Cross Roads Journal of the Chapel of the Cross X December 2011
joy tO tHE WORLD!
[ Contents ] 3
Dear Friends
12
6
The Christmas Pagent
15
4
Joy to the World!
8 9
Jesse Tree - ABC
10
Protecting Our Planet
Opening Doors
A Light on the Hill: Bulding to Serve
14
An Advent Reflection
16
Advent Calendar
18 19
Adult Education Calendar Lenten Retreat
Vestry Report - Altar Flowers
[ Dates to Remember ] December 3 Advent Quiet Day December 4
10:20 a.m. - Bibles given to twoyear-olds in Church School
Advent Service of Lessons and Carols
7:00 p.m. - Special Worship with People with Developmental Disabilities
December 18 December 19
2
December 24
3:00 and 5:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Pagents
11:00 p.m. - The Christ Mass
7:30 - The First Eucharist of Christmas
December 25
10:00 a.m. - Service only
For a service schedule and information about the various ministries of the Chapel of the Cross visit: www.thechapelofthecross.org
Dear Friends, Christmas is a time of excess!
that we worship at odd hours the God who “so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son.”
There are many senses to that word, many of them negative. We can eat or drink or sleep or watch television or ring up our credit card to excess, and that is simply self-indulgence. I mean that Christmas is a time of wonderful extravagance, of there being far more of things than usual, far more than is strictly necessary.
My favorite form of extravagance at Christmas is the music, especially the carols (which we wait to ‘unleash’ until the fullness of Advent is complete). All music is extravagance, of course; music is not sparse or frugal. But perhaps more than any other music the joyful carols of Christmas help us all to be extravagant, to open up our hearts, to give more of ourselves than we might otherwise.
That is the pattern that God set. When humankind disobeyed and turned against God, God made a lavish promise - of a Savior who would set things right and bring unending life for all. God fulfilled that promise extravagantly by sending, in the fullness of time, not just a holy man, not just an ambassador for the Divine, but God’s very own Son. How extravagant and excessive! How much more than required! John Donne said, “Twas much, that man was made like God before. But, that God should be made man, much more.” The signs that announced this lavish action continued the pattern of extravagance. While much has rightly been made of the simplicity of Jesus’ birth - to humble parents, with a manger for a bed and insignificant shepherds as greeters and witnesses - it was an angel, the very essence of extravagance, who appeared to the shepherds and caused the glory of the Lord to shine around them. And if that were not enough, “suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest.’” Add to this mysterious “wise men from the East” and a bright, moving star that guided them and gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh, and what wonderful excess there was to that first Christmas! That is why our extravagance at Christmas is altogether fitting. In response to God’s lavishness, it is right that we should do much more than necessary in decorating our homes, that we should spend too much time baking cookies for our neighbors or delivering packages to our friends, that we should give away way too much money to those in need. It is appropriate that we bring out the best vestments, and that the Altar Guild spend more hours than they have adorning the church with greens and flowering plants, and
To take but one example, think of “Angels we have heard on high.” It is a paradigm of hilarity and extravagance. The images are of angel voices bouncing off the mountains and of shepherds who cannot contain themselves. The melody exudes joy, and the rhythm virtually impels you to dance. But most remarkable of all is the chorus, which proclaims the angel’s song, “Gloria in excelsis Deo - Glory to God in the highest.” The word ‘Gloria’ alone is allotted 18 notes! Wonderful extravagance! Sometimes I get so carried away, it is hard not to sing “Glo-ho-ho-ho-ho-ria!” And then we repeat the whole line!! But is this all just a bit of fluff, an escape from harsh reality, a momentary flight from the world’s violence, from cancer, from poverty, from loneliness? No, Christian joy is not a denial of human suffering, but an affirmation of hope in the midst of it. While fully acknowledging life’s difficulties, it proclaims a belief in a God who loves us extravagantly and who never abandons us in our distress. The extravagance of the first Christmas did not obliterate the pain of childbirth nor the wails of the parents of the Holy Innocents slaughtered by Herod nor the uncertainty of what lay ahead. It did express an overflowing Divine love that would never again be completely repressed. This Advent, I invite you to a quiet but whole-hearted preparation for the liturgical coming of God’s beloved Son. This Christmas, I invite you to an extravagant celebration of this lavish, overflowing love of God.
- Stephen P.S. Please excuse the excessive length of this letter!
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Joy to the World! By Alice R. Cotton
Advent, the season of waiting, of anticipation, of preparing
mosquitoes. It kills nearly one million people every year; most
for the birth of Christ, will be here by the time this article
are children under the age of five. Each year there are 250
is in print (or online). For many parishioners, part of the joy
million cases. Ninety per cent of deaths from malaria occur in
of the season is caring for others by sharing our blessings.
sub-Saharan Africa. Laura Benton, a member of our Global
The parish helps us do this by suggesting several choices for
Mission Committee, is the parish Nets4Life representative.
Alternative Christmas Gifts.
In 2011 Bishop Curry challenged each parish in the Diocese of North Carolina to support the effort to raise money for
Nets4Life – A continuing area of parish support is Episcopal
mosquito nets by contributing based upon their number of
Relief and Development’s “Nets4Life,” a partnership for
confirmed communicants. A mosquito net costs $12.00; our
malaria prevention in Africa. Malaria is a common but deadly
parish target is to raise enough money to purchase 1,443 nets.
tropical disease transmitted through the bites of infected
We have now moved past a thousand and would love to meet
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our goal. Last fall Mary Anne Handy’s fifth grade church
working alongside Hondurans. The Millers have visited our
school class had two bake sales and raised enough money
parish twice, including this past October, to share their vision
to buy 35 nets. This fall the Episcopal Youth Community
and show us what is happening at this new home. We will
joined their colleagues at
have opportunities to help
Holy Family in a fair to
support
raise additional money.
de Jesus” through our
Other parishioners have
alternative gifts this year,
contributed individually.
including
Here’s a chance for all
help
of us to participate as
expenses of the home, and
this
purchase of their gourmet
campaign
nears
“La
Esperanza
sponsorships,
with
ongoing
completion.
coffee.
La Esperanza de Jesus –
Inter-Faith
An exciting new venture
Holiday Meals – Each
that our parish began
donation
of
supporting in 2010, led
purchase
a
by the Global Mission
holiday meal for a family
Committee, is the Hope of Jesus Children’s Home, “La
Council $25
will
complete
of four in our community.
Esperanza de Jesus,” a home for abandoned and abused children in Honduras that is rescuing
Personal hygiene kits – Plastic
Honduran children from abysmal
bags containing a list of items to put
conditions in state-run orphanages.
inside will be available and can be
Founded by SAMS (Society of
filled and returned to the church for
Anglican Missionaries and Senders)
distribution through the Inter-Faith
missionaries Kim and Mike Miller,
Council for Social Services.
this home provides a safe, nurturing who
These alternative gift choices are
otherwise would be living on the
offered with input from Children and
streets or in a government institution.
Family Ministry, Global Mission, and
There are four family homes and a
Outreach Ministry Committees. On
40-acre working farm that grows
the Sundays of December 4, 11, and
coffee and other crops and raises
18 please visit the Alternative Giving
cattle and chickens to help support
Table in the parish hall after both the
the home. Chapel of the Cross
9:00 and 11:15 services (and possibly
environment
for
children
mission teams visited the facility in 2010, and a working
at other times) to learn how to participate in these alternative
group went in May 2011 and painted murals in the children’s
giving opportunities. X
rooms, planted a terraced garden, and made a compost pile,
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The Christmas Pagent By David Frazelle
In the midst of one of the busiest seasons of the year, why does a 10th-grader spend hours of his time in order to rehearse and portray the rear end of a camel in the Chapel of the Cross Christmas pageants? Why, when the in-laws are preparing to visit or invade and occupy, do so many adults of the parish take time to shuttle and orchestrate youth for these two services? Why, in the midst of its exuberance, are people sometimes moved to tears by our Christmas pageants?
and character; hence, to attend such a play constituted an overt act of paganism in the eyes of early Church. Theatrical productions such as gladiatorial combats, obscene comedies, and the occasional event involving the slaughter of a persecuted Christian, only lowered Christian esteem for the dramatic arts. Tertullian, Cyprian, Chrysostom, and other early church Fathers wrote invectives against dramatic productions of their era.
