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St. Bede's E-News
We hope that this weekly offering will keep you up-to-date
on the latest information from the parish
and from around the Diocese of Atlanta and wider Church.
Our e-newsletters are now being archived on our website.
You can go to www.stbedes.org
and look under the "Connect With Us" tab
at the top of the home page to find past newsletters.
The deadline each week for submission to the E-News is
Wednesday at 10 am.
Please send your submissions ready to go into the newsletter,
text and images attached in an email to the Parish Administrator.
Laura's email address is lpittman@stbedes.org
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Sunday, April 21, 2024
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Worship in English at 10 am
Worship in Spanish at 2:30 pm
We will also be streaming our worship live
on
St. Bede's YouTube Channel
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If you would like to preview the scripture lessons and hymns for the upcoming Sunday, you can find Sunday's bulletin uploaded to the church website each week on Thursday afternoon. From the home page of the website, scroll down to the colorful "Worship" icon, and click on that. Then scroll to the bottom of the "Worship" page and you will see where the bulletin for Sunday has been posted under "Downloads".
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This Sunday,
newcomers and long-timers alike
are invited
to learn about
the many ministries of St. Bede's at
Newcomers Café.
at around 11:30 in the Parish Hall
(see more information below)
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Newcomers Café
April 21
You are Invited to St. Bede's Newcomers Café:
Newcomers Café is an opportunity for folks new to St. Bede’s
to get to know each other
and to get to know more about the parish
– its history and ways to get involved today.
Come and join us as we “serve up” a warm welcome to all.
This Sunday, April 21, we will be “serving” Ways to Connect and Get Involved:
Ministry Team Leaders will join us to showcase various ministries
and offer opportunities for you to get involved.
We will also share lunch on the 21st and take a tour of the building.
Newcomers Café meets in the Parish Hall
after 10 am worship (at around 11:30).
Look for more information about
a new adult class beginning next week.
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Children's Faith Formation
offered during 10 am Worship
Instead of Sunday School being either before or after worship, children will be invited to gather together during the time of the Sermon and the Prayers of the People for a special story or activity that is tailored just for them. Children will come to worship with their families and will be invited to process out for this special time during the signing of a hymn. They will then return at the Passing of the Peace to join their families and the congregation for Communion.
All 3 year olds through 5th graders are welcome to join us. Older children are welcome as helpers and younger children may join with a parent, grandparent, or other caregiver.
Please know that children are always welcomed to remain with their families for the full worship service if that is their preference.
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This Sunday, April 21st - Join us for church at either the 10:00 or 2:30 service. In between, join us for lunch, our annual Samurai challenge and a little Christian Ed. Hope to see y'all there!
Sunday, April 28th - Join us for church at either the 10:00 or 2:30 service. In between, join us for this year's Instructed Eucharist led by our own Rev'd. Raymond Walker. Come find out what all the hand waving, prayers and occasional chanting are all about AND, why as Episcopalians we consider it to be one of THE most important things we do together.
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Our youth had a wonderful time
hiking to the top of Stone Mountain
on Sunday, April 7th!
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Adios Mimi
A few weeks ago, we learned from the Bishop's office that the season of Mimi Guerra's ministry at St. Bede's was coming to an end - much sooner than any of us wanted it to. You can click on the link below to read the full announcement.
We had an opportunity to say "Gracias y Adios" to Mimi last Sunday, April 14 at both 10 am and 2:30 pm worship and with receptions following worship. See the photo below from the 2:30 celebration of Mimi's ministry with us.
As when any staff person departs, we are collecting a "purse" or love offering in appreciation for Mimi's ministry with us. You can still click on the link below and choose "Mimi's Purse" from the fund listing or you can give a gift by check or cash designated as "Mimi's Purse".
¡Gracias Mimi por todo!
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Pastoral Leadership Update
for Spanish Language Ministries
I am happy to announce that The Rev’d Raymond Walker, III will be continuing with us and expanding his hours and role to provide liturgical and pastoral oversight and leadership to our Spanish language ministries. He will join the Rev’d Iñaki Guevara, our deacon, as the clergy team that shepherds Spanish language ministry at St. Bede’s. They will continue to work with a dedicated lay leadership team that already supports these ministries. This team of dedicated servant leaders – lay and clergy – will work with me, the Wardens, and the Vestry to continue to discern and grow the future horizons of ministry at St. Bede’s as a welcoming and affirming multicultural and bilingual community.
