SSPC Happenings - August 12, 2021

August 12, 2021

Bi-Weekly Summer Newsletter

What is it that they say about, “Best-laid plans…”? That’s a little how I have been feeling as of late. A month ago, we were full steam ahead with plans to launch and relaunch all sorts of programs and ministries that (by necessity) had been put on ice for the last year or so. And then we were introduced to Delta…

We are first and foremost holding in prayer all of those in our community and beyond who are sick with this latest variant of the COVID virus. The numbers here in the Golden Isles are simply staggering at this point and the stress it is placing on our healthcare providers is very real. To that end, we are also holding in prayer those members and friends connected to our church and throughout Glynn County and elsewhere who continue to show up each day to help care for those who are critically ill. If you know a nurse or doctor or staff member of any kind in the health care world, be sure to tell them you appreciate them!

On the church front, the officers and staff continue to adjust as best we can in the face of this ever-changing public health landscape. At this point it is clear that COVID is a reality that is going to be with us in one way or another for some time. As such, our role as a church is to figure out ways that we can safely and faithfully continue in our call to worship, serve, and live as the gathered Body of Christ in these challenging times. To that end, here are a few of the adjustments we are already making in light of the recent surge:

In accordance with updated CDC guidelines, the session is now recommending that all worshippers wear a mask at in-person Sunday worship services as well as all other large indoor public gatherings at the church. Those who are not fully vaccinated – including children and youth – are asked to wear a mask at all times while indoors on the campus.
Relaunching the use of an EPA-approved anti-microbial air treatment system for worship and other events in our sanctuary and social hall called Grignard Pure (learn more here).
Utilizing livestream and hybrid meetings wherever possible so that all church members can continue to fully participate in the worship and ministry of the church either in-person or online depending on their comfort level or ability.
Postponing the launch of our Wednesday night children’s ministry until after Labor Day in order to allow extra time for our children and families to adjust to the start of the new school year.

One last note on the COVID front. As many of you are aware, a church member named Dr. Tom Hodge has been a regular conversation partner and guide on all things pandemic for our congregation since March 2020. Tom was a retired immunovirologist who spent much of his career serving at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Sadly, Tom passed away a little over a week ago. The same day his six-year-old granddaughter, Izzy Bondell, also died after a yearlong battle with pediatric cancer. We are so grateful for all the ways Tom’s wisdom has and continues to help guide our decisions as a church and our love and prayers remain with his wife, Cathy, and their entire family in this time of deep sadness. If you would like to learn more about Tom’s life and service in the pandemic – including his ministry with us here at St. Simons Presbyterian – I encourage you to read this article about him that was published yesterday in the Washington Post.

In other news, we were thrilled to welcome back Rev. Annie Franklin Arvin last week following her family leave upon the birth of her and Thomas’s second child, Elizabeth “Elsie” Jane. And lastly, a new sermon series that we are calling Back to School begins this Sunday. The annual pilgrimage back to the classroom for our children and grandchildren is a good reminder that all of us – regardless of age – need to head “back to school” from time to time for a refresher on those faces and events in the Bible that are foundational to our Christian faith. So pack your pencils, grab your backpack, and join us each week through August and September as we go back to the classroom together to learn about six of the most important people and moments in the Bible and what they mean for our lives today.

See you at church. Invite a friend. Casual is fine.

Peace,

Rev. Alan Dyer

Pastor

Upcoming Events

Biography: The Georgia Tech Glee Club is the oldest student organization on the GT campus and one of the oldest collegiate glee clubs in the Southeast. Founded in 1906, its rich performing tradition includes numerous national and international tours, television appearances (twice on the Ed Sullivan Show), radio broadcasts and recordings. With its “healthily irreverent” blend of music, drama, and vocal/visual performance antics, the group sings original arrangements of unaccompanied music.

In recent years, the Glee Club performed a solo debut concert to a standing ovation in New York’s Carnegie Hall, completed two successful ten-day tours of the UK, and performed multiple times at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

Additional tours have included California, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, and serving twice as Ensemble-in-Residence in Honolulu at the Hawaii International Conference on Arts & Humanities.

The Glee Club has shared the stage with Kenny Chesney and Joe Walsh; performed for U.S. senators, governors, and mayors, has sung in Yankee Stadium, and has made national television appearances on ESPN, Adult Swim (Cartoon Network), CNN HL Morning Express, and the Weather Channel.

KidZ Crew & Youth

Sunday Worship

August 8, 2021

Musical Notes

We had such a great time playing for y’all last week! Thanks especially to our church members Bud Longley, Ann Nermoe, Harlan Hambright, and new fiddler! Jan Rossiter for their help in energizing the music in worship on Sunday. Rick Ray, Crystal Murphy, Steve Bristol, and high school graduate Jacob Bosarge all come from out of town or other churches. Their addition to the group really adds to the fun and excitement. We’ve been doing this now for ten years! July 31, 2011 was our first foray into this genre of music. Special note about Rick Ray, banjo player – he comes from West Virginia and is the only hillbilly among us. He is the best, guiding us ever closer to that authentic twang.

This coming Sunday, we are hosting the Georgia Tech Glee Club at the 10:30 am service. Jerry Ulrich, director, is thrilled to be coming back into a new space! Here is information on the group.

The Georgia Tech Glee Club is the oldest student organization on the GT campus and one of the oldest collegiate glee clubs in the Southeast. Founded in 1906, its rich performing tradition includes numerous national and international tours, television appearances (twice on the Ed Sullivan Show), radio broadcasts and recordings. With its “healthily irreverent” blend of music, drama, and vocal/visual performance antics, the group sings original arrangements of unaccompanied music. In recent years, the Glee Club performed a solo debut concert to a standing ovation in New York’s Carnegie Hall, completed two successful ten-day tours of the UK, and performed multiple times at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Additional tours have included California, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, and serving twice as Ensemble-in-Residence in Honolulu at the Hawaii International Conference on Arts & Humanities. The Glee Club has shared the stage with Kenny Chesney and Joe Walsh; performed for U.S. senators, governors, and mayors, has sung in Yankee Stadium, and has made national television appearances on ESPN, Adult Swim (Cartoon Network), CNN HL Morning Express, and the Weather Channel.

On Saturday night, August 15th at 7:00 pm, they will perform some of their secular numbers at St. Simons United Methodist Church in their sanctuary. You are invited to come to this fun concert.

If all goes according to plan, the Chancel Choir will be back in the loft sporting their new robes on August 22nd. We have 7 new members! During a pandemic! Still need tenors and basses, so see me if you are interested. Best seat in the house on Sundays, Wednesday nights out of the house, and the best parties ever.

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda