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Written by Father Michael Ruk As we have been hearing this month, Francis of Assisi heard God’s call to “rebuild the Church.” He thought initially, it was the physical building, …

We are hiring a part-time Music Director to join the team at Christ Church! Interested applicants can email their cover letter and resume to Nicholas D’Amato, Parish Administrator, at [email protected]. …

NEW ADDITION TO THE FOUNTAIN WALL During routine garden maintenance, long-forgotten grave markers were rediscovered outside the church building. W.Parke Heston (1901-1975), Grace C. Heston (1902-1973), Harry D. Winsmore (1952), …

On October 4, the Church remembers the life of St. Francis of Assisi. For many, Francis is the guy in the birdbath or connected with animal blessings. There is so …

Most people connect the Eucharist to words and music, but silence also plays an important part in our prayer. Silence allows us to calm down and listen to God and …

In recent years, the necessity of being stewards of God’s creation has become more and more important. Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, and Anglicans have created a season which lifts up …

In many ways, September has always felt more of a new beginning to me than the first of January. The season was time for new classes, new clothes, new shoes, …

Vestments are not costumes. We are not acting out a Renaissance Faire or Christmas pageant. They are sacred garments which recall the responsibility of what is happening during the liturgy. …

What is the mission of the Church? The mission of the Church is to restore all people to the unity with God and each other in Christ. How does the …

But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. We use it to give thanks to our Lord and …

How can Christ Church better connect to the community? Well, the easiest way is to look at your own connections. Christ Church has a great space and a great community …

Summer is a slower time of the year which allows us to appreciate the simple things of life. During the time of COVID, having small, prayerful gatherings outdoors was the …

Why are we often our own worst enemy? For reasons sometimes unknown, we set unrealistic expectations and then are critical of ourselves when we don’t live up to them. And …

Our Liturgical Year is basically split into two pieces. From Advent to Pentecost (December to June) we focus on the life of Jesus, from his birth to his death, resurrection, …

Throughout the Summer months we will be using prayers from Enriching Our Worship. Approved by The Episcopal Church in 1997, it was intended for worshipping communities to have more options …

Expanding our network with your help! While we know a good Delco summer is full of trips to the shore, summer camps, and WaWa Hoagies, Christ Church will still be …

Delightfully, the Little Library of Love that lives on the lawn of Christ Church is more active as the weather warms and foot traffic passes by the church. To keep …

With full hearts we will share our last service with Deacon Dennis this Sunday, May 26th. Deacon Dennis will be preaching at Christ Church one final time for Trinity Sunday. …

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”* If …

We are collecting items for Brookhaven’s Family Homeless Shelter. If you are able to add a few items to your weekly shopping trip, our neighbors at the shelter would be …

Have a green thumb, or enjoy time outside? We are growing a Garden Guild and need volunteers! The first project would be to plant perennials around the church property the …

Throughout the Easter season, we read the Acts of the Apostles. The Book of Acts tell us of the early church and how the followers of Jesus spread the good …

Spreading the good news of Jesus and the work of Christ Church is the responsibility of each of us. We need your help to take pictures of church events and …

The Liturgy is the work of the people. It takes everyone’s participation to make it happen in a proper way. There is no holiness factor to join or written test …

Parish Submission: Jane Benditt “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12. (NIV) What does it mean to number our days? …

Starting in April and continuing through Pentecost, Sunday School will be focusing their lessons on the Eucharist. Any children from pre-k to fifth grade are welcome to the Whaley Room …

Not a morning person? Work on the weekends? Looking for a midweek faith practice? Then we will see you in the pews on Wednesday! Fr. Michael will preside over Eucharist …

Classes Forming NOW! LIFT (Lifelong Improvements through Fitness Together) is an in-person, group-based, strength training program for adults aged 40+ on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting March 12th, 2024 from 10:30AM …

The Rite of Reconciliation (Confession) is a part of The Episcopal Church open to all, but not required of anyone. Lent is an appropriate time to explore this sacrament of …

Lent always seems to get a bad rap. Ashes, fasts, sin, and sadness, right? Lent really is about new beginnings and our journey towards resurrection on Easter. What better time …

The Reverend Michael Ruk (he/him), Interim Priest in Charge.You may call him Michael, or Father Michael.   Michael was born in Pittsburgh and raised in a Roman Catholic family. He …

To the Dear Members of Christ Church: It is with great pleasure and hope for the future of Christ Church, that the Vestry after much thoughtful deliberation and prayer has …

Advent season is all about waiting. But not all waiting is the same. There are two specific kinds of waiting. The first kind is waiting for things we are certain …

Please place new or gently used clothing (sizes infant to adult medium) as well as new or gently used children’s books into the bin outside Musselman Hall under the coat …

Share your Christmas Spirit! Christmas Readers & Ushers Christmas readers please make sure to check in with Rev. Dave and Deacon Dennis for your assigned reading. Christmas Children’s Pageant There …

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the …

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the …

A holy Advent is one with time set apart from demands of overwhelming depends of “holiday-shoulds.” Advent is found in moments of stillness and expectation for what is to come, …

2023 Pumpkin Patch That’s a lot of numbers, but they help show the magnitude of the impact of our Pumpkin Patch. This event benefits the workers in New Mexico who …

“Fall-back” on November 5th, so you’re not too early for service! Enjoy your extra hour of sleep before joining us on Sunday. 8 AM Spoken Eucharist Service10:15 AM Eucharist with …

The end of the year is approaching and for our college students that means finals, quizzes, writing papers, and stress. We need your help sending them a little love and …

“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.” – John Donne Like the trees all around us, we are in a time …

“Jesus teaches us to come before God with humble hearts, boldly offering our thanksgivings and concerns to God or simply listening for God’s voice in our lives and in the …

As our annual stewardship campaign gets underway, we use the phrase “Rooted in Abundance” to remind us that we should be inspired to give because so much has been given …

The Vestry is making headway in the process of calling an interim priest. The Diocese has provided us with a list of candidates and we are formulating questions to prepare …

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” – Oscar Wilde Happy October! For our agricultural ancestors, October was all about the intense labor of bringing in the harvest and …

“All the months are crude experiments, out of which the perfect September is made.” – Virginia Woolf September is a time of transition and planning for the coming winter – …

Do you remember the excitement of going back to school? Connecting with friends, a fresh start, learning new things. In September, we hold the same excitement for the program year …

We are so grateful for the generosity of our parish! Over the summer months Christ Church continued through our transition and said our goodbyes to Reverend Jane as our Rector. …

High winds from Hurricane Dora and drought conditions combined to accelerate the growth of brush fires that devastated the Lahaina community in Hawaiʻi. Episcopal Relief & Development is in contact …

God is the story of whatever works. God is the twist at the end and the quirks. We are the start, and we are the centre, we’re the characters, narrators, …

L.I.F.T returns to CCRP on September 12th! L.I.F.T is an in-person, group-based, strength training program for adults aged 40+ that takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00-12:00 PM in …

If you would like to be a delegate to represent CCRP on October 20th or 21st at the 2023 Convention, taking place at The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, please get in …

It’s not too late to pick up a book that invites you into faithful wondering this summer! Older Readers Young (or young at heart) Readers

If you are a household with school aged children, keep an eye out for a Back to School Blessing mailing coming to your home. You can look forward to receiving …

Christ Church is a non-profit charitable entity. That may be something you already know, or it may be something you have not thought much about. It isn’t bankrolled by anyone …

Throughout the summer we are spotlighting the wonderful leadership of our Vestry. Check out what they are up to this summer and maybe even get some summer reading, viewing, and …

To the Parish of Christ Church, While the vestry has had the opportunity to speak with some of you regarding our transition and search for a new Rector, we wanted …

In times of anxiety and confusion human mental functioning can retreat (or rise). I used to see this in first-time church camp guests. Some children and tweens would be basically …

No matter what happens, Christ Church leaders are on the ground volunteering their time to encourage your allegiance to God in our changing world. You turn to CCRP regularly because …

Wildwood, Disney World, or to your cousin’s house, wherever you travel this summer, Christ Church can come with you! There are two places to watch our livestream each Sunday- on …

A beautiful historic building has its costs. We have a number of projects coming down the road that have substantial price tags. Your commitment to the mission of CCRP has …

June 18, 2023 One of the questions that we should invite to the table when wondering with stories like Abraham and Sarah’s, one of the questions we should hold in …

