Who Are We? Rediscovering our Mission and Identity: In a discussion series kicking off our 2025 Year of Discovery strategic planning process, we'll consider what defining characteristics & charisms most define our outlook and sense of purpose. What is our mission and how is God calling us in our community? Today at Noon in the parish library,

March 9-10  Culture & (social) Climate
March 16-17  Dynamics & People
March 23-24  Leadership & Processes
March 30-31  Environment (local & broader context)
April 6-7  Structure & Strategy

Lenten Soup Suppers - Life Transformed, The Way of Love in Lent: This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings through seven formative steps - Turn, Pray, Learn, Bless, Rest, Worship & Go.  Wednesdays at 6 pm at Christ Church, starting March 12th.

Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week: A study and video series by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine. Sarah Melvey and Betty Kondrich are offering a Lenten study via Zoom on Monday evenings beginning March 10 - April 14 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. The study delves into the history and Scripture passages focusing on the last days of Jesus' life. If you are interested, contact Sarah, Betty, or leave a message with the parish office and we will send you the Zoom link.

Church Revitalization - Who's done it? This weekday evening series via Zoom will interview several Episcopal Church leaders from around the country whose congregations have grown, flourished, and found new life by exploring the world around them in new ways.

Rev. Joseph Yoo, Mosaic Church, March 18. 7:00pm
Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail, Jubilee Church, March 31, 8:00pm
Rev. Dan Carlson, Church of the Advent Cincinnati, April 3, 7:00pm
Rev. Jacob Breeze, Holy Family HTX, Date TBD If you would like to participate in this series, email Rev. Charles cgraves@cometochristchurch.org.

Communion in the Center Aisle During Lent: During the season of Lent we will receive communion in a line at the foot of the altar stairs rather than at the altar rails. This is to improve accessibility for those with physical disabilities and to allow everyone to receive communion on an equal level. 

Construction Update: For several years Christ Church's Vestry has been in negotiation with Metropolitan Holdings LTD's project, Arcadia. Construction will begin in early March, 2025. The building being constructed will be a new, mixed-use development project on the vacant land north and immediately adjacent to church property. The Arcadia project will continue to expand and enhance local retail opportunities and also incorporate a tasteful and contemporary mixed-income housing, which aligns with Christ Church's mission and the needs of Shaker Heights. At this time, Arcadia is leasing ten parking spaces from Christ Church. If you have questions, please seek Betty Kondrich, Rhonda Haugabook-Paige, Mark Biggerman, or Rev. Charles.  

Vestry Update: The Vestry will be meeting at the church on Tuesday March 11 for our regular monthly Vestry meeting.

AMIS Chili Cook-off Fundraiser: AMIS, a local ministry supporting immigrants and refugees, will host a chili cook-off fundraiser at Christ Church. We will have a variety of chili selections to sample and vote on the winning dish which will receive a prize! Suggested donation for all attendees is $20 per person. The cook-off will be in the Good Shepherd Room on Sunday, March 16th from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

Book Discussion - The Personal Librarian: Daughters of the King are hosting a book discussion open to the entire parish and friends.  We will provide a light lunch following the 10:30 am Sunday service on 3/23/2025.  Then the discussion facilitated by The Rev. Sally Goodall, will wrap up around 2:00 pm.  The book is "The Personal Librarian".  The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan's personal librarian—who in the early 1900s became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true, from New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict and acclaimed author Victoria Christopher Murray.  Belle has a secret; one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.

Easter Flowers: It is the time of year to order your Easter flowers! Easter flowers can be in honor of or in memory of a loved one. A $20 donation which includes your name and dedication placed in the Easter bulletin. Please email the Parish Office or fill out the Sign-Up sheet in the Great Hall.  Donations should go to the Donate link on the church's website.

Giving Opportunity: Solidarity with Muslim Siblings at Ramadan As a member congregation of Episcopal Migration Ministries' Rainbow Initiative, Christ Church has the opportunity to support a queer asylum seeker and their family in Ohio during the coinciding seasons of Ramadan and Lent 2025. This person is fleeing anti-LGBTQ violence in their home country, and, along with an affirming family member, trying to start a new life in Ohio. Due to safety concerns in this perilous time, the name and contact information for this asylum seeker must be kept confidential. 

For Muslims, Ramadan (March 1-31, 2025) is a time of fasting which ends with Eid al-Fitr (3/31/2025), the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, is a time of celebration and gift-giving, both to family members and those in need. To stand in interfaith solidarity with this queer Muslim asylum seeker's family, Christ Church is collecting gifts to send to this family at the end of March to help them pay rent, buy food, and celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the most important holiday in their cultural calendar.

For those who would like to contribute, please make a check out to Christ Episcopal Church and memo "Eid Gift". To make a Digital gift, click here, select "Memorial Gift", follow the prompts, and please email the treasurer at  cwolford@cometochristchurch.org to let her know your donation is for the asylum seeker's Eid gift.

Sing-along for Children: Anne Wilson is gathering young children (ages 2 through elementary school) to have fun singing and to share songs in worship occasionally. If you would like for your child/grandchild to participate, kindly meet in the Chapel immediately after worship. If your child is small/shy, no worries. Lap-sitting with a parent or grandparent is welcome, and it's OK if the child doesn't sing at all.  They are listening! The children will sing just for a short time  (perhaps 5-7 minutes). For more information, contact  Anne Wilson  acwping@gmail.com  216-870-2729

Reminder: Bible Study & Evening Prayer:  You are welcome to join our weekly Bible Study group on Zoom. Wednesdays at 8:00am & Evening Prayer Wednesdays at 6:00pm.To join please email the office.