The Spirit of Saint Nicholas
The E-Newsletter from Saint Nicholas Episcopal  Church  
69 Mobley Road, Hamilton, GA 31811
706-628-7272
September 28th - October 4th, 2016
 Sunday Services 8:30 & 11:00 
SNICK -  Wednesdays 5:30 
(led by Children of St. Nick - followed by dinner)

St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals, 
October 2nd, 5:00pm 


Bring your beloved pets to church as we celebrate 
St. Francis and the wonders of God's creation. 
The Humane Society will be here as well for anyone looking for a new family member. 

Wish List for the Harris County Humane Society:
Paper Towels
Bleach
Garbage bags
Dry dog and cat food with an emphasis on the cat food.  Our pet food pantry is always running out of cat food.
All are welcome! Spread the word!
 
Blessing of the Animals
Date: Sunday, October 2nd
Time:5:00 pm
Location: St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
 



P
To view Photos from Lobsterfest,
visit our Facebook Page

Like us on Facebook





St. Nicholas' mission is to be an example of Christ's love 
for all people.
Our vision is to be the center of nourishment in mind, body, and spirit
for all people in our community.  

 

 

 


If you watch the news or scan your Facebook or Twitter feed, you will find there are not too many stories about kindness. 
Kindness doesn't sell. 
Sure, there may be one or two pieces near the bottom, but overall, our media is filled with so much bad news. All the more reason for us to be agents of kindness. Kindness isn't passive, kindness is active. Think of the people you passed by this week or the folks you had conversations with either in person or online. Did you show them kindness? Jesus told a story about a rich man who feasted while a poor man sat at his gate hoping to get scraps. There was a great chasm between them, not in terms of distance, but of relationship. Perhaps with just a little bit of kindness, the rich man could have changed the poor man's life. Perhaps there's someone sitting at our gate, hoping to receive some kindness. This week, will you bridge the chasm with kindness?

*If you would like to receive messages like this in text form from Fr. Jeff every week, text "Add me" to 

Peace,
Jeff+
October Sermon Series

Connecting the Threads

Do you ever feel completely disconnected? 
From God? 
The Church? 
Whatever God is calling you to do? 

This October, we will hear from 5 regular folks who have struggled with similar questions and have found a way to stay connected. 

Join us as we hear from 
Chris Jackson ( October 2), 
Chris Butzon ( October 9), 
Abbey Crowley ( October 16), 
Diane Hinnant ( October 23), and 
Sheila Dixon ( October 30). 

St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 8:30am & 11:00am

 
Journey to Adulthood
Our new youth program continues with our Rite 13 class (grades 6 & up) at 9:45 in the Classrooms, led by leaders 
Sheri Cody, John Brent, 
Jennifer Milton, and 
Bob Hamilton. 
For more information, contact Sheri Cody
 

ADULT FORMATION

Embracing an Adult Faith  continues 
Sunday @  9:45 in the Classroom.
This is  a 5-session study with Christian scholar Marcus Borg on "What It Means to Be Christian." 
Led by David Johnson and Father Jeff.

 
New Beginnings, a retreat for youth in grades 6-9, will be at
Camp Mikell in Toccoa, GA on October 7-9.
 
This is a great youth-led retreat full of games, singing, outdoor activities, and spiritual growth. 
A couple of St. Nicholas youth have already signed up. 
For more information, see Father Jeff. 
 
The Cathedral Bookstore 
from Atlanta will be with us on
October 16 from 9:30am-12:30pm in the 
Adult Classroom. 
If you are looking for Episcopal gifts (stickers, T-shirts, BCPs, Hymnals, CDs, etc.) or spiritual books on just about any topic, be sure to come and shop. 
10% of what is sold will go to a local charity of our choice. 
Get your Christmas shopping done early!
Cathedral Bookstore Sale
Date: October 16th
Time: 9:30 - 12:30
Location: St. Nicholas Classrooms
 

Zion Episcopal Church
 

Click on the link above to go to the website to read about the history of and view incredible photos taken of Zion Episcopal Church
 
Cub Scout Pack 109 
meets on Mondays here at St. Nicholas. 
For boys in 1st through 5th grade. 
They are always in need of group leaders and special one-time instructors on specific tasks. 

If you would like to help out in any way, please contact pack leader   Allen Parker

 
Cubs for Christ


Dear friends,


Many of you know that for the last 3 years, I have helped to lead an after school Bible club at Park Elementary called 
Cubs for Christ. 
Students in 2nd through 4th grade stay after school on the second Thursday of the month from  2:45 to 4:00pm  in the gym and we play games, eat snacks, sing songs, hear stories, and learn more about faith. 
We have had up to 50-60 kids at a meeting. I do this ministry in partnership with FOCUS, and in particular Rhonda Howard and Mary Ellen Taylor, both of whom are retired teachers, Park's principal, Janice Owens, and Kindergarten teacher Karrie Rusten, who's husband is a local pastor. 
I am so grateful that Park allows us the opportunity to make a difference in these kids' lives.

We could always use more people who are interested in helping serve the children in our community. You don't have to do much. You can provide snacks. You can help lead songs. You can lead a game or read a story. You can just come and be a loving presence.

With Sunday School, Rite 13, SNICK, Cub Scouts, BackSnacks, Trunk or Treat, and Cubs for Christ, there are so many ways you can make a difference in the life of a young person at St. Nicholas. These kids need us.

Let me know if you would like to help out with Cubs for Christ! I'd love to have you join me in this important and FUN part of my ministry!

Peace,
Jeff+
 


Please click on the Titled Link to see the Flyer

Dear friends,

The Diocese of Atlanta is committed to combating the trafficking of human beings. As much as we would like to think that this isn't a problem, it sadly is. St. Mark's, LaGrange is hosting a community training on  October 22 from  9:00 to 12:00pm on how to work against domestic minor sex trafficking. I would like to send a couple of representatives to this training from St. Nicholas to gather information and report back to us on how we might be able to help. If this is a concern that is close to your heart, please let me know if you can attend this training.

Peace,
Jeff+

 
 

Almighty God, who...dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them.
         
Bright Way Services

Worship services continue at Bright Way Personal Care Home  in Pine Mountain. Other  Lay Eucharistic Visitors are needed for this ministry. 

Contact  Bert  if you would like to participate.

As Episcopalians, we are followers of Jesus Christ, and both our worship and our mission are in Christ's name. In Jesus, we find that the nature of God is love, and through baptism, we share in his victory over sin and death.  
 


please contact Marci Horne for changes
Finding your talent . . .

There are many lay ministry opportunities at  St. Nicholas. Each person  has unique talents to share.Think about yo ur place to joyfully plug into  St Nicholas.
.     

Altar Guild, Flower Guild, Greeter, Ushers, Teacher,  Special  Event Volunteer, Grounds, Choir, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Stewardship, Communications. . .

More opportunities are available, but begin to think about it.
Tailor your lay ministry to your talent and time.

Most of all, do remember to worship at St Nicholas.

Steward of the Month
Sheri Cody

If you drop by the church on a Saturday, you may see Sheri Cody on a lawn mower cutting the grass or needle pointing a kneeler with the stitching group.  
On Sundays you may meet her at the door as she greets people.   
She is also Vestry Liaison for the Communications Team .  
Sheri does a lot at St Nicholas in very faithful and quiet ways.  
She is responsible for getting our Journey to Adulthood program going for the youth.  This is something  St Nicholas has hoped to accomplish for a while.  
Sheri initiated the "Blessings to Go" program which honors groups in the community and gets us involved with them.   

For these things and more,  the Vestry has named Sheri Cody Steward of the Month.

 

Lectionary Readings 

If you would like to see the readings for Sunday, 

Religion is not a method, it is a life, a higher and supernatural life, mystical in its root and practical in its fruits; a communion with God, a calm and deep enthusiasm, a love which radiates, a force which acts, a happiness which overflows.
                        


