Dear Friends in Christ,The season of Epiphany is all about

signposts – moments when we suddenly recognize the divinity of Christ and we realize the beauty of God’s love and care for us all. These moments, as they occur in the Gospels, are pretty recognizable – the arrival of the Magi, the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, the miracle at the wedding in Cana. In these stories it is hard to miss the point that Jesus is Lord and that Love reigns. In our own lives, epiphanies are not so easy to see. But they are there, every day.

Last week the parishioners of Christ Church came together for two very different events. The first was our All Parish Variety Show (once I was added to the list of participants we had to change the name from “Talent Show”). The evening was a great success. How wonderful it was to see God’s children sharing their gifts, their interests and their passions with each other. Each act revealed a bit of God’s presence among us and each round of applause affirmed the beauty of this community. It was for me, indeed, a signpost in the theme of Epiphany.

The second event was the Annual Meeting, which was organized by a wonderful committee and led by Kerry Goldmeyer, a consultant who facilitates church self-studies and capital campaigns. At the Annual Meeting we elected new members to the vestry, celebrated a smaller deficit than expected in 2006 and took a good hard look at who we are, who we want to be, and who God might want us to be. We looked at our strengths and our weaknesses and in a spirit of trust and faith we shared our failings. Not many institutions are open to honest assessment and full participation. I believe we are, and that is one of the reasons why we’re growing. We spoke the truth to one another and came out the stronger for it. Then we were fortified by Holy Communion so that we might get to work.

This too was a signpost – Love at work, Christ at work, in our parish family.

We need these signposts, and we need to hold on to them tightly because in Lent we head into the wilderness. For 40 days we are meant to travel light, taking only our faith with us. No maps or GPS. And what do we hope to gain by taking this 40 day journey through the wilderness? We hope to regain the simplicity of God’s desire for us, to regain ourselves and our sense of what really matters in this life we’ve been given. Lent is not a time for self-help books or easy fixes. Lent is about focus – Focus on God, Focus on Family, and Focus on Neighbor - because in that focus we find true happiness. To help us, the Church created the practice of Lenten Disciplines.

There are as many Lenten Disciplines as there are stars, and they are all beneficial, but I would like to suggest that this year we all try the practice of being quiet, starting with just 5 minutes a day.

Maybe it will be time spent reading one of the books recommended in this Spire. Maybe it will be attending one of the wonderfully quiet weekday services that we have. Maybe it will be the simple act of walking through those glass doors to the church and sitting. Psalm 46 reminds us to “Be still, then, and know that I am God.”

There is so much in this life that worries us, distracts us and gets in the way of our relationships. The goal of Lent, and of stillness and quiet, is to enable us to sort out what really deserves our attention. And if all goes well, we will enter Lent holding onto the few signposts of Epiphany, and leave Lent practically stumbling over all of the signposts we were missing before.May God grant us quiet minds and a Holy Lent.

-Father Bird

February and March 2007 VOL. LXI, No. 1

At a Glance

Christian Formation ..............p.6

Music.....................................p.3

Center for Spiritual Growth ..p.2

Recommended Books for Lent .p.8

Birthdays ...............................p.4

Thank Yous ...........................p.5

Calendar ..................... p. 9 & 10

February/March Highlights .... back

To Contact us:

914.337.3544Monday-Thursday 9 AM to 3 PMwww.ccbny.org

A Newsletter by and for the people of Christ Church Bronxville

2

ANGLICAN WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT:Saturday, February 24th, 2007Trinity Wall Street4:00 PM

Please join Anglican women and girls from around the world for a panel dis-cussion with prominent women leaders, including our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. Anglican girls will have a chance to ask the panel-ists questions about their leadership and the progress of women in various fi elds. The event will be an occasion to recognize the ministries of the Anglican delegates to the Commission on the Status of Women with a special focus on Anglican girls.

This year’s United Nations Commission on the Status of Women is examining the status of the Girl Child, and looking at methods to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against girls. Sexual violence and traffi cking, lack of education-al and economic opportunities and sexual stereotyping are among the many factors that play a role in diminishing the lives of girls. The Commission meets from Feb. 27th-March 9th. There will be a number of workshops and forums related to the themes of the commission that are open to the public. Email: ngo_csw_ny@hotmail.com for a calendar of events.

Crèche Service 2006

RETREAT OPPORTUNITYLoving in the Dark Friday, March 30th 6:00 PM- Saturday, March 31st at 4:00 PM,Community of St. John Baptist 82 West Main StreetMendham, New Jersey 07945

A Christian/ Buddhist Perspective on Prayer, Transformation and Action with-Hondi Brasco and Ellen Miret

Join Hondi Brasco and Ellen Miret at an Episcopal Convent as the writer and art-ist use images and prayerful refl ections to explore the ways in which “loving in the dark” can be an invitation to a deeper awareness of our own humanity, the mystery of God and the ability to love and serve in the midst of uncertainty.

Cost of retreat: $105 Make check pay-able to: Community of St. John Baptist

Please mail $25.00 deposit to Sr. Pamela, CSJB Community of St. John Baptist P.O. Box 240/ 82 West Main Street/ Mendham, NJ 07945

Please call (973) 543 4641, ext. 9 for more information. website: www.csjb.org

-Hondi Brasco

February SCHOOL CALENDAR

Feb. 4th, 9:45 AMChildren’s Chapel and ChurchSchool

Feb. 11th, 9:45 AMYouth Sunday

Feb 18th, 9:45 AM Godly Play Classes Only –Godly Dialogue in Church

Feb. 25th, Combined ClassesPRE-K THROUGH GRADE ONE

Feb. 4th BaptismFeb. 11th Youth SundayFeb. 18th Lenten PuzzleFeb. 25th Combined Classes

SECOND GRADE

Feb. 4th The Liturgy: Part I Processional, Propers and Commons, Lectionary, Sermon

Feb. 11th Youth Sunday Feb. 18th No Church School Feb. 25th Combined Classes

THIRD GRADE

Feb. 4th Israel in the PromisedLand

-Deborah-Gideon

Feb. 11th Youth SundayFeb. 18th No Church SchoolFeb. 25th Combined Church

School Class (all ages)FOURTH GRADE

Feb. 4th Jesus’ Last Days (Part I)-The Entry to Jerusalem-Jesus’ Authority -The Parable of the Talents

Feb. 11th Youth SundayFeb. 18th No Church SchoolFeb. 25th Combined Church

School Class (all ages)FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE

Feb. 4th Saints of the MedievalChurch (Part 2)-St. Francis-St. Elizabeth of HungaryIntroduction to the Reformation

Feb. 11th Youth SundayFeb. 18th No Church SchoolFeb. 25th Combined Church

School Class (all ages)

Center for Spiritual Growth

3

MusicMusic

AnnouncementsThere are NO choir rehears-als the week of February 19-23. Please mark your calendars.

YOUTH SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 11TH

Sing n Ring Rehearsal – 9:00 AMPrimary Choir Rehearsal – 9:30AM

SIGN UP TO RING IN A HANDBELL SESSIONSome experience reading music is helpful!

Handbell Session IV

Tuesday March 20th, 9-10:30AM rehearsal

Tuesday March 27th, 9-10:30AM rehearsal

Sunday April 1st – ring in church

Handbell Session V

Monday April 30th, 7-8:30PM rehearsal

Monday May 7th, 7-8:30PM rehearsal

Sunday May 13th – ring in church

ATTENTION ALL SINGERS! Parish Choir dates for remain-der of this season are March 4th, April 15th and June 10th. Have you sung in choir before? Maybe you could return for even ONE of these dates. It’s easy, just come at 9:00 AM to rehearse and sing at the 10:00 AM liturgy. LOOKING FORWARD TO MARCH

Double Choir EvensongMarch 10 at 4:00 PM What could top an Evensong including a Tallis 40-part motet? How about a choir of nearly 60 Royal School of Church Music choristers singing David Hogan’s Magnifi cat! Our Voice for Life trebles and staff singers will be participating in a weekend-long Choir Festival with choristers from Trinity Church on the Green (New Haven) that includes Evensong at Christ Church Bronxville on March 10th. Mark your calendars!

(MUSIC CONT. ON P. 4)

CHRIST CHURCH CHOIR The Christ Church Choir will sing Evensong on February 11th at 5:00 PM. Music by Herbert Sumsion, Henry Purcell, and John Reading.

What is Evensong? Choral Evensong is simply a fancy way of saying Evening Prayer—Sung. It is one of the great musical traditions of the Episcopal Church. Evensong is sung by one of Christ Church’s choirs or a visiting choir. Often one of Christ Church’s children or youth choirs sing Evensong. Singing Evensong affords our young singers the opportunity to learn chant and canticles, memorize creeds and prayers, and to sing anthems in styles ranging from traditional sacred music to world music from Latin America, Africa, Native American traditions and beyond.

MUSIC FOR AMERICANS IN PARISOn Sunday, January 21st at the 10:00 AM liturgy, Schola Cantorum offered much of the repertoire they will sing on their upcoming tour to France. Here’s who’s going:

The tour repertoire will include two spirituals, a genre of music which is uniquely American. The mass set-ting [aka, the Ordinary, or elements of the liturgy that do not change from week to week] is Harold Darke’s Communion Service in F major. Transfi guration (2004) by American composer Craig Phillips will be the centerpiece of Schola’s repertoire at the American Cathedral in Paris when they sing on February 18th– The Feast of the Transfi guration. Schola Cantorum will also bring on tour Richard Shepard’s Open for Me the Gates of Righteousness – composed for Christ Church Bronxville for the parish’s centennial celebration. Robert Richter will be accompanying the ensemble on the cathedral organs at Notre Dame and The American Cathedral. He will also present a recital at the American Cathedral before Evensong on February 18th.

Fr. BirdChristopher WellsRobert RichterMary ConnorsHyuga TakagiCoco VonnegutRachael BertuzziHolly CastleThomas DawsonKrista MillerCharles Elliott

Lauren HarringtonJessica HouseDuncan MahoodMarianna Man-ganielloWilliam MulliganJessica PalfreyCamilla SeirupLorenzo SeirupKathleen Seiter

4

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

February: 1: Meghan Duval; 3: Paige Nagle; 4: Ellen Olson, Hendrik Kranenburg; 7: Carter Callaway, Brian Firth; 8: Stephen Howard; 9: Jim Beit, Hanna Buen-dia, Louis Kanganis; 10: Brooke Flohr; 11: Patrick Conaton, Joshua Philips; 12: Sophie Cappello, Oli-ver Macmillan-Bell; 13: Christo-pher Behrens, Robert Murray; 14: Mary Jo Territo, Richard Knapp; 15: Elizabeth Ann Harrington, Sophia Montero; 16: Andrew Garvey; 17: Patrick Bird, Blanche Johnson; 18: Agatha Dunbar, Pamela Foss, James Rooney Jr.; 19:Rita Durniak, Daniel Normile; 20: Thomas Bender, Betsy Howard; 21: Peyton Elder; 22: William Henry Anderson 23: Clare Macmillan-Bell, Didi Romley, Camilla Seirup, Lorenzo Seirup, R. Scott Thomas; 24: John Duval Jr., Christian Welch ; 25: Richard Fursland, W. Hollis Petersen ; 26: Halloran Elizabeth Garvey, Peter Holland; 27: Cherry Lawrence, Charles Casey McK-hann

MUSIC (cont.)

BROKEN KEYS: LET’S START HERE...The forum after the 10 AM liturgy on March 18th will focus on the organ at Christ Church. The organ is the centerpiece of music at Christ Church. It leads the congregation in hymns and service music. It ac-companies all of our seven choirs. It provides ceremonial music before and after services, for weddings, and for funerals. BUT… its condition is far from perfect, it is surrounded by falling plaster, and it needs major attention.

This forum will include information from the recent site survey and report from an expert organ consultant, a picture and video presentation, and the opportunity to ask questions about the organ at Christ Church.

JUST LIKE YOU AND ME

is the title of the musical our choristers from Sing n Ring and VFL will be presenting on March 25th in Taylor Hall. This inspiring musical tells the story of a young girl, Jane, who learns that God can use common, ordinary people to do great things. Jane describes herself as a “Plain Jane” thinking that she’s not especially gifted or tal-ented. Jane’s friends, however, help her realize that God uses many ordinary people in important and powerful ways. Through dialogue and song, the musical refl ects on numerous Bible characters who illustrate this often overlooked truth. Jane discovers that God uses all kinds of people-men, women, youth, and children- to accomplish important things. Eventually Jane understands that everyone has important roles to play without regard to status.

Be sure to stick around after church for this half-hour musical.

5

Thank YouI would like to thank EVERYONE who made this year’s Family Christmas Party such a lovely event!

May I fi rst thank my committee who are wonderful at working together and making things happen. They are Karen Carpenter, Margaret Cona-ton, Anna Foley, Maria Hayes, Tracey Minich, Shruti Philips, Barbara Potgieter, Lea Kelsey, Letizia Seirup, Bea Welch and Nancy Whitney. All of these ladies are extremely busy especially around Christmas time but they always cheerfully rise to the occasion.

May I also thank Carol Taylor because without her, I would still be tangled up in the Christmas tree lights! We had marvelous assistance with the preparation of the crafts from Julie O’Connor and my mother, Martha Bronson. We could not have managed without you!

We would all like to thank Barbara Potgieter for her DELICIOUSluncheon that she so graciously offered again to prepare. Such elegant fare adds enormously to the event and I think she spoils us all royally and we appreciate it SO MUCH !! Barbara, you are a wonder!!

I would also like to thank Mr. Bob Singleton for his wonderful “tick-ling of the ivories” throughout the par-ty. There is nothing like “live music” to make a festive atmosphere and we loved it, Bob, THANK YOU ! May I also thank dear Santa for coming at such a busy time of year! You were tireless in making so many people happy. We have a lot of photos to prove it!

As always, we could not have had such a successful party without the help and patience of Noel Desmond and Jose Braga. Thank you gentlemen for all of the extras!

I would also like to thank ALL of the “elves” who made it possible to look after so many little ones! They were: Chris Behrens, Matt Behrens, Julia Bruton, Michael Conaton, Kathleen Conaton, Patrick Conaton, Nico Foley, Katie George, Betsy Har-rington, Claire Hayes, Taber Minich and Nicole Sears.

THANK YOU ALL,

Lucie Dean

Caroling 2006 Thanks to Jennifer Ware Hamlin for

organizing members of the Parish Visitors into a troupe of Christmas Carolers. Wear-ing holiday garb, the carolers visited pa-rishioners for whom it was diffi cult to get to church during at Christmas time. Their tour included a trip to the Guild Home, where they caroled for all the ladies in the beauty parlor, and a visit to Sacristan

6

ADULT FORUMS IN FEBRUARY

Sunday, February 4thWe welcome the staff of Fessenden House, which provides supportive housing to men in recovery from severe alcohol and/or drug addiction. The facility oc-cupies a former convent on the grounds of a Roman Catholic Church in Yonkers, New York, operates round the clock and has been fi lled to capacity since April of 1998. Br. Christopher Stephen Jenks, a life-professed member of the Brotherhood of St. Gregory and Executive Director of Fessenden Supportive Housing, Inc., and Br. Randall Horton, hermit, and the House Manager of Fessenden House, will join us to speak about the sanctifi cation of time and experiencing the Incarnation in the company of the residents of Fessenden House.

Sunday February 11thChristina Staudt from Jansen Hospice and Maura Del Bene, a parishioner of Christ Church and Nurse Practitioner in the Palliative Care Service of Lawrence Hospital, will speak about Hospice, what it is and who it serves, as well as the place of Palliative Care in the course of illness. They will also talk about opportunities to volunteer in the Jansen Program.

Sunday February 18th and Sunday February 25th: The Rev. Kate Malin will offer a two-part series on Lenten Disciplines. Together we will discuss our Prayer Book’s Ash Wednesday invitation to the observance of a holy Lent, by self examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.

Christian Formation: Upcoming Sundays at

Christ ChurchNURSERY

Located on the third fl oor of the Child Center, this resource is staffed by two loving and caring professionals from 9:45 A.M. to noon each Sunday so that parents can take full advantage of the Adult Forum after the 10:00 A.M. service. Parents are also welcome and encouraged as extra volun-teers.

FIRST FRIDAY FILMS IN MARCH

After Life (Wandafuru raifu)

Friday, March 2nd at 6:30 pm

What one memory of your life would you want to live over and over? The compelling and heart-felt fantasy After Life (Wandafuru raifu), from Japanese fi lmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, takes place in a kind of halfway house between life on Earth and the mystery of eternity. In this way-station, the newly dead are met by celestial guides who help them choose and then re-create the one memory that is all they will take with them into eternity. The fi lm is sublime in its simplicity, and director Hi-rokazu Kore-eda manages to paint each of the fi lm’s subjects with considerable amusement, yet also a quiet dignity. Join us in Taylor Hall at 6:30 pm for snacks and fellowship. The movie will begin at 7:00 pm and will be followed by an informal discussion and refl ection.

Adult Forums are held in Taylor Hall, immediately following the 10:00 AM service.

INQUIRERS’ CLASS

This six-week class will meet on Sunday evenings in Lent at 6:00 pm, following the 5:00 pm service of Holy Eucharist. This class is geared toward those new to the Episcopal Church but is open to anyone in-terested in learning more about our history and our worship. Our fi rst class will meet on Sunday, February 25th. If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please contact Mo. Kate Malin at kmalin@ccbny.org.

PARISH VISITORS AT CHRIST CHURCH

Would you or someone you know wel-come a call from one of our parish visitors? This group of dedicated, caring laypeople meets regularly for training and support in order to offer a listening, prayerful presence to those in our parish family who are ill or temporarily unable to come to church, newcomers to the parish and those who may just need someone to be with in a time of transition or stress. Licensed members are also available to bring communion upon request. For more information, please contact Mo. Kate Ma-lin at kmalin@ccbny.org.

WORKING MOTHERS’ FELLOWSHIP MARCH 22ND AT 7:00 PMAre you a working mother who cannot attend “Mothers’ Morning Fellowship” on Wednesday mornings but would like an opportunity to refl ect on the challenges of raising faithful children in an increasingly secular landscape? Could you use a little “time out” for the soul? If so, please come to our fi rst “Working Mothers’ Fellowship” on Thursday, March 22nd from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A light supper will be served and childcare will be provided. For more in-formation, and to reserve childcare, contact the Mo. Kate Malin at kmalin@ccbny.org.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPEROur Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will happen one week early due to the school holiday, as many of our youth, clergy, staff and usual participants will be away - not to mention some of the cooks! So, prepare yourself for this delicious pre-amble to Lent on Tuesday, February 13th beginning at 5:30 PM. A small donation is appreciated for each dinner. Tom Ruhm is coordinating the cooks. Please contact him at 664-3045 if you are willing to assist.

7

LentASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday, a day of fast & abstinence, is the gateway to Lent. The ashes we receive remind us of our mortality, and our coming to receive them is a sign that we will make a sincere ef-fort to cleanse our lives of sin and to put God fi rst. Ash Wednes-day calls us to put aside pride and choose humility. It calls us to acknowledge our failings and amend our hearts in the comfort of knowing that we are loved.

TRADITIONAL LENTEN REGULATIONS:The Book of Common Prayer indicates two days of expected fast-ing and abstinence from meat – Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.For many Christians, Fridays in Lent have been days of special observance, generally including fasting. Traditionally, fasting has meant that one full meal per day be taken. Two smaller meals have also been allowed to maintain strength. The tradition has also been to refrain from eating meat on Fridays.Remembering Jesus’s Death, through some form of observance on Fridays is an important aspect of any Lenten spiritual disci-pline. It is our hope that these Forty Days of Lent might be well used to set our hearts, minds and souls toward “things of impor-tance.”

FAST FOR MALAWIWill you consider literally putting your money where your mouth is this Lent? A small group of parishioners is planning a transformational journey this summer to Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, in Southern Central Africa. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the goal of our fact-fi nding trip this summer is to determine how Christ Church might expand its idea of mission to include a more hands-on approach in Malawi in the future.You can help. Please think about the discipline of fast-ing this Lent. It might be as simple as giving up one Starbucks latte per week, or choosing to bring a lunch from home one day instead of buying something at work. Maybe it means choosing to forego dessert when dining out, or skipping a meal entirely. Then, donate the equivalent cost of your fast toward the Malawi Mission Trip. Look for Fast for Malawi pledge forms in the next few weeks, and pray about how we all might offer up some of our simple pleasures to those who have so little. For more information, contact Mo. Kate Malin at kmalin@ccbny.org.

ASH WEDNESDAY

February 21st is Ash Wednesday, a day of atonement, fasting and penitence which marks the beginning of Lent. The Christ Church service schedule for Ash Wednesday is as follows: 7:00 AM Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes 12:00 PM Imposition of Ashes 7:00 PM Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes

If you are away from Bronxville during this week of school vacation, we encourage you to attend an Ash Wednesday service wherever your travels take you.

WEDNESDAY MORNINGS IN LENT

During the season of Lent many of us take on the discipline of the Wednesday morning Holy Eucharist at 7:00 AM. A quiet service that last no longer than 30 minutes, this liturgy serves as an anchor for many as they refocus their lives. Please consider coming to some or all of the Wednesdays in Lent and join us for breakfast afterwards in the Undercroft.

THURSDAY AT CHRIST CHURCH – THE BEST KEPT SECRETEach Thursday at 11:00 AM there is a Holy Eucharist in the Lady Chapel. This Eucharist is unusual in that it has been designed around the Christian sacrament of healing. Healing comes from quiet, it comes from prayer, and from the laying on of hands and anointing with oil. Healing comes from a community united around the holy table. Please join us to pray for God’s healing of mind, body and spirit. Come and pray for others or for yourself. Come and participate and make a difference.

