Week of July 1, 2018

Dear Friends,
I returned from Jerusalem last Saturday and continue to reflect on (and recover from) the trip.
The ten day tour was incredible. We were blessed to have as our guide the Rector of Christ Church, Jerusalem–The Rev. Dr. David Peleggi, a man steeped in the geography, history, culture and languages of the Holy Land–all of which impact our understanding of Scripture and theology.  I trust that the blessing of the tour will be reflected in my subsequent teaching and preaching. A remarkable and blessed time.
Then it was onto GAFCON (the Global Anglican Future Conference), where nearly 2000 Anglicans from over 50 countries gathered to worship, pray, study, and network together on the theme, “Proclaiming Christ Faithfully to the Nations’.  Gafcon is a renewal movement within our communion representing the vast majority of Anglicans throughout the world. It has a deep love of our church and of the Gospel and is -in my opinion- a means of grace in the hands of God for our communion at this crucial moment in history. I commend to you the ‘Statement’ that was crafted by the conference, which you can see by clicking here. Praise God for the gathering and pray for the leadership (and especially the nine new networks formed at the conference) as we seek God’s direction for the future.
We turn now towards the summer (Can you believe Sunday is July 1!). I ask your prayers for David Watts, our new Assistant to the Rector, as he prepares to take on his responsibilities by August 1. David will be in town next week to seek appropriate housing.Ppray that we will lead him well in this search.
If you (and your family) are preparing for some vacation time, I wish you well. Remember this, the christian life consists of a rhythm of worship-work-and-rest. When the constraints of ‘work’ are lessened, we have the opportunity to deepen our roots in ‘worship’ and ‘rest’. Plan now to build into your vacation some time to be still in God’s presence.
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

Week of June 24, 2018

This Week at Christ the Redeemer
Just a few things to be aware of:
Janis and Brian return from Israel at the end of this week. We look forward to hearing about their adventures and an update on the GAFCON conference, which ends today.
New/Updated Name Badges – Wearing our name badges is a good way for us to get to know each other’s names and welcome visitors and new comers. If you do not have a name badge, or have lost track of yours, Anne Reed Harper has reviewed the name badges in the hallway stand and made new ones for anyone who did not have one in the alphabetized baskets. The new name badges and different types of holders (pin-on, clip-on and over-the-head) will be on a table in the Fellowship Hall after worship this Sunday. So, please check the table, choose which style of holder you like and start letting people know who you are! Just drop your name badge in the hallway baskets as you leave each week and it will be ready for you to wear the following week.
Tides Baseball Game – Steven Dickens is organizing a congregational outing to a Norfolk Tides baseball game Sunday, July 15th starting at 4:00 p.m. An Evite was sent last week, but there is also a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall for anyone who has not or cannot sign up via the Evite. Tickets are $10.50 for anyone age two and over. Under twos are free. Checks may be made out to CtR, with “Norfolk Tides” in the “for” line.
New Assistant to the Rector – With joy and gladness, we prepare to welcome Rev. David Watts as the new CtR Assistant to the Rector! He will be moving to Tidewater in the next few months and will begin his work with us August 1st. Many of you may have met David when he was here over the weekend of Pentecost. He is currently a deacon with the ACNA in Boston, ordained within the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces. Pray for David as he transitions here, and give thanks for the directing and blessing of God in and through this exciting new step for Christ the Redeemer.
Office Hours June 21 – 29 – Please note: Amy will be out of the office from today until next Friday, June 29th.
Have a blessed week!

