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Dearly Beloved,
Just a heads’ up for some wonderful people you’ll see in April and and on through the summer…
-Please do join us as we want a raucous Welcome Home and a full house for former rector of St. Gregory the Great, and retired Bishop, the Right Reverend Porter Taylor, Palm Sunday, 9:15am in the Parish Hall.
-Ain’t no party like an Episcopalian party because an Episcopalian party DON’T STOP (with Easter Day😍). No! The Easter Celebration continues with the Trey Clegg Singers rockin’ God’s House with a gospel music service the Sunday following Easter Sunday…that’s April 16, at our ONE service that Sunday 10am. April 16,10am. Come get your holy groove on, and let’s raise the roof!
-Get ready for summer fun, April 30th - July 31st with amazing guest priests, the Rev. Bob Dentler, (y’all remember him?) and our very own phenomenal Rev. Ellen Richardson and Rev. Carol Schwenke. They will be covering for me while I am on my first EVER sabbatical. Yippee!! Priests are supposed to have those every 7 years, yet I’m on year 15 of ordination, with this being my first. I’m not going out of the country, but there will be travel and independent study. I’ll return fresh and ready to roll Tuesday, August 1st! And I know you, my Beloved church family will do what you always do, no matter who is the face and voice of God in our services of worship, because you’re awesome! You’ll continue to have church and be church, because that’s just who you are. That’s I’m so blessed to walk this journey of faith in your company. So much love to you!! I thank God for you!
Blessings,
Mo. Nikki+
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Greatly Beloved,
In Christ, we are family. A great many people in many denominations are journeying together through Lent. With that in mind, it's been made possible that we travel through Lent not only as this church family at St. Gregory the Great, but also together as a diocesan family, in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. Join us, as we walk with +Bishop Robert Wright through this blessed season (see links below). I invite you to watch the Bishop's videos and keep a journal of the discussion questions. Happy Lent, week 5!
Blessings and peace,
Mo. Nikki+
https://episcopalatlanta.org/lent23/ (scroll down to week 5)
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The cloth labyrinth will be out in Parish Hall from Sunday, April 2 (after church) through Good Friday, April 7. Please come and walk the labyrinth at your leisure, when other events are not going on in Parish Hall, during Holy Week.
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It is a time-worn tradition of the Triduum (the one service containing three liturgies which include Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter) to hold vigil in prayer from Thursday evening (April 6) at 8PM through Friday morning (April 7) at 9AM, keeping company with the suffering Christ. Sign up for the vigil will be in the narthex.
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Resurrection of Parish Life!
Maggie Reinberger and Shelby Welch are vestry liaisons for Parish Life, and now we are looking to form a committee! After 3 years of inactivity we are ready to start celebrating our life together. The Parish Life Committee is responsible for receptions; for special occasions, including baptisms, funerals, and parish celebrations. Committee members organize, set up and clean up after events. Not every member will have to participate in every event, or in every aspect of the events. Our first event will be a reception after the Easter Sunday service on April 9. If you are interested in supporting this committee, please contact one of us, Maggie Reinberger, 706-338-1471 or via email or Shelby Welch, 706-224-2835, or via email.
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If you wish to dedicate an Easter lily in honor/thanksgiving of someone living or in remembrance of someone deceased, please complete the yellow form found in your bulletin or in the narthex and leave the form and your donation in the offering plate or in Kendall’s office. The suggested donation is $15/lily. The deadline is Tuesday, April 4.
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Please note the additional question we ask on the form (or let Kendall know in an email):
Would you like to keep your lily after Easter or have it given to Pastoral Care to take to one of our shut-ins?
**
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The Parish Life Committee will host a festive reception in the Parish Hall after the 10AM service on Easter Day.
The committee will furnish a cake, but we would welcome food offerings from the congregation! Suggestions include cookies, small sandwiches, veggies, fruit, cheese and crackers, etc.
Please note that we will use disposable items at this event because no one wants to spend their Easter Sunday afternoon doing dishes; however, we are committed to being as environmentally responsible as possible in the future.
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Confirmation Classes
Confirmation classes continue this Sunday, March 26, at 12 noon. Bring a lunch! We will meet in the Parish Hall. If you’re interested in being confirmed, reaffirmed, received, or an adult wishing to be baptized, please come! We will meet March 12, 19, 26, April 16, & 23.
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FLOWER GUILD MEETING - Rescheduled from last week
The Flower Guild will meet in the room next to Kendall’s office after the 10:30AM service this Sunday, March 26.
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Wednesdays March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, & April 5 @ 5:30PM in the Sanctuary
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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SEVEN DEADLY SINS IN MEDIA
Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29
If you need childcare, you must let the office (Kendall) know by the Monday prior to the Wednesday you are attending the class, or just let her know by February 27 if you know you will need childcare for all 5 Wednesdays.
This Lent, LeeAnne Krause will be reprising the "Seven Deadly Sins in Media" class that was so rudely interrupted by COVID in 2020. Reflection and repentance are cornerstone disciplines during the holy season of Lent, but how do we accomplish this? How do we identify shortcomings in our own behavior? The ancient grouping of objectionable sins into the "Seven Deadly Sins" is a useful framework to begin this practice. We will be discussing the sins themselves, defining them and identifying common manifestations. Then we will watch video clips from feature films, TV, YouTube, and even cartoons, discussing the behaviors of the characters, identifying which, if any, sins they are committing. Examining the behaviors of fictitious characters is more objective and friendly than criticizing each other in the first or second person. Don't worry, we won't be watching anything very racy or violent! If you have any questions, contact LeeAnne Krause, Ellen Richardson, or Ron Balthazor.
