Worship Schedule

220 40th Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
319.363.2029

10^th Anniversary

“Oh how good and pleasant it is when kindred live in unity.”  Psalm 133

The 10^th Anniversary committee began meeting in August 2006 with the goal of planning events to help us celebrate this milestone. These events included:

• At the diocesan convention in November 2006 a courtesy resolution was read to recognize our anniversary.
• We had a delicious and festive kick-off birthday luncheon in January.
• Our birthday gift to the community was to participate in Canstruction in February (see page __ for details). Our J2A young people created and built an iPod out of 350 cans of spaghetti sauce. The 14,000 pounds of food used in all of the Canstructions were donated to HACAP Food Reservoir.
• Our birthday gift to ourselves was to frame and hang some of the beautiful photographs from the trips to Swaziland.
• The committee generated a long list of exciting keynote speakers. We were thrilled and honored when Bishop Scarfe notified us that Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori accepted our invitation. On May 5 we hosted a diocesan and community-wide “Conversation with Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori.”  The presiding bishop spoke about her vision of the church and God’s dream of justice; then she opened the floor to questions. Because the purpose of the Millennium Development Goals is to end severe poverty and because the church and the presiding bishop have included them as the major focus for our ministries we announced the creation of the Katharine Jefferts-Schori Scholarship to assist in the education and training of a teacher at St. Augustine’s in Swaziland. We closed the evening with a wonderful reception in the Undercroft. On Sunday she presided at our morning Eucharist. We presented the Presiding Bishop with an original calligraphy of Psalm 133 created by Ida Martin Sorenson.

• Special musical concerts included Godspell and a Celtic celebration and Oktoberfest.
• A booklet of a few of Dick Osing’s sermons is our final offering. Dick was paramount in helping us create this new combined parish – Christ Episcopal Church. While his intellect and gentle presence are absent from us his thoughts will keep us moving on our faith journey to fully living the gospel.

It is exciting and challenging to think of where our ministries will be when we celebrate our 25^th anniversary. The Johnson School elementary children now being mentored by Christ Church youth and adults will be young adults and our high school mentors will be fully involved in their careers and ministries. St. Augustine’s School in Mpaka, Swaziland, that we helped build; will be educating the next generation of Swazi children.

Our yearlong celebration would not have been possible without a fabulous steering committee: Thank you!

Associate Rector’s Report

The Rev. Dr. Barbara H. Schlachter

The year 2007 will be remembered as an anniversary year:  ten years of life together as the parish of Christ Church. I will also remember it as the 30^th anniversary of my ordination as a priest in the church. How exciting to share both these anniversary times with the people of Christ Church. While many events marked the celebration of 10 years, one that brought both celebrations together for me was the visit of Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in May.

It is my privilege to walk with people at Christ Church who are in discernment for ordination. Melody Rockwell has been made a candidate for ordination for diaconal ministry and Claudia Whitney started in discernment for ordination. Ron continues in his preparation and discernment.  Discernment Committees are not only for people who may be called to ordained ministry, however. Any person who is wrestling with a question about what God is calling them to do or be is invited to speak with me about discernment. Serving on a committee or going through the process is a spiritual enrichment experience for everyone.

It is also my privilege to walk with people through various life transition experiences, both those that are celebrative such as weddings and baptisms and those that are more difficult such as healing journeys of one kind or another.   They are all opportunities for spiritual growth. One of the possibilities for people of Christ Church is to seek individual spiritual direction with me on a regular basis, usually visiting once every month or so. You do not need a crisis to deepen your connection with God!  Providing pastoral care at difficult or troubling times is one of the privileges of being here at Christ Church, and I hope I always have an open ear, door and heart for the many kinds of needs people have.

Small group ministry is an important part of life at Christ Church. Some of these groups are more formal and organized than others. Some are open to all; some are more restricted on the basis of commonality, like age or gender. Worship is our full body experience, but the church meets in other forms for more intimate connections. The Women’s Support Group meets on the third Wed. of each month at 6:30 for supper in the undercroft and then from 7 to 8:30 in the Schultz Chapel. This group is for women going through depression or a life-transition who would benefit from a supportive community. The Women of Excellence is for women who are 60 or over. This group meets either on premises or for road trips on the second Wednesday of each month at noon. New members are inducted into the group through a fun ritual that shares the joys of aging. Bodacious Women meet on Mondays at 5:15 for either Bible Study or study of a book on a related theme of interest to women. All women are welcome to this group. Last year we studied the Gospels and the letters of Paul. Now we are engaged in a study of The Gospel of Mary Magdalene.

The Stitchers Group continues on the second Monday of each month; people bring their own handiwork and hilarity; a good time is had by all. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first Monday of the month for prayer and prayer shawl work. We have provided many prayer shawls to many folks going through hard times, and it is a very satisfying ministry to those who are involved. Both of these groups welcome new members. Liz convenes the Stitichers and Vikki, the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

The Women’s Fall Gathering was on the theme of water;  “Celebrating Women at the Well.”  It combined study of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well with current water problems and opportunities in this country and in Swaziland.

Christ Church participated in the first annual Cedar Rapids Area Environmental Film Festival in October with the showing of “America’s Lost Landscape:  The Tallgrass Prairie.”  We were privileged to have the filmmakers, David  and Daryl and his wife Sue, all members of St. Luke’s Cedar Falls, worship with us the morning the film was shown. Environmental issues and awareness as a spiritual concern and religious agenda continues to be one of the opportunities for people at Christ Church. The Environmental Stewardship Group meets on the third Sunday of the month at noon and is open to all people.

At Bishop Scarf’s request I worked with several other clergy to present four workshops on Domestic Violence Awareness to the clergy and lay professionals of the Diocese to put us in compliance with national church canons. It became apparent to all of us that teaching healthy relationships in the home and the church is of paramount concern to all of us and that we need to continue to find ways to do this.

Some liturgical dance in Holy Week and the Bethlehem Cave Coffee House in Advent are part of the desire to connect with God beyond ordinary worship. The addition of the screen in the church in memory of Judy Grove, one of our parish family who died during the year, increases our ability to expand our use of image in worship.

