August Christ Church

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1 August 2016 Christ Church : E Page August 2016 Volume 39, Issue 8 Inside this issue: Stewardship TNT Time and Talent Meet Monnie Hammett, Our DCM! Something Always Happens When We Pray Stewardship of OUTREACH 5 Sign up for EfM Classes for ; Coming in September: Grief to Relief The Crossing is Destination for Next Ladies Night Out; Ladies Night Out Got Creative Last Month! 5pm Sunday Services Different Each Week of the Month; Writings from My Mother s Journals Guys Night Out: Trivia Night at Tavern at Medlock; Men s Trivia: The Experts and the Outcasts Men Plan Mini Retreat and Lounge on the Lake CCE Hosted Three Days of VBS at Norcross Co-op; More About Norcross Cooperative Ministry CCE Prepared Sack Lunches for Rainbow Village Mission of Mercy: Rector s Discretionary Fund; CCE Helped a Refugee Family to Get Settled Upcoming Haiti Events; Rainbow Village Concert Thank-You Just Mercy: Fall Book Club Selection; Coffee Hour Offered on First and Third Sundays; Thrift Store Summer Closeout Sale! Transitions; August Birthdays & Anniversaries Sandwich Sundays 21 Pilgrimage Pix Come & Hear 24 Rector s Reflections: Hilarity, or Laughter from the Heart July 13, 2016 A few days ago, I started my article for this month; but today, I completely changed it. I was going to write about the state of Church-going in the world today, including all the statistics that indicate a significant decline, and the loss of volunteerism in the United States. But, after today s Bible Study, I have changed my mind. Rather than focusing on what is wrong with the world we certainly have plenty of that in the news and in social media, I ve decided to write about what is right with this gathering of folks on Wednesdays who identify themselves as faithful followers of Christ. Except for one or two of us, most of the Wednesday Bible Study includes folks who are retired. This is not by intention. Anyone is invited to participate. We begin our Bible Study with a quick appraisal of each participant s week, as well as any of their prayer requests. Subsequently, I gather these petitions into one prayer, asking God s assistance in protecting or guiding us through whatever is troubling the spirit. Because it is summer and many are traveling, we had a smaller group than usual this week. After a distressing week of shootings and unrest, we spent time naming and holding before God our frustrations, our disillusionments, and our hurts in the wake of so much violence. After our prayer, we began our discussion of the Biblical passages on which Brian McClaren comments in his book, We Make the Road by Walking. (If you are looking for a resource to help make sense of the Bible, I highly recommend this book. Thanks, Alice Withrow, for the suggestion.) Nonetheless, in the midst of serious reflection, we diverted to hilarity. It started when Barbara Wessel, who, in early adolescence, had seen the movie, David and Bathsheba (starring Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward), confessed that she had once aspired to be Bathsheba. The discussion of the Bible took a remarkable turn which kept us laughing uproariously for the remainder of the class. It felt really good to laugh like that. I know from earlier contemplative study, that laughter, or hilarity, is a spiritual gift. James Harnish, in a sermon of the letters of Paul, writes that one of St. Paul s favorite words is hilarity. It literally means laughter from the heart. (Continued on Page 19)

2 Page 2 Stewardship TNT Time and Talent is a monthly publication of Christ Church Episcopal 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Norcross, GA The Rev. Ceci Duke Rector The Rev. Jody Greenwood Associate Rector for Youth & Outreach The Rev. Napoleón Brito Associate Rector for Hispanic Ministry Monnie Hammett Director of Young Children s Ministry Judy Moore, Editor newsletter@ccnorcross.org Deadline for submissions is the 10th of each month for the following month s issue This monthly feature highlights those who give generously in so many ways to make this church function on myriad levels. To nominate someone for this column, newsletter@ccnorcross.org. Photo: Courtesy of Linda Burton Linda Burton I was born in Cleveland Ohio and lived in a community called Villa Beach, right on the banks of Lake Erie. What a great place to play and sled as a kid! About age 10, we moved to Tenafly, N.J., for my Dad s job. After graduating from high school there, I attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, and graduated with a degree in Botany and Bacteriology. I got married and went to join my husband, Jim, in the Army at the Presidio of Monterey in Monterey, Cal., where he was learning Polish at the Defense Language School. We ended up in Atlanta, Ga. in 1966 after my husband was stationed at Fort MacPherson. After he served there for two years, he was discharged and we just never left Atlanta. Atlanta really has changed since that time. In the early years after Jim s discharge, we attended Covenant Presbyterian Church on Peachtree Street, but eventually I started attending the Cathedral of St. Philip at the urging of one of my friends. I loved the liturgy and the spirit there and ultimately was confirmed into the Episcopal Church at the Cathedral in It took a while, but I eventually got Jim to join the Episcopal Church, too. After 25 years Jim and I divorced, but remained good friends until his death in In 2005, I moved to Norcross to help my daughter with her children, and began attending Christ Church in February I was impressed by the welcome I received from Mike Wood, Jim Yancey, and Carolyn Collins. Interestingly Jim and I had actually been in a Foyers group [a small social and meal-sharing group] with Nancy and Jim Yancey at the Cathedral. I joined Christ Church, met new people, and started building community. The first thing I did at Christ Church was join the Coffee Hour committee headed by Karyn Angstadt and then Nancy Emery. I also joined the Adult Education Committee and taught Sunday School under Gretchen [Creel, now Ratterree], but decided that I was not good at teaching and wanted to do other things. (Continued on Page 6)

3 August 2016 Page 3 Meet Monnie Hammett, Our DCM! We are excited to announce that Monnie Hammett, a parishioner of Christ Church, has just been hired to serve as our part-time Director of Children's Ministry, beginning July 18, Our Strategic Plan calls for the continued development of Christian Formation for children and youth. In hiring Monnie, we are making a more deliberate effort to expand our ministry to children and their families. In her biography below, you'll see why she is uniquely qualified for this newly created position. She says, I'm very happy and excited about this opportunity! Monnie Hammett has worked as a Director of Christian Education for Children in the Diocese of Atlanta, and a Religion Teacher in Independent Episcopal Schools, for 25 years, including: St. Anne s Episcopal Church, Atlanta; St. David s Episcopal Church, Roswell; the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta; [the former] Christ Church Episcopal School, Norcross; and St. Martin s Episcopal School, Atlanta. Prior to this, she worked as a Registered Nurse (RN), and operated a framing gallery for antique maps and prints in Santa Fe, NM. Monnie was born in Danville, Penn., and at age two returned to Atlanta where her father, a physician, established his practice in Ophthalmology. She is the middle child of two brothers, whose goal was to hide, jump out and scare her at every opportunity. (To this day, Monnie is still unable to watch scary movies!) Her family s home was on the banks of Peachtree Creek, which provided endless opportunities to enjoy exploring nature while cooling off in the heat. Monnie remembers a much quieter Buckhead (Atlanta), when all the neighborhood kids rode Flexi Flyers down the middle of roads, roller-skated all over creation, cranked their own ice cream, rode bikes with decorated spokes, and played badminton in the evening while catching and releasing lightening bugs. Monnie s favorite activity was to swing in the hammock at the edge of the woods, or sit on the back screened porch and read a great book. As a child she avidly collected books, frequented the library, and loved decorating dollhouses. Monnie graduated from Westminster Schools, where she developed her love for Religion, Literature, French, Art, and Art History. She attended Emory University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in the History of Art. For several years, Monnie had contemplated a career in medicine and the following year began attending Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated three years later and was delighted to pass her Boards. (Back in the day, it was a three-day examination in the Macon Coliseum!) (Continued on Page 18) Photo: Courtesy of Monnie Hammett Monnie Hammett, Director of Children s Ministry, with her new dachshund puppy, Beatrix

4 Page 4 Something Always Happens When We Pray My friend Peter died last week. He had been suffering with colon cancer for two years. Peter and his wife were not actively involved in a church so I had the privilege of praying with them when he was quite ill. During Peter s two-year treatment, it seemed to me they both grew closer to God. But Peter took a sudden turn for the worst at the end of June. He was admitted to the hospital and not expected to live through the night. His family was upset and discouraged. I went to the hospital to visit him and he asked me to pray. He told me how concerned he was about his wife and daughter and the rest of his extended family. Peter was quite lucid as he held my hand tightly while I prayed, asking God for a healing miracle. The nurses stopped working with their machines and quietly prayed with us. As soon as I finished praying, his nurse gave him an injection of morphine. A few hours later, a priest came to give Peter his Last Rites. But Peter lived through the night! He was transferred to Peachtree Christian Hospice the next day. Against all odds, Peter survived another four days, giving his entire family time to adjust to his passing, while being embraced by a wonderful Hospice staff. I believe we all have an appointment with death, yet Peter was blessed with an extended stay for his family s comfort and support. God heard our prayer. I m convinced He hears every prayer and something always happens when we pray. Sometimes we are blessed with a healing miracle; sometimes we are blessed in other ways. Want to learn more about healing prayer? We have a chapter of OSL (Order of St. Luke) called Healing Hands, meeting at Christ Church the second Tuesday of the month. Everyone is invited to attend. Our healing prayer team is available to pray for you: In the Parlor during Holy Communion, and after announcements, at the 10:30 service In the Parlor from 9-10am on the 2nd Sunday of the month At our meetings in Room 107 of the Education Wing on the second Tuesday of the month Other times and places by request Contact me if you d like to learn more about healing prayer, or if you want us to pray for you. Sharon Pitman s_pitman@charter.net

5 August 2016 Page 5 Stewardship of OUTREACH I don t CARE. How often do we hear that phrase coming out of our own mouths? What does it really mean? As I look at the four phases of our Stewardship year Self, Relationships, Outreach, and Resources/Environment the word CARE keeps coming up. At the end of our worship services, we promise to serve GOD with gladness and singleness of heart. To serve is to put caring into action. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia* So far this year, we have highlighted Stewardship of SELF and RELATION- SHIPS, and we are in the midst of OUTREACH. In the fourth quarter, we will focus on Stewardship of ENVIRONMENT and RESOURCES, as well as the Christ Church Pledge process. As good stewards, we are the mirrors for each other every step of the way. It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being. John Joseph Powell, The Secret of Staying in Love* Stewardship means that we serve God, Self, Relationships, Community, and the World. It means that, through our actions, we shout, I CARE! So, next time you are tempted to say, I don t care, remember the people for whom your actions contradict your words. They know you DO. This life is for loving, sharing, learning, smiling, caring, forgiving, laughing, hugging, helping, dancing, wondering, healing, and even more loving. I choose to live life this way. I want to live my life in such a way that when I get out of bed in the morning, the devil says, 'aw s t, he's up! Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience* WE RE UP! Betsy Pickren Chair, Stewardship Commission * For further quotes from these sources, click on the blue links provided, or go to and search on the author or the book title. Ed.

