Hello, Beloveds! Happy Easter!
To live resurrection is to allow the Holy Spirit to expand our capacity for love. This happens best when we are open.. open to others stories, open to change, open to God ALWAYS ‘doing a new thing’.
That’s when we’re open to holy mysteries of all kinds….
Mysteries, Yes
Mary Oliver
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
“Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
Blessings,
Mo. Nikki +
|
|
|
|
Confirmation classes continue this Sunday, May 15, immediately following the 10:30AM service. We will meet in the Parish Hall. If you’re interested in being confirmed, reaffirmed, received, or an adult wishing to be baptized, please come! We’ll meet for 8 weeks, although not all 8 will be consecutive. |
|
If you are planning on attending Jack's celebration of life, please let Martha Beach know, just so they can have a head-count! Please feel free to bring a finger food as well, but do not feel obligated at all! :)
|
|
Please join us for a Spiritual Formation series on the intersection of faith and nature. The series will have different presenters on an array of topics over 5 weeks on Sunday afternoons/evenings.
5/15, 6:45 pm, Celtic Traditions, Ellen Richardson (at their home)
5/29, 2:30 pm, Buddhism and Nature, Gene Ruffin
6/5, 6:30 pm, Faith in Action, Tyra Byers
6/12, TBA, Hildegard and Teilhard, the Green Mystics, Lee Ann Pingle
6/19, TBA, Creation Care, Jason Roberts
Each session will be about an hour (plus travel time if the session is not at the church) and will include a presentation, some meditative practice in nature, some group conversation/reflection on the program, and some communal liturgy.
The first session will be at Ellen and Mark Ricardson's (1061 Taylors Drive Watkinsville) and the meditative practice will be walking their outdoor labyrinth. We will meet at the church at 6:45PM on Sunday, May 15, and carpool to their home.
The second session on May 29th will be an introduction to Buddhist, Interbeing, and Nature led by Gene Ruffin. The session will explore some of the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh through meditation, liturgy, and discussion. It will be held at St. Gregory at 2:30 pm.
The third session on June 5th will be led by Tyra Byers and will focus on practical ways in which we can respond in faith to the climate crisis. This session will be held at Ron and Jane's farm.
|
|
|
|
Adult Spiritual Formation meets this Sunday, May 15, to continue our exploration of the Gospel of Luke with Chapter 7. All are welcome in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 with no need to have attended earlier sessions. Bibles will be available but feel free to bring your own favorite.
|
|
You are invited! Get a sneak peek at The Wright House, the new Episcopal Center at The University of Georgia, during its Open House on June 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is required. Please click here to register.
The June 11 open house is the only open-to-the-public event planned for The Wright House which will be occupied by students prior to the fall semester. The 123-bedroom facility, which features a bathroom for each bedroom, includes onsite parking, bike storage, a fitness facility, study spaces, and an indoor common kitchen and coffee bar. It will also have extensive outdoor common areas adjacent to the building and on the green roof deck.
The new building is named in honor of Bishop Rob Wright, for his steadfast support for children, youth, and college ministries. It sits on the site of the former Episcopal Center and chapel in the heart of The University of Georgia campus at the corner of University Court and South Lumpkin Street.
** If there is anyone with a van willing to volunteer themselves and their vehicle for rides to and from the UGA campus Presbyterian Church parking lot to the Wright House, please let Kendall know ASAP. **
|
|
MONTHLY PARISH MOVIE NIGHT!
Join us as we bring back the monthly parish movie night! Movie nights will be held on the third Friday of each month in Parish Hall and begin at 7pm. Our first movie night will be May 20th and we will be showing the 1985 classic, Back to the Future!
BLINDSPOT MOVIE NIGHT
Calling all those in our Blindspot (20s and 30s)! Join us at University 16 cinemas to see Dr. Strange: Multiverse of Madness on Friday, May 27! (time TBD)
|
|
 |
GAME NIGHT
All youth (6th-12th grade) are invited to a monthly game night in the youth room at 6pm on the first Saturday of each month, beginning on June 4th. Come, bring your friends and a favorite snack!
|
|
|
|
THREADS OF PRAYER
Since the parish group Threads of Prayer has been meeting off and on for several years, it's appropriate from time to time to talk about what we do and why we do it. Our mission statement is: To knit and crochet in congenial and prayerful community tangible expressions of the church's love for those in need of healing and comfort. We have made chemo caps, shawls, lap or larger blankets, scarves, or hats for children and babies. After each item is completed, we pray over the item, asking that God bring healing and comfort to those who will receive it. These items are given to a community member or someone one of our members knows who needs comfort, maybe after the loss of a loved one, a diagnosis of cancer or other serious illness or someone who is not able to come to services. We meet the first and third Tuesdays at 1:00PM at someone’s home or at church. Each meeting is published ahead of time in the Friday parish email and/or Sunday bulletin. We welcome new members, including anyone who would like to learn to knit or crochet. It’s fun to sit together in community and talk while we work. For those who cannot make it but who would like to contribute something to the effort, we welcome any items you would like to make or any excess yarn you want to donate. If you know of anyone who needs or would like such an item, or want to donate something or for more information, please contact Annette Bates or you can drop off any item or yarn with Kendall in the church office.
|
|
|
|
It is true,
I must confess
That we need folks
To help process us
To the alter.
In rows we go
A sacred flow.
As hearts, unite
With delight
In his communion.
A holy duty
To serve as usher
And, help the Church avoid a crusher.
Humbly, I beseech the,
To volunteer would be so peachy!
We need 8 more! 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.
|
|
The 2022 St. Gregory the Great Summer Bible School information is here!
Dates and Times: July 18-21, 5:30 - 7:30
Theme: Compassion Camp
Compassion Camp is a program where kids and families explore what it means to have compassion for others, ourselves, and the world.
From the Director's Guide:
As we look around the world, our deep need for compassion becomes more evident with each passing day, perhaps now more than ever. Compassion Camp’s goal is to cultivate compassion for each other, ourselves, and the world. We will examine different places in our lives where we can cultivate compassion. Using each of the Compassion Camp components, we’ll explore themes of compassion as they relate to each session’s scripture.
Thanks to some of our faithful Children's Ministry volunteers who reviewed various curriculums and gave input to our selection. Please mark your calendar for Bible School, and share the news with friends who may be interested. As is our tradition, Compassion Camp will be open to all ages. Watch for future announcements about roles we will need filled in order to make "camp" happen.
|
|
|
Coffee Hour!
Due to the lack of volunteers, there may or may not be coffee hour on any given Sunday. 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.
|
|
|
|
|
for better days
i wish each day
with everyone
for covid please
to now be done
for tyrants all
both far and near
to turn to love
away from fear
for our one world
to make a way
all children have
a future day
and so i pray
for grace to be
the face of hope
that god made me
alice mohor
|
|
|
|
Blindspot Group Chat
Send your name and phone number to Wade McGlamery at 770-624-4837 to be added to the group chat for our 20s and 30s group! Make sure you have downloaded WhatsApp.
|
|
|
|
Instructions for Live Streaming
- Just go to the St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church
-
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. 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.’
-
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 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!
|
|
See what's happening on our social sites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
