December 2, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE
Important Information
There will be a welcome luncheon for Fr. Rian and his family on December 6, to learn more please follow this link.

Be sure read the "Save the Date" information for upcoming activities at Christ Church.

Vestry Nominations are open. Follow this link to learn more.
Rector's
Ramblings

 


 
What was that over there under that brush? Was it her? I slammed on the brakes, and even before the car stopped I called her name out the window.
 
It was one of the most agonizing experiences of my life to date. It might come in second only to losing one of my children, although I've never had that experience, and hope never to have it. But, I have experienced a strong bond with this dog over the last six months, and for her to be missing was terror. Scarlette is my girl. She's more my dog than anyone else's in the family, which is unusual for dogs in our house (The other three we have or have had were/are Donna's in terms of bonding.). Scarlette comes to work with me often, goes with me on errands, and even runs with me. And as I watched her sprint away from me in the darkness, fleeing from the loud explosions of fireworks, I said my first prayer. "Please, God, let her come back."
 
Scarlette was excited to go with us to the tree-lighting on Jekyll. Heck, she's excited to go anywhere we go. She whines to get in the garage every morning when I take the girls to school so that she can jump in the back and go along. On the rare occasions she doesn't go through the carpool line with us she is beside herself at home. And I was excited for her to go with us. She's that kind of dog; it's fun to take her places. I hadn't really paid attention - not fully - to the fact that there would be fireworks and what that might mean for Scarlette. Had I done so I wouldn't have brought her along. But in my excitement for her to make the family outing, I made an admittedly poor decision.
     
READ MORE
 
Vestry NominationsVN
Vestry Nominations for 2016's Annual Meeting are open.  This year's Nominating Committee is comprised of the four outgoing Vestry members: Cindy Atwood, Jody Bradford, Dale Pierson, and Will Varn, as well as the two most recent former Senior Wardens of the parish:  Clif Jones and Ed Turner.  Along with the Rector, these six individuals will work to put together the slate of nominees for election at the Annual Meeting on January 24, 2016.  Nominations can be made to any member of the committee between now and December 24, 2015.
The Vestry is the leadership body of the parish who work with the Rector to direct our common life.  The Vestry is comprised of 12 elected members, plus a few ex-oficio members, with the Rector presiding.  The Vestry has a legal role to play in financial and property matters, and also shares in setting the strategy and mission of the parish.  The Vestry meets monthly on the the third Tuesday, and takes an annual weekend retreat.  

Candidates for Vestry must be confirmed communicants of the Church who are faithful in supporting the congregation through their presence and participation on Sunday mornings and beyond, and who also support the parish financially.  Ideal candidates love the Church and are willing to think and pray and act as necessary to help the Parish do the work God calls us to do as a community.  Vestry service may not be a glamorous ministry, however, it is essential for the life of the Church and can be quite rewarding.  If you know someone you'd like to nominate, please share their name with the Nominating Committee.

Worship


X Church
Have you attended X Church? It is contemplative eucharistic worship which has become a regular part of our liturgical offerings. It is held at Christ Church each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. and includes the use of prayers and litanies from around the Anglican Communion. This is a time of quiet worship and reflection with candles, chanting, incense and silence. Incense is not used on the first Wednesday of the month. It is open to all people, and is an attempt to offer a worship experience unlike any other on the island.
Memorial Poinsettias
If you wish to remember a loved one at Christmas with a memorial poinsettia, you can send the name(s) along with a check for $25 for each plant to Ethel Horton, 402 Palm Court, S.S.I. Checks should be made payable to "Christ Church" with a note for Memorial Poinsettias in the memo line, and received no later than December 16. If you have any questions, please call Ethel Horton at 634-8327. Why not do it this week and you can tick off one item on your Christmas to-do list!
Altar Guild Winter Meeting
The winter altar guild meeting will be Tuesday December 8 at 9:30 in the parish hall. All members need to be there for updates in all services. Mark your calendar and plan to attend.
Formation

 
Living Well Through Advent 2015: Practicing Patience With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind


Designed for use as an individual reflection or for group study, Practicing Patience With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind provides a frame for those seeking a deeper experience of the Advent season, one that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Christmas. Each Sunday in this 48-page guide offers a reflection written by a guest writer; and every other day of the week begins with a scripture or quote, followed by a reflection, and then space to record any thoughts, feelings, or insights. The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner-author and founder of Living Compass, a faith and wellness ministry initiative-has served his community for more than 30 years as an Episcopal priest, psychotherapist, retreat leader, and spiritual director. In Living Well Through Advent 2015, he is joined by guest writers The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, The Rev. Nurya Love Parish, The Rev. Tom Purdy, and The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor.

Because Fr. Purdy is one of the guest writers, we have been given copies of this study to distribute. He would like anyone who would like one to have one.  You need not pay for it, however, if you would like to make a contribution to the Rector's Discretionary Fund, those gifts will go towards helping the needy. We have enough that you may take multiple copies and give them to friends, neighbors, and family members.  Copies may be found in the office and in the church.
Youth News

EYC
Our EYC meetings on Sunday evening continue to flourish with lots of students participating and taking on some leadership.  In the coming weeks we will be intentional in transitioning to a student led evening.  We have lots of gifted and talented students waiting for their potential to be unlocked as leaders in the present and as adult leaders in the future for our parish.  This is happening in all aspects or your youth programming, but especially in our worship portion of EYC.  We close our Sunday meetings with Celtic evening prayer with music and candles.  It seems to be something the really enjoy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jr. EYC
Our first outing was Sunday, October 18th to Poppell Farms, and was an exciting time for everyone. We had eight children and four parents, and had so much fun the group stayed until closing time. We are finalizing the calendar of events for the Spring, so stay tuned.  In December we are encouraging our parents and 3-5 graders to come out to our Breakfast with Saint Nicholas on Sat., Dec. 12, 9A-11:30A.  Kathleen Turner and Donna Purdy are planning a fabulous event that families will not want to miss.



Contact Brad Hamil ([email protected] or 912-223-7276 ) if you are interested or have any questions.
Parenting Book Study
The parenting reading group began meeting between the 9:15 and 11:15 services while children are in Sunday School this past Sunday.  The group will meet in the Vestry room and will be reading, The Busy Family's Guide to Spirituality: Practical Lessons for Modern Living from the Monastic Tradition, by David Robinson.  Books are available for $18 and will be available on Sunday mornings.  Please call the church to sign up for the group.
Advent Book Studies Study
November 29 - December 20, 2015
 
This Advent, we will join with Episcopalians across the Diocese in studying Rowan William's Being Christian. This work, written by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is based on talks given at Canterbury Cathedral as part of a series of open lectures in 2013.
"While the work is brief, the view Williams' offers is deeply Anglican, immanently accessible, and bracingly profound."

"In this simple, beautifully written book Rowan Williams explores four essential components of the Christian life: baptism, Bible, Eucharist, and prayer. Despite huge differences in Christian thinking and practice both today and in past centuries, he says, these four basic elements have remained constant and indispensable for the majority of those who call themselves Christians."

There are two opportunities to participate in this study: On Sundays during Advent you are invited to join The Rev. Dr. Bob Borwn's adult bible class, which meets at 10:30 a.m., The Adult Classroom is just outside the Choir Room.  You are also invited to join Fr. Tom's Wednesday evening Advent book study, beginning Wednesday, December 2 at 5:30 p.m. Fr. Tom's group meets in the Parish Hall. 

You are encouraged to be a part of either Class to share your thoughts face to face each week in Advent, but you can also participate with the rest of the Diocese on line. First, each week in Advent read the selected portion of the 96-page book or listen to the corresponding part of the 2 hour and 25 minute audio version. Then each Sunday in Advent, the Diocesan office  will add a reflection on the section for the week to the website 1book1diocese.georgiaepiscopal.org where you can also take part by adding your comments on that reflection as well as your thoughts on the questions Williams poses at the end of the chapter. Selections to read will be shared at the 1Book1Diocese website, and in "From the Field", and at the diocesan Facebook page.

Books will be available through the Church office.


Fellowship


Fr. Rian Begins his Ministry on December 1 FRC
Fr. Rian Adams and his family have arrived! Fr. Rian's first weekend will be this weekend.  He will preach at all services.  Following the 11:15 am service on December 6 we will have a parish luncheon to welcome the Adams family.  Christ Church is providing the beverages and main dish.  PLEASE RSVP by calling the office (912-638-8683) and PLEASE plan to bring a dish to share.  A-R last names should bring a salad, casserole, or side.  S-Z last names should bring a dessert. 
Handel's Messiah
An integral part of the Golden Isles' Christmas Season will be back again this year with the 30th performance of Handel's Messiah. Voices from over 30 churches, including Christ Church will be accompanied by an ensemble of strings, woodwinds, brass, organ and timpani.  Soloists Rhonda Hambright, Regina Torres, Nicholas Devereaux, and Chris Roper will once again be featured.  Please join us on Saturday, December 5th at 3:00 PM or Sunday, December 6th at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary of Wesley United Methodist Church as we celebrate the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and Christ's Birth. As always, the chorus presents these joyous concerts as their free gift of music during the Advent Season.
Frederick Cousins Guild
Frederick Cousins Guild Christmas Party will be held December 6, Sunday, at 6 p.m., at the home of Jane and Jim Watson.
ECW
ECW has been given 2 tickets to the December 6
 GIYO concert. If you would like these tickets please see the front office.

The ECW has decorated the Christmas Tree in the Parish Hall. As usual, it looks amazing!
   

Christ Church ECW has voted to sponsor 3 children in this challenge which so beautifully fits our calling. Are there others who would like to join us? 

Dear Friends of Our Journey,

 

Please Give Our Journey a Helping Hand and take this CHALLENGE!

 

Across town from Nakuru, Kenya and out in the country a bit, are two schools run by local Kenya Pastor Pastors David Kinyanjui and his wife Anne Kinyanjui in Njoro--Sunshine Academies A & B. 100 children here, are also being given a chance to live by learning the basics in education--ABC's and 123's. Whether they have uniforms or not OR shoes on their feet or not, children are welcomed to come and learn at Sunshine. Most cannot pay the even minimal cost of 100 shillings per month (that equal to about $1) for their tuition. They are never turned away though.  Many of these children are orphans living with elderly ladies in the local neighborhood.  The meal they receive daily at school is the only food they eat most days (food is a major reason many children even become interested in education--they just want to eat!)  It's our dream to help these children by offering them something better. Better resources, new uniforms for all (uniforms are standard and required in all of Kenya schools).

 

If you can't tell, Sunshine Academy is on our heart. We are wondering if any of our supporters would take a step of faith with Our Journey this Christmas and sponsor one of these 100 children over the next year. One dollar a day. That's it. That's only $365.  Most of us in the US waste that kind of money at fast food restaurants or on other things we don't really need. I promise you the money isn't wasted and ALL of it will go to support these children and their school. No donation is too small.  If you would like we can send you an Our Journey Christmas card to send out  stating you made a donation in someone's honor.

 

You can make a donation on line at www.ourjourneyinc.org or mail your donation to:

 

Our Journey, Inc

15617 US Hwy 17

Townsend, GA 31331


Upcoming Community Events
Glynn Academy Concert Choir
With special guests the Shaker Lakes Chamber Ensemble
Friday, Dec. 11, 7:00 p.m.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
All net profits go to benefit Safe Harbor
Tickets: $10
 
A Celtic Christmas
Harry O'Donoghue and friends
Monday, Dec. 14, 7:00 p.m.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Tickets: $15
All proceeds benefit St. Mark's Choir School
Outreach

 
International Seafarers' Center - Christmas at Sea
Most of us are blessed with family and friends during the holidays, but Christmas can be a lonely time for seafarers. Every year during the season of Christmas the International Seafarers' Center (ISC) spreads the love of Christ through the Christmas at Sea program. About 1500 seafarers travel through the port of Brunswick from Thanksgiving to January 6th. ISC hopes to give every seafarer a Christmas present. Often this is the only gift they receive as they travel the seas transporting 95% of the goods that we use every day. Go to the group's website at seafarerscenter.org for a list of items to buy, place them in a shoe box, wrap it in Christmas paper, and bring it to Christ Church. Gifts will be accepted now through January 6. If you need more information, call Mthr. Becky.
Parents' Day Out
On December 22 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Christ Church is hosting Parents Day Out. This is for Christ Church families to give parents the opportunity to do last minute shopping or enjoy time together while their children are here at the church.  Please email the office ([email protected]) to register.
 
Angel Tree
The Angel Tree is Back and collecting jackets to be given to children at Morningstar Children & Family Services!  Beginning Sunday, December 6th - you will find the Angel Tree in the Parish Hall of Christ Church decorated with Angel Tag Ornaments.  On the back of each ornament you will find the name, gender, age, color and size. We ask that after you have purchased your gift for this special child, you return the wrapped gift with the Angel Tag attached to the parish hall by December 20th.   Please contact Natasha Williams at [email protected] OR 912-222-8921 with any questions.
Prayer Shawls
Would you please put an announcement in bulletin about the next prayer shawl meeting - December 14, at 12:00 in the Parish House.
Volunteer Bell Ringers Needed
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to ring the bell during the Annual Red Kettle Drive. There are three locations on the Island, Winn Dixie, Harris Teeter, and Chick-fil-A. To volunteer, please call or email Major Betty Sharp, [email protected] or 912-268-4452.

Pastoral Concerns


Prayer List
 
Please help us keep the prayer list current by notifying Mtr. Becky of any changes in the status or condition of your loved one.
  
Scott Benhase
Mary Bliven
Ella Bothwell
Tory Braden
Chris Bradley
Dylan Brown
Barbara Canaday
Kay Clarke
Emma Covington
Sean Daily
Brenda Davis
Jack Davis
Mary Lou De Bisschop
Phillip DeMartino
Mary Lou Detwiler
Charlene Dickinson
Charlotte Doster
Terry Doster
Toby Ellington
Betsy Fitzgerald
Ben Grace
C.J. Griffin
Pamela Hamilton 
Burgess Hartsell
Kay Harvey
Mike Herrin
Christopher Hewetson
Bill Higginbotham
Mark Highland
Greg Hollis
Alexander Hutcheson
Otto Igel
Edris Kalin
Carlin Kenny
Christi Lambert
Bill Littleton 
Sam Livesay
Eileen LoForte
Martha Lovett
Gwynn MacGregor
Cathy McCarthy
Betty McCartney
Mamie Meadows
Paul Owenby
Frank Owenby
Mary Elizabeth Paris
Jim Pearson
Vivian Peterson
Hope Queener
Rajika Reed
Jack Riner
Mark Robinson 
Richard Stamper
Mark Stephens
Bill Torrey
Ansley Tripp
Pat Turbeville
Carah Wheeler
Summer Wheeler
Ruth Wright
Hollis Younger
Alexander    
Betty    
Elizabeth    
Jeff    
Jenna    
Mary Ann    
Nicole    
Sandy


 
To amend our prayer list, or to update the church on the condition of your loved one, please email Mtr. Becky Rowell ([email protected]) or call the church office at 912.638.8683. 
Save the Date

 STD


11/28 - 9:30 a.m. Advent Quiet Day
12/2-16 - 5:00 p.m. Advent Book Study
12/6 - Welcome Luncheon for Fr. Rian Adams
12/6 - 6:00 p.m. Frederick Cousins Guild Christmas Party
12/10 - 6:00 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting
12/12 - Breakfast with St.Nicholas
12/15 - 5:45 p.m. Vestry Meeting
12/20 - 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. - Lessons and Carols
12/23 - NO X CHURCH
12/24 - 4:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant
            6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Eucharist
            8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Eucharist
            11:00 p.m. Midnight Mass
12/25 - Christmas Day Eucharist at St. Ignatius
12/30 -    NO X CHURCH
1/6 -    5:00 p.m. 12th Night
1/24 -     6:00 p.m. Parish Annual Meeting and Chili Cook Off

This  Week


Serving this Weekend

Saturday, December 5, 5:30 p.m. - St. I
      Tisa O'Cain - Altar Guild
      Susan Shipman - Chalice Bearer

Sunday, December 6, 8:00 a.m. - CCF
                                       - Altar Guild
      Carl Baumgardner - Chalice Bearer
      Carl Baumgardner - Lector - First Lesson
      Lee Dyson - Usher

9:15 a.m. - CCF
      Maggie Holt - Acolyte - C
      Maidee Brown - Acolyte - TB
      Stewart Gash - Acolyte - TB
      McKenzie Brown - Acolyte - PW
                           - Altar Guild
      Jody Bradford - Chalice Bearer
      Barbara Abbate - Lector - First Lesson
      Barbara Sullivan - Lector - Second Lesson
      Clif Jones - Greeter
      Penny Jones - Greeter
      Oscar Covington - Usher
      Beth Smith - Coffee Hour
      Ed Turner - Kidurgy Shepherd
      Lynne Turner - Kidurgy Shepherd


11:15 a.m. - CCF
      Isabel Parker - Acolyte - C
                             - Altar Guild
                             - Altar Guild
      Janice Thomas - Chalice Bearer
      K. Martin Worthy - Lector - First Lesson
      K. Martin Worthy - Lector - Second Lesson
      Nancy Stoddard - Greeter
      Dale Stoddard - Greeter
      John Killgallon - Usher
This Week at Christ Church
Morning Prayer is held at St. Ignatius' Chapel at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday - Friday.  

Evening Prayer is held daily at Christ Church, Frederica at 5:00 p.m.
 
*Unless noted otherwise, all events take place at Christ Church

 
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
12 p.m. - Healing Service
5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Christ Church Choir
5:30 p.m. - Advent Book Study
6 p.m. - Wednesday Evening Bible Study

7 p.m. - X Church

Saturday, December 5, 2015

5:30 p.m. - Worship at St Ignatius

Sunday, December 6, 2015
St. Athanasius Food Bank Donations
8 a.m. - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica

9:15 a.m. - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica

10:15 a.m. - Coffee Hour

10:20 a.m. - Sunday School for All Ages

10:30 a.m. - Parenting Group
11:15 a.m. - Worship at Christ Church, Frederica

12:30 p.m. - Welcome Luncheon for Fr. Rian

6 p.m. - EYC

6 p.m. - Frederick Cousins Guild Christmas Party

Tuesday, December 8, 2015
9:30 a.m. - Winter Altar Guild Meeting
2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Handbell Choir
5 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. - Christ Church Junior Choristers

Wednesday, December 9, 2015
12 p.m. - Healing Service
3 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - X Choir
5:30 p.m. - Advent Book Study
5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Christ Church Choir
6 p.m. - Wednesday Evening Bible Study

7 p.m. - X Church