Apr. 16, 2014: On Sunday morning, April 6, more was going on outside Christ Church Bronxville than in. This may sound a little unusual, but that's exactly what happened on Outreach Sunday.
Parishioners of Christ Church Bronxville faced both the elements and the glue gun to take on the needs of our community, from feeding the hungry to protecting the environment.
The day started early as CCB teens and their chaperones headed into New York City on a breakfast run, part of a program that helps feed the city's hungry, clothe them, and provide basic necessities.
The morning helpers returned back to Bronxville just in time for an abbreviated 10:00 am service just as the larger CCB congregation began its work. Church members took on a range of projects, including:
• Painting at Fessenden House, a transitional home for men offering help to those recovering from drug addiction or coping with mental health issues
• Spring cleaning for the Bronx River Parkway Reservation Conservancy--collecting trash that's accumulated around Bronxville Lake
• Supplying food for the Interfaith Food Bank, a warehouse and distribution center for other organizations that feed the homeless
• Cooking and preparing lunch for homeless men and women helped by the midnight run in Christ Church's Taylor Hall
• Putting needle to thread as part of Project Linus, which provides homemade blankets to seriously ill or traumatized children
The children of CCB were busy as well, making and decorating Easter baskets and favors both for the families of Thorpe Family Residence (which provides a protective shelter, programs, and services for homeless families in transition) and Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen.
Outreach Sunday is held twice a year, in the fall and the spring. As Father Michael Bird explained, "The tradition is significant to the life of the parish. While this day highlights the organizations to which we provide aid, it also reminds us that the call to offer a caring hand lasts more than just one Sunday."
Christ Church (Episcopal/Anglican) has served Bronxville and the rest of lower Westchester for over a century, and the church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The church hosts four choirs and a bell choir, the Eliza Corwin Frost Child Center, and the widely known youth performance arts program Young at Arts. For church service times and a list of activities, visit www.ccbny.org.
Pictured here: Christ Church parishioners participating in Outreach Sunday.
Photos by Michael Pollack
Christ Church Bronxville
Christ Church Bronxville, or "CCBNY" as it's known in the community, is the village's Episcopal church, whose beginnings date back to 1898. The current church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1926 and was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who also designed St. Bartholomew's in New York City and the Chapel at West Point.
CCBNY offers a wide array of programs to its parishioners, who live throughout southern Westchester. The acclaimed music program boasts five choirs; international outreach efforts to Cuba; and education and service programs for family members of all ages. CCBNY is also home to the renowned children's music program Young at Arts (http://www.youngatartsny.org), and Eliza Corwin Frost (www.elizafrostschool.org), a nursery school for children ages 1 to 5.
Our services are as follows:
8:00AM Rite I Spoken Eucharist
10:00AM Family Choral Eucharist, with 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
5:00PM Informal Eucharist or Choral Evensong
"No matter where you are on your spiritual journey there is a home for you at Christ Church. Our worship, music, education and outreach challenge us to embrace holiness and fearlessly share Christ's love."
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church was organized in 1854. Its mission is “to reach out as a caring and Christ centered Church to people of all culture and races, helping them to know God and find fellowship with each other through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.”
407 New Rochelle Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2560
http://www.firstbaptistchurchbronxville.com/
Reformed Church of Bronxville
The Reformed Church of Bronxville is the community church in the heart of the village. We welcome people of all faiths and persuasions to be a part of our church family. We have exciting programs to meet your interests including music and the arts, service and outreach, children's ministry and a wonderful Nursery School.
Starting Sept. 7th, we have three Sunday services held at 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 5:00 pm. A Fellowship Coffee Hour is offered after the 10:30 am service. Childcare is available during our 10:30 am service along with Church School classes for children from 2 years old through the 8th grade.
The Reformed Church
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6776
www.reformedchurch.org
St. Joseph’s Church
St. Joseph Church, which opened its doors in 1925, is the Catholic Church in Bronxville. It offers services on Saturday, Sunday, weekdays and Holy Days. It offers a religious education program for K - 8th grade which takes place on Wednesday during the school year. It also offers a myriad of opportunities for parishioners to meet, share ideas and experiences and help others. The St. Joseph’s School offers classes for K – 8th grade.
15 Cedar Street
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1660
http://www.saintjosephsbronxville.org/
Village Lutheran Church
The Village Lutheran Church “is a ministry of word and sacraments. This ministry gives opportunities for witness, nurture, fellowship, stewardship and service.” The Chapel School, which goes from pre-school three-year olds through 8th grade, is an integral part of the Church’s ministry for children.
172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-0207
West Center Congregational Church
West Center Congregational Church is a member of The United Church of Christ. It welcomes “all who seek to find, know and serve the living God better in all they are and do.”
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3829
Sinai Free Synagogue
Sinai Free Synagogue is Westchester`s "newest" Reform congregation but its roots go back almost 100 years. Formed in 1999 by a merger of Mount Vernon`s Sinai Temple (founded in 1906 and the first Reform congregation in Westchester County) and the Free Synagogue of Westchester (founded in 1927), the 250-member congregation has a long, distinguished history.
Please check the Calendar for dates and times.
550 North Columbus Avenue
914-664-1727