6-1-2021  GRATITUDE

Today we will focus on gratitude.
• Gratitude for the almost 300 parishioners who have pledged more than $1,427,000
• Gratitude for parishioners who stretched their original pledge to help us get closer to our Stretch Goal
• Gratitude for progress on SSS projects and anticipation of a new organ coming in 2023
• Gratitude for those who led the spiritual renewal focus of the Campaign
• Gratitude for volunteers and staff, who continue to work on the Campaign
• Gratitude for past generations who provided us our beloved Christ Church
• Gratitude that the pandemic is fading
• Gratitude for every Christ Church parishioner
• Gratitude for our opportunity to provide for the generations that follow us
• Gratitude for every day and everything
— Bob Emory

 

5-31-2021  HELP US REACH OUR GOAL by May 31st

These pledges are funding the renewal of the Nave, our worship space. The acoustics have been dramatically enhanced by the restoration of our heart pine floors and the stiffening of the ceiling. Pews have been refurbished and refinished and new cushions are arriving soon. Lighting has been improved. In early 2023 our failing organ will be replaced by one built specifically for our worship space. The Sacred Sound and Space Campaign follows in the Christ Church tradition of leaving something for the generations that follow us, much like those who provided us the church we all love. This is our time! Help us reach the SSS Campaign Goal by May 31st! If you have not pledged, please consider joining your 294 fellow parishioners who have. If you have pledged and can increase your pledge, please consider doing so. Thank you to all who have supported the campaign. If you are not one of them, please answer the call and help us reach the goal by May 31st. Two hundred and ninety-four members pledged more than $1,427,500 toward the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign Stretch Goal of $1,485,000 and forty-nine have stretched their original pledges by as much as the equivalent of one year’s pledge.

Thank you, Bob Emory

 

5-23-2021  SSS CAMPAIGN: We are so close! 

We are SO close to reaching our stretch goal of $1,485,000! No additional pledges were received this week, but we can make this happen by the May 31st deadline. Join the 290 members who have already generously pledged toward our Stretch Goal. Please call the church if you have any questions at all. We’re almost there!

 

5-16-2021  SSS CAMPAIGN: Stretch Goal is in Sight! 

Our lighting system has been improved and the floor, ceiling and pews have been restored. Now we await the arrival of our new organ in early 2023. This has all been made possible by your pledges. As of Wednesday, May 12, 290 parishioners have pledged $1,417,869 toward our Stretch Goal of $1,485,000. Reaching and exceeding the Stretch Goal will minimize the likelihood of having to borrow money to complete the Sacred Sound and Space enhancements to the Nave. First time pledges are slowly continuing to come in, and a number of parishioners have generously volunteered to increase their original pledge by an amount equivalent to one year’s pledge. We hope to stop soliciting pledges by the end of May – please help us get there! If you wish to pledge but have misplaced your pledge card, please contact the church office and one will be provided.

 

5-9-2021  SSS CAMPAIGN: Major Milestone Achieved–Primary Goal Surpassed!

Thanks to the 289 generous pledges received so far totaling $1,417,569, we have passed our $1,285,000 Primary Goal and are now stretching toward our $1,485,000 Stretch Goal. You can see a beautiful video of the restoration on our YouTube page and the Christ Church website. Please consider joining the 289 parishioners who have already pledged by either making a pledge or — if you have pledged — stretching your pledge by the equivalent of an additional year. Help us achieve our $1,485,000 Stretch Goal by the end of May. With your help we can do it!

 

5-2-2021  HELP US ACHIEVE OUR $1,485,000 STRETCH GOAL  

Thanks to the 285 generous pledges received so far totaling $1,413,319, we have passed our $1,285,000 Primary Goal and are now stretching toward our $1,485,000 Stretch Goal. Please consider joining the 285 parishioners who have already pledged by either making a pledge or — if you have pledged — stretching your pledge by the equivalent of an additional year. With your help we can do it! 

 

4-25-2021  SEE THE VIDEO OF THE RESTORATION
You can find it on our YouTube page and the Christ Church website homepage.

Thanks to the 273 generous pledges received so far totaling $1,381,519, we have passed our $1,285,000 Primary Goal and are now stretching toward our $1,485,000 Stretch Goal. Here is a list of items we have already accomplished. The heart pine Nave floor is restored and finished. The ceiling has been stiffened, cleaned and sealed. The pews have been refurbished and refinished. Lights are brighter, and we have a new control panel. The walls and wainscoting have been painted. The Altar Window is bright. For the first time in 150 years, the ceiling is insulated. Our new organ is coming in 2023. Please consider joining the parishioners who have already pledged by either making a pledge or — if you have pledged — stretching your pledge by the equivalent of an additional year. With your help we can do it!