8

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

March: 1: Tracey Gilliam ; 2: Nora Hogan, Caleb Smith, Walker Smith; 4: Thomas Kenney, Patrick Sica; 5:Stephen Kanganis, Lila Kelsey, Monna MacLellan, Dewees Yeager; 6: Julia Castle, Hisayo Cronk, Catherine Bird; 7: Randy Frost, Ann Tighe,8: Bradford Marvin; 9:Sarah Goodrum, Bill Kelsey; 10:Laura Hibbler; 12: Polly Coe, Erin Moor, Clifford Schneider; 15: Juan Buendia; 16: Cathy Abboud, Courtney Cherna, Kevin Ewy, Susan Rooney; 17: Gary Hayes, Dylan O’Donoghue, Arthur Taylor 17, Beatrice Welch: 18: Barbara McKinnon , Sheldon Reynolds; 19: Mary Engelhardt; 20: Emma Fursland, Jan Gray; 21: James Zyg-munt; 22: Jack McCormick, Mari-lyn McCormick, Jayne Warman; 24: Michael Abboud, Ansley Jones, Eleanor Pennell, Andrew Sulli-van; 25: AshtonMinich, Charlotte Reynolds; 26: Carol Bender, Joe Kratovil, Owen Thomas; 28: Rocky Gray; 29: Alina Atayan, Meghan Whitney; 30: Mark Sears, Jane Yeager; 31: Steven Ahmuty

Supper Clubs!The Supper Club will resume this month, if it hasn’t already! Do let me know if you would like be involved. They are certainly a de-lightful way to better know Christ Church members. There are so many nice people! Lucie Dean (337-5662) or deanlucie@aol.com

•God Has a Dream by Desmond Tutu. The Archbishop and Nobel Laureate envi-sions a world of suffering transformed into joy and redemption through love, hope, kindness, humility, forgiveness and understanding.

•Living Lent: Meditations for These Forty Days by Barbara Cawthorne Crafton. Bar-bara Crafton, priest, writer and spiritual director, offers verses from seasonal hymns as inspiration for her meditations on faith, prayer, forgiveness, healing and more.

•The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life by Henri J. M. Nouwen and Wendy Greer. A user-friendly collection of Nouwen’s writings on prayer as the way to live in the midst of the world and “with God here and now.”

•At Home in the World by Margaret Guenther. Subtitled “A Rule of Life for the Rest of Us,” Guenther offers warm and sensible advice on crafting a rule of life for those seeking support and structure in their quest for God.

•Living Faithfully as a Prayer Book People by John H. Westerhoff. This wonderful book walks the reader through the Book of Common Prayer, exploring how it shapes us as pilgrims and guides us to a holy and prayerful life.

•Listening for God published by Augsburg Press. A collection of stories and essays which encourages readers to investigate the surprising ways in which life and faith merge. Authors include Flannery O’Connor, Frederick Buechner and Alice Walker.

•To Heal a Fractured World by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. “We are here to make a differ-ence, a day at a time, an act at a time, for as long as it takes to make the world a place of justice and compassion,” writes Rabbi Sacks in this plea for a return of religion to its true purpose: a partnership with God in the work of ethical and moral living.

•A Room Called Remember by Frederick Buechner. These “uncollected pieces” spring from scripture readings and offer some of Buechner’s fi nest writings on faith, love and the power of words.

•Good Fences: The Boundaries of Hospitality by Caroline Westerhoff. Westerhoff examines the idea of hospitality and inclusion in the Church. Using narrative and anec-dotal stories, she suggests that boundaries are essential to our knowing who we are and what we stand for, and that only with that foundation may we truly welcome the stranger.

•Forgiven and Forgiving by William Countryman. In this biblically grounded study, Countryman offers a new look at the concept of forgiveness. Forgiveness, he contends, is not a duty but a conversion, a change of mind in order to see things through God’s eyes instead of ours. Countryman’s lively style and lucid insights make this book a must-read.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR LENTThe staff of Christ Church recommends the following books for the Season of Lent.

One or more would be an appropriate part of your Lenten Discipline.

9

---Thursday, February 01, 2007 Wm. Spirituality 9:30 AM (Conf.Room) Bible4Beginners 9:30 AMHE&Healing 11:00 AM (Lady Chapel) AA Women 1:30 PM (Conference) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room)Schola Cantorum Rehearsal 7:00 PMChrist Church Choir 7:30 PM (Choir Room)

----- Friday, February 02, 2007 First Friday Film 6:30 PM (Taylor Hall) Midnight Run 6:30 PM

----- Sunday, February 04, 2007 Holy Eucharist I 8:00 AM (Lady Chapel)Church School/Chapel 9:45 AMChoral Family Eucharist 10:00 AMInformal Eucharist 5:00 PM

---Monday, February 05, 2007 --Confi rmation Class 7:30 PM (Crispell Lounge and Conference Room)

--Tuesday, February 06, 2007 ---AA Women 9:45 AM (Conference Room) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PMChoir Dinner 6:00 PM (Taylor Hall) Sing N Ring Rehearsal 6:15 PM

Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Holy Eucharist 7:00 AMMother’s Morning Fellowship 9:00 AM (Library) YAA Pre K/K 11:45 AM (ECFCC)YAA Piano, Voice 1:00 PM-5:30 PM (Choir Room,Taylor Hall,Chapel) VFL 2:30 PM-2:30 PM (Choir Room) Primary choir rehearsal 3:45 PM (Choir Room)SHA!cappella 7:00 PM (Choir Room) AA Mtg. 8:00 PM (Taylor Hall)

--Thursday, February 08, 2007 Wm. Spirituality 9:30 AM (Conf.Room) HE&Healing 11:00 AM (Lady Chapel) AA Women 1:30 PM (Conference) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room) Schola Cantorum Dinner (Confer-ence) 6:00 PM Schola Cantorum Rehearsal 7:00 PMChrist Church Choir 7:30 PM (Choir Room)

----- Friday, February 09, 2007 - Altar guild prospectives meeting 9:00 AM (Crispell)

----- Sunday, February 11, 2007 Holy Eucharist I 8:00 AM (Lady Chapel) Choral Family Eucharist 10:00 AMEvensong 5:00 PM

---- Monday, February 12, 2007 -Confi rmation Class 7:30 PM(Crispell Lounge and Conference Room)

----Tuesday, February 13, 2007 AA Women 9:45 AM (Conference Room)VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room)Pancake Supper 5:30 PM (Kitch-en/Taylor Hall) Sing N Ring Rehearsal 6:15 PM-Vestry Mtg. 7:30 PM

--Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Holy Eucharist 7:00 AMMother’s Morning Fellowship 9:00 AM(Library)Altar Guild Mtg. 9:30 AM (Crisp-ell) YAA Pre K/K 11:45 AM(ECFCC) YAA Piano, Voice 1:00 PM (Choir Room,Taylor Hall,Chapel) VFL 2:30 PM (Choir Room) Primary choir rehearsal 3:45 PM (Choir Room)SHA!cappella 7:00 PM (Choir Room) AA Mtg. 8:00 PM (Taylor Hall)

-Thursday, February 15, 2007 ---Wm. Spirituality 9:30 AM (Conf.Room) Bible4Beginners 9:30 AMHE&Healing 11:00 AM (Lady Chapel) AA Women 1:30 PM (Conference) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room) Schola Cantorum Rehearsal 7:00 PMChrist Church Choir 7:30 PM (Choir Room)

----- Friday, February 16, 2007 - YAA Piano, MT/Orchestra 2:45 PM

-- Sunday, February 18, 2007 Holy Eucharist I 8:00 AM (Lady Chapel) Church School/Chapel 9:45 AMChoral Family Eucharist 10:00 AMCounseling Center Concert 2:00 PMInformal Eucharist 5:00 PM

-- Monday, February 19, 2007 Presidents’ Day -Offi ce closed All Day

-- Tuesday, February 20, 2007 AA Women 9:45 AM (Conference Room)

Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Ash Wednesday All Day

HE w/imposition of Ashes 7:00 AMImposition of Ashes (no HE) 12:00 PMHE+Imposition of Ashes 7:00 PMSHA!cappella 7:00 PM(Choir Room) AA Mtg. 8:00 PM (Taylor Hall)

----Thursday, February 22, 2007 Wm. Spirituality 9:30 AMHE&Healing 11:00 AM (Lady Chapel)AA Women 1:30 PM (Conference)

----- Sunday, February 25, 2007 Lent I All Day

Holy Eucharist I 8:00 AM (Lady Chapel) Church School/Chapel 9:45 AMChoral Family Eucharist 10:00 AM Informal Eucharist 5:00 PMInquires’ Class 6:00 PM

----- Monday, February 26, 2007 Confi rmation Class 7:30 PM (Crispell Lounge and Conference Room)

----- Tuesday, February 27, 2007 AA Women 9:45 AM (Conference Room) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room)Sing N Ring Rehearsal 6:15 PM

Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Holy Eucharist 7:00 AMMother’s Morning Fellowship 9:00 AM (Library) YAA Pre K/K/Voice, Piano 11:45 AMVFL 2:30 PM (Choir Room) Primary choir rehearsal 3:45 PM (Choir Room) SHA!cappella 7:00 PM(Choir Room) AA Board Mtg. 7:00 PMParish Visitors 7:30 PM (Crispell Lounge) AA Mtg. 8:00 PM (Taylor Hall)

February

10

----- Thursday, March 01, 2007 Bible4Beginners 9:30 AMWm. Spirituality 9:30 AM(Conf.Room) HE&Healing 11:00 AM (Lady Chapel)AA Women 1:30 PM (Conference) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room) Schola Cantorum Rehearsal 7:00 PMChrist Church Choir 7:30 PM(Choir Room)

----- Friday, March 02, 2007 ----- First Friday Film 6:30 PM (Taylor Hall)

----- Sunday, March 04, 2007 ----- Breakfast Run 6:30 AMHoly Eucharist I 8:00 AM(Lady Chapel)Church School/Chapel 9:45 AMChoral Family Eucharist 10:00 AM Informal Eucharist 5:00 PMInquires’ Class 6:00 PM

----- Monday, March 05, 2007 ----- Confi rmation Class 7:30PM (Crisp-ell Lounge and Conference Room)

----- Tuesday, March 06, 2007 ----- AA Women 9:45 AM (Conference Room) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room)Sing N Ring Rehearsal 6:15 PM

----- Wednesday, March 07, 2007 -Holy Eucharist 7:00 AMMother’s Morning Fellowship 9:00 AM (Library) YAA Pre K/K 11:45 AM (ECFCC) YAA Piano, Voice 1:00 PM (Choir Room,Taylor Hall,Chapel) VFL 2:30 PM (Choir Room)Primary choir rehearsal 3:45 PM(Choir Room) SHA!cappella 7:00 PM (Choir Room) AA Mtg. 8:00 PM (Taylor Hall)

-- Thursday, March 08, 2007 ----- Wm. Spirituality 9:30 AM (Conf.Room) HE&Healing 11:00 AM(Lady Chapel) AA Women 1:30 PM(Conference) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room) Schola Cantorum Rehearsal 7:00 PMChrist Church Choir 7:30 PM-8:30 PM (Choir Room)

