Happy June, Fellow Gregorians!
I keep hearing rumors about the interesting things our staff members are doing, so I’ve investigated a bit and share with you here some of their activities:
We all know what fine sermons Mother Nikki Mathis preaches and and what an inspiring teacher she is. All this week, from Monday through Friday, Nikki has been in Richmond, Virginia, sharing her gifts with Episcopal seminarians at the annual Preaching Excellence Program for Seminarians. Those attending the conference were nominated for PEP by their seminaries. Since 1987 this program has elevated both the pulpit skills and enthusiasm for excellence in preaching of successive generations of Episcopal clergy. We’ll welcome Nikki back at St. Gregory the Great on Sunday for both services and for a Confirmation class Sunday afternoon.
Joe Napoli, our Choir Director, is also the founder and director of the Athens Master Chorale, which will perform Randall Thompson's Frostiana and Vaughan William's Five Mystical Songs at Carnegie Hall in New York this Saturday, June 4. Carnegie Hall! They will be accompanied by Jonathan Klein, our Music Director. Music at the 10:30 service this Sunday will be provided by a guest soloist and pianist. We’ll welcome Joe and Jonathan back to St. Gregory the Great on Sunday, June 12.
Our Youth Minister, Wade McGlamery, who like Doug has been with us only about four months, has inaugurated a monthly Game Night for 6th-12th graders beginning this Saturday, June 4, beginning at 6PM. Wade has started planning a Youth Pilgrimage for next summer, 2023. Our last Youth Pilgrimage was in Summer, 2018, when eight teens, helpers, and chaperons traveled to Santa Fe, Taos, Chimayo, and Acoma, New Mexico. Stay tuned for the announcement about next year’s destination. Wade has just returned from an Alaskan cruise.
Cool Kendall Kookogey, our Parish Administrator, is headed to Tennessee tomorrow with her children, Logan and Chiara, so Logan can compete in a regional meet sponsored by the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association. Logan’s mental and physical skills will be tested on obstacle courses. Coming up this summer is a UNAA finals competition in Las Vegas.
Christina Dondero, our Deacon, continues to lead both Sunday services with Mother Nikki, and to help Nikki with visitations and calls to the sick and grieving. Talk about a constant, faithful, and hard working volunteer!
Thank you, Gregorians, for all you do to make St. Gregory the Great the vibrant parish it is.
Jane Hudson
Senior Warden
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Rite of Christian Burial
A memorial service for Michael Neal O'Kelley, brother/brother-in-law of Melodi and Eddie Bennett, will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 3:00 pm in the chapel of Lord & Stephens Funeral Home East (4355 Lexington Road) with The Rev. Nikki Mathis officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Internment will follow the service at Evergreen Memorial Park. Click here for more information and the obituary.
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GAME NIGHT - TOMORROW!
All youth (6th-12th grade) are invited to a monthly game night in the youth room at 6pm on the first Saturday of each month, beginning on June 4th. Come, bring your friends and a favorite snack!
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Here is the schedule for June:
June 5: we will meet
June 12: we will not meet
June 19: we will meet
June 26: we will not meet
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Adult Spiritual Formation meets this Sunday, June 5, to continue our exploration of the Gospel of Luke. All are welcome in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 with no need to have attended earlier sessions. Bibles will be available but feel free to bring your own favorite.
The Spiritual Formation Committee will meet on Sunday, June 12, after the 10:30 am service in the small conference room in the Parish Hall. All are welcome to join.
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Please join us for a Spiritual Formation series on the intersection of faith and nature. The series will have different presenters on an array of topics over 5 weeks on Sunday afternoons/evenings.
5/15, 6:45 pm, Celtic Traditions, Ellen Richardson (at their home)
5/29, 2:30 pm, Buddhism and Nature, Gene Ruffin
6/5, 6:30 pm, Faith in Action, Tyra Byers
6/12, 7pm, Hildegard and Teilhard, the Green Mystics, Lee Ann Pingel (@ St. G's)
6/19, TBA, Creation Care, Jason Roberts
Each session will be about an hour (plus travel time if the session is not at the church) and will include a presentation, some meditative practice in nature, some group conversation/reflection on the program, and some communal liturgy.
