The Weekly E-news of Christ Episcopal Church, Binghamton, New York
|
|
|
|
|
From the Rector
|
|
You can click on the image above to be taken to the video that was posted yesterday to our Facebook page.
|
Beloved: We have finally made it to the day after Election Day. After what seems to be an extended season of political ads, roadside signs, and uncertainty regarding the future of our county, we now know who our President will be for the next four years.
|
With certainty, there are those in our parish family who are relieved at the result. And with the same certainty, there are those in our parish family who are fearful of what the next four years might hold.
|
You and I are still getting to know each other. We are still building trust. And for me to be silent on this day neglects an important moment in our common, albeit secular life.
|
Our tradition speaks to moments like these. Our public, civic life is divided. Again, some rejoice today, while others weep. As Christians, we are called to find the fullness of our identify in Christ. I know that there are aspects of each of our identities that do bear weight on who we are: our race, our gender expression, our sexual orientation, our nationality. But beneath all of that; foundational to all of that is our Christian identity: who God sees us as.
|
St. Paul wrote in Galatians that “in Christ this is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Our baptismal identity is deeper than the labels and experiences placed upon us by this temporal world, because our identity in Christ through baptism is eternal.
|
In the days and week and years to come, I wish to invite us to a place of recommitment and relationship with one another. Let’s show that it is our baptismal identity that wins, even when our political solutions are different. Last Sunday, we stood together in this place and renewed our baptismal covenant.
|
We renewed our vow before God to show up – to continue in the Apostle’s teaching and fellowship, the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers. To persevere in resisting evil, and whenever we fall into sin, to repent and return to the Lord. To proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ. To seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves and to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
|
Beloved – that’s the beginning of a new world. A world that temporal leaders and politicians cannot, by their mandates to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution are not looking to build. It’s not their job. It’s our job. We are called to be leaders to build a new world, a redeemed world, a resurrected world.
|
So let us commit to that. Whether we lament or rejoice the result of the election – let us keep the main thing the main thing. Let us keep our Christian identity at the forefront of our minds. Let us, as the people of Christ Church, continue to serve the poor of Binghamton.
|
We have to acknowledge that a conservative political philosophy will now be driving our federal government. And with that comes an understanding of the roll of the government in public life. If social service funding get cut, who will step up, but us? It is Christ’s Church who is to proclaim good news to the poor, release to the captive, sight to the blind, and proclaim the year of the lord’s favor – not the governments. Our CHOW Pantry, Katie’s Closet, and the Winter Warmth project will be vital moving forward.
|
So let’s work together. Let’s continue living into our baptismal identity. If you need to lament, to share your fear and your anxiety of the years to come, please know you can always come and talk with me, so that we might discern what Jesus is calling us to. If you need a safe space to rejoice and say you’re glad – you can come and talk too, so that we might discern what Jesus is calling us to.
|
|
The work of the Church remains, beloved. Let’s live into our baptismal identity and be the community of hope that God calls us to be.
|
|
|
Announcements
|
Rummage Sale - The Rummage Sale itself will be held this weekend: November 8, 9, and 10. The hours are Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Special thanks to those who worked so hard this week organizing and pricing the items.
|
Pledge Cards are being mailed next week. Please prayerfully consider your support of Christ Church, and then help the Vestry by filling out the pledge card. These can be returned by mail or placed in the offering plate. Filling out the pledge card helps the Vestry by providing funding information as we plan and make adjustments for 2025. We want to live within our "means" -- this means knowing what our "means" is. Thank you!
|
Volunteers Needed - Leaves are beginning to accumulate on our beautiful lawn. Anyone who can offer an hour or two to rake, please speak to Gene Stanton at church or call 607-768-8278 to set up a time to volunteer. Thank you.
|
Sunshine Basket - The Rev. Dorothy Pierce, our former Deacon, needs a little sunshine to brighten her day. If you would like to bring in something YELLOW to place in the sunshine basket, we will be receiving items through this Sunday, November 10.
|
Harvest Dinner - On Sunday, November 24, we will have a Harvest Dinner following the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Parishioners may volunteer to bring a side dish to go with the Turkey dinner. A sign up sheet is available in the hallway in the narthex.
|
|
Social Media (Facebook and Instagram) - Over the last few weeks, our social media accounts have been reactivated! Make sure you follow Christ Church on both Facebook and Instagram. You can click below to be taken directly to those sites. Sharing, commenting, and liking posts raised our profile within the algorithm, so others might have a chance to see what is happening here at Christ Church.
|
|
 
|
|
Outreach Opportunities
|
Winter Warmth Project - is still collecting gloves, hats, and scarves. Items can be placed in the basket in the Church or dropped off during office hours.
|
CHOW Pantry - For the month of November, we are particularly looking for canned cranberry Sauce, canned vegetables, canned Yams, boxed stuffing. canned potatoes or boxed instant mashed potatoes, canned apple sauce, and frozen dinner rolls. Any size is welcome, as we feed families of various sizes during the holiday season. The food basket is available in the hallway in the narthex.
|
|
Katie's Closet - If you have not cleaned out last year's winter wardrobe for yourself, your children or grandchildren, please consider bringing any outgrown clothing to Katie's Closet. Items can be placed in the basket in the Church or dropped off during office hours.
|
|
|
The Week Ahead
|
|
- CHOW Pantry from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
|
- Katie's Closet from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
|
|
- Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00 a.m. in the Church
|
- Coffee hour following Holy Eucharist in the Great Hall
|
|
- Bible Study at 10:30 a.m. in the Great Hall
|
|
- Noonday Eucharist at 12:00 p.m. in the Church
|
- Rosary from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
|
|
- CHOW Pantry from 5:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
|
|
- Katie's Closet from 5:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
|
|
- Choir Rehearsal from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Choir Room
|
- AlAnon from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Dewees Chapel
|
- Girl Scouts from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in classroom #2
|
|
- CHOW Pantry from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
|
- Katie's Closet from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
|
- Katie's Closet from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.
|
|
- Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00 a.m. in the Church
|
|
|
|
|
Prayer and Worship
|
|
In the week ahead, please pray for comfort and healing for: Anthony, Ellen, George, Jen, Judy, Laurie, Ralph S. Jr, Steven, and Theo.
|
|
Sunday Server Schedule
|
|
|
To find this weeks' lessons in advance, click the button below.
|
|
Worship Schedules
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
