Called to Worship. Sent to Witness. Led to Welcome.
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Entering Epiphany
Last week, we entered the season of Epiphany, which is the time in our church year when we turn our attention to how Christ is shared and made manifest in the wider world.
Thus, the events in the life of Christ that we pay special attention to during this season are representative of that revelation: the Visitation of the Magi to the Christ Child, which foreshadowed how Christ would be received by and shared with the wider world; the Baptism of Christ, which represented a public proclamation of Jesus as God's Son and the beginning of his public ministry; the Miracle of turning Water into Wine the Wedding Feast at Cana, which is often referenced as Christ's first miracle; and the Transfiguration, during which Christ's identity is further revealed in connection with both Moses and Elijah.
Several notes that I would like to offer fit into that continued consideration:
Opportunity for House Blessings
As we blessed chalk at the Epiphany service last Friday so that it might be taken to parish homes for house blessings, we recognized that Epiphany is an especially appropriate time for house blessings. Thus, as indicated in a separate announcement below, we have created a sign-up page for anyone who would like to have their house blessed on a Wednesday evening during Epiphany. I was grateful that, this past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to visit the home of Monika, Stefan, and Sebastian Herr and offer the first house blessing of this Epiphany Season. I hope that others will take me up on this offer in the weeks (or contact me to arrange a time other than a Wednesday evening)!
Requiem Mass for Fr. Charles Cannon
Earlier this afternoon, a notice went out to the parish that Fr. Cannon's Requiem Mass will be said on Wednesday, February 15, at 2 PM at Saint Andrew's. When I think of our calling to the continued manifestation of Christ's love in the wider world, Fr. Cannon's life and witness is both an inspiration and an example. I hope that you will plan to be there as we give thanks for that life and witness--and how it has shaped this parish, offer comfort to his family and friends, and proclaim the Good News with the kind of enthusiasm that Fr. Cannon would--and will--appreciate.
Celebrating the Growth of Our 8:30 Low Mass on Sundays
When I first arrived at Saint Andrew's, the attendance at our 8:30 mass every Sunday was made up of a dependable group of about 10-15 parishioners. However, participation in our 8:30 mass has been growing in recent years--and, for whatever reason, that growth has accelerated over the past year. Thus it was that, this past Sunday, something unprecedented -- though not entirely unexpected -- happened: We had basically the same number of people attend our 8:30 mass (44) as would later attend our 10:30 mass (45)!
As we celebrate the growth of our 8:30 mass and think about how to make sure that we are continuing to build fellowship across our two services, I also recognize that we have some work to do in seeing what can be done to get participation at our 10:30 mass back to pre-pandemic levels -- when our average attendance at 10:30 had grown closer to 70.
And, if you are wondering, it is my impression that the growth at the 8:30 mass is primarily due to new parishioners -- many of whom (though not all) live in the buildings and neighborhoods around the church. So it is not due to folks changing their attendance from the 10:30 mass to the 8:30 mass (which means that many of the folks that regularly came to the 10:30 mass prior to the onset of the pandemic haven't made it back as regularly--so perhaps some of the work merely involves encouraging them to come back!).
All of that just means that we have much to celebrate as we seek more opportunities to share the gift of the Good News -- and its particular manifestation at Saint Andrew's -- with the wider world in the months ahead.
Perhaps you would consider sharing that opportunity with someone else in the midst of this Epiphany season -- as we seek to continue to reveal Christ's light to the world through our common life in this place?
Grace and Peace,
Fr. Gary+
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Sunday, January 15 - The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Canon Stephen Rhoades, guest celebrant
8:30 AM Low Mass, Rite II
Wednesday, January 18 - The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle
5:00 PM Rosary
5:30 PM Healing Mass, Rite II
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Prayer Requests & Resources |
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The following people have been commended
to the prayers of the parish:
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Bella, Bill, Dick, Didi, Duane, Emily, Ginger, Jane, Jean, Jodi, Kathy, Ken, Leigh Ann, Lucy, Margaret Lee, Marvin, Mary, Millie, Nancy, Patt, PK, Robert, Sandy, Shawn, Stacy, Steve, Sylvia, Weesie, Winnie |
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To add someone to the Parish Prayer List, please contact the office.
To add someone to the Daughters of the King prayer list,
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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1/02 Jessica Meyer
1/02 Renie Gault
1/04 Kacey Eichelberger
1/04 Dick Stanley
1/08 John Rhodes
1/09 Ginger Hull
1/10 Jim Fero
1/11 Tim Henry
1/12 Allison Giambrone-Wilson
1/18 Linda Henderson
1/21 Terry King
1/30 Mary Banton Mays
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Canon Rhoades Presiding at Both Masses This Sunday
Father Gary is away at a family reunion this weekend. Canon Stephen Rhoades, who serves on the diocesan staff as Canon to the Ordinary, is presiding at both masses today in Fr. Gary’s stead. We are grateful for Fr. Rhoades’ participation in our worship life. Fr. Gary will return to the office on Tuesday, January 17.
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Thank You to Everyone Who Supported Our 2023 Annual Pledge Campaign – We Have Exceeded Both of Our Goals!
PLEASE SUBMIT ANY REMAINING PLEDGES THIS NEXT WEEK!
