Vol. 15, No. 4
July / August 2015
THE
HERALD
Summer at Christ Church
Where in the World is Christ Church?
We at Christ Church hope that this summer season allows you to deepen your connection with your Christ
Church family through the all parish events we have celebrated so far such as Pentecost Sunday and rededication of Canterbury Chapel, Sara Sather’s retirement party, TEC, Preschool Summer Camp, and Spirituality and
the Arts Camp.
There are many more opportunities to connect as a parish
this summer with:
 First Friday, July 10 & August 7
 Picnic in the Park, July 12 & August 2
 Vacation Bible School, July 13-17
 Celebration Tabernacle Gospel Choir, July 18
 50 + Ministry film & lunch, July 26
 Acolyte Family Outing, July 28
 70s / 80s Dance Party, August 1
 Summer Choir Sunday, August 2
(More details about each program inside this edition of The Herald!)
We also encourage you to connect with other parishes, holy places, and nature during your summer travels.
Ask other priests or ministers to sign your Christ Church 2015 Summer Travelers Card or take a photo of
yourself in the beautiful surroundings where you said Canticle 12 from Morning Prayer (BCP 88) and post pictures to our Facebook page. We would love to know where your summer travels and spiritual journeys have
taken you!
We will have a Welcome Back Sunday on Sunday, September 13th with Festival Eucharist, Baptisms, Sunday School Kick-Off and parish lunch. Completed Summer Travelers Cards will be entered in a drawing for 2
free nights at the Overleaf Lodge & Spa in Yachats, Oregon.
We look forward to seeing you at Christ Church!
FROM
THE
The Rev. Jeremy Lucas, Rector
RECTOR
[email protected]
Jeremy is traveling for this edition of the Herald. One of the places he and his family will be visiting is Yosemite
National Park. He left this reflection from the naturalist John Muir:
No Sierra landscape that I have seen holds anything truly dead or
dull, or any trace of what in manufactories is called rubbish or
waste; everything is perfectly clean and pure and full of divine lessons. This quick, inevitable interest attaching to everything seems
marvelous until the hand of God becomes visible; then it seems
reasonable that what interests God may well interest us. When we
try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything
else in the universe. One fancies a heart like our own must be
beating in every crystal and cell, and we feel like stopping to speak
to the plants and animals as friendly fellow mountaineers. Nature
as poet, an enthusiastic workingman, becomes more and more visible the farther and higher we go; for the mountains are fountains—beginning places, however related to sources beyond mortal
ken.
From “Nature as Poet” by John Muir.
FROM
THE
DEACON
The Rev. Maureen Hagen, Deacon
[email protected]
While vacations are not on my schedule this year, I have many work-related trips to make this year that provide
me with much joy and purpose. As you read this, I am finishing up my time at General Convention in Salt Lake
City where I coordinated the legislative action for the Association for Episcopal Deacons. From past experience,
I know I will have met many fascinating people, participated in stellar worship services, and engaged in many fun
activities. In the second half of August, I will travel to Cuernavaca to attend language school. Our diocese's fastest
growing congregations are Spanish-speaking and I would like to improve my skills.
Many Christ Church parishioners have asked me about my work in the world. I am director of The Academy for
Formation and Mission. AFM provides theological and spiritual formation for ministry, service, and seeking in
contemporary church and culture. AFM is a community for all seekers of God in Christ, forming committed baptized ministers as well as ordained servants. We meet for seven weekends a term. Fall term starts in midSeptember. We will be offering classes on Pastoral Care, Anglican Identity, and The Gospels. Our teachers are
amazing and all of our students - those seeking ordination and those taking classes for enrichment - have found
their time with us very valuable. If you would like to learn more about The Academy, check out the diocesan
website or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/academyforformationandmission.
May your summer be renewing and refreshing!
Peace,
Maureen+
Get ready, Christ Church!!
Something’s Coming ….
FROM
THE
ASSOCIATE RECTOR
... how many birds can nest in a mustard tree?
The Rev. Alison Schultz, Associate Rector
[email protected]
Go, go and do likewise.
We recently commissioned a task force for welcome and
Well, its been a few Sundays now since we heard the par- as part of their commissioning we decided to commisable of the mustard seed proclaimed. I adore the mustard sion the parish for the very same work. We used these
seed. Do you have a favorite parable?
words:
A parable, according to New Testament scholar C. H.
Dodd, is a metaphor or simile drawn from nature or common life,
arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness, and leaving the
mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application to tease it into
active thought. (C. H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom,
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1961, p. 5)
This is the very reason I love parables! I generally can
arouse sufficient doubt about most things but parables
are permission to wander down the rabbit holes of reason and belief. Outstanding!!
so off I go ...
O Holy God, you raise up laborers for
your harvest, sending them out as sowers
of your Gospel and caretakers of new life:
Bless these your servants in their work of
planting and tending your Church; equip
them for service, enliven them with your
joy, and help them remember and trust
that it is you who will bring in the harvest; through Jesus Christ, the champion
and protector of all life.
And in the strong name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit you, this congregation are commissioned to open to
those who may be new to Christ Church
Parish and those whom you do not know
well. You are called to a ministry of hospitality and welcome to share with them
as they share with you in the consciousness of Christ and the building up of
God's kingdom.. Amen.
The mustard seed is the tiniest of all the seeds but
it can grow into the largest tree - meaning, I think, that
this understanding about the kingdom of God is not just
about growth for growth's sake but about the intention
to be a home for many. It helps to move my thinking
away from production and a consumer model toward the
inclusive kingdom of God, an open, welcoming, community. Then, what is the purpose of a big tree? (Or maybe
we might ask it another way ... how many birds can nest So now consider yourselves commissioned for service.
in a mustard tree??? )
Be an ambassador for Christ at this place. Be an inviter
of others - to join you in ministry, to join you in converand so I continue to wander ...
sation, to join you in a cup of coffee.
The ministry of welcome and hospitality is the same, is it
not? From a little seed, the tiniest seed, can grow some- Continue to find a way
thing wonderful and unexpected. How do we take what to nourish and
God gives and invite others to enjoy our fantastic shade, encourage all the
mustard seeds you
our sturdy branches, and the company of all the other
find.
birds?
I'll stop now as I don't want to wear out my welcome in Peace,
this metaphor, this parable of our lives. I will offer a little Alison+
exhortation as an encourager of this mustard seed faith
given us by God.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
NURSERY
THROUGH
Susie Coffman, Minister of Religious Education
[email protected]
8TH GRADE
Children’s Ministry Summer Intern
We are excited to have Abby Ernst as a summer intern working with Susie Coffman this summer. Abby has just finished her Sophomore year at Linfield College and is studying to be a
teacher. Abby has grown up in the parish and has had leadership roles in our Summer Camps,
Nursery, Christmas Pageants and High School Youth programs. She has a passion for working
with children and particularly in Christian Education. You will see Abby working in many capacities on Sundays and throughout the week. If you don't know Abby, please say hello and introduced yourself to her!
Summer Sunday School Schedule
for Pre-School class
and Multi-age Elementary class
July 5: NO SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL.
July 12, 19, 26: Classes in session.
Nursery Schedule
The Nursery is open every Sunday in July and August during
the 10:00 am service.
Sunday School and Nursery
Registration Forms for
2015-2016 school year:
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Classes in session.
Be sure to get your completed registration forms back to the
Parish Office! We use the information for both safety and
planning purposes.
Thank you!
YOUTH GROUPS
6TH GRADE
THROUGH
Sara Sather, Youth Minister
[email protected]
HIGH SCHOOL
With Abundant Gratitude to the
People of Christ Church
job that I truly loved. Your children have given me the gift of
laughter…we have been through great times and hard times.
It can be tough being a junior or senior high youth…the
stress and sometimes the bullying can be hard. They need to
know they can come to a place that loves and cares about
them. I thank you all for giving them “that” place. Our kids
matter. Please don’t ever lose sight of that. Jesus calls us to
“love one another”…I think at Christ Church, we have done
that. Thank you for loving and caring about me and our kids!
To say thank you to all of you seems so insignificant…mere
words cannot express the love I have been shown by the
cards and gifts I received for my retirement. I sincerely appreciate the support I have received from this congregation over
the years. It has been an honor to work with your children, it
has been a privilege to get to know some of the young adults
at CCP. The fact that I still have close ties to my “first kids”
Many, many blessings and thanksgivings to you all!
fills my heart with gladness. Being a part of their weddings
and baby showers is such a joy. I have been so lucky to have a Sara Sather
Youth Minister Search Update
The search for a Youth Minister is well underway! We have a job description posted on the Christ Church webpage as well
as with the Diocese and the Episcopal News Service. For more information, go to www.ccparish.org/youth-minister-search
A great big THANKS to the members of the committee whose efforts and commitment were outstanding: Tad Dierckes,
Sara Frazier, Andrew Howell, Melissa Tosti, and Greg Trotter. Many thanks for all your hard work!
If you have questions, contact Caroline Cash Davis or Susie Coffman by sending an email to [email protected]
Bob Mensel, Minister of Music
MUSIC
[email protected]
While summer is the season for Canterbury Choir to rest and recharge for the coming year, that doesn’t mean that special
music will go on hiatus for the summer. In fact, we hope to have featured musicians almost every Sunday. Here are some of
the musical offerings that await:
Sandra Brown Williams, soprano (July 26)
Kris Norton, baritone
Daniel Lyons, tenor
PAEMA Women’s Ensemble (July 19)
Michael Sanchez, tenor
Summer Choir Sunday! (August 2, see below)
Celebration Tabernacle Gospel Choir (July 18, see below)
By the way, the new Children’s Choirs made an auspicious debuted on June 7 at the 10am service. It is our hope to continue
this program in the coming year. If you have any questions, please contact me. And if you are a parent of one of the children
who participated this past spring, please let me know if you have any feedback that will be useful for the future.
Mark your calendars!
Saturday, July 18 @ 4:00 pm
Celebration Tabernacle Gospel Choir
Christ Church Sanctuary
Our friends from Celebration Tabernacle in North Portland will once again travel to Lake Oswego to bless us with their music. For those who heard them last February, you know what a treat you’re in for. And for those who aren’t familiar with Celebration Tabernacle, please join their choir, band, music director Robin Gordon, and pastor Rev. Elbert Mondainé for a 75minute celebration of music and the spirit. The concert is free and appropriate for the whole family. Invite your friends!
Sunday, August 2 @ 9:00 am
Summer Choir Sunday! (to sing at the 10am service)
All are invited to rehearse an offertory anthem at 9am for the 10am service. We’ll do an encore performance of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Follow this link to hear a performance of the anthem on YouTube: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Performance Link (enabled for those who receive their Herald via the internet).
See you at Christ Church!
Bob Mensel
OUTREACH
Julie Daniels, chair
Mark your calendar for 4 p.m. Sept. 12 to attend the Outreach barbecue. We promise (almost) good weather, great
food and good company. Live music and games should make this the best one ever. If you didn’t get a chance to
sign up at the auction, now is the time. Contact Barbara Davis, 503-636-6167, or any Outreach member to add
your name. Quick before it sells out. $25 per person includes dinner, entertainment, beer, wine and nonalcoholic
drinks.
How is money donated to Outreach being spent?
Here are some recent ways:
Due to unexpected and exceptionally high medical bills related to the AIDS virus, the Masaka School had a cash
shortfall this past month. With your generous contributions to the Outreach Auction, Christ Church was able to
help them meet their obligations. Thank you again for supporting this worthy cause.
TLC/TNT is ready to start its summer day camp programs serving children and teens in North Portland. Your
dollars have enabled them to buy T-shirts, bus passes for kids to visit the zoo and a slice of pizza for each child
after visiting the local fire or police station. Thanks, Christ Church, for putting smiles on these children's faces.
PASTORAL CARE
Lorraine Moon, Pastoral Care Coordinator
Pastoral Care Line: 503-635-0955 [email protected]
Welcome to Parish Nurse
Tamara Brockett
Tamara will be taking charge of our new Parish Health and
Wellness Ministry. This program, currently being expanded
and renewed, will serve Christ Church in the areas of
basic diagnostic and referral consultations (including our
monthly blood pressure screening), as well as providing
Health Education through ongoing health related events.
Tamara has been a member of CC Parish since 2001. She
graduated from San Jose State University in 1974 with a degree in Nursing. She has worked as a nurse in various capacities in the hospital, neuro-surgery, thoracic and vascular surgery unit and switched to Labor and Delivery after several
years in San Jose. She also worked as Director of Utilization Management at an HMO in San Jose. For the last 10
years she has worked as a Nurse Consultant to Insurance
Companies and Health Management Organizations.
With her recent retirement, she now has time to devote her
talents to our Parish - and we are so glad she has chosen this
Ministry!
For more information about Parish Health and Wellness,
email Tamara Brockett
at [email protected]
New Fall Program!!
Caregivers Lunch and Fellowship
Every Tuesday
Starting Tuesday September 8, Christ Church will be offering
a weekly opportunity to take a break, and enjoy fellowship
with other caregivers.
Please meet in the Guild Room from 12:00pm - 1:00pm and
bring a sack lunch. Coffee and dessert will be provided.
This program is designed to run alongside the Lake Oswego
Adult Community Center Day Respite Program, which is
currently offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30am 3:30pm. Call 503-635-3758 to enroll your loved one. Cost for
that program (includes lunch and recreation) is $30 per session.
Questions? Call or email Lorraine Moon.
50 + Ministry Event
Let's all go to the movies! The LO
Preservation Society has received great
press about the new film, The Reel Lake
Oswego: Clown Diver to Sky Divers. Along
with footage contributed by the Oregon
Historical Society’s collection, this 30minute film includes home movies
from the 1920s through the 1960s generously provided by many who have
been a part of the LO community.
This 30 minute film was produced by
OPB's Emmy Award-winning staff.
Christ Church will have a special private screening of the
film and a private lunch following in the newly remodeled
Lake Theater and Bistro. Salads and a sandwich board with
all kinds of tempting choices will be available. And best of
all, the cost for the private screening and your lunch is only
$25 including beverages. This is a program of our 50+ ministry group but all are invited to attend.
“The Reel Lake Oswego: Clown Diver to Sky Divers”
Sunday, July 26
12:00 noon – 2:00 pm
Lake Theater, State Street @ North Shore
Movie and Lunch, $25 (pay at the door)
Please RSVP So we have a head count: by sending an email
to: [email protected]
For more information about the 50+ Ministry Program,
call or email Lorraine Moon.
PARISH LIFE
First Friday
First Friday in July will be held on July 10th (2nd Friday) due
to the Fourth of July Weekend. Ted & Liz Washburn will
host the event at their home at 16873 Canyon Dr, LO
97034. Everyone is welcome to join fellow parishioners for a
fun-filled evening of refreshments & a light meal of salad &
dessert. A contribution of $7.00 is requested to help defray
the refreshment costs.
Additional Summer First Fridays include:
AUGUST 7th:
Hosts: Jim & Ginny Post &
Vern & Kathern Millard
St. Mary's Woods, L.O. 97034
SEPTEMBER 11th (2nd Friday)
Hosts: Ken & Joy Hessian
15623 Village Dr. L.O. 97034
Picnic in the Park
Worship, BBQ & Softball Game
Sundays July 12 & August 2 at 5:00 p.m.
