathered at the church to carpool, and more met up at Branham Lakes. Altogether about 40 people came, some from Christ Church, some not, some old-timers, some newcomers, some babies and some elders. The bugs were kept away by a breeze that came off the lake, and most of the company settled down to visit and eat a great meal of hotdogs and potluck dishes. After eating, the more ambitious took hikes around the lake or up to the wildflower meadow. Hopefully this can become an annual event that we sponsor as a way to reach out to our community. I think pictures can tell the story of this blessed day much better than words. I hope you enjoy these photographs taken by Frank Ford, Debra McNeil, and Sandra Baril. Creator God who breathed this world into being, who is discernible within the harmony of nature, the perfection of a butterfly's wing, the grandeur of a mountain range, the soaring eagle and humming bird, thank you for this world which you have created. Thank you for summer sun, which reminds us that your creative breath is still alive and active. Thank you for the warmth of your love, sustaining this world, your garden Read more at: r.htm#ixzz2aflxigem Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

4 Community Hike and Picnic, continued

5 Christ Church Episcopal 304 South Main Street P.O. Box 152 Sheridan, MT Telephone Bible Study Sundays 9am Services Sundays 10am Fr. Bruce McNab, Priest home: cell: Janis Hansen, Deacon home: Frank Ford, Senior Warden home: INVITE people into our midst INCLUDE people in the life of the church INFORM people about past events that shape our present, and current events that shape our future PROCLAIM the gospel in thought, word and deed REJOICE in a new life found in Christ Jesus. Mission Statement To be formed as the body of Christ, seeking to love and serve one another and those in need. Vision Statement To be Christ s continued presence in the Ruby Valley by welcoming those who seek Christ, offering varied forms of services, reflecting our diversity while maintaining our Episcopal identity. Service Leaders for July and August Upcoming Service Leaders for August / September 4 Aug: Ecumenical Svc at Jackson's Garden, led by Methodists' Pastor Ben Nardi 11 Aug: Eucharist -- Rev. Bruce McNab 18 Aug: Morning Prayer -- Deacon Janis Hansen 25 Aug: Eucharist -- Rev. Bruce McNab 1 Sept: Morning Prayer -- Deacon Janis Hansen 8 Sept: Eucharist -- Rev. Bruce McNab The Virgin Mary Mother of Our Lord August 15 Upcoming Lectors for August / September 4 Aug: (service at Jackson s Garden) 11 Aug: Sandra Baril 18 Aug: Jerry Aaker 25 Aug: Bill Callaway 1 Sept: David Hansen 8 Sept: Judy Aaker & Beth Wrzesinski