St. Bede's E-News


We hope that this weekly offering will keep you up-to-date

on the latest information from the parish

and from around the Diocese of Atlanta and wider Church. 


Our e-newsletters are now being archived on our website.

You can go to www.stbedes.org  

and look under the "Connect With Us" tab

at the top of the home page to find past newsletters.


The deadline each week for submission to the E-News is

Wednesday at 10 am.

Please send your submissions ready to go into the newsletter,

text and images attached in an email to the Parish Administrator.

Laura's email address is lpittman@stbedes.org


There's a lot going on at St. Bede's! Looking for an activity?

Click here to view the parish calendar

Sunday, April 28, 2024

The Fifth Sunday of Easter



Worship in English at 10 am


Worship in Spanish at 2:30 pm




We will also be streaming our worship live

on

St. Bede's YouTube Channel



Make a Gift to St. Bede's



If you would like to preview the scripture lessons and hymns for the upcoming Sunday, you can find Sunday's bulletin uploaded to the church website each week on Thursday afternoon. From the home page of the website, scroll down to the colorful "Worship" icon, and click on that. Then scroll to the bottom of the "Worship" page and you will see where the bulletin for Sunday has been posted under "Downloads".

What is Your Spiritual Type?


This Sunday and the next (April 28th and May 5th ) we will be investigating a tool called the Spirituality Wheel. This tool was published in the book “Discover Your Spiritual Type”, by Dr. Corinne Ware. Dr. Ware was an Assistant Professor of Ascetical Theology at Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, and died in 2015.


From the book’s preface “The purpose of this book is to enlarge the reader’s consciousness of God, of others who worship God, and of oneself. Specifically, it asks why some people worship one particular way, while others choose a very different way of expressing religious devotion.”


We will begin in these 2 Adult Formation Classes to discover what are the actual differences we have in expressing our religious devotion, our spirituality, if you will. The first class (April 28th ) will look at how this tool divides spirituality into 4 groups or “types”. At the end of the first class the Spiritual Type Selector Test will be given out of the participants to do at home.


In the second class (May 5th ) we will discuss the 4 Spiritual Types, what they imply, and how can we use them see a little clearer our own individual ways of our spirituality. This handout will be available on the church website next week. You don’t have to share your own Spiritual Type indicated by the test.


If you have questions, please contact Raz Schreiber

at (404) 790-1367 or Raz.Schreiber@gmail.com.

Children's Faith Formation

offered during 10 am Worship


Instead of Sunday School being either before or after worship, children will be invited to gather together during the time of the Sermon and the Prayers of the People for a special story or activity that is tailored just for them. Children will come to worship with their families and will be invited to process out for this special time during the signing of a hymn. They will then return at the Passing of the Peace to join their families and the congregation for Communion.


All 3 year olds through 5th graders are welcome to join us. Older children are welcome as helpers and younger children may join with a parent, grandparent, or other caregiver. 


Please know that children are always welcomed to remain with their families for the full worship service if that is their preference.


Sunday, April 28th - Join us for worship at either 10 am or 2:30 pm. In between, join us for this year's Instructed Eucharist led by our own Raymond Walker. Come find out what all the hand waving, prayers, and occasional chanting are all about AND why, as Episcopalians, we consider it to be one of THE most important things we do together.


We had a great time at our Samurai Challenge on Sunday, April 21. See our photos below!

Click here to see more photos of the Youth Samurai Challenge!

Outreach Committee Meeting

This Sunday, April 28


The Outreach Committee will be meeting this Sunday, April 28 at 11:30, following the 10 am worship, in room C101. Please join us if you have an interest in Outreach and would like to be part of our expanding ministry! 


Our first agenda item will be a presentation from Matt Johnson, the administrator for Church of the Common Ground, who will share with us about their sock ministry.


Questions? Please contact co-chairs:

Anita Montelione ammontel12@gmail.com

Karen Werner wernerksw@comcast.net



It's Tea Time!

St. Bede's 14th Annual High Tea

Saturday, May 11

2:00 - 4:00



Tickets now on sale

Adults: $20 advance purchase/

$25 at the door

Children: $10 advance/

$15 at the door


Advance purchase tickets must be paid in full by Friday, May 10


The Tea is a fun, social event at St. Bede’s. The silent auction and raffle are popular ways that the tea helps support the ministries of St. Bede’s and outreach efforts beyond the parish.


Volunteers are needed. If you might like to bake a sweet or savory, help make sandwiches, set up or clean up, please contact Loretta Vail, lvail24@gmail.com or Fran Snider, fran.snider@gmail.com.


Adios Mimi


A few weeks ago, we learned from the Bishop's office that the season of Mimi Guerra's ministry at St. Bede's was coming to an end - much sooner than any of us wanted it to. You can click on the link below to read the full announcement.


We had an opportunity to say "Gracias y Adios" to Mimi last Sunday, April 14 at both 10 am and 2:30 pm worship and with receptions following worship. See the photo below from the 2:30 celebration of Mimi's ministry with us.


As when any staff person departs, we are collecting a "purse" or love offering in appreciation for Mimi's ministry with us. You can still click on the link below and choose "Mimi's Purse" from the fund listing or you can give a gift by check or cash designated as "Mimi's Purse".


¡Gracias Mimi por todo!


Listen to Mimi's farewell sermon here.
Give to Mimi's "Purse"
Read the full announcement about Mimi's transition

Pastoral Leadership Update

for Spanish Language Ministries



I am happy to announce that The Rev’d Raymond Walker, III will be continuing with us and expanding his hours and role to provide liturgical and pastoral oversight and leadership to our Spanish language ministries. He will join the Rev’d Iñaki Guevara, our deacon, as the clergy team that shepherds Spanish language ministry at St. Bede’s. They will continue to work with a dedicated lay leadership team that already supports these ministries. This team of dedicated servant leaders – lay and clergy – will work with me, the Wardens, and the Vestry to continue to discern and grow the future horizons of ministry at St. Bede’s as a welcoming and affirming multicultural and bilingual community. 


Peace,

Chad


Service Animals

in Worship and in Parish Life

If you have been in worship the past few weeks, you will likely have noticed that we have welcomed a new member to the community - of the canine variety. Pizzly is a golden retriever who is being trained as a service animal – more specifically, a diabetic alert animal. Connie Coralli is Pizzly’s human. Connie lives with diabetes and is working through a professional program to have Pizzly trained to detect and alert her to subtle changes in her body chemistry as she manages her diabetes. The first portion of Pizzly’s training involves public access training or desensitizing the animal to many of the swirling stimuli that surround us all in public spaces. To this end, Pizzly will accompany Connie to most public spaces. In his capacity as a service animal, others around him are to refrain from engaging Pizzly with affection or attention. When Pizzly is wearing his “Service Animal” vest, he is working. Connie asks that you respect this part of the training and not engage or address Pizzly while he is working. Rest assured, Pizzly has other times in his life when he gets to go to the dog park and “just be a dog” as well. If you would like to know more about service animals or about diabetic alert animals, in particular, there are many good resources on the internet. If you have questions or concerns about Pizzly’s presence with us in our common life, I invite you to speak with Connie, with me, or with one of the wardens.


Peace,

Chad

Renewing our Grounds

by Kim Padgett, Junior Warden



UPDATE of 4/25: We have AMAZING news! Thanks to the generosity of many of our parishioners - and even a few folks outside of our community at St. Bede’s! - we've exceeded our goal of $4,500 that we need for this project to provide an inviting green space for our community. We will use funds raised above the goal for future plantings and the fulfillment of the grounds master plan. We have scheduled work to begin on this project next week.


We’re fortunate to have such beautiful and abundant grounds here at St. Bede’s! What a gift for our community that our green space is just the place for us to quietly be with nature, play or reflect, walk our dogs and play with our kids, read, pray, throw rocks in the creek; exercise, and a place to worship.


The Vestry recently decided to move forward with working with a landscape planner to develop a plan for the area along the Midvale Road entrance driveway and extending through the building entrance area down to the edge of the upper parking lot near the car bridge. Before the implementation of that plan, we will also work with the landscaper to engage in a “grounds reset” of our property that will include cleaning up our existing grounds by removing ivy and bracken from trees and bushes, trimming, edging, mulching, and otherwise cleaning up our property around the building to achieve a fresh clean look.


We’re at work to identify funding for this project, and want to open up to the parish an opportunity to give toward beautifying our landscape. Both parts of the project – the landscape plan and the “grounds reset” work will cost around $4,500.


If you are excited about the idea of revealing the deeper beauty of God's creation on the grounds of St. Bede's, please consider making a gift to support this effort to enhance our grounds and provide a welcoming space for all who come to St. Bede’s. Click on the link below and select "Grounds Renewal & Planning" from the fund list.


Make a Gift to the Grounds Project


“… [in] the natural world, what is - I experience the most extraordinary grounding, connection, healing, and even revelation. One little hopping bird can do me in!”  

— Richard Rohr

Thank you to all who have returned

their 2024 "Offer to God" pledge cards!


As of April 25, we have received

85 pledges totaling $453,000.


Thank You!


If you have not already,

we hope that you will prayerfully discern

your response to God's gifts in your life

and make your pledge of financial support

to all that God is doing

in and through St. Bede's.


If you need a pledge packet,

please contact the parish office at:

info@stbedes.org


Find More "Offer to God" Pledge Campaign Information Here
Click Here to Pledge Online

The Bread Guild is

Calling All Bakers!


