Responding to COVID-19

UPDATED: January 6, 2022 | 5:30 PM

An Update on COVID-19 and In-Person Worship

After consulting with the Wardens as well as Vestry Member Dr. Alan Seely-Wilson, I’m writing to update you on our approach to in-person worship as the Omicron variant is upon us:

For all of the pandemic, our focus at the church has been a “zero-Covid” strategy. In other words, it was our aim with the precautions we adopted to prevent Covid from spreading during worship, making whatever accommodation necessary (including worshipping online only) to achieve this. And, to date, with your commitment and God’s grace, we have been successful!

This, of course, has not been the approach of our government or society writ-large, save for healthcare environments, since we opened up from lockdowns in May 2020. And, at some point, for our mental and spiritual health (which also impacts our physical health), we’ll have to choose to live in a world where we assume the risk of getting covid and recovering from it, just as we’ve done with other infectious disease and virus.

In December, the Vestry had a robust discussion about the mitigation efforts that have been broadly available during 2021 and that all members 5+ in age will have been able to be fully vaccinated, and all members 18+ boosted by the end of the year. In addition, several of our own members have tolerated other treatments, such as the antibody infusion, in their recovery from Covid. At that time, we made the decision, knowing another variant would come at some point, but not knowing when, that we would entrust the decisions about spacing and masking and how to receive communion to each person and family. 

Nobody wants Covid. Nobody wants it to spread, AND, we are choosing to live into a future where getting Covid is no longer the biggest fear of our collective lives. We can do that thanks to the good gifts God has given us through the vaccines, through infusions, through new anti-viral medication, and the many and varied gifts of healthcare workers. To date, St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour have not contributed to the burden of our healthcare system through Covid, and we are asking that your choices in worship will help that continue to be the case.

So, we will not be making any official changes to our worship and we will continue with brunch for those who would like to attend. You are invited to choose what is meet and right for you and your family. You are invited to mask, with double masking (at least one a surgical mask) highly encouraged. We are highly encouraging masking while singing. We have more surgical masks available for you in the narthex. I will be performing an antigen test on myself prior to worship to mitigate the possibility that I am asymptomatic or infectious. Above all, we are trusting God and trusting you to worship in the way that will allow you to best worship, this Sunday, next Sunday, until we see something more novel or come what may.

Please direct questions or response to me or to the Senior Warden. Thank you.

Yours,

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“Time Flying By”

For some of us, it might not be all too unusual that we celebrate Jesus’ baptism shortly after the celebration of his birth. After all, isn’t that when most of us or perhaps our children or grandchildren were baptized?

But while indeed there were customary rites in Jesus’ own tradition that were close to his birth, we remember that Jesus himself wasn’t baptized until around the age of thirty (30). While I can definitely say that the vast majority of persons I have baptized have been children, it is always a joy to me when someone, like Jesus, comes as an adult to join in his saving death and resurrection as a new disciple and Christian. 

In some ways it asks of me a different kind of soberness and faithfulness in my responses to the rite today. The candidate baptized today has such an awareness of the messiness of life and faith…and is committing her life to Christ as her own calling and choice. Though I was baptized as an infant, and yes confirmed, that still gets my attention as I reaffirm my own covenant with God and with you all to follow Jesus and choose his way of love. May we welcome Chelsea into the household of God!

Yours,

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Baptism Anniversary

• 1st – Al Armstrong, Yvette Armstrong, Jane Braun, Aida Cerney, Tom Driggers, Barbara Durham, Jim Durham, Glenda Franklin, June Lewis, Anne Northrop, Monica Plowden, Jim Sheffield, Shirley Tyner, and Annie Vanoteghem (We also choose this day to celebrate those whose date of baptism is not recorded in our church register.) 
• 8th – Dennis Alston and Tom Borst 
• 10th – Edie Cohen
• 11th – Danyelle Barber and Adia Sakura-Lemessy
• 12th – Jordyn Janea
• 13th – Gretchen Hogue
• 21st – Tom Voth

Birthday

• 1st – Leigh Windham
• 2nd – Jimmy Chandler
• 3rd – Hilsman Knight
• 8th – Dennis Alston, Juby Phillips, and Albert Timmons
• 9th – Michael Brunson and Lydia Freeman
• 10th – Jean White and Tom Driggers
• 14th – Hill Gillespie
• 15th – Nancy Griffin
• 16th – Finley Northrop
• 18th – Jace White
• 21st – Bill Young
• 23rd – Aida Cerney
• 27th – Nash Northrop
• 28th – Steve Tanner
• 29th – Steve Kender and Clay Sheffield
• 30th – Emily Hogue and Edie Cohen
• 31st – Tricia Moreschi.

Wedding Anniversary

• 6th –Brent and Stacey Driggers
• 10th – Albert and Donna Timmons
• 21st – Sam and Tracy Stringer
• 28th – Jake and Faryn Hackett
• 29th – Ralph and Kay Rodgers

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Ronald Warren. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Timothy Lowery, premature baby, Added by Kelly Rowe. 
• Sandy Sledge, Added by Joyce Bridges-Judkins.
• Jan Ranew, Added by Jo Cerrone.
• Kendal Evans, Added by Jo Cerrone.
• Ashlynn Kirkland, Major Injuries from Car Accident, Added by Kelly Rowe.

UPDATED: December 24, 2021 | 10:00 AM

“Getting Specific with Gratitude”

Hi! Merry Christmas! Today, I am thankful for you, yes you…you reading this right now. Chances are we know one another, but if we haven’t met, I sure hope you’ll introduce yourself after the service in-person or message me online. I give thanks to God for you because, well, I find myself needing to give thanks more specifically.

If you are like me, then the pandemic has made it difficult at times to be thankful. I find this to be true when considering the state of the world as yet another variant, another wave is upon us all. But I also know that gratitude is an essential practice of our faith and one of the special things about Christmas is that gratitude becomes very specific. You see, when God in Christ is born, he isn’t just born in our hearts and mind, but was born to Mary in Bethlehem. And if you’ve spoken with any mother, giving thanks for the idea of children vs. the reality of child-rearing are just altogether different ways of experiencing gratitude. Likewise, giving thanks for an idea of God being with us vs. the reality of God in Christ becoming one with us is a different way to give thanks to God.

And what I want you to hear, beloved, is that I am thankful specifically for you, yes you…you reading this right now, because God has also made you specifically, and God has brought you to this community to give thanks in specific ways as well. Merry Christmas and thank you for being a wonderful gift to this community today for which we all can give thanks!

Yours,

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VESTRY NOMINATIONS. 
Due Wednesday, January 12 at 12:00 PM. The Vestry has announced nominations are open for Confirmed Members of St. Patrick’s in Good Standing to serve a three-year term on the Vestry. The Vestry is the Spiritual and Fiduciary Leadership of the Congregation elected from the parish to lead the church, together with the Rector. A nominating form is available in the church office or on our website, stpatricksalbany.org

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ANNUAL MEETING.
Sunday, January 23 at 11:30 AM. This year’s annual meeting will highlight our ministries during 2021 as well as look ahead to 2022. We’ll share the latest updates on our financial health as well as the opportunities ahead to serve faithfully in Jesus name.

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Amelia Morrow, infant daughter of Rev. Jim Morrow (at First United Methodist of Albany), Added by Fr. Nick.
• Family of Demaryius Thomas, Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Family of Emi Dixon, Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Evan Rowe, COVID-19, Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Kendal Evans. Added by Jo Cerrone.
• Ashlynn Kirkland, Major Injuries from Car Accident, Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Shelley Williamson, COVID-19, Added by Loretta Williamson.
• Dorothy Miller, Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Tom Shapard. Heart Issues. Added by Mary Shapard.

UPDATED: December 22, 2021 | 9:30 AM

Update From Our Seminarian

Church family, 

Greetings to you from the Holy Mountain! 

I am pleased that I do not have to include in my winter letter to you this time a report of snow and subzero temperatures! An unusually warm winter is going to allow me an outdoor jog later today, and I’m excited about that. 

It is hard to believe as I am typing this that I only have one more semester of seminary before graduation. As I anticipate graduation, I have begun preparation for my General Ordination Exams (GOEs) in early January. These comprehensive examinations are similar to a bar exam or medical licensing exam, and are composed of 21 hours of testing administered over three days. I will be evaluated in the areas of liturgy, church history, Bible, ethics, theology, and practical ministry. These exams are a requirement for ordination and the next step in my formation toward priestly ministry.

In the last semester, I have had many reasons to find joy, one of them being Casey’s discernment toward a call to the vocational diaconate. Many of you may know now about this discernment. I will leave the joy of full delivery of this news to you up to Casey, but I will say that I am excited to see him pursue this call as he listens for the Spirit’s movement in his own life.

I am sad to report that my GOE preparation and Casey’s preparation for diocesan discernment meetings will prevent us from coming home and seeing you all at Christmas. Know that we virtually worship with you often on Facebook, and that opportunity brings us great joy. We miss you all dearly, and we look forward to the day when we can worship with you again in person.

As my time at Sewanee begins to wind down, I have already experienced some “last” things— last day of Field Education, last Creation Care Committee meeting as chair, last autumn on the Mountain. As Casey and I plan for transition in just five months, I am following the advice of a spiritual director who once counseled that I mark with intention “last” things and the saying of goodbyes. Leave taking, I think, is just as important as first impressions and new beginnings, but both provide opportunities for encounters with grace. I truly have cherished my time here, and I am so grateful for your prayers and support that have carried Casey and I through these last years. 
We wish you all a blessed rest of Advent and then a Happy Christmas. Please continue your prayers for us. 

Gabriel and Casey

UPDATED: December 10, 2021 | 12:30 PM

“No More Business as Usual”

Christians looking for gospel may hear John the Baptizer’s preaching as primarily law. Yet despite John’s harsh words for the crowds, the people seem eager for his teaching— “What then should we do?” They keep asking questions fervently, even when the answers call them to higher expectations of moral and selfless living.

It’s the kind of teaching that people associate with the Messiah: the status quo of greed, selfishness, scarcity, and complacency no longer has power. A new day of mutual sharing and justice is almost here. Images of the winnowing fork and the ax at the root of the tree suggest clearing out old habits and fears to make room for something new. In calling people to repentance, John invites them to turn away from the status quo to new life.

John has even better news: The Messiah is indeed coming, one who will not only call people to high expectations, but also enable that faithful living. Because the Messiah is coming to baptize “with the Holy Spirit and fire,” life will never be the same. Through baptism business as usual will be replaced by a fruit-bearing, joy-yielding, grace-filled relationship with God. It’s an excellent reason to “rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16): The Lord is near!

– Reprinted from the Sundays and Seasons: Introduction to Advent 3

Yours,

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CONFIRMATION CLASS
Sundays from 6:00-8:00 PM, January 9th – March 13th.

In anticipation of Bishop Logue’s first visit on Sunday, March 20, 2022 for St. Patrick’s weekend, Fr. Nick and former rector, Fr. Jim Bullion, will prepare new members and any interested in confirmation, reaffirmation, or reception. Please see the sign-up list in the parish hall. If you would be willing to host a simple meal for our candidates, please sign up in the parish hall.

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Prayer List Updates:

• Tom Shapard. Heart Issues. Added by Mary Shapard.

UPDATED: December 2, 2021 | 1:00 PM

“And All Flesh Shall See The Salvation Of God”

This year in our readings at Advent and Christmas, our ears and hearts focus on Luke’s telling of the story. Luke sets the preaching of John the Baptist clearly in the midst of the political and religious environment of his day. We are told the names of the emperor, governor, and other political rulers of the day. They are the ones who have responsibility to care for the wellbeing of the people in their territories.

Although John gave his message while he was in the wilderness, it was intended to have its impact in the farms, villages, and cities where the ordinary and the powerful live out their daily lives. John is not satisfied with the way things are, and his words help prepare us for the coming of one who will turn the world upside down. John’s prophetic words tell us to examine our own lives and the world around us. We should not be complacent in the face of injustice, but instead seek forgiveness and strive for lives that bear fruit according to God’s vision for the world.

As we continue in Advent and beyond, notice how Luke’s language universalizes the Gospel to incorporate all the whole earth and its people. For indeed, “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

– Adapted from the Sundays and Seasons: Introduction to Advent

Yours,

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Gene Coutu, Added by Celie Hogue.
• Family of Jack Hart.
• Family of Madge Wilson.
• Family of Joan Windham.
• Hilda Brown. Added by Carolyn Brunson.

UPDATED: November 25, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Let us pray.

UPDATED: November 24, 2021 | 1:30 PM

As Advent begins, we look forward to the celebration of Jesus’ first coming to the world in the light of a text that promises his final coming. We, like the gospel writer, Luke, live in the time between these two “advents” of Jesus. Today’s gospel gives us guidance on how to live faithfully as we wait for Jesus to return. However, in this in-between time, it is easy for us to become distracted and lose sight of the promises of Jesus. Daily tasks and routines can lull us into apathy. Ease and success can allow us to ignore our spiritual needs. Struggles and setbacks can cause us to lose hope and fall into despair. But Jesus tells us we should not feel beaten down or defeated by the struggles of this world, but instead “stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Jesus goes on to say that there will be signs, signs of new life and growth, such as the sprouting of a leaf on a fig tree in the summertime. These signs are perceptible to us here and now. These signs help us know that God’s kingdom is coming. In fact, they remind us that in Jesus, God’s kingdom has already come near, and Jesus words will not pass away until this kingdom has fully come. We should live with our eyes focused on today’s signs that demonstrate God’s reign and trust that Jesus’ redemption of the world will one day be complete.

– Reprinted from the Sundays and Seasons: Introduction to Advent

Yours,

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2022 Pledge Campaign Update

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Larry Evans. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Hilda Brown. Added by Carolyn Brunson.
• Gene Coutu. Congestive Heart Failure. Added by Celie Hogue.

UPDATED: November 18, 2021 | 3:50 PM

“On Earth As It Is In Heaven”

If one were to look at all the worship services in the Book of Common Prayer and I imagine the same for Evangelical Lutheran Worship, there would be one constant feature of them all. Yes, in all of them, the church gathers in some way for worship and prayer, but specifically, in all of them we pray as Jesus taught us to pray.

If you are like me, there have been times when life left you empty of words to offer to God. Some of those times have been really important because I am reminded that prayer is first an intention of listening to God and not simply petitioning. But other times, a petition can be really important and because of great suffering, trauma, or depression, the words can be hard to come by.

Beloved, this Sunday is the last Sunday of the church year, and we call it Christ the King because that is God’s promise of where our story, all of our stories, come to their perfect ending. Even when we don’t have the words, Jesus has given us something to say in response to God. Whenever we pray “thy kingdom come…on earth as it is in heaven”, we insist, we trust, we hope, we believe, to borrow a popular saying, that “It will be alright in the end and if it is not alright, it is not the end.” 

Yours,

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2022 Pledge Campaign Update

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Guide Us To The Perfect Light – Advent Quiet Day

Saturday, December 11
10:00AM – 1:00PM
Sanctuary at St. Patrick’s

St. Patrick’s will join the Community of St. Mary’s in Sewanee, TN for an Advent Quiet Day Saturday, December 11. The quiet day will be led by one of our own seminarians, Casey Perkins-Lawrence, who will facilitate the reflections via zoom (on a projection) and then allow time for meditation. Because we have a beautiful labyrinth, participants will be able to experience this portion in-person instead of virtually by utilizing the break time in our memorial garden. All are welcome.

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Service of the Longest Night / Blue Christmas

Sunday, December 19
3:30 PM
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (downtown)

St. Patrick’s will co-host a Service of the Longest Night intended for any who may face grief or mourning during the holidays. Save-the-date for this year’s Albany-wide service with participants from all of our Episcopal and Lutheran churches.

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* No Flowers During Advent *

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ANGEL TREE – Now to December 12th. Help make Christmas a special part of the year by serving with the Angel Tree! Starting next Sunday, you’ll be able to take a wish list angel off of our Angel Tree to shop for individuals living with disabilities served by The Arc as well as children of local families in need. There will be a little table in the Narthex with tags that contain a name and a wish for us to fulfill. Deadline to return gifts is Sunday, December 12.

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Gretchen Stephenson.
• Family of Louise Little.
• Gene Coutu. Congestive Heart Failure. Added by Celie Hogue.
• Mike Moylan. Added by Kristi Baranko.
• Lisa Kriel. Cancer. Added by Marian White.
• Joan Windham. Hip Surgery. Added by Vivian Fleming.

UPDATED: November 11, 2021 | 12:22 PM

“Entering The Sanctuary”

How do you refer to the church building? As I drive around town, I see everything from “church” to “worship center” to “house of prayer.” If you’re like me, you grew up calling the church building, specifically where we gathered for worship, the sanctuary.

In Jesus’ day, the sanctuary would have connoted the inner most portion of the temple, the Holy of Holies, wherein the high priest offered one sacrifice once per year to atone for all the sins of Israel. In between this holy day of Yom Kippur, priests of the sacrificial cult would help people make ritual sacrifices to God as commanded in the law to cover their sins.

In modern church architecture, the sanctuary more accurately refers to the part of the church where the altar is placed. It is usually raised in some way above the other parts of the church. It is where I say prayers for communion, but importantly it is not off-limits to the lay folk. Indeed, whether we consider that inner part or the whole building to be the sanctuary; today, with the preacher of Hebrews, we enter with confidence, approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, for indeed he who has promised is faithful.

Yours,

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HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

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2022 Pledge Campaign Update

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HIRING NURSERY STAFF. Help Needed. Fr. Nick has been trying for the better part of the fall to hire nursery staff. While the pay is generous, it has been challenging to find folks willing to work only a couple hours a week. If you know of someone qualified to work with our youngest kiddos, could you please help by speaking with Fr. Nick and assisting with referral. Thank you!

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Kathy Holt. Added by Carol Wilch.
• Mike Moylan. Added by Kristi Baranko.
• Lisa Kriel. Cancer. Added by Marian White.
• Joan Windham. Hip Surgery. Added by Vivian Fleming.
• Archie. Cancer. Added by Carol Wilch.

UPDATED: November 5, 2021 | 11:00 AM

UPDATED COVID-19 GUIDANCE

This past week, the Vestry voted to proceed with returning to the approach we had this summer due to falling case counts and the prevalence of booster availability as well as the coming vaccinations available for children.

Any person may choose to wear a mask during worship at St. Patrick’s. Fully vaccinated persons are not required to wear a mask. While it is the position of the church that all persons should consult their doctor about receiving the vaccination, we shall all, following our baptismal vows, respect the dignity of every person and the right to make personal healthcare decisions free of judgment and coercion. 

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Birthdays

• 2nd – Jennifer Combs
• 3rd – Mary Gillespie
• 4th – Jerra McDonald and Lindsey Stewart
• 13th – Gretchen Hogue and Barbara Strickland
• 19th – Jim Durham
• 20th – Merlene Deiseroth
• 23rd – Mallory Driggers
• 24th – Lisa Schexnayder
• 25th – Tom Voth
• 28th – Sharyn Davis and Donna Timmons
• 30th – Dale Schexnayder

Wedding Anniversary

• 5th – Alan and Jean White
• 6th – Jim and Melody Sheffield
• 18th – Tom and Mary Shapard
• 28th – Joe and Sandy Wingard

Baptism Anniversary

• 1st – Lou Little
• 2nd – Riley Driggers
• 3rd – Dylan Armstrong
• 4th – Ellie Driggers
• 6th – Thomas Clements
• 16th – Mallory Driggers
• 28th – Bryce Northrop

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Kathy Holt. Added by Carol Wilch.
• Archie. Cancer. Added by Carol Wilch.
• Gail Phillips, Added by Jackie Driggers

UPDATED: October 28, 2021 | 5:15 PM

As we approach Reformation Day there are a few thoughts that tend to go through our minds: We think of singing “A Mighty Fortress,” we picture Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, we (try to) remember to wear red as we go to Church on that Sunday. More broadly we’re reminded of what Martin Luther’s original intent was: To stop the sale of indulgences by the Church. This practice—which Martin Luther rightly disputed—was one where the Church would “sell” absolution (forgiveness of sins), rather than pronouncing it freely. We, like Martin Luther, know and believe and understand that we are “justified by faith apart from works;” we cannot buy our salvation.

As we reflect on Martin Luther, we also consider the importance of his work translating the Bible into the vernacular so that everyone might read God’s word. Furthermore his efforts to translate the Mass (what we now call Holy Communion) into the local language so that everyone is able to understand and participate in what’s being said and what’s going on. As well we consider his writing of hymns for the congregation to sing, his push for priests to be able to marry rather than remain celibate, and many more things that I won’t drone on about here.

But Reformation Day is not merely a day of “rah-rah, we’re Lutheran” celebrations, neither is it a day for only Lutherans to observe. It is a day for all of us as Christians to focus on our continual need to reform and renew. As one of our prayers for this day puts it, “Where in anything [the Church] is amiss, reform it.” Reformation Day isn’t merely a commemoration of events 500 years ago. Rather, it is day for us all to be called to reformation here and now, in our Church, in our lives and in the world.

-Martin Mills, Director of Music

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My guess is that we have all lost touch with the normal ways we evaluate the health of our body as we continue in the uncertainty of the pandemic. Whether you’re the opposable thumb type or the bleeding-heart type, the whole body needs you right now, and I suspect, if you were honest with yourself, you could fall into some grace, mercy, and love yourself. This week, I encourage you to read Ephesians 4:1-16, and prayerfully consider: what is the Lord asking of me to build up the church in love?

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Prayer List Updates:

• Brian Williamson, COVID-19, Added by The Williamson Family
• Gail Phillips, Added by Jackie Driggers

UPDATED: October 22, 2021 | 10:30 AM

“The Gift of Sight Can Be Blinding”

This week, I received a call from one of the chaplains at the hospital with a patient who identified herself as Lutheran. The chaplain, with her permission, mentioned that she was blind. My mind immediately came to Bartimaeus’ healing in this week’s gospel story from Mark, which at first glance is about a miraculous healing and restoration of sight.

I also thought about a show I’ve seen recently called ‘See,’ which depicts a fictional future in which humanity has lost sight and created a world in which sight isn’t a sense upon which it relies. Born into that world are a few sighted children, who must carefully navigate a people for which sight is associated with evil. One of their (blind) caregivers even warns them as they come of age that “the gift of sight can be blinding.” 

One of the more profound parts of Bartimaeus’ story is that he was already able to see who Jesus was without the gift of sight. Sometimes, I wonder if those of us with sight are fooled into thinking that we see much of anything at all. How might this healing story invite us to see more than with our eyes and follow faithfully with any of the senses God has given us.

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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As we approach Reformation Day there are a few thoughts that tend to go through our minds: We think of singing “A Mighty Fortress,” we picture Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, we (try to) remember to wear red as we go to Church on that Sunday. More broadly we’re reminded of what Martin Luther’s original intent was: To stop the sale of indulgences by the Church. This practice—which Martin Luther rightly disputed—was one where the Church would “sell” absolution (forgiveness of sins), rather than pronouncing it freely. We, like Martin Luther, know and believe and understand that we are “justified by faith apart from works;” we cannot buy our salvation.

As we reflect on Martin Luther, we also consider the importance of his work translating the Bible into the vernacular so that everyone might read God’s word. Furthermore his efforts to translate the Mass (what we now call Holy Communion) into the local language so that everyone is able to understand and participate in what’s being said and what’s going on. As well we consider his writing of hymns for the congregation to sing, his push for priests to be able to marry rather than remain celibate, and many more things that I won’t drone on about here.

But Reformation Day is not merely a day of “rah-rah, we’re Lutheran” celebrations, neither is it a day for only Lutherans to observe. It is a day for all of us as Christians to focus on our continual need to reform and renew. As one of our prayers for this day puts it, “Where in anything [the Church] is amiss, reform it.” Reformation Day isn’t merely a commemoration of events 500 years ago. Rather, it is day for us all to be called to reformation here and now, in our Church, in our lives and in the world.

-Martin Mills, Director of Music

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Prayer List Updates:

• Tom Driggers. Added by Jackie Driggers.

UPDATED: October 14, 2021 | 5:30 pM

“Called to Serve”

Beloved, this Sunday please join me in welcoming our guest preacher, The Rev. Will Runyon. When he came to Albany in 2018, Will had no idea that his ministry would transform in the face of the most severe global pandemic known to history.

As was written at the time by the Associated Press, “There’s so much death right now, it piles up on you, it feels heavy,” Runyon said. He can feel it in his back, in his feet, like he’s dragging something invisible behind him. “It’s happening so often, over and over, everyday.” Runyon is the chaplain at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia, where the death rate is among the worst in the country. They used to have two dozen volunteers, but when the virus took hold, the hospital suspended them. So this fell to Runyon. The hospital has seen more than 70 deaths [in early 2020], and he’s helped families through most of them.”

Having just been through another spike in cases and deaths, Will has been called to be a wounded healer, showing how leaning on each other by faith in difficult times can bring the healing needed to press forward together.

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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Lou Little’s family has invited us to join in a birthday drive by parade to celebrate her 90th birthday! It will take place on Saturday, October 23rd at 1:00PM. 

Parade Address: 830 Putney Avenue – Albany, GA 31705

*Note from her family: The street is a dead end with a cul-de-sac at the end. Cars will go all the way down and around and come back up.

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Prayer List Updates:

• Tom Driggers. Added by Jackie Driggers.
• Sam Knighton. Added by Celie Hogue.
• Jamie Fleming. Added by Vivian Fleming.
• Robyn Price. Added by Celie Hogue.
• Elaine Clemons. Added by Nancy Griffin.
• John Anderson. Added by Sam Jones.

UPDATED: October 7, 2021 | 3:00 pM

“Let me at ’em”

I’m not sure where the phrase “let me at ‘em” originated in our pop-culture. I might recall it from the days of the feisty Scrappy Doo or perhaps the Lion in the Wizard of Oz.

If you’ve ever experienced a time when you just didn’t want to hold back from speaking your mind and giving ‘em what for, you might identify with Job this week. After a series of poetic dialogues with friends concerning the suffering that has befallen him, Job is finally ready to make his case before God. 
“I would lay my case before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments,” Job says as he gets worked up.

Job feels strongly and passionately about his innocence and vindication, but toward the end of this passage, we also see that he is weary and his heart is faint. Such is the nature of contending with suffering, especially unmerited suffering. We get fired up for the cause, and often realize what was outside the limits of our ability to prevent suffering is sometimes outside our limits to relieve it. We consider this week does Job revere God for nothing?

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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UPDATE FOR ALBANY EPISCOPALIANS FOR NAMI.

October 9th. NAMI Walks 2021 is excited to join the ASU Parade Saturday OCT 9 from 9-11. Please meet and park at St Pauls’ church, 212 North Jefferson,  from 8-8:30 and we will go together to the starting point. The Parade route has been shortened to less than a mile. If you are unable to join us for the walk please pray for success of the walk goals of fund raising for NAMI Albany, educating the community about mental health and available resources, and reducing the Stigma associated with Mental Health. Those who would like to financially support NAMI Albany, please make check to NAMI Georgia, include NAMI Albany WALK in memo and send to NAMI Albany, PO Box 72446, Albany, GA 30708, or place in offering plate this Sunday Oct 10.  Walkers– Pine Ave will be closed Saturday, therefore access St Pauls’, from North Jefferson, turn left on Flint. If blocked please park at Albany Towers 235 W Roosevelt and walk the 2 blocks to St Pauls. The Parade Route begins at Pine Avenue and Monroe Street and travels 3 blocks to Washington Street. All units turn left at Washington Street and travel to Roosevelt Avenue where the parade ends.  Call Jere Brands-6412205610 or Debbie Richardson- 8811678 for additional information. Above all; let’s have a wonderful NAMI Walk with the ASU Homecoming  Parade.

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New Neighbors in Need Items

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DRIVE-THRU TRUNK-OR-TREAT. October 30th, 6:00-7:00PM. St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour will be having a drive-thru trunk-or-treat again this year. Like before: trunks will be spaced every other parking space (but just along the side closest to buildings). Cars will enter from our Old Dawson Road entrance and exit on Byron Plantation. We will need trunk volunteers! To sign up, see the sheet in the Narthex or contact Kelly in the office.

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UPDATED: October 1, 2021 | 1:40 pM

“The Land of Uz”

If you think you’ve read a typo in the title above, you might consider that as lovely as Oz is for Dorothy, even she ends up concluding “there’s no place like home.”

Job, who lives in the biblical mysterious land called Uz, might himself prefer Oz, as the “place” and everything else about his home is upended in the very opening chapter of the book that carries his name. In this land of Uz, Job seems to live a different experience and understanding of God than the traditional piety and wisdom of the Proverbs or even Torah.

The author of the book, by inviting us to the land of Uz, is inviting us beyond our own comfort by pointing out the limits of human merit being the factor in our human success. When evil falls upon the good, like Job, not only are we to consider how to respond, but on this journey with Job, to grow in maturity and depth of faith with a God who finally isn’t made in our own image, but instead remember whatever land we find ourselves in, we are made in God’s image.

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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Air Force Chaplaincy Update Some of you recently inquired with me about updates on my discerned call to the reserve chaplaincy of the United States Air Force. While we did revisit this call with the Vestry at the September meeting, there was no action planned or vote taken to consent at this time. Further, with Deacon Joy’s departure, I am personally asking to table this again so the Vestry can focus on supporting the parish and our community outreach at this time. Yours,

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She will meet with the Vestry during the first part of October in a meeting that is soon to be scheduled. Some of you will remember Canon Lasch from her visitation on Pentecost of this year.

Yours,

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Baptism Anniversary

• 1st – Ruth Fountain  
• 5th – Carol Wilch  
• 13th – Evelyn Clements 
• 25th – LeConte Talley III  
• 27th – Tina Burney  
• 29th – David Hogue    

Birthday

• 1st – Anne Northrop & Jo Anne Tanner  
• 3rd – Emmanuella Okafor 
• 5th – Yvette Armstrong  
• 10th – Uzoma Okafor 
• 11th – Libby Sisson  
• 14th – Jane Braun & Bunny Hamlin  
• 20th – Al Seely-Wilson  
• 23rd – Amanda Clements, James Goodin, Louise Little, & Joy Sheckels
• 25th – Sam Stringer  
• 26th – Bob Baranko  
• 29th – Jackie Driggers

Wedding Anniversary

• 6th – Al and Yvette Armstrong  
• 7th – Daniel and Annie Vanoteghem  
• 22nd – Ian and Donna Sakura-Lemessy  
• 23rd – Frank and Sam Jones
• 28th – John and Barbara Cumbee

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UPDATE ON FELLOWSHIP FOLLOWING WORSHIP. Starting this Sunday. 
Your Vestry will continue to serve and greet you after worship on Sunday mornings in September. There is a simple refreshment offering in hopes that you’ll find a spot in the shade and join in fellowship. Starting in this Sunday, we are opening this ministry up to members of our congregations. All that you provide is water, juice, and a refreshing snack that can be served individually. To sign-up, see the sheet in the Narthex or contact Kelly in the office.

Available Date in October: October 24th

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Prayer List Updates:

• Edwin Long, Stroke. Added by Celie Hogue.

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | 12:00 pM

“Where is God (not)?”

This Sunday, we hear from the epic story and book of Esther, found in the writings portion of the Hebrew Scriptures. The book of Esther is one of two biblical books named after and focused on female protagonists. It is also one of two biblical books within which the name of God does not appear. What gives?

Long before we ever had a word or concept for things like gravity, humans lived every day relying on things to stay put and not float off into the air. And for much of the existence of our humanity, we see the presence and providence of God trusted and counted on in similar ways. 

A different way of reading Esther, and indeed a different way of living our lives today might be to ask “where is God not present?” Do we really need a name-check for God to be the God of the universe? I certainly doubt God is insecure of Himself because in the salvation of his people in Persia through Esther, His name doesn’t appear written in the book. Perhaps the invitation today is to free ourselves from such insecurities as we see and trust by faith that God is present in people and places that do not name Him thus.

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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ALBANY EPISCOPALIANS FOR NAMI. October 9th. 
St. Patrick’s, St. Paul’s, and St. John & St. Mark have answered the call for help by responding financially and joining others in the Albany community to support NAMI and its mission. Last year Albany Episcopalians for NAMI raised more than $5,000, and this year we’ve teamed up again. Join us, your fellow Episcopalians, on October 9^th in supporting NAMIWalks Your Way: A United Day of Hope. More sign-up and support information will be announced soon.

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Upcoming Available Dates: October 3rd, 10th, and 17th .

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Prayer List Updates:

• Tony & Tricia Moreschi, COVID-19.
• Adam Moore, COVID-19. Added by Amanda Clements.

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | 2:00 pM

“Who is the Greatest?”

The Fall and Spring Sports Banquet at my middle and high school were some of the best meals to look forward to all year. It was like getting to eat a Thanksgiving dinner without the five-hour drive to see family.

Each semester, all of the sports teams’ student-athletes, coaches, and volunteers would gather to celebrate their shared endeavors and give out special awards. Among these awards would be the MVP or Most Valuable Player, which was awarded to the player that brought the greatest all-around value to the team. It was a coveted award by those at or near the top of their sport. And it seems to be the award that the Disciples were bickering about in today’s Gospel reading.

But there were other rewards presented at these banquets. And if we extended the metaphor, I might hear Jesus saying “the award I’m giving out is for Sportsmanship (or Character) or for Volunteer of the Year, surely on the scoreboard those are last of all and servant of all.” Today, what area of your life is Jesus inviting you to live for more than the scoreboard?

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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UPDATE ON FELLOWSHIP FOLLOWING WORSHIP. Starting in October. 
Your Vestry will continue to serve and greet you after worship on Sunday mornings in September. There is a simple refreshment offering in hopes that you’ll find a spot in the shade and join in fellowship. Starting in October, we are opening this ministry up to members of our congregations. All that you provide is water, juice, and a refreshing snack that can be served individually. To sign-up, see the sheet in the Narthex or contact Kelly in the office.

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Recent cooler weather has allowed us to return to the garden. We are proud to announce that this week our garden surpassed the 500 lb mark for produce and eggs provided to Neighbors in Need so far this year. Thanks to all who have helped in the garden or with delivery! The only item producing now is our 4 beds of okra, which continues to give us about 10 lbs/week. We can pretty much count on that continuing until frost. We have begun to clear beds in preparation for spring, but hope to put in some collards and turnips. Although, I admit we’re a bit behind the power curve time-wise. We have ordered and received metal posts to mount on each end of the beds to assist us with use of protective plastic netting against deer. Grass mulch, although free, did not work out well for mulching between the beds. Some critter… raccoon, armadillo, wild pig (?) felt the need to root it up, I guess to get at the bugs that were calling it home.
– Joe Wingard

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Donations can be brought on the day of our Drive-Thru Blessing of the Animals or dropped off in the parish hall. 

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Prayer List Updates:

• Tony & Tricia Moreschi, COVID-19.
• Adam Moore, COVID-19. Added by Amanda Clements.
• The Lowery Family. COVID-19. Added by Kelly Rowe.

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 | 12:00 pM

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“We can’t go back to Eden”

Beloved, Saturday we will observe the 20^th anniversary of September 11, 2001 or 9/11. I can’t begin to imagine the stories we all have from that day or that time shortly thereafter. Some of us were in school, some of us were in uniform, some of us were not yet a twinkle in our mother’s eye, most of us were waking up to what we thought was an otherwise unremarkable Tuesday morning in America.

I’m not sure what else there is to be written about this chapter in human history. If you are like me, you have been taken more recently by the immense human loss in the inept withdrawal from Afghanistan. The salvage of the evacuation by our civil servants and those in uniform on the ground does little to assuage the still older wounds from loss that linger on in many of us. A type of loss that the pandemic has reintroduced.

What I am more certain of as a follower of Jesus Christ, is that my response to this pain and these memories needs to be born always from prayer. Just as I know we can’t go back to Eden, I know we can’t go back to a world before 9/11 or before the pandemic. This morning, let us pray together and resolve faithfully to press on by the mercy and grace of God.

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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WELCOME MARTIN MILLS AND CHOIR. 
This morning we welcome back to St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour, Martin Mills, who will serve as the new Director of Music for our congregations. We also celebrate the return of our choir under his direction and look forward to their many blessings in song. If you are interested in singing in the choir, rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.

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ALBANY EPISCOPALIANS FOR NAMI. October 9th. 
St. Patrick’s, St. Paul’s, and St. John & St. Mark have answered the call for help by responding financially and joining others in the Albany community to support NAMI and its mission. Last year Albany Episcopalians for NAMI raised more than $5,000, and this year we’ve teamed up again. Join us, your fellow Episcopalians, on October 9^th in supporting NAMIWalks Your Way: A United Day of Hope. More sign-up and support information will be announced soon.

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Prayer List Updates:

• Adam Moore, COVID-19. Added by Amanda Clements.
• The Lowery Family. COVID-19. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Mike & Laura Coutu; Suzanne, Nonie, & Christopher Johnson; Lynn Goodburn; Tiffany Walter. COVID-19. Added by Celie Hogue.

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | 10:30 AM

“We are going to Grandma’s House!”

Growing up, we used to visit my grandparents on weekends like this one. They lived in Alabama (both familes) and we lived in the upstate of South Carolina. Because of the distance, my parents insisted we visit four-five times a year whenever there was an extended break.

The five+ hour trip to Alabama (largely depending upon traffic in Atlanta) was a long time for younger children. This was before the advent of infinite screens and handheld devices. So, my mother was always coming up with car games and songs we could play along the way. One of them, “we are going to grandma’s house,” both helped the time pass and literally was what we were in the midst of doing.

Today’s psalm is similar, in that it is a pilgrimage song, or a song of ascents. While making the journey to Jerusalem, the children of God would sing songs that spoke of God’s faithfulness and favor. Today’s psalm rang out on the theme of trusting God, something that was important when making what could be an unpredictable and perilous trek to Jersualem. What song has been on your heart in these recent or former days?

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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Join us this afternoon from 2:00-2:30 PM for a birthday drive-thru celebration for Doris Alley, who turns 99 years young!

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How do I submit my shoe donation?

Place all shoes in a bag with the number of shoes written on the bag. Shoes can be brought to church on Sunday for pick up or call or text 229-894-8297 for your donation to be picked up. Shoes also can be dropped off at Easterseals, 1906 Palmyra Road. On the outside of the bag write the number of shoes in the bag and Lesia Irvin. If you are dropping off after hours, there is a donation box by the door.  

If Lesia collects the most shoes, she will be crowned the Easterseals Shoe Queen! She will receive a gold crown with all the accessories along with a gift basket fit for a Queen and bragging rights, of course.  More importantly your shoes will help an organization that provides services to individuals with disabilities, so start gathering your shoes today.

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Baptism Anniversary

• 1st – Carolyn Brunson, Michael Brunson Jr., & Hermine Holt
• 11th – Celie Hogue  
• 30th – Jo Cerrone & Janet Ranew

Birthday

• 2nd – Doris Alley
• 4th – Michael Northrop & Myra Walker
• 8th – Billy Youngblood
• 11th –Bella Burney & Anne Gibson
• 12th– Fr. Nick Roosevelt
• 13th – Evelyn Clements
• 19th – Orva Voth & Grant Combs
• 22nd – Autumn Hart & Emily McPeters
• 23rd –Bill Ragan & Ellie Driggers
• 25th – Danyelle Barber
• 26th – Barbara Cumbee
• 27th – Kennedy Hackett
• 28th – Mindy Northrop & Kelly Rowe
• 29th – Hermine Holt

Wedding Anniversary

• 11th – Jimmy and Carole Clements
• 24th – Sergio and Jo Cerrone & Steve and Joanne Tanner

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Sergeant Nicole Gee
• Mike Coutu
• Suzanne Johnson
• Nonie Johnson
• Laura Coutu
• Lynn Goodburn
• Christopher Johnson
• Tiffany Walter

UPDATED: August 26, 2021 | 12:30 PM

“Somebody get Jesus some hand sanitizer!!”

Alright now, let’s have a come to Jesus moment here. Have you been washing your hands for the full 20 seconds? I have an idea, let’s make it 30 seconds because I heard some of you don’t add the Mississippi when you count. Anybody rolling their eyes yet?

This morning’s Gospel reading gets at a tendency of religion to turn a ritual, sign, or practice into an idol. This often comes about when the performative aspects of these rituals take on a greater meaning than the intention behind them. The core message of today’s lesson is about the core intentions of our hearts and the practical implications of our behaviors. In the middle of a pandemic, this is more important than ever across our society.

It is the things that we believe and the actions that arise from those believes that actually matter for the sake of God’s Kingdom. As Episcopalians and Lutherans, we have many performative rituals in our worship. But as I tell new servers and acolytes, as I once heard from a Bishop myself, “truly the only thing that can go wrong in worship is to forget why we are here.”

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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On Sunday, August 15, we blessed and installed the newest Little Free Library at St. Patrick’s. It was donated by the Lynch family in memory of their aunt “Kiki” Kathy Hudgens Hitchcock, who was an educator for over 40 years. St. Patrick’s donated the first books, a copy of the Bible, as well as introductions to the Episcopal and Lutheran traditions. There are books for children through adults. The family wanted to pick out a few special books to stock the library, so they included one of Kiki’s favorite books, On the Night You were Born. They also chose some of their favorites from childhood, The Monster at the End of this Book. Sydney chose the book she had to have from the book fair when she was a little girl, Ruby Bridges Goes to School. Flannery picked her favorite book, Moon over Manifest. We hope the community will enjoy it half as much as we have enjoyed just setting it up! Check it out! And follow our FB page Little Free Library #131555. Thanks!

You are welcome to take a book and/or leave a book. If you’d like to connect with the family, who is maintaining the library, you can contact them at littlefreelibrary131555@gmail.com

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SERMON+ SERIES. Ever wanted to get just a little more out of the sermon on Sundays? Have an additional question or wanted to hear something fleshed out further? Sunday, following the service, Fr. Nick will spend an extra 30-40 minutes filling in the gaps of the sermon with the scripture readings. Your questions are welcome!

Looking ahead at the upcoming schedule:

• August 29 – Song of Songs
• September 5 – (No Sermon+, Vestry Meeting)
• September 12 – Proverbs
• September 19 – Proverbs
• September 26 – Esther
• October 3 – (No Sermon+, Vestry Meeting)
• October 10 – Job
• October 17 – (No Meeting)
• October 24 – Job
• October 31 – Ruth

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We will be starting up Holy Communion again on Wednesday evenings. Come join in Wednesday evening worship in the Chapel of Our Saviour at 6PM, starting this upcoming Wednesday – September 1st.

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Prayer List Updates:

• Suzanne Johnson
• Nonie Johnson
• Laura Coutu
• Lynn Goodburn
• Christopher Johnson
• Tiffany Walter
• Carol Rubinson

UPDATED: August 19, 2021 | 12:00 PM

“It’s All Too Much”
How many amps is the circuit breaker in your house rated to handle? Have you ever had an outlet stop working only to head out to the closet or garage and see that a circuit had broken?

This week I read a compelling article by the Rev. Nadia  Bolz-Weber, a Lutheran pastor, theologian, and author. She was writing about the circuit breaker in a former apartment where she lived. The place was old, real old. “Were I to audaciously assume my hair drier could run while my stereo was on, I would once again find myself opening the grey metal fuse box next to the refrigerator and flipping the breaker,” she writes.

These past couple of weeks have been full of a lot of news. However close to home or heart or however far across the expanse of the world, we have been inundated with not only news that is predictable and regular, but with the unexpected and uncertain. “It’s all too much,” Bolz-Weber writes.

This Sunday, I want us to hear the good news from 1 Kings as Solomon completes the Temple to the Holy One of Israel. I want us to hear that sometimes it is all too much for us, but never too much for God. I want us to hear that we can flip the breaker, make some adjustments, and keep going.

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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Beloved, please join in remembering Betty Ann Clay (mother of Melody Sheffield), who has died. Here is a link to her obituary.

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Due to audio & tech troubles, many of our streaming viewers weren’t able to clearly hear Deacon Joy’s sermon this past Sunday. For those who missed it (or just want to experience it again), we are making the text version available to you at the button below.

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Our garden has provided 459 lbs of produce and eggs to Neighbors in Need so far this year. Thanks to all who have helped in the garden and with delivery! We still have a few watermelons and cantaloupes growing, and our okra (5 varieties!!!) is doing well. The deer really love the okra leaves!!! Plastic netting works well in protecting the plants, and we have been mulling over ideas to make it work even better next year. Our experiment with a second crop of red potatoes was a failure. Seeds did not germinate for some reason.  We continue to work on putting cardboard/mulch down between and behind beds. We experimented with using grass mulch from back 40 vice wood chips (grass mulch is FREE!). Hot weather, rain, and humidity make gardening tough this time of year. We are contemplating a fall garden of collards and turnips.

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Our energetic team of retirees took the initiative and started mowing weekly (vice bi-weekly) towards the middle of July. We’ve discussed mowing more often in the past but never executed until now. It makes cutting easier, as grass gets real thick mid-summer (due especially to afternoon thundershowers that continue to pop up).

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Update from Diocese

In all that we do in youth ministry, we are called to balance our desire to engage in potentially transformative ministries with our young people with our need to minimize the risk to their health. 

In order to hold in-person events in the fall and to increase our chances of doing so while minimizing the risks to participants, the Diocese of Georgia is implementing the following precautions:

1. Covid-19 Vaccinations are now required for any overnight event for all who are eligible.
2. Everyone must submit proof of a negative Covid-19 test administered within 96 hours of the start of the event.
3.We will make use of Honey Creek’s beautiful outdoor spaces as much as possible, and will have fans on and windows open much of the time while indoors.
4.Masks must be worn while indoors at all times, except when eating or sleeping, regardless of vaccination status.
5. Registration numbers will be limited.

To read the full guidance, visit https://gaepiscopal.org/covid-19-resources/

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Conner Sloan
• Family of Gray Roland
• Carol Rubinson
• Mark McCracken

UPDATED: August 11, 2021 | 12:00 PM

“I am the bread of life”

I read a touching little story this week in Pulpit Digest that I want to share with you:

“There was a new young associate pastor that was given the assignment of taking communion to an elderly woman in a nearby nursing home. When she arrived the attendant on the hall said the woman is bedridden and does not even know her children. The young priest found the woman in her bed babbling incoherently while looking out the window. She did her duty and set up her communion kit and proceeded with the short service and was able to give the woman the body and blood of Christ. As she gathered her supplies and started to go, the old woman suddenly turned toward the priest and clearly said, ‘God really does love us doesn’t he?’ The Holy Communion had triggered a memory of love planted long ago.

Amen,

The Reverend Deacon Joy O. Davis

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Prayer List Updates:

• Mark McCracken
• Kathy Fazekas, Covid-19
• Conner Sloan, Covid-19
• Ruth Natoli
• Billy Bolton
• Ken Murdoch

UPDATED: August 5, 2021 | 11:11 AM

“Our Mission Continues”

This Sunday, we welcome back to St. Patrick’s our 4^th Rector, the Rev. Dr. Jim Bullion. Fr. Bullion served St. Patrick’s beginning in 1993 until his retirement in 2008.

We also have announced some additional, temporary, precautions for our in-person worship until we learn more about the prevalence of breakthrough infections and outcomes for the vaccinated as well as transmission for children under 12 who are yet able to be vaccinated. These changes include continuing our mask mandate for indoor gatherings of over 10 people and will include seating again every other row to space us out. In addition, there will be dedicated stations for those who would like to take the bread only and those who would continue to choose intinction. I promise you we will not keep to these changes any longer than we absolutely feel is necessary to be proactive in preventing the worst for anyone coming to worship in our congregation.

I will be away through next Sunday, August 15^th on vacation. During this time please contact our Senior Warden, Joe Wingard (229) 376-1030 or The Rev. Deacon Joy Davis (229) 347-0034 for pastoral care needs. In the case of a sacramental emergency, they will be in contact with a priest. I’m praying for you all and asking the Holy Spirit to lead us as our mission continues to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ enfolding all in God’s love.

Yours,

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SERMON+ SERIES. Will Return August 15. Ever wanted to get just a little more out of the sermon on Sundays? Have an additional question or wanted to hear something fleshed out further? Sunday, following the service, Fr. Nick will spend an extra 15-20 minutes filling in the gaps of the sermon with the scriptures readings from 1 & 2 Samuel into 1 Kings. Your questions welcomed!

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FELLOWSHIP FOLLOWING WORSHIP: Sunday after the Service. Your Vestry would like to serve and greet you after worship on Sunday mornings. There will be a simple refreshment offering in hopes that you’ll find a spot in the shade and join in the fellowship. See you shortly!

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Tom Strickland
• Repose of the Soul of Betty Ann Clay
• Kathy Fazekas, Covid-19
• Conner Sloan, Covid-19
• Ruth Natoli
• Billy Bolton
• Ken Murdoch

UPDATED: JUly 29, 2021 | 11:00 AM

“You are the man”

“Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight?”

If the last few weeks of our readings have focused on the rise of David to the throne of a united Israel and culminated in God’s promise to make him a house forever, we begin to confront a part of David that has likely been there all along. This part of David is less preferable in the annals of history, much like we in the south (and everywhere) tend to remember selective parts of our leaders when discerning how to honor the truth of history.

This week, we will look at how Nathan’s prophecy helps turn David’s self-denial into a self-confession. We will explore just how restorative redemption, not just for David, but for Bathsheba, indeed for Israel and for us, comes about when in response to our confession we are able to make repentance, to turn away from sin and toward grace. Such justice is the loving-kindness of God, whose mercies cannot be numbered.

Yours,

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A Word From Fr. Nick About Recent Coronavirus Updates from the CDC

Beloved, like many of you, I have seen the news this week that the Delta variant of the Coronavirus is the dominant strain and is resurgent among the U.S. population. 

What I want us to hear in this moment are a few things:

1) Continue to pray mightily for all who are impacted directly and indirectly by Covid, including for the courage to seek support and help even for yourself.

2) This resurgence is overwhelmingly among the unvaccinated, with breakthrough cases being the “rare occasion” (per CDC)

3) Even among those breakthrough cases, the incidence of hospitalization or severe illness is currently exceptionally rare on a population wide basis

4) Further, thus far, we don’t have evidence that the delta variant has any greater transmission than the original strain among pre-pubescent children outside of the home

5) Finally, it is now definitively clear that receiving a vaccine is one of the easiest life-saving medical decisions of our century, and not only for ourselves, but for our community. If you are eligible and haven’t spoken with your doctor or any qualified health professional, please be encouraged to do so and become vaccinated.

