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The


Gregorian


Chant

It's the tail end of the Happy Merry, Beloveds!


In our tradition, Epiphany isn’t a season, but rather a day…and six times out of seven in as many years, that day doesn’t fall on a Sunday. That means chances are high we don’t often hear much about the Epiphany story, as far as church services go. We see the magi in our Christmas pageants, and sometimes there’s even mention of trying to avoid a murderous Herod. And as cute and effective as our kids are in their proclamation of the gospel, it’s easy for this familiar story to escape our active contemplation in the crush of things to do and places to be during the holiday season. The day of Epiphany can come and go with barely a peep to mark its passing, as we return to work, school, and other duties as usual.


Case in point, Epiphany was this past Monday and is officially over now…closing out that very last little bit of the Christmas season for the church year. (This coming Sunday, the gospel is about Jesus at the age of 33, just prior to the start of his official ministry.) But just because Epiphany moved on by way of the calendar doesn’t mean it has to beat a hasty retreat in our hearts and imaginations. Consider taking ten minutes simply to put yourself in the Epiphany story (the whole of Matthew, Ch. 2). Be any character you want or you could even take turns being several. What might you be seeking this year in terms of meeting Jesus in a new way? What might that journey cause you to risk connection in new ways to the Trinity, yourself, and others as you seek to grow in love? Is there a Herod in your way…something seeking to destroy or de-value the purpose of your love journey? Busy-ness, information overload, productivity culture and the press to over-consume trying to overwhelm space and time to ‘be still and know’ God? 


And then think about what any of that might have to do with how you love family, friends, and enemies (those who hurt you or those you love, or with whom you vehemently disagree)? What did you discover? Feel free to let me know. 



Many blessings,

Mo. Nikki+


Wise women also came

The fire burned in their wombs long before                  

they saw

the flaming star in the sky.


They walked in shadows, trusting the path

would open under the light of the moon. 


Wise women also came, 

seeking no directions, 

no permission from any king. 


They came by their own authority, 

their own desire, 

their own longing. 


They came in quiet, spreading no rumors, 

sparking no fears to lead to innocents’ slaughter,

to their sister Rachel’s inconsolable lamentations. 


Wise women also came, 

and they brought useful gifts: 

water for labor’s washing, 

fire for warm illumination, 

a blanket for swaddling. 


Wise women also came, 

at least three of them, 

holding Mary in the labor, 

crying out with her in the birth pangs, 

breathing ancient blessings into her ear. 


Wise women also came, 

and they went, 

as wise women always do, 

home a different way. 

-Jan Richardson*


*Jan Richardson, an artist, poet, author and former Methodist minister, portrays the Magi as women of different races in “Wise Women Also Came,” an image that also appears on the cover of her book “Sacred Journeys: A Woman’s Book of Daily Prayer.”


CEILIDH SERVICE HAS BEEN CANCELED THIS MONTH

Room at the Table

Welcome to Room at the Table. Over-40, single, married, partnered, employed, free-wheeling, joy-loving...all are invited! If you want to take time and get to know more about me and other siblings from our church, over a good meal, if you want to share stories and laughter, join us for lunch! The group will decide on the restaurant for the following month, at each lunch fellowship.


January’s lunch will take place on Friday, January 17 @ 12 noon at Frank & Sons Neighborhood Bistro, 1040 Gaines School Rd Suite 117, Athens, GA 30605.

Youth Game Night


On Saturday, January 18th from 6pm-9pm we will be having a game night in the youth room. DnD will still be offered but we will also have other board and card games available as well as video games on the Playstation, streamed movies, crafts, and some music. Hope to see everyone there! 


Collective Artists Workshop is gearing up for a spectacular 2025 season, starting off with their fundraising Gala, right here at St. Gregory's on Saturday, January 25! Enjoy a 3-course Italian dinner including wine and dessert and singing waiters! Experience the joy of music at the full concert following dinner which includes songs from your favorite Broadway shows with a little bit of classical sprinkled in! 6PM dinner; 7:30PM concert. $50/person. Please come support the arts! QR code above or click here for tickets.

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 back to discussing the Gospel of Matthew, 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. 

We are continuing to accept stewardship giving pledges for 2025. If you have not yet pledged, please do so as soon as possible. The parish finance committee needs to formulate our church operating budget before our annual meeting in November.  

The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs white rice, baked beans, sweet peas, hot cereal, spaghetti sauce, and salty snacks! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!


adult baptism

 

a baptism is

for some a choice

made long before

they can give voice

 

who later will

their faith confirm

when they confess

and so affirm

 

or for others 

an adult choice

made by themselves

in their own voice

 

who stand to say

they do believe

so by water

they will receive



alice mohor


For baby boomers and those who love them, Alice Mohor's newest book of poetry, Senior Days, can now be ordered from book sellers (Amazon, Avid, Barnes and Noble) and from the author. ISBN 979-8-9900028-4-5

Instructions for Live Streaming



  • 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!

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.


Room at the Table Welcome to Room at the Table. Single, married, partnered, employed, free-wheeling, joy-loving...all are invited! If you want to take time and get to know more about me and other siblings from our church, over a good meal, if you want to share stories and laughter, join us for lunch! Lunch will be Friday, Jan. 17 at 12 noon. The group will decide on the restaurant for the following month, at each lunch fellowship.



Ceilidh Folk Service St Gregory's offers a monthly Ceilidh service (pronounced kay-lee) on the 3rd Friday of the month (Feb 21). 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 meets on the 1st Thursdays 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 on Zoom


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St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church | office@stgregoryathens.org
706.546.7553 | www.stregoryathens.org