Get to know your Vestry- Q&A with Mark Richardson

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: Mark Richardson, Junior Warden, 2nd year on Vestry

Q: What's your committee assignment?

A: The Capital Improvement Campaign Committee. Stacie Court and I are co-chairs of this newly formed committee. As of right now, we are in the process of discerning our needs and choosing members. Soon, we will be taking steps to bring the whole congregation into this discernment process—but if you have any concerns or ideas about what is most important to you, please don’t hesitate to contact me or Stacie.

Q: What's the best thing about serving on the Vestry? 

A: The best part of being a vestry member is the fellowship with other vestry and committee members. Our church is full of people with great gifts—not just on the vestry or on committees but everywhere. I am always reminded that church is not buildings and decorations—though they are important. Church is people. We are the body of Christ. A body needs clothing to keep out the cold and to be decent. But we have realized that we no longer need expensive suits and elaborate dresses to serve one another and worship together—and I think that metaphor is a good one for what we have come to value in our lives of faith.

Q: What's the biggest challenge with being on the Vestry? 

A: The main challenge of being on the vestry lies in knowing/anticipating the entire church’s needs and desires and taking all of them into account when making decisions. I know what is important to me—but I have to remember that other people may value other things more.

Q: What's something we may not know about you? 

A: I guess most people already know (though some may not) that I grew up Jewish and at one time even considered entering the rabbinate. (I told this to a class once and a student said—"You wanted to be a rabbit?” I think they were joking—or maybe thinking of the Easter bunny.) I came to realize, though, that Christianity was really just the fourth branch of Judaism (orthodox, conservative, reformed, Christian) and that Jesus had chosen the most important values of Judaism to stress (love your neighbor as yourself and love God—the rest is just commentary). The truth is not about occupying land—it’s about practicing love.

Family Promise had a wonderful week because of you! The hours spent cooking, delivering food, being available in the host room, all contributed to the families' well being and sense of being supported at a low point in their lives. Your efforts let them know that they were cared for and remembered. You have been Christ's presence in their world.

new

watching a breeze

turn new spring leaves

i remember

forgetting trees

a summer spent 

down at the shore

i did not want

for something more

returning to 

my home town scene

i was awestruck 

by all the green

of roadside woods

and parks and lawns

i had not seen

for weeks of dawns

alice mohor

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.  

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. 

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!