Join us for a special Sunday of Lessons and Carols on December 16, at 9:15 and 11:15 am at Christ Church!(There will be services in both the church and parish hall at 9:15 am.)
Mark your calendars for Christmas Eve worship at 4:00, 6:00, 8:00 and 11:00 pm at Christ Church. On Christmas Day, join us at St. Ignatius at 10:30 am and celebrate the birth of our Lord! Click
here for more details.
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 It's the thought that counts, right? That's what we are taught from an early age. I have heard some parents lament, as a result, that they feel guilty when they have a piece of child-crafted art bestowed upon them, yet again, and they don't know what to do with it, let alone what it is. Each scribble is a prize and a special gift, at least in the mind of the giver.
"Yeah, Daddy, how come that drawing was in the trashcan?" "I don't know. Good thing you rescued it for me." In truth, such thoughtful gifts are important to us as parents, as are many other little things that don't hold much monetary value.
Value is not really objective, though. A lot of things have value attached to them, especially if they are available in great number on store shelves. Other things, which are old, unique, or even one-of-a-kind are harder to place a value on. They are worth whatever someone will pay for them. If more than one person is willing to pay for it, the price goes up. Then there are the priceless items that are important to us, even if they are the sort of things that we'd box up after a yard sale to donate to the thrift sale because no one wanted to buy them - even when everything was half price after lunch. Nonetheless, if an item has "history"; if it has a back story, like the person who gave it to us, or the moment it time it represents, we don't need to have an external value. Its value is completely subjective and unarguable.
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| Lessons and Carols |
 Join us for Lessons and Carols this coming Sunday, December 16 at 9:15 am in the Parish Hall, and 9:15 and 11:15 am in Christ Church. These liturgies will offer a grand variety of music from our Adult Choir, Christ Church Trebles, X Choir, Hand Bell Choir and will feature special instrumental performances on the violin, oboe, English horn, trumpet and organ.
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Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Worship Service Schedule
Christmas Eve - December 24
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4:00 pm Christmas Pageant in the Parish Hall
This energetic Eucharistic liturgy centers around our Christmas Pageant where sheep, angels, shepherds, Joseph, Mary and more come to life as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.
6:00 & 8:00 pm Holy Eucharist Services
These liturgies will offer festive Christmas selections from our Christ Church Choir of Men and Women, Christ Church Trebles, harp, organ, and brass.
11:00 pm Holy Eucharist Service
This traditional midnight liturgy offers harp, organ, and soloists. Christmas Carols abound!
(Nursery care for infants to children age four will be available at 4:00 and 6:00 pm on Christmas Eve.)
Christmas Day - December 25
10:30 am Holy Eucharist Service at St. Ignatius
Join us for this morning of rejoicing and praise!
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| Christmas Poinsettias |
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Beautiful poinsettias may now be ordered to honor a loved one and decorate our worship spaces at Christmas. The cost is $30 per poinsettia and checks should be made payable to the Christ Church Altar 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 16.
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| Special Altar Guild Meeting |
 Calling all Altar Guild members! Please mark your calendars for a very important meeting of the Altar Guild on Thursday, December 13, at 10:00 am, in the Parish Hall. Your attendance is critical! For more information, please contact Nancy Zell at
[email protected].
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| Help Create Wreaths for our Churches |
 All those who are interested in learning how to make a wreath or would like to make a wreath for Christmas to adorn the walls of one of our worship spaces are welcome to come join the Altar Guild and Flower Guild in the Parish House on Thursday, December 20 at 9:00 am. The only things you need to bring are clippers and your gloves, we will provide cedar and wreath forms. Or just come have a cup coffee and enjoy the fellowship. For more information, please contact Anna Belle McCaskill at [email protected].
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| Sunday School for Children and Youth |
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Sunday school classes for children and youth will
NOT meet on Sunday, December 23 and 30. We will resume meeting on Sunday, January 6, 2019.
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| Adult Sunday Morning Class |
The Adult Sunday morning class will being an Advent study in December based on the book,
The Redemption of Scrooge. In this book, the class will discover how the teachings of Jesus can be found in Dickens' Christmas classic. From the ghosts of Christmas past, to the life of the present and the resurrection of Christmas future, this Advent study will "bless us everyone" and reinvigorate our spiritual journeys as we look at this familiar story through the lens of faith. Join the Sunday morning Adult Class as they go from "Bah, Humbug!" to a blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas. Everyone is welcome. The Class meets in the Parish House every Sunday from 10:30 to 11:15 am and the Rev. Dr. Robert W. (Bob) Brown is the leader. For more information, please contact Bob at
[email protected]
.
The Adult Sunday morning class will
NOT meet on December 30, but will resume on January 6.
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| Men's Study Group |
 The Men's Discussion Group, which meets on Wednesdays at 10:30 am, in the Youth Room, is reading
The Chosen Wars: How Judaism Became an American Religion
, by Steven R.Weisman. For more information, please contact Te Turner at [email protected].
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| Thursday Afternoon Book Study |
 The focus of this Advent book study will be
The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Birth by Marcus Borg and John Crossan. In this book, the authors help us to see this well-known narrative afresh by answering the question, "What do these stories mean?" in the context of both the first century and the twenty-first century. They successfully show that the Christmas story, read in its original context, is far richer and more challenging than people imagine. The study will begin on Thursday, November 29, at 1:00 pm, in the Vestry room and will meet weekly throughout Advent. The book may be purchased on Amazon for $15.75. Contact Mother Ashton at
[email protected] for more information.
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| Sacred Music of Advent |
Father Tom Purdy, Kathleen Turner and Randy Siegel are hosting a music-themed series for Advent. Join us for lunch at 12:30 pm, following the Healing Service. The programs will take place on Wednesdays, at 1:00 pm, in the Parish Hall.
Week 3 - December 19 -
Sacred Play: Having Fun with Contemplative Drawing and Sacred Music
Rediscover a childlike sense of play and awake your artist's soul! Randy will guide participants-especially those who claim they aren't artists-through an easy, relaxed and fun intuitive drawing process that includes live musical meditations by Kathleen Turner on the piano.
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| Advent Devotional |
 Living Well Through Advent 2018: Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind is the Advent meditation booklet from Living Compass this year. Copies are available in the church office, or download a copy at
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| Daily Advent Prayers |
 Father Tom is sending out daily prayers via text during Advent to all who would like to receive them. If you'd like to be added to the contact list, please contact Fr. Tom at
[email protected].
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| Christmas and Advent Song CD |
 A lively collection of the traditional carols of Advent and Christmas,
sung by our own Choristers, Trebles, Youth, and Young Adults has been recorded onto a CD! You'll definitely want to add this to your holiday music collection, so pick up your copy in the church office now!
As the value of children's voices singing of Christ's birth is priceless, donations are welcomed and will support the St. Cecelia Series. (If donating by check, please write "St. Cecelia Series" in the memo line.)
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 Youth Service Project -
December 16
Calling all EYC members to help prepare for Christmas food basket packing. We'll have fun and fellowship and serve others all at the same time! Join us at 12:30 pm in the Parish Hall.
Coffee and Conversation
 For our high school students we are offering a chance to meet at a coffee shop twice a month for fellowship and teaching. This is an opportunity for our youth to come together and chat. Join us this month at:
December 16 - Starbucks (St. Simons Island) - 7:00 pm
Christmas Pageant 2018
Christmas Pageant Rehearsals will take place December 16 and 23,
following the 11:15 am service in the Parish Hall. On Dec. 16 we will have rehearsal for all roles and Dec. 23 will be the final dress rehearsal. For more information contact Mother Katie at [email protected].
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| Mother Katie's Top Picks for Children's and Youth Bibles |
Thinking of gifting a Bible to your young one this season?
