Christ Episcopal Church is an affirming and inclusive Christian community. Our members and leaders strive through love, worship and service to welcome all people just as God created them. No matter where you are on your journey of faith, our welcome knows no boundaries of age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, or economic condition. We believe that God delights in the diversity of creation and so do we.
WE ARE BOUND TO EACH OTHER
A Message from The Rev. Rilla Barrett
Dear Friends,
Last Sunday I gave thanks, during our prayers, for the words spoken by Laura Bush at last Saturday’s concert in support of the World Health Organization. Mrs. Bush wisely said, “During this time of separation, we have never been closer.” The former First Lady was giving voice to the sense that many of us have that acknowledges the emotional pain in our physical separation while, at the same time, brings to attention our joy in filling that separation in the many new ways we connect. “We are bound to each other,” in Luther’s words, and that sense of togetherness is especially felt when we are apart.
“During this time of separation, we have never been closer.”
Our new way of worship, this online Live Streaming, felt awkward at first, and while we’d all rather be together, we acknowledge that, for a time, we will continue to worship God from our homes – while together. We will do it because we care about our own health and the health of others.
One thing our online worship doesn’t provide for us though is fellowship – tangible fellowship like I sense whenever I am at Christ Church on a Sunday morning following worship. We leave the sanctuary, where we have been fed by Word and Sacrament and then gather, in a more informal way, in fellowship. I have heard many folks at different churches laughingly say that this time of catching up and light foods is like another sacrament. Coffee Hour, they say, is the eighth sacrament!
Celebrating Colleen's 80th birthday during Coffee Hour at Christ Church, Blaine, October 2018. Photo credit: MRC.
I don’t know about that, but I do know that I miss chatting with you all and seeing you. I know you miss one another as well. So, Rev. Jo, Pastor Terry, and I, along with your Bishop’s Committee would like to invite you to a “virtual coffee hour.” Yes! You will receive a link to a Zoom meeting this week, by email. That same link appears in this email newsletter. Save that invitation, and on Sunday morning, around 11:00, click on the link, and join in on our first Zoom Coffee Hour. You’ll be able to see each other and speak (though just one at a time.) This coffee hour will last about 40 minutes.
If you are like I am, you may be a bit apprehensive about the technology that goes with this. I am not a computer guru by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve figured out how to use Zoom, and it is a very useful tool. (I even had a family Zoom meeting last week, inviting my husband [yes, from another room], three grown children, my grandchildren, and some other relatives, to the meeting. We had a good time, laughed a lot, checked in with each other, and decided to do it again in a couple of weeks. We have missed each other.)
If you haven’t done Zoom, all you need is a computer or tablet and to have Zoom downloaded on it. I am more than happy to walk you through that downloading, if you’d like to email me (rbarrett@wavecable.com), I’ll call you back and we’ll work together. I’m sure there are others in the congregation (plus Rev. Jo and Pastor Terry) who could help you too. We’d like to have as many folks at the first-ever Christ Church Zoom Coffee Hour as possible. Please bring your favorite warm beverage in your favorite coffee/tea mug!
Let’s worship together, then gather on Sunday, as Christ’s body in fellowship! As always, be well.
Faithfully, Rilla+
JOIN US FOR VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR
Topic: Christ Episcopal Church Coffee Hour
Time: Apr 26, 2020 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
In this wide-ranging interview, Bishop Rickel talks about how he got started in the Episcopal faith, his spiritual response to the COVID-19 epidemic, how the outbreak has affected our churches and communities, the challenges of being a bishop, and what it means to observe Easter in quarantine.
Image credit: ecww.org.
CHRIST CHURCH CALENDAR
5/4 Loads of Love
5/17 Bishop's Committee Meeting
5/18 Loads of Love
LOADS OF LOVE
This vital ministry of Christ Church Blaine provides laundry money, detergent, dryer sheets, and refreshments at The Washhouse on 3rd Street on the first and third Mondays from 5-7:30pm. Social distancing measures are being followed during this time for the safety of volunteers and program participants. To learn more, or volunteer to help, contact Susan Thomson.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS 4/7 Gary Little
4/9 Matt Emerick
4/21 Monika Kiley
4/25 Kaitlyn Troutmann
4/29 Victor Bliven
PRAYER LIST Please join us in praying for the following during the month of April: Camilo
Duncan & family
Elizabeth
Health care providers
Inice, Jade & Jason
Jodith & Mark
John
Joshua & Amanda
Joyce
Kathi, Jeff, Linda, Ed, Mike & Diane
Kelley
Leah & Shom
Leslie
Lindsey K.
Lynnea
Molly & family
Nancy & Don
Nikki
Rachel
Randy
Rev. Brent
Velma
Please send your prayer requests to Jodith Allen, prayer list steward, at jodith@maritzia.com. Jodith updates our list and shares it with the prayer team for daily prayers by the prayer team.
All churches in the Diocese of Olympia are to remain closed through at least May 4. Since we will be unable to worship together,
you may wish to tune in to the online streaming from...
Please continue to send your pledges by mail to Christ Church, Blaine. If you normally place your pledge in the offering plate on Sundays, please consider mailing it while worship services are cancelled to 382 Boblett St., Blaine, WA 98230 Please note that pledges may be modified or changed, especially if you are experiencing financial hardship during this crisis. Email Susan Thomson, our pledge secretary, if you need to make any changes.
DIAPERS NEEDED
The Blaine Food Bank is in need of continued donations, especially diapers.
Donations may be left on the back porch at Christ Episcopal Church, Blaine, for delivery by Bruce Smith each week.
BISHOP’S COMMITTEE
Doug Dahl, Senior Warden; Mary Rebman, Junior Warden;Jodith Allen, Gary Little, Sexton Pro Tem; Eileen Richardson, Secretary; Myra Ryneheart Corcorran; Jim Savidge, Sexton Emeritus; Bruce Smith, Peter Smith,April Thomson STAFF
Carl Bradley, Organist
Mary Rebman, Housekeeping
Eileen Richardson, Treasurer
Susan Thomson, Bookkeeper and Guitarist/Choir Leader
MINISTRY LEADERS
Altar Guild: Mary Rebman
Children’s Giving Garden: Wendy Kunst-Massey
Choir/Music Committee: Susan Thomson
Crafters: Eileen Richardson, Caroline Hodgins
Garden Team: Brooke Finley
Hospitality: Jeane Austin, Leslie Mason
Outreach: Susan Thomson
Prayer Team: Myra Ryneheart Corcorran
Ushers: Jeanne Austin
Want to get more involved?See our list of contacts/ministry leaders if you feel called to help in a particular area of worship or parish life. We’ll be happy to answer your questions, and we welcome your help.