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December 25 , 2019

IN THIS ISSUE
CHRIST IS BORN! 
ALLELUIA!
MERRY CHRISTMAS 
TO ALL!!

Rector's Ramblings


Father Tom is taking a break from rambling this week, but wishes all of our Christ Church family and friends a very Merry Christmas! 

Worship


The Season of Christmas
Join us for weekly worship during the Season of Chri stmas at Christ Church. Holy Eucharist worship services will take place on Saturday at 5:30 pm at St. Ignatius Chapel, on Demere Road, and on Sunday at 8:00 am, 9:15 am*, and 11:15 am at Christ Church, Frederica. Kidurgy, our Liturgy of the Word for younger children, takes place during the 9:15 am worship service at Christ Church. 

*Our second 9:15 am in the Parish Hall will return on Sunday, January 12.  

Formation 


Adult Sunday Morning Class 

On January 12, the Adult Sunday class will begin a study entitled Reckless Love: Jesus' Call to Love Our Neighbor which will take us to February 23, 2020. Then, on March 1, 2020 (the first Sunday in Lent) we'll begin a Lenten Study for the seven weeks of Lent. All are invited to join us. The class meets in the Adult Sunday classroom in the Parish House. For more information, contact Bob Brown at  [email protected] .
Thursday Contemplative Group

Randy Siegel is leading a weekly morning contemplative group in the Vestry Room of the Christ Church Parish House. Contemplative practices help us know God. Through prayer, worship, scripture, meditation, and silence, we experience God's presence and are healed, renewed and transformed by God's love. The group will meet on January 2 and 9, from 11:00 am until Noon. Come when you can! For more information, contact Randy Siegel at 828-301-0819.
Men's Study Group

The Men's Discussion Group gathers on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am in the Youth Room in the Parish House. They will begin a new study in January.  If you'd like to join the group , please contact Te Turner at [email protected] .
Choir Rehearsals
The Christ Church Choirs have been working hard in preparation for Christmas worship services and will take a short winter break after Christmas, then resume rehearsals on January 7 & 8. Merry Christmas!
Daughters of the King
The Daughters of the King will meet on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at 5:30 pm, in the Vestry Room of the Parish House. All Daughters are asked to please bring in foods collected throughout Advent to replenish the non-perishable food stocks for the Food Baskets program. Contact Mtr. Ashton at [email protected] for more information.
Save the Date - Women's Spiritual Retreat
This winter, the women of Christ Church are invited to come together for a spiritual retreat, at Epworth by the Sea, on Saturday, January 25, 2020, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. More information will be coming in the weeks ahead. Contacts: Mtr. Katie at [email protected] and Kathryn Saunders at [email protected].
 Children and Youth

 
Christmas Eve

Many thanks to all who were involved in presenting the lively and beautiful Christmas Pageant Holy Eucharist worship service on Christmas Eve! The children and youth did a wonderful job of telling the story of Jesus's birth through word and song. (More photos coming in next week's newsletter!) 
 
Youth and Children's Activities
Christ Church Youth Group for our youth in 6th-12th grades meets every Sunday from 6:30-8:00 pm in the parish house. We have a meal, play games, and engage in scripture, tradition, discussion and outreach. Our Pathfinders, (children in grades 3-5) meet once a month for an activity or trip and sometimes help with youth outreach projects. Contact: Mtr. Katie at  [email protected]

Youth Schedule
Dec 29 & Jan 5 - No Youth Group
Jan 12 - Youth Group resumes 6:30-8:00 pm

Below are the dates for some upcoming Diocesan youth events. For more information, please contact Mtr. Katie at  [email protected] .
 
Winter Youth Retreat
1/10/20-1/12/20
Honey Creek, Grades 6-12

Happening #103
2/21-2/23/2020
Honey Creek, Grades 10-12
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 !

 

Outreach


Backpack Buddies 


The Backpack Buddies are taking a  brief holiday break, before packing starts again on Wednesday, January 8, at 1:30 pm. All hands will be needed that day, as we kick-off the new year, so come join us for the fun! You can also 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]
Christmas at Sea Continues into January
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 clear plastic shoebox or ditty bag with 12 - 15 item from the list found  here and bringing it to either the church office in the Parish Hall, or to the International Seafarers Center, at 307 Newcastle Street in Brunswick. 
Christ Church Comforters
The Comforters will have their first meeting of the new year on Friday, January 10, at 10:30 am, in the Parish House. Come join them and become part of this "tight knit" group! For more information, contact Gay Barron at [email protected] .
The ECW Tour of Homes Needs You Now!
Last spring, 29 agencies primarily serving women and children in need, benefited from ECW's Annual Tour of Homes, and from the sale of our Christ Church Cookbook. This fall, we again are asking for generous donations that will help in so many lives. We look to our church family, and beyond, to make it happen. If you'd like to be a patron or volunteer on Tour Day, March 21, please contact Susie Henning at  [email protected]), or Tami Black at  [email protected], or visit christchurchtourofhomes.org.
Tour of Homes
Mark your calendars! The ECW Tour of Homes Kick-Off Party will take place on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm,  at the St. Simons Island home of Debbie & Tony Doliveira.  This annual event celebrates the more than 300 volunteers and supporters who help make the Tour possible.  We will send mailed invitations and evites in January.   We look forward to a great evening. For more information, please contact Susie Henning at [email protected] or Tami Black at [email protected].
Fellowship

 
Capital Campaign Event at Retreat
All are cordially invited to the Capital Campaign Launch on January 12, 2020, at 4:00 pm, in the ballroom at the Island Club Retreat. This gathering will kick off Rooted. Growing. Building: A Campaign for Christ Church . Light fare and libations will be served. Childcare for children 4 and under will be provided.
Please contact Amy Certain at [email protected] by Tuesday, 
January 7, 2020 to RSVP. 
Thank you!
Mom's Time Out in January

The Mom's Time Out group will meet for dinner on Friday, January 10, at 6:00 pm at Half Shell, in St. Simons Village. Please RSVP to Mtr. Ashton at [email protected] by Wednesday, January 8, if you'd like to join us.
OMG January Gathering
The O(utrageously) M(ature) G(roup) will start off the new year meeting on the second Friday, January 10, at 11:30 am, in the Parish Hall. Join them for lunch and games, or just come to socialize. Bring a friend! If you'd like to purchase lunch, please call the church office at 912-638-8683 with your order for a sandwich or salad from Honeybaked Hams for $10. For more information about the OMG, pleased contact Mtr. Ashton at [email protected].
Stay Informed

 
Christ Church Gift Shop

The Christ Church Gift Shop has a wide assortment of unique items, including handmade jewelry to benefit House of Hope and Faithful Love, the Christ Church history book, local honey and all natural bath and body care products from Thistle Farms.  
The store can be found in the parish hall, across from the church office and is open on Sundays 10:30 am until 1:00 pm and Tuesday - Friday 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Contact: Ellen Kuehm at 912-996-3392 or at   [email protected] .
Vestry Nominations
Nominations are open for the 2020 vestry election. This year's nominating committee members are Alice Barlow, Kelly Galland, Wallace Harrell, John Killgallon, Tony Kreimborg and Susan Shipman. 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 through December 26.
Emergency Contact Information Needed
We are in the process of adding emergency contact information for parishioners into the Christ Church Realm database. When you log into your Realm profile, you may enter the information yourself. If you need help with Realm, please contact Glenn at [email protected]. If you prefer not to use computers, call Mother Ashton at the church office, at 912-638-8683, and she will happily take your information and enter it into the database.
A Note from the Christ Church Senior Warden
The staff at Christ Church does so much for us all year. Many in the congregation want to thank them in the form of a year-end Christmas bonus. To do so, please make your check to Christ Church and write "staff appreciation" in the message line. (At his request, Father Tom will not be included in the distribution of funds collected.) Then put the check in the collection plate or bring it to the church office during business hours.
 
Thank you!
Wallace Harrell - Senior Warden


End of Year Gifts

As we approach the final days of 2019, we'd like to extend an invitation for year-end gifts that would benefit Christ Church and may benefit you if you find yourself looking for additional annual deductions. If you would like to make a gift via stock transfer, or if you have any other questions about year-end giving, please contact our Financial Administrator, Stan Kyker or our Parish Administrator, Glenn Queener. They can both be reached at 912-638-8683. If a year-end gift fits into your plans, thank you!

Making a Charitable Distribution 
In this season of giving, and as we wrap up 2019, we've got some information to share about making charitable donations from the required distribution of your IRA, should it apply to you.

Did you know that you can make a donation of all or a portion of the Required Minimum Distribution from your retirement account to Christ Church, and your donation will be tax-exempt? Here's how it works.I f a person is at least age 70½, they must take at least a minimum distribution from their IRA or incur a penalty equal to one-half of the otherwise required minimum distribution amount. They may take more than the minimum at their discretion. These individuals may instruct their IRA account manager to distribute any amount of their choosing to one or more tax-exempt charities such as Christ Church.

When that is done, it is considered to be a tax-exempt contribution. Christ Church would acknowledge to the giver the receipt of that contribution from their IRA. Also, this contribution is tax-exempt even if the individual does not itemize deductions for income tax purposes because the IRA account manager would not identify this to the IRS as reportable income in accordance with the tax code. For more information about Qualified Charitable Distributions, check out the Internal Revenue Service Publication 590-B, "Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)" or speak with your tax advisor.
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 [email protected].

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 [email protected]  or call the church office at 912-638-8683.

Nancy Acree
Alana Andrews
Bob Baker
Kris Barkley
Kelly Benhase
Beryl Blatchford 
Gene Broadwell
Bob Dart Brown
Beverly Burns
Jackie Byrne
Colleen Cassidy
Barbara Chitty
Zoann Covington
Jim Crankshaw
Dena Davis
Jackie Davis
Mary Lou Detwiler
Godfrey Draviam
Tom Finn
Dave Geiszler
Mary Hanley
Angie Hansen
Burgess Hartsell
Carol Hoffine
Lise Hofmann
Angela Holland
Jessica Hope
Sylvia Hunt
Gordon Jackson
Holly Lamb
Bill Littleton
Dorothy Lowery
Dott Marler
Tom Martin

Frank Owenby
Pep Peppiatt
Dale Pierson
Richard Quinelly
Johnny Riddle
Julia Riddle
Terry Hall Robbins
Rob Rushin
Clyde Smith
Willou Smith
David Somerville
Sam Spak
James St. Clair
Mary Starr
Carolyn Strohm
Edith Tayloe
Mary Triplett-Key
Janice Walker
Sarah Whitman
Jennifer Willingham
Mell Wray
Dave
Earl
Fran
Joe
Lara
Megan
Olivia
Pidge
Traci
Virginia

Departed:
Bob Zell
Dr. Walter Scott




This  Week


Serving This Weekend

Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019 5:30 PM (St. Ignatius Chapel)
Ralph Wade - Chalice Bearer
Pokey Sheffield - Altar Guild

Sunday, December 29, 2019 8:00 AM (CCF)
David Boland - Chalice Bearer
David Boland - Lector 
David Ketcham - Usher
Dorriann Branch - Altar Guild    

9:15 AM (Christ  Church )
Abigail Williston - Acolyte C
Anson Galland - Acolyte TB
Wyatt Kolkmeyer - Acolyte TB
William Temple (sub req.) - Acolyte PW
Mary Helen Moses (sub req.) - Chalice Bearer
Paul Salter - Chancel Master
Barbara Sullivan - Lector - First Lesson
Alana Andrews - Lector - Second Lesson
Ralph Wade - Greeter
Jeannie Wade - Greeter
John Killgallon - Usher
Ed Turner - Kidurgy Shepherd
Nancy Stoddard - Altar Guild

11:15 AM (Christ Church, Frederica) 
Bruce Bland - Acolyte
Bonnie Harris -- Chalice Bearer
Dutch Heidsieck - Lector- First Lesson
Susan Garrett - Lector - Second Lesson
Dana Parker - Greeter
Patrick Parker - Greeter
Richard Fox - Usher
Linda Wood - Altar Guild
Calendar

 
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Church Office Closed

Thursday, December 26, 2019
Church Office Closed

Friday, December 27, 2019
Church Office Closed

Saturday, December 28, 2019
5:30 pm - Worship at St. Ignatius
 
Sunday, December 29, 2019
8:00 am - Worship at Christ Church 
9:15 am - Worship at Christ Church              
9:15 am - Kidurgy
10:15 - Coffee Hour
11:15 am - Worship at Christ Church

Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Church Office Closed

Thursday, January 2, 2020
11:00 am - Contemplative Group

Friday, January 3, 2020
12:00 pm - Icon Writing Group

Saturday, January 4, 2020
10:00 am - Icon Writing Group
5:30 pm - Worship at St. Ignatius
 
Sunday, January 5, 2020
8:00 am - Worship at Christ Church 
9:15 am - Worship at Christ Church              
9:15 am - Kidurgy
10:15 - Coffee Hour
11:15 am - Worship at Christ Church

Save the Date

 
January 12, 2020
Capital Campaign Launch

January 25, 2020
Women's Spiritual Retreat

January 26, 2020
Annual Meeting, Chili Cook-Off, Baking Battle