This Sunday we begin a new program year, with a full suite of active ministry opportunities and a slight tweak to the Sunday schedule. A full invitation into ministry at Saint Paul's this year is attached to this email. I hope you'll read that invitation prayerfully, asking where God is inviting you to engage and deepen. The schedule change is not drastic--we aren't changing any liturgy times. Instead, we're just opening the door a little wider to enjoy the full morning of worship, fellowship, service, and growth.

Our spoken Rite 1 liturgy at 8:00 will be followed immediately by a hot breakfast (right now, Bojangles biscuits) at 9:00. At 9:25, rehearsals for children and youth choirs begin, followed at 10:00 by formation programs for children and middle schoolers. Adults will transition from breakfast to bible study at 9:30--we're starting the year with a study of 1 Corinthians. Then the choir returns this Sunday to help lead our 11:00 Rite 2 liturgy. On this first Sunday of the program year, worship at 11:00 is followed by a low country boil in the River Room. Then after a quick nap, the Celtic service is at 5:30. We hope you'll join us for as much of this as you can, and give real thought and prayer to the attached invitation. It's going to be a great day and a great year.

We are pleased to announce that the Saint Paul’s nursery is open for children 6 months to 4 years of age. The nursery will be available on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:30 a.m. to allow parents to attend formation. If you have any questions about the nursey, please contact the parish office. Miss Connie and Miss Jenna are all VERY EXCITED to welcome you back!

11 AM Rite II - In person

11 AM Facebook Live

Busy morning? Breakfast with your friends at Saint Paul's instead! We've added Bojangles Bo-Berry & Chicken Biscuits to our Continental Breakfast.

The Canterbury Choir (children in grades 3-9 and the St. Nicholas Choir (age 5 through grade 2) begin rehearsals next Sunday, August 14, 9:25 - 10:00 AM. This year there is no weekday rehearsal for the children’s choir; all rehearsals are scheduled on Sunday mornings to accommodate busy family schedules!

Singing in the choir gives youth and children a lifetime love for music and their own connection to worship.

If you or any family or friends are interested in the choir program please email Director of Music, Keith Shafer or call (706) 724-2485 ext. 215.

Join us as we begin a new formation series on 1 Corinthians. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians shows Paul trying to pastor a young, gifted, divided church from afar. Drawing on some of the leading commentators on Paul, we’ll read together to see how he addressed problems and promise in Corinth, and how this might apply to us today. If you’re both talented and imperfect, or belong to a community that is talented and imperfect, this bible study is for you.

This is a pastoral care project for our children and youth.

Wear your old clothes as we will be painting flowerpots. This is part of a ministry caring for our parishioners who are homebound.

This is the second part of our pastoral care project. We will plant flowers in the pots we painted. Then, each child and youth member will take a flowerpot to a parishioner who is homebound. We will begin the year by spreading the love!

The Parish Life Committee invites to you to "Gather by the River" with your parish family as we kick-off our fall program year next Sunday, September 14, following the 11 AM service.

This Sunday

OR use the link below to purchase online.

Tickets purchased in advance are $45/ person which is a savings of $5 per ticket.

Childcare will be available.

Please support the Oktoberfest fund raising efforts by purchasing tickets and contributing to the silent auction or live auction items with all proceeds to support our community outreach efforts.

The Oktoberfest auction booklet and bid sheets are currently being prepared. If you plan to donate an item or service, now is the time to email Marilyn Grau to get your donation listed in the booklet.  If you have a photo of the item, please include that, with an estimated value. If you are offering a service, please send details, including dates of availability, if applicable.

Also, will the person who offered to donate sailing lessons please contact Marilyn again? Thank you! 🙂

For additional ticket information, please contact Melissa Friedman or by telephone at (443) 528-9149.

Rob Foster, flutist, is our guest musician this week.

The Church is open daily from 9 AM-3 PM for prayer and quiet reflection. To do that well in our neighborhood, we could use some volunteers who are on hand to greet people. Bring a book or your journal, or just enjoy the quiet time to reflect & pray yourself, and then welcome guests as they arrive. Please sign up using the link below. We're suggesting that volunteers work in teams, but that is not necessary. Contact the parish office with any questions.

Join us for our monthly fellowship dinner, Wednesday, August 17, 6-7 PM catered by Cordially Invited. On the menu: Mixed Green Salad, BBQ Glazed Pork Loin, Southern-Style Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Mac and Cheese, Dinner Rolls, and Dessert. Please RSVP using the link below. Donations accepted.

The Saint Paul’s Choir (older teens and adults) begins rehearsals next Wednesday, August 10, 7 PM and will sing next Sunday, August 14.

Auditions are not required to join the choir. You don’t have to be a soloist or even a member of Saint Paul’s. If you can sing and blend with others, email Director of Music, Keith Shafer or call (706) 724-2485 ext. 215.

Thursdays begin in the Chapel with a reading or other offering to enhance this space before the “Sit” begins. After the 20-minute Sit, an open discussion follows until 8:00 PM. This is an open group with no limit on the number of participants. Please email Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau or contact by phone at (706) 910-9331 for further information and/or to enroll in the sit.

We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, August 21 at the Celtic Service. All who wish to be baptized or would like more information about baptism are invited to contact Fr. Eric.

Sign up now for Ironman Swim Gear Drop Team, September 25, 5 AM, 5th Street Marina — Each year volunteers from Saint Paul’s greet athletes and help them with their bags on race morning at the Swim Gear Drop. We have the opportunity to fellowship with the athletes before they get in the water and encourage them before they start their race. It is an exciting time and a powerful ministry. This is an official Ironman volunteer opportunity and our participation in this event makes us eligible for a grant from the Ironman Foundation which funds our Ironman hospitality expenses on Ironman Sunday. To sign up to volunteer for the Swim Gear Drop use the button below and once on the Ironman Volunteer signup page and enter Password: SP2022.

Parents of college students, the Daughters of the King have requested addresses for our college students so that they may send notes and small surprises to them during the year. As your children register for housing for the fall semester, please forward updated mailing addresses to the Parish Office. For more information, contact DOK President, Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau.

Children and Youth Open House: Come on over to the Children’s Ministry Center for an ice cream sundae extravaganza. We will have an ice cream sundae station with ice cream, syrup, whipped cream, and ALL the toppings. You will have time to visit our classrooms, register your child, and hear about this exciting time in the life of Saint Paul’s.

EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) KICK-OFF: Youth (6th-12th) and parents are invited to the Butler home for supper and games on the lawn. We will have a chance to hear about the mission trip to Ecuador next summer and hear about plans for the year ahead. It has been a long hiatus, but we are back and excited to be together

again!

August 17 - Wednesday Night Supper

August 22 - Vestry Meeting

August 27 - Master's Table Soup Kitchen

The Masters Table Soup Kitchen at 702 Fenwick Street will be staffed by Saint Paul’s Church volunteers on Saturday, August 27th. This will be an opportunity to get to know other parishioners while preparing and serving hot meals to our guests in the community that are food insecure.

We need 6 volunteers to prepare the food from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM and 12 volunteers to serve the food in the dining room from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Preparing the food in the kitchen is limited to those 18 and over and involves slicing and dicing and assisting with the cooking. Serving involves plating the food cafeteria style, serving the guests and cleanup.

If you wish to serve, please RSVP using the button link below or contacting Al or Laraine Yarbrough by August 22.

The Parish Office is updating our parish directory and has hired Alison Nesbitt to assist us in the collection of data. If you have not receive a call from her, please contact the parish office by email or by telephone at (706) 724-2485, so that we may update our parish records or add you to our records. .

The Vestry has approved a plan for gathering safely. This plan is available using the link below and on our website. Clergy, vestry, and regathering committee members will continue to monitor the situation and publicize precautions and changes.