Parish Ministries
Music at CCF
Sharing God’s gift of music is a primary way Christ Church Frederica seeks to enrich the lives of its people and the people of the Golden Isles. Building upon a long-standing Anglican tradition of excellence in music and liturgy, we provide music opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
Our parish’s music ministry offers seven musical organizations: the Christ Church Choir of Men and Women, the Christ Church Choristers, the Christ Church Trebles, the Christ Church Handbell Choir, Vi Fluentis Children’s Choir, the St. Cecelia Series, and Christ Church Summer Arts Camp.
Christ Church Choir of Men and Women
Membership is open to anyone willing to dedicate weekly rehearsal time and participate in various liturgies in our parish. The Christ Church Choir of Men and Women sings for the Sunday morning 9:15 Eucharist in addition to a full range of festival services and Evensong offerings. Our repertoire thrives on a diverse selection of music.
The Christ Church Trebles
The Christ Church Trebles are ministers of music. We aspire to teach, to learn, to inspire and to assist in the varied liturgies of Christ Church and St. Ignatius Chapel. Membership in this choir is by invitation of the Organist and Choirmaster.
Christ Church Choristers
LIGHTS! (Liturgy in God's House Through Singing) The Christ Church Chorister program is where music ministry begins for young children. We play, we learn, and we begin to experience music and liturgy in God's house. No audition is required. We have serious fun with music.
Christ Church Handbell Choir
The Christ Church Handbell Choir offers ringing in all our Liturgies. Our rehearsals combine musical finesse with a sense of humor. As a result of the COVID pandemic we created smaller Joyful Noise Ensembles, so membership is open to anyone interested in this ministry. Please contact the Organist and Choirmaster to fill your spot.
Joyful Noise Ensembles
Created out of the need for small non-singing groups during the COVID Pandemic the Joyful Noise Ensembles prepare sacred music offerings incorporating world drumming, Orff Schulwerk orchestrations, and handbell/tonechime combinations. These ensembles are intergenerational and open to everyone.
St. Cecilia Series
Outstanding music and art are an integral part of Christ Church, Frederica. Blessed by both the beauty of our historic church and the acoustical resonance of our Parish House, our occasional St. Cecilia Series performances are exquisite. These musical offerings depend on the generosity of our parish and friends to help support this ministry. We welcome your interest and would be pleased to discuss ways in which you might be a partner in our work by offering an unrestricted gift or sponsoring a concert or event. Donations, memorials, and attending our events are always welcome.
Contact our Interim Organist and Choirmaster
Tess Nielsen
912-638-8683
Pastoral Care
The care of our parishioners at Christ Church is shared by our clergy and other specially trained laypersons in our parish. Our priests are especially available to visit you in the hospital, to pray with you, to offer Sacraments and the rites of the Church, and to lend a listening ear and pastoral presence at times of acute crisis.
Notifying Clergy of Needs & Emergencies
The best way to ensure our clergy team is aware of your pastoral need or emergency
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THE BEST WAY TO NOTIFY ONE OF OUR PRIESTS OF YOUR PASTORAL EMERGENCY IS TO CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE OR 912-230-7362 or THE PRIEST'S CELL. |
is to call one of our priests via the church office, or by cell phone if after hours. Please do not rely on email or social media to communicate emergency information, and remember, privacy policies now prohibit medical facilities from contacting churches on your behalf. We do not publish clergy cell numbers on the website, but they are available upon request from the church office and are printed in the church directory. Or, you may call the pastoral care line at 912-230-7362 to reach the priest on call.
Pastoral Counseling
Our priests, although skilled in many ways, are not licensed therapists. For this reason, they are not equipped to offer counseling or “talk therapy” in the traditional sense, nor are they able to enter into longterm standing appointments around chronic issues such as depression or serious, ongoing marital conflict. They can, however, provide spiritual guidance and support by praying with you, teaching you to pray, helping you to look for God in your life, and offering you the strength and Sacraments of the Church. If you find yourself in need of a professional therapist or counselor, our clergy have excellent contacts in the area and are happy to help connect you with a trusted professional.
