Hi there Beloveds!
In this long season of suffering due to the virus: the deaths, the social isolation, financial insecurity for many, the unpredictability (are we inside or outside, singing or silent, what’s known for sure about the virus and what’s unknown), it may be hard to remember that the God who loves us is in control, and “that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning” (ps30:5). In the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Jeremiah, when God’s people were conquered and taken to other lands, God told them to ‘be here now.’ In other words, be present to the current reality which would go on for some time, adjust, and care for themselves, knowing this:
Jeremiah 29:11 (CJB) For I know what plans I have in mind for you,' says ADONAI,'plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.
While we wait for God’s future with hope, be gentle with yourselves and others. There’s a new baseline of having so much on our minds, of living with communal grief and uncertainty, and of a political and social divisiveness that no longer even pretends to be civil. Having the same expectations of ourselves, others, and events from pre-COVID-19 times is no longer reasonable. Our emotional, physical, and spiritual energies are carrying a far heavier load than in 2019. Live accordingly, tenderly, knowing that God is faithful, and hope is sure.
Love always,
Mother Nikki+
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CHILDRENS THEATRE
New! We are forming a fall Theatre group for children, and also seek interested youth and adults to help facilitate the process. The group will meet Sunday mornings from 9:30 - 10:15, outdoors, or in the parish hall or Children's Chapel with windows open. Please contact Catherine Drewry to sign up cbdrewry@gmail.com 706-201-7241.
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YOU TUBE STORIES
Tune in to our church YouTube channel to hear great stories read by fellow Gregorians each week. Recent readers have included Dakota Hamlin, Jude RedBear, Conoly Hester, Barbara Kuhn, Brenda Browning, and Carolyn Howell, and coming soon are videos by Porter Welch, Karen Hankins, and Nancy Watson. Click here to find the videos:
And, if you want to be a reader, contact Catherine Drewry to volunteer at cbdrewry@gmail.com or 706-201-7241.
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NEEDED: Children's Clothes
Our Outreach Committee is sponsoring a parish-wide clothes drive to support our neighbor Barnett Shoals Elementary School. Although the Barnett Shoals children do not wear uniforms, the school does have a clothes closet that is in dire need of replenishment of some items. The school counselor there has indicated a need for the following clothing items.
Boys
- Underwear in all sizes (XS, S, M, and L) especially in XS and S (or sizes 4-8)
- Pants/sweatpants/shorts in sizes (XS, M, and L)
- Shirts in sizes M and L (already set for everything smaller)
- Note that the school is well stocked with socks.
Girls
- Underwear in all sizes (XS, S, M, and L) especially in XS and S (or sizes 4-8)
- Pants/shorts/leggings in all sizes (XS, S, M, L)
- Tops in sizes S, M, and L
- Note that the school is well stocked with socks.
This year you can contribute to the Clothes Closet in three ways:
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Make an online donation through REALM by Sunday, October 31. Select the Outreach option when making your contribution. Include Barnett Shoals Clothes Closet in the memo line.
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Write a check to St. Gregory the Great and bring/mail to the Parish so it is received by Sunday, October 31. Include Barnett Shoals Clothes Closet in the memo line.
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Bring clothing to the Parish anytime Monday-Friday (10am-5pm) or on Sunday when you are here for church. We will be collecting these items in bins located in the lobby of the Parish Hall building from now through Sunday, October 31.
Thank you for your support,
St. Gregory Outreach Committee
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creation
how glorious
october days
as trees begin
their autumn blaze
of beauty while
they turn their leaves
and drop seeds that
the earth receives
as colors shift
then fall to ground
for wind and rain
to toss around
unencumbered
by fear or dread
for what ill fools
may plan instead
alice mohor
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Altar Guild
The altar guild needs volunteers! No experience is needed and training will be provided.
Anyone who is interested can contact Barbara Dean at
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Zoom Meeting Opportunities
Parish community offerings via Zoom:
Sunday yoga ! for fall (Aug-Dec), via Zoom, 4:00pm, 30-45 minutes. Chair Yoga taught on the first Sunday of each month. Contact Anna Hiers (aldhiers@gmail.com) for more information. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97745366532 Meeting ID: 977 4536 6532 Passcode: 3195
Stacie Court hosts "Let's Chat!" for women of the parish. The days and time vary, and not everyone can join every time, but everyone is welcome to join whenever they can! Email Stacie!
Book Club first Friday of the month @ 7PM ongoing for the foreseeable future. Email Lois Alworth if you are interested in participating.
Lectionary Discussion Group via Zoom, every Thursday at 6:00pm. Email Ken Taylor if you are interested in participating.
Threads of Prayer will be on hiatus for the month of October!
** group(s) now meeting in person
Other groups have been meeting via Zoom as well, so if you've got a group already meeting in Zoom rooms, and want to widen your circle, let Kendall know so we can get the word out there!
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See what's happening on our social sites: |
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