Monthly Newsletter
January 2016
From the Rector and the Senior Warden...
Dear Brothers and Sisters at St. Christopher’s and beyond,
Happy New Year 2016!!!
A PUBLICATION OF ST. CHRISTOPHER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
I've been here with you about five months, and I think the activities
that we have achieved together are wonderful. This is just a sample
of what we can do together as a congregation and as we recognize
Jesus Christ as the Center of our life.
Personally, I think that we have much potential to grow as a parish
and glorify God in this area of El Paso, Texas and in the Diocese of
the Rio Grande. This year 2016 will be a great opportunity to grow
together in our ministries; I can see a general development within
us, around us, and beyond.
I thank everyone for your kindly support to me and to my family. I
also want to tell you that because of all involved during my move
from Dallas to here, with its effects on housing and financial, matters, my Doctoral Studies will be moving forward more slowly.
I also want to acknowledge the work of all ministries in the Parish.
In a special way — to all those who participated in the Christmas
Pageant, thank you for saying YES to God's service.
The 2016 Lenten Season arrives soon and that gives us the opportunity to develop a new level of spirituality. Again I ask your help
and support to achieve better results.
So now, we have a New year, we will have new challenges, but also
we will have new achievements., and together will make it happen!
God Bless You All!
Fr. J.J. Bernal +
A LOOK BACK WITH THANKSGIVING
2015 was a year of challenges, changes, and a new beginning. We said good-bye and
Godspeed to Padrecita Jeanne who, as Priest-in-Charge, faithfully and lovingly guided
us through three years in the search for a new Rector, the discernment process of an
aspirant to the deaconate, development of our lay ministries, and provided wonderful
pastoral care and spiritual leadership to our congregation.
Our heartfelt thanks also to Bishop Jerry Lamb, Canon Kathy McNellis, and Fr. Thomas Rowland who celebrated Holy Eucharist during the four and a half months that St.
Christopher’s did not have a priest. I would also like to thank our Vestry, Lay Ministers, and all of the members of the congregation for their support and perseverance in
keeping the mission and ministry of St. Christopher’s on a straight path during those
months.
In mid- July, we were blessed by the arrival of The Reverend José J. Bernal as our new
Rector. In the short 5 months that Fr. JJ has been with us, he has given St. Christopher’s new life, vision, and determination as a Church Family to spread the Gospel and
God’s love. We have also been blessed with his wife Rosario and daughter Sammy.
Rosario’s culinary talents have added a new dimension to coffee hour, potlucks, church
events, and after the Thursday Eucharist and Healing service. We were also blessed
with meeting Fr. JJ and Rosario’s oldest daughter Ana and son JJ, Jr. who both visited
during Christmas break from college.
For the new year, we plan more Lay Ministry training sessions and “clean-up/
organization” days (mostly Saturdays) for specific areas—Sacristy, Sunday School
rooms, kitchen, Sun Room, the Church safe, etc. Watch for emails and bulletin announcements giving more information.
Our Annual Church Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 24 after the worship service. I would like to urge everyone to attend as we will be presenting the 2016 Church
Budget, receiving reports from the various ministries, electing 1 Vestry member, and
planning the year ahead, together. As usual, we will have a Potluck lunch with the
meeting, so bring your favorite dish to share!
A blessed and Happy New Year to all!
Yours in Christ,
Bruce Truesdale, Senior Warden
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January at St. Christopher’s
2015 INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS
Will be available on Sunday, January 3 & Sunday, January 10
on the table in the narthex, with envelopes arranged alphabetically
Any statements not picked up by January 10 will be snail-mailed
Church is Closed on New Year’s Day
A Blessed, Happy, and Healthy 2016 to All!
