Yes, it’s really true - two months have already passed since our last column and summer vacations are quickly drawing to a close for many of us. It’s back to school, back to warmer clothing, back to a more active lifestyle, and back to our regular schedule of activities here at Christ Church.

Reminder: Our regular schedule of Sunday activities resumes on September 14th - the Family Service at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and the main service at 10:30 a.m. That also means choir rehearsals will begin again that Sunday at 9:15 a.m. For many of us it has been a relaxing and interesting summer. Here are a few of the “highlights” for those of you who have been away.

Guest clergy during the months of July and August did an admirable job of leading our flock during Fr. Michael’s absence. A special thanks to The Rev. Dr. Wesley Shike and Mother Rhoda Treherne-Thomas for being with us during the summer; and also a special “thank you” to Julian Goodwin who kept the music going in August while Tom Sarff was on vacation. And, speaking of music, let’s not forget the lovely solo work of several members of the choir while the group was on summer hiatus. Special mention to our soloists: Hal Reiersen, Vlasta Jantzi, Ann Sohm, The Black Family (Shirley, Willie, Jr., Buster and Andre), and our special guest, Julie Nord.

Tea Under the Trees was a refreshing way to socialize after the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday mornings. The shade of the trees and the quiet of the morning made the fellowship portion of the mornings twice as nice. Our guest hosts and hostesses always found a way to provide an interesting and varied assortment of goodies, and the Serendipity “Ice Cream Social” in August was especially well received.

There are several items of good news to share with you as well. Congratulations to Jill Kanner and Rick Smith on their recent engagement. Many of us had the opportunity to meet Rick at this year’s Spring Fair. In case you don’t remember him, he was the charming greeter at the side entrance (parking lot) to the Fair. Rick has been a frequent, and most welcome, visitor to Christ Church and we hope to see him here quite often. No word yet as to the exact date of the upcoming nuptials.

Some very encouraging news about our friend Martha Bendix. Her daughter, Margo, tells us that despite a rocky few months Martha is beginning to show some improvement. She is breathing on her own and has become more alert. She can now propel her wheelchair independently and do other small tasks for herself. Her spirits are better, she is reading, watching television and has set her goal on walking again. Martha, you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Keep up the good work!

Here’s a bit of overheard information: Angela Lindsay, mother of Elizabeth James, always sits in front of the Reeds on Sunday mornings. Recently, she overheard Colin discussing his early morning blood sugar reading with Margaret Harris, a fellow diabetic. When he exclaimed with some excitement, “I was 96 today,” Angela turned to offer him congratulations on his birthday. Colin, you really don’t look it!

Congratulations to Andrew Schneider for making it through Marine Officer Candidate School. Andrew graduated (second in his class!) in Quantico, Virginia on August 8, and of his starting platoon of 60 only 40 made it through. This was not an easy six weeks - broken ankles, hardly any sleep, not much in the way of “haute cuisine”, intensive physical and mental activities - but despite the rigorous training he made it through. Andrew will be graduating from Boston College in May, and the day before, will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. We are very proud of you Andrew and hope that by now you’ve managed to gain back a few pounds and have caught up on some much needed rest and relaxation.

Best wishes to Linda Reiersen as she takes on the reins of president of the Richmond Choral Society. The job involves a tremendous amount of planning and effort, but there are many wonderful rewards involved as well.

Word has reached us from the Staten Island Council of Churches that Father Michael has been elected President of this very important and worthwhile organization. The “official” designation will be bestowed during the Council’s fall meeting later this year.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Paul Smith. He recently suffered a broken nose and some other facial injuries and has been on the mend for the past few weeks. We’re looking forward to seeing his smiling (and hopefully, well-healed) face very, very soon!

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for some exciting and important events that will be happening in the next few months. The Staten Island Interparish Council (IPC for short) will be hosting a Memorial Eucharist and Picnic in honor of Bishops Paul Moore and Walter Dennis on Saturday, September 13, at 11:00 am. The service will take place at the Church of the Ascension, with a picnic to follow in Clove Lake Park. We lost these two fine gentlemen earlier this year, and this will be an opportunity to celebrate the lives and ministry of two great leaders of our Diocese.

Special events in the month ahead that you definitely don’t want to miss: “May-Ham” mayhem - the annual May-Ham Dinner on Saturday, October 4th sponsored by Serendipity; the very first Chinese Auction at Christ Church on Saturday, November 1st and our annual Christ Church Holly Ball on Saturday, December 13th

That’s it for now, folks. Welcome back!