When to Call Your Clergy
- Near Death: When someone in your family is near death, call one of our priests, day or night. When death is imminent, we Episcopalians gather around our loved ones, say our prayers, share in the Sacraments, make our goodbyes, and anoint our loved ones as they transition. This is one of the holiest and most important things your priest is able to offer you, and it is appropriate regardless of whether your loved one is conscious or not. We also have an important and helpful rite for when the decision is made to remove life-sustaining treatment. Please do not hesitate to call in these moments, regardless of the time.
- Ill or Hospitalized: When you or someone in your family is ill or hospitalized, call the church office. Our clergy will visit as soon as possible.
- Before Surgery: When you or someone in your family is going to have surgery, call the church office in advance. Our clergy are happy to visit you beforehand, share in healing prayers, and bring Communion, if you wish.
- Crisis of Faith: When you are having a crisis of faith, call and make an appointment to come and sit down for a conversation. We can pray with you and help you in your search for God and meaning.
- Significant Loss: When you lose a job, or experience the death of a friend, or any significant loss, call the church office. Your clergy will pray with you and may be able to connect you with helpful resources.
- Birth or Adoption of a Child: When a child is born, call the church office. Your clergy love the opportunity to make a visit to bless parents and child; there’s even a liturgy in the prayer book for this.
- When It’s All Good: When something wonderful is happening in your life, call. Clergy are often called upon to share in the saddest times, but we want to rejoice with you and help you give thanks to God in the best of times, too.
Adapted with gratitude from http://www.calvarymemphis.org/pastoralcare
Staff contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Guilds
Altar Guild
The Altar Guilds at Christ Church give assistance to the priests in their ministry by preparing God’s Altar in Christ Church, St. Ignatius Chapel and the Parish Hall for worship in all services. The Altar Guilds prepare the Altar, the linens, and the priest’s vestments for the services.
Flower Guild
The members of the Flower Guild make the beautiful arrangements of flowers and greenery that adorn our altars and side tables each week, signifying the joy of our Christian faith. The Christ Church Flower Guild began during the priesthood of Father Tom Fitzgerald, who served at Christ Church from 1978 to 1992. Those who wish to honor loved ones with flower arrangements may contact Ethel Horton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Martha’s Guild
The members of Martha’s Guild prepare and serve food at receptions for the bereaved families and friends of those whose funerals are held at Christ Church. The guild was formed during Father Tom Fitzgerald’s tenure as Rector of Christ Church, when parish member Angie Burns spoke to him about the need to support church members when there was a death in the family. Billie Jo Edwards was the first volunteer and served faithfully for many years. Originally, the guild members served a meal in the home for family and out-of-town guests. Later it evolved into receptions in the parish hall. There is now a dedicated group who willing serve for two month periods during the year. However, new members are needed and most welcome to join the guild. If any church members are interested in serving in this very rewarding mission, please contact Lynne Turner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Frederick Cousins Guild
The Frederick Cousins Guild is a women’s service and fellowship organization which meets monthly in members’ homes in the evening from Fall through Spring each year. Various interesting speakers from our church and community are invited to meet with us and share their insights and opportunities for ministry. The Guild is also a member of the Compass Rose Society, an international organization that supports the programs and ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the worldwide Anglican Communion. In addition to Christmas and Spring parties, the Guild also sponsors the popular Annual Christ Oyster Roast to raise funds for many local charities as well as the Compass Rose Society.
Susanna Wesley Guild
The Susanna Wesley Guild meets monthly and frequently invites recipients of the ECW grants to come and speak to about their missions and who they are helping within the community. The speakers have included many fascinating people who are doing such amazing things for people in need here in Glynn County. During the summer months, the Guild meets for lunch and fellowship in nearby Sea Palms. All are welcome to join them.
Tour of Homes
Ways to Serve
There are so many ways you can become part of the active life and caring ministries at Christ Church! From music ministries to feeding ministries, from teaching to outreach missions, there are as many ways to share the love of Christ as there are people willing to give of themselves. If you would like to connect with a ministry that fits your abilities and talents, please contact Father Tom Purdy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
