OCTOBERIn This Issuemission & min-istry 3ecw 4kidurgy 5

From the Rector

Sometimes we lose track of people in our congregation. I am al-ways embarrassed and ashamed when that happens, and yet, at the same time I try to remind myself that I do the best I can. Most of us take it personally if we feel forgotten, and that is understandable. Those of us who try to manage pastoral relationships don’t intend affront, and yet it happens anyway. I’m truly sorry if it’s happened to you.

I grew up in a large parish in Pennsylvania – larger than Christ Church. My parents and grandparents were very active, serving in leadership from the warden level on down at one point or another. My grandfather once said to me that parish ministry isn’t all that hard. People in the church only want one thing. The problem, he would go on to add, is that all the hundreds of people in the parish each want and need a different ‘one thing’! Having worked with clergy over many decades of church leadership, he had come to re-alize that parish clergy are pulled in many different directions at the same time, and are only able to address a certain number of needs at one time and only the ones they know about.

Before I go any further, let me state the most important thing I hope all of us will take away from this article: When you want or need a visit from your clergy, call us. One of us will come.

There are hundreds of ‘active’ people at Christ Church; more than

vestry 6parish life 8endowment poli-cy update 11

1 where faith...

From the Rector (continued)the 300+ we average in weekly attendance. Because many people do not make it to church every week, that active number is much greater over a span of one or two months, and greater again over longer periods of time. Lots of people at lots of levels of participation have spiritual and pastoral needs to be attended to. At any given time, we have as many as 100 people in some kind of acute need; from hospitalization to hospice; from relationship to parenting problems; from vocational to financial crisis; from discernment to bereavement. There are also new-er members who naturally require an investment of time, and there are ongoing relationships that need to be attended to.

Another factor that presents a challenge is the fact that Christ Church’s congregation is spread across six clergy-led services on two campuses each week, which many parishioners bounce between. There is no one person who sees and catalogs every person who comes each week. Yet another factor is the seasonal nature of our congregation, and the num-ber of those who regularly travel. There are people coming and going all year long, and we’re not always sure who’s here and who’s away. The time between Easter and Thanksgiving is particularly fluid with comings and goings. Finally, the modern model of ministry is no longer that of the chaplain, whose primary role was pastoral visitation. Clergy and staff are also actively engaged in leadership and administration, edu-cation, program, fellowship, and discipleship, more so now than fifty or even twenty years ago.

All of this is to say that we do indeed lose track of people. It can take many weeks before we realize that someone is not just traveling, or at-tending another service we haven’t been to. Again, as a team, we are always embarrassed and ashamed when we lose track of someone, be-cause we do care about our parishioners and see it as a priority that we care for those in need. At the same time, out of all the helping profes-sions, clergy-parishioner relationships remain the sole realm where it is incumbent upon the caregiver to be proactive in contacting the receiver. This is especially true in smaller congregations. In almost every other case, we call a doctor or a therapist or whomever we need to see, and make an appointment. This model is the healthiest for parish ministry as well.

The most helpful thing for us is that when you want a visit with the clergy that you call us. For our part, we are working on a system to strengthen our internal mechanisms to keep track of acute needs – the ones we know of. We recently sent Rev. Leigh and two members of Christ Church to a conference in Florida to learn about how we can bet-ter organize our overall pastoral care efforts. We also have a pastoral emergency number that is available 24/7 to get in touch with a member of the clergy team for instances when the pastoral services of a clergy

Christ Church ClergyTom Purdy • Rector Leigh Hall • Associate Rector Becky Rowell • Assistant to the Rector

Assisting ClergyJoel T. KeysBob Brown (UMC)

DeaconsJan SaltzgaberJames D. Wethern

Christ Church Staff Harrison Branch • Sexton and Assistant Cemetery SuperintendentOscar B. Covington, Jr. • Cemetery Superintendent Brad Hamil • Youth MissionerStan Kyker • FinancialAdministrator Dale Pierson • Registrar and Database Administrator Glenn Queener • Parish Administrator Kathleen Turner • Organist and Choirmaster

Office HoursThe office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

office: 912-638-8683www.ccfssi.org

...takes root. 2

person are needed because of acute illness, death, or distress. That number is 912-230-7362, and one of us is always carrying that number with us. We are also working to utilize software and mobile technology so we can get the latest information on people wherever we are and share that information with others on the pastoral care team.

We are working with a wonderful team of lay pastoral care givers, a ministry we are actively working to expand. They are able to keep tabs on far greater numbers of persons than we can at the clergy level, and they help alert us to situations when clergy are needed. Please do not assume that some-one has called us about your situation, particularly if you haven’t specifically asked him or her to do so. Informal updates to us may lead us to believe that you are doing better than you are, or that you are content with laity contacts. With regard to hospitalizations, gone are the days when hospitals call us or give us information on who is in the hospital. Even when we are there and look at the list of Episcopalians in the hospital, there are sometimes coding problems that keep your name off the list. Please call us, or have your spouse or child call us, and we will be there.

More often than not when there has been a perceived breach in the pastoral care process, it is because we were not fully aware of the need. For those times where we have been aware and have not acted, we are truly sorry and ask for your forgiveness. As we move forward in a thriving, growing congrega-tion, we can work together to make sure we offer the best care we can. You are not bothering us by calling us; we are not too busy to come and see you. Just let us know what you want and need. Call us, and we will be there.

Tom+

O God, your Son Jesus Christ said that we minister to him when we clothe the naked, give food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty, and visit the sick and imprisoned: Go with all those who, following the command of your Christ, visit your people in his Name; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Meetings for presentation and discussion of draft Endowment Policies:

10/16 – Finance Committee, Update on Progress10/21 – Vestry, 6:00 pm, First Vote on Final Draft

11/18 – Vestry, 6:00 pm, Final Vote on Final Draft

The ECW would like to thank you for making the “ Donation Box for gently used clothing” such a suc-cess. Fall is here and time has arrived to reassess our “winter wardrobe”. As you are doing so, please keep in mind that STAR Foundation accepts both male and female clothing and accessories as well (handbags, shoes, scarves, custom jewelry, etc.).

If you wish to donate something of exceptional quality, donation forms are available both at the Parish House and at the Foundation. If you choose to fill out a donation form, you are kindly asked to deliver the item(s) to the Foundation Yourself. (STAR Foundation: 1909 Gloucester St. Brunswick, tel: (912)-554-0540.) Otherwise please leave your donation in the Donation Box at the Parish Hall.

Thank you and Happy Fall Cleaning!

3 where faith...

Habitat and Christ Church Frederica by Ben Slade

Christ Church Frederica has a long and important relationship with Habitat for Humanity of Glynn. Initial research for establishing the local chapter was carried out by then Assistant Rector, Michael Delea. Ben Slade was the inaugural chair and several church members have served on the board since the founding in the 1980’s.

The first Habitat home was built in partnership with the Wilson family on a lot in Brunswick which was donated by Bootie Woods’ father, the late Charles Gowen. The Wilson family contributed sweat equity and have since repaid a mortgage. They now own the home free and clear on indebtedness.

In intervening years, building teams from Christ Church have been involved in projects in Brunswick and on St. Simons Island. In some cases, the church took complete responsibility and in others worked in partnership with other churches. Both the Missions and Ministry budget and ECW have provided fi-nancial support over the years.

Habitat is very much a self-help organization that requires partner families to contribute a down pay-ment and sweat equity. Each family must demonstrate a capacity to repay a long-term mortgage, usually over 25 years.

Having participated in many builds over the years, I can attest to several blessings that come back to participating churches. First, Habitat is an example of Christian witness at its best. Partner families are profoundly affected by examples of strangers who are willing to labor with them toward a dream of home ownership. Building for Habitat is also a great team-building exercise for the church family. Working together in all sorts of weather can draw church members together and foster lasting relation-ships that will strengthen the congregation.

Let’s hope Christ Church Frederica will continue to work with Habitat toward the vision of providing a decent home for all of God’s people.

Wednesday Night Bible Study – Fall 2014

A new series titled “Overview of Books of the Bible” commenced on September 24. The study covers: major events and happenings in the Old and New Testament books, its writers, time-lines, what the books spoke to God’s people at that time, and, how they speak to us today. It should be educative, interesting and spiritually fulfilling. The group will share thoughts and actively participate in discussions. You are cordially invited to join.

We meet in the Vestry room in the Parish House from 6 to 7 pm. If you need more information please call the Church Office or me. Thank you & Blessings.

Godfrey Draviam 638-8747

...takes root. 4

Treasurer’s Report

The financials for August 2014 show a month surplus of $6,824 and a year-to-date surplus of $12,576. Both numbers are over-stated by $8,333 since the Diocesan asking was not paid until September. Had it been paid, August would have ended with a deficit of ($1,509) and the ytd with a slimmer surplus of $4,243. This will now result in September having to bear a double charge totaling $16,666. There were some other distortions caused by Pensions being above budget due to the system of billing adopted by the Fund, and, Line item 1-5910 (Supply Organist/Musicians) exceeding budget by $1,466, reportedly due to an outstanding adjustment.

Work of the Endowment Committee is continuing. A handful of parishioners attended the Finance Committee meeting on Sept 11.

The Finance Committee is just commencing work on the 2015 Budget. The goal is to have an approved Budget by December 2014. With this in mind the FC plans to submit a Draft Budget for consideration by the Vestry on Nov 18, and seek final approval on Dec 16, 2014.

Blessings.Godfrey Draviam

Dear Ladies of Christ Church,

Ladies of Christ Church,Your ECW (Episcopal Church Women) is once again busy behind the scenes as well as “out in front” going about the many projects and programs which enrich our church family as well as those we serve in the wider community.

We celebrate the beginning of another wonderful year with our Fall general meeting.

Please join us for BrunchSaturday, October 25th at 10 until noon

Featuring Guest speaker: Wright Culpepper, Faithworks MinistriesPutting Our Faith to Work So All Might Know That Faith Works!

Come hear Wright talk about his latest project, The Well, in Brunswick as well as an update on the marvelous ministries under the umbrella of Faithworks Ministries. All ladies of Christ Church are wel-come and complimentary brunch is served. We need a good headcount so please call the church of-fice, 638-8683, to let us know you are coming.

Come hear the many opportunities to get involved at Christ Church.

Get busy, get involved……..get to know us - the ladies of Christ Church! I hope to see you in and around Christ Church often.

In His Service,

Jane WatsonECW President

5 where faith...

“Kidurgy” Starts Off With a Bang by John La Boone

We’ve seen more children at Christ Church on Sunday mornings lately and that’s something to rejoice about. A church with lots of kids is usu-ally a healthy, growing church.

“We’ve had 18 children at Kidurgy the first two Sundays since we start-ed,” said Fr. Tom Purdy, rector of Christ Church. “It’s really wonderful to see so many children worshiping with their families and also in a way that makes the faith accessible to them and gives them an appreciation for family worship and for our traditions.”

Under Fr. Tom’s leadership, Kidurgy was developed with the help of the Rev. Leigh Hall and Dcn. Becky Rowell. Many other churches have developed their own programs to provide children with age-appropri-ate worship opportunities. The Christ Church clergy team wanted to come up with something unique

that maximizes the worship experience for the children and the adults, and allows the entire family to worship at an appropriate level.

Kidurgy was launched on September 7, and it was imme-diately embraced by the children and parents with gusto. It is a way in which children, elementary age and younger, have their own Liturgy of the Word in the parish hall during the first half of the 9:15a.m. service, and then return to the historic church building to continue worship of the Lit-urgy of the Table (communion service) with their families.

Each week, during the processional hymn that opens wor-ship for the entire congregation, the children follow a child crucifer to the parish hall along with four adults. There is always a member of the clergy and two adult volunteers to help, plus Youth Missioner, Brad Hamil, who provides the music.

In Kidurgy, the kids have all the same elements of worship that the adults have but it is delivered in a way that makes it understandable and relevant for youngsters. There is always the collect of the day, the Gospel reading, a homily that relates to the Gospel or some other aspect of the faith, intercessory prayers and the Apostle’s Creed. Some of the prayers have been rewritten to make them understandable and child-friendly. Children are also asked what special intentions they would like to pray for.

“This is one more way in which we are striving to make worship at Christ Church very child-friendly and fami-ly-friendly,” commented Fr. Tom. “We warmly welcome all families with children. We believe we have something very special to share with kids and their parents.”

For more information on Kidurgy, call (912) 638-8683.

...takes root. 6

At its regular meeting on September 16th the Vestry:

• Reviewed the latest draft of the Consolidated Endowment Funds Policies & Guidelines prepared by the Endowment Task Force and selected which version of Appendix A dealing with the al-lowable uses of fund distributions from the Restricted Endowment Fund is to be included in the draft to be distributed to the congregation.

• Authorized the current version of Consolidated Endowment Funds Policies & Guidelines to be sent out to the membership with a cover letter attempting to explain the provisions of the doc-ument in plain English. The Enabling Resolution to establish the General Endowment Fund will then go back to the Finance Committee in October and will be voted on by the Vestry at both the October and November regular meetings.

• Were presented a draft of an Enabling Resolution creating a Gift Acceptance Committee consist-ing of the Rector, the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden and the Treasurer, with the Chancellor as ex officio to establish policies for accepting gifts to the church and reviewing proposed gifts on a case by case basis that aren’t covered by the guidelines.

• Reviewed an architectural rendering prepared by Ed Cheshire under the direction of the Com-munications Task Force of proposed new signage for Christ Church. The signage will be placed at the corner of Frederica Road and Stevens Road to enable motorists to more easily find the church and allow the church to advertise upcoming events in a more aesthetic fashion. The consensus of the Vestry was to move forward with more detailed plans which will allow the cost of the project to be determined.

• Learned that Junior Warden David Boland has offered to prepare an economic analysis of the Dodge home to determine the estimated costs of either renovating the existing structure to make it usable or replacing it with an equal size new building including any demolition costs. Having this data should be helpful to future Vestries when they attempt to decide what to do with the asset. The Vestry accepted his offer and thanked him in advance for undertaking this project.

• Were invited by Fr Tom to attend a trial run of the new X Church service the next evening. This new contemplative Eucharist will be held Wednesday nights at 7:00 beginning October 1st.

• Learned that the new Kidurgy service during the 9:15 service on Sundays is off to a roaring start with 18 children in attendance both Sundays. It has attracted several families who had not been attending church due to the lack of a family friendly offering.

Vestry Members Henry Ansley • 2015Cindy Atwood • 2016Edward Bland • 2017

Jody Bradford • 2016David Boland, Jr. Warden • 2015Mark Davis • 2017

Clif Jones, Sr. Warden • 2015Leigh Lane • 2015Dale Pierson • 2016

Vestry Highlights

7 where faith...

Upcoming Events! October 5 – Selah October 12 Popcorn Theology October 17-19 New Beginnings at Honey Creek,7th-9th grades

October 25 Lock-In October 31 Halloween Party

The Christ Church Annual Campaign Kick-Off

and Pig Pickin’

Sunday, October 19, 2014

6:00 p.m.

Great food. Great music. Great fellowship.

...takes root. 8

PARISH LIFE

9 where faith...

Dcn. Becky Rowell is due to be ordained to the priesthood in 2015 By John La Boone

Sometimes a journey takes a very long time, but every step of the way is needed to reach the destination – and, more importantly, to be-come the person God intended us to be. Christ Church Frederica (CCF) Deacon Becky Rowell is on track to be ordained to the priesthood this coming Spring. It has been a long and winding journey but one that has been rich with experience and blessing. And all along the way, the Holy Spirit has been guiding and encouraging her. “For me it’s been like driving at night,” she reflected. “With your lights on you can only see a little way up the road but by just following the light you can get to where you eventually need to go.” Like so many other Episcopalians in the South, Becky began life as a Baptist. The Moultrie native was working in Statesville, North Carolina in 1979 when some Episcopalian friends invited her to wor-ship with them at Trinity Episcopal Church. She went. And then she went again. And again after that. “At first, I didn’t have that feeling of coming home like some people have when they find the Epis-copal Church,” she explained, “but I kept attending, and I liked it. Eventually, I knew that it was the place for me. The next year I was confirmed as an Episcopalian.” In 1980, Becky moved to Glynn County and continued working in her profession as a speech-lan-guage pathologist. After a time she transitioned to working as an administrator in county government. As soon as she arrived here, she joined CCF and has been a member ever since. For about 10 years she attended St. Ignatius, a chapel of the CCF congregation. As she shared in a recent sermon, she became interested in the deacon’s role in the services. Thinking ahead she gradu-ally came to feel that she might like to serve as a deacon some day when she retired. She didn’t tell anybody about that, even as the feeling continued to grow. But the Holy Spirit was at work in her, and others began sensing it, too. “I eventually began volunteering as an altar server,” she said. “One day after a service the curate on duty that Saturday turned to me and blurted out, ‘Why aren’t you a deacon?’” By 2005, Becky felt strongly urged to apply for the diaconate so she discussed it with members of the clergy and underwent a rigorous discernment process. She was then accepted as a candidate and began “deacon school,” an intensive, minimum 2-year program to train deacons. The curriculum includes church history, Scripture, homiletics, ethics, human awareness, liturgy, pastoral care, worship and diakonia (serving others). All this stretched out because it took place at a time of transition at CCF but in 2009, Becky was ordained a deacon and has served in that role ever since. Dcn. Becky is well known for her engaging and insightful sermons. She has conducted morning and evening prayer services, assisted with weddings and officiated at funerals. She was especially helpful doing those things during CCF’s recent interim period. As a deacon, she has worked tirelessly in sup-port of the St. Athanasius Food Bank and she has assisted in the Backpack Buddies program and the Christmas at Sea project of the International Seafarer’ Center in Brunswick. There are actually two kinds of deacons in the Episcopal Church. There are transitional deacons who are seminary-trained people who are ordained deacons at a certain point in their preparation to become priests. And then there are vocational deacons who are laypeople, trained through programs in their dioceses to become ordained and serve as deacons on a permanent basis. It is rare, indeed, for a vocational deacon to be allowed back into the discernment process for the priesthood, but an exception was made for her. Dcn. Becky was in the latter category and was looking forward to working in that capacity as she prepared for retirement from her paid work. She was serving successfully and finding great satisfaction in the diaconate. Everything was really going fine.

...takes root. 10

And then the Holy Spirit called again. “Not long after becoming a deacon I began feeling inner promptings about the priesthood,” she said. “I hadn’t planned that at all. It was just a feeling that something in my call wasn’t finished. I felt a lot of anxiety over it. After all, I was still working. How would I do another master’s degree? Then I talked to our interim rector, Fr. John Rogers, about it, and he said: ‘I’ve been wondering when we would have this conversation.’” Our next interim rector, Fr. Stephen McWhorter, recognized my call, too. Finally, I knew that this was what God wanted – and God was not going away.” When the Holy Spirit is at work in us, an opportunity always becomes available. After consultations with Bishop Benhase, Dcn. Becky was accepted as a candidate to study for the priesthood. In Septem-ber 2011, she began a distance learning seminary program at Virginia Theological [Episcopal] Seminary (VTS) . She did some initial coursework through Luther Seminary, a Lutheran school, transferring those credits to VTS. It has been a tall order to continue working as assistant county administrator, serving as a deacon, working part-time as a yoga teacher, and completing her seminary training, but the Holy Spirit has giv-en her what she needed to do for all that. She also had some help from her devoted husband, Charles. “I really am so thankful for the support of Charles,” she commented. “He has been so supportive, taking care of me, cooking. Lots of cooking. He has been wonderful.” This past June, Dcn. Becky retired from Glynn County after 24 years service. In the same month she also completed all of her seminary coursework and is now working on her master’s thesis which is on the theology of The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles with an emphasis on the theology of conflict as a basis for conflict management. In her seminary training she took a seminar on conflict res-olution and scored high on her final testing for that. One possible priestly vocational pathway she has discussed with Bishop Benhase is service as an interim priest for conflicted parishes, although nothing has been decided at this point. Dcn. Becky still has to take her final exams (three and one-half days of testing) for the priest-hood and finish her master’s thesis. Both will be accomplished early next year. On August 1 she began working part-time as assistant to the rector at CCF as her Clinical Field Experience, also required in her training. “Fr. Tom is a great mentor,” she said. “He is an old soul. Very smart and accepting. It is a delight to work for him.” Among her many new duties she will coordinate the adult education offerings and teach classes. A certified yoga teacher since 2002, she will also give a weekly gentle yoga class in the parish house that will end with a contemplative meditation just in time for participants to go over to the church for the weekly healing service on Wednesdays at noon. “I’m delighted that Becky is serving on our staff at Christ Church,” said Fr. Tom. “It’s a mutual benefit to the parish and to her, as we benefit from her many gifts and she gets to begin experiencing what priestly leadership in the church looks and feels like before going out on her own. “It’s always humbling to walk with someone through a period of discernment,” he continued, “and I am honored to walk with Becky through these last chapters before her ordination to the priesthood. This will not be the end of her discernment though – priesthood is not a final destination; her ordina-tion will be a new beginning. Discernment never ends, and as long as she continues to listen for the movement of the Spirit in her life, she will always find herself on the move.” It has been a very long and interesting journey – and it’s not over yet. With all the struggles to get her seminary education, Dcn. Becky says that the Holy Spirit has helped her every step of the way. “God is always there. In my personal faith life I depend a lot of prayer, and I love having regular quiet times and times to study the Scriptures,” she said. “Also weekly communion gives me strength and inspiration. All of these things are as relevant now as they were in ancient times.”

11 where faith...

Christ Church Endowment Policy Update - September, 2014

The Christ Church Endowment Policy committee has been hard at work over the last two months. After numerous meetings with the Finance Committee and Vestry, a final draft is taking shape. The latest draft is still available at the Vestry’s page on our website, http://www.ccfssi.org/about-us/ves-try.html, or by contacting the office. We have summarized the most salient points of the policy below in a question and answer format.

Why are we crafting an Endowment Policy?To summarize, the reason for an Endowment Policy where that has not been one before is three-fold:

1. Christ Church’s strategic plan calls for a Planned Giving Society/Campaign, which necessitates a set of policies and procedures to share with donors who are considering a legacy gift to the parish.

2. We are creating a “permanent endowment” to receive new perpetual gifts. Some donors want their gifts to be available in perpetuity, so a permanent endowment fund must be created to formalize that process at Christ Church.

3. We have already received unrestricted cash gifts and have not been of one mind about how to maintain or use them. This policy states how the Vestry will maintain and use current assets, as though they were permanently endowed, although legally, we cannot permanently restrict them. In our policy, these funds are listed as a “quasi-endowment”.

One underlying element to this process is that Christ Church is adopting best practices from other churches and non-profits around the use and care of endowment funds. Several assumptions are included in these practices. First, there is an assumption that those who give money to the Church expect it to be used to support the mission of the Church. The next assumption is that the institution, in this case the church, works to balance the long-term growth of perpetual gifts with the needs and opportunities of the present day organization. Endowments are not savings accounts with uncertain horizons for if, when, or how they might be utilized; they are a part of the vision and mission of the church, and exist only to support the work of the Church. With care, attention, and new gifts, such funds help further the mission of the church in the present, while growing over the long term, ensuring that future generations benefit from such generous gifts as well.

How much of the endowment will be available for use each year?Using a total return policy that calculates the average quarterly value of the funds over three years, the disbursement from the endowment will fall between zero and five percent annually. The permanent endowment disbursement can never exceed five percent. The quasi endowment disbursement cannot exceed five percent unless two consecutive votes of the vestry (with a super-majority) make an excep-tion to the policy. Disbursements levels will be suggested by the Endowment Committee and accepted by the Vestry on an annual basis.

How will disbursements be used?The current draft policy states that disbursements from the permanent endowment are available for general purposes, to be determined by the Vestry, unless the gift was restricted by the donor at the time it was made. Disbursements from the quasi-endowment are to be spent on mission projects, cap-ital improvements, special and one-time projects, or according to the wishes of a donor who makes a designated gift to the quasi-endowment, which could include general purposes. Any uses of quasi-en-

...takes root. 12

dowment funds other than those stated in the policy would require two consecutive super majority votes of the Vestry.

How will a donor know what kind of gift to make?The Planned Giving program will lay out options for donors, explaining the ways they might consider making gifts to the parish. While some donors will make estate plans without consulting the parish, it is our hope that donors will consult with the parish when working with their attorneys to establish such gifts.

Who will manage the Endowment Funds?The existing Investment Committee, which is a standing committee of the Vestry, will become the Investment/Endowment Committee. Initial membership of the committee will be the same as the Investment Committee, and establishes terms of service for all committee members. Current Vestry members are ineligible to serve on the Investment/Endowment Committee. The Investment/Endow-ment Committee will work with our managers to track performance and adjust investments as neces-sary, reporting regularly to the Vestry.

What sort of gifts will the Endowment Funds receive?There are a wide range of gifts that can and will be received into the endowment funds. That process is overseen by a gift acceptance committee, made up of the Rector, Wardens, Treasurer, and parish Chancellor. In cases where the intention of a gift is uncertain, the gift acceptance committee will in-vestigate and make recommendation to the Vestry.

Does an endowment affect annual giving?Many churches find that endowments can help their annual giving. Legacy giving is one part of a life of stewardship, combined with regular, annual giving and special, one-time giving. Helping people un-derstand how legacy giving is an end-of life act of stewardship can inspire people to be generous while they are still living. Generally, our endowments will not contribute substantially to operating expenses, but towards special ministries and mission projects that exceed what an operating budget allows for. Many people recognize that legacy gifts are quite effective at meeting needs and furthering the mission of the church over the long term. All elements of stewardship work in concert to allow the Church to fulfill its mission here and now, as it has in the past, and is called to continue in the future.

Choir Commissioning

Join us on Sunday, October 5th at the 9:15 a.m. service for the Choir Commissioning.

Blessing of the Animals

Blessing of the Animals will be Sunday, October 5 at 5:00 p.m. You are invited to bring your pet to the Parish House steps at 5:00 p.m. to receive a blessing and a St. Francis medallion. This is always a great time for families, so bring the kids! Please make sure you four-legged family member is on a leash.

13 where faith...

Music Notes by Kathleen Turner

October is one of my favorite months of the year. The routine is back in motion as we settle more into fall. There are new habits being formed in our Liturgy, which brings freshness while still celebrating our Anglican heritage.

One new musical element I wish to explain is the music that takes place between the Second Reading and the Gospel.

In the musings of Charles Hawkins, an Episcopal Priest, resident in the Diocese of Mississippi, and serving as Rector of St. John’s, Ocean Springs, he writes:

This week I was asked about the use of the term “Gradual.” My answer led to a question on the use of the term “Sequence.” My answer then led to a discussion of “Alleluia” and psalms, and hymns. It occurred to me that this is highly confusing. Below is an unraveling of the mystery!

Since you asked.....The Prayer Book (1979) rubric reads: “a psalm, hymn or anthem may follow each Reading” (p.357). It is common practice in

the Episcopal Church to read (or chant) a Psalm after the first reading, and sing a hymn after the second reading.

The hymn after the second reading might take the form of one of the proper “Sequences“ of yore or, more likely in practice, any hymn related to the readings. When a hymn is used rather than a proper “Sequence,” it is often informally called a “Sequence Hymn” (that is; a hymn in the place of the “Sequence”).

[Another option explained later in his musings]

Between the Epistle and the Gospel two (sometimes three) choir responses are sung or said. Usually these are a Gradual followed by an Alleluia.

To read his full article please visit http://charleshawkins.blogspot.com/2013/08/gradual-sequence-hymn-allelu-ia-psalm.html

Each month in our Liturgies we will use a form of sung Alleluia to raise the Gospel. In September, we offered the Refrain/Verse/Refrain of Hymn 178 (Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord). In the video clip you can see the fruits of what we planted!

In October we will use a Celtic Alleluia with a choir response related to the Gospel. November will offer a dif-ferent version.In Advent, while use of Alleluia is permitted, and in Lent where the Alleluia is buried, we will return to a Se-quence Hymn.

Please know I value feedback and I rejoice in learning new things. Your comments and suggestions are always welcomed!

