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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.
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
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There's a lot going on at St. Bede's!
Looking for an activity?
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MLK Holiday
Monday, January 19, 2026
In observance of the birthday of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
the church office will be closed
on Monday, January 19.
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Sunday, January 18, 2026
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
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Worship in English at 10 am
Worship in Spanish at 1:30 pm
We will also be streaming our worship live
on
St. Bede's YouTube Channel
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If you would like to preview the scripture lessons and hymns for the upcoming Sunday, you can find Sunday's bulletin uploaded to the parish 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 bulletins for Sunday have been posted under "Downloads".
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Join us this week for
Episcopal 101 / Epiphany 101
This class is for all those
(newcomers and long-timers alike)
who wish to learn more about
the Episcopal Church
and more about how
God is moving in the Church
to be the Body of the Christ for the World
(the themes of Epiphany).
This week we will explore the
History of the Episcopal Church
We will meet at 11:30-ish in Room M-110.
All are welcome!
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Young Adult Fellowship
(20's - 30's)
The young adult planning team met and evaluated the 2025 program and brainstormed for 2026 events. Upcoming events for early 2026 will include lunch with the rector and participation in a St. Bede's campus work day in March. Watch this space for times and places so you can mark your calendar to join us!
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Here's What's Happening!
January 18th - Join us for lunch and a discussion on scripture. We'll explore where and why to find scripture, the role it has played in our church history and talk about if it's really still important in the world today and as young people in the Church.
January 25th - You asked for it and you've got it - Human Bumper Pool, 4 Square Play off AND Craft Day! You didn't think we could pull it off and yet we have. Join us for church at 10:00, 1:30 (or both) and in between you'll find us having lunch, and participating in shenanigans and creativity galore!
February 1st - Join us in taking a look at the inner workings of St Bede's as you've never seen it before (cue the scary music). Okay so that part might be an exaggeration but you will have the opportunity to read and hear about all of the AMAZING ministries that are going on at St Bede's AND eat lunch!!
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Children's Formation
for Children Age 3 - Grade 5
We have two offerings of Children's Formation on Sundays.
The first is during 10 am worship where children begin worship with their families for a short time and are then invited to process out with their teachers to the Godly Play room (M-102), usually during the Hymn of Praise or other hymn. During the time of the Sermon and the Prayers of the People they hear a special story and engage in activities tailored just for them. The children return to church at the Passing of the Peace to join their families and the congregation for Communion.
The second formation time is between the 10 am and 1:30 pm worship, during which time there are also formation offerings for adults and youth. We gather around 11:30-11:45 am in the Commons, and then move to classroom M-102 in the Mission Wing. This formation time focusing on learning about the stories of the People of God and growing in understanding about what we do in church worship.
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. Both classes are taught in English.
If you have questions, please contact Molly Graves at mgraves@stbedes.org.
We will use this model for the start of the Christian Formation year and, in the weeks ahead, we will be inviting parents, grandparents, and guardians of young children into conversations about how we can shape our Children's Christian Formation program to better serve the needs of our community.
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Prayer Vigil for Extra-Ordinary Times
We are holding a weekly, half-hour prayer vigil for the country on Sundays after 10 am worship, in room M108. Feel free to come by for a short time or for the entire time.
Contact Becca Love at rachelrebeccalove@gmail.com with any questions.
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As of Thursday, January 15,
we have received 77 pledges
totaling $387,000.
If you have not received your packet
and would like to receive a packet,
please contact the parish office
and we will send one to you.
Thank you to all who have
faithfully returned their pledges
of financial support to St. Bede's.
If you have not yet made your pledge,
we would love to hear from you
so that we can begin the
2026 budgeting process.
Please prayerfully consider
your response to all that
God has shared with you.
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It's Time for Bunco!
2025 is gone!
2026 is a new year!
Let's gather for Bunco on
Sunday, January 18th at 3 pm
1516 Regency Walk Drive, Decatur 30033
Hosted by Nancy Bruce & Fran Snider
Bring a snack to share & $10 to play!
RSVP to fran.snider@gmail.com
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Save the date for the
Annual Parish Meeting
Sunday, February 1
following 10 am Worship
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Second Exhibition Closing
The second "Art From the Heart Gallery" show has ended and is being taken down. If you have work you have purchased or work that you need to pick up, please contact Lois Shingler at afthgallery@gmail.com.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this wonderful show - as an artist, volunteer or admirer! The next show will be installed in April. We will announce the date and other details as they become available!
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Congratulations to The Rev'd Alyssa Sali
on her ordination as a deacon
(on her journey to being ordained a priest next year)
on Saturday, December 13 at the Cathedral.
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Finding Healing
for Our Divided Country
Now meeting weekly
on Monday evenings on Zoom
from 6:30 to 8 pm.
