Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett St., Blaine, WA USA
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.
NEW WINDOW INSTALLED by The Rev. Rilla Barrett
Dear Friends,
A new window adorns the fellowship hall at Christ Church. The window, in memory of Madeleine Eastman, was designed and crafted by Leslie Mason and installed by Carl Bradley. (Pictured at right, from left to right, Leslie, Carl and Mary Rebman).
Last Sunday, after our worship, we prayed a prayer of thanksgiving in receiving this beautiful window and in acknowledgement of Madeleine’s family who made it possible. We asked for God’s blessing on those four windows and all who will see the light through them.
We long to return to the worship space at Christ Church, and this new window, along with the other three, are another reason that there will be such a joyous celebration upon our return. In the meantime, stay well -
Faithfully,
Rilla+ Photo credits: The Rev. Rilla Barrett.
BECOMING BELOVED COMMUNITY DURING ADVENT
AN INVITATION TO JOIN A MONDAY NIGHT ZOOM STUDY BEGINNING 11/30 by The Rev. Josefina Beecher
I am hoping that we can journey together this Advent via Zoom using the Presiding Bishop’s Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care Team’s Advent materials for Preparing to Become the Beloved Community.
Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and communities for the coming of Christ, the Almighty God who came among us poor and homeless, a stranger and a child. There may be no better time to reflect on how we as the Episcopal Church embrace the Holy One who continues to draw near in the neighbor, the stranger, the refugee, or the one who seems most “other” to you. It is the ideal season to commit to becoming Beloved Community and growing loving, liberating, life-giving relationships across the human family of God.
Since the election of the Most Rev. Michael Curry as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in 2015 the church has focused much of its work on healing and racial justice, as a necessary response to the fulfillment of our Baptismal vows to seek and serve Christ in all persons, love our neighbors as ourselves, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. As a church we have taken up the language of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, "The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community. The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation. The aftermath of violence is emptiness and bitterness.” The tenets of nonviolence that King espoused are the basis for envisioning and building the Beloved Community. The Beloved Community, King believed, is a tangible state of community in which there is no hunger, racism, or oppression. Hunger, racism, voter suppression, unequal access to education – these are all forms of violence which are all too prevalent in our world, in our country, in our communities. Non-violence is loving our neighbor and actively repairing the brokenness in our world.
According to the Episcopal Church’s website on Racial Reconciliation, “Reconciliation is the spiritual practice of seeking loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God and one another, and striving to heal and transform injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, institutions, and society.”
This will be a four one hour session series which will help us to move more deeply into this season in which we long for and prepare for the reconciling presence of God’s incarnate Son in our lives.
Join us! We will gather by Zoom for about an hour on Monday evenings at 5pm in Advent, starting on November 30th. Please let me know by November 27th if you are interested. And email me at revjosefina@hotmail.com if you have questions.
PLEDGES DUE NOW Please mail your pledge cards to the church as soon as possible.
You may also email your pledge intention to christchurchblaine@gmail.com. Thank you! to those who have sent in their pledges already. We appreciate your faithful responses.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE
Mary Helen Windell Outreach Committee Updates by Debbie Little
The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed many things about church but it does not change that we are the church. Christ Episcopal Church becomes the physical presence of Jesus Christ in the Blaine community we serve. We have many opportunities to be known. Ongoing is the Blaine Food Bank which is dependent on our offerings and grateful that we have been continuing to contribute from our abundance. Thank you to all who keep up this support. God Bless Us All
There are a few opportunities which involve community outreach giving.
1. COMMUNITY TOY STORE
The Blaine & Birch Bay Community Toy Store provides an opportunity for families with limited resources to purchase gifts for their children at drastically reduced prices. Brand new toys and gift cards for teens are needed. You can purchase toys through Launching Success, WISH LIST a local Whatcom County business or Amazon WISH LIST. For more information see Blaine & Birch Bay Community Toy Store’s Facebook page. Questions: Allison Traff ALTraff89@gmail.com. You may also send monetary donations: visit www.blainecap.org for information. Donation Deadline is Sunday December 6th.
2. LOADS OF LOVE CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are purchasing all the food at one time and putting together the boxes which will be distributed at Loads of Love on Monday, December 21. It is a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings and pies. Please send your donations to the church marked: Christmas Food Baskets.
OPEN POSITIONS - VOLUNTEER NOW!
We have open positions on the Bishop's Committee (3 year terms, with the Committee meeting once per month) and also need folks to serve as Delegates and Alternates to Diocesan Convention (2 year commitment, one weekend per year) next year. If you have an interest in serving as a leader of our parish or attending Diocesan Convention, please let any member of the Bishop's Committee know. Terms start after the annual meeting in January 2021.FOOD BANK DONATIONS NEEDED
Please keep up your generous donations whether food or financial support. As has been reported, we are the only ones who give diapers, baby food, and formula so that type of contribution is always needed. Food donations as well as hygiene items and pet food are always in demand. If you leave donations on the back porch, that works well. Please let Mary Rebman know (360-319-8495). This is what we can do to help and heal our community.
In October, Christ Church Blaine donated 64 pounds of food to the Blaine Food Bank. Thank you to all who remember those in need in our community each month, and to Bruce Smith for delivering food donations each week and collecting our poundage receipts!
MOMENTS OF GRATITUDE
from the most recent Bishop's Committee meeting:
Susan Thomson and The Rev. Rilla Barrett for securing two grants for Christ Church from the Diocese.
April Thomson for stepping in as Clerk, and for creating the worship bulletin for the past year.
Jodith Allen for all of the work she has done for Christ Church
Myra Ryneheart Corcorran for compiling the survey report, for the newsletter, for all she does for Christ Church.
All three of our Supply Clergy for their support during this time.
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.
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
11/29 Clayton Libolt
12/2 Debbie Little
12/13 Peter Corcorran
12/16 Justin Taylor
12/31 Joe Reig
All those ill with COVID-19 and all those caring for them Anthony
Bert
Camilo
Christ Church Call Committee
Colleen
Eileen
Elizabeth
Jim & Jean
Jeane A.
Kyla
Liz
Mike
Rick & Tracy
Peter & Christen
Stephen Steve
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.
Image credit: Washington National Cathedral
NOTE FROM THE TREASURER
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. You may also click on the "Donate Now" button or this link to be connected to the secure giving page on our website. Thank you!
Please note that pledges may be modified or changed, especially if you are experiencing financial hardship during the pandemic. Email Susan Thomson, our pledge secretary, if you need to make any changes.
SEEKING COFFEE HOUR HOSTS
Volunteers are welcome to "host" virtual coffee hour.Is this something you feel called to do? Duties could include one or more of the following: 1) signing into the meeting 5 minutes prior and admitting folks to the Zoom meeting 2) serving as conversation facilitator and tech advisor as needed and/or 3) providing conversation questions or themes each week. Training and support provided. Contact myra@laughingflowerlabyrinth.com with questions or interest.
VIRTUAL COFFEE CHAT
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Join us: Sunday, December 6th 10:45am-11:15am
If you are using your LANDLINE OR CELL PHONE, please call +1 253 215 8782
You will be prompted to punch in your meeting ID number followed by #
Meeting ID: 998 6017 5037# You then will be asked to enter your pass code followed by # Passcode: 252225#
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.
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.
NEW WINDOW INSTALLED
beautiful window and in acknowledgement of Madeleine’s family who made it possible. We asked for God’s blessing on those four windows and all who will see the light through them.
necessary response to the fulfillment of our Baptismal vows to seek and serve Christ in all persons, love our neighbors as ourselves, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. As a church we have taken up the language of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, "The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community. The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation. The aftermath of violence is emptiness and bitterness.” The tenets of nonviolence that King espoused are the basis for envisioning and building the Beloved Community. The Beloved Community, King believed, is a tangible state of community in which there is no hunger, racism, or oppression. Hunger, racism, voter suppression, unequal access to education – these are all forms of violence which are all too prevalent in our world, in our country, in our communities. Non-violence is loving our neighbor and actively repairing the brokenness in our world.
PRAYER LIST