The Christian impulse towards drama has deep roots, although its origins were troubled. For the first four centuries of the Christian era, the Church was unequivocally hostile towards drama. The pagan plays of the day, although not events of worship per se, retained a liturgical dimension
After the destruction of the Roman Empire and the decline of paganism, however, Christians began to use drama to represent sacred stories. “Passion plays� about the death and resurrection of Jesus, to be performed in church, emerged first. By the mid to late middle ages, Christians were writing
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comedies, as well, involving “bad guys” such as Herod, or inherently comical figures like Balaam, who was outsmarted by his own ass (donkey) in Numbers (chapter 22). By the 16th century, plays with strong Christian themes were commonly performed outside of church buildings and were accepted as part of mainstream society. T. S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral is one of the finer examples of more recent religious drama. And so re-presenting our faith by re-enacting our sacred stories simply is one of those practices to which Christians are drawn. Participation in Christian drama, from the stage or from the pews, strengthens our participation in the life of the parish family, in the story of Jesus Christ, and in the very life of God. At the Chapel of the Cross, our youth have participated in this pageant for many years. The 5:00 p.m. pageant became so popular and over-crowded that an additional and mostly identical 3:00 p.m. service was added. The youth know that these two services are the most heavily attended services of the year. They take pride in this and look forward to participating each year. The EYC and I invite you to participate in one of this year’s pageants, the details of which may be found below. December 24th, 3:00 p.m. in the church
Special Worship Christmas Pageant By Bill Joyner “Special Worship” at the Chapel of the Cross happens on the Third Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m., and is followed by refreshments. To this service, with lessons and music provided by Episcopal Campus Ministry students, we invite especially our friends and neighbors
This service is particularly inviting for families with young children. Children will be less hungry. You’ll be home before the 5 o’clock melt-down hour begins. The service is slightly less crowded (though you still need to arrive early). The attractive hazards of hand-held candles will not be used. Scriptures will be read, rather than sung, which makes for a slightly shorter service than the 5:00 p.m. pageant.
with developmental disabilities. But, as we emphasize, all
December 24th, 5:00 p.m. in the church
noise unto the Lord. This is not a worship event that we
The 5:00 p.m. service features the singing of the scripture readings, candlelight, and an even bigger crowd. It is a good idea to arrive at least a half hour early.
“do” for others, but something that all of us, all of us who
Both services will include a dancing angel and a live baby Jesus. For either service, please bring an unwrapped gift for a needy child to place at the foot of the living Nativity scene at the end of the service. These gifts will be distributed through the Chapel Hill Service League’s Christmas House charity.
You are always welcome at the Chapel of the Cross, and
are welcome. This “Third Monday” service in December (12/19) always takes place near Christmas, and then we pull out all the stops, using costumes, a Christmas play, and carols accompanied by the great organ. Each Third Monday, but especially in December, we all make a joyful
are “special” in God’s sight, take part in.
are especially welcome at the Third Monday worship. Volunteers are always needed – contact Bill Joyner.
We look forward to seeing you there! X 7
Jesse Tree - ABC By Boykin Bell
The First Sunday of Advent has long been a day of wreath
tree, as is Jonah’s scaly fish (a perennial favorite of older kids).
and Jesse Tree ornament making at the Chapel of the
There are also some brand-new designs. Try, for instance, to
Cross. Suzanne Sauter, who has helped design and craft the
find the ornaments representing John the Baptist, Amos, and
ornaments for our Jesse Tree for more than fifteen years,
Zechariah.
remembers that tradition being introduced to our church in the 1980s by then Priest Associate John Westerhoff. Suzanne
Although the Jesse Tree is great fun for young people, it is
recalls children gluing and glittering ornaments in the dining
not just for children. Suzanne has recently selected different
room while parishioner Rebecca Ashburn told Bible stories.
ornaments for each of the three liturgical years and suggested appropriate Bible readings for each design. As we begin
Bible stories are, of course, the core of the Jesse Tree. Each
Liturgical Year B, adults and families can use the Jesse Tree and
image – whether in an illustration, a stained glass window
the companion book of devotions at home as either an Advent
or hung on a tree – reminds us of an ancestor of Jesus or a
calendar (an ornament can be hung on a small tree, banner,
prophet who foretold Christ’s birth. The most well-known
or bulletin board each day) or for daily prayer. Ornament
Jesse Tree is probably in a stained-glass window at Chartes
patterns, devotional readings, and a short history of the Jesse
Cathedral. Created at a time when many people could not
Tree are all available in the dining room, along with other
read, the pictures were meant to help Christians learn the
Advent resources.
stories of our faith – stories that include people like Solomon, King David and the “root” of Jesus’ family tree, Jesse.
