Dear family and friends of Christ Church,

I recently returned home after spending eight days leading a “Bishops Summit”. We gathered bishops from across our church and asked them to spend time together in prayer, study and conversation discerning how best to support, encourage and empower parish leadership. The program was about a year in the making; it marks the final, unfinished commitment I made before answering the call to serve here at Christ Church. 

As we neared the end of our eight days, the energy in large group sessions started to waver, particularly during a session held right after lunch. There were important topics to discuss, but the engagement just wasn’t there. We decided to shift things up. We moved the chairs around, creating a small circle in the middle and a large circle around the periphery. This technique, sometimes called a “fishbowl”, invites a small group in the middle to engage in active discussion, while the larger group listens. Participants can flow between the circles but cannot contribute unless they find a seat in the middle.

The entire dynamic changed. Passionate folks were given a platform to voice their thoughts and observations. Others put phones and laptops down and attentively listened – really listened – to the wisdom in the room. We saw bishops literally on the edge of their seats. The feedback resounded that this was one of the most powerful pieces of the summit. “I feel like I never get the chance to hear the uninterrupted thoughts of others”, one bishop remarked. “I need to do more of this”.

February 14, in addition to celebrating St. Valentine, marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Focus often falls on the “giving up” of a favorite food or unhealthy habit. If this is your practice, I’d love to hear about it and prayerfully support you in your Lenten discipline.

For myself, encouraged by my experience in the bishop fishbowl, I want to commit this Lent to an intentional, focused practice of listening. Too often I find myself pressured to say something, uncomfortable when silence enters a conversation or encounter. The extroverted performer kicks in, and before I know it dialogue has become monologue. This often extends into my prayer life, where I can often leave plenty of space for words, but little for the quiet space where God’s voice is regularly heard most clearly.

I am grateful to have spent this time with some of the primary leaders in our church and look forward to incorporating some of that fishbowl experience this Lent. Wherever this holy season finds you, I pray that we will use the gift of Lent to hear God’s invitation to make amends and shape our lives in the image of Christ. I hope you will use the community and resources we offer here at Christ Church to aid you in this important work of self-examination, prayer, and reconciliation.

See you in church!

Blessings and peace,

Chris

Women in Song Concert

Christ Church will host a recital by pianist Andrea Morokutti featuring the work of female composers Nadia Boulanger, Libby Larsen, Alma Mahler, and Florence Price, Sunday, February 4th, 3:00 p.m.

A free will offering will be taken.

Contact Debbie Mello, dmello435@gmail.com with questions.

"Antigone" Screening

A screening of a recent performance of "Antigone" by community theater group the St. James Players will be held in Holley Hall at noon on Sunday, February 4th. All are welcome to stay and watch this presentation.

• CCW Retreat, "When Life Gives You Lemons," facilitated by the Reverend Jenny Streeter, will be held at the Crossroads Camp & Retreat Center, Saturday, March 9th, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Trio Giocoso Concert, featuring our very own Diana Greene along with Nicholas Currie and Adam Gonzalez, Saturday, April 20th, 7:00 p.m.