6 Page 6 Stewardship TNT Time and Talent (Continued from Page 2) When [Rector] Ceci came to Christ Church, the Flower Guild was re-formed and I joined. I thought it would be fun to learn how to make the arrangements. At that same time, Ceci asked if I would be willing to be a Teller and do the church deposit a couple times a month. I agreed and am still doing that. I am also a member of the Sewing Guild. It had gone dormant after Sherri Driver moved away, but Nikki DeVillier revived it to make pillowcase dresses and pill bags for our mission in Haiti. We are still sewing for Haiti, the church, and the Christ Church Players as needed. Lastly, I am a Daughter of the King [a member of the Order of the Daughters of the King, who vow to uphold the two Rules of the Order, the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service]. I find it very rewarding and enjoy being able to spend time with some great people. There are many things to do at Christ Church. Photo: Mary Ann Fair The Rev. Robert (Bob) Rea I am a native of Lancaster, Pa. We moved to the St. Louis area when I was twelve. I returned to Lancaster to go to Franklin and Marshall College. After college, I wanted to follow the gospel by helping the poor, so I became a welfare worker in one of the worst ghettos, East St. Louis, Ill. Later, I was in social services for the War on Poverty in East St. Louis. After a time of burnout and recovery, I returned and was a welfare worker and supervisor in St. Louis, where I did a lot of work with child protection. However, I then discerned a calling to serve and love God more closely. I entered the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE), an Episcopal religious order, because I deeply believed that God was calling me there. While there, I went to Harvard Divinity School and was ordained as an Episcopal Priest in While in the SSJE, I served as Guest-master, in charge of the retreat house, and as Treasurer, in charge of the finances. I also served as a spiritual director one who works with others to find (Continued on Page 16)

7 August 2016 Page 7 Sign up for EfM Classes for Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program, an extension of the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn., provides people with the education to carry out that ministry and the opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service. This is an exciting four-year course which explores the scriptures as well as church history, ethics, and theology. EfM runs for 34 sessions each year, from September through May and meets on Monday evenings at 6:30pm in room 114 of the Education Wing. If you have questions about the EfM program or want registration information, please contact Dianne Olson at or dolson42668@gmail.com,or Ellen Lewis at or elewis3000@yahoo.com. The final date for registration for the 2016/2017 year is Aug. 15. Coming in September: Grief to Relief A significant emotional loss of any kind death, divorce, retirement, loss of health or wealth, or any other serious loss triggers a normal and natural reaction of grief. While grief is normal and natural, and clearly the most powerful of all human emotions, it is also the most neglected and misunderstood experience. Left unresolved, grief diminishes our capacity for happiness. People tell you to let go and move on, but they don t tell you how. Grief to Relief offers the Grief Recovery Method Outreach Program the most sensible, accessible, and authentic plan available for recovery from loss. Experiential and actionbased, this will teach you to move beyond your loss. You can feel better. Please join Grief to Relief at Christ Church on Mondays from 7-9pm, Sept. 12-Oct. 31 in the Parlor. An Informational Session will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 7pm. This is an 8-week course with a fee of $345 for Christ Church members and $375 for non-members. Scholarships may be available. Registration deadline is Sept 12. Visit for more information, or contact Anne Keeton, GRS, CPCCC, at or anne@grieftorelief.com for more information. Photo: Anne Keeton, GRS, CPCCC, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist & Life Coach

8 Page 8 The Crossing is Destination for Next Ladies Night Out This month, we will enjoy the cuisine of The Crossing on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 6:30pm. It s located in the train station in downtown Norcross. For more information about the restaurant, visit their website at Please respond to Terry Franzén at terryfranzen@gmail.com so that the restaurant will be prepared for us. But, COME, even if you forget to respond. We can always make room for another one, two, three. We don t have an agenda and we don t play trivia. We just enjoy each other s company and get to know one another a little better. We hope to see you there! We go to a different restaurant each month. So, come with us to somewhere you ve loved before, or have always wanted to try. And be sure to suggest one of your favorites! Ladies Night Out Got Creative Last Month! Photos: Greta Loeber Ladies Night Out was a bit different in July. We explored the creative side of our personalities at Eye Candy Art Studio in Duluth. It was still filled with fun, but with much more chatter than at the normal restaurant. We brought our own finger foods (appetizers, light desserts) and beverages to share, and it was fabulous sandwiches of all descriptions--ham, turkey, and shrimp salad in a croissant; lots of fruit and dips; and, of course, desserts! We each got to select and paint a ceramic piece of our choice, while enjoying the great food, delicious drinks, and, most importantly, the company of our church friends. We found out that Sharon Pitman had always wanted one of those ceramic Christmas trees, and guess what she made it. Nancy Morrissey is quite the artist she decorated her plate with gorgeous violets. [Both are shown at left.] If we had given a prize to the person who traveled the greatest distance, it would have been our Singapore guest a former parishioner, Mike and Pat Corkum s daughter, Kim. [mother and daughter are shown at left.] Needless to say from the photos you can see we had a great time chattering away and stretching our creative genes. Thanks to Terry Franzén for making the arrangements. I m sure some of us will go back. Greta Loeber

