C rossings
Fall 2024
Thanksgiving Service
Tuesday, November 26
7 PM
We will gather at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church to celebrate Thanksgiving, offering gratitude to God through our worship this day. Please bring a canned food item for donation to a local food pantry. The Rev’d Andrew Van Culin will preach.
Title Sub-title
He `ōlelo i ku’u mau hoaloha (a word to my friends)
By-line
By The Rev’d Andrew Van Culin
‘‘Lord, where are you going?’
(John 13:36)
At first glance, this simple question may appear to be little more than a passing exchange between Peter and Jesus or a simple tool of the Evangelist to transition from Jesus’ great teaching of the New Commandment to his foretelling of Peter’s pending betrayal. And yet, as we learn time and again, the simplest questions and stories of Scripture are often laden with meaning and learning!
In fact, the substance of Peter’s question speaks to the very heart of human, and Christian, life. A bit of context. This simple question comes at the crossroads of Jesus’ life. As the account of Jesus’ life unfolds in each of the Gospels, there comes a moment in which Jesus must choose his path. In John’s gospel, this moment comes in chapter 11 as Caiaphas proclaims, “it is better for you [that is, the Chief Priests] to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed” after which the Jewish authorities begin to plot Jesus’ death. In the face of this looming threat, Peter asks, “Lord, where are you going?”
This is no passing exchange. No simple inquiry about his day or coming plans. This question gets to the very heart of Jesus’ life and love – what will he do, what path will he follow, in the fact of conflict, uncertainty, and threat? And he, like each and every one of us today and throughout human history, must choose his path. Like humans throughout time Jesus is faced with the proverbial “fork in the road”
as the eternal pathways of overt fighting, innocent fleeing, or simple acquiescence stand before him.
Of course, Jesus finds a different path altogether. (In all honesty, it’s more of a deer track through the brush than a well-marked path through the hills!). In the coming chapters, as Jesus’ life and story play out, we will watch him embark on the seldom taken path of committed love. Rather than renounce his teaching with his disciples or take flight into the night from Gethsemane, Jesus holds fast. He holds fast to the truth of God’s love for all people, the dispossessed and abandoned and the for the powerful and mighty. He holds fast to the truth of God’s power, revealed through mercy and compassion rather than domination and destruction. He holds fast to the hope and promise – and lived reality – of God’s kingdom – in
which there is no Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female.
He holds fast in the coming days not only in the overt teaching he proclaims, but in the concrete actions he takes. He places a piece of blessed bread into the broken hands of Judas. He stands tall in the darkness of Gethsemane and, with a soon to be wounded hand, he stays the violent hand of Peter and heals the wounded ear of a soldier sent to arrest him. With humility and compassion he accepts the heartbreaking judgement of Caiaphas and Pilate. He holds fast even until his dying breath pleading not for his own life(!) but for ours as he proclaims throughout time, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
He does not fight. He does not flee. He does not acquiesce.
He perseveres. More to the point, he perseveres in steadfast love.
Peter’s question is a profound one for each of us today. As the chaos of the past election settles around us, we, as an American people, we as individual citizens of this good nation, we as a Christian community within a broken and hurting society, must take heed of Peter’s question – “where are you going?”
Of course, there are countless responses to this question.
On the national level, we, the American people, have chosen a path under new leadership, charging the new incoming administration to take action through policy creation and implementation that has been promised these past several months. As individual citizens we will each choose a path of civic engagement for the coming term. Some will use this opportunity to gloat and some to take up the fight. Most will likely hunker down and keep on with the day to day struggle of human life – earning enough to pay the bills hoping nothing too difficult comes their way. Others may simply walk away.
As a Christian community, and as Christian citizens within the American experiment, however, we have chosen to look to Jesus as our guide.
We have chosen to persevere in steadfast love ourselves. And so we must hold fast in love for one another and the world – not only for our fellow Democrats or Republicans;
but for all Americans and for all people who dwell within our borders and for all who come to them. We must persevere in compassion for our neighbor, especially the dispossessed and abandoned be they citizen or immigrant. And we must persevere with mercy and grace toward one another – with those whom we call friend and, especially, with those with whom we disagree.
Finally, we must hold to the hope and promise of God’s kingdom, persevering in our work to build a community in which there is no Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but one eternal communion in Christ.
Friends, let us hold fast and persevere in love.
Hoomau me ke aloha,
Christ Church Commons Spotlight: Melway Meats
By The Rev’d Maureen Martin
During a sermon this past summer, I mentioned the ancient practice known as Lamasstide: a celebration of the first fruits of the Fall harvest during which the first loaves baked from fresh wheat were presented to be blessed. This practice is an elegant example of God’s economy in motion. God gives the seed and soil, the sunshine and rain. People receive these gifts and from them, as a sign of their gratitude, make something new and bring it back to God for blessing. At each point of exchange gratitude is given: Gratitude for the richness of God’s handiwork in creation and God’s gratitude as well for openhearted participation in our earthly and divine partnership.
Candlemas has a similar series of exchanges: the candles brought for blessing represent the light of Christ coming into the world through the gift of Mary his mother, the highest example of God’s gift economy expressed through earthly-divine partnership. The mystery of the gift economy is hinted at during the prayers for Candelemas. Here is a short example of this: “O Gracious Father, almighty and eternal God, you created all things out of nothing, and by your command caused the labor of bees to be revealed in the perfection of wax.” The story of Creation is shrouded in mystery and
the fruitfulness of God is holy. The labor of bees is also mysterious and the fruits of their labor is likewise holy and beautiful to our senses.
Layer upon layer creation is laminated with this pattern of God working in collaboration with Creation. We know not how the conversation sounds between, say, God and microbe, or God and bee, but it is sufficient to say that the conversation is real when we
to be makers in the Christ Church Commons. There were lots of reasons to get excited: their dedication to quality and professionalism is top notch. But what really got me going was their deep understanding of soil and commitment to regenerative agriculture: they get it. What follows is a conversation with Nicholas Ponte and Melanie McElroy, founders of Mel’s Farmstand.
see the produce of it. Conversely, when we examine what happens when God is excluded from human conversations and see the ways in which we have carelessly worked to destroy this fragile Earth, we realize that it is time to once again look to the silent wisdom of soil and bee and rejoice that, in mystery, God is there, waiting for us to take up our eternal partnership once again.
And so, with all of this buzzing around in my mind, I was really excited when Mel’s Farmstand asked
What makes you stand out?
Mel's Farmstand consists of the Melway burger pop-up and sales of McElroy Farms beef & our new handmade sausages. We only use 100% grass-fed beef (and all-natural, pasture-raised pork) from McElroy Farms. McElroy Farms is our family's ecoregenerative ranch in Hillsdale, Michigan.
The church talks about creation care and the ways in which we participate with God in the development and sustaining of the world. Rather than seeing the world as a source of “natural resources” to be exploited, we seek to change our attitude to one of relationship with all that God has made. What aspects of your business build up our relationship with the created world?
Our method is to step out of the way and let nature do its thing. Ancient seed beds are activated deep below the soil by grazing large animals for a short amount of time. The plants that grow are exactly what they need to stay in balance. We allow them to rotate around our farm so that after each grazing, the soil rests for 30 days or more. This has transformed the ecosystem of our region from the desolation of conventional, chemical crop farming practices to a lush, diverse pasture. Pollinators, insects, birds, rodents, deer, fungi and microbial organisms have all returned to our fields.
Thanks to the carbon sequestration from our regenerative grazing practices, our soil can now adequately retain water, which mitigates flooding and drought issues that crop farms face. Overall, regenerative practices are proven to help mitigate the effects of climate change, and the product is 100% grass-fed, grass-finished meat that is full of nourishment for local families. Whether they buy from our
market pop-ups, our burger pop-ups or through home delivery via our website, our customers get as much attention as our soil!
Share the ways in which being a maker at Christ Church has helped your business to grow.
The beautiful, fully-equipped kitchen at Christ Church has been a gamechanger for all that we do. A Detroitarea licensed kitchen has allowed us to prep and create for our burger pop-ups and our sausage products in a safe and clean environment. We wouldn't be able to pop-up at Eastern Market without this opportunity of having a licensed commissary kitchen.
We are excited to meet new customers through Christ Church who are interested in our farm's products in the Grosse Pointe community. We look forward to delivering to new households nearby!
Visit mcelroyfarms.com for more information and to learn about their products. Watch your email for
information about turkey pre-orders. They and a number of other small scale makers will be offering items to enhance your Thanksgiving meal, including pies and pickles, available for pick up on Sunday, November 24!
Sacrament
By Lisa A. Brown
The traditional definition of a sacrament is "an external sign of God's internal presence and acting" or "an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace." 1 We hold a strong conviction that God wishes to communicate with us, every minute of every day. That is why many theologians speak of grace as "God's personal self-communication" and our sacraments as key moments when this self-communication of God comes to us.
Grace is not so much something that is given but someone who is experienced as present – namely God. This is why many theologians today do not speak so much of sacraments "giving grace" (like it’s a thing or
substance) but rather we hold that our sacramental celebrations awaken us, "enabling us to experience grace to recognize God's presence" in a new or fresh way. They are opportunities to become focused and experience God in a profound way. A metaphor might be that they are like 'putting on eyeglasses', so that we can see more clearly, or become more aware.
So our sacramental celebrations invite us to become conscious of God's always present creative, sustaining, and loving presence. And when we Christians speak of the sacraments, we are not limited to the big seven. Every experience we have is sacramental if we cultivate an awareness of God in everyday life.
Key to our Christian understanding of the world is our sacramental principle which states: that all reality (everything we experience in our dayto-day life) is potentially the bearer of God’s presence and the instrument of God’s grace if we are paying attention. Fr. Michael Himes writes, "A Sacrament is any person, place, thing, or event, any sight, sound, taste, touch, or smell, that causes us to notice the love which supports all that exists, that undergirds your being and mine and the being of everything about us."
"God is no more present in church than in a pub, but we generally are more present to God in church than we are in a pub. The problem of presence is not with God, but with
us." 2 In other words, we don’t pray to make God present to us. God is already present, always present everywhere. We pray to make ourselves present to God. 3
Dr. Richard Gallardietz offers this metaphor to help us understand our sacramental principle. He invites us to imagine being at the doctor’s office with the light, cheesy "muzak" playing softly in the background throughout the waiting room. Someone sitting next to you nudges you and asks "Hey, what is this song that is playing?" and you stop filling out your medical forms for a minute, listen and respond "Oh, that's the Beatles song, Let It Be."
At your dinner table laughing and sharing with your family members - God is present. You hold a two-weekold baby and feel a sense of awe and wonder as you touch her tiny hand - God is present. In a simple meal of wine and bread - God is present.
Even our suffering can be sacramental if we can manage to open ourselves in order to be broken open.
flows. But when you run up against the hard edge and have to stand true to love anyway, what emerges is a most precious taste of pure divine love. God has spoken his most intimate name.”
We are always free to pay attention to these experiences, or not. When we are paying attention, that is what we call a sacramental moment.
“ Every experience we have is potentially sacramental if we cultivate an awareness of God in everyday life.”
Before that moment you were not paying attention to the music in the background at all. It was there, but you were not aware until someone invited you to stop and pay attention. That is what a sacrament is; a celebration that helps us to become aware of God's grace that is ever present. Everything in life, every experience, sacred or profane, is potentially revelatory of God if we are paying attention.
All of creation is an overflowing of love from God, because that is just how God is - abundant and overflowing. So, God didn’t just love us into being, but God loved everything into being. God is the pulse, the ultimate ground to all that exists. Now, of course, we aren’t always aware of God’s presence in everything, but when we are, we Christians call that a sacrament.
As Episcopal priest Cynthia Bourgeault writes: “Could it be that this earthly realm, not in spite of but because of its very density and jagged edges, offers precisely the conditions for the expression of certain aspects of divine love that could become real in no other way? This world does indeed show forth what love is like in a particularly intense and costly way. But when we look at this process more deeply, we can see that those sharp edges we experience as constriction at the same time call forth some of the most exquisite dimensions of love, which require the condition of finitude in order to make sense—qualities such as steadfastness, tenderness, commitment, forbearance, fidelity, and forgiveness. These mature and subtle flavors of love have no real context in a realm where there are no edges and boundaries, where all just
In closing...There is a story about 3000 kings who in succession sat on a high marble throne on the eastern gate of a great city. All of them called upon God to appear so that they might see him, but all went to their graves with their wish unfulfilled. After the kings had all died, a pauper, barefooted and hungry, came and sat upon that throne.
God, he whispered, the eyes of a human being cannot look directly at the sun, for they would be blinded, so, of course, I know I cannot look directly at you? Have pity, Lord, temper your strength, turn down your splendor so that I, who am poor and afflicted may see you.
