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CHURCH of the ADVENT

E-PISTLE

September 2025

Dear Beloved Community,

As we step into September, I feel the Spirit stirring among us—a quiet invitation to begin again. This is a season of sacred turning: a time to renew our hearts, recommit our lives, and rejoice in the grace that meets us right where we are.

At Church of the Advent, we are not simply returning to routines—we are returning to purpose. We are reclaiming the joy of being God’s people in this place, at this time, with these gifts.

Renew Let this be a month of spiritual refreshment. Whether through worship, prayer, or quiet reflection, may you find space to breathe deeply and reconnect with the One who makes all things new.

Recommit Our ministries are not just programs, they are pathways of love, justice, and transformation. Rally Day on September 7th invites each of us to say “yes” again: to serve, to lead, to grow, and to walk alongside one another in faith.

Rejoice Joy is not the absence of struggle—it is the presence of God in the midst of it. This month, we celebrate the beauty of our multicultural, multigenerational community. We rejoice in the stories we carry, the songs we sing, and the Spirit that binds us together.

Let us be a church that renews with courage, recommits with conviction, and rejoices with abandon. The journey ahead is sacred—and we walk it together.

With love and gratitude,

Isaias +

Rev. Isaias Ginson

Rector, Church of the Advent – Brownsville

“Welcome Back Sunday,” “Homecoming Sunday,”

“Rally Day Sunday!”

It’s a time to “rally” the congregation together after summer!

·       One unified service at 10:00 a.m. on September 7^th.

·       Special blessings for teachers, students, and backpacks! 

(Don’t forget to bring them!)

·       Pot luck lunch after the service! Please bring something to share,

i.e. cold foods, finger foods!

·       Ministry Fair! Gather information about Advent’s more than 20 ministries and

sign up for an opportunity to serve!

·     Invite your friends and find out what’s cookin’ this Fall! Don’t forget to

pick up your bread recipe on your way out!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

VOLUNTEEER WORKSHOP

All volunteers who work with children, youth, and adults (or who would like to!) are invited to a training day hosted by the Diocesan Christian Formation Committee on Saturday, September 6th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church in McAllen. If you are a volunteer who teaches Sunday school, leads a Bible study, helps with youth, then this training is for you!

The schedule for the day will include practical and tangible ways to connect with other volunteers from churches, share ideas and hear about curriculum, ideas, and tools that might be new to you. The event will include a keynote presentation, resource sharing time, and lunch.

(Daniel Rentfro will be one of the local facilitators at St. John's for the meeting.)

Bread-makers! Speak to Father Isaias!



We are seeking a Nursery Attendant who much be at least 18 years old. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the pay is $13.00/hour. Please contact the Church Office or Sr. Warden Teresa Hoskins.

Our 100 year old church building is in constant need of repairs that are not covered by the budget. Every Sunday, drop a couple of dollars in the donation box mounted on the wall in the Parish Hall next to the door leading into the church.

Office Volunteers! Mornings 9:00-12:00, afternoons 1:00-4:00! You can do as little as answer the phone and the door and pass along messages, or help with other clerical duties. Please call the Church Office or speak to Betty Swantner.

Your generosity has made it possible to have a choir and make repairs to our organ. Our Choral Scholars program provides stipends ($700 each semester) to college students/graduates majoring in music. Checks may be made to Church of the Advent and earmarked for Choral Scholars. If you have any questions, please email lindsayrirwin@gmail.com or call (956)459-5468.

September Birthdays

If we have missed your birthday, we are so sorry. PLEASE call the Church Office at 542-4123. Updated emails, addresses, phone numbers are also much appreciated! If you don't tell us, we don't know!

