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SPRING HILL MESSENGER

May 2021

Dear Spring Hill Presbyterian Church,

J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy story, The Hobbit, begins when mild-mannered Bilbo Baggins encounters the wild and wonderous wizard, Gandalf, who utters an invitation that will change Mr. Baggins’s life: “I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure.” The invitation to transformational, shared adventures has always been a part of the Church's calling. Jesus extended a life-changing, community-forming invitation to people, who left their ordinary lives and followed him on an adventure that transformed all of creation. Christian communities in today’s society (and our congregation in this particular moment in time) are thrust into a new adventure of seeking to respond to Christ’s invitation in ways that are different from what we have known for generations. Theologians Stanley Hauerwas and Will Willimon in their work, Resident Aliens, reflect on the role of the church in this post-Christendom context: “We American Christians are at last free to be faithful in a way that makes being a Christian today an exciting adventure…Christians are intentionally made by an adventuresome church, which has again learned to ask the right questions to which Christ alone supplies the an-swers.” Likewise, church leadership scholar, Tod Bolsinger, suggests, “This is a moment when most of our backs are against the wall, and we are unsure if the church will survive to the next generation. The answer is not to try harder but to start a new adventure…the discovery of a new, uncharted land beckoning us forward—yes, in the face of uncertainties, fears and potential losses—to learn and to be transformed. What is needed? An adventure that requires adaptive capacity.”

During the next three months (from May 17-August 15) I will be engaging in an intentional time of sabbatical after seven and half years of ministry at SHPC. I am so thankful to the church for the great generosity of this gift and for the foresight of pastor nominating committee to include this planned sab-batical in my terms of call back in 2013. While I’m looking forward to some time of rest with my family, I am also ready to plunge deeply into the theme of Adventure in my study and reflections over the summer. I’ll be honing my lenses on some particular times in the Church’s history when the pivotal moments of change called forth adventuresome spiritual responses from leaders and teachers. In the early church under Roman rule, in the rise of the Celtic Church after the fall of the Roman Em-pire, and in the era of the Protestant Reformation our forebearers discerned new things that God was doing and sought to faithfully responded in ways that reached forward in hope while still staying rooted to the gifts of the Christian tradition. As I survey the spiritual landscape of our world today, I believe we can learn much from these adventurers of the past as we live into who God is calling us to be now.

As I study and reflect on this them of adventure, I’ll also be journeying on a few small-scale pilgrimag-es and a large adventure with my family. Our plan for the month of June is to drive from Mobile to Washington state with stops in as many National Parks along the way. While getting out of my com-fort zone, I’ll be listening to the wisdom of those voices from the past and how their insight calls us out into new territories of wonder, service, and reconciliation.

In preparing for this summer, there are a few final reminders I’d like to share with you:

-The sabbatical is NOT a time for me to prepare for leaving our church family. Instead, it IS a time for me to get new insight and spiritually recharge in preparation for the next chapter of our ministry to-gether for years to come here at SHPC.

-Our worship on Sunday mornings will include a wonderful sermon series entitle “Always Forward: A Transforming Journey” led by Dr. Anna Fulmer Duke, Rev. Eugenia Gamble, and Harvie Jordan on Spring Hill Sunday (July 18).

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Dear Friends, The month of May in the life of the church is full of milestones. One of my favorite moments each

year is celebrating graduation with our high school seniors. I love hearing the blessings by families, watching the slideshow with photos through the years. May 2 will be our End-of-the-Year Vespers, a service that celebrates milestones. We will honor our high school seniors, commission our youth at-tending Montreat, listen to our children’s choir sing for the final time this year, and more. May 16 marks another milestone: it will be Buz’s last week with us before his Sabbatical. I am so grateful that we as a church family get to celebrate this milestone in Buz’s ministry with us. The next week, May 23 kicks off another milestone, our summer series: Always Forward: A Transforming Journey.

In this season where things are returning to more normal, rates of COVID are lessening in our community’ and the vaccine is more widely accessible, many of us are thinking about the future. Things are different; we are different. As much as we might long for things to be exactly like they used to be, we know that we have grown and changed in this year. We must move forward. This summer, we will explore the journeys of our forebearers, milestones in Scripture, and how they continued to move for-ward following God. We will be looking at stories from Genesis and Exodus exploring how God moved God’s people forward, even when there looked to be no way through.

