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Beautiful Beloveds,
For so many of us, fall, while lovely, is also incredibly busy. Some of us are caretaking others, which means there was no summer break. Maybe our kids are back to school (yay!), but their after school activities are back as well. Students are back in town, traffic is is high, organizations are back to business and so are the meetings…. How do week keep our balance in all the hustle and bustle? When is there time to pray? We can remember the words of our Savior:
"Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:29-30, Message Bible
God, Lord of all creation, lover of life and of everything, please help us to love in our very small way what You love infinitely and everywhere. We thank You that we can offer just this one prayer and that will be more than enough, because in reality every thing and every one is connected, and nothing stands alone. To pray for one part is really to pray for the whole, and so we do. Help us each day to stand for love, for healing, for the good, for the diverse unity of the Body of Christ and all creation, because we know this is what You desire: as Jesus prayed, that all may be one. We offer our prayer together with all the holy names of God, we offer our prayer together with Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Prayer from Ricard Rohr Daily Meditation (more can be found here)
Peace and blessings,
Mo Nikki+
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50 Years of Music & Worship!
and still celebrating
In honor of our 50th anniversary, please join us in worship for the world premiere of St. Gregory’s first commissioned choral work, “Living Christ, Our Rock and Foundation”. Written by renowned composer Lloyd Larson, this piece will be featured on Sunday, September 25th at the 10:00am service (the only service that day). This work will feature the St. Gregory’s choir with brass + percussion along with composer Mr. Larson in residence with us that morning!
In light of this, we would like to have a nice reception after the service, but we need your help! Anyone who is willing and able, please bring a finger food to share that morning. Coffee/water & cake will be provided.
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Seeking Nominations to the Vestry
The Nominating Committee is developing a list of potential nominees to the Vestry for the term 2023-2026. We want your recommendations. With those nominations and with recommendations from the current Vestry, the Nominating Committee will assemble a slate of three eligible candidates to replace the three outgoing Vestry members. The slate of three nominees will be will presented to the congregation before the end of the year, and the congregation will vote on the slate at our Annual Meeting in January, 2023. As specified in our ByLaws, the slate of three candidates will be elected collectively, not as individuals, so the election isn’t competitive.
Not only can you nominate parishioners—with their permission—to be considered for the Vestry, you can self-nominate. That is, you can offer you own name in nomination to the Vestry.
Eligible candidates for membership on the Vestry, as stipulated in our parish ByLaws, must
- be confirmed communicants in good standing in the parish,
- be at least 18 years old,
- regularly attend church services,
- and have made and fulfilled a financial commitment (a pledge) to the church in the past year.
To submit your name or that of others in the parish for possible membership on the Vestry, simply send it to a member of the Nominating Committee: Amelia Ross (awelch1987@gmail.com); Anthony Garner (agg9396@gmail.com), Eddie Bennett (ilason@charter.net), Jane Hudson, (janeghudson@gmail.com); LeeAnne Krause (leeanne.krause@verizon.net) or Nikki Mathis (rector@stgregoryathens.org).
Please send us your nominations for membership on the Vestry by Monday, September 19.
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Sacred Ground is a sensitive, prayerful program of learning and group conversations created by The Episcopal Church to promote transformative dialogue circles on race and racism. 24 parishioners from St. Gregory the Great have completed the Sacred Ground Program via Zoom in 2021, as have many faith centered groups throughout the Episcopal Church.
We are planning to begin our first in-person Sacred Ground Circle at St. Gregory’s weekly on Thursday evenings 6:30 to 8:00 pm beginning September 15 and concluding with the last meeting on November 17, 2022. Online reading materials and films will be made available online for participants to prepare for each circle discussion.
Participation is welcome for all adults 18 and older in the St. Gregory’s community who are prepared to commit themselves to one another for the 10-week duration of the program and the time required to prepare for and to attend the meetings. Friends and family members beyond St. Gregory’s are also welcome as long as the commitment to the full program is honored, and not brought as drop-in guests.
If you would like to sign up for this Sacred Ground journey, please notify Kendall Kookogey at the church office by email or phone 706-546-7553 by September 9 so that you will have time to receive your materials and prepare for our first session. If you have questions please contact Ellen Richardson via email or 912-660-0151 or Ron Balthazar via email or 706-338-0625.
If you would like to read more about the program, follow this link: https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground . We hope you will prayerfully consider this opportunity at this important time of seeking understanding and healing in our fragile communities and our wider world.
Ellen Richardson and Ron Balthazar
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Family Promise
St. Gregory's next Family Promise (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network) week is October 16-22 (we help 3 weeks a year). We belong to this organization of churches in Athens which provides temporarily homeless families who are working their way back to stability with a place to stay for up to several months, giving them and their children much needed assistance. The breadwinners in the family get rides to work if needed. Those who don't have a job have the support to find one. Meals are provided. Family Promise also works to prevent homelessness by helping families who might need a rent payment or a utility payment to be able to continue living in their home. They have helped some families find and purchase a used vehicle. We have this chance to put our faith into action, to walk by faith into a role we maybe haven't experienced yet, but which God is calling us to, like Mother Nikki has so often preached. To feed the hungry and house the homeless, to give hope to those who need it. Contact Annette Bates, bateskannette@gmail.com or 706-255-5839, to learn more. Thank you for being willing to put your feet into action!
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GEORGIA FREEDOM LETTERS
Georgia Freedom Letters was formed in the summer of 2020 by a group of organizers, educators, and people who care about building connections across the walls of Georgia’s criminal legal system through letter writing. Due to an overwhelming amount of interest in recent months from those currently experiencing incarceration, GFL is eagerly asking us to get out our pens and paper and participate in their recently launched pen pal project.
Especially now, people experiencing incarceration need our support. Since COVID, many of the programs and visitations at our prisons have been significantly reduced if not cancelled--letter writing is one way we can help provide human connection and companionship especially until these programs can be re-instantiated. If you would like to sign up to correspond with one of the 55,000 people on the inside of Georgia's prisons you can do so by visiting this website.
Streamlined instructions penpal signup:
Here's the address you can use for your mailing address, instead of giving your home address:
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
2089 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Please email the Rev. Nicole Lambelet, at nlambelet@epiphany.org to let her know that you are using their church address, and to give her your real address so that their church can send you any mail you receive from your pen pal.
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After a long hiatus, Les House will be restarting the live Lectionary class on Sunday, September 11th. The class will meet in the Library at 9:15AM on Sundays. We will be studying the assigned readings for each Sunday. Please contact Les House at 478-733-2939 or lwhouse9@gmail.com if you have any questions. Ken Taylor will continue the Zoom classes on Thursday at least through the end of September.
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Adult Spiritual Formation |
Adult Spiritual Formation meets this Sunday to continue our exploration of the Gospel of Luke. All are welcome in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 with no need to have attended earlier sessions. Bibles will be available but feel free to bring your own favorite.
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RespirOpera
RespirOpera is excited to announce its next production, The Old Maid and the Thief, presented in “old time radio style” (fun, radio “commercials” included!) on Saturday, Sept. 10 @ 7PM at Quinn Hall (the theater at Memorial Park) 293 Gran Ellen Drive. Purchase tickets at respiropera.com ! The Old Maid and the Thief was originally composed as a radio opera in one act by the Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti.
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Meridian Women's Chorus
Come sing with us! Stacie Court and Amanda Sacchitello invite all women of the Athens area to join the Meridian Women's Chorus. No audition is required, and rehearsals are on Thursdays from 12:30-1:45PM at Holy Cross Lutheran Church starting Thursday, September 8th. Our next concert is Saturday, December 3rd. To register, contact Director Stacie Court or 706-424-9516
www.meridianwomenschorus.org
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PASTORAL CARE IS HERE FOR YOU
In support of the clergy, there are many lay opportunities for Gregorians to serve and care for one another through Pastoral Care. Following are ways the Pastoral Care committee provides care for parishioners. Contact the following Pastoral Care members if you or a parishioner you know might benefit from additional support.
Card Ministry. The Card Ministry serves the St. Gregory community by sending cards for birthdays, bereavement, and illness. Children under the age of 18 and adults who are 70 and older receive birthday cards. Parishioners who are ill or lost a loved one are sent cards of sympathy and support. This is an excellent ministry for anyone who would like to be connected to others in the parish and work from home. Another way to be involved is by contributing artwork for cards. All cards that are used have been designed by St. Gregory artists. Contact Jenifer Borg (jeniferaborg@aol.com) for information or to join the Card Ministry.
Checking In. Members of Pastoral Care reach out to parishioners through phone calls, email, texts, and home visits. Contact Mother Nikki (rector@stgregoryathens.org), Kendall Kookogey (office@stgregoryathens.org), or Pastoral Care Chair Rhonda Packer (packer.rhonda@gmail.com) with names of those who would benefit from a phone call, email, text, visit or other Pastoral Care needs.
DME Library. Durable medical equipment (DME) is equipment that helps individuals complete their daily activities. It includes a variety of items, such as walkers and wheelchairs. Contact MIssy Hamlin (melmariehamlin@gmail.com) for information.
Let’s Chat. Let’s Chat is an online Zoom opportunity for women of the parish to discuss a variety of topics. The days and time vary, and not everyone can join every time, but everyone is welcome to join whenever they can. Contact Stacie Court (stacie.court@gmail.com) for information or to join the group.
Meal Train. A meal train is a system where Gregorians come together to schedule, prepare, and deliver meals for St. Gregory parishioners who needs a little extra help. Meal trains can last for a week or two, or longer if the recipient needs more sustained assistance. Contact Ruth Elizabeth Conine (StGregoryMealTrain@gmail.com) for information or to volunteer.
Men’s Group. The Men’s Group is an opportunity for men of the parish to discuss a variety of topics. The group meets at 9AM each Saturday at Mason & Ann Somerville’s house or the St. Gregory library. Contact Peter Rice (rice@boppie.com) for information or to join the group.
Threads of Prayer. The mission of Threads of Prayer is to knit and crochet in a congenial and prayerful community tangible expressions of the church's love for those in need of healing and comfort. We have made chemo caps, shawls, lap or larger blankets, scarves, and hats for children and babies. After each item is completed, we pray over the item, asking that God bring healing and comfort to those who will receive it. These items are given to a community member or someone one of our members knows who needs comfort, maybe after the loss of a loved one, a diagnosis of cancer or other serious illness or someone who is not able to come to services. We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 1PM virtually or at St. Gregory's. New members are always welcome, including anyone who would like to learn to knit or crochet. For those who cannot make it but who would like to contribute something to the effort, we welcome any items you would like to make or any excess yarn you want to donate. Contact Annette Bates at bateskannette@gmail.com for information or to join Threads of Prayer.
Transportation. Transportation assistance is provided to Gregorians who need rides to church and necessary appointments. Contact Alice Mohor (alicemohor@windstream.net), Tammy Bowman (tamaralbowman@me.com ) or Bruce Bowman (bbgwinnett@gmail.com) for information.
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doubt
my confidence
will quake a bit
when worried that
i might not fit
exactly what
i do perceive
hopeful people
come to believe
about what i
can accomplish
though i feel more
an accomplice
by projecting
more than i am
in a wishful
dream hologram
alice mohor
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If you're in your 20s or 30s and would like to stay up to date on events for your age group please reach out to Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837, to join our group chat. | | |
Due to the lack of volunteers, there may or may not be coffee hour on any given Sunday. If you are able to host or bring a baked item for a future coffee hour, contact Melissa or Catrina to sign up. A sign up sheet will also be posted at the event.
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We are in need of a few more acolytes to give a bit of relief to those in our current rotation. Never served before? That's fine- we will teach you! Acolyting is a great, low commitment, way to get involved in the life of the parish! Reach out to Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837, if you would like to volunteer. | | |
Athens Area Emergency Food Bank |
Needs for September
--Fruit juice (bottles or individual servings)
--Snack foods (chips, cookies, etc)
--Odd shelf items (condiments, salt/pepper, spices, cooking oil, sugar, coffee, tea, etc.)
The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank is in a "paper bag crisis" at the moment.
When you are shopping if you ask for "a few paper bags for the food bank," most stores will give you some. If we all do this for the month it would be a huge help--and they could put this crisis to rest.
PAPER, not plastic, bags are needed because of the system the Emergency Food Bank uses to serve families of different sizes. Paper bags hold more than plastic, hold their shape while they're being filled, and require less space to contain the prescribed amount of food for the different size families.
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Instructions for Live Streaming
- Just go to the St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church
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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. To ‘refresh’ go up to the top of your screen and on the left or right of the web address you will see this image (little curvy arrow to the right -->). Click on it to ‘refresh.’
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When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it.
Welcome to worship!
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Meeting Opportunities
Parish community offerings via Zoom or in person:
*Community Yoga is back for fall (Aug. 10 – Nov. 30, 2022), Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 PM; the 4th Wednesday of every month will be Chair Yoga. Parish Hall or Zoom, Passcode: 509230. Come thrive with us! Email Anna Hiers for more information, or just show up! The class is free; donations to the church are welcome. *Please bring a yoga mat*
Hebrew Reading meets on Zoom every other Wednesday from 11am-1pm. Contact Joel Hunt!
Stacie Court hosts "Let's Chat!" for women of the parish. The days and time vary, and not everyone can join every time, but everyone is welcome to join whenever they can! Email Stacie!
Book Club first Friday of the month @ 7PM ongoing for the foreseeable future. Email Lois Alworth if you are interested in participating.
Lectionary Discussion Group via Zoom, every Thursday at 6:00pm. Email Ken Taylor if you are interested in participating.
*Threads of Prayer will meet only the 1st Tuesdays of the month @1PM for June and July, and likely August! We'll 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) now meeting in person
Other groups have been meeting via Zoom as well, so if you've got a group already meeting in Zoom rooms, and want to widen your circle, let Kendall know so we can get the word out there!
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