Peace,
Chad
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Service Animals
in Worship and in Parish Life
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If you have been in worship the past few weeks, you will likely have noticed that we have welcomed a new member to the community - of the canine variety. Pizzly is a golden retriever who is being trained as a service animal – more specifically, a diabetic alert animal. Connie Coralli is Pizzly’s human. Connie lives with diabetes and is working through a professional program to have Pizzly trained to detect and alert her to subtle changes in her body chemistry as she manages her diabetes. The first portion of Pizzly’s training involves public access training or desensitizing the animal to many of the swirling stimuli that surround us all in public spaces. To this end, Pizzly will accompany Connie to most public spaces. In his capacity as a service animal, others around him are to refrain from engaging Pizzly with affection or attention. When Pizzly is wearing his “Service Animal” vest, he is working. Connie asks that you respect this part of the training and not engage or address Pizzly while he is working. Rest assured, Pizzly has other times in his life when he gets to go to the dog park and “just be a dog” as well. If you would like to know more about service animals or about diabetic alert animals, in particular, there are many good resources on the internet. If you have questions or concerns about Pizzly’s presence with us in our common life, I invite you to speak with Connie, with me, or with one of the wardens.
Peace,
Chad
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Renewing our Grounds
by Kim Padgett, Junior Warden
UPDATE of 4/18: We have good news! Thanks to the generosity of many of our parishioners - and even a few folks outside of our community at St. Bede’s! - we've raised all but $750 of the $4,500 we need for our project to provide an inviting green space for our community. Please consider this opportunity to help us to reach our goal, and know that your support for beautifying our grounds is appreciated! We have scheduled work to begin on this project in early May.
We’re fortunate to have such beautiful and abundant grounds here at St. Bede’s! What a gift for our community that our green space is just the place for us to quietly be with nature, play or reflect, walk our dogs and play with our kids, read, pray, throw rocks in the creek; exercise, and a place to worship.
The Vestry recently decided to move forward with working with a landscape planner to develop a plan for the area along the Midvale Road entrance driveway and extending through the building entrance area down to the edge of the upper parking lot near the car bridge. Before the implementation of that plan, we will also work with the landscaper to engage in a “grounds reset” of our property that will include cleaning up our existing grounds by removing ivy and bracken from trees and bushes, trimming, edging, mulching, and otherwise cleaning up our property around the building to achieve a fresh clean look.
We’re at work to identify funding for this project, and want to open up to the parish an opportunity to give toward beautifying our landscape. Both parts of the project – the landscape plan and the “grounds reset” work will cost around $4,500.
If you are excited about the idea of revealing the deeper beauty of God's creation on the grounds of St. Bede's, please consider making a gift to support this effort to enhance our grounds and provide a welcoming space for all who come to St. Bede’s. Click on the link below and select "Grounds Renewal & Planning" from the fund list.
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“… [in] the natural world, what is - I experience the most extraordinary grounding, connection, healing, and even revelation. One little hopping bird can do me in!”
— Richard Rohr
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Thank you to all who have returned
their 2024 "Offer to God" pledge cards!
As of April 18, we have received
84 pledges totaling $452,000.
Thank You!
If you have not already,
we hope that you will prayerfully discern
your response to God's gifts in your life
and make your pledge of financial support
to all that God is doing
in and through St. Bede's.
If you need a pledge packet,
please contact the parish office at:
info@stbedes.org
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Over the years, the St. Bede’s family and friends and guests have enjoyed receptions, special meals, and casual gatherings, all presented by a faithful group of members who have offered their time and talent in providing hospitality to so many. The Hospitality Committee would like to organize into 5 weekly rotating teams to provide a bit more structure to the ministry.
The plan will be similar to other Sunday worship responsibilities, e.g. Altar Guild, Ushers, Greeters, Flower Guild, by having these 5 teams in place. This will offer the opportunity for many more of you to participate in the planning and preparation of our Hospitality functions. It is also a great way for new members to become involved in St. Bede’s parish life.
Please contact Nancy Ward (nlbward@comcast.net) for more information.
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The Bread Guild is
Calling All Bakers!
Do you love the communion bread each Sunday at St. Bede's? Are you a baker or someone who would like to learn how to bake bread? Please consider joining St. Bede's Bread Guild as one of our bakers. As a bonus, we do not have meetings in this ministry. Please reach out to Jody Klein, Chair of St. Bede's Bread Guild at jodyheidi@gmail.com or text to 678-372-9396 with subject line "St. Bede's Bread Guild" to learn more.
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Outreach Committee Meeting
Sunday, April 28
The Outreach Committee will be meeting on Sunday, April 28, 11:30, following the 10:00 service, in room C101. Please join us if you have an interest in Outreach and would like to be part of our expanding ministry!
