C L E R G Y A N D S T A F F :

Apri l 2009

• Priest-in-Charge The Rev. Paul N. Walker (ext. 105) paul@christchurchcville.org

• Associate Rector The Rev. David A. Johnson (ext. 102) dave@christchurchcville.org

• Associate Rector The Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb (ext. 104) justin@christchurchcville.org

• Music Ministry Dr. Paul M. Walker (ext. 110) paulm@christchurchcville.org

Ginny Chilton (ext. 110) ginny@christchurchcville.org

Alex Mejias (981-7522) awmejias@gmail.com

• Youth Minister (ext 103) Liz Edrington liz@christchurchcville.org

• Parish Administrator Marcy Hooker (ext. 112) marcy@christchurchcville.org

• Office Administrator Lyn Gunsalus (ext 100) lyn@christchurchcville.org

• Facilities Manager Al Loving (ext. 107)

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Chris t Episcopal Church

A WORD FROM PAUL WALKER

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy....” Jude 24-25

In the Original Garden, blame is everywhere. After Adam and Eve sin, they try to hide from God. Guilt that rightly deserves blame makes you want to go into hiding. But God finds Adam and asks him if he has eaten the fruit of the forbidden tree. In response, Adam shifts the blame. “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” He is unable to give God what every parent wants from his or her child: a straight answer.

The man from whom we all inherit our immaturity and defensiveness not only blames the woman but also blames God! (The woman whom you gave to be with me!) And is if there weren’t enough denial and projection, the woman blames the serpent. “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

The scene from Genesis constitutes the original blame game, a game that has been played out at all times and in all places. It is played out in marriages that finally break under the weight of blame, in families that fracture amidst cross-generational accusation, in cities whose inhabitants lay blame along racial lines, and among nations who blame a global crisis on a neighboring country’s ideology.

Where does blame actually lie? We have a favorite children’s book called “David Gets In Trouble” by David Shannon. It’s the story of a boy named David who spends his day drawing on the living room walls, torturing the cat, burping at the table, breaking windows with baseballs and generally living the life of a mischievous boy. When David gets in trouble he always says, “No! It’s not my fault!” Or “I didn’t mean to!” Or “It was an accident!” or “No! It wasn’t me!” Most of us, whether we’re old or young, live David’s life, Adam’s life – getting in trouble then shifting the blame. When we are honest, however, we know that the blame really lies with us.

How then could Paul say that we will be presented to God as blameless? Because the Bible says that all the blame shifting in the world shifted finally to one man. Jesus Christ, the only blameless man, accepted the blame on our behalf. For our sake He who was without sin and without fault said on behalf of you and me, “Yes! It is my fault. The blame stops here.” Because of Jesus Christ, those who trust in Him are blameless forever.

The news of the One who took the blame is the news that will finally penetrate your defenses and end the blame game. At the end of David Gets In Trouble, David cries out in the dark of his room before going to bed, “Yes! It was me! I’m sorry.” His mom comes in and lays her hand of blessing on his head. Happily, unburdened of his guilt, he says, “I love you, mom.” His response of love is the response of all who know that Jesus has taken the blame. Yes, it was me, Lord. Thank you for taking my blame. I love You.

Ever, Paul

From Dave Johnson 2 From Justin Holcomb 2 The Byrd Family 3 Grace in Honduras 4 Prayer Requests 5 Vestry Highlights 5 April Calendar 6 Youth News 7 Easter Lily Form 8

T H E M E S S E N G E R

Christ Episcopal Church 100 West Jefferson Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 Phone: 434-293-2347 Fax: 434-977-1227 E-mail: cec@christchurchcville.org Web: www.christchurchcville.org

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From Dave Johnson…

We are continuing our preparation for the April 26 Confirmation services with Bishop David Jones. Our Wednesday evening adult Confirmation dinners/classes are going well, with about 40 adults at each class. What a joy to spend time getting to know some of our new parishioners at Christ Church. Kudos to Donna Murray and her team for the phenomenal job on the dinners.

On March 6-7 I had the privilege of going on a retreat with the youth Confirmation class, along with Liz Edrington, to Wintergreen, where we had a blast hanging out, learning about the Apostles' Creed (particularly God the Father, Almighty, the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, and how we find our identity and purpose as God's children through Jesus Christ), and playing a lot, both indoors and outdoors. What a great group of students.

Yours,

Dave

New High Street Hymns CD Available! Alex Mejias and members of the 5PM praise band have just completed a new High Street Hymns CD entitled “Love's Redeeming Work Is Done.” They recorded the album with local producer and engineer James Gammon. Copies of the CD will be available at Christ Church and online at HighStreetHymns.com. The CD is also available through iTunes and Amazon.com. For more info about High Street Hymns please visit HighStreetHymns.com or contact Alex Mejias (alex@christchurchcville.org).

Visitors Welcome

The Christ Church website (www.christchurchcville.org) has had lots of visitors over the past few months. I wanted to take this opportunity to point out a few things, just in case you have not visited the site or used its resources.

The most visited page is the “Sermon” page. Every sermon over the past year is available there. If you miss a Sunday or want to hear the sermon again or you want to pass it on to a friend, they are all there.

Another main page is “Study Guides and Notes,” which is under “Resources.” This page contains study guides for personal or group use and notes from Adult Education classes. Currently, there are study guides on Galatians, 1 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, Jonah, 1 and 2 Peter, and the Ten Commandments. Also there are notes from Dave’s great class on “Holy Communion,” a small group guide titled “The Gospel According to The Office,” a one-page summary of every book of the Bible, and the “Confirmation Guide” Dave prepared (which is great for newcomers and long-term members alike). More is on the way. Paul and I are preparing a study guide on Hebrews this summer.

Also under “Resources” is list of “Reading Recommendations” from Paul, Dave, and me. People kept asking us for recommendations, so we compiled them all there.

There is much more on the site—arts ministry information, various ministries to get connected, and information on mission and outreach. So, when you have time, take a look around.

Justin

HABITAT COOKIE SALE SUNDAY, APRIL 19TH

Please plan to support Christ Church’s Habitat Mission trip to West Virginia in July by purchasing cookies on Sunday, April 19th. Cookies will be on sale after all of the services. Thank you.

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Welcome back, Ross and Hannah!

Ross and Hannah Byrd are former attendants of Christ Episcopal, but they have been living back in their hometown of Virginia Beach for the past three years, where their daughter Ila Grace Byrd was born in September. As an undergraduate student at UVA, Ross became involved with Anglican College Ministry during its first year of operation. He led music with Alex Mejias for the 5:00 service, began an internship ministering to men and women attending the Loaves & Fishes soup kitchen, and began a mentorship with Paul Walker. After graduating, Ross came on staff as our Urban Missioner, with the purpose of befriending and serving the homeless and disenfranchised in the Charlottesville community, attending to their physical needs as much as possible, while also making known the good news of Jesus Christ. During that time Ross and Hannah were married, and Hannah, a graduate of James Madison University, became involved with women’s ministry through ACM, and began a number of deep relationships that continue to this day. In 2006, Ross and Hannah started an overnight summer surf camp for kids and teens in the Outer Banks, NC and have been running it ever since. The camp is called Surf Hatteras and combines their special fondness for the ocean and surfing with their passion to create an environment where kids feel loved and accepted as they are. Ross and Hannah moved back to Virginia Beach about three years ago to work with the youth at Galilee Episcopal Church. Ross is currently the Director of Student Ministries there, and Hannah is on staff as well, ministering to high school girls and maintaining the Galilee website. Hannah is also working on her Masters degree to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. In August, the Byrds will return to Charlottesville to serve in similar roles at Christ Episcopal Church. Ross will be in charge of High School Ministry and Hannah will be ministering to high school girls as well as maintaining the church website. Ross will also begin his seminary education, pursuing a Master of Divinity through Reformed Theological Seminary, largely under the supervision and instruction of Justin Holcomb.

Dear Friends at Christ Church, Hannah and I just wanted to say that we CANNOT WAIT to be back in Charlottesville with all of you. While our time with high school students at Galilee has been fruitful and rewarding, we truly miss Christ Church, which in many ways has never ceased to be our church home, even in our absence, and we so look forward to being with you again. We are excited about joining Liz and others in caring for teenage students and making known the gospel in whatever ways possible. We are thrilled to be back in community with all of you, worshipping, serving, and just hanging out together. And you have to meet our new baby girl! We think you’ll like her, especially if you’re in to really, really adorable children. Much love and see you soon! --The Byrds

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Grace In Honduras—By Cleve Brannock

On Sunday March 1st three parishioners from Christ Episcopal Church, Alice Harrigan, Kaitlin Goode and I joined eight parishioners and Associate Rector Whitney Zimmerman from St. James Episcopal Church of Richmond, Virginia. Our destination: San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Our departure point was Reagan International Airport. There were five first time missionaries and seven who had served on missions before. This was my second, both in San Pedro Sula.

Our experience was full of blessings and grace. From our first day through the last, we were touched in countless ways. On our first day, we were able to tour an orphanage facility which is part of the Honduran state run system titled IHNFA. Our hosts numbered in excess of 100 in deplorable conditions. They ranged in age from infants to teens and they were cared for by two women as far as we could tell. There was not a lot of information available to us; the Honduran government prefers that foreigners not see these facilities for obvious reasons. We witnessed a playground which consisted of concrete, some weeds, an old swing set and a lot of broken glass. Most of the children walked through the glass in bare feet. The children suffered from a variety of physical ailments such as lesions, bleeding sores on their scalps, inflamed gums and many other issues too numerous to mention. It would be difficult to gauge the emotional trauma but suffice it to say, I am certain it is extensive. This experience set the table so to speak, particularly for our new missionaries.

Our first full day through the next five days consisted of mornings working at a squatters’ church, San Jose de La Montana, an Episcopal church under the direction of Father Pascual. Pascual is an energetic, focused and giving priest. His church is clearly an active, important part of its community. Many of the members of his congregation that we worked alongside were there in 2008 as well. It is a very stable church which is critical given the abject poverty that surrounds it. The closeness we experienced with our hosts has been forged over a two year period and Pascual made it clear that his congregation especially enjoys our group as we tend to spend more time connecting with and getting to know his people. Many groups come and give of their time and money but there is frequently a polite emotional distance. Not so with our group. In summation, we’ve become family to a loving and gracious people whose lives are materially, very poor. But their faith in God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit remains central to their lives. It was

and is very inspiring.

Our afternoons were spent at Our Little Roses, (OLR), a home for some sixty plus young women. We actually stayed in a dormitory setting at the OLR home. St James has a long and rich history of mission at OLR but had never stayed there. As a group we all felt this was a good experience. This part of our mission was more relationship oriented and less work oriented. There was some painting to do but most of our time was spent working on tie dye shirts, playing games, worshipping with the girls. One morning there was a two to three hour hike and we did indulge ourselves with one morning of shopping at a local market. There were many things that struck our group but one reality stood out. Many of the girls at OLR have been previous residents of one of the state run orphanages and been blessed with an opportunity to live and grow up at OLR. At OLR, they receive proper nourishment, education, safety, love and a religious education in the Episcopal tradition. These important elements are largely missing from IHNFA.

As first time missionaries, Alice and Kaitlin were unsure what to expect. For me, it was fun to observe them as they immersed themselves in activities and connecting with the people of San Jose de La Montana and Our Little Roses. I know that both Alice and Kaitlin have now been touched in ways that they never have before and this trip changed them forever. We are all grateful to the clergy and the vestry for their support of this mission. It truly was full of blessings and grace.

Above: Women of the community and missionaries prepare the daily collaborative lunch.

Opposite: A youngster from the community.

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Prayer Requests

Pray for your fellow parishioners: Louise Taylor, Kay Orrick, Frank Thomasson, Wally Tymoff, Ruth & Emma Snyder, Helen Wick, Deborah McAndrews, Marge Sidebottom and Punkie Feil.

Pray for friends and relatives of parishioners: (Unless requested, remain on list for 1 month.) Judy Taylor (Tricia Witherow’s mother), Hazel King (Caroline Wilhelm’s mother), Edward Forrester (Carol Innes’ father), Allison Sotir (niece of Carrie Wellman), Keith Mumford (friend of Lee Hicks), Gene Arnold and his family, Sarah Musselman (friend of Lee Owen).

Pray for our leaders: Barack, our President; Tim, our Governor and David, the Mayor of our city.

Pray for those on the Active Duty list: Ensign Matthew Warnecke, U.S. Navy (Karen & John Warnecke’s son); Jason Morris and Ed Ledford (sons-in-law of Eugene & Lanier Bogen).

Pray for the bereaved: Linda MacIlwaine (mother, Kathryn Wilson- Jan.); Sam Miller (mother, Frances Miller); Richard Baritaud (brother-in-law, Ronald Dickerson)New Policy for 2009—we will list the bereaved for 6 months along with the deceased relative, if we know the name.

