Rector’s Message

Pentecost 2010

This summer Christ Church will be ablaze with activity ~ bike riding, barbeques, picnics, an active summer intern student, a reshaping of our music ministry, and preparation for a meaningful and significant fall and winter season! I never cease to be amazed by the grace of God upon our community. God has indeed blessed us abundantly for His gracious purposes.

We welcome Dianne Boodho, a Divinity Student from Trinity College, who will be doing her summer internship with us. Dianne will be participating in a number of areas in parish life and ministry including: pastoral visitation, worship leadership, preaching, small group facilitation, administration and participation in a variety of committees at the parish, deanery and diocesan level. A significant part of Dianne’s work this summer will be the creation of a faith development project for children to learn more about the Holy Eucharist.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

We will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism at both the 9:00 & 10:45 services May 30^th, the Feast of the Holy Trinity.  The summer schedule begins on June 13^th with services as follows:

1.    8:00 Said Eucharist at Christ Church

2.    10:00 Morning Prayer at Christ Church

3.    10:00 Holy Eucharist celebrated at Eldorado Park

Our Natural Church Development process, while recognizing significant health and vitality over the last 24 months, has also identified some strategic areas for continued attention. Important areas of concentration continue to be the development of passionate spirituality, inspiring worship, and needs-oriented evangelism. We are confident that God has given us the tools, resources and capability to address these essential areas of our common life in order to improve overall congregational health, and to enhance growth into the future.

Mark your calendars now for our fall retreat October 15^th ~ 17^th “A Light To My Path”. Dr. Marian Taylor, Biblical scholar from Wycliffe College, will speak about how we can approach scripture and appropriate its message in our every day lives. We look forward to growth in passionate spirituality through enhanced engagement and increased small group activity flowing from this retreat and our fall program.

Inspiring worship is another area of strategic attention. After much prayer and consultation we have decided to reshape our musical ministry into one overall Director of Music position (please see “special announcement” for further information). Our new Music Director, yet to be selected, will be centered on bringing forth all of the available resources, capabilities, gifts and talents for the enhancement of our worship at both our traditional and contemporary services.

Needs-oriented evangelism will also be addressed. This summer there are a variety of low key events (hiking, bicycling and barbeques) designed as non-threatening opportunities for our un-churched friends to “come and see”.  Our members will be encouraged to pray for those in their lives who may be open to Christian faith and to invite them to Back to Church Sunday September 26. And, why not encourage those who are curious to attend our Christian basics program – Christianity 101 which will begin again September 29^th.

This summer may our lives be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of God, may we find time for recreation and enjoyment with family, friends and fellow Christian travelers.

As we “press on toward the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 3:14), may we always strive to keep God as both the Object and Subject of all that we do!   

To God alone be the glory and praise!

Byron+