Sunday School returns to regular class on Sunday, January 3
SNOW SLAM 2016 - DIOCESAN YOUTH EVENT
Registration deadline: Friday, January 8
Please submit your completed and signed registration to Holly
before the above deadline
ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING AND POTLUCK LUNCH
11:15 a.m. SUNDAY, JANUARY 24
Join us for this important congregational meeting
2016 Church Budget ~ Ministry Reports ~ Vestry Election
and planning the ministry and mission of
VESTRY RETREAT DAY
For all Vestry Members
9:00 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 30
Bishop Jerry Lamb and Fr. JJ Bernal will lead the retreat
Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be provided
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The Eucharist of Candlemas
(Candelaria)
10:00 a.m. Sunday, January 31
Blessing of Candles ~ Litany for Candlemas
Candlelight Procession
The Feast of Candlemas
This year we will observe the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the
Temple on the last Sunday in January (Actual is February 2) . In accordance with ancient custom and many years of tradition in this parish, we
will observe the practice of blessing our household candles at St. Christopher’s. You are welcome to bring candles from home to be blessed on this
day. They will be placed on a table at the front of the church (so come
early!) and blessed at a particular point in the service in honor of Christ as
the Light of the World. Please bring a dish to share after the service, as we
will have another of our world-famous St. Christopher’s potlucks!
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S OUTREACH
Beginning this month, we will have one
fund for Outreach of all kinds, including
Soup Kitchen. The Vestry also recently
established a Youth Fund for families in
need with children and teens, and to assist
with scholarships to Deanery and Diocesan youth events and Camp Stoney. Designated contributions can be made yearround to both funds. In December, St.
Christopher’s made Christmas brighter
for two families (each with five children)
with gift cards, warm clothings, and other
items. Our thanks to all who have contributed to Soup Kitchen or Outreach this
past year! Please make checks out to St.
Christopher’s with your designation on
the memo line. Thank you and God bless!
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Diocesan Youth Event ~ SNOW SLAM 2016
7:30 p.m. Friday, January 15 to 1:00 p.m. Sunday, January 17
Church of the Holy Mount
Ruidoso, NM
For middle and high school youth
Submit your completed registration form to Holly
no later than Sunday, January 3
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
Augie Vega 5
Carol Garcia 15
MEETINGS
VESTRY MEETING
11:15 a.m. Sunday, January 10
2016 CHURCH DIRECTORY
VESTRY RETREAT DAY
9 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m.
A 2016 Directory Listing has been placed on
the table beside the Coffee station
Please take a few minutes to review your
current listing for accuracy and make any
needed corrections, deletions, and/or additions,
and initial your entry
If you are not listed and wish to be, add your
name and information at the end of the listings
You help is needed to make our new Church
Directory as up to date and accurate as
possible! The new directories will be available
by Sunday, February 14
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Saturday, January 30
BIBLE STUDY
7:00 p.m. Tuesday
January 12 & 26
Calling All Pictures!
If you have any pictures from services, events, or happening at
St. Christopher’s during 2015,
please email them (.jpg format)
to Holly at htnec@elp.rr.com
JANUARY PRAYER LIST
Please keep these members and friends of St. Christopher's in your daily prayers...
