Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

For many years, Christ Church has been in a special partnership with George Mason Elementary School in the downtown neighborhood of Church Hill. Through Richmond Hill’s Micah Initiative, we support GMES by tutoring students, providing support to teachers, and through a one-on-one reading program. A highlight for volunteers and students alike is the annual ice cream party and book fair that we sponsor to celebrate the end of the school year. Fourteen-year-old Cameron Steenrod has volunteered at this event for many years with her father, Rick. Cameron reflected on this experience and shares her witness below:

"Hi! My name is Cameron Steenrod. As some of you may know, I have been going to the Ice Cream Social and Book Fair at George Mason Elementary for four or five years. I can't remember a year not doing it. Now, I am not a busy person, nor am I very social. However connecting with these kids, seeing the smile on their face when they receive books, is an amazing experience. I find myself talking to them and being more social than I am normally, while helping others. I mean, yeah, of course it's nice to skip school, but it's way more than that to me. Helping these kids is something I look forward to every year. As soon as the week rolls around, I am always sure to talk to my teachers so I can be ready to go. It helps remind me how fortunate I am and that kids in our area really do have different lives. I am always grateful to be part of this awesome event. I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go because this experience is unlike any other." - Cameron Steenrod

Why George Mason Elementary School?

The Richmond Public Schools serve the most distressed portion of our area’s young people. Many of these children come from families with low income, low literacy levels, and a high degree of emotional and situational stress. These schools often have less resources to meet these challenges. The children at GMES need the steady and concerted support of the entire community to succeed in school and in life.  This is why as disciples of Christ we answer the call to serve. It takes a village to raise a child. All of metro Richmond is our village!

- Learn more about the Micah Initiative and get involved through Christ Church. 

Love Your Neighbor

The Wednesday Women’s Bible Study did a two-week study of Islam and wanted to get the perspective of the women from the West End Islamic Center. We invited them to join us on Wednesday morning. They were very gracious in answering our many questions and furthering our understanding. For some of us, it meant challenging some of our preconceived notions. During the past few months, the Muslim women have made an extraordinary effort to reach out to us in community and friendship. It’s safe to say that we were all enriched by the experience and hope to develop some genuine friendships. Yes, the Holy Spirit was right with us in the room. There was also much laughter, too.

- Rebecca Maguire

 

All Together Now! The Power of Intergenerational Service

Sharing life experience is an important part of developing relationships. When we share our lives -- and particularly our faith journeys -- with those who are different ages and in different life stages, we can form deep relationships that play an invaluable role in lifelong discipleship.

At Christ Church we believe it’s important to provide opportunities for people of all ages and in all stages of life to gather together in worship, service, spiritual formation, and fellowship. Right now there are some special opportunities for you to serve with our younger generations. We encourage you to invest in each other and in the lives of our children and youth.

SERVE AS A DISCIPLE WITH THE MID HIGH MISSION TRIP

This summer, our mid-high students seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving in our local community. Spending their nights at St. James Episcopal Church in Downtown Richmond, the mid-high mission team will spend their days working with local mission partners in the greater Richmond Metropolitan area and immersing themselves in various service and educational opportunities. And no youth mission trip would be complete without worship and fun! The mid-high mission team personally invites each of you:

SERVE WITH US at Shalom Farms on Wednesday, June 28, a great opportunity for children, youth and adults of all ages! There are two shifts, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00-4:00 PM. All are welcome to come early/stay late and bring a bagged lunch to join us for lunch. Click here to volunteer.

SUPPORT US by providing donations for our meals. We’re growing young people. We eat a lot! All needed items are listed now in CCE Online Available Serving Opportunities. Click here to volunteer.

WORSHIP WITH US. Rev. Shirley will lead us in worship in the St. James sanctuary on Tuesday, June 27 at 7:00 PM. All are welcome to join the youth and adult chaperones for special worship experience. Click here for more info.

"What a joy it was to be around our enthusiastic, kind-hearted youth and what a privilege to see them serve with willing and open hearts! I got to develop relationships with our youth and our other adult leaders. We learned to show God's love by putting aside our own needs and focusing on the needs of others." – Laura McNally after serving with last year’s mid-high mission trip.

SERVE AS A DISCIPLE WITH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 

Did you know that the majority of the nearly 200 children who attend Vacation Bible School are non-CCE’ers from our community? What a great opportunity each year to share God’s love! It takes many helping hands to provide this special week of outreach, evangelism, and connection for these children. Youth helper Jackson Schulz, pictured on the right, was such a caring and fun role model for the children!

Volunteers are needed to serve in a variety of roles: crew leaders, floaters, snack suppliers, photographers, station helpers, and more. Click here to volunteer at VBS.

