April 2011

christchurchguilford.org

Lent: Now quit... anxious fear and worry... *

So begins my favorite Lenten hymn with Pearcy Dearmers words set to a sprightly French carol tune. Although he may have been a contemporary of our greatgrandparents, Dearmers vision of Lent was probably not theirs. The common vision of Lent may focus on life without dessert, flowers and fun. Of time spent agonizing over what-Im-going-to-give-up-for-Lent, Dearmer writes that such schemes are vain and fretting brings no gain. Instead of the ways that prove unreliable, this carol suggests another appropriate Lenten discipline: Lent calls to prayer, to trust and dedication. Ash Wednesday displayed one dimension of that prayer, trust and dedication, when we acknowledged before God, and each other, our vulnerability and misdirected trust with a smudge of ash on our foreheads. During Lent our worship begins with the penitential order and our prayer of confession that too often we trust in the devices and desires of our own hearts (BCP, p.319) Yes, the flowers and the alleluias are gone for a season; liturgically, spring and rejoicing come with Easter. Lent brings new beauty nigh. The delicious Youth Spaghetti Supper with its splendid array of desserts underscored the point that to rend the soul, such grief is not Lents goal. We had a splendid evening! A Sarum bow to our young people for their dedication, and a special tip of the Canterbury Cap to their mentors Sue Shackford and Page Pelphrey, to spaghetti master Antonio Greco, and salad mistress Diana Stovall. 20th The Sunday School is leading another response to the Lenten call to prayer, trust and dedication. On March the children received clay flower pots which they will decorate for a silent auction on Sunday, April 3rd. The proceeds of that auction will help (re-)build the old waste places, in particular Holy Trinity Cathedral and schools in Port au Prince, Haiti. The cathedral buildings were destroyed by the 2010 earthquake; during Lent 2011, we are being called to prayer and generous dedication for Haiti by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and the Bishops of Connecticut. If we pay attention, I bet we will be led to where Gods glory flashes. To be sure, there will be the dark days of Holy Week later this month as we follow Jesus from the triumphal entry, to the Last Supper with friends, the agony in the Garden, betrayal, arrest, trial and death. The week will begin on Palm Sunday, April 17 with the churches on the Green sharing in the Blessing of the Palms a venerable Guilford tradition, and continue with the Tenebrae service on Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and two services on Good Friday. The Resurrection will be celebrated at a Easter Vigil Service Saturday
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evening, and two services on Easter Sunday; all three of these Easter services will include music. Please see the calendar for the times of services. For now, we have the rest of our Lenten journey to travel. May it make us always ready to reply with love to love most high. Harrison West+ *Unless noted otherwise, all quotations are from Hymn 145 in The Hymnal 1982.

What is the Box below the Cross Called?

Perhaps you have heard folks talking about an aumbry or a tabernacle. Those are terms for the oak box on the retable; retable may also be jargon -- its the back table, behind the altar. Aumbry comes from an old word for cupboard or closet; over time, aumbry became specifically associated with small cupboards, often set in the wall, in which parish churches kept their sacred vessels. In the Bible, a tabernacle was first a place of meeting specifically the tent which held the Ark of the Covenant which was considered Gods earthly footstool. Moses would enter the tabernacle to speak with God. In the Christian tradition, tabernacles became associated with places to store consecrated bread and wine as well as the oils blessed for anointing. The sacraments were and continue to be -- stored to be available for use, and for devotional purposes. Like the tabernacle Moses entered, a Christian tabernacle is home to outward and visible signs of Jesus abiding presence with us. Tabernacles are sometimes quite elaborate temples-in-miniature; others are quite simple, like ours. When I came to Christ Church, I noted that the Presence (a.k.a. Sanctuary) Lamp was not in the same space as the Blessed Sacrament it signals. I asked the Vestry if the lamp should move to the Sacristy, or if an appropriate place could be found near the lamps location. An ad-hoc committee of Vestry members Cindy Smith, Dana Schneider, Kay Claiborn, and Jean Valentine discussed several locations to the side or behind the altar, and recommended the spot under the altar cross where there was already a small pedestal. Local craftsman Kenny Hubbard proposed a simple design, and the Vestry approved its design, location, and the use of funds given in memory of Guy Zullo, a long-time member of Christ Church and husband of Lynne Zullo. Kenny made the aumbry from scratch, and with its darker stain, it looks like the tabernacle was always under the altar cross. All it needs now is an inscribed memorial plaque like the ones Guy made professionally, some of which can be found around Christ Church. Harrison West+

