The Philippian 2.0

A Publication of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

December 2016 – January 2017 Vol. 13 No. 6

From the desk of the Assistant Rector…

This will be the last printed and mailed issue of the Philippian Newsletter.

The Philippian will be replaced with the mailing of the fourth week’s

ENews which will cover everything the Philippian contained - the church

calendar, birthdays, the treasurer’s report and other articles. We were

duplicating our efforts with a monthly newsletter however we are mindful

of those of you who have become accustomed to receiving the Philippian.

Thus, it is our prayer that you will be just as satisfied with ENews which

will be mailed monthly. Nothing will be lost in not receiving the

Philippian as the ENews will cover all things St. Philip’s however this will

allow us to streamline our communications to you while also cutting our

printing costs.

Advent Blessings,

Fr. Reginald

Evangelism and Outreach

Our Daily Bread continues on the first Sunday of each month. Food donations are accepted and

welcomed each Sunday, but special emphasis is placed on the same Sunday as the Men’s Group

Breakfast.

Our annual Stop Hunger Now food-packaging event scheduled for October 9th has been cancelled

due to hurricane Matthew. We have not found a date to reschedule this event so it looks like we

will have to wait until next year. The Acolytes have pledged to raise $1000 toward this project

and are most of the way there. All monies raised will be kept in a Temporary Restricted Account

to be available for next year. Thank you all for your generosity!

Either the Sunday before or after Thanksgiving the Angel Tree will appear in our Narthex. Please

take an Angel and purchase whatever is requested. There will also be the opportunity to give gift

cards, but cash is not accepted.

The Red Cross Blood Drive was not held in November this year. There are many others held

near us and our turnout has been declining. The Evangelism and Outreach Committee is

discussing whether or not to hold one in April of 2017.

In December, The Men’s Club will have their annual Tree of Lights. There will be more

information to come.

Looking forward into 2017, we will be joining with the Presbyterian Church to help out the

homeless in our area. The Captain’s Cove on Oak Island will contribute 12 rooms at a very low

price. St. Philip’s will mobilize to provide meals for each of the families housed. Ida Parker will

coordinate this worthy outreach service

.

The Evangelism and Outreach Advisory Committee could still use more members. Members

moving away from our area have depleted our ranks. If you, or anyone you know, would be

interested in helping, please contact Mo Beers. Our meetings are scheduled for the third (3rd)

Wednesday of the month at 3:30pm.

Mo Beers

January is not far off. What will you be doing to keep warm

on the coldest days of the year? Sit by your fireplace at home,

cuddle under a cozy blanket, and sip hot tea or chocolate?

This is not true for many of our less fortunate Brunswick

friends.

Perhaps you can also continue Jesus’ Ministry and “feed

our sheep”.

Through the cooperative efforts of local churches, Street

Reach and Captain’s Cove Motel on Oak Island, 12 motel

units will be available for people who are homeless or live in

sub standard housing without heat or water.

St. Philips will provide food for one week (January 9th- 15th) to these people. You

can help by preparing Breakfast &, or Dinner for ONE day that week. St. Philip’s will be building

a team to “Feed My Sheep” during the next weeks. If you are available to prepare a meal or wish

to contribute money so food can be purchased, please contact Ida Parker 278-6719 or email

lparker@ec.rr.com.

Living the Questions

Christianity, says theologian Tex Sample, is like the Santa Fe Trail: it is not just a couple of

wagon tracks. “There are places,” he says, “where that trail is six miles wide.” What is modern

Christianity if its trail is that wide?

Living the Questions is a lively discussion forum exploring that question and what it means to be

Christian in today’s world and in today’s terms. Have you lost your faith if you can’t believe in a

talking snake, or if you struggle with the Nicene Creed? If real life and religion seem to operate

in separate universes, what then? No question is too tough or too sensitive to raise and talk about

.

In two great conversations every month we are riding that Living the Questions trail of

discovering and rediscovering faith. You can join in, the second and fourth Mondays of the

month, in the parish hall at 2 p.m. And if you know of interest in an evening group, let’s talk

about it. Contact Nan Bush, nanbush5@gmail.com or 910-201-1484.

