Parish News: St. Philip's In The Hills Episcopal Church

Stewardship: "S" Is for Sharing
Sharing is the very essence of Stewardship.

In Outreach, we share food that we have prepared and companionship with the homeless and those in transition.
In Education, we share our knowledge with those who seek solace in the truth or understanding.
In Pastoral Care, we share our spirituality, our skills, and our concerns with the sick and suffering.
In Worship, we share our liturgy, our voices, our music, and inspiring sermons to bring God into our hearts and minds.
In Evangelism, we share our time, our friendship, and hospitality to all who seek a spiritual home.
In Mission Support, we share our skills and time to keep St. Philip's safe and beautiful.
In Giving, we share financial gifts and skills that God has bestowed upon us, to be able to do his work through the many dedicated ministries at St. Philip's.
"We who are many are one body because we all share one bread, one cup." (1 Corinthians 10: 17).

What Is Ministry
Blake Hutson

The term "ministry" at St. Philip's has a broad and inclusive definition. Ministry is more than preaching, and it is not limited to those who are ordained. Ministry is the great work we all do, in response to Jesus's "great commandment" to love one another and his "great commission" to carry on his work in the world. The work of Christ cannot be continued without the involvement and help of everyone in the church. One of the dictionary definitions of "minister" is "one who is acting as an agent or instrument of another." In fact, the Catechism section of our Book of Common Prayer responds to the question "who are the ministers of the Church?" by listing, in this order, "... lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons." read more

Jane Chilcott

Ministry means responding in myriad ways to St. Philip's Vision Invitation - "Come and see, grow with God, go and do." For example, ministry is collecting food to distribute to the hungry, helping to build houses, or advocating for social justice. Ministry is leading a class, teaching an art project, or organizing a forum. Ministry is welcoming newcomers or building community within the parish. Ministry is helping raise awareness of how God has blessed us and the need to return a portion of that to God. Ministry is bringing communion to those who cannot attend services, making a phone call, or organizing a support group. Ministry is singing, preparing the altar for communion, or welcoming worshippers. Ministry is even answering the phone, preparing mailings, or serving on committees that work to preserve our campus.

youth choristers

Each of us has unique gifts and passions. It may feel presumptuous to say we are "called," but when we find ourselves inspired to use our talents to further God's work in the world, we are indeed being called to ministry. In the words of St. Teresa of Avila, "Christ has no body now on earth but yours ... yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good, yours are the hands with which he is to bless people now." Involving yourself in the right ministry has a payoff for you as well: "Set me a task in which I can put something of my very self, and it is a task no longer. It is joy and art." (Bliss Carman, Canadian poet).

On Welcome Sunday, September 13, you are invited to the "Welcome to Ministry" Fair in the Murphey Gallery. Representatives from St. Philip's many ministries will be staffing tables to answer questions, provide information, and even share snacks! Plan to attend, invite a friend, and discover what you are called to do.