~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~

September 25, 2022

The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

View printed version of this newsletter

St. Philippians Give the Gift of Life

at the Fall Blood Drive

Clockwise from top left: The Rev. Marc Boutan checks in with Home Missions Team members Connie Rink and Swain Marion. Becky Baird and Emmie Hershey happily await donation time.


As of inSPIRE printing time on Tuesday, September 20, 44 appointment slots for our fall blood drive had been filled––just one shy of our goal of 45! If all of those people are able to donate, we will have collected enough blood to save 132 people! We hope to report next week that we had several walk-ins and ended up saving well over that number––stay tuned!


Thank you to the Red Cross and our own Home Missions Team for all the hard work and effort they put into this drive, and to all who took the time to come down and donate or volunteer. 

TONIGHT: Wednesdays Alive!

Worship ~ Supper ~ C.S. Lewis

Tonight's Homilist: The Rev. William K. Christian III

Tonight's supper: Creamed Curry Chicken

Next week's supper: Lasagna

The Great Divorce (Podcast Introduction)
Read Brian McGreevy's email to the class
Out of town? Watch live at 7:00 p.m.
Request to join the C.S. Lewis email list

St. Philip’s Youth Participate in 33rd Annual River Sweep

On Saturday, September 17, members of the St. Philip’s middle and high school youth groups donned their pluff mud-ready clothes and boots, slathered on their sunscreen, and headed to Waterfront Park to meet David Gilbert and his team of leaders for South Carolina DNR’s 33rd annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep! They worked tirelessly and filled many trash bags––what a team!


The St. Philip’s youth group meets on Friday nights (middle school) and Sunday nights (high school) from 6:00 to 8:00 in the Parish Hall for food, games, prayer, and fellowship. 

Sign up to receive youth group emails
Questions? Contact David Gilbert

Resuming tomorrow:

Rector's Bible Study (Thursdays at noon)

St. Paul's Letter to the Romans

Catch up on the series
Join the Rector's Bible Study Email List (cancellation notices, reminders, etc.)

Svyati Duo's USA Tour:

Free Concert at St. Philip's Next Wednesday!

Svyati Duo video

Since forming Svyati Duo in 2009, Rebecca Hepplewhite (cello) and Julian Collings (organ) have gained international critical acclaim, both for their concert performances and commercial CD releases. Heralded as "exemplary" performers by Fanfare Magazine, their concert engagements have taken them to venues throughout Europe, the United States of America, and Asia.

Join a Foyer Group!

Please sign up by September 28

Looking for a great way to get to know others in the St. Philip’s family? Consider joining a Foyer Group! Whether you are a longtime St. Philippian or a relative newcomer, we encourage you to participate to help strengthen the bonds of affection in our church family. A Foyer Group will consist of eight to ten persons, married or single, assigned at random, and meeting, on a rotating basis, in each other’s homes once a month for about six months to share a meal, conversation, and fellowship. If you were in a foyer group this past cycle (fall 2021), we will sign you up automatically unless you opt out.


Questions? Contact the Rev. Brian McGreevy at bmcgreevy@stphilipschurchsc.org or (854) 429-1938.

Register for foyer groups
Catch up on Theology on Tap

October 2:

Reception for Florance Anderson and Pat Gould

Two Opportunities to See Valerie Elliot Shepard at St. Philip’s Next Month

Daughter of Missionary Greats Elisabeth and Jim Elliot

For Women:

The ECW Fall Dinner

Tuesday, October 18, at

6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall




Learn more and register

Bonus Session for All Adults:

“Passing on the Legacy of Faith

to the Next Generation”

(with Walt Shepard)

Wednesday, October 19, at

10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall


Learn more and register

Get to know Valerie Elliot Shepard in these brief but powerful videos.

We are currently on a waitlist. Join at the link below!


This retreat is an opportunity for St. Philippians to be strengthened and nourished in their walk with Christ while receiving a message of personal encouragement from our very own bishop, the Rt. Rev. Chip Edgar. 


What to expect: A fun-filled, relaxing weekend including socials, lectures, worship, sing-alongs, family-style dining, recreation opportunities, and free time. On-site recreation includes kayaking, tennis, and hiking. Nearby Hendersonville offers apple-picking at orchards, shopping, golf, and more.

Join the Kanuga waitlist

2022 New Wineskins Conference: One Mission

Ridgecrest Conference Center in Western NC––September 22-25, 2022

Speakers include Archbishop Foley Beach and our own Suzy McCall

.For more information about the conference and to join other St. Philippians who are attending, please contact Susan Keller or Gerry McCord.
About New Wineskins
Speakers
Read the New Wineskins press release

Front Desk Ministry

A few shifts remaining through September 30

The staff team has a particular need for front desk volunteers to facilitate some time away through Friday, September 30. We've set up coverage openings for morning and afternoon slots, but even a couple of hours of your presence would be a huge blessing! Duties involve greeting visitors and answering the phone with the spirit of Christian hospitality (and no worries, we'll walk you through the phone steps). 


Perks include unlimited delicious St. Philip's coffee, plenty of sweet and savory snacks, yummy Wednesday night supper leftovers, and clergy sightings.Click the link below or call the church office at (843) 722-7734 to sign up!

Sign up for front desk ministry

Acolyte Training:

Calling All Children and Youth 4th-Grade and Up!

Sunday, October 9, following the 10:30 service (about 12 noon)

All children and youth 4th-12th grade are invited to attend the annual acolyte training session given by the Rev. Bill Christian! At this session, new acolytes will learn the responsibilities of each of the roles, and returning acolytes will learn the finer points. All new, returning, or prospective acolytes and adult acolyte mentors are strongly encouraged to attend. Lunch provided! 

Let us know you're coming

Coming Soon: Young Adult Supper Clubs

Interested in joining? Fill out this form to let Sarah Baldwin know!

New Mothers Committee

The ECW is looking for a few volunteers to serve on the New Mothers Committee. This committee helps women transition from “expecting” to “mothering” by providing a meal, prayers, and encouragement. The new mothers and fathers always appreciate any break they can get! Please contact Gigi Dobbins at gigimccartydobbins@gmail.com if you’d like to help!

Learn more and register on the diocesan website
Learn more and register on the diocesan website

Lowcountry Walk for Life

Saturday, November 5 ~10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Wannamaker County Park

The St. Philip’s Home Missions Team is excited to announce that in support for one of our ministry partners, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, we will be a sponsor for the upcoming Lowcountry Walk for Life. St. Philip’s will have a walk team and we hope that you will put on your walking shoes and join in on this fun and blessed event!


The Lowcountry Walk for Life raises funds for Lowcountry Pregnancy Center and DAZZ, which provide free pregnancy testing, counseling, life-affirming ultrasounds, parenting classes, and essential baby supplies for mothers and fathers in our community. All are given in LOVE and are FREE through your support. 


Registered walkers who raise $200 help provide an ultrasound and a parenting class AND receive a FREE Walk for Life T-shirt. For every $100 raised, walkers receive an entry to win a $2000 door prize! 


Join Team St. Philip’s or make a donation at the link below. Questions? Contact team captain Jennie Richardson at (843) 364-2912 or jmerr3975@aol.com.

Join or support Team St. Philip's

This Week's Service Information

The Rev. Andrew R. O'Dell will be preaching this Sunday at our services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and Morning Prayer at 10:30 a.m.

Livestream link (10:30)
Watch last Sunday's service
Listen to the Rev. Bill Christian's sermon (9/18)

The Perks of Being an Office Helper

Gus the office helper was back with us last Wednesday after a busy summer working on James Island in the backyard anti-reptile/amphibian sector. Wednesdays are his favorite day to work because the faithful inSPIRE ladies are very liberal with the perks: treats, pets, and kisses!


It's not all fun and games around the office, though. Gus and Cecilia the sexton-in-training had to go over some plans for future projects (classified), and while Gus did get the picture after a few minutes, it was hard for him to get his head in the game because of the scary sounds that the dry erase board was making.


