Dear
SVPC Family,
How are you doing? This quarantine period has been so hard, for so many reasons. So, I feel bad for asking you to consider more hard news—but there are things that we simply cannot, as people of faith, ignore. One of those things is the suffering endured by our neighbors.
If you’ve been paying attention to the news these days, you’ll know that (on top of the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 health crisis) African Americans have been traumatized by the extrajudicial killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and the racist threats aimed at Christian Cooper in New York’s Central Park. If you don’t know all of these names, or what happened to them, I hope you’ll take the time to find out. Our neighbors are suffering and dying from more than just the coronavirus.
What difference will it make if we learn more? Maybe you’ll feel angry, experience grief, wish things could be different. That’s a start.
And what can we do at a time like this? Well…that will be different for each of us. But we can always build our capacity to fight racism and suffering in our world. Here’s a
document with suggestions for learning.
I know it’s a lot, and that we can feel helpless. But, even now, we’re called to this work by God who loves all of us, and who desires that we share that love with each other. As a first century rabbi once wrote in his commentary on Micah 6:8, “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love kindness, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
Praying for God’s love, justice, and peace,
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Dear friends,
I love that we are praying for one another in various ways. Emails or requests shared on the phone are sent to our email prayer team. Emails sent during the service are included in the prayers of the people. Then there are the prayer requests in the Facebook comments that we all pray for from our homes and which are also sent to the prayer team.
This week we’ll also start offering a version of prayer stations available after service. We’ll simply ask you to email during the service to let us know you’d like to be prayed with, and a member of the prayer team will contact you after the service to pray with you.
Praying is one of the many ways we care for one another—let’s keep doing so!
Peace,
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P.S. This Sunday is our second online, at-home communion service. Bring a bread and beverage that have meaning to you so we can share together in the holy sacrament during our online service.
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Thoughts from Rev. Steve Whitney, Parish Associate
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The Need Is Not the Call
Last Sunday, I preached on Jesus’ Ascension (
Acts 1:6–14,
service video). Our role as Jesus’ witnesses is a theme there and in the whole book of Acts.
I’ve known many Christians who effectively show God’s love to others and feel bad about themselves for not doing more, thinking what they can do isn’t enough.
Once when I felt that way, a wise counselor pointed out that in
John 5:1–9, Jesus meets many people in need. He heals just one. If Jesus didn’t meet all the needs around him, why would I expect that of myself?
It’s tough out there, friends. Let’s show ourselves some grace!
Peace,
Steve
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JOIN US FOR “LIVE” WORSHIP SUNDAYS @ 2 PM
AND COFFEE HOUR FOLLOWING
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Watch the livestream broadcast of our weekly worship service.
No Facebook account is required to watch on SVPC’s public
Facebook page. Or you can watch on the SVPC
website. You’re invited to join us for
Coffee Hour following the service.
Here’s what to look for when you watch on Facebook.
- Click on the blue Watch on Facebook button (in this email or on the front page of the website). If you don’t have a Facebook account, ignore any prompts by Facebook to log in or create an account.
- You may need to scroll down just a bit to see the Videos entry on the left side. At 1:45 p.m. we’ll already be live and there should be the word “LIVE” in red on the Videos button. Just click it.
- You should see a Welcome to Worship slide dated for this Sunday (May 31). At about 1:50 some music will start. Welcome to worship!
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Would you like to listen to Sunday’s service on your phone?
Follow these instructions on your phone to dial into listen only mode on Zoom:
- Use this phone number: 1-669-900-9128
- Enter this meeting ID followed by #: 668 692 256 #
- Enter # for Participant ID: #
- Enter this password followed by #: 254631#
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FINDING THE GOOD IN GRIEF
Thursdays • June 11–August 13 • 7 p.m.
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Finding the Good in Grief is an online connect group for those who are experiencing grief and/or loss. For book and Zoom information and to sign up, contact
Rev. Dr. Libby Boatwright.
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STAFF PROFILE
Everyone, meet
Donna Dillard
, Inclusion Coordinator. Donna joined SVPC staff in June 2017.
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Favorite snack or dessert?
Anything chocolate, and chocolate lava cake or soufflé is my ultimate favorite.
Favorite activity to do at home?
Working in my garden, seeing the flowers bloom and the vegetables grow; scrapbooking and making photo albums of fun family events and, of course, family game nights.
Favorite musician/band?
Oh so many…Bon Jovi, Cold Play, Ed Sheeran, Aretha Franklin.
One superpower?
To fly!
How do you serve at SVPC?
I help to make our programs, services and activities welcoming and friendly to all. My hope is that all children know they are welcome, loved, and understood and that our community is stronger when we enjoy the diversity and special gifts that each person brings to the gathering.
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UPCOMING
“
VIRTUAL
”
EVENTS
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Ongoing Connections
- Sunday mornings, Bible Study • 8:45–10 a.m., Email
- Online Church School • any time, Info
- Mondays/Thursdays, Yoga with Youth Ministry (everyone welcome) • 10 a.m., Info
- Mondays, Middle School Small Group “God and Crafting” • 7–8:30 p.m., Info
- Mondays, High School Small Group “Theology of Joy” • 7–8:30 p.m., Info
- Mondays, Youth Small Group “God and DnD” • 7–8:30 p.m., Info
- Tuesdays, Men’s Bible Study • 6:30–7:30 a.m., Email
- *First meeting is June 2* 1st Tuesday, LGBTQ+ Family and Friends Support Group • 7 p.m., Email
- 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, Parent Support Group Coffees • 10–11 a.m., Email
- Wednesdays, JAM • 1:30 p.m., Email
- *First class is June 3* Wednesdays in June, Paul’s Letter to the Romans Discipleship Series • 7–8 p.m., Register
- *NEW* Thursdays beginning June 11, Finding the Good in Grief • 7 p.m., Email
- 3rd Thursdays, Parent Support Group Coffee, • 7:30–8:30 p.m., Email
Special Events
- Sunday, May 31, Pentecost Sunday & Celebration of Communion, 2 p.m., please provide your communion elements
- Sunday, May 31, Deadline to submit names, photos and milestones for Promotion Sunday, Submit
- Wednesday, June 3, Coffee with Karin • 10:30–11:30 a.m., Sign up
- Sunday, June 7, Promotion Sunday during 2 p.m. worship service; Check here for special youth promotion events (FLASH-napping, Senior CLUE, Senior Dinner)
- Sunday, June 7, Leadership Nominations Due, Submit
- Wednesday, June 10, Tea Time with Hardy • 3:30–4:30 p.m., Sign up
- Sunday, August 16, Wine & Cheese & Documentaries (formerly CARAVAN Sunday) • 6-9 p.m., Info & RSVP
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RESOURCES
Presbyterian Association of Musicians 2020 Worship & Music Conference at Montreat
June 21–26
This
virtual conference offers a full week of worship and music for musicians, clergy, laypersons, choirs, youth, children, and families. The conference includes master classes for choirs and hand bells, and an organ recital. Attend the virtual events as they are streamed live, or watch later.
These Days
, Daily Devotions for Living by Faith
In lieu of our regular paper copies, you can access June’s
These Days
here.
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IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS...
- Al & Anne Stewart’s daughter, Lauren Trank, who is recovering from surgery.
- Bonny Morley who is in hospice.
- Those in grief including Katie Chapman who lost her dad, Pat Innes’ family who lost Pat’s brother-in-law, and Deb Sanfilippo’s friend, Heather, who lost her husband.
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