Join us for this all parish event! This is a time for all of us to
enjoy an evening together in the park. A 5:00 p.m. Eucharist
will be held at George Rogers Park (located at 611 State
Street near the bandstand in Lake Oswego). The Eucharist
will be followed by a BBQ. Christ Church will provide burgers (beef and vegetarian), hot dogs, and chips. We ask that
you bring a side dish to share.
Following the BBQ . . . Let the competition begin!
In the spirit of promoting a little friendly and intense competition within the parish, we will put together a couple of coed softball teams!: CCP Red and CCP Blue! We will have
games for the little ones, too!
Please sign-up in the Narthex or call the Parish Office.
New Church Directory
For more information,
call Char White 503-635-3075.
The long-awaited church directory is in the works! We will
email a draft of the 2015 Church Directory to all church
members with an email address. If you need to make any
Acolyte Family Outing
edits or changes to your household’s information, you will be
Let's go to Oaks Park! Tuesday, July 28th 5pm. We will plan able to click on a link to provide us with your updated inforto meet at Oaks Park for a potluck dinner and family mation.
fun. Ride bracelets will be provided for our acolytes. We can We will also print several copies of the Directory draft and
arrange carpool rides for anyone that may need one.
place them in the Narthex for several Sundays during the
Mark your calendars with the date. Stay tuned for more de- month of July. You will have an opportunity to write in your
edits or changes as needed in the Narthex as well.
tails as we get closer to the date.
Thank you for your patience with this project!
Happy Summer Break to you all!
For more information about the Acolyte program,
email Lori Dierckes at [email protected]
Stewardship
Bonnie Umland, Chair of the Stewardship Committee, with
Clay Shanks and Mary Morris who are the co-chairs of the
Annual Pledge Drive, attended a conference in Houston
sponsored by TENS, The Episcopal Network for Stewardship. They returned with a strong sense of the broader definition of “stewardship”, meaning that we are all “stewards” of
all that God has given to us. You will be hearing more about
the breadth of the concept of being good stewards. Get
ready for MORE to come.
For more information about Stewardship,
email Bonnie Umland at [email protected]
If you have questions, call Chelsea Paxton in the
Parish Office at 503-636-5618 or
email [email protected]
70s / 80s Dance Party Tickets Available!
If you didn't buy tickets to this fun event at the Outreach
Auction, do not despair. Tickets are still available! The
dance is Saturday, August 1 from 7:00 - 10:00 pm. For $20
per person, you and your friends and family can shake your
groove thing with the Clergy and Vestry. The night will
be totally radical, and the best display of Christ Church dance
moves since last year's talent show. Kids are welcome and
snacks will be served. To quote our Rector, "It. Will. Be.
Epic."
To buy tickets, please submit checks to the church with
"Dance Party" in the memo line.
If you have questions, email Candace Trotter
at [email protected] or call 503-691-2364.
Christ Church Episcopal Parish
PO Box 447
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034
Change Service Requested
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Lake Oswego, OR
Permit No. 1
THE HERALD
Christ Church
Chelsea Paxton, Editor
Episcopal Parish
Please submit items in MS Word format
by email to [email protected]
or to the Parish Office.
Deadline for the September / October 2015
edition is August 12, 2015.
Items will be edited as necessary.
For a complete calendar of events
please visit our website at
www.ccparish.org
Read this newsletter and get all our latest information at
www.ccparish.org
Parish Office Phone:
Pastoral Care Line:
Fax:
503-636-5618
503-635-0955
503-636-0384
1060 Chandler Road
PO Box 447
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034
Christ Church is a growing, caring, sacramental community.
We are dedicated to providing an open, Christ-centered sanctuary
for worship, reflection, education and service for our children and all who enter.