Dear friends, 

I apologize for the length of this. However, looking forward to this weekend with our Day of Service on Saturday, followed by our 77th Anniversary Celebration at worship and Potluck Luncheon on Sunday, inspired me to wonder what we have to celebrate. As beautiful as our buildings and grounds are, that's not it. As strong as our worship and music is, that's not it. As passionate as we are about giving back and outreach, that's not it. It's not about being Presbyterian, or mostly affluent, or an island church separated from the crazy world over the causeway (we have crazy here, too.) As I see it, it's about good leadership.

St. Simons Presbyterian began with a small group of original members who came with enough wisdom to know that "church" was not just about believing in Jesus Christ. It was more important to strive to act Christ-like; to be like Jesus in the way we care for and treat each other-even those we disagree with. This "Christ-like" bedrock SSPC was built on carries over to our leadership today: the members, officers, and staff who believe "the way" we do things is as important as what we do. This is what your last three Pastors, whom I know, John Law, Bob Brearley, and Alan Dyer practiced. This is what the members I have come to know practice. And, I'm especially impressed and grateful for the extraordinary "servant leadership" that our hard-working and fun staff practices.

From my "mostly objective" viewpoint, this church is "healthy" because of its leadership across the pews. And it is managing to stay there even without a "called" Pastor. This opens the door for me brag about the good and healthy work of the Pastor Nominating Committee. Patience and lack of anxiety are huge signs of health in people and organizations. The PNC continues to be non-anxiously faithful, deliberate, and patient - insuring the right person at the right time will be found. Like our leaders of the past, they know the "way" they do this determines the most healthy outcome; therefore, whatever time it takes is secondary to the time spent during this interim period growing and leading in the way of Christ.

It goes without saying that Anita and I are grateful you have called us to be a part of it during the interim. 

Indeed, there is much to celebrate. 

Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer

Interim Senior Pastor

This Sunday will take us back some years as we sing some old gospel songs (some in our hymnal, some not). We will recognize the first Sunday School Class in our church, The Margaret Britt Class. One of the things that I admired most about the Britt Class is that they always filled their class time with music, following the same pattern week after week. Some hymns were sung to start them off, and a song before both the prayer and the offering. Most of these hymns were Baptist in nature because most of the members were Baptist before they were Presbyterian. Jim Bishop was the song leader and fired up the group to really sing those songs that were dear to them all. Amy Bishop and I took turns playing for them or leading, whatever was needed. For the first hymn this Sunday, you will be led by Jim just as he did in Sunday School. We will sing the first verse of each hymn in a medley. The choir will be singing a medley of gospel songs – an anthem called “Heaven” by John Coates (a favorite of Karleen Thompson). Amy and I will be playing “Reach Out to Jesus” as a piano/organ duet.  

Members of the Youth Ensemble will be ringing the chimes each Sunday that someone is available. Thank you to Brayden Neill at 8:30 and Graham Holland at 10:30 for participating in last week’s worship services in this way. 

As you have seen in other places on social media and in our newsletter, the concert on September 23 at 7:00 pm at St. Francis Xavier Cafetorium is open to all. Rev. Bob and Mary Ann Brearley are sponsoring this event along with others contributing their resources to make it possible. Remembering Ahmaud – Musical Reflections will be a presentation of poems set to music written by Frank Clark and music by Jon Grier. That work will be followed by a few spirituals and an opportunity for us to sing together. Frank Clark was so moved by this tragedy that he wrote poetry to express his grief. This work was presented at Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina last September along with a panel discussion afterwards. Frank was very hopeful that we could do it here with a slightly different format and was so glad that our community could host. It should last under an hour. There is an opportunity to donate to the family if you feel so moved.  

On October 1, we will celebrate the sacrament of Communion. Throughout the church, it is World Communion Sunday. We’ll open by singing “Jesu, tawa pano” which means Jesus, we are here, we are here for you! It’s hymn number 392 should you wish to sing along. If it works out, we will get to see the talents of some of our drummers in the Youth Ensemble. The choir will be singing Natalie Sleeth’s “Go Into All the World.” The Worship Art team led by Suzanne Morrison will display breads of the world on the chancel rail.  

I’ve just gotten the news that the bluegrass band that played this summer will be back by popular demand at the Fall Festival on October 25th! Y’all come. 

Love & Gratitude,  

Rhonda 

Sunday, September 24

8:30 am Worship - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Worship - Sanctuary

12:00 pm Anniversary Potluck Luncheon - Social Hall

5:00 pm Youth Ensemble - Music Attic

6:00 pm Youth Group - Britt Room

Monday, September 25

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, September 26

7:00 am Youth Chick-fil-a Devotion - SSI, Chick-fil-a

9:00 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

7:00 pm Women's Bible Study - Youth Suite

Wednesday, September 27

10:00 am Mens Bible Study - Upper Room

11:00 am Early Music Ensemble - Rhonda's Office

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary 

4:00 pm KidZ Crew - Veranda

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, September 28

10:00 am Pastoral Care Coordinating Team - John Law

10:00am Ladies Bible Study - Upper Room

5:30 pm ODD Book Group - John Law

5:30 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

Friday, September 29

3:30 pm KidZ Book Club (3rd-5th) - Frosty's