SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP
Week of September 5, 2024 PRAYER LIST
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Sunday, September 8: The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
9:15 a.m. Nursery Opens
9:30 a.m. Adult Forum and Children's Bible Study in the Parish House
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist: BULLETIN
4:00 p.m. Christ Church Concert Series: The Young Person's Guide to the Organ
Wednesday, September 11
8:30 a.m. Church Open for Quiet Prayer
12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing (Undercroft Chapel)
Livestreamed services can be found on the Christ Church YouTube channel.
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MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM RECTOR
Welcome!
I have heard that word many times over this past week, my first week as the Interim Rector of Christ Church. You have welcomed me with grace, and I thank you for that. I look forward to continuing to get to know you and to walking with you through this time of transition.
It is a time of transition for all of us. As for me, though I have a long love for Savannah, I am new to this area and new to Christ Church, having lived most of my life in Atlanta and having served for the last ten years at the Cathedral of St. Philip. It has been a delight to discover how many friends Christ Church and St. Philip’s share. It has been a delight also to find so many shared values, including hospitality. Christ Church has a reputation and a gift for being a welcoming community, and I have experienced that firsthand this week. Thank you for your welcome!
I would like to extend a welcome to you, too: Welcome home! Welcome back! This week after Labor Day marks a homecoming of sorts in the church, as we transition out of the summer season and kick off the program year—a transition that you marked this past Sunday with the wonderful tradition of “Seersucker Sunday.”
The good news is that God does amazing things in transitions. We will have an opportunity to talk more about that in the Adult Forum that begins this Sunday, “From There to Here: Flourishing in Times of Transition” (9:30 a.m. in the Parish House, Second Floor). This first session will be an opportunity for us to get to know each other and learn more about this “intentional interim.”
Welcome home to the children of Christ Church, too! In addition to Children’s Chapel, we will have a "Children's Bible Study" at 9:30 for children through 5th grade, led by Stephen and Claire Rilee (also in the Parish House).
And welcome to the neighborhood! Next Sunday, September 15, we will have the opportunity to welcome new friends and reconnect with old ones in various neighborhoods that make up this vibrant community, at the Neighborhood Parties.
These are just some of the upcoming opportunities to reconnect and to be in community with one another. You’ll find many more inside. What a community! What a welcome! What a gift it is to be here with you!
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Adult Forum Series Begins this Sunday, September 8
From There to Here: Flourishing in Times of Transition
Parish House, Second Floor, 9:30 a.m.
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All are invited to take part in a special adult forum series beginning September 8 in the Parish House, led by Interim Rector, the Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa, and other Christ Church clergy. Together we will ask, What does it mean to be in an interim period? What might we expect during this time? Join us as we discuss the hope and promise of living into a season of transition. The nursery will open at 9:15 for those in need of childcare, with activities available for older and younger children alike.
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Fall Program for 3rd–5th Graders During Children's Chapel
September 8–November 17, 10:30 a.m.
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The Young Person’s Guide to the Organ
Sunday, September 8, 4:00 p.m.
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You and your family are invited to enjoy a free concert by George Fergus on Sunday afternoon, September 8, at 4:00 p.m. It is the first concert of the church’s 2024-2025 concert series which offers several varied concerts free of charge to the community throughout the year. All children and their families will be invited to sit near the organ console and get a close-up look at the action. George will perform works well-known to fans of the Bluey franchise, Star Wars aficionados of all ages, and more, as well as give a demonstration of the inner workings of the pipe organ. A projector screen will be available at the front of the church so that all audience members can see him perform and demonstrate the instrument.
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In the Spirit: Monday, September 9 at the Sandfly 5-Spot
Second and Fourth Mondays, 5:30 p.m.
"In the Spirit" is a discussion group for those who seek to deepen their faith through meaningful conversations. Join us this Monday at The 5-Spot in Sandfly (7360 Skidaway Rd), where you can grab a drink or a bite as we spend time together. We'll gather at 5:30 p.m. and begin our discussion at 6:00.
This week's topic: Silence![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/51616018-3174-acb8-42e7-f9b1b34cf43b.jpg)
Silence has a long religious tradition, as well as many commendations in Scripture. Take for instance, Psalm 4:4, "Tremble then, and do not sin; speak to your heart in silence upon your bed." Or this tidbit from Proverbs: "Whoever belittles another lacks sense, but an intelligent person remains silent" (11:12).
Despite the supposed virtues of silence, staying quiet is notoriously hard to do. But what happens when we finally quiet down and get still? How might God speak through silence and stillness, especially in a world that so often seems anything but?
Questions to Ponder:
- What's the longest you've ever gone, intentionally or not, in silence? What did you learn during that time?
- Why do you think that silence is difficult for some of us? What happens when we don't have any of our typical distractions?
- How might people in today's increasingly noisy world make room for silence as a regular practice?
If you have questions or would like to receive emails about upcoming In the Spirit topics, please contact the Rev. Samantha McKean.
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Christ Church Book Group
Thursday, September 12, 10:30 a.m.![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/1b759302-bb33-0236-4832-2ccfd19bc009.jpg)
Join us next Thursday in the undercroft as we discuss It's All Relative by A.J. Jacobs. In this book, Jacobs undergoes a hilarious, heartfelt quest to understand what constitutes family—where it begins and how far it goes—and attempts to untangle the true meaning of the “Family of Humankind.” Jacobs upends, in ways both meaningful and hilarious, our understanding of genetics and genealogy, tradition and tribalism, identity and connection. It’s All Relative is a fascinating look at the bonds that connect us all.
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RSVP for Neighborhood Parties: Sunday, September 15
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A party is coming to your neighborhood! On Sunday, September 15, neighborhood parties will be held wherever Christ Church members are found. These casual gatherings are a great way to connect with your literal Christ Church "neighbors" in a fun and relaxed setting. No need to bring anything but a smile! To RSVP to your neighborhood party, please visit the Christ Church website. In order for our hosts to know how many people to expect, kindly RSVP by Thursday, September 12.
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Welcome to the Rev. Cathy Zappa, Interim Rector
This week we are thrilled to welcome the Rev. Cathy Zappa, Christ Church's new Interim Rector. Cathy comes to us from the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta where she served as the Canon for Liturgy and Pastoral Care. Cathy enjoys teaching in multiple settings and styles, working with volunteers and guilds, mentoring staff members, and leading ministry training.
At the Cathedral, she was instrumental in expanding pastoral care through new community partnerships and support groups, including off-site worship services. She has deep experience in both homeless and prison ministry.
Cathy is originally from Atlanta and has received degrees in English and German from the Universities of Georgia and Texas, as well as a Master of Arts in German Literature from the University of Texas Austin and Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She and her husband are recent “empty nesters” with a child in college and two recent graduates. For many years, she has had a family home in Savannah and is familiar with the area. Cathy enjoys running, walking her dog, and doing jigsaw puzzles.
It’s also important to note that we have posted a role for a new Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries to fill some of Helen White’s many roles. A big thank you to Savannah Young, who has been coordinating Children’s church during this interim period.
About 6 months after we settle into this interim phase, we will commission a Search Committee. This phase will include writing a Parish Profile and doing the actual search. The entire process will likely take 12-18 months, and we will continue to provide updates throughout the process.
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Listening Sessions for the Diocese of Georgia's Strategic Planning Process![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/b2091a16-a374-a8a9-ba7f-8729b3e81b4f.jpg)
Your congregation and your Diocese need you to participate in the Strategic Planning process, which will provide a shared direction for the next five years. This process is primarily intended to help the people of the Diocese discern how the Holy Spirit is leading us into the future and then naming that shared vision in a clearly defined plan. In asking, "What does fidelity to Jesus look like in this moment?" we can confidently look to the Spirit to guide us into new ways of embodying our living hope.
The Savannah Convocation is invited to an in-person listening session on Sunday, September 8 from 2–4 p.m. at St. Thomas, Isle of Hope.
The next online session will take place on September 10, 6–8 p.m.
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Church Open for Quiet Prayer on September 11
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The church will be open for quiet prayer from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11. The Revere and Son Bell will ring at the moments of impact: 8:46, 9:03, 9:37, and 10:07. The docent program will resume tours from 10:15 a.m. until 12 noon.
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Baptisms at Christ Church: October 6
Many will recall the joyful torrent of baptisms we experienced throughout this past spring and into the summer! We've had eleven baptisms so far in the year 2024, a powerful testimony to the work of new life that God is doing in our midst.
In response to the growing numbers of baptisms taking place at Christ Church, we are moving to what is actually the more traditional model for baptisms recommended by the Book of Common Prayer: instead of scheduling individual days for baptism throughout the year, Christ Church will offer specific days of baptism that are especially fitting for the occasion. All who are interested in receiving the sacrament of baptism are invited to take part on these days.
The next baptisms at Christ Church will take place on October 6 (transferred Feast of St. Francis of Assisi), November 3 (Sunday after All Saints’ Day), and January 12 (the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord). If you are interested in baptism for yourself or your child on one of these days, please contact the the Rev. Cathy Zappa or the Rev. Samantha McKean.
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Go Green Team!
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Last Sunday, the Green acolyte team came to church early for an acolyte training session (followed, of course, by celebratory donuts). The Green is one of this year's six acolyte teams, led by co-captains Carrie and Harris and joined by first-time acolyte Georgia.
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Next Week at Christ Church
Sunday, September 8: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
9:30 a.m. Adult Forum/Children's Bible Study
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist/ The Rev. Cathy Zappa's 1st Sunday
4:00 p.m. Christ Church Concert Series: The Young Person's Guide to the Organ
Monday through Friday, September 9–13
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Docent Tours
Monday, September 9
5:30 p.m. In the Spirit. Silence.
Wednesday, September 11
8:30–10:15 a.m. Church open for quiet prayer
12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing
7:00 p.m. Choir rehearsal
Thursday, September 12
10:30 a.m. Christ Church Book Group. It's All Relative
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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/a7b24203-3290-415d-387b-adc4e75c24ce.jpg)
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/4572f235-ccbc-3d47-435c-38376f4bdb65.jpg) ![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/bc9a416c-a8ce-35e8-ff02-7259d70cd17a.jpg)
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![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/97d9ea54-dbb0-7cb8-4fec-6af4d956ee6d.jpg) ![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/384d5f89-fdce-8e81-9161-5040f616e29d.jpg)
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![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/43861deb-d28e-c2e9-5061-d0ef98e8af83.jpg) ![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/1479b7f3-90a6-0611-ceaf-e20c6bba2d9a.jpg)
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/edba76cf-5055-1195-1dfc-d9b52086a20c.jpg)
Thanks to Mills Fleming for the photographs.
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Centered in Worship
All are Welcome
Joyful Living
Servant Leadership
We invite you to worship with us at Historic Christ Church.
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