Beating the Bounds on Rogation Sunday

ECW photos

Diocese of NW PA ECW annual meeting - updated

If you plan to attend the ECW Annual Meeting at Christ Church Meadville on Saturday, 14 May, you will be happy to know it is on.

1. If you haven't turned in your reservation, call Enid Bishop immediately.
 
2. If you have registered and/or intend to join us, welcome!

Update: The meeting will be held as scheduled. If you haven't registered, come anyway. We'll welcome and make room for you!

Calendar

The calendar in the May Chronicle has been changed. Use the link at the right to get the updated version. If it is changed again, a note will be posted here on the blog and on the Facebook page - Christ Church Meadville.

Easter Vigil carpooling

We will meet at Christ Church at 6:30 pm to carpool to the Great Vigil of Easter at the Cathedral of St Paul in Erie on Saturday 23 April 2011. Those being confirmed/received must be there at 7:30. The actual Vigil begins at 8:10. The odd hour is sunset in Erie.

Palm Sunday

The Palm Sunday liturgy began with the Palm Sunday procession welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem, otherwise known as the Holy Pretzel.

Tom read the part of Jesus.

Richard was resplendent in the red of Palm Sunday.

And so Holy Week begins. The Maundy Thursday eucharist will be followed by the Agape Feast. Bring wine, nuts, fruit, olives, cheese, crackers, etc.

The Good Friday liturgy will be at noon. Anyone who works and would like to attend the 7:00 pm Good Friday liturgy at Holy Cross in North East is welcome to ride with Shelley. Let her/me know before 4 pm on Friday.

The Easter Vigil will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St Paul in Erie where three Christ Church people will become received/confirmed. If you need a ride, check the easel by the office or call/email Shelley.

RIP Fran Hunter

Frances Hunter died yesterday at home. The funeral will be Friday, 15 May 2011, 10:00 am at Christ Church. May Fran and her family find peace.

Help bail out our previous Senior Warden

Tom will be arrested and thrown in "jail" on Thursday, 14 April 2011. Christ Church is pooling contributions to bail him out. Send your check to Christ Church by Tuesday, 12 April so we can present a big check for Muscular Dystrophy. Mark "jail" so we know what it is for.

Todo notices for Christ Church

1. Put "outside cleanup" on your calendar for this Saturday, 16 April. If you aren't interested in gardening, come and help explore the cupboards in the kitchens. We'll be there at 9 am.

2. Don't forget Palm Sunday, especially if you have agreed to read one of the parts.

3. Money for Easter flowers is due in the office on Monday. Bring your check (memoed Easter Flowers) Sunday. Be sure to include the name(s) memorialized or honored plus the donor.

4. We will have the traditional Agape Feast after the Maundy Thursday eucharist. There is a list on the easel by the office to sign telling us what you will bring. You are attending.

5. There is another list on the easel for people who will be driving and those who need a ride to Easter Vigil at the Cathedral in Erie on Saturday, 23 April. Sunset will be at 8:10 so that is when the Vigil will begin. It would be wonderful to have a large Christ Church group to support our new members who will be received/confirmed then.

Laetare Sunday, Mothering Sunday, Rose Sunday

Hopeful signs of spring

Hopefully all the debris will get cleaned up in two weeks. But rain tomorrow and more snow is possible Tuesday morning. Our farmers can't work the mud.

Romp thru the Prayer Book

Father Richard has been giving classes on the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. The gatherings have been popular with much lively conversation.

Easter Vigil at the cathedral

Christ Church will be taking five people to the Easter Vigil to be confirmed/received. We will attend the Vigil at the Cathedral of St Paul in Erie on Saturday, 23 April 2011 at 8:10 pm. Check the easel in the parish house for carpool possibilities.

In and out cleanup day - 16 April

On Saturday, 16 April we will once again gather to work on the parish both inside and outside, weather permitting. The Altar Guild traditionally has their cleanup day then so we will join them. It would be wonderful for the gardens to be neat for Easter! We also need to work on the two kitchens which we didn't get to during the very successful Organize the Clutter day.

Many thanks to all who came to help on 26 March! Much progress was made with useless and broken junque filling the dumpster with more to heave once it is emptied, useful toys going to Women's Shelter and other stuff either claimed by its owner or ordered carefully so it can be found when needed. We hope.

Special prayers

Father Vic Kinnunen had a heart catheterization on 23 March. He is home and doing well.

Bill Williams is in ICU with multiple problems. Prayers requested for him and for the family.

Spelling Competition - Go Roarke!

Our Roarke will represent Meadville in the 61st annual Western Pennsylvania Spelling Bee this Saturday in Pittsburgh.  We know he will do well. We send our prayers for calm and concentration, especially for his father who will accompany him.

Organize the Clutter

The parish will gather around 9 am, or whenever you can come, on Saturday, 26 March to toss, clean and organize the stuff that has accumulated in the Walker Room and the Sunday School rooms.  Anyone who has a special interest in anything that is stored in the church must be there to protect their stuff or risk losing it.  Please come and help!

Samaritan Supper, Wednesday, 23 March, 5:30 pm

Be a good Samaritan – join us for supper

In the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus describes how the Samaritan traveler had compassion on a man who had been beaten and left for dead, offering his own time and money to aid in the wounded man's healing. Jesus's closing admonition is not just for the lawyer who questioned him but for all of us: "Go and do likewise".

In Lent, we are all called to offer compassion and aid to the poor and the wounded. We do this in part through prayer and through sharing what we have with others. To help us answer this call, we will be holding a "Samaritan Supper" at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23 to benefit battered women and children in our own community. The short prayer service, to be held in the Walker Room, will include a ritual of healing, and a simple meal of soup and bread will be provided.

Participants will be asked to bring an item from the list below or a cash donation for the Greenhouse (make checks payable to WSI Inc.). Contact Shelley or Elizabeth so we know how much soup to make.

The Greenhouse needs:
Disposable diapers (med. or lg.),  New XL t-shirts,  Prepaid phone cards,  Feminine hygiene products,  Orajel/anbesol,  Umbrellas,  Adult pain relievers, esp. non-aspirin,  Hair brushes,  Band-aids,  Adult cold remedies,  Adult toothbrushes,  Laundry soap,  Antacid tablets, Pepto-bismal,  Note books,  AA batteries, Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair brushes, Body Wash, Scrubbies, Boxes of tissues, Craft Supplies (glue, paint, markers, scissors, etc.)

Ash Wednesday

The Ash Wednesday liturgy will be at 7:30 pm at Christ Church.  The noon eucharist will be cancelled and will resume on Wednesday, 16 March at 12:05.  See you in church!

Apology

The calendar in the March 2011 Chronicle is now correct.  Sorry.

A Science Scholar

Congratulations, Stephanie, for being a first place winner in the PA Junior Academy of Science regional competition on 29 January!

R.I.P. Lexie

One of Bill's roommates died Thursday evening, 10 February 2011.  She was a wonderful gal and will be greatly missed as she was friendly with certain visitors as well as her servant.

Hooray

Congratulations to Roarke Fernandez for winning the spelling bee!  On to Pittsburgh!

Routley

In his sermon on 30 January, Father Richard talked about Erik Routley. A good short biography including a list of his books is available here.

A Romp through the Prayer Book

Beginning Sunday, 6 February 2011, Father Richard will gather those considering confirmation or reception or just interested to discuss what it is to be an Episcopalian. Grab your coffee hour goodies and join the group.

Weather

Please call the church before venturing out to the Wednesday eucharist. If nobody answers, we didn't make it to the church. Above all, be safe.

After the annual meeting

Despite the outside temperature of 7° F, Christ Church members came for the eucharist and stayed for the annual meeting. Special thanks to Mary and Hank for making the effort, walkers and all. We watched the diocesan video, "It's a Great Day in the Kingdom," then elected Rod and reelected Betty and Shelley to the vestry. There were a few questions about items in the budget which were easily explained. Outgoing Senior Warden Tom expressed appreciation for his predecessor Gay who held the parish together, Father Larry Donahue for bringing healing and Bishop Sean Rowe for sending Father Richard Elberfeld. Father Richard set out four areas the parish must address - Education/Formation, Outreach, Stewardship and Community Involvement. We can't pretend there are no big challenges.

Copies of the Annual Report are available in the church office.

A brief vestry meeting elected Shelley as Senior Warden, Bronnie as Clerk and Pauli as Treasurer. The Junior Warden election was postponed.

After the meeting most people stayed for a soup and salad lunch provided by several generous souls.

At Christ Church Meadville, there is much hope for a bright future given the cheerful participation of everyone in the parish. It is truly "A Great Day in the Kingdom".

Christ Church Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of Christ Church Meadville will take place following the eucharist and before the dismissal during the 10 am liturgy on Sunday, 23 January 2011. A hot lunch will be provided afterward. Yes, provided. You won't have to bring anything unless specifically asked. For those who don't want to negotiate the stairs, transportation will be provided from the parking lot by the parish house door.

Seeking carpet

If you have looked into the Sunday School room lately you may have noticed how stained and gross the carpet is. We need approximately $200 to replace it. If you can help. please mark "carpet"on your donation.

Noon eucharist on Wednesdays

Beginning Wednesday, 19 January 2011, the liturgy of the eucharist will be celebrated at 12:05 pm on Wednesdays in the Walker Room at Christ Church. Holy Women, Holy Men, a publication of The Episcopal Church, will be used. Bring a bag lunch and join the discussion afterward.

