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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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Sunday, November 30, 2025
The First Sunday of Advent
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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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Sunday, November 30
Intergenerational Formation
Advent Stations
In the Commons
Between the services
11:15-ish am to 1:30 pm
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Advent Wreath Making
· everything you need to make your household's own beautiful wreath!
· wreath mold, candles and candle holders, greens, and other decorations
· booklet with meaningful prayers and scriptures for at-home candle lighting and worship
· suggested donation (as you are able) for full set of supplies: $15
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Christmas Cards for Detainees
at Stewart Detention Center
One thing we have learned in the years that we have visited detainees at Stewart is that a letter or card means so much to people who have very little excitement or contact with the outside world. A Christmas card received means more than the "Merry Christmas" greetings. It shows that we care about them.
This Sunday before and after the 10:00 service, we will be signing Christmas cards for detainees. The cards, pens, colored pencils will be there. All you need to do is write a brief message of caring and support. There will be examples of messages you can send in English and in Spanish.
Many thanks!!
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Young Adult Fellowship
(20's - 30's)
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Join us for
Cocoa and Crafts
Saturday, December 13
2:30 - 4:30
In Room M110
We'll be making all sorts of Advent and Christmas crafts, enjoying hot chocolate and cookies, and watching a holiday movie!
Please RSVP to Laura by December 9 so we are sure to have enough craft supplies.
lpittman@stbedes.org or on GroupMe
We hope to see you there!
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Calling All Youth
Grades 6-12
Our Group from the
New Beginnings
Diocesan Middle School Retreat
November 14 - 16
Camp Mikell
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Check out the bulletin board near the Mission Wing
for more photos of our amazing retreat at Camp Mikell!
Our Youth Group
also filled 25
Emmaus House Thanksgiving Bags!
(both locally and on their way home from Camp Mikell)
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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.
The prayer vigil will be on hiatus for the Thanksgiving holiday this Sunday, November 30.
Contact Becca Love at rachelrebeccalove@gmail.com with any questions.
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Your 2026
Giving from the Heart
Pledge Packets
have been mailed.
As of Tuesday, November 25,
we have received 15 pledges
totaling $85,000.
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.
Please prayerfully consider
your response to all that
God has shared with you.
Pledge Ingathering Sunday will be December 7.
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Our Own Beth Cannon
Receives the Bishop's Cross
at Annual Council
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The Bishop's Cross is an award given annually to faithful Episcopalians in each of the Diocese of Atlanta's eleven convocations whose life and ministry embody the Diocesan Purpose Statement - "We challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus as we worship joyfully, serve compassionately, and grow spiritually!" Beth has served in Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Atlanta for thirty years.
The citation that accompanied Beth's award read as follows:
Beth Cannon has served as a Youth Director in the Diocese of Atlanta for thirty years – first, for almost a decade, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Atlanta and, for the past twenty-one years, at St. Bede’s. Beth is also a teacher of special needs children in City Schools of Decatur. Beth’s passion for and commitment to young people is evident in the number of J2A Pilgrimages that she has led, the number of spaghetti and pancake suppers she has planned, the number of church floors upon which she has slept, and the number of lives she has enriched and transformed by sharing the love and grace of God through her ministry. Beth has a particular gift in her ministry for walking alongside youth through issues of family transitions, mental and physical health issues, gender and sexual identity discovery, and all of the other challenges of growing into the fullness of who God is dreaming for them to be. At St. Bede’s, we lovingly say that Beth has been doing Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Atlanta since Jesus was in the Youth Group. We celebrate and give thanks to God for all of Beth’s gifts and wish her blessings as she continues serving God through her ministry to youth and families.
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New Exhibition Open
The new exhibition in our Art from the Heart Gallery opened on Saturday, November 22 featuring artists from the St. Bede's community, Episcopalians from around metro Atlanta, and friends of St. Bede's in the wider community.
Many attended a wonderful opening reception and we hope you will enjoy the new exhibition and invite friends to come and experience it as well.
Thank you to all who made this exhibition
and opening reception a huge success!
| | ...more photos coming next week. | |
Please join us for any or all
of the following
special worship offerings
for Advent and Christmas:
Sunday, November 30
Advent Wreath Making
Commons Area
Between the services
Thursday, December 11 at 7 pm
A Festive Bilingual Celebration
of Our Lady of Guadalupe
featuring Choir, Mariachis, and Dancers.