6) With the percentage of folks vaccinated in our congregations, there is no reason, at this time, to restrict our behavior further. The Vestry will discuss this Sunday, August 1.

I would welcome your own thoughts/reflections/feedback for our discussion to the Senior Warden – Joe Wingard: josephrwingard@yahoo.com

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Birthday

• 1 – Stacey Driggers
• 4 – Kay Ragan
• 6 – Jimmy Davis, Celie Hogue, & Bert Windham
• 7 – Karen Dees, Glenda Franklin & Tracy Stringer
• 11 – Ralph Rodgers
• 12 – Jim Sheffield & Alan White
• 13 – Kathryn Daniels
• 16 – Alex Moreschi
• 18 – Alex Hart
• 19 – Adia Sakura-Lemessy
• 21 – Anna Arnold & Theodore Freeman
• 22 – Joseph Freeman
• 23 – Buster Arnold & Brenda Gray
• 27 – Jane Swanson
• 30 – Dylan Armstrong & Tony Moreschi
• 31 – John Michael Rowe Jr.

Wedding Anniversary

• 10 – Bob and Aida Cerney
• 14 – Tim and Joy Davis

Baptism Anniversary

• 1 – Sam Williamson
• 3 – Anne Goodburn
• 9 – James Clements
• 10 – Melody Sheffield
• 12 – William Ragan Jr.
• 13 – Kathryn Daniels
• 19 – Sam Stringer & Tracy Stringer

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Sylvia Berry
• Family of Bert Wagnon
• Ruth Natoli
• Billy Bolton
• Ken Murdoch

UPDATED: JUly 9, 2021 | 3:30 PM

“Doing the Thing Right or Doing the Right Thing”

As part of our scripture story today from Samuel, King David has resolved to move the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. In this effort, Uzzah, son of Abinajab, is walking with the ark and the oxen along the route. When one of the oxen stumbles, Uzzah reaches out his hand to steady the ark so that it won’t touch the ground and perhaps even break. Uzzah’s violation is absolute as no one should touch the ark and live. 

There are many good reasons to take up anger with God’s anger, as David did (the words for their feelings are the same in the Hebrew). Rabbi Kook offers this wisdom: it was the oxen that were unstable, and therefore Uzzah should have steadied the animals instead of the ark.

How often do we think we are doing the right thing when we try to address symptoms and end up avoiding addressing the underlying root causes? One advantage of community is the opportunity to speak up and to hear about the larger issues that lead to such stumbling among the vulnerable, for they often bear the highest cost of trying to do the thing right. In Jesus call to protect the poor and vulnerable, how might the church speak more clearly?

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Ann Roosevelt
• Family of Harris Povlot
• Zack Turner, Motorcycle Accident
• Hanna Jones, Eye Surgery
• Betty Ann Clay
• Mary Lou Porter, Spine Surgery
• Rob Kirk & Family, Leukemia Diagnosis

UPDATED: JUly 1, 2021 | 3:30 PM

“The Birth of a Nation”

Happy Independence Day!

This Sunday, we remember the birth of a nation, but not just our own! In our scriptures, we hear the account of the birth of the nation of Israel with David as its King. This continues the fascinating saga of Israel’s monarchy and its growth from a fledgling group of tribal affiliations to a more perfect (or complete) union. Of course, we know from history this is not long-lived for Israel as Samuel’s prediction of the travails of monarchy outweigh its benefits. No form of governance is perfect, and yet we continually yearn to the cause of liberty and justice for all. Let us pray today for Israel, for the United States, and for nascent and fledgling nations seeking the same.

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  Collect for Independence Day, Book of Common Prayer p. 242

Yours,

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Potato Harvest – Food for a Thousand Garden

This past Saturday a dedicated group of children and adults worked hard to harvest and wash potatoes from our FFT garden.  We ended up with 155 lbs of red potatoes coming from 5 beds.  Another 10 lbs was saved and is being used for seed potatoes for a second crop.  The potato harvest was then donated to Neighbors in Need.On Saturday we began replanting  the second crop of red potatoes for this year.  We are experimenting with growing the potatoes in mulch versus in the dirt, which eliminates the need to wash after harvest. The second crop is expected to be ready in early October, so mark your calendar!

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One Voice Georgia

July 23rd – 25th

One Voice Georgia for Disability Rights will bring together community members with and without disabilities from across the state to move with a unified voice in support of disability rights. Participants can choose to run, walk, roll, or bike for 1 mile, a 5K (3.1 miles), or 10K (6.2 miles), or simply move for exercise at any point during July 23-25, 2021. Participants can complete their race individually, with family & friends, at a park, their backyard, or even inside! The Arc of Southwest Georgia in person events: July 23 (ADA Celebration) & July 24 (One Voice Race). Register at ga.thearc.org/one-voice-georgia.

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Baptism Anniversary

• 1 – Brian Williamson
• 6 – John Michael Rowe Jr.
• 7 – Sarah Arnold & Karen Dees
• 12 – Bob Cerney
• 24 – Tom Shapard

Wedding Anniversary

• 14 – Patton & Teresa Jones

Birthday

• 3 -– Ken Jones
• 4 – Lee Couch and Scott Long
• 7 – Miles Hall
• 8 – Al Armstrong
• 9 – Ruth Fountain
• 10 – John Cumbee and Daniella Okafor
• 12 – Daniel Vanoteghem
• 13 – Tom Borst
• 14 – Thomas Clements
• 15 – LeConte Talley
• 27 – June Lewis
• 29 – Lamon Brand

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Tiffani Whitaker
• Family of Diane Erickson
• Hanna Jones, Eye Surgery
• Betty Ann Clay
• Mary Lou Porter, Spine Surgery
• Rob Kirk & Family, Leukemia Diagnosis

UPDATED: JUNE 24, 2021 | 12:00 PM

“The Warrior Lament”

This Sunday’s portion in our continuing journey through the initial period of kings in Ancient Israel comes at a transition point in the story. Last week, we read the story of David and Goliath. Since then, David has been on the run from Saul, who has desired to kill this threat to his rule.

Through his music, David had been Saul’s only relief from the evil spirit which turned against him, but now David would seem to torment him even more than the spirit. Saul’s son Jonathan has saved David several times and they have bonded with an intimate connection that comes with shared suffering and isolation.

Saul and Jonathan will eventually be overcome by the Philistines, and Saul will fall on his own sword rather than be killed by the enemy.
Today, we read (or listen) to David the musician singing his lament. There are several fascinating layers to these words. Some of them pick up on the Song of Hannah and the reversal motif in this set of stories. Others connote a classic warrior lament over losing close ones in battle. It signals that we are moving from a Saul-David story now to a David story. Soon, it will be time for David to become King of Israel.

Yours,

The Reverend Nick Roosevelt, Rector and Pastor

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Apply for Happening #104 Staff & Steering Committee

Staff Applications are currently being accepted online and we are also receiving nominations for the Happening Steering Committee. Links to each form are below. In order to apply to serve on staff you must have attended Happening at least once. Remember that applying for staff does not guarantee selection. In order to allow for some spacing, especially in the dorms, we are limiting the total number of Candidates and Staff to fifty people. In addition, as we ease back into the in-person aspect of youth events, we strongly recommend that everyone who wishes to participate receive a Covid vaccine if eligible. Applicants who are selected for either Steering Committee or Happening Staff will be contacted via email by Happening Coordinator Sarah Brittany Greneker (sbsandbach@gmail.com).

Candidate Registration will open soon, and we look forward to greeting the newest group of Happeners. We are so excited to finally be able to meet again and hope will help us take the necessary precautions to continue to do so. The Georgia Happening website is updated and will continue to be updated as we move closer to our Happening date! 

Remember the BEST is yet to come!

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Back to the Creek Retreat for Youth!

Because Covid-19 is still a risk, participant numbers will be limited for this event. Smaller numbers will enable everyone to spread out in the dorms and during worship and other activities. Sign up quickly when registration opens next week! Please contact Canon Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org with questions about this event! We strongly encourage all participants who are able to do so to get vaccinated before the event!

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BACK 40. Mowing Week, Friday & Saturday (as required – would like to get as much done on Friday so as to not interfere with potato harvest)

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FOOD FOR A THOUSAND GARDEN, Potato Harvest, this Saturday, June 26th at 9:00 AM. We have a nice crop of Red Potatoes, ready for harvesting!  All ages are welcome to come and help, or just watch. Bring work gloves, knee pads, and expect to get dirty. Plan is to also plant a second follow-on crop of Red Potatoes, using some of those we harvest as seed. Mild Georgia weather allows for a second crop, but we’ve never tried, so should be interesting. Will also try planting a bed in wood chips/mulch and see how that works… supposedly makes harvesting easier and potatoes don’t get “dirty” when grown in mulch.

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COVID Worship Updates, Season after Pentecost

Masks and Vaccination

Consistent with guidance from the Diocese, all persons are encouraged to wear masks during communal gatherings of worship. Fully Vaccinated persons are not required to wear a mask at any time during worship. Anyone not fully vaccinated is required to continue to mask indoors at all times and outdoors when within 10ft of another unvaccinated person.

Sitting in the Sanctuary

With recent guidance from the CDC, the Diocese has loosened seating restrictions. Social distancing will now be emphasized between any two unvaccinated persons not from the same family. Beginning this Sunday, we will adopt a new seating plan with the following guidance: There will be eight areas throughout the sanctuary reserved for families with persons unvaccinated (see seating chart). Fully vaccinated persons may sit anywhere in the congregation following two rules: 
1) you may not sit directly in front of or behind anyone and
2) you should not be within an arm’s reach (3ft.) of anyone else vaccinated or unvaccinated from outside your family.

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Bob Parker
• Family of Tim Everett
• Betty Ann Clay
• Mary Lou Porter, Spine Surgery
• Rob Kirk & Family, Leukemia Diagnosis
• Ann Roosevelt (Fr. Nick’s Grandmother), Hospice Care
• Le Anna Walton, Recovery from Procedure

UPDATED: JUNE 17, 2021 | 12:00 PM

“Rooting for the Underdog”

One of the things my father learned from his father, and I in turn learned from my father was to root for the underdog. By that, I’m not asking for all of you Bulldog fans to root against your own team when favored (which is most of the time I hear). However, I’ve found rooting for the underdog can change the whole experience of enjoying sports.

Perhaps this is best illustrated in a recent series I watched on Disney+ called “Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.” If you are familiar with the original movie franchise, Emilio Estévez reprises his role, except this time the Ducks have become a corporatized, win-at-all-costs team. When one of their players, Evan, gets cut from the team, he decides to start a new team called the “Don’t Bothers.” As you might expect, this new team is filled with kids who’ve never touched the ice or even thought of playing hockey. 

When you begin to pull for the underdog, every achievement brings on a new level of enjoyment and fun. As I remember the many hundreds of games I’ve spent with my dad in the pressbox or on the sidelines, I’m most grateful this Father’s day for the enjoyment I gained from learning to root for the underdog. God sort of has a track record of doing the same in the scriptures, perhaps, something we all might learn from our heavenly father.

Yours,

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The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

June 20, 2021

10:00 AM | In-Person and Online Worship

READINGS FROM YEAR B, THE REVISED COMMON LECTIONARY: 
1 Samuel 17:32-49 OR; Psalm 9:9-20; [2 Corinthians 6:1-13]; Mark 4:35-41

WORSHIP LEADERS
Greeter Tracy Stringer
Ushers Sam Stringer, Marian White
Altar Guild Jane Braun, Adia Sakura-Lemessy, Donna Sakura-Lemessy, Sandra Rowe
Flower Guild Joyce Bridges-Judkins, Shirley Tyner
A/V Team Michael Plowden
Reader Lamon Brand
Eucharistic Minister Gabriel Perkins-Lawrence
Verger Carolyn Brunson, Casey Perkins-Lawrence
Guest Pianist Amanda Latona
Deacon The Reverend Deacon Joy O. Davis
Guest Presider The Reverend Joe Clift
*The Reverend Nick Roosevelt is away this week at Diocesan Family Camp

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MEN’S STEAK NIGHT. Monday, June 21 | 6:00 PM. Bring your own meat and beverage, and the church will provide the ready grill, a salad, and baked potato. Everyone is encouraged to invite a friend for this evening of fellowship and brotherhood.

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SERMON+ SERIES. Sundays after the Service beginning June 27. Ever wanted to get just a little more out of the sermon on Sundays? Have an additional question or wanted to hear something fleshed out further? Beginning Sunday, June 27, immediately following the service, Fr. Nick will spend an extra 15-20 minutes filling in the gaps of the sermon with the scriptures readings from 1 & 2 Samuel into 1 Kings. Your questions welcomed!

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REFRESHMENTS WITH THE VESTRY Beginning June 27 after the Service. Your Vestry would like to serve and greet you after worship on Sunday mornings. Beginning June 27, there will be a simple beverage and snack offering in hopes that you’ll find a spot in the shade and fellowship. Join us!

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VESTRY VACANCY. Election Scheduled for July 12. Due to a recent resignation from the Vestry, there is an open spot to fill a 2.5 year term. The Vestry will elect a new member at its July 12 meeting. If you are interested in serving, please contact Fr. Nick or a current Vestry member.

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VESTRY MINUTES AND FINANCIALS. Available at stpatricksalbany.org    A reminder to all guests and members of our congregations that the Vestry minutes and financial reports are made available on the home page of our website each month as part of our commitment to transparency and communication with you. 

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MOVIE NIGHT at Christ UMC – 505 Byron Plantation Road Friday, June 18 at 6:30 PM & Everyone is invited!

*Bring your family, friends, lounge chairs and blankets. This event will be held inside the Parlor of the Educational Building.

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Prayer List Updates:

• Ann Roosevelt (Fr. Nick’s Grandmother), Hospice Care
• Le Anna Walton, Recovery from Procedure
• Bob Parker, Cancer and Organ Failure

UPDATED: JUNE 3, 2021 | 12:00 PM

Beloved,

Grace and peace be with you all in Christ our Lord!

This Sunday begins the Season after Pentecost (and Trinity Sunday), as the long arc of the warmer months are among us. I wanted to share a couple of announcements:

1) Birthday and Anniversary Blessings
Beginning this Sunday, June 6, we will once again have blessings time at the first of the month for those who have birthdays, anniversaries, baptismal dates, etc. during the month of June. At the announcements you will be invited to come forward together for a blessing.

2) Scripture Readings
“The major sequence that runs, from 1 Samuel 1 to 1 King 2 is one of the most astounding pieces of narrative that has come down to us from the ancient world.” – Robert Alter, Ph.D, Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature

Each church year (Advent to Christ the King, typically November to November), we read through the bible using a series of selected lessons from something called a lectionary. The Revised Common Lectionary, specifically, sets forth readings in common with major mainline denominations in the West as a sign of Christian unity. During the Season after Pentecost, there is an optional track to read through portions of the Old Testament narratives. This Summer, we will start reading through the story of Israel during its monarchies. 

I sometimes get flack for preaching the political (read: not partisan) implications of the Gospel. Any mature Christian understands you can’t read Scripture without an awareness of the world behind the text, including its politics. And you can’t read through 1 Samuel 1 to 1 Kings 2 without recognizing any politicalquestion is a theological question for ancient Israel. Israel just can’t wait to have a King. How will it turn out? Let us (re-)read together…

See you Sunday!

Yours in Christ,

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Bikers Staying At The Church While Working With Our Local Fuller Center For Housing

From Stacey Driggers: Twenty-two bike riders are staying at our church June 2nd – 4th (they are all vaccinated), and we will be fixing a roof and painting the Fuller Center office. They are riding across the country to raise awareness and money for the ministry of the Fuller Center for Housing. “Everyone who gets sleepy at night should have a simple decent place to lay their heads, on terms they can afford to pay.” -Millard Fuller

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Birthday

• June 1 – Spencer Williamson
• June 2 – Erin Freeman, Seth Daniels, & Gabi and Gabriel Okafor
• June 6 – Ann Young & Zoe Shipley
• June 9 – Bert Baranko
• June 11 – Riley Driggers & Alan Seely-Wilson
• June 13 –Bob Cerney
• June 14 – Eloise Talley
• June 17 – Andy Davis & Bonnie Walton
• June 19 – Marcia Killingsworth
• June 23 – Joan Northrop
• June 24 – David Hogue
• June 25 – Carolyn Brunson
• June 26 – Tom Strickland
• June 28 – Clay Sisson & Angela Szpak
• June 29 – Joe Wingard.

Wedding Anniversary

• June 2 – David and Celie Hogue 
• June 8 – Randy and Leigh Ann Shipley
• June 15 –Tom and Jackie Driggers & Joe and Erin Freeman
• June 17 – Bill and Kay Ragan
• June 21 – Tony and Tricia Moreschi

Anniversary of Baptism

• June 1 – Doris Alley, Danielle Arnold, Joyce Bridges-Judkins, Mark Brunson, Michael Brunson Sr., Joy Davis, Jackie Driggers, Hill Gillespie, Fran Kempf, Steve Kender, Barb Strickland, Jane Swanson, Steve Tanner, Al Voss, Orva Voth, and Bonnie Walton (We also choose this day to celebrate those whose date of baptism is not recorded in our church register.) 
• June 3 – Nancy Griffin
• June 4 – John Griffin
• June 10 – John Cumbee
• June 11 – Laura Talley
• June 14 – Lindsey Stewart
• June 19 – Casey Perkins-Lawrence
• June 29 – Kelly Rowe

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Prayer List Updates:

• Tammy Mathis. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Marsha Killingsworth.
• Abagail Elaine. Added by Sharyn Davis.

UPDATED: May 27, 2021 | 2:30 PM

Beloved,

This Sunday, May 30, 2021, Trinity Sunday, we bid farewell to Ben Gessner, our Director of Music for these past two years. We have all been blessed by his ministry, including his great care, teaching, musicianship, and leadership. It is amazing to me that most of his ministry with us was during the pandemic, and yet, he continued to offer us his very best and more. Ben has just completed the Masters of Arts in Church Music from Mercer University, Macon, and will continue on to a Masters in Arts in Theology from the McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta. While we knew this time was coming, we nevertheless mourn this transition even as we celebrate Ben’s accomplishments among us.

With current restrictions, we won’t be able to have the full reception we might normally have under these circumstances. I would like to ask a couple of things from you.
1. Please arrive early to hear Ben’s full prelude and plan to stay seated as a congregation through the full postlude (we’ll greet him outside afterwards).
2. Please consider a donation to Ben’s Purse to support him in this transition and into his future studies (gifts can be marked ‘Ben’s Purse’ and will be forwarded on to him, these gifts are not tax-deductible).

Rare in Southwest Georgia do we encounter such a rich liturgical depth and care with the scriptures, and we give thanks that Ben has joined a line of musicians who have served St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour so faithfully. We now pray both for his future endeavors and for the Holy Spirit to bring us a new musician as our search picks up this summer. See you Sunday!

Yours in Christ,

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This summer’s VBS will be interactive “take-home” boxes serving our youth ages 4-12. So we may best serve each family, please share the following information before June 14, 2021.

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Bikers Staying At The Church While Working With Our Local Fuller Center For Housing

From Stacey Driggers: Twenty-two bike riders will be staying at our church June 2nd – 4th (they are all vaccinated), and we will be fixing a roof and painting the Fuller Center office. If anyone would like to assist with a dinner, snacks or lunch, please let me know! Fruit: oranges, apples and bananas requested. Appreciate you all!

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Bobby Gay.
• Abagail Elaine. Added by Sharyn Davis.
• Family of Dick Grebel. Added by Carol Wilch.
• Sue Woods. Added by Joyce Bridges-Judkins.
• Diane Erickson. Added by Myra Walker.

UPDATED: May 21, 2021 | 3:00 PM

Covid Worship Updates,  effective Pentecost Sunday Masks and VaccinationConsistent with guidance from the Diocese, all persons are encouraged to wear masks during communal gatherings of worship. Fully Vaccinated persons are not required to wear a mask at any time during worship. Anyone not fully vaccinated is required to continue to mask indoors at all times and outdoors when within 10ft of another unvaccinated person.  Sitting in the SanctuaryWith recent guidance from the CDC, the Diocese has loosened seating restrictions. Social distancing will now be emphasized between any two unvaccinated persons not from the same family. Beginning this Sunday, we will adopt a new seating plan with the following guidance: There will be eight areas throughout the sanctuary reserved for families with persons unvaccinated (see seating chart). Fully vaccinated persons may sit anywhere in the congregation following two rules:  1) you may not sit directly in front of or behind anyone and 2) you should not be within an arm’s reach (3ft.) of anyone else vaccinated or unvaccinated from outside your family.

Book of Common Prayer and HymnalsWith recent updates to guidance affirming that surface spread of Covid is negligible, we will once again have our prayer books and hymnals in the pews.  SingingConsistent with last week’s change, we are now allowing all persons to join in congregational singing. Please use the insert and hymnal to find music.  OfferingWith recent updates to guidance affirming that surface spread of Covid is negligible, we will return to a traditional offertory with the passing of plates.  Contact Tracing CardsContact tracing cards will now only be necessary for guests or anyone whose information the parish does not already have on file.  Holy CommunionHoly Communion will be offered in two kinds only by intinction (dipping) served by the priest or deacon only. If you would like to receive in two kinds, please point to the wine when you come forward for communion. Everyone may choose to continue receiving by bread only. This Sunday, there will be two communion stations that ushers will direct you to depending upon which side of the nave you are seated. You will come forward via the center aisle, and return to your seat by the outer aisle.  Exiting WorshipFollowing the final hymn, during the postlude, you may exit following the direction of the ushers via the side door of the Chapel of Our Saviour. Those wishing to hear the full postlude may remain seated and exit after the postlude.  RestroomsRestrooms are no longer emergency use only. Please do use the available wipes to clean the surfaces that may have been dirty. This is a good sanitization practice for bathrooms even beyond the pandemic.  Coming Later in SummerNursery Birthday Blessings Coffee Hour  Personal NoteI do give so much thanks to God for your diligence and care in cooperating with guidance during the pandemic. We have had no cases of spread in our worship, and you have committed to one another’s safety. As the dimmer switch continues to brighten and risk lowers, I trust we will continue to watch, pray, and act for each other’s safety and wellbeing. Thank you beloved!!

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UPDATED: May 15, 2021 | 11:00 AM

Beloved,
 
Grace and peace be with you in the risen Christ!

Like many of you, I was excited to hear the great news announced by the CDC this Thursday. Not so much that the vaccinated could dispense in most cases with mask wearing, but with the amazing scientific evidence that supports such a shift in guidance. Starting last year with the pandemic, your prayers, the commitment of the scientific community, and heaps of money from our federal government, have delivered to us a safe, effective vaccine, in which much of our daily lives can resume with no more risk than when we buckle our seat belts to drive to church on Sunday morning. Thanks be to God!!

Now, all that being said, this guidance applies to only the fully vaccinated. My first thought when the announcement was made was, but what about our children?Within five minutes, I had reached out to the Bishop, and we texted back and forth to offer some guidance and feedback. One of the things he emphasized, as he has from the beginning of the pandemic, is that we are still reopening on a dimmer switch. He wrote a letter yesterday to the priests and wardens of the parishes. Here is part of what he wrote:

At the time of this announcement, less than 29% of Georgia residents were fully vaccinated. No one ages 12-15 has had sufficient time to get fully vaccinated, no one under 12 has been cleared to receive a vaccine at all, and many of those 16 and over have decided to not yet get the vaccine at this time…While I have read this newest CDC announcement in full, as of this morning the CDC has yet to revise their guidance for Communities of Faith based on this change. The new CDC announcement is welcome news for us as individuals, but it is also a challenge for communities of faith because, as followers of Jesus, we welcome all people, not just those who are fully vaccinated. The CDC is clear that indoor gatherings, including church services, remain a risk for the unvaccinated. This may seem like a small point, but it can have a great impact. Our May 17 guidance allows us to sing indoors while we are masked and distanced from other households. But I am deeply concerned about what it will mean for us to sing with no masks and no distancing with unvaccinated persons among us, especially children. – Bishop Logue

Our approach at St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour:

After consulting with our Senior Warden and following the Bishop’s Guidance, I have come, prayerfully to the following:

• Sunday, May 16 everyone will remain in masks, seated distanced
• Sunday, May 16 everyone is invited to sing wearing their masks

Following this Sunday, I will further consult with our families with children and with the full Vestry to assess our path forward.

I have been so thankful for you all during this pandemic. You have adapted well, loved and cared for each other well, you have been patient and kind, all of these things in the character of Christ himself! I hope to see you all tomorrow, and I look forward to more soon!

In Christ,

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Prayer List Updates:

• Sue Woods. Added by Joyce Bridges-Judkins.
• Diane Erickson. Added by Myra Walker.
• Bobby Gay. Hopsitalized. Added by Joyce Bridges-Judkins.

UPDATED: May 6, 2021 | 2:00 PM

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Prayer List Updates:

• Bobby Gay. Hopsitalized. Added by Joyce Bridges-Judkins.
• Families of Kelby Bryant and Chris Bryant. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Addison Brown. Seizure and Brain Issues. Added by Monica Plowden.
• John Griffin. Heart Troubles. Added by Marian White.
• Thom Bear. Awaiting Transplant. Added by Sharyn Davis.
• Kurt Carow. Parkinson’s Disease Troubles. Added by Karen Dees.
• David Hogue. Heart Troubles. Added by Ann Young.

UPDATED: April 29, 2021 | 2:00 PM

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Baptism Anniversary

• 5th – Ann Bolton
• 9th – Mary Shapard
• 18th – Clay Sheffield and Catherine Talley
• 25th – Kristi Baranko and Lee Ann Burkart

Birthday

• 2nd – William Ragan Jr.
• 3rd – Jordon Knight
• 4th – Casey Perkins-Lawrence
• 8th – Gabriel Perkins-Lawrence
• 9th – Ava Mc Donald, Ian Sakura-Lemessy and Beverly Ziemiecki
• 10th – Gil Gillespie
• 13th – Jay O’Neil
• 14th – Jim Kempf and Cathy Stocks
• 19th – Kaidin Burney
• 20th – James Clements
• 22nd – Dana O’Neil
• 23rd – Peggy Hamlin 
• 24th – Carmen Moore, Jo Cerrone, Jan Dukes and Tim Davis
• 25th – Ellie Northrop 
• 28th – Brent Driggers, John Griffin and Ed Northrop
• 29th – Sally Behrend
• 30th – William Behrend, Melissa Goodin, and Brent Northrop

Wedding Anniversary

• 3rd –Tom and Orva Voth
• 6th – Jim and Fran Kempf
• 8th – Grant and Jennifer Combs
• 9th – Hill and May Gillespie & Uzoma and Toyin Okafor
• 22nd – Michael and Carol Brunson

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Bobby Smith.
• Family of Molly Arnold.
• Addison Brown. Seizure and Brain Issues. Added by Monica Plowden.
• John Griffin. Heart Troubles. Added by Marian White.
• Thom Bear. Awaiting Transplant. Added by Sharyn Davis.
• Kurt Carow. Parkinson’s Disease Troubles. Added by Karen Dees.
• David Hogue. Heart Troubles. Added by Ann Young.
• Joey Nichols. Emergency Hospitalization. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Gloria Gladney. Hospitalization. Added by Chrystal Michie.

UPDATED: April 21, 2021 | 2:00 PM

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Our Vestry Minutes and Financial Reports are now easily accessible on the homepage of our website. Go to stpatricksalbany.org and scroll down until you see “Responsible Leadership and Reporting.” Click on the Minutes and Financials button, and there you are!

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If you have financial concerns, contact Fr. Nick. For more information, contact Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org.

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Kori Gauthier. Added by Celie Hogue.
• Joey Nichols. Emergency Hospitalization. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Gloria Gladney. Hospitalization. Added by Chrystal Michie.
• Gary Flanigan. Added by Fr. Nick.
• John Everett. Possible Pancreatitis. Added by Celie Hogue.
• Richard Harless. Heart Valve Replacement. Added by Carolyn Brunson.

UPDATED: April 8, 2021 | 1:00 PM

Easter Sunday 2021

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Easter Small Group Studies to Begin THIS SUNDAY

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Theora Whittlesey Brown. Added by Fr. Nick.
• Family of Marge Ann Coxey. Added by Celie Hogue.
• Gary Flanigan. Added by Fr. Nick.
• John Everett. Possible Pancreatitis. Added by Celie Hogue.
• Richard Harless. Heart Valve Replacement. Added by Carolyn Brunson.
• Joe Sports. Recovery from Stroke. Added by Karen Dees.
• Harris Povlot. Recovery from Surgery. Added by Fr. Nick.
• Al Voss. Stage 1 Throat Cancer. Added by Fr. Nick.

UPDATED: April 1, 2021 | 2:00 PM

HOLY WEEK IS HERE

Beloved,

You are invited to walk with Jesus in these next three days, from his last supper to the cross, and finally to the tomb empty again.

I want to thank you so much again for the edifying and uplifting worship for Palm and Passion Sunday this past week! The strength of our community was evident by your participation in-person and online. We have almost 70 in-person and another 20 or so online…it was a community choosing to be community together.

This week, all of our services will have an in-person and online option for you, and I pray that this year we would continue our strong participation by attending all three services of the Triduum, right up to Easter Sunday itself. I hope to see you along the way, holding you all in my prayers.

Yours,

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“FOOD FOR A THOUSAND” GARDEN

Upcoming Schedule:

• Saturday, April 10th: Plant garden (Note this schedule change! This will no longer be on Saturday, April 3rd.)

If interested, contact Joe Wingard at josephrwingard@yahoo.com or cell phone 229-376-1030 (feel free to leave a message). 

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Baptism Anniversary

• 1st – Jimmy Chandler, Sharyn Davis, Tim Davis, Tamra Parks, and Michael Plowden 
• 2nd – Juby Phillips
• 4th – Bella Burney and Kaiden Burney
• 5th – Emily Hogue
• 8th – Jeremiah Hoskinson and Ella Shipley 
• 9th – Nancy Behringer
• 19th – Gabriel Perkins-Lawrence
• 21st – Cecilia Vanoteghem

Birthday

• 1st – Tamra Parks and Monica Plowden
• 3rd – Melody Sheffield and Al Voss
• 4th – Sunny Anne LaFontaine
• 7th – Santha Jetty
• 10th – Sharon Gross
• 12th – Danielle Arnold, Toyin Okafor and Brian Williamson
• 13th – Mary Shapard
• 15th – Rachael Arnold
• 18th – Jeremiah Hoskin and Todd Northrop
• 19th –Bryce Northrop
• 20th – Fran Kempf and Dee Knight
• 22nd – Sergio Cerrone
• 23rd – Kay Rodgers
• 28th – Faryn Hackett
• 29th – Sally Behrend, Rachel Rodriquez Wingard
• 30th – William Behrend, Melissa Goodin and Brent Northrop

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Prayer List Updates:

• Joe Sports. Recovery from Stroke. Added by Karen Dees.
• Harris Povlot. Recovery from Surgery. Added by Fr. Nick.
• Al Voss. Stage 1 Throat Cancer. Added by Fr. Nick.
• Jerry Castleberry. Cancer. Added by Aida Cerney.
• Jonathan McDonald. Possible Stroke. Added by Celie Hogue.

UPDATED: march 23, 2021 | 2:20 PM

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This Good Friday, we will be taking up a dedicated offering for the support of the Episcopal Church in the Holy Land. Click above to hear about this appeal from the Presiding Bishop.

*Please make sure all checks are made out to: “St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church” with “Good Friday Offering” added in the note field.
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The bishops, priests, and people of the Province of the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East thank you very much for your support as we come together in the One Body of Christ, strengthening our faith by living the Good News.

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Newly Created St. Patrick Festal Garden Outside of the Parish Hall

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UPDATED: march 16, 2021 | 2:00 PM

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“FOOD FOR A THOUSAND” GARDEN

Upcoming Schedule:

• Saturday 27 March:  First combined Back 40/Food for a Thousand workday, begin at 8:00 am
• Saturday 3 April: Plant garden

If interested, contact Joe Wingard at josephrwingard@yahoo.com or cell phone 229-376-1030 (feel free to leave a message). 

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Prayer List Updates:

• Alan Conard. Cancer. Added by Amanda Clements.
• Linda & Bill Adair. Added by Loretta Williamson.
• Janie Williams. In need of a liver transplant. Added by Mary Shapard.
• Chris Alba. COVID-19. Added by Celie Hogue.
• Jeff Woodford. COVID-19. Added by Celie Hogue.

UPDATED: march 9, 2021 | 2:15 PM

Food For A Thousand Returns

“FOOD FOR A THOUSAND” GARDEN
 Join us in the Food for a Thousand Garden at 9 am this Saturday, 13th of March, as we prepare for spring and remember the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day by planting potatoes!  The potato was important to Ireland because the plant was hardy, nutritious, calorie dense, and relatively easy to grow.  Children & youth are especially welcome and encouraged to come learn the art of potato planting. It’s easy and fun! Come and see!   

Upcoming Schedule:

• Saturday 13 March:  Potato planting – families and children of all ages invited, 9:00 AM
• Saturday 27 March:  First combined Back 40/Food for a Thousand workday, begin at 8:00 am
• Saturday 3 April: Plant garden

If interested, contact Joe Wingard at josephrwingard@yahoo.com or cell phone 229-376-1030 (feel free to leave a message). 

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Daniel Castellano. Added by Kristi Baranko.
• Janie Williams. In need of a liver transplant. Added by Mary Shapard.
• Chris Alba. COVID-19. Added by Celie Hogue.
• Jeff Woodford. COVID-19. Added by Celie Hogue.

UPDATED: march 5, 2021 | 8:45 PM

Worship In-Person This Sunday

Beloved,

It is with great hope and anticipation that we return to in-person worship this Sunday, March 7, the third Sunday in Lent. We will continue to offer a livestream of the services online at 10:00 AM.

Our services will still have restrictions, but we hope they will loosen as we emerge from this pandemic together. Thank you beloved, and I hope to see you in-person on Sunday.

Yours,

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“Food For A Thousand” Garden

Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to start planning this year’s “Food for a Thousand” Garden. If you think raising and delivering fresh produce for the local food bank is a worthwhile endeavor, and would like to help, we need you!  Join us for some of the upcoming activities:

· Sunday 7 March:  After 10 am service, cut up seed potatoes in kitchen
· Saturday 13 March:  Potato planting…families and children of all ages invited, time TBA
· Saturday 27 March:  First combined Back 40/Food for a Thousand workday start 8 am
· Saturday 3 April:  Plant garden

If interested, contact Joe Wingard at josephrwingard@yahoo.com or cell phone 229-376-1030 (feel free to leave a message). 

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Anise Morris. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Nancy. Added by Myra Walker.
• Melissa Decker. Recovery from Surgery. Added by Kay Ragan.
• Frank Jones. Upcoming Surgery. Added by Sunny LaFontaine.

UPDATED: February 25, 2021 | 11:00 AM

Ashes-To-Go at St. Patrick’s

Ashes-to-go was a success! Pictured above is our afternoon team of volunteers. Thank you to all who assisted in any way!

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Souper Bowl of Caring Donation

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Birthday

• 1st – Mike Brunson
• 2nd – Sam Williamson
• 3rd – Kearsten Jones
• 7th – Le Anna Walton
• 8th – Teresa Jones
• 14th – Kristi Baranko
• 16th – Tom Shapard
• 19th – Anne Wilson
• 20th – Lauren Williamson
• 28th – Davis Goodin
• 29th – Randy Shipley
• 31st – Lesia Irvin

Baptism Anniversary

• 1st – Loretta Williamson
• 3rd – Kay Ragan
• 4th – Bob Baranko
• 17th – Griffin Ragan
• 19th – Barbara Cumbee
• 26th – Seth Daniels

Wedding Anniversary

• 11th – Clay and Libby Sisson
• 13th – Bill and Ann Young
• 15th – Bert and Kristi Baranko
• 23rd – Brian and Loretta Williamson
• 30th – Michael and Monica Plowden

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Small Group Studies Have Commenced!

Groups met Tuesday for the start of the Walk in Love book study. Pictured above is the 2pm in-person group. If interested, details for the study are listed below!

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Prayer List Updates:

• Anise Morris. COVID-19. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Nancy. Added by Myra Walker.
• Melissa Decker. Recovery from Surgery. Added by Kay Ragan.
• Frank Jones. Upcoming Surgery. Added by Sunny LaFontaine.
• Family of Margie Davis. Added by Tim Davis.
• Family of Senie Griffin. Kay Ragan’s sister. Added by Shirley Tyner.
• Deacon Ed Williams. Added by Deacon Joy.
• Monica Plowden. Added by Marian White.
• Michael & Beth Montgomery. COVID-19. Added by Kristi Baranko.

UPDATED: February 17, 2021 | 2:20 PM

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The Valentine’s Day cards you made were delivered to residents at both Montezuma Health and Rehab (pictured, left) and Evergreen Assisted Living (pictured, right). The delivery was a great success and brought joy to many! (Including Administrator at Montezuma, John Michael Rowe – pictured, middle!)

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Prayer List Updates:

• Deacon Ed Williams. Added by Deacon Joy.
• Monica Plowden. Added by Marian White.
• Michael & Beth Montgomery. COVID-19. Added by Kristi Baranko.

UPDATED: February 10, 2021 | 2:30 PM

Vestry Affirms and Postpones St. Patrick’s Dinner Celebration

Beloved,

It is with great hope and anticipation that I share the Vestry’s decision to target Sunday, March 7, the third Sunday in Lent, for returning to in-person worship. While local health data has improved significantly following the holiday spike, we are also moved by the proactive steps taken by those eligible to be vaccinated. We will continue to offer a livestream of the services online at 10:00 AM.

We are not yet ready to have a gathering of any scale as the St. Patrick’s Dinner. The Vestry affirmed the desire to have our annual celebration, but proposed that we identify a time uncertain in the future to safely gather for a big party when we can. Stay tuned for more information later in the year!

If you are ready to return to in-person worship and are willing to assist and serve in a worship ministry, now is the time to reach out to Kelly Rowe, our parish administrator, so we can find the right fit for you. Our services will still have restrictions, but we hope they will loosen as we emerge from this pandemic together. Thank you beloved, and I hope to see you in-person on March 7th.

Yours,

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This year the Diocese will be offering daily reflections during Lent, written by both clergy and laity throughout the Diocese. Monday through Friday will be reflections on the Daily Office readings, Saturday reflections will be focused on a spiritual practice that you may be able to incorporate into your routine, and Sunday will be dedicated to a reflection of a piece of music. These reflections may be used as a resource for your congregation or as a personal guide through Lent. The reflections will begin on Ash Wednesday and carry through to Easter Sunday. These reflections continue with the theme for November’s convention. Jesus gave this image of him as the vine and us as the branches to his followers on the night before he died as he knew they would face tremendous hardships and he wanted them to see how life-giving connection to him is for each of us. The Diocese of Georgia’s social media will have the reflections each day. Additionally, a PDF file of all of the reflections will go out this Friday.

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Baptism Anniversary

• 5th – Santha Jetty
• 18th – Anna Arnold
• 22nd – Leigh Ann Shipley
• 26th – Tricia Moreschi and Ellie Northrop

Birthday

• 6th – Jo Ann Wright
• 7th – Carole Clements
• 10th – Michael Plowden
• 11th – Ann Bolton
• 16th – Amber Youngblood
• 18th – David Martin Mills
• 20th – Dylan Youngblood
• 21st – Joyce Bridges-Judkins
• 23rd – Sandra Rowe and Catherine Talley
• 27th – Laura Talley and Loretta Williamson
• 28th – Laura Smith
• 29th – Parker Goodin

Wedding Anniversary

• 8th – Doug and Karen Dees
• 10th – John and Nancy Griffin
• 14th – Al and Alan Seely-Wilson

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Prayer List Updates:

• Family of Bobby Watkins. Added by Loretta Williamson.
• Michael & Beth Montgomery. COVID-19. Added by Kristi Baranko.
• The Castellanos Family. COVID-19. Added by Kristi Baranko.
• Heidi. Breast Cancer. Added by Orva & Tom Voth.
• Nicki. Thyroid Cancer. Added by Doris Alley.

UPDATED: February 4, 2021 | 10:00 AM

Online Ashes Wednesday| Ashes to Go In-Person

Beloved,

As the Lenten season is before us in just two short weeks, the Episcopal Churches in Albany are announcing two opportunities to experience Ash Wednesday. The graphic above gives the times for Ashes to Go In-Person at various points and times around town. St. Patrick’s will have two times for Ashes to Go, in the morning and evening commuting hours.

7:00-8:30 AM: St. Patrick’s Ashes-to-Go
5:00-6:00 PM: St. Patrick’s Ashes-to-Go

There will also be a jointly produced online offering for Ash Wednesday that will premier at 7:00 AM on Ash Wednesday and be available to you at any time.

This year, due to the pandemic, the imposition of ashes will be done by…you! Interestingly, our prayerbook and hymnal traditions do not require this to be done by a member of the clergy. In light of this, each family should receive by US Mail, a copy of the bulletin for the service, together with a small bag of ashes that you’ll use when it comes to that point in the service on our website or on Facebook.

I know, beloved, this year will not be the same for us, and, in the spirit of humility and mortality which this day marks, let us continue to be safe together in community. I hope to see many of you for Ashes to Go at St. Patrick’s or encourage you to visit our sister and brother Episcopalians at a location most convenient for you.

Yours,

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Valentine Kits are due back THIS SUNDAY, February 7th.

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New Small Group Studies Coming Soon!

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Prayer List Updates:

• The Castellanos Family. COVID-19. Added by Kristi Baranko.
• Heidi. Breast Cancer. Added by Orva & Tom Voth.
• Family of Denyse Bass. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Nicki. Thyroid Cancer. Added by Doris Alley.
• JP Coleman. COVID-19. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Dan & Alice Chappell. COVID-19. Added by Nancy Griffin.

UPDATED: January 28, 2021 | 2:00 PM

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It’s time again for the annual Souper Bowl of Caring to tackle hunger in Albany.

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Valentine’s Day Kits are still available inside the front hall of the Parish Building.

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Proposed Book Study

If interested, contact Leigh Ann Shipley. 

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Forward Day by Days devotional books for February – April
are available for pick up in the office.

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Prayer List Updates:

• JP Coleman. COVID-19. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Dan & Alice Chappell. COVID-19. Added by Nancy Griffin.
• Bob, Kathy, Betty, Donnie. COVID-19. Added by Kristi Baranko.
• Bob Krause. Cancer. Added by Fr. Nick.
• Margie & Clyde Davis. Added by Tim Davis.
• Bailey & Will Barber. Newlyweds. Added by Jim Kempf.

UPDATED: January 21, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Beloved,

This is a special edition email announcing our Annual Meeting for January 24, 2021 at 11:00 AM.

The theme of our Annual Meeting will be “A Still More Excellent Way!” from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

It will be hosted as a Zoom meeting, and broadcast on our website as well as Facebook with a mixture of pre-recorded reports and live question and answer. Please see the information below that covers several topics for the Annual Meeting, including the slate of Vestry Nominations, and an update from Joe Wingard, Senior Warden, on IMA Reserve Chaplaincy.

There are 2 Ways to Participate:
1. Click on the Button Below at 11:00 AM to enter the Zoom Meeting Online
2. From your cell phone or landline: Dial (1) 301-715-8592 and then enter:
Meeting ID: 882 5531 5671
Passcode: 4800

Yours,

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2021 Annual Meeting Agenda

Opening Prayer
Senior Warden’s Report
Vestry Elections
Deacon’s Report
Presentation of the Budget
Musician’s Report
Rector’s Report
Question and Answer
Closing Prayer and Blessing

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2021 Vestry Nominees

The Vestry is pleased to announce the Slate of Nominees for the 2021 Annual Meeting. Vestry nominees must receive a majority of the eligible votes to be elected. Please join in congratulating Peggy Hamlin, Sandra Rowe, and Tom Driggers and in praying for them as they respond to this calling.

Because the number of nominees is equal to the number of eligible positions, we will send the balloting in advance by electronic survey and phone those who do not have digital access to ensure we receive the required votes to be certified and affirmed at the Annual Meeting itself.

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Ladies Gentlemen,

Now that pecan season is past, would like to plan to refresh the flower beds/borders around the church while it’s cool and no grass to mow.  

Date:  Saturday, January 23rd (Weather:  High – 67 Low – 49 and partly cloudy with a 20% chance of rain)

Time: 9 am – noon

What to bring?  Work gloves, kneeling pads/knee pads (if desired), jacket/hat, cardboard/pasteboard

Execution:

• Weed eat any grass/weeds if necessary, lay cardboard, cover with pine straw, edge as needed 
• We will start with the front, then move down the breezeway area through the columbarium, and finish up with sides of the church/rear as appropriate.

Laying cardboard helps prevent weed growth without a need for chemicals.  I have used this in my beds, and it helps a lot!  If you have cardboard/pasteboard that we can use – please drop it off at the church, stage in Parish Hall over by main conference room. You will see a pile. (please flatten)

Back 40 Crew will arrange for pine straw delivery or pickup and haul to church. 

Please coordinate with your friends.  This is an outdoor activity. We will be able to social distance easily, but will need to maintain awareness of not getting too close to each other.

Please let me know if you have any questions at 229-376-1030.

Hope to see you there!
Joe Wingard

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Update on IMA Reserve Chaplaincy from Senior Warden

At our January Vestry meeting, the IMA Reserve Chaplaincy for Father Nick initiative was discussed. Preparations for this discussion consisted of providing the Vestry with the following information:

•    Input received from the congregation in response to the briefing presentation provided earlier;
•    Questions and answers received from congregation members;
•    A financial analysis showing anticipated parish savings of ~$13,500/year and cost-neutral initial training.

The Vestry agreed that this is a most worthwhile initiative, everyone affirming this calling for Fr. Nick. A slim majority is ready to support the initiative at this time given the accession timeline presented. Some questioned the timing, with the pandemic raging and us recently going back to virtual only worship. These felt that our emphasis at this time needs to be focused exclusively on planning and preparing for St. Pat’s/Our Saviour coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic stronger. 

After hearing from each Vestry member, Father Nick expressed that he wanted unanimous consensus (100% agreement) from the Vestry to proceed. He then tabled the initiative for future discussion mid-year, which is seen as having no major overall impact to his discernment at this time.

Further Vestry discussions highlighted the need for increased congregational participation/engagement from Lay Leadership with a focus on parish health and growth. This needs to be an “all hands on deck” effort.

In Christ;
Joe Wingard

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Prayer List Updates:

• Bob, Kathy, Betty, Donnie. COVID-19. Added by Kristi Baranko.
• Bob Krause. Cancer. Added by Fr. Nick.
• Margie & Clyde Davis. Added by Tim Davis.
• Family of Dan Williams. Added by Tim Davis.
• Family of Matt Gallaher. Added by Fr. Nick.
• Bailey & Will Barber. Newlyweds. Added by Jim Kempf.
• Matthew Gay. Added by Fr. Nick.
• Goodin Family. Added by Sharon Gross.
• Ann Willis. Added by Kelly Rowe.
• Molly Arnold. Added by Fr. Nick.
• Leon Taylor. Added by Sandra Rowe.
• Karen & Doug Dees. Added by Jane Braun.
• Melanie Rozelle. Added by Lamon Brand.
• Linda Oxley. Added by Lamon Brand.

UPDATED: January 13, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Beloved,

At our Monday meeting, your Vestry affirmed the suspension of in-person worship in light of local public health data and our commitment to love one another in our common life together. With new guidance from the Diocese, it appears that we will not reevaluate in-person worship until the beginning of February as we pray case counts and hospitalizations drop again. If interested, you can read more about the Diocesan guidance here.

I have been really heartened that some of you have already taken a first dose of the vaccine even as we double our prayer commitment to those who have been diagnosed in our congregations in the past week. Please see the information below about the vaccine and let us know if you have any questions regarding worship.

Tomorrow, a special edition of our email will come out focusing on the Annual Meeting, Vestry Nominations, Pastoral Connection, Ministry Development, IMA Chaplaincy Update, and Leadership initiatives as we plan to come out strengthened for the post-pandemic church.

Yours,

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Sunday Morning Worship Website and Facebook 10:00 AM Zoom Coffee Hour and Fellowship 11:00 AM

Join Zoom Coffee Hour Sunday at 11:00 AM

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Poinsettias from Christmas are available in the Sanctuary if anyone would like to pick one up. They may need a little love, but should have some life in them yet. First come, first serve.

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TOTALS for 2020-2021:  3,566 lbs for $2,254.33 

Thanks to Lamon Brand, Ida & Bob Cerney, Patton & Teresa Jones, Steve Kender , Father Nick Roosevelt, Jim Sheffield, Myra Walker, Marian White and Lucas Wingard who helped with our harvesting/sales efforts this year.  We set a record for pounds sold, but with prices considerably lower than in past years, we did not set a $ sales record.  Although $2,254.33 is certainly a number we can be proud of, the second highest since we started recording!

We still have some 1 lb bags of shelled nuts for sale at $10.00/ lb. Point of Contact: Joe Wingard at josephrwingard@yahoo.com or call cell at 229-376-1030 and leave a voice mail. Funds go to the Men’s Steak Night Fund, and are used to support our Back 40 Lawn Crew Mowing ministry, as well as purchase of miscellaneous items needed by the church.

 Respectfully Submitted,
Joe Wingard   

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Prayer List Updates: – Goodin Family. Added by Sharon Gross. – Ann Willis. Added by Kelly Rowe. – Molly Arnold. Added by Fr. Nick – Leon Taylor. Added by Sandra Rowe – Karen & Doug Dees. Added by Jane Braun. – Melanie Rozelle. Added by Lamon Brand. – Linda Oxley. Added by Lamon Brand. – Michael Brunson. Added by Carolyn Brunson. Our Episcopal congregation asks you to pray for the Goodin Family, Ann Willis, Leon Taylor, Karen & Doug Dees, Michael Brunson, Kim Dwoskin, Jake Dwoskin, Melissa Goodin, Linda Oxley, Melanie Rozelle, James Luckie , Judy Hensley, Steve Tanner, Kalah Williams, Elizabeth Buchannan, Bobby Smith, Elaine Balmer, Donna Prescott, Nick Cerrone, Elsbeth Hebert, Danella Warren, John Jordan, Jackie L., Bert Windham, David Deshazo, Crystal Rivera, Holly & Mike Pitts, Greg & Michelle Everett, Angela Szpak, Jimmy & Carole Clements, John Miller, Shavonya Wade, Sharon Armbrust, Troy KIllete, Riley Driggers, Jake Fletcher, Pete Jones, Pete Fletcher, Kathy Butchart, Mitch Glausier, Charlie Hough, Cindy Blauck, Donna and Perry McClain, Linda Adair, Tommy Skender, Stacie, Luana Shafer, J. W. Willis, Rev. Tar Drazdowski, Rev. Freeman Cross, John Sheffiel, James Everett, Lindsey Bridges, Maxx Bourgeault, David Wiggins, Bob Parker, Marybeth Tucker, Constance and Troy Petty, Morgen and the Young family, Vanessa Bruce, Glenda Franklin, Caroline Williams, Carlton Davis, Savanna Esway, Emily, Tom Shapard, Lisa Farris, Libby Pieplow, Darell and Ali Dunn, Mike Coutu, Sylvia Berry, Betsy Connell, Rick Goodburn, Carol Wilson Slappey, Kendra, Darrien Conley and Frances King, Nancy Swanberg, Jim, Tricia Moreschi, baby J.D. Howard, parents of J.D. Howard, The Hudson family, Harris Povlot, Eudora Pundavela, Nancy Behringer, Jim Howard, Jerry Hines, Joel Williams, Lindsey Drone, Bonnie Pittman, Cassidy Hill, Kathy Bishop, Al Seely-Wilson, Jennifer Bishop, Maureen Pate, Annie Jamerson, Chet Dreschel, Shannon Parcel, Terry Tanner, Nancy and Dickson Alley, Michael Price, Judson, Ron Andrews, Donna DeReus, Patricia Haines, Ryan Smith, Sherrie Cowart, Vivian Fleming, Jennifer Freeman, James Hogan, Donna Willis, Michael Joiner, Donna Mc Kenna, and Evie Tsasis. Our Lutheran congregation asks you to pray for Molly Arnold, Tom Strickland, Sue Williams, Paul (Pete) W. Jones, Pastor Charles Thompson, Butch Tiell, Carolyn Taylor, Beau Borst, Becky Lamb, Lynn McCracken, Rick Wilson, Gail Lane, Jeff Allison, Rueben Bargfrede, Wanda Beasley, Annie Collins, Barbara Danzer, Vivian Fleming, Helen Frazier, Tom Fuchs, Dick Grebel, Winifred Harris, Gina Hayes, Griffin Hill, Becky Kimsey, Pat Landin, Verna Lanier, Christoffer Ober, Shirley Poole, David Reed, William Searcy, Donna Timmons, Jana West, George Weeks, Stacey Fleming Weeks and Elaine White.

** If the person(s) you have placed on the prayer list is no longer in need of prayer and may be removed, please let the church office know.

UPDATED: January 6, 2021 | 2:00 PM

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Beloved,

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have prioritized your health and safety as the Vestry has considered decisions related to the ministry of our parish. As previously shared, we have chosen to follow the White House’s “Reopening America Again” guidance released last March. Under this guidance, with the rising case counts and public health information available, we will again suspend In-Person Worship at St. Patrick’s. It grieves my heart to miss you all again in this way, but even more so that our sisters and brothers with Covid and those treating them are suffering so much! At this time, we are announcing this suspension for Sunday, January 10th, but anticipate further Sundays following the Vestry meeting on Monday, January 11th. It is also possible we’ll have further diocesan restrictions or guidance as we move forward.

At the same time, I rejoice that some of you over 65 have already signed up for an appointment to get the vaccine. There is an information sheet that Melissa Goodin shared below in this email for you to try if you qualify. I’ll pray for your patience as you navigate this process. I urge you to consult your physicians and make plans for the vaccine swiftly. It is my great hope this is the last time we’ll need to suspend in-person worship for the foreseeable future. Beginning this Sunday, we will offer the following schedule:
Sunday Morning Worship
Website and Facebook
10:00 AM

Zoom Coffee Hour and Fellowship
11:00 AM
Link Here and at the button below.
Following the Vestry meeting, we’ll have more to announce regarding the Annual Meeting and Worship during January. Please be in touch with me for further questions.

Yours,

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14-Day Average Positive Case/Capita

Dougherty County (Georgia DPH)

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UPDATED: December 31, 2020 | 9:00 AM

Beloved,

Whether turning in for an early night, burning a representation of Covid/2020 in a bond fire, or zooming with friends and family to sing Auld Lang Syne after the stroke of midnight, we, by God’s grace, will wake up tomorrow to a new year. I want to leave you with my love and two intentions of prayer as we welcome the new year together.

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O God our Creator, you have divided our life into days and seasons, and called us to acknowledge your providence year after year: Accept your people who come to offer their praises, and, in your mercy, receive their prayers; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. – Book of Occasional Services, p.42

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God of the New Year,
We enter this new year full of emotions:
excitement, nerves, wonder, hope, and sadness.
As we reflect on the past year, we see your love scattered through our days.
We see your grace raining upon us.
We see your reflection in us.

You’re in the business of making all things new.
This year may our eyes turn to you in seeing what new thing you’re doing in us.
How your story of redemption is our story, too.
How your story of grace begs to be known in our lives.
How your story of unending love finds us in the darkest corners.
How your forgiveness reaches to our hearts and transforms us into people who forgive.
Make us new in you.

Turn our eyes to the small and quiet ways you make yourself known.
In the simple and serene, the mundane and daily.
In our waking and sleeping, may we turn to you.
In our playing and working, may we offer our gifts to you.
In our questioning and believing, may we keep our hearts on your word.

You walked with Abraham into an unknown land,
You counted the multitude of stars as his descendants.
You walked with the Israelites into a new home and identity.
You called prophets to new lands to share your word. 
You called your people to hear words of hope and restoration from your prophets.
You walked with Mary and Joseph to welcome the Savior in a manger.
You called fisherman and tax collectors to leave all they knew to proclaim your kingdom.
You turned a symbol of death into a symbol of hope and resurrection for all time.

You are no stranger to bringing your people from desperation to hope,
from sickness to healing,
from unbelief to belief,
from uncertainty to peace.

You’re in the business of making all things new.
This year, this day, this moment, make me new.
Amen.
-Written by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller

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FINAL CHANCE TO GIVE IN 2020

Click the button below.

Those making last minute gift plans for 2020 are reminded that gifts either can be postmarked by 2020 (today) to count towards this year or can be submitted by tonight, December 31, 2019 at 11:59 PM via the secure online giving form below. Thank you for helping us finish our year of ministry on a strong and secure financial footing.

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Baptism Anniversary

• 1st – Al Armstrong, Yvette Armstrong, Sylvia Berry, Jane Braun, Aida Cerney, Tom Driggers, Barbara Durham, Jim Durham, Glenda Franklin, June Lewis, Anne Northrop, Monica Plowden, Jim Sheffield, Shirley Tyner, and Annie Vanoteghem (We also choose this day to celebrate those whose date of baptism is not recorded in our church register.) 
• 8th – Dennis Alston and Tom Borst 
• 10th – Edie Cohen
• 11th – Danyelle Barber and Adia Sakura-Lemessy
• 12th – Jordyn Janea
• 13th – Gretchen Hogue
• 21st – Tom Voth

Birthday

• 1st – Leigh Windham
• 2nd – Jimmy Chandler
• 3rd – Hilsman Knight
• 8th – Dennis Alston, Juby Phillips, and Albert Timmons
• 9th – Michael Brunson and Lydia Freeman
• 10th – Jean White and Tom Driggers
• 11th – Joy Davis
• 13th – Ella Grace Shipley
• 14th – Hill Gillespie
• 15th – Nancy Griffin
• 16th – Finley Northrop
• 18th – Jace White
• 21st – Bill Young
• 23rd – Aida Cerney
• 26th – Sylvia Berry
• 27th – Nash Northrop
• 28th – Steve Tanner
• 29th – Steve Kender, Bob Parker and Clay Sheffield
• 30th – Emily Hogue and Edie Cohen
• 31st – Tricia Moreschi.

Wedding Anniversary

• 6th –Brent and Stacey Driggers
• 10th – Albert and Donna Timmons
• 21st – Sam and Tracy Stringer
• 28th – Jake and Faryn Hackett
• 29th – Ralph and Kay Rodgers

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UPDATED: December 23, 2020 | 12:35 PM

Wednesday, December 23rd 
Virtual Christmas Pageant
6:00 PM Website/Facebook

Christmas Eve Services
Indoors with organ and soloist singing
2:00 PM & 4:00 PM
*Due to Weather: 4:00 PM Service will be Indoors*

Sunday, December 27th 
No in-person worship at St. Patrick’s 
Online Lessons & Carols with Bishop Logue
10:00 AM on Website/Facebook

Sunday, January 3rd
First Sunday of the Month 
Outdoor Worship with
Epiphany Picnic (weather permitting)
Bring your own Beverage
10:00 AM

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UPDATED: December 15, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Sunday, December 20
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
In-Person Worship
9:00 AM   |  10:00 AM (Online)

Monday, December 21
Longest Night (via Zoom)
7:00 PM

Tuesday, December 22nd
Beer & Carols (via Zoom)
TIME

Wednesday, December 23rd 
Virtual Christmas Pageant
6:00 PM (on Facebook)

Thursday, December 24th
Christmas Eve Services
Indoors with organ and soloist singing
2:00 PM
Outdoors with congregational singing (weather permitting)
4:00 PM

Sunday, December 27th 
No in-person worship at St. Patrick’s 
Online Lessons & Carols with Bishop Logue
10:00 AM on Website/Facebook

Sunday, January 3rd
First Sunday of the Month 
Outdoor Worship with
Epiphany Picnic (weather permitting)
Bring your own Beverage
10:00 AM

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UPDATED: December 8, 2020 | 3:00 PM

Join St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour’s Director of Music, Ben Gessner, for his Fall Organ Recital series on Facebook Live. His final performance will feature works for the Advent and Christmas seasons by Bach, Langlais, Dupré, and others.

THIS SUNDAY, December 13 at 11:30 AM

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Beloved,
 
Thank you for your continued prayers for Anna Vong. She has continued to decline and, as I shared Sunday, has been on a ventilator supporting her breathing. After conferencing with her medical team, Mike and family have made the decision to withdraw life sustaining treatment tomorrow (Wednesday morning). Fr. Nick will be present to offer prayers and final blessings. An additional email will be sent out tomorrow. Please hold Mike, their family, and the Albany community in your prayers as we mourn together.

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The Longest Night

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Pledge Update

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UPDATED: December 1, 2020 | 2:00 PM

100% of your donation to the Deacon’s Fund at St. Patrick’s supports local people in need in the form of direct aid, as well as local and regional partner organizations for the relief of the poor.

Your #GivingTuesday gift would support causes like:

• Neighbors in Need & St. Clare’s Soup Kitchen (recently to provide meals throughout the Thanksgiving holidays)
• The ARC of Southwest GA (currently in the form of an Angel Tree to provide gifts for the disabled during the Christmas season). 
• Those transitioning from homelessness 
• Providing direct aid to those suffering in the pandemic who may lose economic protections at the end of this month.

Click the button below if you wish to donate to our #GivingTuesday Fundraiser.

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Advent is starting and gift giving for Christmas is not far behind! This year St. Patrick’s is going to be partnering with Toys for Tots to help collect toys for area children. The basic mission of the program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be brought by the office or placed in the donation box as you walk in for Sunday Morning services. The gifts can be toys for any age or gender.

The deadline for donations is December 10th.

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If you prefer: we are making available names from clients of ARC to have the opportunity to furnish their Christmas Wish. There will be a little tree out on the table in the breezeway with tags that contain a name and a wish. Please choose one, purchase the gift, put it in a gift bag with the tag attached and leave on the back pew or the church office. Deacon Joy will see that they are delivered. If you would rather order online and have it delivered, send it to:
     Marcy McCarty
     c/o ARC
     2200 Stuart Ave.
     Albany, GA 31707

The deadline for gifts is December 16th.

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Baptism Anniversary

• 1st – Rachel Arnold and Lamon Brand
• 20th – Fr. Nick Roosevelt
• 23rd – Libby Sisson

Birthday

• 1st – Lily Roosevelt
• 2nd – Barbara Danzer
• 4th – Lea Ann Burkhart
• 5th – Sarah Arnold and Sam Jones
• 6th – Jake Hackett and Patton Jones
• 8th – Frank Jones
• 13th – Davis Jones and Luke Wingard
• 14th – Nancy Behringer, Rose Dunlap, Dawn Hart and Sarah Youngblood
• 17th – Shirley Tyner
• 21st – Barbara Durham
• 22nd – Mark Brunson and Marian White
• 27th – Christina Northrop
• 28th – Carol Wilch
• 29th – Cecilia Vanoteghem
• 30th – Donna Sakura-Lemessy, Annie Moreschi Vanoteghem and Sandy Wingard

Wedding Anniversary

• 7th – Casey and Gabriel Perkins-Lawrence
• 9th – Jay and Dana O’Neil
• 16th – John and Kelly Rowe
• 24th – Sanford and Dee Knight
• 29th – Ed and Joan Northrop & Tom and Barbara Strickland

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** If the person(s) you have placed on the prayer list is no longer in need of prayer and may be removed, please let the church office know.

UPDATED: November 25, 2020 | 9:00 AM

First Sunday of Advent 
New Church Year Begins

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Thanksgiving Food Drive with Neighbors in Need

With our help, Neighbors in Need was able to give out 160 turkeys and all the trimmings to families for Thursday’s Thanksgiving celebration. St. Patrick’s was able to donate enough food for twenty large families through the generosity of our caring people. Thank you to all who helped make this outreach a success!

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Ministry Work with St. Clare’s

Marian White and Deacon Joy helped make lunch bags at St. Claire’s soup kitchen on Monday. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the soup kitchen hands out sack lunches and drinks from the kitchen door. On this day 220 people were furnished lunch to go. Numbers of people using the soup kitchen have steadily risen during the pandemic and St. Patrick’s makes regular donations to St. Claire’s through the Deacon’s Fund. We have volunteers that staff the kitchen the last Monday of each month.

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Toys For Tots Toy Drive

Advent is starting and gift giving for Christmas is not far behind! This year St. Patrick’s is going to be partnering with Toys for Tots to help collect toys for area children. The basic mission of the program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be brought by the office or placed in the donation box as you walk in for Sunday Morning services. The gifts can be toys for any age or gender.

The deadline for donations is December 10th.

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If you prefer: we are making available names from clients of ARC to have the opportunity to furnish their Christmas Wish. There will be a little tree out on the table in the breezeway with tags that contain a name and a wish. Please choose one, purchase the gift, put it in a gift bag with the tag attached and leave on the back pew or the church office. Deacon Joy will see that they are delivered. If you would rather order online and have it delivered, send it to:
     Marcy McCarty
     c/o ARC
     2200 Stuart Ave.
     Albany, GA 31707

UPDATED: November 18, 2020 | 10:40 AM

St. Patrick’s & Neighbors in Need Thanksgiving Food Drive

This year we are going to gather Thanksgiving meals for the community of Neighbors in Need. They provide everything needed for Thanksgiving Dinner for a family of four. We hope to be able to give to 20-25 families. You can donate in parts or a full meal. All donations are welcome and appreciated! Everything is needed by before Friday, November 20th.

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Fall Organ Recital Series Continues THIS SUNDAY

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2021 Pledge Campaign Update

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Newest Priest in Diocese to Supply

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2nd Sell of 2020 – 2021:  14 Nov 20
    430 lbs for $206.80 @ Cobbs Pecan Farm
Totals to Date:
    988 lbs for $514.10  (total $ to date also includes sales to individuals)

Thanks to Marian White, Steve Kender, Ida & Bob Cerney, Jim Sheffield, Patton and Teresa Jones, and Lucas Wingard who helped with our most recent efforts to roll pecans.  And thanks to Patton Jones who helped us execute both sales.  Prices offered at our second sell were considerably lower than for our first sell.

Pecans “in the shell” are available for sale at approximately $15/5 gl bucket (~20 lbs).  And we had 80 lbs shelled which are available at $10.00/ lb.    

If anyone has pecans in their yard that they do not plan on harvesting, we would be interested in harvesting them.  

Funds go to the Men’s Steak Night Fund, and are used to support our Back 40 Lawn Crew Mowing ministry, as well as purchase of miscellaneous items needed by the church.

Point of Contact: Joe Wingard at josephrwingard@yahoo.com or call cell at 229-376-1030 and leave a voice mail. 

Respectfully Submitted,
Joe Wingard

UPDATED: November 10, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Prayer for Veterans Day (November 11)

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2021 Pledge Campaign Update

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1^st Sell of 2020 – 2021:  07 Nov 20    473 lbs for $325.30 @ Cobbs Pecan Farm Thanks to Marian White, Lamon Brand, Myra Walker, Ida & Bob Cerney, Jim Sheffield, and Lucas Wingard who helped with rolling pecans for our first sell of the year.  Prices are low, due to U.S. economic relations with China.  Hopefully that will improve!  The good news is that we have a bumper crop this year!  Appears the trees have recovered from the beating they took from Hurricane Michael.  We’re off to a good start working towards our 2nd Sell with ~250 lbs harvested.  We will be rolling again on Veteran’s Day, Wed 11/11/20 starting at 1 pm.  We still have a lot of pecans on the ground.

St. Pat/LCOS members may purchase pecans in the shell (5 GL buckets @ fair market price) from our team.  If anyone is interested in shelled pecans, let our Point of Contact below know and we will work to provide.

If anyone has pecans in their yard that they do not plan on harvesting, we would be interested in harvesting them.  

Funds go to the Men’s Steak Night Fund, and are used to support our Back 40 Lawn Crew Mowing ministry, as well as purchase of miscellaneous items needed by the church such as additional chairs for the Parish Hall.

Point of Contact: Joe Wingard at josephrwingard@yahoo.com or call cell at 229-376-1030 and leave a voice mail. 

Respectfully Submitted,
Joe Wingard

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*No Flowers During Advent*

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** If the person(s) you have placed on the prayer list is no longer in need of prayer and may be removed, please let the church office know.

UPDATED: November 3, 2020 | 2:45 PM

Prayer On Election Day

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Drive-Thru Trunk-or-Treat with Christ United Methodist Church

Thank you to all who made this event a success! Your donations and hard work are much appreciated!
Our trunk contest winner: Inside Out (top left)
Our pumpkin-carving contest winners: Ted & Renae Weischman
(CUMC, bottom right) 

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New Items Needed for Donation!

If you are dropping your donations off directly at Neighbors in Need: 

Please drop off any items at Neighbors in Need Monday, Wednesday, or Friday 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM by November 20th.

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UPDATED: October 27, 2020 | 2:00 PM

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Birthdays

• 2nd – Jennifer Combs
• 3rd – Mary Gillespie
• 4th – Jerra McDonald and Lindsey Stewart
• 10th – Bert Wagnon
• 13th – Gretchen Hogue and Barbara Strickland
• 19th – Jim Durham
• 20th – Merlene Deiseroth and Angie Talley
• 23rd – Mallory Driggers
• 24th – Lisa Schexnayder
• 25th – Tom Voth
• 28th – Sharyn Davis and Donna Timmons
• 30th – Dale Schexnayder

Wedding Anniversary

• 5th – Alan and Jean White
• 6th – Jim and Melody Sheffield
• 18th – Tom and Mary Shapard
• 28th – Joe and Sandy Wingard

Baptism Anniversary

• 1st – Lou Little
• 2nd – Riley Driggers
• 3rd – Dylan Armstrong and Zoe Shipley
• 4th – Ellie Driggers
• 6th – Thomas Clements
• 16th – Mallory Driggers
• 28th – Bryce Northrop

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UPDATED: October 21, 2020 | 2:00 PM

We Need Your Voice!

St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour 2021 Pledge Campaign Video

*We will have one final opportunity to record at the church this Sunday morning. The church will have cardboard and markers for everyone to use. After the 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM services, we will have a camera set up and ready to record testimonials. Bring your cardboard or pick up some pasteboard on the way into church that morning!

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Trunk-or-Treat Updates

We will have two contests – A “Best Trunk” and a “Best Pumpkin” (pumpkin-carving contest). Pumpkins (already carved) will need to be brought in on Tuesday, October 27th by Noon. We will have 4 judges: 2 from St. Patrick’s & 2 from CUMC. Prizes TBD.

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Thriving in the Vine : Convention 2020

Because the 2020 Diocesan Convention is virtual, there is an opportunity for you to attend or watch from your own home. This year, the Vestry elected Lamon Brand and Jackie Driggers as our delegates. Find out more information at the link below.

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With the COVID virus hitting this year, it’s with sadness that I make the decision to postpone our Annual Yard Sale until February 2021. It has been a tough decision to make, but in speaking with several ladies – we don’t have enough to work on the day of the sale, and we are fast approaching the fall holidays. This year COVID would require us to take extra steps in allowing customers into the church and extra stress if it were to be held outside. I do want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.

-Aida Cerney, Jr. Warden

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Join St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour’s Director of Music, Ben Gessner, for a Fall Organ Recital series on Facebook Live. Sunday, October 18 at 11:30 AM Sunday, November 22 at 11:30 AM  Sunday, December 13 at 11:30 AM

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UPDATED: October 15, 2020 | 1:10 PM

A Future With Hope

St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour 2021 Pledge Campaign Video

Instead of hearing from a few people about their stewardship stories, this year we wanted to invite everyone to share your stories using Cardboard Testimonials.

How It Works

On a piece of poster or cardboard (which the church can provide or you can use your own), respond to the following “before and after prompt by writing in big letters with a marker:

• Side One: At the start of the Pandemic, I was concerned about __.
• Side Two: Now, by faith, I find hope in __.

Sample of Cardboard Testimonial

Our Interim Parish Administrator, Kelly Rowe, has already started contacting everyone for scheduling a time to come by the church and share your testimonial. You can email her at office@stpatricksalbany.org or call (229) 432-7964 if you have any questions or are ready to schedule your recording session. We also have DIY instructions (below) if you would like to participate but are not able to come to the church to record. Recordings will need to be completed by noon on October 22nd.

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St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour will partner again with Christ United Methodist Church for the 2020 Trunk or Treat. This year, in order stay safe and practice social distancing, we are looking at a Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat!

Drive-Thru
Cars will enter from the Old Dawson Road entrance and exit on Byron Plantation. Children will remain in the car and our Trunk Hosts will approach with gloved hands and a candy bowl. In order to keep the line moving, we will not have any games this year. At the beginning of the drive through – CUMC will be giving small bags of games and we will be giving small bags of arts/crafts – all donations are welcome!
***We will need volunteers for traffic control*** Traffic vests are needed if we know anyone that has some.

Trunks
Cars will need to be spaced every other parking space starting in the middle and working their way out. Cars need to be ready to go by 4:30. Members need to RSVP for trunks.

Contests
We will have two contests – A “Best Trunk” and a “Best Pumpkin” (pumpkin-carving contest). Pumpkins will need to be brought in at an earlier date, already carved. We will have 4 judges: 2 from St. Patrick’s & 2 from CUMC. Prizes TBD.

Dinner
This will be “Grab n Go” this year. Members will be encouraged to take back to their cars or space out social-distancing style along the property. This will be for members only! (Members need to RSVP for the dinner as well) Men’s Night crew have agreed to handle the grilling, and we’re planning for hamburgers and hotdogs. There will be a section on the RSVP sheet to sign up for volunteers & people to donate water and paper supplies. CUMC will be supplying desserts, chips, soda and condiments. We will also need volunteers for signage and decorating! CUMC will help with the décor as well.

UPDATED: October 7, 2020 | 9:00 AM

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Logue

“You do well if you really fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”- James 2:8 Dear Followers of Jesus, In less than a month, we will have all cast our votes for the next President of the United States. I write to call upon you to pray, to vote, and to show your love of God as found in Jesus Christ, through your words and actions, as you love your neighbor as yourselves. In these ways, we demonstrate our essential trust in the Holy Spirit as we take part in the political process.I have heard that the soul of our nation is at stake in this presidential election. I have heard that sentiment from across the entire political spectrum, from liberals to conservatives and everyone in between. I do believe that this election is momentous because the tensions that have accrued in this unusual year may tempt us to lose sight of the mark set by Jesus to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Everything, as Jesus clearly told us, hangs on these two commandments.This month I ask you join me in praying, voting, and loving: Pray Daily prayer always matters as we offer those needs in our hearts and minds. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans that even when we do not know how to pray, the “Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Forward Movement will offer a Novena, an ancient practice of nine successive days of prayer, in the week before through the day after the election. You can sign up for A Season of Prayer: For an Election online here. Whether you opt for praying the prayers offered by this Episcopal Church ministry of discipleship and evangelism or not, I hope you will join me in praying daily as we approach the election and in the days following. Vote As we pray faithfully for God’s will, we are also called to act. We have a duty to our country to cast our ballots as our faith and prayers lead us to vote. Love I so value that each of our congregations have people who disagree strongly on politics yet enjoy gathering together to worship and serve God. Even though we can’t kneel alongside others at the altar rail right now, I know that those same connections remain strong. Following Jesus isn’t easy. Even as we hold strong convictions, we must do so without demonizing those who disagree with us. Our words and actions toward those whose political choices are opposed to ours, reveals our love of God and neighbor and is our witness to the world.Holding an election in a pandemic means we will also need to have patience as we await the results, continuing to pray as we wait.No matter which candidate is elected, we must not lose sight of love, even if we were to gain the whole world, we could lose our own souls. Each of the candidates is a flawed human being who will fall short of the glory of God, as do we all. Neither candidate will bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. But if we respond to the neighbor whom we know with anger or hatred for their differing political views – or for any reason – we are unfaithful to Jesus’ call to love even our enemies. And it is that steadfast love that bears witness to Jesus and carries on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world – the responsibility of every Christian.No matter who is elected, scripture calls us to pray faithfully for that person once in office. Knowing the weight of responsibility a President of the United States bears, everyone who serves in that role needs our steady prayers. And no election ends our call to remain active citizens, writing to those who represent us to advocate on behalf of causes our faith enlivens us to support. For no matter what happens, we know that long after we have voted, we will still need to pray and to love and so follow the way of Jesus. Pax et Bonum, The Rt. Rev. Frank S. Logue Bishop of Georgia

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Blessing of the Animals

October 4, 2020 – The Feast Day of St. Francis, Assisi

UPDATED: September 29, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Hymnsing Live on Wednesday, September 30

Beloved, We will continue our music-focused Wednesday services tomorrow, September 30. This Wednesday, we will be doing a hymnsing LIVE! on Facebook. We hope to do around 6-8 hymns, and we want your help in song selection! We encourage you all to pick a song from the Episcopal or Lutheran Hymnals and prepare to share it with us when we are live. We will be starting our livestream at 6:00 PM on Facebook. When it starts, type up your requests in the comments and we will be reading them throughout the service. If you don’t use Facebook, send a hymn request in advance and we’ll try to work it in. Come sing with us! Yours,

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Hello friends!  My name is Steve Kender, and you can usually find me sitting in the back next to Ms. Sylvia Berry. The coronavirus has been a challenging time for all of us. I didn’t realize how much more challenging it would be without my Georgia (my most recent dog, who I laid to rest before the pandemic started).

I first saw Scooter posted as a rescue on a neighborhood web posting. I didn’t think much of it because someone had already rescued him. However, about 3 weeks later I saw another posting about him where his home hadn’t worked out. That’s when I decided, upon seeing him a second time, that I could give him a home.  This little 10 pound fur baby has brought a surprising new spark to my life. I have had many dogs over the years, but I guess I sort of forgot how uplifting a lovable pet can be. He has been a blessing for me and Scooter and I hope to join you Sunday for our blessings.See you there!

Albany Episcopalians support NAMI Walk Your Way 2020  October 3-10

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Please join this team, Albany Episcopalians for NAMI, in support of the National Alliance on Mental Illness for their annual NAMI Walk Your Way.  The goal of the walk is to bring awareness to mental health issues and to raise money for the continued programs offered in our community by NAMI Albany.  You can support the NAMI Walk by joining our team, participating in the activities, and or writing a check.  Click on button below to join our team / donate.   Our team continues growing each day as we work toward our goal to support NAMI.

Join our team here.

Activities planned by our team:Saturday, October 3 7:30-10:00 a.m. Location: Exchange Club Grounds: NAMI members will distribute mental health information and “Hopeful Rocks” at drive through health fair. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Location: St. John & St. Mark’s ChurchOpportunity to use the outside labyrinth for a safe meditative walk.Opportunity to string Anglican prayer beads or assemble packets for beads.Opportunity to donate items to Neighbors in Need.Saturday, October 10: World Mental Health Day Location: St. Paul’s Church Walk from St Paul church to Riverfront Park and back. Please bring your mask. Those unable to participate in the above activities can support NAMI Walk Your Way by walking around your block or yard, walking on your treadmill, or by doing your choice of meaningful activity to celebrate our walk.    If you are unable to participate and would like to make a donation please send a check made out to St. Patrick’s Church / Deacon’s  Fund / NAMI. For additional information, please call Fran Kempf at 229-854-0215.

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New Items Needed for Donation!

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Birthday October 1 – Anne Northrop and Jo Anne Tanner October 3 – Emmanuella Okafor October 5 – Yvette Armstrong October 7 – John Talley October 10 – Uzzie Okafor and Lynette Talley October 11 – Libby Sisson October 14 – Jane Braun and Bunny Hamlin October 16 – Katie Morris October 17 – Molly Arnold and Henry Ziemiecki October 20 – Al Seely-Wilson October 23 – Amanda Clements, James Goodin, Louise Little and Joy Sheckels October 25 – Sam Stringer October 26 – Bob Baranko October 29 – Jackie Driggers October 30 – John Belk October 31 – Leigh Ann Shipley. Wedding Anniversary October 6  – Al and Yvette Armstrong October 7 – Daniel and Annie Vanoteghem October 22 – Ian and Donna Sakura-Lemessy October 23  – Frank and Sam Jones October 28 – John and Barbara Cumbee Baptism Anniversary October 1 – Ruth Fountain October 5 – Carol Wilch October 13 – Evelyn Clements October 19 – Randy Shipley October 25 – LeConte Talley III October 27 – Tina Burney October 29 – David Hogue

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Prayer List Updates Leisa Howell. Covid-19 Relapse. Added by Hogue Family. Danella Warren. Heart and lung issues. Added by Kelly Rowe.

If the person(s) you have placed on the prayer list is doing fine and may be removed, please let the church office know.

UPDATED: September 22, 2020 | 2:30 PM

Annual Blessing of the Animals and Humane Society Partnership

Beloved,

As we round the corner to October, we also look ahead on our calendars to some opportunities to gather outside more safely as a congregation. One of these opportunities much loved by those with pets is the annual Blessing of the Animals to coincide with the Feast of St. Francis. This year’s effort will include a new partnership with the Albany Humane Society.

Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 4th from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (drop-in)
Bring Fido and all of your pets, animals, critters for our annual blessing of the animals. This will be a drop-in event to allow space for people to physically distance. Looking forward to being with you all!

Food Drive
The Humane Society serves over 200lbs of dry food a day at its shelter locations. They have asked us to provide the following types of dog food that can be brought directly to the church. Best Value: Member’s Mark at Sam’s Club along with Pedigree, Science Diet (particularly for large dog breeds). (Link)

Heartgard Medicine Drive
Heart warms might be considered a local epidemic for dogs in the Albany and Southwest GA areas. Purchasing Heartgard medicine stems the growth of heart warms and contains the disease until hopefully a longer lasting treatment can be attained. The Society needs the following: Heartgard Plus (Ivermectin-Pyrantel) 51- 100lbs tablets that are available at Sam’s Club Pharmacy, Local Vet offices, and Grocery Stores. (Link)

Yours,

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Update on Albany Episcopalians for NAMI

NAMI is made up of 600 local affiliates dedicated to raising awareness and providing support and education about mental illness and recovery. Our local Episcopal churches will be supporting NAMI for raising awareness and funds to support our local affiliate in Albany.
Activities planned by our team:Saturday, October 3
7:30-10:00 a.m.
Location: Exchange Club Grounds: Albany NAMI members will distribute painted rocks and mental health information at drive-through health fair for Albany Area Mental Health Care.

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: St. John & St. Mark’s Church

1. Opportunity to use the outside labyrinth for a safe meditative walk.
2. Opportunity to string Anglican prayer beads or assemble packets for beads.
3. Opportunity to donate items to Neighbors in Need.

Saturday, October 10: World Mental Health Day
Location: St. Paul’s Church
Walk from the church to a downtown location (exact route TBA)
More details to follow.

Please prayerfully consider how you could participate in raising awareness for NAMI. Such as participating in the planned activities, making a monetary donation to the Deacon’s Discretionary Fund, or anything else which would bring attention to this much needed cause.

Please call Fran Kempf at 229-854-0215 if interested in this project.

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UPDATED: September 15, 2020 | 2:15 PM

Deacon Joy Returns from Sabbatical

Beloved,

We are so excited to share the news of Deacon Joy’s return from Sabbatical this Sunday, September 20. We have been planning together for the past couple of weeks in anticipation of this date and shared our work at last evening’s Vestry Meeting.

Clergy Sabbaticals are similar to sabbaticals taken by professors at universities, and offer a time of rest and renewal from the daily grind of ministry. Deacon Joy had been overdue for a full sabbatical, having marked her 8th year of serving the faithful of St. Patrick’s. Asked about her sabbatical, Joy shared, “Well, like many of us, our plans changed with Covid-19, but we gladly welcomed our granddaughter Elsie, cared for my 89 year old father, and enjoyed the time of rest.”

As she returns to her ministry at St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour, the Vestry, the Bishop, Deacon Joy, and I wanted to share some of the planning we’ve been doing to help with the transition and clarify the roles of Deacon and Priest in the parish. We look forward to taking a Clergy Team approach to serving you faithfully together in the years ahead!

Yours,

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Clergy Team and Confidentiality
As a clergy team, Fr. Nick and Deacon Joy will adopt the practice of a single clergy mind. This practice allows for the full and diverse gifts of the clergy to support and nurture your life in faith. Unless otherwise guided, assume anything you share with Nick may be known by Joy or vice versa. Two exceptions to this will be something asked in advance to be shared in confidence with Fr. Nick (Deacons do not hold confidential information within the congregation) or what is shared with Fr. Nick within the rite of reconciliation (often referred to as hearing confession).

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UPDATED: September 9, 2020 | 9:00 AM

Albany Episcopalians for NAMI
 Our local Episcopal churches will be supporting NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) for their virtual fundraiser Oct. 3-10. NAMI (a nonprofit charitable organization) is made up of 600 local affiliates dedicated to raising awareness and providing support and education about mental illness and recovery. 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 kids have symptoms of mental illness each year. The numbers are expected to be higher during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, NAMI Walk has been a 5K held in several locations. Due to COVID-19, this will be a virtual experience held on Oct. 10. Participants get to make their own walk…thru your neighborhood, around your yard or church, on your treadmill or whatever. And, it doesn’t have to be a 5K! There will be other suggested activities if walking is not appropriate for you. 

The goal is twofold: 
1. raise awareness and stand up for families and individuals with mental illness
2. raise funds to support our local NAMI affiliate 

More info will be coming as our 3 churches continue to plan for this project. We welcome your thoughts and ideas.

Please call Fran Kempf at 229-854-0215 if interested in this project.

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Join us online today for Wednesday evening worship at 6:00 PM that is focused on some of the best musical offerings in our tradition. We will rotate these musically focused worship services each week, hoping to fill your soul with the joy of music and prayer. We also hope you’ll see some more familiar faces from our virtual choirs as well as new participants to lead worship. These services will be available on our website and Facebook. Come sing and pray with us!

1st Wednesday: Plainchant Evensong
2nd Wednesday: Prayer and Praise
3rd Wednesday: Contemplative Taizé
4th Wednesday: Gospel and Spirituals
5th Wednesday: Hymnsing Live

UPDATED: September 1, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Wednesday Worship: Music!

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Birthday

• September 2 – Doris Alley
• September 4 – Michael Northrop and Myra Walker
• September 8 – Billy Youngblood 
• September 11 – Lexijean Aleman Burney and Anne Gibson
• September 12 – Fr. Nick Roosevelt
• September 13 – Evelyn Clements
• September 19 – Orva Voth and Grant Combs
• September 22 – Autumn Hart and Emily McPeters
• September 23 – Bill Ragan and Ellie Driggers
• September 25 – Danyelle Barber
• September 26 – Barbara Cumbee
• September 27 – Kennedy Madison Hackett
• September 28 – Mindy Northrop and Kelly Rowe
• September 29 – Hermine Holt.

Wedding Anniversary

• September 11 – Jimmy and Carole Clements
• September 24 – Sergio and Jo Cerrone & Steve and Joanne Tanner

Baptism Anniversary

• September 1 – Carolyn Brunson, Michael Brunson Jr., and Hermine Holt
• September 9 – Lenn Lewis
• September 11 – Celie Hogue
• September 30 – Jo Cerrone and Janet Ranew

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UPDATED: August 18, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Beloved,

A word on behalf of the Rector and Vestry:

The Vestry is pleased that we are returning to in-person worship, and has striven to do so responsibly in light of the available guidance and local community health data. Even as we resume services, we will continue to monitor this information to adapt swiftly, even pausing in-person services again if appropriate.

For now, we offer a word of gratitude to our parish staff and members who have put much effort into this Sunday. From suspending services to putting one up online within 24 hours back in March, to worshipping online through Holy Week and Easter, continuing online with our new Bishop, Frank Logue, and returning to worship from our Sanctuary, we hope you have remain engaged in prayer and worship through our online efforts. 

We are grateful for the commitment of our parish family to our ministry during the pandemic season. We have been sustained by your generosity and the wise stewardship of our staff and wardens. We have made a little go a long way, which is gift of our parish.

Moving forward, we will continue to assess how to bring more of our ministry offerings back in-person in a safe way or how to offer more online in a meaningful and engaging manner. As we hold you, please continue to hold us in prayer during this season.

Yours,

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No Choirmaster’s Corner This Week
 (Computer Repair)

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UPDATED: August 11, 2020 | 2:30 PM

Beloved,

I am please to announce that the Vestry has affirmed our return to In-Person Worship this Sunday, August 16. We will offer two identical worship services on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, with the latter live-streamed on Facebook and stpatricksalbany.org.

Responding to your survey results, which overwhelmingly showed support for adapting in a safe and responsible manner, we have been monitoring local health data trends and are on track based on the White House’s Phase III guidance by this Sunday. The Vestry will continue to monitor the public health data and adapt as necessary to best ensure our safety.

Our Senior Warden has put together a one-page summary of changes for parishioners attending worship. It is available here and at the button below.

For those who are not attending worship, we will be offering communion visitations immediately following the second service. Please contact Fr. Nick if you wish to receive communion. The same procedures will be used to ensure a safe distribution for all.

Above all, let us continue faithfully in prayer for those who are ill and suffering, for those working to relieve suffering, and those working for a vaccine.

Hope to see you soon,
Nick

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UPDATED: August 5, 2020 | 2:30 PM

Holy Communion and In-Person Worship

If the sick person cannot receive either the consecrated Bread or the Wine, it is suitable to administer the Sacrament in one kind only. – Book of Common Prayer p.457  We believe that Christ is fully present in one kind. – ELCA’s “How do we distribute Holy Communion?” p. 3 Beloved, When we gather together again, with a target date of August 16th, we will share Holy Communion together. Some of you have been in touch with me about ideas for the distribution of wine (that are quite creative, I might add). Under current restrictions from the Episcopal Bishop, we will receive communion in one kind (bread). The following is a brief (as possible) history of this for those who would like to nerd out a bit with their pastor (for everyone else tl;dr is acceptable and just scroll down to the other announcements). I’ll end with a brief pastoral and practical explanation for how we will share communion together. The above quotes from both Episcopal and Lutheran sources harken back to some clarifying years of eucharistic doctrine and practice during the Reformation (1500s). The pre-reformation church had a teaching of the Eucharist called Concomitance which “teaches us that the fullness of communion is available by receiving either the consecrated bread or wine.” While we affirm this teaching today, it was used in some places and increasingly others to deny the Sacrament of Wine to the laity, perhaps because wine was expensive or as another error in clericalism pervasive in the pre-reformation church (and still today).  Following some of Luther’s reforms on the continent and those of Cranmer in England, the Bishops and Clergy of the Church of England, affirmed by King Charles I, offered the 39 Articles of Religion in 1562. While the number of these articles has changed over the years, Article XXX (30) is the relevant protest (made by Protestants) to this practice of offering communion in one kind. It reads: The Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the Lay-people: for both the parts of the Lord’s Sacrament, by Christ’s ordinance and commandment, ought to be ministered to all Christian men alike. So, even as these 39 Articles are not considered binding doctrine on the church today, it is noted that people were martyred in the cause of these teachings and reformation of the church. How can I be sure the communion I do receive is full and valid? Both of our traditions affirm the full presence of Christ and the benefits of His grace in the sacrament of each kind. More recently, this has been affirmed in the pastoral context of gluten-sensitive persons who might only partake of the wine when an alternative wafer is unavailable. As Christians, indeed not only do we not limit the means of God’s grace to a sacrament of one kind or another, but affirm that grace is extended solo fide (by faith alone). Holy Communion, as a sacrament, are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace (BCP p. 857). They are, however, not the only means of grace. How then do we deny the cup in our current age? We do so with a humble and pastoral caution. While hereunto, we have not been concerned with known viruses spreading across the surface of the typically silver chalice, there is sufficient concern to warrant our caution with this novel coronavirus. It is my pastoral position, consistent with this article, not to deny the cup under any circumstances (save for BCP p.409), even if taking extreme precaution to do so safely. With the current restrictions from the Bishop, St. Patrick’s will refrain from distributing the cup during this time. Once this restriction is lifted, we will review ways of offering the cup broadly without denying it to any individual. How will we share communion at St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour? There was a clear supermajority of preference in the survey that we strive to offer communion for in-person worship. Out of an abundance of caution, we have taken mitigating steps to ensure communion can be shared as safely as possible when we return. In consultation with the altar guild, Fr. Nick has approved a no-touch option for distributing the bread. Admittedly unusual, this combination of single glove use, mask wearing, and distribution device is the safest way we can confidently commune the congregation. We will use the same method to commune persons choosing to remain at home who wish to receive communion (more details forthcoming). We will consecrate the sacrament in both kinds, with a presider’s bread being used and touched (per the rubrics of the Prayer Book) and the wine in a traditional chalice. However, no one will partake of the wine during this time, including Fr. Nick. In the Eucharistic traditions of the Episcopal Church, sacraments of both kind will be reserved in the Aumbry for the duration of the week until being returned to the earth. If you have a particular devotion or desire to pray with the sacrament in both kinds, you may come to the church Tuesday, Thursday, or any time to pray in this way of Christ’s presence. We will continue to adapt as we learn more together as a community. Indeed, if you have read this far, you’ll likely be more flexible with us as we strive to faithfully and nimbly serve you. Yours in Christ,

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Time and New Location Announced

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Prayer List Updates

• Angela Szpak. Added by Ann Young.
• Greg and Michelle Everett. Recovering from COVID-19. Added by Celie Hogue.

Our Episcopal congregation asks you to pray for
Greg & Michelle Everett, Angela Szpak, Sam & Loretta Williamson, Jimmy & Carole Clements, Helen Berg, John Miller, Shavonya Wade, John Michael Rowe, Sharon Armbrust, Troy Killete, Riley Driggers, Jake Fletcher, Pete Fletcher, Jenny Cochran, Kathy Butchart, Mitch Glausier, Charlie Hough, Cindy Blauck, Donna and Perry McClain, David Ponthier, Linda Adair, David Prisant, Tommy Skender, Stacie, Luana Shafer, J. W. Willis, Rev. Tar Drazdowski, Rev. Freeman Cross, John Sheffiel, Michael Brunson, David Ponthier, James Everett, Lindsey Bridges, Maxx Bourgeault, David Wiggins, Bob Parker, Carole Utlaut, Marybeth Tucker, Constance and Troy Petty, Harold Hatcher, Morgen and the Young family, Vanessa Bruce, Glenda Franklin, Caroline Williams, Linda Adair, Bob Gegg, Carlton Davis, Vincent Sneed, Savanna Esway, Emily, Tom Shapard, Lisa Farris, Pattie Inlow, Libby Pieplow, Darell and Ali Dunn, Mike Coutu, Sylvia Berry, Betsy Connell, Rick Goodburn, Carol Wilson Slappey, Kendra, Darrien Conley and Frances King, Nancy Swanberg, Jim, Tricia Moreschi, Helen Mercer, Marilyn Lose, baby J.D. Howard, parents of J.D. Howard, The Hudson family, Harris Povlot, Eudora Pundavela, Nancy Behringer, the family of Vera Spraggins, Jim Howard, Jerry Hines, , Joel Williams, Lindsey Drone, Bonnie Pittman, Cassidy Hill, Kathy Bishop, Al Seely-Wilson, Nova Fleming, Jennifer Bishop, Maureen Pate, Annie Jamerson, Chet Dreschel, Shannon Parcel, Bobbi Windham, Terry Tanner, Nancy and Dickson Alley, Michael Price, Richard Goodburn, Judson, Ron Andrews, Cindy Griffin, Donna DeReus, Patricia Haines, Ryan Smith, Sherrie Cowart, Vivian Fleming, Jennifer Freeman, James Hogan, Donna Willis, Michael Joiner, Donna Mc Kenna, and Evie Tsasis.

Our Lutheran congregation asks you to pray for
Paul (Pete) W. Jones, Pastor Charles Thompson, Cliff Ledford, Butch Tiell, Carolyn Taylor, Beau Borst, Becky Lamb, Lynn McCracken, Rick Wilson, Gail Lane, Jeff Allison, Rueben Bargfrede, Wanda Beasley, Annie Collins, Barbara Danzer, Vivian Fleming, Helen Frazier, Tom Fuchs, Dick Grebel, Winifred Harris, Gina Hayes, Griffin Hill, Becky Kimsey, Pat Landin, Verna Lanier, Christoffer Ober, Shirley Poole, David Reed, William Searcy, Donna Timmons, Jana West, George Weeks, Stacey Fleming Weeks and Elaine White.

UPDATED: JUly 30, 2020 | 1:00 PM

Starting today!

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Episode 4 Coming Next Week!
Check in on the Facebook Page or Church Website.

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Birthday

• August 1 – Stacey Driggers
• August 4 – Kay Ragan
• August 6 – Jimmy Davis, Celie Hogue, and Bert Windham
• August 7 – Karen Dees, Glenda Franklin and Tracy Stringer
• August 11 – Ralph Rodgers
• August 12 – Jim Sheffield and Alan White
• August 13 – Kathryn Daniels
• August 16 – Alex Moreschi
• August 18 – Alex Hart
• August 19 – Adia Sakura-Lemessy
• August 21 – Anna Arnold and Theodore Freeman
• August 22 – Joseph Freeman
• August 23 – Buster Arnold and Brenda Gray
• August 27 – Jane Swanson
• August 30 – Dylan Armstrong and Tony Moreschi
• August 31 – John Michael Rowe

Wedding Anniversary

• August 10 – Bob and Aida Cerney
• August 14 – Tim and Joy Davis

Baptism Anniversary

• August 1 – Sam Williamson
• August 3 – Anne Goodburn
• August 9 – James Clements
• August 10 – Melody Sheffield
• August 12 – William Ragan Jr.
• August 13 – Kathryn Daniels
• August 19 – Sam Stringer and Tracy Stringer

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UPDATED: JUly 21, 2020 | 2:45 PM

UPDATED: JUly 14, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Beloved,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The last time we gathered as a community for In-Person Worship was March 8, 2020. It has been a challenging 4 months for our city, state, country, and world. We have learned much about the virus and unlearned much about the virus during this time. Our response as a community of faith has been to offering services of worship, fellowship, and learning online, while staying connected and committed to our ministry partners on the front lines.

On July 1, the Rt. Rev. Frank Logue, XI Bishop of Georgia, released updated guidance allowing churches to worship in-person following a time of planning and self-certification. In late June, St. Patrick’s adapted these guidelines that will serve as a road map for our own in-person worship. At that time, we named Joe Wingard, Sr. Warden, as the chair of that planning initiative. In order to hear from you, our parish family, we released an extensive parish survey on IPW.

At its July 13 meeting, the Vestry, reviewing both survey results and local community health information, approved a series of actions to help us adapt to IPW at St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour. The following are a summary of our decisions and rationale that have and will guide us in the next few weeks.

Yours,

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UPDATED: JUly 7, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Beloved, I’m please to share a new offering from our Director of Music, Ben Gessner, called Choirmaster’s Corner. When Ben first arrived at St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour last summer, I asked him to consider ways to incorporate his learnings from his graduate program into ways we might access as parishioners. He made his first post just before the pandemic suspended our in-person worship. Now, in July and August, he will present a weekly video series of the same name. Take a deep dive into the planning and preparation for music, including historical and modern practices. Click above to watch the introduction and then join in weekly at Noon on Wednesdays, beginning July 15 to participate. Yours,

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Our Episcopal congregation asks you to pray for: Michael Dukes, Shavonya Wade, John Michael Rowe, Sharon Armbrust, Troy KIllete, Riley Driggers, Jake Fletcher, Pete Fletcher, Jenny Cochran, Kathy Butchart, Mitch Glausier, Charlie Hough, Cindy Blauck, Donna and Perry McClain, David Ponthier, Linda Adair, David Prisant, Tommy Skender, Stacie, Luana Shafer, J. W. Willis, Rev. Tar Drazdowski, Rev. Freeman Cross, John Sheffiel, Michael Brunson, David Ponthier, James Everett, Lindsey Bridges, Maxx Bourgeault, David Wiggins, Gail Chapman, Bob Parker, Carole Utlaut, Marybeth Tucker, Constance and Troy Petty, Harold Hatcher, Morgen and the Young family, Vanessa Bruce, Glenda Franklin, Caroline Williams, Linda Adair, Bob Gegg, Carlton Davis, Vincent Sneed, Savanna Esway, Emily, Tom Shapard, Lisa Farris, Pattie Inlow, Libby Pieplow, Darell and Ali Dunn, Mike Coutu, Sylvia Berry, Betsy Connell, Rick Goodburn, Carol Wilson Slappey, Kendra, Darrien Conley and Frances King, Nancy Swanberg, Jim, Tricia Moreschi, Helen Mercer, Marilyn Lose, baby J.D. Howard, parents of J.D. Howard, The Hudson family, Harris Povlot, Eudora Pundavela, Nancy Behringer, the family of Vera Spraggins, Jim Howard, Jerry Hines, , Joel Williams, Lindsey Drone, Bonnie Pittman, Cassidy Hill, Kathy Bishop, Al Seely-Wilson, Nova Fleming, Jennifer Bishop, Maureen Pate, Annie Jamerson, Chet Dreschel, Shannon Parcel, Bobbi Windham, Terry Tanner, Nancy and Dickson Alley, Michael Price, Richard Goodburn, Judson, Ron Andrews, Cindy Griffin, Donna DeReus, Patricia Haines, Ryan Smith, Sherrie Cowart, Vivian Fleming, Jennifer Freeman, James Hogan, Donna Willis, Michael Joiner, Donna Mc Kenna, and Evie Tsasis.

