The Weekly E-news of Christ Episcopal Church, Binghamton, New York
|
|
Committed to Service + Formed by the Faith + Centered on Worship
|
|
|
|
From the Rector's Desk
|
This Sunday we will have a special opportunity for EVERYONE to roll up their sleeves and participate in God's ministry through Christ Church. You are invited to arrive at Church a little earlier (9:00 a.m.) and help in one of the following tasks that support our outreach. We will be upstairs in the Great Hall.
|
|
Portioning Laundry Detergent and Dish Soap
|
Both of these tasks announce the imminence of God's reign. In the adage of "give a man to fish, feed him for a day; teach man to fish, feed him for a lifetime," we often overlook the fishing pole by which the man fishes. The laundry detergent and dish soap are the fishing poles by which an individuals can "fish" for their own hygiene. It comes back to our Baptismal Covenant, whereby we commit to God to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." By providing each person with the tools for cleanliness, we are promoting their dignity: we are upholding our promises to God.
|
As for the Naloxone kits, I see this in the baptismal vow of "seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourself." It would be easy to condemn the drug addict, and say "they reap what they sow." And truthfully, a lot of people do that -- just read comments on Facebook. However, we hold a different truth: this person bears the image of God, and thus is worthy of love, grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
|
Last Sunday, a man came running up to the Church, asking if we had Narcan -- there was another man on Court Street who was currently overdosing. I was able to quickly hand him a Naloxone pouch from one of our boxes outside, and he ran off. He administered it, and saved the man's life. This is the epitome of loving our neighbor as ourselves. So if you come on Sunday to help assemble the kit, you would have participated in saving someone's life.
|
This is Gospel work - announcing that the kingdom of God has indeed come near. I hope to see you at 9:00 this Sunday.
|
P.S. Please nominate Christ Church for the 2026 Best of Binghamton Community Awards. We are looking to defend our 2025 Title - and so we need everyone's help.
|
- Visit: https://pressconnects.gannettcontests.com/2026-Binghamton-Communitys-Choice-Awards/gallery/?group=556387
- Scroll down to "Place of Worship."
- Type in "Christ Church", fill in the requisite information, and click "submit."
|
You can do this EVERY DAY between now and August 24. The more nominations we receive, the more likely we are to move onto the next round.
|
|
|
Sharing a little good news...
|
This past week Fr. Scott was interviewed by WBNG about the NYS Comptroller's report on homelessness in Binghamton. You can read the article (and see the report) here.
|
Also, we kicked off our Great Food Pantry Experiment this week. As of noon on Thursday (when this is being written), we have served 36 individuals with a total of 233 pounds of food. Each of these individuals are "new" to us -- that is, not a regular CHOW pantry client. The majority live within the City of Binghamton, with a few coming from Vestal and Endicott.
|
I am so grateful for the folks who have volunteered their time to make this project happen this week - Shirley Simeck, Susan MacLennan, Joanne Stats, Daniel Crocker, Diane Button, and Susan Hiza. And the best part is two of our volunteers were from outside of Christ Church! Also, I would be amiss to not thank our Parish Administrator, Chris Gill for "moving" her office into the hallway so she could help with this project, too.
|
|
|
Announcements
|
|
Name Tag Board - Last week I mentioned the new name tag board and that pictures that used to occupy that space are being relocated to the Library and Archives. In the space that two of the pictures used to hang in the narthex, I wanted to share the infographic that preserves these images (along with a bit of history) that will be hung in its place.
|
|
|
You can check it out on Sunday in person, or Zoom into this picture to see it. A special thanks to Sue Sarzynski and the Parish History Committee for their amazing curation of our historical artifacts. The original images we have are treasurers, and I am so grateful for their continued work in telling the story of our community.
|
Confirmation Classes - Bishop DeDe's next episcopal visitation will be on Sunday, November 1, and will include Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation. If you are new to Christ Church or are in high school, we will hold Confirmation Classes beginning Sunday, September 13 and running through October 25. They will follow our worship service in the Chapel. Those being Confirmed will need to attend all six sessions, plus the rehearsal.
|
What is Confirmation? Confirmation is the mature profession of faith before the Bishop, and a public commitment to the ethos of The Episcopal Church as described in the Baptismal Covenant. Individuals eligible to be confirmed are those who were either baptized as infants in the Episcopal Church, or were baptized in a Christian denomination outside of the Episcopal Church (either as an infant or adult).
|
What is Reception? Reception is for those who were Baptized and Confirmed in one of the recognized apostolic churches:
|
- the Orthodox Church
- the Roman Catholic Church
- the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- the Old Catholic Church
- the Philippine Independent Church
- the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar
- the Moravian Church in America
What is Reaffirmation? Reaffirmation are for those who have already been Confirmed or Received in The Episcopal Church who would like to recommit themselves to their baptismal vocation.
|
If you would like to be Confirmed, Received, or Reaffirm your Baptismal Vows, please let Fr. Scott know.
|
August's Second Sunday of Service - On Sunday, August 9, we will have two extra projects for our Second Sunday of Service. We will be making Naloxone bags to be placed in our Naloxone boxes around campus. Additionally, we will be repackaging laundry detergent and dish soap to be given our with our Neighborhood Basics Hygiene Project.
|
Katie’s Closet - This ministry is flourishing with an increasing amount of both patrons and donations!! As a result, we find we are in need of more volunteer staff. It is an extremely fulfilling opportunity for anyone who enjoys giving back to the community. It is entirely possible to volunteer for as little as an hour a month. Please prayerfully consider joining us in our very much needed mission. Diane Button - the volunteer coordinator - can be contacted at katiescloset@christchurchbinghamton.org.
|
|
  
|
|
|
|
From the Bishop's Office
|
|
Diocesan Lay Preaching Program
|
The Lay Preaching Program is now accepting applications for the 2026–2028 program years. Licensed lay preachers serve in a supply capacity for congregations throughout the diocese. Taught by the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Drebert and the Very Rev. Dr. Scott Parnell, this rigorous two-year formational program meets four times per year at St. James' Episcopal Church in Skaneateles. The curriculum includes biblical studies and exegesis, Episcopal/Anglican polity, theology, and homiletical structure. Additionally, participants are paired with a personal preaching mentor and deliver four sermons annually in a congregational setting. Those interested in applying for the upcoming cohort should email Canon David Stickley at dstickley@cnyepiscopal.org for more information. The application deadline is August 9.
|
|
Announcement Regarding the New Diocesan Center
|
|
Christ Church (Binghamton) on the Diocesan Blog
|
|
|
|
|
The Week Ahead
|
5:30 - 6:00 p.m. - Girl Scouts
|
|
10:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II
|
|
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Great Food Pantry Experiment
|
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Rosary
|
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Great Food Pantry Experiment
|
|
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Great Food Pantry Experiment
|
|
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Great Food Pantry Experiment
|
5:30-6:30 p.m. Girl Scoutns
|
10:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
|
|
|
|
|
Prayer and Worship
|
|
In the week ahead, please pray for comfort and healing for: Angel, Bobbie, Dave, David, Diane, Don, Ellen, Holly, Jeanne, Jennifer, Lilly, Linda, Lynne, Margaret, Marguerite, Marion, Mark, Mike, Phil, Rick, Sadie, Scott, Steven, Ticia, Tom, Theo, and Victoria.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|