“little did we know” · it will ever resume, many of us have discovered creative, rewarding,...
TRANSCRIPT
“Little Did We Know” + + +
Join Us Sunday Mornings for Worship Live
@ 10:30 am
via our YouTube channel
(Christ Episcopal Roanoke)
A s we all celebrated the ringing in of Leap Year 2020,
made preparations for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake
Supper, signed up for our Lenten Study, organized the
annual Christ Church Palm Sunday Procession, planned
Holy Week activities and worship, awaited the glorious
celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter, finalized the
arrangements to schedule an annual church picnic, and
dreamt of proms, graduations, and summer vacations,
little did we imagine that in just a couple of months, all our
lives and everyday activities would change in what seems
like “the blink of an eye.” Life together would become life
alone/together. Although we continue to practice social
distancing, remain at home, await restocking of paper
products and Clorox wipes on the grocery store shelves,
disinfect everything in sight, and wonder if life as we knew
it will ever resume, many of us have discovered creative,
rewarding, and unexpected ways to spend our time.
Yes, it is a difficult time; a stressful time; filled with so
many uncertainties. So this edition of our monthly (PHC)
newsletter, is dedicated to each of YOU, our Christ Church
family. Within this publication’s pages, we have featured
the creativity and love that is found at Christ Church, not
in our brick and mortar walls, but within the hearts and
minds of each one of you who makes Christ Church a
welcoming, strong, and dedicated parish.
We hope as you read through this month’s PHC, you will
smile, laugh, perhaps be inspired, but mostly, just enjoy
the stories of how members of your Christ Church family
have been spending their time. Until we are able to be
together “under one roof” again, we will continue to be
together as one in spirit and united through prayer.
Blessings and “stay well” wishes to each of you.
-Lynn Bastian
Volume 35 – Number 04
Special Edition ~ May 2020
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“Little Did We Know”
Kristin Tadlock-Bell
Digging in the dirt has always been therapeutic for me. So I am spending some of
this time, when I’m not doing work related to my job as an advocate for children
in the child welfare system, to get grounded in the earth...moving plants from one
space to another, mulching, weeding, noticing the birds, listening to my chimes
play in the wind, and waiting for Southern Living Magazine to call me letting me
know my yard will be featured on the special COVID cover series.
Waiting.....still waiting.....
Telling Godly Play stories on YouTube with the fabulous, dynamic duo, Patricia and
Meredith Cope-Levy, has also been quite fun!
Sharon Burnham Mott
I’ve been spending time playing the piano (with my helper Spirit)
and gardening. But the most wonderful way we’ve spent time is
with our new grandson, Wesley Ryan Hartka, first child of
daughter, Emily, and her husband, Tom.
Grace Baldridge
Grace Baldridge led Backyard Yoga
on an April afternoon. Attending
the outdoor session were:
Duke, Mary Catherine, and Grace
Baldridge, Hannah Schindler, and
Christopher and Margaret Ann
Ayers.
Bruce & Kathy Ward
We try to ride our bikes as often as possible these
days. Because the Greenways are closed, we are
forced to find new areas to ride in. That can be a
challenge in Roanoke!
3
“Little Did We Know” Erick Anderson set up his first 3D printer several years ago. As a
computer network engineer, he loved building it and loves designing
things to print. Back in March, when it became evident that there was
a shortage of PPE, he began looking into how he could help. Through a
local printing group, he got a Carilion approved design to make the
headband part of the face shields that healthcare workers wear, in
addition to masks. He also began printing mask straps to help minimize
the pain of ear straps. He made his first delivery to Arch Services (Trust
House & Bethany Hall) and his second delivery directly to a nurse
friend in the ICU at Roanoke Memorial.
Thank you Erick for providing valuable PPE for our local healthcare providers.
Shari Conley Edwards
What have I been doing? 1) I have
adopted two beautiful cats from
Angels, First one is large, 15 pound
Maine Coon mix, blue and white
boy, no name yet; and the second
one is a flame point Himalayan girl, -
not named yet. Caper and the cats
are trying to get acquainted under the door of Richard's
room. 2) Lots of Reading, mostly popcorn for the brain, but
have just started to re-read the classics from 60+ years
ago: Tale of Two Cities (It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times), Jane Eyre, and many more on my list.
