| CHIMES Our Newsletter September 2010 |
| 667 Mount Road, Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 |
| Our Mission: To worship the Lord To serve the community To grow the church |
"Let’s go! Move it! The bus will be here any minute.” Sound familiar?
My house, on most school mornings, is a lot like a pit stop in a NASCAR race.
Racing against the clock, I’m making sure lunches are ready and breakfast is
eaten and the cat fed and teeth are brushed and if the smell of the shirt he’s
wearing for the third time this week isn’t too pungent – all done by 8:15 AM. It’s
not perfect; I don’t sweat the small stuff like making sure hair is brushed or if
they’re socks match, I do the best I can and if they leave for school without
crying then the morning was a success.
Is it just me or did the summer fly by faster than last year? I can’t believe it’s
already September. New school clothes and supplies, backpacks and
lunchboxes have replaced bathing suits and pool noodles. The slow pace of the
summer has given way to the busyness of the fall. In our cycle of life, we’ve
come to the coda and begin again.
At Calvary, we are beginning the new program year. Sunday school starts
September 12th. Our annual Calvary Day celebration will be September 19th
‘officially’ kicks off the new year. Adult Bible study holds its first session
October 6th. After that, it’ll be Thanksgiving. Then before we know it, Advent and
Christmas will be upon us.
At the starting line, we know what lies ahead of us, what we tried to drop like a
bad habit back in June: life in the fast lane. Our schedules we keep, not to
mention coordinating ours with the kid’s activities is enough to drive anyone
crazy. Until next summer the car and the time we’ll spend in it becomes, like the
beach house, home away from home; chauffeuring whoever back and forth
from this soccer practice to that meeting at church and back again.
How do we juggle work, running a household, and taking care of children and
being a good spouse and staying on top of the bills and so on and so on? Then
there’s church… There aren’t enough hours in the day, it seems, to get it all
done – not to mention keeping ourselves sane – to add one more time
commitment to an already over loaded schedule as it is.
As we begin again, hear the Word of the Lord:
“Brush your teeth! No, I don’t know where the brown hair band is. Hurry! You’ll
miss the bus”
Goodbye summer. We’ll miss you. See you next year.
Your brother, Chuck+
| Small Parish - Big Heart - Inclusive The little church you've been looking for! All are welcome! |
| Come and worship with us - all are welcome! |
| The CHIMES - September 2010 Calvary Episcopal Church, Rockdale For a PDF version of the Chimes, please click here. |
To contact us: Calvary Episcopal Church 667 Mount Road Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 OFFICE The Rev. Charles Messer, Rector Fr. Chuck: frmesser@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org Website: mail@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org Office: calvaryoffice1@verizon.net MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 452 Glen Riddle, PA 19037 |
For what it's worth, here's my two cents...
Sunday School start September 12 - 9:45 AM
Blessing of the Bookbags and Lunch Boxes - September 12
FISH resumes September 21
Other Events Happening this Fall
Calvary Facts and Figures
Attendance:
June 25 - August 22
July 25 8 AM - 10
10 AM - 38
August 1 8 AM - 13
10 AM - 18
August 8 8 AM - 15
10 AM - 27
August 15 8 AM - 12
10 AM - 52
August 22 8 AM - 10
10 AM - 29
June 25 - August 22
July 25 8 AM - 10
10 AM - 38
August 1 8 AM - 13
10 AM - 18
August 8 8 AM - 15
10 AM - 27
August 15 8 AM - 12
10 AM - 52
August 22 8 AM - 10
10 AM - 29
News from the Episcopal Church and Diocese
Diocesan News
| It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8) I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4) Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. (Psalm 127:1-2) Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11: 28-31) Your father knows what you need before you ask him. So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today's trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:8b, 31-34) |
Sunday School will be starting on
September 12 at 9:45. Our Sunday school
program is for nursery aged children to
teens. Join us! Bring your friends.
Teachers are still needed. If you can help
with this important ministry, please contact
Kelly McNerney or call the church office.
September 12 at 9:45. Our Sunday school
program is for nursery aged children to
teens. Join us! Bring your friends.
Teachers are still needed. If you can help
with this important ministry, please contact
Kelly McNerney or call the church office.
For children heading back to school can be a tough
transition from the long summer months. On
September 12th we’re asking all who heading back
to school to bring their backpacks and lunch boxes
to church to ask God’s blessing, not just on the
them, but on those who will carry them.
Whether you’re entering kindergarten or college, you
need all the help you can get. So bring your
bookbags and lunch boxes to the 10 AM service and
receive a special blessing that will remind you that
God is with you always.
transition from the long summer months. On
September 12th we’re asking all who heading back
to school to bring their backpacks and lunch boxes
to church to ask God’s blessing, not just on the
them, but on those who will carry them.
Whether you’re entering kindergarten or college, you
need all the help you can get. So bring your
bookbags and lunch boxes to the 10 AM service and
receive a special blessing that will remind you that
God is with you always.
Calvary Day - September 19
September 19th will be our annual Calvary Day
celebration. After the 10AM service fun, food, and
fellowship commence.
There will be lots of activities for children including
face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, and
games.
Calvary will be supplying the hot dogs and
hamburgers but we need you to help fatten up the
feast. Look for the sign up sheet in the undercroft
and let us know if you'll bring something to share.
Invite family and friends! Join us - this is our day to
celebrate!
celebration. After the 10AM service fun, food, and
fellowship commence.
There will be lots of activities for children including
face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, and
games.
Calvary will be supplying the hot dogs and
hamburgers but we need you to help fatten up the
feast. Look for the sign up sheet in the undercroft
and let us know if you'll bring something to share.
Invite family and friends! Join us - this is our day to
celebrate!
FISH is Calvary’s program of Free Instruction & Study
Help. This program will be resuming on Tuesday,
September 21.
Every Tuesday, volunteers and former teachers help
students of all ages with homework. There is no fee
and no enrollment is necessary.
Please share this information with your family,
friends, and neighbors.Bring your children,
grandchildren, or neighbors!
Volunteers are needed to help with this important
ministry. If you are interested or for more information,
please call Ellie at 610-891-0386.
Help. This program will be resuming on Tuesday,
September 21.
Every Tuesday, volunteers and former teachers help
students of all ages with homework. There is no fee
and no enrollment is necessary.
Please share this information with your family,
friends, and neighbors.Bring your children,
grandchildren, or neighbors!
Volunteers are needed to help with this important
ministry. If you are interested or for more information,
please call Ellie at 610-891-0386.
Adult Christian Formation
Adult Christian Formation (aka Bible Study) begins
Wednesday, October 6th. Our curriculum will be
taken from Living the Questions, an open-minded
alternative to studies that attempt to give
participants all the answers and instead strives to
create an environment where participants can
interact with one another in exploring what's next
for Christianity.
Come for lively discussion and wonderful fellowship.
There will be two sessions offered each Wednesday
at 11AM and 7PM. At each session you're
encouraged to bring a sack lunch or portable dinner
or bring enough to share.
This is a great opportunity to invite friends and
neighbors to join us.
Wednesday, October 6th. Our curriculum will be
taken from Living the Questions, an open-minded
alternative to studies that attempt to give
participants all the answers and instead strives to
create an environment where participants can
interact with one another in exploring what's next
for Christianity.
Come for lively discussion and wonderful fellowship.
There will be two sessions offered each Wednesday
at 11AM and 7PM. At each session you're
encouraged to bring a sack lunch or portable dinner
or bring enough to share.
This is a great opportunity to invite friends and
neighbors to join us.
Acolytes Needed
Do you like to dress up as a Hobbit? Do you enjoy
playing with fire?
If you answered yes to one or both of these questions,
then we’d love to invite you to become an acolyte.
We especially encourage children 7 and older to
participate.
Look for a sign up sheet or consult with Fr. Chuck for
more information.
playing with fire?
If you answered yes to one or both of these questions,
then we’d love to invite you to become an acolyte.
We especially encourage children 7 and older to
participate.
Look for a sign up sheet or consult with Fr. Chuck for
more information.
Readers and Chalicists Needed
If you are interested in reading a lesson during the
Sunday morning worship or if you would like to
serve on the altar by administering the chalice
during communion, we need you!
If you are interested in either of these two important
ministries contact the church office or consult the
sign up sheet located in the undercroft.
Sunday morning worship or if you would like to
serve on the altar by administering the chalice
during communion, we need you!
If you are interested in either of these two important
ministries contact the church office or consult the
sign up sheet located in the undercroft.
Coffee Hour Help Needed
There are many opportunities for you to help
provide treats for the Coffee Hour after the 10
AM Sunday service. Please sign up - by
yourself or with a friend or friends. Your help
will be greatly appreciated in this important
ministry.
provide treats for the Coffee Hour after the 10
AM Sunday service. Please sign up - by
yourself or with a friend or friends. Your help
will be greatly appreciated in this important
ministry.
Undies for NGA
Calvary Day is fast approaching, and the St.
Elizabeth’s Guild is once again asking everyone
to celebrate the church’s name day by giving
new underwear, socks, and toiletries to the
needy. Since they come in all sizes, ages and
genders from the oldest resident at Fair Acres to
the newest baby at Pathways, any contribution
can be used. We will be collecting during the
whole month of September, and there will be a
box in the undercroft for donations.
Elizabeth’s Guild is once again asking everyone
to celebrate the church’s name day by giving
new underwear, socks, and toiletries to the
needy. Since they come in all sizes, ages and
genders from the oldest resident at Fair Acres to
the newest baby at Pathways, any contribution
can be used. We will be collecting during the
whole month of September, and there will be a
box in the undercroft for donations.
Last year Calvary collected 125 items of underwear, 12 items of linens and
76 toiletry items, mostly trial size, which are fine. (Items are counted by the
number in the package.)
NGA (formerly the Needlework Guild of America), is a non-profit
organization that supplies new toiletries, linens, and clothing (that’s TLC)
to the needy. The Concordville branch supports 15 organizations in
Delaware and Chester Counties: Action Line for Life, Baptist Children’s
Services, Bernadine Center, CADES, Chester Co. Domestic Violence
Center, Chester County Hospital, City Team Ministries, Delaware Co.
Pregnancy Center, Fair Acres, Family & Community Services of Delaware
Co., Inglis Foundation, Lutheran Children & Family Service, PathWaysPA,
Salvation Army--Chester, Seaside Home (NJ), and Simpson House.
76 toiletry items, mostly trial size, which are fine. (Items are counted by the
number in the package.)
NGA (formerly the Needlework Guild of America), is a non-profit
organization that supplies new toiletries, linens, and clothing (that’s TLC)
to the needy. The Concordville branch supports 15 organizations in
Delaware and Chester Counties: Action Line for Life, Baptist Children’s
Services, Bernadine Center, CADES, Chester Co. Domestic Violence
Center, Chester County Hospital, City Team Ministries, Delaware Co.
Pregnancy Center, Fair Acres, Family & Community Services of Delaware
Co., Inglis Foundation, Lutheran Children & Family Service, PathWaysPA,
Salvation Army--Chester, Seaside Home (NJ), and Simpson House.
| I was naked and you clothed me Matthew 25:36 And the King will answer them, Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 |
Finances:
There are no financial figures
until the Vestry meetings
resume in September.
There are no financial figures
until the Vestry meetings
resume in September.
Pennsylvania bishop returns to divided diocese
Episcopal News Service - August 16, 2010
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Bishop Charles
Bennison returned to the diocesan offices in downtown
Philadelphia Aug. 16 amid continued calls for his
retirement or resignation.
Bennison, 66, said Aug. 5 that he planned to continue to
serve the diocese as its bishop. He noted during a news
conference that church canon allows for a bishop to serve
until age 72, and said that he will continue as bishop "if it
seems appropriate and in the best interest of the church"
until that time.
The bishop did not answer an Aug. 16 ENS request for an
interview.
To read more, please click here.
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Bishop Charles
Bennison returned to the diocesan offices in downtown
Philadelphia Aug. 16 amid continued calls for his
retirement or resignation.
Bennison, 66, said Aug. 5 that he planned to continue to
serve the diocese as its bishop. He noted during a news
conference that church canon allows for a bishop to serve
until age 72, and said that he will continue as bishop "if it
seems appropriate and in the best interest of the church"
until that time.
The bishop did not answer an Aug. 16 ENS request for an
interview.
To read more, please click here.
Pennsylvania: Rector calls on bishop to ‘sacrifice’ for diocese
Episcopal News Service - August 11, 2010
The rector of historic Christ Church in Philadelphia is
urging Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Bishop
Charles E. Bennison to "prayerfully consider making the
sacrifice of not returning" to the diocese as bishop.
In a posting on the church's website, the Rev. Timothy
Safford wrote that he does not expect Bennison to follow
the advice he gave him in an Aug. 8 letter.
"Notwithstanding, he is my bishop, our bishop, and the
bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania," Safford wrote.
To read more, please click here.
The rector of historic Christ Church in Philadelphia is
urging Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Bishop
Charles E. Bennison to "prayerfully consider making the
sacrifice of not returning" to the diocese as bishop.
In a posting on the church's website, the Rev. Timothy
Safford wrote that he does not expect Bennison to follow
the advice he gave him in an Aug. 8 letter.
"Notwithstanding, he is my bishop, our bishop, and the
bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania," Safford wrote.
To read more, please click here.
Court of Review Reverses Conviction of Bishop Bennison
This decision was posted on August 6. The Final
Judgment is also available for download.
To read more, please click here.
Judgment is also available for download.
To read more, please click here.
An Open Letter to the People of the Diocese of Pennsylvania
From the Standing Committee of the Diocese
From the Standing Committee of the Diocese
August 16, 2010
The Standing Committee asks all to pray for the church.
To read the letter, please click here.
The Standing Committee asks all to pray for the church.
To read the letter, please click here.
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