A Message from Senior Pastor Will Robinson
June 29, 2020
 
Dear FPC family of faith,
 
At its June meeting last Tuesday, Session voted to keep our campus closed to Sunday worship and most church activities through at least August 16 and to outside organizations through at least September 30.  This was another tough decision because Session understands the value of in-person Christian community – worship, study, fellowship, and prayer.  After weighing several factors, especially the increase in COVID-19 cases in the state and county, however, Session voted not to reopen the church yet.  To read the motion Session approved, click here.
 
Because it values in-person worship (and in the congregational survey many of you indicated that you would attend with several safety protocols in place), Session did approve providing special Prayer Services at least once each week in James Chapel (adjacent to the Sanctuary).  Beginning in July, these short (about thirty-minutes) worship opportunities will be limited in number (so reservations will be necessary) and will require social distancing and masks.  Other safety protocols, including proper sanitizing of James Chapel, will also be in place.
 
At its June 23 meeting, Session also received and reviewed a phased plan to reopen the campus, particularly for Sunday worship.  So, FPC has a flexible plan in place that will help us to intentionally and carefully open the building when Session deems it safe and in keeping with the Christian ideal of caritas or love, particularly as that ideal was expressed in the early church’s commitment to the mitigation and amelioration of human suffering.  In the end, we’re committed to the health and well-being of you, our staff, and our visitors.
 
Though the campus will remain mostly closed, we’ve never stopped being the church, Christ’s body, on the island and beyond.  Indeed, the life and mission of FPC continue apace in this time of COVID-19.  Below is a summary of how we’re living our Values for Ministry:
 
Joyful Worship & Gracious Invitation
  • Worship on Sundays at 10:00 AM through at least August 16 via a pre-recorded service posted on our website or live stream.        Invite someone to join us!
  • Our summer sermon series, “Answering Your Questions!” continues.  You can hear the Biblical and theological questions we’ve          addressed on our YouTube channel, click here.
  • We’re exploring an online “friendship pad/register” to connect with our virtual visitors.
  • In June, eleven new members joined our family of faith!  We’ll welcome them soon.
 
Prayerful Study (via Zoom)
  • Children’s Ministry is connecting with families through W.O.W. (We’re On Wednesdays) worship and Sunday School.  To join       them, email Jackie Wilhelm at jwilhelm@fpchhi.org.
  • Youth Ministry meets for fellowship on Wednesdays.  To join them, email Hannah Kreoger at hkreoger@fpchhi.org.
  • A number of classes/groups for adults are meeting.  To learn more or to join one of them, email sbrannon@fpchhi.org.  Pastor     Lisa Schrott will teach a class on Job on Fridays at noon from July 10-31.  To register and view the syllabus, click here.
  • Both Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry are exploring ministry opportunities for this summer.
 
Sacrificial Service
  • Our People In Need (PIN) ministry is open on Tuesdays from 9 AM-noon – with appropriate safety precautions in place – to            assist people in our community with utility bills, rent and food from our pantry.
  • Donate to our food pantry, local food pantries and soup kitchens:  canned soup, tuna or chicken, Chef Boyardee, canned        fruit, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, breakfast bars, soap, shampoo, lotion and toothpaste.  Bag your items            and place them in the blue plastic bin outside the double doors to the church office weekdays from 10 AM-4 PM.  We’ll use            appropriate safety precautions before distributing them.
  • We’re making masks to help protect people during this pandemic. Need a mask? Email asiebold@fpchhi.org.
  • Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is gearing up!  Thanks to you, our OCC shoe boxes numbered 196 in 2019 and were sent       to children around the world through Samaritan’s Purse.  We’re preparing for another banner year of collecting Ivory soap,             washcloths, toothbrushes, jump ropes, yo-yos, pencil erasers, handheld pencil sharpeners and small, fun items for children.           Our Knitting Ministry adds a handmade crocheted rabbit to each box!  This year we hope to fill 200 of these plastic shoe box         containers, thereby letting children know that Jesus loves them and that He helped make this happen.  FPC’s Global Missions       Committee allocates funds from your tithes and offerings to pay the shipping.  Look for the plastic bin (labeled Operation               Christmas Child) outside the double doors to the church office weekdays from 10 AM-4 PM. We’ll use appropriate safety                 precautions when handling the items.  Questions?  Contact Robin Swift (843.384.0959 or erswift@hargray.com).
  • We appreciate your tithes, pledges and gifts to help us do God’s work in this pandemic.  You can give via the GIVE              button on our website, mailing a check to the church, or a text (to 77977, typing FPCHHI; you’ll receive a one-time reply with a      link to give to First Presbyterian Church.)  If you have questions or require assistance to set up a recurring gift, call the church      or email us at info@fpchhi.org.
 
Caring Connections
  • If you’re a member or visitor, call the church or send your contact info to info@fpchhi.org so you can receive weekly emails          with updates, devotionals, and other crucial information during this time.
  • If you’d like someone to pray for you, email Pastor Lisa lschrott@fpchhi.org or info@fpchhi.org to have a Prayer Partner pray for      you as part of the Deacon’s Prayer Project.
  • You’re also welcome to call the church or email confidential prayer requests to the pastors.
 
If you have any questions or ideas regarding how we might live our Values of Ministry in this time of COVID-19, let us know by replying to this email or by texting or calling me at 540-525-9733.
 
In Christ,
 
Will
 
 
 
First Presbyterian Church 
of Hilton Head Island
 
540 William Hilton Parkway
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
843.681.3696
fpchhi.org
 
With questions, write to info@fpchhi.org