Chapel Chimes Fall 2023
Pastor Rhonda baptizes a Clearwater Beach vacationer on September 20. Photo by Glenda Creasy.
“For Such a Time As This” –Esther 4:14 By Rev. Rhonda Blevins
It seems that for my entire ministry, I’ve been preparing for this moment. Let me explain. My very first week as your pastor, I knew that one of the projects I needed to tackle was to remodel the Chancel area—it’s a safety hazard for anyone who dares to enter the organ pit. I also knew that we needed to replace the now 74-year-old light fixtures in the sanctuary. Many of them are broken, and I would discover that you can’t just replace 74-year-old light fixtures. You have to buy all new light fixtures (time to go LED!) And if you go for all new light fixtures, that means redoing the entire ceiling. This would be no cheap fix. Then a couple of years into my time as your pastor, our electronic organ began to fail. I was told, “Your organ has stage 4 cancer,” by the organ repairman. Oof. We set out to find a suitable replacement, and found a real pipe organ, the perfect size for our space, at the fraction of the cost of what a new pipe organ would cost. Installing a real pipe organ would mean remodeling the Chancel (already on my list). And you can see how we ended up with a full-blown sanctuary remodeling project. How would we fund this work? We launched a capital campaign, and to my amazement, your pledges exceeded our goal because of your continued generosity to God’s work through the Chapel. You continue to amaze and surprise me, Chapel by the Sea.
It made sense to connect this work with the celebration of our 75th Anniversary in 2024 (like how you connected the Friendship Foyer and Memorial Garden project to your 50th Anniversary!) As all this has come together, I believe my task, as your pastor, is to position the church for what God is calling us to do into the next 75 years of church life. What is that, exactly? That’s where the “For Such a Time As This” grant comes in. We received a $10,000 grant recently through Columbia Seminary to help us do the work of clarifying our mission, vision and values—as well as to identify a couple of initiatives to keep our momentum high following the completion of our renovation. You see, while we are blessed with an amazing church building in one of the most incredible places a church could imagine being—it’s not all about a building. It’s not about new light fixtures or a pipe organ or new tile floors or fancy audio-visual equipment. It’s about serving Christ. That’s what it’s all about! This “Holy Trinity” of work: 1) the Sanctuary Remodel, 2) the 75th Anniversary Celebrations, and 3) the “For Such a Time As This” efforts—these THREE efforts support the ONE reason for our existence: to be a beacon of faith shining into the future in Clearwater Beach and beyond. What a time to be a part of Chapel by the Sea! I look forward to stepping into RevBlev 2024 with you!
At 75 Years, What’s Next? At 75 years, what is the right thing to do?
For Such a Time as This: Clarifying Who We Are and What God is Calling Us to Do
“For Such a Time as This: Clarifying Who We Are and What God is Calling Us to Do” answers that question! It is a grant to engage our community in creating a mission, vision, set of values, and direction into our future. After 74 years in this community, this grant will honor that history and answer the following: • “Who are we at 75 in 2023?” • “What is God calling this community to be and do?” • “How do we want to articulate our mission, vision, and values that will inform and guide our ways of being together as community?” The work is supported by a Chapel by the Sea Leadership Team and grant funds awarded by Columbia Seminary. The Leadership Team is comprised of 8 members who are representative of the current community, including Pastor and Board President. Over the next months the team will be working with a consultant to craft community participation to shape our answers. The culmination is set to coincide with the celebration of 75 years of worship and ministry in March 2024. Watch for updates and ways for you to be involved in this important work.
Vision: Ignite the Chapel by the Sea community to create a vision, mission, core values and action into the future. Mission: Adopt a 2024 Chapel by the Sea memorable Vision, Mission along with a Rule of Life for the community.
TOP: First meeting of the team (from left: Nate Ryan, Kit Whittington, Bev Mackin, Linda Silrum [screen: Adrienne Archer, Jared Acuff, Gene Beerens]) BOTTOM: Pastor Rhonda Blevins and “For Such a Time As This” Team Leader, Linda Silrum, attend a meeting at Columbia Seminary in Atlanta.
Goals and Outcome Expectations: • Engage representatives of the community Leadership Team to plan and oversee the process by August 2023. • Engage an external consultant who meets criteria identified by the team to guide and facilitate the development of a concise, clear vision, mission and rule of life for Chapel by the Sea by October 2023. • Engage a broad representation of the Chapel by the Sea community in virtual and in-person interviews and workshops to participate in the development process by January 2024. • Refine and finalize the products obtaining Board approval and community distribution by March 2024. • Evaluate the grant process and engage the next Leadership Team to carry out the top priorities identified for next step action by April 2024. Anticipated Outcomes: • A clear, concise vision, mission and rule of life that is future-looking for Chapel by the Sea. • A statement of who and what Chapel by the Sea is in lay terminology. • Renewed Chapel by the Sea community enthusiasm for taking the next steps in responding to God’s call for the community. • Clarity about a process for Chapel by the Sea to routinely ask and answer the question: What is the next way in which Chapel by the Sea joins God’s continued creative work in our world?