Then God became a piece of bread, a cup of cool water offered by a friend, a warm tunic, a hut, and in front of the hut, a woman nursing an infant. Thank you Lord, the pauper whispered, you humbled yourself for my sake that I might see you...and I do see you...and I bow down to your beauty and truth. 4
1.St. Augustine
2.Shelia Cassidy
3.Fr. Rolheiser
4.Nikos Kazantzaki
The Organs of Wells and Salisbury Cathedrals
By Jackson Merrill
This past July, the Christ Church choir was in residence at Wells and Salisbury Cathedrals in England. Each residency lasted a week, and the choir sang nightly Evensong in place of the cathedral choirs, which are on break during the summer months. Making music in the cathedrals of England is an unusual experience for American musicians, in part because of the age of buildings, many of which are a thousand years old. The organists of these cathedrals play and accompany major repertoire daily, so the organs are among the most used in the world. Their primary role is to support the “Opus Dei”, the unbroken, daily pattern of worship. Most English cathedrals tune and maintain organs monthly to keep them in good shape for this robust schedule of services.
The earliest mention of an organ at Wells was in 1310, when chapter documents state that timber from Winscombe, in northern Somerset, should be used to build an organ for the Cathedral. Since then, there have been a number of new organs or restorations to existing organs. The oldest sounds in the present instrument date back to an organ built by the famous Victorian builder Henry Willis, in 1857. Most of the present instrument is from an organ built in 1910 by Harrison and Harrison (the same firm which built the organ of Christ Church Grosse Pointe in 2001). The organ gained its beautiful casework following a rebuild by Harrison and Harrison in 1974. Now fifty years after this rebuild, the organ is right on schedule for a
new rebuild, with much of the organ presently not functional. Fortunately, the Swell division of the organ, which is the most important for choral accompaniment, was working well, so we were able to sing the liturgical repertoire we’d planned with some modifications. Wells Cathedral is now about halfway to its two million pound goal to realize the restoration.
Like Wells, Salisbury Cathedral has many organs in its history. Its most famous instrument is the present organ, built by Willis in 1877. Willis, who also built instruments for the Royal Albert Hall, St. Paul’s, London, and Durham Cathedral, is reported to have said that Salisbury was his finest organ. My first experience with this organ was at twelve, when my grandparents bought me a recording
of organist Michael Murray at Salisbury (Murray sadly died this past August at age eighty-one). A faithful restoration of this organ was recently completed by Harrison and Harrison in 2020, so the organ was in perfect working order. I was fortunate on our second day at Salisbury to meet David Halls, Organist and Director of Music. David has been in the Director of Music post since 2005, and before that he was Assistant Organist from 1985. With the Salisbury Cathedral organ and music department essentially being his life’s work, he had much wisdom
to offer me as to how the organ might be used to accompany the choir in that space, which we found very useful in the limited rehearsal time. This organ’s pristine ensemble sound is legendary, essentially unaltered since 1877, as is its famous tuba stop, a loud solo trumpet stop which can be heard over all other sounds on the organ combined.
In our tours to England, we in the music department and those traveling with us gain so much musically and spiritually from submitting ourselves to the life and discipline of daily
worship in these Cathedrals. The model of choir training and repertoire we take here at Christ Church is inherited from this great English tradition. This responsibility and this unique vein of liturgical artistic expression is what we in the choir and music program work to carry forward in this community. These tours are a wonderful opportunity for us to come face to face with this tradition, and come home to Grosse Pointe changed and enriched.
Sean Rowe: I See Significant Changes
By Kirk Petersen, The Living Church
A few hours after his election was announced, Bishop Sean Rowe sat with The Living Church’s Kirk Petersen for his first one-on-one interview as Presiding Bishop-Elect. This transcript has been lightly edited.
A couple of months ago, I did an interview with Presiding Bishop [Michael] Curry, sort of an exit interview, and I’ll start with the same question I started with him. He talked about each Presiding Bishop being chosen for their time. Bishop Katharine [Jefferts Schori] had to be the Iron Lady. The church was kind of at war, with the schism. Bishop Curry had the opportunity to refocus more on Jesus and evangelism and beloved community. My thought about the next presiding bishop has been that part of the work is going to be to help the church gracefully decline. Because I don’t think the numbers are going to turn around.
I think what the next Presiding Bishop is going to do …
That’s you, by the way.
[Laughs] That’s right, yes. I think the goal is going to be to help us take these values that we’ve identified, these priorities that we’ve identified — evangelism, creation care, racial reconciliation, and others we’ll identify — and to operationalize them for our time.
So, yes, the church is in decline, in terms of our numbers. Given the hand we’re dealt, given the situation as
it is, given the state of Christianity, given the demographics of our various regions — how do we most effectively participate in this mission that we’ve called ourselves to? I don’t know if it’s about helping us to decline gracefully, as much as it is to rethink the whole enterprise, particularly the way that we do it.
Is the church going to be larger or smaller by the time you’re done leading the show?
All trends point to a smaller church, at least in the next decade. I think my particular role is to help us reposition. We think about strategic planning. So we’re looking at the external factors that are at play, we’re looking at what we’re dealing with internally, and we’re saying, how do we reposition the organization to best take advantage of that?
And I think it’s going to be leaner. It’s going to be smaller, at least in the short term. There’s no question about that. The question for me more is, can we get to a level, to a greater level of effectiveness, and can we lay the groundwork in which to grow? But that doesn’t happen overnight. We’re talking about a multi-decade process here of rethinking, to use an old term, how we prosecute the mission of the church.
You’ve talked a couple of times about coming from a family of steel workers in Western New York. Now in addition to being the head of the Episcopal Church, you’re going to be one of the most prominent primates in the global Anglican
Communion. What is that aspect of the job going to look like for you?
In light of my background, you mean?
I’m saying, you come from steelworkers, and then you’re going to be in Lambeth Palace. And dealing with primates with different views from other places.
What I learned from my roots is how to be in relationship with people who are very different, who are speaking very directly, but also who are ultimately practical. I think one of the strengths I’ll bring is a kind of pragmatism and an ability to get along with most people.
One of the great joys of the General Convention work I’ve done over all these years is the kind of negotiation that takes place, the kind of give and take and the mutual discernment that happens. Sometimes it’s very hard, and sometimes there is a high level of conflict, and sometimes it’s very uncomfortable. Often I don’t agree. But some of my closest colleagues in the church are people that I really have fundamental differences with about the polity of this church — but whom I’ve been able to work with and have a high level of respect.
In terms of the worldwide Anglican Communion, I think I have a lot to learn about what to do and how that will all work. But I think I’m going to bring the kind of common sense and resilience that comes out of that background to this work. I’ll listen to people who know more than I do,
which is probably most people when it comes to that area.