Week of Sunday, June 17, 2018

This Week at Christ the Redeemer
Here are a few things to note for this week:
First, some “housekeeping”
  • As many of you know, Father Brian and Janis are in Israel, attending the GAFCON conference. In their absence, Brother Tim Luken is handling any pastoral concerns which may arise, as well as celebrating and preaching this Sunday.
  • The CtR office will be open next week Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Amy will be gone from June 21 through the following week.
Second
We rejoice with Jay and Emelie Thomas on the birth of their son, David Jameson Thomas! Please pray for them as they settle into their new routine with a newborn and a toddler and consider helping them by providing a meal over the first few weeks via TakeThemAMeal.
Third
The men of Christ the Redeemer will meet at the home of Steven Dickens (3215 Omohundro Avenue, in Norfolk) this Tuesday, June 19th from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. to discuss the Gospel reading from the Daily Office (Matthew 17:22-27) and question #298 from the ACNA catechism and will close with Compline prayer. Contact Zach Kuenzli with questions. All men are more than welcome.
Fourth
Steven Dickens is organizing a church-wide outing to the Norfolk Tides Baseball game on Sunday, July 15 at 4:00 p.m. He has reserved a block of seats for everyone to sit together. The cost is $10.50 for anyone age 2 and older. Under 2s are free. An Evite was sent this week, so please let Steven know if you would like to attend and how many tickets you will need. Checks may be made out to “CtR” with “Norfolk Tides” in the “for” line.
Fifth
If you would like to follow the GAFCON conference (June 17 – 21, 2018), here are a few ways to do that:
     The conference is being live-streamed at the GAFCON website, and you can find a useful prayer guide on their site, as well.
Other content can be accessed via the following:
  • Twitter: @Gafconference @the_ACNA #Gafcon2018;
  • Sign in to Facebook and @Gafconference @TheAnglicanChurch
  • Through the ACNA website
  • You can also sign up for email updates through GAFCON.
Have a great week!

Week of June 10, 2018

This Week at Christ the Redeemer
Janis and I leave for D.C. today and for Israel tomorrow (thus the need to get this update out on Wednesday rather than Thursday). We begin our trip with a tour of the Holy Land led by one of the bishops of ACNA, and then end the trip with the GAFCON conference. (I am one of the delegates from our diocese attending this event.) Please pray for all who are travelling to Israel and especially for those attending the conference, that God would be powerfully present and active for the sake of His church.
GAFCON have published a pdf prayer guide: GAFCON Fuel For Prayer guide. As a reminder, you can also follow the conference through these channels:
Twitter: @Gafconference @the_ACNA #Gafcon2018;
Facebook: @Gafconference @TheAnglicanChurch;
ACNA: www.anglicanchurch.net/index.php/main/Gafcon_Jerusalem/
The GAFCON website: Gafcon.org. You can also sign up for email updates through the GAFCON website.
Here are some of the (other) things you need to be aware of this week:
First, some Pastoral news:
  • Lytton Musselman received a great report yesterday during his follow-up appointment. The tumor that was removed showed no malignancy and he was given permission to return to life as normal (though he is still bothered by some double vision that is being addressed). Praise God with the Musselman’s and continue to ask for full restoration for Lytton.
  • Bill Richter is scheduled for surgery on Friday to remove a chip near his spinal cord. Please keep Bill and Linda in your prayers as they prepare for the surgery (and the recovery time).
  • Emilie Thomas is eagerly awaiting the birth of “David.” Please pray that she begins labor naturally this week, and look forward to meeting our newest member in the weeks ahead.
Second, some Graduate news:
We have had several students graduate from high school or university this last month. Please join me in congratulating them (and their families) on this milestone event in their lives and pray for God’s continued blessing in whatever is next for each of them):
Caleb Brown – graduated from high school and Plans to attend TCC in the Autumn.
Max Johnson –  graduated from Norfolk Christian and plans to attend James Madison University in the Autumn.
Ali Sherrill – graduated from Norfolk Christian (as Valedictorian) and plans to attend the University of South Carolina in the Autumn.
Will Spivey – graduated from Norfolk Academy and plans to attend the University of Georgia in the Autumn.
Charlie Spivey – graduated from the University of Virginia this Spring.
Third, this Sunday is Youth Sunday at CtR:
Jennifer Brown and all the children would like to thank those who serve in the children’s ministry. As their way of saying thanks, they will be serving us. The following children will be serving Sunday:
Ushers: Sammie Inman, Ruby Shellock, Hannah Sherrill and Johnny Maas
Readers: Caleb and Micah Gyorfi, Miloh Embry and Eva Brown
Offertory Music: Ethan Inman
Prayers of the People: Jasper Embry
Fourth, some news on our search:
It is with great pleasure that I announce that the Rev. David Watts has accepted our offer to become the Assistant to the Rector. Many of you may have met David when he was here over the weekend of Pentecost. He is a deacon within the ACNA ordained within the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces, as well as a current member of one of our sister churches in the diocese, Church of the Cross in Boston, Mass. David plans on relocating to Norfolk this summer and expects to begin his ministry among and with us on August 1, 2018. Please pray for David in this transition time, and remember to give thanks for the directing and blessing of God in and through the process.​