The Spire-December 2008

A Newsletter by and for the people of Christ Church Bronxville

TheSpire

Dec. 2008 VOL. LXIII, No. 4

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

Adult Formation 3

Youth & Confirmation 4

Music at CCB 5

Parish Life 6

Outreach 7

December Highlights 8

At a Glance

Each Sunday we come together to get food for our journey; the spiritual food of love and grace that gives us the strength to make a difference in the lives of others. This past Sunday we came together to make that difference together. And what a great day it was!

As we enter the season of Advent and prepare ourselves for the Coming of Jesus our King, it is so very fitting to focus on what God has given us - and what we are to return with grateful hearts.

We return to God by recognizing the call to care for our neighbors, to see the face of Christ in all persons, to open our hearts to God’s kingdom breaking into our lives in so many unexpected ways.

On Outreach Sunday, as we picked up hammer or sewing needle or pen or glue, we put our neighbor first and in so doing we put God first. And one of the unexpected glimpses of the kingdom was the great joy we found in coming together as one family.

In many ways Outreach Sunday was a window into the heart of this wonderful group of people we call our friends, our family, our parish.

It is our hope that the experience of that day will continue to inspire us all to do God’s work in this place and to find new and life-giving ways to come together.

Outreach Sunday is simply one example of the many ministries that are alive and well at Christ Church. Please do what you can to support our efforts through your gift to our annual stewardship campaign and canvass.

We look forward to seeing you during this most holy season.

Your Clergy

Outreach Sunday 2008

Photos by Ken Richardson

2

Children’s Christian Formation

Godly Play (Pre-K-1st Grade)Dec. 7th Children’s ChapelDec. 14th The Story of IsaiahDec. 21st The Christmas StoryDec. 24th Christmas Crèche ServiceDec. 28th No Children’s Chapel

Second GradeDec. 7th Youth Sunday Dec. 14th AltarsDec. 21st The Christmas StoryDec. 24th Christmas Crèche ServiceDec. 28th No Church School

Third GradeDec. 7th Youth SundayDec. 14th From Sinai to CanaanDec. 21st JoshuaDec. 24th Christmas Crèche ServiceDec. 28th No Church School

Fourth GradeDec. 7th Youth SundayDec. 14th The TransfigurationDec. 21st Lessons on HumilityDec. 24th Christmas Crèche ServiceDec. 28th No Church School

Fifth GradeDec. 7th Youth SundayDec. 14th The Medieval Church Dec. 21st King Alfred the GreatDec. 24th Christmas Crèche ServiceDec. 28th No Church School

Sixth GradeDec. 7th Youth SundayDec. 14th Geography and ReligionDec. 21st Introduction to IslamDec. 24th Christmas Crèche ServiceDec. 28th No Church SchoolFor more information please contact:Barbara PotgieterChildren’s Christian [email protected]

Church School Calendar Christmas Eve Crèche Service

All children aged 3 through 6th grade are warmly invited to be a part of our Crèche service at 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve. All children are invited to be angels and shepherds. Children in grades 4 through 6 who would like to have a speaking part should contact Deborah Ross at [email protected] or (914) 961-8951 as soon as possible.

We are looking for parent volunteers to help us. Please contact Deborah Ross if you are willing to help. We need help with the costume fitting, and also on Christmas eve with watching children and helping them with their cues. We need parents of angels and parents of shepherds to help with the cues, you will enter the church with the children, so you will still get to see your child participate.

The Spire

Important Dates and TimesSunday, December 14th -All children with speaking parts must attend a short rehearsal in the church at 11:30 AM. Saturday, December 20th-ALL children participating must attend the 9:30 AM costume fitting and rehearsal in the undercroft. We should be done before 11:00 AM.Sunday, December 21st -Rehearsal in the church at 11:30 AM for all children with speaking roles.Wednesday, December 24th-ALL children to be in the undercroft at 3:15 PM to put on costumes. Parents are requested to help put on their child’s costume. Children in Sing ‘n Ring and VFL choirs please come 15 minutes before choir rehearsal time to put on your costume so that you can attend choir rehearsal on time.

Christmas PartyAll church school families are invited to our annual Christmas Party!

Sunday, December 21st, after the 10 AM service in Taylor Hall

We will have crafts, a Christmas book table, cupcakes to decorate, a light lunch, and of course a visit from a VERY SPECIAL PERSON (shhhh!).

Nursery Care is available for babies and children too young

for Church School.

Just in time for Christmas, Christ Church Bronxville is launching a new mission partnership in sustainable food production: a Parish Garden at St. Michael’s Anglican Church in Lilongwe, Malawi.

In this season of giving, join us as we partner with our brothers and sisters in Malawi who have so little but dream of providing for themselves and their families.

Using techniques of Permaculture agriculture, the land around this church and priest’s house will be transformed into a lush, thriving garden, serving to train and inspire women in the community to plant their own kitchen gardens while providing much needed food for members of this church and its neighboring households.

A relatively small sum of money -- $25, $50, $75 -- will provide everything needed for St. Michael’s parish garden. If you choose to take part in Christ Church Bronxville’s Green Christmas, a gift box will be sent to you or to someone you love with a description of the project and your gift. We will follow up with an “After” report on the progress of the garden next summer.

Green Christmas is a “Parish to Parish” partnership project of Love’s Harvest, helping the rural poor grow the food they need throughout the year on their own land.

For more information, contact the Rev. Kate Malin at [email protected] or Ken Richardson at [email protected].

3

Adult Christian Formation

ONE uesday, December 9th at 6:00 PM:

Advent and AnnunciationJoin us for an Advent One Tuesday featuring a presentation by the Rev. Cody Unterseher and the Rev. Kate Malin on symbols of the Annunciation in great works of art, poetry and story. There will be a screening of a classic Christmas film for children in the Crispell Lounge after dinner, and then we’ll all gather in Taylor Hall at 7:30 for carols, bells, hot cocoa and peppermint! For more information, contact the Rev. Kate Malin at [email protected].

For more information, contact the Rev. Kate Malin at [email protected].

Green ChristmasGardens for Malawi an Outreach of Christ Church Bronxville

Working Mothers’ Fellowship meets on Wednesday December 10th at 7:00 pm in the Crispell Lounge

Get ready for the holidays with a little wine, cheese and reflection on finding grace in the midst of your demanding, stressful and overscheduled life. All are welcome, Christ Church members and non-members alike. For more information, contact Mo. Kate Malin at [email protected].

Mother Malin visits Trinity CollegeMother Malin met with the Rev. Allison Read and the Rev. Donald Hamer to discuss a partnership with CCB and ERD in the Gardens for Malawi project. Mother Read wassponsored for ordination by CCB and is currently Chaplain at Trinity College in Hartford.

Pictured: The Rev. Donald Hamer, Rector of TrinityChurch in Hartford, Mo. Malin, Mo. Read, Fr. Justice Msini of Malawi and John Springer of St. James’ Church.

4 The Spire

EYCYouth at Diocesan Convention

On November 14th and 15th teens from parishes throughout the Episcopal Diocese of New York, including Christ Church Bronxville, took part in the second annual youth program at Diocesan Convention. Youth at Convention was introduced by Christ Church Bronxville and is led by our very own Director of Youth Ministry Krista Miller.

While at convention the teens prayed, talked and reflected on issues facing the world and how the church should respond to them. Always keeping the focus on God’s love, the teens discussed homosexual marriage, the ways the Church should or should not protect the environment and the ways that we can discern God’s call in our lives. After prayerful discussion the teens got to see how our diocese’s clergy and lay delegates vote on the same issues. The teens also heard Bishop Sisk’s address and listened to Bishop Mhogolo from Tanzania speak about the important reconciliation necessary for our world.

Of equal importance, the teenagers at Convention developed relationships with other teens from our very diverse diocese. Strong friendships were formed and a convention reunion is soon expected. The teenagers at convention truly experienced what it means to let differences fall away and act as brothers and sisters in Christ.

EYC Calendar: December5th –Lock-In. Teens from other youth groups in the diocese are invited to this Lock-in. It will be a great time to play games, have fun and eat together.12th –Midnight Run

Choirs sing at the 5 o’clock serviceSunday October 16th: The Sing ‘n Ring Choir took their turn in leading the Taize songs at the 5pm service. Every month one of our choirs will skip the robes and come to this lovely simple and informal service.

5

December 7th Advent Lessons and Carols – 5pm; Brass prelude begins at 4:45pmWe gather together at the beginning of Advent to combine brief readings from scripture, extraordinary choral anthems, and hymns of the season to allow our heart and minds and spirits tell out the coming of the Lord. This traditional English service is offered in our beautiful Goodhue building and demonstrates our musical heritage at its finest.

CHRISTMAS EVE AT CHRIST CHURCH

December 24 2008

10:30 P.M. The Christmas Prelude: “Carols from the English Choral Tradition” music by John Rutter, David Willcocks, and Herbert Howells

11:00 P.M. Solemn Midnight MassMARC-ANTOINE CHARPENTIER - Messe de Minuit pour Noël sung by The Christ Church Choir and Christ Church Schola Cantorum with Strings and Recorders

Advent Lessons and Carols

Music

The Magic of ChristmasBronxville Choristers perform “The Magic of Christmas” at Carnegie Hall

Christ Church Bronxville Voice for Life choristers, including Henry Anderson, Lilia Briskin, Kathleen Conaton, Taber Minich, Caleb Smith, Walker Smith along with Jamie Carroll, Nina McManus and Lissa Villani, will perform in a festival of holiday music and dance at Carnegie Hall on Thursday,

December 4th. Produced and directed by Bronxville’s Eily O’Grady Patterson, “The Magic of Christmas” stars Irish tenor Andy Rooney, violinist Vladimir Jablokov, the Mark Miller Gospel Choir, harpists and dancers. Our kids are singing in the Children’s Festival Youth Chorus, comprised of 31 young talented singers who perform regularly in school and church choirs and musical theater productions in New York and New Jersey. Pictured are the six CCB choristers who took part in last year’s performance, Caleb Smith, Ellie Briskin, Lilia Briskin, Taber Minich, Henry Anderson and Walker Smith.

6 The Spire

DecemberBirthdays

1: Edward Barr, Sandra Britt, Floyd McKinnon; 2: George Palmer, Hannah Hely 3: John Kirby; 4: Marilyn Bates, Brendan Elkerton, Charles “Worth” Goodell, Libby Goodell; 6: Katherine Brasco, Ella Frantom, Francesca Normille, Brian Sica; 7: William Bush, Gregory Gilliam, Laura Griffith; 8: Page Marshall; 9: Caroline Sorensen; 11: Nora Normile; 16: Melissa Wisner;17: Eliza Elder, Ruth Singleton; 18: Tracey Minich; 19: Michael Barrett, Warren Kraemer, Letizia Seirup; 20: Hans Ericson, Vance Wood; 21: Carol Costa; 22: Kim Olson, Noel Carroll, Max Hamlin, Mary Hoover, Owen Jones; 24: James Redpath; 25: Sarah Heintz, William Simpson; 26: Andrew Garvey, Avery Jones, Erica Kenney; 27: Ralph Alexander, Kelsey Bogle, Livy Coe; 28: Blake O’Guin, Andrew Walker; 30: Fiona Barr, Mallory Bates, Regan Cherna, Margaret Connors; 31: P.G. Costa

Parish LifeNew York State’s Elite Student Athleteshave a common Sunday Ritual

Save the Date!

The dedication of the student athletes who fill our church pews was apparent by the numbers who competed at the state level in many sports this fall. Bronxville High School went to states in soccer, cross country track, field hockey, and swimming. Each team was represented by someone you might worship with during the week at Christ Church.

The Bronxville boys’ soccer team won the state title for the first time in November, and the team roster was ripe with names from the Christ Church parish directory and EYC. Joe Wood, Leighton and Sinclair Welch, Jake Sears, Oliver McMillan-Bell and Thomas Dawson all returned to the village on Sunday evening, wearing the winner’s medal around their necks. Joe Wood had this to say about the sweet victory, “It was great. We all piled on Leighton. He has been a leader of our team the whole way through.”

Amelia Phillips and Olivia Bruton competed for Bronxville in the state cross country track championship, with Charlotte Cooley as the alternate. The team brought home the state title for the 7th time in the school’s history. Amelia Phillips explained why she has a love for the sport. “I like that it is a small team, and we are really close. You can compete individually and also as a team.”

The girl’s field hockey team made it to the semi-finals of the state championship, and had a tough loss in Syracuse. Libby Goodell and Meghan Whitney will return to the team as seniors next year, and are hopeful they will have another chance at the state title. Field hockey mom Betsy Goodell said the experience of going to state was wonderful. “I wore blue ever day from the time we started the sectionals until we lost in the state semi finals. The team has a lot of spirit and a lot of traditions. We had a team cooler that had to go with us to every game for good luck. And each week the team orders the same dinner each week of chicken parm from J and G for good luck.”

As the Spire was going to print, Nicole Sears was getting ready for a trip to Buffalo to compete in the state swimming championship. Good luck Nicole!Soccer mom Ruth Wood was able to sum up the relationship between church and (going to) state.

“I think it is great to live in a town where the kids can have multipleconnections with their teammates, and CCB offers this to them. These kidssing in the choir, play soccer, worship and study physics together. To add to that, Father Bird is not only coaching at the school, but is a sideline regular for the sports he does not coach. The kids really feel his presence in their lives. Who knows? Maybe he can bring the girls lax team to the states one day! “

-article contributed by Sarah Kraemer

CrèChe ServiCeDecember 24th 4:00 PM

Children in 4th, 5th and 6th grades who are interested in speaking parts should contact Deborah Ross - All kids from pre-k through 6th grade are invited to be shepherds and angels.

Thank you to those who participated!PicturesPhotos by Ken Richardson

7

Outreach Sunday

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

Sunday Dec. 7th 5:00 PM Advent Lessons and Carols (4:45 PM Brass Prelude Begins)

Tuesday Dec. 9th 6:00 PM ONE Tuesday (Taylor Hall)

Sunday Dec. 14th 11:15 AM Sunday Luncheon (Taylor Hall)

Tuesday Dec. 16th 7:30 PM Vestry Meeting (Crispell)

Wednesday Dec. 17th 9:30 AM Altar Guild Meeting (Library)

Saturday Dec. 20th 9:30 AM Crèche Rehearsal

Sunday Dec. 21st 11:15 AM Christmas Party

Wednesday Dec. 24th 4:00 PM Crèche Service 10:30 PM Christmas Prelude and Midnight Mass

Thursday Dec. 25th 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist Christmas Day-Church Office Closed

Friday Dec. 26th Church Office Closed

Highlights

A Service of Lessonsand Carolsfor Advent

Sunday, December 7th at 5:00 PMBrass Prelude begins at 4:45 with the Kensington BrassA Reception in the Undercroft to follow