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Table of Contents
Program.....................................................................................................................................................4
Our Shared Ministry ................................................................................................................................ 5
Senior Warden ..........................................................................................................................................6
WORSHIP DISCIPLESHIP OUTREACH ........................................................................................7
Stewardship ...............................................................................................................................................8
Altar Guild ..............................................................................................................................................10
Other Lay Ministries .............................. .11
Lectors and Intercessors .......................................................................................................................11
Ushers and Greeters ..............................................................................................................................12
Eucharistic Visitors ................................................................................................................................12
Hospitality ...............................................................................................................................................12
Prayer Circle............................................................................................................................................13
Transport.................................................................................................................................................13
United Thank Offering .........................................................................................................................13
U Stream .................................................................................................................................................13
Bread Makers ..........................................................................................................................................14
Coffee Hour ...........................................................................................................................................14
Booklet Folders ......................................................................................................................................15
House Call Assistance ...........................................................................................................................15
Food Bank...............................................................................................................................................16
Fresh Produce Sundays .........................................................................................................................16

Betty Chinn St. Josephs Ministry to the Homeless ...........................................................................16

Foster Kids Initiative (TFI)...................................................................................................................17
Bowl for Kids .........................................................................................................................................18
9:15 Sunday Fora ....................................................................................................................................18
Episcopal Church Women ....................................................................................................................22
Postulancy ...............................................................................................................................................22
Diaconate ................................................................................................................................................23
Saints Martha and Mary Mission .........................................................................................................26
Music and Arts Camp............................................................................................................................27
Camp Living Waters ..............................................................................................................................28
Cinema Chat ...........................................................................................................................................31
Junior Warden Report ...........................................................................................................................33
Priests Discretionary Fund...................................................................................................................34
Music Program......................................................................................................................... 35
Finance ....................................................................................................................................................38
Budget Summary 2015 ..........................................................................................................................39
Budget Detail 2015 ................................................................................................................................40
Financial Statements 2014 Final...........................................................................................................44

Note: This is by no means an exhaustive report; there are a number of important

ministries for which various constraints have meant that there is no timely report
available; it is meant, however, to be representative of the depth and reach of the various
activities of members of Christ Church in attempting to live in the way of Christ.

Celebration of Ministry
and
the presentation of the
Sharing Our Treasures Budget and Annual Meeting
Christ Episcopal Church
Eureka CA
January 25, 2015

Opening Prayer and Welcome

Introduction of the Vestry 2015

LunchOutgoing Vestry

Reflection on the Past Year

Our Vision for 2015

Presentation of the Budget Determined by the Vestry

Distribution of Ballots and Election of the Vestry

Election of Delegates to the Diocesan Convention

Dessert\Coffee

Announcement of the Elected Vestry and Delegates

Closing Prayer

Vestry Meeting

The Rev. Dr. Susan Armstrong

Lyn Klay, Senior Warden
Helen Hui
Lyn Klay, Senior Warden
Gail Freeman

The Rev. Dr. Susan Armstrong

Staff
Bishop of the Diocese of Northern California
Priest in Charge
Associate Priest
Deacon
Deacon
Music Director
Altar Guild Director

The Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner

The Rev. Dr. Susan J. Armstrong
The Rev. Lesley McCloghrie
The Rev. Sister Diana Doncaster
The Rev. Nancy Streufert
Merry Phillips
Katherine Clague

The Vestry
Senior Warden
Lyn Klay
Junior Warden
Barry Ross
Clerk
Lynne Bean
Treasurer
Bob Hines
Class of 2014
Julia Lawson
Paul Gossard
Margo Fassio
Helen Hui

Class of 2015
Lynne Bean
Barry Ross
Katherine Clague

Class of 2016
Bob Rex
Gail Freeman
Beth Powell
Lyn Klay

Our Shared Ministry, 2015

I am amazed at how much we have done and of course humbled
by how much we have yet to do! Please read this report with care. Some
highlights:

We are in good financial shape, thanks to the generosity of our

members.

Yet our aging building presents some formidable challenges.

We expanded our outreach to our local community by joining our

efforts with those of the Nazarene Church in The Forgotten Initiative, providing
support for foster children and the families who foster them.

Several of our parishioners have begun to contribute regular hours at the Betty Chinn
Center.

Thanks to Jeff Sellars, the Cinema Chat continues monthly, providing the opportunity to
view spiritually important films.

Last spring we enjoyed some new Holy Week observances, which provided significant
opportunities for worship.

Two transitional deacons were ordained and have alternated at the altar each week.

The 9:15 Forum has presented opportunities for appreciation of the visual arts. Last
spring we studied how Jesus has been portrayed historically and in our own times, and
Sanford shared his experience as a painter.

Sr. Diana and I team-taught Living our Faith. Two parishioners were confirmed and
19 reaffirmed their confirmation vows.

Our two camps continue to be a success, attracting children to music and arts, and to the
outdoors.

We continued to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters who needed support due to
illness or surgery.

I am very grateful to join you as we live our faith together!

Mother Susan

Senior Warden
What a difference two years has made. In late 2012 the
resignation of Fr. Ron Griffin was received. In 2013, the Rev. Dr.
Susan Armstrong was selected as priest-in-charge of our
congregation, Doug Moorehead retired and Merry Phillips was
hired as Music Director.
This past year, with the guidance of Mtr. Susan and the
invaluable assistance of the Rev. Lesley McCloghrie, with our
deacons, the Rev. Nancy Streufert and the Rev. Sister Diana
Doncaster, Christ Church is strong and healthy. The Stewardship
Campaign chaired by Sanford Pyron, along with the tireless work
of Kathy Clague and Beth Powell, has been a solid success.
In September 2014, the vestry and other church leaders participated in a Mutual Ministry
Review lead by the Rev. Canon Britt Olson. The top identified items of importance for the year
were finances, clergy (ministry and growth new clergy), art and music camp, music program, and
open communication between vestry, clergy and parishioners. The four top priorities identified
for this year are: Vision & Identity, Commitment to Coordinated Outreach, Building & Grounds
Plan, and Music Program. An ongoing effort of the vestry is to identify themselves and be
available to the congregation.
Besides the ongoing operational work of the vestry, we have been reading the book People of
the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity by Dwight J. Zscheile. Each month a vestry member has
reviewed a chapter and presented it for discussion. At the retreat in February, the vestry will
begin discussing the book Rebuilt: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, Making Church Matter, by
Michael White & Tom Corcoran.
The loss of Sister Alice Reid has been profound to the vestry. Until her health prevented it, at
the beginning of each vestry meeting she led us with a prayer. Her thoughtful and insightful
observations and her deep faith helped to keep us on track. We were blessed to have her presence
on the vestry for the time she (and God) gave us.
There are four members leaving the vestry that I would like to thank: Margo Fassio, Paul
Gossard, Helen Hui and Julia Lawson. I am grateful for their commitment to their work the past
three years and for their support to the church and to the vestry.
I am grateful to God for the honor to have served as your senior warden this past year. If I
have the privilege to be senior warden again this year, I ask for your support to myself and to all
members of your vestry.
Lyn Klay, Senior Warden