For those who are ill, recovering or needing special prayers:

  Members of St Nicholas:


George Zachry
Sam Roney
Pat & Gene Demonet
Nate Taylor
Clara Butzon

 
Family members and friends of the Community:

Venetia Wilson
Grace Esbstyne
Mark Daniel
The Tinnell Family
Heather Partin
Debbie Gisler
Barbara Hamilton
Doug Brown
Cameron Clark
Gene Wells
Danny Howard
Dabney
Danny Hatchell
Erin Kavanaugh Kirkley


In Thanksgiving For:

Our St. Nicholas Music Ministries


    Prayers for all our veterans, those currently 
serving their country  away from home, 
for their safe return and for their families 
who wait for them.
 


 

           

September Birthdays

  1   Sean Moody
  2   Drucye Cox
  3   Linda Sawyer
  5   Jessica Cody
  6   Susan Batastini
  8   Lynn Norris
12   Chris Dixon
17   Mary Davis
19   June Nowell
21   Joe Torres
23   Sammy Hubbard
26   Charlotte Winsness
29   Amy Buchanan
30   Bill Caudill


October Birthdays

  1    Kim Stokes
  4    Bobo Morgan
  4   Nick Baker
  4   Rachel Brent
  9    Dalton Avery Hinnant
10    Emma Evans
11    Laura Burris
12    Bronwyn Jackson
12   Pat Demonet
15    Charles Norris
16    John Brent
16   Libby Horne
17    Abbey Avery
19    William Morgan
20    Liz Dixon
23    Suzy Eidson
26    Brad Armstrong
30    Matt Hinnant
30   Sheila Dixon






October Anniversaries

     4  Meghan & Josh McCoy
   16  Kay & Mallon Faircloth
     20  Robert & Hollie Queener
21  Linda & Mike Sawyer
22  Lange & Lynne Taylor


 
reaching_hands.jpg

Parish Committees: Who does what around here?

Christ's body is made up of many members and each member has a special gift and purpose. Likewise, the many ministries of St. Nicholas are organized into several committees, so that everyone has an opportunity to serve and so no one person has to bear a ministry alone. Even Jesus sent his disciples out two-by-two, which is a good model for ministry. The Vestry serves as the group that sees the larger vision of the church and equips and supports the other members of the congregation to fulfill their roles as ministers. There are several other areas of ministry, each with a chair, a Vestry liaison, and members who help make the decisions of the Church.

Worship Committee - Chris Butzon, chair; Bob Hamilton, Vestry liaison: This committee works in direct partnership with the Rector and Music Director in planning our worship and getting people involved in the various worship ministries like acolytes, Altar Guild, Flower Guild, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, and Ushers.

Adult Formation Committee - Bob Hamilton, chair & Vestry liaison: This committee plans all of the offerings to help adult Christians grow in their spiritual lives, including our Adult Formation Classes on Sundays, book clubs, fellowship groups, and more.

Children & Youth Committee - June Wood & Helen Varner, co-chairs; Rebecca Crowley, Vestry liaison: This committee plans all our programs and events for children and youth including SNICK, Trunk or Treat, Vacation Bible School, and more. 

Building & Grounds Committee - Bobo Morgan, chair; Bill Caudill & Steve Morse, Vestry liaisons: This committee maintains the physical needs of the church building and the 8 acres of land that we have, including the Memory Garden.

Communications Committee - Scott Crowley, chair; Sheri Cody, Vestry liaison: This committee focuses on the way we communicate outward to the world and inward amongst ourselves in partnership with Theresa Dorminy, our parish administrator, in developing the website, newsletter, and more.

Hospitality Committee - Tom Cheatham, chair; Martha Dimon, Vestry liaison:This committee ensures that St. Nicholas continues to be a friendly place for newcomers and long-timers alike, as well as integrating newcomers into the life of the parish.

Outreach Committee - Kin Brown & Sue Halmrast, co-chairs & Vestry liaisons: This committee works to bring the needs of the world to St. Nicholas and encourage our gifts to serve our local community through partnerships with BackSnacks, FOCUS, CVEM, and more.

