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Greatly Beloveds!


Happy Pentecost! Say it with me… “Ain’t no party, like a Holy Spirit party, ‘cause a Holy Spirit party don’t stop!”


The feast day that is this particular Holy Spirit party has its roots in the traditions of our Jewish spiritual forbears. They celebrated Pentecost as the first fruits of the spring grain harvest and later, the giving of the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Rabbi David Zaslow has a wonderful piece of art that is a dialogue between the Jewish and Christian faiths on this occasion. I share it below. You’re welcome. 💕


So much love, 

Mo. Nikki+



Pentecost: A Poem

by Rabbi David Zaslow


Passover and Easter: two moon linked sisters

who long ago stopped speaking to one another:

linked to the fullness in our hearts

and the fullness of God’s grace.

The moon of Sister Miriam desires freedom –

to rescue her people from the cruelty of Pharaoh,

by the outstretched, mighty hand of Adonai:

a hand of salvation reaching down from heaven,

and passing through my nation,

and down through yours,

and then to each and every one of us – so may it be!

The moon of Mother Mary desires to give her light

so that each man and woman might know

the power of the resurrection,

and the soil of death that holds the seeds of rebirth within:

a resurrection reaching upward,

passing through all nations and up to God Almighty!

Two celebrations: two women: Miriam and Mary,

who don’t even know they have the same name –

one in Hebrew and one in Greek –

yet inexorably linked to a single full moon.

And then we each begin to count:

we both count to fifty –

beyond the forty days of Moses on Mt. Sinai

and Jesus in the wilderness.

We go beyond, one cycle further:

to fifty, Shavuot, the Pentecost.

Ours to the revelation of Torah at Sinai.

Yours to the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

Freedom and resurrection. Revelation and revelation.

Twelve tribes and twelve disciples.

One moon, two traditions.

Two covenants, One God.

Shavuot and Pentecost: two cousins

who have just begun to speak.

And King David is singing to us

from his tomb today:

“Teach us to count our days

that we may open our hearts to Your Wisdom.”

Some of us, thank God, are listening


CEILIDH SERVICE TONIGHT!


St Gregory's monthly Ceilidh service (pronounced kay-lee) happens tonight! 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.


A message from the Capital Campaign Committee.


Dear Gregorians,


This will be the last message from the capital campaign for a few weeks—we don’t want to wear out our welcome!


First, a huge “thank you” to our wonderful organist/pianist and acting music director Jonathan Klein for his stirring presentation last Sunday about the “connect buildings” project. His vision of St. Gregory’s fifty years down the road as a strong and loving community within itself and with the wider world was very moving. Also, another huge “thank you” to Mark Reinberger for suggesting the project and fleshing out many of the details for us.


With all the excitement over this undertaking, some folks might be wondering what has become of the other projects first announced at the start of the capital campaign. The answer is, they are still there! We haven’t given up on anything we originally planned to do in Nourish, Grow, and Go. Just to be really clear, here are the projects we have planned:


1) Join the sanctuary to the parish hall, replacing three aging HVAC units and expanding the parish hall kitchen.


2) Renew the youth playground with a safer surface, additional equipment, and a necessary fence.


3) Replace the worn carpet in the parish hall.


4) Replace our aging organ.


5) Build an outdoor labyrinth.


Those are our goals. If we can raise the money, we can look forward to completing them all. Thank you all for your contributions and for your willingness to keep “Renewing Love, Renewing Home” in your thoughts and prayers.

Rising 6th Graders Brunch


All rising 6th graders and their parents/guardians are invited to a brunch and interest meeting for the St Greg's youth program. We will discuss Sunday school, field trips, diocesan opportunities, student leadership, and more! Just head over to the Christian Ed building after the 10:30 service this Sunday. 

NOTE: There will be no confirmation class this Sunday.

Groaning in the Tent


The Pastoral Care Committee welcomes you to a community opportunity to engage in holy conversation about our mortality, including dying, death, and loss, as well as the fear that keeps those topics on our back burners most of the time. 


On three Sunday afternoons May 5, 12, and 19, 2024, from 12:30 to 2:30PM the Rev. Dr. Ellen Richardson will offer a program called Groaning in the Tent for members of St. Gregory’s and their friends. Each session will offer a menu of Holy Scripture, holy conversation, prayers, poetry, and excerpts from her book, Holy Dying: Stories and Struggles, inspired by her (pre-retirement) work as a Hospice physician and Episcopal priest. A light lunch will be served.