So Many Meetings! So much is happening behind the scenes in preparation for our sanctuary remodel in 2024. We are working with a structural engineer and contractors to bolster our support system prior to remodeling work. We hope to have some visuals of the sanctuary remodel very soon! Please see Pastor Rhonda, Dan Brafford, or Jody DeBold if you have any questions. Photo: A September 29 meeting with the architect! Left to Right: Gary Rucker, architect; Rhonda Blevins, pastor; Jody DeBold, property team chair
October: Childrens Book Drive The October Book Collection was a rousing success! The Outreach Team launched a reading program for kids at Homeless Empowerment Program. Volunteers (both people and pooches!) from the Chapel started this good work on October 12. Your generous donations of childrens books and gifts cards (used for a reading incentive program) are being used by the volunteers for this pilot program with one more reading session scheduled for November 9. If you are interested in participating, please contact Pam Ora or Alison Nourse-Miller. No experience necessary! If you like to read with kids and have some time we need you! For more information: pamora659@gmail.com or alisonnm51@gmail.com. Check out the awesome first photos inside this newsletter.
November: Thanksgiving Food Drive NOVEMBER 5-19: Help us build our annual cornucopia of non-perishable food items for the Hope Villages of America food bank. Turkeys can be brought on November 19 only. What a great way to share the bounty God has shared with us!
Contact Chapel by the Sea
54 Bay Esplanade | Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 727-446-0430 | chapelbythesea.net | churchoffice@chapelbythesea.net
A New Outreach Minist
try of Chapel by the Sea
A Beacon of Faith Shining Into the Future Did you know the Chapel will celebrate 75 years as a “Beacon of Faith” on Clearwater Beach in 2024? We have a team making lots of plans. Below are a few to put on your calendar. The celebrations begin the first Sunday of 2024 with the installation and dedication of a Peace Pole on our front lawn, followed by a luncheon. This will launch a special missions/outreach effort called “75 Acts of Love.” March 3 will be our 75th Anniversary worship celebration with Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Herb Freitag, preaching and some very special music to celebrate this milestone. 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! 75th ANNIVERSARY SAVE-THE-DATES! • January 7, 2024: Peace Pole Dedication & Luncheon • March 3, 2024: 75th Anniversary Worship Celebration • March 7, 2024: 75th Anniversary Banquet at Island Way Grill • Fall, 2024 (Date TBD): Sanctuary Rededication & Organ Recital
75th Anniversary BBQ Sale! HELP FUND THE FUN! Chapel will celebrate our 75th Anniversary in 2024. To fund our celebrations, we are having a BBQ SALE! Tickets will be on sale (cash or check only) today through November 5. BBQ will be ready for pickup November 12.Yum! • $10 per chopped pork sandwich (includes chips, slaw and sauce). • $20 per pound of chopped pork (includes slaw and sauce). Quantities limited, so order today!
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!
Bible Study: Every Tuesday & Thursday
Bible Study AA & Al-Anon
Minister of Education, Joe Creegan, offers two ways to study the Bible and explore faith: Tuesdays Online via Zoom at 7pm (Zoom Meeting ID 895 0402 7068; Passcode: 417209) AND Thursdays In Person at 11am in Classroom 1. All are welcome to these informative small group studies!
AA & Al-Anon
Did you know that we host several weekly meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon? Al-Anon meets Monday mornings at 9:30 am. AA meets Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 pm. If you or someone you know needs the support these groups offer, you will find a warm welcome in Classroom 2.
Chapel Chicks Happenings
Chapel Chicks
NOVEMBER LUNCHEON: Ladies, invite your friends to our November luncheon with Pastor Rhonda Blevins, presenter. Title: “Know Thyself!” Menu: Gnocchi Soup with Salad and Biscuit. Register online or in the Chapel Office by November 12. Cost: $18
Chapel Chicks at Creative Pinellas
NOVEMBER 28, 2023, 5:00PM: Join other Chicks to view the Annual Art Exhibit 2023 at the Creative Pinellas Gallery and welcome the season with a festive meal of lasagna and salad and wine/cider followed by a delicious holiday dessert with an optional walk through the Florida Botanical Gardens. Register by 11/26 either online or in the Church Office. Cost: $25 includes gratuity.
Meet Our Newest Staff Member Save These Dates NOVEMBER 4, 2023 Rise Against Hunger NOVEMBER 28, 2023 Chapel Chicks at Creative Pinellas Gallery
Welcome our new Operations Manager, Dan Brafford! Dan is charged with overseeing the business operations of the church: property, financial, human resources and front office. Dan and his wife, Mary Ann, come to us from North Carolina where Dan owned and operated a successful flooring company. A veteran of the United States Army, Dan holds a B.S. from Pfeiffer College in Business Administration. Dan and Mary Ann are blessed with two children and four amazing grandchildren; they will be delighted to tell you about them!
DECEMBER 10, 2023 Advent Celebration & Lunch With Santa DECEMBER 18, 2023 Carols By Candlelight DECEMBER 24, 2023 Christmas Eve Services 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm JANUARY 7, 2024 Peace Pole Dedication & Luncheon JANUARY 19–21, 2024 “For Such A Time As This” Weekend FEBRUARY 3, 2024 Beachwalk MARCH 3, 2024 75th Anniversary Worship Celebration MARCH 7, 2024 75th Anniversary Banquet at Island Way Grill
NOVEMBER 4: Join your Chapel family on November 4 at 10am to help pack thousands of meals which will be sent to places with rampant food insecurity. This intergenerational event is an opportunity for young and old to participate in something truly meaningful! Our fundraising goal this year is $4,000, which pays for supplies and shipping. Sign up in the Friendship Foyer or online at chapelbythesea.net/events. If you can help unload at 8:30, contact Rick Owens. Together, let’s Rise Against Hunger!