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| CHIMES Our Newsletter February 2010 |
| 667 Mount Road, Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 |
| Our Mission: To worship the Lord To serve the community To grow the church |
From the Rector:
I’m shocked at how much I sound like my Dad. I’ll open my mouth and
somehow Dave Messer comes out. Last night this was especially so.
While I was putting these knucklehead children of mine to bed, I open
my mouth and out comes in this irritated southern drawl, “I don’t mean
maybe, go to bed! Don’t make me come up there and take my belt off!”
Instead of fear and unconditional compliance it instilled in me when I
was 9, I get a chorus of giggles and whispers of, “Do it again, Emma.”
I find myself carrying on a one sided conversation with the television
like my father does also. Diane refuses to be anywhere near when I
watch the news. I get so easily irritated listening to these talking heads
discussing other talking heads about all the bad news that seems to
come out of every corner of the globe. In frustration I’ll bark at the
screen like Dave would, “You have got to be kidding me!” or using other
colorful language that is prohibited in this venue but to the effect of, “Y’
all are a bunch of (explicative). I can’t stand to watch this (explicative).”
And somewhere I’ll hear, “Chuck, who are you talking to? Keep it down!”
My dad is a pessimist. He’s one of those ‘the glass is half empty’ kinds
of guys. It’s easy for me to become like that. But every once in a while,
I’ll get reminded that I’m not Dave Messer incarnate and catch a
glimpse of just how much good there is in the world and how much
promise there is. I especially see this in our children and youth of
Calvary.
God has blessed this congregation with an abundance of children;
children who are excited to be here. That is in large part due to our
wonderfully talented Sunday school teachers who are making disciples
of the Lord Jesus through their love for our kids. Full of promise and
potential, they are poised to create a world where all are welcomed and
valued and love.
Jon Landau was a rock critic of Rolling Stone magazine in the early 1970’
s. One night he went to a small club on the Jersey shore to see a new
singer/songwriter who was drawing large crowds to his concerts. After
the concert Jon Landau wrote a review which began with these words,
“I have seen the future of rock-n-roll and his name is Bruce
Springsteen.” I have seen the future of our church and its name is the
youth of this parish. Carol Brunner has cultivated a small group of teens
who aim big. On February 6th our youth group will sponsor a coffee
house in the undercroft with live music. I am so thankful for their
creativity. Their work with special occasions here has demonstrated
their love for Calvary. We need these young adults. They are ministers
of this church and we want and value their ministry.
I am so thankful that we are continuing Youth Sunday each month. What
a treat it is to see the future of our parish take their place as agents of
God’s grace and ministers of Calvary. Let’s be creative by making more
opportunities for our children to take more roles of leadership within the
parish. God is preparing the future and it will be found in the lives of our
children. The future is bright!
The glass isn’t half full. In fact, the glass is overflowing with the
faithfulness of God. Our children are proof enough that God will
continue the good work begun in us and through us. Let us rejoice and
thank God for our children and the promise they carry.
I think I will make a wonderful grumpy old man. I look forward to barking
like Dave Messer to get off the (explicative) grass or complaining at how
expensive things are. But unlike Dave, I expect to be continually
surprised at God’s faithfulness to provide hope of better things to come
and signs of God’s Kingdom breaking into our world.
Chuck+
ASH WEDNESDAY
We will begin the 40 days of Lent with the imposition of ashes on
Wednesday, Feb. 17th. Three services with Holy Communion will be at
7:30AM, Noon and 7:00PM. The Rector’s Bible Study will be on hiatus
during the Lenten season. In its place will be a program offered each
Wednesday beginning with a meal and concluding with an informal
Eucharist, beginning at 6:30PM, the program will consist of discussions
on matters of faith and discipleship. We will be using Nooma DVD
series as our guide. For those who have come to the Rector’s Bible
Study will be familiar with the series. Families with children are invited
to come and a children’s activity will be offered. Come join us!
Lectors, Intercessors, Ushers, Acolytes, and Chalicers
We are in need of all of the above. See Fr. Chuck or contact church
office if you are interested in serving.
THE ST. ELIZABETH GUILD
The Guild will meet on Monday, March 1st at 7:30PM. Plans will be made
for a spaghetti dinner to be held in April.
We plan to keep a Holy Lent with prayer and discipline. Ash Wednesday
is February 17th and Easter is April 4th. The Guild will also host the
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 16th from 4:00-
7:00PM. Adults $5.00 and Children up to 10 years will be free.
In Christian Love, Dale Tibbetts
Do you enjoy coffee hour after church?
If you do, why not sign up to host it some Sunday? Duties include
setting up, providing treats, serving, and clean-up. There’s no need to
be elaborate; the purpose is to have fellowship time. Cups, coffee, tea
and utensils are provided. There’s a sign up sheet in the undercroft; all
of the first Sundays of the month are available. Questions? Call Sally
Burkam 610-566-8737, but don’t ask me how to make coffee—that’s not
one of my skills.
Looking ahead…
The annual creek clean-up sponsored by CRC Watersheds Assn is
always the first Saturday in May, and while it may seem too early to
think of it, keep the date in mind. Not only do we have the fun of wading
in the creek and picking up trash, but it’s followed by lunch of hoagies,
veggies and dip, drinks and dessert over at Rose Tree Park. In addition,
you get a cool T-shirt. Calvary has helped with two sites in the past, at
the corner of Mount Road and Pennell, and also at Mount Alverno, by the
bridge. Last year, the executive director asked if we would help in
another location towards the eastern end of the county, that doesn’t get
too many volunteers. Youth Group, how about it?
Sunday School and Loaves and Fishes
As many of you may know Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry is the largest
food pantry in Delaware County. What you may not be aware of, is that it
is completely volunteer operated. Linda and her assistant Lana donate
all of their time and the feeding their bothers and sisters has become
their mission. Linda and Lana have experienced some personal
changes and health issues recently. The food pantry is still running
strong and these two committed women are still working hard in spite of
anything that comes their way. Loaves and Fishes packs boxes for each
family containing enough food for one week. Calvary Sunday School
would like to pack the boxes at the church so when we deliver them to
Loaves and Fishes they will be ready to hand out to clients. I will be
posting a list of everything that goes into a box, Please continue to bring
donations for this very worthy cause. The children will start packing this
Sunday! We will also need medium sized boxes. If you have any
questions please feel free to contact me.
God Bless
Kelly McNerney
EASTER FLOWERS
Sunday, February 21 a sign up poster will be placed in the Narthex for
Easter Flowers. For each name placed for “In Memory” or “In
Thanksgiving” it is $10.00. You can mail or place the check (money) in
the collection plate marked “Easter Flowers”.
| Small Parish - Big Heart - Inclusive The little church you've been looking for! All are welcome! |
MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 452 Glen Riddle, PA 19037 |
| Come and worship with us - all are welcome! |
| CHIMES Calvary Episcopal Church, Rockdale February 2010 |
To contact us: Calvary Episcopal Church 667 Mount Road Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 OFFICE The Rev. Charles Messer, Rector Fr. Chuck: frmesser@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org Website: mail@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org Office: calvaryoffice1@verizon.net |
| HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Palm Sunday: 8:00AM, 10:00AM April 1 Maundy Thursday: 7:00PM Family supper will take place in the undercroft before the service. April 2 Good Friday:Noon Communion Service followed by Stations of the Cross. Confessions after Stations of the Cross April 4 Easter Sunday – 8:00AM, 10:00AM. (Easter Egg hunt following the 10:00AM service. |
