The Shamrock - October 30, 2013 
 

The Peace: We Fall Down Together, We Rise Up Together.*

 

In our gospel this past Sunday, Luke 18:9-14, two men came up to the Temple to pray. The tax collector came in humility, profoundly aware of his need for God's reconciling mercy. The Pharisee, oblivious of any such need, showed up in a self-satisfied spirit of arrogance.

 

Through the General Confession, we acknowledge that we, too, arrive sometimes as the mindful tax collector and sometimes as the amnesia-suffering Pharisee. We do this confessing together, recognizing that our relationship with God is not just vertical: it is never "just me and my God." We cannot be on a trajectory of connection with God unless and until we are on that same trajectory of connection with others who, like us, bear God's image. We need each other to be the fracture-healing means of reconciliation that Christ calls us to be, both individually and as the body of Christ, the Church. In short, we fall down together and we get up together, with God's help and with each other's support.

 

The confession and absolution in our liturgy lead then to the passing of the peace. This is a corporate liturgical act that we participate in as we say to each other, "The peace of the Lord be always with you," and respond, "And also with you." It may help to remember that the peace is not a personal expression of feelings to another person. What we are doing in the peace is offering a prayer for the other. "May God open your heart." "May God accept your repentance." "May you feel God's own love in this moment." If God loves this other person, even if I am not quite ready to, how can I deny them God's peace? For in exchanging the peace, we are asking God's blessing for the future of the one before us, a good and glorious and God filled, reconciled and reconciling future.

 

What a profound and transforming mystery it is to hear those words of assurance-God's own assurance-from the lips of our brothers and sisters, whether they know our personal situation or not. For the tax collector we are at times, "The peace of the Lord be with you" may be the most tender and significant reminder of God's love that we may hear that week-or even that year. For the Pharisee we may be on a given Sunday, speaking that peace may be precisely the discipline we need to wake us up to our own need of forgiveness and mercy, as the peace comes back to us in that echoing reminder, "And also with you."

 

And so, the exchange of the peace is so much more than a, "Hey, how are you?" shake of the hand, an "A-frame" or bear hug, or a peck on the cheek. The peace is not just a time to catch-up with friends (I hope that we will always greet each other with gusto before and after the service!) Rather, at its core, the passing of the peace is an intentional, liturgical, corporate act that prepares us to walk into God's own desired future for us individually and as the Body of Christ, healed, whole and reconciled to God and each other.

           

Many had observed that the peace at the later service had become a "half-time" interruption in the flow of our liturgy. Somewhere in our wholesome desire to greet each other personally, we had begun to diminish the profound, sacred and transforming potential of the exchange that occurs person to person, eyeball to eyeball, as God's peace washes over us. With the Bishop's permission, we experimented for a time with moving the peace to the end of the liturgy, inserting holy silence in its place in the service. I am gratified to learn that many of you prefer the passing of the peace to be precisely where our prayer book places it: immediately preceding and as preparation for the Eucharist. Having reflected on the meaning and significance of the peace over the past few weeks, it is now time to return it to its customary place in the liturgy.

 

Let us together continue to observe and maintain the peace as a truly awesome encounter with God, through each other.

                                                                                         

Peace!

 

D+

 

*Adapted from Fr. Dick's Sermon this past Sunday, Oct. 27,  available here.

 

 

All Saints' Weekend

 There's so much going on this All Saints' Weekend! Here's your guide to All Saints' events at St. Patrick's!

Saturday, November 2

 

S.P.A.R.K.S. "Name That Tune": SPARKS, Saint Patrick's Alliance for Retired Kindred Spirits, will gather on  Sat., Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. with Susan Clearman on the piano (playing silly, not dancing) to play "Name That Tune". Bring your memory caps if you still have them. There will be prizes, a wine and beer cash bar, plus a free catered dinner-reservations required,  email Jim Hoffmann to RSVP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daylight Saving Time End: The time change happens this Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2:00 a.m. Remember to set back your clocks before going to bed Saturday night. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, November 3

 

All Saints' Day: We will celebrate All Saints' Sunday on Nov. 3. Tables will be set up Sunday morning in the Narthex for you to bring pictures and mementos of any and all loved ones to share with us.

 







Blood Drive:
The American Red Cross will be here on All Saints' Sunday, Nov. 3 for a blood drive. It begins at  10:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. and will be set up in the parish hall. Come give in honor of a saint.

 

 


 

 

Cloverleaf: The All Saints' issue of the Cloverleaf will be available for pick up on Sunday. It will save us postage if you get yours this way. Your copy is labeled and laid out alphabetically, so do stop by.


Stewardship Sunday - November 10
 

We will have a combined adult Christian formation class at 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 10. CeCe and Gerry Balboni will lead an experiential presentation on The Soul of Money and What Happens to Money when it Goes to Church. This class is intended for all adults and YEA (Young Episcopal Adults). Please come and add your prayers and voice to the time together.

Please join us for a combined service at 10:30 a.m. on Stewardship Sunday when we will present and bless our pledges, and for the Stewardship Celebration Luncheon immediately following. We encourage our young people to sit with their families during the luncheon. Childcare will be provided for those requesting. RSVP for the luncheon and childcare to the church office (770-455-6523).
Click on menu above to see larger version and read more information on our website.  

St. Patrick's News   

 

Junior Warden's Word: As you may (or may not) know, all Vestry meetings are open meetings. The Vestry would welcome anyone interested in attending. Your voice is important to us. Though you may not vote you can be a part of all discussions. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for: Monday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 17, at 12:15 p.m. We meet in room 8. On Nov. 1 we will be continuing our discussion of technical problem solving vs. adaptive leadership. The specific areas we will be addressing are the 10:30 a.m. service, spiritual formation, and Malachi's Storehouse ministry. We will not be coming to any conclusions (or problem solving), but rather listening to what the Spirit is up to at St. Patrick's. Please join us. Leigh Cooper, Jr. Warden 

 

Parish Life News: Happy (Christian) New Year! Soon we shall begin our new liturgical year. We'll observe the first day of Advent with a parish-wide breakfast and wreath-making on Sunday, Dec. 1. This year, we will be focusing on a prayerful preparation for Jesus' coming. We begin our Christmas celebration near the end of Advent when on Friday, Dec. 20, Donna Kunz will open her gorgeous home to the parish. And, we'll be celebrating with something new this year: a joyous Epiphany party, including the burning of the greens as well as our usual feasting and dancing. Stay tuned for more details about these Christmastime events and all the joys and prayers in between. -Dana Dolan, Parish Life  

 

Come One, Come All to Dinner on Wonderful Wednesdays! In a rush? Take advantage of our "take out" option. Got more time? Stay for Adult Formation or Choir. All are welcome! Adult meals are $6, youth and children (3-12 years of age) are $5, with a family maximum of $20. Please call the church office by the Monday before to make your dinner reservation. Childcare, at no charge, is available by reservation through the church office by the Monday before.

  • Dinner 6-6:50 p.m. Menu for Nov. 6 is Mexican: taco bar, chips, queso, salsa and dessert
  • Program/Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.
    • Program for Nov. 6 - A new class starts Nov. 6 - Whole Heartedness
      Meets November 6, 13, 20 in the Nave with Cece Balboni as facilitator  
      • We will use the work of Episcopal layperson Brene Brown to explore the meaning of living whole heartedly. Dr. Brown is a sociologist and with a wonderful sense of humor. She addresses topics like shame and vulnerability to free us for whole heartedness in our relationships, work, parenting and life issues. We will use discussion, singing, poetry and the presence of one another for three wonderful evenings.  

  

Click here to see the full schedule of adult Christian Formation offerings for the fall.     

 

Black Board Ministry Needs Volunteers: We have two marker black boards that we update each week with the schedule for Sunday. We are looking for volunteers to help update them each week. The more the merrier - a rotation schedule would be perfect. One month at a time, calendar information sent straight to you. All you need is good handwriting and some artistic talent. Interested? Contact Amanda Vaughn.

St. Patrick's Professional Women's Group: The November meeting will be a trip to Decatur, to hear author Anne Lamott discuss her works and her newest book, "Stitches: A Handbook on Meaning, Hope, and Repair."  Monday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in downtown Decatur. If you think you might go, it would be helpful to RSVP to Leslie Bishop so seats can be reserved.  Some of you may want to carpool from church - let Leslie Bishop know and she will coordinate.  There is also an interest in having a bite to eat together in Decatur after the lecture. Let Leslie know if you might be interested in this as well.

 

Want to Join St. Patrick's? Please email Amanda Vaughn or call her at 770-455-6523 for more information.


Christian Formation

 Lectionary for this Sunday

 

Sundays

Nursery - newborn - 4 years - Room 6 

 

Youth and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Classes:

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Level I - ages 3, 4, and Kindergarten - Room 4

Level II - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades - Room 9

Level III - 4th and 5th grades - Room 3

(Children's Music in Room 10) 

Rite 13 - 6th and 7th grades - Room 12

J2A - 8th and 9th grades - Room 11

YEA - 10th - 12th grades - Room  14


Adult Formation Class:  

Dreams: A Way to Listen to God, Library

Gospel of Thomas, Gathering Room

Introduction to the Old Testament, Boardroom 8a/8b

Roundtable Discussion Series, Parlor

Ministry News     

   

Homeless Requiem: The 25th Annual Homeless Requiem will be held at the Cathedral of St. Philip on Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m. The Cathedral of St. Philip and The Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless have sponsored a Requiem Eucharist on The Feast of All Saints for the past 25 years. The Eucharist is preceded by a sit down dinner for more than 600 homeless folks who arrive by bus from the many shelters in Atlanta. This beautiful celebration of Holy Eucharist celebrates and honors the memories of our sisters and brothers who have died on the streets or in deepest poverty in the past year.

 

The Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless was founded by our long term parishioners and parish leaders, Jim and Anita Beaty.  We may know it better by the name Peachtree-Pine for which we pray here every week. Jim and Anita continue to provide leadership and inspiration for the Task Force to this day.

 

This year's Requiem will be very special for our parish. The Rev. Dr. Jim Beaty will be the preacher and necrologist. Our Deacon Ed Fuller will be the Master of Ceremonies and Intercessor and our own Rev. Mary Wetzel will proclaim the Gospel and serve at the altar.

 

One very special offering over the past few years has been beautiful choral music offered by "Voices of Hope" - a women's choir from Lee Arrendale Prision (formerly from Metro Atlanta Women's Prison before its closing). Maestro Fred Scott former Associate Director of The Atlanta Symphony and Director of The Atlanta Opera accompanies the chorus as they sing thanksgivings for the lives of our friends. The music is absolutely magnificent as their voices soar through the arches and vaults of the cathedral. If you haven't heard "Voices of Hope" this is a must. Come at 6:00pm to hear the extended prelude offering.

 

For more information please click on these links: Homeless Task Force, Cathedral of St. Philip

 

 

Prayer Requests: If you'd like to have a name added to the St. Patrick's prayer list, please email the information to [email protected]

 

Stephen Ministry: If you are feeling troubled about a problem in your life, please know that Stephen Ministers are always available. They will be there to listen and to walk with you during the times when you most need them. God wants you to be at peace, and the Stephen Ministers are trained to help you find that peace. Call Fr. Dick at 770-455-6523 to be put in touch with a Stephen Minister. Your request and conversations will be kept totally confidential.

Parish Birthdays
Week of October 28

 Ginger Toth, Ben Dymecki, Kevin Hope, Carl Henry, Ted Light, Judi Carlson, Katie Light, Ed Shepard, Joel Rowe 

 

Happy birthday!

This Week at St. Patrick's

 

For more detailed information, please check the website. If you are not on the weekly Shamrocks email list and would like to be, please email Amanda Vaughn.    

                                     

                                                                                   

Thursday, 10/31                            

12:30 p.m.   Holy Spirit Prayer Group, Library

8:00 p.m.     The Male Room (AA - Men only), Room 9

 

Friday, 11/1           

9:30 a.m.     Dream Group, Library 

8:00 p.m.     The Dunwoody North Group (AA), Room 9

 

Saturday, 11/2

7:00 p.m.     SPARKS Event, Parish Hall  

   

Sunday, 11/3   

8:00 a.m.     Holy Eucharist, Chapel

9:00 a.m.     CGS Classes                         

9:15 a.m.     Youth and Adult Classes

10:00 a.m.    Red Cross Blood Drive, Parish Hall

10:30 a.m.   Holy Eucharist, Nave

                                                                                                                                                      

Monday, 11/4      

9:00 a.m.     Tai Chi Class, Narthex

10:30 a.m.    Staff Meeting, Room 1 

7:00 p.m.     Men's Accountability Group, Room 1

                    EfM Class, Room 8

8:00 p.m.     AA (open), Room 14

  

Tuesday, 11/5                                      

6:45 a.m.      Men's Prayer Group, Room 8

6:00 p.m.      German Ensemble, Choir Room

 

Wednesday, 11/6                              

12:15 p.m.   Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayer and Anointing, Chapel

3:00 p.m.     Malachi Storehouse

6:00 p.m.     Wonderful Wednesday Evening Dinner, Parish Hall

7:00 p.m.     Wonderful Wednesday Program, Parish Hall 

7:00 p.m.     Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room    


Income Summary


Actual Income (Adjusted) - YTD*

 Budgeted Income - YTD

 Year to Date Difference: Actual - Budgeted

 Projected Year End Difference

 Projected Year End Difference (% of Annual Budget)


$377,474 

$425,130    

($47,656)   

($57,631)

-11.2%  


* : pre-payments of pledge values have been annualized




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Thank you for being a faithful reader of the Shamrock!  

Visit the website for more details on events and programs.  

 

Contact us:

The Office is open Monday thru Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The phone number is 770-455-6523.

 

Deadline for submitting news items for The Shamrock and bulletin is noon Tuesdays. Send news and photos to [email protected]. Most news items will run for two weeks. 

 

The Shamrock is published weekly. It is distributed most Wednesdays.

 

All content submitted is subject to editing. 

 

Contact: Amanda Vaughn, Director of Communications, 770-455-6523 or [email protected] 

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