We are a Parish of the Episcopal Church USA
Part of the worldwide Anglican Communion
A tradition both Catholic and Protestant
Most importantly, we are disciples of Christ
Following his commandment
To love and serve God above all
To love our neighbors as ourselves
55 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, Connecticut 06880 | Phone: 203-227-0827
Week of May 11, 2008
Another Successful End
All our children and youth choirs regaled us with a rendition of Godspell by songwriter extraordinaire Stephen Schwartz-- almost 100 choristers participated this memorable performance. The annual ribbons were given out- including to graduating Julie Taylor who is finishing her 13th year in choir! Thanks to all parents for their support, and especially to another inspiring year of music mentoring from our beloved Choirmaster, Michael Burnette.
Welcome!
To learn more about the church, please join the Welcoming Committee of Christ & Holy Trinity Church for the annual spring cocktail party, Saturday, June 7, 6:30 p.m. at the home of Beth and Mark Schlater. RSVP to Beth at 226-8301 or mschlate@optonline.net
New Seminarian needs car
Nicolas Meyers, a third-year student at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, will join us in September as our seminarian intern for 2008-2009. The transmission on his car has just failed and he is searching for a used car under $3,000. Should there be someone interested in a significant commitment to theological education, a wonderful young man, and this church by means of a good used car, please speak with John Branson, jbranson@chtwestport.org
Confirmation Conversations
Please mark your calendar for a special presentation by Sharon Pearson, former staff member of the Diocese of Connecticut in Christian Education and Children’s Education, currently a nationally recognized consultant for children’s and youth formation working with Church Publishing. She will present a history of confirmation and will discuss the latest thinking on the rite of confirmation.
Thursday, May 29, 9:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall (moved from the Associate Rector’s house due to space needs). This will be the fourth of five church wide discussions on confirmation. Don’t miss this very informative and important discussion for our current and future youth.
Church wide discussions on youth education and confirmation continue Thursday, May 22, at the Rector’s house, 118 North Avenue, 6:30 p.m. You are most welcome to bring a dish and thoughts to share.
Men’s Discussion Group
Sundays at 8:00 a.m. in the Brandon Room. This week we start a discussion on the history of the Papacy.. We will look at scripture citing the reason for the Papacy, the role of Jesus and Peter in establishing the Papacy in Rome and the historical context of the Pope against other world events. Next week we examine the Papacy during the Charlemagne era. Contact Christiaan at 646-331-3926 or christiaanrizy@yahoo.com
Mobile Eucharist
The Contemplative Eucharist has ended for the season and will return in Advent next December. Between now and then, please join us for our monthly Mobile Eucharist on the fourth Wednesday of each month May through October at 7:00 p.m. at Evan Harding Park at Longshore. Come for the service and bring a picnic or barbeque to enjoy before or after if you are able. Contact Elsa for further information, eworth@chtwestport.org
The Green Team
We are beginning a team to see how we can help keep our church “green,” and we invite any additional joiners! Contact Kathryn Corbally, mcorbally@yahoo.com.
Environmental Tip for This Week
A typical 5-minute shower uses 26.4 gallons of water. Take action: Use a low flow shower head and reduce water by two thirds. You will save water and money on your water bill.
A Green Reminder
The parish nurse collects and disposes of unused or outdated medications through the Westport Weston Health District biohazard disposal system. Please leave your leftovers in the red bin in the church kitchen (no controlled substances permitted).
Foundations
If you would like to know more about the Episcopal Church or if you feel moved by the Spirit to become a communicant of the Episcopal Church, join Foundations. This class started Sunday, April 6, 12:30-2:00 p.m. and continues on Sundays, April 13-May 11 (omitting April 27), 4:00-5:30 p.m. Participants excited by the Episcopal Church and CHT’s ministries will be officially welcomed as members of CHT and the Episcopal Church in a celebratory liturgy Saturday, May 17. To register, call the church office, 227-0827, or e-mail us at
info@chtwestport.org
Faith in Action
The Faith in Action Team has been meeting with local agencies each week to gain a deeper understanding of the needs that surround us. What needs are the most pressing? How well are they being addressed by area churches and non-profits? What needs could use more attention? What factors coming up in the next ten years may change local needs or introduce new ones? Equipped with a deeper understanding of our community’s needs, the team then plans to begin to discern ways that CHT might be able to make a significant and exciting difference in the lives of our neighbors. Stay tuned!
