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Weekly
Postings
news & events
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December 8 - December 17, 2023 | |
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The Ordination of Kimberly E Dunn - Saturday, December 16, 11 AM
In the marriage liturgy, there's a moment when we pray, "Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed." It is the couple undertaking sacramental action before God and the church, and all eyes are quite rightly on them. And yet there is also an expectation and hope that all who witness that sacramental action will be affected by it, that grace will extend to all of us and our older, perhaps slightly tired or relatively ragged loyalties will be confirmed and renewed. For me, this spilling of grace beyond where we expect is why it makes sense for weddings to be church, when we know that we can get married more simply in the office of a justice of the peace. We show up to a wedding because of the couple, but part of what we show up for (if we're entering into the liturgy fully) is the renewal of our own lives and loyalties.
There isn't an identical petition in the ordination service, but if we enter into the liturgy fully, there is a similar effect. We'll come together on Saturday, December 16 at 11:00 AM because the Reverend Deacon Kimberly E. Dunn will be ordained a priest. That's the because of the service, but that doesn't mean that we are coming together only for a liturgical party celebrating this remarkable clergyperson. We are also gathering for a renewal and confirmation of our own ministries and vocations. Accompanying (soon to be Mother) Kimberly through this deepening and narrowing of her vocation should also recall us freshly to our unique callings. We come to celebrate; we come to be transformed ourselves.
We casually call this Reverend Kimberly's ordination, but that possessive is not really appropriate. The church's prayers don't finally belong to her or to me or to Bishop Logue or to the great cloud of witnesses who have cheered and challenged Reverend Kimberly to this point. They belong to God and to all of us together. Those prayers and Reverend Kimberly's vocation and each of our vocations belong to God and to all of us together. This liturgy is about God and Reverend Kimberly and the one holy catholic apostolic church and each of us and all of us together. If it's about anything less, we probably shouldn't do it.
Please join us on the 16th, and pray with us from wherever you are if you can't be there. Come to party. Come to be transformed.
Eric+
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THE ORDINATION TO THE SACRED ORDER OF PRIESTS | |
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND | December 9 | |
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Augusta Choral Society Concert at Saint Paul's Church
Saturday, December 9, 7:30 PM
The Augusta Choral Society will present a Christmas Concert at Saint Paul’s Church on Saturday, December 9th at 7:30 PM. Music selections will be portions of Handel’s “Messiah" and "The Ballad of the Brown King" by Margaret Bonds.
Soloists are soprano Melissa Shultz, Alto Sawyer Branham, Tenor Brandon Ball and Bass Washington Isaac Holmes. The program will be accompanied by the Lyra Vivace Orchestra and the guest conductor will be Dr. Marcel Ramalho. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door the night of the concert.
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | December 10 | |
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Angel Tree Last Sunday to pick up
Our Angel Tree Christmas program is in full swing. This year we will be providing gifts to support children at W. S. Hornsby School. Angels will be available on the front portico after the 11 AM service this week. Donations are appreciated, and checks should be made out to Saint Paul’s Church and designated for Angel Tree Ministry. For more information on how you can get involved, please email Barbara Coleman or Melissa Friedman.
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Sunday Worship Schedule
8 AM Rite I
11 AM Rite II
11 AM Facebook Live
11 AM YouTube Live
5:30 PM - Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion
6:30 PM - Compline + Sit and Wait (Chapel)
All of our Sunday worship services are in-person.
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Continental Breakfast This Sunday
Sunday, 9:00 AM, Tyler Hall
| Busy morning? We have a continental breakfast this Sunday. Donations accepted. | | | |
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Help us Create Breakfast Teams
Sunday, December 10, 9 AM, Tyler Hall
Join us in Tyler Hall, Sunday, December 10, 9 AM to help us create breakfast teams. We enjoy the fellowship and a great start to the day! We need your help to be able to continue these parish life events. For more information contact Eric Friedman or Fr. Biddy.
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The Nursery will be open Sun, Dec. 10
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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We are pleased to announce that the Saint Paul’s nursery is open for children 6 months to 4 years of age. The nursery will be available this Sunday morning beginning at 9:30 A M.