9 August 2016 Page 9 5pm Sunday Services Different Each Week of the Month Christ Church has weekly 5pm Sunday alternative worship services. Each week of the month offers a different musical genre, and diverse ways to express our praise and prayers to God. Please join us, and invite others, to gather together as we share our story and the sacred meal. Childcare will be provided beginning at 4:45pm.* Weekly offerings feature: 1st Sunday of the Month: Jazz/Folk (Aug. 7) 2nd Sunday of the Month: Celtic Tradition (Aug. 14) 3rd Sunday of the Month: Choral Evensong no Eucharist (Aug. 21) * Childcare begins at 3:45pm on the 3rd Sunday of the month 4th Sunday of the Month: Contemporary (Aug. 28) 5th Sunday of the Month: Contemplative sung Compline, no Eucharist (Oct. 30) Design: Jane Scott Writings from My Mother s Journals My mother, Clara Davis Adams Ray, lived in Moultrie, Ga., where I grew up. For many years she had a meeting/conversation with the Lord every morning. She wrote down her thoughts in small spiral notebooks. We did not know about her practice until after her death, in May 1981, when the many, many notebooks were discovered. She wrote this in Craig Ray [Jr.] Love in Acts Why isn't the word love mentioned in the book of Acts? Perhaps because Acts does more than talk about love; it demonstrates love. It is a record of Acts of love. Love is not love until you give it away, until you do something for the one you love. By our Actions, we, too, display outwardly Christ s love living within us. Love is more than a word -- love is action. Dear Lord, may I show love this day in all that I do and say. The supper at church last night was so nice. Thank you, Lord, for such loving fellowship. Thank you, God, for our many blessings. May we make this a joyful day Nov. 15th

10 Page 10 Guys Night Out: Trivia Night at Tavern at Medlock The Men s Group Trivia Night for this month will be on Wednesday, Aug. 10, from 7-9:30pm, at the Tavern at Medlock, located at 3230 Medlock Bridge Rd., Norcross. We have a BLAST. Come join the fun, and eat dinner with us. Feel free to bring a friend. RSVP to Ben Pitman at benpitman99@gmail.com (note new ) or Men s Trivia: The Experts and the Outcasts Well, on Wednesday [July 13], we had a huge crowd (some 14 guys) and some new faces. And that did not count two last-minute cancellations! I jokingly said we should have two teams, thinking we would have two team names and double our chances of winning. But when I got back from getting the answer forms, the guys had split the group into two tables very unfairly I might add. All the experts and young guys were on one team: Mike Hladish: music and sports; Glen Gordon: music, plays, movies; Sam Lyles and Tony Morris: pretty much everything else. Rob Waller and his friend Tom Heidt were on that team too, PLUS they had a direct connection with a higher power The Rev. Doug Coil. Very UNFAIR! Despite all this power, the experts tied for third, and lost on the most obscure tie-breaker I have ever heard. win something. The group without all the experts won a drawing for a pitcher of beer next month [August]! Hah! The big hit of the evening was our youngest member to date: 6-yearold Neal Lyles. Tony Morris, a longtime favorite of the youth, joined us for the first time, driving all the way from midtown on his motorcycle. Neal called him Uncle Tony, so I guess they know each other pretty well. [Neal s dad, Sam, added: Tony is Neal s Godfather, and one of Neal s middle names is Anthony, named after Tony. ] Rob brought a guest (Tom). And we had a couple of guys who are new to the group, including Stephen Wright and Tony. All in all, another great, fun night. Maybe you can join us next month and we can take over the entire tavern. Ben Pitman The rest of us were at the outcast table. We must have been asleep most of our lives, because we struggled on most of the questions. But that does not mean we didn t

11 August 2016 Page 11 Men Plan Mini Retreat and Lounge on the Lake Photos: Ben Pitman Lounge on the Lake 2015 It s time to put the Men s Group big summer event on your calendar. This year it s a combination of lounging on the lake and a mini retreat. Bo O Kelley is our host again this year. His place is about an hour north of the church on Lake Lanier. We will start at about 8:30am on Saturday morning, Aug 13, and run thru late afternoon. Last year, some guys even stayed for an evening cruise on the lake. Important: We will need at least 8 guys to sign up to make this a go, so please reply to our Evite (sent out near the end of July), or contact Ben Pitman (benpitman99@gmail.com). Cutoff date is Wednesday, Aug 10. On Thursday, Aug. 11, Ben will help arrange carpools. Happenings The Rev. Doug Coil will conduct the two one-hour retreat sessions (morning and afternoon) on a topic to be announced. The rest of the time will be PARTY TIME! We have three kayaks, one canoe, a pontoon boat, and a ski boat. There will be opportunities to ski, cruise, float, paddle, swim, fish, shoot pool, play ping pong, explore, and/or lounge, and Chill & Grill, and with lots of woods. Food & Drink We are planning to supply some REALLY GOOD burgers, buns, and fixings (ketchup, mustard, mayo, relish). You can either (a) bring a snack to share, or (b) chip in on the burgers (see Ben). BYO drinks. Cost $0 Retreat Sessions TBA Directions From the Norcross area, go to GA 400 North. Go to the end of the divided highway and turn right onto Hwy. 60 toward Gainesville. Go approx. 3.9 miles and turn right onto Walden Rd. Take the 1st right onto Fitts Rd. Then take the next right onto Fitts Dr. (at the cemetery). Take a slight right onto Yellow Creek Rd. Go approx. 2 miles, to where the road makes a 90⁰ left, and you have arrived. The gate is in front of you. Proceed up the driveway through the pasture (please stay between the black board fences and watch for deer and turkeys [besides the ones coming up with you!]). Please park amongst the trees to keep the circular drive open. Allow approximately one hour for travel time from the church (approximately 50 miles). Ben Pitman

