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November 15, 2017
IN THIS ISSUE
Make sure to bring in your non-perishable foods this weekend for Thanksgiving baskets, for families in our community. Get more information here.

Christ Church is hosting the Community Thanksgiving worship service in the Parish Hall on Sunday, November 19th, at 4:00 pm. Get more details here.


Rector's Ramblings


I had the opportunity to spend two days at a conference in Nashville this week, which I thoroughly enjoyed. A friend found the conference months ago and asked if I'd like to go along. The conference was simply called, "Two Days with Rob Bell," which is about as accurate as it could have been. Rob Bell is a former megachurch pastor who was ostracized by the evangelical community for calling into question some of the pillars of conservative, literalistic Christianity. Bell affirmed the gifts of women in ministry in a culture that doesn't have a good track record of doing so. He embraced questions and doubts instead of demanding and teaching certainty in our faith. His most public "heresy" was the publication of his book,
Love Wins, in which he questions the existence of the sort of hell that so many Christians believe in. He has no place for teaching that says a man like Gandhi would burn in hell for eternity because he never professed Jesus as Lord and Savior. I'm right there with him on that one, and have quoted his views and shared his book with others. 
                                                                                       
So what was this conference like? Well, at times it often felt like a church gathering, albeit in a bar that normally hosts country western bands. What I noticed on the first day was the exuberance of the crowd. People had arrived at least an hour early to get a good seat; there were about 250 of us. The crowd was much younger than what we ever see in our tradition; a lot of 30-somethings from the look of it. A lot of young-er people who took off work and paid nearly $400 to sit and listen to a man speak for 16 hours over two days. (And I get flack for 15 minute free sermons!) I heard waves of affirmation for the messages they heard, with regular outbursts of applause, usually when Bell would talk about the need to be open and inclusive and honest about what the Gospel seems to call us to.    


Worship


Special Worship Music


On Sunday, November 19, the Christ Church Handbell Choir, under the direction of Greg Canady, will offer the Prelude, Offertory, and Communion music at the 9:15 am service in the Parish Hall. They will play arrangements of Westminster Carillon, For the Beauty of the Earth, and Happy Our Home.  Thank you Christ Church Handbell Choir!
 
Ingathering
The Annual Stewardship Campaign concluded this past weekend, with Ingathering on Saturday, November 11th and Sunday, November 12th.  I f you were unable to attend church on either of these days and haven't already sent your pledge card in to the office, you are still welcome to do so by dropping off or mailing in your card to Christ Church, Frederica, 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. If you do not have a pledge card, we will be happy to provide you with another one.  You may also download and print a card here .

Community Thanksgiving Service this Sunday at Christ ChurchCommunityThanksgiving
Join us this coming Sunday, November 19, 2017,  at 4:00 pm, in the Christ Church Parish Hall  for the Community Thanksgiving Service. We will  gather together as a community of faith to give thanks for all of the blessings we share as a family.   There will be special music from multiple choirs  and an offering to benefit the hungry in our  community. Rabbi Rachael Bregman will offer  the Thanksgiving message.


Poinsettias


Remember a loved one at Christmas and help beautify our worship spaces with a memorial poinsettia. Please send the name, along with a check for $30, to Ethel Horton, 402 Palm Court, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. Checks should be made payable to Christ Church Altar Guild and received no later than Wednesday, December 13. If you have any questions, please call Ethel Horton at 912-634-8327.  
 

Formation 


EYC and Pathfinders Activities



Rooted and Relevant on Sunday evening was another great service of creative liturgy, awesome music and an outstanding homily by Ladd Rector! Please join us on December 3rd at 6:00 pm for a special Advent service that will include some awesome seasonal music selections!

Our EYC will meet this Sunday to sort food items, laying the groundwork for the Thanksgiving boxes to be packed the next day. Middle and High School will meet at the same time this week from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. We will also share a meal together as we are thankful for the youth program at CCF in which we all get to take part. Games will wrap up the evening!!!

We will not be having our weekly gathering on Sunday, November 26th, so that our youth can spend time with their families. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

New Beginnings #51

New Beginnings #51 will take place December 8-10 at Honey Creek. It is for youth in g rades 7-9 - cost $115 (scholarship available).  New Beginnings #51 is a retreat led by youth for youth in grades 7-9. The team consists of a lead teen and lead adult with support from other youth, lay adults, and clergy. The weekend takes participants through a discovery about ourselves, our friends, our families, our faith, and how to live out our faith in our daily lives. We share a lot about LOVE; love of self, love of friends & family, and most importantly, love of God.
 
To register you may pay either the full cost of the event (recommended) or the deposit cost of $40. Scholarships are available upon request, and usually divide the cost evenly between the participant's family, the participant's home congregation, and the Diocese of Georgia. If you wish to apply for a scholarship, please register and pay the deposit (1/3 of full cost). Then contact the Rev. Joshua Varner, Diocesan Missioner for Youth at  jvarner@gaepiscopal.org or at  912-236-4279 for additional information.

Happening #100
Save the date for Happening #100, taking place January 12 -14, 2018, at Honey Creek. Plans are underway to celebrate this milestone in the Diocese of Georgia. Mark your calendars & make plans join us during the weekend!

To see the calendar of fall activities for EYC, click here .

To see the calendar of Pathfinders activities, click here.

For more information about all the youth programs and activities at Christ Church, please contact Brad Hamil at brad@ccfssi.org.

Classes and Studies
Wednesday Advent Study at 1:00 pm
Beginning on Wednesday, December 6th, please join us after the Wednesday Healing service, for a discussion of Advent with Evelyn Underhill. In this book, Anglican author and editor Christopher Webber has carefully selected inspirational passages from Underhill's most significant works, providing readings for every day of Advent and Christmas, and sharing the timeless treasure of Underhill's spiritual vision. Books will be available in the church office for $12.

Sunday Morning Adult Class
The adult Sunday morning class is studying the New Testament using The Great Courses lecture series from 10:30 to 11:15 am each Sunday in the parish hall. Contact: Bob Brown at 912-434-4616 or rwb385@gmail.com.
 
Men's Study Group
The 10:30 am Wednesday morning Men's Study Group is discussing Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism by well-known theologian and blogger Drew Hart. Contact: Fr. Tom Purdy at tom@ccfssi.org
 
Women's Book Study
The Women's Book Study is held Thursdays at 11:00 am. The group meets in the vestry room for study and fellowship. Contact: Mtr. Ashton at ashton@ccfssi.org

ECW

 
Join the ECW Tour of Homes Team!



We've been doing this for 65 years!!
 
The Tour of Homes is a time honored event and it's a great way to get involved,  meet new people and help serve Christ by serving our Community!
 
You can help by:
* Working on the mailing - going out very soon
* Parking cars on a beautiful spring day
* Entertaining tour patrons on the buses
* Acting as hostess at beautiful homes
* Preparing food for Parish House
 
Bring your talent to us and we will find you a spot.  We look forward to hearing from you through email, phone, texts - you choose!  Just Contact us soon!
 
ALSO.........
 
Please prayerfully consider being a benefactor by donating money. Tour expenses  have risen, especially the buses which we MUST have to access the homes on Sea Island.

Letters will be coming to you soon with more information. The more donations we receive  to offset Tour expenses, the more we can give to the charities.

Contact Beth Smith at 912-506-7577 or  bsmithapril@gmail.com
Charlotte Graham at 912-506-3431or ripandcharlotte@att.net  


The Perfect Gifts from the ECW
Looking for a special gift? How about a  Christ Church commemorative tin  filled with either delicious cheddar cheese wafers or Key lime cookies? They make the perfect Christmas gift or anytime gift, and are only $15 per tin! The ECW has a fresh supply of each available now in the church office. Beautiful Christ Church cookbooks are also available for $20 each.

ECW Scholarships
As we enter the season of Thanksgiving and remembrance, don't forget that the ECW scholarship fund is a great way to give thanks or memorialize someone special and still pass the gift on into the future. The scholarship fund is growing and you can be a part of it by making a donation as a expression of thanks or as a memorial. Some young person in the future will benefit from your generosity and will thank you for it. Call Jane Watson, 912-638-7285 , for more information.
 

Outreach


Please bring in your non-perishable foods for Thanksgiving food baskets by this weekend!ThanksgivingBaskets


We are collecting non-perishable foods for Thanksgiving food baskets for 23 needy families in our community until Sunday, Nov. 19 at St. Ignatius Chapel and Christ Church, Frederica. Monetary donations are welcome, too. On Monday, November 20th, at 9:00 am, all are invited to help assemble the food baskets in the Parish Hall. Contact Jeannie Wade at jswade125@att.net or at 912-638-6462 for more information.

Backpack Buddies - Hunger Doesn't Take a Holiday 


The Church Backpack Buddies team has been working double-time in November to make sure their young buddies are staying well nourished, even when they're on school holiday. Read more about the work of this dedicated group in the article below, by parishioner John La Boone. If you'd like to get involved with the Backpack Buddies and join a packing session, please contact Susan Shipman at susanshipman@att.net to get packing schedule updates.
 
Backpack Buddies Serves Hungry Students

by John La Boone
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
                                                     - Hebrews 13:16
 
Christ Church has a hunger outreach mission for children in our wider community called Backpack Buddies. This ministry allows us to live out our faith by helping disadvantaged kids get enough to eat. Food insecurity is present throughout Glynn County (including St. Simons Island) and it is especially a problem in inner city Brunswick. Sixty-one percent of students in Glynn County receive free or reduced-priced meals at school, which is quite an indicator of how hard many local families are struggling. That helps a lot on school days but what about the weekends? That's where the ministry aims to make a difference.
 
Backpack Buddies was started at Christ Church in 2012 by our Senior Warden, Susan Shipman. It is a ministry in which bags of food are prepared by church volunteers and sent home with students to make sure they get adequate nutrition over the weekends. Susan was introduced to the concept by the local America's Second Harvest organization, based on a similar program in Colorado, plus a presentation she attended that was given by a South Georgia Conference Methodist bishop on the lack of food security among children in struggling families. She also took inspiration from a similar program that is operated by the Jewish Community Center in Savannah.
 
Martha's Guild
Martha's Guild is looking for some new members. Many of our long time members who have served so well are unable to do so now.  The members of Martha's Guild prepare and serve food at receptions for the bereaved families and friends of those whose funerals are held at Christ Church.   It is a gift of love and not a difficult task.  Please call 912-638-2717 if you would like to be a part of this ministry.  Angie Burns will be happy to supply details. 

Donate Clothing to the STAR Foundation
As you change over to your winter clothing, think about bringing any gently used women's clothing or accessories which you are no longer using to the box in the parish hall marked "Donation Box ECW." The ECW will donate the clothes to the STAR Foundation of Brunswick. In keeping with the ECW's focus on women and children, STAR teaches computer skills, financial literacy and life skills training to disadvantaged women. The donated clothing helps students present a professional image during job interviews and in their workplaces. Contact Klara Faulk at kbf48@icloud.com for more information.

Grace House Second Annual Charity Golf Tournament


Join us for a day of fun and golf at the Sea Island Retreat Golf Course, on Saturday, December 2nd at 9:00 am! This best ball, four-person scramble is open to everyone and will create a truly spectacular golf experience. It will also present the opportunity to meet, support and change the lives of women at the Grace House. The cost is $100 per person and $400 per team and this includes: 18 Holes of golf with cart, a bag lunch delivered during the event and many prizes. This will be a fund raiser with prizes, silent auction and good times! Golfers will play a "Scramble" and can sign up individually or to a specific three or foursome. For more information, contact the Rev. Tommy Townsend at 770-616-4791. 

Christ Church would like to put together a team or two to enter the tournament on Saturday, December 2nd.  Grace House is a wonderful program working with  women with addiction, helping them reclaim their lives and gaining self sufficiency.  If you are interested, please contact Tony Kreimborg at sarahsburden@gmail.com  or call him at 912-638-1033 and he will see that the entry forms are completed. 

Christmas at Sea
We live in a seaport district and Christ Church actively collaborates with the local International Seafarers Center, which ministers to seafarers from all over the planet. Most of us are blessed with family and friends during the holidays, but Christmas can be a lonely time for seafarers. Every year during the season of Christmas, the International Seafarers' Center spreads the love of Christ through their Christmas at Sea program. About 1500 seafarers travel through the port of Brunswick from Thanksgiving to January 7th and the Center hopes to give every seafarer a Christmas present. 
 
If you'd like to be part of this ministry, it's as easy as filling a shoebox with 12 - 15 item from the list found here, wrapping the box in holiday paper and bringing it to either the church office in the Parish Hall, or to the International Seafarers Center, at 307 Newcastle Street in Brunswick. 
Fellowship

 
Susanna Wesley Guild
The Susanna Wesley Guild will not be meeting in November, but instead will have an early December meeting on the Tuesday, December 12th, at 10:30 am. At that time, we will collect contributions for our Christmas outreach which will be directed to the International Seafarers' Christmas-At-Sea project in the form of telephone gift cards for 1,500 seafarers who are away from home during the holidays. Cards will be purchased for $5 each, and members may give as many as they wish.

 
Frederick Cousins Guild

The Frederick Cousins Guild will have their monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 28th,  at 6:30 pm. The Rev. Ashton Willston will be the guest speaker.



Stay Informed


Community Band Concert - November 16th


Please join the Golden Isles Community Band on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at 7:00 pm, for a Salute to Broadway! The concert will take place in the Brunswick High School Auditorium and is free to the public. (Donations appreciated.) Come enjoy all of your favorite tunes from Broadway musicals, performed by the best musicians in the Golden Isles!

 

Pastoral Concerns


Prayer List

Please help us keep the prayer list current by notifying Mtr. Becky of any changes in the status or condition of your loved one.
  
George Almasi
Kurt Anderson
Malicia Atkinson
Kris Barkley    
Harry Branch
Doug Brantley
Gene Broadwell
Bob Brown
Terry Burns
Barbara Canaday
Greg Canady
Marilyn Canady
Paddy Carley
Mary Lou De Bisschop
Mary Lou Detwiler
Robbie Dickinson
Anna Doxey
Andy Doyle
Betsy Fitzgerald
Penny Flickinger
Stephen Freedman
Ewell Gay
Travis Gay
Louise Gentile
Max Germaine
Mary Jean Giobino
Rosalind Griffin
Kevin Hancock
Burgess Hartsell
William David Herndon
Mike Herrin
Christopher Hewetson
Cheryl Hieatt
Jane Higginbotham
Carol Hoffine
Brenda Hollis
Greg Hollis
Alexander Hutcheson
Eileen Hutcheson
Ellen Hunter
Lois Irvin
Glenn Jones
Carlin Kenny
John La Boone
Christi Lambert
Davi Langston
Billie Lewellyn
Keith Lewellyn
Bill Littleton
Sam Livesay
Martha Lovett

Jerry Lowe
Cathy McCarthy
John McCarthy
Mamie Meadows
Marilyn Miller
Gene Palmer
Mary Elizabeth Paris
Margaret Payne
Vivian Peterson
Dale Pierson
Kari Powell
Chris Prater
Joetta Principato
Rajika Reed
Jack Riner
Mark Robinson
Julie Sargent
Phyllis Sartin
Angie Schrum
Willou Smith
Richard Stamper
James St. Clair
Samantha Lee Stevens
Joel Stewart
Grayson Strickland
Edith Tayloe
Bill Torrey
Beth Varn
John Waite
Janice Walker
Carah Wheeler
Summer Wheeler
Ed Whittle
Mell Wray
Hollis Youngner
Keith Zimmerman 
Ann
Catherine
Cheryl
Emma      
Joe
Margie
Marilyn
Mary       
Sharon  
Sharon
Susan

Departed:
Jim Williston

 
To amend our prayer list, or to update the church on the condition of your loved one, please email Mtr. Becky Rowell ( becky@ccfssi.org or call the church office at 912.638.8683.
 
Giving

 
New Ways to Give
Now you can make gifts and offerings to Christ Church by using your phone. Please text ccfssi to 77977,  enter your details, choose your payment method, and give. You may also go to the Christ Church website at ccfssi.org, click on the Donation tab at the top and give there.


This  Week


Serving This WeekendServersNeeded

Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 5:30 PM (St. Ignatius Chapel)
Susan Shipman - Chalice Bearer
Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 8:00 AM (CCF)
David Boland - Chalice Bearer
David Boland - Lector 
Ed Rowley - Usher
Toni Rowley - Usher
Anna Belle McCaskill - Altar Guild

9:15 AM (Christ Church, Frederica)
David Boland - Acolyte C
Eva Purdy - Acolyte TB
Seiler Thompson - Acolyte TB
McKenzie Brown - Acolyte - PW
Te Turner - Chalice Bearer
David Boland - Chancel Master
Jody Bradford - Lector - First Lesson
Bud Dorsey - Lector - Second Lesson
Brenda Davis - Greeter
Fred Collins - Greeter
Cliff Jones - Usher
      Douglas Lane - Usher
Lynne Turner - Kidurgy Shepherd (CCF)
Bonnie Chandler - Altar Guild
Nancy Stoddard - Altar Guild
Connie Everett - Altar Guild

9:15 AM (Parish Hall, Frederica)
Isabella Williston - Acolyte C
Hugh Brown - Chalice Bearer
Barbara Sullivan - Lector - First Lesson
Barbara Sullivan - Lector - Second Lesson
NOT FILLED - Greeter
NOT FILLED - Greeter
Oscar Covington - Usher
Mindy Martin - Kidurgy Shepherd (PH)
Nancy Zell - Altar Guild

11:15 AM (Christ Church, Frederica)
Isabel Parker - Acolyte C
Alice Barlow - Chalice Bearer
Alice Barlow - Lector - First Lesson
Alice Barlow - Lector - Second Lesson
NOT FILLED - Greeter
NOT FILLED - Greeter
Ben Slade - Usher
Clinton Winne - Usher
Nancy Zell - Altar Guild

This Week at Christ Church
Evening Prayer is held Wednesdays through Sundays at Christ Church, Frederica at 5:00 p.m.
 
*Unless noted otherwise, all events take place at Christ Church
 
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
10:00 am - Backpack Buddies
10:30 am - Men's Study Group
12:00 pm - Healing Service 
5:00 pm - Adult Choir Practice
6:30 pm - X Church
 
Thursday, November 16, 2017
11:00 am - Women's Group
12:30 pm - Finance Committee Meeting
 
Friday, November 17, 2017
12:00 pm - Icon Writing Group
 
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Bring Thanksgiving Basket Foods
10:00 am - Icon Writing Group
5:30 pm - Worship at St. Ignatius
 
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Bring Thanksgiving Basket Foods
8:00 am - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica 
9:15 am - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica
9:15 am - Parish Hall Worship at CCF
9:15 am - Kidurgy at Christ Church, Frederica 
10:20 am - Sunday School for All Ages
11:15 am - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica
4:00 pm - Community Thanksgiving Service at CCF
6:00 pm - EYC - Service Project

Monday, November 20, 2017
9:00 am - Thanksgiving Basket Packing
11:00 am - HartYoga
 
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
2:00 pm - NO Hand Bell Choir Practice
4:30 pm - NO Choristers
5:00 pm - NO Trebles
5:45 pm -Vestry Meeting
 
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
9:30 am - Manna House
10:30 am - NO Men's Study Group
12:00 pm - Healing Service 
5:00 pm - NO Adult Choir Practice
6:30 pm - X Church
 
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Thanksgiving Day
Office Closed
 
Friday, November 24, 2017
Thanksgiving Holiday
Office Closed
 
Saturday, November 25, 2017
5:30 pm - Worship at St. Ignatius
 
Sunday, November 26, 2017
8:00 am - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica 
9:15 am - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica
9:15 am - Parish Hall Worship at CCF
9:15 am - Kidurgy at Christ Church, Frederica 
10:20 am - Sunday School for All Ages
11:15 am - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica
6:00 pm - NO EYC 


Save the Date

 
November 23, 2017
Thanksgiving Day - Office Closed

November 24, 2017
Office Closed

November 26, 2017
Vestry Nominations Open

December 2, 2017
Breakfast with St. Nick

December 3, 2017
EYC Rooted and Relevant Eucharist Service

December 3, 2017
Frederick Cousins Guild Christmas Party

December 6, 2017
Advent Book Study Begins

December 14, 2017
Altar Guild Meeting

December 17, 2017
Lessons and Carols