Beloved in Christ at St. Philip’s,
As most of you know, St. Philip’s began instituting safety protocols in the early stages of the pandemic in accordance with guidelines issued by The Episcopal Diocese of Texas according to health care and CDC guidance, nearly four months prior to a mask mandate issued in Texas. Current data and CDC guidance continues to promote mask wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing and hand-sanitization as the customary ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially as new variants threaten.
We are pleased to continue to offer a safe space for you to responsibly worship our Lord Jesus Christ following the protocols already in place. We remain in this phase for the near future, especially as we await a much wider distribution and availability of a vaccine. Current data reveals that only 6.8% of Texans have been fully vaccinated, below the 7.9% of all Americans.
COVID-19 data continues to trend downward locally and we have avoided an outbreak to date at St. Philip’s—it appears our efforts are not in vain and we are taking care of one another, loving our neighbor as ourselves during this unprecedented pandemic.
St. Philip’s will continue to offer our services in-person and streamed online for those of you who wish to remain at home, on Facebook at fb.com/stphilipspalestine and on our YouTube channel at bit.ly/stphilipsyt
Any change to our current guidelines will be communicated promptly and will follow guidance provided by The Episcopal Diocese of Texas, with recommendations from the CDC and guidance offered by the Texas Medical Center.
I am thankful for your continued diligence, grace, and love throughout these past twelve months of finding ways to remain supportive of not only St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, but of one another in Christ and through Christ.
As always, I welcome any questions or concerns as they arise. And, I look forward to this remaining holy Lent, Holy Week, and to celebrating our Lord’s Resurrection in grand fashion with you all!
Finally, please know that St. Philip’s will kick off Holy Week as we welcome Bishop Jeff Fisher to preach and worship with us on Palm Sunday, March 28 at 10:30 am.
Wishing you a continued holy Lent,
Fr. Justin Briggle
There will be no DOK Meeting in March. Details on April meeting to be announced.
The next SMG meeting will be held in person on Monday, March 15th, in the Parish Hall at 6:00pm. Social distancing and masks required.
Details to be announced.
March Birthdays
5 Robert Blackwell
6 Jessie Thorn
16 Stephanie Sullivan
20 Alex Nemer
21 Oliver Briggle
21 Carolyn Salter
24 Carol Brenneke
26 Linda Brown
31 Jerry Fagalde
March Anniversaries
30 Pat & Clarissa Delany
31 Leo & Muriel Mizell
Ushers - March 2021
Curt Winkler.
Ushers—April 2021
To be announced.
January 2021 Year to Date
Beginning Balance $83,409.68 $83,409.68
Total Income $24,980.50 $24,980.50
Total Expenses $22,505.82 $22,505.82
Ending Balance $85,884.36 $85,884.36
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 the Church Office at 903-729-4214.
Altar Guild Schedule:
March 2021
Feb 27 – Mar 5--------Team 2 Becky Myers, Cathy Summers, Julie Law
Linens: Kirsten Knippers
Mar 6 – Mar 12--------Team 3 Alex Nemer, Vicki Winkler
Linens: Vicki Winkler
Mar 13 – Mar 19 ------Team 4 Sara Minton, Kathy Stites, Hilda Garcia-Castillo
Linens: Jeanette George
Mar 20 – Mar 26-------Team 1 Nancy Waggoner, Sherry Snow,
Linens: Joann Evans
Mar 27 – Apr 2---------Team 2 Becky Myers, Cathy Summers, Julie Law
Linens: Kirsten Knippers
Lay Minister Schedule:
March 2021 Reader/Server
Sunday 3/7 10:30 a.m. Carol Ann Chidlaw
Sunday 3/14 10:30 a.m. Pat Redding
Sunday 3/21 10:30 a.m. Scott Nicholson
Sunday 3/28 10:30 a.m. Phillip Morton
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom (BCP p 102) said by area Episcopal Church youth for Morning Prayer at The 172nd Council of The Episcopal Diocese of Texas. You might recognize someone from St. Philip's.
The Daughter's of the King monthly meeting.
Check out these awesome reminders you can wear throughout the season of Lent! Pick one up at Sunday service, or call to arrange a special pick up during office hours.
We were blessed with a visit from Roger Bee of the Cajun Navy who dropped off some cases of water for those in need after our big Texas freeze.
The 172nd Council of The Episcopal Diocese of Texas online this year.
Note from Our Organist/Choirmaster
Have you ever wondered about singing in choir? Well, if so, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church needs YOU! Can you sing a tune, but not read music? Then you can be in choir. Can you read music and carry a tune? Then you can definitely be in choir. As many of you know the pandemic has greatly affected our music program here. If you or someone you know is interested in singing, then please let us know. We have space for at least two more people to sing regularly. If we have too many people interested, then we will make a schedule and rotate spots. When the pandemic is over, we will be able to start having music theory again in rehearsal too if that is something you’d like to learn. We’re looking for anybody, any age! Contact our organist/choirmaster, Josh Lang, for information.
Email: jlang@stphilipspalestine.com Phone: 817-296-3726
February 2021 Junior Warden Report
February 4th: 12 overhead fluorescent lights retrofitted to LED in Choir Room
February 9th: Report of leak in ceiling in parlor (same place as last time), also
leak above Parish Hall doors. Haws Roofing called to schedule repairs.
Parish Hall doors swollen from moisture and required two persons to join
doors together in order to lock. Signs placed to not use doors until door
closure is normalized.
February 21st: Arrived at church early to remove snow and ice from side walks
and ramp at Narthex entrance. Scattered minerals on entrance way to
change snow and ice to water, and prevent further icing. Palestine had
“boil water” notice. Placed signs at kitchen sinks to not drink water from
faucets, but may use for hand washing. Also placed bottled water at
these areas as well as outside rest rooms in office area.
February 25th: Met Haws roofing technicians to monitor roof repairs.
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
2021
Bill Fraser
Phillip Morton, Jr. Warden
Tucker Royall
Bob Snow
2022
Barbara Kolstad, Sr. Warden
Pat Redding
Mike Tisdale
Nancy Waggoner
2023
Melissa Cox, Treasurer
Alex Nemer, Clerk
Vincent Salaz
Joan Strominger
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
YouTube: bit.ly/stphilipsyt
Facebook: www.fb.com/stphilipspalestine
Email: office@stphilipspalestine.com Website: www.stphilipspalestine.com
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