Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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.
Mother Susan
Why Be an Episcopalian
The Episcopal Church of USA (ECUSA) is the American branch
of the worldwide Anglican Communion a daughter of the Church
of England.
There have been Anglicans since the first English Colony in
Jamestown. Following the American Revolution, some reorganization
was necessary as the Church of England was and is a State Church,
recognizing the monarch as the Churchs secular head. Thus the Protestant Episcopal Church of the
USA was born.
Episcopal (from Episcopos, the Greek word for bishop) means governed by bishops. The
Church maintains the threefold order of ministry as handed down by the Apostles deacons, priests
and bishops in direct descent by the laying on of hands from the original Apostles. Episcopal is an
adjective: I belong to the Episcopal Church. The noun is Episcopalian: I am an Episcopalian.
So why be an Episcopalian? In the book 101 Reasons to be an Episcopalian compiled by Louie
Crew, he says there are as many reasons as there are members of the Church. Here are ten of the
reasons, in no special order, of what newcomers and lifelong member all over the USA find special in
our Episcopal Community.
When Anglicanism is at its best, its liturgy, its poetry, its music and its life can create a world of
wonder in which it is very easy to fall in love with God.
Urban T. Holmes, III
Anglicans do good deeds to increase understanding of God, not out of fear or to earn admission
to heaven.
Robert L. Neal III, Diocese of Chicago
At our best, Episcopalians can respectfully disagree about a great many things and still break
bread together.
Barbara Tensen Ross, Diocese of Oregon
Ours is not just a checkbook ministry. Episcopalians roll up their sleeves and help.
Agnes L. Haviland-Moore, Diocese of Connecticut
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I love Anglicanism for its basic humanity, its sense of decency and order, its freedom of thought
and its insistence on the corpus of faith, those things necessary unto salvation. I love it for its
tradition and for the women and men of faith who have been lights of the generations in whose
company w worship. I love it for its quirkiness, its untidiness, its comprehensiveness and for its ability
to receive, accept, alter or jettison new things, while being always merely and astoundingly the Church.
Father Tone Clavier, Diocese of South Dakota
Because its one religion where laughing at our own absurdities is a basic spiritual discipline and
were invited to rejoice in how much we have still to learn of God instead of how much we know.
L. William Countryman, Diocese of California
God loves you, and theres not a thing you can do to change that.
The Rev. Tom Van Culin, Diocese of Hawaii
One of the perks of membership in our parish is the exercise. My heart rate elevates with all the
standing, kneeling, processing, bowing, passing the peace, reciting, crossing ones self and singing.
Fortunately there is some time for a pulse check during the sermon and readings.
Lu Sweeney, Diocese of California
When you count acolytes, Chalice bearers, ushers, greeters, nursery people, altar guild, choir,
and so on, there are more people involved in an Episcopal service than in any other. And there are
more opportunities to be involved.
Donna H. Barthle, Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
No matter where in the world I attend an Episcopal/Anglican church, I am always home.
Joan Carr, Diocese of British Columbia
There is so much to be thankful for. Good weather for the garden clean up. Another project for
all of us to work together to make positive changes to keep up our beautiful buildings and grounds.
Kathy Clague and John Hammond are cleaning up the ceiling and wood in the Nave. We had a
mold issue but the heat has been turned up and the mold cleared away. With all the polishing and
flowers, the church will be a beautiful sight.
The G Street side of the campus has seen the biggest change and improvements. Besides
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removing a lot of overgrown greenery, we have a new sidewalk on the south alley. I hope when you read
this we will also have the holes paved around the new sidewalk and alley. A lot of this has to do with
our #1 neighbor, Sylvia. She brought it to my attention and she will be delighted to see the holes
patched in the alley. She spends a lot of time policing our grounds for litter and weeds plus trimming
bushes. Please give her a big "Thank You" when you see her.
Paul Gossard and Committee has been cleaning up and clearing out the Youth Room in the
Zander Building. The final clean up and the painting will be done after the roof is replaced sometime
in April.
Please check out the Stewardship Bulletin Board in Lewis Hall to see the List of Projects we are
working on. Every time I turn around there a couple more, so I will be updating the list shortly. "We"
can include you, so look for something you have an interest in and talk to me. Thanks to everyone for
all their work, Beth.
for? This gardener has himself been planted and now springs up green and vibrant, still rising into
greater life. He challenges her to go and share that rising, great news of green and life, with those who
have fled.
Still rising, still seeking union with Creator, making tender offering to beloved friends briefly I
am with you, I am on my way. Go and you will find me if you look.
The risen one still offers life to those who will look for evidence of his gardening hope, friendship, healing, reunion, restoration to all who have been uprooted, cut off, to those who are parched
and withered, to those who lie wasting in the desert. Why do we weep or run away when that promise
abides?
We can find that green one, still rising, if we will go stand with the grieving Marys of this world,
if we will draw out the terrified who have retreated to their holes, if we will walk the Emmaus road with
the lost and confused, if we will search out the hungry in the neighborhood called Galilee. We will
find him already there before us, bringing new and verdant life. The only place we will not find him is
in the tomb.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
Jane Bermudez
April 11
Byrd Lochtie
April 11
John Hammond
April 22
Jill Stover
April 23
Heather Erickson
April 24
Helen Hui
April 26
night, leaving Jesus as they did. It is humbling to know our kinship with Jesus followers so long ago.
On Good Friday, we continue our journey as we walk the way of the Cross. At Noon, we will
symbolically follow in Jesus steps from his struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane through his trial,
crucifixion and death. In the evening, we will re-enter the story again, and re-live his betrayal, arrest,
trial, crucifixion and death. We will join the crowds who shouted Crucify him, knowing that there
are times when we have felt betrayed by God whose ways of being with us can seem too challenging;
who wont wave an almighty arm and make everything better. We will admit to the doubts and
disillusionments we endure that can leave us hurting, wondering what the horrible death of a single
human being more than 2,000 years ago really has to do with us. Yet there is hope. We are nourished
by the wine and bread that was saved from the feast where we received the command to love one
another. That, too, we carry with us as we leave in silence.
On Holy Saturday, we gather again, meeting in darkness. A sudden flare of light as the New Fire
flares forth is our first glimpse of hope. As the deacon carries the Paschal Candle and three time sings
The Light of Christ and we respond Thanks be to God, the light begins to spread from candle to
candle, from person to person. The Exultet, a great song of praise and thanksgiving is sung, then we
hear again the great stories of Gods actions through the centuries. The darkness continues to roll back
as the stone guarding Jesus tomb was rolled back and we rejoice in Resurrected Life bursting forth with
lights and singings and the exuberant ringing of bells. Once again, after weeks of being lost to us, the
great praise ALLELUIA! is sung and we enter into the great feast of Life and Hope that is Easter.
The celebration continues on Easter Sunday with all the glory, joy and beauty of what is known
as the Queen of Seasons, the Feast of Feasts.
Come and walk with us through the whole of the great story of Gods intense love for and total
presence with us. Walk with us through confusion, loss, grief, doubt, fear and loneliness. Walk with us
through darkness into the Light of Resurrection and new life.
Holy Week has begun and as I write this article I find myself thinking
upon John the Baptist and the following words he spoke to his disciples:
You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, I am not the Messiah,
but I have been sent ahead of him. He who has the bride is the
bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears
him, rejoices greatly at the bride-grooms voice. For this reason my
joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease (John
3: 28-30).
John the Baptist was a person who knew how to get over himself in
the truest sense. He believed in the importance of his work, while fully understanding and accepting his role in fulfilling the work of Jesus. What a
healthy and loving perspective. After reading this passage in a sermon
(produced as an article) in the February 2015 issue of The American Organist (TAO), I chose to make it part of my personal journey through this Lenten season. I struggle constantly to get over myself (its become a mantra) to not take everything personally, to keep in mind that everything is not always about me. Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, the Episcopal priest who gave this sermon at the opening service of the 2014 AGO National Convention, invited everyone to listen to John the Baptist and consider [h]ow blessed we all are in our increase, and
even more blessed in our decrease.
So as the current Music Director for this parish, I cannot reiterate enough that the music program is not about me it is about the Christ Church community. Therefore, I need your help; your advice, your feedback, and your participation in defining a shared vision for the music ministry at Christ
Church.
Ill begin with Lent 2014. During Lent the Psalms were sung responsively, e.g. the Choir sang the
verses with the Congregation joining the Choir for the refrains. We used settings from two different
Psalters. I am grateful to the Choir for its willingness to take on the extra work of learning a new setting
each week.
The conclusion of the services in Lent was changed to create a contrast to the upcoming Eastertide. Following the closing hymn, the Choir and Altar Party processed out to quiet music. There was no
postlude and parishioners were invited use the time before and after worship for silent prayer and meditation.
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What effect did these changes have on your experience of Sunday morning worship at the 10:30
service? Did they aid you in expressing your faith during the Lenten season? Did they hinder you? Was
either change helpful in forming your faith further? Were you transformed in any way?
Please let me know, either via email (merryphillips@suddenlink.net), phone (445-0940), or invite me to
join you at coffee hour. I would like to hear from you!
In Christ,
Merry Phillips
The Choir
The Christ Church Choir meets weekly on Wednesday evenings, 5:30-7:00 p.m. This is a group
of people dedicated to raising their voices to the Glory of God every week. If you have questions about
the choir, please talk to any one of the folks you see standing up there each Sunday. They will be happy
to answer your questions. And if you are interested in joining the choir, please email or call me (Merry
Phillips).
One childs creative work at the Music and Arts 4 Foster Kids Evening
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Monday, June 8, 7:30 p.m.: LYRA A Concert of Russian Sacred and Folk Music
I will be writing about concerts in general and what is involved in hosting or sponsoring concerts
at Christ Church for the next Christ Church Chronicle. In the meantime, if you have questions about
these or other concerts, please contact me (Merry Phillips).
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Lay Ministries
I hope you enjoyed our special Lent, will participate in our glorious Easter services, and that
they inspire you. Have you ever considered becoming one of the Lay Ministers who make such lovely
worship possible? Please join us in one of these positions; whatever training you need will be
provided:
Marty Vega would be happy to chat with you about any of these. Call her at 443-9782 or send an
eMail to mjv523@reninet.com.
Through a Mutual Ministry process with the Bishop, help set goals for the Diocese and
periodically evaluate progress toward goals.
Help develop Diocesan Policy and Strategy in support of mission priorities and operations
priorities established by Convention.
Contribute to Strategic Planning for the Diocese, looking ahead and helping develop policy
options to meet changing circumstances.
Serve as Directors of the Diocesan Corporation, the civil legal face of the Diocese, with
duties set forth in State law, the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Corporation,
and in acts of Convention.
The Diocesan Corporation is the owner of all of the assets of the Diocese, including all
real property, funds and other assets of the Missions in the Diocese, with rights and responsibilities of
such ownership.
The Trustees shall use diligence to increase the principal funds of the endowments of the
Diocese.
Trustees may expect monthly meetings augmented by the Dioceses communication
network. They may be invited to work on subcommittees. They are asked to participate in a planning
retreat, each January, at the Mercy Center in Auburn, CA.
The new Trustee will be elected at our Deanery convocation Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Christ
Church, Eureka at 3 p.m. following the Congregational Leadership Conference. Bob Hines of
Christ Church, Eureka is the current Trustee representing the Semper Virens Deanery and is
completing his term this year. If you wish to speak with Bob regarding his experience as a Trustee
please contact him at 445-8974 or hinesbob33@yahoo.com.
Bishop Beisner will be with us.
Clergy as well as laity can be elected.
If you have prayerfully considered being elected to this important servant ministry as Semper
Virens representative to the Board of Trustees here are several things to consider.
Board members are elected for a three-year term and attend meetings which are generally at the
Office of the Bishop in Sacramento, in addition to committee and other special meetings.
Here are several questions to prayerfully consider.
What attributes or talents will you bring to the Board?
What ministries have you participated in within the last two years at your parish?
Which areas of leadership have you been a part of in your parish.
Please include a recent picture suitable for publication. Please forward the photo and
responses to revsara@stalbansarcata.org.
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Coffee Hour
Thanks to so many, many willing helping hands, coffee hour has been running smoothly. Due
to the number of volunteers for our quarterly schedule, hosts need only serve once per quarter. If you
do not currently serve in this ministry and would like to help, please contact me and I will include in
the next quarter schedule which will be May - July. Phone Lynne Bean at 822-6086.
Lynne Bean
A Parish Note
David Biermann, Helen Hui's father, is being included on the Hall of Fame Wall at the
Smithsonian Institute Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Biermann was president and
general manager of Hartzell Propeller Company in Piqua, Ohio. Biermann designed propellers for
Hartzell for small aircraft. One of the notable planes was the Voyager, which was an experimental
single aircraft which flew around the world without refueling. This plane is in the Smithsonian
Institute Air and Space Museum.
Helen Hui
while giving the children a creative outlet for expressing themselves in a safe and loving environment.
Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures of the children themselves because of the sensitive
nature of their relationships with their birth parents and foster families.
Marita Musante led the art project of decorating salt dough crosses (flour and salt) that she had
baked herself. Her theme was based on Ruth Asawa, the late San Francisco artist who made salt dough
models of her sculptures before casting them. In a perfect theme for Lent and Easter, Ruth embodied
what it can mean to triumph over adversity and to forgive in relation to her familys internment during
WWII. For Ruth, the internment was the first step on a journey to a world of art that profoundly
changed who she was and what she thought was possible in life. In 1994, when she was 68 years old,
she reflected on the experience: "I hold no hostilities for what happened; I blame no one. Sometimes
good comes through adversity. I would not be who I am today had it not been for the Internment, and
I like who I am."
Paul Gossard led the Stringed Instrument Adventure that gave the children the opportunity to
learn about and play some of the many stringed instruments in Pauls collection. The children rotated
through stations around the Zander building to get hands on experience of playing these
instruments including ukulele, string bass, mandolin, harp, dulcimer, and canjo.
Christ Church is grateful to all those who participated in and contributed to what we hope will
become a regular event:
Pizza supper: Gail Freeman and Lin Chase.
Money donations for pizza: Helen Taylor, Nancy Frey, Kathy Clague, Mother Lesley, and Lois
Gossard (checks) and those who gave cash.
Activity Leaders: Pam Gossard, Paul Gossard, Marita Musante.
Shepherds: Dan Phillips, Belinda Zander, Helen Hui, Roni Carlson, Heidi Erickson, Wally
Cooper, Jill Stover, Cindy Woods, Peg Gardner, Marylou Bertolini, Merry Phillips, Carmela
Wenger, and Mother Nancy.
Administrators: Peg Gardner, Merry Phillips, Mother Nancy.
If you are able to give a few hours on a Friday evening to support the foster families of Humboldt
County, will you let me know?
In Christ,
Mother Nancy
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