Newsletter
The Steeple
Christ Episcopal Church
"
607-722-2308
www.ChristChurch1810.net
The Very Rev. John R. Martinichio, Rector
Save these dates!
200th Anniversary
Celebratory Dinner at Traditions at The Glenn
200th Anniversary
Worship Service at
by a Reception
Stay tuned for more
details
Message From Father John
Lent is a time when we focus upon our sinfulness not only as individuals but also as a society
and those that exist in our world. There is no
doubt that evil exists and how easy it is to point
the faults of others and in organizations. How difficult it is to be part of the solution. So the question I would like to focus on this Lent is, "How does our individual sinfulness in a community setting keep us from building up the
I would like to challenge us to see different perspectives, to welcome different opinions, to
allow things to be done a different way. I believe that change is really consistent, that we are always changing, and that we need to im-
prove our sense of radical hospitality. The
seven last words of the church, "we have always
done it that way" should not be our mission
statement. Our mission statement should be "WE WELCOME YOU" period. That means we
accept you as you are and value you as a per- son that is everything, your thoughts, beliefs,
and we are open to listen to you. People may
not always do it the way we think is right but
they are willing to help and add their own
flavor to the task and whatever they are willing to help out with. We need their voice.
It is my hope that this Lent we will focus upon
how we can set aside our own "way of doing
things" and welcome the way of others. That
we will not be so concerned on how it is done
but that it is done and welcome new ideas,
new people and ultimately change to be like Jesus. It is Jesus who knows our hunger, our thirst, our needs, our wants, and our desires.
It is he who loves us as we are and gives us
not only the opportunity to change but also
does not leave us in the midst of the change
but continues to journey with us. In the
words of the Poem "Footprints" may we al-
low him to carry us?
200th Anniversary Celebration
During this 200th anniversary year many celebratory events have been scheduled.
March 7 at
traditional sung service will be lead by the Christ
Church Chancel Choir and officiated by Bishop
Skip Adams. A free will offering will be collected with a reception following the service.
April 3 at
the first official celebration of the Resurrection
of Jesus. The service will be officiated by the
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. An ice cream sundae reception will follow the ser- vice.
May 2 at
munity will be entertained by the Brotherhood of Magicians while enjoying a pizza party.
June 4 from
June 5 at
to pass and enjoy an evening with Bonnie Adams. Bonnie
will share her experiences about our companion diocese,
July 11 - Follow the clues that will lead to a
parish picnic and a concert from the Vestal
Community Band. For those who do not wish
to participate in the road rally, you will be given the final destination so that you can come enjoy the picnic.
August 28 at
for all non-golfers and golfers, while participating in a glow ball golf tournament at the
available before heading out on the course.
Preparation Day, the Passover
The disciples arranged for the Passover meal,
which took place after sundown on Thursday. We
might call it Friday Eve, because by Jewish reckoning, the day begins with the previous sunset.
That's why we call 24 December "Christmas Eve."
Jesus and the
disciples ate the Passover in the upper room. They ate it early, which
was not uncommon. In that era, most Passover Seders did not
include lamb, because most Jews lived too far away from the
Judas left
during the meal. Jesus and the remaining disciples adjourned to the
kept falling asleep. Judas arrived to betray Jesus, who spent the rest of the night being tried by the Sanhedrin and by Pilate.
The following
morning, which was still the same day by Jewish reckoning, the
Crucifixion significantly took place just as the Passover lambs were being
slaughtered in the
Mark
Day, which is the Jewish name for Friday. Mark and John explain that the next day was the Sabbath.
Later the disciples realized that in giving them the bread and pronouncing it His body, Jesus
Himself had been the Passover lamb at the Last
Supper. Thus Jesus, our Passover lamb, was sacrificed for our sins on Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7),
and His blood protects us from the angel of death.
"Life is not
about waiting
for the storms to
pass...it's about
learning to
dance in the
rain!"
~ Author Unknown
Message From Richard
A few weeks ago, right before Christmas in fact, I
talked about practicing our faith and not just giving
lip service to it.
By the time this newsletter is published we will
probably be in the penitential period of Lent. If
you decided to give up something for Lent I hope
and pray you are successful. I also hope and pray
that you will do something for Lent, like practicing your faith differently than you normally do. Some- times the same old routine can become boring and unfulfilling. Perhaps you might start a daily prayer routine, or read from Day by Day, maybe just take 5 to 10 minutes each day just to sit in silence and reflect, go away by yourself, away from the TV and
radio and all the rest of life's distractions and just sit in quiet and think about nothing.
