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Hello God’s Deeply Beloveds!
It’s nearly (or possibly altogether?) cliche for so many Episcopalians to love the work of some of our more famous, Episcopalians of the current day…Brene Brown (viral TED Talks social worker and author), writer Cole Arthur Riley (author of the book, Black Liturgies, and the Instagram account of the same name), and the late great Mary Oliver, prolific poet. Cliche or not, I do it anyway. I may not share the lovely surprise of finding blessings in the outdoors as often as Mary Oliver, but I do have so many moments when blessings suddenly find me. And so often it’s in seeing and hearing the face and voice of God in you, at St. Gregory the Great. So, thank you for reminding me that
“Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.”
It was early
by Mary Oliver
It was early, which has always been my hour to begin looking at the world
and of course, even in the darkness, to begin listening into it,
especially under the pines where the owl lives and sometimes calls out
as I walk by, as he did on this morning. So many gifts!
What do they mean? In the marshes where the pink light was just arriving
the mink with his bristle tail was stalking the soft-eared mice,
and in the pines the cones were heavy, each one ordained to open.
Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.
Little mink, let me watch you.
Little mice, run and run.
Dear pine cone, let me hold you as you open.
Blessings and so much love,
Mo. Nikki
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Vestry Nominations
Attention Parishioners! It’s time to nominate candidates for next year’s vestry. We have 4 positions opening up! If you know someone who is at least 18 years old and a communicant in good standing whom you think would make a good vestry member, please pass on their name to anyone on the vestry nominating committee: Paul Welch, Karen Brill, or Vicky Tavernier. You can also email your nomination to Paul Welch. Nominations will remain open until the end of October. Thank you for helping us keep St. Gregory’s a great place to worship!
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Pastoral Care Committee Meeting
The Pastoral Care Committee will meet in the library after the 10:30AM service on Sunday, Oct. 18. All are welcome to attend!
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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 ☮️
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Room at the Table - Fri., Oct. 23
new: Please RSVP
This time we are going to La Parilla! Please RSVP to Berni McCranie by Thursday evening! Single, married, partnered, employed, free-wheeling, joy-loving...all are invited! If you want to take time and get to know more about other siblings from our church, over a good meal, if you want to share stories and laughter, join us for lunch! (next date: Oct. 23).
| | | Join us for a Fall Festival on Friday, October 30: Crafts and Games start at 4:30PM. Dinner at 6PM, followed by Spooky Saints Stories for All Hallows Eve! All are welcome; costumes encouraged; fun is mandatory. We’re inviting our neighborhood! Help us give a good welcome by signing to contribute food, candy or firewood, or volunteer to help with one of our tables. Sign up in the narthex or here. | |
Stewardship
The opportunity to pledge your support for our 2027 church budget is still available!
If you are new to St. Gregory and not yet listed in the Family Directory or your Pledge Card has gone missing---you can find Pledge Cards and complete Pledge Packets in the display rack located in the sanctuary narthex -- OR you can pledge online at the St. Gregory website.
Come and join with your church family in making your pledge!
Pledges thus far: 100 units; $354,419
Peace and blessings,
Stewardship Committee
*Total giving = Sunday in-person giving + previous week's online giving
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| October 11, 2026 | October 12, 2025 | | Attendance | 94 | 110 | | Total Giving* | $9,399 | $6,718 | | |
Family Promise Thanks You!
Dear St. Gregory's friends, thank you for your generosity! We contributed five bags of personal hygiene and cleaning products and five $25 gift cards to Family Promise, helping homeless families in shelter. This completes our commitment for 2026. Sometime in December, we will get our assigned weeks for 2027. You bless all of us by your giving.
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BARNETT SHOALS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2026 CLOTHING DRIVE
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.
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Card Ministry Call for Art!
The Card Ministry is seeking new artwork for the 2027 year cards. If you would like to submit a work of art for a card please send a scanned photograph to Jenifer Borg
Your artwork can be in any medium; paint, collage, drawing, or photography.
Categories are 70 and over birthdays, 18 and under birthdays, congratulations, sympathy, get well or encouragement, and thank you.
