As Disciples

June 19, 2020 Guest User

The Sunday service is posted below. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes.

Click here to view all Second Presbyterian Church videos

Pastor Cress delivers a message for the week of June 21st.

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, June 21, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ –

Today is the 19th of June, just two days after the 5th anniversary of what was intended to be the beginning of a race war, instigated by a young man who was welcomed into a bible study and as the people closed their eyes to pray, began killing mercilessly, randomly, demonically.

How do we describe or comprehend such hate, such evil? Families decimated, dreams lost, trust ruptured, yet, his purpose to start a race war foiled.

A dialogue began to address …what? Systemic racism? Leaky gun laws? Human depravity?
And yet, laws remain in place. Efforts to change relationships and culture have stalled. Dialogue has dissipated.

It has been said that violence against men and women of color has intensified – the reality is it’s just now it’s being filmed.

The issues are complex as we look at 400 years of denied access to education, property, credit, safety, respect, dignity, justice. And now we see the eyes of racism gaze on brown skin, Asian eyes, and native reservations.

Today is Juneteenth – the day that news of the Emancipation hit the shores of Texas and we are still in the morass.

Last Sunday I prayed that Jesus would ‘Kum ba yah’- Jesus, come by here.

This Sunday Matthew describes Jesus sending his ‘people’ out, without weapons, without credit cards, without Siri, to touch and to heal, to forgive and to proclaim. And we are sent, too! We are to move through our disappointment, our distaste and our denial to be Jesus’s agents to show that we are his by our love that is radical, and universal, and unconditional and fearless, as is God’s. We won’t, we dare not refuse to love, but we will stand and act in the righteousness of our radical Savior.

We will be shown the way by God’s Spirit. We will stand on God’s promises. We will be repairers of the breach.

Second Church is positioned to do this. We are called to accept this assignment. God’s Spirit will be our strength, our protection and our guide.

In Christ -

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.

CLICK HERE TO LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC WAYS WE CAN BE IN PRAYER FOR OR OF SERVICE TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES

The Second Pres COVID-19 Task force met via Zoom this week.While COVID-19 deaths are not increasing in our area, hospitalizations are increasing and confirmed cases have tripled in the past three weeks. Requirements by the Insurance Board state that… — The Second Pres COVID-19 Task force met via Zoom this week.
While COVID-19 deaths are not increasing in our area, hospitalizations are increasing and confirmed cases have tripled in the past three weeks. Requirements by the Insurance Board state that in order to move to stage one, cases must be in a downward trend for 14 consecutive days. Therefore, we cannot move forward with reopening for worship services at this time and data indicates 4-6 week minimum before we could consider returning to church, but church services will continue online at www.2ndpc.org.
Thank you to all who participated in the survey. While there is much to be considered and determinations are yet to be presented to session, the survey helps to assess the needs of the congregation.
***Read the Full Task Force update including survey results*** ***here*** →

Send in your questions!A sermon discussion will be posted each week and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!Did you know that the word "sermon" comes from a Latin word "sermo," which means "discou… — **Send in your questions!**
A sermon discussion will be posted each Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!
Did you know that the word "sermon" comes from a Latin word "sermo," which means "discourse" and "conversation"? You can ask questions here anonymously and they will be answered during the Tuesday sermon discussion post. Please send in any questions you have after you watch the sermon this week. **Check out last week's response** here →

The Young Adults Zoom get-together on Friday night was a lot of fun! Thanks for all those who showed up and I hope we see you next time if we missed you.

Is your church group continuing to meet in creative and safe ways right now? Please let Jordyn know so that we can get the word out!

MUSC's Psychiatry Unit has reached out offering ways to help pregnant women and new moms right here in Charleston. They are collecting donations for the women in our community to help with mental health care, child care and provide support for young… — MUSC's Psychiatry Unit has reached out offering ways to help pregnant women and new moms right here in Charleston. They are collecting donations for the women in our community to help with mental health care, child care and provide support for young child education.

**Find out specific ways to help** **here.** →

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in contact with partners in Guatemala and El Salvador offering assistance after Tropical Storm Amanda. Please join us in praying for the affected communities.

To support PDA’s response, designate gifts to DR000139. bit.ly/DR000139

Lee Pringle, founder of the Charleston Gospel Choir that makes its home here at Second Presbyterian and sings twice yearly in our services, is also the founder of the Colour of Music Festival. Based in Charleston and organized in 2013, the Colour of… — Lee Pringle, founder of the *Charleston Gospel Choir* that makes its home here at Second Presbyterian and sings twice yearly in our services, is also the founder of the *Colour of Music Festival*. Based in Charleston and organized in 2013, the *Colour of Music Festival* has brought international, national, and regional classically trained black musicians of African descent to share their musical talents, knowledge, and inspiration to concert and performance halls across the U.S.
The Festival has decided to re-release the yellow 2017 poster as it has become a symbol of national solidarity and togetherness.
Resistance, solidarity, and togetherness is the context for the artist’s use of a five-string violin and a fist, a symbol of black resistance, that commemorated the Festival’s fifth anniversary.
**Posters and new t-shirts are available in the shop at** **colourofmusic.org, where you can also view their George Floyd Memorial montage video.**
Find more information about the poster and artists here →

Concert for EqualityWhat: Call and Response: A Concert for Equality When: 7:30 p.m. on June 19 Where: Live stream. Visit www.CharlestonSymphony.org to watch The Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will present a special program, “Call and Response:… — **Concert for Equality**
**What:** Call and Response: A Concert for Equality
**When:** 7:30 p.m. on June 19
**Where:** Live stream. Visit www.CharlestonSymphony.org to watch

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will present a special program, “Call and Response: A Concert for Equality,” to leverage the power of music and the spoken word to promote unity, love and understanding.
Find out more here →

CHURCH-WIDE TAG SALE

The church is going to have a tag sale in mid-August, so now is a good time- you might even say a great time- to purge, clean out, get rid of, or to just empty out some of the things around your house and yard. If you have a storage unit you haven’t visited in a while, now might be the time to clean it out too. You can start getting your stuff together and we'll let you know when collection begins. Clean out those closets, basements, attics, and garages. We will need lots of volunteers when the time comes but more info will be coming soon. Any questions please contact Dawn McCready by email or at 203-921-7819.

SUPPORT YOUR CHURCH WHILE YOU PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING! Many of us are ordering online right now and you can support Second Pres any time you shop on Amazon! Choose to support “Second Presbyterian Church” at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will automa… — **SUPPORT YOUR CHURCH WHILE YOU PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING!** Many of us are ordering online right now and you can support Second Pres any time you shop on Amazon! Choose to support “Second Presbyterian Church” at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will automatically donate to Second Presbyterian with each purchase you make. Remember to check out and place your final order via **smile.amazon.com** **(and not the app) each time you shop to activate the donations.**

The bell tower was struck by lightning the afternoon of Sunday, April 19, 2020. The Steeple Fund campaign for the current renovation continues and, considering the damage from the fire, the need to raise money is now even greater. Help us bring the… — The bell tower was struck by lightning the afternoon of Sunday, April 19, 2020. The Steeple Fund campaign for the current renovation continues and, considering the damage from the fire, the need to raise money is now even greater.

Help us bring the Second Church tower back to its former glory, so it can continue to be a beacon for Charleston. Donate today to the Steeple Fund.

**Bell tower progress updates (and lots of photos) can be found here.**

View all Second Presbyterian Church videos here

Source: sermons

COVID-19 Task Force Post-Survey Update

June 19, 2020 Guest User

The Second Pres COVID-19 Task Force met via Zoom this week.

While COVID-19 deaths are not increasing in our area, hospitalizations are increasing and confirmed cases have tripled in the past three weeks. Requirements by the Insurance Board state that in order to move to stage one of reopening, cases must be in a downward trend for 14 consecutive days. Therefore, we cannot move forward with reopening for worship services at this time. Church services will continue online at www.2ndpc.org. Small groups may be able to meet in the Fellowship Hall sooner, but official determinations and stipulations have not yet been determined. The sanctuary may be opened for weddings and funerals, provided the number of attendees remains very small.

Thank you to all who participated in the survey and special thanks and acknowledgement to David Savard for conducting the survey. While there is much to be considered and determinations are yet to be presented to session, the survey helps to assess the needs of the congregation.

Survey Results:

Survey findings of note:

· Roughly 2/3 of participants are over age of 50

· About 80% of participants expect mask requirements

· About 60% will return when coronavirus cases are very small

· About 60% would like to continue meeting online, even if there are no government restrictions

· Roughly half of participants are in an at-risk group or share a household with a member who is at-risk

Full results can be downloaded here. →

Conclusions: There is broad support among the participants for waiting to return to in-person worship and an expectation that once we do, procedures such as masks and social distancing will be put in place to protect congregants. A majority of participants are middle-aged and older. A significant percentage are at-risk or share a household with someone who is at-risk. There is an expectation that the recommendations of health professionals be our guiding force, and not politicians or government officials.

We will continue to keep the congregation updated on our findings and considerations as we figure out a path forward in these uncertain times. Please join us for church online and do not hesitate to contact Cress, a deacon, or other church leader if you find yourself in need of prayer or care.

COVID-19 Task Force,

Katie Mai (chair), Dr. Sallie Schuh, Julia Harlow, Gary Jaffe, Felicia Sanders and Dan Tenpas

The Task Force is referencing and considering resources provided by CAP, PCUSA, and IB as well as information from SCDHEC and the CDC. The images above outline the plan being followed and links to further resources are available below. Anyone is encouraged to contact the Task Force with questions or further consideration- any and all help available is welcome.

SCDHEC

CDC

INSURANCE BOARD

DOWNLOAD TASK FORCE RESOURCES

The Kumbaya Christ

June 12, 2020 Guest User

The sermon and children’s sermon are posted here. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes.

THE KUMBAYA CHRIST - Pastor Cress delivers a message for the week of June 14th

Stay home, stay healthy and let’s flatten the curve! Sermon videos will be posted online for 10:30 a.m. on Sundays as we worship together from home.

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!

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Q&A

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, June 14, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ –

You know I am one of the guilty ones. Guilty of what you ask? Or what now? Well, I have been guilty of denigrating a camp song that I think I understand now. It doesn’t mean that I’ll find it any easier to sing, but I’ll forever be more charitable. It's a song for these times, a song for this time.

The song is "Kum ba Yah". It has been ridiculed, held up and laughed at in corn chip commercials. But I think that I, among many, have missed the point of the song.

Most research points to its origin from the beginning of the last century. And some believe that may have originated in Africa or off the coast of South Carolina, as it was known to be sung in the Gullah culture, but what is important is what it says. And it seems to come from a deep need, a longing, a yearning for deliverance, for relief or release. “Lord, come by here”, it says – and why? Because there is someone in distress, someone cryin’, someone dyin’, someone moanin’, maybe someone singin’ but it grew from the recognition that we weren’t, that we aren’t sufficient, we aren’t enough for right now. And so we pray, “Jesus – come by here, come now, come, Jesus come."

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.

CLICK HERE TO LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC WAYS WE CAN BE IN PRAYER FOR OR OF SERVICE TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME.

Please read the letter on the website from the Nominating Team regarding this year's meeting and election of officers here →View the 2020 Annual Report here → — Please read the letter on the website from the Nominating Team regarding this year's meeting and election of officers here →
View the 2020 Annual Report here →

A COVID-19 Task Force has been formed to explore and coordinate reopening our church to in-person worship. We understand that these are stressful and fearful times and we wish to come together in Jesus’ Spirit, to care for one another, especially th… — A COVID-19 Task Force has been formed to explore and coordinate reopening our church to in-person worship. We understand that these are stressful and fearful times and we wish to come together in Jesus’ Spirit, to care for one another, especially those of our flock who are most vulnerable. It is our charge as Christians to love and care for one another and for our community. We do not plan to restart in-person worship services in the sanctuary in the immediate future. We do, however, want to begin the process of evaluating the best possible time for that to occur.

Please fill out the survey, adapted from LifeWay Research, to help identify risk and to explore how we can best move forward with reopening our church. We appreciate your participation.

COVID-19 Task Force,
Katie Mai (chair), Dr. Sallie Schuh, Julia Harlow, Gary Jaffe, Felicia Sanders and Dan Tenpas
*Read the full letter from the Task Force* *here* →

Send in your questions!A sermon discussion will be posted each Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!Did you know that the word "sermon" comes from a Latin word "sermo," which means "dis… — **Send in your questions!**
A sermon discussion will be posted each Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!
Did you know that the word "sermon" comes from a Latin word "sermo," which means "discourse" and "conversation"? You can ask your questions here anonymously and they will be answered during the Tuesday sermon discussion post. Please send in any questions you have after you watch the sermon this week. **Check out last week's response** here →

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in contact with partners in Guatemala and El Salvador offering assistance after Tropical Storm Amanda. Please join us in praying for the affected communities.

To support PDA’s response, designate gifts to DR000139. bit.ly/DR000139

CHURCH-WIDE TAG SALE

Source: sermons

Concert for Equality

June 12, 2020 Guest User

Charleston Symphony Orchestra Presents Concert for Equality

June 19 program will leverage music, spoken words to promote healing, equality

What: Call and Response: A Concert for Equality

When: 7:30 p.m. on June 19

Where: Live stream. Visit www.CharlestonSymphony.org to watch

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will present a special program, “Call and Response: A Concert for Equality,” to leverage the power of music and the spoken word to promote unity, love and understanding.

Kellen Gray, assistant conductor of the CSO, has curated and will conduct the program. The event is being presented by the Symphony in partnership with the Gaillard Center, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, the Coastal Community Foundation, and Grammy Award winners Ranky Tanky.

“What an orchestra does best is listen, and real listening only happens when we allow the voices of others to briefly be more prominent than our own,” Gray said. “Our community has many voices that deserve the stage and this program addresses that directly, by giving stage to voices muted by inequality, those that empathize and want to help, and those who see how inequality has wounded our community.”

The program will be live streamed and performed to an empty hall due to COVID-19. Roper St. Francis Healthcare is providing clinical guidance as well as financial support to ensure the safest environment possible for the CSO to perform and the Gaillard Center is donating its space for the event.

- Kellen Gray

The evening will feature music of African American and Afro-British composers interspersed with three testimonials. Guest speakers include Grammy Award Winner Charlton Singleton, CSO Composer in Residence and Charleston native Edward Hart, and Coastal Community Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Darrin Goss, Sr. All plan to deliver words of experience, empathy and unity. This performance will include orchestral works by William Grant, George Walker, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Adolphus Hailstork.

The program will conclude with a special performance from Charleston’s own Ranky Tanky.

“The Charleston Symphony is honored to contribute to our community’s pursuit of equality by unleashing the power of music to promote listening, understanding, optimism, hope, empathy, and healing,” said CSO Executive Director Michael Smith.

About the CSO This year, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra will enter its 85th season of providing exceptional musical performances and educational programs to the Charleston area. Founded in 1936, the CSO is the cornerstone of Charleston’s arts community, performing its Masterworks and Pops series at the Gaillard Center and throughout the tri-county region. Employing 24 full-time musicians and 13 full-time staff, the CSO engages in robust Education and Community Engagement programs, special concerts, and school programs throughout South Carolina.

Solidarity and Togetherness

June 12, 2020 Guest User

Lee Pringle, founder of the Charleston Gospel Choir that makes its home here at Second Presbyterian and sings twice yearly in our services, is also the founder of the Colour of Music Festival.

Based in Charleston and organized in 2013, the Colour of Music Festival has brought international, national, and regional classically trained black musicians of African descent to share their musical talents, knowledge, and inspiration to concert and performance halls across the U.S.

In the Fall of 2017 The Colour of Music Festival announced and released the official Colour of Music Festival poster, collaboratively designed by Charleston-based artist Colin Quashie and graphic designer Gil Shuler. The bold statement of the all-black classical musicians festival was a good fit for Quashie, nationally known for his audacious art.

The Festival has decided to re-release the poster among increased requests as people have started using the image in social media settings.

Resistance, solidarity, and togetherness is the context for Quashie’s use of a five-string violin and a fist, a symbol of black resistance, that commemorated the Festival’s fifth anniversary. Graphic designer Gil Shuler hand drew the Festival name and dates for the 2017 Festival.

As the Black Lives Matter movement recently intensified after George Floyd’s death, white supporters around the globe have joined black protesters using the raised fist as a show of support and solidarity.

Though socially and politically current, the visual illustrates the dogged defiance of black classical composers and musicians who for centuries withstood cultural biases from audiences and who now are pushing the current orchestral community to do more to showcase black artists’ talent and composers’ works.

Now in its eighth season, the Festival itself has defied the odds by presenting in major cities throughout the U.S.

Posters and t-shirts are available in the shop at colourofmusic.org, where you can also view their George Floyd Memorial montage video.

Follow Colour of Music Festival on Facebook and Instagram.

"TRINITY SUNDAY" DISCUSSION

June 9, 2020 Guest User

We’re Christocentric, we point to Jesus Christ, so how does the Trinity play into our daily lives? Pastor Cress responds to questions from this week’s uplifting Trinity Sunday sermon. Go out into the world, vote, enjoy the sunshine- or rain- and be the agents of God’s love!

Cress

Watch Sunday’s service here or listen to the sermon here.

Always feel free to reach out to Cress to see how you can help, get involved or just to continue the conversation.

Interested in missions opportunities specifically? Reach out to Sarah Mitchell, head of Missions and find out more about Second Presbyterian Missions initiatives here.

A sermon discussion will be posted each Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions! Did you know that the word "sermon" comes from a Latin word "sermo," which means "discourse" and "conversation"? You can ask your questions here anonymously and they will be answered during the week.

Source: /blog/questions

Trinity Sunday

June 5, 2020 Guest User

The sermon and children’s sermon are posted here. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes. This is a communion service, so please prepare bread- or bagels or muffins- and juice or wine so that you are ready to take part in communion.

Stay home, stay healthy and let’s flatten the curve! Sermon videos will be posted online for 10:30 a.m. on Sundays as we worship together from home.

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!

give online

Q&A

stay connected

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, June 7, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ –

The sun is shining. Here at Second Pres looking at Wragg Square it’s hard to imagine that just a week ago there was teargas wafting under the trees. Individuals, institutions, community and national government all are describing this moment as an inflection point, a moment when something changes never to return to the status quo.

There are two forces driving and shaping this moment – the global pandemic (how easily those words slip off the tongue now) and the societal upheaval as emotional dams have burst and festering wounds have erupted across the nation.

George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, who’s birthday is today, have tragically been killed. Instant media access lifts up and amplifies what has been reality for generations.

But this is not a black vs blue (law enforcement) situation. Neither a them vs us. It’s a right vs wrong scenario where all of us may find ourselves in either camp at some moment.

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. We won’t be exegeting doctrine. We’ll be savoring the multifaceted nature of our God - creative, redemptive and sustaining - all of which we will need to employ if we are to be the radical, loving, transforming agents our God is calling us to be.

Living ain’t easy these days and these days are precisely what we have been told to expect as we seek to be reconcilers and healers in the name of Jesus. Sometimes we‘re to overturn the temple tables. How are we to know? Let the Spirit be our guide.

In anticipation and excitement for the Spirit’s leading –

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.

CLICK HERE TO LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC WAYS WE CAN BE IN PRAYER FOR OR OF SERVICE TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in contact with partners in Guatemala and El Salvador offering assistance after Tropical Storm Amanda. Please join us in praying for the affected communities.

To support PDA’s response, designate gifts to DR000139. bit.ly/DR000139

CHURCH-WIDE TAG SALE

Source: sermons

Church Re-Entry Survey

June 5, 2020 Guest User

To our Second Presbyterian family,

A COVID-19 Task Force has been formed to explore and coordinate reopening our church to in-person worship. We do not plan to restart in-person worship services in the sanctuary in the immediate future. We do, however, want to begin the process of evaluating the best possible time for that to occur. We are currently following guidelines set in place by Charleston Atlantic Presbytery (CAP), Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (PCUSA) and Insurance Board (IB). We are also monitoring local and state regulations on gatherings and the spread of the virus through data made available by South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

Each of these groups have recommended reopening in stages while monitoring and balancing the risks inherent to gathering in groups with the healthcare measures available in our community. The timing of the stages is determined by the virus, so we must prayerfully and rationally evaluate risks present in our community as they evolve and respond appropriately.

We understand that these are stressful and fearful times and we wish to come together in Jesus’ Spirit, to care for one another, especially those in our flock who are most vulnerable. It is our charge as Christians to love and care for one another and for our community.

We have prepared a survey to help identify risk and to explore how we can best move forward with reopening our church. We encourage and appreciate all participation.

In the meantime, we will continue online church and outreach throughout the week. Please contact us for any questions and concerns. Please let us know how we can best serve you. With God’s help, we will work through this together.

- COVID-19 Task Force

Katie Mai, Chair, Dr. Sallie Schuh, Julia Harlow, Gary Jaffe, Felicia Sanders and Dan Tenpas

FIND THE SURVEY RESULTS HERE

2020 Annual Report

June 4, 2020 Guest User

May 18, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ –

Here is at last an annual report/newsletter! It will speak to the excitement of last year, but offer no specific schedule yet for Second Church to resume corporate worship in the sanctuary.

I would imagine that you, as I, keep an eye on the news feeds for some breakthrough that will allow us and the world to resume interaction and intersection.

Someone stopped by today, brought some cookies, and gave me an even better gift if you can imagine. As we spoke and wondered how we could ever meet with the abandon we experienced before when we gathered, she uttered one word – vaccine.

I was reminded that modern plagues have been arrested through science - and God’s grace.

As creatures created to be in relationship to serve a God that became enfleshed, we will not be denied one of the most essential facets of our lives together – touch – forever.

Just because we don’t know the answers does not mean there is not one. Perhaps the answer to this moment is that we practice safe distancing, that we spend more time in reflection (prayer), that we engage with others in a way that reflects God’s love.

Take a look at what we’ve done. You’ll get an idea of whom we are becoming.

Joshua (assimilation) and I met in the garden next door to the church with half the folks who are joining the church. We shared stories, impressions of the church, 2nd’s mission in these times and their place within it.

I’ll meet with the others and soon you’ll read their stories see their smiles.

A task force is working together to be able to prayerfully offer a protocol for returning.

We will gather first in small groups and study and laugh and pray and support each other and Second Presbyterian – Church of Charleston and the new era.

Dear friends in Christ – we are writing/living the narrative for the new millennium. The story is old, the application is new. We will love.

With great joy in being your pastor and in anticipation of the work ahead -

Cress

view the 2020 annual report here

Congregational Meeting and Election of Officers

June 3, 2020 Guest User

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am delighted to share the good news that our Nominating Committee has prayerfully and successfully drawn a roster of new officers to lead Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston from a list of excellent nominees. We put forward the names of Elders, Deacons , and Officers of the Corporation below. It is important to note that the usual practice of also preparing a new Nominating Committee to serve the upcoming year has been postponed; the trying circumstances of social distancing, combined with the exciting prospect of choosing from among our wonderful new Session, led us to move this process to the near future.

As most of you know, the process for electing new officers requires a Congregational Meeting, so that every voice can be counted. Unfortunately, this is now problematic due to the pandemic. We have sought and, thankfully, received consultation on the best way to move forward, so that our church is not left without leaders at this crucial time. The Charleston Atlantic Presbytery and several of our sister congregations have recommended the following procedure: please review the Slate of Deacons, Elders, and Officers of the Corporation below. If you approve, offer a prayer of thanks and set this letter aside. We will joyfully accept the election of these officers and officers of the corporation by common consent on June 15, 2020. If, however, you have an objection or an alternate nomination, please text, call, or email that objection, with explanation, to Nathaniel Walker, head of the Nominating Committee: walkernr@cofc.edu (912) 220-1543 no later than June 12, 2020. Please know that all of the persons previously submitted were considered and all of them were contacted. We had more nominations than we had offices to fill, praise God! Not everyone could be called upon to serve, but everyone was and remains cherished and respected. If we do receive objections or additional nominations, we will submit these before the congregation in another letter and call for a vote on them.

We would all be so much happier to conduct this election in the traditional manner, with our voices and our spirits united in one another’s presence! These are unusual times, however, and we remain grateful to be united in God’s presence. We are also grateful to have a transparent and democratic culture of governance—a Session of Elders, a Nominating Committee, a nominating process, and a congregation that are all dedicated to joining hands in the common responsibility of leading our church to the place and the day that God has ordained.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is sovereign, and in these trying times, we are more grateful than ever for that marvelous fact. Please say a prayer of thanks for the wonderful women and men who have agreed to serve our church as Elders and Deacons. It is an honor and privilege it is to serve the Kingdom of God hand-in-hand together, and to help bring it closer to completeness, wherever we may be at this moment, which is uncertain in some difficult ways, but so certain in every way that truly counts.

Love,

2019-20 Nominating Committee

Nathaniel R. Walker (Head), Jessica Brock, Kenneth Carrington, Llewellyn Clarke, Lee Lingle, Jordyn Pritchard, Debra Smith, and Cress Darwin (ex-officio)

Slate of Church Leaders and Officers selected by the Nominating Committee:

Elders:

Jessica Brock is from Hanahan, South Carolina. She graduated from Presbyterian College and then from St. Catherine University with M.Ed. She is a Primary Montessori teacher at Hursey Montessori School in North Charleston. She has two children, Clay (13) and Lilly (11). She joined Second Presbyterian Church in 2018. She enjoys spending time with her children, baking, reading, crafting, and going to the beach.

Joshua Hall was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and it is his military service to the United States Air Force in Air Transportation and Logistics that brought him to Charleston and Second Presbyterian Church. Being a triplet and coming from a family of eleven siblings, he knows the importance of family, community, and togetherness. In his free time, he enjoys "soaring the skies" as a private pilot, going fishing, tending to his small farm of chickens, ducks, goats, and greenhouses, and playing the piano or trumpet. He is also a member of the Second Presbyterian Choir and served as a Deacon last year.

Peggy Hay - Second Pres has been my family's church for 8 generations. I have served and participated in a variety of ways: as an elder, member and chair of Music and Worship, hand bell choir, tea room waitress, church hostess, and pastor search committee. Also I have 3 children, one of whom is a Presbyterian minister.

Lee Lingle holds a BA in Music from the College of Charleston where he studied choral conducting and performed in the College’s elite performing ensembles. He has performed in the Charleston Symphony Chorus in numerous concerts with both the Charleston Symphony and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra. Lee is a founding member and currently serves on the board of directors of the Taylor Festival Choir. The Taylor Festival Choir is one of the country's elite professional choirs which has released several cds, the most recent of which was on the Grammy ballot. When not engaged in choral studies, Lee can be found enjoying the beauty of the lowcountry from his kayak or entertaining friends while making BBQ on his smoker.

Sarah Mitchell - After twenty plus years in St. Louis, Sarah and her husband, Marion, moved to Wadmalaw in 2011 and joined the Second family in 2012. She taught high school math and currently tutors at the Shaw Center. She enjoys conferences, crafts, and the bell choir.

Dan Tenpas was born in Oxford Shire, England, and grew up in Ohio (don’t hold it against him!). He’s worked for the Air Force for 8 years flying the C-17 cargo aircraft, which brought him to Charleston in 2014. He met his wife, Peyton, here in Charleston and their daughter, Merritt, was also born here. In his free time, he loves spending time with his family, cooking, watching movies, reading, and mentoring the young folks in his squadron. Dan is humbled and excited for the opportunity to give back to Second Presbyterian.