 

3-14-2021 MEASURE OF SUCCESS! Services returning to the Nave

We are nearly finished with the restoration/renovation in the Nave and are so close to welcoming you back inside for worship. If you missed Paul’s Thursday Thoughts video that was sent via email, please watch it here. He gives a great update about what you can expect over the next several weeks. Most importantly, he announces that the 8 am service on Sunday, March 21st, will be our first opportunity to worship in the Nave! We can’t wait to see you in the church once again.
Highlights of what is - and isn’t - changing:
• First service in the Nave: 8am on Sunday, March 21st
• Still sign up to attend indoor services.
• Still wear a mask.
• Some pews will be roped off to ensure proper distancing.
• We will continue to live-stream and offer a service outdoors, too.
• Not sure of a timeline on the arrival of the cushions, so BYOP if you need something soft to sit 

 

3-7-2021  A BREIF UPDATE ON SOUND AND SPACE PROJECTS

Bob Emory and Kip Peregoy are keeping a close watch on Sacred Sound & Space projects. We are SO close to completing this stage of the SSS projects — such a symbolic time here in Spring, as we slowly make progress on tackling this pandemic and nearing the time we can once again worship in a more traditional way. If you were to walk into the Nave right now, you would see every pew, but you would also notice they are not yet properly spaced or bolted down. You would also see that the book racks need to be installed, and the cushions haven’t yet arrived. A few more tasks that need to be done moving the piano and baptismal font back into the Nave. Church and project leaders say it will take about one and a half weeks to complete these remaining items.  

 

2-28-2021  ALL PROJECTS NEARING COMPLETION 

All 78 pews will be finished within a couple of weeks, including installation of the book racks. Contractor has been selected and the insulation will be blown in shortly. All the SSS projects within the sanctuary have been completed. More good news as the total cost for everything is $4,260 UNDER budget. 

 

11-22-2020  THE NAVE HAS BEEN A BUSY PLACE during the last few months!

Two of the projects included in the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign are the stiffening of the ceiling and the restoration of our heart pine floors. Both projects will significantly improve the acoustics in the Nave, and our ability to experience music, congregational singing, and the spoken word… and they are underway. Our ceiling is comprised of relatively thin, narrow boards attached to the rafters above. Over the years, many have separated from the rafters and from each other with several significant gaps in the ceiling running the entire length of the Nave. Workers, utilizing scaffolding to reach the ceiling, have reattached loose boards to the rafters, removed and replaced rotten boards and plugged the gaps. The next step is to screw and glue strips of wood to the ceiling from above, in the attic. This, in addition to the reattachment of the ceiling boards to the rafters, will contribute to the ceiling’s ability to reflect sound downward. When the work in the attic is complete, we will install insulation above the ceiling, which will conserve heating and cooling energy. We also cleaned the ceiling, removing decades (or maybe 150 years!) of grime build up and restored the finish. While the ceiling work was going on, work began on restoring the floors. Patching the location of old heat ducts and areas where previous Nave modifications had impacted the floor is complete. Sanding and finishing will begin soon. The restoration of the heart pine floors will have a major acoustical impact…and they will be beautiful. Those who have pledged to the SSS Campaign have made this work possible – thank you! 
 

10-11-2020  THE PEWS WERE REMOVED

During the week of October 5th, the pews in the Nave were removed by the company that will refurbish and refinish them. Soon, the Nave will be filled with scaffolding to allow workers to stiffen, clean and re-stain the ceiling and paint the trim around the windows as well as the Nave walls. Once the scaffolding is gone, the carpet will be removed, and the heart pine floors will be restored. All of this leads up to the installation of our new Taylor and Boody organ in early 2023. We heard during the Sacred Sound and Space Feasibility Study that most parishioners have a real attachment to our pews and don’t want them to be replaced or significantly altered; they won’t be. One of the things that makes our pews special is the width of lumber used to construct them. Many, if not all, of the pew backs are each made from one piece of lumber. Try finding lumber that is 16 or 18 inches wide; it is virtually nonexistent. Our pews are special. Many decades ago, a parishioner paid to have the pews refinished by trainees at the Craven Evaluation and Training Center and, other than minor repairs, nothing has been done to them since. A close inspection of the pews reveals the significant need for refurbishment. They are scratched and dented. Many of them rock backwards when pulled from behind and have separations between the seats and pew backs. Some have trim that is loose. All of this is to be expected of pews that have been in place for 150 years, and it is now time to refurbish them. Thank you for supporting the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign, which is focused on renewing our worship space, improving acoustics, and replacing the organ. Over the next several months we will provide regular updates on progress of the work in the Nave, and we all look forward, pandemic allowing, to worshipping together in the Nave in February.  Old pew cushions and kneeling benches are now free to parishioners. You can pick them up in the education hallway until October 27th. They will be taken offsite after that date. More pictures coming in next week’s Messenger!

 

7-5-2020  SACRED SOUND AND SPACE RENOVATION UPDATES

Work continued this week on the floors in the Chancel. New wood trim was custom cut and installed. The trim was cut from reclaimed pine wood.

 

6-28-2020  THE CARPET REMOVAL BEGAN LAST WEEK 

New flooring that matches what we recently did in the Narthex and what we know is under the carpet in the rest of the Nave will be installed. Since we are not able to worship in the Nave just yet, this was a prime time to complete this project. As part of the Sacred Sound & Space campaign, it will be fully funded through that project. We will soon have bids for a new lighting control system that will work with the new bulbs that we have placed in our existing lights in the Nave. The new bulbs are more energy efficient and provide better light coverage to all parts of the Nave.

 

3-29-2020  SACRED SOUND AND SPACE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY DUE TO CORONAVIRUS 

Greetings from your Rector, Senior Warden and Sacred Sound and Space Campaign Co-chair. Due to the uncertainty associated with the Coronavirus, we have made the difficult decision to suspend temporarily the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign. We will resume the Campaign when we find ourselves in a more settled time. During this timeout, we will cease active solicitation of new pledges. You can still make a pledge by mailing a pledge card to the church or by going to the Sacred Sound and Space tab on the Christ Church website (https://christchurchnewbern.com/sacredsoundandspace/) where you can download a pledge card if you don’t have one.

At this time, we do not know when the Campaign will resume, but in the meantime, the former Junior Wardens task group will continue to do research on and prepare for the projects that will be funded by the Campaign.

All our efforts need to be directed toward the wellbeing of our parish and community at this difficult time. You can help by letting the clergy know of pastoral needs, whether for yourself or for others. And please remember how important it is to continue your financial support for the church even though we cannot currently worship together. The church office is open Mon-Fri. from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Our mailing address is Christ Church, PO Box 1246, New Bern, NC 28563. Please let us know if you have any needs. The events calendar is being updated daily, so visit the church website for updates and information on Virtual Worship services, meetings, and classes: www.christchurchnewbern.com. 

Together we will get through this crisis. Please take prudent precautions to avoid the virus. We must take care of ourselves and each other. 

Faithfully,

Paul Canady, Rector

Jean Reichenbach, Senior Warden

Bob Emory, Campaign Co-Chair

 

3-22-2020  SACRED SOUND AND SPACE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY DUE TO CORONAVIRUS 

Greetings from your Rector, Senior Warden and Sacred Sound and Space Campaign Co-chair. Due to the uncertainty associated with the Coronavirus, we have made the difficult decision to suspend temporarily the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign. We will resume the Campaign when we find ourselves in a more settled time. During this timeout, we will cease active solicitation of new pledges. You can still make a pledge by mailing a pledge card to the church or by going to the Sacred Sound and Space tab on the Christ Church website (https://christchurchnewbern.com/sacredsoundandspace/) where you can download a pledge card if you don’t have one.

At this time, we do not know when the Campaign will resume, but in the meantime, the former Junior Wardens task group will continue to do research on and prepare for the projects that will be funded by the Campaign.

All our efforts need to be directed toward the wellbeing of our parish and community at this difficult time. You can help by letting the clergy know of pastoral needs, whether for yourself or for others. And please remember how important it is to continue your financial support for the church even though we cannot currently worship together. The church office is open Mon-Fri. from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Our mailing address is Christ Church, PO Box 1246, New Bern, NC 28563. Please let us know if you have any needs. The events calendar is being updated daily, so visit the church website for updates and information on Virtual Worship services, meetings and classes: www.christchurchnewbern.com. 

