Weekly
Postings
news & events
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August 6 - August 15, 2021
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During the last half of 2020 Saint Paul’s became absorbed in issues related to efforts to move the Polk cenotaph as well as Pastoral care issues evolving from the pandemic. As the issues became more contentious, the Bishop recommended that the vestry consider facilitated listening sessions to get to the bottom of the conflict and assist the church to find a path out of the conflict. During May and June of this year, the vestry and congregation received feedback on the results of these listening sessions that would help us construct a path froward.
The Vestry appreciates everyone in the congregation that provided inputs to the Conflict Resolution Listening Sessions or gave feedback to the Vestry. We found all the inputs to be thoughtful and focused on helping us all to make Saint Paul’s a church that lives by our mission and values. After reviewing and discussing all the inputs we have seen significant agreement on the key factors and actions that need to be the focus of our efforts going forward.
This letter is intended to give the congregation a summary of what the Vestry has heard and some of the key initiatives that have been initiated. Additional communication will follow as we make progress on each of these items and prior to any final decisions.
We found two strategic factors that helped us to identify the key actions that we need to pursue. These strategic factors are:
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A commitment to improving communications and transparency between the Vestry, church committees and the congregation. This includes engaging with the congregation on all strategic actions prior to making any major decisions impacting the church.
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Evaluating everything we do to stay aligned with our mission and ensure that pastoral care offers solace, comfort, and prayer to everyone in the church and beyond. In light of this objective, we are fortunate that our Search Committee has made this a key factor in the selection of our new Rector.
In addition to the strategic factors, we have also identified a number of actions needed to move forward from the conflict that we have been working through. Work on each of these actions has already begun and progress will be shared with the congregation as they proceed. These actions include:
- Developing a policy for the acceptance and preservation of existing and future memorials and gifts to the church. Future action on the Polk Memorial will be guided by this policy. The Vestry has agreed that no funding from our General Fund or Capital Campaign will be used to relocate the memorial. This effort will include a report to provide the congregation with the deliberative process and rationale for the Vestry’s decision.
- Preparing a plan to develop a vibrant children, youth, family, and senior program. Understanding church priorities will be given as guidance to our Finance Committee and Stewardship Committee as they prepare for 2022.
- · Conducting a review of our current Budget and preparing a pro-forma 2022 budget to present to the congregation that includes what is going to be necessary to maintain the current priorities of the church as well and expand the programs offered by the church. This is the same process that has been used each year with the goal to make the congregation aware of the key drivers for the budget.
- · Initiating a review of the structure and membership of all committees with the goal of revitalizing them and expanding the engagement of the congregation.
One of the most important messages we received from the listening sessions is to value the relationships within the church over issues and to build on what we do best. We are committed to being open and transparent with the congregation to live by our mission and guiding principles.
“Historic Saint Paul’s is a welcoming Episcopal congregation committed to living and sharing the Good News of God in Jesus Christ through Liturgy, music and outreach.”
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Many of you have asked, and so we share news from the Muirs. George and Susan have sold their home and will be moving to Winston-Salem. Their last day in Augusta will be August 26.
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | August 8 |
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Saint Paul's Nursery is OPEN
9:30 AM -12:30 PM
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We are pleased to announce that the Saint Paul’s nursey has reopened for children 6 months to 4 years of age. The nursery will be available on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:30 a.m. to allow parents to attend formation. If you have any questions about the nursey please contact Katie Gullette or the parish office. Miss Connie, Miss Jenna, and Miss Leila are all VERY EXCITED to welcome you back! |
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CONSIDER JOINING OUR CHRISTIAN FORMATION TEAM
Sunday, August 8, 10:00 am
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Looking for a rewarding ministry? Please consider joining our Christian Formation team. There will be a brief meeting Sunday, August 8, at 10 am, in the Children’s’ Ministries Center, classroom 1, to answer your questions. Our parish has consistently listed a strong youth & children’s ministry as one of our top priorities. Your support and involvement in this program are vital. There will be curriculum to follow, supplies available for any projects you would like to create, and LOTS of support. For more information, contact Coleman Graham Kim Butler or Ivey Coleman . Christian Formation class for all ages begin September 12th.
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A CUP OF JOE - Adult Formation Class
Sundays, 10 a.m.
The Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul
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Why are there two Creeds or maybe even three? What exactly is the “Peace of the Lord?” What is a Collect? Why do we hear them every Sunday? What is the “real presence” of Christ in the Eucharist?
For the last few weeks we have been exploring the origins of various aspects of our wonderful Liturgy with the thesis that some sense of the history, evolution and scriptural basis of Liturgy will enrich our individual and corporate worship.
Please join us as we continue to examine the many facets of our liturgical diamond. We meet in the Chapel from 10:00 am until 10:45 am Sunday mornings.
Coffee is available!
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Second Sunday Birthday Celebration
Sunday, August 8, 10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
In the Churchyard
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ALL are invited to our brief, but joyful celebration for all whose birthdays fall in August, Sunday, August 8, 10:30-10:45 a.m. in the churchyard. Come, sing, and share a cupcake with your parish family. |
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Sunday Worship Schedule
8 AM Rite I - In person
5:30 PM - Celtic Evening Prayer & Communion
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All 3 of our Sunday worship services are in-person with no requirement to sign-up. Welcome Back! |
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Back to School
Backpack & School Supply Drive
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Our Back-to School Backpack and School Supply drive for Hornsby Elementary & Middle Schools continues this Sunday. Drop-off boxes are located in the Narthex and the Parish Office. We need all sizes of backpacks, small to full size, male and female. A supply list from Hornsby Middle School is available here. Cash donations welcome. Please mark your check Outreach Backpack Drive. |
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There are many opportunities for you to get involved in the life of the church. We invite you to explore the various ministries of Saint Paul’s and encourage you to get involved. There will be information in the Narthex with contact information to find out more if you are interested. Please check it out. |
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August Issue of Forward Day by Day Available |
The new Day by Day issue for August, September, and November has arrived and is available in the Narthex. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please
contact Hannah in the parish office. Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily, "page-a-day," inspirational meditations each reflecting on a specific Bible passage from the daily lectionary readings of the Episcopal Church. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences. These meditations are also available online on the Forward Movement website.
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | August 9 - August 15 |
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Noonday Prayer
Monday and Wednesday, 12:05 p.m.
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
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Noonday Prayer is a short and simple service which allows prayer to enter into the midst of our daily work or other activities, whil e joining our prayers to the ongoing prayer of the Church around the world. It may also be observed in private and is found online here and on p.103-107 in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) or in the simplified version for daily devotions on page 138. |
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Compline
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m. Social time follows worship on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
Dial-In: (646) 876-9923
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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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Back to School Blessing
August 15 at the 11:00 am service
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As we begin a new school year students from pre-K to graduate studies, teachers and instructors, and staff and administrators need our support; and we all need ways to express our hopes and concerns for them at this time.
In order to draw those we love into the powerful ministry of Christian prayer, the Saint Paul’s community will be invited this week to submit the names (first names only, not read aloud in the Prayers of the People) of all persons—students and their friends, teachers and their colleagues, staff and administrators—for whom we desire God’s intercession and blessing.
On Sunday August 15, these names will be carried in a basket during the entrance procession, offered to God to be specially blessed along with all our students, teachers, laptops, bags, and backpacks in our Back to School Blessing.
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Save these fall dates - Details to follow. |
- August 15 - Back to School Blessing & Backpack Drive
- August 22 - Gather by the River Parish Dinner
- August 22 - Choirs return
- September 12 - Fr. Eric’s First Sunday at Saint Paul’s
- September 12 - Christian Formation Classes begin for ALL ages
- September 26 - Ironman Sunday
- October 2 - Walk for Water
- October 3 - Blessing of the Animals
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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The Saint Paul’s Choir (high school through adults) resumes rehearsals on Wednesday, August 18, beginning with dinner at 6 p.m. in Tyler Hall. If you are not already a member of the choir but are interested in joining, please contact Keith Shafer.
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Meg and Donald Horton have agreed to serve as our new acolyte master team. If you have a child, 9 years-old or older, who is interested in being an acolyte, please contact Meg Horton at megmhorton@gmail.com. |
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Until we consistently have enough ushers to pass the plate on Sundays at the 11:00 am service, there will be two silver alms basins at the back for placing your offering when you are coming into the church. There will also be two silver basins at the front as you go up to communion if you miss the ones in the back. There is still a need for ushers to help with Sunday services as well as special events. If you are interested in being an usher, contact Nick Uros. |
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Altar Rail Cushion Project |
A needlework project to restore our altar rail kneeling cushions has begun. The projected cost is $15,000 and will take at least two years to complete. Financial contributions and needlework are both being sought. If you needlepoint or even if you are interested in learning and would like to be a part of this project, contact Laurie Montgomery for more information. Financial contributions to the project may be made on the online giving page of Saint Paul's website (select altar rail cushion fund) or by check (please add a designation for altar rail cushion on your check). |
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OPEN Sunday for Altar Flowers
September 5
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If you would like to sponsor a Sunday in honor or memory of someone or “many someones,” please contact the Parish Office. The normal charge is a minimum of $100. What a lovely way to remember or honor someone and contribute to the Flower Guild at the same time.
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From the Stewardship Chair
Lord, we give faithfully, and in our giving, we honor you,
the source of all our blessings, our daily bread, and all the gifts in our lives.
Received as of 5/12/21 for the Year 2021
137 Pledge Cards representing $610,801
If you have not completed a pledge card, please complete this year’s annual stewardship appeal and return it to the church as soon as possible, or pledge online on our website at saintpauls.org/pledge-card/. If you did not receive a pledge appeal in the mail or have simply misplaced yours, please email the parish office or contact by telephone at (706) 724-2485 ext. 225.
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
as of 8/4/21
Offerings pledged this Week $11,650.02
Offerings received this Week $30,408.00
Operating Expenses to Date $493,859.40
Total Income Received to Date $542,847.31
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COVID-19 Vaccine Registration |
Eligible individuals, including those ages 12 and older, can now register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Registration must be completed in advance on the AU Health website.
South Carolina residents who are eligible can also register to receive the vaccine at Aiken Technical College through the AU Health website.
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Are we missing your birthday?
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