Hello Beloveds,
In a summer that has been filled with dangers, tragedies, and uncertainties, in our community and in the world, it's good to remember that God is active in that same world through us and others. In thanksgiving for those blessings, let us pray (this Glass Half-Full* prayer by Jennifer Phillips), remembering that the God of love continues to hold us close...
Thank you for the hidden blessings of this day.
God of the mustard seed
and the yeast in the flour.
Thank you for the near misses and dangers averted,
for the storms that waned at sea.
Thank you for those who turned away
from violence at the last minute,
for those who did not speak their words
of hate or anger,
but instead tried another way.
Thank you for those who did not take
another drink,
for those who left an anonymous gift
in amends for hurt,
for those who made kind allowances
for strangers,
for those who suffered inconvenience
with cheer.
Thank for the attention of those who
avoided disaster,
for the persistence of those working behind
the scenes for peace,
for all who noticed and helped
in some modest way.
Thank you for places where war did not rage,
though it might have done.
Thank you for the alarms sounded in time,
the crimes prevented,
the wise actions of many for the common good.
And thank you for the small, invisible
kindnesses and mendings--
the gifts of your Spirit
that have knit together this world,
even as the news tells us it is unraveling.
Thank you for all the reasons for hope and joy,
reasons without number.
Amen.
Blessings, perseverance, and great love,
Mo. Nikki+
* from the book Simple Prayers for Complicated Lives by Jennifer Phillips
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We need a head-count for Vacation Bible School, specifically for dinner,
so that we have enough food!
If you are planning on attending COMPASSION CAMP,
by Wednesday, July 13!
You'll notice the sign-up says it is just for Monday,
but one sign-up is all you need for the whole week.
If you're not planning on being there every day (Mon-Thurs), please indicate the dates you are not attending under “comments”.
No comment is necessary if you’re attending all 4 evenings.
ADULTS!!!
As part of our Vacation Bible School, Spiritual Formation is happy to announce that we will have a Bibliodrama component for adults. Bibliodrama is a way of exploring the Bible and our faith through drama (a kind of improv based on passages from the Bible). Our facilitator is Matt Rogers who is studying drama therapy at Kansas State University.
We will engage the theme of widening circles of compassion.
All are welcome. Adults are welcome to join us for supper as well.
Please also indicate if you're coming by clicking on the RSVP link above.
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Next Friday, July 15th, we will be watching The Wizard of Oz (1939)! Join us in the parish hall and enjoy some popcorn and soft drinks - or bring a blanket and a picnic dinner! The movie begins promptly at 7pm.
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GEORGIA FREEDOM LETTERS
Georgia Freedom Letters was formed in the summer of 2020 by a group of organizers, educators, and people who care about building connections across the walls of Georgia’s criminal legal system through letter writing. Due to an overwhelming amount of interest in recent months from those currently experiencing incarceration, GFL is eagerly asking us to get out our pens and paper and participate in their recently launched pen pal project.
Especially now, people experiencing incarceration need our support. Since COVID, many of the programs and visitations at our prisons have been significantly reduced if not cancelled--letter writing is one way we can help provide human connection and companionship especially until these programs can be re-instantiated. If you would like to sign up to correspond with one of the 55,000 people on the inside of Georgia's prisons you can do so by visiting this website.
Finally, The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany Atlanta would like to offer the church address to anyone who is interested in becoming a pen pal with GFL. Please email the Rev. Nicole Lambelet at nlambelet@epiphany.org if you have any questions about this project or the letter writing process. You can also contact GFL directly at georgiafreedomletters@gmail.com
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Dates and Times: July 18-21, 5:30 - 7:45
We are just over a week away from “Compassion Camp” VBS! Most of our main spots are filled, but we still have a few openings for assistance. We need three people to serve as “shepherds” each night. A shepherd can be a youth (high school and up) or adult, and will simply make sure the children transition to their appropriate rotation, and assist children as needed while at their rotation. This would be a great way for a high school student to “give back” in honor of their years of Bible School. Call or text Doug at 706-474-4784 if you will assist in this, or any other, way.
Parents: make sure you RSVP for VBS via the sign-up link that Kendall emailed in order to help us purchase enough food. Also, remember that you are encouraged to join us for the evening, whether assisting with your child (if needed), or participating in the Adult VBS option (see announcement above).
Adults will join children in sanctuary for the opening; dismiss to the adult option during children’s rotations; then rejoin the children for Compline.
Here is the nightly schedule, with room allotted for grace each night (meaning we may not finish until 8:00 P.M.)
5:30-5:45/5:50 - Supper
5:50-6:00 – Gathering & Music/Songs in sanctuary
This will consist of:an opening song; Announcements and intro. to the theme; A second song; Dismiss to rotations
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7:30-7:45 Compline in Sanctuary
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BLINDSPOT GAME NIGHT TOMORROW!
Calling all those in their 20s/30s- join us at the Rook and Pawn in Downtown Athens on Saturday, July 9th at 7pm for a night of games, drinks, and fellowship!
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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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Tonight at 7pm all 6th-12th graders are invited to see Thor: Love and Thunder at B&B Theaters. If your child would like to attend please let Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837, know ASAP so that we can order the appropriate number of tickets.
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If you have a child that will be in the 6th-12th grades as of August 2022, please come by our Parent Info meeting in the Parish Hall on July 10 at 1pm, immediately following Mother Nikki's confirmation class.
Contact Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837, if you have any questions.
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Change to Men's Group Meeting
Beginning in July, the Men's Group will meet in the library at St. Gregory's every other Saturday at 9AM and at the Somerville's (where they have been meeting) on the alternating Saturdays. Please contact Peter Rice for more information about the Men's Group! |
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Parents: remember that Children’s Sunday School (9:15-10:15) will not meet again until August 14. However, Children’s Chapel continues to meet each Sunday. |
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ACOLYTES NEEDED
We are in need of a few more acolytes to give a bit of relief to those in our current rotation. Never served before? That's fine- we will teach you! Acolyting is a great, low commitment, way to get involved in the life of the parish! Reach out to Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837, if you would like to volunteer.
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Confirmation Classes for the rest of the summer |
July 10: we will meet
July 17: we will not meet
July 24: we will not meet
July 31: we will meet
August 7: we will meet (and should finish!)
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The Cost of Following Jesus |
Adult Spiritual Formation meets this Sunday 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.
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THANK YOU!
The Family Promise program thanked our congregation for its great support of the family in the program this week. Special shouts out to Tammy Bowman, Diane Barret, Brad Hankins, Jane Hudson and Ron Balthazor, RuthElizabeth Conine-Nakano, & Rhonda Packer. To all those who expressed interest but who weren't able to participate, we have another week this year to help out, October 16-23. If you would like more information, please contact Annette Bates at bateskannette@gmail.com, 706-255-5839. Thanks so much!!
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The Athens Area Emergency food bank appreciates all the food St. Gregory's supplies!
They are especially needing all JUICES right now!
Let's fill the Little Red Wagon!
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outreach
our creator
does all provide
but unfairness
is growing wide
we all deserve
the dignity
of equal
opportunity
in doing love
we show the way
in what we do
and what we say
to better all
humanity
we start in our
community
alice mohor
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If you're in your 20s or 30s and would like to stay up to date on events for your age group please reach out to Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837, to join our group chat. |
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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 will meet only the 1st Tuesdays of the month @1PM for June and July, and likely August! 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. Starting in July, they will alternate Saturdays at the Somervilles with meeting in the library at St. Gregory's ! Email Peter Rice
* 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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