Friends,
“A mother’s love for her child(ren) is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” (Agatha Christies)
Mother’s Day
The United States is among 40 countries that celebrates what we know as Mother’s Day, which was first celebrated in 1907 when Anna Jarvis held the first Mother’s Day Service of worship at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Anna’s mother, Ann Jarvis, had been a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War, and created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor the effort of her mother and that of Julia Ward Howe who called upon mothers in the latter part of the 19th century to band together to promote the “amicable settlement of international questions in the great and general interests of peace.”
In consideration of the international tensions that are present today, it seems that the original motivation for celebrating Mother’s Day is more than relevant for our current situation. In honor of this special day, we recall the words of St. Cyprian, a third-century bishop, who famously said, “No one can have God as Father who does not have the church as Mother.” We will also participate in the annual Mother’s Day Offering in support of the ministry for older adults provided by the Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina of which there are five, the closest one to Beaufort in Summerville. We thank you in advance for your generous support of this special offering.
Children and Mid and Senior Hi Youth
Please note: Our children’s ministry for elementary school aged children (MADD, Music, Art, Dance & Drama) and our mid high youth group will not meet May 8 or 15, but will conclude the 2021-22 Schedule on Sunday, May 22, with a Water Slide Celebration. The high school youth Bible study will continue this Wednesday from 7:15 to 8:00 pm in Room 206.
Sunday Mornings & Faith Formation
Small groups for children, youth and adults meet from 9:30 to about 10:20 am in the Christian Education Wing for the next four Sundays exploring the theme of baptism and answering the question, “What is baptism all about?” The coffee’s hot, the pastries delicious, the conversation engaging, the fellowship warm. Try a small group. It might surprise you!
Mid-Week Study of William Barclay’s book, “The Master’s Men” (The Twelve Apostles)
Kay and Steve Keeler are using the research of William Barclay who was a minister in the Church of Scotland and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow to look at the lives of the apostles. We started last week with Peter. It is believed that one of Peter’s greatest qualities was that in the midst of his failures and mistakes, he was always able to recover his courage and integrity. This coming week, we look at the apostle Andrew.
If you would like to join this study group, (we are meeting every Wednesday from 10:30 to about 12 Noon) please contact Kay Keeler at 843.812.4206 or kaykeeler52@gmai.com and she will be happy to forward information on how to access the group by way of Zoom. Our time together is invigorating for the soul.
Hospital Update
Sabra (Ralph) Fermin is making good progress at MUSC, Charleston, and looking forward to a pending transfer to Roper Hospital, Charleston, for intense physical/occupational therapy.
Kathy (Brian) Hulbert, recently retired Director of our Day School, is recovering from recent injuries at MUSC, Charleston and looking forward to pending transfer to one of the area health care facilities for physical therapy.
Baby Elliott Iovine, son of Rob and Morgan, grandson of Ralph and Sabra Fermin, is gaining weight at the MUSC Children’s Hospital, Charleston as his lungs continue to develop and mature.
Marion Woodbury was discharged Thursday evening from MUSC, Charleston and is heading to Greenville, SC for the weekend in order to attend his granddaughter’s graduation from Furman University.
Donnie Woods, General Presbyter, Charleston Atlantic Presbytery, has been diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer and has begun a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation which will lead to surgery during the middle part of the summer.
On behalf of family, friends and neighbors who are not well and looking forward to the day when they are able to rejoice and give thanks for good health, may the Lord grant wisdom and skill to their medical and surgical teams, comfort and strength to their families and loved ones, and for each of them, may Jesus, the great Physician, provide a resilient spirit, a trusting faith, and his lasting peace that calms the storm, stills the water and leads them to that treasured mountaintop of healing and new life. In the Name of Christ. Amen.+
High School and College Graduates
We would like to acknowledge this year’s graduates who are a part of the Sea Island church family. Please contact the church office at 525-0696 or Steve Keeler at skeeler@seaislandpresbyterian.org with the name of your graduate, the school he or she has been attending and if a graduate from high school, where they might be headed in the fall.
Sea Island Scholarships Available
Several years ago, a Sea Island family anonymously established a scholarship fund for graduating seniors who have applied and been accepted into a college or university located in South Carolina. Applications are available in the church office. The deadline for applying for the scholarship is May 22. Questions may be directed to Kevin Cuppia at cuppia@hotmail.com.
Coming this Summer
Summer Days at Sea Island (for children of the church)
Montreat Worship & Music Conference, North Carolina, June 26 thru July 1
Montreat Youth Conference, North Carolina, July 24-30
Coming this Fall
Safe Haven After-School Tutoring Ministry
Wednesday Kirk Night
In Closing
Amid our joys and concerns, the mission, work and ministry of the Sea Island Presbyterian Church, in the words of the apostle Paul, presses on seeking to meet many of the needs of those who come through our doors. We do not look back, we look forward. We do not look down, we look up. We seek the sunrise and not the sunset for the risen Christ is with us and among us. In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it is not our mind-set to be a religious people, but Christians who are human beings, as Jesus was a human being, profoundly this-worldly, characterized by discipline, and the constant knowledge of death and resurrection. (The Iona Community Worship Book)
May the Lord bless and keep you. +
