Weekly
Postings news & events
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To the Community of Saint Paul’s Church,
“Are we there yet?”
As a child I remember saying these words shortly after beginning the 850 mile journey to visit my great-grandmother in Mississippi. “Are we there yet?” Sitting in the back seat with two older brothers wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences. I was just ready to be there and start having fun again.
My parents tried mightily to make it as pleasant as possible. Count the Esso signs, how many different state license plates can you count, special snacks and books would be brought out when the going got tough. But, there was always the question, “Are we there yet?’
I believe many of us feel like we are on a long road trip stuck in the back seat with two brothers, We’re just ready, no matter how hard we try to connect with others virtually, no matter how many notes we write or calls we make to seem “normal”, no matter how many walks we take or projects we work to complete, no matter how much we try to convince ourselves that watching or listening to Sunday worship is great, we’re just ready for it to be over.
May 21st is Ascension Day; that day when in the sight of his disciples Jesus ascended into heaven; that event depicted in the widow over the altar at Saint Paul’s. In Acts the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth." In other words “Lord, are we there yet?”
Jesus reminded his disciples and reminds us that time is in God’s hands and that we are given power to continue his work through the gift of the Holy Spirit. When the journey seems long with no end in sight we continue to be the Church. Empowered by the Spirit given to us in baptism and nourished by this community of faith we continue to be witnesses to the transforming power of God’s love.
“Are we there yet?” Nope, and we don’t know when, but until then, let us continue to be the Body of Christ for each other and “to the ends of the earth.”
Let us pray:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens and left his disciples wondering “are we there yet?”. Give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church, with us, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.
Amen
.
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In-person Worship at Saint Paul’s
As announced last week, the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia will not move to in-person worship for the foreseeable future. Following widely accepted guidance, the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia will not move to in-person worship in a congregation until the counties in the region of the state in which the church is located meet the following conditions: 1) “the number of new [COVID-19] cases has declined for at least 14 days” and 2) “rapid diagnostic testing capacity is sufficient to test, at minimum, all people with COVID-19 symptoms.” A document from the Diocese of Georgia helps clergy and lay leaders in each parish think through how to return to in-person worship once we have achieved those regional thresholds. The guidance from the Diocese is not meant to be exhaustive, but a framework to help congregational leaders think through and plan for how they will work this out in their own context. Rest assured, your clergy and Vestry will begin these conversations in the days and weeks to come. At this point we are holding to our original statement that in person worship and gatherings will not be held through “at least May 17.”
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We've seen an increase, in recent years, of scammers pretending to be the Bishop, the
Diocese, churches, or a priest to solicit money from individuals through scams. Just this week we've received reports of an email address pretending to be the Bishop requesting funds for an individual impacted by COVID-19. Using a "masking" technique this email can appear like it is an official email from the Bishop or parish clergy requesting such funds, and the scammers are getting smart in the language that they use to request money from you. In times of crisis, like a global pandemic, scammers will leverage the chaos to target individuals seeking to donate funds in support of relief efforts. Therefore, to avoid such occurrences, please follow these best practices:
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Stay connected with Saint Paul's Online
One place to find ALL online worship, events, meetings, etc.
We know it is difficult to keep track of everything - Zoom meeting links, service times, new events - so we have gathered and placed everything you need on one web-page:
Church-ONLINE
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | MAY 10
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GODLY PLAY- Children through 5th grade
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID:
366 090 592
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We take children and their relationship with God seriously and seek to provide both space to foster encounters with God and the language necessary to make meaning of those experiences. In our new digital environment, we are excited for families to gather with their children to experience the Biblical narrative lovingly presented, followed by a time for awe and wondering. See you Sunday!
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RECTOR’S FORUM
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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The Rector's Forum offers a time and place for engaging conversation that is not anchored to a specific curriculum or topic. Always we consider how to honestly and faithfully live out our Baptismal vows, now more than ever!
