Dear People of Christ Church,
Whenever I’m back from vacation I always start out this message by saying that it’s nice to be back, but that has a different resonance now that I feel more solidly back, knowing that my family won’t be moving to Central New York! I’m excited for Dio CNY and for Rev. DeDe, who will be consecrated as their bishop in December. I’m also really, really looking so forward to our new year. There are great things happening at Christ Church:

+ Our new combined outreach space will launch both Diaper Depot and Grandma’s Pantry into a cozier, brighter, and bigger space. These ministries are crucial to what God is doing at Christ Church. Victoria Sundgren has led Diaper Depot so ably and steadily for the last several years and will hand over the reins to Erin (and Chloe!) Jensen. Sally Lobo, Christ Churcher since birth, continues to lead Grandma’s Pantry with unparalleled dedication to this church and the city of Waltham. If you see them, say thank you—better yet, consider volunteering. Grandma’s Pantry is on Fridays from 9-11am, and diapers are distributed the third Saturday of the month from 10-12. To help prepare for distribution by packaging diapers, you can help out on your schedule.

+ Our children’s education is thriving, with exciting new curricula for our grades 4-5 and 6-8 classes. Grades 4-5 will cover the big stories, like the flood and Exodus, with more complex reasoning than GP storytelling is conducive to, and grades 6-8 focus on big questions like “Why does the Bible contradict itself” and “Can it be proven that God exists?” Special congratulations to last year’s big class of third graders who move out of Godly Play and will begin learning in new ways. It’s also exciting times for our rising ninth graders, Chloe Jensen, Alicia Duce, and Jennifer Coates. High school formation will pick up where last year’s middle school work left off with small group conversation and participant-focused instruction.

+In other formation news, please let me know if you would be interested in an “Intro to the Episcopal Church” class that would run after church on Sundays from September 11-October 9. This is for anyone who would like preparation for reception or confirmation as an Episcopalian or who just wants to learn more about our liturgy, history, and theology. It would be similar to the class that just concluded in June. Confirmation comes right up on October 15, held at Redeemer Lexington. Hopefully Christ Church will have a decent-sized group this year!

+ Our now year-long Stations of the Cross project is coming to a close. The remaining broken Stations are out for restoration thanks to several generous donors, and we look forward to getting them back for hanging this fall.

+On September 4, Labor Day Weekend, we’ll bless all the books and bags and laptops and smartphones we use to make our work go as part of the children’s sermon.
In my wider work in the church, I continue to serve as dean for the Alewife Deanery (our local cluster of 13 Episcopal Churches) and on the Commission on Ministry. I’m excited to see how our partnership with Chaplains on the Way will unfold, and glad for our continued conversation with St Peter’s as they discern their place in our wider diocese under our new bishop’s staff.

Finally, I’m excited because I got a dog! When we were camping a sweet furry friend wandered into our site in the Jefferson National Forest two weeks ago. After ten days in his “stray hold” waiting to see if anyone came forward to claim him, North, (named for North Creek, where he turned up) will occasionally make his way into the office here on Main St. He looks like a cross between a black lab and a terrier and, of course, I think he’s the sweetest thing ever.

Blessings,
Sara+