rector’s reflections: “the lake of eauty”...and love himself shall come and bend over and...

July 2018 Volume 40, Issue 7

By Ceci Duke June 14, 2018

After a brief visit to Richmond last week, I returned to several unexpected concerns which prevented my writing a Communiqué article in a timely manner. Instead of a customary reflection, I have chosen instead to share a Canticle from A New Zealand Prayer Book. As you go about your summer activities, you might find this Canticle a guide for building awareness of the goodness and imminence of our Beloved Creator.

Canticle 4, The Lake of Beauty

Edward Carpenter

Let your mind be quiet, realising the beauty of the world,

and the immense, the boundless treasures that it holds in store.

All that you have within you, all that your heart desires,

all that your Nature so specially fits you for - that or the

counterpart of it waits embedded in the great Whole, for you.

It will surely come to you.

Yet equally surely not one moment before its appointed time

will it come. All your crying and fever and reaching out of

hands will make no difference.

Therefore do not begin that game at all.

Do not recklessly spill the waters of your mind

in this direction and in that,

lest you become like a spring lost and

dissipated in the desert.

But draw them together into a little compass, and hold them

still, so still;

And let them become clear, so clear - so limpid, so mirror-like;

at last the mountains and the sky shall glass themselves in

peaceful beauty,

and the antelope shall descend to drink and to gaze at her

reflected image, and the lion to quench his thirst,

and Love himself shall come and bend over and catch his

own likeness in you.

A New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 157, Midday Prayer

Ceci +

Rector’s Reflections: “The Lake of Beauty” This Month’s Calendar Highlights

Sunday, July 8

• 9:15am—Sandwich Sunday: Lunch Prep for Church of the Common Ground (p.16)

• 12:30pm—Worship Service at Church of the Common Ground, Atlanta (p.16)

Monday, July 9

•10:00am—VBS for Norcross Co-op (p.26)

•6pm—Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Wednes-days (p.7)

Tuesday, July 10

•6pm—VBS for Norcross Co-op (p.26)

•6:30pm—Healing Hands (p.8)

Wednesday, July 11


•12:45pm—PrimeTimers Lunch; rescheduled from July 4 (p.22)


•7pm—Men’s Group Trivia Night (p.22)

Thursday, July 12

•6:30pm—Ladies Night Out (p.22)

Friday, July 13


Saturday, July 14


•7pm—Flag Retirement Ceremony led by the Scouts

Wednesday, July 18


Sunday, July 22

• 9:15am—Sandwich Sunday (p.16)

Wednesday, July 25


Thursday, July 26

•6pm—Thrift Shop Sneak-A-Peek (p.24)

Communiqué

Communiqué

is a monthly publication of

Christ Church Episcopal 400 Holcomb Bridge Rd.

Norcross, GA 30071 770-447-1166

The Rev. Cecilia B. Duke Rector

The Rev. Irma (“Mimi”) Guerra Associate Rector for Hispanic Ministry

Judy Moore, Communiqué Editor [email protected]

Deadline for submissions is the 10th of each month for the following month’s issue

© 2018 All Rights Reserved. Christ Church Episcopal, Norcross, Ga.

Godly Play® Continues on Summer Sundays

On a recent Sunday, the parable of the Good Shepherd was shared, using our sheep and Good Shepherd figurines. Many possible ideas of how the sheep get lost, are sick, and have difficulties were imagined in the minds of the children, along with ways the Good Shepherd helps them.

After the story, we explored materi-als in our rooms. After the lesson and exploration, we shared a snack in the tradition of receiving com-munion in our church.

The Godly Play approach helps children to explore their faith

through story, to gain religious lan-guage, and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play.

Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves chil-dren at three levels, covering the developmental process for children ages 3 through 5th grade.

We will be having Godly Play Sunday School through the summer, except on “Sandwich Sundays” [see Page 16 for details].

Come join us!

Adult Christian Education Opportunities in July

By Tracy Iwaskow, Adult Christian Education

Committee Chair

Sunday Mornings from 9:15-10:15

Summer series: “Reading the News-paper with the Bible,” which pro-vides a different current topic for discussion weekly. Robert Waller, Pam South, and Bob Rea rotate fa-cilitating these discussions.

The summer session will meet in Room 117 of the Education Wing each week through Aug. 6, except for the weeks set aside for Sandwich Sunday [see next column].

Sandwich Sundays

Sandwich Sundays will be July 8 and July 22. [See Page 16 for details].

Weeknight Offering First Thursdays from 7:30-9pm

Thursday, July 5—Bible On Tap: On the first Thursday of each month, The Rev. Ceci Duke gathers with folks in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, at The Crossing Restaurant in Norcross, to relax and discuss Scripture and Theology.

Photos: Greta Loeber

mailto:[email protected]

Potential Land Sale: Here’s What’s Happening Now

By Ken Boughrum for the Wise Heart Committee

“You can't always get what you want / but if you try sometime / you find

you get what you need.”

Who would have thought that Mick, Keith, and the rest of the Rolling Stones would have been so prescient with their 1969 lyrics?!

As the Wise Heart Committee (WHC) continues to explore options and generate cost estimates, we have embraced the reality that, indeed, we will not be able to get every-thing we want. We have lowered our sights from a number of grand renovations to the practical solu-tions we can afford. The good news is that we believe we will get what we need!

We want to reassure the congrega-tion that we continue to look at each relocation idea and renovation investment through the lens of growth. In other words, does it make sense to choose one elegant but more costly renovation project, or fund two smaller, more practical, projects that enhance our overall attractiveness and will potentially draw people into our congregation? These are lively discussions, to be sure!

In terms of timing, we are also learn-ing that just about everything we are working on is taking longer than initially anticipated – should not be a surprise, right? We are running as fast as we can to stay synchronized with the Developer’s timeline; here are the key activities of the Wise Heart Committee and our current timeline:

• Make recommendations to the Vestry with our best thinking regarding the amount of debt reduction and the disbursement of the net proceeds from the sale – end of June

• Present our plan to the Diocese, and gain their endorsement so that we can sign the Purchase and Sales Agreement – early July

• Review the next iteration of the Site Plan Concept – a drawing of the entire campus including: where the Developer’s buildings will be relative to our buildings, as well as things like the new entrance, shared driveway, common areas, the new location for our parking spaces, and so on – mid-July

• Present our recommendations to the congregation for feedback – mid-July

• Support the Developer’s presentation to the community for feedback – mid-July

• Support the Developer’s submission of the rezoning application – early August

• Close the deal with the Developer – 1Q 2019

• Begin church renovations – immediately after the closing

• Relocate Office and Youth Center activities – 2Q 2019

Should you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact any member of the WHC.

Photo: Courtesy of Mary Boughrum

Ken Boughrum, Chair of the Wise Heart Committee

The Wise Heart Committee

Ken Boughrum, Chair

Rita Boughrum

Elliott Brack

Ed Hurley

Bo O’Kelley

Tracey Rice

Rob Waller

Communiqué

Make Our Light Shine with Better Looking Grounds: Do you like going to a messy restaurant? I don’t. If I walk up to a business that has not cut the grass and has overgrown bushes, I wonder how well they will take care of me. When we have visitors to Christ Church, it is important that our church looks nice. They get the feeling that we care about what we have. This is part of this year’s Make Our Light Shine campaign. Having nice, welcoming grounds is a big plus when we have visitors. It reflects the fact that people here care about this place. It is our church home and we care.

Right now our grounds look better than ever, thanks to the work of many volunteers and the guidance of Rita Boughrum. So, I want to thank all those who have helped with the yard clean-up days [see the article on Page 21]. And if you haven’t, we will have more chances for you soon. ☺

Budget Notes: While we still do not have a balanced budget [see the budget report on Page 17], we are in no danger this year. Guess what? You can still help balance it. Here are just a few ways:

1. If you haven’t made your pledge, you still can.

Make Our Light Shine!

By Ben Pitman Sr. Warden

[email protected]

Photo: Tracey Rice

2. If you have made your pledge, make sure you keep current.

3. Sign up for AmazonSmile. Amazon donates a little from each of your purchases to our church. Free money.

4. And here is the absolute biggest thing you can do— grow our church by :

Inviting people here to our public events, like the Prayer Drop In last month, or the Christ Church Players (CCP) production coming up in August

Circulating postcards for our public events

Wearing your name tag every Sunday so that visitors know your name

Welcoming visitors so they come back

Helping every chance you get with events that will attract visitors

Showing up on clean-up days at the church

Coffee Hour—the Energizer: One thing that makes our church a vital and energizing place is our Coffee Hour. It runs on Sundays from 9:15-10:15am year round. If you have some time, come and get together with friends. It is a great time.

Welcome Wagon®: On June 15, we got our first list of families who have recently bought a home in one of three of the ZIP Codes that serve our church—84 names!!! We sent out a letter to each of the families inviting them to visit us. So, when you see new people here, please introduce yourselves. Ask them how they heard about us, what they do, and why they decided to visit us. Show them around. Do everything you can to welcome them to our family. This is the easiest way to help grow our church.

“Make Our Light Shine” opportuni-ties: Here are some events coming soon where you could invite people and make our light shine even more.

• Bible on Tap at the The Crossing Restaurant on the first Thursday each month, for people in their 20s, 30s, & 40s (see p.2)

• Men’s Group Tavern Trivia night on the second Wednesday of the month (see p.22)

• Ladies Night Out on the second Thursday of the month (see p.22)

• Of course, any regular Sunday service

• CCP production, Smoke on the Mountain, Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 (tickets now on sale!)

Cheers, Ben

This Month’s Chuckle


By Walt Thompson Communications Forum Chair

In the last two issues of Communiqué

(available online at www.ccnorcross.org),

we have shared the initial founding of

Christ Church and its beginning years in

the 1980s. With initial funding secured,

new staff hired, and over 300 average

Sunday attendance, the future looked

very promising for the church. An ex-

citing future lay ahead for the 1990s.

The decade began with a new Outreach

opportunity. In 1991, The Rev. Joel

Hudson and member Josh Costell

wanted to find a way to help the com-

munity and galvanize the church. So

Costell made a $25,000 donation in the

name of his mother, Ida, to begin a

program to serve the homeless. The

Georgia Power Company offered a

condemned house to the church at a

dollar-per-year rent. Rainbow House,

as this project was named originally,

was to offer shelter for an extended

period to one or two families in trouble

financially or socially. Health care,

education, vocational assistance, finan-

cial counseling, and spiritual growth

would all be part of the partnership

with the families. The church donated

an additional $10,000 and labor.

A combination of contractors, with

help from congregation members led

by John Gaynor, refurbished the house.

Two apartments were created and

furnished. On March 1, 1991, The Rev.

Doug Hahn became the first Director of

Rainbow House. By 1993, the program

had graduated four families and had

four more in process. In addition to the

original house, a second home was

rented and furnished.

Mary Webster, a longtime member

of Christ Church, died in 1991 and

bequeathed her home to the

church. The house was later sold to

a Christ Church family for $250,000,

which funded some capital improve-

ments, including cushions for the

pews, a new organ, stained glass

windows, and beginning a church

library. The balance of funds would

be kept for future capital needs.

Staff underwent many changes dur-

ing this time also. The Rev. JoAnn

Smith came in as Assistant to the

Rector. In October 1992, The Rev.

Joel Hudson retired from his govern-

ment job and became the full-time

Rector of Christ Church. In 1993,

Doug Hahn resigned from Rainbow

House, and Nancy Yancey, a Christ

Church member, became the new

Director.

In July 1993, a long-awaited oppor-

tunity arose when the house directly

behind the church parking lot went

on sale. The church bought it and it

became the new Church Office,

while also expanding the number of

badly needed parking spaces. The

old offices in the church became

classrooms.

The year 1994 opened with more

sustained growth for the church.

Two major program additions were

brought into effect this year. Begin-

ning in the fall of 1993, Joel and a

team of experts from the congrega-

tion began an ambitious series of

Leadership classes. The program

was named Advancing Authentic

Leadership, and was led by a team

of church members involved in

(Continued on Page 6)

Celebrate Our 40th Anniversary (Part Three)!

Photo: Courtesy of Walt Thompson

Walt Thompson,

Communications

Forum Chair

http://www.ccnorcross.org

Communiqué

Celebrate Our 40th Anniversary (Part Three)!

Also in 1996, The Rev. Hudson

announced that we were getting a

new Associate Rector. The Rev.

Andrew Frearson, a priest in the

Church of England, would be joining

us early in 1996. After some weeks

of delays — some of which were

caused by record snowfalls in

England — he arrived and was

pleasantly surprised at the housing

and furniture awaiting him and his

wife, Leslie.

A new use for Rainbow Village

housing came in February 1996

when a seven-member family from

war-torn Bosnia arrived and settled

in. In addition to the usual problems,

this family had to learn the language

and acclimate. So, a special team of

committed church members, led by

Roy Collins, undertook the challenge

offering them jobs and settling into

this country. Alison Schultz resigned

after five years as Director of Chris-

tian Education this year, and Carolyn

Collins succeeded her.

The Vestry had for some time been

debating the knotty problem of the

church’s success. The 1990s had

seen an average growth of 12% a

year and our little building was

bulging at the seams; both the Nave

and the church school did not have

enough rooms. The existing location

offered little in the way of additional

space. The old policy of the Vestry —

to point newcomers toward a mis-

sion church somewhere else — was

not working. If people saw some-

thing they liked here in Norcross,

they wanted to be a part of that

organization. In 1996, the decision

was made to start a Building Fund

drive. The drive culminated in

December with two banquets,

identifying potential needs for

funding.

In 1997, the congregation obligated

itself to three-year pledges, to over

$1,070,000. This represented 163

families giving 2.8 times the normal

pledge, an outstanding effort by any

standard. A Long-Range Planning

Committee set to work in earnest

to find a new site close by for the

church to acquire, and lay plans for

the major move of the parish.

“Tip of the Month: Don’t be afraid

of pressure. Remember that pressure

is what turns a lump of coal into a

diamond.” — The Rev. Joel Hudson,

Communiqué, December 1997

To be continued next month…]

(Continued from Page 5)

leadership development within their

respective careers. They developed

the curriculum for the 27-week

program. Classes met once a week

for an hour-and-a-half from October

through May. Joel estimated that he

had invested more hours of his time

in the planning and teaching of this

class than in any single project since

he had been at Christ Church.

The marked difference in emphasis

in this leadership class from those

presented in business, industry,

and government was an emphasis

on an inward journey to self-

understanding, Servant Leadership,

and the importance of under-

standing the vision that guides

us in making everyday decisions.

In October, the Daughters of the

King instituted a chapter at Christ

Church; this spiritual order for lay-

women found a niche in the congre-

gation and is still active and growing.

The Georgia Power Company was so

impressed with success of Rainbow

House that they added a third house

to the project. It was renovated, fur-

nished, and occupied in June 1993.

As a result, in September, it became

Rainbow Village, Inc. More than just

a name change, this new entity be-

came an official not-for-profit organ-

ization and began soliciting outside

grants and funding from govern-

ment entitles, foundations, corpora-

tions, and neighboring churches.

Georgia Power responded with

offers of five more houses in the

same neighborhood. Most of these

were occupied by early 1996.

Photo: www.rainbowvillage.org

The original “Rainbow House”

of Christ Church in 1991

By Karen Bass, Director of Christian

Education for Children & Youth [email protected]

Wonderful Wednesdays are off to a rollicking start! For all of Christ Church’s children, grandchildren, and friends, these Wednesday nights are a chance to share the stories of the Old Testament and live into the experience through fun and creativity.

As of this writing, we have explored the stories of Creation and Genesis. To describe the days of Creation, we made Primordial Slime (Day 1), had water races and played squirt bottle tag (Day 2), ate dirt – which was really chocolate pudding with Oreo crumbles and gummy worms (Day 3), made a group collage of day and night (Day 4), painted paper bag fish (Day 5), played animal charades (Day 6), and then we sent everyone home to rest (Day 7).

For the story of Noah, we of course, played in the rain! We pulled out the Slip 'N Slides, and God provided the water! For our snack we had rainbow popsicles and animal crackers – what

else?! To represent the rainbow, we painted our feet with ROYGBIV [red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet] and walked across long pieces of paper.

Our next adventures will include the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Moses, and finally, Joshua.

Join us on three more Wednesdays in in July from 6-7:30pm as we explore the Old Testament through storytell-ing, art, play, and fabulous fun – all with a Biblical twist. The dates are:

July 11, July 18, July 25

We might get messy, wet, or messy and wet, so wear something that can be easily washed. We will have a snack, but not supper, so please eat before you come. Parents can drop off, or stay and play with us! Please bring $5, if possible, to help with the cost of supplies.

It’s not too late to sign up! Just click here and let us know you plan to join!

Volunteer to help with games, art, stories, and just have fun! Volunteer for one Wednesday, or every Wednesday—whatever your sched-ule will allow. Click here to volunteer!

Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Wednesdays

Photo: Tracey Rice

Karen Bass

Photos:

www.facebook.com/

ChristChurchEpiscopalNorcross

mailto:[email protected]://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-wildhttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-volunteer

Communiqué

By Sharon Pitman

My friend Judy and her husband, Jim, have “bucket lists.” We get a card from them every Christmas with a picture of their latest accom-plishment. These friends motivated Ben and me to create our own buck-et lists. What do we want to accom-plish during the rest of our lives? What do you want to accomplish during the rest of your life?

For the last five years we’ve been busy crossing accomplishments off our bucket lists. One year I rode a horse. Once was enough. We’ve been traveling more, visiting beautiful gardens and other inter-esting places. One item had been on my list for a long time ̶ I wanted to see the tulips in Holland while they were blooming. Ben and I decided to combine a visit to Keukendorf Gardens in Amsterdam with a river cruise down the Rhine River.

Our river cruise turned out to be the best part of our adventure and another first to cross off my list. We met several wonderful people including Tony, a British Anglican priest. Tony and Ben shared the same sense of humor, frequently entertaining the rest of the ship with their antics. If you know Ben, try to imagine two of them, feeding off each other. It was ̶ something.

Tony asked Ben and me to witness a couple of folks renewing their wedding vows aboard our ship. We were invited to share in Colleen and Paul’s joyful celebration, toasting them with champagne. Colleen had recently completed treatment for cancer and was still quite weak. I pulled a prayer cloth out of my purse for her. I presented it to Colleen as a little wedding present ̶ my segue to discussing healing prayer with her. Colleen invited me to lay hands on her and pray for the return of her health.

Healing Hands: Blooming Where You’re Planted

I prayed as I believed God was leading me to pray. It felt like a divine appointment, definitely not something I expected on our adventure.

Our river cruise finished in Amster-dam and concluded with a trip to Keukendorf Gardens. Such magnificent tulips! So many varieties, all blooming magnificently where they were planted. These gardens are only open eight weeks a year. At the end of eight weeks all the tulips so beautifully displayed for guests are destroyed. Destroyed. Thousands of them gone after such a short time.

The tulips made me think about what a short time we all have on this planet and how important it is to bloom where we’re planted. Bucket lists encourage us to do that. What’s on your bucket list?

Our Healing Prayer Team

Want to learn more about healing prayer? We have a chapter of the Order of St. Luke (OSL), called Heal-ing Hands. Our healing prayer team is available to pray for you:

• In the Parlor during Holy Communion, and after announcements, at the 10:30am service each week

• In the Parlor during Holy Communion, and after announcements, at the 8am service on the second Sunday of the month

• At our meetings in Room 107 of the Education Wing at 6:30-8pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the month

• Other times and places by request

Photo: Tracey Rice

Sharon Pitman

Photo: Courtesy of Sharon Pitman

Sharon, second from right, is shown signing as a witness to the Renewal of Wedding Vows by shipmates Colleen and Paul

Photo: Courtesy of Sharon Pitman

Sharon at Keukendorf Gardens in Amsterdam

medical care, and also advocate for them with the ultimate goal of elimi-nating suffering caused by poverty. These are all caring acts of charity.

I am proud to be part of such a church. Yet, after many years of doing this work, some wonder, “Why don’t those people come to worship?”

In addition to doing “to” or “for” those people, what if we approached outreach through the lens of Luke 10:1-12? This is where Jesus sends out 70 disciples into towns and villages.

When I was a teenager, one of my favorite Methodist ministers, The Rev. J.B. McNeil, would go to the pool halls and other “outrageous” places and hang out with people there. Some members of the congre-gation chided him for that. He just said, “You already come to church and know Jesus. They don’t, so I go to them.”

We are also doing that now through showing up at the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and letting people know we are HERE; offering Bible On Tap at The Crossing Restaurant; inviting non-members to join the Men’s Group Trivia Night; and I am sure there are other ways.

Let’s keep going to them, learning their names, and making it personal.

With appreciation and love,

Betsy

Third Quarter of 2018: Stewardship of Outreach

By Betsy Corley Pickren, Chair, on behalf of Brook Sizemore,

Co-Chair, and all the members of the Stewardship Commission

We have been the Church Gathered; we are now the Church Dispersed. Remember, wherever you go, Christ goes. Whatever you do, Christ does. If someone asks what your church is like, tell them “I am what my church is like.” If some-one asks what your church does, tell them “My church does what I do.” Remember, you may well be the only authentic contact someone has with Jesus Christ because they will not come to church but you can bring the church to them. —Attributed to former U.S. Sen-ate Chaplain Richard Halverson

So, as always, outreach returns to each of us individually, as well as to the ministries we serve through Christ Church: Thrift Shop, Rainbow Village, Norcross Co-op, Haiti Mission, sandwiches for Emmaus House, and others. This is Stewardship In Action.

Christ Church Episcopal, Norcross, has a history of amazing outreach. We are a designated Jubilee Center. That means we have committed our-selves to “be a ministry of joint disci-pleship in Christ with poor and oppressed people, wherever they are found, to meet basic human needs, and to build a just society.”

Practically speaking, these ministries provide direct service to the poor, including food, clothing, shelter, and

Photo: Nina P. Kozlova

Betsy Corley Pickren

STEWARDSHIP:

Everything we do

after we say,

“I believe.”

Communiqué

Stewardship TNT — Time and Talent

By Dwalu Tay with Mary Ann Fair

I have been a member of Christ Church Episcopal for eight years. I was blessed to be confirmed by the late Episcopal Bishop of Mississippi, Duncan Gray Jr. [His life and ministry were dedicated to bringing reconcilia-tion, equality, and justice for all races in Mississippi during the civil rights movement. He was the Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford, MS in the fall of 1962, when James Meredith integrated the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). When riots broke out on the campus, two people were killed, and The Rev. Gray Jr. was beaten while attempting to calm the crowd. He continued to speak out about equality and justice throughout his life, supported the revision of the1928 Book of Common Prayer, and the ordination of women.]

By the way, I was born and raised in Liberia, a West African country, and many of my family members still live in Liberia; I have a sister in Snellville, Ga., and my other sister and mother live in Mississippi.

I came to the United States and attended the University of Houston, Texas, where I graduated with a degree in Computer Information. I have worked in Information Tech-nology with several companies, and recently began a new full-time job.

When I moved to Gwinnett County, I wanted to increase my faith in Jesus’ name, just as Bishop Gray Jr., so I looked for an Episcopal Church. That is when I found Christ Church.

I got involved in volunteering because, as you know, volunteering is a good thing and it helps me grow in my faith. At Christ Church Episcopal, I work on the grounds during parish

This monthly feature highlights those who give generously in so many ways to make this church function on myriad levels.

To nominate someone for this column, email [email protected].

clean-up activities, which are held at least twice a year. I also assist with cleaning duties when we have vari-ous activities in the Christ Church Parish Hall. About three years ago, I sang in the choir during the summer. When I am not working or volun-teering, I like to read the Bible and exercise.

One Sunday morning in the Men’s Bible Group, we discussed different ways to volunteer. So, one after-noon, I drove to Norcross Coopera-tive Ministry (NCM) office and asked questions on how I could volunteer. I first learned the duties of an intake worker, and how the intake process works to distribute food. Today, I know how to lead others to be suc-cessful in managing intake processes of distributing food to clients. I also help with receiving and storing food and other items that are donated from many individuals, churches, and other sources.

After hearing the announcement one Sunday morning that the Christ Church Thrift Shop needed volunteers, I prayed, and the next volunteering duty that came to my heart was the Thrift Shop. I assist customers at the checkout table, put tagged clothing on the racks, and take boxes of out-of-season merchandise to the storage area.

In 2017, I began recording sermons and managing the sound system at Christ Church on Sunday mornings and for special programs. The recorded and written sermons can be found on the Christ Church web-site: www.ccnorcross.org.

I enjoy being involved with all these volunteer activities because it’s the right thing to do in serving God, church, and community.

Photo: Bruce Halliburton

Dwalu Tay

mailto:[email protected]://www.ccnorcross.org

News from the Hispanic Community

By The Rev. Mimi Guerra Associate Rector for

Hispanic Ministry

MONTHLY CELEBRATIONS

On June 3 we had a blast on our birth-days and anniversaries celebration; our community enjoys this time to be to-gether, and at the same time learn more about the Gospel. At this time, we were talking about “Love” and we mentioned something about our Pre-siding Bishop Michael Curry’s sermon at the Royal wedding, “If love is the way.” One of our kids, before our “LOTERIA” bingo game, came to ask if he could separate one of the gifts for when he won. His interest in that par-ticular gift caught my attention and I decided to ask. The gift was a book bag full of school supplies. So, this is what happened:

Me: Why do you want to win this book bag?

Child: Sorry! I shouldn’t ask for that, right?

Me: Oh yes! You can, why shouldn’t you?

Child: Because my Mom will be mad with me if she knows about it, and I’m supposed to wait until I win.

Me: No worries, we will keep the secret.

Child: Okay, because I want to be pre-pared to when we go back to school. See, we have not much money and that way my Mom doesn’t have to worry about it, so she will have a little more for my other siblings.

Me: Oh, no! you don’t need to wait until you win. (And I gave him the book bag and he gave me a big smile).

When love is the way — unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive — when love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again. When

love is the way, there’s plenty good room, plenty good room for all of God’s children. (Bishop’s Curry’s Royal wed-ding sermon.)

God’s love fills the immensity of space; therefore, there is no shortage of love in the universe, only in our willingness to do what is needed to feel it. To do this, Jesus explained we must “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, … soul, … strength, and … mind; and thy neigh-bor as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

Let us pray…

LADIES GROUP LED BY DEISY CASTELLANOS

Our ladies group is getting bigger. We had a wonderful time, enjoying meals, music, conversations, but especially our stories, because your story is God’s story. By getting to know one another, we are helping each other. This is a great way to meet new members in our community, and invite more to come join us.

FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEART TO A SERVANT OF THE LORD

Sometimes we forget to mention the people behind the scenes. Today I want to talk about a person who has taken the name of disciple to the top of our Hispanic Community. In the year 2000, the Hispanic Community started in this parish, Father Isaías Rodriguez was at that time the Hispanic Parish priest, but from that first day, and until today, this person is there among the people, helping, loving, giving classes of cate-

chism, attending calls, with one priest and with another. Her faith is so great that for her, the change of priest, or changes in general to her, does not affect her in the least; on the contrary, her faith has been magnified.

On my first day as a transitional dea-con, someone gave me a sincere smile, a fraternal hug, a talk from the heart. It is a great pride to have peo-ple of this quality, very few these days, and I want to say thank you for all your support, for all you do for our people, for our children, for our fami-lies. And despite all the setbacks she stands firm in his faith. It is a great pride for our community to dedicate a little space here to our great warrior, and faithful daughter of God, MELIDA (“MELLIE”) FITTEN, and we place in the hands of God your life, that our Lord Jesus Christ will fill you with peace and blessings forever.

ENGLISH CLASSES

There are around 15 members of our Hispanic Community who are very interested in a English Classes (ESOL), and we are asking to spread the word so many more can sign up. If you want to sign up, please stop by after the service and ask for our leaders: Mellie Fitten or Deisy Castellanos.

THE FIRST COMMUNION

Today, June 10, the First Communion classes ended, led by our always


Photo: Mimi Guerra

Melida (“Mellie”) Fitten

Photo: Letty Guevara-Cuence

The Rev. Mimi Guerra

Communiqué

Por la Reverenda Mimi Guerra Rector asociado para Ministerios Hispanos

CELEBRACIONES MENSUALES

El 3 de junio estuvimos muy bendeci-dos con nuestras celebraciones de cumpleaños y aniversarios, nuestra comunidad disfruta mucho este tiem-po unidos, y al mismo tiempo apren-demos sobre el Evangelio. Esta vez estuvimos hablando acerca del “Amor” y mencionamos algo acerca del sermón de nuestro obispo presi-dente Michael Curry en las bodas reales “Si el amor es el camino” y uno de nuestros niños antes de empezar nuestro juego de “LOTERIA” vino a preguntar si podía separar uno de los premios para cuando ganara, su inte-rés en ese premio en particular me llamó mucho la atención y decidí pre-guntar. El premio era una mochila con útiles escolares. Así que, ésto es lo que pasó:

Yo: ¿Por qué quieres ganarte esa mo-chila? Niño: Perdón, no debería haber dicho eso ¿verdad? Yo: Claro que sí, tú puedes, ¿por qué no? Niño: Porque mi Mamá se va a enojar conmigo si se entera, y debería espe-rar hasta que gane. Yo: No te preocupes, mantendremos el secreto Niño: Pues porque quiero estar pre-parado para cuando regrese a la es-cuela. Mira, no tenemos dinero y de esa manera mi Mamá no se preocu-pará por eso, así ella tiene un poco de dinero para mis otros hermanos. Yo: O No, no tienes que esperar hasta que ganes. (Y le di la mochila y él me regaló una gran sonrisa)

Cuando el amor es el camino, desinte-resado, sacrificado, redentor, cuando el amor es el camino, ningún niño vol-verá a la cama con hambre en este mundo nunca más. Cuando el amor es

el camino, hay mucho espacio bueno, mucho espacio bueno para todos los hijos de Dios. (El sermón del obispo Cu-rry en la boda real).

El amor de Dios llena la inmensidad de espacio; por lo tanto, no hay escasez de amor en el universo, sólo en nuestra voluntad de hacer lo necesario para sen-tirlo. Para hacer ésto, Jesús explicó que debemos "amar al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, ... alma, ... fortaleza, y ... mente; y tu prójimo como a ti mis-mo "(Lucas 10:27).

Oremos…

GRUPO DE MUJERES DIRIGIDAS POR DEISY CASTELLANOS

Nuestro grupo de mujeres ha estado creciendo, hemos pasado un tiempo hermoso, disfrutando comidas, música, conversaciones, pero especialmente nuestras historias, porque su historia es la historia de Dios. Porque conociéndo-nos el uno al otro, nos ayudamos mu-tuamente. Este es una buena forma de conocer nuevos miembros en nuestra comunidad, y extendemos una invita-ción a todos para que venga y disfruten con nosotros.

DESDE EL FONDO DE NUESTRO CORA-ZON PARA UNA SIERVA DEL SEÑOR

A veces nos olvidamos de mencionar a las personas detrás de las cámaras, y hoy quiero hablar de una persona que ha llevado el nombre de discípulo en lo alto de nuestra comunidad hispana. En el año 2000 la comunidad hispana inició en ésta parroquia, el Padre Isaías era en aquel entonces el párroco hispano, pero desde ese primer día, y hasta el día de hoy, por ahí entre la gente, ayudando, amando, dando clases de catecismo, atendiendo llamadas, con un sacerdote y con otro, con gente de antes y nueva, su fe es tan grande que para ella los cambios en general no le han afectado en lo más mínimo, al contrario su fe se ha engrandecido.

Noticas de la Comunidad Hispana

En mi primer día como diácono transi-cional, alguien me brindó una sonrisa sincera, un abrazo fraternal, una pláti-ca desde el corazón. Es un gran orgu-llo contar con personas de ésta cali-dad, muy pocos en estos días, y quiero darle gracias por todo su apoyo, por todo lo que hace por nuestro pueblo, por nuestros niños, por nuestra gente, y que a pesar de tanto contratiempo se mantiene firme en su fe. Es un gran orgullo para nuestra comunidad dedi-carle un poquito de éste espacio a nuestra gran guerrera, y fiel hija del Señor MELIDA FITTEN, y ponemos en las manos de Dios su vida, que nues-tro Señor Jesucristo le llene de paz y bendición por siempre.

CLASES DE INGLES

Ya tenemos alrededor de 15 miem-

bros de nuestra comunidad interesa-

dos en tomar clases de inglés como

segunda lengua (ESOL), estamos ha-

ciendo un llamado para que vengan y

se inscriban. Si gusta anotarse, por

favor venga después de misa y pre-

gunte por nuestros líderes: Mellie

Fitten o Deisy Castellanos.

LA PRIMERA COMUNIÓN

Hoy 10 de junio culminaron las cla-ses de Primera Comunión, dirigidas por nuestra siempre fiel servidora Melida Fitten y su ayudante Yamileth Silva. Clases en las cuales los candidatos a la primera comu-nión aprenden el significado de lo que es el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo, se les hace mención de la “Ultima Cena” y se les enseña lo importante de la Crucifixión de Cristo, aprenden acerca de los sacramentos, y de la vida que un buen cristiano debe llevar.

Los candidatos que recibieron por primera vez la Santa Comunión son:

(Continúa en la página 14)

News from the Hispanic Community


faithful servant Melida Fitten and her assistant, Yamileth Silva; classes in which the candidates for the First Communion learn the meaning of what the Body and Blood of Christ is, they are taught of the Last Supper and they learn about the importance of the Crucifixion of Christ, about the sacraments, and the life that a good Christian should lead.

The candidates who received Holy Communion for the first time are:

(Continúa de la página 13)

Brian Gonzalez, Jade Gonzalez, Jaylen Gonzalez, Alexandra Osorio, Jose Luis Osorio, Edwin A. Vasquez Ruiz, Dante Josue Pinelo Saloma, Jose Sabanilla Saloma, Catherine Osorio Sanchez, y Brandon Dionisio-Torrres.

Noticas de la Comunidad Hispana

Brian Gonzalez, Jade Gonzalez, Jaylen Gonzalez, Alexandra Osorio, Jose Luis Osorio, Edwin A. Vasquez Ruiz, Dante Josue Pinelo Saloma, Jose Sabanilla Saloma, Catherine Osorio Sanchez, and Brandon Dionisio-Torrres.

The next First Communion class will begin in September. If you need infor-mation come to the 1pm Mass and ask for Mellie.

La próxima clase de Primera Comu-nión empezara en septiembre. Si necesita información venga a la misa de la 1:00 pm y pregunte por Mellie.

Photo: Nicki DeVillier

Photo: Mimi Guerra

Photo: Mimi Guerra Photo: Nicki DeVillier

Communiqué

Mimi’s Ordination to the Priesthood

By Judy Moore, Editor

The Rev. Irma (“Mimi”) Nohemi Guerra, who has been serving as our Transitional Deacon, was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 23, at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta.

Mimi became our full-time Associate Rector for Hispanic Ministry, effec-tive July 1. She will provide leader-ship in Liturgy, Christian Education, Pastoral Care, and Outreach for the parish, with particular focus on the Spanish-speaking members.

Mimi was one of the very first two “home-grown” Hispanic priests to be ordained in the Diocese of Atlanta, having graduated from seminary in 2016 at the Centro de Educación Teológica para Latinos (CETLA), the Diocese’s Theological Education Center for Latinos.

A total of 47 people from Mimi’s Hispanic and Anglo Christ Church family, along with many family and friends, were present to experience the beauty and reverence of this solemn and joyous occasion, and to gratefully and proudly support her new ministry.

Mimi’s presenters for Holy Orders were our Rector, The Rev. Ceci Duke; Deacon Nora Cruz-Díaz, for-mer Deacon at Christ Church, and one of Mimi’s instructors at CETLA; Melida “Mellie” Fitten of Christ Church, who attended CETLA with Mimi and also graduated in 2016; and The Rev. Ramón Betances, Rector at Iglesia del Buen Pastor in Austell, and also one of Mimi’s instructors at CETLA.

The next day, Sunday, June 24, Mimi not only celebrated her first Eucharists as an ordained priest, she also preached at all three services. She was honored at two receptions, one after the 10:30am service, and the second after the 1pm service. The parish presented to her a gift of

an oil stock to use when she visits and anoints the sick, and, because she will have many needs at the start of her ministry, there was a monetary gift from parishioners as well.

Ceci says, “Mimi’s warmth and easy engagement with people reflect her heart for ordained ministry. Her life experiences, her ability to converse in two languages, and her desire to learn and grow are assets in which Christ Church is sure to benefit. I am grateful for her life and ministry. She was worth the wait.”

Mimi wants us all to know:

The road has not been easy, but it has been rewarded with the love of God that I have found in each of the members of Christ Church. I always knew that God would show me the way, and at the moment of reflecting on this verse: And I heard the voice of the Lord who said: whom will I send and who will go for us? Then he answered: Here I am, send me. send me ... (Isaiah 6: 8), I have understood that the Lord has sent me here, where the Spirit of God flows, his presence is felt, and the face of Christ is reflected in the eyes of each one of you. Thank you, Christ Church, for giving me the most loving and sincere smiles, the most warming arms, the most beautiful welcome, and for all of your support and the awesome celebrations.

I was shocked when I saw so many of you in the most special day of my life, my ordination. My family is so happy to see how beautiful you are, and they said that you all are the reflection of God’s love.

There’s no doubt that Jesus loves you and that I love you in His name.


Diocesan Photo: Letty Guevara-Cuence

Bishop Robert Wright and The Rev. Mimi Guerra

Diocesan Photo: Don Plummer

Mimi’s presenters for Holy Orders (L-R) The Rev. Ramón Betances, Melida “Mellie” Fitten, Deacon Nora Cruz-Díaz,

and The Rev. Ceci Duke

Diocesan Photo: Don Plummer

Some of those from Christ Church who were present to support Mimi


Mimi both preached and celebrated Holy Eucharist at all three services on

the day following her ordination


Mimi is a native of Mexico who moved to the United States in 1994. She has been an educator for 30 years. Prior to her ordination, she was a Spanish teacher with Douglas County Schools. Mimi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish in 1989 from the University of Victoria (Victoria, British Columbia). She earned a CPA at Kennesaw State University for Early Childhood Education in 2002. She has also com-pleted English classes at the Cobb County Adult Education Center. In 2016, she finished seminary at the Centro de Educación Teológica para Latinos (CETLA), the Diocese’s Theo-logical Education Center for Latinos.

Mimi’s Ordination to the Priesthood

As a child, Guerra aspired to be a nun, but her father encouraged her to become a teacher. However, she never gave up on her dreams of working in the church, and in addition to her previous work in a middle-school classroom, she devotes time and energy to helping people build a closer relationship with God.

Mimi is the proud mother of one son, Henry Antonio Hunt, age 19. She loves spending time with her family and helping people in need.

General Convention of The Episcopal Church

By Judy Moore, Editor

The 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church convenes in Austin, Texas, from July 5-13. Gen-eral Convention, which meets every three years, is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. We are a hier-archical denomination, as opposed to congregational, and our overall structure requires nearly every major decision in The Episcopal Church to have the agreement of bishops, priests, and lay persons.

General Convention consists of the House of Bishops, composed of all our Bishops, and the House of Depu-ties, composed of up to four clergy and four lay, elected from each of our 111 dioceses that are in 17 countries. There are more than 800 members in the House of Deputies.

Bishops Rob Wright and Don Wimberly are representing our Diocese in the House of Bishops, while eight elected clergy and lay-people from the Diocese are our delegates to the House of Deputies. (There are also Atlanta Episcopalians staffing Exhibit Hall booths, volun-teering, and visiting.)

A favorite description of General Convention is that it can be divided among three equal parts: “part na-tional (or churchwide) legislature session, part local county fair, and part huge family reunion.”

Visit the information portal at www.generalconvention.org. Use the "Virtual Binder” for access to everything Deputies and Bishops can view.


Mimi, preaching on her first Sunday as an ordained priest

Follow our Diocesan delegates at connecting.episcopalatlanta.org/

79th-general-convention

Read Mimi’s powerful personal story in her June 24 sermon,

her first sermon delivered as a priest, titled “Are you in the

Middle of a Storm?”

She says, “It is necessary to tell our story, because our story is

the Lord’s story.”

www.ccnorcross.org/sermons/

http://www.generalconvention.orgconnecting.episcopalatlanta.org/79th-general-conventionconnecting.episcopalatlanta.org/79th-general-conventionhttp://www.ccnorcross.org/sermons/

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Lunch Prep on July 8 “Sandwich Sunday” for Church of the Common Ground



On Sunday, July 8, Christ Church will be the sponsoring parish for Church of the Common Ground, a church community on the streets of Atlanta providing for the pastoral and spiritual needs of the women, men, and youth who live on the margins of our city.

Our commitment is to make 65 lunches during our “Sandwich Sun-day” on July 8, and then we are in-vited to attend a 12:30pm Coffee Hour to meet and enjoy fellowship with the congregation, participate in the adapted liturgy of the service, and distribute lunches as the con-gregation leaves. (Because of City of Atlanta laws regarding park usage, we are asked to keep our group to 10-15 guests.) We need volunteers to provide lunch supplies, prepare the lunches during the Education Hour from 9:15am–10:15am, and attend the service.

A worshiping community of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, they are like any other church—they just don’t have a building. They worship in or near Woodruff Park in down-town Atlanta every Sunday. They are people who believe faith, fellowship, and a cup of coffee can change lives, and seek to walk in God’s love, and

to be a living witness of love and compassion to others.

People of all faith backgrounds are welcome at this church, as well as those who seek a new connection to faith. The core congregation membership is 60 to 70 people, but annually, approximately 9,800 people worship, pray, and share fel-lowship with one another at Church of the Common Ground’s services and programs. The programs include a Weekly Bible Study, Morning Prayer on Monday and Wednesday, volunteering at Common Soles Clinic, helping with a Habitat for Humanity Build, parish retreats, and participation in the annual Requiem for the Homeless held at The Cathedral of St. Phillip.

Through my ministry experiences, I have worshipped with many home-less communities. Like any new cultural experience, there is a bit of trepidation at first. But I have found the hesitation to be incredibly short-lived as we learn from one another and ultimately realize that our simi-larities far outweigh our differences. The truth is that homelessness, like many of life’s circumstances, hap-pens to people in a variety of ways. There is no one story – each one is as unique as the individual telling it. I have met people whose faith has been tested and honed far more than mine, and in sharing their life

experience have blessed me well beyond the single lunch I felt I was so magnanimously providing.

I hope the Christ Church parish will embrace the opportunity to experi-ence the Kingdom on the street. Families are welcome, and I can say truly, as a parent, there will never ever be a first-place medal, a perfect report card, or a competition victory that can hold a candle to the inexplicable, overwhelming joy I experienced the first time I witnessed one of my own children walk up to a homeless man, offer him a cup of hot coffee, and carry on a conversation.

To sign up to bring sandwich supplies, or to deliver and attend the service, go to www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-lunches

For more information about Church of the Common Ground, go to www.churchofthecommonground.org.

Final Summer “Sandwich Sunday” is on July 22



“Because hunger doesn’t take the summer off.”

Mark your calendars for the last of our Summer Sandwich Sundays, during

the Education Hour from 9:15-10:15am on Sunday, July 22. All ages are welcome to make sandwiches assembly-line style, which will be donated to Emmaus House, a ministry grounded in the Episcopal tradition, providing education, opportunity, assistance, and advocacy for the Peo-plestown Community in south Atlanta.

We will need donations of sandwich items and volunteers to help deliver. There is a SignUpGenius online so we know who is bringing what. Go to www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-supplies to sign up for sandwich-making supplies, or contact me.

Diocesan Photo: Bill Monk

mailto:[email protected]://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-luncheshttp://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-luncheshttp://www.churchofthecommonground.orgmailto:[email protected]://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-supplieshttp://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-supplies

CCE 2018 General Operating Fund Announcement

substantial larger operating loss at these expenditure levels. CCE is at a heightened level of risk when we rely on unpredictable one-time gifts to fund ongoing operating expenditures.

Over the last three years, we have averaged $89K in yearly one-time gifts. The amount from year-to-year has varied materially; there have been years, however, where we have received none. We have also counted on such one-time gifts to fund non-recurring needs, such as facility repairs and other projects, via the Vestry Designated Fund, so to the extent we use them to fund ongoing operating expenditures, we will have a reduced amount of funds available for such non-recurring needs.

The good news is we finished 2017 with a surplus of $88K, which was moved into the Vestry Designated Fund. This money is available to help offset the budget deficit for 2018. Of course, there are always other needs that these funds could be used for if they weren’t needed for the deficit.

Please contact any member of the Vestry, Finance Committee, the Finance Committee Chair (Ed Hurley) or me with any questions you have on the budget.


Debra Root, Treasurer

As announced, an information session open to all parishioners was held on June 17 to review and discuss the 2018 Vestry-approved budget.

The Vestry approved the 2018 General Operating budget at their April meeting. Many thanks to the Finance Committee who worked to prepare the budget for the Vestry’s consideration. CCE Finance Com-mittee members include Richard Becker, Elliott Brack, Lawrence Bond, Gail Davis, Ed Fair, Deborah Fuller, Daphne Gary, Mary Halliburton (Vestry liaison), Debra Root (Treasurer), Rick Waxweiler, and Ed Hurley (Chair).

To date, the 2018 pledges received are $43K below pledges received in 2017, an 8% decline. We are seeing an increase in long-term pledging families now contributing via Non-pledged Contributions instead of Pledged Contributions. Non-pledged Contributions are difficult to know whether they can be counted on for the entire year or just on occasion. This makes the budgeting process a little more challenging.

This budget reflects a deficit of $48K. In addition, we have also included $70K in one-time gifts in this budget. Without one-time gifts, we would obviously generate a

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2018 General Operating Fund Budget Summary (Continued from Page 17)

2015 2016 2017 2018

Actual Actual Actual Approved

YTD YTD YTD Budget

REVENUES

GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTIONS

Pledged Receipts $583,363 $594,871 $558,407 $489,885

Non-Pledged Receipts $54,468 $68,028 $70,827 $106,209

Loose Plate $18,075 $18,035 $17,806 $17,500

One-Time Gift Income $85,121 $76,184 $106,162 $70,000

Diocesan Supplement (Hispanic) $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000

TOTAL GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTIONS $745,026 $761,118 $757,202 $687,594

GENERAL FUND - OTHER REVENUE

Regina Caeli Academy $0 $0 $0 $0

AA (Sweetwater Group) $1,150 $0 $0 $0

CA (Welcome Home Rent) $1,750 $1,200 $1,200 $1,200

Weddings/Quinceañeras/Funerals/Facility Usage $3,285 $3,441 $5,432 $3,150

Thrift Shop Net $46,632 $44,152 $34,178 $33,500

Other $9,238 $6,619 $10,203 $4,600

TOTAL GENERAL FUND - OTHER REVENUE $62,055 $55,412 $51,013 $42,450

TOTAL GENERAL FUND REVENUE $807,081 $816,530 $808,215 $730,044

EXPENSES

TOTAL LITURGICAL (WORSHIP) $9,256 $8,788 $6,403 $6,800

TOTAL EVANGELISM $419 $1,140 $318 $6,700

TOTAL CHRISTIAN FORMATION $5,876 $6,666 $3,915 $6,000

TOTAL OUTREACH $15,035 $15,044 $15,021 $15,000

TOTAL PARISH LIFE/PASTORAL CARE $3,345 $4,425 $9,983 $4,750

TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE $121,803 $116,713 $109,686 $109,742

TOTAL CHURCH FINANCE $82,258 $82,419 $82,662 $82,416

TOTAL UTILITIES $48,719 $47,449 $42,059 $43,900

TOTAL BUILDINGS & GROUNDS $63,737 $46,644 $35,392 $36,103

TOTAL STAFF SALARIES/BENEFITS $462,620 $488,292 $439,696 $466,732

TOTAL EXPENSES $813,067 $817,580 $745,135 $778,143

NET OPERATING INCOME ($5,986) ($1,050) $63,080 ($48,099)

(Budget Summary Continued on Page 19)

2018 General Operating Fund Budget Summary (Continued from Page 18)

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Congratulations to our Graduates (Continued from Last Month)

College Graduate

Emily NiYing Pitman (daughter of Ben & Sharon Pitman) Graduated from: Georgia State University Degree & Field of Study: Bachelor of Science in Administration, with a major in Hospitality What’s Next: Work in the field of event planning; currently working at her first job as an event

planner at a local company in Peachtree Corners

By Kristie Bernard Growth Committee Chair [email protected]

Christ Church will be hosting a booth at the 2018 Norcross Art Splash Art and Wine Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 7.

The exciting festival draws crowds of 20,000 festival goers each year, and the charming downtown streets of Historic Norcross are the perfect fall backdrop. This is a wonderful oppor-tunity to reach a multitude of people and share our community and love

of Christ with our neighbors! We are hoping our booth will be located in the Kidz Zone, to reach out to fami-lies with Godly Play® hands-on materials, snacks, and CCE infor-mation. We are in the beginning stages of idea planning and coordi-nating, so stay tuned for details.

Although setup and running the booth should be relatively easy, we are looking for volunteers to agree to two-hour shifts to answer any questions, pass out materials, and engage with neighbors and festival-goers!

Shifts will begin on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 8:30am for set up, for two hours each, ending at 6pm. The Sunday, Oct. 7, session begins at 11am, with booth dismantling at 5pm.

In August or early September, a SignUpGenius will be sent to sign up for shifts. On Friday, Oct. 5, an email will be sent with the booth number, location, and parking directions.

For more information, please email me, or visit the Norcross Art Splash website at www.splashfestivals.com.

CCE Will be Hosting a Booth at the 2018 Norcross Art Splash!

By Kathy Smith Sr. High Youth Leader

Christ Church received special recognition in the recent Diocesan CONNECTING newsletter for being one of eight parishes in the Diocese to raise more than $1,000 on behalf of the Episcopal Community Founda-tion for Middle and North Georgia (ECF) in the recent Atlanta Hunger Walk/Run.

We raised $1,475 for the event. We had 16 contributors, and our top fund-raisers for the team were Annette Stewart, Roni Wengenroth,

Mary Halliburton, and Pamela Russo.

It was rainy, so not everyone was able to ultimately participate. We hope for better weather next year. The event is in late February or March—they haven’t posted the exact date yet, but we will definitely be participating and advertising the event in early 2019!

CCE Raises over $1,000 for Atlanta Hunger Walk/Run

Photo: Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Photo: Kathy Smith

mailto:[email protected]://www.splashfestivals.com

By Laraine Perrins For the Flower Guild

Q. How much do flowers cost each Sunday?

A. It costs a minimum of $50 to purchase flowers for the altar each Sunday, which is the recommended donation.

We also incur other expenses such as supplies, so we appreciate dona-tions to the general Flower Fund in any amount to help cover these costs.

Our flower fund is dependent on donations from our members.

