Dear friends,

We are known throughout the diocese as the church that does great things! And we do have so much going for us-and not just our beautifully maintained facility, with a new parish hall and little debt. We have our Anglican theology that makes generous space for ambiguity and mystery, an outlook that hopes, believes and anticipates that Jesus will show up whenever two or three gather together in his name, especially when they disagree. We are a people with big hearts for those in need, a legacy of spiritual inquisitiveness, scriptural literacy and lively worship, a parish that has been willing to follow wherever Jesus leads, even when it is costly to membership and the bottom line.

Yes, we have so much going for us. Christ, in fact, is going for us! But what now?

What shall we do, we who have been so blessed?

Well, for one thing, we should not squander our inheritance. And we protect that inheritance of connectedness in Christ most reliably by gathering most every Sunday for common worship. I believe that what I said last year is true today: we can only be the church outside of our walls when we are the church within our walls. And that means showing up to encounter Christ, our center, through each other, who sends us out nourished for the journey. So let keep going to church!

The second thing that we blessed ones might do is make room. We have a warm and inviting nave, we have a generous number of classrooms, we have a tastefully updated parish hall, the roof no longer leaks and the rodents no longer run! But even with all of this beautiful space, we still need to make room. For we are still the best kept secret in Dunwoody. We are not yet the robust presence of Christ in this geography that we could be. We are not yet the full blessing we might be for others beyond our doors, older ones, and younger ones alike, and especially singles, and families with young children. And we need to make room for them.

And the first step in making room for others is to invite metanoia, a change of mind, to decide that what is essential to following Jesus in a life lived for others is seeking and serving Christ in seekers, making room for them in our hearts, in our mission, and in our common life.

I admit that I have not been as focused as I might on those who are not yet here but might come, in the neighborhoods, in the community, in schools, wherever they may be found. But I am ready to make that shift in focus. And I believe that we as a parish are ready to make that shift.

For this is our time, brothers and sisters. Like Jacob at the Jabbok ford, we have wrestled with the messenger from God over a long night of clergy and parish upsets. Gen. 32:24-28. At the end of the night, God's messenger blessed Jacob and gave him a new name and a new identity for the people--a nation, Israel.

The night of wrestling for us is drawing to a close. The sun is dawning, dear friends, and it is our time to receive our blessing, and with it our name and our identity.

This year, may we become St. Patrick's, a people around the altar of Christ, making room.

Gratefully,

D+

Adapted from the Rector's Report, delivered January 26, 2014.

St. Patrick's News    

Liturgy Note: We will be continuing our practice of silence before the services. From 7:45 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. and again from 10:15 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. we ask for silence in the chapel and the nave. Services will start promptly at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  During the offertory, Clergy will briefly greet newcomers and, on occasion, highlight offerings of the parish. Every attempt will be made to include all necessary information about church happenings in the service bulletin. 

If you have announcements you would like placed in the bulletin and/or Shamrock, please email them to Amanda Vaughn by noon on Tuesdays.    

2014 Vestry:

• Tonight (Jan. 29): Wonderful Wednesday Dinner and Program canceled due to snow 

Please be sure to be a part of this upcoming program and dinner. Email your reservations to Amanda Vaughn by the Monday before - please note if you need childcare.

Mardi Gras open house at the Games': Save The Date: Friday, Feb. 21 from 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. at the Game's house for a Mardi Gras party - children welcome! 

 Click here to see a larger version of the invitation. 

Newcomer's Reception:  A reception for all newcomers (visited or joined St. Patrick's within the past year) will be held at Nancy and Jim's on Sunday, Feb. 23 from  4:00 - 6:00 p.m. All newcomers and their children are welcome - come learn more about St. Patrick's and meet some of our people.   

Lee Hardy Gathering: If you remember our funny friend, Lee Hardy, and would like to get together to share memories of his wonderful life among us, you're invited to join us at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15.  Please let us know you're coming - contact Barbara Allen at 404-377-9261 or email her here.   

Hospitality House Is Back: Come catch up with your St. Patrick's community and enjoy a little comfort food to stave off the hunger pangs as you chat. We are trying some new concepts to make Hospitality House more manageable for those that would like to support it by hosting or by bringing one tray of food. If you would like to host for a particular Sunday or bring a tray of food for a particular Sunday, please sign up at the parish hall bulletin board or email Elaine Judge.

In Memoriam Section: We are adding a new section to the Shamrock called "In Memoriam". In this section we will honor extended family members of our parishioners who have died. When we have an obituary we will post a link to that information. Please send us your information so that we may hold each other in prayer during difficult times.  

Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord;

And let light perpetual shine upon her.

May her soul and the souls of all the

• Edna Glover, sister of Walter Hill. The memorial service is in North Carolina on Thursday. Her obituary can be read here. 

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

     Home Group, library