This Week

Tonight
Social Justice Film and Discussion, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday
Holy Eucharist Rite I, 8:00 a.m.
Holy Chow Breakfast, 8:30 a.m.
Christian Formation for all Ages, 9:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist Rite II, 10:45 a.m.
Coffee Hour, 12:15 p.m.
Vestry Nominations Close

Tonight

Social Justice Film and Discussion: The Road to Brown.  The Social Justice Team will host a film screening of  The Road to Brown6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The film tells the story of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling as the culmination of a brilliant legal assault on segregation that launched the Civil Rights movement. It is a moving tribute to a visionary but little-known black lawyer, Charles Hamilton Houston, "the man who killed Jim Crow." This free 56-minute film will be followed by a facilitated discussion about the film and the current state of affairs in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Facilitator Amy Hawn Nelson is a community-engaged researcher based at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. RSVPs are encouraged but not required through Paula Savich ( paula.savich@gmail.com , 828-467-3188).
Giving with Gratitude

St. Peter's 2018 Annual Fund Campaign.  As of Friday, October 20, 105 pledges totaling $393,362 have been committed toward our annual fund-raising campaign, Giving with Gratitude: Support Life at St. Peter's.  Before the weekend, another campaign update will be provided as members and non-members offer pledge gifts in 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. Commitment Sunday is November 5, All Saints' Sunday. To learn more about pledging for 2018 and/or to make a new pledge for the remainder of 2017, visit www.st-peters.org/annualfund  . Campaign information is available in all public spaces at St. Peter's. If you have questions, please contact Parish Administrator, Leigh Dixon ( ldixon@st-peters.org , 704-749-6142).
Worship and Music

All Saints' Sunday: Baptisms and Incense. In keeping with the long-standing custom of the Church, the sacrament of Holy Baptism will be administered at the 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. liturgies on November 5, All Saints' Sunday. At the 10:45 a.m. liturgy, incense will be burned. Worshippers with allergies or respiratory issues may wish to attend the 8:00 a.m. liturgy where incense will not be offered.

Sunday Evenings at St. Peter's. At 5:00 p.m., on most second and fourth Sundays, we offer the service of Choral Evensong with Holy Eucharist. On the third Sunday of every month, a meditative service of Holy Eucharist is offered, patterned after the TaizĂ©, France community. This offering includes music for piano, contemplative silence, candle-lighting as a prayer form, and a reflection/meditation by a layperson. Please note: The last Choral Evensong for 2017 will led by the St. Peter's Choir on November 12. On November 26 and December 10, a member of the Clergy will officiate Evening Prayer in the Chapel.  The complete Fall 2017 schedule for Sunday Evenings at St. Peter's is available online.

All Hallows Eve Liturgy at Noon. On Tuesday, October 31 at Noon in the Chapel, a Holy Eucharist for All Hallows Eve will be offered. The night before All Saints Day, November 1, has long been part of the three-day observance of All Hallows-tide. October 31, All Hallows Eve; November 1, All Saints' Day; and November 2, All Souls' Day, are three days in which the Church commemorates the worthy examples of Christian discipleship, the Saints of long ago, and all the faithful departed. Please join us on Tuesday, October 31 as we observe this ancient tradition.

Holiday Greenery Sale Fundraiser for The Choir School. The Choir School at St. Peter's annual greenery sale offers greenery at competitive prices and supports an important non-profit. You may order wreaths and garlands for yourself or others either online from The Choir School website  or directly from a chorister by Monday, November 6. Choir School members will be taking orders during Holy Chow and after the 10:45 a.m. service. Wreaths to be shipped out of town will be delivered the week of November 20; local orders will arrive at St. Peter's in the evening of Monday, November 27. The greenery sale helps keep The Choir School program open to every talented young person who is accepted to our choirs. If you have questions, contact Kay Johnson at The Choir School ( kjohnson@thechoirschool.org, 704-749-6146).

