Executive Director’s Report
 St. Christopher has some new residents. In the past year, Armadillo have moved onto Seabrook Island and have found their way to St. Christopher. In wanting to know more about them, I discovered that their name is Spanish for “Little Armored One.” I also discovered they are very industrious, playful, and cooperative with one another as they are all born as one of a set of quintuplets. At a time when it seemed needful to reward and recognize the St. Christopher staff in every way possible, and inspired by the arrival of these little armored ones in our midst, the Affirming Asseverate Armadillo Award was launched. It is awarded every two weeks to a staff member that is nominated and selected by his or her co-workers. In addition to taking custody of the actual trophy award, a certificate and gift certificate for $50 is presented to the recipient. At this writing, we have had two award winners, with a third expected to be identified later in the week. The certificate reads: “For exemplary service to the Lord and the guest of St. Christopher by exuding Christian character and a strong work ethic, displaying playful cooperation to all, and by being a little armored one in wearing the full armor of God.”
Janette Middleton was our first winner, recognized for her positive attitude and her willingness to work across departments in both Guest Services an d Food Services where she has allowed us to meet the needs of our guest groups in a time of continued scarcity of staff. Joe Galus of the Facilities Department was our second award winner, recognized particularly for his dogged determination in troubleshooting and correcting a complex electrical problem at The Prayer Center that left it devoi d of lights for almost a week.
All of the staff of St. Christopher continue to exude the aroma of Christ, and we want more staff to join them. We continue to promote ministry opportunities, while welcoming volunteer help to fill the gap. Please review the openings shown near the bottom of this newsletter, and read on to see how you too can help in our volunteer needs.
Blessings,
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Donate by Venmo: @StChristopher
Donate by mail:
St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center
Attn: COVID-19 Relief
2810 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455-6219
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St. Philip's Work Day at St. Christopher
 St. Christopher was blessed to welcome the return of St. Philip’s for yet another parish sponsored work day on the grounds. Yards were mowed, roads were blown, overgrowth was cleared, and truckloads of debris were hauled away. Thank you St. Philip’s for your love of St. Christopher and for your volunteer labors to enhance these hallowed grounds!
We also welcome the return of the Cursillo Community this coming Saturday, May 22nd for their second work day. Any other parish or group wanting to assist us in our care of St. Christopher will be welcomed!
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St. Christopher continues to be blessed by the volunteer assistance of others. The areas in which volunteers are most helpful include grounds maintenance with the Facility Staff, and food service assistance. We welcome individuals and groups to share in these needs. Facility needs are constant with volunteers welcomed at any time convenient for them. Food Service needs are specific, and include assisting in the serving of meals to guest groups. All volunteers are best scheduled in advance for our own planning.
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Bishop Thomas Hall
 Bishop Thomas Hall, once also known as the “Arts and Crafts” Building, is one of the oldest structures at St. Christopher. Built in the early 1950’s to serve as the Dining Room and Kitchen for the summer camp program, it was named for the Bishop who served at the time that St. Christopher was formed in 1938. This summer, it will also serve as a cabin for summer camp. To prepare it for this use, it was in dire need of a new roof. In beginning that work, major wood rot and deterioration was also exposed in the walls and roof trusses of the original kitchen area. This unplanned restoration was aided significantly by a $10,000 gift from Old Saint Andrews, and through an unrestricted bequest. While more work remains to beautify the exterior, the roof and interior will be ready to welcome summer camp campers soon.
 
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Naturalists Return
 The Barrier Island Environmental Program of St. Christopher was still very thinly subscribed for the spring 2021 semester, with only a few private and Christian schools availing themselves of this opportunity. Consequently, only two Naturalists were hired for the spring, with the hope of supplementing the teaching need with former staff Naturalists on an as needed basis from one week to the next. The early weeks of May proved to be our busiest of the year, and our hopes were met with a wonderful response for help. Weston and Lea Caswell returned to help over an entire week, and Hannah and Bennett Dixon returned for three days. Additionally, Maggie Boling, Drew Heyward and Ale Rios have all assisted multiple times throughout the spring. Meri Elizabeth Bitting and Bennett Love, although never “officially” seasonal Naturalists, have also helped tremendously throughout the spring with both classes and evening activities. The Barrier Island season comes to an official close in the coming days with the last of our scheduled school groups until September.
 
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Summer Camp
We Still Need Counselors
If you know someone that will be 16 years old (or older) this summer, loves Jesus, loves spending time with kids, and wants to be a part of the amazing summer camp ministry here at St. Christopher- tell them to apply....it is not too late!!
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Barrier Island Day Camp
June 14-17, 2021
This day camp is for campers grades 4-9. Camp begins at 9am and ends at 3pm. Advance registration is required. Don't delay, space is limited! For more information visit:
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Join Us For Our Intercessory Day of Prayer, May 22
We invite you to join us for our Intercessory Day of Prayer from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday,
May 22, at The Prayer Center. We continue to be diligent in maintaining proper social distancing procedures during this event. Please note that we will not serve lunch afterward. If you plan to attend, please bring a mask. Email The Rev. Dr. Sandi Kerner, Chaplain, to register.
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Be Still & Know God Contemplative Retreat
June 4-6, 2021
Are you longing to get away and get quiet so that you might become more aware of the presence of God? Then please join us for this contemplative retreat led by the Rev. Elizabeth Bumpas. This weekend retreat does not include a lot of teaching...it's simply about creating space for silence and solitude to connect with the Lord. The group will gather together in the mornings and evenings for Scripture meditation and there is a long period of silence (no talking) on Saturday afternoon. Come walk the beach or hike in the beautiful maritime forest as you devote an entire weekend to seeking the face of God. Nothing pleases Him more. The retreat will end Sunday after lunch with Holy Communion.
Register soon, there are only 10 spaces available.
Cost: $300 per person
Non-refundable deposit of$150 due at the time of registration.
Retreat fee includes two nights in a private room and all meals from dinner Friday thru lunch on Sunday.
To register, email the Rev. Dr. Sandi Kerner
or call 843-768-0429.
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Current and former summer camp staff members will gather on July 24th for our 15th annual summer camp staff regatta and reunion. All former summer camp staff and their families are welcome to join in this day of fun. Former summer camp staff who were signed off to sail are invited to take part in sailing in the regatta. Please contact Justin Johnson (jjohnson@stchristopher.org) for further information.
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Wellspring of Life Healing Retreat
Visit our website for more information and to register-www.stchristopher.org. Register early, space is limited to 80 guests.
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Time for an Upgrade
Help us replace our tired homemade wooden bunks and World War II-era surplus metal frames. We have changed out 30 so far and have 55 to go. Thank you for upgrading the camp experience!
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Support levels
- $895 = Bunk frame and two mattresses (the complete set)
- $495 = One bunk frame
- $195 = One mattress
- $100, $50, or other = We are thankful for gifts of any amount
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Other Ways to Donate
- Use the form that accompanies a camper’s online registration this year.
- Send a check, payable to the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina (memo line: Buy a Bunk), and addressed to Teri Hiers, St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, 2810 Seabrook Island Road, Seabrook Island, SC 29455
- Call our Student Ministries department at 843.768.1337 and pay with your credit card.
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Mary Whyte Prints
Only Four Signed Prints of Veil Remaining
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Internationally acclaimed figurative artist Mary Whyte loves St. Christopher and she's expressed that love by offering her work to benefit this ministry. She specifically offered a limited edition of only 25 giclee prints of Veil as a thank you to supporters of gifts of $5000 or more. Only four of these signed, framed 30x24, limited edition prints remain. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to acquire a valuable and appreciable piece of art and to bless St. Christopher.
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Director of Food Services
St. Christopher is hiring for Director of Food Services. This position includes primary responsibilities for menu planning, ordering, maintaining all kitchen and dining room facilities, food storage, food preparation, food delivery to all guests and staff, quality assurance, adherence to established federal and state food safety procedures, hiring and training of qualified food service personnel, budgeting, and process improvement.
Prior institutional food service experience, proven teamwork and a heart for ministry essential. This salaried position will work with a team that includes a veteran Executive Chef and an Assistant to the Director of Food Service.
Kitchen and Dining Room hours of operation extend from 6 a.m. to around 8 p.m. on many days. The morning team typically works from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the evening team noon to 8 p.m. The Director’s hours and days must be flexible to meet the overall needs of providing food service to guests needs, but with no expectation of exceeding the hours of a normal work week of 40 hours.
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Food Services Associate
In addition to cooking dinners for 30 to 300 people, this position includes the preparation of the dining rooms; washing dishes, pots, and pans; preparing beverages and salad bars; stocking shelves; and whatever else is needed to provide quality service to our guests. Applicant needs to have a strong back, healthy feet, and upper-body strength. Equally important is a demonstrated heart for teamwork.
This is a full-time hourly position. Hours for the day shift are approximately 6am to 2pm five days per week, including weekends; and the hours for the evening shift are approximately noon to 8 pm five days per week, including weekends- for a total of 40 hours per week. Schedules are made about a week in advance and are based on the needs of our guests. We are open year round, seven days a week. Weekend shifts are part of the schedule. Paydays are every two weeks.
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Guests Services Associate
We are looking for a high-energy individual to clean assembly spaces, lodge rooms and bathrooms, set up furniture for conferences, carry laundry bags; and do whatever else is needed to provide quality service. Applicant needs to be strong, in excellent physical condition, and care about cleanliness and presentation. Equally important is a demonstrated heart for teamwork, in particular with the rest of the Guest Services Department and the Facilities Department.
The position is hourly, full time (40 hours a week) or part time (28 hours a week). Typical full time includes 4 days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus 1 day a week (usually Friday) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Days vary week to week and are based on guests’ needs. Scheduled work days include an average of 2 Sundays per month. Work schedules are made about two weeks in advance. We are open year-round, seven days a week. Paydays are every two weeks. Starting hourly rate is competitive, well above minimum wage, and may go higher if you are effective with your time.
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Facilities Technician
We are seeking an experienced, spiritually mature Christian to serve in either a part-time or full time position. A Facilities Technician provides hands-on skills in cooperation with a team under the supervision of the Director of Facilities in the maintenance of St. Christopher’s 33 buildings and 314 acres of grounds.
Construction trade skills, as well as groundskeeper abilities, are required. Prior experience and teachability are both highly desirable. This benefited position is available immediately. If you are qualified for and excited about this opportunity, we look forward to receiving your application.
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Seasonal Naturalist
We are looking for Christian Teachers/Naturalists to work with the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program. This seasonal position runs from August to May. In addition to teaching, the position includes some service ministry to support other departments at St. Christopher (to include Guest Services, Food Services, and Facilities). A bachelor’s degree or equivalent further education or experience is required. A focus in education, biology or environmental science is preferred but not necessary. Teaching interest and ability with elementary and middle school students and a strong committed love of God are of utmost importance.
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A Prayer for St. Christopher
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