The Shamrock
January 6, 2016

Epiphany Service & Burning of the Greens, 7:00 p.m. tonight Jan. 6, 2016: This special service will begin in the Nave and continue outside with the burning of the greens (please cut a branch from your tree and bring it to add to the fire) which creates an amazing bonfire. After the service we will gather in the Parish Hall for cider and cookies.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Annual Meeting and Call for Vestry Nominations: Vestry Elections are coming up on Sunday, Jan. 31 as part of our Annual Meeting. We will be electing four new vestry members for the 2016-2019 term, as well as a youth vestry member for a one year term.

Nomination forms and qualification details are available at the volunteer desk in the church office or as a PDF here.

The deadline to submit a nomination form is Wednesday, Jan. 20 at noon. Nomination forms must be accompanied by a photo of the nominee. Please email the photo and completed form to Amanda Vaughn by the Jan. 20 deadline.

Eligibility for the office of vestry member is determined by: Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Atlanta, Canon 31, Section 6.(d).(1).

"Those qualified for election to the office of Vestry Member shall be as follows: Any confirmed communicant in good standing of the Parish who is not less than eighteen years of age, a regular attendant at the services of the Church in the year preceding election, and known by the Treasurer to have made and fulfilled a stated financial commitment for church support in the year preceding election."

To nominate someone for the office of vestry member, as well as to be eligible to vote in the election, you must be: "confirmed communicant(s)(sic) in good standing not less than sixteen years of age as certified by the Rector or Vicar or the Vestry. Those voters so qualified and being present at the meeting shall constitute a quorum." Canon 31, Section 4.

Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite and from the Cathedral Book Store (404) 237-7582. For more information contact Rainbow Village 770-497-1888.

Natural Spirituality Regional Gathering: You are invited to the 2016 Natural Spirituality Regional Gathering at Camp Mikell in Toccoa on February 12 - 14. This two-tiered event - a one-day conference within a larger week-end conference - is for natural spirituality veterans and inquirers alike. There will be lectures, workshops, small-group dreamwork, worship, and a time for relaxation and fellowship. This interdenominational conference is sponsored by natural spirituality groups in Province lV of the Episcopal Church. The cost for Saturday only is $40 (includes lunch). Weekend is $150 which includes double occupancy room, conference fee and meals. There are also motels nearby. For additional information, contact Brenda Marquis or visit the website.

PHOTOS FROM THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

More photos from the Yuletide Merrymaking, Malachi's Toy Party, Christmas Eve Pageant and Candlelight services, and Malachi's Volunteer party can be found on our flickr site.

GOD THE GIVER

God the Giver Update: Thank you so much for your faithful and sacrificial giving to our Operating Budget for 2016. As of today, 103 of you have pledged a total of $409,095 for the ministries of St. Patrick's this year. If you have not pledged already, there is still time! Just drop off your pledge card in the box outside Fr. Dick's office.

"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7).

Dick+

LOOKING AHEAD

Wednesday, January 6 7:00 p.m.	Epiphany Service Burning of the Greens
Sunday, January 10	Children and Adult Formation Classes Begin
Sunday, January 24 at noon	Vestry Meeting
Sunday, January 31	Annual Parish Meeting
Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m.	Pub Theology & Team Trivia, Dunwoody Tavern
Tuesday, February 9	Shrove Tuesday
Wednesday, February 10	Ash Wednesday
Sunday, March 13	Hunger Walk

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. and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome!

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

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.

ACTS 12-28: TAKING THE CHURCH INTO THE WORLD, Room 8

In his Gospel, Luke recounts the fulfillment of God's Word in the person of Christ the Messiah. In Acts, he describes how the Holy Spirit continues to fulfill Christ's mission to the world through His church.

St. Patrick's Traditional Scripture Studies offer those who are curious about what others think about a given Biblical text an opportunity to talk in a relaxed seminar setting. We are respectful of a variety of perspectives.

SONGS MY GRANDMA SANG (book by Presiding Bishop M. Curry), Room 1

Curious about our new Presiding Bishop? Why was he chosen so swiftly and confidently? What's he got and where did it come from? Curry's book offers insight into both his spiritual formation and character. If that weren't enough, the book includes lots of songs and it's short, easy to read, and has interesting chapters like "How to Know When the Spirit is in Your Church." Join us for a look into the Rt. Rev. Curry's vision for our church.

Doing Art Looking Up, Art Lab

Dreams: Listening to God, Library

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 -

50 WAYS TO READ THE BIBLE Jan. 13 - Feb. 3

Image Journaling with Diane Rankin Jan 13

Together we will explore various ways to read Scripture individually and in small groups. Our investigations will begin with Image Journaling Jan 13. Other ways of entering into Scripture will be selected from chapter 6 of Welcome to the Bible.

Lectionary readings for this Sunday.

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 Storehouse would like to give a heartfelt thank you to our St. Patrick's community. We appreciate your gifts of toys and time, talent, treasure, and tape! We also greatly appreciate your support and patience as we welcomed the parents of nearly 600 children at our annual Toy Party on Dec. 20. We collected, distributed, and wrapped all weekend long and the smiles on the faces of the relieved and grateful parents made every minute worth it. Thank you, St. Patrick's, for being such a hospitable and giving community. Merry Christmas!

St. Patrick's Episcopal Church | StPat.net | 770.455.6523

STAY CONNECTED: