Chatham, Massachusetts

Storm no match for hardy, eager parishioners

     After all the planning, all the meetings, all the delays, there was no way a little old blizzard was going thwart the opening of the new Sanctuary.
     And it didn’t.
     Despite 60-mph gusts, 20 inches of snow and power outages across the Cape, 175 hardy souls – 175! – took on the elements Dec. 20 to celebrate the first service in our new, wonderful, better-than-ever St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.
    It was a remarkable sight on a remarkable day.

John Bendas makes his way up the snowy walk before the first service in the new Sanctuary. A blizzard the night before covered Chatham in 20 inches of snow.

Bishop Barbara C. Harris consecrates the new Sanctuary's altar. Rector Brian W. McGurk stands at the right of the bishop, to assist her. Other clergy present for the blessing are, from left, Rev. Prince Wreh, Assistant Rector Gail Smith, Rev. Ellen McKinley, Rev. Harold Shaffer and Rev. Homer McCue. In the opening of her sermon, the bishop praised the "beautiful, new, resurrected" space.

At the close of the service, Brian and Senior Warden Carolyn Otis called forward Building Committee chair Bruce Wood, members of the Building Committee, and architect Dan Barton, to honor them for their hard work. Also honored was Dick Carroll, who passed away days before the opening service.

After the service parishioners gathered in the Parish Hall for the annual Holiday Brunch, thanks to the efforts of Bob Hessler, Pat Cass, and legions of volunteers.

To see more pictures from our big day, visit the
 Photo Gallery.

Abby Ericson,right, talks with Bishop Shaw at the Youth Rally

Diocese's Convention highlights

225th anniversary; Bishop Shaw

     Dr. David C. Garre, former senior warden and long-time member of St. Christopher’s, was unanimously elected to the position of lay member of the Cathedral Chapter, at the annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
      The convention was held at Trinity Church Boston on Nov. 6-7. Representatives from St. Christopher’s included Rector Brian W. McGurk, Assistant Rector Gail S. Smith, Senior Warden Carolyn Otis, Junior Warden Tim Weller, and interim delegate Lynn Van Dine.
      The convention helped celebrate the diocese’s 225^th anniversary, but members also paid tribute to The Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE, bishop of the diocese, for his 15 years of service in that post.
      Abby Erickson, youth diocesan leader from St. Christopher’s, and Ilene Bendas, director of children, youth and families, also attended Saturday’s celebration of youth and teens under a big tent in front of the church.
      Delegates found time to conduct serious business, passing two resolutions with little debate. The first urges Bishop Shaw to interpret publicly a “generous pastoral response” to a resolution passed at last summer’s General Convention, which says that “clergy throughout the Diocese are permitted to sign marriage licenses and pronounce marriages for any couple that is legally eligible for marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
      Delegates also passed a resolution affirming the actions of the General Convention on slavery and reconciliation. The resolution, in part, calls for bishops and the Diocesan Council to appoint a task force to assist parishes in “the history-gathering process” (of slavery) and “assist parishes in dialogue and truth-telling about that history….”
     The convention also discussed three new mission strategies for the diocese:
     -  Creating “vital and viable congregations.”
     -   Focusing on “urban, ethnic and multicultural ministries.”
     -  And focusing on “children, youth and young adults.”

Soundings

Bishop Harris visits St. Christopher's!

Just as if you were sitting with the congregation! Visit our Sermons page to hear podcasts of the latest theological talks given during 10 a.m. worship services or to listen in on special events.

Welcome to St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church! We are delighted that you are visiting our parish website. Whether you are a member of our community or simply “passing through,” we cordially invite you to avail yourselves of our various programs and ministries.

In this website you will find a schedule of our worship services and programs. We would be pleased to have you join our parish family. For we strive to be just that — a family, working together, sharing our various skills and talents to serve the true head of our household – our Lord, Jesus Christ!

The Rev. Brian W. McGurk,
Rector, St. Christopher's Episcopal Church

St. Christopher's Mission

We welcome all persons to the warmth and beauty of the Anglican tradition.
 We spread the love and grace of God in Christ.
We reach out to serve our communities as a compassionate neighbor.