Weekly
Postings
news & events
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February 26 - March 7, 2021
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A Letter from the Interim Priest-in-Charge |
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WALKING – GOOD FOR THE BODY – GOOD FOR THE SOUL
Just putting one foot in front of the other will lead to some seriously remarkable mental and physical rewards. In other words, walking is good for you! There is a ton of research that shows the health benefits of regular walking. I won’t list them all, but I particularly like the studies that show that walking boosts the immune system and extends life!
Cissy and I love to take our two Shih Tzu pups, Lily Belle and Alexis Valentine, for walks on the beach at Fripp Island. Actually, the dogs walk us, but the positive effect is the same.
As we are walking into Lent, I want to recommend for your consideration the Labyrinth at Saint Paul’s. Our Labyrinth will be available on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., or by appointment. Families who live under the same “bubble” can walk together. Otherwise, walks will be limited to one person at a time.
For those who have not made a Labyrinth walk, our newsletter offers a link (veriditas.org) for more information.
To perhaps peak your interest, let me say that the Labyrinth walk is pretty cool. One of the mind-boggling things is that folks from all sorts of cultures around the world have been walking the Labyrinth for over 4,000 years! That one fact alone always gives me a sense of awe each time I enter the Labyrinth.
One of the intentional things we do as we travel into the Labyrinth is “purgation.” Basically, that means conscious letting go of that which weighs heavily on our heart. A prayer technique that helps me focus on the letting go is to imagine that I have some rocks in my pocket. The rocks represent those things that are bothering me. As I walk in prayer, I pause along the way and drop a rock. When I arrive in the center all my rocks are gone. On the way out I frequently experience a certain “lightness.”
Purgation is just one of the benefits – there are many more awaiting you – relax and let them happen.
May your prayer walks be blessed by the one you walk to.
Peace,
Joe+
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To the People of Saint Paul’s Church:
The Vestry regrets that Lindsey Vanhook has chosen to resign from the Vestry. She acted as a strong voice for the whole congregation, with a special emphasis on young families. We appreciate her willingness to serve and her insight.
Lindsey’s term will not expire until 2022. In light of that, the Vestry looks to the Diocesan Canons to install her replacement. Canon 2: Section 3 states in part: “Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of Warden or Vestry Member of any Parish, the Wardens and Vestry Members of that Parish shall fill such places by election, and the person elected shall hold office to which elected for the balance of the unexpired term of the person replaced, the minimum age being eighteen (18).”
As Lindsey’s resignation occurred on the heels of this year’s Vestry election, the Vestry turned to the most election results to install the person with the next highest votes. We are grateful that Nick Uros has accepted this opportunity to complete Lindsey’s term and look forward to having him join us in the Vestry.
Ashley Wright
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The Rev. Bunny Simon Williams to Guest Preach |
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THE REVEREND BUNNY SIMON WILLIAMS WILL BE OUR GUEST PREACHER THIS SUNDAY – LENT 2
Dear Saint Paul’s Disciples:
I have a special treat for you this Sunday! The Reverend Bunny Simon Williams will be our guest preacher. Bunny+ and I have been close friends for over forty years and worked together in the operating room at MCG about the time anesthesia was discovered. Several years ago Bunny+ answered God’s call to transition her caring ministry as a nurse to a caring, serving ministry as a priest. She graduated from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and was ordained priest at the Church of the Good Shepherd in 2018. Bunny+ coordinates pastoral care at Good Shepherd.
Please give a warm Saint Paul’s welcome to my dear “thick and thin” friend!
Peace,
Joe+
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | February 28 |
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Godly Play - Children through 5th grade
K-2nd grade, 9 - 9:40 a.m.
3rd-5th grade, 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
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. Within the Godly Play classroom, the Biblical narrative is lovingly presented to children using beautiful materials with an invitation to step into each story with awe and wonder. Children are then allowed time to respond to and reflect on their experience of the story.
The Godly Play class sends weekly emails on Saturday morning. If you have children K-5th grade and would like to receive this email, please contact Maddy Baker.
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Foundations of Christianity Inquirer’s Class
Newcomers & long-term members welcome
Sundays, 9 a.m.
Led by Fr. Bowden
Meeting ID: 893 0981 4467
Password: SPCgather
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All are invited to this series of conversations about the foundation of Christian life. Each week we reflect on content from two sources:
1) one half of a chapter in Julia Gatta’s "Life in Christ."
More details from the orientation session are available here.
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Sunday Forum
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
Led by Fr. Dolen
Meeting ID: 860 972 849
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Theodicy: God and Human Suffering.
For thousands of years, philosophers, theologians, and just plain people like us have asked, “If God is present and active in the world, if God is love, if God is merciful, if God is just, and if God is omnipotent, how can there be so much pain and suffering?” For the first 3 weeks in Lent, we will explore some of the solutions found in Holy Scripture and in the writings of traditional theologians, and how to grow our faith by speaking “accurately and justly of God amid suffering."
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Coffee and Conversation
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
Meeting ID: 860 972 849
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We miss seeing you! Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! |
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | March 1 - March 7 |
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Noonday Prayer
Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:05 p.m.
Led by Fr. Bowden
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
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Noonday Prayer is a short and simple service which allows prayer to enter into the midst of our daily work or other activities, while joining our prayers in the ongoing prayer of the Church around the world. It may also be observed in private and is found online here and on p.103-107 in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) or in the simplified version for daily devotions on page 138.
