News You Can Use
May 5, 2021
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Bon Voyage, Fr. Tom!
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back!
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This is my last written Rambling for a while. Have no fear, there will be guest ramblers each week in my absence. I am aware that I will miss this, too, during my sabbatical. It’s a practice I began when I came to Christ Church eight years ago. It seemed a good idea at a time; a way to share a bit about me and how I think with a congregation that was still healing from a time of division and conflict. I knew that there was a natural concern about the trust level between a congregation and its rector. Rambling gave me a format to talk to the congregation, to teach, and to reflect, even beyond the pulpit. It went so well that what may have been a temporary practice became a habit.
I have not rambled every single week, but I’ve only missed a handful each year. The last year has seen the most misses because we shifted our whole office to taking Mondays off, which gives me one whole day less each week before Julie’s deadline to get this and everything else done. Some weeks it catches up with me. I wish I could say that all my Ramblings were well crafted, closely edited, and thoroughly planned, but I can’t. Some germinate and grow over days, or even weeks, as I think about an idea. Others are triggered by current events, as I process what’s going on in the world in real time, trying to bring our faith to bear. And yes, sometimes, a Rambling comes together in less than an hour because the deadline is looming. I think my record is twenty-two minutes on a Rambling.
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Please join us for in-person worship in the Christ Church tent each Sunday for 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.
The 11:15 am services is open to all who come, so pre-registration is not necessary, but we ask that you call the church office Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, or Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, to sign up for the 10:20 am Family Service.
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!
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The Lottery Is Open for Weekly 9:15 AM Worship in Christ Church |
Every Sunday, we offer online worship from Christ Church at 9:15 am, which you can watch on the Christ Church website at https://ccfssi.org, the Christ Church Facebook page HERE and the Christ Church YouTube page HERE.
We also have socially-distanced, in-person seating for this service and encourage you to enter our lottery for the first seats available.
Call 912-638-8683, Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am -5:00 pm, or Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, to get your name(s) on the list. You will be called in advance, if your name has been chosen to attend on a particular Sunday. Safe social distancing between groups will be observed and masks must be worn.
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The 8:00 am BCP 1928 Worship Service Has Moved Indoors |
While continuing to adhere to the health and safety guidelines set forth by the Diocese of Georgia, we will begin holding our 8:00 am 1928 Book of Common Prayer Holy Eucharist service in the church each Sunday. You MUST register for this service by calling the church office at 912-638-8683, Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, or Friday, 9:00 am-2:00 pm. Only limited numbers of congregants may be indoors at the same time. Masks will be worn throughout the service and social distance between family groups will be maintained.
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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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Mother’s Day will be celebrated this Sunday, May 9, 2021 and this year, and we will once again honor our mothers with a special musical tribute during our online morning worship service, at 9:15 am that day. The names of those being honored will be listed in the service bulletin. (You can also get a sneak peek at the photos that will be shown HERE, to help identify which lovely ladies belong to which children.)
We would also like to recognize the very special ladies of Christ Church
who have reached the age of ninety and more.
Love and blessings to Ann Barfield, Jean Belt, Tuddy Benton, Nelda Burke, Angie Burns, Pat Collins, Snookie Collins, Margie Dorsey, Frances Graves, Marge Hallum, Mary Hanley, Jane Ledbetter, Maryalice McDonald, Jane Rives, Dotty Anne Smith, Carolyn Stephens, Edith Tayloe, Lorraine Wiggins, Millie Wilcox, and Ann Wright.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
- Numbers 5:24-25
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Please Help Us With a New Worship Survey |
As the pandemic continues, we are making some changes as guidelines and recommendations indicate an ability to gather in greater numbers or in different ways than we have been over the last year. Glynn County COVID trends are still better than they have been, on average. Please know that no matter how we gather, any gathering during the pandemic carries risks. It is up to each of us to determine our comfort level with the various options for worship we offer now and will offer in the future.
We have created a new survey you can find HERE to get feedback from you, as we navigate the changes to the guidelines and the onset of hot and buggy weather. Please take a moment to respond to our survey as you are able.
We will continue to have an array of options to help parishioners worship in a way that is meaningful to them and helps them feel at ease with how they navigate this pandemic. We will continue offering high-quality online options with drive-through communion distribution. We will also begin moving indoors slowly, while maintaining masking and distancing guidelines.
It is our intention to restart the Saturday evening St. Ignatius service on Saturday, August 21, according to whatever guidelines are in place at that time. Over the summer, we plan to continue with our four-service schedule. Indoor services will continue to require registration, while outdoor services no longer require calling ahead to sign up.
Thank you for your feedback and your faithful support throughout this pandemic. Your entire staff is now fully vaccinated and encourages everyone to get a vaccine after consultation with your physician. Vaccinations are our fastest route back to normalcy.
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Flower Dedications for Worship Services |
We are now accepting requests for flower memorials for the beautiful floral arrangements on display during our Sunday worship services. Remember a loved one and give glory to God with a gift of flowers. Please contact Ethel Horton at [email protected] or call her at 912-634-8327 for more information.
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Wednesday Men's Study Group |
The Men's Study Group, which meets on Wednesday mornings, at 10:30 am, is reading The Screwtape Letters Study Guide: A Bible Study on the C. S. Lewis book, The Screwtape Letters, by Alan Vermilye. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Bill Abbate at [email protected] to get ZOOM sign-in information.
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Season of Easter Devotions |
Forward Movement is offering 50 Easter reflections this year, written by Father Scott Gunn. Most days, the reflections are rooted in the assigned scripture readings of the Episcopal Church. Weekday readings come from the Book of Common Prayer for the first week of Easter and Lesser Feasts & Fasts 2006 after that. Sunday readings come from the Revised Common Lectionary (chosen from among years A, B, or C). To mix things up a bit, Musical Mondays are based on an Easter anthem or hymn. Throwback Thursdays offer reflections on some of the writings of church leaders of the first few centuries.
Join us for these Eastertide reflections at https://50days.org, as we proclaim the astounding Good News that Jesus Christ has triumphed.
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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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Children and Youth Updates |
Kidurgy
We are taking a break from streaming a Kidurgy service through the Summer. We do plan to continue having the 10:20 am Tent service throughout the summer.
Looking Ahead to Youth Group Meetings and End of Year Celebrations
May 9, 2021 - No Youth Group; Confirmation - 3:00 pm
May 16, 2021 - Minute to Win it Cup Championship - 6:30 pm
May 23, 2021 - End of Year Party
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Mark your Calendars!
Coming out of this past year and the ongoing pandemic, we have discussed the possibility of hosting a safe Vacation Bible School for our children. We are looking at a couple of hours of songs, Bible stories reenacted, snacks, crafts and more from 5:30-7:30 pm Wednesday-Friday June 2 through the 4 under the tent and in the church yard. So mark your calendars for some good Bible Education fun for the whole family! More information to be revealed soon.
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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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Lawn Docent Needed to Greet Our Visitors |
With the arrival of spring and visitors to our grounds, the Docent Team has revived our Docents on the Lawn program. Please come join us! We set up in the tent from 2:00 – 4:30 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Working in two-person teams, we greet our visitors, answer questions, and sell cookbooks, history booklets, and other items. It is a lovely and fun way to get outside for a while, chat with our guests, and hopefully generate a little revenue for the ECW.
Each team has at least one docent who is familiar with the church history and historic area of the cemetery; greeters are friendly folks who provide a welcome and help with sales. Many greeters end up becoming docents after learning more about our history.
For more information contact Susan Garrett at 912-230-8566 or [email protected]. Additional docents and greeters are needed and welcomed!!
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Thank You for Helping Brighten Our Backpack Buddies Days! |
Nutritious foods are the most essential part of the Backpack Buddies mission to feed local children who need nourishment over the weekends, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get some small, fun surprises, from time to time. Thanks to special donations, the children are treated to Christmas, Easter and Halloween candy, pinwheels for the Fourth of July, freeze pops for the dog days of summer, occasional toys like "bendy' figures, wacky jokes and riddles year ‘round and a plethora of other small surprises to help brighten their days. We appreciate all the hard work that goes into each bag given to a child -- the love is there, right along with the food.
All are welcome to “adopt” a Backpack Buddy at any time during the school year. A sponsorship for a child is $100, which will supply the youngster with weekend food bags for the entire school year. You may 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; memo line, Backpack Buddies).
If you have any questions about the Backpack Buddies program or are interested in joining the packing and distribution teams, please contact Susan Shipman at [email protected].
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Father Tom is hitting the road soon and we’re looking for some folks who would be willing to write their own ramblings this summer, to fill in for him, while he is away on sabbatical. If you’re interested in contributing, please contact Mother Katie at 912-638-8683 or at [email protected] for more information. There will be many weeks available, so we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.
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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 [email protected].
Pastoral Care Hospital Visitation Update
Your Christ Church Clergy love you and want to know when you're in the hospital. Currently, the hospital COVID policy states that a patient is allowed two visitors per day. The clergy want to visit, however, in some cases you may receive a phone call or get a visit when you have been discharged from the hospital, instead. This is because we want your family members to be able to fill the two visitation spots. With that being said, you may request one of your clergy to visit the hospital and fill one of the visitation spots. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.
Faithfully,
Mother Ashton
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 [email protected] or call the church office at 912-638-8683.
David Abell
Ellen Abell
Joan Ballard
Bob Budd
Beverly Burns
Oscar Covington
Zoann Covington
Jim Curran
Jackie Davis
Marie Dennard
Tom Dennard
Jack Erikson
Kurt Federer
Sydney Federer
Lynne Fox
Ron Garrett
Mark Jicha
Paul Hackenberry
Billie Huggins
Michael Hulett
Eileen Hutchinson
Ginny Jarrett
Mary Landen
Davi Langston
Jennifer Littlejohn
Maryalice McDonald
Kelly Macjewski
The Rev. Tom Martin
Carlotta Martz
Jack Martz
Chuck Moore
Connie Moore
Katie Orrel
Josh Payne
Pep Peppiatt
Jim Polezoes
Dale Pierson
Michael Principato
Willou Smith
David Somerville
Carolyn Stephens
Edith Tayloe
Douglas Turner
Kelly Valentine
Glenda Ward
Pat Wilkinson
Jennifer Willingham
Cannon
Chamblee
Jack
Joseph
Virginia
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