The WIN Mentoring program
A program of Interfaith Housing Association, offers friendship and support to adult women who are experiencing difficulties in their everyday lives. Mentoring partners commit to meet with each other one hour a week for a year. Mentors should be good listeners, have compassion for people in difficult circumstances and relate comfortably to people from diverse backgrounds. No experience is necessary. Mentors receive training and support from Program Director, Wendy Epstein, LCSW. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or if you would like to have a mentor, please contact Wendy at wendyepstein@ihawestport.com or call 222-9260.
Accepting Applications!
There are a few remaining openings for the fall classes at Christ & Holy Trinity Preschool. Applications are still being accepted for 2008-2009 in the 2-day 3 year old and the 5-day 4 year old classes. If you have a child, or know someone who does who might want to take advantage of this wonderful program, please contact the Director, Moira O'Connor, moconnor@chtwestport,org, or call her at 226-4616. Learn more here.
Choir News
Choir Warm-ups Next Sunday:
8:30 a.m. Parish Choir
10:30 a.m. Section Leaders
Get the latest news on the Choir Call Click here to get
Discovery Kingdom Sunday School
All children in grades K-6 are invited to “Food Critics’ Review” in the Undercroft today at 10:15 a.m. They will taste test food and drink from this year’s Bible stories
PreK Sunday School meets in lower Seabury with Katie Bachner and Suzy Dean.
Walking in the Way
We have made wonderful advances in our journey to Jerusalem and have reached the Azores!
Prayer Walking
Linus Mundy, in his book Prayer Walking, reminds us that walking and physical exercise are not just prescriptions for our physical health; they arm us with coping tools:
Prayer-walking is a relaxation exercise, promoting the reduction of mental and muscle tension.
Prayer-walking is meditation.
Prayer-walking lets us use imagery – a place within that is tranquil and soothing.
Prayer-walking lets us use visualization – gaining mastery of our emotions by visualizing ourselves being confident and competent in any given situation.
Behold, a rushing mighty wind has swept us up and taken us to Jerusalem this day! We will continue our physical exercise with a slightly different twist:
Walks at the Shore
An invitation to parishioners to join us for walks at the shore this summer, beginning yesterday! We depart on Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m. from Longshore Park. There is parking available in parking lot F, which is the unpaved lot after the marina, near Evan Harding Point. Questions? Contact Ginny Wagenseller, Parish Nurse, 226-6239
wagaginsing@aol.com
Are you looking for another reading inspiration on walking?
Surprises Around the Bend by Richard Hasler, Augsburg Books, 2008.
Celebrate Spring
Special Lunch
On Wednesday, May 21, following the noon Healing Service and Holy Communion in the Parish Hall, we invite you to a specially prepared lunch. Rides available. RSVP to the church office, 227-0827, or Ginny Wagenseller, 226-6239.
Who Am I After a Loss?
Mid-Fairfield Hospice will offer a bereavement workshop, free to the public, at the Westport Public Library, Wednesday, May 14 from 4-5:30 p.m. For more information or to register to attend the workshop, 762-8958, x275.
CHT Vacation Bible School
One Nation Under God: Religious Freedom in America, June 23-27. Children age 4-10 are welcome. Open to non-CHT families. Maryelizabeth McManus, mcdufffamily@optonline.net or Juan Martin, juangmartin@optonline.net. If you did not get a registration form in the mail and want one, call the church office, 227-0827.
Food Collection
Food Donations For Christian Community Action (CCA) located in South Norwalk, CCA is a vital source of food supplies for many needy families, serving nearly 1200 individuals each month. As part of its mission, CCA operates a food pantry for qualifying recipients and also offers limited funds on an emergency basis to help with the burden of home heating expenses.
Please donate canned/packaged food items as part of CHT’s Lenten Food Drive. Donations can be brought in bags to the Parish Hall or Preschool. Parish volunteers will transport the donated items to CCA each week. Ideal food items for donation include the following: Fruit juices (boxes or 32 ounce cans), Canned fruit, Jelly, Canned tomato sauce(s),
canned dinners (chili, ravioli, spaghetti/meatballs), Canned hearty soups, Cereal (hot or cold), Tuna. Questions or Suggestions? Please call Faith in Action Committee: Gail Kelly, Mary Sarin, Wanda Steinke, Dawn Sullivan, Maggie Feczko, Catherine Amon, Elsa Worth.
Youth Lay Readers
Looking for young people to be lay readers occasionally at Sunday worship: If your child is interested, call Marilyn at the church office, 227-0827
Camp Washington
Camp Washington, a unique ministry of our Diocese, offering camp experiences including teen, theater, arts, camping skills, pee-wee and parent, outreach leadership, mini camp and general camp programs for ages 5-17. Set in Litchfield County on 300 acres of woods, pond and open areas. For more information, please visit their website: www.campwashington.org.
Join the Faith in Action Committee
Help to serve a community supper at St. John's Episcopal Church in Bridgeport. This ongoing and Christ-centered work in Bridgeport is supported by C&HT outreach funding and is our first opportunity to be hands-on with this established program. We have committed to cooking and serving supper for 85 people on the fifth Tuesday of each month, whenever that occurs. Call Maggie Feczko, 454-4694, or Gail Kelly, 227-6393.
Did you know?
There are nine accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. A few months ago there were eleven. Due to the high costs of overhead and other expenses, two seminaries recently closed, folded into existing institutions to educate future clergy of the Episcopal Church.
Seminary/Divinity School lasts three years (Masters of Divinity). Typically the cost for three years will exceed $100,000 for tuition, room and board for each student.
- The average seminary student graduates with $45,000 of debt, an amount that will exceed anticipated compensation in the first years of ministry.
- The Episcopal Church does not grant any financial support for the Seminaries of the Church. Each Seminary is an independent institution, dependent on financial support from its graduates, friends and churches through annual appeals.
- The General Convention of 1982 adopted Resolution AQ125 calling upon every Episcopal Church to support theological education by giving 1% of its net disposable income to one or more of the Episcopal Seminaries. Christ & Holy Trinity gives ½ of 1% to the Seminaries of the Church—little more than $7000 a year.
- For many years, Christ & Holy Trinity has hosted a Seminary Intern from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. Recent Interns (Martha Korienek, Ned Mulligan and Nathan Finnin) have served two years among us. We will have a Seminarian Intern from Berkeley/Yale for 2008-09.
- Nathan Finnin will graduate in May, returning to his Diocese of East Carolina where he will serve St. Mary’s of Kinston. Nathan will be ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church in June and ordained a Priest approximately six months later.
- Though the trend suggests that younger women and men are now entering seminary, Nathan is a rarity in the Episcopal Church in his youthfulness. Within the next decade, more than half of all Priests of the Episcopal Church will retire (including our Rector). One of the significant challenges for the Episcopal Church is the recruitment of young clergy to replace these clergy. We invite your prayers for vocations of those interested in the ministry.
We now end the long season called "Ordinary Time". The term 
The Parish Press is now "green". It will not “snail mailed” to parishioners beginning with the May edition. This change will help out both the earth and save many thousands of dollars in our church budget. If you have not been receiving emails from CHT, please give us your current email address; also, let us know if this will not work for you. Email 
Women’s Spirituality has undertaken a special ministry of Christian hospitality at Gillespie Center. Following the Christian model of welcoming the stranger and avoiding “Us-Them” relationships, we prepare lunch every Saturday for the residents of Gillespie Center. Breaking with the tradition of serving through the kitchen window, we place the food at the common table and sit down to eat together family style. We welcome anyone who is interested in joining us in this wonderful ministry. For information, contact Catherine Amon at 227-8334 or 