Giving with Gratitude: Support Life at St. Peter's

To me, pledges and donations are outward expressions of gratitude for the blessings we receive from God. My family and I feel blessed to belong to the community of St. Peter's, as I hope you do too. Our response to God's love and abundance in the form of a financial commitment will help us uphold and realize our Parish Vision.

This Sunday

8:00 a.m. Holy Communion* in the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer (Rite I), including sermon, organ music, and hymns.

9:30 a.m. Christian Formation (education) for all ages.

10:45 a.m. Holy Communion* in the contemporary language of the Book of Common Prayer (Rite II), including sermon, choral and organ music, and hymns.

5:00 p.m. Choral Evensong with Holy Eucharist. The Boys and Girls Choirs of the Choir School at St. Peter's open the season of twice-monthly services of Choral Evensong with Holy Eucharist. Choral Evensong, sung evening prayers, includes hymns, psalms, canticles, and an anthem. A brief service of Holy Eucharist takes place just after Evensong.

*Nursery Care - 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Infants and toddlers, ages 0-3 are welcome in St. Peter's professionally staffed nursery. The nursery area is accessible from the Church by walking through the Chapel, and proceeding up the steps to the left.
News

Guest Preacher on September 24. The Reverend "Kahu" David Jackson, new Head Chaplain at Trinity Episcopal School, will offer the sermon at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. Having taken degrees from Stanford University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Oxford in the U.K., Kahu Jackson served most recently as Chaplain and Religion Department Chair at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, S.C. and Chaplain and Instructor in Religion at Seabury Hall in Maui, H.I. We welcome Father Jackson and give thanks for the presence of  Trinity Episcopal School in Center City Charlotte.

Sunday Christian Formation for Adults, September 24, 9:30 a.m. The Parish Hall Forum will feature "Giving with Gratitude: Unpacking the Cost of Ministry and Operations" led by the Parish Treasurer and members of the Vestry. This will be a perfect way to learn about how the parish operating budget is set based on pledge monies and other income sources to support our mission, ministry, and vision. On Sunday, October 1, the Parish Hall Forum will feature parishioners Candace Armstrong, Sue Coonen, Toni Moore, and Ellison Clary as they share a history of St. Peter's from the 1960s, entitled "A Great Cloud of Witnesses: Storytelling about St. Peter's and the Civil Rights Movement."

Sunday Christian Formation for Children and Youth, Weekly, 9:30 a.m. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd children, ages 2-12, meet on first floor in the Toddler Atrium and Levels 1-3 Atria (classrooms) in the Parish House. For more information, email Director of Children's Formation,  Anna Hurdle (ahurdle@st-peters.org). Journey to Adulthood (J2A) youth, ages 13-18, meet in the Youth Suite (basement level, Parish House). For more information, email Director of Youth Formation,  Lyn Holt (lholt@st-peters.org).

New Fall Schedule for "Sunday Evenings at St. Peter's" begins September 24. At 5:00 p.m., on most second and fourth Sundays, we offer the service of Choral Evensong (sung Evening Prayer) with Eucharist. The Clergy and Boys and Girls Choir of  The Choir School at St. Peter's will offer musical leadership on September 24. On the third Sunday of every month, a meditative service of Holy Eucharist is offered, patterned after the Taizé, France community. This offering includes music for piano, time for contemplative silence, and candle-lighting as a prayer form.  The complete Fall 2017 schedule for Sunday Evenings at St. Peter’s is available online.

Conversation follows Weekday Morning Prayer and Tuesday Noon Eucharist. Monday-Friday, 8:00-8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Chapel is a quiet and beautiful offering for the start of the day. On Tuesdays at Noon, we offer a 30-minute celebration of the Holy Eucharist without music in the Chapel. Each liturgy is followed by an optional time to gather with the worship leader and fellow worshippers for a 30-minute informal conversation in the Parlor.

Churches Partner for Ecumenical Service, Charlotte: One Year Later, Thursday, September 21. One year after the death of Keith Lamont Scott and the protests that rocked Charlotte, several pastors of area churches are collaborating on an ecumenical community worship service to be held at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m. The St. Peter's parish community has been invited to attend. Contact First Presbyterian Church, 704-332-5123, with questions.

Giving with Gratitude: Support Life at St. Peter's. On Sunday, September 24, we launch our annual fund-raising campaign, Giving with Gratitude, to receive pledges for the 2018 operating budget by Commitment Sunday, November 5. Each pledge will offer support of parish worship, in-reach and outreach initiatives, formation programs for all ages, music, staff and clergy, operations and administration, and the care of our sacred facilities in Center City Charlotte. To offer your pledge for the remainder of 2017 and learn about future pledging,  visit giving portal.

Coffee Hour in the Youth Suite on September 24. The community of youth, adult leaders, and Youth Advisory Committee will host Coffee Hour after the 10:45 a.m. service on the basement level of the Parish Hall. All are invited to fellowship, explore classrooms, and learn more about where and how our youth spend time as part of our common life.

Holy Conversation about Confederate Imagery at St. Peter's, September 24 and 26. In response to the presence of the Confederate States of America seal in the one of the nave windows and in accordance with our parish commitment to the ministry of racial reconciliation, the Clergy and Wardens will facilitate two conversation opportunities: Sunday, September 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m. and Tuesday, September 26, 5:45-6:45 p.m. Each will be offered to reflect on all signs and symbols throughout our sacred space, including their history, significance, and ability to point worshippers to God. All ages are invited to attend one or both sessions.

Exploratory "Integrity" Meeting, Sunday, September 24. The face of Christianity often shared with people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities is one of condemnation and rejection. While many such persons have been fortunate to find St. Peter's to know the radical love and welcome through which God and God's people warmly embrace all of God's diversity, there are many who have not heard this good news. Can we do more to share this welcome? If you are interested in this question, an exploratory meeting will be hosted after the 10:45 service on Sunday, September 24 at 12:30 p.m. in the Parlor for St. Peter's to consider joining  Integrity. If you have questions or are interested but cannot attend the meeting, contact John Hall ( drjohnhall@gmail.com, 704-258-5553) or Logan Smith ( logan_msmith@hotmail.com, 704-488-4436).

Social Justice Film and Discussion Night - America Divided: Democracy for Sale, September 27. The Social Justice Team is hosting a film and discussion on Wednesday, September 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. In the provocative, award winning documentary "America Divided: Democracy for Sale," Zach Galifianakis, the comic star of "The Hangover" movies, travels back to his home state to investigate how North Carolina has become a bellwether for how the money of a few has come to dominate our democracy and influences those in power. Sponsored by our Social Justice Ministry, the free event will include a facilitated discussion of the issues and what ways we can bring about change. RSVPs are encouraged but not required through Paula Savich ( paula.savich@gmail.com, 828-467-3188) or Lisa Wielunski ( lisajan81@gmail.com, 631-988-4917).

Acolyte Training and Lunch, Sunday, October 8 after the 10:45 a.m. Eucharist. On Sunday, October 8, 12:30-2:00 p.m. all acolytes, new and returning, are invited to join the clergy and acolyte coordinators for lunch and training. High School students are invited to stay until 2:30pm for server and thurifer training. All fifth graders, and all new acolytes, sixth through twelfth grade, are invited to join us for this introductory training day. Fifth graders and new acolytes are welcome to join the new St. Peter's Novice Acolyte program to begin this November after the October 8 training day.

Shrimp and Suds Fall Rooftop Benefit, October 14. Join fellow adult parishioners on Saturday, October 14, 6:30-9:00 p.m., on the rooftop of the Parish House for a delicious fellowship dinner, featuring low country shrimp boil, sides of grits and bread, dessert, and assorted refreshments including craft beers from Charlotte, all for $35 per person.  Prepaid reservations required by Wednesday, October 11 online or pre-pay at the Parish House reception desk. All funds raised will benefit the 2019 youth pilgrimage. Our new Bishop Diocesan, The Right Reverend Sam Rodman plans to join us for this event, on the eve of his visitation to St. Peter's. For questions or special dietary concerns, please call or text Director of Youth Formation, Lyn Holt (704-763-3564,  lholt@st-peters.org).
More News
 
 Click here to read the full text of all news items, including more information on the following:
  • Our parish magazine, Life at St. Peter's, is online and in print.
  • St. Peter's to host anti-racism seminar, October 7, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • Young Adults Fellowship meets First Sunday's for Brunch.
  • Check out Pub Theology on the first Thursday of the month.
  • Support St. Peter's CROP Walk Team: Sign up to walk or donate.
  • Connect at a weekly fellowship event: Holy Chow or Coffee Hour.
  • Remember a loved one or honor a friend with a contribution for flowers or Eucharistic supplies.
  • Sign up for Realm.
  • Augustine Literacy Program volunteers sought.
  • Habitat for Humanity Build, Saturday, October 14. Sign up now.
  • Check out the parish's monthly financial update.
Mark Your Calendars

October 13:  Choir School Cabaret Night, 7:30 p.m.
October 15: Bishop's Visitation for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation.
November 17-18: 202nd Annual Convention of the Diocese, Winston-Salem.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church | 704-332-7746 | Email | Website