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.

Evensong 4:00 pm Sunday, 31 October 2010

The choirs of Christ Church and First Presbyterian Church will present Evensong in the tradition of the 1662 Prayer Book on Halloween afternoon.

Healing Service 24 October 2010

A service of healing will be held after the 10:00 am Eucharist on Sunday, 24 October 2010. All are welcome at Christ Church. Come!

Welcome, Father Richard!

The Rev. Dr. Richard Elberfeld will be our priest at least until 2011 and perhaps beyond. The people who were in attendance this morning were enthusiastic. Another new era begins.

Organ and brass concert

On a hopeful note...

Christ Church will have a priest-in-charge beginning 1 October 2010 at least through the end of the year. The Rev Dr Richard Elberfeld has agreed to be with us two days a week. The Rev Kathleen Ziegenhine has agreed to supply at least the last two Sundays in September.

Now if only we could find a bi-vocational Episcopal priest who would relocate to beautiful Northwestern Pennsylvania!

Stay tuned...

On a sad note...

The formal announcement of Father Larry Donahue's resignation as Priest-in-Charge at Christ Church was made this morning by our senior warden. We are sad to say Goodbye but we are even sadder knowing that further health concerns are causing the separation. We pray for Father Larry and his wife Pat as both have physical issues that complicate their lives and are difficult to deal with.