Perhaps you could use technology to help jump
start practicing your faith differently. If you find
sitting in front of your computer and doing games
is relaxing take 5 and check out a few different
web sites like missionstclare.com or forward movement.org/forward-day-by-day. You might just get hooked like I am. Good Luck and have a prayerful Lenten season.
While I have this opportunity to address you I
would like to add how thankful and blessed I am to
be in your midst. You are a loving, caring, giving worshiping community.
God Bless.
Richard Schaal, Candidate for Holy Orders
Lenten Schedule
Mid-Week
Lenten Service is held each Wednesday at
Stations of the
Cross is held each Friday at
p.m. A soup and bread supper precedes the Stations at
Book Study of The Shack Book
is held each Sunday at
Come and make Palm
Crosses on Saturday,
March 27 at
the Great Hall. If you have
not made them before,
people will be available to
teach you. All are welcome.
Holy Week
Palm Sunday, March 28 at
Holy Tuesday, March 30 at
Holy Wednesday, March 31 at
Maundy Thursday, April 1 at
Good
Friday, April 2 at
Easter
Vigil, April 3 at
Bishop, Katharine Jefferts-Schori
Easter, April 4 at
Spring 2010 The Steeple Page 2
Do you want to get involved?
There are several guilds and organizations at Christ
Church and they all would love to have new mem bers.
St Anne's Guild - Chair: Mary Porteus - A women's
guild that meet the 4th Sunday of each month at
a.m. in the lounge. St Anne's coordinates several
outreach projects each year as well as fund-raisers for the church.
St. Margaret's Altar Guild - Chair: Shirley Simick -
Members prepare the altar and surroundings areas for worship.
Collection Counters - Chair: Pauline Sherba - Mem
bers assist the Treasurer in counting the Sunday of- fering.
Ushers - Chair: Susan Young - Members greet parish-
ioners as they arrive for worship, take the commun- ion elements up to the altar, and take the collection.
Celebration of Life - Chair: Sally Owen - After a fu-
neral, if the family requests, the guild provides a luncheon or brunch items.
St Fiacre's Guild - Chair: Sue Sarzynski - The gar-
dening guild meets on Wednesday evenings at
Chimemasters Guild - Chair: Sue Sarzynski -
Members chime
before the
CHOW Pantry - Chair: Phyllis Russell - Members
assist those in need in our pantry.
Chancel
Choir - Choir
master: Bill Snyder - Members lead the music during the
Eucharistic Ministers - Chair:
Fr. John - Members assist at
the alter by reading Scripture and administering the chalice.
Order of
"Rejoice in the things that are
present; all
else is beyond
thee."
~ Montaigne, French Renaissance scholar
Youth Group News
The youth of our church has been busy doing many community
projects as well as having fun at the church. First, the Jr./Sr. High girls
went to the Canteen at
made mac and cheese was a big hit. We served the meal,
cleaned up and even spoke with some of the people at the
meal! The next task was making Valentine's cards for the shut-
ins. Young and old participated in this activity. Everyone cut, glued, and glittered their paper cards. They were bright and
very uplifting. Making Super Bowl subs was lots of fun. Every- one was working in the kitchen at the crack of dawn! Thanks to
all who ordered subs and all who donated money to the youth.
Please continue to support our youth group. Look for upcoming events in the bulletin and/or posters on the Youth Group News bulletin board. We will be doing the following activities in the upcoming months: movie night, soup kitchen, swimming, and another collection for the food pantry.
~ Janet Manchester—Youth Group Coordinator
Choral Evensong lead by
The
Sunday, March 7, at
Celebrant: Bishop
Skip Adams
Reception following service in Great Hall
Free Will Offering
In honor of
the 100th anniversary of
to the interior of the Church?
Who was the Rector of Christ Church in
1910?
In 1910, what was installed in the Church
and the Parish House for the first time?
Answers below
Cabaret
Night
The 5th Annual Cabaret Night at Christ
Church will be held on Saturday, April 24.
Watch for more information in the Church
bulletin. Volunteers are needed for a
variety of tasks, including preparing hors d'oeuvres,
decorating the Great Hall, and performing at the event. If you are willing to help, please
see Susan MacLennan.
Answers
1. Bianca marble was
ordered from
stalled. The choir stalls, prie-dieu,
marble mosaic floor, altar rail, credence table, and prescina were in- stalled in the chancel. New stained
glass windows in the nave were
added along with Gorham rose win-
dow in the west wall. New oak wainscoting and pews were installed.
The wooden columns were replaced
with
2. Reverend Harry S. Longley, who re-
signed later in 1910 and went on to become the Bishop of Iowa.
3.Electricity was installed in the
Church and the Parish House in
1910.