Parish Events 2007 - 2008

People are needed to plan and assist with the execution of these and many other parish events throughout the year. We welcome your help!

NOTE: All event dates and times are subject to change. Please check your newsletter or with the parish office for changes and the latest additions.

FALL 2007

Habitat For Humanity Build —
Saturdays August 18 - Nov.
St. Catherine’s joins other area churches for its annual build. Volunteers are needed for all phases of building the home and helping with food.

Rally Day/Ministry Fair — Aug. 19 Food and fun for everyone! Learn about all the ministry opportunities and Church School offerings in our very active parish.

Youth Choir Startup Dinner —
Aug. 22 —
Youth Choir welcomes all young people (boys who still have treble voices and all girls) from second through tenth grade. To find out more, come to this dinner for the whole family, both new and returning members. We will try on choir robes, discuss the policies of choir, and have a brief rehearsal.

Christian Education Open House — August 26 Come meet our teachers and learn about our offerings for all ages. Youth and adult programs featured 10-11 AM. Our program for children, “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd,” will have Open House and lunch for parents and children at 12:30 PM.

Elizabeth Inn — August 28St. Catherine’s volunteers provide dinner and spend the night at the MUST Ministries overnight shelter on August 28, and on the 28th of every month year round. Please volunteer for one or more dates for this highly rewarding outreach ministry.

Church School Begins — Sept. 9 Look for our listings of offerings for all ages each week in your bulletin, and in the Christian Nurture and Development brochure.

Acolyte Bake Sale — Sept. 9
A fundraiser for those going on the trip to the National Acolyte Festival in Washington D.C.

Praying For Pars” Golf Outing — Sept. 9 — Join us for the last of our summer outings. Let's go to 7:30am service together, then have breakfast and head to a 10:00 am tee time. Golfers are responsible for their own fees. Contact Walt McGill by Sept. 2.

Marriage Journey Dinner — Sept. 9 Marriage Journey groups are expanding this year. All married couples are invited to join us for conversations of how each of our marriages have evolved and transformed as life has carried us along—no experts, only fellow travelers. Come to this informational Conversation Dinner to learn more.

New Orleans Ministry Work Trip — Sept. 12-16 — Join us for the next of our ongoing trips to New Orleans and our partner parish, St. George’s, as we continue our outreach ministry with people recovering from the effects of the 2005 hurricanes. Sign up soon!

Wednesday Night Live (WNL) – Begins Sept. 19A Wednesday evening series of dinners and programs for all ages for education and fellowship. WNL continues through the year including a special series in Lent.

Foyers Kickoff Dinner – Sept. 19 Foyers, or Dinner Groups, are a long-standing tradition at St. Catherine’s. Foyers groups meet once a month to have dinner together and enjoy each other’s company. This is a great way to get to know fellow parishioners.

Newcomer Coffee — Sept. 23 All newcomers to St. Catherine’s are invited to meet our clergy, staff, and lay leaders in a social and informative setting, at 10 AM in the Parish Hall.

Family Braves Game Outing — Sept. 23 — Join us for worship at 8:45, then we will head to the game after Sunday School to see the Braves play the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:05 PM . Sign up for tickets at church.

Cursillo Weekend — Sept. 27-30 in Hampton, GA. Cursillo brings people together at a lay-led retreat to renew their Christian journey. Reservation is required.

Men’s RetreatSept. 28-30 — Learn all about this year’s Men’s Retreat at Montara Farms in the north Georgia mountains on our own web page on the St. Cat’s website. Sign up (and invite a friend!) ASAP with your $100 deposit.

National Acolyte Festival TripOct. 4-7 — Acolytes 6th grade and older are eligible for this trip to the festival in Washington, D.C.

Blessing of the Animals – Oct. 6We will gather under the Great Oak at 10 AM and bless our animals big and small. We will have music and treats for all!

Bereavement Group —begins Oct. 7

Low Country BoilOct 13Great party with great food, watch for announcements and sign-up.

Fall Work Day, Planting Party & Picnic — Oct. 14 This is a fun afternoon for parishioners old
and young to help clean up our church and grounds, and install flowers and shrubs for fall and winter.

Native American Ministry Trip — Oct. 31-Nov. 4 We travel to Jamestown, VA, and Colonial Williamsburg to meet members of our companion parish St. Elizabeth’s in Whiterocks, Utah. We will join in the Episcopal Church’s Paths Crossing Conference and the special celebration of 400 years of Native American ministry.

Episcopal Marriage Encounter — Nov. 2-4at Hyatt Place Perimeter Hotel in NE Atlanta. Marriage Encounter Weekend is 44 hours for married couples to get away from the everyday and focus just on each other, a uniquely private approach at revitalizing Christian marriage. Registration required.

Memorial Service – Nov. 4 6 PM. A semi-annual worship service to remember and celebrate the lives of all those who have died over the previous six months. This service provides us an opportunity to “be with” our fellow parishioners as they remember and celebrate their loved ones.

Stewardship Ingathering —
Nov. 11
Our annual pledge card ingathering of of your time, talent, and treasure for 2008.

Operation Christmas Child Ingathering — Nov. 11 — This rewarding outreach activity invites you and your family to bring shoe boxes filled with Christmas gifts for needy children world-wide. Gift guidelines will be announced.

Newcomer DinnerNov. 18One of our periodic get-togethers for all newcomers to St. Catherine’s, at 6 PM at the home of Hale and Diane Sanders.

HappeningNov. 16-18A diocesan retreat for spiritual renewal for youth in grades 10-12.

Advent Eucharist and Study —
Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18
Each Tuesday morning in Advent we celebrate a Eucharist at 7 AM followed by a brief study, then we’re away to our daily responsibilities by 8:00.

Advent Wreath MakingNov. 25 An intergenerational event during the Church School hour.

Junior DYC – Nov. 30 - Dec. 2
A camp-like retreat at Camp Mikel for middle school youth, sponsored by the Diocese of Atlanta. Adults and youth may apply to be Council members in February 2005 for the next DYC retreat weekends.

Adult Advent Retreat — Dec. 1-2 Plans are in the works for a retreat the first weekend of December, watch for announcements.

Secret Santa ShopDec. 8 — Our youth will help our young children purchase and wrap special seasonal gifts for family and friends.

St. Nicholas Day — Dec. 9On this Sunday morning, our children will hear who St. Nicholas really was. St. Nicholas himself will come to visit with special treats. You’ll recognize him in his Bishop’s Miter and Cope of red velvet.

Seasonal Sabbath — December 15 — A Saturday morning opportunity to spend some time to reflect on the coming of our Lord Jesus. It also provides a brief escape from the pressures of the world’s “Christmas Machine.”

Children’s Christmas Pageant Dec. 16The children and youth of the parish will put on their annual Christmas pageant at
4 PM
.

Folding PartyDec. 16We need many hands to make light work of the mountain of bulletins to fold for Christmas services. We begin at 10 AM and conclude with lunch for everyone, and we always have a great time.

Hanging of the Greens – Dec. 23 Join us as we decorate the church and our buildings for the feast of Christmas. Bring family, friends and neighbors for decorating, food, storytelling and singing favorite carols, as we prepare our church and our hearts for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas Eve Receptions –
Dec.
24
A reception follows our Christ Mass and we have a St. Nicholas party for our children following the early Christmas Eve service.

— WINTER 2008 —

WinterlightDec. 27-Jan. 1A conference for youth grades 9-12 at Kanuga Conference Center.

Newcomer Coffee — Jan. 13 All newcomers to St. Catherine’s are invited to meet our clergy, staff, and lay leaders in a social and informative setting, at 10 AM in the Parish Hall.

Senior DYC — Jan. 18-20A camp-like retreat at Camp Mikel for high school youth, sponsored by the Diocese of Atlanta.