This Sunday, June 5 will be led by Tyra Byers and will focus on practical ways in which we can respond in faith to the climate crisis. This session will be held at Ron and Jane's farm.
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** If there is anyone with a van willing to volunteer themselves and their vehicle for rides to and from the UGA campus Presbyterian Church parking lot to the Wright House, please let Kendall know ASAP. **
You are invited! Get a sneak peek at The Wright House, the new Episcopal Center at The University of Georgia, during its Open House on June 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is required. Please click here to register.
The June 11 open house is the only open-to-the-public event planned for The Wright House which will be occupied by students prior to the fall semester. The 123-bedroom facility, which features a bathroom for each bedroom, includes onsite parking, bike storage, a fitness facility, study spaces, and an indoor common kitchen and coffee bar. It will also have extensive outdoor common areas adjacent to the building and on the green roof deck.
The new building is named in honor of Bishop Rob Wright, for his steadfast support for children, youth, and college ministries. It sits on the site of the former Episcopal Center and chapel in the heart of The University of Georgia campus at the corner of University Court and South Lumpkin Street.
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On Sunday, June 12, St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church will have a booth at the Athens Pride Community Resource Festival 2:30-6:00 pm at Thomas Lay Park. All are welcome. If you would like to help welcome visitors please text or phone Alice Mohor (706) 207-4716. |
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Pastoral Care Is Here For You
In support of the clergy, there are many lay opportunities for Gregorians to serve and care for one another through Pastoral Care. Following are ways the Pastoral Care committee provides care for parishioners. Contact the following Pastoral Care members if you or a parishioner you know might benefit from additional support.
Card Ministry. The Card Ministry serves the St. Gregory community by sending cards for birthdays, bereavement, and illness. Children under the age of 18 and adults who are 70 and older receive birthday cards. Parishioners who are ill or lost a loved one are sent cards of sympathy and support. This is an excellent ministry for anyone who would like to be connected to others in the parish and work from home. Another way to be involved is by contributing artwork for cards. All cards that are used have been designed by St. Gregory artists. Contact Jenifer Borg (jeniferaborg@aol.com) for information or to join the Card Ministry.
Checking In. Members of Pastoral Care reach out to parishioners through phone calls, email, texts, and home visits. Contact Mother Nikki (rector@stgregoryathens.org), Kendall Kookogey (office@stgregoryathens.org), or Pastoral Care Chair Rhonda Packer (packer.rhonda@gmail.com) with names of those who would benefit from a phone call, email, text, visit or other Pastoral Care needs.
DME Library. Durable medical equipment (DME) is equipment that helps individuals complete their daily activities. It includes a variety of items, such as walkers and wheelchairs. Contact Missy Hamlin for information.
Let’s Chat. Let’s Chat is an online Zoom opportunity for women of the parish to discuss a variety of topics. The days and time vary, and not everyone can join every time, but everyone is welcome to join whenever they can. Contact Stacie Court (stacie.court@gmail.com) for information or to join the group.
Meal Train. A meal train is a system where Gregorians come together to schedule, prepare, and deliver meals for St. Gregory parishioners who needs a little extra help. Meal trains can last for a week or two, or longer if the recipient needs more sustained assistance. Contact Ruth Elizabeth Conine (reconine@gmail.com) for information or to volunteer.
Men’s Group. The Men’s Group is an opportunity for men of the parish to discuss a variety of topics. The group meets at 9AM each Saturday at St. Gregory’s. Contact Peter Rice (rice@boppie.com) for information or to join the group.
Threads of Prayer. The mission of Threads of Prayer is to knit and crochet in a congenial and prayerful community tangible expressions of the church's love for those in need of healing and comfort. We have made chemo caps, shawls, lap or larger blankets, scarves, and hats for children and babies. After each item is completed, we pray over the item, asking that God bring healing and comfort to those who will receive it. These items are given to a community member or someone one of our members knows who needs comfort, maybe after the loss of a loved one, a diagnosis of cancer or other serious illness or someone who is not able to come to services. We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 1PM virtually or at St. Gregory's. New members are always welcome, including anyone who would like to learn to knit or crochet. For those who cannot make it but who would like to contribute something to the effort, we welcome any items you would like to make or any excess yarn you want to donate. Contact Annette Bates at bateskannette@gmail.com for information or to join Threads of Prayer.
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Dates and Times: July 18-21, 5:30 - 7:45
We are about six weeks (July 18-21) from
"Compassion Camp: Changing the World with Lovingkindness."
We have extended the nightly sessions by 15 minutes, beginning with supper at 5:30 and concluding at 7:45. As is the case every year, in order to pull off a week of Bible School, we need several volunteers. Please notice the needs listed below, and contact Doug Adkins to let him know in which area you would like to serve.
Supper: We need a team of 5-6 people to organize the suppers each night. Nothing is set in stone as of yet, but we had discussed: Pizza Night; Spaghetti Night; Jason's Deli Sandwich Box Night; and a Food Truck Night (tacos and burritos?) Also - each night we will have a "make your own salad" option.
Gathering & Music: We need someone to lead us in singing a couple theme songs each night for our gathering time. If you cannot be there each night, you can lead one or two nights. Doug has the music and scripts.
Below are the three rotations for each night. Volunteers will be doing the same lesson for three different groups of kids as they rotate through Compassion Camp.
Games & Movement: Alice Mohor will be leading this rotation, and will be recruiting her team. See Alice if you would like to assist.
Bible Story/Scripts: We need 5-7 people to assist with presenting the Bible story for each night.
Create/Crafts: We need 3-4 people to assist with this rotation.
Doug Adkins has the curriculum for each group. Please let him know as soon as you can regarding the area you can serve. How exciting it is to finally be back in person for a week of Bible School!
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St. Gregory's Family Promise (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network) week is July 3-10 (we help 3 weeks a year). We belong to this organization of churches in Athens which provides temporarily homeless families with a place to stay for up to several months, giving them and their children stability. The breadwinners in the family get rides to work if needed. Those who don't have a job have the support to find one. Meals are provided. Family Promise also works to prevent homelessness by helping families who might need a rent payment or a utility payment to be able to continue living in their home. They have helped some families find and purchase a used vehicle. We have this chance to put our faith into action, to walk by faith into a role we maybe haven't experienced yet, but which God is calling us to, like Mother Nikki told us in last week's sermon. To feed the hungry and house the homeless, to give hope to those who need it. Contact Annette Bates via email or 706-255-5839 to learn more.
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The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank is asking for white rice (not brown), pasta (mostly spaghetti), and peanut butter!
Let's fill the little red wagon!
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It is true,
I must confess
That we need folks
To help process us
To the altar.
In rows we go
A sacred flow.
As hearts, unite
With delight
In his communion.
A holy duty
To serve as usher
And, help the Church avoid a crusher.
Humbly, I beseech the,
To volunteer would be so peachy!
We need 8 more! If you would like to volunteer, and/or coordinate, please contact Anna Hiers, vestry liaison to the Worship Committee, via email or @ 706-340-9799. Training will be provided.
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returning
sunday greeting
a pleasant task
with or without
a covid mask
those we can see
may ebb and flow
all welcome here
we do bestow
newcomers and
long members here
always a cause
for happy cheer
along with fond
sincere delight
for all who have
been from our sight
alice mohor
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Labyrinth Committee Meeting |
There will be another Labyrinth Committee meeting this Sunday, June 5 after the 10:30AM service. We'll
meet in the Christian Education building and then walk a couple of potential building sites. Lane will bring the "Off" and a tape measure!
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Coffee Hour!
Due to the lack of volunteers, there may or may not be coffee hour on any given Sunday. If you are able to host or bring a baked item for a future coffee hour, contact Melissa or Catrina to sign up. A sign up sheet will also be posted at the event.
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Instructions for Live Streaming
- Just go to the St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church
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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:
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If you don’t immediately see the video that says ‘live’, (for instance, if you opened YouTube before the service begins) keep refreshing it. To ‘refresh’ go up to the top of your screen and on the left or right of the web address you will see this image (little curvy arrow to the right -->). Click on it to ‘refresh.’
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When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it.
Welcome to worship!
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Meeting Opportunities
Parish community offerings via Zoom or in person:
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 is back in person, 1st and 3rd 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!
* 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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