Buildings and Grounds

The parquet floor in the church has been refinished; we will replace a missing light fixture outside the parish house; the gutters on the church have been cleaned; and the fence along the churchyard on the side nearest the town hall has been repaired. The furnace for the church was not working for couple of days early in March; it needed three service calls to run dependably. Many thanks to Sullivan Oil Company for their work. We are in the process of investigating a leak in the hallway of the Sunday School in front of the old parish office. Also, please plan to help with the Yard Cleanup on Saturday, April 16. Many hands make light work! --David Kish, Junior Warden
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Sunday School News

The Lenten journey has been a busy one for the Sunday School students as we explore the traditions of the season. Our journey began on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday, as students hosted a pancake coffee hour. The parish hall was filled with brightly colored homemade flowers and place mats, as well as a fair bit of "joyful noise." The kids took great pride in their roles, whether it was serving, handing out utensils, or clearing dishes. A special thank you goes to all of the Sunday School teachers for chefing up some great pancakes and the parents for providing the rest of the food. Following the noisy celebration, we embarked upon a quieter time as we now learn about Lent in children's chapel and the classrooms. We've said goodbye to the word alleluia, both in our singing and through a banner made by the children. We will bring the banner back out at Easter and proclaim our alleluias in celebration at that time. We teach children that giving to others is important throughout the year, but especially during Lent. Please mark your calendars for a special event on Sunday, April 3, when the Sunday School will hold their second annual "Help for Haiti" event. This year the children will decorate ceramic planters that will be sold during a silent auction following the 10 a.m. service. The goals of this fundraising program are twofold: (1) to raise money to rebuild the Episcopal church in Haiti, and (2) to raise our children's awareness and understanding of Christian outreach and service to others. Beyond just giving money, this program offers the children a way to get personally involved in helping other people by giving of themselves, their time, and their creativity. We hope you'll be there to support their efforts and be part of this special event. There will be no Sunday School on April 17 (Palm Sunday) and April 24 (Easter). But don't miss the candy egg hunt for the kids following the 10 a.m. service on Easter! Lisa Ste. Marie, Director of Sunday School

ECW News Monthly Meeting

The Connecticut Episcopal Church Women's 130th Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at the Aqua Turf Restaurant in Southington. Reservations are $18 and must be in by the 15th of April. Please contact Harriet Sayre (203-245-0003) if you plan to attend. Our regular monthly ECW meeting will be held on Thursday, April 14, at 11 a.m. Please bring a dish to share at our potluck lunch. --Jean Meiselman, ECW President
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MUSIC News

Thank you to all those who attended my recent recitals at Christ Church in New Haven and the Concertato concert at the church in March. Your support of my personal musical endeavors and those of Christ Church is greatly appreciated. You are a wonderfully encouraging church family.

Perhaps what stands out most from the last Concertato concert were the three pieces written for organ and violin, which Suky Bryan and I performed together. Many of you expressed your enthusiasm for these pieces. If you have enjoyed the occasional use of solo instruments in the Sunday morning service, then you do not want to miss worship on Sunday, April 10th, when Bronwyn Reeve will play cello with the choir in performing Out of the Deep. This anthem is the second movement of John Rutters Requiem, written in 1985. With its text based on Psalm 130, this anthem delivers a powerful plea to God for mercy and culminates with the promise of God to redeem Israel from all its sins. These themes permeate Lent and make this a perfect musical summary for the last Sunday before Holy Week. Music will play a central role in the services leading up to and including Easter. The adult choir and choristers are already hard at work learning music, new and old, which will express the sorrow of Christs passion and celebrate his glorious resurrection. Besides the regular Sunday services, the adult choir will sing at the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil services. The choir will also sing at both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services on Easter Sunday. Festive Easter anthems, hymns, and organ music will be further enhanced by the addition of a brass quintet (2 trumpets and 2 trombones). It will be an exciting day and we will certainly raise the roof at Christ Church. I hope you will join us! Frank Dodd, -- We will have two services on Friday, April 22. A Good Friday Three Hour Watch will start at Noon. The service will be broken into 3 sections including the Proper Liturgy with the choir in the first hour, Stations of the Cross beginning in the second hour, and ending with communion at the conclusion of the third hour. The Proper Liturgy for Good Friday will also be celebrated again at a 7:00 p.m. service. Also during Holy Week: Tenebrae Service with the R13/J2A will be at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20 Maundy Thursday - including Foot Washing - at 7:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Service on Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. Easter Services on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m All three Easter Services will include music. -- The church office shredder is not working, and we are hoping a parishioner is willing and able to repair it. The motor appears to work in reverse (removing jams). However, it does not work in the forward mode. This is a larger model, and we are hopeful it can be fixed. Please call the office if you would are interested in taking a look at it (203-453-2279). Thank you.