Our first agenda item will be a presentation from Matt Johnson, the administrator for Church of the Common Ground, who will share with us about their sock ministry.
Questions? Please contact co-chairs:
Anita Montelione ammontel12@gmail.com
Karen Werner wernerksw@comcast.net
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NETWorks Cooperative Ministry
Volunteer Training
A message from Stephanie Suggs, NETWorks Program Director:
Hello, lovely Volunteers and Aspiring Volunteers!
NETWorks is having two volunteer training opportunities in April! I hope you will join us for one that suits your schedule. A SignUp link is provided in the button below.
This training is open to current volunteers and people interested in volunteering with NETWorks in the future.
Both trainings in April 2024 are identical. You only need to attend one.
The first hour of the training will cover the basics of trauma/chronic stress and how it impacts the brain and body, the science of Hope, and our new volunteer system. After a brief meal break, we will cover how to do Reception and New Neighbor Intake in the pantry. If you are not interested in learning the Reception and New Neighbor Intake positions, you may leave during the meal break.
April 18, 10:30a - 12:30p, Chick-fil-a box lunch provided.
April 25, 6:00p - 8:00p, Bite of Korea appetizers provided.
For more information, contact Stephanie Suggs at stephanie@networkscoop.org
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Calling All Golfers and Volunteers!
NETWorks Cooperative Ministry
Golf Tournament
"Putting Out Hunger"
Monday, May 6
NETWorks’ 2nd annual golf tournament--“Putting Out Hunger”-- is Monday, May 6 at Heritage Golf Links and we need your help!
Whether you're interested in playing or volunteering to help, it will be a great day and a wonderful cause.
Interested? Please contact Jim Helms, jehelms@comcast.net
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As we all watch the tragic events of violence escalate in Jerusalem and Palestine, it is so important to keep the people of the Holy Land in our prayers.
In addition to our prayers, St. Bede's has also transmitted a gift of $500 to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) for relief efforts related to the travesties of this conflict. Sadly, one of ERD's strongest and longest-standing partners in the Diocese of Jerusalem is the Al Ahli Arab Hospital - the Anglican hospital in Gaza that was severely damaged by explosion and where hundreds of people were killed. Please keep relief workers on the ground in your prayers as they attempt to offer care and relief.
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Caring for God's Creation
April 22nd is Earth Day
Have you ever heard of fast fashion? It refers to the overproduction and overconsumption in the fashion industry which now produces over 100 billion garments annually. People now buy 60% more clothing than 15 years ago, but each item is kept for only half as long.
Approximately 85% of garments end up in landfills or incinerators, with only 1% being recycled. Nearly 70% of clothing is made from crude oil, resulting in the release of dangerous microfibers when washed and continued contribution to long-term pollution in landfills.
EARTHDAY.ORG’s 2024 “Planet vs. Plastics” campaign calls for policies ending the scourge of fast fashion and a move to a more ecologically and socially responsible sustainable fashion model that reorients the industry and consumers toward sustainable practices in sourcing, production, distribution, marketing, and consumption. Click HERE to learn more about the fashion industry’s harm to the planet and how to make more sustainable choices. There’s a lot more we can do than you’d think!
Please contact Martha Robert at marthabob59@gmail.com or 404.374.7643 with ideas, suggestions, or questions about the Caring for God's Creation.
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Family Ministries Micropractice
Join our households with
birth through elementary aged children
in this simple intentional practice
as we bring our learning from the lectionary
into our everyday lives.
You may wish to conclude this micro-practice with this prayer:
God of endless, welcoming love,
you are the good shepherd who takes care of your sheep.
With you, we have all that we need.
May we bravely follow your lead, creating loving, welcoming spaces wherever we wander.
Amen.
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Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study
Has Resumed!
Join with others for a study of the Book of 1st Kings.
All are welcome.
Bring whatever translation of the Bible you like.
6: – 8 pm on Wednesday nights
on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month
in the Commons Hallway Classroom
(across from the Julian of Norwich Center)
Contact Fred Murphy for more information.
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Healing Our Racism
Book Discussion Group
Next meeting:
Monday, April 22 at 2:00pm on Zoom
April's selection is
A Quilted Life
By Catherine Meeks
Meeting Time: 4th Monday of each month at 2 pm on ZOOM
Please join Muriel Diguette and other members/friends of St. Bede's to discuss current books pertaining to the issues of racism and white privilege.
Email Muriel for the Zoom link to join the discussion.
