Orion recently became a member of Second Presbyterian Church only to learn shortly thereafter that his fiancé was moving and his career was calling. With Orion’s permission, we’re sharing his letter to Cress about his life changes and what a treasure he has found in this church.
Tuesday Treasure Thought with Pat
I have been a member of Second Presbyterian Church for 56+ years and was an active participant in many aspects. One of the longest commitments I had was serving as Treasurer for the Women of the Church. I remember every year when it was time to re-up, Virginia Legare acting as Secretary, would say, “Well Pat, I’ll serve another year if you will.” That lasted well over 40 years.
Shortly after we joined the church, my husband Ed and I taught Sunday School to high school level students, challenging at times but very rewarding. Ed also served as Head of the Sunday School Department and as a Deacon and Elder. Of course my children attended both Sunday School and Church and Gail later on taught as well as teaching Bible School in the summers. We all loved attending Wednesday night suppers and enjoyed being a part of a growing church community.
Lastly, a role I thoroughly enjoyed was serving as Church Wedding Director. A position that often required hours of preparation but I loved every minute and found the end result so satisfying.
What Second Church means to me is hard to put into words. I don’t know how to describe the love, friendship and support I have felt over the years. I acquired lots of wonderful friends while attending and still remain close to so many. Worshiping at Second Church has strengthened my faith and provides a comfort in both good times and bad. I can always rely on this wonderful church family that I still treasure to this day.
-Pat
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Thursday Treasure Thought with the Schuhs
In the spring of 1969, we made our first visit to Charleston in the middle of the Hospital Strike. Fred was interviewing for a position in the Plastic Surgery Department at MUSC and Sallie tagged along as an add-on hoping for something in Pediatrics. There were armed guards everywhere around the hospital. It was a little intimidating. But Fred got the job, and a place was found for Sallie and we LOVED Charleston in spite of the strike and what went with it. We came back 2 weeks later and bought our first home. We moved here in July with 2 and 4 year old boys and immediately started looking for a church home and a Sunday School for the boys. We had both grown up in the Presbyterian tradition, and after a couple of weeks our neighbors Sue and Rev. Tom Horton invited us to 2nd Pres. We loved its warmth and friendly people, and “Miss Betty Lou” completely captivated our 4 year old. It is now 50 years since we joined.
In that time, we have served on the Diaconate and on the Session. We have both sung in the choir. We have been part of the yard clean up. Fred was part of the crew that worked on the restoration of the belfry and re-flooring and up-dating the choir room. Sallie has taught Sunday School. We jointly taught a class for young adults on “The 5 Love Languages.” (For those of you who don’t know it, we can really recommend it. There are also versions for children and for teens.) More recently we have been active in the 2nd Edition Book Club.
In our spare time since retirement, we have spent time on hobbies, woodturning and knitting especially, with our boat and in our garden. We have traveled some as well, most often to visit children, grandchildren and friends, but also for fun and for meetings.
Our faith and our church have always been a central part of our marriage and our lives. Our daughters were married here and some of our grandchildren were baptized here. Our friends here have supported us through some of the tough times – everyone has them. Our church needs from each of us what we have to give. At different times in life, what we have to give may vary. Sometimes it may be for projects like yardwork, tearoom, teaching, sometimes expertise in a given field, sometimes financial support. And in some of the tough times, our church and the friends we make here will be able to respond, as our faith tells us God always does, “Lean on me.”
- Fred and Sallie
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Tuesday Treasure Thought with Joshua
I have been a member of Second Pres since September of 2018 and found the church after returning from my deployment less than three weeks prior.
Needless to say, I am a service member in the “Wild Blue Yonder” of . . . ? You guess it, the United States Air Force! I have lived an adventurous, topsy-turvy life thus far and have done - or currently do, should I say - a little bit of everything. From combat medicine and private piloting to now farming and air transportation, I’ve scrolled through the Rolodex of activities and have excelled in them all to some degree or another.
Being the Jack of All Trades, I participate at church and serve at God’s pleasure as a Deacon on the Hospitality Committee, in the choir - singing a joyful noise or playing my trumpet, and bringing the goats by, every time I can get, during our “Beautify the Yard” events.
Most of the congregation may not know one of three facts: I’m a triplet, in elementary school I went to the regional finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and I’m the middle of 12 siblings!
Yes, there are two more “Joshuas” in the world - another boy and girl. With the blessing that is my large family, it is also my most treasured aspect of our church - this family, our family, and the community we have created.
I live just over 600 miles away from my family, but it is my Second Presbyterian Church family that sustains me, especially being so far away. When I moved to Charleston back in September of 2016, I had nothing and no one. I had moved away to college in northern Ohio back in January 2015, which was a mere 2.5 hours away from home, creating some reasonable distance but nothing considerably great. However, when I got to Charleston, I longed for that sense of community and family gathering that I have since found in our church.
I feel it is important, most especially during these times, to give to the life of the church with our time, our money, and our service to sustain this loving, diverse, and vibrant community of like-minded believers, so that we may continue in fellowship for another 200+ years!
-Joshua
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Thursday Treasure Thought with Halley & AJ
Although we have been scarce lately in our Sunday service attendance, (we just welcomed our first son James in August), AJ and I have been members at Second Presbyterian for 8 years. Growing up in Christian homes, AJ and I both have been active in church since childhood. AJ in particular has fond memories of his dad cooking for church luncheons and both parents singing in the choir which they still do to this day. I was fortunate enough to have a strong youth group which set the foundation of the importance of a church family in my teen years.
AJ is from northwest Ohio and I am from upstate South Carolina. We met here in Charleston while I was attending the College of Charleston and AJ was in residency at MUSC. It wasn’t quite love at first sight but after a flower delivery and a follow up call or two I was eventually won over and the rest is history. We were married by Cress at Second Presbyterian. After we finished school and training we were fortunate enough to find jobs in a city we love. AJ is a physician at MUSC and I work in finance at Garden & Gun Magazine.
As a young couple we attended the weeknight Life Groups where we met some of our closest friends here in Charleston, friends we still keep to this day. It was these weeknight groups that kept us engaged with the Church. Gathering with other people at similar stages in life to socialize, study and enjoy a beverage was a moment we treasured as individuals and as a couple. Like his father, AJ too enjoys cooking for a crowd and any chance to cook in the kitchen with Mrs. Sue Henderson. I have always enjoyed volunteering with Hands of Christ. Watching the children shop with great anticipation for a new school year is a joy and privilege.
As we enter into a new phase in life I hope that my son will feel the love of his Second church family the way AJ and I have. We look forward to giving joyfully and serving our God in the months and years to come.
- Halley & AJ
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Tuesday Treasure Thought with Debra
Giving Thoughts
The Lowcountry is my home. I grew up in a Methodist Church, one in which my paternal great Grandfather gave land on which to build the Church. I changed to Presbyterian after I completed my undergraduate degree at the College of Charleston. My husband, Brian McQueen, and I returned to Charleston in 2009 after 11 years in Greenville where I served as Assistant City Attorney for Greenville. I practice law and teach at Charleston School of Law.
I joined Second Presbyterian Church about six years ago. My life motto has been to work for solutions and work for positive changes. In my service as an Elder and as Treasurer, I realized the importance of living a life for Jesus Christ and approaching everyone and every endeavor with honesty and integrity. We were created by God. All that we have is God’s.
We have a duty to return to God a portion of what God has given to us. Giving may mean sacrifice – giving more money than you think you are able; volunteering as an usher or liturgist; serving as an Elder or Deacon; setting out the garbage and recycling containers; raking and pulling weeds to “Beautify the Yard.” My gratitude for the members of Second Presbyterian runs deep. The Holy Spirit is powerful. We have this moment to give, to love, to be honest, to be like Jesus Christ. This moment too is God’s. We cannot look to the other person to give in our place. We cannot sit on our hands and pray for change. Faith without works is dead. Second Presbyterian Church will only be sustained with everyone giving. We will see positive change when we care for and embrace those old-time, long-serving members. We must work together to sustain Second Presbyterian Church.
- Debra
James 1:26
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Thursday Treasure Thought with Lee
Some of you may not know this, but I grew up in a family full of ministers. My father, my grandfather on my mom's side, my uncle and cousin on my dad's side are all Lutheran pastors. Needless to say, church life has been an integral part of my upbringing. Like Rebecca said in her message Tuesday, being a family member of the pastor can be difficult at times, but also very rewarding. I remember fondly all my church parents growing up leading me by example and not letting me get away with too many shenanigans! That family experience here at Second is what has kept me here since college. It’s hard to believe that I have been here since around 2002ish, but just joined last year! I feel that I have been a part of the family the whole time though. Especially in the choir family here.
Music and nature is how I personally commune with God. Specifically choral music. There is just something special about a group coming together to make something greater than the sum of its parts. I find the same awe when I get to take time to explore the beauty of nature around our historic city. I have been blessed with many great musical opportunities in my life. I have sung in choirs with various symphony orchestras and am a founding member of our local professional choir, the Taylor Festival Choir. Music is not my entire life though. I spent 13 years working in special education and before that many years working outside of education with people with various disabilities. I also love to exercise, cook (I have a big green egg that I love to make everything from cake to brisket in), and have a slight addiction to the xbox!
I love that our "Second Family" slogan is not just words on paper. It is truly exemplified by everyone here, welcoming all regardless of where they are on their own personal journey of faith, and also orientation or ethnicity. While we are not perfect, we do strive to follow the accepting and loving example of Christ. Not only do we have an amazing church family, but an incredible historic sacred building to worship in. Doing God’s work is not easy. It requires sacrifice in all aspects of life. Time, talents, and finance. As a former schoolteacher I can't help but grade myself as I write this reflection. I give myself an B for sharing my time, and A for talents, but I must admit I find myself failing when it comes to tithing. I am going to endeavor to fix that. I truly believe that for all churches to succeed in our mission of sharing the good news of Christ, they must be supported in all ways by all members to the best of their abilities. I encourage us all to reflect on how great or not so great we are doing in that mission and to recommit ourselves to continuing to do all of God's work that makes life at Second so special!
-Lee
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Tuesday Treasure Thought with Rebecca
I grew up in the Methodist church up the road in Columbia. In the fifth grade, my mother was a substitute teacher at my school, my Girl Scout leader, and my Sunday School teacher! It was too much. But looking back, I am happy that I was raised in a caring Christian family that taught me the importance of being a good student, an active volunteer, and a follower of Christ. When I joined the church as a young teenager, I learned the importance of pledging and have done so ever since.
Like many young adults, I fell away from the church during my college years. Fast forward to marrying Cress, we knew it was important as a young married couple to find a church home in NYC. Our happy place turned out to be Fifth Avenue Presbyterian, where we were active members and financial supporters for many years.
Before we moved to Charleston, while Cress was in the process of interviewing with the Search Committee, I visited Second Presbyterian solo (well, SaSa was along for the ride in my tummy), and came to the church “incognito,” wanting to see if I would feel at home with the congregation. I slipped into a pew (not my backrow seat I’ve had now for 15 years!), hoping no one would notice me. I remember which pew in which I sat and who was sitting in front of me. Although I never gave up my identity, there was no escaping the friendliness of the congregation. Many of those people, including Miss Betty Aimar who was particularly kind to me that day, have passed on. But Second Presbyterian continues to be a beacon of light in the Holy City.
Being the “preacher’s wife” is not always easy. I have for the most part helped over the years where I could, but with my job and family duties, my plate is quite full – just as I know it is with yours. Last year, though, thanks to Debbie Smith, I was asked to be a Deacon and am having a great time working with my fellow deacons to bring life back into our Second Sunday lunches. And this year, it has been a true pleasure to work alongside David Savard to lead our Stewardship season. I didn’t agree to take this on because I am the preacher’s wife; I did it because as a member of this congregation, I care for this church and all of you. I want to see us flourish and to be able to do all the things we are called to do. I want it to be a place where young children can grow up, like Lily and SaSa did, feeling they have the love of their church family surrounding them. You all are my treasure – your friendly faces and the joy we have worshiping and working together!
But it takes money. We all need to dig deep to make sure that our beloved church is on strong financial footing. Cress and I will be making our pledge in the next week or so and I know we will do whatever we can to support the work of this church.
Like my father who pulled his checkbook out of the secretary in the living room each Saturday night and wrote out his check to the church, I too still like the act of writing out my check each Sunday and putting it in the plate. You may prefer the online giving option we offer. But however you choose to give, it is important to make that commitment on Sunday, November 17th.
The work of the church never stops. It doesn’t take the summer off. The doors are open and the lights are on 52 weeks a year. It is imperative that we give cheerfully and consistently, if we want to see Second Presbyterian thrive. I invite you to join me in stepping up to – and into the plate – with a generous pledge to the lifeblood of this historic church.
- Rebecca
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Thursday Treasure Thought with the Mitchells
Our Treasures at Second Presbyterian
Marion: Nine years ago I returned to the family home on Wadmalaw Island. The first year back was occupied with preparations for moving in after sixteen years of rental and for leaving our home of eighteen years in Chesterfield, Missouri. When we were all here, we visited churches to get our bearings and to know the lay of the landscape. Because I grew up in Second from infant baptism through confirmation and beyond, it was on our list. We were immediately drawn in by the warm welcome of the Mixed Adult Sunday class. Not only the inclusive welcome by all but also the strong Biblical conversations led by Dingle Howe with contributions from Robbie Staubes, Evelyn King and Dolores King were treasures to know. The Education Building we were in brought back middle school memories of how it was created by a fund campaign (whose treasurer was my father) made by members who gave treasure to build something not just for themselves but for all who follow.
