February 2019
1
The Messenger
Dear Friends, Moses went to the mountaintop to speak to God. Jesus fled to the desert to be alone to be in prayer. For
many of us, the most regular place we escape to pray is our pew on Sunday morning. That is, of course, a
great place to pray and communal worship is the central practice of our faith but this 2019 “year of
prayer” initiative will turn our focus to new places to pray and new ways to pray. Our prayer life should
be the gasoline that keeps our faith fire blazing all year round. So, here are a few of my thoughts to
consider as we enter deeply into what I hope will be a spiritually transformative year for us.
You are worthy
Do not feel guilty about the quality of your prayer life nor fall into despair about your worthiness to talk
to God.
Practice makes perfect
Like anything, a good strong prayer life takes practice. So, do it…and don’t be afraid to try new things!
The more you pray the richer your prayer life will become.
Make prayer your steering wheel not your spare tire
Prayer was the backbone of Jesus’ ministry. He often went away to spend time with God. So, it should
be the same for us. Find time to break away from your daily routines to pray.
God doesn’t require eloquence
If you can’t find the words- don’t worry. Consider asking God for help in your prayers. Many saints
wrote about prayer as a time of sitting quietly in silence with God. So, consider silence and deep breathing
and think about the breath of God breathing life into you. If words are necessary for you look at pages
810--841 in the Book of Common Prayer to find prayers that may help you get started.
Listen
Remember that when we pray, we are not the only ones with something to say. So, listen, listen, listen!
St. Benedict wrote as his first rule of living “listen with the ear of your heart.”
Prayer can happen anywhere
You need not climb the mountain top or retreat to the desert or even to the sanctuary of the church.
Be attentive to God always.
There is much for us to discuss and explore so I hope that you will take the opportunities to engage in
these conversations. On Sunday, February 24, join me for a parlor chat to “check- in” on our year
of prayer so far. Then in Lent, join me for a study on the practice of prayer.
As always, I ask for your prayers during this year and know that I remember you all in my prayers daily.
God bless you. Kyle
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing”- Martin Luther
February 2019
2
Dear Friends, Last night, Dan and I talked about where we’d like to move, if we ever do. (We’re talking quite some
years from now.) We agree that it would need to be someplace warmer, but beyond that, we could come
to no consensus. Well, Hawaii is a winner for both of us, but it’s so far away. Otherwise, there’s no
particular place that calls to us, and no particular place that is off limits for us. It’s very weird to think
about trying to get used to a new place, meeting new people. It’s different when you’re young; you count
on meeting people at the kids’ school and at new jobs. But now, where would you meet people, how
would you become part of a community again?
This causes me to think of the many people we all know and love who are moving in their elder years to
senior communities, personal care facilities, and nursing homes. It must be difficult for them to leave
behind cherished items as they move to smaller living spaces. They give up so much autonomy in
exchange for needed care. I remember Andy France’s mother once telling me, “I know that there are lots
of people who will do anything for me that I need, but you just don’t call someone and ask them to take
you to the store for a candy bar.”
In the best of places, our friends’ needs are well taken care of, but what about their whims? What about
staying up to all hours to finish a thrilling book, or wearing PJ’s all day during a snowstorm? Who will
help me dye my hair purple or green?
I don’t have any answers; just ruminating on this cold winter night, I guess. I’m thankful my mother could
live at home until the end, grousing all the way. I’m even a little happy that my father seemed unaware of
where he was (or even who he was) in his last years in a nursing home.
And I’m praying tonight, for all of us as we age, for our friends who are already there, that grace and love
and graciousness might be with each of us every moment of every day until the trumpet calls.
Veronica +
Gracious God, we ask you to bless especially your children who have grown old. When they can no
longer care for themselves, send them loving caretakers who appreciate their wisdom and the richness of
their experience. Send your angels to keep them safe as long as they live and to lead them home to you
when their work is done. Bless the families of the elderly with insight and good judgment. Send your Holy
Spirit to help them make wise decisions, and grant them the patience to care for those who once cared for
them. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Dear Christ Church Family
Epiphany was certainly a fun service. Our scholars had a wonderful time dressing up as kings. It's not
every day a lay person gets the privilege to wear a cope!