Deacons:

Sue Barnett - I was born in Charleston on 8/31/41 to Terrol & Dot Frierson. My family were members here at 2nd Presbyterian for many years. When we moved to Queen St. we became members at 1St Scots Presbyterian where I joined the church. We walked to 1st Scots each week. After graduating from The HS of Charleston, I attended Lander University until I decided to move to NYC with a friend & a cousin. Upon getting married to Wm. Joseph Barnett (who grew up in 2nd Presbyterian) in 1961 we lived quite a few places in the USA due to his construction engineering career. We had two children, Hugh and Sally. Hugh & his family live in Va. and Sally and her husband live in Fla. Sally is a member here at 2nd. I retired when I moved home in 1997. My mother was elderly and needed my help. It has been a blessing to be back home with people I have known for most of my life and for the new friends. I live on James Island and have since returning to Charleston. I am an Elder here at 2nd Presbyterian since the early 2000's.

Sally Caithness (Walker) was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland and was raised in both Scotland and England. After studying for her MA in History at Edinburgh University, she decided to go back to school to study Graphic Design, traveling to Nashville, TN to learn. It was there that she met Nathaniel. They have been married for 13 years and have two children, Lily and Eliot. They have lived in some lovely places including Savannah, Charlottesville and Providence before coming to the even lovelier city of Charleston.

Carol Howe has been a member of Second since 1983. She previously served as an elder, a Sunday School teacher, Circle leader and Moderator of Presbyterian Women. Carol’s love of Second Presbyterian has been nurtured by the many long-term friendships and relationships established in worship and activities with other members. She and Jimmy adore their one-year-old grandson, George. Carol loves a good book, attempts at cooking, and other creative experiences.

David B King was born and raised in Charleston, SC by my parents Samuel B King and Evelyn R King. I was baptized in Second Presbyterian Church September 13 1964. Lifetime of memories of fond fellowship growing up in the church which was a central part of my family life. After schooling, I spent 20 plus years in the retail audio/video industry until my father passed away then I helped care for my mother until her passing. I now manage rental property and am enjoying my years with my wonderful wife Carrie

Chris Mai was born and raised in Houston, TX and moved during high school to Connecticut, where he met his wife Katie. They moved to Charleston in the spring of 2017. He has been working in the IT industry for approximately 24 years and has run a consulting company for 14 of that. He loves animals, and his hobbies include woodworking, DIY home projects, golf, and the outdoors.

Erin Mellen is a longstanding member of Second Presbyterian and currently serves as the Children’s Sunday School teacher. Erin loves history and travel and after graduating from Columbia Colleges she lived in South Korea and Germany before she and Pat settled in Charleston after his retirement from the army in 1972.

Officers of the Corporation

Spence Roddy, President
Patterson Smith, Vice President
Peggy Hay, Secretary

See all church leaders here

view the 2020 annual report here

Source: /church-leaders

"DIVINE DISRUPTION" DISCUSSION

June 2, 2020 Guest User

With the events of this past week I bet we’re all grateful that we trust the promises of God and God’s power to use all things for a purpose beyond our sight.

When working on Sunday's ‘Divine Disruption’ sermon, I was centered on the Spirit’s intruding into our settled lives, shaking us, perhaps out of lethargy or even avoidance. But now that we’re conscripted into a heightened battle with seasoned forces – forces comfortable with confrontation and coercion, it’s going to take every bit of courage and candor and collaboration among God’s people to face the systems of repression and mutual distrust that have brought us here.

There is no victory in violence. They will know we are Christians by our love.

It’s true. Pass it along –

Cress

Watch Sunday’s service here or listen to the sermon here.

A sermon discussion will be posted each Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions! Did you know that the word "sermon" comes from a Latin word "sermo," which means "discourse" and "conversation"? You can ask your questions here anonymously and they will be answered during the week.

Source: /blog/questions

ONE80 PLACE

June 1, 2020 Guest User

One80 Place is in need of volunteers! If you are healthy and able, please sign up and help serve those who need us most right now!
Sign up here: one80place.volunteerhub.com/
Or donate to meet their "need of the week".
Wish list: one80place.org/wish-list/
Find it on Amazon: bit.ly/Wish-List-One80
Find it at Walmart: bit.ly/2NSDx7O

Divine disruption

May 29, 2020 Guest User

The sermon and children’s sermon are posted below. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes.

DIVINE DISRUPTION - Pastor Cress delivers a message for the week of Sunday May 31st

Stay home, stay healthy and let’s flatten the curve! Sermon videos will be posted online for 10:30 a.m. on Sundays as we worship together from home.

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!

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Q&A

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Children's Sermon with Sarah and Abigail Craven

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, May 31, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ –

This weekend is most often one of celebration for many people and many reasons.

The Jewish community celebrates the festival of the harvest – Pentecost – fifty days after Passover.
The Christian community celebrates the wholescale appearance of God’s Spirit.
Across the nation school is out and camp is in.
Here in Charleston, the Spoleto Festival is in full swing and
"Seconds Please" Tea Room has just wrapped up! But this year is different…

A deadly virus has invaded our world, has disrupted our lives. Our work, our relationships, our leisure, our worship has all changed… and will never be the same. I cannot imagine that these times are random.

2,000 years ago at a particular moment in time, the Spirit swept in and transformed the world. Theologian/Journalist, Phylis Tickle (yes, Tickle) posits that every 500 years since Jesus walked the earth the church has undergone massive transformation. It’s been 500 years since Martin Luther nailed his theses to the church door at Wittenberg.

Tune in!

In anticipation and excitement for the Spirit’s leading –

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.

CLICK HERE TO LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC WAYS WE CAN BE IN PRAYER FOR OR OF SERVICE TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME.

While we missed coming together to host the community for Tea Room this year, we remembered this special event throughout the week. Photos and a video clip from Tea Room 2019 were shared on Facebook and we wanted to extend a… — While we missed coming together to host the community for Tea Room this year, we remembered this special event throughout the week. Photos and a video clip from Tea Room 2019 were shared on Facebook and we wanted to extend a bit of the Tea Room hospitality as best we could this year and the Darwins kindly shared a family recipe with all of us. We hope you enjoy the Pastor's (Daughter's) Sour Cream Apple Pie recipe.

Pentecost Offering May 31st Nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pente… — **Pentecost Offering May 31st**
*Nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come*

A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by our congregation to make an impact in the lives of young people within our own community. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Find out more about this special offering here.

As we move into the weekend we begin to prepare our hearts for Pentecost and the anniversary of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon His people. Here is a coloring page that can be colored and cut out. You do not need to be a c… — As we move into the weekend we begin to prepare our hearts for Pentecost and the anniversary of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon His people. Here is a coloring page that can be colored and cut out. You do not need to be a child to participate. Please either send me a picture of your drawing (sarah.craven@2ndpc.org) or tag us in a Facebook post! I can’t wait to see your tongues of fire!

CHURCH-WIDE TAG SALE

In consultation with the Stated Clerk of Presbytery and in light of the current mandated guidelines, we are unable to hold a congregational meeting at this time. The Session has postponed the Congregational Meeting as we determine how to make the me… — In consultation with the Stated Clerk of Presbytery and in light of the current mandated guidelines, we are unable to hold a congregational meeting at this time. The Session has postponed the Congregational Meeting as we determine how to make the meeting as accessible as possible.

Source: sermons

Sermon Discussion Questions

May 28, 2020 Guest User

Send in your questions

Please feel free to ask questions about sermons or things you’re curious about. Did you know that the word "sermon" comes from a Latin word "sermo," which means "discourse" and "conversation"? You can ask your questions below and we will respond directly if you provide contact information or post more information on Facebook.

Find sermon discussion responses here

Source: /worship

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The Sunday service is posted below. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes.

Click here to view all Second Presbyterian Church videos

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!﻿

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, June 21, 2020

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.

Survey Results:

Survey findings of note:

· Roughly 2/3 of participants are over age of 50

· About 80% of participants expect mask requirements

· About 60% will return when coronavirus cases are very small

· About 60% would like to continue meeting online, even if there are no government restrictions

· Roughly half of participants are in an at-risk group or share a household with a member who is at-risk

Full results can be downloaded here. →

The sermon and children’s sermon are posted here. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes.

Stay home, stay healthy and let’s flatten the curve! Sermon videos will be posted online for 10:30 a.m. on Sundays as we worship together from home.

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!﻿

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, June 14, 2020

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.

Charleston Symphony Orchestra Presents Concert for Equality

June 19 program will leverage music, spoken words to promote healing, equality

What: Call and Response: A Concert for Equality

When: 7:30 p.m. on June 19

Where: Live stream. Visit www.CharlestonSymphony.org to watch

“The Charleston Symphony is honored to contribute to our community’s pursuit of equality by unleashing the power of music to promote listening, understanding, optimism, hope, empathy, and healing,” said CSO Executive Director Michael Smith.

Watch Sunday’s service here or listen to the sermon here.

The sermon and children’s sermon are posted here. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes. This is a communion service, so please prepare bread- or bagels or muffins- and juice or wine so that you are ready to take part in communion.

Stay home, stay healthy and let’s flatten the curve! Sermon videos will be posted online for 10:30 a.m. on Sundays as we worship together from home.

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!﻿

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, June 7, 2020

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.

Slate of Church Leaders and Officers selected by the Nominating Committee:

Elders:

Deacons:

Officers of the Corporation

Watch Sunday’s service here or listen to the sermon here.

The sermon and children’s sermon are posted below. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes.

Stay home, stay healthy and let’s flatten the curve! Sermon videos will be posted online for 10:30 a.m. on Sundays as we worship together from home.

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!﻿

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, May 31, 2020

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.

Send in your questions

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!

A sermon discussion will be posted on Tuesday and we would love for you to join the conversation. Yes, we really want you to ask questions!