Weekday Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist followed by Conversation. 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, a 30-minute celebration of the Holy Eucharist without music is offered. Each weekday liturgy is followed by an optional time for worshippers to gather with the worship leader in the Parlor for a 30-minute conversation about the scripture lessons and more. Consider adding weekday worship to your journey and invite others too.
Learning

Sunday Formation for Adults, October 29, 9:30 a.m. The Parish Hall Forum offers part two of a fundamental series on October 29. The parish clergy and lay leaders will present "Becoming a Jesus People: Servant Ministry Opportunities through St. Peter's" to reflect on past, present, and future opportunities to serve others through our Servant Ministry Partners, some of which are 2017 Parish Outreach and Social Justice grant recipients. Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, reminds us that " we are The Episcopal Church, the Episcopal branch of Jesus' movement in this world." Mark your calendar and bring others to this big conversation to consider what it means to be a participant in the Jesus Movement. On November 5, at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall, the youth pilgrimage class, adult youth leaders, and the Associate Rector, will reflect on the Summer 2017 Youth Pilgrimage to Rome, Milan, and Assisi in Italy.

Sunday 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).

Community Life 

Personnel News from The Rector. The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector, is pleased to share exciting news about the clergy-staff team at the Parish House.   Read Personnel News from The Rector, October 16, 2017.

Vestry Nominations Open through Sunday, October 29. You can now nominate yourself or someone else to serve as a member of the 2018-2020 Class of the Vestry of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The Vestry is the lay leadership team of 12 people elected to work with the clergy and staff to lead the parish in matters spiritual and financial, helping to discern, articulate, and work to realize the vision toward which God is drawing the parish. Vestry members are elected to three-year terms with four positions up for election each year.

Nominations are open through Sunday, October 29 and the election will take place on Sunday, December 10 at the Annual Meeting of the Parish at 9:30 a.m. Eligible members will also have the option to vote early on Sundays, November 26 and December 3 and during parish office hours Monday-Friday from November 27-December 8. Consider prayerfully whom to nominate, and speak to that person before completing a nomination form:  online or in hard copy. Paper forms are available at the reception desk of the church office and can be submitted there (via receptionist) to the Rector. If you are considering running for vestry or nominating someone, be sure to read more about the qualifications and responsibilities online at the same location.

Nominee Requirements: All nominees must fill out a Nominee Information Form, which can be found online  or at the Parish House reception desk, by Friday, November 3. Any additional questions about serving on vestry or the election process can be directed to the vestry members serving on the nominating committee: Candace Armstrong ( armstrong4300@bellsouth.net), Abigail Cudabac ( acudabac@earthlink.net), Paul Keller ( paulkeller1756@yahoo.com), or Kristine Reid ( kmrlady@ymail.com).

Pub Theology, Thursday, November 2. On first Thursdays through December, 6:00-8:00 p.m., a member of the clergy will host Pub Theology. The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector, will host a discussion about "The Practice of Giving in a Taking Society" on November 2 at  Dilworth Neighborhood Grille at 911 East Morehead Street. Pub snacks and both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at these casual, drop-in, formation events. Each gathering is a great way to introduce friends, coworkers, and others to an alternative approach to Christian formation.

Newcomers' Coffee, Sunday, November 12. All who are new (or new-ish) to the parish and want to get acquainted with other newcomers, members, and the clergy are invited to a time of fellowship and community-building in the Parlor from 9:30-10:30 a.m.  RSVP to Congregational Development Team Leader, Tony Craghead (tonycraghead@hotmail.com) or with any questions, contact Ministry Associate, Kristie Lauderbaugh at ( klauderbaugh@st-peters.org, 704-749-6141).

Reception to Celebrate the 1834 Legacy Society, Sunday, November 12. To honor and celebrate fifteen years of St. Peter's 1834 Legacy Society (those who have made a planned gift to St. Peter's, and so named for the first year Episcopalians worshipped in Charlotte), a reception will be hosted on Sunday, November 12 in the Parish Hall at 6:00 p.m. after Choral Evensong. All members and friends of St. Peter's are invited to this occasion, which will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks provided by La-tea-da's Catering. Save the date and please plan to attend. Formal invitations will be mailed with RSVP information or  RSVP online now.