Our Lutheran congregation asks you to pray for: Paul (Pete) W. Jones, Pastor Charles Thompson, Cliff Ledford, Butch Tiell, Carolyn Taylor, Beau Borst, Becky Lamb, Lynn McCracken, Rick Wilson, Gail Lane, Jeff Allison, Rueben Bargfrede, Wanda Beasley, Annie Collins, Barbara Danzer, Vivian Fleming, Helen Frazier, Tom Fuchs, Dick Grebel, Winifred Harris, Gina Hayes, Griffin Hill, Becky Kimsey, Pat Landin, Verna Lanier, Christoffer Ober, Shirley Poole, David Reed, William Searcy, Donna Timmons, Jana West, George Weeks, Stacey Fleming Weeks and Elaine White.

UPDATED: JUly 4, 2020 | 8:00 AM

UPDATED: JUne 30, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Beloved,

Last week the Diocese released updated guidelines for congregations in planning and adapting for In-Person Worship (IPW). This has been a moving target during the month of June, and the Bishop has been responsive and collaborative in development of these guidelines.

Behind the scenes here at St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour, your Vestry and Senior Warden have also been developing our own congregational roadmap to return “safely and sustainably” to IPW. These have included both indoor and outdoor options for gathering and have been updated to follow the diocesan guidelines.

As of tomorrow, we are ready to ask for your input on where we should focus our efforts from here. It is not our intention to plan for something that misses your needs or hopes for this time. It is our intention to continue to provide a faithful and pastoral leadership to our congregation and community. While we are a representative group of the community, we really value hearing your feedback and response to our planning.

The first tier of this feedback will be released tomorrow, in an initial congregations-wide survey sent out by email and text message. We will follow-up with those who have not completed the survey through our Vestry to get as complete a picture as we can from where your own hearts and minds are on the church’s ministry.

In all things, we pray that our ministry has been faithful to living the gospel and serving Christ in one another. I continue in prayer for you daily and welcome any feedback for how we can better serve your faith in this time.

Yours,

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Birthday:

• July 3 – Ken Jones 
• July 4 – Lee Couch and Scott Long
• July 7 – Miles Hall
• July 8 – Al Armstrong
• July 9 – Ruth Fountain
• July 10 – John Cumbee and Daniella Okafor
• July 12 – Daniel Vanoteghem
• July 13 – Tom Borst
• July 14 – Thomas Clements
• July 15 – LeConte Talley
• July 27 – June Lewis
• July 28 – Cherylen Lewis
• July 29 – Lamon Brand.

Wedding Anniversary:

• July 14- Patton and Teresa Jones

Anniversary of Baptism:

• July 1 – Brian Williamson
• July 6 – John Michael Rowe Jr.
• July 7 – Sarah Arnold and Karen Dees
• July 9 – Beverly Ziemiecki
• July 12 – Bob Cerney
• July 24 – Tom Shapard

UPDATED: JUne 23, 2020 | 2:30 PM

Volunteer Opportunity with Partner Ministry The Fuller Center for Housing

From Albany Area Fuller Center for Housing:  We will be helping a local Veteran clean up outside, in order for him to keep his home.  The home is on Berkley Court off of Oakridge.  A dumpster has been provided. We will start at 8 AM Friday morning.  We also need donations of work gloves, masks, safety glasses, bottled water and trash bags if anyone is interested in helping that way.  We will work again Saturday morning assuming we are not done Friday.  Contact Stacey Driggers at 229-343-4393 with questions or more information.

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UPDATED: JUne 21, 2020 | 11:00 AM

UPDATED: JUne 16, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Sunday’s Drive-Thru Parade was a success! Congratulations to our 2020 graduates: Autumn Hart, Ellie Driggers, and Davis Jones! 🎉 👩‍🎓

*Contest*
Best Decorated Car Winner : Stacey Odom-Driggers

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Digital VBS  |  Next Week  |  Register Today!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!⁣⁣

Beginning on June 22, the diocese will offer a digital Vacation Bible School experience. VBS will begin on Monday, June 22 and end on Friday, June 26. Our theme for the week is “Who is My Neighbor?” Each day participants will watch a video interpretation of a story from the Bible. They will begin with Jesus’ commandment to Love God and Love Neighbor, and the rest of the stories will help explore what that looks like, even if being a good neighbor isn’t always the easier choice.

The video resources, including Bible stories and Art Responses, have been created for this VBS by different youth leaders and clergy across the Diocese. Each day will begin with an opening Zoom session with music and worship, led by the Rev. Joshua Varner, Canon for Children and Youth. Then there will be a story time, an art activity, and end with more music and worship. Each video will be available on our Diocesan Youtube Channel and will be linked from the VBS website. Everyone is welcome to go at their own pace, or join the Zoom calls as we stream the story videos together and then talk about them. If Tuesday’s lesson looks more doable on Monday, then feel free to switch it up!

VBS will begin at 9:30am on Monday, June 22, led by Canon Varner. If you plan for your child to attend VBS, we ask that you register in advance if possible. Your registration helps them make sure they know the ages of the children participating and that they’re creating age appropriate content. In addition, it allows them to communicate directly with you with appropriate reminders and opportunities. To register for the week, click below. 

For additional questions, contact the Rev. Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org.

UPDATED: JUne 9, 2020 | 3:00 PM

Beloved,

I continue daily in prayer for you all during this time of pandemic and broader civic unrest. When you hear from or contact your vestry members, please give them your thanks for their leadership in this time.

As our Senior Warden, Joe Wingard, shared in his recent letter, we are in active planning as we adapt for in-person worship. I have asked Joe to chair our IPW Team (In-Person Worship), and he will be working with Vestry members and ministry leaders to plan and adapt with the mission of safely and sustainably adapting for in-person worship.

We expect Diocesan restrictions begin to loosen in the July timeframe, but not sufficiently, in the Vestry’s opinion, for us to attempt in-person worship in Diocesan Phase I. Our hope is to continue coordinating with other Albany parishes and learn from ecumenical partners who have different restrictions.

This morning, we held the funeral service for Larry Danzer, a beloved member of Our Saviour (and well known to many at St. Patrick’s). It offered us a look at some of the challenges and graces with pulling together when it matters most. His and Barbara’s long-tenured leadership and persistence at Our Saviour over the years should remind us of how much we can pull together to overcome this trying time. Keep the faith!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for our congregations and our mission.

Yours,

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REGISTRATION IS OPEN!⁣⁣

The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia is offering a digital Vacation Bible School, beginning on June 22. Join for the week as we learn more about what it means to be a good neighbor. Each day will have an opening session with music and worship, story time, art fun, and a closing session. ⁣
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To register and find out more, visit http://georgia.anglican.org/vbs2020/ or contact the Rev. Canon Joshua Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org. ⁣

UPDATED: JUne 5, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Bishop Frank Logue’s Visit to Albany

Trinity Sunday – June 7, 2020
10:00 AM | Facebook & YouTube

As the first pastoral visitation of his episcopacy, the Rt. Rev. Frank Logue will make a ‘virtual’ visit to the churches here in Albany, in recognition of the impact and hurt of the virus in this part of the body of Christ. All are invited to tune in to the Diocesan Worship service online to see our Bishop leading the service from our Sanctuary in what he hopes will be a healing and hopeful act of presence in the midst of our separation.

*The Bishop’s visit will also be in lieu of Evening Prayer on Sunday. Episcopal Evening Prayer will resume the following week, Sunday, June 14 at 6:00 PM.

Letter from the Senior Warden

Members of St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour,

While we have recently seen progress in addressing COVID-19, we continue to face uncertainty of the way ahead.  I want to ensure you that the leadership of St. Patrick’s – Our Saviour continues to monitor the COVID-19 trends as more and more restrictions are eased in the community.  Active planning is underway, exploring adaptations on how to safely return to worship with both indoor and outdoor scenarios.  This will be a topic of serious discussion at our next Vestry meeting.  We do feel confident to say the restriction on returning to worship won’t be lifted until at least the July timeframe.  

Both the local City and County leaders have put forth a joint resolution to encourage citizens to continue to wear masks, practice social distancing, and to follow all other CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines.  And as Georgia’s Governor lifts additional restrictions and reopens more previously closed parts of the state, please remember to continue to follow the aforementioned safety guidelines, check on your family and friends, stay safe and aware as you venture out more and remain informed and vigilant. Only time will tell how long this new normal will last.  And remember, expanded testing is offered to everyone, regardless of symptoms, by the Southwest Georgia Public Health Department. Please call for an appointment, 229-352-6567 and visit their website or Facebook page for additional information, www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org. 

The past couple months have reminded me of the movie “Passengers”.  In this movie a young man is a passenger along with many others on a spaceship headed to a new world with the mission of colonization.  All of these passengers are in “hibernation”, which prevents the aging process.  This young fellow awakens early, to find himself surrounded by others still sleeping.  It does not take him long to become lonely, and desperately seek ways to put himself back into hibernation.  The crew of a few robots just doesn’t cut it.  He seeks human companionship, to the point of finally bringing a young lady out of hibernation.  Things go well for him until she learns what he’s done to her!  

Similar to our situation, we have found ourselves in a form of isolation.  And even though I have the fortune to share life with a couple family members, there still seems to be something missing.  Daily FaceTime calls with our daughter and grandson helps, but it’s just not the same as being there.  All the members of our Back 40 Crew seems to relish the short time of fellowship we share after we complete our yard work.  We’ve learned it is human nature to enjoy the company of others!   

So keep communicating with each other, and keep up the faith.  Do not be discouraged.  Let us know if you need help with anything.  We’re ready to assist! 

In Christ,

Joe Wingard, Senior Warden

UPDATED: JUne 2, 2020 | 3:00 PM

I hope you all are doing well! Much like with Mother’s Day, COVID-19 is still present and disrupting worship and celebrations that we would all be having in-person together. With Father’s Day coming up, I have offered to do a similar ministry project to honor and celebrate our fathers and grandfathers and anyone who has taken on the “dad” role. Like previously, I would love it if you all could send me pictures (office@stpatricksalbany.org) of these people and include a short caption which details their name and possibly include who all they father/ed or grandfather/ed, etc. This includes a picture of you if you’re a dad! Pictures with children and grandchildren are encouraged, but solo portraits will work too (even in memory). I would like to have these in by Thursday, June 18th. If you have any questions or need help with this process, I am here to help.

Peace,
Kelly Rowe
office@stpatricksalbany.org

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Birthday

• June 1 – Spencer Williamson
• June 2 – Erin Freeman, Seth Daniels, & Gabi and Gabriel Okafor
• June 6 – Ann Young & Zoe Marie Shipley
• June 9 – Bert Baranko
• June 11 – Riley Driggers & Alan Seely-Wilson
• June 13 –Bob Cerney
• June 14 – Eloise Talley
• June 17 – Andy Davis & Bonnie Walton
• June 19 – Brantley Talley & Marcia Killingsworth
• June 23 – Joan Northrop
• June 24 – David Hogue
• June 25 – Carolyn Brunson
• June 26 – Tom Strickland
• June 28 – Clay Sisson & Angela Szpak
• June 29 – Joe Wingard.

Wedding Anniversary

• June 2 – David and Celie Hogue 
• June 8 – Randy and Leigh Ann Shipley
• June 15 –Tom and Jackie Driggers & Joe and Erin Freeman
• June 17 – Bill and Kay Ragan
• June 21 – Tony and Tricia Moreschi
• June 26 –Austin and Molly Arnold

Anniversary of Baptism

• June 1 – Doris Alley, Danielle Arnold, Joyce Bridges-Judkins, Mark Brunson, Michael Brunson Sr., Larry Danzer, Joy Davis, Jackie Driggers, Hill Gillespie, Fran Kempf, Steve Kender, Kay Ragan, Barb Strickland, Jane Swanson, Steve Tanner, Anna Vong, Al Voss, Orva Voth, and Bonnie Walton (We also choose this day to celebrate those whose date of baptism is not recorded in our church register.) 
• June 3 – Nancy Griffin
• June 4 – John Griffin
• June 6 – Carolyn Gay
• June 10 – John Cumbee
• June 11 – Laura Talley
• June 14 – Lindsey Stewart
• June 19 – Casey Perkins-Lawrence
• June 29 – Kelly Rowe

UPDATED: MAY 26, 2020 | 3:00 PM

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UPDATED: MAY 19, 2020 | 3:00 PM

Beloved,

Even in the midst of pandemic, of suffering and uncertainty, comes the call to give thanks. For over 125 years, the United Thank Offering, a ministry of the Episcopal Church has provided grants across the church for the benefit of the gospel. The initial intention was to return gratitude to God by making an offering of loose change when giving thanks to God in our every day lives. 

In the past decade alone, the Diocese of Georgia has received over $230,000 in granted support for ministry projects such as the Ecology Center at Honey Creek, launch of the Community of St. Joseph consisting of the homeless of Savannah, as well as feeding and development grants.

Because of our unusual circumstances this year, you are invited to bring your blue box or a donation by the church Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM or Sunday from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. You can also mail a donation indicating “UTO” in the memo line. We’ll take our Spring Ingathering through the last two Sundays in May. 

Simply put, our giving to the UTO “cup runneth over” as we grow our generosity in these 100% granted funds across the church. I hope you’ll join me in saying thank you through these gifts of gratitude.

Peace to you,

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Partner Ministry Feature

Updated: May 12, 2020 | 2:00 PM

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Birthday
May 2 – William Ragan Jr.
May 3 – Jordon Knight
May 4 – Casey Perkins-Lawrence
May 8 – Gabriel Lawrence
May 9 – Ava Mc Donald, Ian Sakura-Lemessy and Beverly Ziemiecki
May 10 – Gil Gillespie
May 13 – Jay O’Neil
May 14 – Jim Kempf and Cathy Stocks
May 19 – Kaidin Burm
May 20 – James Clements
May 22 – Dana O’Neil
May 23 – Peggy Hamlin 
May 24 – Carmen Moore, Jo Cerrone, Jan Dukes and Tim Davis
May 25 – Ellie Northrop 
May 28 – Brent Driggers, John Griffin and Ed Northrop

Wedding Anniversary
May 3 –Tom and Orva Voth
May 6 – Jim and Fran Kempf
May 8 – Larry and Barbara Danzer & Grant and Jennifer Combs
May 9 – Hill and May Gillespie & Uzoma and Toyin Okafor
May 22 –Michael and Carol Brunson

Anniversary of Baptism
May 5 – Ann Bolton
May 9 – Mary Shapard
May 18 – Clay Sheffield and Catherine Talley
May 25 – Kristi Baranko and Lee Ann Burkart

Updated: May 5, 2020 | 4:00 PM

Beloved,

Some of you may be familiar with the high holy day of American capitalism known as Black Friday, which follows Thanksgiving Thursday. In recent years, a Cyber Monday was added as an online shopping day for more deals on items we likely don’t need. Finally, a group of nonprofits launched an idea for #GivingTuesday on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. It serves as an informal start to the most generous time of giving for the entire year for causes we care about, the Christmas (or Advent) time.

In the middle of the pandemic, this organization decided to sponsor a #GivingTuesdayNow campaign to call us to give to those organizations that are working the gaps of the government’s response to Covid-19. Today, Tuesday, May 5^th, I’m pleased to share several organizations that have received gifts of $100-250 out of our Deacon’s Discretionary Fund due to your generous giving before and during the pandemic, as well as in honor of Diana’s retirement. I hope you’ll join your church in giving to these or other organizations today for that gospel imperative of serving Jesus in serving the least of these. Thank you all!

Yours,

Updated: May 1, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Beloved,

I greet you in the name of our Christ as we enter this month of May. It is sad, perhaps, when I can barely keep up with which day it is how a new month is such an event! May holds some very special events this year, even as we still observe shelter-in-place guidance and a suspension of in-person worship. Our Interim Parish Administrator wants your help for a project she’s working on for Mother’s Day, we’ll start some more church activities geared to our families with young children, and by the end of the month, we’ll have a new Bishop and celebrate Pentecost. My hope is this May 1 brings you something to look forward too as we read with the psalmist, “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth!”

Yours,

I hope this message sees you all well. Due to the current environment and COVID-19, we aren’t all able to meet and celebrate much of anything together. Mother’s Day is coming up, and I need your help for a ministry project. I want to create a presentation/slideshow/video that will honor our mothers and grandmothers and anyone who has taken on that “mom” role. I would love it if you all could send me pictures (to office@stpatricksalbany.org) of these people and include a short paragraph which details their name and possibly include who all they mother/ed or grandmother/ed, etc. This includes a picture of you if you’re a mom! Pictures with children and grandchildren are encouraged, but I love and will accept a beautiful solo portrait too (even in memory). Because it will take some time to put together, I would like to have these in by May 7th (next Thursday). If you have any questions or need help with this process, don’t hesitate to ask – I am here to help.
Peace,
Kelly Rowe
office@stpatricksalbany.org

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Beloved, one of the things about working for the Kingdom is that there will always be more to do and in the end, it is really God’s work accomplished in us. Many of you know my efforts at being available to you most any time when needed. In addition to this, the Vestry has given me feedback about publishing stable ‘office hours’ to be available for walk-ins. While I encourage us to continue observing health guidance, I wanted to offer a way we could offer office hours during the pandemic. Unfortunately, it can’t truly be walk-in right now for safety reasons, but please don’t hesitate to give me a call during these times on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 AM – Noon (Call ahead to 864-923-4263). I’ll either be on the porch at the church or at my house. We can make space for most anything on your heart. – Nick

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Surprised By Hope
New Bible Study Series
Wednesdays at Noon (Zoom)

“Hope Comes as a Surprise, Several Levels all at once.”

Join Fr. Nick for this video study series by Bishop N.T. Wright. Order or download the Participant’s Guide for this Study from this link: https://smile.amazon.com/Surprised-Hope-Participants-Guide-Resurrection/dp/031032470X/

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Family Fellowship
For Families with Young Children
With Fun and Lesson
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM (Zoom)

Join Fr. Nick and others for some Church Family Fun and a Lesson on Tuesday Nights at 6:00 PM via Zoom. Families with Young Children will receive a separate Zoom invitation to join the meeting safely and securely.

Updated: April 26, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Beloved,

Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

It is my great joy to announce the newest member of our team, Kelly Rowe, who will serve us as Interim Parish Administrator. Kelly brings to us a background in writing and photography which will fit our growing needs to communicate in the digital age. She also brings a servant’s heart and passion for the ministry of the church. Kelly came into the Episcopal Church because of St. Patrick’s. She and her husband, John Michael, now attend Calvary Episcopal Church following their move to Americus last year.

Our hope is to utilize Kelly’s gifts during the interim to learn more about how this position can support the ministry of the church in a post-virus reality as we prepare to conduct a search for a permanent administrator. Kelly will start with us Monday, April 27, working with Diana to orient her to a training resource that Diana has developed over these past few weeks. Asked about Kelly’s hire, Diana said, “Kelly will be great, and I know that you all will show her just how wonderful and gracious you are!”

My gratitude to Aida Cerney, Lesia Irvin, and Joe Wingard who serve on the hiring team. They adapted quickly in light of the changing needs for an interim and will stay on board for the full search. 

I hope you’ll join me in welcoming Kelly to this position and partnership in ministry. See below to read a note from Kelly.

Yours,

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Hello friends at St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour,

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to serve you all as interim parish administrator. It’s exciting to know that I will be working for and with a community of people who are near and dear to my heart. I look forward to meeting some of you and continuing to grow in love and faith with all. It is my hope that I can make this transition between administrators as smooth and easy as possible for you all. I’m aware that I’m taking on a pretty big challenge – because, as we all know and are grateful for, Diana is incredible and does quite a lot! If any of you have questions or ideas, feel free to float them along to me. I am open and eager! And finally, to answer some of you: yes, I’m that Kelly who is married to John Michael – the red-head with the deep voice who sang in the choir before we moved to Americus. It’s my personal goal to make more connections with you during my tenure.

I love you all and can’t wait to get started!

Peace,
Kelly Rowe

Updated: April 24, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Beloved,

Grace and peace be with you! I write today to share, in as brief a way as this pastor can, some thoughts surrounding the church’s continuing social concerns and outreach ministry in the coming days and weeks in our state, in our community, and for our congregations.

I want to start by admitting, humbly, that the numbers I’ve seen in the news are beyond my mind’s comprehension. They are important(!), and yet I find that trying to understand them is exhausting most days. My heart, on the other hand, hurts because I’ve known someone who has died, because I know some of you have lost your jobs, because we are hurting, and the world is hurting. Our world needs and will need, post-virus, the loving and compassionate ministry of Christians through the church.

I…beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
– Ephesians 4:1-3

Even as my brain catches up to my heart, I recognize that decisions must be made in real time. I don’t envy our public or political officials, even as I pray for them fervently. In our various outlets of public communication, some of us have addressed the matter of ‘choice’ in terms of going out and getting our hair cut or nails done (and y’all see how badly I need a haircut). Yes, it is our choice to go out or stay in, and wisdom prevails for vulnerable individuals* to stay home. And, as robust a response as the government has taken to this crisis, there remain gaps for the economically vulnerable whose business, whose wages, whose livelihoods, yes even their lives, may be on the line. This is one of the ways the church (and other nonprofits) should be ready to respond because our lives in Christ are more than our livelihoods.

For those who have less choice, I want to personally appeal for your help. Our discretionary funds have been sustained through previous disasters and are ready to support people now. If you are aware of a family or person in need, including yourself, please refer them to me. We don’t have all the monetary resources in the world, but what we have was given for this purpose, to support those in need (and some of you have indicated a willingness to donate more if needed). Now isn’t the time for ideological rigidity…the virus doesn’t discriminate. We as the church can support those who have needs, who can’t safely return to work, and make sure the barber, esthetician, etc. has a cushion to land on and rise from when it is safe to do so once again.

Finally, in-person worship remains suspended as a policy of the Diocese. In the coming days, we’ll share a press release from the Bishop with some forward-looking guidance for the criteria he is considering for a return to in-person worship by region. Your Vestry will be working with those guidelines and additional measures as we plan and prepare for a safe return together. We will communicate more in the coming weeks about a safe and sustainable return to worshipping together in person. Thank you for your patience and prayers.

May you know the peace that surpasses our understanding, and may it guard you hearts in the knowledge and love of Christ.

Yours,

*https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/#appendix

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Dear Friends,

I hope that you are all well and safe. Your Vestry and Rector are taking a proactive approach to ensure our health through the crisis. Fr. Nick asked me to provide you with a brief and transparent update with the financial response of the parish in the midst of the pandemic.

1. Because of your generosity, the church remains in a strong position to enter a time of economic crisis. While giving was down in the first quarter of the year, our reserves have provided enough money to continue our essential ministries. We are sharing our balance sheet for the first quarter, which does not yet account for the decline in our investments. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or our Treasurer, Sam Stringer.

2. Thank you for responding to the Senior Warden’s letter to keep current, as able, in your giving. In addition to mailing your tithe or making a gift online, I’m pleased to announce that our Treasurer, Sam Stringer, will be at the church from 11:00 AM – Noon on Sundays to receive your offerings if you wish to drop them off. You should receive a quarterly giving statement from the church at the beginning of next week by email or mail.

3. PPP/CARES Act: The church was approved for a Paycheck Protection Program ‘forgivable’ loan through Renasant Bank for approximately $25,000 in the first round of funding. Over the next 8 weeks starting in May, the portion of this loan spent on personnel, mortgage interest, and utilities will be forgiven and help our cashflow through July. Because of this, we’ll be able to return our team to full hours and pay for May and June.

If you have any questions at all about our finances, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. JoAnne and I are praying for health and safety for you all.

Yours in Christ,

Steve Tanner, Chair
Finance Committee

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Updated: April 20, 2020 | 4:00 PM

From the Rector’s Desk

Beloved,

I write today to share the news of our beloved Diana Rogers’ retirement on April 30, 2020, after 20+ years of faithful ministry as our parish secretary. Some version of this letter has probably been started by my two predecessors as the idea has come and gone over the past few years. However, there is a quality of faithfulness that Diana has to the Lord, and to the Church (within and beyond her own tradition), that kept her prayer and discernment focused on the right time for this decision. She has been the steady rock in our leadership transitions, and for her forbearance, there is much rejoicing in the Kingdom of Heaven.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. 