Please make your requests for prayer known to us: 100 W. Jefferson St. / Charlottesville, VA 22902;

Phone: 293-2347; Email: cec@christchurchcville.org

Vestry Highlights—March 17, 2009 by Kemp Hill

Staffing Update: Rev. Paul Walker reported that Ross and Hannah Byrd will join the Christ Church staff in August 2009. Ross will be dividing his time between ministering to the Senior High youth and seminary. Hannah will work with the Senior High as well as aid with the website. Liz Edrington will minister to the middle school youth. Treasurer's Report: Dale Varga reported that our cash position is very favorable with $134,867 currently in cash. This figure is $100,000 higher than this time last year. Year to date income ($310,816) is above budget ($203,774). Year to date expenses ($191,220) are below budget ($197,714). Clergy Report: Rev. Justin Holcomb read notes expressing thanks for Christ Church’s support for two mission trips -- Honduras and Brazil. Rev. Dave Johnson reported that approximately 40-50 parishioners will be confirmed on April 26th. Senior Warden Report: Harry Bowen reported that the nominating committee is developing names of individuals to serve on the Vestry. May 3, 2009 was set as the date for the annual meeting. Discussion was had about points to consider in a renegotiation of the contract with Andover Organ Company.

Other Business: Hock Hockensmith made a detailed proposal to address pressing maintenance issues. It was agreed that he meet with the finance committee and building committee to see what improvements are feasible and necessary.

Wednesdays at Christ Church

Please note schedule change for services in April at Westminster Canterbury.

Communion with First Wed. of the month Healing 10 a.m. in St. Anne’s Chapel Westminster April 1st & 29th Canterbury 11:15 a.m. Communion

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Up & Coming: April 18: Café & Coffee Crawl–HS brunch

April 19: Bonvoyage Bonfire - our End of Youth Group shindig… join us to thank & say good-bye to our 4th Years (Hugh, Falconer, and Ben)

May 2: Class of 2009 Celebration Dinner

*please pray for our upcoming HS Mission Trip to Jacksonville June 14-20

It’s official! It’s real! The Byrds are coming back to Charlottesville! I could not possibly be more excited to get to announce the return of some dear friends, and the provision of a male leader for the youth ministry. Ross and I will be teaming up this fall to love and serve the kids of Christ Church. He will be heading up the High School ministry, and I will be in charge of the Middle School ministry; although we will both be involved in the whole 6th-12th grade youth community. He brings wisdom, passion, creativity, and compassion in levels that continue to astound me the more I get to know him. I am so, so delighted that you guys will get to know him! And I can’t believe that I am going to get to work with him. Praise God… for He is good! (Check out Psalm 100 to see how I feel…) -Liz

High School Ski Trip Feb. 27-28 Virginia, Clay, Anna, Chase, Rubin, Cam, Ben, Addison, Sam,

Will, Allie, and Hilary

Confirmation Retreat S’mores… Emily, Claire, Mary Grace, and Maddy

Jeffy and Matt

Cam, Chase, Addison, Ben, Sam, Will, and me (Harrison and Rubin are hiding)

Christ Episcopal Church 100 West Jefferson Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 Phone: 434-293-2347 Fax: 434-977-1227 E-mail: cec@christchurchcville.org Web: www.christchurchcville.org

T H E V E S T R Y Harry Bowen,, Senior Warden John Warnecke, Junior Warden

Kemp Hill, Register Dale Varga, Treasurer

Catherine Baritaud

Rick Carter Carol Craig

Mike Dickens David Drayer Bill Gordon

Hock Hockensmith Donna Murray

Andrew O’Shaughnessy Consi Palmer Clair Robison Lester Wilson

Vestry Contact info: bowenh@msn.com

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DEADLINE: SUNDAY, APRIL 5TH Name of Donor: Phone: Email: _______________________________________ Number of Lilies: Amount Enclosed ($10 per plant): DUE TO RESTRICTED BULLETIN SPACE, DEDICATIONS WILL BE LIMITED TO ONE LINE PER $10 DONATION. PLEASE SEE EXAMPLES BELOW. In Memory of: ______________________________________________ OR In Thanksgiving for: ______________________________________________ EXAMPLES:

In Memory of: Jane Doe Mr. & Mrs. John Doe In Thanksgiving for: God’s blessings The Doe family Please make your check payable to Christ Church and indicate lily on the memo portion of your check. You may drop your check in the offering plate or mail it to the church office: 100 W. Jefferson St.; Cville 22902