News You Can Use
September 1, 2021
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COVID WORSHIP UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 5, 2021
Due to the current surge in COVID-19 cases in Glynn County and Southeast Georgia, Christ Church will NOT be holding in-person worship on Sunday, September 5, 2021.
We invite you to join us online every Sunday, at 9:15 am, for Holy Eucharist on our webpage, at ccfssi.org.
We WILL be having Drive-Through Communion this Sunday, September 5, 2021, from 10:15 until 11:00 am.
The Christ Church Office is also temporarily closed to visitors. Please call 912-638-8683 if you need to come to the office for any reason.
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Coming back to a COVID spike in Glynn County has been frustrating, annoying, and a whole bunch of other things, too! Dealing with this spike is different than the last two spikes we weathered. Not that we don’t know what to do; on the contrary, we have the playbook in hand from the last year, when we went virtual for the initial onset, and again in January when it spiked locally again. We learned from the first one, and the second one wasn’t as worse as a result. The community was well practiced in mitigation efforts. But this time is, as I say, different.
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Join Us Online at 9:15 am for Worship |
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Every Sunday, we will continue to offer online worship from Christ Church at 9:15 am, which you can watch on the Christ Church website at https://ccfssi.org, the Christ Church Facebook page HERE and the Christ Church YouTube page HERE.
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Christ Church COVID Safety Guidelines |
The church office is temporarily closed to visitors and in-person worship is suspended, but if you have business at any of our buildings, we ask that you adhere to the COVID Safety Policy Guidelines below.
MASKS
• Individuals who are fully vaccinated, as well as those who are unvaccinated, are ALL required to wear masks at all times in the buildings.
DISTANCE
• There must be at least 6 feet of space between families/pods whether they are vaccinated or not.
SIGNING-IN
• All individuals are required to sign in when entering any of the buildings on our campus.
•The sign-in information should include the name of each person in your pod and the phone number of at least one person in your pod.
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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.
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Evening Prayer Officiants Needed |
We currently have openings for officiants to read Evening Prayer for Wednesday and Friday evenings. Readings should be recorded in advance, at home, on your phone, and emailed to Glenn Queener, to be posted on the Christ Church Facebook page, on the appropriate evenings. If you are interested in being a part of this mission, please contact Mother Ashton at ashton@ccfssi.org and she’ll tell you how to obtain the appropriate service liturgy and readings for each evening and will give you lessons on how to make the recordings.
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Flower Dedications for Worship Services |
We are accepting requests for flower memorials for the beautiful floral arrangements on display during our Sunday worship services. Remember a loved one and give glory to God with a gift of flowers. Please contact Ethel Horton at ethhorton@comcast.net or call her at 912-634-8327 for more information.
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The Origin of Congregational Singing
How did congregational singing evolve? Christians began singing over two thousand years ago, which can be traced back to the Psalms of King David. The word hymn originates from the Greek word hymnos meaning song of praise. Monastic choirs sang Gregorian chant in the Middle Ages. It was a choral offering rather than corporate singing. Enter the printing press and the influence of Lutheran theologian Martin Luther in the 16th century, who wanted people to be more engaged in worship rather than being spectators. That’s when people were given access to hymns and singing together corporately was encouraged.
Through the centuries, hymnody (the composition or singing of hymns) has changed with the times. 17th century English minister Isaac Watts is described as “the liberator of English hymnody”. He composed hymns of spiritual feeling and faith, branching out from scripture centered poetry. At the same time, Methodist brothers John and Charles Wesley composed more singer-friendly hymns that one could hum and remember outside of worship. The 19th century genre that impacted hymnody is Gospel.
Jump to 2021. In an earlier offering, I quoted noted church musician John Ferguson who believes the congregation is the Big Choir of a worship community. My goal for our Big Choir is to embrace both historic and current hymnody, all to the Glory of God.
