Important Message Regarding the Service on Sunday, January 2

Dearly Beloved,

It is with a heavy heart that I announce a precaution we need to take as far as in-person church on New Year’s weekend. Due to the drastic rise in the daily average of COVID-19 cases (from 4-5 per day in the beginning of December to 80+ per day now), we WILL NOT meet in person on January 2. We will simply livestream the 10:30AM service this coming Sunday. We will keep you posted on our meeting status for upcoming Sundays.

The regathering committee reviewed our safety protocols and we are now well-past the average of 50 new cases per day, which is our threshold for not meeting inside our buildings. We are hoping that, as with the last Covid-19 variant, that as fast as the numbers shoot up, they’ll come back down with equal speed, and we will be meeting again in person as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and love as we continue to care for one another.

Blessings and peace,
Mother Nikki+

YouTube Channel for live-streaming, click here.

Instructions for viewing our livestream are here.

Children's Pageant

Children and youth who would like to participate in the annual Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve at 5PM are encouraged to attend our theater group time from 9:30 - 10:15 each Sunday. We are playing games, learning Christmas carols, creating sets, and role playing in preparation for our Christmas Eve pageant. Everyone is masked. We will also practice after the 10:30 service on December 19th (quick lunch provided), and we'll likely have one more practice, date and time not yet set. Participants do not have to attend every practice or memorize any lines, but participating more helps them feel more relaxed and confident. Please contact Catherine Drewry to sign up or assist: 706-201-7241 cbdrewry@gmail.com

Backpacks & Binders for Homeless Students

The Clarke County School year begins August 4. Several hundred homeless children and youth in Athens-Clarke County begin the school year without adequate school supplies. The economic impact of COVID-19 makes the need even greater this year!

St. Gregory parishioners have always been generous with donating backpacks and binders (the two most needed items) and other school supplies for elementary, middle, and high school students. This year you can contribute in three ways:

• Make an online donation through REALM. Select the Outreach option when making your contribution. Include Backpacks and Binders in the memo line.

• Write a check to St. Gregory the Great and mail to the parish. Include Backpacks and Binders in the memo line of your check.

• Bring backpacks and binders to the parish office any time Monday through Friday (10am-5pm) or on Sunday when you are here for church.

Monetary contributions should be received by 5PM Tuesday, July 20, allowing Clarke County Homeless Education staff time to purchase supplies for students prior to the school year start. Backpacks and binders should be delivered to the parish by 5PM Sunday, July 25.

Contact Juneball@bellsouth.net if you have questions.

Thank you for your support,
St. Gregory Outreach Committee

Courtyard Coffee Hour, Y'all!

From Mother Nikki:

I am heartened by the recent CDC's guidance about vaccinated folks and masks (that we don’t have to wear them) and I am confident that our Diocesan guidelines will soon change to reflect on this good news. In the meantime, in staying open we will continue to pray for more equitable vaccine distribution, as well as continuing to pray for those affected physically and financially by this virus. And we will also continue to do what we have committed to do to honor God and love neighbor through following diocesan protocols.

While we still can’t serve food on the grounds, we can now eat and drink on the grounds, so if you’d like to join us in between Sunday services for Courtyard Coffee Hour, bring your thermos of your fav beverage, and anything as a snack or breakfast for yourself (just for you and your pod…sadly, we can’t yet share food with those outside our household), and hang out in the fresh air (yes, I’ll be outside…It’s a miracle!!).

Zoom Meeting Opportunities

New parish community offerings via Zoom:

• Stacie Court is hosting a weekly Zoom group, Let's Chat!, for women from the church.  The days and times sometimes vary, but it's very casual and anyone is welcome.  Everyone on the list is invited each week, and we all understand no one can do it every week.  Anyone interested in joining should email Stacie! 

• Book Club first Friday of the month @ 7PM ongoing for the foreseeable future. Email Lois Alworth if you are interested in participating.

• Lectionary Discussion Group via Zoom, every Thursday at 6:00pm beginning May 7th. Email Ken Taylor if you are interested in participating.

• Threads of Prayer, every other Tuesday at 1PM (May 5 & 19). Email Annette Bates if you are interested in participating. All knitters and crocheters welcome!

• Men's Group: 9AM on Saturdays.  Email Peter Rice

  Other groups have been meeting via Zoom as well, so if you've got a group already meeting in Zoom rooms, and want to widen your circle, let Kendall know so we can get the word out there!

VBS Update!

Summer Fun!  Beginning in mid June and going through early August, Vacation Bible School for all ages (kids and adults) will meet online with games, music, art, stories and more.  You'll be able to do the activities at whatever time works for you, then gather for a weekly Zoom meeting.  Please email Catherine Drewry to sign up, and include your mailing address for your supply packets. We are using Roger Hutchison's new book The Very Best Day for our theme, based on Bishop Curry's initiative called The Way of Love.