House…Found!
January 18, 2010 by fatherjeff
Filed under The Hiking Priest (Fr. Jeff's Blog)
God must read our website. No sooner did I post about searching for a Jeep and a new house did God answer our prayers. Read more
Episcopal 101 on Thursday: Intro to St. Nicholas
January 18, 2010 by fatherjeff
Filed under News & Events
Last Year's Episcopal 101 Confirmands
Our ongoing Episcopal 101 class kicks off again this Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. This is a class for anyone and everyone! If you are hoping to be confirmed, received from another denomination, or reaffirmed in your commitment to Christ, or if you just need a refresher, sign up today! Also, if you have a friend who has any questions about St. Nicholas, invite them to come as well. This session will be a good starting point for any new members of the class.
Thursday’s session is called Intro to St. Nicholas. We will learn about our patron saint as well as the history of our congregation, and what God is calling us to do in this time and place.
Dates for future classes of Episcopal 101 are:
February 18: Baptism & Confirmation
March 18: Bible 1-Old Testament
April 15: Bible 2-New Testament
May 20: Church History
June 17: Faith
July 15: The Church
August 19: Calling
September 16: Prayer
October 21: Worship
November 11: Sacraments
December 9: Eucharist
Parishioner’s Son Helps Haiti
January 18, 2010 by fatherjeff
Filed under News & Events
Many people are pitching in to the effort to help in Haiti. One very specific and helpful way that someone is using their gifts in the relief effort is through Talbot Brooks, son of Ben and Virginia Brooks. From his proud father, “Talbot has gained international recognition in making maps which are critically needed for rescue operations. He first developed the system of mapping for Hurricane Katrina.” Check out this article about Talbot’s effort by clicking here.
We are grateful to God for the work of Talbot Brooks and share in the pride that Ben and Virginia have for him!
Parade Float Featured on St. Nicholas Center Website
January 17, 2010 by fatherjeff
Filed under News & Events
Looks like we’re getting noticed.
The website stnicholascenter.org, which is a great resource for all things pertaining to our patron saint, has asked if they can use the photos and ideas from our entry in the Hamilton Christmas parade, featuring Doug Martin as St. Nicholas, and our host of “elves.”
We’ll be featured in three areas on the site: their picture/event gallery, and two places on their “ideas for celebrating St. Nicholas Day” section. All of these will link back to our own church website.
These are the links, check them out:
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic_visits_popup.jsp?gvi_sakey=276
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=873
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=350
So not only are people around town noticing us, people on the internet are, too! Thanks be to God!
Harris County High School Diamond Club Reverse Raffle
January 17, 2010 by fatherjeff
Filed under News & Events
From Kristy Hubbard and Peggy Martin:
The diamond club/touch down club from Harris County High School is having their 3rd annual reverse raffle January 28. Dinner for 2 is served with the purchase of a ticket. This year’s dinner is being catered by Mrs. Waddell in Warm Springs who has an awesome reputation of catering for doctor events. During the dinner the raffle begins with door prizes about every 7th -10th ticket (which are really good prizes). The GRAND prize of NOT having your ticket drawn is $5000. You will however have the chance to split your prize ($2500 each) if you and another person are remaining and wish to do so. Tickets are $100 each.
We are in need of donations as well for both the silent auction and door prizes.
Proceeds from this event will go towards enhancing the athletic programs for baseball and football at Harris County High School. We will do this through improvements of our fields, equipment and training facilities for our players. Our program has expanded to the 4 A level and Harris County High School desires to accommodate the players, coaching staff and competitors for the home games. This requires additional funds that the county does not provide.
The baseball program is also offering sponsor packages. These are for sponsorships for advertising space around the scoreboard. All sponsors names will be announced at each home game and will also include 2 season tickets. Sponsor packages begin at $500. HCHS will provide a tax ID number for tax deduction purposes.
This is a great way to support many of high school athletes. The youth group of St. Nicholas regularly plays flag football at the practice fields at the high school, so this would be a great sign of gratitude to them for letting us play.
March With Us!
January 14, 2010 by fatherjeff
Filed under News & Events
Please join Fr. Jeff on Monday, January 18 for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in Hamilton. We will meet at 12:00 noon at the old Carver Middle School in Hamilton to get lined up for the parade which starts at 1:00pm. Bring comfortable walking shoes and be sure to check the weather, as it’s bound to be cold as we march. There will be a program at Harris County High School at 2:00pm following the parade.
Last year, we made headlines in the Harris County Journal as we were the only interracial group represented in the parade. This is an important witness to our community, communicating our important mission as St. Nicholas Episcopal Church to:
…be an example to the world of Christ’s love for all people. We do this by:
+Being welcoming & inviting of all people.
+Being supportive of our community & engaged in our community.
+Accepting where people are in their journey.
+Helping in any way, spiritually or physically
+Nurturing spiritual growth
+Educating people about who we are, what we do, and what we believe.
Helping Haiti
January 14, 2010 by fatherjeff
Filed under News & Events
Many of you may be wondering how we can help in the relief efforts for the people of Haiti. Below is a message from Bishop Alexander that may give you some direction:
We are shocked and saddened by the news of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Representatives of many of our parishes have engaged in mission work there and are personally affected by this tragedy.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori today issued a statement calling for prayers “for those who have died, been injured, and are searching for loved ones.” She urged “your concrete and immediate prayers in the form of contributions to Episcopal Relief and Development.”
In this emergency, our best response as a diocese, as parishes and as individuals is take a few minutes to contribute to Episcopal Relief and Development, the church’s agency already at work in Haiti. All of your dollars will go directly to helping the Haitian people. To give now through ERD’s secure website, click here. You’ll also find information below for mailing your checks and giving over the phone.
Diocesan ERD coordinator Debbie Betsill is in touch with ERD, and the Rev. Debbie Shew, canon for community ministries, is connecting with world mission staff at the Episcopal Church Center. Our office will be gathering information on other efforts to help and will report them as details emerge.
Faithfully,
J. Neil Alexander
Bishop of Atlanta
Donate
Ø Online: https://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php
Ø By mail: Send check payable to Episcopal Relief and Development to ERD at P.O. Box 7058 Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
Ø By phone, call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129.
Links
Ø Presiding Bishop’s Statement http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_118405_ENG_HTM.htm
Ø Episcopal NewsService report http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_118410_ENG_HTM.htm
We will take a special offering on Sunday morning for the relief efforts, which will be given through ERD. So you may give directly to ERD on your own or through St. Nicholas. If you wish to give through St. Nicholas, be sure to make checks out to us and write “Haiti Relief” in the memo line.
Your Week at St. Nick, 17 -23 January 2010
January 13, 2010 by Drucye
Filed under News & Events
Sunday, 17 January
8:30am Holy Eucharist
9:30am Breakfast/Fellowship
9:45am Adult/Youth/Children’s Education
11:00am Holy Eucharist
Usher/Greeter
8:30am Tom and Sharon Cheatham
11:00am Nick and Anne Simpson
Reader
8:30am Brent
11:00am Horne/I. Martin
LEM
8:30am Halmrast
11:00am Moody
Altar Guild
Winsness/Cox
Flower Guild
Bert Tomlin
Sunday School Teacher
Terri Townsend
Cider
Andy
Acolytes
Table: Robin
Crucifer: Sam
Gospel: Sam
Offertory: M&M
Torch: Robin/M&M
Monday, 18 January
Office Closed
MLK Day Parade
Tuesday, 19 January
Week 3 of 6
6:30pm St. Nicholas Academy: Listening to Scripture
Wednesday, 20 January
6:30 - 7:45pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, 21 January
6:30pm Episcopal 101
Check Us Out!
January 13, 2010 by fatherjeff
Filed under News & Events
St. Nicholas made the cover story on the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta’s weekly e-newsletter Connecting, in regards to our new organ donation from St. Benedict’s, Symrna.
If you’d like to subscribe to Connecting, click here and get all your latest diocesan news! Our diocese does a fantastic job with communications, this weekly newsletter being one great example. Nan Ross is the Director of Communication and does a splendid job of getting news out and using up-to-date media to do so. Read more
Frozen Ponds
January 12, 2010 by fatherjeff
Filed under The Hiking Priest (Fr. Jeff's Blog)
Hiking in the cold…
Last week, I fell off the hiking wagon and decided that studying at Huddle House was a better idea than hiking. This was due to freezing temperatures that I’m sure our northern brothers and sisters would laugh at. Harris County schools closed last Friday due to threats of frost and icy roads. Laugh all you want, but this is Georgia, and that’s just what we do down here.
Before I left, I layered up, as if I was about to embark on some Himalayan expedition. I think I had about four layers before I walked out the door. But I was thankful as the bitter wind stung my face. I was especially thankful for my dear wife who had gotten me new wool hiking socks for Christmas!
I decided to take it a little easy since I was practically trekking the planet Hoth. I did a short section of the Pine Mountain Trail between the Gardens Overlook parking area to Buzzards Roost parking area and back which was about 4 miles. When I left, it was 22 degrees. Read more
