ejoice Summer 2016 R 118 N. Washington St. ✠ Alexandria, VA 22314 www.HistoricChristChurch.org ✠ 703-549-1450 Welcome to Our New

By Carol Donlan ith great joy, the Wardens best of the best in Wand Vestry of Christ meeting the present have called The Rev. Noelle York- and future needs of Simmons to be the 28th Rector of Christ Church.” Christ Church. Noelle loves She will be joining us on September her ministry, and 1 and preaching on September 4 for her energy and Labor Day weekend, and on Open enthusiasm are House Sunday, September 11. infectious. In a video For the past 12 years Noelle has postcard to us, she served at All ’ Episcopal said, “I am so excited Church in midtown Atlanta— to accept the call as Senior Associate Rector and to become your Associate Rector. All Saints’ is a next rector. I look growing urban , larger than forward to joining Christ Church, with some 3,000 you in September members and a budget of almost for the next stage $3 million. Most recently, she has of this adventure been responsible for Adult Christian in Christ Church’s Formation, Communications and life … I hope that Global Missions. She is also the together we can of the Mid-Atlanta Convocation, carry the message one of 10 regional convocations of of Jesus Christ out churches and communities in the into a world that so of Atlanta. desperately needs it The Rector Search Committee and do good work was deeply impressed with Noelle’s wherever it needs to sermons, her spirituality, her warmth be done.” and enthusiasm, and her leadership. Noelle, 39, is a graduate of Emory To learn more about Noelle go to Chairman John Lawson wrote: , the Berkeley Divinity http://www.historicchristchurch.org/ “During our 18-month search, the School at Yale and is finishing her download_file/view/2181/ To hear RSC reviewed the qualifications of Doctor of Ministry degree from Noelle’s latest sermons, go to http:// [41] talented spiritual leaders who Emory’s Candler School of Theology, allsaintsatlanta.org/worship/sermons/ applied to become our Rector. We focusing on homiletics (preaching). and scroll down. evaluated all candidates in light of Her husband, Kevin, is a college the gifts and graces and priorities professor of world religion, ethics and established by the parish and theology. They met in grad school at Carol Donlan is a member of the Rector Search Committee. Vestry of Christ Church through Yale. They have two children: son our extensive discernment process. Eli, 9, and daughter Linden, 7—and Also contributing to this report: RSC Rev. York-Simmons emerged as the two mutts. members Sandra Thomson and Bill Usher. Rejoice is the Success from VBS to Sunday School, monthly publication of Christ Church, Alexandria, Thanks to Our Volunteers Virginia, an Episcopal By Matthew Welsch, church in the Diocese of Virginia. Director of Children’s Ministries The Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston Thirteenth Bishop of Virginia t’s official: Vacation Bible School The Rt. Rev. Susan Ellyn Goff I2016 was a complete success! Bishop Suffragan More than 90 children joined on a The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. (Ted) Gulick, Jr. Pilgrimage: Seeking the Kingdom of God Assistant Bishop of Virginia —visiting a different medieval holy Vestry Janet Osborn, Senior Warden site each day for a week in June. They Abigail Arms, Junior Warden learned about God and one another Emily Bryan, Susan Davis in the process. We participated in Without them, we couldn’t have had Geoffrey Giovanetti, Susan Hahn making medieval crafts from stained the week we had. If you or a loved Jim Lafley, Betsy Powell glass windows to leather pouches one participated in 2016 this year and Dave Riggs, Brian Shannon Anne Shine, Janet Zavrel to spinning snakes! We sampled you spot an adult or youth volunteer Tykie Tobin, Treasurer medieval themed snacks like bread person, please be sure to give them a Andrew Baird, Assistant Treasurer and cheese in Spain, Shortbread in hearty thank you for all they’ve done Scotland, and GREEN Rice Krispies for us. The Rev. Ann Gillespie, Treats (just roll with us here) in Don’t think that the fun is over just Senior Associate Rector Ireland. Most importantly of all, we because VBS is at an end! The first The Rev. Heather VanDeventer, learned that God loves us and that day of Sunday School, September Associate Rector each one of us can do big important 18, is right around the corner! Like The Rev. Dr. Richard Jones things to help make God’s love VBS, Sunday School isn’t possible Parish Visitor known to the whole world. Be sure without the hard work of volunteers The Rev. Dr. Diane Murphy, Priest Associate to your calendars for next year’s just like you. Even if you’ve never The Rev. Chris Hamby, VBS: June 25–29 2017. been involved in Children’s Ministry Ministry Resident VBS wouldn’t be possible without before—this is a great time to get Director of Music our team of dedicated and enthusias- involved in helping the children M. Jason Abel tic volunteers. Our volunteers—both of Christ Church grow as disciples. Christ Church embodies God’s youth and adult— endured early If you are interested or would like unbounded love by embracing, liberating, mornings and the hot summer sun to learn more about how to get and empowering people, whoever you to make sure our campers received involved, please email Matt Welsch are and wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith. the best VBS experience imaginable. at [email protected]. The Rejoice deadline is the third of the month preceding publication. Please email proposed articles to Special Thank You from John & Judyth Branson [email protected]. Those accepted are subject to editing for length and content. Susan Hahn edits udyth and John Branson Rejoice while Craig Keith provides design Joffer their deep gratitude and layout. Carol Donlan gives her time for the lovely “send-off” and talent as an advisor. Meredith Bracco last week from Christ is the staff liaison. Church as we move forward on another phase of our life’s journey. We have so appreciated your great love and support all along the way we have shared

