CCB Life-The Blog

Recognition and Communion Sunday
Photos by Ken Richardson for more photos click here.

http://ccbny.smugmug.com/Religion/Recognition-and-Communion/12466894_NpQfQ#893116985_AjbVs

Confirmation Photos-by Ken Richardson
for more photos go to http://ccbny.smugmug.com/Religion/confirmation/12418532_j8sdE#888689176_wKGo5

The proud 2010 CCB Confirmands!!! Many thanks to the teachers who made this possible and our Rector and his leadership.

Photo by Mary Taylor Behrens
Church Notes Week of Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Friday, May 7th
Friday, May 7th at 7:30PM concert organist Ken Cowan will perform at Christ Church. Tickets at the door: $25 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. There will be a reception afterwards in the Undercroft.

Mr. Cowan will play a dedication concert for the new Casavant Frères organ.
Ken Cowan is one of North America’s finest concert organists. Praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique and imaginative programming by audiences and critics alike, he maintains a rigorous performing schedule which takes him to major concert venues across America, Canada and Europe. Recent and upcoming feature performances include appearances at Grace Cathedral San Francisco, Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall, Spivey Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris, France.

Saturday, May 8th – Midnight Run. Please note the change in day! Volunteers and donations are needed. For more details contact PG or Carol Costa at pg@piercosta.net

Global Mission Ghana Project
Mom, Some BUNNY Loves You!

For a small donation, you can show your mother how much you love her by helping to feed and educate children whose mothers may no longer be able to. We’ll help the school set up a rabbit farm to raise and sell rabbits to generate income for food and school supplies. And you’ll be able to follow the farm’s construction online starting this summer.
Won’t you join us? Order Soon and Mom can pick up her gift in the Narthex on Mother’s Day!
Click here to order

Church Notes-Week of Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Breakfast Run Needs to Rally!
I need folks for Sunday: Kids, Parents, siblings, teammates, school kids for credit.
Please let me know. Thank you in advance! Contact Mike Conaton mjc@kppinvest.com.

About Breakfast Run – generally two to three times a semester, part of Christ Church Outreach Program. Open to all but focus is on 7th and 8th grade Confirmation candidates. All participants share equally in the preparation and cost of the food by bringing required and pre-assigned groceries and casseroles to the run. Participants meet scheduled Sunday mornings, in the Church kitchen at 6:45 AM to prepare bag lunches, assemble breakfast food and bag toiletries. We depart for Manhattan in cars driven by Christ Church parent leaders at 7:30AM and arrive at a Manhattan street corner at 8:00 AM. Locations are assigned to us the day before based on homeless demand – (we subscribe to the “Midnight Run” organization that organizes all NY-metro breakfast and midnight runs – see www.midnightrun.org). Our kids serve 25-50 homeless adults a warm breakfast casserole, bagels and cream cheese, English muffins and jelly, orange juice, hot coffee and send guests away with a bag lunch (containing a turkey and cheese sandwich, hard boiled egg, chips, and dessert) and a bag of toiletries (containing toothbrush and paste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, razor & cream). We depart Manhattan approx. 9:00 AM and return to Christ Church approx. 9:30 AM in time for 10:00 AM service. Parent leaders try to make the trip fun but meaningful, and facilitate morning preparation, transportation, set-up and distribution, and are mindful of safety. Our friendly guests on the street receive a nutritious meal and are very appreciative. The kids enjoy visiting and come away with more compassion for those less fortunate and a greater appreciation for their own well-being.

Friday, May 7th
Friday, May 7th at 7:30PM concert organist Ken Cowan will perform at Christ Church. Tickets at the door: $25 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. There will be a reception afterwards in the Undercroft.

Mr. Cowan will play a dedication concert for the new Casavant Frères organ.
Ken Cowan is one of North America’s finest concert organists. Praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique and imaginative programming by audiences and critics alike, he maintains a rigorous performing schedule which takes him to major concert venues across America, Canada and Europe. Recent and upcoming feature performances include appearances at Grace Cathedral San Francisco, Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall, Spivey Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris, France.

Global Mission Ghana Project
Mom, Some BUNNY Loves You!

In honor of the woman who’s given so much to you, give a gift that will keep on giving. For Mother’s Day, sponsor a rabbit or two (or six) for Christ Church Bronxville’s new partnership project in the African nation of Ghana.
CCB Global Mission is joining with the Buduram Community Refugee School just outside of Accra in Ghana to begin funding a self-sustaining farm. The school serves Liberian children who escaped from the conflict in their homeland but whose return there is not an option due to lack of surviving family, abuse, starvation and rampant disease.
For a small donation, you can show your mother how much you love her by helping to feed and educate children whose mothers may no longer be able to. We’ll help the school set up a rabbit farm to raise and sell rabbits to generate income for food and school supplies. And you’ll be able to follow the farm’s construction online starting this summer.
Won’t you join us? Order Soon and Mom can pick up her gift in the Narthex on Mother’s Day!
Click here to order

Church Notes-Week of Sunday, April 23rd, 2010
Destination: HAITI
As a result of the generosity of CCB parishioners, the vans collecting goods for transport to Haiti didn’t have enough room to hold all of our donations (close to twice as many as any other church). The remainder of our relief supplies will be collected next week.
We are no longer requesting donations as, with our remaining supplies, CCB’s allotted space on the cargo vessel will be filled.
Thank you for helping the desperate citizens of Haiti.

Breakfast Run – Sunday May 2nd. This is traditionally an Adult Run but many kids have asked to join in! We meet in the CCB kitchen at 6:45AM. For more information, please contact Mike Conaton at mikec@kppinvest.com.

Friday, May 7th at 7:30 PM concert organist Ken Cowan will perform at Christ Church. Tickets at the door: $25 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. There will be a reception afterwards in the Undercroft.

Mr. Cowan will play a dedication concert for the new Casavant Frères organ.
Ken Cowan is one of North America’s finest concert organists. Praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique and imaginative programming by audiences and critics alike, he maintains a rigorous performing schedule which takes him to major concert venues across America, Canada and Europe. Recent and upcoming feature performances include appearances at Grace Cathedral San Francisco, Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall, Spivey Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris, France.

About the Organ – Casavant Frères Opus 3878
When Bertram Goodhue designed Christ Church in 1924, he expected it would be used for more than worship — a place to gather for music and community. Similarly, while the new Casavant organ has been designed primarily to support our worship, it is eminently capable of bringing to life the best in solo music. The parishioners at Christ Church have been treated to several months of what the organ can do with congregation and choir. Now it’s time to hear what the organ can do on its own. Come hear Ken Cowan — a wizard of the organ and a charming performer — show us how it’s done.

Critical Acclaim
“Cowan was at his most dazzling in transcriptions of Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture and Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No. 1. Sounds shifted, swelled and diminished in apparently limitless variety, all while Cowan dispatched dizzying arrays of notes.” The Dallas Morning News

“It is difficult to find enough adjectives to describe Ken Cowan’s playing. He is simply one of the best anywhere!” The Diapason
Saturday, May 8th – Midnight Run. Please note the change in day! Volunteers and donations are needed. For more details contact PG or Carol Costa at pg@piercosta.net

The Spire

The April/May Spire is now available online. Click here to view.

Thank you so much for all of the donations so far. This is an incredible start! For more info on Destination Haiti go to http://www.ccbny.org/outreach

Thank You ECFCC Shopping Helpers!

Week of Sunday, April 18th, 2010
Readings for Sunday

Sunday, April 18th at 5:00PM – Join us for Choral Evensong. Music includes the Evening Service in C Major by Charles Villiers Stanford.

Save the Date: Friday, May 7th at 7:30PM – the renowned organist Ken Cowan will perform at Christ Church Bronxville. A Reception will follow in the Undercroft.

Outreach
CCB April Haitian Relief Drive
As part of our ongoing Global Mission, this month Christ Church is uniting with other area churches to collect and send aid to earthquake-devastated Haiti. Along with St. Joseph’s and the Reformed Church, CCB will be sending, cost-free, a 40 foot cargo container of relief supplies to the area.
Among the items we hope to collect and ship are donations of very basic needs: cases of water; dry foods including cereal, pasta, rice, dried beans and flour; plastic utensils, plates and drinking cups, infant baby bottles, formula and dry milk.
In addition to food and food-related items, we also would like to include bandages, bandage wrappings, cotton swabs, aspirin, skin creams, skin ointments and insect repellent.
We are not asking for clothing, as the above items are currently in far greater demand.
Please drop off any donations by April 22, as they’ll be transported to the dock in New Jersey on April 23 for loading.
For more details, including the preparation of donated goods and drop-off sites at CCB, please check the weekly e-mail or handouts available at the parish office, or contact Ken Richardson, Executive Director for Global Mission, at krichardson@ccbny.org.

Images from Easter Day by Mary Behrens

Images from Palm Sunday
photos by Ken Richardson

Pilgrimage to Taizé and cultural experience in London

Teen Kids News did a segment on ACL injury story featuring Father (Coach) Bird and Jessica Palfrey

Church Notes
Week of Sunday, March 28th, 2010
Click Here for Pictures of the Choir Musical- Photos by Ken Richardson
This Sunday is Palm/Passion Sunday

The Book of Job
Due to the recent inclement weather the last Job seminar will take place after the 10:00AM service this Sunday, March 28th – Palm Sunday. Please join the Rev. Amy Lamborn in the Crispell Lounge for this season finale.

Outreach
The Outreach Group needs your help collecting for The Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen in near by Mt. Vernon. They serve breakfast and lunch each week to approx. 100 very grateful adults and children. Please only donate canned fruit, penne pasta, spaghetti sauce, tang, and cans of chicken noodle soup. This will ensure they can have enough to make a complete meal. Collection boxes will be in the back of the church until the end of MARCH and you can drop off any day of the week.

Friday, April 16th
Meatloaf for Midnight Run
On Friday April 16th we will go on a run and would like to offer a special treat to our friend on the street.We are looking for 10 two pounds meatloaf for that Friday. Use the recipes you prefer, the only requirement is that the meatloaf be consistent enough to be cut in slices and do not crumble while in the roll.Please contact PG and Carol Costa if you are interested in helping at pg@piercosta.net or the church office.

Click here for pictures from Evensong with Concordia Choir, Sunday, March 14th, 2010
Pictures by Ken Richardson
Sunday March 21st – Choir Musical!
The musical will take place in Taylor Hall immediately following the 10:00 AM Youth Sunday service. Our children’s choirs will present “The Case of the Puzzling Parables.” You won’t want to miss “The Prodigal Son Rap”!
Outreach Adventures
Our Sunday, March 21st from 1pm to 3pm the Outreach program will be helping the Bronx River Conservancy clean up along the River. The assembly point is the area on Paxton Avenue (turn left on Palmer Avenue) working south. We will be cutting vines, sawing downed branches and stacking them, and picking up litter. If you have loppers, or bow saws please bring them. Bags and gloves will be provided and we do a fair number of loppers and bow saws. Chain saws not permitted. For further information contact Jim Sutton at jasutton@optonline.net. Great exercise!
Outreach
The Outreach Group needs your help collecting for The Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen in near by Mt. Vernon. They serve breakfast and lunch each week to approx. 100 very grateful adults and children. Please only donate canned fruit, penne pasta, spaghetti sauce, tang, and cans of chicken noodle soup. This will ensure they can have enough to make a complete meal. Collection boxes will be in the back of the church until the end of MARCH and you can drop off any day of the week.
The Book of Job
Due to the recent inclement weather the last Job seminar will take place after the 10:00AM service next Sunday, March 28th – Palm Sunday. Please join the Rev. Amy Lamborn in the Crispell Lounge for this season finale.

Sunday, March 14th
This Sunday at 5:00 PM there will be a Double-Choir Evensong. Christ Church Choir will team up with the Concordia College Choir. A highlight will be a new Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis written for Christopher Wells and the CCB choirs by Jason Thoms. A Choral prelude by Concordia College Choir begins at 4:45 PM.
The second Chamber Music Series Concert in support of the Counseling Center will take place this Sunday March 14th at 2:30 PM. And please save the date for the next and last concert of the season, Sunday April 11th at 2:30 PM.
Sunday, March 21st
Save the date: Sunday March 21st – Choir Musical
The musical will take place in Taylor Hall immediately following the 10:00 AM Youth Sunday service. Our children’s choirs will present “The Case of the Puzzling Parables.” You won’t want to miss “The Prodigal Son Rap”!
Easter Flowers and Music: CCB is accepting donations in memory of loved ones or in thanksgiving for blessings received. Please put your check (appropriately marked) in the Alms basin or mail to the Church Office.
Outreach Adventures
Our Sunday, March 21st from 1pm to 3:00 PM the Outreach program will be helping the Bronx River Conservancy clean up along the River. The assembly point is the area on Paxton Avenue (turn left on Palmer Avenue) working south. We will be cutting vines, sawing downed branches and stacking them, and picking up litter. If you have loppers, or bow saws please bring them. Bags and gloves will be provided and we do a fair number of loppers and bow saws. Chain saws not permitted. For further information call Jim Sutton 779-7744 or email at jasutton@optonline.net. Great exercise!
Food Collection
The Outreach Group needs your help collecting for The Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen in nearby Mt. Vernon. They serve breakfast and lunch each week to approx. 100 adults and children. PLEASE ONLY DONATE CANNED FRUIT, PENNE PASTA, SPAGHETTI SAUCE, TANG POWDERED DRINK AND CANS OF CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP. This will ensure they can have enough to make a complete meal. Collection boxes will be in the back of the church until the end of MARCH and you can drop off any day of the week.

Sunday, March 7th, 2010
Please view the Episcopal Charities Video by clicking this link.
Episcopal Charities Sunday is this Sunday, March 7th

Episcopal Charities is our outreach arm. It currently supports 80 parish-based programs around the Diocese that deliver vital support to people who really need it.
In 2007 the Diocesan Convention passed a resolution that each year a Sunday be designated on which “parishes and missions take a special collection to be donated to Episcopal Charities of New York to support feeding programs which receive funding from Episcopal Charities of New York.” We urge you to participate in Episcopal Charities Sunday, and give as generously as you can.

Young Adult Group Bowling and Dinner Party
February 27th

Christ Church’s Young Adult Group is for people ages 18-30. For more information contact Krista Dias at kdias@ccbny.org.

EYC Pilgrimage to Taize 2010
for more photos go to http://www.ccbny.org/?page_id=155

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 2010
Photos by Ken Richardson

The Last Days of Taizé

Our friends from Toulouse come to say goodbye while we wait for the bus.

The old church in Taize, now for silent prayer.

Last Bible study with Brother Liandro.

Taizé Update
Marveling at the way kids from the US, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Poland, Portugal, and Spain find their common ground here at Taizé .

Squeegies!

Pots and Pans on fish day. Classic.

Look closely – The US and France team up against Germany and Italy in American football. hmmmm. Deja vu?
Very proud of our kids for standing up and singing in Bible Study

The Americans sing in Bible Study. Big hit. Brave kids.

Learning new games and dances from the French. No idea what it is, but they love it.

Blue skies!

Singing before cleaning- to the Beatles, “Let it be” we sing “Let me clean”… toilets.

Working
Reflection
Today we mark the beginning of Lent by embracing the important truths of Ash Wednesday. We are mortal, with only so much time in this life. We are each unique children of God, gifted in different ways. Each of us is called to use those gifts for the good of all and to spread love. Many of our choices get in the way, creating barriers within ourselves, between us and our neighbors and between us and God.

At Taize we learn the importance of reconciliation in our lives.

Bible Study and Work

Today we have our first group Eucharist. As we give thanks to God for all that we have been given, we will commit ourselves to reconciliation and return, to discovering our truest selves, and to sharing that good news with others.
Yesterday, because of the rain and the large number of young people (700+), our afternoon work was canceled in favor of a scavenger hunt. 6 clues, 3 languages, and a lot of Bible translation led the kids and their new friends on adventures across the Community. Friendships were made in record time, facilitated by the stealth snowball attacks. The boys joined in a rugby game with the group from Toulouse. Everyone is sore today, but very happy.

Safely, and happily, in Taize.
Bible Introduction – day one Taize. Brother Liandro from Argentina.

Lined up for breakfast.

Snow? Snow. Everywhere.

Comfortable seating on the TGV. The NY definition of small bags is not equal to the French. Not even close.

Getting ready to tour the Tower. Terrific Yeoman Warder as a guide – expert in medieval defensive architecture/humorous anecdotes.

Working the Underground like pros.

Buckingham Palace – the last stop before dinner near Trafalgar Square.

Horse Guards Palace and Parade Ground-rushing to see things before nightfall.

Off to Hogwarts

London Day One
Great First day in London. Despite the lack of sleep on the plane, we managed to see and/or tour Westminster Abbey; Parliament and Big Ben; Church House; St. Matthew’s, Cowley Fathers, and Tufton Street; Lambeth Palace; The London Eye; Covent Garden; and Belgo Centraal for a great dinner. Definitely need some sleep before the Tower of London and other sites tomorrow.

Parishioner Debbie Cook went for a walk yesterday afternoon in the snow and took some pictures to share. See if you can find Christ Church in the photo! Thanks Debbie!

Church Notes Week of February 7th, 2010

The Outreach Committee is requesting donations of infant formula and children’s clothing to be delivered directly to Haiti by a group from the Society of Haitian Professionals through St. John’s Catholic Church, Stamford, CT. We have placed a box for this collection in the narthex of the church.
The group will travel to Haiti on February 12, and each have been allowed by the airline to check two large duffle bags of materials for orphaned children. They each have family members who survived the earthquake as well as family members who were lost. Please donate liquid infant formula due to the extreme shortage of water for powdered formula. Medical supplies and lightweight (summer) clothing for infants and children will be much appreciated.

Fessenden House – Join us every Sunday in February in the CCB kitchen after the 10:00AM service to cook a meal for the men of Fessenden House. For more information please contact PG Costa pg@piercosta.net.

Global Perspectives: Customs and Traditions of Luos of Kenya
Sunday, February 7th, 14th and 21st at 11:15 AM in the Crispell Lounge
Did you know that Africa is the fastest growing part of the Anglican Communion?
Come join our very own Ambassador Bob Jalang’o in a series of three lectures about the customs and traditions of the Luos of Kenya. The Ambassador will focus especially on effects of modernization, religion and traditions being at a crossroads.
Discover the origins, history and rich cultures of the famous Luo tribe of Kenya, (ethnic group of President Obama’s father) living around the shores of Lake Victoria of western Kenya. We will discuss the prominent role the community played in Kenya’s independence and the Luos’ integral part in government and higher learning.
Ambassador Jalang’o will give insight on the rich cultures and traditions of the Luos; challenges facing rural people and will conclude with the effects of modernization on their customs.

Tuesday, February 9th
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday, February 9th
The feast before the fast will be one week earlier this year because of the public school vacation schedule. Please join us in Taylor Hall anytime between 5:30 and 7:30PM for pancakes, sausages etc. The cost is: $6 for anyone over 12, $3 for those 12 and under. We look forward to spending Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) with you.

Adult Christian Formation Offerings in Lent
Introduction to Centering Prayer

February 23, March 2, March 9 and March 16

This Lent we are pleased to offer a special group that will engage in the study and practice of Centering Prayer, a silent way of listening to God through meditation.
Join the Rev. Amy Lamborn and Hondi Brasco, Director of the Center for Spiritual Life, on four successive Tuesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00 PM:
Each week we will spend about 20 minutes discussing short readings from Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation, by Martin Laird. We will then engage in about 20 minutes of silent prayer as a group, and we will conclude by sharing reflections that arise out of the prayer experience.
Please register in advance for this group, no later than February 11, by emailing Amy Lamborn at alamborn@ccbny.org. Copies of the book may be purchased through amazon.com (or another vendor of your choice). All meetings will be held in the Chapel of the Guardian Angels.
Please read the introduction and first chapter before our first meeting. Here is the link on Amazon.com.
Tracey Minich shared some photos of the Primary Choir from Sunday’s Service




Organ Dedication, Sunday, January 31st, 2010
Photos by Ken Richardson

Church Notes Week of Sunday, January 31st, 2010

This Sunday: Special Musical Homily on The King of Instruments – an introduction to our new pipe organ.

This Sunday is also a Youth Sunday, so there is no church school. Children are encouraged to attend church with their parents. There will be nursery care as usual.

Organ Dedication – This Sunday at 5:00PM, Organ prelude at 4:30 PM
Please join us for a Festive Evensong and Dedication of the new pipe organ. Bishop Sisk will join us for this lively and momentous occasion as we set aside the pipe organ for God’s purpose and celebrate much of the work accomplished through our capital campaign. Wonderful music will be the focus of this service (which will be less than an hour). A reception will follow in the Undercroft.

Outreach

Please bring a can of FRUIT with you to the service on Jan. 31 and if you want, join the Outreach Activity after the 10AM service. Our food packing and delivery was so successful on Outreach Sunday, we’ve decided to do it again. Please join us in the Undercroft after the 10AM service today to pack and deliver groceries for the food bank.

Back Pack Project
Back packs are needed for the homeless and will be distributed through our Midnight Run group. Back Packs are necessary to carry items, like soap, toothbrushes, chap stick, socks, books, band aids, packaged food, water, and tissues. Our Outreach Committee is asking for your help to raise money for back packs to the homeless. We are asking for a small donation of $17.00. Please check @ the front of the church (Taylor Hall this weekend) for the information sheet and drop a check in the box or to the office for $17.00 to Christ Church. Please note: mark on the check “Back Pack Project”. Thank you, your support means a lot.

Fessenden House – join us every Sunday in February in the CCB kitchen after the 10:00AM service to cook a meal for the men of Fessenden House. For more information please contact PG Costa pg@piercosta.net.

Haiti Relief- The Outreach Committee is requesting donations of infant formula and children’s clothing to be delivered directly Haiti by a group from the Society of Haitian Professionals through St. John’s Catholic Church, Stamford, CT. We will place a box for this collection in the vestibule of the church on the next two Sundays. The group will travel to Haiti February 12, and each have been allowed by the airline to check two large duffle bags of materials for orphaned children. They each have family members who survived the earthquake as well as family members who were lost. Please donate liquid infant formula due to the extreme shortage of water for powdered formula. Medical supplies and lightweight (summer) clothing for infants and children will be much appreciated.

Global Perspectives: Customs and Traditions of Luos of Kenya

Sunday, February 7th, 14th and 21st at 11:15 AM in the Crispell Lounge
Did you know that Africa is the fastest growing part of the Anglican Communion?
Come join our very own Ambassador Bob Jalang’o in a series of three lectures about the customs and traditions of the Luos of Kenya. The Ambassador will focus especially on effects of modernization, religion and traditions being at a crossroads.
Discover the origins, history and rich cultures of the famous Luo tribe of Kenya, (ethnic group of President Obama’s father) living around the shores of Lake Victoria of western Kenya. We will discuss the prominent role the community played in Kenya’s independence and the Luos’ integral part in government and higher learning.
Ambassador Jalang’o will give insight on the rich cultures and traditions of the Luos; challenges facing rural people and will conclude with the effects of modernization on their customs.

Exercise Class
Are you looking for a GREAT exercise class? – Try Gregg’s Core Class!
Gregg Cook has agreed to come up from the City to teach his Core Class!!
Tuesdays at 12:30 in the Crispell Lounge, $30 a class
Please email or call Laura Villani lrlrvillani@gmail.com if you are interested or talk to other parishioners for more information – Tammy Cushman, Shelby Goodrum, Sarah Kraemer

Sunday, January 24th

Organ Scholar Jessica French will be playing a recital at St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City this evening. The recital will begin at 5:15 PM following the 4:00 PM Choral Evensong. All are welcome to attend.

Sunday, January 31st at 5:00PM, Organ prelude at 4:30 PM
Please join us for a Festive Evensong and Dedication of the new pipe organ. Bishop Sisk will join us for this lively and momentous occasion as we set aside the pipe organ for God’s purpose and celebrate much of the work accomplished through our capital campaign. Wonderful music will be the focus of this service (which will be less than an hour). A reception will follow in the Undercroft.
Friday, January 29th
Midnight Run Friday, January 29th Volunteers and donations are needed. In particular sneakers and any type of
cold weather shoes. We gather at 7:45PM in the kitchen. For more information please contact PG & Carol Costa at pg@piercosta.net or Krista Dias at kdias@ccbny.org.
Back Pack Project
Back packs are needed for the homeless and will be distributed through our Midnight Run group. Back Packs are necessary to carry items, like soap, toothbrushes, chapstick, socks, books, band aids, packaged food, water, and tissues.
Our Outreach Committee is asking for your help to raise money for back packs to the homeless. We are asking for a small donation of $17.00. Please check @ the front of the church (Taylor Hall this weekend) for the information sheet and drop a check in the box or to the office for $17.00 to Christ Church. Please note: mark on the check “Back Pack Project”. Thank you, your support means a lot.
Sunday, January 31st Outreach Efforts
Each month in 2010, we will be highlight one of our outreach partners and asking people to consider participating in an additional outreach activity with that group. This month, our focus in on the United Interfaith Food Bank in Scarsdale, an interfaith food bank that collects, organizes and distributes food to various food banks around Westchester County, including the ones at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church’s food pantry and the Bronx Jewish Community Center (both distribute the food to the needy and shut-ins), as well as the Thorpe House Family Residence (transitional housing for formerly homeless mothers and their small children).

