November 11, 2020

IN THIS ISSUE
Christmas is a little over six weeks away and we need your help in making the best plans possible for celebrating Christmas Eve this year at Christ Church. Please scroll down to find the Christmas Worship Survey, so that you can share your thoughts and suggestions.

Rector's Ramblings


Father Tom will not be rambling today, but he'd like to share some information about the recent Diocesan Convention.

Several members of the Christ Church family attended (virtually) the 199th Annual Diocesan Convention, Thriving in the Vine, this past weekend to discuss Diocesan business. There were more than 200 clergy, delegates and guests present. We were represented by our four clergy. Four delegates were also in attendance: Beth Smith, Alice Barlow, Paul Salter, and Te Turner. 

Worship


Thanking our Veterans
Today we honor all who have served our country in the US Armed Forces. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. We offer this prayer for all who continue to serve, at home and around the world:

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.              - BCP 822
Worship This Week

Please join us on Sunday, at 9:15 am, for online Rite II Holy Eucharist, which will be available on the Christ Church Facebook page here, on our YouTube page here, or the Christ Church website here. 
Outdoor In-Person Worship - Every Sunday at 8:00 & 11:15 am 


Join us for outdoor Holy Eucharist every Sunday at 8:00 am (BCP 1928) or 11:15 am (Rite I) under the Christ Church tent. All worshipers must register in order to attend outdoor services by calling the office (912-638-8683) Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, or on Fridays, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. 

Please dress casually and comfortably for the weather. Those at high risk for severe symptoms are still encouraged to stay home and worship virtually. 

* All who attend will be required to wear masks.  
* All who attend are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, however, we will have metal folding chairs on hand for those without.
* We will spray for bugs each week, but we encourage you to bring bug spray.
* We will provide hand fans to all who attend (the fans are yours to keep and reuse - we will not collect them).
* Please know that restrooms are only available for emergency use.
Celebrate Communion with Us Via Drive-Through Every Sunday Until 11:15 am 
Join us for Drive-Through Communion at Christ Church each Sunday, following the live stream of the Eucharist. There is no need to make a reservation. Cars will enter at the gate next to the mailbox on Frederica Road and drive down the path. Car windows should remain closed until directed to be lowered by the clergy. A member of the clergy will administer the Eucharist, after which parishioners may exit onto Stevens Road.

 Communion will be served until 11:15 am each Sunday.
Evening Prayer

If you enjoy hearing Evening Prayer read, please look for it at 5:00 pm on the Christ Church Facebook page here. The Rite I bulletin for evening prayer can be found here. The Rite II bulletin for evening prayer can be found here.

Christmas Worship Survey ChristmasWorshipSurvey
Christmas is just around the corner and we're eager to plan a meaningful Christmas Eve experience for Christ Church.
There are a lot of things up in the air around this pandemic, and we do not know exactly what will be possible when late December arrives. Nonetheless, we want to get a sense from you about your thoughts around Christmas Eve so we can be effective in our planning.
 
At this time we know that we will not be holding large services indoors. Diocesan guidelines are still favoring outdoor worship for reduced risk, and if this virus does make itself known through a second wave in Glynn County as things get colder, indoor worship may not be possible in any number. This is a heartbreaking reality for us, as we know it is for many of you.  
 
Please take a moment to fill out the survey we have prepared, available at a link HERE and below. We know Christmas Eve will not look like the traditional services we've become accustomed to, however, the ability to gather to praise God for the birth of the Christ Child remains.  If shepherds could hear the Good News and celebrate from the fields, I am quite certain we can also find meaningful worship in this season of the pandemic. 

Christmas Poinsettias
You may purchase beautiful memorial poinsettias to remember a loved one and decorate our worship spaces for Christmas. The cost is $30 per poinsettia and checks should be made payable to the Christ Church Flower Guild. Please send checks and the names of those you wish to honor to Ethel Horton, at 402 Palm Court St. Simons Island, 31522 by Sunday, December 13.

Formation 


Wednesday Men's Study Group Meeting Remotely 
The Men's Study Group meets via Zoom on Wednesdays, at 10:30 am.
They are beginning a study of Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis.
If you'd like to join the group for this study, please contact Te Turner at royteturner@gmail.com for the Zoom access information.
Advent Book Study
A blended group of in-person and on-line participants are invited to read Dr. Ed Robb's Making Room: Sharing the Love of Christmas. In this book and Advent study, Dr. Robb explores the importance and warmth of welcome at Christmas. A maximum of ten people will gather in the parish hall (masked and social distanced) for four weeks beginning Tuesday, December 1 at 1:00 pm. An unlimited number may join via Zoom. Participants are asked to purchase copies of the book, which can be found HERE. Anyone needing assistance in obtaining the book should contact the church office. Let Mtr. Becky at becky@ccfssi.org know if you'd like to join the group.
Advent Study - Arts and Faith Meditations
Join Fr. Tom beginning Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00 pm for virtual meditative sessions during the season of Advent. The four weekly sessions will use works of sacred art inspired by the Sunday scripture to take a new look at the coming of Jesus. A brief video will be followed by a guided meditation designed to help us prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth through prayer and reflection. No purchase necessary. Contact Fr. Tom at tom@ccfssi.org to join the group.   
Women's Book Study
The Women's Book Group will begin a new book on Thursdays during the Season of Epiphany.  We will be reading Take This Bread by Sara Miles.  

Take this Bread is a journey of person's faith and the impact of the Sacramental Faith. If you would like to be a part of this group discussion or have any questions, please contact Mother Ashton at ashton@ccfssi.org.
Devotionals
If you are a regular reader of the Forward Day by Day devotionals that are typically available in the Christ Church office and would like to continue to have access to them, please contact Glenn Queener at glenn@ccfssi.org. Glenn would like to have your name and street address, so he can send you copies of the booklets. You can also find the devotionals online here.
Adult Sunday Class Continues Break
The Adult Sunday Class, led by the Rev. Bob Brown continues to be on hiatus. For questions about the class and future studies, please contact Bob at rwb385@gmail.com.
 Children and Youth

 
Virtual Sunday School for Children 

Zoom Sunday school is back in session for our children from PreK through Grade 5 this week!

Worship: Hear the Bible story for the week in the Kidurgy service! - available by 8:00 am on Sunday Morning.

Share: At 10:20 am, sign on to our Zoom Sunday School class and listen with Mr. and Mrs. Turner for the PreK-2nd Grade, or Mr. Lenon and Mother Katie for the 3rd-5th grade class! These sessions will be about 15-20 minutes sessions maximum, so you can get to drive-thru communion if you need! Use the Zoom link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84574938145
 
Learn: Take advantage of further learning with the lesson leaflet (that will be passed out at the drive-thru or delivered to your door!) and an On Demand lesson to accompany that weeks lesson, available by Monday morning to do at your leisure that week!
 
Participate in all or one offering to help form your child in the Christian Faith! 
 
If you'd like more details about the upcoming Sunday school classes please contact Mtr. Katie at katie@ccfssi.org.
Kidurgy
Join us on Sunday mornings for Kidurgy online. The lessons are great for all ages! Kidurgy is now using an Anglican Rosary for the Prayers of the People. If you do not have a rosary to use to follow along with at home, please let Mother Katie know and she will deliver! (They are also available at the drive-through communion line!)  Kidurgy will be emailed at 8:00 am on Sunday morning as well as posted on Facebook at 7:00 am.

You can watch this past Sunday's Kidurgy message here.
Christ Church Youth and Pathfinders


Youth Group

The Christ Church Youth will meet this coming Sunday, November 15, 2020, at 6:30 pm under the large tent set up near the historic church. All youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to join us for fun and fellowship! Don't forget to wear your mask and bring a water bottle!

For more information about Youth Group, please contact Mtr. Katie at katie@ccfssi.org.

Pathfinders

Calling all 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders! Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 22, 5:30 - 6:15 pm and come to the Christ Church Parish House!

We will be putting together clear plastic shoeboxes and ditty bags of gifts for Christmas at the Sea - Christmas boxes for Seafarers. Start collecting clear boxes at your house to bring and pack! These boxes will be packed and delivered to the ships' crew members, who cannot be home with their families for the holidays. We will fill the boxes with hair brushes, puzzles, books, pencils, notebook paper, socks, hats, deodorant, handkerchiefs, etc. You can bring some of these items, we will ask Christ Church for donations, and we will supply others. 
 
Please wear a mask, bring a water bottle, use the bathroom before you come!
Family Worship Survey
We have heard from a few families that gathering together at Christ Church with the kids and seeing other families is really missed!
 
Here's what your clergy team needs from you! We need to know if there is enough interest for an additional service geared towards engaging all ages - not just our kids, but their parents, as well. So if you could take the time to fill out this short survey (3 questions) to help us proceed with planning, that would help us out a great deal!
 
Please only one survey per family. Service is open to all our families - so even if your children are teenagers, we would like to hear your feedback as well!
 
Christ Church Families on Facebook
Families! Please join the Christ Church Families Facebook group to keep up with all the latest events and activities. Find us on Facebook here!

 

Mission and OutreachMissionandOutreach


Daughters of the King Service Project
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, the Daughters of the King will be filling Christ Church tins with baked goods and/or candy. These tins will then be put in the holiday food baskets that are delivered to families around Glynn County. 
 
Daughters, we have 144 tins to fill, half of which need to be filled and brought back to the church office by Friday, November 20. Please contact Mother Ashton at ashton@ccfssi.org to pick up your tins, if you need candy that has been donated for this project, or if you have any questions.  
Thanksgiving Baskets


The annual collection of food for Thanksgiving food baskets for twenty-three needy families in our community begins Sunday, November 8 and will continue through Sunday, November 22. The final date for food collection is Tuesday, November 24, by 9:00 am. Chair Jeannie Wade asks that you bring non-perishable food items to the Christ Church Parish House and leave them on the front porch, in the boxes marked "Thanksgiving Baskets", Tuesdays through Fridays, or on Sundays. (The church office is closed on Mondays and Saturdays.) 

