CHRIST CHURCH WEEKLY A Newsletter for Members and Friends Tacoma, Washington: Friday, March 13, 2020
CANCELLATIONS AT CHRIST CHURCH
IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTIVES CONCERNING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19, ALL GATHERINGS AT CHRIST CHURCH INCLUDING THOSE FOR WORSHIP ARE CANCELLED FROM TODAY AND FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
FRIDAY
6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross, Church - CANCELLED
SUNDAY
12:15 p.m. The Gospel of John and Our Experience of Christ, Church - CANCELLED 5:30 p.m. Lenten Choral Evensong, Church - CANCELLED
PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE (CHRISTCHURCHTACOMA.ORG) FOR THE MOST CURRENT LIST OF CANCELLATIONS AND UPDATED INFORMATION.
THIS SUNDAY THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT March 15, 2020
Readings: Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-11; Psalm 95; John 4:5-42 The texts can be found on The Lectionary Page http://www.lectionarypage.net
Sermons preached at Christ Church are posted on our website www.christchurchtacoma.org and can be accessed from the Worship page and by clicking this link on the homepage: SundaySermons
In This Issue: COVID-19 MOTHER JANET'S PASTORAL LETTER 3/13/2020
THE FOLLOWING ARE AFFECTED BY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS -- CHECK IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS OR IS NOT HAPPENING.
Our Life of Worship and Prayer
Our Life in Community
Our Life of Formation and Study
Our Life of Service and Advocacy
Our Life Celebrating the Arts
Christ Church Capital Campaign Weekly Update
This Week at Christ Church
Christ Church Information
Links to Diocesan News and Informational Resources
COVID-19 MOTHER JANET'S PASTORAL LETTER 3/13/2020
FROM MOTHER JANET COVID-19 UPDATE FRIDAY 3/13
Dear Christ Church Members and Friends,
I’m sitting in my morning coffee-and-prayer chair, looking out the window to my snowy (!) backyard – and thinking of what I want to say to you all. How quickly our lives have been up-ended. Where and how do we find refuge with all that is changing so swiftly around us? We know the answer:
O God of peace,
you have taught us
that in returning and rest we shall be saved,
in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength:
By the might of your Spirit, lift us, we pray,
to your presence,
where we may be still and know that you are God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 832)
It’s natural to feel anxious and fearful in this extraordinary time. I hope that each of us, whether we are quarantined at home or out in the world at work, will create for ourselves times of silence and stillness in which we may return (turn our attention) to God and rest in God’s peace.
On to things you need to know for now. Please read to the end, because I hope to answer any questions you may have.
SUSPENSION OF SUNDAY WORSHIP
Bishop Rickel, with concern and regret, and following Public Health Directives, has required all churches to suspend any gatherings for at least two weeks, including our worship services.
I’m in complete agreement with him and of course would follow his requirement even if I were not. We do this not just to protect ourselves, but out of love and responsibility for the well-being of the larger community where we live and move and have our being. It is one of the things we can do to slow the spread of this disease.
Not being together for worship and fellowship, not sharing in the Bread of Heaven and Cup of Salvation, is a sacrifice we are asked to make for the common good, ours and others’. And it is a sacrifice – we are a Sunday people whose lives center around our weekly gatherings for worship. We find our strength and courage in the Eucharist, in our classes, in our companionship with one another. For me, for you, nothing can replace those.
Yet we know that the Spirit of the risen Christ is not restricted to times and places and Sacraments, and Christ is surely moving among us now, holding us in community in ways we may not yet see. We are the church – nothing can change that. Nothing will change that. And as soon as we are able to resume worshipping together, we will. How much more precious our freedom to gather to pray, sing, share communion, be with one another, will seem then.
Your clergy leadership is working to provide resources for Sunday worship in our homes that we can use knowing that others in our community are using the same resources, praying the same prayers. We will seek to provide continuing opportunities for formation and learning, and ways we might keep in touch with one another. You’ll start to hear about and receive these next week. This Sunday, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will preach at the live-streamed 11:15 a.m. EDT (8:15 PDT) liturgy at Washington National Cathedral, website: cathedral.org. I suggest that as many of us as are able “attend” that service to hear him. Our own Cathedral (saintmarks.org) live-streams its 11:00 a.m. Sunday liturgy and the 9:30 p.m. service of Compline.
MORE THINGS TO KNOW:
PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ME – if you are sick or in need of any kind of help, I want to know. If you are anxious or fearful, I want to know. If you are able to offer help to others, please let me know that also. If you just want to say hello, please do. Please use my email contact janet@christchurchtacoma.org
HOME EUCHARISTIC VISITS AND VISITS TO THOSE WHO ARE SICK will only be made in case of an emergency – to protect both visitor and person being visited. Many hospitals and health care residences are restricting outside visits, so visiting there may not be possible at all.
