Week of August 28

This Week at Christ the Redeemer:
The summer is quickly waning (though the temperatures may belie that) and the fall is fast approaching. Here are some things to know this week about what’s happening within Christ the Redeemer:
First, our ‘Back-to-School’ Kick-off Event for our Sunday School takes place this Sunday, August 28th.  The children will be sing a song as part of the worship and will enjoy a ‘Back-to-School’ Breakfast during Sunday School time. We will have a chance to bless them and their teachers as they begin another year of growth and learning.
Second, our ‘Annual Beach Trip’ with the ODU Chinese Student Association takes place on Saturday, September 3.  If you are looking for a fun way to connect with some newly arrived students then this is for you. Please contact David Snouffer for further information (da.snouffer@verizon.net)
Third, Bishop Steve and Sally Breedlove will be with us the weekend of October 7-9. If you or your child wish to be baptized on that Sunday, please speak to me as soon as possible. If you would like to consider being confirmed that Sunday, I encourage you to attend a brief meeting after worship on Sunday, September 11.
Fourth, we will offer our ‘Exploring Membership at Christ the Redeemer’ in October this year (Three Saturday mornings, October 1, 15, and 29).  If you are interested in exploring deepening your connection with this community, I encourage you to participate in the sessions (speak to me personally, or contact me –Brian@ChristtheRedeemer.org). If you wish to hear more about the course, I invite you to a brief meeting after worship on Sunday, September 18.
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.
Brian+

Week of August 21

Hey Folks,
Here are some of the things you need to know about as we head into late August:
First, Our ministry of hospitality for International Students (specifically ODU’s Chinese students and visiting scholars) has another opportunity available to us. Here is a note from David Snouffer:
On September 3rd, the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, we will join the Chinese Association for a trip to the Virginia Beach oceanfront, primarily for the newly arrived students but for other Chinese students and scholars as well.  We will meet near campus, and the event will last from about 10 till 3. (Please contact David for more information–da.snouffer@verizon.net).
Second, A word from Jennifer:  Sunday, August 28th will be our kick-off for the 2016-17 school year.  The kids will be singing during the service, and they will receive a blessing from Fr. Brian to start off the new school year.  We will also have our annual “Back-to-School” breakfast during the regular Sunday School time.  We ask that everyone pray for our school aged children as they head back to class.
Third, “Exploring Membership at Christ the Redeemer”. If you are new to our community and are feeling the nudge of the Spirit to become ‘one-with-us’, then I encourage you to participate in our New Members’ class that will take place in October. Please speak to me personally, or email me (revbriancampbell@gmail.com).
Fourth, “Considering Confirmation”.  Bishop Steve Breedlove (and his wife Sally) will be with us the weekend of October 7-9. The highlight of the weekend will be our worship on Sunday which will include baptisms and confirmations. If you have become a member of Christ the Redeemer and would like to consider becoming ‘confirmed’ in the Anglican tradition, then please come to an exploratory conversation after worship on Sunday, September 11.
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

Week of August 14

Dear Friends,
Janis and I had a great, restful vacation, but now are glad to be back and eager to see what God has in store for all of us this fall.
Here are some of the things you need to know this week:
The Leadership Council meets tonight for its regular meeting. Can I ask that you take some time today to pray for our gathering, and specifically for our continuing (and hopefully deepening) relationship with Knox?
Intercessory Prayer: For the last number of years a small group has met on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 to noon to pray for the needs of the church. I am convinced that all that we do in and around Christ the Redeemer needs to be undergirded by prayer. If you have a heart to pray and the time on Wednesdays, please join with us in this important work.
Bill Harper’s Funeral takes place on Saturday, August 13th beginning at 11:00 a.m. here at the church. Please remember to hold up the Harper family as they mourn the loss of the ‘patriarch’ of the clan. Please join us in celebrating Bill’s life on Saturday.
Finally, on Sunday afternoon (August 14) there will be a special gathering at Park Place Methodist Church (35th and Colonial), “Hope Talks: A Church-led Community Discussion on Racial Unity and Injustice”. The event begins at 5:00 and will end by 6:30 pm. I commend this gathering to you, and ask that if you cannot be present that you be in prayer for those who are. May God be honored in all we say and do.
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.
Peace be with us all.

Week of August 7

Dear Friends,
Here are a few things going on this week at Christ the Redeemer:
  • This coming Sunday, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Mark Cartledge as our celebrant and preacher. Mark is a professor of Practical Theology at Regent’s Divinity School, as well as a priest of the Church of England. Mark worships at Church of the Messiah in Chesapeake, and has become a dear friend and colleague (he even graciously became the ‘outside reader’ for my dissertation this past winter). He is a gifted preacher and teacher and a true man of God. Please welcome him in the name of Christ.
  • We will have a memorial service for Bill Harper next Saturday, August 13, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. here at CtR, with interment in Birmingham, Alabama.  We ask for prayers for Bruce, Ann, and the Harper family during this time.  In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that contributions be made to a project that captured Bill’s interest:  building classrooms for school children in Rwanda.  Contributions can be sent to: Mbyo Project, c/o Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, P.O. Box 9632, Norfolk, VA 23505.  The full obituary can be found online at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries.
  • If you pledged monthly for the Mbyo School House Project, please see Georgia after the service to pick up your pledge envelopes.  For those who are still thinking about, we are still taking pledges.  We are thankful for all the pledges so far!  Over $11,500 in pledges, with $7,060 already collected!  We need to make it to $17,000 to build the additional classrooms in Mbyo, so if God has put it in your heart to give to this project, please fill out a pledge card today.
  • We are in need of Hospitality volunteers.  If you are looking for a way to serve, this is a great place to start!  The sign-up sheet is in the fellowship hall at the end of the long counter against the wall.
Peace for the coming week.