SSPC 2-Week Newsletter - August 25, 2022

August 25, 2022

2-Week Newsletter

Dear Friends,

"Come one, come all”- to worship Sunday followed by Something for Everyone going on in the fellowship hall. Not only will you see a bunch of people, but you will also see a bunch of opportunities to connect and find your place after our long pandemic wilderness. We owe a special thanks to the Presbyterian Women who have organized, energized, and prioritized this gathering, by the way.

Your amazing St. Simons staff and I met for a daylong staff retreat on Tuesday to draw closer, learn from each other, plan, and prioritize as we move forward. It’s a joy and a blessing to share in ministry with such talented and devoted collogues.

Personally, I have found more “interimly" permanent accommodations to pitch my tent for however long I am here. I give thanks for the kindness afforded to this stranger by Joanna and Al Adams and then again by Anne and Hunt Brown during their absence. It’s in Village Green on Mallory about .3 mi. from church and the pier. (It’s a hard call which direction I want to walk to the most.) If I walk by without noticing, please stop me and reintroduce yourselves.

Gratefully,

Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer

Interim Pastor

Pastoral Nominating Committee Update

Church Survey

Happenings & Events

KidZ & Youth

Christian Education

Sunday Worship

August 21, 2022

Musical Notes

The sun comes up every morning. The sun goes down and the chickens go to bed. Seriously. I never knew this was a thing until I owned chickens. You can depend on these things. A whole church works on dependability, faithfulness, and commitment. Maybe we all aren’t exactly like the sun or the chickens, but we can all do our part and fill in for someone when they can’t do the work.

The Worship and Music Ministry Team (Council) is up and running again and our group is looking forward to the schedule for the rest of the year. The Council makes decisions about what staff or laity come up with in terms of worship or other events. Many of those decisions come to a vote in Session meetings. This team is assisted by the Worship Planning Team which consists of our Pastors, Steve and Annie, Suzanne, and me. Other staff members are brought in as necessary. The purpose of a smaller team is to plan the details of worship, getting the word or Word from the pastors as to scripture used and their subject ideas for the sermon so we can enhance and point to the subject of the day. There are other ways to help the council but not have to come to meetings – decorating the sanctuary for Christmas and Easter and other significant services such as Kirkin’ of the Tartan, Pentecost, and other special days; watering poinsettias and hydrangeas; cleaning up after major services; and many other tasks. Stop by “Something for Everyone” on Sunday after church to sign up. Maybe you would like to join one of the choirs or ensembles as well. That way, we will know your interest and can call and chat about what you would like to do

The Chancel Choir was back last week and was very happy to be in the loft. Not everyone is back from summer travels, but it was a good showing. This week, we will be singing an arrangement of a hymn in our Glory to God hymnal. “Look Who Gathers at Christ’s Table” is written by Michael Corzine and the words are by Rev. Thomas H. Troeger. John Ferguson has arranged it for choir. You will be able to follow the lyrics in your hymnal on page 506.

Next week, we will celebrate Holy Communion and sing an offertory anthem, O Taste and See, a Motet by Ralph Vaughan Williams composed for the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, 2 June 1953. Tom Haughney and Mark Propst will offer a duet, Just as I Am, I Come by Mary McDonald during the serving of communion.

It’s getting close to time to start working on our Christmas Cantata. Maybe you would like to join us just for that? I’m happy to rehearse the Cantata first during Wednesday night rehearsals so that you need not stay for the entire rehearsal. Give me a shout and let me know.

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda