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Weekly
Postings
news & events
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November 22 - December 1, 2024 | | |
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There’s typically a lot on the agenda for the November vestry meeting. In addition to the recurring items, we plan for a couple of Sunday Forum classes to be presented by the vestry in January, leading up to the annual meeting. As we’ve done the last couple of years, the annual meeting will take place January 26 at 9:30 AM in the River Room. The 2025 budget will be presented the week prior, January 19, during the Sunday Forum (9:30 AM, the Berlin Room). The vestry is scheduled to approve the budget January 20.
The Ministry Deep Dive this month was Outreach, presented by Melissa Friedman, vestry liaison to the Outreach Committee. Melissa reported that although several of the programs we serve have changed, we’re supporting new agencies as well. Every month we provide financial assistance to the Downtown Cooperative Church Ministry (DCCM). We pack 100-200 snack packs every month for our neighbors with food insecurities. Hornsby Elementary continues to be the recipient of Saint Paul’s love and care. Furthermore, Outreach provides funds for disaster relief through Episcopal Relief and Development.
Among other business, the vestry received an update from the Stewardship Committee. The last of our stewardship gatherings took place this week, and I’d like to express my thanks to the committee members for the exceptional work done on our fall campaign. The gatherings promoted wonderful conversations about Saint Paul’s ministries, and quite frankly I was educated and edified at each gathering. I was also encouraged. We have a parish committed to loving God and one another. We care deeply about the well-being of God’s children and all of creation. And we find joy in generosity. Stay tuned for exciting stewardship initiatives continuing in the new year.
With gratitude and enthusiasm,
Kitty Gordon
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Saint Paul’s Bells Will Ring Again! | |
 | | There are 14 cast bells in the tower of Saint Paul’s Church, and they have been ringing out over downtown Augusta since 1921. The original chime of 11 bells was acquired from the MeNeely Foundry in Troy, New York for the present church building, constructed after the fire of 1916. The single bell in the destroyed tower was made by the famous Whitechapel Foundry in England, the company that cast the Liberty Bell for Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The remains of that bell were sent to New York and the metal was melted down and mixed with that of the new bells for Saint Paul’s Church. An inscription on the largest bell, which weighs 3,000 pounds, reads “Everyone to the church I call. To the grave I summon all.” Originally played using ropes that required manual operation the chime was converted to electric keyboard operation in the 1950’s. In the late 1980’s the operation of the bells was changed to fixed electrical solenoids controlled by a computer. This made it possible for the bells to be rung at whatever days and times were programmed into the computer. Music Director, Keith Shafer, recorded 150 hymns organized to reflect the liturgical calendar (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving).
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Thanks to a gift from Natalie and Lansing Lee three additional bells cast in France were added to the original chime, making it possible to play music with a range greater than that accommodated by the eleven original bells. When the first computer failed it was replaced by an updated version in the 1990’s. A year ago, that computer began failing and in the first week of November this year “gave up the ghost.” The cost of replacing it with a state-of-the-art update was $7,000 and the funds have been donated by 15 generous parishioners (who wish to remain anonymous), organized by Cobbs and Minta Nixon. Once again, Minta and I, with your help, guarantee Saint Paul’s bells will never stop ringing out over the city, proclaiming the good news of salvation. Thank you to everyone whose generous gifts will make our historic bells play once more.
- Keith Shafer, Director of Music
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Thank you to all who participated in our stewardship gatherings. Our time together generated wonderful conversations about our ministries at Saint Paul’s and how we fund them. Thank you also to all who have turned in a pledge card; the finance committee will now begin the work of drafting the 2025 budget. If you haven’t yet made your pledge (estimate of giving), it’s not too late. You can deliver or mail a pledge card to the church office or use the link below to submit a pledge online. |
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EVENTS THIS WEEKEND | November 23 | |
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Serve at Snack Pack Outreach
Saturday, November 23, 9 AM, Tyler Hall
Snack Pack Outreach is a ministry at Saint Paul's designed to meet the greatest need of our immediate neighbors. Snack Packs are small bags of food containing some type of protein, cracker, water, etc., to help sustain someone until their next meal.
Two Ways to Help:
- Donate items for our snack packs, especially protein (example: tuna pouches, Vienna sausages with a pull tab, meat sticks, meat jerky)
- Help us pack bags Saturday, November 23.
More information is available in the Narthex. Questions? Contact Mandy Harmon or Melissa Friedman.
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | November 24 | |
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The Nursery will be open Sun, Nov. 24
9:00 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 9:00.
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Sunday Worship Schedule for 11/24/24
8 AM Rite I
11 AM Rite II
11 AM Facebook Live
11 AM YouTube Live
5:30 PM - Celtic Evening Prayer
6:30 PM Compline + Sit and Wait This Week
All of our Sunday worship services are in-person.
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Bagels for Breakfast
Sunday, 9 - 10 AM Tyler Hall
Busy morning? Breakfast with your friends at Saint Paul's instead! We have Homemade bagels with all the fixin's for breakfast this Sunday in Tyler Hall at 9 AM. Donations welcomed.
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Children's Choirs Rehearsals
Sunday, 9:25 - 10 AM
The Canterbury Choir (children in grades 3-9 and the St. Nicholas Choir (Pre-K through grade 2) rehearse Sundays, 9:25-10:00 AM.
The Canterbury Choir will sing an anthem this Sunday.
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.
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The Sunday Forum
Sunday, November 24, 9:30 AM, Berlin Room
Jesus and the Disinherited (5 sessions)
Our Advent book study at the adult forum this year will be based on Howard Thurman’s great work, Jesus and the Disinherited. The conversation will be better if you read the book, but all are welcome regardless of whether you have read the relevant chapters. Fr. Eric and Mtr. Kimberly will facilitate discussion together.
Books are available in the Narthex this Sunday and in the Parish Office next week. Donation $15-$20
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Godly Play (grades pk4-2)
Sundays, 10-10:45 AM
St. Francis' Room, CMC
Kim Butler and Sara Dimsdale will lead our younger children in the Saint Francis Room (Godly Play Room).The Godly Play class will continue to learn stories from the Bible in an engaging, Montessori format. If your child is in the Saint Nicholas choir, they will transition from choir to formation.
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Weaving God's Promises
Upper Elementary Class (grades 3-5)
Sundays, 10-10:45 AM
St. Patrick's Room, CMC
Kitty Gordon and Jackie Pingel will lead our older children. They will meet in the Saint Patrick Room (large classroom across from the office) .Our upper elementary children will continue lessons structured around the Holy Eucharist. If your child is in the Canterbury choir, they will transition from choir to the formation class.
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Middle School Formation (Grades 6-8)
Sundays, 10-10:45 AM
St. Benedict's Room, CMC
We are beginning a study of the book Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say by Adam Hamilton. We will pass out books this Sunday.
We will explore popular but misleading sayings that are often attributed to the Bible, revealing their origins and clarifying what scripture truly teaches.
Are you interested in volunteering with this group in the future? Contact Aubrey Hinkson.
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Angel Tree Kick-off
Sunday, November 24
Calling all Angels! November 24 is the kick-off for our Angel Tree Christmas program. This year we will be providing clothing for students at our neighborhood school, Hornsby Elementary. Angels will be available on the front portico after the 11 AM service for three Sundays. 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.
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Interfaith Dialogue
Sundays 4 PM, Berlin Room
Through November 2
November 24: Conclusion
This Sunday we conclude our fall series of Interfaith Dialogues led by Sister Ellen Francis of the Order of St. Helena and our guest speakers from other faiths. We will meet at 4:00 pm on Sunday to wrap up this series in the Berlin Room. Each session will end in time for participants to attend the 5:30 pm Celtic service.
Schedule: Oct. 20: Introduction; Oct. 27: Sikhism; Nov. 3: Judaism; Nov. 10: Hinduism; Nov. 17: Islam; Nov. 24: Conclusion
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EYC Bowling (grades 6-12)
1745 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC
Sunday, 5-7 PM,
EYC (Episcopal Youth Community, Grades 6-12) will meet for bowling at Northside Lanes. Please contact Aubrey Hinkson to let her know if you can come and if you're bringing a friend so we have plenty of lanes.
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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.
Celeste Ray is our musician this week.
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Sit and Wait
Sundays, 6:30 PM, Chapel
Sit and Wait follows the Celtic Service Sunday evenings (6:30 PM). The service begins with a Service of Compline and will end with a twenty-minute sit. The people end in silence.
Please email Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau or contact by phone at (706) 910-9331 for further information.
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The Greening of the Church & Christmas Brass for Christmas Eve
Wreaths, greenery, 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 to "green the church", use the link below or 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 Tuesday, December 10.
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BUILDING BRIDGES | Saint Paul's in the Community | |
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This Week
11/18 - 11/22: Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
Upcoming in December
Christ Community Health
Goodwill Industries
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | November 18 - November 24 | |
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Thanksgiving Eve Service
Wednesday, November 27, 7 PM
Bring your family and friends to the Community Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist, Wednesday evening at 7 pm. The service includes joyous music, featuring The Saint Paul’s & Canterbury Choirs, and lessons and prayers of thanks and praise. The Thanksgiving Eve offering will be given to the DCCM (Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries) Food Bank.
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Compline - ZOOM
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 PM
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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.
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Parish Office Hours
Thursday and Friday, November 28-29
The Parish Office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28-29, in observance of Thanksgiving. We will be open our standard hours Saturday and Sunday following Thanksgiving.
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Make Advent Wreath for your Home
Sunday, December 1, drop in 9-10:50 AM
Join us in Tyler Hall, the first Sunday, of Advent, 9-10:50 AM to make an Advent Wreath for your home. All supplies will be provided, including wreathes, live greens, and candles. $25 donation.
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Dates for your calendar
Dec. 7 - Augusta Choral Society at Saint Paul's
Dec. 10 - W.E.E.M.
Dec. 16 - No Vestry Meeting
Dec. 18 - Senior Lunch
Dec. 21 - Greening of the Church
Dec. 21 - Longest Night Service
Dec. 22 - Children's Pageant and Reception
Dec. 22 - Caroling and Cocoa
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Services 4 & 10 PM
Dec. 25 - Christmas Day Service 10 AM Chapel
Dec. 29 - Christmas Lessons and Carols
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Tuesday's Music Live
Tuesday, December 3, 12 Noon
The 36th season of Tuesday's Music Live continues with a concert by the Davidson Chorale at 12:00 noon on December 3. The concert is free and lasts 30 minutes. Visit TuesdaysMusicLive.com for the season schedule.
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Men's Monthly Meal
Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 6 PM
Join us for our next Men’s Monthly Meal (Mmm!) scheduled Wednesday, December 4. (Men gather at 4 PM to cook, the parish gathers at 6 PM for dinner.) On the menu: Ham, Mashed potatoes, Greens, Mix Vegetables, and dinner rolls. PLEASE RSVP below, so that we may be a good host. Donations welcomed.
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Children's Christmas Program
Rehearsals begin December 8, 10 AM
We will begin preparing for our annual Children’s Christmas program beginning Sunday, December 8. We will be telling the Christmas story and rehearsing for this joyful program during formation (10-10:45 AM) for 3 Sundays (December 8, 15, 22). The program will be shared by our children at the 11 AM service on December 22. A reception will follow the 11 AM service in Tyler Hall.
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Saint Nicholas Celebration
Sunday, December 8
On December 8th 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.
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Veterans' Ice Cream Social
Sunday, September 8, 2:30-3:30 PM
Dish and serve ice cream and cookies at our quarterly Veteran’s Social December 8, 2:30-3:30 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 contact Gene Helmich.
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Guided Labyrinth Walk
Sunday, December 8, 4 PM, Berlin Room
On the Second Sunday of Advent, December 8, 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.
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All Hands on Deck!
Saturday, December 7, 8:30 AM
Saint Paul’s needs volunteers to help with building a ramp for one of our neighbors in need in the Harrisburg area. This is part of our Bridge Building Community work in the CSRA. All supplies are provided, and we have construction leaders of Saint Paul’s asking for assistance. The plan is to complete the ramp in one day. Lunch is provided. Any questions please contact Mtr. Kimberly or Gene Helmich. Please sign up using the link below. Rain date: December 14.
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Fall Program Guide Available
"A Church for the City -- A Church for You!
Our new Fall Program Guide is available here. A printed copy is available in the Narthex and in the rack outside the parish office. We invite you to browse this publication and look for ways that you can discover or rediscover where you belong, what you are called to do, and how we might grow together in God's Presence.
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Gifts to Saint Paul's Church | |
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"All that we are and all that we have comes from God. In gratitude, we honor him by giving of ourselves and our gifts to care for his world."
--Saint Paul’s Vestry Theology of Stewardship
Gifts can be made using the link below, on-line at saintpauls.org/giving, or by mail to Saint Paul’s Church, 605 Reynolds St., Augusta, GA 30901. Thank you for your generosity.
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