@historiccc continued on page 3

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Baptisms on January 11 Community Lodgings— A Christ Church Legacy at Work

By Jane Hess Collins, Community Lodgings apartment homes to low-income children in our community succeed Communications / Volunteer Coordinator individuals or families. An addition in school and explore college as a ere it not for Christ Church, two apartments will be included with post-high school option, through Wthere may not be a Commu- completion of our fall renovation. A after school, summer enrichment and nity Lodgings. Christ Church was household income must be 60 percent mentoring programs. Our goal is to one of eight area Episcopal churches or less of the area median income for provide our children a vision and a who saw a need to support Alexan- a client to qualify for this housing. way to escape poverty permanently dria’s working poor and families. In According to the United States De- through education and life skills. Our 1987 these churches underwrote the partment of Housing and Urban De- program operates in three locations - purchase of Community Lodgings’ velopment, the 2016 median income two in Arlandria and one in the West first apartment building. This multi- for the area that includes Alexandria, End - and each are run by trained home unit, located on Notabene Arlington and Washington, D.C. is staff and volunteers. We are thrilled Drive in the Arlandria/ Chirilagua $108,600. Therefore a household’s when our students succeed, like Elisa, neighborhood, was the first of Com- annual income must equal $65,160 or a recent T.C. Williams high school munity Lodgings’ affordable housing less to qualify for affordable housing. graduate who is now a scholarship properties, and the first step in these Most of Community Lodging’s recipient and enrolling in Old churches’ effort to end homelessness affordable housing tenants’ annual Dominion University this fall. in Alexandria. income is around $25,000, only 21 We also support the surrounding Today Community Lodgings is percent of the median income level. adult community through computer Alexandria’s only nonprofit that We also offer six transitional support, translation services, school tackles poverty head-on with a housing apartments to homeless enrollment, job searches, referrals to three-pronged, multi-generational families. These families are referred to other community based agencies and approach. Most of the clients served us through the City of Alexandria’s other services. are of Hispanic origin, and many are Department of Community and With trusted bilingual staff, immigrants. All of those served are Human Services. Many of the committed volunteers and quality low-income. Most do not speak or families come from the Carpenter’s services, we serve more than understand English and many cannot Shelter and Alexandria Community 200 individuals every week. The understand their native Spanish Shelter as well as other local non- Catalogue for Philanthropy recognizes language. All have one thing in profit agencies. Community Lodgings as “one of the common, the desire to create a better Our tough two-year program is best small charities in the Greater life for their families. designed to prepare a family for Washington region.” We help our clients leave poverty independent living once they leave Thanks to Christ Church and behind by offering 38 affordable our program. In the two years, or other caring , Community less, the families stay in transitional Lodgings has helped hundreds of housing, they must maintain fulltime families survive in one of the most Branson continued from page 2 employment, pay 30 percent of their expensive areas of the country. income toward housing and save 5 To learn more, visit our website together. Christ Church is a wonder- percent of their monthly income. at http://communitylodgings.org, filled church blessed with creativity, They also must stay drug and alcohol attend our Open Doors Tours (see imagination and a deep, never-failing free and attend counseling as well “Get Involved” on our website) or commitment to God’s work in the as classes on budgeting, parenting, volunteer! For more information, world. Keep on keeping on. We life skills, job preparation and other contact Jane Hess Collins at shall ever hold you in our prayers. topics. We are proud that some [email protected] or call Special thanks to all those who of our program graduates are now 703 549-4407. worked so hard for our final “blast”. thriving, owning businesses and even Thank you, Christ Church. We Your generosity and kindnesses are purchasing their own home. could not have done it without you— abundant and overflowing! Our youth education program helps literally!

Rejoice ✠ Summer 2016 ✠ Page 3 Community Partners Battle Childhood Hunger in the City of Alexandria By Kristen Moore, co-chair, Outreach Committee community business support and others. It costs $100 to hrist Church is a leader in our community helping feed one child for a school year. In collaboration with Cthose in need through our local outreach ministries. ALIVE! and Hunger Free Alexandria, BIB has permanent In addition to our ministries, Christ Church partners with storage space for their food at the new Alexandria Food local organizations to guide and support them in their ef- Warehouse. forts. One of those is a local chapter of a national associa- BIB was founded in 2005 in Louisville, Kentucky and tion called Blessings in a Backpack (BIB). serves more than 67,000 school children at more than In 2013, after hearing from an Alexandria City Public 650 schools in 46 states and Washington D.C. each year. School (ACPS) principal that behavioral issues with some Each site is led by volunteers who—with support from students were caused by their lack of access to food at Blessings in a Backpack’s national office—secure food, fill home on the weekends, many parents wondered how this backpacks and distribute them at the end of each school could be—right here in our community. week to children in need. After a weekend of not know- A large percentage of students qualify and participate in ing hunger, children return to school, ready to learn. the National School Lunch Program and rely on breakfast More than 16 million children live in food insecure and lunch at school. Sometimes this is all they have. This homes nationwide. In the City of Alexandria, 1 in 5 inspired parishioners Kristen Moore and Katie Stohs to start children have families that are considered food insecure. a local chapter of BIB at Maury Elementary School with Studies show that students who participate in the Bless- DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA PHOTO the goal of serving 55 students every weekend for an entire ings in a Backpack program show marked improvement school year. Support from the parents, the Maury Parent in school attendance, test scores, behavior and health. Teacher Association and others has propelled the program Food is an essential building block, and in this case truly a forward to feed those students for the past two years. blessing, especially to a hungry child. This success has helped get four more ACPS schools on For more information, contact Kristen Moore at board to host the program with help from volunteers and [email protected].