Q. I would like to give flowers to honor a loved one, but I cannot afford that amount of money. Am I out of luck?

A. No, we recognize that a gift of $50 may not be possible for everyone. If you want to dedicate flowers to

someone, but are concerned about making a donation, please contact Beth Holland in the Office so that a dedication with a lesser donation can be arranged.

Multiple dedications per Sunday give us the opportunity to meet the ex-penses, as well honor the dates that are meaningful to our members.

Q. Are gifts to the flower fund tax-deductible?

A. Yes, all donations to the Flower Fund are tax-deductible and will be on your year-end statement from the church.

Q. How far in advance must I make my donation?

A. Please submit your donation at least one week prior to the date you would like to dedicate the flowers. This will give the church staff time to ensure your dedication is in the weekly bulletin.

Q. How do I make a donation and memorial?

A. You may sign the chart in the Narthex or call the Church Office.

You may also place an envelope with a check in the Sunday offering plate at least one week in advance of your donation date.

Q. How are the flowers chosen?

The flowers chosen each week are partly dictated by the Liturgical calendar. They are meant to enhance, not distract from, our worship or the current season.

To set a more reflective mood, there are no flowers during Lent.

Q. Does the Flower Guild also arrange the flowers for weddings and funerals?

A. Yes, if requested.

FAQs About Donations for Sunday Flowers

By Rick Waxweiler and Rita Boughrum

Instead of the thorn bush the cy-press will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the LORD, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.

(Isaiah 55:13 NASB)

Thank-you to the record-breaking 19 “Gardeners for Christ” who turned out for the June Prune to cast asunder Satan’s thorn bushes and mulch the myrtle, etc., throughout our grounds. Parishioners from all three services worked under Rita Boughrum’s direction.

We gathered Saturday morning, June 9, and pruned, weeded, planted annuals and perennials,

repaired irrigation, edged, and spread 85 bags of mulch—all in four hours! Behold the beauty!

Melissa Allen Ken and Rita Boughrum Bob Brooks Joe Buenaventura Rafael Buenaventura Ed Fair Jerry Fogel Mimi Guerra Bruce Halliburton Richard Hart John Hladish Mike Hladish Aurore Murphy Ben Pitman Gwen Seeliger Brook Sizemore Dwalu Tay Rick Waxweiler

Behold the Beauty!

Photos: Bruce Halliburton

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PrimeTimers to Meet on Wednesday, July 11

By Leslie Wengenroth PrimeTimers Leader

Our PrimeTimers “Seniors” group meets one Wednesday of every month for lunch, fellowship, and varied programs. The members take turns bringing vari-ous parts of the meal. All are welcome ̶ you do not need to be a Senior to join the group!

On June 6, Vilma Kaufman from Gwinnett County Fire Department spoke to our PrimeTimers group. She told us about a comprehensive Fire & Life Safety Initiative for Senior Citizens in Gwinnett County, called “SeniorBSafe.”

Seniors can make an appointment for them to come out to their home or apartment to replace/place lifesaving items like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, electrical burners, etc., for FREE. To schedule a Home Safety Survey, call 678-518-4845 or email [email protected]

This month’s luncheon is on Wednesday, July 11 (delayed a week due to Independ-ence Day), at 12:45pm in the Parish Hall. For more information and to RSVP your attendance, please email me at [email protected] or call/text 404-324-3694.

Summer Schedule for Ladies Night Out

By Judy Moore Ladies Night Out Leader

Come join old friends and make new ones at our monthly Ladies Night Out! We get together just because we enjoy each other’s company!

All this summer, we’re going to visit some smaller favorite restaurants in downtown Norcross, as a sort of mini staycation! If you’re going to be in town, plan to join us on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30pm as we explore restaurants in the historic district:

Thursday, July 12 Paizanos Italian Bistro

Thursday, Aug. 9 Zapata Tacos and Tequila Bar

Please RSVP to me at 404-312-5436 or [email protected], so that the restaurant will be prepared for us.

But, please COME, even if you forget to respond. We always have room for another one, two, three….

Men’s Group Team Trivia Night on July 11

By Wes Quesenberry Men’s Group Leader

Trivia Night will continue this summer on the second Wednesdays of July and August at Tavern at Medlock, located at 3230 Medlock Bridge Rd., in Peachtree Corners.

Hopefully many of you men who haven’t attended yet can come join us.

For further information, email [email protected], or see me.

Photo: Leslie Wengenroth

PrimeTimers shown enjoying a “SeniorBSafe” presentation on

June 6

Photo: Leslie Wengenroth

Ladies Night Out at Mojitos on June 14

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

Deaths

Martha Louise Atkinson Gentry,

a parishioner of Christ Church for

35 years, on June 15

James “Jim” Lonnie Morris,

a long-time parishioner of Christ

Church, and husband of the late

Sally Morris, on June 22

Transitions

Transfer Out

Fred Hallman to St. Timothy's Episcopal, Southaven, Miss.

O God, our times are in your hand:

Look with favor, we pray, on your

servants as they begin another year

of married life together. Grant that

they may grow in wisdom and grace,

and strengthen their trust in your

goodness all the days of their lives;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

7-2 Glen & Karen Gordon

7-4 Bob & Dianne Olson

7-9 Kent Poteete & Wes Quesenberry

7-12 John & Marti Hladish

7-12 Aitor & Julie Recalde

7-18 Jonathan & Tracy Iwaskow

7-18 John & Jane Sears

July Anniversaries

NOTE:

If your birthday or anniversary this month is not listed here, please notify Beth Holland,

Parish Administrator, at [email protected] or

770-447-1166

July Birthdays

O God, our times are in your hand:

Look with favor, we pray, on your

servants as they begin another year.

Grant that they may grow in wisdom

and grace, and strengthen their trust

in your goodness all the days of their

lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

7-4 Scott Ortwein

7-5 Chris Collins

7-7 Sandra Durbin

7-7 Ted Farmer

7-7 Elizabeth Geozos

7-7 George Martin

7-8 Tricia Lobaugh

7-8 Brandt O’Kelley

7-10 Willie Díaz

7-12 Margaret Almand

7-12 Mike Lehrer

7-13 Neal Lyles

7-13 Susan Northcutt

7-15 Louisa Lobaugh

7-1 Isabelle Parent

7-1 David Self

7-2 Carolyn Collins

7-2 Sarah Cunningham

7-2 Shelley Waxweiler

7-3 Stacy Collins

7-3 Emily Pitman

7-16 Michael Pugh

7-19 Mlawin Landford

7-21 Karen Allen

7-22 Adriana Castellanos

7-22 Alice Withrow

7-26 Sue Friedrichs

7-26 Natalie Leff

7-28 Grace Farmer

7-28 Henry Farmer

7-28 Jennifer Scales

7-31 Kiana Dunn

7-31 Kent Poteete


Communiqué

Thrift Shop News

By Deborah Fuller Co-Chair of the Thrift Shop

The Christ Church Thrift Shop has had an abundance of new items that have been donated. These wonder-ful donations have made it possible for us to increase our sales. We continue to offer weekly sales on specific items. Special items are highlighted on the Thrift Shop’s Facebook page.

The success of our Sneak-A-Peek Thursday evenings once a month has given others a chance to participate in the success of the Thrift Shop. Rosa Hernandez, our manager, gives this group a list of things to com-plete during the two hours that we are there. A light supper is served, and then it is time to work. Sorting, pricing, and some shopping are just part of our time spent together. There is always fellowship and time to get to know each other. This month’s Sneak-A-Peak is on Thursday, July 26, at 6pm.

Are you interested in being part of the behind scenes of the Thrift Shop? We have a job for you. You can join the Board of Directors. We meet four times a year to plan the calendar of events, talk about budgets, and look for ways to serve the community with proceeds. We need to fill two vacancies. Remember, all Thrift Shop Volunteers are prayed for each week, as they are included in the Prayers of the People.

Also, the Thrift Shop is looking for someone to help with advertising on social media. If interested, call me at 770-841-5056 or email [email protected]

The Thrift Shop is located in the basement of the Church Office and is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from 10am until 3pm.

Photo: Tracey Rice

Deborah Fuller

By Deborah Fuller

We have several school teachers who are members of Christ Church. They can use our help.

There are many items that they purchase for their rooms that come out of their own pockets. We will have a list of our school teachers, and a list of items that they can use in their classroom. Some of these items might be tissues, notebook paper, copier paper, and other items that they will list.

Look for their profiles, which will be highlighted in the next couple of weeks.

If you are a teacher, please submit your name to Deborah Fuller at [email protected] and bring your classroom needs to her attention.

