Read on to find out about how people from across the Christ Church community first found their way to these doors - and how they've changed, and have changed the community, by coming inside.
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Cindy Landreth, November 8, 2009 (Notes:)
Who?
We've been oming to CC for over 8 years; Married here; Became member of Episcopal church last Spring.; Regular 9 AMers
Why?
Comfortable service – not too high, not too low; Welcoming to all –
inclusive, supportive, diverse; Babies gurgling in the back; Couples of
all sorts and singles; Old, young and in between; Guests from around
the world; All races; Suburbs and city; A true reflection of our time;
Very special clergy, well prepared and educated; Spiritual comforting
Leaders; Beautiful and important buildings; Clear glass and brightness
makes me happy; The organ and organist makes my heart sing; Important
and living tribute to our country’s founding; Programs and
opportunities; Outreach – opportunities to volunteer; In-reach –
opportunities to work, study and learn together
Ensuring all of this is here for me and all of you and our friends?
Participate on committees or within groups; CC Preservation Trust;
Endowment Committee; Special offerings; Memorial flowers, music;
Kneelers; Window cleaning; Food drives, angel tree; Capital Campaign
Pledge – most importantly:
Important to make all of this happen; Enables the leadership to
budget efficiently and confidently; Pay staff, clergy, print leaflets,
clean grounds, purchase supplies, etc.; Our recognition that bills come
weekly and monthly and pledges help with cash flow; We give weekly and
up each quarter to help in this regard; This year we have modestly
increased our pledge; Recognize that $1, $2, or $5 more per week would
help our congregation meaningfully to do all of its work; We are also
pledging to work hard to bring 2 additional people or families to this
congregation as new members. More folks mean a richer community that
can do more and insure the vitality and health of this community – its
work, its buildings and, most importantly, its mission and message.
Finally, we pledge to help make sure we will go to heaven!
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Dan Pohlig, November 8, 2009
From
an early point in our relationship, the Christ Church community has
been with Alison and me. Coming from similar religious backgrounds and
uncertainties about or own spiritual development, we were embraced by
the clergy and the tight community who have taken us in and helped us
learn more about ourselves and each other. We have benefited from the
wisdom and friendship of the clergy and staff, and we have made many
close friends through our involvement in The Bridge, DOCC, and other
social and outreach events.
We chose to become members and
stewards of this community simply because it allowed us to let faith
and spirituality back into our lives in a way that felt right for us.
Realizing our place within the Christ Church community was easy. It was
like coming home. In many ways, the story of our involvement with
Christ Church is representative of many of the young couples in the
community.
Coming from development and non-profit backgrounds,
we know that in addition to our time and dedication, the best way to
give back is with financial support. Annual contributions are necessary
to continue the church's ministries and traditions that drew us to it
in the first place. We are grateful to the generations of Christ Church
members who preceded us in stewardship - from that small group who
gathered in 1695 to the sages who are in this church today - and hope
that our own contributions help to nourish the life of the Church for
all of us – and for future members.
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Greg Staton, October 25, 2009
Good morning. My name is Greg Staton, and along with my wife Emma and our daughters, have been attending Christ Church for a little over two years.
I will shamelessly plagiarize the words of Tim and others that have previously spoken when I mention how important to us is the phrase “whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith.” Emma and I come from very different traditions and experiences growing up. Despite those different experiences, early in our relationship we were very much on the same page about the importance of being part of a church community, particularly once we started a family. It took several years into our marriage for us to find our way here, but we are thankful for the invitation from our neighbors to attend. We’re delighted that we have on a couple of occasions been able to extend our own invitation to others.
When I was gathering my thoughts on stewardship at Christ Church, I realized that my understanding of that word has evolved over those two years. Growing up, the idea of stewardship was very much tied to tithing and therefore had a distinctly financial connotation for me.
Like everyone, we find many worthy candidates for our financial support in addition to Christ Church – our alma mater, our daughters’ school, and a handful of charities. But as we have become more involved with this community, its felt very natural to maintain our level of giving with those other causes, while adding the incremental dollars available for giving to our support of this parish, including to the capital campaign for Neighborhood House.
At the same time, we have taken to heart the words in each week’s offertory, that our financial gifts are symbols for larger gifts of our time and talents in support of the mission of our church. Call it the power of repetition, but during our worship here, I have come to understand (better) that we are all (our kids included) stewards of this community, not just the building or the operating budget. By taking part in Parent’s Night Out, Atrium, enjoying time with other families on the recent retreat, taking our eldest daughter to make sandwiches for the homeless, and helping with the clean-up days, we build connections with each other and make this parish stronger. That has certainly been our experience.
Christ Church faces many challenges, among them a difficult budget and aging facilities that must be updated and maintained. But having experienced and observed so many examples of stewardship in this community, I am very optimistic about the coming years, decades, and centuries of this parish. Thank you.
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Ken Oakes, October 25, 2009
Good morning. My name is Ken Oakes and I have been worshiping here at Christ Church for about 10 years now.
Each year during the stewardship campaign, I enjoy listening to members share their stories about what Christ Church means to them.
I often have wondered what I would say if given the opportunity, and now thanks to Wayne Christman, it is my turn!
My partner Ed and I jokingly refer to each other as “pure blood and half breed Episcopalians”. You see, Ed was born in to the Episcopal Church and baptized out on the main line in one of those fancy christening gowns handed down for generations. I on the other hand was born and raised in an American Baptist church in a small town much like Mayberry. I never missed Sunday School, youth group, or vacation bible school, getting baptized at age 12 in a pool built in to the wall of our sanctuary, wearing an old white choir robe. I loved growing up in that church, and let me assure you that it is not very often you will hear a gay man say he loved growing up a Baptist! After I graduated from college I was active in a Christian gay and lesbian group in Erie, sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Pennsylvania. At 25 I decided to be confirmed an Episcopalian and the rest is history.
I moved to Philadelphia in 1996 and spent 3 or 4 years visiting Episcopal churches here in the city. They were all wonderful, but nothing felt like the church home I had while growing up. Then Ed suggested we visit Christ Church. I knew right away that this is where I belonged.
Now… My charge is to tell you why I love Christ Church and what it means to me. I’ve thought about this a lot during the past week, and struggled with what to say to you. Then, while writing my presidential message for the Mazzoni Center annual report, I found a wonderful quote by Ghandi that I used at the beginning of that open letter. It goes…..
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
I have spent the past 35 years of my life working with and for children and adults with developmental disabilities, and the quote helped me to realize that over the years I had been fortunate to discover who I was through my work.
OK… so… I assume you are totally lost at this point and wondering where the heck I am going with this…. Give me a few more minutes.
While I could tick off a long list of what I love about Christ Church and what this place and you folks mean to me, I think that my stewardship message is not about me, but about others. You see, I have found myself a church home by trying to lose myself in ensuring a place for others.
Every week we hear Tim or Susan say… “Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself in the journey of faith, you are welcome to come as you are and receive the riches of God’s blessing”. That is a very powerful offer to make and says so much about this church family. Christ Church welcomes and loves gay men and lesbians, single parents, seniors, the divorced, people of color, the homeless, those with mental illness, mixed race families, those hurt or damaged by some faith community, young families, kids, and even ex American Baptists.
Look up at the gallery and just imagine the poor Philadelphians, slaves, and free blacks who were welcomed here regardless of who they were. They came to worship in the same church as George Washington and members of the Continental Congress…. Some of the most important men of their time. I find that amazing. But that is who we are…. A welcoming people.
So…what does Christ Church mean to me and why is it so important that we faithfully support this place and people? ......
because we need to be sure that we are always here and waiting for the next person to walk through those doors in need of a church home.
I believe that we can discover who we are by losing ourselves in service to our brothers and sisters. People we don’t even know yet. Our stewardship assures that when they hear…”Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself in the journey of faith, you are welcome to come as you are and receive the riches of God’s blessings” they will stay.
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Teri Ruiz, September 27, 2009
To tell you about what Christ Church means to me is to tell the story of a life transformed forever for it is here that I found my true calling by following my faith, my heart, and trusting the Holy Spirit.
In 2000 Miguel and I were to be married and started to look for a church home. After the first time we attended, we knew we had found our new home.
I was very pleased that Miguel was receptive to attending church. The community of his culture and church was very important to him as he was growing up. He had stopped attending, except for celebration of the Lady of Guadalupe. For Miguel this was to become a new spiritual journey. We would find that it would help celebrate our lives together, as well as sustain us during the tough times.
Our wedding here at Christ Church was a beautiful celebration of our love and commitment to each other and the start of our becoming part of the Christ Church family.
Very shortly after we were married, I had heard Christ Church was in need a new Sunday school teacher. Barbara Abbott was leaving to attend seminary. Something kept telling me to talk to Tim about volunteering, just to help out, until a new teacher could be found. I know now that one must listen, because that was Spirit. Little did I know that everything and I mean everything would change.
I loved working with the children and feel that planting the seeds of faith is the most important work of my life. With you’re help and financial support we expanded the children’s program to what it has become today. From a handful of kids, to a program that serves all ages.
From Barbara’s beginnings, through my years of service, and now with Leza teaching we continue to grow.
So this Stewardship story is about the giving of gifts of service, along with our financial commitment.
Every year the process is the same. We feel we want to give more. We increase our pledge with faith that things will work out, and it always does. We feel good about our pledge commitment knowing there is more work to be done.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."
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Nathalie A. Bartle, September 27, 2009
GOOD MORNING! I AM NATHALIE BARTLE, A MEMBER OF THIS PARISH, AND I WANT TO SHARE A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT WHY I THINK IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO BE AN ACTIVE STEWARD AT CHRIST CHURCH, THAT IS GIVING OF MY TIME, MY TALENTS AND MY TREASURES .
IN 1993 HARVEY AND I MOVED TO CENTER CITY AND WE WANTED TO FIND A FAITH COMMUNITY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WAS RIGHT FOR US. WE HAD JUST MARRIED AND WE HAD FIVE CHILDREN BETWEEN US, ELDERLY PARENTS AND TWO DEMANDING JOBS. WE KNEW THAT WE WERE GOING TO NEED ALL THE HELP WE COULD GET FROM GOD AND EVERYONE ELSE TO KEEP OURSELVES AND THIS NEW BARTLE TRAIN ON TRACK. OVER THESE 15 YEARS, WE’VE ENDURED LONG ILLNESSES AND THE DEATHS OF OUR PARENTS. WE’VE ALSO CELEBRATED WITH OUR CHILDREN AT THEIR FIVE WEDDINGS AND WE NOW HAVE 9 PRECIOUS GRANDCHILDREN WITH TWO MORE TO ARRIVE SHORTLY, LIKE ANY MINUTE! SO TODAY, I FEEL DEEPLY BLESSED, AND WE’RE THANKFUL TO THE CHRIST CHURCH COMMUNITY FOR THE SUPPORT YOU’VE PROVIDED OUR FAMILY THESE PAST 15 YEARS.
ALTHOUGH HARVEY AND I LOVE THE FACT THAT WE WORSHIP IN A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING WITH AN AMAZING HISTORY AND THAT CHRIST CHURCH IS ONE OF OUR NATION’S FAMOUS PUBLIC CHURCHES, WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT REALLY MOVES ME DEEPLY TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT CHRIST CHURCH IN WHATEVER WAY WE CAN, THE FOLLOWING CAME TO MIND:
IT’S THE PLACE WHERE I’M PROVIDED WITH BOTH AN ANCHOR AND A BEACON IN MY LIFE . (A SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICE PROVIDES ME WITH A TIME TO RE-CONNECT WITH GOD AND MYSELF AND IT HELPS ME TO FACE THE WEEK AHEAD);
IT’S A CHURCH WHERE I CAN WORSHIP AND GATHER AROUND THE LORD’S TABLE WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE—OLD, YOUNG; BLACK/BROWN,/WHITE/YELLOW; GAY/STRAIGHT, RICH, POOR; YOU NAME IT. (“WHOEVER YOU ARE AND WHEREVER YOU ARE ON YOUR JOURNEY OF FAITH, YOU ARE WELCOME AS YOU ARE TO RECEIVE THE GIFTS OF GOD’S LOVE SO FREELY GIVEN”);
IT’S A PLACE WHERE I HEAR THE GOSPEL PREACHED PASSIONATELY AND WHERE I’M CHALLENGED TO TAKE THIS GOSPEL AND LIVE IT IN MY DAILY LIFE;
IT’S A CHURCH WHERE CHILDREN ARE EMBRACED AND NURTURED AND TAUGHT ABOUT GOD AND JESUS;
FINALLY, FOR ME, CHRIST CHURCH IS A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER. I KNOW THAT WHEN THE DARK TIMES COME, PEOPLE HERE WILL BE THERE FOR ME—TO PRAY AND WEEP WITH ME; LIKEWISE FOLKS HERE WILL BE WITH ME AROUND THE GOOD TIMES TO REJOICE AND LAUGH.
CLEARLY CHRIST CHURCH HAS CAPTURED MY HEART AND I BELIEVE THAT IF WE ALL TAKE OUR STEWARDHIP RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY, WE’LL NOT ONLY BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE EXCELLENT PROGRAMS AND MINISTRIES HERE, BUT OUR OWN LIVES WILL BE BLESSED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN TRUE FOR HARVEY AND ME.
AS WE SAID LAST YEAR IN THE ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN, WE ARE ASKING EVERYONE OF YOU TO PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR PLEDGE TO THE 2010 CAMPAIGN AND THEN MAKE THAT COMMITMENT KNOWN ON YOUR PLEDGE CARD AND TURN IT IN SOON. WE’RE TURNING OURS IN TODAY. WE HAVE SOME CHALLENGING TIMES BEFORE US, BUT JUST AS PARISHONERS AND FRIENDS OF CHRIST CHURCH HAVE BEEN DOING FOR 314 YEARS, TOGETHER WE CAN MEET THESE CHALLENGES.
I KNOW THAT WAYNE CHRISTMAN, CHAIR OF THE ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN, OTHERS ON THIS COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF THE VESTRY ARE READY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THE 2010 CAMPAIGN SO DON’T BE SHY IN SEEKING THEM OUT. GOD CONTINUES TO HAVE A LOT IN MIND FOR CHRIST CHURCH SO LET US STEP FORWARD WITH OUR 2010 PLEDGES AND OTHER STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTS TO CONTINUE TO HELP MAKE THE DREAMS OF THE CHURCH COME TRUE.
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Janice Woodcock, November 11, 2009
My name is Janice Woodcock. I have been a member at Christ Church since the winter of 2007. My first encounter with a service here happened long before that, at Christmas time in 2004. I was invited to attend by my friend Alice who knew I would enjoy it very much.
At the service I recall hearing the now familiar invitation, “Whoever you are, wherever you are on the journey of faith, you are welcome here, to share in the blessings so freely given.” I noticed that invitation, along with the music, warmth and beauty of the service. I could feel the spirit here, but thought afterwards, does this apply to me?
I grew up in upstate New York, on a dairy farm with a colorful if not cantankerous family. Our town of 2000 had one central school, one tree topped drumlin called Science Hill, seven gas stations and four steepled churches with a wide range of stripes.
As a young person you could gain plenty of experiences and I credit my home for giving me some measure of common sense. Attending church was an option I took advantage of, but in leaving my hometown behind I left the church behind too, replacing it books when I could fit them in – works on philosophy, art, history and government. It has taken me until now to determine that books can enhance but do not replace a faith journey. For that -- you have to look inward.