Monetary donations are welcome, too, as they will help to purchase a turkey for each basket. Make your check to Christ Church, Frederica and note that it is for Thanksgiving baskets. Checks may be placed in the collection plates at our outdoor worship services and at Drive-through Communion, or mailed to Christ Church, at 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. Monetary funds may also be left in the church office during regular business hours. 

You are also invited to sign up to help assemble the food baskets in the Parish Hall, on Tuesday, November 24, at 9:00 am. Contact Jeannie Wade at jswade125@att.net to get more information or to volunteer to help collect, assemble or deliver the food baskets. 
Christmas at Sea for Our International 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 7 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 ditty bag with 12 - 15 item from the list found below and bringing it to either the Parish House, or to the International Seafarers Center, at 307 Newcastle Street in Brunswick.

Christ Church Comforters Gear Up for the Christmas Season
The Christ Church Comforters will once again be making warm knit watch caps that are suitable for the International Seafarers who visit Brunswick regularly. If you'd like to join this knitting/crochet project, please contact Gay Barron at gaylor61@gmail.com to get more information.

Group members who have already created caps are invited to drop them off at the Parish House during regular business hours (Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm) where they will be blessed before distribution.

If you're filling a box for a seafarer and you'd like a cap, please contact Mtr. Ashton at ashton@ccfssi.org or Gay Barron at gaylor61@gmail.com
Honor a Loved One - Adopt a Backpack Buddy for Christmas 
If you've thought about adopting a young buddy, or have had one in the past, this is a great time to think about doing it in honor of a friend or loved one for Christmas. A sponsorship for a child is $100, which will supply the youngster with weekend food bags for the entire school year. Just let us know who you'd like to honor. 

You  are welcome to donate by check (just mail it to Christ Church, at 6329 Frederica Road St. Simons Island, GA 31522 - check memo, Backpack Buddies)  or give online HERE (choose Backpack Program).

We are always grateful for your help with the Backpack Buddies mission! If you have any items you'd like to donate this week, they may be dropped off on the front porch at the Christ Church Parish House. If you have any questions about the Backpack Buddies program, please contact Susan Shipman at susanshipman920@gmail.com.
Help Needed for the Humane Society
As part of her English 1102 course at the Coastal College of Georgia, Christ Church parishioner, Waverly Brown, is doing a service project for the local community. She has chosen to do her project with the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia. Waverly will be collecting dry and canned pet foods, treats and toys in donation boxes that she has placed in four locations, including the front porch of the Christ Church Parish House. Please help her out by donating to this outreach project for the Humane Society!
Stay Informed

 
Giving Made Easy


You may use the CCF website to make pledges, donations and payments for some activities. Just select "Giving" at the top of the CCF homepage. This brings you to the pay portal. The process is fast and easy and allows you to pay by credit or debit card or by electronic bank transfer. You may change or add new payment methods at any time. Contact: Stan Kyker, CCF financial administrator at 912-638-8683.


Pastoral Care and Prayer List


Pastoral Care 

Your pastoral care team is here for you! If you have a pastoral concern, a blessing you'd like to share, want to arrange a hospital or home visit, and/or receive Holy Communion, please contact Mother Ashton Williston at 912-638-8683 or ashton@ccfssi.org.

Prayer List

To amend our prayer list or to update the church on the condition of your loved one, please email Mtr. Ashton Williston at ashton@ccfssi.org or call the church office at 912-638-8683.
Nancy Acree
Sam Barrick
Beryl Blatchford
David Blatchford
Tory Braden
Judy Bradford
Rowland Bradford
Anne Brown
June Brown
Beverly Burns
Jackie Byrne
Colleen Cassidy
Zoann Covington
Jim Curran
Sarah Dance
Jackie Davis
Linda Davidson
Marie Dennard
Mary Lou Detwiler
Natalie Dixon
Jennie Doyle
Dave Geiszler
Julie Hancock
Kim Harrison
Burgess Hartsell
Larry Hartsell
Andrew Hobbs
Carol Hoffine
Lise Hofmann
Angela Holland
Jessica Hope
Bob Huggins
Gordon Jackson
Mark Jicha
Sally Jones
Holly Lamb
Mary Landen
Bill Littleton
Dott Marler
Tom Martin
Kathy Marvel
Claire McCarty
Frank Owenby
Andy Padgett
Pep Peppiatt
Dale Pierson
Johnny Riddle
Julia Riddle
Terry Hall Robbins
Willou Smith
David Somerville
Sam Spak
Nancy Stamper
Mike Swindling
Edith Tayloe
Christina Taylor
Sam Ward
Sarah Whitman
Jennifer Willingham
Ava
Betty
Bob
Carol
Dale
Dave
Dick
Gail
Jack
Jake
Jim
Joanne
Jordan
Larry
Maria
Marianne
Marjorie
Marla
Megan
Michael
Muriel
Pidge
Richard
Susan
Tom 
Traci
Virginia
Walter