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Our Parish Bicentennial will be celebrated with a number of special events over the next several weeks.  Mark your calendars early and plan to join us for many of these opportunities to celebrate the good things God has done here over the last 200 years.

June 20, 8 &10: 1810 Eucharist: We will use the liturgy and music from the age of our parish’s founding to remember our heritage.  Former rector Doug Smith, now at All Saints Church, Hanover Pennsylvania will be the preacher, standing in for Father Nash.  Sunbonnets and frock coats encouraged.

June 27, 8 & 10: 1960 Eucharist: The beloved (by some) 1928 Prayer Book will return and the freestanding Altar will disappear for a Eucharist of fifty years ago, just as Father French was beginning his decades-long tenure.  Father Sam Abbott will return to preach.  You are welcome to dress the part—ladies, look for your hats and gloves.

July 8, 7:00: 1910 Evensong: Our Parish Choir will lead a special Evensong using the liturgy and music chosen for the Centennial service in 1910.  Our visiting preacher will be Rt. Revd. Mark Sisk, Bishop of New York.

July 9, 7:00: Family Music Evening: Former organist and Cooperstown’s favorite sing-along leader Ron Johnson will be on the bench for an evening of music, with possible guest appearances by other local musicians

July 10, 7:00: Celebration Dinner: This festive evening will be held at Templeton Hall.  The three course dinner with drinks costs $30 a person.  Reservations should be made as soon as possible, as seating is limited.

July 11, 10:00: Bicentennial Eucharist: The Rt. Revd. William Love, Bishop of Albany, will celebrate and preach at this service, which will celebrate our past and look ahead to the mission that lies before us.  The service will include baptisms and the confirmation of adults and youth.  The service will include the performance of a commissioned anthem by our choir, the singing of our Bicentennial Hymn, Glimmerglass by Marly Youmans Miller, and other music led by the Parish Choir, Saint Agnes Choir and Joyful Noise Praise Band.

The Annual Parish Picnic will follow, at Three Mile Point.   All should bring a dish to share.  Silly games, swimming and general good fun are promised in this relaxing end to the festivities.

Bicentennial Prints, made from a series of etchings by Christ Church’s own Deb Guertze may be purchased currently through the Smithy-Pioneer Gallery in a variety of sizes, and will also be available soon through Christ Church.  30% of the proceeds will go to the Lych Gate restoration.

A Book of Essays (title still to be determined) will also be available soon.  Written by David Svahn, Janet Rigby, Mary Bellew, Fr. Mark and Evan Jagels, and edited by Marly Miller, the essays discuss changes in the leadership, buildings, liturgy, role of women and outreach at Christ Church over the past half century.  The book will also include a timeline of the past 200 years of our Parish story.

Finally, donations continue to arrive for our Bicentennial Capital Project, the restoration of the Birdsall Lych Gate.  As of press time, $5,400 has been received toward our $15,000 goal.  Local carpenter Jon Edgington has already begun hewing the timber beams for restoration, and it may be completed in time for the Bicentennial.  If not, we will plan to dedicate it on All Saints Sunday in November to bring our year of celebration to a fitting close.