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Mostly Mysteries
Book Discussion Group
Next meeting:
Monday, April 22 at 7:00 pm on Zoom
April's selection is
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
By Alison Goodman
Meeting Time: 4th Monday of each month at 7 pm on ZOOM
You're invited to join members and friends of St. Bede's to discuss favorite mysteries and thrillers.
Email Cathe Echterhof for the Zoom link to join the discussion.
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McLemore's Musings
We hope you are enjoying this feature in St. Bede's E-News - McLemore's Musings. Many of you have met the Rev'd Bill McLemore who has joined the St. Bede's community. Bill has been a priest for over 57 years and has served parishes all over the Episcopal Church. Bill is the former archivist of the Diocese of Atlanta and authored the 100th anniversary book on the history of the Diocese. Bill is also an artist and has used his artistic skills and sense of humor for many years to draw hundreds of cartoon that comically comment on life in the Episcopal Church. Each week we will share a cartoon here that Bill selects from his collection. Enjoy!
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St. Bede's Prayer List
A note about our prayer list:
We have reorganized our prayer list and are trying to make it more manageable going forward. Names will remain on the prayer list for 3 weeks unless otherwise requested. If you have placed someone on the prayer list and you would now like that person removed, please notify the office. Please request removal only for names which you have placed on the list. We are always happy to request prayer for our parishioners and our extended community.
Please contact Laura Pittman in the church office to add or remove names from the prayer list.
Laura Pittman
lpittman@stbedes.org
In our St. Bede’s community,
prayer has recently been requested for:
Robin Brown-Haithco
Prayer has been requested on a more long-term basis for:
Al and Regina Studwell
Sarah Jane and Jim Ohl
Mary Rodriguez
Helen Abraham
Aree Bancroft
Laura Ribas
Hilda Bell
Nancy Waring
Frances Bowen
Ann Foote
Robin Schreiber
Cameron Maddox
Peg Harriss
Sue Ellen Lampros
Prayer has also been requested for these in our wider community:
Fay Key, friend of the St. Bede's community
Eleanor Pearlman, granddaughter of Gwen Heaton
Allen Townes Cunningham, sister of Rob Townes
Stuart Allen, son-in-law of Jean Petersen
Kathleen Petersen, daughter-in-law of Jean Petersen
Anne Jones, sister of Claiborne Jones
Julie Steel and Jimmy Crane, niece and nephew of Connie Coralli
William Gunter, brother of Doris Bushart
Floyd Gunter, brother of Doris Bushart
Natalie DeMars, friend of Toni Graney
Elizabeth Graham, friend of Toni Graney
Raymond Walker, Sr., grandfather of Raymond Walker, III
We pray for those who have died:
Douglas Willets, brother-in-law of Sarah Jane Ohl
Eizell Jones, uncle of Jerry Simmons
We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week:
4/21 Brian Pettitt-Scheiber
4/23 Terry Cannon
4/25 Jeff Swoope
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From around the Diocese
and the wider Church...
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Bishop Wright's Weekly Podcast
Did you know that Bishop Rob Wright has a weekly podcast? You can take a spiritual "deep dive" each week with Bishop Wright and his special guests and grow deeper in faith and understanding as you listen and learn.
Explore For People, Bishop Wright's Podcast, Here
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Pathways
the magazine of the Diocese of Atlanta
The new Pathways is now available online! Through original photography, articles, and interviews, Pathways shares inspiring stories from Middle and North Georgia — examples of spiritual growth.
Read Pathways Here
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Would you like to keep up with news from around the broader Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion? Episcopal Journal and Cafe is a convenient place to find out things going on around the Church. You can even subscribe to get news sent to your email inbox.
Click Here for Episcopal Journal & Cafe
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Friend in Christ,
As violence escalates in Ukraine, over one million people have already fled the country — and the borders are flooded with many more people desperate to leave.
Almost all of them are women and children who have had to seek safety on their own, leaving their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons behind.
As this crisis continues to evolve, we are working with Anglican agencies and our other partners to provide humanitarian assistance, and urgently ask for your help.
Your emergency gift today will support our immediate response, providing cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needs as this crisis unfolds.
Our faith networks are currently on the ground in the border areas of Poland, Hungary and Romania, and we will continue to coordinate with them in order to help those who have been displaced. Specifically, our partner ACT Alliance is helping families on the Hungarian border, and our Anglican partners are mobilizing both an immediate and long-term response in Poland, Romania and Hungary.
Yours faithfully,
Robert W. Radtke
President & CEO
Episcopal Relief & Development
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