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This Week
at
Chapel of Our Saviour
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November 19, 2023
Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
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A note from DeSha Thomas
As kids in the muggy Louisiana summers, my brother and I would jump at the chance to go swimming at Ms. Weeks’ house next door to my grandparents. After sunburned hours of Marco Polo and ridiculous stunts off the diving board, when our fingertips became raisins and our eyes bloodshot, my mother would eventually step through the tangled hedge of camellias from next door to announce that it was time to go. I would dart underwater the second I heard her. I knew we had to go, but when the time came, I pretended not to hear and then begged to stay.
That was a long time ago. Ms. Weeks and my grandparents have long since died and the home where my grandparents lived and loved and raised a family for over half a century has been sold and stands empty now. Sometimes it’s hard to reckon with the end of an era. Yet isn’t it strange that the verb leave means “go away from” and also “allow to remain” (as in “take the butterscotch, but leave the chocolate”)? My grandparents and Ms. Weeks and everyone we have known and loved who took their leave also left something of themselves behind, leaving us changed forever by their presence. Both the leave takers and the ones left behind are changed by their relationship, the lessons they were gifted, and the love they shared.
I still find myself wanting to avoid the goodbye, the ending of something I loved so much or a person or people or a place, even, that I never imagined moving on without. But God calls me, calls us, to do exactly that. All the time. The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus calling people to abandon their lives and follow him. Sometimes they drop their nets immediately and follow him. Other times they say, wait a sec, I gotta go do this other thing first. And then sometimes they don’t follow him and walk away sad because they just can’t let go of what they have right now. Jesus never says, “this will be easy,” but he calls them anyway. He calls us anyway. And sometimes I don’t go, or I almost don’t go. I duck underwater and pretend I didn’t hear him. Who me? Maybe you meant the other DeSha?
Then sometimes we’re part of a team and when one of us is called and goes, we all go.
Mike Thomas, my husband, has been called. He has been offered and accepted the position of associate rector at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Vail. He starts his initial year of curacy on December 1st. Mike has been on his journey to the priesthood for over a decade, could preach about it for the rest of his life, and probably will. My sons Marcus (née Jabari) and Joseph and I get to accompany him on the journey. Though part of me wants to pretend I haven’t heard so I can stay here with you, I know that God is calling my sons and me to the Vail Valley, too, which means I must bid you all farewell.
In doing so, I want to let you know how grateful I am for being given the opportunity to serve you, to be in community with you, to teach and wonder with your precious children, to learn from and grow with you, to create with you and break bread with you, to mourn and pray, celebrate and laugh with you. My relationships with you all changed me forever and for the better. You embraced me and my family. You did it immediately and authentically and I will carry that in my heart always.
Love, DeSha
DeSha Thomas
Parish Life and Children’s Program Minister
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I know that you join me in giving thanks for the incredible ministry that DeSha has shared with us. We will bid her a very fond farewell on Sunday, December 10.
We celebrate all that has been and all that is to come as DeSha, Mike, Marcus and Joseph begin a grand new adventure in Vail.
Congratulations!
David
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100 years of Allen House.
65 years of Chapel:
Brokenness into Beauty
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On June 29th, 1954, Maria Allen’s children sold Cheyenne House to Grace and St. Stephen’s Church for the very generous price of $75,000, just as Howard Creel had envisioned. This deal included only the manor house and a few of the lots that had been subdivided; the rest of the land on the 8-acre estate was still for sale. Nevertheless, worship services began on folding chairs in the manor house living room, which we now call Casey Hall. Father Scott Frantz was the first Vicar. This new chapel, a mission of Grace and St. Stephen’s church to serve areas south of town, was called St. Barnabas Chapel. (At times, it was also known as Grace South, and Grace at the Broadmoor.)
By 1955 Father William Shannon was Vicar, and the northwest corner of the original estate had sold to Neil and Margherita Sharkey. Thankfully, the El Pomar Foundation, a philanthropic organization established by Broadmoor Hotel founder Spencer Penrose and his wife Julie, stepped in and purchased the balance of the land, and then the Sharkey parcel, and donated it all to the church in 1956. (One source says this was because the foundation wanted to help preserve the property intact, as it was a landmark in the Broadmoor area.) Then in 1957, after Grace had paid off just the first $25,000 of the debt, they were given another generous gift: the Allen family heirs forgave the remaining balance and The Episcopal Church in Colorado was gifted the entire Allen estate, free and clear.