On
January
the
Jesse
6, Tree
Pre-readers are still learning our stories from the Jesse Tree.
will
If you stepped into the Campus Center on November 27, you
transformation into
probably heard young children asking, “Who’s the ladder?”
an Epiphany Tree
(Jacob) or “What’s the heart mean?” (Ruth). Even the well-
of Warmth. Please
read may have had questions about the Minor Prophets
help redecorate the
(Haggai, Malachi, and Obadiah, anyone?). Throughout the
branches then with
intergenerational cutting and the coloring, there were lots of
warm scarves, hats,
questions and conversation.
gloves, and socks for
begin
those in need. X The Jesse Tree is on display in the dining room through Christmas. Some of this year’s ornaments will be familiar. Daniel’s yarn-yoked lion and Ezekiel’s wheel (both originally designed, Suzanne believes, by Linda Malone) are on the
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its
Protecting our Planet: God’s Creation By Mary Morrison The Creation Cycle events, displays and discussions on Solar
•
When buying gifts, think local. We are blessed to have
and wind energy highlighted the importance of protecting
many, many artisans and artists in Orange, Durham,
our planet - God’s Creation. During the upcoming Christmas
and Chatham Counties. Pottery, jewelry, and paintings
season the Environmental Stewardship Committee urges you
are available in shops or in studios/workshops. Try the
to continue thinking of ways to lessen your impact on the
Christmas bazaars held in local churches.
earth.
•
When buying gifts, think long-lasting. Insulated coffee mugs and reusable water bottles are now available in vibrant painted patterns. Canvas shopping bags are a
Here are some of the committee’s suggestions:
great way to decrease our use of plastic.
•
•
Wreaths and swags can be made using branches from
•
When buying gifts, think fun. Giving tickets to a play,
older fuller trees that you may have. Careful pruning is
concert, or performance gives the recipient a memorable
a good thing.
experience.
Gifts made by family members in workshops or at home
•
Books, the kind you hold in your hand to read or read
are always welcome and the list of food, items of clothing,
to your children, or e-bookreaders like Kindle and Nook
or crafts is endless. Try baking cookies, brownies, or
would be a big hit. Did you know e-books can now be
bread made with milk and eggs produced at local farms.
downloaded from some public libraries?
Make herb-infused oil, perhaps using herbs from your garden. And then there are jams and jellies, fudge, spiced
You and your family can think of many other ideas for a
or candied nuts, and of course peanut brittle. (North
greener Christmas. While protecting the planet and its
Carolina produces 3.6 million pounds of peanuts and
climate you could discover another dimension to the true
250 thousand pounds of pecans according to recent
spirit of Christmas. X
estimates.)
•
If you knit or sew, try making scarves (very trendy), mittens, aprons, or a simple vest.
•
Ornaments made from dough, construction paper, pine cones and seeds always bring a smile.
•
If it is your tradition to send cards, shop for those made from recycled paper. Electronic greetings are a great way to stay in touch with family and friends. A calendar listing birthdays and anniversaries can be done easily on your computer.
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By Scott Beddingfield, 2012 Annual Giving Chair Undoubtedly you have heard, read, and maybe even received
During this campaign, members of my team and I have
email about our Opening Doors Annual Campaign. Many of
spoken to many of you by phone, confirming that pledge
you have responded: in fact 30% more of you have pledged
packets were received and answering questions about the
than at this time last year. For that effort we are both thankful
campaign. These conversations are always enlightening,
and grateful. Sunday, November 20, was Ingathering Sunday.
many times surprising; often both caller and recipient are
This day not only marked the end of our liturgical church
blessed by the pastoral ministry that occurs. Your fellow
year, but was also a day for acknowledging and blessing those
parishioners who have volunteered to call have demonstrated
pledges offered toward the 2012 annual campaign. We are
their commitment – their commitment to make sure you
moving in the right direction but still have a way to go to
have received informative campaign materials and convenient
make our goal.
