January 2016 - Christ Church Spotsylvania

THE MISSION OF CHRIST CHURCH is
to bring all persons to the saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ through Word,
Sacraments, and instruction, as taught
through the Episcopal tradition, that all
may know the joy and grace of faith, and
to share that grace through outreach.
The Chronicler
January 2016
Spotsylvania, VA
Healing Prayer Team Ministry
For more than 2000 years Jesus' teachings have left a strong impact on us. Central in His
ministry was to bring healing and wholeness to the people's lives and, therefore, central in the
church's ministry today. When Jesus walked on earth He showed us His love and compassion
and asked us to care for the sick, the dying, and the hurting. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke
his instructions to His disciples were to preach that the “Kingdom of God is at hand and to heal
the sick and cast out demons.”
When we think of Jesus praying we often think of the “Lord's Prayer” or Jesus going off
alone to a quiet place to be with God. But Jesus probably spent most of his prayer time praying
with another person for healing. He proclaimed the Father's compassion in words but He prayed
compassionately with others - even when the laws forbade curing a withered hand on the sabbath
or touching to heal the unclean leper. Jesus called his followers to follow him in laying hands on
the people and pray for their healing.
Jesus passed his healing power to His disciples and then to all Christians through the
power of the Holy Spirit. He came to heal us on all levels – physical, emotional, and deliverances
from evil spirits. As Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure He specifically
instructed them to continue to do what He had done on earth.
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do
even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12
Jesus laid aside his divinity to live a fully human life (Philippians 2:6-8). It was in his
humanity, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that Jesus was used by God for healing (Luke 5:17 and
Acts 10:38). And it is by the Holy Spirit we are empowered to follow Jesus who is our role
model in the healing ministry. Physical healing through prayer is a mystery, but it is common.
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and
anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14
At Christ Church we will be starting a healing prayer ministry. The training will be on
Monday mornings, February 15, 22, and 29 beginning with Morning Prayer at 8:30 with Fr. Jeff
and ending by 11:00 am. We will look at some of the individual healing encounters recorded in
the Bible by studying what Scripture says and to reflect on the meanings and implications of
what it says. What did it mean to the people then, what does it mean to us today, and how does
this form the ministry at Christ Church. Only the Bible can give us a clear knowledge of
understanding the healing ministry. If you are interested in being a member of the Healing Prayer
Ministry Team or would like more information, please contact Fr. Jeff or Deacon Margaret.
The Rev. Deacon Margaret Haight
JANUARY 2016 LAY MINISTERS SCHEDULE
Lector
January 3 –
MORNING PRAYER
8:00 Joseph Ilk, Ray Crafton
10:30 Marilyn Greene,
Kristi Gross
January 10
8:00 Thom Smelter
10:30 Beverly McNeill
January 17
8:00 Dana Houck
10:30 Sian Packard
January 24
8:00 Beth Goshin
10:30 Roy Smith
January 31
8:00 Joseph Ilk
10:30 Judi O’Neill
Chalice Bearer
OFFICIANT:
The Rev. Margaret Haight
OFFICIANT:
The Rev. Margaret Haight
The Rev. Margaret Haight
Tim Watts
Alex Watts
Edd Houck
Jeff Massey
Jenny LeBlanc
The Rev. Margaret Haight
Werner Wieland
Donna Nuzum
Ray Crafton
Steve Clifford
Penny Knepp
Acolytes
Matthew LeBlanc
Megan LeBlanc
Ian Gibson
Hannah Clifford
Colby Clifford
Ethan Goldberg
Rachel Stockli
Chloe Stockli
Hunter Clifford
Aaron DiFilippo
Jack DiFilippo
Drew DiFilippo
David Packard
Stephen Wallach
Justin Phillips
Ushers
Altar Guild
Robert Truslow
Werner Wieland
Frank Stewart
Wieland Team
Amy Biscoe
Joseph L. Ilk
Bob McGann
Judi O’Neill
Calib Garland
Bob Massey
Ron Magin
Nursery
Molly Watts
MaginTeam
Amanda Watts
Barbara Deal
Bill Estes
Frank Carosella
Wieland Team
Jack Cheeseman
Missie Jarman
Cecil Jarman
Williams Team
McKenzie Goldberg
McKenzie Goldberg
You are responsible for finding your own replacement in the event that you cannot serve when scheduled. If you are a Lector or Chalicist, and unable to
find one, please contact Penny Knepp at [email protected] or 891-6299 and she will assist you. Notify parish office of replacement(s).
2016 ~ JANUARY CHRONICLER
Choir Director
Denise Gregory
[email protected]
Organist
Hannah Massey
[email protected]
Secretary
Ruth Feltner
[email protected]
Newsletter Coordinator
Ruth Feltner
[email protected]
Christ Episcopal Church
8951 Courthouse Road
Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553
Phone (540) 582-5033
www.christchurchspotsy.com
Rector
The Reverend Jeffrey A. Packard
[email protected]
Director of Christian Education
Jenny LeBlanc
jennyleblanc@[email protected]
Vestry
Senior Warden
Ray Crafton
Jr. Warden
Linda Wieland
Treasurer
Mary Williams
Asst Treasurer
Linda Smith
Register
Jeri Phillips
Members
Linda Wieland
Bill Butler
Ray Crafton
Missie Jarman
Beverly McNeill
Jeri Phillips
Roy Smith
Tim Watts
Sue Roberts
Our Christ Church family extends their deepest sympathy to Barbara Canaday and family on the
death of her husband, Howard Melvin Canaday on December 1. “May his soul and the souls of all
the departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
January 2016
01/01 James Kenkel
01/03 Justin Phillips
Roger Williams
01/04 Marlyne Cain
01/07 Drew DiFilippo
01/12 Joy Newlin
01/13 Samantha Bomgardner
Joan Gere
Marshall Bell
01/14 Thom Smelter
01/16 John Phillips
01/20 Jack DiFilippo
01/22 Stephen Roop
Mark DiFilippo
01/25 Liz DiRusso
Margaret Little
01/26 Delaney Senters
01/28 Denise Regeimbal
Ruth Packard
01/30 Doreen Smith
Special Thanks to Outreach, Food Pantry,
and Our Wonderful, Giving, Church Family ~
128 families received big boxes of food December 19. Starting on the Thursday before, lots
of hands helped pack canned soup, vegetables, meat, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, pasta,
juice, potatoes, gravy, etc., etc. for our Food Pantry families. The boxes were checked on
Friday -- with 67 boxes packed into the Quilters’ room, it’s easy to see how one could be
missed when you’re handing out bags of rice! And that was only one room full of boxes.
There were also 43 boxes in the Nursery and nearly 40 more down in room 4. On Saturday,
after holding hands for a prayer in a big oval in the hallway, our clients waited their turns to
be welcomed and signed in, then met up with the individual carting their food box and their
frozen bird. Next, they headed outside to pick out some fresh produce and a loaf of bread.
Then the person carting their goods took it all to the car and lifted the food inside. The sense
of community was strong; there were lots of hugs and smiles (and a few healing tears)
shared during the morning. Judging from their words and faces, both our pantry clients and
church volunteers felt they received something special from the pantry that day. Please see
attached photographs of our “workers in action” on Saturday, December 19.
(Want to join the community? Come downstairs in ASH Hall at 9:30 am
on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month. Or, get in touch with
Tracy Magin about packing food bags on your own schedule.)
Roy H. Smith, Ph.D. Honored
The Phi Beta Kappa Society chapter at the University of Mary Washington recently announced
that they would be naming their annual scholarship in honor of Christ Church parishioner Roy
Smith.
Roy is a professor emeritus at the University where he taught in the Psychology
department for more than 40 years. The honor is in recognition of the support that Roy gave the
honor society while a professor.
He twice served as the chapter’s president.
Since his
retirement, Roy has become a regular fixture around the parish. He and his wife Stephanie run
the food pantry, and Roy routinely makes pickups of furniture and other donations for the thrift
shop.
Roy will be completing a term on our vestry at the annual meeting in January.
Congratulations Roy! And thanks for all you do for Christ Church!
Vestry Speaks Out
At their December meeting, the vestry of Christ Church decided that they needed to respond to
recent very public verbal attack against our neighbors who are members of the Islamic Center of
Fredericksburg. The group, that has been in the area for 27 years, hosted an open meeting in
November to present their plans to build a new mosque. The meeting was cut short by a sheriff’s
deputy because he was concerned it might escalate into violence. Area residents shouted nasty,
accusatory things at the leader of the meeting and against all Muslims. The vestry decided that
when one religious group is unfairly singled out for attack, we are all in jeopardy. The following
resolution was passed unanimously by the quorum that was present.
Resolution in Support of Our Muslim Neighbors
In recognition that we are all children of God and that Christians and Muslims share a common
faith ancestry, and in recognition that we Christians are called to love God and love our
neighbors as ourselves, and in recognition of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, the
vestry and clergy of Christ Episcopal Church at Spotsylvania Courthouse extend our support to
our Muslim friends and neighbors who are practicing their faith within our shared community.
We stand for continuing dialogue that can acknowledge our connections as well as our
differences and respect the dignity of every human being.
EPIPHANY BONFIRE ~ JANUARY 8
The Epiphany bonfire will begin at 6 PM on Friday,
On January 8 at 6:00 PM you are invited to bring Christmas trees, wreaths, and greens to burn.
Refreshments will be available: mulled cider and hot chocolate. We will sing songs around the
fire, and just have a good old-fashioned fun evening. The Feast of Epiphany, celebrated on
January 6 each year, is kind of the culmination of the Christmas season.
It is a time of
enlightenment, and happens when the days are just beginning to get a little longer. The bonfire
symbolizes the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God which enlightens our hearts and lifts our
spirits during the darkest part of the year. Come join us for this joyous event!
Annual Parish Meeting ~ January 31, 2016
The vestry has set the date of our annual Parish Meeting. We will meet after the 10:30 service
on Sunday, January 31. The good news is that this is not Super Bowl Sunday. The bad news is
that the Super Bowl will be the following Sunday (February 7) when our bishop will visit. The
meeting will convene in the Great Hall of All Saints Hall around noon that day. It will be
followed by a potluck luncheon. At the annual meeting we will present the budget for 2016 and
elect three new members to serve three year terms on the vestry. Other reports and information
will be presented as well.
Vestry Candidates Needed
At the Annual Parish Meeting on January 31 we will elect three new members to serve three year
terms on the vestry, our parish governing board. Speak to a current member to find out what
service entails. Candidate forms can be found at the Communications Center and at the table in
the back of the church. Attached to the form is a vestry member job description that includes all
of the qualifications and requirements.
Annual Episcopal Visitation
February 7, 2016
The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff, bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Virginia, will preside and preach
at the 10:30 service on the morning of Sunday, February 7. She will celebrate confirmations,
receptions, and reaffirmations. The service will be followed by a special fellowship hour in
honor of the confirmands and the bishop. Our annual visit from a bishop reminds us that we are
part of a Church that is bigger than ourselves. We are part of the greater Body of Christ that has
influence and challenges beyond any we know of here in Spotsylvania. The bishop not only
represents the diocese and the concerns of the diocese to us, but she represents us and our
concerns to the greater Church as well. You may notice that this will be Super Bowl Sunday.
We promise that if you come to church in the morning you will be home in plenty of time to
enjoy the game.
Shrove Tuesday Dinner ~ February 9
Our ECM will be preparing their annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake/Chili Supper on Tuesday,
February 9 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the Great Hall. Accompanying the all-you-can-eat
pancakes, will be sausage, chili, and drinks, all you can eat. The cost is $7 per person or $25 per
family. Look for sign-up sheets to be posted soon in the Communications Center.
