Easter 2025
Easter flowers at the freestanding altar.
Easter flowers at the Jefferson entrance
Easter flowers in St. Michael’s chapel
Paschal Candle, designed by Mira Hughes
Worship in the Park & the Annual Parish Picnic
We welcomed all to Shelter 9 on Belle Isle
Worship in the Park has a festive air
Bill Peck and Mary Brown have long been part of a recorder ensemble that provides music for this service.
Rev. Emily prepares the elements for communion.
Rev. Emily and Sandy ready the table
Capital Campaign Projects – Progress is Being Made!
The crew begins with efforts to waterproof
Digging deep in the courtyard revealed some blockages which once removed, will aid with keeping water out
Ledyard’s restoration begins on the outside, with bricks being replaced
New windows will come after the roof and brickwork is repaired
A Grand Time Was Had By All
This image is from 2023, but is great for showing just HOW in the thick of it CCD is!
Welcome to Racers and Fans
The Jefferson Lot was transformed into an industrial kitchen
It was amazing to see Ledyard Hall used to its full potential, far beyond what we typically see. We might squeeze 100 people into Ledyard Hall for our Hafli. For the Grand Prix, Ledyard seated 180, plus another 20 at tables on the grass outside, even with the buffet serving tables How? Long tables extended from the east and west walls, with raised tables and bar stools running north-south in the middle to break up the layout. Guests arrived in waves over three hours for both lunch and dinner. At each of their two busiest meals, the catering crew was able to feed 600 people.
Rivard was the first straightaway, with Woodbridge being a major pedestrian crossing.
Cary Lounge became a staging area for all sorts of supplies. Some of them were used by Chef Grace to make cheesecakes and other goodies from scratch daily, all baked in our oven. She was delighted to have a full kitchen dedicated to her needs. The main courses were cooked in a tent in the parking lot. Others in the cooking crew said they were happy to feed guests indoors, instead of under a massive tent as is the norm at race events across the country.
A Service of Creation – June 2nd, 2024
30 or so friends gathered at Jon’s farm for our service of creation
This service incorporates movement as well as several lectors
Lucinda assisted in communion as the microphone holder (which we need a latin term for)
Josie the pup was very interested in communion
Coffee Hour is a moveable feast and goes with us wherever we go!
Lu and Letha Ann talking about the bee hives and pollinator space
Pentecost and Our 179th Anniversary – A Day to Rejoice!
A Pentecost Flornado created by Richard Thomas and Ruth Boeder
The floral icon was over six feet tall!
Birds of Paradise suspended over the altar
Pentecost is a day when we welcome newcomers
Rev. Emily and the Vestry welcoming newcomers who wish to join Christ Church
Ruby votives to represent the Holy Spirit and a renewal of baptismal vows marked the occasion
We enjoyed a great feast to celebrate!
Seth Lloyd & Lisa Jones sharing with great joy news of the capital campaign
So many friends enjoying food and fellowship
Carolyn’s Bah la wee (Syrian Baklava) is always a hit
Merle’s famous pound cake made an appearance
No feast would be complete without a sweets table!
Many dishes were from recipes found in our cookbook, Fruitful Endeavors
Folks prepared dishes both savory and sweet
Civil Rights Pilgrimage
In February, parishioners Alma Simmons, Jim & Kathryn Treece, and friend Linda Culpepper joined the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan’s Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Birmingham, Alabama.
A View from the Tower
The interior of Christ Church Detroit’s iconic bell tower is a view not many of us have seen! Thanks to Ed Maki-Schramm for sharing these photos from a recent trek up that vertiginous ladder! Ed was in the tower with 6th generation bell maker Tim Verdin of the Verdin Company (whose technology powers the pealing of our bells). The bells were manufactured by the Jones Company, and installed in 1864, where they became, and remain, a fixture of the Detroit riverfront soundscape.
The ladder up to the bells is VERY steep.
The bells were installed in 1864.
This is the original wrench used to install the bells!
Each bell bears a unique inscription.
The original clappers are still intact, however an external hammer, attached to the electronic controls, creates the chimes now.
Juneteenth Celebration!
Thanks to Lamar Richardson for leading what we hope will be a new annual tradition – Christ Church Detroit’s Juneteenth Celebration! Lamar and many good friends coordinated both the party and the educational resources for the event, which included a BBQ and games and all manner of fellowship.
Lamar Richardson & Merle Watts
Edna Locke, Jim Treece, Hope Hoffman, and Jeffrey Moore
Al Carter, Lisa Jones & Merle Watts
The Zull Family
Sally LePla, Alma Simmons, and Kathryn Treece
Bob Brown & Chuck Atwater
Josephine Powell & Lamar Richardson
Al Carter & Patrick Warner
Lamar Richardson, Bob & Claire Brown
Brenna & Gwen Ald, Cathy Berlage, Rev. Emily & Josephine Powell
Lamar & Merle
Motor City Pride 2023
We had our first ever booth at Motor City Pride. We look forward to increasing our participation next year!
Emily in Booth
Booth
Holy Spokes Opening Day
Holy Spokes is a local organization that provides used bicycles, maintenance, education, and much more to Michigan’s Greater Detroit area. Their Soul Trek Cycles outreach program works with multiple organizations (including Christ Church and the Pope Francis Center!) to provide folks in need bicycles and bicycle maintenance in low income areas.
It was a beautiful day for bike repairs!
Our friends at Holy Spokes placed refreshed bikes with neighbors in need.
We’ve been hosting Holy Spokes for a couple years now, offering indoor space in the winter and outdoor space when the weather permits
The Woodbridge lot gives the volunteers room to spread out as they work.
Anyone who needs a bike is encouraged to coordinate with the Pope Francis Center, who helps with allocations and needs.
Easter Flowers
This year’s Paschal candle features an image of Christ Church.
Many thanks to Richard Thomas for designing the Paschal candle!
The high altar bursting with flowers in colors that perfectly complement the mosaics.
Blush roses and dusky apricot carnations decorate the pulpit, while the baptistry is surrounded by lilies.
Mr. President’s Chair with Mother’s Window
The President’s Chair, or Mr. President’s Chair, is named after Mr. Sidney President, who was a well-beloved member of the church staff.
Brightly hued roses, tulips, and lilies encircle the base of the lectern.
The altar in St. Michael’s chapel
Piano Moving Day
The New to Us Piano Arrives
Pianos don’t care for being moved, even with care. They will all need (and receive!) tuning to be at their best.
Will duets be in our future? Sadly, no.
The Sanctuary piano moved to the Choir Room
The Sanctuary piano in its new home – the Choir Room
The Choir Room piano is now in Ledyard Hall! Brunch with Bach, anyone?
Worship in the Park & Annual Picnic
A perfect day on Belle Isle was the setting for our annual Worship in the Park service.
The Good Neighbors Ensemble provided the music
Rev. Emily prepares to serve communion. Altar flowers in loving memory of Alexa Brown, arranged by Richard Thomas.
Passing actual hats may be a new tradition
Grillers at work!
Motor City Pride Weekend
Jr. Warden Ruth relaxing after getting everything ready!
Welcome to Pride!
Ed Maki-Schramm & Rev. Emily stopped by before the service
Thanks to all our volunteers!
Blessing of the Animals – October 3rd, 2021
Stella, Mira & Roger the cat
The rain did not help this bunny’s coiffeur
Terry & Winston
Claire, Taylor & Ivy
Rev. Emily & friends
Chickens!
Alesia & Louie
A good day for ducks (and geese…and chicks…)
Claire and Triscuit
Mira, Stella, Roger the Cat and Pastor Anthony
Pastor Anthony blessing Roger (with Mira)
Pastor Anthony blessing Bentley (with Mary too!)