This Sunday, June 4th, we will celebrate the world premiere of a new vocal/organ composition called “The Blessed Name.” It was composed by our very own Michael White, a member …

Summer is blooming around us, and so to our fresh possibilities in the living witness of Christ Church, Ridley Park: we bloom because of hearts and hands like yours. Generous …

As you likely know by now, I have announced that I begin a new call this very month. In June I will be sharing my time between CCRP and the …

Dear Christ Church friends, I write to you today to inform you that I have accepted the invitation of Bishop Gutiérrez to join the diocesan staff as the Canon for …

May 28th at both the 8 AM and 10:15 AM service, we are looking for volunteers to read in other languages. French, German, Spanish, ASL, if you can read a …

Graduate Recognition will take place on Sunday, May 28th at the 10:15 AM service. If you have an eighth grader or senior in your household that would like to participate …

to journey towards wellness and wholeness with the Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner with episodes released weekly.

May 9, 2023 at The Acorn Club, Philadelphia Father Tim Steeves will speak on “Sherlock Holmes, the Accidental Theologian”, a topic which will enhance the knowledge of even many well-read …

Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. You may even wonder if there’s anything you can do….If you matter. You DO matter! Now more than ever. Keeping to the spiritual and religious …

We are looking for at least one more volunteer for live streaming! Only simple computer skills are needed and we will train you! Volunteers can pick their Sundays and we …

Do you like silence? The empty tomb was a place of silence, it is defined by what is not there. In April at clergy conference we were reminded that the …

Look closely! Scammers are once again impersonating church staff. Keep in mind:

Celebrate God’s creation on Earth Day! Get outside for a walk, sit near a window and meditation on the nature you see, or visit a public park! Another way to …

Celebrate God’s creation on Earth Day! Get outside for a walk, sit near a window and meditation on the nature you see, or visit a public park! Another way to …

As the weather warms up, more foot traffic passes our Little Free Library of Love and there is a higher turn over of books. If you have books that are …

On Saturday, March 25th, Vestry gathered for a focus day at Holy Apostles. The Rev. Canon Kird Berlenbach, Canon for Growth and Support, led our parish leaders through reflection and …

Every week you hear and see the difference that CCRP makes with sacred depth and ancient practices and thoughtful compassion. As part of the worldwide Anglican tradition, whether it be …

‘On earth has dawned this day of days, where-on the faithful give God praise! For Christ is risen from the tomb, and light and joy have conquered doom. Alleluia!’ Hymn …

Support Christ Church and save on 14 wonderful local businesses for a year! Funds raised will go toward fixing the sanctuary gutters. Cost: $20 To purchase from the church office …

Our enjoyed fellowship time after the 10:15 AM service has renewed energy that we want to continue! We need hosts for the month of March and April. Hosting includes preparing …

Christ Church is pleased to share that we have a new team member! Nicholas D’Amato, or Nick, has joined our staff as the Parish Administrator. We hope you give him …

Beginning February 21 the church office will be open Monday to Friday from 9 AM till 1 PM. Contact the office by phone (610)521-1626, email [email protected], or stop by during …

Thanks to the following people for their time, donations and support of the Life Center! YOU ARE AMAZING! The Outreach Committee Our next date to provide a meal is Wednesday, …

Have you ever thought about why we gather for worship? Your ideas about why may be that people are seeking comfort, connection to friends, a sense of peace and purpose, …

On Saturday, February 11th will diocese will honor the life and ministry of the Blessed Absalom Jones, the first African American priest in The Episcopal Church, with a service at …

Beginning this Sunday our ushers will be regularly passing the offering plates at the 10:15AM service. The 8AM service will continue to have a stationary plate by the font to …

The Food Pantry at Ridley Park United Methodist Church is looking for donations. This Food Pantry serves hundreds of individuals in our neighborhood and does an amazing job providing a …

20+C+M+B+23 The Epiphany Home Blessing is a way of marking our homes, usually at the front or main entrance, with sacred signs and symbols as we ask God’s blessing upon …

Written by, Elizabeth Rasnake, Decorating Committee The inspiration for this year’s Williamsburg theme came from the Magnolia candleholders created by our cherished member, Ruth Pottier. Nikki Melso and I first …

Generosity is bountiful at Christ Church. Thank you! The Outreach Christmas collections filled the pews and were passed along to our neighbors. The goodies were piled into wagons and loaded …

It began in practicality. Most of our larger deliveries come to the Green Doors on the ‘alley’ that runs between our neighbor’s homes and the parish buildings. This ‘alley’ is …

All three of my cats are rescue cats, all came to my heart and home after they were two years old. There are parts of their history that I know, …

Our parish is blessed with committed individuals who work in the background to make the season of Advent and Christmas come alive. We would like to take time to shout …

There are dreams and there are dreams. There are the creative reaches of the mind in our waking life. And there is the sleeping playfulness with past, now, future, fact, …

Written by Jane Benditt “You are the world’s light-a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; …

The Last Battle is the wrapping up of time and being in the Narnia we know. We watched its start in TMN, now we witness a conclusion. History having an …

Thank you for all the times you have shown up in whatever way you can, all the times you step up to act with love and mercy, even when it …

He just didn’t care about anything else. Not what he was wearing, or who he was, or where he was. He had one goal, one hope. He pushed and climbed …

Begin by setting your heart and mind on God’s presence. Then pray aloud the following prayer. Holy God who calls the worlds into being, who calls us into Christ’s church; …

Everyone ate until they were full, and the disciples filled twelve baskets with the leftovers. Luke 9.17 As we continue our journey through these unusual years, we know the holiness …

One of the delights of our Pumpkin Patch is spending a month telling people about how ________(adj) Christ Church is. I ____________ (adv) tell them that it is a really …

Are you missing Coffee Hour fellowship after the Sunday 10:15 am service as much as we are? Volunteers are needed to assist with the set up of our beloved coffee …

The story-told Creation myths emerge from discernment and artistry and wonder, but also dismay. Everything can be so beautiful and so terrible, and so the stories dig deep beyond what …

Each time you shop with Amazon Smile, Amazon gives back to the organization of your choice, and you can choose Christ Church! How to support CCRP with your purchases: 1. …

The pumpkins got a little delayed. Come at 5:30 pm this evening for unloading. Yes, we will get soggy. Yes, it will get dark. Yes, we will need all the …

Updated time for the pumpkins to arrive is 4:30pm on Sunday. We will be unloading till the truck is empty- come when you can and stay for however long you …

The delivery truck is expected on Sunday for a 4:30pm (updated time) unloading and we need your help. Friends, sports teams, neighbors, Scouts- anyone is welcome to join in the …

Christ Church is committed to providing 25 Ditty Bags to the Seamen’s Institute. These bags will go to Seafarers in the upcoming holidays who are living on cargo ships, often …

Pumpkins. I think it is the mix of bright color and roundness that leads to the joy that they bring. The most important part about the Pumpkin Patch is the …

Every other Narnian novel has some moment of transport between our world and theirs. Here in this novel we are in the middle of the untold time between the children …

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chester is pleased to announce the dedication of its newly restored Aeolian-Skinner organ (opus 1273). The instrument was designed in 1954 by Joseph Whiteford and …

The Rite Questions Podcast Library. Listen to the podcast either on our youtube channel or by selecting the episode below.

The 7th annual Kathy Cooper Memorial Golf Tournament will take place on September 11th. Registration is at 7am with coffee and donuts, golfing begins at at 8am with a break …

LIFT classes are now open to register for the fall starting Tuesday, September 13 at 11am right here at Christ Church. The deadline to register is September 11th.

Have you begun a new phase of your walk with Christ in the last three years? Have you been imbedded here for decades but never formally become ‘Episcopalian’? Is God …

Our friend Mary Schlegel died peacefully on Saturday. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. More information will be shared as it comes into us, however, her funeral …

Oma Mellora Ross Pauley passed away peacefully at St. Martha/s Nursing home under hospice care in Downingtown PA on June 17, 2022. She was 89 years old, a longtime member …

Summertime. What do you like about summertime? The foods, the fruit, the lack of cold, the pooltime? Two things leap to mind for me fresh fruit and water. Watermelon and …

A beautiful part of our Sunday tradition is the chance to be in mutual ministry, worship is both personal and communal. After the stricter months of pandemic isolation, some may …

Josh Miller (he/they) is excited to be joining CCRP as the new Choirmaster & Organist. For the past decade, he has worked as an opera stage director at many of …