--- Saturday, March 10, 2007 ----- Choir Festival All Day (Church, Auditorium, Taylor Hall)

----- Sunday, March 11, 2007 ----- Holy Eucharist I 8:00 AM (Lady Chapel) Church School/Chapel 9:45 AMChoral Family Eucharist 10:00 AMHeroes and Heroines of the Bible 3:00 PM Informal Eucharist 5:00 PMInquires’ Class 6:00 PM----- Monday, March 12, 2007 ----- Confi rmation Class 7:30 PM (Crispell Lounge and Conference Room)

----- Tuesday, March 13, 2007 ----- AA Women 9:45 AM (Conference Room)VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room) Sing N Ring Rehearsal 6:15 PM

---Wednesday, March 14, 2007 -Holy Eucharist 7:00 AMMother’s Morning Fellowship 9:00 AM (Library)YAA Pre K/K 11:45 AM (ECFCC)YAA Piano, Voice 1:00 PM (Choir Room,Taylor Hall,Chapel) VFL 2:30 PM(Choir Room)Primary choir rehearsal 3:45 PM (Choir Room) SHA!cappella 7:00 PM (Choir Room) AA Mtg. 8:00 PM (Taylor Hall)

----Thursday, March 15, 2007 ----- Wm. Spirituality 9:30 AM (Conf.Room) Bible4Beginners 9:30 AMHE&Healing 11:00 AM (Lady Chapel) AA Women 1:30 PM (Conference) VFL Rehearsal 5:30 PM (Choir Room) Bronxville Adult Ed. Mediatation Class 6:00 PM (Crispell) Schola Cantorum Rehearsal 7:00 PM Christ Church Choir 7:30 PM(Choir Room)

----- Sunday, March 18, 2007 ----- Holy Eucharist I 8:00 AMAM (Lady Chapel)Choral Family Eucharist 10:00 AMCounseling Center Concert 2:30PMInformal Euchatist 5:00 PMInquires’ Class 6:00 PM

----- Monday, March 19, 2007 ----- Confi rmation Class 7:30 PM (Crispell Lounge and Conference Room)

----- Tuesday, March 20, 2007 ----- AA Women 9:45 AM(Conference Room)VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room)Sing N Ring Rehearsal 6:15 PM

--Wednesday, March 21, 2007----- Holy Eucharist 7:00 AMMother’s Morning Fellowship 9:00 AM (Library) YAA Pre K/K 11:45 AM (ECFCC)YAA Piano, Voice 1:00 PM (Choir Room,Taylor Hall,Chapel) VFL 2:30 PM (Choir Room) Primary choir rehearsal 3:45 PM (Choir Room)SHA!cappella 8:00 PM (Choir Room) Parish Visitors 8:30 PM (Crispell)AA Mtg. 9:00 PM (Taylor Hall)

----Thursday, March 22, 2007 ----- Wm. Spirituality 9:30 AM (Conf.Room) HE&Healing 11:00 AM (Lady Chapel) AA Women 1:30 PM (Conference) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room) Bronxville Adult Ed. Mediatation Class 6:00 PM (Crispell) Schola Cantorum Rehearsal 7:00 PMChrist Church Choir 7:30 PM (Choir Room)

----- Friday, March 23, 2007 ----- YAA Piano, MT/Orchestra 2:45 PM(Choir Room,Taylor Hall)

----- Sunday, March 25, 2007 ----- Holy Eucharist I 9:00 AM(Lady Chapel) Church School/Chapel 10:45 AMChoral Family Eucharist 11:00 AM Inquires’ Class 6:00 PM Informal Eucharist 6:00 PM

----- Monday, March 26, 2007 ----- Confi rmation Class 8:30 PM(Crispell Lounge and Conference Room)

----- Tuesday, March 27, 2007 ----- AA Women 10:45 AM(Conference Room)VFL Rehearsal 5:30 PM (Choir Room) Sing N Ring Rehearsal 7:15 PM

--- Wednesday, March 28, 2007 Holy Eucharist 8:00 AMMother’s Morning Fellowship 9:00 AM (Library)YAA Pre K/K 11:45 AM (ECFCC) YAA Piano, Voice 1:00 PM Choir Room,Taylor Hall,Chapel)VFL 2:30 PM (Choir Room) Primary choir rehearsal 3:45 PM (Choir Room)Vestry Meeting 7:30 PM (Crispell) SHA!cappella 8:00 PM (Choir Room) AA Board Mtg 8:00 PMAA Mtg. 9:00 PM (Taylor Hall)

----- Thursday, March 29, 2007 --Wm. Spirituality 9:30 AM (Conf.Room) Bible4Beginners 9:00 AMHE&Healing 11:00 AM (Lady Chapel)AA Women 1:30 PM (Conference) VFL Rehearsal 4:30 PM (Choir Room) Bronxville Adult Ed. Mediatation Class 6:00 PM (Crispell) Schola Cantorum Rehearsal 7:00 PMChrist Church Choir 7:30 PM (Choir Room)

----- Friday, March 30, 2007 ----- YAA Piano, MT/Orchestra 2:45 PM-6:00 PM (Choir Room,Taylor Hall)

March

11

MID-WINTER VARIETY SHOW THANK YOU!A huge expression of gratitude goes out to all those who made this festive night of fellowship and fun a success. Thanks especially to Amy Axel-son and Joan Forsythe, Noel Desmond and Jose Braga, Lucie Dean, Ken Richardson for his brilliant turn as Master of Ceremonies, and to all those who performed (and all who applauded)! We anticipate a reprise of this event next year, so get out your tap shoes…The Rev.Kate Malin was a driving force behind the organization and inspiration for the effort and also a wonderful light board operator!