Ash Wednesday, February 10
It’s true, we just got through Christmas, but Lent is just around the corner. Ash Wednesday is on
February 10 this year. We will have two worship services to mark the beginning of Lent, at
noon and 7:30 PM. Both services will include the imposition of ashes as a reminder of our
mortality and our need for repentance. Bring your palms from last year’s Palm Sunday service
to the ECM Shrove Tuesday Pancake and Chili Dinner. They will be burned to make the ashes
for Wednesday.
Save the Date ~ May 6-8, 2016 at Shrine Mont, Our Annual Parish Retreat Weekend!
“Shrine Mont is a place where people are more important than things, where prayer and reflection, rest and
recreation are more important than appointments and tasks. It’s a place where people give thanks to God for
his creation—from the beauty of the streams, flowers and wildlife which are at home here, to the people who
come to this place to celebrate being part of the family of God.” Details will soon be published.
Fellowship Commission
We want and need you to share yourself and your time hosting Fellowship on Sundays. Fellowship hour is a
very important ministry as it gives us time to socialize once a week as a church family. You can honor
someone or in celebration of an event by signing up. Talk to Bill Butler about hosting and then sign up at the
Communication Center. Even once a month will help.
Weather Alert
When there is snow on Sunday, we expect everyone to use his or her best judgment about attempting to
attend worship services. When in doubt as to whether services have been cancelled, you may check out the
parish web page or www.Fredericksburg.com. Also listen to the following FM radio stations: 93.3 WFLS,
95.9 WGRQ, 96.9 WWUZ, 99.3 WYSK, 104.5 WGRX.
Sunday morning worship schedule and Children’s Chapel and Sunday school: Two services 8:00 and
10:30, (Children’s Chapel is held in the Choir Room during the 10:30 service) with Christian Education for
all ages from 9:15 to 10:15. Children’s Chapel is not held on the first Sunday of the month.
Episcopal Church Women meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Great Hall @ 11:30 AM.
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew and ECM meet the 2nd Saturday of each month in ASH at 8 AM.
The Vestry meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in room #8, All Saints Hall.
Sunday bulletin announcements due by: noon Wednesday, call 582-5033.
Deadline for the February Chronicler is January 22. Please send articles in Microsoft word document to
Ruth Feltner: [email protected]
Christ Church January 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
8:00am RAAI, ASH
8:00pm AA Mtg
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
8:00am MP Rite 1
8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am ECM
10:30am MP Rite II 8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
6:00pm Epiphany
Mtg/Breakfast,
11:45am Fellowship, Prayer
Prayer
Prayer
Prayer
Bonfire
GH
7:15pm Choir
10:30am Quilters,
GH
Rehearsal
10
11
8:00am HE Rite 1
9:15am Christian
8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI,
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
Education
Prayer
12
Prayer
10:30am HE Rite II
10:30am Children's
10:00am Food
Chapel
11:45am Fellowship,
GH
6:00pm Sunlight
13
ASH #8
Prayer
15
Prayer
ASH #8
7:00pm Vestry
Garden Club, ASH
#6,7
Meeting, ASH #8
17
18
8:00am HE Rite 1
9:15am Christian
8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI,
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
Education
Prayer
10:30am Children's
Prayer
20
Prayer
11:30am ECW
Chapel
16
ASH 11:30am
Rented-Nelda
Hagerman
10:30am Quilters,
Pantry, ASH
19
14
21
22
23
ASH
Prayer
10:30am Quilters,
Meeting, GH
ASH #8
10:30am HE Rite II
11:45am Fellowship,
GH
24
25
8:00am HE Rite 1
9:15am Christian
8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI, ASH 8:00am RAAI,
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
8:30am Morning
Education
10:30am HE Rite II
10:30am Children's
Chapel
11:45am Fellowship,
GH
31
8:00am HE Rite 1
9:15am Christian
Education
10:30am HE Rite II
10:30am Children's
Chapel
12:00pm Annual
Parish Meeting,
GH
Prayer
26
Prayer
10:00am Food
Pantry, ASH
27
Prayer
28
Prayer
10:30am Quilters,
ASH #8
29
30
ASH