5:15 p Chorister Rehearsal

Thursday, August 28

 The 10th Week after Pentecost /  21 August 2014

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

All those planning to teach Sunday school are asked to attend our teachers meeting this coming Sunday, August 24 at 10:00 am.  If you attended last week's meeting, there is no need to attend the meeting this Sunday.  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 2 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.

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!

     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!

     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).

     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.