Dearly Beloved,
In the wake of continued violence and suffering, (i.e. Laguna, CA; Buffalo, NY; Syria; Afghanistan; Ukraine, and all other war torn countries), while we may not be able to in-person, we can in spirit. We can pray daily for the comfort of the bereaved, the healing of the wounded and traumatized, and the conversion to peace for the perpetrators. We can pray daily for the wisdom of those in government. And we can pray for God's will to always be done. We can vote and write our representatives, and make our voices heard with friends and acquaintances, even if it's to agree to disagree in love. And we can LISTEN, because even those with whom we disagree are part of God's story. We can do this because of the Holy Spirit within us. We can do this because we are never without Christ's power and presence. We can do this because this is who we are, the Beloved of God in relationship and reconciliation and (boundaried if need be) restoration with everybody else, because they are ALSO Beloved of God. We are not helpless...we are partners with God in the hard work of love and forgiveness; healing and justice.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that
we are born to eternal life. Amen.
healing and blessings to you,
Mo. Nikki+
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MONTHLY PARISH MOVIE NIGHT! TONITE!
Join us as we bring back the monthly parish movie night! Movie nights will be held on the third Friday of each month in Parish Hall and begin at 7pm. Our first movie night will be May 20th and we will be showing the 1985 classic, Back to the Future!
BLINDSPOT MOVIE NIGHT
Calling all those in our Blindspot (20s and 30s)! Join us at University 16 cinemas to see Dr. Strange: Multiverse of Madness on Friday, May 27! (time TBD)
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Confirmation Classes
Confirmation classes continue this Sunday, May 22, immediately following the 10:30AM service. We'll meet for 8 weeks, although not all 8 will be consecutive.
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Labyrinth Committee Meeting
The Labyrinth Committee will meet this Sunday, May 22, in the library, immediately following the 10:30AM service. If you would like to participate in the creation of a permanent labyrinth on the grounds of St. Gregory’s or have ideas pertaining to such (i.e. where/what shape/what materials), please join us!
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God has come to help his people! |
Adult Spiritual Formation meets this Sunday, May 15, to continue our exploration of the Gospel of Luke with Chapter 7. All are welcome in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 with no need to have attended earlier sessions. Bibles will be available but feel free to bring your own favorite.
The Spiritual Formation Committee will meet on Sunday, June 12, after the 10:30 am service in the small conference room in the Parish Hall. All are welcome to join.
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Parish Administrator Vacation |
Kendall will be out of the office from Monday, May 23 - Thursday, May 26. |
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THERE WILL BE NO SPIRITUAL FORMATION CLASS THIS SUNDAY, MAY 22
Please join us for a Spiritual Formation series on the intersection of faith and nature. The series will have different presenters on an array of topics over 5 weeks on Sunday afternoons/evenings.
5/15, 6:45 pm, Celtic Traditions, Ellen Richardson (at their home)
5/29, 2:30 pm, Buddhism and Nature, Gene Ruffin
6/5, 6:30 pm, Faith in Action, Tyra Byers
6/12, 7pm Hildegard and Teilhard, the Green Mystics, Lee Ann Pingel (@ St. G's)
6/19, TBA, Creation Care, Jason Roberts
Each session will be about an hour (plus travel time if the session is not at the church) and will include a presentation, some meditative practice in nature, some group conversation/reflection on the program, and some communal liturgy.
The next session on May 29th will be an introduction to Buddhist, Interbeing, and Nature led by Gene Ruffin. The session will explore some of the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh through meditation, liturgy, and discussion. It will be held at St. Gregory at 2:30 pm.
The third session on June 5th will be led by Tyra Byers and will focus on practical ways in which we can respond in faith to the climate crisis. This session will be held at Ron and Jane's farm.
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You are invited! Get a sneak peek at The Wright House, the new Episcopal Center at The University of Georgia, during its Open House on June 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is required. Please click here to register.
The June 11 open house is the only open-to-the-public event planned for The Wright House which will be occupied by students prior to the fall semester. The 123-bedroom facility, which features a bathroom for each bedroom, includes onsite parking, bike storage, a fitness facility, study spaces, and an indoor common kitchen and coffee bar. It will also have extensive outdoor common areas adjacent to the building and on the green roof deck.
The new building is named in honor of Bishop Rob Wright, for his steadfast support for children, youth, and college ministries. It sits on the site of the former Episcopal Center and chapel in the heart of The University of Georgia campus at the corner of University Court and South Lumpkin Street.
** If there is anyone with a van willing to volunteer themselves and their vehicle for rides to and from the UGA campus Presbyterian Church parking lot to the Wright House, please let Kendall know ASAP. **
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GAME NIGHT
All youth (6th-12th grade) are invited to a monthly game night in the youth room at 6pm on the first Saturday of each month, beginning on June 4th. Come, bring your friends and a favorite snack!
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A For People Special Release
These are tough conversations. These are holy conversations. We invite you to listen, reflect, and share this episode.
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May 22 from 3:30-5pm at St. Anne's ATL
Join Bishop Wright and the young people of our diocese and celebrate their achievment.
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A worship experience led by youth with The Imagine Church Team. A new worship song Wednesdays at 8pm ET for 5 weeks.
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It is true,
I must confess
That we need folks
To help process us
To the alter.
In rows we go
A sacred flow.
As hearts, unite
With delight
In his communion.
A holy duty
To serve as usher
And, help the Church avoid a crusher.
Humbly, I beseech the,
To volunteer would be so peachy!
We need 8 more! If you would like to volunteer, and/or coordinate, please contact Anna Hiers, vestry liaison to the Worship Committee, via email or @ 706-340-9799. Training will be provided.
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The 2022 St. Gregory the Great Summer Bible School information is here!
Dates and Times: July 18-21, 5:30 - 7:30
Theme: Compassion Camp
Compassion Camp is a program where kids and families explore what it means to have compassion for others, ourselves, and the world.
From the Director's Guide:
As we look around the world, our deep need for compassion becomes more evident with each passing day, perhaps now more than ever. Compassion Camp’s goal is to cultivate compassion for each other, ourselves, and the world. We will examine different places in our lives where we can cultivate compassion. Using each of the Compassion Camp components, we’ll explore themes of compassion as they relate to each session’s scripture.
Thanks to some of our faithful Children's Ministry volunteers who reviewed various curriculums and gave input to our selection. Please mark your calendar for Bible School, and share the news with friends who may be interested. As is our tradition, Compassion Camp will be open to all ages. Watch for future announcements about roles we will need filled in order to make "camp" happen.
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Coffee Hour!
Due to the lack of volunteers, there may or may not be coffee hour on any given Sunday. 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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wider
to see old friends
or friends still new
in-person or
in youtube view
lifts our spirits
beyond the height
that we once felt
when out of sight
inside our homes
away from friends
with morning prayer
to sorrow cleanse
but pushing on
by fits and starts
we build our church
and fill our hearts
alice mohor
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Blindspot Group Chat
Send your name and phone number to Wade McGlamery at 770-624-4837 to be added to the group chat for our 20s and 30s group! Make sure you have downloaded WhatsApp.
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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 23, 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, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month @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!
* 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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