July~August 2007
The Rev. Richard A. Maxwell, Rector
55 New Park Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106
860 233-0825  www.gracehartford.org

Dear
Friends . . .
By Fr. RICHARD A. MAXWELL
Rector

It’s summer!  Officially!  To quote the novelist Henry James, “Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”

I can still remember my childhood and the seemingly endless stretch of time called summer, in which every day offered the possibility of a new adventure . . . as well as the opportunity to lie under a tree and dream.  Those adventures now provide me with some wonderful memories, but what I miss most are the times spent lying in the grass watching the clouds drift by.  Nowadays I worry sometimes when I notice that our children are as tightly scheduled – year round! – as most of us adults are.  I worry sometimes that our children are missing out on childhood.  It’s important to have time to do nothing
. . . and not just for children.

A very long time ago the philosopher Socrates said, “Beware of the barrenness of a busy life.”  It’s very true that all of our “busy-ness” can leave us empty.  And worse, our frantic schedules leave us not only empty but with no time for the spontaneous and serendipitous event . . . no space for the original and creative idea . . . and finally no room for reflection.  Another way of saying this can be found in the Book of Ecclesiasticus:  “The wisdom of the scribe depends on the opportunity of leisure; only the one who has little business can become wise” (Ecclesiasticus 38:24).  A few months ago, when that verse popped up in the daily Scripture readings I thought, “Oh no!  I’m NEVER gonna be wise!”

I’m determined to find some time this summer to lie in the grass and watch the clouds . . . even if I have to schedule it!  How about you?  My hope for all of us this summer is that we can find time to rest, time to re-create, time to do nothing except dream . . . and maybe have a little adventure.  How wise we’ll be if we empty our lives of some of our “busy-ness”!

Summer afternoon . . . summer afternoon . . . the two most beautiful words in the English language.

Max+

Extraordinary Ordinary Time

By Jocelyn Hannahs

We are now in that part of the Church year known as Ordinary Time.  This is not ordinary as in “usual” or “average,” but in this case, the word ordinary is derived from “ordinal,” which means counted time.  Hence, during Ordinary Time, our Sunday bulletins will read: The First Sunday After Pentecost, The Second Sunday After Pentecost, and so on.  Defined in other terms, Ordinary Time means having no season or falling outside of seasons.

Making up more than half of the Church year, Ordinary Time does not include, and is not part of, the Advent-to-Christmas and Lent-to-Easter seasons.  Instead, Ordinary Time is divided into two sections.  The first period of Ordinary Time falls between Epiphany and Lent.  The second period falls between Pentecost and Advent.

For those who prefer specifics, the first part of Ordinary Time begins on the Monday following the Christmas season (which ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on the Sunday following January 6) and lasts through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of the Lenten season).  Ordinary Time then resumes after the Easter season on the Monday after Pentecost and continues until Evening Prayer on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent.

So, what is Ordinary Time all about in the Church year?  It lacks the excitement and anticipation of Advent and Christmas.  There are no special plans made for the deep soul-searching and spiritual cleansing that we try to do during the Lenten season.  And, there is no time during Ordinary Time for the intensity, passion, and joyous celebration that takes place during Holy Week and Easter.

So, especially during this long second period of Ordinary Time (25 or so weeks), what are we to do besides count the days and weeks as they go by?  What we can do is explore the extraordinariness, diversity, and abundance of the Christian faith as provided during Ordinary Time.  We enter this long season after having been told and retold the story of Christ’s birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.  We also enter this long season waiting for Christ to come again, yet knowing that Christ is here with and in us.

We, and the Church, use this Ordinary Time to reflect and act upon, and grow into the Paschal mystery of Christ’s life and death, this mystery of Christ in us.  It is a generous amount of time for both Church and individual souls to ask:  How does Christ touch me?  What am I called to do in Christ’s name?  What can I do to live as a Christian, a disciple of Christ?  How can my life imitate Christ’s?  What is the legacy Christ left for me and all of us, and how can I be a good steward of that legacy?

The Scripture readings during this period of Ordinary Time provide us with great insight.  Old Testament readings are taken from the books of Kings and the books of the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah, as well as those of the later prophets.  Apocrypha readings are taken from the books of Wisdom and the hagiographic books of Tobias, Judith, and Esther showing Wisdom in action.

In addition to the readings from one of the synoptic Gospels, the New Testament readings at this time of the year are pulled from Timothy, James, and Peter, as well as from Paul’s instructive letters to nascent and struggling Christian communities.  Combined, these readings describe God’s relationship with us as it unfolded then, and as it continues now and into the future.  Ordinary Time Scripture readings arm and prepare us for the present, for living with God here and now.  In that sense, Ordinary Time is about now.

The color used in the Church during Ordinary Time is green, the color of growth and hope.  Ordinary Time is a time for evangelism (spreading the good word); mission (spreading the good works); social justice and social action; and environmental stewardship.  It is a time for seeing and acknowledging the many tongues of Pentecost – the many peoples, customs, languages, and cultures that are formed by and celebrate Christ’s presence.

Here in the northeast corner of the United States, Ordinary Time spans our peak gardening and harvest seasons, vacation and travel seasons, beach and summer reading seasons.  What a wonderful happenstance that in this coordination of these seasons and Ordinary Time we are provided so many opportunities to explore the extraordinariness of Christ’s presence here and now.

So, as we tend our flower and vegetable gardens, we may offer prayers of thanksgiving and seek counsel for good stewardship of our earth.  As we head to the beach for the day, we may take along an inner-city family that doesn’t have the means to enjoy such a luxury.  And we may pack an issue of Weavings (www.weavings.org) to savor while basking in the sun or add to our summer reading lists a work such as Thomas A Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ.

As we travel to our vacation destinations, we may visit new churches to hear a different voice of the Spirit, and to share our own Spirit’s voice.  As we plan our vacations, we may plan time for spiritual refreshment and renewal – be it in short periods of silence, the practice of saying prayers outdoors at sunrise and sunset, or a long weekend stay at a monastery or spiritual retreat center.  We may even plan a “working vacation” by giving our time and energy to building homes in Hartford or Appalachia or Mississippi with Habitat for Humanity, or helping to tend community gardens in places of need.

All the while, and especially as autumn approaches, we may consider our many blessings and how we will harvest and offer these gifts in the coming Church year.  Ordinary Time is anything but “ordinary.”  May we all spend some of this Ordinary Time opening ourselves to the extraordinary, which is Christ.
 

The “Kiss of Peace”

By Kyle Swann

“The peace of the Lord be always with you” is a phrase heard at every Mass according to the usage prescribed in The Book of Common Prayer.  While the response varies from rite to rite, all Eucharistic liturgies include the Peace (except for the Mass of the Pre-Sanctified on Good Friday).

Such was not always the case.  The 1928 version of the Prayer Book has no Peace exchanged during the service called “Holy Communion.”  However, it is found in the American Missal and the Mass in Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book (a close equivalent of the old missal).  The only difference between these “old” forms and our current Prayer Book is its placement in the liturgy.

The “Kiss of Peace” (“pax,” from the Latin “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum”) formerly existed closer to the Fraction.  In fact, the Roman Catholic Church still passes the Peace just before the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) is said or sung.  Our own Prayer Book allows for this option, stating that “the exchange of the Peace may take place at the time of the administration of the Sacrament (before or after the sentence of Invitation).”  Allowance is also made for any appropriate greeting to be made between and among the individuals in the congregation, not restricting them to the words in the Prayer Book.

Other than that, the Prayer Book offers little directive about the pax.  But it stands to reason that the congregation at Grace Church, being steeped in ceremonial action and tradition, would want to be more informed about the Peace.  For starters, it was formerly never given in Masses of requiem, the last three days of Holy Week, or—indeed—outside high Mass.  Nowadays, it is expected that the celebrant will greet the immediate family members at funerals, and there is instruction in the current rubrics that family members and congregants are to be greeted at ordinations, installations, etc.

