- Upward Inward Outward

CHRIST CHURCH MINISTRIES

The members of Christ Church Parish, Kent Island are the "living stones" of our faith community, with Christ as our "cornerstone." We are an emerging "three-streams" community~rooted in ancient God-traditions~growing through the discovery of God's living Word~soaring in the energy of God's Spirit. Father David expresses this image of our community as a dance in three movements:

UPWARD, praising and worshiping the Lord

INWARD, growing spiritually in the knowledge and love of Christ and in the fellowship of the Spirit

OUTWARD, sharing our faith with hands and hearts for the sake of the gospel, our community and the world

We welcome all to explore ways in which you might use your time and talent for the glory of God.

UPWARD MINISTRIES



ACOLYTES are 5th thru 12th grade youth who assist the clergy in Services. They have nurtured a special feeling toward their church and to God.   They usually serve once every six weeks at the 8:00 or 10:00 service on Sunday. Serving schedules are prepared monthly and acolytes are free to trade dates. Contact the church office at 410-643-5921, christchurchkentisland @verizon.net.

ALTAR GUILD members tend the altar in a ministry of love to God and our Church. Altar Guild members care for the sanctuary, prepare for services and sometimes arrange flowers. Each person spends about four hours one week a month, with increased time during the holidays. There are two cleaning days each year, about two hours each. Contact Sharon North, 410-827-4054, sharonn@dmv.com.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS assist the clergy at the Eucharist and read the Prayers of the People. They usually serve at one service every six weeks. During their senior year in High School, Acolytes are offered the opportunity to serve as Eucharistic Ministers. For the 8:00 service, contact Courtney Pilgrim, 410-827-7799, courtneyp@hughes.net. For the 10:00 service, contact Ruthanne Herold, 410-739-5532, ruthanne@atlanticbb.net.

EUCHARISTIC VISITORS take the Eucharist to the infirm, elderly and others who are physically unable to attend services at church, in the spirit of fellowship and pastoral care. This ministry requires a love for people, an interest in being trained to share the Eucharist, and the freedom to spend quality time with shut-ins or folks who are unable to get around regularly. Contact Vinton Fisher, 410-643-6824, twinfish@atlanticbb.net.

LECTORS read the scriptures at all services except when Sunday School classes help with worship. Lectors usually serve once every six weeks and are asked to practice their readings ahead of time. For the 8:00 service, contact Courtney Pilgrim, 410-827-7799, courtneyp@hughes.net. For the 10:00 service, contact Ruthanne Herold, 410-739-5532, ruthanne@atlanticbb.net.

MUSIC MINISTRY provides meaningful, enjoyable music for worship in a variety of musical expressions. Singers and instrumentalists, young and old alike, are welcome throughout the year.  The Traditional Choir and Praise Band participate in the 10:00 service each Sunday and the Children's Choir sings for holidays and special occasions. Rehearsals are usually before and after the 10:00 service and the Praise Band practices on Thursday evenings before PB-led services. The Music Program is led by Kate Weber, our Music Director, contact her: 443-956-9096, kweber2@umd.edu.



USHERS are doorkeepers in the house of God. They prepare the church for service, greet people warmly, help the service run smoothly and assist all who attend as needed. Ushers arrive about 20 minutes before the service and help with clean-up afterward. For the 8:00 service, contact John Gilbert, 410-643-6280, jwgilbert@closecall.com. For the 10:00 service, contact Brian Kline, 410-643-5026, kkline33@atlanticbb.net.

INWARD MINISTRIES



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN.   The mission of CCPKI Christian Education for Children is to provide a nurturing environment to share the word of God and the love of God with our children. In SUNDAY SCHOOL we joyfully prepare our second graders for FIRST COMMUNION and ninth graders for CONFIRMATION in the spring of each year.

We need Sunday School Teachers and Class Assistants for all ages, from infancy through High School. Love of children, love of learning, love and faith in God (Anyone can do this!). Storytelling, crafts, music are all valued talents. Sunday School teachers spend two hours each Sunday, from 9:30 till 11:30 or 12:00 and as much preparation time during the week at home as you want to give it - about one more hour. Contact Lindy Coltharp, 410-643-1607 or lindyimprint@atlanticbb.net

EPISCOPAL 101 gives newcomers an introduction to the Church's story and gives Episcopalians a chance to review and fill in the gaps. The ADULT CONFIRMATION class provides education and spiritual formation for adults who desire to become members of the Episcopal Church. We welcome all those who wish to learn more about the Episcopal Church. You'll need curiosity and the willingness to read Welcome to the Episcopal Church by Christopher Webber. frdavid4christ@verizon.net

SPIRITUAL GIFTS INVENTORY is an instrument for discovering one's personal spiritual gifts for ministry. We encourage all parishioners, especially newcomers, to explore their spiritual gifts as a means of helping to discern what ministries they might enjoy abe be best suited for.  frdavid4christ@verizon.net

NEWCOMER CONNECTIONS. The Connections ministry reaches out to prospective members and newcomers, one-on-one and in small groups, to help folks make personal connections, learn about Christ Church and become incorporated within the church community. We are always looking for WELCOME GREETERS for Sundays and for folks who enjoy reaching out and getting to know new people, talking about Christ Church, making connections between new mmbers and parishioners with similar interests, and finding creative ways to help people find a comfortable place within our faith community. The Connections team meets on the second Monday evening of each month. Welcome Coffees are usually scheduled on the first Sunday of each month after the 10:00 service. Contact: Kathy Sells, 410-643-0411 or ksells@atlanticbb.net.

FELLOWSHIP. Our Fellowship Committee provides an atmosphere of friendship and goodwill throughout the church. We are always interested in ideas for functions or activities that will bring the Christ Church family together. We appreciate all the help we can get with planning and organizing events throughout the year. Contact the church office at 410-643-5921 or christchurchkentisland@verizon.net

FOYER GROUPS are strictly social gatherings that provide an opportunity for parishioners to develop deeper connections with each other. New groups are formed each year and plans are made by each group to gather together, usually once each month at someone's home or a restaurant. Contact Barbara Mead at 410-643-7472 or barbara.d.mead@mindspring.com

STEWARDSHIP. The Stewardship Committee is called to a very special ministry, ensuring that we have a solid financial base to fund parish operations and ministries. This group of dedicated parishioners conducts our annual stewardship campaign to raise pledges and encourage regular fair share giving. We emphasize the tithe and we know it takes about $1,800 per year per family to support the many ministries of our parish. Some are able to give more and some less. We are all asked to act as good stewards of what God has given us and follow the words of St. Paul, giving in proportion to our blessings. Contact Patti Bohonowicz, 410-271-0953 or patti@n-ppi.com.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS.  This ministry is charged with the upkeep, maintenance and renovation of all church property.  Staff and volunteers help to provide a pleasant, functional and safe environment for all activities at Christ Church. We can always use skilled trades and basic labor skills to help with projects throughout the year. Contact Jr. Warden, Mike Catron through the parish office or catron1234@verizon.net

OFFICE SUPPORT. We have a very small staff at Christ Church and if you have administrative, web/technical or public relations skills, we can always use volunteers to help with a variety of projects. Contact Parish Administrator, Donna Delp at 410-643-5921 or christchurchkentisland@verizon.net.

GARDENS. The Gardens ministry works to keep the grounds of our church looking beautiful, healthy and inviting to all. We welcome anyone who enjoys being active outdoors or who enjoys planning and organizing landscaping and grounds maintenance activities. If you like playing and working in the yard, we need you! If you have a green thumb we need you! If you can handle a hose and don't mind getting your feet wet, we need you! Contact Jr. Warden, Mike Catron through the parish office or catron1234@verizon.net

OUTWARD MINISTRIES

YOUTH GROUPS

Junior Youth Group. The mission of the junior youth group is to grow together in Christ, to show that participating in the church and other community activities bring all those involved to a center.  We have an inviting, active and fun group that children want to participate in and attract other families to the church.  The calendar is filled with fun thing to look forward to including a ski trip, pancake supper, Easter filling and hiding of eggs for the younger children of the parish, family bingo, pool parties, summer trip, trick or treat for UNICEF, cooking for the homeless, wreath sales, and the bazaar. Contacts: Kim Willard, 410-643-1501 or  ckwillard@atlanticbb.net;  Page Foster, 410-643-5984 or page@atlanticbb.net

Senior Youth Group. The mission of our Senior High Youth Group is to grow together in Christ by participating and in worship, fellowship and service to our parish, the community and the world. We can always use ADVISORS and CHAPERONES and DRIVERS for events. Anyone who enjoys spending time with high school kids (their own or someone else’s) has the talent needed to be a Youth Group Advisor.  Contacts: Mike & Kathy Christopher, 410-643-3729 or mkjchristo@yahoo.com;   Bill Hackett, 410-643-0566 or HackettB@qacps.k12.md.us.