Images should not reference gender or race. JPG files are best.
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St Greg's Youth (6th-12th Grades) have the following activities planned:
- October 16-18 - Happening @ Camp Mikell 🕯️- for High School Students
- Tuesday, October 20 -EYC Game & Craft Night - 6:30pm-8:30pm, dinner provided 👾🧶🍕
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 the next 3 months for acolytes, readers, and EMs are below! | |
Adult Sunday School
Adult Discussion Group: (Parish Hall) The Adult Spiritual Formation Sunday morning Bible study is currently discussing of the book of Genesis. This class welcomes anyone seeking a thoughtful investigation of the book of Genesis and will include time for discussion of our personal responses to the Bible and how it applies to our life of faith. We will meet in the Parish Hall at 9:15am.
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.
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The Athens Area Emergency Food Bank needs
pork and beans, sweet peas, and Saltine crackers.
Please help us fill the Little Red Wagon!
Volunteers are requested to help with the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank. Our work includes logging recent donations and/or filling bags for recipients to pick up. Minimal lifting is required. Training is provided. Hours are from 9-1 but the work is usually completed in 2-3 hours. The upcoming dates : October 19 & November 16. To sign up or request additional information please contact Belita Gordon
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creation
how glorious
october days
as trees begin
their autumn blaze
of beauty while
they turn their leaves
and drop seeds that
the earth receives
as colors shift
then fall to ground
for wind and rain
to toss around
unencumbered
by fear or dread
for what ill fools
may plan instead
alice mohor
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Ongoing Services/Meeting Opportunities
Parish community offerings
Holy Eucharist and Healing Service Please join us on Wednesday evenings at 6PM in the sanctuary for eucharist and prayers for healing.
Meditation Group Feeling overwhelmed? Take a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself through meditation. Calm your mind and release stress. Boost focus and find clarity. Cultivate peace and positivity. Deepen your spiritual connection. Meditation doesn’t have to be complicated—just 5 minutes a day can transform your life. Missy Hamlin is leading a meditation practice in St. Gregory's church library on Tuesdays from 5-5:45 PM. Anyone is welcome to join!
Community Supper Community Suppers will now be on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month. October dates are Oct 7th & Oct 21st. During Advent/Lent seasons when there may be a group study/program on Wednesdays, we will revert to weekly community suppers while the program is happening.
Room at the Table Welcome to Room at the Table. Single, married, partnered, employed, free-wheeling, joy-loving...all are invited! If you want to take time and get to know more about me and other siblings from our church, over a good meal, if you want to share stories and laughter, join us for lunch! Lunch will be the 4th Friday of the month (Next date: October 23 @ La Parilla). The group will decide on the restaurant for the following month, at each lunch fellowship.
Blindspot Group Our 20s and 30s group meets every Sunday at 6pm for dinner and small group study or other merriment. We also plan a group outing or fun themed night once a month. Newcomers are always welcome! Text or email Jeff Ballance (478.278.3628) for more information and to get added to our group chat!
*Hebrew Reading meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 1-3PM. If you're interested, email Joel Hunt for more info!
The St. Gregory short story group meets each first Friday of the month in the education building library. We gather at 7PM and discuss the story of the month out of an anthology we have chosen. Barbara Goodwin is our leader and we take turns bringing drinks and snacks. If you are interested in reading short stories and discussing them please contact Lois Alworth for more information.
Threads of Prayer meets on the 1st Thursdays of the month @1PM! We meet outside if the weather is good and inside the Christian Ed building if the weather is bad. Email Annette Bates if you are interested in participating. All knitters and crocheters welcome!
Men's Group: 9AM on Saturdays. 1st & 3rd Saturdays at St. Gregory's library and 2nd & 4th & 5th Saturdays at the Somerville's house ! Email Peter Rice
* group(s) meeting on Zoom
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Instructions for Live Streaming
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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:
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If you don’t immediately see the video that says ‘live’, (for instance, if you opened YouTube before the service begins) keep refreshing it.
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When you see the video square that says ‘live’, click on it.
Welcome to worship!
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