I believe God created us to continually change and grow. Just look at a baby—they are con-stantly developing; they are persistently moving forward: rolling, crawling, walking, running. With time, I think we can forget what we were born doing—moving forward. Change grows harder some times with age. I love routine personally, and this past year, has been discombobulating. Instead of moving for-ward, we can simply stop. We can become stuck in discord, denial, fear, security, and jealousy. Even when we know that God plans a future of hope for us, it is easy to long for what is familiar. Yet, God refuses to leave us in our suffering and bondage. God calls us again and again to move forward, to keep trying, to trust God, to grow in our love and faith.

This summer, I hope you will join me and Rev. Eugenia Gamble as we continue always forward, following the one, our Lord who walks before, behind, above, and below.

Grace and Peace,

-This theme of Adventure/Journey will further be explored during an outstanding Faith and the Arts Summer Sunday School series. Pay special attention to the full page insert in this newslet-ter describing the slate of speakers and topics.

-A special Sabbatical Committee has been created with many leaders in the church to help con-nect the dots and ensure things don’t slip through the cracks during the time that I am away. They will be working closely with our Coronavirus Commission to carefully navigate the waters of mov-ing forward in our Covid protocols as it is deemed safe to do so.

Finally, friends, before I leave, I want to say “Thank YOU!” Thank you for this gift of sabbath time. Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication to our won-derful church family. Thank you for all that you are doing in Christ’s name in our Mobile communi-ty and beyond. Thank you!

Grace and Peace,

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An Invitation to All Women of the Church:

Let’s Celebrate!

What: Presbyterian Women are hosting a double celebration: Our annual PW Birthday, combined with… A special “Sip and See” to honor Anna Fulmer Duke and son Anders.

(You remember the “baby shower” that COVID canceled last spring? A year late…we celebrate!)

When: Wednesday, May 12th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Where:

First in the Sanctuary for a Bible Study Lesson led by Buz Wilcoxon, followed by Buz and

Anna leading the installation of our PW Officers for 2021—2023. Second in the Memorial Garden area outside for cupcakes, ice cream, and iced tea – and

to “meet” Anders and honor Anna. What to bring:

Wear a mask, and if you would like to have a chair when we’re outside, please bring a chair

to set up near the Memorial Garden before we begin in the sanctuary.

Adult Education News Current Issues Class:

As a lead-in to our Summer Arts Series theme of “Journey,” two Current Issues class members will share highlights of their own life and faith journey, under the heading “Tell Me Your Sto-ry.” This class will continue to meet virtually through May.

May 9: Lynn Flanagan May 16: Royce Ray May 23: Wrap-up and sharing; looking ahead to fall.

Bible Discovery Class

This class is meeting in

person again as they

continue around the

theme of

HOLY – God Revealed.

Welcome back all who have missed

that personal touch and fellow-

ship! Fellowship Hall @ 9:15 a.m.

End of the Year Vespers

Sunday, May 2 at 4:00 pm

May 2 is our End of the Year Vespers celebration at 4:00 pm! We will be honoring our High School seniors and hearing their families give them blessings. Our Children’s Choirs will sing for the final time this spring. We will be commissioning our youth for their Montreat trips. Afterwards, come inside the sanctu-ary to see our High School Senior slideshow! It will be a fun time as we remember the courage, resilience, and faith we have had in this unusual year!

STAFF APPRECIATION AT MARY B AUSTIN

Help us salute our partner in education teachers and staff at Mary B. Austin with a treat breakfast on May 4th. If you would like to help by supplying a casserole or some sweet pastries please contact Buddy Porter at cporter43@mchsi.com and let him know.

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The Prayers and sympathy of the congregation go out to Norma Baymiller on the death of her sister, Helen Cullen in San Antonio, TX.