Amanda Bristol and Tinnin Leskera
Chapel of Our Saviour Vestry
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Save the Date: Saturday, December 2, 2023
5:00-8:00 PM, Casey Hall
Come to an evening of togetherness, a Victorian themed Advent party in honor of the 100th year of the Allen home. Enjoy tree decorating, eating and drinking, carol singing, and merriment! All are welcome!
Bring an appetizer, dessert, or drink of your choice to share! Bring a friend, 2 or 3! Childcare will be available for your little ones.
Do you get a kick out of Christmas decorating? Your holiday spirit and assistance are needed to decorate Casey Hall for our festive event. Please meet Tinnin Leskera, Becky Bennett, & Cathy Sterling after the 10 am service on Sunday Nov 26th to get decorations down from the attic and further develop our decorating ideas. We would also appreciate your assistance to adorn Casey Hall with all the festive arrangements, beginning at 9 AM Friday, December 1st.
Contact Cathy Sterling or Brian Bennett for more information.
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Practicing Wonder:
Living Well through Advent
Monday nights in Advent
December 4, 11, 18
6-8p
Join David on the Monday nights of Advent for a simple soup and a discussion of the Advent booklet "Practicing Wonder with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.
We will gather in the parish house at 6p to share a simple soup and then spend some time with this challenging and inspirational guide.
The booklet is available to pick up in the Narthex (back of the church) on Sundays. (You can access the pdf by clicking the pic above.)
We hope you can make plans to be a part of this. All are very welcome.
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Free lunch, y'all.
Please join us next Wednesday 11/22 and every Wednesday this Fall at Allen House for lunch and fellowship.
Next week's lunch is catered by Dr. Taco.
(Click the button below to see their fabulous menu.)
All are very welcome.
Invite a friend.
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Youth Dinner and FUN
Sundays
4-6pm
If you are in grades 6 through 12, come join us on for a time of fun and games and dinner every Sunday during the school year from 4-6pm. (Location TBD each week.)
Parents are also invited to attend and get to know the other parents of the amazing youth in our community.
If you are new, please contact David Dill at david@chapelcos.org to let him know you plan to attend.
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Our July Food Drive was a great success. Thanks to all your generous donations, we exceeded our goal of 500 grocery items and collected 545 items to donate to D2 Pantry. Many thanks to all for your offerings.
Thank you for continuing to bring your donations on Sundays.
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Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
November 19, 2023
8am Holy Eucharist
in the Nave
10am Holy Eucharist
in the Nave
All are very welcome.
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Godly Play
Children’s Ministry every Sunday, 9:50a
Our children gather in the Loft upstairs from the narthex (church lobby) for a time of exploration and wonder called “Godly Play.” Parents and guardians are invited to sign in upstairs and children rejoin their families during the Offertory.
If your children haven’t joined us yet, they are most welcome,
and we look forward to meeting and getting to know them.
Contact DeSha Thomas: desha@chapelcos.org
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Nursery
For children 0 - 3 years
7:20am - 11:45am Sundays
Upstairs in the Nave and in Allen House
Our church nursery is open during the 8:00am service and the 10:00am service every Sunday.
The Allen House nursery is open during Community Circle, our adult formation gathering, between services from 9:00am - 9:45am.
Children ages 0-3 are welcome in both nurseries.
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Our Shared Stewardship
Pledging for 2024
We invite you to make a pledge to Chapel of Our Saviour for 2024. The operating budget that makes possible the mission and ministry of this community of faith is derived entirely from your generous giving throughout the year. Pledge forms are available in the narthex (back of the church). For more information about pledging and membership at Chapel of Our Saviour contact our Senior Warden, Susan Garsoe sgarsoe@msn.com
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Recovery Meeting
Thursdays at 12pm, St. Mary Chapel
For more information contact DeSha Thomas desha@chapelcos.org
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