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YOUTH FORMATION - Middle and High School
Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
OR Zoom App, Meeting ID: 795 073 836
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Youth gather for some theology, fellowship, and lively conversation before tuning into 11 a.m. worship. It’s everything you love about our Sunday morning experience, except the chicken biscuit.
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EYC - Middle and High School
Sundays, 1:30 p.m.
OR Zoom App, Meeting ID:
859 002 714
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EYC will combine both middle and high school age groups this Sunday! Join us on Zoom to catch up with Ranie and one another.
Contact Ranie
for more information.
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EASTER FORMATION - The Universal Christ, by Fr. Richard Rohr
Sundays, 7 - 8 p.m.; 3 of 8 sessions
Class Full
Topic: Theology/Cosmology of Christ, Contemplative Prayer, Community
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 917 434 398 29
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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This small group is reading and reflecting on Fr. Richard Rohr's The Universal Christ: How a forgotten reality can change everything we see, hope for, and believe.
Participants will:
- learn about a forgotten teaching of Christ;
- have opportunity to learn and engage in Christian contemplative practices;
- participate will practice growing in presence to one another through paired and group sharing
- set intentions for becoming a more loving, engaged presence in the world.
IF you are interested in participating in the NEXT group, communicate your interest to
Fr. Jenkins
.
IF you are interested in forming a reading group NOW, communicate your interest to
Fr. Jenkins
.
A wonderful alternative is to begin listening to Fr. Rohr’s podcast,
Another Name For Every Thing
. Season 1 offers chapter-by-chapter conversations about the book. Subsequent seasons delve into deeper conversations about the meaning of Christ’s universal presence.
Excited to begin, PEACE, and ALLELUIA, CHRIST IS RISEN! Fr. Jenkins
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Read the Book of Matthew in Easter
Now - Sunday, May 31
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OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES | MAY 8 - MAY 17
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Write A Note To A Family in Need
Golden Harvest is collecting notes of encouragement for families who are struggling during the COIVD-19 crisis. The notes will be included in boxes of emergency food that are distributed across our service area. To participate, simply write a handwritten response to one of the prompts below:
- Prompt 1: Write down your favorite scripture or prayer and include a drawing that illustrates your scripture or prayer.
- Prompt 2: Write a note of encouragement and illustrate it with an image that symbolizes hope for you, like a rainbow or sunrise.
Mail notes to:
Golden Harvest Food Bank
Attn: Volunteer Notes
3310 Commerce Drive
Augusta, GA 30909
Or dropped off at the Aiken or Augusta Warehouse.
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Distribute Meals with St. Luke
Deliver breakfasts and lunches to children in need in Richmond County on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout May. Email
StephTeague@aol.com to learn how you can get involved.
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Make a Card for AU Patients and Staff
- Handmade "Get-Well" Care Cards for patients
- Handmade "Thank-You" Care Cards for staff
Join in efforts to help uplift the spirits of patients and staff at Augusta University Medical Center with a Handmade Care Card. Both children and adults are invited to create Handmade "Get-Well" Care Cards for patients and Handmade "Thank-You" Care Cards for staff. Each patient will receive a "get well" card as part of their breakfast tray, and each staff member will receive them at the beginning of their shift.
Care Cards can be mailed to:
Care Cards
C/O AU Health Pastoral Care
1120 15th Street, BA 2476
Augusta, Georgia 30912
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Phone a Friend
Get an updated copy of the directory and call someone in your parish family. If you would like us to email you the most recent parish directory, please
email Hannah Gosney.
These directories are for our personal use only
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | MAY 11 - MAY 17
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Praying
Together
Audience
: A
ll - visitors, guest, and parishioners!
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
Daily common prayer: what it is and how to pray it
Monday, May 11, 7 - 7:55 p.m. Followed by Compline at 8 p.m.
Noonday Prayer TUTORIAL and worship
Wednesday, May 13, Noon to 12:30 p.m. followed by Noonday Prayer
Morning & Evening Prayer TUTORIAL and worship
Wednesday, May 6, 7 - 7:55 p.m. Followed by Compline at 8 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Our church's deepest and strongest roots are found in daily common prayer.
The Book of Common Prayer
contains a variety of daily prayer services for both private or public
use, but few Episcopalians today are comfortable with how to pray these prayers solo or in community (in whatever form it presently takes). Praying Together offers tutorials about prayer and our prayer tradition so that everyone may learn how to pray the daily prayers of our church, giving their attention and intention to God's presence in the community of common prayer.
Contact Fr. Jenkins
if you would like to request instruction about a particular daily prayer service or at a particular time.
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CANTERBURY CHOIR - Just for Fun!
Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID:
859 002 714
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Just for fun, the Canterbury choir is gathering online to catch up and connect with each at their regular rehearsal time, Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
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Compline
Wednesdays, 8 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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“The Lord Almighty, grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end.”
Wednesday evenings, we will gather online to pray the service of Compline at 8 p.m. The service will be led by members of the parish and the bulletin will be presented through Zoom so all may participate. Compline is a beautiful, simple, and quiet service to end the day with on
e another in prayer with Go
d.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
Offerings Pledged this Week $15,000.00
Offerings Received this Week $13,823.73
Operating Expenses to Date $342,391.51
Total Income Received to Date $355,403.19
Stewardship Campaign:
2020 Pledge Cards Received to Date 174
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Forward Day by Day is here!
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The new Day by Day issue for May, June, and July has arrived. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please
contact the parish office
.
Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily, "page-a-day," inspirational meditations each reflecting on a specific Bible passage from the daily lectionary readings of the Episcopal Church. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences.
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The Universal Christ Reading AND/OR Reflection Group
**SEEKING INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS
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There are three possibilities: 1) forming a small reading and reflection group; 2) forming a book discussion group; 3) listens to the free "Another Name For Every Thing" podcast AND hold a periodic meeting for discussion.
Option 1)
The Reading and Reflection group follows a structured eight week program of self-directed reading in which participants learn contemplative prayer practices and meet weekly to listen to one another reflect on the material. There is no didactic teaching and no inter-group discussion.
Notify Fr. Jenkins
if you are interested.
Participants in Option One will:
- learn about a forgotten teaching of Christ;
- have opportunity to learn and engage in Christian contemplative practices;
- participate will practice growing in presence to one another through paired and group sharing
- set intentions for becoming a more loving, engaged presence in the world.
Option 2)
If you are interested in participating in a traditional book group that meets for open discussion,
notify Fr. Jenkins
.
Option 3)
A wonderful alternative to or supplement with the book is to listen to the podcast produced about the book's contents
Another Name For Every Thing
. Season 1 offers chapter-by-chapter conversations about situating the books contents in a contemporary context. Note that the first season was produced in Winter/Spring 2019. Subsequent seasons delve into deeper conversations about the meaning of Christ's universal presence.
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Centering Prayer Sitting Group and Exploring Contemplative Practices
**SEEKING INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS
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Centering Prayer
is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. It can be helpful to one's practice of centering prayer, especially at the beginning, to have periodic accountability and support through a group.
If you are interested in learning about centering prayer, about exploring possibilities for forming an online sitting group, or about other contemplative practices,
please notify Fr. Jenkins
.
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Calling all 2020 Seniors!
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Do you have a senior graduating this May?
Email Elisabeth Price
your student's name so we know who to celebrate!
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YOUTH PARENTS - Call on Me Prayer Books
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What can you offer your teens and tweens that is relevant and useful? Call On Me is a good place to begin. It is like The Book of Common Prayer but contains prayers and passages of Scripture that speak to where they are in life. We have a several of these and offer to mail them to any who request them. Please
email Fr. Jenkins
or
order your own
. The book costs $15, and while we welcome gifts we will send the book to any who request it.
"When my oldest son was experiencing a particularly difficult week as an eighth grader, I discovered him reluctant to share his bedtime prayers. He gently explained that perhaps he was now too old to say children's prayers with his parents. I suggested that he could say his prayer by himself from now on... then he confessed that he didn't know how... Call On Me is just the resource that I needed to help my son." From the author's Forward.
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Are we missing your birthday?
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