Pastoral Care Committee - Cecelia Rood, chair; Katherine Johnson, Vestry liaison: This committee tends to the pastoral needs of our parish by visiting, writing notes, sending meals, making prayer bears and blankets, and more.

Parish Life Committee - Anne Simpson, chair; Phebe Robertson, Vestry liaison: This committee plans all of our fellowship events and meals of the church including Mardi Gras, the Parish Picnic, and more. The Lobsterfest Committee, chaired by Martha Dimon, is a separate committee that falls under the umbrella of Parish Life and they plan our biggest fundraising event of the year.

Finance Committee - Dave Halmrast, Treasurer and chair; Nick Simpson, Vestry liaison: This committee oversees the financial stewardship of the parish on a day-to-day basis, in partnership with our parish administrator Theresa Dorminy. The Stewardship Committee is a subgroup of this committee, which plans our annual stewardship campaign.

Anyone can participate in these committees, so if something interests you, please contact the chair or Vestry liaison of the committee. If you have a question or idea about anything that falls under one of these committees, please let them know as well!

 
 
In This Issue


Blessing of the Animals

Lobsterfest Photos

From Fr. Jeff

October Sermon Series

Journey to Adulthood

Adult Formation

Youth Retreat

Cathedral Bookstore Sale

Zion Episcopal Church

Cub Scout Pack 109

Cubs for Christ

Chattahoochee Valley Convocation

Community Needs

Vestry Minutes

Bright Way Ministries

Lay Ministry Schedule

Lay Ministry Opportunities

Steward of the Month
 
Lectionary Readings
 
Prayers
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries

Parish Committees

CVEM Job Opportunities
 


Links (in alphabetical order)
 














Zion Episcopal, Talbotton(Go Fund Me)

CONTACT
  
Deadline for submitting news items is noon Monday.

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The Spirit of St. Nicholas 
is published weekly by 
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church.

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Than

Thank you, St. Nicholas family, for your active involvement in our parish. 




If you or family members will be in a play, concert, sports or school activity please send the information to the church contact@stnicholashamilton.org to be printed in the newsletter. St Nicholas members can then know what is happening with their church family and perhaps attend some of the functions. Include the event with dates, times and location. This is for children, teens and adults.

 

Please help us keep the church directory as up-to-date as possible.


 

If you have not yet filled out a form, please pick one up in the cloister room and return to the church office. Or you can send your info via email to the Parish Administrator at contact@stnicholashamilton.org

  1. Please include:your names and the names of your minor children,
  2. address,
  3. email addresses,
  4. phone numbers (cell and home),
  5. birthdays and anniversaries.

If you need a new picture or a new name tag, indicate that as well. Feel free to use a favorite picture. Just send it in jpeg form to contact@stnicholashamilton.org.


 



Mobile App Installation Instructions




Church members can view the St. Nicholas Church Directory from their iPhone, iPad, Android or Kindle Fire by downloading the free Instant Church Directory Members App.  

You may search for "Instant Church Directory" in the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore, or use this link: 

After installation, open the Instant Church Directory icon (it looks like a church).  It will ask for your email address.  If your email address is in our church directory, the program will generate a password for you and email it to you.

 

This worked great for most, but if you have any problems make sure you first check to see that your email address is in the church directory.  

 



Please look for these cards in the narthex or in the pews and place them in the alms basin if you give electronically.

Father Jeff will bless them at each service along with the other offerings.



Electronic Common Prayer


Electronic Common Prayer, Version 2.0   (eCP)  is a brand new update to the first, fully authorized, interactive version of the Book of Common Prayer 1979 of the Episcopal Church USA.
Click here for details 
 

GoFundMe Campaign for Zion Church



For our next phase of fundraising for historic  Zion Episcopal Church  
in Talbotton, Georgia , we have set up a
GoFundMe  campaign. 

There is much to be done to help this amazing bit of Georgia history. 
Please share this and encourage people to be generous. 


For over 160 years, Zion Episcopal Church has watched over the village of Talbotton, GA. There are not many 160-year-old structures still standing in our country.