A huge thanks to Shawn Kaufman for donating his time (during fashion week!!) to make sure we had our theatrical lighting up and focused for the performance. Christopher Wells deserves a big thanks for putting together a crowd pleasing staff fi nale, even after great personal injury! And of course, a huge thank you to Father Bird for letting the luna-tics run the asylum for the night and for joining us in our fun.

CALLING ALL CHILD ACTORS, DANCERS, NARRATORS, SHOW-OFFS AND STORY-TELLERS!Join us on Sunday March 11th at 3:00 pm in Taylor Hall for “Bringing the Bible to Life.” Children of Christ Church are in-vited to take part in act-ing out different Bible stories (costumes and props will be provided), work on a special out-reach project and enjoy

food and fellowship together. After the performances, all are encouraged to attend the 5:00 pm service of Holy Eucharist together.

ADULT FORUM SCHEDULE FOR MARCH

March 4th: The Rev. Dr. James W. Farwell, Associate Professor in the H. Boone Porter Chair of Liturgics, will be our guest preacher at the 8:00 am and 10:00 am services of Holy Eucharist, and lead the Adult Forum following the 10:00 am service.

March 11th: Shelley Smith, who conducted the Conditions Survey of Christ Church Buildings and Grounds, will lead a forum based on her report. Feel free to bring any questions you may have about our stones, mortar, leaks and boilers. Ms. Smith will do her best to answer them all!

March 18th: Christopher Wells will make a “State of the Organ” presentation. See article on page 4.

March 25th: Join us in Taylor Hall for the musical “Just Like You and Me,” a presentation by the choristers from Sing n Ring and Voice for Life. See article on page 4.

March

SCHOOL CALENDARMar. 4th, 9:45 AM

Children’s Chapel and ChurchSchool

Mar. 11th, 9:45 AMChildren’s Chapel and ChurchSchool

Mar 18th, 9:45 AM Children’s Chapel and ChurchSchoolPassion Play in the Afternoon

Mar. 25th, Youth Sunday

PRE-K THROUGH GRADE ONE

Mar. 4th The Gift of the PoorWidow

Mar. 11th Jesus’ Last PassoverMar. 18th Jesus Dies and God

Makes Jesus Alive AgainMar. 25th Youth Sunday

SECOND GRADE

Mar. 4th The Liturgy: Part II:The Creed and the Trinity

Mar. 11th Lent-Part I Mar. 18th Lent-Part IIMar. 25th Youth Sunday

THIRD GRADE

Mar. 4th SamsonThe Lion;The Philistines;Delilah

Mar. 11th RuthNaomi and Ruth;Ruth and Boaz

Mar. 18th SamuelHanna dn the Call of Samuel;Israel Asks For a King;Saul and Jonathan

Mar. 25th Youth Sunday

FOURTH GRADE

Mar. 4th Jesus’ Last Days (Part II)The Lord’s Supper;Jesus is Arrested

Mar. 11th Jesus’ Last Days (Part III)Jesus is Tried By The Priests; Jesusis Tried by the Romans; Jesus isCrucifi ed

Mar. 18th The Resurrection and AscensionJesus is Risen; The Road toEmmaus; Doubting Thomas; The Last Breakfast; The Ascension

Mar. 25th Youth Sunday

DON’T FORGET:

Don’t forget on March 11th, we “spring forward” for Daylight Savings! Set your clocks ahead one hour beforeyou go to bed on Saturday night!

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

White Plains, NY PERMIT NO. 7155

The SpireChrist Church Bronxville17 Sagamore RoadBronxville, NY 10708-1599

Tues. Feb. 6th-5:30 PM Choir Dinner

Thurs. Feb. 8th-6:00 PM Schola Cantorum Dinner

Sun. Feb. 11th-5:00 PM Evensong

Sun. Feb. 18th-2:00 PM Counseling Center Concert

Mon. Feb. 19th-President’s Day/Office Closed/ No Confirmation Class

Wed. Feb. 21st-Ash Wednesday/7:00 AM Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes; 12:00 PM Imposition of Ashes (No Holy Eucharist); 7:00 PM Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes;

Sun. Feb. 25th-6:00 PM Inquires Class

Mon. Feb. 26th-7:30 PM Confirmation Class (Crispell Lounge/Conference Room) No Confirmation Class on 12th or 19th

Fri. Mar. 2nd -First Friday Film 6:30 PM (Taylor Hall)

Sun. Mar. 4th-Breakfast Run 6:30 AM

Sat. Mar. 10th-Choir Festival All Day (Church, Auditorium, Taylor Hall)

Sat. Mar. 12th-Bringing the Bible to Life 3:00 PM

Sun. Mar. 18th-Counseling Center Concert 2:30 PM

Wed. Mar. 21st Parish Visitors 7:30 PM (Crispell)

Wed. Mar. 28th-Vestry Meeting 7:30 PM (Crispell)

FEBRUARY/MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

HOLY WEEKPalm Sunday – April 1st 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist – Rite I10:00 AM Family Eucharist – Rite II5:00 PM Informal Eucharist

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week — Holy Eucharist at 7:00 AMTenebrae – Wednesday of Holy Week – April 4th at 7:00 PMMaundy Thursday –April 5th at 7:00 PMGood Friday – April 6th at 12 PMEaster Saturday – The Great Vigil of Easter April 7th at 7:00 PMEaster Sunday – April 8th at 9:00 A.M. and 11:15 AM