An Ironman Thank You

This week, we received an email from an Ironman participant we thought you should receive.

Thank you so much for BEING the church this weekend and sharing Christ’s love with your neighbors at the IM 70.3. This was my first time visiting Augusta and I was so encouraged as your sister in Christ and know that you demonstrated love to unbelievers with your simple acts of sacrifice and generosity. My mom (who is not yet a believer) and I so enjoyed the pasta dinner to prepare me for a long day of racing and her a long day of spectating. And I know it’s a little thing, but it meant so, so much to just be able to use the restroom inside before the race. There’s so many things to get organized on race morning and mentally and physically prepare for the day, but it just took away so much stress on race morning to not have to use a port a john and be able to wash our hands with hot water and soap. Sadly, I think most churches here in the Bible Belt would have locked their gates. I’ve heard the saying, “when you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher wall” and I just sensed as I sat in your fellowship hall Saturday night that your church has taken that seriously. We don’t have any athletic events quite this big in my community, but it’s got me brainstorming ideas to bring back to my church of how we can spread the Gospel even with “secular” opportunities like this. Well done, good and faithful servants.

In Christ,

L. Harper

An Ironman Thank You from Kim Butler

Last Saturday, we hosted our 10th Saint Paul’s/TriAugusta Pasta Dinner. What started as a simple spaghetti supper has evolved into a full-fledged pasta dinner with homemade meatballs of every variety and homemade marinara, pesto, and alfredo sauces. The meal was completed with homemade cookies and sweets baked with love by our parishioners. A dedicated group of athletes and fans have come to see our Saturday night dinner as an essential part of the Augusta race weekend experience.

The course changed this year, and we knew these changes would affect us and that this would be a learning year for our race day volunteer efforts. We opened at 5 AM as usual and thought that it may be very quiet in the morning with all of the athletes heading to SRP Park; however, with our proximity to the transition area, we ended up being busy all day. We welcomed athletes, family, friends, and anyone who walked through the doors. Our children’s formation class met in the Berlin Room and made posters for the athletes, and we were delighted that children visiting for Ironman joined us. It was a wonderful opportunity for our children and youth to be actively engaged in our outreach ministries. We were so busy that we ran out of breakfast food before nine. Some of our volunteers dashed to the store to restock. Thank goodness for a terrific team! Throughout the weekend our volunteers would see what needed to be done and make it happen. We had a great volunteer team made up of Saint Paul’s parishioners AND friends from around the community. We are grateful to every person who contributed to the weekend’s success.

Our Saint Paul’s cheer station moved from the front of our church to the Riverwalk close to our River Room. We didn’t have as much space, and we were a little worried about how we were going to be able to share popsicles, ice, and water with the runners without crowding the course. It all worked out beautifully. We have to say a special thanks to a group of volunteers at our cheer station who decided they wouldn’t leave until the last runner came through. They stayed until the very end and even started running down the ramp with popsicles to give the runners struggling up that last incline an extra boost.

We do want to apologize to anyone who struggled with getting through downtown and into our parking lots on race day. We worked with Ironman ahead of time to make a travel plan for those worshipping and volunteering at Saint Paul’s and wanted to avoid any complications. Unfortunately, there was a communication breakdown with those directing traffic and the plan was not followed. Our church leadership has already met with officials from Ironman and Augusta Sports Council this week. The breakdown has been addressed and all parties are working together to make improvements for next year. Thank you for your patience and please know that this concern has been acknowledged and addressed.

Many thanks to all who made this weekend such a wonderful experience. Whether you baked sweets, chopped vegetables, rolled meatballs, stirred sauce, served pasta, set tables, refilled drinks, cleared plates, washed dishes, made coffee, delivered ice, handed out water and popsicles, shared a word of encouragement or a smile, cheered for a runner, or talked and sat with a visitor, you served as the hands of Christ. Thank you for sharing your gifts, time, and energy with such generosity.

Kim Butler

Ironman Chair

Hymn Festival

“The Faith We Sing” with David Cherwien 

Saturday, September 30, 4 PM

Reception follows in the River Room 

Join us as we sing together in a Hymn Festival led and accompanied by David Cherwien. This program is provided and supported by the family of Dale Hesse, in his memory and by the American Guild of Organists, Augusta Chapter. Saint Paul’s parishioners will recognize David Cherwien, as the prolific composer of several anthems sung by the Saint Paul’s Choir. The festival features a Mass Choir including area church choir members. 4 PM with a reception following in the River Room. Attendance is free. More information here.

Clergy Discretionary Fund

Your generous non-pledged offerings (cash and designated checks to Fr. Biddy’s discretionary and Rev. Kimberly’s discretionary) on the first Sunday each month support our clergy’s Discretionary Account. These funds are used to meet urgent needs within our community, to further the ministries of the church when other funds are not available, and to support community programs and institutions that serve those in need.

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 1, 4 PM, Churchyard

Bring your best friend for a celebration and blessing Sunday October 1, 4 PM in the Churchyard. The Saint Paul’s Blessing of the Animals is cosponsored by The Augusta Humane Society. Please consider a donation of one of the following items to The Augusta Humane Society: paper towels, bleach, Dawn detergent, 13-gallon garbage bags, or cash. All animals must be on a leash or in a carrier.

Tuesday's Music Live

October 3, 12 Noon, Nave



Tuesday’s Music Live 35th season continues Tuesday, October 3, at 12 noon, with a free concert by Brass Arts. More information by calling the Box Office, (706) 722-3463 or tuesdaysmusiclive.com.

ZOOM Book Study

Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Beginning October 3

Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks led by Barbara Coleman.

“Every day there are reasons not to be grateful. Terrible, distressing, painful, and awful things happen all the time. Yet gratitude is a defiance, of sorts, the defiance of kindness in the face of anger, of connection in the face of division, and of hope in the face of fear. Gratefulness does not acquiesce to evil–it resists evil.”

Books are available in the Narthex on Sunday and in the parish office during the week. $20 donation. Sign up on the website, so that we can forward class schedules and updates. 

Mmm... Men's Monthly Meal

October 4, 4 PM begin cooking, 6 PM dinner



Join us Wednesday, October 4, 6 pm for our Men’s Monthly Meal (Mmm...). The Men of Saint Paul’s will gather at 4 PM in the River Room to prepare a Spaghetti Dinner. Men, please sign up for cooking and clean up teams and everyone PLEASE RSVP for dinner on our website. Donations welcomed. For more information contact Eric Friedman.

Quiet Morning

Saturday, October 7, 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM

The Daughters of the King invite you to a spiritual morning of quiet solitude 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Bring “prayer tools” such as your bible, journal, or anything used for meditation. Led by The Rev. Terri Walker Degenhardt. For more information contact Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau.

Second Sunday with Creation Care

October 8, 4:30 PM, beginning in the Colonial Garden



Join us for a walkthrough of the churchyard with our very own Keith Shafer October 8, 4:30 PM. Learn about the history of the trees and plants at Saint Paul’s while enjoying the beautiful fall temps. We’ll start at the Colonial Chapel Garden and make our way around the garden, finishing in time for the Celtic service. For more information, contact Jennifer McKee.

Fall Newcomer Party

October 8, 6:30 PM, Tyler Hall



New to Saint Paul’s? We’d like to get to know you better. Please join us at our fall Newcomer’s Party for visitors and new members Sunday, October 8, 6:30 PM in Tyler Hall for drinks and light refreshments with the Vestry, Greeters, and Staff.

Confirmation Classes Begin

Sunday, October 15

If you’ve been baptized but not confirmed, or were confirmed elsewhere and now consider the Episcopal Church your home, join us to take the next step of Confirmation or Reception. Confirmation classes are also a wonderful opportunity if you have questions and just want to know more. Signal your interest by emailing Fr. Eric. Classes begin Sunday, October 15, 2023, 12:30 PM.  

YOUTH CONFIRMATION:

Students in grades 9-12 who have not been Confirmed are encouraged to contact the clergy to let them know of your interest.

Master's Table Soup Kitchen

Saturday, October 21

8:15 AM prep and 10:15 AM serving

702 Fenwick Street, Augusta

The Master’s Table Soup Kitchen at 702 Fenwick Street will be staffed by Saint Paul’s Church volunteers on Saturday, October 21, 8:15 AM for prep and 10:15 AM for serving. This will be a good opportunity to get to know other parishioners while preparing and assisting in cooking and serving hot meals for guests in the community that are food insecure. If you wish to serve, please RSVP on our website (a direct link is available in the Weekly Postings). Contact Al or Laraine Yarbrough for more information.

National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding

Tuesday, October 3, 6:30 PM

Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, Augusta

The service is a community-wide event for all those whose lives have been touched by mental health concerns as well as for health care providers, family members and caregivers. Participants from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian Universalist and Hindu traditions will be represented in the service. All are welcome. Sponsored by the Coalition for Mental and Spiritual Health Ministries and the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Augusta. A reception will follow with education about mental health resources in the community.

Springfield Baptist Church Annual Music Ministry Day

Sunday, October 8, 2:00 PM

Join Springfield Baptist Church as it celebrates its Annual Music Ministry Day on Sunday, October 8. Area churches from both sides of the river will be joining the Springfield choir to sing cherished hymns. Kelvin Jackson, the choir director for Springfield Baptist, will be joined by Veronica Stone, who grew up in Augusta, and is known for her vocal performances. The program begins at 2:00 PM at historic Springfield Baptist Church and will be followed with light refreshments.