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The Shamrock
December 2, 2015
2016 ANNUAL PLEDGE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

I have tidings of a great joy for all of the people of St. Patrick's!

First, as of today we have received 90 pledges to our 2016 Operating Budget!

Second, the total pledged to date is $364,614.80!

Third, 16 of the 2016 pledges so far are new - from newcomers and others who did not pledge last year!

Fourth, we will exceed last year's budget ... if we are all in.

We have an opportunity to experiment in holy generosity in a very tangible way. If you have not yet made a 2016 pledge or completed your pledge for 2015, it would be a great help if you would do so by the last vestry meeting of the year, December 20, when the vestry begins to consider the 2016 Budget.

Thank you so much for giving joyfully from your heart, even as God the Giver gives all to us!     

With gratitude,
Dick+
UPCOMING EVENTS



Advent Dinner Discussions  
Beginning in Advent, look for take-home cards on Sunday. They will offer reflection questions, based on the lectionary readings of the week and would be great dinner discussion starters. The questions were created by a group of St. Patrick's members and they invite conversation and curiosity for people of all ages. The cards will be handed out on Sunday mornings.   




2016 Budget Worksheets Due Dec. 4: Worksheets have been distributed to ministry heads. If you have not received one and feel that you need to complete one, please contact Nicole Cone. The worksheets are due Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 to Nicole Cone's inbox on her office door. 

St. Patrick's Foyers Concert - Dec. 5 at 4:00 pm: Our last event for this year will be the Emory University Choral Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols this Saturday December 5 at 4 pm. Concert tickets have been purchased at a group rate and a few tickets remain-please reserve at rankin@bellsouth.net  if you have not done so or call 770-418-0111 for information. We plan to sit front balcony area as a group upstairs (Glenn Memorial 1652 North Decatur Rd). This concert is open to all parishioners with newcomers welcome. Foyers will reconvene in January 2016-please be sure to reserve your spot at the table by calling Bill or Diane Rankin or by email.   


J2A & Rite 13 Lock-In Dec. 5-6: All J2A and Rite 13 youth are invited to a lock in starting 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 and ending after the early service on Sunday, Dec. 6. Bring $10 for food, sleeping bag, and toothbrush! Parents will meet us at the early service (8:00 a.m. in chapel) on the 6th.




Being Mary & Martha Group - Tuesday, Dec. 8, 7:00 p.m.: Women of all ages are invited to join us for food, fellowship, hosted by Teresa Hoyt in her home. Don't forget to bring a gift for the annual white elephant gift exchange. If you can, please also bring a beverage and hearty snack to share. A headcount will be very helpful - contact Joan Reddicks JG1redds@icloud.com to RSVP and if you need more information.




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LOOKING AHEAD
Friday, December 4
Budget Worksheets (from ministry heads) due to Nicole
Saturday, December 5 at 4:00 p.m.
Foyers to Lessons & Carols, Emory University
Sat - Sun, December 5-6
J2A and Rite 13 Lock In
Sunday, December 6 at 5:00 p.m.
A Magical St. Nicholas Night
Tuesday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Being Mary & Martha White Elephant Party
Saturday, December 19 at 5:00 p.m.
Parish-wide Yuletide Merrymaking
Sunday, December 20 at 9:00 a.m.
Whole Parish Bible Day
Sunday, December 20 at 12:30 p.m.
Vestry Meeting, Room TBA
Sunday, December 20 at noon
Malachi's Toy Distribution Party

Christmas Eve - Thursday, December 24
5:00 p.m.             Nativity Pageant with Holy Eucharist
10:00 p.m.           Choral Prelude followed by Holy Eucharist

Christmas Day - Friday, December 25
10:30 a.m.           Holy Eucharist, Nave

Sunday, December 27
8:00 a.m.             Holy Eucharist, Chapel
10:30 a.m.           Christmas Lessons & Carols with Holy Eucharist, Nave
                           no christian formation classes

Wednesday, December 30
12:15 p.m.           Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayer, Chapel

  DETAILED CALENDAR:For more detailed information, please check the website.
WEEKLY EVENTS

Centering Prayer: We meet in the library on Mondays at 1:15 p.m. All are welcome!
Thursdays in Advent: Let us watch and wait in hopeful expectation. Join us for a time of candlelit quiet in the chapel each Thursday evening during Advent, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Our watching and waiting will be informed by readings and space as we look for the coming and being of God in our lives. All are invited, and are welcome to come and go for any part as needed.

Join Mother Julia Mondays:
Mondays at Noon- Meditative Basics Class (open to beginner and long time practitioner alike)
Mondays at 2:30- Gentle Yoga (a very gentle yet transformative practice)

Cost: recommended donation of $10-$15
(Donations through December used to purchase yoga supplies such as blocks, blankets, straps, and mats, with at least a tithe of donations going to support Malachi's)
ENDOWMENT TRUSTEES

The vestry has appointed the following parishioners of The St. Patrick's endowment:
Lander Stoddard
Bill Shaughnessy
Julian Williams
John Watson
Ron Cook
Chris Bright
Bruce Wilson
Mike Cropper (ex officio as Senior Warden)
Fr. Dick Game (ex officio as Rector)
 
They will be Commissioned on Dec. 13 at the 10:30 service.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Children 
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - meet at 9:00 a.m. in their classrooms: 
Level I - children ages 3, 4, and 5-years old
Level 2 - children in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades
Level 3 - children in 4th and 5th grades 
 
Youth 
Journey to Adulthood classes meet at 9:00 a.m. in their classrooms
Rite 13 - grades 6-7
J2A - grades 8-9
YEA - grades 10-12 
 
Adult Christian Formation - Sundays at 9:15 a.m. 
  • Getting Personal with Scripture
  • Doing Art Looking Up
  • Dreams: Listening to God
Dec. 20: Whole Parish Bible Day: Luke 1:39-45

Wonderful Wednesdays 
6:00 - 6:50 -  food and fellowship. Diners are asked to contribute $7 ($5 for children) to cover food costs. Please call the church office to make your dinner reservation.
7:00 - 8:00 - Program -
 From Christ to Constantine - Oct 28 - Nov 11, December 2 and 9

Together we will select episodes from the PBS series Ancient Roads: From Christ to Constantine for our viewing pleasure and spiritual edification.

December 2: Ancient Roads: apocalypse to Heresies
December 9: Ancient Roads: Constantine
Viewing time: 50 minutes. If you want to talk about the experience, stay for 30 minutes of discussion.
OUTREACH
Malachi's is open each Wednesday - lunch at 11:00 a.m., free grocery shopping from 1 -3 p.m.
Click here to learn more.
Malachi's Toy Party needs you!

Get in the Christmas Spirit! Join us for our Annual Christmas Toy Drive as we support our Malachi's families. We encourage you to give your time, and would appreciate your donations of toys and/or gift cards. Cash donations are also welcome. The children we are serving are ages newborn - 15 years old. Please bring all donations to St. Patrick's and drop off in the boxes in the Narthex.

Toys will be distributed to pre-registered parents on Sunday, December 20 following the 10:30 service. Parents will come and select a gift for their child. They will be served hot chocolate and cookies and the gifts will be wrapped for them to take home. We are using an on-line program for parishioners to sign up to help. It is really easy, but if you have any questions please contact Judi Carlson at 630 220-2178 or carlsondjnj@me.com.

Please sign up for Malachi's Toy Party 2015 - here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

   2. Sign up! Choose your spots - Sign Up Genius will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Note: Sign Up Genius does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Judi and she can sign you up manually.

Episcopal Relief and Development Giving Opportunities: Decking the halls, gathering with family, researching recipes or going though old ones all elicit a time of belonging to a community larger than ourselves. Many families are looking to mix up some tradition this year by creating their own this Christmas season.
 
Episcopal Relief and Development has a stunningly simple way to transform lives around the globe without you having wrap anything! No waiting in long lines or looking for hours online for the perfect gift.
 
ERD has you covered........Animals and Agriculture, Basics for Life, Green Gifts, Health and Wellness or Economic Opportunities are found in this link or find a brochure in the Narthex of St. Pat's this coming Sunday for your viewing pleasure.  
 
"What ever we do to the least of these" is now simpler than ever!
   St. Patrick's Episcopal Church | StPat.net | 770.455.6523 
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