| If you've bought a gift for an Angel Tree child or youth this year, please drop it by the church office (unwrapped) by this Saturday, December 12. |
 Now, more than ever, we must attend to our spiritual health. The shorter days with the growing darkness, paired with the colder temperatures, and the winds that blow through our life in upsetting ways through our news feeds and our worries, all mean it's a time for special care. As I've probably shared before, even the prayer lives of priests ebb and flow. All of us struggle from time to time with prayer and connectedness to God. Often, we don't miss that connection right away, although it can certainly show up over time.
Last week I surprised myself. While sitting alone in the church during the Advent Meditation we are offering on Wednesday nights, I found myself moved to tears at the closeness of God. It was a return to a form of prayer I didn't know I needed until we started X Church years ago, a need I was aware of to a degree as X Church's return was delayed by the pandemic. Nonetheless, I was so grateful for a quiet moment with God in the midst of all those candles (the staff teases me over my love of those candles!). I am eagerly anticipating a return to the space and the worship and meditation with tonight's offering.
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| Worship This Week |
Last Sunday, December 6, we celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas and were delighted to have St. Nicholas join us for morning worship.
Please join us on Sunday, at 9:15 am, for online Rite II Holy Eucharist, which will be available on the Christ Church Facebook page here, on our YouTube page here, or the Christ Church website here.
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| Outdoor In-Person Worship - Every Sunday at 8:00 & 11:15 am |
Join us for outdoor Holy Eucharist every Sunday at 8:00 am (BCP 1928) or 11:15 am (Rite I) under the Christ Church tent. All worshipers must register in order to attend outdoor services by calling the office (912-638-8683) Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, or on Fridays, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Please bring your mask and a comfortable chair.
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| Advent Family Worship |
During the Advent season, you and your family are invited to join us on Sunday mornings from 10:20-10:50 am for Family Worship outdoors. Call the church office at 912-638-8683, Tuesday - Thursday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm or Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm to reserve your spot. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, your rosaries, a doll or a stuffy! We will be following the guidelines for social distancing - 6 feet apart from others in your family unit, and masks will be worn at all times. Please stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID.
This will be a liturgy that will incorporate children and adults who are present - all who want to serve will be able. We hope to see you at 10:20 am, under the tent, for all the Sundays during Advent. For questions, for contact Mtr. Katie at [email protected].
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| Special Music During Advent |  | |
Join us online or under the tent for some uplifting and inspiring music this Advent season. On Advent III, you will hear a great arrangement from our Joyful Noise Ensembles entitled Advent Joy. Advent IV will offer our annual Advent Lessons and Carols with music from a plethora of styles.
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| Celebrate Communion with Us Via Drive-Through Every Sunday Until 11:15 am |
 Join us for Drive-Through Communion at Christ Church each Sunday, following the live stream of the Eucharist. There is no need to make a reservation. Cars will enter at the gate next to the mailbox on Frederica Road and drive down the path. Car windows should remain closed until directed to be lowered by the clergy. A member of the clergy will administer the Eucharist, after which parishioners may exit onto Stevens Road.
Communion will be served until 11:15 am each Sunday.
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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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| Christmas Worship 2020 |
 This year, we are offering a number of services for the Christmas season at Christ Church. You must register for all services, and the limited seating for indoor services in Christ Church will only be made available via lottery. If you prefer to be in the church but are willing to worship outdoors in the tent, we recommend registering for a tent service when you place your name into the indoor lottery. We can release registrations for the tent if you are indeed chosen for the indoor lottery. Registrations may be made online via the links below. Registration and lottery entries can also be made by calling the office at 912-638-8683 during normal business hours (Office is closed on Mondays). Please do NOT leave a message to register for a service. You must speak with a staff member or volunteer to confirm availability. Online registrations are considered confirmed, if available. Once all spaces are full, online registration will not be possible. We will place names on a waitlist for any of our Christmas Eve services that fill up.
Please note: All plans are tentative during this pan-demic. If the case load and community spread index spike by late December, we may need to change plans and limit or eliminate in-person worship. At the very least, we will confirm our schedule on December 21 or 22 - all those who have registered before that date will be contacted via email or phone.