Sunday, December 21
between 10 am and 1:30 pm worship
The Celebration of Las Posadas
(Bilingual)
and Decorating of
the Parish Christmas Tree
Las Posadas commemorates the arrival
of the Holy Family in Bethlehem
as they seek to find room in the inn.
("Las Posadas" means "The Inns".)
Join in the pageant of the arrival of the Holy Family
and remain for refreshments
as we decorate the Parish Christmas Tree
in the Commons.
Wednesday, December 24 at 4 pm
Christmas Eve Worship
(in English)
with Pageant, Carols, & Festive Music
Wednesday, December 24 at 10 pm
Christmas Eve Worship
(in English)
with Carols & Choir
Sunday, December 28 at 10 am
A Festival of
Christmas Lessons & Carols
(in English)
You can also join the livestream
each of these worship offerings
on our YouTube channel.
Christmas Flower and Music Dedication Envelopes
will be arriving on Sunday, November 30
- The First Sunday of Advent -
in the Commons.
In the meantime, you can always email your Christmas Flower and Music Dedications to our Parish Administrator, Laura Pittman (lpittman@stbedes.org) and you also may make payments for Christmas Flowers and Music Dedications through Realm (choose flowers or music from the fund drop-down menu).
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Ordination of Alyssa Sali
The Parish is invited to the
Cathedral of St. Philip
on Saturday, December 13 at 2 pm
for the ordination of our own
Alyssa Sali
as a Deacon
(on the path to being ordained a Priest)
in Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church
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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, Molly Graves, and Miriam Needham
Please contact Muriel Diguette at digfam@att.net
if you are interested in joining.
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Do Not Be Afraid:
Practicing Hope
in a Fearful World
An Advent Quiet Day
Praying with scripture,
poetry, the labyrinth
and with a visual expression
Saturday, December 6, 2025
10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Guided by
The Rev’d Susan Lupo
Spiritual Director at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church,
Associate of Green Bough House of Prayer,
Deacon in the United Methodist Church
and
The Rev’d Lynnsay A. Buehler
Director of The Julian of Norwich Center
$50.00 per person
*Lunch and supplies provided
The Julian of Norwich Center
St. Bede’s Episcopal Church
2601 Henderson Mill Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
To register, please call Lynnsay at 770-938-9797 x27
Or email lbuehler@stbedes.org
Or add your name to the sign up sheet
on the round table in the Commons of St. Bede’s
*Please let Lynnsay know if you have special dietary needs
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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
November 30 - December 28
Gas Card Collection for El Refugio
Please place $25 gas cards in the box in the Commons. You may also contribute cash in lieu of a card.
December 7 - January 4
Collection for Baby Jesus Baskets to benefit Our House,
a nonprofit supporting unsheltered families and their children
December 1 - 18
Advent on Ice
January 3
Trip to El Refugio
January 11
9:00 am Prepare lunches for COTCG in Parish Hall
12:30 Carpool to Woodruff Park to serve the lunches
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
Have Questions?
Contact Anita Montelione (ammontel12@gmail.com)
or Karen Werner (wernerksw@comcast.net)
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Advent on Ice: A Silent Witness for Immigrant Justice
In this Advent season, faithful folks will stand together at the gates of ICE to offer prayers and a witness to love and compassion. Any are invited to join us as we will stand quietly, yet our presence shouts: there is another way. A way of God's justice, of God's mercy, of God's relentless love for the oppressed.
Each week of Advent, while volunteers continue to bring a presence of hospitality to vulnerable immigrant neighbors waiting outside the gates of ICE, Casa Alterna invites other volunteers to hold signs bearing a Scripture verse and a question for reflection. Our hope is that this small, silent witness will serve as a call - to those working at ICE and to all of us - to care for the poor and oppressed, to show love for the whole human family and to be beacons of God's vision of peace and justice.
If you are interested in volunteering for a shift, click on the link below to sign up for a volunteer slot.
If you have any questions, please contact Karen Werner at wernerksw@comcast.net
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Bar Soap for NETWorks!
We are beginning a new and ongoing outreach ministry. Rita Channell, a parishioner and faithful volunteer at Networks Cooperative Ministry, has noticed that many clients who shop at the food pantry often look for bar soap, but there is rarely any donated. To assist with this need, we now have a permanent basket located near the kitchen and labelled "Bar Soap and Toiletries". We kindly ask for donations of bar soap which Rita will collect weekly and donate to the food pantry.
Another wonderful opportunity to care for our neighbors! Thank you for your support!
Questions? Please contact Rita Channell ritachannell@yahoo.com
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Thank you, St. Bede's
You did it, gracious and giving friends! We collected 210 "Thanksgiving at Home" bags for Emmaus House! Thank you for loving like Jesus and responding to the needs of our neighbors. In addition to the bags of food, we also donated $900 to Emmaus House to help them buy collards and yams. All of this is from you!
And many thanks to the volunteers who showed up early Tuesday morning to load the bags onto the truck. What an incredible community of giving people! Thank you from my heart for your generosity.
Karen Werner
Co-chair, Outreach Committee
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To the congregation of St. Bedes:
As this year comes to an end, I would like all of us to be aware that we have assisted 3 communities through Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) in their recovery process. This past fall, the country of Jamaica was devastated from the havoc caused by Hurricane Melissa. The state of Alaska is still digging out from Typhoon Halong that caused landslides and flooding in addition to the tsunami that hit the western part of the state. Halfway around the world, Sudan is suffering from a humanitarian crisis that is still continuing to leave people without homes and having to bury their loved ones with no end in sight.
This Thanksgiving we need to be thankful that in our small way we can assist those less fortunate and remember them in our prayers.
Anita Montelione, Co-Chair of Outreach Committee
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Join Us in Making a Difference
At Emmaus House, we believe transformation happens through connection. Our volunteer opportunities aren't just about giving back—they're about building real relationships where everyone grows together.
When you volunteer with us, you're not just filling a role. You're walking alongside our community members, sharing stories, and discovering that the impact flows both ways. Every interaction has the power to change lives—including your own.
Ready to get involved? We're currently seeking:
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Box Truck Drivers – Help us transport hope across the city
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Passenger Van Drivers – Be the connection between our community and opportunity
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Food Pantry Associates – Turn compassion into action, one family at a time
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Guest Services – Create the warm welcome that makes all the difference
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Reading or Math Tutors – Unlock potential and watch confidence soar
Whether you have a few hours a week or a specialized skill to share, there's a place for you here. Come discover what it means to truly walk together.
For more information contact: David-Lee Mattison at
david-leemattison@emmaushouse.org.
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Are you aware of the Welcome Co-op?
Here's a place to consider if you are looking for ways to support refugees though volunteer work or cash or in-kind donations. They have a large truck to pick up accepted furniture items.
The Welcome Co-op is Georgia’s trusted advocate for new refugees, helping to secure housing and ensure a smooth and seamless transition for our state’s newest and ever-resilient residents.
As a collaborative effort between four-storied institutions — New American Pathways, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Atlanta, Catholic Charities Atlanta, and Inspiritus — the Welcome Co-op marshals the collective resources of each organization to make an impact even greater than the sum of its parts.
Together, we create partnerships with apartment complexes and affordable housing arrangements across the state. We welcome refugees from the moment they set foot on American soil and transition them to their new homes. And we operate a donation-driven thrift store, the Shop of Hope, that provides quality clothing and shoes to refugees at no cost.
| | 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 of hope,
You are changing the world with compassion and imagination,
springing up love and new life all around.
Teach us to wait with wonder by planting seeds of kindness
and noticing signs of your presence growing among us.
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
We will not meet in December.
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:
Suzanne Shapiro
Jim Helms
Raz Schreiber
Prayer has been requested on a more long-term basis for:
Helen Loeb
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:
Anne Parker, sister of Robin Schreiber
John Porter, former rector and friend of St. Bede's
Rufus Williamson, father of Kay Entrekin
Bill and Nancy Love, parents of Becca Love
James Smythe, great-nephew of Molly Graves
Elizabeth McCollam, daughter of Jennie and Richard Couture
Larry Sullivan, friend of Joan Greer
Kayt Hoch, daughter-in-law of Martha and David West
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:
France Cook, uncle of Chad Vaughn
We give thanks for those serving our country in the military:
Josh Bowers
Jonathan
We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week:
11/29 Nancy Waring
12/1 Claudia Fedarko
12/3 Emma Seif
12/3 Tyler Busch
12/6 Regina Studwell
12/6 Krista Greer
We rejoice with the birth of
Nicholas Lazarus Alexandrou
son of Elizabeth (Mizell) & Alex Alexandrou
(grandson of Will & Julie Mizell)
The greenery on the altar for Sunday, November 30 will be given
to the glory of God and in celebration of
Tom and Loretta Vail’s 50th wedding anniversary
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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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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
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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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