Read this week's column by the Reverend Jacob E. Pierce, Associate Rector.

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This Week

Wednesday
Room in the Inn

Thursday
Pub Theology, Rock Bottom, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday
MLK Parade, 10:00 a.m.

Sunday
Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 8:00 a.m.
Holy Chow, 8:30 a.m.
Christian Formation for all Ages, 9:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II, 10:45 a.m.
Choral Evensong with Holy Eucharist, 5:00 p.m.

Monday
Center City Concert, Noon
Holy Eucharist, 1:00 p.m.
St. Peter's Winter-Spring-Summer 2018 Calendar of Worship, Programs, and Events is available with returning and new offerings for all ages. Take a look and share it with others. Learn more about our mission and ministry through the Fall 2017 edition of our parish magazine, Life at St. Peter's. Copies of both are available for pick up in all public spaces at St. Peter's.
Worship and Music

Experience Sunday Evenings at St. Peter's: January 14, 21, 28. At 5:00 p.m., on most second and fourth Sundays, we offer the service of Choral Evensong (sung Evening Prayer) with Holy Eucharist led by the Clergy and various choral ensembles (January 14 St. Peter's Choir; January 28 MasterSingers). On every third Sunday, a contemplative Holy Eucharist is offered, patterned after the  Taizé, France community. This service includes music for piano, moments for silence, and candle-lighting as a prayer form.  Learn more about Sunday Evenings at St. Peter's here and  learn more about our complete worship schedule here.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Service at St. Peter's, January 15. Our parish will host a Center City Holy Communion with hymns on Monday, January 15 at 1:00 p.m. to commemorate the ministry of Dr. King and all who served through the Civil Rights Movement. The service will follow the Center City Concert at Noon.

Weekday Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist. Monday-Friday, 8:00-8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Chapel is a quiet offering for the start of the day. On Tuesdays at Noon, a 30-minute celebration of the Holy Eucharist is offered. Both are followed by brief fellowship time in the Parlor. Consider adding weekday worship to your journey, especially if you are unable to attend worship on Sundays.

Altar Flowers and Eucharistic Supplies: In Honor or Memory of Loved Ones. To honor or memorialize loved ones or celebrate special occasions in meaningful ways, consider giving Altar flowers and Eucharistic supplies. Altar flowers are $150 per Sunday, and Eucharistic supplies (bread, wine) are $30 for one month or $15 for two Sundays. To make reservations, contact Parish Administrator, Leigh Dixon ( ldixon@st-peters.org, 704-749-6142) or visit  www.st-peters.org/donate.
Learning

Thursday, January 11, Pub Theology Formation Offering. On second Thursdays, January through May, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Pub Theology is hosted by a member of the parish clergy. On January 11, the Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector, will host "Reflecting on The Civil Rights Movement, Past and Present" at Rock Bottom Brewery across W. Seventh Street from St. Peter's. Pub snacks and both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at these casual, drop in holy conversation events.  Learn more about Pub Theology.

Sunday Formation Classes for Children, Youth, and Adults, 9:30 a.m. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd children, ages 2-12, and Journey to Adulthood (J2A) youth, ages 13-18 meet in their classrooms. Adults are invited to gather for the large assembly Parish Hall Forum or the new small group Bible Study.  Learn more about St. Peter's learning offerings for all ages.

Parents Connect, Sunday, January 14, 9:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Parents of children and youth are invited to meet in the Parlor on Sunday, January 14, 9:30-10:30 a.m. for fellowship and  conversation with Erin Chantry and Father Jacob Pierce. The new "Parents Connect" will serve as a unique opportunity for parents to connect in fellowship, service, and community-building ways, including Sunday morning opportunities. Stay tuned to the eNews and notices about a Parents Connect Social in February.

