Apologies for the late email. We had no internet/phones yesterday. | |
Hello Beloveds!
I can’t help but think that when humanity realizes that love and the action of love is the very core of our identity, being made in the image of God who is the Trinitarian dance of love, that our entire world will become more still and strong, resting in Divine Love’s embrace. But it starts with each of us learning to live in that truth; and it’s a lesson I have to review over and over again…
Jeremiah 31:3 The Message Bible
“God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!”
Except from
The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life by Henri J.M. Nouwen; compiled and edited by Wendy Wilson Greer, pp. 67
“You are beloved.”
“I very much believe that the core moment of Jesus’ public life was the baptism in the Jordan, when Jesus heard the affirmation, “You are my beloved on whom my favor rests.” That is the core experience of Jesus. He is reminded in a deep, deep way of who he is. The temptations in the desert are temptations to move him away from that spiritual identity. He was tempted to believe he was someone else: You are the one who can turn stone into bread. You are the one who can jump from the temple. You are the one who can make others bow to your power. Jesus said, “No, no, no. I am the beloved from God.” I think his whole life is continually claiming that identity in the midst of everything….
Prayer, then, is listening to that voice... To the One who calls you the beloved. It is to constantly go back to the truth of who we are and claim it for ourselves.”
More and more love,
Mo. Nikki+
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Click the photo above for the website. To order Christmas Bell luminaries, use QR code above or click here. | |
Stewardship Announcement-During worship this Sunday, September 29, we will celebrate God’s love for us by placing our completed pledge cards and ministry interest checklists in a basket at the altar. If you have already submitted your pledge for 2025, you can place a note card or envelop in the basket. | |
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.
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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.
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Bad Faith: Documentary
Come for a screening of "Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism's Unholy War on Democracy" followed by a panel discussion. This documentary explores the rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States over the past several decades and its current place in American life and politics.
The showing at St. Gregory's will be Sunday, Oct 13 in Parish Hall immediately following the 10:30AM service. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Wade McGlamery no later than Thursday, Oct. 9 so we have enough food.
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FAMILY PROMISE : OCT. 6-13
Our week is coming up and here are the needs of the families in shelter:
1. Van driver for Monday, October 7, 8:00-9:30 a.m. (estimated time needed). A volunteer will get the van at First Baptist Church, pick up a father and son who are in shelter, drive them to the Goodwill Career Center and drop them off by 8:45 a.m.; then return the van.
2. Bring any contributions of laundry and cleaning products to the church by Sunday, October 6. There are two boxes, one in the parish hall building and one in the narthex.
Questions please email or call Annette Bates 706-255-5839.
Thank you!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs canned soup, Saltines, and hamburger helper! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon! | | |
stewardship
our life our health
our work our play
god given all
each every day
we do give back
in thank you for
all that we have
this life and more
time and talent
our treasure too
st. gregory's
so much to do
in love god gave
in love we give
to thank god for
the life we live
alice mohor
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Instructions for Live Streaming
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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:
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If you don’t immediately see the video that says ‘live’, (for instance, if you opened YouTube before the service begins) keep refreshing it.
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When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it.
Welcome to worship!
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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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