Deacon Ken Anderson (Member) Martha Cano (Member) Glenda Wolfe (Member) Heather
Bishop (Member) Johnny Washam (Member) Luis Garcia (Member) Stephanie Brown,
(Member) Dorothy Muller (Member) Pershing Rexroad (Major) Rene Vallecillo (Cano) Mary Carmen Gonzalez
(Friend) Mary Reyes (Cano) Louis Foght (Major) Ray Lucero (Shinn) Ray Vega (Vega) Zach Mortenson (Shinn)
David Gaylon (Hayes) Mike Olivas (Garcia) Albert Cano (Cano) Alfonso Cano (Cano) Ruben Jaramillo (Lopez)
Ruby Carr (Brooks) Nora Butler (Gilbreath) Ray and Lavelle Fox Gary Welsh Benjamin Gonzalez (Perez) Lily Bencomo (Bishop) The Schofill Family (Truesdale) Kevin Salcedo Joe Heidrick (Shinn) Frank Varney ,Jacqui
McCollum Kelly Schermerhorn (Hayes) Joe Divis (Anderson) Sofia Enriques (Anderson) Christie Lechuga (Perez)
Fernando Peña Rich Hebben Patty Rangel (Brooks) Benjamin & Levi Moreno (Moreno) Dale Wolfe (Wolfe) Christy
Darling, Kristol Veach (Brooks) Leo Luevano (Maldonado) Callie Carriere (Ames) Carol, Charlie (Danforth) Cathy
(Danforth) , Jerry Brown (Shinn), Adrian Montes (Kelley) Ben Griggs (Shinn)
Almighty God, we commend to your care and keeping all of the men and women of our armed forces at home and
abroad: Capt. Matthew Barchie USAF, Sgt. Charles Barden, Charles East, Navy, Matthew Barnes, Jerry Carreon,
Sgt. Jean-Louis Bishop, Army, Adam Garcia, Navy, Magie Gonzalez, Lt. Jody M. Daniels, Navy, Roberto Salgado,
Mark Logan, USAF, PFC Jose Gonzalez, Oscar I. Gonzalez, Comd. Darren Rich, Oscar Camuniz, SP Woody
Needler, , Dr. Richard Nahouraii, Army, PO2 Chester B. (Chip) Thomson IV, SST. Tim Hayes, Raymundo Ubina,
The families and friends of all who are serving at home and abroad
OUR MINISTRIES
2015 Lay Ministry Reports
Written reports for the Annual Meeting
need to be submitted to Fr. JJ by the
Lay Leaders of the following Ministries no
later than Sunday, January 17:
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Administrator
Acolytes
Treasurer
Altar Guild
Eucharistic Ministers
Music
Lectors
Soup Kitchen/Outreach
Pre-K/Sunday School
Acolyte
Training
Session
11:15 a.m. Sunday, January 17
For all current Acolytes and those
who wish to serve at the Altar
Open to children age 8 and up
and adults
If you will be new to this ministry,
Summarize the past year’s activity
Please let Worship Leader Trainer Bruce
Truesdale or Acolyte Leader
in your ministry area
Heather Bishop know in advance
You will also read your report at the
Thank you!
Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 24
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CHECK OUT OUR
NEW AND IMPROVED
WEBSITE AND
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S EPISCOPAL
CHURCH
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
300 Riverside Drive El Paso, Texas 79915
Church Office: 915 859-9329
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WELCOMES YOU!
Email:
stchristopherselpaso@gmail.com
Website:
www.stchristopherelpaso.org
WORSHIP SERVICES
St. Christopher’s
Sunday
Soup Kitchen
Holy Eucharist 10:00 a.m.
Outreach
Thursday
Every Saturday
at 11:00 a.m.
Eucharist & Healing 10:30 a.m.
CLERGY AND STAFF
The Reverend José J. Bernal
Rector
The Reverend Kenneth Anderson
Deacon (Ret.)
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Rector
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday
Fr. Bernal will be also available
on Saturdays by appointment.
Holly Truesdale
Parish Administrator
VESTRY
Bruce Truesdale Senior Warden/Treasurer
Joe Maldonado - Junior Warden
Denise Anderson, Fran Hayes
Tony Moreno, Glenda Wolfe
ST. CHRISTOPHER'S
MISSION STATEMENT
Our Mission, as vessels indwelt
by the Holy Spirit, is to proclaim
the Gospel and teach the Faith;
to bring Christ ’ s healing power to
those who are wounded and hurting;
to share our blessings with those in
Administrator
and Church Office
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday
Administrator in Office at
home on
Monday and Wednesday
852-3954 or 252-2475
Church Offices Closed on Friday
need; to administer the Holy
Sacraments; and to live our lives to
God ’ s glory, sharing the love of
Jesus Christ with all people.