christ church eureka june chronicle 2016

8/16/2019 Christ Church Eureka June Chronicle 2016

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Life is full of changes, as we all know. This will be myfinal letter as Priest -in-Charge as I leave Christ Church after nineyears: four years of fulltime ministry as Priest in Charge and fiveyears of fulltime ministry as associate. I leave with a deep senseof gratitude for the opportunity to serve Christ Church and for allthe warmth, friendship and kindness that I have received.

My last Sunday will be June 12. I am very grateful thatMother Lesley will then begin her service as Priest in Charge,until a new rector is called after Christmas. I know she will do awonderful job. She will also have the support of Sister Diana Doncaster and Mother NancyStreufert, and beginning in August, two deacons: Anne Pierson and Pam Gossard. Please keep

all of us in your prayers. Meanwhile, I will continue with Camp Living Waters, and will attendservices at the other churches in our Deanery.

I have had the privilege of sharing in the lives of many in our parish. Marriages, baptisms, confirmations, and funerals have been sacred times, opportunities to find the presence of God with us. The presence of God can be found also in times of suffering andtrial. I am grateful to have shared in those struggles.

We can enter into a quieter time this summer. Woven throughout the Gospels’ portrayalof Jesus is his taking time away. Rest and prayer were the constant refrain of Jesus’ life. In thestillness of Sabbath we can be open to the silence and the stillness of God. I pray that each ofyou find the way to find the rest you need, so that you can be re -created by the creator whomade us for rest as well as work.

In Christ's love,

Mother Susan


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I started being involved in choral singing when I wastwelve. Even at that young age I found a great deal of satisfactionbeing able sing with a group, learn a vast variety of music and let ituplift me when I was down. As Betty Burton used to say, “Singingfeeds the soul.”

Music directors are always encouraging singers to think ofthe words while singing. How can one relay the depth of feeling ifyou are not thinking about the words? It is difficult for me to thinkof the meaning of the words when I sing. If I do, they touch me sodeeply that I start to cry. And it is hard to sing when you are cry-ing! So when I sing something that I find especially moving, I read the music and words when I amnot going to sing.

During service a few Sundays ago, we sang the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount.” This has alwaysbeen a favorite. The words were written by Robert Robinson (1735 - 1790), music by John Wyeth(1770 – 1858) – (Nettleton tune).

Verse 1: “Come, thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace! Streams of mercynever ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flamingtongues above. Praise the mount! Oh, fix me on it, mount of God’s unchanging love.”

Despite his questionable past and his young age, Robert Robinson who grew up in London,became known as a proficient minister and scholar. The words to this song show the depth ofRobinson’s commitment and his understanding of the necessity of God’s grace in his life.

In Verse 2: “Here I find my greatest treasurer; hither, by thy help, I’ve come; and I hope, bythy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger wandering from thefold of God; he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.” He is expressing amemorial to God’s faithfulness.

The words in the third verse declare how great a debt Robinson owed to God’s grace in sav-ing him: “Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be! Let thy goodness, like a fet-ter, bind my wandering heart to thee: prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.”

What hymns speak to you? Take some time to read them. As Betty said, “Let the music feedyour soul.”


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Dear Friends in Christ – You may have noticed that I seem to like music.

Not only do I like music, but my love for music is an essential part of my being

that finds expression prominently in my ministries. So I am excited about the

upcoming Church Musicians Workshop I’ll be attending June 13–17 at Nashotah

House Theological Seminary, my seminary in Wisconsin. The Workshop offers

three tracks: Basic Organ and Professional Development tracks for organists and

other professional musicians and a track for Clergy and Lay leaders. “The

House” is known for its faithfulness to community worship in the Anglo -Catholic

(high church) style of liturgy and prayer in the way of Benedictine spirituality, but also for its rever-

ence for psalmody and for the great English Choral tradition in the daily offices and the mass. As

participants in the Workshop, we are promised a full immersion into the worshipping (and musical!)life of the community at St. Mary’s Chapel on campus.

