The Chimes

The Newsletter of Christ Church, Swansea

March 2006

From the Priest-in-Charge

My dear friends and Disciples of Christ:

This is the last Chimes letter I will write to you as your Priest-in-Charge. On March 2, it will be three years exactly since I first came to be with you as your Priest-in-Charge, and at that time I will become your Rector. As I told the vestry, you will not see any great change outwardly. But we will begin a new life together. To issue a call to a Rector is to make a commitment – on all our parts – to walk together along the path where God leads us as a partnered community. You’ll be hearing more about this; but right now, it seems most important to remember how St. Paul talked to the Corinthians about the Church as the Body of Christ - “Indeed, the body does not consist of one member, but of many...if one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored all rejoice together with it.” We are all members of the same Body, and we are bound together, and together we will walk through the smooth and the rough times to arrive at the dream God has for this corner of God’s household known as Christ Church, Swansea. What a tremendous joy it is for me to be blessed to be in partnership with you! We will mark this partnership officially and joyfully on Thursday evening, April 27, with a special service of the Celebration of a New Ministry. PLEASE mark your calendars now and plan to be a part of this wonderful event.

In the meantime, the Body of Christ prepares to enter the season of Lent. During this season, we move more deeply into the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, and his deep relationship with God, his understanding of ministry, and his willingness to go wherever God called him with absolute faith. And so Lent is also for us a time to reflect on our lives of faith and formation, and to recognize the ways we need to grow in that faith so that our lives may be fuller, and richer, and ever more reflective of the love God has given us in Christ.

For many people, the penitential nature and discipline of Lent has prompted them to give something up – chocolate or some other much-loved indulgence. But discipline does not always mean giving up; it also can mean taking something on, something that might enhance and form your life in a pattern of joy and gratitude to God. There are a number of things you might do. Commit to taking a walk several times a week to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Make it a practice to create a special daily prayer time for yourself, even if it just a few minutes in the morning. Try meditating, or sitting quietly listening to favorite music. Some of you might enjoy the discipline of attending our Lenten and Easter program on the Zeffirelli movie “Jesus of Nazareth,” or attending our Tuesday morning Bible Study or service of Holy Eucharist. For some of you it might mean taking a little more time out to do something you especially enjoy. Take the time to do what you need to feel closer to God. But especially – take time. I heard the following from Bishop Barbara Harris at our recent Clergy Pre-Lenten Retreat, and I offer it to you as a discipline for your season of Lent. May it be a gift to you as it was to me.

Take Time

Take time to think;

It is the source of all power.

Take time to play;

It is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to read;

It is the fountain of wisdom.

Take time to pray;

It is the greatest power on earth.

Take time to love and be loved;

It is a God given privilege.

Take time to be friendly;

It is the road to happiness.

Take time to laugh;

It is the music of the soul.

Take time to give;

It is too short a day to be selfish.

Take time to work;

It is the price of success.

Take time to do charity;

It is the key to heaven.

The peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ be with each of you in this holy season.

Beth+

Outreach News

Fourteen Outreach members met January 24th and planned many programs for 2006.

We will be placing decorated baskets for the Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry donations in the church entry and the parish house. Thanks to all who helped with this "spruce up" plan. We hope the new appearance will serve as a reminder to our parish to bring food donations.

We are planning an activity for the Country Gardens Nursing Home residents on Wednesday, February 23 at 2:30. We are planning a short program of entertainment and refreshments. Al Deston will accompany many members of the choir for a couple of tunes. Additionally Caitlin Scott will honor everyone with a few selections. We will end with a song-a-long for the residents. If you care to accompany us please call Marsha Gauthier 508-678-6486.

We are planning an "Easter Breakfast" for the Fall River Family shelter on Saturday Apr 15th. Members of our group will once again make a delicious breakfast for these families. We will also be presenting them with Easter Baskets. If you are interested in helping in some way please contact Marsha Gauthier at 508-678-6486.

A Teddy Bear Stuffing Party is planned for April 19th . It will be held in the church parish house at 7PM. Everyone is welcome to join in on this fun and worthwhile event. We have fellowship and stuff Teddy Bears for those living with cancer. It is a great idea for a parent-child evening as well.

There will be a sign up sheet at the rear of the church.

We will be holding a Bake Sale/Raffle on Sunday May 7th as a general fund raiser for Outreach missions. It was a huge success last May. Thank you all for making it happen!

We will be hosting a Blood Drive for the American Red Cross. It will be held the first week in October. Last year we collected an amazing 55 pints of blood!

We are planning a supper in October to raise money for our Honduran sister church. (Possibly to be a shared donation for Katrina victims) It will be held on a Friday evening towards the middle of the month.

Once again we will be making a donation to aid the St Luke's Cambodian Youth Program, Fall River. More details to follow at a later date.

We are looking into a mission regarding aid for needy families in our community. If you know of a family or individual who would could use our assistance please contact Marsha Gauthier at 508-678-6486. All information is considered confidential.

We have a busy year planned and can only succeed with the support of our congregation.

Future Quarterly Meetings will be held on April 25th, July 25th and October 24th. Please feel free to join us.

Respectfully,

Marsha Gauthier

Worship and Christian Formation

Ash Wednesday Services

Ash Wednesday is March 1. We will have two services of Holy Eucharist and the Imposition of Ashes, at 12:00 noon and at 7:00 pm.

Tuesday Morning Holy Eucharist and Bible Study

Please remember that everyone is most welcome to attend our service of Holy Eucharist, held every Tuesday morning at 10:00 am. And beginning on Tuesday, February 28, we will have a Bible Study in the church at 11:00 am. Please plan to join us for one or both. During the Bible Study, we will read and discuss the lessons for the upcoming Sunday.

Nursery

Please note that we now have a Nursery Corner for our youngest children in the Parish House during our 10:00 service. Steve and Bethany Cantafio are coordinating the staffing of it – many thanks! Please let the office know if you would like to help out.

Safe Church Training

The Episcopal Church continues in its endeavors to ensure that each parish is a welcoming, nurturing, and especially SAFE place for each of our parishioners, especially our children. To that end, the Diocese of Massachusetts periodically offers “Safe Church” training for parish staff members and volunteers. All paid staff members are required to take this training, and that has been done at Christ Church. It is strongly recommended that Sunday School teachers, nursery volunteers, and vestry members take this training as well. If you are part of any of these ministries at Christ Church – or simply if you would like to be a part of making churches safe places, please consider registering for the Safe Church Training that will be held on Saturday, April 1, at the Church of Our Saviour on County Street in Somerset. You can register for this training under “Safe Church” on the www.diomass.org website. Rev. Beth also has registration forms. For questions or additional information, please contact Rev. Beth; or you can call Grace Elson at 617-879-6309 or email her at gelson@diomass.org.

Lenten/Easter Program – “Jesus of Nazareth”

Are you a movie fan? Are you fascinated by the story of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ? Then this year’s Lenten Series is for YOU! We will have a six-part program featuring the viewing and discussion of parts of Franco Zeffirelli’s epic film, “Jesus of Nazareth,” to be held on the following Wednesday evenings beginning at 7:00 pm: March 8, March 15, March 22, April 5, April 12, and April 26. We will watch and discuss the parts of the film that focus on Jesus’ final acts of ministry, the Last Supper, his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion – and his resurrection; and talk about how these events speak to us through the culture, history, and faith portrayed through the film. You can attend one session or all of them – you will be glad you did! We will have snacks and drinks at each session.

Sunday School

Our Sunday School begins at 9:45 am on Sunday mornings, and continues to be a great hands-on experience of learning and experience for our children. Many of you know that we are using a lot of “props” these days. Would you be willing to come to church a little early and help Lori-Ann and the teachers set up? Please speak to Lori-Ann if you’d be willing to be a part of this ministry.

Youth Group

The March meetings of the Youth Group will be Sunday, March 5 and Sunday, March 19. We will begin at 3:30 pm on March 5, as we will be seeing a film together. Snacks will, of course, be provided!

Stewardship Conference

Stewardship refers to the way we prayerfully manage our time, our money, our talents – ALL the gifts we have been given by God. Sometimes we all appreciate a time when we can be with other Christians to learn and share ideas about how to include God in all these areas of our lives. To that end, the Church of Our Saviour is offering a one-day Stewardship Conference on Saturday, April 29. If you would like to be a part of this effort and ministry at Christ Church, save the date! More information will be forthcoming.

Fellowship

Sunday Coffee Hour

We are still looking for folks who are willing to host Coffee Hour after both the 8:00 and 10:00 services. Please consider helping us create a special time of community and fellowship on Sundays. You can sign up at the back of the church, and there are also some instructions available for you to take as a reference. It is easy and fun!

Mardi Gras at the Church of the Ascension

On Saturday, February 25, there will be a Mardi Gras Celebration at the Church of the Ascension at 160 Rock Street, Fall River. The doors will open at 4:00 pm. We will share a Potluck Supper and enjoy some Karaoke Entertainment! There will also be special activities for kids! Bring your favorite dish and come along with your family. It would be helpful if you would sign up at the back of the church, even if you don’t know what you’re bringing – so that we can make provisions for extra food. Please join us! If you have any questions, you can email Martha Fournier at mfournier@yahoo.com.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

On Tuesday, February 28, Shrove Tuesday, we will have a Pancake Supper in the Parish House, serving from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The cost will be $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12. Please call the office to make reservations or sigh up on the sheet at the back of the church. This is always a delicious meal and a successful and event, and we very much hope you will join us!

At the supper, we will also burn any palms left from last year’s Palm Sunday liturgy, to make ashes for the next day’s liturgy for Ash Wednesday. Please feel free to bring any old palms to church and leave them in the basket near the main entrance.

Book Group

The Christ Church Book Group will meet on Wednesday, March 29 at 7:00 pm in the Parish House. We will be discussing The Hemingway Book Club of Kosovo. All are welcome!

Christ Church Knitting Group

The Christ Church Knitting Group will be meeting every other Tuesday evening from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. All are welcome to attend for knitting, sharing, and visiting. Dates for meetings through the spring are: March 7, March 21, April 4, April 18, May 2, May 18, and May 30. Please contact Diane Stains if you have any questions.

Vestry Notes

At its January meeting, the vestry discussed and acted on the following items:

• We heard that the total amount made to Christ Church in pledges for the year 2006 was $108,113.00 as of January 10, 2006. The Treasurer anticipated that we would end the year in the black.
• We committed to make the final payment of $688.12 to our pledge of $1,000 to the Barbara c. Harris Camp and conference Center.
• We plan to arrange for the cleaning of the basement in the Spring. More information on exact cost is still needed.
• John Liptack of Liptack Designs in Portsmouth will visit the church to discuss the design of a new sign for the front lawn.

Vestry minutes and Treasurer’s reports are available through the office. They will also be posted on bulletin boards in the church and in the parish house.

Please Take Note:

Chimes

The deadline for the submission of items for the April issue of the Chimes is Friday, March 10. Please submit items to the Rev. Beth Grundy or Karen Remine via email or hard copy, or email them to Carol Turner at turnerdw@comcast.net or Marsha Gauthier at gauthm@comcast.net, or leave them in the folder marked CHIMES at the bottom of the parish house stairs leading to the offices. If you are part of the planning of an event or program, you are strongly urged to write something for the newsletter so that we can do our best to keep everyone informed. Many thanks!

Cancellation Notice

In the unlikely event of any further cancellations of services due to weather, please check Providence News Channel 10. The information will be posted on the television and also on their website www.turnto10.com.

Please send us your email address

We are continuing to update our list of email addresses, so that we can keep parish members up to date with events and activities.  Please send your to christchurch4@verizon.net, or call Karen in the office.  Even if you think we have it, it wouldn't hurt to check.  Many thanks! 

Christ Church Day School

The school year is in full swing as the children are busy mastering new skills and enjoying their friends. We have learned about Martin Luther King, Presidents Day, dental health and Valentines Day…just to name a few. As always we learn new songs and music to accompany each topic. The three year olds have enjoyed their Teddy Bear Picnic and the four year olds continue to love their trips to the library with our guest readers (to include Christ Church’s very own Rev. Grundy in the near future!). While we are at full enrollment for the 2006-2007 four year-old programs, we are happy to add children to our waiting list and we still have space in the three-year old program. Please encourage friends and family to pay s a visit.

God Must Have Thought My Right Hand Needed A Rest

Sue Carvalho

I know you haven’t seen my articles in the Chimes for the last few months, you see I’ve been busy, yes even busier than usual for me. I really needed to slow down, rest, and take some time to unwind. Right after I finished knitting six scarves, making cranberry liquor, lemon liquor, a bedspread for my grandson and getting ready for Christmas, that’s when I was going to relax, funny because for me than never happens, until now.

You see I broke my wrist, my right wrist, really badly, the day after Christmas, roller-skating at my granddaughter’s birthday party. It makes for a great story, and oh yeah for a great life lesson as well. I can’t drive, or write (except with my left hand, not very well) or wear a lot of my clothes (I can’t zip things up or put my hand in most of my sleeves) and I’ve had to learn to do a lot with my left hand (the other day I threaded a needle and sewed a button on a shirt.)

What I’ve really learned is that how important it is to be kind, the kindness always comes back. I have a woman at work graciously giving me a ride to work; my brother today picked me up at work, took me for errands, carried bags and opened doors, always with a smile. Another woman is giving me a ride to my Weight-Watchers. I’ve had meals cooked, phone calls of concern, and the most supportive husband I could ask for. Should you be doing that? He constantly asks; let me do that for you he says.

I’ve had to go slow, really slow, had to relax, take naps, relax, and take more naps. Hardest of all is I’ve had to ask for help. That has been the hardest of all for me, very hard. You know what I can’t do it all; I guess none of us can. It’s ok to say I need help, because people like to help you, its part of the cycle of kindness, of doing good deeds.

I try to keep happy face, wait for the wrist to heal (I miss doing Yoga and Pilates) and patiently wait for things to get done, not necessarily in my time frame, but does that matter. I thank God not for the broken wrist (I’m good but not that good) but for the time of reflection, of getting closer to my husband, for leaning on others, for feeling the love and the ability to know I am blessed , even with a broken wrist I am blessed.

P.S. I am looking forward to browsing in Building 19, being able to walk, and going to Yoga. I know my husband will be happy when I can go food shopping by myself. I think we’ll continue to share the other chores.