Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.
John 6:56
God and Bread
Last Sunday was “Stump the Priest Day” for the Senior High Session at Camp Wright. I love working with the Senior High campers. They have begun to shape their own understanding of themselves beyond their family circle. At the same time, they are trying to figure out what to hang on to and what to reject or reframe.
Their questions come fast: “What is heaven like?” “What do you experience when God speaks to you?” “Is there a separate heaven for animals?” My goal is to keep the images as open and broad as possible so that kids can find their own place to abide.
At some point, I spoke one of my crucial beliefs: “God is not a boy’s name.” Most campers nodded and then one camper spoke “So who or what am I talking to when I pray?” “What am I supposed to focus on?” I wish I had offered my first thought, which was “Bread”.
Of course, answering “Bread” would have required some serious explaining. After all, as Fred Buechner writes: “man does not live by bread alone; but he sure won’t live long without it”. Let me say, today I am not going to dive into the controversies around gluten, and whether there is too much wheat in our diet. I really want to think about a near universal human experience wherein human beings mix some kind of milled grain and water (along with a rainbow of other ingredients) and cook it in an oven or over a fire. Bread is essential to most human diets.
How is this point to God? (1) Grains come from the earth. They remind us of the soil of creation from which humans were formed. (2) Milling grain changes it so that it can be used in a variety of ways. Pasta, biscuits, tortillas, hot dog buns, corn bread, and cake are all in the bread family, just as God comes to us in many ways. (3) Bread sustains us, offering energy and nutrition.
These past few weeks, the Gospel has offered Jesus’ teaching on the Bread of Life. His images progress from manna in the wilderness to offering his flesh and blood to be eaten. Those hearing may have been happy with the nourishment of God’s manna, but many saw this talk of eating flesh and blood as a bridge too far! In a pre-scientific world, Jesus is trying to describe how the life of faith is transferred from God the Creator to each of us. We participate in life as we participate in the Bread of Life.
In the end, at Camp Wright last Sunday, I didn’t say Bread, I said Jesus. Somebody quipped “that’s the answer to most everything, isn’t it?” Truth is that Jesus is God’s visible gift to us. Truth is that Jesus also said of Bread: “this is my body”. Know that any answer would be inadequate. But the next time you munch of a pop tart or a pretzel, remember, God might just be in there waiting to feed you!
Peace,
Mark +
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Important Worship Update
In response to the recently updated CDC guidance on increasing cases of COVID-19, Christ Church leadership has revisited our mask policy. Effective immediately, out of an abundance of caution, masks will be required for indoor worship services and large gatherings. As conditions change with the evolution of the pandemic, this policy may be revised.
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This Sunday's Worship Service
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Please pray for: Robin Pender, Camilla Parrott, Anna Sisson, Dian Rowe, Danny Brown, Scott & Lynn Clark, Sharon McCain, Lynne Benton, Susan V., Kayla, Bill & Margie Campbell, Kevin Parks, Chalk Jewell, Tommy Pham, Michel Sipes, Susan Fralic, Juan Mendoza, Susan Fralic, Jack Wright, Bob Dean & Family, Bob Hutchison, Carol Holland (RIP)-Caroline Aland & Family, Bob Willis, Chris, Deny, Wes Sawyer, Mackenzie Brewer, Shirley Grail, Mary Coursey, Kathy Blodgett, Mark Mangin, Kevin Soibel, Chris Tracy, Ron Ingham (RIP), Lisa Pike, Joe Morella (RIP), Nancy King (RIP)-Jean Travis & Family, Rev. Bea Billups (RIP)
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Serving Chart
Serving In Person for Sunday, August 22nd
Lectors: Mike Parker, Betsy Sipes
Eucharistic Minister: Jim Lipsner
Ushers: Eric and Linette Hummel
Greeters: Caroline & Tim Aland
Altar Guild: Sally Lewis, Maria Jones, Eileen Shreve, Anne Tyler
Recording the Online Service
Readers: Bob Thompson, Dottie Wilson
Eucharistic Ministers: Dick Sells & Lois Vanderbok
Serving In Person for Sunday, August 29th
Lectors: Kathy Sells, Adele Sadiq
Eucharistic Minister: Verna Downey
Ushers: Bob Rosekrans, Charlie Schwan
Greeters: Maria Jones and Molly Cannon
Altar Guild: DeeDee & Kevin McCracken, Carole Tulip, Gini Wathen
Recording the Online Service
Readers: Tom Christensen, Betsy Sipes
Eucharistic Ministers: Mike & Ruthanne Herold
If you are unable to serve, please find a replacement
and contact the Parish Office.
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Children, Youth & Family Pool Party
It's been a long time since we have gathered for some fun.
Join us at Caroline & Tim Aland's house for Pizza and Pool fun.
We'll discuss Camp Wright Sunday and Re-starting Children's Programming.
Sunday August 29 Noon to 2:00 pm
800 Salisbury Way Stevensville, MD
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Camp Wright Sunday
September 12, 2021
Please join us at Camp Wright for a 10:00 worship service in the amphitheater, followed by DIY picnics! Our beloved pot luck lunch is not feasible this year, so we are inviting everyone to bring their own picnic and enjoy fellowship and fun. Outdoor games and activities for children will provide many smiles!
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Race and Reconciliation Book Discussion |
You are invited to read Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson, and discuss it with a group of parishioners on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 7 p.m. CLICK HERE TO JOIN. Feel free to invite friends to join us in the discussion.
Caste describes racism in the United States as an aspect of a caste system – a society-wide system of social stratification characterized by notions such as hierarchy, inclusion and exclusion, and purity. Wilkerson does so by comparing aspects of the experience of American people of color to the caste systems of India and Nazi Germany, and she explores the impact of caste on societies shaped by them, and their people.
Caste has been included in several lists of best books of 2020, including the Washington Post, Time, and NPR. The New York Times described the book as "an instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far." To hear Wilkerson talk about this book, click here or here. For more information, contact Dottie Wilson at 615-478-2366.
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The Return of our Music Ministry-Mark Your Calendars!
Gary Van Essen, Minister of Music
I am excited to let you know that we are planning for a full return for our Music Ministry this fall. Highlights include:
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The return of our Praise Band beginning on Camp Wright Sunday, 9/12. After Camp Wright Sunday, the Praise Band will continue to lead worship services approximately once a month!
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The return of our Parish Choir, beginning on Sunday 9/19. The Parish Choir will lead worship services each week!
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Special concerts and events, including a Broadway Cabaret (Saturday, 10/16/21 at 7 p.m.), the return of the Westminster Ringers (Saturday 12/11/21 at 7 p.m.) and a concert by a Tyler Canonico, a phenomenal young organist (Friday 3/25/22 at 7 p.m.). You can get more information about these concerts by visiting the concerts page (under “ministries” then “music”) on our website!
As always, new members are welcome in our Parish Choir and Praise Band. We are working within health guidelines and the recommendations of the CDC and American Choral Directors Association to ensure everyone’s safety, so some parts of our Music Ministry might look a little different this year but our praise will remain the same. Feel free to contact me ([email protected]) if you have any questions or suggestions.
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Sign up Now for Fall
EfM Class
Every one of us is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. We start in September and meet once a week until May. As lay people we face the challenging task of interpreting the richness of the church's faith in a complex and confusing world. We need a theological education that supports our faith and teaches us to express our faith in day-to-day events. The EfM program is preparation for the ministry to which we all are called. EfM is a four-year program: Old Testament, New Testament, History, and Theology.
We are now recruiting for the Fall where we will do both Zoom and In-person meetings (we hope for in person!). For more information, please contact one of our mentors: [email protected]
Adele Sadiq (410-924-3313), Bluette Blinoff (610-212-6366), Ann Sieracki (302-547-5692), or Connie Clark (502-235-9674)
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Ways to Support Christ Church
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Electronic Giving: Click Here
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Text to Give by texting CCPKI to 73256
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Bank: Have your bank send a check or make an ACH transfer
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By Check: CCPKI 830 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville MD 21666
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To Help Sow the Seeds of
HOPE!
We need Volunteers at our NEW Location!!
Join our team of Volunteers to make a difference in our community by spending just a few hours greeting customers, sorting donations & general store upkeep in our new beautiful location on Kent Island!
- Make a difference
- Use your skills & talents for good
- Meet others in the community
- Work for a cause you believe in
- Help others
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Our Daily Thread Thrift Store is a revenue source for Haven Ministries. The profits from sales help fund all of the Haven Ministries’ programs including Shelter, Food, Clothing & Support.
Contact Liz Bazzell for more info at 410-353-0455
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