Called to Worship. Sent to Witness. Led to Welcome.

From the Rector

Reminder: Fall Newcomers' Gathering This Sunday!

From Our Candidate for Holy Orders

Introductory Note from Fr. Gary: Every week, in the midst of our Prayers of the People, we pray for "Andrew, our parishioner in the ordination process." Below is an update from Andrew, who graduated from Duke Divinity School this spring (as pictured below) and, earlier this month, moved to Oxford, to start doctoral degree studies there (pictures from Oxford are further down).

A New Adventure in Oxford

by Andrew Raines

This fall, my fiancé, Brett, and I have begun a new chapter of life across the Atlantic as I start my doctoral studies (DPhil) in Systematic Theology at Oxford. I am deeply grateful to St. Andrew’s for sponsoring me in the ordination process and for holding me in prayer as I take up this next stage of formation.

We’ve found housing at St. Stephen’s House, Oxford’s Anglo-Catholic seminary. The buildings once belonged to the Society of St. John the Evangelist—the Cowley Fathers—so it is a sweet providence to live in the place where modern Anglican religious life first took root. Our arrival was not without drama: when we came back from the airport with Momma, we discovered a pipe had burst and water had been running for half a day, flooding the kitchen and living room. The repairs are still being sorted out, so we’ll see if we’ll have to find something else. 

Momma’s visit was a gift. I loved showing her around Oxford, helping me try on my new academic robes, and taking her to London and Paris. Paris especially stole her heart—she delighted in what she called her “Princess Di pilgrimage.” We dropped her off for her return flight (her first international trip on her own—they grow up so fast!), and Brett and I have since settled into the rhythm of English church life, brimming with Masses and Evensongs.

One highlight was introducing both Momma and Brett to my supervisor, the Rev’d Dr. Andrew Davison, after hearing him preach at Christ Church Cathedral. Under his master guidance, I’ll be researching how Anglicans have received the ancient Christian hope for the apokatastasis—Greek for the “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21)—and what that means for our theology today, especially with regard to other religions. If God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4), won’t God get what God wants?

The term has not yet begun, so things remain fairly quiet until October, but on October 5th I will participate in the formal matriculation ceremony, full of Latin and bowing.

I’m thrilled for what God has in store here in the coming years and profoundly thankful to St. Andrew’s for your support, prayers, and encouragement as I pursue both study and ordination. Please continue to keep Brett and me in your prayers as we settle into this new season.

With gratitude and affection,

Andrew

Scenes from Oxford (clockwise from top left): Andrew and his mother on the stairs at Christ Church, Andrew and Brett in the Gardens at Blenheim Palace, Andrew and his mother in front of Mansfield College, and Andrew and his mother in the Gardens at Blenheim Palace.

Worship & Formation Schedule with Links

Sunday, September 21 - The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM Low Mass, Rite II

9:30 AM Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

10:30 AM Sung High Mass, Rite I, (livestream available)

Tuesday, September 23

4:00 PM Clergy-Led Bible Study

Wednesday, September 24 - Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (observed)

5:30 PM Healing Mass, Rite II, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

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. 

9/2 Sheri Blackshire

9/3 Laura Rhodes

9/7 Annette Geraghty

9/7 West Brunson

9/7 Alec Honohan

9/8 Emily Zaino

9/10 Robert Boggs

9/11 Isaac Cooke

9/13 Kevin Landmesser

9/15 Daniel Hunt

9/15 Jodi Coburn

9/15 Linda Considine

9/15 Rusty Infinger

9/16 Räkan Smith

9/18 Lollie Harper

9/19 Charles Shields

9/20 Weylin Brown

9/20 Jenna Henderson

9/20 June Santilli

9/21 Eliza Eichelberger

9/22 Merrie Clark

9/23 Stephen Bolle

9/23 Paul Brunson

9/23 Macie Carlson

9/23 Sebastian Herr

9/24 Porter Whitmire

9/24 Andrew Ross

9/26 Todd Miller

9/27 Judi Gregory

9/27 Earle Gregory

9/27 John Fenn

9/28 Stefan Herr

9/29 Sonya Vehorn

9/30 Lee Gray

Announcements

Garden Crew | Saturday, September 20 | 9 AM - 12 PM

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for 3-to-9-Year- Olds | Continues This Sunday | 9:30 AM | The Atrium (upstairs in the Parish Hall)

We have begun our second full academic year of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — an approach to Christian formation that builds upon Montessori methods of learning. With Catechesis, we seek to nourish and encourage that desire for deeper relationship—drawing forth both joy and wonder in the child. If you have any questions, feel free to speak with Fr. Gary or Cheryl Banks, who are serving as our lead catechists this year.

Vestry Meeting | This Sunday | 12:30 PM

Our monthly vestry meeting will take place in the upstairs of the Parish House following today’s 10:30 AM Sung High Mass.

Clergy-Led Bible Study

Tuesday September 16 | 4 PM | Parish Hall

Our weekly clergy-led study of Genesis meets on Tuesdays at 4 PM.

Project Host BBQ Cook-Off | September 26-27

Join Project Host at Fluor Field this Friday, September 26 (6-10 PM) and Saturday, September 27 (11 AM-2 PM) for their 16th annual BBQ Festival & Cook-Off. Saint Andrew’s is an “Smokehouse Sponsor” sponsor of Project Host’s annual BBQ fund-raiser, and, for the third year in a row, we have entered a cooking team, “Heavenly Que,” led by Father Gary’s brother-in-law, Chris Daughtry. If you are interested in attending and using one of the sponsor wristbands that are allotted to Saint Andrew’s, please contact the parish office. They will be available for pick up next week.

September Youth Gathering | Large Episcopal Area Fellowship | Sunday, September 29 | 4-6 PM

Grace Episcopal Church, Anderson

For our September Youth Gathering, we will join up with other Episcopal youth from across the Upstate for a time of fun, food, and fellowship. More details will be sent out to the youth list next week.

Annual Pledge Campaign Kick-Off | Sunday, October 5

On October 5th, we will kick off our 6-week Annual Pledge Campaign, when we ask members of the parish to prayerfully discern and complete a financial pledge card for 2026. Through our pledges, we are able to express our common commitment to support God’s continuing ministry at Saint Andrew’s—and to help the parish to plan financially for the coming year. This year’s campaign, which is chaired by Riley Owens, will conclude at our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, November 16. We look forward to this opportunity to share our gifts in ministry together.

Blessing of the Animals Service | Sunday, October 5 | 4 PM | Under the Fir Tree at St. Paul UMC

Sunday, October 5 we will gather at Saint Paul UMC to share in the Blessing of the Animals. St. Paul is just one block down at 1107 S. Main Street. Bring your animal friends!

Saint Andrew’s Book Club | October 5 | 1 PM | Parish Hall

Saint Andrew’s Book Club will meet on October 5 in the Parish Hall following coffee hour. This month’s discussion will be on books of members' own choosing by Paulo Coelho. If you would like to learn more about the club, please plan to join the discussion. Alternatively, feel free to speak to or email Annette Geraghty (annv51@yahoo.com).

Parish Office Update

With our new parish staff, we have adjusted the Parish Office hours going forward. The regular hours for the Parish Office will be Tuesday to Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM. The Parish Office will be generally closed on Mondays, which is also Fr. Gary’s weekly day off. As a reminder, our new Parish Administrator, Miranda Mason, manages the daily operations of the parish office. She manages finances, facility scheduling, parish records, and most items concerning daily parish operations. She can be reached at office@standrewsgreenville.org. Our new Director of Communications, Frances Twomey, is responsible all parish communications, including the weekly bulletin, The Call, our website, social media, and printed publications. Frances can be reached at info@standrewsgreenville.org.

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.

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!

From Project Host ...

From Centering Prayer and Parishioner Cynthia Fore ...

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 Doug Barrett.  

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!

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.