Happy New Year, Beloveds!
I think Jesus and the church both like to mess with our sense of time. The beginning of the church year is at the end of calendar year, and the middle of our academic years. Jesus, is telling us about the deadly and distressing apocalypse and his second coming, right as we’re about to remember and celebrate his first. For me, (and maybe for you too), this is jarring, disorienting…keeps me off balance. In response, I want to grab onto some stability, predictability…some certainty. But author, Lutheran pastor, and theologian Nadia Bolz-Webber reminds me that, in Advent, maybe the lack of certainty and predictability are ok. Maybe it’s even what Jesus was going for. In her article titled “That Thieving Christ and Advent,” (Sojourners, Dec. 1, 2010), she says this:
Like when our ears already know the story we might miss the fact that Jesus then says be ready, for the "Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." Maybe just maybe being awake and alert and expectant has nothing to do with knowing and certainty, and has a lot to do with being in a state of un-knowing -- of having what Richard Rhor calls a beginner's mind. Maybe we use our knowingness -- our certainty that we're right -- as a sort of loss-prevention program -- a system by which we actually protect ourselves from the unknown and the unexpected. That is to say, maybe it isn't certainty at all, but a spiritual not-knowing that is what "being ready for Jesus" looks like. And maybe to me that's a little scary.
Because here's the thing: Like the house owner, knowing what to look for -- as a way of avoiding being robbed -- is only advantageous if we assume being robbed is a bad thing. Perhaps having an un-knowing beginner brain allows us to be taken unaware by the grace of God … the grace of God which is like a thief in the night. When we actually don't know what to look for, everything that happens to us is the unexpected. Perhaps the good news here is that Jesus has been staking the joint, and there will be a break-in….
Then as we listen to our sacred story this Advent let us tune out not only the noise of cultural Christmas, but also our own assumptions and expectations about what we think this story means. Let us listen together with beginner's ears -- with ears that listen for God's surprising grace. The kind of grace which will knock the wind out of you.
This Advent, may we be bowled over by God’s grace, and have our fall broken by Love Incarnate! And Happy Liturgical New Year!! (And if you want to read Nadia Bolz-Webber’s whole article, which I highly recommend, click here).
Blessings and peace,
Mo. Nikki+
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Parish Offices will be closed from Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26.
HAPPY THANKGIVING!
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All households are invited to make an Advent wreath after the 10:30 service on Sunday, November 28. This is for adults, youth, and children. Lunch will be provided. $20 per wreath. Bring pruning shears if you have them. Please contact Catherine Drewry to sign up 706-201-7241 or cbdrewry@gmail.com and note any dietary restrictions or preferences and the number of people who will be participating from your household so that she gets enough food!
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The awesome flower guild met on Tuesday to GREEN the sanctuary in preparation for Advent. This awesome group of people are so talented and work hard to make the sanctuary look beautiful! Don't you want to be a part of this wonderful ministry? If so, contact Lane Norton!
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Adult Spiritual Formation Advent Program
This Advent season you are invited to join us in an Adult Spiritual Formation program of reflection on what the past two years have been like for us and our own Beloved Community at St. Gregory’s. Life has changed for each and all of us, and we hope that by offering some time together with selected Psalms and poems, readings from the Book of Lamentations, and a selection of traditional Spirituals, we will be inspired to embark on some honest conversation about our sadness, our anger and our hope for what lies ahead.
We will meet for the three session program at St. Gregory’s on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 on December 1, 8, and 15. The same three session program will be offered on Sunday mornings (Dec 5, 12, 19) from 9:15 to 10:15. You can come to either, both, or a mix as your schedule permits. At both times there will be water and coffee available and feel free to bring along your dinner, breakfast or a snack as you need or desire.
As per St. Gregory’s current protocols, masks will be required by all participants.
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Be sure to come to church on Sunday, December 5 -- St. Nicholas is visiting at the 10:30AM service! |
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Children and Youth Theater Group |
Parents! Children and youth are meeting from 9:30 - 10:15 each Sunday for our theater group. We are playing games, learning Christmas carols, creating sets, and role playing in preparation for our Christmas Eve pageant. Everyone is masked. Please contact Catherine Drewry to sign up or assist: 706-201-7241 cbdrewry@gmail.com
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STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
For those who have already pledged this year, thank you for your generosity. For those who are intending to pledge, no worries, there’s still time. For those who cannot pledge money at this time due to financial constraints, always remember God loves us, from the top of our heads to the tips of our toes, whether we give or don’t give.
Here is the pledge summary for years 2020 – 2022.
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Additional pledge revenue required to fund the
Strategic Visioning* Budget, = $179,883
Total revenue required to fund the Strategic Visioning Budget = $469,165
Projected all other Revenue = $39,000
(Loose Plate, Non-Pledge Trend, Other, & Building Use)
Total pledge required to fund Strategic Visioning Budget = $430,165
Calculation: $469,165 - $39,000 = $430,165
Total additional pledge required calculation: $430,165 - $288,514 = $141,651
The Strategic Visioning Budget includes the items listed below.
- Funding to pay for a person to operate the live streaming equipment
- Funding to pay a youth minister
- Fund the youth program ministry
- A 5.9% cost of living increase for all employees (they did not receive one last year)
- Increase the Local Outreach budget from $7,000 to $12,240 as requested.
- Increase other parish program budgets (many of which were cut in 2020) to meet the Strategic Visioning Plan.
*The Strategic Visioning Plan, also referred to as “Nourish, Grow, Go” comes directly from what we as a parish heard God dream for us at the parish-wide listening sessions in 2019. The Strategic Visioning/Nourish, Grow, Go Plan can be found on our website at Nourish, Grow, Go! — St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church
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COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS
Thanks to generous donors and volunteers, Community Christmas has been able to help local children living in poverty, even as we weather the pandemic. We are continuing to carefully interview applicants for assistance to be sure all donations are used in a responsible way. Volunteers have planned another great toy distribution day in mid-December, and we are also assisting families who qualify with bills like rent or utilities. Our hope is this will help ensure children not only have toys under the tree, but also a roof over their heads, and water, lights, and heat. The needs our families are facing are greater than ever. Your prayers are needed. And, if you are able to give financially, know that any amount you can donate is appreciated and will help.
Community Christmas of Oglethorpe County, Inc.
143 Bowen Farm Rd.
Crawford, GA 30630
Gifts of new toys and other fun items for boys and girls ranging in age from infants to high schoolers can be dropped off before December 15th at the main office of the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department Monday – Friday, 9-5, at any of the area schools, at the Crawford branch of The Commercial Bank, or with Toys for Tots. If you would like to help with the toy collection and distribution, please contact me with a text at 706-201-7241 or email OglethorpeCommunityChristmas@gmail.com . If you know local families with children who need assistance this year, please ask them to consult our webpage for application information.
Your continued support is so appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Catherine Bowen Drewry, Co-Chair, with Shirley Dillard
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advent
ordinary
time is now past
as we prepare
for one forecast
by recalling
what was to come
when power made
the privileged numb
to the humble
and faithful mass
imprisoned in
their lower class
who longed to be
set free to love
by someone sent
from god above
alice mohor
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Contribution Envelopes
2022 contribution envelopes are available on the dresser in the Parish Hall entrance way. We have not ordered many because history has shown very few St. Gregorians use them. If you wish to use these next year, please write your name next to the # of box that you take. Please note people last year already have boxes spoken for. Leave those boxes for them. If you had a box of envelopes last year and do not want/need them this year, please cross off your name so we know that box is available.
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Zoom Meeting Opportunities
Parish community offerings via Zoom:
Sunday yoga ! for fall (Aug-Dec), via Zoom, 4:00pm, 30-45 minutes. Chair Yoga taught on the first Sunday of each month. Contact Anna Hiers (aldhiers@gmail.com) for more information. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97745366532 Meeting ID: 977 4536 6532 Passcode: 3195
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, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month @ 1PM. 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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