This weekend, we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord. At the darkest time of year, when we need it most, the light of Christ comes into the world, shining in our hearts and through us to the world. This year, Christmas comes just as we may be entering into another (metaphorically) dark time as a new variant arrives and cases rise across the country and the CSRA. 

The last couple of years have shown us what a privilege it is to be able to gather together for worship, fellowship, and service. What we may have taken for granted has become precious. And it is again under threat. Local medical leaders are predicting a steep rise in cases, but are hopeful that there will not be a steep rise in hospitalizations. Baked into this hope is some preliminary readings on omicron’s severity, but also a greater knowledge of how to mitigate the spread of the disease.  

I will remind you that the CDC recommends that in places of substantial community spread, people wear masks in indoor congregate settings regardless of vaccination status. I will certainly be wearing a mask this weekend and we will have disposable masks available for any who need them. Our early Christmas Eve service is unlikely to have the same amount of room for spacing as we have gotten used to on Sunday mornings. For some, it may be wiser to join us online at 4:00 and 10:00, or on the radio at 10:00. It won’t be the same, but this option has the full blessing of the church. Saint Paul’s current mitigation strategies are specifically for a time when covid cases are declining; if the rise continues, that group will reconvene to reconsider. 

And still, in our fear and frustration, our anger and uncertainty, Christ will come. A broken world and broken hearts are precisely the places he most seeks. Christmas will happen, Christ will come, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it. Glory to God on high, because God has stooped even to the manger, even to our hearts. 

Eric+

Dear People of Saint Paul's: 

At the Vestry's regularly scheduled monthly meeting this week, we tackled a number of important items. Endowment Committee Chair Monty Osteen talked with us about the Saint Paul's Endowment, its history, its purpose, and its balance. We are fortunate to have such a well-funded endowment and a well-versed committee. The Strategic Planning Committee was created following the original listening sessions with the Rev. Becky Rowell. After some initial work, the Committee opted for a hiatus to allow for the input of the new rector and to allow time for us to begin to heal.  Happily, the work has resumed.  The Vestry has accepted the Strategic Planning Committee's "Goals and Gaps" and will establish a committee to present them to the congregation and to plan for implementation. The Vestry has also received an excellent draft of a comprehensive Memorial Policy. We will not adopt a Policy until after the congregation has had a chance to review and discuss the plan. We will mail a copy of the draft at the beginning of January. As the budget process for next year continues, I can report that as of December 13th, we have received 126 pledges for approximately $636,000, which includes 82 increased pledges over last year and 17 new pledges. Thank you to all for your prayerful consideration of support to the Church. Our work is not yet complete, but we are encouraged.  

As you can tell from the agenda items above, there is a lot happening at Saint Paul's. To ensure that all of the information is being provided to the congregation in detail and with the opportunity to ask questions, we plan to utilize the Sunday Formation hours in January to address these topics and as preparation for the Annual Business Meeting. There is no formation scheduled on January 2. On January 9, Monty Osteen will lead us in a review of the endowments. On January 16, we will discuss the draft Memorial Policy. On January 23, we will present the Strategic Plan draft. On January 30, we will convene for the Business Meeting (the official annual meeting is Easter Monday pursuant to our Charter).  The Vestry invites and encourages everyone, including those who are not able to regularly attend formation, to attend these Sunday morning meetings. These topics and opportunities are responsive to the feedback and requests that we received during our listening sessions.  Please join us for these important conversations.  

I wish you all a merry, safe and holy Christmas. God bless us, everyone.  

Ashley Wright 

Senior Warden

If you’ve been baptized but not confirmed, or were confirmed elsewhere and now consider the Episcopal Church your home, join us to take the next step of Confirmation or Reception. (For more detailed information, read Fr. Eric's letter of invitation here.)

Confirmation is a mature affirmation of faith, a responsible renewal of the promises made (perhaps on our behalf) at Baptism, and an invitation to go deeper, to take the next step. To wrestle seriously with the questions that matter most and then make a deeper commitment to keep pursuing these questions with this group of people, in this way of living the questions. Confirmation is not an end—it is a commitment to continue.

Reception is the Rite for those who have been confirmed in another Christian communion/denomination and want officially to become Episcopalians. The promises to be reaffirmed are the same as Confirmation and Baptism. If confirmed in another denomination, Reception is the process of joining the Episcopal Church.

Everyone who wishes to take a class to prepare for Confirmation or Reception will be accommodated, but we need to know who you are, fast. Signal your interest by emailing Fr. Eric by Thursday, December 23.

Bishop Logue will next be at Saint Paul’s on Thursday, February 10, 2022, for the Celebration of New Ministry (sometimes called the Installation of a new rector) and for Confirmation. We won’t see him again at Saint Paul’s after that 2023.

Offerings or Special Gifts of cash/check must be dated and postmarked no later than December 31, 2021 to qualify as 2021 charitable contributions. Please note the office will be closed on Friday, December 31. For gifts (transfers) of stock or other securities, or other questions, contact Elisabeth Price or (706) 724-2485 ext. 225. 

Year-end statements will be sent by end of January.

The Finance Committee and the Vestry are beginning the work of preparing the 2022 budget. Your pledge allows them to prepare a more accurate budget. If you have not yet completed a pledge card, please prayerfully consider your pledge to a momentous year. Pledge cards are available in the Narthex and by contacting the parish office. You may also pledge online using the link below.

88 Increase (22 new), 5 Decrease, 37 no change

as of 12/22/2021

Offerings received this Week $12,393.90

Operating Expenses to Date $865,370.59

Total Income Received to Date $887,826.89

The Vestry Nominating Committee is seeking candidates whom you believe would make outstanding Vestry members for Saint Paul's. If you'd like to suggest someone, including yourself, please contact retiring Senior Warden Ashley Wright. Prior to nominating someone else, please discuss with them their interest and willingness to serve in this role.

The basic responsibilities of the Vestry are:

We expect to elect for three full three-year terms and the remaining year of Matt Gullette’s unexpired term. If the new senior warden comes from the current vestry, we may have an additional unexpired term to fill.

To be eligible for the Vestry, a nominee must answer "yes" to all of the following questions.

Each nominee slated to run for election to the Vestry will be invited to share a profile with the parish via our regular parish communications including the weekly newsletter.

A Note on Eligibility: It was recently brought to our attention that some of our election practices vary from what is required in the diocesan canons (church law in our diocese). Conversations with the Bishop’s staff have clarified the language that will bring our practices into alignment with diocesan canons. On page 19 of the attached Constitution and Canons, those eligible for election are those “confirmed adults in good standing eighteen years of age or older enrolled in the Congregation” (Canon 2.1). Those eligible to vote in an election are “those confirmed adults enrolled in the Congregation who are in good standing and who have reached the age of sixteen” (Canon 2.3). Those already in the process of being confirmed or received and otherwise eligible, are eligible to run and vote while waiting for the bishop’s next visit.

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.