Dearly Beloved,
We’re about to enter Week 4 of Lent, and if you’ve been intentional about remembering who God says you are, and intentional about praying for and treating others according to who God says they are, you’re right where you need to be. And if you’re like me and don’t always remember, there’s always time and space to begin again…that’s Lent.
Beloved Is Where We Begin
If you would enter
into the wilderness,
do not begin
without a blessing.
Do not leave
without hearing
who you are:
Beloved,
named by the One
who has traveled this path
before you.
Do not go
without letting it echo
in your ears,
and if you find
it is hard
to let it into your heart,
do not despair.
That is what
this journey is for.
I cannot promise
this blessing will free you
from danger,
from fear,
from hunger
or thirst,
from the scorching
of sun
or the fall
of the night.
But I can tell you
that on this path
there will be help.
I can tell you
that on this way
there will be rest.
I can tell you
that you will know
the strange graces
that come to our aid
only on a road
such as this,
that fly to meet us
bearing comfort
and strength,
that come alongside us
for no other cause
than to lean themselves
toward our ear
and with their
curious insistence
whisper our name:
Beloved.
Beloved.
Beloved.
—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace
Great love and joy,
Mother Nikki+
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This Sunday: Welcome to Sacred Ground
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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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Welcome to
Adult Spiritual Formation
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This Sunday you are invited to join an informal discussion of Gospel of Luke, the primary source for our gospel readings this spring. This week we will focus on the 2nd chapter, the wonderful story of the birth of Jesus. Feel free to read ahead, bring your questions and your favorite Bible with you at 9:15 in the Parish Hall. Discussions will be led by Ellen Richardson and Ron Balthazor, and hopefully later on by some of you who might like to pitch in and take the lead now and again. Drop-ins are most welcome.
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YOUTH LABYRINTH WORKSHOP
All youth (6th-12th grade) are invited to participate in a workshop on walking the labyrinth, led by our own Lane Norton. The labyrinth provides a unique prayer experience, and is great for those that find it easier to focus while up on their feet and moving. The workshop will be held in the parish hall on April 8th at 6PM. Pizza will be provided afterward. Please RSVP and send any questions by emailing Wade McGlamery at wwmcglamery@gmail.com, so that we can get an accurate count of attendees.
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YOUNG ADULT GATHERING - March 31
All young adults (ages 18-35) are welcome to come by Walker's Coffee and Pub in downtown Athens on March 31st at 7PM for an evening of fellowship. Come chat, have a cup of your favorite beverage, and get to know some other members of our church community! You can send any questions to Wade McGlamery's email or 770-624-4837.
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PEEPS Bible Story Diorama Contest
Have you been wondering what happens to all those colorful marshmallow PEEPS you see in the stores these days? Does anyone really eat them? Could they have some greater purpose? Well now they do. You can enter our Bible Story PEEPS contest and wake up your creative genius from its pandemic slumber.
Contest Rules:
- Start with a cardboard box no larger than 2' x 2' x 3'.
- Use paint, markers, paper, cloth or other disposable props to create a scene from the Bible using Peeps.
- Make your characters (peeple and animals) out of Peeps and dress them to fit the Bible story you have chosen to represent. Melt, mold or glue the Peeps and other props in place as necessary.
- Submit a card with your entry with the name(s) of the artists and the title. Extra credit will be given for using "Peep" in your title. (All clean puns accepted.)
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Entries are due in the Parish Hall by Friday April 15 before the office closes (4:30PM).
- The winner in each category (Individual, Family and Group) will be announced Easter Sunday Morning and will receive a chocolate bunny chocolate and have a donation made to the Athens Food Bank in their honor. Get to work, PEEPLE! Show off your Bible knowledge! Be creative, artistic and competitive! And have fun!
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Now that we are back to worshiping in person (yay!), Saint Gregory's is in need of volunteers to serve as ushers during our 10:30AM service. Additionally, we need a kind soul to serve as a coordinator for the ushers. 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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Donations of Easter candy (nothing with peanuts or peanut butter, please) and trinkets will be collected in the copy room. The Easter Egg hunt for toddlers through 5th graders will be held after the 10AM service on Easter Sunday, April 17. Youth 6th grade and up are invited to hide the eggs after taking communion. We'll be hiding empty eggs, which the children will trade-in for an Easter goody bag, and will also have goody bags for the youth as well!
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Pastoral Care Corner:
One of the ways we Beloveds can love each other ...
As a member of the Pastoral Care team at St. Gregory’s, and more specifically, as a recent recipient of lots of love from my fellow Gregorians, I would like to tell you about one aspect of care we can offer each other. Often, we find ourselves needing transportation assistance. For various reasons, we might find ourselves temporarily unable to drive to church, to doctor appointments, even shopping errands to the grocery or pharmacy. Last year, when I went through chemotherapy for cancer, I was receiving meds that prohibited me from driving. The wonderful Beloveds of St. Gregory’s blessed me by providing trips to and from University Cancer Center all the way across town on many occasions over a period of several months. As one who knows the importance of being able to rely on help from others, I would like to offer you an opportunity to be a volunteer driver on occasion. The plan is to create a list of driver’s names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers so when the Pastoral Care team becomes aware of a need, we can match a volunteer who lives nearby the person who needs a ride.
This is just one of the ways Gregorians show love to each other. I would like to hear from you. Please let me know if you are willing to help. You can call me at 706-255-2145 or email mmassey@uga.edu.
Peace,
Marge Massey
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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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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!
Join us in the Christian Education building on Sundays 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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persistence
recombinant
variant strains
may cause us new
in-person pains
but scientists
with expertise
are working to
control disease
just as we still
do love and pray
to continue
along our way
to act in faith
with hope that we
will bring us all
to better be
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, 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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