Called to Worship. Sent to Witness. Led to Welcome. | | |
Leaving to Return
Next Tuesday, May 5, when I leave my parish office at the end of the day, I will begin a much-anticipated four-month sabbatical—with the expectation that I will not return to the church grounds until Tuesday, September 8.
In the meantime, our Associate Rector, Mother Molly, will work with our Senior Warden, Leigh Randall, and the rest of the vestry and leadership of various church ministries to provide for the continuity of our common worship life, respond to any pastoral care needs, lead our parish staff, and address whatever other issues may arise. We are, to say the least, incredibly blessed to have been able to call Mother Molly at this promising moment in our parish life—and I imagine that this truth will become even more evident in the months ahead.
I also imagine that, for me, the transition into this time away will be a somewhat disorienting experience. For the past decade, the corner of Markley and Main has been the second-most-likely place in the world – after my home – where one might find me. What an immense blessing it is to get to spend so much of my life occupying the sacred spaces of our parish property—where, with each of you (and many who are now in the company of the saints in light), my life has been woven into the particular holy community that Christ has called us to embody there.
Though I will miss being at Saint Andrew’s and serving alongside you in our common worship, witness, and welcome for these next four months, I am very much looking forward to this time away for extended rest and enrichment. I am hopeful that, by stepping away from the daily demands of being your rector for these months, my ongoing life of discipleship and continuing call to ministry will be strengthened and deepened for the work that God has in store for us in the years ahead.
I also recognize that much planning and preparation has gone into making this time of extended rest a possibility. It is not lost on me that, years before I arrived at Saint Andrew’s, the parish had begun regularly setting aside funds so that it would not be a burden on the parish (or the parish priest) when time came for a priestly sabbatical. Thank you.
I have enjoyed getting to share with many of you about my plans for the months ahead. As we explored during our Lenten supper class, I look forward to deepening my understanding of the spiritual practices of prayer, pilgrimage, and sabbath during these four months. With respect to prayer, I will be exploring personal prayer practices – such as Centering Prayer – that are less familiar to me. With respect to pilgrimage, I am looking forward to doing a solitary 9-day walking pilgrimage on Saint Cuthbert’s Way through the abbeys of the Scottish/English borderlands to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. With respect to sabbath, I have planned dedicated time away with each member of my immediate family—a separate trip with each of my three children as well as a time of retreat away with Kacey. What a gift it will be to get away, relax, and experience the world in different ways with each of them.
Thank you for the extraordinary privilege that you are giving me over these next four months. Upon my return, I look forward to hearing about all the ways that God’s work has continued to be done at the corner of Markley and Main—and sharing with you how God’s love has continued to be revealed to me—as we set forth on this holy journey together once more.
Grace & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
P.S. I'll be in church this Sunday--so I am not gone just yet!
| Worship & Formation Schedule with Links | | |
Sunday, May 3 - The Fifth Sunday of Easter
8:30 AM Low Mass, Rite II
9:30 AM Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
10:30 AM Sung High Mass, Rite I, with Sending Forth of High School Seniors (livestream available)
Tuesday, May 5
8:30 AM Morning Prayer, Rite II
4:00 PM Clergy-Led Bible Study
Wednesday, May 6 - Feast of Julian of Norwich, Mystic & Theologian (observed)
5:30 PM Healing Mass, Rite II
Thursday, May 7
8:30 AM Morning Prayer, Rite II
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| Prayer Requests & Resources | |
The following people have been commended
to the prayers of the parish:
| Bambi, Bob, Brian, Charlie, Chuck, Cleve, Don, Holly, Jane, Jay, Jerry, Jim, Jodi, John, Joyce, Karen, Lyra, Margaret Lee, Margaret, Marvin, Mary, Nancy, Patricia, Patt, Robin, Shawn, Sylvia, Terry, Theresa, Tom, and Wade | | |
To add someone to the Parish Prayer List, please contact the office.
To add someone to the Daughters of the King prayer list, please e-mail dok@standrewsgreenville.org
There is also wooden box in the Narthex where you can fill out prayer cards.
The Daughters will add your names to their prayers.
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5/3 Rosie Price
5/4 William Boswell
5/7 Matt Santilli
5/11 Mikki Hargrave
5/12 Trish Alden
5/12 Rory Gower
5/13 Jessica Adkins
5/13 Bradly Allamon
5/15 Stephen Holden
5/17 Adelaide Gantt
5/17 Quinn Saum
5/18 Declan Broyles
5/19 Mitchell Saum
5/20 Lucy Quinn
5/21 Nyx Adkins
5/22 Adrienne Grubb
5/24 Grant Gremi
5/24 Don Johnson
5/25 Anne Culbreath
5/27 Kay Friddle
5/27 Mary Stahl
5/27 Amy Thomas
5/27 Jeff Thorburn
5/28 Brian Brandon
5/29 Millie Batte
5/29 Jane Ellen Gregory
5/30 Kathy Moca
5/31 Delaney Townsend
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Parish Staffing Update: Interim Organist-Choirmaster, Leslie Boyette, to Start in June
We are delighted to announce that Saint Andrew’s has recently called Leslie Boyette to serve as our part-time Interim Organist-Choirmaster, and his first Sunday will be June 7. Leslie is originally from Anderson and holds an undergraduate degree from Furman University, as well as a Master of Sacred Music from Georgia State University. He has served several Episcopal churches in Atlanta, including Saint Anne’s, where John Gilbert’s daughter is on the Vestry, and Church of Our Savior, the Anglo-Catholic parish where the Mtr. Melanie Rowell serves as rector. Leslie, who also works as a paralegal, will be moving back to the Upstate from Atlanta at the beginning of June. We are excited to be able to announce this news and look forward to welcoming Leslie to Saint Andrew’s and doing ministry together!
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Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Marian Tea | Saturday, May 2 | 2:00 PM | Parish Hall
All are welcome to join us for this special event! The Rev’d Canon Lee Ann Tolzmann, our newly-named Priest Affiliate, will be our speaker. The Marian Tea is sponsored by Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church Women. You can signup for an individual ticket, or for a table (seats 6-8). Saint Andrew’s ECW will also host a representative of Greenville’s Gift at the Marian Tea, and all monetary donations at the event will go towards the efforts of this charity. Physical donations in the form of clothing, preferably new newborn to one year sized, blankets, and bibs will be collected to help their goal of supporting the newest members of the Greenville community in need.
Sign up using the link below, or by emailing the Parish Office!
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Hands on Greenville Day (HOG Day) | This Saturday, May 2
Saint Andrew’s is sponsoring a team to participate in United Way’s HOG Day. We have slots for adults or youth aged 10 & above accompanied by an adult. For more info, contact Rusty Infinger, rusty.infinger@scbar.org.
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Sending Forth Sunday for Saint Andrew’s High School Seniors | This Sunday, May 3 | 10:30 AM Mass
This year, 4 members of the Saint Andrew’s parish family — Ethan Andrighetti, West Brunson, Aibhlinn “Ava” Honohan, and Maggie Pierson — are preparing to graduate from high school. At our 10:30 AM Mass this Sunday, we will recognize our soon-to-be high school graduates and offer sending forth prayers and blessings upon them as they embark on the next steps in their life journeys.
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Book Club | This Sunday, May 3 | 1 PM | At the home of Ann Marie Currier
Our book club will be meeting on May 3, following the 10:30 AM mass, at the home of Ann Marie Currier (22 Arcadia Circle, Greenville, SC 29605). We will discuss Still Life With Breadcrumbs by Anne Quindlen. Contact Kay Friddle with any questions!
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for 3-to-9-Year- Olds | Continues This Sunday | 9:30 AM | The Atrium (upstairs in the Parish Hall)
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to Christian formation that builds upon Montessori methods of learning. Looking ahead, our last Catechesis of the Good Shepherd before summer break will be on May 17.
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End-of-the-School-Year Youth Group Pool Party | Leigh & Dan Randall’s House | Sunday, May 17 | 5-7 PM
In celebration of the upcoming end of the school year, Saint Andrew’s youth and their friends in elementary through high school will be gathering at (and in) the pool at Leigh & Dan Randall’s home for a time of food, fun, and fellowship. Please RSVP to formation@standrewsgreenville.org for youth who plan to attend.
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Day of Pentecost | Preparing for Baptism | May 24
On May 24, we will celebrate the Day of Pentecost, when we recall how the gift of the Holy Spirit descended upon those early disciples gathered in Jerusalem after Jesus’ Ascension, as recorded in the second chapter of Acts. Pentecost, which means “the fiftieth day,” is always celebrated on the fiftieth day of the Easter Season— marking the end of the Easter Season and the beginning of the long Season after Pentecost. Pentecost is also a day on which the church traditionally provides the Sundays opportunity for Holy Baptism. If there is anyone desiring baptism for themselves or a family member, please reach out to Mtr. Molly.
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Summer Schedule Changes
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Morning Prayer | Our last Morning Prayer before summer break will be Thursday, May 21. Our start date for the fall will be announced later this summer.
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Clergy-led Bible Study | Our final Clergy-led Bible Study will be on Tuesday, May 19. We will take a break for the summer and resume on August 4.
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd | Our last Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will be Sunday, May 17. We will resume the Sunday after Labor Day.
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A Note on Parish Name Tags
If do not have a name tag, have misplaced yours, or need something changed, or if you requested a name tag previously but have not seen it on the board, please let email Frances Twomey, our Director of Communications.
Thank you for helping us build a more connected and hospitable parish!
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Recognizing Mtr. Lee Ann Tolzmann as Saint Andrew’s Priest Affiliate
As recently announced, Mtr. Lee Ann Tolzmann is now Saint Andrew’s Priest Affiliate, which is a non-stipendiary position. Mtr. Lee Ann, who retired to Greenville several years ago, has been regularly worshiping with us since then and has filled in as a guest preacher and celebrant on a number of occasions. This new title is a way to acknowledge Mtr. Lee Ann's ongoing contribution to our common life. Moreover, Mtr. Lee Ann’s experience and wisdom as priest will be a valuable resource for Mtr. Molly during Fr. Gary’s upcoming sabbatical. Please join us in thanking Mtr. Lee Ann for her continued ministry among us.
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GOAL Justice Update
From Anne Kaiser, our GOAL Justice Team Leader:
The Nehemiah rally drew 1200 attendees recently at First Baptist Church with representation from the following elected officials: Trustee Glenda Morrison-Fair, Greenville County School Board; City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Dorthy Dowe, City Council Member Tina Belge; SC Senator Jason Elliott, and House Representatives Chandra Dillard and Wendell Jones.
GOAL Justice secured commitments to add 51 new mental health counselors in the school system and the strengthening of the Zero tolerance policy for the 2027-2028 school year. In addition to youth mental health, GOAL Justice continues to focus on the creation of a evictions court. House Bill 4270, sponsored by Rep. Dillard and Rep. Jones, is moving forward with support in the Senate from Sen. Elliott. This is a heavy lift due to resistance from the magistrates; yet, we continue to stand up and provide solutions.
Thanks to those of you who supported GOAL Justice this year with your attendance and prayers.
A newsletter from GOAL Justice can be found below under our ministry partners section, or at this link.
The GOAL Justice Celebration will be June 11th at Jubilee Baptist Church at 6:30. Please join us and the other 37 congregations who are a part of GOAL Justice for this celebratory event.
Anne Kaiser
GOAL Justice Team Leader
anne@jacresfarm.com
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New Saint Andrew’s Parish Directory Available
The 125th Anniversary Edition of Saint Andrew’s Parish Directory now available. Please let us know if you have not gotten your copy yet! You can pick up one per household from the Parish Office.
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Coffee Hour
Volunteers Needed!
Please consider volunteering to assist with refreshments and set up for our coffee hour fellowship following the 10:30 AM Mass. A sign up sheet can be found on the “Welcome” bulletin board in the Parish Hall or online at the link below.
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UPDATED: Parking at Saint Andrew's
For detailed parking instructions, click here.
***PLEASE NOTE - West End Baptist Church, which owns the parking lot around Saint Andrew's, has reduced the parking lot area available on Sundays to the area closer to South Main Street--with the back part of the parking lot (against Rhett Street) no longer available. As a result, please enter the parking lot via South Main Street. The map linked below has been updated to reflect that change.***
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Note: You need a parking decal to park in the designated lots. They can be found on the shelf to the left of the doors as you exit the church.
| Sunday Altar Flower and Presence Candle Dedications | |
On Sundays, we have the opportunity to offer a special dedication of the altar flowers or presence candle in honor, memory, or celebration of loved ones. The cost to the church for altar flowers is now $100 per Sunday, so we are suggesting that donations for dedicating altar flowers be in the range of $50 to $100 to help us cover those costs. The suggested donation for a presence candle dedication is $10.
If you would like to sign up for a Sunday, please see the sign up sheet on the bulletin in the Parish Hall or click on the button below. You may place a check in the offering plate with "Altar Flowers" or "Presence Candle" noted in the memo.
We will continue to only have Altar Flowers if someone has signed up and paid for the arrangements. As a result, we will need to know by the Tuesday prior to the upcoming Sunday if you would like to sign up.
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Invitation to Submit Future Parishioner Postings ...
If you have news of important milestones or work that you would like to share with the parish, please let us know!
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Care of Creation
from Ellen Mays
Last Sunday, Cindy Henry and I attended a peaceful, early-morning worship service downtown. As we stood in the damp grass and listened to the birds in the trees, we considered our collective call to Walk Gently on the Earth. This lay-led, interfaith service was a collaborative effort among Greenville faith communities, bringing together voices across traditions in shared care for the Earth. Through scripture readings, prayer, reflection, and music, we were reminded that faithful living calls us to justice, humility, and gentle care for God's creation.
These are the opening words of the hymn that was offered, written by S.E. Murray:
Touch the earth lightly,
use the earth gently,
nourish the life of the
world in our care…
Our Episcopal faith encourages us to embrace this commitment to the Care of Creation. Scripture describes the gift, and our liturgy reminds us to pray “for the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it.”
Please explore these links below for more information from The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Upper SC.
Also, please consider and share your thoughts:
- How can you walk more gently on the Earth?
- How can we as a parish express and explore our commitment to creation?
With gratitude for our ongoing Care of Creation,
Ellen Mays
ellen.mays@yahoo.com
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A Final Fairwell to the Water Oak | April 29, 2026
On Wednesday, April 29 the great Water Oak was carefully and expertly removed. As we mentioned previously, this oak was sick and diseased, creating a hazard for our grounds and the surrounding areas. Below are a few photos of parishioners saying "Goodbye," as well as photos of the removal process. Thank you to Steve Fairley for taking photos during the removal.
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News from the Wider Church
and from Our Ministry Partners
| | Notes Along the Way | Baptism, Benedict, and the 1979 Book of Common Prayer | By now, you may have gathered from these Notes that my faith is shaped by a continual search for the reality of the Kingdom of God and for the justice that belongs to it. | | | Living the Reign | Your Diocesan Newsletter | | | Get Strategies and Workshop Ideas at The Learning Lab | First Session, April 25! | You and your ministry team are welcome to join the Diocesan House at The Learning Lab - The Episcopal Operating System! Over the course of the next year, we'll provide experts in each field to discuss topics relevant to the operation of every congregation. | | | |
Naming Your Call | Exploring Options for Lay Ministry - May 2 | | | |
Newsletter- Nehemiah Action Update | |
Last night, over a thousand community members came together for our Nehemiah Action—standing united in faith, courage, and organized people power. Hundreds more—sick and shut-in, unable to attend—sent their tickets and their support, reminding us that this movement reaches far beyond the room.
Together, we secured major commitments, including a plan to add 51 mental health counselors across Greenville County Schools and to strengthen Zero Tolerance policies by the 2027–2028 school year. We are grateful for the public support of Trustee Glenda Morrison-Fair, City Council Members Dorothy Dowe and Tina Belge, and the continued commitment of Sen. Jason Elliott, Rep. Chandra Dillard, and Rep. Wendell Jones to advance critical legislation around eviction record relief and standardized bullying reporting.
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Surprise May Community Dinner! | COMMUNITY DINNER: MAY 14 A Surprise Dinner You Don't Want to Miss! Community Dinners are a powerful way for Project Host culinary students to gain hands-on experience while bringing people together through the universal language of food, something we are proud to foster throughout the Upstate. | | | |
Altar Guild Volunteers Needed
The Altar Guild is currently looking for people who may be interested in serving with them. If you are interested, or have questions, please reach out to Lesley Moore or Linda Fitzsimmons.
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Choir | Rehearsal on Sundays at 9:30 AM
We are always seeking additional volunteers for the Saint Andrew’s choir, which currently gathers on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM (and not on Wednesday evenings) to prepare the music for the 10:30 mass. This more limited time commitment provides an excellent opportunity for prospective new members to “try us out.” If you have questions, contact the Parish Office—or just show up on Sunday morning!
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Volunteers Needed
Feed Thy Neighbor
Founded in 2010, Feed Thy Neighbor is a cooperative effort of the Episcopal community in Greenville. Parish volunteers from Saint Andrew’s, St. Peter’s, St. James, and Christ Church feed the hungry each Saturday from 7:30 to 8:30 AM. We are seeking volunteers to help serve and clean up. Please contact the office if you would like to volunteer: office@standrewsgreenville.org.
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