Welcome to the Web site of The Chapel of the Cross. I hope you will find it helpful in learning more about the life and ministry of our parish. Please join us for any of  our services of worship and consider becoming part of this historic and vibrant congregation!

Faithfully,
Stephen Elkins-Williams, Rector                                                                                                                                                Mission Statement 

News

Episcopal Campus Ministry will meet on Tuesday, January 24, at 5:30 p.m. for a home-cooked meal and to focus on the importance of service and action in the Christian faith. Contact the Rev. Tammy Lee for information about ECM.

Opening Doors is the effort by which all who consider themselves part of the Chapel of the Cross individually commit themselves to give back to God in 2012 and communally gather together the resources needed for the parish's ministries next year. The vestry will build the 2012 parish budget based on the pledge total received prior to its meeting on January 26. Click here to make a pledge.

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis is the focus of a supper/discussion group on January 26, February 2, and February 9. Soup will precede a reading from this novella; discussion will follow. Contact Christopher Hogin to sign up or to obtain more information on this program.

Pictorial Directory
Those who were unable to have their pictures made for the 2012 pictorial directory may submit pictures of themselves to be included in a special section of the directory. You may leave snapshots of yourself, which will be scanned and returned, in Communications Coordinator’s mailbox in the parish office; or you may email digital photos, in the highest resolution possible, to Ted Pratt. Photographs should be submitted by Friday, January 27. Contact Vivian Varner with questions about this part of the directory.

The Episcopal Youth Community (those in grades 8-12) will meet for a “lock-in” on Friday, January 27-Saturday, January 28. Contact Caren Parker for details about this event.

“Transforming Neighborhoods” is the focus of a workshop on aging in place and living in intentional community scheduled for Friday and Saturday, January 27-28, at the Seymour Center. For more information, contact the Rev. Vicky Jamieson-Drake. Online registration is available here.

Theology of the Vine, a covered dish dinner followed by a presentation on the history of wine and a discussion of the role of wine in the Christian tradition will be held on Saturday, January 28, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Contact Gretchen Jordan or Christopher Hogin to sign up or to obtain more information on this program.

Parent Gatherings on supporting self-reliance and self-control in preschool and elementary aged children are schedule for Sundays, January 29 and February 5, at 10:20 a.m. Contact Boykin Bell for detailed information.

Youth Inquirers’ Class – 2012, a spiritual formation program for high school students, will be held on Tuesday evenings from February through April. A parent information session will be held January 29 at 10:20 a.m. Contact the Rev. David Frazelle for detailed information about this class.

A Festive Reception for Graduate Students is scheduled for Sunday, January 29, at the Siena beginning at 1:00 p.m. RSVP to the Rev. Tammy Lee.

The Vestry Nomination Period for the parish is currently open. The nomination box, nomination forms, and a list of eligible parishioners are available in the dining room. Permission should be secured from the nominee before making a nomination. Nominees should complete a biographical questionnaire before the close of the nomination period on Sunday, January 29.

 


Adult Inquirers’ Classes for those wanting to know more about the Episcopal Church continue on Monday, January 30, at 7:30 p.m. This series of classes is required for confirmation, but classes are also open to anyone who would like a ‘refresher’ on the history and tenets of the Episcopal Church. The Rector will lead this class on “Worship and Sacrament.”

CrossTies Bible Study for Women
Women in their 20s and 30s will meet for bible study for six Wednesday mornings beginning at 10:45 a.m. on February 8, using the NOOMA video series. Contact Julie Hammer with questions or to register.

On Sunday, February 19 at 4:00 p.m., St Cyprian's, Oxford, will host the Annual Absalom Jones Commemoration for the Diocese. Absalom Jones was the first African-American ordained as an Episcopal priest. Bishop Michael Curry will both preach and preside at this festival, featuring the "St Cyprian's Mass," commissioned by the Holy Comforter-St Cyprian Catholic Church (Chicago) Gospel Choir and Orchestra. A reception will follow the service.

A Lenten Reflection Day, led by the Rev. Sam Wells, Dean of the Duke University Chapel; and the Rev. Jo Bailey Wells, Director of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies at Duke, is scheduled for Saturday, February 25, at the Church of the Holy Family. The focus of the day is Sam Wells’ book, Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection. Click here for registration forms.

A three-day Lenten Retreat, led by Paul J. Ilecki, Ed. D. titled "Just Noticing ... Awareness Journaling for Contemplative Practice, a meditation journaling retreat workshop for contemplatives," is scheduled for March 23-26, 2012. Click here detailed information.

Paper copies of the Rector’s letter from the weekly email, Notes from the Chapel of the Cross, are available each week in the chapel, the tower room, and on the tract rack in the dining room. All parishioners are encouraged to utilize either paper or email information. To be added to the email list for Notes, send your email address to info@thechapelofthecross.org.

Costume Sewing
The parish needs volunteers who can sew additional costumes for Christmas pageants, Vacation Church School skits, and other ‘dramatic events’ at the parish. Contact Caren Parker if you can help with this project.

The Jesse Tree in the parish dining room has now become an Epiphany Tree of Warmth, collecting scarves, hats, and gloves to be delivered to those in need.

The Parish Freezer needs restocking with nutritious casseroles and soups to be delivered to parishioners in need. Items should be dated and labeled with ingredients. Contact Peg Pratt for detailed information.

Soup and Chili for Super Bowl
Episcopal Campus Ministry is selling chili and Habitat for Humanity is selling soup for Super Bowl Sunday, February 5. Sign-up is available in the dining room after services and in the parish office. Proceeds will benefit the ECM spring mission trip and the Habitat trip to Honduras.

Freedom House has a list of needs ranging from kitchen appliances to bed linens to winter clothes. Contact Sandra McClaskey for a full list of needs.

The Inter-Faith Council request for this week is canned tuna. Donation baskets are in the parish office and in the Yates Wing entrance. 

Please see Sunday Announcements for detailed information about these messages.