Friday, January 15, 2010
Centering Prayer Workshop
Tomorrow, Saturday, January 16,
2010
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
$25 ($35 at the
door)
Burtenshaw Hall
Centering Prayer is a
simple method of prayer rooted in ancient Christian traditions going
back to the 4th century which seeks to help you attain a more intimate
and personal relationship with God.
The workshop (presented by
Contemplative Outreach – Atlanta) will introduce participants to the
four simple steps of Centering Prayer and provide opportunities to
practice the discipline in daily life. There will be six weekly
continuing sessions: dates and times to be determined by the
workshop participants. Coffee and tea in the morning and a bag
lunch will be provided.
Please contact Harmony
Kiser - harmony.kiser@comcast.net
or Joe Rich -
joer123@bellsouth.net if you have any questions.
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Welcome
We welcome The Rev.
Rebekah Hatch in this season after Epiphany.
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Note: Office Closed
The Church office will be
closed on Monday, January 18, 2010 in observance of the Martin
Luther King, Jr. holiday.
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John Sabine
John
Sabine has accepted a position at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church in
Riverdale, Georgia. St. Aidan's has been blessed to have John as
Organist and Choirmaster since 2004. The music program has grown under
his direction, including trips to Carnegie Hall, multiple singing
engagements for diocesan liturgies, as well as the purchase of a new
organ and the installation of new choir seating area. Thanks to John,
our adult and children's choir are strong and energized to help lead our
worship.
We will have the opportunity to thank John for his ministry with us in
two ways. First, on Sunday, January 31, after the 11 am
service, we will honor John as part of our St. Aidan's celebration in
Burtenshaw Hall. Second, as is our custom, we will have a Love
Offering for John - special gifts of cash or checks to show our
appreciation for his work among us. Special collection boxes for
this offering will be in the narthex and in the lobby outside Burtenshaw
Hall. (Please makes checks to St. Aidan's, and we will then combine all
gifts and write John a single check.)
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Adult Christian Education
Adult Forum -
Finding Faith at the Movies
A good movie can be
entertaining and thought provoking... even faith provoking. For the
next ten weeks, Fr. Rob will lead those in the Adult Forum on a journey
through films like Dead Man Walking, Prince of Tides, Quiz Show, Shadowlands, Amadeus, and reflect on the Christian themes of suffering,
repentance, envy and temptation that these movies provoke us to
encounter - Sunday mornings - 10am in Burtenshaw Hall.
Class on Women in
Scripture
"Wisteria Lane," the
setting for Fox's Desperate Housewives, can't beat the drama - or the
value - Scripture has to offer. Come hear about significant women from
the Bible whose sometimes - crazy stories shape our own story of faith
and salvation. Each week, a new character, so join us for the entire
series, or for one week at a time." The Rev. Rebekah Hatch will lead
this class on Sunday mornings - 10am in the library.
-
January 17: The Two
Tamars: Tales of Women Scorned
READ AHEAD (optional): Genesis 38 & 2 Samuel 13
-
January 24: Ruth,
Naomi & Orpah: Stand By Your Man….or, Your Mother-in-Law. READ AHEAD
(optional): The Book of Ruth
Weekly Bible Study
The Weekly Bible Study resumed on
Tues, January 12 at 9:30 and Wed, Jan. 13, at 7:30 with the
study of the
Sunday Lectionary in advance of the Sunday in which it’s read as part of
worship. Participants can come each week, or just drop in.
Bible Study - "To Live
Is Christ"
"To
Live Is Christ" bible study by Beth Moore journeys the audience through
the events in the life of Paul. Please join this inspirational speaker
and teacher as she guides ladies to live a Christ-like life. The
cost of the workbook is $15. Email Christy Davis (christyscharfdavis@gmail.com)
by January 21 to reserve your book or go to Lifeway Christian bookstore
on NorthPoint Pkwy. Invite your friends to the study. They are
offered at two different times:
-
Sundays during
the Sunday school hour in the classroom next to the library, January
24th—May 16th skipping holiday weekends
-
Tuesdays,
7:00—8:30pm in the library January 26th—April 27th, 2010
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Disaster
Relief for Haiti - The Challenge to Help: $100 per Household
The issue of poverty in
Haiti has never been more pressing that it is now, following Tuesday's
devastating earthquake. We have so much
by comparison, so share a
blessing. Give $100. Through Episcopal Relief &
Development, you may make a direct donation at
https://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php or on Sunday by placing
your donation in the basket in the narthex, or in the collection plate
during the offertory. (Please indicate "Haiti" in the memo line of
your check.) If every household at St. Aidan's gives $100, we'll
send support of over $25,000. Other agencies that are helping are
the Red Cross (www.redcross.org)
or Doctors Without Borders (http://doctorswithoutborders.org/).
“Even under “normal”
circumstances, Haiti struggles to care for her 9 million people. The
nation is the poorest in the western hemisphere, and this latest
disaster will set back many recent efforts at development. I urge your
prayers for those who have died, been injured, and are searching for
loved ones – and I urge your concrete and immediate prayers in the form
of contributions to Episcopal Relief & Development, who are already
working with the Diocese of Haiti to send aid where it is most needed."
~The Most Rev. Katharine
Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop
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A Journey of Faith: Pledge
Update
146 households pledged a
total of $429,620 toward our mission and ministry in 2010. Thank you! If
you have yet to turn in your pledge card, don’t delay. Pledge cards are
in the narthex and you can pledge on line at
www.staidans.org. Direct
link:
http://www.staidans.org/stewardship2009/main.htm
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WIN A FREE TV!
Between December 15, 2009
and January 31, 2010 all LifeSouth blood donors will be entered into
a prize drawing for a 32” Vizio LCD HDTV and a RCA DVD Home Theater
System. Three winners will be selected in Georgia.
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Your Vestry
Returns from its Kanuga Retreat
Last weekend, the vestry
attended the Vestry Conference at Kanuga in Hendersonville, NC. We
received inspiration about the second half of our mission statement “to
make Christ known” as part of the essential mission of the church to the
world. Also, we elected Blair Hendrickson as Jr. Warden to serve with
Bob French as Sr. Warden. Thank you vestry for your time and
energy for the ministry of the parish within and outside of our walls.
Senior Warden - Bob
French, (2010)
Junior Warden - Blair Hendrickson, (2010)
Communication, PR - Jim Skinner, (2010)
Administration - Terry Ledford, (2011)
Building and Grounds - Earl Bozeman, (2010)
Parish Life - Cathy Biondi, (2012)
Pastoral Care - Harmony Kiser, (2011)
Stewardship, Finance - Linda Bowman, (2012)
Mission, Outreach - Joey Sargent, (2011)
Youth and Christian Ed. - David Ford, (2012)
Worship, Spiritual Life - Andrea Manos, (2011)
Shepherds, Newcomers - Vickie Scott, (2012)
Treasurer - Jim Myers
Clerk - Laurin Lausier
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Sunday
School Teachers Needed
If you enjoy working with
children and sharing God's word, being a Sunday School teacher is a
great way to do both! We currently have a need in our Pre-K/K class
and our 2nd/3rd grade class. If you are interested in any of our
Sunday School classes, please contact Susan Griffis
(suegrif@bellsouth.net) for more information and details. Thank You!
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Parish Meeting
Parish Meeting set for
Sunday, January 31. As a follow-up to the annual meeting from
November, please join us at 9:30 on Jan. 31 in Burtenshaw Hall to hear
from the new vestry and Fr. Rob about our ministries, our 2009 annual
report, our 2009 finances, and our 2010 budget.
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St.
Aidan’s Day Celebration - January 31, 12:00 Noon
St. Aidan's church is
named after Aidan of Wales and Ferns. He lived in Ireland and Wales, and
traveled throughout Europe sharing God's word during the late 500s and
early 600s.
Please join us for food,
music and fellowship immediately following the late service on
January 31st. The church will provide barbecued pork and
chicken, hot dogs and beverages; parishioners will provide side dishes
and desserts. Musical entertainment will be provided by our own
Covenant Singers, and the Vestry will handle the serving duties. Come
help us celebrate the life of our very own Saint!
Look for signup sheets in Burtenshaw Hall over the next three weeks, or contact
Cathy Biondi cmbiondi@comcast.net at (770) 664-4887 or
Jim Skinner
jimskinner@bellsouth.net.
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St. Aidan’s
Green
Team
Green Team Tip
In addition to improving
indoor air quality, houseplants provide a small reminder of the
wilderness that environmentalists hope to protect, which is especially
important during winter months when you may be spending more time
inside. Regardless of your level of gardening expertise, there's a plant
for you: Consider growing herbs on your windowsill, cultivating a
cactus garden, or clearing the air with mother-in-law's tongue.
Recycling bins are
here!
Recycling bins are located in the kitchen, by the drink machine and
downstairs in the classroom areas for recycling paper, aluminum cans,
plastic bottles, and other recyclable materials. For information,
contact Earl Bozeman at 404-486-9405 or
sonnyb49@comcast.net.
How are you helping to
save the planet?
The
Green
Team would like to know what you are doing in your home and community to
help save our planet. Please send photos of your recycling
efforts, compost bins, rain barrels, etc. to Joyce Tripp Miller, 1205
Tuscany Ct, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or
jtmiller120@gmail.com. Please identify people who are in your
photos.
Join the
Green
team!
The St. Aidan's Green Team
meets the second Sunday of each month after the 11 am service;
all are welcome to participate. If you are
interested in helping St. Aidan’s with its environmental stewardship
(recycling and the like) please contact Father Rob at
fr.wood@earthlink.net.
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Lenten
Devotional Booklets
The Season of Lent and, I
hope, the parishioner-written Lenten Devotional booklets will be here in
about 40 days. If you committed to writing one of those
devotionals during Advent and have any questions, especially if they are
about what you are supposed to do or what your scripture readings are,
please contact Stephi McDonnell soon at 678-807-8975 or at
stephimcd@yahoo.com. The due
date for having the devotionals to Stephie is January 20 (or before).
If emailing a devotional, please send it as a Microsoft Word document.
Many thanks!
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Sunday - January 17
What do you have planned
for 2010? What does GOD have planned for 2010? Come to The Cottage
from 5-7pm to join in the fun as we “project” our plans.
Wednesday - January 20
Wednesday Night Live with
Carrie & Jonathan!
Sunday - January 24
Scottie Bozeman from "The
Green Team" joins us to take a look at what we're doing to keep St.
Aidan's green and to help us learn new things to do in our daily lives!
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Easter and Spring Break
Plans for 2010
As many of you may have
seen, spring break for many school systems begins on Good Friday this
year. As you make your plans for the break, please consider leaving the
Monday after Easter so that you can worship at St. Aidan’s for Good
Friday - Easter and then enjoy vacation.
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Preschool/Mother's
Morning Out
St. Aidan's parishioners may begin registering for the 2010-2011
school year on Tuesday, January 19. Applications can be picked up in
the Preschool Office, or by downloading one from
www.staidans.org. We
anticipate a high enrollment for next year, and encourage all
applications to be returned no later than January 26, as we will then
begin registering the general public. Please call the preschool
office at 678.743.3590 for any questions. We are excited to announce
the following class offerings for the 2010-2011 school year:
|
18-24
mo. |
Monday/Wed |
9am-12 noon |
$150/mo |
|
|
Tues/Thurs |
9am-12 noon |
$150/mo |
|
2 yr.
old |
Tues/Thurs |
9am-1pm |
$185/mo |
|
|
Tues/Wed/Thurs |
9am-1pm |
$215/mo |
|
3 yr.
old |
Mon/Wed |
9am-1pm |
$185/mo |
|
|
Tues/Wed/Thurs |
9am-1pm |
$215/mo |
|
4 yr.
old Pre-K |
Mon-Thurs |
9am-1pm |
$265/mo. |
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Prom Date Change!
The EYC must announce that
due to unforeseen difficulties, the 2nd Annual Adult Prom is being
postponed until April. We apologize for any inconvenience Many
thanks to those of you who donated decorations for the prom; if they
were on loan to us (not a donation), please contact Sam Zavitz or Cathy
Biondi so we may return them to you.
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Save the Date
Ministry Fair 2010
Saturday, March 6
9:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m.
The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip
2744 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta GA
Please
mark your calendars and join us for a day full of celebration, a wide
variety of workshops and a chance to meet and greet friends from all
over the diocese. Our special Great Gathering guest this year, to
begin the day will be:
The
Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, PhD.
Ian
S. Markham was appointed as Dean and President of Virginia Theological
Seminary in August 2007. He completed his Ph.D. at University of Exeter
in the United Kingdom where he focused on Christian Ethics. He
previously earned an M.Litt. in Philosophy and Ethics from the
University of Cambridge and a B.D. in Theology from the University of
London. The cost for the day remains at $20 per
person which includes the Great Gathering, lunch and three workshops.
