A Newsletter by and for the people of Christ Church Bronxville

September 2011 VOL. LXIIV, No. 1

Contact us:914.337.3544

Monday-Thursday

9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Fridays9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

www.ccbny.org

Children’s Formation 2

Welcome 4

Christian Formation 5

EYC News 9

Music at CCB 7 September Highlights 14

At a Glance

A reflection by Sarah Kraemer

I didn’t want to remember September 11, 2001. I did my best to avoid reading anything about the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attack. Why bring back painful memories which were safer tucked away? A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a book at Womrath’s. I stood in the bookstore, mesmerized by a commemorative edition published by a news network. Tears trickled down my cheeks. I wiped them away, hoping no one noticed. Had it really been 10 years? The details seemed so fresh. We lived in the city with three young children who were due to start school the next day. As I read the chronological account, I could clearly place myself in the city on that terrible day. The fear and panic crept back as I remembered the confusion, the frantic phone calls, the sight of people wandering the street covered in a shroud of white dust, the never-ending wail of sirens, and the awful smell of something terrible burning. We gathered our family and went to Central Park, unable to stay indoors with the television showing the horrific images on a loop. We ran into friends and replayed what had happened, where we were, if they knew anything about other friends who worked in the World Trade Center. Men and women who had seemed so self-assured a few days before had become unable to make a decision about what to feed the children for dinner. We passed our church, Heavenly Rest, on the way home, and stopped in to say a prayer. The Rector was leading a service, with tears streaming down his face. It’s odd when your brain protects your heart from processing something awful. When I saw our priest who was usually laughing and joking, overcome with grief, I knew we were in a dark place. As the days progressed, we mourned friends, the firemen who worked down the block, and our fellow citizens whom we knew only from the “missing” fliers that papered the neighborhood. St. Ignatius Loyola was around the corner, and daily we would pause to watch a fire truck lumbering slowly up Park Avenue, bearing the flag draped casket of another brave person. And as we went through the motions of having a “normal” routine, in the back of our minds loomed the question, “what’s next?” Would there be another attack? How could we best protect our family? I found that driving over bridges and through tunnels left me with sweaty palms, a thumping chest, and an awakened reliance on prayer. We called the realtor, the boys’ school, the one friend in Bronxville, and prepared to make a move. By October we had rented a house and were spending weekends in our new town. After a couple of Sundays lazily reading the newspaper, we knew it was time to go to church. Maybe we’ll just go into the city to be with friends. No, we needed to meet some people, to visit the local Continued on page 15

RemembeRing

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Children’s Christian Formation

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Welcome Back Coffee Hour 2011

September 11th in the Undercroft after the 10:00 AM

servicePlease join us for coffee hour on the 11th. As we remember the events of that day ten years ago and the days that followed, it is important for us to spend time together as a family - to reconnect and to cherish the relationship we have.

Weekly Children’sChristian Formation

Schedule9:55 AM Children arrive in Taylor Hall for a brief music rehearsal10:00 AM Worship for Children Begins10:20 AM Students move to their classrooms or remain in Taylor Hall for art

10:45 AM Students enter church for Holy Communion

Church School Calendar

SeptemberChurch School Calendar

Sunday, Sept. 11thThe CreationSunday, Sept. 18thThe CreationSunday, Sept. 25thNoah’s Ark/ St. Francis

Nursery Careis always available for babies and

children too young for Church School.

Church School for kids in Pre-K through Fifth GradeThe goal of Children’s Christian Formation for children in pre-K through elementary school is to help them fully participate in worship, to keep them open to the active presence of God in their lives, to provide them with a sense of the sacred all around them, and to make sure they know the essential stories of the Bible. Our curriculum revolves around worship, the art of storytelling and active engagement with the great stories of our faith, and expressing that faith and our experience of the divine through art and discussion.

Sunday Schedule9:55 AM Children arrive in Taylor Hall for a brief music rehearsal10:00 AM Worship for Children Begins10:20 AM Students move to their classrooms or remain in Taylor Hall for art10:45 AM Students enter church for Holy Communion

VolunteeringGrowing up in a church community is about more than what happens on Sundays. Of course, building our children’s relationship with God, their sense of the holy and encouraging their innate spirituality is important. But have you ever thought about the dividends reaped by our children when they are in relationship with adults beyond those in their family or school? People who have, perhaps, witnessed their baptisms and watched them progress from lamb to shepherd to narrator in the Christmas Pageant. People who care and get caught up in the celebrations as well as the sad times. People who create parties and events, giving us all an opportunity to get to know each other more deeply year after year. Isn’t that something you wish you’d had as a child? Wouldn’t you like to be a part of creating that kind of community for our children? Below is a list of ways you can be a part of a team dedicated to building a faith community and home for all of our children, from birth until they head off to college.