Annual Parish Meeting – Jan. 21 The congregation gathers to do the business of our life together. We will celebrate the ministries of this congregation, and have a time for fellowship as well.

Winter Wonderland Dinner/AuctionJan. 26 A fund-raiser to support youth mission/pilgrimage trips. The evening is spent enjoying a gourmet dinner and dancing (replaces Valentine Dinner/Dance/Auction this year).

Vestry Retreat — February 1-3 — The Vestry retreat sets our goals and objectives for the coming year. It is an opportunity, as well, for us to build community with our newly elected members.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – Feb. 5The youth prepare a gourmet pancake supper for congregation and guests on the night before Ash Wednesday as we clean the fat (Fat Tuesday) from the shelves of our kitchen. A parade is held for the little ones. Supports our Youth program.

Ash Wednesday — Feb. 6Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist at 7 AM, noon, and 7:30 PM.

Youth Ski TripFeb. 15-18Plans are in the works, watch for announcements!

Lenten Eucharist and Study —
begins Feb. 12
Each Tuesday morning in Lent we celebrate a Eucharist at 7 am followed by a brief study, then we’re away to our daily responsibilities by 8:00.

Diocesan Ministry Fair – Feb. 23 This fair brings together diverse gifts and talents in all areas of ministry and shares them broadly within the Diocese.

— SPRING 2008 —

Women’s RetreatGet away with the women of St. Catherine’s for a time of reflection and renewal. Watch for announcements, tentative dates are March 7-9.

Hunger Walk – March 9We board a bus immediately following our morning worship and travel to Turner Stadium to begin the Hunger Walk. Both walkers and sponsors are needed. This walk benefits the countless numbers of the hungry in the Atlanta area.

Holy Week 2008 — March 16-23 Join us for all our special services and activities in the journey from Palm Sunday to Easter Morning.

Easter Breakfast and Receptions March 23After the sunrise service we prepare and serve breakfast. Following both of our principal services the parish provides a reception to celebrate the joy of the risen Christ.

Georgia Festival Chorus ConcertMarch 30 — This renowned community chorus returns to St. Catherine’s for a spring concert of inspiring choral works.

Youth Mission Trip — April 5-11

Memorial Service — April — A semi-annual worship service to remember and celebrate the lives of all those who have died over the previous six months. Join us to “be with” our fellow parishioners as they remember and celebrate their loved ones.

Rite 13 Dinner & Ceremony
April 26/27 —
A ceremony recognizing the Rite of Passage to Manhood and Womanhood for our youth reaching age 13.

Youth Sunday — May 4 The youth of St. Catherine’s will be our Ushers, Oblation Bearers, Chalice Bearers, Greeters and more at the 8:45 service.


Spring Planting Party and Picnic — May This is a day for everyone to lend a hand to spruce up our church and grounds and plant the flowers and shrubs to beautify them for summer.

Hors d’oeuvres Competition —
May 10 —
An opportunity to show off your culinary skills and share an evening of good food and fellowship. Bring your favorite hors d'oeuvres or dessert to share, and your spare change to vote on the dishes. If you are not a chef, come to sample, vote and bring a can of nuts to share.

Newcomer PartyMay 18 One of our periodic get-togethers for all newcomers to St. Catherine’s to meet with church members and staff.

Parish Picnic/End of Church School Fire up the grill, summer is here! We have a picnic on the church grounds. This is a great time for fellowship and food. Proceeds support our scholarship fund for students entering college in the fall. Sponsored by our Men’s Group.



— SUMMER 2008 —

Foyers Dinner Groups End-of-Year Party — June 21 — A celebration dinner for the end of our year of this St. Catherine’s tradition.

Vacation Bible School — A five-day Vacation Bible School for children ages 4-12. A great opportunity for youth (Rite-13 and older) and adults to help with songs, games, crafts, and leadership.

Holy Baptism Dates
2007-08

January 6

March 22

May 11

Dates may change and be added during the year. Please contact the office for information and to request the customary booklet about Holy Baptism.