A Week of Blessings

BY LAURA MCNALLY

Teenagers scared me (even though I have one and almost two of them!), I preferred to work with little kids Angel Wing choir style, I didn't think I had the skills to relate to a group of them, not to mention sleeping on an air mattress in a room full of people...my excuses were all lined up!

Laura McNally feels blessed to have
served with youth like Willa Dunkum.

So, when Adam Williams, our minister to students, approached me to consider chaperoning this year's Mid-High mission trip to Raleigh, NC, all of these thoughts were at the top of my mind and on the tip of my tongue. However, somehow I felt a little nudge to give this some deeper thought before rattling off my list of reasons why I couldn't possibly be suited for this role. I thought a little bit about how stepping out of my comfort zone may be a real chance for growth and I thought a little bit about how giving up some of the creature comforts I was so used to (and took for granted) may help me to develop more of a servant's heart, and I thought a little bit about how helping people in the community of Raleigh alongside those youth could help me show and feel God's love, which was something I was called to do.

So, I said yes!  Though I worked a lot on my positive attitude in preparation for the trip, I was still privately picturing myself muddling through the week and hoping just to survive until Friday.  Little did I know I would not just survive, I would thrive!

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 not only with our youth and our other adult leaders, but with the youth and adult leaders from other churches as well.  

We all learned together how "We love because God first loved us" (I John 4:19), which was our theme for the week. Though hard work each day at our service sites (including manual labor at places like Raleigh Parks and Rec, Shepherd Youth Ranch and various food pantry sites, or relational work at places like nursing homes, childcare centers and clothing closets), we learned to show God's love by putting aside our own needs and focusing on the needs of others.  Through fun nighttime activities like a downtown scavenger hunt, science museum trip, an amazing, joyful and passionate worship service at an African-American Baptist church, we all grew closer as we showed God's love to each other. Though group worship each evening, we connected to our God in very meaningful ways.

After all the blessings I felt in my life during my week with the mid-high youth in Raleigh, I can safely now say that chaperoning another youth mission trip is solidly on my bucket list!

Art as a Way to Grow Closer to God

BY VERONICA WILL

My experience at youth group has never been anything except positive.  The people are always kind and fun to talk to, the activities raise a sense of friendly competition, and worship connects us together.  However, with all of these great things, youth group never stuck out to me.  I enjoyed being there, but the amount I went slowly declined, and I didn’t fully understand why.

Turns out, my creative gene was partially to blame.

Veronica Will is 16 years

old and a rising senior

at Henrico High School

As a self-proclaimed artist (of mostly the theater variety, but with the artist strain still in me), my art has always been a social outlet for me.  I mostly keep to myself (and yes, I am aware of the irony in an introverted theater kid), and I consider myself more of a listener than a contributor when it comes to social situations. So, when my mom told me about this art activity, I was thrilled. This sounded like the perfect opportunity to get involved in youth group in a way that gave me an opportunity to thrive and be in my element. It was very helpful that Adam Williams sent out a message about what we were doing at youth group that week, because it gave me the opportunity to participate in a meaningful experience.

Art is a vital part of worship.  It is a way to take your feelings and relationship with God and express it into a physical image. So many people across the world and throughout history use art to break through barriers like language and cultural differences and connect through the love of God. Look at the intricate stained glass windows in old churches, or the painting on the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. God has shown himself in art throughout history, so what better way to connect a group of young Christians?

To me, art is a way to grow closer to myself and my relationship with God.  Through poetry, performance, and painting I have been able to grow as a person and reflect on my spirituality.  It’s my main source of communication, with both God and my peers, so to be able to participate in this form of expression that is close to me and share it with other people made this experience very important to me.  Everyone worships differently, and the consideration of the artistically inclined leads to a stronger community, and gives people the opportunity to explore other methods of practicing spirituality.

Love Reaches

BY KEITH TAN

There is no motivator more powerful in the universe than love.

Yet in too many areas of our lives and in the world, we do not choose the path of love.  We spend billions of dollars trying to fix broken individuals and communities around the world.  But the most destructive disease that we face is loveless-ness.  For loveless-ness is at the root of broken marriages and broken families; of loneliness and addictions; of mistrust and broken relationships; of being unwanted and feeling insignificant; of the suffering poor and needy being written off; of warring tribes, factions, and nations; and so on.

But where there is love, there is hope, and there is joyful service.  Where there is service, there is peace.

We succumb to fear because frankly, it’s easier.  Love requires hard work.  It requires a sacrifice that demands our very lives – a daily dying.  In fact, it is so difficult that it is practically impossible for any human to sustain without the power of God.  We need to be inspired and be filled by Heaven’s Spirit, to be connected with God in order to choose love.  And this is why we are presenting the annual spring concert, Love Reaches.

At the heart of the mission of the Music Ministry of Christ Church Episcopal is to help people connect with God through music, believing that when we are in relationship with Him, we are transformed and we are empowered.

In this concert, the multi-generational choirs of Christ Church explored the ultimate Story of love: the craving of every human heart; the reaching of Heaven to earth; the transforming power of love; and the hopeful vision of love reaching every person on this planet.  The beauty of the music and the power of truth in these scripture-loaded lyrics lifted and inspired hearts.

I have always enjoyed how our congregation and our musicians appreciate a wide range of styles, and how we weave seamlessly between them.  For what connects them is the artistic-spiritual intentionality of ensuring that the purpose of every song serves to connect the heart of the worshipper to the heart of God.

In this concert musically, in Christ Church’s fashion, the style of music spanned across a tremendously wide variety ranging from beautiful classical choral works by Palestrina and Vaughan Williams to powerful and explosive contemporary songs by Steven Curtis Chapman, Kari Jobe and others.   We also be performed two of my original compositions, and debuted two songs arranged by me.

There are so many compelling pieces in this program, but one piece I was excited to share was “Ubi Caritas” by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo.

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

“Where charity and love are, God is there.”  This challenging and gorgeous piece opens a glimpse of heaven on earth, and invites us to fulfill our true purpose in life – to love God and to love one another.

 — Keith Tan is the Music Minister here at Christ Church Episcopal

It is Well with My Soul

BY DIANNA BARRON

You know that feeling you get when you are fully aware of God’s presence?  Maybe you get the goose bumps or maybe your eyes fill to the brim with tears of emotion. Perhaps you just feel centered knowing that “it is well with your soul.” Or perhaps for the first time in weeks, you feel that things are going to be OK.

Those are some of the feelings I recall when I reflect back to the spring women’s gathering last spring.  I remember what a special weekend it was, filled with the warmth and goodwill of women who were there to share their faith and to support one another.  For me, it was a unique experience, my first women’s retreat. Ever. And I find myself wondering…why was that?  Why had I never gone on a women’s retreat with the women of Christ Church? 

Although I really didn’t know what to expect, what I encountered was far better than I had ever imagined.  The weekend was filled with good food, fellowship, warm surroundings, and an opportunity to share…or to simply listen. There were small group gatherings and large group gatherings, planned activities, and free moments to simply go outside and walk by the river.  Some of the women there were the women you see at every Christ Church gathering and some were women who don’t attend Christ Church.  All were welcome, and from what I observed, all felt at home.

Jan Walker, Missy Jennings, Becky Hansell, and Julie Finnegan each shared different stories of their faith at different times over the weekend. As we listened, sometimes we cried, and sometimes we laughed. Sometimes we took notes, and sometimes we just took it all in. I found myself forming bonds with women I had never really spoken with before.  It was surprising how receptive everyone seemed to making it a special time for all…and it was.  The Holy Spirit brought us together and must have been smiling as women grew stronger together in their faith and friendship. 

What are the lasting effects of a weekend like that?  I can’t speak for others, but afterwards I felt a strong commitment to lead a women’s Bible study – something else I had never done before.  I realized once again the “home” that is Christ Church Episcopal, and I still feel a strengthened connection with the other women who were there. 

This spring I hope you will feel a “nudge” to attend the upcoming Spring Women’s Gathering on April 1 and 2.  Once again, it will be at the home of Missy and John Jennings.  If you come, I can promise that you will be so glad that you made the decision to share the time with the warm, wonderful women of CCE.  Hope to see you there!