Good Friday Services

Ofce Paper Shredder

Ofce Help Needed! -- Office help is needed April 28, 29, and May 2 from 9:30 to
1:30. Please call Pat (203-453-2279) for more information or if you are available to assist. Many Thanks!
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A Special Thank You from the Members of Rite 13/J2A

The members of Rite 13/J2A count themselves very lucky to have the support of the members of Christ Episcopal Church. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Chef Antonio Greco for giving of his time, talent, and leadership. Chef Antonio also donated the ingredients that went into the pasta, sauce, and meatballs, enabling the youngsters to maximize their profit in support of their inreach and outreach programs. A special thank you goes to Diana Stovall for once again loaning us her magical hands and secret salad dressing in the preparing and serving of the dinner salad, and to Dirck Goss for the making and posting of our signs outside the church and at the head of the Green. Thank you also to David Provolo and Ann Brunette for their assistance all day Saturday, the dessert baking day; our Rector Harrison West for taking part and leading the blessing; the parents of the youngsters for their support; and to all of you, the members of the parish who, by attending or donating to our 5th Annual Spaghetti Supper fundraiser, helped Olivia, Natalia, and Evelyn of J2A and John, James, Elli, Ava, and Luke of Rite 13 accomplish their goal of raising funds for their programs. --Sue Shackford, Rite 13

MEET YOUR NEW VESTRY MEMBERS!

At the Annual Meeting in February, members of Christ Church elected a new three-member vestry class to serve until early in 2014. They are a diverse group with many varied interests and talents to share in their new leadership roles. We will be introducing one new member each month. GENE BISHOP is a familiar face not only at Christ Church, but around the Guilford community as well. Born and raised in Guilford, Gene is president of Bishops Orchards, which has been owned and operated by his family for six generations. He also spent ten years on the town Board of Selectmen, and twice was elected First Selectman. Married at Christ Church in 1954, Gene and his wife Jane have two grown children, Jonathan and Kimberly. Since joining the church in 1957, he has completed several terms on the vestry and been elected both Junior and Senior Warden. Gene and Jane have been very active over the years in planning social events and fundraising projects, including the Couples Club annual auction, which brought in several thousand dollars for the church. Gene was most recently a member of the Search Committee which recommended Harrison among the finalists for the position of rector. Having married and raised his family here, Gene says Christ Church holds a very special place in his heart.
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Spaghetti Supper Saga

I think some people think I am a single mom. Im not -- I have a husband and he travels a lot. The plan for last October was to go to Italy. He was to speak at a university in the north. It fell through and he was called to Washington for a council meeting. Such is life, no trip to Italy. You end up where you are supposed to be, and I arrived at Christ Church two years ago this month. I opened my mouth and said, I worked with Journey to Adulthood in North Carolina. Sue Shackford called me immediately after that and so it began Her tradition is the annual Spaghetti Supper. Spaghetti at my house with my three kids is canned -- if they are lucky. Sometimes Ill microwave a meatball for them. If they throw a big enough fit at the grocery store, they can have Scooby-Doo-shaped pasta. That isnt how we do it here at Christ Church. The kids spend the Saturday before the event at Sues house. Sue doesnt have only two measuring cups and a pan. Sues house is better equipped than Kitchen Stadium for the Iron Chef competition. Those kids grab recipe cards and start baking. I buy cookie dough and slice it up. She can teach me a thing or two. This year they didnt want to go home. Those kids kept pulling recipes and measuring them out until after six that night. One of these days Ill get a sitter that will show up, and I will bake along with them. Sunday we spend here at the church, organizing, cleaning, and making meatballs. Remember, I microwave mine out of a plastic bag. Antonio Greco comes in the afternoon and tells the kids they have one hour to make meatballs -- and they do it. And they are yummy. And Im impressed. Im also humbled and contemplating my cooking skills. Then everyone shows up to eat. If there is one thing I know about living in the north and the south, Episcopalians eat! You never have to worry about two families coming and being stuck with enough food left over to feed a village. Our J2A kids kept it going. They kept the food coming. They kept the Parmesan cheese sprinkling. They kept the salad greens from wilting. After the meal, they brought out the dessert! I am proud and honored to work with them and for Sue. This is what its all about. This is why I do it. Again, I have learned that I always get where I need to be. I didnt make it to Italy last October, but Italy came to me March 13th. The Journey to Adulthood is my best journey in Guilford. Grazie! --Page Pelphrey, J2A

Save the Date! Wednesday, May 4, at 7 p.m.

