Life at St. Peter’sPrograms and Events at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Center City Charlotte Fall 2015 and Beyond

St. Peter’s…a community of bold followers of Jesus

a crowd that effects good change for the world

a place known for radical love and welcome

a beacon of hope in Center City Charlotte

www.st-peters.org

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From God’s Table into the World

The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector

Everything we do at St. Peter’s starts at God’s Table—the sacred place where we take, bless, break,

and give holy food for the journey. Holy Communion is the center of our tradition and serves to

remind us again and again that we are God’s holy people.

This sacrament nourishes us and feeds us spiritually as prepara-

tion for all else that we do in our lives as bold followers of Jesus.

God’s Table is the place from which we pray, we cry, we meditate

and receive. It is from this place that we carry our faith out into the

world and serve the Lord. While we receive our primary spiritual

nourishment from worship, we are also strengthened for God’s

work in other ways: Formation offers ways to grow in relationship

with God; Servant Ministry allows us to be the hands and feet of

Christ in the world; Music enhances our worship and becomes a

beacon of hope and celebration beyond our doors; and Fellowship

draws us into closer relationship with each other. Formation, Ser-

vant Ministry, Music and Fellowship – all are built on the foundation of worship.

Throughout this publication, I hope you can see our intention to carry out the vision God has given us through all

that we do. Equally important, my prayer is that you will begin to discern how God calls you to participate in the

community of and life at St. Peter’s.

Inside Life at St. Peter’sPages 2–3

Welcome, Membership

Pages 4–5 Worship, Sundays at St. Peter’s

Pages 6–9 Formation (Education)

Pages 10–11 Servant Ministry, Stewardship

Pages 12–13 Music at St. Peter’s, Center City Concerts, Choir School

Pages 14–15 Fellowship, Our Seal, Connecting

Communion vessels prepared for blessing.

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From Vision into Action

In 2013, to better articulate our future, the Rector and Vestry (St.

Peter’s lay leadership council) adopted a vision on behalf of the

parish family that gives purpose to all our decisions. All members

and newcomers alike are invited to participate in St. Peter’s vision

to become:

a community of bold followers of Jesus

a crowd that effects good change for the world

a place known for radical love and welcome

a beacon of hope in Center City Charlotte.

Earlier this year, the Vestry also developed goals and objectives for

turning this Vision into concrete action. Here are a few of the goals:

� A servant leadership development weekend to empower

parishioners to employ their gifts;

�Monthly opportunities to discuss how the parish might

respond to current events;

� Deeper commitments to Outreach and Social Justice Ministry;

� Improved way-finding signage and parking experience;

� Initiatives to reflect on the person of Jesus through sermons

and formation;

� Stronger relationships with Center City businesses

and neighbors;

� Continued progress toward racial reconciliation.

These are a few of the goals that were set for carrying out our

vision. As you browse through this issue of Life at St. Peter’s, you’ll

begin to see how some of these ideas have already been turned into

action that, we believe, can enhance your life as parishioners and

beyond our doors.

MembershipWhether you are a visitor, a newcomer or a long-time member, St. Peter’s strives to be a place of radical hospitality. We want you to feel welcome!

Newcomers make their way to us regularly and we find great joy in weaving them into our vibrant community life. For example, we host Newcomers’ Luncheons where folks can get to know us, learn more about our mission and the ministries of St. Peter’s.

Also, each autumn we hold an Inquirers’/Con-firmation class to provide additional resources for walking the Episcopal path of Christianity. On the St. Peter’s website (www.st-peters.org), click on Explore, then Visit St. Peter’s, where you’ll find more information under About Membership as well as What We Believe and What to Expect.

We encourage those who worship with us regu-larly to explore becoming baptized and/or con-firmed members in order to participate fully in the spiritual life at St. Peter’s. Confirmation is required to serve in various lay leadership roles in the parish.

Want to learn more about baptism, member-ship, or confirmation? Contact our Director of Ministry Development, Mary Virginia Woodall (mvwoodall@st-peters.org, 704-749-6151).

Baptismal font in the church.

