~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
May 17, 2020
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
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No printed inSPIRE this week
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The church office is closed and all in-person church activities are cancelled through the duration of the present health crisis.
We will be offering worship online during this time.
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Click below to subscribe to our Vimeo and/or YouTube channel, where you may also go to join us for worship online.
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An email with printable Sunday bulletins will be coming later in the week.
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An Update From Our Rector Regarding Worship
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Dear St. Philip’s Family,
This past week, Bishop Lawrence announced to the clergy of our diocese a new set of guidelines intended to direct the next phase of our worship planning in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines go into effect on May 17 for all parishes hoping to resume public worship. It is important to understand that these are guidelines and not a one-size-fits-all solution for every parish in the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. The following excerpts are of particular importance:
1. The Nature of the Problem.
Much of what we need to know to make good decisions about resuming public worship remains unknown. What is certain is that much of its spread is by asymptomatic carriers. That makes containment far more difficult and far more dangerous for those who are vulnerable. As we seek to “love our neighbor as ourselves,” there is a cost involved. We have a responsibility to manage the risks of public gatherings for now, primarily by managing time and distance. Out of love for our neighbors, risk must be addressed, because for some, this virus poses significant danger.
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Another Staff Meeting, Another Birthday
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Pictured above: Yesterday's staff meeting with "virtual choir" attempt #6! Rachel Murphy, who was joining from Nebraska––Cornhusker country––presented the Rev. Ryan Streett with a corn muffin, and then he proposed that his birthday gift be that we NOT sing. We did not oblige. An unnamed member of the clergy or staff said, "Oh, that was
awful."
One topic of discussion during yesterday's virtual staff meeting was some of the challenges we're facing during isolation, such as celebrating big birthdays while social distancing, dealing with Zoom fatigue, and making decisions about hair color (to dye or not to dye––that seems to be everyone's question). All are loving the beautiful weather, though, and the Rev. Marc Boutan shared the joy of running into parishioners while he's out walking around on Wadmalaw.
Even as we look ahead at the possibility of resuming in-person worship in the weeks ahead and we see businesses opening up in various forms, many in our congregation remain in isolation. How are you holding up? Please respond to this email or fill out the questionnaire below to let us know. Our clergy and staff, along with many members of our parish, are available and eager to help you in any way you might need. Feel free also to give any of the priests a call; they would so love to hear from you!
The Rev. Jeff Miller: (843) 812-0556
The Rev. Andrew O'Dell: (843) 639-9084
The Rev. Marc Boutan: (843) 737-1277
The Rev. Brian McGreevy: (843) 793-9830
The Rev. Ryan Streett: (843) 601-1120
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Finding Comfort and Community in the New Normal
by Scharlene Ringer
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“Hi, Miss Em!”
“Hello, Carole!”
“I like that painting behind you, Cam!”
“Why can’t I see everybody’s faces?”
“You have to click on gallery view.”
“Are you really in Nebraska?”
These are samples of conversations among those who joined the Rector's Thursday Bible study last week. Everybody was so happy to be together again, and many signed on early so that they could chat. At the end of the study another opportunity was given for people to visit. What joy we all experienced to be connected this way on the marvel of Zoom.
Our priests have been jerked out of their comfort zones in a very unexpected way, and they have all met the challenge with grace and eagerness. Some admitted that they had quite a steep learning curve to get comfortable with being filmed, with teaching on Zoom, and with the whole virtual world. But boy, how they all have risen to the challenge. First, we had our beautiful Holy Week services, seeing the inside of the building, flowers galore, and the priests, Pat Gould, and the choir up front and ministering to us. Yes, we had to watch it on our computers, but somehow it all worked, and gloriously. How strange it must have been for all of them to meet in an empty church, play music to empty pews, and speak to a camera. But they did it, and they did it for us. And it worked, and we could worship our Lord in spirit and in truth.
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Congratulations, Graduates!
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If not for the pandemic, many in our parish family would have spent last weekend or a weekend coming up celebrating a loved one's graduation. There would be ceremonies: caps and gowns, deans and diplomas, confetti and car keys (maybe), kisses and hugs from family, and hugs and handshakes from the families of fellow graduates.
That's not what graduation 2020 looks like, but our St. Philippian graduates are taking everything in stride.
Hope Walters loved her time at Virginia Episcopal School and will miss her friends, but she's looking forward to a graduation ceremony in July before she heads to Wofford in September.
Isabelle Boulware, who is also headed to Wofford, is looking forward to a rescheduled ceremony, planning to return to The Asheville School at the end of June to reunite with her friends.
Augusta Dixon is excitedly looking ahead to playing basketball at Middlebury.
South Wallace's family is enjoying having him home from Episcopal High School before he heads off to the University of Virginia, and they are all hoping that before that happens, they will get to return to "The Holy Hill" for an August graduation ceremony (or October if necessary).
Edward Frampton, who is also graduating from Episcopal High School, has been missing his boarding school friends and closure for his senior year, but he's enjoyed the fellowship of his Charleston friends––and his family has "selfishly" enjoyed having him at home before he heads to Sewanee: University of the South.
Margaret O'Kelley leaned on her faith as she and her classmates at Ashley Hall awaited a decision about a ceremony, exhibiting great resilience and leadership all the while––the ceremony is now set for August 1, less than two weeks before Margaret heads to Chapel Hill!
Alida Sinkler, who finished up at the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and a minor in Global Health, is looking forward to a busy fall––she will be joining Americorps, planning to pursue a career in health services after, and her UGA ceremony is set for October.
Nancy Hagood, who earned her Doctor of Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina, will be in a familiar setting as she moves into a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at MUSC.