We miss our friends, who have moved on, either to a different community or to the larger life with God. We welcome new people into the Body of Christ here at Christ Church. When people have difficult times, the love of the Christ Church family knows no bounds. I am privileged to serve in such a caring community.

Carillonneurs Handbell-Handchime Choir

The 17 member Carillonneurs Bell Choir at Christ Episcopal church is comprised of 16 members and several substitute players.

The Carillonneurs' members are pleased to have our own designated space in the rear of the church where we can house our 5 octaves of handbells and 4 octaves of handchimes. Having secured portable Bell tables which are adjustable for height, has made playing much more enjoyable.

The Bell Choir is always open to new players. Lessons are offered from 5:00-6:00 PM on Wednesday evenings prior to our 6:00-7:00 PM weekly rehearsals.

In addition to playing at the 10:30 service once a month during the school year, the Bell Choir also joined Betty for our first combined organ and handbell concert on December 2, 2007.

The Bell Choir does special musical offerings on Christmas Eve, Easter and Mother's Day in addition to other special occasions in the liturgical calendar. If you are interested in being part of this music ministry, please contact Janice Cummings, director.

Te Deum Instrumental Ensemble

The "Te Deum" Ensemble was born out of a love of music and a belief that there were other musicians at Christ Episcopal Church who would gain emotionally and spiritually by playing in an instrumental ensemble. After starting with 3 people in early September, the "Te Deum" ensemble included 16 musicians on Christmas Eve 2007. The group plays mostly traditional hymns and chorales, and enhances the musical textures of our 10:30 service once a month.

The ensemble continues to grow musically and will seek opportunities to play for special theme Sundays as well as special occasions such as Easter. New players are always welcome, and we are especially in need of more brass players. Our normal rehearsal time is right after the 10:30 service on most Sundays. This is a unique music ministry which I am pleased to lead. The clergy has been very supportive, and we hope the "Te Deum" ensemble will continue to grow in the future. Contact Janice Cummings, director, if you would like to join us.

Canstruction: A Jubilee Ministry

The Canstruction event was started three years ago by the Jubilee Ministries Commission. In 2007 the Christ Church Youth Group entered the competition at Coral Ridge Mall. Led by John MacDonald and Jim Meis, our youth won Best Meal! Their red I-Pod was canstructed of tomato sauce and other ingredients to make up an Italian meal. The entire event collected 14,390 pounds of food that went to HACP to be distributed to area food pantries including Loaves and Fishes. Kate and Leslee represent CEC on the Canstruction Committee.

The Community Health Free Clinic: A Jubilee Ministry

The Community Health Free Clinic in its present form will be four years old on Feb. 24. Prior to the building and opening of the building we now have, patients were seen once or twice a week next door at the Jane Boyd Community Center in about three small rooms that were not entirely private. Patients filled the hallway for hours and that was a problem for Jane Boyd because these were sick people who could potentially infect the children and adults at the Center. It was also rather rudimentary in what could be done.

Since 2004, the building which is a normal clinic has six examining rooms, four rooms for the nurses and social workers to see patients prior to seeing a doctor, a dental clinic, a pharmacy and prescription drug assistance program and is open every day Monday through Friday. On certain days there are specialty clinic such as gynecology, podiatry and several others. In January there will be an eye clinic. There are over 600 volunteers who keep the Clinic going. More than 300 are licensed professionals such as doctors, dentists, social workers, and nurses. Several Christ Church parishioners are volunteers, and others are patients.

Except for a $16,000 Community Development Block Grant, the more than $500,000 annual cash expended is provided by donations from individuals and organizations which are primarily churches, and grants from various sources. This is the first year that we are experiencing less than budgeted for. Without you, we would not be able to keep our doors open.

In the four years since the Clinic has had it's own building, the number of patients has grown from 3500 to 19,000 plus - yes, that's right, an increase of 16,000 patients. About 90% are from Linn County; others come from as far as 80 miles away. There is probably nothing like this Clinic in the seven state area.

In January, the plan is to hold at least one Saturday Clinic, which will be more challenging to staff and will probably draw the largest number of patients. Currently the Clinic is full when it opens each day. People are seen in order of their arrival and sign in so sometimes the wait is very long.

We continue to need your generosity both in donations and in time spent volunteering. In particular, as chair of the social services component, which we call community resources, I need more licensed social workers and other mental health professionals. We mainly are doing short-term counseling and crisis intervention.

Christian Education

The various aspects of Christian Education continue to provide quality programming for the community of Christ Episcopal Church.

Adult Forum

The Adult Forum Planning Committee offers usually two programs on Sunday morning. Topics include book studies on current affairs reading as well as spiritual growth reading; panel dialogues on the Christian response to current issues that face all of us; growing personal spiritual practices; and of course the offering of some of our many talents and gifts in the Bethlehem Cave during Advent. There are many more ideas for offerings, but this group is limited by the space that is available (not available) on Sunday morning.

Youth Ministry/Journey to Adulthood

There are two active youth groups in the Journey to Adulthood program. The J2Aers are preparing themselves for their pilgrimage and confirmation this coming summer and fall. The Rite 13ers participated in the Rite 13 ceremony and are doing some lively “bonding” in their classes. They will make their Urban Immersion experience this spring. We are fortunate at Christ Church to have four leaders who are very dedicated to the spiritual development of these young people. We give thanks for the guidance and sharing of Becky, Matt, Mary, and Jim. We also give thanks for the wonderful support of the entire congregation. Our fund raisers are warmly received and supported. (I know that many were disappointed that they did not get a Pot’gold on their lawn, but maybe next time). Both groups meet in the Rectory and the numbers in the groups has maxed out the available space there. This is a good problem to have, but these young people do need to find some space that is geared to high schoolers.

Children's Nursery

We've enjoyed having Kristin, a Coe College student, as our main attendant for over a year now. Our 'substitute' attendants come from the congregation: Nichole, Maddy, and Justin. Attendants all receive training in 'Safeguarding Our Children.' We have a fun bunch of 2-3 year olds, and a few babies, as regulars in the nursery. Volunteers assist the attendant, and anyone over age 8 is welcome to help out! Contact Lisa Butler to get on the rotation.

