From the Desk of Father Reginald Simmons, Rector

On yesterday, 5 March 2025, we began the Lenten season in the liturgical life of the Church which will culminate on 20 April 2025 with Easter. What exactly is Lent? Lent is the 40-day period from Ash Wednesday until Easter; the word derives from the Latin word Quadragesima meaning 40. In Western Christendom, it is the period in which we prepare for Easter. Additionally, Lent recalls Jesus’ 40 days spent fasting in the wilderness as he endured temptations brought on by Satan with food, power, and authority. Jesus demonstrated for us during this period of testing that we do not live by bread alone, we worship only one God, and that God should not be put to the test. The Lenten season is also a penitential one where we ask for forgiveness of our sins along with a commitment to change our ways. Each Sunday during mass we confess our sins, extend peace to one another, and partake of the Holy Eucharist in remembrance that Jesus the Christ died for the sins of all of us. Chances are we will still sin during this Lenten season, however my hope is that we will engage with God in such a transformative way that it brings us closer to God. Just as Jesus was driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit with the angels overlooking His every move, I pray that we never lose sight of the fact that no matter what wilderness period we may be experiencing in our lives during this Lenten season, that this time will be a reminder to us that we are never alone on this journey. I invite us to a Holy and Blessed Lent.

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Reginald  

Join us for Worship Services



Live streaming via Facebook and our website under the "Worship" tab. 

Bulletins for March 9th, 2025

8:15 AM (Rite I)

11:00 AM (Rite II)

The 11:00 AM Service is live-streamed, and Children's Chapel is available

Online Book of Common Prayer

Announcements

Thank you!

The staff would like to thank the Altar Guild and the Verger team for the great work they do on Sundays, on Ash Wednesday and for other special church services. They are always here on the spot and are willing to be flexible. The vergers are Corrine Hofstetter, Jo Woodard, & Kathy Bump.

The Altar Guild Team members are JoAnne Goione, Corrine Hofstetter,

Sharon Johnson, Andrea Manos, Debbie Parkinson,

Debbie Tomlin, Dorothy Uidel and Heather Wyper. 



Lent Madness 2025

Learn More About the Saints in a Tournament Style Bracket Game!

There will be a Bracket Poster in the Narthex to follow the results.

Learn More and Vote in Each Round at lentmadness.org

The Fun Begins on March 6.

Hunger Walk

Sunday, March 9th, 2025, from Noon to 4:00 PM

at the Home Depot Backyard

 Visit our Team Website to make a donation:

 http://engage.acfb.org/goto/St-Aidans

We have raised very little so far, so we would appreciate any donations to our team of walkers (there are seven of us) to support a great cause!

Lenten Book Study and Simple Lunch

Wednesdays, March 12th through April 16th, Noon t0 1:00 PM

See flyer below!

Table of Abraham 2025

Many of you may remember this from last year...

St. Aidan's is HOSTING

Table of Abraham, Ramadan Edition

on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025

From 6:30-8:30 in Burtenshaw Hall

Join us for a celebration of fasting traditions in the Abrahamic Faiths and enjoy a meal provided by the Atlantic Institute. Featured speakers include:

The Rev. Josh Hilton of St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church,

Kemal Korucu of the Istanbul Cultural Center, and

Rabbi Lauren Henderson of the Congregation of Hadas.

St. Aidan's can include 35 people in the event, so please call Anita Hilbun at (770) 521-0207 or email her at office@staidans.org to reserve your spot!

This event was excellent last year and will be again

this year!

Save the Date for the 2nd annual St. Aidan's Yard Sale!

Saturday, May 3rd, 2025

First pickup is Saturday, April 19th. Donations accepted starting

Monday, April 21st!

Sorry, but we don't have the storage space to collect items earlier!

Save the Date for VBS:

VBS is the week of June 16th-20th, 9:00 AM to noon each day. 

More information to follow!

Outreach

Backpacks of Love

Next big food drive is this Sunday, March 9th!

 Food items we DO NOT need at this time: canned veggies, canned soup and canned chili. We need all other items on our list. We also really need financial donations which you can make by writing a check and designating "Backpacks" in the memo section, and on Realm you can also donate directly to us! Thank you!!

Backpacks of Love Team

What we need at this time:

Protein: canned tuna, chicken and Vienna sausage,

16oz plastic jars of peanut butter, Mac and Cheese cups, Ramen bricks

Fruit: canned mandarin oranges, fruit cocktail, peaches

(CANS only please, the small plastic containers leak)

Snacks: single serve cereal boxes, pop tarts,

individual packets of crackers and individual juice or

shelf stable milk.

Meddlings & Pedalings

Reasons to join the St. Aidan’s Handbell Choir

 Dear Friends,

Why you should consider joining the new Handbells Choir at St. Aidan's:

1.    SERVICE: Playing bells allows us to express our gratitude to the Lord and the Church through active participation in worship. Next time we play, see if you can hear the mysterious way the bell tones find resonance amidst the Sanctuary stone. We hope our music will inspire your hearts!

2.  FELLOWSHIP: The bell choir is a family! We delight in our time together coming to know each other’s interesting life experiences, sharing a space in our week to learn, laugh and relax together. We are co-creators in community, so we show up for each other. We depend on and trust each other.

3.  CHRISTIAN PRACTICE: Playing bells is oh so human. Being in a bell choir invites humility and humor. We practice being patient with each other and ourselves. We try to “loosen our grip” on the bells, so to speak. We laugh at our mistakes. And we thrill when we find unity, even if only for a measure, to make a joyful sound.

4.  HEALTH & WELLNESS: Did you know playing handbells is good for the brain? Cognitive functions like attention and memory are kicked into gear, plus the physical act of left-right crossing keeps us neurologically young! Additionally, playing bells is the perfect antidote to the modern age: it asks us to resist distraction, to use our hands, heads, and hearts, and to work together instead of alone.

5.   LEARNING: Our group includes seasoned ringers and beginners, but we’re all learners. Every new piece brings opportunities for discovery: a challenging passage, a fancy technique, a chance to listen for the melody amidst so many other sounds. We learn together under Dr. Norma’s enthusiastic direction, and we encourage each other as we grow.

6.  JOY! : Did you know playing handbells is fun? There’s something to be said for ringing with vigor and making a joyous sound! Ringing simultaneously is the result of our commitment to each other and our camaraderie.

No experience? No problem! If you can COUNT, you’re halfway there!

It’s great if you know how to read music (or once upon a time knew how) but is not required.

Join us for the first meeting-Tuesday, March 11^th at 7:00 PM

in the church!



  Most sincerely, your Choir Director and friend,

Charles Higgs

404-563-9270

Regular Opportunities to Engage

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century

Sundays, 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., starting March 9

Book available at https://a.co/d/4uUbTBd

CANCELLED FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 9th, 2025.

Children’s Chapel during our 11:00 AM service

Children will join the Congregation during The Peace.

Choristers' Rehearsals!

Choristers' rehearsals are on Sunday mornings from

9:45 AM to 10:30 AM.

Children meet in Burtenshaw Hall and proceed to a

classroom for rehearsals!

Choristers is open to children in grades 2-6.

For more information, contact Charles at music@staidans.org.

A Study of the Lectionary

Tuesdays, 9:45 AM to 11:00 AM

Burtenshaw Library

Prayer Shawl

Tuesdays at 11:00 AM in the Parish Hall lobby

Confession and Spiritual Direction with Father Reggie

Wednesdays, 4 PM to 6 PM

Bible Study: Romans

Wednesdays at 6 PM (Burtenshaw Hall Library)

We pray blessings on the following people who have birthdays this week:

Rick Taylor, Curtis Mills, John Kelleher, Rich Shack,

Eric Schmidt, and Ian Mixon

We pray blessings on the following people who have anniversaries this week:

Foster and Wanda FitzHugh and Milbrey and Cory Colbert

If we missed your birthday or anniversary, this is a good reminder to add that information to Realm.

St. Aidan’s Prayer Warriors pray for all listed below as part of their commitment to service and prayer. Names listed under prayer concerns appear for six weeks. Long Term Concerns, Healthcare Workers and First Responders continually appear.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING UPDATES TO nbabcock0419@gmail.com.

