~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
June 20, 2021
The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
~ no inSPIRE or eSPIRE next week ~
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Lightning Strike Damages the Church |
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Those who tried tuning into the livestream on Sunday know that the church suffered damage from a lightning strike Saturday night, but they may not know the extent of the damage.
The National Weather Service reported five lightning strikes on the Peninsula Saturday night, and one such strike reportedly landed near the corner of Church and Market Streets. More than likely, since the location may be approximate, “near the corner” may just be the tallest landing spot in the area: the St. Philip’s steeple.
The steeple bells were damaged beyond repair, as were three of the four video cameras used for streaming and parts of the air conditioning units. But the damage was not limited to the church building itself. The electrical current reached the Ministries Hall (church office building), knocking out one desktop computer and three phones (and temporarily knocking out the entire phone system), along with some PoE (power over ethernet) ports and the network card of the production printer used for the inSPIRE and bulletin preparation.
However, we remain thankful in many ways. The organ console, which was replaced in 2020, was thoroughly protected by a capacitor, relays, and breakers, all of which did their jobs and bore the damage from the current; they will now need to be replaced, but the organ is intact. We are thankful there was no damage to the Parish House building. And we are thankful for swift attention from Ben Singleton, Sexton; Chisolm Leonard, Parish Administrator; and Eric Pickford, Assistant Sexton, all of whom worked to survey and correct any damage they could on Sunday morning.
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Help Us Reach 30 Appointments! |
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Blood Drive registration is open! The drive is on Tuesday, June 29, from 12:00-6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall, but you can help the Home Missions Team reach their goal of 30 donors by making your appointment today. Click the button below to register and/or volunteer and for helpful information for first-time donors. We are in the middle of a severe blood shortage, so your donation is especially important. |
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Theology on Tap:
A New Twice-Monthly Gathering for Young Adults
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“Two priests walk into a bar ...” It sounds more like the beginning of a joke than the beginning of a ministry. But I assure you, Theology on Tap is no joke! Rooted in the convictions that (1) everyone is a theologian (has thoughts about God) and (2) everyone longs for genuine friendships and meaningful conversation (even, perhaps especially, if they don’t go to church), two St. Philip’s priests, Brian McGreevy and I (Justin), set out to create an environment where people in their 20s-30s could feel welcomed and relaxed enough to be their true selves and honestly ask anything.
After three young adults approached us with the idea in May, the Lord quickly began opening doors (sometimes literally). A neighbor of one of these young adults owns Henry’s on the Market, and he kindly donated their swanky Whiskey Room throughout the summer to host us. If you’ve never been to the Whiskey Room at Henry’s, just imagine a jazzy speak-easy combined with an art studio filled with comfortable seating and a few tables sprinkled throughout.
Word began to spread about our idea, and since the room can only hold about 30-40 comfortably, we didn’t really advertise our first event beyond word of mouth. But by 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 50 folks had crammed into the Whiskey Room, grabbed a drink, and taken a seat as Brian and I began.
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Above photo by Sadie Dubay |
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St. Philip’s World Missions Update from Haiti:
St. Jean Baptiste, Our Sister Church and School on La Gonâve
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Haiti is going through a very difficult time right now. On May 24, Haiti declared a state of health emergency due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. President Jovenel Moise has been ruling by decree after legislative elections due in 2018 were delayed following disputes on the limits of his term. Moise had even announced plans to hold a constitutional referendum to submit a new draft of the constitution to a popular vote on June 27 (three days after St. Jean Baptiste Feast Day, which St. Philippians usually celebrate in Haiti with our sister church). However, this vote was postponed due to the pandemic with no new date given, further deepening the country’s political crisis. Insecurity arising from an increase in gang violence and kidnappings for ransom is complicating the situation even more. |
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Because of the political unrest and the increasing COVID-19 numbers, St. Philippians will not be able to visit our sister church again this year. So, instead of packing our bags (lots of bags) and traveling there in person, we have been filming a video of St. Philip’s parishioners sharing their love and continued support for our friends in Haiti. Thank you to all those kind St. Philippians who allowed me to video them on the spur of the moment. Hopefully, when the priest in charge, Père Vil, visits St. Jean Baptiste on June 24, he will be able to take us with him virtually by showing our video on WhatsApp to the members of the church there. |
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Pictured from top: 2019 St. Jean-Baptiste Feast Day service, early construction on middle school in Palm, Clay Hershey hands a fresh Polaroid picture to a student on La Gonâve during the 2019 mission to Haiti. |
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Susan Yates’s “Camp at Home,”
Free e-Book for Parents and Grandparents
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From Susan Alexander Yates: Looking for fun, creative ideas to do with your family this summer? Maybe you feel like ...
“It’s just early summer and I’m already out of ideas for things to do with my kids.”
“Finally we’re able to have a family gathering, but I’m too exhausted to plan it.”
“I’d like to do something with other moms, but I don’t know where to begin.”
Or maybe you are a grandparent, and you’re thinking ...
“At last we get to see our grandkids, but I’m worried that they won’t have fun with me (us).”
Here’s help for you! I have created an 11-page free ebook for you called “Camp at Home.” This freebie contains a simple plan for creating your own vision for building a strong family. In addition I give you 100 fun activities to do with your kids or grandkids. Ideas for the little years, the middle years, and the teen years. Also included are ideas for your whole family (cousins, grandparents, extended family members far away) which will enable you to grow closer together as you laugh throughout this summer of ’21!
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Sacred Music of the Baltic States:
A Doctoral Concert
Directed by Jolene Hethcox,
Candidate for Doctor of Sacred Music
from the Graduate Theological Foundation
Sunday, June 27, at 3:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Charleston, 61 Church St.
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You are invited to attend a concert of the sacred music of the Baltic States on Sunday, June 27, at First Baptist Church! This concert, one of the final requirements of Jo Hethcox’s doctorate, features the music of Rihards Dubra, Ēriks Esenvalds, Arvo Pärt, and Uģis Prauliņš. Choir members include professional and volunteer singers and students. Featured soloists are sopranos Katie Clarkson and Jill Hethcox.
About the director: Jo Hethcox earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of Central Florida and her Master of Music from the University of Utah. She has been an organist and choir director in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina and was the assistant organist/choirmaster at St. Philip’s from 2006 to 2020.
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Choral Evensong Recording Available |
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In preparation for their residency at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London next summer, the St. Philip’s Choir will be presenting services of choral evensong several times throughout the year.
The most recent service was June 6, and if you missed this contemplative service of prayer and music or if you’d like to listen to it again, you may! Click the buttons below to listen and view the order of service.
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Teaching Position Open at St. Philip’s Preschool |
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St. Philip’s Preschool has an opening for a teaching position! This is a five-day, 8:15 until 12:15 commitment, from August through May. Please email preschool co-directors Lee Moore ( lmoore@stphilipschurchsc.org) or Angela Clark ( aclark@stphilipschurchsc.org) or call them at (843) 722-7610 if you would like to apply.
St. Philip’s Preschool offers a safe, loving, Christ-centered learning environment with a craft/activity-based curriculum for children ages 3 months through 3 years.
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Summer Schedule Reminders |
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Now on summer schedule:
• Youth Group, Fridays at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall (6th-12th grades)
• The inSPIRE/eSPIRE (both biweekly until September)
Now in recess:
• Wednesdays Alive! services
• College Fellowship
• Rector’s Bible Study
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This Week's Livestream Information |
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We are no longer using a reservation system for in-person worship or childcare. |
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“Proud Momma Moment” at Preschool Summer Camp Session One
Registration Open for Session 2: July 12-16
Open to St. Philip's Preschool students, members of St. Philip's, and the surrounding community
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The first session of St. Philip’s Preschool summer camp is in the books, and what a great time all the campers had! They played and learned and went home happy each day––one preschool parent reported the “proud momma moment” she had when her three-year-old daughter recited a Bible story to her on their way home!
Session two is coming up in July, and registration is open now! The fee per child is $250, and campers do not have to be St. Philip’s Preschool students to attend (campers must have been born after September 1, 2017). Space is limited, with preference given for church members and for full-week camp attendance.
Ann Dunn and her sister Eliza both had a blast at camp!
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Follow St. Philip's Church on Instagram and Facebook! |
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We know it's been a while since you've seen our sexton-in-training Cecilia or office helper Gus, and you're probably wondering how anything is getting done. Who's helping sexton Ben Singleton make the rounds, and who's enforcing the dress code and "no stuffed animals on campus" rule?
It hasn't been easy, but we've made do as both have been enjoying a bit of vacation time. Their jobs are secure, so you needn't worry when you see pictures of visitors who look like they could step into sexton-training or helping in the office––Cecilia and Gus will be back!
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If any of the names above are unfamiliar to you, it's time for you to follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook! You'll hear stories about our part-time helpers and get reminders and updates throughout the week. What are you waiting for? |
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Would You Like Someone to Pray With You? |
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To pray WITH someone:
Call Juanita Orvin, who will connect you with a prayer minister who will pray for your concerns over the phone.
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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Save the Date
June 29 ~ Red Cross Blood Drive (noon-6:00 in the Parish Hall)
July 5 ~ Independence Day observed (church office closed)
July 12-16 ~ Preschool Summer Camp (session two)
July 21 ~ Georgia Boy Choir concert (5:30 p.m.)
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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: Kay Bartlett, Sam Chesnutt, Sarah Clarkson, Gerry Dickinson, Elizabeth Flowers, James Gettys III, Robert Gould, Steve Green, Jonathan Hanger, Steve Jarrett, Denise Keranen, Claudia Kolster, Joe Livesay, Connor Lowndes, Brumby McLeod, Beverly Melvin, Andrew Nash, Olivia Palmer, Deborah Pollak, Fran Sanders, Rose Tisdale, Carolyn Warlick, Lindsey Wing.
We grieve with and pray for: Marian and Bart Proctor and family on the death of her sister, Maggie Murdaugh, and nephew, Paul Murdaugh, on June 7.
We grieve with and pray for: Pete Sperr and family on the death of his sister, Leslie Sperr Hamilton, on June 9.
We pray for our expectant parents: Justin and Molly Hare, Tim and Liz Strickland.
We pray for protection for Becca Baird, Chris and Julia Beasley, Graham Blunt, Henry Clayton, Ben Colyer, David Daughtridge, Hayes Fair, Morgan and Mason Herring, Andrew Kane, Horry Kerrison, Charles Kirkman, Frazier Kulze, John Mason, Zach McFadden, Philip Middleton III, Jackson Miller, Ned Montgomery, Edward Pritchard, and David Scott serving in our Armed Forces.
We pray for our home missions: Star Gospel Mission, Tricounty Family Ministries, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, St. John's Chapel, and the Open Door Ministry.
We pray for our world missions: For Suzy McCall and LAMB, for the medical missions to Honduras, for ministry to victims of genocide and AIDS in Rwanda, for Water Mission and the Global Water Center, for The Persecuted Church, 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:
- 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
- Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
- Mark 4:35-5:20
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ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH
142 Church Street | Charleston, SC 29401
Church Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Friday
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