WORSHIP
DISCIPLESHIP
OUTREACH

Stewardship Sharing Our Treasures

"Stewardship" for our congregation means to take good care of all of the gifts that God
has given us and to use them in ways that would be pleasing to Him. We are Stewards for our congregation and our community that we live in by making sure that we share what we have with all
who seek Christ, the knowledge of the Holy word and Christian fellowship.
All of us at Christ Church have been touched by the gift of good Stewardship. Our pledges
keep the doors open and the lights on to do God's work within the walls of our church. The faith
in God that we share brings us hope for a better future and gives us momentum to reach out into
our community to share the spirit of God with those who wish for it and need it.
The mission of Christ Church is to share the love of God and the knowledge of Jesus in a
loving, accepting and nonjudgmental environment, and we have seen an increase in membership
this year. God is good and we want to share Him with others.
Our pledges began coming in this year well before the Vestry had its annual budget meeting. This is a huge help to our Vestry because they are able to make decisions on how best to
share and use the gifts God has given us to the Glory of God and the betterment of our community.
We had a 99.5 percent participation by those who could contribute with their Time, Treasure and Talent. From October 30 through to the end of December, we went from $157,000 in
pledge commitments to $210,526. with 89 pledges. We are doing much in our community with all
that God has given us with the faith that our congregation has in the mission of Christ Church.
We are not only taking good care of our own congregation's needs but we are able to help people
in our community who need
help.
All of the ministries
that we do at Christ Church
are poured out with love and
genuine Christian spirit. We
are Walking the Talk by doing all that we do all year
round with, as a few examples: The Betty Chinn projects, St. Vincent DePaul donations of fresh produce,
Pastoral Care, the summer
Music and Arts program,
Camp Living Waters, UStream and many more ministries.
"Job well done" to you! Thank you for all that you do.

Images from the 2014 Stewardship Dinner

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Altar Guild
We are blessed
to have a fine group of experienced people helping with
the Altar Guild, some of
whom have been participating
in the Christ Church Altar
Guild since 1945. The Altar
Guild sets up for Sunday services as well as baptisms,
weddings and funerals. Some
of the more skilled are experts at washing and ironing
the linens, from the small Purificators that cover the chalice to the Fair Linens that
span the Altar.
First and foremost I wish to thank the ladies & one fine gentleman of our current Altar
Guild; [1st Sunday of the month] Elizabeth H-L, Gwynn Connell, and Jeanne Fish, [2nd Sunday]
Eris McCarthy and Irene Hannaford, [3rd Sunday] is maintained by Sara Hines, Susan Whaley,
and Katherine Clague. Sara and I also man the 5th Sunday if it occurs in the month. [4th Sunday
of the month] is Marty and Dan Vega (please note how that Eagle shines thanks to Dan) and the
other longtime member of the guild, Mary McNelis (who is often assisted by Beth Powell). What
a wonderful team of devoted volunteers. You may not know what all we do since we are behind
the scenes, setting up for all our worship services. As we come into the new year, we will welcome anyone who feels they too would like to be a part of our team (we do train).
Elizabeth Harper-Lawson is the 'Flower Lady' for our church. It is she who has called to
remind people, and most of the time, she also procures the flowers to the donor's wishes and is
responsible for making our beautiful flower arrangements. But I must mention that Lyn and Anna Klay have graciously given their talent and expertise in arranging our Christmas and Easter displays, along with the assistance of Anne Van Zandt who is also very instrumental at these occasions. And this past Easter Season we had the creative, wonderful talent of Thomas Swanger!!!
(an Altar Guild member-at-large, what a wonderful and truly gifted man). I want to add our
thanks for the efforts of Steve Cole, who, most Sundays, makes sure that the chancel is arranged
after the service and whatever furnishings have been moved are restored to their places.
It is Elizabeth Harper-Lawson whom you should contact (at 707-445-1726) if you wish to
give flowers for any given Sundaywe still have openings for giving and we can arrange dates

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which are meaningful to you. Please check with Elizabeth or me and we will try to accommodate
your wishes. You may want to 'team-up' with someone else to cover the cost. We usually request
a contribution of $50 dollars toward the flowers, never knowing what the actual cost will be for
that given Sunday. Any excess funds go toward the 'flower' fund (please note on your check that it
is going to flowers on the memo-line, that really helps with bookkeeping).
I can't thank all these wonderful people enough for all of their help to make your worshipping experience the best, most meaningful it can be!!
Thank you
Katherine Clague

Other Lay Ministries

Lectors and Intercessors
Not everyone who goes to church reads the Bible, so what they hear read on Sunday may be the
only Bible they know. It is important that they hear and understand what is read. Thats what the
ministry of being a Lector is all about. The task is both simple and complex, because as Scripture
is read out loud, it is being presented to the congregation to help edify and enlighten listeners. An
Intercessor verbally expresses the Prayers of the People, adds specific written prayer requests, and
elicits additional concerns from the congregation.
A well-read lesson or Prayers of the People may enhance and deepen someones experience of
worship. We need people who enjoy reading out loud and helping others understand the Word of
the Lord, at both services, but especially at our early one. If youd like to try reading just one time,
Id love to arrange that for you.
Marty Vega 443-9782
MJV523@RENINET.COM
Marty Vega
The Rev. Nancy Streufert
Sanford Pyron
Susan Whaley

Lectors and Intercessors

Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers
Announcers
Ushers and Greeters

Elizabeth Harper-Lawson

Eucharistic Visitors

Vickie Patton
Lynne Bean
Bob Hines

Nursery and Sunday School

Coffee Hour
Contribution Counters

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Usher/Greeters Annual Report for 2014

The Ushers/Greeters continued to serve our congregation very well during 2014. We currently
have an excellent group of 23 Usher/Greeters who do a wonderful job each week: welcoming parishioners and visitors, and making sure that the offering and communion run smoothly. We added four new ushers/greeters during August and held a training in September to train the new
members and learn some new procedures.
Being an Usher/Greeter is a great way to serve the church. We would be very happy to have more
church members take part. We often need Ushers/Greeters for special services so both 8:00 a.m.
and 10:30 a.m. attendees can sign up. Please join us! To volunteer or learn more, please contact
Susan Whaley at 7074452924 or s_whaley@sbcglobal.net.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Whaley, coordinator

Eucharistic Visiting
Currently a team of five people is trained and available to take Holy Communion out after Sunday
Services to people who are unable to attend our services due to sickness or mobility difficulties.
We greatly appreciate the prayers of the congregation at the end of each service that send us out
with blessing and a reminder that we are all part of the body of Christ. Participating in this ministry is a great joy. If you are interested in participating as a Eucharistic Visitor, please contact
Mother Susan.
Potential Eucharistic Visitors are seen by the Parish Commission on Ministry, go through a period
of training, and receive background checks as required by the diocese. If you feel Eucharistic Visiting is something you might wish to pursue, please see Mother Susan.
If you would like the Eucharist brought to you in the hospital or your home, or you know someone who might, please contact Elizabeth Harper-Lawson or the church office.
Elizabeth Harper-Lawson

Hospitality
Beth Powell and I share hospitality duties. She writes notes to those who sign the guest book
with an address and I keep the welcome bags filled. We try to write welcome letters to those who
sign the guest book leaving an address. But I think the entire congregation is the welcome committee as everyone is so friendly and courteous to all visitors.
Irene Hannaford

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Prayer Circle
Prayer "Is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings." St. John Chrysostom
The Prayer Circle is an opportunity to request prayer for yourself or others. It also provides a
chance to pray for others. Prayer requests can be sent by email or by phone to Elizabeth HarperLawson or the church office. There is also a book where one can write requests. It is located on
the shelf under the icon of Jesus in the sanctuary.
To receive emails in order to participate in praying, please contact Elizabeth or the church office.
The prayer circle welcomes prayer requests. The only stipulation is permission from the person
being prayed for. Please be in contact if you would like to add a prayer to the circle or if you
would like to join the group of people praying.
Elizabeth Harper-Lawson

Transport
Members and friends of Christ Church are grateful to have rides to Sunday Services and other
church events. A goodly number of people are already involved in this ministry. We still have
openings for people to assist with transporting people, especially from Timber Ridge, to our Sunday Services. If you would like to help on a monthly basis, or give the occasional ride, please let
me know.
With appreciation on the part of those being given rides,
Elizabeth Harper-Lawson

United Thank Offering

Christ Church had a very successful ingathering of $739.57 for the United Thank Offering during
2014! The Blue UTO box is a simple coin bank that is a constant reminder to help us remember
to count our many blessings. The money becomes an outward and visible offering of thanksgiving that is combined with donations throughout the Episcopal Communion and used in the distribution of grants to support mission and ministry, both in our diocese and others. At Christ
Church our ingathering traditionally takes place on Ascension Sunday in the late spring.
Peg Gardner, UTO Coordinator

UStream ministry
Our UStream Ministry reaches around the Globe every Sunday 10:30 a.m. PST.

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What is UStream you might ask?

It is a Website we log into and utilize to Broadcast our 10:30 a.m. Sunday Services, Special Services
and Events, such as Concerts.
"Wow, that is incredible!"
Yes it is. UStream is an instant, far-reaching way for our church to connect with a broad community. We are sending the Word of God out into Cyberspace for anyone in the whole World to see.
"Anyone, anywhere?"
Yes it is true, Soldiers in Afghanistan can watch and pray along with us as we worship. You can be
in San Diego and tune in to us and watch and join in prayer right when we are doing it. For example, the service for Sister Alice was broadcast and people in the Ohio Mother House were able to
tune in and be with us as we were having her Memorial Service.
UStream is an incredible ministry that we do every Sunday at 10:30 a.m., and it is very easy to do;
we simply plug the computer in to a few things, turn it on and start the broadcast. If you can turn
on your Television you can tune the world into our church services.
In 2015 we would like to make sure that we have enough volunteers to cover the Broadcast of all
of our services, Special events and any concerts that may come up.
We need a few more Volunteers to help.
Please help us to reach out to the World.
You may contact any of the UStream Ministry Group to ask questions, see a demo, and see about
"Signing On":
Rex White, Paul Gossard, Marty Vega and Sanford Pyron.

Bread Makers
Thanks to our loyal bread makers we have kept the supply going throughout 2014. Sadly, our
numbers are downfrom thirteen when Charlotte Griffin gave us the recipe and showed us how
to make the breadto four of us: Gail Freeman, Irene Hannaford, Marita Musante and myself.
Not many folks make bread these daysits a great thing to do and so if anyone would like to try I
would be happy for them to join our group.
Mary McNelis

Coffee hour coordinator

Serving as Coffee Hour Host this past year has been a great way to get to know everyone ( and the
kitchen) at Christ Church. With the help of too many wonderful people to name, (you know who
you are) we provided "great food" which enabled joyous fellowship after the 10:30 service every

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Sunday. The Hospitality team also planned and implemented other special occasions including the
Easter Brunch, and the reception for Sister Diana's ordination to the Transitional Deaconate. We
are all very excited to be facilitating Deacon Nancy's Ordination to the Priesthood reception on
January 31. Due to other responsibilities, I am passing this very worthwhile ministry on to Lynne
Bean who graciously offered to accept.
A special thank you to everyone who helped make this ministry such a success! We are truly
blessed.
Lin Chase

Folders
If you can fold and staple it takes just over an hour to fold the Sunday booklet (if there are less
than one hundred)so on a Friday, Barry has them all printed and if you have an hour to spare,
come to the office!!
Holidays are a challenge but with the help of Susan Whaley, Helen Hui, Julia Lawson, Gail Freeman and Katherine Clague, we came through.
Mary McNelis

House Call Assistance

House call assistance came to my attention when I had knee replacement surgery in Feb. of 2014.
I found myself in dire need of meals, clergy, and Eucharistic visitation. Christ Church shined on
with assistance. However, I found that there really wasnt a standing committee ready to be called
upon. I volunteered to be the contact person. After receiving such kindness, volunteers began to
call me to sign up. There was a need and God answered. When dear Sister Alice was undergoing
so much, our committee jumped to help. We made arrangements to have meals delivered twice a
week as requested. Sister Diana was informed of who would be delivering meals and on what
days. I encouraged her to contact the meal person if a change occurred in needs as well as for the
delivery person to contact Sister Diana to verify a time of delivery. We carried this out for a couple of months and things went rather smoothly.
When we are asked for assistance, we check to see if special diets are needed. The congregation
has been informed of services to be provided and directed to call Christ Church office. Barry will
in turn contact me. After assessing needs, phone calls are made to assistants. I am very happy to
report that there are now 10 volunteers giving lovingly through Christ. Thank you to everyone
who contributes. Regards,
Julia Lawson

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Food Bank
I have volunteered at Food for People for about 5 years. I volunteer three hours on Wednesday.
During the summer I help with the Produce Day and other days when asked. Over this time I
have met hundreds of clients, and have made friends with many of them over the years.
Because of this I was pleased to begin stopping by to take the donated food from the church every week. In the two months I have been taking food to them we have given about 65 pounds;
over the last year, from the incomplete records we have, we have donated a few hundred pounds
of non-perishable foodstuffs to Food for People.
Bev Olson

Fresh Produce Sundays

Hooray for all who have donated produce to St. Vincents Dining Room!
Ive kept track of the types, weights, and amounts of produce over the year that weve donated
and its pretty awesome: 1,000 pounds. Thats rightwe donated a half a ton of produce to St. Vinnys last year. Here is a list of the most predominant items:
Potatoes267 lbs.
Oranges216 lbs.
Carrots161 lbs.
Apples129 lbs.
Bananas47 lbs.
Cabbage-46 lbs.
Onions28 lbs.
Parishioners added interest to St. Vinnys meals with all sorts of produce: avocados, raisins, yams,
plums, brussel sprouts, celery, squash, pineapple, corn, cucumbers, melonsyou name it. The staff
at St. Vinnys was always thankful when I showed up with a delivery, and Im sure they look forward to our continued and most generous support.
Rene Ross

Betty Chinn St. Joes Food Ministry for the Homeless

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick,
and the lonely . . . You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the
world. These words come from the diaconal ordination liturgy in the examination part of the
service, when the Bishop addresses the ordinands in the imperative: what as deacons we are promising to do in service to our Lord.