– Ecclesiastes 3:1

One of the first conversations I had with Diana after arriving was about something with the computer and bulletins. I had asked her what she does when something doesn’t work right (as technology is bound to fail), and her response: “I look it up.” I give thanks to God for that quality in her, where curiosity, practicality, and fidelity make for a good and faithful disciple and partner in ministry. Y’all, Holy Week and Christmas, church week in and week out and just about everything else receives the joy and competence she has brought to us so lovingly. 

I know you all have lived these stories with her over the years. In so many ways, she has been the first pastoral care giver, the voice you knew you could hear when you called the church, and she has held us in many seasons and “every matter under heaven.” In another time, we might say to ourselves that we could celebrate her better. But in a “time to refrain from embracing” physically together, I hope you will join me in giving thanks to God for the ministry of Diana Rogers. I hope you’ll email, write, or call or show her love in these next two weeks. We will announce staff transition plans in a separate communication. (See her note on below.)

In lieu of the customary purse we give to departing team members, Diana has asked instead for us to contribute to the Deacon’s Discretionary Fund. In talking with her, she said she wants our gratitude to return to the Lord and help people who need it most. While we have benefited most from her faithful ministry, I invite your generosity so that others may do the same.

With gratitude for the ministry of Diana Rogers,

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Dear friends of St. Pat’s and Our Saviour,

As you most of you know, and to those who do not know, I am retiring.   As this has not been an easy decision for me, I believe at this time, it is the right one. This is not a “goodbye”, as we will continue to see each other out and about when this is all over: Publix, Target, Walmart, Lowes, Starbucks,  Newks,  doctor & dentist offices, and DW school events.

I want to say that I love each and every one of you. It has been my blessing to be with you all at St. Pat’s and Our Saviour.  I could fill pages of memories that we have shared together over the years.  You have been a wonderful part of my life and so many of you hold a very special place in my heart as dear sisters & brothers in Christ. 

Thank you for the kindness, grace and love given to me over these many years.

The Lord bless and keep you all,
Diana

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Updated: April 17, 2020 | 11:00 AM

Beloved,

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

We have all now come through what I hope will be the strangest Holy Week and Easter of our lives. We have gathered in our homes and online to hear again the saving deeds of God in history and looking for deliverance in our own time.

Even as we come through this first week after Easter, we remember that the church observes Easter for 50 days(!) remembering that the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples before his ascension to the right hand of God and finally the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

As you continue to experience the changes in your own lives, so as the church do we continue to adapt and look for ways to share the Easter Joy in this different time. Your Vestry met on Monday to discuss our response and forward looking planning for our ministry in this season. Above, you’ll find a recap of our meeting with Aida Cerney, Junior Warden that I hope you’ll find helpful and meaningful. 

We continue to stand ready to support and serve the community. As mentioned in the video, there are so many of you serving in your own ways, with gifts and sharing for the sake of the suffering and those who relieve suffering.

Look for more announcements at the beginning of next week as we continue in Eastertide. I am here with you and for you in all of this.

Yours,

Updated: April 9, 2020 | 4:00 PM

Letters from Rector and Senior Warden

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Updated: April 3, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Holy Week Schedule

Daily
Compline at 8:00 PM from St. Patrick’s

Palm Sunday | April 5
Episcopal Palm Sunday with Sermon at 10:00 AM from the Diocese
Lutheran Palm Sunday with Sermon at 10:00 AM from Holy Cross, Athens
Virtual Coffee Hour at 11:00 AM on Zoom
Episcopal Evening Prayer at 6:00 PM from St. Patrick’s
Holy Week At Home Booklet

Wednesday in Holy Week | April 8
Lutheran Vespers at 6:00 PM from Our Saviour
Episcopal Evening Prayer at 6:00 PM from the Diocese

Maundy Thursday | April 9
Episcopal Maundy Thursday at 7:00 PM from the Diocese
Lutheran Maundy Thursday at TBD
Holy Week At Home Booklet

Good Friday | April 10
Stations of the Cross at Noon from the Diocese
Episcopal Good Friday at 7:00 PM from the Diocese
Lutheran Good Friday at TBD
Holy Week At Home Booklet

Holy Saturday | April 11
Holy Saturday at 12:00 PM from St. Patrick’s
The Great Vigil of Easter at 8:00 PM from the Diocese

Easter Sunday | April 12
Episcopal Easter Sunday at 10:00 AM from the Diocese
Lutheran Easter Sunday at 10:00 AM from Holy Cross, Athens
Holy Week At Home Booklet

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Updated: March 28, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Worship Schedule Updates

Worship Schedule  |  Online Services from St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour
After announcing a service schedule last week, the Diocese announced simultaneous livestream offerings with us. We will observe the following complimentary Worship Schedule:
 

Sundays
Episcopal Morning Prayer with Sermon at 10:00 AM from the Diocese
Sermons offered by Lutheran Synod
Virtual Coffee Hour at 10:45 AM on Zoom
Episcopal Evening Prayer at 6:00 PM from St. Patrick’s

Wednesdays
Lutheran Vespers at 6:00 PM from Our Saviour
Episcopal Evening Prayer at 6:00 PM from the Diocese

Weeknights
Episcopal/Lutheran Compline (in development)
Led by Parishioners
Contact Fr. Nick if you are interested in leading Compline 1x/week

Virtual Coffee Hour at 10:45 AM Sunday

Join us Sunday at 10:45 AM for a Virtual Coffee Hour on Zoom with Fr. Nick. You can find the link on the website by clicking on the event: “Online-Coffee Hour”. Hope to see many of you there!

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Updated: March 26, 2020 | 2:00 PM

A Message from our Senior Warden

Fellow Parishioners of St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour,

As might be expected during a time of uncertainty, monetary giving has decreased over the past two months.  This is due, in part, to the loss of opportunity to physically contribute offering during scheduled services.  And also as a result of the recent, sudden downturn of the economy.   And unfortunately, in the first year of our new treasurer, a few accounting entries were recorded erroneously within the increasingly complex accounting system previously used by our church, which led some to withhold their tithes awaiting corrective action.  These accounting errors have been corrected and addressed by the hiring of a CPA who assisted in the implementation of a new simplified accounting system, as well as the Vestry approving the resourcing of our Treasurer with assistance through a new Assistant Treasurer position and through increased bank and investment account reconciliations and a new Audit Chair on the Finance Committee. To be clear, the Vestry is committed to transparency and recognizes our part in supporting the treasurer and the countless hours of dedication to our finances.

Our giving for February was 27% under budget.  Giving in March is also continuing to not meet budgeted amountsdue to the interruption of worship services.  In light of our reduction in income, I would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of our giving as we battle COVID-19, and encourage those who may have refrained from such, to catch up and to return to continuing their regular giving as able.

Here are a few ways you can give and support the church.

Gifts and tithes can be 

• mailed through the Post Office, 
• placed in the church mailbox, 
• made online at http://www.stpatricksalbany.org
• made by texting “give” to 229-384-0050
• Online bill pay is a free service provided by most banks, and usually allows one to set up automatic payments on a set schedule.
• Donations to the discretionary fund for emergency support can also be made at all of these places, specify “Deacon [or Priest] Discretionary Fund” in the memo.

Your Rector and Vestry understand that some in our congregation may also be facing financial hardship in this time. Please be in touch with Fr. Nick if your family needs assistance or if you need to delay or adjust your pledge for the year. The discretionary funds exist especially for times such as these.

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In the meantime, courses of action have been developed by the Wardens in collaboration with the Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair that reduce spending.  The following courses of action have been or are being implemented:

Expenses

• Mortgage:  The new mortgage agreement reduces the monthly payment by $800.  This savings assists in meeting financial obligations.  
• Electricity:  Thermostats within the buildings will be adjusted to reduce electricity consumption while allowing for continuity of minimal operations.
• Bill Payments:  Current practice is to pay bills as received.  During the existing crisis, bills will be paid by due date.  
• Diocese Tithe:  If needed, delay payment for up to 2 months.

Personnel
For all of our personnel, we are committed to caring for them and working with them individually if there are other needs, and the way we do that would not include paying them while not scheduled to work. The benefit of being a church is that we have more than just a employer/employee relationship, and they will be included in the same survey assessment of needs that has been sent to the congregation.

The following actions pertain:

• Choir Director/Organist:  Allow use of 4 annual Sunday PTO (paid time off) to be used now, vice quarterly.  Explore possibility of use of technology for long distant recording of choir members on a ¼ time basis, which represents a cut in compensation by half until services resume.  
• Nursery Director/Assistant:  Allow Sunday PTO to be used now, vice tertilely. Furlough during crisis.
• Contract Cleaning Person:  Reduce cleaning from one cleaning/week for each building to one cleaning/month.
• Parish Secretary: Status Quo for now. Although the Church Office is closed, secretary working on vital projects for after crisis. Vestry will continue to monitor and determine whether reductions may be prudent.  
• Rector:  Status Quo for now. Crisis situation has lessened some of the Rector workload, while greatly increasing other.  Vestry will continue to monitor and determine whether reductions may be prudent.  

It is hard for some of us to talk about money.  But in times like these, it is necessary.  I hope you receive this note in the spirit intended, that is, to make our congregations aware of the situation, to advise of ongoing actions, and motivate us towards giving in support of the church we love.

Yours in Christ,
Joe Wingard 

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Updated: March 24, 2020 | 4:00 PM

Worship Schedule Updates

Beloved,

“Be of good courage, hold fast to that which is good.”

The above quote comes from a blessing found in the 1892 and 1928 editions of the Book of Common Prayer, and it is a blessing that our Bishop, Scott Benhase, has used in his episcopate this entire decade. I hope that it gives you some inspiration in these longer and longer days of physical/social distancing. Our faith is rooted in the idea that we strive to hold fast to that which is good, to God, even as our faith reminds us in our inability to do that well, God always holds fast to us. Being of good courage in these hours (and hours) looks like doing less rather than more, a prescription God obeys after the making of the whole creation and ask us to do the same. How have you thought of our current restrictions as requiring of us good courage?

Worship Schedule  |  Online Services from St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour
Our continued restrictions calls for some regularly shared worship opportunities digitally. With the varied offerings from the Diocese and other parishes having bugs to work out, Fr. Nick has decided to offer a fixed offering of services until further notice (keeping in mind, we might discover our own bugs). The following will be offered:

Sundays
Episcopal Morning Prayer with Sermon at 10:00 AM on Facebook Live
Lutheran Vespers at 6:00 PM on Facebook Live

Wednesdays
Episcopal Evening Prayer at 6:00 PM on Facebook Live

Weeknights
Episcopal/Lutheran Compline (in development)
Led by Parishioners
Contact Fr. Nick if you are interested in leading Compline 1x/week

All videos will also be kept for watching later at the same links when provided.

Holy Week and Easter

Worship Schedule  |  Holy Week and Easter
The clergy of the diocese received the following from our Bishop, Scott Benhase, earlier this week:

With new information coming from the CDC and from the Presiding Bishop’s office…as much as it grieves me to decide this, we need to cancel in-person worship for Holy Week and Easter. We still are on the upside of the curve and until we are on the downside, we must do this. Therefore, the Diocesan Staff will work to livestream the liturgies of the Triduum and Easter Day. Stay tuned for more information.

I remember something Bill Stafford+ told us in Church History class nearly 40 years ago: The world was held together by the payers of the faithful to God during the darkest days of the Middle Ages. And now as well.
-The Rt. Rev. Scott Benhase, Bishop of Georgia

As previously stated, we will monitor the Diocese’s plans. Fr. Nick is working on developing an offering of the Stations of the Cross as well as other ways to experience Holy Week and Easter from home. He attended a webinar offering by his alma mater, Virginia Theological Seminary, and is partnering with Lutheran Worship Planners, The Rev. Drs. Gordon Lathrop and Gail Ramshaw to help all of us to experience well this critical part of our faith as an Easter people of the Resurrection. More information to come by early April.

Study and Prayer

Study and Prayer  |  Online Options Forthcoming
Beginning this Sunday, March 29, we will return to offer our Lenten classes.

On Sundays at Noon, we’ll offer the study “Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week” via Zoom conferencing meeting software. A link will be published in an email later this week.

For our Wednesday Class on “A Spring in the Desert, Canon Logue has offered a link to the videos and study guide for his class, which are available here: https://georgia.anglican.org/about/bishop-elect-frank-logue/a-spring-in-the-desert/ These are not for public sharing, but only for our parishioner use with the devotion published for Lent 2020. This will be a self-guided study and please call me if you have questions or would like to arrange any discussion groups.

I am interested in offering other tutorials and offerings during the week. If others are interested in collaborating with me in any way, please let me know.

Pastoral Care Updates

Pastoral Response Update  |  Vestry Check-ins to Each Parishioner
We have heard back from over 70% of the parish in our rapid response survey and through vestry phone calls. Thank you for your generosity! Thus far, we have had the following needs identified and connected with the help offer:
3 request conversation partners, connected with 15 who offered (coordinated by Marian White).
2 request meal delivery assistance, compared to 7 who’ve offered (they are being coordinated by Fran Kempf and Leigh Ann Shipley)
1 special need with diapers, which have been delivered

Pastoral Visits Limited  |  Suspension of Holy Communion Distribution through March 31
With guidelines from the Whitehouse relating to “15 Days to Slow the Spread”, we will continue to limit in-person pastoral visitations to gatherings of less than 6 people and suspend the distribution of Holy Communion through March 31 beginning tomorrow, subject to further updates. Those desiring in-person visitations or pastoral visitations with communion may use a rite of “Spiritual Communion” said together with me. Please let me know.

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Updated: March 20, 2020 | 11:00 AM

A Message from our Senior Warden

Fellow Parishioners of St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour,

We are all experiencing anxiety and concern over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. News reports on COVID-19 never seem to stop, and roller-coaster from “gloom and doom” to “nothing to worry about” can confuse even the smartest of us. I’d like to take a moment to reassure you that your church and members of your Vestry and Rector care about each one of you, and are there to help you through this time of trouble.

Nothing is more important to us than the mental and physical health and safety of our congregation and our community. Therefore, as you know, we have cancelled in-person worship services and continue to work to provide online opportunities. And we are working to stay in contact with each of you, in order to check on you and determine if you need assistance in any way. Each of you will be receiving a telephone call weekly until the “all clear” is sounded throughout our nation.

In the meantime, continue to follow guidance of health officials, who continue to emphasize the importance of hand washing. There is a general shortage of hand sanitizer, so use soap and water which is very effective. And I recommend turning off the TV and radio and spending some time outside, enjoying the nice weather God has sent us! All the rain we’ve had this winter has led to a bumper azalea crop, so get out there and enjoy them!

All of our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the coronavirus. The outbreak has created uncertain times, but we want to assure you that we remain focused on taking care of you. Talk with each other, and help each other as you are able. We will get through this together and come out a stronger congregation!

Yours in Christ,
Joe Wingard

Updated: March 19, 2020 | 4:00 PM

Beloved,

We all continue by faith in these days of pandemic and disruption. Please know that my daily commitment is to the human/pastoral response you need from your leadership right now. We are adapting swiftly to shift our model of church, which is humbling, in this time of social distancing and virus spread. Here are some updates that I am offering today, in consultation with our Senior Warden, Diocese, and the Episcopal Church, and mindful of continuing updates to come from our local, regional, and national leaders and public health officials.

New Restrictions for Dougherty County  |  (begins tomorrow) March 20-27

• All gatherings of more than 10 people are banned, including church services.
• Parks are closed.
• Restaurants can only serve take-out, drive-thru, and delivery meals.
• All entertainment venues are suspended, including theaters and bowling alleys.
• All gyms are closed.
• All grocery stores and retailers can only have 25 percent store occupancy and no more than 50 people inside at a time.

Pastoral Response Update  |  Vestry Check-ins to Each Parishioner
Your Vestry has committed to weekly verbal check-ins and offerings of support and prayer during this time. Working with the Senior Warden, I have designed an action plan and care call guide to support connecting needs with those who can help. Please look for a survey after this email is sent to let us know your needs and how you are doing. This will get worse before it gets better, so let’s keep being the church and connecting with one another. This is also a great time to write letters, make phone calls, and connect with people in your life, in our congregation. 

Worship  |  Online/Live-Stream Only through at least March 29
With guidelines from the CDC asking us to restrict gatherings of 50 or more people through May 11 as well as updates from the Diocese and Presiding Bishop’s office, we are suspending in-person worship through Sunday, March 29, subject to further updates. Instead, we will soon announce a schedule of worship services available online as a live-stream or for viewing at a later date. Some of these services will be in partnership with local, regional, and national parishes, such as the Evening Prayer service offered tonight at 6:00 PM on the Diocesan Facebook Page.

Pastoral Visits Limited  |  Suspension of Holy Communion Distribution through March 31
With guidelines from the Whitehouse relating to “15 Days to Slow the Spread”, we will limit in-person pastoral visitations to gatherings of less than 6 people and suspend the distribution of Holy Communion through March 31 beginning tomorrow, subject to further updates. Those desiring in-person visitations or pastoral visitations with communion may use a rite of “Spiritual Communion” said together with me.

Study and Prayer  |  Online Options Forthcoming
Because of this extended period of social distancing, subject to change, I am looking for ways to offer courses of study and prayer in this interim time. I will have more information regarding these updates at a later time.

Peace to you,

Updated: March 15, 2020 | 10:00 AM

Beloved,
In relatively short order, we were able to livestream a service of Holy Eucharist for the Third Sunday in Lent. We will announce future service offerings in advance, likely in collaboration with other local and regional churches. Thank you for your patience with us in this disruption to our worship life together. Also a big thank you to those who worked hard to pull this together, including Ben Gessner, our Director of Music, and Lenn Lewis, lector and videographer.

Updated: March 13, 2020 | 3:30 PM

Good afternoon beloved,

I want to enjoin you in prayer and response to the ongoing issues surrounding the coronavirus. I write to share an update with you regarding our response to Coronavirus. All Christians are called to care for the most vulnerable among us. We intend to do what we can to protect persons most vulnerable by playing our part in “social distancing” or the limiting of contact person to person during pandemic levels of viral spread. After consulting with the advice of local health officials, our Senior Warden, and our Diocese and Synod, we are announcing a suspension of all gatherings through the next two Sundays, subject to continued assessment, effective today, Friday, March 13, 2020. There is a growing consensus among epidemiologists that earlier action will lead to a return to the ‘new normal’ more swiftly. More details on the specifics of our decision are below:

St. Patrick’s Dinner | Take-Out Only | 5:00-6:00 PM

The St. Patrick’s Dinner will proceed on a take-out basis. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 14th, take-out boxes will be available to pick up from the church from 5:00-6:00 PM by coming into the parish hall.

Worship | Suspended

Until further notice, all in-person worship services and meetings of more than 6 people will be cancelled. We will monitor this and provide updates week by week as we anticipate returning to a modified or full schedule. Fr. Nick is working on solutions for live-streaming of services, and recommends parishioners visit our Ministry Partner Forward Movement, which publishes the popular daily devotional: Day by Day.

Distribution of Holy Communion | By Appointment Only

Distribution of Holy Communion will be provided at home and at church (in groups of 6 or fewer people) following the Book of Common Prayer’s “Communion Under Special Circumstances.” Do not show up to church this weekend unless you have made a reservation for private distribution. You must schedule a time for communion. Call Fr. Nick at 864.923.4263 or click on the button below to make an appointment as follows:

• Sunday Mornings | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Reservation Required
• Wednesday Evenings | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Reservation Required
• At Home By Appointment

Other Events | Suspended through March 25th

Other events outside of this window will continually be reassessed and announcements made as soon as possible to support planning.

Pastoral Response

Your Vestry and Rector are committed to a comprehensive pastoral response to those in our community and beyond. St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour will continue to care for our parishioners and one another during this time of dispersion. We know how to be in community without being under the same roof. We will be touching base with each parish family at least once/week through this time starting this Sunday, March 15. If you need anything at all between our check-ins, please call Fr. Nick directly at 864.923.4264 or email: rector@stpatricksalbany.org

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Updated: March 12, 2020 | 11:30 AM

Several of you have shared this image on your Facebook Pages. It is a concept called “Flattening the Curve”. Fr. Nick, along with parish and diocesan leadership, are actively monitoring information from local health officials on when it might be necessary to suspend certain or all gatherings. We are not quite there, and when we get there, I can’t say how long it will take for that curve to flatten. We are committed to safety and health, physically and spiritually. Please check here and on our Facebook page for more updates.

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Updated: March 11, 2020 | 4:00 PM

Beloved,

I want to enjoin you in prayer and response to the ongoing issues surrounding the coronavirus. Earlier this afternoon, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared this a pandemic in response to the spread of this new virus.

Earlier this afternoon, I sat down with Dr. Alan Seely-Wilson, who has both studied viral illness and served in clinical settings during the height of the HIV Epidemic, to discuss some of our responses here locally. You can click on the link above or button below to view this video. I want to offer some responses that have been initiated by the Vestry and myself that come into place for now. If there are additional guidances, we will communicate them broadly.

Pastoral Availability
No matter what or how you feel about this virus, please reach out to Fr. Nick if you need help in prayer, in concern, in frustration, in anxiety and need someone to talk to or pray with or visit. He can be reached by email: rector@stpatricksalbany.org and by phone: 864-923-4263

Presence of Illness
It is highly likely that the illness is already present in Dougherty County. There have been fewer tests available, depending upon the geography, but please know that we are taking these precautions assuming, reasonably, that the illness is already or soon will be present in our area.

Ongoing Events
St. Patrick’s and Our Saviour will continue with all currently scheduled events, including Sunday Worship, Wednesday Activities, the St. Patrick’s Dinner this Saturday at 6:00 PM.

Feeling Ill
If you feel ill or symptomatic, please plan to stay home, follow health guidelines, and contact Fr. Nick directly if you wish to receive communion at home.

Adaptations for Worship and Gatherings
Hand Sanitization
Upon entry to the Sanctuary and upon entry to communion, a member of the Vestry or Usher will offer Hand Sanitizer. This isn’t mandatory and washing your hands is better, but please heed this encouragement for your personal hygiene at key moments in our worship. Altar ministers and Altar Guild will continue to sanitize before serving, as has been our practice.

No Water in the Font
Until further notice, we will remove the water from the baptismal font in order to prevent possible spread through this universal solvent.

The Common Cup
We will continue to use the common cup at St. Patrick’s. We will shift to the metal vessels due to their antiseptic-like quality and the continuing strong research that show no indication of spread through the common cup. Ministers will continue to wipe the interior and exterior rim of the chalice between communicants, use of care to rotate the cloth during use, and use of a clean cloth for each chalice.

Intinction
The practice of intinction (by minister or communicant), will be suspended until further notice.

Eucharist in One Kind
Receiving Eucharist in one kind only is perfectly appropriate and spiritually is exactly the same as receiving both. We do not have to receive both bread and wine to have had Communion. If you have any concerns about the common cup, simply receive the bread.

The Peace and other personal interactions
Strive at the peace and in personal interactions to refrain from shaking hands or hugging (which is hard for this southern boy), including before or after services. In place, you may simply bow or use the peace symbol. Also, if someone gels after shaking hands, now isn’t the time for personal offense. The goal here isn’t to be unfriendly or inhospitable, but rather to do all we can to ensure each other’s well-being.

Offering Plates
Ushers will not pass the offering plates during communion. Instead offering plates will be stationary for you to place your offering upon entrance to the Sanctuary or to communion. You may use a giving envelope or fold your gift to ensure anonymity. If you need information on how to make a gift electronically, you may contact the parish office or click here.

Cleaning of Surfaces
We will work with Latressa to ensure the following surfaces are a part of her increased awareness. During her cleaning, she will sanitize door handles, pew tops, restroom handles, locks, and faucets, and importantly, the altar rail with cloths and a sanitizing cleanser.

Closing Thoughts and Invitation to Peace
Lastly, there is no need to panic despite all that you may be hearing on the news. The risk of being infected with Covid19 is still low, and vulnerable or immune-suppressed populations should receive additional guidance from your doctor. Being infected does not automatically mean that you will have contracted a life-threatening illness. Follow the common sense measures set forth by the CDC and then beyond that, do whatever of the above makes you feel safe. In the meantime, we pray for those who have contracted the virus and for those working to keep us safe from it.

Peace to you,

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From the Diocese
“Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Jesus said these words to the disciples as he walked toward them on the surface of a storm-tossed Sea of Galilee. In all our times of doubt and uncertainty, the Holy Trinity is present with us as Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This remains true even as we are inundated with news about the COVID-19 virus.

In this time of uncertainty, how do we respond?
First and foremost, the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization guidelines are clear and should be followed. These include the oft repeated counsel to wash your hands frequently, clean all frequently-touched surfaces, and stay home if you are sick. The complete information is online here:

CDC’s updates: http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
WHO’s updates: http://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Epidemiologists agree that COVID-19 is here to stay. This new virus will infect the entire country to a greater or lesser extent in time. The goal for now is to slow the spread of the infection so as to not have our health care system overwhelmed. Bishop Benhase says, “The most important point for all clergy in charge of congregations: You do what you think is best for your people. I trust your respective judgments.”

As Bishop Benhase has said, “Let’s love one another, pray for one another, and not give into anxiety.”