The Shamrock - July 16, 2014

O Come All Ye Faithful...to Christmas in July!

Dear friends,

As you can see from the photo above, things are a tad different down under. While the northern hemisphere is sweltering in the dog days of summer this week, Sydney, Australia is expecting a low of 44 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday. And later in the year, as we sing of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Australians will dream of a white Christmas on sandy beaches, with barbecues, surfboards and sunburns!

Whether the weather outside is frightful or fair, cold or hot, summer or winter, "where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in." For Jesus' birth in our hearts can happen in any season...even in July!

Why wait until December 25 to sing carols! Come to church on Sunday, July 27, when we will celebrate Christmas in July at the 10:30 a.m. service. Having caught the Christmas in July spirit from a week at VBS, our campers will lead us in song that morning!

So let's find our flip flops, don our summer togs and gather for nativity rejoicing and Christmas cheer at Hospitality House.

Merry Christmas-in July!

D+

Parish News

Summer Office Hours: During June and July the office will be open the following times:

Monday - Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Vestry Meetings: These meetings are open to all. The next Vestry Meeting is Sunday, August 17 at 12:30 p.m. in Room 8.

Shamrock on Vacation: The Shamrock will not be published on July 23. The next issue will come out on July 30 - information for that issue is due to Amanda by Tuesday, July 29 at noon. Please email information to her here.

Life, Love, Loss - a Women's Group - July 17: We have recognized a need within our parish for a new forum for women to share, listen and learn from each other as they face challenges in their life. Currently we are considering an every week - evening meeting. The intent is to provide a safe, confidential and loving environment for women to trust and share. If you believe you may be interested in participating in such a group, please join us for a one hour exploratory meeting on Thursday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. The intent is to begin this group by the end of July.

VBS Help Needed - Volunteer and Material: Victoria Schwartz needs a volunteer to oversee banner-making as the VBS art project. She also needs fabric contributions to use in the banners. Email her if you can help.

Youth Director Position: St. Patrick's is now advertising for a youth director. The position description can be read on our website here.

St. Barnabas Third Annual Hymn Sing July 27: Our church neighbor, St. Barnabas Anglican Church, has graciously invited us to join them in their third annual hymn sing on July 27. It will begin at 4:00 p.m. The theme for this year is "Hymns of our Heritage". An ice cream social will follow the hymn sing.

Bishop Visitation: Bishop Wimberly will join us on August 24. He will be able to baptize, confirm, receive, and/or reaffirm. If you would like to participate in one of these, please email Fr. Dick to let him know.

Stewardship: It is never too late to pledge! Pledge cards for the 2014 Operating Budget are available in the office and you can find a printable pledge card here. Pledge cards should be returned to the parish office. "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7

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

Ministry Update

Malachi's Storehouse is now partnering with Perimeter College and Chase Bank Dunwoody!: The Volunteer Coordinator at Perimeter College/Dunwoody Campus is sending us some lovely volunteers as is Chase Bank Dunwoody. MSH continues to expand into the community as it serves those in need. Join the circle!!! Do you know WordPress? We are needing a guru to help us with the MSH website. We also need more of your "ugly mugs". Do another round of clean-out and drop off a bag/box of your ugly mugs back at the Storehouse door across from the kitchen. I'll set a box out for your convenience. Thanks and love, Kathy (contact Kathy via email here)

Garden Club Forming: The club would be responsible for beautification and maintenance of our courtyard. If you're interested in joining, please email Mike Cropper. All are invited and welcome!

Stephen Ministry: We can all make St Patrick's a more caring place with a bright smile, a sincere greeting, a warm hug, and a word of encouragement. As you greet people this morning, let them know how much you care. And remember, when you meet someone with extra needs, remind them that our Stephen Ministers are specially trained to be there for them during life's crises and challenges. Call Fr Dick at (770) 455-6523 for a referral to a Stephen Minister.

Christian Formation

Lectionary for Sunday, July 20 - using Track 2

Sundays

Nursery - newborn - 4 years - Room 6

Children and Youth classes will resume in the fall.

Adult Formation Classes:

Second Summer Film Series, God Goes to the Movies: This class will meet each Sunday through August 3 at 9:15 a.m. in the Gathering Room. On these Sunday mornings a parishioner will host a showing of meaningful clips from a movie of their choice, highlighting theological themes. Everyone will have the opportunity to discuss the clips and how they were impacted, or not. Please email Keith Harper at kharperhmc@gmail.com or call him at (404) 388-4278, if you'd like to present a favorite movie! Please email Keith Harper or call at (404) 388-4278, if you'd like to present a favorite movie!

July 20 Movie - "A Man for All Seasons" hosted by John Watson: The 1966 six-Oscar story of Sir Thomas More, last holdout against the changed view of the validity of Henry VIII's first marriage. More refuses to publicly give support but refuses to say why, relying for protection on the civil law that ultimately fails him. Martyr, traitor or both? We are asked to judge the balance between private convictions of faith, duty to the common good and love of family. Historically solid, the context is the origin of the Church of England.

July 27 Movie - "As It Is In Heaven" hosted by Judi Adkins: "A successful international conductor suddenly interrupts his career and returns alone to his childhood village in Norrland, in the far north of Sweden.It doesn't take long before he is asked to come and listen to the fragment of a church choir, which practises every Thursday in the parish hall. Just come along and give a little bit of good advice. He can't say no, and from that moment, nothing in the village is the same again. The choir develops and grows. He makes both friends and enemies. And he finds love."

Simple Presence, Common Ground: This class will resume July 13 and run through August 3, is Simple Presence, Common Ground. This class will meet in the quiet room off the Narthex. Guided by Tilden Edwards' Living Simply Through the Day, each class will begin with an introduction of a contemplative prayer practice, followed by actual practice time and ending with sharing. This class is for anyone interested in contemplative prayer and practices, and is a safe place for the curious, the beginner and those who already have an established prayer practice. Think of this class as a time for quiet prayer before the service.

The Dream Group will continue to meet on second Sundays during the summer.

Parish Birthdays
July 13-19

Brad Hoyt, Keith Harper, Alex Richards, Dillin Temple, Tony Annunziata, Kendra Yates, Wendy Lauber, Butch Adkins, Avery Lauber, Alora Rowe

Happy birthday!

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)
$219,140	$250,893	($31,753)	($61,153)	-12.7%

*pre-payments of pledge values have been annualized

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, 7/17

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

8:00 p.m. The Male Room (AA - Men only), Room 14

Friday, 7/18

8:00 p.m. The Dunwoody North Group (AA), Room 14

Saturday, 7/19

Sunday, 7/20

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Chapel

9:30 a.m. God Goes to the Movies, Room 1

9:30 a.m. Simple Presence, Common Ground, Quiet Room

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Nave

12:15 p.m. Hospitality House, Parish Hall

Monday, 7/21

Vacation Bible School and Adventure Camp - Christmas in July

9:30 a.m. Tai Chi, Parish Hall

1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting, Room1

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

8:00 p.m. AA (open), Room 14

Tuesday, 7/22
Vacation Bible School and Adventure Camp - Christmas in July
6:45 a.m.            Men's Prayer Group, Room 8
6:00 p.m.            German Ensemble, Choir Room

Wednesday, 7/23

Vacation Bible School and Adventure Camp - Christmas in July

9:45 a.m. Dream Group, Library

12:15 p.m.          Holy Eucharist with Healing, Chapel
1:30 p.m.            Malachi's Storehouse, Parish Hall
7:00 p.m.    Search Committee meeting, Room 8

Find us on Facebook.

Thank you for being a faithful reader of the Shamrock!

Visit the website for more details on events and programs.

Contact us:

During June and July the office is open Monday - Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday - 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 amanda.vaughn@stpat.net. 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 amanda.vaughn@stpat.net

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