We look forward to a late winter filled with some great music. We will have a service of Choral Evensong
on Saturday, February 2 at 7:00 PM to celebrate the Presentation of our Lord. A reception will follow.
Please spread the word or bring a friend!
On February 22 at 7:00PM our Choral Scholars will be presenting a Broadway review in the parish hall.
Refreshments will be available. Please take a poster to help advertise.
On Friday, March 22 at 7:00PM will be our Spring Concert featuring guest ensembles from the
community and our Choir’s performance of John Rutter’s Requiem.
Looking forward to seeing you at Evensong… Jeff
February 2019
3
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February 2 @ 7:00 .............................................................. Evensong
February 5 @ 5:30 .......................................................... Liturgy Com
February 10-17 .......................................................... Family Promise
February 12 @ 7:00 .................................................... Outreach Com
February 18 @ 5:30 ...................................................... Finance Com
February 19 @ 5:30 .............................................................. VESTRY February 22 @ 7:00 ............................................... Broadway Review
March 5 .................................................................... Shrove Tuesday March 6 ................................................................... Ash Wednesday March 19 ............................................................................... VESTRY March 22 .................................................................... Spring Concert
THE LOOSE OFFERINGS on the first Sunday each month are designated for the Parish Discretionary Fund. Special envelopes are also
provided for this purpose in your stewardship envelope boxes. The fund is administered by the rector and is
used for numerous and sundry needs that arise–assisting persons with past due rent, electric or heating bills,
and providing food for those whose benefits just don’t reach.
In this cold weather, many are suffering or turning to unsafe ways to heat their homes.
You can help!
Thank you, in advance for your support of the Parish Discretionary Fund.
Veronica+
February 2019
4
Feb. 16 @ 11:30 South Side Restaurant & Pizzeria
in South Williamsport Please sign up so we can make reservations.
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The Idea of God Thursdays @ 7 PM
The Idea of God is a continuing study of humans' belief in God from primitive tribal religions to current views.
Anyone is welcome to join at any time—each session is a discrete topic. We
will begin looking at the development of ancient Eastern religions this month.
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Christ Church is hosting a Convocational
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
March 5 Serving at 6 pm
The men cook; the clergy race!
The Olney in Buckinghamshire, England, pancake race has been run since 1445, so there is no doubt that
it is the spiritual home of the event. Whilst the reason for its invention is not certain, the most widely
accepted tale is of a woman so busy making pancakes that she was about to miss the Shrove Tuesday
church service. On hearing the church bells she ran out of the house and had to flip the pancake in her pan
to stop it burning on the way to the church.
Our clergy will re-enact the famous pancake race for your entertainment.
February 2019
5
UNITED CHURCHES FOOD PANTRY Currently we especially need:
• canned soups
• canned juices
• canned fruit
• tea and coffee
• healthy snacks
• popcorn
• hot chocolate
• oatmeal
AMERICAN RESCUE WORKERS distributes hygiene items to those staying
at Saving Grace Shelter and transients. All sizes of men’s’ and women’s’
hygiene items are needed.
The list follows:
Toothpaste and Toothbrushes Shaving Cream and Razors
Shampoo and Conditioner Women’s Hygiene Products
Towels and Wash Cloths Bedding and Blankets
Tissues and Toilet Paper Soap, Deodorant, Combs and Brushes
Baby Diapers, Shampoo, Oil, Wipes Powder
It would be great to build up our donations to the ARW as we sent TONS of stuff to the Episcopal
Home at Christmas.
MILES OF PENNIES
There are 84,480 pennies in a mile. $844.80 will provide clean water for FOUR families for a year! We can bring water to people in need with just the pennies that clutter our pockets and purses. Please don’t let your pennies lanquish on your bureau at home—bring them in!
February 2019
6
WISH LIST Cat Litter – Clay Type (not clumping type) Kitten food
Powdered kitten milk replacer Home-grown cat nip
Dye-free dog food Soft dog treats and pig ears
Laundry detergent – liquid or pods only, please Bleach
Dryer sheets Heavy-load trash bags
Cash donations to help pay for medicines Copy paper
Laser photo paper (no inkjet, please) File folders
Gift cards for office supplies, department stores Postage stamps
Gasoline cards for our Humane Officer’s trucks Cotton balls
Family Promise
Feb. 10—18 Think about how YOU can participate in this most important ministry. There
are dinners to make and serve, transportation to provide (the van is supplied),
and most importantly, we need folks to sleep over here at church with the
families. It’s the easiest job—just come in around 8 PM and go to sleep
whenever you want, in our new comfortable bedroom upstairs.
Get up in the morning, say hello to the guests, and go on your way
February 2019
7
Lent Madness, inspired by college basketball tournaments, pits 32 saints against
each other in a bracket, as each saint seeks to win the coveted Golden Halo.
Throughout Lent, fans vote for their favorite saints at www.lentmadness.org.
Each pairing remains open for a set period of time as people vote for their favorite
saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the
Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship;
and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo.
The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints.
Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer quotes and
quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch.
The Saintly Scorecard is the official guide to Lent Madness, featuring the biographies
of all 32 saints in contention for the coveted Golden Halo.
Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness
began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging
way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar
of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion.
Scorecards available soon
February 2019
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Feb. 4-10 Jean Dunn, Beth Ecker
Feb. 11-17 The families of Family Promise
Feb. 18-24 Chuck & Jamie Ellis, Bob Esposito
Feb. 25-Mar 3 Andrew & Ashely Evick and Isaac
Mar. 4-10 Beth Folk, Joan Forster & Neddie Mauck
Mar. 11-17 Andy & Dottie France
Mar.18-24 Alan & Phyllis Girven, Gini Gonzalez
Mar. 25-31 Tim Hanner & Bart Shade, Doris Herritt
April 1-7 Mary Hockenberry, Mary Holstein
April 8-14 Henry & Alison Hopper, Jim Horton
April 15-21 Holy Week- Meditate on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
April 22-28 Pat Houser, Kristina Hutchinson
April 29-May 5 Donna Ickes, Jeff Johnson
May 6-12 Tim & Samantha Jutsum and Ezra
May13-19 Susan & N. Kemnitz
May 20-26 Matt & Shannon Knight, Michael & Peggy Knight
May 27-June 2 Charles Lamade, Joe & Carol LaRue
June 3-9 Charlie & Sharon Levering, Patti Levering
June 10-16 The Families of Family Promise
June 17-23 Scott & Jean Lowery, John and Janie Matter
June 24-June30 Deb Mechtley, Mike Mechtley, Pat Miller
July 1-7 Brian & Geri Mitchell, Ed & Karen Mitchell
July 8-14 Ann & Charlie Morrison, Kyle Murphy
July 15-21 Larry Nevel, Tom Nicholson
July 22-28 Walt and Trish Nicholson, William and Connie Nicholson
July 29-Aug. 4- Dorothy & Calvin Packard, Anne Parsons
Aug. 5-11 David & Elanor Phillips, Bev Porter
Aug. 12- 18 Jeff & Deb Porter, Pam & Scott Rider
Aug. 19-25 The Families of Family Promise
Aug. 26-Sept. 1 Martha Rommelt, Donald Schemery
Sept 2-8 Bishop Audrey Scanlan & Glen Scanlan
Sept 9-15 Jim Schoch, Carole Smith
Sept. 16-22 Janie Smith, Helga Sanso & Rick Speary
Sept. 23-29 Our Choral Scholars
Sept. 30-Oct. 6 Scott & Jill Taggart, John Toner
Oct. 7-Oct. 13 Ana White, Salvatore, Giancarlo, Santino, Giovanni
Oct 14-20 Mark Wilkins, Glenn & Mary Ann Williams
Oct. 21-27 Mike & Michelle Yaw
Oct. 28- Nov. 3 Vicki Yeagley & Eileen Georg
Nov. 4-10 The Al- Anon Group of our Parish
Nov. 11-17 The Narcotics Anonymous Group of our Parish
Nov.24- Dec 1 The Alcoholics Anonymous Group of our Parish
Dec. 2-Dec. 8 The all faithful departed of Christ Church
Dec. 9-Dec 15 All future members of Christ Church
Dec. 16- Dec. 22 The Families of Family Promise
Dec. 23-29 Meditate on the Nativity of our Lord
PARISH PRAYER
REQUESTS
Pray for
Olivia, Declan, Shannon,
Scott, Jennifer, Rick,
Sora, Vicky, David,
Dulcey, Dan, Sue,
Paulette, Todd, Javier,
Amy, Jose
February 2019
9
Heavenly Father,
Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine
hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few
precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly
is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not
getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really
ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking
our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back
last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not
enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us,
but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
Amen.
Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that you lead us on all our paths. Together we praise your name.
We plead with you, stay with us, especially when the world grows darker. Stay with us and send down
your power. Send your power in answer to our prayers.
For all people we pray, “Father in heaven, these are our brothers and sisters in spite of their failures and
sins.” Help them, O God. May they soon come to recognize who you are, what you do, and what you will
still do, so that the whole world can be joyful and all people on earth may know the blessing of being your
children. Amen.
There is a winter in all of our lives, a chill and darkness that makes us yearn for days that have
gone or put our hope in days yet to be. Creator God, you created seasons for a purpose.
Spring is full of expectation buds breaking frosts abating and an awakening of creation before the
first days of summer. Now the sun gives warmth and comfort to our lives reviving aching joints
bringing color, new life and crops to fruiting. Autumn gives nature space to lean back, relax and
enjoy the fruits of its labor mellow colors in sky and landscape as the earth prepares to rest.
Then winter, cold and bare as nature takes stock rests, unwinds, sleeps until the time is right. An
endless cycle and yet a perfect model. We need a winter in our lives a time of rest, a time to stand
still a time to reacquaint ourselves with the faith in which we live. It is only then that we can draw
strength from the one in whom we are rooted take time to grow and rise through the darkness into
the warm glow of your springtime to blossom and flourish bring color and vitality into this world
your garden.
Thank you Creator, for the seasons of our lives. Amen.
Animals praise a good day, a good hunt. They praise rain if they're thirsty. That's prayer.
They don't live an unconscious life; they simply have no language to talk about these
things. But they are grateful for the good things that come along. Mary Oliver (September 10, 1935 – January 17, 2019) RIP
February 2019
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Episcopal News Service LIVING NATIVITY SCENE OFFERS ROADSIDE EVANGELISM IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA By Mary Frances Schjonberg
Take a centuries-old tradition. Find a church with a big front lawn on a busy
street. Get a priest who is also a carpenter. Recruit volunteers – lots of
volunteers. Get your friends to donate costumes. Figure out who has farm
animals. Get the bishop to deliver some hay.
Put it all together, and it’s the living nativity scene at St. Andrew’s in the
Valley Episcopal Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, that was staged Dec. 19
from 5 to 7 p.m.
If the estimated 300 people who drove past the scene, and those who took
advantage of the chance to get a photo with St. Nicholas, learned something
about Jesus and the nativity and realized that “the heart of the season is open to
them,” then the effort was a success, Central Pennsylvania Bishop Audrey
Scanlan told Episcopal News Service.
If those folks make the connection that what she called this “creative and
novel” effort came to them via the Episcopal Church, “that’s bonus to me.”
ATLANTA EPISCOPALIANS JOIN SOAP CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT SEX TRAFFICKING Advocates for victims of child sex trafficking warn that the problem spikes around big sporting events,
like the Super Bowl, which is taking place this weekend in Atlanta. That warning sparked a call to action
among Episcopalians in the Diocese of Atlanta, who have turned thousands of bars of soap into weapons
in the fight against exploitation and abuse. The campaign, dubbed SOAP UP Atlanta, was organized by
members of the diocese’s Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Commission. Bars of soap were wrapped with
anti-trafficking hotline numbers and given to hotels around Atlanta, along with informational materials
and posters with the pictures of missing children. Attention to this issue during the lead-up to the Super
Bowl on Feb. 3 already appears to be producing results. At least four victims were rescued and 33 people
arrested this week through a law enforcement crackdown, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
PRIEST TO WALK FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO CALIFORNIA TO BENEFIT YOUTH By Lynette Wilson
In February, Rev. Peter Munson, 61, will resign as rector of St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in South
Boulder – a church he’s served for more than 17 years – to walk 3,600 miles from Charleston, South
Carolina, to San Francisco.His cross-country journey is set to begin on Monday, March 4; raising money
through his nonprofit 6 Million Steps for Kids to benefit four charitable organizations serving youth and
young adults: REMAR Children’s Home and School in El Salvador; Street Fraternity, a mentoring
program for 14- to 25-year-old males from refugee families living in Denver; Episcopal Relief &
Development; and the Episcopal Church in Colorado’s various children’s programs.