Tidbit for this Sunday: The hymns this Sunday are 410, Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; Hymn 488, Be thou my vision; and Hymn 541, Come, labor on. Our service music switches to William Mathias’s setting. The anthem is a 2-part arrangement of Amazing Grace by Benjamin Harlan. This powerful arrangement is a partner song of two pentatonic folk melodies.
Cum laude digma (with joyful voice),
Kathleen Turner
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Wednesday Men's Study Group Meeting Via Zoom |
The Men’s Study Group is now meeting via Zoom on Wednesdays, at 10:30 am. They are currently reading The Gospel of St. Thomas, translated and annotated by Stevan Davies.
For more information about the book or joining the group, please contact Te Turner at royteturner@gmail.com.
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If you are a regular reader of the Forward Day by Day devotionals, you may pick up a copy in the church office during regular business hours Tues. - Thurs., 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, or Fri., 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. You can also find the devotionals online HERE.
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Child-Centered Worship Goes Online! |
Since we do not have a COVID-safe space to gather for a child-engaging service we are going back to putting together a worship service for kids that will be ready to watch on Sunday mornings!
We will set it up so that the service for kids will be the Liturgy of the Word or Act I of our regular Eucharist service and will be available to watch before the start of the 9:15 am livestream. You can watch it before livestream, or during, if you have enough space and devices. Then you can come together to watch the Liturgy at the Table at the 9:15 service and hopefully join us for drive-through communion available 10:15-11:00 each Sunday! (You can see last week's service HERE.)
We will also have rosaries available to take home and backpack blessings available.
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Children, Parents and COVID |
Because of the jump in COVID cases among children in the Glynn County School System, the students have been returned to virtual learning from home with their parents. We ask that you support them in prayer during these trying days.
Prayer for Parents During COVID
O God our eternal Parent, Thank you for the many blessings that come with loving our children. We ask that you be with us as we shepherd our children through this pandemic. As more is asked of us in providing for our child in their daily life of learning and playing, help us to balance our own needs with the needs of our family. Send us reminders to take care of ourselves, enabling us to take better care of others. Allow us to ask for help when we need it, and to be gracious in receiving it. All this we ask in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, with whom you are well pleased. AMEN.
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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!
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School Supply Delivery Update |
A big thank you to the many generous contributors to this year’s Back to School Supply collection, as well as to the church staff for their help, and Susan Shipman for helping organize and deliver our goods.
We delivered boxes filled with a variety of supplies to St. Simons Elementary, Golden Isles Elementary, Burroughs Molette Elementary, Altama Elementary, Glyndale Elementary and Jane Macon Middle School as well as Safe Harbor’s Street Beat program.
All the recipients were thrilled with their supplies and we know the supplies were much needed and will be greatly appreciated as the year progresses. Good job CCF!!
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The Angel Guild is Christ Church’s meal ministry. If you or a family member becomes sick, has had surgery, or a significant life change and are in need of a meal or if you would like to be a part of this ministry to deliver a meal to our parishioners please contact Stephanie Poole at wuggy@bellsouth.net
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Christ Church Comforters Move to ZOOM |
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The Christ Church Comforters will be meeting via ZOOM on Friday, September 10, at 2:00 pm, so we can discuss our latest projects and catch up with one another. If you’re interested in joining us, please contact Gay Barron at gaylor61@gmail.com and she’ll give you all the details about how to get connected.
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Backpack Buddies: Schools Have Shifted to Virtual Learning So Changes Continue |
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Just when we think we’ve got a handle on the packing and delivery schedule for our Backpack Buddies, circumstances change! We are now working in “summer mode” again, as Glynn County has temporarily sent students home for distance learning, in an effort to reduce the number of COVID infections in the schools.
