|
THIS WEEK AT CHRIST CHURCH, GEORGETOWN
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
| |
|
Christ Church Covid-19 Pandemic Emergency Relief Fund: We offer sincere thanks to those who contributed to this special appeal. The response was overwhelming; we are pleased to announce that a total of $36,480 was raised—a testament to this parish’s concern for and commitment to those in need, particularly during these difficult and uncertain times.
New Member of Staff: We are delighted to welcome Tish Mills to the staff of Christ Church, Georgetown. Tish, who began her work on Tuesday, September 8, serves as Executive Assistant. She has taken on many of the tasks that had been performed by Jack Fenton. We are deeply grateful for Jack’s contributions over the past 17 months and wish him well in future endeavors.
Conversations about Race and Culture: While our nation continues to grapple with divisions around race and culture, Christ Church seeks to advance honest and constructive dialogue led by several leading, nationally recognized voices. We are pleased to announce that, on Thursday, October 1, at 6:00 p.m., we will welcome Professor Stephen L. Carter, the inaugural speaker in the discussion series “Conversations about Race and Culture.” Parishioner Eric Motley, Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the Aspen Institute, will serve as moderator. The event will take the form of a webinar. A link to the Zoom video call will be released next week. Since a portion of the discussion will be dedicated to Q&A, parishioners are invited to submit questions in advance. To do so, contact our new Executive Assistant, Tish Mills.
Women’s Bible Study: We are pleased to announce that the Women's Bible Study will resume on Tuesday, September 15, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. Discussion will be led by the Reverend Melissa Hollerith, Interim Assistant to the Rector.
Throughout the Fall, participants will read Conversations with Scripture: The Acts of the Apostles, by C. K. Robertson, Ph.D., D.D., Canon to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the General Theological Seminary. The author himself will participate in the first meeting. The book is available on Amazon.
The group will meet twice a month through December 8. The schedule is:
Tuesday, September 15: Introduction and Chapter 1 (with C. K. Robertson)
Tuesday, September 29: Chapter 2
Tuesday, October 13: Chapter 3
Tuesday, October 27: Chapter 4
Tuesday, November 10: Chapter 5
Tuesday, November 24: Chapter 6
Tuesday, December 8: Chapter 7
Faith and Foreign Policy: The next Faith and Foreign Policy Forum will take place on Tuesday, September 15, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., via Zoom. The Very Reverend Mark Morozowich, S.E.O.D., Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America will make a presentation on Eastern Christianity. Father Mark earned a doctorate in Eastern Christian Studies, summa cum laude, at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. Parishioner Bill Courtney will serve as moderator. To participate in the video call, click here.
Sunday School Registration: We are pleased to announce that Sunday School will resume on September 20. It will be an unusual Fall, of course, but our wonderful teachers have prepared some excellent, engaging material to share with the young people of the parish. To register, please complete this webform as soon as possible. Questions? Contact the Parish Office.
Sunday School Programming: Sunday School classes for students age three (“The Caterpillars”) through 8th grade will meet in the Chapel Garden once a month in rotation. When not gathering in person, classes will take place via Zoom. High school students will meet via Zoom weekly. All classes will take place at 10:00 a.m. as usual. Each family will receive a Sunday School packet in the mail. Materials will include activities that can be completed independently at home. They will also equip parents for relevant discussion with their children. In order to ensure delivery before the first day of classes, we ask that you register your child(ren) as soon as possible.
Commissioning of Sunday School Teachers and Picnic: A series of limited in-person "All-Ins" will begin with a socially-distanced outdoor Commissioning of Sunday School Teachers and Picnic on September 20, at 12:30 p.m., on the Close of Washington National Cathedral. An Evite has been sent. If you did not receive it, please contact parishioner Katherine Brown. We look forward to seeing you and your children!
Sunday Forum: The 2020–21 Sunday Forum series will commence on September 20, at 10:00 a.m., via Zoom. This year’s Forum completes the series Navigating the Modern Wilderness, which was interrupted by the coming of COVID-19. The remainder of the year will be devoted to a variety of subjects, including seasonal offerings, questions raised by COVID, the pastoral offices of the Prayer Book, the ethical imagination, Islam, and two lectures by Christ Church clergy. This year’s series begins with a presentation by Dr. Barry Seltser, who has taught religious studies at two universities and offered adult education courses at churches for nearly 30 years. The forum may be accessed via the Zoom link here.
Parish Office Hours: The Parish Office is open for telephone inquiries on a limited basis. Members of the staff are available Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In an effort to protect both parishioners and staff, in-person visits are discouraged until further notice.
| |
|
Regathering: The clergy, vestry, and staff are pleased to announce a plan to regather for limited in-person worship at Christ Church. The scheme conforms to ongoing city-wide restrictions and has the approval of the Bishop of Washington. Assuming there is no spike in cases of COVID-19, the new schedule will begin on Sunday, September 13. It is as follows:
Virtual Holy Eucharist
A virtual celebration of the Holy Eucharist will replace the service of virtual Morning Prayer that has been offered since Easter Day. The liturgy will be available on the parish blog, Grace under Quarantine. Those who participate in the virtual Eucharist will have the opportunity to come to Christ Church and receive the blessed sacrament one at a time (or by household) on Sundays, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Advance booking through the parish website will be required. The deadline to reserve a time slot for you or your household will be Wednesday, at 12:00 noon.
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two, at 9:00 a.m.
An in-person celebration of the Holy Eucharist for up to 30 people will take place in the Chapel Garden. Advance booking through the parish website will be required. The deadline to reserve a space for you or your household will be Wednesday, at 12:00 noon.
Holy Eucharist: Rite One, at 11:15 a.m.
An in-person celebration of the Holy Eucharist for up to 100 people will take place in the Church. Advance booking through the parish website will be required. The deadline to reserve a space for you or your household will be Wednesday, at 12:00 noon.
The health and well-being of those who will attend in-person services is paramount, and every attempt will be made to ensure the safest possible environment. Prior to arrival, worshipers will be required to sign and submit a copy of the Diocesan Regathering Covenant. Upon arrival, they will be required to have their temperature taken. They will also be asked to sign in at the door so as to facilitate contact tracing should it become necessary. Masks will be required and proper social distancing will be observed at all times. For more information, please take time to read the parish’s Regathering Document.
Please note that, although extensive safety precautions will be taken, some element of risk is inevitable. We advise those who are vulnerable due to age or underlying medical condition to participate in the virtual Eucharist and consider coming to Christ Church individually (or by household) on Sunday afternoon.
Those who wish to attend any of the in-person opportunities detailed above will be asked to complete a registration form on the parish website in advance. The deadline to reserve a space for you or your household will be Wednesday, at 12:00 noon. If capacity has been reached, those who are unable to attend on a given Sunday will receive first right of refusal to attend the next.
These services, while limited in many ways, represent a great witness. Gathering even under extraordinary conditions is a sign of the resilience of the Church and the power of the Gospel. We look forward to seeing those parishioners who are able to attend and remain firmly united with those members of our community who, for whatever reason, continue to worship virtually.
COVID-19 Training Session for Worship Guilds and Groups: We offer sincere thanks to all who have volunteered to participate in upcoming in-person Sunday liturgies. Before serving, all ushers, acolytes, lectors, choristers, and members of the Altar Guild must view a pre-recorded COVID-19 Training Session. A link to the video is here.
Children’s Homily: A brief homily for children will be posted on the parish blog, Grace under Quarantine, on Sunday, September 13. We encourage young people and their families to make time to watch the video.
Weekday Services: The current schedule of weekday services is as follows:
Monday: Virtual Morning Prayer
Tuesday: Morning Prayer in the Chapel of Saint Jude, 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday: Virtual Sung Evening Prayer
Thursday: Morning Prayer in the Chapel of Saint Jude, 7:30 a.m.
Friday: Virtual Morning Prayer
In keeping with both diocesan parameters and guidelines, and District of Columbia restrictions, no more than ten people may attend Morning Prayer on Tuesday and Thursday. Masks must be worn and appropriate social distancing must be kept at all times. Since copies of The Book of Common Prayer have been removed from the Church and Chapel, attendees are encouraged to bring their own. To purchase a simple pew edition of the Prayer Book, click here. To purchase a leather-bound Prayer Book and Hymnal combination, click here.
PLEASE NOTE: All who plan to attend Morning Prayer in the Chapel of Saint Jude must read, sign, and date the Diocesan Covenant for Regathering in Worship. Contact information (email and phone) should also be included. Signed copies of the Covenant should be mailed, or scanned and emailed, to the Parish Office in advance if possible. Alternatively, copies are available at the entrance to the Chapel.
Virtual Sung Evening Prayer on Wednesdays features members of the choirs of Christ Church and Saint John’s Church, Georgetown, who chant various portions of the liturgy.
All virtual services will be posted on the parish blog, Grace under Quarantine. If you would like to become involved in the production of weekday virtual services, contact parishioner Lain Wilson.
| |
|
Emergency Financial Assistance: Parishioners who are experiencing financial hardship due to the health crisis are encouraged to contact the Rector. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of a number of parishioners, he is able to offer support on a case-by-case basis. Please note that all requests for assistance will be kept strictly confidential.
Parishioners Helping Parishioners: As we are all well aware, the coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted many people, particularly in terms of employment. Some have had their hours at work dramatically reduced, while others have lost their livelihoods entirely. The economic, emotional, and spiritual strain on individuals and households is real. In an effort to assist those in need, Mother Crystal Hardin and Vestry member Julia Ainsley have developed a resume bank where unemployed or underemployed parishioners can post their job materials. To do so, contact Julia Ainsley. Parishioners who are aware of employment opportunities and who wish to access the resume bank are encouraged to do the same. All information, including the names of those who participate in this initiative, will be kept confidential.
| |
|
Mission Funding Applications: This year’s Mission Funding Application was posted on the parish website on Tuesday, September 1. If you are actively involved in a non-profit organization that Christ Church might be able to support in the coming year, please consider submitting an application before October 1. Selected partners will be notified in December; funding will be distributed before the end of the year. For more information, visit the parish website or contact parishioner Martha Van Dale, Mission Committee Chair.
Spirit of Georgetown 2020: Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC), a longtime parish mission partner, is pleased to kick off its annual Spirit of Georgetown Campaign, which supports critical services for those who are experiencing homelessness. This year’s campaign will honor members of the GMC staff, who have worked tirelessly to re-open the facility amidst the ongoing health crisis. A video highlighting these efforts will be released on Wednesday, October 14.
As COVID-19 spread, GMC quickly pivoted, re-opening key parts of the Center to serve its clients. Staff and volunteers distribute masks, hand sanitizer, bag meals, and gift certificates. Recent physical alterations to the day center space allow for laundry services, showers, and mail delivery. Since the city-wide closures were lifted, few organizations in DC have been as agile and able to meet the changing needs of the vulnerable population. In order to maintain these services, GMC needs your financial support. To make a contribution, click here. All who contribute at the “Host” level ($500) and above before September 14 will be listed in printed materials. Questions? Contact parishioner Richard Riddell.
Mission Partner Spotlight: In 2020, the Mission Committee of Christ Church is set to grant $145,000—ten percent of pledge revenue—to 22 local, national, and international non-profit organizations, making a difference in the areas of education, housing/homelessness, poverty, anti-trafficking, job training/life skills, and animal welfare.
In the coming weeks and months, we invite you to visit this space, reading about Christ Church’s mission partners—one each Wednesday—and considering how you might become more engaged and involved, particularly during this challenging time, when so many partners are struggling and in need of additional financial and hands-on assistance.
One of the leading and longest-serving non-profit workforce development providers in the region, Jubilee Jobs (JJ) is a faith-based community organization that connects unemployed, ready-to-work residents of Washington, DC with marketplace jobs. At JJ, every applicant receives encouragement throughout the process, which begins with initial meetings with job counselors, moves to workshops (interviewing skills, conflict resolution, goal-setting), and ends with the individual obtaining a job. The Next Step program helps currently employed clients move towards stabilization and greater economic self-sufficiency.
With funding from Christ Church, JJ has been able to hire two new staff members for its Emerging Leaders Program; host the Job Friends Dinner, a crucial event; and sharpen the focus of workshops that help give applicants a firm footing. Some 311 people were placed in jobs in 2019. Volunteer opportunities include helping with the annual benefit dinner. For more information or to become involved, contact parishioner Nora Cameron.
| |
|
The Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys: Help families facing COVID-related food insecurity by giving to the Bishop Walker School Family Assistance Fund, which provides $50 Giant gift cards to those in need. To make a contribution, click here. Be sure to note Family Assistance Fund in the Leave a Comment field. For more information, contact parishioner David Shepard.
The Feeding Ministries at Christ Church: To support Christ Church’s Feeding Ministries with a monetary gift, simply click Donate at the top, right-hand corner of the parish website and select Soup Kitchen from the drop-down menu. For more information, contact parishioner Liza Ballantine.
Joseph’s House: During this challenging time, when meal preparation is especially difficult, volunteers are needed to provide dinner for the community of ten adults at Joseph's House. To sign-up, click here. For more information, contact parishioner Bill Burns.
Martha’s Table: Since the start of the health crisis, the volume of healthy groceries distributed by Martha's Table has more than quadrupled. To assist with grocery bagging, click here. Monetary gifts and purchases from this Amazon Wish List are also welcome.
| |
|
|
IMPORTANT LINKS
To sign-up or reserve space
for a program or event,
email the Parish Office
or call 202-333-6677.
Click here for audio
recordings and printable
copies of sermons from the
11:15 Sunday service.
To view the readings
appointed for Sundays
and feast days, visit the Lectionary Page.
For more information about
Christ Church, visit the
parish website.
| |
|
SUNDAY SERVICES
Advance booking required
for all Sunday services.
Reserve your spot here by Wednesdays at noon.
Prior to arrival,
all worshipers must also
have signed a copy of the Diocesan Regathering Convenant and submitted it
to the Parish Office.
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
9:00 a.m.
in the Chapel Garden
(up to 30 people)
Holy Eucharist: Rite One
11:15 a.m.
in the Church
(up to 100 people)
Virtual Holy Eucharist
with in-person administration
of the blessed sacrament
1:00–2:00 p.m.
in the Church
| |
|
WEEKDAY SERVICES
Monday and Friday
Virtual Morning Prayer on
Grace under Quarantine
Tuesday and Thursday
In-person Morning Prayer
in the Chapel of Saint Jude 7:30 a.m.
(up to 10 people)
Copies will also be available at the entrance to the Chapel.
Wednesday
Virtual Sung Evening Prayer on Grace under Quarantine
| |
|