Jim & Nancy Adams

Mr. & Mrs. George Arras Jim & Barbara Beach Buddy & Kay Braswell Carter & Kay Bryars

Frank & Jane Callahan Mitch & Sally Cobb

B.B. & Glenda Coker Frank & Cathi Dagley Hal & Lynn Daugherty Ann & Wade Faulkner

Billie & Russell Goodloe Richard & Paula Henry Dan & Rochelle Herring Jacquelyn & Andrew Hill

Bonney Irwin Sue Jardine

Jain Ann Lain Charles & Linda Langston

Gage & Shelley Logan Sara Long

Dr. & Mrs. Russell March Jacqueline Marrero

Norman McCrummen Ceil & Tommy McGehee

Dr. Bill & Ann Carwie Mosley Joan Myers

Dr. Allen & Kimi Oaks Nancy & William Oppenheimer

Marion Overby Nancy Patterson

Dick & Lila Pennington Royce Ray

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin T. Rowe Lewis & Barkley Shreve

Jane Sims Mary Hunter Slaton

John & Tiny Spottswood Jack & Carol Stephenson Riggs & Carol Stephenson

Beth & Bobby Thomas Patsy Torbert

Bruce & Sylvia Weinard

Prayer List

Kaye Bradshaw, Chandler Bramlett, Edith Cox, Lauren Henson, Burton Hoitt, Kay Korb, Norma Magee, Sue McLean, Marilyn Michel, Margaret Miller, Betty Minto, Bill Rawson, Cort Schlichting, William Shreve, Gladys Sheets, Ransome Sheets, Janie Sims, Gayle Underwood, Nicholas Vrakelos, Helen Wells all our military members: Haley Harrell, Susanna Hedrick, Stuart Rubio; The children in our Big Brother/Big Sister program: Krystyn, Maylasia, Makenzie, Milaishia, Morgan, Taliah &

Memorials

Dave Fulgham Bobby Gewin Neal Howell Carla Krause

Mack McInnis Nancy Sims Elise Thompson Dudley Wilson

Statement as of March 31, 2021

Total Annual Budgeted Revenue $ 825,987

Year-to-date Received $ 233,532

Other Receipts $ 7,980

Total Receipts $ 241,511

Benevolences $ 17,093

Salaries and Services $ 116,875

Programs $ 3,011

Office Expenses $ 5,911

General and Plant Ser-vices $ 50,854

Other $ 8,861

Total Expenses $ 202,604

Excess Receipts over (under )Expenses $ 38,908

Our Nursery is Open!

Our nursery is back open! As more people begin to worship in-person, we

also want to make sure that our children and families feel fully welcomed.

We have some special COVID guidelines our nursery workers will follow

which include wearing masks, temperature checks, cleaning the nursery

before and after, closing the nursery for two weeks if a child or nursery

worker did test positive for COVID-19. We do ask that families take precau-

tions with any children with underlying health conditions or if they have

family members who they live with who have risk factors. Children are al-

ways welcome in our worship services no matter their age; however, we are

excited to have the nursery available for those parents who might desire it

in order to fully engage in worship.

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Vacation Bible School Update

Vacation Bible School will be Sunday-Wednesday, June 27-30 from 5:00-6:00 pm in the evening outside. We are asking children who attend to bring an adult with them to help them with the activi-ties. Because each child will have an adult attending too, we

are opening VBS to children grades K3-5th grade (children must be 3 years old). Vacation Bible School will be very similar to our BLAST (Bible Learning and Sharing Time) program. Children will have a towel to sit on along with a bag of supplies for the night. We will have 15 minutes of a story, music, art, and recre-ation during our hour together. Sign-up using our Google Form: https://forms.gle/6bZuphXmGYWmrk4QA .

YOUTH MISSION CAMP Because we will not have Tribe Leaders and small groups, you might be wonder-ing can youth volunteer? While VBS is happening June 27-30 from 5:00-6:00 pm, we will have our youth participat-ing in Mission Camp. We will

have our youth completed grades 5-12 work on mission projects outside and masked while our children are participating in VBS. Mission pro-jects will include cleaning up Langam Park, mak-ing cards, cleaning up our church property, and more. This will be a great way for youth to get service hours (up to 6)! Sign-up using our Google Form: https://forms.gle/wkK9pCWbB33JxsPb7

Montreat Trip Meetings

Montreat High School: Youth (and parents of youth

attending) and chaperones attending Montreat High

School, join us May 23 after church in the Fellowship Hall.

Government Street Presbyterian Church’s youth will also be joining us as

we go over last minute details for our trip.

Montreat Middle School: Youth (and parents of youth attending) and

chaperones attending Montreat Middle School, join us July 11 after church

in the Fellowship Hall. Government Street Presbyterian Church’s youth will

also be joining us as we go over last minute details for our trip.

A Star is Born!!

