Regular Parish House hours resume Monday, August 29; "Cultivating Simplicity" summer forum continues Sunday; Fall programs begin September 11.

Our Vision...

to become a community of bold followers of Jesus, a crowd that effects good change for the world, a place known for radical love and welcome, and a beacon of hope in Center City Charlotte

Invitation: Personal Spiritual Discipline

As summer comes to an end and we prepare for a robust fall worship, formation, and program schedule in life at St. Peter's, how might we individually respond to this resolution? How might we embody these holy habits? What sacrifices might be necessary to experience the rewards suggested by the resolution? I offer these specific questions to our parish family. What was an invitation to Episcopal Christians in 2003 strikes me as a worthy invitation for 2016, as we seek personal spiritual disciplines to inform our journey into Christ.

Read this week's reflection by the Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector.

This Sunday

8:00 a.m. Holy Communion in the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer (Rite I), including sermon, organ music, and hymns. Childcare available beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Cultivating Simplicity continues on August 28. Too much stuff? Too little time? Join the Reverend Joslyn Ogden Schaefer, Associate Rector, as she concludes a three-week series on cultivating simplicity in your life so that you can focus on the things that matter most. This course will offer brief readings, opportunities for reflection and sharing, and a supportive environment to begin to make small changes toward simplicity in mind, body, and spirit. 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall.

10:45 a.m. Holy Communion in the contemporary language of the Book of Common Prayer (Rite II), including sermon, choral and organ music, and hymns. Childcare available until 12:30 p.m.

This Week

Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday, August 28 at the 10:45 a.m. liturgy. Children and teenagers are encouraged to bring their backpacks to our worship service for a special blessing as they begin the school year. Whether school has already started or will start soon, all are invited to participate.

New Schedule for "Sunday Evenings at St. Peter's" begins September 11. The 5:00 p.m. service resumes on September 11 with Choral Evensong and Holy Eucharist. Every third Sunday, we offer our Taizé Holy Eucharist, with the next one on September 18. The complete Fall 2016 schedule for Sunday Evenings at St. Peter's will be announced soon.

Monday Night Bible Study: Bible study is one of our core spiritual practices as Christians. Join Fr. Murdock Smith, Assisting Priest, and others for an in-depth look at the First Letter to the Corinthians, this fall, on Monday evenings from 6:00-7:45 p.m. The course begins on September 12 and runs through December 12. To sign up, email <jschaefer@st-peters.org>. The course requires at least eight people. Spread the word and register today.

Registrations for Parish Retreat Weekend: "Finding Jesus in our Stories." Stay tuned for an update, via special eNews, on where we are with registrations for this year's parish retreat at Kanuga Conference Center, September 16-18, in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Additional spaces might be available. Organizers Meg Gibson and Cooper Morrison, the clergy, and others are finalizing plans for this time away from Charlotte designed to offer a different setting in which to rest and relax, strengthen bonds of friendship, and deepen faith among those gathered.