~ the eSPIRE Newsletter ~
March 14, 2021
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
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Welcome to the Team, Class of 2024!
Jason Ayers, Gantt Folline, Cordes Ford, Suzanne McCord
Annual Meeting Wrap-Up
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As we welcome our newest class of Vestry members, let us offer our heartfelt thanks to the outgoing Vestry Class of 2021, who helped implement the successful "198 To Be Great" debt elimination campaign, oversaw the handling of ongoing legal issues, and led us through a most unexpected 2020. Thank you, Martha Freshley (Senior Warden), Reid Davis, Guv Gottshalk, and Sam Robinson!
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During St. Philip's first––and possibly only––virtual annual meeting, the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller, Rector, addressed the highs and lows of a most unusual year, using words never before used in a St. Philip's annual meeting, such as "masks," "livestream," and "Zoom fatigue." The unusual medium made for an efficient meeting, though, and in record time, last year's meeting minutes were approved, Vestry slots were filled, and diocesan delegates were chosen. We bade our outgoing Vestry members a fond farewell, heard a report from finance chair Jim Stelling and a legal update from chancellor Ben Hagood, and prayed for those we'd lost in the past year.
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If you missed Sunday’s annual parish meeting, you may still pick up your copy of the 2020 annual report in the church office. In it, you will find reports from the wardens, the clergy, program staff, and various lay ministries, as well as our 2021 budget and a report from the finance committee.
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Immediate Needs for Tricounty Family Ministries
Used computers/laptops, office volunteers, food distribution volunteers
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As the economic effects of the pandemic continue to plague so many of our neighbors, Tricounty Family Ministries (TFM) is partnering with Charleston County to help those who are behind on their bills for COVID-related reasons. TFM will be setting up a computer lab staffed by volunteers to assist clients with online applications for financial assistance, and for this to be a success, TFM needs computers and volunteers!
Donated computers should have internet capability and be in good working condition. Volunteers must be fully vaccinated in order to work side-by-side with clients at the computer desks; masks are required and computer stations will be sanitized after each use. All volunteers will receive training in safety protocols and in the online application process, and they should be willing to work one shift per week (Mondays or Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.–12 noon).
Let's do all we can to help our Home Missions partner ministry and our neighbors in need!
Current donation/volunteer needs
- Computers with internet capability (good condition)
- Volunteers: Support for financial assistance online applications (Mondays and/or Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon)
- Volunteers: Food distribution (Wednesdays 9:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
- Volunteers: Data entry and general office support (anytime Monday–Thursday)
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Closing the Gap on the Walk for Water Goal:
42 More Walkers Needed!
Walk for Water: March 20 at Riverfront Park OR location of your choice
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Team St. Philip's captain Jill Settle announced a new Walk for Water goal last week: 100 walkers! Seventeen new walkers have signed up since, bringing our team total to 58 walkers––we're getting there! We've got less than two weeks to go––can you join the team today and ask your friends and family to join, too? Remember that you can walk at Riverfront Park (the 10:00 slot is full, but you can try for 9:30 or 10:30), or you can walk in your own neighborhood (or wherever you'd like––and whenever on March 20 you'd like). Click the button below to register!
Virtual (neighborhood) walkers, please see the resources at this link to help prepare you for a successful walk! And if you're looking for something to jazz up your bucket, stop by the church office and pick up a "Walk for Water" sticker!
Feel free to call or email Jill Settle if you have any questions: (843) 697-0818 or jillasettle@gmail.com.
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Easter Flower Memorials and Thanksgivings
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If you would like to make a contribution to the Easter Flower Fund as a memorial or in thanksgiving for a loved one, please submit your information by Thursday, March 25, at 5:00 p.m. at the link below. You may make your donation online at My St. Philip's (be sure to use the below form first––your dedication submission confirmation email includes instructions for donating online) or you may mail a check to the church office (donations only––please do not mail your dedication information):
St. Philip's Church
Attn: Juli Garland, Easter Memorials
142 Church St.
Charleston, SC 29401
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Prayers Needed for Christian Girls and Families in Persecuted Areas of the World
by Susan C. Keller, World Missions Committee
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Open Doors is an international organization that provides support to persecuted Christians across the world. It is a highly regarded source of research and information for the Body of Christ worldwide.
There is a dark and evil trend occurring in our world right now. Open Doors USA reported this week that two Christian girls are disappearing each day.
In areas where Muslim radicals operate with no consequences, Christian girls as young as 12 are being abducted in broad daylight. When the parents go to the police, the girl will then be seen in court saying that she has converted to Islam and consents to marrying the typically much older Muslim man. Open Doors recently released its annual World Watch List, and its Gender-Specific Religious Persecution Report cites forced marriage and sexual violence as the top global trend in these areas.
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New Worship Resource for Kids:
My First Church Notebook for Preschoolers
My Church Notebook for Elementary Students
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Sofa or pew? Whether your family is worshipping at home or in person, we have a great new resource for children: My Church Notebook preschool and elementary editions!
Borders and icons in the notebooks are designed with themes relating to either creation or the life of Jesus and His parables. These themes cycle through the book, reminding children of our great Creator or great Savior Jesus as they listen and take notes during the sermon.
You may pick up these free resources (one book per child while supplies last) in the church office, or we can ship them to you for $6 (payment link in email confirmation).
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TOMORROW: Virtual Town Hall Event
A United Front:
Public Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility
Thursday, March 11, at 7:00 p.m. on the News 2 Facebook Page
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How safe do you feel right now? If you live in Charleston, you may feel threatened by crime, property loss, or even by no longer knowing your neighbors.
Pastor Matthew Rivers of St. John's Chapel, a mission church of our diocese, is organizing a Town Hall meeting with Mayor John Tecklenburg, Police Chief Luther Reynolds, Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, Sheriff Kristin Gaziano, SLED's Richard Johnson, and Mt. Zion AME's the Rev. Dr. Kylon Middleton. This group of elected officials and community leaders will answer citizens' questions and discuss changes on the peninsula that some call progress and others say are polarizing ((please make your questions as specific as possible and submit them before Wednesday, March 10, to stjohnschapel878@gmail.com).
News 2's Carolyn Murray will host this virtual town hall event, which will stream live on Facebook tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.
Pictured above: The Rev. Matthew Rivers with Mayor Tecklenburg during St. John's "Unity in the Community" event in 2019.
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Support a St. Philip's Home Missions Partner:
Lowcountry Pregnancy Center's Annual Banquet
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Register for Preschool Summer Camp Registration!
Session 1: June 7-11 ~ 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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We are pleased to offer Preschool Camp for babies through age three! Two sessions are available (campers must have been born after September 1, 2017), and at each session, the children enjoy socializing while engaging in age-appropriate activities.
The fee per child is $250, and campers do not have to be St. Philip's Preschool students to attend. Space is limited, with preference given for church members and for full-week camp attendance.
A note about safety: Cleaning is something we have always taken very seriously at St. Philip’s Preschool. We will clean and sanitize daily during camp, and we will also be using air purifiers. We would be happy to share our cleaning protocol with you upon request.
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This Week's Livestream Link
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Yes, we have ultimate victory in Jesus, but we are living in the "now but not yet": We are still in the battle even though the war has been won.
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Reservations for In-Person Worship
Reservations for this Sunday's services of Holy Communion at 8:15 and Morning Prayer at 10:30 a.m. open today at 9:00 a.m.
Childcare during the 10:30 service is available for infants and young people through age five, with limited capacities within each age group. You may register at the link below after first registering to attend the 10:30 service, or you may call the church office at (843) 722-7734 to reserve space.
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"Mere Christianity" with the Rev. Brian McGreevy
Tonight at 7:15 p.m. on Zoom
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Mere Christianity began as a series of radio talks during the darkest days of World War II in England. Lewis was asked by the BBC to do the talks because so many people were living in fear and anxiety and were feeling that the world was crumbling around them, that "the wheels had come off the bus." Our culture today is beset with many of those same anxieties, albeit for different reasons. Lewis's broadcast talks were then edited by Lewis and published in book form as Mere Christianity. The book is still remarkably fresh today and serves as an encouragement to the believer, a winsome challenge to the doubter, and an effective apologetic for the unbeliever.
Do you receive Fr. Brian's updates and weekly wrap-up emails? Click here to read his last wrap-up email, and if you'd like to join his email list, let him know!
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The Rector's Bible Study
Thursdays at noon on Zoom
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Join the Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller tomorrow at noon, and find out for yourself why the best place to spend your Thursday lunch hour is on Zoom! Make yourself a sandwich, grab your Bible and a comfortable seat, and click the link below a little before noon tomorrow, and get ready to dive into St. Paul's letter to the Philippians!
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Subscribe to the podcast!
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Walchesky Takes Matters into Her Own Hands While McGreevy Passes the Buck
Do you follow @st.philips.church?
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Last week, sexton-in-training Cecilia Walchesky settled a paycheck dispute on her own terms by helping herself to the candy on Finance Administrator Juli Garland's desk. Yesterday, perhaps looking for a little extra candy on the side, she offered some tech support to Director of Music Pat Gould, while the Rev. Brian McGreevy, who reportedly turned 29 yesterday (which may or may not make him younger than at least one of his children), was less bold, eyeing his special treat (coconut cake from Magdalena's!) as he patiently awaited someone with a good knife and the skills to use it.
All of this is old news, of course, if you follow St. Philip's on social media. If you don't, and you too would like to be among the first to learn about schedule changes, part-time staff updates, four-legged office visitors, and other important news, take a minute to click the buttons below to like or follow St. Philip's now!
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Daylight Saving Time Begins This Weekend:
Don't Be Late to Church!
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Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night, March 13, so you can be sure to be on time to church on Sunday! If you don't feel like changing your clock and you need a little motivation, watch the video at the link below!
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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
March 21 ~ Choral Evensong Service (5:00 p.m.)
March 28 ~ Palm Sunday
March 29-31 ~ Daily Holy Week services (8:00 a.m. in the church––corrected)
April 1 ~ Maundy Thursday (service at 6:00 p.m.)
April 2 ~ Good Friday (service at noon)
April 4 ~ Easter Day (services at 6:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:15 a.m.)
April 18 ~ 20s-30s Lowcountry Boil
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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: Katie Burris, Harry Carr, Elizabeth Flowers, Mary Forbes, Edward Good, Robert Gould, Jonathan Hanger, Clark Johnson, Joe Livesay, Connor Lowndes, Beverly Melvin, Leon Patat III, Deborah Pollak, Edward Pritchard, Jr., Rose Tisdale, Mike Walsh, Carolyn Warlick, Lindsey Wing, and Charlie Yoho.
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, 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, and for St. Jean Baptiste, our sister church, and the schools in Haiti.
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Collect for Sunday:
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which giveth life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for Sunday:
- Ephesians 2:1-10
- Psalm 122
- John 6:1-15
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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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Click HERE if you would like to opt out of receiving the printed mailing of the newsletter when we resume our mailings.
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