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Twelve parishioners at Christ Church are

now helping Betty Chinn in her nighttime
outreach ministry to the poor and hungry
in our community: Julie Cairns, Gwynn
Connell, Fiona Endsley and daughter Sally,
Pam and Paul Gossard, John Hammond,
Elizabeth Harper-Lawson, Laura Julian,
Stephanie and Jake Schultz, and Deacon
Nancy Streufert. After the cafeteria at St.
Joseph Hospital closes each evening at 7:30
p.m., we take turns (in pairs) packing up
the leftover food from the day that would
otherwise be discarded. Then we transport it to Bettys kitchen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
on Myrtle Avenue where she creates individual servings and distributes them to those in need that
same night. Its as simple as that, and takes less than an hour with two people!
Betty can use our help every night of the week except Wednesdays and Saturdays. Not only do we
give her a little break so she can spend more time at her Day Center, we help ease her back problems that are exacerbated by lifting buckets of soup and in wheeling the cart down the ramp at St.
Joes.
To grow this ministry into a viable and sustainable one, we need your help so no one gets burned
out. Can you take one night a week? every other week? once a month? Can you fill in as a substitute? Let Deacon Nancy know.
Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? . . . Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one
of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Matt 25:37,40)
The Rev. Nancy Streufert

Foster Kids in Humboldt County - The Forgotten Initiative (TFI)

This brand-new partnership for Christ Church is opening new opportunities to reach out to foster kids and foster families in Humboldt County. Responding to an invitation and presentation
from Dale Maples and Janelle Harris and others at the Nazarene Church, a group met to discover
ways to support the foster care community. We began by providing backpacks for journey bags,
diapers, and some outgrown children's clothing. Then during December we enjoyed shopping for
38 pairs of pajamas for kids from newborn through teens, so those transitioning to foster care
would have new pajamas as they moved in with their new foster families. Discussions are underway for moving forward during 2015 by providing a monthly program for foster kids and respite

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for foster parents. Watch for updates and ways in which you can be a part of this ministry during
the coming year!
The Rev. Nancy Streufert and Peg Gardner

Bowl for Kids

Christ Church parishioners have been supporting North Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters since
1999. It is an important outreach with all funds staying in our community. Even through the recent recession, Christ Church support has continued to grow. In 2013, we raised $990 and in
2014, we raised $1070. The church sponsors a team of 6+ bowlers who collect donations from
friends, family and all of you in the month before the event, so even if you aren't a bowler (not
many of us are...just this once a year) we depend on your generous support. The team goal is
$1200 which funds one match of a "Big and Little" for a year. Let's make this the year we reach
that goal! The Bowl for Kids' Sake event this year is March 6 and 7th and the theme this year is
"Jungle Bowl." It is lots of fun, team incentives, with costumes optional and we only bowl for
one hour (scores are not important), so consider joining the team! (Save Sat., March 7 at 12:45
tentatively.)
Anne Van Zandt

9:15 Forum
Topics of last years 9:15 Forum included: January/Februarya presentation on psalms followed
by a talk on church music two weeks later by Mother Lesley. Closing out February, Sister Alice
spoke about Walking in the Grace of Spiritual Discipline.
March/AprilLent talks started with a history of Lent by Mother Susan followed by Sr. Diana,
Katherine Clague and Sanford presenting on Images of Jesus and Visio Divina.
May/JuneMother Susan talked about Mary, the mother of Jesus.
July/AugustCamp Living Waters was the subject of the first talk in July followed by three sessions devoted to church music given by Merry Phillips.
September/OctoberMother Susan led talks about
the language of worship and later, angels.
November/DecemberDavid Toy started out November with a talk on sages of different religions

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A few of the fora from 2014

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followed by the ongoing study group sessions regarding the Gospel of Mark led by Mother Susan and John Hammond.
Rene Ross

Gardening Group
During 2014, a number of members of the congregation gathered together for workdays
to take care of our grounds and buildings. We had fun and fellowship working in the garden in
the sunshine, but there were a few days of "mizzle" (a mix of mist and drizzle). Many of the garden areas were cleaned, pruned and weeded. Large loads of greenery were taken to the greenwaste at the dump.
Another time we cleaned up the basement under Lewis Hall. All items we couldn't use
were re-purposed. Loads were taken to St. Vincent de Paul's, to Tail Waggers, or to the Discovery
Shop. We cleaned up and organized our tool storage and workshop areas. The small storage shed
that was falling down behind Lewis Hall was removed and items of use to us were moved to the
basement for safe storage.
Plans for 2015 are to continue to share the laughter and fellowship while maintaining our
beautiful campus. Let our community see the Glory of Christ in the pride we have in taking care
of God's House, our church.
Please feel free to contact Sanford Pyron or Beth Powell for your continued participation.
Look for the Gardening Group work Schedule in the Chronicle and on the Bulletin Board in
Lewis Hall.
Sanford Pyron

Quilters +
Aim
To gather together women from our parish who are quilters, needlewomen, knitters, beaders, crocheters along with those who may wish to learn to quilt on the first Wednesday of each month.
All quilting material and instructions are supplied. We are united in friendship, a love of our
church and a need for fellowship.
Membership
Currently we are: Jeanne Fish; Peg Gardner; Irene Hannaford; Sara Hines; Beth Powell; Joan
Stewart; Jill Stover and Belinda Zander.
Brenda Glyn-Williams, Helen Hui, Julia Larsen, Elizabeth H-Lawson, Mary McNelis and Rene
Ross join us when their schedules permit.
Action
We produce lap prayer quilts from cotton fabric donated to us and backed with fleece which we
purchase. These quilts are given to members of our parish who are in the hospital, recovering
from surgery or are undergoing a long recovery period. Quilts for parish members

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are placed on the altar rail and blessed by Mtr. Susan during a Sunday
service. Surplus quilts are given to patients undergoing chemotherapy by St. Joseph Hospital. We
have an understanding with the Pink Ladies that they will pay for our purchased fleece when presented with the receipts and a bill is submitted. A printed label is sewn on the quilt explaining it
was made by the ladies Christ Church.
Finances
We receive no funds from Christ Church. Our current treasury balance is $20.97. We are awaiting
payment of $125.51 for fleece purchased for quilts and delivered to St. Joseph Hospital during
2014.
Distribution
One blessed quilt each was delivered to Julia Larson, Mirjam Benneker Mion, Shirley Armstrong,
Sister Alice Reid, George Bermudez, Cindy Shepard, Susanne Kellawan, Jackie Hubbard, Anna
Klay and Lee Albright. We delivered 23 quilts to St Joseph Hospital during 2014.
We encourage new members and appreciate the support and appreciation of our efforts by fellow
church members.
Joan H. Stewart, quilter

