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Dear Beloved Members of St. Gregory’s,
As summer gives way to fall, there is a wonderful sense of renewed energy at St. Gregory’s as we settle into a new season of worship, formation, fellowship, and service. I am grateful for all that is taking shape, and I warmly invite you to be an active part of this new season.
Last Sunday, our regular Sunday School, Upper Room Time for Teens, and Confirmation Classes resumed. It was a joy to welcome our children and young people back! If you've not yet registered, there is still time to join us: Confirmation meets Sundays at 9:10 AM, with Sunday School and Upper Room Time at 9:45 AM. Registration remains open throughout the year.
This Saturday, our monthly Lectio Divina prayer group, facilitated by Rose Sandoval, gathers at 10:00 AM in St. Mary’s Chapel, offering a beautiful opportunity for prayerful reading, reflection, and silence.
This Sunday, September 6, there is much to look forward to. At 10:00 AM, our family-oriented Rise & Shine service returns to Harris Hall, alongside our Holy Eucharist in the Sanctuary. Following worship, our Senior Warden, Wazim “Zim” Reid, and I invite you to a special Coffee & Conversation in Harris Hall as we share St. Gregory’s 10-Year Strategic Plan. Together, we’ll explore the vision, priorities, and opportunities that will guide our parish into the future, and how we can bring that vision to life. Our Beloved LGBTQ+ group will also gather following Coffee & Conversation.
The Center for Spiritual Formation is beginning an exciting new season as well. On Wednesday, September 9, from 3:00–4:00 PM in the Sanctuary, Jackie Rogers, Gena Vallee, and Mother Mary Ellen will launch Curious, Courageous, Compassionate, and Contemplative: A Weekly Journey into Silence and Stories. The group will begin with Amy-Jill Levine’s Genesis: A Beginner’s Guide to the Beginning, combining contemplative silence and meditation with thoughtful conversation and reflection.
Later in September, Linda MacLaren and Rosie Sandoval will begin a new Zoom exploration of Jim Marion’s Putting on the Mind of Christ. Together, participants will read, reflect, and discuss this meaningful work in a welcoming online setting. More information will be coming soon, and all are welcome.
On Sunday, September 13, and Sunday, September 20, at 11:45 AM, I invite you to join me in the second-floor Conference Room for a two-part series, Biblical Conversation with Fr. Andrew: Full Inclusion of All God’s Children. Together, we’ll take a deep dive into Holy Scripture and explore the biblical conversation surrounding inclusion as we continue seeking to build God’s beloved community at St. Gregory’s. Bring your open hearts and your Bibles. All are welcome.
Also on Sunday, September 13, Brothers Breakfast, The Best Breakfast in Boca!, returns following morning services. Feel free to grab your breakfast and bring it with you to the Conference Room as we continue the conversation.
Our monthly Senior Social Gatherings resume on Tuesday, September 15, beginning with a Noon Healing Mass with Fr. Emilio, followed by a delicious lunch sponsored by Meals with Meaning, fellowship, and an “Aging with Grace” discussion.
On Wednesday, September 16, I’m particularly looking forward to re-launching Living Water: Rector’s Bible Study. Join me each Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM, either in person in the Conference Room or over Zoom. We’ll explore the Sunday scriptures together, preparing our hearts to receive God’s Word with fresh insight.
Mid-month, we will also have the joy of welcoming Fr. Chris Harding as our newest Assistant Rector. I am deeply grateful for the gifts he will bring to St. Gregory’s and for the extraordinary ministry of Mother Mary Ellen Cassini and our entire clergy team. Together, they bring a wonderful breadth of experience, faith, compassion, and energy to our shared life and ministry.
On Thursday, September 17, at 4:00 PM, join us for Yoga and Sacred Movement. On Saturday, September 19, the Episcopal Church Women and Mother Mary Ellen invite everyone to our annual Big Church Read Half-Day Retreat beginning at 10:00 AM in Harris Hall. This year, we are reading Ask Me for a Blessing (You Know You Need One) by the Rev. Adrian Dannhauser. The morning will include small-group conversation, a live Zoom discussion with the author, worship, fellowship, and a light lunch prepared by Meals with Meaning. Childcare will be available with advance notice. Learn more and RSVP here.
Sunday, September 20 begins with a glorious Sunrise Beach Eucharist at
6:30 AM at South Beach Park. Please bring a blanket or chair and join us for a glorious start to the day. During the 10:00 AM Choral Eucharist, we welcome the return of The Choir of St. Gregory’s after a brief hiatus, bringing its beautiful ministry of music back into our worship. I am grateful to Tim Brumfield for his dedicated leadership of this beloved ministry.
Later in the month, join us for YogaMass on Saturday, September 26 at 4:00 PM in the Chapel, followed on Sunday, September 27 at 6:00 PM by our first Evensong of the season, one of the most beautiful and contemplative traditions of our Anglican heritage.
And throughout the fall, many of our ongoing groups continue to gather, including the Men’s Spirituality Group on Wednesdays at 8:00 AM via Zoom and Women’s Bible Study on Thursdays at 1:00 PM in the Youth Room.
If you’re new to St. Gregory’s, Anita and I warmly invite you to our Newcomers Brunch on Sunday, October 4, following the 10:00 AM service at the Rectory. It’s an ideal opportunity to explore life in Christ at St. Gregory’s and make meaningful connections. Newcomers classes will begin on the following Sunday, October 11, with Brothers Breakfast and a tour of the Sanctuary.
The fall season is also a wonderful time to become more involved in the life of St. Gregory’s. Whether your gifts lead you toward the Altar Guild, Meals with Meaning, the ECW, the Brothers of St. Gregory's, our children, youth, and families ministry, outreach, the choir and music ministry, gardening, knitting, or other volunteer opportunities, there truly is a place for everyone to serve. Click here to explore volunteer opportunities at St. Gregory’s.
These are only a few of the many opportunities ahead. For our complete schedule of worship services, classes, meetings, and events, please visit St. Gregory’s full online calendar.
As we return to the rhythms of fall, I encourage you to find something that draws you deeper into prayer, Scripture, community, service, or simply time together. Each time we gather, we strengthen the bonds of this remarkable parish family and open ourselves more fully to the ways God is moving among us.
I look forward to sharing this new season with you.
In Christ,
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