HELPING HANDS. The Helping Hands ministry seeks to help those in need in our parish and in the wider community.   We serve in many ways, including the Caring and Sharing fund, Our Haven Homeless Shelter, food drives, and many other special outreach programs throughout the year. Watch the Bulletin for opportunities to participate in our outreach activities. During cold months, volunteers are always needed for the homeless shelter helping as monitors, teaming up to provide meals, and doing laundry for shelter guests.   Contact Shirley Chappelear, 410-643-5513 or shirleychappelear@yahoo.com; John Gilbert (HomelessShelter Coordinator), 410-643-6280 or jwgilbert@closecall.com; Shelly Greer, 410-643-2850 or thegreers@atlanticbb.net

SENIORS MINISTRY. The Seniors Ministry provides Christian programs of fellowship, education and spiritual formation for seniors at Christ Church and in the wider community.   We are always looking for volunteers to help with this important ministry. Contact the Parish Office at 410-643-5921 or christchurchkentisland@verizon.net .

PARISH HALL. The Parish Hall Committee works to make Shand Hall an active spiritual and community asset managed in an economically responsible manner for the betterment of Christ Church.   The Hall is available for rental by individuals and community organizations. Contact Doug Shreve, 410-643-6164 or dshreve@atlanticbb.net.

EVENTS. The events committee creates special activities to raise money for the needs of the Christ Church, the diocese, our community and the world. In 2007 the Holiday Bazaar donated over $6,000 to various organizations. We need people to help plan and organize our events throughout the year. For the Holiday Bazaar, we look for folks to make crafts, make fudge, jams and canned goods and help cook for the luncheon. We need chair persons for each booth, helpers to assist during the bazaar, help preparing and serving the luncheon, setting up and cleaning up following the bazaar.   Booth Chairs’ time commitment is dependent on how they set up their volunteers and run their booths. Bazaar day volunteers work shifts that they feel comfortable working. Contact Jennifer Corbin, 410-643-2625 or hoccoach@aol.com

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH DAY SCHOOL. Our mission is to provide a safe, loving and nurturing environment where Christian values are modeled and integrated into our developmentally appropriate curriculum. Contact Lisa Oesterling, 410-643-8248 or CECDS@verizon.net.

BROAD CREEK CEMETERY The Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery at Broad Creek exists to serve the interment needs of the people of Christ Church Parish and the Eastern Shore by providing guidance through the process of Death and Interment; faith, respect and comfort in a time of need; a primary site for interment; long-term perpetual care.  We are looking for folks with varied backgrounds: business, finance/accounting, legal, building or designing, gardening, writing, events coordination. If you like to manage projects or just enjoy helping out, we have a place for you. We ask for one meeting a month for two hours: the first Monday each month, September through May. Contact Richard Ervin, 410-643-7128 or Dee Dee McCracken, 410-43-0288    dmccracken@cbmove.com

CAMP WRIGHT. Sponsored by the Diocese of Easton, a fully accredited day and residential camp for children from 5 - 15, in our very own backyard! Contact Dee Zeller, Director of Camp Wright: 410-643-0141 or on the web: www.campwright4life.org. There is a direct link to the Camp on the home page.

FOUR WINDS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. A separate 501c3, Four Winds shares the main hall of Christ Church to provide a venue for top-drawer local, national and international musical talent, with proceeds benefiting local, national and international charities. www.FourWindsPAC.org.

There are many levels of involvement through Christ Church and many ways to be tied in to the network of relationships and activities. Some, obviously, are more involved than others. The key is to be tied into the network in some meaningful way that helps you and the community be as "together" as possible.