|
For Your Calendar Sunday, November 2: All Saints’ Sunday - 9:15 a.m. - “Our Saints” celebration in the churchyard Sunday, November 9: 10:00 a.m. - Joyful Noise Praise Band leads worship Sunday, November 9: 5:00 p.m. - Evensong led by our clergy and choir - in the church Sunday, November 23: 7:00 p.m. - Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service - at Christ Church Wednesday, November 26: 8:30 a.m. - Thanksgiving Eucharist - in the church |
|
November 2008 Volume XV- Number 9 Phone: 607-547-9555 / Fax 607-547-7414 Website: www.christchurchcooperstown.org |
|
CHRIST CHURCH HISTORY RALPH BIRDSALL
As the night deepened, the three disciples lay stretched upon the earth in slumber, while our Lord kept lonely vigil, absorbed in prayer. All at once the sleeping men were startled by a sense of strangeness, and a glow of dazzling light. They looked upon the Master, and were amazed to behold Him glorified by a mysterious effulgence that emanated from His person, and wrapped Him in white-flaming splendor. His countenance blazed with an unearthly light of supreme exaltation. His whole figure became luminous. His garments gleamed and glittered with the shimmering of radiant energy. The fire of divinity shone through the vase of humanity. This Galilean peasant, this carpenter of Nazareth, was aglare with the glory of God, and His coarse garments were resplendent with the awful majesty of the King of kings.
The Transfiguration is the one incident in the Gospel story which seems designedly described as spectacular—an even in the life of Christ held up not for imitation, but for admiration. Other events stand for His pity, His power, His sinlessness. The Transfiguration presents Him as an object of contemplation. Here alone He is represented as a Being of terrible and blazing beauty. Here alone the Christian religion seems to offer the Beautiful as an attainment, quite apart from the utilities. For no doctrine has ever been based upon the Transfiguration, and no Christian practice has ever been evolved from it—almost it may be said that no lesson can be drawn from the lesson as it stands alone. It is a spectacle of Beauty.
--words from our former rector, Ralph Birdsall, in Sermons in Summer, 1912 |
|
RUMMAGERY This fall’s rummage sale was one of the most successful even though the clothing tables were not piled as high as usual. Fourteen volunteers helped set-up during the week, work the sale days, and pack-up everything not sold – which is taken to the Salvation Army. These items will further help a worthy cause, and not end up in the landfill. Mike Page again used his truck for the church to transport these leftovers to Oneonta.
A large crowd was waiting outside the door on Friday morning before we open at 10 A.M.; many were familiar shoppers who have been coming for years. It has been said that our sale is the best one in Cooperstown! (People come from surrounding towns!). The bag sale on Saturday morning has become more popular than ever. People who shop with us are either in need, or just looking for a great bargain.
Thanks should also go to everyone who has been so generous with their donations. It can be very overwhelming to sort through your possessions and then “let go” of them. We also receive contributions from people who are not church-members. Money raised is used for several outreach projects. My family and I have a special interest in the Dominican Republic, and Grace Welch, who had been our rummage sale leader for years (many thanks), is very pleased when we can help the sisters of St. Margaret in Haiti .
Our next sale is in the first weekend of May – please join us!
--Kathy Jagels |
|
I Spy With My Little Eye Again this month the images in the Chronicle are drawn from the work of artist Rudolf Koch, originally published in the book Christian Symbols (trans. Kevin Ahern; San Francisco: Arion Press, 1996) and now in public domain. Some of these are a little more puzzling than those than appeared last month. See if you or a child in your house can find these symbols: a creature once thought to feed its young with blood from its own breast and thus became linked with Christ; AMATE, or LOVE in Greek; eternity without start or stop; The Old and New Testaments; Jesus Sends Forth the Twelve; Nine Beatitudes of The Sermon on the Mount; the Greek word ICQUS, or ICHTHUS (a word meaning fish, the Greek letters standing for words meaning “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior); The Epistles of St. Paul; The Eye of God; Jesus Christ Conquers (remember shoes by Nike, whose ads imply victory!); Jesus and the Seventy.
Let’s Have A Party!! It's never a party when we worry about the “needy-side” and “hungry-side” of our own situations, the “not-enough” of our personal finances or our church finances. When we realize the “plenty-side” is more about attitude than quantity, we walk in the door. It’s still dark in the room under budget gloom, and we all fumble for a magic switch. When we really discover that we can live with what we have and give with what we have, the lights go on and we see balloons, friends, piñatas, and Christ who has been strengthening us all along. The secret is out! The surprise party is us!
--Jim High, Stewardship |
THE TIMES ARE NIGHTFALL…--Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) The times are nightfall, look, their light grows less;The times are winter, watch, a world undone:They waste, they wither worse; they as they runOr bring more or more blazon man’s distress.And I not help. Nor word now of success:All is from wreck, here, there, to rescue one— Work which to see scarce so much as begunMakes welcome death, does dear forgetfulness. Or what is else? There is your world within.There rid the dragons, root out there the sin.Your will is law in that small commonweal… |
|
Music Notes --Roberta Rowland-Raybold, Organist/Choirmaster, 607-547-9555
KOINONIA 2009—Sign-Up New Opportunities to Meet
KOINONIA (coin-oh-nee-ah) is a Greek word meaning “fellowship”. KOINONIA is an opportunity for small groups (about 8 to 10 people) who commit to get together for dinner in one another’s homes (or another location) on a regular basis, once a month—January through May.
It’s meant for long-time members, and for newcomers. It’s for any adult—individuals or couples. No program, no readings, no videos—it is simply a time for fellowship—the opportunity to get to know one another better.
Here’s how it generally works: each individual or couple is assigned a portion of the meal (main course, vegetable, etc.); the host is usually responsible for beverages. The host function rotates among the group members (as does the responsibility for the various courses). Fr. Sam and Edith rotate among the groups.
While each KOINONIA group generally sets its own schedule of get-togethers, this year we introduce two new options: FIRST SATURDAY and FOURTH FRIDAY. You can sign up for a group that will meet each FIRST SATURDAY (Jan 3, Feb 7, Mar 7, Apr 4 and May 2). OR You can sign up for a group that will meet each FOURTH FRIDAY (Jan 22, Feb 26, Mar 27, Apr 24 and May 22). OR You can just sign up and the KOINONIA Committee will assign you to a group (your group decides when to meet).
Effective groups have been instrumental in opening up new friendships, and deepening long-term relationships--strengthening bonds among church members. Interested?
Sign up now until December 15th--groups will be formed immediately thereafter. There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish House dining room or contact Ralph Snell at 547-2276 or via email at rsnell@stny.rr.com. |
|
The Hunt for a New Rector As part of the search for the new rector, the vestry wrote a questionnaire that is presently being distributed to the congregation. Should you not receive a questionnaire and wish to participate, please contact the parish office (547-9555) and a copy with its covering letter will be sent to you. As mentioned on several past occasions, the whole parish family has been asked to complete it so that the vestry will have a more complete idea of what Christ Church desires in its new rector. To be considered, all questionnaires must be returned no later than November 2nd to the parish office, the church, or other sites defined in the covering letter. This deadline must be considered mandatory, so that the information can be compiled and collated in a timely manner.
Following the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services on Sunday October 19th, Ms. Beth Strickland conducted a meeting of interested parishioners in the dining room. Beth did an outstanding job in explaining the search process as suggested by the Albany Diocese. Her visit served to clear up any misunderstandings and to define the steps involved in this lengthy and detailed process. She clearly delineated each participant’s role: the vestry’s, the bishop’s, and her office. Beth was direct and concise, giving no mixed messages. Christ Church received a compliment from her for having started this search process so soon. --Roger MacMillan, Vestry/Search Committee
Prayer for a Search Most gracious Lord, we give thanks for all of the dedicated clergy who have served Christ Church. Grant that the Holy Spirit may guide and direct those who will call our next rector. We pray that they may choose wisely that we may receive a faithful minister to lead and equip this parish in our worship, our ministries and our daily lives, seeking to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Search Committee Our preliminary budget for 2009 includes $14,000 for extra expenses related to our search for a new rector. The largest expense with be the cost of moving our new rector to Cooperstown. There will also be travel expenses. Members of the Search Committee will travel to the home parishes of several finalists, and we also expect to reimburse travel expenses for the 2-3 candidates who we invite to visit Cooperstown. Additional costs will also be incurred for national advertising of the position and printing and mailing search information.
