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Pictures for the Directory: If you did not get your picture taken for the new church directory, don’t worry. You will have other options to have you and your family’s picture included. Brenda Bittle is taking the pictures and said to feel free to ask her to take your picture at church, or, you can email pictures to St. Paul’s. We will also schedule some times in January for pictures.
Christmas Service Schedule: This year Christmas falls on a Sunday. We will have two services on Christmas Eve – a family service at 5:00 pm (without a choir) and our principal service at 10:00 pm. A reception will follow the 10:00 service. Then, on Christmas morning we will have one service at 9:00 am. The final Christmas service will be on New Year’s Day (Sunday, January 1st). Our choir will host a special service on that day – Christmas Lessons & Music, so we will again have only one service. That service will begin at 10:30 and will include some of our favorite Christmas Hymns. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated as a part of this service.
Care Team: The Care Team will meet on Sunday, December 18th, at 6:00 in the Parish Hall. We will be discussing the Church Directory, upcoming parish events, communication, Lenten Study Series, and how we care for our members. As this is a planning meeting, your attendance is needed.
Vestry Nominations: The vestry is seeking nomination for three members to serve three years terms on our vestry beginning in February. Candidates must be confirmed members and must attend regularly, and pledge. You may submit your name or the name of another member to Fr. Jim or a member of the vestry. A slate of candidates will be presented to the membership prior to our annual meeting on January 29th.
Stewardship 2023: We have received 52 pledges for a total of $204,815 compared to last year’s 66 pledges for a total of $222,877. We appreciate each and every pledge. We are still waiting on several more to come in before the vestry can plan the 2023 budget. If you haven’t turned your pledge in yet, please do so as soon as possible. There are pledge cards in the Narthex and in our office, if you need one – and you can pledge online at our website.
Community Holiday Dinner: A few years ago, the local PRIDE organization began hosting a Christmas Dinner for members of its LGBT+ community who had been rejected by their families and would be alone at Christmas. What they discovered was that there are many more people in our community who will be alone and want a place to join with others for a Christmas meal. So, they made the circle bigger and everyone is invited. On Saturday, December 17th at 6 pm, PRIDE will host its now annual holiday gathering here at St. Paul’s in our Parish Hall. You are invited to be a part of this festive occasion!
Diocesan Convention: On February 17th & 18th, the Arkansas Diocesan Convention will be held in Little Rock The delegates from St. Paul’s will also be our delegates to a special session in August for the election of our next bishop. Please let Fr. Jim or a member of the vestry know if you would like to be considered to serve as our delegates.
Bishop’s Transition Committee: Please let Fr. Jim know if you’d like to be a part the Transition Committee which will help introduce candidates to the diocese at the “Meet & Greets,” support the electing convention and oversee events during the consecration weekend. This committee with also plan a farewell for Bishop Benfield. The deadline for us to submit application to serve on the committee is December 31st. For more information, please call the office.
Episcopal Calendars: Our 2023 Calendars have arrived just in time for Christmas! You can pick up your free calendar in the Narthex or in the office.
Giving to St. Paul’s: For those attending online, there are three ways to give: you may mail your gifts to St. Paul’s at PO Box 2255, Batesville, AR. 72503, or make an online contribution by going to our website (stpaulsbatesville.org) and following the link to make a contribution. You may also set up automatic payments through your bank’s Bill Pay service.
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