Choir practice will begin at 7:30PM during Lent so that choir members may join the Lenten study.
5:30 Stations of the Cross
6:00 Healing Service w/ Holy Eucharist
6:00 Simple supper in the Education Building
6:30 Lenten Program
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5K to Benefit Parkinson's Research
Jane and Jack Armistead have scheduled the 8th annual 5K run/walk to benefit Parkinson’s research for April 1st. Runners can choose either on-site or virtual participation. The on-site event starts at 8 am in Sandy Creek Park, Pavilion 1. Register by clicking here or at the pavilion on race-day from 7 to 8 am. There will be a full slate of awards and plenty of refreshments and opportunities to socialize. More details here.
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Annual Easter Egg Hunt
The Children’s Ministry of St. Gregory’s will be preparing our annual egg hunt for children (preschool - through 5th grade) immediately following worship on Resurrection Sunday (April 9). We are grateful for any donations to contribute to the event. This year, we would gratefully receive these donations:
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Candy! You are welcome to drop off any candy at the church. You can leave candy in the workroom across the hall from Kendall’s office, or, if you bring it on Sunday, you can give it to Doug Adkins, Jenifer Borg, or Jenifer Marquardt.
- Baskets! We are trying to collect a number of Easter baskets that can be used over the years for any children who may want to hunt eggs but forgot to bring a basket. If you have any baskets that are no longer used, we would gladly receive them and keep them stored in our supply closet. You can leave any donated basket in the copy room near the candy, or give it to Doug.
Remember to invite friends who may have children who would like to participate. This would be a great opportunity to introduce neighbors and community members to the St. Greg’s spirit!
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Adult Spiritual Formation
The Adult Spiritual Formation Sunday morning Bible Study group meets at 9:15AM and is currently on a journey through The Book of Acts of the Apostles. Please join us!
**We will not meet on
April 2 (attend The Right Rev. Porter Taylor's class),
April 9 (Easter), or
April 16 (one service that Sunday)!**
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Adult Discussion Class
Palm Sunday, April 2
The Right Rev. Porter Taylor (retired) will be here at the 9:15AM adult discussion group in the parish hall on Palm Sunday to do a reading and book signing for his new book, Are You Persuaded? In and Out of Being a Bishop.
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Dismantling Racism Training
The 2023 Dismantling Racism Training schedule is available. This class is required for all parish clergy and all lay leaders, including vestry members. We also recommend taking the class every three years. Click here for the training schedule.
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returning
healing from an
operation
i have missed this
congregation
to save me from
distance forlorn
i did enjoy
each sunday morn
a wonderful
absence format
our live-stream view
with active chat
in church again
to sing with friends
a certain thrill
that never ends
alice mohor
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Join us for Gospel Music Sunday with the Trey Clegg Singers!
On April 16, 2023, join us for a gospel music celebration with guest choir, the Trey Clegg Singers. There will be ONE service this day at 10AM only. You may remember Trey Clegg and some of his choristers from Bishop Wright's Consecration in the Diocese of Atlanta in 2012, and some of the glorious music heard there. Some others of you may have heard of the excellent music from St. Paul's Episcopal Church and its choirs, when Mr. Clegg served as Minister of Music there. And whether you have or haven't heard this choir before, know that here at St. Gregory the Great, as we give our own excellent choir and musical staff a well-deserved break after the phenomenal music performances given to us for Lent and Easter, you are in for a treat. They will be with us at the 10AM service, and joining us for coffee hour afterward. Please come and worship with us.
For music sample and news click here and here.
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PALM SUNDAY, April 2
8am and 10:30am * Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist
(8am begins in sanctuary; 10:30am begins in the courtyard)
WEDNESDAY, April 5
5:30 pm Stations of the Cross
6pm Holy Eucharist & Healing Service
MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 6
7pm * Maundy Thursday Liturgy & Stripping of Altar
ALL NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL
Thurs. 9pm - Good Fri. 11am
Jesus said,”Could you not stay awake with me one hour?”
Sign-up sheet is in the narthex for 1-hr time slots
GOOD FRIDAY, April 7
12pm Good Friday Liturgy
7pm * Good Friday Liturgy
THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER, April 8
8:30pm * Festival Eucharist & Choir
starts outside with the lighting of the Paschal Candle
Please bring noisemakers, pots, pans, cowbells, airhorns, drums for the
Great Noise to ring in Easter!
EASTER DAY, April 9
10am * Festival Eucharist, Baptism, & Choir
followed by an Easter Reception
(please bring a finger food if you’re able!)
& Easter Egg Hunt for children
**(please note only 1 service on Easter morning)
* these services will be live streamed
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The food bank is in need of canned tuna, mac & cheese, and peanut butter!
Let's help fill the Little Red Wagon!
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Blindspot Group Chat
If you're in your 20s or 30s and would like to stay up to date on events for your age group please reach out to Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837, to join our group chat.
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Instructions for Live Streaming
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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.
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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 yoga meets on Monday evenings in Parish Hall from 5:30-6:30PM. All classes are donation-based. Donations this spring will go toward buying more yoga supplies for the class! Zoom link here for those at home.
Hebrew Reading is back on! They will be meeting via Zoom on Wednesdays from 1-3PM. If you're interested, email Joel Hunt for more info!
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!
* St. Gregory's Book Club meets the first Friday of the month in Parish Hall @ 7PM ongoing for the foreseeable future. Email Lois Alworth if you are interested in participating.
*Threads of Prayer meets on the 1st 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!
*Men's Group: 9AM on Saturdays. 1st & 3rd Saturdays at St. Gregory's library and 2nd & 4th & 5th Saturdays at the Somerville's house ! Email Peter Rice
* group(s) meeting in person
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