TRUE Stories

Did you know that on the first Sunday of every month, the loose offering goes to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund? Not many people know that, and I’m supposed to remind the congregation about that from time to time. The discretionary fund is set up to be used exactly how it sounds–at the Rector’s discretion. Usually, this fund goes to helping people who are crunched for cash, which many people are these days. I am always astounded by how God continually provides for this fund. Even though I don’t promote it as much as I probably should, I get regular donations to it often. I also deposit any money I receive for weddings, funerals, or any other gifts I receive as part of my priestly duties into my discretionary fund.

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The Dangerous Act of Worship

Tuesday Night Adult Education Returns September 7!

In his book, The Dangerous Act of Worship, Mark Labberton asserts that corporate worship shouldn’t merely point us upward toward God, but turn us outward as well, toward our neighbors.  He says worship should translate into transformed lives that care for the poor and the oppressed.  The Old Testament prophet Micah said to Israel, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  (Micah 6:8)  If worship is the humble walk, where does doing justice and loving mercy fit?  What does Sunday worship mean to you come Monday?  Let’s talk about it!  Mollie Smith will be leading this class on Tuesday nights for 6 weeks starting September 7, at 6:30 pm., to discuss the meaning of worship at St. Nicholas and beyond. You can sign up for the class by visiting www.stnicholashamilton.org/signup or by visiting the bulletin board in the hallway. Copies of the book are $12.00, but are not required to take the class.

Waging A Living

This Sunday, August 29 at 9:45am, in part 4 of our 5-part Adult Formation Class, Faith & Finances, Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries (CVEM) Missioner Vicky Partin will be facilitating and showing a brief DVD called Waging A Living. The class will be hearing the stories of people, who, like many Americans, are working full time jobs but still cannot make ends meet. Hear their struggles and reflect with the class on issues of justice as we wrestle with what God is calling us to do.

Also, the Rev. Donna Gafford will be preaching and celebrating at both services as Fr. Jeff takes our youth to Camp Mikell on retreat.

BBQ Butts For CVEM!

Perfect for Labor Day Weekend!

Our friends at Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry (CVEM) & St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church are selling delicious barbecue butts as part of CVEM’s “30 for 30” Campaign.

Cost: $20 each

Due Date: Orders and payment due by Monday, August 30

Pickup: Thursday or Friday, September 2 or 3, at the CVEM house, 1120 Lockwood Avenue

How to Order? Lots of ways!

• Online at www.cvemjubilee.org (click on 30 for 30 page –online order form with electronic payment available)

• Email cvemjubilee@aol.com

• Call 706-327-0400

It’s just not Labor Day in the South without barbecue!

Humane Society Needs You!

The Harris County Humane Society is a licensed, non-profit organization that rescues homeless animals, cares for them and works to get them adopted. We are currently in a temporary location and are raising funds to build a shelter in Harris County. Several people from St. Nicholas are volunteering by cleaning the shelter, fostering dogs, working at Dog Gone Good Bargains in Pine Mountain and  PetSmart on Saturday. We will all tell you it is the most rewarding work we have ever done. If you can help contact Linda Sawyer, Volunteer Coordinator  at 706-582-3813 or hogback@wavetel.us. You can also find more information about the Humane Society on their Facebook Page.

Pulpit Swap!

This Sunday, August 15, we will have a guest preacher, as the second part of our “pulpit swap” with Christian Valley Church in Cataula. Back in June, I was invited to preach at Christian Valley as a way to introduce St. Nicholas to their congregation and vice versa. On Sunday, we will have Pastor Eric Seldon with us preaching at both services.

Our relationship with Christian Valley began over a year ago when a member of their church, Garvin Gourie, wanted to explore teaming with a predominantly white congregation in order to show unity between our churches in this county. Sunday mornings are the most segregated hours of the week in the South, and Garvin’s vision led to our conversations. We are certainly not seeking to assimilate one another, but want to establish a relationship to learn about one another, experience our differing cultures, and worship together.

In our conversations over the last year, Pastor Eric, Garvin, Graham Horne, and I have discussed doing some outreach projects together, including promoting the Ferst Foundation’s Childhood Literacy Program. Katherine Johnson and Connie Blackmon, members of St. Nicholas who are greatly involved with the literacy program, have worked with us to think about some ways we can promote this program in our congregations and join together to get children signed up for it.

Christian Valley’s choir will also be with us on Sunday to share their gift of music. We will also show them how we celebrate Eucharist, and share our gifts of music as well!

It will be a fantastic Sunday, so please come and introduce yourself to our friends from Christian Valley!

I’m the TAPlain

Since my involvement in the Thompson-Pound Art Program, I haven’t been really sure about my official title. This year, I was finally dubbed “the TAPlain.”

That’s really what I was…a TAP chaplain. My role was to be present in the midst of the program, helping where I needed to help, guiding where I needed to guide, and shepherding where I need to shepherd. It’s about the easiest and most rewarding job one could have at such a program. Read more

From Hope to Cure at Relay For Life

One of the events I missed in my first year at St. Nicholas was Relay For Life. I had a pre-scheduled conference to attend before I even heard of St. Nicholas, so I unfortunately missed out on last year’s event. This year, though, I made sure I was around for this event. Read more

Relay For Life This Friday!

Only a few more days until Relay For Life! There are still many ways you can help! You can show up on Friday night at the Harris County High School football field at 5:00pm to help set up. We’ll be there all evening, so feel free to show up when you can! It’s a great time for fellowship and for meeting people in our community. We’ll also be meeting our friends from Christian Valley Church, who we are hoping to partner with on future outreach programs. If you are a cancer survivor, or have lost someone to cancer, then you know how important it is that we raise as much as we can for Relay For Life.

Sign Up For Relay For Life!

We could use your help on Friday night, April 30 as we raise money to eradicate cancer! Sign up for as many things as you can do including Set Up (erecting tents, tables, organizing supplies), BBQ Cooks (preparing & reheating food), Chefs (plate food & prepare hot dogs), Bake Sales (sell cakes & cookies), Bakers (prepare cakes & cookies for sale), Breakdown (dismantle site, cleanup, and return items to church).

To sign up, visit http://stnicholashamilton.org/signup/

If you have any questions, contact Graham Horne at graham.horne@gmail.com.

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