Rector's Corner
St. Philip’s Parishioners,
We have now had the opportunity to safely enjoy five straight weeks of in-person worship accompanied by a Facebook live stream. As I look at numbers for those weeks, our Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) for in-person gatherings at 8 and 10:30 a.m. is at 26 and our average number of peak live viewers on the Facebook live stream is at 16 (a fair number of these are couples watching the service together). So, we’re reasonably at around 50 live worshippers on a Sunday morning since Pentecost. As a point of some reference, our ASA heading into the COVID-19 pandemic was at 70. Of course, there are some choosing to worship with us online at other times and days once each live video feed has been uploaded. I do wish to relay that we still have plenty of room to join us for in-person worship, as you feel safe to do so. But please don’t forget we are all continuing to wear masks and social distancing for everyones safety and well-being. As a church, we want to be able to say that we took all reasonable precautions as we worshipped our Lord Jesus Christ corporately.
One of our worship opportunities, a live video feed at 10:30 a.m. made available in the Parish Hall with greater distancing for families and communion offered, has not proven popular. In fact, it has not been used by anyone since it has been offered these last five weeks. That option means having an usher volunteer and having our sexton on standby to clean and sanitize that room and the associated bathrooms following its use. It seems wise therefore to discontinue offering this as an option for the time being. If this becomes a demand for some in the near future, it can be offered again.
We are continuing to track the COVID-19 case count and how we stand with capacity at our local hospital in making prudent decisions moving forward. There may yet be times when we return to Phase 1, gathering for worship online only. In the meantime, we continue to offer a place where we are making decisions that value the dignity of all humanity created in the image of God. I urge you to continue to pray for progress in battling COVID-19; for healthcare workers, for researchers who work to find a vaccine, and especially for those with the virus. Jesus calls us into community with one another, we must find ways to fulfill that calling even during times that make it difficult.
Our church office is now open. We are requiring face-masks and social distancing, just as in church. If you would like to meet with me, it can be arranged either in-person or virtually. For in-person meetings a well-distanced room has been set up, just let me know and I’ll be happy to visit with you.
Finally, as we find ourselves in the midst of the hot summer, a time when things typically slow down, I want to encourage you all to consider how you might find ways to safely rest. There are seasons for everything and even God rested from his work on the seventh day!
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Fr. Justin Briggle
No in person meeting in July. More details to follow regarding possible virtual meeting.
No meetings during the summer. The next SMG meeting will be September 21st at
6:00 p.m. (tentative)
No meetings during the summer.
The next ECW meeting will be
September 8th at 9:45 a.m. (tentative).
July Birthdays
13 John Cox
17 Jackie Gragg
18 Joe Faust
23 Sparky Kolstad
24 Pat Delany
24 Mary Nichols
30 Dan Raney
28 Joan Strominger
29 Jesus Garcia-Castillo Jr.
July Anniversaries
5 Bill & Caron Fraser
5 Ron & Joan Strominger
18 Billy & Sara Minton
27 Gary & Kathy Thomas
30 Bill & Kathy Stites
Ushers - July 2020
Curt Winkler & Linney Patton
May 2020 Year to Date
Beginning Balance $95,280.78 $97,586.72
Total Income $14,463.50 $105,842.61
Total Expenses $17,087.23 $110,772.28
Ending Balance $92,657.05 $92,657.05
Now that we are meeting again for in person worship, please consider contributing for Altar Flowers on a
Sunday morning in Thanksgiving for an anniversary, birthday, or other blessing or in memory of someone.
To give please call Nancy Waggoner at 903-727-2030
or the Church Office at 903-729-4214.
Altar Guild:
June 27—July 3--------Team 3 Linens: Deborah Morton
Deborah Morton, Alex Nemer, Vicki Mayberry
July 4—July 10-------Team 4 Linens: Jeanette George
Sara Minton, Kathy Stites, Hilda Garcia-Castillo
July 11—July 17-----Team 1 Linens: Joanne Evans
Nancy Waggoner, Jane Biddle, Sherry Snow, Lucie Broyles
July 18—24------Team 2 Linens: Kirsten Knippers
Becky Myers, Cathy Summers, Julie Law
July 25—31--------Team 3 Linens: Deborah Morton
Deborah Morton, Alex Nemer, Vicki Mayberry
Lay Minister Schedule:
July 2020 Reader/Server
Sun. 7/5 8:00 Phillip Morton
10:30 Sparky Kolstad
Sun. 7/12 8:00 Phillip Morton
10:30 Scott Nicholson
Sun. 7/19 8:00 Bob Blackwell 10:30 Martha Polasek
Sun. 7/26 8:00 Phillip Morton 10:30 Barbara Kolstad
Independence Day July 4 (BCP p. 242)
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this
country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the
torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and
all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our
liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Rector: Fr. Justin Briggle jbriggle@stphilipspalestine.com Cell: (512) 799-9365
Parish Assistant: Ginger Brown Treasurer: Melissa F. Cox
Sexton: Martín Rodríguez Organist/Choirmaster: Joshua Lang
Vestry Members
2020
Joan Strominger
Gary Thomas
Terry Thorn, Sr. Warden
Jamie Ward
2021
Bill Fraser
Phillip Morton, Jr. Warden
Tucker Royall
Bob Snow
2022
Barbara Kolstad
Pat Redding
Mike Tisdale
Nancy Waggoner
Normal Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
Closed Federal and Occasional Church Holidays
Phone: (903) 729-4214 Fax: (903) 729-8691
Facebook: www.fb.com/stphilipspalestine
Email: office@stphilipspalestine.com Website: www.stphilipspalestine.com