Parish Life


Wednesday at St. Helena’s
(W.A.S.H.)
September 15, 2010-May 18, 2011
 
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
 
During the church school year, Wednesdays at St. Helena’s (W.A.S.H.) are special evenings for members and friends of our parish, ages birth through adult, when we seek to apply Acts 2:42 to the life of our parish. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a delicious, home-cooked meal and concludes promptly at 7:30 p.m. Bible studies for adult, youth, and children as well as children’s chorister rehearsals follow supper.
 
W.A.S.H. Hospitality Ministry
 
Serving Ministers: Serving ministers have the spiritual gift of helps; they enjoy serving behind the scenes wherever needed to support the work of the parish. They notice tangible and practical things that need to be done and enjoy doing them!
 
In the W.A.S.H. ministry, serving ministers fill pitchers with ice and sweet tea, serve delicious entrees,and make sure the salads and necessary condiments are on the tables waiting to welcome our parishioners to dinner.
 
Host/Hostess Ministers: Host/hostess ministers have the spiritual gift of hospitality; they enjoy providing an environment where people feel valued and cared for. In the W.A.S.H. ministry, host/hostess ministers welcome parishioners and friends to our dining room, showering the delight of the Lord upon them as they help seat them at a table.
 
The success of the program is due to the tremendous number of parishioners who volunteer their time, talents, and love of the Lord by cooking, welcoming, or serving. We would love to welcome you to this ministry. For more information, contact Diane Hawkins at 522-1712, ext. 215.
 
W.A.S.H. Schedule
  
5:30 p.m. Family Supper in the Parish Hall
5:45 p.m. Nursery (birth-K5)
6:00 p.m. Children's Program (1st-5th grades)
6:15 p.m. Adult Bible Studies
6:15 p.m. Student Ministries Bible Studies (6th-12th grades)
7:30 p.m. Closing
 
Questions?
  
May I come just for fellowship and dinner? YES!
May I come just for the Bible studies and other programs? YES!
Suggested donation to help us cover the expense of dinner is $5 per adult and $1 per child.


Newcomers Committee
  
Newcomers and visitors are invited during worship services to complete a Visitor Information card so that one of our clergy can telephone to greet and welcome them. There are many ways that newcomers can become integrated into the life of the parish. For more information, contact Maude Hornsby at 521-7569.
 

Newcomers Wine and Cheese
October 1, 2010
April 15, 2011
  
Twice a year, a Newcomers Wine and Cheese is held at the Rectory. It's a wonderful way for new parishioners to meet with the clergy, program directors, and members of the Vestry. For more information, contact Mary Lou Cullen at 524-0304 or Kathy Tupper at 524-6505.


Foyer Groups
                                                                   
The Foyer Group program at St. Helena’s takes its roots from the old English tradition of gathering together to share a meal and to enjoy wonderful fellowship. There is no better way to become a part of our church family if you are new, getting back into circulation, or just want to enjoy the company of your fellow parishioners than by participating in this great tradition!
 
Beginning in the fall and continuing through May, Foyer Groups of 6-12 members meet once a month. Generally these gatherings are covered-dish dinners hosted in each others’ homes; but many enjoy brunch after church, restaurant dining, boating outings, etc. One year one group realized they were meeting on the wedding anniversary of one of the couples, so they all agreed to dress in wedding attire, including the bride in her original gown and the groom in his dress military blues, and of course a “reception” followed! The only limit is your imagination and creativity. For more information, please contact Deborah Martin at 838-0250.


Quiet Morning
  
In our busy, frantic, modem lives, there is often no time to stop and be quiet for more than a few minutes. Prayers are said quickly (if at all) before we rush out to the office and at night before we fall into bed. A Quiet Morning gives people a little window of scheduled time to pray, to be still, and to listen to God.
 
Parish Life hosts Quiet Mornings during the year. All members of the parish are invited to participate. A clergyman of the The Parish Church of St. Helena will lead the talks and meditations. The morning starts at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and Danish in the Parish Hall. Talks/meditations/quiet time begin at 9:00 a.m. in the church with a service of Holy Eucharist at 11:30 a.m. After the service, participants gather in the Parish Hall for soup and sandwiches. A nursery is available by reservation. For more information, contact Jane Ten Eyck at 838-5311.


