Online Worship for Sunday, May 17, 2020
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
10 am - Morning Prayer on Zoom
Join us for Morning Prayer on Zoom and we will (once again) attempt to live stream to the St. Bede's YouTube page.
If the live stream does not work,
we will post the recording to our YouTube page later.
8 pm - Compline on Zoom
End your Sunday by joining others from St.Bede's
in the quiet evening prayer form known as Compline.
We usually take a few moments at the end to catch up as well.
Information about how to join
Morning Prayer & Compline on Zoom
will be sent out in a separate email
and will be posted to the St. Bede's website
by Saturday afternoon.
There is always a call-in (from a regular telephone) option for
all worship, fellowship, and meeting opportunities
that are offered on Zoom.
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Bishop Wright has issued an update on how the Diocese of Atlanta, its parishes, and its other ministries will continue to operate for the
foreseeable
future during the current public health crisis.
Through consultation with public health officials and church leaders from across the Church, Bishop Wright's directive is that faith communities will not be able to gather for worship, meetings, fellowship, or formation in our buildings until further notice. This removes the hoped-for date of "not before May 24" which may be heart-breaking for many, but prudent in light of the continued crisis and other reasons that Bishop Wright discusses in his communication.
Bishop Wright and his staff are meeting regularly (bi-weekly via Zoom) with clergy and wardens to update them on developments during this time. When a decision is made that we can begin phased reopening, parishes will be given 30 days notice to prepare and implement the changes necessary to make this possible.
Please know that your clergy, staff, ministry leaders, and Vestry are having ongoing conversations during this time about how St. Bede's will continue in its mission and ministry even as we cannot gather or meet in our building. Bishop Wright
often
reminds us that we are in the business of "loving self and loving neighbor" and we will continue this essential ministry no matter where we find
ourselves being the Church in God's creation.
With love,
Chad+
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Women's Retreat Scheduled
for September 2020 Cancelled
It is with disappointment that we announce that the St. Bede's Women's Retreat scheduled for September 2020 has been canceled. Guided by Bishop Wright's directive of May 7, which says that "all meetings, worship, and pastoral care [must] remain online or by other remote means until further notice," we made this decision in consultation with others and for several reasons, including:
- the uncertainty of this time with no idea what things will be like in September,
- the fact that that many of our members are in a high-risk group based on age and/or underlying conditions,
- the strict cancellation policy of Forrest Hills is still in effect, meaning we would lose not only our deposit but a percentage of the total cost of our reservation if we do not cancel now.
While this was a difficult decision to make, we feel it is the correct course for us at this point. We know this is a disappointment for many of you, as it is for us, but we will have a retreat in the future once it is safe and feasible for us to do so.
For those of you who have already paid your deposit, we will refund that money to you.
Please feel free to contact one or both of us if you have questions or comments.
Connie Coralli
Molly Graves
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Calling all 2020 graduates!!
We are honoring all of our graduates on Sunday, May 24th and want to make sure that you are included. If your name is not included on the list below or if we are missing any information, please reach out to Beth Cannon or Muriel Diguette and let us know where you are graduating from and either where you are studying in the fall or what degree you are graduating with and what your plans are for the future.
Here is who we have so far:
High Schoolers:
Emma Brantley - Marist -
Ashton Busch - The Tapestry School (going to Blackbird Academy, Nashville)
Tyler Busch- Lakeside High School (going to Valdosta State)
Bryce Cannon - Decatur High School (going to Georgia State University)
Jaden Patterson - Druid Hills High School (going to Agnes Scott)
Matthew Tate - Lakeside High School -
College:
Sylvia Abraham - Georgia State University
Seminary:
Colin Brown - Candler School of Theology of Emory University
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Let's Stay Connected
In the season ahead, we would love for any of our members to share any personal reflections, poetry, or stories of hope that will keep us connected and lift our spirits. You can send them to: connect@stbedes.org and we will offer these in the weekly e-newsletter or on Facebook.
This week we received the following offerings:
Sylvia Abraham, daughter of Junior, graduated from Georgia State University this month. She had a very unique way of marking the occasion in this time of coronavirus:
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St. Bede's Virtual VBS 2020 - The Way of Love
We're anticipating a fantastic virtual Vacation Bible School this summer--for the whole family! We will offer a weekly bilingual Zoom meeting every Monday from June 15th through July 27th.
The meeting will also be uploaded to the "St. Bede's on YouTube". There will be stories from the Bible, crafts, activities, and music, all in the comfort of your own home. The theme of the VBS is "The Way of Love". Register your planned participation below.
We also need volunteers to act as virtual storytellers, to help edit videos, and to help in other ways. See below for volunteer opportunities and please watch an example of the video created by St. Bede's members for last year's VBS about "The Parable of the Sower". You can also watch another video for creative inspiration. More information and details about volunteering will be shared with those that are interested and able to help.
Click below to access the forms:
We can't wait to see what St. Bede's/San Beda will create as we walk the Way of Love together! So hurry and grab a story (or song) before they are all gone! Please contact Alyssa (404-579-6768, asali@stbedes.org) or Carmen (678-927-7200) by email, message or WhatsApp to get started!
