CHRIST CHURCH WEEKLY A Newsletter for Members and Friends Tacoma, Washington: Friday, April 17, 2020
CHRIST CHURCH OPERATIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC
ALL GATHERINGS AT CHRIST CHURCH, INCLUDING FOR WORSHIP, ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
ALL BUILDINGS ARE CLOSED: DO NOT USE YOUR KEY TO ENTER CHURCH, WELLS HALL OR TRINITY HOUSE.
PARISH OFFICE IS CLOSED TO ALL VISITORS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
OFFICE STAFF CAN BE REACHED BY EMAIL TUESDAY - FRIDAY 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
shannon@christchurchtacoma.org mary@christchurchtacoma.org
IN THIS ISSUE Beware of Stimulus Check Scams Financial Giving Survey Sustaining and Building Community in this time of Pandemic Our Life of Worship and Prayer Our Life of Formation and Study Our Life of Service and Advocacy Reach out to service organizations needing help. Bethlehem Family Shelter needs donations Our Life Celebrating the Arts Hear Christ Church Singing Christ Church Information Links to Diocesan News and Informational Resources
BEWARE OF STIMULUS CHECK SCAMS
This from State Representatives Mari Leavitt and Christine Kilduff:
The federal government is seeing an increase in scams related to stimulus payments including phone calls, text messages and e-mails phishing for personal information. The messaging includes variations on language such as “in order to receive your stimulus payment via direct deposit, we need you to confirm your banking information.” Scammers are also gathering that information via telephone and directing victims to click on a link that takes them to a website where they enter their banking information.
Here are some important things to know:
The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get stimulus money.
The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number.
If you spot a scam, please tell the Federal Trade Commission. The Washington State Office of the Attorney General has consumer protection information and resources for reporting scams.
FINANCIAL GIVING SURVEY
A short giving survey was emailed to all pledgers last week so that we might know if you are able to continue your pledge at its current level, need to reduce or pause your pledge at this time, or are able to meet the needs of this time with an additional gift or by raising your pledge. This will help our leadership be good stewards of our resources.
When our Covid-19 Task Force has collated the data we will report back the results. More financial news below in Sustaining and Building Community.
SUSTAINING AND BUILDING COMMUNITY IN THIS TIME OF PANDEMIC
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
- Links to Christ Church choir, hymn and organ recordings
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
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 cellphone 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.
To volunteer to help on either team, 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
+ 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 and City of Tacoma offices 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.
WHERE WE STAND THIS WEEK Since 3/8/2020 -- our last Sunday gathered for worship
+ Pledge income running $6,000 / month below budget.
+ Plate (cash plus checks or tythle.ly donations that are not pledge or restricted) running $460 / month below budget.
+ Monthly rental income running approx. $1300 / month below 2019 average month (Trinity House Multicare office rental income remains steady; loss reflects closure of Wells Hall)
+ As of today, our cash flow will be sufficient until mid-May, drawing on our Boaler Fund nest egg investments as we have budgeted, plus Vestry-authorized stopgap borrowing from our Sacred Spaces campaign funds.
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.
We did not receive a loan in this round of the Federal Government's Paycheck Protection Program. The loan application prepared by our COVID-19 Task Force was submitted to Columbia Bank the very day the bank opened its application process. Unfortunately, we were still too far down the line of applicants to receive a loan in this round. We remain in line for a loan if Congress approves an additional round of funding.
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.
Online Gatherings: Easy-to-use Zoom offers free online meetings of any length 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.
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 in the Weekly as we receive them. shannon@christchurchtacoma.org
2020 PARISH DIRECTORY - ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS
No New Directory Information this week
You can make additions and corrections in your .pdf copy of the directory by using the annotating tools which allow you to highlight, cross out and add text to the document.
HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP FOR THIS SUNDAY: Find Sunday's Household Worship booklet on our website here.
LITANY FOR ALL AFFECTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS on our website here.
SERMONS preached at Christ Church are posted on our website christchurchtacoma.org and can be accessed from the Worship page or by clicking this link on the homepage: SundaySermons Sermon posting will resume when liturgies resume.
THIS WEEK OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR: Members and Friends of our Community: MaryLynn; Elin; Larry; Ross; Edie; Jannette; Dennie; Rob and Mel; Joanne; David and Lauren; Leslie; Lindsay; Ethan; Jan S; Barbara and Hank; Michael and Mary Kay Preparing for Baptism: James Tedrick and his sponsor Kevin Montgomery Those who have died:Jane Knapp;John Prine; Ellis Marsalis;The Rev. Susan O'Shea; The Rt. Rev. Barbara Clementine Harris For all in need: For all affected by the novel coronavirus: for those treating the sick and those seeking to discover its cause and stop its spread. For all who risk their health to care for others by keeping essential businesses and resources open. For solutions for the crisis of homelessness. For progress in reversing global warming. For all affected by storms, flooding, wildfires and earthquakes. For all working to eliminate bigotry, racism and violence. For all serving in the military. Diocesan Prayer Cycle: St. John Sudanese, Tukwila; St. George, Maple Valley Anglican Prayer Cycle: Pray for the Church of Ireland 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 OF FORMATION AND STUDY
ADULT FORMATION
+ IT'S NOT ABOUT ME BUT ABOUT US: FRIDAYS DURING AND AFTER THE TIME OF PANDEMIC and
+ THE GIFTS OF ST. BENEDICT IN A TIME OF SOCIAL ISOLATION
both on our website here
MONDAY BIBLE STUDY - Contact Doug Dahlgren (habidoug@gmail.com) to see if the group is planning to meet by phone or internet.
THE MONTHLY READING GROUP - will meet on Sunday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom to discuss The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr. Everyone interested is welcome to attend. Contact Don Johnson at weddjohnson@msn.com for help with the Zoom connection.
CHILDREN’S FORMATION
SUNDAY SCHOOL is suspended until further notice.
OUR LIFE OF SERVICE AND ADVOCACY
IN COMMUNITY AND WORLD
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 Tacoma needs donations. Angela Moore, whom we assisted last summer to avoid homelessness, is now on the staff of Bethlehem Family Shelter, serving homeless families now under quarantine. She writes that donations are desperately needed: gently used clothing: men's and women's all sizes, shoes, socks, 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 4818 East Portland Avenue, Tacoma.
OUR LIFE CELEBRATING THE ARTS
HEAR CHRIST CHURCH SINGING - Are you missing the voices of our choir, congregation and organ? Go to our website here to hear Christ Church music, as Co-Directors of Music Ministries Kathryn Nichols and Mark Brombaugh post seasonal previously-recorded music each week.
THIRD FRIDAYS AT NOON CONCERTS - suspended until further notice. Please check our website for the latest updates.
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.
Coronavirus Office Hours: Only for necessary business operations. Office staff available by email 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
VESTRY Mr. Dennis Johnson, Senior Warden; Ms. Linda Johnson, Junior Warden. Ms. Cynthia Anthony, Ms. Ciara Aylsworth, Mr. Eddie Bang, Ms. Susan Beer,
Mr. Rodney Blackburn, Mr. Tim Chen, Ms. Mary Hanneman, Mr. Robert Hicker,
Ms. Nancy Gow Knudsen, Ms.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