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A Message from Mother Katrina
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This week’s stewardship theme is “grow.” In the hallway that leads to the church, there are five bulbs sitting in a dish just beginning to bloom. It is a curious thing that these bulbous organisms, meant to thrive in the rich earth of springtime, somehow manage to burst forth life indoors in the cold darkness of winter. And they do so rather quickly, thrusting up bit by bit as if an opportunity awaits them. It turns out that what the bulbs need is only sun and water. For a season, there is enough stored nourishment in the bulb itself to allow it to blossom and grow in a dish surrounded by rocks. While this leads to glorious blooms, it exhausts the bulbs. For bulbs to blossom again and again, they need to be rooted in rich soil, to lie fallow during the cold weather, and naturally grow as the earth that surrounds them warms.
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The many months of disruption caused by the pandemic uprooted us all. Somehow, we managed to continue on, in large part because humans are innately resilient. But like forced bulbs, if we do not receive nourishment—for our bodies, minds, and spirits—we become drained and wither. Undernourished people, like any living organism, cannot grow. It is so important now to pause and consider your current state of mind, how your physical health is, and the amount of spiritual energy filling your soul. Take stock of your well-being and become clear about what you need to thrive.
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Likewise, a church that is not growing is dying. Signs of growth include overall spiritual health of the church: the amount of energy for ministry; levels of cooperation and mutual support; and growing numbers in worship attendance and ministry participation. In our upcoming cottage meetings, we will take stock of these aspects of our spiritual vitality and consider how we will go from the fallow “season” of pandemic to new life--a life of thriving. It takes all of us tending our common life with intention and commitment to fully grow into Christ’s love. If you have not already signed up for an upcoming cottage meeting, I urge you to do so. Together, let us grow into the church God calls us to be.
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A Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians
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The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
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Consider the many ways you have been blessed and acknowledge that God is the source of it all.
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- human resiliency and any blessings of health and wellness
- gratitude that spurs you on to generosity
- your wealth, resources, talents, and life experience
- Christ Church’s donors and its resources as a parish
- the Creator who made all things and wonderfully restores them through Jesus Christ
- together, we a clear vision for the future of Christ Church
- that Christ Church will have the financial resources to fully live into its ministry and mission
- that all God’s people and the Creation might be restored to wholeness through the love and power of Jesus Christ
Prayer
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.
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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.
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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.
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Thursday, November 17 – 7:00 PM at the home of Ed and Sue Sarzynski:
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6 Lolita Street, Chenango Bridge (607-648-3776)
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Sunday, November 20 – 3:00 PM at the Christ Church Great Hall – hosted by Barb and Gene Stanton
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Monday, November 21 – 7:00 PM at the home of Susan MacLennan:
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16 Rossmore Place, Binghamton (607-222-2615)
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Tuesday, November 29 – 7:00 PM at the home of Marianne McCormick:
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34 Patricia Street, Binghamton (607-760-2901)
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Wednesday, November 30 – 7:00 PM at the home of Stacey Gould and Jim Ehmke:
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2 Front Street, Binghamton (607-723-1513 and 607-759-5905)
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The host’s phone number for each cottage meeting is also listed, if you need directions.
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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.
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Christ the King &
Ingathering of Pledges
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This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King and our fall ingathering of pledges for 2023. Join us for a special coffee hour to celebrate following the 10:00 am Sunday service.
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Special thanks to Susan MacLennan for her leadership in stewardship; our Stewardship Moment speakers--Stacey Gould, Jim Ehmke, John Endress, and Leah Cunningham; Debbie McLeod and our Sunday School for the stewardship skit; and people who have already pledged to the 2023 pledge campaign. Christ Church is able to continue forward in its mission and ministry thanks to parishioners like you!
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Worship Services
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Sunday Worship Service
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Join us at Christ Church Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for Holy Eucharist.
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This service will be live-streamed via YouTube at 10:00 a.m. and available for playback within 24 hours.
