~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
June 19, 2022
The Second Sunday After Pentecost
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Vacation Bible School (VBS) is BACK! |
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Monday, June 13, marked the joyous return of VBS after two summers without! Director of Ministry to Children and Families Dorothy Lancaster, along with a stellar team of volunteers, decked out the Parish House with beach-themed props, artwork, and balloons to go along with the VBS message: “Make waves for Jesus!” |
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One of the highlights of day one happened during the games portion, when youth minister David Gilbert challenged the kids to roll a ball into a target––the reward was that he would do a push-up each time they hit it! “I’m not sure why I thought that would be a good idea,” said David afterwards of the game he's dubbed “The Tiki Tiki Workout.” While we don’t know the exact number of push-ups he did, two sources confirm it was “a LOT.” |
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Martha Vetter To Visit Rwanda
by Susan C. Keller, World Missions Team Chair
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The World Missions Team asks for your prayers for Martha Vetter as she travels to visit one of our world missions partners, The Dufatanye Organization (DO), in Nyanza, Rwanda, June 19 through July 13.
In the local language, Dufatanye means “joining together.” With God’s help, over one hundred nationals—regardless of ethnic differences — have joined together in remarkable ways to serve victims of the 1990s genocide, AIDS, and extreme poverty.
As you may know, Martha spent almost six years teaching Bible to 450 children at Sonrise School for Orphans in Rwanda. During that time, she came to know, love, and respect Godfrey Karema, Founder and Executive Director of the DO. You may have had the opportunity to meet Godfrey when he visited Charleston last year. We were impressed and truly struck by this humble, godly servant of Christ whom God is using in such meaningful ways.
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2022-2023 Ministry Team Planning Retreat:
St. Philip’s To Be the Church in Acts 13
by Lea Andrews, inSPIRE editor
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On Tuesday, May 31, the St. Philip’s ministry team headed out to Seabrook Island for an overnight 2022-2023 planning retreat at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center. The tranquil setting was perfectly and equally conducive to brainstorming, calendaring, and resetting following a chock-full 2021-2022.
After we all found our rooms in Jamie’s Lodge and dropped off our bags on Tuesday morning, we met in a conference room on the top floor for orientation with Sue, one of the staff members. We were welcome to explore the beach during our downtime, but we were to be on the lookout for sea turtle nests––there were at least eight on the property that the staff knew of! Lunch and dinner would be served in Susanna’s House (the dining room complex is still out of commission following December’s fire), and Sue warned us that it might be a little louder than we’d expected since the converted gym would be filled with other diners: summer camp counselors and a slew of extras from Outer Banks. (If you watch the show, look out for the Rev. Ken Weldon, St. Christopher’s Executive Director, who will be making an appearance as a parking lot attendant!)
We got straight down to business after orientation, opening our first planning session with liturgy and song as we would a regular weekly staff meeting. Fr. Jeff gave us his vision for 2022-2023 and beyond: to be like the church in Acts 13––to be prophets, preachers, and teachers; to engage all sorts and conditions of people; to make worship a priority; and to be proactive instead of reactive, seeking opportunities to bring people in and to change the world.
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Less Than Two Weeks To Go Until Our Blood Drive |
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St. Philippians and friends, we need your help as we prepare for our upcoming blood drive! We have set an ambitious goal of filling 61 appointment slots, and we've got three easy ways you can help us reach it:
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Sign up! If you haven't scheduled your appointment yet, take a minute to do it right now at the link below.
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Invite your spouse, significant other, or another family member! Share the love as you share the lifesaving gift of blood together.
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Invite a friend! Donating blood is always more fun with a friend, so bring one along or in place of your donation.
If you have any questions about donating blood, feel free to reach out. Your donation means so much to St. Philip's and the American Red Cross. Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. These patients count on drives like ours to provide a steady supply of blood. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Click here to read just a few of their stories.
Your commitment to our blood drive's success and St. Philip's are greatly appreciated. Let's get those appointment times filled up!
Walk-ins are always welcome, but making an appointment will help minimize or eliminate your wait time. We also need a few volunteers to greet donors warmly, help with registration, and keep the snack table stocked with goodies.
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Follow Along on the Passion Play Journey! |
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The "Renaissance and Reformation" pilgrimage to see the world-famous Passion Play and to visit Wittenberg, the place where Martin Luther nailed the ninety-five theses to the door of the castle church and ignited the Protestant Reformation, is underway!
The St. Philip's crew has already spent time in Budapest and traveled up the Danube to Bratislava, and Rachel Murphy, Executive Assistant to the Rector, has been keeping a travel blog complete with lots of photos, fun and informative details (divided by day/location for easy reference), and a map to help you visualize our friends across the globe. Click the link below to follow along!
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Above: St. Philippians approaching St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, Hungary. |
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Did You Know?
Nursery and Children's Church Are Year-Round!
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Did you know that childcare is available during the 10:30 service even during the summer? That's right––your infants and toddlers three years and younger are welcome to stay in our nursery, where they will play and enjoy a Bible story, songs, and a hands-on activity. 4k-3rd-graders are welcome to join us for children's church to participate in an age-appropriate worship service that includes music, prayer, a Bible lesson, activities related to the lesson, and arts and crafts. Typically, the lesson connects to the lectionary so that the children will hear the same message as their parents.
Drop-off on the ground floor of the Parish House (on the corner of Church and Cumberland Streets) begins at 10:15 a.m. Contact Dorothy Lancaster if you have questions. See you Sunday!
Above: Celebrating the power of the Holy Spirit at children's church on Pentecost!
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Theology on Tap Coming Up on Tuesday!
Certain Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at Henry's on the Market
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About Theology on Tap: Theology on Tap is a gathering for young adults in Charleston who long for meaningful conversation about life and God. We’ll be meeting again Tuesday, June 21, at 7:00 in the Whiskey Room at Henry’s on the Market for drinks (cash bar), apps (provided), and conversation. Next week's topic will be "Divine or Human: Where Did the Bible Come From and Can We Trust It?"
At each of our meetings, we welcome your questions, which you can submit anonymously through a texting app. Free parking at the church parking lot is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a friend!
We will continue meeting through the summer, but note that we are straying occasionally from our biweekly schedule.
Summer Schedule:
- June 21
- July 5
- July 26
- August 2
- August 16
- August 30
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Home Missions Team Update:
Lowcountry Pregnancy Center
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The Home Missions Team recently received a gracious note from Lowcountry Pregnancy Center (LPC), thanking each and every person who took part in our diaper drive last month, which yielded 5,507 diapers and 5,468 wipes! “Your generosity allows us to help so many more families in our community!” wrote Barb, the Because We Care coordinator of LPC. The Home Missions Team also voted over the weekend to make a monetary donation to assist with LPC’s current needs.
Even with drives and donations like ours to help support their clients, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center is continuously in need of items. Current urgent needs are:
- Diaper (sizes 5 and 6)
- New or gently used children’s clothing (sizes 6 mos.–2T)
- Gift cards from Wal-Mart, Costco, and Amazon
Donations are gratefully accepted at Lowcountry Pregnancy Center or DAZZ Mondays–Thursdays:
Lowcountry Pregnancy Center
7481 Northside Dr., Suites B&C
North Charleston, SC 29420
DAZZ Charleston
1106 St. Andrews Blvd., Suite B
Charleston, SC 29407
Volunteers are also welcome and encouraged as a way of supporting LPC:
- LPC Baby Boutique volunteer needed on Thursdays
- Spanish-speaking volunteers needed Mondays and Wednesdays 1:00-4:00 p.m. for teaching parenting classes, counseling, and other opportunities for those fluent in Spanish.
Please contact Home Missions Team chair Jennie Richardson at jmerr3975@aol.com or (843) 364-2912 for further volunteer information, assistance with donation delivery, or answers to any Lowcountry Pregnancy Center questions.
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House of Prayer: June Prayer Points
by Frenchie Richards, St. Philip’s Prayer Ministry
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“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” ––Isaiah 56:7
“The effective fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.” ––James 5:16a
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Answered Prayers (Thank You, Lord):
1. Good response for the Spiritual Gifts class (12 attended).
2. Good response for the diaper drive for Lowcountry Pregnancy Center.
3. Good response continuing for the Theology on Tap outreach.
4. Good response for increased volunteers for the Open Door ministry.
Prayer Points for Local Needs
1. For extra measure of wisdom for Bishop Chip Edgar.
2. For favor for the churches granted a rehearing by the State Supreme Court.
3. For ways that we might help the other churches that lost their properties.
4. For good health and safety for our clergy and their families.
5. For our clergy’s vacations this summer to be refreshing for them and their families.
6. For protection and good health for those going on the pilgrimage to Germany to see the Passion Play. Pray that their flights will not be cancelled and plans go smoothly.
7. For protection for the upcoming trip to England for our choir and director Pat Gould.
8. For continuing success for Theology on Tap as they continue through the summer.
9. For blessings on the new ministry, Theology of Beauty, led by Charles DeAntonio.
10. For a good turnout for the blood drive on June 28.
11. For wisdom for the Vestry and special committees and the decisions being made.
12. For prayers for peace and comfort to those that have lost their children, teachers, and security officer in Uvalde, Texas. Mercy, Lord.
13. For Charleston’s leadership (the mayor, city council, and our governor): for the fear of the Lord to be in all of their meetings and decisions.
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Prayer Request for the St. Philip's Choir |
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The St. Philip's Choir is heading to London in August to serve as the resident choir at St. Paul's Cathedral! They appreciate all the support you've given them by worshipping with them at evensong, donating to and attending the art auction in January, and more––and now, as they enter the final stretch before their journey and as they travel in August, they covet your prayer support.
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants on earth who seek through art and music to perfect the praises of your people. Grant them even now true glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer 2019, page 650)
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Endless Summer Youth Group Programming Begins July 8
Fridays beginning July 8 ~ 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall
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6th–12th-graders, you're invited to Friday night fun with your peers and youth leaders at Endless Summer Youth Group starting July 8! Questions? Contact David Gilbert! |
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2022 New Wineskins Conference: One Mission
Ridgecrest Conference Center in Western NC––September 22-25, 2022
Speakers include Archbishop Foley Beach and our own Suzy McCall
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. For more information about the conference and to join other St. Philippians who are attending, please contact Susan Keller or Gerry McCord.
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Walking the Battlefields with the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller
Antietam, Harpers Ferry, and Gettysburg––Limited Space Available!
September 12-16, 2022
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Connoisseurs Tours invites you to enjoy a specially curated tour of Civil War battle sites with the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller as your guide! The battles of Antietam, Harpers Ferry, and the three-day Battle of Gettysburg marked a turning point not only in the course of the American Civil War, but also for the future of the United States of America. This journey will deepen your understanding of this monumental conflict that left no American untouched. In the evenings, unwind in comfort at carefully selected accommodations in the heart of this historic region.
Ready to book or learn more? Contact Connoisseurs Tours Guest Service Coordinator Chandler Scott at (800) 856-1045, ext. 4, or chandler@connoisseurstours.com. |
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This Week's Service Information |
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The Rev. Brian K. McGreevy will be preaching this Sunday at our services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and Holy Communion and Baptism at 10:30 a.m. |
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Would You Like Someone to Pray With You? |
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To pray WITH someone:
Prayer appointments are available with trained prayer ministers for personal needs related to healing for physical, emotional, or spiritual needs. All meetings are confidential and can be arranged by contacting Juanita Orvin ( juanitaorvin@gmail.com) or Frenchie Richards frichards7@aol.com.
To ask for prayer FOR someone:
Call Suzanne McCord, head of the prayer chain, and she will pass your request on to members of the chain:
Both options are always confidential.
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Important Dates
June 28 ~ Red Cross Blood Drive (12:00–6:00 p.m.)
July 5 ~ Theology on Tap (7:00 p.m. at Henry’s on the Market)
July 8 ~ Endless Summer Youth Group begins
September 11 ~ Rally Sunday (Sunday school resumes)
October 28-30 ~ Parish Retreat at Kanuga
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Never miss a sermon!
Click below to subscribe to our Sermons podcast.
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Membership Directory
Are you looking for a fellow parishioner's contact information? Our directory is online! Click the "My St. Philip's" button on our homepage, stphilipschurchsc.org, to log in or sign up for an account. And for easy access on your phone, download the Church Life app!
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We pray for the sick: Arthur Applegate, Robert Bowles, Jean Carlton, Judith Carr, Keenan Cummings, Maffett Dowd, Sally Fayard, Elizabeth Flowers, Mary Forbes, Debbie Foster, Mary Anne Hanckel, Kathryn Heikes, Susan Hemminger, George Hunter, Robert Johnson, Robert Kizer, Claudia Kolster, Lisa Lawton, John Legare, Connor Lowndes, Molly Margaret O’Quinn, Baby Zan Murphey, John Murray, Ulrika O’Neil, Bill Phillipps, Alfred Pinckney, Valerie Rouillard, Barbara Sainsbury, Fran Sanders, Sydney Severance, Pete Sperr, Margaret Swanson, Jenny White, Lindsey Wing, and Harrison Woods.
We grieve with and pray for Lydia Gulyas and family on the death of her husband, George Attila Gulyas, on June 9.
We pray for our expectant parents: Anna Gray and Ralph Baker, Felicia and Tim Evans, and Carter and Foxy Foxworth.
We pray for protection for Becca Baird, Chris and Julia Beasley, Graham Blunt, Henry Clayton, Ben Colyer, David Daughtridge, Morgan and Mason Herring, Andrew Kane, Quin Kane, Horry Kerrison, Frazier Kulze, John Mason, Zach McFadden, Philip Middleton III, Jackson Miller, Edward Pritchard, Nathaniel Rollings, David Scott, and John Self serving in our Armed Forces.
We pray for our home and world missions: Star Gospel Mission, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, Suzy McCall and LAMB, for the medical missions to Honduras, for ministry to victims of genocide and AIDS in Rwanda, for the Persecuted Church, for Anglican Frontier Missions, for Uganda Christian University Partners, for Water Mission and the Global Water Center, and for St. Jean Baptiste, our sister church, and the schools in Haiti.
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Collect for Sunday:
O Lord, we beseech thee, make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name, for thou never failest to help and govern those whom thou hast set upon the sure foundation of thy loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings for Sunday:
- Galatians 3:23-29
- Psalm 63
- Luke 9:18-24
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