This Month's News From The Rector

The First Thursday’s group will meet this month with a continuation of our look at how the elaborate and advanced highway system of the Roman Empire enabled Christianity to grow and thrive as quickly as it did.  We hope to view a video on the travels of St. Paul.  See you at 7pm on November 7^th.

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I am deeply grateful to the Confirmation class of Christ Church for the effort they fulfilled in anticipation of this sacramental achievement and their very real and important spiritual work in light of all that the Children’s Ministries’ program has experienced this year.  I am especially grateful to Melissa and to the parents who ensured that their children were involved.

Now, I would like the young people to do something with this holy calling, and I would ask their parents to lend a hand, as well.  I don’t expect active young people to be satisfied with simply sitting in church from time to time; I do call on them and their families to build with me some activities that will be of support to those in our community and to the Confirmands own sense of community.  If I could do this on my own, I would, but I really need the participation of the families.

Also, I’d like to see at least one or two of those young people courageous enough to serve at the altar as a sacred minister.  This, too, is an appropriate exercise in their new authority.  This, too, requires some parental support.

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Speaking of service to the parish, we will have three open positions on the vestry as of the annual meeting in January.  If anyone is interested in serving, please notify either the rector or Carol Stearns, the senior warden.

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Christ Church is a member of the Danbury Deanery of the Diocese of Connecticut.  Each year we host one of the monthly meetings, providing some light fare and a brief program.  This year’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 3^rd beginning at 6pm.  It is open to all members of the parish and, if there is something you would like to see presented, please let either the rector or our deanery representatives, Christine Meyer and Barbara Dratch, know.

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What’s the most interesting feast day of the month, you ask?  There are quite a few, from All Saints’ Day to that commemorating the Consecration of Samuel Seabury, the very first bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States, whose election was held at Glebe House in nearby Woodbury.  However, the newest on the calendar is that of Clive Staples Lewis on the 24^th.  In addition to serving as a professor at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, C.S. Lewis was the author of a great number of books expressing Christian themes, notably The Chronicles of Narnia.  In addition, he nimbly expressed for adults what is special about the Christian life in a manner that is accessible to even the most difficult of personality [that is, the intellectual].  A great many sources about his life and work are available both online and at the local libraries.  He is often quoted on The Coracle, too.

O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give you thanks for Clive Staples Lewis, whose sanctified imagination lights fires of faith in young and old alike. Surprise us also with your joy and draw us into that new and abundant life which is ours in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.