Chatham, Massachusetts

Parishioners join fishing families

at first Blessing of the Fleet

Braving gale-force winds and cold, stinging rain, St. Christopher's joined area fishing families to celebrate Chatham's first Blessing of the Fleet. As his drenched chausible whipped in the wind, Rector Brian W. McGurk led a service coordinated with the Women of Fishing Families (WOFF) for their second annual Maritime Festival. Members of St. Christopher's choir and Uncommon Band huddled in the fish-smelling processing room at the Fish Pier until it came their turn to brave the elements and perform for the 100-plus people attending. Lewis Masson played poignant airs on the bagpipes. As part of the service, Brian blessed each boat at the pier with holy water sprinkled from an evergreen branch, then read aloud the names of all the boats and their captains in the Chatham fishing fleet.

The event was featured on the front of the local section of the Cape Cod Times. The article, along with a slideshow of pictures taken by photograhper Steve Heaslip, may be found on the Cape Cod Times website by clicking here.

A video of the event, also shot by Steve Heaslip, is available at the Times' CapeCast site, by clicking here.

Now hear this!

Semons by Bishop Barbara Harris,


Rector McGurk, available in audio

Digital audio (or podcast) versions of recent sermons at St. Christopher's, including a recording of Bishop Barbara Harris (left), who spoke on 'Anglicanism and the Spirit of Inclusion' during her visit to Chatham, are now available on our Sermons page.

There you can also find sermons by our own Rector Brian McGurk and Assistant Rector Gail Smith.

Just updated

See Latest issue of Soundings

The May issue of Soundings has just been updated. Featured in Soundings:

- Rector Brian McGurk to lead Chatham's first Blessing of the Fleet.

- Brian reflects on five years at St. Christopher's; timeline shows how far we've come.

- Nan and Jerry Hardison, missionaries to Kenya, visit St. Christopher's.

'Anglicanism & Inclusion'

theme for programs

Offerings  by School of Theological Inquiry

Bishop Barbara Harris will be the highlight speaker as St. Christopher's new School of Theologial Inquiry offers programs, services and discussions to explore our Easter Season theme, "Anglicanism and the Spirit of Inclusion.' The season's slate includes a Sunday Seminary talk and sermon by Bishop Harris on April 20, panel discussions, a forum, book discussions and Bible studies. Watch for a schedule to be posted on our new STI page in the near future.

Listen to Evensong

Digital audio available

Hear the beautiful Requium by Handel, recorded at our last Evensong service, featuring Barbara Buffa as soloist and a string section accompaniment by clicking here.

Building Plans Unveiled

See video of the architect's presentation

The building and renovation program for St. Christopher's entered an important final phase when the latest design and landscape plans were presented by architect Dan Barton and Building Committee Chairman Bruce Wood at a recent Forum at the church. To see a vdeo of their presentation, a rendering of the plans, and additional information on the ongoing capital campaign, visit our Forward in Faith page.

Mission to Maseno

Kenya trip was emotional and

a building block for the future

By Tim Weller
     “So how was the trip?  What was it like?”
     Straightforward questions asked by caring friends, family and neighbors. But for the three of us, questions to avoid on those first days back from Kenya.
     Call it rude. Call it self-absorbed. Call it what you want. We called it self-preservation.
      In our own personal ways, Brian, Jamie and I struggled when we returned from Kenya. Brian struggled to conduct services. Jamie struggled to hold back the tears.  I struggled with people and withdrew.
     What did we take away from it?
     First, that your prayers, your money, your compassion are making a difference.
(To see the complete story, click on the Aid to Africa page link here.)

NOW HEAR THIS!

Listen to sermons from services

Podcasts (digital audio recording) of recent sermons delivered by our Rector Brian McGurk and The Rev. Gail Smith at St. Christopher's worship services are available at the Sermons web page. A digital media player (such as RealAudio or Windows Media Player) is required to hear the podcast.

Hear The Rev. Brian McGurk remember the people he met in Africa by clicking here.

Rector McGurk's Christ the King sermon can be heard by clicking here.

You can listen to the sermon for the Blessing of the Animals service by clicking here.

Listen to Bishop Shaw's April 29 sermon via St. Christopher's podcast! Click here

welcome