Heartland Sunday School

Those of us on the Heartland Sunday School committee feel strongly about the importance of this ministry. We are teaching the next generation of Christians and those who will continue the work of the church when we are gone. It is important that our parish recognize the critical role that children play in the life and continuity of the church. Attending to the needs of children and their families strengthens the congregation and attracts new families to our parish. And with these new, additional members we can more easily carry out and carry on the goals and ministries of doing God’s will in the world.

The Heartland Sunday School committee has felt confident about their program this past year and things have run fairly smoothly. We have implemented a new, fun way to take attendance and have incorporated a closing prayer, led each week by one of the children, before they head to their workshops. We have also set up a reward system for children who come to Sunday School ten times, allowing them to choose a beanie baby animal or special toy plus present them with a certificate. And we have taken on revising our portion of the church website to update it (and keep it updated) regarding all our youth programs here at Christ Church. 

Heartland Sunday School encompasses grades kindergarten through sixth grade this year. There are few sixth graders this year and instead of trying to have a separate class for them, they have been given responsibility to be shepherds to lower grades and help teachers. This has appealed to the sixth graders, who are in their first year of middle school, and are enthusiastic about their role. The average number of children coming to Sunday school is around 20 per Sunday, down from 23 last year. This seems to be the bulk of children of regularly church attending families, although we know there are still a few irregular Sunday school attendees in the congregation. We have taken note that one family with two children who were faithful Sunday school attendees have stopped coming to church.  We have tried to make our program a fun and appealing one so kids will want to come. Many kids are brought by their grandparents or parents who drop them off.

We are still using the Workshop Rotation Model of Sunday school curriculum and have found it works well for both adult volunteers and kids. Volunteer workshop teachers agree to just a three week commitment at a time and the children experience the Bible based lesson in various forms three weeks in a row. We have been using this form of curriculum for several years and now have a sustaining library of lessons to choose from as well as a “stable” of experienced teachers.

In addition to studying Bible lessons, we have participated in several charitable drives as well as hosted a number of fun events. Last spring the kids sent their piggy money to the Animal Shelter and, more recently, voted to give this fall’s money to one of their own to help with medical expenses associated with a surgery coming up. This autumn they also collected socks for low income kids and candy for kids in a shelter.

Fun events have included a simple game and movie night in February, the annual Easter Egg Hunt in April, and the end of year party in May. In December, about 30 Heartland kids, friends and cousins participated in the Christmas Pageant. We would like to have more simple church family activity nights.

We are thankful for having two dedicated Sunday school rooms and one we share with the children’s choirs. We are also thankful to the many adults who volunteer their time and talent to teach our little ones about God and faith. We would like to see more parent involvement and more children, of course, in the coming year!  We will be sad to see one family and parent volunteer, Julie Young, leave when they move to Texas soon. Hopefully God will send another volunteer (or two) as faithful and dedicated as Julie.

Weekday Bible Study

There continues to be active weekday Bible study groups, some meet in homes and some meet at the church. These groups welcome people who are drawn to question and reflect on what the Bible says for our lives today. Contact the office for more information.

Vacation Bible School

Deacon’s Report

The Rev. Mark E. Eccles

As 2008 begins I pray that God’s grace and peace be with us as we walk together through the year ahead. We know that in all circumstances God is with us and we are always in his care, and it is in this assurance that we can both look back at the year past and look forward in faith.

I continue to be thankful for being able to serve as a Deacon at Christ Church. It is especially rewarding to be part of a faith community, which takes care to serve and support one another, and also reach out to serve the community and wider world. By ministry in our parish, area communities and the wider Church we have continued to provide support and hope to those in need. As a deacon in the Church I thank each of you who shoulder the servant ministry Jesus calls us to, and ask God’s continued blessing on our on-going efforts to serve others in Jesus’ name.

I would like to take the opportunity of this Annual Report to share some of what I have been doing this last year. In terms of employment, after twenty-eight years at Rockwell Collins, in 2007 I took early retirement to begin a second career as a hospital chaplain. In November began working on a full-time basis with the Pastoral Care Department at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

I also continue my program of study for a Master of Pastoral Ministries (MAPM) degree through St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN. I anticipate completion of this program next year.

So, it has been a very busy and challenging year, for me and I expect for many of you. However, God is good and gives us the strength to keep going and serving others in Jesus’ name. Thanks be to God!

I end this annual letter by giving thanks to God for all of you, and pray that God will guide us as a parish family as we continue to support and care for one another. It is a privilege to be here and serve the Lord with so many who are committed to following Christ.

I wish you all God’s blessing and peace.

Environmental Stewardship: A Jubilee Ministry

The Environmental Stewardship group self-assembled in 2006 and concluded its first full year of activities in December 2007. We seek to uncover ways to lighten the ecological impacts we have on "this fragile earth, our island home", and to share them through interesting and informative programs that motivate action.

• In spring 2007 we hosted a "Cool Congregations" training event, and will be looking for folks who would like to "Give Up Energy Waste for Lent" in a few weeks.
• We celebrated Earth Day and Advent I at Coffee Hours by providing refreshments and demonstrations of new compact fluorescent lighting products and holiday LED's.
• During the summer we met during the Education Hour to discuss the latest IPCC Global Climate Report.
• The Environmental Stewardship group was invited to organize three forums on environmental issues in September.
1. The first described Millennium Development Goal 7 and efforts to achieve environmental sustainability while alleviating global poverty and hunger.
2. The second provided a deeper analysis of global energy budget and its effects on atmospheric carbon and climate.
3. During the third week, a panel provided information on alternatives to coal that might reduce environmental impacts of energy generation here in Iowa.
• As a member of the first Greater Cedar Rapids Film Festival, Christ Church sponsored a screening of "America's Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie" in October. Daryl and Sue, and David were our guests at Coffee Hour and lunch that day, and later answered questions about the film for an audience of about fifty people.

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD): A Jubilee Ministry

In 2007, Christ Church made a positive difference in many lives through ERD.

At Lent, we received ERD (formerly called the Presiding Bishop’s World Relief Fund) devotional booklets and hope chests to collect coins; Christ Church sent $303 for ERD through the diocese. Giving to ERD is a way to support the Millennium Development Goals, and in 2007, I focused on Goal #6 -- combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

In the summer we highlighted the need for mosquito nets to prevent malaria and save lives, particularly those of children, in sub-Saharan Africa. Because ERD reduced the cost per net from $15 to $12 by the time of our September 8/9 ingathering, our $1020 sent directly to ERD provided 85 nets!!

At the November 10 Alternative Gift Market at First Lutheran, the ERD booth focused on HIV prevention training in sub-Saharan Africa.

At Advent, ERD Gifts for Life catalogs were distributed from which we could choose tax-deductible alternative gifts that improve lives around the world. You can use these catalogs throughout 2008 to mark other events; for example, make a donation in celebration of a birthday or anniversary, in memory of a loved one, or in appreciation of someone’s service.

To learn more about ERD, check our www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626. Thank you for your wonderful support of ERD this year.

First Light Christian Fellowship Ministry of Racial Reconciliation: A Jubilee Ministry

First Light is a local interdenominational 501c3 racial reconciliation ministry started in 1996 by the Rev. Rufus and Betty Johnson. It began with churches from different traditions coming together in monthly worship; the first service was held at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Services are still usually held on the last Saturday of the month, with 5:30 p.m. food fellowship and 7:00 p.m. worship – for specific dates and locations, please check out the First Light website.

The ministry has also grown into programs that focus on health care for African Americans, particularly breast and prostate cancer testing and HIV/AIDS prevention, including “Sister to Sister”, “What’s Going On, Girl?” and the annual neighborhood HIV/AIDS Walk; community events, for example, joining with churches in Marion to provide food and activities at an apartment complex; and mentoring others in ministry, for example, Elder Steve and Rev. Jackie Canty of the new Rainbow Covenant Outreach Ministry in Wellington Heights.

Fellowship Commission

The Fellowship Commission held meetings during the year prior to the following events:  Greek Reception (following the Great Vigil of Easter), Annual Parish Picnic in June, and the Celtic Oktoberfest held in October.

The commission helped with Sunday morning coffee hours. Thank you to everyone who provided food/beverage for the coffee hours.

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the Fellowship Commission, please contact Gerry or Diane.

GEMS: A Jubilee Ministry

Helping Hands, Ecumenical Community Center:  A Jubilee Ministry

Helping Hands Ministry provides people with resources on an emergency basis. Some of the assistance Helping Hands provides is rent, utilities, bus vouchers, referrals, groceries, medicine, supportive services and advocacy. The committee, staff and volunteers help to prioritize needs and then work with community agencies and funding sources to meet those needs. Funding comes from faith communities, private individuals and repayments.

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry: A Jubilee Ministry

Loaves & Fishes, a joint ministry of Christ Episcopal Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church, is based upon the values of respect, trust, honesty and fellowship. In 2007, our volunteers served an average of ninety guests each Tuesday, providing not only needed food items but also empowering guests to treat each other with kindness and respect through the volunteers’ own words and actions.

Loaves & Fishes is perhaps the only pantry in Linn County to offer guests their choice of food times. Education, advocacy and social support are also provided through interactions with other guests and volunteers. In addition, the pantry distributed toys, books, hats, scarves & mittens, blankets, and at the holidays a ham and other special food items were provided to very appreciative guests.

Most food for the pantry is purchased through the HACAP Food Reservoir at wholesale prices; however, the pantry also relies heavily upon collecting a designated food item each month from members of each church’s congregation and other community members. Accumulating a large quantity of similar food items allows each guest to have the same choice of foods.

The pantry is primarily funded through the Christ Church Jubilee Ministries’ budget. The pantry did receive some grant funding and other gifts: from CROP Walk, and from HACAP and Linn County Community Services. In addition, members of both parish families contributed financially, as memorials and in thanksgiving for special occasions.

Jubilee Ministries Commission

Christ Church celebrated its Tenth Anniversary in 2007 and so did the Jubilee Ministries of Christ Church. We were designated a national Jubilee Ministry Center by the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church in 1997 and as such, joined a growing number of parishes dedicated to serving the needs of the poor and working for justice for those people who live on the “fringes” of society. The Commission meets on the fourth Monday of the month.

The Jubilee Commission is made up of a variety of committees that meet separately and include many more people than those who attend the Commission meetings. The reports that you will read in this annual report comprise most of the Jubilee Committees. As you will see, Christ Church members take their baptismal vows seriously and also make the Matthew 25 theme come alive!

We welcome new members and new ministry ideas. Please join us at any time. We would especially welcome some male members!

Alternative Gift Market: A Jubilee Ministry

Cedar Rapids' tenth Alternative Gift Market (AGM) was hosted by First Lutheran Church. This year Christ Episcopal, First Lutheran, St. Matthew’s, Westminster Presbyterian and Coe College participated in the market.

The markets have raised $172,744 for international, national and local charities!

The Jubilee Commission and Outreach Committee sponsored a number of charities by decorating and staffing a booth at the Market. All of the money contributed to purchase a “gift” at the market goes to the specific charity. 

Monday Mentors at Johnson Elementary School: A Jubilee Ministry

Monday Mentors is a group of Christ Church members and friends that meets every Monday from 3:40 to 4:40  from January to May at Johnson School. Each mentor is assigned a Johnson student who has been identified as in need of extra academic help and / or friendship. Mentors are middle and high school age as well as adults who are willing to spend an hour a week with a child in need of their help.

In 2007 Christ Church members also supplied snacks each week as well as drivers to take students home. We had a pizza party to celebrate birthdays and ended the year with a picnic at Bever Park. Additional mentors, snack providers and drivers are always needed!

Summer Reading Camp: A Jubilee Ministry

In August, 2007, we had our first Reading Camp at Coe College. The idea came from a national Jubilee Gathering in 2006 where we learned of a similar program in the Diocese of Kentucky. Our idea is to provide structured time for students to recoup some reading skills in preparation for a new school year. This first reading camp was a great success due to the collaborative efforts of Christ Church and Coe College. Coe did not charge us for the use of their facilities.

The Jubilee Reading Camp included 12 students from Johnson School. Students and mentors read over 70 books during the three day camp. They also swam in the Coe pool, climbed the rock climbing wall and ate in the college cafeteria. Each afternoon was spent in a science lab learning about biology, physics and chemistry.

The 2008 Reading Camp will again be at Coe College in late July and early August. If we have enough mentors we will run two three-day camps.

Outreach: A Jubilee Ministry

Our group cheerfully divides all Outreach tasks during our short workshop type meetings held every other month. With the helpful assistance of a myriad of Christ Church members, our committee was able to deliver many needs and wishes along with services to people, especially children, living in our community

Monthly Outreach focuses for 2007:

January – Willis Dady Center: $240 was donated for bus pass purchases for Willis Dady Shelter clients along with 169 rolls of toilet paper. Laundry detergent was collected and delivered as well.

February – Catherine McAuley Center: the February 11, 2007 tea raised $550 for the center and $50 in donations. It also increased awareness about the center’s work & volunteer activities.

March – Tanager Arts Program: $202 was donated by our parishioners for the Tanager art  & music programs. A collection of brown boxes for art projects brought in by our parishioners and several unsold art items from the A-Z sale were donated as well.

& 12 Easter dinners for families in need:  a very generous $712 from the congregation purchased 12 food gift certificates with $112 made available to the Loaves and Fishes for food purchases.

April – Waypoint Women’s Shelter: $100 donated for Waypoint during April was forwarded for the purchase of critically needed foods, and $200 budgeted for Waypoint was used by Outreach to purchase hygiene items. In addition, the children of Heart-Land collected a large number of very appreciated hygiene items for children at Waypoint.

& Spring A-Z Sale, April 27-29: this sale yielded $1,681 with a quantity of unsold items being donated to organizations such as the H.D. Youth Center, Heart of Iowa, Harrambe House, Tanager Expressive Arts Program and many others. The Outreach Committee disbursed the proceeds from the 2007 spring A-Z Sale as follows: $100.00 repayment to Outreach budget of $100 donated to pay part of the Catherine McAuley Center spelling bee fee; $300.00 for Miracles in Motion; $250.00 for an Arc Summer Day Camp scholarship; $450.00 for Neighborhood Meals & Enrichment Program; $100.00 Carter Bradshaw Memorial Fund in thanks for the large number of donations to the A-Z Sale; $181.00 for yarn for Mitchellville knitters, and $300.00 for the H.D. Youth Center.

May ~ Arc Summer Day Camp $89 was contributed by parishioners during our monthly focus plus seven large bottles of 100% juice & a few bathing suits.

June ~ Neighborhood Meals & Enrichment Program $235 was contributed by parishioners  for this monthly focus plus 20 packages of spaghetti & 16 jars/cans of spaghetti sauce.

July ~ Johnson School & Inn Circle school supplies Best year ever! $240 was given to Johnson School to purchase supplies as needed during the school year, and many bags of school supplies, plus 78 packages of wide-lined paper to Inn Circle.

August ~ A-Z Sale preparation

September ~ Heart of Iowa: a Mom & Toddler shower was held in Gundrum Parlor following the Sunday services on September 23, several bags of clothing items and some diapers were donated.

& Fall A-Z Sale $1,386 in fall sale proceeds were distributed as follows: $100 to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for their playground fund & in thanks for the many boxes of books

(150) they donated to Christ Church; $500 to the H.D. Youth Center for vehicle maintenance (changed at Henry Davison’s request to address a computer emergency at the center); $500 to the Willis Dady Center; $186 to the Humane Society, and $100 to the M.S. Association in honor of Nancy & Carolyn.

October ~ Johnson School: In addition to the warm winter hats, mittens, etc. collected for the children at Johnson School, $95 was donated by the Christ Church parishioners & forwarded to Johnson School to purchase items as needed for the children this winter. Also three large bags of knitted and crocheted hats, mittens and scarves made with money for yarn donated from the Spring A-Z Sale were received from the women at Mitchellville and donated

& Books for Children In Transition: 1,000 books (highest amount ever!) were delivered from Christ Church to Marian Ahrens for the children in transition. Jacqueline Briggs Martin and Mary Craven were given special thanks for their contributions of new books. Our donation represented one third of all the books collected.

November ~ Thanksgiving dinners for families in need: A generous $705 was donated for the Thanksgiving dinners; $600 paid for the 12 food gift certificates & the remaining $105 was given to Loaves & Fishes to help offset food purchase costs.

& H.D. Youth Center: Many like new and new toys, as well as new batteries were donated for toys needing them. In addition toys that came in past the deadline made for a happier Christmas for the children at the Willis Dady Shelter.

& November 10th Alternative Gift Market at First Lutheran: Outreach helped develop and staff the following booths: Neighborhood Meals & Enrichment and Stoves for Haiti and also provided some baked goods for the sale.

December ~ Christmas dinners for 12 families in need & gifts ~ Outreach elves were kept busy sorting and delivering a plethora of gifts donated by our parishioners for our 12 families and a total of $535 was collected purchasing a grocery gift certificate for each family.

There were 659 Outreach calls made and 9,470 miles traveled for Outreach & Pastoral Care for the year.

2007 OUTREACH BUDGET

$250 Green Square

$400 Neighborhood Meals & Enrichment Program

$250 Arc Scholarship for Summer Day Camp

$500 Willis Dady Center

$200 Waypoint Women’s Shelter

$200 Tanager Expressive Arts

$100 A-Z Sales Advertising

$100 Alzheimer’s Association

$2,000 Total

Ministry Teams

The development of Ministry Teams at Christ Church began in December 2007. The purpose of Ministry Teams is to provide a focus for the development of ministry. Each team is dedicated to learning about, suggesting programs for, reaching out to and advocating for the needs of a certain “venue” of our Christ Church population as well as this “venue” in the community of Cedar Rapids.

Teams spend about 6 months learning more about the Episcopal Church and living our lives as Christians within the Episcopal Church. Team members also will spend time applying this general knowledge to their specific “venue”. The two Ministry Teams that have begun this process are focusing on Ministry with Seniors and Ministry with Families with Young Children.

Hopefully we will be asking the question, “How can we, as Christ Episcopal Church, effectively share the Good News of Jesus with people who are now in their “senior” years?”  The same question will be asked of families who are living with children in their house at this time.

These two Ministry Teams are a beginning. There is room for growth, not only in the number and focus for teams, but in people being part of a committed team interested in developing the ministry of all persons. God has called us into relationship – with each other and with God. Ministry Teams are a way to develop this relationship.

Buildings & Grounds Commission

As I think back on 2007 for Buildings and Grounds, I think of the phrase “Many hands make light work.”  We had four successful workdays. Many parish members contributed to these in areas such as painting, cleaning and electrical work on the inside and weeding, tree trimming and raking outside. We also had wonderful meals provided for the workers. Others were able to be involved in planning and recruiting efforts during our quarterly meetings.

People completing items from our job list or taking calls from the office when emergencies came up also did much work on an individual basis. This is a very valuable ministry and saves service call expenses.

I encourage you to join this ministry in 2008. We can use a variety of talents. Buildings and Grounds entails indoor and outdoors work. We need skills in a variety of maintenance areas, organizing, cleaning, recruiting, supervising workdays and developing job lists.

Missioner - Interfaith Ministries

So much happened in 2007, it’s impossible to report on it all.

The Inter-Religious Council (IRC) website was updated weekly with news headlines, events and information about “Ethical Perspectives on the News.” Weekly transcripts of the television program are now featured on the website, www.irclc.net. As chair of the Publicity and Promotions Committee, I had the opportunity to design a four-color preprint for the IRC newsletter and am pleased to report that Christ Church is now printing the newsletter for the IRC, which saves us money, gasoline and lots of time. I help to prepare the newsletter for printing and I typeset the service folder for the annual Thanksgiving Service. When a Christian was needed to offer a meditation at the service, I was very pleased that Mary Lee agreed to participate.

I had the opportunity with the Children of Abraham to present Christian beliefs at the April public program, using Fr. Dick’s creed as a basis for that presentation. As a member of the steering committee, I was pleased to invite Charles to join the group and he has proven invaluable in planning future programs.

Visioning

The Visioning process at Christ Episcopal Church formally began about 4 years ago. We have moved rather slowly compared to other Task Groups and processes, however, this time has allowed ideas to be tested and to take on more clarity. We began with asking the congregation to vision what CEC might look like in five years, what would people see going on around the church, etc. After developing six categories which could include all the ideas, the Visioning Task Force then asked the congregation how these ideas in each of the categories might be developed. All this information led to four major areas of focus for the congregation worshiping at Christ Church – Welcoming, Taking Care of One Another, Worship/Music and Growing as Christians. Smaller work groups set about brainstorming and suggesting more tangible ways to make the vision ideas live. Some of the ideas were acted upon and are now viable, such as the new front doors, the intentional greeting and welcoming of newcomers who receive fresh bread, new small groups being supported, and varieties of worship experiences increasing with a worship planning team now in place.

Missioner – Multicultural Ministry

In 2007, parish activities included the following. The guest facilitator for the January 14 Adult Forum was Scott King, Chair of the diocesan Multicultural Ministries Commission. Adult Forum on January 21 was an opportunity to join in conversation about community with guests from Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church -- Betty Johnson (First Light Christian Fellowship, a local interdenominational racial reconciliation ministry that she and her husband Rev. Rufus Johnson started in 1996); and Bill Hood (formerly on the staff at Mt. Mercy College and Harambee House). On Saturday, October 20, we had a Christ Church group tour of the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa, enjoying the new exhibit about George Washington Carver. For more information about First Light, please check out www.firstlightchristian.org or call 377-9710. For more information about the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa, please check out their website www.blackiowa.org or call 862-2101.

At the end of 2007, after seven years of service, I retired from the board of First Light Christian Fellowship. I will continue to volunteer as coordinator of First Light’s Churches Care program that gathers from area churches a variety of personal care items for women at the Red Cross Rapids AIDS Project (RAP).

I have been Missioner of Multicultural Ministry at Christ Church since November 2005. One goal continues to be building bridges in the community; for example, bringing attention to Rainbow Covenant Outreach Ministry, a small new ministry headed by Elder Steve, vice president of the neighborhood association, and his wife Jackie, that plans to help and bring hope to people in Wellington Heights. I retired from the diocesan Multicultural Ministries Commission after serving on it from its beginning in January 2006. In January 2007, I became Christ Church’s Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) Coordinator. I continue to lead chapel, with Outreach Chair Vikki Waller, at Heart of Iowa once a month. I am in my second year as a covenant affiliate of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. And, I still do some writing.

Thank you to all those who have supported multicultural ministry this year and helped build bridges.

Have a blessed 2008! 

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir remains strong in all sections with the addition of several new faces to our core members. We continue to reach out to former and future singers as we seek to grow the choir.

We have been working on a wide variety of music this year, including some very challenging works that were hidden gems in the music library. We have done collaborative efforts with Betty and the youth choirs and are always looking for new opportunities to worship together in sound.

We welcome all former choristers and anyone who is interested in a fast paced, fun and rewarding choral experience. Please contact Matt, if he hasn’t already bugged you several times, if you are interested.

Children’s Music Ministry

We have four levels of choristers (by age), participating in three choirs. The choirs are often combined for offerings.

In addition to singing at least monthly, this past spring the youth offered a home-grown musical, Her Still, Small Voice. We are also the principal choir for the early Christmas Eve service and the Easter Vigil.

Parish Life Communications 

In helpful ministry to the church and in particular to the office staff, Christ Church has several people working as office volunteers. In addition, the Proofing Team copyedits print publications and the Brother Lawrence Guild meets weekly to assemble materials for mailing. This is valued time given to the church.

Church communication ministries include the following:

This Week at Christ Church

Compiler: Susan Hansen

The main published communication tool, This Week is our weekly church newsletter. Included in this weekly is a clergy address, calendar of the week’s events, ministry schedule and the week’s parish announcements. Electronic versions are available through Rich Text Format, PDF, and on the church’s website. A version including the month’s calendar and prayer list is published monthly. Note, please: It is the responsibility of event planners, not the office staff, to submit announcements for publicity.

Deadline: Tuesdays by 12 noon.

www.ChristEpiscopal.org (see full report on next page)

Web Minister: Diane John-Smith

Updated daily, our website works well beyond its ability as an advertising tool. This year we received reports of people intentionally visiting our church based on how Christ Church is presented on the internet. An overview of our ministries, staff, parish events, etc. is easily presented for the seeker, alongside current and relevant information for our parish. Send your contributions to dianejohnsmith@aol.com

Special Mailing Projects and Verbal Announcements

Coordinator: Linda Antisavage

When your ministry or event needs publicity outside regular This Week announcements, details to be addressed include having written copy / graphic material prepared, coordinating volunteers, ordering paper and stationery, and having adequate postage. Verbal Announcements to be given at services are determined at the weekly staff meetings.

Narthex Kiosks, Bulletin Boards and Signage

Printed Notice Queen: Kate

Bulletin boards are placed throughout the church building, each a dedicated space for specific topics, Committee chairs are invited to maintain their areas, and Kate Rose is available to help with creative postings. Board content questions can be asked of Lisa Butler. We also display a welcome sign at two of our entrances (office entrance and education wing), which is updated for the weekend worship services, Education Hour topics/locations, and special events.

Outside Publicity

Coordinators: Linda Antisavage / Diane John-Smith

Parish Life Report

Where is the vibrancy of our parish? In our liturgies? Our outreach? Our commitment to formation (and whose formation: children-youth-adult)? Is it in welcoming the stranger at the door? In visiting the sick, the hospitalized, the shut-in? The experts say that most churches score quite high in some areas and quite low in others. In my more humble assessment, I’d say that Christ Church is doing a fine job all around.

In supporting this vibrancy, I think there are two roles the helpful Parish Life Coordinator can take, and neither of them involve permanence. One is to support the lay leaders who are already hard at work: what can I do to help you be more effective in running your ministry? The other is to perform a bit of  “triage”, when an essential leadership role is lacking. To be honest, this year I often felt that I’ve done little of the first and more of the second (and I’m not talking about the music program, which is a separate part-time job).

For example, for about a week every month I try to wrangle out a fair and balanced rotation of worship service lay ministers. This job evolved out of necessity and it has helped to have one person eyeball the entire schedule to make sure we’re not asking someone to serve both as usher and chalice bearer at the same time (although I don’t always catch the overlaps). But the initial rotation process continues to be “triage” work, and I am seeking more sectional lay ministers to schedule their own particular area (we already have a few), with me helping to smooth out the edges.

One way that I can be more supportive in lay ministry is to offer my skills in publicity and communication. Often my red pen comes out before This Week at Christ Church is printed, adjusting a sentence here or there. I would like to be able to help you in creating your bulletin blurbs and announcements, as well as exploring more ways we could be using the Internet to increase the effectiveness of our communications.

I also must become more proactive in seeking out your interests and talents. I need to ask if you’d be interested in serving on certain committees or are available for specific tasks. As hard as it may be to believe, I am an introvert and phone calling is a scary thing for me. I ask for your help in overcoming this and for your open responses when I call. And while the church always has needs, it is more important that you feel “plugged in”. Perhaps the need to fill a gap in the parish and your need to find a niche will intersect.

Our parish is a living, breathing, vibrant place. We did not have to spruce ourselves up (beyond getting the carpets cleaned and the hedges clipped) in order to put our best face forward when the Presiding Bishop came to visit. We are this fine community because of the people who gather to worship and work and serve and play together.

As your Coordinator, I have three requests: 1) Please let me know what I can do to help support your personal ministry or in finding a place in our church community. 2) Please make your 2008 Time & Talent pledge! and 3) Please be expecting my e-mail or phone call, asking to know more about you and where you see yourself in this vibrant place.

Pastoral Care Commission

Mark Eccles, Deacon

The goal of the Pastoral Care Commission is to help provide, enable and encourage pastoral care ministry within the parish and the wider community. Examples of active pastoral care ministries in 2007 include the following:

-         Flower Delivery (altar flowers to hospitalized and homebound persons)

-         Hospital Ministry (daily scheduled visitation of parishioners at both local hospitals)

-         Homebound visitation

-         St. Luke’s On-Call Chaplaincy (volunteer on-call chaplaincy work on

behalf of St. Luke’s Hospital).

-         Meal Ministry (meals to persons in times of crisis or need)

-         Transportation (rides to church for those needing transportation)

-         Greeting Card Ministry (get-well cards, anniversary cards, Children’s birthday cards)

-         Prayer Chain (prayer support any time – requests held in confidence)

-         Lay Eucharistic Ministry (Communion to homebound and hospitalized)

-         Sunday a.m. Healing Prayer Teams

In many ways persons from our parish devote themselves to the Lord’s service by offering care to others. On behalf of our parish I offer thanks to all who have served in pastoral care ministries this past year. I also invite to others who may be interested in a particular type of pastoral care ministry to let me or other staff or commission persons know and we’ll try to be of whatever help we can.

Healing Ministries

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Schlachter

One could say that all of life is a healing journey, with death as the ultimate healing. There are many needs for healing along the way; some are physical, some spiritual, and some emotional. People engaged in healing ministry at Christ Church have an opportunity to come together once a month to share experiences and to receive support from one another. We pray for everyone on the parish prayer list, and all present are invited to receive the laying on of hands for healing. We start our time together with a meditation from one of the healers. This group meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:45 in the Schultz Chapel. All people involved in any sort of healing work or ministry are invited to participate.

The Healing Ministries group has been actively involved in foot washing on Maundy Thursday and in the All Saints service.

Four times a year we have worship services with special emphasis on healing. Every Sunday the laying on of hands for healing and anointing is offered in the narthex of the church before or after communion.

Once a month, the last Wednesday of the month from 6 to 7, healing touch is offered in the Gundrum Parlor. I am in charge of scheduling; simply speak to me about receiving healing touch then or at another time of mutual convenience. The healing touch ministry is shared with Ron, Maridee, and Vicky who is a healing touch practitioner from Marion.  Healing touch is a form of prayer that balances the energy centers of the body, creating both more energy for healing and a form of deep relaxation. People who haven’t tried this are invited to consider it, whether as a boost to the immune system, a relief from depression, or for a particular physical ailment.

