I recently finished up a five-wedding streak; five weddings, five Saturdays in a row. I did the premarital counseling for all five couples, one of my favorite parts of doing weddings, which meant that over the last few months, I've spent hours and hours talking with young, energetic couples who are madly in love with each other. Let me tell you, it's a great way to spend some time. I find that sessions with couples preparing for marriage is one of the forms of ministry that feeds me while I do it. So much of what we do takes energy away for one reason or another, so I relish the things that energize me at the same time I'm engaging in them. 

 

There's a simple reason for this, I've decided. Couples who are getting married are undeniably hopeful and positive. There have been few exceptions to that over the years. Sitting down with two people who are focused on their future - their long-term future, full of hope and idealism about their marriage and their lives, is a lot of fun. The cynic reading this would say young couples are naïve, and point out that perhaps life just hasn't set in yet. And that may be true; weren't we all a bit naïve when we were young? Weren't we all a little idealistic about marriage back at the start? Of course we were, and there's nothing wrong with that. If we only thought about the challenges and the failures that might be on the horizon, we wouldn't do much of anything. Instead, marriage is about capitalizing on the love and the positive moments, in order to traverse through the hard times more easily.

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.  

 

 

In this 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.

 

On Tuesday, December 5th, at 1:00 pm, the Backpack Buddies will be back in action in the Parish Hall, filling bags for their young buddies and helping bring some cheer to their holidays! Please join them on the assembly line! For more information, contact Susan Shipman at [email protected].

 

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. 

The Frederick Cousins Guild will hold its annual Christmas party on Sunday, December 3rd, at 6:30 pm.  Beth Thrift has graciously agreed to host the event at her home in the Island Club. Contact Louise Bartlett for more information at [email protected].

 

 

Fr. Tom is looking for a volunteer to help catalog and organize his library. The process involves using a piece of software (provided) and a smart phone (can be a personal phone or Fr. Tom's). The individual who helps must be comfortable with computers and smart phones; library experience is a plus, but not required. If you think you have the time and interest to help with this project, please contact Fr. Tom at  [email protected]  to discuss the particulars. 

 

 

Join Rabbi Rachel Bregman, Rev. Alan Dyer, and Rev. Tom Purdy as they lead an interfaith journey to the Holy Land with Medji Tours in June 2019. This once in a lifetime trip aims to build relationships across cultural and religious lines in our community by exploring together the shared roots of our traditions in Israel and Jordan. Additionally, this interfaith journey hopes to begin a longer-term process of continuing to form relationships, deepen understanding, and build community across other faith organizations in Glynn County, Georgia upon our return. This trip is open to any and all who would like to participate in this holy work. For more information, click here.