CrossWalk THE MAGAZINE OF CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

WINTER 2012/2013

JOY hope

PEACE believe

2 christch.org

december2 Advent Teaching (10:10am)

Growing Through Grief (2pm)

3 Men of Christ Church (7pm)

4 Threads of Prayer (6pm)

5 Cancer Support Group (12pm)

6 East Cooper Concert Series: Christmas Classics (7pm)

8 DOK Quiet Day (9am)

9 Annual Parish Meeting/Vestry Elections (10:10am)

Mt Pleasant Christmas Parade

11 Outreach Meeting (6:30pm)

16 Growing Through Grief (2pm)

Mission of Love: Caroling (4:30pm)

18 Threads of Prayer (6pm)

Saints Alive! Christmas Party (5:30pm)

Wando Chorus Concert (7pm)

23 Regular Sunday Services (8, 9, 11am)

Christmas Pageant (4pm)

24 Christmas Eve Services (4, 6, 10:30pm)

25 Christmas Service (10am)

Office Closed

31 Office Closed

january 1 Office Closed

2 Cancer Support Group (12pm)

5 12th Night (5:30pm)

6 Sunday Discipleship Resumes

7 Men of Christ Church (7pm)

8 Outreach Meeting (6:30pm)

9 Wednesdays @ Christ Church Winter Session 1 Begins (5:30pm)

13 Baptism Sunday

14 Blood Drive (1:30-6:30pm)

15 Threads of Prayer (6pm)

20 Growing Through Grief (2pm)

Youth Confirmation Begins (4pm)

Lean on Me: Parental Support Group (5pm)

21 Office Closed

22 One Great Purpose Lunch (12pm)

25-26 Vestry Retreat

27 DOK Prayer Time (2pm)

One Great Purpose Dinner (6pm)

28 Christ Church Women (6:30pm)

february 1 One Great Purpose Dinner (6pm)

3 Scout Sunday

4 Men of Christ Church (7pm)

6 Cancer Support Group (12pm)

7 East Cooper Concert Series: Mardi Gras Brass (7pm)

10 Oyster Roast (1pm)

11 Outreach Meeting (6:30pm)

12 Shrove Tuesday: Pancake Supper & Burning of Palms (5:30pm)

13 Ash Wednesday (7am and 12:10pm Services)

Lenten Event with Bishop Lawrence (5:30pm)

17 Growing Through Grief (2pm)

Lean on Me: Parental Support Group (5pm)

18 One Great Purpose Dinner (6pm)

20 Wednesdays @ Christ Church Winter Session 2 Begins (5:30pm)

22 One Great Purpose Dinner (6pm)

25 Christ Church Women (6:30pm)

CrossWalk is published four times yearly by Christ Episcopal Church,

2304 Highway 17 North Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466.

Tel: 843-884-9090. Visit us at christch.org, or send us

an email at info@christch.org.

Those interested are encouraged to submit photographs and

manuscripts for publication. Submission of material implies the

right to edit and publish all or in part. Submission deadlines are the first Monday of the month in the months of February, May,

August, & November. Submit .jpg or .doc files to

khunter@christch.org.

Rector The Rev. Ted Duvall

Sunday Assistant The Rev. Jim Lewis

Deacon The Rev. Judith L. Ewing

Parish Administrator Cheralaine Dougherty

Director of Music Lorna Barker

Director of Children’s Ministries

Robin Quick

Children’s Ministry Team Colette Post Oldford

Director of Youth & College Ministries

Darrin Owens

Director of Communications Katy Hunter

Bookkeeper Kim Comer

Senior Warden

Joyce Harder Junior Warden

Del Tyner

Amanda Varn Rick Brownyard

Patsy Brown Frank Collins

Scott Yarbrough Rob Bellacicco

Tricia Elliott Cash Rest

Kenny Wilson Gene Verzaal

THE MAGAZINE OF CHRIST CHURCH

mark your calendar

Winter 2012/2013 3

O COME LET US adore HIM

December 23– Advent 4 8am • Rite I in the Historic Church

9am • Contemporary Service in the Parish Hall

11am • Rite II in the Church

4pm • Christmas Pageant in the Church* *Register through December 9 at ChristCh.org > Discipleship >Kids