Men’s Club

The Men of St. Philip's will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, January 24th

at 7:00PM in the Parish Hall. All men of St Philip's are considered members. New members to

the St. Philip's Congregation are strongly encouraged to attend. There will be no meeting in

December.

The Men's Breakfast will be served in the Parish Hall Sunday, 11 December and Sunday, 8

January immediately following the 0800 Service.

New Member Social

WHO: All Members

WHAT: New Member Social

WHEN: Sunday, December 11, 5:00-7:00 PM

WHERE: Ports of Call Bistro

St. Philip’s New Member Social will be held on Sunday, December 11, 5:00-7:00 PM, at Ports

of Call Bistro. EVERYONE IS INVITED. We hope to recognize and greet visitors and members

who have only been with us for twelve months or less. We are asking veteran members to bring

an hors d'oeuvres, preferably finger foods.

Please come and welcome our newest members!

Pastoral Care Needs at St. Philip’s

The Pastoral Care Commission has the goal of helping the members of our congregation with any

needs they may have. The major emphasis is with our Neighborhood Care Teams. The

congregation is divided into geographical areas with a Care Team Leader overseeing each team.

At this time we are in need of a couple Care Team Leaders for certain teams.

Other programs include providing meals for individuals or families who need help on a short term

basis, respite care for families who are caregivers for a member of the family, and providing rides

for members to church or doctors.

At this time we are in need of volunteers to provide rides for members to church and doctors. We

have a number of members of our congregation who are getting older and who are finding driving

and parking a challenge. Many have moved here away from family and friends. We need a pool

of volunteers who are willing to step in and help. Ideally, we will have volunteers spread out over

the area that we can call on to assist someone in their neighborhood or area.

We are also in need of volunteers to help members of our congregation who are caregivers for a

spouse who is ill or bedridden. In speaking with these members and asking how we, at St. Philip’s,

can help them, we often hear them say, “I am doing ok, BUT, I could use a break every so often.

I am on duty 24 hours a day.” The volunteer usually does not have to provide any care. Just to

provide coverage so that the caregiver can go to the grocery, to COSTCO, or run errands with a

piece of mind.

To volunteer to be a Care Team Leader contact Barbara Edwards at 910-253-6933.

To volunteer to be a stand-by driver contact Gene Myers at 910-842-5160.

To volunteer to help with respite care contact Gene Myers at 910-842-5160.

STEPHEN MINISTRY MINUTE

On Sunday, December 11, at both services, our congregation will commission 8 new Stephen

Ministers. Throughout history, when God has called people to special ministry, members of their

community have commissioned them for the important new work they are taking on. Now we

invite you to help carry on that biblical tradition by being a part of commissioning those who

have responded to God’s call to be part of our congregation’s Stephen Ministry.

Our Stephen Ministers have already completed substantial training to equip them for their task.

We now lay hands on them, pray for them, and send them out to minister, asking for God’s

blessing and the Spirit’s wisdom and power.

This commissioning service offers an opportunity to show our support for this ministry. Our

Stephen Ministers will be depending on our support in the time ahead as they assume the duties

of their ministry. How can we help?

First of all, we can pray for our Stephen Leaders, our Stephen Ministers, and their care receivers.

This ministry calls for both time and effort. At times they may feel tired, discouraged, or

convinced that they are not accomplishing anything. The assurance of our prayers and

appreciation will help them keep moving forward.

We can also affirm and show our appreciation for this valuable ministry. We can tell them how

much their hard work means to us, tell others how much we value our Stephen Ministry, and

focus attention on our Stephen Ministers to bless and affirm them in special ways—as we do with

our commissioning services.

We can become involved in this ministry in many ways. Some of us may recognize a call to use

our special gifts in this ministry and may apply to be a Stephen Leader or Stephen Minister.

Others may accept the care of a Stephen Minister. We can be ministers of referral, watching for

people in need and suggesting a Stephen Minister’s care. We all can give our enthusiastic support

by keeping Stephen Ministry always before us and by praying for and affirming those who have

answered God’s call to serve in this way.

As we prepare to commission our newly trained Stephen Ministers - Mike Chase, Patsy Conrad,

Janet Fox, Rev. Jeff Krantz, Rev. Sara Louise Krantz, May Moore, Tina Powers, and Marian

Stevens - let us thank God for all that they will bring to this congregation in providing care to

others, and let us promise them our daily prayer and support as we send them out to minister

among us.

Tis the Season Tis the season when every musical group, both choral and instrumental, offers up specially

prepared concerts for the masses. Music is inextricably entwined in our celebrations of Christmas,

and of course our memories. I find that Christmas is the time of year when I am most nostalgic

about my childhood and my family, and I know that music of the season is a trigger. My parents

were both lovers of music, my mother in particular, who sang as she worked. I remember singing

Christmas carols with my mom and her harmonizing, especially Silent Night. I also remember

my sister’s absolute infatuation with Santa Mouse and that song! Did anyone besides my sister

and I sing along with Alvin and the Chipmunks …..”and I want a hula hoop”?

The story of the birth of Christ has been a source of musical inspiration for centuries and I am

sure that each of you has a favorite carol. One complaint I have heard over the years is that

Episcopalians don’t sing carols before Christmas. That statement is true, but the church does a

wonderful job of retelling the history and building the anticipation of Christ’s arrival during the

Advent season, which makes our singing of carols all the more joyful, sweet, and special at the

Feast of the Nativity. Our church is actually still celebrating the savior’s arrival through hymnody,

so you are allowed to sing out your joy after December twenty-fifth!

During this season St. Philip’s will offer up these musical gifts to build our collective anticipation,

to commemorate the journey of God’s chosen people, and to celebrate the gift he sent to dwell

among us, thanks be to God!

Friday, December 16, 7:00 PM Advent Service of Lessons and Carols which will feature

congregational hymns, choir anthems, plus solos and duets featuring members of the choir.

Feast of the Nativity, Saturday, December 24

5:00 PM with lots of carols, and Steve Skillman, horn.

9:30 PM festival prelude featuring the chancel choir singing varied musical selections ranging

from an African Noel to arrangements of traditional favorites

10:00 PM Service begins with the choir leading the congregation in musical praise and celebration

with carols, carols, carols.

Wednesday Travelers

Why would ‘Wednesday Bible Study’ get a name change to ‘Travelers’? ‘Travelers’ suggests

people on the move, exploring interesting places, discovering fascinating things. That is the feel

of the group, a Bible study moving with the best of modern scholarship.

To join in requires no particular background in Bible (Episcopalians, take note!) All you need is

curiosity about the Bible as it developed in its own time—in its historical-cultural context. Why

do the authors take different approaches—what was going on? What is hidden from our twenty-

first century eyes?

There is no homework; there are no tests. Without the constraints of an academic schedule, we

are free to take as much time as the group wants to explore material and detour wherever curiosity

carries us. Again and again someone says, “I never knew that before!” “Oh, now this makes

sense!” “I hear the Sunday readings so differently!”

This fall and through 2017, we are looking at the New Testament in the order it was written,

which means beginning with a study of Paul, the ultimate traveler. Some remarkable DVD

cinematography opens the New Testament world to us without so much as a plane ticket.

You are invited to come for any part of the journey, one week or many. Travelers meets in the

parish hall every Wednesday morning, 10-11:30. If you like, come at 9 for a short period of silent

meditation, or stay for noontime Wednesday chapel. You will be warmly welcomed.

Nan Bush

St. Philip's Episcopal Church

Finance Update

October 2016

YTD (through October) Total Revenues are $371,108. This is $3,895 over budget and $13,129 more than last

year.

YTD pledge revenue is $20,583 under budget and $39,753 less than last year.

YTD identified offerings revenue is $19,552 ahead of budget and $46,133 better than last year.

YTD Total Expenses are $375,940. This is $3,513 over budget and $21,501 more than last year.

Youth Programs is $4,745 under budget because they will not attend the National Acolyte Festival this year,

which was in the budget.

Electric & Water is $2,899 under budget and $6,677 less than last year. Reduced spending is because of the

elimination of costs for Parkhill and efficiencies made in 2015.

Office Machine Lease and Service is $9,352 over budget and $3,750 more than last year. The major driver

is the increased use, and cost, of color copies on our copier machines.

YTD Net Total (revenues minus expenses) is $4,831 negative as compared to $3,540 positive YTD last year, a

change of $-8,372.

The outstanding mortgage balance is $228,465. YTD, $4,075 of mortgage reduction donations have been sent

to the bank to reduce the balance.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Fuchs

Treasurer

2016 YTD

Actual

2016 YTD

Budget vs.

Actual

2015 YTD

Actual

2016 YTD

vs. 2015

YTD

2016 Full

Year Budget

Revenues

Total Revenues $371,109 $3,896 $357,979 $13,130 $453,433

Expenses

Total Parish Staff $177,952 $3,529 $156,972 $20,980 $220,926

Total Christian Education and Youth $3,552 $6,093 $6,266 ($2,714) $10,635

Total Music $1,739 $835 $2,450 ($711) $4,074

Total Outreach $3,637 ($2,579) $168 $3,469 $1,108

Total Property $86,806 ($718) $84,639 $2,167 $105,104

Total Administration $92,345 ($11,376) $92,717 ($372) $94,944

Total Worship $9,910 $702 $11,226 ($1,317) $13,612

Total Expenses $375,940 ($3,514) $354,439 $21,502 $450,403

Net Total ($4,832) $382 $3,540 ($8,372) $3,030

December Birthdays

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

Karen Holbrook

2 Ellen Wester

3 Meg Davis

4 Roy Daniel Mike Chase Noah Huntley

5 6 Olivia Kibler

7 Sarah Benjamin

8 Jean McDonald

9 Bobbie Fuchs

10

11 Jane Edwards

12 13 Jennifer Gould

14 15 Jenna Baldiga

16 Lee Wester

17 Deborah Alt

18 Dana Richardson

19 20 Bill Eberle

21 Louise Mead John Ziblut Jonathan Angier MJ Martin

22 Dotty Adams

23 24 Frank Lai Magdalena Aude

25 Thad Wester George Douglas

26 27 28 29 30 31

January Birthdays 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Avie Nubel

2

3 Kathryn Ard Shelley Lesher

4 Bob Fuchs

5 Libby Featherston Dave Stevens

6 Frank Darzano

7

8 Maryann Redington

9

10 Nancy Corsi

11 Rick Pearce

12 Jim Huntley

13 14

15 Marcia Whiting

16 17 18 Sarah Pettus Dan Corsi Maitland Barnes

19 Stan Benjamin Russ Yarrow

20 Michael Forte

21 Michael Worfolk

22 Jackie Gorton

23 Suzanne Kalchthaler Betsy Blee Jake Beamer

24 25 JoAnn Norman Scott O’Leary

26 27 Bill Thorpe

28 Don Halbert

29 Leighann Forte

30 David Winterhalter Donna Myers

31 David Gruber

Did You Know?

Well, Advent has begun (Nov. 27th). Our Advent Wreaths have been created using three purple

and one pink candle and one purple candle has been lighted. To follow up from last month, a

white candle is placed in the center on Christmas Day. Purple hangings and clergy vestments and

stoles are being used, not replaced with white ones until Christmas Day through the Epiphany.

White and gold are used for festivals just as purple is used for times before festivals. Also,

Epiphany is the second of two fixed dates on the calendar. Many churches use only green in

flower urns to emphasize the time of preparation. If for no other reason this makes Christmas

flowers even more dramatic. Finally, where are those Christmas carols? (Hymns 79-115) On

hold…. For the purist among us the carols are only for Christmastide: Christmas Day to Epiphany.

Until then we sing Advent music (Hymns 53-76) and wait and wait… Sara Krantz