Sunday, February 12th

Sixth Sunday after

the Epiphany

Please print your bulletin at home or have your mobile device handy to pull it up.

RECTOR'S LETTER

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Dear Saints

To you, the faithful members, friends, and supporters of Saint Michael and All Angels (SMAA): Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As I reflect on the year 2022, I can clearly see the presence of God at SMAA in many moments of celebration, faithfulness, and good stewardship. A ministry in the form of Community of Hope International was born, which produced new pastoral care ministers. We were blessed to see members among us rise to the call of ordained ministry. We welcomed a Deacon, Postulant and Seminarian to our program staff. SMAA fed over two thousand individuals both locally and internationally through the Community Outreach Committee’s food distribution initiative. We endured in our weekly bible study program and revitalized our Youth Christian Formation activities. The infrastructural damage suffered at the end of December due to freezing temperatures notwithstanding, we painted walls, tiled floors, and welcomed community groups back into our building. God showed up in many ways to remind us that with open and willing hearts, we can identify and execute God’s Will through programs that matter to the church and community.

The Good News is that you, the members of SMAA, listened to God’s call and responded. You did so with a spirit of resilience and determination. I continue to be grateful to have so many willing partners in God’s ministry. When I consider your faithfulness, the image of the woman at Jacob’s well comes to mind (John 4). What is most prominent to me in this story is the visual of the woman walking towards the well with an empty bucket. She is probably weary, thirsty, and in need of a reprieve. Perhaps she was close to giving up or maybe she considered asking someone else to fetch water. Ultimately, she sacrifices her last effort to journey to the well to fetch water not only for herself, but most likely her family and possibly others in her community. I see and recognize your willingness, SMAA, to sacrifice your time and effort to attend church on Sundays, serve at the altar, be active on committees, and share the love of Christ in the community. Although tired, sometimes discouraged, but never faithless, you find the energy to fetch one more bucket of water.

Indeed, the Congregational Assessment Tool’s (CAT) survey findings indicated a high level of satisfaction with where and who we are as part of the body of Christ. Yet, while I am elated with the results, I am mostly curious. I am curious about what drives the purpose, energy and spirituality within the congregation. Specifically, why is being a member of SMAA important to you? What area of SMAA’s ministry excites you the most? How do you see yourself participating in that area of our ministry?

Throughout this year, I will be focusing keenly on the answer to these questions. In this regard, it is my plan to visit with all groups and committees at their regularly scheduled meetings to listen and discern with them on these topics. Similarly, my invitation to you is to ponder the following questions in relation to each ministry activity:

1.     How does the proposed activity permit us “to participate, learn, and serve in our neighboring communities”?

2.     How can we “invite neighbors into our church family in our commitment to seek and serve Christ in all persons”?

3.     Are we offering Christian hospitality to our neighbors at ministry events and on Sunday mornings in ways that reflect the Love of God?

In closing, I offer you Paul’s prayer to the faithful at the church in Ephesus recorded in 1 Ephesians 1:15-23:

"I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.  I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

One Love

Fr Winston

The Rev. Richard Winston Arthur

Rector

Want to learn more about who might be on the vestry in the coming cycle? Read the candidates' bios here:

The church office asks for patience in this time as there may be delays in communication and other office-related functions.

We thank you for your understanding.

On Sunday, February 5, 2023, the Reverend Salmoon Bashir, deacon, returned and preached at St. Michael's for the first time since his ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons. After providing a wonderfully personal and real interpretation of a well-known gospel, St. Michael's treated Dn. Salmoon to a congratulatory reception to commemorate continued growth in his spiritual journey and the Episcopal Church.

Long-time parishioner Janis Afotey has taken another step to deepen her spiritual journey! We congratulate her as she has become a Provisional in the Society of Saint Anna the Prophet and officially entered into a year of discernment.

Training for altar servers and acolytes at St. Michael's continues on February 11 from 10:00 to noon. In this third session in the series, Sacred Vessels and Objects, Father winston will help identify and give significance to sacred vessels and objects found on the Altar and used during worship, especially during Holy Eucharist.

Head acolyte Arlington Success invites all altar servers and acolytes to attend. He asks all to bring materials to take notes on the session.

Refreshments will be served after training.

SMAA EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN MEETING

FEBRUARY 19

BIBLE STUDY FOR THE LENT SEASON

Please join us for our Lent season Bible study group! Linked below are the zoom link as well as where you can purchase the study guide!

https://www.amazon.com/John-1-12-Living-LifeGuide-Studies/dp/0830831215/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IY628CMNMUT&keywords=john+1-11+douglas+connelly&qid=1675985366&sprefix=john+1-11douglas+connelly+%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83948042771?pwd=aEc5QjFBU0UvK3hTMHFwMFNLS1ViZz09

Meeting ID: 839 4804 2771

Passcode: 724642

One tap mobile

+13052241968,,83948042771#,,,,*724642# US

+13092053325,,83948042771#,,,,*724642# US

Last week, Father Winston recorded his first radio sermon in over a decade! Reminded of why he became a minister, Fr. Winston worked with Day 1 Online podcast to give a sermon entitled "Drinking Water Never Felt So Good," which will air on March 12 on the Day 1 website. While there, make sure to check out other inspirational material that Day 1 has to offer as well!

More announcements below in the Kids' Corner ⬇️

Flower Donations

St. Michael's is looking for more sponsors and donors to enrich the flower ministry. Flowers may be donated in dedication to someone, to commemorate a celebration, and much more.

If you are interested in donating flowers, there is an online form on the St. Michael's website, and there is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. Donations addressed to the flower guild can be placed in the offering plate (please be sure to include what you are commemorating). Donations can also be made via Realm (online), or you can leave a check in the church office.

All flower donations will be celebrated on the first Sunday of each month.



For more details, please contact the Church office at 770-469-8551.

Stone Mountain Co-op

Thank you for your donations this spring. The Co-op is currently in need of meat, fresh or frozen. You may drop donations off at the Co-op during their open hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10 am to 1 pm.

Facebook is back!

Our Facebook page is back up and running. Visit and like us at

https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelstonemountain

Youth Group

Age: 17-18

Time: 10:30-11:15 AM (during service)

Leader: Sydney Tye, seminarian

Next Sessions:

• On hiatus

Youth Confirmation Class

Age: 12-17

Time: 10:30-11:15 AM (during service)

Leader: Cheyne Collier, seminarian

Next Sessions:

• Feb. 19
• Mar. 5
• Mar. 19
• Apr. 2

Adult Enrichment

Age: 18+

Time: 9:15-10:15 AM (between services)

Leader: Caroline Carter, postulant

Next Sessions:

• Feb. 19

Father Winston is planning to start a class for adults seeking confirmation into the Episcopal Church. For those who have already been confirmed, congratulations on your commitment to the Word. If you haven't, please submit a response below.

For information about what confirmation is and why it's significant, visit Confirmation – The Episcopal Church.

Join us for Spark Sunday School!

Upstairs in Hensler Hall

10:30 to 11:30 am

For ages 5 to 11

Spark Lectionary-based Curricula

Men of Michael



Next meeting TBD



Gentlemen, the Men of Michael meet twice a month on the first and third Saturdays of the month at 9 AM. Join us for camaraderie, fellowship, Bible study, and the occasional social. We would love for you to join us; All are welcome. See you Saturday morning at 9 AM in Upper Hensler Hall or via the Zoom link below.

CLICK HERE to join.

Meeting ID: 829 6197 2363

Password: 714678

The call in number is: 1 929-205-6099

DOK

CLICK HERE to join.

Meeting ID: 924-1076-4016

Password: 564420

The call in number is: 1 929-205-6099