Dear Friends, 

Please be reminded that the church house will be closed all next week for July 4th as well as for replacing the carpet. If you need us, you can call the church phone number 912-638-2220, listen to the voicemail instructions, then leave a message for anyone on staff. It should come to our email address, and we will call you back.

For pastoral care needs, please feel free to call me at 904-718-7777. I will be either on the island or in Jacksonville, so not far.

There’s much going on this summer which can be found in the newsletter, so please spend a few minutes to see how you can participate; either as a recipient or a volunteer.

I hope you will have a safe (and cooler) week ahead. 

Gratefully, 

Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer

Interim Senior Pastor

Greetings from the mountains of Montreat and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship & Music Conference. There are 10 of us in a house on Tennessee Street and two others staying in another house less than a mile down the road. We are all into our various interests. Anne Marie Stirewalt and Ed Jackson have played just about every day in worship, including the first service on Sunday night! Suzanne and Hal Morrison are learning a lot about lectionary worship planning and handbells. Judy Stipp, Mary Jo Townsend, and Lisa McNeal and her mother Mary are all enjoying the alto section in the massive adult choir among other things. Lisa and her mother go to art class, Mary Jo is playing her recorder every day, and Amy Bishop is going to choir and a couple of organ classes and listening sessions for music. Rev. Laurie Bentley is enjoying singing soprano in the choir and attending classes for pastors. My niece Kate Helton is in the Senior High Choir and playing her flute with the orchestra that has been formed the past few days. I am singing alto in the Chamber Choir (he placed a bunch of sopranos in the alto section due to a light turnout in that part), singing soprano 2 in the large choir, playing viola in the string orchestra, and attending classes about score preparation and conducting. We are all taking turns cooking, and the food has been plentiful. The house is very close to the conference center, so many of us walk to class every day. Worship happens every day at 11 o’clock and has been inspirational. The hymn festival introduced us to many new hymns and was very enjoyable. Tonight is the Chamber Choir Concert (Thursday), and the mass concert is on Friday night which ends the concert. We pack and go home on Saturday morning, so pray for travel mercies for us. Thank you for this opportunity to attend a much-loved conference. This is my 15th year to go (one missed due to COVID, of course – that one was online.) I hope that if this piques your interest, that you will express interest in escaping to the cool mountain air and hearing amazing music, and attending inspiring worship.  

The Chancel Choir will sing this Sunday morning - David Stanley York’s Once to Every Man and Nation. This will be our last offering until August 27th. Thank a choir member this Sunday! They are a hard-working and dedicated group of singers. I am thankful for them every day.  

I will sing on July 9th, and I’m still deciding what to do……requests are welcome.  

Oh – we were followed home by a large black bear on Wednesday night and got in the house just in time! There are lots of bears around up here and have had many sightings. We are staying safe by following advice from the conference directors. So far, no problems – they are just as afraid of us as we are of them. Y’all just watch out for those alligators…… 

Love & Gratitude, 

Rhonda 

Sunday, July 2

9:00 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:00 am Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, July 3

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

9:00 am Manna House - 1408 G Street

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, July 4

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Wednesday, July 5

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Thursday, July 6

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Friday, July 7

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Sunday, July 9

9:00 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:00 am Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 pm Dropoff for Youth Backyard Missions - Youth Suite

Monday, July 10

All Day Youth Backyard Missions - Youth Suite

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, July 11

All Day Youth Backyard Missions - Youth Suite

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

Wednesday, July 12

All Day Youth Backyard Missions - Youth Suite

10:00 am Grief Support Group - John Law

1:30 pm Pastoral Care Coordinating Team - John Law

6:00 pm Family Fun Bingo Night #1 - Social Hall

Thursday, July 13

4:00 pm Pickup for Youth Backyard Missions - Youth Suite

Friday, July 14

No Activities Planned for This Day

Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe that we have been in ministry together now for nine months! Recently, I asked Steve and the Congregational Care Committee for input on how I might best serve the congregation, while respecting the time limits set by my job definition. We agreed that, because I am working only part-time, it is important to share with the congregation the specifics regarding the hours I am working. Here’s the plan we developed:

Beginning in July, I will work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I will be available for pastoral care emergencies, as needed. At other times, I will defer to Steve as the primary contact.

My basic responsibilities continue to be pastoral visitation, leading the grief support group, attending staff/congregational care committee/Diaconate meetings, and administration related to pastoral care.

I appreciate your understanding - and prayers! - as we go forward together. I thank God every day for your partnership in the gospel. 

Pastor Laurie