SHARE:  

The


Gregorian


Chant

I (Paul Welch) share a poem introduced to me by a dear friend, Bert Mobley, who first brought me to St. Gregory's in 2001:


Lying in a Hammock at William Duffy’s Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota by James Wright

 

Over my head, I see the bronze butterfly,   

Asleep on the black trunk,

Blowing like a leaf in green shadow.   

Down the ravine behind the empty house,   

The cowbells follow one another   

Into the distances of the afternoon.   

To my right,

In a field of sunlight between two pines,   

The droppings of last year’s horses   

Blaze up into golden stones.

I lean back, as the evening darkens and comes on.   

A chicken hawk floats over, looking for home.

I have wasted my life.

 

As I considered my devotional, this poem kept returning to my thoughts. I felt called to share it because our days are worried by our obligations and responsibilities to each other, our families and our parish. We can sometimes get lost in them as well as the challenges of our days - both the personal and public. And it can be difficult to remember there is beauty in the world when there's so much ugliness. But it's there! We just need to be present and pay attention to see the wonderful all around us and understand that while the times seem fraught and awful, beauty and goodness persist and these times are not so bad after all. -- Paul D. Welch


Those parishioners who made a pledge to the General Fund for 2024 should have received an email this week of their pledge progress so far this year, January - June 29. Please check your spam, promotions, and/or social tabs for this email.

Family Promise Week: Aug 11-18


Our next Family Promise commitment is August 11-18. As our week gets closer, there will be more detail, but here's a first look at what we will be responsible for:

  • $25 Kroger gift cards (how many depends on number of people in shelter)
  • Three dinner commitments, August 13, 14 and 15; make or buy dinner
  • Possible van driving Monday August 12, a.m.
  • Monitor for the Day Center 1:00-5:00 p.m. (even an hour would help) Saturday August 17; help with kids activities at least part of this time
  • Back to school supplies possibly.

Questions, contact Annette via email or 706-255-5839. Thank you for your past generosity in helping families in housing crisis!



Building and Grounds would like to open up a Qualtrics survey so that parishioners may help us pinpoint areas of improvement around the church. This will aid us in developing Church workdays for families and individuals to participate in and help grow our sense of community and appreciation of our home.


Suggestions can be made anonymously or with names attached. Please click here for survey!


EXCHANGE STUDENTS

If any families are interested in hosting an international exchange student in the area please contact Karen Brill 706-540-4455 for requirements and details. 


Adult Sunday School


Adult Discussion Group: (Parish Hall) The Adult Spiritual Formation Sunday morning Bible Study meets at 9:15AM in the Parish Hall. We are currently discussing the Gospel of Mark led by Wayne Coppins. Please join us! 


Lectionary Class: (Library) The lectionary class meets in the Library at 9:15AM. We study the assigned readings for each Sunday. Please contact Les House at 478-733-2939 or via email if you have any questions. 

The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs canned salmon, pasta sauces, and pork 'n' beans! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!

a welcome break

 

my daily walks

had been a drag

the humid air

had made me sag

 

my posture lax

bent over poles

my pace reduced

to languid strolls

 

but waking late

to my delight

the air felt cool

in sunlight bright

 

and after weeks

of heavy heat

the morning breeze 

lightened my feet


 

alice mohor

Instructions for Live Streaming



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Welcome to worship!

Ongoing Services/Meeting Opportunities

Parish community offerings via Zoom or in person:


* Holy Eucharist and Healing Service Please join us on Wednesday evenings at 6PM in the sanctuary for eucharist and prayers for healing.


* Ceilidh Folk Service St Gregory's offers a monthly Ceilidh service (pronounced kay-lee) on the 3rd Friday of the month (July 19). Based on a Gaelic tradition of celebrating community and hospitality, a folk liturgy complete with live folk music and a meal will be offered in the Christian Education building at 6:30PM. Foot washing and hand anointing will also be available before or after (not during) these services for anyone who wants to take part, starting at 6PM. Food will be provided, but we always accept more dishes to add to the table if anyone wishes to bring something! Any musicians that are interested in helping to provide the music for these services, as well as anyone with questions about the service, are encouraged to reach out to Wade McGlamery.


* Blindspot Group Our 20s and 30s group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 6:30PM and the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6PM for dinner and a small group study (usually off-site of the church). We also meet at least once a month for game nights, dinner and drinks, movie nights, and more. Newcomers are always welcome! Contact Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837 for more information.


Hebrew Reading meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 1-3PM. If you're interested, email Joel Hunt for more info!


* St. Gregory's Book Club meets the first Friday of the month in the library @ 7PM ongoing for the foreseeable future.  Email Lois Alworth if you are interested in participating.


*Threads of Prayer will take the months of June and July off. Starting back in August, we meet on the 1st Tuesdays of the month @1PM! We 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