Rowe was a member of the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church (TREC), as was President of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala Harris. In 2014, TREC released a 73-page report proposing sweeping changes in the governance of the church, including dramatic reductions to the size of General Convention and Executive Council. Virtually none of the changes were adopted.
Talk a little bit about TREC and that experience, and what that might do to inform what you do in the next nine years.
I try to have a sense of humor about my time on TREC. I actually enjoyed it. The people there were tremendous, there was tremendous creativity and commitment to the church there. But we weren’t ready then. We thought we were, and we just weren’t ready. We got to Utah in 2015 and it was clear that we were going to be able to make very modest movement.
That said, what I think TREC did was plant the seeds for what is now coming into being. I think there’s
a greater awareness of the kind of change that is going to be necessary. I think that some of it is already under way. I think we’re seeing it. I think that much of what we talk about in TREC is going to come back around to us now, and I think this is actually the time of reckoning. And part of the strength that I will bring to this role is understanding how this institution works, the General Convention, how we legislate, how we do business, and the art of working with these two houses to make things happen.
In one of the discussions about the assessments, there was language about keeping the weak dioceses alive. Is that a worthy goal?
By itself, is that a worthy goal? No. I think that what is worthy of our time and attention is, what is the best missional approach? If you just think our job is to keep the weak dioceses alive, what you may be saying is that we have a system that doesn’t work, and we just want to double down on that and prop it up. What I’m suggesting is that it’s possible that we need an entirely different system.
Of course, it’s important to invest in and support the weakest among us. But that doesn’t mean investing in keeping structures that are part of the reason we’re in the predicament that we’re in, because that doesn’t make sense, right? Why would we want to do that? Why wouldn’t we want to create strength?
How are things going with your two dioceses in terms of their working together? I interviewed you five years ago about the two dioceses, and you told me the purpose of it isn’t to merge. It’s to use resources more effectively. You talked about it being a five-year experiment. Where are we with that?
That experiment is in its final year. Given COVID, we extended it for 18 months, but it’s now being evaluated.
Sean Rowe: I See Significant Changes cont’d
We brought evaluators in from the outside to look at all the goals that we set at the beginning. There’ll be a report in the spring to the standing committees, and then the standing committees will decide what to recommend.
So it could be, we want to continue what we’re doing. It could be, we want to continue what we’re doing with these modifications. It could be we’re going to go our separate ways. That process is now under way, and there will be a vote in October of 2025 about its future.
Merger is just one of the many options. There’s nothing that keeps dioceses from working together, creating economies of scale. That should be happening, and it isn’t at the level it needs to be.
You talked about your work with General Convention over the years. There’s a debate going on: “General Convention is too big” — but “don’t you dare make it smaller. We need to give the voices their opportunity to be heard.” Do you see making significant changes to the structure of General Convention?
I think it has to be on the table. And I will want to work with the president to put these matters on the table and see how we can reimagine what we’re doing. Yes, I see significant changes. I think we want to run different scenarios. What could it look like? How could it be different? Maybe it needs to be smaller. Maybe not. I don’t know if I want to start with how big it should be or how small. I
think I want to start with, what are we trying to do? What do we want to accomplish? And what’s the best way to do that now?
Anything else you would like the readers of The Living Church to know?
I do want to make clear: I talk a lot about organizational structure. I talk a lot about budgets, strategy — but it’s all in the service of the gospel. If we don’t get the vehicle working, you can have all the values and all the high aspirations you want, but if the vehicle can’t get us there, what good is it?
Petersen, K. (2024, July 17). Sean Rowe: ‘I see significant changes.’ The Living Church. https:// livingchurch.org/news/news-episcopal-church/ sean-rowe-i-see-significant-changes-2/
Christmas at Christ Church
Advent Wreath Workshop
Sunday, December 1 | 10: 15 am
Advent is here, which means it’s time to make Advent wreaths and to begin our preparation for the in-breaking of God’s love! We supply the greens, candles, punch, cookies, and music while you and your family create a centerpiece to take home in preparation for the Christmas Season.
Advent Procession
Sunday, December 1 | 4 pm
A service of readings and music celebrating the Advent of Our Lord.
Annual Christmas Party Gifts & Greens
Silent Auction | St. Nicholas Party
Friday, December 13 | 6 pm
Every year Christ Church comes together for the annual Christ Church Christmas Party to celebrate Christmas as a
community of friends, new and old. If you’re in need of a special gift, don’t worry – the Gifts and Greens Silent (and not so silent!) Auction is this night, the entire proceeds of which support the excellent ministry of Carsten’s Literacy Initiative and SOAR Detroit. Guests are encouraged! Children are invited for movies, pizza and fun in the Education Wing!
Christmas Concert – An Italian Christmas Sunday, December 15, 2024 | 4 pm | Free pre-concert lecture at 3 pm
Christ Church Chorale and Orchestra Tickets: $25
Celebrate the joy of the Christmas season in this festive afternoon of traditional favorites and choral masterpieces. This year’s concert features selections from the Italian choral tradition including Vivaldi’s Gloria and Pietro Yon’s Gesu Bambino. Then, the audience is invited to join in to sing some of our favorite Christmas carols and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.
Candlelight Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 22 | Doors Open at 3:45 pm | PreService Organ Recital 4 pm | Service at 4:30 pm
A service of lessons and music celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord.
Christmas Cookie Exchange
December 22 | 10:15 am
Bring a plate or three of your favorite cookies and secret family recipes to nibble, taste, and trade with friends. Just in time for your family Christmas party!
Christmas Eve Family Service with Crèche Procession
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 | 4 pm
Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist with Alumni Choir
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 | 8 pm
Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist with Choir (Incense is used)
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 | 11 pm (Choral prelude begins at 10:30 pm)
Christmas Day Festival Eucharist with Choir
Wednesday, December 25, 2024 | 10 am
A Journey Through Time: Chorister Reflection
By Jimmy Fitzgerald
This past July I had the opportunity to travel with the Christ Church choir and companions on their trip to England. It was a two-week adventure, staying a week in both Wells and Salisbury respectively. We went on many excursions to surrounding towns and landmarks, watching the choir sing almost every day in the Cathedrals of both cities.
I currently work at Christ Church as the media specialist, but this is not the first role I’ve had here. I joined the choir under Scott Hanoian in 2012 and was in it until 2017. Almost ten years ago to the date I went to England with the choir of boys and professionals to sing and tour various locations. Funnily enough, that trip ten years ago bore many similarities to this most recent one.
Right off the plane I was made aware that the bus we were using was, although not the same exact one, a bus belonging to the Gloucester Rugby team. The same red, white and gray colors that adorned our bus ten years ago. As I walked down the center aisle, I could practically see my fellow boy choristers at the tables playing Euchre or Slap. The rush of nostalgia was instant, and was a ball that would keep rolling.
I didn’t sleep at all on the plane, so pushing through the first day was tough. From the airport we were taken to Windsor, which is a place we went on the 2014 trip. It wasn’t immediately familiar, but as soon as we stepped up into the Windsor & Eton Central train station I was greeted by “The Queen” locomotive. This train is a replica of the one which Queen Victoria would
take between Windsor and London, and I vividly remembered it from the trip ten years ago. The rest of the town and its place in my memories fell into place shortly after. It was fun visiting locations and talking to others who had been on the trip ten years ago like Teddy Sweeney, another former boy chorister and professional singer on the trip, and seeing what they remembered.
Another similarity between the two trips was the opportunity for creating and strengthening bonds. I became much closer with just about everyone who was on this trip by grouping with them during tours, travelling the city or just having a meal together. Just as I still talk to friends I made in the
choir via group texts and video games. Pictures were the most powerful thing on this trip besides the fire alarm waking us every night in Wells. I was really young when I went with the choir, so I would be lying if I had every single piece of that memory puzzle altogether. It’s ok though, my mother is Colleen Fitzgerald and the photos that needed to be recreated were probably already prepped and ready before we even set foot on English soil. If there’s one thing that those pictures told me, it’s that I was a lot taller this time around, which was also made aware to me every time I hit my head below the decks of the SS Great Britain in Bristol.
It was extremely surreal to see the younger photo of me standing in front of Wells, and rather existential. Ten years is a drop in the bucket to the eight hundred of the building behind me, but I think we both aged pretty ok.
There were also pictures of young me in front of Stonehenge that we recreated at our visit to the stones this year. However, I did not recreate pictures of chorister Jimmy sleeping, which I’m told I did a lot of. That is not surprising, viewing this trip on the outside really made me appreciate the tenacity of everyone in the choir.
Singing Evensong, an incredibly tough service music-wise, every day of the trip only a few hours after we’ve made our daily excursion is impressive.
Being on the other side of this trip as an adult I realize how lucky I was as a kid to be able to have an experience like that. These cathedrals that we sing in are unfathomably old and we are given the opportunity to add to the near millennium of musical tradition in place. I still have the certificate from Exeter Cathedral, which unfortunately we did not visit this time, that commends me on my taking part in the long musical tradition.
Another part that surprised me on my visit to these ancient cathedrals is how nice the staff were. Part of my role on this trip was to capture footage for an upcoming project, so I knew I would have to talk to the clergy to see if this was possible. I was not prepared for
how relaxed and welcoming the clergy of these cathedrals were. In Wells they were very gracious to let me film even during the service with a tripod setup, and in Salisbury upon learning that I was the livestream director at our church, were kind enough to give me an inside look at how their livestream system worked.
I would like to extend a massive thank you to Scott Hanoian, Jackson Merrill and everyone who sang on the trip for providing such beautiful music and ensuring that I would be reciting the Magnificent and Nunc Dimittis chants, as well as various anthems, well into almost a month after the trip. I would also like to thank the companions for being so welcoming to me and extending a chair at the table for meals. I would also like to thank my mother, Colleen Fitzgerald, who is the whole reason I was able to go on the trip ten years ago as well as today. I was finally able to witness how much of a pillar she is on these choir trips.
This choir trip has left me wanting to go on every single one they have from here on out and has left me wanting to sing more. So it’s a good thing that they have trips planned far in advance, and that the Christ Church Chorale is always accepting new volunteers.
Being a chorister changed my life, because without that I would not be working at Christ Church Grosse Pointe today and I would not have many of the lifelong friends that I made during my time here.
On Being a Good Enough Parent
By Lisa A. Brown
My husband and I have three daughters. Their ages are spread out, so for a few years we had one in high school, one in middle school, and one in elementary school. This made back-to-school time extra challenging with their varied start and dismissal times, supply lists, and vastly different fall clothing needs and styles. Every morning, it seemed there was one shoe missing, one lunch forgotten, or one permission slip turned in late. By the second week of school, the front office attendants knew me by my first name.
One particularly harrowing year, I attended 14 back-to-back teacher conferences. Several of their teachers said, in almost identical language, that my girls were very “self-advocating.” At first, I wasn’t sure how to take this information. It felt a bit like a backhanded compliment.
When I shared my bewilderment about the teachers’ comments with a friend, she recommended I google pediatrician and psychoanalyst Dr. Donald Winnicott. He researched thousands of mothers and their children in the 1950s and realized that children actually benefit when their parents “fail” them in manageable ways (not major failures, of course, such as abuse or neglect). He was the first to proclaim the benefits of being a “good enough” parent for the longterm growth and well-being of our children.
When our babies are infants, we do our best to respond to their every need. As soon as they cry, we rush to snuggle, change, or feed them –offering immediate comfort. Our response at this age is crucial in
to give them our full attention, feed them a dinner they don’t particularly enjoy, or are unable to attend a concert or game, we are preparing them to accept and function in a world that will quite regularly frustrate and disappoint. Our children learn, through our “failures,” that the world doesn’t revolve around them, that life isn’t always fair, and that they won’t always get their way. But they also learn that despite life’s inevitable disappointments and conflicts, they will still be okay.
Are our children safe, fed, clothed, and loved? Are we getting it right most of the time? If yes, then we need to be gentle with ourselves and trust that when our kids feel annoyed, frustrated, or sad because we have let them down, in those many small moments, they learn that life is hard, that they can feel terrible, and that they will bounce back. Each time we disappoint and they get through it, Dr. Winnicott’s research tells us they will be a little bit stronger for it.
I like Dr. Winnicott. In fact, I’d like to hug him and have him over for dinner.
Title
At our church, many of the projects approved by the Building and Grounds Committee and Vestry happen behind the scenes, often going unnoticed. However, we want to keep you informed about the enhancements we’re making to our facilities and parsonages in 2024. These initiatives focus on improving functionality, safety, and aesthetic appeal, all made possible through our generous endowment that supports capital projects.
Here’s a summary of the completed and planned projects for this year:
Completed Projects
The Tutag (Radnor) Parsonage had a total of $40,000 in improvements in preparation for the move-in of Miles and Paulina Kennedy. The renovations included a kitchen remodel, carpet removal and floor refinishing, and a fresh coat of paint throughout the residence.
The education wing received $12,550 in repairs to two flat roofs and the flashing on one peak to prevent water ingress.
Behind the Scenes at Building and Grounds
By Diane Ward
The old hot water tank in the undercroft kitchen and “old church building” was replaced with a new commerical tank for $5,500.
