Meet Christ Church, Charlotte Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina

christ episcopal church charlotte nc

Suzanne teaches in large and small group settings including bible studies, discussion groups, and Faith Forum conversations, retreats, and pilgrimages. Joan received her Masters of Divinity degree from the University of the South School of Theology at Sewanee. She has extensive experience in parish ministry, previously serving as the Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Statesboro, Georgia.

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Coping with suicide hasn’t been the only struggle for parishioners. Personal experience with mental illness has prompted two church members to action. While the trend is too new to be reflected in hard numbers, mental health advocates and faith leaders say that a growing number of houses of worship across the nation are ministering to those with mental health challenges. Few have discerned the church’s call to nurture body, soul and mind as dramatically as Christ Church. After graduating from Yale and Furman Universities with degrees in organ performance and music theory, Ben came to North Carolina to serve as Organist and Choirmaster at First Presbyterian Church in Belmont. In 1992, he became Director of Music and Organist at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where he was the Founding Director of The Choir School at St. Peter’s.

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christ episcopal church charlotte nc

The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. OUR MISSIONTo engage, equip and empower people to love God, care for each other and serve the world in the name of Christ. Raised on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Connor discerned a call to the priesthood while in college and attended seminary upon graduation. He has previously served as a School Chaplain and on a Diocesan staff. Connor is a poet and writer whose work has been published in a variety of places including The Mockingbird. After a year of pre-recorded worship services broadcast on Sundays, in April 2021 we began reopening the doors for Sunday worship in person by registration, with live broadcasting from the sanctuary.

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In 2020, a world in crisis called us into new ways of being the church. We continued doing what we’ve always done--worshipping, praying, learning, supporting one another and loving our neighbors--but creatively reimagined, with a lot of flexibility, patience and love. The first wellness director, when he or she is hired, will serve as an advocate, educator and navigator for the congregation. Kinghorn said he is moved by Christ Church taking the step, unusual among congregations, of creating a suicide support group. His body was discovered the following Friday, about a 90-minute drive from Charlotte. The question posed in the Gospel of John — “Do you want to be made well?

Edens said the ministry isn’t based on the belief that Jesus alone can heal what ails us. God, he notes, works through many means, including health care, exercise, meditation and more. The support group was formed after the congregation was rocked by a half-dozen suicides within five years — a series of traumas that affected nearly everyone at the church, the largest Episcopal congregation in North Carolina. In 2006, the church building was honored with placement on the National Register of Historic Places, thanks largely to the work of former parishioner Donia Norman.

Our other sacramental rites are Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of the Penitent and Unction. We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church.

christ episcopal church charlotte nc

“It was like a huge pressure valve was released and people could breathe when talking about mental illness,” she said. The experience emboldened Purdy to share her story at churches, mental health seminars — wherever she could. She launched her ministry as a speaker and advocate for mental health at Christ Church.

Talley and Mothershead - Richmond Times-Dispatch

Talley and Mothershead.

Posted: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Our commitment to racial justice and reconciliation was strengthened as we witnessed the pain of our sisters and brothers of color. Jesus is our savior, but we were also saved by technology this year! Christ Church is currently offering one online service of prayer, hymns and a sermon, each Sunday at 9 a.m. Church leaders describe the new position as a ministry of presence, charged with addressing the array of issues that contribute to a person’s health — mental and otherwise. Today, the church refers families to HopeWay, and the facility’s medical staff has spoken at the church. The congregation has supported HopeWay financially, Blue said — including a grant to bring in Theo, a therapy dog.

Patricia R. Butler Obituary - Charlotte, NC - Dignity Memorial

Patricia R. Butler Obituary - Charlotte, NC.

Posted: Sat, 07 Mar 2015 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Nothing can separate us from the love of God, he said; there is grace and hope for those who die from suicide. It has helped one member establish a nonprofit residential mental health center and another launch a one-woman crusade to educate people about bipolar disorder. It has hosted two appearances by bestselling author Brené Brown to share her message that asking for help is a sign of strength. In addition to the SOS group, the church has invested in mental health support and awareness in a number of ways.

Prior to becoming a priest, Joan served in the United States Navy and Navy Reserve. Originally from Norfolk, Elizabeth moved to Seattle after graduating from the University of Virginia. In the Pacific Northwest, Elizabeth was a middle school teacher, the Director of Christian Formation at Epiphany Parish, and an active co-op preschool parent and community member. Along with her husband Dave and their three children, she returned to the east coast in 2020 to attend The Virginia Theological Seminary. She can be found sharing meals, on the soccer sidelines, and wherever she can traverse the highs and lows of life together with others.

Parishioners rose to tell their stories, not just about financial woes, but about their spiritual and emotional well-being — or lack of it. “God cares about human suffering and calls us to attend to those who suffer,” he said. Rite II – Uses modern language but retains the beautiful imagery of Rite I with more prayer options. Rite I – Uses Elizabethan English (i.e. thee, thy, thou) and hearkens back to the rich language of Thomas Cranmer, the original prayer book creator. Follow this link for a full list of Christ Church’s service times.

Progress is underway as we build on our priorities to cultivate faith, foster connections, and promote the well-being of everyone in our parish and the city beyond.

Ben has toured England, France, and the U.S. extensively with his choirs and as an organist. While at St. Peter’s he led the church through the design and acquisition of a new organ, C.B. He has served on the Board of Directors and led summer training courses for the Royal School of Church Music in America.

Along with that parish work, he served as a convocational dean, on the Commission on Ministry for the Diocese of Atlanta, and on the faculty for “Learning to Lead,” the diocesan class for clergy in new positions. Teaching, vocational discernment, and learning alongside others are important to his work. The remarkable generosity of our parish enabled an outpouring of care for others, including a massive food drive, a mask ministry and care partnerships with those who were isolated.

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