So back to 2004: Soon after visiting here, and of course admiring the lineage and historic roots of this amazing building, I found myself at a dinner again with Alice and her family. There were others at the table, folks I vaguely knew were members here, who readily shared in the delightful food and conversation. I could see they practiced the art of “welcome,” and welcoming me.
I am sure that I have in common with most of you that even the purest and most meaningful messages bear repeating before they finally sink in. A few more years of searching, and of expending endless energy went by; energy delivered in mostly positive but sometimes negative ways. Then I decided to come back.
The idea came to me when I was running in the woods alone; I could see that I was working way too hard, under a stubborn and admittedly unexamined idea that life and its consequences are all up to me; that somehow after I am done solving what I think needs to be solved, that then, and only then would I fit into a faith community. Somehow that day and fortunately for me, I determined I had it all wrong.
So I came back to visit in the fall of 2007 at a trying time for me both professionally and personally. I had spent a lifetime preparing for civic works, I thought, yet the human dimension of these affairs at the time was far more complicated than I bargained for. While I expected some respite on Sundays, what I discovered was far more consequential than that.
Here at Christ Church I’ve found a passionate honesty about the search for god and the teachings of Jesus, a creative look at scripture and history, and what these writings mean for living day to day.
You could say, well that’s all well and good for you… or even think, “So what?” Well for me being here provides a constant teaching, an ongoing example from members, and in many ways a new lease on life. Some insurmountable challenges are now surmountable. Others, previously neglected, occupy their rightful place as priorities. Many relationships have changed from watchful tolerance or even detachment to curiosity, interest and delight.
As well, time has expanded its wealth for me. Not on just on Sundays, but everyday as I look into the faces of those I love as well as my secondary communities. In discovering how to care, I have found more room to move, grow, and experience joy.
I’m thankful for the home that Christ Church provides and for that reason stewardship in itself is a rewarding discovery. Not that in the past I have had any shortage of noble causes, time demands, financial contributions, board memberships, or special projects in my life, but here I have a desire to give and find I miss not one cent -- nor one hour given.
I am working to increase gifts over time, and notice that alternate uses of these resources otherwise have little significant or meaningful purpose.
The reason for consistent and increased stewardship now is simple: The best institutions are needed in the toughest times. I want this church and this congregation to be here as I was fortunate to find them and I relish the thought that Christ Church will grow and remain strong for more centuries into the future than it has existed until now.
I know I am truly blessed to be Here. For this Church and this life, thanks be to God. May he continue to accept our collective service and bless the future of this congregation.
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Robin Parke, November 11, 2009
I have been a member of Christ Church for over ten years. My husband, David, and I started attending Christ Church services together when we were dating and were married here in 1998. I had never belonged to a church community but the peaceful setting, the beautiful music and thought-provoking sermons seemed like a perfect way to end our week. I enjoyed the Sunday morning routine but did not consider myself an active participant in the life of Christ Church. However, over the years of our marriage, David and I realized than when travel, grad school, social events or even trivial errands prevented us from attending Sunday services, we felt disjointed somehow. It was as if we were going through the motions of life without living in the moments of our life. In 2005, our daughter, Ella was born and David and I both felt the need to commit ourselves more fully to our faith and to Christ Church. After all, we had been given a most precious gift in our daughter. How could we not give thanks?
Christ Church is a part of my family’s life. David and I have participated in the DOCC program, the Lenten series, Parents Night Out and other occasional events. Because of the Christ Church community, I see God’s presence beyond these beautiful walls. He is with me on my daily runs. He is in the autumn pumpkin patch and He accompanies me on those trivial errands that never seem to go away. Ella refers to the Neighborhood House as “her church.” She is excited each week to see her friends in the Atrium and to run around the North Garden during coffee hour. Christ Church is no longer our Sunday morning routine. Christ Church is a lifeline. Ella is growing up here and I have grown into a faith for which I cannot show enough gratitude. When David and I pledge financial support to Christ Church this year, we gladly give knowing that what we receive is far more than we could have ever imagined.
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