Who has been to a Mass at another parish (or even at Grace Church) and witnessed the exchange go on for several minutes?  The Peace becomes more than a sign of goodwill and “peace” with one’s neighbor before receiving Communion, but a purely social interchange.  In some parishes, the celebrant will leave the sanctuary and greet virtually every congregant (“the peace . . . which passeth all understanding . . .”!).  Since the Church is, at least, partly a social organization, such can be expected and understood, even if not appreciated.  But it leaves one to ask why the celebrant, after the Blessing and Dismissal, exchanges exactly that same type of greeting to the exiting congregation.

To be “old-school,” one can consult Ritual Notes, a manifesto on all rites and ceremonies of the Church.  Unlike other sources, it provides detailed instructions of the pax.  “He who gives the pax (other than the celebrant, who bows neither before nor after), without bowing, approaches the other who generally advances a step or two and bows; the giver rests his hands on the shoulders of the other who meanwhile places his hands under the elbows of the giver; each inclines his head towards the other, over left shoulders, with a bowing movement. . . .”

Although such a directive is ornate, even comically so, it sheds light on the historical sense of the exchange of Peace.  It was an act, like the rest of the Mass, full of symbolism with an important raison d’être.  Ritual Notes also directs that the “Kiss of Peace” is limited to the ministers, acolytes and choir; celebrant to deacon, deacon then to sub-deacon, sub-deacon to other clergy and choir.  And that is precisely what happens, especially in traditional High Church parishes.  The exchange is minimal, especially compared to what less formal folk do in Low or Broad Churches.

The Peace’s former place in the rite (immediately before Communion) suggests that its reason for being is to give evidence that the communicants are at peace with one another, harboring no ill-will or malice.  Indeed, it is considered blasphemous to receive the Sacrament under any other mindset.  It also can remind us that we are all the same in the eyes of the Lord—rich or poor, sick or well.  To ignore the homeless on the way to pass Peace to the Rockefellers is to deny the exchange’s very reason for being included.  To use it as a proverbial seventh inning stretch of social activity is a duplication of the coffee hour.

The Pax is full of meaning and symbolism.  One can suppose that it is an extension of the second commandment (which is summarized in the Mass “love thy neighbor as thyself”).  It does not have to be intrusive to fellow parishioners’ privacy and space, and there’s no reason why it need overly disrupt the quiet reverence and dignity of Anglo-Catholic worship.

Summary of Parish & Recent Vestry Meeting Minutes

By Elizabeth Chicares
Senior Warden

This is a new column to keep you informed of vestry action and discussions. Copies of complete vestry minutes are also published and made available to you in Nason Hall.  Please contact a vestry member if you have questions.  Vestry members are Sharen Baker, Betsy Chicares, Rob Duncan, Dick Gavitt, Mark Lacedonia, Eunice Lyman, Fr. Maxwell, Elizabeth Miel, Sandra Morgan, Charlie Morse, Bill Pascucci, and Elaine Philips.

April 22, 2007 - Vestry Meeting

·        Developments in the wider Church - The charges brought by the dissident churches against Bishop Smith in ecclesiastical court have been dismissed.  The civil case has been appealed.  One of the dissident churches has made plans to meet with Bishop Smith indicating a move toward reconciliation.  Archbishop Rowan Williams has accepted an invitation from our House of Bishops to attend its annual meeting in September.

·        Same Sex Unions - The Vestry members discussed feedback given to them regarding the parish-wide letter about blessings of same-sex unions.  In almost all cases, parishioners were supportive.  Only members of the parish or those applying for membership would be eligible for this blessing.  The vestry then voted that Grace Church would offer blessings of same-sex unions.

·        Church Repairs - After discussing the findings and bids received by the Building Preservation Committee, the vestry voted that the Building Preservation Committee be authorized to finalize a complete plan for needed repairs associated with the last inspection report and that the Treasurer and Senior Warden be authorized to apply for a loan from the diocese.