One of the core values of our diocese is this: “Everything we do flows from and returns to our wor-

ship of God, which we do as beautifully and meaningfully as we can, in keeping with the best of our

Anglican tradition.” As a priest and as a musician, it is my great privilege to collaborate with the

music director, clergy, and other congregational leaders at Christ Church as we seek to discern how

music in our liturgy and through our musical ministries can enhance our offerings to God. In futurecolumns, I’ll be sharing what I have learned, so stay tuned!

Because of the timing for the workshop for which I registered almost a year ago, I regret that I won’t

be able to participate in the festivities June 12 around Mother Susan’s final Sunday as Priest in

Charge. Fortunately, I am able to attend the receptions being held in her honor before that day. I

join with others in thanking Susan+ for her willingness to take over the reins after Fr. Ron’s unex-

pected and sudden departure. Her presence was a gift to the congregation that provided stability and

continuity during what could have been a difficult transition. On a personal note, I am grateful to

Susan+ for inviting me to join the clergy at Christ Church, first as transitional deacon and then as

associate priest. On June 12, I will be with you all in spirit and in prayer!

Faithfully,

Mother Nancy+


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During its May meeting, the Vestry authorized a supplemental bid by Home Network PestControl to remediate additional termite/fungus/rot damage that was discovered in the Chapel wallarea near the courtyard gate. The Vestry also authorized funds for Sound Advice to pre -set the sounsystem to improve the sound quality during church services. Research continues toward identifyingthe best streaming option to enable us to U -stream Sunday services.

A special scholarship fund at Christ Church was established by a San Francisco Foundation anumber of years ago. The Foundation no longer exists, but many in the Deanery have benefited fromthe fund over the years. Following several years with a small number of applicants, this year provedto be different. The scholarships granted this year have consumed almost all of the balance. In thefuture and contingent upon fundraising, scholarships will be limited to four awards for high schoolseniors.

Mtr. Susan is retiring on Sunday, June 12, instead of December 31, 2016. The Vestry isworking to finalize financial arrangements in consultation with the Office of the Bishop.

Want to know what's new? Let the Church office know if you are not on the church mailing listor email list. Check the bulletin board frequently. Be sure to ask Vestry members if you havequestions.

Peg Gardner, Clerk

George and JaneBermudez

June 4 Irene Hannaford June 22

Spenser Erickson June 5 Royal and Willie McCarthy June 22

Jim and Carrie Hogan June 8 Bill Taylor June 22

Elaine Grosso June 10 Bob and Sara Hines June 23

Douglas Moorehead June 10 Willie McCarthy June 26

Donna Jackson June 11 Howard Gardner June 28

Nick Smithler June 16


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Lay Ministries

School will soon be over, summer vacations will be here and you’ll have an opportunity dur-ing a relaxed season to learn about a new lay ministry. Choose one from the list, contact the personin charge and, as easy as that, be part of a new team.

Nursery and Sunday School

Coffee Hour Hosts

Contribution Counters

Acolytes and Eucharistic MinistersAnnouncers

Ushers and Greeters

Eucharistic Visitors

For more details about each ministry in which you’re interested, contact:

Marty Vega Lectors and Intercessors 443-9782

Anne Pierson Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers 442-2025

Sanford Pyron Announcers 444-0968

Susan Whaley Ushers and Greeters 445-2924

Elizabeth Harper -Lawson Eucharistic Visitors 445-1726

Vickie Patton Nursery and Sunday School 443-1825

Lynne Bean Coffee Hour 822-6086 Bob Hines Contribution Counters 445-8974

Thank you, Marty Vega


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Excellence in Worship and Offering Our ‘Sacrifice of Praise’

So Jesus … suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people

through his own blood. Therefore, let us go to him outside the campand bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city,but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let uscontinually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the

fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good andto share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:12 -16).

An article I recently read, “Whatever is Excellent: Quality in Church Music” by Andrew Reid(Church Music Quarterly, March 2016 ) led me to further explore the concept of “sacrifice of praise.”The fundamental idea that praise (or worship) is connected to sacrifice was not something I hadgiven a lot of thought to; yet, every week I work with a group of people who exemplify this principleof worship. Hmm, who might that be? The choir! As the choir year is coming to an end – June 12will be the choir’s last Sunday to sing before the summer break – it is a perfect opportunity torecognize and thank all of our choir members for their dedication and commitment, and indeed, their‘sacrifice of praise.’