Since joining Second in 2012, I have been head usher, session member, clerk of session, and Tea Room beverage server. These opportunities plus “Beautify the Yard Days” to pitch in alongside others and to socialize at oyster roasts and church dinners are also treasure builders. All these make me realize that when we build together we all grow together and provide for others to join and grow. Will you build your treasure this stewardship season?
Sarah: Heritage at Second Presbyterian has meant a lot to me as well. My great-great grandfather was a Scots mason who came to Charleston to work on Fort Sumter in the 1840s, and he and his wife were members here. When I worship in our beautiful sanctuary as they did, I feel closer to them. As I have participated in our wonderful community services, true treasures, I have imagined sharing with them the glorious spirituals soaring to the ceiling.
For my years here, now almost a decade, I treasure especially the music ministry, with its gems, Julia Harlow and Lee Lingle. Being able to ring the bells and sing with the choir to the glory of God is a true blessing. I also treasure the mission mindfulness of our congregation. We are a Matthew 25 church, reaching out in the name of Christ to feed, clothe, heal, teach, and minister spiritually to God's people at the Shaw Center, in our own Fellowship Hall with Hands of Christ, at the Star Gospel Mission, in rural homes on Wadmalaw Island, at Thornwell, in flooded neighborhoods of upstate South Carolina, at hospitals in Haiti and the Congo, at Water Mission sites around the world, and in the refugee camps of South Sudan. Many of these ways we do mission have been supported by the Tea Room or special offerings through the year, but our pledges toward the budget give the foundation to the whole church program, strengthening us to serve.
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Tuesday Treasure Thought with Margaret
Nearly three years ago, I returned home to Mount Pleasant after living abroad in the United Kingdom. I returned with a call to ministry laying upon my heart and a desire to find a worshipping community who could love and support me as I discerned my call. A dear friend of mine, knowing I was searching for a church, invited me to Second Presbyterian. As I began attending Second, I could sense the closeness of this community and the love each member truly has for one another. In June of 2017 I officially became a member of Second Presbyterian. In July 2017, just a short month later, I moved to Decatur, Georgia to begin my Masters of Divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary.
Whenever I come home to visit my loved ones, who are all still in the Charleston area, I love to come and worship with my church family at Second. We all hope to find a place where we will be accepted, loved, and affirmed and Second has done that for me. I am grateful to have found a church family that truly feels like home. I look forward to graduating with my Masters of Divinity this coming May and returning to Charleston where I can regularly attend and participate in the life of Second Presbyterian. I believe that Second is a special church, doing good work within our community, and loving and serving one another and others well. It is important for us to support this church with our various gifts in order to continue this ministry and mission of this church.
- Margaret
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Thursday Treasure Thought with Sharon
Second Presbyterian is our treasured church home in South Carolina. Like a home it is comfortable, filled with welcoming friends, and its serene sanctuary is peaceful. Over the last nine years we have joined this caring community and participated in a variety of committees, learning a lot about Second and its missions. As an engineer, Bob is an active member of the property committee. During May and the Tea Room I bake my tortes and if in town work in the dessert room with the dessert divas. Following my retirement in 2010 I served a very hectic two years as chair of the Investment Committee, served on the Finance Committee and co-chaired the Stewardship Committee. I am best known by the pre-schoolers as the Sticker Lady. Every month I provide stickers cut from a myriad of address labels sent from charities. I also sang in the choir but found that I was better at starting a fundraising campaign for new choir chairs. As a result, we have comfortable seating for our outstanding singers, I enjoy the monthly book club and read books that I would have never selected on my own. Our discussions are more than just the book and we get to join friends in great meals in individual homes across Charleston and its suburbs.
Bob and I travel a great deal between our Minneapolis apartment checking in monthly on our disabled son. In addition, this year we have visited Europe three times adding to our list of 61 countries. If Bob ever retires we will travel more. Next February we are sojourning with friends to South America.
We joined Second in 2010 after my retirement as an academic administrator. I served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs for the University of Georgia system school in Atlanta. Prior to that I served as Dean at the University of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas and Dean at MUSC. That is how we came to love Charleston.
We treasure Second and hope that the Steeple can be fixed and painted so that all of Charleston sees that we are a beacon of Christian light for the next 100 years.
-Sharon
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Steeple Quote
"We treasure Second and hope that the Steeple can be fixed and painted so that all of Charleston sees that we are a beacon of Christian light for the next 100 years."
