We are a Parish of the Episcopal Church USA

Part of the worldwide Anglican Communion
A tradition both Catholic and Protestant
Most importantly, we are disciples of Christ
Following his commandment
To love and serve God above all
To love our neighbors as ourselves

55 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, Connecticut 06880 | Phone: 203-227-0827

Week of August 17, 2008

2008-9 Music & Arts Schedule

The Music & Arts Committee is proud to announce this exciting schedule to enrich our parish and community. Look for ticket information coming in the mail very soon or contact Michael Burnette at mburnette@chtwestport.org for more information.

October 19, 5:00 p.m. The Tallis Scholars
“The rock stars of Renaissance vocal music” (New York Times) sing the music of Lobo, Guerrero and Victoria.

November 23, 5:00 p.m. Choral Evensong and Organ Recital
Robert Kwan, our new Assistant to the Organist-Choirmaster and recent graduate of the Eastman School
of Music, plays his debut recital at CHT. 

December 21, 5:00 p.m. Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols
Candlelit church. Christmas lessons. Favorite carols. Glorious music. 

February 8, 5:00 p.m. Choral Evensong and Organ Recital
Jo Deen Blaine Davis, Director of Music Ministries at The Congregational Church of New Canaan, is the guest recitalist. 

March 22, 5:00 p.m. Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge
The world famous choir of men and boys stops in Westport for the first concert of its USA tour.

Music Ministry

Welcome Robert

We warmly welcome, Robert Kwan, our new Assistant to the Organist-Choirmaster. Robert began his work at CHT on August 12. He is thrilled to be part of our music ministry and looks forward to getting to know the parish. Stop by and say hello.

Service Soloists

Musical leadership this morning is provided by father and daughter duo, Randy and Alex Herbertson. Both are loyal CHT choristers! Alex, a senior at Staples High School, appeared as Cosette in the Staples Players Summer Theatre production of Les Misérables last weekend.

Choir Parent Meetings

In order to get the choir season off to a good start, parents of choristers in grades PreK-8 must attend one of the following meetings in the Choir Room: Tuesday, September 16 at 6:15 p.m. or Wednesday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m. RSVP to mburnette@chtwestport.org or 227-0827 x10

 

Our choirs are on Summer Break.  Look for special performances during the summer, and see you in the fall!  New fall schedule is now on the Choir page.

Blood Pressure Screening will be available between liturgies next Sunday, August 24

Parish Nurse consultation and blood pressure screening is available on Wednesday mornings during the summer months at the Church Office.

Healing with Spirituality:

A workshop sponsored by Mid-Fairfield Hospice at the Wilton Library, August 19, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
The Green Team

Eliminate unwanted catalogs you receive. Simplify your life and save natural resources. www.catalogchoice.org

Save the Date for “Aging with Grace”:
When? Saturday, September 27, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Where? Parish Hall
What? A free, informational workshop for seniors and children of seniors. The day is open to the interfaith community. Multiple speakers and resources will be available on topics such as home safety, in-home assistance, memory loss, scams targeting seniors, elder care law, adult day care, hospice and palliative care, elder abuse, medical alert systems and a panel of clergy on spiritual concerns in aging. Bring a bag lunch. Finger foods and beverages will be provided. Door prizes!

Lyme Disease Prevention

See the Health Ministry bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

Prayer Walking

Linus Mundy, in his book Prayer Walking, reminds us that walking and physical exercise are not just prescriptions for our physical health; they arm us with coping tools:

Prayer-walking is a relaxation exercise, promoting the reduction of mental and muscle tension.
Prayer-walking is meditation.
Prayer-walking lets us use imagery – a place within that is tranquil and soothing.
Prayer-walking lets us use visualization – gaining mastery of our emotions by visualizing ourselves being confident and competent in any given situation.
Behold, a rushing mighty wind has swept us up and taken us to Jerusalem this day! We will continue our physical exercise with a slightly different twist:

Walks at the Shore

An invitation to parishioners to join us for walks at the shore this summer, beginning yesterday! We depart on Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m. from Longshore Park. There is parking available in parking lot F, which is the unpaved lot after the marina, near Evan Harding Point. Questions? Contact Ginny Wagenseller, Parish Nurse, 226-6239 wagaginsing@aol.com

Are you looking for another reading inspiration on walking? Surprises Around the Bend by Richard Hasler, Augsburg Books, 2008.