GreetersJust as the whole church is intentional about having greeters on the patio to welcome newcomers or say hello to our members, so would it be good to have “parent” greeters to welcome new families and help them find their way around. An easy commitment — simply welcome newcomers in the Nursery and before the Children’s Liturgy with a warm hello.

Volunteer to become a Godly Play teacher or assistant. We will be continuing Godly Play at Christ Church this September for children age 3 (preschool) through 1st grade. If you love to be with children, sharing the wonderful stories of the Old and New Testaments, this is for you. We are building teams of teachers to keep the time commitment manageable.

Volunteer to become one of our Godly Dialogue teachers.We are creating a new program for our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders to help them put their faith into action with service work, drama, animation, multimedia, music and more. Help us create a sacred space where they can question and wrestle with their faith.

If you’re interested, please contact Mother Jennifer Brown at jbrown@ccbny.org. Thank you!

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Bronxville, Eastchester, Tuckahoe Interfaith CouncilCommunity 9/11 Commemoration, Sunday, September 11th, 2011 at 3:00 PMThe Reformed Church of Bronxville, 180 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY

Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe Houses of Worship invite you to remember those lost in 9/11, all the injured and all the heroes. This civic ceremony will feature stirring music (including bagpipes), a community choir, commemorative readings, greetings from Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe community leaders and a moving time of silent prayer and the ringing of the commemoration bell.

Clergy from Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe and congregations in surrounding areas that serve Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe residents are welcome to process in the service and wear the vestments appropriate for their tradition. Firefighters, Police and Emergency Personnel from Bronxville, Tuckahoe and Eastchester are also invited to come in uniform and process with the clergy. Clergy and processing emergency personnel should arrive at 2:30 PM and gather in the Copenhaver Room of the Reformed Church of Bronxville.

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35

These words from chapter 25 of Matthew’s gospel are well known to many of us, and inform much of our attitude towards how to live as Christians. We’re conscious of the need to feed the hungry and care for the sick, but how often do we think about the importance of the ways we welcome others into the faith and life we share at Christ Church? Jesus could not have been more clear in his views on this. Welcoming the stranger stands right alongside caring for those who are hungry, sick or imprisoned.

At Christ Church we are committed to acting as Christ’s disciples and intentional about our welcome to those who are visiting or new here. Our clergy’s remarks each Sunday begin with a message of welcome, and our dedicated team of greeters and ushers is at the front doors before and after every service to search out new faces. But we can all play a part in being a genuinely welcoming parish and, in fact, we are all called to do so.

Genuine welcome comes from the heart, and from the recognition that we were all, at one time, strangers to this place. Think back to your first visit to Christ Church. How were you welcomed? What was it about that welcome that brought you back? And then, the next time you’re on your way into church or at coffee hour, smile and say ‘hello’ to someone you’ve never met. During the service, look around you and see if anyone needs help or seems a bit lost. Go the extra mile to share Christ’s love. Your gesture could make all the difference in transforming a stranger into a member of this wonderful community.

If you are interested in serving as a greeter on Sunday mornings, please contact vestry member Ruth Wood (ruthwood@me.com).

If you are interested in hosting or sharing a coffee hour, please contact the Church Office.

Words of Welcome

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The Guild of St. Raphael - a new initiative at Christ Church“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him…and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up”… The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective. James 5:14

At our services each Sunday we pray for all our sick by name in a very public way. Throughout the week the clergy and many individuals continue to do so privately on their own. We are now formalizing this prayer discipline and healing focus by forming the Guild of St. Raphael at Christ Church.The original Guild of St Raphael was founded in England in 1915 and is dedicated to promoting, supporting and practicing Christ’s ministry of healing as an integral part of the life and worship of the Church. Its main emphasis is on the actual practice of the healing ministry through its local branches, and this is where its strength lies. Its members observe a simple rule of prayer, study and work for this ministry. Their aim is always to promote Christ’s ministry of healing—looking not just for physical healing, but for the healing of the whole person.

