News You Can Use
February 24, 2021
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Giving envelopes are ready to be picked up at the Christ Church Parish House. You may pick up yours during regular business hours 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday -Thursday, or 9:00 am - 2:00 pm on Friday. The office is closed on Mondays. Thank you! |
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In a couple of weeks I will be participating in the annual meeting of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, or CEEP, as it's known. This group was formed many years ago to allow leaders in large or complex parishes to get together and learn with and from each other. There are sessions for Rectors, Administrators, Wardens and more. This year they are looking at resilience in the face of the pandemic and we were asked to produce a brief video addressing that topic. For today's Rambling I'm going to share what I came up with.
As is always the case, there is much that was left on the "cutting room floor." This parish is indeed resilient, which has been proven many times over in recent and ancient history. We can only be resilient because of the God of love who guides us. "We are weak, but he is strong", as we sang from our youngest years. It's as true as ever now that I'm an adult. Thank goodness we have God to walk with us through these days we've faced. We couldn't have done it any other way.
Tom+
Almighty and ever living God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring
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Worship This Week
Please join us for in-person worship in the Christ Church tent each Sunday for BCP 1928 Worship at 8:00 am, Family Worship at 10:20 am or Rite I Worship at 11:15 am. All rules for safe gathering will be followed, including wearing masks, maintaining 6 feet of distance between members of different households and limiting the overall group size.
If you would prefer to worship in the comfort of your own home, we invite you to join us online at 9:15 am on Sunday for Rite II Holy Eucharist. This service is available on Facebook, YouTube or via the Christ Church website HERE.
Drive-Through Communion will begin immediately at the conclusion of the Livestream service, at approximately 10:15 am and conclude at 11:15 am. All are welcome to join us there. Please wear your masks and if you have dogs, bring them along for a blessing and a treat, too!
When the threat of contracting COVID-19 is effectively eradicated by universal vaccinations and other preventative measures to stop the transmission of the virus, worshipping indoors will be under consideration again. Until then, Christ Church and the Diocese of Georgia will continue to uphold the restrictions and safety measures designed to keep our parishioners safe and healthy.
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The Healing Service returns for the Lenten Season beginning on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at 12:00 NOON. Worship services will be held in the Christ Church tent, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place, including masking and social distancing. Please bring your prayers and petitions and we will write them down, then offer them up to the Lord. If you have any questions, please contact Mtr. Ashton at ashton@ccfssi.org.
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Evening Prayer
If you enjoy hearing Evening Prayer read, please look for it at 5:00 pm on the Christ Church Facebook page HERE. The Rite I bulletin for evening prayer can be found HERE. The Rite II bulletin for evening prayer can be found HERE.
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We will observe the annual tradition of decorating the the church for Eastertide this year, in addition to decorating the new Christ Church tent. You can remember a loved one at Easter with a memorial Easter lily. Send the name(s) and a check for $30 for each memorial to Ethel Horton, 402 Palm Court, St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522. Make checks payable to "Christ Church Flower Guild." Please order by Friday, March 26, 2021. Contact: Ethel Horton at ethhorton@comcast.net or 912-634-8327
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Join the Virtual Diocesan Choir For Easter |
I invite you to join your Diocesan community in singing the Easter hymn "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" together virtually! In order to sing this hymn, all you need is a pair of earbuds, a computer, and a smartphone that can record video. You will download the appropriate guide track and then sing along with the guide track in your earbuds while you video yourself using your phone. We need your submission no later than Monday, March 22, in order to incorporate it into the final choir. In order to participate, you need the full instructions, which can be found here: https://bit.ly/JesusChristisRisenTodayVirtualChoir. The instructions include links to written music, guide tracks for melody, various harmony parts, and descant (if desired), and instructions on how to submit your video once you're done. Many thanks to Kathleen Turner, Organist and Choirmaster at Christ Church, Frederica, for creating these tracks.
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Wednesday Lenten Book Study |
Join Father Tom each Wednesday in Lent as we explore Adam Hamilton's new book, Words of Life: Jesus and the Promise of the Ten Commandments Today. We will meet via Zoom each Wednesday at 1:00 pm beginning on February 24. Books can be ordered for pickup/purchase at the Christ Church office for $15, or you can order your own copy online. Please let Fr. Tom know if you plan to participate and if you'd like him to order a copy of the book for you. Email him at tom@ccfssi.org. A very brief introductory video from the author can be found here: WordsofLifePromo.mp4
The Men's Study Group, which usually meets on Wednesday mornings, at 10:30 am, will not meet at their regular time during Lent, but will attend Fr. Tom's book study at 1:00 pm, via ZOOM, instead. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Bill Abbate at drfwa@comcast.net to get ZOOM sign-in information.
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Lenten Study - Christ Walk |
Join Mtr. Becky this Lenten season to explore Christ Walk: A 40-Day Spiritual Fitness Program. Christ Walk is a program developed by a nurse and cancer survivor (also Episcopalian) to blend physical, spiritual and emotional health. She suggests walking/running/biking programs appropriate for all levels of fitness based on walks Jesus made. You can walk on your own, but I hope that the group can do at least a few of these together. If a bum knee, hip or foot is hampering your walking, join us anyway! Walking not required. Beginning on February 18, we will meet on Thursdays at 1:00 pm via Zoom to discuss each week's readings. Drop me an email at becky@ccfssi.org if you are interested. All are welcome! (If you need help acquiring a book, let me know.)
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From the Diocese of Georgia:
This year the Diocese is offering daily reflections during Lent, written by both clergy and laity throughout the Diocese. Monday through Friday will be reflections on the Daily Office Readings. Saturday reflections will be focused on a spiritual practice that you may be able to incorporate into your personal routine. On Sundays the reflections will be based on different pieces and experiences of music. These reflections may be used as a resource for your congregation or as a personal guide through Lent.
The reflections began on Ash Wednesday and will carry through to Easter Sunday. These reflections continue with the theme for this past November's Diocesan Convention: "Thriving in the Vine." Jesus gave this image of himself as the vine and us as the branches to his followers on the night before he died, as he knew they would face tremendous hardships and he wanted them to see how life-giving connection to him is for each of us.
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Episcopal Church 101 (EC 101) is an eight week class (which began on February 11) for those interested in joining the Episcopal Church or for those who simply want to learn more about our practices and beliefs. The series is a great refresher, too, for those who are already Episcopalians but may have forgotten why we do some of the things we do. We take a look at church history, theology, liturgy, mission, and go behind the scenes at Christ Church to see how Sunday worship comes together. Classes take place via Zoom on Thursdays evenings at 5:30. If you would like to join this group for the remaining classes, please contact Mtr. Becky at becky@ccfssi.org or call the church office at 912-638-8683.
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Living Compass Lenten Devotion |
Living Well Through Lent 2021: Listening With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
Join tens of thousands of individuals across multiple denominations who use our daily devotionals as preparation for the coming of Easter. Designed for use as an individual reflection or for group study, this guide provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Lent, an experience that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Easter. Includes reflections from: Martha Bourlakis, Robbin Brent, Randall Curtis, Donald Fishburne, Jan Kwiatkowski, Heidi Kim, Malcolm McLaurin, Craig Phillips, Lisa Saunders, Scott Stoner, and Dawna Wall. You can download your free devotional HERE.
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Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church's Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness was born on his blog "Clergy Family Confidential" which has subsequently moved locations and become "Clergy Confidential."
Join in the fun and learn a lot at the same time during the Lenten Season this year. Check out Lent Madness HERE.
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Virtual Retreats for Lent |
Learn about the Monastery of the Holy Spirit at trappist.net. Here, you'll find a selection of virtual retreats for the Lenten season. Click on retreats to see the retreat topics.
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If you are a regular reader of the Forward Day by Day devotionals, you may pick up a copy in the church office during regular business hours Tues. - Thurs., 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, or Fri., 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. You can also find the devotionals online HERE.
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Kidurgy continues to be available each week, for our young worshippers, their families and anybody who would like a wonderful weekly lesson. If you're still interested in making your own Anglican Rosary, check out the instructional video from Mtr. Katie HERE.
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Confirmation Classes Have Begun |
Confirmation classes have begun on Sunday evenings, from 5:00 to 6:15 pm, and take place in the Christ Church tent. For any questions, please contact Mother Katie at katie@ccfssi.org.
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Christ Church Families on Facebook |
Families! Please join the Christ Church Families Facebook group to keep up with all the latest events and activities. Find us on Facebook HERE!
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Drive Through Pancake Supper 2021 |
Our first Shrove Tuesday Drive-Through Pancake Supper, on February 16, was a great, yet safe evening of fun, connection and fellowship for Christ Church parishioners, friends and guests. Forty+ cars made their way from Stevens Road, through the cemetery, past the Parish House and back out to Frederica Road, after piping hot pancakes and sizzling sausages were delivered to the drivers by our crew of cheerful volunteers. More than 140 dinners were served, with over twenty of them being delivered to our shut-ins. Many, many thanks to all who made this event such a scrumptious success! Check out photos of all the fun HERE.
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ECW Tour of Homes Outreach Campaign 2021 |
Although we are unable to safely host what would be our 67th Tour of Homes this year, Christ Church ECW is happy to announce our continued commitment to supporting area charities that primarily serve women and children, two groups most heavily affected by the pandemic.
Traditionally, our hallmark spring event counts on benefactor generosity and more than 300 volunteers who give time and resources. Combined gifts have allowed us to award some 30 charities upwards of $60,000 annually. This year we hope to raise at least half of that amount through a direct fundraising campaign.
Our Christ Church family, former volunteers and former ticket-holders will soon receive a donation request, card and return envelope in the mail. It is our hope that you will prayerfully consider a donation to this important outreach. Thank you!
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ECW Scholarship 2021 - Accepting Applications Now |
Christ Church ECW is now accepting applications for the ECW Scholarship for young women for the 2021-2022 academic year. This scholarship is available to graduating seniors or those who have graduated from high school and want to further their education. The applicant must be from Glynn or McIntosh County and an active Episcopalian. The application deadline is April 21, 2021. Get more information HERE.
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Backpack Buddies - Foods and Treats Needed! |
Our Backpack Buddy packing teams continue to assemble nutritious weekend food bags for our young friends here in Glynn County. If you'd like to contribute some items for their bags, the following is a list of foods we need most:
* Small cans of Vienna Sausages
* Juice Boxes
As the Easter Season approaches, we'd like to start collecting some Easter treats for our buddies, like small chocolate eggs and other bite-sized candies. If you see candy on sale and feel so inclined, we'd love it if you could pick up some for the children. Food donations may be dropped of at the Christ Church Parish House during regular business hours, Tues. - Thurs. 9 am - 5 pm, or Fri. 9 am - 2 pm. Thank you for your generosity!
Please consider "adopting" a Backpack Buddy. A sponsorship for a child is $100, which will supply the youngster with weekend food bags for the entire school year. You are welcome to donate online HERE, (choose Backpack Program from the drop-down menu), or by check (just mail it to Christ Church, at 6329 Frederica Road St. Simons Island, GA 31522 - check memo, Backpack Buddies). If you have any questions about the Backpack Buddies program, please contact Susan Shipman at susanshipman920@gmail.com.
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Book Drive for Burroughs Molette Elementary School |
We are looking for donations of new and gently used books, to give out to some of the young students at Burroughs Molette Elementary School (particularly ages 3 - 8). The books will be used in the classrooms, or delivered to students who are doing virtual learning. If you have books for young children you'd like to donate, please bring them to the church office in the Christ Church Parish House during regular business hours, Tuesday - Thursday, 9 am - 5 pm, or Friday, 9 am - 2 pm. We will be collecting books throughout the Lenten Season and will finish on Easter Sunday. For more information, please contact Mtr. Ashton at ashton@ccfssi.org.
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You may use the CCF website to make pledges, donations and payments for some activities. Just select "Giving" at the top of the CCF homepage. This brings you to the pay portal. The process is fast and easy and allows you to pay by credit or debit card or by electronic bank transfer. You may change or add new payment methods at any time. Contact: Glenn Queener, CCF Parish Administrator at 912-638-8683.
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Pastoral Care & Prayer List |
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Pastoral Care
Your pastoral care team is here for you! If you have a pastoral concern, a blessing you'd like to share, want to arrange a hospital or home visit, and/or receive Holy Communion, please contact Mother Ashton Williston at 912-638-8683 or ashton@ccfssi.org.
Prayer List
To amend our prayer list or to update the church on the condition of your loved one, please email Mtr. Ashton Williston at ashton@ccfssi.org or call the church office at 912-638-8683.
Nancy Acree
Alice Barlow
David Blatchford
Bob Budd
Beverly Burns
Oscar Covington
Zoann Covington
Jackie Davis
Jack Erikson
Kurt Federer
Sydney Federer
Mark Jicha
Mary Landen
Jennifer Littlejohn
Todd Littlejohn
Carlotta Martz
Jack Martz
Chuck Moore
Connie Moore
Sharon Moser
Pep Peppiatt
Stewart Phinizy III
Dale Pierson
Willou Smith
David Somerville
Edith Tayloe
Jennifer Willingham
Royce Wood
Chamblee
Dr. Pep
Virginia
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