The

Gregorian

Chant

Hello Beloveds, 

While the happenings of the wider Episcopal Church may not be felt in our individual day-to-day lives, those happenings very much affect our corporate identity as the body of Christ in the Diocese of Atlanta and in this part of the Beloved Community known as St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church. And just like we maintain awareness of and participate in our local, state, and national governments, we do the same at church. 

Your delegate for Diocese of Atlanta Annual Council this year are Maggie Reinberger and Matt Rodgers. This 1 and 1/2 day meeting of representatives from every Episcopal church in the diocese happens early next month at the cathedral, with a legislative session, activities for youth, and opportunity for hands-on collective mission. See resolutions and nominations here, then share any opinions you have with Matt and Maggie as your representatives. 

Also, I know some of you may already be aware of the changes happening at the national level in the Episcopal Church, and if that’s the case for you, feel free to skip to the next notice in this issue of the Chant. For the rest of us, here is an article that may help in understanding the current and coming adjustments to make the wider church more nimble in service and mission now and more sustainable for the future. 

Blessings and joy, 

Nikki

P.S. It’s election time in our civic government as well, so please exercise your right to vote. True Beloved Community requires our voice, and whatever God leads each of us to say and support by voting, go and do that. Jesus leads us in a faith that is NOT partisan, but it’s always, ALWAYS political. 

BARNETT SHOALS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2026 CLOTHING DRIVE

** FINAL WEEK **

It’s time again for the annual parish-wide drive, sponsored by your Outreach Committee, to help our neighbor, Barnett Shoals Elementary School, provide students with items they need to attend and succeed in school. Because you have done such an amazing job in previous years of outfitting Clothes Closets for these student, their list of requests is a little different this year. Please note that the school DOES NOT NEED: shirts of any type, pajamas, socks, sweaters or jackets or any clothing not suitable for school.

PRIORITY ITEM: SHORTS/ PANTS- All sizes, but especially youth sizes 4-12/14. Easy-wear items, such as elastic waist shorts, leggings, and athletic pants for boys and girls are desperately needed!

OTHER NEEDS: UNDERWEAR - Boys and Girls sizes 4-16 (XS-XL). Sports bras or tank tops with built-in support, in a variety of sizes, are also needed.

Like-new closed-toe athletic SHOES between the sizes of little kids’ 9-12.

Unopened, full-size (not Travel-size) TOILETRY ITEMS, such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo (especially for curls and coils), etc.

Extra, unused, disposable DIAPERS & PULL-UPS for children. Does not have to be a full, unopened package. Extras are welcome.

ALARM CLOCKS - Basic, electric with backup battery. Available at Walmart (for example) for approximately $12. The school gets many requests for these to help students get to school on time.

Donations will be collected from October 4 through November 1 in the boxes located in the lobby of the Parrish Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Gail Eilers. Thank you, in advance, for your support and amazing generosity.

Looking for new Parish Life and Ceilidh leadership 

Dear fellow Gregorians,

Since Jeff took on the role of Youth Minister this summer, our family's calendar has been lovingly filled through year's end and beyond with Youth Sunday School, EYC, Confirmation, and Blindspot activities, on top of both of our demanding full-time jobs. With that in mind, I am stepping down from my roles as head of the Parish Life Committee and facilitator of the Ceilidh service so that our family can find a sustainable rhythm with our full presence for the community and each other.

It's been a joy to serve our community in these roles, and we are so thankful for these two ministries and the people that support them. We're now looking for someone to take on each of these roles:

    •    Head of the Parish Life Committee (perhaps 2 co-chairs)

    •    Leader of Ceilidh Service

Please note that the Ceilidh service will be on hiatus until a new facilitator is found and will not happen in October.

If you're interested in either role, or just want to learn more about what they involve, please reach out to me at lillianbh@gmail.com.

With love and gratitude,

Lillian Ballance ☮️

This past weekend at Camp Mikell, three of our youth and three adults attended Happening, our diocesan retreat run for and by high school students. We came home so tired, so grateful, and so mightily assured of God's great love for us and for the love we have for each other. Thank you to the youth, parents, volunteers, and our beloved siblings across the diocese who make these beautiful weekends happen.



If you missed out, fear not! New Beginnings, our middle school retreat run by high school students (with adults there to love and support them, keep everyone safe, and keep things on the rails😉), is only a few weeks away, November 13-15. Our group is already 10 strong, and there’s room for you, middle school students! Let me know if you’d like to join us at Camp Mikell!

- Jeff 💟

St Greg's Youth (6th-12th Grades) have the following activities planned:



• Friday, October 30 - Halloween Movie Night - 7pm-9ishpm - after the Halloweenie Roast
• Sunday, November 1 - Youth Sunday School - 12:00pm-1:30pm, lunch provided 📙 "Who are the Saints?"
• Sunday, November 8 - Youth Sunday School - 12:00pm-1:30pm, lunch provided 📚 "I was a stranger, and you welcomed Me"
• Saturday, November 21 - Meal Prep for El Refugio - see details in upcoming email

Our email list gets specific details about our events and an expanded calendar, please reach out if you are interested in being added.

Please reach out to Jeff Ballance (stgregathensyouth@gmail.com - 478.278.3628) for more details/questions and to be added to our email list.

The sign-up links for Oct - Dec for acolytes, readers, and EMs are below!

Adult Sunday School

Adult Discussion Group: (Parish Hall)  The Adult Discussion Group will not meet until the first Sunday of Advent when we will begin our year-long read through the Bible using the Walking with the Word program (https://walkingwiththewordga.org/).

Lectionary Class: (Office #1) This class has been suspended until further notice. 

Spiritual Self Discovery (Library) This discussion group focuses on lived experiences, exploration of faith, and theological fundamentals. The class aims to offer an accessible space for both new and longtime members that are seeking a space to explore personal faith and the stories and practices of others. Grab a warm beverage and a snack, get comfortable, share your story, and learn from someone else's. We will meet in the library.

sharing 

this time of year

we do give back

as god intends

for those who lack

some clothes for school

some food to eat

for those we may

not know or meet

but need our help

to better live

from all who can

a portion give

to share from what

is meant for all

by those who choose

to heed faith’s call

alice mohor

Instructions for Live Streaming

• Just go to the St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church YouTube Homepage

• Near the time for service, underneath our channel logo, you will see our video for that day, with the word ‘live’ on it. The page will look like this:

• If you don’t immediately see the video that says ‘live’, (for instance, if you opened YouTube before the service begins) keep refreshing it.  

• When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it. 

Welcome to worship!