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"So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples" Acts 6:2


Hello Beloveds!

The church will always have both worship AND meetings. Today’s note is about the latter.


The 81st General Convention ends today, and I just wanted to pass along news of the two items that affect most deeply the direction if our polity from GC81. (For more info, visit our Atlanta Diocese GC Hub)


One item, as you might guess is the election of our new Presiding Bishop. Here’s news from the Episcopal News Service (ENS):


The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of Northwest Pennsylvania and bishop provisional of Western New York, was elected and confirmed June 26 at the 81st General Convention to serve as the 28th presiding bishop. His nine-year term as presiding bishop, the face and voice of The Episcopal Church and its chief pastor, begins Nov. 1. Rowe also is scheduled to preach at General Convention’s final Holy Eucharist on June 28.

 

The other item is a broader definition for the Book of Common Prayer, which used to be defined basically as what was between the two covers of the actual approved BCP:


The Book of Common Prayer has a new constitutional definition: “Those liturgical forms and other texts authorized by the General Convention in accordance with this article and the Canons of this Church.”


Its proponents have argued it enables more incremental changes to the prayer book that some Episcopalians have demanded – such as adding same-sex marriage rites and including gender-neutral language – without spending time and resources on a developing a brand new version. Over a dozen liturgical texts have been “authorized” – for trial use, experimental use or simply “made available” – by General Convention over the years.


“This amendment allows us to use our 21st century technologies to continue in common prayer and worship,” the Rev. Ruth Meyers, deputy from the Diocese of California, said in advocating A072’s passage in the June 26 evening session. Meyers, a professor at Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, also served previously on the Task Force on Liturgical & Prayer Book Revision, which originally proposed this constitutional change in 2022.


She added that the new Article X doesn’t diminish the rigorous process by which the church amends its prayer book. “Only after that process, which we’ve been using for decades, will new material become part of the Book of Common Prayer.”


A072 was adopted with 84% of the vote in the clergy order and 87% in the lay order. It will take effect Jan. 1, 2025.


The Book of Common Prayer has not undergone a full-scale revision since 1979. (That process, to revise the 1928 version, began in 1967.)


David Paulsen is a senior reporter and editor for Episcopal News Service based in Wisconsin. He can be reached at dpaulsen@episcopalchurch.org.

 


Peace, joy, and blessings, 

Mo. Nikki+

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. 

Environmental Sustainability


Environmental Sustainability Committee will meet this Sunday, June 30, after the 10:30 service. Please bring any research, ideas, or pet projects. If you are interested, but can't come, please contact Maggie Reinberger, 707-338-1471, mmreinberger@gmail.com


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!


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!


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. 


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!

extreme heat

 

my distrustful

internal clock

may not wake me

in time to walk

 

before the day

begins to heat

and early birds

make their retreat

 

from a rising

temperature

my senior self

should not endure

 

retired i still

set an alarm

to best avoid

exertion harm


 

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 (July 19). 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 in person


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