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Canterbury Choir (grades 3-9)
St. Nicholas Choir (age 5 through grade 2)
9:25 AM
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The Canterbury Choir (children in grades 3-9 and the St. Nicholas Choir (age 5 through grade 2) begin rehearsals Sunday mornings at 9:25 AM. There are no weekday rehearsals for the children’s choirs; all rehearsals are scheduled on Sunday mornings to accommodate busy family schedules!
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.
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An Adult Christ at Christmas
9:30 AM, The Berlin Room
Our series in the Sunday Forum continues: The Reverend Eric Biddy leads our Advent series based on biblical scholar Raymond Brown's book, An Adult Christ at Christmas.
We all know the Christmas story-- which means we never actually listen to it. Biblical scholas Raymond Brown tried to draw adult Christians' attention to the complex and rich biblical traditions around the birth of our Lord in his book An Adult Christ as Christmas. We'll us Brown's work as a guide to hear new things in an old story. Weekly lessons may be attended independently from one another (attendance at previous lessons not necessary).
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Children's Christmas Program
Rehearsals December 10, 10 AM
We will continue preparing for our annual Children’s Christmas program Sunday, December 10. We will be telling the Christmas story and rehearsing for this joyful program during formation (10-10:45 AM) during the first 3 Sundays of December. The program will be shared by our children at the 11 am service on December 18.
If you have not already, please complete this short survey to register your child.
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A St. Nicholas Celebration
Sunday, December 10, 11 AM service
The young people of Saint Paul’s will celebrate Saint Nicholas this Sunday. His feast day is on December 6th. We will celebrate the spirit of Saint Nicholas and the day by focusing on giving over receiving, remembering the less fortunate, and remembering how much Saint Nicholas loved children.
The children are invited to leave their shoes in the Narthex prior to the 11 AM service in hopes of finding treats in them after the service. It is a fun way to celebrate one of our favorite saints.
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Veterans' Ice Cream Social
Sunday, December 10, 2:45 - 3:45 PM
Dish and serve ice cream and cookies at our quarterly Veteran’s Social December 10, 2:45-3:45 PM. We’ll meet at the GA War Veterans’ Nursing Home located at 1101 15th Street to share a dessert and then spend much-appreciated time visiting. All ages are welcome to participate. For more information and to coordinate your visit contact Gene Helmich.
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Second Sundays with Creation Care
Holiday Gift Wrap Exchange and Party
December 10, 4 PM, Berlin Room
Get festive and help the Creation Care team recycle for the holidays! Simply bring Christmas gift wrap, decorations, and cards you no longer use to exchange with others, keeping those items out of the landfill. Out with the old, in with the new (to you)! Join us at 4 PM on Dec. 10 in the Berlin Room for all the fun—we'll make it a party, have punch and cookies and spread holiday cheer. Even if you don't have holiday items to exchange, please stop by to say hi—or ho ho ho!
For more information, contact Jennifer McKee.
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EYC at St. Bart's
(Episcopal Youth Community, grades 6-12)
Sunday, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
| EYC meets at St. Bart's Sunday for our final EYC of this year there! We will have a white elephant gift exchange, so please bring a gift wrapped of $12.00 or less. They can bring a silly gift or a fun one. We will be back to our normal 5-7 PM schedule. Friends are always welcome! For more information contact Rev. Kimberly Dunn. | | | |
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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.
Vonda Darr, harp, is our guest musician this week.
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Sit and Wait Meditation Group
Sundays, 6:30 PM, Chapel
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Sit and Wait has moved to Sunday night with a new format beginning on September 3, 2023. This service 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.
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | December 11 - December 17 | |
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Poinsettias, Wreathes, & Christmas Brass
Wreaths and red poinsettias in the church are enjoyed throughout the Christmas season and additional professional musicians enhance our Christmas Eve services. If you would like to contribute toward the cost of Christmas Eve music, or give a poinsettia or wreath, please return the form found in Sunday's bulletin to the Parish Office. Requests may also be made by e-mail to mailbox@saintpauls.org and using this link below no later than Sunday, December 17.