Let’s Help Our School Teachers

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

6/27/2018

The Reverend Ceci Duke Christ Church 400 Holcomb Bridge Road

Norcross, GA 30071-2040

Dear Ceci: We are so grateful for your generous $766.00 gift to Rainbow Village. Since our founding in 1991, we have served over 500 families – over 1000 individuals – who have found themselves experiencing the crisis of homelessness. By providing a safe, stable community in which to live, and services that include an after-school program, an Early Childhood Development center, case management, and life skills, financial and workforce development planning, we are able to instill initiative, self-development, and accountability both now and for future generations. We could not accomplish our mission without the generous help of supporters like you. We recently celebrated the end of the school year with a huge celebration on campus for our children moving forward to the next stage of their academic careers – what an incredible accomplishment! From our smallest students at the Early Childhood Development Center in whom we seek to foster a love of learning, to our middle and high school students who take part in character development and youth mentoring to rebuild their confidence and rekindle the light of hope in their world, miracles are hap-pening here on a daily basis. Thank you again for your support. May God bless you as you have blessed the families we serve! Faithfully, The Reverend Melanie Conner CEO

Rainbow Village, Inc. is a nonprofit charity recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under section 501(c)(3). No goods or services were received in return for this gift.

NOTE:

This $766.00 gift to Rainbow Village was made possible by your

generosity to the Mission of Mercy Offering in June.

It was in addition to our monthly pledge to Rainbow Village.

Communiqué

CCE Presenting VBS at Norcross Co-op

We are hosting a week-long Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the children of the clients at Norcross Cooperative Ministry (NCM) the week of July 9-14.

Monday, July 9 10am-12pm Tuesday, July 10 6pm-8pm Wednesday, July 11 10am-12pm Friday, July 13 10am-12pm Saturday, July 14 10am-12pm

We need Christ Church adults, teens, families, and friends who want to sim-ultaneously give a bit of their time to put smiles on children’s faces, show God’s love, and have fun!

The shifts are only two hours! We’d love for you to volunteer for the whole week or just one day — what-ever suits your schedule. Volunteers are needed to help with games, art projects, stories, etc., But mostly, to show the love of Christ to these precious children.

A SignUpGenius for specific shifts is available online. Go to www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-volunteers, or contact Karen Bass at [email protected].

2017 Photo: Bruce Halliburton

URGENT NEEDS for Norcross Cooperative Ministry

By Mary Ann Fair Member of NCM Board

Toilet paper, powdered laundry deter-gent (any brand or size), and baby diapers in sizes 4, 5, and 6 are urgently needed at the Norcross Cooperative Ministry (NCM) for their clients.

Donations of food staples, meals in a can, soup, and toiletries are always welcomed, as well as personal hygiene products, paper products, and other soap products.

Please put your donations for the NCM on the Outreach table (or in the box) in the Breezeway, located between the Narthex and the Parish Hall.

Your continued support of this ministry is so appreciated and needed by many, like the 433 families (including 836 children and 84 seniors) who were served in May 2018 alone. Over 2,500 bags of food and 4,100 clothing items were distributed during May.

There are many opportunities to vol-unteer at the NCM, even if it's only for an hour or two. Help is needed for:

• Helping Karen Bass with Vacation Bible School (VBS) at the NCM during the week of July 9-14. [See the article above.]

• Adults and teens are needed to spend time and share the love of Jesus during all other sessions of VBS being held there in July, because larger numbers of children are coming this summer. Books, games, and crafts are available.

• Sorting donated clothes on Monday-Wednesday or Friday, between 10am-2pm.

• Receiving and sorting food and other donations on Tuesday-Friday between 2-4 pm.

• Monitoring Money Management classes on selected Thursday mornings.

• Receiving and sorting donations on Tuesday-Friday between 2-4pm.

If you would like to volunteer at the NCM, please call Shirley or Kyra at 770-263-0013, or visit the website at www.norcrossco-op.org.

Photo: Tracey Rice

Mary Ann Fair

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-volunteershttp://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f4cadad28a4f94-volunteersmailto:[email protected]://www.norcrossco-op.org

Results of May Food Drive for Norcross Co-op

By Mary Ann Fair Member of NCM Board

Thank you for your generous dona-tions to our May Food Drive Chal-lenge to help our neighbors in the Norcross area.

Although we did not reach our goal of collecting 100 of each item, we had a great response for this first-time challenge where we asked for a specific number of three food staples.

The final count on Monday, June 10, was 63 boxes of cereal, 79 jars of peanut butter, and 64 jars of jam or jelly—over two-thirds of our overall goal of 300.

Approximately 25 large bags of other food items and toiletries were

also donated from our members at Christ Church to the NCM during May and early June.

Don’t forget to check the bulletin board in the Breezeway for Job Opportunities and Hiring Events, which are usually held on several Tuesdays each month from 10am-Noon. Health Fairs are on the second Saturday of each month from 10am-1pm; assistance in deter-mining eligibility and applying for SNAP (food stamps) or other bene-fits are on the first Monday and first and third Friday of each month from 10am-Noon. All of these services are free and open to the public. To confirm these dates and times, please check the NCM web-site at www.norcrossco-op.org.

Photo: www.norcrossco-op.org

Adult Adventures Group’s Visit to the CDC Museum

By Mary Ann Fair (Retiree of the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention)

Eight members of Christ Church and two members of St. Bede’s Episcopal church (Dr. Gretchen Berggren and David Newberry, a CDC retiree) visited the David J. Sencer CDC Museum on Friday, June 15.

It was the last day of an extensive and informative exhibit, “EBOLA: People + Public Health + Political Will,” which documented the 2014-2016 historic outbreak in West Africa, the U.S., and around the world. It emphasized how CDC worked with local governments, in-ternational healthcare workers, and many other partners to identify, treat, and stop the outbreak. It was the largest Ebola outbreak recorded, with more than 28,600 cases and 11,300 deaths; however, many cases and deaths were probably not

recorded, and these numbers are probably much higher.

We were very fortunate that Dan Martin, MSPH, a friend of Gretchen and David’s, gave us a tour of the Ebola exhibit. He is a Public Health Advisor in the CDC Center for Global Health, and was assigned to Sierra Leone during the outbreak. Dan was also a major contributor to the ex-hibit, and pointed out the highlights of the many graphs, pictures, flow-charts, artifacts, and the lessons learned during the outbreak. Dan’s willingness to share his knowledge was a special highlight of our visit, and he demonstrated the dedication and passion of many people who work in public health.

Here are some of the comments from those who went on the tour:

“I especially enjoyed Dan Martin, who came and talked with us at length about the Ebola crisis that

happened just a few years ago in West Africa. His direct involvement in that crisis made it particularly fas-cinating, and it amazed me that he spoke to us at length with no notes! Obviously, he loves his work and is VERY knowledgeable.“

“One of the most sobering things for me was the picture of the ward full of polio victims in iron lungs and the nurses who cared for them. The ac-tual iron lung sitting next to it was a tangible reminder of the devastating effects of polio. Thanks to the dedi-cated scientists at the CDC and other public health agencies, polio is no longer a threat in most of the world.”

“The people that work at the CDC are very dedicated to their profes-sion, and those in our group who had worked there were delighted to be back and share personal stories, which made the mission of the CDC very clear.”

http://www.norcrossco-op.org

Communiqué

In Memory of our Beloved Church Cat

By Robin Miller, Parish Bookkeeper and

Media Staff Person

Mr. Man, our beloved church cat for many years, passed away peacefully on June 17, surrounded by people who loved him.

Mr. Man came to Christ Church of his own accord, from an adjacent neighborhood, where there was discord among the resident cats in the home where he was living. His previous owner was agreeable to him staying at the church. And stay, he did!

He had several names prior to Mr. Man. His original name was Simba. After he came to live at Christ Church, he was known as CC for Church Cat. When The Rev. Ceci Duke became Rector of the church, it became obvious we could not have two with the same name, so he became Mr. Man.

There are many stories about Mr. Man (we encourage you to share your memories of him on the church’s Facebook page).

He was a very vocal cat at times, letting everyone in the office know when he wanted to be let outside, or back in, sometimes repeating this scenario many times throughout the day. He enjoyed spending time in our Thrift Shop; he was generally always present at the weekly clergy/staff meeting, and attended many other meetings of our various Forums and Committees at the Church Office. When dogs belonging to the clergy or staff were at the office, he wasted little time letting them know who was boss. He even grudgingly made friends with a few of them!

We thank everyone who donated to his medical fund, which enabled him to have a few more years of quality life with necessary medication.

Rest in Peace, sweet Mr. Man, and may light perpetual shine upon you.

Photos: File Photos Courtesy of Christ Church

rector’s reflections: “the lake of eauty”...and love himself shall come and bend over and...

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