Adult Parish Hall Forum, Sunday, January 14, 9:30 a.m. On January 14, "A Call to Resilience" will be offered by parishioner/clinical psychologist, Dr. Susan Campbell and the Reverends Jacob E. Pierce and Ollie V. Rencher. This forum will launch a four-week, weeknight series on Wednesdays, January 17, 24, 31, and February 7, facilitated by Dr. Campbell and oriented around The Daring Way™ curriculum developed by Dr. Brené Brown.  Learn more about the kickoff forum and register for Wednesday nights by Monday, January 15. "Being Christian in a Pluralistic Society" will be the forum topic on January 21.

Sunday Morning Bible Study begins January 21. Adult Formation Advisory/Vestry Member, Mary Lynn Sepkowitz will begin leadership of a new weekly Bible Study, "Engaging Scripture: Liberating the Gospels" on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room, next to the elevator and Parish Hall. Participants are invited to bring a personal study Bible or may use one available at St. Peter's.

Liturgical Ministries Retreat and Training Day, Saturday, January 20. Liturgical ministers and volunteers will gather Saturday, January 20, 8:30-11:30 a.m. for a retreat and training day. This retreat is for long-time volunteers, those who are new to a ministry, those who wish to be trained, or those who simply want to learn more. Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers and Sub-deacons, Lectors, Welcome Hosts, and Healing Ministers are encouraged to attend. The day will begin with fellowship and coffee at 8:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall, followed by a plenary at 9:00 a.m., and breakout trainings for each group. Eucharistic Visitors and Altar Guild volunteers routinely schedule separate trainings. Contact Father Jacob ( jpierce@st-peters.org) for more information.

Discover St. Peter's Class, January 21 and 28. Whether you are very new to St. Peter's or simply interested in refreshing or deepening your understanding of what it means to be part of the St. Peter's community, you are invited to attend one or both Discover St. Peter's sessions hosted by the Congregational Development Team on Sundays, January 21 and 28, at 9:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Each session will be co-facilitated by clergy and lay leadership.  Register here or for more information, contact Ministry Associate, Kristie Lauderbaugh ([klauderbaugh@st-peters.org](mailto: klauderbaugh@st-peters.org), 704-749-6141).

Monday Night Bible Study starts January 22. Parishioners John Frederick and Ruth Woodend will facilitate a weekly Bible study at St. Peter's on Mondays, January 22 through March 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Participants will use Invitation to the Old Testament, a $10.00 resource book of the Disciple Short-term Series (Sinclair & Tabor). For more information and to register, contact Ruth Woodend (704-661-4687,  rwoodend@gmail.com or John Frederick (704-293-7800,  jgmfrederick@yahoo.com)Learn more and register.
Community Life 

St. Peter's Annual Fund Campaign Update. Parish Treasurer, Dave Lavoie reported on Monday, January 8 that 285 pledges totaling $880,544 had been received toward  Giving with Gratitude: Support Life at St. Peter's. 100% pledge participation is being sought by the Vestry and Treasurer from all member households to reach the one-million-dollar goal necessary to adequately fund parish worship, in-reach and outreach initiatives, formation programs for adults, youth, and children, music, staff-clergy team compensation and healthcare benefits, operations and administration, and care of buildings and grounds. To offer or increase your 2018 pledge support,  visit www.st-peters.org/give18 or contact Parish Administrator, Leigh Dixon ( ldixon@st-peters.org, 704-749-6142).

Vestry Retreat and 2018 Ministry Area Coordinators. The Vestry, Treasurer, and Clergy gathered January 5-6 for an annual retreat ("Fostering and Sustaining Ministry") that included new Vestry member orientation; a buildings and grounds tour; next steps to develop a parish strategic plan for the benefit of present and future mission; and the organization of Vestry Ministry Area Coordinators: Senior Warden, Bert Miano; Junior Warden, Maria Long; Clerk, Cooper Morrison; Treasurer, Dave Lavoie; Congregational Development, Mike Hoffman and Cooper Morrison; Fellowship, Christa Lineberger; Formation, Marcus Clarke; Outreach, Elsie Erneston; Pastoral Care, Mary Lynn Sepkowitz; Social Justice, John Frederick; Stewardship, Carolyn Carlburg, Ellison Clary; Worship and The Arts, John Hall. Stay tuned for more about joining them and the clergy-staff team in the work of the parish mission, ministry, and vision.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Events at St. Peter's, January 13 and 15. Saturday, January 13 - St. Peter's Social Justice Team invites all ages to participate in the Parade, 10:00 a.m.-Noon. Volunteers are needed to march, offer sidewalk and churchyard hospitality, and assist with setup.  Sign up online. Monday, January 15 - Center City Concerts at St. Peter's presents the Charlotte Contemporary Ensemble at Noon followed by a 1:00 p.m. Center City Holy Communion Service commemorating Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.

Valet Parking at St. Peter's. Services are available for persons with limited mobility circumstances on Sundays, 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Parish House/W. Seventh Street entrance.

Senior Class 55+ Luncheon: Third Tuesdays. The next monthly luncheon for this fellowship group will be on Tuesday, January 16, 11:30 a.m. at  Red Rocks Café South Park, 4223 Providence at Fairview roads. For more information, call Hannah Craighill (704-334-6276), Barbara Partington (704-523-1831), or Dan Woodall (704-351-2279).  Learn more about this fellowship opportunity.

Parish Groups and Guilds. If you wish to make new or revive old connections through regular or occasional small group fellowships,  visit Groups, Guilds and Events. Watch for notices about events of the Senior Class, Young Adults, and new opportunities to begin in 2018.

Chronic Care Support Group: First Fridays. The next gathering of this first-Friday group will be February 2, 11:00 a.m. in the Parlor. The Reverend Keith Lane and others facilitate this fellowship for persons with chronic illnesses of any sort and caregivers alike. Contact Father Keith Lane ( klane@st-peters.org, 704-332-7746 x355).

Annual Shrove Tuesday Festival, February 13: Tickets and Volunteers. On the eve of Ash Wednesday, all ages are invited to gather for a grand occasion beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Prepare now for a big evening of music and assorted foods, including pancakes, bacon and sausage, the Rector's Gumbo (four sorts), vegetarian options, salad, fruit, King Cake, assorted desserts, and many child-friendly items. Tickets are $6 for youth and adults, $4 for children, up to a $25 household maximum, and  must be purchased by Wednesday, February 7 online or at the Parish House Reception Desk.  Stay tuned for volunteer sign up for setup and cleanup; decorations; cooking assistants; food and refreshment station servers; table hosts/runners; door greeters.
Outreach and Social Justice

Room in the Inn hosted at St. Peter's. On each Wednesday evening from December 6 through March 28, St. Peter's participates in Room in the Inn (RITI) by providing a warm, welcoming place where twelve neighbors can share a meal and sleep in our Parish Hall. To learn more and serve in a variety of important ways, contact RITI Parish Coordinator, Bert Miano ( bmiano@mianolaw.com, 205-222-7527).

Social Justice Film Night, January 31, 6:00 p.m. St. Peter's Social Justice Team presents a film night screening of The Loving Story, Wednesday, January 31, 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. This documentary tells the story of the 1967 landmark civil rights case, Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court that made interracial marriage legal in all states. After the 77-minute film, stay for a conversation with the Reverend Ollie V. and Mrs. Ellie R. Rencher about their own marriage, which would not have been legal 50 years ago.
Mark Your Calendars

Youth Pilgrimage Chili Fundraiser, Sunday, February 4.

Youth Parents Social, Sunday, February 11, 4:00-8:00 p.m., Home of Director of Youth Formation, Lyn Holt.

Ash Wednesday, February 14. Imposition of Ashes with Holy Eucharist, 7:00 a.m., Noon, 7:00 p.m.; Ashes-on-the-Go Sidewalk Ministry: 8:00-8:45 a.m., 11:00-11:45 a.m., 1:00-1:45 p.m.
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