December 2012

christchurchguilford.org

Advent: A Season to Prepare, to Watch and to Wait

Yes, December 2nd begins a new year on the Churchs calendar with the First Sunday of Advent. During Advent, we watch, wait, and prepare for the adventus -- the coming -- of Christ in history and to fulfill history. At Christ Church, our preparations take shape in our worship, outreach, stewardship, and study.

Preparing in Worship & Study

Our Advent Wreaths, at home and in church, help us count the Sundays until the new light of Christ comes in history at Christmas. We light an additional candle each week as we watch and wait. If you missed the Advent Wreath Workshop, Lisa Ste. Marie has candles and forms for your wreath at home. There are two liturgical colors for Advent: purple and indigo. Purple, a royal color, says we are waiting for a king. The old Sarum (i.e. Salisbury, England) color is a deep indigo blue -- the color of the night sky just before dawn. Christ Church was given indigo hangings in memory of a parishioner; now, thanks to a generous gift from our ECW, we also have an indigo chasuble! Our prayers and hymns, our readings and responses will also help us to watch and wait for the fulfillment of Gods Mission of reconciliation and restoration in history. We will reflect on them in Thursdays Bible Study and Sundays Rectory Forum.

Preparing in Outreach
Our traditional Mitten Tree takes on special urgency this year. We have near and not-so-distant neighbors who -- by the storms of nature and the storms in their lives -- find themselves homeless and cold. So, in addition to collecting mittens, hats, and scarves, we will welcome your gifts of new and gently used blankets and coats to keep our neighbors warm as temperatures fall. You may put them on, or under, the tree next to the pulpit through Sunday, December 23. Again this year, your Vestry is calling us to be Angels Under the Balcony for the Towns Fuel Assistance Program through a Second Offering on December 23. We have a historic stake in this fund: It actually began years ago at Christ Church with a gift to provide heating oil for widows in need.
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Preparing Through Stewardship

During Advent we will prepare for our financial stewardship of Christ Churchs operating expenses during 2013. St. Paul actually wrote that God loves a hilarious giver. (Yes, the word usually translated as cheerful in II Corinthians 9:7 is hilaritos in the original Greek.) As your hopeful stewardship leader Kay Claiborn notes in her article, we will begin on December 2nd with some hilarity: An Over the Top Coffee Hour and a tongue-in-cheek address by Mr. Mark MacGougan! Along with the rest of our culture, we all get painfully serious when it comes to the subject of money. So, I welcome this light-hearted beginning to our stewardship program. Your support for our Opening the Doors campaign went over the top; and we will be able to further enhance our parishs physical hospitality. Now, we also need to provide for our parishs fiscal hospitality through our pledges to the operating fund.

Preparing for Christmas!

Sunday, December 23 The Christmas Pageant & Holy Communion: At 10 a.m., our Sunday School and ever-expanding Christ Church Youth Orchestra will tell the Christmas story and lead us in Christmas carols. Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24th 4 p.m. -- The Songs & Story of Christmas: a brief service for our youngest parishioners and their families, including Christmas communion. 5:30 p.m. -- Nativity Eucharist: Featuring the Christ Church Choristers, this service will include more carols, readings, a sermon, and communion. 10 p.m. Festal Eucharist: Featuring the Christ Church Choir, this service will include the full set of readings, Christmas hymns and carols, a sermon, and communion. Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25th 10 a.m. -- Holy Eucharist -- with organ and song, sermon, and communion. I look forward to all of our preparations through worship and outreach, laughter and stewardship for our life together in the new light of Christ. A Blessed Advent to you and yours, Harrison+
Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector

Raise YOUR Voice in Song!