12 Page 12 REACHING OUT... CCE Hosted Three Days of VBS at Norcross Co-op As part of our Outreach ministry at Norcross Cooperative Ministry (NCM)**Christ Church hosted three days of Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children of parents who go there to receive their services. This year our Outreach VBS at NCM was held on July 25, 27, and 29, from 9:30amnoon. We filled the 2½-hour morning of VBS by having a snack and engaging the children with crafts, games, and a lively musical march to Bible School Fiesta tunes accompanied by maracas and tambourines. We told a Bible story about Jesus, Our Helper and Friend, and then the children acted out the story with puppets. Their take-home bags were filled with their crafts (a decorated full box of cereal and tissue paper flower), and lunch with fresh fruit and juice. We are grateful for all who donated items and materials and for the assistance of Nicki DeViller and her grandsons, Ewen and Liam; Isabel Parent and her friend, Amanda; and Rita and Ken Boughrum. And as [husband] Bruce and I can attest, the children s joyous faces and energetic enthusiasm during the time we spent at NCM lit up our hearts, and again underscored God s presence at work in our community through all the volunteers who serve and donate to Norcross Co-op in so many ways. Mary Halliburton ** More About Norcross Cooperative Ministry Photos: Bruce Halliburton The Norcross Cooperative Ministry is a faith-based non-profit ecumenical ministry dedicated to providing emergency assistance to families in Norcross and surrounding areas. Depending on the financial resources of the family, parents may receive help up to six times per year. Assistance might include help with rent, utility bills, or prescription costs; obtaining food from the food bank; and credits to shop in the clothing store for adults and children. The Norcross Co-op also offers periodic classes on Money Management and Preparing for a Job Fair. They host Job Fairs, Health Fairs, and health screenings, and presentations on nutrition, fitness, and dealing with medical issues such as diabetes. With the help of their Faith Partners, like Christ Church, they organize food and clothing drives, and special campaigns for book bags at the beginning of the school year, and children s presents at Christmas. If you are interested in learning more about the Norcross Cooperative Ministry and ways you might assist, please visit their website at norcrossco-op.org. M.H.

13 August 2016 Page 13 Be the Hands and Feet of Christ in our Community and the world! CCE Prepared Sack Lunches for Rainbow Village Again this summer, Christ Church participated with other Faith Partners in our area to provide sack lunches for the children of Rainbow Village (RBV)* to take to Day Camp at Bogan Park this summer. First, Christ Church parishioners stepped up by contributing packages of juice boxes, pineapple fruit cups, applesauce fruit cups, fresh Mandarin oranges, single-serving bags of chips, individual-serving packages of Rice Krispie treats, and Publix $20 gift cards (and cash donations) for purchasing sandwich fixings for 440 lunches! Then, on July 13, during Wild & Wacky Wednesday in the Parish Hall, the evening s activity for our children was to pack lunches for the Rainbow Village summer campers for the next week. Twenty-five attendees worked with 8+ youth and friends (and a few adults); the largest group that evening was the cheerleaders sponsored by CCE, who d come to cheer them on! They began by writing Have Fun At Camp notes for each of the 35 Rainbow Village families and alumni. Then they packed 440 individual lunches for the 88 Rainbow Village campers (five days of camp). After those small (!) chores, there was time for fun indoors and outdoors, plus a make-your-own ice cream sandwich. Personally, I need more time on the falling domino thingy game. Thank you to all the children and adults for supplying time, talent, supplies, and abundant enthusiasm to our Rainbow Village Outreach Ministry, as it celebrates 25 years of providing transitional housing to homeless families with children. Photos: Bruce Halliburton Bruce Halliburton

14 Page 14 REACHING OUT... Mission of Mercy: Rector s Discretionary Fund As with any outreach organization, to help those in need the church requires the generous donation of funds. As a priest, people come to Ceci for help. She helps people in spiritual, caring ways, but sometimes the need is financial, whether it s food for a family or a light bill for an elderly person. Please support Ceci in her calling to help those who come to her by giving to the Rector s Discretionary Fund, our Mission of Mercy for the first Sunday in August. The Mission of Mercy collection basket will be placed in front of the Communion rail to receive your offering on Sunday, Aug. 7. (As always, donations are accepted year-round). Thank you for our generosity. CCE Helped a Refugee Family to Get Settled What is New American Pathways (NAP)? NAP is a relatively new organization created in 2014 by the merger of Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA) and Refugee Family Services (RFS). But the roots of this organization have been in the Atlanta area for over 20 years. The vision of NAP is to promote safety, stability, success, and service for individual refugees and refugee families in Georgia. They offer five distinct program areas that focus on jobs, education, cultural integration, individual and female empowerment, and building strong families. Christ Church worked with New American Pathways (NAP) to assist an extended refugee family to get settled in Atlanta, by donating all the necessities of TWO households for the two apartments provided to them by NAP. They literally came here with the clothes on their backs, and have been waiting almost two years to get a spot in the U.S. The family of SEVEN refugees (not five, as first thought) originally from Syria had their arrival date postponed, but were scheduled to arrive in the U.S. on Wednesday, July 27, The family, whose last name is Al Refai, consists of a dad (57), mom (50), and their daughter (16); and their son (31), his wife (23), and two daughters (one 4, and the other 5 months). The two households were set up in two apartments in the same complex in Decatur by NAP. With all the items and/or funds donated by so many of you, we were able to gather the basics for this family to begin their new journey here. Volunteers from Christ Church were there all day the Saturday prior to their arrival, setting up the two apartments and making them move-in ready. Thank you so much for your willingness to help resettle this family in the U.S. Hopefully, they will take comfort from our efforts and know that they are welcome here in our country, and we are praying that they will have a safe and healthy life among us. Beth Jonsson

15 August 2016 Page 15 Be the Hands and Feet of Christ in our Community and the world! Upcoming Haiti Events Oct. 15: Halloween for Haiti Our annual Halloween Carnival and Haunted Trail benefits the school at our partner church, St. Joseph of Arimathea, in Jasmin, Haiti. We are changing this up for this year! Mark your calendar now, and stay tuned for more details! Oct : Medical Clinic Trip Is God calling you to Haiti? Do you feel a tug on your heart? Then come with us on our next Medical Clinic trip. There are jobs for lay people! This is a great opportunity to get to know the people in the communities we serve, including our school. No experience is necessary. Our Medical Clinic trips are open to everyone who is about age 15 and older. Medical experience and training is not necessary. All you need is a willingness to help, an openness to new adventures, and a curiosity about how your life may be different after this experience. For more information, contact Terry Franzén at terryfranzen@gmail.com. Send a Child to School! Buy delicious Haitian Coffee on the first Sunday of each month. Your purchase supports the school at St. Joseph s, Jasmin, Haiti. Rainbow Village Concert Thank-You Thank you for making our 25th Anniversary Celebration [on June 26] with Banks & Shane and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew a great success! What a delightful day to celebrate the success of families that have broken the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. We were all blessed by the inspirational testimony of Karla and the impact Rainbow Village had on her and her children s lives. Building Strong Communities... One Family at a Time Our 25 years of success are due to the faith and commitment of our community and the expression of love for God and neighbor. Almost 1,000 women, children, and men have found their way to a home of their own with a toolbox of life skills to keep them stable, healthy, and focused on promising futures. I have no doubt that our good works will continue to bless many thousands more in the next 25 years. We are committed to providing the necessary support in a loving, nurturing community. Thank you for being an integral part of the success for Rainbow Village families. EVERY GIFT is doubled and blesses families. We look forward to your continued investment in Rainbow Village. Thank you for your gifts of time, talent, and treasure. We are so grateful for the response to our matching challenge for programs of $100,000 by Sept. 1 and the $250,000 challenge for construction of the final 12 homes by Dec. 1 from the Scott Hudgens Family Foundation. Your gifts are a double blessing to us! Please keep in touch on our website (rainbowvillage.org) and make plans to visit us often. I enjoy hearing from you so please contact me at nyancey@rainbowvillage.org. We look forward to seeing you at the village and our next event our spectacular GALA on Oct. 15 at the Atlanta Athletic Club! So much to celebrate and be thankful for due to your generous gifts! Blessings, The Reverend Nancy Yancey Chief Executive Officer

16 Page 16 Stewardship TNT Time and Talent (Continued from Page 6) their relationship with God and to live it out. I also led retreats and preached both at the Monastery, and in other places. I was also very much involved in the church s ministry to persons with HIV disease. In 1993, I left because I believed even more deeply that I was not called there. I have struggled a lot over a number of years with what my vocation is. The reasons for my leaving are complex. One piece of the struggle with a religious vocation is the nature of the vows. One promises to do certain things. I have learned that one ought not to promise that which one cannot fulfill. If the vows were to try to do those things, I might find them more amenable. I did try, but failed in the long run. I moved to San Francisco for a year, and then moved to Newark, N.J., to work as a caseworker. I became the Vicar-in-Charge of a small mission in North Bergen, N.J., which regrettably died painfully under my care. While in the Diocese of Newark, I was one of the clergy chaplains of the Oasis, a justice ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark to make the church safe for ALL people, and to challenge the church when its interest is self-preservation and not prophetic witness. In 1997, I moved back to San Francisco because I had heard that jobs were plentiful there. I did temp work, office work, and was Office Manager of the S.F. Mime Troupe. I also worked for Ask Jeeves (later known as Ask.com), a question answering-focused e-business and Web search engine founded in 1996 in Berkeley, Cal. While in San Francisco, I served as a nonstipendiary priest at the Church of the Incarnation, where I was able to exercise most of my ministry skills, especially teaching and preaching. In mid-december of 2000, there was a 25% across the board staff reduction and I was one of those reduced. I was unable to find work in San Francisco, and took a job as Office Manager at Dragon Networks and moved to Georgia. I have not stopped trying to discern my vocation. It seems that I am called to a somewhat solitary life. In the SSJE, we lived a daily rhythm of prayer, and recited Morning and Evening Prayer every day. I now do this as I am able, and try to be faithful to this discipline. I also learned the discipline of private prayer, which I continue as well. I am a member of several mailing lists on the Internet, and I gather prayer requests from them, and other sources such as Christ Church, and pray them daily for a month or more. I believe that I have a ministry of intercessory prayer. I attend the weekly Bible Study, the Sunday Eucharist, and Wednesday Eucharist, where I serve as Celebrant (Continued on Page 19)