Workshops will include the topics: Parish administrators, safe church
practices, conflict management, websites and other digital tools.
congregational leadership and development, young
adult ministries, adult education and theology, Catechesis of the Good
Shepherd, interfaith dialogue and the Peace Village, food pantries and
other outreach ministry training, help for job-seekers, Episcopal Relief
& Development and the MDGs, financial tools and procedures, music in the
church, prayer and spirituality (including ZenTangling!), elder
ministry, the problem of trafficking in Georgia, military ministries,
stewardship offerings - for parishioners, for leaders and help with
endowments and planned giving, creation care, and the art of listening.
Plus a few, to be announced later, by Bishop Alexander and our guest,
Dr. Markham.
More details, registration materials and ONLINE Registration will be
available in mid January and on the Diocese website at
www.episcopalatlanta.org.
Passover Meal
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
6:30 - 9:00 pm
Burtenshaw Hall
In our
January 3 Gospel, we read from Luke 2:41: "Every year
Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the
Passover." And in Luke 22:15 we read, "With fervent
desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I
suffer." Jesus chose one of the most sacred and the
oldest Jewish celebration, a celebration of redemption, to
establish His New Covenant.
What is a Passover Dinner?
In
scripture it is called the "Festival of Unleavened Bread,
Pesach or Passover. As the name implies, it is a
meal. It is a Jewish celebration that is over 3000
years old, and the Dinner is a Bible Study of the Book
of Exodus. It is a Celebration like our Thanksgiving,
where we share fellowship, share Love, share our scripture and
our redemption, as well as our abundance. It is a Ceremony,
with rules and regulations that come to us through custom and
convention. It is a deep spiritual experience to
participate in an ancient tradition that Jesus observed, and
connecting it to our Eucharist. While scholars disagree on
whether The Last Supper was actually a Passover Dinner,
they do agree that Jesus used the language, food and ritual of
the Passover to help His disciples understand the meaning of
His death in the context of their culture, and we will be
celebrating The Last Supper at the conclusion of the Seder.
All
are invited, including children
Since the dinner and ceremony
will last from 6:30 to 9:00, there will be childcare for those
too young for an attention span of that amount of time.
Sign up on the St. Aidan's website.
Questions
Harmony
Kiser - harmony.kiser@comcast.net - 770.205.7899
Lynda
Frederickson - lynda.frederickson@cherokee.k12.ga.us
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Online
Giving at St. Aidans!
You now have the
convenient option to choose electronic funds transfer from your bank
account for any contributions you wish to make to St. Aidan's—annual
pledge, Lift High the Cross, or other as desired. It's easy, quick and
just a click away! Go to the St. Aidan web page,
www.staidans.org and click on the
on-line giving icon. Complete the authorization form and you are good to
go. It's safe, secure and personal information is maintained
confidential. It is also a great way to ‘go green’ by eliminating paper
checks and envelopes. For your convenience, on-line giving cards are
located in the pews for placement in the offering plate. Any questions,
please give the church office a call or contact Linda Bowman, Director
of Stewardship.
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Pill Bottle Collections
We have resumed
collecting empty pill bottles for the Mathew 25 Ministry. We will
continue with this outreach as long as funding allows. Please place your
donations in the bin located outside of Burtenshaw Hall. Thank you for
your previous contributions. Any questions, contact MaryAnn Masson
gymsail@earthlink.net.
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Covenant Groups at St. Aidan's
- Currently, we have 7 active Covenant Groups at St. Aidan's. If you
would like more information about them, or you would like to be a member
of a group and you did not sign up, please contact Don Frank at
678-297-0885.
Lunch Bunch
Ken Adcox -
Ken.Adcox@comcast.net
The Seekers
Joe Rich -
joer123@bellsouth.net
Mommy and Me
Natalie Ferber - 770-888-6871
“Cook & Giggle”
Suzanne Mansell - 770-889-2201
Retired Men
Don
Frank - 678-297-0885
Covenant Singers
Tom or Stephi McDonnell - 678-807-8975
Poetry & Spirituality
Linda Bowman -
lhbowman@gmail.com
Emily Darraj -
r_em_darraj@comcast.net
Note:
On hold until further notice
If you
have interest in or ideas for starting a group, please contact Don
Frank.
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Around the Diocese
2010 Pilgrimages
Since the 4th century…
Man has sought God on the worn paths and narrow roads that lead to
Europe’s holy sites.
That journey continues today… Join us.
Christian
Pilgrims primary mission is to increase the number of people who join
the age old practice and discipline of pilgrimage. We encourage, invite
and lead people in this process. Each year we lead small groups on two
of the major Christian pilgrimage sites. In Spain, we walk the Camino de
Santiago. In Italy, we walk the Cammino di San Francesco
April 8-22, Oct. 7-21
Camino de Santiago (Spain)
May 13-26, Sept. 9-22
Cammino di San Francesco
(Italy)
For more information call
Dr. Stan Beecham at 770-262-5556,
info@ChristianPilgrims.org
or
http://www.christianpilgrims.org.
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On
the Web
Check the St.
Aidan's website for weekly updates: Sunday Server
Schedule, recent sermons, Sunday readings, Parish Matters, coming
events, and much more!
Check out the
Photo Gallery
for new photos and slide presentations of the recent events.
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Diocesan Connecting Newsletter
For MORE information - News Briefs; Art, Music; Workshops, Classes and
Seminars, and more.
Click here. Updated Weekly!
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Please
Pray For ...
The people of Haiti &those who help them,
for
God’s strength, courage, healing, comfort and wisdom
The Olechny’s,
friends of Lori Foley, for strength and comfort during Andrew’s
chemotherapy
Nicholas Arshun,
by Phyllis Arshun, for healing and comfort
Barbara Monaghan,
mother of Mike Monaghan, for strength and healing
Bill Duckwall,
for
comfort, strength and healing
Rita Sapp & children,
friends of Carolyn, Glaza, for comfort & healing after losing husband,
father
Sister Sylvia,
friend of John Ray, for comfort, strength and healing
The Duckett family,
friends of Susan Balch, for comfort and healing
Ed
Lindsey,
friend of Bill & Bev Williams, for healing, comfort and hope
Barbara Lanning,
mother of Cathy Schlecht, for healing, strength and comfort
Derek Wilsden,
father of Derin Thompson, for comfort and healing
Anne Prianti,
for
strength, courage, and peace of mind
W.D. Bledsoe,
father of Christy Elliot, for strength, healing and comfort
Alice Folsom,
aunt of Judy Reardon,
for comfort strength and healing
Joe Wooten, father of Michele Hutnick,
for
continued courage, strength and God’s healing
Barbara Matis,
friend of Betty Hood, for comfort, strength and healing
Mark and Marsha Bryant and family,
for
comfort, strength and healing
William Haslam,
brother of Ginny Cline, for healing and for comfort for his family
Jan Dennis,
friend of Ann West, for comfort, strength and healing
Elizabeth McIntyre,
friend of Joey Sargent, for comfort, strength and healing
Barb Mitchell,
for healing, comfort and strength
Marianne Walker,
for
strength and courage
Carolyn Glaza,
for comfort strength & healing
Joe and Marilyn Rich,
for
strength and healing
Tommy Gall,
for
healing and comfort
Kevin,
for
peace, strength and faith
Russ & Nona Knutson,
for
strength & healing
Darrell Quinley,
for
healing and strength
Beverly Williams,
for
healing & comfort
Earlene Ledford,
for
healing and comfort
Barbara Hall,
for
comfort, strength & healing
Marie Dawson,
for comfort and strength
Mark Ledford,
for comfort and peace
Joan Spratt,
for comfort and healing
Wyatt Barbee,
for God’s strength & comfort
Cindy Vega,
for
comfort strength & healing
Alison Moyer,
for
healing, patience &strength
Olivia Mechlowitz,
for
continued recovery
All
those serving our country at home and abroad, especially
Katie Laundon,
Travis Mann,
Gregory Sinnott ,
Eli Nagle, Mathew Latonis, Richard Matyskiela, Jeff
Cleary, Manuel Aviles, and Max Sullivan.
For
those who died, and for those who mourn.
PRAYER
REQUESTS
There are several ways you
may make a request: fill out a request card and put it in the Prayer Box
in the Narthex, call the church office, visit the church website or you
may contact Camille Johnson at
camillejj@comcast.net. Prayers will be in the above list for 3
weeks and will then be removed unless otherwise requested.
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