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The


Gregorian


Chant

From your senior warden:


Dear Gregorians,


In a newsletter earlier this month, I wrote about the many blessings of our church for which I am thankful. Today, I want to add the Capital Improvements Campaign Committee to that list and catch you up on where the campaign stands.


First, a grateful thank-you to Stacie Court, who has led the committee throughout this very busy year, and to its core members Jonathan Klein, Lane Norton, Rhonda Packer, Jeff Welch, and Bruce Zavitz, as well as important contributors Randall Abney, Les House, and Mark Reinberger. Our success to date owes everything to their efforts.


The Capital Campaign has, as of this writing, received commitments of almost $180,000 from 42 sources. In a year in which our annual budget has fallen short of giving our staff a cost-of-living raise and fallen short of hiring a Christian Education and a Music Director, it is heartening to realize that the capital campaign has done as well as it has.


I would be even more thankful if we could do it all—and I keep praying that we will. (It would take another $46,000 in our annual budget to give our staff a needed raise and to hire Christian Education and Music Directors; it would take about $720,000 more—over five years—to embark on the full slate of capital improvements.) 


In the meantime, let me acknowledge the splendid contributions of Jonathan Klein in keeping our music program going, and of Kate Avinger, Jenifer Borg, Anna Hiers, Catherine Holton, Jared Holton, Berni McCranie, and Jenifer Marquardt for their work with our children. And while I’m at it, a huge thank you to Missy Hamlin, Jude Red Bear, Berkely Boone and Stephanie and Willem Swindler for their work in the nursery.


So many Gregorians give so much to our community and to the wider world. It’s impossible to thank you all! (Though in future columns I’m going to try.) But let me get back to the capital campaign.


Stacie and her committee have planned what sounds like a fun event for the fall. On Saturday, September 21, St. Gregory’s will host a “Family Night.” But here’s the catch: the “family” referred to in that title includes everyone who attends our church--or would like to attend. We’re all one family, after all. Everyone will be welcome.


What’s going to happen, you wonder? Glad you asked. There will be games. There will be food. There will be a silent auction for items contributed by our parishioners and friends. And there will be a very un-silent auction of delectable desserts baked (or purchased) for the event. But mostly, there will be fellowship and fun.


“Family Night” is designed to coincide with the 2024-2025 stewardship campaign as well as the capital campaign—to remind everyone that both our physical and our personnel needs are important.


As we draw closer to the event, you will hear appeals for items or services you might be able to donate to the silent auction. Rumor has it that Jeff Welch may be offering airplane rides! Plus, with all the superb artists at our church, I am hoping we will have a veritable gallery of items to bid on.


That’s the news about the capital campaign. I’m so thankful for all that you have done so far, and I’m ready to be thankful for all that you will continue to do in the months and years to come.


In closing, let me end with a line from the Psalms that looks forward to Family Night and the dessert auction: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” 


God’s peace,


Mark Richardson


Mother Nikki will be out of the office from

Thursday, June 6 - Friday, June 14.

FAMILY PROMISE food request: several of the families are having some food insecurity because their food stamps have been temporarily halted due to paperwork issues. 


Suggested items: canned food of any kind, pasta, mac and cheese, tuna or other protein. Please bring to the church and put in the box marked Family Promise either in the narthex or in the parish hall building. Thank you for your generosity!

If you, or someone in your family who is a member of St. Gregory's, has graduated from high school, college, graduate school, etc., please let us know so we may celebrate them on Sunday, June 16!

Gay Pride Parade


Athens 3rd annual Gay Pride Parade and Resource Festival will be held on Saturday, June 1. The downtown parade will start at 2 pm and the festival will follow. St. Gregory's will host a resource table under that shade of the Classic Center 440 Foundry Pavilion at 300 N. Thomas St., Athens. Please call or text Alice Mohor 706 207 4716 if you would like to help greet visitors between 3-5 pm.


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!


Coffee Hour Treats Needed!


We are in need of volunteers to bring treats for coffee hour! Please sign up on the sheet in the CE building!


New sign-up sheet for the rest of 2024! We are currently seeking volunteers to work at the Athens Area Emergency FoodBank, 640 Barber St. on 3rd Mondays from 9AM-1PM. 2-3 volunteers are needed each month. A signup sheet is in the narthex.


New Usher Coordinator Needed!


After 3 years of coordinating ushers, Anna Hiers is stepping down effective August 1. Please prayerfully consider this ministry!

Family Promise June 2-9


Thanks to your generosity, our commitment for Family Promise is almost covered. Still needed:


1. Be present at the First Baptist Day Center on Saturday, June 8, to help families as they do their laundry there, 1:00-5:00 p.m. We need one more person for this.  

2. Purchase hygiene supplies, including toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning products. The families also need twin and queen sheets, which could be gently used. 

There will be one collection box in the narthex and one in the Parish Hall building. Please bring them to church the next two Sundays.


The Day Center is located in First Baptist Church downtown. Park behind the church and head toward the door marked Family Promise on the far right hand side of the building as you face it. 


Sign up here for tasks above. Questions? Email Annette Bates .

LOVE FREE OR DIE FILM SCREENING


University of Georgia's Special Collections Libraries is hosting a screening of "Love Free or Die" on Tuesday, June 4th at Cine from 5:15pm-7:15pm. Bishop Gene Robinson (from the film) and director Macky Alston will be in attendance and will also be a part of a Q&A that will take place after the screening. It is going to be an incredible event!

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. 

Orthodox Tours


In Oct 2022 Anthony Barkdoll went to Israel and Jordan on a tour with a group called Orthodox tours, with his in-laws who are Greek orthodox (his sister-in-law painted the icon in the sanctuary). The person that runs the Orthodox tours, Father Ilya Gotlinsky, is trying to fill up spots for a trip to England called "In the Footsteps of the Early English Saints" and asked if any parishioners at St Gregory would be interested. Here's the link for the tour.


Camp Mikell


The Episcopal Church offers Kid camp, Junior camp, Intermediate camp, and Youth camp experiences specifically tailored to each age group. There is also a Mini camp experience for young children to explore with a parent, as well as a performing arts camp.  Registration for summer 2024 camps is now open. Check out the website for more information!  


The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs salty snack foods, cold breakfast cereals, and hamburger helper! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!

southern heat

 

hot summer days

will now commence

with moisture thick

to make air dense

 

my thermostat

is still set high

but only just

to pacify

 

so i must rest

beneath a fan

preferably

on a divan

 

to tolerate

each afternoon

when heavy heat

could make me swoon



alice mohor

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!

Meeting Opportunities

Parish community offerings via Zoom or in person:


* Holy Eucharist and Healing Service There will be no healing services during the month of June.


* 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