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Parish Life July, 2015 Volume 13, Issue 7

Sunday Services 8:30 & 10:30 am

Nursery Offered from 10:15 am on Sundays Upcoming Events Men’s Breakfast

July 11th Oliver Music

Rehearsal July 12th Oliver Rehearsal for

children July 16th & 23rd

SPY Pisgah trip July 18th

Feed Thy Neighbor July 25th

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 910 Hudson Road P. O. Box 25817 Greenville, SC 29616 Tel: 864/268-7280 Fax: 268-2501

E-mail: parishadministrator@ stpetersgreenvillesc.net

Website: stpetersgreenville.org Newsletter Editor: Ron Shabel 864-322-9527 ronshabel@gmail.com

Dear People of St. Peter's,

Many of you who attended Fr. Dorian's ordination to the priesthood back in January know at least one thing about the Episcopal Church's next Presiding Bishop―that man can preach! We also saw and heard enough to know he is a minister who has (and shares) the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In other words, we had an encounter that night with what St. Paul describes as the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry is presently the Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. Our own Bishop Waldo invited Bishop Curry to preach at the ordination in January because the other candidate, the Rev. Gary Eichelberger, is from that diocese. Bishop Curry's reputation as a gifted preacher preceded him, and we were blessed to experience the reason he is regularly featured as teacher and preacher at the National Preaching Conference. Yet, what I remember most clearly about that night during worship and also at the reception is just how vividly the Rt. Rev. Curry animates the fruit of the Spirit.

Apparently, the House of Bishops at our General Convention have experienced this vividly as well because Curry is the first person to be elected Presiding Bishop in a landslide on the first ballot in the history of the Episcopal Church! This is not because the other three candidates were deficient in any way. They are all capable bishops and leaders in the Church. I believe it is because the fruit of the Spirit is just so palpable in his life and in his ministry.

We have seen the fruit of the Spirit more than once in these past couple of weeks. We have seen it inside and outside Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston. We have heard it from the voices of the families of those who were martyred for their faith. We have seen it in thousands who stood together for unity across the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. We have heard it in the eulogy delivered by President Obama at Clementa Pinckney's funeral.

The power of this Spirit is unstoppable. We have seen with our own eyes how it conquers fear and hate. We have heard with our own ears how it overcomes darkness and despair. John Newton discovered it when he experienced an absolute transformation in his life. John Newton is the white slave trader who described this fruit in the famous words we all know and love―Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see!

It is always the season for fruitfulness in the Church. Particularly this month, let us be thankful for the ways in which the sweet fruit of the Spirit is alive and well in the Church. And let us also ask ourselves what seeds we are planting and what fruits we are nurturing within ourselves and our community which glorify God and nourish our neighbors in Christ's Name.

Blessings and Peace,

One body of transformation embracing all people through Christ’s love

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July Birthdays 01 Samantha Hansen, James Hoskinson

Gale Tieder 03 Berta Farr, Harold Hunt

Eric Johnson 04 Allison Garrett 06 Bailey Herman

William Lee 07 Christie Kline 08 Alexis Garret, David Lace Joe West 09 Eleanor Major

Jan Rhodes 10 Burns Davison 11 Nora Durham 13 Frank Boineau, Jessi Davison Connor Garrett 14 Betsy Cummings 15 Brooks Carter

Nancy Jones 16 Cameron Beach 17 Jason Cheek

Delmar Pagel 18 Lori Berry

Ginnie Durst 19 Alice Paige Gilstrap 20 Austin Berry, Keys Lewis Jasmine Prince 21 Kevin Lawton

Ben Sullivan 22 Austin Ryan Betty Watson 24 John Ice 25 Lottie Brown

Rachel Morse 26 Randall Fowler 27 Patricia Hitner 28 Heather Jenkins

Wes Smith 29 Rick Kettler Joseph Kloss 30 Furman Buchanan Kim Kauffman Indi Irizarry Murphree Ross Ovington

Anniversaries

03 Nancy & Bill Henderson 04 Pat & Ron Adams 12 Ginnie & Thomas Durst 13 Christie & Bobby Kline

Martha & Ed Venters 14 Jody & Wayne Fails 15 Cathy & Scott Kemp 22 Dotti & Tom Priddy 23 Erin & Pete Ryan 26 Susie & John Ingles 27 Kim & Anthony Cato 28 Kim & Furman Buchanan 31 Kara & Tony Scalzitti

Vestry Highlights June 8th Discussions:

Reflection given on the Faith@4 service with a suggestion that a possible survey be sent to the congregation to collect information.

Discussion regarding the cost of networking the office computers.

Suggestion that the church needs to have a “One Time Projects list created.

Approvals:

Approved request for funding Phase 1 of Grounds Project up to $32 K.

Approved networking of the office computers. Approved Stockstill Hall Audio System funded by the

Memorials Committee with cost not to exceed $2000.00.

Stewardship:

VBS Lighten Up Summer Wrap Up takes place Aug 14-16 for 3 yr. olds through 5th grade.

The Buddy Club has been relocated to McCall House. Outreach is looking into options to raise money to fund

another StopHungerNow event. Gil Goodman will be meeting regarding the security system.

St. Peter's Players' Oliver! Sun, July 12; 12:30 ‐ 2:30 p.m.; Music rehearsal for ALL 

CAST 

*Thurs, July 16; 9 a.m.‐12 p.m.; Blocking/stage movement 

rehearsal for CHILDREN 

*Thurs, July 23; 9 a.m.‐12 p.m.; Blocking/stage movement 

rehearsal for CHILDREN 

Sun, August 16; 12:30 ‐ 2:30 p.m.; Music rehearsal for ALL 

CAST (Your specific time is TBA) 

Sun, August 23; 12:30 ‐ 3:00 p.m.; Read through/Dialect for 

ALL CAST 

Sun, August 30; 12:30 ‐ 2:30 p.m.; Blocking/Music rehearsal 

for ALL CAST 

*Children should plan to attend ONE of the two morning blocking rehearsals. Please indicate which rehearsal you will be attending.

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Our Finances as of May 31st Numbers in thousands

DON’T PUT IT OFF The old adage says ”The only sure things in life are death and taxes”. We are reminded of this if we use estimated tax payments four times a year. How often do we think about death?

Many people responded to the invitation to the Legacy Society introduction by saying they were too young to worry about that yet. But the news tells us every day about young people who die from accidents or a failure of some body part like a heart attack or a stroke. We are not guaranteed tomorrow.

So if you have not prepared for the certainty of the end of life by preparing a will, a medical power of attorney, and checking that the beneficiaries of life insurance are up to date DON’T PUT IT OFF. Start today and remember St. Peter’s in your plans! We know not the day or the hour when the master will call us.

Save The Date St. Peter’s Boy Scout Troop 260 has their largest community service project and fundraiser each year at Fall For Greenville (FFG). This year FFG is October 9th-11th and our goal is to provide at least 600 service hours. These hours are provided not only from the scouts but also from families and supporters of Troop 260. If you are available to assist, please save these dates. As we draw closer, more detailed information will be provided regarding specific positions, how to sign up and how to have your hours credited towards Troop 260. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Questions may be directed to Wes Boyce at wesboyce@bellsouth.net or 864-561-5557.

NEW FACES AT ST. PETERS

NEW FACES AT ST. PETERS Betty & Doug Watson 1408 Trailhead Court Greenville, SC 29617 watsup9@bellsouth.net

864-246-8566

Betty and Doug have lived at The Woodlands at Furman for three years. They have enjoyed the music programs, the sports, golf and the courses through OLLI (continuing education for seniors). They lived in Flat Rock since 1995 in the same community as our own Phyllis and Dick Kirkman. Betty grew up as the “preacher’s kid”, and her brother is currently a priest in Massachusetts. Doug worked for the Kendall Company in Manufacturing Management at the plant in Seneca. They have also lived in Massachusetts, Athens, GA and North Carolina while raising their four daughters. Carol, the oldest, has two grown children. Lee lives in Clemson and works at the GHS Life Center. She has two daughters and a son. Jean lives in Minneapolis. She is a doctor and works as a hospitalist while raising two teenage sons. The youngest, Elizabeth, lives in Fredericksburg, VA with her husband and is a professor at George Mason University. Betty and Doug had been trying out churches in the area, when they read the article on Father Furman in the weekly supplement to the newspaper. They came to St. Peters and knew they had found their church home. Doug enjoys playing golf and gardening. He has painted with oils for years, but is currently learning to paint with watercolors. Betty is a writer of short stories and poetry and is published in multiple anthologies. In addition, she arranges flowers and takes three OLLI courses per quarter. They usually attend the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday. I know all of you will enjoy getting to know this talented and friendly couple.

July 5 July 12 July 19 July 26

Ushers 8:30 Bobbie & Rich Nichols

Barbara & Don Ellis

Loretta & Bill Hartzell

Kathy Lundy

Greeters 8:30

Don & Ruthie Speed

Sandy & Bill Hemphill

Marion Sprague Faye Miller John Ice

Greeters 10:30

Deidre McDowell, Lynn Aneskievich, Carol Stephan

Bud & Karen Lawton

Lane Abrams, Nancy Roush, Betty Walker

Suzann Adams, Martha Venters

Ushers 10:30 John Wagoner Frank Walker Matt Carter Phil Johnson Eric Johnson Ken Shabel

Meta Armstrong Hugh Yochum Gale Roush Chris Dewey Jack Mitchell David Griffin

Dave Strickland Pat Ovington Jason Cheek Al Adams Al Mina Joseph Lawton Andy Morse

Tony Scalzitti Larry Neal David Leaphart Sandy Wells Gary Taylor

Nursery 10:15

Melinda Long, Jason & Jennifer Cheek

Berta Farr Judy Well, Jamie Adams Laura Goodman

Prayers of the People 8:30

Val Pierce JoAnna Renkowski Bob James Kathleen Brady

Prayers of the People 10:30

Suzann Adams Sue Bunnell Erin Ryan Jamie Adams

Altar Guild Kathy Lundy Judy Wells Nancy Wedlake Diane Moore Berta Farr

Kathy Siegel Victoria Siegel Delores Smith Nancy Roush Dot Closs

Margaret Boineau Beck Sullivan Shannon Lawton Jinny Jervey Jennifer Cheek

Martha Venters Marilyn Richardson JoAnna Renkowski Bobbie Nichols JoAnn Scull

Opener Jim Bauer Ron Plemmons Bill Hartzell Bill Hawkins

Closer Phil Johnson Tim Estes Thom Long Gary Taylor

Lector 8:30 1 Burns Davison 2 Malissa Hawkins

1 Kathleen Brady 2 Wes smith

1 Bill Hartzell 2 Bob James

1 Sandy Hemphill 2 Val Pierce

Lector 10:30 1 Jack Peyrouse 2 JoAnn Scull

1 Keys Lewis 2 Marion Mitchell

1 Lisa Gomez 2 Melinda Long

1 Robyn Zimmerman 2 Meta Armstrong

Server Jordan Del Priore Madalyne Lawton Finley Buchanan Carissa Rhodes

Crucifer Lamar Buchanan Erykah Prince Jordan Del Priore Anita Rhodes

Torch Bearers James Kluttz

Caroline Griffin Dominick Lopis Jackson Gore

Laurie Summerfield Jasmine Prince

Alice Gilstrap Emily Dewey

Chalice Bearers 8:30 David Leaphart

Bob James Sandy Hemphill Lisa Gomez

Frank Boineau Margaret Boineau

Barbara Ellis Don Ellis

Chalice Bearers 10:30

Lisa Gomez Robert Baker

Jason Cheek Joseph Lawton

Keys Lewis Sandy Wells

Thom Long Lisa Gomez

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The new Presiding Bishop-elect Speaks The Rt. Reverend Michael Curry (Diocese of N.C.) was elected as the next Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church on

Saturday, June 27th. Following his election, a media conference was held at the General Convention at which Bishop

Curry addressed a range of topics. Included here are some of his comments, courtesy of the Rev. Pat McCaughan who is

a correspondent for Episcopal News Service.

Among his priorities – the Jesus movement

“I am looking forward to serving and working for the cause of the Jesus movement in world … to help this become a

transformed world that looks more like God’s dream and less like our nightmare. That’s what energizes me and what I

believe in and we can really continue and build on the good work that’s been done in Bishop Katharine’s years.”

Evangelism vs. evangelical

“Everybody knows I really do take evangelism seriously and discipleship and witness and service and social advocacy,

the gospel principles that we hold. Those three things are critical and needed in this time. I think The Episcopal Church

has something to offer in the public square. We have a way of looking at the Gospel that makes known the love of God in

Jesus.”

But is he evangelical? “I think it’s fair to say that I am a follower of Jesus.”

How will he address societal issues?

“Some of this will evolve over time,” Curry told the gathering, adding that there are good public initiatives already going on,

with the church’s Office of Governmental Relations and other efforts, to address issues of racism and poverty.

Noting the specter of the recent killings of nine people at a Bible study in Charleston, South Carolina, he added: “it was

the voice of the Christian community that really did change the narrative from one that could have degenerated into a

negative and hurtful to one that was a narrative of forgiveness. That’s one of the roles religious communities and in

particular the Christian community can offer, is a positive way forward.”

Becoming the beloved community:

“I believe profoundly that Dr. King was right. We were put here to create the beloved community; God is the same God

and creator of all of us. If we all come from the same source, I’m not a scientist … I’m just a preacher, but if we’ve got the

same parental source then you’re related to everybody. We are brothers and sisters of each other. The hard work is to

figure out how we live as beloved community, as the human family of God and do that in practical and tangible ways.”

Involving more Latinos in leadership roles

“This will be critical. It’s one of the things we’ve worked on in North Carolina. It has taken time. I’ve been bishop there for

15 years and people from the Latino community are now taking leadership in the life of the diocese. It’s happened over

time in communities of faith.”

On preaching

“I do love to preach. The preaching and teaching of God’s word does make a difference and can lift us up. You know the

story in Ezekiel 37? That’s pretty much about preaching. We’re a valley of dry bones; God said preach to them and the

bones started to shake, rattle, and roll … that is what preaching does. I hope to continue the preaching ministry as well, as

a way of moving the church forward.”

On being elected the African-American leader of a largely white denomination

“It’ll be interesting to see what terms get used about me. Let’s wait and see.”

He said the election of Jefferts Schori as the first woman presiding bishop paved the way for him. “I was there when it

happened and I remember just realizing it was an experience of the Holy Spirit for real. And today I had that same

feeling,” he said, his voice growing softer.

“I think that’s a sign of our church growing more deeply in the spirit of God and the movement of God in our world. It was

like the day of Pentecost, when the spirit came down, people living in the spirit of God’s love, of God’s embrace, and we

find ourselves growing more in the direction of God’s dream.”

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On growing churches

“The gospel hasn’t changed. Jesus is still the same. We need to learn and discover new ways of carrying out and sharing

that good news of Jesus. In this day, in this time, the church can no longer wait for its congregation to come to it. That

change of directionality on the part of the church, church-wide, will have impact for reaching people who are not

automatically coming to our doors.”

What he wants people to know about him?

“That Michael Curry is a follower of Jesus. Not a perfect one. I want to be one of his disciples. I believe that the way of

Jesus, the way of God’s love that we see in Jesus, is the way of life, life that sets us free, that moves us.

“I just want people to know that Michael Curry does strive to follow in the way of Jesus and reflect his love and

compassion in his life and in the life of the church.”

About reconciliation

“If you follow Jesus, you’re good with me … let’s go together. Ultimately, that’s the thing that matters. We deal with each

other in love and charity. We’ll find a way forward. We will create space. Better yet, the spirit of God will create space for

all of us.”

About the Supreme Court’s decision and what General Convention will do about same gender marriage

“The Supreme Court affirmed the authenticity of love. We’re in the business of love. There’s a hymn, ‘where true love is

found, God himself is there.’ We’re in the process of working that out, what form that will take we’ll know at the end of this

convention. The reality is the issues are about marriage. How do we make it fulsome and wholesome for all? How do we

make marriage a context where life is ennobled and lifted up? Those are critical pastoral concerns.”

About healing the breach with the global south

“As a bishop, I am supportive of our current presiding bishop and our leadership and the work we’ve done. I am

committed to the work of reconciliation. It is part of our gospel mandate. I have friends in the global south and many of my

ancestors are from the global south. I will be an instrument of God’s reconciliation any way I can that will lead to true

reconciliation. I’ll do my best.”

About living into his new ministry

“I am very thankful for the presiding bishop’s long, sustained, courageous, wise and faithful stewardship. Thank God for

you,” he told Jefferts Schori. “I am very thankful, honored and blessed. I’ve been blessed to be bishop of the Diocese of

North Carolina for 15 years. I love that diocese and our people and I’m blessed to be the presiding bishop-elect.”

United Ministries Food Pantry Program United Ministries has asked for our help in making improvements to their food pantry program. They hope to streamline the food donations to provide a more balanced bag of groceries and reduce the quantity of food that is discarded by clients due to food allergies and/or family food preferences. The model they are adopting is a version of the Client Choice Food Pantry being used by food pantries across the country.

United Ministries is asking each of the groups who currently contribute to the food pantry to begin specializing the contributions. There are 27 standard items with which they want to stock the shelves. The initial ask of St. Peter's parish is that we provide enough packages of powdered milk by the first week of August to make 600 quarts. Each grocery bag distributed will contain powdered milk to make 2 quarts. Please purchase the one or two quart size packages if possible so that the milk can be evenly distributed. If we start collecting milk now, we will need an average of 75 quarts of milk per week to accumulate 600. A 3.2 ounce bag that makes one quart costs about $2.00. Please pick up a bag (or two) of milk on your next grocery store visit and place it in the red wagon in the narthex. If you have other food items that you have purchased for this ministry, please feel free to bring those as well through the end of June. Going forward we hope to focus on one item at a time to better help meet the needs of the pantry clients.

For more information on this change or the ministry in general, contact Lauren Hill at 864-385-0869 or j.hill.lauren@g.mail.com. Thank you for your ongoing support of this important outreach ministry!

Feed Thy Neighbor Through the first 5 months of 2015, volunteers have served a hot breakfast to an average of 73 hungry people per month at St. Andrews Episcopal Church on the 4th Saturday of each month. This is a wonderful way to spend part of your Saturday morning, and more volunteers are needed, especially for the 8:00 - 9:30 shift. If you are interested in helping to cook serve or clean up please contact Nicola Page at nicolapage88@gmail com and let her know Nicola

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JULY 2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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29 30

1 10:00 AM Quilting Group 6:00 PM Holy Eucharist (Chapel)

2 3:30 PM Bible Study 6:00 PM Israel Trip Meeting (Parlor)

3 4

5 8:30 AM Eucharist Rite I 9:30 AM Adult Sunday School 9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal 9:30 AM Parent Group 10:30 AM Children's Church 10:30 AM Eucharist Rite II 11:30 AM Lemonade on the Patio

6 7

8 10:00 AM Quilting Group 6:00 PM Holy Eucharist (Chapel)

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3:30 PM Bible Study

10 11

8:00 AM Men's Fellowship Breakfast

12 8:30 AM Eucharist Rite I 9:30 AM Adult Sunday School 9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal 9:30 AM Parent Group 10:30 AM Children's Church 10:30 AM Eucharist Rite II 11:30 AM Lemonade on the Patio 12:30 PM St Peter's Players (SPP) Rehearsal-Oliver (Choir Rm)

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6:00 PM Vestry Meeting (SH)

14 15

10:00 AM Quilting Group 6:00 PM Holy Eucharist (Chapel) 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

16 9:00 AM SPP Rehearsal-Oliver (SH) 3:30 PM Bible Study

17 18

8:00 AM SPY- Pisgah Day Trip

19 8:30 AM Eucharist Rite I 9:30 AM Adult Sunday School 9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal 9:30 AM Parent Group 10:30 AM Children's Church 10:30 AM Eucharist Rite II 11:30 AM Lemonade on the Patio

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7:00 PM Outreach Advocates Meeting

21

6:00 PM Daughters of the King

22

10:00 AM Quilting Group 6:00 PM Holy Eucharist (Chapel)

23

9:00 AM SPP Rehearsal - Oliver (SH) 3:30 PM Bible Study

24 25

6:30 AM Feed Thy Neighbor

26 8:30 AM Eucharist Rite I 9:30 AM Adult Sunday School 9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal 9:30 AM Parent Group 10:30 AM Children's Church 10:30 AM Eucharist Rite II 11:30 AM Lemonade on the Patio

27 28 29

10:00 AM Quilting Group 6:00 PM Holy Eucharist (Chapel)

30 3:30 PM Bible Study

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An Update about the Stewardship of Parish Buildings and Grounds

At the most recent meeting, the vestry made some decisions about the stewardship of this place which we hold dear. We want to share with you the details of those decisions, and also offer an update about the 'bigger picture' of what lies before us as well as we can discern that picture right now.

St. Peter's is blessed with a facilities committee and a grounds committee with competent, creative and resourceful volunteers who are helping us tend to the constant and evolving demands of a campus our size. These faithful volunteers have made it possible for us to maintain our property as good stewards, and to respond to the regular challenges which arise with our buildings and grounds.

Here are the specific items that were brought forth to the vestry recently which have been approved for action in the weeks to come:

1. We approved the installation of audio equipment for Stockstill Hall. It has been an ongoing challenge to teach classes and offer programs which can be heard by all who attend, given the poor acoustics of that space. We are grateful to the St. Peter's Memorials Committee for funding a sound system which can be secured in a locked cabinet, and which can make a significant improvement for those who attend classes or programs in Stockstill Hall.

2. We approved the installation of video surveillance system to enhance the safety of those who come to St. Peter's for worship, fellowship and Christian education, to improve the security of our campus, and to discourage loitering that is either destructive or purposeless. A contractor has been selected to install a system with 9 digital cameras and a recording system.

3. We approved the first phase of implementation of a landscape plan which our grounds committee helped develop in consultation with a professional landscape designer earlier this year. As you have noticed, the most unhealthy and deteriorating part of our campus is also the most visible--the conspicuous front corner section next to Hudson and Devenger Roads. The Juniper ground covering which prevents erosion has been dying and the removal of dead portions during the past couple of years have left us with a blighted and deteriorating problem that requires action.

Phase one of the landscaping plan will involve the removal of this groundcover and the construction of a retaining wall which will stabilize this area and make possible a new and improved appearance at the 'front door' of our campus. Phase one will also include the construction of irrigation for the entire front area of the campus. We currently have no irrigation in the front, and it will not be possible to sustain any new plantings beyond the perimeter of the buildings without making this investment.

There is other, much needed work to be considered in the future with regard to plantings and signage. We are also anticipating a significant pruning in the days to come around Duke Energy's easement for power lines. Unfortunately, this will have a significant impact on our Cypress trees alongside Hudson Road and a couple of the oak trees near Devenger Road.

Your vestry is also well aware that we are drawing close to the time when we must replace the shingles on the buildings. Some funds have been reserved over the years for this purpose, but the expense for this capital need exceeds the good stewardship the parish has already practiced on that front.

During the last four years the parish has made exceptional strides in the stewardship of gifts and offerings, and the vestry has devoted faithful attention to developing the staff and programming necessary to serve a congregation of roughly 500 souls. We are now approaching a time when we need to devote faithful attention and stewardship to the stewardship of place―buildings and grounds―where the worship, education and programs of the parish are rendered.

Our past five senior wardens are looking back at the Healthy Church Initiative work that was done a number of years ago to set goals and priorities for St. Peter's. They are looking particularly at the strengths and weaknesses of our buildings to enable us to fulfill our mission. Ultimately, their work will be presented to the vestry, and form a framework for parish discussion and discernment.

In all these things, our goal is to collectively embrace the blessing and challenge of being good stewards of what we have received--from God and from those who have gone before us in this parish. And we will also be transparent and honest about the needs, opportunities and costs of being faithful to this call.

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New Roots for St. Peter’s An Update from the Grounds Committee

The Grounds Committee was formed in Spring of 2014 at the recommendation of the Vestry. The members of the committee are Ron Adams, Meta Armstrong, Leslie Cook, Brita and James Hoskinson, and Ron Plemmons. The goals of the committee are to make St. Peter’s campus an appealing and inviting place, to act as a unifying body supporting the individuals and small groups working separately on specific areas of the grounds, and to present a comprehensive plan for upgrades, planting and routine maintenance.

So what has been done so far? We’ve been busy! We’ve walked the entire campus to inventory plants and to brainstorm our vision for the future. We’ve set time lines for routine maintenance on current plantings (fertilizing and seeding grassy areas, trimming overgrown bushes, etc.). We’ve done quite a bit of work ourselves… trimming bushes, removing dead and/or dying plants, and pulling weeds. Our biggest achievement has been to hire a landscape architect, Graham Kimak. We outlined our vision for an overall design, and Graham went to work. He has produced blue prints of the campus which included, among other things, current plants and suggested new plants as well as a retaining wall for the front hill. With the approval of our committee, he sent all of the related work out for bid, and we ultimately selected Staggs Brothers.

At their June meeting, the Vestry approved Phase I of the overall plan. We were truly thrilled and are very thankful for their consideration and generosity! This phase will include the removal of all of the juniper bushes on the front hill, installation of an irrigation system to cover the front portion of the campus, construction of the retaining wall, and an initial application of a layer of mulch. All work will be done during the work week, with the parking lot cleared each weekend.

Coincidentally, Duke Energy will be in the area doing routine tree trimming. Their work will occur at about the same time as Phase I of our project. We understand that Duke Energy will be trimming only the trees that might infringe on power lines: the Leland Cypresses along Hudson Road will be topped, and some trimming will be done on the Oak Trees near the main entrance. There is a plan in place to have representatives from the church on hand during Duke’s trimming so that we have input on what they do.

Anyone who is an experienced gardener knows that planting is not done in the heat of the summer. So watch for that to happen in Phase II; more information will be coming soon on this! Please feel free to ask any of the committee members if you have questions.

 

 

 

Spy Calendar & Events July 18 (Sat) SPY Pisgah Day Trip

Depart St. Peters at 8:00 am. The day will include: hike to Moore Cove Falls, swimming at Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Roack, and fun times at Coon Tree Picnic area. Need Chaperones & the whole family is welcome to come along. Email Dorian to RSVP.

August 2 (Sun) Family BBQ 6 pm @ the Pavilion Bring your own meat to grill and a side to share. This is a simple time of Fellowship, field games, and building community. All are welcome! Spread the word!

Thank you from the Back Pack Ministry During the just completed school year, St. Peter’s delivered 936 bags of healthy food to 26 “food insecure” students at A J Whittenberg Elementary School in downtown Greenville. The backpack program is organized by Outreach Advocates in partnership with Harvest Hope Food Bank. It would not have been successful without the participation of dozens of generous parishioners who helped with packing and delivery throughout the year. There are too many good people to name individually, but we want to say a special “thank you” to the Men’s Group, SPY, Girl Scouts, and the children’s Sunday School classes for their regular commitments to the program. The students, their families, the PTA, and the school administrators are deeply grateful to all of you. Hope to see you again in September. We'd like to share this message we received from Dr. Megan Mitchell- Hoefer, Principal of AJ Whittenburg: "I just wanted to take time to express our gratitude to the St. Peter's congregation for your support of our students through the " Back Pack" program. It is a wonderful program and our families are fortunate to have your support. Thank you again!"

Society of St. Andrew Gleaning Network Since 1992 more than 143 million pounds of fresh produce have reached people in need in North Carolina and South Carolina through this ministry. Gleaning is the traditional biblical practice of gathering crops that would otherwise be left in the fields to rot, or be plowed under after harvest. Farmers donate food, volunteers work, donors provide funds for transportation, and feeding agencies distribute the food. These Counties in upstate South Carolina participate in the program: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, and Union. To learn more or if you are interested in volunteering with the Gleaning Network, please contact Sunshine Leister at scglean@endhungernow.org 864-214-4201.

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Summer Reading

I recently attended the first annual Frederick Buechner Writer's Workshop at Princeton Theological Seminary. Some of you heard a remarkable story of one of my experiences at the seminary in a recent sermon. The thing I did not have time to detail in my sermon is just how important the writings of Frederick Buechner (pronounced―Beekner) have been in my life. In fact, his writings served as an important catalyst in my own discernment about a vocation as priest.

A Presbyterian layman took me to lunch the other day, and I told him I had just attended a workshop at this flagship Presbyterian seminary. My friend had recently served on a call committee, and remarked that virtually all of the prospective candidates they went to visit preached a 3-point sermon with a Buechner quote thrown in! I don't frequently quote Frederick Buechner in my sermons, but the breadth with which he has taught me to perceive and interpret the people, stories and lessons from Holy Scripture heavily influences the way I preach in general.

It occurs to me that with summertime, perhaps I should offer a potential reading list from which you might possibly select an item or two as a companion on a quiet day under the shade of a tree or beach umbrella.

I have read and enjoyed several of Buechner's fictional works. Here is a snapshot of several options. (There are many more which I have not yet read.)

Godric was a runner up for the Pulitzer Prize. It is the fictional story of a historical and irascible saint from the 12th century. Amazingly, Buechner managed to write the novel in the English of that period. If you found an old weathered copy with a dusty cover you could never guess it was written in 1980! The plot is simple: a young monk attempts to tell the glorious truth of venerable Godric, while the saint shares another version. Buechner confronts us with saint and sinner, faith and doubt, hope and despair in ways that are marvelously timeless and deeply human.

The Storm, one of his last works, demonstrates the versatility of Buechner's gift. In this case he retells an old story with modern language. As you might have guessed, this book is a re-interpretation of Shakespeare's, The Tempest, set in Florida with characters we can easily recognize and with whom we can sympathize.