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Welcome - A Letter to those considering membership at Christ Church

Dear Friend in Christ,Thank you so much for visiting with us and for the time you have taken to determine if Christ Church is the right spiritual home for you in this stage of your journey.Becoming a member of Christ Church is really pretty simple. While we do not require you to be a member to worship with us or to participate in Christian Formation, Music and Outreach Programs or other events at the church, we do have some expectations of how we live together in Christian community. We strongly encourage all who have found a home at Christ Church to engage in the following: Inquirer’s ClassesThis engaging class for newcomers, and all who are interested in learning more about the church, meets every fall.Regular AttendanceThere are opportunities to attend worship at Christ Church at three different times on Sundays and on Wednesday mornings at 7am. Most parishioners come to one of the services each week. Generally speaking, if you attend a worship service two to three times a month, you’re engaged in a regular attendance.Pledge somethingChristian giving is a spiritual issue, not a financial one, and is not only about donating money. We use the terms “time,” “treasure” and “talent” to help us understand the ways God has gifted us and how we respond to those gifts. There will be many moments throughout the year to think and pray about what and how you will give to your church. Christ Church does not ask its parishioners to pledge a certain amount, only to pledge something. You and God will discern together how much that “something” is. If you’d like to make a pledge or find out more about giving at CCB we have enclosed some materials. You will also find more details about our program life together and ways that you may volunteer your time and talents on our website – www.ccbny.org.We are always happy to schedule an opportunity to meet in person at your convenience. This comes with my prayers for you and your unique ministry in the world.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Michael A. Bird, Rector

Women’s Spirituality GroupThe Women’s Spirituality Group will resume on Thursday, September 15th at 9:30 AM in the conference room and begin a new book the following week, entitled “The Gift of Years” by Joan Chittister.Please join this lively and thoughtful group of women who are committed to learning, fellowship and spiritual growth. For more information, contact Ruth Singleton at 914 337 6450. The Circle of LightThe Circle of Light will meet on Tuesday, September 6th at 11:30 AM. This group which arose in the aftermath of 9/11, is a group dedicated to spiritual growth, healing and peacemaking and welcomes newcombers for prayerful conversation. For more information, contact Hondi Brasco (Hondi.Brasco@gmail.com) (914) 771-8870. As I reflect on the many years spent in each group, I am aware of how much prayer and commitment to spiritual growth grounds us within the wider world, and provides the needed space to discern and respond to God’s presence. On the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, we have the opportunity to reflect on how we can counter the inner and outer forces that diminish human life, with a trust in God rooted in community, service and spiritual friendship.

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Center for Spiritual Growth September Birthdays

1: Jerri Andersen, Caroline Yerkes; 2: Claire Elkerton, Caroline Kirby; 3: John Barrett, Ron Cappello; 4: Dylan Richardson; 5: Peter Gross, David Morse; 6: Warren Ilchman, Nancy Whitney, Steven Srebnik; 7: Jane Kratovil; 9: Sara Marshall, William Rabsey; 11: Art Nagle, Jennie Thomas; 12: Priscilla Newman, Jeffrey Minich; 13: Natalie Beit; 14: Parker Callaway, Maria Hayes; 15: Emma Donahue, Sarah Reynolds; 17: William Camp-bell, Katharine George; 18: Cynthia Ahmuty; 19: Michelle Ruhm; 21: Gabriel Felippe, Mary Thaler, Mark Wood; 22: Caroline Beit, Ann Peters-en; 23: Nicole Sears, William Turino; Sara Hogin; 24; Shelby Goodrum, Elizabeth Zambelli; 25: Nora Foley, Salley Heintz, Mona McAlarney; 26: Jason Cushman, Robert Devlin, Jack Marshall; 27: Mary Anderberg, Hershell George, Piper Gilliam; 29: Amelia Buendia, Patricia Mutolo, John Redpath, William Zambelli, Mimi Buendia; 30: Olivia Capello, Helen Wood, Anny Phillips Hommeyer

Are we missing your birthday?Help us bring our community closer together by letting us include you in our prayers and celebrate you on your birthday.

Please send us your birthday information so we can make sure you are included. You can skip the year and just give us month and date if you are keeping a secret.

To submit birthdays please send them to Amy Capeci at acapeci@ccbny.org.

Thank you!

The Guild of St. Raphael - cont’dThe Guild looks too for the healing of communities and of God’s creation itself—taking into account those many social and political factors which cause ‘dis-ease’ in our broken and divided world.In this spirit, the Guild of St. Raphael at Christ Church will make healing prayer and presence its focus. Members will support the sick through a private prayer discipline, through monthly meetings to discuss pastoral needs and efforts, and by visiting the sick as required. Additionally members of the guild will keep the clergy updated on how best to serve our parishioners in need.Look for more information about the activities and efforts of this Guild in the coming months.

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Upcoming Musical EventsSunday September 25 5:00PM Evensong sung by The Concordia College ChoirLed by conductor and Christ Church Staff Singer Dr. Jason Thoms, The Condordia College Choir will sing the traditional service of Evensong. Music will include the evening canticles Maginificat and Nunc dimittis composed by Dr. Thoms for Christ Church Bronxville.Sunday September 30, 4:30PM Organ recital by Christopher Wells featuring the organ music of Craig Phillips5:00PM Evensong sung by The Christ Church ChoirThis Recital and Evensong is offered in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Westchester Chapter of The American Guild of Organists. This local chapter of the AGO was started at Christ Church Bronxville and we are honored to host this event.Evensong will be conducted by guest composer, conductor, and organist Philip Stopford. If you have not heard of Mr. Stopford, a few minutes listening to his compositions on YouTube will surely convince you of this emerging young talent from across the pond.

Special EventsCalling all Campanologists!

A new season of Christ Church handbells is almost here and new ringers are welcome! Did you know that more hands allow us to ring more exciting pieces? If you’ve ever considered ringing, please give it a try! Rehearsals are Monday nights from 7-8 in the undercroft, beginning September 12. No experience necessary (though reading music helps). If you can count, you can ring! It’s a great way to meet people, learn beautiful music, and have fun! Contact Debbie Cook with questions (202-7548). -Debbie Cook

Other Organizations at Christ Church

Young at Arts empowers young people to reach their full potential, onstage and off, through outstanding arts instruction and the creation of exceptional musical and theatrical art.Young at Arts is Christ Church’s afterschool performing arts program for children from pre-school through twelfth grade. Through a comprehensive education in drama, dance and music, children from different backgrounds share a love for the performing arts while developing the values of discipline, excellence, integrity and community. Young at Arts serves an area encompassing The Bronx and Southern Westchester County where over 50 percent of the children live below the poverty line and where arts education is virtually absent in schools.Check out this year’s fantastic programs at: www.youngatartsny.org

Choir RecruitingFrom time to time, we have sent out mailings to promote the choirs at Christ Church, however our most important recruiting tool is YOU1! If you are returning or joining for the first time, think about bringing a friend – from the church, from the community, or someone you know enjoys music.

Register online at http://www.ccbny.org/?page_id=364 or contact Christopher Wells (cwells@ccbny.org or 914-337-3544 x116)

1 “YOU” is defined as anyone who believes in the importance of music in worship.

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New Choir Rehearsal Schedule for 2011-2012

Music

Primary Choir Pre-K, K, and 1st Grade Sundays, after church for ½ hour Sing n’ Ring 2nd and 3rd Grade Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00PM Treble Choir 4th – 7th Grade Wednesdays, 5:00-6:30PM dinner served most Wednesdays (6:30-7:00PM) Schola Cantorum Teens dinner served most Wednesday (6:30-7:00PM) Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30PM Christ Church Choir Adults Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00PM

*Treble ChoirLast season a most remarkable thing occurred – the Treble Choir was all girls! We would like to make a special effort this year to encourage boys to join the Treble Choir, along with continued recruiting for the girls in hopes of establishing a Girl’s Choir and a Boy’s Choir. There is substantial history and support for single-sex activities like a treble choir. Boy and Girl choristers have an unparalleled opportunity to forge ahead in their musical study and vocal practice in an environment that fosters both their strengths and sensitivities. If we have a core of girls and boys to make this possible, we will run two rehearsals simultaneously (Christopher Wells and Vaughn Mauren with co-direct the ensembles). Each choir will sing independently or in combination with other Christ Church Choirs.

Register for Choir NOW at www.ccbny.org

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EYC Episcopal Youth Community (EYC)-Grades 9-12Contact Director of Youth Ministry Krista Dias at kdias@ccbny.org for more information

First Monday Meeting - September 12th 6:30-8PM Kick-Off Pool Party: Sunday September 18th at the Behrens family’s home. Save the date!

Fall Retreat: October 8-9th with the youth group of St. Mark’s Church in Connecticut. The purpose of the EYC is to engage in the practice of Christianity through a fellowship of love, through reflection on Spirit and Truth, and through action in service to our neighbors, both in our community and the world. If you have a teen who has already been through the EYC program, you know that it is one of the most powerful experiences of teens’ lives. The EYC is a place where teenagers deepen their relationship with God, build lifelong friendships and serve others. It is a safe place for them during adolescence, a period that is full of questions, concerns and experimentation. This year there are a few important changes to our program. Father Bird, Mother Brown and Krista Dias have spent much of the summer reflecting on the experience we hope to provide our high school students. For 2011-2012, this will be our structure:

Meeting Times: Monday Nights from 6:30-8:00 Dinner will be served for grades 6-12 at 6:30 in Taylor Hall (Grades 6-8 in one section and Grades 9-12 in another) Group Meeting will be from 7:00-8:00DinnerDinner will be provided by chef Luc Riobel and will be served family-style in Taylor Hall. The cost for the year will be $150. If you cannot afford the cost of these meals please let me know and we will work something out. Please also let us know if you would be willing to scholarship a teen. Checks should be mailed to Krista Dias at 17 Sagamore Road, Bronxville NY 10708 with “EYC Dinner” in he memo line.

Group Meetings We hope that the teens in the EYC will become more aware of the presence of the Holy in their lives through EYC. The teens in the EYC will be split into small groups that they meet with regularly. Groups will be led by a teen and an adult volunteer, Mo. Brown or Krista Dias. Small groups will focus on Bible study, service projects and other reflection. We will also worship regularly as a group through Taizé style evening prayer and Eucharists. Additionally, adult leaders will initiate discussions on various topics important to the life and faith of teenagers. And of course, periodically, there will be time for more recreational games etc.

Christian Service Serving our brothers and sisters in Christ is an essential part of practicing our faith. In addition to regular service projects on Monday nights, we will serve others in the community on Fridays and weekends. Once every two months, small groups of teens divided by grade will serve at a local soup kitchen (Yorkville Common Pantry). About once a month, the entire EYC will serve Manhattan’s homeless population food and clothing through Midnight Run. We will also serve Fessenden House, an Episcopal home for men in recovery, as well as our sister churches San Andres in Yonkers and Church of the Intercession in Harlem. Most years the teens in the EYC spend one week during the summer on a larger Mission Trip. Stay tuned for more info on next year’s trip.

Pilgrimages to Taizé Each year the EYC spends February break at the Taizé monastery in the Burgundy region of France. Taizé is a monastery for all Christians founded as a place of reconciliation during World War II. Each year, tens of thousands of young people from all around the world travel to Taizé for a week of prayer, silence and relationship building. The pilgrimage to Taizé is one of the most meaningful experiences that the EYC offers. Make sure to save your teen’s February break for our trip.

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EYC Krista Dias Serving at Harlem’s Church of the Intercession 2011-2012 This year Christ Church Bronxville’s Youth Minister Krista Dias will be doing field placement work for seminary at Church of the Intercession in Harlem. This means that she will not be at Christ Church very often on Sundays. She will be present every Monday evening and in meetings with Mother Brown and Father Bird on Fridays. Krista will also host dinners for the kids at her apartment and be around for them in the evenings. And she is always available by phone or email.

The Confirmation Program is now the Junior EYC for Sixth through Eighth GradersIn middle school, as life gets more complicated and choices come with greater consequences, we want our children to have a strong sense of themselves as children of God and we want to arm them with the skills they need to practice their faith in their everyday lives. We also want to make sure they are surrounded by a strong faith community which supports them at every turn.

For 2011-2012, this will be our structure:

Meeting Times: Monday Nights from 6:30-8:00 Dinner will be served at 6:30 in Taylor Hall Group Meeting will be from 7:00-8:00

Classes: Students in sixth and seventh grade will be divided into a class of boys and a class of girls. The girls will meet in the Crispell Lounge and the boys will meet in the Conference Room. Primary teachers for these students are: John O’Neil and Sarah Kraemer The entire eighth grade will meet in the church. Fr. Bird will teach the eighth grade.

Curriculum: The sixth and seventh grades will use the great stories of the Bible to engage in lively discussion around issues they face as middle school students. The eighth grade will study the seven sacraments – Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Unction, Confirmation, Marriage and Ordination – in order to fully understand how we express and experience our faith, and to understand how the Church guides us and supports us throughout our lives.

All Grades will regularly participate in service projects.

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EYC Mission Trip

From August First to Fifth, teenagers from Christ Church Bronxville, embarked on a mission trip into Harlem’s Church of the Intercession to work and help the church return to its former grandeur. Earlier this year, back in the spring,

their entire parish scheduled a community outreach day. Instead of a regular Sunday service, the parishioners met and worked at the Church of the Intercession for the day. Working in the church’s famous crypt, where various T.V. shows and films have been filmed (including Nicholas Cage’s appearance in The Sorcerers’ Apprentice), they were able to wash away the silt and dirt from the floor that had appeared from previous floods. They soon realized that if there was more work done by the Christ Church community, it would benefit Intercessions’ reconstruction in an immense way. As their Youth Group planned a mission trip for the summer, it was no surprise that they wanted to continue a project rather then start a new one. With their community that had already worked strenuously to help improve the Church of Intersession; the youth group decided to precede working on projects in Harlem.

The Church of the Intercession is a beautiful church, with a prominent history. Built in the early 20th century, the church is part of the National Register of Historic Places as well as an official New York City Landmark. However, as impressive the church may be; the older the church had become, the more out of shape it became. As a result, the group of teenagers made a goal to eliminate as much work as they can for the people at Intersession therefore the staff could focus on improving the church in more significant ways. (Should an example be put in?) The group then focused primarily on fixing the inside of the church and beautifying it to new standards. With good company and music playing the group of teenagers got done jobs throughout the week, which included, spray painting one hundred and fifty chairs, remodeling the sexton’s closet, and cleaning the entire church floor. From hours of filing chairs to the perfect fit, to adding linseed oil and turpentine as a wood finish throughout the multiple wood artworks on the interior of the church- the finishing product of their hard work was unmistakable.

While in Harlem, leaders of the trip agreed on doing more then just work for intercession. One day after working in Harlem, the group of teenagers visited the Yorkville Common Pantry, located on the east side; where they served an entire dinner meal to more than two hundred people living in poverty. Henry Arcano, in response to the work they did, commented, “It’s amazing what a seemingly small organization like Yorkville can do, and yet, they serve the largest amount of people on a daily basis in the entirety of New York City.” The group felt so satisfied after helping hundreds of hungry people in the city that they even felt t it would be a good idea to continue a relationship with the Pantry. The teenagers came up with the notion to possibly volunteer at Yorkville once a month throughout the year.

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EYC (cont.)

The experience was full of hard work and fun. While the mornings and afternoons were devoted to work, the nights were spent bonding and experiencing the city in a way the teenagers have not experienced it before. For example they enjoyed dining at Amy Ruth’s (located in Harlem) which is infamous for their fried chicken and waffles, to a free concert in Lincoln Center where the group enjoyed Malkit Singh, an Indian Pop artist. “It was the best night of my summer; we even got to stand in the front row!,” Raved Jordan Sears who even purchased some of Malkit Singh songs when she was back home.

This group of teenagers from Christ Church Bronxville made an outstanding contribution to improving not only The Church of the Intercession but to their city as well. A start of an amazing trend is occurring and Christ Church Bronxville is doing an amazing job to thoroughly provide for their city. It is an alluring thing to see teenagers enlightened by the idea that they can make difference only miles away. You do not need to travel around the U.S. or the world to be helpful; it is as little as a train stop away to make a difference.

- Elena Licursi and Warren Kraemer

Welcome Back!Welcome back to all our great ushers. We had a good year last year and are looking forward to seeing all parishioners and visitors this fall! The usher teams are always looking for new members -- it’s once every four weeks, we train you, and it’s a nice way to meet new people and get involved. Please call Karen Carpenter on 667-1974 if you’d like to join us.- Karen Carpenter

Breakfast RunThe first semester Breakfast Runs for the Junior EYC are scheduled for September 25th and October 23rd.

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Summer Construction Maybe it was our fault for daring to dream that we might have a summer without construction. Maybe we just needed to work on our collective sense of humor. Either way, a broken toilet in the Eliza Corwin Frost Child Center over Memorial Day weekend guaranteed a full summer of contractors and decisions.As you have probably heard, the staff spent the summer in the Crispell Lounge, our office bullpen. During that time electricians, plumbers, painters, carpenters, fire systems technicians and Arthur Taylor (head of our Facilities Committee) had run of the place. Staff members pitched in to help with demolition and network wiring; and we all practiced deep breathing relaxation techniques.If you tour the lower floors of the Sagamore and Kensington Buildings you will see new paint and new ceilings. You will enjoy new lighting and soon an updated fire protection system. And you will also notice that staff offices have shuffled a bit. Father Bird, Christopher Wells, and Gina Donegan remain where they have always been. Amy Capeci is now in the first office of the main corridor. Mother Brown occupies the second office, and Sharyn Pirtle (the Director of Young at Arts) and Ken Richardson share a new office where the old copy room was. The copy/work room has moved to the former parish secretary’s office. Noel and Jose now have an office on the first floor of the Sagamore Building on the same hallway as our Storage Rooms, Archive Room, Christian Formation room and Midnight Run Storage. You will also notice that the Conference Room underwent a rather extensive facelift (a separate project from the water damage).Over the next month all construction/repair work will finish and we will find oursleves in great shape. Please feel free to take a tour!

The Culprit!

Some Pictures

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Some of the Damage

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Construction Underway

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Front Page Cont’d place of worship. The boys were dragging their feet more slowly than we were. The usher told us to go downstairs for children’s chapel. It was dark. People weren’t very friendly. Baby Claire had no interest in staying in the nursery. Maybe we should visit another church. I was planning our exit when a pretty blonde woman introduced herself. “Hi, I’m Mary. Are you new? Oh, I have sons too. Come meet them.” We all have a story of how we arrived at Christ Church. Some of us came in a baby stroller, others were brought by friends or neighbors. We might’ve read about the church because of an interesting community service, or stopped because we heard angelic voices singing as we passed by. Perhaps we came here because the Episcopal Church says its mission is to share Christ’s love. While the story of how we arrived here is interesting, it is more compelling to think about what we are doing since we have come together. Christ Church has been a blessing to our family since we moved to Bronxville ten years ago. We have participated fully in the life of the church, and have been rewarded by knowing Christ’s love in this community. As I reflect with a heavy heart on the events of September 11th, I find that grief does not diminish over time. I am heartbroken that so many people are without their beloved family members. The bumper sticker tells us, ‘never forget.” How could we? Of course I remember. And when I find that I am overwhelmed by a sense of sadness, I remember that I am loved. I remember that I can take my sadness, and find comfort in a loving God. I am grateful to God for this church, for its caring ministry, for the wonderful friends who labor here, and for the loving arms of this community. - Sarah Kraemer, Junior Warden

Gay and Lesbian Fellowship GroupOver the Summer a new group was formed at Christ Church. This group is designed to support our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters as they live and minister in the name of Christ. Their first meeting, in July, was attended by more than 20 persons - gay, lesbian and straight. It was a wonderful evening hosted by Krista and John Dias. The group, formed by parishioner Michael Pollock and seminarian Jim Robertson, will continue to meet during the year as it refines and defines its mission and ministry. The next get together will be hosted by Arthur and carol Taylor on Sunday, September 25th. All are welcome and more details will follow.

C

HRIST

CHURCH

BRONXVILLE

16 The SpireThe SpireChrist Church Bronxville17 Sagamore RoadBronxville, NY 10708-1599

Highlights Save the Date!

Sunday, Sept. 11th Homecoming Sunday Regular Church Services Begin 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite I 9:55 AM Church School 10:00 AM Family Choral Eucharist 5:00 PM Informal Eucharist Monday, Sept. 12th 6:30 PM Junior EYC Begins 6:30 PM Senior EYC Begins

Friday, Sept. 16th 7:45 PM Midnight Run

Sunday, Sept. 25th 6:30 AM Breakfast Run

Sunday, Oct. 2nd 5:00 PM Blessing of the Animals

Blessing of the AnimalsOctober 2ndAttention all creatures great and small (including dogs, cats, hamsters, turtles, birds, snakes, llamas and giraffes)! You are cordially invited to join us on Sunday October 2nd for the 5:00 P.M. service as we observe a beloved Christ Church

tradition, the Feast of St. Francis and the Blessing of the Animals. We will join together with our faithful companions for a lively service of blessing and thanksgiving in the church. A reception follows with treats for both people and pets. Join us for this boisterous celebration of God’s creation.