Christ Church IU Worton, MD

06/14/2026

Third Sunday after Pentecost. Summer's here in Maryland. Heat, humidity, thunderstorms with blessed rain (since we're still in drought) and the accompanying downed limbs, what we sometimes and relatively cheaply pay for blessed shade in the increasing and continually record-breaking heat. Wheat's coming off the fields, beans going in, corn's coming up to maybe e a coyote's eye at the moment. Farm stands offering fragrant strawberries and the blueberries are just starting.

Our tech crew is off celebrating an 80th birthday in the family, but the rest of the regulars will be in the pews and happy to share prayers, service, and snacks after with any and all. This Sunday's service will be followed by the Annual meeting, a low-key affair at IU that should not dent the time we spend together. Join us.

No streaming since the tech crew is away.

Readings:

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)
Psalm 116:1, 10-17
Romans 5:1-8
Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23)

06/07/2026

Drought alleviated the tiniest bit by a little rain last night. Irrigation is going everywhere it's available. The young trees that were planted last year will need to be watered – deeply but not too often so their roots send down for moisture. Rather like human beings who need sustenance, deep thinking, and – researchers are confirming – a mutual regard fand sharing of resources regardless of kith or kin or the health of the whole.

This morning we are likely to be quietly gathered. We have said goodbye to a longtime parishioner/educator/activist and friend. An example to how each of us can engage with life and community. We expect most of our usual crew: Our steady and much-appreciated supply [priest, The Rev Gretchen Zimmerman, who carries us through thick and thin, Our beloved organist Mary Fritz and her two terrific daughters: Rita, our chalice bearer and Phoebe one half of the altar guild. Our tech crew will not be in church today so no streaming. We gather in prayer and mutual support and will welcome any and all who can join us.

Readings:

Genesis 12:1-9
Psalm 33:1-12
Romans 4:13-25
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

05/31/2026

Trinity Sunday. Unseasonably cool, but welcome. A beautiful service yesterday to say goodbye to one of our most assiduous and stalwart members, Jane Hukill after a long, rich, and productive life.

Today we gather again with our church family to continue offering ongoing prayers for each other, our church community, nation and world, all of which seems on fire at the moment. We are grateful for the steady supply and support of The Rev Gretchen Zimmerman, our chalice bearers, Deb Reilly and Rita Fritz, our organist Mary Fritz, our altar guild Deb Reilly and Phoebe Fritz, our vestry, and all of our members who put in their hands and hearts to make it all work. The spiritual practice of the practical. Our tech crew will be elsewhere so there will be no streaming.

Join us in person. We're glad to welcome people into our midst.

Readings:
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew 28:16-20
Psalm 8
or Canticle 13 (or Canticle 2)

05/27/2026

Jane Hukill's memorial service will take place at Christ Church IU Worton on Saturday 30 May 2026 at 10am. Her obituary is viewable here:

Share Memories and Support the Family.

05/24/2026

Jane Hukill's memorial service will be held at Christ Church IU Worton on Saturday May30th, 2026 at 10am.

05/24/2026

First Sunday of Pentecost. In honor of the tongues of fire that appeared above the disciples and is marked as the birth of the Christian Church. Episcopalians (and maybe others) wear red in remembrance. In a way it's a contrast to the rain over this holiday weekend, which while a blessed relief, is hard on the annual Tea Party for which many dedicated community members work and plan for months. This year, the 250th of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, would have been a particularly robust event, a reminder to all that it was a bumpy, contentious, and by no means certain path to our republic, 'if we can keep it.' Ongoing.

And this memorial weekend, we at IU have lost one of our own, Jane Hukill, whose flame for activism, community, and friendship never died, tho in the last few years, with waning energy, it may have dimmed a little. She was an inspiration and example to those who know what it is to keep hold of a republic and a community. in its best sense, and showed what it took by her actions. We will sorely miss her. Details for a service in her memory will follow as they are known.

And so, we continue with our small but dedicated parish. We welcome others to join us at 9am for Eucharistic service, for prayer, mutual support, and an always appreciated sermon from our steady supply, The Rev Gretchen Zimmerman, followed by coffee, conversation, and snacks.

Streaming link: https://meet.google.com/wru-apim-cbm

Readings:

Acts 2:1-21
or Numbers 11:24-30
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
or Acts 2:1-21
John 20:19-23
or John 7:37-39
Psalm 104:25-35, 37

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05/17/2026

Seventh Sunday of Easter. A true spring with temps cool enough to prolong the early bulbs and sustain the lush greenery. Sage-topped fields of wheat wave in rather a lot of drying wind, and we need rain. School's nearly finished for the year, the Sophie Kerr Prize has been awarded at Washington College, and the Master Gardeners are once again at a table at the Farmers' Market with our community growers, makers and artisans i.e. our neighbors.

Our small church community gathers at 9am again as we do each Sunday to pray, worship, and offer support to each other and the wider world, wh is ever in need of pray and positive action. Our crew ill be in the house: our steady supply priest, The Rev Gretchen Zimmerman, organist Mary Fritz, altar guild Deb Reilly, and tech crew James Martinez plus the ret of us. And a short vestry meeting will follow the service.

Join us either in person – coffee, snacks and conversation follow the service each week - or online. Streaming link: https://meet.google.com/wru-apim-cbm

Readings:
Acts 1:6-14
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36

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05/10/2026

Sixth Sunday of Easter. Desperately need rain, though the county seems to bely that since everywhere is abundantly green. Farm equipment on the roads so be patient and careful.

Last week, with our steady supply, The Rev Gretchen Zimmerman away, Deb Reilly pulled together a seamless Morning Prayer helped by the whole congregation. Our much-appreciated organist, and her smart, capable, and lovely daughter, Phoebe, who does so much quietly in IU, hauled off another load of things for the Food Pantry, an increasing need in times of government cutbacks to its people and weekly gas and diesel price increases, wh affects so much in everyone's daily life.

This week, The Rev Zimmerman will be back, and we'll have the Eucharistic service followed by coffee, snacks, conversation and fellowship. Join us.

Readings:

Acts 17:22-31
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
Psalm 66:7-18

05/03/2026

Fifth Sunday in Easter continues cool, which makes many of the bulbs and early plants very happy. Wheat field are lush, others are plowed and being planted. A real spring so far. Many large pieces of farm equipment are on the road and relatively slow, so be careful, patient, and kind.

The Diocese continues its careful assessment of the various parish needs, missions, resources, and character in conjunction with making a plan to carry forward. Meanwhile parish life goes on – food boxes, soup kitchens, visits, hands reaching out to others in need, all the human connections of life.

Since our steady supply priest, The Rev Gretchen Zimmerman is traveling, this Sunday is Morning Prayer, led by Deb Reilly and joined by others in the church family. Join us. All voices welcome. Coffee, snacks and conversation follow the collaborative service, and our tech crew will be in the house so there will be streaming.

Link: https://meet.google.com/wru-apim-cbm

Readings:

Acts 7:55-60
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

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04/26/2026

Fourth Sunday of Easter. And rain! A blessing. April showers have been disturbingly absent. While a Saturday the timing may not be great for everyone, the need for farmers, the soil, the creatures, trees, and plants was getting very worrisome.

April is in may ways a transition time. School's coming down on its annual end with its requirements and ceremonies. That also means the end of free school lunches, so the food banks are in greater need. Soon we'll be entering into summer sports, library reading programs, and vegetable gardens with their challenges and joys.

Even in transitions, some things remain comfortingly constant: the need to understand our lives as they are lived day to day together, in community, and more deeply: the eternal questions of what we're meant to be doing with our one wild and precious life. Which is where church and prayer come in.

Join us.

Our tech crew will be in the house so there will be streaming.

Link: https://meet.google.com/wru-apim-cbm

Readings:

Acts 2:42-47
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
Psalm 23

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