The Shamrock - July 30, 2014

Christmas in July: Vacation Bible School

It may have been hot and humid outdoors, but we were celebrating Christmas during VBS. The children meditated on the prophecies and the narratives of Jesus' birth. Art, music, and Bible focused on Jesus as the light of the world. The all day camp provided plenty for the children to do with more arts and crafts in the afternoon, along with movies and outdoor time.

Thanks to all who helped make Christmas in July a camp that the children will always remember, including:

Joanne and Mike Cropper
Isabella Huelsbeck
Elaine Judge and the kitchen crew
Nathan Richardson
Virginia Ross
John Ruch
Katherine Turman
Mo Wilson

Elaine Judge and her crew of volunteers for organizing our Christmas party in the Parish Hall and transforming the nave for our Christmas in July service.
And staff: Victoria Schwartz and Charlie Tighe

VBS afternoons included lots of playing and some resting as well!

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.

The Gathering: The Gathering will meet this Friday, August 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall. A contemplative and progressive gathering with prayer and poetry... music, guided meditation, and silence... Inspired by wisdom traditions, modern Celtic spirituality, and natural spirituality. Music by Ramsay and friends. This is an *OPEN* invitation to all ages, for anyone who may enjoy an off-center, earthy and experiential approach to gathered spirituality.

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

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

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)

Back to School Backpacks: Malachi's Storehouse is collecting backpacks as the school year starts up again. If you'd like to provide a backpack with some supplies, please drop them off by the Malachi's Storehouse room in the back hall. We will be glad to find deserving children in need of them.

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 this Sunday - using Track 2

Sundays

Nursery - newborn - 4 years - Room 6

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 2 1/2 - 11) resumes Aug. 10

Youth classes will resume in the fall.

Adult Formation Classes:

Second Summer Film Series, God Goes to the Movies: This class meets 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.

Simple Presence, Common Ground: This class meets through August 3. 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.

Sign up now for 2014-2015 Education for Ministry

at St. Patrick's

What is EfM?

EfM offers the opportunity to grow spiritually through study, prayer, and reflection.
An EfM group is a spiritual community - whose members seek a deeper understanding of God's kingdom.
An EfM group provides a safe forum to explore your beliefs and consider their relationship to our culture and the traditions of our Christian faith.
EfM is a 4 year program of theological education produced by the School of Theology of the University of the South.
Members sign up one year at a time.
Year 1 is a study of the Old Testament, Year 2 is a study of the New Testament, Year 3 is a survey of church history and Year 4 is a look into and dialogue with important theological issues.

What is new?

The readings have been revamped!! The new texts are:

Year 1 A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible

Year 2 Introducing the New Testament

Year 3 Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years

Year 4 Theology for a Troubled Believer: An Introduction to the Christian Faith

Also, the Common Lessons have been replaced with an all new Reading and Reflection Guide.

Signup information

We are forming classes for the 2014-2015 year. We meet weekly for two hours and fifteen minutes. The first hour is devoted to a theological reflection or a group discussion of a topic from the Reading and Reflection Guide. After a break the remaining hour is a "one room school house" devoted to a review of the yearly lessons. There is homework. Weekly assignments typically require two to four hours to complete.

The Monday class begins at 7 p.m. on September 8, 2014. The cost is $350 per year. Scholarship assistance may be available. For enrollment details please call or email Wayne Ware (404) 213-8566 or Kathryn Turman (404) 303-8691.

Parish Birthdays

Hope Game, Cheryl Schenk, Virginia Ross

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)
$239,474	$269,477	($30,003)	($53,799)	-11.1%

*pre-payments of pledge values have been annualized

Patty's Porch

This is a new section in the Shamrock to share information about things going on in the community. Pull up a rocking chair and let us know what's going on.

Babysitter Needed: Heather Chlup is looking a person (high school, college, or older adult) to take care of her four year old son in their home one afternoon per week for 2-3 hours between 4:00 p.m. and approximately 6:30 p.m. while she teaches violin lessons in the upstairs office. No driving required, the person would be supervising his reading, educational/craft activities and/or bathing for those few hours per week. It would only be during the weeks school is in session. They live off Tilly Mill Rd, only 5 minutes from St Patrick's. Contact Heather at (678) 694 8858.

Bike Club Forming: Marie Seay wants to start a bike club for adults. The group is for true beginners (or not) who want to exercise in a fun way. Contact Marie Seay if you're interested.

Dr. Gary Habermas Lecture: August 31, 11:00 a.m., at St. Martin's Church

Stephen Ministry at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church is pleased to host visiting lecturer, professor, historian and New Testament scholar Dr. Gary Habermas to lecture on "Was Jesus Really Seen Alive After His Death on the Cross?"

The Rev. Dr. Benjamin King lecture: September 6, 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

Award-winning scholar and Sewanee church history professor is the featured lecturer for a day of continuing education.The topic is The role of the Layity: From New Testament Times to the Episcopal Church Today.

Click here for details.

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, 7/31

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

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

Friday, 8/1

7:00 p.m. The Gathering, Parish Hall
8:00 p.m. The Dunwoody North Group (AA), Room 14

Saturday, 8/2

Sunday, 8/3

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

12:00 p.m. Youth Search Committee, Room 1

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

Monday, 8/4

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, 8/5
6:45 a.m.            Men's Prayer Group, Room 8
6:00 p.m.            German Ensemble, Choir Room

Wednesday, 8/6

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

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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:

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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