We have a rare opportunity to hear this precious, humble, articulate woman of God, who is now being sought after by churches and organizations all over the country to share her parents’ story as well as her own faith journey. As you have heard, she is the only daughter of two of the most beloved missionaries of the 20th century. And as she has stated on her speaking agreement, “I did not choose to be the daughter of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, but God did. It is my honor to share our family’s story, and if that contributes to the life of any believer, I am grateful.”

This speaking arrangement came about after I wrote Valerie a letter maybe three years ago now. I had just finished reading her book, Devotedly, which recounts her parents’ beautiful love story. She keeps a very low profile, and so I had a hard time finding her address. 

Don’t miss this amazing bonus session with Valerie and Walt Shepard, who will address all who are concerned for the next generation.

Every one of us is a grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, or mentor to someone younger. This generation of young people is the largest population ever in our country to report “NONE” on a religious affiliation questionnaire. 

The morning after speaking at the ECW Fall Dinner, Valerie Elliot Shepard will return to St. Philip’s with her husband Walt, and they will speak on “Passing on the Legacy of Faith to the Next Generation.” Enjoy coffee and a danish while you listen, and bring a friend with you!

On Sunday, October 9, the children’s choirs of St. Philip’s, from our youngest Cherub choristers to our middle- and high-school aged Canterbury and St. David choristers, led the 10:30 worship service under the direction of Zippy Hood, who joined our ministry team in May. 

Hood described Sunday’s service as “phenomal,” noting, “You would never know that over 80% of our members are brand new, and that [Sunday] was their very first time being a part of the church service.” She went on to say, “From start to finish, the children exceeded my expectations. We truly have the best and brightest God-loving children at our church!”

The congregation so enjoyed the music that they couldn’t help but applaud, and Zippy thinks they were probably not the only ones enjoying it so. “I know our God was singing along and probably even dancing to some of the pieces they sang to honor Him,” she said. “I could not have been more proud!”

The Canterbury Choir has been invited back to Canterbury and London, England, to take part in the final International Children’s Choir Festival July 22–30, 2023!

Participating choristers will sing the ancient service of Evensong in Canterbury Cathedral, the Festival Evening Concert in Canterbury Cathedral, and the final festival choir concert in Southwark Cathedral in London, plus participate in seven rehearsal sessions under the direction of founding co-conductors Henry Leck, Founder and Conductor Laureate of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, and Dr. David Flood, former Master of the Choristers, Canterbury Cathedral.

Choir parents, check your email for a message from Zippy Hood and let her know by October 27 whether you and your chorister(s) will attend. St. Philippians interested in attending in support, contact Zippy Hood for more details: zhood@stphilipschurchsc.org or (854) 429-1942.

As we were all watching the hurricane build in the waters south of Haiti, I was thinking to myself how thankful I was that it looked like the hurricane would miss Haiti. So I wrote to one of our former St. Jean-Baptiste parishioners, who now lives in Port-au-Prince, to see if he knew the latest hurricane update. His response to me was very troubling: 

Thanks for the information. I must tell you that the hurricane has not caused us any serious problems yet. It is especially the political crisis of Haiti which panics us and exceeds us. We are at a time when things are really lamentable. We haven’t the water, no food, we don’t go about our activities. It’s truly sad. Pray for us. We really need it.  

This was his message to me on September 19. Since then, it has only gotten worse.

We have upgraded our AV equipment to further our livestream ministry and improve our campus events. If you are tech savvy and would like to be involved in helping the word of God be broadcast loud and clear, we have much you can help with at Sunday services, weekly classes, and events. Email Marc Collins to learn more!

Seniors of St. Philip’s, please join us for a special outing to Brookgreen Garden’s Nights of a Thousand Candles, the event voted “The Best Christmas Light Display in South Carolina” by Travel + Leisure Magazine in 2021 and the recipient of the 2018 Charles A. Bundy Award for Excellence in Tourism.

Schedule: The coach will depart from the church at 2:00 p.m. and will return at 11:00 p.m. Parking for your vehicles will be available in the church lot. 

Cost: $185 per person. This includes bus fare, dinner at Hanser House Restaurant in Pawleys Island, and the entrance fee for Brookgreen Gardens.

Message from Jay Crouse, Anglican Diocese of South Carolina: The Men's Summit Leadership Team is sorry to announce that due to the funeral this Saturday, October 15th, of his brother, Bishop Chip Edgar will not be able to lead us in our Men's Summit. He is very disappointed not to be with us, but this sad occasion needs his full attention. Consequently, we are cancelling our 2022 Men's Summit scheduled for this Saturday at St. Paul's, Summerville. Please be in prayer for the Bishop and his family during this difficult time.

We are delighted to announce that Bishop Edgar will be our speaker at our 2023 Christian Men's Conference, February 24-26, 2023. Registration opens soon at christianmensconference.com.

The Home Missions Team is looking for 5–10 people for a Water Mission service opportunity on Wednesday, October 26.

Volunteers will help set up for the 2023 Walk for Water Open House, which will be hosted on the following day. Tasks involve moving furniture and preparing office space to welcome guests for the open house.

Please contact Jill Settle if you can make it or have any questions: (843) 697-0818 or jillasettle@gmail.com.

TONIGHT: Wednesdays Alive!

Worship and Supper Only

The Rev. Andrew R. O'Dell will be preaching this Sunday at our services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m.

'Tis the season for pumpkins, candy, and masks (the Halloween kind), and two of the three recently appeared in the mailbox of one of our clergy/staff members (no, we won't say who, and you will NEVER GUESS!). Said clergy/staffer made the pumpkin him/herself some years ago, and another self-professed king or queen of shenanigans added the batman mask soon after. And now Batpumpkin has resurfaced to keep watch over the mailbox!

If you follow St. Philip's on Facebook and Instagram, then you already knew that Batpumpkin had emerged. But if this is the first you're hearing of his appearance, don't you think you should take a moment right now to follow us so that you can be among the first to hear about upcoming events, weather-related schedule updates, and occasional office shenanigans?

Important Dates

October 18 ~ ECW Fall Dinner with guest speaker Valerie Elliot Shepard

October 19 ~ "Passing on the Legacy of Faith to the Next Generation" with Valerie and Walt Shepard (10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall)

October 21-23 ~ Anglican Women's Fall Retreat

October 26 ~ Water Mission Service Opportunity

October 28-30 ~ Parish Retreat at Kanuga

November 5 ~ Lowcountry Walk for Life

November 6 ~ Choral Evensong with the choirs of St. Philip’s and Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant (5:00 p.m.)

December 1 ~ Seniors Excursion: “Nights of a Thousand Lights” at Brookgreen Gardens

January 26–28, 2023 ~ Mere Anglicanism Conference

We pray for the sick: Arthur Applegate, Jean Carlton, Walker Crosby, Lidia DiPaolo, George Rawling Evans, Sally Fayard, Elizabeth Flowers, Mary Forbes, Robert Gould, Susan Hemminger, Robert Johnson, Robert Kizer, Gene Martini, John Murray, Marijane and Kenneth Nichols, Bill Phillipps, Libby LeLand Puckette, Valerie Rouillard, Fran Sanders, Sydney Severance, Pete Sperr, Margaret Swanson, Judy Vandiford, Lindsey Wing, and Harrison Woods.

We pray for our expectant parents: Boykin and Thomas Anderson; Carter and Foxy Foxworth.

We pray for protection for Becca Baird, Chris and Julia Beasley, Graham Blunt, Henry Clayton, Ben Colyer, David Daughtridge, Eric Gaines, 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.

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.

Collect for Sunday:

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; 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:

• Psalm 84
• 2 Timothy 4:6-18
• Luke 18:9-14