If you follow St. Philip's on Facebook or Instagram, then you already knew about Gus's return to the office. If you don't follow St. Philip's...why ever not? Take a moment right now to get connected so that you will always be among the first to hear about upcoming events, schedule changes, and occasional office shenanigans.

Like St. Philip's on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram!
Would You Like Someone to Pray With You?
To pray WITH someone:
Prayer appointments are available with trained prayer ministers for personal needs related to healing for physical, emotional, or spiritual needs. All meetings are confidential and can be arranged by contacting Juanita Orvin (juanitaorvin@gmail.com) or Frenchie Richards frichards7@aol.com.

To ask for prayer FOR someone:
Call Suzanne McCord, head of the prayer chain, and she will pass your request on to members of the chain:
suzanne1959@gmail.com or (843) 224-1630.

Both options are always confidential.

Important Dates

September 21 ~ C.S. Lewis class begins (7:00 p.m.)

September 22 ~ Rector’s Bible Study resumes (noon)

September 22-25 ~ New Wineskins Conference

September 27 ~ Theology on Tap

September 28 ~ Svyati Duo organ & cello concert (noon)

October 5 ~ Monthly Men's Lunch with Speaker Alan Runyan

October 6 ~ LAMB Dinner Party with a Purpose (St. Peter's in Mt. Pleasant)

October 9 ~ Acolyte Training (after 10:30 service)

October 15 ~ Men’s Summit with Bishop Edgar (St. Paul’s Summerville)

October 18 ~ ECW Fall Dinner with guest speaker Valerie Elliot Shepard

October 19 ~ "Passing on the Legacy of Faith to the Next Generation" with Valerie and Walt Shepard (10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall)

October 21-23 ~ Anglican Women's Fall Retreat

October 28-30 ~ Parish Retreat at Kanuga

November 5 ~ Lowcountry Walk for Life

November 6 ~ DATE CHANGE: Choral Evensong with the choirs of St. Philip’s and Christ Church, Mt. P.(5:00 p.m.)

December 1 ~ Seniors Excursion: “Night of a Thousand Lights” at Brookgreen Gardens

St. Philip's calendar
Fall lay ministry schedule
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We pray for the sick: Jean Carlton, Lidia DiPaolo, George Rawling Evans, Sally Fayard, Elizabeth Flowers, Mary Forbes, Robert Gould, Susan Hemminger, Robert Johnson, Robert Kizer, John Murray, Marijane and Kenneth Nichols, Molly Margaret O’Quinn, Bill Phillipps, Libby LeLand Puckette, Valerie Rouillard, Fran Sanders, Sydney Severance, Pete Sperr, Margaret Swanson, Judy Vandiford, Lindsey Wing, and Harrison Woods.


We grieve with and pray for Cantey Foxworth and family on the death of her brother, George Cameron Todd, Jr., on August 30.


We pray for our expectant parents: Boykin and Thomas Anderson, Anna Gray and Ralph Baker, Felicia and Tim Evans, and Carter and Foxy Foxworth.


We pray for protection for Becca Baird, Chris and Julia Beasley, Graham Blunt, Henry Clayton, Ben Colyer, David Daughtridge, Eric Gaines, Morgan and Mason Herring, Andrew Kane, Quin Kane, Horry Kerrison, Frazier Kulze, John Mason, Zach McFadden, Philip Middleton III, Jackson Miller, Edward Pritchard, Nathaniel Rollings, David Scott, and John Self.


We pray for our home and world missions: Star Gospel Mission, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, Suzy McCall and LAMB, for the medical missions to Honduras, for ministry to victims of genocide and AIDS in Rwanda, for the Persecuted Church, for Anglican Frontier Missions, for Uganda Christian University Partners, for Water Mission and the Global Water Center, and for St. Jean Baptiste, our sister church, and the schools in Haiti.

Sunday's Readings

Collect for Sunday:

O God, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running to obtain thy promises, may be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Readings for Sunday:

  • 1 Timothy 6:11-19
  • Psalm 146
  • Luke 16:19-31
ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH
142 Church Street | Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-7734, www.stphilipschurchsc.org
Church Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Friday
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