ways to pledge, whether by mail, online, or in person; their commitment to answer your questions; their commitment
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to be your church family, even if you haven’t attended in
Offerings were given for special occasions and extraordinary
awhile or if we’ve had your address wrong. Indeed, this is
needs. These came from resources accumulated over time. Tithes
a campaign all about opening doors. Hopefully you have
happened regularly; offerings occasionally. The same is true
experienced that our calls were not about money and not
for annual and capital giving. Annual campaigns call forth a
about amount: our calls were about commitment.
significant percentage of our annual income, returning to God a portion of that with which we have been blessed. Capital giving,
As the Reverend Tammy Lee beautifully shared in her
for out of the ordinary needs like construction and renovation,
October 9 sermon to kick off our campaign, how we think
draw on our accumulated resources and/or anticipated wealth.
about our commitments to God and our community
These are principles that can guide us all as we participate in
and how we think about our money says a lot about our
“Opening Doors,” our annual giving campaign, as well as “A
faith in God’s grace, and our trust that he can re-fill our
Light on the Hill: Building to Serve,” our capital campaign. “All
unclenched hands after we have freely given of that which
things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given
he’s provided us. If you haven’t already, are you able this
thee.”
year to fill out a pledge card and share with your church what your intentions for regular offering will be for 2012?
Each one of us and our financial commitment is needed by
If you are one who gives regularly in the offering plate
both campaigns. So to those of you who have already turned
but doesn’t complete a pledge card, please help us budget
in a pledge card to Opening Doors (and it’s over half of you)
responsibly by giving us some idea of your intentions before
we say thank you. To those of you who have not responded,
2012 is upon us.
please consider doing so now. To quote Tammy:
Finally, a word about campaigns: There are two ongoing
“… open your spirit…throw the doors of your spirit wide
campaigns that merit your attention and appreciation of
open, honor the God who made you and all that is and
their differences. The A Light on the Hill: Building to Serve
practice the subversive act of believing that all you have and
campaign about which David Ross reports elsewhere in
all you are is really God’s …practice can indeed make perfect
this issue is for the long term. It is a capital campaign, and
the hope that is within you.”
capital campaigns do not come around very often. The Opening Doors campaign is about funding our church’s
Thank you and thanks be to God for Opening Doors. X
operating budget for next year. It is an annual campaign, and we will conduct it again next year, and the year after that. You may be thinking, “How could they expect me to give to both?” A helpful answer may be in this teaching from our Rector: Our faith has long exhorted us to “bring to the temple your tithes and offerings.” Those are two distinct things. For Jews and early Christians, tithes came from their regular income, the crops and money they lived on, which resulted from the responsible but bold use of their God-given skills and talents.
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A Light on the Hill: Building to Serve Countdown to Victory By Dave Ross As you read this article there are less than thirty days until
pledges from more than 378 households.
December 31, 2011. Why is that significant? It is the fervent hope of the more than 150 volunteers who have worked long
Increasing gifts to the Opening Doors annual campaign,
and hard on the various phases of the Capital Campaign for
which will fund the 2012 parish budget, is an essential
the Chapel of the Cross that success can be declared by the
priority. However, the required commitments for our new
end of 2011.
Fellowship Hall, additional adult and children’s classroom space, an updated and efficient kitchen, modern and efficient
The total project cost for our new addition and renovation
HVAC, and adequate office space for our priests and staff is
project is currently at $6.3 million. Almost $5,000,000 in
critical to the wellbeing and future growth of our parish.
outright gifts and pledges has been received with additional commitments coming in weekly. This represents gifts and
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The overall project cost has decreased from an estimate of
$10.3 million in 2010 to $6.3 million for 28,000 net square
increasing it or extending your pledged amount for one or
feet. Value engineering has been completed, some planned
two years.