Senior Class Third Tuesday Luncheon. The next monthly luncheon will be on November 17, 11:30 a.m. at  Zen Asian Fusion in Kenilworth Commons on East Boulevard. St. Peter's Senior Class is a fellowship group of parishioners (55+) who meet monthly for an informal lunch and twice a year for a party. For further information, please call Hannah Craighill (704-334-6276) or Barbara and Jay Partington (704-523-1831). Stay tuned for details about the December 19 luncheon.

Young Adults Fellowship Events in October and November. All young adults are invited to connect with others by attending the October 29 Parish Hall Forum at 9:30 a.m. as well as any and all offerings set for November: November 2 - Pub Theology, 6:00 p.m., Dilworth Neighborhood Grille; November 5 - All Saints' Sunday Brunch after 10:45 a.m. worship; and November 12 - Choral Evensong with Eucharist, 5:00 p.m. followed by Dinner in Uptown. This fellowship exists to foster connections through seasonal social events, promote outreach opportunities, and offer formation classes for parishioners ages 21 and older who are single, married, partnered, parents or non-parents. For more information, join  St. Peter's Charlotte: Young Adults on Facebook or email either Mary Gotschall ( marygotschall@gmail.com) or Julia Hughes ( jhughesfm@gmail.com).

Making Connections through Parish Groups and Guilds. Relationship-building is an important aspect of life at St. Peter's. If you wish to make new or revive old connections through regular or occasional offerings,  visit Groups, Guilds and Events.

Music Fund Gifts for All Saints' Sunday, Advent, and Christmas at St. Peter's. In July, the Ben Outen Music Fund was established as a restricted fund to enrich the worship life of St. Peter's through the enhancement of music and additional instrumentalists made possible by gifts above and beyond pledges to the annual operating budget. Members, newcomers, and friends may offer gifts to this fund in honor or memory of loved ones. Currently, the music Staff and St. Peter's Choir are preparing special music for All Saints' Sunday (November 5), Advent Lessons and Carols (December 3), and Christmas Eve.  You may give online or make checks payable to "St. Peter's Ben Outen Music Fund" and direct them to Parish Administrator, Leigh Dixon.

Tune into Life at St. Peter's Fall 2017Read the parish magazine online  and  explore the calendar of formation, worship, programs, and events for adults, youth, and children. Copies of each are available in all public spaces at St. Peter's.
Outreach and Social Justice

Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Options. The Puerto Rican Cultural Society of Charlotte (PRCSC) requests donations to assist with recovery efforts since the recent hurricane. St. Peter's will serve as a temporary collection location for dry goods and non-perishable items: rice, coffee, salt, beans, canned meat, as well as bug repellent in lotion or cream form, and Vicks' VapoRub. The Parish House Receptionist will provide drop-off directions. Donations also are being collected at the PRCSC Donations Center located at 550 Griffith Road in Charlotte. You may also give to Episcopal Relief and Development hurricane and earthquake relief efforts supported by the Diocese of North Carolina .

Augustine Literacy Program (ALP) Volunteer Information and Training. ALP is recruiting for fall training classes; training sessions will be held on October 31 and November 2.  Visit the ALP website for more information or an application. Mark your calendars for ALP's second Get Rowdy for Reading Event on Saturday November 4 at NODA Brewery. It is a free and family-friendly event with live music, silent auction, and games!
Mark Your Calendars

November 5: All Saints' and 2018 Annual Fund Pledge Commitment Sunday.
November 12: Introduction and Conversation with 2018-2020 Vestry Candidates, 9:30 a.m.
November 17-18: 202nd Annual Convention of the Diocese, Winston-Salem.
December 3: Advent Lessons and Carols, 10:45 a.m.
December 10: Parish Community Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. Annual Meeting of the Parish, 9:30 a.m. Festive Advent Parish Community Potluck, 12:15 p.m
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