Congregation Visitations: Fall 2023

Brendan Murphy on September 20, 2023

Here you’ll find stories and reflections about Bishop Skirving’s visits to congregations around the diocese this Fall, in order of recency.

December 2023

December 17, 2023: St. Christopher’s, Elizabethtown

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St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Elizabethtown was decorated beautifully for the Third Sunday of Advent, and God’s Spirit felt very present in our worship. Four adults were baptized and confirmed, and then we all moved to the parish hall where delicious aromas welcomed us! Many thanks to all who worked so hard to host us today! There were even some special treats prepared for the diabetics like me in the crowd.

As a part of their ministry, the congregation has welcomed a group from the local United Methodist Church who needed a place to gather for worship. Both congregations are named on the sign at the front of the property.

Special thanks to James Green, who had prepared the candidates for baptism and confirmation, and who stood ready with his daughter Isabella to assist me in the leadership of worship. James is a postulant for ordained ministry, and is halfway through the second of three years of formation for the priesthood. He did a great job!

December 14, 2023: Holy Cross, Myrtle Grove

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Last evening, Sandy and I were guests at the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the congregation of Holy Cross of Myrtle Grove. What a warm welcome we received, as we joined in a time of “faith, fellowship, fun and food” with many members of Holy Cross. Stories were shared by some of the founders of the congregation, including Douglas Fry, Harold Layne (pictured) and the Rev. Dr. Richard W Warner Jr. It was so good to hear about the ways in which God’s Spirit brought these folks together and has continued to equip them with everything they have needed to grow in their life and ministry as a congregation.

To God be the Glory!

December 10, 2023: St. Thomas, Oriental

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Two Advent candles burned today at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Oriental, NC where I worshiped. Their tree with Chrismon ornaments can be seen in the background. It was good to be with this congregation for worship today, and for a relaxed and happy reception afterward. With my sermon today, I spoke of God’s gift of “metanoia” as offered by John the Baptist.

Often, on my travels, I listen to audiobooks. Today, on my way home, I finished the “latest” by Henri Nouwen (Flying, Falling, Catching: An Unlikely Story of Finding Freedom)…well worth the read or listen!

December 6, 2023: St. Paul’s, Edenton

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With the Rev. Bob Sawyer and the members of St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Edenton who were confirmed in a special Wednesday evening service. For Bob, the congregation’s interim priest, it was a chance to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of his ordination as a priest! We all celebrated with him!

With thanks to Paul Hicks for this picture!

December 3, 2023: St. Andrew’s, Morehead City

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We light the first candle for hope! Grateful to be able to worship with the people of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Morehead City, NC on this First Sunday of Advent. Before worship, I got to spend some time with those being confirmed, and enjoyed hearing a little of their individual stories of faith … very inspiring! Pictures: Congregation’s Advent Wreath; Deacon Carol Eaton getting ready to offer the dismissal, with a little help from some friends; the”formal” picture; a future bishop?; and cake, delicious and beautiful cake made by Alex Russell.

November 2023

November 19, 2023: St. Andrew’s, Columbia

st-andrews-columbia_744 An early morning today, as I was out the door by about 6:30am for the drive to Columbia NC for 9:00am worship with the people of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Brunch followed, and we lingered around our tables for conversation about the challenges of being an Episcopal congregation in small town eastern North Carolina.

With my sermon, I drew on teaching about the parable of the talents by Bishop Dickson Chilongani that I heard from him this summer during my visit to the Anglican Diocese of Central Tanganyika in the country of Tanzania. The banner at St. Andrew’s includes the crest of the Anglican Communion, and it was fun to emphasize today the connectedness between the people of eastern North Carolina and the Anglican Communion around the world!

November 12, 2023: Christ Church, New Bern

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Another happy visit with the people of Christ Church, New Bern this afternoon! A good number of adults and young people renewed the vows of their baptism and were confirmed or received, or reaffirmed their faith. The church was beautiful with all of the restoration work they have recently accomplished. There is still a pretty big empty spot in the gallery, however, where there will one day be a new pipe organ! Thanks to clergy Paul Canady, Suzanne Findlen Hood and Lisa Kirby for the warm welcome and hospitality, and to everyone who joined together for worship on a Sunday afternoon!

Two of the pictures are from today and the other two are from this week nine years ago, when I made my first visit to Christ Church as bishop. Stories and credits are attached to the photos.

November 12, 2023: St. Francis by the Sea, Salter Path

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This morning, I worshiped with the people of St. Francis by the Sea in Salter Path. The music was joyous and offered with much enthusiasm, and four adult members were confirmed. Lots of warm hospitality before worship and around the reception table afterward. And, since I was at Trinity Center for a Cursillo weekend, I had a very short drive this morning …only about one mile!