finishes and furnishings eliminated, and every possible dollar saved throughout the project; this reduced the projected cost
If you want more details please contact:
by approximately $4 million. David Ross, Campaign Completion Task Force Chair Design development drawings should be completed by
Phone: 919.929.2193 ext. 25 – cell: 919.949.4676
late January, 2012. Barnhill Construction Company, our
rjkinc@mindspring.com
Construction Manager, is committed to obtaining high quality contractors at the lowest possible cost to our parish
Margaret Conrad, Co-Chair
during the February-June, 2012, time period. It is anticipated
Cell: 919.818.8138
that actual construction can begin in October, 2012, with an
maconrad@mac.com
estimated 12-month construction period. Reid Conrad, Co-Chair Yes, this project will take place but only when it has the full
Cell: 919.612.8003
and complete support of the entire parish. In September it
reidconrad@mac.com
was determined that a minimum of $1 million in additional outright gifts and pledges was required. Of this total,
Ford Worthy, Senior Warden
approximately $500,000 is now committed with a number of
Phone: 919-969-7584
parishioners already making second and third gifts/pledges to
fworthy@pappasventures.com
assure completion of this effort. You may also contact any of our four staff priests. Any one For parishioners who want to preserve and support only the
of these individuals can discuss how you can best assist with
Battle and Yates buildings, there is $750,000 in the project
assuring success of this essential project.
budget for renovation and upgrades to those facilities. This also includes required funds for a new HVAC system for the
It is in your hands. Please give the matter careful and prayerful
entire complex as well as a sprinkler system that has been a
consideration. X
deficiency for our irreplaceable chapel and church as well as the other parts of our parish facilities. The Vestry, upon recommendation from the Finance Committee, will make decisions on the ultimate size and scope of the new and renovated facilities hopefully in the first quarter of 2012. If you have not made a gift or pledge, please do so immediately. It can be paid over a three to five year period (2011-2015). If you have already made a commitment, please consider
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An Advent Reflection By Christopher Hogin It is early morning before dawn in December of 1998. I stand
through the hollow sanctuary, while candles pour light over a
alone in the courtyard of an Episcopal church in Knoxville,
small wooden cross on the altar.
Tennessee, exhaling frosted breaths, shivering amidst the cold and darkness. My mind is scattered and reeling, plagued
With dawn breaking, I stare at the Advent wreath as flecks
with anxiety. The darkness mirrors the darkness within; I am
of morning sun filter through the stained glass windows. At
lost. Despite this inner turmoil, I stand there committed to
this moment I am given a new understanding of the season.
attending morning payer during Advent.
Like this holy physical place, there is a holy place within, a chambered sanctuary where light perpetual glows. It can be
Eventually, the iron latch of the wooden door clanks open,
difficult to find at times, especially when shrouded by cold de-
and I am welcomed by an elderly morning prayer officiant.
spair, but it does exist. It flickers patiently, beckoning us to find
She leads me through a darkened stone-columned passage-
a passageway through the empty labyrinth reaches of our souls,
way until we arrive at the chapel. Three flickering white can-
leading us homeward to a place where neither shadows nor de-
dles placed in a red-berried evergreen wreath illuminate the
spair can overcome the perpetual light of Christ. X
sanctuary. A strong essence of freshly cut pine awakens my senses. The service proceeds in a rhythmic, meditative pace as the two officiants and I exchange prayers, our voices echoing
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Adult Education Sunday Mornings - 10:20-11:05 a.m. December 4
Looking Ahead
The History of Lessons and Carols – Dr. Wylie S. Quinn
January 9 – February 6, 2012
Newcomers’ Welcome – The Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams Growing with Our Aging Parents, A monthly support group – Zoe Ulshen
December 11 Seasonal Poetry – Michael McFee 2nd Sunday NOOMA Class – The Rev. David Frazelle
December 18 Reception following Lessons and Carols Service
December 25 and January 1
Monday Mornings, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Let the Bones Dance – The Rev. Marcia Mount Shoop Contemporary Christian faith and practice tend to address spiritual, mental, and emotional issues but ignore the body. As a result, many believers are uncomfortable in their own skins. Marcia Mount Shoop is a theologian and author of “Let the Bones Dance, Embodiment and the Body of Christ”. She received her Ph.D. in religious studies from Emory University. An ordained Presbyterian minister, she presently serves as theologian in residence at University Presbyterian Church. This class will be limited to 20 participants. You may register on the adult education bulletin board in the dining room. To defray cost, a $50.00 love offering is recommended, which includes the cost of the book. Obtain the book from Gretchen Jordan.
