Mission Statement of Christ Church To the glory of God, the mission of Christ Church Parish is to serve Jesus Christ and all the people of God; to encourage and facilitate spiritual development for people of all ages; to grow as Christians in a loving and forgiving fellowship, thereby confirming, witnessing, and leading others to the faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Dear Friends:

As we begin the season of Lent, I think of a woman in

another parish who burst out: I love Lent! I am sure many of

us join her in loving Lent, because of the opportunities it offers

for deepening our life with God.

Lent is early this year, which means that Easter will be

earlyMarch 27, to be exact! So at mid-month we will move

from the season of Epiphany to that of Lent. This change will be

marked by change in color of the altar cloths and vestments, from

green to purple. But first, we gather for a delicious Shrove

Tuesday dinner, on February 9, cooked by Bob Rex and his team. The event will start at 5:30

p.m. ($7.95 for dinner, to support needs at Christ Church).

We will gather for Ash Wednesday on February 10 at either 12:00 noon or 6:00 p.m. in

the Nave. Ash Wednesday is one of the two days singled out for fasting in the Prayer Book. (p.

17). The other weekdays of Lent and Holy Week are observed by special acts of discipline and

self-denial. What these acts are is up to you as you prayerfully prepare yourself for Lent. I

hope to see you at one of the two Ash Wednesday services, because they offer a powerful

experience of walking the way of the cross.

We will begin our Tuesdays in Lent on Feb. 16 by gathering at 5:30 p.m. in Lewis Hall

for soup and bread. We will also view a new set of commentaries on Holy Week and Easter,

which will include a brief video. The series is entitled, What Wondrous Love. This gathering

together is a beautiful way to observe each Lenten week.

Open the doors of our hearts, dear Lord, and enter in. Deal with what thou dost find of sin and

contrariness, of discouragement and fear, of guilt and loneliness. Make peace in our hearts,

good Lord, and send us forth with thy strength to face the day and not run from a single

encounter, certain that thou art with us.

--Holy Island: A Lenten Pilgrimage, James W. Kennedy

Mother Susan

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By now you have received Mother Susans letter an-

nouncing her plans to retire at the end of this year. Christ

Church has been blessed that she was with us when Father Ron

Griffin left. Her presence has given us time to feel secure in

our identity as a congregation and she will be with us as we

transition to the next stage of our church life. We will also have

time to celebrate Mother Susans ministry and all the gifts we

have received during her time as priest in charge of Christ

Church.

As you adjust to Mother Susans future retirement, fore-

most in many of your minds will be searching for a new rector.

The current vestry has been in contact with the Diocese and will be guided by Canon Andrea

McMillin through the Discernment Process of calling a new rector to lead Christ Church. We

will be asking for input from the congregation and will keep you informed as we move through

the process. Because we are just at the beginning, the process will seem slow. Each phase

moves differently. Canon Andrea has assured the vestry that the coming year will allow for the

time needed to move through the process and be close, if not already there, to calling our new

rector.

Christ Church has achieved a great deal in 2015. Everyone here has in some way been

involved in the many ministries that have contributed to the life of our congregation and to our

community. Now we are entering a new phase in our life together as a church family. I see it

as an exciting time to learn more about our community and each other.

I ask you all to celebrate Mother Susan, the gifts she has given to each of us and I also

ask you to pray for the vestry and Christ Church as we begin a new phase of our spiritual jour-

ney during this coming year.

O God, who has made us creatures of time, so that every tomorrow is unknown country, and

every decision a venture in faith: Grant us, frail children of the day, who are yet blind to the

future, to move toward it in the sure confidence of your love, from which neither life nor death

can ever separate us. Amen.

Reinhold Niebuhr

Lyn Klay, Senior Warden

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An opportunity for Lenten Meditation

On Fridays during Lent we will be offering a brief service of Sta-

tions of the Cross. These services will take place in the Chapel of

our Merciful Savior where we will use Kathrin Burlesons original

watercolor paintings as a focus for our meditations. The service will

begin at 11:45 a.m. and should last about 20 minutes, allowing time

for you to move to the Nave to hear the seasonal music program be-

ginning at 12:15 p.m., should you wish. (See article from Merry Phil-

lips our Music Director).

A brief history of Stations of the Cross: In the 313 Edict of Milan, Constantine I, Emperor

of Rome, announced toleration of Christianity. It was shortly after this that Christian pilgrim-

ages to Jerusalem began. Near the end of the fourth century, a Spanish nun named Egeria

chronicled her experiences as she walked the Via Dolorosa, the route between Pilates judg-

ment seat Gabbatha and Mount Calvary or Golgotha: Until the present time this walk has

continued to be part of a Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In parish churches the walk has

been translated into a series of devotions known as Stations of the Cross, or The Way of the

Cross.

During this simple service you are invited to walk the stations following the leader, stand in

place, or be seated for the entire service. We hope that you will be able to join us in this an-

cient observance, Fridays in Lent beginning February 19, 11:45 a.m. in the chapel.

Mother Lesley

Learn more about Kathrin Burlesons paintings in her book, The Souls Journey - An Artists

Approach to the Stations of the Cross, 2014, Forward Movement, Cincinnati, Ohio.

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What if this year we dont ask what am I giving up for

Lent? What if, instead, we ask How can I be open to how

God wants to love in and through me this Lent? What if we

decide not to dread Lent as deprivation and gloom, but wel-

come it as a time to clear out whatever might keep us from

loving God and each other? As Ive been thinking about Lent

this year, what keeps coming to me is the idea of Lent as

Spring Cleaning. After all, the word Lent comes from the Old

English word that meant Spring.

Some people and traditions still think of Lent as a time of

penance, of brooding on our sins, our sinfulness, our need

for a Savior. Fine. Lets start there. We do sin. We are sinners.

In the words of St. Paul, we miss the mark as does an archer who misses the target. There

are things we permit to come between us and God and between us and loving our neighbor as

ourselves. These are facts with which we all struggle, if were honest with ourselves, and we

all need Gods help. So Lent is a great time to focus on clearing away blockades in order to

allow closed places in us to open to the fierce and implacable and deeply compassionate love

of God.

How might we do that? There are as many answers as there are people, in regard to our pri-

vate needs for spiritual growth and openness. For example, in response to my own blocked

places Im taking on what is called the 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge. As a Sister vowed to

poverty to simplicity of life I am shamefully possessed by too many things. I even have

reluctantly to admit that this includes too many books. The challenge is to prayerfully, deliber-

ately, daily during Lent seek Gods gentle guidance in rehoming, recycling and even just plain

discarding a bagful, a boxful, an item per day. Its a helpful opening to conversation with God

about where I also have shelves and drawers and bags hidden away with emotional and spir-

itual detritus resentments, old hurts, refusal to forgive, areas where Id just as soon God not

know my thoughts. As part of this process, I plan to take on the Carbonfast that Green Angli-

cans has proposed. Heres a link: https://carbonfast2014.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/carbon-

fast-2016.pdf Its not just about having too much stuff, but about how my daily choices im-

pact other people and this wonderful, battered planet on which we live. Finally, (you just knew

there had to be a book in this somewhere, didnt you?) Im joining Anglicans around the world

in a slow, reflective reading of I Am With You, the Archbishop of Canterburys Lent book for

2016 by Kathryn Greene-McCreight. It is strongly recommended by Bishop Beisner, whose

book recommendations have always enriched me.

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But Lent is not just about individuals. Its about how we are the Body of Christ together and

how we are growing in understanding and living our faith. This year our Tuesday night soup

and bread suppers will include a study of some of the final events of Jesus life. Church Pub-

lishing, Inc. has released a DVD and study guide called What Wondrous Love: Holy Week in

Word and Art. Together we will explore the raising of Lazarus, Jesus Palm Sunday entry into

Jerusalem, Jesus washing the disciples feet, the Last Supper, Jesus betrayal and arrest, his cru-

cifixion and burial. We will enter into the question of how these ancient historical events can

teach and guide us in our lives together today. Perhaps the most valuable sacrifice and offering

of love we can give to God this Lent is our time; time for listening, for prayer, for letting God

work with us. To enhance that offering, this Lent on Fridays are opportunities to walk the Sta-

tions of the Cross in the Chapel, starting at 11:45 a.m., followed by a quiet, reflective half-hour

of organ music for Lent in the Nave. Mother Lesley and Merry Phillips have written about

these opportunities elsewhere in this issue.

[Note: the following was inadvertently dropped from the annual report by your not-so-vigilant office staff]

It has been a non-stop, roller coaster of a year, beginning with the grief and love of Sister

Alices funeral on January 3, rushing with great speed to my ordination to the priesthood at the

Convent of the Transfiguration on May 7 and hurrying on through the rest of the months of

2015 so quickly that its hard to absorb and recall all the challenging grace, let alone report on

it.