Steppin’ Out for Christ
October 18, 2010
January 24, 2011
May 2, 2011
 
Throughout the year, the women of the parish get together to share a meal and socialize. This past year brought Christ as the centerpiece of our ladies getting together in fellowship. Joy Avera, Lauren Pearson, Jan Pringle, and Suzanne Schwank each shared their personal story of how Christ changed their lives during the Steppin' Out for Christ events this past year.
 
We want every woman in the parish to come, so transportation is provided for those who request it, and a nursery is available by reservation. There is a nominal charge for the meals. This is an opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor to attend with you. Look for details in The Weekly Herald, or for more information, please contact Kay McCormick at 470-0538 or Nancy Greene at 522-0517.


Men’s Club
September 16, 2010
November 18, 2010
February 24, 2011
May 5, 2011
 
All men in the parish are cordially invited and urged to participate in the Men’s Club. They enjoy dinner and fellowship on a Thursday evening throughout the year, usually at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club. They do not meet in the summer, in December, and during Lent. Please come and meet new friends and fellowship with old friends. Look for announcements in The Weekly Herald. So whether you are a newcomer, old-timer, or somewhere in between, please plan to attend and consider inviting a guy who hasn’t been before. Also, please make reservations by calling the church office at 522-1712 by 12:00 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding the event so the hosts will have enough food. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., and a $15 contribution to help defray the food and drink costs is payable at the door. If you are interested in hosting a Men’s Club get-together, please call Maude Hornsby at 521-7569.


Parish “Feel Good All Under” Oyster Roast
Thursday, January 27, 2011
 
St. Helena’s annual “Feel Good All Under" Oyster  Roast is a fun-filled, parish-wide, family event that takes place at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club. The admission price includes the donation of a new package of underwear, which is donated to numerous charitable agencies within our community. Please invite a friend. For more information, please contact Maude Hornsby at 521-7569.


Old Sheldon Sunday
Sunday, May 8, 2011
12:30 p.m.
 
 
Each year a noonday prayer service is held at the Old Sheldon Church ruins, normally the second Sunday after Easter. Following the service is a bring-your-own-picnic. For more information, please call the church office at 522-1712.


Annual Parish Picnic
Sunday, May 22, 2011
11:30 a.m.
Waterfront Park

The Parish Picnic is held annually in the spring to celebrate the conclusion of the Sunday School year. This informal gathering varies from year to year, so watch The Weekly Herald for details. Games, face painting, balloons, bubbles, and other activities for the children make this a memorable day for all ages. Don’t miss this wonderful celebration of fun, food, and fellowship.For more information, contact Martha Lynn Webb at 524-2383 or Cindy Crowther at 522-1816.


Parish Retreat at Kanuga
September 24-26, 2010 
 
A retreat to the North Carolina mountains for St. Helena’s parish family is held on the last full weekend in September. Kanuga is an Episcopal retreat in the mountains above Hendersonville, N.C. It is an ideal setting for teaching, fellowship, making new friends, fostering old relationships, enjoying uninterrupted and fun-filled family time, just taking a quiet walk along the lake, and most importantly, hearing the Gospel message and strengthening our faith. Our retreat leader this year is the Very Rev. Frank Limehouse. With programs for all age groups and inter-generational worship and entertainment activities, it is a wonderful weekend of Christian fellowship. For more information, contact the church office at 522-1712.

Download Reservation Form for Kanuga 2010


Docents for Historic St. Helena’s
  
The docent program keeps the church open Monday through Saturday to guide visitors and share the history of our parish, as well as answer questions about current church activities. This is a great outreach to the visitors who come through our historic church. It is an opportunity to tell the good news of the growth of God’s church here at St. Helena’s and also to be friendly ambassadors to all who come. We always need more help. Training is provided. For more information, contact John Payne at 838-7056.



Name Tags
  
Name tags are issued to our entire congregation. Newcomers to our parish will receive their name tags through the mail. If you need a name tag or have any questions about the program, please call the church office at 522-1712.