Chapel Chimes January 2024
A Beacon of Faith Shining Into the Future By Rev. Rhonda Blevins
It’s difficult to say what I’m most excited about at Chapel by the Sea this year, the year we will celebrate our 75th Anniversary as a “Beacon of Faith” on Clearwater Beach. In addition to regularly scheduled liturgical events like Pentecost and Good Friday and Easter, we have several special events planned that will make this year extra-special. I’m excited about the Peace Pole dedication on Sunday, January 7. We’ll have the first Peace Pole in the city of Clearwater. The Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in different languages. There are estimated over 250,000 Peace Poles in every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace. I am thankful to Teresa Banks for this idea! You can learn more at: worldpeace.org/peacepoleproject/. On January 14, we’ll launch “75 Acts of Service,” small deeds of kindness prompted by a calendar thoughtfully prepared by Marilyn Kaufman and Sue Moncrieff. It is fitting that in our celebrations, we will turn our attention outward, continuing the great tradition of love and service for which Chapel by the Sea has become known.
The “For Such a Time As This” team is sponsoring a church-wide workshop on January 20—a time that we can come together and think deeply about who we are as a church community and what God is calling us to be and do together. During the first week of March, we’ll celebrate our 75th Anniversary on March 3 with preaching by Pastor Emeritus, Herb Freitag, and the choir performing an original anthem composed for the occasion by Director of Music, Brent Douglas. Later that same week, we’ll continue the festivities with a banquet at Island Way Grill. After Easter, we will begin construction on our sanctuary remodeling project. I am growing more excited about this project with each new day! Behind the scenes, we are holding meeting upon meeting with various vendors and subcontractors. Our architect and general contractor assure us that we’ll be “ready to go” as soon as we turn the calendar to the month of April. Mostly, I am looking forward to the finished product. We are aiming for beauty, functionality, and timelessness, ever mindful of the bottom line. What a time to be a part of the Chapel! As always, I thank God for you.
RevBlev
75th Anniversary
This year the Chapel celebrates 75 years as a “Beacon of Faith” on Clearwater Beach! The celebrations begin January 7, the first Sunday of 2024, with the dedication of a Peace Pole on our front lawn followed by a potluck luncheon. On January 14, we will launch “75 Acts of Service,” a special missions/outreach effort. March 3 will be our 75th Anniversary worship celebration with Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Herb Freitag, preaching and a new anthem composed by Director of Music, Brent Douglas. Then we’ll gather for a celebration banquet on March 7 at Island Way Grill. Later in the year, following the sanctuary remodeling project, we’ll have a Sanctuary Rededication service with an organ recital. 2024 will be a year to remember at Chapel by the Sea!
For Such a Time As This Are you inspired by what you experience at Chapel by the Sea? Maybe it is the music, the preaching, the class you took, or the good feeling you had at the house blessing of a house you painted with Chapel friends.Whatever it is, “For Such a Time as This” is an opportunity to tell it like it is and to be part of seeing that and more like it continue into the future! Or perhaps you have been inspired to dream: “What else is possible at Chapel by the Sea?” The sky is the limit; our creative God sees bigger possibilities than those to which Chapel by the Sea has been called to and grown through in the past 75 years. “For Such a Time as This” is your opportunity to put that dream into the Chapel’s public conversation. “How?” you might ask! During January you will have two primary opportunities to share your thoughts: HAPPENING NOW! Virtual Listening Sessions: Join David Brown, the consultant we have engaged to guide our work, in a virtual listening session. Scheduled at multiple times in January, we will invite participants to share their favorites about the Chapel and their far-out visions for the Chapel. Everyone is invited to participate at one of the sessions. You can sign up in person at church or online at chapelbythesea.net/for-such-a-time-as-this. JANUARY 20—Weekend Focus Workshop: Dr. Brown will be at the Chapel the weekend of January 19-21 to guide us in shaping what you have shared into a vision, mission, values, and action plan for the next phase the the Chapel’s 75+ years on Clearwater Beach. You will want to be part of the action, especially at a workshop from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm on January 20. Lunch will be provided thanks to the generous grant from Columbia Seminary! You can sign up in person at church or online at chapelbythesea.net/for-such-a-time-as-this.
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” —Esther 4:14
75th Anniversary Activities Peace Pole Dedication & Potluck Luncehon
JANUARY 7: After worship on January 7, we’ll move outside to the front lawn for the dedication of our Peace Pole, complete with a dove release and flags from 200 countries! City leaders will be present for this historic occasion, the first Peace Pole in the city of Clearwater! We’ll conclude our celebration of peace with a crowd-pleasing potluck luncheon.
75 Acts of Service
JANUARY 14: On January 14, Chapel is launching “75 Acts of Service” in honor of 75 years of Chapel’s ministry in the community and throughout the world. Each family will receive a beautifully crafted calendar of prompts—simple, loving acts— one kind deed to do in the name of Christ each day for 75 days. If you cannot attend worship on January 14, please drop by the church office so that you can receive your “75 Acts of Service” calendar. One more way Chapel by the Sea remains “A Beacon of Faith Shining Into the Future!”
75th Anniversary Worship Celebration
MARCH 3: Make plans now to join Chapel by the Sea on March 3, 2024 at 10am for the 75th Anniversary Worship Celebration. The choir will be performing an original anthem composed for the occasion by Brent Douglas with words by Pastor Rhonda Blevins. Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Herb Freitag, will preach. Other special touches are in the works, so this is one Sunday you won’t want to miss!
75th Anniversary Worship Celebration
75th Anniversary Banquet
MARCH 7, 5:30 pm: Join your Chapel family for a delicious dinner at Island Way Grill to celebrate 75 years of Chapel by the Sea! This will be a special time to reminisce and thank God for what Chapel means in the lives of so many, as well as look ahead to what God might have in store for us in the days ahead. You can choose a steak, chicken, grouper or vegetarian entree. Business casual dress with a cash bar available. Cost: $55 per person. Deadline: February 22, 2024. Register by sending in a check or online at chapelbythesea.net/75th-anniversary.
January 28, 2024 - February 3, 2024
The Auction
The Walk
How does the auction work? The auction begins, online, at the ring of the bell during Sunday service January 28, 2024 and will close after the Walk on February 3, 2024. Go to chapelbythesea.net/ beachwalk/walk where you will find the mobile auction website. Create an account so you can bid, watch items, set up bids, and get alerts! You do not have to be signed up for the event to participate in the auction, so feel free to share!
February 3, 2024: The event will start at 8:30am at the Palm Pavilion with registration. The two-mile walk will take you down the beach and to the finish line at Chapel by the Sea with a breakfast catered by ClearSky Cafe. In-person registration will be available at Palm Pavilion beginning at 7:30am on February 3, 2024. All participants will receive a BeachWalk Week T-shirt at the start and swag bag at the finish line.
How do I claim my prize? Once the auction has ended you’ll get an alert if you’ve won. You’re able to take your winnings home with you or pick them up from the Chapel the during office hours the following week.
Registration: Register at chapelbythesea.net/ beachwalk/walk as an individual ($40), a family ($80) or as a valued sponsor (from $250). Learn more about becoming a sponsor below.
How You Can Help 1. Donate Auction Items: We are now receiving items for the auction worth $50 or more. 2. Volunteer: Help is needed the day of the event. See Jan Bickel or let Pastor Rhonda know of your interest. 3. Become a Sponsor: The cutoff for sponsorships is January 22, 2024 in order to create marking materials leading up to the day of the walk, ad presence, and the “Thank You” ads that will be created after the event. Sponsorship levels: Diamond: $2,500+; Platinum: $1,500; Gold: $600-$1,000; Silver: $300-$500; Bronze: $250. Go to: chapelbythesea.net/beachwalk-sponsor to learn more. All proceeds benefit Hope Villages of America and the Homeless Empowerment Program.
The Wisdom of the Enneagram
The Enneagram is a tool for spiritual growth. If you want to learn deep truths about yourself and grow not only spiritually, but emotionally, this book study may be for you! Pastor Rhonda (a certified Enneagram trainer) will lead an 8-week study of The Wisdom of the Enneagram Tuesdays at 2pm beginning January 9.
Bible Study: Every Tuesday & Thursday
Bible Study
Minister of Education, Joe Creegan, offers two ways to study the Bible and explore faith: the hybrid Tuesday Forum eats together at 6:30pm followed by class at 7pm (Zoom Meeting ID 895 0402 7068; Passcode: 417209) AND Thursdays in-person at 11am in Classroom 1. All are welcome to these small group studies!
Chapel Chicks Luncheon
Chapel Chicks
JANUARY 9, NOON: Topic: “A Beacon of Faith Shining Into the Future.” Lunch: fajita-seasoned steak strips with sauteed peppers and onions served with Mexican rice, black beans, flour tortillas, and dessert. Register online or in the Chapel Office by January 7. Cost: $18
Fermenting the Faith, Second Thursdays
Now on the second Thursday of each month at 7pm at Arkane Aleworks in Largo. Join us at the brewery for some deep conversation around faith and theology. Nate Ryan, facilitator. All are welcome! Arkane Aleworks is at 2480 E Bay Dr #23, Largo, FL 33771.
Men’s Breakfast, Second Tuesdays
SECOND TUESDAYS @ 9AM. Meet with the Champs to enjoy a hearty breakfast, fellowship, and Christian discussion. Leave with a full belly and soul. $10 suggested donation. Did you know? You can purchase a Chapel Champs shirt on our website! Visit chapelbythesea.net/chapel-store to order yours today!
Chapel Chicks Book Club
Book Club
JANUARY 23, 10:30AM: The Chapel Chicks Book Club meets every fourth Tuesday in the conference room. Online attendance is available via Zoom using the meeting ID: 836 1011 5212. This month’s reading selection is When Bad Things Happen To Good People by Harold S. Kushner. For additional information email Allison Kitchens at allisonkitch66@yahoo.com.
Meet Ashley Tanz
The pipes to our pipe organ are neatly arranged in the organ builder’s workshop near Charlotte, NC.
Sanctuary Remodel Update On January 2, Jody DeBold (property team chair), Dan Brafford (operations manager), and Rhonda Blevins (pastor) met with the architect and general contractor to discuss the scope of work and timeline for the project. By the end of this month, the architect has promised a biddable set of plans. In February and early March, the general contractor will begin the permitting process. Our project is scheduled to begin at the beginning of April after Easter Sunday on March 31. You can see the architect’s renderings in the Narthex on Sundays or on the home page of our website: chapelbythesea.net. Please make plans to attend the Annual Church Meeting after church on January 28 so that you can learn more about these exciting plans.
Please welcome Ashley Tanz, Chapel’s new office manager! Ashley is originally from Alabama and a graduate of The University of South Alabama where she studied Business and Marketing. Ashley brings great experience in event coordination and marketing, as well as office management and customer service to the Chapel team. Ashley has two daughters, Lily (8) and Marli (3). Ashley enjoys spending time with family, paddle boarding, going to the beach, working out at the gym, and cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide!
Save These Dates JANUARY 7, 2024 Peace Pole Dedication & Luncheon JANUARY 19–21, 2024 “For Such A Time As This” Weekend JANUARY 28, 2024 Annual Meeting FEBRUARY 3, 2024 Beachwalk FEBRUARY 14, 2024 Drive Thru Ash Wednesday MARCH 3, 2024 75th Anniversary Worship Celebration, 10am MARCH 7, 2024 75th Anniversary Banquet at Island Way Grill MARCH 29, 2024 Good Friday MARCH 31, 2024 Easter Sunday
Chapel by the Sea
Architect’s rendering of the remodeled sanctuary. Notice new stained glass windows along the west wall.
54 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 727-446-0430 | chapelbythesea.net churchoffice@chapelbythesea.net