St. Christopher's by-the-Sea celebrates its patron saint with new gardens and welcome sign
For further information please contact:
Father Tom Bruttell
(305) 361-5080
or
Parish Manager Ray Lutz
(305)975-6140
Key
Biscayne - Sept. 24, 2007--Nearly 300 Key Biscayners gathered Sunday
afternoon September 23 for a barbecue festival honoring St. Christopher,
patron saint of Key Biscayne's St. Christopher's by-the-Sea Episcopal
Church and its Montessori school. Members and friends of the parish
gathered in the west patio area next to the playground to enjoy barbecued
ribs and chicken with all the trimmings.
In months of preparation for this First Annual Observation of the Feast of St. Christopher the church grounds and school facilities had undergone major improvements including a new sign on Harbor Drive surrounded by the Fawdrey Molt Memorial Garden. The east lawn connecting the church to the columbarium was completely relandscaped and made into an inviting memorial garden that invites visitors to linger and meditate. The shrine of St. Francis next to the Fernwood entrance was also relandscaped. The interior of the Parish Hall was painted and provided with acoustical treatment that facilitates social events in the room as well as school activities.
Other exterior improvements include new wall sconces featuring a cross motif; stone flooring on the sidewalks, front steps and plaza connecting the steps to the Harbor Drive sidewalk; relocation and concealment of air-conditioning units; and other painting and general repairs. High-impact glass was installed for the parish office building and Parish Hall, matching the hurricane windows that had been installed on other buildings earlier.
Buildings that house the pre-kindergarten and K-5 Montessori classes received new p ainting, carpeting, and concrete repair for the school rooms, corridors and patio. A new modular class room was installed next to the Fernwood entrance to accommodate anticipated school expansion. Improved signage in the driveways is designed for the protection of our children and property, including No Parking for other than church/school business, and No Thoroughfare to limit drive-through traffic.
The picnic was the final event in a week of events honoring St. Christopher. Earlier, school children had learned about their patron, the “Christ-bearer” saint who carried the child Jesus across a raging river. At the Wednesday morning chapel service, Rector Thomas Bruttell preached a homily about Christopher and the example of seeking Jesus and of helping others, including strangers and travelers.
At the Sunday morning service, the Children's Choir debuted a special Patronal Hymn to St. Christopher that was written for the occasion by the parish director of choir and music, Reed Williams.
The hymn was sung again after the service when the congregation processed out the front of the church onto the new patio area to unveil the new sign, which replaces the original wooden sign that had been badly damaged by severe weather. The new sign proclaims that “All are welcome,” in the spirit of the patron saint and the Episcopal Church. The area surrounding the sign was landscaped by the Key Biscayne Garden Club in honor of the late Fawdrey Molt, a founder of St. Christopher's by-the-Sea and a past commodore of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club.
Our
Patron Saint - learn more now!
Friends Are Invited to Help Feed the Homeless on First Fridays...
Since
August, 2002, St. Christopher's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church has provided
dinner once each month for the more than 350 residents (families,
men and women ) of the Community Partnership's Homeless Assistance
Center (www.cphi.org)
at 1550 N. Miami Ave. The program continues on the first Friday of
each month. Servers arrive at the center by 5 pm, and can plan to
leave at 6:30pm. Those who help with the cooking plan to be there
from 3pm to 4:30pm. Our group serves a delicious menu of ham, macaroni
and cheese, salad, rolls, cake and drinks, which we purchase through
our Faith at Work Committee and individual contributions. Kathy Vale
is coordinating.
Anyone
who is interested in joining the group to represent the compassionate
community of Key Biscayne is welcome. Please call Kathy or leave a
message for her at the church office (305/361-5080). Anyone who wishes
to contribute financially to the effort, whether or not they can participate
physically, may send a check to St. Christopher's, designated for
Homeless Assistance Center Feeding Ministry.
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updated 09/25/07
