At their March meeting this week, the session approved an updated Phased Reopening Plan for St. Simons Presbyterian. You can view that plan on the church Web site or by clicking here. As vaccination rates continue to climb and the rate of spread locally and nationally continues to decrease, this plan allows for our congregation to continue safely resuming more indoor activities in the coming weeks/months.
With the approval of this plan, the staff and officers are also now finalizing a revised Sunday worship schedule that will include a limited attendance indoor worship option each week. Beginning Palm Sunday, March 28 (two Sundays from now) the weekly worship schedule will look like the following:
- 8:30A – Limited Attendance In-Person Worship in the Sanctuary.*
- 10:30A – Outdoor Worship on the Ashantilly Lawn
*To allow for adequate social distancing the 8:30A indoor worship service will initially be limited to only 75-people. In order to attend the indoor worship service, you must pre-register online each week using a link that will be emailed to the congregation at 9A every Monday morning. Registration will happen on a first-come first-serve basis. If the indoor service fills up before you have an opportunity to sign-up, we hope that you will still come worship in-person with your church family at the 10:30A outdoor service that Sunday.
Please know that we are very mindful that placing any limits at all on the size of a worship service is not ideal. The ongoing nature of the pandemic, however, unfortunately continues to necessitate added precaution for indoor activities. Our hope is that the public health situation will continue to improve rapidly so that in just a matter of weeks or months we can start to lift any limits and eventually move back into the “normal” rhythms of full-scale indoor worship and congregational life as we knew it pre-COVID.
Lastly, even as we round this exciting corner and begin to gradually ease back into more opportunities for face-to-face activity, we also remain committed to providing options for those who are either unable or unready to participate in-person. To that end, we will continue providing livestream worship every Sunday as well as utilizing the Zoom platform for many of our education, fellowship, and meeting happenings.
Blessings to you all and look forward to seeing you – whether indoors, outside, or online – very soon.
Peace,
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Sunday Worship
March 14, 2021
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When I wrote last week’s newsletter article, I wasn’t planning on having an example of best laid plans going awry right away! The string quartet is doing fine, in fact, since we were wearing masks and distancing, there was no spread as of today. The one who was sick is feeling much better, as well. I’m so glad that the group and I followed the protocols that our church put in place for being in the building. I usually do anyway, but this is that one time that it was very important. You never know when or how you will be exposed to the virus and this is a time to still be careful. They will play at another service in the future, so watch for another announcement.
This week, the Chancel Ensemble will play for worship. Composed of players of three trumpets, a clarinet, a French horn, and a trombone, this group practices weekly on Monday mornings. We will soon transfer our rehearsals to the sanctuary, creating sadness in my Kelvin Grove neighbors. They have enjoyed listening to our rehearsals. Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy and Grace Greater Than Our Sin are the pieces that we will play. The hymn is 177 I Will Come to You. The road map (order) is a little more complicated than the regular straightforward hymn, but the tune and message is very meaningful and will stick in your head all afternoon (earworm). This Sunday will be the first Sunday (8:30 service) that we will live stream from the new sanctuary and the first time that you will hear our newly renovated organ. Excitement is an understatement.
The Chancel Choir will be back for Palm Sunday which is March 28th. I’m so glad that most of us will at least be worshiping together in person and not just on video like last year. Stay safe and continue to be faithful. Spring is here!
Love & Gratitude,
Rhonda
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Sunday, March 21
8:30 am Live Stream Worship - Online
9:00 am Combined Sunday School - Zoom
9:00 am Britt Class - Online
10:30 am Outdoor Worship - Ashantilly Lawn at SSPRES
6:30 pm Youth Gathering - Location Varies
Monday, March 22
10:00 am Chancel Ensemble - Location Varies
3:00 pm Congregational Life Meeting - Zoom
Tuesday, March 23
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Zoom
4:00 pm TSN Cook Along - Zoom
Wednesday, March 24
10:00am Men's Bible Study - Zoom
1:30pm Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Youth Suite
4:00pm Kids Crew - Veranda
6:00pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
7:00 pm Chancel Ringers - Social Hall
Thursday, March 25
9:00 am TSN Bird Rambling - Jekyll Island
10:00 am Grief Group - Upper Room
Friday, March 26
No activities Scheduled for This Day
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Thank You!
Thank you to the church from the Hands and Heart Ministry Team! The team needed a new sewing machine to keep making quilts both for members of the church and for the Hand in Hand tiny houses. Funds were used to purchase this machine from the Congregational Care budget. The Hands and Heart Ministry team gives thanks to the church and the church gives thanks to the Hands and Heart Ministry team for the gifts they share with the church and the community!
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A Note to the Congregation
from Amy Bishop
To the Saint Simons Presbyterian Congregation, the family of Art Bishop sends heart-felt thanks to you for the kindness, generosity and blessings shared with us at the time of his passing. From cards to phone calls, text to emails, food to flowers, brownies to muffins, your support and prayers were appreciated by all. Thank you, many thanks, and thanks again. God’s blessings and love to all, Amy Bishop and family.
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A Big Birthday!
And a Small Favor...
Barbara Cowden, who has been a member of our church forever and lives at Thrive, will be 101 years old next Tuesday (March 23)! Although she is physically disabled, her mind is as sharp as a tack and she keeps up with everything. I know she would appreciate receiving cards for her birthday so please mail Barbara a card at the address below by this Friday or Saturday. Here are a some interesting facts:
- Last year the church was planning a big celebration for Barbara's 100th only that was the week the church went into quarantine. So everything got cancelled.
- Barbara is a self-starter. When visitations were not allowed due to covind-19 and Barbara found herself isolated in assisted living, she began her own ministry and started calling church members to check on them. Barbara is now an active member of the Congregational Care Team!
- Barbara Lincoln Cowden is Abraham Lincoln's 7th cousin. Check out the eyes, mouth and chin from the attached photo.
Thank you for helping to make this day special for Barbara.
Blessings and love,
Leslie McCracken
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Meal Delivery
One way to offer our Christian love and care is by providing a warm meal to our family and friends in Christ during their time of need.
Members of our congregation who could use a meal this week include: Dick & Betty Egeland and Lois Vogelmann.
If you or someone you know could use some help with meals, don't hesitate to reach out! We're here for you.
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[912-638-2220] [ada@sspres.org] [sspres.org] |
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