Redeveloping the Carpenter’s Shelter By Mary-Parker Lamb, Deputy Director of the Carpenter’s Shelter • Playground for our children and courtyard in the his spring, the Board of Directors of the Alexandria back of the building. Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) and of T • Entrance on N. Henry Street for the shelter and en- Carpenter’s Shelter, which serves more than 750 home- less and formerly homeless children and adults each year, trance for David’s Place on First Street. signed an agreement to partner and redevelop the shelter The second through seventh floors of the property will property at 930 N. Henry Street. be owned by AHDC, with Carpenter’s Shelter owning the shelter space. Carpenter’s Shelter operations will continue Carpenter’s Shelter and AHDC are working together as they are, but will relocate for 18–24 months during the in a tax credit application to the State of Virginia construction. If CS and AHDC are successful in their tax to redevelop the shelter property. The redeveloped credit application as well as several other steps along the property will include: way, it is anticipated that operations will be re-located on • 60-bed homeless shelter (this shelter space will be or around November 2017. owned by Carpenter’s Shelter). Carpenter’s Shelter offers a comprehensive continuum • 92-units of Affordable Housing (with 82 units for of care aiding the chronically homeless and sheltering those making 50 percent and 60 percent of median residents through their transition back into independent income and 10 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) living, empowering its clients to address the issues which units which will house formerly homeless persons with led them to homelessness and provide the tools necessary need for supportive services and who make 30 percent to achieve lasting independence. More than 90 percent or below of median income). of clients who graduate from the shelter and continue on • The basement will house the parking garage with with the shelter’s community case management program access directly from the Carpenter’s Shelter parking remain in permanent housing during their first year out of spaces into the shelter’s vestibule. the shelter, which is a very vulnerable time.

Page 4 ✠ Rejoice ✠ Summer 2016 Feast of the Uganda Martyrs a Multi-Faceted Success By Witney Schneidman, da Martyrs raised a total of about revitalize its relationship with Mengo Chair of the Mengo Committee $9,000, putting the Mengo Com- in practice and spirit. At the same early 100 parishioners, friends mittee two thirds of the way toward time, we were presented with a num- Nand members of the Uganda its fundraising goal for the event, in ber of needs by the hospital. Dr. Rose diaspora participated in the Christ combination with other fundraising Mutumba, the first woman Medical Church Feast of the Uganda Martyrs efforts. The Feast event at Christ Director of Mengo, told the commit- in mid-June, hosted by the Mengo Church was held on the on the week- tee that the hospital’s top priority was Committee. The spirited evening end of our annual Parish retreat at support for completing the construc- honored 23 Anglican and 22 Catho- Mont. Despite initial concerns tion of an expanded HIV/AIDS clinic. lic converts to Christianity who were about scheduling two major parish After internal consultation and executed by the Kabaka (King) of events on the same weekend in two communication with Friends of Men- Buganda in Uganda in the late 19th locations, this turned out to be a plus. go UK, Friends of Mengo Canada century. Rev. Chris Hamby led a spirited auc- and Dr. Rose, it was agreed that each A performance from the Mbutu tion at Shrine Mont in support of the would raise $30,000 to pay for the dancers, Ugandan food, a raffle and Feast of the Uganda Martyrs. The “re- costs of the construction (the Cana- a silent auction were featured dur- mote location” auction raised $2,000. dians had already made an equivalent ing the event. In preparation for the Additional future activities are contribution). As a result of our event, members of the Mengo Com- being planned by the Mengo Com- reflections, the Feast of the Uganda mittee sold tickets both online and mittee to highlight the work of HIV/ Martyrs became an occasion to cele- at Sunday services, and dug deep to AIDS clinic and to deepen the rela- brate our friendship with Mengo Hos- come up with unusual items for the tionship between Christ Church and pital. It also was an opportunity to raffle and silent auction. Leading up Mengo Hospital. raise awareness in Northern Virginia to and during the event, committee The event was unique in several and the Washington area about the members served as bartenders, ticket respects, with its genesis having come remarkable work of the hospital and takers, food servers, food shoppers last October starting with a month the HIV/AIDS clinic which has nearly and party organizers. Christ Church of prayer among Mengo Committee 6,000 active patients, of whom more staff, especially Melanie Gray, Direc- members for our friends and col- than 5000 are on Anti-Retro Viral tor of Outreach and Mission, was in- leagues at the hospital. A period of treatment for HIV/AIDS. The Feast dispensable to the success the event. discernment followed, with consid- also was an occasion to raise funds for As a result, our Feast for the Ugan- eration on how the committee could the clinic construction project.