In person every Thursday morning
9 to 10 am
at Mint Coffeehouse
3926 Lawrenceville Hwy in Tucker
A discussion group, grounded in prayer, for those who have questions, concerns, and emotions that feel too big, and need a safe place to process with others.
We will see what participants need from this group. Perhaps it will just be a place to express what you are feeling, or maybe some will want to know what action can be taken.
And we will pray together.
Some questions to consider:
How are you doing, and what are you feeling?
Where are you in terms of processing changing public policy?
How can we live the values of our faith
in the face of conflicting public policy?
Facilitators: Muriel Diguette and Molly Graves
Please contact Muriel Diguette at digfam@att.net
if you are interested in joining.
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Pre-legislative Forum
On Sunday, January 4, 7 members of St. Bede’s and others from our Finding Healing for our Divided Country group, attended the forum at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. We heard the Rev. Senator Kim Jackson and Rep. Stacey Evans discuss upcoming legislative issues for the GA general assembly that will convene on January 12. They encouraged us to contact our state legislators, attend meetings and let our legislators know what our priorities are. They emphasized the importance of community involvement in our state politics. There are many ways that everyone can be involved!
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Pack the Capitol Day
On Monday, January 5, groups from St Bede’s and Church of the Epiphany gathered at Central Presbyterian Church downtown across from the Capitol. The event was the ACLU’s “Pack The Capitol”. We learned how to lobby our representatives, got a tour of the Chambers, and became more comfortable with supporting our Georgia reps.
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Gold Dome Press Conference
Tuesday, January 13
| Member of St. Bede’s attended the press conference in the Capitol rotunda on Tuesday, January 13 as Sen. Kim Jackson introduced 4 bills that would ban face coverings, prohibit the deployment of armed forces from other states in Georgia without the Governor's permission, ban ICE from raiding certain places (like schools and churches) without a signed judicial warrant, and give legal remedies to citizens whose rights are violated. |
2026 Outreach Opportunities
Ongoing Soap Drive
Please place new wrapped bar soap in the basket labelled “Bar Soap and Toiletries” in the Connect Center outside the kitchen
February 8
Outreach Committee Meeting
11:30 am in Room C101
February 8 – March 8
Food collection for NETWorks Food Pantry
March 18
6:00 pm Prepare and serve dinner to Holy Comforter parishioners
October 18
Prepare and serve lunch for Church of the Common Ground
Have Questions?
Contact Anita Montelione (ammontel12@gmail.com)
or Karen Werner (wernerksw@comcast.net)
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Baby Jesus Baskets a Huge Success!
Thank you to everyone at St. Bede's who filled the Baby Jesus Baskets this Advent and Christmas with essential supplies for infants and toddlers and their families at Our House!! Laura Martin and Martha Robert delivered the supplies last Friday and were greeted by several staff members eager to help unload. All expressed their gratitude--that this congregation thought of the people at Our House and gave so generously. Here's a list of all that you gave:
36 -- boxes of diapers and pullups @ 2,442 count
26 -- boxes/pkgs of wipes @ 5,360 count
118 -- 8oz. and 32 oz. Ready to use Formula
7 -- large containers of powdered formula
5 -- bottles of baby lotion
13 -- bottles baby wash/shampoo
1 -- bottle baby powder
6 -- plastic bottles
1 -- 3 count pkg of pacifiers
1 -- set of 3 baby bath towels
1 - set of 6 baby washcloths
4 -- full-size toothpaste tubes
3 -- tubes of Orajel training toothpaste
12 -- children's toothbrushes
2 -- children's toothpaste/brush travel sets
1 -- pkg of 15 full-size bars of soap
| | Members of the Contemplative Living group made loading up the cars quick and easy! | | Our House Executive Director Tyese Lawyer with Laura and Martha | |
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Lunch for COTCG
On Sunday, January 11, 15 of us gathered early that morning to prepare 80 sack lunches for members of Church of the Common Ground. And 5 members of the youth group met to write notes and prayers to include in the lunch bags. We then gathered in Woodruff Park on a cold and blustery afternoon to worship and serve lunch to the unsheltered members of the COTCG. It was a wonderful experience for the 26 of us who attended! 7 youth group members and 19 adults, including our rector, Chad. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated! It was a truly special outreach experience for everyone. Thank you!
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¡Muchísimas Gracias a Todos!
Many thanks to everyone who bought or contributed money to buy gas cards for the families who go to Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia to visit their detained loved ones. On Saturday January 3, five of us from St. Bede's visited El Refugio and Stewart Detention Center, and we handed over 46 $25.00 gas cards. Our host was overjoyed to get the gas cards to give to the families that visit. When the wife of a detainee asked us "Who provides this house, this food, the gas cards, everything?" She was amazed to hear that it was the work of many folks who volunteer time and give money.