Soon we will start the season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time, and the color of that season is green. Green like the grass under our feet and the leaves on the …

Pentecost celebrates that sometimes underappreciated third person of the Trinity – the Spirit of God! The expression of God that surrounds us and comforts us and brings energy and change …

Reliable sociology of religion research shows that occasional religious formation (worship, fellowship, service, and education) leads to worse moral outcomes than having no religious formation at all. We also know …

It was a big week for the moon. And the moon it seems, is all over the nightime settings of the Silver Chair. When you think of the universe, the …

Our outdoor space is here for you! Thanks to the hard work of volunteers the churchyards have been adorned with flowers, benches, and the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of …

We have not forgotten about the benches! The benches arrived right before the ground froze, so we have been waiting for winter to decide it was leaving us. Hopefully by …

I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. What does that mean? Could it mean, perhaps, that in baptism we are clothed with a lifelong, head-to-toe suit of forgiveness? …

Christ Church was in full bloom this Easter thanks to a hard working team of volunteers who gave time and talent to every task asked of them. The garden around …

As we believe you know by now, our heating system for the sanctuary has been replaced after the old one simply needed to much fixing for a system that was …

Holy Week contains some of the oldest practices of Christian gatherings. Practices of prayer and song and scripture and fellowship that the faithful have practiced in times of peacefulness and …

Our Easter garden will be blooming around the Baptismal Font in several weeks. We are looking for a few helping hands to assist with the setup. No green thumbs are …

Over the course of the last two years when I have lifted the chalice and spoken of sharing the cup of communion, when I would be the only one sharing …

If you don’t appreciate the water, being in it or on it, then the setting of THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER may be a place of discomfort from the …

Lent is a season of clearing and assessment and slowing down to hear and feel and see the Jesus who goes through the desert with us, who meets us in …

Click here to join us on the live-stream or watch on our Youtube Channel and look for the live video. The annual meeting video will continue to remain on our …

“The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite …

Shades of red and pink, glitter, hearts that look like a balloon being inflated, a symbol that reminds us of hope, connection, life itself. The first, second, and even third …

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight, At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,And when he …

Epiphany most simply means ‘whoa!’ When we say we have had an epiphany we are saying that we have had a significant realization. The feast of Epiphany is celebrated on …

On Wednesday, February 9th, it is once again our turn to provide a meal for the Life Center residents. They only need 32 meals as they are not permitted to …

The current data regarding the spread of the Omicron variant of the Covid Pandemic is devastating for exhausted health care workers, unvaccinated children, and the vulnerable of every age group. …

Visit the beautiful 12ft tree on the church lawn! The neighborhood-wide ornament exchange is giving the tree life. Bring an ornament to hang on the tree and take a new …

LIFT classes are back! LIFT classes will be offered at the church on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 11am to noon starting February 15. LIFT (Lifelong Improvements through Fitness Together) …

On Wednesday, December 8th, it is once again our turn to provide a meal for the Life Center residents. They only need 30 meals as they are not permitted to …

Sponsor altar flowers to beautify the sanctuary with creations from God. Altar flowers are often shared “in memory of” or “in honor” of someone special and can be displayed the …

The Office will be closed starting December 24th until January 3rd, aside from our scheduled worship services. Please note that staff will not be checking their emails and we will …

As you know our wonderful organist and choir director Janet Kaido is the mother of a toddler, who as you also know, is not eligible for vaccination. To better protect …

Please be aware of scam emails posing to be Reverend Jane or other CCRP staff. The staff at Christ Church will NEVER reach out over email requesting urgent help to …

Join @PB_Curry by sharing your own “I Got Mine” story. Post your photo or video with the #igotmine hashtag, tag and invite your friends, and tell the world what getting …

Neither school nor one’s parents can teach you everything you will need to know. I specifically recall being taught to iron in the college laundry room: I knew the simplest …

Go check out our Christ Church Ridley Park profile on Spotify. We’ve got podcast playlists designed for young adults that will continue to grow and be added to. While the …

The Rite Questions class will begin again this fall as an 8-week course meeting once a week. Rite Questions is the preparation class forconfirmation- a mature commitment to Christ by …

We encourage you to join us in the effort of calling each other by our names. The pandemic time apart, new friends finding CCRP online, and wearing masks have made …