What is meant of “sacrifice of praise” and what does it have to do with the quality of churchmusic? According to the New Testament scripture above, our worship (praise) must flow from aheart that is obedient to God and generous to the poor. The culture of sacrifice in the Old Testamentrequired taking something of value to the individual and dedicating it to God’s use. Our corporateworship enmeshes these two sets of realities, the internal and the external.

Charles Pope, pastor of Holy Comforter -St. Cyprian in Washington, DC puts it succinctly:“Simply put, our worship and praise does cost something—and it should. It takes some effort; thereis a cost to worshiping God in the way He is worthy of. Though it is not easy, it is our obligation; itis something that can and ought to challenge us ( http://blog.adw.org/2016/01/meant -sacrifice - praisescripture/ ).

As church musicians we have God -given talents and the gifts of time to develop them. Is itimportant to have standards for the music offered in the context of our corporate worship? Of courseit is. But while aesthetic standards help us to give of our best, “the intent of the heart and itsopenness to God” is perhaps an equal if not better measure of excellence for church music.Standards matter, “but not for the same reason that standards matter in purely aesthetic contexts:rather, for a far more important reason” ( CMQ , March 2016, p. 8).

Thank you, Christ Church choir members, for your sacrifice of time, your dedication andcommitment, your musical leadership, and for the music you share from your hearts each Sunday, to

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the glory of God. Enjoy your well -deserved break from weekly and early Sunday morningrehearsals!

New Service Music for the Season after Pentecost

The new settings for our service music are all from the hymnal Wonder, Love, and Praise: ASupplement to The Hymnal 1982 (WLP ). The guidelines behind the development of this supplement

included were: 1) prepare a resource that adds to The Hymnal 1982 , 2) embody a musical simplicitythat encourages immediate participation, and 3) offer a breadth of musical styles from many cultures.

The settings we have chosen are by three different composers, each of them coming acomplete mass setting by the composer. We open with the exuberant Gloria in excelsis , or “Glory tGod” by John Rutter ( WLP 900). In three sections (loud, soft, loud), this Gloria comes from Rutter’s1972 Communion Service , a work commissioned by Church of England and widely embraced. Dueto many requests for it, it has been included in WLP .

The setting for the Sanctus , “Holy, holy, holy Lord” ( WLP 857) is by Betty Carr Pulkingham,who is widely known as “a persuasive champion of renewal in music liturgy.” This setting of theSanctus is also an example of her advocacy for liturgical music from developing countries. Inspiredby experiences in South Africa, she wrote her Freedom Mass , based on traditional African melodies.The music of the Sanctus derives from a vibrant protest song, Asikhatali , which was published byAnders Nyberg in his song collection Freedom Is Coming . It is rhythmically vibrant and ideally, isbest sung in parts and unaccompanied. For now though, we’ll rely on some organ accompaniment!

John Karl Hirten is a composer and organist and the Director of Music at St. Stephen’sEpiscopal Church in Belvedere, CA. Our Fraction Anthem (WLP 868) is taken from his eucharistic

setting, Missa Simplex . The music is simple and direct (hence the name) and may be easily learned.However it is not simplistic, and requires care in singing. There is no meter signature, allowing theflexibility of plainsong. And the composer has provided the option of adding layers to the unisonsinging, as desired, with handbells and/or descant.

So what ties these three different settings together? By musical and theological standards,they are all sound, and embody the guidelines upon which the supplement, Wonder, Love and Praisewas created. But, more importantly, I hope that each offers us a way to learn and grow in our faith –in a way that challenges us (perhaps uncomfortably) and forms our faith, and reinforces thesacrificial nature of the act of worship itself, as we are all called to do.

Summer Concerts

This summer, Christ Church will continue the monthly “Sundays at 4” concerts – on the fourthSunday of June, July, and August, at 4:00 pm. This summer series is intended to feature localmusicians and provide an educational opportunity to learn about the music that is performed.

June 26: McKinleyville Community Choir


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July 24: Douglas Moorehead, organist August 28: Sequoia Chapter, American Guild of Organists: members will play pieces that

illustrate the “colors” of the organ.

Please save the dates and watch for more information about these upcoming concerts.