Consider yourselves all to be valuable volunteers in this powerful ministry! Many thanks!
Claudia
| | 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. | | |
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 who goes into the water,
You truly are in it together with us.
You lead with humility and kindness, and your love declares justice and life for all.
Teach us to lead and love like you.
Amen.
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Invitation to Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer shawls are used to provide comfort, acknowledge joy or appreciation, say goodbye, or any other reason to share God’s love. They may be used in prayer, and the act of making them is prayer. Making them with friends is church.
Currently, a prayer shawl group meets one morning and one evening a month. You are invited to attend one or both meetings.
Monthly Prayer Shawl Meeting Times and Locations
First Monday Prayer Shawl Meeting: 10 -11:30 am in room M108.
Email Junior Abraham at jrabraham1953@gmail.com with questions.
Fourth Thursday Prayer Shawl Meeting: 6:30-8 pm in off site locations.
Email Cheryl and Fred Murphy at murphyfbfm@gmail.com with questions.
Note that you can participate at home on your own as well.
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Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study
Join with others for a study of The Wisdom of Solomon.
All are welcome.
6 – 8 pm
on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month
in the Commons Hallway Classroom
(across from the Julian of Norwich Center)
6:00 light supper
6:30 Bible Study
Contact Fred Murphy for more information.
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Mostly Mysteries
Book Discussion Group
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Next meeting in person:
Monday, January 26
at 1 pm in Room M108
Our January book selection
is
Hollow Girl
by Alan Jackson
You're invited to join members and friends of St. Bede's to discuss favorite mysteries and thrillers.
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New Digital Assisted Listening System
for St. Bede's Nave
Thanks to a a generous grant, we have upgraded our Nave sound system with a new digital assisted listening server. This digital server will stream the Nave audio directly to your smartphone and, from there, it can be delivered through wired headphones, Bluetooth devices, or, if you have smart phone enabled hearing aids, the audio can be streamed directly into the hearing aids. Our hope is that this system can improve speech intelligibility for any who have a difficult time hearing or understanding the spoken word in the Nave.
The FIRST STEP to use the new system is download the "ListenWIFI" app onto your smartphone by clicking on one of the links below. The app is free and does not require any type of registration or password (thank goodness!). The app will not work until you are at St. Bede's and connected to our Wi-Fi network.
The SECOND STEP is to arrive at St. Bede's and connect to the new "St. Bede's - Guest" Wi-Fi network which is an open network that requires no password (thank goodness, again!). The system will not work if you connect to the old "stbedes" password protected network.
Please let us know if you need help connecting!
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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:
Miriam Needham
Neva Corbin
Claiborne Jones
Prayer has been requested on a more long-term basis for:
Jim Helms
Margie Klein
Michele Heller
Lynn Williams
Jim Handsfield
Barbie Olsen
Dixie Snider
David Boyd
Debhani Hernandez
Al and Regina Studwell
Sarah Jane and Jim Ohl
Mary Rodriguez
Helen Abraham
Cameron Maddox
Aree Bancroft
Nancy Waring
Frances Bowen
Ann Foote
Sue Ellen Lampros
Prayer has also been requested for these in our wider community:
George Lenaeus, father of Julie Mizell
Terri Gunter, sister-in-law of Doris and Jim Bushart
Zoe Bushart, granddaughter of Doris and Jim Bushart
Kelly Weaver, daughter-in-law of Sarah Jane and Jim Ohl
Connie Clements Corsello and family, friends of Larry Bing
James Smythe, great nephew of Molly Graves
Larry Sullivan, friend of Joan Greer
John Borden, friend of Joan Greer
Kayt Hoch, daughter-in-law of Martha and David West
Reagan Koski, friend of Beth Cannon
Bill Edgar, father of Beth Cannon
Carol Guthrie, sister of Ann Foote
Andy Matia, friend of Ann Foote
Mary Robert, sister of Martha Robert
Wright Coleman, son of Jennie Couture
Fay Key, friend of the St. Bede's community
Eleanor Pearlman, granddaughter of Gwen Heaton
Anne Jones, sister of Claiborne Jones
We pray for those who have died:
Bill Bailey, husband of Neva Corbin
Jeane Carroll Custin, aunt of Lynnsay Buehler
We give thanks for those serving our country in the military:
Josh Bowers
Jonathan
We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week
1/16 Dixie Snider
1/16 Gwen Heaton
1/17 Katie Seif
1/18 John Branan
1/20 Carlin Lutz
1/23 Jay Doolittle
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From around the Diocese
and the wider Church...
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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
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Save the Dates for
Spring Sessions at Camp Mikell
February 27 - 29, 2026 Allan Folk School
April 7-9, 2026 Mindfulness at Mikell
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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
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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
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