·        Finances - The Treasurer reviewed the monthly financial reports.  In the past few years, we have needed to make withdrawals from the D & B Fund at this time of the year.  It is not necessary to do so at this time.

May 20 2007 -  Special Parish Meeting

·        Church Repairs - The Wardens explained the need for repairs to the roof of the church and for the brickwork after a professional engineering firm, recommended by Sherri Rifkin, a parishioner and realtor, completed an inspection to help prioritize maintenance and repairs.  These roof and masonry repairs were deemed by the engineer and our vestry as a priority.  The roofer will strip multiple layers of shingles.  Once the roof is opened, rotting wood may be found, which would increase the cost of the repairs.  The chimney and roof of the section of the building that connects the church and the parish hall will be fixed.  Crumbling brickwork in the rear of the church will be rebuilt and gutters and downspouts will be installed.  Additional work needed include painting of the Parish Hall porch and the louvers of the bell tower, caulking and repainting windows, and replacing overgrown bushes in the front of the church.  The parish voted to approve these repairs.

·        Financing the Repairs - A ten-year loan is offered by the Diocese of Connecticut (at 3% interest).  The proposal was to roll the outstanding balance of the current loan, taken out 7 years ago with 3 years remaining, into the balance of the new loan.  The loan from the Diocese of Connecticut will be for 80% of the cost indicated in the Junior Warden’s presentation at this meeting.  This new loan will be combined with the remaining balance of the current loan Grace Episcopal Church has outstanding with the Diocese.  The parish then voted to apply for the loan from the Diocese for 80% of the cost of the needed repairs.

By ELAINE PHILLIPS
Treasurer

The Rector’s Discretionary Fund

For the last newsletter, I wrote about one of our special funds, the Flower Fund.  Another fund that depends upon our contributions for income is the Rector’s Discretionary Fund, which is used at the Rector’s discretion for charitable purposes in the name of the parish.  (By canon law, it is not permissible for the Rector to use it for personal or professional expenses.)

All contributions to individuals are confidential.  They may take the form of gift cards for groceries or partial payment of rent or utilities in emergencies.  (Such payments are not in cash, but are paid directly to the landlord or utility company.)  This ministry is so important that canon law used to provide for one offering a month to be used for such purposes.

We no longer have a provision for regular contributions from the parish as a whole, but rely on direct contributions from our members and friends.  In your box of offering envelopes, there is a pink envelope each month that you can use for such contributions, or you can simply write a check payable to the church and clearly marked “RDF.”  Please consider making a RDF contribution regularly, or as a thanksgiving for some special blessing you have received.

Parkville Classicals Concerts

Will Resume in October

The Parkville Classicals musical concert series is currently on summer break.  Concerts will resume with the musical group, Mirror of the Baroque, at Grace Church on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

The group consists of Amanda Burr (violin), Peter Cama-Lekx (violin), Rachel Cama-Lekx (cello), and Enoki Sato (harpsichord), and was founded by Sudie Maracuse (soprano), pictured at right.  It has performed in Boston and elsewhere in the region.

Ellen Morse, chair of the Parkville Classicals committee, reports that they are working on other concerts for the coming season which will be announced as scheduled.  So far, she has also booked the Avery Ensemble for a concert on February 2, 2008.

By BETSY CHICARES
Senior Warden

Grace’s 2007 Mutual Ministry Review:
Celebrate Success-Resolve Challenges

The model of Grace’s 2007 Mutual Ministry review and parts of this article are based on one developed by congregational consultants of the Diocese of Washington and on work by The Episcopal Church Foundation, Ms. Sally Bucklee, and the Office of Congregational Development of the National Episcopal Church.  There is no single way to do mutual ministry review.

