Get to know your Vestry- Q&A with Gail Eilers
During Mother Nikki's sabbatical, the Friday newsletters will feature one Vestry member each week. Please thank them for their service to the congregation, and let them know if you are able to assist with their committee's work!
Q: Name?
A: Gail Eilers, 2nd year on Vestry
Q: What's your committee assignment?
A: For 2023, I am extremely fortunate to be the Vestry Liaison to the Building and Grounds Committee. The Chair of the Building section of that Committee is Mark Reinberger . Mark Hein is Chair of the Grounds section. Caley Ross is a committee member as are other parishioners who are called upon as their expertise is needed. These include Maggie Reinberger, Margaret Agner and Joan Curtis.
The biggest project recently completed by this Committee is the replacement of the roof on the Christian Education Building. Other projects underway or anticipated include repairs to the Nursery, repair and maintenance of the parking lot, and improvements to both of our playgrounds.
I know all parishioners join me in commending Mr. Reinberger and Mr. Hein on the amazing jobs they do of keeping St. Gregory open and in good repair. Their history of accomplishing this with always-limited funds and personnel is testimony to their hard work, dedication and initiative.
Q: What is the best part about serving on Vestry?
A: For me, the very best part of serving on the Vestry is having the opportunity to get to know and work with my fellow members and Mother Nikki. The time we spend together is very important to me. I have learned so much from their experiences, their faith and their goodness. I will always be grateful for them.
Q: What is the biggest challenge with serving on the Vestry?
A: The biggest challenge has been getting up to speed as a relatively new member of the parish. I came here five years ago, not fifty years ago as is true of some of our parishioners. I would advise anyone considering serving on the Vestry to understand that you are making a commitment, not joining an honorary club. You will get far more from this experience than you put into it, but the work of St. Gregory’s is serious business!
Q: What is your favorite Bible verse?
A: My favorite Bible passage is Matthew 22, 36-40. I love Jesus’ explanation that, when the dust settles, there are two most important commandments. And they seem so simple and straightforward. I think about this passage every time I hear friends, family, “experts” second guess and argue over others’ faith and beliefs. I also think about it each time I confess my sins and am always chagrined by the fact that He asks me to do these two simple things, and I fail over and over again. Jesus could have chosen so many behaviors and beliefs that we fight over today to cite as “the greatest commandment of the law.” But, instead, He chose loving the Lord and our neighbor, and that keeps me trying.
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MOVIE NIGHT Tonight
Come join us this month, on Friday, May 19, when we will watch The Farewell (2019). “A Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decide to keep her in the dark, scheduling a wedding to gather before she dies. Based on a true story.” Join us in Parish Hall and enjoy some popcorn and soft drinks - or bring a blanket and a picnic dinner! The movie begins promptly at 7pm.
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Lost & Found
Did you know we have a Lost & Found? It resides in the hallway outside Kendall's office. There are multiple coats and umbrellas and books and water bottles and gloves and ... please come take a look! All items will be donated by the end of May!
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Sunday School/Chapel
Children’s Sunday School will continue through the month of May. We will take a summer break from Sunday School for the months of June and July, and resume in August. Children’s Chapel will continue as normal throughout the summer.
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Parish Life
Parish Life had the first of several work days on Monday, May 15. We discarded a lot of expired food, and consolidated the space in the "inner closet". If you can't find something you stored there, please let us know.
Then, we will start re-organizing how we use the space, specifically we would like to bring some of the dish racks over to the Christian Ed building, and make it easier to use the kitchen in the Parish Hall. If you see space opening up in the "outer closet" , please do not start filling it. Any questions, talk to Maggie Reinberger, or Shelby Welch. Thank you all for your great response to our recent receptions!
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Youth
There is one more filed trip this year!
May 21st-
- 9:15am- Meet at St Gregory's at 9:15am in the foyer between the nursery and the parish hall and head over to St Philothea Greek Orthodox Church (3761 Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677).
- 10am- Attend worship service at St Philothea.
- Approx. 11am- Meet with Father Anthony Salzman for a Q&A.
- Approx. 12pm- Leave for St Gregory's
- 12:30pm- Pickup at St Gregory's
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Coffee hour needs your help! Danielle keeps us well-supplied with coffee and lemonade, but we need parishioners to sign up to bring either homemade or store-bought goodies…nothing fancy, just cookies, muffins, fruit, pastries, or cheese/crackers. There is a sign up sheet next to the kitchen counter in the Christian Education building.
Remember: Coffee Hour is an ideal time to meet and get to know our visitors and newcomers!
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The Parish Life Committee is hosting a festive coffee hour after the 10:30 service on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, in the Parish Hall.
Please come and bring a finger food to share---think about the colors of red, yellow, and orange. . . strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, cupcakes, chips and salsa, deviled eggs, cherry tomatoes/red, yellow, and orange peppers/carrots and dip, etc.
Get creative and let’s celebrate the flames of Pentecost!
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Athens’ 2nd annual Pride Parade and Resource Fair will be on Saturday, June 3. St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church will host a table at the resource fair following the 2:00PM parade. Last year we greeted 440 people in the broiling heat. This year the resource fair will be held in the shade of the Foundry Pavilion behind the Classic Center 270 W. Hancock Ave., Athens, from 2:30 until 6PM. Greeters will be needed to help welcome everyone to our resource table and to our church. Please email Alice Mohor or call or text (706) 207-4716 if you would like to help.
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post-emergency
back to normal
needy neglect
as a small few
now redirect
to those with more
but do not see
how many still
are not yet free
to live without
hunger or fear
when abundance
is always near
to share in love
as god intends
with neighbors all
strangers and friends
alice mohor
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The dates for VBS 2023 are July 17-20, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM. We will begin with supper; participate in three rotations; and conclude with Compline in the nave. Like last year, children will be participating in “Compassion Camp.” This year’s theme is “Every Living Thing.” Watch future news for details about each night’s theme.
For now: please look at your calendar and check your availability to help make “camp” a success for our children. We need folks to help with the three rotations (Art/Crafts; Bible Story; Recreation/Movement). We also need people to help with the set-up, serving, and clean-up of the nightly meals. See Doug Adkins for details.
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Doug's Ordination to the Priesthood
Doug Adkins completed his coursework at Bexley-Seabury Seminary this week and will be awarded a Diploma in Anglican Studies May 12.
His ordination to the priesthood is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2PM, at The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta.
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The food bank is in need of dried beans of any kind, and large, family-size containers of cooked cereals (i.e. oats, grits), not individual packets.
Let's help fill the Little Red Wagon!
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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!
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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 meets 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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