Our food packing and delivery was so successful on Outreach Sunday, we’ve decided to do it again. Please join us in the Undercroft after the 10AM service on January 31st to pack and deliver groceries for the food bank.

Please bring a can of FRUIT with you to the service on Jan. 31, or participate in the distribution effort. We need people to help with the packing and 3 people willing to drive the food bank food to the organizations that will distribute it. If you can drive, please contact Erin Ryan-Pazienza by January 29th.

Haiti Devastated by Earthquake

In response to the tremendous devastation in Haiti due to the earthquake on January 12, CCB Global Mission urges you to help relief efforts by making a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development. Click on their logo below to find out how.

Article in Bronxville Bulletin
Christ Church Debuts Pipe Organ at Christmas Eve Service

Week of Sunday, January, 10th, 2010
This Sunday we resume are regular worship services Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00AM and 5:00PM. Wednesday 7:00AM.

Join The Rev. Amy Lamborn for Part III of the Short Series Chora: Mary as “Container of the Uncontainable,” Sunday January 10th in the Crispell Lounge, following the 10:00 AM Eucharist.

Sunday, January 10th, 2010
Join The Rev. Amy Lamborn for Part III of the Short Series Chora: Mary as “Container of the Uncontainable,” Sunday January 10th in the Crispell Lounge, following the 10:00 AM Eucharist.

Christmas Eve
The new pipe organ was premiered

The Crèche Service

Midnight Mass

For more Christmas Eve photos click here.

CCB Weather Alert! Christmas Party Cancelled on Sunday, Dec. 20th at 11:00 AM

Advent Sunday Shorts Series Schedule Change

Due to the overwhelming interest and participation in the Advent Sunday Shorts Series on Chora: Mary as “Container of the Uncontainable,” we have decided reschedule the last session from December 20 to Sunday, January 10th (Crispell Lounge, following the 10 AM Eucharist).

CCB Global Mission presents a Christ Church Gathering
“An Evening in Africa: Christ Church Relief Efforts in Malawi and Beyond”
This Tuesday, December 15th Dinner 6:00 PM, Presentations 6:30 to 7:30
featuring His Excellency Robert Jalang’o former Ambassador to Malawi from the Republic of Kenya
Dr. Etta Eskridge – Global Aids Interfaith Alliance Ken Richardson – Executive Director, CCB Global Mission
Ethiopian dinner prepared by “Queen of Sheba” restaurant with dining customs explained by parishioner Jim Lee
(also Italian food for the slightly less adventurous) Children are welcome, and will learn African dancing and
drumming from renowned musician Kambi Gathesha.

Advent Lessons and Carols a huge success! Click here for more pictures from Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 6th at 5:00 PM

Church Notes Week of Sunday, December 6th 2009
Sunday, December 6th
Advent Sunday Short Series
Using the ancient notion of chora (from the Greek, meaning space, receptacle, womb, region), we will consider the image of Mary, Mother of God, as the “container of the uncontainable.” And we will explore some of the implications of this image for our lives, both individually and in community (wholeness, justice, making peace, etc.) Together, we will live more fully into this season of holy expectation as we prepare—along with Mary—to contain, anew, the uncontainable coming of Christ into our lives.
Plan to join us for our special Advent study series, each immediately following the 10 AM Eucharist in the Crispell Lounge.
December 6: Chora: Then and Now
December 13: Chora: Biblical and Theological Perspectives
December 20: Chora: Mary as “Container of the Uncontainable”

This Sunday evening – Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 6 at 5:00PM
Brass Prelude begins at 4:45pm
Join us for this wonderful Christ Church tradition of readings, anthems and hymns.
A reception will follow in Taylor Hall

Taizé Fundraiser: Buy A Reusable Bag!
During the February vacation, 23 of Christ Church’s teenagers will travel to the Taizé Monastery in France for a week. There they will meet hundreds of other teens from around the world, deepen their relationship with God, and learn about themselves. To help offset the cost of the trip and to encourage them to take ownership of the experience, the teens are selling reusable bags from Mixedbag Designs. The bags are beautifully designed and come in many sizes. They are perfect for visits to the grocery store and also work beautifully as Christmas gift bags. The teens will be selling bags after church in December during coffee hour. You can also order bags through any of the “traveling” teens. For more information contact Krista Dias at kdias@ccbny.org.

Tuesday, December 15th
Christ Church Gathering – Partnerships in Africa – December 15th at 6PM
Okay, so it’s in Taylor Hall, but there will be lots of pictures. Join us at 6:00 PM on Tuesday December 15 for a CCG (Christ Church Gathering). Learn how to eat Ethiopian food (Italian food will also be served for the less adventurous) and hear and see about Christ Church’s involvement in ongoing relief efforts in Malawi. Presenters include parishioner His Excellency Robert Jalang’o (former Ambassador to Malawi for the Republic of Kenya), Dr. Etta Eskridge of GAIA (Global Aids Interfaith Alliance), and head of Global Mission Ken Richardson. Africa-related entertainment for children will be provided, and we promise the evening will conclude by 7:30 PM. Zikomo Kwambiri! Remember – December 15th at 6pm in Taylor Hall!

Midnight run December 18th

Volunteers and donations needed.We’ll meet in the kitchen at 7:45 PM as usual.
For more informations contact PG Costa at pg@piercosta.net or Krista Dias at kdias@ccbny.org

Christmas at Christ Church Bronxville

Thursday December 24, 2009

4:00 P.M. The Family Christmas Crèche Mass
Favorite Hymns and our Children’s Choirs
plus a 30 minute organ prelude
of variations on French Noels

10:30 P.M. The Christmas Prelude
John Rutter Jesus Child
Once in Royal David’s City
Quem pastores & Joseph est Bein Mari
Organ Solo of Louis-Claude Daquin’s Noel X

11:00 P.M. Solemn Midnight Mass
George Malcolm
Missa ad Praesepe (Mass at the Crib)
David Willcocks arrangements of
O Come, All Ye Faithful and
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
William Mathias A Babe is Born

Friday December 25, 2009

9:00 A.M. Christmas Mass
The Hymns of Christmas

Christmas Flowers and Music
Flowers and music are an essential part of the Christmas and Advent seasons at Christ Church. During the season of Advent we will be collecting donations to help offset their cost. Envelopes are available in the narthex for your contribution. Please indicate if your gift is in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for a particular blessing and they will be listed in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bulletins. The deadline for donations to the church office is Monday, December 21st.

