Our next week is August 10-17. Meals are all taken care of, and we are focusing our gift card appeal on the homeless children in the school system. We need volunteers for Saturday August 16 1:00-5:00 to help staff the day center so parents can do their laundry. This includes something fun, playing with the kids! We also need someone to drive the van, picking up the families at 12:45 and returning them at 5:00. You can bring laundry detergent or clean used towels or sheets to church starting August 3; there will be boxes for these items in the narthex and the parish hall building. Questions: call Annette, 706-255-5839, bateskannette@gmail.com. Thanks for your support of our commitment to this community outreach to homeless families!
Help for Our Homeless Students, July 20 through August 15
For the last several years, the Clarke County School System has served its homeless students through the federally-funded McKinney-Vento Program. While these funds have helped ensure that homeless students received the same school supplies and other services provided for all students, there are many needs unique to this population that federal dollars won’t fund. For example, homeless students and their families often need clothes, food, personal hygiene items, etc. that are difficult to anticipate and plan for and are not on the list of items approved for federal expenditures.
To help address these often-unmet needs, St. Gregory’s Outreach Committee is asking for donations from our parishioners of $10 and $20 Walmart gift cards. We will collect these cards beginning July 20 through Friday, August 15. Staff of the Homeless Program will make good use of these, especially with unaccompanied homeless students as another school year begins. Please donate only $10 and $20 cards and only cards from Walmart. You may hand your donations to Gail Eilers on Sunday mornings between July 20 and August 10 or leave them with Kendall, our Parish Administrator. If you have any questions, please contact Gail at eilersgail@gmail.com or 904-333-8996. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity toward some of “the least of these.”
New Sunday School Offering!
In addition to the adult Bible study and lectionary classes that are currently offered at 9:15am on Sundays, we are now offering a discussion group that focuses on lived experiences, exploration of faith, and theological fundamentals. This class aims to offer an accessible space for new members, those that have little or no formal theological education, and long time members that are seeking a space to explore personal faith and the stories and practices of others. Grab a warm beverage and a snack, get comfortable, share your story, and learn from someone else's. We have not settled on a permanent location so we will meet up in the Christian Education building before moving into a more private space.
LGBTQ+ group
If you’re interested in joining a LGBTQ+ group for fellowship & fun, we will meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month in Parish Hall from 6:30-8PM, starting June 3!
Meditation
Feeling overwhelmed? Take a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself through meditation. Calm your mind and release stress. Boost focus and find clarity. Cultivate peace and positivity. Deepen your spiritual connection. Meditation doesn’t have to be complicated—just 5 minutes a day can transform your life. Missy Hamlin will be leading a meditation practice in St. Gregory's church Parish Hall on Tuesdays from 5:30 – 6:15 PM. Anyone is welcome to join!
What is Your St. Greg's Story?
Matt Rodgers, our resident dramatist, is looking for stories, memories, pictures, the history of St. Gregory’s and our people, as he begins working on a creative project in the parish. If you would like to share your story, photos, memorabilia, or would like to set up a time to tell your story please email Matt at: mattbook220@gmail.com