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The


Gregorian


Chant

Dear friends,


This is turning into an exciting year at St. Gregory the Great! Maybe it’s the hopefulness of the Easter season, but there are many signs of new life all around us, and not just the calves in the fields and the flowers in the gardens.


First, and most cheering, are the numbers of parishioners listed in the parochial report. We currently have on our rosters 349 active participants in church. Of them, 225 are active baptized members and 199 are communicants in good standing. Many small to mid-size churches have failed to come back after COVID. We have cause to be very thankful about where we are.


And there is so much more to be thankful for! Under the leadership of Ron Balthazor, Wayne Coppins and Ellen Richardson, the Adult Spiritual Formation group that meets each Sunday between the services has grown in attendance to 18 steady members. Meanwhile, the Lectionary Class continues to meet under the leadership of Les House at the same time. That’s a lot of Bible study every week!


The Environmental Sustainability Committee has recently just relaunched itself under Mark Tavernier and Maggie Reinberger. If you didn’t know, this committee is about much more than composting and recycling. How we use land and energy and how we work to acknowledge the heritage of our land intersects with important issues of social justice and social responsibility. If you are concerned about global warming or interested in reaching out to American Indian communities, you might be surprised to find that this is the ministry for you!


Jenifer Marquardt, Lane Norton, Ellen Richardson, and others have done splendid work on culling and refurbishing the parish library, striving to make its resources of materials and space more accessible and more comfortable. Already, many of us have profited in spirit from the availability of free books! Their work is ongoing, but soon, we will be able to rechristen the new library space.


Some of you already know Matt Rogers, whose work with bibliotherapy has enlivened our VBS and Lenten studies. Matt is now a member of our parish and is looking to join Wade McGlamery in his work with the Blindspot group and with at-risk youth in the community.


And speaking of Wade, his Blindspot group has truly taken off—from a humble beginning, they now have close to 20 regular and very lively members. The future of the church is in good hands. Only trouble is, if their visibility continues to climb, they will soon need a different name! (“Blindspot” refers to the idea that people in this age group—20s-30s—are often ignored by church ministries, which tend to focus their efforts on the very young and on the elderly.)


Another initiative you should know about is Mtr. Nikki’s lay preaching program. Her preaching is like manna—so nourishing we could thrive on it alone. But she knows that others in the parish may feel the call to speak what God has put in their hearts—and she is encouraging the parish to bring forth a few members to learn from her. What better teacher could they have?


I’m also happy to report the successful progress of the Security Committee. Under the leadership of John Barrett, that committee has developed a plan to make the campus as safe as we can in these troubled times. Soon, parish leaders will be involved in a training program to learn about the new security protocols. And I bet we’re the only church in Athens whose security plan has input from at least one very intelligent high school student—who, sadly, knows more about security than we ever did. More on the security program as it progresses.


Finally, under the leadership of Les House and Jeff Welch, a combined group of Finance Committee and vestry members is moving towards completing an inventory of the church’s property and equipment for insurance and valuation purposes. This effort is not as glamorous as the others, but it’s necessary—and it sure took a lot of work on the part of Les to set it all up and Jeff to administer the division of labor. 


One last observation: our annual budget still needs about $52,000 if we want to hire a Christian Education director and a music director. As Kate Avinger reminded us last Sunday, the budget and the Capital Campaign are different funds. Gifts to the budget help us hire staff. Gifts to the Capital Campaign help us repair and replace the physical church.


As you can see, though we still have much to do, we also have much to be thankful for. As 1Thessalonians has it, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”


Mark Richardson, Sr. Warden

A message from Vestry member Kate Avinger:


Children are a source of joy, hope, and vibrance in our church community today. Our congregation’s children and their families will be the congregation of tomorrow.


A Children's Ministry Director is someone who takes building the children’s community to the next level. (Those of you who know Catherine Drewry probably remember her defining this role for many years.) They do a tremendous amount of networking, organizing, communicating, and generating enthusiasm. They are the backbone of children's Christian education.


This is just a friendly reminder that our children currently do not have a Children's Ministry Director because we do not have the money for one in the budget. If this information inspires you to give (or give more) to the church, please remember that the money to hire a Children's Ministry Director comes out of annual pledge donations whereas money for a safer and more fun playground goes to the Capital Improvements Campaign.


Both are needed, but if you are excited for us to be able to hire a Children's Ministry Director, please go to our website to make your annual pledge: Annual Pledge. To increase the pledge you’ve already made, you can talk with Kendall in the church office: 706-546-7553. You can also make additions to the annual pledge fund by bringing your check directly to the church on Sunday mornings; please write Annual Pledge in the memo area.

Youth DnD Night !


Our next youth DnD night will be May 3 at 7pm in the youth room. Snacks will be provided but feel free to bring your favorites! Feel free to come dressed as your character or in pajamas!

Coffee Hour Treats Needed!


We are in need of volunteers to bring treats for coffee hour! Please sign up on the sheet in the CE building!


Athens Master Chorale performs music of Dello Joio, with brass, Mozart’s Ave Verum and Hadyn’s Lord Nelson Mass, with orchestra on Saturday, May 11 @ 7:30PM in Hugh Hodgson Hall.

New sign-up sheet for the rest of 2024! We are currently seeking volunteers to work at the Athens Area Emergency FoodBank, 640 Barber St. on 3rd Mondays from 9AM-1PM. 2-3 volunteers are needed each month. A signup sheet is in the narthex.


Is there anyone that lives near The Orchard (2750 Atlanta Hwy) who would be willing to take a parishioner to and/or home from church once or twice a month? Please call or text Tammy Bowman: 706-296-8876.

Groaning in the Tent


The Pastoral Care Committee welcomes you to a community opportunity to engage in holy conversation about our mortality, including dying, death, and loss, as well as the fear that keeps those topics on our back burners most of the time. 


On three Sunday afternoons May 5, 12, and 19, 2024, from 12:30 to 2:30PM the Rev. Dr. Ellen Richardson will offer a program called Groaning in the Tent for members of St. Gregory’s and their friends. Each session will offer a menu of Holy Scripture, holy conversation, prayers, poetry, and excerpts from her book, Holy Dying: Stories and Struggles, inspired by her (pre-retirement) work as a Hospice physician and Episcopal priest. A light lunch will be served.


It is not necessary to have read the book before attending and it is not necessary to attend all three sessions in order to participate. Below are websites where you can purchase the book:


Barnes & Noble

Church Publishing

Amazon (Limited quantities of paperback available and Kindle version available)


Rising 6th Graders Brunch


All rising 6th graders and their parents/guardians are invited to a brunch and interest meeting for the St Greg's youth program. We will discuss Sunday school, field trips, diocesan opportunities, student leadership, and more! Just head over to the parish hall building after the 10:30 service on May 19th. 

NOTE: There will be no confirmation class on this day.

Family Promise June 2-9


Our next commitment for Family Promise, a program to better the lives of the temporarily homeless families, is June 2-9. As our week gets closer, we will have more information about the families, but these tasks need doing:


1. Make/purchase an evening meal June 4, 5 or 6 and deliver by 6:30 p.m.; for two families who are living in two separate parts of the same duplex, to be done by either one or two volunteers.

2. Transport parents as needed on Monday June 3 from 9:00-12:00 using Family Promise van.  

3. Transport families to and from the First Baptist Day Center on Saturday, June 8, 12:45-1:15 p.m. and/or 5:00-5:30 p.m. using the Family Promise van, could be one or two volunteers.

4. Be present at the First Baptist Day Center on Saturday, June 8, to help families as they do their laundry there, tentative times 1:00-5:00 p.m.

5. Plan and/or help with an activity for the children at the First Baptist Day Center on Saturday, June 8 sometime during the afternoon with other volunteers. A retired teacher would be great, certainly for planning!

6. Purchase $25 Kroger gift cards, we will need at least 6. Email Annette.

7. Purchase hygiene supplies, including toilet paper, paper towels, etc. Email Annette.


The Day Center is located in First Baptist Church downtown. Park behind the church and head toward the door marked Family Promise on the far right hand side of the building as you face it.   Sign up here for tasks above. Questions? Email Annette Bates .


Adult Sunday School


Adult Discussion Group: (Parish Hall) The Adult Spiritual Formation Sunday morning Bible Study meets at 9:15AM in the Parish Hall. We are currently discussing the Gospel of Mark led by Wayne Coppins. Please join us! 


Lectionary Class: (Library) The lectionary class meets in the Library at 9:15AM. We study the assigned readings for each Sunday. Please contact Les House at 478-733-2939 or via email if you have any questions. 

Summer Break for Children’s Sunday School


Sunday School for our children will continue through May. But then our summer break begins! We will not hold Sunday School classes for our kindergarten through fifth graders during June, July, or August. The program will resume in September.


Children’s Church, occurring in conjunction with the 10:30 service, will continue as usual!

Orthodox Tours


In Oct 2022 Anthony Barkdoll went to Israel and Jordan on a tour with a group called Orthodox tours, with his in-laws who are Greek orthodox (his sister-in-law painted the icon in the sanctuary). The person that runs the Orthodox tours, Father Ilya Gotlinsky, is trying to fill up spots for a trip to England called "In the Footsteps of the Early English Saints" and asked if any parishioners at St Gregory would be interested. Here's the link for the tour.


Camp Mikell


The Episcopal Church offers Kid camp, Junior camp, Intermediate camp, and Youth camp experiences specifically tailored to each age group. There is also a Mini camp experience for young children to explore with a parent, as well as a performing arts camp.  Registration for summer 2024 camps is now open. Check out the website for more information!  


The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs pork & beans and plain white rice! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!

abundance



variations

of verdant green

now dominate

our springtime scene

winter branches

once bleak and bare

are full of leaves

that clean our air


and give us shade

from sunlight heat

for young and old

to find retreat


under a tree

outside to rest

and remember

that we are blest




alice mohor

Instructions for Live Streaming



  • Near the time for service, underneath our channel logo, you will see our video for that day, with the word ‘live’ on it. The page will look like this:


  • If you don’t immediately see the video that says ‘live’, (for instance, if you opened YouTube before the service begins) keep refreshing it.  


  • When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it. 


Welcome to worship!

Meeting Opportunities

Parish community offerings via Zoom or in person:


* Holy Eucharist and Healing Service Please join us on Wednesday evenings at 6PM in the sanctuary for eucharist and prayers for healing.


* Community Yoga Monday evenings January 8 - May 27 @ 5:30pm. ALL are welcome! Donations are accepted, a portion of which will go to Saint Gregory for use of the space. We do have a small supply of props but please bring a yoga mat.


* Blindspot Group Our 20s and 30s group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 6:30PM and the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6PM for dinner and a small group study (usually off-site of the church). We also meet at least once a month for game nights, dinner and drinks, movie nights, and more. Newcomers are always welcome! Contact Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837 for more information.


Hebrew Reading meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 1-3PM. If you're interested, email Joel Hunt for more info!


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!


* St. Gregory's Book Club meets the first Friday of the month in the library @ 7PM ongoing for the foreseeable future.  Email Lois Alworth if you are interested in participating.


*Threads of Prayer meets on the 1st Tuesdays of the month @1PM! We'll meet outside if the weather is good and inside the Christian Ed building if the weather is bad. Email Annette Bates if you are interested in participating. All knitters and crocheters welcome!


*Men's Group: 9AM on Saturdays. 1st & 3rd Saturdays at St. Gregory's library and 2nd & 4th & 5th Saturdays at the Somerville's house ! Email Peter Rice


* group(s) meeting in person


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St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church | office@stgregoryathens.org
706.546.7553 | www.stregoryathens.org