News and Events

Nov. 6: All Saints’ Sunday!

Posted on by Grace Camblos

Please join us this Sunday, Nov. 6, for our celebration of saints past, present, and yet to come!

On All Saints’ Sunday, we remember all those who have gone before us demonstrating lives of faithfulness and pointing us toward God. As you are led, please bring in photos of those you have loved or admired who have gone before. We will place these photos and icons all around our worship space, surrounding ourselves with the great Cloud of Witnesses, the Communion of Saints.

8:30 service: in-person, traditional, outdoors
10:30 service: indoors, in-person and on Zoom

All Saints’ Necrology: Submit your names
We’ll also read aloud the names of our loved ones who have gone before us into life with God. If you would like the name of your deceased loved one read aloud during the Eucharist at both the 8:30 and 10:30 services, please fill out this simple form: https://forms.gle/HyDtrgKJscYcRnin7

Fireside singalong with s’mores – Oct. 29, 7 PM

Posted on by Grace Camblos

This Saturday, Oct. 29, come gather around the pondside fire pit for a campfire, singing, and s’mores! We’ll start the fire at 7 p.m. Come early to find that perfect marshmallow-roasting stick. Or come late (because it’s better than not showing up at all!).

Members of the Dogwood Blossom Band will help us get the singing started. Things to consider bringing: your favorite campfire song, a camp chair, that banged-up guitar you keep meaning to play.

 

Oct. 9 at 5 PM: Blessing of the Animals

Posted on by Grace Camblos

Do you have a furry or scaly friend at home that you adore? Would you like to bring that special one to receive a blessing? Come to the Advocate pond for a service remembering St. Francis, and bring your pet (furry, scaly or slimy) to be blessed.

Blessing of the Animals: Sunday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. by the pond

This service remembers Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals. Many stories surround Francis’ great love for animals and the environment. In one account Francis and his companions happened upon a place where birds filled the trees. Francis told his companions, “wait for me while I go to preach to my sisters the birds.” The birds surrounded him, intrigued by the power of his voice, and not one of them flew away. Please note: we will not pray to imbue Whitby with the power to entrance birds!

Fall Formation Starts Sept. 11!

Posted on by Grace Camblos

This fall there are lots of exciting formation opportunities at the Advocate! Keep scrolling or click below for the schedule:

Sundays: Critical Conversations: 9:30 AM to 10:25 AM in the Advocate House
A conversation about life and faith and the lens in which we see God’s world around us. Led each week by Advocate members.
Beginning Sept. 11, 2022

Mondays: Creativity and Prayer: 7 PM to 8:15 PM on Zoom
We’ll explore the relationship between spirituality and creativity, with an emphasis on how prayer in its various forms – petition, gratitude, and praise – enhances the creative process. Led by Sallie Moore.
Please email Sallie to sign up.
Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct. 17, Oct. 31, and Nov. 14

Tuesdays: The B-I-B-L-E: 7 PM to 8 PM on Zoom
We will read scripture, deeply and conversationally. No need to prep ahead of time — just show up! We will take a small portion each week to digest and ask questions of along the way. Led by Sarah Swann and Marion Sprott-Goldson.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
Beginning Sept. 12, 2022

Wednesdays: Readers’ Roundtable: 7 PM to 8:30 PM, 3rd Wednesdays at the Advocate House
This group gathers once per month for a lively and engaging book discussion. Books are determined by those in the group. Led by Hilda Bukowski.
Beginning Sept. 21, 2022

Thursdays: Savoring God’s Creation: 6 PM, every other week at the Advocate House
Advocates are people who eat together; it’s just what we do! We will explore how our faith is lived out in our kitchens and dining rooms as we savor the gift of creation through food. Our guide will be The Supper of the Lamb. Led by Dan LaVenture.
Beginning Sept. 15, 2022

Thursdays: Advo-Dinners: 7 PM to 8:30 PM at the Advocate House
This fall we’ll resurrect the Advocate’s long tradition of sharing meals together. We’ll gather in the house to share food and stories around the table. Bring a dish or just yourself! We’ll share in fellowship as we practice holy listening, ending with Compline. Please refrain from bringing wine or other alcohol.
Beginning Sept. 15, 2022

In addition, we’ll host other ways to gather socially — think game night, bonfires, jam sessions. Stay tuned for more information!

For events inside the Advocate house, please wear a mask except when eating. Please join us as you are able.

PeeWee Homes in the News

Posted on by Grace Camblos

The Advocate’s PeeWee Homes are featured in an Associated Press story about churches using tiny homes to tackle homelessness. The national story was released Saturday and features our very own Nathaniel “Pee Wee” Lee and former vicar Lisa Fischbeck.

“I thank the Lord because this is mine and nobody can run me out,” Pee Wee says in the article.

The story focuses on national trends among churches of many denominations building tiny homes to help those without housing. Homelessness nationwide has risen every year for the past 4 years.

Check out the full story here!

“Church leaders are not just trying to be more neighborly,” writes reporter Holly Meyer. “The drive to provide shelter is rooted in their beliefs — they must care for the vulnerable, especially those without homes.”

PeeWee Homes began in 2015, when the Advocate was approached by a small group interested in building tiny homes on church property for people with less than 30% of average median income. After much conversation, planning, fundraising and effort, the first residents moved into the Advocate’s three tiny homes in June 2019.

The hope is that PeeWee Homes at the Advocate will be a prototype, a model inspiring other churches and landowners to build PeeWee Homes on their properties as well.

Find out more about the Advocate’s PeeWee Homes and the PeeWee Homes Collaborative.

 

Celebration of New Ministry

Posted on by Marion Sprott-Goldson

 

Join us Wednesday, May 25, at 5:30 PM for a special service by the pond to officially and liturgically celebrate the new ministry of the Advocate with its new vicar, Marion. The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman will preside, and our guest preacher will be the Rev. Imogen Rhodenhiser.

If you attend in person, please bring a chair and a dish to share for the potluck.

Click here to join via Zoom

If joining on Zoom, you may wish to print out the liturgy and music guides: 

Holy Week Schedule at the Advocate

Posted on by Grace Camblos

This year will be our first in-person Holy Week since 2019. Many aspects of our Advocate traditions will be in place, though some will be adapted for our pandemic living.

Click here for Holy Week Zoom links and liturgy guides

However you enter Holy Week, you are welcome to walk this holy way no matter your beliefs or doubts as you engage in this greatest mystery of all. Sojourning through story and song — through living and dying — we behold what we are: the Body of Christ in this world.

Holy Week 2022 (All services will be at the church)

Palm Sunday: April 10
8:30 AM — Traditional indoor service with palm procession
10:30 AM — Hybrid indoor service with palm procession
12:30 PM — Outdoor service with palm procession

Maundy Thursday: April 14
6:15 PM — Simple supper outside the church
7:00 PM — Hybrid liturgy (including optional foot washing) in the chapel

Good Friday: April 15
12:00 PM — Solemn service in the chapel
1:30 and 6 PM — Stations of the Cross (beginning outside, ending in chapel)
7:00 PM — Solemn hybrid service in the chapel

Easter Vigil: April 16
7:00 PM — Hybrid service beginning outside, moving into the chapel

Easter Day: April 17
8:30 AM — Holy Eucharist in the chapel
9:30 AM — Easter Day reception with food! Come one, come all!
10:30 AM — Hybrid service outside by the pond

Hybrid church and in-person worship

Posted on by Grace Camblos

Come join us in worship — in person or on Zoom!

Each Sunday there are a variety of liturgies. As always, please be safe and check out the Covid safety procedures, below. 

Click here for hybrid link and liturgy guide

Current church schedule:

  • 8:30 AM: Outdoor traditional service (no tech) — Holy Eucharist, the Book of Common Prayer and traditional hymns. Come in person and bring a chair
  • 10:30 AM: Indoor hybrid service — Holy Eucharist, Advocate binders, and music led by piano, voice and guitar. Come in person or on Zoom

Enjoy some fellowship! After the 10:30 service, come enjoy some outdoor fellowship time — bring a salad topping (greens provided) and enjoy hanging out with fellow Advocates around the pond.

COVID Safety procedures:

  • When inside the chapel, please wear a well-fitting mask (if you do not have this type of mask, grab one from the church vestibule)
  • Readers and preachers may remove their masks
  • The priest will wear a mask when presiding at the table
  • You may remove your mask to take the bread and wine during the Eucharist 
  • If you do not feel comfortable removing your mask indoors, the priest can provide bread and wine for you outside after the service
  • Air purifiers will be used inside the chapel during services
  • When outside, masks are optional

Address any questions or concerns to Marion@TheAdvocateChurch.org

Weekly Notes of the Advocate

Posted on by Lisa

 

Saturday, March 12, 2022
Dear People of the Advocate,

Tomorrow we will gather for worship in person and online at the following times and locations:

8:30 am Holy Eucharist inside the chapel (no tech) – a traditional style service utilizing The Book of Common Prayer and traditional style hymns

10:30 am Holy Eucharist inside the chapel and on zoom (hybrid service) – typical “Advocate” style service utilizing music led by piano, voice, guitar.

