Christ Church Riverdale

FROM THE RECTOR: On Pilgrimage  As a kindergartener I took part in a Thanksgiving play that I expect would be quite familiar to many people who grew up in an American public school system.  The characters were Pilgrims and Native Americans, and the play covered the making of friends around the first Thanksgiving dinner.  For some, the image of pilgrims as people dressed in black and white with buckles on their shoes has remained their primary idea of pilgrim.

 Yes, those re-enacted in Thanksgiving plays were pilgrims, but only one example of a broader reality.  A pilgrimage is a religious journey, typically to a destination of religious significance, where the most important element is the transformation one experiences along the way.  People go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to cathedrals such as Canterbury and Chartres, and many other places, but personal transformation is the common element whatever the destination.  Thus a pilgrimage is the opposite of a trip where people are seeking the fastest way to arrive at their destination. 

The remembrances of Holy Week and Easter are a pilgrimage in themselves, traveling through some of the darkest moments in human history.  While it is possible to skip the unpleasant parts in favor of Easter, the benefit of the pilgrimage is found not by arriving but by savoring the time along the way and learning from those experiences.  How might God want to transform us  this Holy Week?  A patient engagement in the pilgrimage of worship offered at Christ Church will help us come closer to finding the answer.

New Newsletter Format

One of the blessed “problems” of our active life together is that our announcements and reports  had outgrown the previous newsletter format!  Thanks go to editor Aija Sears for researching new possible formats, and for implementing the new size with this issue.  As with all of our means of communication, the hope is to allow our community of faith better to love and serve God and our fellow human beings.

 In Christ, Rob

VESTRY NOTES—The Vestry met for its annual retreat 9 a.m.–1 p.m. on March 11, 2006, at Riverdale Presbyterian Church.  The retreat leader was the Rev. Canon Williamson Taylor, from the congregational development office of the Diocese of  New York.  The retreat began with Morning Prayer, followed by Canon Taylor speaking on the general responsibilities of vestry members.  He then reviewed the process of the Trinity Church grant for congregational development for which Christ Church was selected in late 2004.  Participating churches are to submit a proposal by the end of March for implementation in the period April through June 2006, with a progress report to the diocese at the end of June.  Canon Taylor went through the reports of our congregational survey (administered during services December 11, 2005 and explained during services with copies available March 26, 2006).  The Vestry listed a large number of possible initiatives emerging from the congregational survey and the day’s retreat, but came to focus on the issue of marketing and communications as particularly suitable to the current grant process.  

At its regular meeting on March 20, the Vestry heard the recommendation of the Executive Committee to use the grant monies to obtain seasonal banners for the fence out front, to expand our print advertising, and to purchase promotional items, such as hats, t-shirts, or mugs.  After discussion, a subcommittee was authorized to consider the matter further.  [This subcommittee met with Neva Rae Fox, diocesan director of communications, the following Monday to further refine our proposal, and is quite pleased that Ms. Fox will be happy to continue consulting with us throughout the process at no cost.  This is an example of our diocesan assessment at work.]  At the March 20 Meeting, the Vestry also heard that 103 pledges have been received, totaling $199,112. 

DUST OFF YOUR COWBOY BOOTS! Saddle up your horse and mosey on down to the Christ Church Riverdale Spring Fling with a western theme. There’ll be square dancing, line dancing, a western buffet and prizes to be won. So, bring your dancing feet and plan on having a great time at our spring fund raiser Saturday, April 29th from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information look to the Welcome Table or call the office 718 543-1011.

CHRIST CHURCH WAS JUMPING! A wonderful pancake supper hosted by the vestry was enjoyed by many. It was a perfect way to usher in Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

The party for the Concourse House on March 18th was a lively celebration. Good food, good gifts, good games and good company kept everyone on their toes and hopping. Everyone got involved; kids and moms played musical chairs and everyone got prizes for participating. The generosity of the parishioners was appreciated as each of the families got gift bags of linens and presents for children and mothers. Thanks also to the volunteers who helped with set up, dancing, cooking and serving.

Fellowship was at its best at the parish dinner March 25th. This event was the kick-off for the upcoming series of fund raising events. Everyone enjoyed dinner, line dancing like the electric slide, Macarena, and games. Look for the next event April 29th.

The Altar Guild Bake Sale with the addition of gourmet coffees and springtime pansies provided everyone with great treats and raised $700 toward a chasuble matching our hangings to fit Father Rob. Thanks to the telephoners, bakers, sellers and of course, the purchasers. Support from the Christ Church family is always appreciated and essential.

ALTAR GUILD CLEAN-UP  Saturday, April 15^th will begin with a special morning prayer as members prepare the church for Easter.  Volunteers are welcome to help in this special task.

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS There is still time to remember loved ones with thanksgivings and memorials.  The deadline is Palm Sunday, April 9^th.  Forms are available at the back of the church and at the Welcome Table.

ARE YOU DONE WITH YOUR VIDEO TAPES? The Library is looking for additions to their collection.  You may have switched to DVDs, but the circulating collection of videos is especially popular and helpful for those homebound.

IT'S SPRING! CLEAN OUT YOUR ATTIC AND CLOSET The next rummage sale, sponsored by Episcopal Church Women, will take place on Saturday, May 6.  Household items, bric-a-brac, art, clothing (except shoes) that is clean and in good condition, books, videos, records, and tapes are welcomed for sale.  Items may be brought to the parish hall Thursday and Friday, May 4 and 5.   Look for sign up sheets on the Welcome Table to volunteer to help with this annual event. 

www.christchurchriverdale.org Keeping a website up-to-date and relevant requires a lot of effort, so a website committee is being formed and will have its first meeting on Monday, April 10 at 7pm in the Parish Hall. We are looking for people to serve on this committee, in particular someone with expertise in Photoshop/computer graphics, and a young parishioner who is fluent in the ways of the web. Please contact Buffy Weeks if you are interested in serving on this committee and helping to spread our message of faith hope and love.

IN THE COMMUNITY.........

WHAT DO SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS DO IN THEIR SPARE TIME? Kim Johnson made headlines in the Riverdale Press passing out chips at the PS 81 parents’ Monte Carlo Night. Nice going, Kim!

ART HAS NO BOUNDARIES An art exhibition of photographs, paintings, jewelry and mobiles includes the work of Robert Chambers. The reception is at the St. Cabrini Nursing Home, Wednesday April 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. Call Joann Dedyo at 914 693-6800 x522 for details.

RIVERDALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH will hold its 2nd Annual Art Exhibit Saturday and Sunday April 22 and 23. Christ Church artists are invited to exhibit. The deadline for notifying the committee to exhibit is Saturday, April 8th. Contact Lillian Masters 718 548-9317 or Marion Stone 212 567-3804.

NEED TO CONTACT A PARISH LEADER?  Mail slots for Vestry, staff, committee chairs, and other volunteers are located in the hallway between the church and parish hall.

PARISH HALL KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS Take a look at the beautiful new tile floors.  Coming soon: lighting fixtures.

LIKE TO COOK and want to serve others? On the third Wednesdays of the month at 4:15pm, volunteers from Christ Church cook in our parish hall kitchen and the food is taken to the Sharing Community in Yonkers.  No experience is necessary.  For more information, please contact Ryland Clarke or Florence Maduro.

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