We are now delivering our weekend bags of food on the same days that Glynn County distributes their weekly breakfast and lunch packets to children who qualify for them. On Wednesday, September 1, we delivered 332 weekend bags at Burroughs Molette Elementary School, 163 bags at St. Simons Elementary School, and 80 bags at Hopkins Homes, where many of our elderly recipients live. Because children of all ages are at home now, we're providing bags for all kids under 18 in the households. (We even delivered books for young children during our stop at Burroughs Molette today!)
If you’re interested in helping with these deliveries, packing the bags and crates for delivery, setting up the assembly lines, or helping unload the foods when they’re delivered, please contact Susan Shipman at susanshipman920@gmail.com and let her know how you’d like to help. All hands are always welcome!
You can also help the Backpack Buddies by "adopting" a young buddy. A sponsorship for a child is $100, which will supply the youngster with weekend food bags for the entire school year. You may donate online HERE, (choose Backpack Program from the drop-down menu), or by check (just mail it to Christ Church, at 6329 Frederica Road St. Simons Island, GA 31522; memo line, Backpack Buddies).
If you have any questions about the Backpack Buddies program or are interested in joining the packing and distribution teams, please contact Susan Shipman at susanshipman920@gmail.com.
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St. Athanasius Needs Canned Tomatoes |
We don't have a long list for the St. Athanasius Feed My sheep Food Pantry this week, but one item they are in dire need of is small (15.5 oz) cans of diced tomatoes. Diced tomatoes are an integral part of so many types of cooking and unfortunately, they're in short supply in our area. If you can pick up a few cans on your next trip to the grocery store and drop them off into one of the boxes on the Christ Church Parish House porch, we'd be very grateful! |
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Help Is Needed Throughout the World |
Assisting Refugees from Afghanistan
Episcopal Migration Ministries welcomes refugees, educates communities, and mobilizes congregations to advocate for the protection and rights of all migrants. They are partnered with agencies within the United States to resettle those who are fleeing their home country. If you’d like to support The Episcopal Church’s efforts to resettle and provide direct assistance to Afghans seeking special immigrant visas, please visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give.
Assisting Haiti After the Earthquake and Louisiana After Hurricane Ida
Episcopal Relief and Development is known to our diocese, especially during storm season, but they also operate worldwide. They have been in Haiti since the last natural disaster and are now working with the people of Louisiana assessing the newest list of needs in that community. To learn more about ERD and to donate, visit their website at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/.
You can also give monetary aid to help with any of these heartbreaking crises and disasters by writing a check to Christ Church and noting Episcopal Relief and Development in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to CCF, 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.
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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 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: Glenn Queener, CCF Parish Administrator at 912-638-8683.
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Pastoral Care & 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 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.
Alana Andrews
Allen Bowen
Danielle Brooks
Bob Budd
Beverly Burns
James Burns
Jess Clifton
Louise Clifton
Teresa Clifton
Oscar Covington
Zoann Covington
Jim Curran
Jackie Davis
Marie Dennard
Tom Dennard
Claire Dyson
Jack Erikson
Kurt Federer
Sydney Federer
Lynne Fox
Ron Garrett
Walter Graham
Paul Hackenberry
The Hartsell Family
Lindy Hartsell
Billie Huggins
Michael Hulett
Eileen Hutchinson
Ginny Jarrett
Tanya Johnson
Penny Jones
Mary Beth Keys
Mary Landen
Davi Langston
Jennifer Littlejohn
Sharon Longmire
Dorothy McClain
Maryalice McDonald
Kelly Macjewski
The Rev. Tom Martin
Carlotta Martz
Jack Martz
Chuck Moore
Connie Moore
Pep Peppiatt
Dale Pierson
Jim Polezoes
Michael Principato
Tommy Rowell
Willou Smith
David Somerville
Zack Taylor
Douglas Turner
Kelly Valentine
Glenda Ward
Matt Waters
Tori Waters
Jennifer Willingham
Blake
Chamblee
Dave
Joan
Joseph
Mary Susan
Virginia
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6329 Frederica Road Saint Simons Island, Georgia 31522 |
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