(or more than one)

Dust off your best talent for SHPC first annual Talent Show,

coming in July! Stay tuned for more information!

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May 2021 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

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Back Pack for

Kids-packing

2-Worship-Communion Graduation Sunday Youth Group VESPERS

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MBA-Teacher Appreciation Breakfast

Committees

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PWCT

6 7 8

9 Mother’s Day Sunday School Worship

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Coronavirus Committee

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Session Diaconate

12 PW May Birthday Celebration SIP & SEE– Anders–

13 14 15

16- Sunday School Worship

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Buz’s Sabbatical Starts

18 19 20 21 22

23 Sunday School Worship–

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Coronavirus Commission Newsletter Deadline

25 26

Last Day of

Public School

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Spiritual Writing Group

28 29

30 Worship (No Sunday School)

31-Memorial Day Church Office Closed

*Church office is closed on Fridays *Worship is at 10:30 am * Vespers is at 4:00 pm *Sunday School is at 9:15 am

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Moving from Step Two to Step Three in our 4-Step Plan

For Returning from a Season of Separation

(Approved by Session on March 16, 2021)

Why are we ready to move to Step Three now? Our gathering together is safer due to… • A continuing decline in new cases of COVID in

Mobile County;

A Mobile rating in the Low-Moderate Risk Level from the Alabama Department of Public Health; Three approved vaccines and more people receiving vaccines.

What are the key differences in Step Two and Step Three?

Step 2 Step 3

Category Step 2 – Oct. 2020 to Mar. 2021 Step 3 – Begins Mar. 16, 2021

Worship

Hybrid Worship with up to 50 people in the sanctuary and 25 in Fellowship Hall

Hybrid Worship with up to 100 people in the sanc-tuary and 50 in Fellowship Hall.

If the Bullard Gym is used for worship, in case of rain, 100 are allowed.

Consider modifying procedures for in-person communion with safety protocols.

Adult Sunday School

Presbyterian Women – Coordinating Team &

Circles Bible Study

Committees, Session, & Diaconate

Virtual via Zoom, or Groups of 10 or fewer in person in Fellowship Hall

(masks & distancing)

Up to 30 people allowed in Fellowship Hall and 30 in the Bullard Gym. (masks and distancing)

Schedule in advance. Explore hybrid approach with some in person and

some via Zoom.

External Groups

AA and Mobile’s Singing Children have special permission to use the chapel, as designated.

Scouts and other external groups can also request use of Fellowship Hall or Bullard Gym. **Up to 30 people in Fellowship Hall and 30 in the Bullard Gym.

Weddings; Funerals

Weddings & funerals inside the church limited to 10 or fewer. Outside space as alternative.

See the Wedding Policy Addendum for details. Funerals are the same as worship: 100 in the sanc-

tuary, and 50 in Fellowship Hall. No church receptions or visitations after weddings

or funerals.

Worship Hybrid Worship with up to 50 people in the sanctuary and 25 in Fellowship Hall

Hybrid Worship with up to 100 people in the sanctuary and 50 in Fellowship Hall.

If the Bullard Gym is used for worship, in case of rain, 100 are allowed.

Consider modifying procedures for in-person communion with safety protocols.

Adult Sunday School

Presbyterian Women – Coordinating Team &

Circles Bible Study

Committees, Session, & Diaconate

Virtual via Zoom, or Groups of 10 or fewer in person in Fel-

lowship Hall (masks & distancing)

Up to 30 people allowed in Fellowship Hall and 30 in the Bullard Gym. (masks and distancing)

Schedule in advance. Explore hybrid approach with some in per-

son and some via Zoom.

External Groups

AA and Mobile’s Singing Children have special permission to use the chapel, as designated.

Scouts and other external groups can also request use of Fellowship Hall or Bullard Gym. **Up to 30 people in Fellowship Hall and 30 in the Bullard Gym.

Weddings; Funerals

Weddings & funerals inside the church limited to 10 or fewer. Outside space as alternative.

See the Wedding Policy Addendum for de-tails.

Funerals are the same as worship: 100 in the sanctuary, and 50 in Fellowship Hall.

No church receptions or visitations after weddings or funerals.

Food/Beverages at Church

Events

No food served either indoors or outside.

Outside only: No inside eating Food: Individual portions, such as boxed

sandwiches or cupcakes or popsicles.

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Beginning in May we will return to

singing hymns in Worship!