No Church School or Adult Education
Other Opportunities December 7, 9:00-10:30 a.m. First Wednesday Women’s Bible Study, The Letter from James – Gretchen Jordan Tuesdays, 5:00-6:30 p.m. Centering Prayer, Choir Room Thursdays, 6:00- 6:30 p.m. Veni Spiritus, Binkley Baptist – Susannah Smith
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Advent and Christmas Calendar December 3 - 31 Saturday - December 3
Advent Quiet Day led by the Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams (9:30-2:30 at Camp New Hope)
Sunday - December 4
10:20 a.m. - Bibles given to two-year-olds in Church School
Newcomers’ Welcome Session
History of Advent Service of Lessons and Carols led by Dr. Wylie S. Quinn
Growing with Our Aging Parents led by Zoe Ulshen
2:30 p.m. - Caroling to homebound parishioners
Wednesday - December 7
8:30 a.m. - Women’s Bible Study led by Gretchen Jordan
Saturday - December 10
Town Christmas parade
9:00 a.m. - Awakening Heart
4:00 p.m. - Children’s Participatory Pageant
Bishop’s Ball at the Summit
Sunday - December 11
10:20 a.m. - Seasonal Poetry with Michael McFee
CrossTies NOOMA Class led by the Rev. David Frazelle
9:30 p.m. - Last Compline for fall term
Saturday - December 17
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1:30 p.m. - Lessons and Carols rehearsal
Sunday - December 18
Advent Service of Lessons and Carols (identical services at 9:00 and 11:15 a.m.)
Monday - December 19
7:00 p.m. - Special Worship with People with Developmental Disabilities
Wednesday - December 21
Junior Choir rehearsal and Christmas party
Saturday - December 24
3:00 and 5:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Pageants (children bring unwrapped gifts)
7:30 p.m. - The First Eucharist of Christmas
11:00 p.m. - The Christ Mass
Sunday - December 25 - Christmas Day
10:00 a.m. service only; no nursery care or church school
Monday - December 26
Parish Office Closed
Wednesday - December 28
No choir rehearsals
Saturday - December 31 Final day to submit gifts for 2011; must be postmarked by 12/31 or in the slot in parish office door before midnight
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Lenten Retreat - March 23-26, 2012 Just Noticing ... Awareness Tools for Contemplative Practice: A Meditation Journaling Retreat Workshop for Contemplatives The Spiritual Life Committee of the Chapel of the Cross invites you to attend the 3-day Lenten retreat, led by Paul J. Ilecki, Ed.D., “Just Noticing ... Awareness Tools for Contemplative Practice, a meditation journaling retreat workshop for contemplatives” beginning on Friday afternoon, March 23, and continuing over the weekend until Monday morning March 26, 2012. The retreat will be held at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, Stoneville, NC, approximately 30 miles north of Greensboro. The Prayer Center is a 25,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility situated on 140 acres of beautiful and peaceful wooded property that offers a natural setting for prayer, reflection, and meditation. This retreat is about rediscovering God’s presence and action in our lives in whatever form that may be. Just noticing: Most journaling techniques rely on reflection and insight, a gathering of memories and understandings that may prove helpful but ultimately remove the journaler from the immediate experience of awareness. Just noticing is a set of awareness tools that can lead the journaler back into the flow and energy of life as it is being lived, with sufficient attention to the forms of experience (events) to address their energies and force. We then move silently toward states of awareness that may bring deep peace and calming mindfulness. An outcome of just noticing practice is a life lived with attentiveness, expanded awareness, and graceful acceptance. The retreat will include meditation practice, instruction, small group discussion, and a silent environment. More detailed information on the retreat, along with a downloadable detailed .pdf document, can be found at Paul’s website, http://www.coloradonotes.com/page6.html The leader: Paul J. Ilecki, Ed.D., a former priest and monk at St. Benedict’s Monastery, holds a doctorate in adult learning and development. He was assistant dean of the Graduate School at UNC-Chapel Hill. He currently serves on the staff of Intensive Centering Prayer retreats for Contemplative Outreach of Colorado, conducts his own meditation retreats and workshops, and teaches reflective journaling using the Intensive Journal® developed by Dr. Ira Progoff for Dialogue House, NYC. He developed Just noticing in response to a felt need for a noticing process that more directly complements contemplative practices. The cost for the retreat, room, and meals is $295 per person for double occupancy, or $375 for one of the six available single rooms. Registration is limited to 25 attendees. Call the parish office (929-2193) to reserve a place with a $100 deposit. For more details, contact Pat Moore, (967-1961) lpmoore@gmail.com or the Rev. Tammy Lee, (929-2193) tlee@ thechapelofthecross.org.