Parish House Room Named In consultation with Julie Randle, the diocesan women’s organization, the Registrar and Historiography for Episcopal Church Women. It is for by Mengo the Diocese of Virginia, it is clear one Miss Sallie the Christ Church’s chap- Silent Auction Winners name from Christ Church history ties ter of the Daughters of the King is n unusual item up for bid at the these interests together. named. AFeast of the Uganda Martyrs A conference paper by Julie Randle Miss Sallie’s known favorite hymn silent auction, held to benefit comple- reveals that Sarah Ashton Stuart, was O Zion Haste (#82) which Epis- tion of the HIV Clinic at the Mengo known as Miss Sallie, was confirmed copal Communicators often name Hospital, was won by two parishio- in July of 1853 at Christ Church. as their theme song in the ministry ners—the right to name a room in the Her father served as a Christ Church of communications, with its refrain, lower Parish House. vestry warden. Sallie did everything “Publish glad tidings; tidings of peace, One of the rooms will be named to from teaching Sunday School and tidings of Jesus, redemption and re- honor Sallie Stuart, a person in Christ raising funds for capital improvement lease.” This thought drew together Church history with connections to of church buildings to participating both the ministries of music in wor- communications, church choir music, in parochial missionary societies. Sal- ship and communications. women in leadership roles of the Epis- lie filled the mother role for the five The other room, won by another pa- copal Church, and exemplary service young children of her eldest rishioner at the auction held at Shrine to the parish and community through after his wife died in 1860. She was Mont in June, will be named at a later Christ Church ministries and mission. the Virginia founder of what became date.

Rejoice ✠ Summer 2016 ✠ Page 5 Christ activities, Santi’s mother and other has stepped out in faith, by doubling Church teachers spoke out against the gueril- the children, youth, and families las. Threats came. And in 1999 Santi program ministry staff,” says Heather. Welcomes was sent to Miami “until things cooled “We are delighted to be able to work Santi off.” But they didn’t cool off, and his with both Santi and Matt Welsch Rodriguez parents and brothers soon followed, guiding the course of youth and chil- as New seeking asylum. dren’s ministries at Christ Church.” Youth Santi earned a Bachelor’s in Philoso- Matt will continue to lead children phy from the University of Miami and 5th grade and younger. attended a Catholic seminary school. Santi is an avid social media user By Bill Roberts The family moved to Canada in 2004, and has studied the way teenagers use anti Rodriguez’s Twitter tag tells settling in Hamilton, Ontario, near social media and digital technology. his amazing life story in a just a Toronto, where Santi worked to repay For teens, he says, technology “is not S his college loans and pursue an inter- few words. a tool” as adults view it. “It’s a new est in the priesthood. language. And,” he says, “we need to “@ZephyrosBlue’s husband. “My great drive over the last 14 be, in a way, the digital presence of Tyson’s dad. Youth minister. Music. years,” Santi says, “has been my great God in social media.” Prayer. Silence. Storytelling. love for the priesthood and of cel- Read Santi’s blog posts at: Discernment. Episcopalian. ebrating the liturgy with the people of http://peekaboowithgod.blogspot.com. Canada. Colombia. USA.” God.” In 2008, Santi entered a Jesuit semi- Colombia? Yep, he grew up there. nary in Montreal, where he learned Episcopalian? Yep, that came after to read and speak French became a New Employees a stint as a Jesuit seminarian in after 30 days of silence and 30 iz Denson. Liz is the new part- Canada. And storytelling, well you days of pilgrimage. For six years, as a time Assistant to Melanie Gray, only have to hear his story and then L seminarian, Santi worked in youth and the Director read his blog. young-adult ministry, refugee advoca- of Outreach Now freshly relocated from Mil- cy, and among First Nation indigenous and Missions. waukee, Santi with his wife Julie communities. Liz was born (a Coast Guard Lieutenant Com- It was with the Jesuits, he says, that and raised in mander), son Tyson, and two dogs he came to experience Jesus in a real Ocean City, are living in Old Town. way—with the heart. New Jersey. As Youth Minister, he will be Santi met his future wife, Julie, in She earned working with young people in 6th to Milwaukee through a Toastmasters a Bachelor’s 12th grades—and their families. His club in 2013, triggering a period of degree in Lin- first Sunday here was July 10. discernment for the aspiring priest. guistics from “Youth is a ministry for which I He left the Jesuits in 2014 and was re- the College am very passionate,” says Santi, 34. ceived into the Anglican Communion of William and Mary, and a Master’s “It’s a beautiful challenge. We want at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in degree in Social Work from the Uni- to show young people there is an Calgary. He moved back to the U.S. versity of Alabama. She worked as a authentic way of being Christian in and worshipped at Trinity Episcopal research coordinator at the Birming- the world that accepts them as they Church in Milwaukee. Santi and Julie ham VA Medical Center, and as a are, shares love, and shares hope.” were married a year ago. medical social worker with a Heart Santi grew up the oldest of four “Santi brings enthusiasm for the and Lung Transplant team at UAB boys in the small college town of Gospel, a deep prayer life, and a keen Hospital. Since moving to Alexan- Chia, Columbia, about 25 miles eye for seeing the creative interplay dria in 2009, she has stayed home to north of Bogotá. His father was between today’s world and pop culture care for her two daughters, Ruby, 7, an auto mechanic; his mother, a with Scripture and traditions of the and June,4. As a volunteer with the teacher. Christian faith,” says the Rev. Heather Christ Church food pantry and West In the 1990s, when anti-govern- VanDeventer. End Lazarus, she became invested in ment guerillas began forcing boys “With the [Santi’s] hire … as Youth from the town into paramilitary Minister, the Vestry of Christ Church continued on page 7

Page 6 ✠ Rejoice ✠ Summer 2016 A Tribute to Sunny and Barney Nolan, The Best of Christ Church

Prayer and Presence Rites of Passage By the Rev. Heather VanDeventer Deaths Temple CME Church on N. Alfred • Tom Johnson n Tuesday July 19, Mayor Street shared about prayer circles • Boyce Martin Allison Silberberg called O that he has been a part of previously. • Elizabeth Talcott together the clergy council to meet. Could we do that in Alexandria? • Paul Barton The clergy council is open to all I jumped in with my 47 cents to • Marguerite Rucker Ellett clergy of any faith and tradition who say, yes, and let’s start this Sunday. serve in the city of Alexandria. The The time was decided to meet • Bitsy Moore idea behind it was to gather and get at 3:00 p.m. at Montgomery and • Mary Ann Beauchamp to know one another in good times so Henry Streets. Prayer is powerful. • Patrick H. Butler that if, God forbid, a disaster happens, Being present is powerful as well. • Ruthann Davey the congregations of Alexandria I firmly believe that our presence, • Saquan Hall would be poised to be a resource for being God’s hands, feet, and hearts • John Tower Churchill the community. At this gathering on in a hurting neighborhood, will • Alton Sterling July 19, there were about 25 religious also move mountains of distrust • Philando Castile leaders from the Alexandria. and disunity with peace and unity. • William Lowe shared out of their experiences of Along the way, we will get to meet • Brent Thompson racism and profiling, as well as those and get to know our neighbors, experiences of their congregants. At both in that north Old Town • Patrick Zamarripa least 2 clergy in the room had been in neighborhood and our neighbors • Michael Krol law enforcement to becoming from congregations all over the city. • Lorne Ahrens ministers -- they noted the dual hurt God will work on us and within us; • Michael Smith they feel when there is strife between God will match us up with those • The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, Jr. the police and protesters, especially who will become new friends. There • Brenda Chiprut black protesters. The focus of the is always more room in the prayer • Shirley Plemmons group kept returning to the homicides circle. There is room for you. Come • Anne Davis in north Old Town. The Rev. Dr. join us at 3:00 p.m., this and every • Father Jacques Hamel King, senior at Russell Sunday. • Janine Nelson • Josiah Lanier • Agnes C. Dunmore New Employees continued from page 6 • Regina Muschette Baptisms the work that Christ Church is doing • Rowan Virginia Bryant to Cameron to serve the Alexandria community. Land Bryant & Devin Bryant She is excited to assist in those ef- • Theodore Kyle Bowers to Kimberly forts in her new role with Outreach. Beyer & Michael Bowers randie Mae Grubb. Brandie Mae • Nora Elisabeth Holland to Bhas joined the Christ Church Sara Beth & Matthew Holland staff as our new Parish Ministries • Gabriel Alexander Horatio Savin Coordinator. A graduate of Campbell to Anne & Keefe Savin University with a Bachelor of Arts • Ruah Hadley Baize to Michelle in Religion and Philosophy, she will & Zachary Baize be taking over for Tanya Watt, who Weddings leaves us at the end of the month to • Julianne Christie & start seminary. Brandie Mae’s hus- ago. Please extend Brandie Mae a Robert Dudley III band, Eric, will be Tanya’s classmate warm welcome as she gets settled at VTS. The Grubbs moved from into her new job and new commu- JASON ABEL PHOTO North Carolina just this a few weeks nity.