As of now, outdoor services are capped at 75 persons and indoor services are capped at 25 persons, including staff, per Diocese of Georgia guidelines. All worshippers will be masked, distanced, and will be assigned seats. Congregational singing will take place at outdoor services, but will not be a part of indoor services, again, per Diocese of Georgia guidelines. The tent is equipped with propane patio heaters to help offset cool temperatures. A second tent will be rented for Christmas Eve to allow for greater distancing to facilitate singing.
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE:
Christmas Eve
3:00 PM: Families with Young Children
Eucharist in the Tent (NOT a pageant)^
FULL 4:00 PM: Families with Young Children
Eucharist in the Tent
5:00 PM: Christmas Eve Mass in the Tent^
6:00 PM: Christmas Eve Mass Livestream
from historic Christ Church*
7:00 PM: Christmas Eve Mass in the Tent^
8:00 PM: Christmas Eve Mass in the Tent^
11:00 PM: Christmas Eve Midnight Mass
in historic Christ Church*
^ Attendance capped at 75 total persons
(registration required)
*Attendance capped at 25 total persons
(lottery required)
Christmas Day
10:00 AM: Livestreamed service from St. Ignatius
(no congregation present)
1st Sunday after Christmas, December 27
9:15 AM: Livestreamed service from
historic Christ Church (no congregation present)
2nd Sunday after Christmas, January 3
8:00 AM: Holy Eucharist, 1928 BCP, in the Tent^
9:15 AM: Livestreamed Holy Eucharist
from historic Christ Churchº
10:20 AM: Drive through Communion
11:15 AM: Holy Eucharist, Rite I, in the Tent^
^ Attendance capped at 75 total persons
(registration required)
º Attendance capped at 12 total persons
(lottery required)
ONLINE REGISTRATION LINKS:
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| Share Your Advent Preparations With Us |  |
We would love to see how you're preparing for the birth of Christ during the Advent season and cordially invite you to share photos of your Christmas trees, Advent wreaths, indoor and outdoor decorations, and of course, your family, friends and even four-legged friends, too! Please send your images to [email protected] and look for them during our live-stream worship services in the weeks to come. |
| Christmas Poinsettias |
 You may purchase beautiful memorial poinsettias to remember a loved one and decorate our worship spaces for Christmas. The cost is $30 per poinsettia and checks should be made payable to the Christ Church Flower Guild. Please send checks and the names of those you wish to honor to Ethel Horton, at 402 Palm Court St. Simons Island, 31522 by Sunday, December 13.
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Painted Prayers: Prayers During a Pandemic
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Renew Spirit, Inspire Hope, Take Positive Action
Journey through the holiday season feeling more hopeful about the future by participating in parishioner Randy Siegel's exhibition at Glynn Visual Arts: Painted Prayers: Prayers During a Pandemic. The exhibit explores three intentions: gratitude, trust, and service; each has been paired with an invitation for positive action. Tomorrow, December 10, we will begin our focus on Service.
Service - December 10 through January 2
Bring non-perishable food to GVA, at 106 Island Drive, on Saint Simons Island to support Sparrow's Nest, which supplies food and financial assistance to those in crisis in our community.
Visit the Glynn Visual Art website HERE, for more details and to see the show on-line, or visit The Gallery at GVA, at 106 Island Drive, Tuesday - Saturday, from 10 am - 5 pm. Masks are required in The Gallery. Private in-person showings are also available by appointment by calling 912 638-8770.
For More Information, Contact:
912-266-1970 or Randy Siegel, Artist - Painted Prayers, [email protected], 828- 301-0819
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| Wednesday Men's Study Group Meeting Remotely |
 The Men's Study Group meets via Zoom on Wednesdays, at 10:30 am. They are beginning an Advent study of Making Room: Share the Love of Christmas, by author Ed Robb.
If you'd like to join the group for this study, please contact Bill Abbate at [email protected] for the Zoom access information.
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| Advent Book Study | |
A blended group of in-person and on-line participants are invited to read Dr. Ed Robb's Making Room: Sharing the Love of Christmas. In this book and Advent study, Dr. Robb explores the importance and warmth of welcome at Christmas. A maximum of ten people will gather in the parish hall (masked and social distanced) for four weeks on Tuesdays, at 1:00 pm. An unlimited number may join via Zoom. Participants are asked to purchase copies of the book, which can be found HERE. Anyone needing assistance in obtaining the book should contact the church office. Let Mtr. Becky at [email protected] know if you'd like to join the group.
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| Advent Study - Arts and Faith Meditations |
Join Fr. Tom weekly on Wednesdays, at 7:00 pm for virtual meditative sessions during the season of Advent. The four weekly sessions will use works of sacred art inspired by the Sunday scripture to take a new look at the coming of Jesus. The meditation time is surrounded by prayer and music in the spirit of X Church. The Meditations will be streamed live on our Facebook and YouTube pages. A bulletin for the meditation services can be found HERE.
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| Women's Book Study |
The Women's Book Group will begin a new book on Thursdays during the Season of Epiphany. We will be reading Take This Bread by Sara Miles.
Take this Bread is a journey of person's faith and the impact of the Sacramental Faith. If you would like to be a part of this group discussion or have any questions, please contact Mother Ashton at [email protected].
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| Devotionals |
 If you are a regular reader of the Forward Day by Day devotionals that are typically available in the Christ Church office and would like to continue to have access to them, please contact Glenn Queener at [email protected]. Glenn would like to have your name and street address, so he can send you copies of the booklets. You can also find the devotionals online here.
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| Adult Sunday Class Continues Break |
The Adult Sunday Class, led by the Rev. Bob Brown continues to be on hiatus. For questions about the class and future studies, please contact Bob at [email protected].
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| Christmas Pageant - The Movie! | |
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With social distancing guidelines keeping us from gathering all of our children together to retell the story of a Most Holy Night, we still plan to get as many kids involved with the pageant this year as possible. We want all Christ Church Kids - from babies to young adults to feel they have a place to shine like the star in our production of Pageant - The Movie!
Email Mother Katie at [email protected] to sign up your child or sign up using the link HERE. Let me know what role they would like to play! We need sheep, shepherds, angels, Gabriel, Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and Magi. Also if your child has a strong desire to narrate parts of the story we will do that as well!
Once you sign up, Mother Katie will set up a time to record your part!
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| Christ Church Youth |
Youth Group
The Christ Church Youth are back in action this coming Sunday, December 13, and will be meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Don't forget to bring your mask and a water bottle!
For more information about Youth Group, please contact Mtr. Katie at [email protected].
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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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Mission and Outreach  |
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| Christmas Baskets |  |
Our annual collection of food for Christmas food baskets begins Sunday, December 6 and will continue through Sunday, December 20. The final date for food collection is Monday, December 21, by 9:00 am. Chair Jeannie Wade asks that you bring non-perishable food items to the Christ Church Parish House and leave them on the front porch, in the boxes marked "Christmas Baskets", Tuesdays through Fridays, or on Sundays. (The church office is closed on Mondays and Saturdays.)
Monetary donations are welcome, too, as they will help to purchase a ham for each basket. Make your check to Christ Church, Frederica and note that it is for Christmas baskets. Checks may be placed in the collection plates at our outdoor worship services and at Drive-through Communion, or mailed to Christ Church, at 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. Monetary funds may also be left in the church office during regular business hours.
You may also donate by phone by texting "ccfssi basket" to 73256 on your mobile device. This number will never send unsolicited texts to you. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply.
Contact Jeannie Wade at [email protected] to get more information or to volunteer to help collect, assemble or deliver the food baskets.
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Angel Tree 2020 - Please Bring In Your Unwrapped Gifts By Saturday, December 12!
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 Christ Church is partnering with Safe Harbor, Streetbeat, and Burroughs Molette to collect Christmas gifts for children and young adults in our local community.
If you would like to help us spread Christmas joy this season, it is simple. Just take a look at the Christmas wishes HERE. If you see a gift or gifts you would like to purchase, click on the item(s) and fill out the required contact information. If you'd like to make a donation for the item and have someone else go shopping, please sign up for the item and then contact Donna at [email protected] for an estimated cost. If you know someone who cannot use this online portal that might like to help, they can call 912-638-8683 or visit the office and a member of the staff will assist them. Once you purchase your gift, add a "nametag" to help us make certain the item goes to the right child.
Bring your UNWRAPPED gift to Christ Church by December 12, We will collect gifts Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. For contactless delivery, ring the doorbell and leave your gift in the basket by the doors. If you attend a service in person, leave your gift at the check-in table.
Thank you for helping us to brighten the lives of so many this Christmas season!
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| Backpack Buddies - There Are Lots of Opportunities to Help With This Ministry! |
 Our Backpack Buddies team is welcoming a new school to our program this month - Glyndale Elementary - and would love to have some new sponsors for these children!
If you've thought about adopting a young buddy, or have had one in the past, this is a great time to think about doing it in honor of a friend or loved one for Christmas. A sponsorship for a child is $100, which will supply the youngster with weekend food bags for the entire school year. Just let us know who you'd like to honor.
You are welcome to donate by check (just mail it to Christ Church, at 6329 Frederica Road St. Simons Island, GA 31522 - check memo, Backpack Buddies) or give online HERE (choose Backpack Program).
We are always grateful for your help with the Backpack Buddies mission! If you have any items you'd like to donate this week, they may be dropped off on the front porch at the Christ Church Parish House. If you have any questions about the Backpack Buddies program, please contact Susan Shipman at [email protected].
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| Christmas at Sea for Our International Seafarers |
Every year during the season of Christmas, the International Seafarers' Center spreads the love of Christ through their Christmas at Sea program. About 1500 seafarers travel through the port of Brunswick from Thanksgiving to January 7 and the Center hopes to give every seafarer a Christmas present. If you'd like to be part of this ministry, it's as easy as filling a ditty bag with 12 - 15 item from the list found below and bringing it to either the Parish House, or to the International Seafarers Center, at 307 Newcastle Street in Brunswick.
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| Christ Church Comforters Gear Up for the Christmas Season |
 The Christ Church Comforters will once again be making warm knit watch caps that are suitable for the International Seafarers who visit Brunswick regularly. If you'd like to join this knitting/crochet project, please contact Gay Barron at [email protected] to get more information.
Group members who have already created caps are invited to drop them off at the Parish House during regular business hours (Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Friday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm) where they will be blessed before distribution.
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| 2021 Vestry Nominations |
 Nominations are open for the 2021 vestry election. This year's nominating committee members are Rip Graham, Tisa O'Cain, Ellen Kuehm, Julianne Temple, Tony Kreimborg and Susan Shipman. With Fr. Tom, these six individuals will put together the slate of nominees for election at the annual meeting on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Nominations may be made to any member of the committee between now and December 20, 2020.
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| Giving Made Easy | |
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: Stan Kyker, CCF financial administrator at 912-638-8683.
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Pastoral Care and 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].
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.
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Nancy Acree
Sam Barrick
Beryl Blatchford
David Blatchford
Tory Braden
Judy Bradford
Rowland Bradford
Andraus Brice, Sr.
Anne Brown
June Brown
Beverly Burns
Jackie Byrne
Colleen Cassidy
Zoann Covington
Jim Curran
Sarah Dance
Jackie Davis
Linda Davidson
Marie Dennard
Mary Lou Detwiler
Natalie Dixon
Jennie Doyle
Patricia J. Ellison
Dave Geiszler
Julie Hancock
Kim Harrison
Burgess Hartsell
Larry Hartsell
Andrew Hobbs
Carol Hoffine
Lise Hofmann
Angela Holland
Jessica Hope
Bob Huggins
Gordon Jackson
Mark Jicha
Sally Jones
Holly Lamb
Mary Landen
Bill Littleton
Dott Marler
Tom Martin
Kathy Marvel
Claire McCarty
Frank Owenby
Andy Padgett
Judy Paige
Pep Peppiatt
Dale Pierson
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Alison Quirk
Robert Quirk
Johnny Riddle
Julia Riddle
Terry Hall Robbins
Willou Smith
David Somerville
Sam Spak
Nancy Stamper
Mike Swindling
Edith Tayloe
Christina Taylor
Sarah Whitman
Jennifer Willingham
Royce Wood
Ava
Betty
Bob
Carol
Dale
Dave
Dick
Dorothy
Jack
Jake
Jim
Joanne
Jordan
Karen
Larry
Maria
Marianne
Marjorie
Marla
Megan
Michael
Muriel
Pidge
Richard
Susan
Tom
Traci
Virginia
Walter
Departed:
Mary Garrison
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