SSPC Happenings - January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

And we’re off… 2022 is here and SSPC is hitting the ground running!

First, we are so excited to welcome a new member to the St. Simons Presbyterian staff team this week. Donna Purdy (pictured) is stepping into a newly created part-time administrative assistant role. Donna is married to the Very Reverend Tom Purdy who serves as the Rector at Christ Church Frederica here on the island. Together, they are proud parents to two daughters, Eva and Calleigh. The administrative assistant role was designed by the personnel ministry team and approved by session last fall. It was created in response to the reality that as SSPC has grown in size and activity in recent years so have the number of administrative tasks necessary to help keep everything running smoothly – e.g., welcoming visitors to the church, answering phones, managing the church database, processing requests from outside groups to use church facilities, etc. To date, Jeannine Torbert and Ada Owens have quietly absorbed many of those administrative tasks in addition to their regular responsibilities managing church finances and overseeing communication. With Donna now taking over leadership of key administrative duties, Jeannine and Ada will also benefit from having more time to focus on their core areas. Donna’s hours are Monday to Thursday each week from 9A to 2P.* Please be sure to say hello and introduce yourself to her next time you are in the church office!

Second, I am also thrilled to report to you that the response to our 2022 Stewardship Campaign has been nothing short of amazing. In a typical year, 75% of the annual budget is supported by pledged giving while the remaining 25% comes from gifts via the offering plate. We set a goal this year of having 85% of the 2022 mission budget fully pledged. Yesterday we officially crossed the threshold of having 100% of the 2022 mission budget fully pledged. To say that this is an incredible milestone for our church would be a monumental understatement! It enables us to head into this new year with a great deal of confidence that we will be able to carry out all the impactful ministry that we are planning. Thank YOU for helping make that possible! If you have not participated and would like to do so, know that it is not too late. Click here to learn more and submit your pledge.

Third, be sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming Kirkin o’ the Tartan worship service happening at both the 8:30 and 10:30A services on Sunday, January 23. Unfortunately, we just learned this week that Rev. Alex Brown and the congregation of Golden Isles Presbyterian are no longer able to join us this year, however, we are still planning on a fun and meaningful morning of worship together as we celebrate our Scottish roots as Presbyterians and enjoy the hearty sounds of the First Coast Highlanders Bagpipe and Drum Band. Hope you will join us!

And finally, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped lead us through the Advent season. December was a full month. From festive gatherings to caroling to worship to mission in our community – it was an “all hands on deck” sprint to Christmas. None of that would have been possible without the planning and leadership of countless people including all the pastors and staff, musicians, usher teams, Live Nativity volunteers, carolers, PW luncheon leaders, preschool teachers, Advent wreath lighters, church officers, and many, many more. Thank you all for helping prepare the way once more – both in our hearts and in our church – for the Good News of God’s love made incarnate!

Peace,

Rev. Alan Dyer

Pastor

*Donna will sit in the office by the elevator inside the main "Church Office" door that to-date has been occupied by Ada Owens. Ada's office will move upstairs to the second floor of the church office wing.

Happenings & Events

ATTENTION TARTAN DONORS: We are excited to see all of your tartans in our new sanctuary space! Please contact Suzanne Morrison at 912-996-5462 or suzanne@sspres.org by January 14 if you plan to carry your tartan at either the 8:30 or 10:30 service on January 23! If we do not hear from you, we will either pre-hang our tartan or find a volunteer to carry it.

Presbyterian Women

Sunday Worship

January 2, 2021

Sunday School

Musical Notes

We began the practice of pouring water into a visible font some years ago, having seen this beautifully done at the Worship and Music Conference at Montreat in North Carolina. Annie has perfected the art of pouring the water into the font. The pouring breaks the silence with rushing water that comes from at least two feet above the font. The sound effect is beautiful. It is wonderful to be reminded each Sunday of our baptism. This Sunday, we will sing songs about water. One of the choir’s favorites, Down to the River to Pray arranged by Sheldon Curry, will be the anthem.

Hymns are 375 Shall We Gather at the River and 297 In Christ Called to Baptize – this one is to the tune of Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise. Singing new words to old tunes has been a practice for many years. “This text based on Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) emphasizes that engaging in mission according to the model of Christ’s life and ministry inspires service rather than conquest. The gospel message is a gift of life and hope made known in healing, justice, and peace.”

I have had word from the First Coast Highlanders that they will be here on January 23 at both services with even more new members. Calls are being made for volunteer tartan “toters”. If you are interested in carrying in a tartan at either service, please contact Suzanne Morrison.

The Island Concert Association presents four concerts on Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm in February. Attend these free concerts that are open to the public and join as a member to help this event continue. Because you support this series so well, many members of the community come year after year to enjoy these offerings. I look forward to seeing and hearing these great performers in our new space. Check out our website to find out more: www.islandconcertassociation.org Thank you to those who have been so generous already!

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda