Weekly
Postings news & events
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To the Community of Saint Paul’s Church,
Let me follow up on last week’s question…”Are we there yet?”. The simple answer is “No”, and I’m not sure when we will be. I believe this is the most honest answer any of us can give right now. We all want to get there, but when and how we’re not sure.
On May 1 our governor lifted the stay at home order and began easing temporary restrictions due to the novel coronavirus. While this order allows individuals to attend religious services, I believe we should not begin our phased regathering in church buildings for the foreseeable future. Like other dioceses and parishes across The Episcopal Church, as well as many denominations and faith traditions across the country, we will continue the suspension of in-person public worship that we began in March for a while longer.
This decision is clearly rooted in scripture. In 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, we read, "All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other."
Regathering under very specific guidelines is now lawful, but it is not beneficial for our whole population when at least 32 people died of COVID-19 in Georgia the day before yesterday. We are bound by Jesus' law to love our neighbors as ourselves. We sacrifice worship in our church buildings for the sake of people we love in our congregations and for the sake of people in our communities whom we will never meet.
Experience shows in this time of pandemic that worship is a "superspreader" of the virus. When we go to the grocery store or to a restaurant pick-up window, we accept the inherent risk. When we gather for worship at church, however, we produce the risk. As people morally bound to live the way of love, we choose not to produce such risk. Instead, we choose to protect others and ourselves until the time when we can worship together safely.
I understand this is not what we want to hear but I equally understand our need to be mindful and caring for one another. During this time apart we are developing plans on the “how” we will gather again. A group of parishioners and staff will be looking at suggestions from the CDC, the Diocese and other parishes about how we can, most safely, gather within the walls of Saint Paul’s Church. When the time comes we want to be ready.
Until such time I urge you to invite others to join us on Sunday mornings via Facebook. Engage in conversation and welcome in the comments and continue to know that we are blessed to have the means to gather, although virtually, with one another.
If you have questions, or simply want to chat about this or anything else, please reach out to me, your Vestry and staff. We continue to be about the work to which we are all called.
Finally, as we may be physically separate, we have come together in powerful ways to serve those in need within our community. Yesterday I delivered a check for $15,000 or almost 50,000 meals to Golden Harvest Food Bank. The good work we do in and through our parish continues to give life and hope to those around us.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have called us together to be the body of your Son: Give us the wisdom to see and know that our unity comes not from gathering within walls but from the indwelling of your Holy Spirit within us. May that same Spirit work within us to make us heralds of your love; sharers of your bounty and partakers in the mission you set before us. When we are uncertain grant us hope, when we seek answers let us see you; and finally, when we are in despair help us to see new life. All this we ask in the name of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ who is continually making all creation new.
Amen
.
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From Buildings and Grounds
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Not the traditional “good time.” However, the current suspension of activities at 605 Reynolds Street has afforded your Buildings and Grounds committee, with the collaboration of the Finance committee, a golden opportunity to make some much-needed improvements. After a rainy winter, our glorious spring is aiding this as well.
Currently, repairs are underway in the West parking lot. In the East parking lot – accessible from Sixth Street, potholes have been patched, a drain is being replaced and sealing and re-striping completed. This lot, like the west lot, is on packed soil – these lots won’t be “smooth as glass”, there will be the rivulets of cracks and seams; however, the upgrades will provide serviceable and, especially with last year’s exterior lighting upgrades, safe lots. Work on the West will be similar: patching potholes, sealing and restriping. A very old and damaged drain will be replaced. Wright Montgomery’s and Tom Robertson’s help and guidance have been invaluable.
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Stay connected with Saint Paul's Online
One place to find ALL online worship, events, meetings, etc.