Rectors’ State of the Church Report

The Rev. Dr. William J. Pugliese

This past year we celebrated our Tenth Anniversary as a parish. The joining together of the parish families of St. John’s and St. Michael’s ten years ago came not without it’s trials and tribulations as all marriages do. Yet, again as in marriage, would that one could say “all marriages”, the growing together brings both parties closer and closer together so that they become one in mind and heart and soul. We have and this is what we have celebrated and given thanks to God for this past year.

That is not to say that we are all one in everything we think or say or do, even in everything we believe. We are not. But, then, that is who we are as an Episcopal Church, as a member of the Anglican Communion. We are one in Jesus Christ even though there is a broad diversity of opinion among us even in matters of deep theology. Yet while we agree to disagree, while we work together to understand one another, we minister as one in this area of God’s vineyard. For that, too, we gave thanks and celebrated this past year and will continue to do so in the years to come.

The highlight of the year came almost halfway through our celebration. We were extremely honored by the presence of our Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori. Her honesty, integrity and openness were evident as well as her determination to keep every conversation going so that we remain focused not on that which wants to divide us but on that which we share and celebrate in common: our faith and the ministry to which that faith calls us.

For us here at Christ Church that ministry has been and will continue to be centered in and on our theme of “Matthew 25…and all that jazz”. That theme is a reminder that we are both individually and together called to be ready and willing to use whatever gifts with which we have been blessed by God to seek and see and serve the Jesus we meet in every person we encounter each day of our lives, especially those who seem to have been less blessed than we.

Fulfilling that theme as best we can is our goal, our mission, and our ministry. As with every goal, we must continually envision how we can fulfill it even better. For the last four of these past ten years we have been engaged in a visioning process. There have been lots of ideas generated as to how we can be better ministers of the Gospel mandate, how we can become an even closer-knit community of faith, how we can be an even more –welcoming parish. We have implemented some if these ideas but we still have much, much more to do.

We know we have space needs even as we look around on Sunday and notice that the pews are not filled to the brim. We know, nevertheless, that we need a true gathering space where we can gather before and after the Service, a space that will both enable and encourage us to come early and stay later so as to interact with our fellow parishioners. As wonderful and as beautiful as Gundrum Parlor is, it is not conducive to be a good space to gather, converse and fellowship.

We use the Rectory as a place for Christian Education for our junior high and high school students. It works, but it does not work well. We are making due; but it, too, is not conducive for learning and fellowship and is even a detriment to growth. Our parish hall is too small to host dinners and gatherings for our large faith community – another detriment.

None of this is to complain. In fact, it is a reason to rejoice. We are a growing congregation and we are already outgrowing, even have outgrown, the space we have in order to do the ministry we are already doing. All of this is why the Vestry will be focusing on space issues this coming year. We will be continually in touch with you for your input, thoughts and advice. What the next step in our visioning process will be remains to be seen but we trust the Holy Spirit will continue to lead us and guide us in this area.

As you will note in the following pages, this Tenth Anniversary Year has been marked with many successes and much ministry in our parish community, in our local community, in the Diocese and around the world. Our Every Member Canvas this year was a success. The Vestry is presenting a balanced and expanded budget for your approval. You have been extremely generous in the past and continue to be even more so as we move into the future. Thank you.

On a personal level I want to say thank you again for all your prayers and support while our daughter Autumn was dealing with her brain tumor, its removal and her successful recovery. Thank you also for your prayers and support while I was recovering from hip surgery. New hip or not, I still can’t dance.

My sincere thanks to my wonderful Staff who make what I do so easy and so pleasurable. The truth is that the Staff and I could not do what we do without the hundreds of you who give so much of your time and talent to assist us in our ministries.

This Tenth Anniversary Year has been a joy in every way. As we begin our second decade as a parish, may we continue to grow in our love and support of one another, in living into Matthew 25 even more fully, and envisioning where God is leading us as Christ Episcopal Church.

Relay for Life: A Jubilee Ministry

Each June, a group of Christ Church members gathers as a Relay for Life Team. We usually have about 60 people on our team including whole families who take turns walking the track at Coe College or in 2007 – Kirkwood Community College. We walk the track  from 7 PM until 10 AM the next morning. Several Christ Church members walk the final lap signifying that they are cancer survivors!  

A highlight of the event is seeing the thousands of luminaries in honor or memory of a person with cancer. We bring the Christ Church luminaries back to the church and place them in front of the altar for several weeks.

RESULTS: A Jubilee Ministry

RESULTS is a nonpartisan organization which works to create the public and political will to end hunger and the worst aspects of poverty. The Cedar Rapids Area RESULTS Group meets at Christ Church once monthly to write letters to Congress, letters to the editor, and to make phone calls to elected representatives on behalf of legislation which will improve people’s lives.

Highlights of the 2007 RESULTS year include a meeting with Jeff Tecklenburg, head of the opinion page at the Gazette, and an appearance by Barbara Schlachter, RESULTS group member, on the television program “Ethical Perspectives on the News” to discuss the food programs portion of the Farm Bill.

Plans for 2008 include writing guest editorials in the Gazette and setting up meetings with members of Congress to discuss pending legislation and RESULTS goals.

We are always open to new members. We meet the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Christ Church library. Training will be provided.

Senior Warden’s Report

As I was reflecting on our year here at Christ Episcopal Church, I could not help but think of Mathew 25 and All That Jazz. We have certainly heard this phrase from the pulpit this year and I wondered if we had lived it. I reviewed the text and took away one passage that I thought could help as a measure of success. “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did to me.’”(Mathew 25:40 NRSV) 

To me, this passage poses a series of questions. Are we treating all with respect and helping those less fortunate than ourselves?  Are we making a difference in the world?  Would we be missed if we were no longer here as Christ Church?

This year answered these questions. Yes, we would be missed. We are an incredibly giving church with our time, talent and treasure. We have volunteers donating time and talent to many activities – maintenance of the buildings, Johnson School mentoring, Alternative Gift Market and eve