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Worship Strengthens Us to Change the World

Worship calls us to set aside our everyday lives to come together as God’s people to pray, to read

and hear the Holy Scriptures, to experience music, to be silent, and to share in the holy meal

from God’s Table. In all these ways, worship affirms our relationship with our Creator. It also

does much more.

Part of our vision here at St. Peter’s is to be “a crowd that effects good change for

the world.” That’s a mighty challenge in today’s world. Worship prepares us for

that challenge. It strengthens us to be a source of good change for the world by

nourishing us and restoring us.

Central to our worship at St. Peter’s is the Holy Eucharist, also called Holy Com-

munion. By participating in this, we receive the risen Christ into our lives and

bear his love and goodness into the world beyond St. Peter’s doors.

Here at St. Peter’s, worship takes many forms:

� Eucharist on Sunday mornings and evenings;

� A half-hour of Morning Prayer each weekday;

� Choral Evensong and Taizé-patterned services on Sundays at 5:00 pm;

� Prayer and quiet time in the Church, open weekdays from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.

We invite everyone to experience worship in all its many forms at St. Peter’s

as we celebrate what God has done and is doing to renew the world, including

strengthening us to effect good change for the world.

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We Welcome You to Worship with Us

Sundays8:00 am Holy Eucharist (Communion Ser-

vice) in the traditional language of The Book

of Common Prayer includes sermon, organ

music, and hymns.

8:30 am “Holy Chow” Breakfast in the

Community Room until 9:25 am (typically

whenever Formation classes are offered).

9:30 am – 10:30 am Christian Formation

(Education) opportunities for all ages in the

Parish House.

10:45 am Holy Eucharist (Communion Ser-

vice) in the contemporary language of The

Book of Common Prayer includes sermon,

choral and organ music, hymns.

noon Coffee Hour with light refreshments

in the Parish House Lobby after the 10:45

am worship service.

5:00 pm Evenings at St. Peters offers Holy

Eucharist (Communion Service) using

contemporary language from The Book of

Common Prayer as part of contemplative

liturgy, with either Choral Evensong (sec-

ond and fourth Sundays), Taizé, or other

musical accompaniment.

Monday through Friday8:00 am Morning Prayer in the Chapel

without music, a meditative 30-minute

service from The Book of Common Prayer

for entering the day ahead.

8:00 am–4:00 pm Church open for private

prayer, reflection, and meditation.

TuesdaysNoon Holy Communion in the Chapel

without music, a 30-minute service de-

signed to re-center the spirit at lunchtime.

The doors of the church are open every weekday

from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for private prayer,

reflection, and meditation.

Sunday Evenings at St. Peter’sSunday mornings aren’t the only way for everyone to experience worship. In response to that, our worship life includes increased attention to eve-ning worship on Sundays.

Sunday Evenings at St. Peter’s provide rich, ex-citing, and alternative opportunities to feed the souls of those who sometimes may have felt they didn’t have many worship choices. September through April at 5:00 pm, St. Peter’s offers a service of Choral Evensong on the second and fourth Sundays, with Holy Eucharist in a more contemplative setting on the other Sundays.

The service of Choral Evensong is sung “Evening Prayer,” one of the oldest Episcopal/Anglican worship traditions, followed immediately by a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Many people find this long-standing tradition to be moving and powerful.

The contemplative services of Sunday Evenings at St. Peter’s offer unique ways to meditate on the Holy Scriptures, stirring musical offerings, and the Holy Eucharist, as well as periods of silence, candlelight, and occa-sionally incense to enhance the worshiper’s experience of God.

Evenings at St. Peter’s can be the perfect way to enter into the new week. We hope that you will add Sunday evenings into your journey and invite others to join you, especially if they don’t have a church home or may need a different experience.

Speaking the Language of WorshipBaptism is a sacra-ment of initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church.

The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is the official book of wor-ship of the Episcopal Church, providing liturgical forms, prayers and instruc-tions so that all mem-

bers of the Episcopal Church may share in common worship.

Eucharist is the prin-cipal act of Christian worship, also known as Holy Communion. The term for this sacrament of partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ is from the Greek for “thanksgiving.”