“It was easy to see God working in each heart who came to receive Him. This was most evident in the youth and teen helpers who worked so hard alongside the adults to make sure that each guest had a great VBS. These young people were absolutely on fire! Their enthusiasm shone through in everything we did. Their energy and excitement was contagious and made this year's VBS an experience to be treasured.” – Jane Emrick after serving at last summer’s VBS

SERVE AS A DISCIPLE WITH THE YOUTH MINISTRY

Earlier this year, the Vestry and Youth Ministry Team partnered with Ministry Architects and assembled a Youth Ministry “Renovation Team.” This team is working to make our youth ministry even more sustainable, impactful, and transformational. As a result of this renovation, our youth ministry is recruiting volunteers in a different way this year. They are currently contacting people to personally invite them to with youth opportunities for the next school year. Don't be surprised if someone asks for your help for a 2018 activity -- and don't wait on us! -- contact Adam if you feel called to serve.

There are over 200 open volunteer positions to fill - that is what it takes to support our youth program. We have opportunities that range from helping each week with a small group, coordinating one-time events, to tasks like providing food or acting as a chaperone. 

Please, prayerfully consider saying "yes" and supporting our youth, even if you don't have a student currently participating in the program. (Maybe even especially if you don’t have a student currently participating in a youth program. See the whole “intergenerational” thing in the first paragraph!)

- For more information on serving with our children and youth, please contact Ryan Giorgis, Children's Minister, or Adam Williams, Minister to Students (youth).

Go! Get yourself a win-win!

A WITNESS BY KERRI FLETCHER

If you’ve ever contemplated attending a Christ Church women's retreat, I’m telling you flat out: GO!

No need to ponder, clear your schedule and GO!

At the very least, you will get a break from cooking three meals and get to fill your plate with delicious food, cooked by somebody else. At the very most, something extraordinary may happen!

It’s WIN-WIN!

Here is what happened to me:

I went -- excitedly -- because I was eager to meet some of the cool ladies I’d seen in church, I wanted to force myself to take some time out for my faith, and the idea of shutting off the rest of the world for almost 24 hours seemed heavenly!

As a wife, mother, and kindergarten teacher, my life was full, and I definitely had faith, but I was looking for something more to center me. By attending the retreat, God helped me pull it all together and without sounding corny, my life changed...for the better It did! It really did!

During the retreat, you’ll hear brave, inspiring women share their stories. You will have the privilege of listening to them open up their hearts in an effort to show you how much they have grown in their spiritual journeys. And if you’re lucky, you’ll take away a nugget or two that will help you grow as well. You will connect with someone or some song lyric or a part of someone’s story and think,
“It’s true? I’m NOT the only one?!”

One such very cool lady spoke about her daily spiritual practice and how she came about doing it, how it had affected her, and then gave us lots of suggestions on how to start our own. At the time, I liked the idea, but wasn’t exactly sure what my plan was going to be. But the idea really spoke to me.

Here’s where the God part comes in- wouldn’t you know, when I got home, I found one of the very books that was recommended ON MY BOOKSHELF! It was a gift that I had never really paid attention to, called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It looked very doable- short, daily readings with scripture references. I could do THAT!

However, I was a little hesitant about the reading the Bible part. The Bible was always very intimidating for me because frankly, I just didn’t understand it most of the time. I knew we had a few bibles in the house too, and guess what?! We had a Daily Application study Bible no less- it explains what you read in the Bible! Another gift, just sitting in my house all along. Amazing, right? So I had these 2 tools right under my nose and I began using them. I also used the journal and the pen I got at the women's retreat to write during this time as well. This was STEP ONE of the whole life-changing thing I mentioned earlier. Every morning, I took this time to read, pray, write, and just be still before I started my day and slowly, I felt different... More patient, more understanding, more faithful, more peaceful. Not every minute of every day of course, but I was beginning to be aware of the Presence of God throughout my day.

STEP TWO: I started listening to Christian music in my car. I don’t think I would have been as open to the idea if I hadn’t been influenced by my time spent with Jesus Calling. My husband and I have 5 kids between us and when your sweet little 10 year old is singing along to the music that is all about adult feelings and well, you know, it’s very unnerving to say the least. So I looked for a better station and found WPER 90.5 (much to my kids chagrin). Soon after I took their 30 day challenge of listening solely to Christian music to see how it affects your life. Well, as you may have already guessed, it was awesome and positive and inspiring.

These two important life-changing steps were prompted by a spark that was ignited within me at
the Women’s Retreat.

It will be two years in May that I have been doing my daily “morning spiritual exercise.” That, together with my daily commute where I get a second dose of God in listening to Positive Encouraging Radio, has not only strengthened my spiritual journey, but encouraged me to share it in my daily actions. I am lucky to teach at a Catholic School, so I can bring my faith into my job and teach it to sweet little 5 and 6 year olds. Oh and yes, it helps give me a lot of restraint and hope when dealing with teenagers at home!

And the icing on the cake? I have made some amazing women friends here at Christ Church-- women who make me better and help me keep my heart and time focused on what’s really important through 10:25 small groups, summer bible study, and the women’s ministry team.

So... TO RECAP:

See? Win-win!

- Kerri Fletcher
 

Kerri is married to Mike and together they work hard to help raise 5 teenagers between them! Her second job is a true calling: kindergarten teacher at St. Edward -Epiphany Catholic School. 

In case it wasn't obvious, Kerri really thinks all women should GO to the women's retreat. "Sister Acts: Loving and Encouraging Our Sisters in Christ to Go Forth and BE the Church" will take place Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6. Click here for more info and to register.

Courage to Succeed

A WITNESS BY LAURA-JANE CORKRAN

Laura-Jane with Zachary (24) and Donna (27).

After high school and aging out of county-based services, my son, Zachary floundered at home. Services and acceptance for children on the Autism Spectrum have improved dramatically during Zachary’s short lifetime, but it all seems to disappear at high school graduation. Over time, his hard-won social skills started to fade and he became more and more isolated from the world he wanted a place in. Courage to Succeed changed all of that.

This program is an offshoot of Charterhouse School and designed to give young adults with neurological difficulties, including Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the support and services that make college possible. Since enrolling in the program, with the dual element of college classes at Reynolds Community College, Zachary has flourished. His confidence has improved dramatically. He’s doing well in all of his classes and advocating for himself to get what he wants from his future. He reminds us now about his monthly “socials” and has a goal to work on building an actual friendship. He’s not 100% sure he’s on board for “the friend thing,” but he has the confidence to try. He’s out in the community doing volunteer work at Meals on Wheels and Ronald McDonald House. He’s tired and happy and just a little bit stressed, like every other college student. The most important part, is that Zachary’s optimistic about his future. We are, too.

- Laura-Jane Corkran shares her witness knowing that there are a number of families at Christ Church affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Courage to Succeed at UMFS’s Charterhouse School will be hosting a free interest luncheon on February 18 from 11:00 – 1:00 PM. The CEO of Commonwealth Autism, John Toscano will be presenting “Asperger’s Syndrome: Optimism and Untapped Potential.” All are welcome!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Youth Choir on a Mission

Seeking to be the heart and hands of Jesus, our Youth Choir just returned from a mission trip in partnership with South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church (SMPC) in Charlotte, North Carolina. If this church sounds familiar to you it might be because former CCE'er Rebecca Guzman is now the Director of Spiritual Formation at SMPC

The twelve young women of the youth choir served at the Salvation Army, enjoyed fellowship with the SMPC youth and families, and sang in Sunday worship at SMPC.

The youth choir shared their musical gifts with joy and love, delighting a congregation that erupted in applause over and over again. The team was invited back, just at they were after the previous two trips to a parish in Herndon, VA.

Says Music Minister Keith Tan: "I believe we might have started something…."
-

Tearing Down Walls

On a typical Sunday afternoon, our Garage youth building is bustling with activity as middle and high school students gather for fellowship and spiritual formation. The afternoon of January 22 was certainly lively with chatter, laughter, and fun; but typical it was not.

That particular Sunday, our youth were joined by 25 teens from the West End Islamic Center (WEIC). Located only 1 mile apart, our two faith communities are committed to supporting each other as neighbors. So joining together for an afternoon of Challenge Discovery was a perfect way to build our mutual relationships. A program of the University of Richmond, the mission of Challenge Discovery is to engage young people in powerful, fun experience-based learning as a catalyst for building relationships, improving self-esteem and supporting their peers.

“Members from both groups enjoyed icebreakers, challenging tasks, and team-building activities,” said Adam Williams, Minister to Students. “Our hope is that events like this will help create space for tearing down walls that easily divide us so we can learn to respect, trust, and love another.”

Our neighbors will be joining us again on February 12 to pack meals for international relief organization, Stop Hunger Now. The registration for that event filled up in record time due to the overwhelming response from you all and from our WEIC friends.

As yet another act of radical hospitality, the West End Islamic Center will be having an OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. They have invited us all to come meet them at their place of worship (5000 Shady Grove Road) and learn about Islam and Muslims. The event will also be open to the general public.

Please stay tuned for more information about our budding relationship with WEIC as we live into our faith together.