The Rt. Rev. Robert Martin

Today we heard that our beloved former priest Robert Martin passed away last night - 11 Jan 2011. The funeral will be Friday, 14 January 2011, 12 noon at St Andrews Episcopal Church, Pickering, OH.

The obituary is here.

Watch this blog for further news.

Christmas Mass Schedule

is here.

Looking for a last minute gift?

How about chickens or a goat or a tree or mosquito nets? Check out Episcopal Relief and Development for opportunities to help others have a much better 2011 and beyond. 85% of your contribution to ERD goes toward helping others. They have a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator.

The Bishop's visit

Bishop Sean Rowe visited Christ Church Meadville this morning. It was fun to have a full complement of acolytes and a couple of extra people in the choir plus some friends we haven't seen in awhile in the congregation. Sorry I didn't get any photos during the service but I was a little busy and didn't even think about it until coffee hour.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christ Episcopal Church

870 Diamond Park
Meadville, PA

Sunday, 19 December 2010, 10:00 am - Bishop Sean Rowe visits

Christmas Eve, Friday, 24 December 2010, 7:30 pm - Holy Eucharist

Christmas Day, Saturday, 25 December 2010, 10:00 am - Holy Eucharist

Sunday 26 December 2010, 10:00 am - Holy Eucharist with Carol Sing

No matter where you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at Christ Church!

Lessons and Carols program

ORGAN VOLUNTARY
Creator of the Stars of Night - William Witherup
Good Joseph, Listen to Me - Jean-François Dandrieu
From Heaven High to Earth I Come - Johann Pachelbel
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine (Resonet in laudibus) - Guy Bovet

PROCESSIONAL HYMN: Once in David's Royal City - Irby
v. 1: Leah Elberfeld

THE BIDDING PRAYER

FIRST LESSON: Genesis 3 - An Acolyte, Stephanie Onyeiwu
CHOIR: Adam Lay Ybounden - William Witherup
HYMN: 105 - God Rest You Merry

SECOND LESSON: Isaiah 9 - A Choir Member, Shelley Huston
CHOIR: People, Look East (Besançon) - Philip Dietterich
HYMN: 60 - Conditor alme siderum

THIRD LESSON: Isaiah 11 - A Lay Reader, Margaret Heald
CHOIR: Thou Shalt Know Him - Mark Sirett
HYMN: 100 - Antioch

FOURTH LESSON: Micah 5 - A Eucharistic Minister, Stuart Thompson
HYMN: 78 - Forest Green

FIFTH LESSON: St. Luke 1 - A Eucharistic Minister, Shelley Huston
CHOIR: A Maiden Most Gentle (French) - Andrew Carter
HYMN: 265 - Gabriel's Message

SIXTH LESSON: St. Luke 2 - A Lay Reader, Alyssa Fernandez
CHOIR: Midwinter - Bob Chilcott
HYMN: 107 - In dulci jubilo

SEVENTH LESSON: St. Luke 2 - The Organist & Choirmaster, William Witherup
CHOIR: Infant Holy (Polish) - Mack Wilberg
HYMN: 96 - Gloria

EIGHTH LESSON: St. Matthew 2 - The Senior Warden, Thomas Collard
CHOIR: Ding-Dong! Merrily on High (French) - William Witherup
HYMN: 109 - The First Nowell

NINTH LESSON: St. John 1 - The Interim Rector, The Rev. Dr. Richard Elberfeld, Jr.
HYMN 83 - Adeste fideles

THE COLLECT & THE BLESSING

RECESSIONAL HYMN 87 - Mendelssohn

ORGAN VOLUNTARY
In Dulci jubilo, BWV 729 - Johann Sebastian Bach

Lessons and Carols, 4 pm, Sunday, 12 December 2010

Father Richard Elberfeld and a few choir members who braved the snow Sunday posed for a photo to advertise the 2010 edition of Christ Church's Lessons and Carols.

Saint Nicholas Sunday

On Sunday, 5 December 2010, Saint Nicholas will return to Christ Church after a long absence. He will bring small gifts in thanksgiving for the mite boxes we will give him. Come, bring your mite boxes and welcome St Nicholas back.

The 2010 Turkey dinner

The dessert table was popular.

Turkey dinner, 6 pm, Friday, 19 November 2010

Christ Church's annual turkey dinner will be held Friday, 19 November at 6:00 pm. Turkey will be provided. Bring your favorite potluck item such as sweet potatoes, veggies, salad, dessert, stuffing, whatever you "need" at a Thanksgiving dinner. There should be 30 or more people. We will gather downstairs. See you there.