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The


Gregorian


Chant

12 We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily (have faith) in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. 1 Cor 13:12-13 The Message


Hello Incredibly Beautiful and Wonderful Beloveds!


Today’s inspiration about faith, hope, and love comes from our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, offered in his book Love is the Way; Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times:


Faith dares us to believe that in the end, love wins. We can't see it, but we believe it anyway.


Faith, with its partner hope, is why we pursue college degrees, follow passions, commit to the hard work of marriage and raising children. It's why we carry protest signs and campaign for candidates, instead of just sitting around watching America's Got Talent. (I say that as someone who counts America's Got Talent as one of my favorite television shows.)


Then hope comes along and puts wind in our sails of faith. Hope is the energy that keeps us going when the gravity of reality would otherwise defeat us…. Without hope, life becomes mere existence and survival. But with hope you can marched through hell for a heavenly cause if you have to. But while faith and hope are necessary for a full life, they are not a guide for life. They don't tell you what to do. That love’s job. Love tells you how to direct the energy of outrageous faith. If hope and faith are the wind and sails, love is the rudder. It's God's GPS….


To switch on God's GPS, simply ask yourself a question:


Is this just about me or is it about we? Does this decision serve only my unenlightened self-interest, or does it somehow serve the greater good? And if the answer is me, me, me and only me, you don't do it. It's that simple. Me or we? (pg.24-25)


Beloved community only happens when ‘we’ do love, staying hopeful, through faith in Christ.

Peace and blessings, 

Mo. Nikki


From your senior warden:


Dear folks,


I’m writing to tell you more about Family Night, a fun evening of fellowship, games, and

auctions we are planning for September 21st, and to make a few requests.


I know that sounds way in the future, but there are many things we need to do to get ready for the evening, so we’re talking it up now.


The event will consist of a bunch of fun activities:


● Outside games for children plus a bouncy house

● Board games and card games provided by the parishioners—bring your favorite game and play with friends!

● A silent auction of items donated by parishioners

● A live dessert auction of baked goods donated by our parishioners

● Fried chicken plus potluck sides for dinner

● A cash/check wine bar and a mocktail bar

● A staffed nursery for the little ones


Proceeds from the auctions, the wine bar, and the mocktail bar will go to support the capital

campaign, so we can all participate in renewing love and renewing home. The rest of the

activities are all free!


Our first big request is for donations to the silent auction. You can donate an object, a service, a

work of art or craft—anything you might have to offer. We have already had donations of car

detailing, of a painting, of two cases of wine (thank, you Roger Schwenke!!), of needlework, of

jewelry, of a vintage mink coat, or tractor work, of a mountain-house stay—the variety is

awesome! (Note that if you donate something of significant monetary value, you can stipulate a

minimum bid.) We can take your donations anytime from now up to the week before the event

(Saturday, Sept 14). If you’re interested in donating and want more information, please contact

Mark Richardson or Stacie Court.


Our second big request is for donations of baked goods for the Dessert Auction. Cakes, cookies,

blondies, brownies, bars—whatever you can make, we can auction off! Obviously, you’ll want to

save making these for closer to the day of the event. But you can start perusing recipes any time!

Note: please remember we are a peanut-free parish.


Our third big request is for everyone who can to come in a St. Gregory the Great t-shirt and cap.

“Wait a minute,” you say. “Where do we get those?”


Glad you asked! Below this space you will find a QR code that will take you to a website where

t-shirts and caps with the capital campaign logo are available for purchase. These are quality

items at a fair price. Once you order and pay for your t-shirts and caps, they will arrive at the

church the week before Family Night. You’ll be able to pick up your items at the church on

Sunday, September 15 or anytime during the following week that the office is open and then

proudly wear them to Family Night. And you’ll have them to wear for many subsequent

occasions. Just be sure to order before August 30th, when the online shop will close down to give the manufacturers time to process the orders. Click here for the online shop! see below for QR code.


God's peace to you and yours,

Mark Richardson


Finance Committee Meeting


The Finance Committee will meet in the office next to Kendall’s next Sunday, August 11, after the 10:30AM service. Anyone is welcome to join!


THREADS OF PRAYER


We gather again on Tuesday, August 6, 1:00 p.m. in the library. Please join us if you like to or want to learn to crochet or knit. We make baby blankets, lap blankets, baby hats and prayer shawls large and small. You are welcome! For more information, contact Annette at 706-255-5839 or bateskannette@gmail.com.


Below this space you will find a QR code that will take you to a website where t-shirts and caps with the capital campaign logo are available for purchase. These are quality items at a fair price. Once you order and pay for your t-shirts and caps, they will arrive at the church the week before Family Night. You’ll be able to pick up your items at the church on Sunday, September 15 or anytime during the following week that the office is open and then proudly wear them to Family Night. And you’ll have them to wear for many subsequent occasions. Just be sure to order before August 30th, when the online shop will close down to give the manufacturers time to process the orders. Click here for the online shop! see below for QR code.

Finance Chair Announcement

I have had the honor of serving on the Finance Committee for more than 15 years, for the last 5 years as the chairperson of the Committee. I feel it is time to pass this position off to the next generation. Our financial Policy reads: “The chairperson shall be elected by the Vestry, upon the recommendation of the rector, (or Senior Warden, if none). The term of the Chair shall be for three years, and the Chair serves at the pleasure of the Rector and Vestry.” I, like Les, am in my second term which ends December 31, 2025.

Please give prayerful consideration to the treasurer’s position and the position of the Finance Chair. If you are at all interested, please contact me as chair or Les as treasurer. It would be ideal if the persons who are to fill these two positions are known before the budget is developed for the 2026 calendar year. Please feel free to attend our finance meeting in person. If you cannot attend in person, I can provide a Zoom link so that you can attend the meeting virtually. ALL are welcome to attend. 


— Jeff Welch

Welcome Back @ Barnett Shoals


Robbie P. Hooker, the Superintendent of ACC schools, reached out to faith-based communities, asking if they could join in welcoming the students back to school on the first two days of classes, Thursday, August 1 and Friday, August 2. Members of our Outreach Committee, Gail Eilers, Cheryl Copeland, and Jane Sheridan, had fun doing just that at Barnett Shoals Elementary school!


Family Promise Week: Aug 11-18


Thank you to several people who provided gift cards this week! The needs for our committed week are:

1. Bring an evening meal by 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 13 or Thursday, August 15, to 158/164 Magnolia Terrace. More information on number of adults/children will be in next week's email.

2. Donate cleaning products, paper products, hygiene products, diapers and wipes. Boxes will be in the narthex/parish hall August 4-11.

3. Transport families in the FP van Saturday August 17 12:45 and/or 4:45 p.m.

4. Be a shelter monitor Saturday August 17, 1:00-5:00 p.m./time you can.

5. Host a children's activity on Saturday at the Day Center.

For more information, contact Annette via email or at 706-255-5839. Thank you for your generosity!


August 23rd - First DnD Night of the school year! Meet up in the youth room at 6pm for DnD and pizza will be provided! Make sure to bring your favorite snack with you. 


Confirmation classes will begin on October 20. If you or your child are interested in getting confirmed, received, reaffirmed, or if you just want to learn more about the Episcopal Church, then make sure to come to confirmation class starting on October 20 after the 10:30 service. The class will run every Sunday for 7 weeks leading up to the confirmation service at the Cathedral of St. Philip on December 8th. If you're interested please let either Wade McGlamery or Mother Nikki know.


Seeking Volunteers


We need volunteers at the Food Bank for August, September, and October! 2-3 volunteers are needed each month. A signup sheet is in the narthex. We meet at 640 Barber St. on 3rd Mondays from 9AM-1PM.  



Building and Grounds would like to open up a Qualtrics survey so that parishioners may help us pinpoint areas of improvement around the church. This will aid us in developing Church workdays for families and individuals to participate in and help grow our sense of community and appreciation of our home.


Suggestions can be made anonymously or with names attached. Please click here for survey!


EXCHANGE STUDENTS

If any families are interested in hosting an international exchange student in the area please contact Karen Brill 706-540-4455 for requirements and details. 


Adult Sunday School


Adult Discussion Group: (Parish Hall) The Adult Spiritual Formation Sunday morning Bible Study will not meet this Sunday (Aug 4). We will reconvene the following Sunday (Aug 11) to begin our discussion of the Gospel of Matthew. Wayne Coppins will once again be leading this discussion. All are welcome.


Lectionary Class: (Library) The lectionary class meets in the Library at 9:15AM. We study the assigned readings for each Sunday. Please contact Les House at 478-733-2939 or via email if you have any questions. 

The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs PEANUT BUTTER! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!

classic cars

 

i remember

the summer heat

sticky and hot

in the back seat

 

vinyl covers

would make me sweat

my cotton clothes

would all be wet

 

windows open

the baffled air

would tangle all

my thick straight hair

 

the wind and noise

and traffic din

would wear my nerves

right down to thin

 

alice mohor

Instructions for Live Streaming



  • 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:


  • If you don’t immediately see the video that says ‘live’, (for instance, if you opened YouTube before the service begins) keep refreshing it.  


  • When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it. 


Welcome to worship!

Ongoing Services/Meeting Opportunities

Parish community offerings via Zoom or in person:


Holy Eucharist and Healing Service Please join us on Wednesday evenings at 6PM in the sanctuary for eucharist and prayers for healing.


Ceilidh Folk Service St Gregory's offers a monthly Ceilidh service (pronounced kay-lee) on the 3rd Friday of the month (August 16). Based on a Gaelic tradition of celebrating community and hospitality, a folk liturgy complete with live folk music and a meal will be offered in the Christian Education building at 6:30PM. Foot washing and hand anointing will also be available before or after (not during) these services for anyone who wants to take part, starting at 6PM. Food will be provided, but we always accept more dishes to add to the table if anyone wishes to bring something! Any musicians that are interested in helping to provide the music for these services, as well as anyone with questions about the service, are encouraged to reach out to Wade McGlamery.


Blindspot Group Our 20s and 30s group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 6:30PM and the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6PM for dinner and a small group study (usually off-site of the church). We also meet at least once a month for game nights, dinner and drinks, movie nights, and more. Newcomers are always welcome! Contact Wade McGlamery, 770-624-4837 for more information.


*Hebrew Reading meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 1-3PM. If you're interested, email Joel Hunt for more info!


St. Gregory's Book Club meets the first Friday of the month in the library @ 7PM ongoing for the foreseeable future.  Email Lois Alworth if you are interested in participating.


Threads of Prayer will take the months of June and July off. Starting back in August, we meet on the 1st Tuesdays of the month @1PM! We 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. 1st & 3rd Saturdays at St. Gregory's library and 2nd & 4th & 5th Saturdays at the Somerville's house ! Email Peter Rice


* group(s) meeting on Zoom


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St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church | office@stgregoryathens.org
706.546.7553 | www.stregoryathens.org