Taizé Fundraiser: Buy A Reusable Bag!

During the February vacation, 23 of Christ Church’s teenagers will travel to the Taizé Monastery in France for a week. There they will meet hundreds of other teens from around the world, deepen their relationship with God, and learn about themselves. To help offset the cost of the trip and to encourage them to take ownership of the experience, the teens are selling reusable bags from Mixedbag Designs. The bags are beau- tifully designed and come in many sizes. They
are perfect for visits to the grocery store and also work beautifully as Christmas gift bags.
The teens will be selling bags after church in December during coffee hour. You can also order bags through any of the “traveling” teens. For more information contact Krista Dias at kdias@ccbny.org.

Advent Calendar

Outreach Sunday
Adults, 8th Grade and EYC

Thursday, November 26th

The Annual Bronxville Thanksgiving Service will be held at The Village Lutheran Church at 10:00AM Thursday, November 26th

Sunday, November 29th

This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent
For the Church, it is the beginning of a new year.  It is that time when we turn in the expectation of our Lord’s coming – his coming again to bring us to the heavenly kingdom, and his arrival as a babe in Bethlehem.

Sunday, December 6th

Next Sunday – Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 6 at 5:00PM
Brass Prelude begins at 4:45pm
Join us for this wonderful Christ Church tradition of readings, anthems and hymns.
A reception will follow in the Undercroft

Next Sunday – at 10AM is both a Youth Sunday and a Healing Service
Because we have not been in the church, or had full use of the church for most of the fall, we have had neither a Youth Sunday nor a healing service during this program year.  On Youth Sundays the children lead the singing and the worship in wonderful and meaningful ways.  In a Healing Service we offer the historic sacrament of unction (laying on of hands and anointing with oil for healing) in the Lady Chapel following communion.  This is an opportunity to receive focused prayer for the restoration of mind, body and spirit so that we might continue to live into our call to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.  It is a brief time of peace and connection that reminds us of God’s love and care for us.

Christmas Crèche
If your child in Grade 4, 5, or 6 would like to have a speaking role or be a narrator in our Christmas Eve Crèche service please contact Deborah Ross or Barbara Potgieter. All children are eligible to be angels and shepherds – it is not necessary to contact us yet concerning those roles.

Sunday, November 22nd

OUTREACH SUNDAY  - All activities begin directly after a shortened 10am service of Morning Prayer!

Plus – as a bonus – there will be a sneak preview of the new pipe organ during the 10am service.

The Church Office will be closed Thursday and Friday November 26th and 27th for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Yonkers Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Monday, November 23rd at 7:00PM – Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church (Corner of Elm and Walnut).
This service is organized by leaders of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish Faith Communities and is sponsored by the Yonkers Council of Churches. A reception will follow. Please bring donations of canned goods.
The Annual Bronxville Thanksgiving Service will be held at The Village Lutheran Church at 10:00AM Thursday, November 26th.
Advent Lessons and Carols: Sunday December 6th at 5:00PM.
Brass prelude at 4:45PM.

The Church Office will be closed Thursday and Friday November 26th and 27th for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Yonkers Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Monday, November 23rd at 7:00PM – Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church (Corner of Elm and Walnut).

This service is organized by leaders of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish Faith Communities and is sponsored by the Yonkers Council of Churches. A reception will follow. Please bring donations of canned goods.

The Annual Bronxville Thanksgiving Service will be held at The Village Lutheran Church at 10:00AM Thursday, November 26th.

Advent Lessons and Carols: Sunday December 6th at 5:00PM.

Brass prelude at 4:45PM.

The Altar Window

The window over the altar memorializes Margaret Brown, who died in 1907 at the age of 15 at the Hotel Gramatan across the street from the church. The window was given by her father, W. Harry Brown, in gratitude for the kindness of the rector, the Rev. Albert Wilson, who visited the young woman often. It was made for the original Christ Church by the English firm of Heaton, Butler and Bayne and enlarged by them in 1926 to fit its present setting.

The subject of the window is Christ blessing the children. The red-robed figure of Christ, standing on a slight elevation, dominates the window. On his right arm he holds a baby; his left hand rests in blessing on the head of a child. In each of the three lancets, mothers and children look lovingly toward Jesus. Above, heavenly musicians playing medieval instruments praise God.

Sunday, November 15
We are fully back in the church!! The side aisles and the Lady Chapel have been returned for our use. Finally, we have room for everyone!!! Now is a great time to get back in the habit of coming to church. Get ready for Outreach Sunday. Begin preparing you heart, your mind and your spirit for the joyous adventures of Advent and Christmas.

Next Sunday is Outreach Sunday and Advent Wreath Making!
Both events will take place on Sunday, November 22nd after a brief 10:00AM service (Morning Prayer) in the Church.

There is work available for people of any age and skill set. Join the happy throng as Christ Church gets to work.

Because we are rolling up our sleeves together there will be no Church School. There will be childcare for babies.

Collections for Outreach Sunday may be placed in the Narthex – there are labeled bins there. Thank you!

New and Gently Used Coats and Blankets – As winter approaches, we will be collecting blankets and coats (men’s, women’s and children’s) to help our area’s poor and homeless stay warm. Blankets and men’s coats will be distributed through Midnight Run. Women’s and Children’s coats will be divided between Iglesia San Andres and The Sharing Community to be distributed to people in Yonkers. (The coats going to San Andres will be delivered on Outreach Sunday).

Book Drive – This year, in lieu of a Christmas Toy Drive, we will be collecting children’s books (Age 0 -10) to distribute to local programs including Thorpe House. (The books going to Thorpe House will be delivered on Outreach Sunday).

Canned Fruit – We will be collecting canned fruit for the Interfaith Food Bank in Scarsdale, which will in turn be distributed to various food banks and people around Westchester County. (The fruit, along with other items, will be sorted and delivered on Outreach Sunday)

Yonkers Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Monday, November 23rd at 7:00PM – Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church ( Corner of Elm and Walnut). Lead by leaders of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish Faith Communities. Reception to follow. Please bring canned goods. Sponsored by the Yonkers Council of Churches. For more information, please call Father John Hamilton. (914) 512.8156.

Onsite Projects

Decorate Stockings for Men at Fessenden House- Fessenden House is a live-in recovery program for addicts. As Christmas approaches, the parish will be gathering small items for Fessenden House’s residents. On Outreach Sunday we will decorate stockings that will be used to deliver the gifts.

Decorate Stockings for Residents of The Wartburg Nursing Home- We will be making and decorating felt stockings for some of the residents of the Wartburg in Mount Vernon.
Decorate Cards to Send Along with Stockings Going to Fessenden House and The Wartburg- Decorate a card to accompany the stockings going to Fessenden House and the Wartburg.
Quilting for Thorpe House-We will rip squares used to make quilts for the residents of Thorpe House. If you have any left over 100% cotton fabrics that you might wish to donate, feel free to bring them along as well!
Decorate Advent Wreaths-Decorate an Advent Wreath for your family (details to follow separately) or for the organizations we are working with on Outreach Sunday (Fessenden House, Thorpe House, San Andres, Wartburg).
Sorting and Delivering Food and Coats-The coats and canned fruit we collect as a parish will need to be sorted and organized before it can be delivered. For example, we will need to separate the men’s coats from the women’s and children’s coats. In addition to the canned fruit we collect, the Interfaith Food Bank will supply us with additional food that needs to be sorted so that it can be distributed throughout the community. (The coats going to San Andres and the food going to the food bank will be delivered on Outreach Sunday. See below for details.)
Off-Site Projects
Off-Site Work Projects- (and ones that start on-site and move off-site): Please sign up for all these projects in advance if possible.
Fix and Deliver Lunch for Men at Fessenden House – We will be fixing and delivering lunch for the men at Fessenden House.
Delivering the Items We Have Sorted – The coats going to San Andres, and the food going to the food bank, will be delivered on Outreach Sunday. The delivery will take place as soon as the sorting has been completed. If possible, please sign up in advance if you would like to help with the delivery.
Bronx Lake Clean Up with Vine Cutting– Help clean up Bronxville Lake and assist with vine cutting, litter removal from the edge of the lake and the cleaning out of the surronding wooded areas. There will be a group of people that meet at the church and go to a nearby location to help in this effort. No experience or tools necessary, but plan on wearing long pants and long sleeves, and bring a pair of work gloves if you don’t want those being handed out and rubber boots (mid calf length) if you have them. Trash bags and loppers will also be handed out. Will meet at the waterfall which is about 100 yards north of the entrance of the Bronx River Reservation on Pondfield Road West. Will try and have a map which pin points what needs to be done and where. This activity is not suitable for small children.
Collections
New and Gently Used Coats and Blankets – As winter approaches, we will be collecting blankets and coats (men’s, women’s and children’s) to help keep our area’s poor and homeless stay warm. Blankets and men’s coats will be distributed through Midnight Run. Women’s and Children’s coats will be divided between Iglesia San Andres and The Sharing Community to be distributed to people in Yonkers. (The coats going to San Andres will be delivered on Outreach Sunday. See below for details.)
Book Drive – This year, in lieu of a Christmas Toy Drive, we will be collecting children’s books (Age 0 -10) to distribute to local programs including Thorpe House. (The books going to Thorpe House will be delivered on Outreach Sunday. See below for details.)
Canned Fruit – We will be collecting canned fruit for the Interfaith Food Bank in Scarsdale, which will in turn be distributed to various food banks and people around Westchester County. (The fruit, along with other items, will be sorted and delivered on Outreach Sunday. See below for details.)
On-Site Construction Projects
Clean Up and Renovate CCB Apartments-We will be doing a special construction project to begin renovations to the CCB apartments that were formerly occupied by WARC. (We did the clean up last year). No experience or tools necessary. This activity is not suitable for small children.

Confirmation Class in New York City
The Seventh and Eighth Grades worked on their leadership and community skills as they participated in a scavenger hunt across the city. The theme: “Hope and Transition”.

The Resurrection Window

The Resurrection Window in the sourth aisle of the nave of Christ Church is next to the last window in a series relating the story of Jesus from the foretelling of his birth to his ascension.

An angel announces to Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, that ” He is not here, he is risen.” Kneeling in the foreground is the Virgin Mary, identified by her symbol, the mystic rose. Although she is not mentioned in the Gospel as being present at this scene, many paintings and stained glass windows depict her there.

In the panel above the glowing angel, the Risen Christ stands surrounded by symbols of his resurrection. The lower panels picture three appearances of Christ after the Resurrection.

The Resurrection Window was made in England by the firm of James Powell & Sons. Note the figure of the White Friar, a trademark of the firm of James Powell, in the lower left.

-Photo by Ken Richardson

Sunday, November 8th, 2009
This Sunday all services will take place in the Church
We will return to the high altar this week with the choir leading worship from the front stalls (called the quire or choir).

The Lady Chapel will be returned to use next week.
A temporary digital organ is in use in the church until Christmas Eve when our new pipe organ will be voiced and ready for performance. Voicing begins on Tuesday.
Church School Announcement
Because we are back in the church, and not in Taylor Hall, it will take longer for parents to get from the classrooms into church before the service begins.
So please do everything you can to have the kids in their classrooms by 9:50 AM. That way we can start the service on time and the kids will get their full lesson. Thank you for helping!
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
Mark your calendar for Outreach Sunday and Advent Wreath Making:
Both events will take place on Sunday, November 22nd after a brief 10:00AM service (Morning Prayer) in the Church. More information can be found in the November issue of the Spire and the Outreach Sunday Brochure available in the Narthex.
Collections for Outreach Sunday may be placed in the Narthex – there are labeled bins there. Thank you!

New and Gently Used Coats and Blankets – As winter approaches, we will be collecting blankets and coats (men’s, women’s and children’s) to help our area’s poor and homeless stay warm. Blankets and men’s coats will be distributed through Midnight Run. Women’s and Children’s coats will be divided between Iglesia San Andres and The Sharing Community to be distributed to people in Yonkers. (The coats going to San Andres will be delivered on Outreach Sunday).

Book Drive – This year, in lieu of a Christmas Toy Drive, we will be collecting children’s books (Age 0 -10) to distribute to local programs including Thorpe House. (The books going to Thorpe House will be delivered on Outreach Sunday).

Canned Fruit – We will be collecting canned fruit for the Interfaith Food Bank in Scarsdale, which will in turn be distributed to various food banks and people around Westchester County. (The fruit, along with other items, will be sorted and delivered on Outreach Sunday).
The November Spire
Highlights from The Spire
Outreach Sunday-Sunday, November 22nd 2009-All the details, and then some.
Advent Wreath Making-Sunday, November 22nd 2009
Church School in November-See what the kids are learning this month.
The New Sunday Short Series-Begins Sunday, December 6th-Chora: Mary “Container of the Uncontainable”
Organ Update-Yes, it’s in. Now the voicing begins.
Advent Lessons and Carols-Mark your calendars!
Click here for the online November edition of The Spire or go to this url:

http://www.ccbny.org/newsletter/spirenov09newsletterlayout.pdf

Church Notes-Week of Sunday, November 1st , 2009

Sunday, November 1st
This Sunday all services will take place in the Church
We will worship in the church at the freestanding altar this week, and then the high altar next week. The Lady Chapel should also be returned to use next week.
We are using a temporary digital organ in the church until Christmas Eve when our new pipe organ will be voiced and ready for performance.
Church School Announcement
Because we are back in the church, and not in Taylor Hall, it will take longer for parents to get from the classrooms into church before the service begins.
So please do everything you can to have the kids in their classrooms by 9:50 AM. That way we can start the service on time and the kids will get their full lesson. Thank you for helping.

This Sunday is the last installment of our Fall “Sunday Shorts” Series on the Trinity
This week’s topic: Contemporary Trinitarian Perspective.
Please meet in the Crispell Lounge at 11:15AM, following the 10:00AM liturgy.
Mother Lamborn’s next “Sunday Shorts” series will being on November 29th.

Sunday, November 22nd
Mark your calendar for Outreach Sunday and Advent Wreath Making:
Both events will take place on Sunday, November 22nd after a brief 10:00AM service in the Church.
More information will be forthcoming.

We have begun our annual Stewardship Campaign at Christ Church Bronxville.

Please follow this link to the online Stewardship Materials.

This link will take you to the Online Pledge Form.

(For any problems or questions with these links please contact acapeci@ccbny.org)

The Revelation Windows

The Revelation Windows on the upper north wall consist of nine lancets arranged in groups of three, which celebrate the role of art, music and literature as sources of God’s revelation in the world.

Shared from The Rev. Amy Bentley Lamborn, Ph.D.
“Trinitarian faith. . .appropriately culminates not in doctrinal definitions, but in doxology, praise, and adoration.”
–David Migliore, Faith Seeking Understanding

Church Notes Week of Sunday, October 25th , 2009

Please remember that all services this week will be in Taylor Hall.

This Sunday we continue our Fall “Sunday Shorts” Series on The Trinity
Sunday, October 25: The Renewal of Trinitarian Theology
Sunday, November 1: Contemporary Trinitarian Perspectives
Each session will take place in the Crispell Lounge at 11:15, following the 10:00 AM liturgy.

Fessenden House Needs a New Dishwasher
The Fessenden House dishwasher is beyond repair. The health of the house residents is such that proper sterilization of the utensils and dishes is absolutely critical. Simple hand washing does not provide that.

We have placed a board with donation envelopes in the entry way. Please return the
envelopes to the collection plate or the church office in the next few weeks.
Checks should be made to Christ Church with Fessenden House indicated in the memo line. Thank you for your generosity!

Friday, October 30th
Trick or Treat with Midnight Run on October 30th (costume optional )
On Friday, October 30th volunteers and donations are needed for a Midnight Run. If you would like to donate, we are particularly in need of blankets and sneakers. We will meet in the kitchen at 7:45 PM. For more information contact PG Costa at pg@piercosta.net or Krista Dias at Kdias@ccbny.org.

Procession of the Pipes
On Sunday Oct 18, the congregation of Christ Church Bronxville gatherered in their church to celebrate the “Procession of the Pipes,” a service to honor the arrival and installation of their new organ. The Rev. Michael Bird, seen atop the scaffolding, said a prayer for the workers and the work being done.

Parishioners enter the chancel of Christ Church Bronxville as the church celebrated the “Procession of the Pipes.” Each congregant carried a pipe for the new organ, currently being installed in the church. The new organ will have its debut at services on Christmas Eve, December 24.

Scaffolding and protective canvas on the floor of Christ Church Bronxville are clearly visible as the parishioners celebrated the “Procession of the Pipes.” Led by a bagpiper, each of the congregants carried a pipe for their new organ around the outside of the church, ending inside the church itself where the organ is being installed. From the scaffold, Father Michael Bird blessed the workers and the work being done. The pipe organ will debut at Christmas Eve services.

A Time Lapse Video of Christ Church Bronxville’s Organ Installation

Blessing of the Animals-Sunday, October 4th, 2009

The Hogan family looks on as Father Michael Bird blesses their dog, one of the many pets brought to Christ Church Bronxville in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis.

The Rev. Jennifer Brown of Christ Church Bronxville says a prayer for Krista Dias’s cat Professor McGonagall as part of CCB’s traditional Blessing of the Animals.

The Potgieter’s are joined by the Rev. Amy Lamborn for the Blessing of the Animals at Christ Church Bronxville’s traditional Feast of St. Francis.

Pets weren’t the only animals welcomed at Christ Church Bronxville’s traditional Feast of St. Francis. A teddy bear also receives a blessing from Father Michael Bird.

On Tuesday, October 6th Christ Church Bronxville will receive a very special shipment – a new pipe organ! The instrument has been under construction for the last two years in Canada at the Casavant Frères factory.

At 8:00am, an 18-wheeler will arrive at the church’s front door and a crew will unload 3,729 pipes, dozens of windchests and bellows, and a console containing four keyboards for the hands and one more for the feet. The pipes will range in size from a few inches to over 32 feet. By the end of the day on Tuesday, the entire church floor will be full of pipes and other parts.

This new pipe organ is just one of the projects within the scope of Christ Church’s “A Sure Foundation” Capital Campaign, which was designed to secure the church’s ability to care for others through music and many other programs.

The actual installation of the organ will take about 10 weeks, as the parts are hoisted up to the pipe chambers. The church will hear the organ for the first time on Christmas Eve. An official dedication of the new instrument has been planned for Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 5pm with The Right Reverend Mark Sisk, Bishop of New York, presiding.

Domestic Mission Trip 2009


Taizé 2009
Krista Miller and Father Bird led members of the Episcopal Youth Community on their annual pilgrimage to the Taizé monastery, February 14th- 22nd. Taizé is a monastery for all Christians, focused on peace and reconciliation, that draws tens of thousands of youth between the ages of 14 and 30 each year. It is a place where teenagers from around the world gather to spend time in prayer and silence, build friendships and learn about other cultures.