Dear friends, 

There are many good ministries at SSPC we are grateful for, but one in particular I would like to point out in this newsletter: "The Preschool."

Judy Cauley deserves much "thanks" for nurturing the program, children, teachers, and parents these past 28 years. And so do the teachers and Frieda, whose constant guidance and presence there has kept it a place of love, welcome, safety, and learning.

After Judy announced her stepping down to move to North Carolina with her soon-to-be husband, we began prayerfully seeking her replacement. 

After a couple of months of receiving resumes and recommendations, a committee was formed to name and call Judy's replacement. This was much harder than they expected since there were some very qualified and outstanding candidates. 

After prayerfully interviewing each one, they committed to call Ashley Biletzskov to become the next SSPC Preschool director. 

A child of the church, a teacher there, and a parent of children who have attended, she knows the culture of love and nurturing as well as anybody. 

Please keep Ashley and the Preschool in your prayers as we move to a new chapter with different leadership. 

As in all things of God, the wind of the Spirit of change continues to blow. 

Gratefully, 

Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer

Interim Senior Pastor

Hi! My name is Ashley Biletzskov, and I’m very excited to be the new St. Simons Presbyterian Preschool Director. I graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2011 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. I have taught at the preschool for the past ten years, but my roots are much deeper. My husband and I both attended Presbyterian Preschool ourselves. We have three children; 2 have graduated from SSPC preschool and are now in elementary school, and we currently have one attending the church preschool. As a St. Simons Presbyterian Church member, I love seeing our preschool families join our congregation.

I look forward to watching our preschool ministry and church continue to grow! 

A choir is strengthened by small groups that exist within the larger choir. Most every year at the Montreat Worship & Music Conference, I have been able to sing in the auditioned Chamber Choir. The Adult Choir has about 400-500 members, and there are 40-50 in the Chamber Choir.

It’s more intense than Adult Choir with more difficult music, and you get to know the guest director better. This week, a ladies’ ensemble will provide the music for worship. Laurie Bentley, Kathy Lindsay, and Ann Nermoe will sing Beautiful Savior, All Creatures of Our God and King, and a medley of Worship songs. Listen out for a little “Christmas in July” in the medley.

Ann Nermoe will provide the music for August 6th, which is Communion Sunday. She will open the service with a song she was introduced to by a friend - God is Good – and it will be the introit. I would love for us to learn this as a congregation. This will be your introduction to the song. When the choir is back in place, we will learn it together. If you know Ann, she is always creative in the way she presents a song. She has put together God of the Sparrow, and People Need the Lord in a very nice medley. During communion, she will sing In Remembrance by Buryl Red. As always, she will accompany herself on the guitar.

I will be out of the office the week of July 31 to be with my husband Harlan for his surgery at Memorial Hospital in Savannah. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for success and healing. Thank you for all that you have done up to this point. We feel very supported and blessed by this congregation, our family, and other friends.  

Love & Gratitude, 

Rhonda 

Sunday, July 30

9:00 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:00 am Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, July 31

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, August 1

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

5:00 pm New Member Class - Upper Room

Wednesday, August 2

10:00 am Grief Support Group - Parlor

Thursday, August 3

No Activities Planned for this Day

Friday, August 4

No Activities Planned for this Day