 For your elementary age and younger consider
The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones. With wonderful pictures and stories that carry you through the Bible, this is a great first Bible for your young one. It is great to read before bed or naps or to review our own lectionary stories with your children at home.
 For our 5th graders on up, consider Zondervan's Student Bible in the New Revised Standard Version. This study Bible is written with the teenage brain in mind. Brief descriptions before each book and break down boxes to explain or describe the context of the word being read. Plus, enjoy the version we read in the Episcopal church.
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| Christ Church Families on Facebook |
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Families! Please join the Christ Church Families Facebook group to keep up with all the latest events and activities. Find us on Facebook
here
!
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| Angel Tree for Morningstar |
 Christmas is a very magical time of the year for children young and old. This year, we have been asked to purchase winter jackets for the children at Morning Star. Please stop by the Parish Hall and choose an angel from the tree. The wrapped jackets with angels affixed to the outside of the package, should be returned to the Parish Hall by Friday, December 20.
Thank you for helping to make this Christmas special for the children at Morning Star! Please contact Donna Purdy at [email protected] if you have any questions.
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| Backpack Buddies |
 Recently, we've had some terrific out-of-town guests, who have really lent a helping hand with our Backpack Buddies operations. Members of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Conservation Corps prepped all the food for our November packing session. In addition to stocking the shelves at Second Harvest, they unloaded and organized over 2,000 pounds of food on the Christ Church Backpack Buddies
 packing line.
At an earlier food bag packing in October, we had volunteers from Frederica Academy join us on the line to assemble 480 weekend food bags.
Groups looking for a service project who would like hands-on outreach packing weekend food bags should contact Susan Shipman at
[email protected]
.
 This school year, the Backpack Buddies program is feeding 240+ disadvantaged local children. Hunger is a persistent problem in Glynn County and affects 61%, or more than 8,000 school age children. Though students have access to two meals per day at school during the week, on the weekends and holidays, nutritious food can be scarce and even non-existent. You can honor a loved one this Christmas by sponsoring weekend food for a child for an entire school year for $100, or for one semester for $50. For more information, please contact Susan Shipman at
[email protected].
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| Christmas at Sea |
 Christ Church actively supports the International Seafarers Center, a group that 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. If you'd like to include a warm knit cap, made by our Christ Church Comforters in your box, please contact Gay Barron at
[email protected].
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| Christ Church Comforters Meeting |
 The next meeting of the Christ Church Comforters will take place on Friday, December 14, at 10:30 am. For more information, please contact Gay Barron at
[email protected]
.
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| Parents' Day Out |
 Mark your calendars for Friday, December 21 and make plans to do your last minute Christmas errands, while we entertain your children, (age 12 and under) at Christ Church. Parents' Day Out will take place in the Parish Hall from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Parents may spend time with their children at the church during this event, as well. The day will include lunch, snacks, games, and more! Please contact Miss Kathleen at [email protected] to sign up your children for this event.
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| Susanna Wesley Guild Christmas Luncheon |
 The Susanna Wesley Guild members attended their Christmas Luncheon on Tuesday, December 11, at the Cloister. A lovely and delicious time was had by all! The group usually meets on the third Tuesday of every month, at 10:30 am, in the Parish Hall and all the women in the parish are welcome to join them. To get more information about the Susanna Wesley Guild, please contact Frankie Ansley at
[email protected] or Ethel Horton at
[email protected].
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| Frederick Cousins Guild Christmas Gathering |
 The Frederick Cousins Guild will have their annual Christmas gathering at Linda & Phil Allen's home, at 208 Stevens Road, on Tuesday, December 18,
at 5:30 pm.
Spouses and significant others are invited as well. Please bring an appetizer or dish (or dessert) to share and come join the holiday fun at Phil and Linda's beautiful home. For more information, please contact Louise
Bartlett
at [email protected].
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ECW Cookies, Cheese Wafers and Cookbooks are here!
