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No Guilt Attached This article is for the occasional Church attender. I promise that when I see you in public I have never once thought, “Geez, where have they been?!”, or “I wonder what excuse they have this time.” And when you are able to get back to Church I never consider you to be any less part of this community. Sometimes my position and the clerical collar make me feel pigeon-holed into this outdated, and largely inaccurate troupe, of the parish priest that is constantly on patrol to remind people of their shortcomings. The last thing I want to be is the Church attendance police. Not only is guilting people about their attendance unhelpful, it is also unchristian. There are a million reasons why you might miss Church on a regular basis, and if I don’t see you for a month, and we run into each other at the Rives, I will be glad to see you, and if you decide to go back to Church, we will welcome you with no guilt attached. Click here to read the rest of the story. The Power of Music The creation and practice of music is tightly linked to human emotion, human character, and human experience.  We know that music can shape human virtue and character and emotion by the feelings it creates in us.   In the centuries before the birth of Christ, the Greek philosophers, particularly Plato and Aristotle, wrote about the ability of music to influence an audience for good or evil. In our modern world, we have two modes, major and minor, on which music is composed.  The Greeks had seven modes and believed that each could influence character in different ways—to incite war, to inspire peace, to cause anger, to bring joy, to bring about self discipline, to permit self abandon; in short, could form human character.   While these are ancient philosophical thoughts, it is no less true today.  Music has the power to move the soul, the power to change and direct our feelings.  The sound of bagpipes can stir us to tears, or to war.  Patriotic hymns make us proud of our country and make us want to serve our country.  The music of a harp can soothe us. Hymns can make us sad—-“Were you there when they crucified my Lord”, because of the text and the lam eating sweep of the melody.    Another hymn that makes us feel sad is “Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended”, because of the text and because it is in a key in a minor mode. They  can lift our souls to amazing heights and yet bring tears to our eyes—-“I am the bread of life”.  They can show us the power of God—“A mighty fortress is our God”.   Both of these hymns are in a key in a major mode.  I’m sure you have your own favorites that touch your hearts. The Greeks also believed in the music of the spheres—the concept that the movement of the heavenly bodies, stars and planets, create a vibration of sound that we cannot hear.  And yet, when we have a storm and the power goes out, and there are no sounds of heat pumps or air conditioners, or refrigerators or televisions, I can go outside in the silence and look at the night sky and hear a faint hum. I know it is the music of the universe, and it is awesome.  -Lynn Gardner, Organist/Choirmaster Sunday School Kick-Off Breakfast, September 9! Family and Youth Sunday School will begin the year with a breakfast at 9 on the 9th!  Come to the Undercroft and partake of the meal.  Volunteer to bring something or help -- sign up here.  Following breakfast backpacks will be blessed at the 10:30 service. Morning Sunday School will be geared toward children fifth grade and younger, but evening Sunday School is for all ages. In the evening we will have hot dogs at 5:30PM, and the lesson will begin at 6:00PM. After the lesson we will have fun and play games in the Parish House or outside. Once a month we will have a special event.  Anyone can come to these special events, but please be sure to consider if that event is appropriate for your child(ren) and if your child(ren) is/are in the fifth grade or below we ask that a parent come on the trip as well. Click here to view the schedule through December. Freshen Your Episco-skills with Episcopal 101 We are going to try something again this year that I am excited about! A little over a year ago we offered a class called Episcopal 101 that served a trifold purpose. First, it is meant as an inquirers class that would satisfy any curiosity someone might have about the Episcopal Church. Second, It can serve to prepare someone for confirmation if the candidate attends every class and reads a short text on their own. Third, it can also serve as an opportunity to freshen up your episco-skills if you are a longtime Episcopalian, but are a bit rusty on the difference between a cassock and a chasuble. I thought our first round was a lot of fun, and we had tremendous participation. I hope you consider joining us this year, and please feel free to pick and choose what classes you would like to attend as each one is independent. The schedule for the classes is as follows: September 18 - Week 1: Introduction and Scripture September 25 - Week 2: Church History October 2 - Week 3: Liturgy and Sacraments October 9 - Week 4: Church Organization and Polity October 16 - Week 5: Prayer October 23 - Week 6: Conclusion September is Filled with Special Events and Opportunities to Give and Share! Book Club will be reviewing A Gentleman in Moscow on September 5 in the Parish House.  There will be adult choir rehearsal each Thursday - come make a joyful noise! On September 12 Pub Theology returns to Mountain Valley Brewing, be a part of the conversation.  Special outreach services will be held, King's Grant on September 13 and Blue Ridge on the 25th.  Our new Community Breakfast will be hosted on September 23 and Loaves and Fishes will take place on August 26.  Come knit prayer shawls on September 24 in the Parish House. So many good things are happening at Christ Episcopal, we would love to include you.  From services to outreach ministries and clubs to special events, there is always something fun in the air.  Check out our calendar and website for details.  One last note, we are now on Instagram, christepisco_pals, follow us!

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