What a joy it has been to serve in mission and ministry alongside you all these past 5 weeks! Yet even as I write these words, I find myself thinking, “Has it only been 5 weeks?!” In numerous ways, it feels like so much more time has passed, and SSPC is already beginning to feel like home. I am so grateful for the ways you have welcomed our family into your fold and for the loving and encouraging words you have offered along the way. It has been a delight to get to know the amazing staff at SSPC and to see them shine in their various areas of ministry. What a gift they are to SSPC! If you have the chance in the coming days, be sure to thank a staff member for all that they do to share the love of Jesus through the missions and ministries of God’s church.

Along that same vein, the Personnel Committee and I have invited Madelynne Risi to take on the permanent position (rather than the Interim position it has been) of Mission Coordinator & BRIDGE Director, increasing her work from 20 hours to 30 hours per week. One of the first things that drew me to SSPC was its incredible heart for mission. I have already seen the contagious generosity of spirit and service that is a part of life here, and I am thrilled to be a part of it! Therefore, I am very excited about this decision and see so many opportunities to expand our missional reach in the local community and beyond. Madelynne has done a remarkable job building relationships with our local mission partners and leading and growing the BRIDGE program! It is my hope that these areas of ministry will only continue to grow and that her passion and leadership will inspire our generosity of time, talent, and resources as we seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. Please pray for Madelynne as she takes on an even bigger role in the missional leadership of SSPC, and thank her for all that she does!

Additionally, I am delighted to share that the Session voted unanimously to welcome Elder Becky Livingston as our new Clerk of Session, and Becky has graciously agreed to serve. I believe Becky is exactly who the church needs in this role for its next chapter, and I am confident she will do a remarkable job. I also hope you will understand that our former Clerk of Session (Leslie McCracken) served in the church WELL beyond the duties of the Clerk of Session. Leslie’s legacy continues to loom large in every facet of church life, and she is dearly missed, but Becky’s leadership in this role will inevitably look different. And that’s ok! In fact, knowing what I know about Leslie, I believe Leslie would be the first one to give thanks to God for Becky and encourage her in this new role. Therefore, I hope you will do the same—encourage Becky, pray for her, and thank her for taking on this role of service and leadership in the life of SSPC!

Can you believe it has only been 5 weeks together?! It’s certainly hard for me to believe, and yet I have seen God at work in so many ways and through so many people already! I am so excited to see what God will do through us and with us and beyond us in the weeks and months and years to come!

We end up October with two celebratory worship services and a Fall Festival! This cool, crisp weather is bringing with it energy and relief from the steamy hot weather of late. You can feel it when working with children – they are pumped up and raring to go or is it the promise of Halloween candy and trick or treating that has them so excited? On October 27th, the choir loft will be filled with children as it is our annual Children’s Sunday. They will be leading worship by reading scripture, singing, making announcements, and praying. This year’s theme is “Standing on the Promises”. They have been learning new songs and old hymns while studying about God’s Promises to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. Along with a homily from Rev. Rachel Rhodes, there will be a short presentation from all the children (from preschool through 5th grade). This will only happen at the 10:30 am service, so attend both 8:30 and 10:30 if you want.

This Sunday is the postponed Church Birthday Celebration. For 78 years, this church has been a support to this community and beyond. The same music is planned – there will be an instrumental group comprised of trumpets, a clarinet, a French horn, two trombones, a tuba, organ, and timpani. The first hymn is an arrangement, so follow my direction and the words in the bulletin to keep up! This is Benjamin Harlan’s arrangement of “Come, Christians, Join to Sing.” The offertory anthem is “Festival Piece on St. Anne” by Eugene Butler. The words are:

“Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.

Before the hills in order stood or earth received her frame, from everlasting Thou art God to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight are like an evening gone, short as the watch that ends the night, before the rising sun.

Time like an ever-rolling stream bears all its sons away, they fly forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day. Amen.”

Hope to see you this Sunday and afterwards for the potluck (Grandy’s fried chicken will be the main dish!). Bring something really good!

Love & Gratitude,

Rhonda

We are excited to announce a wonderful opportunity for our congregation to connect with our new pastor, Rachel Rhodes! Rachel is eager to meet each of you and learn more about our church and community. Thanks to the generosity of several members, we will be hosting multiple small group gatherings in the coming weeks. These intimate sessions are designed to foster meaningful conversations and allow you to get to know Rachel on a personal level.

Please note that each event is limited to 10 participants or less to ensure a warm and engaging atmosphere, so be sure to signup early to secure your spot! We look forward to making new connections and building lasting friendships on this new journey together with Pastor Rachel and her family!

St. Simons Presbyterian seeks to fulfill the call of Christ to love one another as he has loved us. Our pastors make visits to hospitals and nursing homes and meet with people who find themselves in need of individual pastoral care. We also have members and teams who have received training to help support others in times of crisis or spiritual struggle. Our support for each other also includes times of joy, like a wedding celebration, the birth of a child, or a baptism. Through our network of relationships we call, visit, and write as we seek to show God's love to each other and to the stranger who may come into our fellowship.

Sunday, October 20

8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Late Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 am Anni Luncheon & Welcoming the Rhodes! - Social Hall

4:00 pm KidZ Ensemble - Music Attic

5:00 pm KidZ Fellowship - Veranda

5:00 pm Youth Ensemble - Music Attic

6:00 pm Youth Group - Youth Suite

Monday, October 21

3:00 pm Congregational Life Committee - Upper Room

3:30 pm Kidz Book Club - Righton Bookstore

5:00 pm Diaconate Meeting - Upper Room

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, October 22

7:00 am Youth Chick-fil-A Breakfast - SSI Chick-fil-A

9:30 am Staff Meeting - John Law

8:00 pm Codependents Anon - John Law

Wednesday, October 23

10:00 am Men's Bible Study - Upper Room

11:00 am Early Music Ensemble - Rhonda's Office

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

4:00 pm KidZ Crew - Veranda

5:00 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, October 24

10:00 Women's Bible Study - Upper Room

9:00 am Congregational Care Team - John Law

Friday, October 25

No Activities Planned for this Day