December 24– Christmas Eve 4pm • Contemporary Eucharist Service in the Church

6pm • Choral Eucharist Service in the Church

10:30pm • Rite I in the Historic Church

December 25– Christmas Day 10am • Rite I in the Historic Church

January 9—February 6 • 5 Weeks Moments with the Savior– A Devotional Life of Christ Join us for supper at 5:30pm followed by a 6:30pm program in the Parish Hall. Participants will read selections from Ken Gire’s rich meditations on Christ’s life. Each session will include Father Ted’s teaching and break out small group reflection. Books: $10, available now

February 13 — Ash Wednesday “Living a Holy Lent”- Teaching by Bishop Mark J. Lawrence Join us for supper at 5:30pm followed by a 6:30pm program in the Parish Hall led by Bishop Lawrence.

February 20—March 20 • 5 Weeks Lenten Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen Join us for supper at 5:30pm followed by a 6:30pm program in the Parish Hall. Participants will read short daily Lenten reflections (participants may read as many or few as they wish and participate fully). Each session will include Father Ted’s teaching and break out small group reflection as we support one another in “Living a Holy Lent.” Books: $8.

Both Sessions: January 9—March 20 • 10 Weeks (Does not meet Ash Wednesday) School of Healing Prayer– Level I The first series of four from the MacNutt Training Center. DVD, workbook, and group format to enrich and grow your life in prayer for yourself and others. If you have questions about the program, please contact Ginny Henderson, rebirthgin@att.net or 884.2920. Books: $30, must be pre-ordered through the Church Office

Register online at ChristCh.org or by calling the Church Office at 884.9090

Wednesdays @ Christ Church Winter Session 2013

Christmas at Christ Church

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Dear Parish Family, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 This is how I started my sermon to you on August 19, as we looked back over the just completed General Convention and ahead to our Diocese’s response to it, and to all that has gone before in the evolving life of the Episcopal Church USA. I believed then that it was important to pass on to you St. Paul’s godly admonition that we should seek to understand God’s will, so that we might walk as wise ones in the difficult days in which we find ourselves. And difficult they are. What I forewarned you about in August, that “this time may very well be quite different,” has come to pass. I am of the mind that more communication, not less, is the better approach in matters of this consequence, even if some of it is repetitive. This is why we had parish gatherings devoted to these matters on October 21 and November 5 & 11; and why my continuing invitation to you is to contact me if you have questions or wish to discuss any aspect of our life as a church – I promise to find time to hear you and to share my thoughts in turn. What Happened? Two retired priests and twelve lay members of the Diocese initiated a disciplinary process against Bp. Lawrence by the submission of allegations of Abandonment of Communion to church officials outside the Diocese. The Disciplinary Board for Bishops, following canons (church rules) not in effect in this Diocese, and operating without notification or interview of Bp. Lawrence, subsequently charged him with Abandonment of Communion. This charge requires of the Presiding Bishop the restriction of the Bishop’s ministry, and then a vote by the House of Bishops to depose the Bishop from his Holy Orders and Office in the Episcopal Church at its next meeting. The Standing Committee of the Diocese (whose role in the Diocese is roughly equivalent to a Parish’s Vestry), seeking to protect the Bishop and the Diocese from just such action to charge and remove the Bishop, had in place a resolution to disaffiliate the Diocese from the Episcopal Church immediately upon such an occurrence. It is important to understand what this means: the entirety of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, including Christ Church, has left the Episcopal Church USA (TEC). The understanding is this: before TEC was formed as a denomination of associated Episcopal dioceses, the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina existed as a fully constitutionally and canonically organized and functioning diocese of Episcopal churches joined in convention with one another. The Diocese, having now chosen to withdraw from that denomination, continues to be a fully constitutionally and canonically organized and functioning diocese of Episcopal churches in convention with one another. The Diocese asserts this as a legal reality. TEC will surely dispute not only the constitutional interpretations and authority upon which the Diocese has acted, but also the legal reality. At this date, I cannot tell you when legal action would start, how long it would take, how much it would cost, or who would prevail. The official position of the Diocese and of this Parish is that Christ Church owns its property. The Bishop has made clear that the leadership of any Parish may choose to disaffiliate from the Diocese, and re-affiliate with TEC at any time. I and the Vestry have made no plans to do so. Rector