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Vestry Actions At its meeting on October 20, the Vestry:
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Authorized Hartman-Cox to proceed with a full set of Design Development Drawings (assuming a fullyfinished third floor as an “add alternative)” at a cost not to exceed $132,000 Learned that Church of the Holy Family has agreed to host the Preschool during construction/renovation, that Holy Trinity Lutheran has agreed to lease parking spaces, and that UNC has agreed to location of a temporary sandbox playground on the Spencer Dorm grounds Learned that the Global Mission Committee has submitted to the Rector and Wardens a request for $15,000 from parish special gifts and bequests to fund an event rental microbusiness at San Patricio and that this request has been forwarded to the Finance Committee to determine what funds are available Approved the recommendations of the Outreach Ministry Committee for disbursement of funds from the Discretionary Outreach line item in the amounts of $2000 to Alliance of AIDS, Carolina, and $500 to Faith Connections on Mental Illness.
Altar Flowers for Christmas Offerings of flowers for the church and chapel altars, as a memorial or thanksgiving, are especially appropriate at Christmas. For names to be included in the Christmas bulletins, this request form along with your check must be in the church office by Monday, December 12. The check: The Chapel of the Cross, memo line Christmas flowers.
Mailing Address: St. Hilda’s Altar Guild – Christmas flowers The Chapel of the Cross 304 East Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Enclosed is my check for $ __________(any amount you wish). Please print (full names, no titles): In Thanksgiving for: _______________________________
In Memory of: ____________________________________
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My name, email address, and daytime phone number. Please add your mailing address if you wish a copy of a bulletin to be sent to you. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
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A Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina 304 East Franklin Street Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
The Vestry Terms end 2012 Carter Kersh James Moeser Linda Rimer (Junior Warden) Ford Worthy (Senior Warden) Terms end 2013 Alice Cotten Nancy McGuffin Dick Taylor Joel Wagoner Terms end 2014 Joe Ferrell Hugh Morrison Alan Rimer Nancy Tunnessen David Joseph, Treasurer Nancy Kelly, Clerk Eugene Dauchert, Chancellor The vestry regularly meets on the third Thursday of each month. Assignments, contact information, and photos of the vestry members may be found on the parish web site (www. thechapelofthecross.org), and on the board across the hall from the parish office.
The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Bishop The Rt. Rev. William O. Gregg, Assistant Bishop The Rt. Rev. Alfred C. “Chip” Marble, Jr., Assisting Bishop
The Clergy The Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams, Rector The Rev. Tambria E. Lee, Associate for University Ministry The Rev. Victoria Jamieson-Drake, Associate for Pastoral Ministry The Rev. David Frazelle, Associate for Parish Ministry The Rev. Dr. William H. Joyner, Deacon The Rev. Margaret Silton, Deacon The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Pfaff, Priest Associate The Rev. Dr. William H. Morley, Priest Associate The Rev. John M. Keith, Priest Associate
Parish Office hours: Mon.—Fri., 9 am to 5 pm. Phone: 919-929-2193 Fax: 919-933-9187 Web: www.thechapelofthecross.org Email: info@thechapelofthecross.org
The Staff Dr. Wylie S. Quinn III, Organist/Choirmaster Gretchen Jordan, Associate for Christian Formation Boykin Bell, Associate for Christian Formation Caren Parker, Youth Ministry Assistant Mary Anne Handy, Parish Administrator Marsha Pate, Parish Administrative Assistant Nick Jaeger, Comm. and Tech. Manager Debby Kulik, Parish Accountant Ron McGill, Facilities Manager Joy Gattis, Sunday Morning Child Care Director Elizabeth Terry, Cantus Choir Director Sarah McRae Anna Lorenz Wedding Coordinators Rebecca Rogers Susan Gladin, Johnson Intern Program Director