November 5, 2023: St. John’s, Fayetteville

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Members of the Lydia Chapter of The Order of the Daughters of the King, Inc. pose for a picture with the new banner that was dedicated this morning during worship at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. The banner was given in memory of Judy Klinck.

During my sermon I contemplated the possibility that the Church might best celebrate the Feast of All Saints with a good estate sale …not St. John’s in particular, but all of us in general.

October 2023

October 31, 2023: Grace Church, Plymouth and St. Luke’s & St. Anne’s, Roper

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On this gray All Hallows’ Eve, I met with the vestries of Grace Church Plymouth and St. Luke’s & St. Anne’s Church Roper to begin imagining God’s possibilities for them in forming a new relationship with a priest who will serve and support them, after 14 years with the Rev. Hank Burdick as their supply priest. This picture of Grace Church was taken from the cemetery …no signs of ghosts!

October 22, 2023: Episcopal Farmworker Ministry and La Sagrada Familia

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What a celebration! On the way home from Sunday morning worship, I stopped off at the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry for their Hispanic Heritage Festival. As you can see there was some beautiful dancing …what you can’t see or taste is the delicious food that was offered for sale!

This event was organized by the Farmworker Ministry staff, including Lucia, Patti and Allison, and supported by the board. Without her noticing, I got a picture of board chair, the Rev. Michelle Bullock who was attending the celebration. Michelle and her fellow board members have worked so hard to provide the direction and support needed by the ministry as they come out of a time of significant transition. My thanks to all of the board members and staff! Today felt more than a little like the farmworker festivals of old!

Finally, I’ve included a couple of pictures of the emerging worship space for the people of Iglesia Episcopal La Sagrada Familia. As the walls have gone up this week, members of the congregation have been filled with joy and hopefulness, after years of waiting for this time. Many thanks to the Rev. Frederick Clarkson and the people of this congregation. I can’t wait to celebrate the dedication of this place of worship when it opens!

October 22, 2023: St. Joseph’s, Fayetteville

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Happy 150th anniversary to the people of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church Fayetteville NC! It was great to worship with this congregation, their priest Skip Walker and their deacon Mary Mac Shields. It was especially great to welcome the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers as our guest preacher!

Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry couldn’t be with us, as planned, as he continues to recover from surgery, but as you can see we remembered him and held him in prayer!

October 15, 2023: St. Andrew’s on the Sound, Wilmington

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What a joy to be with the Rev. Richard Elliott and the people of St. Andrew’s On-the-Sound Episcopal Church in Wilmington as they kicked off the celebrations for their 100th anniversary! Special worship yesterday, beginning at the Mt. Lebanon Chapel and moving to St. Andrew’s, with a luncheon afterward. Then today, worship at 7:45am, 9am and 11:15am with a group of teens confirmed and two adults received.

October 8, 2023: Good Shepherd, Fayetteville

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One of the things I most enjoy about Sunday visits around The Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina is the chance to hear stories …stories about individuals and families and stories about God’s work in the midst of human community. Today’s visit to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in the Massey Hill district of Fayetteville gave Sandy and me the chance to hear some great stories from some faithful people. The world around their church buildings has changed radically since their founding, and yet they continue to worship week by week, whether or not a priest is available to join them. To God be the glory!

October 1, 2023: Trinity, Chocowinity

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Worship this morning was with the members of the 249 year old congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church, Chocowinity, NC, on their annual Homecoming Sunday. Five members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath joined us, in support of Margaret, who was received into the Episcopal Church. Always good to be with the Rev. Stephen Batten and the people of Trinity Church!

September 2023

September 17, 2023: All Souls, Northwest

Worship this morning was with the people of All Souls Episcopal Church in Northwest NC, which is in the northwestern part of Brunswick County, the 7th fastest growing county in the country in 2022 by percent growth (annual). This was my first time to visit since the death of their long time priest, Nan Chandler, and since the arrival of their current priest, Fanny Belanger and her husband Xavier.

The woman in the blue dress and white sweater and the man behind her will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary in the week ahead. If I understood correctly, theirs was the first wedding in this church!

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September 10, 2023: St. John’s, Grifton

A new roof! This week, the people of St. Johns Episcopal Church in Grifton watched as a new roof was built on to their historic church, to replace the one that was damaged in a May storm. Meanwhile, all necessary things (including an organ!) were moved into their parish hall, where today we worshiped and shared a “build your own chili” lunch. It was wonderful to be with this group of faithful folks who work so hard to continue to bear witness to God’s love in Pitt County!

Thanks to Sandy for the photographs.

Category: Notes From the Road

December 2023

November 2023

October 2023

September 2023

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