We know it is difficult to keep track of everything - Zoom meeting links, service times, new events - so we have gathered and placed everything you need on one web-page:
Church-ONLINE
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | MAY 17
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GODLY PLAY- Children through 5th grade
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID:
366 090 592
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We take children and their relationship with God seriously and seek to provide both space to foster encounters with God and the language necessary to make meaning of those experiences. In our new digital environment, we are excited for families to gather with their children to experience the Biblical narrative lovingly presented, followed by a time for awe and wondering. See you Sunday!
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RECTOR’S FORUM
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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The Rector's Forum offers a time and place for engaging conversation that is not anchored to a specific curriculum or topic. Always we consider how to honestly and faithfully live out our Baptismal vows, now more than ever!
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YOUTH FORMATION - Middle and High School
Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
OR Zoom App, Meeting ID: 795 073 836
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Youth gather for some theology, fellowship, and lively conversation before tuning into 11 a.m. worship. It’s everything you love about our Sunday morning experience, except the chicken biscuit.
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EYC - Middle and High School
Sundays, 1:30 p.m.
OR Zoom App, Meeting ID:
859 002 714
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EYC will combine both middle and high school age groups this Sunday! Join us on Zoom to catch up with Ranie and one another.
Contact Ranie
for more information.
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EASTER FORMATION - The Universal Christ, by Fr. Richard Rohr
Sundays, 7 - 8 p.m.; 4 of 8 sessions
CURRENTLY Full AND seeking interest to form another group; see below in "New Formation Opportunities"
Topic: Theology/Cosmology of Christ, Contemplative Prayer, Community
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 917 434 398 29
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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A wonderful alternative practice since this group currently is full is to listen to Fr. Rohr’s podcast,
Another Name For Every Thing. Season 1 offers chapter-by-chapter conversations about the book. Subsequent seasons delve into deeper conversations about the meaning of Christ’s universal presence.
This group (currently full) is reading and reflecting on Fr. Richard Rohr's The Universal Christ: How a forgotten reality can change everything we see, hope for, and believe.
Participants will:
- learn about a forgotten teaching of Christ;
- have opportunity to learn and engage in Christian contemplative practices;
- participate will practice growing in presence to one another through paired and group sharing
- set intentions for becoming a more loving, engaged presence in the world.
IF you are interested in participating in the NEXT group, communicate your interest to
Fr. Jenkins.
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Read the Book of Matthew in Easter
Now - Sunday, May 31
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NEW FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES
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The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr
Led by Fr. Jenkins
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Two opportunities:
- Book Discussion Group-- Richard Rohr's The Universal Christ. Interested in reading, learning and discussion with a more traditional book group format? Email Fr. Jenkins to indicate your interest. The group will set its own schedule and meeting times.
- Reading & Reflection Group-- 8 Weeks, with Fr. Jenkins -- Richard Rohr's The Universal Christ. Seeking those interested in a deeper encounter with the ideas and theology of this book. Weekly 90 minute meetings incorporate intentional settings for solo, paired, and group reflection. Email Fr. Jenkins to indicate your interest.
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Centering Prayer & "Sitting" Practice Group
Led By Fr. Jenkins
Seeking Interested Participants
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Centering Prayer
is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. It can be helpful to one's practice of centering prayer, especially at the beginning, to have periodic accountability and support through a group.
If you are interested in learning about centering prayer, about exploring possibilities for forming an online sitting group, or about other contemplative practices,
please notify Fr. Jenkins
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OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES | MAY 15 - MAY 24
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Write A Note To A Family in Need
Golden Harvest is collecting notes of encouragement for families who are struggling during the COIVD-19 crisis. The notes will be included in boxes of emergency food that are distributed across our service area. To participate, simply write a handwritten response to one of the prompts below:
- Prompt 1: Write down your favorite scripture or prayer and include a drawing that illustrates your scripture or prayer.
- Prompt 2: Write a note of encouragement and illustrate it with an image that symbolizes hope for you, like a rainbow or sunrise.
Mail notes to:
Golden Harvest Food Bank
Attn: Volunteer Notes
3310 Commerce Drive
Augusta, GA 30909
Or dropped off at the Aiken or Augusta Warehouse.