My gratitude to so many wonderful friends at Christ Church cannot be overstated. I have

felt your love and support and been privileged to join the ranks of the priests who are able to

serve here alongside you. My ministry here is limited, as most of my responsibilities are to the

Community of the Transfiguration. However, I have been grateful for the joy of preaching and

presiding on a regular basis, thanks to the generosity of Mother Susan, for being able to walk

alongside those preparing for Confirmation and Reaffirmation, and for the trust given to me by

people who have asked for help in prayer and connecting faith to daily life.

I am frequently asked what is going to happen next, what is going to be my future as Sister

and priest. The answer must remain that I do not know. It is likely that, in the next several

months, the Community of the Transfiguration will engage in a time of discernment with the

help of Bishop Nedi Rivera, whose gift for leading discernment processes was part of the Com-

munitys decision-making about my ordination. So I continue to learn to live in not knowing,

trying to trust God in the day to day without expecting God to lay out every step of the future

for my humble approval. It does help to have my new companion, Motka the amazing kitten, to

share my life and add to the hospitality ministry at Transfiguration House. His name means

Gift of God and he is just one of the many gifts God has given me in my time in Eureka.

Sister Diana

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The Socks Project

"for I was hungry and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was naked and you gave me

clothing."

Matthew 25:35-36a

What do you do when cold, rainy weather leaves you with wet shoes, wet

socks, and cold feet? Those of us who are fortunate go home and change into

some dry socks and shoes or slippers, and turn up the heat.

Our brothers and sisters who live on the street do not have that

luxury. They may not even own a second pair of socks.

During Lent, as an annual program sponsored by the School for

Deacons, donations of new socks will be collected in Lewis Hall .

The socks for children will go to foster children, and socks for men and women

will be delivered to Betty Chinn for distribution to the homeless and needy that

she serves.

The collection for socks will run from Ash Wednesday, February 10, until

Palm Sunday, March 20, when Mother Susan will bless them.

Please join in this effort to share Christ's love.

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Jannetje Vrieze February 10 Karl and Suzanne Kellawan February 10

Barbara Walser February 11 Catherine and Barrett Mace February 15

Royal McCarthy February 15 Dan Vega February 21

Sanford Pyron February 27 Rohn Selfridge February 27

A New Book

Parishioner Jeff Sellars, who manages our webpages, Facebook, Twitter, and any other in-

ternet presences the church has, has a new book out from Cascade Publishers. The publishers

description:

The Beach Boys are one of rock's most endur-

ing and enigmatic groups, and while the band has

been the subject of numerous biographies and

other in-depth studies, there has been no focused

evaluation of the religious and spiritual themes in

their work. Spiritual and theological themes are

present in much of their work, and when this real-

ization is coupled with Brian Wilson's mission "to

spread the gospel of love through records," and

his sense of music as spiritual--of thinking "pop

music is going to be spiritual . . . that's the direc-

tion I want to go"--this is a striking way to ex-

plore the band's music. In God Only Knows, the

contributors attempt to come to grips with just a

small amount of this band's massive output--by

circling around its theological virtues. Each sec-

tion of the book is a loose investigation of the

guiding topics of faith, hope, and love. Each essay

is a free exploration of theological and spiritual

themes from the contributor's own perspectives.

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Diocesan Historiographer

Im enclosing some information on the National Episcopal Historians & Archivists for several reasons:

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1) Before becoming the Historiographer, I wasnt really familiar with this organization, which is dedicated to encouraging every diocese, congregation, and organization in the Epis-copal Church to collect, preserve, and organize its records and to share its history.

2) Id like to encourage you to review your current efforts and means of preserving and sharing your congregation's history, or even to begin the process of doing that in your congre-gation if you havent already done so. The information enclosed here includes two helpful and inexpensive booklets: Writing A Congregational History and Archives for Congregations.

3) Those who are really into this process might even want to consider becoming members of NEHA.

If I can be of any help to you, e.g., in preparing for parish anniversaries, etc., or if you have historical questions relating to your parish or to the Diocese of Northern CA, or wish to share historical items, photos, etc. with the Diocese, please dont hesitate to contact me:

Peace,

Harry Allagree+

Diocesan Historiographer

coggy37@comcast.net or (707) 367-1115.

What Wondrous Love

Holy Week in Word and Art (DVD)

Holy Week and Easter come alive in these challeng-ing video commentaries by academic luminaries, cou-pled with masterpiece illustrations by John August Swanson.

This 41-minute DVD presents key scripture passag-es and events in the biblical story of Holy Weekthe last days of Jesus ministry, his death and his resurrec-tion. Each biblical text is illustrated and interpreted by the beautiful artwork of John August Swanson and also receives scholarly commentary from members of the faculty at Candler School of Theology at Emory Uni-versity. The folk hymn What Wondrous Love is This? which serves as the accompanying musical theme, is sung by award winning Celtic vocalist Con-nie Dover.

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The DVD is divided into six sections, or chapters, each approximately 7 minutes long. Every chapter features the reading of a passage of scripture, commentary by the scholars, and a Swanson work of art based on that passage. The six chapters are followed by a brief Coda, which both concludes the story of Jesus passion by portraying the burial of Jesus and opens the story to what follows by pointing to the hope of Easter.

This DVD program will be the basis for discussions at our weekly Lenten suppers, beginning on Tuesday, February 16 at 5:30 p.m.

When Scientists Reflect on their Walk with Jesus

When members of the Society of Ordained Scientists gathered at CDSP earlier this month, it was to share how they traverse the worlds of faith and science, how those journeys shape their ministries, and how their ministries can influence their communities.

Everyone in the Society, in some way, has had two careers, has held authority in science and the church, said the Rev. Lucas Mix, PhD, who is warden for the Societys North Ameri-can Province. Mix, an adjunct faculty member at CDSP, received his MDiv from the seminary in 2007 and his PhD in organismic and evolutionary biology from Harvard in 2004. This year he is a research fellow at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey, where he is investigating astrobiology and society.

All of us have this language that we have learned from being church geeks and science

geeks, Mix said, and there is something wonderful about being with people who speak your

language. Being able to talk to each other allows us to put things in new ways.

In addition to Mix, attendees in-

cluded CDSP President and Dean

Mark Richardson and the Rev. Dr.

Marilyn M. Cornwell (MDiv 06),

rector of Church of the Ascension,

Seattle. Both were presenters, as

was the Rev. Dr. Ted Peters, re-

search professor emeritus in sys-

tematic theology and ethics at Pa-

cific Lutheran Theological Semi-

nary and the Center for Theology

and the Natural Sciences at Gradu-

ate Theological Union. Both Corn-

well and Peters (from whom Mix

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took a seminary course in religion and science) were accepted as new members during the re-

treat.

Also attending was the Rev. Deacon Josephine Phina Borgeson (MDiv 74), the Rev.

Robyn Arnold (MDiv 08), the Rev. Barbara Smith-Moran (DMin 09), and the Rev. Dr. Rob-

ert Russell, director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences and professor of the-

ology and Science at Graduate Theological Union.

Bowl for Kids Sake

Bowl for Kids' Sake for 2016 is coming up the first weekend in March! It is the major fund-raiser for North Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters whose program supports at-risk kids in Hum-boldt County. All funds remain local. Christ Church has supported this effort for many years. Last year we raised $1200. which was our most ever!

Heidi Erickson is our team captain this year, and we want to remind parishioners that we need team members whether to bowl or just fundraise. We will be seeking donations during Febru-ary coffee hours. The "Monster Bowl" for Kids' Sake will be held March 4th and 5th at Harbor Lanes! We usually have a 1 hour bowling slot on Saturday afternoon. Members must raise a minimum of $50. to bowl (with incentives to raise more). A team consists of 6 or more bow-lers...no expertise necessary.

Thank you in advance

for participating in this

outreach to children in

our community.

Anne Van Zandt, past

team captain

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Cameron Carpenter, Organist, at HSU Center Arts

On Thursday, February 11, at 8:00 p.m., the concert at Center Arts

will be a live organist! And not just any organist from the Center

Arts website:

Cameron Carpenter is single-handedly smashing stereotypes

of organ musicall the while generating international acclaim

and raucous audience response. Playing the mighty console of

his own custom-built international touring organ which is

trucked to each of his recitals, Carpenter performs an eclectic

repertoire ranging from Bach to his original compositions and

hundreds of transcriptions and arrangements. No other musician of Carpenters genera-

tion has more adeptly fused shrewd showmanship, dazzling technique, and profound

thinking about his instrument (San Francisco Chronicle).

More Info.: https://www2.humboldt.edu/centerarts/events/centerarts/cameron-

carpenter

If you go, expect to see some of your local organists there!

The choir at their 2016 Epiphany Dinner

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Easter Choir

Would you like to join the choir for Easter? We would love to have additional voices for a

special Easter Choir. Whats involved? Attendance at three Wednesday evening choir re-

hearsals (5:30-7:00) beginning March 2, plus one additional rehearsal (TBD). The Easter

Choir will sing at the Great Vigil of Easter (March 26) and on Easter Sunday (March 27). If

you are interested, please contact Merry Phillips (merry@merryphillips.com (note, this is a

new email address), or 445-0940.

Music During the Season of Lent

Wednesday, February 10, marks the beginning of the Lenten season, as we gather in humil-

ity to be marked by the sign of the cross, with ashes placed on our foreheads. Ash Wednesday

can be a somber day of reflection on what needs to change in our lives if we are to be fully

Christian. Beginning with the first Sunday in Lent (February 14), there will be some subtle

changes in our corporate worship services, perhaps more noticeable at the 10:30 a.m. service

with the changes in music.

Our service on Lent 1 begins with the Great Litany, a penitential marker to the beginning

of Lent. The cross in procession will be veiled until Easter and we will have said goodbye

to our Alleluias until Easter. And as we have done the past two years, our worship will con-

clude with a brief instrumental voluntary as the altar party processes out. These extra few

minutes of silent meditation may be used to think about Jesus during his forty days and forty

nights as we prepare to go back into the world to do Gods work.

Our service music during Lent will be based on Plainsong. Plainsong, or plainchant, is a

body of chants used in the liturgies of the Western Church. It is monophonic, that is, it con-

sists of a single melodic line. Its rhythm is freer than our hymns (which for the most part are

in strict meter) and typically, it is unaccompanied. Please join the choir (between 10:00-10:15

a.m.) on February 14 and 21 as we learn and practice chanting together the Psalm for the day.

The settings for the Psalms are based on adaptions of the eight original psalm tones. The

intent of the setting is to provide a melodic formula subservient to the text and simple

enough for any congregation to sing (The Episcopal Musicians Handbook). The choir (or

cantor) will alternate with the congregation, singing the psalm.

The Kyrie, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei are all based on Plainsong as well; settings adapted by

Mason Martens (1933-1991). They are simple, melodic, and sung in unison. Chanting these

simple settings together one body may heighten our sense of community as we worship to-

gether.

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Lenten Music Series

Special music will be offered on the Fridays during Lent, from 12:15-12:45 p.m., in the

Nave, beginning on February 19. Each week, a local organist will play a thirty minute pro-

gram. These musical offerings are free and open to the community. Programs will feature or-

gan music and other instrumental music selected by the performer. Musicians include Helen

Hui, Gary Klemp, Doug Moorehead, Merry Phillips, and Nancy Streufert. A listing of the pro-

grams will be available on the church web site.

The series is offered as an opportunity for personal reflection, meditation, and celebration of this holy season. A printed program of the music being played for the day will provided and those who attend will be invited to arrive and leave quietly. Come hear beautiful music for the organ and other instruments, shared in the spirit of the Lenten season.

The remains of the King cake from the choir Epiphany Dinner

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The Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner Bishop, Diocese of Northern California

Staff

The Rev. Dr. Susan J. Armstrong

Priest in Charge

The Rev. Lesley McCloghrie

Resident Associate Priest

The Rev. Nancy Streufert

Associate Priest

The Rev. Sister Diana Doncaster

Associate Priest

Merry Phillips

Organist and Music Director

Dr. Douglas Moorehead, Organist Emeritus

John Hammond, Sexton

Barry Ross, Administrative Assistant

Vestry

Lyn Klay, Senior Warden

Beth Powell, Junior Warden

Bob Rex, Julie Cairns, Irene Hannaford, Lin Chase,

Helen Taylor, Elizabeth Harper-Lawson, Belinda Zander,

Rex White, Heidi Erickson, Gail Freeman

Bob Hines, Treasurer, Peg Gardner, Clerk

625 15th Street P.O. Box 861

Eureka, California 95502 Phone (707) 442-1797 Fax (707) 442-5647