Great Gregorians,
There were 28 worshipers at last Sunday’s 8 o’clock service and 105 at the 10:30 service.
Stations of the cross, a simple supper, and the first in a Lenten program series on prayer attracted 22 parishioners this past Wednesday evening.
Coffee will be served this Sunday, March 13, in the Christian Education Building after the 10:30 service.
Each of these occurrences wouldn’t be particularly newsworthy in the olden times (before the pandemic), but this week, each has felt like a turning point for our church. I’m thankful for our ability to worship together again with friends and families and strangers, to gather again in community to give and receive support, share ideas and affection, and to learn and grow.
The revitalization of our church after a two-year hiatus necessitates some rebuilding of our infrastructure. Most immediately we need acolytes, ushers, greeters, and a coffee committee. Four acolytes and two ushers have been serving us since St. Gregory the Great reopened, but their service alone isn’t sustainable for long, before we begin to take advantage of them, and they burn out. Also, the Parish Life Committee is in need of someone to lead it, if we’re to have any parish life again. The Pastoral Care Committee needs someone to lead it, if we’re to care for our members who need our help. Please just try one of these ministries: acolyte, usher, greeter, coffee coordinator, coffee preparer, or Parish Life or Pastoral Care Committee Chair. If it turns out it isn’t a good fit for you after all, you can resign with no shame, because you will have tried. Concerned that you won’t know how to do the work? We provide training! You won’t ever have to do the work of the ministry by yourself; others will be serving with you, and God certainly will be with you in your efforts. Please just try. Email me (Jane Hudson) to volunteer to try any of these gigs, or talk with Wade McGlamery about being an acolyte, David Stooksbury about being an usher, Alice Mohor about welcoming people as they arrive for services, or Blaine Everson about providing coffee between and after services.
Finally, out of love for all of us in our parish, especially those who are less physically able, please consider parking further away from the church when you come for services, in order to leave the parking spaces closest to the church available for anyone with impaired mobility. Their impairment may not be enough to warrant handicap parking, but may be enough to make navigating any distance on foot difficult. Remember there are parking spaces at the back of the Christian Education Building, and we have an arrangement with Athens Montessori School next door that allows us to use its parking at the front of the school during the hours the school isn’t meeting. The Vestry is considering options to improve our parking lots and parking situation to make getting to worship easier for all of our members and visitors.
I wish you grace and peace.
Jane Hudson, Senior Warden
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Adult Formation THIS Sunday!
Intercession in Times of Crisis: Ukraine and Global War
Please join me (Mother Nikki) at 9:15AM in the Parish Hall for conversation and communal prayer around liturgy and the need for prayer in times of war. Grab some coffee from the Christian Education Building, snag some snacks and gather with us. We’ll simply be asking and answering questions around intercession and the liturgy, share prayer resources, and pray for the suffering in war torn communities, as well as their enemies.
Peace and joy,
Mother Nikki+
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Don't forget to set your clocks AHEAD
on Saturday, March 12, before you go to bed!
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Springtime Prayer - Lenten Spiritual Formation Program
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The world is a bit weary, right now, isn’t it? Lent is the perfect time for reflection and spiritual examination, but it’s also almost springtime, a time for renewal and rebirth. This year’s Lenten class on Wednesday evening will attempt to combine the best of both Lenten reflection and springtime renewal, and focus on the art and practice of prayer.
The Springtime Prayer Class will meet every Wednesday during Lent (March 9 through April 6), to learn more about prayer: to taste-test a buffet of different prayer practices- to examine the intersection of prayer and sacred music; to explore sensory aids and try out different physical postures; to take time-honored practices such as Luther’s Four Strand meditation and Stations of the Cross out for a test drive, and to discuss the purpose and techniques for all of the above.
Please join this class, moderated by LeeAnne Krause, on Wednesdays during Lent, starting March 9, at 6:00 pm, in the Education Building. A light meal will be provided.
Childcare can also be provided if the church is contacted by 12 noon on Tuesdays each week. (706.546.7553 or office@stgregoryathens.org)
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Wednesdays March 9, 16, 23, 30, & April 6 @ 5:30PM in the Sanctuary
Immediately prior to the Lenten class on Wednesdays, there will be an opportunity to walk the stations of the cross. The stations mark Jesus’ journey through the streets of Jerusalem from his arrest and trial to his crucifixion and burial. At each station, we pause for a brief reading and prayer.
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Children's Ministry
How wonderful it was to see 14 children join us for Children's Chapel last week! It is great to see folks re-gathering at St. Gregory's to join in community worship and fellowship once again. Remember that Sunday School for children starts this Sunday at 9:15 in the Christian Education building. We will be using "Weaving God's Promises," a children's curriculum for Episcopal churches. We hope to have two classes: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade, and 3rd- 5th Grades. Each child will have a handout to bring home so that families can do "follow-up formation" at home. Ask your child to tell you what we discussed in Sunday School. And parents: watch the newsletter for details about gatherings and fellowship for you while kids are in Sunday School.
Finally- don't forget to take one of our "Lent at Church and Home" guides to share with a special child in your life.
See you Sunday!
Mr. Doug
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As our parish begins returning to a sense of normalcy we are planning on starting some ministry programs and events for young adults (ages 18-35). In order to move forward with this we will need to update our current contact list. If you, or someone you love, would be interested in hearing more please send your contact info to Wade McGlamery and/or fill out one of our parishioner information forms in the narthex so the office has you in the church database!
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Coffee Hour Returns!
Join us in the Christian Education building this Sunday, March 13, after both the 8AM and 10:30AM services as our weekly coffee hour resumes! Grab a coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and a light snack. Come get to know some of the St. Gregory community! If you are able to host or bring a baked item for a future coffee hour, contact Melissa or Catrina to sign up. A sign up sheet will also be posted at the event.
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Now that it has become sound and safe to meet in person, all are welcome to attend a gathering for a follow-up conversation with those who have completed the Sacred Ground course, the book group for The Warmth of Other Suns, or both. Our call to address our histories, attitudes and learnings about racism as God’s Beloved Community is becoming increasingly important as our legislative bodies seek to suppress conversation about race at every institutional level. The call to see and address racism in our own lives and community is real.
Our initial meeting will be at 12:30 to 2PM on Sunday March 27 in the Parish Hall, giving those who attend church at 10:30 a chance to pick up some lunch (or bring a sack lunch from home) and return. Having attended one of the above programs is NOT a prerequisite for coming to the meeting. There could be future Sacred Ground or book groups started depending on interest. The following links provide some background information and food for thought: Sacred Ground and Becoming Beloved Community.
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a better world
for people to
come together
depends upon
when and whether
we work to bring
god’s kingdom here
with love for all
to conquer fear
acknowledging
what is unjust
persisting then
in all we must
to change the hearts
of those we know
and those we would
choose to forego
alice mohor
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The Flower Guild invites you to help us adorn the nave in celebration of the resurrection of Christ. We would welcome more hands for the Easter Workday Saturday, April 16 10:00-1:00. Whether you are adept at floral arranging or are willing to "tote and fetch", you will be welcomed with open arms!
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Instructions for Live Streaming
- Just go to the St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church
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Near the time for service, underneath our channel logo, you will see our video for that day, with the word ‘live’ on it. The page will look like this:
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If you don’t immediately see the video that says ‘live’, (for instance, if you opened YouTube before the service begins) keep refreshing it. To ‘refresh’ go up to the top of your screen and on the left or right of the web address you will see this image (little curvy arrow to the right -->). Click on it to ‘refresh.’
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When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it.
Welcome to worship!
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Meeting Opportunities
Parish community offerings via Zoom or in person:
*Spring Hatha Yoga Class (Jan 10 – May 30, 2022) in person Mondays, 6:00-7:00 PM, Parish Hall or Zoom Passcode: 509230
The class is free, donations to the church are welcome
*Please bring a yoga mat*
Stacie Court hosts "Let's Chat!" for women of the parish. The days and time vary, and not everyone can join every time, but everyone is welcome to join whenever they can! Email Stacie!
Book Club first Friday of the month @ 7PM ongoing for the foreseeable future. Email Lois Alworth if you are interested in participating.
Lectionary Discussion Group via Zoom, every Thursday at 6:00pm. Email Ken Taylor if you are interested in participating.
*Threads of Prayer is back in person, starting March 15 @1PM! We'll meet outside if the weather is good and inside the Christian Ed building if the weather is bad. Email Annette Bates if you are interested in participating. All knitters and crocheters welcome! (Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month)
* group(s) now meeting in person
Other groups have been meeting via Zoom as well, so if you've got a group already meeting in Zoom rooms, and want to widen your circle, let Kendall know so we can get the word out there!
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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