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Weekday Worship
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Holy eucharist at Noon in the Lounge.
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Masks are encouraged as COVID continues to spread in Broome County.
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Sunday School
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Sunday School will meet every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
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Rosary
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Rosary will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m.
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Upcoming dates are as followed:
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While Christmas brings festivities and celebration, for some, it can be difficult to anticipate a joyful holiday season. Whether you have suffered a loss, experience anxiety, are struggling with illness or a difficult diagnosis, or troubled by life's challenges, the darker days of December can be difficult. Tidings of Comfort is a worship service designed to help us appreciate the nature of hope and expectancy that Advent we await God's promises. All are welcome to attend to receive support and to support others.
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For your Prayers
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Prayer List
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In the week ahead, please pray for comfort and healing for: Annie, Barbra K., Don, George, Jeanette, Joell, Judy, Katelyn, Kathy, Sally, Shea, Tricia, and Jerry & Judy
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Outreach
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Reverse Advent — 24 Days of Giving
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We are very excited to bring back Reverse Advent to benefit the Christ Church CHOW food pantry. Join us in collecting food and personal care items (1 item a day) to give to our CHOW clients. A letter listing food and personal care items will be available in church on November 27th and in Heads’ up on November 30th.
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Reusable shopping bags with custom logos have been donated for use in shopping for and collecting these items. Please fill these bags with the items listed and return them to church. Bags and items can be returned weekly (to reduce the weight of the items when being carried in) or in one drop off, either on or before Christmas Eve. Mother Katrina will bless these bags on Sunday, December 31.
Active participation in this project is preferred, however monetary donations can be made for CHOW personal shoppers to fill a bag for you. A jar in the back of the Sanctuary has been provided to collect monetary donations. Our goal is to provide a bag of food and personal care items for 24 families.
Together we can make a difference.
Blessings to you and your family during this Advent season.
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— Lisa Tiziani & The CHOW Team
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Winter Warmth Project
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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!
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Katie's Closet
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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!
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Announcements
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Well done Christ Church!
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Thanks to our IT and Hospitality Teams, Christ Church successfully fulfilled its responsibility as one of four Gathering Places for the Diocese Convention this past Saturday. We hosted several in person delegates from around our region who participated via Zoom in the morning program, and in the coordinated Bishop DeDe / Mother Katrina afternoon worship service after a tasty lunch of spiedies, pizza, and delicious desserts.
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The participants and the Diocese's representative thanked us for our hospitality and for all the work which we did in contributing to a successful convention. Approximately 180 delegates attended the 154th annual convention via Zoom and in person. Thank you Daniel Crocker and Leah Cunningham for being our delegates.
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With deep appreciation for all your work, thank you Susan MacLennan and your team: Scott Bowlby; Pat Dutra; Marianne McCormick; Sue Sarzynski; and Barb Stanton.
Also with deep appreciation for all your work, thank you Mark Smith and those from Christ Church and from Syracuse who successfully overcame the IT challenges inherent in such a grand undertaking: Paul Cienniwa; Ron Burry (Syracuse); Ryan Davis; Father Jim; Evan Kindig; Shawn Landon; Ron Mirizio (Syracuse); and Kevin Shea. Thanks also to Jim Davidson for helping to set up for the in person attendees.
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We wish to express our gratitude to Bishop DeDe and the Diocese for asking us to be one of only four churches participating in this grand experiment for having a convention. Thank you also for reimbursing us for all expenses and for leaving us for our own use numerous equipment, including a conferencing camera.
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If you would like to view a video or transcript of the Bishop's Convention address, click the blue button below.
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Donations
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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.
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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.
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A big THANK YOU to those who already have!
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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.
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Sunday Servers
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To find this weeks' lessons in advance, click the blue button below.
We will be using track one.
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Reader Schedule
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Chimer Schedule
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Vestry Greeter and Lock Up Schedule
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A Word From Your Senior Warden
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NO WORDS NEEDED
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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.
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