Advent starts Sunday, December 2nd. The season of watching, waiting and preparing begins. Its also the season of beautiful Christmas music, especially our traditional carols and hymns song at Christmas and Epiphany. Our choir needs your participation this year! Do you enjoy singing? Join us! The commitment is just for advent. No singing lessons or the ability to read music required. Contact Vicky Reeve at 203-533-5443 or vreeve@comcast.net. Every musical note is a prayer.
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STEWARDSHIP 2013
Advent is upon us -- a season of preparation to begin the Church's year; a beginning once more for all of us who so generously support the common life of our parish; and a season to reflect on what we may pledge for 2013 to assist in God's Mission. Christ Church is the place we worship: we give thanks, we pray, and we reach out to the community. We enjoy fellowship and a true parish family where we devote our time, our many talents, and our treasure to assist with the precious work of God's Mission in the world, both in our country and in Guilford. Compared to many parts of our country and indeed, the world, we have been given so much. We are blessed to live here and, as a transplant from the Church of England, although almost half a century ago, I know this truth only too well. We are blessed. So, as I write this for Glad Tidings, I humbly ask you all to prayerfully consider your 2013 pledge to Christ Church. On Sunday, December 2nd, Mark MacGougan, a lay member of Trinity Church, Hartford, will speak to us at the Over the Top Coffee Hour in the parish hall following the 10 a.m. worship service. The title of his talk is Why God Needs Your Money More Than You Do.(!) It promises to be a very different sort of stewardship lecture: enlightening, perhaps challenging, but delivered with an abundance of humor and a different slant on stewardship/giving from what we might be used to. So please do mark your calendars and join us in the parish hall. It promises to be a delight for all to see! Following the December 2nd talk, you will be receiving, via the mail, a stewardship brochure, a pledge card, and a stamped return envelope for you to kindly send us your pledge card. Alternatively, you are always welcome to place the completed pledge card in the offering plate at services. The Finance Committee would be delighted to know the sum total of our pledges by January 6th so that they may thoughtfully prepare a budget for the upcoming year, to be reviewed by the Vestry and then to be put in place for parishioners to read. Thank you for your consideration and in great anticipation of an abundant Stewardship drive, Your ever hopeful 2013 Stewardship Chair, Kay D. Claiborn

Christ Episcopal Church on the Green Stewardship for 2013

The Church Doesnt Have a Mission, Gods Mission Has a Church... OURS!
Our Stewardship Drive is starting. Give Joyfully... Give Proportionally... Give Sacrificially... Give Thoughtfully... Please pledge by January 6th. We thank you for your generous support.

Fall Military Whist Canceled, but...

Unfortunately, the Fall Military Whist, planned for Friday, November 2, was canceled because of Hurricane Sandy. Many were very disappointed, as much work and planning had been done for the Whist, but Carol Bellucci, our Commander-in-Chief, was not available on any of the dates that our parish hall was available. We decided instead to host a Fun Game Day, on Sunday, November 11, and only asked for a free-will donation. We had refreshments, the raffle baskets that were made for the Whist, door prizes, and special prizes to the winners and losers of a special game played by all. After that special game, they played their favorite board or card game. We had 25 attendees and lots of laughs. Everyone had a wonderful fun-filled afternoon. We may be sponsoring another Fun Day Sunday in the future. Thank you to all who supported this new venture and to those who made donations to the raffle. --Diane W. Link

United Thanks Offering -- You Did It!

Thanks to all who responded to the challenge I put before you in October at the beginning of the UTO Fall Campaign. We needed $580 to beat last year's record, and you came through and donated $625! This makes a total of $1,125 for 2012, beating 2011's figure of $1,079. To those who gave anonymously (you know who you are), and those who gave anywhere from a Blue Box filled with pennies to envelopes with as high as $50, I thank you. Donations are sent to the national ECW/UTO organization and distributed both worldwide (girls schools in countries that do not encourage girls education), and state-wide (upgrading a kitchen in a New London Episcopal church, and helping to fund an inner-city after-school program in New Haven). Your contribution does count. To repeat one of my most favorite quotations, originally written about the responders and volunteers who descended on the World Trade Center site after 9/11, Everyone makes a selfless contribution, big or tiny according to individual means and skills, but each of equal worth. THANK YOU. --Diane Barker, Christ Church UTO coordinator

Christmas Memorials & Thanksgivings

It is that time again to think about Christmas Memorials and Thanksgivings. Your gifts in memory or honor of loved ones will be used to decorate the church and fund special music at Christmas. Designees will be named in Christmas bulletins. Please use the form below and return your donation by Sunday, December 16. They can be placed in the offering or mailed to: Christ Church P.O. Box 574 Guilford, CT 06437 Please call the office (203-453-2279) with any questions. Given in memory of, to honor or in thanksgiving for: Given By: _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________
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Greetings from ECW

The regular meeting for November was cancelled due to the snow storm. Unfortunately, our Fall Military Whist was also cancelled due to Sandy, but was replaced by our Fun Game Day on November 11. Thank you all who supported our raffle and shared in the afternoon of fun! Our December 13, 2012, meeting is our annual Christmas luncheon. This year we will be going to Quattros Italian Restaurant, 14 Water Street, Guilford, at 12 noon. Pease contact Diane W. Link, (203) 458-1806, to reserve your selection from our prix-fixed menu, which will include family-style appetizers, entree, dessert, and coffee/tea. Tax and tip are included in the price. Payment will be made to your server at the restaurant. Reservations must be made by December 9, and must be cancelled at the latest by December 11, or you will be required to pay for your meal, which can then be packaged for you. We will once again have a Chinese Auction, so please bring a $5 wrapped gift if you wish to participate in the fun. Our Cookie Sale will be held in the parish hall on the evening of the Guilford Tree Lighting. We need cookies and are asking for help from our membership and parishioners. Please bake a batch of your favorites and bring them to the guild room on Thursday, November 29, anytime or to the parish hall on November 30, prior to 5 p.m. Thank you in advance for your help. Faithfully yours, Barbara Ayotte President, ECW

Sunday School News

The Advent Season is around the corner and that means it's time to put together your Advent wreaths. We hope you'll join us at the Advent Wreath Workshop, held Sunday, Nov. 25 after the 10:00 am service. This is a wonderful event for all ages. Feel free to bring wreath forms from your home; alternatively we will have wreath forms and candles for purchase. Most importantly, check your backyard and neighborhoods for greens, pinecones and other natural elements and bring them with you on the 25th. Thanks to all of you who donated food during our Thanksgiving Food Drive. All items were gratefully received by the staff at Dixwell-Newhallville Community Mental Health Center in New Haven. Your generosity has made a difference to those in our community who have such great need. Finally, we're gearing up for an invasion of very cute angels, donkeys, cows and sheep on Sunday, December 23 at the 10:00 am service. All children (ages 4 through 5th grade) should be at the church for the Christmas Pageant rehearsal at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 22. And please start working on the Christmas carols with your kids. I find sing-a-longs in the car on the way to basketball practice the perfect time for seasonal multi-tasking! Best wishes for a blessed holiday season! Lisa Ste. Marie, Director of Sunday School P.S. - There will be no Sunday School on Sunday, December 30th
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November Vestry Highlights