Do you love the communion bread each Sunday at St. Bede's? Are you a baker or someone who would like to learn how to bake bread? Please consider joining St. Bede's Bread Guild as one of our bakers. As a bonus, we do not have meetings in this ministry. Please reach out to Jody Klein, Chair of St. Bede's Bread Guild at jodyheidi@gmail.com or text to 678-372-9396 with subject line "St. Bede's Bread Guild" to learn more.


Outreach Committee Meeting

This Sunday, April 28


See Outreach Committee Meeting information above.

Calling All Golfers and Volunteers!


NETWorks Cooperative Ministry

Golf Tournament

"Putting Out Hunger"

Monday, May 6



NETWorks’ 2nd annual golf tournament--“Putting Out Hunger”-- is Monday, May 6 at Heritage Golf Links and we need your help!


Whether you're interested in playing or volunteering to help, it will be a great day and a wonderful cause.

 

 Interested? Please contact Jim Helms, jehelms@comcast.net

Click here to learn more about NETWorks Ministry's "Putting Out Hunger" golf tournament
Click here to sign up to volunteer at the golf tournament
Learn more about NETWorks Cooperative Ministry

As we all watch the tragic events of violence escalate in Jerusalem and Palestine, it is so important to keep the people of the Holy Land in our prayers.


In addition to our prayers, St. Bede's has also transmitted a gift of $500 to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) for relief efforts related to the travesties of this conflict. Sadly, one of ERD's strongest and longest-standing partners in the Diocese of Jerusalem is the Al Ahli Arab Hospital - the Anglican hospital in Gaza that was severely damaged by explosion and where hundreds of people were killed. Please keep relief workers on the ground in your prayers as they attempt to offer care and relief.


Prayer Resource from American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
Prayer Resource from Sojourners
Read updates on Episcopal Relief and Development's relief efforts on the ground in the war.
Caring for God's Creation


Go Green with Your Cleaning Routine 


Here are some eco-friendly tips to start cleaning with safer ingredients, cut down on household waste, and save money in the long run: 

  • Swap plastic bottles for glass 
  • Opt for reusable cleaning cloths 
  • Try homemade cleaning solutions 
  • Switch to eco-friendly laundry detergent 
  • Repurpose old toothbrushes 
  • Switch to natural sponges 
  • Substitute dryer sheets for reusable alternative 
  • 

Click HERE for details on how to accomplish each of these eco-friendly practices. Try incorporating one or two of them at a time into your cleaning routine. Happy Spring Cleaning!



Please contact Martha Robert at marthabob59@gmail.com or 404.374.7643 with ideas, suggestions, or questions about the Caring for God's Creation.

Family Ministries Micropractice 


Join our households with

birth through elementary aged children

in this simple intentional practice

as we bring our learning from the lectionary

into our everyday lives.



You may wish to conclude this micro-practice with this prayer:


God of diversity,

you created us all in your image with great love.

May we learn to celebrate and embrace the many different ways we are human, because no one is excluded from your love.

Amen.



Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study

Has Resumed!


Join with others for a study of the Book of 1st Kings.

All are welcome.


Bring whatever translation of the Bible you like.


6: – 8 pm on Wednesday nights

on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month

in the Commons Hallway Classroom

(across from the Julian of Norwich Center)


Contact Fred Murphy for more information.

Note the date change!


Healing Our Racism

Book Discussion Group


Next meeting:

Monday, April 29 at 2:00pm on Zoom


April's selection is

A Quilted Life

By Catherine Meeks


Meeting Time: 4th Monday of each month at 2 pm on ZOOM



Please join Muriel Diguette and other members/friends of St. Bede's to discuss current books pertaining to the issues of racism and white privilege.


Email Muriel for the Zoom link to join the discussion.

Mostly Mysteries

Book Discussion Group


Next meeting:

Tuesday, May 28 at 7:00 pm on Zoom


May's selection is

Stranger Diaries

By Elly Griffiths



Meeting Time: Normally the 4th Monday of each month at 7 pm on ZOOM, but note the date change for May.


You're invited to join members and friends of St. Bede's to discuss favorite mysteries and thrillers.


Email Cathe Echterhof for the Zoom link to join the discussion.

McLemore's Musings


We hope you are enjoying this feature in St. Bede's E-News - McLemore's Musings. Many of you have met the Rev'd Bill McLemore who has joined the St. Bede's community. Bill has been a priest for over 57 years and has served parishes all over the Episcopal Church. Bill is the former archivist of the Diocese of Atlanta and authored the 100th anniversary book on the history of the Diocese. Bill is also an artist and has used his artistic skills and sense of humor for many years to draw hundreds of cartoon that comically comment on life in the Episcopal Church. Each week we will share a cartoon here that Bill selects from his collection. Enjoy!