To minimize our expenses, we plan to use the church website as the primary source of information on the parish for prospective pastors. We will use phone interviews and careful review of submitted information to narrow the field of applicants so that travel expenses are expended wisely. We will have some savings in rector's salary and benefits for the time between when Fr. Sam retires and our new rector begins which will also offset some of the additional expenses.
The cost of travel and moving expenses will vary greatly depending on the distance involved. Our search will be nationwide, so our new rector may come from our Diocese or anywhere from Maine to California! Our budget estimate is therefore only that . . . an estimate. But we are committed to spending wisely for the ultimate goal of calling a faithful pastor to lead us.
Susan Snell The Search Committee |
|
Vestry Notes - September
Father Sam opened the meeting with a prayer, and then invited vestry members to offer their own prayers either silently or aloud.
The vestry was reminded to try to expedite and shorten vestry meetings for the foreseeable future. After each meeting, Father Sam will depart and the vestry will immediately re-open as the “Search Committee” charged with selecting a priest to replace Father Sam following his retirement next June.
The agenda and the minutes of the August 11th vestry meeting were approved.
Several vestry members reported that they had heard positive comments about our organist/choirmaster, Roberta Rowland-Raybold from their “caring contacts.”
John Mason reviewed the August Treasurer’s Report. He noted that pledges were running slightly behind but that we were still “in the black” financially. He also indicated that he has included a new sheet which evidences the balance and account activity of our money market fund.
Susan Snell reported on behalf of Financial Planning committee. She indicated that Jim Polus, a member of the committee, will assist the Treasurers with Quickbooks so that additional information can easily be added to their reports. It was noted that the Audit Committee consisting of Chuck Carrier, Anita High, and John Clow was reviewing the church’s financial records and would be reporting back shortly. Susan Snell and Phil Mower have completed an analysis of the endowment/investment fund from 1991 through September 2007. Over that period, 5% of the value of the fund has been withdrawn each year to provide funds for operating expenses and capital improvements. The goal of this method was to insure that the value of the remaining endowment account funds equaled the “inflation-adjusted” amount of the original endowment amount. Although we are slightly behind (2%), we believe this has been a successful strategy. Last but not least, Susan reported that Jim Polus has volunteered to purchase and donate two new computers to the church. These will replace the antiquated computers currently used by the church’s secretary and treasurer.
The monthly “To Do List” was reviewed by Martin Tillapaugh and a number of items were “struck” to indicate that they were resolved and/or completed (i.e. the problem of bats in church, painting chapel exterior, replacing siding/insulation on 65 Fair, removal of the white pine tree in the cemetery near church, and sharing the removal cost of a boundary-line tree with Mr. Hage.)
Teri Barown reported that the Building & Grounds committee is working on their budget requests for next year and will be completing them shortly. October 26th has been designated as “clean-up day.”
Susan Snell presented a written report that contained a schedule for our pledge drive and outlined proposed vestry involvement. The vestry unanimously approved the schedule and the vestry’s involvement in the drive.
Audrey Murray presented the Outreach Committee report. She noted that Nancy Kelly is no longer able to do the D. R. Scholarship Fund work; she indicated that we need to find someone to take on this responsibility. If you have an interest, please contact Audrey. Plans for the October Rummage sale are proceeding smoothly. Audrey also mentioned that the committee needs a volunteer to oversee the Alternative Christmas Fair. It was reported that the Cooperstown Food Bank, which our church supports, has served a record number of individuals this year! All in all, an incredible story of volunteer and outreach successes!
Father Sam reported that Vicky Hunter from Oneonta will begin her training as a Deacon at Christ Church on September 2nd. There will be no financial cost to the church. Father presented a written report from the “Prayer Table.” Our Prayer Table “ministers” have, during the months of July and August, prayed for 89 people and given out 48 crosses and 21 prayer cards. The vestry unanimously approved the continuation of the prayer table ministry. Father also reported that because the “Christian Education Youth Group” (CEYG ) has ceased to exist, he and Rev. Samuel of the Cooperstown United Methodist Church with several others have formed a sponsoring committee and reached an agreement with “Youth For Christ,” a national ecumenical Christian youth organization, to “fill the void” left by CEYG. This should provide a program for local middle and high school students. Evening meetings will be held weekly in the high school. The initial cost ($10,000) has been raised by the sponsoring group, and there will be no cost to the church.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m., following a closing prayer offered by Father Sam. --Martin Tillapaugh, Warden |
|
Thanks and Praise We thank you, gracious God . . . For the careful work of the audit committee - Chuck Carrier, John Clow and Anita High - in reviewing our 2007 financial records;
For the availability and guidance of the deployment officer, Beth Strickland, to our Search Committee;
For Deacon Donna Steckline’s encouraging visit on October 12th;
For all the organs and organists who have made glad our services over 198 years;
For the continuing support of Bob Mackie’s family for the Rector’s Discretionary Fund;
For new acolytes at the 10 o’clock service;
For the triple success of our Rummage Sale;
For the beauty of this season;
For the hard work and wise leadership of our wardens: Martin Tillapaugh and Susan Snell. |
|
From the Rector Dear Friends, “. . . if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?” -- I Cor.14:8
Some of you are disturbed - and rightly so - by reports in the secular media about events elsewhere in the Episcopal Church: the deposition of Bishop Robert Duncan, the vote at its diocesan convention by the Diocese of Pittsburgh to transfer to the province of the Southern Cone and the withdrawal, with the bishop’s permission, of St. Bartholomew’s Tonowanda from the diocese of Western New York. As one of you put it, “Will we wake up in Angola?”, meaning, I assume, that Bishop Love might transfer us as a diocese to some African province of the Anglican communion.
These are unsettling times in both church and economy so clear thinking and deep, prayerful trust are needed by all of us. It is true that some conservative dioceses and parishes are attempting to leave the Episcopal Church, with their buildings and endowments, but remain Anglican. They do so because they are persuaded that a majority of the
Church has set aside the authority of Scripture and embarked on a course of theological innovations that take us outside the church catholic. Sexual ethics (same-sex weddings and the suitability of non-celibate gays and lesbians for leadership positions in the church) are only one of a series of controversies. Other contentious points include the atonement (did Jesus die for our sins?), the uniqueness of Christ (is he the only way to heaven?), the resurrection (is it fact or metaphor?), and the revealed name of God (is “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” so imbued with patriarchal oppression as to be unacceptable to thoughtful Christians?).
Progressives (their opponents call them “Revisionists”) seek a more inclusive church with freedom to embrace new sources of authority (like experience) and new ways of understanding and expressing the faith. They also insist that the full inclusion of gays and lesbians, both sacramentally and through ordination, is a simple question of justice to all of God’s children.
The efforts of parishes and dioceses to withdraw has already and will continue to raise a host of questions under both canonical and civil law. The outcomes may not be known for some years to come. Litigation, alas, is slow, uncertain and expensive.
Our bishop has made two things very clear: first, that the diocese of Albany is a conservative diocese within the Episcopal Church and second, that if he ever concluded that we could not remain both Episcopal and Anglican and must therefore choose, he would submit the matter to a diocesan convention. I have no indication that he has any intention to do so.
My counsel is that we need to be about the business of the Kingdom of God here in Otsego County. The bugles are distant and indistinct and so give us no cause to prepare for battle. If you wish better sources of information than occasional articles in the secular press, I suggest three websites: the national Episcopal Church (www.episcopalchurch.org), our diocese of Albany (www.albanydiocese.org) and a widely read conservative website (www.virtueonline.org).
I hope this is helpful to you in a confusing time.
Faithfully in Christ, (the Rev.) Samuel B. Abbott |