Marvin Davis - News from Liberia

What's new with Marvin? Marvin is under contract to ActionAid Liberia as the Program Manager
for Youth and Urban Poverty and works with all the major youth groups in Liberia at both the
community and national level. He is also a pro bono lecturer in the Master's program in Conflict
Transformation at the University of Liberia. He's been on the frontlines with ActionAid's efforts
to combat the ebola virus. The latest reports are much more encouraging than they were for several months.
After serving for nine months in an interim position, Marvin's wife Nyanda has been appointed by
President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to be Director for Passports and Visas in the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. Nyanda holds a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance from Cuttington
University. She has been accepted by George Washington University to work toward an MA in
Project Management beginning in August. The Liberian government has agreed to fund tuition
and living expenses, but wants Nyanda to postpone enrollment until 2016. A final decision has
not yet been made about the postponement.
Lyndon is now a busy 17-month old toddler. He is growing up quickly. Family photos are on the
bulletin board in Lewis Hall.
Marvin and Nyanda continue to express their gratitude for the support and prayers by the members of Christ Church. Both are actively reaching out to help move their country forward after the

22

devastating years of civil war and recent ebola epidemic. May we continue stay in touch and to
support them with our prayers.
Peg Gardner

Episcopal Church Women

In 2014, ECW welcomed a wide selection of talented presenters to its monthly potluck luncheons.
The year opened with a musical offering given by
Jeanne Fish and Lois Gossard. In February, Brenda
Glyn-Williams, spoke about quilting and in the following months, Betty Chinn spoke about her Day
Center services in March; and ceramic artist, Laura
Rose, gave a presentation on her work in April.
In May, ECW hosted the Eureka Rescue Mission
Auxiliary lunch. In June, diaconal aspirants, Nancy Streufert, Pam Gossard, and Anne Pierson
provided insight regarding their efforts along the way to becoming deacons. In September, Sr. Diana spoke about her experiences as a summer chaplain at a hospital in the Sacramento Valley and
in October, Linda Parkinson, from the Humboldt Wildlife Care Center, brought live raptors to her
presentation.
The year was rounded out in November with a talk
by Sandy Shultz who gave an update on her activities with Sandys Kids in Honduras.
It should be noted that Helen Person acted as
chaplain for most of the years meetings--opening
the gatherings with a meditation.
Throughout the year, ECW gave pro-active support
for many Outreach Ministries-- Betty Chinn's projects, Food Bank, UTO, Lenten Socks Project, Foster Kids in Humboldt County (TFI), pastoral meals,
quilting, and Marvin Davis.
Rene Ross, Joan Stewart, and Peg Gardner

Postulancy and The Path Toward Becoming a Deacon

Postulancy has been a time of formation through learning via book and experience and being taken out of my comfort zone as I learn more about both my strengths and weaknesses. It is a humbling, affirming and at all times a challenging time as I learn and grow toward becoming, with your
help, a deacon in the church.

23

This year I completed Year 1 at the School for Deacons in May and decided to attend Year 2 (of a
3 year program) which started with the Fall Semester this past August through mid-December of
2014. At this moment, 1/19/15, the beginning of the Year 2 Spring Semester for the School for
Deacons is only 4 days away. Yes, we will be in Berkeley and will miss being able to attend the Annual Meeting. As have been past semesters, this will be a time of intense study with little time for
recreation and will complete my time of study at the school.
For Field Education, a school requirement, I have been in three different learning environments
this past year. From the beginning of 2014 through June 8th I continued to serve at St. Albans
in Arcata, learning the role of Deacon in the liturgy and, with a hard working team, created a Disaster Preparedness Plan for the parish. In July I traveled to Sewanee, Tennessee, to be trained as a
chaplain in a disaster. Then, after having returned home to Christ Church in August, I started a
program of Outreach Ministry in September where I held hour long meetings on Mondays looking at outreach ministry, what it is and isnt, and inviting Silent Servers to share their experiences of service in the community. Now, as of December 8th, I am working at the Betty Kwan
Chinn Day Center two days a week (Mondays and Tuesdays 1-5) spending the first two hours
each work day at the main desk greeting people, checking for clients mail, answering the
phone, or doing computer entry and the remaining two hours working with the children (K
6) attending the after school program. I help the children with their homework (a challenge particularly when needing to remember parts of a sentence, something I never excelled at and have
long since forgotten!), and they teach me games when their homework is completed.
Thank you for your love and support - it is so very important to me in this time of formation and
continued discernment. Please keep me in your prayers as I go before both the Diocesan Commission on Ministry (CoM) and the Standing Committee this coming February 19th and
20th. Thank you.
Anne Pierson

Bishop Ordains Four Transitional Deacons

(Merry Phillips wrote this originally for the Diocesan newsletter, In and Around Our Diocese)
On Saturday, June 28, 2014, the Rt.
Rev. Barry L. Beisner ordained four
transitional deacons at Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento. In the presence of
God, clergy, family and friends, each
new Deacon was examined and consecrated by the Bishop. Each Ordinand,
David Cohen (St. Michaels, Alturas),
Randy Alan Knutson (Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento), Sarah Quinney (St.
Augustine of Canterbury, Rocklin) and

24

Nancy Streufert (Christ Church, Eureka), undertook their own separate and unique journeys to
this special day, and through a process of loving and faithful discernment, answered Gods call in
their lives.
Pictured here, from left to right, on the day of ordination are: the Rev. Lewis Powell; the Rev.
David Cohen; the Rev. Nancy Streufert; Bishop Beisner; the Rev. Sara Quinney; the Rev. Randy
Knutson; and the Very Rev. Dr. Brian Baker, Dean of Trinity, Sacramento.
Together, David, Sarah, Randy, and Nancy shared the experience of pilgrimage to the Holy Land
with Bishop Beisner in January. Now, after sharing this special Ordination to the transitional deaconate, each will continue on a separate journey to ordination to the priesthood.
In his sermon, the Rev. Lewis Powell, Deacon at Emmanuel, Grass Valley, spoke about the genre
of jazz music. Just as jazz musicians display their solo talents within a group, following a designated structure for the music, these newly ordained deacons of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern
California will ...use their talents individually and in concert with others to the benefit of the disenfranchised in our world.
What are the unique talents and God-given gifts (the individual instruments) that these four individuals bring to the Church? David Cohen is a gifted comedian and a successful psychologist.
Nancy Streuferts love for music and passion for igniting the creative spark in underserved children inspires her to help them see the light and joy of Christ through music and the arts. Sarah
Quinneys career in music therapy, working with children and adults with developmental disabilities, helped define how she will use her gifts in answering her lifelong call to ordained ministry. As
a church music director, Randy Knutson has helped people to know Christ through music and
worship and his experience has provided him with the ability to lead others to do the same.
"No one after lighting a lamp
puts it in a cellar, but on the
lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. (Luke
11:33) Quoting from the Gospel
lesson for the day that was proclaimed by the Rev. Barbara Miller, recently ordained deacon
from the Episcopal Diocese of
El Camino Real, the Rev. Powell
exhorted our new deacons to
...go light your lamps, play your
music to the drumbeat of
Christs message of Love, and

25

form new and innovative bands to play great music.

They will not do so alone, but with the support of all present at the ordination service and the
members of their sponsoring churches, who have pledged to support them in their ministries,
with Gods help and under the direction provided by Christ for all ministries.

Sister Diana Doncaster Ordained

(Sister Diana wrote this originally for the Diocesan newsletter, In and Around Our Diocese)
Thinking back on my diaconal ordination last Thursday, October
2nd at Christ Church, Eureka, I am filled again with amazed
gratitude. That God would entrust me with a call to ordination,
that so many people have lovingly supported me throughout the
lengthy process, that so many people would work so hard and
generously to prepare, that so many others would come so far to
be part of the celebration and that I am now taking my first
steps as a transitional deacon all seem to me to be causes for
wonder and thanksgiving.
I am especially grateful to my Sisters in the Community of the
Transfiguration who were willing to walk with me through a
lengthy discernment process, to celebrate with me at every step
forward and to continue their support and love as I live into this
next stage of the journey. Having Sister Alice, who has lived with and patiently encouraged me
during my education and formation process; Sister Teresa, our Superior, and Sister Priscilla (whom
we believe to be the longest serving deacon in The Episcopal Church. She was a Deaconess first.),
all present was a wonderful gift. Two of our Oblates and many of our Associates were also present, which was an incredible joy. (The Rev. Sister Diana Doncaster is pictured here with Sister
Priscilla.)
Much of that evening is a blur. I got to the church early to take some quiet time for prayer before
the rehearsal and found the place bustling with people pouring out their love and enthusiasm in
making the church beautiful and the reception afterward joyous, delicious and visually delightful.
Bishop Beisner had taken the time to contact me several times in the days ahead even e-mailing
from Hong Kong to make sure that I was doing well and as prepared as its possible to be. I felt
well cared for. I was appreciative of his patient and efficient running of the rehearsal, and of the
Ven. Cookie Clarks good-humored presence and support.
The ordination service itself went by so quickly, with moments when time seemed to stop. Kneeling in front of Bishop Beisner, as we all prayed for the presence of the Holy Spirit; hearing the

26

powerful words of the prayers asking

God to make me a deacon; the honor
of being vested with the stole by Sister Priscilla and serving as a deacon at
the altar for the first time (with the
helpful, whispered guidance of the
Rev. Nancy Streufert) were all standout moments.
How my time as a transitional deacon
will work out is still a mystery to
which only God has the answer. I am
grateful to serve at Christ Church, Eureka and hope to volunteer at the local
hospital as a Chaplain and work to expand the No One Dies Alone program there. Beyond that, I
wait and live and serve one day at a time.

Saints Martha & Mary Episcopal Mission

Members and visitors attended weekly services with a total of 403 attendees for the year. First
and third Sundays have a Taiz service at 5 p.m. which includes Scripture reading, chanting, prayer,
and silences. Several local people who attend other churches in the morning come regularly to
Taiz. Second Sundays offer Holy Eucharist with Father Doug Thompson. Fourth Sundays are
Morning Prayer with sermons by Michael Burleson or Janine Volkmar, members and lay preachers. Fifth Sundays are by Duke Albright, preaching and leading.
Last Sundays of the month are also Pancake breakfast, hosted by the Trinidad Lions Club. Members of Saints M&M attend as a group, thus advertising our presence in the community. We have
an ongoing partnership with the Lions. Our Easter and Christmas collection plates have been designated for several years to support the Trinidad Lions Food Pantry, a monthly service to locals in
need.
Saints Martha & Mary is also an active participant in the Trindad Fish Festival, held on Fathers
Day since the 1950s. In past years we have had open house and art displays in the church, providing a quiet spot for Festivalgoers. This year we combined our annual rummage sale with the open
house and did remarkably well. Proceeds from the rummage sale were used for eleven $100 school
shoe and supply shopping trips for children in need, most from the Multiple Assistance Center,
but some identified as in need at the Christ Church summer arts camp. Excellent newspaper coverage brought support from people who didnt even buy thingsthey just came by to donate.
Our regular monthly potluck dinners, celebrating those who have birthdays in that month, provide
fellowship and an additional opportunity for the congregation to come together as a community.
Saints Martha & Mary: little but mighty in faith and action.

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Christ Church Music & Arts Camp 2014

The Christ Church campus came alive with the sound of childrens voices during the 2014 music
and arts camp held July 21 25, themed this year The Spark of Creation. Christ Church is beginning the sixth year of this outreach ministry that offers a morning summer day camp for children in the community entering the first through sixth grades. The children were divided into
three groups and rotated daily through classes taught by professional, experienced childrens music and art teachers in keyboards, drawing and painting, and group singing. On the final day of
camp, families and friends were invited to an open house to experience some of the childrens accomplishments, including a showing of their art work, followed by a festive barbecue to celebrate
the joy of the childrens creativity.
The mission of our camp ministry is to facilitate the process of awakening the creative spirit in
the children of our community in a safe and loving environment. Many of our kids each year
come from the Multiple Assistance Center (MAC) and the Eureka Rescue Mission. Besides generous donations from individual church members, major funding for the camp came from Redwood
Community Action Agency (RCAA) and Episcopal Community Services (ECS), a ministry of the
Episcopal Diocese of Northern California. ECS provides congregations in the diocese with mission development grants for health and social ministry programs in their local communities.
Check out the Christ Church Facebook page to see more pictures! For information in how you
can help for future camps with your time, talent, and treasure, contact Deacon Nancy Streufert.

Paul and Pam Gossard lead the children in group

singing: All Things Bright and Beautiful

28

Music and Arts Camp, continued

Keyboard teacher (and Christ Church organist) Merry Phillips

teaches the children about the organ, piano, and harpsichord
while teen helper Emily Hines looks on.