’s Note

Father Ted Duvall

Rector

tduvall@christch.org

884.9090 x225

Winter 2012/2013 5

Where I Am. I am a life-long member of TEC, from a family of life-long members of TEC. In TEC I came to know God as my dearest Father in heaven, Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and the power of the Holy Spirit to change me for the better and to use even a sinful person like myself for the blessing of others. I was called, trained and ordained in TEC, and have practiced my priestly vocation for 23 years in TEC. So it says two things that I am choosing to stand with and live my life in ministry with the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina at the cost of my membership, Holy Orders, and life in TEC. First, that much is lost (more than I can put into words) and I grieve deeply over it. I hope that everyone (from all perspectives) will recognize the pain of loss and the subsequent grief that for many of us inhabits this new ground of disaffiliation from the denomination of our birth, formation, and life heretofore; and recognizing it, will act with compassion toward one another. Second, that there must be – and indeed for me there is – cause to make such a stand. I realize that it has been a very long time indeed since the predominate trends, theology, language and practice of TEC have made sense to me. The abuse of canons in the deposition of bishops in recent years, and the continuing selective enforcement of the canons to this day, are to me incredibly egregious examples of a lawless, untrustworthy Church, dysfunctional in the extreme in its self-discipline. TEC is a Church in full revision of its understanding of a slew of central Christian concerns: the meaning and definition of the Sacraments of Baptism, Marriage and Eucharist, the nature of Christ, the meaning of Christ’s work on the cross and the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of sin, doctrines of creation and so of human anthropology, to name some. I do not believe that these are matters of “how many angels can dance on the head of a pin” – the arcane concerns of a few clerics – but rather address our understanding of the very nature of God, of the world, of humanity, and of the Gospel. In contrast, I find myself very much in concert with the Bishop and his vision to make Biblical Anglicans for Global Age. How We Walk In These Days. These are extraordinary times in the life of our church. They are, therefore, an opportunity in many ways. First, I believe they are an opportunity to love one another. The only bases upon which Christians should ever part are humble prayer, loving conversation, and the resulting dictates of an informed and honest conscience. The only acceptable parting words should be a heartfelt “may God bless you.” I have no desire to fight anyone, but only to stand where I am lead, and to seek the life of Christ there. With all my heart, I bid you, by humble prayer, loving conversation and the dictates of an informed and honest conscience, to find where God is leading you and stand there, seeking the life of Christ. In this, there is no need or call for any fighting at Christ Church. Second, I believe that these days are an opportunity to focus more earnestly on the life to which God calls us as a church. My grief over the loss of my life in the Episcopal Church notwithstanding, our relationship in it has for a long time been tumultuous and distracting to us and to those who came to us seeking a life of Christian growth and mission. I believe that God calls Christ Church to become a large church for the purpose of transforming many lives here and beyond; and that this dream of God for us begins in our choice to direct all of our time, talent and treasure to being and making disciples of Jesus. My hope is that we may now become free to do exactly that. And so finally, I believe that, painful or challenging though they are, these times are a gift to us because God uses them to sift us. We rock along, being less than we can be, in good, easy, ordinary times. It is the extraordinary times that shake us, wake us, and demand that we decide. If we decide to commit to investing ourselves in being a communion of saints in a community of faith whose whole energy is focused on being and making disciples, then what a blessed outcome that is!

I invite you to stay informed of communications from the Diocese by subscribing to the Diocesan E-News at DioceseofSC.org

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Join us for good food, fellowship, and learn about the One Great Purpose Campaign! Earlier this year, we announced the start of the One Great Purpose Campaign. We have been working with leaders and other members of the congregation to put in place a firm foundation as we now begin sharing our vision with the whole congregation. The One Great Purpose Campaign is the beginning of a new future for us at Christ Church. God is calling us to trust in Him and to rely on Him. God is calling us to join together to fulfill our One Great Purpose: to become and make disciples of Jesus Christ. We will be having six dinner and two lunch events during January, February, and March 2013 to share with you God’s exciting vision for Christ Church, a vision that will come to fruition as God’s power uses our gifts through the One Great Purpose Campaign. You are invited to attend! Look for more details to come.

One Great Purpose Campaign

During the month of October, Christ Episcopal Day School led a book

drive to support James Simons Elementary School. When it was

discovered that this school’s media center had not received any new

books in two years, it became apparent that the Day School and Christ

Church could help. The student population at James Simons is under

300; therefore, the school receives little federal funding, yet their test

scores are impressive. CEDS wanted to come alongside this elementary

school and show them the power of God’s love. The Day School’s used

book drive was a huge success! In just four short weeks, school families,

parishioners, MOMS clubs, Boy Scouts, and neighbors came together to

make a difference. The media specialist at James Simons was so touched

by the outpouring of love, time, and generosity that she was moved to

tears. A total of over 1525 books were delivered to James Simons

Elementary! Thank you all so much for making a big dream for a small

school come true!

CEDS Book Drive donates 1525 books to a school in need

Winter 2012/2013 7

Christ Church has initiated the beginnings of a Nursing Ministry, under the leadership of Susan Smith Wharton, RN. The

nursing ministry has plans to help those in and outside of the church. Offerings planned for the future include CPR and

AED training classes, healthy eating talks with samples, simple exercises to keep us all fit, and home wellness initiatives.

In addition, Susan and her team—she’s waiting to hear from you— will be managing the Red Cross Blood Drives as its

current major initiative. On October 29, Christ Church parishioners generously donated 19 units of blood which was

greatly needed for the disaster relief areas caused by Hurricane Sandy. We thank those parishioners who responded to

this immediate need!

It is our wish to serve the Lord with this ministry and we are actively seeking other volunteers who may be interested in

growing this ministry. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact Susan at 919.641.3162 or

susansmithwharton@comcast.net.

If Jesus was willing to shed his blood for me… you can share

yours so that others may live.

The first blood drives at Christ Church were held in 1999 in

Holt Hall. Over the years, members and friends of Christ

Church have supported this effort with over 800 pints of

blood collected. On our 10 Year Anniversary in 2009, we

were awarded with the honor of “The Church of the Year”

at the Red Cross Banquet. So many have given of their time,

gift of caring and hospitality to make these drives a success.

Anna and Andrew Furmanchik, with assistance from Pam

Hawver and Nancy Willms, have dedicated themselves to

spearheading this drive since its inception. Through their

selfless efforts, dedication of time, energy, lots of brownie

baking, and their “get the job done” attitude, the blood

drive continues to be successful.

Anna says, “throughout the years we continue to have loyal donors who show up for the four-a-year drives. I just can’t

say enough about them and their loyalty.” The Red Cross staff enjoys being assigned to Christ Church because of its

friendly atmosphere where many take the opportunity to meet new members and catch up with others. They also enjoy

the use of our easy to access and clean facility.

We applaud the Furmanchiks for their outstanding service to our church and the greater community at large. We would

also like to thank Nancy Willms who has dedicated herself to these drives for many years with her unwavering support.

Nancy has graciously agreed to continue her support during the transition. Mrs. Mandy Law will continue to be our

church contact for the Red Cross and we are grateful for all her support and coordination with her staff.

Healthy Living at Christ Church: Nursing Ministry

Red Cross Blood Drive - 13 Years and Counting!

Nancy Willms, Susan Smith Wharton, Anna Furmanchik, and Mandy Law at the October Blood Drive

Mark your calendars for the next Blood Drive Monday, January 14

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Our choir and praise band at Christ Church have been busy practicing for our Advent and Christmas services and events. We are ready and excited to share our music with you! Our first Christmas event is a concert with the East Cooper Concert Series on Thursday, December 6 at 7pm. Come listen to your Christmas favorites sung by our Christ Church choir and accompanied by a string quartet. Our instrumental ensemble also includes flute, oboe and trumpet. The music will be glorious. You will hear favorites such as Silver Bells and Sleigh Ride all the way through audience caroling and O Holy Night. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Tickets are $10.00 and are going fast. Stop by the church office to purchase a ticket. Our second event is a Mission of Love – Christmas Caroling to shut-ins on Sunday afternoon, December 16. All are welcome! Please come and share your voice to lift the spirits of those who are sick and those who are housebound. Music and maps will be provided. All we need from you is a giving spirit. Meet in the Church parking lot at 4:30. We are usually finished by 6:30. If you know of an individual who could use a caroling visit, please contact Lorna Barker.

The music planning for the Christmas Eve services is well under way. The 4pm Contemporary Communion service will be led by our Contemporary Service praise band. For the 6pm service, please come 30 minutes early to enjoy the special prelude of instrumental and adult choir music. We have an ensemble of violin, cello, flute, and trumpet joining our stunning Christ Church Choir. Our music for our 10:30 service in the Historic Church will also include a small choir and beautiful prelude music. Come and let your spirit be filled with music this Christmas season. Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Psalm 27:9

Musical Moments

Dr. Lorna Barker Director of Music

lbarker@christch.org 884-9090 x222

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Join in the fun as we celebrate Jesus’ birth with food, caroling, and the burning of the greens!

Plan to bring your Christmas tree and greenery by the church for the big bonfire (after December 26, please!).

Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us for this special event.

Gather in the Parish Hall at 5:30pm

where dinner will be served Adults: $6, Kids: $3, Family Max: $20

We need volunteers to help in several areas for set-up and during the event. If you are able to give an hour or

two, please contact Kenny and Phoebe Wilson at 843.606.0217 or knw861@gmail.com.

Winter 2012/2013 9

7PM CONCERT & RECEPTION TO FOLLOW

SERIES SUBSCRIPTION $25 • INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $10

CHRIST CHURCH • 2304 HWY 17 N • MT PLEASANT, SC

for more information: info@eastcooperconcertseries.org • 843.884.9090

www.eastcooperconcertseries.org • facebook.com/eastcooperconcertseries

String quartet, candlelight, choir, sing-along carols. All your

Christmas favorites!

You’ll want to be in that number when the saints come

marchin’ in!

Featuring the fabulous 50 voice Greater Goodwill AME Choir.

This Series finale is sure to be standing room only!

*Tickets are limited

December 6, 2012

April 11, 2013

February 7, 2013

Christ Church is going on a

MISSION OF LOVE: CHRISTMAS CAROLING to parish shut-ins and nursing homes

“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

Sunday, December 16 • 4:30—6:30pm

Meet in the church parking lot

The Christ Church family is invited to join Dr. Lorna Barker, Director of Music, members of the choir and to spread Christmas

Joy to parish shut-ins and nursing home residents

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Christ Church partnered with Hibben United Methodist Church to prepare and serve Thanksgiving meals to anyone in need at the first annual East Cooper Feeding of the Multitude, held at the Town of Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market on Saturday, November 17 from 12-4. Last year, a team from Christ Church served at the West Ashley Feeding of the Multitude in order to bring the event to Mount Pleasant this year. It took a multitude of people coming together to volunteer their time, talent and treasure to make this event happen. Trip Ottinger was the lay leader for this effort which was enthusiastically supported by the Outreach Committee. Trip was able to secure bus passes from CARTA, which were distributed along with promotional fliers by the Boy Scouts of Troop 11 who went door to door in certain neighborhoods. Hundreds of meals were cooked on Friday night and on Saturday morning of the event, equipment, supplies and food were transported to the site. At the event, volunteers managed the on-site kitchen and outdoor dining room, beverages and plates of food were assembled and served to the guests, jump castles were transported and set up and monitored, prayer teams prayed for individuals and groups. A sound system was donated by Creekside Entertainment and worship bands from Lighthouse Church and Hibben United Methodist played. At the end of the event everything was broken down, cleaned up and transported back to the church. All the remaining food was taken by Dr. Levi Wright of the Cainhoy Boys and Girls Club to feed the hungry that evening. Most importantly, people who were hungry or feeling alone were fed and were able to share their stories with the volunteers. Amazing stories came from people that were served, and everyone who served was grateful. One man was in tears as he talked to a Post and Courier reporter and told him what a blessing a hot meal was since he now has 15 unofficial foster kids. He loaded up his trunk with boxes of food to take home to provide for his family. A WWII Veteran and MOW recipient had an audience of many as he told stories from his glory days. One man ate a few plates of food and then asked if he could take some boxes to some neighbors who were all wheelchair bound. Several men happened by saying they had come to Charleston hoping for work in construction and hadn't had a lot of luck. One man was speaking to one of our servers and said that he couldn't do the necessary repairs on his house, so the server took his information with the promise to stop by and see what he could do. We serve those less fortunate because "the essential teaching is that Christ's love compels us to live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died for us and was raised again." (Jerry Bridges, Transforming Grace). At Christ Church our Mission of Love finds its vision in 1 John 3:18, "let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." The Feeding of the Multitude was love in action and the hope is to expand this to serve more people in the future.

Christ Church Brings Feeding of the Multitude East of the Cooper

Winter 2012/2013 11

School is on break, but the fun has just begun for us! Please RSVP to any of these events on the facebook group or by contacting Darrin via e-mail or phone.