Read moreTuesday Treasure Thought with Sarah
I moved to Charleston in 2008 for my first job as a speech language pathologist. I was a ‘serial visitor’ at Second Presbyterian before finally joining as a member in 2009- I only recently realized I have been a member for a decade! I keep myself busy as a newlywed, new cat owner, and running my own pediatric speech therapy company. I also love to travel and most recently went to Barcelona with my sister.
I thoroughly enjoy the community of Second Presbyterian Church. I have been involved in Bible studies, served as a Deacon, volunteered at Hands of Christ and in the Tea Room. I am a member of the Missions and Pride Committees, and am currently serving on my third year on the Session. Each of these opportunities have allowed me to connect with members I didn’t know very well prior to serving and have allowed me to be involved in many different aspects of the church. I enjoy listening to others’ perspectives and ideas on various issues and have found this fact to be especially true on the Session. Being part of the Session has allowed me to grow both as a leader and in my faith.
Being part of a supportive faith-based community is very important to me. As a ‘millennial’ in a time when many people my age have fallen away from the church, I have realized that it is vital for me to participate in fellowship with others that share my faith. Second Presbyterian has provided me with this community for 10 years. I have formed friendships through Second Presbyterian Church that are life-long and I treasure these bonds. Members of Second Presbyterian have supported me through difficult times, celebrated with me in my joys, and walked side by side with me through every season that I have been a member. It is imperative that we all consider what we can give to Second Presbyterian so that we can continue to support and love each other, as well as to provide that same support and love to others outside of our walls.
-Sarah
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Thursday Treasure Thought with Greta
I “married into” the Second Presbyterian family over 30 years ago. My husband, Donald (Dingle), grew up in Second Presbyterian Church, just as his father before him. When we were first married, we were busy young lawyers and did not attend church regularly. When our children came along, however, it was a natural decision to attend Second Presbyterian and raise our family here. Our three children are grown now but each of them is a proud graduate of Second Presbyterian Kindergarten (thank you, Miss Sue!). During those early years, I taught the first and second grade Sunday School class, chaired the SPK Parent’s Guild, and served as an officer on the Colin McK. Grant Home Board. I will always treasure the memories of my children growing up in our church.
More recently, Cyndi McLean and I took over the duties of wedding director from Mrs. Pat Garrett. Has it been 12 years already? It has been a great pleasure and blessing to work with our brides and grooms. Some of our brides are church members but many of our brides come from “away.” What each couple has in common is a desire to participate in a service of worship to begin their new lives together. Most often, either the bride or the groom was brought up in the Presbyterian faith. We welcome these couples, their families and their friends to our sanctuary to celebrate one of the most important days of their lives. The value of this outreach to our community cannot be overstated. Each and every wedding guest, from near and far, is blessed by their attendance during these solemn vows. I have been blessed to serve Second Presbyterian in this ministry.
Service in the church has many different faces. Sometimes you serve with other church members, getting to know them better and building relationships, but other types of service gives you contact with people outside of our church, with the opportunity to share with them our faith, warmth and welcome at Second Presbyterian Church.
-Greta
Join your Second Family as we commit our treasure in service to the Lord by pledging your 2020 gift this Stewardship season. When you enter into a partnership with the body of Christ, you are not only building up treasure for this generation but also for generations to come.
Tuesday Treasure Thought with Dave
Greetings, Second Family! Hope you are all having a wonderful fall.
In the last 6 years that I've been at Second Presbyterian, I've made many great memories serving the Lord with others. Just a few months after Boeing moved me to Charleston, I started participating in Bible Studies, "Beautify the Yard" days, and since 2017, I've served as an Elder on the Second Presbyterian Session. I have a busy life full of travel and work, but in all the places I've lived and all the places I've seen, I carry the memories of the people I've worked joyfully side by side with at church. In between all my crazy travel for work (300+ days and counting), I get to build memories like these with this Church and this community. They are my treasure.
While the fellowship around the coffeemaker or the potluck dinner is wonderful, I truly think there is something special about the more difficult work we do for the Kingdom. My memories of "Beautify the Yard" and the challenges we've faced as a Session are special to me because of the work we've accomplished for the Church. There's a joy in the aftermath of sore limbs after a day in the yard or the tired mind after a long meeting. When we give more sacrificially we find more meaning and connection as a community. The satisfaction is even greater when even more of us come together for a great task. I specifically cherish one of the more significant days in the yard with dozens of people, including children and families. It was a special day.
For these greater challenges (and greater memories) we can only reach our goals if we act – and act together. I would encourage all of you to think on what more you could do to support Second Presbyterian Church this Stewardship season. You don't have to start big … but remember, the more you put in to this community, the more we can all grow in it. I encourage you to find your treasure.
