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FEBRUARY, 2021

A Few Words from Fr. Ted –

A DIFFERENT WAY TO PRAYAsh Wednesday this year is February 17, 2021. Usually at this time, I am

encouraging you to consider making a Lenten rule to mark the season. It is suggested that you forgo some regular pleasure or routine activity, or even better adopt an additional discipline of spiritual practice. Meatless Fridays, daily Bible reading or praying the rosary are all means to recollect that we are in the time of year when the church invites us, “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.” The purpose of these activities is not so much self-denial or extra work as to serve as a mnemonic, an aid to keep us conscious of all that Jesus did for us and all that we owe to his love.

This year I was considering what my Lenten rule might include along with those things we do each year (we always endure shrimp, scallops and salmon on Fridays on Lent; oh, the sacrifice!) An article in the December 2, 2020 issue of magazine, The Christian Century, caught my eye. Entitled “How I became a scribe,” (sic) the article described a spiritual practice that Heidi Haverkamp, an Episcopal priest, took on during the pandemic. In conjunction with other Christians in the Chicago area and following the lead of a group of Roman Catholics in Switzerland, she agreed to help create a hand-written, illustrated portion of the Bible. Mother Heidi committed to copying the ninth chapter of the Gospel According to Matthew. Although the project was inspired by the beautifully lettered and elaborately decorated manuscripts produced in Medieval monasteries, there was no expectation of producing such works of art. Rather, the participants merely copied their portion of the Bible from whatever translation they chose. The illustrations were mostly pencil sketches (she called them doodles) or marginal notes relating to a passage of particular significance to the writer.

Although the article did not say this, it sounded as if the practice became a tactile form of lectio divina in which the act of transcribing scripture immersed the copier in the words of scripture, drawing them into a closer encounter with the Word, Jesus. The writing became prayer.

I have decided to do something similar during this Lent. My handwriting is abysmal and I have no artistic ability. I seriously doubt I will do any drawing, but I can make notes as I go of what the words of scripture seem to be telling me, and I can spend a few minutes each day listening as I write. My plan is to select the Passion narrative from one of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark or Luke.) given the forty days of Lent, not counting Sundays, it would require copying no more than five verses each day or as little as two.

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The CourierChrist the King Episcopal Church

1224 North Jefferson StreetHuntington, Indiana 46750

So, I am encouraging you to make a Lenten rule, give up something and/or take on something. Maybe join me in becoming a modern-day scribe and copying some word of scripture. I have no intention of sharing what I do with anyone other than God, and I wouldn’t expect you to do so either. I am, though, anxious to try this new way of praying; perhaps you will be too.

Fr. Ted+

ASH WEDNESDAY This year we will offer the Ash Wednesday liturgy with the imposition of ashes for those who feel comfortable in attending. The service will begin at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. As we do on, Sundays, we will live stream the service on Facebook Live for those who wish to watch from home. Although the imposition of ashes is a moving and meaningful ritual, it is interesting to note that it is not a required element of the liturgy for Ash Wednesday, nor was any specific provision made for it prior to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The service with or without receiving ashes is an appropriate way to enter into the penitential time of Lent.

THE WAY OF THE CROSS AND LENTEN DISCUSSION

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Last year, we were just two weeks into the season of Lent when the pandemic forced the shutdown of all church activities. We had begun to follow our usual pattern of praying the Way of the Cross followed by a light supper and discussion. Although it is still not really feasible to gather as we have done in the past, it is my intent offer the Way of the Cross virtually and follow it with a brief discussion based on the book, The Hope of Glory: Reflections on the Last Words of Jesus From the Cross, by Jon Meachem. Both will be offered via ZOOM; a link will be sent in an email each week and it should be easily available on a computer, tablet or smart phone by merely clicking on the link.

Christ the King Episcopal ChurchAnnual Meeting Agenda

January 31, 2021

1. Opening Prayers

2. Minutes of the 2020 Annual Meeting

3. Priest-in-Charge Comments

4. Treasurer’s Report: Mark Parker

a. 2020 Financial Resultsb. 2021 Parish Budget

5. Comments from the Senior Warden

6. Comments from the Senior Junior Warden

7. Elections of Wardens and Vestrya. Report from the Nominating Committeeb. Nominations from the floorc. Voting

8. Committee Reports: These were emailed to members or sent by mail. Opportunity for questions at this time.

9. New Business

10. Adjournment and closing prayer:

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Please read the following Annual Reports from our Wardens and Committee Chairs

prior to the Annual Meeting!

SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 2021

i. Senior Warden –Sue Jepsen for third yearii. Junior Warden – John Jepsen for fifth yeariii. Vestry Persons

1. Gary Beatty for third year2. Liz Snively for third year 3. Meg Moss for second year 4. Alex Klausing for second year5. Britina Boxell for first year6. Sue Nunemaker for first year

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE TO THE PARISH

We can safely say that 2020 was a year that none of us either expected or ever imagined. As we began the year with our usual celebrations of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent, all seemed as usual, until following the second week of Lent it became apparent that the virus which had recently been identified was much more serious than anything we had experienced in nearly one hundred years. The coronavirus or COVID-19 was both highly contagious and potentially lethal to the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Very quickly, we were instructed by the Diocese to discontinue meeting in person for worship. This resulted in there being no services offered for Holy Week and Easter. The Diocese did make available streaming videos of modified services that were being offered from the Cathedral of St. James in South Bend.

This situation remained unchanged until late August when our understanding of the virus and the precautions that could be taken to moderate the risk of transmission made it possible to resume the Sunday Eucharist. The service was changed to have no singing, no physical contact with each other by those attending, the withholding of the Chalice during communion and frequent use of hand sanitizer. It is an understatement to say that worship feels different. Although the need for social distancing means we can only accommodate a fraction of the building’s capacity, the number of those wisely staying at home has meant that no one has had to be turned away. The loss of community and not seeing many of our dear friends along with the simplified liturgy has diminished the worship experience to a degree. We do, though, carry on the best we can.

Very quickly after the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on churches became apparent, the Center for Congregations, a Lilly Foundation-funded resource for churches, made available up to $5000.00 per congregation for the purchase of equipment and services to maintain and improve communications and ministries during the crisis. At the urging of the diocese, a grant proposal was submitted which

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included the purchase of a new computer, an iPad, upgraded internet service and other items that make it easier to enter into the use of digital communications for making worship accessible and conducting the business of the parish. Acquiring the equipment turned out to be the easy part; learning how to stream video through Facebook Live, adjusting sound levels and using Zoom for meetings involved learning curves none of us anticipated. The learning seems to continue weekly.

The pandemic and adjusting to it have meant doing without things we had come to count on. Adult Sunday School, The Stations of the Cross, Lenten studies, and coffee hour were all curtailed. A major goal for 2021 as we wait for the return to normalcy that is not expected before next fall, is to find alternative ways to do these things that don’t include personal contact. Some of you may be asked to contribute to these efforts.

A bright spot has been the faithfulness of all of you in maintaining your financial support to Christ the King. We finished the year in good shape and the very low-key stewardship campaign resulted in pledged amounts adequate to cover our operations and continue the outreach giving that has been a hallmark of our commitment to those outside of the parish.It has been a trying year; 2021 looks to be much the same. The long-term impact of the pandemic on the life of the parish will probably not be known until near the end of the current year. But I remain confident in each of your love for Jesus, each other and the church that has been such a major part or your lives. I am filled with gratitude for each of you and enthusiasm for what lies ahead. May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always.

Fr. Ted+

SENIOR WARDEN’S ANNUAL REPORT

I looked at my calendar to help write this report and it was quite normal the first two months. Then came March. I turned the calendar page and saw X’s everywhere. Then came April. More X’s. The word “Zoom” started to show up as the Diocese held weekly meetings for clergy and lay leaders. They worked hard to develop guidelines for holding in-person services. Nonetheless, Holy Week was full of X’s.

In May the Diocesan Zoom meetings continued. Our Book Club began to meet on Zoom, and then we added “Gab Fests” so that we could just see each other again. Vestry members made a point of calling parishioners to be sure all were doing okay. And so it continued until we were able to meet in person again on July 26. Even now, our attendance numbers remain low and we must behave ourselves in terms of masks and distance. But our support of Christ the King remains strong, for which I am most grateful.

I thank Fr. Ted for keeping our worship going; I believe we were among the first in the diocese to reopen and stay open. Fr. Ted and John Jepsen deserve special praise for all their work learning how to use new equipment and to stream our services. What a challenge it has been!

John and I attended the Diocesan Convention on Zoom in November. Having it last two hours instead of an entire day wasn’t all bad, I must admit. But it was awful to have to give up the Christmas Eve service, wasn’t it?

I know we all look forward to being able to resume a more normal way of doing things as we begin to get vaccinated. Let’s hope that 2021 gives us that opportunity.

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Sue Jepsen, Senior Warden

JUNIOR WARDEN’S ANNUAL REPORT

With all the projects that were completed in 2019 and the pandemic starting in 2020, there was not much to do this past year. Projects completed were:

Sealing the asphalt parking lot that was installed in 2019

Building a second lawn swing for Little Blessings Child Care

Assembling a playhouse for Little Blessings’ play ground

Painting Little Blessings’ director’s office, assembling new office furniture and making and installing new window valences

We used our Lilly Grant to install equipment necessary for streaming church services

I would like to express my appreciation to the Daugherty Family for helping us with mowing the lawn and cleaning up the leaves in the fall.

John Jepsen, Junior Warden

ALTAR GUILD ANNUAL REPORT

The Altar Guild consists of five members: Linda Beatty, Sue Jepsen, Alex Klausing, Carmen Oswalt, and Marguerite Wire. These ladies set up for communion for all services, make sure there is oil in the candles and that the correct scripture readings are marked. We polish the candles and silver a couple times a year.  If anyone is interested in joining us, just talk to any member. We’d be happy to train you. It only takes about 30 minutes to set up (which you can do at your convenience) and 15 minutes to clean up after church. 

Linda Beatty, Altar Guild Chairman

BOOK CLUB REPORT

Book Club met two times in person 2020 and the rest on Zoom. We discussed a wide variety of books: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides; Reader’s Choice for the February meeting; Lila by Marilynne Robinson; Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger; All The Ways We Said Goodbye by Williams, Willig & White; The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer; The Language of Flowers by Vanessa DIffenbaugh; This Tender Land by William Kent Kreuger; and The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. Several times we called a “Gab Fest” on Zoom that was just an opportunity to see

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each other and chat. Many thanks to Marguerite Wire for being out techie to make these meetings possible. We welcome new members at any time!

Sue Jepsen

CHOIR AND MUSIC REPORT

It has been an interesting year for music!  Both adult and children's choirs were going strong until COVID-19 struck.  While it is wonderful that we are back having in-person services, we probably will not be able to resume choir practices anytime soon.  I am thankful for all your support during this year!

Sue Nunemaker, Music Director

COLUMBARIUM REPORT

The Columbarium at our church is located at the back of the sanctuary. At the present time, we have sixteen niches on the north side and sixteen on the south side. We have fourteen available for purchase.

The original purpose of our Columbarium was to offer to our people and friends a place in our church for the remains of their loved ones at a very reasonable cost. Financial arrangements can be handled through the committee at a cost of $500.00 per niche. $250.00 goes toward a contribution to the church for tax purposes and $250.00 goes toward maintenance. All proceeds and transactions from the Columbarium are in a separate account.

Bill Oswalt & Dixie Harrold, Columbarium Committee

COMMUNICATIONS REPORT

Since so many of our special services were not allowed this year, I’ve had little to publish. Thanks to Dick Wire for posting changes regarding our services on the front door of the church.

Dixie Harrold

HOSPITALITY REPORT

Aside from Teddy Bray’s funeral in January and Coffee Hours the first two months of the year, there has been little opportunity for traditional hospitality to be offered this year. My thanks to those who helped when they could and to those who

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offered “virtual” hospitality in the form of phone calls to each other. This, too, shall pass.

  Nancy Heasley

LITTLE BLESSINGS ANNUAL REPORT

WOW! What a year 2020 was for everyone! The pandemic caught us ALL by surprise. However, I am pleased to say we at Little Blessings have survived and with ZERO COVID illnesses to date in our facility.    

  You ask, how have we been so lucky?

Right from the beginning, before the Governor mandated masks, we were wearing masks daily. Thanks to Sue Jepsen volunteering her time and sewing skills to sew masks so that all of our staff and children ages 2-12 could have a mask to wear daily while attending daycare.  Along with the masks we started doing temp checks for all children and employees before entering the classrooms and asking if they have been around anyone with COVID symptoms. We have increased our cleaning routines; the staff and I are washing down ALL high touch areas and things every three hours.  We also deep clean all rooms once a week.

Although we saw our enrollment drop a little at the being of COVID due to parents being laid off, I am pleased to say we are now back up in enrollment with all but one room being utilized downstairs. Our current enrollment is at 32 children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old and we have 3 full-time and 6 part-time employees.  

 Due to COVID and the Pioneer Festival being canceled, we were not able to do our biggest fundraiser selling apple dumplings this year. However, we were pleased to receive a $1200 grant from Bendix Corporation that allowed us to replace both of the stoves in the kitchen with two brand-new gas stoves.   Big thanks to John Jepsen and Stewart Hall for removing and installing them both.

 I also would like to give a BIG thanks to John and Sue Jepsen and Mark Parker for all their time and hard work in helping to remodel my office downstairs. We scraped off all the wallpaper border and repainted the walls. John built two windows valances that Sue upholstered along with a chair. The trio worked long and hard putting the new office desk and filing cabinet together.  

  Once again this year the daycare ended in black!

 I would like to take this opportunity to thank Christ the King Church and its members for your continued support of myself and Little Blessings Childcare through your generosity of donations and kind words. Thank you! May each and every one of you have a blessed New Year. 

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Shallie Brown, Director

OUTREACH REPORT

Amidst the chaos of 2020, Christ the King was able to continue its tradition of contributing a substantial portion of its overall income to ministries outside of it. Perhaps often overlooked is that by maintaining our support to the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, we provide funds to diocesan ministries and participate in the support of the national church which engages in numerous activities throughout the United States and the world. Although this funding is part of the parish’s operating budget, there are several congregations that are unable to provide support at the requested level. Christ the King has maintained its assessment payments as current and at the full amount.

Beyond this, we have continued to provide monthly support in the amount of $500.00 to the Food Pantry at Love, INC. and $250.00 to the downtown feeding program of New Life Ministries. This comes from the designated Outreach Pledges. Additionally, in December, the Vestry made a grant of $1000.00 to Episcopal Relief and Development to be used where they felt it was most needed. Additional grants may be made early in 2021.

For 2021, the designated Outreach Budget amounts to slightly over 10.5% of the parish’s overall spending. This is certainly in keeping with the idea of a Biblical tithe. You can be rightfully proud of this generosity and the good work it makes possible. Fr. Ted

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

As in recent years, the annual pledge campaign was a low-key event counting on the well-established generosity of the members of Christ the King. Since so few of us are able to gather for Sunday worship, the asking was done primarily by mail – email and snail mail. Materials from The Episcopal Network for Stewardship provided weekly meditations on giving from lay persons and clergy from varied locations and backgrounds. Pledges were primarily received in the mail, and as was fully expected, the members of CtK remained faithful in their giving. As of the time of the December, 2020 Vestry meeting, two fewer pledges had been received than for the previous year, and expected revenues were down slightly. We should be able to easily meet our financial obligations for 2021 and continue the substantial outreach efforts of recent years. Given the extraordinary circumstances, this is a testament to the faithfulness of each of you to the church,

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its work and Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you! Fr. Ted

SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT

Another year has come and gone, and what a year it’s been! Kory and Kade Boxell are in my class. We have been having some Sunday School classes at my house. The lessons include stories from the Old Testament and about love. I am looking forward to the new year.

Dixie Harrold

END OF ANNUAL REPORTS

Christ the King Episcopal Church Vestry Meeting MinutesJanuary minutes had not yet been approved at the time of publication

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

4 Dianne Neidlinger 5 Marguerite Wire13 Fr. Ted Neidlinger18 Stuart Hall21 Kimberlyn Boxell

27 Dr. Marlene Schleiffer

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES

8 George & Rose Holtrey

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The Barn is open and there’s lots of room for any rummage you want to unload!  Please no TVs!    Small electronic items are okay if they are in good working order.  

Our Community Rewards program at Kroger brought in $48.87 the last three months of 2020. Thanks for your

support!Judy Frischman

BOOK CLUB

Book Club will meet on Monday, February 15 at 7 p.m. via ZOOM. We will be talking about In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn. Linda Beatty will lead the discussion.

Goodreads says, “Life is over in an instant for sixteen-year-old Finn Miller when a devastating car accident tumbles her

and ten others over the side of a mountain. Suspended between worlds, she watches helplessly as those she loves struggle to survive. Impossible choices are made, decisions that leave the survivors tormented with grief and regret. Unable to let go, Finn keeps vigil as they struggle to reclaim their shattered lives.”

Contact Marguerite Wire (margwire@gmail.com) if you wish to attend and she will send you a link that evening.

SERVICE ROSTER FEBRUARY, 2021

  7-Feb 14-Feb 21-Feb 28-Feb

   Love INC

Ingathering   Little Blessings Ingathering

1st & 2nd Reader and Intercessor

Sue Jepsen Gary Beatty Alex Klausing Dick Wire

2 Counters:         Vestry member Sue Jepsen Meg Moss Sue Jepsen Alex Klausing

Non-vestry        

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Author is licensed under CC

Altar Guild Linda Beatty Sue Jepsen Alex Klausing Marguerite Wire

Transport Marlene Alex Klausing Alex Klausing

REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR NEXT MONTH !

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Christ the King Episcopal Church 1224 North Jefferson Street Huntington IN 46750 FEBRUARY, 2021ANNUAL REPORT ISSUE

PHONE NUMBERS

PHONE NUMBERS

Church: 260-356- 3570 Sr. Warden: 260-356-7372 Little Blessings Childcare: 260-359-1161

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SERVICES at CHRIST the KING

We will adhere to Diocesan guidelines regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

Services will be held on Sundays that follow a downward trend in cases in our county.

WEB PAGE:www.episcopalchurch-

huntington.org

EMAILS :Treasurer: markpa@klinescpa.comNewsletter: sljepsen@yahoo.com

OFFICE HOURS:Fr. Ted, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursdays

PERSONNEL

Priest in Charge: Fr. Theodore Neidlinger

Bishop/Rector: The Rt. Rev. Douglas Sparks

Sr. Warden: Sue Jepsen

Jr. Warden: John Jepsen

Treasurer: Mark Parker

VESTRY Alex Klausing

Meg Moss

Nancy Heasley

Jeff Roberts

Gary Beatty

Liz Snively

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