As directed by the Diocese of Maryland, Christ Episcopal Church will suspend all upcoming public worship services, including this Sunday. This is due to the developing, global health concern. This affects all services through March 27th, and is subject to change thereafter. As this is quite recent news, we are working towards updating our Parish Calendar, as well as revising our Lenten schedule and programs. We will provide more details and options in the coming days, so be sure to regularly check our website and social media pages for those updates. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the Church Office. That contact information is at the top and bottom of each page on our website. You can read the Diocese of Maryland's complete statement here.

I am sure you may have heard it said before: “A broken crayon can still write.” The point of this adage is that the functionality of the crayon - its ability to still be a useful instrument to do the very thing for which it was manufactured or, to use another language, its life giving capability in spite of it’s brokenness - is very much assured. Over the past several weeks, the scourge of COVID-19 has entirely consumed the life of the world, and of our own lives here. The progressive heightening of this worldwide issue is frightening, to say the least - the entire country of Italy, for example, is on lockdown. The stock markets have experienced a crazy swing. Sporting and other entertainment events have been postponed or cancelled, or teams have had to play in empty stadiums. Airlines have had to fly empty in order to keep their slots (I didn’t even know that there was something like "slots" for airlines, and that they could lose theirs to another airline. Incredible!!). I've read that all out-of-state Howard County Public School System activities have been cancelled until further notice. The point is, there’s nothing comforting about all that we’re hearing on TV, reading on the internet, or studying in the newspaper. The Burial Office of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer has these words “In The Midst Of Life, There’s Death.” This is an acknowledgment of the brokenness of the world in which we live. And the present fight with COVID-19 not only brings our brokenness to light, but it makes it even sharper. As broken as we acknowledge the world to be, the brokenness doesn’t mean the world shouldn’t function; it should, for the least it can offer is the healing and mending necessary to bring about the wholeness we all crave for. As broken as this crayon is, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any life in it. There’s life in it because it can still write. Likewise, as broken as we are, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any more life in us. Of course there’s life in us. There’s life in the world. There’s life around us. That is why I am all for the fight towards eradicating or mitigating the effect of COVID-19 among us. This would mean, first, listening to health experts such as the World Health Organization, the CDC and the Maryland Department of Health who have put out detailed information about how we can contribute towards keeping others safe as well as ourselves. If you click on the links located here and here, you will be able to learn more about how you can help fight COVID-19. Second, the Bishop of Maryland - who is our ecclesial head - has put out detailed information regarding worship on Sundays and other gatherings. I have been working with our Wardens on the best possible ways of addressing this issue, and one of the innovative options is to try and livestream our worship. This Sunday, we will livestream the 10:30 a.m. worship at Christ Church, and work towards doing the same for future Sundays. All you have to do is to visit the Christ Church Facebook page or website at that time to join us in worship. More details are elsewhere in this email. Additionally, I invite you to read an abridged version of Bishop Sutton’s statement, and also read also the proactive steps we are taking to ensure that we maintain our common life and still ensure the safety and health of all parishioners. Here is the statement: "Please remember that The Episcopal Church is largely a Eucharistically-centered Christian community. To deny the Holy Eucharist to people on a regular basis in worship would present a serious theological challenge to a sacramentally formed community. Thus, I encourage the regular celebration of the holy communion, remembering that receiving the Eucharist in one kind (just the bread) makes a full communion. I am placing a ban distribution of wine for the next few months, until further notice. If circumstances allow, I anticipate lifting the ban on Pentecost Day. Banning the use of wine and the cup until then will get us through Easter, a time where we want to be most welcoming to visitors and ensure that all feel as safe as possible in worship. At the Eucharist, the priest shall consecrate both kinds (the bread and the wine): Wine: In keeping with tradition, and at their discretion, priests and attending clergy alone may consume the consecrated wine on behalf of the congregation. Bread: Use of wafers only -- no baked bread at this time. Paten bearers must be sure to wash their hands and take care not to have their fingers touch the outstretched hand of the communicant. Blessings: Worshipers may come forward to receive a blessing rather than receive communion. Blessings are to be offered visually, but with no touching of the head. A word about coffee hour receptions before and after worship: as a Lenten discipline, I call on all congregations to “fast” from serving food at church receptions at this time... This congregational fast will greatly decrease the chances of transferring an illness. For this reason, there would not be any breakfast for children, nor would there be any snacks or drinks for coffee hour. In summary, the aim for churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is to regularly celebrate “no-touch" or "low-touch” Eucharists. The principle of eliminating hand-to-hand contact, and significantly limiting hand-to-object contact, applies to the clergy, altar guild, ushers, acolytes, oblation bearers, offering basket handlers, and all who are expected to hand something to worshipers as part of the service. I direct each congregation to review all its practices with this principle in mind." In light of this, please find below some of the new practices that we have put in place at Christ Church, effective immediately: Pass the Peace with eye contact, a bow, and a word – no touching. During the offertory, we invite parishioners to joyfully come forward and place their offerings in the offering plate at the altar. Adult Forum and Sunday Bible Study have been cancelled until further notice. Healing Ministry during Eucharist will not be offered. We will not be sending our Lay Eucharistic Visitors until further notice. We are cancelling coffee hour for this Sunday, and will make a determination on a week-by-week basis. Details for each will be in future Gatherings emails. Breakfast for children has been cancelled until further notice. Our Wednesday Evening Lenten Program will continue, but will be limited to coffee, tea and other beverages. The program will now begin at 7:30 p.m. Our hope is that you will have dinner before you arrive. There’s no doubt that the past several weeks has been terribly difficult for many of us. The sudden changes that we have to make has been telling. We cannot begin to fathom all of the loss. For one good reason we are crayons - broken ones, if you ask me. The good news, however, is we do have the capacity to turn your words and actions, and mine, into something beautiful - into life. So, I wouldn’t lose hope. If Lent has taught me anything of great value, it is the reality that I am, like the rest of you and our world, a broken piece of crayon, but we still have the potential to bring order and grace into our most chaotic life. ~Manny

At one age It seems as if life is going Firmly in a certain direction And you head that way Chugging along at full speed But then Things change Sharply And after a time set adrift In a place that's unfamiliar And completely unknown From where you thought From where you planned on being Stunned, wondering what happened Some people in this place Break down completely Pining away for the life They feel is due to them They feel should be theirs Some people though Go through a period Of introspection And experience A type of reinvention Where they pick themselves up And rebuild their lives With what they've been given With what they have in-hand And are surprised to see They are now in a better place Than they would have been Before the life-altering change ~Eric Nixon

“Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg.” ~attributed to Maya Angelou I received this quote on a slip of paper at a church retreat in North Carolina many years ago, and I still keep it at my office desk. It prompts me when I'm "just not feeling it". Anyone can agree to do something, but follow-through is the important thing. A concrete example of follow-through is found in many sports: from golf to bowling, soccer, and even darts. If you are trying to send that ball or projectile to a target area and you "choke" on the follow-through, you simply won't make it. That is also true in other areas of our lives. We may hear ourselves telling friends, "Let's get together for lunch," or "Call me sometime." Do we do the same with God? With our church family? "I really should set aside some quite time for devotions..." "I forgot to bring some canned goods for the basket today. Maybe next week…" "There's a volunteer opportunity. I should check my calendar…" All good intentions, but how often do we follow through? And we're much more capable of doing so than that hard-boiled egg.

“It matters that we understand it a right; and it matters that we nurture it in our lives every day, and to honor it in the lives of others. But above all, it matters in the realm of faith and obedience to God. As believers, courage means more than bravery on the physical battlefield, but constitutes a willingness to do what is right and pleasing to God even when no one else will; to bear witness to your faith, no matter the cost.” ~Sermon delivered by Chaplain Carey Cash at the US Naval Academy, 19 May, 2013 You can read Chaplain Carey’s entire sermon by visiting www.usna.edu and place “Courage Matters” in the main page’s search bar.