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Distribute Meals with St. Luke
Deliver breakfasts and lunches to children in need in Richmond County on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout May. Email
StephTeague@aol.com to learn how you can get involved.
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | MAY 18 - MAY 24
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Praying
Together
Audience
: A
ll - visitors, guest, and parishioners!
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
For PARENTS:
Praying with your kids / Daily Devotions from The Book of Common Prayer
Monday, May 18, 7 - 7:30 p.m.
For ALL:
Noonday Prayer Tutorial and worship
Wednesday, May 20, 12 - 12:30 p.m. Followed by Noonday Prayer at 12:30 p.m.
Daily common prayer: what it is and how to pray it
Wednesday, May 20, 7 - 7:55 p.m. Followed by Compline at 8 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Our church's deepest and strongest roots are found in daily common prayer.
The Book of Common Prayer
contains a variety of daily prayer services for both private or public
use, but few Episcopalians today are comfortable with how to pray these prayers solo or in community (in whatever form it presently takes). Praying Together offers tutorials about prayer and our prayer tradition so that everyone may learn how to pray the daily prayers of our church, giving their attention and intention to God's presence in the community of common prayer.
Contact Fr. Jenkins
if you would like to request instruction about a particular daily prayer service or at a particular time.
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Noonday Prayer
Wednesday, May 20, 12:30 p.m.
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OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Following a Noonday Prayer tutorial, are invited to gather for a Noonday Prayer Service through Zoom.
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CANTERBURY CHOIR - Just for Fun!
Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID:
859 002 714
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Just for fun, the Canterbury choir is gathering online to catch up and connect with each at their regular rehearsal time, Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
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Compline
Wednesdays, 8 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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“The Lord Almighty, grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end.”
Wednesday evenings, we will gather online to pray the service of Compline at 8 p.m. The service will be led by members of the parish and the bulletin will be presented through Zoom so all may participate. Compline is a beautiful, simple, and quiet service to end the day with on
e another in prayer with Go
d.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
Offerings Pledged this Week $15,000.00
Offerings Received this Week $32,444.09
Operating Expenses to Date $363,734.66
Total Income Received to Date $402,113.06
Stewardship Campaign:
2020 Pledge Cards Received to Date 174
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Daughters of the King Discernment Classes for New Members
Beginning in May
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The St. Ruth Byllesby Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King (DoK) will offer discernment classes for new members beginning in May.
DoK is an international prayer and service order in the Episcopal Church, and The St. Ruth Byllesby Chapter is part of the ministries of Saint Paul's Church. If you are interested in discernment classes or have questions about the DoK, please
email Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau
at or call her at (706) 910-9331.
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Forward Day by Day is here!
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The new Day by Day issue for May, June, and July has arrived. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please
contact the parish office
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Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily, "page-a-day," inspirational meditations each reflecting on a specific Bible passage from the daily lectionary readings of the Episcopal Church. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences.
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Calling all 2020 Seniors!
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Do you have a senior graduating this May?
Email Elisabeth Price
your student's name so we know who to celebrate!
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YOUTH PARENTS - Call on Me Prayer Books
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What can you offer your teens and tweens that is relevant and useful? Call On Me is a good place to begin. It is like The Book of Common Prayer but contains prayers and passages of Scripture that speak to where they are in life. We have a several of these and offer to mail them to any who request them. Please
email Fr. Jenkins
or
order your own
. The book costs $15, and while we welcome gifts we will send the book to any who request it.
"When my oldest son was experiencing a particularly difficult week as an eighth grader, I discovered him reluctant to share his bedtime prayers. He gently explained that perhaps he was now too old to say children's prayers with his parents. I suggested that he could say his prayer by himself from now on... then he confessed that he didn't know how... Call On Me is just the resource that I needed to help my son." From the author's Forward.
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Are we missing your birthday?
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