October 18, 2023

What's Happening at Christ Church

CALL TO PRAYER

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Episcopal Church and our own diocese all endorsed the above call to prayer from the Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East for peace in Gaza and Israel. They have also called for support for the al-Ahli Arab Hospital which is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in Gaza City. The hospital was already overrun with patients and running critically low on medical supplies, fuel and food, when it was hit Saturday night by Israeli shelling, seriously damaging its brand-new women's cancer center, the only one of its kind in Gaza. On Tuesday, the hospital courtyard in which many stranded civilians had taken refuge, was hit by rockets. More details are emerging, however initial estimates are that at least 500 people were killed, including many women and children. 

At Christ Church we respond to this call to prayer in the following ways:

1. We began adding the Litany and Supplication to Morning Prayer on October 17 and will continue to do so for at least the rest of this week.

2. Wednesday's 8:30am eucharist for the Feast of St. Luke (the "beloved physician") was dedicated specifically for prayer for al-Ahli Hospital. Likewise, the 8:30am Eucharist for the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem (Monday, October 23) will be dedicated specifically to prayer for our siblings in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

3. The loose offering this Sunday, October 22, already assigned to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund will be specifically designated to ERDF's emergency fund for al-Ahli Hospital. The Sunday service will also include special prayers for peace.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT

Trunk-or-Treat is Tuesday, October 31 during village Trick-or-Treating hours (5-7pm). Sign up in the narthex to let us know you're bringing a trunk and treats! Last year we saw over 100 kids and their families for this major community outreach!

LIFTING CHALICE RESTRICTIONS

Effective immediately we will no longer be restricting the reception of the chalice at communion to intinction. Drinking directly from the chalice will be allowed and is encouraged. This is not because we no longer need to be vigilant about the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious disease, but because drinking from the chalice is in fact safer than intinction. Scientific studies have shown that when the common cup is sterling silver, a high alcohol content wine (14.5%) is used, and the chalice is simply wiped between communicants 99.999% of germs are removed. At Christ Church we meet all these requirements and indeed exceed them by using Port wine which is 18% alcohol by volume. In over a century of studying the issue, no case of disease spread by reception of the common cup has ever been documented. Consecrated bread that has been placed in hands and then dipped (sometimes along with fingers) into the cup is much more likely to transfer germs.

Intinction will still be allowed at this time, but those who are uncomfortable drinking from the cup are reminded that receiving the bread alone is to be regarded as receiving the whole sacrament.

To drink from the chalice please take hold of the base when it is presented to you by the chalice bearer, guide the chalice to your lips and tilt it as necessary. The chalice bearer will not let go of the chalice, however, at any point.

Please feel free to let Fr. Bill know if you have any questions or concerns.

ALL SAINTS’ REMEMBERANCES

Please pick up a form in the narthex and place it in the offering plate or submit it to the church office so that we can remember your departed loved ones during our All Saints’ services. Remembrances can also be emailed to the church office at [email protected]. Remembrances must be submitted by Sunday, October 29 for inclusion in the All Saints' Sunday bulletin.

CONSENTS RECEIVED

On October 13 the diocese was informed by the Presiding Bishop that the election of the Rev'd Jeremiah Williamson as Bishop of Albany had received the necessary consents from the bishops and standing committees of The Episcopal Church.

Fr. Jeremiah has written to the diocese in response:

Friends,

This morning, I woke up to wonderful news: the required majority of bishops and standing committees with jurisdiction have consented to my election as your bishop! The Episcopal Church recognizes what we have known: God has called us together — for a purpose, for a mission, for a holy future. Each new step (and this was an important one) has me buzzing with excitement. I am ready to discover what God has in store for us. I believe that the Giver of all good gifts is ready to bless us richly. February 24 is the date of the consecration. I know it will be a Spirit-filled event that will propel us into our next chapter. I look forward to celebrating us, the “us” that God has willed and the Church has affirmed.

DEANERY CONVOCATION

Thanks to all who made our hosting of the Fall Deanery Convocation a wonderful time of prayer and fellowship. Representatives of 11 churches gathered for our choral evensong followed by a wonderful dinner and presentation. You can view a short choral highlight of the service below, or the entire service on our Facebook page.

SAVE THE DATES

On Sunday, November 5 we will have a luncheon following the service to celebrate All Saints’ Sunday. Sides and desserts will be potluck. On Sunday, November 19, there will be an ecumenical service of Thanksgiving at Gilbertsville Baptist Church. More info coming soon on these events.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY

Our fall adult Bible study will continue tonight, at 7:00pm. It will also be offered on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am in the Parish House at Zion Church, Morris. Everyone is welcome to attend whichever session is more convenient for them.

ECA EYE CARE PROGRAM

Episcopal Charities of Albany would has grants available to help cover the expenses of eye care (including examinations, glasses, medications, treatment, and surgery) for anyone that is in need and resides within the 19 counties of the Diocese. (In this region that includes Otsego and Delaware, but not Chenango County). If you or someone you know would benefit from such a grant, please see Fr. Bill for an application.

PET FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS

Due to increasing demand the Butternut Valley Pet Food Pantry is in need of donations. Financial donations can be made by check payable to "Elizabeth Gayle - Pet Food Pantry." Donations of pet food can be placed in the box in the narthex or brought to the pantry during distribution times.

COFFEE HOUR

Please sign up in the narthex to host a coffee hour.

Weekly Notices

 This Week at Christ Church

October 19-25, 2023

Thursday

8:30am – Morning Prayer - Rite II (Chapel)

10:30am - Adult Study @ Zion, Morris (Parish House)

3:00-5:00pm - Butternut Valley Food Pantry &

Pet Food Pantry Distribution

5:00-7:30pm - Girl Scouts in Parish Hall

6:00-8:00pm Community of Hope Training

Friday

8:30am – Morning Prayer - Rite II (Chapel)

Saturday

10:00am - 12:00pm - Butternut Valley Food Pantry &

Pet Food Pantry Distribution

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

9:30am - Christian Education for Children & Youth

10:30am - Holy Eucharist - Rite II

11:30am - Coffee Hour

12:00pm Vestry

Monday - St. James of Jerusalem

8:30am – Holy Eucharist - Rite II (Chapel)

9:00am - 12:00pm - Church & Office Open

Tuesday

8:30am – Morning Prayer - Rite II (Chapel)

9:00am - 12:00pm - Church & Office Open

Wednesday

8:30am – Morning Prayer - Rite II (Chapel)

9:00am - 12:00pm - Church & Office Open

6:30pm - Evening Prayer - Rite II (Chapel)

7:00pm - Adult Study (Undercroft Study)

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Team 4A

Celebrant - The Rev'd Dr. William Lytle

Acolytes - Nicholas, Ellie

Chalice - Sue Beach

Lector - Sue Beach

POP - Sue Beach

Verger - Joseph

Altar Guild - Sue Beach

Camera Operator - Joseph

Coffee Hour - Colfs

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Team 1B

Celebrant - The Rev'd Dr. William Lytle

Acolytes - Cam, Sam

Chalice - Cam

Lector - Barb Colf

POP - Barb Colf

Verger - Becky Brannick

Altar Guild - Maureen Ahl

Camera Operator - Eli

Coffee Hour - Edmonds

Fr. Lytle's Extra-parochial Schedule this Week

October 19-25

This week Fr. Bill's services and other pastoral responsibilities outside the parish include:

Thursday, October 19 - 10:00am - Morning Prayer & Adult Study,

Zion, Morris

Sunday, October 22- 8:30am - The Holy Eucharist Rite II,

St. Paul's, Franklin

Financial Stewardship

DESIGNATED OFFERING

Pledges and all offerings given in envelopes are used to support God’s work by funding all the normal operating expenses of the parish.

Sundays, October 15, 2023

Giving - $557.00

Target - $1,735.89

Year to Date

Giving - $51,065.30

Target - $61,798.87

Mission Offering Sunday, October 15, 2023

Youth Fund - $25.00

Links to the Scripture Lessons

Click below to see the upcoming Bible readings.

*Starred* readings include

pronunciation guides for lectors.

Celebrations

October 19-25

October 25 - Jane Porter

Community News

Share your community events with us so we can pass them along!

In Case You Missed it...

 [Email the church] [Email Fr. Bill]

[Email the parish administrator] [Submit an announcement]

Follow us on Facebook for more