All-Parish News: Friday, February 10, 2023

Deeply Beloved,

We have hope because of God’s plans. What we see on the news, devastating earthquakes, political discourse that can’t even remain civil during a State of the Union address, state sanctioned murder on camera in Memphis … all that evil is not what has the last word in our lives. What, or rather Who, has the last word, the life-giving, peace-bringing, wound-healing Word, is God. We hear it in Jeremiah ch. 29, verse 11:

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” MSG

It turns out that those plans won’t come easy and they won’t come quickly and they won’t come without some work done by the faithful, through the power of God, but the plans do and will continue to come to fruition. Because God does do what God says God will do. There was the Son’s resurrection, so now there will forever be resurrection, restoration and reconciliation for us. It’s God’s dream. And because I can’t imagine anyone who speaks more eloquently on how God’s dream works, I leave you with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who said, “[Hope] points us beyond the world’s nightmare to God’s dream incarnate in Christ Jesus.” Click here for full sermon.

Blessings, peace, and love,

Mo. Nikki+

Acolyte & Eucharistic Minister Training Tomorrow!

Our way of worship as Episcopalians requires many individuals. Two important roles are Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers. Acolytes carry the crosses and torches (candles) during the services. Anyone over the age of 6 can serve as an acolyte. Eucharistic ministers assist the clergy with the distribution of the bread and wine. Anyone over the age of 15 may serve as a Eucharistic minister.

Since acolytes and eucharistic ministers must work together in worship, we will have a joint training session for both at 11AM am tomorrow, Saturday, February 11. If you have any questions, please contact David Stooksbury (davidemory@me.com).

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service for Dr. Robert F. Gomez will be held in our sanctuary at 3PM this Sunday, Feb. 12.

COMMITTAL SERVICE

FOR LIEF CARTER

The committal service for Lief Carter will be held in our memorial garden on Sunday, February 19 @ 2:30PM followed by a celebration at the Botanical Garden Terrace Room at 3PM.

FAMILY PROMISE

Thanks to so many for donating to the Family Promise Amazon wishlist! The program director Madison Saunders told me that a number of you have participated in this request. Now, a new request: Because several churches have dropped out of the program, we will get four weeks in 2023, these are: March 5-12; April 30-May 7; August 13-20, and November 12-19. Please put these in your calendars and look for a signup genius as our first week gets closer. You can also email Annette Bates at bateskannette@gmail.com to let her know of your interest in participating. There is no longer a need for transportation, only for meals and evening, overnight and weekend hosts. It's so good to be in community with you who are so generous with your time and talents!

Movie Night

Come join us this month, on Friday, Feb. 17, when we will watch Soul (2020). “After landing the gig of a lifetime, a New York jazz pianist suddenly finds himself trapped in a strange land between Earth and the afterlife.”

Join us in the Christian Education building (note location this month!) and enjoy some popcorn and soft drinks - or bring a blanket and a picnic dinner! The movie begins promptly at 7pm.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday is on Wednesday, February 22. We will have 2 services this year: 12 noon and 6PM.

Childcare will be provided at the 6PM service.

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!

Welcoming Request

Greeters are needed for the 10:30AM worship services. Please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the inside of the nave double doors.

Thank you, Alice Mohor

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.

welcoming

please sign up to

greet at the door

to help all feel

welcome before

we worship with

more folks we know

to nourish us

to grow and go

and turn to those

who sit nearby

sunday morning

to first say hi

then share your name

with each you greet

so that we all

more neighbors meet

alice mohor

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.

Instructions for Live Streaming

Just go to the St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church YouTube Homepage

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:

If you don’t immediately see the video that says ‘live’, (for instance, if you opened YouTube before the service begins) keep refreshing it.

When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it.

Welcome to worship!

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 on hiatus while Joel gets settled in his new home!

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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St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church | office@stgregoryathens.org

706.546.7553 | www.stregoryathens.org