Volunteers Needed

Have you considered participating in the Gillespie Dinner Ministry? Open dates are: October 7, October 26 and November 4. Maggie Feczko (454-4694) and Wynne Abrams (227-9210) will be happy to pair you with an experienced person for the date you select.

Goodbye to Nicole, Matt and Ben 

We all wish the Hartungs Godspeed as they begin the next phase of their ministries. We are so glad and appreciative of Nicole’s four years with us as Youth and Children’s Minister and for the special gifts of Matt and Ben!

 

Congratulations

To the CHT Preschool and Moira O’Connor, Director, the teachers and Board!!! The National Association for the Education of Young Children just notified them that the Preschool has received accreditation. The teachers and Moira deserve so much credit for the extra time and efforts these past 18 months. The school is one of the first programs in the country to pass the new, re-invented NAEYC standards – this is a significant achievement!

EpiscoBeef, Our Annual Cookout

August 31 after the 10:00 a.m. liturgy. Bring a dish to share. Invite a friend. Reconnect with old friends.

Weekend Walking

Weekend Walking: Anyone is welcome to join CHTers Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m. We leave from Longshore’s Evan Harding Point Parking Lot F (no beach sticker necessary).

 

Pass It On

CHT is the place to 'pass it on': The Stewardship Ministry has organized a new means for our parish community and neighbors to 'give back' and make a difference. Beginning this month, a Salvation Army drop box will be stationed outside the Parish Hall. Please help spread the word, and share regularly with those who are less fortunate.

 

The Summer Parish Press

Did you know? Since CHT has gone green with the Parish Press, our monthly newsletter, printing costs have dropped dramatically. Between printing and postage, we are saving around $9,000 a year.
The Summer Parish Press is finally here!  You can read it online by clicking on the side bar, or download it here.

 

Energy Stewardship

The Green Team invites you to shop Interfaith Power and Light, www.ShopIPL.org, for improved energy stewardship.

Gift  Your Talent

The Arts Program at The Connecticut Hospice is seeking arts volunteers in musical, performance, visual or literary arts to offer support to hospice patients and family members. Contact Pat Nowack Corradino, Director of Volunteer Services, 203-315-7510 or pnowak@hospice.com or Katherine Blossom Mascagna, Arts Director, 203-315-7522 or kblossom@hospice.com.

High School Mission Trip - Another Success

The High School Youth Mission Team returned on Saturday after another successful trip to Mississippi, where they dug a foundation, built the base deck of another house, and removed a rotting ceiling of a third house.  Thanks to the 33 adults and youth who took part in this trip, especially to our beloved leader, Nicole Hartung, who will be leaving us in a few weeks.  Take a look at a few more pictures in the picture gallery on the left navigation!

School Backpacks for Families in Need

To help a Westport child start off the school year with new school supplies, you may make a donation payable to “Families in Need Fund” memo “Backpacks” or drop off new backpacks and school supplies to the Department of Human Services in Room 200 at the Town Hall during business hours. Direct questions to Margaret Pinheiro, 341-1050 or humansrv@westportct.gov. This growing program now serves over 150 Westport children.

The Gillespie pantry is bare of cereal

For the workers at the Gillespie Center’s community kitchen in Westport the past few weeks have been riddled with worry and fear. The shelves that were once filled with food for the homeless and hungry are now bare. “This is the lowest it’s ever been,” said Jim Barber, who oversees the shelter. Despite many large donations this fall from churches, schools, and other organizations, the need for food continues to outweigh the inventory Please bring a box of cold cereal to the donation box in the Parish Hall.  Download the CHT Gillspie Center schedule by clicking here.

 

CHT Vacation Bible School

Thanks to everyone who made this year's vacation bible school-- over 125 people participated, including 83 children and many parents and student leaders from our middle school and high school youth.  Special thanks to Juan Martin and Maryelizabeth McManus. along with our Child and Youth Minister Nicole Hartung who lead the way!   

 

 

Confirm not Conform!

Our great new confirmation program, “Confirm not Conform,” begins this fall for youth in 8th grade or above. It will bring a new level of depth to our confirmation program and will engage our young people in making a mature decision about confirming their faith. The requirements of participation will be clearly laid out well in advance, so participants can plan their year accordingly. Those interested in enrolling in “Confirm not Conform” this fall will need (without exception) to attend one of the orientation sessions in early September with a parent (September 7 at 11:30 a.m. or September 9 at 7:30 p.m.).  If  have any questions about our new program or would like a copy of the 2008-2009 “Confirm not Conform” schedule, please contact Elsa Worth at 227-0827 or at eworth@chtwestport.org.

Mobile Eucharist

Mobile Eucharist is happening this summer on every fourth Wednesday through October, we will celebrate a “Come As You Are” service of Eucharist at Evan Harding Park at Longshore, 7:00 p.m. The next one is August 27. Come just for the service, or bring a picnic or some charcoal and BBQ to enjoy either before or after the service. Contact Elsa Worth if you have any questions at eworth@chtwestport.org

 

Men’s Discussion Group

This group has decided to continue to meet during the summer!  We are currently discussing the Protestant Reformation from the Papal perspective. Contact Christiaan at 646-331-3926 or christiaanrizy@yahoo.com about the exciting program that continues to develop here!  

Check out the New Site

Do you know www.episcopalchurch.org, the newly reorganized website of the Episcopal Church? It is the place where seekers find out information on particular areas of interest and the place to know how the Episcopal Church serves God and the world.

UTO

Our Parish Ingathering for the Episcopal Church’s United Thank Offering takes place on Sunday, August 24. Please take a “Blue Box” from the basket in the narthex to collect your offerings for the daily blessings in your life. Invite your children to join you in this effort! Put the amount collected into a check and bring it to church on the 24th, or mail it to the Church Office. The sum of these small offerings will fund over 100 grants church wide in 2009. This year in Connecticut, a grant of $10,000 for roof repairs went to St. Andrew’s, New Haven. This is an inner city church which provides important youth programs, including a Teen Outreach Center, as well as a community food pantry and a place for community organizations to meet.

Help those in Need

To help people affected by the earthquake in China and tornadoes in the US or the cyclone in Myanmar, you may make a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development’s “Emergency Relief Fund” online at http://www.er-d.org, or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129

The Green Team

We are beginning a team to see how we can help keep our church “green,” and we invite any additional joiners! Contact Kathryn Corbally, mcorbally@yahoo.com.

 

Environmental Tip for This Week

The Parish Nurse disposes of your unused, outdated medications in an environmentally safe way. Leave yours in the red biohazard container in the Parish Hall kitchen, but keep in mind that controlled substances are not accepted here.

 

A Green Reminder

The parish nurse collects and disposes of unused or outdated medications through the Westport Weston Health District biohazard disposal system. Please leave your leftovers in the red bin in the church kitchen (no controlled substances permitted). 

 

 

 

Vacation Bible School in August

The United Methodist Church, 49 Weston Road, has invited CHT parishioners to participate in their Vacation Bible School, 5:30-7:30 p.m., August 20-22. Join them in the streets of a Jerusalem marketplace! You’ll enjoy authentic Bible-times crafts, experience thrilling real-life dramas, play traditional Bible-times games, sample tasty Middle Eastern snacks and hear unforgettable music. Plus, you’ll meet lots of new friends! $25 per person, $65 per family. 227-4707.

Foundations

If you would like to know more about the Episcopal Church or if you feel moved by the Spirit to become a communicant of the Episcopal Church, join Foundations. This class started Sunday, April 6, 12:30-2:00 p.m. and continues on Sundays, April 13-May 11 (omitting April 27), 4:00-5:30 p.m. Participants excited by the Episcopal Church and CHT’s ministries will be officially welcomed as members of CHT and the Episcopal Church in a celebratory liturgy Saturday, May 17. To register, call the church office, 227-0827, or e-mail us at info@chtwestport.org

Faith in Action

The Faith in Action Ministry Team is excited to be working under a new vision statement: “Sheltering Body and Soul.” This vision will help us to focus and deepen our efforts in future outreach activities. We are committed to reaching out with compassion to those in need of shelter, whether from the elements, or from the high stress of Fairfield County life. It is a vision of wholeness, healing and wellness for our whole community. We’d love to tell you about our discernment process and also share our hopes and dreams for CHT outreach in the future. Feel free to speak with anyone on our team: Dawn Sullivan (convener), Wynne Abrams, Maggie Feczko, Gail Kelly, Mary Sarin, Wanda Steinke or Elsa Worth. If you have questions or input, please contact Dawn Sullivan at dsullivan@insourcepartners.us

