SSPC 2-Week Newsletter - May 26, 2022

May 26, 2022

2-Week Newsletter

Dear all,

Let this direct you to the piece below from Kate Buckley and her plans for “personal leave” during June and July to spend time with her family. This comes after being unanimously recommended by the Personnel Committee and approved by the Session.

Here’s some background. During the period from Alan's leaving to my coming, Kate basically worked full-time even though she is meant to be part-time. Also, since she is designated as our church “chaplain” she doesn’t have the “ordination” constraints Annie and I do as “ordered ministers of Word and Sacrament” to jump through all the hoops needed to take such leave.

Our staff is on board with this and willing to provide pastoral care and visitation to help Annie and me during this time. Please let us know if we can be of service.

We wish Kate a restful and delightful summer and already look forward to her return in August.

Gratefully,

Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer

Interim Pastor

A Note from

Rev. Kate Buckley

The tomato plants are already towering and the baby cucumbers are plumpening on the vine. When the Buckley backyard garden gets fed spring-time seeds, it hungrily and efficiently starts working on fresh produce for our table. It is thrilling to watch; and yummy to eat!

The winter/spring months of this year at St. Simons Pres have been full. Full of transition and change, full of “pivots” and leaning into the new, full of goodbyes to leadership and sadly, goodbyes to beloved church members who have died.

But right on the heels of Easter, where we see new life peeking out from the winter dormancy, we watch the cantaloupe sprout and the corn get tall. The sweetness of summer this year is one that I am infinitely grateful to you for letting me soak up.

I will be taking June and July to be “Mom,” to travel with the kids, to read my long book que, to maybe do some writing, and to re-connect with the awesome nourishing force of my Creator. In this season of summertime abundance, I give thanks that our community of faith understands the importance of spiritual cultivation and seasons of rest. So thank you. For giving me this restorative time; I look forward to returning to be with you in the fall.

Try it with me, if you’d like. Even if it’s just moments here and there. Slow down. Be still. Get as quiet as you can. And notice what God is up to out there and “in here.” God’s always up to something.

Love,

Rev. Kate Buckley

Parish Pastor

Upcoming Events

Christian Education

Kidz & Youth

Vacation Bible School

Summer 2022

June 14-16

Registration is open to all. Participants should be entering PreK 4 programs (born BEFORE Sep 1, 2018) and up to rising 5th graders. Volunteers may be middle school (entering 7th grade) to adult. All Volunteers will be required to attend and sign a Child Protection Policy and have a background check. A nursery (age infant to 3) is available for verified volunteers only.

We request an optional $15 fee to cover costs of T-shirt and lunch each day. Thank you!!

Participant and Volunteer Signup Here

Sunday Worship

May 22, 2022

Musical Notes

When I was a child and whenever my brothers or I would get sick (Dad never did), my mother would pick our medicine up at the pharmacy (always with a coloring book and new crayons or something quiet to do), quarantine us in our rooms, serve our meals on a tray in bed, and change the linens on the bed while we were bathing. The smell of Lysol permeated the air, hopefully killing those germs that made us sick. It was like having a professional nurse. And, it was fun except for the sick part. She cared for my Dad in all of his illnesses as well, showing the same love and skill in helping him to heal. Now, we are the caregivers and my brothers and I are following our mother’s wishes to not have treatment for her cancer. This is not an easy process, but Hospice of Atlanta has been amazing and is going to support us all the way. We are taking turns caring for her as we can so that she has a pain-free existence and can meet Jesus in a calm and peaceful state. She is ready to go live with Him, she says. Her faith has always been a strong witness to us all and I give thanks for that.

It has been a week of looking back as cousins from all over the country are visiting and friends are coming by and calling. Many of these people have known me all of my life. Speaking of that, a very important part of my life was being a member of the Youth Choir at First United Methodist Church in Tucker, Georgia. (little known fact: Judy Scarlett was also in this choir). We went on summer tours, taking a brass ensemble, a handbell choir, drums, keyboards, sound equipment, etc. with 100 kids on busses and in vans with about 15 chaperones. This visiting choir, the Celebration Singers, is that same choir program that flourished in the early 70s and still continues today. The special part of this is that my niece is a part of this choir.

This choir hasn’t been on tour since before Covid hit, so this tour is very exciting for them. Their tour theme is “He is the Light,” so they will be sharing various songs from their program in our 10:00 worship service. I look forward to hosting this amazing choir and letting them experience our congregation and sanctuary. Their director, Lynn Urda, was the director of the Gwinnett Young Singers (retired this year), a chorus that was invited numerous times to sing Christmas and special programs with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. They even sang backup with Barry Manilow! Lynn just happens to be the director of the youth choir (Celebration Singers) at First UMC Tucker, Georgia. She will also retire from that position as well, so this is her last tour with this group. Please welcome this fine director and group from my hometown.

I thank you for your prayers for me and my family as we journey through this part of life.

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda