We give thanks for new beginnings, for the students, teachers, school staff, administrators, and professors who share their gifts with our community and Saint Paul's Church. Last Sunday we offered a back-to-school blessing for these parishioners and for the gifts given to our partner schools at Hornsby Elementary School and Middle School.

Dear People of Saint Paul’s:

This week, the Vestry met without our Priest-in-Charge Fr. Joe Bowden (who thankfully is on the mend and remains his cheerful self). Fr. Biddy Zoomed into our meeting at the midpoint. Finally – a happy way to use Zoom!  Our first Sunday with Fr. Biddy will include a reception after each of the services. In the next weeks, more details about our planned welcome of the Biddys will be provided.  

Finance Committee Chair Monty Osteen joined us and, along with Treasurer Will Rice, took us through the amended 2021 budget in preparation for stewardship campaigns for 2022. Some of the important highlights are that the Buildings and Grounds, Christian Education, Professional, Utilities, and Worship expenses are returned to 2019 levels to reflect a return to normal operations. Approximately 90% of the projected 2022 expenses are fixed, i.e. church operations such as care of the buildings, insurance, utilities, and salaries. While the River Room is open for guests, bookings are slow to return. We recognize and join in the desire for additional staff positions, especially a family and youth coordinator, associate rector and office positions and have estimated costs associated with those. We are committed to providing a better understanding of the budget to the Church; however, we have decided to delay that opportunity for group discussion until such time as Fr. Biddy has arrived. If you have questions about our financial position, please feel free to reach out prior to a group meeting.  

You will notice a couple of changes in the service this week. First and foremost, the fully-vaccinated choir returns! Hallelujah! In addition to the precautions which we implemented last week (please mask if you are not fully vaccinated; please spread out in the church; please have a contactless passing of the peace; please wash and sanitize those hands; please join the service from home if you are not feeling well), the choir will not sing as they process and recess. The choir will receive communion at the altar rail; however, the congregation will receive communion at the steps again. This will allow the choir to continue to sing during the service. We ask that you add a little social distancing into the approach to communion. We continue to consider the best way to prevent or limit the spread of the virus. The only guarantee of safety is to close our beautiful church, and we do not want to do that. Please help us keep these doors open with safe practices.  

Yours,

Ashley Wright

Senior Warden

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.

as of 8/18/2021

Offerings received this Week $7,968.90

Operating Expenses to Date $520,279.16

Total Income Received to Date $577,014.98

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.