ALL PARISH MEETINGS that aren’t necessary for our immediate functioning may be postponed or cancelled. Meetings that must take place should be held virtually. The most recent Public Health Directive for Religious Organizations requires, by law, that no meetings of any size take place on site without screening and precautions we are not prepared to manage. The Finance Committee met by Zoom last Wednesday and the Vestry will meet by Zoom this coming Tuesday. A Zoom account is easy to set up (go to Zoom.com), and ministry leaders who feel the need to call a meeting might try using that platform. Other platforms for virtual meetings exist as well.
UPDATED PARISH CONTACT DIRECTORY – to help us stay connected, we will send today (Friday) by email the updated parish directory. We will mail hard copies to those without email accounts. Use this directory not only to reach out to others but to pray for the members for our community. Call or send an email to someone you don’t yet know and send your best wishes. Find a prayer partner. Be creative and build community.
COMMUNICATON – The Weekly will continue to appear (weekly) in your inbox. More immediate updates will be posted on our website (christchurchtcoma.org) and Facebook page (facebook.com/christchurchtacoma)
THE PARISH OFFICE STAFF, Shannon and Mary, will continue to be at work in the office (as long as they stay well) and will be available to parishioners by email and phone during the usual hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. However, we ask that you do not come in to the office unless there is important business that can’t be handled by email or phone. Please check with Shannon first (shannon@christchurchtacoma.org). Thanks to Shannon and Mary for their dedication.
If you’ve read this far, thank you! It’s important that we all stay informed. If I haven’t answered your question, please let me know. Please continue to check email, website, facebook for updates – whatever works for you. And please take all the recommended precautions for yourselves to be and stay well.
Please continue to pray for all the people around the world, in our country, in our local communities, who are heroically working to understand this disease, quell its spread, and treat those who are ill. Pray for them and for those who are sick or afraid. Pray for our Bishop and his advisors, and for people who continue to show up for work to help us all through this time – transit and delivery workers, store employees, emergency responders, postal and utility workers and more -- and our own office and building staff. Pray for all the members of our own community. Pray.
Psalm 131 (I find this really good for anxiety and stress)
O Lord, I am not proud,
I have no haughty looks.
I do not occupy myself with great matters,
or with things that are too hard for me.
But I still my soul and make it quiet,
like a child upon its mother’s breast;
my soul is quieted within me.
O Israel, wait upon the Lord,
from this time forth for evermore.
(When I pray this psalm, I replace “Israel” with my own name, or the name of the person for whom I’m praying.)
I’m always available by email (janet@christchurchtacoma).
I miss you all and will miss you – but this, even this, will pass.
You are all in my heart and prayers.
With love for you in Christ,
Janet+
OUR LIFE OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY: You may want to hear Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preach at the National Cathedral this Sunday, at the live-streamed Eucharist beginning at 8:15 PDT. Go to: cathedral.org
Our own cathedral live-streams its 11 a.m. liturgy. Go to saintmarks.org
THIS WEEK OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR: Members and Friends of our Community: Edie; Jannette; Dennie; Rob and Mel; Joanne; David and Lauren; The Powell Family - Samantha, Anthony, Aaliyah and Aubree; Leslie; Kevin; Frank O; Angela and family; Jan S; Barbara and Hank; Michael and Mary Kay; Ann S. Those who have died: Gretchen Plotkin; Peter Rockwell For all in need: For effective gun control policies. For victims of sex-trafficking; for refugees and migrants, especially separated families. For solutions for the crisis of homelessness. For progress in reversing global warming. For all affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus and for efforts to discover its cause and stop its spread. For all affected by storms, flooding, wildfires and earthquakes. For all working to eliminate bigotry, racism and violence. For all serving in the military. For the people of Hong Kong, Lebanon, Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Venezuela. Diocesan Prayer Cycle: St. John, Kirkland; St. Thomas, Medina Anglican Prayer Cycle: Pray for the Church of England; The Most Revd and Right Hon Justin Welby - Archbishop of Canterbury
To request prayers in the prayers of the assembly e-mail mary@christchurchtacoma.org. If you are submitting a name other than your own, please ask permission from that person first. You must send the full name of the person in order for us to manage the prayer list, but first names only will be in the list of those in need. Last names will be used in the list of those who have died. Names remain on the list for four weeks, unless renewed by the one who submitted them.
OUR LIFE IN COMMUNITY
Your staff and leadership are working on ways we can stay connected as a community of worship, prayer, formation and fellowship, and to keep the institutional life of our parish moving forward. Watch our website (christchurchtacoma.org) in the coming days.
OUR LIFE OF FORMATION AND STUDY
ADULT FORMATION
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN AND OUR EXPERIENCE OF CHRIST I, II and III - Sundays: March 15, 22, 29, 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the Library. Father Joseph Hickey-Tiernan NOT MEETING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
MONDAY BIBLE STUDY - NOT MEETING ON SITE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Contact Doug Dahlgren (habidoug@gmail.com) to see if the group is palnning to meet off site.
THE MONTHLY READING GROUP - will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, at the home of Sandy and Ronn Johanson to discuss The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann. Everyone interested is welcome to attend. Questions? Contact Don Johnson at weddjohnson@msn.com to see if this group is planning to meet.
CHILDREN’S FORMATION - Sunday school is suspended until further notice.