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 ECW announces brand new cookie tins are in and ready for your holiday shopping!! A fresh supply of 'cheese wafers' and 'key lime coolers' are waiting for you and yours and they make fabulous Christmas gifts at only $15.00 per tin. There are plenty of cookbooks and n
ew aprons, too, so get your lists ready!
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| ECW Scholarship |
 Looking for a special gift this year? This Christmas give the gift that "keeps on giving"- a donation to the new ECW Scholarship fund for young women. A donation to this newly established fund enables a young lady from one of our area Episcopal churches to further her post secondary education. This is truly a gift that will last a lifetime!! Make checks payable to ECW Scholarship Fund and mail to PO Box 20292, St. Simons Island or send it to the church address.
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| Vestry Nominations |
 'Tis the season for Vestry Nominations! Nominations are open for the 2019 vestry election. This year's nominating committee is comprised of the outgoing vestry members: Beryl Blatchford, Tony Kreimborg, Slade Turner, Ralph Wade and two recent former senior wardens of the parish: Susan Shipman and Ed Turner. Along with Fr. Tom, these six individuals will put together the slate of nominees for election at the annual meeting on January 27, 2019. Nominations may be made to any member of the committee between now and December 27th.
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| Giving Made Easy |
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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 PushPay.com giving link. If it's your first time at this site, you'll have to create an account. 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.
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Pastoral Care and Prayer List
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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
[email protected].
Prayer List
To amend our prayer list or to update the church on the condition of your loved one, please email Mtr. Becky Rowell at [email protected]
, Mtr. Ashton Williston at [email protected]
, or call the church office at 912-638-8683.
Carl Alexander
Elaine Backiel
Kris Barkley
John Barnes
Kathy Bee
Kathleen Bishop
Billy Blair
Allen Bowen
Doug Brantley
Gene Broadwell
June Brown
Beverly Burns
Terry Burns
Josh Calhoun
Barbara Canady
Greg Canady
Andy Cheshire
Dena Davis
Jackie Davis
Lonita Davis
Mary Lou Detwiler
Robbie Dickinson
Kristen Erin
Beth Evans
Tom Finn
Betsy Fitzgerald
Richard Fox
Patricia Friedel
Matthew Ganserite
Travis Gay
Joe Goff
Mary Frances Gould
Brad Graham
Walter Graham
Angie Hansen
Burgess Hartsell
Carol Hoffine
Lise Hofmann
Lois Irvin
Misty Johns
Bill Littleton
Larry MacDonald
Dot Marler
Tom Martin
Rachael Moore
Erin Jones O
Mike Peck
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Lois Polezoes
He
ath Powers
Richard Quinelly
Jane Rives
Samantha Rowell
Bob Saunders
Clyde Smith
Willou Smith
David Somerville
James St. Clair
Grayson Strickland
Edith Tayloe
Sarah Taylor
Timothy Tindall
Mary Triplett-Key
Pat Vinton
John Waite
Janice Walker
Brennon Waller
Carah Wheeler
Summer Wheeler
Laura Whitney
Martin Worthy
Putsie Worthy
Mell Wray
Beth
Catherine
Charlotte
Chip
Emma
Hope
Jenna
Jim
John
Lillian
Lucille
Marcene
Margie
Peggy
Shannon
Sharon
Susan
Tommy
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Serving This Weekend
Ralph Wade - Chalice Bearer
Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 8:00 AM (CCF)
David Boland - Chalice Bearer
David Boland - Lector
Ed Rowley - Usher
Toni Rowley - Usher
Anna Belle McCaskill - Altar Guild
Dorriann Branch - Altar Guild
9:15 AM (Christ Church, Frederica)
Isabella Williston - Acolyte TB
Eva Purdy - Acolyte TB
Vivian Parks - Acolyte PW
Catherine Holt - Chalice Bearer
Robert Brown - Chancel Master
Sally Essig - 1st Lector - Lesson II
Barbara Sullivan - 2nd Lector - Lessons IV & V
Ann Harrell - Greeter
Wallace Harrell - Greeter
Dale Stoddard - Usher
Rees Sumerford - Usher
Nancy Hamilton - Kidurgy Shepherd
Sandy Rice - Altar Guild
Sandy Storino - Altar Guild
9:15 AM (Parish Hall, Christ Church, Frederica)
Maggie Jenkins - Acolyte C
Doree Avera - Chalice Bearer
Jody Bradford - 1st Lector - Lesson II
Beth Smith - 2nd Lector - Lesson IV & V
Amy Jenkins - Greeter
Andy Jenkins - Greeter
Oscar Covington - Usher
Bascom Murrah - Usher
Mindy Martin - Kidurgy Shepherd
Nancy Zell - Altar Guild
11:15 AM (Christ Church, Frederica)
Paul Salter - Acolyte C
Chalice - Chalice Bearer
Jane Watson - Lector - Lessons II, IV & V
Diane Ansley - Greeter
Henry Ansley - Usher
Weds., Dec. 19, 2018 NOON Healing Service (CCF)
Jeannie Wade - Altar Guild
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Thursday, December 13, 2018
10:00 am - Altar Guild Meeting
1:00 pm - Advent Book Study
Friday, December 14, 2018
10:30 am - Christ Church Comforters
12:00 pm - Icon Writing Group
Saturday, December 15, 2018
10:00 am - Icon Writing Group
5:30 pm - Worship at St. Ignatius
Sunday, December 16, 2018
8:00 am - Worship at Christ Church
9:15 am - Worship at Christ Church
9:15 am - Worship in Parish Hall (CCF)
9:15 am - Kidurgy at Christ Church
10:20 am - Sunday School for All Ages
10:30 am - Coffee Hour
11:15 am - Worship at Christ Church
12:30 pm - Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
12:30 pm - Youth Service Project
7:00 pm - EYC Teens Coffee
Monday, December 17, 2018
11:00 am - Yoga
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
2:00 pm - Christ Church Hand Bells
4:30 pm - Choristers
5:00 pm - Trebles
5:30 pm - Frederick Cousins Guild
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
10:30 am - Men's Study Group
12:00 pm - Healing Service
1:00 pm - Sacred Music of Advent
5:00 pm - Adult Choir Practice
6:30 pm - X Church
Thursday, December 20, 2018
9:00 am - Wreath-Making in Parish Hall
9:00 am - Christmas Basket Packing
1:00 pm - Advent Book Study
Friday, December 21, 2018
9:00 am - Parents' Day Out
Saturday, December 22, 2018
10:00 am - Icon Writing Group
5:30 pm - Worship at St. Ignatius
Sunday, December 23, 2018
8:00 am - Worship at Christ Church
9:15 am - Worship at Christ Church
9:15 am - Kidurgy at Christ Church
10:20 am - Adult Class Sunday School
10:30 am - Coffee Hour
11:15 am - Worship at Christ Church
12:30 pm - Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
Monday, December 24
, 2018
9:30 am - Manna House
4:00 pm - Christmas Pageant (Parish Hall)
6:00 pm - Christmas Eve in Christ Church
8:00 pm - Christmas Eve in Christ Church
11:00 pm - Christmas Eve in Christ Church
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
10:30 am - Christmas Day at St. Ignatius
Office Closed
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Office Closed
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Office Closed
Friday, December 28, 2018
Office Closed
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December 25 - 28, 2018
Church Office Closed
December 30, 2018
No Sunday School for Children or Adults
No Parish Hall Service at 9:15 am
January 1, 2019
Church Office Closed
January 6, 2019
No Sunday School for Children
No Parish Hall Service at 9:15 am
January 9, 2019
All Music Rehearsals Resume
Healing Service and X Church Resume
January 22, 2019
EC101 Begins
January 27, 2019
Annual Meeting, Chili Cook-Off and Baking Battle
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