Generous Gregorians,
As long as I’ve been a member of St. Gregory the Great, more than 20 years, I’ve seen calls for extraordinary—that is, out-of-the-ordinary, unbudgeted—funds answered by you unselfishly and munificently as they were needed. Especially as we’re growing, we have to be able to project accurately what our income will be going into the next year, so we’re able to commit to fairly paying our staff, funding our Outreach program at the level of 10% of our budget, providing our youth with a Youth Minister, and keeping the lights on, the buildings maintained, and the parking lot free of potholes.
We’re about to begin our stewardship campaign, and what you and your family pledge will be the basis for our church’s budget next year. Also, in developing our Strategic Plan, we listened to what programs and services you’ve indicated you want for you and your family.
We have a candidate for Youth Minister, someone who worships at St. Gregory the Great, who’s an adult who lives in Athens. Our Youth Minister will be responsible for youth formation and EYC (Episcopal Youth Community). In the past, our Youth Minister has been a student, which while enthusiastic and capable, tends to be transient, and depending on class schedule and load, sometimes unreliable. Our former pay for this position was $500/month, an amount insufficient to attract and keep a Youth Minister, so we want to pay our new Youth Minister $1,000-1,200/month. That figure will have to be included in the budget, rather than raised through appeals to you for additional funds.
Total outreach by our parish has been at or greater than 10% of our budget. You’ve indicated you want our community outreach to be 10% of our budget as well, but to do that, our budget will have to increase by about $100,000.
St. Gregory the Great didn’t have enough money in the budget for this year to give our staff even a cost of living raise or to fund a modest Christmas bonus for them. Thanks to non-pledged donations, we’re just now able to promise the staff a one-time bonus and a small Christmas bonus. If non-pledged donations had been included in pledged donations, our staff could have made plans before now for their cost of living raise and their Christmas bonus.
The church has to know what level of support it can expect from its members in order to fulfill its vision: to be a program-sized, culturally integrated parish, proclaiming and loving like Jesus with varied worship, music, and outdoor spaces.
Jane Hudson, Senior Warden
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CHILDRENS THEATRE
We are still in the exciting planning stages - welcoming input and ideas from adults and youth. Our committee is meeting this Sunday morning from 9:30 - 10:15 in the tents outside. We'd like to start our time together with the children (Pre-K through 6th grade) on November 7th, also meeting 9:30-10:15. These classes will go through November and December, meeting masked and outdoors (as weather permits), and indoors with lots of open windows and ventilation as needed when weather is not agreeable. Please email Catherine Drewry, director of Children's Ministries at cbdrewry@gmail.com to volunteer or to sign up your child.
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CHILDREN'S CHURCH
God made some really cool reptiles! This Sunday, October 17th, environmental educator and parishioner Berkeley Boone will bring his collection to church to share with the children, and teach about creation care. This will be during Children's Church, outside in our tents, and masked, during the scripture reading and sermon time of the 10:30 service (~ 10:40 - 11:15).
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NEEDED: Children's Clothes
Our Outreach Committee is sponsoring a parish-wide clothes drive to support our neighbor Barnett Shoals Elementary School. Although the Barnett Shoals children do not wear uniforms, the school does have a clothes closet that is in dire need of replenishment of some items. The school counselor there has indicated a need for the following clothing items.
Boys
- Underwear in all sizes (XS, S, M, and L) especially in XS and S (or sizes 4-8)
- Pants/sweatpants/shorts in sizes (XS, M, and L)
- Shirts in sizes M and L (already set for everything smaller)
- Note that the school is well stocked with socks.
Girls
- Underwear in all sizes (XS, S, M, and L) especially in XS and S (or sizes 4-8)
- Pants/shorts/leggings in all sizes (XS, S, M, L)
- Tops in sizes S, M, and L
- Note that the school is well stocked with socks.
This year you can contribute to the Clothes Closet in three ways:
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Make an online donation through REALM by Sunday, October 31. Select the Outreach option when making your contribution. Include Barnett Shoals Clothes Closet in the memo line.
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Write a check to St. Gregory the Great and bring/mail to the Parish so it is received by Sunday, October 31. Include Barnett Shoals Clothes Closet in the memo line.
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Bring clothing to the Parish anytime Monday-Friday (10am-5pm) or on Sunday when you are here for church. We will be collecting these items in bins located in the lobby of the Parish Hall building from now through Sunday, October 31.
Thank you for your support,
St. Gregory Outreach Committee
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booster envy
now waiting on
my booster shot
i work to not
return to fraught
as i had been
long months ago
when all routine
had ceased to flow
i try my best
to every day
remember that
god makes a way
while i study
do love and pray
with help god will
my fears allay
alice mohor
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Altar Guild
The altar guild needs volunteers! No experience is needed and training will be provided.
Anyone who is interested can contact Barbara Dean at
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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 will be on hiatus for the month of October!
** 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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