The Third Sunday of Pentecost: Proper 9

 The summer tends to scatter many of us from New Haven- but it also brings familiar faces back again- this Sunday, Fr Lucas Grubbs will be celebrant and preacher at the 8am and preacher at the 10am.   We will celebrate the baptism of Marielle Gigi Metivier, daughter of Angelique Metivier and Eric Henderson,  a family new to the parish and remember Deacon Alfred Tisdale – as he and Nora travel to Minnesota for the baptism of their granddaughter Maddie.   

The General Convention begins on July 8- and we will be praying daily for our bishops and delegates- and if you want to follow developments in Anaheim, one good source is the New Service at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/gc2009.htm;  some interesting articles (and even a great Rap on Compline) is at  http://episcopalcafe.com ;  and finally- there seems to be a strategic planning initiative in the works for the national church and they have an online survey.  While I don’t know much about the committee’s focus or work, I would encourage you to spend a few moments and let your voice – and this parish’s perspective –be part of the larger church’s conversation.  The survey is at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Wu5I75KPqOhmGku87xaL6A_3d_3d

 On a local level, the slate of nominees for the election of the next Bishop of Connecticut should be announced this week- the diocesan web site- at www.ctdiocese.org will carry a link. 

 And finally- the youth program at St Andrew’s Church in Newhallville will have a ribbon cutting for Your Place Youth Center to celebrate our first pilot year and launch our first full year of operation. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4:15pm on July 2, 2009, and the mayor will be there.  As part of our ongoing relationship with St. Andrew’s and its vital mission to our community- I would encourage you to attend. 

 Faithfully,

David Cobb +      

One of the important facets of our liturgical life is the 9am service- simpler and with the use of Rite II- the modern language version of the liturgy- and often celebrated at a free standing altar- it is a different expression of our Eucharistic and Liturgical identity.  When the service schedule reverts to two services- mostly due to a seasonal shift in attendance, that expression is not offered, and for a number of people, that is a real loss.   After conversations with parishioners who raised the question, and after talking with the wardens and officers and the vestry, it became clear that it made sense to take the month of July- four of the sixteen or so Sundays with just two services- and to celebrate the 10am as a Rite II liturgy. In many ways, there will be far more continuity than change- Christ Church liturgy is marked by a seriousness and focus- by a concern to make our joint worship a thing of beauty and a worthy response to God- there will be incense, about the same amount of the service will be chanted. The liturgy will probably be a bit shorter- the language is more direct and communion received at the head of the aisle will take a little less time.  On the first Sunday in August- the 10am will return to Rite I and to the high altar.   We are one parish- across the different Sunday morning liturgies- and even with people who are primarily here on weekdays- or whose heart is very much with us as they work on Sundays or in other parishes.  And this shift will allow us all to share in the experience that is central to some of us.