One day, Jesus' best buddies asked him for a boost. "Increase our faith!" they said. In typical Jesus fashion, instead of saying, "Ok, do this and this and this," he told them that it's not size that matters. Even the smallest bit of faith can do the impossible. Perhaps we think about faith the wrong way. Perhaps in those moments when we feel like our faith is running on fumes, we can take a deep breath and do something with whatever faith we have left. In my limited experience, it's the times when I feel like I'm out of faith that somehow I grow the most spiritually. Whatever level you think your faith is at today, know that it is plenty to get through your next challenge. Jesus is less interested in the quantity of your faith, and more interested in the quality of the little faith you think you have.
*If you would like to receive messages like this in text form from Fr. Jeff every week, text "Add me" to
Peace,
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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.
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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.
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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.
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YOUTH WORKER FALL UPDATE
New Beginnings | October 7-9
This is our middle school retreat at Camp Mikell, the diocesan summer camp. This is a weekend about community, strengthening faith, and growing spiritually. High schoolers serve on team and help facilitate the weekend, while middle schoolers come as participants. Team can apply
here and participants and sponsors can register
here. Sponsors are adults that come up for the weekend and fully participate in all activities.
Happening | November 11-13
This is our high school retreat at Camp Mikell. This is a renewal weekend centered around unconditional love and community. High schoolers lead the weekend for high schoolers. Adults just come up to chaperone. High schoolers can register for the weekend
here.
Youth Lock-In @ Annual Council | November 18-19
Our annual lock-In takes places on the
Friday Night of Council. We get together to do service work, play games, and worship. We end the lock-in the following day by leading opening prayer
on Saturdaymorning. Youth and adults can register for the lock-in
here.
atlSERVE (Mission Weeks) | June 25-30, July 9-14
These are our service and mission outreach weeks in Atlanta for our middle and high schoolers. The high school week is
June 25-30 and the middle school week is
July 9-14. We have many service partners including meal delivery, facilitating a VBS, sorting donations, working in gardens, serving in soup lines, and joining the homeless in morning prayer. These weeks are about learning how to serve and be served by others. Last year, we had over 90 youth attend our mission weeks. There are opportunities for adult leaders (that could be you) to help lead the week. There are leadership opportunities for high schoolers to help lead the middle school week. Mark your calendar, and please let your youth know! Register for high school
here and middle school
here.
Applications
Provincial Youth Networking Meeting | December 1-4
Every year our Province gets together, 19 dioceses, to discuss youth ministry, network, and plan a youth event for the entire Province to participate in. Youth and Youth Workers from all over the Province attend the event. We want 3-4 youth to attend this year's meeting. It will be at the Lake Logan Conference Center in the Diocese of Western Carolina. No cost; we just need youth that are passionate about serving one another and the larger youth community.
Apply here.
DYC Staff | December 10-11
This is an opportunity for our high school youth to lead a retreat for middle and high schoolers. The retreat is at Camp Mikell from
January 6-8. Staff training is at Mikell from
December 10-11.
Apply here.
Youth Leadership Initiative | June 2-4
This is a weekend Leadership Retreat for rising seniors and those just graduated. Bishop Wright, Mary Hooper, and I will lead a weekend centered around teaching our youth what it looks like to lead as Jesus calls us to.
Apply here.
EYE 2017 | July 10-14
This is the National Youth Event held every 3 years that brings almost every diocese and over 2,000 young people together for a 4-day event. This year, it is at the University of Central Oklahoma. Many subjects are covered and youth get a real opportunity learn, grow, and build community with young Episcopalians across the faith. Many parishes are contributing a full scholarship for one of their own youth to attend. Please
contact me if you would like to sponsor one of your youth. We also have partial and full scholarships for at least 10. Youth can apply
here.
If you have any questions about these events or applications, please
contact me directly!
Thank you for participating in our Diocesan Youth Ministries!
Peace,
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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!
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Cathedral Bookstore Sale
Date: October 16th
Time: 9:30 - 12:30
Location: St. Nicholas Classrooms
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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
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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.
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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+
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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+
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You are invited by our dear friends from TAP to attend the first ever Native American Star Cultural Festival on October 28-30.
Ona Graham, president of Star Nation Foundation for the Healing Arts (the nonprofit this event benefits), teaches the TAP children about Native American spirituality during TAP week.
Here's a little about the event:
WHAT: Native American Star Cultural Festival, featuring Native American Fine Arts and Crafts, Jewelry, Pottery, Leatherwork Plus Local American Craftsmen. Healing Arts Practitioners in Yoga, Reiki, Tai Chi, Herbal Medicine, Mindfulness and Meditation. Native American Dancing, Drumming, Flute Music and Food. Children's Activities and Story Telling. Farmers Market. Silent Auction.
WHEN: October 28, 29 & 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.//Children's Day will take place all day Friday with FREE admission for school children, teachers & helpers
//Honor Guard and Grand Entry (Saturday 12 noon. All veterans invited to participate).
//Healing Earth Ceremony (Sunday 2 pm Interfaith Service)
Our friends are also in need of volunteers for this event to help make it a success, and volunteers receive free admission to the weekend's events.
Volunteers are needed for:
Ticket Taking/ Information Booth: 2 to 3 people per hour to sell tickets, collect ticket stubs and offer information about Star Nation Healing Arts.
Children's Activities: 2 to 4 volunteers per hour to assist Vickie and Cynthia with activities for children.
Parking: 4 to 6 volunteers per hour to direct cars to parking spots in field and direct people to entrance gate.
Trash Collection:1 to 2 volunteers to collect trash and deposit it in the dumpster twice daily.
Silent Auction: 1 volunteer per hour to sit at door while people enter and leave Silent Auction Area.
Meditation/Healing Tent: Healers/Reiki Practioners willing to donate time to offer individuals a healing session.
Directing Traffic: 2 ADULT volunteers to direct traffic onto field and to direct handicapped to access area.
Camp Party Saturday Night: volunteers to pick up food, set up eating area, assist with serving, meal clean up and final clean up.
1 Hour of volunteering = free admission
4 Hours of volunteering = free admission and invitation to Camp Party SaturdayNight from 6 to 9pm. Includes food, trade blanket and blue grass band.
Call 706-317-2163 and speak to Ms. White to reserve your time.
If you're at all interested, what a great way to support this cause! |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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 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.
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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.
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Lectionary Readings
If you would like to see the readings for Sunday,
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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.
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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 Pastoral Care 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.
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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
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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!
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In This Issue
From Fr. Jeff
October Sermon Series
Journey to Adulthood
Adult Formation
Youth Worker Fall Update
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
Prayers
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Parish Committees
CVEM Job Opportunities
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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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Thank you, St. Nicholas family, for your active involvement in our parish.
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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.
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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]
- Please include:your names and the names of your minor children,
- address,
- email addresses,
- phone numbers (cell and home),
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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GoFundMe Campaign for
Zion Church
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.
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