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The


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Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.


Partying Beloveds!


It's not that we're not to enjoy eating and drinking. Jesus loved a good party, and I hope to be eating and drinking with you all on Saturday evening. It's just that joy is deeper than circumstances, good or bad. Joy is deeper than the rhetoric of this election year. Joy is deeper than the fear of school shootings, flash flooding and economic downturns. Joy is a sacred gift of the Holy Spirit. And it's not to be confused with mindless positivity that denies pain and turns a blind eye to danger, nor is it fake smiles and false declarations of being ok when our we're mad, sad, or overwhelmed. This joy is simply the awareness of God's love, and light, and abundant life as the heart of every moment, however we experience it. So when we actually feel it, (which is not all the time, and that's ok), it's more than ok to party! "Ain't no party like a 'piscopalian party 'cause a 'piscopalian party don't stop!"


Love and much joy,

Mo. Nikki+



Don’t Hesitate

By Mary Oliver

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,

don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty

of lives and whole towns destroyed or about

to be. We are not wise, and not very often

kind. And much can never be redeemed.

Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this

is its way of fighting back, that sometimes

something happens better than all the riches

or power in the world. It could be anything,

but very likely you notice it in the instant

when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case.

Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid

of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.


The Ceilidh service is canceled tonight. We apologize for any inconvenience. Our next service will be Friday, October 18.

The links for the RSVP and Auction List are BELOW this photo.

RSVP
Items to be auctioned

Click the photo above for the website. To order Christmas Bell luminaries, use QR code above or click here.

In-gathering for our stewardship pledge cards and ministry interests check-lists will be Sunday, September 29. If you have not received a packet of stewardship information, you can find some in the narthex or call the church office.


Environmental Sustainability Committee


The Environmental Sustainability Committee will meet in the office right next to Kendall's after the 10:30AM service this Sunday, Sept. 22. All are welcome to join!

Little Women - the Musical


The final weekend! You are invited to our production of Little Women, the Broadway musical! This is Collective Artists Workshop (CAW)'s inaugural musical production! Sept. 13-15 & 20-22 at the Oconee Civic Center (2661 Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville). Here is the link to buy tickets!

Tickets


Here also is a link if you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation to help with production costs!

Donation

Library Closure


The Library will be closed from September 15th through September 23rd. Groups and individuals that regularly use the space should make other arrangements during that time. Please know that we are grateful for your patience and flexibility.


Barnett Shoals Elementary School Clothing Drive


Every Fall, St. Gregory’s sponsors a parish-wide clothing drive to support our neighbor, Barnett Shoals Elementary School. This year, school personnel have devoted extra time to reviewing prioritized clothing needs for the schools’ clothes closets. Your contributions of any of the following items will make a difference:

  • boys’ and girls’ pants and shorts - all sizes, Youth XS-XL
  • boys’ sweatpants - all sizes, Youth XS-XL and Adult Small - Medium
  • girls’ leggings - all sizes, Youth XS-XL and Adult Small - Large
  • boys’ and girls’ underwear - all sizes, XS-XL
  • socks - all sizes
  • boys’ and girls’ shirts - all sizes, XS-XL (can include t-shirts in multi- packs, not necessarily gendered)
  • Boys’ and girls’ pants may include new and gently-used, clean items.

Donations will be collected from Monday, September 30 through Friday, November 1, in the boxes located in the lobby of the Parrish Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Gail Eilers, eilersgail@gmail.com, or Jane Sheridan, jsheridan@friendlycity.net. Thank you, in advance, for your support.


Blessing of the Animals


The Blessing of the Animals will take place this year at 4PM on Sunday, October 6 on the patio between Parish Hall and the Christian Ed building. Please have your furry, feathered, or scaley friends properly crated or leashed.

Confirmation Classes


Confirmation classes will begin on October 20. If you or your child are interested in getting confirmed, received, reaffirmed, or if you just want to learn more about the Episcopal Church, then make sure to come to confirmation class starting on October 20 after the 10:30 service. The class will run every Sunday for 7 weeks leading up to the confirmation service at the Cathedral of St. Philip on December 8th. If you're interested please let either Wade McGlamery or Mother Nikki know.


Wanted: Sunday School Teachers


Join us in welcoming children into our St. Gregory’s community as a Sunday School teacher or shepherd.  Even one Sunday a month helps! We have a curriculum for teachers to use, and shepherds provide support with activities, lessons, and snack time as needed. Contact Mother Nikki, Berni McCranie, or Jenifer Marquardt for more information.


FAMILY PROMISE : OCT. 6-13


Our last Family Promise week is October 6-13. Here are the program needs:

1. Tuesday night October 8 dinner preparer, meal delivered by 6:30 p.m.

2. Van driver needed from 8:00-9:30 to take two shelter residents to Goodwill Job training.  

3. Hygiene supplies: this time the families need cleaning and laundry supplies.

Thank you for your generosity!!

Family Promise La Table


La Table is Family Promise of Athens’ signature fundraising event. Last year’s event raised $50,000! Next year’s luncheon will be held at the 1055 Barber at 11 AM on Tuesday, February 25th. 


Each year, volunteers from area congregations and community groups are recruited to serve as table hosts. Hosting a table means that you commit to inviting 7-9 guests to your table as well as taking care of the decorating of the table. Table hosts create themed designs to embellish their table. Sometimes the decorations feature items to be donated to Family Promise of Athens to assist with the care of our guests. Other times the centerpieces hold special meaning for the hosts or the congregations they represent. Table hosts invite friends to join them for the luncheon. Each guest (and host) contributes a $65.00 donation to attend. The cost of food, facilities rental, and service is covered by presenting sponsors. To learn more about La table or becoming a table host visit familypromiseathens.org for information and pictures of past events.


St. Gregory’s is an active supporter of Family Promise, but we currently do not sponsor a table at La Table. Madison Sanders, Executive Director, is reaching out to confirm the number of tables for next year. I would love to tell her that we would sponsor one (or, maybe 2?) She needs to know by October 1.  


Please contact me if you are interested in hosting or attending next year’s luncheon. It is truly a fun and important event!


Blessings,

Berni McCranie

Adult Sunday School


Adult Discussion Group: (Parish Hall) The Adult Spiritual Formation Sunday morning Bible Study meets at 9:15AM and is currently studying the Gospel of Matthew. Wayne Coppins is leading this discussion. All are welcome.


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. 

The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs canned soup, Saltines, and hamburger helper! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!

giving back


grateful for gifts 

beyond measure

we return part

of our treasure

 

with our talent

and our time too

to help our church

with all we do

 

to love ourselves

and our neighbors

not to garner

special favors

 

but to nourish

us all to grow

to further love

where we may go


 

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!

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.


Ceilidh Folk Service St Gregory's offers a monthly Ceilidh service (pronounced kay-lee) on the 3rd Friday of the month (October 18). 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 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 on Zoom


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