This spring, the Grace Church Vestry started its first mutual ministry review.  A mutual ministry review is a way for every parish to ask, “How are we doing?”  It is a time to celebrate what has been done well and to understand what might be done better.  As Christian people we must always ask:  "What is God calling us to do and to accomplish here in this place?"  And then, "How can we best practice this ministry?"  Participants are encouraged to remember that the intent of the mutual ministry review is to improve effective ministry.  The focus will be on means of improvement rather than on reasons why something was not done.  Within the pastoral context of the review process, the emphasis is on celebrating the successes and resolving the challenges.

GRACE’S MODEL FOR MUTUAL MINISTRY REVIEW IN 2007

Purposes:  Address shared ministry of Rector and Vestry; Identify affirmations and perceived needs for improvement in each area of ministry selected for review; Agree on improvements needed and timeline for progress review.

Target Outcomes:  Rector/Vestry mutual affirmations; Mutual selection of important targets for improvement efforts; Strengthened Rector/Vestry collaborative problem-solving relationship.

Time Required:  Part of three Vestry meetings.

Step 1 - Identify Individual Affirmations and Desired Improvements:
Vestry members and Rector do “homework” individually.  By answering questions about our blessings, goals for improvement, and wishes for the future, each Vestry member identifies ministry areas in which we are making contributions and areas needing improvements.

Rector and Vestry members review answers together.

Step 2 - Identify Consensus Affirmations and Desired Improvements:
Senior Warden consolidates responses for working with vestry to review and prioritize two or three areas of ministry for affirmations, and two or three areas for desired improvements by Rector.

Step 3 - Negotiate:
Vestry meets to negotiate agreement on a mutual agenda for changes to be undertaken by both Rector and Vestry within the next year or so, with provision for review of progress at specified time intervals.

At our July meeting, we expect to complete this final step and finalize our goals for the coming church program year.  We plan to focus on a few items that we hope will make a difference in Grace’s ability to continue to grow and to celebrate our Lord.

By ROB DUNCAN

Junior Warden

We have made much progress with the property since the last edition of Grace Notes.  Back in April we were still trying to secure additional bids from roofing contractors to replace the church roof and complete additional work that is urgently needed.  The parish voted at the special meeting, held on May 13^th, to hire the services of G.S. Fabrizi & Sons of Suffield, CT to complete the needed repairs on the church roof.  They will also handle the installation of new gutters and complete masonry work on the chimney and buttress on the north side of the church.  The parish vote was required in order for Grace to apply for a diocesan loan to pay for the repairs.  The loan amount will only be for 80% of the actual cost.  Grace is required to pay the remaining 20% through fundraising or from budget surpluses.

Fabrizi’s quote of $19,250 was more than $10,000 lower than the two other bids we received for the essentially the same work.  The quote actually includes a couple of extras.  They will use a 30 year 3-tab shingle instead of the 25 year product quoted by the other two companies.  In addition, Fabrizi will replace the flat rubber roof on the part of the building that connects the church to the parish hall.  The existing layers of shingles on the church will be removed and any damaged underlying wood will be replaced.  The cost of the additional wood is not included in the estimate of $19,250 since they won’t know how much wood is damaged until they pull up the shingles.

The work should take approximately one month to complete and will not interfere with church services.  There will be a large dumpster on the north side of the church to discard the old roofing materials.  In order to place the dumpster on the side of the church, we will have to cut some sections of the iron fence in front of the church.  These sections will be welded back together at the completion of the project and the fence will look the same as it did before the work.

Since we were able to save so much on the roof replacement, we decided to tackle a few other urgent repairs while we were at it.  In the next issue of Grace Notes I will tell you in more detail about the painting, window repair, and landscape improvements.  All of these improvements will help to preserve the church property and give us a little more curb appeal.

If you have a suggestion or would like to help with any property maintenance work, send me an e-mail at <dunc577@aol.com>.

Message From The Editor

Thanks to Tori Burns, Betsy Chicares, Rob Duncan, Jocelyn Hannahs, Fr. Max, Elaine Phillips, and Kyle Swann for their help and suggestions with this issue of “Grace Notes.”

ED KLEMONSKI,

Editor