PRAYER CONCERNS:

Pamela Lopez and her sister Lynnette Clayton

Don and Marty McPherson, the McPherson Family and Friends

Rachell, niece and Ellie Miller, grand-niece of Melanie Hembree

Corrine Hoffstetter

Catherine Womble, granddaughter of Suzy and Jess Heald

Mibs Zelley, Laura Van Riper, and the beloved family of Father Walt Zelley

Silas Thompson, father of Tanya Cassidy

Sabrina Woods 12 year old daughter, friend of Laurie Cronley

Griffin & Olivia Basile, and Beth Wease, Mother of Olivia, son & daughter-in-law of Susan Basile

Gloria Szokoly

Keith Richards

Geraldine Thompson, mother of Tanya Cassidy

Todd Thompson, brother of Tanya Cassidy

Joe Rich

Emil Hoffman

Vicki Freeman, wife of David

Robin Sage, aunt of Connie Heefner

Norma Duncan, friend of Sandy Thomas

Michelle Lindsay, stepmother of Buddy Bledsoe

LONG TERM CONCERNS:

Lynn Isenberg, friend of Keith & Maureen Richards

Rosa and George Allen, friends of Dee and Curtis Mills

Farrington Family, friends of Janice Howard

Jack Lukianchuk, grandson of Jennifer and Emil Hoffman

Katie Weatherhog, niece of choir member, Pat Steffen

Reid Parkinson, husband of Debbie

Rene’ V. friend of Lynnette Clayton

Mark Quattropani, friend of John Foley

Beau Murphey, friend of Kristin Eastabrooks

Gary Pecorella, brother-in-law of Keith Richards

Carol Middleton, friend of Kristin Eastabrooks

Alicia Oberholzer, friend of Susan Basile

Sean Haven, Claudia Haven

Nicholas Haven, Claudia Haven

Jane Winn, friend of Connie Heefner

Tish and Bill Chambers, sister of Carol Phillips

Evelyn Goodendorf

Andy Jewell, friend of Tom Reynolds

Noah Pope, son of Leyna and Ryan Pope

Jeff Heal, friend of Charles

Andrew Lippman, friend of Tom Reynolds

Michael & Noreen Miracle, friend of Corrine Hoffstetter

Joy Cox, friend of Marty McPherson

Shelia Crochet, friend of Janice & Celeste

Jason Parker, Kathy Bump’s son-in-law

Linda Slocum, friend of Pat Bull

Joan Cowart

Amber Nance, niece of Phyllis Arshun

MaryDana Goldstein, friend of Gail Hurley

Scott Yapp and wife Patti, friend of Hazel

Gail Zelley, Sister-in-law of Laura Van Riper

Peggy McPherson

Debbie and George Kulick, friends of Marty McPherson

Camille Johnson

Jeff Smith, friend of Keith Richards

Candace Porche, wife of Celeste Gravois nephew

Jane Adams

Cozy and Mark Ledford

St. Aidan’s Church Family

FOR OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS:

Laura Wakefield, AGACNP, Emory Neuro ICU, daughter of Anne Monroe; Mikayla Van Riper, Ultrasound Tech N’Side, daughter-in-law of Laura Van Riper; Hannah Collins, RN & Case Worker at Children’s Healthcare, daughter of Anita Hilbun; Evelyn Tran, EMT Grady Hospital; Dr. Kasey Shapp-Reilly, OBGYN, Susan and Jay Reilly’s daughter-in-law; Anne Dickson, RN-N’Side ER, daughter of Evelyn Goodendorf; Will Hembree, EMT at Grady EMS, son of Wade and Melanie; Dr. Heidi Moore; Dr. Greg Melnikoff; Emma Campbell, RN at Northside-Gwinnett, Trauma Unit, and Grace Campbell, RN NICU at Children’s Hosp., Granddaughters of Bonnie Moore; Caroline Eastabrooks Cochran, RN; Dr. Richard Shack; Sam Biondi Jakubiszak, OT, daughter of Cathy & Daryl Biondi.