Guys “man up” Thursday: December 27 from 11am-3pm

christ church campus A day just for the guys from Christ Church Youth and their guy friends. We will have football,

ultimate Frisbee, cornhole, and ladder golf on the Quad. A day without the girls means we can do

manly things like cook meat by fire and eat things with our hands. Come for all or part of it.

Junior HIGH GIRLS bowling party: December 28 from 1-3PM

Meet at Riverbowl– 613 johnnie dodds blvd, mt pleasant Just a fun day to be a Junior High Girl. Invite your friends and join us! Bring a pair of socks and $10.

SENIOR HIGH GIRLS SLEEPOVER: December 28 AT 6PM UNTIL DECEMBER 29 AT 10AM

153 Sugar magnolia way, Charleston Just a fun evening for girls to be girly. A fun night hosted by Lesley Owens (Darrin and Carson are

being kicked out of the house) will include girly food, games, and fun with Christian girls. Bring your

pjs, pillow, toothbrush, and a change of clothes.

College gathering: January 3 from 6-9pm

1313 old brickyard, mt pleasant Come join us for a night to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. We will be cooking

out, having fun, and relaxing by the fire pit. Feel free to invite friends.

Youth interested in being confirmed this year are invited to join us on Sunday, January 20

in the Student Room in the Parish Hall at 4pm. The Book of Common Prayer describes confirmation as this: In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop. So, what does that mean? Why do we have a Bishop? What should I believe and why do we say, “I will with God’s help?” We will be exploring these questions and more in exciting and fun ways. The meeting times will last until the end of April. What confirmation is not:

A checklist item of one of many things you are just supposed to do. A graduation; (this is the beginning, not the end.) Something my Mom or Dad says I have to do. (Once classes are over, if a student

does not want to be, or is not ready to be confirmed, she/he does not have to be.) If you have any questions or are interested in going on this journey of becoming confirmed, please contact me via e-mail or phone.

Darrin Owens Director of Youth &

College Ministries dowens@christch.org

884.9090 x253

youth confirmation

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ChristChurchMtPYouth

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youth & college winter break fun

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Ideally, the days leading up to Christmas are filled with love, joy, anticipation, peace on earth and good will toward men. In reality, these days are filled with stress as we try to do, buy, or bake everything to make it the “perfect” holiday. Does Jesus monopolize our thoughts during this time? Probably not. Many of us are left with regret about what we didn’t do, or what we didn’t feel. Let’s try to leave behind regret and replace it with more meaning. This year, let’s celebrate the season of Advent with a new intentionality. Using tools provided by a movement called Advent Conspiracy, we will look at how to Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All in an effort to “Turn Your Christmas Upside Down.” See www.adventconspiracy.com for more information and tools. For each week in Advent, the Christ Church Kids will look at the Advent Conspiracy theme as well as the lesson of the day. There will be ideas for Advent@Home activities, but families are encouraged to come up with their own ways to make Advent more meaningful. You can see the full lessons for each week of Advent at www.christch.org. Week 1 – Worship Fully From Advent Conspiracy: “Christmas marks the moment where God’s promise was fulfilled and love took form, tiny fingers and all. It deserves our full attention and praise… We put Worship Fully as Advent Conspiracy’s first tenet because we believe the level of involvement at Christmas is based entirely on how much we are celebrating Christ’s birth. He deserves celebration; one that is creative, loud and directs every heart His way.” Advent@Home focus: Ask each member of your family what are their favorite and least favorite parts of your Christmas tradition is and why. If there are things that you do “because we have always done them” which aren’t rewarding or meaningful, consider taking a break for a year to see if the family misses it or if its absence creates a sense of relief. Use the ritual of the Advent Wreath to be a reminder to focus on God’s promise fulfilled in the form of Jesus as the entire family prepares for Christmas during the season of Advent. Lighting Advent candles nightly is a way to “worship fully.” Week 2 – Spend Less From Advent Conspiracy: “Quick question for you: what was the one gift you remember getting for Christmas last year? Next question: what about the fourth gift? Do you remember that one? Truth is many of us don’t because it wasn’t something we necessarily wanted or needed. Spending less isn’t a call to stop giving gifts; it’s a call to stop spending money on gifts we won’t remember in less than a year.” This is a great time to look at the difference between “wants” and “needs”. The list of needs include water, food, oxygen, love, clothing, shoes, a home. Some of these needs can jump over to the want category if we really want a specific brand of shoes, or if we are served dinner and it isn’t our favorite and we want something different. Advent@Home focus: Have each member of the family make their own list of 5 things they really want for Christmas, and then have everyone decide which item to cross off. Next, have each family member add Jesus to their list. Each family member can concentrate of how they can give every other family member “more Jesus”. This might mean extra prayer time to thank Jesus for all the blessings in our lives. Or maybe a child does a chore without asking. A parent could do a chore for a child as a show of living sacrificially like Jesus did. By adding “more Jesus” to our Christmas list we can spend less but really receive the greatest gift. K