The stockade fence behind the Neff property was replaced to ensure safety and security at a cost of $8,434.
We spent $12,300 on upgraded equipment including two new computers and new round tables for the Undercroft. A new postage machine was acquired to comply with USPS regulations. We also replaced the washer and dryer at the Neff parsonage.
To prepare for Jackson and Allison Merrill’s move-in, the second floor of Neff underwent significant updates, including new carpet in three bedrooms, the living room, and den. The living room and den were also painted. There was furniture left from previous tenants, so that was removed as well. The total for the Neff refresh was $13,500.
Upcoming Projects
There will be some work done to refurbish the Carillon and Tower totalling $60,090. This comprehensive
project includes the humane removal of pigeons and installation of fencing to deter the pigeons from returning. The tower will be cleaned once the pigeons are evicted. This project also includes the maintenance work on the 35 bell Carillon, including headpieces, clappers, transmission system, and keyboard.
We’re getting new carpeting in the Undercroft at a cost of $32,000. This includes a labyrinth design at the altar end. The carpet selection has been finalized and the labyrinth design has been approved, so we are just working on final layout and installation plans.
Plans are in place to remove a dead elm tree from the Tutag property, enhancing safety and aesthetics for a cost of $11,800.
We are proud of these projects, which reflect our commitment to maintaining and improving our church facilities. Your support and understanding of these behind-thescenes efforts are invaluable as we continue to foster a welcoming and functional environment for all. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress through 2024!
Birthdays & Anniversaries!
Patrick
Brian Peabody
Chloe Tennyson
Chris Vallee-Smith
Craig Melegari
Margaret Torp
Lisa Vallee-Smith
Kevin
Josephine
29
Alex Varas
Sam
Theo Hagan
Bob
Gretchen Knoell
Jan
John Woodhouse
Chuck & Judith Mathews
Danny Bowen
John Clark
Peggy Maycock
30 Kit Greening
Cynthia Reich
Mansfield
Meredith Loomis Quinlan
Hix
Richard Platt
Graham Ryan
Charlotte Walsh
McCormick
Lorna Utley
James Gray
Sue Mara
Kathy Oranchak
Judy Kling
Emma Reich
Bill
Cindy
George
7
Jessica Van Culin
Marica Ostrowski
8 Marisa Bennett
Terri Lyn Huston
Clara Pietsch
9 Claire Platt
Ron & Linda Solterisch
11 Karl Baumgarten
Sidonie Brown
Tracy Magee
Jody Burton-Thompson
12 Ali Carr
Elizabeth Felix
Gerhard Heinen
Jocelyn Padden
13 Lori Moulton Boeckler
Karl Koto
14 Charles Exley
Edward Turner
15 Erik Traynham
George & Lynn Detwiler
16 Marian Baal
Kathie Gotfredson
17 Katie Wilson
19 Ryan Waller
20 Jamie Blaine
Susan Higbie
Barbara Nickles
Jonathan Rudolph
Ned & Liz Johnson, Jr.
Dan & Cathryn Skedel
21 Heather Albrecht
Jane Edwin
Martha Lakis
Gustav Svensson
Gerard Vallee-Smith
22 Patrick Chesterton
Rick Worrell
23 Jud Utley
24 Shirley Fortune
Carol Gove
Morgan Walker
Sara Sweeny
John & Caroline Watkins, Jr.
Ursula & Maris Persidskis
25 Carol Exley
Ryan Peabody
26 Chris Dirkse
Moira Hix
Jacqui Wilkinson
27 Len Azzaro
Richard Baumgarten
Andy Gavagan
Tom MacMillan
Sarah Ollison
Garrett Redding
David Tobbe
Jan & Susan Starr
Rich
Church Office (Hours: 9 am–5 pm) Phone: 313-885-4841 | Fax: 313-885-7019 www.christchurchgp.org
Pastoral Emergencies: 313-885-4841, ext. 4
The Rev’d Andrew Van Culin, Rector dvanculin@christchurchgp.org 313-885-4842
Lisa Brown, Associate for Children, Youth and Family Ministries lbrown@christchurchgp.org 313-885-4841 ext. 104
Scott Hanoian, Associate for Worship and Liturgy, Director of Music and Organist shanoian@christchurchgp.org 313-885-4841 ext. 102
The Rev’d Maureen L. Martin, Associate for Parish Life & Community Engagement mmartin@christchurchgp.org 313-885-4841 ext. 116
Diane Ward, Associate for Finance and Administration dward@christchurchgp.org 313-885-4841 ext. 111
In Memorium
• Mr. John Snyder
• Mr. & Mrs. Mark Lorenger
• Mr. Jeffrey Smith & Mrs. Lisa Vallee Smith
• Ms. Amie Sweeney
• Ms. Karyn Weir
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael Labadie
• Mr. & Mrs. George Sutton
• Mr. & Mrs. Richard Trost
Thank You
• The Rev’d & Mrs. Andrew Van Culin
• Mr. & Mrs. John Van Osdol
• Ms. Martha Bangs
• Ms. Libby Candler & Mr. Daniel Hughes
• Mr. Michael DeFillip & Mr. David Gerdis
• Mr. & Mrs. Peter Ferrara
• Mr. & Mrs. Allan Torp
• Mr. John Woodhouse & Ms. Susan Vercruysse
At Christ Church, we are more than just a place of worship, we are a faith community that has stood the test of time, intertwining our lives and stories with the rich history fo Grosse Pointe. For generations, Christ Church has been a sanctuary of solace, a source of strength and a home for our souls. Planned giving provides a unique opportunity for each one of us to leave a lasting impact, to sow the seeds of faith that will blossom and bear fruit for generations to come. By including Christ Church in your planned giving, you are ensuring that our spiritual home remains resilient and ready to guide those who seek solace, support, and a deeper connection to their faith.
Your gift, whether it be through a bequest, charitable trust or other planned giving option, will become a lasting part of your legacy of dedication and devotion to Christ Church.
To learn more about planned giving, please contact Diane Ward at dward@christchurchgp.org.
A Special Thanks to our Campaign Leadership!
Our campaign would not have been possible without ...
The vision of our Vestry who helped solidify the vision and approved the investment not only in our campaign but in our vision and mission!
The commitment of our Campaign Ambassadors, Richard Best, Betsy Creedon, Amie Sweeney, and Brendan Walsh, who have advocated for our ministry and invited so many to join the campaign!
The generosity of George and Nancy Nicholson, “Our First Family,” who encouraged us to build the plan and have led the way with generosity and faith!