Group photo with the children in their hand-painted T-shirts

Camp Living Waters Report for

2014
This past year at Camp Living Waters was
focused on transition and journey. Our
theme was Journey into the Heart of
God, and we focused on the parables as a
way of trying to discern what might be most
important in Gods heart; love, service, forgiveness. We changed the week of camp to

29

the first week in August, and had the privilege of serving 22 campers with the indispensable help of eight counselors and 18
staff members.
Several folks took on new positions including Jeff Opine making a fantastic directorial
debut! Erin Scofield also stepped up and
shone as campfire director; Dena Lawrence
and Wren Gray-Reneberg rocked the Bible
study; Broderick Brown, Michael Scofield,
Linden Gray-Reneberg and Layla Valenzuela
teamed up beautifully as senior counselors
for the boys and girls respectively to support the counselors and help keep an eye on everyone.
Ben Hart and Cindy Woods took over the kitchen and
cooked healthy delicious meals for us all week; Jesseca
Armstrong led the outdoor activities rotation with enthusiasm and drive, and Thadious Hines-Ream helped
out as a young adult staff member.
Though we had a smaller camp this year it helped our
transitioning staff and lent the camp a very intimate feel.
We enjoyed our usual schedule of daily worship, crafts,
outdoor games, Bible study, swimming, free time and
campfire. One of our campers expressed a very important part of our camp spirit when she told
a staff member that she loves
coming to camp because she
can be herself there and people wont make fun of her because everyone is just as
weird. I want to thank our
visiting clergy for working together to cover the worship
and choose parables for us to
teach the kids: Rev. David
Shewmaker, Rev. Lesley
McCloghrie, Rev. Jeri GrayReneberg, Rev. Britt Olson and
Mother Susan Armstrong. We

30

Camp Living Waters, continued

very much appreciated the help of Sarah

Hines and Kathy Clague who came out
after camp and cleaned our well-used
kitchen, leaving it cleaner than we found
ityou were vital to our cleanup effort.
We look forward to doing more outreach
& advertising to include more campers in
our community next year, to our upcoming theme Journey into the World with
God, and possibly assisting the Cookson
Ranch to purchase a storage enclosure to
enable us to store our equipment on site.
We hope to get more cleanup volunteers
next year and can use help with recruiting.
Thank you to everyone who is involved in
camp, to the Diocese and our local parishes and organizations for their generous support, and
thank you to our incredible campers and
counselors for allowing us to serve you

and experience the love of Christ with

you!
Emily Armstrong Buck

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Cinema Chat
Cinema Chat is a monthly film viewing forum (occurring on the second Saturday of every month
at 6:00 p.m. at The Chapel of Our Merciful Savior). The forum is open to the public and offers
drinks, popcorn, and foodas well as door prizes. At each meeting, we watch a film and discuss it
after the viewing. We typically average around 15 viewers each meeting. This year we have frequently had 20-25 people show. We have had good responses from the surrounding area of Christ
Church, with frequent visitors from the immediate neighborhood. The discussions are far rangingfrom cinematic merits and elements, to narrative structures and meaning, to issues of philosophy and theology. We watch a wide variety of films (both old and new) with a wide range of
subject matter. We appreciate your support in this ongoing ministry. We hope this night continues
to grow in 2015.
Jeff Sellars

2014 Cinema Chat Films

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More 2014 Cinema Chat films

33

Junior Warden Report for 2014

[This is an addendum to the Annual Report and will be placed in that report]
Over the course of the year the following projects have been undertaken and either have been
completed or are still in some form of process:
1. The choir room was stripped bare, walls patched, whole room painted, new blinds were
installed and the room was recarpeted. Most of the work was accomplished through the efforts
of Paul Gossard.
2. Emergency backup lights were installed in the front and in the rear of the nave.
3. Exterior security lights with LED lamps were installed to replace most of the existing
security lighting. All photo-cell daylight sensors were tested and replaced where necessary.
High quality wide angle motion detectors were installed on the north (alley) side of the building
and on the corner of the main church by the ramp from 15th street to the walk into Lewis Hall.
All other exterior receptacles were tested and repaired.
4. The basement was cleaned out during a Saturday workday. All unwanted but usable items
were donated to the Rescue Mission thrift store, the Discovery shop or another thift shop.
Sanford and John Hammond were invaluable in this effort.
5. Sanford cleared out and disposed of a significant amount of obsolete electronic gear from
the church office.
6. All of the skylights on the education building were replaced.
7. Occupancy sensors were installed on the lights in the inner rooms in the basement where the
switches had been inaccessible across the dark cluttered rooms from the customary entrances,
making moving through the spaces perilous.
8. A committee has begun to plan for the addition of fully ADA compliant bathrooms in the
area off the Heritage room. To date, a designer has submitted rough sketches of a possible
design; funding sources are being researched; the committee is planning to bring its work to
the vestry for approval early in 2015.
9. Another committee is assessing the remaining useful life and anticipated replacement dates
and costs for major campus systems with the aim to budget for necessary expenses over the
long term: Roofs, furnaces, water heaters, carpets, floors, appliances, and electrical systems are
to be assessed and estimates of their remaining life and replacement costs made.
Barry Ross

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Priests Discretionary Fund

Although it varies during the month, as well as from month to month, there is a stream of
people in need who find their way to our door: a young single mother with three children and a
step-child, looking for help to get to a sheltered home in Denver, clutching a note that she had
been admitted to a program there because of a history of abuse; a man who needed gas money
to get to a job in Fortuna; people seeking help for food to get through the end of the month
until their disability checks would arrive; a couple looking for gas money to take the wife to
the Native American health clinic in Arcata; homeless people seeking shoes or a clean shirt or
a jacket; recently homeless looking for any furnishings for an apartment they had gotten into
after six years on the street; a person who had been accepted into a drug abuse program in the
bay area desperately trying to find the means to get therethe stories are varied but the needs
are real and never just go away.
We refer people to the food bank, to Betty Chinn, to social services. Some have tried all of
these resources and for one reason or another there is no help available. Sometimes we can
and do help; at others, our fund is depleted and we have to say we have nothing to give.
In 2014, the Priests Discretionary Fund disbursed more than $1,485.00
For a total of 72 persons in need:
$1485 +
16 Renner certificates ($30 each)
24 Winco gift cards ($20 each)
$200 keep trailer for family
$100 keep apartment for family
$200 home invasion
$144.76 gas bill for parishioner to prevent shut off.