The WIN Mentoring program

  A program of Interfaith Housing Association, offers friendship and support to adult women who are experiencing difficulties in their everyday lives. Mentoring partners commit to meet with each other one hour a week for a year. Mentors should be good listeners, have compassion for people in difficult circumstances and relate comfortably to people from diverse backgrounds. No experience is necessary. Mentors receive training and support from Program Director, Wendy Epstein, LCSW. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or if you would like to have a mentor, please contact Wendy at wendyepstein@ihawestport.com or call 222-9260.

Accepting Applications!

There are  a few remaining openings for the fall classes at Christ & Holy Trinity Preschool.  Applications are still being accepted for 2008-2009 in the 2-day 3 year old and the 5-day 4 year old classes. If  you have a child, or know someone who does who might want to take advantage of this wonderful program, please contact the Director, Moira O'Connor, moconnor@chtwestport,org, or call her at 226-4616.  Learn more here.   

 

Food Collection

Food Donations For Christian Community Action (CCA) located in South Norwalk, CCA is a vital source of food supplies for many needy families, serving nearly 1200 individuals each month. As part of its mission, CCA operates a food pantry for qualifying recipients and also offers limited funds on an emergency basis to help with the burden of home heating expenses.
Please donate canned/packaged food items as part of CHT’s Lenten Food Drive. Donations can be brought in bags to the Parish Hall or Preschool. Parish volunteers will transport the donated items to CCA each week. Ideal food items for donation include the following: Fruit juices (boxes or 32 ounce cans), Canned fruit, Jelly, Canned tomato sauce(s),
canned dinners (chili, ravioli, spaghetti/meatballs), Canned hearty soups, Cereal (hot or cold), Tuna.  Questions or Suggestions? Please call Faith in Action Committee: Gail Kelly, Mary Sarin, Wanda Steinke, Dawn Sullivan, Maggie Feczko, Catherine Amon, Elsa Worth.  

Youth Lay Readers

Looking for young people to be lay readers occasionally at Sunday worship: If your child is interested, call Marilyn at the church office, 227-0827

Camp Washington

Camp Washington, a unique ministry of our Diocese, offering camp experiences including teen, theater, arts, camping skills, pee-wee and parent, outreach leadership, mini camp and general camp programs for ages 5-17. Set in Litchfield County on 300 acres of woods, pond and open areas. For more information, please visit their website: www.campwashington.org.

 

Did you know?

There are nine accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. A few months ago there were eleven. Due to the high costs of overhead and other expenses, two seminaries recently closed, folded into existing institutions to educate future clergy of the Episcopal Church.

Seminary/Divinity School lasts three years (Masters of Divinity). Typically the cost for three years will exceed $100,000 for tuition, room and board for each student.

• The average seminary student graduates with $45,000 of debt, an amount that will exceed anticipated compensation in the first years of ministry.

• The Episcopal Church does not grant any financial support for the Seminaries of the Church. Each Seminary is an independent institution, dependent on financial support from its graduates, friends and churches through annual appeals.

• The General Convention of 1982 adopted Resolution AQ125 calling upon every Episcopal Church to support theological education by giving 1% of its net disposable income to one or more of the Episcopal Seminaries. Christ & Holy Trinity gives ½ of 1% to the Seminaries of the Church—little more than $7000 a year.
• For many years, Christ & Holy Trinity has hosted a Seminary Intern from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. Recent Interns (Martha Korienek, Ned Mulligan and Nathan Finnin) have served two years among us. We will have a Seminarian Intern from Berkeley/Yale for 2008-09. 
• Nathan Finnin, our former seminarian,  graduated in May, returning to his Diocese of East Carolina where he will serve St. Mary’s of Kinston. Nathan was be ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church as will be ordained a Priest in approximately six months.
  
• Though the trend suggests that younger women and men are now entering seminary, Nathan is a rarity in the Episcopal Church in his youthfulness. Within the next decade, more than half of all Priests of the Episcopal Church will retire (including our Rector). One of the significant challenges for the Episcopal Church is the recruitment of young clergy to replace these clergy. We invite your prayers for vocations of those interested in the ministry.