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.

Consecration Sunday on October 20

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.

Our congregation’s Stewardship Committee has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year. New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?”

During both morning worship services on Consecration Sunday, October 20, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world. Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.

We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During both Sunday morning services our guest speaker will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship. We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and Vestry. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.

Joint Project: Bentley Adult Day Health Center at the ACCA and Threads of Prayer

People with dementia often find fiddling with material a helpful way to relieve feelings of anxiety. ‘Twiddling’ can be incorporated into specially-made activity blankets, cushions, aprons, toys, muffs and mitts. Terri Tillman alerted the Threads of Prayer group. Rhonda Packer contacted the Bentley Center and found that they are very interested in having twiddle mitts for their dementia sufferers. Threads of Prayer has begun to work on this project. If anyone in our church family knows of anyone who might need a mitt, please contact Annette Bates at bateskannette@gmail.com.

Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteers are needed to help interview parents and guardians of children living in poverty in Oglethorpe County to determine their needs and wishes for Christmas gifts. We will be interviewing at Crawford Baptist Church on Friday, October 18th, from 9 am till 6 pm, and Saturday, October 19th from 9 am to 1 pm. Training for volunteers will be from 8 - 9AM both days. Contact Catherine Bowen Drewry at 706-201-7241 or via email to volunteer.

RespirOpera Company Gala

Former St. Gregory's Choir Director, Dallas Bono, has started an opera company, RespirOpera Company, which will be having its inaugural gala here at St. Gregory's on Saturday, September 28 at 7PM. Please mark your calendars for a night of opera arias and choruses, followed by a dessert and cash wine bar reception on the patio to help kick off this new addition to the Athens Fine Arts Scene! Your support will help their mission, which is "to unite and inspire through the glories of the human voice, with the goal of making the operatic art form accessible and inclusive for everyone, performers and audiences alike, regardless of race, age, gender, orientation, ability, or socioeconomic status. We strive to educate as well as entertain; to open doors and hearts; and to celebrate the power of music." Ticket prices for the Gala are $15/adult; $10/children & students, cash or check only at the door or online here with the option also to donate, even if you're not able to attend the event! If you'd prefer to write a check, they should be made out to "Fractured Atlas" with "Spear and Magic Helmet, Inc./RespirOpera" in the memo line.