On the Road with the Archangel is a novel that relates the Apocryphal Book of Tobit. Since we don't hear from Tobit in our lectionary cycle, this is a great way to learn the story of a faith journey with all the impediments and graces that are strewn along the pathway.   

If you are more interested in non-fiction, Buechner has written extensively. The work with which I am most familiar are the memoirs about his own life and struggles as well as his infamous ponderings―in brief alphabetical sketches―of Biblical people and places and of theological words and ideas.

Peculiar Treasures: A Biblical Who's Who will, without a doubt, put flesh and bones on the people you have heard about Sunday after Sunday. Buechner helps us to see that their beauty (and warts) are not just skin deep. He breathes life into these characters and helps us pay attention to the ways in which their story with God is quite like our story with God.

Wishful Thinking: A Seekers A,B,C and Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter's Dictionary do much the same thing, but with brief sketches and insights about words, ideas and even mundane things. For those who don't read at great lengths, these books can serve as an at-a-glance resource for a fresh new look at things so familiar we may not even notice them or think about them anymore.

The Sacred Journey, Now and Then and Telling Secrets are memoirs that give us a closer look at the person behind all those other words and books. The most important accomplishment in these works is Frederick Buechner's unflinching attentiveness and authenticity as a writer, as a minister, and as a human being.

The debt of gratitude that I―and so many others―owe to Frederick Buechner is that he has taught us how to pay attention and how to faithfully hold the tensions, ironies and subtleties of truth about life and death, hope and fear, faith and doubt. These gifts are often missing from the day-to-day media to which we are all exposed (no matter which channel or newsfeed or radio station you tend to subscribe).

Perhaps you will find a little time this summer to enjoy reading Frederick Buechner or any of a number of other writers who help us pay attention more closely to fullness of our lives and to the glory of God, the Lover of human souls.

Blessings and Peace,

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2015 Lighten Up -Summer Wrap Up August 14th-16th

Registration Form-due July 15th

Please fill in top part of form for one child, both parts for two children. Use additional forms for more than two children from one family. Return form to the church office or Cathy Church in the nursery.

There is a $5 registration fee per child ($12 maximum per family). Make checks payable to “St Peters Episcopal Church” with “VBS” in the memo line. Scholarships are available-contact Fr. Furman, Fr. Dorian, or Lisa Gomez for details.

Children's shirts are included. Additional shirts are $10.

Will you need nursery (under 3 years old) _____ Will you be joining us for dinner Friday night? _____ How many? _____ Will you be joining us for lunch Saturday. _____ How many? _____ Would you be interested in volunteering? _____ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Child’s Name ______________________________________ Birth Date/Age _______________ Rising School Grade (Next Year) _____ Address __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Home Phone _______________ Other Contact Phone ________________ Email_____________________________________________________ Parents’ Name(s) ____________________________________________ Home Church if not St. Peter's__________________________________ Additional Emergency Contact __________________________________ Doctor’s Name/Phone ________________________________________ Allergies/Other Concerns _____________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ T-Shirt Size (circle) Youth S M L Adult S M L ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Child’s Name ______________________________________ Birth Date/Age _______________ Rising School Grade (Next Year) _____ Address __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Home Phone _______________ Other Contact Phone ________________ Email_____________________________________________________ Parents’ Name(s) ____________________________________________ Home Church if not St. Peter's__________________________________ Additional Emergency Contact __________________________________ Doctor’s Name/Phone ________________________________________ Allergies/Other Concerns _____________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ T-Shirt Size (circle) Youth S M L Adult S M L

Our mission is guided by St. Peter’s Core Value of "Christian Formation: · Fostering growth in spirit, mind and body through tradition, scripture and reason. · Cultivating a safe environment to challenge and grow in the faith. · Knowing that worship, education and ministry are rooted in discovery.

· Encouraging all to discover their personal talents and ministry.”

Date Topic Presenter Jul 5 No ACF (4thof July Weekend) 12 Mark 6:14-29 The Life of John the Baptist Jane Mercer 19 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Rest…interrupted Eve Lewis

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Christian Pilgrimages-insights about working this summer at the Cathedral of Santiago, the destination for Christian pilgrims in Spain. This cathedral is the burial place of St. James. Ryan (son of Gil and Bobbie Goodman) has also walked the Camino twice, and led a group from the College of William and Mary.

Ryan Goodman

Adult Christian Formation - Sundays 9:30-10:15 am, in Stockstill Hall

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PERMIT #46