Liturgy is derived from the Greek words for “people” and “work.” So when we

speak of the liturgy related to our services, we are indicating that public prayer and worship are the work of the people.

Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as a means for receiving God’s grace. In the Episcopal Church, Baptism and Eucharist are the two great sacraments.

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Adult Formation: A Lifelong Journey

Christian education for adults, not unlike our children and youth, is about growing in our faith-

fulness and discovering how faith is relevant to all aspects of our lives. At St. Peter’s, we offer a

rich menu of choices—from digging deeper into understanding the Bible, to race and reconcilia-

tion, social justice, our physical and emotional well-being and more.

In addition, we know that life is complex, so we create opportunities for you to deepen your faith on Sundays, on

weekdays, in the evening, even online.

Explore your options. Expand your faith with other adults at St. Peter’s.

While formation can occur 365 days a year, our intentional programs are scheduled September-May with occa-

sional summertime offerings. Classes and forums are held in various locations, including the Parish Hall, Parlor,

Tower Room. Specific locations will be published in the eNews weekly, in the online calendar, and on the Life at

St. Peter’s bulletin board in the Parish House lobby.

What is Formation?Formation is the comprehensive word we use for all forms of Christian education for adults, youth and children.

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Save The Date For Adult FormationSunday, September 13 – Formation Kick-Off The launch of the Formation year begins with a gathering of Parishioners at 9:30 am in the Parish Hall. Children begin a new year of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and a new year of Journey to Adulthood begins for youth.

Mondays, beginning September 14 Father Murdock Smith leads Kerygma Bible Study 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm weekly through Pentecost.

Sunday, October 4 – Bishop’s Visitation A Conversation with the Right Reverend Michael B. Curry will be the highlight of a day-long visitation before our Dioc-esan Bishop transitions to his new duties as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. In the Parish Hall.

Thursday, October 15 A six-week Introduction to Servant Leadership class, Thurs-days, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.

Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18 Bridges Out of Poverty seminar for parishioners and the larger community on Friday, October 16, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, and Saturday, October 17, 9:00 am – Noon. On Sunday, the Adult Forum will continue the discussion provoked by this seminar.

Sunday, October 18 Aging as a Spiritual Journey, a four-week Adult Formation class, 9:30 am – 10:30 am.

Sunday, October 25 Preparing a Will and Advance Directives, a two-week class for parents of children and youth, 9:30 am – 10:30 am.

Saturday, November 14 Anti-Racism Training, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Sunday, November 29 Advent Study, three weeks beginning November 29, 9:30 am – 10:30 am.

Stay tuned to our website and weekly eNews for additional offerings and schedule changes throughout the year.

God’s TapestryAs a multicultural faith community in Center City Charlotte, St. Peter’s is committed to reconciliation and healing from the wounds of racism, an ongoing initiative we call God’s Tapes-try. We offer regular forums and programs devoted to conversa-tions that will help us move forward in our desire to be a beacon of hope in our city. You can find reflections in the God’s Tapestry blog on our website at www.st-peters.org and expect other writings by our clergy and other parishioners.

ChildcareChildcare for children up to age four is avail-able during Sunday offerings as well as some weeknight pro-grams. Parents desiring childcare during other parish events should contact Director of Children’s Formation, Laurie Burlington

(lburlingon@st-peters.org, 704-749-6155) to confirm wheth-er childcare is offered for a specific event.

During The Associate Rector’s LeaveFrom mid-August through mid-No-vember, the Reverend Joslyn Schaefer will be on maternity leave. Stepping in for her during her absence will be the Reverend Jonathan Soyars, who will be in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays, in addition to being a regular part of worship on Sundays. You can contact Jonathan at jsoyars@st-peters.org or 704-749-6150.

Joslyn will return on the first Sunday of Advent.

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Journey to Adulthood: Preparing for Holy Living

In addition to worshipping from the pews and serving as acolytes (altar servers), lectors (readers),

and Eucharistic ministers, St. Peter’s youth in grades 6-12 participate in the transformative Journey

to Adulthood program.

Journey to Adulthood (J2A) focuses on celebrating the transition into adulthood, learning skills for living in the

world as faithful followers of Christ, exploring the mystery of our faith heritage, experiencing the strength of

community, outreach to our community and beyond.

Central to J2A is the gathering of younger and older teens on Sunday mornings with trained and dedicated adult

leaders from the parish, as well as for overnight experiences, such as retreats, mission trips and Diocesan events.

The program also features, in the summer before Confirmation (during a young person’s junior or senior year in

high school), a special Pilgrimage, usually to a site of spiritual importance decided upon by the class.

J2A classes and activities are usually held on the lower level of the Parish House.

To learn more about youth formation, including how to enroll your child, volunteer, or donate to seasonal fund-

raising, contact Director of Youth Formation Lyn Holt (lholt@st-peters.org, 704-749-6148).

Save The Date For Youth Activities!Labor Day Beach Retreat: Friday to Monday, September 4–7, for grades 7–12. A celebration of the start of the new forma-tion year. Opportunities for fellowship, worship and learn-ing more about being God’s hands and feet in the world. Leaving 4:30 pm Friday, returning 4:30 pm Monday.

Confirmation Retreat: Saturday, September 19, 9:30 am–4:30 pm, for grades 11-12, at The Oratory in Rock Hill.

Shrimp Boil Fundraiser: Saturday, September 26, 6:30 pm–9:30 pm, on the rooftop! Fundraising for Pilgrimage Event is for all adults of the parish. Help with set-up and clean-up is needed by youth, leaders, and parents.

Contact Lyn Holt (lholt@st-peters.org, 704-749-6148) for details or to get involved.

See the Calendar of Events and Activities inserted into this publication and watch the weekly eNews and online calen-dar for updates and additions throughout the year.

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Introducing Children to God’s Love and Grace

One of our primary beliefs is that children have a unique relationship with God, and that the

growth of this relationship should be assisted by a caring, trained adult catechist (teacher) and

directed by the Spirit of God within the child..

We do this through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based program where children ages 3–12

come into contact with scripture and the liturgy of the church. In specially-prepared rooms called atria, trained

catechists create an environment where work and study spontaneously become meditation, contemplation, and

prayer. A toddler atrium located adjacent to the nursery serves children 18 months–3 years.

Seasonal events for households with children are scheduled throughout the year, including a week-long Vacation Bible School each summer.

For more information, contact Catechesis Coordinator, Anna Hurdle (ahurdle@st-peters.org, 704-749-6156) : or

Director of Children’s Formation Laurie Burlington (lburlington@st-peters.org, 704-749-6155).

Infant And Toddler CareCare for infants and toddlers up to age two is available 7:30 am–12:30 pm in the Infant and Toddler Center, located on the main floor of the Parish House, closest to the worship space. It is also open for special class-es and events. In addition, a transitional Toddler Atrium is located near the nursery. To verify availability, contact Director of Children’s Formation Laurie Burlington (lburlington@st-peters.org, 704-749-6155).

Atrium ScheduleCatechesis of the Good Shepherd classrooms (“atria”) are located on the main floor of the Parish House, closest to the lobby. Catechesis begins at 9:30 am and ends at the exchange of the Peace during the 10:45 am service. The children from the toddler atrium have the option of staying in the nursery for the remainder of the worship service. For more informa-tion, contact Catechesis Coordinator Anna Hurdle (ahurdle@st-peters.org, 704-749-6156).

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Outreach and Social Justice Beyond Our Doors

Serving our community is a long-standing tradition at St. Peter’s, one that grows and changes in

response to our community’s dynamic needs.

We take very seriously Christ’s words, “just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my

family, you did it to me.” As part of our Baptismal Covenant, we seek and serve Christ in all persons, striving for

justice as part of honoring the dignity of all people. This is one way we seek to achieve our vision of being a beacon

of hope in Center City Charlotte and beyond.

In light of this, we encourage everyone at St. Peter’s to find a place to love and serve our neighbors, and we have

ample ways to do so with a wide range of servant ministry partners. We are involved in fighting hunger and home-

lessness, to strengthening at-risk families, and more, both by offering grants to organizations in our community

and by giving of our time and talent.

To find your best fit, check out the Servant Ministries page online, which offers a list of our Ministry Partners and

the St. Peter’s contact who can tell you more. Or contact our volunteer Servant Ministries Coordinator, Michael

Koppenal (mkoppenal@st-peters.org, 201-674-1191).

Pastoral Care MinistriesYou are invited to serve as well as receive practical and spir-itual care with others in the St. Peter’s family.

St. Peter’s participates with three other churches in offering a variety of support groups addressing specific needs. The groups include a Hope and Grief support group; Caregiv-ing Support; Chronic Illness; Pet Loss; HUGS (Healing and Understanding of Grief from Suicide); Life Keys (for those facing life transitions such as changes in career or mari-tal status); Job Hunters; and Think Tank, for adults on the autism spectrum. The groups meet in various locations and the schedule is flexible, so use the contact information below for details.

In addition, St. Peter’s clergy and parishioners offer resourc-es related to:

Addiction and Therapy Calls and Cards to the Sick and Shut-in Counseling Services by Parish Clergy Grief Support and Counseling Guild of the Christ Child for Households with Children Healing and Intercessory Prayer Ministry Home Communion to the Sick and Shut-in Lay Pastoral Visits to the Sick and Shut-in Prayer Shawl Ministry

To serve through or to learn more about these ministries, contact the Reverend Jonathan Soyars (jsoyars@st-peters.org, 704-749-6150).

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Give to the Vision 2016: The Theology Of Stewardship

“You will be enriched in every way for your great

generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to

God through us; for the rendering of this ministry

not only supplies the needs of the saints but also

overflows with many thanksgivings to God.”

–2 Corinthians 9:11-12

Life at St. Peter’s is made possible through abundance. All that we have and all that we of-fer to the glory of God—our time, our talent, and our money—makes it possible for us to continue the work of God’s Church here at the corner of North Tryon and West Seventh streets in Center City Charlotte.

One of the big opportunities we all have during the fall season each year is participation in St. Peter’s stewardship campaign to benefit our annual operating budget. Our Give to the Vision 2016 campaign kicks off on September 20. On Sunday, November 1, we will consecrate pledg-es received. Throughout the fall you will hear more about how you, too, can support life at St. Peter’s with your money as well as your time and talents.

Save The DateHere are a few of the special activities com-ing up that will allow you to get involved beyond the doors of St. Peter’s over the next few months:

Saturday, October 3 All Day Habitat for Hu-manity Build

Sunday, October 11 Adult Forum: What is Social Justice? What is Outreach? from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, to clar-ify what we mean when we talk about these two dimensions of our Servant Ministry.

Sunday, October 18 CROP Walk to end hun-ger at 2:00 pm.

Wednesday, December 9 We begin hosting our homeless neighbors once a week for the winter through Room In The Inn in our Parish Hall.

Sunday, January 24 Outreach and Social Justice Soup Celebration, Noon in the Parish Hall and Community Room.

Our Servant Ministry PartnersAugustine Literacy Project augustine.st-peters.org

Charlotte Family Housing www. charlottefamilyhousing.org

Crisis Assistance Ministry www.crisisassistance.org

Episcopal Farmworker Ministry www. episcopalfarmworkerministry.org

Episcopal Relief & Development www. episcopalrelief.org

Florence Crittenden Services www. fcsnc.org

Galilee Ministries skr1107@gmail.com

Habitat for Humanity jknip@cariff.com

La Coalicion (Latin American Coalition) www.latinamericancoalition.org

North Carolina Justice Center www.ncjustice.org

Loaves and Fishes www.loaveandfishes.org.

RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network) www. carolinarain.org

Room in the Inn www.urbanministrycenter.org

Samaritan House www.thesamaritanhouse.org

St. Peter’s Community Garden innercitygardens4@gmail.com

Supportive Housing Communities www.supportivehousingcommunities.org

Thompson Child & Family Focus www.thompsoncff.org.

Urban Ministry Center www.urbanministrycenter.org

St. Peter’s cornerstone. Our congregation was first organized as a mission in 1834 and became a parish in 1844.

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The Transcendent Power of Music

W e believe music has a unique capacity to heal brokenness, enliven hearts, and connect people

with God and one another. Throughout history, it is described as a universal language.

The gift of music is readily available at the corner of Tryon and Seventh streets in Center City Char-

lotte. We offer inspiring music during multiple worship services each week as well as performances by young

singers of The Choir School at St. Peter’s and the eclectic Center City Concerts at St. Peter’s, which attract a broad

audience to uptown. Both are separate, nonprofit organizations based at St. Peter’s and governed by respective

Boards of Directors.

The St. Peter’s Choir leads worship weekly, making use of early music as well as music composed in the modern

era, including music composed especially for St. Peter’s Church. The St. Peter’s Choir also provides music for spe-

cial feast days such as Advent Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thurs-

day, Good Friday, the Great Vigil of Easter, and Easter Day.

The St. Peter’s Choir consists of approximately 40 volunteer cho-

risters and four section leaders. Rehearsals are demanding and the

repertoire is serious and challenging. Prospective choristers need a

good command of music reading and interpretation.

The Evensong Choir at St. Peter’s sings traditional Evensong ser-

vices and provides an opportunity for highly skilled musicians to

participate with a minimum of rehearsal time.

To schedule an interview/audition, contact Director of Music and

Organist Ben Outen (bouten@st-peters.org, 704-749-6145).

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Save The DateHere are a few of the musical activities you’ll want to add to your calendar in the months ahead:

Monday, September 21 Center City Concert: Organ and Brass with Elizabeth Lenti, organist – Noon and 7:00 pm.

Monday, October 19 Center City Concert: Bechtler Ensemble Piano Trio – Noon.

Thursday–Saturday, October 29–31 The Choir School at St. Peter’s in Concert with Carolina Opera: Noah’s Flood – 7:30 pm Thursday and Friday; 11:00 am and 2:00 pm Saturday.

Monday, November 16 Center City Concert: Lois Deloatch Jazz Ensemble – Noon.

Sunday, December 6 Advent Lessons and Carols – 10:45 am – Noon.

Friday-Saturday, December 11-12 The Choir School Christmas Concert – 7:30 pm.

Monday, December 21 Concert: Organ and Brass with Elizabeth Lenti, organist – Noon.

Monday, January 18 Center City Concert: Benedict College Gos-pel Choir – Noon.

Center City Concerts at St. Peters launches its third season in September 2015, a season that will be marked by a rich selection of musical styles.

Most concerts are performed at noon on the third Mondays of the month, although some are scheduled for weeknights. Working in partnership with Music at St. Alban’s in Davidson, Center City Concerts are offered at no charge to area students and senior citizens as well as workers and residents in uptown Charlotte.

Center City Concerts at St. Peter’s is a separate nonprofit operated by donations and other support. For a look at the 2015–2016 season, visit www.centercityconcerts.org or pickup a bro-chure from the Parish House lobby.

The Choir School at St. Peter’s is an auditioned community choir with a mission to enrich young lives through excellent, rigorous music education and choral performance. Founded in 1993 by Artistic Director Ben Outen and Manag-ing Director Kay John-son, the school includes five choirs and each year serves dozens of talented young people ages seven to 18.

Choristers represent more than 30 ZIP codes in the Charlotte area and attend public, char-ter, private and home schools. What they hold in common are talent,

commitment and a love of singing. Distin-guished alumni include organists, composers, choirmasters and performers as well as educa-tors, therapists, business and nonprofit profes-sionals, scholars, and volunteer leaders.

The choirs perform in concert at St. Peter’s and throughout Charlotte as well as with partner arts organizations, including Opera Carolina and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. They per-form for audiences through the southeastern U.S. each summer and the MasterSingers travel to Europe to perform every four years.

To arrange an audition or for more informa-tion, contact The Choir School Business Man-ager, Kay Johnson (kjohnson@st-peters.org, 704-749-6146). The Choir School at St. Peter’s is a separate nonprofit operated by donations and other support.

“Music at St. Peter’s is one form of commu-nity outreach. It continues to be that gift in the world that connects all sorts and condi-tions of people.”

– The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher

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Celebrating Holy Connections Through Fellowship

W e believe that sharing intentional time with others who make up the body of Christ—through

fellowship and fun and joyful celebration of the seasons of life—is important to a life in faith.

Through weekly and seasonal fellowship offerings, we celebrate and strengthen our holy in-

terconnections as people of God.

When we laugh together or break bread together, each gathering reminds us how much we need each other.

Through groups, guilds, and events of various sorts, we experience the opportunity to exchange stories, learn

from each other and share time, which brings refreshment and restoration to those who come together.

Fostering holy friendship supports our individual and collective journeys of faith.

Sunday Morning FellowshipHoly Chow Breakfast: Join us for break-fast on Sunday mornings in the Community Room on the second floor of the Parish House. The cost is $4 per person or a maximum of $15 per family. You can also volunteer to help once a

month by contacting Tait Sterrett (tsterrett@horacktalley.com).

Sunday Morning Hospitality: Need a place to have a quiet conversation, read or informally connect with other parishioners? Visit the Parish House lobby on Sunday mornings. You’ll find fresh-brewed coffee and places to sit. Occasionally, the Clergy may surprise you by offering a structured conversation on a rele-vant topic.

Coffee Hour: Gather in the Parish House Lobby following the Sunday 10:45 am service for coffee, conversation, and a light snack—as well as a chance to check out the latest news on the Life at St. Peter’s bulletin board and the names and faces of our most recent newcomers on the Welcome bulletin board.

Groups And GuildsConnect with others through the various guilds and groups here at St. Peters.

20s & 30s Fellowship (Young Adults) Mary Gotschall, marygotschall@gmail.com

Senior Class Fellowship (55+) Hannah Craighill, 704-334-6276, Mary Griffin, mjgriff@carolina.rr.com

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Kristine Reid, ecw@st-peters.org

St. Mary’s Guild Ann Hinson, ahinson@carolina.rr.com

Prayer Shawl Knitters Fellowship Linda Smith, lvsmithnc@gmail.com

To connect with others or serve through these ministries, contact Mary Virginia Woodall, Direc-tor of Ministry Development (mvwoodall@st-peters.org, 704-749-6151).

Save The DateHere are a few of the Fellowship activities you’ll want to add to your calendar in the months ahead:

Sunday, September 20 Newcomers’ Lun-cheon – 12:30 pm, Community Room.

Saturday, September 26 Shrimp Boil Fund-raiser for 2017 Youth Pilgrimage – Adults only - 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm, Roof Patio.

Sunday, September 27 Small Dinner Group Potluck Kick-off – Noon, Community Room.

Sunday, December 6 Advent Parish Lunch Celebration – 12:15 pm, Parish Hall and Com-munity Room.

Thursday, December 24 Christmas Pageant – 4:00 pm.

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Connecting at St. Peter’sWe live in a world of instant and continuous connection—and life at St. Peter’s is no different. We’ve developed multiple ways for you to connect with and stay in touch with our lively community.

OnlineOur website at www.st-peters.org offers everything you need to partic-ipate in our community – and the site is updated almost daily. You can, of course, read about our programs, our history, and our activities. You can see the faces of our staff members and click on email addresses for immediate communication. You’ll also find a calendar of events and activities, which is updated at least weekly; the calendar gives you the month at a glance and you can click on specific listings for more details.

On the home page of our website, you can RSVP for events that require payment or registration.

You can also join the conversation with others at St. Peter’s on Facebook, where we have both the main St. Peter’s page as well as pages for youth and adults in their 20s and 30s. You’ll find the social media icons on every page on the St. Peter’s website.

You can also sign up on the website to receive our weekly eNews, which is emailed directly to you during the week as a way to stay well informed of scheduled offerings as well as parish-related emergencies or special notices. If you don’t receive email, you can arrange to have it mailed to you by contacting our Communications Administrator, Peg Robarchek (probarchek@st-peters.org, 704-749-6141).

Increasingly we will be more intentional about reaching out, sharing news and communicating events by telephone so we never lose our abili-ty to connect in that way.

Around the Parish HouseTo help you stay on top of what’s happening at St. Peter’s, we have head-line news boards in the Parish House lobby and in the narthex as you en-ter from Tryon Street, highlighting key events. A few copies of the eNews

can be found on the information table in the lobby.

To get to know new faces among us, check in regularly at the Welcome bulletin board in the Parish House lobby. Photos of our most recent new members are added regularly and a list of new members from recent months is up-dated frequently, too.

The large Life at St. Peter’s bulletin board in the Parish House lobby – directly across from the coffee station following the 10:45 service on Sundays – is where you’ll find news and highlights from all areas of our parish life. You can see everything from photos taken at fellowship activ-ities to posters alerting you to upcoming activities and handouts about taking part in Servant Ministry opportunities and Formation classes. This bulletin board changes weekly so stayed tuned for updates about life at St. Peter’s.

To live into our call to be a community of bold followers of Jesus, we start by connecting with one another to build strong community.

Our Seal“You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.”

These words of Jesus, found in Matthew 16:16-19, appear on the

official seal of St. Peter’s Episco-pal Church in Latin: Tu es Petrus

et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam.

At the center of the seal are two keys, symbolizing more of

Jesus’ words: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

The year, 1834, signifies the year in which St. Peter’s was organized for

worship before recognition as a parish church in the Diocese of North Carolina in 1844. It was the first Episcopal Church in Charlotte.

To learn more about the rich history of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, visit our website, www.st-peters.org, or obtain a copy from the Parish House lobby.

StaffLaurie Haynes Burlington Director of Children’s Formation lburlington@st-peters.org 704-749-6155

Leigh Dixon Parish Administrator ldixon@st-peters.org 704-749-6142

Joy Floyd After-hours Receptionist receptionist@st-peters.org 704-332-7746

Lyn Holt Director of Youth Formation lholt@st-peters.org 704-749-6148

Anna Hurdle Catechesis Coordinator (Children) ahurdle@st-peters.org 704-749-6156

Michael Koppenal Servant Ministries Coordinator mkoppenal@st-peters.org 201-674-1191

Kay Johnson Managing Director, The Choir School at St. Peter’s kjohnson@st-peters.org 704-749-6146

Elizabeth Lenti Assistant Organist & Choirmaster Assistant Director, The Choir School at St. Peter’s elenti@st-peters.org 704-749-6147

Dishawn Muldrow After-hours Receptionist receptionist@st-peters.org 704-332-7746

Kevin Nunnery Facilities Lead knunnery@st-peters.org 704-749-6155

Ben Outen Director of Music & Organist Founding Director, The Choir School at St. Peter’s bouten@st-peters.org 704-749-6145

The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher Rector orencher@st-peters.org 704-749-6140

Peg Robarchek Communications Administrator probarchek@st-peters.org 704-749-6141

The Reverend Joslyn Ogden Schaefer Associate Rector jschaefer@st-peters.org 704-749-6150

The Reverend L. Murdock Smith, PhD Assisting Priest (retired) msmith@st-peters.org 704-749-6141

The Reverend Jonathan E. Soyars Assisting Priest jsoyars@st-peters.org 704-749-6150

Mary Virginia Woodall Director of Ministry Development mvwoodall@st-peters.org 704-749-6151

Steven Yanku Facilities Assistant syanku@st-peters.org 704-749-6155

Volunteer ReceptionistsBob Atkins, Nick Burnett, Tina Coelho, Sue Coonen, Kathy Cress, Alice Dresser, Diana Gibbs, Phyllis Ferguson, Kitty Hughes, Pat Markel, Hulene McLean, Toni Moore, Kathleen Mundle, Nancy Sarazen

The Vestry (Lay Leadership Council)Class of 2015: Sam Bowles, Mark Boyd, Sam Gardner, Amy Dillon King

Class of 2016: Des Keller, Dave Lavoie, Nelda Leon, Irma Hoffman

Class of 2017: Candace Armstrong, Abigail Cudabac, Paul Keller, Kristine Reid

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 115 West Seventh Street Charlotte, NC 28202 704-332-7746 www.st-peters.org

Life at St. Peter’sPrograms and Events at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Center City Charlotte � Fall 2015 and Beyond

Above: Mosaic at High Altar. Front Cover: Administering the sacrament of

Holy Baptism on the day of Pentecost.