Rejoice ✠ Summer 2016 ✠ Page 7

Many thanks to the Chancel Chapter for all of their hard work during Holy Week. OLR Surprises and Keepsakes: Bringing Home the Love

By the Rev. Ann Gillespie he 2016 Christ Church mission Tteam to Our Little Roses (OLR) in San Pedro Sula, Honduras returned in late July after a fun, exhausting trip. For some it was a first trip; for some it was their twentieth! The team included five high schoolers, plus adults ranging in age from age 30 to a few decades over thirty! We were led by the incomparable Sarah De Camps and Liz Hoekstra. I asked members of the team to describe their biggest surprise, and what they would bring home from the experience. Here are some of their responses:

Surprises: • To see the suffering in the streets up close is hard, but the dif- ference inside the walls of the home is extraordinary. • How much the girls grow and • “The confidence the girls are go- loves to dance and play with her change each year. Little girls be- ing to leave here with the educa- sisters. Critzenn, almost nine, has come teens. Teens graduate from tion and tools they need not just completed third grade at Holy Family high school and go to university. to survive but to make a differ- Bilingual School. Her favorite sub- ence in Honduras” • How welcoming everyone is. “If jects are Spanish and social studies. I had a group coming into my • “…Though we live in different She loves to play soccer and swim, home every other week, I don’t countries and there is more op- and plans to be a doctor when she think I’d be so generous.” portunity in ours, they listen to grows up. Christ Church parishioners the same music, like the same and long-time Honduras missioners • How happy the girls are. How clothes. Really it’s the similarity Ron and Linda Hoekstra, Critzenn’s kind and caring the older girls of the human experience.” godparents, were especially delighted are of the younger ones. • “I’m taking home the girl’s love.” to see how well she is doing. • How beautiful Honduras is and how much poverty there is. • “An incredible reaffirmation of community - within the girls Our Little Roses Ministries is doing • The fitness craze in Honduras. themselves and within the God-filled work providing each girl • How well the girls are maturing Christ Church mission team.” support of in a safe, caring, compas- and being prepared to integrate sionate, environment. These girls are into the world. Christ Church financially sponsors not only transforming themselves, but two little girls annually, pictured here also their community and their coun- Taking home: with me. Monserrat, affectionately try. Please consider coming on the • “The cumulative effect of years called “Monsi” is five. She came to mission trip next summer or sponsor- of deepening relationships.” OLR in May of 2014. She was aban- ing a girl. Join us in this important • …memories and a very large ma- doned by her mother and was rescued bond between Christ Church and chete! from abject poverty. The kindergar- OLR. Your heart will never be the • “Family is defined by love for one tener’s favorite class is painting. She same again. another.” has adapted well to her new home,

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