3) working from home tutoring a student from VWCC, and
taking mini-courses from VWCC. Not doing a lot of things I
should be doing around the house, but have worked a bit
at putting in a small garden, taking Caper to Dog Park
several times a week when the sun is shining! Taking two
dog-related courses on Facebook: grooming, training
obedience and tricks. And catching up with long lost
friends from high school and Texas cousins. And then there
are so many things I have just been procrastinating about;
actually things I can't do by myself. I talk weekly to Pansie
Murray and send messages to other church friends!
CHECK US OUT ONLINE!
G ODLY PLAY Teachers continue to provide a weekly
video story for families and individuals to watch and
enjoy. Both current and archived videos are available on their
YouTube Channel which is also accessible on our website.
Visit: www.christroanoke.org. Click Weekly Godly Play Story link on right side of homepage. OR www.YouTube.com. Search Christ Episcopal Roanoke Godly Play
WEEK OF GODLY PLAY — PATRICIA COPE-LEVY
Patricia and the Godly Play teachers are staying flexible about
the week of Godly Play, currently scheduled for June 8-12.
We will have a summer event of some kind. More details to
come as we learn more about what the
coming months will look like.
STAY TUNED!
4
“Little Did We Know”
Claude Lauck & Buffy
While I do not want to be casual about the COVID crisis, I
had pretty well mastered sheltering in place before we had
to. Retired since 2008, I’ve enjoyed living by myself for
years, so when the lockdown removed any remaining
responsibilities, I was fully prepared to entertain myself. I
do miss all that church offers, and I also miss some of my
previous socializing, like my weekly poker group. But I still
run into a lot of people on my regular rounds of errands, I
do keep in touch online (I’ve even had a couple of virtual
happy hours), I’m upping my “Hauling the Fat” walking and
weight loss effort, and I’m putting in a lot of sunny quality
time reading on my back porch.
And then, there’s my cat, Buffy. My being around more
seems to have caused a not entirely welcome spike in her
emotional support needs, but
I’m an experienced support
human, and she remains a
model for basking and power
naps that I can only aspire to.
So far so good.
Lay low, stay well.
BUNNY GOES TO CHURCH ON EASTER DAY
by Nancy Ford
As many of you know, Bunny is the Christ Church Choir mascot, a
role he has served well for over thirty years. In the late 1980’s, he
was given to Tom Baugh as a “rescue bunny” from Gladys Abbe, a
former Christ Church Choir member, who ran the Toys for Tots
program from the Christ Church basement. Only new toys were
accepted as donations, so Bunny quickly became an endeared
member of the choir. Each year since then, he has attended Easter
Day services with the choir and has particularly enjoyed watching
the children during flowerings of the cross.
Bunny let it be known, that even though the congregation and choir would not physically
be in church for the Easter service this year, he wanted to be in the nave for the online
service and promised to be on his very best bunny behavior, while practicing social
distancing. In order to keep Bunny safe, Alexander made him his own face mask and
graciously assured him that he would have “an honored place” in the Easter Memories at
Christ Church, streamed online on Easter Day, April 12.
Bunny appears unexpectedly twice during the Easter Day celebration photos of Christ
Church members (thanks to Richard Wellford), as Tom Baugh plays the Widor Toccata,
recorded by Elizabeth Gould in 2018. If you missed it, you may view it on Christ Church
Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ChristRoanoke/videos). Enjoy - it’s worth the effort!
Bunny sends all of you his very best wishes for good health and return to Christ Church soon.
ELIZABETH GOULD
Thank you for serving as assistant
organist for our Online Worship.
We are so grateful for your time,
talent, and beautiful smile.
RICHARD WELLFORD
Your assistance with “all things
technical” has made our Online
Worship experience exceptional.
We are so very grateful for your skills
and willingness to serve during this time.
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“Little Did We Know” Karen Alice Cope-Levy
My moms asked if I wanted to "write-in" for the newsletter and talk about how we're passing
the time, and I said, "Agoo-ba-ba" which of course, is baby for "absolutely." Although, there
hasn't been much "time to pass" to be honest - I am a very busy lady and I keep my moms on
a tight schedule! There are a lot of meals to prep for: breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies,
lunch, teatime, dinner, supper. Then there are three naps each day, plus all the diaper
changes and "play time." My moms call it play time, but it feels an awful lot like work. I have
been working very hard on my "rollover" and it's proving to be a tad harder than I initially
thought. But it's not all work - the other day we had a dance
party in the kitchen. Have you ever heard "Wheels on the Bus"? I highly recommend it!
I understand that everyone is being told they can't leave their homes - not only me. I have
been staying home since January, so here is some advice from a pro: 1) take walks outside
whenever the weather is good, or sit on a porch 2) call friends or family - we've been video
calling my grandparents a lot, and it makes me feel like they are not so far away 3) say your
prayers at night - it feels good to hand over the heavy stuff before going to sleep.
Can't wait to meet everyone,
Karen Alice Cope-Levy
Todd Ayers
Todd turned the “BIG 50” April
21st! He celebrated with a drive
by parade….
Duke, Mary Catherine, and
Grace Baldridge drove by with
a sign on the back of their truck….
John & Sally Ewart drove
by and put balloons and
a sign in the yard to
honk....
Merle & Susan Ayers drove by with a sign in
their window. Susan made him a mask
made out of money….
Bill & Cheryl Poe drove by with a flag and a picture….
Mike & Ellen Urbanski drove by
for a shout out….
Andy & Liz Reel walked over to social
distance in the driveway….
Cy & Bonnie Harbourt
We are spending
time at home gar-
dening, weeding,
and doing all types
of yardwork. I
planted flowers on
Earth Day.
We miss our church friends and some of
the activities we are involved in, such as our
Koinonia group, Knit One Purl One, Pastoral
Care, and Vestry.
We spend a lot of time reading books and
doing some knitting. We have both set up
zoom accounts with our sisters, our book
club, and Bonnie’s dietetic internship
friends, who live in different states.
Although we enjoy our time at home, we
miss our friends and social activities.
Look forward to seeing everyone soon
(we hope).
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“Little Did We Know”
John Smarz
Our Sexton continues weekly
chores at Christ Church. John has
also taken this time to undertake a
few of the annual summertime
tasks. Cleaning and waxing of the
kitchen, hallway, and choir room
floors have been completed. Of
course, he is always protected with his PPE attire.
Waxing of the Parish Hall floor
is next on his list. So, you
will need to bring your
sunglasses to church once
our worship and activity
schedules resume.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, many
people in our community find themselves
facing food insecurity, along with other
effects of the crisis. To help our neighbors
in need, Feeding America Southwest Virginia (FASWVA) is our
“Feed the Hungry” recipient for the month of May. This organi-
zation, which provides over 16 million meals a year in “normal”
times, now requires more food and more ways to distribute it to
the community. Both the virus and the accompanying economic
slowdown have increased the demand and the urgency of food
insecurity. A contribution of $1 can provide six meals to hungry
children and adults.
Please make your check payable to Christ Episcopal Church,
earmark “Feed The Hungry,” and mail your donation to:
Christ Church, 1101 Franklin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
You may also donate with PayPal. Please memo, “Feed The Hungry.”
Thank you for supporting this organization. To learn more, visit
www.faswva.org.
FEED THE HUNGRY ~ MAY
Online Archives
Our “Worship Live” videos and printed Homilies
are available on our website. Please visit
www.christroanoke.org, and click “Worship Live” on the
top, right-hand side of the homepage.
Tim Shepherd continues to artistically design his
“church mouse” sketches to fit every occasion. Carol Blanding
I have planted a “victory garden”.
Last fall I took out 2 rose bushes
from the front of my house. They
were not doing well and I wanted
to replace them. I have been
composting the area all winter in
anticipation of planting peony
bushes this spring. Instead, I went to Home Depot and bought
2 bags of manure. I had everything else I needed. I planted a
row of spinach, a row of radishes, and a row of lettuce. I put
broccoli in all my flower pots. So far so good.