It is not necessary to have read the book before attending and it is not necessary to attend all three sessions in order to participate. Below are websites where you can purchase the book:


Barnes & Noble

Church Publishing

Amazon (Limited quantities of paperback available and Kindle version available)


Coffee Hour Treats Needed!


We are in need of volunteers to bring treats for coffee hour! Please sign up on the sheet in the CE building!


Update on Blue Jean Sunday


After we had to postpone our spring work day, we began to realize there were no Sundays when our facilities weren’t in use after church until hot weather arrived! So, we’ll plan a Blue Jeans Sunday for when the weather cools (hopefully) this fall. What a great thing that we have so much going on at St. Gregory!


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!

Athens Master Chorale


The Athens Master Chorale (and friends) will have an open rehearsal/concert of the Mozart Requiem on Monday, May 27 at 7:30 pm here at St. Gregory. We are preparing for our concert in Carnegie Hall in New York on June 1. You are welcome to attend and bring friends to this free event.

Family Promise June 2-9


Our Family Promise week is June 2-9 and here's what we need:


1. Make/purchase an evening meal June 4 or 5 and deliver by 6:30 p.m.; for one family living in part of a duplex, to be done by either one or two volunteers.

2. Be present at the First Baptist Day Center on Saturday, June 8, to help families as they do their laundry there, tentative times 1:00-5:00 p.m. We need two people for this.

3. Plan and/or help with an activity for the children at the First Baptist Day Center on Saturday, June 8 sometime during the afternoon with other volunteers. A retired teacher would be great, certainly for planning! Jenifer Marquadt is signed up and we need one more person.

4. Purchase $25 Kroger gift cards, we will need at least 4. Email Annette about this.

5. Purchase hygiene supplies, including toilet paper, paper towels, etc.You can bring them to church the next few Sundays.


VOLUNTEER TRAINING: 5/20, 5/21, 5/30 or 5/31. Let Annette know ASAP and she will schedule.


The Day Center is located in First Baptist Church downtown. Park behind the church and head toward the door marked Family Promise on the far right hand side of the building as you face it. 


Sign up here for tasks above. Questions? Email Annette Bates .

LOVE FREE OR DIE FILM SCREENING


University of Georgia's Special Collections Libraries is hosting a screening of "Love Free or Die" on Tuesday, June 4th at Cine from 5:15pm-7:15pm. Bishop Gene Robinson (from the film) and director Macky Alston will be in attendance and will also be a part of a Q&A that will take place after the screening. It is going to be an incredible event!

St Gregory’s children are invited to VBS at Emmanuel Episcopal Church! Compassion Camp will allow children 4 years through 5th grade to explore what all living things need to live- shelter, food, water, air, and community and how we can have compassion for the living Earth. Click picture below to register. Registration ends May 29.

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. 

Summer Break for Children’s Sunday School


Sunday School for our children will continue through May. But then our summer break begins! We will not hold Sunday School classes for our kindergarten through fifth graders during June, July, or August. The program will resume in September.


Children’s Church, occurring in conjunction with the 10:30 service, will continue as usual!

Orthodox Tours


In Oct 2022 Anthony Barkdoll went to Israel and Jordan on a tour with a group called Orthodox tours, with his in-laws who are Greek orthodox (his sister-in-law painted the icon in the sanctuary). The person that runs the Orthodox tours, Father Ilya Gotlinsky, is trying to fill up spots for a trip to England called "In the Footsteps of the Early English Saints" and asked if any parishioners at St Gregory would be interested. Here's the link for the tour.


Camp Mikell


The Episcopal Church offers Kid camp, Junior camp, Intermediate camp, and Youth camp experiences specifically tailored to each age group. There is also a Mini camp experience for young children to explore with a parent, as well as a performing arts camp.  Registration for summer 2024 camps is now open. Check out the website for more information!  


The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs pork & beans and plain white rice! Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!

pentecost



no tongue of fire

upon my head

so this sunday

i will wear red

 

for the spirit

that did descend

upon the souls

who did attend

 

and spoke of faith

for all to hear

in languages

from far and near

 

in witness to

the power of

the love of god

sent from above



alice mohor

Instructions for Live Streaming



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Welcome to worship!

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.


* Community Yoga Monday evenings January 8 - May 27 @ 5:30pm. ALL are welcome! Donations are accepted, a portion of which will go to Saint Gregory for use of the space. We do have a small supply of props but please bring a yoga mat.


* 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 meets on the 1st Tuesdays of the month @1PM! 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. 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