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About Your Sermon: Conversations on Sunday's Sermon
Mondays, Noon - 1 p.m.
Led by Fr. Bowden
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
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Every Monday we invite you to gather for and discuss the Good News of Jesus Christ proclaimed in Sunday’s sermon from the 11 a.m. service. We begin with Noonday Prayer at 12:05 p.m. and then jump into discussion to explore your questions and interests, theological themes, and implications. We end promptly at one o’clock for those joining during a lunch hour.
The video of the service is available on our Facebook page immediately following Sunday’s 11 a.m. livestream. The sermon usually begins at about 25 minutes into the service, to which you can advance the video.
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Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Tuesday and Friday, or by appointment
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Sacred Space is an opportunity for you to be in your church’s sacred space to rest and pray. You will be provided with a simple Order of Service to guide your prayers, but pray according to your practice and however fulfills your needs for your own sacred time and space.
Please note that during this time, we ask that everyone sign up to attend as each time is limited in the number of participants. You will be required to submit your email address for contact tracing.
Masks are kindly required by all individuals at all times. You will receive a follow-up email with more details on additional guidelines.
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YOUTH: Come Away by Yourself and Pray a While
Tuesday, March 2, 8 p.m.
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Prayer comes in many forms, and what deepens and enriches one person’s relationship with God may not do so for someone else. The Diocese will offer youth a three-week series on prayer. The series will introduce a few different types of prayer, both active and contemplative, and will offer a chance to practice each one. This series is a chance to set aside an hour each week to ground yourself, to explore different forms of prayer, and to connect with others who are able to take part. |
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Labyrinth Walk
Wednesdays in Lent, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., or by appointment
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The Labyrinth will be available for self-guided walks Wednesdays during Lent in the Berlin Room. Printed guides will be provided in the room. Please wear or bring socks to wear after removing your shoes. Visit veriditas.org for more information about prayer and meditation with labyrinths.
Please be sure to sign-up as slots are limited to individuals or families to practice social distancing. If your desired time is not listed, please contact the Parish Office to schedule a time.
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Compline
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m., social time follows worship on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
Dial-In: (646) 876-9923
Compline is a beautiful, simple, and quiet service to end the day together in prayer with God. This service is led by members of the parish using an on-screen bulletin so everyone may pray together.
Following the prayers, those who gather through Zoom have an opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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The Theology of Film
Thursdays in Lent at 7 p.m.
Meeting ID: 876 9052 0993
Password: 551123
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We have been invited to join on Zoom with the folks of St. James Episcopal Church for a class led by their Interim Rector, the Rev. Michael Singer. The one-hour class will feature a different film each Thursday night during Lent (all films can be found on Netflix or Prime).
We hope this is a fun and enlightening Lenten study with the added benefit of getting to know some of our brothers and sisters in Christ from St. James.
FILM FOR NEXT WEEK: BRIDGE OF SPIES
Bridge of Spies is a 2015 historical drama film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, written by Matt Charman and the Coen brothers, and starring Tom Hanks as James B. Donovan, Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel, Amy Ryan, as Mary Donovan, and Alan Alda as Thomas Watters Jr. Set during the Cold War, the film tells the story of lawyer James B. Donovan, who is entrusted with negotiating the release of Francis Gary Powers—a U.S. Air Force pilot whose U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960—in exchange for Rudolf Abel, a convicted Soviet spy. Bridge of Spies can be viewed on Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming services.
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OTHER FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES |
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As we enter this season of Lent, more information on Saint Paul's Lenten offerings is available on our website. You will find opportunities for daily prayer, study, conversation, reflection, and worship. |
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LOVE IS THE WAY: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times
Beginning Eastertide
This Easter season, the Racial Healing Ministry of our diocese will host a diocesan-wide reading group of Bp. Curry’s Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times.
12 Copies are available ($20 per) in the Parish Office.
Book Discussion Guide Now Available
A book discussion guide for the Diocese of Georgia's 1Book1Diocese reading of Love is the Way is now online here: Discussion Guide PDF
Bishop Curry to meet online
Individuals may also read the book and then join for the online meeting with Bishop Curry to discuss the book.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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From the Stewardship Chair
Lord, we give faithfully, and in our giving, we honor you,
the source of all our blessings, our daily bread, and all the gifts in our lives.
Received as of 2/24/21 for the Year 2021
136 Pledge Cards representing $605,801.00
If you have not completed a pledge card, please complete this year’s annual stewardship appeal and return it to the church as soon as possible, or pledge online on our website at saintpauls.org/pledge-card/. If you did not receive a pledge appeal in the mail or have simply misplaced yours, please email the parish office or contact by telephone at (706) 724-2485 ext. 225.
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
as of 2/24/21
Offerings pledged this Week $11,650.02
Offerings received this Week $4,153.34
Operating Expenses to Date $109,512.62
Total Income Received to Date $151,054.82
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COVID-19 Vaccine Registration |
Eligible individuals, including those ages 65 and older, can now register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Washington Square shopping center. Registration must be completed in advance on the AU Health website.
South Carolina residents who are eligible can also register to receive the vaccine at Aiken Technical College through the AU Health website.
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Are we missing your birthday?
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