Dear People of Saint Paul's:

This Sunday, we celebrate our graduating high school seniors. Their high school experiences have been altered by COVID, limiting their interactions with friends, teachers, and coaches. We are so proud of them for surviving this already complicated path towards adulthood. As they move forward with the next steps in their lives, please keep them and their families in your prayers and remind them that Saint Paul's will always be a place for them.

Last Sunday, we utilized a new sign in process, where each person attending church checked their name off of the registration list and was able to select a pew. We expect that the Diocesan guidance with regard to COVID-19 restrictions will change again very soon and relax some of the restrictions. We continue to ask for your patience in this regard. This Sunday, the Celtic service returns at 5:30! You will not need to sign up in advance to attend, but you will need to "sign-in," wear a mask, and sit apart from those not in your party.

Next week, we will be presented with the Conflict Transformation Report and Liturgy is an update on the conflict transformation process that the Vestry has undertaken on behalf of the parish. The Vestry will meet with the Revs. Becky Rowell and Melanie Lemburg in an executive session Monday evening.  We will receive the same report in the same format as the remainder of the congregation. There are 3 scheduled meetings: Monday at 7 p.m.; Tuesday at 9 a.m.; and Tuesday at 12. Generally speaking, if you voted in the vestry election, you are eligible to attend. If you have any questions about your opportunity to be present, please contact the office at (706) 724-2485. I invite you to attend a meeting. In fact, I encourage you to attend a meeting. Our goal of a strong and faithful congregation includes each of you. Please sign up and join us.

Ashley Wright

Senior Warden

As soon as I sat down I knew I had made a mistake. The eastern sun was right in my face and I was beginning to sweat beneath my black clergy shirt. Sometimes “the best laid plans of mice and men go astray!”

I had thought it would be a great idea to have our first class discussing Bishop Michael Curry’s book, Love is the Way, in front of our Celtic cross, but there is no cover in that area. Looking around for an alternate outdoor spot, I saw a beautiful shaded space by the offices west of the cross. As the group carried our chairs into that place, a feeling came over me that there was something special on that little north side of the church property. I had stumbled on to the historic site of the Colonial Chapel footprint of the original church plan of 1749. I confess that as the many times I have been to Saint Paul’s over the decades, I didn’t know of this special corner – several members of the class were in the same boat with me. It was like we had found a hidden treasure!

I thought it was pretty cool that here was our little group of seekers doing the same thing in the same spot that folks had been doing for 271 years – talking about Jesus and God’s love!

Several weeks ago I wrote that I have a spiritual “sensation” around the Celtic cross. I had a similar feeling in the Colonial Chapel, although not quite as intense – I know that will grow over time.

If you were not aware of the Colonial Chapel or if you haven’t visited there in a while please drop by, especially while the weather is pleasant. Or, better still; join us there on Sunday mornings at 10 am.

Dear Saint Paul’s Community,

Our Rector Search Committee has been working hard over the past few weeks as we are now in the midst of mutual discernment with our candidates. It has been such an enriching process and filled with honest, loving conversations and sharing our hopes and visions for living into the parish and people God calls us to be.

The search committee is made up of parishioners at different stages of life with different ministry focuses, life experiences, priorities, and expectations. We represent different perspectives and voices in the church and have worked hard to listen to each other and value different viewpoints. We experienced the gift of spiritual guidance from the chaplain to our search committee, Father LaRue Downing, during the first half of our search process. He opened and closed each meeting with prayers, devotions, and reflections. As we have now moved into the confidential phase of our process, Father Downing is no longer attending our meetings but we are grateful for the strong foundation that he provided for the work we are doing. He has been an essential part of this process.

We ask that you continue to pray for this committee, our church, and our candidates as we move through this important phase of our discernment process. We move forward with hope and excitement about the possibilities ahead of us, and we continue to pray for God’s guidance as we continue this journey together.

Yours in Christ,

Saint Paul’s Rector Search Committee

This week Maddy Baker, our Director of Communications, shared with us her last day at Saint Paul's will be Pentecost Sunday. In her letter, she wrote, "I have enjoyed being a part of this staff, but even more so being a part of the community of this parish" and that her connection to Saint Paul's "is much deeper than just a job." We feel the same way, Maddy!

During the pandemic, Maddy has been the consistent face of Saint Paul's at all of our online services and gatherings. Her warm and welcoming presence with us will indeed be missed.

Please join us in wishing Maddy well in her next role. She will be at both this Sunday's 11:00 service and next Sunday's. Maddy is remaining in Augusta, and so I'm sure we'll all see her in the community AND we expect to see her again at Saint Paul's in November for the blessing and celebration of her marriage to Justin post-pandemic!

Be sure to check out this week's bulletin and Saint Paul's Facebook Page as we continue to celebrate the accomplishments of each of these seniors!

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.

as of 5/12/21

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.