The Chimes
The Newsletter of Christ Church, Swansea
April 2006
Dear People of Christ Church:
The days are lengthening, and the daffodils in front of the church are beginning to show some yellow. Some snowdrops are up back near the statue of St. Francis, and some crocuses are up. (Even though as I write this, there are snow flurries outside my window!) In short, even though we still face some of the chill of winter, spring is upon us, with all of the promise of new life and length of days that we wait for.
Lent is something like that, too. While we move through the time of reflection and prayer, as we wonder what it really meant for Jesus to take up his cross, and what it means for us to do the same and follow him, we still have a glimpse of the joy that comes at Easter. And that is always the Good News for us – that God is here. And that as we make our own journey, as disciples called to follow Christ - we will see God.
There is no better way to find the meaning and the deep joy of Easter than to engage in the services of Holy Week. It is here, as we move together through the waving of palms on Palm Sunday, the footwashing, the Last Supper, and the Stripping of the Altar on Maundy Thursday; through the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday; as we hear the Exsultet and move through the darkness into the light during the Great Vigil of Easter, that we will be able to shout the Easter Acclamation with the greatest of joy. I strongly encourage you to attend as much of the Holy Week liturgy as possible. Called the Triduum, or three days, the services of Holy Week are one continuing service, beginning with the opening prayers of Maundy Thursday, and concluding with the dismissal at the Great Vigil. It is a journey of inquiry, of sorrow, of discernment, of comfort, of revelation, of joy. And it will change you.
I know everyone is very busy, and I know that it is hard at the end of the day to go back out. But I also know that those who have taken the time to attend Holy Week services have found their lives with Christ changed and deepened. Do allow this to happen in your life. These services are for you. If you want to be transformed, please join us this Holy Week and Easter.
We have one other very special event coming up for us during Eastertide. On Thursday, April 27, Bishop Bud Cederholm will join us here for a service for the Celebration of a New Ministry. On this evening, we will celebrate not only my institution as Rector, but the fact that we are beginning a brand-new phase of our common ministry together. It is my deepest hope that the entire parish family will be present for this wonderful event. You will receive more information shortly, but please mark your calendars now!
It is a privilege to serve you as Rector!
With my love and prayers,
Beth+
There are two ways in which you can help the ministry of pastoral care at Christ Church!
Many thanks for the many ways in which you serve one another!
Beth
Grundy+
Outreach News
We have placed 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.
Several members of the Christ Church Choir & Outreach Group hosted a small party for the Country Gardens Nursing Home residents on Wednesday, February 23. We presented a short program of songs & also served refreshments of our own home baked goodies. Al Deston accompanied the choir and played some sing-a-long tunes that everyone enjoyed. Additionally we all had the pleasure of hearing selections by Caitlin Scott. Thank you to all who participated. It was a huge success.
The Outreach Committee purchased a book that is available for lending to members of the parish. The name is "The Prayer Shawl Ministry". It includes 8 prayer shawl patterns to knit and crochet. Beginner-Friendly instructions.
Ideas for your prayer shawl ministry and Letters of Love, Stories of Healing. Please notify Betty Traynor at 508-675-7954 or Marsha Gauthier at 508-678-6486 if you would like to borrow it.
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. Would you care to make a breakfast casserole?
A Teddy Bear Stuffing Party is planned for Wednesday evening April 19th. Everyone is welcome to join in on this fun and worthwhile event. We have fellowship and stuff and name Teddy Bears to be presented to those living with cancer. This 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 having 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 calling members of our parish to ask for your help soon.
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. Take outs will again be available.
Once again we will be making a donation to aid the St Luke's Cambodian Youth Program. 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 could use our assistance please contact Marsha Gauthier at 508-678-6486. All information is confidential.
We have a busy year planned and can only succeed with the support of our congregation.
Quarterly Meetings will be held on April 25th, July 25th and October 24th.
Please feel free to join us.
Respectfully,
Marsha Gauthier
As you know, we have a growing number of opportunities for members of the parish to be together to share common interests and serve one another and the community. Our Knitting Group will meet on April 4 and April 18, at Esther Mello’s home. Our Book Group will meet on Wednesday, April 26 at the Parish House. On Wednesday, April 19, the Outreach Committee will sponsor a Bear Stuffing Party, and the Outreach Committee will meet on April 25. The Crafts Group will continue to meet Monday evenings in the Parish House. Please check these dates out and mark your calendars!
There will be a Safe Church Training held on Saturday, April 1, at the Church of Our Saviour in Somerset. This is a training sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, designed for church members whose ministry puts them in contact especially with children and young people. Anyone who is involved in our nursery, children, or youth is encouraged to attend, as well as those who might be interested in these ministries in the future. Please let Beth Grundy know if you are interested; or go to www.diomass.org for more information. There will be several of these trainings held each year at various points around the diocese.
8:00 am – Holy Eucharist
10:00 am – Holy Eucharist
7:00 pm Holy Eucharist with Footwashing and the
Stripping of the Altar
12:00 noon Good Friday Liturgy with Communion from
the Reserved Sacrament
7:00 pm Good Friday Liturgy with Communion from
the Reserved Sacrament
6:00 pm The Great Vigil of Easter
Sunday, April 16 – The Feast of the Resurrection – Easter Day
8:00 am Festival Holy Eucharist
10:00 am Festival Holy
Eucharist
Day
School
The
Children at the Day School are eagerly awaiting spring and the chance to play
outside once again. The three year olds
are learning about the weather and look forward to their monthly “Wearing of
the Color” day. The four year olds are
marching through the alphabet and enjoying playing instruments. A relaxing “Wear your pajamas to school day”
is coming soon.
Thank
you from Leslie Jones
Leslie
Jones writes to her friends at Christ Church:
“Please
extend my heartfelt thanks to all those at Christ Church for their cards and
very kind words. Clint would be so
pleased to know that so many of you thought of his family during this difficult
time.
We
had a wonderful memorial service on February 4. We handed out t-shirts to everyone with this quote on the
back: “Love life – Challenge the
warrior within” and then Clint’s name underneath…there were tears, laughter,
and wonder as we all celebrated a life lived with enthusiasm…the poems that
were read were three of Clint’s which he had written during the last 2
years…how thankful I am to have such caring friends.”
Leslie
included a copy of the Order of Worship which is on the bulletin board in the
church for you to see. Please continue
to keep Leslie and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
Please
Note!
There
are copies of the 2005 Annual Report available at the back of the Church.
Vestry
Minutes and Treasurer’s Report for February, 2006 are on the bulletin board in
the church and in the Parish House, and can be obtained through the office.
The deadline for the May issue
of the Chimes is Wednesday, April 19, 2006. If you have something you would like
included in the Chimes, please email it to the parish office or leave it
in the folder marked “Chimes” at the bottom of the stairs, so we can get it to
Carol Turner and Marsha Gauthier in a timely fashion. Many thanks!