The Spirit of Saint Nicholas
The E-Newsletter from  Saint Nicholas  Episcopal  Chu rch   
69 Mobley Road, Hamilton, GA 31811 + 706-628-7272 + stnicholashamilton.org

June 1st - 7th, 2016


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, & spirit
for all people in our community.  
Worship at
Zion Episcopal Church June 5th 4:00 pm




Join us at Zion in Talbotton for an afternoon of worship in one of the most beautiful historic 
Gothic Revival churches. 
Dress comfortably - it will probably be warm!
 



There are many needs in our community to which 
St. Nicholas has the gifts and resources to respond. The Outreach Committee and Vestry are discerning what new ways God might be calling us to serve, but we need your help. 
Where do you see needs in our community? 
How might we respond to those needs? 
On Sunday, June 12, we encourage all who seek to better serve Harris County and beyond to gather for prayer, conversation, and brainstorming about how we might respond to those needs.  We will meet in the Sunday School room between services to begin this discussion.  A continental breakfast will be served.  
Blessings-To-Go
At our Vestry retreat this year, Barbara Crafton encouraged us to continue to be a blessing to our community. 
The Vestry discussed with great fervor how we might actively engage in this. 
Sheri Cody and others suggested that each month, the Vestry look in the month's local newspapers and find people and organizations who are doing good work in our community and approach them to give them a literal blessing. The first group that stood out to us was the Pine Mountain Police Department, who did a miraculous reunion of a solider home from active duty and his companion service dog. After contacting Police Chief Daniel Ferrone, who was very open to us coming and showing our support, we decided that we would attend the 
Pine Mountain City Council Meeting on June 13 at 7:00pm and offer a word of thanks and prayers for the work the police, mayor, and city council continue to do. 
We would love to have as many St. Nicholas members who are available to show up to stand with us as we ask for God's blessing on these people. If you know of others who could use a blessing from 
St. Nicholas, please let Fr. Jeff or Katherine Johnson know and we'd be happy to contact them.


 NOTE DATE CHANGE: Happy summer to all my writing friends in St. Nicholas Writes and beyond! I am unusually early in writing this up this announcement for our June Revision Workshop, but our regular meeting date has been changed from June 26 to June 19 because of our exchange visit with Christian Valley. Although the 19th is Father's Day, the times are not in conflict as we will be meeting as usual from 9:45-10:45. Since this is the last meeting before our summer break, I urge you to come and work on any piece you want to revise. Now is your chance to get advice from your fellow writers. If you are interested, you may read your piece to a small group of 2-3 or even one other--just bring copies for them. I will have revision guidelines for the major genres--fiction, non-fiction, poetry. If anyone in the congregation would like to write something for Dad, we welcome you and your efforts! Do join us if only to observe. You never know what will inspire you. (Besides, if you forgot that "Father's Day" card, you will be able to create a very special one that will touch Dad's heart, guaranteed.)  Hope to see you--and save the date, June 19th, 9:45-10:45, Adult Formation classrooms
Inquiries: Dianne Armstrong, 706-221-9020
 




  STITCHER'S MEETING
Saturday, June 25th, 10am at St. Nicholas the alter cushion needleworkers will meet to stitch, enjoy tea and cookies and work through any questions or difficulties. Katrina Howe has been working to distribute and design the remaining canvases and 
WE NEED A FEW MORE STITCHERS!
 If ANYONE would like to join our merry band, please come see what we are doing! We can offer lots of encouragement even if you have never stitched before.


Pulpit Swap  
Our annual worship with 
Christian Valley Church, Cataula  will take place 
June 26 at 10:00am.
Services at St. Nicholas will be suspended that week, as we gather with our Christian brothers and sisters. They will join us for worship at St. Nicholas on July 10 at 10:00am
Both days will include a meal following the services so come hungry for physical and spiritual food!

 

 
 
 

 
Stewards for the Month of May
Jan Pylant and Judy Jenks

There are many people at St Nicholas who support the life of the church - often behind the scenes.  
Two of these people are Jan Pylant and Judy Jenks.  
For years, Jan and Judy have been collecting "order of service" bulletins and other papers to take to the recycling center.   
Both sing in the choir and have been big supporters of our music programs including the Second Saturday music events.  
Judy is a part of the kneeler stitching group and pastoral care group.  
Both Jan and Judy support St Nicholas in small and big ways.   
For this the Vestry thanks them and nominates them as May Stewards. 

 
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 servents, 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.  
 

 
 
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.


 
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:


Jackie Duval
Julie Nordin
Bill & Suzy Eidson
Bill Batastini
Bill Caudill
Danielle Whitworth
Ashley and Nate Taylor
Clara Butzon
Garrett Hinnant
Kay Faircloth

 
Family members and friends of the Community:

Patty Gwara
Gene Wells
Jo Partain
Grace Esbstyne
Mary Ann
The Wahl Family
Karin
Lucius Morton
Earl Nichols
Dr. Michael Burgen
Danny Howard
Dabney
Charlotte Hammond
The Kohler Family
Jeri Harris
Danny Hatchell
Nikki & Joe
Peggy Singletary
Wayne Holloway
Erin Kavannaugh Kirkley
Jack Whitley
James Daniels
Lisa Butler
Mark Oliver
Teresa McCullohs
Ron Anderson & Family
Jean Boyd


In Thanksgiving For:

Our St. Nicholas Communications Ministries

For Those In Mourning:

The Robertson Family on the death of Geoff's brother

    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.
 


 

           
    
          JUNE BIRTHDAYS
 
  2   Devyn Hinnan
  3   Jeff Jackson
  4   Bill Batastini
  5   Kathie Torres
  5   Michelle Moody
  6   Beth Evans
  6   Robert Queener
15   Meghan McCoy
17   Barbara Bradley
17   Terry Buchanan
21   Caitlyn Whitworth
24   Will Bailey
25   Janice Murphy
28   Carolyn Cox


 

  
June Anniversaries

     2     Josh & Helena Davis
           3     Barrett & Barbara Smith 
9     Sheri & Jeff Cody
              9     John & Charlotte Winsness
     10   Ingrid Cheshire & Marilyn Vida
12   Mike & Susan Perry
            20   Steve & William Morgan Morse
   23   Bill & Susan Batastini


 
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

Zion Worship

Community Needs

Blessings to Go

St. Nicholas  Writer's Group

Stitcher's Meeting

Pulpit Swap 

Vestry Minutes

Stewards of the Month

Bright Way Ministries

Lay Ministry Schedule

Lay Ministry Opportunities
 
Lectionary Readings
 
Prayers
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries

Parish Committees
 

 

Links

 

Father Jeff's Travel Blog 

 

CONTACT
  
Deadline for submitting news items is noon Monday.

 Send news and photos to: 
 
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.







SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE 2016
 
Performing Arts Camp: June 12-June 18, Rising 4th-9th Graders
 
Intermediate Camp: June 19-June 25, Rising 8th and 9th Graders
 
Junior Camp: June 26-July 2, Rising 6th and 7th Graders
 
Kid Camp: July 10-July 16, Rising 3rd-5th Graders
 
Work Camp: July 18-July 23, Rising 10th Graders-Just Graduated
 
Emmaus House: July 25-July 29, Emmaus House Summer Program
 
Guest Camp: September 2- September 5, Children, Adults, and Families of all Ages
(Contact Amanda, 706-886-7515 or amanda@campmikell.com for more information)
 
OUTDOOR CAMPS
 
Outdoor Youth: June 12 -June 18, Rising 10th Graders-Just Graduated




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



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. Our next service is June 5 at 4:00pm.

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, much...


 
Contact Information

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