17 August 2016 Page 17 Just Mercy: Fall Book Club Selection We are launching the quarterly Christ Church Book Club with Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative ( Bryan, a Harvard trained lawyer, has represented several people on death row, and has successfully gained release for many who were wrongfully convicted. Recently, he has turned his attention to helping juveniles who were sentenced to life in prison without parole, also a death sentence for these children. Bryan s work focuses on injustices and bias against the poor and minorities in our criminal justice system. Bryan is speaking at St. Luke s, Atlanta, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 6:30-9:30pm, in a program presented by the Diocese s Commission on Racism. We will plan to go as a group to this presentation. We will discuss the book during the Sunday School hour on a date soon to be announced. The book is available at the Cathedral Book Store, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. For more information, contact Terry and Steve Franzén at terryfranzen@gmail.com or stephen.e.franzen@gmail.com. Terry Franzén Coffee Hour Offered on First and Third Sundays The first Sunday of each month, coffee, fruits, and pastries are offered in the Parish Hall from 9:15-10:15 (between services), sponsored by the Parish Life Forum. The Grace Chapter of the Daughters of the King (DOK) hosts a Continental Breakfast between the 8am and 10:30am church services on the third Sunday of each month. Please join us for coffee, juice, and light breakfast fare! This is a great time to meet new members and visitors, catch up with friends, and learn about new opportunities at Christ Church. We look forward to seeing you! CHRIST CHURCH THRIFT SHOP SUMMER CLOSEOUT SALE! Aug. 23 Sept. 3 50% Off ALL Clothing & Merchandise * Sept. 6 Sept. 10 BAG SALE $6.00 per bag Sept. 13 Sept. 16 Closed for restocking Sept. 17 REOPEN with Fall and Winter Fashions * Jewelry and Case items are excluded from entire sale OPEN: Tuesday Saturday 10:00am 3:00pm 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd Norcross, GA

18 Page 18 Meet Monnie Hammett, Our DYCM! (Continued from Page 3) Monnie worked a number of different positions as an RN: Staff Nurse, Shift Supervisor, Infection Control Nurse, and Patient Teaching for an Anesthesiologist. Many people have commented over the years that Monnie s passion for art and medicine/science are disparate. She disagrees and has found that each contains the other in the most incredible ways! Monnie has two sons. William, age 30, and his wife, Hayley, live in Manhattan. William majored in Graphic Design, is a practicing artist who enjoys selling his paintings, pottery, and mobiles. He also works for a Museum Conservation Framer in Manhattan. Joseph, age 28, lives in Atlanta, and majored in Film and Business. He has a passion for film making and writing scripts, which is quite an undertaking! In addition, Joseph owns and operates his own interior and exterior painting company. Monnie encouraged her sons to follow their passions and is most proud of their resourcefulness, artistic gifts, perseverance, and kindness to others! Monnie grew up attending the Cathedral of St. Philip and the Church of the Atonement in Atlanta. During the time she lived in Santa Fe, N.M., she joined St. Bede s Episcopal Church and become an active volunteer, completed three years of EfM [Education for Ministry] and attended Bible study classes. She trained as a Stephen Minister and Chalice Bearer, and attended a number of Christian conferences. Monnie served on the Vestry, developing a portfolio or committee titled Inreach, which generated activities and opportunities of hospitality within the parish and the local community. Several years ago, Monnie attended Columbia Theological Seminary for a year of coursework on The Old and New Testaments, Church History, and Christian Education. Last year, she began her training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and has completed her training in Godly Play. These two worldwide approaches are based on the Montessori teaching method and have been adapted for the Episcopal Church. They are used internationally by various denominations. Both methods emphasize allowing children to develop their own relationship with God inside the church and out, while developing an understanding of liturgy, church history, sacred stories, and parables. Monnie joined Christ Church three years ago. She has enjoyed volunteering in the church office filling Newcomer Hospitality Bags, attending Wednesday Bible Study, becoming a Eucharistic Minister, and training in Catechesis Atrium I. She continues to enjoy studying history of art, visiting museums, reading, dollhouses, and book collecting. Monnie has found a sense of humor and life-long learning are the key to life!

