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The


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June 14, 2024

 

Questions

 

Maturing faith appreciates questions. Here’s a few: Do you hold the conviction that Jesus of Nazareth is the central authority for Christian faith? Has it been your experience that The Holy Scriptures have the power to deepen understanding of spiritual truth, moral meaning and faithful discipleship? And when Jesus tells a story do you hear him illuminating what God is like, what God desires and what God desires of us? Is it true for you that at the most difficult intersections of your life you have applied the example and teachings of Jesus to move forward and to heal? Do you treat those with whom you struggle to love as precious to God? 


“Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”


Inspired by Howard Thurman's Sermons on the Parables

Collect/Prayer for the 6 Sunday after Pentecost

Dear Gregorians, Stacie Court here. Today I’m going to answer a few questions:


1) Why should I give to the Capital Improvements Campaign?


Starting out as a mission church, St. Gregory’s has never had a big endowment, which means we don’t have a lot of backup funding when something unexpected comes up. It can be a real headache for the vestry.


Right now, important parts of our buildings and their systems range in age from 20 - 40 years old. Systems like roofs and HVACs are not designed to last more than 15-20 years without replacement. Modestly-priced electric organs are not meant to be used for 40 years. And yet, here we are.


We have a number of issues that need to be addressed.


Our physical home needs renewal.


Just as we all invest in updating our personal homes to make them more comfortable, more welcoming, and safer, our spiritual home needs our investment, too.


2) I’m not wealthy: why should I even bother to give anything?


From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:16)


Because we can do so much more as a community if we pool our resources and work together. Together, we can create good for EVERYONE.


I want to be a part of this wonderful, vibrant community, and I express that desire through my willingness to give what I can to help support the well-being of my community.


3) How do I make my commitment to the Capital Improvements Campaign?


There are two ways; each will keep your information confidential:


1. you can use one of the Commitment Cards found in the Narthex. Fill it out, and place it in the Survey/Commitment Card Box (also in the Narthex).


2. Go to St. Gregory’s website: www.stgregoryathens.org

a. Under Quick Links, choose Capital Improvements Campaign

b. At the bottom of the page, click the button that says “Make a Commitment”

c. Fill out and submit the online form, typing in your total commitment (you have until December 31, 2028 to fulfill it)

NOTE: I recommend choosing “As I Can” rather than one of the options under “Set a Schedule”; this makes clear to the Treasurer what your total commitment actually is.


If you have any questions, please contact one or both of the co-chairs of the Capital Improvements Campaign:

Stacie Court stacie.court@gmail.com

Mark Richardson mrichsn@gmail.com


Thank you all for the many wonderful ways you make St. Gregory the Great the best spiritual home I have ever had! I am so grateful to have this opportunity to serve.


Yours in Christ,

Stacie Court


CEILIDH SERVICE


St Gregory's monthly Ceilidh service (pronounced kay-lee) will be on Friday, June 21. 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) the service 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.


RITE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL


The Rite of Christian Burial for Janice Rusk will be held in our sanctuary on Saturday, June 29 @ 2PM, followed by a reception. 


Library


The Library Committee (Jenifer Marquardt, Lane Norton, Ellen Richardson, and Mark Richardson) have finished refreshing the library collection. Now they would like to refresh the furniture as well! If you have a gently used sofa or chairs that you could donate, please send a picture to one of the committee members for consideration. Thank you!



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!


Collective Artists' Workshop


The Collective Artists Worship (Dallas Bono's theater company... previously under the name of RespirOpera) will be performing musical theater, jazz, and popular music at the Local 706 restaurant in 5 Points, Athens on Monday, June 17 from 6-9PM.


The restaurant will be sponsoring CAW by giving a generous percentage of their profits from the whole day to benefit our production of Little Women in September. Even if you can't make it in the evening, perhaps plan on having lunch at Local 706 that day, and mention us!


Day Center Front Desk Volunteer Training


Are you interested in helping out at the Family Promise Day Center during the week with answering phones, fielding community resource requests, organizing in-kind donations, and general office tasks? Come learn more about this opportunity to serve at one of our Front Desk Volunteer Training sessions! They will be held at the Day Center at 355 Pulaski Street on the following dates. Additional trainings will be held in the subsequent months.


June 25 at 11 AM

June 27 at 2 PM


New sign-up sheet for the rest of 2024! We are currently seeking volunteers to work at the Athens Area Emergency FoodBank, 640 Barber St. on 3rd Mondays from 9AM-1PM. 2-3 volunteers are needed each month. A signup sheet is in the narthex.


New Usher Coordinator Needed!


After 3 years of coordinating ushers, Anna Hiers is stepping down effective August 1. Please prayerfully consider this ministry!

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. 


Ping Pong Table


Anyone need or want a pingpong table? A nice one has been living in the CE Bldg for a while now. We just don't have room for it. It will be donated to Restore unless someone claims it. Please text or call Mark Richardson at 912-660-0217 or email if you're interested.

Adult Sunday School


Adult Discussion Group: (Parish Hall) The Adult Spiritual Formation Sunday morning Bible Study meets at 9:15AM in the Parish Hall. We are currently discussing the Gospel of Mark led by Wayne Coppins. Please join us! 


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 canned salmon, pasta sauces, and pork 'n' beans! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!

summer reading

 

i walk before

the sun is high

and move as if

i still am spry

 

the air is cool

the birds in song

and older me

feels very strong

 

then make a start

on my task list

but i am just

a fantasist

 

to reflect heat

the blinds i close

most afternoons

i only doze


 

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!

Meeting Opportunities

Parish community offerings via Zoom or in person:


* Holy Eucharist and Healing Service There will be no healing services during the month of June.


* 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 in person


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