Together we will get through this crisis. Please take prudent precautions to avoid the virus. We must take care of ourselves and each other. 

Faithfully,

Paul Canady, Rector

Jean Reichenbach, Senior Warden

Bob Emory, Campaign Co-Chair

 

3-15-2020  OUR MARCH 15th MILESTONE

As we march past the middle of the Sacred Sound and Space campaign, it’s important to meet or exceed our primary goal of $1,285,000. To reach that goal we need new commitments of $122,725 by March 15th. For those who have sent in their pledge card, we thank you! Some of your church family members have volunteered to help with follow up calls to make sure we stay on track. They will be reaching out to you this week and next to encourage you to send in your pledge card if you intend to participate. As a reminder, one-time gifts are welcome as well. Our volunteer callers have learned that most parishioners intend to pledge, but due to the busyness of life, have simply not yet completed the pledge card. The best thing our volunteer callers can hear is that “I have sent in a pledge card.” If you have a concern or a pastoral need, please gently let the volunteer caller know so that they can pass along the information to the right people. As of March 4, we have 173 pledges. We need 300. We need every member and every dollar to make sure that Christ Church's sacred spaces and sounds continue to provide outreach and evangelism opportunities for this and future generations. Again, for those who have not yet participated, you can help NOW by returning your pledge card before March 15th.

 

3-1-2020  IMAGINE… 

A worship experience in which
∙ When singing, your voice along with the voices of your fellow worshipers, is lifted by the organ and reverberates as one voice throughout the Nave.
∙ The voices of preachers and readers are more easily heard.
∙ When saying the Creeds or praying the Prayers our individual voices become one voice and reflect throughout the Nave.
If you have worshipped in an old church in Europe, the Duke Divinity School Chapel, or our Chapel, you have had such a worship experience. While we cannot transform our Nave to fully replicate the acoustics of such places, we can make significant improvements. That is why we are stiffening our thin ceiling (ideally adding insulation at the same time, funds permitting) and removing the carpet in the Nave to allow our wooden floor to reflect sound rather than absorb it. These improvements are among the recommendations made by acoustics experts and organ builders who visited our worship space and that is why they are included in the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign. We look forward to making an even more joyful noise when the acoustic improvements are completed. We invite you to join your fellow parishioners in giving to the SSS Campaign so that we can make a joyful noise together. Pledge cards are available at the Campaign Booth in the Reception Area or in the Church Offices. Gifts can be made via check, the website (https:// christchurchnewbern.com/give/) or by texting the word “FUNDS” to 833.233.8760. Should you have any questions, please connect with Bob Emory.

LIGHTING: A Work in Progress Most parishioners agree that lighting in much of the Nave is at best adequate and in some locations totally inadequate. Many solutions are being explored and the search continues. One possible solution is to use a more powerful light bulb in the chandeliers and add diffuser lenses to them. So, over the next couple of months do not be surprised to see some chandeliers with light bulbs of a different strength than others. What you see will not be a mistake; it will be an experiment. Please be patient as we look for a good solution.

 

2-26-2020  A TALE OF TWO ORGANS

In school you probably read Charles Dickens’ long novel “A Tale of Two Cities”.  This is a short story about two parishes.

A CENTRAL NEW JERSEY EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE LATE 1970’S: A basement flood severely damaged the large pipes of an early 20th Century electro-pneumatic organ, corroding the pipes and destroying the leathers and electronic relays.

The parish determined it was not a good investment to repair it.  They decided on a capital campaign for a new organ plus deferred maintenance issues of approximately $1.5 million in today’s dollars.  Approximately two thirds of this was associated with the organ. One parishioner – Pharmaceutical heir of either Bristol, Meyers or Squibb – loved organs and even had one in his home.  He agreed to essentially fund the new organ and help with the selection of a builder and its design. The rest of the parish only had to fund the balance of the maintenance items.

CHRIST CHURCH NEW BERN – TODAY: Its 1960’s electro-pneumatic organ was beginning to fail and not having a parishioner named Bristol, Meyers or Squibb, they formed an Ad Hoc Committee to study the issues.  The Committee had musicians and non-musicians, long time parishioners and those newer to the parish.  They consulted with experts who concluded that repair of the current organ would be a poor investment.

WHY WE NEED PLEDGE CARDS: Many people have asked, “Why do I need to sign a pledge card?” Signing a pledge card goes beyond the notion of reaching a monetary goal and consequently being able to complete projects. For proper reporting and clean audits, we need a signed pledge card in the event we need to provide evidence to substantiate our accounts receive donations. Because the church is a nonprofit entity, we need to provide information efficiently and accurately to the diocese, the IRS and most importantly, to each of our donors, at the end of each year. 

For your donation to be included in the Sacred Sound and Space campaign totals, the church needs to have your SIGNED pledge card. Below is the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign pledge card, which differs from the Annual Giving Campaign pledge card. 

If you have any questions about the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign or how to fill out this pledge card, please contact Campaign Leader Bob Emory.
 

2-16-2020

You probably know that the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign has adopted a Primary and a Stretch Goal. So, where did they come from and what does success look like? The Campaign is raising money to replace our failing organ, make acoustical improvements that support our investment in a new organ and to take care of some overdue maintenance. During the Feasibility Study last year, the parish narrowed down the list of potential projects to the six that are included in the Campaign. Also, during the Study, through one-on-one interviews and a web survey, our consultant estimated the parish’s financial support for a Campaign at $1,285,000 and the Vestry adopted that figure as our Primary Goal. But how does the Primary Goal compare to the cost of all the projects, including the cost of the Campaign and the Feasibility Study? The total cost, assuming everything comes in on budget, is over $1,700,000. We were fortunate to have previously received some funds for a new organ. We used that money, $210,000, to make the down payment on the organ, reducing the remainder needed to a little over $1,500,000. Our consultant told us that, having narrowed down the original list of projects down to the ones with the most support from the Parish, it is not unreasonable to think we could reach a Stretch Goal of $1,426,000. The Vestry believed that all the projects included in the Campaign were necessary and they took a leap of faith.  With two goals, neither of which covers the total cost of all the projects, what does success look like? If our interactions with one another during the Campaign strengthen relationships and if we take advantage of the many opportunities for spiritual growth included in the Campaign, we will celebrate success when pledges reach $1,285,000, our Primary Goal. We will celebrate even more energetically when we reach our Stretch Goal of $1,426,000. And we will be ecstatic when pledges exceed $1,500,000! Christ Church parishioners, in the tumultuous years following the Civil War, had the faith to build the beautiful Nave that we all love. Our worship in the Nave strengthens us and prepares us to serve God in our families and communities. This Campaign is our chance to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and leave an enhanced worship space for those who come after us. No pledge is too large, and no pledge is too small. Well over a hundred people and families have stepped forward to support the Campaign; please join us as we renew this sacred space. 

 

2-9-2021  Milestone Pledge Amount Reached as of February 5

Total pledges to the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign reached $1,028,925 with 118 donors. With 80 percent of our goal, we are thrilled with our progress and mindful that each gift, regardless of size, will be important for the success of this campaign. For those of you who did not pick up your Sacred Sound and Space Packet over the past weeks, look for your packet in the mail this week. We have begun calling parishioners who have not yet participated in the campaign. If you would like a personal visit for more information about the campaign, please let the callers know. The callers will provide additional information on the campaign should you have any questions, want to pledge by phone or want to participate in an upcoming small group event. Should you have any questions in the meantime, please connect with Deborah Cook at 252.259.2791

LIGHTING CONTROL: Some of the projects that are part of the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign are attention grabbers like the replacement of our failing organ; others are less glamorous. One of the less exciting but nonetheless necessary projects is the replacement of our lighting control panel. The lighting control panel controls all the lights in the Nave. The current one has become unreliable, is beyond its expected life and cannot be repaired. We will replace the failing panel, currently located in the balcony, and locate the new one in the narthex. There will be an additional control pad in the chancel area. While a new lighting panel is not as exciting as replacing our organ, it is one of those deferred maintenance projects that we have included in the Campaign. Please prayerfully consider how you will support the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign. We believe that all the projects, glamorous or mundane, will work in concert to enhance our worship experience and strengthen us to go out and serve the Lord. No pledge is too large or too small, every member counts. If you have questions about the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign, please contact Bob Emory.

 

2-2-2020  THE BALCONY REINFORCEMENT IS A NEED, NOT A WANT!

One of the key observations offered by the parish during the Sacred Sound and Space Feasibility Study was that, when deciding which projects to include in a capital campaign, we should focus on what we need, not just what we want. Reinforcing the balcony certainly is in the “Need” category, and the work falls into two phases. The first, and unrelated to the installation of the new organ, was the work done below the floor of the Nave to provide enhanced support for the columns that support the balcony. The balcony was originally used for seating and the organ was not located there. At some point in the past the organ and the choir were moved to the balcony, increasing the load. More recently the need for additional support was exacerbated by work done to the HVAC system. Once the Vestry fully realized the severity of the problem, they knew it was a perfect fit for the Campaign and had to be corrected…and it has been! The second category of balcony work will be that required by installation of the new organ. We don’t yet know all the work that will be required but we do know that significant modifications below the floor of the balcony will be required to accommodate the “tracker” mechanism of the organ. As the time approaches for installation of the new organ we will better understand the extent of the additional required modifications. If you have questions about the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign, please contact Bob Emory.

Latest Pledge Totals as of January 29, pledges to the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign reached $991,000 with 105 total pledges. That represents an amazing start to the congregational campaign. Thank you! Also, please stop by the Sacred Sound and Space booth in the Reception Area between services on Sunday and pick up your campaign packet if you haven’t done so already. This will save the church the cost of mailing it to you. A campaign representative will be available to answer any questions you might have, and a pledge box will be at the booth.

 

1-26-2020  EVERY MEMBER COUNTS         

ORGAN UPDATE: The primary project to be funded by the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign is the replacement of our failing organ. The new organ, to be built by Taylor and Boody of Staunton, Virginia, will be the fourth organ in our worship space; the first three had an average lifespan of approximately 50 years. Our current organ, around 53 years old, has served us to its full potential but it was not designed for our space and does not adequately support our singing. 

Additionally, it needs repair and experts who examined it advised us that repairing it would be expensive and not worth the investment. The replacement of our organ brings a wonderful opportunity to add sacred sound to our sacred space. A new quality instrument, custom built to the acoustics of our nave, will provide a firm, rich and colorful foundation for our voices. It will prove worthy of the classic organ repertoire we savor during preludes and postludes. Most of all, it will last to serve Christ Church for generations, neither our grandchildren nor their grandchildren will need to replace it. 

Our existing organ is on its last legs. It has become a necessity that we replace the instrument now and do so with a quality instrument that will stand the test of time. We are confident that the new Taylor and Boody organ will better support congregational singing and open musical opportunities we have not yet even thought of!

PLEDGE UPDATE: The SSS Campaign continues to grow and currently stands at $943,000. Thank you to all who have given. All gifts are important for the success of the campaign, as we join each other to transform our space and our lives. There will be several opportunities to give, or you can complete your campaign pledge card and submit to the office. 

 

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE VERSE AND MEDITATION MOMENT

WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD:  “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

SHARING FAITH SESSIONS: As we continue with the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign, you’re invited to explore and share your faith story. 

How has your faith impacted your life? Join us for a time of Sharing Faith. This time of listening and sharing will strengthen your personal relationships and your faith. The evenings sessions begin with a simple meal in the Harrison Center, while snacks will be provided for the afternoon sessions. Both will include a question/response period. 

Each of us has our own personal stories of faith and sharing these helps others recognize how God is working in their lives. Sign up on the sheets in the Reception Area or contact Jettie Pelletier for more information. All ages are included, and childcare is available.

PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME TO THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES: The names written on the clouds you see on the bulletin board are of people who feel spiritually connected to and supportive of the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign. Please consider adding YOUR NAME to a cloud to show your spiritual support for the beautiful plans that have been made for our church. We are all in this together. Your prayers of support for the campaign are most welcome! Thank you! You are a Blessing!

​

1-19-2020  SSS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED & $882,000 ALREADY PLEDGED

On January 12th the Harrison Center was filled with parishioners who celebrated the football-based Kickoff of the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign, a campaign to replace our failing organ and renew our worship space, the Nave. Attendees enjoyed wonderful food, fellowship, Cliff’s music in the background and an incredible drone video of our church. Leading up to the Kickoff celebration, the Vestry, Clergy, campaign leadership, choirs and those who had expressed particular interest during last year's Feasibility Study were given the opportunity to get the Campaign off to a head start. As a result, 86 parishioners pledged a total of $882,000.00 The total cost of all projects to be funded by the Campaign is $1,505,000.00. Based on what parishioners told us during last year’s Feasibility Study, the Vestry adopted a Primary Fundraising Goal of $1,285,000.00 and a Stretch Goal of $1,426,000.00. The remainder represents a leap of faith. The Nave is where we worship and are strengthened and prepared to share the love of Christ in our community. The projects to be funded by the Campaign will provide the opportunity for a fuller worship experience, as well as an opportunity to leave the Nave in better shape than we found it. Now begins the Congregational Phase of the Campaign, in which each parishioner’s pledge, to be fulfilled over as many as three years, will help us to reach the goal line. There is no pledge that is too big or too small – every member counts.

 

1-12-2020  SACRED SOUND AND SPACE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NEWS

Check this space every week for campaign news, updates, and celebrations. Don’t forget the campaign kickoff Sunday! Add Your Name to the Great Cloud of Witnesses! You are invited to write your name on a cloud sticker and place it on the bulletin board in the Parish House to show your spiritual support for the Sacred Sound and Space campaign. We hope that hundreds of cloud stickers will be placed on the board! We are all in this together to show our support for the beautiful plans that have been made for our worship space. Refinished Pew While you’re in the Parish House, please look at the refinished pew if you have not yet had a chance. As you might know, we sent a spare pew out to be refinished, and it has returned. You can examine it and sit in it in the Parish House. The book racks are just a place holder at this point; they will be significantly enlarged on the final project

 

12-22-2019  SACRED SOUND AND SPACE PREVIEW

Even though the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign does not officially kick off until after the first of the year, things are already happening. Modifications to the balcony to accommodate our new organ will be funded by the Campaign. Included in the balcony project is reinforcement of the balcony support system. The columns in the Nave that support the balcony rest on the floor. We discovered that during all these years there has been no structural reinforcement below the floor to support the weight of the balcony. During the week of December 9th, a foundation contractor reinforced the support system in the basement, to engineering specifications, to ensure the safety of worshippers. There is plenty of work to be done associated with installation of the new organ, but no reason to delay this long-needed correction until then. During the Feasibility Study, there was concern expressed by a parishioner that the exterior walls of the church might be slightly bowing. We don’t know if they are bowing or not, but we have taken the prudent step of working with an engineering firm to utilize precise GPS equipment to establish a baseline and then annually survey for any deviation from the baseline. Over several years we can determine if, in fact, there is any movement. The baseline work by the engineering firm started during the Fall and was completed last week. Also, please look at the recently refinished original heart pine floor in the Narthex. It gives us a hint of what the floors in the Nave and Chancel will look like when they are restored. You may know that we sent a spare pew to be refinished, and it has returned. You can examine it and sit in it in the Parish House. The book racks are just a place holder at this point; they will be significantly enlarged on the final project. Be on the lookout for your invitation to the Sacred Sound and Space Campaign Kickoff to be held at 4:00 pm, Sunday, January 12th. Please come help us kickoff and celebrate the Campaign. 

 

11-24-2019  WEEKLY SCRIPTURE

As the preliminary phase of the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign continues, the committee offers a weekly scripture for our reflection. Growing forward in HIM, unity of Faith… Measuring up to Christ to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:12-13 How do we use forward growth, and do we use God’s grace as a measuring stick? Where do we see actionable growth? Is it in witnessing, giving, praying, reading God’s word, kindness, encouragement? What efforts are you using to promote forward and actionable growth

 

11-18-2019  WEEKLY SCRIPTURE 

Sacred Sound and Space Campaign Weekly Scripture As the preliminary phase of the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign continues, the committee offers a weekly scripture for our reflection. Best Offerings of the Lamb: “Worthy is the Lamb” In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:12 You will be able to do these very things at 5:00 pm, this afternoon here in the nave as we celebrate and give our thanks to this blessed Christ Church.

 

11-10-2019  WEEKLY SCRIPTURE FOR YOUR REFLECTION    

Further with Him: “a little further: according to your will.”

Going a little further, he fell with his face to the ground and prayer, “My Father, if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will but as you will.” Matthew 26:29   

The Lord calls us to go further with him. How far will you go? What are the areas of your life you have yet to yield to Christ?

 

11-3-2019  WEEKLY SCRIPTURE FOR YOUR REFLECTION

Open Hearted to Christ: “Pour out our hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 

Where and when do you seek refuge with God?

 

8-8-2019  SACRED SOUND AND SPACE INFORMATIONAL MEETING

An information-sharing meeting updating the parish on the Sacred Sound and Space Capital Campaign will take place at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, August 20 in the Nave.