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Robin Quick Director of Children’s Ministry

rquick@christch.org 884.9090 x232

advent @ home

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ChristChurchKids

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Week 3 -Give More From Advent Conspiracy: “We know what you are thinking. ‘Wait, didn’t they just say I should spend less, and yet here they are telling me to give more? What gives?’ The most powerful, memorable gift you can give to someone else is yourself. And nobody modeled this more than Jesus. So what does this look like for you? Tickets to a ball game or theater? A movie night? The main point is simple: When it comes to spending time with those you love, it’s all about quality, not quantity.” Advent@Home focus: Sit down with the family and make a wish list of activities to do as a family. You can write each of them on a slip of paper and put them in a jar. Each week a slip is taken out and you do the activity. Or, create a master list of Family Time activities and each week, or whenever possible, a different member of the family gets to choose the activity. This “Give More” component does not have to stop at Christmas, make it a family tradition that lasts! Week 4 – Love All From Advent Conspiracy: “It all boils down to love. Love from a savior. Love to a neighbor in need. By spending just a little less on gifts we free up our resources to love as Jesus loves by giving to those who really need help. This is the conspiracy three churches began a few years ago, and has since grown to an international movement, where thousands of churches have raised millions of dollars to love others in a life-changing way.” Advent@Home focus: Let’s go back to that 5th item on our “wants” list. Can you put a price tag on it? If so, consider donating that much to a local charity like Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy. Or buy canned goods totaling that amount and donate them to East Cooper Community Outreach. Or buy that exact gift and put it in the Toys For Tots box. Christ Church’s Mission of Love vision is based on 1 John 3:18, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Put your love into action this year. We all love our family members, but if the season gets too busy are we more likely to speak in unloving ways or not take the time to show our love in physical ways? Call a family meeting and declare to “Love All” as much as possible with surprise hugs and kisses, acts of service or love notes. Love is Christmas. God so LOVED the world that He sent Jesus to be born a baby, grow to be a man, and die on the cross so whoever believes in Him would have eternal life.

Join our “flock” this year by participating in the Christmas Eve Children’s Pageant!

Open to Christ Church Kids and Youth

Volunteers Needed!

Please register online at ChristCh.org

no later than December 9.

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2013 Christ Church Vestry Election Candidates The following seven individuals are candidates for the Vestry Election that takes place at the Annual Parish Meeting on December 9 at 10:10am in the Parish Hall. Four candidates will be elected on this date. The two with the next highest votes will be elected as deputies in the Diocesan Convention. If you have any questions for any of these candidates, please contact them via the email address listed at the end.

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Year Joined: 2004 Ministry/Life Group Involvement: I have been a member of the choir for 9 years, since the fall of 2003. I received training and was commissioned as a Stephen Minister in 2004, then received training and assumed the position of Stephen Leader in 2006, then led two Stephen Ministry training groups. On Anne Nietert’s invitation and sponsorship, I attended Cursillo in 2005 and have served on the Cursillo Music Team on several occasions since. I initiated and led DivorceCare at Christ Church beginning in 2005. I have served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor. I have been the drummer in the Contemporary Service praise band since its restart in December 2011. I serve on the One Great Purpose Campaign committee. Lorna and I are active members of a life group.

What do you feel like you could bring to the Vestry and Christ Church? First and foremost, I strive daily to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to live out my faith. Beyond that I believe that every parish member should be and feel heard, and I am a good listener. My heart for pastoral care allows me to respond to others with the love of Christ and convicts me when I fall short. My experience as an attorney allows me to anticipate, analyze, and respond to issues from multiple perspectives.

