CHRIST CHURCH WEEKLY 5-15-20

IN THIS ISSUE

Last Chance!: Short Christ Church Worship Survey

Sustaining and Building Community
Our Life of Worship and Prayer
Our Life of Formation and Study
New: Keeping a Eucharistic Fast
Adult Formation Spring Foundations Course:
Three Fascinating Medieval Women
Our Life of Service and Advocacy
Service organizations Need Help

Bethlehem Family Shelter
Emergency Food Network
Meals for Healthcare Heros

Our Life Celebrating the Arts
New: Interview with Organ Builder (of our organ) John Brombaugh
Hear Christ Church Music and Singing
Christ Church Information
Links to Diocesan News and Informational Resources

We are interested in learning what you are using for your worship during this time when we can't gather as a community. If you haven't already done so, please take this short, six question survey. Click on the link below.
Your input will be greatly valued!

C hrist Church Worship Survey

WEDNESDAY EVENING PARISH ZOOM GATHERINGS FOR
CONVERSATION AND COMPLINE
7:00 - 8:15 p.m.

Join Mother Janet, Father Samuel, Deacon Gen, and Co-Ministers of Music Kathryn and Mark on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom for an opening word to all from Mother Janet followed by 45 minutes of small group conversation in breakout rooms. Then we regather for Compline, the Church's nighttime prayer. Watch for the invitation and link to CONVERSATION AND COMPLINE in your inbox each Wednesday morning.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

GO TO THE PARISH WEBSITE: christchurchtacoma.org
+ Click on Household Resources for Worship and Formation where you will find:
- Mother Janet's Letters to the parish
- Household Worship guides for Sundays and Feast Days
- Household Adult Formation Materials
- Christ Church choir, hymn and organ recordings

GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: facebook.com/christchurchtacoma

Mother Campbell and Father Torvend are available for individual pastoral conversation by email, phone or Zoom. Contact them by email to set up a time:
janet@christchurchtacoma.org samuel@christchurchtacoma.org

In a pastoral emergency (a serious diagnosis, an accident, hospitalization, a death) please contact Mother Campbell as soon as you can. Email her at janet@christchurchtacoma.org and she will respond as soon as possible.

Parish Practical Help Team: Need errands run, groceries, meals provided, medication pickup, etc.? contact Deacon Gen Grewell: ggrewell@ecww.org (email preferred) or call her cell phone 360-280-5593

Parish Telephone Check-in Team: Team members check in periodically with every parishioner, using the new 2020 Parish Contact Directory. We want to know how you are doing and if you have needs with which we can help.

Parish Pen Pal Team: Team members write regularly to parishioners without internet and personal telephone service.

To volunteer to help on these three teams, contact Deacon Gen Grewell, as above.

Our Ministry Continues
+ The buildings are cared for by Sexton Tim Williams
+ Office staff Shannon Farley and Mary Smiley continue to work from home
+ Mother Campbell, Father Torvend, Mark Brombaugh, Kathryn Nichols and Deacon Gen Grewell continue to work from home
+ Weekly Worship Resources are created and posted on the church website
+ Weekly Adult Formation Resources are created and posted on the parish website and Facebook page
+ Zoom gatherings are held for members and friends of the parish
+ Coordination of volunteers to assist members with errands continues
+ Formation for those to be baptized, received, or renewing Holy Baptism continues
+ Marriage counseling continues
+ Pastoral visits continue via telephone, email, and FaceTime or Zoom
+ Ways to help and serve others are listed in this Weekly under Our Life of Service and Advocacy
+ Coordination with the Diocese of Olympia, Washington State, City of Tacoma offices and public health officials continues

The Financial Challenge of this time
Giving declines when we are not meeting weekly for worship. Please keep your pledge and other regular giving current as you are able.
If you have the capacity, this is the time to make a special gift to Christ Church.
Use these ways to give to the ongoing work of Christ Church:
+ Online giving at christchurchtacoma.org
- Click on Give at the homepage
- Click on Give to Christ Church through Tithe.ly
- Follow the instructions and use either a credit card or bank transfer
- Questions? Contact Mark Brombuagh at mark@christchurchtacoma.org
+ Mail your weekly or monthly check to the parish office
+ We understand hardships. Please let us know if you are unable to meet your pledge. Contact Shannon Farley shannon@christchurchtacoma.org
As always, thank you for your generosity and support of our common life and ministry.

The COVID-19 Financial Task Force (Christi McCarren, Rod Blackburn and Gordon Craig) will continue to explore every opportunity to receive financial assistance from any quarter, including federal, state and local government, our diocese and the Episcopal Church.

Forward Day by Day - If you usually pick up a copy of Forward Day by Day at church, contact Parish Coordinator Shannon Farley shannon@christchurchtacoma.org and she will be glad to mail you a copy. You can also go to the Forward Movement website to read the day's meditation and participate in a discussion by posting a comment. You'll also find other resources for reflection and prayer.

Online Gatherings: Easy-to-use Zoom offers free 45-minute online meetings for computer, tablet and smartphone users. See and chat with Christ Church friends from your home. Go to Zoom.com to set up your free account. Follow the Zoom recommendations to ensure the security of your meeting.

2020 Parish Contact Directory: If you don't have a directory, contact Parish Coordinator Shannon Farley to receive one by email. If you aren't yet in the directory, let Shannon know. We will provide directory additions and updates monthly by email. shannon@christchurchtacoma.org

OUR LIFE OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER

KEEPING A EUCHARISTIC FAST - This is not the first time in history that plague or pandemic have kept Christians from gathering for Eucharist. It is the first time Christians have been able to watch live-streamed Eucharists. Is there such a thing as "virtual communion?" Why is Christ Church keeping a Eucharistic Fast? on our website.

SPRING FOUNDATIONS COURSE: THREE FASCINATING MEDIEVAL WOMEN
NEED A BREAK FROM PANDEMIC NEWS? - Join us for a discussion of three fascinating medieval women who upset the world in which they lived by calling for a compassionate Christianity and the reform of society. In this Spring Foundations Course, we will hear from Hildegard of Bingen, Mechthild of Magdeburg, and Julian of Norwich – three mystics whose visions prompted them to express their experience of the flowing light of God in this world – and in our world today.
Should you want to join our online Zoom conversation, please send an email to Fr. Torvend at samuel@christchurchtacoma.org by Saturday, May 16. He needs to hear from you in order to send you biographies and excerpts from their writings and to add you to the Zoom log-in invitation list.
We will meet via Zoom on Tuesdays, May 19, and 26, at 7:00 p.m.

MONTHLY READING GROUP - The Christ Church Monthly Reading Group will meet via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, to discuss Fr. Torvend's book, Flowing Water, Uncommon Birth: Christian Baptism in a Post-Christian Culture. In his published review of the book, Bishop Rickel notes that "there is no more misunderstood facet of our sacramental life today than baptism. In this fine book, Torvend helps the re-formation of our baptismal identity, one that is absolutely vital for Christians."
Fr. Torvend will be present for the Zoom discussion of Flowing Water. If you want to participate in the discussion, purchase the book for $9.99 from Augsburg Fortress at https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/productgroup/691/Flowing-Water-Uncommon-Birth. The ISBN is 978-0-8066-7063-8. Fr. Torvend urges you to purchase the book from Augsburg rather than Amazon due to its poor treatment of dock and warehouse workers before and during the pandemic.
If you plan to join the discussion, please contact Don John weddjohnson@msn.com so that you can be registered for the Zoom conversation on May 31.

MONDAY BIBLE STUDY - Contact Doug Dahlgren (habidoug@gmail.com) to see if the group is planning to meet by phone or internet.

CHILDREN’S FORMATION

SUNDAY SCHOOL is suspended until further notice.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS TIME OF PANDEMIC
Even with the Governor's stay at home order, there are many ways we can continue to serve the community around us by assisting organizations helping others: Food Banks, Homeless Shelters, Blood Banks, Animal Shelters. Donations and volunteers for various tasks (such as fostering a homeless pet in your home) are needed. Contact any service provider first by phone or website for guidance on the best ways to help and donate.

BETHLEHEM FAMILY SHELTER at Bethlehem Baptist Church From shelter staff and Christ church member Angela Moore: "Thank you so much to my wonderful church community for giving and donating as much as you guys have to Bethlehem Baptist shelter through MDC (Metropolitan Development Council Tacoma and Pierce County). We truly appreciate it. The donations are just amazing and the shelter guests are so thankful! You guys are supernatural and amazing and I am so thankful for everything that you have all done!! And so is everyone at the shelter!"
Donations are still needed and welcome: gently used clothing: men's and women's all sizes, socks and shoes; underwear; children's all sizes, underwear, socks and shoes; blankets; arts and crafts materials, games, puzzles, DVD movies, especially for children; books, feminine products, Depends all sizes, Pull-ups, diapers size 3 and up. Donations can be dropped off during Angela's shift (4 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday), Bethlehem Family shelter at Bethlehem Baptist Church 4818 East Portland Avenue, Tacoma.

EMERGENCY FOOD NETWORK - is kicking off Hunger Awareness Month with the 40th annual Hunger Walk! Our congregation has been a faithful participant in this important community event for many years! Our support is more urgent than ever as food banks are experiencing a massive increase in those seeking help due to the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Due to the Stay Home order from the Governor, this year's Hunger Walk is a virtual event. We have the opportunity to make contributions now through May 31. Our Community Service Leadership Team invites you to join this year’s event by making a donation through our Christ Episcopal Church Tacoma virtual team.
Please make a donation at:
Hunger Walk and 5K Website
Select Donation
Select Team Fundraiser
Select Christ Episcopal Tacoma
Donate
Emergency Food Network provides 14 million pounds of healthy, nutritious food annually to 80+ food pantries, meal sites, and shelters for distribution to families and individuals in need. There are 1.3 million visits to food pantries and meal sites in Pierce County each year; 54% of these visits are children and seniors! These numbers have vastly increased since the arrival of the coronavirus. Through the Emergency Food Network, we can make sure these hungry families and individuals receive the nutritious food they need to stay healthy.
For every $1 donated, EFN provides 5 meals for our neighbors in need!
A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
TO DATE WE HAVE RAISED OVER $1000 FOR OUR CHRIST CHURCH TEAM!
Questions? Please contact Linda Johnson at 253-802-6824 or lljbrownspt@gmail.com

HERO MEALS - help provide meals for healthcare workers - Hero Meals, a program of the Downtown Tacoma Partnership and neighborhood restaurants, provides meals for healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Join in supporting our local frontline healthcare heros and our local restaurants.
TO DONATE: visit downtowntacomapartnership.com/hero-meals and select a restaurant.
Every $25 sends three meals to healthcare workers.

AN INTERVIEW WITH ORGAN BUILDER JOHN BROMBAUGH - For a fun read, with an exquisite bit of music played by Mark Brombaugh on our organ's remarkable Praestant stop (8' principal), check out a recent article on John Brombaugh, builder of the Christ Church pipe organ: Rediscovering Historic Organbuilding Techniques in the journal Vox Humana for a good understanding of our particular instrument and a glimpse into why John became a seminal figure on the American organ building scene with pioneering influence on the construction of historically-informed organs. See superb photos of some of the organs which have shaped his craft and concepts.
Visit the journal, Vox Humana:http://voxhumanajournal.com/brombaugh2020.html

RECORDINGS OF CHOIR, HYMNS AND ORGAN AT CHRIST CHURCH -To hear recorded music of our Christ Church organ and choir, visit our website:https://christchurchtacoma.org/christ-church-choir-and-organ-recordings/

THIRD FRIDAYS AT NOON CONCERTS - suspended until further notice. Please check our website for the latest updates.