DEAR CHRIST CHURCH FRIENDS--
What a difference a couple of weeks makes! It seems we have all been emerging from our bunkers and blinking at the now-green grass, the treasures for so long buried under the snow, the earth suddenly ready (almost) to receive seeds. At our house, we'd figured our 12" high spruce sapling was a goner, until a few days ago when the snow pack which had "disappeared" the little tree melted away and up it popped, crooked but alive! Only a few remnant piles of snow remain now, snuggling tenaciously to the north sides of houses as if in a desperate, or defiant, attempt not to melt.
Despite the tough winter, Christ Church held every one of its Sunday services, as scheduled. Many good souls pitched in and took over projects and duties for those who were ill or stuck at home . Now our summer is about to be launched. Here's a brief fun-down of some upcoming goings on. You'll find some of them described more fully elsewhere in this Beehive.
On Saturday, 3 May, The Rev. Stephen Lane will become our new Bishop Coadjutor. We can drop the word "elect" from his title! The Consecration will take place at St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland. Easter concludes with the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, May 11. Remember to wear red on that day to symbolize the descent of the Spirit in tongues of fire. On that day we will baptize Cheryl Willey and Tom Guilford, welcoming them into the Body of Christ. Truly a day to celebrate!
We will continue to use the liturgy from the New Zealand Prayer Book until our first Sunday in June, when our 9:00 summer Sunday schedule begins. Many of you have noted how wonderful it is when different parts of the Anglican Communion use each others' liturgies from time to time.
Our church is receiving new trim (painted) and stained siding. It's fun to have Andy Smith doing the work as he has interesting things to say during his breaks. Stop by for a chat, and to watch the work being done.
In addition to the outside work and the redoing of the downstairs floors, we will have a Clean-Up Sunday after church on June 1: miscellaneous sprucing inside and out. Our hearty thanks to Tom Guilford, Tom Knight, Bernice Kehn and Jim Byers for their hard work on the initial clean-up!
You'll need to stay tuned for information on the annual Blood Drive and the Yard Sale.
Our new bishop will be visiting us in late fall of this year. In anticipation, I will be preparing all who wish to be confirmed or received (from other faith  traditions) or to have their faith reaffirmed. Please let me know of your interest. These sessions are always rewarding; many people have attended as ways of refreshing their knowledge of our Anglican/Episcopal tradition.
Our 9:30 A.M. Wednesday Eucharists with Healing continue during this summer, as will Men's Lunch on Wednesdays at Noon. Centering Prayer also continues from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. every other Monday and Morning Prayer is read every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Guild Room from 9:00 to 9:20 A.M.
Be sure to bring your families and guests to church with you this summer. If you are away, please bring back bulletins from churches you visit so we can display them on our bulletin board. And while you're at it, take our bulletins to the churches you visit!

Peace,    Anne