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Vestry Establishes
Community Emergency Assistance Fund
In addition to all of the wonderful ways that the Community Engagement Team is leading us in supporting community ministry partners (locally, churchwide, and globally) during this critical time, the Vestry has established a Community Emergency Assistance Fund to help people within the greater St. Bede's community with food assistance during the current public health crisis. This fund will be administered confidentially by the clergy in a similar way as their normal discretionary funds, but will be used exclusively to help with food assistance during this crisis.
If you would like to contribute to this fund you may do so through
Realm Giving and selecting "Community Emergency Assistance Fund" from the "Fund" drop-down menu. You may also mail a gift to St. Bede's designated for "Community Emergency Assistance Fund".
If you have questions about this offering to the greater St. Bede's community or if you are in need of food assistance or know someone who is, please contact either the Rev'd Caroline Magee or the Rev'd Fabio Sotelo.
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Mostly Mysteries Book Group on Zoom
The Mostly Mysteries Book Group is continuing to meet on Zoom. If you would like to take part, please contact Connie Coralli and she will send you the link.
The May meeting will be on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day) at 7:00 pm and the group will discuss
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena.
The June meeting will meet on Monday, June 22, and the group will discuss The Lost Man by Jane Harper.
For more information, please contact Connie at conniecoralli@gmail.com
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The Forward Day by Day booklets of daily devotions for May - July 2020 are here!
If you would like Muriel to send one to you, please call her at the parish office or email her at
mdiguette@stbedes.org
If you would like to pick one up at the church, Muriel can leave one taped to the front glass doors in a plastic bag with your name on it. Again, call or email her at the church office.
Please note that you can also find the daily devotions on line at
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In Our Prayers
Bert
David & Marie Holly, parents of Richard Busch
Junior Abraham
Peggy Allen
, mother of Lisa Main
Dixie Snider
Ray Lampros
Suzanne Shapiro
Gwen Cordner
Arlene Means,
sister of Larry Bing
Maggie Williams
Jim Sease
Mary Rodriguez
Hollis Pickett
Dixie Snider
Beth Cannon
Margie Klein,
mother of Jody Klein
Ed Bennett
,
brother-in-law of Laura Martin
Anita Maloof
Lynn Edgar,
mother of Beth Cannon
Nancy Waring
John Branan
Kerry Penney
Patrick Newberry,
son of David Newberry,
stepson of Gretchen Berggren
Connie Aylor
Mark Ahlfinger,
son of Jean Ahlfinger
Carolyn Branan,
mother of John Branan
Andy Matia and Darryl Schwartz,
friends of Ann Foote
Brooke & Taylor Harty,
granddaughters of Nancy Waring
Jim Ohl
Frances Bowen
Max Carpenter
,
grandson of Sarra David
Judy Penney
,
sister-in-law of Kerry Penney
Sydney Lund
Ann Foote
Helen Abraham
Cameron Maddox
For those who have died
Bill Stegall, friend of Jan & Jeff Swoope
David and Abbey Darnell, friends of Sarah Jane Ohl
We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week
5/17
: Melanie Alexander
5/17: Ellis Crowell
5/18: Leslie Webster
5/19 Vanessa Mendez
5/20: Jaden Dumas-Patterson
5/20: Megan Fuller
5/20: Jenny Martin
5/21: Anna Graves
5/21: Leonor Romero
5/23: Janice Welch
5/23: Miriam Needham
5/23: Nicholas Caceres
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Blessed To Be A Blessing Pledge Campaign
Thank you to all who have so generously responded by returning your Blessed To Be A Blessing pledge card. If you haven't yet returned your completed pledge card, additional pledge cards are available in the Connect Center.
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What does Episcopal Relief and Development do?
As you may have read recently in the E-News, the Community Engagement Committee gave money to Episcopal Relief and Development. Ever wonder what does ERD do?
Episcopal Relief and Development is the relief and development arm of the Episcopal Church. ERD offers the Episcopal Church's first response to disasters and helps underdeveloped communities around the world grow and become more self-sustaining.
During this current time, ERD is offering COVID-19 webinars on various subjects each Friday. Check them out. I have found them very informative. You can also listen to past webinars links are on the website.
Nina Daniel,
Your Episcopal Relief and Development Representative
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For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Welcome to For People, a conversation with Bishop Rob Wright, spiritual leader to the more than 50,000 people in the 117 worshipping communities of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. In this podcast, Bishop Wright meets listeners at the crossroads of faith and life to explore the challenges of an ever-changing world. Listen in to find out how he expands on his For Faith devotional, draws inspiration from the life of Jesus to answer 21st-century questions.
Click on the link below to hear Bishop Wright's podcast
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EMMAUSE HOUSE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
Responding to the Needs of our Neighbors |
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Part 2 - Food -
Navigating Community Needs
Hunger and access to food is consistently an issue for the neighbors of Emmaus House. For many families, benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as Food Stamps, routinely run out before the end of the month. With no major supermarkets in the area, residents have to drive several miles to shop or pay high prices for limited goods in nearby convenience stores. Those without automobiles must carry groceries home on a bus or walk blocks with heavy bags-an especially challenging situation for older residents.