12:30 pm Holy Eucharist outside by the pond (no tech) – typical “Advocate” style service by the pond. Music will be a cappella (or bring an instrument and we’ll have an ad hoc music team) and please bring a chair!

**Masks are required inside and will be made available in the church if you need one. They may be removed by readers during the service and to receive communion. If you would like to receive communion after the service outside, please let me know.

And feel free to hang around the church after the 10:30 service and before the 12:30 for a time of fellowship with your fellow Advocates!

Godly play IN PERSON OUTSIDE

9:30-10:30 am open house/kickoff with DOUGHNUTS!

Peace,
Marion+

Worship at The Advocate

Sunday, March 13
10:30 Worship

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4385682876?pwd=NW9WdnJMTmh1NlhEMkdvYmxFeXM0dz09

Meeting ID: 438 568 2876

Passcode: Whitby

March 13 Liturgy Guide: https://theadvocatechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lent-Guide-2022.pdf

March 13 Music and Psalm Guide: https://theadvocatechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/March-13-Music-Psalm-Guide.pdf

Guest preacher 3/20

We will welcome Mike Daisley as a guest preacher. Mike is an attorney in Charlotte who is training to be a Lay Preacher through the Diocese of North Carolina.
Time to Mulch! April 2

Hello everyone!

Despite the temperatures’ best efforts this weekend, it’s going to start feeling more and more like spring! And with it our annual spring work day. We will gather on Saturday, April 2nd at 9 am to mulch, trim, and tidy up for a wonderful spring and summer.

Before we gather there are two ways you can help.

1. Help us acquire wood chips. I have been calling around to various tree companies looking for some with no luck so far. If you or a neighbor has a tree taken down, please consider asking the tree company to dump the wood chips at The Advocate.

2. There is a huge mulch pile across the railroad tracks where the new subdivision is being built. I never drive that way, but if you are someone who frequents Homestead Rd, would you be willing to ask any workers present what they plan on doing with that mulch? That of course would be perfect for spreading in our beds.

Please give my number/email to any potential people who could connect us with these two sources of mulch. Thank you!

Andrew Hammond

281.814.0022

ahammond2184@gmail.com

 
Lenten Book Study

We continue our deep discussion of prophets on Wednesday looking at chapters 1-4! See you then!

The following Wednesdays in Lent (March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6) join with other Advocates for a lively discussion of the book, The Time is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage by Joan Chittister led by Hilda Bukowski and Marion Sprott-Goldson. We will meet via zoom from 7:30-8:30. You can purchase your book here and if you need assistance in the purchase, please be in touch with Marion.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8260167245?pwd=VGlybngwTi9ZRHFJRlRJRUo4V082Zz09

Meeting ID: 826 016 7245

Passcode: Lent2022

Preparing Children for The Story of The Passion

April 5th from 7:30-8:30PM, Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83931382728?pwd=dzZ4MmRyWXBQckVLbWV4czFRQTZ6dz09

It can be difficult to know how to talk with children about the death and resurrection of Jesus. During Holy Week and Easter, kids often have poignant questions that can catch us off guard. Join in a one-hour conversation with Sarah Bentley Allred (via Zoom) as we explore age appropriate ways of engaging this tough topic with children. Any adult who love and cares for the children in their lives and the children of The Advocate is welcome!

Prayer
Compline each evening at 8:30pm via zoom.

What is compline? Compline is the last set prayer service for the day. It is typically prayed before bed or when settling down for the evening. You can check out the liturgy here.

Contemplative prayer meets each Wednesday at 6pm with a group in person in the chapel (wearing masks and distanced) and on zoom. (Contact Marion to get the zoom link)

Collect

The Second Sunday in Lent

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Ash Wednesday: Zoom and In-person

Posted on by Grace Camblos

On Wednesday, March 2, we will observe Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the season of Lent.

Receiving ashes in person
During the day Wednesday Marion will be at the chapel for prayer and to impose ashes. As you are led, come by the chapel to join in prayer and reflection during these times:

  • 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Ash Wednesday Zoom Liturgy: 6:30 p.m.
We will gather together on Zoom at 6:30 p.m. As we did last year, before the service you are invited to gather dirt from your yard, potting soil, or any sort of dust to have with you. During the service we will scatter that dust upon our feet as we remember that we are made from dust, created by our loving and liberating God.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 826 016 7245
Passcode: Lent2022