Passing the Peace, but nothing else with it: a note from Mo. Nikki

There is no doubt that the Coronavirus has had serious and fatal consequences worldwide. Please pray especially for those in China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea, whose populations have been most affected by this pandemic. We have experienced losses in the US as well, with all almost all fatalities so far currently being from Washington state. Single digit cases have been reported in Georgia, and it is understandable that people will want to be more cautious, while maintaining the loving bonds of community.

If, in our church services, you feel uncomfortable at the peace about shaking hands or hugging, feel free to cross your arms over your chest, nodding your head in greeting and saying “peace be with you.” And while there is no means of avoiding contact when coming up for communion, feel free to ask for a blessing, or communion in one kind only, again, crossing your arms over your chest when the chalice comes to you. If, in the receiving line at the close of service, you don't want the rector to hug you (because otherwise, I will), again cross your arms over your chest, and I will refrain. 

Blessings and joy,
Mo. Nikki+ 

Become a Part of Nourish, Grow, Go!

Over the past few months, Gregorians have been instrumental in shaping the future of St. Gregory the Great  through participating in focus groups and completing the online Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT) survey. The congregation expressed the desire to move in three main directions.
We want to be a church that:

1. nourishes the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional lives of its parishioners

2. grows into a multi-cultural and multi-generational church responsive to the needs of all

3. identifies, communicates, and focuses our particular gifts and talents to help meet the needs of others in the wider community and the world.

Moving forward, a Strategic Planning Committee has been convened to facilitate the development and implementation of a list of actions that will achieve our desires of Nourish, Grow, and Go.  You are invited to become involved in this important work by volunteering as a member of one of the three subcommittees.

To become part of this ministry, contact:
Ron Balthazor, Nourish Subcommittee Chair 

Joan Curtis, Grow Subcommittee Chair 

Mark Tavernier, Go Subcommittee Chair 

Thank you for helping St. Gregory the Great go where God leads.
Rhonda Packer, Strategic Planning Chair

Beth Thornton, Co-Chair

Kelly Black, Co-Chair  

Wednesday Evening Lenten Program

LeeAnne Krause will be leading a class on the topic of the Seven Deadly Sins. We will be viewing clips from popular films, discussing the behaviors of the characters, and identifying which, if any, sins they are committing. Examining the behavior of fictitious characters is more objective and friendly than examining each other's behaviors. Don't worry, we won't be watching anything very racy or violent! 

The Healing Service will begin at 5:30PM during Lent to accommodate those who wish to attend both that and the program. A simple supper will begin at 6PM. Please sign up for this program in the narthex or call Kendall, Parish Administrator, at the church office so that we know how many to expect for supper and/or if you need childcare.

Join us in the chapel each Wednesday during Lent (beginning March 4) around 6:45 immediately following supper. If you have additional questions, please contact LeeAnne. There will be more information in the March issue of the Gregorian Chant.

Valentine's Day Romantic Dinner

The Youth of St. Gregory’s will host the Valentine’s Day Romantic Dinner on Saturday, February 15, with two seatings: 5:30pm and 7pm.  Tickets are $20/person (tips are greatly appreciated!) and include an Italian dinner with multiple entree choices, fresh salad, hot bread, homemade desserts, wine, iced tea, and coffee.  There will be complimentary childcare as well (5:30 seating only), including dinner and entertainment for your children! Proceeds go toward financing EYC Pilgrimage. No tickets -- pay when you finish dinner! Click here to make your reservation today!

Epiphany Drive

Over the past few years, St. Gregory's has helped to address some of the unmet needs of students in Clarke County Schools' Migrant Program.  Thanks to the generosity of St. Gregory's parishioners, we were able to make significant contributions to families by providing backpacks, personal hygiene products and household/laundry cleaning supplies.

Our Epiphany focus this year is on helping to provide after-school care for migrant children who need but cannot afford this program. According to our own Elizabeth Dubberly, Specialist for Clarke County Schools' Migrant Program, "The number one thing we need are sponsors for our after-school program. This is the best way for kids to be safe, entertained, happy and fed while their parents finish working. It is so important that we have committed to pay for it whenever they need it. This costs $3/day/child, and we pay for it out of donations."

Donations can be made online under the existing Giving section of our website here. Be sure to click on the Fund drop-down menu to choose "Outreach" as the recipient of your gift, and if prompted, please include in the memo that this is for the Epiphany Drive.  Of course, personal checks can also be sent to the Church, earmarked for this purpose, and made out to St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church with "Epiphany Drive" in the memo line

Just So You Know: Nourish, Grow, Go!

In the spring of this past year, the Vestry held focus groups for the congregation to communicate what they saw as the main purposes within our church for the next 10 years. In the spring and early summer, feedback from the congregation, via the focus groups, was reviewed by the vestry and a consultant, determining that the congregation expressed the desire to move in 3 main directions. We want to be a church that 1) nourishes the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional lives of its parishioners 2) grows into a multi-cultural and multi-generational church responsive to the needs of all 3) identifies, communicates, and focuses our particular gifts and talents to help meet the needs of others in the wider community and the world.

For each of these, the Vestry (with the assistance of the consultant) determined a list of actions to be taken. Please stay tuned for further news about how you can be involved. Thank you for helping St. Gregory the Great go where God leads.