Condolences
To B. Ray Phanelson upon the death of his aunt, Verda Braxton. To Suzi Wright upon the death of her mother-in-law,
Becky Wright. To Sue Tyler upon the death of her son, Raymond
Harry Englerth. To Pansie Murray upon the death of her nephew, Don Willard. To Carol Blanding upon the death of family friend, Andrew
Mitchell. To Anna Moncure upon the death of her father, George
Vowles Moncure, Jr .
Christ Church Key Registry
We are in the process of updating our Building
Key Registry. If you have a key to the church,
please email Katie Gardner with your name and
the number that is listed on your key. If you had
a key and may have lost or misplaced it, please
email that information to Katie as well.
Email Katie at, [email protected].
Thank you so much for your help in updating this information.
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“Little Did We Know” Garrettson Ayers ~ James Ayers
A Note of Thanks
Your support through our fundraising efforts (car
wash, tomato pies, quiches) helped us raise enough
money for our Eagle Scout Projects! Thank you
again, and we are pleased to report that we are
now proud Eagle Scouts. - Garrettson & James Ayers
Mike & Carol O’Keefe
“If we only stayed home more. . . If we only had more time”
Well, little did we know!!!
We got off to a very strong start. Tile floors were cleaned, stripped,
sealed, and polished, closets were cleaned, office straightened: wow!
Then we discovered that we were not 16 anymore. A trip down memory
lane occurred. We had recovered Carol’s highchair from her Mom’s
basement, repaired and painted it, and now it has a place in the kitchen (Carol has her
own grown-up seat). Martha (doll’s name) can watch Carol as she tries out new recipes.
As lovers of “color therapy”, we were thrilled to have all our tree
peonies bloom. This 26-year-old tree peony with 20 blooms is one
in Mike’s collection of 15: they are his pride and joy (our grandchil-
dren are out of state). On pretty days you can find Mike outside in
the yard: mulching (11 scoops), weeding, pruning, and planting. Our
regular peonies are now beginning to bloom – feel better already!
Carol discovered a new hobby – She has started the propagation of
anthuriums – from only one plant she has these plants all over the
house (9) , both in water and planted. If you want one , let her
know.
Garrettson James
Garrettson Ayers’
Eagle Scout Project
Canoe/Kayak Kiosk
in Wasena Park
James Ayers’
Eagle Scout Project
Mill Mountain
Theatre Atelier
(repainting of 2nd floor,
common space, 2,400 sq. ft)
A special message from a
friend with terminal cancer has
had a special place on Carol’s
desk for the last 8 years. Now
the message is read daily and
is most appropriate:
“I Am Not Going to Let
Worrying about Tomorrow
and What May Happen, Rob
Me of the Joy of Today”.
A determined peony peeks
thru an azalea - our garden
telling us - “we can all get
thru this together”!
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1101 FRANKLIN ROAD, SW
ROANOKE, VA 24016-4397
PHONE: 540.343.0159; FAX: 540.342.9983
Visit Us Online- www.christroanoke.org
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ROANOKE, VA
“And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.”
--- Psalm 39:7
VESTRY OFFICERS - 2020
Virginia Sweet, Senior Warden
Don Pack, Junior Warden
Chuck Reedy, Treasurer
Jim Cromwell and Ben Bazak, Co-Receiving Treasurers
Lynn Bastian, Clerk
STAFF
The Very Revd Alexander D. MacPhail
Rector ([email protected])
Mr. H. Thomas Baugh, III
Director of Music ([email protected])
Ms. Patricia Cope-Levy
Coordinator of Christian Formation
Ms. Lynn Bastian
Parish Administrator ([email protected])
Mrs. Shana Daniel
Bookkeeper ([email protected])
Mrs. Ashleigh Fisher
Nursery Coordinator ([email protected])
Mr. John Smarz
Sexton
VESTRY MEMBERS
Duke Baldridge
Ben Bazak
Katie Gardner
Cy Harbourt
Julie Ann Hodgson
James Jennings
Marshall McMillan-Zapf
Bill Newell
Don Pack
B. Ray Phanelson
Dani Poe
Virginia Sweet