Weekly
Postings
news & events
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December 25, 2020 - January 3, 2021 |
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Parish Office Holiday Hours
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December 25-28: Closed
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December 29-30: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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December 31: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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January 1-3: Closed
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Offerings or Special Gifts of cash/check must be dated and postmarked no later than December 31, 2020 to qualify as 2020 charitable contributions. For gifts (transfers) of stock or other securities, or other questions, contact Meredith Beach at mbeach@saintpauls.org or by phone at (706) 724-2485 ext. 204. |
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Dear people of Saint Paul’s,
I pray this message finds you well as we celebrate a Christmas like no other. We are strangely unburdened by usual rituals, travel, and gatherings, yet also heavily burdened with distress and fatigue from the pandemic and our nation’s rancorous politics. This is a time for all of us to refocus on what matters, our hopes raised in God’s singular gift of embodied love for the world—Jesus Christ our Lord. This is a time for us to show love, charity, and forbearance toward one another and all. In all of these things and above all else, we bid you a holy, peaceful, and healing Christmastide.
Also, I write to formally announce our parish Annual Meeting, which will be held online via Zoom and will follow a modified timeline due to the pandemic. In consultation with our parish chancellor, the Vestry adopted the following plan at its December meeting to conduct our parish business which includes voting to fill three vestry positions, one warden, and receiving financial and ministry reports. The nomination process is explained below, and nominations are open until the process closes at the Annual Meeting. Should more than three nominees run for vestry as has been the case in recent years, we will use a mail-in ballot process. That voting process, known as ranked-choice voting, functions similarly to our usual balloting procedure. Access a full account of the voting process here, on our website, or contact the Parish Administrator to request a printed version.
From The Book of Common Prayer, 12. For a Church Convention or Meeting
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in our parish’s Annual Meeting for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our thanks to Brett Montroy and John Jenkins for developing this plan to meet our unusual circumstances. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact a member of your Vestry or Clergy.
The Reverend George D. Muir
Priest in Charge
Saint Paul’s Church
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | December 27 |
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A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 27, 11 a.m.
The Canterbury and Saint Paul’s choirs will join readers from the congregation to observe this beloved liturgy of our Anglican heritage.
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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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RECTOR'S FORUM
No Rectors Forum next two weeks; resumes January 10
Who: Open to everyone, week-by-week
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Join us for the Rector’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 & CONVERSATION
No Coffee and Conversation next two weeks; resumes January 10 for Birthday Sunday!
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Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! Participants will be split into groups of 5-6 people to allow everyone a chance to catch up with your Saint Paul's family. |
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | December 28 - January 3, 2021 |
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Noonday Prayer
No Noonday Prayer this week
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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Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Only offered Tuesday of this week
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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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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, which are streamed on Facebook Live, those who gather through Zoom have an opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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UPCOMING FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES |
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LOVE IS THE WAY: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times
Beginning January 10, 9 a.m., Eight Sunday meetings online
If you’ve ever heard Presiding Bishop Michael Curry – be it in church, on his podcast, or on the "Today Show" – you know heart of his message is always LOVE: love of God, love of your neighbor, love that transcends religion or gender or background.
In his new book, "Love is the Way," Bishop Curry expands the message and offers an inspirational road map for living the way of love through troubling times.
Our reading group(s) will be guided by the Episcopal Church's study guide.
The parish has 15 copies arriving before Christmas. Reserve yours ($20) for pickup at the parish office or order your own--perhaps as Christmas gifts— while supporting our local independent bookseller, The Book Tavern, on Broad St.
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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 to Date for the Year 2021
129 Pledge Cards representing $570,101.00
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
Offerings pledged this Week $15,000.00
Offerings received this Week $6,595.00
Operating Expenses to Date $949,715.93
Total Income Received to Date $936,520.13
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Are we missing your birthday?
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