In the hustle and bustle of appointments, errands and preparation for Thanksgiving, remember that our church calendar year ends this Sunday, Christ the King Sunday. And so take just a moment to wonder in the fact that the King of Kings, loves YOU (yes, YOU!) more than anything!
Love and comfort,
Mother Nikki+
Let Your God Love You
by Edwina Gateley
Be silent.
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
Before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you
With an enormous love,
And only wants
To look upon you
With that love.
Quiet.
Still.
Be.
Let your God—
Love you.
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A couple of things
A reminder that Children's Chapel meets during the first part of the 10:30 service each week.
St. Nicholas will visit on December 5th during the 10:30 service.
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Children and Youth Theater Group |
Parents! Children and youth are meeting from 9:30 - 10:15 each Sunday for our theater group. We are playing games, learning Christmas carols, creating sets, and role playing in preparation for our Christmas Eve pageant. Everyone is masked. Please contact Catherine Drewry to sign up or assist: 706-201-7241 cbdrewry@gmail.com
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Parish Offices will be closed from Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26.
HAPPY THANKGIVING!
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STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
For those who have already pledged this year, thank you for your generosity. For those who are intending to pledge, no worries, there’s still time. For those who cannot pledge money at this time due to financial constraints, always remember God loves us, from the top of our heads to the tips of our toes, whether we give or don’t give.
Here is the pledge summary for years 2020 – 2022.
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Additional pledge revenue required to fund the
Strategic Visioning* Budget, = $179,883
Total revenue required to fund the Strategic Visioning Budget = $469,165
Projected all other Revenue = $39,000
(Loose Plate, Non-Pledge Trend, Other, & Building Use)
Total pledge required to fund Strategic Visioning Budget = $430,165
Calculation: $469,165 - $39,000 = $430,165
Total additional pledge required calculation: $430,165 - $250,282 = $179,883
The Strategic Visioning Budget includes the items listed below.
- Funding to pay for a person to operate the live streaming equipment
- Funding to pay a youth minister
- Fund the youth program ministry
- A 5.9% cost of living increase for all employees (they did not receive one last year)
- Increase the Local Outreach budget from $7,000 to $12,240 as requested.
- Increase other parish program budgets (many of which were cut in 2020) to meet the Strategic Visioning Plan.
*The Strategic Visioning Plan, also referred to as “Nourish, Grow, Go” comes directly from what we as a parish heard God dream for us at the parish-wide listening sessions in 2019. The Strategic Visioning/Nourish, Grow, Go Plan can be found on our website at Nourish, Grow, Go! — St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church
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This coming Sunday afternoon, November 21, at 4:30PM, all are invited to the Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship service for all faith groups (Christians, Jews, Muslims, et al.) The sponsor, Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens, includes representatives of more than 50 congregations in the Athens area. This year the worship service will be on Zoom. Meeting ID: 915 5259 8884; Passcode: gratitude Short URL: https://tinyurl.com/473ryc87
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Parking for this Sunday, Nov. 21
The tent for Conoly Hester's service on Monday, Nov. 22, will be put up this afternoon. This means parking in the lot closest to the sanctuary on Sunday, Nov. 21, will be limited. Parking underneath the tent is possible; just please be aware you may need to park in our other lot or in the Montessori school parking lot that morning.
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Flower Guild Needs Greenery |
The Flower Guild needs lots of greenery for their Advent decorating that will take place on Tuesday, November 23. If you have any evergreens on your property you would be willing to cut and bring in (we don't need berries yet) there will be buckets of water outside the sacristy (back of sanctuary) to put them in. Thank you!
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All households are invited to make an Advent wreath after the 10:30 service on Sunday, November 28. This is for adults, youth, and children. Lunch will be provided. $20 per wreath. Bring pruning shears if you have them. Please contact Catherine Drewry to sign up 706-201-7241 or cbdrewry@gmail.com and note any dietary restrictions or preferences and the number of people who will be participating from your household.
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all together
this sunday last
of our church year
we celebrate
but with some fear
for what may come
in the year next
or back again
to further vex
and keep us from
the full return
that has sustained
all those who yearn
for worship when
we can join round
to share the joy
that will abound
alice mohor
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Rite of Christian Burial
The Rite of Christian Burial for Conoly Hester will take place in our parking lot nearest the sanctuary, under a tent, on Monday, November 22 @ 1PM.
Parking will be available in our other parking lot, in the Montessori school parking lot, or across the street at Barnett Shoals Elementary school.
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COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS
Thanks to generous donors and volunteers, Community Christmas has been able to help local children living in poverty, even as we weather the pandemic. We are continuing to carefully interview applicants for assistance to be sure all donations are used in a responsible way. Volunteers have planned another great toy distribution day in mid-December, and we are also assisting families who qualify with bills like rent or utilities. Our hope is this will help ensure children not only have toys under the tree, but also a roof over their heads, and water, lights, and heat. The needs our families are facing are greater than ever. Your prayers are needed. And, if you are able to give financially, know that any amount you can donate is appreciated and will help.
Community Christmas of Oglethorpe County, Inc.
143 Bowen Farm Rd.
Crawford, GA 30630
Gifts of new toys and other fun items for boys and girls ranging in age from infants to high schoolers can be dropped off before December 15th at the main office of the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department Monday – Friday, 9-5, at any of the area schools, at the Crawford branch of The Commercial Bank, or with Toys for Tots. If you would like to help with the toy collection and distribution, please contact me with a text at 706-201-7241 or email OglethorpeCommunityChristmas@gmail.com . If you know local families with children who need assistance this year, please ask them to consult our webpage for application information.
Your continued support is so appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Catherine Bowen Drewry, Co-Chair, with Shirley Dillard
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Zoom Meeting Opportunities
Parish community offerings via Zoom:
Sunday yoga ! for fall (Aug-Dec), via Zoom, 4:00pm, 30-45 minutes. Chair Yoga taught on the first Sunday of each month. Contact Anna Hiers (aldhiers@gmail.com) for more information. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97745366532 Meeting ID: 977 4536 6532 Passcode: 3195
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, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month @ 1PM. Email Annette Bates if you are interested in participating. All knitters and crocheters welcome!
** 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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See what's happening on our social sites: |
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