Rev. Harrington leads us in worship with scripture from 1 Samuel 17:1-49. 

Dear SACPC,

I hope you are having a great start to the summer. The SACPC HR committee and I have several staffing updates to share with you.

Kelli Blowers, our administrative assistant, is moving to the mountains to be closer to family. Her last day at SACPC will be Thursday, June 27th. HR is currently reassessing this position. We also want to make you aware that Jeff Sullick's last day with us is Friday, June 21st. Any questions regarding facilities or administrative work should be directed to Catheryn Thomas. We are grateful for the work of both Kelli and Jeff and wish them the best.

Lastly, our Associate Pastor Nominating Committee is still hard at work. I look forward to the moment when we can provide more concrete information and begin welcoming a new Associate Pastor to our congregation.

Peace,
Katie

Our Camp Fusion participants packed 40 bags filled with materials campers donated all week to support our friends at Church World Service who help refugee families settle in Wilmington. Campers also packed over 100 mercy pouches to support SACPC's Mercy Pouch ministry servicing our local homeless population!

We had 80 campers attend Camp Fusion with our K - 5 grade campers learning five songs and performing a musical on the last day of camp. Click the button below to rewatch their performance.

Camp Fusion was an amazing week of learning to Know, Grow and Show how God has worked and continues to work in the lives of ordinary people of all ages! A special thank you to the amazing 60 volunteers who made this week possible!

Here are more photos from this wonderful week.

by Cindy Litzinger

Dear Church Family,

I want to share the news that our Contemporary Worship Leader, Matthew McDonald, will be traveling to Australia to visit his family from June 24th through July 25th.

During his time away, he will be doing some work remotely to ensure our contemporary worship ministry continues seamlessly.  Additionally, he will also be taking some well-deserved vacation time to spend quality moments with his loved ones.

To ensure that our Sunday morning worship services are still uplifting and meaningful, Matthew has made arrangements for capable leaders to cover his worship responsibilities during his absence.  If you have any questions or concerns during this time, please feel free to reach out to me anytime.  

Let us come together in prayer, keeping Matthew and his family in our thoughts as they embark on this special journey.  We eagerly anticipate his return and the continued blessings he brings to our worship services.

Cindy Litzinger, Director of Music

by Earth Care Team Education

Most of us have had a "store-bought tomato", we know how tasteless most of these are. Even if you don't grow your own vegetables, a solution is not far away from your front door. The summer season is an especially good time to expand your shopping opportunities to find produce at peak flavor and nutritional value, a time to eat fresher and healthier food. Local farmers' markets are your answer.  

There are several reasons beyond good produce to shop at Farmers' Markets. The most obvious reason already mentioned is fresher produce, but the fact that the food doesn't have to travel as far also reduces greenhouse emissions, and there is less plastic waste than at big box stores. But there are other important considerations for supporting farmers' markets.

These markets support small businesses which sell their wares there, other than the farmers. This in itself builds a sense of community and a sharing of local culture, all of which benefits all involved.  In supporting these markets the local economy is stimulated, and according to Farmers' Market Coalition, 13 full-time jobs are created in farm operator jobs per $1 million in revenue earned. Additionally, the farmers care for the land and waters on which their livelihood depends. Much of the produce is organically grown with no pesticides. So check with the seller.

Finally, the Nebraska Extension Food Center estimates that for non-farmers' market sales, the farmer receives about 10 cents on the dollar and the other 90 cents goes to corporations for packaging, marketing, and transportation. Compare that to the 80 cents on the dollar for farmers at farmers' markets.

We in the Wilmington area are abundantly blessed with several choices of Farmers' Markets. Here are ten you may want to visit:

Biggers Market
6250 Market St.
M-F: 9:0 am -6:30 pm
Sat: 8:00 am -6:30 pm

Carolina Beach Farmers' Market
400 Lake Park Blvd. S. (Carolina Beach)  
Sat: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm (MAY - SEP)

Frankie's Outdoor Market
400 N. 10th St. (Portia Hines Park)  
Sat: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

LaHuerta Fresh Produce
830 Kerr Ave. (inside building market)
Daily 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Livingston Creek Farmers' Harvest
49 Harvest Circle )Bolton, NC)
Daily 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (farm animals to visit)

Old Towne Farm Stand
10171 North Olde Towne Wynd Southeast (Belville, NC)
 Sat: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Popular Grove Farmers' Market
10200 Hwy 17
Wed: 8:00 am

Riverfront Farmers' Market
100 Dock St.  
Sat: 8:00 am

The Wilmington Farmers' Market
5329 Oleander Dr. #100  (Tidal Creek Co-op)
Sat: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Wrightsville Beach Farmers' Market
Wrightsville Beach Municipal Grounds
Mon: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm (MAY - SEP)

So yes, you would need to make an additional stop for other groceries, but it's likely you would enjoy the benefits in frequenting these healthful and interesting shopping options.   Grab your bags!!

by Sue McCaffray

June has five Sundays, and that means we get BREAKFAST! Round up your flock and join your church family for breakfast in our brand-new, fully refurbished Brown Hall on June 30th at 10:00 am.

by Jen Phelps

We gather to make and serve breakfast to our neighbors with Vigilant Hope.  Sign up to donate groceries and volunteer that morning. Contact Jen Phelps for more information.

Rosalind Barker opened the meeting with a message about spiritual leadership and a prayer asking for blessings on our gathering.

Each month, Elders receive a pre-meeting packet with Session committee meeting minutes, upcoming motions, financial reports, and electronic communications analytics. It is interesting to follow media usage trends.  For example, the average Sunday morning combined online worship viewing has averaged 53 views per Sunday this year (low of 22 and high of 72).  Social media engagement has generally trended upward since January, 2023.  Website traffic by users is also trending upward since this time last year.

The Book of Order requires the Session to review and maintain church rolls to include active members in the past two years.  At this meeting, and after several months of phone, mail, and personal contacts, the Session completed the task of updating our rolls.

Reverend Harrington expressed appreciation to the Session for time away for Continuing Education. Reverend Harrington facilitated small group discussions among the Elders about what it means to be “faithfully present.”  A summary of responses:

• Being physically present in worship and at church events 
• Being prayerful
• Creativity: offering new ideas
• Growing personally in faith in order to share with others
• Daily devotional practices
• Awareness, yearning, and desire to participate
• Lifelong learning 

Chris Johnston offered a closing prayer.

by Shelley Hobson

The SACPC Malawi Partnership Team is excited to announce an upcoming visit from our African partners this September 20th - 30th. Our great friends Silas Ncozana, Abusa (pastor) of Chuluchosema CCAP and Joseph Maganga, Associate Pastor, and his wife Rose will be here to see and meet their sisters and brothers at SACPC.  

They will help lead worship, appear at POPS on Wednesday evening, and attend adult Sunday School. There will be opportunities for you and your families and small groups to invite them to your homes and gatherings to learn more about our partners from the Warm Heart of Africa and share fellowship with them.  

Mark your calendars and consider how you would like to connect with these special visitors. Contact Ed Hobson with ideas and questions.

by Jen Phelps

A new putt putt adventure awaits!

Open to all middle and high school students.

We are trying out a new location in Brunswick County - so meet at The HUB by 6:30 pm to carpool together (or, if you are already on that side of the bridge, meet us at The Golf Barn at 7:00 pm). We will return to The HUB for pick up at 9:00 pm.

by Emily Vassar

Soaring As Eagles Pre-K Jumpstart will be at SACPC this summer! This free program helps children aged 3 to 5 years old prepare to attend Title 1 schools in the Fall. The program will run for 6 weeks every Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to noon beginning June 17th and ending July 26th … and we need your help!

Volunteers are needed for morning and mid-morning shifts to assist with check-in, serving breakfast, pick-up, and in other "as needed" ways. Please keep this vital program in your prayers and consider volunteering your time to make these students feel loved and welcomed at SACPC.

To learn more and sign up, see the link below. We’re grateful for your support!

During June, children and youth are invited to join Lynn and Jen in the Chillaxation Station in the basement from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. There will be fun activities, fellowship, snacks and God only knows what else! Friends are welcome.

Take a break from your Sunday morning routine and join us beginning June 2nd at 10:00 am in the Kardia Room (224) for a brisk run through the meaty book of Ephesians: salvation by God's grace, unity in Christ, husbands and wives, children and parents, and other hot topics await! Join us whenever you can; no prior experience is necessary!

The Walking in the Word Sunday school class invites you to join us at 10:00 am in Rm 236 all summer as we study the book of Daniel. Our class is discussion-oriented, and we welcome your participation.

JOIN US for a Family Pool Party! This event is for Children & Youth ministry families. Come when you can, leave when you must. Snacks will be provided (not dinner).

Parents/Guardians-- don't drop off - DROP IN! We want parents to hang out and enjoy fellowship and connection with other SACPC families (and swimming, if you would like). Why should the kids get to have all of the fun this summer???

In June we will collect for NourishNC--a local food pantry that focuses on providing food for children and their families. Nutritious food empowers children to succeed in the classroom and their community.

NourishNC partners with over 100 community agencies to help distribute food to needy children. During the school year, NourishNC provides food-insecure children with weekend backpacks filled with food for those days they won’t be in school. During the summer that program expands, and families with elementary school children can pick up bags of nutritious food and fresh produce. These are only some ways NourishNC helps feed children in New Hanover County. Let’s help them do that by stocking NourishNC's pantry for summer!

Items we're collecting:

• high fiber/low sugar cereals (large and individual boxes)**IMMEDIATE NEED**
• beef stew and hearty soups
• canned fruit
• low sodium canned veggies
• canned chicken or tuna. 

This is a partial list of what NourishNC needs for the summer. A complete list will be on the bulletin board in the 15th Street lobby.

The Lord gives his people strength.  The Lord blesses them with peace. 
Psalm 29:11

Marilyn Mitchell, 88, died on June 10th. A memorial service is planned for June 26th, 2:00 pm.  Ashes are to be placed in the Memorial Garden at 1:15 pm, family only.

Families affected by the fires in New Mexico. Jeff Krebb's sister and brother-in-law, Kim and Mike Payne, have had to evacuate from their home in Riodosa.

Rebecca Jernigan’s mother, Faye Bauer, is in rehab in Clinton, NC after 2 hospital stays this month with pneumonia. She is periodically refusing care and her dementia is increasing.

Colleen Holliday’s daughter, Amy Lawson, continues to have tests to try to determine why she has lost vision in her right eye. Amy also has an appointment with an oncologist at Duke on July 6th for treatment of thyroid cancer.

Soaring As Eagles PreK Jumpstart will be held for 6 weeks at SACPC, starting this Monday (6/17).

Vickie Van Note had surgery on June 9th at NH and is in ICU.

Billy Purdom (USS Stout DDG ), Smith Beacham (Fort Richardson, Anchorage, AK), Jack Looney (USS Carl Vinson, San Diego, CA) , Samuel Makepeace (Fort Moore, Georgia), Brennan Litzinger (Fort Bliss, Texas), Mikayla Reifert (Kadena, Japan), Bradley Garrett (Coast Guard, Elizabeth City), Patrick Falvey (Landstuhl Military Medical Center, Germany)

Prayer requests: Click here to tell us about your need.

Hospitalizations: Please click here to email Ann Benson or call 910.762.9693 x202 to leave a message.

June 19: Judy Burnette, Johnathan Ciarrocca, Emma Johnson, Marta Lopez, Walker Whitley
June 21: Stuart Cherry, Lynn Harris, Jackie Perry, John Thomas
June 22: Jackson Durst, Carol Kays, Jim Murrill, Hank Szwarc
June 23: Pam Gerow, Jane Smith, Wesley van der Vaart
June 24: Karen Crooks, Joy Guenther
June 25: Ev Randall

Thank you for contributing to the work and love of Jesus through St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church. Your gifts enable us to stay Faithfully Present in Our Community.

Financial updates will be provided each month.  If you have any questions, please contact Susan Dykes, Financial Administrator, 910-762-9693x207, sdykes@sacpc.org; or our Church Treasurer, Ed Hobson, treasurer@sacpc.org.

View our most recent Session Reports.