I write a lot. I knew writing was a part of ministry, but I don't think I realized just how much writing I'd be doing when I went off to seminary. It's one of those things "they" don't tell you, and you figure out along the way. Granted, I suspect I write more than many of my colleagues, if for no other reason than I write these ramblings week after week. Even so, ministry means putting pen to paper, or these days, finger to keyboard. What's interesting is that I now have a nerdy set of statistics on my writing.

Back in February, I downloaded a piece of software called Grammarly. It's a web-based spelling and grammar tool, not unlike what word processing software uses to do the same. Grammarly has a bit more power when it comes to grammar and making recommendations about word choice or phrasing. It's much smarter than Microsoft Word's built-in checker by comparison. Since I do most of my writing in a hurry, having some help with punctuation, spelling, and grammar is beneficial. The software automatically scans my emails, anything I type on the web, text messages I send from my computer, and any documents I cut and paste into the desktop module. I also get periodic reports on my usage.  

The summer worship schedule is now in effect. Regular weekend worship services take place on Saturdays at 5:30 pm at St. Ignatius Chapel, on Demere Road, and on Sundays at 8:00 am, 9:15 am and 11:15 am at Christ Church, Frederica. On September 8, the 9:15 am Parish Hall service will return to the Sunday line-up of worship services.

Kidurgy all summer!

Kidurgy, our Liturgy of the Word for younger children, takes place during the 9:15 am worship service. Children have their own service in the Kidurgy room of the Parish Hall, with singing, scripture and prayer, then return to receive Communion with their families. Contact: Mtr. Katie at [email protected]

The women's study group meets on Thursdays at 1:00 pm in the parish hall.  On August 1, they will begin a study of An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith . In this book, author Barbara Brown Taylor reveals meaningful ways to discover the sacred in the small things we do and see, from simple practices such as walking, working, and prayer. 

On September 5, the group will begin a study of  Learning to Walk in the Dark,  by Barbara Brown Taylor.  In this book,  Taylor asks us to put aside our fears and anxieties and to explore all that God has to teach us "in the dark". Through darkness we find courage, we understand the world in new ways, and we feel God's presence around us, guiding us through things seen and unseen. Often, it is while we are in the dark that we grow the most. With her characteristic charm and literary wisdom, Taylor is our guide through a spirituality of the nighttime, teaching us how to find our footing in times of uncertainty and giving us strength and hope to face all of life's challenging moments. Books are available in the bookstore for $11.00.  Contact: Mtr. Ashton Williston at [email protected] .

Formed In Love Study  - 4 Wednesdays in September, with a simple lunch and one-hour discussion 

Beginning on Wednesday, September 4, at 1:00 pm, Fr. Tom will lead a four-week discussion of Scott Bader-Saye's volume from the New Church Teaching Series,  Formed by Love . Bader-Saye examines the moral life through the lens of the Episcopal Church and its traditions. Topics include creation, incarnation, holiness, sacrament, scripture, and "via media." The author also tackles the big moral questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What are good and evil? What are right and wrong? - and examines how an Episcopal approach might shape a typical day by examining Morning Prayer and Compline as moral formation, in between discussing work,  eating, and playing. Books are $13 and available in the bookstore. Contact: Fr. Tom at [email protected]

Training for all adults who work with Children and Youth  will take place on Saturday, August 3, beginning at 10:00 am in the Parish Hall. Nursery care will be available. Contact: Mtr. Katie at [email protected]

Safeguarding Training will be provided to all who still need it on Saturday, August 3, at 12:30 pm, in the Parish Hall. Mother Katie will lead this training session. Please sign up by calling the church office at 912-638-8683.

Beginning August 18, our youth (grades 6 - 12) will meet from 6:30 - 8:00 pm every week in the parish hall, for fun and fellowship. They'll have a meal together, play indoor/outdoor games, participate in creative/artistic activities, worship and study the Bible. Contact Mtr. Katie at [email protected] for more information. 

Starting on August 25, our third through fifth graders will meet once a month for fun activities and trips, giving the children and their parents opportunities to spend time together building relationships and getting them excited about participating in Youth Group when they are older. For more information, please contact Mtr. Katie at [email protected].

Families! Please join the Christ Church Families Facebook group to keep up with all the latest events and activities. Find us on Facebook here !

The start of a new school year is next week! There are many families in the area that struggle to provide the needed school supplies for their children. In the past few years, Christ Church has worked with GEM (Glynn Episcopal Ministries) to make sure area students have the materials they need for a successful school year. If you'd like to contribute, please see the following list and help our area students by purchasing these school supplies and leaving them in the church office by Sunday, August 4. Items Needed: Backpacks, #2 pencils, Colored pencils, Pencil boxes and pouches, Pencil sharpener, Pencil top erasers, Pink erasers, Glue sticks, Crayons (16 and 24 packs), Large crayons (8 pack), Scissors - Fiskars for the lower grades, Wide rule composition notebooks, Single subject spiral notebooks, Primary paper, Loose leaf notebook paper, 2-pocket folders, Pocket folders with prongs, Black or blue pens, 3-ring binders, Markers, Highlighters, Composition books with grid paper, Cleaning wipes, Hand Sanitizer (large refill size)

Contact: Donna Purdy at [email protected]

The St. Athanasius Feed My Sheep Food Pantry needs your non-perishable food donations for August. Please bring them to  St. Ignatius and the Christ Church Parish Hall this coming weekend, August 3-4, or drop off donations in the grocery cart, during regular business hours, at the church office in the Parish Hall. Items that are always needed include canned soups, vegetables, fruits and meals like Spaghettios. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry! 

The Christ Church Comforters will have their next meeting on Friday, August 2, at 10:30 am, in the Christ Church Parish Hall. Please bring your yarn, needles, hooks and any shawls you've been working on recently.

Afterwards, all are invited to stay for lunch with the O(utrageously) M(ature) G(roup) at 11:30 am. This will be great time to socialize, relax, and catch up. Following lunch, the OMGs will be playing games and Comforters members are welcome to join them to play or just stay for more conversation and fun. 

If you'd like lunch for $10 from Honeybaked Ham, please call the church office at 912-638-8683 with your order by Wednesday, July 31, at noon. For more information, please contact Mtr. Ashton at [email protected]

A major kitchen and pantry cleaning is planned for August. Over the years we've accumulated an over supply of utensils clogging the cabinets and drawers. Some of the counters are covered with containers left from previous potluck dinners. 

 

The plan is to take surplus items to Hello Goodbye for resale. If there's anything of importance to you that you want to retrieve, please check the kitchen as soon as convenient. We would like all items reclaimed by Sunday, August 18. For more information, please contact Junior Warden Alice Barlow at [email protected].

The Christ Church Gift Shop, (inside the Parish House, across from the reception area), is now open on Sundays, from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. Come browse the assortment of unique items available, including hand-made prayer

We have 24 book titles on sale for  20% off in the Gift Shop.

beads, wooden crosses, Moravian stars and the Christ Church history book. We're adding new and seasonal items each week, so come by and check out the inventory. If you would like to make a purchase, cash, checks and credit cards are acceptable.  If you're interested in helping with the shop, please contact Ellen Kuehm at 912-996-3392 or at  [email protected]

Thursday, August 1, 2019

1:00 pm - Women's Book Study

Friday, August 2, 2019

10:30 am - Christ Church Comforters

11:30 am - OMG Meeting

 

Saturday, August 3, 2019

St. Athanasius Food Pantry

10:00 am - Teacher Training

12:30 pm - Safeguarding Training

5:30 pm - Worship at St. Ignatius

 

Sunday, August 4, 2019

St. Athanasius Food Pantry

8:00 am - Worship at Christ Church 

9:15 am - Worship at Christ Church

9:15 am - Kidurgy

10:15 am - Coffee Hour

10:30 am - Adult Sunday Class

11:15 am - Worship at Christ Church

Monday, August 5, 2019

11:00 am - Yoga

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

4:00 pm - Live Poets Society

 

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

12:00 pm - Healing Service

 

Thursday, August 8, 2019

1:00 pm - Women's Book Study

Friday, August 9, 2019

12:00 pm - Icon Writing Group

 

Saturday, August 10, 2019

10:00 am - Icon Writing Group

5:30 pm - Worship at St. Ignatius

 

Sunday, August 11, 2019

8:00 am - Worship at Christ Church 

9:15 am - Worship at Christ Church

9:15 am - Kidurgy

10:15 am - Coffee Hour

10:15 - Sunday School Open House

10:30 am - Adult Sunday Class

11:15 am - Worship at Christ Church

12:30 pm - Acolyte Training