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ST COLUMBA'S
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
A Holy Place Where Love Is Found, Where All Are Named, &  Where Hearts Are Freed to Change the World.

The Parish Kalendar

Sunday, August 17 
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  7:45 a  Rite I Mass 
 8 - 11a  Parish Breakfast
  9:00 a  Low Mass
10:00 a  Sunday School Teachers 
Meeting
11:15 a  Choral Mass
   1:00 p  Vestry 1/2 Day Retreat
   1:30 p  EYC Pool Party
 
Wednesday, August 20 
   5:15 p Chorister Rehearsal

Thursday, August 21 
  9:30 a  Holy Folders
12:30 p Bible Study Resumes
  7:00 p  Choir Rehearsal

Friday, August 22
10:00 a St. Rose Guild 

Saturday, August 23
  9:00 a  Parish Workday

Sunday, August 24- 11 Pentecost 
  7:45 a  Rite I Mass
  9:00 a  Low Mass
10:10 a  Sunday School Teacher 
Meeting #2
  3:00 p  Newcomer Reception
Save The Date:
Rally Sunday
September 7
* Sunday School begins 
(10:10-11:00 am)
* Parish Luncheon 
(12:30-2:00)
Links & Contacts
  The Parish Post
 The 9th Week after Pentecost /  14 August 2014

Regular Mass Schedule Resumes This Weekend:  August 17
August 17 - May 17
We return to our regular Mass schedule now that summer is winding down and school is back in session.  Sunday School and Rally Day are just around the corner: September 7 (Rally Sunday).  So each of these last three days of August will have a "Welcome Back" theme to them.  As we get back into our regular schedule as a parish family, listen to the Spirit speak to you in your prayers and step into a ministry where God is calling you.  You have a gift and talent that God desires you to share for the building up of the community and the mission of the Gospel.  What is your calling:  serving at the Altar as a chalice bearer or lector or acolyte?  Maybe you're called to a ministry of hospitality and serve as an usher or greeter or coffee host?  Or perhaps your calling is to be part of a Bible study, or teach Sunday school, or be part of the Backpacks of Love outreach ministry.  As we "Welcome Back" our regular routine at church, don't let things become 'routine' spiritually.  Hear what the Spirit is saying to you and let God revitalize your faith!
  •   7:45 am - Rite I Mass (said Mass; traditional language; no music)
  •   9:00 am - Rite II Mass (Low Mass; hymns and Choristers)
  • 11:15 am - Rite II Mass (Sung Mass with incense & St. Columba Choir)

This Sunday (8/17), remember it's the Third Sunday.  

So breakfast will be served from 8:30 - 11:00.

Sunday School Teacher Meeting
This Sunday OR Next Sunday:  August 17 or August 24 @ 10am
All those planning to teach Sunday school are asked to attend one of the teacher meetings scheduled for Sunday, August 17 and Sunday, August 24 at 10:00 am.  You only need to attend ONE meeting on either date.  This meeting is for those planning to teach or for those who would like to learn more before deciding if you can teach this year.  
     WE NEED AT LEAST 3 MORE TEACHERS!  We do not have enough teachers for our expanding Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program.  If you are interested in helping the lead teacher in the Level 2 or Level 3 Atrium (grades 1-3 or 4-5), please come to one of the teacher meetings this month.
    Kristin Weems coordinates the Catechesis program and Easton Davis coordinates the Middle and High School program.  If you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer, speak with Kristin or Easton or contact Father Tripp (770) 888-4464 or via email.
New To St. Columba's?
Newcomer Reception: Sunday, August 24 @ 3pm
If you are new to the parish or if you would like to learn more about the ministries and how you can get involved, then the Newcomer Reception is just for you!  You'll have the chance to meet a few parishioners, members of the vestry, and Father Tripp, and you'll hear about the parish history and a bit about the 34 different ministry groups that are active here.  The reception is not just for those who are new or relatively new, but for anyone who would like to learn more about the mission and ministry of our parish.  The whole family is invited, or just come by yourself and take some information to share with your family later.  Refreshments will be served, and the whole reception lasts about an hour.  If you would like to learn more or if you would like to sign up to attend the reception on the 24th, you can sign up at the Welcome Table on Sunday morning or online (click here).  Margie Hutson is the vestry member who leads our new member ministries, and you can email her directly to learn more about the newcomer reception and membership at St. Columba's: email link
Parish Workday
Saturday, August 23 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Our annual pre-labor day workday will be held Saturday, August 23 from 9:00am until 1:00 pm.  Both inside and outside tasks will be available - so there will be a project suitable for anyone in the parish.  Come help us get things spruced up and ready for Rally Day (9/7).  A light lunch will be provided.  If you have any questions or would like to be added to the Buildings and Grounds email list, contact Gordon Ralph or Jim Edwards (email link), or call the parish office (770) 888-4464.
Outreach Ministry News
Bring Your Food Donations to Church This Weekend: August 17 
     Continued great help to those in need from St. Columba's!  We collected 280 pounds of food with the July food drive, which was delivered to Emmaus House.  We will be providing August's donations to The Place of Forsyth County, collecting food each week leading up to the 3rd Sunday of the month (August 17th - Breakfast Sunday) which is the official collection day for the month.  Biggest needs are canned soups and vegetables, peanut butter, and anything that can be stored for a long period of time.  Donations can be placed in the tub located next to the welcome table in the narthex.  Please help keep our numbers high in these critical summer months!!  Thanks for all you do in this important ministry!
Pacesetters
August 25 @ 11:30 am
Pacesetters will meet next on Monday, August 25 at 11:30 am at the church.  Bring a lunch as we gather together in fellowship and plan our day-trips for the coming school year.  Pacesetters is a social group open to all adults in the parish.  We meet monthly for lunch at the church usually on the last Monday of each month, and we also make day trips to museums, art exhibits, historical sites, and similar places of interests.  All are welcome!
F.E.A.S.T. Groups Now Forming
Kick-Off Social - Saturday, September 20 @ 6:30pm
     New FEAST Groups are being formed for fall and winter.  You can select a group that meets in parishioners homes or a group that meets in a local restaurant.  We also have groups for those who have young children.  FEAST is an acronym that stands for Friends Eating and Sharing Together, and is a great way to connect with fellow parishioners and make new friends.
     Groups are 8-10 people and meet monthly to share a meal together.  For the home groups, usually the host prepares the entrée and others bring a side dish or appetizer - the great part of FEAST group dinners is no one has to cook the whole meal!  Restaurant groups meet at local restaurants and are a great way to try out new hot spots with a group of friends.  
     A sign up sheet is at the Welcome Table or you can email Sandra Sirmon to sign up online, to ask any questions, or to get more information (click here).
Parent Meeting & Dinner
Parents of Teenagers in 6th-12th Grades
Sunday, September 14 @ 5pm
     EYC will begin meeting at their usual times on Rally Sunday (9/7), and on Sunday, September 14 all parents with youth in 6th through 12 grade are invited to a dinner hosted by the EYC leaders and Knights of Columba (younger siblings are welcome to come to the dinner as well).  
     During dinner, parents will have the opportunity to meet all the EYC volunteers and our youth director, Easton Davis, will go over the goals, schedule, and plans for this coming year.  We will also have some special announcements about the mission trip and St. Paddy's Day Gala event.  This meeting will also present information about the Sunday school and Confirmation programs.  
     We need an accurate headcount for this dinner, so please sign up right away.  You can sign up online (click here) - sign up deadline is Rally Sunday September 7.  If you are unable to attend or if you have any questions, please touch base with Easton (email link).
Baptismal Dates Announced
Holy Baptism is the sacrament through which we enter the Church and become part of "Christ's own forever."  It is a special moment not only for the one being baptized but for the whole family and for each of us as members of the parish.  The Book of Common Prayer sets aside specific dates for the administration of baptism and with permission of the Bishop we add to those dates so that family travel schedules can be more easily accommodated.  To schedule a baptism for yourself or for your child, contact Father Tripp and complete the online form where you list all the information we need for the certificates and parish register.  Once your baptism is scheduled, a member of the Guild of the Christ Child will then be in touch to meet with you, explain the liturgy, and answer any questions you may have.  
     The dates for the rest of 2014 and for 2015 are published on the parish website and below them is the link to the Baptismal Information Form.  
Bible Study Resumes
Thursday, August 20 @ 12:30 pm
Our weekday Bible study resumes next Thursday, August 20.  We meet from 12:30 to 1:30pm at the church.  All are welcome.  As we reconvene on the 20th, we'll talk about the schedule for the weekday Bible study and then we'll post that on the website.  In the past we've studied books of the Old Testament, the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation.  Our class has also included a topical Bible study as well as a comparison of the Gospel stories side by side. Whether you are a well-read Bible scholar or one who may have just peaked inside the cover, this Bible study will help you grow in faith as together we read and study the story of our faith.  Coffee an
d light refreshments are served and all are welcome ... regular attendees along side the occasional drop-in attendee are all welcome!