|
|
|
|
A Message from Mother Katrina
|
|
This week our stewardship theme is “attend.” In March of 2020, the joy and privilege of attending worship services at church was taken from us by a new, virulent, little-understood virus called COVID-19. Our lives were disrupted in so many ways in the months that followed; not experiencing weekly Eucharist, the grounding of worship week after week, and the lack of fellowship unmoored us. For some the time of isolation produced a new appreciation of the spiritual nourishment provided by the Eucharist. (Sometimes you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone!) Some found meaningful connection through livestreamed services and celebrated that option, while others tolerated it. Traditions were upended; uncertainty held us in its grip.
|
Congregations throughout the nation are just coming to terms with the seismic shifts wrought by the pandemic: decreased attendance, fewer leaders serving in worship, fewer worship services, mixed levels of comfort with gathering while the COVID virus continues to cause illness and death, just to name a few. Our situation at Christ Church mirrors what is happening in most churches. It’s important to note, however, that the pandemic only exacerbated a long, slow trend in declining membership among main-line denominations. Episcopal churches with Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) of fewer than 100 rose from two-thirds (68%) of our congregations to three-quarters (75%) from 2012 to 2020. This decline is complex. One of the often overlooked factors in declining Episcopal ASA, though, is that regular attendance by active members has decreased. People who normally attended Sunday services except for extreme reasons are taking more Sundays off. Those who were sporadic to begin with are attending even less over the last two decades. So when we look at a decline in ASA, we should first ask ourselves, “Am I faithfully and regularly attending church?”
|
|
As Episcopalians, everything we do begins in worship. Worship is the primary former of our personal theology. Christian community is created in and shaped by worship. The hearing of the Word and sharing of the sacrament spiritually connect us through Christ. Even pastoral care begins in worship. This, of course, is why pandemic restrictions were so difficult for us. As stewards of the time God has given to us, now is a good moment to pause and consider how you might use your valuable time to reconnect in worship and in the larger life of the congregation. As we rebuild the community of Christ Church, your presence in our common life is important and valued. Your commitment to attend, give, serve, and lead will make all the difference in our future. Yes, much has changed. But the need for a vibrant community of faith in downtown Binghamton has only grown. It begins with you.
|
|
Consider the many ways you have been blessed and acknowledge that God is the source of it all.
|
- the relationships that sustained you through the pandemic
- the ways that Christ Church has nurtured your spiritual life
- the ability of Christ Church to meet our financial commitments
- the endowment that enables the maintenance of our beloved historic structure
- the hope of Jesus Christ that bridges uncertainty and yields gratitude
- the strengthening of spiritual and emotional bonds that connect us
- the repair of civil discourse and mutual respect among all
- a shared sense of purpose and mission at Christ Church
- a spirit of abundant joy
- a creative spirit of openness to new things
|
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
|
|
|
Stewardship Facts
|
In 2020, the average pledge at Christ Church was $2,251. While the average pledge has stayed relatively stable, our pledging units have dropped to 63.
|
|
In 2021, the CHOW food pantry served 360 scheduled clients. Katie’s Clothing Closet served, on average, 33 clients a month.
|
|
|
Cottage Meetings
|
The Vestry will be hosting five cottage meetings during the month of November. These meetings will be held to rebuild our connections with one another and share our hopes for Christ Church. Our Interim Rector, Mother Katrina, will be at these meetings to listen and share ideas about congregational development. We hope you can attend one of these cottage meetings and be part of the conversation about our future.
|
|
Thursday, November 17 – 7:00 PM at the home of Ed and Sue Sarzynski:
|
6 Lolita Street, Chenango Bridge (607-648-3776)
|
Sunday, November 20 – 3:00 PM at the Christ Church Great Hall – hosted by Barb and Gene Stanton
|
|
Monday, November 21 – 7:00 PM at the home of Susan MacLennan:
|
16 Rossmore Place, Binghamton (607-222-2615)
|
|
Tuesday, November 29 – 7:00 PM at the home of Marianne McCormick:
|
34 Patricia Street, Binghamton (607-760-2901)
|
|
Wednesday, November 30 – 7:00 PM at the home of Stacey Gould and Jim Ehmke:
|
2 Front Street, Binghamton (607-723-1513 and 607-759-5905)
|
The host’s phone number for each cottage meeting is also listed, if you need directions.
|
|
Sign-up sheets are available in the Great Hall, however, you may also send an email to Susan MacLennan (smmaclennan@stny.rr.com) with your meeting request.
|
|
|
Worship Services
|
Sunday Worship Service
|
Join us at Christ Church Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for Holy Eucharist.
|
|
This service will be live-streamed via YouTube at 10:00 a.m. and available for playback within 24 hours.
|
|
Weekday Worship
|
|
Holy eucharist at Noon in the Lounge.
|
|
|
Masks are encouraged as COVID continues to spread in Broome County.
|
|
Sunday School
|
|
Sunday School will meet every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
|
|
|
Rosary
|
Rosary will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m.
|
|
Upcoming dates are as followed:
|
|
|
For your Prayers
|
|
|
Prayer List
|
|
In the week ahead, please pray for comfort and healing for: Annie, Barbra K., Don, Ellen, George, Jeanette, Joell, Katelyn, Kathy, Sally, Shea, Tricia, and Judy.
|
|
|
Outreach
|
|
Reverse Advent — 24 Days of Giving
|
Time is flying by! Before we know it, preparations for Christmas will be upon us. Advent is when the traditional Advent calendars are enjoyed, opening the little door so we can retrieve our treat. This year, Christ Church invites our parishioners to join us in a reverse Advent to benefit our CHOW food pantry. This is an opportunity for you to give one item a day to the food pantry for our clients, in an effort to make their Christmas brighter. Our goal is to provide a bag of food and personal hygiene items to 24 families. Please help us help those in need by filling the bags that will be located near the rear of the sanctuary. Our loving Lord has taught us, “it is better to give than to receive.”
|
More details will be provided next week.
|
|
— Lisa Tiziani and the CHOW Team
|
|
|
Winter Warmth Project
|
|
Once again we will be collecting scarves, gloves, and hats to hang on our outdoor railing. Last year over 300 sets were taken, not including the sets placed on our railing by members of the community.. Any donations you can make will be appreciated!
|
|
|
Katie's Closet
|
|
We are currently looking for volunteers for a couple of hours each month to help with the clothing closet. If you are interested please contact Rick Pescatore, Diane Button, or the church office. Thank you!
|
|
|
Announcements
|
|
Donations
|
We thank all who have supported our work and worship and ask for your ongoing contributions that we may remain a positive presence in the lives of many and in caring for one another.
|
You can donate via our website at www.christepiscopalbing.com/donate/. You can now click donate to send your pledge or other special donations. You can donate specifically to CHOW, Katie's Closet, the Rector's Discretionary Fund, Organ/Bells Repair and Upkeep.
|
|
A big THANK YOU to those who already have!
|
|
|
Christ Church Amazon
When you're shopping on Amazon, go to smile.amazon.com and list "Christ Church Binghamton" as your charity of choice. The Church will receive .5 % of your purchase!
$744.24 has been given to Christ Church from your Amazon purchases since its program began. THANK YOU for designating Christ Church to receive these proceeds. Every little bit helps.
|
|
|
Sunday Servers
|
|
To find this weeks' lessons in advance, click the blue button below.
We will be using track one.
|
|
|
|
|
Reader Schedule
|
|
|
Chimer Schedule
|
|
|
Vestry Greeter and Lock Up Schedule
|
|
|
|
|
A Word From Your Senior Warden
|
|
|
NO WORDS NEEDED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Despite the changes around us we are a Church and a community that stands together in faith despite adversity. We feel fortunate to have each other during these difficult and uncertain times.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