35

Music Program
As I reflected on 2014, the first line of a childrens song came to mind sing it with me:
Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other, gold.
It has been a year of getting to know you, learning about Christ Episcopal Church, meeting the
people of the parish, attempting to maintain the legacy of music excellence inherited from the past, and
beginning to look to the future and what that means for the music program.
The primary mission of the music program is to support and enhance our corporate worship
bringing our worshipping community closer in relationship with the fullness of Gods love. I think
William Bradley Roberts says it best, Music gives wings to worship. Christ Church is blessed to have
many talented musicians and supporters of music within the congregation. I am grateful to members of
the choir and instrumental musicians who share their time and talent. I want to thank especially all of
the individuals who stepped in and provided oversight and help with the music program while I was away
tending to family during the second half of the year. Thanks to Doug Moorehead, Gary Klemp, and
Elizabeth Rau for substituting on Sundays; to Paul Gossard, Nancy Streufert, Doug Moorehead, and
Mother Lesley for taking on choir rehearsals, and to everyone else who pitched in as needed.
The Choir
I wrote about the choir and what singing in the choir involves in my June, 2014 Chronicle article.
Christ Church is blessed to have talented and dedicated choir members. In their own words, here are
some of the reasons choir members commit themselves to this ministry:
I sing in the choir because I believe it is important and I believe that I belong there.
To sing is to pray twice. I love being a part of the ritual that reaches back over time to millions of
worshippers and is recreated each Sunday through the hands and hearts of our church family, and
music is my gift from God to share.
Singing is another way of praying.
I participate in choir to spend more time with my mom. Of course, I also love to sing and
especially in a group setting. It is a challenge at times but always worth the effort.
For me, the choir provides a wonderful opportunity for expressing praise and thanks to God. Even
when we practice were singing words of spiritual significance. I also love the friendship and
camaraderie that comes from participating in this ministry with others.
Singing in our choir brings me joy and a stronger connection and commitment to God and my
church family.
Over the summer we experimented with the idea of an Open Choir those who wished to
continue meeting after the choirs traditional final Sunday in May got together informally and read
through music. We only met a few times and I now have a better sense of how to make it work better
for all involved. I plan to offer the same opportunity this year, with a bit more structure and planning.
In the fall, the choir held a potluck dinner at Denise Braafladts home. In addition to singing well
together, the choir knows how to have a good time together! Sadly, as with all choirs, membership
changes over time. Long-time choir members, Willi McCarthy and Judy Rex retired from the choir and
are greatly missed. Members who sang part of the year, including Laura Julian, Everard and Mary

36

Hughes, Peg Molloy, and Royal McCarthy, have not been able to continue. We miss their voices. We
welcome new (and returning) voices Roni Carlson, Richie Valentine, Laura Julian and Anne Pierson.
There is also another very important choir at Christ Church the congregational choir. Last
summer parishioners had an opportunity, via the forum, to learn about the history of our hymns. The
next step will be to learn more about the hymns we sing each Sunday and to provide some insights on
learning new hymns (yes, we will keep introducing new hymns!) and how to improve our singing as a
congregational choir.
Other Musicians
In addition to singers, we have a number of talented instrumental musicians in our congregation
who have participated in both regular and special worship services throughout the year. They include
Helen Hui (organ), Lois Gossard (piano), Jeanne Fish (flute), Nancy Streufert (flute), Everard Hughes
(clarinet), and Paul Gossard (guitar). Guest musician, Susie Laraine (saxophone) joined us for a choir
anthem last spring.
Facilities and Musical Instruments
The choir room underwent a refurbishing over the summer and thanks to volunteers who
contributed their time and labor, as well as money, there was no cost to the church! New blinds for the
west wall window and new carpeting were donated. Paul Gossard cleaned, prepped, and provided a new
coat of paint for the entire room. The room was rearranged, and the space has worked well for choir
rehearsals, music camp, and other activities.
The room has a new painting of Madonna and Child, donated to the church by artist Willi
McCarthy. Many thanks to Willi for her generous donation!
The church has a substantial library of choral music, and work on sorting and filing music
continues. Copyright issues are being addressed as needed. New music has been purchased (donated)
and added to the library.
Our instruments are in good shape. The grand piano in the sanctuary was tuned twice during the
year, with Gregg Granoff (piano technician) donating his time to do some extra work on the piano prior
to his concert last August. The Kegg organ was professionally tuned in early September and a broken
pipe was sent to Charles Kegg for repair. I know I dont need to say how fortunate we are to have an
instrument like the Kegg organ for our services and concerts and I am thankful to Doug Moorehead for
his willingness to help me oversee the maintenance of this important asset to the church.
Music Events and Outside Musical Groups
We heard many fine concerts during 2014 almost one a month! Concerts held at Christ Church
are either sponsored (invited and, in some cases, paid for) by the church, or are hosted by the
church, e.g. an outside group has requested to use the church as a venue for a performance. Concerts are
a wonderful way for Christ Church to provide a ministry of hospitality and in 2014 we welcomed
hundreds of visitors from the community: wonderful musicians, their families and friends, and others.
Some of them may find their way into the spiritual life of our parish, one way or another. Others will
remain new friends who we will welcome back for future concerts.

37

Thank you to members of the church who helped with these

concerts: ushering, taking money at the door, providing receptions,
taking care of the house, hosting performers the list is goes
on! Here are the concerts that took place in 2014:
January 9 Willamette University Chamber Choir and
Willamette Singers (hosted by Christ Church)
February 23 Clive Driscoll-Smith, Organist (sponsored
by Organ Concerts)
April 1 James Welch (Organist) with sons Nicholas and
Jameson (piano and organ) (sponsored by Christ Church)
April 26 Ferndale Choir Concert (hosted by Christ
Church)
May 18 Chamber Players of the Redwoods (hosted by
Christ Church)
June 22 Sundays at 4: McKinleyville Community Choir
(sponsored by Christ Church)
July 27 Sundays at 4: Doug Moorehead & Merry
Phillips (sponsored by Christ Church)
August 24 Sundays at 4: Elizabeth Rau and Gregg
Granoff (sponsored by Christ Church)
September 21 Paul Tegels and Dana Robinson, Duoorganists (sponsored by Organ Concerts at Christ
Church)
December 28 Musica Poetica Concert (sponsored by
Christ Church)
Music gives wings to worship
As I wrote in my November Chronicle article, I look forward to the opportunity work with the
parish to explore new ideas for the music program and to define a shared vision for the music ministry at
Christ Church over the next year. I especially want to explore Linda J. Clarks hypothesis that at the
center of a successful music program is a vital connection between music and the life of faith of a
particular congregation (from Nourishing Your Congregations Musical Life). Two facets of this process
include expression (how music expresses our faith) and formation (how music forms our faith).
With intentional planning, leadership, and provision of necessary resources, I believe that a shared vision
encompassing all generations of our parish will develop.
In closing, I continue to feel blessed and humbled as I serve as the music director and organist at
Christ Church. Thank you for your warm welcome as I began the position and special thanks for your
prayers and support during these past few months. Dan and I are grateful to be part of the community
of Christ Episcopal Church.
Merry Phillips
Music Director and Organist
Christ Episcopal Church

38

FINANCE

39

Mission Statement of Christ Church

To the glory of God, the mission of Christ Church Parish is to serve Jesus Christ and all the people of God; to
encourage and facilitate spiritual development for people of all ages; to grow as Christians in a loving and
forgiving fellowship, thereby confirming, witnessing, and leading others to the faith by the power of the Holy
Spirit.

Church address
Mailing address
Church phone
Church website
Web Cast
Church email
Mother Susans email
Mother Lesleys email
Deacon Nancys email
Deacon Dianas email

15th & H Streets, Eureka, CA 95501

PO Box 861, Eureka, CA 95502
(707) 442-1797
christchurcheureka.org
USTREAM.tv Christ Episcopal Church Eureka, CA
christchurcheureka@att.net
ccpriest@att.net
klmccloghrie@gmail.com
nancy.s.streufert@att.net
srdianact@gmail.com