OUR LIFE OF SERVICE AND ADVOCACY
IN COMMUNITY AND WORLD
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
FOOD BANK FOCUS FOR MARCH: Bath Soap and Shampoo - Christ Church offers year-round support to the Nourish Food Bank. In addition to each month’s focus, cans and boxes of all kinds of food are welcome, including food for pets. While we are not meeting on site, we are sure Food Banks would be grateful for any contributions of packaged foods you can deliver to them.
CLOTHING DRIVE – Sundays,March 15, 22, and 29 - will be rescheduled.
SOCIAL JUSTICE LEARNING AND ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES
Meetings around the region have been cancelled
OUR LIFE CELEBRATING THE ARTS
LITURGICAL VISUAL ARTS
LENTEN CHORAL EVENSONG, Sunday March 15 postponed until further notice
THIRD FRIDAYS AT NOON Concert: March 20, 2020 at 12:10 p.m. cancelled. Naomi Shiga will present her recital in June.
CHRIST CHURCH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN WEEKLY UPDATE
Sacred Grounds – Welcoming Spaces:
Building the Future of Christ Church Tacoma
Campaign Gatherings are on pause. Work on gathering project estimates and creating publicity materials continues and we will restart where we left off as soon as it is prudent to do so. Our energy and commitment are high -- and we are eager to resume. All dates for gatherings previously published will of course change. A new calendar of events will be published when it makes sense to project out their dates.
The Campaign Steering Team: Administrator: Liz Johnson; Small Group Home Gatherings: Sandy Johanson; Best Potluck Banquet Ever: Caroline Huckaby, Holly Joseph; Adult Formation: Father Torvend Day of Prayer: Mother Janet; Advance Commitments: Len & Linda Johnson Audiovisual: Josh Hornbeck, Diocesan Communications Director & Parishioners Print/Online Promotion: Milana McLead, Mark Brombaugh, Mother Janet Planned Giving: Dixie Coggins; Followup Commitments: (Open)
THIS WEEK AT CHRIST CHURCH
DUE TO COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS THERE ARE NO MEETINGS OR GATHERINGS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT CHRIST CHURCH.
CHRIST CHURCH INFORMATION
To subscribe to the Christ Church Weekly e-newsletter, fill out the Welcome Card in the pew back or contact the office at the address below. To submit an announcement for the worship bulletin or Weekly e-newsletter, send an electronic copy to Parish Coordinator Shannon Farley by TUESDAY NOON. Announcements may be edited for content or length.
Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Closed Mondays. (In inclement weather, the office is closed when Tacoma Schools are closed)
VESTRY
Brianne Knudson, Senior Warden; Don Ellis, Junior Warden.
Cynthia Anthony, Eddie Bang, Susan Beer, Rodney Blackburn, Tim Chen, Caroline Huckaby, Dennis Johnson, Linda Johnson, Matt Lonsdale, Vikke Pierson.
Ex officio, non-voting: Winfield Giddings, Treasurer; Mary Smiley, Vestry Clerk
STAFF
The Rev. Janet Campbell, Priest in Charge janet@christchurchtacoma.org • 253-383-1569 ext 11 Usual office hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
The Rev. Samuel Torvend, Associate Priest for Adult Formation samuel@christchurchtacoma.org
The Rev. Robert Carver, Priest Associate;
The Rev. Bill Tudor, Priest Associate
The Ven. Gen Grewell, Deacon ggrewell@ecww.org
The Rev. Kathryn Nichols and Dr. Mark Brombaugh, Co-Directors of Music Ministries, music@christchurchtacoma.org
Mr. David Dahl, Director of Music Ministries Emeritus
Ms. Shannon Farley, Parish Coordinator shannon@christchurchtacoma.org • 253-383-1569 ext 18
Ms. Mary Smiley, Secretary/Receptionist
mary@christchurchtacoma.org • 253-383-1569 ext 10
Mr. Tim Williams, Sexton tim@christchurchtacoma.org • 253-310-5178
Ms. Emily Verdonk, Accountant accountant@christchurchtacoma.org Usual office hoursThursdays: 10:00 – 12:30
Ms. Karen Jeffery, Lead Nursery Attendant
Ms. Mary Smiley, Nursery Assistant
To report a pastoral emergency (a serious diagnosis, an accident, hospitalization, a death) please contact Mother Campbell as soon as possible. During office hours, call the office. If the emergency occurs after 2:00 p.m. on a weekday, or on a weekend or holiday, email Mother Campbell janet@christchurchtacoma.org and she will respond as soon as possible.
LINKS TO DIOCESAN NEWS AND INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES: Episcopal News Service (ENS): https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/ -- electronic newspaper delivered to your inbox with news stories, responses to social and political events, and links to posts from various Episcopal bishops and leaders and from the broader church. Episcopal Church on Facebook: www.facebook.com/episcopal-news-service-260131260715544/
The Diocese of Olympia: www.ecww.org The Diocesan website.
Bishop Rickel’s Blog: www.bishoprickel.com
Sacred Grounds – Welcoming Spaces:
