Christ Church, Georgetown The Courier Parish Newsletter, September 2021 Vol. XXXVII, No. 1

The Rector’s Letter My Dear Friends, What a delight it is to introduce this issue of The Courier and the rebirth of life of our church this fall as we regather after the worst of Covid and launch into a new period of life and growth in our beloved parish. Please also read, if you haven’t already, my regathering letter, which you can see at this link. This Homecoming Sunday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m. is the most important for many years. This is our opportunity to put the worst of the pandemic behind us and to begin our common life again in earnest. We are applying to close the street outside the Church for games and activities for the children and for church groups to set out tables with information about what they are about, if they would like to do that. It will be a great celebration of who we are, and the precious nature of our parish community. As you come back, you will see several new faces. In our worship through the pandemic and since we reopened last September, we have seen a steady trickle of new people coming into the life of our church. They have come for the same reasons many of us came: for beautiful traditional worship, inspiring preaching, and outstanding music; for a church that leaves politics at the door, a community that seeks to serve others, and that studies, discusses, and seeks fellowship with each other, as well as welcoming new people into fellowship, witness, and service. We have another New Members Course scheduled for two upcoming Saturdays, September 25 and October 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with Confirmation and Reception arranged for Sunday, October 24, at 5:00 p.m. For some thoughts on what membership is about, please follow this link. If you would like to serve on a committee or a guild, click here for some thoughts on the Christian leadership involved. In this issue of The Courier, you will see advertised many groups and activities for all ages, along with many opportunities for service. Our various worship guilds are all looking for some new members to be trained and become involved. The Altar, Flower, Acolytes, Ushers, Lectors, and Chalice Bearers Guilds, and our newest “Gethsemane Guild” that live-streams all our 11:15 a.m. services, have, together, some 200 members when they are all up to strength, but we always welcome more people to share in supporting the most important thing we do, the worship of God, in which we offer the best we have to offer week by week. Through the Mission Committee we give a tithe or 10 percent of our pledged income to support a strong list of mission partners locally and around the world. Grate Patrol will resume in September and, together with the shelter we hope to offer opportunities to serve for a similar number of parishioners as those who support worship. You will also see that our St. Francis Guild also have programs for the fall.

Continued on next page The Christ Church Courier Continued from previous page The parish newsletter of Christ Church, Georgetown, published periodically between September and June. Opportunities for Christian education and formation are many at Christ Church. You will see great plans and a new Timothy A. R. Cole, Rector approach for Sunday School led by our new and excellent Andrew A. Kryzak, Associate Rector Interim Youth and Family Minister, Chrissy Casey. Melissa K. Hollerith, Honorary Assistant to the Rector Mike Alford and G. Garrett C. Ayers, Seminarians Th e Sunday Forum, the Faith and Foreign Policy Forum, Thomas P. Smith, Organist and Choirmaster and parish and women’s Bible studies all restart, and we Christine Page Casey, Interim Youth and Family Minister look forward to the next in our series of Conversations on Paul J. Barkett, Director of Administration Race and Culture on Tuesday, October 5, at 6:30 p.m. with Tonika Hilliard, Parish Coordinator the Honorable Anthony Williams speaking. Letitia (Tish) Mills, Executive Assistant Tyrone Moore, Head Sexton Our young adults and Babywise groups, the Men’s Group, and Contemplative Life Group are all planning programs 3116 O Street, NW for the fall. Washington, DC 20007-3198 In short, there is something for every age and calling at 202-333-6677 Christ Church. I hope everyone may fi nd an opportunity www.christchurchgeorgetown.org to off er their time, energy, and gifts and to become a deeper part of the parish so that we may all grow in spirit, and in fellowship with Christ, and each other, in the Please note: Christ Church is carefully following coming months. the District of Columbia’s Covid-19 precautions, as they evolve, and we will observe such policies Th ey say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I am certainly fi lled with hope and excitement as I consider what as are in force at the time of any gatherings. this Homecoming Sunday, and the fall that follows it, has We will make every eff ort, within such guidelines, in store for us all. What has been held back for so long will to have pleasant and edifying times together! now be released to fl ourish and grow again! May God bless you, your families and our spiritual family here at Christ Church,

Th e Reverend Timothy A. R. Cole, Rector

New Members/Confi rmation/Reception Course Th e next round of classes for new or returning adult members of the parish, as well as adults who would like to be confi rmed or received into the Episcopal Church from another denomination, will take place on Saturdays, September 25 and October 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Both sessions will be led by the parish clergy. Th ose who have completed a portion of the course in the past are also encouraged to participate. We have not yet decided if the sessions will take place virtually or in person. A hybrid model might also be possible. Th is will largely depend on the number of participants and the comfort level of those who have registered. To sign up, contact Tish Mills in the Parish Offi ce. Please note that the Bishop of Washington, the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, is scheduled to visit Christ Church on Sunday, October 24, at 5:00 p.m. It is our hope that she will confi rm or receive those who have completed the course that afternoon.

2 The Courier—September 2021 Stewardship

These pledge gifts allowed Sunday School for more than 90 children to go ahead, largely online. The feeding ministry shifted to serving Saturday Night Suppers to 45 or 50 homeless neighbors, in partnership with other Georgetown congregations. Our parish’s support of a number of other vital causes in the broader community also continued. And, of course, the fine CCG staff was kept on payroll, and utility bills were paid. This financial stability during a crisis is a great distinction for our clergy, administrators, the Vestry, and those of us in the pews. Yet, the number of individuals who made pledges and the amounts pledged in 2020 and 2021 were down from pre-pandemic levels. One consequence is that reliance on using a portion of endowment earnings to support operations continues. To return pledging to 2019 levels and improve significantly from there, the Stewardship Committee seeks your ideas, constructive criticism, and suggestions. During August and early September, a survey is being conducted to gain a better understanding of how well the congregation understands the existing pledge program and how we use it. We also ask that you offer your thoughts directly to any member of the committee. As Christ Church, our city, and our nation move past closed The Stewardship Committee is led by co-chairs Shelley church doors, lockdowns and the worst of the Covid-19 Rodgers and Tom Casey and includes Newman Ainslie, pandemic, our church is taking a fresh look at stewardship. Benjamin and Kim Dean, Rupert Hammond-Chambers, Uncertainties and unusual expenses during the pandemic Thomas Hardy, Rodney Hood, Charlie Ingersoll, Brent reinforced the critical importance of pledging to the success Minor, Chip Oat, Catherine Onnen, Anne Randolph, of this church’s mission. Yet, many do not pledge annual James Rojek, and Sally Squires Wilhelm as members. financial support to the ministry of Christ Church. As autumn progresses, you will be asked to make a pledge Pledging is the first of two steps and is, simply put, the for 2022. With the pews filling again, the choir singing, the central planning tool for the Vestry. Eucharist being distributed, and with all of us reconnecting with friends and the clergy in person, the Stewardship Our pledges, made during the closing months of the year, Committee will be asking you to play a part in maintaining tell the clergy, staff, and Vestry how much financial support our great and historic church’s post-pandemic growth. The to expect from us during the coming year. With pledge pledge you make in the coming weeks will be relied upon commitments in hand, a budget is finalized and plans made. by the Vestry in budgeting for yet more progress next year. Making gifts to fulfill pledges in one or a few installments In 2022 and 2023, expect to see also innovations to and during the year is the second step in our commitment refinements of the annual pledge program in response to to support our church financially. your input. The goals are a church where nearly all make an During 2020, despite services shifting to the internet and annual pledge of a gift that is right for their circumstances, unprecedented disruption of careers, family finances, and daily and the aggregate of the congregation’s pledge gifts fully life, payments on pledges brought $1.3 million to our church. support annual operating expenses.

The Courier—September 2021 3 Men’s Group Save these dates . . . Th e Christ Church Men’s Group has kept a connection Homecoming Sunday going for the last year through Zoom, and now Sunday, September 12, 10:00 a.m. looks forward to both in-person discussion meetings Forum and Sunday School resume and social gatherings. Tim Carrington and Andrew Sunday, September 19 Kryzak will organize and facilitate. For the fall, we will schedule two informal garden evenings with beer, soda, New Member course and snacks, and a Memorial Room discussion. Picking Saturdays, September 25 & October 9, up on some of the Zoom discussions in the past year, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the session will focus on the universal reality of getting Evensong resumes it wrong sometimes, and the necessity of, as the Prayer Sunday, October 3, 5:00 p.m. Book puts it (absolution at Morning/Evening Prayer, Rite I) “amendment of life.” Th e fact that we hear this Conversation on Race and Culture phrase regularly suggests that it might be a repeated with the Honorable Anthony Williams or even a continuous process. But what does it mean? Tuesday, October 5, 6:30 p.m. Does everyone do it? If so, how? We will make use of Confi rmation insights in the book Being Wrong: Adventures in the Sunday, October 24, 5:00 p.m. Margin of Error, by Kathryn Schultz. Dates for the three gatherings will follow in the weekly email. All Souls’ Day Requiem Wednesday, November 2, 7:00 p.m. Veterans’ Dinner Thursday, November 11, 6:00 p.m. Contemplative Life: The Sacred in the Ordinary Th e period of Ordinary Time—the “long green 20s/30s/40s season”—in the church calendar provides an opportunity to re-consider the ordinary. During the Th e congregation of Christ Church is blessed to have repetitive, often homebound days of the pandemic, within its ranks a robust group of parishioners in their we’ve all had such extended acquaintance with 20s, 30s, and 40s. Th is fall, we look forward to: ordinariness that many of the spiritual common- n Monthly social events, on the third Th ursday of places that can be sustaining have been too often each month, in Georgetown overlooked. n Chances to volunteer together for the good of Our source will be the poets, most of whom seem our fellow Washingtonians, via Christ Church’s to be wired for contemplative awareness, even Feeding Ministries, the Salvation Army’s Grate where the content of their poems doesn’t directly Patrol, and Georgetown Ministry Center’s address this mode of being. We will touch especially Winter Shelter on the works of contemporary poets of recent n Bible study, led by the Associate Rector, on decades who have addressed how everyday, ordinary alternate Sundays at 10:10 a.m. graces inform the life of faith. n An intensive, small group to explore Shaping When: Sundays, October 3, 17, 24, and 31, and a Faithful Life, in connection with the Sunday November 14, at 3:45 p.m. Forum Where: In the Chapel Garden (October 3, in the For more information and to be included on the Parish Hall Auditorium) mailing list for this group, please be in touch with Followed by the Eucharist at 5:00 p.m. in the the Reverend Andrew Kryzak. Chapel or Evensong in the Church.

4 The Courier—September 2021 Adult Education & Formation

Sunday Forum 2021–2022 The 2021–22 Sunday Forum focuses on what it means to lead a faithful life. What is the relationship between our shared Anglican practices and the nature of resilient and joyful living? How does our habit of churchgoing inform the particulars of our relationships and actions beyond the church door? During a period in which the most basic features of Christian life—the Sunday gathering and its associated activities—were disrupted, these questions were brought unexpectedly and quite potently to the fore. This year’s series will explore the ways in which faithful Christian living in the contemporary world is shaped by prayer and devotion in the church, engagement with Scripture, and ultimately our posture toward the eternal and ineffable. Topics include The Book of Common Prayer, which grounds our lives of prayer; how we read Scripture and in what ways it is considered authoritative; how the Old Testament tells the stories of the flawed humans who are exemplars of devotion; what the Kingdom of Heaven is like; and the resurrection itself. A mini-series within the larger series will look in particular at the habits of a faithful life. The 2021–22 Sunday Forum is designed to deepen our common understanding of how our shared observances as a worshipping community can enrich and enliven our lives beyond the church walls. Our speakers this year will include (in order of appearance): The Reverend Dr. James Farwell Dr. Barry Seltser Dr. Kathleen Staudt The Reverend Dr. Francis Wade The Very Reverend Dr. Andrew McGowan, Dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale Mr. Garrett Ayers, Christ Church Seminarian, 2020–21 The Very Reverend Dr. Ian Markham, Dean of Virginia Theological Seminary

The Courier—September 2021 5 Women’s Bible Study

a better way through Jesus, and at the same time, he makes the book relevant and timely for Christians today. Each section of the verse-by-verse commentary is followed by Wright’s refl ections on what the text says about Christian formation. N.T. Wright, one of the most highly respected biblical scholars in the world today, is research professor emeritus Wright’s book on Galatians will be the fall study for the of New Testament and early Christianity at the University Women’s Bible Study. We will meet on the following of St. Andrews and senior research fellow at Wycliff e Hall, Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. A Zoom link Oxford. He is the author of over eighty books, including will be sent to folks. two of my favorites, Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope. September 20: Introduction and Galatians 1 He is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of October 4: Galatians 2 England, and for twenty years he taught New Testament October 18: Galatians 3 studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford Universities. November 1: Galatians 4 As both one of the world’s leading Bible scholars and November 15: Galatians 5 and 6 a popular author, he has been featured on ABC News, I look forward to being with everyone this fall. If you have Dateline, Th e Colbert Report, and Fresh Air. any questions or concerns, or if you would like to be added to In his inaugural commentary book for the Commentaries the group, please email me at [email protected]. for Christian Formation series, N.T. Wright tackles the Blessings, book of Galatians. Wright helps us see how Paul teaches us Melissa+

6 The Courier—September 2021 Mission Committee

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, my brethren, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40)

The Mission Committee at Christ Church is a devoted group of parishioners working together to share the 2020 Mission Committee congregation’s time, talent, and treasure with those in need. Th anks to their dedication and compassion, $130,000 will Grants fi nd its way to agencies of mercy in our community, nation, Th e Mission Committee awarded the following and world, lifting up the most vulnerable in God’s creation. grants for 2020, totaling $145,000 in outreach If you are actively involved with a non-profi t organization giving from the parish to its mission partners in which Christ Church might support, the Mission Washington and around the world. Committee invites you to apply for a grant. Applications must be submitted online between September 1 and October 1, 2021. Please see the church website for more Afghan Stray Animal League—$1,000 details and the application form. Th e committee will look Africa ELI—$6,250 at each application thoroughly and notify those selected to Bishop Walker School—$36,750 receive grants by December 1, 2021, with funds distributed Breadcoin Foundation—$2,000 before the end of the year. Business United in Investing, Lending, and All applications must have a Christ Church parishioner Development—$3,000 who is actively engaged with the non-profi t as a sponsor. Th e Condor Project—$2,000 Sponsors also agree to communicate during the year Free Minds Book Club & Writing and share reports from the Mission Partner with the Workshop—$4,000 congregation and provide a report to the Mission Friends of Honduras USA—$7,000 Committee in the middle of the funding year. Georgetown Ministry Center—$18,500 If you have any questions, please contact the chairs of the Humane Rescue Alliance—$4,000 Mission Committee, John Alexander and Frances Symes. Innocents at Risk—$3,500 Joseph’s House—$5,000 Jubilee Jobs—$6,000 Mpambara Cox Foundation—$6,000 National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America—$1,500 New Futures—$4,500 Seabury Resources for Aging—$3,000 St. Mary’s Foundation for Foreign and Domestic Mission—$3,000 St. Philip’s Child Development Center—$6,000 Washington School for Girls—$3,000

Mission Partner Grants—$126,000 Emergency: Horton’s Kids—$9,000 Feeding Ministries—$10,000

TOTAL—$145,000

The Courier—September 2021 7 Saint Francis Guild

The Saint Francis Guild, Christ Church’s animal home free pet food and accessories such as leads and toys welfare mission group since 2011, continues to meet for their four-legged family members. and communicate online via Zoom meetings and email. Frequently links are shared to articles, fi lms, and webinars that deal with man’s relationship with and treatment of his fellow creatures. Th is past January the Guild had a special guest join its Zoom meeting, Emily Moose of A Greener World. AGW operates the only animal welfare certifi cation program for food products that is recognized by the major U.S. animal welfare organizations as being both meaningful and reliable. Emily answered attendees’ many questions about food-product labeling related to animal welfare. Th e group learned that consumers cannot trust words on food packages such as “grass fed,” “organic,” or “humanely raised” to tell them about the quality of life experienced by the animals used for that product. Unless the packaging also includes one of the very few independent, third-party certifi cation seals such as “Animal Welfare Approved” or “Certifi ed Humane,” claims about animal welfare standards are unproven. Early this summer, in anticipation of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, Christ Church mission As the pandemic continued this spring, another partner Afghan Stray Animal League (ASAL) had the organization followed by the Guild, CreatureKind, opportunity to fl y a number of the cats and dogs in its hosted a series of webinars based at Duke Divinity care to the United States. Two friends of the Saint Francis School examining the Christian faith as it relates to man’s Guild, Janet Shannon Presswood and Kristen Reardon, treatment of other species. Th ese webinars were promoted very kindly and on short notice took four of these “refugee” to the Guild’s membership for viewing at home. animals temporarily into their homes, and Christ Church In May the Guild received from Christ Church’s mission parishioners Tiff any, Ernest, and Drue Clark even adopted partner Humane Rescue Alliance (DC’s animal shelter) the one of the cats! 2020–21 report on its HOPE program, which provides Th ree dogs and two cats who were brought from Kabul in free food, supplies, and medical care to pets whose families June are still in need of either foster or permanent homes. live in low-income areas of the District. Christ Church Th e situation for cats and dogs in Afghanistan is truly dire, contributes annually to the HOPE program via the and these special animals are alive today thanks to ASAL’s Mission Committee, and so parishioners helped make the ability to save a few of the countless abused, wounded, following accomplishments possible. and starving animals of that country. Fellow parishioners According to the report, nearly 47,000 pounds of pet food are asked to help the Saint Francis Guild by spreading was distributed to needy pet owners in 2020 via the Pet the word about these homeless Afghan animals or by Pantry portion of the HOPE program. Th is amount was considering whether they might be able to give one of these a 22-percent increase over food distribution in 2019, and creatures in need at least a temporary place to live until the pantries served an average 900 families per month. their forever home is found. Additionally, HRA opened a new pet pantry in Ward 7 To learn more about the Saint Francis Guild or the Afghan this past year. animals in need of housing, or to sign up for a meeting of In March of this year HRA held its fi rst HOPE vaccine the guild on Wednesday, September 8, at 5:30 p.m. via clinic since the start of the pandemic. In all, 145 pets were Zoom, write to Guild Chair Sheila Ward at sheilaward@ administered vaccines, and pet owners were invited to take fastmail.fm.

8 The Courier—September 2021 Children & Youth

Hello from the Youth and Family Ministry office! I have n Coffee ourH will be held in the Auditorium following met and gotten to know many of you since my husband the 9:00 a.m. service. Tom and I first came to Christ Church in 2018, and I look Sunday School Registration is now open for in-person forward to meeting and getting to know all of you in the classes! As you are able, please submit your registration by days to come! In every way, it is truly an honor and joy to Sunday, September 12. Courses are: serve as your Interim Youth and Family Ministry for the 2021–22 program year. n Caterpillars (3- & 4-year-olds)—Godly Play In the spirit of a fresh beginning, we are implementing n Butterflies (5- & 6-year-olds)—Godly Play a new Sunday School routine this year! Please note the n 2nd through 4th Grade—Spark Lectionary following: n 5th & 6th Grade—Connect n Between 8:45 and 8:55 a.m.: Parents deliver their children to their teachers in their respective classrooms. n 7th & 8th Grade—Sticky Faith: Can I Ask That? Parents are then free to attend the 9:00 a.m. service in This is a wonderful stage for interested students the church. to join our team youth acolytes and lectors. n Class will run for about 45 minutes (including n 9th through 12th Grade—Youth Program: Can I Ask “walking feet” travel time). At the close of class, That? for high schoolers. Returning and new youth teachers will bring their students back into the church acolytes and lectors are needed and most welcome! to reunite with their parents in order that we may all n Youth Confirmation Course—We will be hosting be together for Holy Communion and the remainder a course for our tweens and teens who would like of the service.

The Courier—September 2021 9 homily (on this Sunday, it will be specific to our children and youth), Holy Communion, the blessing of Sunday School teachers and students, and the remainder of the service. Following the service, Coffee Hour will be held in the Auditorium n Sunday, September 26, at 9:00 a.m.: First full Sunday School classe, followed by Coffee Hour at 10:00 a.m. n Sunday, October 3, at 12:30 p.m.: Training for new youth acolytes n Sunday, October 3, at 4:00 p.m.: Blessing of the Animals, commemorating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi n Friday, October 29, 6:00–8:00 p.m.: Fall All-In (Prayers and Pumpkins at Butler’s Orchard) It is truly exciting to be returning to our spiritual home for treasured in-person worship, fellowship, and learning. Our team of volunteer teachers and I look forward with great love and enthusiasm to welcoming our young people back to in-person classes! Please know that the team and I will continue to stay abreast of and implement indoors and outdoors the mayor’s and diocesan guidelines with to receive the Sacramental Rite of Confirmation regard to Covid-19. Keeping your children safe while by which Baptized Christians “express a mature in our care is primary. As guidelines are updated, the commitment to Christ, and receive strength from teachers and I will adjust and keep you informed. Thank the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of you for your patience and understanding during this fluid hands by a bishop” (BCP, p. 860). Classes will be held situation. on the following Sundays at 10:00 a.m.: October 17, These summer months have been busy and fulfilling November 21, December 19, January 16, February with planning, preparation, and anticipation of a blessed 27, March 20, and April 24. Please note: In order to program year ahead! The productivity and the possibilities be well prepared for Confirmation in May, students of many good things to come would not be possible are required to attend at least 6 of the 7 classes. without the extraordinary cadre of Sunday School Looking at our near horizon, please note several teachers and the generous members of the Youth and exciting events and put them on your calendar. Family Ministry Committee who have all said “yes” to volunteering in this ministry! Each and every one of them n Sunday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m.: adds to the wonderful faith, energy, love, and service that Homecoming Sunday I am blessed and grateful to be a part of each day! And for n Sunday, September 19, at 9:00 a.m.: Commissioning adult parishioners who would like to know more about Sunday with the Blessing of Sunday School Teachers supporting this ministry, please be in touch. I would be and Students delighted to speak with you; more hearts, minds, and helping hands are welcome! Parents of Sunday School Students, kindly note that our new Sunday School routine will commence on September 19. This warm greeting provides only a glimpse of the 2021–22 That morning, please bring your children to their teachers program year. Many more wonderful opportunities for in their respective classrooms between 8:45 and 8:55 a.m., growing together in faith and fellowship lie ahead! Until and then proceed to the 9:00 a.m. service in the church. then, enjoy the remaining days of summer, and know Following a “Meet and Greet” with their students, I wish you and yours Christ’s peace now and always. teachers will bring their students into the church to be Blessings, reunited with you. We will then all be together for the Chrissy Casey, Interim Youth and Family Minister

10 The Courier—September 2021 Come experience worship in a new way . . .

THE LECTORS GUILD Christ Church has an active Lectors Guild comprised of 40 participating adult lectors who read at the 8:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. services, and a group of youth who read at the 9:00 a.m. (family) service. For those interested in joining, a lector is a lay person trained in reading scripture or leading the prayers of the people. The term lector is from the Latin which means “to read.” A lector is responsible for reading and effectively communicating the Holy Scripture/Word of God at public worship in such a way that congregants hear and comprehend each passage, preparing for the Gospel, and the sermon that follows. Standing at the lectern, one gives voice to the ancient words that heal, strengthen, encourage, proclaim, and exhort. In the tradition of John the Baptist, one helps prepare the way of the Lord. This fall, after a long hiatus from being together, the adult lectors are invited to a Eucharist at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel, followed by light refreshments. This will be held on Tuesday, September 21, the feast of St. Matthew. All lectors are welcome to worship, and any congregants interested in this ministry are invited to join us. Please contact Debbie Nichols at [email protected] for more information. There will also be a signup for interested lectors at Homecoming Sunday on September 12. Our church is blessed to have this devoted group of readers, THE FLOWER COMMITTEE both youth and adult, led by our outstanding clergy and The Flower Committee is so happy to have parishioners wonderful staff. Thank you to all! back on a more regular basis. Many of you have not —Debbie Nichols, Chair had a chance to see and enjoy the floral decorations for special occasions, such as weddings and funerals, that the committee has created these past several months at a pace resembling the pre-Covid period. For many, Flower Committee is a decades long commitment because of the friendships developed and joy in making our Church a more beautiful and welcoming place for all. Flower Committee members all complete a two-day workshop at the National Cathedral prior to joining. Flower Committee members beautify the spaces of Christ Church and earn their reputation for excellence. The Flower Committee always welcomes your interest in how to join us and what to look forward to if you do. Please email or call the Parish Office if you would like to connect with our co-chairs, Beth Collins and Blair Bourne.

The Courier—September 2021 11 . . . by joining a Sunday team

ADULT ACOLYTES THE USHERS GUILD Anyone who attends Christ Church, Georgetown has seen The Ushers Guild compromises volunteer members from the cross-bearing acolyte, also known as a crucifer, who the parish that perform a vital role in the conduct and leads the process for worship services. Acolytes date to the fellowship of our worship services. The mission of the year 252 ad, when they were mentioned as a minor order Ushers Guild is to help ensure an orderly service process in a letter of Pope Cornelius to Fabius of Antioch. Since while providing an inviting presence and assistance to all that time, they have assisted deacons and subdeacons in the those attending—in essence being an extension of the preparation of the Eucharist. In addition to carrying the clergy. Warmth, hospitality, and a commitment to carefully cross, acolytes also serve as thurifers (who cense the altar, discharge the duties that relate to the service are the key celebrants and parishioners with incense), as well as banner components of an usher’s work. bearers, candle lighters, and torch bearers. We are blessed to have a dedicated group of ushers that Through the centuries, the order of acolyte has often been ably serve Christ Church across its broad schedule of conveyed to those who are on the path to priesthood. services, including the Sunday morning services, Choral Earlier this year, two long-time acolytes at Christ Church, Evensong services, and special services that occur during Georgetown—Doug Kirby and Catherine Burns—were Christmas, Lent, Easter and other occasions. But, as with ordained as priests. We are very proud of them. any group, there is turn over and, with the number of services we have, there is always the need for new ushers. Of course, the majority of acolytes at Christ Church don’t Ushering also provides a wonderful way for new members take religious orders, but they do play a key role in worship to contribute further to the church ministry and to get to services, from the Eucharist to Morning Prayer and know their fellow parishioners. Please let me, any of the Evensong. ushers or clergy know if you are interested in being an Becoming an acolyte requires an hour or two of training. usher. We would very much welcome your participation Most acolytes serve once every four to six weeks. If you and contribution. feel called to learn more about becoming an acolyte, please This past year of course has been affected by the pandemic contact Sally Squires Wilhelm ([email protected]) or and restrictions on services, which in turn has affected Max Wang ([email protected]). We would love to ushering in terms of availability of ushers on the one hand tell you more about this important ministry, and we could and limited service size and associated ushering needs on use your help. the other. Hopefully this dreadful pandemic will be fully mitigated soon and we will return to regular services. Generally each usher is asked to serve at one or two services every several months. In the meantime a very special thanks to all of our ushers for their dedicated and able service over the past year, and we look forward to your support and any new volunteers this coming year as we return to more normal services. Intentions are to have an Ushers Guild meeting in the fall to welcome back current ushers and any new volunteers, and review existing and any updated the ushering guidelines. Again, please let me or the clergy know if you would like to be an usher. We very much would welcome your participation and help! —G. Richard Thompson, Chair

12 The Courier—September 2021 Music

Choral Evensong resumes

Choral Evensong will resume on Sunday, October 3, at Mark your calendars . . . 5:00 p.m., and continue on fi rst, third, and fi fth Sundays of the month through May. A reception follows each service. Christ Church, Georgetown, is one of a very few parishes in A Service of Lessons the U.S. to off er this distinctly Anglican liturgy with such frequency. Please plan to join us—and bring a friend! and Carols for Advent

Sunday, October 3 Sunday, December 5, 5:00 p.m. Choral Introit: Te lucis ante terminum (Ferial Tone)— Th omas Tallis A Service of Lessons Preces and Responses—Herbert Sumsion and Carols for Christmas Evening Service in G—Herbert Sumsion Sunday, December 19, 5:00 p.m. Anthem: Evening Hymn—H. Balfour Gardiner Sunday, October 17 Choral Introit: Let my prayer come up—John Blow Preces and Responses—John Sanders Evening Service (Mount Saint Alban)—David Hogan Solemn Requiem Eucharist Anthem: Th ou wilt keep him in perfect peace— for All Souls’ Day Samuel Sebastian Wesley Sunday, October 31 Tuesday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. Choral Introit: Th ese are they which follow the Lamb— Th e parish community will once again mark the John Goss Commemoration of All Faithful Departed (November 2), Preces and Responses—Martin Neary more commonly known as All Souls’ Day, with a Solemn Evening Service in C, Op. 115—Charles Villiers Stanford Requiem Eucharist. Th e service will feature a liturgical Anthem: Justorum animae, Op. 38, No. 1— rendering of the Missa pro defunctis à 6 (1605), by prolifi c Charles Villiers Stanford 16th-century Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria. It will be followed by a reception in Keith Hall. Sunday, November 7 Th e wordRequiem comes from the opening phrase of the Choral Introit: Holy is the true light—William H. Harris proper introit at this ancient liturgy: “Requiem aeternam Preces and Responses (Th e Christ Church Responses)— dona eis, Domine,” or in English, “Rest eternal grant unto William Bradley Roberts them, O Lord.” Evening Service in D—A. Herbert Brewer Anthem: Give us the wings of faith—Ernest Bullock On All Souls’ Day, the Church remembers all the departed. You are invited to submit the names of loved ones who Sunday, November 21 have entered into eternal life in the past year. To do so, Choral Introit: Te lucis ante terminum (Ferial Tone)— email Parish Coordinator Tonika Hilliard (tonika@ Th omas Tallis christchurchgeorgetown.org) or add the names to a special Preces and Responses—Richard Ayleward book that will be at the back of the nave throughout the Evening Service in A minor—T. Tertius Noble month of October. Anthem: Let all mortal fl esh keep silence— Plan to join us for what promises to be a deeply meaningful, Edward C. Bairstow moving commemoration of all the faithful departed.

The Courier—September 2021 13 Welcoming our newest seminarian

Mike Alford is enrolled with Raymond James Financial and general counsel for in the M.Div program BankUnited. Mike also worked for a time as chief risk at VTS and scheduled offi cer and legal counsel for Habitat for Humanity. to graduate in spring Mike has been active in the Episcopal Church for more 2023. He comes to than 20 years and has taken on a number of leadership us from the Diocese roles. He has served as lay Eucharistic minister, lector, of Southwest Florida youth mission trip leader, chair of fi nance and endowment where he is a postulant committees, and senior warden. At the diocesan level for Holy Orders and he has served on both Diocesan Council and Standing a member of Calvary Committee, and as a delegate to diocesan convention. Church in Indian Since 2007, Mike has been involved in aff ordable Rocks Beach. Mike is married and has three children who housing projects and clean water initiatives in Nicaragua, are all currently attending college. Mike is a “seasoned” Guatemala and Malawi, traveling to those countries to seminarian who spent 34 years practicing law prior to lead teams on behalf of various faith-based organizations. entering the discernment process for the priesthood. He has a passion for service and community outreach and His professional career focused on the fi nancial services looks forward to connecting with those at Christ Church industry and included 26 years as deputy general counsel who may share those interests.

Calling all Amazon shoppers! Whether you shop regularly as an Amazon Prime member or just occasionally buy something from Amazon, did you know that your purchases could benefi t Christ Church, Georgetown? Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to Christ Church if you sign up for the Amazon Smile program and make Christ Church Parish of Georgetown the benefi ciary. Every little bit counts. So, the more parishioners who sign up and use Amazon Smile, the more Christ Church, Georgetown will benefi t. Here’s how to sign up for AmazonSmile whether you use it in a web browser or via the Amazon app on your mobile phone.

How to use AmazonSmile on a web browser: 1. Visit smile.amazon.com 2. Sign in with the same account you use for Amazon.com 3. Select your charity (Christ Church Parish of Georgetown) 4. Start shopping! Remember to checkout at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for your chosen charity. Tip: Add a bookmark to make it easier to shop at smile.amazon.com.

How to use AmazonSmile using the Amazon app on your mobile phone: 1. Open the Amazon Shopping app 2. Navigate to the main menu (=) 3. Tap on Settings and then select “AmazonSmile” 4. Select your charity (Christ Church Parish of Georgetown) and then follow the on-screen instructions to turn ON AmazonSmile in the mobile app 5. Once AmazonSmile has been activated in your app, future eligible app purchases will generate a donation for the charity you have selected. Note: The tablet app is not yet supported. Please visit smile.amazon.com/onthego to learn more.

14 The Courier—September 2021