June 23, 2022
3-Week Newsletter
Dear friends,

I’m writing to you 48 hours after umbilical hernia surgery and while it was successful, it doesn’t much feel like it. I’m not whining but they never tell you how much pain you'll have. Afraid, if you knew, maybe you wouldn’t go through with it! Actually, I’m doing OK and look forward to being back on St. Simons this coming Monday with no other planned interruptions for several months.

This morning (while trying to sleep) I thought about how grateful I am for being called to such a great congregation and staff. How everyone kicks in for what is needed: from the amazing Vacation Bible School run by Frieda and so many volunteers, to the generous hospitality after funerals carried by our strong women; from the Deacons who usher and prepare the church for worship, to the Elders who earnestly and joyfully serve Christ through their leadership, councils, and committees.

There’s the BRIDGE mission program with all these young people from all over the country coming here to learn about conservation and community, thanks to Madelynne Risi and her volunteers; the moving choral music directed by Rhonda and accompanied by Amy; along with Suzanne’s Bell Choir and behind the scenes artistry with the sanctuary vestments and liturgical colors. Nat is the consummate team player, plugging in wherever needed while also managing to keep so many community events in play to keep everyone connected. Walter, who works part-time, is acting more like he's time-and-a-half lately covering the building and grounds needs in concert with our newly organized committee. 

I’m deeply thankful for Annie’s fine work covering so many pastoral needs, memorial services, and preaching two out of the last three weeks in my absence. There's Donna Purdy who lifts a ton of weight for me and others doing behind-the-scenes administrative work like bulletin preparation, even picking out the colorful scenes on the bulletin fronts and the on-point quotes on the back. 

Ada, our wonderful communications director, volunteered to do pastoral care on Fridays and when we went to visit someone together her instinctual care and empathy blew me away. While Kate continues her personal leave time, she often weighs in with a text, call, or email to offer support and see how folks are doing: even sending a recent Spirit-blown poem every now and then to keep us inspired. 

It occurs to me that whoever designed the Pastor’s office right next to Jeannine’s was a genius as she is the "go-to" of all "go-to’s” for who, what, when, where, and how questions.  

And then there is YOU, the congregation. Willing, able, and ready to do whatever is needed, you are the heart of the body of Christ that makes up this church. If everyone knew how important churches like St. Simons are and joined them, I suspect we would have way less partisanship and animosity. 

Thank you for welcoming Anita and me into your rich and loving church. I continue to look forward to the “season” I will have with you (probably till next summer) as you do the good work needed to call your next Pastor. 
Gratefully, 
Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer
Interim Pastor
(Now that I’ve used this space as my gratitude exercise for the day, I’m actually feeling better.)
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June 19, 2022
Musical Notes
The cool mountain breeze washes over me like the cleansing waters of a stream that has tumbled over rocks, branches, tadpoles, and the occasional paws of a raccoon or maybe even a bear! I look up at the surrounding trees waving, revealing jagged pieces of a bright blue sky. 

Montreat. Retreat. Now my soul has begun to catch up with my busy body. Of course, there are classes and choruses and dancing and playing of instruments. That busyness is healing. I hope that you get the chance to retreat and rest this summer. We all deeply appreciate the opportunity to attend and meet our fellow Presbyterians throughout the nation. Ed Jackson, Ellen Kuehm, Hal and Suzanne Morrison, Anne Marie Stirewalt, Mary Jo Townsend and I are attending the first week. The second week, Deanie Strength and Susan Wilson from First Presbyterian Savannah have rented the same house. Amy, Ami, and MacKenzie Bishop, Kate Helton (my niece), Judy Stipp, and I are staying with them. We will all be back on July 2nd.  

In the meantime, Mark Lochstampfor will conduct the choir this coming Sunday while I am out. The choir will sing a high-energy version of “Elijah Rock” by Roger Emerson. Wasn’t that an amazing piece by Mendelssohn last week? I’ve been waiting for a few years to do that piece. Amy and the choir worked with me very hard to launch that one. Now we can’t stop singing it around the house. 

All of us will be back in place on July 3rd to sing “Who are the Brave” by Joseph Martin and end the service with “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in a nod to the celebration of July 4 and the freedom to worship God in our country. The chancel ensemble will be available to accompany during this service. After that Sunday, the Chancel Choir will take a summer break to go on vacation, see family, or help you sing in the congregation. They will return in August, refreshed and ready to sing. Please pray for travel mercies for those on the road this summer.

Love & Gratitude,
Rhonda 
The Weeks Ahead
Sunday, June 26
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Combined Sunday School - Upper Room
10:00 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, June 27
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, June 28
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room
1:00 pm Who Dealt Bridge Club - Parlor

Wednesday, June 29
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite

Thursday, June 30
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite

Friday, July 1
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite

Sunday, July 3
9:00 am Combined Sunday School - Upper Room
10:00 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, July 4
OFFICE CLOSED
6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, July 5
OFFICE CLOSED
1:00 pm Who Dealt Bridge Club - Parlor

Wednesday, July 6
OFFICE CLOSED
1:30 pm  Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Music Attic

Thursday, July 7
OFFICE CLOSED

Friday, July 8
OFFICE CLOSED

Sunday, July 10
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Combined Sunday School - Upper Room
10:00 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
4:30 pm Marsh's Edge Worship - Marsh's Edge

Monday, July 11
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, July 12
All Day - BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room
1:00 pm Who Dealt Bridge Club - Parlor

Wednesday, July 13
All Day - BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite

Thursday, July 14
All Day - BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
1:00 pm Hospice Grief Group - John Law

Friday, July 15
All Day - BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite

Sunday, July 17
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Combined Sunday School - Upper Room
10:00 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, July 18
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations
6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, July 19
All Day - BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room
1:00 pm Who Dealt Bridge Club - Parlor

Wednesday, July 20
All Day - BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations
1:30 pm  Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Music Attic
6:00 pm Bingo Night! - Social Hall

Thursday, July 21
All Day - BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations

Friday, July 22
All Day - BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations
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