I am in Chicago for a few days this week, attending a small conference of Episcopal Rectors and Deans of "Leading Edge Congregations." That's not my name for it, but the name assigned by the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes (CEEP), the group that has organized the meeting. Christ Church has been a member of CEEP for at least five or six years now. CEEP was started about twenty years ago (I think) to pull together larger, more complex Episcopal parish leadership in order to foster shared learning and ideas about how best to manage and grow the ministries in our settings. As you would guess, small church ministry is very different from large church ministry, and parishes with resources function differently than those who struggle with resources.

 

CEEP uses endowment size to regulate membership, although that has changed a bit over time.  Over the last ten years, the annual conferences, the main event for CEEP, so to speak, have grown and have begun to include a diluted range of parish types. That's not all bad, and I'm not criticizing it at all. But, at a recent CEEP conference (which I did not attend) some of the leaders of large, complex parishes voiced a desire for a peer- specific gathering to help think through the commonalities of our types of parishes. So, I received an invitation earlier this year and decided to attend.  

READ MORE HERE

The Annual Stewardship Campaign is coming to a close. We will have the Ingathering this weekend at St. Ignatius, on Saturday, November 11th and at Christ Church, on Sunday, November 12th . If you haven't already sent your pledge card in to the office, we encourage you to bring it with you to worship this weekend, when we will bring the pledge cards and place them on the altar. If you do not have a pledge card, one will be available for you at church. You may also download and print a card here.

 

Remember a loved one at Christmas and help beautify our worship spaces with a  memorial poinsettia.  Please send the name, along with a check for $30, to Ethel Horton, 402 Palm Court, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. Checks should be made payable to Christ Church Altar Guild and received no later than  Wednesday, December 13 . If you have any questions, please call Ethel Horton at 912-634-8327. 

 

The eleven week study based on the book,  Convictions - How I Learned What Mattered Most , by Marcus Borg, continues in October on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. Marcus Borg contends that Christians in America are at their best when they focus on hope and transformation, and return to what really matters most - bringing to earth the kingdom of God Jesus talked about and transforming our relationships with one another. The class is being  led by the Christ Church clergy team.

 

As we enter the season of Thanksgiving and remembrance, don't forget that the ECW scholarship fund is a great way to give thanks or memorialize someone special and still pass the gift on into the future. The scholarship fund is growing and you can be a part of it by making a donation as a expression of thanks or as a memorial. Some young person in the future will benefit from your generosity and will thank you for it. Call Jane Watson, 912-638-7285 , for more information.

 

We will be collecting non-perishable foods for Thanksgiving food baskets for 23 needy families in our community on Saturday, Nov. 11; Sunday, Nov. 12; Saturday, Nov. 18 and Sunday, Nov. 19 at St. Ignatius Chapel and Christ Church, Frederica. Monetary donations are welcome, too. On Monday, November 20th, at 9:00 am, all are invited to help assemble the food baskets in the Parish Hall. Contact Jeannie Wade at [email protected] or at 912-638-6462 for more information.

 

Martha's Guild is looking for some new members. Many of our long time members who have served so well are unable to do so now.  The members of Martha's Guild prepare and serve food at receptions for the bereaved families and friends of those whose funerals are held at Christ Church.   It is a gift of love and not a difficult task.  Please call 912-638-2717 if you would like to be a part of this ministry.  Angie Burns will be happy to supply details. 

HomeLife on Glynco is a personal care home in Brunswick, that provides assisted living, as well as memory care for residents. They are currently in need of volunteers to help with activities such as  singing, playing the piano, bingo, arts and crafts and decorating for the holidays. If you are interested in helping, please contact Kay Crockett, at 912-242-6586 for more information.

 

 

With sincere gratitude, happy Veterans' Day!

The Gainesville Brass Quintet will present a free concert at 3:00 pm November 12th at the St. Simons United Methodist Church, on St, Simons Island. All are invited to attend. More information about the concert and the performers can be found here. 

 

November 20, 2017

Thanksgiving Basket Packing