On Wednesday, November 14th your Vestry....
Heard from Treasurer Ed Seibert that through October 31st, the parish had received 94% of pledges, and 58% of expected non-pledge gifts, leaving us $24,461 short of our projected income. This was fortunately matched by spending controls keeping our cash balance in the black. However, many of these budgeted expenses will need to be covered before the end of the year, so catching up on pledges and end-of-the-year gifts are encouraged. Learned from Junior Warden Gene Bishop that the damage to parish property from Superstorm Sandy was apparently confined to the ten sections of fencing that were blown down. While the fencing remains usable, the supporting posts must be replaced. Gene got a bid from Peter Johnson to replace the original cedar with pressure-treated posts at a cost well below our $1,000 insurance deductible. Expressed the parishs gratitude again to Family Tree Service for their donated tree work earlier this fall; based on the damage done on the Green, their work prevented major damage to our trees and structures! Got an update on the boiler conversion: After resolution of some initial issues, the new natural gas-fired boiler is up and running smoothly. It appears to respond more quickly to the call for heat than the old oil boiler, and it is much quieter! Work remains to be done for future connections in the parish house and for the boiler conversion in the rectory. Celebrated with Opening the Doors Campaign chair Pat Daunic, and Wardens Carol Iovanna and Gene Bishop, the surpassing of the campaigns $300,000 goal. The Vestry added, as promised, improvements to the parish house to the campaigns allocations approved at the October meeting, beginning with replacing the carpet at the Sunday School level. The Victory Celebration organized by Mardee Moore and Annie Rae received great praise. Heard from Stewardship chair Kay Claiborn about plans for an Over-the-Top coffee hour on December 2nd, featuring Connecticut Episcopal humorist Mark MacGougan, to begin the annual pledge program for the 2013 operating budget. Learned that Ted Sands is willing to accept the Vestrys appointment to serve the balance of Jean Meiselmans term. (Jean is on a years leave from the parish to be near her brother and sister-in-law in Florida.) Learned that Vestry member Bob Donahue is willing to represent the parish in preparations for the Towns 375th anniversary celebrations. Decided to again call for an Angels-Under-the-Balcony Second Offering on December 23rd to benefit the Towns Fuel Assistance Fund, and added blankets and coats to the traditional Mitten Tree requests for caps, gloves, and scarves. Adopted an Inclement Weather Policy: When the Guilford Public Schools delay or cancel weekday classes or community activities, Christ Church weekday programs will also be canceled. (The Rector can always make it to the church; so even though he may be alone, there will always be Sunday worship.)

Choir Party, 6p.m. Reeve residence

Stewardship-Special Coffee Hr

Noon - ECW luncheon at Quattro!s

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CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY

10:00a.m. Festal HE w/music 4:00 Christmas Songs, Story & HC Second Offering - Fuel Fund 5:30 Festal HE w/Choristers and Mitten Tree 10:00 Festal HE w/Choir

Kent Smith+ celebrant & preacher

Christ Episcopal Church P O Box 574 Guilford, CT 06437

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Guilford, CT 06437 Permit Number 1

Change Service Requested

GLAD TIDINGS

December, 2012

Christ Episcopal Church 11 Park Street Guilford, Connecticut

Glad Tidings

Chili Supper & Cookie, Wreath and Cocoa Sale

Friday, November 30, from 5 -7 p.m.

The Rev. Harrison West Rector harrisoncec@snet.net 203-453-2279 Carol Iovanna Senior Warden cgrant05@SNET.NET 203-453-2009 Pat Wakefield Parish Administrator cecsec@snet.net 203-453-2279 Diane Barker Managing Editor RunSlo@aol.com 203-457-9484 Pat Daunic Graphic Design

Over the Top Coffee Hour Dec. 2, after 10:00 Service ECW Christmas Lunch at Quattros, Dec.13 at noon Mitten Tree - NOW through Dec. 23 Christmas Pageant Sunday, Dec.23, at 10:00 a.m. Angels Fuel Assistance Offering- Dec. 23 Epiphany Choral Evensong - Jan. 6 at 4 p.m.

CHRIST IS BORN! SING, PRAY, REJOICE!

Christmas Services -- 12/24, Christmas Eve:
4 p.m., Christmas Songs, Story & HC - young child service 5:30 p.m., Nativity Eucharist - with Choristers 10 p.m., Festal Christmas Eucharist - with Choir 11/25, Christmas Day: 10 a.m., HE Service with Christmas Music

Enthusiastic Turnout for the Acolyte Program

Christ Episcopal Church has been blessed by the great turnout by the youth of our parish wishing to become acolytes, as well as by the youngsters who are already acolytes. Between Harrisons two fall training/refresher classes, we had about 12 youngsters training for the first time. They are an enthusiastic and excited group, who look forward to taking part in the services. We currently have 17 torchbearers and 6 crucifers (carrying the cross). If you have a child who is in grades 6-12, we would welcome him or her as a crucifer. Many of you have seen us just before the 10 a.m. service doing a short refresher practice. Their morning schedule, on the day that they are serving, starts at 9:30 -- they robe, review what they will be doing, light the candles, and get to the back of the church in time to start the procession. Harrison and I greatly appreciate the cooperation that has been given by the families in getting their youngsters to church by 9:30! We are working on scheduling acolytes for the many services that we will be celebrating during the Christmas season. A reminder to their parents -- let me know if they will be here for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Years Day services. Harrison is going to make every effort to accommodate all who wish to serve. In the future, you will be learning more about your acolytes in a monthly article Meet your Acolyte. After a service, say hello and thank them for serving, and be patient while they learn and grow. --Sue C. Shackford

Rectors Roast Beef Dinner

A Great Time & A Great Success!
The Parish Hall was packed. Extra tables and chairs where brought in to accomodate over 115 parishioners who signed up for the Rectors Roast Beef Dinner. As evening came so did our diners, bringing wonderful appetizers and beverages to share with each other. We then served over 69 lbs of roast beef, over 60 lbs of smashed potatoes, mega bowls of ceasar salad and at least a dozen trays of desserts that just melted in our mouths... even after all those plates of roast beef! The hall was beautifully set, the meal prepared, on the ready service provided during dinner, and then cleanup afterwards... everything was accomplished by volunteers. Our heart-felt thanks to ALL our parish volunteers! We couldnt have done it without you. A special thanks to Bob Sperry for yoeman duty loading the dishwasher for hours; to Diane Link for her support and creativity with the beautiful table settings; to Rhoda Whitman for handling all those potatoes and supervising in the kitchen; and last, but not least, to the following newcomers: Holly & Bob Van Marx, Susan Elliot, Ted Sands & Caroline Herrick, Pat Jones, Alecia & Phil Bacon, Ann & Jim Rae, Alex Diana and Ryan Hocking. The Dinner received rave reviews and your support made that possible! -- Pat Daunic & The Newcomers Committee

Amahl and the Night Visitors Comes to Christ Church

Saturday, December 10, at 7:30 p.m.
Amahl and the Night Visitors is a story of a poor shepherd boy's encounter with three kings and the miraculous healing of his crippled leg when he offers his crutch as a gift to the Holy Child. This short opera has captivated audiences around the world ever since its premiere. Its charming mix of tuneful melody, dancing rhythms, delightful choruses, humor, and poignancy makes this work immediately accessible to audiences of all ages and musical tastes. At Western Connecticut State University, Amahl and the Night Visitors has become an annual tradition for the Opera Ensemble, reaching out to hundreds of school children as well as family audiences annually. A very special part of this tradition has been taking the opera on the road to various churches and communities throughout Connecticut. The cast for this years production features Christopher Jessup from New Canaan as Amahl, with Lisa Murray from Norwalk as his mother. In the roles of the kings will be Andrew Gadwah of Meriden, Zachary Ross of Guilford, and Jean Carlos Rodriguez of Waterbury. Nick Ciasullo of New Milford will appear as the page, and Carly Phypers, Tyler Campbell, Caroline Strange, and Ryan Reynolds are featured as dancers. Alexis Zingale of West Haven will be the pianist. The Western Connecticut State University Opera Ensemble is directed by Dr. Margaret Astrup of Hamden, CT. Tickets: $15, children under twelve, $5; available after church from Vicky Reeve or at Breakwater Books.

Christmas Memorials & Thanksgivings

It is that time again to think about Christmas Memorials and Thanksgivings. Your gifts in memory or honor of loved ones will be used to decorate the church and fund special music at Christmas. Designees will be named in Christmas bulletins. Please use the form below and return your donation by Sunday, December 18. They can be placed in the offering or mailed to: Christ Church P.O. Box 574 Guilford, CT 06437 Please call the office (203-453-2279) with any questions. Given in memory of, to honor or in thanksgiving for: Given By: _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________

Raise YOUR Voice in Song!

Advent starts Sunday, December 2nd. The season of watching, waiting and preparing begins. Its also the season of beautiful Christmas music, especially our traditional carols and hymns song at Christmas and Epiphany. Our choir needs your participation this year! Do you enjoy singing? Join us! The commitment is just for advent. No singing lessons or the ability to read music required. Contact Vicky Reeve at 203-533-5443 or vreeve@comcast.net. Every musical note is a prayer.

Just in time for holiday giving andentertaining ...an opportunity to sample and purchasedelicious ready-to-serve and easy-to-prepare products from "Tastefully Simple"will followfellowship time onSunday, December 4th. Items range from soups, popcorn, hot cocoa, bread mixes, dessert cakes, avorings, spices, and salsastogift packages.Orders will be received through December 9th and then shipped directly to your home.Friend of the
parish, Michael D'Agostino,is the presenter and has offered to donate the net proceeds to the parish.

More about Finances:

The Highlights from the October Vestry meeting give a snapshot view of the parishs nancial situation. Review of the September nancial statements provides further detail: The contributions from pledges are on target for this time of year. Pledging parishioners received a statement (and a thank-you letter from Harrison) during September, and they responded wonderfully. Some are ahead; some are working to catch up. Together, pledges are at 102% Many thanks! Please, keep up the good work! The contributions from non-pledge gifts and donations however are seriously below the budgeted expectations. These sources were expected to provide about a quarter of the parishs income this year; to-date they are at less than a tenth. Non-pledge offerings alone are below budget by $30,000+! In Meditation, We shortfall. is . the parish is behind on its pledge and loan The impact of this Seek . that In meditation, we do not to the Diocese; outreach though hediscretionary like other objects, which submit commitments seek to know about God as and the were an object fund are not being to our scrutiny and can be expressed in clear scientificis makingseek with equipment in need of the level of supported through the budget; the staff ideas. We do to know God himself, beyond all the objects which heanticipated repairsconfront us as "things" isolated from one and, thedefined with replacement; has made and which and upgrades are not being made; another, rectors clear boundaries. The infinite God has no expenses are not minds cannot set limits to him or to his love. We professional and educational boundaries and our being reimbursed. can spiritually realized as long as we do not insist on verifying histo keep yoursoon as we try to verify the be Every pledge and donation matters. Please continue presence. As pledges current and, spiritualespecially if you give to the knowledge, an as-needed We look at Thomas Merton's work foris presence as an object of exact parish on God eludes us. basis, please know that the need inspiration on our journey through prayer and meditation. We wait for you to come! (Tuesday mornings at pressing. 9:30.) ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Ed Seibert, Senior Warden --Annie Rae ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Bob Donahue, Treasurer

November - a month full of Celebration and Activities

Commemorating the Faithfully-Departed - Nov. 2, at 6:00 p.m. Uganda Presentation Nov. 6, after the 10:00 service True Colors Youth Event Nov. 6, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Rectors Roast Beef Dinner Nov.13, at 5:30 p.m. Inter-faith Thanksgiving Service Nov. 20, at 4 p.m. Advent Wreath Workshop Nov. 27, after the 10:00 service Angels & Mitten Tree begins Nov. 27, in church Chili Supper December 2, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

THANKSGIVING NOV. 24th

Sunday Services
8 a.m. HE, Rite I Service !! ! 10 a.m. HE, Rite II Service with Hymns

SERVICE AT 10:00 A.M. OPEN HOUSE AFTER SERVICE 9 a.m. Rectory Forum 9:30 Childrens Chapel

Here at Christ Church we know that also means serving our famous Chili Supper plus selling Wreaths, Prints by Audrey Monroe and the ECW's Cookie Sale! Mark your calendars and watch for further notices. Well be looking for your help - making cookies, helping with the supper, collecting decorations for the wreaths, and of course, ENJOYING THE EVENING!
Please contact Diane Link (203-458-1806) if you have ribbon or other decorations we can use for the wreaths.

Chili Supper and Prints/Cookie Sales: 5 -7 p.m. -- Parish Hall

Wreath Sale -- in Rectory Garage Hot Chocolate -- sold outside (Will keep you warm during the Tree Lighting on the Green!)

Cindy Smith, Ann Marie Gunn (Inter-faith Food Bank) and Diane Link