From David & Martha West


We just want to let all our church friends to know: 

Martha and David West have moved to Canterbury Court. 

But we will continue to attend St. Bede's.


The estate sale at our former home,

2844 Evans Dale Circle,

is scheduled for this coming Sunday, April 28. 

St. Bede's Prayer List


A note about our prayer list:


We have reorganized our prayer list and are trying to make it more manageable going forward. Names will remain on the prayer list for 3 weeks unless otherwise requested. If you have placed someone on the prayer list and you would now like that person removed, please notify the office. Please request removal only for names which you have placed on the list. We are always happy to request prayer for our parishioners and our extended community.


Please contact Laura Pittman in the church office to add or remove names from the prayer list.


Laura Pittman

lpittman@stbedes.org



In our St. Bede’s community,

prayer has recently been requested for:

Robin Brown-Haithco



Prayer has been requested on a more long-term basis for:

Al and Regina Studwell

Sarah Jane and Jim Ohl

Mary Rodriguez

Helen Abraham

Aree Bancroft

Laura Ribas

Hilda Bell

Nancy Waring

Frances Bowen

Ann Foote

Robin Schreiber

Cameron Maddox

Peg Harriss

Sue Ellen Lampros

 

Prayer has also been requested for these in our wider community:

Fay Key, friend of the St. Bede's community 

Eleanor Pearlman, granddaughter of Gwen Heaton

Allen Townes Cunningham, sister of Rob Townes 

Stuart Allen, son-in-law of Jean Petersen

Kathleen Petersen, daughter-in-law of Jean Petersen

Anne Jones, sister of Claiborne Jones

Julie Steel and Jimmy Crane, niece and nephew of Connie Coralli

William Gunter, brother of Doris Bushart

Floyd Gunter, brother of Doris Bushart

Natalie DeMars, friend of Toni Graney

Elizabeth Graham, friend of Toni Graney

Raymond Walker, Sr., grandfather of Raymond Walker, III



We pray for those who have died:

Guillermo Romero, grandfather of Jelani Valdez

Douglas Willets, brother-in-law of Sarah Jane Ohl

Eizell Jones, uncle of Jerry Simmons

Marie Louise Sadler


We give thanks for those serving our country in the military:

Josh Bowers

Will Grimm


We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week:

4/28 Violet Kottke

4/28 Josh Bowers

5/3 Drew Spires

5/3 Mae Marshall



The flowers on the altar for Sunday, April 28

are given to the glory of God and

 

in loving memory of

the Very Rev'd Lori Marleen Lowe

March 12, 1947 – April 25, 2022

by the Rev. William Pearman McLemore

 

in thanksgiving for the 75th birthday of Jeff Swoope

and the 85th birthday of the Rev'd John Porter

by Jan, Chris, Susan, Sydney, and Tyler Swoope

and Amy, Justin, and Josie Quillen



From around the Diocese
and the wider Church...

To stay up to date

on activities throughout the Diocese of Atlanta,

sign up for Connecting, the Diocesan E-newsletter.


You can also sign up to receive For Faith,

which is the weekly meditation

from Bishop Rob Wright

sent by email on Fridays.

Bishop Wright's Weekly Podcast


Did you know that Bishop Rob Wright has a weekly podcast? You can take a spiritual "deep dive" each week with Bishop Wright and his special guests and grow deeper in faith and understanding as you listen and learn.


Explore For People, Bishop Wright's Podcast, Here


Pathways

the magazine of the Diocese of Atlanta


The new Pathways is now available online! Through original photography, articles, and interviews, Pathways shares inspiring stories from Middle and North Georgia — examples of spiritual growth.


Read Pathways Here


Click here to shop at the Cathedral Bookstore


Would you like to keep up with news from around the broader Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion? Episcopal Journal and Cafe is a convenient place to find out things going on around the Church. You can even subscribe to get news sent to your email inbox.


Click Here for Episcopal Journal & Cafe




Click Here to Make a Donation to ERD



Friend in Christ,


As violence escalates in Ukraine, over one million people have already fled the country — and the borders are flooded with many more people desperate to leave.


Almost all of them are women and children who have had to seek safety on their own, leaving their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons behind.


As this crisis continues to evolve, we are working with Anglican agencies and our other partners to provide humanitarian assistance, and urgently ask for your help.


Your emergency gift today will support our immediate response, providing cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needs as this crisis unfolds.


Our faith networks are currently on the ground in the border areas of Poland, Hungary and Romania, and we will continue to coordinate with them in order to help those who have been displaced. Specifically, our partner ACT Alliance is helping families on the Hungarian border, and our Anglican partners are mobilizing both an immediate and long-term response in Poland, Romania and Hungary.


Yours faithfully,

Robert W. Radtke

President & CEO

Episcopal Relief & Development