Upcoming Events

• The Yes Men on 3/18
  Pam Yates on 3/25
  Steve Krutz on 4/4

  Sanctuary for the Sanctuary

  For 200 years Christ Church United Methodist has been a thriving part of the tapestry that is the city of Troy. We are honored to offer sanctuary to the Sanctuary for Independent Media, a local organization centered on education through the use of media, while they make improvements to their facility.

  As a United Methodist congregation we welcome all with Open hearts, Open minds and Open doors. We believe that forums where divergent opinions can be expressed, ideas can be discussed, and the community can be gathered, are essential for a society to grow and develop.

  While the content and opinions in the materials presented by the Sanctuary for Independent Media may not always reflect the opinions of the congregation of Christ Church United Methodist, we affirm the right of everyone to hold, express and discuss opinions of their own in a welcoming and respectful environment.

  We hope that the people of Troy and the greater Capital District will take this opportunity to become more familiar with the work of the Sanctuary for Independent Media and Christ Church United Methodist.

  The Sanctuary for Independent Media will be offering the remainder of their Art, Freedom and Democracy Series -- The Yes Men on 3/18, Pam Yates on 3/25, and Steve Krutz on 4/4 -- in the sanctuary of Christ Church United Methodist located at 35 State Street, Troy, NY. All programs begin at 7pm.

• Metroland - January 31, 2008

  A Resolution of Peace

  We, the undersigned members and friends of Christ Church United Methodist, can no longer in good conscience stand silently by while thousands of Americans, Iraqis, and people of other countries continue to die, or to suffer lifelong injuries, while our country's leaders either continue to wage war, or refuse to take legislative actions that would stop the carnage and withdraw our troops from Iraq.
  We can no longer remain silent as our President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and other officials rattle sabers about possible actions against Iran, even though our own intelligence agencies concluded that Iran has not had an active nuclear weapons program since 2003. We feel that our government is following the same dangerous path that led to the invasion of Iraq-an action based on deception.
  We are also concerned that so few of our legislators and presidential candidates are taking strong positions against war. It is alarming, indeed, to hear certain candidates state that "nothing is off the table" with regard to Iran.
  We, therefore, urge all our leaders-executive, legislative, and judicial-to do their part in changing the current dialog from one of war to one of peace. We must stop threatening Iran in substantially the same language we used nearly five years ago about Iraq-and the war in Iraq must end.

  Rev. Nina Nichols, Senior Pastor; Rev. Janet Douglass, Assistant Pastor; Rev. Janice W. Palm, District Superintendent; Bob Blackmon, Mary Beth Blackmon, Randall Bentley, Judith A. Jacques, Kenneth Rose, Dorcas Rose, Nancy D. Campbell, Melissa E. Adami, Bryan E. Feiden, Nora Esposito, Tim Burgin, Bennett Turk, Rodney Wiltshire, Annelise Pitts, Jolene Wiltshire, Mary K. Wolfe-Baker, Deborah E. Byers, Ruby, Ashley Horton, Chrystal Horton, Lee Kemp, Micah Torres, Mary Greagan, Brittany Horton, Alice Rose, Erica Greene, Kenneth E. Large, David J. Large, Roger Kemp, Thila Bell, George Baker, Shirley Weiner, John Husson, Carter W. Eltzroth, Jr., Alison Cape, Marjorie Feiden, Barry Greene, Karen Greene, Judith Feiden, Edward Woodhouse, Shirley Greagan, Annee Borthwick, Paul Marano, Christine MacDonald, David MacDonald

• Oikumene Film Festival, July 20

  "One Body, Many Parts"

  "One Body, Many Parts" is a short film produced by Christ Church United Methodist in Troy and directed by Alice I. Rose, featuring music from local musician, Maria Zemantauski. It is one of 10 films selected for the festival and the only film produced by a local church.

  The Oikumene Film Festival is sponsored by the National Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission and is being held in conjunction with their fiftieth anniversary celebration "On Being Christian Together" in Oberlin, Ohio, this July. For more information on the film festival, see http://www.ncccusa.org/faithandorder/oberlin2007/oikumene.html

  The four-minute feature, "One Body, Many Parts", illustrates a classic passage from Paul's letter to the Corinthians where he uses the parts of a body to discuss the importance of diversity in a church community. The film reiterates this message with a chorus of voices and large-scale puppets.

  More than 25 volunteers worked on the project. Senior Pastor Nina Nichols noted, "Alice was able to pull together a wonderful cross section of our community to work on the film. Performers range in age from 8 to 80, intermixing those with developmental and physical ailments side-by-side with retired professors and active professionals. The diversity is further explored in the chorus of voices used, young and old, and of varying accents."

  Local Flamenco guitarist Maria Zemantauski provided the soundtrack for the film. Upon hearing the news of its selection for the festival, Maria said, "I am honored to be part of the project and this important message of unity and diversity." The Christ Church United Methodist community in Troy is preparing to celebrate its 200th year since incorporation in November 1808 with 15 months of special concerts, art installations, historical re-enactments and more. Selection of this film for the Oikumene Festival is an early start to this celebration. The stated vision of Christ Church is to live out the message of "One Body, Many Parts" by "welcoming everyone through the word, music, art and personal engagement - celebrating the qualities that make us different and the faith that makes us one."