This Wednesday, March 11th, the Spiritual Life Commission invites everyone to the second gathering in our 2020 Lenten Supper Series, an evening of food, fellowship, and reflection. Each week, we host a clergy member as a presenter who gives their perspective on our theme for this year - “Arise, for the task is yours... take courage and do it.” Our presenter this week is Reverend Kirk Kubicek. The evening's program begins with a potluck meal from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., is followed by the clergy presentation, and then concludes with an informal Eucharist. Many thanks to the members of the Christ Church Choir for providing this week's menu. Our gathering is hosted in the lower level of New Brick, and we hope that you’ll join us every week during Lent for this exceptional discussion series.

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you; Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight; Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten; Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

Give me a kind heart that will endure, One that’s strong and secure. To help someone along the way, May this be my goal every day. Let me lend a helping hand, To someone whose life has not gone as planned, Reaching out to one in need, May this be my daily good deed, To provide a guiding light To someone lost in the dark of night. Let me take time to care For someone experiencing despair. Whatever I do, everywhere I go, Your Will, dear Lord, let me know. ~Eve Kiley

Today is the Second Sunday in Lent. Readings for today: Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-17 The Collect of the Day: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

On weekdays during the season of Lent, we post daily meditations on our website, and on Saturdays we include a piece of music, as well. These songs are meant to uplift, comfort, and inspire. We hope that you enjoy. ON EAGLE'S WINGS You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in His shadow for life, Say to the Lord, "My Refuge, My Rock in Whom I trust." And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. The snare of the fowler will never capture you, And famine will bring you no fear; Under His Wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield. And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. You need not fear the terror of the night, Nor the arrow that flies by day, Though thousands fall about you, Near you it shall not come. And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. For to His angels He's given a command, To guard you in all of your ways, Upon their hands they will bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. And hold you in the palm of His Hand. ~devotional Hymn composed by Michael Joncas

Among the people I follow on Twitter is an Anglican priest in Canada who goes by RevDaniel. He recently shared a story from his church that seems a good example of living out our theme for this year: So a young guy with flaming red hair, nail polish, tattoos all over his face and dressed in pajama bottoms walked into the middle of our 8 a.m. service. He stayed for coffee hour and asked to stay for the 10 a.m. service too. He shouted “Amen” and wept throughout the service. When it was time for the renewal of baptismal vows, I asked him to help me with the asperges (he carried the water, which I sprinkled on the congregation). He stayed for the second coffee hour and chatted up a number of parishioners. He’s staying in a cube van, which he prefers to shelters. He doesn’t like to stay put in one place long. James and I went and bought him a sleeping bag, warm socks, and a warmer hat and gloves. The thing I’m so proud of is how the congregation welcomed him without making him feel like a “project.” Parishioners who, a year ago, would have shifted uncomfortably in their pews helped him follow the service, and simply patted his arm supportively when he wept. They introduced themselves at coffee hour and introduced him to others. I was so proud of the woman who visibly steeled herself against her fear, walked over, shook hands, and asked if she could get him cake. She said, “Tell me about these tattoos. What do they all mean?” He pulled out his phone and asked if he could play her his favorite rap song. She patiently listened, smiling, and when he went to leave, he asked if he could give her a hug. Without hesitating, she hugged him and gave him a kiss on his forehead. As she left, she said, “I invited him home for dinner with us, but he said no.” Then she slipped some money into my hand and said, “Make sure he eats, and get him some decent gloves.” “Thank you for what you’ve done for him” I said. She paused and said “Funny thing is, I feel like he’s given more to me. Is that strange?” “No, I said. “That’s Gospel.”