Clergy Corner
the Rev. Charles H. Howell

The Rev. Chuck Howell

When I was growing up, the bishop’s annual visit was a very big deal.  As a youngster I was something of a car nut, and I remember that he would arrive early in the morning in a big Oldsmobile Toronado.  The Toronado was then the only American car with front wheel drive, which is pretty handy during snowy Michigan winters.  I remember that I was fascinated by the lack of a hump on the car’s floor where the drive shaft would normally go.  The bishop would park that big old Toronado in a reserved spot, and many eager hands carried his vestments and his crozier, which came apart and was stored in a case like a pool cue.  After the early service of Holy Communion and breakfast, the bishop met with the confirmands.  It was rumored that he would ask you some really tough questions in an attempt to trip you up so that you couldn’t be confirmed that day.  It was also rumored that after the bishop laid hands on you he was going to slap you on the cheek – really hard.  As it happened, the bishop didn’t want to quiz us and deny us confirmation, he wanted to get to know us.  And he didn’t slap us on our cheeks but gently touched our faces with his hand as a symbolic reminder that the Christian life is hard; it felt more loving than challenging.  After the confirmation service, the ladies put on a stately coffee hour with all the silver polished to a high shine.  We posed for pictures with the bishop, and I still have my confirmation Prayer Book (1928), which the bishop signed, “With my love and blessing … Confirmation Day, Lent V, 1973.”

The Rt. Reverend E. Don Taylor

The Right Reverend E. Don Taylor, Vicar Bishop of New York, will be making his visit to Christ Church on March 8, 2009, Lent II.  As you know, Bishop Taylor will be retiring in September so this will be his last visit before he takes up a new position back in his home, Jamaica.  As the Vicar Bishop of New York, Bishop Taylor has had special responsibility for Staten Island, and his ministry has been effective in helping Staten Islanders feel more connected to the diocese.

Many of you will recall that he presided at my institution as rector; that he officiated at the funerals of our beloved parishioners Andre Black and Rick Boody; that he called on Connie Ricciardi in the hospital shortly before her death; and many other instances of kindness and pastoral care of which I am unaware.  Bishop Taylor sometimes refers to Christ Church as ‘his cathedral,” and, with a twinkle in his eye, has threatened to toss me out of the rectory and turn it into his bishop’s palace.

Faithfully yours,

Fr. Chuck

Honoring One of Our Own
Nancy Reiersen

On Sunday, January 4, Christ Church took a moment to honor Tom Sarff on the occasion of his tenth anniversary as our Organist and Choir Director.

Tom was presented with Bill Murphy’s etching of Christ Church during the 10 a.m. service. The choir hosted a special reception for him during the coffee hour, and “serenaded” him with a song written especially for the occasion. We’ve reprinted the lyrics for this song, which is sung to the tune of The Church’s One Foundation:

The Church’s strong foundation is music that endures
And Christ Church plays a part in music, that’s for sure
Our hymns are loud and glorious, the psalms a work of art
The man behind our music is Thomas W. Sarff

Ten years ago he joined us; the church with music filled
His preludes and his postludes are tributes to his skills
His descants fit for angels, his organ skills excel
The master of the keyboard, the pipes, the stops and swells

The Staten Island Ferry is where Tom likes to rhyme
It’s where he writes his descants to help him pass the time
Though music is his passion, Tom also likes to cook
And photographs he’s taken could surely fill a book

Under Tom’s direction we’ve made a joyful noise
And Eastertide and Christmas we really have rejoiced
We thank you for your ten years, it really has been great
And thanks to all your hard work our choir is first rate!

Annual Meeting Report
Paul Smith

The annual meeting of Christ Church, New Brighton was held on Sunday, January 11, 2009 in the Parish House auditorium, immediately following the 10 a.m. service and a sandwich lunch.

Paul Smith, Clerk to the Vestry, was appointed Clerk to record the minutes of this meeting. Lester Blair was appointed Parliamentarian, and Elizabeth McLean and Judith Davis were appointed as Tellers.

Lisa Rhoades, retiring Warden and Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, announced the slate of candidates for Warden and Vestry vacancies, all of whom had passed the necessary qualifications:

Warden, for a two-year term:
Alleida Mitchell
Vestry for three-year terms:
Willie Black Jr.
Togba Porte
Peter Raff
Hueldine Webb

There were no nominations from the floor and a motion to close the nominations was made and seconded. Motion passed. A motion to close the polls immediately was made and second. Motion passed.

Father Howell, on behalf of the parish, presented the retiring Warden, Lisa Rhoades, with a gift of Bill Murphy’s print of Christ Church with gratitude for her tireless work and a job well done. Lisa thanked everybody for the joy, honor and privilege of serving the parish as warden.

Dorothy Thompson, Treasurer, discussed the operating fund and non-operating funds reports as of December 31, 2008 and answered questions from the floor. It was noted that the 2008 deficit was projected to be $50,137, but ended up being $24,578.  This was primarily because of the generosity of our parishioners.  We were up in nearly every area of income: pledges, Christmas and Easter offerings, fund raising and hall rentals.  Nick Lettiere, chair of the Finance Committee, then presented the proposed 2009 Operating Budget. He explained that the deficit for 2009 was higher than 2008, mostly because of an increased Diocesan assessment, the paying off of the loan from Property & Support, and some reduced donations from parish groups. Positive signs included an increase in pledges for 2009 and the increase in the money raised by fund raising activities last year with hopes for a similar increase in 2009.

In his report to the annual meeting, Fr. Howell thanked the outgoing Vestry persons, Trevor Mills, Alleida Mitchell, George Smith and Richard Zayzay, for their hard work and dedication. He noted the hard work and efforts of the various committees and organizations. He discussed the success of the Christ Church Community Outreach program and the successful Stewardship campaign, which has resulted in exceeded the pledge goal for this year. He discussed the strong commitment to children and families and the successful launching of the Godly Play Christian education program for young children.

An Education Committee has also been set up to coordinate the programs and allocation of funds for Christian education. A Youth Bible Study will be starting up very soon, led by Kristin Reiersen. Also commended was the hard work put in by Susan Fowler, Barnett Shepherd and the Plant & Equipment committee for generating $73,000 in grant money. He thanked many people who had worked hard over the past year, both the paid staff and volunteer staff, and also David Carletta, our seminarian.

Hands to Work, Hearts to God
Peter Raff

When I attended Darrow School, a small boarding school in a former Shaker village in upstate New York, “Hands to Work, Hearts to God” was a required work activity every Friday afternoon. We made apple cider, raked mountains of leaves, painted fire escapes and cared for the 25-30 resident sheep.

Fortunately, at Christ Church, “Hands to Work” is not required or a neither weekly event, nor do we have 25 sheep to shear! However, it is a valuable work program that has improved our church and saved us thousands of dollars in the process. We have painted the Parish House basement and Sunday School rooms; cleaned the Church and kitchen , and painted and prepared the “Godly Play” rooms in the basement to name just a few of our worthwhile projects. By participating in HTW we are also qualifying for matching grant money from outside sources.

“Hands to Work” usually takes place on the last Saturday of the month. We have coffee and bagels at 8:30 a.m.; work begins at 9 a.m. and usually ends by lunch time.

Please give some thought to helping us make the church a better place, and earn grant money in the process. You can even show up late and you won’t get into trouble like I used to do in the early 1970’s!

Pancakes and Ashes
Cathy Romano

For those of you who might be wondering, pancakes and ashes is NOT a description of breakfast gone bad. However, what it does represent are two important events at Christ Church that mark the start of the Lenten season.

Pancake Supper
Tuesday, February 24
6-8 p.m.

This is our traditional celebration of “Fat Tuesday” (the day before Ash Wednesday) where we serve pancakes, sausage, applesauce, coffee and tea in the Guild Room. Reservations aren’t necessary, so just come on down.

This is also the night when we burn the old palms that were distributed last year on Palm Sunday and turn them into the ashes that will be used for Ash Wednesday services the following day. If you have any old palms on hand please be sure to bring them with you when you come to the Pancake Supper.

Ash Wednesday
February 25
12:15 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion

Serenade Concert Series Begins on Sunday, March 8
Valerie Quinlan

Serenade at Historic Christ Church will open its 2009 season on Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m., with a concert presented by world-renowned flutist, Carol Wincenc. She will be accompanied by pianist Stephen Gosling.

Ms. Wincenc, who was first prize winner of the Walter W. Naumburg Solo Flute Competition, has appeared as a soloist with such ensembles as the Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta, and London Symphonies, the BBC and Buffalo Philharmonics, and the St. Paul and Stuttgart Chamber Orchestras. She has performed in the Mostly Mozart Festival and music festivals in Aleburgh, Budapest, Frankfurt, Santa Fe, Spoleto, and Marlboro. She has premiered numerous works written for her by many of today’s most prominent composers, and has recorded for the Nonesuch, London/Decca, Deutsche Grammaphon, and Telarc music labels.

As a result of her fascination with the flute family, Ms. Wincenc created and directed a series of international flute festivals in St. Paul, Minnesota, featuring such diverse artists as Jean-Pierre Rampal, Herbie Mann, and the American Indian flutist, R. Carlos Nakai. Carl Fisher is publishing a series of Carol Wincenc Signature Editions, featuring her favorite flute repertoire.

Ms. Wincenc is on the faculty of the Juilliard School and SUNY Stony Brook and has been a member of the New York Woodwind Quintet since 1997.

Media Watch
Nick Dowen

On Christmas Day at 12 Noon I watched television and was glad to see on WNBC (Channel 4) an hour of that morning's service from the Washington National Cathedral. The packed congregation in the cathedral's airy Gothic spaces offered many interesting camera angles, and the windows, an encyclopedia of 20th-century stained glass if ever there was one, added rich color. The ordered liturgy, preaching and music were wonderful.

At 1:15 P.M. on C-SPAN (Channel 70) I watched the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. She spoke on December 16 in Washington, D.C., at a luncheon of the National Press Club (Web site: npc.press.org). The theme of the day was "Religion in the Public Square." The Presiding Bishop's calm, intelligent demeanor and excellent speaking voice make a very strong impression. Following her address, which was carefully thought out and well written, she took questions from the audience. The best question came last. Upon being asked what she prayed about that might surprise us, she replied that she prays for people who consider her their enemy. Asked if this was hard, she said, "Not when it becomes a discipline."

Poet's Corner
David Holt

Those of you who have patiently, or impatiently, (select whichever is appropriate), listened to my dulcid tones recite some poetry at our annual "Diversity Sunday" celebration, will have deduced that I'm a great lover of poetry.  So, I thought that to kick-off the New Year, I'd introduce you to a couple more pieces of poetry that are very timely for the year ahead.

The Thomas Hardy poem, written at the turn of the century in 1898, is thought by many Christian commentators to echo an Advent theme, but I think that the message of hope in the final verses is appropriate for the New Year. The same sentiments most definitely apply to the second piece -- a verse from the poem "The Desert" written by the English poet, Marie Louise Haskins in 1908.  Fellow "Brits" may know that the verse was famously quoted by King George VI in his Christmas Day radio broadcast sometime in the late 1930s -- although few of them will admit to actually hearing it!

The Darkling Thrush
Thomas Hardy

I lent upon a coppice gate
When Frost was spectre-gray,
And Winter's dregs made desolate
The weakening eye of day.
The dangled bind-stems scored the sky
Like strings of broken lyres,
And all mankind that haunted nigh
Had sought their household fires.

The land's sharp features seemed to be
The Century's corpse outleant,
His crypt the clouded canopy,
The wind his death-lament.
The ancient pulse of germ and birth
Was shrunken hard and dry,
And every spirit upon earth
Seemed fevourless as I.

At once a voice arose among
The bleak twigs overhead
In a full-hearted evensong
Of joy unlimited;
An aged thrush, frail, gaunt and small,
In blast-beruffled plume,
Had chosen thus to fill his soul
Upon the growing gloom.

So little cause for carolings
Of such ecstatic sound
Was written on terrestrial things
Afar or nigh around,
That I could think there trembled through
His happy good-night air
Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew
And I was unaware.`

The Gate of the Year (from "The Desert")
Marie Louise Haskins.
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown!"
And he replied:
"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

Chowder Feast
Cathy Romano

On Saturday, January 24 members of the Christ Church choir hosted their first-ever “Chowderfest”, an event featuring a variety of home made chowders, breads and desserts made by members of the choir, with a few donations from several members of the parish.

The event was well attended, and approximately $760 was raised that afternoon. All proceeds from this event will be directed to the Christ Church operating budget, which in turn helps to fund our music budget.

Bible Study for Every Age Group at Christ Church
Fr. Chuck

Every Sunday morning at 9 a.m., Fr. Chuck is leading a Bible Study in the Vestry Room to enable participants “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” the scripture readings that have been assigned for that day. And there’s always a hot cup of coffee waiting in the parish house kitchen for those who show up early! 

Confirmation Classes at Christ Church
Byline

On Sunday, January 25, Fr. Chuck led the first in a series of confirmation classes in the Vestry Room in preparation for Bishop Taylor’s visit to Christ Church on Sunday, March 8. These classes will take place every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Vestry Room prior to the Bishop’s visit.

A Very Blessed Event
Cathy Romano

On January 4, 2009, parishioners Michael Buss and Anna-Lisa Cox became the proud parents of Leora Joy Allen Buss.

They have been kind enough to share this photo of their lovely daughter, Leora, and we’ve also reprinted a copy of her birth announcement for all to share.

Leora Joy Allen Buss was born to Amelia Joy Cox on New Year’s Eve, 2008 and then given in great love for adoption to Michael and Anna-Lisa on January 4, 2009. We are all healthy and the baby is thriving (and gorgeous, in our completely unbiased opinion.). At birth Leora weighed 4100 grams, and was 53 centimeters long.

With much love, Michael and Anna-Lisa

Our best wishes go out to Michael and Anna-Lisa and their lovely daughter, Leora.

“You are the child of a woman, a mother, a father and a community”
(Blessing from the poet Shelley which was used at Leora’s adoption ceremony.)

Parish Register
Nancy Reiersen

February Birthdays
2 – Andrew Schneider; 5 – Fr. John Walsted; 8 – Wolde Archer; 11 – Hal Reiersen; 13 – Gytha Darconte, Lisa Rhoades; 14 – Bruce Liozzi; 17 – Malik Archer; 21 – Andrew Hardin; 22 – Alleida Mitchell; 22 – Pat Scire; 24 – Trevor Mills; 26 – Nicholas Lettiere, Alexia Richards,
Alyssa Richards

February Anniversaries
4 – Kevin & Mary Larimer; 15 – Nathaniel and Ela Seeley

Around the Parish
Nancy Reiersen

There’s much to report this month – especially since this column did not appear in the January issue of the Tower Chimes – so let’s get started!

First of all, thanks to Sheila Hewitt, Connie Black, Elizabeth James, Andrea McIntosh, and all the members of the Sunday School who coordinated and took part in the December Christmas Pageant. A variety of costumes, musical interludes provided by Katherine Liu on violin, and her mother Joyce on piano, wonderful readings and a host of angelic faces made this a day to remember. If you didn’t have a chance to attend, you can find all of John Watson’s wonderful photos from the pageant on our website (www.christchurchnbrighton.org.

Congratulations to our newest Vestry members: Alleida Mitchell, warden, and Willie Black, Jr., Togba Porte, Peter Raff,  and Hueldine Webb who were elected to three-year Vestry terms.

During the meeting our Treasurer, Dorothy Thompson was awarded the Christ Church Chirho in thanks for her understanding service to our parish. This award is a medallion featuring the chirho symbol (the first two letters of the word “Christ” in Greek.)  The chirho appears on the Christ Church letterhead, and is also represented atop the Verger’s stick that Paul Smith carries during special processions.

While we’re on the subject of congratulations, let’s not forget our own Hal Reiersen who was selected as the Christ Church Honoree for this year’s Council of Churches Awards Dinner. Hal will be honored at the Old Bermuda Inn on February 4.

Get well wishes go out to Susan Fowler as she recovers from knee replacement surgery that she underwent in January.

It was good to see former parishioner, Ann Kehoe at Christ Church last month.  Ann is a long-time member of the parish and moved to Connecticut several years ago to be closer to her family. Ann is doing well, and sends her best to all of her friends at Christ Church.

Wedding bells are in the air: congratulations to Andrew Schneider and his bride-to-be, Maggie Reid. Andrew’s sister, Kate, will be tying the knot at the end of June when she marries Francois Crabalona in Manhattan. Andrew and Kate’s parents are Paul and Janet Schneider.

And there’s more good news: Ian Sinclair, son of Karen and Paul Smith, recently became engaged to April Avena.  They plan to be married in July of this year.

That’s all for now. If you have some news that you’d like to share please speak to me, or leave me a note in the Tower Chimes mail slot located in the parish office.

Bishop Taylor's Retirement
Cathy Romano

On May 16, the Diocese of New York is hosting a special service of Holy Eucharist at 10:30am at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine to honor Bishop E. Don Taylor on the occasion of his retirement.  As the Vicar Bishop of New York, Bishop Taylor has had a close relationship with Staten Island, so it would be great if a large number of Staten Islanders would attend this service.  To facilitate our attendance, I’ve hired a 49 passenger coach to transport members of Christ Church and the other Staten Island parishes to and from the cathedral.  The bus will leave promptly at 7:30am and will return at the conclusion of the reception.  The cost is $15/person.

Seats will be assigned on a first come first served basis.  If you would like to reserve a seat on the bus, please speak sign up in the parish hall or call the parish office (718-727-6100) as soon as possible.

