October 2009 Archives

PeeWee Baseball, Wine, & Churchland Assumptions
by Peter Hogg

PeeWee Baseball The bleacher‐full of parents stood and yelled, "Run, John, r‐u‐u‐n!" Their
clapping and cheering was as confusing to little 6 year‐old John Hogg (my son) as was the fact that he had just hit the ball. It seemed that this was the first year that the powers‐at‐be had taken away the "tee" on which the baseball usually rested, so the batter could hit it with an inexperienced swing. These were 6, 7 and 8 year‐old children on their first quest at pre‐little league baseball. Also, it seemed that the decisionmakers didn't realize the fact that that age child was, for the most part, undeveloped in the hand‐eye coordination necessary to hit a moving softball, thrown gently underhand in a long slow downward arc. Well, duh - that's why they (used to) use a tee!

This year Christ Church is using the Sponsor-Candidate method in which a candidate works closely with a "sponsor" - someone who is a member of the parish. (The Parish Life Committee will assist in finding sponsors for those whom would like assistance.)  Instead of six week-after-week classes just before confirmation (the next one is May 23, 2010 with Bishop Curry), we will now spread the 6 sessions over 7 months with just one session per month for a total of 6 classes (Nov '09 - May '10; there is no session in Dec.). The sessions are held after the Wednesday supper, with the first Wednesday night session on Nov. 18 at 6:30 pm in Room 202. They will continue on the third Wednesday of the month, excluding December. Sponsors will attend the six Wednesday evening classes to the best of their ability.
 
NEW There will be only six times in this 7-month period in which a sponsor and candidate can pick an event to attend together- something as simple as having a discussion over coffee, attending a special service together (Ash Wednesday?) or an outreach or in reach project. Suggestions for the sponsor-candidate time together will be presented at the first joint session on Nov. 18. The days and times of these sponsor-candidate-only events are picked by the sponsor and candidate to suit their schedules and desires. 
 
To register for the Adult Confirmation Class, contact Lin Boyle (834-6259 x106 or email).  For more information, contact the Rev. Peter Hogg (834-6259 x101 or email) or Rufus Allen (829-9947 or email).