Last week we received notification of the blessing and dedication of the George H.W. Bush kneeler at the Washington National Cathedral. Nancy Hussey completed this kneeler in December 2020. The Cathedral noted this special gift beautifully ornaments their space for worship. We are thankful for Nancy's many gifts and especially her support for our needlepoint project.

Laurie Montgomery is leading our needlepoint guild. We are nearly half-way to completion. If you are interested in working on this project, contact Laurie.

FROM THE RECTOR

"What other time or season can or will the church ever have but that of Advent?"

--Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics (IV.3.1,322)

This Sunday we'll begin the season of Advent and a new liturgical year. I'm not sure that priests should have favorites, but Advent is my favorite liturgical season. The Karl Barth quote above sort of gets at why. We often think of Advent as a time of preparing for Christmas, but this is only part of the truth. Yes, in Advent we prepare to remember the Word's coming to us in the flesh. But this is only one of three "comings" that are relevant for Advent. You'll notice this Sunday that all the focus is not on that first coming, but on the last advent of our Lord, still to come in power and great glory, when the world will be set right and righteousness will reach full bloom. And in this time between those Advents—the Incarnation and the return of the Lord—there is a third kind of coming, because Jesus is always coming to us. God's reality is always breaking in to our mundane, sometimes dreary world. Advent is the time when the church most explicitly names the now as the time between, what the poet WH Auden called "the time being." The church lives from one Advent (Christmas) towards another (the Parousia) by a third (the myriad ways the divine comes to us in the here and now).* This season then invites us to remember, to prepare, and to watch.

Saint Paul's has many opportunities to engage in the practices of Advent this year. I won't manage to name them all, but details will be available further down in this email and in the Sunday announcements. On this first Sunday of Advent, we begin a new adult forum series based on biblical scholar Raymond Brown's book An Adult Christ at Christmas, seeking to approach the Christmas stories from a mature perspective and looking for the ways that they are gospel for our whole lives (no need to purchase the book; my plan is just to tell you about it). From 9:00 to 10:50 on Sunday, everyone is encouraged to build their own Advent wreath in Tyler Hall ($20 donation). At 4:00 pm, the Daughters of the King offer to the whole parish a guided labyrinth walk in the Berlin Room—an excellent entry into a season that calls us toward quiet, even while we are assaulted by the aggressive jollity of secular Christmas. And throughout the day the Creation Care Committee will be selling trees.

That's the first day of Advent and I haven't even mentioned our communal worship, which is of course the reason we gather. No one will be able to do everything we offer this season, but I encourage you to read through this email and the program guide (copies still available at the church) for the activities that will most help you lean into the fullness of the season.

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

*This reflection on the three advents of God really comes from Bernard of Clairvaux, but I thought I had probably used up my quota of obscurity by starting with a Barth quote.

Eric+

EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | December 3

Sunday Worship Schedule

8 AM Rite I

11 AM Rite II

11 AM Facebook Live

11 AM YouTube Live

5:30 PM - Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion

6:30 PM - Compline + Sit and Wait (Chapel)

All of our Sunday worship services are in-person.

Poinsettias, Wreathes, & Christmas Brass

Wreaths and red poinsettias in the church are enjoyed throughout the Christmas season and additional professional musicians enhance our Christmas Eve services. If you would like to contribute toward the cost of Christmas Eve music, or give a poinsettia or wreath, please return the form found in Sunday's bulletin to the Parish Office. Requests may also be made by e-mail to mailbox@saintpauls.org and on the website no later than Sunday, December 17.

GIVE A POINSETTIA, WREATH, OR MUSIC

Clergy Discretionary Fund

Your generous non-pledged offerings (cash and designated checks to Fr. Biddy’s discretionary and Rev. Kimberly’s discretionary) on the first Sunday each month support our clergy’s Discretionary Account. These funds are used to meet urgent needs within our community, to further the ministries of the church when other funds are not available, and to support community programs and institutions that serve those in need..

Make an Advent Wreath for your home

December 3, 9-10:50 AM, Tyler Hall

Join us in Tyler Hall, the first Sunday of Advent, December 3, 9-10:50 AM to make an Advent Wreath for your home. Drop in as your schedule allows for this intergenerational event. All supplies will be provided, including wreathes, live greens, and candles. $20 donation.

Creation Care Tree Sale

Begins December 3

The Creation Care Committee encourages you “to do one simple thing” in the spirit of Christmas by buying and planting a minimum of just one tree this holiday season. Or, give them to family and friends as living gifts to the glory of God. 50 Dogwood, 50 Crepe Myrtle and 50 Red Bud saplings are available and are just $10 each. Join us at the Advent wreath-making event to purchase your trees, which will be available for pickup before Christmas. We'll also have a table on the Portico after the 11 AM service. For more information, contact Jennifer McKee.

BUY A TREE

Continental Breakfast This Sunday

Sunday, 9:00 AM, Tyler Hall

Busy morning? We have a continental breakfast this Sunday. Donations accepted.

The Nursery will be open Sun, Dec. 3

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

We are pleased to announce that the Saint Paul’s nursery is open for children 6 months to 4 years of age. The nursery will be available this Sunday morning beginning at 9:30 A M.

Canterbury Choir (grades 3-9)

St. Nicholas Choir (age 5 through grade 2)

The Canterbury Choir (children in grades 3-9 and the St. Nicholas Choir (age 5 through grade 2) begin rehearsals Sunday mornings at 9:25 AM. There are no weekday rehearsals for the children’s choirs; all rehearsals are scheduled on Sunday mornings to accommodate busy family schedules!

If you or any family or friends are interested in the choir program, please email Director of Music, Keith Shafer or call (706) 724-2485 ext. 215.

An Adult Christ at Christmas

9:30 AM, The Berlin Room

Our series in the Sunday Forum continues: The Reverend Eric Biddy leads our Advent series based on biblical scholar Raymond Brown's book, An Adult Christ at Christmas.

We all know the Christmas story-- which means we never actually listen to it. Biblical scholas Raymond Brown tried to draw adult Christians' attention to the complex and rich biblical traditions around the birth of our Lord in his book An Adult Christ as Christmas. We'll us Brown's work as a guide to hear new things in an old story. Weekly lessons may be attended independently from one another (attendance at previous lessons not necessary).

Children's Christmas Program

Rehearsals begin December 3, 10 AM

We will begin preparing for our annual Children’s Christmas program beginning Sunday, December 3. We will be telling the Christmas story and rehearsing for this joyful program during formation (10-10:45 AM) during the first 3 Sundays of December. The program will be shared by our children at the 11 am service on December 18.

If you have not already, please complete this short survey to register your child.

Angel Tree Kick-off

November 26

Our Angel Tree Christmas program is in full swing. This year we will be providing gifts to support children at W. S. Hornsby School. Angels will be available on the front portico after the 11 am service for two more weeks. Donations are appreciated, and checks should be made out to Saint Paul’s Church and designated for Angel Tree Ministry. For more information on how you can get involved, please email Barbara Coleman or Melissa Friedman.

Confirmation Classes end this Sunday

Sundays, 12:30 PM, Tyler Hall

Confirmation classes end this Sunday. If you've missed this series but interested in Confirmation this winter or if you have questions and just want to know more. Signal your interest by emailing Fr. Eric.

Guided Labyrinth Walk

Sunday, December 3, 4 PM, Berlin Room

On the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 4 PM in the Berlin Room, Belinda Peebles will lead a labyrinth walk as we wait and walk in anticipation of the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. There will be a brief introduction to walking a labyrinth and a time for reflection prior to the walk. No experience walking a labyrinth is required. Wear socks. For more information contact Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau.

EYC

(Episcopal Youth Community, grades 6-12)

Sunday, 4:00 - 6:00 PM

EYC meets at Saint Paul’s this Sunday 4-6 PM for an Altar Guild program and dinner with our friends from Saint Bart’s. Friends are always welcome! For more information contact Rev. Kimberly Dunn.

Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion

with Prayers for Healing

Sundays, 5:30 PM

Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion is a candle-lit service that emphasizes the contemplative side of worship, features some of Augusta’s best Celtic musicians, and offers prayers for healing for those attending, for others, and for the world. Come as you are and enter into a place of rest, prayer, and reflection.

Kathleen Chandler, vocalist, and Keith Shafer, pianist, are our guest musicians this week.

Sit and Wait Meditation Group

Sundays, 6:30 PM, Chapel

Sit and Wait has moved to Sunday night with a new format beginning on September 3, 2023. This service will follow the Celtic Service at 6:30 PM. The format will follow An Order for Compline from the Book of Common Prayer (page 127-135). The focus of the service will be the appointed Rule of Benedict for the Day. At the end of Compline, a twenty-minute sit will follow, and everyone will leave in silence.

Please email Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau or contact by phone at (706) 910-9331 for further information.

EVENTS NEXT WEEK | December 4 - December 10

Sign up for a Foyer Dinner Group

For groups meeting January, February & March

Each group of 8-10 people meets once a month for three months (January, February, and March). Groups gather for a simple meal and relaxed conversation in group member’s homes. Generally, the host provides the main dish and others bring the rest of the meal (appetizer, salad, side, or dessert), but groups can be organized in many other ways. We will schedule new groups for spring. Sign up beginning next week. Fr. Biddy will organize the groups and send information by the first week of January to get you started. For more information, contact ebiddy@saintpauls.org.

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Tuesday, December 5, 7:30 PM

The annual festival of Lessons and Carols to benefit the Sacred Heart Cultural Center and directed by Keith Shafer is Tuesday, December 5 at 7:30 PM. Tickets at www.sacredheartaugusta.org.

ZOOM Book Study

Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Last session Dec. 12

Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks led by Barbara Coleman.

“Every day there are reasons not to be grateful. Terrible, distressing, painful, and awful things happen all the time. Yet gratitude is a defiance, of sorts, the defiance of kindness in the face of anger, of connection in the face of division, and of hope in the face of fear. Gratefulness does not acquiesce to evil–it resists evil.”

Books are available in the Narthex on Sunday and in the parish office during the week. $20 donation. Sign up on the website, so that we can forward class schedules and updates.

Compline - ZOOM

Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 PM Social time follows worship

Join Zoom

Meeting ID: 595 177 454

Dial-In: (646) 876-9923

Password: Email the Parish Office to request.

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.

Mid-Week Eucharist

Thursdays, 11:30 AM

A mid-week Eucharist in the Chapel begins at 11:30 AM. Lunch in the Berlin Room follows at 12 noon with a weekly Bible study (more information below.) Join us as your schedule allows: Come for Eucharist and lunch, lunch and Bible study, or stay for all three. (So that we may honor mid-day schedules, lunch is scheduled for 15 minutes and will continue through the Bible study conversations.)

Lectio at Lunch

Thursdays, 12 Noon, Tyler Hall

Join us for a delicious and engaging Bible study!

Every Thursday in Tyler Hall you’ll find a lunch combo that can’t be beat! We offer a tasty meal with a generous helping of fellowship, plus a lively discussion arising from the Gospel of Mark. Our text is N.T. Wright’s Mark for Everyone which takes this Gospel in small bites, reflecting on each week’s reading with relevant and important insights. We finish promptly at 1:00 PM and invite you to join us as your schedule allows. You may bring your own lunch or share in the meal provided. Donations accepted.

Questions? Contact Kitty Gordon.

Augusta Choral Society Concert at Saint Paul's Church

Saturday, December 9, 7:30 PM

The Augusta Choral Society will present a Christmas Concert at Saint Paul’s Church on Saturday, December 9th at 7:30 PM. Music selections will be portions of Handel’s “Messiah" and "The Ballad of the Brown King" by Margaret Bonds.

Soloists are soprano Melissa Shultz, Alto Sawyer Branham, Tenor Brandon Ball and Bass Washington Isaac Holmes. The program will be accompanied by the Lyra Vivace Orchestra and the guest conductor will be Dr. Marcel Ramalho. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door the night of the concert.

Help us Create Breakfast Teams

Sunday, December 10, 9 AM, Tyler Hall

Join us in Tyler Hall, Sunday, December 10, 9 AM to help us create breakfast teams. We enjoy the fellowship and a great start to the day! We need your help to be able to continue these parish life events. For more information contact Eric Friedman or Fr. Biddy.

A St. Nicholas Celebration

Sunday, December 10, 11 AM service

Next Sunday the young people of Saint Paul’s will celebrate Saint Nicholas. His feast day is on December 6th. We will celebrate the spirit of Saint Nicholas and the day by focusing on giving over receiving, remembering the less fortunate, and remembering how much Saint Nicholas loved children.

The children are invited to leave their shoes in the Narthex prior to the 11 AM service in hopes of finding treats in them after the service. It is a fun way to celebrate one of our favorite saints.

Veterans' Ice Cream Social

Sunday, December 10, 2:45 - 3:45 PM

Dish and serve ice cream and cookies at our quarterly Veteran’s Social December 10, 2:45-3:45 PM. We’ll meet at the GA War Veterans’ Nursing Home located at 1101 15th Street to share a dessert and then spend much-appreciated time visiting. All ages are welcome to participate. For more information and to coordinate your visit contact Gene Helmich.

Second Sundays with Creation Care

Holiday Gift Wrap Exchange and Party

December 10, 4 PM, Berlin Room

Get festive and help the Creation Care team recycle for the holidays! Simply bring Christmas gift wrap, decorations and cards you no longer use to exchange with others, keeping those items out of the landfill. Out with the old, in with the new (to you)! Join us at 4 PM on Dec. 10 in the Berlin Room for all the fun—we'll make it a party, have punch and cookies and spread holiday cheer. Even if you don't have holiday items to exchange, please stop by to say hi—or ho ho ho!

For more information, contact Jennifer McKee.

THE ORDINATION TO THE SACRED ORDER OF PRIESTS

LOOKING AHEAD

Dates for your Calendar

December 16 - Ordination

December 17 - Children's Christmas Program

December 18 - No Vestry (note the change)

Dec. 21 - Longest Night/Blue Christmas Service

December 24 - 11 AM Advent 4th service

December 24 - Christmas Eve 4 PM & 10 PM

December 25 - Christmas 10 AM in the chapel

December 28 - Caregivers' Support Group

December 31 - Lesson and Carols 11 AM

January 2 - The Wounded Healer study begins

Mmm... Men's Monthly Meal

& Cookie Swap 🍪🍪

December 13, 4 PM begin cooking, 6 PM dinner

Please note the change of date

Join us for our next Men’s Monthly Meal (Mmm!) and 🍪🍪Cookie Swap scheduled Wednesday, December 13, 6 PM. The Men of Saint Paul’s will gather at 4 PM in the River Room to prepare a dinner.

On the menu: Ham, fried squash, mashed potatoes, and dinner rolls.

Bring a tray of your favorite holiday treats for a cookie swap (assuming you don’t finish them all on the spot!)

Men, please sign up for cooking and clean up teams and everyone PLEASE RSVP using the link below, so that we may be a good host. Donations welcomed. For more information contact Eric Friedman.

Summer Mission Experience

7 days scheduled between June 6 - June 16, 2024

Information Meeting Wednesday13th, 6:30 PM

You are invited to join Saint Paul’s parishioners, family, and friends on a mission trip this summer to Ecuador, June 6-16, 2023. Please prayerfully consider joining us as we reach out to people in need and serve as the hands of Christ.

An information sheet is available here. If you would like additional information about Quito, Ecuador, the mission work, and trip details, please contact Gene or Rose Helmich, or call 803-640-3405. The deadline to join the trip is January 31, 2024.

Caroling and Cocoa

Sunday, December 17, 5 PM

We are gathering in Tyler Hall at 5 PM for slices of pizza and to pick up directions and song lyrics. This is a wonderful intergenerational activity, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Kim Butler .

Christmas Breakfast for Hornsby Teachers

Monday, December 18

We're celebrating with our Hornsby partners as they finish their work prior to the winter break. To get the teacher workday started, we're bringing breakfast and holiday cheer. Wear your reindeer and contact Barbara Coleman to join this early morning party. Three or four helpers will make this day festive.

Senior Lunch

Wednesday, December 20, 12 noon

Join us for our 4th monthly lunch for seniors. Just a relaxing social time. We'll gather Wednesday, December 20 at 12 Noon in Tyler Hall. Lunch is provided but donations welcome. Please sign up in the Narthex on Sunday mornings or on our website using the link below.

RSVP FOR LUNCH

OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

VESTRY NOMINATIONS

The Vestry Nominating Committee is seeking candidates whom you believe would make outstanding Vestry members for Saint Paul's. If you'd like to suggest someone, including yourself, please contact retiring Senior Warden Cameron Nixon. Prior to nominating someone else, please discuss with them their interest and willingness to serve in this role.

VESTRY RESPONSIBILITIES

The basic responsibilities of the Vestry are:

to help define and articulate the mission of this congregation
to support the church's mission by word and deed
to support the clergy in furthering the mission of Saint Paul’s
to ensure effective organization and planning
to manage resources and finances
to attend monthly vestry meetings and annual vestry retreat
to serve as liaison to assigned parish committees

We expect to elect for three full three-year terms. If the new senior warden comes from the current vestry, we may have an additional unexpired term to fill.

MINIMUM CRITERIA

To be eligible for the Vestry, a nominee must answer "yes" to all of the following questions.

Have you been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church?
Do you regularly attend worship services at Saint Paul's?
Are you a pledging member of Saint Paul's?

CANDIDATE PROFILES

Each nominee slated to run for election to the Vestry will be invited to share a profile with the parish via our regular parish communications including the weekly newsletter.

A Note on Eligibility: Those eligible for election are those “confirmed adults in good standing eighteen years of age or older enrolled in the Congregation” (Canon 2.1). Those eligible to vote in an election are “those confirmed adults enrolled in the Congregation who are in good standing and who have reached the age of sixteen” (Canon 2.3). Those already in the process of being confirmed or received and otherwise eligible, are eligible to run and vote while waiting for the bishop’s next visit. If you are interested in being confirmed when the Bishop visits next year, please c ontact Fr. Biddy.

The new Day by Day issue for November, December, and January 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.