Weekly
Postings
news & events
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February 12 - February 21, 2021
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Lent Begins Next Wednesday |
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Observing Ash Wednesday when we are apart
Dear Friends – old, new, and soon to be:
Our first service “together” will be Ash Wednesday. In these Covid times “together” actually means apart. With that being our reality, the obvious question is, “How do we put the Ash in Ash Wednesday?”
Since I am a firm believer in the ministry of the baptized, this Ash Wednesday we will all be “ministers of the Ash.” By that I mean each of us individually or as a family will get their own ashes, or in my case, I will get a pinch of Saint Paul’s holy ground. At the moment when the liturgy calls for the Imposition of Ashes with the words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” I will sprinkle a little dirt on my head and give all of you watching on livestream the opportunity to do the same. Feel free to make the sign of the cross on your forehead or in the case of families on each other’s.
I appreciate your understanding and consideration. Thank you for that! As we go forward in the days ahead, I’ll probably be saying that again.
Peace,
Joe+
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Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 17, 7 p.m.
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Ash Wednesday, the first day of the 40-day season of Lent, begins a time of reflection and recommitment to our calling to follow Jesus. During this season of Lent, we focus our minds and our hearts on reconnecting to Jesus, the one whose love for us makes our lives complete and full of life.
We hope that you will join us on Facebook Live on Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lenten season as we all recommit ourselves to being faithful followers of Jesus.
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Daily Reflections from the Diocese |
The Diocese will be offering daily reflections during Lent, written by both clergy and laity throughout the Diocese. These reflections may be used as a personal guide through Lent.
The reflections will begin on Ash Wednesday and carry through to Easter Sunday. These reflections continue with the theme for November's convention: Jesus gave this image of him as the vine and us as the branches to his followers on the night before he died as he knew they would face tremendous hardships and he wanted them to see how life-giving connection to him is for each of us.
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Purse Contribution for Fr. Jenkins |
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Six years ago, John Jenkins came to Saint Paull’s not yet ordained and full of energy. Since then, he publicly affirmed his belief in the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church through his ordination. He has grown in his position as Associate Priest to the Priest-in-Charge, and he has led us with him on this journey. His commitment to our Church encompassed many avenues, including tremendous support for the outreach projects. Fr. Jenkins will leave us this weekend as he prepares for a new role at Saint Stephens’ Church in Richmond, Virginia. We send with him our deepest personal affection, our prayers for success in his new calling and our gratitude for his faithful service to Saint Paul’s Church. Should you wish to make a gift to Fr. Jenkins to show your thanks, please send your contribution to the Church office and ensure that it is marked for Fr. Jenkins.
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | February 14 |
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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.
OR from Zoom App, 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 Elledge.
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"I sing a song of the saints of God…and I want to be one too" | AKA: Foundations of Christianity, Inquirer’s Class, Newcomers
For Whom: welcoming all seekers and those who desire to be Confirmed, Received, or Reaffirm their faith; also for well-seasoned Episcopalians interested in shoring their foundations.
What: conversation about the foundations of Christian life
When: Sundays, 9 a.m.
Leader: Fr. Jenkins (Fr. Bowden will continue this series beginning next week)
Meeting ID: 893 0981 4467
Passcode: SPGgather
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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.
Leader: Fr. Bill Dolen
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Join us for the Sunday’s Forum this Sunday. During our time together we will reflect on the Collect of the Day and lessons appointed for that Sunday. Our time is spent understanding how ancient words impact our current reality. |
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Coffee and Conversation: Birthday Sunday Edition
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Help us celebrate our friends with February birthdays during Coffee and Conversation on Zoom. Enjoy a fun song the Saint Paul's choir has prepared, and fellowship with your Parish family!
Click here for more information on Birthday Sunday, including Zoom instructions!
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | February 15 - February 21 |
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Noonday Prayer
Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:05 p.m.
Leader: Fr. Bowden
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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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 daily devotions on page 138.
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About Your Sermon: Conversations on Sunday's Sermon
Leader: Fr. Bowden
Every Monday, Noon - 1 p.m.
12:05 - 12:10 p.m. Noonday Prayer
12:10 - 1 p.m. Conversation about Sunday’s sermon
Facilitator: Sunday’s preacher
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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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. If you would like any help, contact Maddy Elledge.
No reservation is required. If you need any help learning how to join a Zoom meeting, contact Maddy Elledge.
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Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Tuesday and Friday
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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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Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 17, 7 p.m.
Join us for this special service with Fr. Bowden on Facebook Live. See above for more information.
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Compline – Facebook Live and Zoom
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m., social time follows worship on Zoom.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-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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OTHER FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES |
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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, so please reserve yours today.
Book Discussion Guide Now Available
A book discussion guide for the Diocese of Georgia's 1Book1Diocese read 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 2/10/21 for the Year 2021
137 Pledge Cards representing $606,801.00
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 2/10/21
Offerings pledged this Week $11,669.25
Offerings received this Week $19,067.10
Operating Expenses to Date $86,702.11
Total Income Received to Date $132,301.58
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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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The new Day by Day issue for February, March, and April has arrived. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please contact the parish office.
Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily, "page-a-day," inspirational meditations each reflecting on a specific Bible passage from the daily lectionary readings of the Episcopal Church. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences.
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The 2020 Annual Report includes reports from the clergy, wardens, and ministry chairs, as well as financial results for 2020, the Vestry approved budget for 2021, and five-year trends for average Sunday attendance, pledge income received, and number of pledges. |
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Are we missing your birthday?
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