My Dear Congregation,

Our Summer is here and our gardens and street gutters have lots ofweeds from our 45 inches of rain. HELP is needed to pull all the weeds es-pecially around the chapel, the parking lot and the 15th Street gutters. I willtry to be there on Saturday mornings if you want some direction orcompany. Call me, 442 4471, if you have any questions.

Update on projects: The Heritage Hall restrooms are up and running.I hope you all had a chance to look at them. Check them out. If you knockon the old restroom and no one answers and the door is locked, in the kitch-en, in the first drawer to the right as you walk in, is a little kit to unlock thedoor. Thanks goes to Ryan Wolfe Construction for a job well done, on time and below the bid.

The termite work on the Chapel will continue this week. Of course, there was more work tobe done than could be seen from the outside. Once this gets done, we will need help with primingand painting the patched up places.

Some dry rot work will be done this week on the Smullin House.

Good news: The Church Insurance Company Safety Program Review was favorable. MsMcAlpen stated that she was "very impressed during the walk through of your facility and noted sev-eral safeguards you have in place to protect Episcopal people and property." A number of items willbe worked on by the Vestry.

Remember that we all need to take care of our church campus. Give me a call if you have anyideas. Beth Powell, Junior Warden.


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The Cycles of Prayers for our Diocese and the Anglican Communion

Please pray for those congregations and clergy listed below on the Diocesan and Anglican cycles ofprayer.

Every Sunday ,

We offer our prayers for our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner,

while he is on sabbatical

Our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner, requests we pray for: The Diocese

of Jerusalem, The Most Revd Suheil Dawani, Bishop, and for peace in the Holy Land

Specific Sunday Prayers: June 5 Pray for:

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:

St. Stephen’s, Sebastopol, Christy Harris, Rector

Anglican Cycle of Prayer:

The Church of the Province of Myanmar (Burma), The Most Revd Stephen Than MyintOo Archbishop of Myanmar and Bishop of Yangon

June 12 Pray for:


Shepherd by the Sea,, Gualala, Jamie Knutsen, Associate Priest

St. Paul’s, Benicia, Jeanne Forte, Rector


The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Revd Nicholas Okoh Metro-

politan & Primate of all Nigeria & Bishop of Abuja

June 19 Pray for:


Sisters of the Transfiguration, Eureka, Diana Doncaster, Sister


The Church of North India (United), The Most Revd Pradeep Samantaroy Moderator ofCNI & Bishop of Amritsar


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June 26 Pray for:


St. Alban’s, Arcata, Sara Potter, Rector

St. Paul’s, Healdsburg, Sally Hubbell, Rector


The Church of Pakistan (United), The Most Revd Samuel Robert Azariah Bishop ofRaiwind & Moderator of the Church of Pakistan

July 3 Pray for:


St. Andrew’s in the Redwoods, Monte Rio, Linda Moore, Priest in Charge


The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea, The Rt Revd Clyde Igara

Archbishop of Papua New Guinea & Bishop of Dogura

If you wish to offer prayers daily for the church in the world, our Anglican Cycle of Prayer has adaily list of diocese and clergy who would benefit from your prayer ministry. This list can beobtained via this website:

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of

- prayer/download

-the

-acp.aspx

If this does not bring up the full prayer list for the year, tap on “View” on the line

ACP 2016 Full version View under Anglican Cycle of Prayer (January 2016 -December 2016)

and you will access the daily Anglican Cycle of Prayer. If you do not have a computer, I would beglad to make a copy of the 2016 Anglican Cycle of Prayer for you. Anne Pierson

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspxhttp://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer/download-the-acp.aspx


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Open Studio

Kathrin Burleson's studio will be open Saturday and Sunday, June 4 & 5, 11 -5 each day

1828 Patricks Point Drive, Trinidad, California 95570 Featuring original art, books, cards and prints


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ECW and Quilters Summer Recess

ECW and Quilters are taking the summer off to spend time with their grandchildren, familiesand friends. The Quilters have had a busy spring with completing fleece blankets for foster children,small fabric drawstring bags for the Rescue Mission Women’s Shelter, and prayer quilts for thosewho are recuperating or ill. We also prepared a quilt to present to Mtr. Susan in appreciation for her

ministry at Christ Church. She has been a blessing to our parish family.

