All Are Welcome

As of 11:30 a.m. today, Batesville is forecast to receive between 4 and 8 inches of snow from Friday night through Sunday, with a 15% chance of a foot or more.

Due to the changing nature of the forecast, we will make a final decision regarding the cancellation of services and other events by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at the latest. Please monitor our Facebook page for further updates.

Above all, please stay safe and do not travel if you do not feel comfortable doing so.

Along with this, the Junior Warden is looking for a volunteers to help with snow removal. If you have a snow shovel or, better yet, snowblower or are just able to lend some aid, please contact Steve Massey at massey@sahail.com or call or text (870) 613-2565. Thanks.

Home Group Meals: Have you heard that our new Priest will be here soon? We would love to be able to have everyone spend some time with Reverend Carolyne away from the church. We would like to have small home groups have a dinner with her once a week for the first few months. This is a great way to get to know Reverend Carolyne and show her what great cooks St. Paul’s has! Dates are starting to fill up. Please contact Nikki Bittle or Regina Cooper to get on the list! Nikki Bittle: 870-307-2222 or Nikkiabittle@gmail.com and Regina Cooper: 314-243-4915 or mscoopfhs@gmail.com.

Let’s Stock the Kitchen for Reverend Carolyne!: We are wanting to fill Reverend Carolyne’s fridge & pantry with basics for her arrival. We would also like to put some ready-meals in the freezer for her to have available. Most of us have moved a few times and know how much work it is. Did you want to cook after a long day of unpacking? Me neither! You can donate monetarily for the pantry and we will handle the shopping to make it easier. If you are wanting to make some meals, we do have a list of her likes & dislikes available. Please contact Nikki Bittle if you would like to help with this project. Let’s welcome Reverend Carolyne the right way to St. Paul’s Batesville!

Sunday Potluck: There will be a potluck on Sunday, February 8th after the 10:30 service to celebrate Rev. Carolyne’s arrival! Bring your favorite covered dish, salad, or dessert.

Altar Flowers: There is one upcoming Sunday available for those who wish to supply altar flowers. That date is: February 15th. Please contact Rhonda Mundy at 870-612-0928 to reserve one of these dates.

Dementia Caregivers Support Group: Beginning on January 8th at 11:00 am & continuing every 2nd Thursday of the month and beginning Tuesday, January 13th at 2:00 pm & continuing every 2nd Tuesday of the month, there will be a Dementia Caregivers Support Group held at the First Presbyterian Church in the Parlor.

Pledge 2026: The theme for our stewardship campaign this year focuses on the stories we tell and the ways we are called to share our words, our actions, our love, and our joy with the world. Please prayerfully consider how you can share your treasure, time, and talents. Total 2026 pledges currently entered are 45 at $149,480. 2025 pledges were 56 at $209,994 of which $187,984.66 has been received.  

Vestry Nominations: We are taking nominations for the Vestry class of 2029 (2026-2029). During our annual meeting on March 1st, three people will be elected. Please contact any current Vestry member or the church office with your nominations.

The Chosen Viewing: Starting January 12, 2026, the Chosen group is starting back with Season 1, Episode 1 on Mondays from 3:30-5:00. Please contact Jeraine by text or email (713-825-0412 and gawdjeraine@gmail.com) to join. On Tuesdays, all are welcome to join in from 3:30-5:00 to assemble the ‘The Chosen’ themed jigsaw puzzle.

Mark Your Calendar:

• Children’s Sunday School: Sunday, January 25th & February 1st at 9:30 am
• Adult Sunday School: Sundays, 9:15 am in the Parish Hall
• Coffee Hour: After the service, everyone is invited to the Parish House (two lefts at the bottom of the steps) for refreshments and fellowship

Officiant (8:00): Kristian Ameigh

Officiant (10:30): Brenda Bittle

Chalice Bearer (8:00): Mike Schmidt

Chalice Bearer (10:30): Steve Massey

Lector: Cade Archer

Ushers: Gary Perkey & Tim Dunlap

Technical Support: David Taverner

Coffee Hour: Ann Stephenson

Altar Guild: Judy Purnell & Jo Cargill-Krug

Community Meal (1/28/2026): Team Stalker

An Altar Guild Message from Jo Cargill-Krug:

I’ve been serving St. Paul’s as Altar Guild director for at least 20 years (I never counted). It has enriched my love and understanding of the worship service and has given me a chance to serve the church I love. I’m not stepping down (yet) but I know that someone else needs to step up and learn the whys and wherefores of the job. It would be unfair to wait until I get run over by a bus and let those left try to figure it all out.

I have asked Rhonda Mundy to be my director-in-training and she has agreed. I picked her because she loves altar work and she a lot younger than I am. I will be with her at least for the better part of 2026 to guide her. After that she is more than capable.

Rhonda will be coordinating the altar flower schedule so please call or text her at 870-612-0928 to reserve your dates. She will notify the church office.

We have a wonderful group of 20 volunteers doing the work of Altar Guild. They contribute greatly to the efficiency and beauty of our worship services. Thanks to you all.

EfM Prayer

God, You are why we worship.

We pray that Jesus' life shows through our work,

so that others may experience conversion.

Through Jesus' Holy Name, Amen

Recap: Rector Announcement

The Rev. Carolyne's New Year Eve Message to St. Paul's (New PDF version to view)

Sarah Harmon's Letter

The Rev. Carolyne's Bio (New PDF version to view)

Carolyne's Letter

Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8am-12pm. Tuesday closing hours vary between 11 am & 12pm; a Facebook post the day of should be posted of the hours that day. The office is closed on Friday.