The Spirit of Saint Nicholas
The E-Newsletter from Saint Nicholas Episcopal  Church  
69 Mobley Road, Hamilton, GA 31811
706-628-7272
September 14th - 20th, 2016
 Sunday Services 8:30 & 11:00 
SNICK -  Wednesdays 5:30 
(led by Children of St. Nick - followed by dinner)



It's Getting Close!
Lobsterfest 2016

Friday, September 23, 2016  
6:00 - 9:30 pm
Sweet Home Plantation, Pine Mountain
Tickets Are On Sale! Click below!


In conjunction with Lobsterfest, St. Nicholas is conducting a cash raffle.  The lucky winner will receive ONE HALF of the cash collected from the sale of raffle tickets.  It could be over $1000.00, or way more.

The Men's Group at St. Nicholas will head up and facilitate the sale of  raffle tickets this year.  Anyone can sell tickets.  We ask that all parishioners commit to selling tickets, however many you can, to your family, your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers.  

You can get tickets from Chris Butzon, sell what you can, and turn unsold tickets and money back to him.   We hope you come back and ask for more.

Ticket prices are scaled to encourage volume purchases.  $15 each, 3 for 30, 5 for 40, 8 for 50.  How many can YOU sell?


Can't attend but still want to contribute to Lobsterfest??
Be an Angel!!  click link below!

New for 2016!
In addition to our Silent Auction, 
we are offering 9 exciting 
Vacation trips. 
Click Here for list & prices!!
To Pre-Order,  
call Bert @ 706-767-2100



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.  

 

 

 


When you're having one of those days (and we all do) when you're feeling low, ashamed, guilty, worthless, lonely, cast aside, judged, or just weighed down with whatever you keep hidden, remember this: Jesus welcomed and hung out with sinners. He didn't wag his finger at them. He didn't stand back and judge them from afar. He didn't blame them or say "You get what you deserve." When all the other "churchy" people stayed away, Jesus welcomed them. Jesus pulled up a chair and ate with them. He listened to their stories. He understood. He likened them to lost sheep and lost coins. Sheep and coins don't ask to be found. But the ones who have lost them actively pursue them. That's how God is with us. We don't have to call out because Jesus is already pursuing us. We just have to let him sit down with us and tell him our story. Remember that the next time you feel lost. Jesus doesn't judge you for your sins. He welcomes you in spite of them.  

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

Peace,
Jeff+




PLACE YOUR BIDS
 
OUR ONLINE AUCTION IS LIVE!
HEAD ON OVER TO  AUCTIONFORACTION.ORG AND BID ON ITEMS LIKE:
*Resort vacations in Orange Beach & Panama (the country!)
*Countless ways to pamper yourself
*Fresh flowers
*Fitness memberships & private yoga sessions
*Fine, elegant jewelry
*Unique, handmade art
*In-town entertainment, including River Center performances, CSU Theatre, Whitewater Express & Segway tours
*Luxurious hotels from any Omni Resort in North America & local stays for out-of-town guests
*A rustic hunting lodge get-away
*Dining at your favorite restaurants
*Books for the book-worm in you
*AND SO MUCH MORE
BIDDING ENDS FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 AT 6 P.M.
 
MAKE GREAT PURCHASES & SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE.
All proceeds benefit the Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry whose programs serve families and children, advocate for racial harmony, promote interfaith dialogue and form partnerships to build stronger communities.


Attention St. Nicholas family!
SNICK is kicking into gear for another wonderful year and we need your help! There are currently TWO ways you can help us out: 

1) We will need ONE volunteer each Wednesday to provide dinner for the kids. Please see the sign-up sheet in the hallway. 

2) Help buy enough Connect! Bibles for each child to have their own! We need a total of 20 bibles, priced at $20 each. Please mark your donation accordingly so we know where it is intended to go.

Email Noelle Huling at  [email protected] for more information and to find out about any food allergies in preparing meals. We look forward to working with you!

Thanks,
Noelle Huling
SNICK Children's Ministry Director
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
Hamilton, GA 31811


 
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.

 





ZION Worship

The next service at Zion Church  is 
Sunday September 18th at 4:00 pm in Talbotton, Georgia.
Historic Rural Churches of Georgia visited Zion recently.  Pictures of  Zion will appear on their website www.hrcga.org/home/  soon.

Musicians again have used Zion for recording purposes.

The GOFUND Zion project, www.gofundme.com/historiczion    Please consider donating to the Zion Restoration Project.  Any amount -great or small- is deeply appreciated.  With your help we can restore Zion.  Visit the website to learn more about restoring ZION.

ZION  is available for tours, events, weddings and more.  Contact Fr. Jeff Jackson at St Nicholas Episcopal Church, Hamilton, GA to make arrangements.   

Add to Zion's email list -- if you know of someone who would be interested in ZION -- Email their name to [email protected] 

 
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. 

All are welcome! Spread the word!
 
Blessing of the Animals
Date: Sunday, October 2nd
Time:5:00 pm
Location: St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
 
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
 
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
Cecelia Rood
Sam Roney
Pat & Gene Demonet
Jackie Duval
Kristine Hughes
Bill & Suzy Eidson
John Brent
Ashley and Nate Taylor
Clara Butzon

 
Family members and friends of the Community:

Jason
Venetia Wilson
John Bacher
Mark
Heather Partin
Debbie Gisler
Barbara Hamilton
Doug Brown
Michael Vannoy
Cameron Clark
Holli & Baby
Cheryl
Gene Wells
Grace Esbstyne
Lucius Morton
Danny Howard
Dabney
The Kohler Family
Jeri Harris
Danny Hatchell
Erin Kavanaugh Kirkley
Teresa McCullohs


In Thanksgiving For:

Our St. Nicholas Outreach 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





September Anniversaries

2   Bob & Janice Murphy
     3   Doug Jr. & Peggy Martin
  25   Geoff & Phebe Callaway
Robertson


 
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


From Fr. Jeff

CVEM Auction for Action

SNICK Volunteers Needed

Journey to Adulthood

Adult Formation

Zion Worship

Blessing of the Animals

Youth Retreat

Cathedral Bookstore Sale

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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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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]

  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 [email protected].


 



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.


 
Contact Information

To place information in the newsletter email:
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church
706-628-7272