Sunday Service Participants
Cathy Romano

Sunday, February 1st Altar Guild Nick Dowen, Laura Kennedy, David Wood Server at 8:00 am John Watson Ushers David Wood, Daniel Wood, Henry Kennedy Jr. Ushers Malik Archer &  CJ Brown Greeter Laura Craig Lector David Wood Epistoler Nancy Reiersen-Scromo Intercessor Beth Johanning-Hayes Acolytes Adaja Jean-Mary & Amber James Chalice Administrant William Sherman Crucifer Wolde Archer Bell Ringer John Patrick Hayes Verger Paul Smith Counters Susan Fowler & John Watson

Sunday, February 8th Altar Guild Shirley Elfers & Andrew Hardin Server at 8:00 am Victor Stanwick Ushers Marlene Elia, Edward Craig, Katherine Liu Jr. Ushers Wolde Archer & Stefan Lynch Greeter Togba Porte Lector Kristin Reiersen Epistoler Katherine Liu Intercessor Susan Fowler Acolytes CJ Brown & Malik Archer Chalice Administrant Victor Stanwick Crucifer John Watson Bell Ringer Tyler Jean-Mary Verger Paul Smith Counters Hal & Linda Reiersen

Sunday, February 15th Altar Guild Linda Reiersen & Nancy Reiersen-Scromo Server at 8:00 am Nancy Reiersen Scromo Ushers Hueldine Webb, Lester Blair, David Holt Jr. Ushers Georgia Howell & Amber James Greeter Nick Dowen Lector Nick Dowen Epistoler Georgia Howell Intercessor David Holt Acolytes Hugo McIntosh & Jabari Archer Chalice Administrant Togba Porte Crucifer William Sherman Bell Ringer Kimara Jean-Mary Verger Paul Smith Counters Marlene Elia & Peter Raff Coffee Hour Hosts Sunday School

Sunday, February 22nd Altar Guild Shirley Black & Martha Keucher Server at 8:00 am Hal Reiersen Ushers Marlene Elia, William Sherman Jr. Ushers Tyler Jean-Mary & Adaja Jean-Mary Greeter Lester Blair Lector Lisa Rhoades Epistoler Eva Black Intercessor Elaine Smith Acolytes Georgia Howell & Kimara Jean-Mary Chalice Administrant John Watson Crucifer Hugo McIntosh Bell Ringer Bonnie Nygard Verger Paul Smith Counters Beth McLean & Nancy Reiersen-Scromo Coffee Hour Hosts Nick Dowen & Barnett Shepherd

Sunday, March 1st Altar Guild Nick Dowen, Laura Kennedy, David Wood Server at 8:00 am John Watson Ushers David Wood, Daniel Wood, Henry Kennedy Jr. Ushers Malik Archer & Wolde Archer Greeter Lester Blair Lector David Holt Epistoler Kristin Reiersen Intercessor Glendon Jantzi Acolytes CJ Brown & Evelyn Zayzay Chalice Administrant Richard Zayzay Crucifer Titus Zayzay Bell Ringer Georgia Howell Verger Paul Smith Counters Susan Fowler & Kristin Reiersen Coffee Hour Hosts Connie Black

Sunday, March 8th Altar Guild Shirley Elfers & Andrew Hardin Server at 8:00 am Victor Stanwick Ushers Lester Blair, David Holt Jr. Ushers Stefan Lynch & CJ Brown Greeter Lester Blair Lector Togba Porte Epistoler Georgia Howell Intercessor Susan Fowler Acolytes Jabari Archer & Malik Archer Chalice Administrant Hueldine Webb Crucifer Wolde Archer Bell Ringer Adaja Jean-Mary Verger Paul Smith Counters Lester Blair & John Watson Coffee Hour Hosts Nick Lettiere, Daniel & David Wood

Sunday, March 15th Altar Guild Linda Reiersen & Nancy Reiersen-Scromo Server at 8:00 am Nancy Reiersen Scromo Ushers Marlene Elia, Edward Craig, Katherine Liu Jr. Ushers Adaja Jean-Mary & Georgia Howell Greeter Lester Blair Lector Hueldine Webb Epistoler Hugo McIntosh Intercessor Margaret Harris Acolytes Amber James & Tyler Jean-Mary Chalice Administrant Victor Stanwick Crucifer Togba Porte Bell Ringer Kimara Jean-Mary Verger Paul Smith Counters Marlene Elia & Peter Raff Coffee Hour Hosts Sheila Hewitt & Sunday School

Sunday, March 22nd Altar Guild Shirley Black & Martha Keucher Server at 8:00 am Hal Reiersen Ushers Judith Davis, David Wood, Daniel Wood Jr. Ushers Amber James & Malik Archer Greeter Lester Blair Lector Nancy Reiersen-Scromo Epistoler Jabari Archer Intercessor Beth Johanning-Hayes Acolytes Hugo McIntosh & CJ Brown Chalice Administrant Togba Porte Crucifer John Watson Bell Ringer Amber James Verger Paul Smith Counters Nick Dowen & Barnett Shepherd Coffee Hour Hosts Ruth Richards