If you have not turned in your pledge yet, please place your completed pledge card in the offering plate or turn it into the Parish Office as soon as possible.Thank you to all who have already submitted their pledges! F or anyone who hasn't pledged yet, it would be helpful to have your pledge in by next week, since the Vestry will finalize our 2023 budget at our next meeting on January 22. The pledge card can be found online at www.standrewsgreenville.org/pledge
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Low-Country Shrimp Boil Fundraiser
Friday, January 27 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Our ECW will be hosting an “all you can eat” shrimp boil fundraiser. All proceeds will be used for ECW ministries and outreach. Cost is $25 per person, children 12 and under are free. Non-seafood options will be available. BYO-cooler with beverages. For more information, email Patty Slay at [email protected]. Advance tickets are required. Tickets available at www.standrewsgreenville.org/shrimpboil
Deadline for ticket purchase is Tuesday, January 24.
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Youth Group | Sunday, January 22 | 4-6 PM
Saint Andrew’s youth and their friends in elementary through high school will again have the opportunity to gather for a time of fun and fellowship on the fourth Sunday evening of this month. This month, the Eichelbergers will lead the gathering. Please RSVP to [email protected]. |
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Opportunity for House Blessings
on Wednesday Nights in Epiphany Season
While Father Gary is available to perform House Blessings through out the year, Epiphany Season is considered an especially appropriate time. Since we will not have a Wednesday Night Supper Class during Epiphany Season, we have created a sign up list for those who might be interested in having their house blessed on a Wednesday evening. If you sign up, Father Gary will plan to come to your home immediately following the 5:30 PM Healing Mass that evening. Feel free to contact Father Gary with questions—or if you would like to arrange a blessing for another time. Please sign up for an upcoming Wednesday evening by clicking here.
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Clothe Thy Neighbor Seeking Winter Clothing
Please bring warm clothing for men and women, especially coats and sweaters, to the Parish Hall for those in need.
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Quarterly Planning Lunch Meeting
Wednesday, January 25 | Noon | Parish Hall
Our next quarterly planning meeting with the leaders of all parish ministries will meet in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, January 25, at noon.
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Save the Date! | GOAL Justice Network Meeting
Wednesday, January 25 | 6:30 - 7:30 PM | Parish Hall
Saint Andrew’s is a charter member of GOAL (Greenville Organized for Accountable Leadership) Justice, which is a growing ministry coalition of congregations from throughout Greenville County. GOAL’s vision for Justice Ministry is provided in Micah 6:8: “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God”. For 2022-23, GOAL’s members have identified youth mental health and homelessness for further coordinated efforts.
While 18 parishioners have already committed to serve as GOAL Network members, we hope to increase that number and welcome all interested in learning more to join us at the upcoming Network Meeting at Saint Andrew’s with Aidan Workman, GOAL’s Lead Organizer, in attendance. If you have questions contact Jenny Peer, Saint Andrew’s Team Leader and lay GOAL Board member, or visit goaljustice.com. Even if you are unable to attend on January 25th, please SAVE THE DATE for GOAL’s largest community event of the year — the Nehemiah Action Assembly — Tuesday, March 28, at 6:30 PM at First Baptist Greenville! |
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Feast of Saint Charles, King & Martyr
Noon Eucharist | Monday, January 30
Please plan to join us for a special noon eucharist to celebrate the Feast of Saint Charles, King & Martyr. More information about this feast day and its important place within Anglican history can be found on the website for the Society of King Charles the Martyr.
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Souper Bowl of Caring
Soup Luncheon and Soup Can Drive
Sunday, February 12 | After the 10:30 AM Mass
Help us tackle hunger by donating ready-to-eat cans of soup (pop top preferred). Our goal this year is to collect 400 cans of soup that will go directly to United Ministries. In celebration of this effort, please plan to join us for a soup and cornbread luncheon after the 10:30 AM Mass on “Souper Bowl Sunday,” February 12.
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Nursery During Worship Has Reopened!
Sundays| 10:30 AM Mass
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We have reopened our nursery and are delighted to welcome Jane Babb as our new Nursery Supervisor. Each week, in addition to Jane, we will need at least one parish volunteer to serve as our second nursery caregiver. If you have gifts for working with infants and young children – and have “Safe Church” training (and are fully vaccinated), we could use your help! (And, if you can volunteer but don't yet have "Safe Church" training, you can complete the training online. Contact the office to get a link to the online training platform.) Please sign up for an upcoming Sunday at www.standrewsgreenville.org/signup
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Choir Has Returned to Regular Rehearsal Schedule
Wednesdays at 7:30 PM
We are always seeking additional volunteers for the Saint Andrew’s choir, which has returned to our regular weekly rehearsal schedule of Wednesday evening rehearsals at 7:30 PM in the Parish Hall. If you know of any prospective new choir members, bring them along with you! If you need transportation to rehearsal and or church, or if you have questions, please e-mail our organist/choirmaster John Gilbert.
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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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Parking at Saint Andrew's
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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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News from the Wider Church
and from Our Ministry Partners
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Year In Review: December 2022 Newsletter
LETTER FROM THE CEO Dear Project Host Friends and Supporters, December has been full of holiday cheer and generous community support. We are so grateful for all those who organized food drives for us this holiday season.
Read more
mailchi.mp
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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. At the onset of the pandemic, Feed Thy Neighbor suspended indoor seating and distributed brown bag meals, but they have now resumed indoor gathering. As a result, we are seeking more volunteers to help serve and clean up. Please contact the office if you would like to volunteer: [email protected].
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