Weekly newsletter from Christ Church

A message from the Rector

This is the final Sunday before we enter the familiar and ancient patterns of Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday.

It is a time of great devotion in the church, but our prayer book doesn't assume that's so. One of the perennial frustrations for those of us planning liturgy is the almost schizophrenic quality of Palm Sunday -- we begin with a festive procession and leave with the death of Christ on the cross, only to pick back up later in the week with a living Jesus in Jerusalem.

The reason the prayer book does this is because it assumes folks won't be attending church in between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Madness, right? But it's always a reminder to me that maybe folks don't know what Holy Week is all about. So below is a brief outline of the services we're offering at Christ Church.

Each day is an immersion into the final days of Jesus' earthly life. We walk with him into the darkness and awake to unimaginable light. If you're looking to draw closer to the Spirit in which we live and move and have our being, I commend the following to you.

faithfully,

Amber

Holy Week services

Palm Sunday - April 2 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

With procession, palm waving, and passion reading. Jazz Vespers at 5:00 p.m.

Holy Wednesday - April 5 at 5:15 p.m.

Healing Eucharist; the commemoration of the Bargain of Judas.

Maundy Thursday - April 6 at 7:00 p.m.

Jesus leaves us with his final mandate. A service of Holy Eucharist with optional foot-washing and stripping of the altar. An Agape meal precedes the service at 6:00 p.m.

Good Friday - April 7 at 12:00 (spoken) and 7:00 p.m. (with choir)

A day of solemn prayer as Jesus descends to the dead.

Stations of the Cross follow the noon service.

Easter Vigil (Saturday) - April 8 at 8:00 p.m.

This is the night! A people who begin in darkness see the new fire and the light of resurrection. Festive reception follows.

Easter Sunday - April 9 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist with choir, egg hunt between services

Upcoming events

Alamo Easter Basket Drive

Wednesday, March 29, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Our youth group (EYC) continues to accept donations for the Alamo Easter basket drive. Items needed include candy, coloring books, crayons, small toys, chocolate bunnies and basket grass. Any spare baskets you might have at home can also be put to use. A collection table has been set up in the parish hall.

All ages are invited to join the EYC for basket assembly on 3/29. Cookies and hot chocolate will be provided. Please contact Joanne O’Keefe if you plan to attend.

Poetry of transformation and repentance

Wednesdays during Lent, 6:00 p.m.

The Greek metanoia is often translated as repentance, but suggests a deeper sense of transformation. Join Amber, our rector, for a discussion of works of poetry that explore these concepts of the season of Lent.

Pastoral care

March's pastoral care team is led by Gail Graf. Feel free to reach out with any pastoral care concerns, or call her at (917) 972-4180.

Book club

Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.

Join us for a discussion of Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. New members are always welcome! Email Lisa Laico to be added to the contact list.

Community breakfast

Saturdays, 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Every Saturday morning, Christ Church volunteers serve a hot breakfast to our anyone who needs it. Sign up to volunteer here.

Sweater and blanket drive

Local area farms are anticipating the arrival of their seasonal farm workers in April. Many of these young men arrive in our area with very little. Our congregation can help by donating new and gently used sweatshirts and bed blankets. Sweatshirts should be mens, size small and medium. There will be a box in the parish hall for donations which will then be sent to Warwick Area Farmworkers Community Center (The Alamo). If you have any questions, please contact Polly VanderKruik.

Cabaret

Saturday, April 22, 7:00 p.m.

Get your your tickets now for the first of our two annual major fundraisers. This event is open to the community and seats are limited.

Tickets are $85 and include table seating; light fare; a fun, intimate evening featuring professional musicians, plus 10 tickets to bid on our raffle items (with an opportunity to purchase more.) In addition to the raffle items, there will be a silent auction. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Seating is first come, first served with an option to reserve tables of 6 or 8 once payment is made in full. Please contact the church office to buy tickets.

Current silent auction items:

· Islander tickets (4 tickets center ice)

· Vacation home in Palm Desert (May or October 2024)

· A Day at the Races (Historic Saratoga race track includes 4 clubhouse seats)

· Artwork by Melissa Wilkinson

· 1-hr massage

· Private pickle ball lessons by our renowned expert Phil McCutcheon

· A day of home improvement aka “Men at Work”

· Whiskey Bar/Warwick Taxi outing

· Professional photo session with Jean Storckman

· Etched wine glasses

· Photo and hand-painted greeting cards