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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.
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Creation Care Tree Sale
Through December 15
The Creation Care Committee encourages you “to do one simple thing” in the spirit of Christmas by buying and planting a minimum of just one tree this holiday season. Or, give them to family and friends as living gifts to the glory of God. Tree sales for Dogwood, Crepe Myrtle and Red Bud saplings are going fast—purchase yours now for just $10 each. Visit us after the 11 AM service in the Narthex or purchase online. For more information, contact Jennifer McKee.
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ZOOM Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Last session Dec. 12
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.
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Mmm... Men's Monthly Meal
& Cookie Swap 🍪🍪
December 13, 4 PM begin cooking, 6 PM dinner
Please note the change of date
Join us for our next Men’s Monthly Meal (Mmm!) and 🍪🍪Cookie Swap scheduled Wednesday, December 13, 6 PM. The Men of Saint Paul’s will gather at 4 PM in the River Room to prepare a dinner.
On the menu: Ham, fried squash, mashed potatoes, and dinner rolls.
Bring a tray of your favorite holiday treats for a cookie swap (assuming you don’t finish them all on the spot!) We'll bring the boxes.
Men, please sign up for cooking and clean up teams and everyone PLEASE RSVP using the link below, so that we may be a good host. Donations welcomed. For more information contact Eric Friedman.
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Compline - ZOOM
Resumes after Christmas (Please note the change)
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 PM
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Meeting ID: 595 177 454
Dial-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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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.)
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Lectio at Lunch
Thursdays, 12 Noon, Tyler Hall
Join us for a delicious and engaging Bible study!
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.
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Ordination
Saturday, December 16, 11 AM
Mark your calendar for this important date in the life of Reverend Kimberly, the people of Saint Paul's, and in the life of the Church. God willing and the People consenting, The Rt. Rev. Frank S. Logue, Bishop of Georgia, will ordain Kimberly Elaine Dunn to the Sacred Order of the Priests, Saturday, December 16 at 11:00 in the morning. A reception follows in the River Room.
The liturgical color of the day is white. Rev. Kimberly invites you to wear white.
If you would like to contribute to a gift from the parish, please add a notation to your check or on-line gift. The offering for the service will be given to Rev. Kimberly's Associate Rector Discretionary Fund and gift's may be designated for that purpose as well.
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The Children's Advent/Christmas Program
Sunday, December 17, 11 AM
Next Sunday, the Children's program will take the place of the sermon at 11 AM with a reception following the service in Tyler Hall.
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Caroling and Cocoa
Sunday, December 17, 5 PM
We are gathering in Tyler Hall at 5 PM for slices of pizza and to pick up directions and song lyrics. This is a wonderful intergenerational activity, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Kim Butler.
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Dates for Your Calendar
December 18 - No vestry meeting
December 21 - Longest Night Service 7 PM
December 24 - 4th Sunday of Advent 11 AM
December 24 - Christmas Eve 4 PM & 10 PM
December 25 - Christmas 10 AM, Chapel
December 31 - Lessons and Carols 11 AM
January 2 - The Wounded Healer study begins
January 3 - Mmm
January 7 - Baptism Offered
January 28 - Annual Meeting
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Christmas Breakfast for Hornsby Teachers
Monday, December 18
We're celebrating with our Hornsby partners as they finish their work prior to the winter break. To get the teacher workday started, we're bringing breakfast and holiday cheer. Wear your reindeer and contact Barbara Coleman to join this early morning party. Three or four helpers will make this day festive.
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Senior Lunch
Wednesday, December 20, 12 noon
Join us for our 4th monthly lunch for seniors. Just a relaxing social time. We'll gather Wednesday, December 20 at 12 Noon in Tyler Hall. Lunch is provided but donations welcome. Please sign up in the Narthex on Sunday mornings or on our website using the link below.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
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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.
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
as of 12/6/2023
Offerings Pledged this Week $13,942.31
Pledged Offerings Received this Week $9,244.00
Total Operating Expenses to Date $946,133.44
Total Income Received to Date $1,000,105.32
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Are we missing your birthday?
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