Over the years, Emmaus House has always been there to tide neighbors over, providing groceries from its food pantry to supplement other benefits.
Now, with restrictions in place to avoid COVID-19, the challenges are even greater. Other food pantries in the area have closed. MARTA has reduced bus service. People have lost jobs or had their work hours cut back. And Emmaus House could no longer welcome pantry shoppers into its building to choose their food.
"Overnight we became one of few places in our area still open," said Adam Seeley, director of social services at Emmaus House. "We had to evaluate our own position-how could we have staff and volunteers serve people? We had to create a whole new model of logistical services. Client and volunteer safety are the top priority instead of efficiency."
Now clients choose from a list of available products and tell volunteers their choices. The volunteers pull groceries from the shelves, fill bags, and pass them through open doors or windows. People who need food are asked to make appointments to prevent crowding at the facilities, although some walk-ins are served.
To accommodate the greater needs caused by the virus and the limited assistance available, Emmaus House has temporarily suspended requirements for proof of residency and geographic limits on who is eligible for services.
The adjustment hasn't always been smooth, Seeley said. One complication was that, just before the COVID-19 restrictions were put in place, the Atlanta Community Food Bank-the source of much of Emmaus House's food supply-was closed for a move into new facilities.
Even though the Emmaus House pantry had to stop services for a week and a half in March because supplies were depleted and the food bank was shut down, statistics show how much demand jumped. "Things just exploded," Seeley said. Volunteers handed out 6,200 pounds of food to 184 households in less than three weeks, up from 4,600 pounds of food in all of February. In April, the numbers rose to 12,400 pounds.
"Our clients have been really understanding and patient as we've made changes as we go along," Seeley said. "That's never ideal. You like to have a plan in place before the need for it arises."
Fortunately, he said, volunteers, donors, and agency partners have come through to help.
Helping Hands
Parishioners from St. Martin's Episcopal Church are filling bags, which they call Bags of Hope, to bring every week. Other groups and individual families are making donations. And Carver Market in nearby Historic South Atlanta is also selling a version of Bags of Hope for Emmaus House. (The market itself is a model neighborhood resource, founded by Focused Community Strategies (FCS), a nonprofit organization to provide healthy foods and fresh produce at reasonable prices and to provide jobs to neighborhood residents.)
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To buy a $35 Bag of Hope from Carver Market:
Go to
communitygrounds.com/order, and select the "carry out" option. Emmaus House will pick up the bag. The grocery items include cereal, cereal bars, macaroni and cheese, flour, canned tuna and salmon, rice, beans, black-eyed peas, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, and bath soap. Emmaus House will distribute the bags to individuals and families in the Peoplestown area.
Contact
Ann Fowler
at (404) 808-1864 if you have questions.
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Likewise, organizations are helping to get food out to people who can't come in for themselves. Welcoming Atlanta, a program of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' Office of Immigrant Affairs, assists new residents from other countries whose language barriers make it impossible for them to call, make an appointment, and communicate with English-speaking pantry volunteers. To serve the immigrant population, Seeley and Emmaus House executive director Greg Cole bought beans, rice, and tortillas in bulk at the Atlanta State Farmers Market so that the pantry could provide culturally appropriate food.
Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage and Disability, Inc. which works with grandparents raising grandchildren with special needs, makes sure their clients get the food they need from the Emmaus House pantry. And the 5-5-5ers, a homegrown neighborhood group in Peoplestown, receive food at the Emmaus House pantry for their neighbors and members who can't get out.
The 5-5-5ers are a steady force in the Emmaus House community. Several years ago, five women launched a group for people 55 and older. They planned to meet five times to see whether the organization would gel. They've been meeting and working together for neighborhood causes ever since.
Jane Ridley, 75, was out of breath, just arriving home from making a grocery delivery. "I have a back problem, but I do what I can," she said. Others, she said, do much more.
Rachel Harris, 71, has been on the receiving end. "5-5-5 is bringing food to me," she said. "It's slow for me to get around."
While Emmaus House is making sure its neighbors have food, its neighbors are helping Emmaus House create and maintain community, even in times of pandemic.
Volunteer Mark Laster lives in the neighborhood, works part-time at a local funeral home, and helps run the food pantry in his off time. "We try to make sure we have what people need," he said. "I try to make sure they're happy and they make sure I'm happy. We're like one big family. Customers, too."
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Several St. Bede's regulars subscribe to-
and like! - these e-publications. To stay up to date on activities throughout the
Diocese of Atlanta, sign up for the e-newsletter, Connecting.
You can also
sign up to receive For Faith, which is a weekly devotional message from Bishop Rob Wright sent by email on Fridays. To sign up for either or both,
click here
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Quick Links
To schedule events,
please contact our
Muriel Diguette
For the weekly
lectionary readings
visit:
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