And, of course, the steadfast leadership of our Campaign Chair, Lisa Vallee-Smith, whose friendship and attentiveness has kept us on task with humor, generosity, and efficiency!
To Excel In
Campaign Status
On Christian Hope, Riches and Power
By The Rev’d Andrew Van Culin
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
Yes! This is my prayer as well!
I pray that, as you come to know God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you may come to know what is the hope to which you are called, what are the riches of God’s inheritance for you, and what is the immeasurable greatness of God’s power for you!
Now, let us lay aside the easy answer to this prayer – eternal life or, by another term, salvation. Let’s lay them aside, not because they are untrue or unimportant, but because they are incomplete and distracting. For the last century or two, Western Christianity, especially American Christianity, has been consumed by the question of salvation and eternal life; so much so that we have made them the singular focus of our faith. “Have you been saved?” has become the central question of much of modern Christian evangelism.
So, let me say to you and to all the world – the answer to that question is, YES! You have been saved! No prayer required, no petitions to be made! In Jesus, God proclaimed the world’s salvation –there is no sin beyond his
mercy, no darkness beyond God’s light, no death beyond God’s life. This is the central revelation of Jesus – that through him, we might come to the simple and eternal truth: “For God so loved the world.”
Full stop.
people but for all of creation! And it is a distraction because it focuses our attention on our last awaking – “eternal life” – a fact of life upon which we have as much control as our conception and birth, distracting us from what should be our true focus –living our belovedness here and now!
Our present day obsession with salvation and eternal life is incomplete because it presumes that our salvation is not assured, when in Jesus it has been revealed not only for all
Laying the question (which shouldn’t be a question at all!) of our salvation to the side we can look again at Paul’s prayer for the Church – for you and for me today:
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
Here in these three short verses, Paul lays out his hope and desire for the church: that we may know what is our hope, what are the riches of our inheritance, and what is the great power we have together.
So, let’s dive in!
What is the hope to which you have been called? The hope is not eternal life beyond our mortal death, as if our hope is waiting for us “out there somewhere.” Rather the great hope that Paul has for the church (and for the world, no doubt) it is something eternal – that is something that preceded your first breath, is present here and now with every waking breath you take (thank you Sting), and shall fill us yet again when our mortal frame breathes its last. This, of course, is the eternal love of God. What is our hope? That we may know the eternal love of God for us and for all the world. That we may know and comprehend within every fiber of our being that the same love which bedazzled the sky with infinite stars and galaxies, which raised up mountains and cedars and filled the great depths with waters wide and deep, this eternal love gave life and breath to you, dreamt you in to be, and celebrates all that is unique and distinctive about you. Perhaps no one says this better than Saint Francis de Sales as he writes:
CONSIDER the Eternal Love God has for you: even before our Lord Jesus Christ became Man and suffered on the Cross for you, God in his Majesty designed your existence and loved you. When did He begin to love you? When He began to be God, and that was never, for He ever was, without beginning and without end. Even so He always loved you from eternity, and therefore He made ready all the graces and gifts with which He has endowed you. He says by His prophet Jeremiah to you (and to all) “I have
loved YOU with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.”
Yes, this is Paul’s hope – that you will know the eternal love of God for you. An eternal love has breathed life – life abundant and life eternal – into you!
If God’s love is our hope, what then are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints? The riches of our inheritance are those places where this very love – the eternal love of God – comes to be known and encountered! And those places are rarer that you may think!
You see, there are, I pray, many places where we come to know that we are loved, the home being first among them. I pray that every one of our homes is a place where we may each come to know how beloved we are. . . but here’s the catch – the home is the place where we are supposed to be loved and so what we come to learn at home is love of family …. Which is not quite the same as the eternal love of God! And what of the school and the soccer field or the work place – I pray, too, that each of these is also a source of love and reception for everyone . . . yet, behind them all is the hint of success and accolade – loved are the A students, loved are the soccer stars, loved are the standout employees. But what of the rest of us? What about the part of us that isn’t an A student or a star athlete or the standout at anything? Where do we encounter such love? I would argue that there is only one place that this great and eternal love is truly and regularly encountered – here in the Church among the people of God. Now, I
don’t mean only here at Christ Church, or even only within the Christian Church. But I do mean, only within a genuine community that receives all, loves all, and forgives all. A place were we can fail miserably and return again tomorrow. A place where we can be truly known – that best of ourselves and the worst of our selves – and yet know that the door is open and the light left on in the hopes that we will return.
And that is not the school or the soccer field or the workplace . . . fail miserably at any one of those and you’ll be boxing up your belongings tomorrow.
And so I will say, I don’t care where you go – but go somewhere. Enter into that house where the door to God’s love is always open and the light of God’s love always shines. Find that place – may it be here for you and for all – where you come to know and encounter God’s love.
This place is the great pearl that we share – a place of remarkable love and affection.
Finally, what is the immeasurable greatness of God’s power for us who believe? That, together, we can create a haven, right here in the very midst of this broken, where God’s mercy and love is known, encountered, and proclaimed. God has empowered his people – implored his people even! –to follow the way of Jesus to create the very kingdom of heaven here and now, in whatever nook or cranny of society within which they reside.
Illustration: Life of Paul, Aidan Hart with contributions from Andrew Jamieson, © 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, SaintJohn’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Living With Grief: A Participant’s Experience
By Susan Tobbe
”Do not let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; If that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)
It doesn’t have to be the end. It isn’t the end. We can learn. We can heal.
In spirit with and as a follow up to Mother Maureen’s article in the Pentecost edition of Crossings, I was apprehensive as I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up to participate in the Living With Grief workshop.
The workshop was held mid-April to mid-May of this year and hosted by Mother Maureen and parishioners Sue Chaklos, Marisa Bennett and Sarah Clark. Clearly the title, “Living With Grief ” provided an awareness of the delicate subject matter; nevertheless, what evolved for many, if not all of us, was perhaps a journey to newly found courage, understanding, friendship, and strength. A journey to living with grief and in community, Christ’s community.
We were asked to bring a photograph to the first meeting. This photo, of course, was specific to the individual who had passed. Goodness, what photo should I bring? What photos do I still have? It certainly couldn’t have been a recent photo as my childhood friend passed away five years ago and hadn’t taken too many photos years before her passing.
While my choice was important and probably overthought, what was most important was the photographs placed me face to face with my old friend once again. My grief. I ended up choosing two – one when we were both in high school and the other when she was a bridesmaid in my wedding at Christ Church.
The photos reminded me of the many experiences we shared; both good and bad. The photos reminded me of growing up together and how much I missed her. They served as a stark reminder that her life was gone too soon, yet I still had some healing work to do. My grief.