19 August 2016 Page 19 Rector s Reflections: Hilarity, or Laughter from the Heart Stock Photo (Continued from Page 1) Harnish elaborates, When Paul talks about joy he means bone-deep, blood-rich, exuberant laughter which comes up out of the depths of a person s soul. In the hub of troubling news, agitating commentary, and malicious political bantering, we would do well to plumb the depths, and find therein, soul-nourishing laughter. If you re looking for a venue for such enrichment, come join the Wednesday Morning Bible Study. We meet in the Conference Room in the Education Wing at 10am. May your days be filled with laughter from the heart! Ceci + Stewardship TNT Time and Talent (Continued from Page 16) when the parish clergy are not able to be there. I try as much as I can to share what I have learned of the Scriptures and the Anglican tradition. I read the Scriptures in their original languages, so I can offer that perspective. I also try to interpret our tradition in terms of our current understanding of our lives in this culture at this point in history, which is often more that I can share. I am now working part-time at a Kroger in Duluth. I found that I could not cover all my expenses with just Social Security and Food Stamps. My ministry began in order to help those in poverty and now, I have become a poor person myself. It is an important spiritual discipline for me. Thus, I am in some way completing what I intended when I joined a religious order and took a vow of poverty. [Bob didn t mention he s also active in the Christ Church Players, having portrayed many characters, including a very convincing Benjamin Franklin, and a genteel (and ballroom-dancing!) Mr. Fezziwig in the last two productions of A Christmas Carol. Ed.]

20 Page 20 Transitions Baptism Sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own forever Hadith Alejandra Hernandez Gonazales, daughter of Carl Salinas and Estella Hadith Hernandez, on July 3, 2016 Eduardo Alejandro Alegria Hernandez, son of Carl Salinas and Estella Hadith Hernandez, on July 3, 2016 Sharon Dionisio-Torres, daughter of Fermin Dionisio- Martinez and Karla Loreli Torres-Gil on July 2, 2016 Death May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace Sharon Stringfellow Stewart, former parishioner, on July 1, 2016 Marriage Make their life together a sign of Christ s love to this sinful and broken world Karen Lynn Hines and Glen Gregory Gordon, father of Kate, Zoë, and Gary Gordon, on July 2, 2016 August Birthdays O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 8-1 Chip Franzén 8-1 Diana Gustafson 8-1 Ron Rice 8-3 Melissa Moore 8-4 Jackie Halvorson 8-6 Emma Duke 8-7 Melissa Allen 8-7 Deborah Fuller August Anniversaries O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year of married life together. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 8-7 Marilyn Haritos 8-8 Mle Klade Landford 8-9 Kathy Smith 8-10 David H. Duke 8-10 Christian Schoen 8-11 Susie Duke 8-14 Olivia Hull 8-16 Keith England 8-16 Terrill Rennie 8-18 Andrew Dunn 8-19 Mike Corkum 8-19 Terry Franzén 8-19 Anastasia Iwaskow 8-20 Greg Jordan 8-20 Beth Jonsson 8-20 Kevin Posmer 8-5 Newell & Carol Baker 8-7 Tom & Mickey Merkel 8-12 David H. & Ceci Duke 8-12 Ed & Cheri Thayer 8-21 Ioni Fitten 8-22 Pat Corkum 8-22 Taylor O Connor 8-22 Andrew Pridgen 8-22 Vally Sharpe 8-24 Monnie Hammett 8-24 Joyce Proctor 8-25 Erin Hart 8-27 Ashton Wilson 8-28 Ben Pitman 8-28 Alec Schendzelos 8-29 Dwalu Tay 8-30 Charlotte Russo 8-30 Lillie Russo 8-31 Hanna Self 8-14 Frank & Connie Leff 8-22 Oscar & Ednna Costillo 8-27 Scott & Barbara McCue 8-31 Jerry & Kim Lowe

21 August 2016 Page 21 Because HUNGER doesn t take the summer off SANDWICH SUNDAYS [3 rd Sunday of the summer months] Children who benefit from meal programs during the school year are left to find other ways to fill this need during the summer months. Many area outreach programs know this all too well, and increase their meal offerings during this time of year, and WE WANT TO HELP! So, this summer, on the 3 rd Sunday of each month, we will use the Sunday School time (9:15 10:15) to make sandwiches and talk about the issue of hunger and homelessness. ALL ARE WELCOME - from youngest to the most-young-at-heart. Please join us from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. August 21 st It s enriching for our whole parish family!

22 Page 22 Pilgrimage Pix These pictures are merely a glimpse of the beauty, mystery, and fun experienced by the J2A Pilgrims on their trip to South Ireland in July. They will be sharing more with the congregation in fall, so stay tuned! (Continued on Page 23)

23 August 2016 Page 23 (Continued from Page 23) Photos and Page Layouts for Pages 22-23: Compliments of Jody Greenwood

24 Page 24 COME & HEAR We have Stories to Share We have Spirits to Form. Mom, will you read me a story? Grandpa, will you tell me a story? Friend, will you share your story? We have a story we want to share with you! COME & HEAR As we embark on a new school year, we will continue the experience of Christian Formation at Christ Church. We have Stories to Share COME & HEAR how Spirits are being formed We have a story to share with YOU, the WHOLE Church Family! Sunday, August 14 th 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Parish Hall All are Invited to the Experience! Please join us for this special story-telling time. You will hear stories of the experiential nature of Christian Formation at Christ Church. The best way for ALL OF US to be part of Spiritual Formation of Children, Youth and Adults is to COME & HEAR! Jesus used stories! And so do we! (Sunday School begins August 21 st ) Page Layout: Jody Greenwood