Graduates, we are proud of the hard work you've put in to get to this point––congratulations on a job well done!
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O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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High School
Isabelle Naudain Boulware, The Asheville School,
attending Wofford College
Morgan Victoria Davis,
Ashley Hall,
attending the University of Georgia
Augusta Bevington Dixon,
James Island Charter High School,
attending Middlebury College
Frances Deas Folline,
Wando High School,
attending Clemson University
Jillian Rebecca Hethcox, Wando High School,
attending Wofford College
Louisa Rivers Kuhn, Porter-Gaud School,
attending Texas Christian University Honors College
John (Edward) Frampton Maybank III, Episcopal High School,
attending Sewanee: The University of the South
Margaret O'Kelley,
Ashley Hall,
attending
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Lyles Ravenel Parsell,
Porter-Gaud School,
attending Wake Forest University
Will Phillips, Porter-Gaud School,
attending Clemson University
deRosset Thompson,
Ashley Hall,
attending the College of Charleston
Clarke Southall Wallace III,
Episcopal High School,
attending the University of Virginia
Hope Walters,
Virginia Episcopal School,
attending Wofford College
Joseph "Hubert" Wood, IV,
Episcopal High School,
attending
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
College or Graduate School
Nancy Lilly Hagood,
Medical University of South Carolina,
Doctor of Medicine
Caroline Hermena “Mena” Kerrison, Sewanee: The University of the South,
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, minor in Spanish
Madeline Louise Anna Kuhn, New York University
Bachelor of Music in Music Business
Jeff Owens,
Millsaps College,
Bachelor of Business Administration
Alida Sinkler,
University of Georgia,
Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion, minor in Global Health
Elizabeth Cameron Smith, College of Charleston,
Master of Arts in Teaching (Elementary Education)
Bel Thompson,
Clemson University,
Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing
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Is Someone In Your Family Graduating?
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We will continue recognizing our graduates in the eSPIRE, so if you or someone in your family is graduating this spring (or graduated in December), please submit the information at the link below.
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Online Offering: The Rector's Bible Study TOMORROW
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All are invited to join the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller for the Rector's Bible Study online! Fix yourself a sandwich, grab your Bible and a seat on your couch, and click the link below a few minutes before noon tomorrow to join!
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Online Offering: The Rev. Brian McGreevy's "Screwtape Letters" Class TONIGHT
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The Rev. Brian McGreevy continues with his exploration of C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.! You may stream the class on our streaming site,
saintphilips.online.church, where you will be able to chat with others before and after class (and during, but you'll be busy listening!) or you may watch at your convenience
on YouTube beginning at the same time.
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The Historical Significance of the Battles of Antietam and Gettysburg: Q&A with Jeff Miller
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Anyone who has set foot in the rectory for the annual Advent Drop-In or a newcomers event and laid eyes on the Civil War books and artifacts therein might describe our rector as a history buff. In fact, the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller has a degree in history, and before he went into ministry, he worked for the National Parks Service at several historic sites, so a more accurate term for him would be "expert." Tomorrow, May 14, at 6:00 p.m., he will be delivering the A's in "The Historical Significance of the Battles of Antietam & Gettysburg: Q&A with Jeff Miller," an interactive session on the strategic, logistical, and political factors that led up to Lee’s decision to take his army across the Potomac River in early September 1862. To register to attend or to submit a question for this webinar, which is an installment of Connoisseurs Tours' virtual "Evening With Experts" series, click below!
Please note that this is not a St. Philip's event, but we're sharing because we knew many parishioners and friends would be interested.
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Daily Devotions from the St. Philip's Clergy
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These reflections are posted to the news section of our website (
stphilipschurchsc.org/news
) Monday through Friday at 7:00 a.m., but you may also receive direct links to the videos by subscribing below.
Last Thursday,
the Rev. Brian McGreevy
shared the story of Henry Lyte, who wrote the great hymn "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" and many others following a revival of his faith.
On Friday,
the Rev. Andrew O'Dell
went over the types of prayer and reflected on the importance of praying for our leaders.
On Monday,
the Rev. Marc Boutan
shared "Is He Worthy?" and reflected on what's to come. Yesterday,
the Rev. Ryan Streett
used Psalm 27 to help us cultivate a heart of worship. Today, the Rev. Jeff Miller will be talking to us about the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10.
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More Adorable Choristers!
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Please enjoy another picture of Cherub and St. Nicholas choristers during their weekly Zoom rehearsal with Jean Breza and director Jo Hethcox.
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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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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: Walton Avery, Katie Burris, Gus Croome, Ed Dibble, Elizabeth Flowers, Robert Gould, Janet Hanger, Jonathan Hanger, Jane Jilich, Gene Lesesne, Joe Livesay, Kimbrough McEniry, Peter Moore, Sharon Nix, Benjamin Schools, and Lindsey Wing.
We grieve with and pray for
the family of John Philip Algar, who died on May 11.
We pray for our expectant parents: Henslee and Van Elliott, Ralph and Anna Gray Baker, Torrey and Ryan Knapp.
We pray for protection for
Becca Baird, Chris and Julia Beasley, Graham Blunt, Henry Clayton, Ben Colyer, David Daughtridge, Hayes Fair, George Hoefer, Andrew Kane, Horry Kerrison,
Charles Kirkman, Frazier Kulze,
John Mason,
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 Committee.
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 10/40 Tribal Commission, for Water Mission, and for St. Jean Baptiste, our sister church, and the schools in Haiti.
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Collect for
Sunday:
O God, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man’s understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards thee, that we, loving thee in all things and above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; 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 80:7-19
- Isaiah 5:1-7
- John 15:1-11
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ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH
142 Church Street | Charleston, SC 29401
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HERE
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