Again, all these years later I felt those common emotions associated with loss, i.e., anger, sadness, and grief; however, I was now invited to embark on a journey to understand my grief in a new way with the guidance of our hosts and the other participants. I was introducing my old friend to new friends. I was accepting the possibility of being vulnerable in front of others and after the first night, I knew it was okay.
Sometimes it feels as though once a funeral is over, we must stop grieving, go on with our lives and pack away what once was. Certainly we do carry on but we do not have to neatly (or messily) pack away our grief. We now don’t have to search for the “right” photo because it’s already on the mantle or side table.
We can learn to live with grief in a different way. This journey workshop to “Living With Grief ” confirmed this for me. Through our weekly prayers
and thoughtful conversations, I am learning a new way to process and live with my loss as a process and not a final stop.
Of course, we all have different experiences; nevertheless, the more our group evolved, it became evident the more alike we are, i.e., we wanted to share our losses in a more intimate way. We wanted to express our feelings safely in fellowship and in a workshop of learning and healing. The ultimate collage of our photographs introduced me to a shared world of loss but also a shared world of love. As Mother Maureen stated in Crossings, when a death occurs “life is changed, not ended.” My journey continues.
I was profoundly moved by my experience in this workshop; however, the term “workshop” or “class” seems so “educational” and doesn’t lend itself to the conversation which ensued.
Throughout our spiritual work, I felt as though I was with life-long friends in my living room (or theirs) - asking questions and seeking understanding about our common grief. Our hosts provided us with thought provoking coursework, including poems and prayers. Our participation was encouraged but not mandatory. Our hosts were the water and we were the seeds. My friend’s name was Amy and I miss her. Blessings to you.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)
For more information or to attend the next Living With Grief session, December 5, 12, 19 and January 9, contact mmartin@christchurchgp.org.
Sunday, November 24, 2024 4 pm
Christ Church Chorale and Orchestra
Pre-concert lecture at 3 pm $25
Journey of Generosity
Pledging is an act of worship – thanking God for all God has done for us.
Pledging is an act of love – sharing our abundance to help others experience the joy and love of Christ.
Pledging is an act of faith – reminding ourselves that our greatest joy is found not in our wealth, but in God’s love for us and for all.
Thank you to all who have made a pledge to support God’s ministry at Christ Church. Thank you for joining us in our worship, love, and faith!
Dr. & Mrs. Anthony Alcantara
Mr. & Mrs. Dave Anderson
Ms. Lynn Anslow
Mr. Joel Anyim
Mrs. Barbara Arrigo
Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Arroyo
Dr. & Dr. Eric Ash
Mr. & Mrs. Len Azzaro
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bamford
Ms. Martha Bangs
Mr. & Mrs. Sandy Baruah
Dr. Richard Baumgarten & Dr. Cheryl Wesen
Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Bennett
Mr. & Mrs. John Benson
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Best
Mr. & Mrs. Brad Blaine
Mrs. Stephanie Blatt
Ms. Antoinette Book
Miss Terry Book
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bowe
Dr. Jerry Brackett & Ms. Karen Kienbaum
Ms. Libby Candler
Mr. & Mrs. David Chaklos
Mr. & Ms. William Champion, III
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Chesterton
Ms. Sarah Clark
Ms. Lauren Clune
Mr. & Mrs. William Collison
Mrs. Betsy Creedon
Mr. William Cudlip
Mr. Henry Darlington
Mr. Michael DeFillipi & Mr. David Gerdis
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Durand
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Evans, III
Mr. Steven Fehniger
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Ferrara
Mr. & Mrs. Ed Fitzgerald
Mrs. Martha Ford
Mrs. Shirley Fortune
Mrs. Hadley French
Mr. David Gaskin
Mr. John Gillooly & Mrs. Ebony Duff
Mrs. Carol Gove
Mrs. Christine Gretchko
Mr. Anton & Dr. Betsy Hall
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Hanoian
Mrs. Elizabeth Hardwick
Mr. Mark Higbie & Mrs. Gretchen Knoell
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Hubbard
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Huebner
Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Hurley
Ms. Terri Lyn Huston
Ms. Lynnette Iannace
Mrs. Cheryl Johns
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Johnson, Jr
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Ian Jones
Mr. & Ms. James Kastner
Ms. Barbara Kennedy
Mr. Robert Kingscott
& Mrs. Susan Mara
Mr. & Ms. Garland Knight, III
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Labadie
Mrs. Ann Lesesne
Ms. Lynda Loch
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Lorenger
Mr. & Mrs. Terrance Lynch
Mr. & Mrs. Edwin MacKethan, III
Mr. Brian & Dr. Lisa MacLean
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Magee
Dr. Michael Marsh
Mr. David & The Rev’d Maureen Martin
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Mason
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Mathews
Ms. Nadine Mathis
Mrs. Margaret Maycock
Mr. & Mrs. John McCormick
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth McIntyre
Mrs. Helen McKnight
Mrs. Lucinda McMahon
Mr. & Mrs. James McMillan, II
Mr. & Mrs. George Nicholson, III
Dr. & Mrs. Peter Nickles
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Niscoromni
Mr. & Mrs. Blair Osborn
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Partridge
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Peabody
Mr. & Mrs. Tedmund Pryor
Mr. & Mrs. David Redfield
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Reich
Mrs. Nancy Renick
Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Reuther, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Brendan Ross
Mr. Charles Ruifrok
Mr. & Mrs. Gregg Russell
Ms. Helen Santiz
Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Semple
Ms. Penelope Slough
Ms. Carol Smith
Mr. Jeffrey Smith & Mrs. Lisa Vallee Smith
Mr. John Snyder
Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Squitieri
Mr. & Mrs. Jan Starr
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Stellingwerf
Mr. & Mrs. George Sutton
Ms. Amie Sweeney
Mr & Mrs Donald N. Sweeny III
David Tarrant
Ms. Sarah Teachey
Mrs. Emily Tennyson
Mr. & Mrs. David Tobbe
Mr. & Mrs. Allan Torp
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Trost
The Rev’d & Mrs. Andrew Van Culin
Mrs. Charlene Vickers
Mrs. Barbara Wachter
Mrs. Beverly Walsh
Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Walters
Mrs. Salome Walton
Mr. & Mrs. John Warren, Jr
Adam and Rema Waugh
Mrs. Lynda Webster
Ms. Karyn Weir
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Whims
Ms. Kathy Williams
Timothy & Elizabeth Wood
Mrs. Margaret Woodford
Mr. John Woodhouse & Ms. Susan Vercruysse
Mr. & Mrs. Luther Zinn
Living with Grief