R. Harrison West as our new Rector, with Bishop John Bryson Chane of Washington in attendance as well. A special reception in the parish hall will follow the service.
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Christ Church, Guilford: Bishop James Curry will officiate at the installation of

Sunday

Monday

APRIL 2011
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1
7:30 AA PH

7:30 AA PH

7:00pm Yoga PH

3
7:30 AA PH 7:30 AA PH 7:30 AA PH 9:30 Bible Study R 11:00 ECW Monthly PH 5:45 Chorister Rehearsal 7:15 Choir Rehearsal PH 12:30 Franks Recital at Woolsey Hall 5:30 pm AA SSR 6:00pm Book Study/soup 6:45 p.m. Dog Club PH 7:30 AA PH 9:30 a.m. Sta Mtg 5:30 p.m. AA PH 7:30 p.m. OA SSR 7 p.m. Womens AA PH 11a.m. Healing Service

7:30 AA PH

7:30 AA PH

8 a.m. HE, Rite I 9 a.m. Rectory Forum 9:30 Childrens Chapel 10 a.m. HE, Rite II 11a.m. Rite 13/J2A Sun Schl Silent Auction 6:00-7:00p.m. OLGA-NON 7:30 AA PH 7:30 AA PH 5:30 AA PH 7:30 OA SSR 7 p.m. Womans AA PH 7 p.m. Vestry Mtg R

5:30 AA/Alanon 8pm AA SSR & PH

10
7:30 AA PH 5:30 p.m. AA SSR

11

12

13

14 7:30 AA PH

15

7:30 AA PH

16

7:30 AA PH

5:30 AA/Alanon 8pm AA SSR & PH 6:00pm Book Study/soup

8 a.m. HE, Rite I 9 a.m. Rectory Forum 9:30 Childrens Chapel 10 a.m. HE, Rite II 11a.m. Rite 13/J2A

9:30 Bible Study 11:00 ECW w/D. Kish PH 5:45 Chorister Rehearsal 7:15 Choir Rehearsal PH

Yard Cleaning
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

17 PALM SUNDAY 18 7:30 AA PH

7:30 AA PH 7:30 AA PH 5:30 p.m. AA SSR

19

20

21 7:30 AA PH

22
9:30 Bible Study R 10:30 ECW PH 5:45 Chorister Rehearsal 7:15 Choir Rehearsal PH

7:30 AA PH

23
GOOD FRIDAY
Noon - 3pm Three Hour Watch

7:30 AA PH

** 8 a.m. HE, Rite I 9:45 Blessing of the Palms, 5:30 AA/Alanon on the Green 8pm AA SSR & PH 10 a.m. HE , Rite II
5:30 AA PH 7:30 OA SSR 7pm Womans AA PH

6:00-7:00p.m. OLGA-NON 7:30 AA PH

7:00 Tenebrae R13/J2A 7:00Maundy Thursday 7:00 Proper Liturgy

8 pm Easter Vigil

24 EASTER 26
7:30 AA PH

**

25

27 7:30 AA PH
9:30 a.m. Sta Mtg 5:30 p.m. AA SSR

8 a.m. HE, Rite I 9 a.m. Rectory Forum 10 a.m. HE, Rite II RHW @ Fresh Start 5:30 AA PH 7:30 OA SSR 7 p.m. Womans AA PH

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29

7:30 AA PH Pat - Vacation

30

7:30 AA PH

5:30 AA/Alanon 8pm AA SSR & PH

after 10:00 service

Egg Hunt

Parish O ce closed

7:30 AA PH Pat - Vacation 9:30 Bible Study R 10:30 ECW PH 5:45 Chorister Rehearsal 7:15 Choir Rehearsal PH

** No Rectory Forum, Children's Chapel or Sunday School

NOTES: SSR = Sunday School Room PH = Parish Hall R = Rectory CH = Church GR = Guild Room

Christ Episcopal Church P O Box 574 Guilford, CT 06437

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Guilford, CT 06437 Permit Number 1

Change Service Requested

GLAD TIDINGS

April, 2011

Christ Episcopal Church 11 Park Street Guilford, Connecticut

Glad Tidings

April is a time of prayer, preparation and celebration...

Yard Cleanup - Saturday, April16, from 10a.m. to 3p.m. Blessing of the Palms - Sunday, April 17, at 9:45 p.m.

The Rev. Harrison West Rector [email protected] 203-453-2279 Edward Seibert Senior Warden [email protected] 203-458-6516 Pat Wakefield Parish Administrator [email protected] 203-453-2279 Diane Barker Managing Editor [email protected] 203-457-9484 Pat Daunic Graphic Design

Tenebrae - Wednesday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m.

Holy Thursday - including Foot Washing - April 21, 7:00 p.m. Good Friday - Three Hour Watch, Noon to 3 p.m. - with choir
and communion; Proper Liturgy 7:00 p.m. Easter Vigil - April 23 at 8:00 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt- after 10 a.m. service

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA
8:00 a.m & 10:00 a.m. Easter Services

April 24th

Upcoming Concertato Dates (all concerts begin at 7:30):

Saturday, May 7: The Yale Whiffenpoofs and the Guilford High School Voices Saturday, June 4: featuring - Danielle Munsell Howard, Soprano