3 Paul Rudnik

5 Buddy Fischer

6 Carolyn Parker, Dawna Hammes

7 Teresa Hoskins

9 Marshall Ray, Karla Stambaugh,

Stella Stambaugh, Emma Stambaugh,

Daniel Nunez, Mario Alberto Hernandez

10 Alyssa Marie Ayala

12 Kim Cromack, Luis Flores, Robert Swantner,

Joan Sommer

13 Nery Vail

14 Rafael Marquez, Arrietty Alaffa

15 David Merrill, Marcos San Miguel Jr., Kylie Day

17 Susan Parker

19 Don Rappe

20 Daniel Jaime

22 Daniel Rentfro, Michelle Harrison

24 Yolanda Riggins, Iliana Gutierrez

26 Ruben Rodriguez, Laurie Ray, Imelda Pena Sanchez, Blanca Ceballos

27 Michael Fischer, Victor Nunez

28 Andrea Irwin

29 Raul Gonzalez

September Anniversaries

11 Lupita & Pepe Martinez

20 Betty & Robert Swantner

25 Lisa & Nick Mitchell-Bennett

30 Andrea & Paul Rudnick

CHURCH OF THE ADVENT'S MINISTRIES

(ALL of Advent's ministries welcome your participation, and some exist because of your donations. Please call the Church Office at

542-4123 or ask a Vestry member for contact information.)

Acolytes, sixth grade and older, assist during worship, carry the flags and cross in procession, and assist the Rector during the Gospel.

Adult Christian Formation, including Friday Noon-Day Prayer, is led by Anne and Daniel Rentfro.

Altar Flower Delivery takes flowers to shut-ins, bereaved, or to celebrate service to the parish

or a special occasion. It is a lovely way to show parishioners that they are not forgotten.

Please contact Kathy Harding to help!

Altar Guild prepares the sanctuary for worship, cares for sacred vessels and linens, and decorates the church for special services and seasons. Volunteers typically serve once a month at one of the services. Please contact Ginger Pawkett or Carolyn Parker.

Brotherhood of St. Andrews, The Men of the Church, meets on the third Saturday of each month, 10:00-11:00 a.m., to plan events/projects that will provide fellowship and service to church and community. Please contact the Rector.

Children's Christian Formation includes the Nursery that provides care for infants through 3 years old. Ages 4K-Sr. High meet at 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. Teachers and assistants are always appreciated. Please contact Teresa Hoskins.

Chuy's Friends provide a hot Sunday meal for our neighbors on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Contact John Williamson.

Community of Hope is a lay pastoral care ministry. Please contact Anne Rentfro or Lynn Black.

Daughters of the King is an order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church who pledge themselves to a life-long program of prayer, service, evangelism, and are dedicated to the strengthening of the spiritual life of her parish. Please contact Blanca Marquez.

Estudio Biblico meets on Thursdays 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Eucharistic Ministers assist the Rector during Holy Communion with preparing the table and bearing the chalice. Please contact the Rector.

Advent's Food Bank is associated with the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank and shares God's love by giving groceries to our neighbors the first Wednesday of every month. Volunteers can receive monthly shipments, stock shelves, bag groceries, and register those in need.

Please contact Mike Hale.

Funeral Receptions are offered in the Parish Hall after the service for family and friends. Those who enjoy cooking and providing light refreshments, such as cookies and sandwiches, are greatly appreciated. Please contact Carolyn Parker.

Lectors from the congregation, enhance worship by reading the lessons psalms, and prayers of the people. Please contact Lynn Black.

Advent's Library maintains the Cromack Library. A Coordinator needed!

Music includes Advent's Choir which performs at the Sunday 10:45 services, and Grace Band that performs on an occasional basis. Both are open to teenagers and adults, and new singers and instrumentalist are welcome. Please contact Lindsay Irwin.

Office Helpers assist by answering the door and telephone and with clerical tasks. Volunteer

9-12 a.m. or 1-4 p.m. on a given day per week. Please contact Betty Swantner.

Ushers welcome and assist parishioners at the 10:45 a.m. service, pass the collection plate, and bring the wine and bread to the altar. A coordinator needed!

YOUR VESTRY MEMBERS

Sr. Warden: Teresa Hoskins

Jr. Warden: Imelda P. Sanchez

Vestry Clerk: Esli Ceballos

Kevin Armstrong

Evie Duran

Jessica T. Gonzalez

Rebecca P. Martinez

Nick Mitchell-Bennett

Marilyn White

Alternate: Jose Guadalupe (Pepe) Martinez

 Treasurer: Mike Hale

CHURCH OF THE ADVENT, EPISCOPAL

104 W. ELIZABETH ST.

BROWNSVILLE, TX 78520

956-542-4123

adventbrownsville.org