We will be collecting ideas for our 2016 -2017 meetings. Any suggestions you have regardingour programs that will set us all on fire, please direct to Renée, Peg or Joan. Thank you all forparticipating in this year's activities. We look forward to seeing you again in September. Happysummer to all!

Peg Gardner

Food for People Donations

Again I just want to thanks all of you for continually donating to the Food For Peoplebasket. I have said this before and most likely will do so again. I feel that this is so little on my partand all on your part. I couldn't do anything without someone putting items in the basket.

In the beginning sometimes there was only a can or two. Then Marty got on the band wagonand you really stepped up to the plate. For the Wednesday after the April produce Sunday I had 45pounds. I believe that is a record. I have even been referred to (nicely) as the bag lady.

I enjoy it all and hope to be able to continue doing this for some time now.

Again, my thanks Bev Olson

Opportunity to Assist

Several people have requested rides to church. Locations include from B Street and Alder Bay in Eu-eka as well as Alliance Road in Arcata. Being part of a caring community is so important. If you

could give the occasional lift, check with Elizabeth for further details. Thank you!


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Thanks for Reaching Out!

A huge thank you to the many who have reached out recently to help others, both in our com-munity and beyond. On May 8 Mtr. Susan blessed a wide variety of items to meet the needs ofthose served by the Rescue Mission Family Shelter. For many years we have served a luncheon forthe Rescue Mission Auxiliary each May. This year we chose instead to provide personal and house-keeping items. Thank you for your generous response.

The following two Sundays Mtr. Susan blessed the ingathering of United Thanks Offeringboxes and envelopes. In 2015 we gathered $456.13, and this year we sent a check from ChristChurch in the amount of $458.20. We traditionally hold our annual ingathering close to AscensionSunday. In a few weeks we will make UTO boxes available again for you to use until next May's in-gathering as you count your blessings!

Peg Gardner

Clergy, Eucharistic minister, Acolyte and Altar Guild Luncheon for Mother Susan, May 28


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Miracle Fair Commonplace miracle:that so many commonplace miracles happen.

An ordinary miracle:in the dead of nightthe barking of invisible dogs.

One miracle out of many:a small, airy cloud

yet it can block a large and heavy moon.

Several miracles in one:an alder tree reflected in the water,and that it’s backwards left to right and that it grows there, crown downand never reaches the bottom,even though the water is shallow.

An everyday miracle: winds weak to moderateturning gusty in storms.

First among equal miracles:cows are cows.

Second to none:just this orchardfrom just that seed.

A miracle without a cape and top hat:scattering white doves.

A miracle, for what else could you call it:today the sun rose at three-fourteenand will set at eight-o-one.

A miracle, less surprising than it should be:even though the hand has fewer than six fingers,

it still has more than four. A miracle, just take a look around:the world is everywhere.

An additional miracle, as everything is additional:the unthinkableis thinkable.~ by Wislawa Szymborska translated by Joanna Trzeciak


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Mission Statement of Christ Church To the glory of God, the mission of Christ Church Parish is to serve Jesus Christ and all the people of God; to en-courage and facilitate spiritual development for people of all ages; to grow as Christians in a loving and forgiving

fellowship, thereby confirming, witnessing, and leading others to the faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner Bishop, Diocese of Northern California

Staff The Rev. Dr. Susan J. Armstrong

Priest in Charge

The Rev. Lesley McCloghrie Resident Associate Priest

The Rev. Nancy Streufert Associate Priest

The Rev. Sister Diana Doncaster Associate Priest

Merry Phillips Organist and Music Director

Dr. Douglas Moorehead, Organist Emeritus

John Hammond, Sexton

Barry Ross, Administrative Assistant

Vestry Lyn Klay, Senior Warden

Beth Powell, Junior Warden

Bob Rex, Julie Cairns, Irene Hannaford, Lin Chase, Helen Taylor, Elizabeth Harper -Lawson, Belinda Zander,

Rex White, Heidi Erickson, Gail Freeman Bob Hines, Treasurer, Peg Gardner, Clerk

625 15 th Street P.O. Box 861

Eureka, California 95502 Phone (707) 442 -1797

Fax (707) 442 -5647

christ church eureka june chronicle 2016

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