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Year Joined: 2008 Ministry/Life Group Involvement: Seeker’s Life Group, Beth Moore Discipleship Class, Front Office volunteer, Contemporary Prayer Team, Order of St. Luke, Healing Prayer Ministry, Daughters of the King, Crisis Ministries, Cursillo What do you feel like you could bring to the Vestry and Christ Church? The Vestry represents and communicates with the congregation and my greatest contribution would be a servant’s heart. I love our church and want to do whatever I can to help it prosper and grow. I pray for our church and it’s leadership and ask you to join me in doing so.

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Year Joined: 2004 Ministry/Life Group Involvement: Historic Church Life Group, Tea Room, MOCC BBQ & Turkeys What do you feel like you could bring to the Vestry and Christ Church? Marketing and planning skills that will be necessary for the healthy and financially stable continuation of our parish as we prosper in our ever expanding city of Mt. Pleasant.

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Year Joined: 2008 Ministry/Life Group Involvement: My wife, Gloria, and I are members of the “NewLife” life group. I have served on 21 Kairos Prison Ministry Teams in maximum security prisons throughout South Carolina, a spiritual journey that was truly “God’s Special Time” in my own life. For me, seeing the face of Christ in “the least of these” changed the meaning of the word “priorities.” What do you feel like you could bring to the Vestry and Christ Church? As a former member of the United Methodist Church, I served in various leadership positions including Chairman of the Administration Council and Lay Leader. Serving in these positions gave me the “hands on” experience of how important the balance is between the administrative and spiritual life of a church. To Christ Church

and Vestry I offer my leadership experience passion for servant hood.

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Year Joined: 1987 Ministry/Life Group Involvement: Over the years I have been involved with Tea Room preparation, children's Sunday School, Backpack Buddies, and a Life Group. What do you feel like you could bring to the Vestry and Christ Church? I would bring to the Vestry my respect and love for Christ Church and its parishioners coupled with the knowledge and experience gained from over thirty years employment in business services and project management. During my career, I had the responsibility to be a good steward and the opportunity to learn how important it is to maintain focus and work collaboratively towards a common goal. Since retiring from the College of Charleston in 2004 I have continued to work and am presently engaged in small business finance and

management in a local law office. If elected, I pledge to work diligently with our Rector and Vestry in the furtherance of the great commission.

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Year Joined: 1992 Ministry/Life Group Involvement: Usher; LEM; Sunday School teacher (First grade); Alpha Facilitator; Vestry (1999-2002) ; Cursillo #123 (2001); Cursillo Team (2002) ; Outreach Committee; Life Group; ”The Carpenters”, 2006 to present; The International Order of St. Luke (Healing Prayer Ministry) 2012 What do you feel like you could bring to the Vestry and Christ Church? Christ Church has been my only Church family. I have been convicted over the last 20 years that God does indeed Love me and forgives me for all of my sins. God blesses us, He provides for us, He heals us, He encourages us to trust in Him and have faith. The deeper we go (in our relationship with Jesus Christ), the more blessings will flow! Let’s not be easily tempted to put limitations on God’s awesome power. To truthfully answer the

question “what I may bring to the Vestry and Christ Church?”…. I only bring faith the size of a mustard seed, GOD brings EVERYTHING!!

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Year Joined: 2005/2006 Ministry/Life Group Involvement: MOCC, Sound Ministry, Usher What do you feel like you could bring to the Vestry and Christ Church? Some Business Experience and a-lot of Commitment As an experienced "business consultant" for the past 15 I have worked with companies (both large and small) to develop effective strategic plans and manage "organizational change". I would hope that some of the insights gathered from that experience might be useful as the Vestry and our leadership team work together to determine how to best achieve God's plan for Christ Church.

As a enthusiastic member of Christ Church I am committed to growing our church community and using the power of "the music and the message" we find here every week to expand our role as a church in the Mt Pleasant community at large.

Vestry Candidate Contact Information

Doug Barker — douglas@douglasbarker.com

Barbara Beauford — silvergf@aol.com

Barry Blake — bblake45@comcast.net

Anne Brownyard — brownyarda@comcast.net

Dave Kowert — davekowert@bellsouth.net

Chip Seignious — cseignious@comcast.net

Mike Squires — mikesquires513@gmail.com

16 christch.org

2304 Highway 17 North

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466

843.884.9090

www.christch.org

Wishing you a blessed holiday season from the Christ Church Clergy & Staff