Dear People of Saint Paul's,

Being together matters tremendously, and is once again becoming dangerous. For the last couple of months, we have enjoyed a gradual loosening of restrictions regarding the pandemic. It has been a joy to gather together again for worship, fellowship, ministry, and formation. As I'm sure you have noticed, we are no longer enjoying a steep decline in cases; COVID cases in the CSRA have increased immensely in the last couple of weeks.

We are committed to continuing to be together, especially for worship. And we need to do so as responsibly as possible. The moral logic in a pandemic is a little different from how many of us are used to thinking of health. We all may make our own personal risk calculations, but our lives are deeply connected and the decisions we make impact the well-being of others. So, we are asking for some actions that may be more cautious than your own personal risk tolerance would require. The vestry had adopted a mitigation plan for a time when cases were going down. We have now decided to follow those same mitigations as cases go back up. If it becomes clear that the Omicron variant is less severe, and hospitalizations and deaths do not follow case trends as closely as in the past, the Gathering Safely Committee will reconvene to consider what is most appropriate.

According to the metrics we are currently using, we are in the red for COVID risk. In the immediate term, this most visibly means that the choir will no longer sing in procession, communion will mostly be distributed from the crossing, some social events are moving outside, parishioners are encouraged to sit spaced out from each other in the nave, and we respectfully request that you wear a mask inside the church buildings. For those who need to stay home, we will continue streaming our liturgies and will do all we can to make the church's life accessible. If we have to move more of our life online and outside, we will do so. But what we do together matters, and so we will do all we can to keep doing it.

In the meantime, if you have not been vaccinated or boosted because of logistical challenges, the church can help. We can provide you with childcare, transportation, assistance in booking an appointment, and even cover a little bit of lost wages. Contact me if you need this kind of support.

Pray for our healthcare workers, the sick who are known and unknown to us, and all of us who are so weary, frustrated, and overwhelmed. God is still here, even in this mess, among us and in us.

Eric+

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.