christ episcopal church t messenger march 2010 a word …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · dr. paul m....

12
C L E R G Y A N D S T A F F : March 2010 Rector The Rev. Paul N. Walker (ext. 105) [email protected] Associate Rector The Rev. Dr. David A. Johnson (ext. 102) [email protected] Music Ministry Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) [email protected] Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) [email protected] Alex Mejias (981-7522) [email protected] Youth Ministers (ext 103) Liz Edrington [email protected] Ross Byrd 757-274-8998 (ext. 104) [email protected] Hannah Byrd 757-478-9545 [email protected] The Fellows (ext. 115) Parish Administrator Marcy Hooker (ext. 112) [email protected] Office Administrator Lyn Gunsalus (ext 100) [email protected] Facilities Manager Al Loving (ext. 107) Urban Missioner Andrew Montgomery 806-6000 [email protected] INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Christ Episcopal Church A WORD FROM PAUL WALKER On the day of my ordination 15 years ago, my friend and mentor Tad de Bordenave gave me a letter. Tad was my rector at St. Matthew’s in Richmond, from a long line of Episcopal ministers, and I think a man after God’s own heart. I’ll never forget the way he began the letter: “Dear Paul, Never give up beer for Lent.Tad made his own beer, so he might have had a vested self-interest in that advice. But of course there was more to it than that. And you can substitute whatever you want for “beer” – Never give up chocolate for Lent, sweets for Lent, sugar for Lent, meat for Lent. Why not? If Lent is an invitation to self-denial, what is wrong with giving up beer or chocolate for Lent? The problem is that giving up beer doesn’t go far enough. It might be good for your health to give up beer or chocolate, but it doesn’t even begin to address the root of the problem. The root of the problem is not your appetite or your discipline. The root of the problem is your heart. The Prophet Joel says “return to me with all your heart…rend your hearts and not your garments.” Rend your hearts and not your garments. Giving up beer is rending your garment. It is an outside, extraneous, and inadequate substitution for the real thing. Settling for the fake thing can make you believe that you are doing the real thing. If you want to enter the arena of Bible repentance and real denial, then rend your heart not your garment. If you want to rend your heart, then try giving up anger for Lent. Try giving up lust for Lent. Try giving up envy for Lent. Try giving up ambition for Lent. Try giving up greed for Lent. Try giving up your need to be right. Try giving up thinking about yourself for Lent. When you try giving up those things you run straight into the problem of the deceitful and recalcitrant human heart. The astonishing news of the gospel is that God knows our hearts and yet forgives our hearts. This is because, as Paul says, “for our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus gave up more than beer for Lent; He gave up His life. And it is through Him and because of Him that you and I, even with our deceitful hearts, receive the mercy of God. Amen. Ever and gratefully yours, Paul Habitat 2 Confirmation 2 Holy Week Schedule 2 March Evensong 3 Junior Choir 3 Spring Cleaning 3 Book Club 3 Sunday School News 4 Chili on March 7 4 Prayer Requests 4 March Calendar 5 The Ring of Power 6 & 7 Haiti Letter 8 Women’s Retreat 9 Youth Pictures & News 10 & 11 Easter Lilies 12 T HE M ESSENGER Don’t forget, Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 14.

Upload: others

Post on 23-Sep-2020

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

C L E R G Y A N D S T A F F :

March 2010

• Rector The Rev. Paul N. Walker (ext. 105) [email protected]

• Associate Rector The Rev. Dr. David A. Johnson (ext. 102) [email protected]

• Music Ministry Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) [email protected]

Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) [email protected]

Alex Mejias (981-7522) [email protected]

• Youth Ministers (ext 103) Liz Edrington [email protected]

Ross Byrd 757-274-8998 (ext. 104) [email protected]

Hannah Byrd 757-478-9545 [email protected] • The Fellows (ext. 115)

• Parish Administrator Marcy Hooker (ext. 112) [email protected]

• Office Administrator Lyn Gunsalus (ext 100) [email protected]

• Facilities Manager Al Loving (ext. 107)

• Urban Missioner Andrew Montgomery 806-6000 [email protected]

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Chris t Episcopal Church

A WORD FROM PAUL WALKER

On the day of my ordination 15 years ago, my friend and mentor Tad de Bordenave gave me a letter. Tad was my rector at St. Matthew’s in Richmond, from a long line of Episcopal ministers, and I think a man after God’s own heart. I’ll never forget the way he began the letter: “Dear Paul, Never give up beer for Lent.” Tad made his own beer, so he might have had a vested self-interest in that advice. But of course there was more to it than that. And you can substitute whatever you want for “beer” – Never give up chocolate for Lent, sweets for Lent, sugar for Lent, meat for Lent. Why not? If Lent is an invitation to self-denial, what is wrong with giving up beer or chocolate for Lent? The problem is that giving up beer doesn’t go far enough. It might be good for your health to give up beer or chocolate, but it doesn’t even begin to address the root of the problem. The root of the problem is not your appetite or your discipline. The root of the problem is your heart. The Prophet Joel says “return to me with all your heart…rend your hearts and not your garments.” Rend your hearts and not your garments. Giving up beer is rending your garment. It is an outside, extraneous, and inadequate substitution for the real thing. Settling for the fake thing can make you believe that you are doing the real thing. If you want to enter the arena of Bible repentance and real denial, then rend your heart not your garment. If you want to rend your heart, then try giving up anger for Lent. Try giving up lust for Lent. Try giving up envy for Lent. Try giving up ambition for Lent. Try giving up greed for Lent. Try giving up your need to be right. Try giving up thinking about yourself for Lent. When you try giving up those things you run straight into the problem of the deceitful and recalcitrant human heart. The astonishing news of the gospel is that God knows our hearts and yet forgives our hearts. This is because, as Paul says, “for our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus gave up more than beer for Lent; He gave up His life. And it is through Him and because of Him that you and I, even with our deceitful hearts, receive the mercy of God. Amen. Ever and gratefully yours, Paul

Habitat 2 Confirmation 2 Holy Week Schedule 2 March Evensong 3 Junior Choir 3 Spring Cleaning 3 Book Club 3 Sunday School News 4 Chili on March 7 4 Prayer Requests 4 March Calendar 5 The Ring of Power 6 & 7 Haiti Letter 8 Women’s Retreat 9 Youth Pictures & News 10 & 11 Easter Lilies 12

T H E M E S S E N G E R

Don’t forget, Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 14.

Page 2: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Page 2

From Dave Johnson…

Habitat—Once again, Christ Church will be taking a team to Pendleton County, West Virginia to serve with Habitat for Humanity. This year’s trip will be July 4 through 11. The cost of the trip is only $125 per adult and $100 for those under 18 and includes all meals and lodging. It is a great week of ministry for those in need and a lot of fun as well. During the day we work on building/repairing homes and during the evenings we enjoy getting to know one another from Christ Church—having a delicious dinner, playing outside, sitting on the porch and talking, bonfires, etc—it is a total blast. If you’re interested in joining us this year, email Dave Johnson: [email protected]

Confirmation—Confirmation with Bishop Shannon Johnston of the Diocese of Virginia is Sunday April 18 at the 9:00 service. This is for those wishing to become members of the Episcopal Church (confirmation), those who have been confirmed in another denomination but wish to join the Episcopal Church (reception), and those who have been confirmed in the Episcopal Church and may be new to Christ Church and wish to reaffirm their faith (reaffirmation). The youth confirmation class is underway. The adult confirmation class continues on Sunday mornings 10:10-10:50 in the Gibson Room at Christ Church and includes the following topics:

February 21 Anglican Christianity February 28 Holy Scripture March 7 The Church March 14 The Sacraments March 21 Christ Church

For more information, email Dave Johnson: [email protected].

Palm Sunday Services, March 28 7:45 am Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Communion 9:00 am Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Communion 10:40 am Lee Park Palm Service 11:00 am Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Communion 5:00 pm Holy Communion Rite I

Wednesday, March 31 7:00 pm Tenebrae

Maundy Thursday, April 1 4:30-6:30 pm First Communion Class/Dinner (2nd—7th Grades) 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Liturgy & Stripping of the Altar

Good Friday, April 2 Noon Good Friday Liturgy 7:00 pm Good Friday Liturgy

Holy Saturday, April 3 9:00 am Holy Communion for Altar Guild

Easter Sunday, April 4 7:45 am The Day of the Resurrection: Holy Communion Rite I 9:00 am The Day of the Resurrection: Holy Communion Rite I 11:00 am The Day of the Resurrection: Holy Communion Rite I 5:00 pm The Day of the Resurrection

Holy Communion Rite I

Wednesday Services

First Wed. of the Month Holy Communion with Healing 10 a.m., St. Anne’s Chapel

Last Wed. of the Month Holy Communion 11:15 a.m., Westminster Canterbury

Page 3: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Page 3

Choral Evensong March 7th—4 p.m.

Invite all your friends and neighbors, and join us for this very special service!

We will have our sixth Choral Evensong service of the season on Sunday, March 7th at 4 p.m. All of our services in our Evensong series are highlighting various stained glass windows in Christ Church. We are also using the settings of preces and responses composed for our choir by Walter Ross, Emeritus Professor of Composition at the University of Virginia. Our service on March 7th will feature the Beatitudes window. The canticles will be by Thomas Weelkes. The anthem will be The Beatitudes (Arvo Pärt).

Upcoming Choral Evensong May 2—canticles: Charles Villiers Stanford in A, Anthem: Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem (Stanford)

Spring Cleaning Project

March 27th

By Hock Hockensmith

Since the volunteers of the “09 Fall cleaning project did such an

incredible job and it was so well appreciated by the congregation, I’m asking for your help again, to pickup where we left off and finish the task. Also thought we could touch up the sanctuary for Easter.

So again I appeal for some time and effort on Saturday the 27th. There will be a sign up sheet in the Meade Hall foyer. Time slots will be from 10 - 4, however much time you can give us will help. Those who can lend us your vacuum cleaners for the day, please bring them (with floor & brush attachments) by a day or two before and leave just inside Meade Hall by the piano with a name tag attached. We will have buckets, rags, sponges and supplies. Just bring yourself and your enthusiasm.

Junior Choir News

The Christ Church Junior Choir, grades 1-5 Wednesdays, 4-4:45 in the choir room The Junior Choir has had an excellent start to the new year: two great performances, and an ice cream & pizza party to celebrate all our hard work! We'd like to extend a special welcome to any children who are interested in joining us in March as we prepare for a special Palm Sunday performance, and in April as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection. (And, of course, there will be more ice cream celebrations!) Stop in for any rehearsal, or contact Miss Ginny for more information. Ginny Chilton Junior Choir Director [email protected]

Christ Church Classics Series

Beginning in March, we will be offering a parish-wide “book club” focused on reading works of fiction that have gained status as classics. Together as a parish, we will read a new book each month and then gather on a Thursday night for a discussion of the book open to any and all. The Classics Series presents parishioners of all ages and genders to fellowship while enjoying works of literature that have inspired readers over many years.

In March, we will read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a beautifully-written work honored by Modern Library as the 20th Century’s second-greatest novel. You can easily find Gatsby at new and used book stores and your local library. Our reading will culminate with a discussion on Thursday, April 8, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Gibson Room. Refreshments will be served. Happy reading, and come one, come all!

Please e-mail Zach Williams at [email protected] with questions and to receive announcements about the Christ Church Classics Series.

Page 4: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Page 4

Pray for your fellow parishioners: Louise Taylor, Kay Orrick, Frank Thomasson, Wally Tymoff, Ruth & Emma Snyder, Helen Wick, Martha Dabney Jones, Anne Odend’hal, Paige Peyton, Lucy Jones, David Mahone, Mary West.

Pray for friends and relatives of parishioners: (Unless requested, remain on list for 1 month.) Denise Palmer (daughter-in-law of Libby & Bill Palmer), Tim Kavanaugh (brother of Michael Kavanaugh).

Pray for our leaders: Barack, our President; Tim, our Governor; Bob, our Governor-Elect and David, the Mayor of our city.

Pray for those on the Active Duty list: LTJG Matthew Warnecke, U.S. Navy (Karen & John Warnecke’s son); Jason Morris and Ed Ledford (sons-in-law of Eugene & Lanier Bogen), Michael; Michael Miller (grandson of John & Carolyn Miller).

Pray for the bereaved: Sam Jones (niece, Melissa Jones); Lester Wilson (mother, Lillian McFetridge

Wilson); Susan Albaugh (grandmother, Grace Hilder), Tom Cole (father, Thomas Cole, Jr.), Punkie Feil (mother-in-law, Neville Feil), Deb Whetsel (mother, Jan Bobka), Estelle Echols (husband, Tim), Mike Scott (father, Dick) Please Note: We will list the bereaved for 6 months along with the deceased relative, if we know the name.

Please make your requests for prayer known to us: 100 W. Jefferson St.; Charlottesville, VA 22902;

Phone: 293-2347; Email: [email protected]

Prayer Requests

Fresh, Hot Chili!

We were sad not to be able to provide chili for the Superbowl due to the snow this year, but we have exciting news: there will be chili for the ACC Basketball Tournament on March 7th! If you pre-ordered your chili, please plan to pick it up then- and if not, please bring some bucks and purchase some chili that day... there will be plenty & it will be delicious! The proceeds will support the high school mission trip to Jamaica... many thanks The Youth of Christ Church

Sunday School News

March 7-21, 1st – 5th grades will explore “Missions” and God’s relationship with the poor. We will meet together downstairs in the Children’s Chapel room. There will be no Sunday School March 28th (Palm Sunday), April 4th (Easter) and April 11th (Bishop’s visit).

We recognize that Sunday School is limited in its depth and scope of instruction. If you would like for your son or daughter to spend more time learning about God’s love for His world, Kemp Hill is available for individual instruction. She can meet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoons for 40 minute sessions in the church office. Please contact her if interested at: [email protected]; 971-3481.

Special Prayer Requests

Please pray for the Christ Church Honduras Mission team and the UVA Brazil Mission team who will be serving during the month of March.

Page 5: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

MAR

CH 2

010

Sund

ay

Mon

day

Tues

day

Wed

nesd

ay

Thur

sday

Fr

iday

Sa

turd

ay

1 10

:30

EC

W M

eetin

g

2 Noo

n L

oave

s &

Fi

shes

3 10 H

ealin

g Se

rvic

e w

ith H

oly

Com

mun

ion

6 PM

Mar

riage

Cou

rse

4 7AM

Men

’s B

ible

S

tudy

(Mea

de H

all)

9:30

AM

Wom

en’s

B

ible

Stu

dy

5 5PM

Wed

ding

R

ehea

rsal

6 5 PM

Wed

ding

El

izab

eth

Bla

ker

Tyso

n &

Will

iam

Th

eodo

re

Wal

ter,I

V.

7 7:45

Hol

y C

omm

unio

n R

ite I

9 H

oly

Com

mun

ion

Rite

II

10:1

0 C

hris

tian

Ed

for a

ll ag

es

11 H

oly

Com

mun

ion

Rite

I 4P

M C

hora

l Eve

nson

g 5

PM H

oly

Com

mun

ion

6 PM

Din

ner

8 Mar

cy H

ooke

r on

vaca

tion.

Bac

k in

th

e of

fice

on M

arch

15

.

9 Noo

n L

oave

s &

Fi

shes

4

Exe

cutiv

e C

omm

ittee

Mee

ts

10

6 PM

Mar

riage

Cou

rse

11

7AM

Men

’s B

ible

S

tudy

(Mea

de H

all)

9:30

AM

Wom

en’s

B

ible

Stu

dy

12

4:30

Hig

h Sc

hool

B

reak

Aw

ay

4:30

Wed

ding

R

ehea

rsal

13

3 PM

Wed

ding

M

ary

Elle

n C

ole

&

Rya

n H

asen

fus

Spr

ing

ahea

d! S

et

your

clo

cks

ahea

d 1

hour

bef

ore

you

go to

bed

toni

ght!

14

7:45

Hol

y C

omm

unio

n R

ite I

9 H

oly

Com

mun

ion

Rite

II

10:1

0 C

hris

tian

Ed

for a

ll ag

es

11 M

orni

ng P

raye

r with

C

omm

unio

n 5

PM H

oly

Com

mun

ion

6 PM

Din

ner

15

16

N

oon

Loa

ves

&

Fish

es

17

6

PM M

arria

ge C

ours

e

18

7AM

Men

’s B

ible

S

tudy

(Mea

de H

all)

9:30

AM

Wom

en’s

B

ible

Stu

dy

19

20

21

7:45

Hol

y C

omm

unio

n R

ite I

9 H

oly

Com

mun

ion

Rite

II

10:1

0 C

hris

tian

Ed

for a

ll ag

es

11 H

oly

Com

mun

ion

Rite

I 5

PM H

oly

Com

mun

ion

6 PM

Din

ner

22

23

N

oon

Loa

ves

&

Fish

es

5:30

Ves

try M

eets

24

6 PM

Mar

riage

Cou

rse

25

7AM

Men

’s B

ible

S

tudy

(Mea

de H

all)

9:30

AM

Wom

en’s

B

ible

Stu

dy

26

27

Priv

ate

Bap

tism

C

hurc

h C

lean

ing

Day

28

PA

LM S

UN

DA

Y 7:

45 H

oly

Com

mun

ion

Rite

I 9

Hol

y C

omm

unio

n R

ite II

10

:10

Chr

istia

n E

d fo

r all

ages

11

Hol

y C

omm

unio

n R

ite I

5 PM

Hol

y C

omm

unio

n 6

PM D

inne

r

29

30

Noo

n L

oave

s &

Fi

shes

31

11:1

5 C

omm

unio

n at

W

CBR

7

PM T

eneb

rae

Ser

vice

1 4:30

-6:3

0 PM

Fi

rst

Com

mun

ion

Clas

s /D

inne

r (2n

d—7t

h G

rade

s)

7 PM

Mau

ndy

2 G

ood

Frid

ay

Serv

ices

at N

oon

and

7 PM

Page 6: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Page 6

The Ring of Power in Real Life

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" - Lk. 9:25

Watching Peter Jackson’s brilliant film version of The Fellowship of the Ring recently I was struck once again by Tolkien's genius in describing the strange, self-damning nature that seems common to most of us. It is the very nature that Paul recognizes in himself in Romans 7: "For what I do is not the good I want to do; no the evil I do not want to do, this I keep doing." The ring in Tolkien's story makes this phenomenon crystal clear. It is known as the "The Ring of Power," because it offers just that—power. Control. And everybody wants it. Almost every significant character that comes in contact with the ring is tempted and even overwhelmed by the opportunity it offers for complete control. And yet, all the while, it is quite clear that the ring controls its owner much more than the owner controls anything. How true this idea is in our lives.

In my day-to-day life, I find myself barraged with these two faced opportunities, offering first to give me everything I think I want or need, and yet in the very next moment threatening to destroy everything that I actually love. There have been a few versions of the “ring of power” in my life, and there have been times when I have taken it and tried it on. Then I obsess over it and defend it at the perilous risk of everything else that I know is good for me, for those that I love.

This is what we all do, I think. I'm not talking about little "sins". I'm talking about your obsessions. You don't have thousands of them. You may have just one right now. Or maybe two. But one is enough to do some serious damage. You have an alcohol problem or a body-image issue or a money addiction. Maybe you're obsessed with your appear-ance or your reputation. Maybe with a certain relationship or the potential for a relationship. Or maybe you're ob-sessed with whatever it is you currently call "success." You've been working so hard for this promotion or that bit of recognition, and nothing else matters right now. It takes up all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and you've got ab-solutely nothing left to give to those you care about most. Maybe you cannot picture life without it. Or maybe you tell yourself it's only going to be X more months or years or whatever and then you'll be finished and everything will be back to normal.

This is what we do, and this is what kills us. And even when, at first, we can see that it's killing us, we continue on to the point that the "EXIT" door is no longer anywhere in sight. And it's much more comfortable there, where there is no tension. At times, our conscience may still speak, and we may consider being done with it for good, but usually we just end up thinking there's no need to be that "extreme". Is it really even that big of a deal anyway?

The answer is yes. Yes. Yes it is. The kingdom that your obsession is building for you will become your hell, if it is not already. As Tolkien's friend C. S. Lewis often states in one way or another, hell is getting what you want. Hell is when your obsessions find their fruition, and you end up spending the rest of eternity with yourself. This thought is bril-liantly illustrated (believe it or not) in Adam Sandler's under-rated not-at-all-a-comedy, Click, in which his character gets a magical remote control which allows him to literally control his entire life. He gets whatever he wants, and thus (spoiler alert) loses everything, including his wife and kids. He gains the world and loses his very self.

In The Fellowship of the Ring, we find a similar scenario (with the opposite turnout) when the queen elf Galadriel sees the ring for the first time in perhaps the most chilling scene in the movie. She is so overcome with terrible thoughts of power and control that her entire body grows and lights up and her face becomes almost demonic. But in the very next moment, she shrinks down and smiles again at Frodo, saying, "I pass the test. I will diminish...and remain Galadriel." She gave it up, and thus saved her life.

Jesus' teaching is nearly flooded with this sort of theme—giving up what you want to have, giving up what you have, denying yourself, taking up your cross, etc. And often times these words come in the context of following him or be-ing his disciple: "...any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple” (Lk. 14:33).

Page 7: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Page 7

There's been a lot of talk in the church in recent years about "discipleship," which usually deals with the question, "What does it mean to follow Jesus?" Good question. What does it mean? The assumption in most evangelical churches I have come across is that we do "evangelism" for those who are not Christians, that is, we tell them the good news about Jesus dying for them on the cross, and then once they believe, we do "discipleship," teaching them to "follow Christ." This makes some sense to me, yet the question remains unanswered, "What does it mean to follow Jesus?" Usually we mean some sort of training that helps us "grow" in faith and obedience after we have accepted him. But interestingly enough, when Jesus talks about discipleship in specific, he seems to have a different idea in mind. Rather than "growth" and "obedience," he speaks over and over again about "giving up," "losing," "denying," and "dying," and all of this from the very beginning. We are told before we even begin that we ought to count the cost—and the cost, apparently, is our current life.

To the rich young ruler, Jesus said: "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give it to the poor...Then come follow me."

To the man who wanted to follow, but needed to bury his father first, Jesus said: "Let the dead bury their own dead..."

To the man who wanted to say good-bye to his family, Jesus said: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

To his own disciples he said: "If anyone would come after me he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."

So what does it mean to follow Jesus? It seems that it means to die—to follow him to the cross. To bring with us all the things that we are unwilling to let go of—the things that make us slaves—and go to the cross. Our obsession, our addiction, our kingdom, our hell. We cannot rid ourselves of it on our own, by discipline or determination or will power. You know that if you've ever tried. It must be put to death. And we must not wait. We must not put it off. Your issue will not subside and be "fine" six months or two years from now when circumstances change. Like the ring of power, it must be destroyed or it will destroy. And everything it has made us to be in the mean time must die with it. Even if that's ten years worth of "you", kiss it goodbye. However much of your identity has been built on that thing, that is how much must be torn down. In his kingdom there is no place for yours. This sounds like terrifying news, I know. But it is the greatest, simplest news imaginable. What it means is simply this: there is no place for hell in heaven.

In closing, consider these two sayings of Jesus: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." - Mt. 13:44-45

In the first, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure in a field that is so valuable it is worth losing everything in order to have it. And we should. But how on earth can we possibly bring ourselves to do it? How do we destroy the ring that consumes us? How do we find this new life? Our hope is in the second image. Notice, the king-dom of heaven in the second line is not like a pearl. The kingdom is like a merchant—a merchant who gave up every-thing for one invaluable pearl. You are that pearl. The kingdom of heaven sold its one and only Son to buy you out of slavery. He gave up himself so that you could be set free—to be his "disciple" and follow him to the cross where He fi-nally looses the chains of our toxic obsessions; where we die to our own hellish kingdoms and our raised anew as citi-zens and heirs of his. Ross Byrd

Page 8: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Page 8

The Orphanage and School Grison-Garde, Haiti

A Cooperative Project of their Community Supported by The Robert Ford Haitian Orphanage & School Foundation

3522 Red Hill Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903

7 February 2010

The Congregation of Christ Episcopal Church 100 W. Jefferson Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 To the Congregation: I am writing on behalf of the people of Haiti to thank you for your generosity. You have given funds totaling $11,539.32 to aid in our relief effort. The food, medication and supplies that we will purchase with your donation will be delivered by us, personally, to many of the recipients. If not, we will place purchases directly in the hands of medical care or food providers. Your gift is huge and a blessing indeed. We are dividing funds to support food for the hospitalized patients and staff, medi-cines, medical supplies, nutritional support for the area at large and for the children of the countryside, attending our school and orphanage projects. Last week when we were in Cap Haitien area of northern Haiti, we beheld again the results of the devastation in Port-au-Prince. The area where our school and orphanage pro-ject is located continues to be flooded with refugees from the south. Haiti being a land of “relationships”, a hut housing 6 family members soon has 12 living there. Great hunger and illness will inevitably follow. Their needs will go on for many months; perhaps for years. Haitians have a particular dignity and spirit that brings us back again and again. Their peaceful culture has suffered enough for all of us. We will not waste a penny of your offering. Sincerely, Raymond F. Ford, MD President of the Foundation

Page 9: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Page 9

Christ Episcopal Church Annual Women’s Retreat

March 19 & 20, 2010

“Christ in us, the hope of glory”

The retreat is FREE, but we ask that you bring a can or two of food for the Emergency Food Bank. Please register in advance so that we can pro-vide food for everyone.

We will kick off the retreat with “Ladies Night Out” on Friday, March 19th at 6 p.m. in the Gibson Room. Heavy hors d’ oeuvres and beverages will be served. This will be a time for getting to know each other as we begin our retreat. (You are welcome to attend even if you can’t make Saturday!)

On Saturday, March 20th we will meet from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. in Meade Hall. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Childcare can also be provided for those who register ahead of time. Make sure to let us know by Thursday, March 11th. We will have breakfast at 8:30 a.m., a morning and afternoon session, and Holy Communion at 2:30 p.m.

Please fill out the registration form BELOW and drop it in the offering plate, or mail it to the church office: 100 W. Jefferson St., 22902

Regi

stra

tion

Info

rmat

ion

The

fee

for

the

retr

eat i

s to

bri

ng a

can

or

two

of fo

od

the

Emer

genc

y Fo

od B

ank.

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ N

ame

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ Em

ail

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ Ph

one

I nee

d ch

ildca

re _

____

____

_ __

___8

:30-

12 _

____

12:3

0-3p

m

Plea

se in

dica

te h

ow m

any

child

ren

are

com

ing.

I am

bri

ngin

g gu

ests

: N

ame

(s)

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ __

____

____

____

____

____

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ __

____

____

____

____

____

___

Regi

ster

by

Mar

ch 1

1, 2

010!

Page 10: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Page 10

*We want to send a huge thank you to all who supported the Middle School Haiti Bake Sale on Sunday, February 14; the kids raised $220 which will go straight to the community in Port-au-Prince I got to know last year. Vwazen Nou (the non-profit my friends set up to support the Haitian community health workers they have been training) sends their great appreciation and wanted to let us know that this money will be able to pay a health worker for 7 months or buy a little over two tents for families that lost their homes. Praise God.

*Please pray for our Middle School Breakaway Trip:

March 5-7

On Tuesday, January 26th, our Middle School youth group had the chance to serve at

PACEM. We were blessed by the opportunity to get to meet some of the men staying there, and we had a blast taking care of drink orders and dishing out desserts. It was beautiful to

see love pour out of the Middle School com-munity in the form of desire to serve and be used. Many thanks to all who came out to

help and all who made desserts!

Middle School @ PACEM

St. Paddy’s Parents’ Night Out! Saturday, March 13... You can support our trip to Jamaica by leaving your kids with us! 6-10 pm here at CEC Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in-style… catch a show, have dinner downtown, and maybe even check out a new movie! If you’re interested, please contact [email protected]

Page 11: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Page 11

In mid-February the high school youth group went to Rockbridge, a huge Young Life camp outside of Lexington, to join the Falls Church for their annual "Breakaway" Retreat. As usual the Falls Church did a spec-tacular job hosting the event, and brought 275 kids to boot! Our group was a bit smaller but much better looking, so we fit in well. :) The days were packed full of fun, high-energy events, some of which took advan-tage of the gorgeous snow-covered landscape. At other times we were inside shouting and singing along with this awesome rock band from Indiana, and still at other times laughing at the ridiculous skits, which were a brilliant mix of 80's hair-band wigs and bad British accents. We were also given a good bit of downtime to connect with another on a deeper level, which was probably the most valuable thing about the whole experience. Jim Burns, the Falls Church youth director gave an absolutely wonderful (and necessary) talk about "what Christianity is and is not", from Ephesians 2:8-9:

"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from your-selves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about a rules, religion, earning, and doing, he said, but about gift and freedom. It's about a real, loving relationship with the God of the Universe who comes to you and accepts you by grace through faith, because of what Jesus has done for you. Amen and Amen. This made for great

conversations on the car ride home, and there will be many more to come!

Page 12: Christ Episcopal Church T MESSENGER March 2010 A WORD …€¦ · 02/03/2010  · Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

T H E V E S T R Y

Bill Gordon, Senior Warden John Warnecke, Junior Warden

Kemp Hill, Register Dale Varga, Treasurer

Catherine Baritaud Jill Bascom Carol Craig

John Desmond Jo Gitchell Punkie Feil

Hock Hockensmith Joe Jennings

Andrew O’Shaughnessy Consi Palmer Clair Robison Lester Wilson

Vestry Contact info:

[email protected]

Page 12

Christ Episcopal Church 100 West Jefferson Street Charlottesville, VA 22902

Name of Donor: Phone: Email: _______________________________________ Number of Lilies: Amount Enclosed ($15 per plant):

DUE TO RESTRICTED BULLETIN SPACE, DEDICATIONS WILL BE LIMITED TO ONE LINE PER $15 DONATION. PLEASE SEE EXAMPLES BELOW.

In Memory of: ______________________________________________ OR

In Thanksgiving for: ______________________________________________

EXAMPLES:

In Memory of:

Jane Doe Mr. & Mrs. John Doe

In Thanksgiving for:

God’s blessings The Doe family

Please make your check payable to Christ Church and indicate lily on the memo portion of your check. You may drop your check in the offering plate or mail it to the church office: 100 W. Jefferson St.; Cville 22902 DEADLINE: SUNDAY, MARCH 21.

Return Service Requested

Fax: 434-977-1227 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.christchurchcville.org

Reprinted with permission: http://download.cpg.org/home/cartoons/calendar/cartooncal_200903.jpg