His estimated eight-and-a-half-month, 3,600-mile journey begins in Charleston, where he grew up, and
will cross South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and,
eventually, California. He and his parish decided together that, rather than make the journey as St.
Ambrose’s rector, Munson would resign and make the journey on his own. He thought about delaying his
journey until he’s eligible to retire in four years but decided against it.
For others, he asks: “Is there something God has put on your heart? Are you going after it? What
are you telling yourself about that thing? Is God calling you to do it? Are you going to get to the end
of your life and say, ‘I didn’t do that thing I was really supposed to do’?”
February 2019
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THE GIFTS OF MARY We remember Mary as a symbol of a life surrendered to God; she said Yes. She is the author and first
member of the Christian Church. The baby within Mary was received as perfect Creation. She nurtures
her son in Tenderness as he becomes the teacher, rabbi, master and lord. She gives Him to the world as an
Offering with no limitation or ownership.
CREATION
Mary is often depicted in the East with her hands lifted up in prayer, Mary of the
Orans. In this context Mary represents surrender, a feminine “be it done unto me”,
“thy kingdom come”, “it is finished” etc. Mary, the mother of God spoke little,
loved much and received the fire of God in her womb. Such a teaching! This is
where our love of God and creation begins, and by grace we realize it happens
within each and every one of us as well. Mary was granted the awareness of love
conceived and born through her. She houses an ongoing interior conversation and
connection to the divine spirit created within. Mary was granted the awareness of
something fantastically created within and through the awareness a life of prayer
was born.
TENDERNESS
We have been designed by God to love and be loved. Mary of Tenderness is
depicted always cheek to cheek with her son, as an ideal image and model for
loving. St. Augustine wrote; “Love and do what you will. If you are silent, keep
silent by love, if you pardon, pardon with love’ . Mary is constant loving
tenderness, the kind we might strive for in all we do, think and say. Mary of
tenderness represents our interior world, and how we love the exterior world; the
love we express for another and creation. She is the ideal example to explore the
limits of our capacity to love. There are more attributes assigned to Mary than
any other image. Mary of the Light, Mary of Mercy, Mary of the Immaculate
Conception, Mary who births the Wonder Worker, Mary Queen of Heaven, along
with; Mary of Good Council, Mary of Graces, Mary of Help, Mary of Health and
Mary of Success. She is actively loving in all of them.
OFFERING
Christ was created in Mary, she nurtured that creation through constant
tenderness, and finally she gives that creation, she owned and loved, away. Christ
sits in her arms as she offers him to us, she gives the son she has taught. Mary
does not hold back or try to control what has been given to her. She does not
control the way He will be received. Although flesh and spirit became one in her
and she cannot keep it as her own but has to offer it to the world. Mary is the one
who gives the very thing to the world she loves the most, her son! We are
encouraged to follow suit; we are called to give away what we have created
before we die, before it is taken from us. It is all on loan for our benefit, not to be
kept but rather to benefit the world. Offer back to the world freely all your
knowledge, time, talent, resources, etc.
Mary is a great symbol for learning how to be in the world. There is a beginning, middle and end to the
Mary journey. We receive Him in mystery, created in us as He was in Mary, we nurture His presence with
tenderness in our life through love and finally, we are called to release our life long efforts as an offering
to the world.
Mary Jane Miller is a self-taught icon painter with over 25 years of experience.
February 2019
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The Messenger The Messenger is the monthly newsletter of Christ Episcopal Church, Williamsport,
in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.
The Rev. Veronica Donohue Chappell Mr. Kyle Murphy, Lay Pastor
570:322:8160 [email protected]
We Worship Sunday: Holy Eucharist Rite, 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday: Holy Eucharist with Healing, 10:00 a.m.
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The Three Kings: Ryan, Gabe, Harry Our beautiful Christmas altar
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