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.

Sunday Breakfast

9 - 10 AM Tyler Hall

This Sunday morning, we'll celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany and baptize three people into the Body of Christ. To celebrate the feast and the Baptisms, a cooked breakfast will be available in Tyler Hall from 9:00 to 10:30. Please join us.

Sunday Forum

Lux Mundi: the Incarnation and the Light of the World

9:30 AM, The Berlin Room

At our Lessons and Carols service, the final reading was titled, "St. John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation." But even if it is now unfolded, the Incarnation is still pretty mysterious. As we move from Christmas to the season after the Epiphany, this one-off adult formation session will explore further the mystery of the Incarnation and what it means for Christ to be light of the world.  

St. Nicholas Choir (age 5 - grade 2)

Canterbury Choir (grades 3-9)

Sundays, 9:25 - 10:00 AM

The Canterbury Choir (children in grades 3-9) and the St. Nicholas Choir (age 5 through grade 2) will meet this week as scheduled.

If you or any family or friends are interested in the choir program, please email Director of Music, Keith Shafer or call (706) 724-2485 ext. 215.

Godly Play (grades pk4-2)

Sunday, 10-10:45 AM

St. Francis' Room, CMC

Sara Dimsdale and Kim Butler will lead our younger children in the Saint Francis Room (Godly Play Room). If your child is in the Saint Nicholas choir, they will transition from choir to formation.

Spark Upper Elementary (grades 3-5)

Sunday, 10-10:45 AM

St. Patrick's Room, CMC

Kitty Gordon will lead our older children. They will meet in the Saint Patrick Room (large classroom across from the office). If your child is in the Canterbury choir, they will transition from choir to the formation class. 

Middle School Formation grades 6-8

Sunday, 10-10:45 AM

St. Benedict's Room, CMC

Formation classes for Middle School return this Sunday! Elizabeth Lindroth will be leading our class this semester. For more information contact Elizabeth.

EYC (Episcopal Youth Community)

Grades 6-12

Sunday, 5-7 PM, Off-site (St. Bart's, N. Augusta)

EYC begins the Spring Semester this Sunday with dinner and games with our friends at St. Bart's.

Join us at St. Bart's (471 W. Martintown Rd, North Augusta, SC). For more information contact contact Elizabeth Lindroth.

Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion

with Prayers for Healing

Sundays, 5:30 PM

Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion is a candle-lit service that emphasizes the contemplative side of worship, features some of Augusta’s best Celtic musicians, and offers prayers for healing for those attending, for others, and for the world. Come as you are and enter into a place of rest, prayer, and reflection.

Rob Foster is our guest musician this week.

Reception Following Celtic Service

Sunday, January 7

Save the Date — An Epiphany Celebration follows the Celtic Service, Sunday, January 7. Join us for a light refreshments on the Portico (weather permitting) or the Narthex.  

Sit and Wait Meditation Group

Sundays, 6:30 PM, Chapel 

Sit and Wait will follow the Celtic Service at 6:30 PM. The format will follow An Order for Compline from the Book of Common Prayer (page 127-135). The focus of the service will be the appointed Rule of Benedict for the Day. At the end of Compline, a twenty-minute sit will follow, and everyone will leave in silence.

Please email Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau or contact by phone at (706) 910-9331 for further information.

Open Altar Flower Sundays

January 21, February 4, and February 11, are open Sundays for altar arrangements. If anyone would kindly like to sponsor a Sunday in honor or memory of someone or “many” someones, please contact the Parish Office at mailbox@saintpauls.org. The normal charge is a minimum of $100.

LAST CALL

Sign up for a Foyer Dinner Group

For groups meeting January, February & March

Each group of 8-10 people meets once a month for three months (January, February, and March). Groups gather for a simple meal and relaxed conversation in group member’s homes. Generally, the host provides the main dish and others bring the rest of the meal (appetizer, salad, side, or dessert), but groups can be organized in many other ways. We will schedule new groups for spring. Sign up beginning next week. Fr. Biddy will organize the groups and send information by the first week of January to get you started. For more information, contact ebiddy@saintpauls.org.

Tuesday's Music Live Returns

Tuesday, January 9, 12 noon

Tuesday’s Music Live 35th season continues Tuesday, January 9, at 12 noon, with a free concert by MusAlliance, (Anna Kusner, guitar and Peter Omelchenko, domra). More information by calling the Box Office, (706) 722-3463 or tuesdaysmusiclive.com.

Jimmie Dyess Symposium

Thursday, January 11, 5 PM, Augusta History Museum

On January 11th, 2024, during the Jimmie Dyess Symposium at the Augusta History Museum, our own Nancy Hussey, will be one of those receiving a Distinguished American Award. (pictured with a Linus Project, one of her many Saint Paul's projects).

This symposium is from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. All are invited. The other award recipients will be retired Augusta University athletic director Clint Bryant and Medal of Honor recipient James McCloughan. Please come to the symposium and support the awardees.

New On-line Formation Offering

The Wounded Healer

Tuesdays; January 2 - February 6

7:30–8:30 PM

Our online formation book studies continue in January with The Wounded Healer by Henri J. M. Nouwen. Books are available from many book sellers or in the Narthex this Sunday and the parish office during the week ($15 donation). Sign up on our website. “In this hope-filled and profoundly simple book, Henri Nouwen offers a radically fresh perspective of how we can best serve others.”

Mid-Week Eucharist

Thursdays, 11:30 AM

A mid-week Eucharist in the Chapel begins at 11:30 AM. Lunch in the Berlin Room follows at 12 noon with a weekly Bible study (more information below.) Join us as your schedule allows: Come for Eucharist and lunch, lunch and Bible study, or stay for all three. (So that we may honor mid-day schedules, lunch is scheduled for 15 minutes and will continue through the Bible study conversations.)

Lectio at Lunch

Thursdays, 12 Noon, Tyler Hall 

Every Thursday in Tyler Hall you’ll find a lunch combo that can’t be beat! We offer a tasty meal with a generous helping of fellowship, plus a lively discussion arising from the Gospel of Mark. Our text is N.T. Wright’s Mark for Everyone which takes this Gospel in small bites, reflecting on each week’s reading with relevant and important insights. We finish promptly at 1:00 PM and invite you to join us as your schedule allows. You may bring your own lunch or share in the meal provided. Donations accepted.

Questions? Contact Kitty Gordon.

Second Sunday with Creation Care

Sunday, January 14, 4:30 PM

The Creation Care team presents a program of interest once a month on Second Sundays prior to the Celtic Service. Join us next Sunday for an engaging conversation: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the environmental justice movement.

Dates for Your Calendar

January 25 - Caregivers' Support Group

January 27 - Manna Pantry

January 28 - Annual Meeting

Senior Lunch

Wednesday, January 17, Noon, Tyler Hall

Join us for lunch Third Wednesdays each month, at 12 Noon in Tyler Hall. Just a relaxing social time. Lunch is provided but donations welcome. Please sign up in the Narthex on Sunday mornings or on our website using the link below.

Why Dr. King's Message Still Matters

16th Annual Interfaith Celebration

Featuring Jon Meacham

Wednesday, January 17, 7 PM

The Progressive Religious Coalition of Augusta invites you to the 16th annual “Keeping the Dream Alive: Why Dr. King’s Message Still Matters” interfaith worship service. This event will be on January 17 at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Gathering Music will commence at 6:30 PM, the service will start at 7:00 PM. Pulitzer Prize Winner and bestselling author Jon Meacham will be the keynote speaker. This is an interfaith celebration which includes music by Davidson Fine Arts Chorale and a play scene by the Augusta Junior Players.

Quiet Morning

Saturday, January 20, 9:00 AM - 12 PM, Chapel

The Daughters of the King invite you to a spiritual morning of quiet solitude 9 AM- 12 noon. Bring “prayer tools” such as your bible, journal, or anything used for meditation. Led by The Rev. Kimberly Dunn. For more information contactSuzanne Pursley-Crotteau.

Zentangle Drawing Workshop

January 20, 9:30 AM-12 noon, The Berlin Room

Join us for a meditative drawing class on January 20th, 9:30 AM-12 in the Berlin Room. Art educator Martha Arrington will lead you through the steps of this relaxing drawing method that anyone can do as long as they can write their name. $30 includes all materials and supplies. Contact Martha Arrington to sign up marthaarringtonart@gmail.com

Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul

Beginning January 21, 4:15-5:15 PM, The Berlin Room

Join us for a new Sunday afternoon formation gathering which precedes the Celtic Service. The clergy will lead a discussion of John Philip Newell’s Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World. Books are available from many retailers and in the Narthex. Donation $15-20. A schedule of gatherings will be available.

A Few Notes on the "Management" of our Prayer List

Our official prayer list is an important part of our community of prayer, organizing our prayers for our beloveds. In order for our prayer list to be effective, we must all stay connected to the list, so we ask that you contact the parish office to update us on the status of your prayer request with a quick email monthly.

Twice a year the parish will begin a new prayer list: July 1 and January 31. Of course, it is fine for a name to remain on our list for an extended period of time; we ask that you simply email the parish office to let us know you’d like a name (new or continuing) to be added to our new list. 

Summer Mission Experience

Mission dates - 7 days scheduled June 6 - June 13, 2024

You are invited to join Saint Paul’s parishioners, family, and friends on a mission experience this summer to Ecuador, June 6-13, 2023. Please prayerfully consider joining us as we reach out to people in need and serve as the hands of Christ.

An information sheet is available here. If you would like additional information about Quito, Ecuador, the mission work, and trip details, please contact Gene or Rose Helmich, or call 803-640-3405. The deadline to join the trip is January 31, 2024.

VESTRY NOMINATIONS

The Vestry Nominating Committee is seeking candidates whom you believe would make outstanding Vestry members for Saint Paul's. If you'd like to suggest someone, including yourself, please contact retiring Senior Warden Cameron Nixon. Prior to nominating someone else, please discuss with them their interest and willingness to serve in this role.

VESTRY RESPONSIBILITIES

The basic responsibilities of the Vestry are:

• to help define and articulate the mission of this congregation
• to support the church's mission by word and deed
• to support the clergy in furthering the mission of Saint Paul’s
• to ensure effective organization and planning
• to manage resources and finances
• to attend monthly vestry meetings and annual vestry retreat
• to serve as liaison to assigned parish committees

We expect to elect for three full three-year terms. If the new senior warden comes from the current vestry, we may have an additional unexpired term to fill.

MINIMUM CRITERIA

To be eligible for the Vestry, a nominee must answer "yes" to all of the following questions.

• Have you been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church?
• Do you regularly attend worship services at Saint Paul's?
• Are you a pledging member of Saint Paul's?

CANDIDATE PROFILES

Each nominee slated to run for election to the Vestry will be invited to share a profile with the parish via our regular parish communications including the weekly newsletter.

A Note on Eligibility: Those eligible for election are those “confirmed adults in good standing eighteen years of age or older enrolled in the Congregation” (Canon 2.1). Those eligible to vote in an election are “those confirmed adults enrolled in the Congregation who are in good standing and who have reached the age of sixteen” (Canon 2.3). Those already in the process of being confirmed or received and otherwise eligible, are eligible to run and vote while waiting for the bishop’s next visit. If you are interested in being confirmed when the Bishop visits next year, please contact Fr. Biddy.