March 28, 2025

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We are building a spreadsheet with contact information for those who are able to offer assistance to St. Philippians who are wildfire evacuees. If you are in a position to offer assistance, such as temporary housing, please let us know by e-mailing Mike Dunham at midunham@mac.com. Let him know your contact info and what you have to offer. You can also email the church office (office@stphilipsbrevardnc.org).

If you are in need of support—whether a place to stay, or simply someone to talk to—please don’t hesitate to reach out to Elizabeth at rector@stphilipsbrevardnc.org.

Liturgical artist and theological educator Margaret (Peggy) Adams Parker will present “Listening to God – An Exploration of the Creative Act” at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Brevard on Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.

On Sunday, March 30, 2025, we welcome Brad Wilson to preach at our Sunday morning services. Brad is currently in the discernment process for the priesthood and is serving as a ministry intern at St. Philip’s until May 2025. He is a nurse practitioner at Asheville Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates and has been a nurse practitioner for 21 years. He serves as the Advisory Board President for the Church of the Advocate, the Diocese of Western North Carolina’s ministry to those living on the fringes of society. Please join us in welcoming Brad!

8:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I (spoken)

9:15 am Episcopal 101, Coffee & Conversation, Youth Sunday, Godly Play, and nursery

10:30 am Children's Church

10:30 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with music

11:45 am Coffee Hour in Miller Hall

We are excited about our new growing season in the Rice Street Community Garden! Our first workday will be Saturday, March 29, from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. (Rain date: 3/31 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.).Our goals are to top dress many of the beds with compost, redefine the borders, plant lettuce and kale, reinforce the cattle trellises and weed. Yes, weeding already!! If you haven’t helped in the garden in the past, please know that you are welcome! There are tasks for many interests and abilities. Please reach out to Dolores Brown with any questions (stillwaters.silva@gmail.com or 978-551-0985).

Henri Nouwen was a Dutch born theologian who died in 1996. He was a prolific author with book sales of over 8 million. Although Nouwen is not an officially recognized saint, his “spirituality of the heart” has touched millions of readers. He emphasized relationships and social justice with core values of solitude, community and compassion. Join us for a Taizé service on Sunday, March 30 where we will hear passages from his vast writings. We will meet at 5:00 p.m. in Miller Hall (our large upstairs meeting room). 

Spring is here, and the Shop of St. Philip’s has been transformed to feature all things Spring. Our clothing department now features spring and summer fashions. Our home departments feature new furniture, artwork, kitchenware, china and glassware, jewelry, toys, books, and linens. Come take a look! The Shop is open 10-4 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

You are invited to walk eight stations of the Cross marked by wooden crosses along the Contemplative Path behind the picnic tables at St. Philip’s community garden. Laminated sheets with meditations for each Station are available at the start of the Path. As you walk, engage your senses and deepen your awareness of the wind, birds, insects, and distant sounds. Take your time and be present with each step as you reflect on the journey. Please return the sheet when finished.

Lenten Suppers continue March 26-April 9, with Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd joining us! With about 90 attendees per week, we need help providing 450 bowls of soup, salads, and bread.

• Can you contribute a portion for 12?
• Help with set up or clean up?



Your help with set up and clean up will help us avoid using disposables! Help us be good stewards and sign up in Easel Alley (outside the parish office) or contact Diane Nelson at diane.mcavoy@gmail.com. Many hands make light work!

This 5-week Wednesday night Lenten series is based on The Lazarus Life by St. Philippian Stephen Smith. Read more for times, dates, and details.

Although we are still in Lent, it is time to start preparing for our Easter Egg Hunt. This is always a joyful celebration for our children (through 5th grade) on Easter morning, and you can participate by donating candy to stuff the eggs. Please help us by bringing bags of individually wrapped candy to the church office. Individual pieces of candy must be small enough to fit inside the plastic eggs! There will be a large Easter basket in the office where you may leave your donations. Thank you so much!

As wildfires continue to spread in our region, we are holding in prayer all those whose homes are threatened. Some members of our parish community are currently facing evacuation or preparing for the possibility, and we want them to know they are not alone.

In these uncertain and frightening times, may we lean on each other and draw strength from the God who promises to be with us.

The Rev Elizabeth Roles

Join us for The Way of Love: A Fifty-Day Bible Challenge during Eastertide! This series builds on the seven spiritual practices introduced by Bishop Michael Curry, exploring them through scripture with daily readings, reflections, and prayers. Sign up by April 6th for books, and join us Sundays from April 27th to June 8th. All are welcome!

To make an offering for the Easter flowers in thanksgiving for or in memory of someone, please contact the church office. Envelopes also can be found in the pews on Sunday. Offerings received by Friday, April 11, 2025, will be acknowledged in the service leaflets for the Easter services.

Join us on Wednesday of Holy Week at 5:30 p.m. in Miller Hall as we honor Mary Magdalene’s anointing of Jesus. This contemplative liturgy includes chant, readings, silence, and mutual anointing. Led by the Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, it highlights Mary Magdalene’s loving presence during Holy Week, shifting the focus from abandonment to sacrificial love. All are welcome to participate in this transformative ceremony of connection and divine love.

All are welcome at these Holy Week and Easter Services and Events

The next meeting of the Sacred Ground Book Club will be Wednesday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the YAC (downstairs meeting room). We will discuss the novel Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. Exit West blends magical realism with the global refugee crisis, imagining a world where magical doors open up to different locations around the world. The novel explores themes of human migration, borders, and belonging. Join the club! For more information contact Elizabeth at rector@stphilipsbrevardnc.org.

Do you have extra Legos at home? We’d love to put them to good use! This year, our GoodPhilip Vacation Bible School will be Lego themed, with activities throughout the week incorporating these beloved bricks. We’re looking for a variety of Lego pieces - no need for them to be a complete set. Donations can be dropped off in the parish office. Thank you for helping us build a fun VBS! 

Martha Mayberry offers a short reflection from the Altar Flower Guild.

St. Philip's welcomes you for private prayer Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During Lent, visitors can walk the Way of the Cross with 14 bronze Stations of the Cross. A booklet is available at the entrance. Join our virtual pilgrimage through the Stations of the Cross via this video and service leaflet (linked in the video information). We hope you’ll journey with us throughout Lent.

Local agencies report a shortage of warm socks and new underwear this winter. CSC invites St. Philip’s to join “Sock-It-To-Me Undie Sundays” in February and March. Donations of all sizes for children, women, and men are welcome. Please place items in the Red Wagon in the parish hall foyer for distribution. Your generosity supports neighbors in need through Sharing House, El Centro, The Bread of Life, and other non-profits. Thank you!

Thank you for investing your time in the work and mission of St. Philip’s. Your volunteer effort supports many ministries at St. Philip’s. Visit Easel Alley (outside the parish office) or read more to find spiritual work that calls to you, and learn how to get involved.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days (excluding Sundays). It is a season of fasting, prayer, and reflection in preparation for Easter. You’ll notice changes like purple hangings and a more contemplative tone in worship, all meant to guide us toward Easter’s joyful transformation.

Read more to see a list of April birthdays and anniversaries for our parish.

Protecting Cognitive Health by Dr. Ora Wells March 30

Join us each week at our services of Holy Eucharist!

• Sundays, 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite I (spoken)
• Sundays, 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II (with music)
• Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist Rite II (College Walk Community Chapel)
• Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing (Chapel)

The Rev. Elizabeth Roles, Rector 

Abby Glass, Children, Youth, and Family Minister 

Dr. Brittnee Siemon, Director of Music Ministry 

Kate Murray, Organist

Edna Hensley, Facilities Manager

Connor Fennessy Set Up Coordinator

Angela Patane, Maintenance Supervisor 

William Begg, Co-Treasurer, Receipts 

Bob Wesneski, Co-Treasurer, Disbursements 

Jill Stewart, Parish Administrator

Jo Buescher (2025)

Jann Mellman (2025)

David Yeager (2025-Senior Warden)

Peggy Bridges (2026)

Gordon Murray (2026)

Jen Silva (2026)

Lynn Adams (2027)

Fred Brown (2027)

Mike Wallace (2027-Junior Warden)

Susan Winsor (Clerk)

Well, if you've read this far, you probably have a good idea that Easter Day is Sunday, April 20, 2025. But what is the date in 2027? What is the earliest or latest possible Easter? A statistician graphs the data and to him, it's all crystal clear!