All my best,Kathleen TurnerOrganist and Choirmaster

...takes root. 14

X Church Will Offer a Unique Style of Eucharistic Worship By John La Boone Christ Church launches an exciting new weekly worship service called “X Church” on October 1. Fr. Tom Purdy, Rector of Christ Church, says that it should help meet the needs of many people of all ages who desire a meditative approach to the liturgy.

“X Church is a type of worship that is contemplative and involves all of the senses,” explained Fr. Tom. “In our very busy world, there is a human need to slow down and be with God in an undistracted, unhurried way. I think this will be unlike anything that is offered elsewhere in the community, and we hope it will be a good fit for many people.

“I have a hunch that it may be especially attractive to our younger generations, however, I think it has an intergenerational appeal as well,” he continued. ‘It’s not about age at all. It’s about slowing down and finding meaning in meditative worship. It’s the kind of experience that you savor. You certainly don’t get in a hurry with it.”

The X Church liturgy was developed by Fr. Tom and his staff and is now a weekly feature on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The “X” in the title is for the Greek letter chi which is the first letter in the Greek spelling of Christ. In some ways the worship is very similar to how the first generations of Christians worshiped.

Fr. Tom has wanted to develop a church service like this for a long time. This is his first experience hav-ing a regular contemplative service at a church he has served. The X Church liturgy was crafted drawing on the richness of the Anglican tradition. It is a full Eucharist service and it is delivered in a way that invites the participants to tap into new, yet old forms of Christian prayer and practice.

X Church draws upon ancient practices of centuries old Christianity in a way that is meant to speak to modern people. A strong resource for developing the X Church liturgy was the Church of England’s latest liturgical revision, Common Worship. Some of the liturgy was also written by the Christ Church team, while other prayer resources were modified.

There is a strong emphasis on worship that involves the human senses. Incense is used. The normal lights in the church are dimmed and more than two hundred candles (most of them LED candles) are used instead to create an ethereal visual ambiance. Special music is provided and the congregation uses soothing, rhythmic chanting such as is done in the French Taizé Community. Other hymns are featured, too. Silence also plays an important part in the service.

The style of worship in X Church is very informal. Members of the clergy wear their traditional stoles but they do not wear ceremonial vestments. People are encouraged to dress comfortably and casually. Free child care is provided and there is an opportunity for conversation and fellowship after each ser-vice.

“X Church, like all of our services at Christ Church, is open to the entire community,” Fr. Tom said. “We warmly welcome anyone who wants to explore this gentle, slowed-down, meditative worship with us and also enjoy the fellowship. We are a very friendly and welcoming community at Christ Church, and I am happy that we are able to offer this service.

“This style of worship is not for everyone - people will have to decide if this service feeds them. Our goal is always to feed people, and I think X Church does that.”

Christ Church, Frederica • Episcopal6329 Frederica RoadSt. Simons Island, GA 31522

Upcoming EventsOctober1st - 7 p.m. - X Church begins8th - Choir Commissioning8th - 5 p.m. - Blessing of the Animals15th - 5:30 p.m. - EC 101 and Living Com-pass begins16th - 6 p.m. - Finance Committee19th 6 p.m. - Pig Pickin’21st - 10:30 a.m. - Susanna Wesley Guild21st - 5 p.m. - Frederick Cousins Guild21st - 5:45 p.m. - Vestry Meeting25th - 10 a.m. - ECW Fall Brunch30th - 5:30 p.m. - All Hallow’s Eve Family Fun Fest

November2nd - Day Light Savings Time Ends

4th - 4:30 p.m. - Live Poets Society6th-8th - Diocesan Convention

13th - 6 p.m.-Finance Committee Meeting18th - 5:45 p.m. - Vestry Meeting

27th-28th - Office Closed30th - 5 p.m. - Covered Dish Meal and

Wreath Making30th - 5:30 p.m. - Living Advent Wreath

30th - 6:30 p.m. - Choral Evensong

Worship ServicesUnless otherwise noted, the worship services are as follows:Evening Prayer is said daily at 5 p.m. at Christ Church. Morning Prayer is said Wednesday - Friday at St. Ignatius’ ChapelSaturday: 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist at St. Ignatius’ ChapelSunday: 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 1928 BCP; 9:15 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite II; 11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I.