The people of St. Catherine's seek to share in the love that Jesus Christ has for us and the world by welcoming, accepting, nurturing, and serving all people through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We Welcome You!
The Newsletter of St. Catherine's Episcopal Church
Marietta, GA
October 4 - October 17, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
Oct. 2 -- Blessing of the Animals
|
|
IN THIS ISSUE |
Embracing God's very goodness
The men's retreat was a wonderful experience! If you didn't attend, I commend the experience to you for next year. The fellowship was awesome, the spiritual direction thought provoking, and the play strenuous (okay I admit it, I drove into town to do errands during the softball game). There are just too many people to thank without leaving someone out, but I will thank our spiritual director, Rob Townes, for his thought provoking leadership.
On Saturday we had a time of silence to look within ourselves and to examine our lives in the light of scripture and prayer. Rob introduced this time by talking about God's radical love for each of us. I was struck by his words. He talked about God's creation of each of us and how when God completed his work of creating humans, God said, it is very good. As I spent time with this scripture and in prayer, I was struck by how difficult it is to accept our very goodness. The world tells us constantly that we are not good enough whether it's our families, our friends, our work, our bosses, and even, unfortunately, all too often the church. "You are not good enough" is the message we struggle with day in and day out.
My experience is that each of us deal with this message differently, but there is no one who does not hear it. Yet, God says when God looks at us and evaluates our life, You, my son/daughter, are very good. Imagine what it might be like in the world, in our homes, in our places of business, in our churches if we were able to totally and unconditionally embrace such very goodness; such radical love for each of us.
Thank you, Rob. The weekend, my prayer, the fellowship will stay with me reminding me of God's radical love for each and everyone of us.
Jim +
Blessing of the Animals Service
Saturday, October 2 10:00 AM
Bring your pet for a service under the Big Oak Tree. This day commemorates St. Francis of Assisi, who renounced his place in a wealthy family and dedicated his life to peace, caring for the poor, and teaching respect for all God's creatures. St. Francis was the first to stage a live nativity at Christmas. He died in 1266. St. Francis had a special affinity for animals. He reminds us of the importance of our relationships with all of God's creation.
Please join us for a blessing and refreshments. Remember to bring your pet leashed or caged as appropriate.
Saturday, October 16, 9:30 AM to Noon
Join us for Planting, Playing and Picnicking! Young and old alike are invited to come with your work gloves and garden tools. We'll be planting pansies and violas, and sprucing up our grounds for fall and winter, then enjoy a well-deserved cookout picnic lunch with hamburgers and hotdogs (thanks to our Men's Group!!). With many hands it will be light work indeed! Contact Gail McGill, 770-971-8890 for details.
Habitat for Humanity Build Begins
Our construction begins on October 23. We will be building a house for Erica Valentine and her two children, Martinez, a 12-year-old boy, and Alicia, a 6-year-old girl. Erica works for a dentist processing insurance papers. She will be at the build site working with us as we build her house to make a home.
The house is a 1,400 square foot house with two baths and 3 bedrooms and is located off Pat Mell Road just east of South Cobb Drive. It will be a "Craftsman" style house with some brickwork and Hardy plank siding built on a concrete slab.
Our work will be every Saturday for about 10 weeks with 10 volunteers from each of four churches. We would like to end before Christmas. The projected schedule is framing on 10/23, trusses and roofing on 10/30, shingles and siding on 11/6, siding on 11/13, interior and paint on 11/20, doors and trim on 11/27, trim on 12/4, landscape on 12/11, touch-up and clean-up on 12/18. The dedication will be after the New Year.
St. Catherine's will provide meals on 10/23, 11/27, and 12/4. Zion Baptist Church and St. James Episcopal Church of Marietta and Hope Baptist Church of Dallas are in this with us and will provide meals on other Saturdays.
A few folks signed up at the Rally Day Habitat table and in the Volunteer Opportunities forms. Tom Snead or Connie Bergeron or another person will be at a table outside the church on Sundays to enlist the help of any other volunteers for labor or for lunch. Please stop by and sign up. Also, there is in the Sunday bulletin the Volunteer Opportunities form where you may sign up. Maps, directions, and some helpful information will be available at the table.
Your help is needed in this important and fun ministry!
The 1st annual St Cat's Yard Sale was a huge success! We earned a lot of money (over $3000!), folks got lots of good bargains, and we had wonderful camaraderie! New friends were made, old acquaintances were restored -- and the weather was fabulous!
Incredible amounts of thanks to the Planning Team: Jerome Laux, Lynne Joynes, Margaret Shaw, Audrey Nesbit, Susan Bayless, Diane Danford, Diane Sanders, Shirley Childs, and Chris Williams. If I've inadvertently forgotten anyone, please forgive me. Also, major thanks to the countless number of folks who responded to our pleas for help on Friday and Saturday (yes, they even came at 6 am!) and for everyone who graciously cleaned out closets, attics and garages to provide us with such an abundance of treasures to sell! It was a magnificent day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Proceeds are sufficient to purchase the shelving for the new pantry, the dish and glass dollies and trays (these will store all the dishes and glasses in the new kitchen), a new coffee delivery system, and a selection of pots, pans, and utensils that are appropriate for our new equipment.
We are already in the planning stages for a new and improved sale next year. We're thinking about a late spring or early summer sale in 2005. So, keep that in mind when you're doing your "spring cleaning."
Again, sincere thanks to all of you for a wonderful experience!
Joan Nixon, Fellowship Committee Chair
Rally Day 2004 -- Fun for All!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Our new facilities (excluding our new office space in the old parish hall) are substantially completed. We are waiting for seating in the sanctuary and for the completion of the kitchen in the parish hall. There is still a lot of work to be done, but it is mostly finish work inside and grounds work outside. Baring any unforeseen problems, we will worship in the new space before the end of October. Stay tuned for an announcement of our first Sunday.
By all measures we have beautiful new worship space. The colors, the finishes, and the lighting are working together to make what promises to be fabulous space in which to worship the living God. The finishing touches of seating, liturgical furniture, artwork, organ, and final aiming of lighting is simply going to enhance this beautiful new building. We think you will be very pleased with the overall aesthetics.
We remind you that our dedication service will be on November 21 at 4:00 PM in the afternoon. You will soon see an invitation in the Wheel, but please accept this as an invitation to place this important date and time on your calendars.
The office will be closed on Tuesday, October 12 in order to allow the staff to focus on moving and cleaning. We will move all of the liturgical furniture into the sanctuary, move some office furniture around, and empty out the P.O.D.S. so they can be removed from the parking lot. If you might have some time to help with this work, we'd be delighted to have you. Just call the office and let Rose you will be joining us.
Following this work, we will be doing some repaving of the entrance to our parking lot, a portion of the front parking lot, and the entire rear parking lot including additional parking space. We hope this work will done in time for the presidential election on November 2 since this will be a very big day for our polling place workers.
New Keys for a New Building
New keys for all parts of our facility are now available. If you want a key to any door, you may get one from Rosemary any day EXCEPT SUNDAYS. Your old keys WILL NOT WORK when the new system is installed. Please keep in mind that the new keys are not reproducible and each key will cost us more to make than the old style.
Let's still be energy smart
Just a reminder -- help us continue to keep our facility costs down this year. Please remember to turn off the lights anywhere in our building when you leave an area. Thank you!
 |
The chancel and altar rail in process of installation |
| The new front doors get a final finish coat |  |
Building Dedication November 21, 4 PM
Help needed
We need volunteers to help with the dedication of our new building and reception on November 21. We will need people to help decorate the church, address invitations, assemble the service programs, set up for the reception and clean up afterwards. If you would like to help, please sign up in your bulletin or contact Diane Sanders at 770-565-2719.
Interested in working with youth?
Adult leaders of youth need special training! It's a tough job, and we owe it to our youth to be sure we're prepared. If youth ministry is something you're interested in, we've made it easy to get up to speed. On Oct. 9, St. Catherine's will host an Adult Leader Training Session from 8AM to noon. It's an easy way to get qualified to serve in this rewarding ministry. Sign up in your bulletin, or contact Youth Director Brian West for information.
The Women's Bible Study met for the first time on Thursday, September 30. Starting in October, we will meet the third Thursday of each month at 6:30-8:00 PM for the remainder of the year.
This study will explore key events in the life and ministry of Jesus, drawing parallels to our lives
and culture today. Please bring any translation of the Holy Bible that you enjoy. The leader will provide copies of
commentary and discussion questions. This study is open to all women -- feel free to invite a friend. Childcare will be
provided by the church. If you need childcare, please contact Elizabeth Lopez at 770-514-1482 or eslopez
comcast.net.
St. Cat's Men Revitalize at the Men's Retreat
Nineteen St. Catherine's men trekked to the North Georgia Mountains last weekend to socialize, spend some time alone and discuss "God's Radical Love" for us. The retreat was moderated by seminary veteran Rob Townes and offered everyone a chance to recharge, pull a few muscles and examine our own spirituality. John Rea and Father Jim created some culinary masterpieces including cooking up the trout caught in the nearby pond by St. Catherine's men fish slayers. Hale Sanders and John Schnorf led the musical portion with several rousing rendentions of "Kum Ba Ya" around the campfire. Despite no access to football scores, feedback from the retreat has been overwhelmingly positive and we encourage others to join us the same time next year.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Flu shots will be administered by our congregational nurses on Sundays at church this fall. The shots will be given starting later in October and through November. They are available to anyone 18 and over at a cost of $20, Medicare accepted (please bring your card). This is an easy way to get your shot, so sign up in your bulletin.
A group of our friends at our companion parish of St. Elizabeth's in Whiterocks, Utah, were in Washington D.C. last week to participate in the opening events at the new Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Charlie Denny, who visited us last January and showed us his Hoop Dance, performed at the service of celebration at Washington National Cathedral on September 19. Click here to read an Episcopal News Service article with this photo of his dance! (Photo Copyright 2003 Episcopal Church, Jan Nunley/ENS) |
 |
We're adding seats and there's one for you --
IN THE CHOIR!
Now is the time, it's not too late! We have a big year coming up and we welcome your voice in the choir:
- Youth Choir welcomes all boys with treble voices and all girls, 2nd to 10th Grade. We sing every
Sunday at 8:45 service, and rehearse Wednesdays 6:45-8:00 PM. Contact Martha Bowden at 770-998-3953 (h) or
770-499-3219 (w) or email at mbowden
kennesaw.edu.
- Adult Choir welcomes all adults and youth who are past the age for Youth Choir. Contact Brian, our director, Jana, our organist, or any choir member to find out more. We rehearse Wednesdays 7:45-9:00 PM. Nursery will be available (please let us know in advance). On Sundays we gather at 10:45 to warm up and run through the music for 11:15 service.
There is no audition and sight-reading ability is not required. The new sanctuary will have room for twice as many choir chairs as the old space, and we'd love for one to be yours!
Literacy Volunteers Needed at Brumby Elementary
The Georgia Literacy Connection Program and Communities in Schools is in need of literacy volunteers to tutor K-5th grade students at Brumby Elementary school. Scheduling is flexible, training is provided and we require a commitment of only one hour a week. If you or someone you know has the desire to open the eyes of a child through the world of books please contact Nadine Pope @ 770-973-9057 or ronaza
mindspring.com.
Adults and Young Adults are needed to help with our youngest members at Children's Chapel during Sunday 8:45 AM service. Materials are provided. You may sign up for once a week or once a month. Please contact Mary Lou Shannonhouse, 770-973-2840.
Reserve space for your meeting
Our building is getting nearer to completion but meeting space at church is still tight. Be sure to schedule ALL MEETINGS with Rose to avoid conflicts over rooms. Thank you!
Book Groups Continue Every Month!
Woman’s Reading Group
Second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM -- next meeting: October 12.
Men's Book Study
Second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM -- next meeting: October 11.
If you love the person you're married to ...
... Rediscover the one you love!
You can do that on an Episcopal Marriage Encounter weekend! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where
married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones - and focus only on each other. If you'd like greater
depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you'll like the difference an Episcopal Marriage Encounter weekend
can make! The next weekend is November 5-7, 2004, at Amberly Suites, in NE Atlanta . Registration is limited so a quick
response is encouraged. For more information or to register, please contact: Ron & Connie Bergeron,
770-951-1411, atlantaeme
earthlink.net or Atlanta Area Episcopal Marriage Encounter.
Already ENCOUNTERED?
We'd love to hear from you. As you may remember from your Weekend, the loving support of couples praying
was an important element of its success. Also- you may want to make an Anniversary Weekend. The Weekend has changed -
you may have too. The next weekend is November 5-7, 2004, at Amberly Suites, in NE Atlanta . Registration is limited so
a quick response is encouraged. For more information or to register, please contact: Ron & Connie Bergeron,
770-951-1411, atlantaeme
earthlink.net or go to: Atlanta Area Episcopal Marriage Encounter.
A Day with the Arts at Emmaus House
The third annual Day with the Arts will be on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Emmaus House, 1017 Hank Aaron Drive just south of Turner Field in Atlanta. Everyone is invited to enjoy an autumn day full of activities and to learn more about the local communities. Sponsored by The Work of Our Hands, a non-profit arts education organization, and hosted by Holy Comforter Parish and Emmaus House, this unique event gives visitors a chance to try weaving, woodturning, pottery, painting, spinning, metal working and many other types of art. The artists’ market offers works by local artists and by participants in the Emmaus House Community Art Project and Holy Comforter’s Friendship Center art program. The day will include food and entertainment.
My dear St. Catherine's Parish Family,
Thank you so much for the altar flowers on Sunday. The arragement was beautiful and it was a lovely way to acknowledge the death of my father. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thank you!
Yours in Christ,
Sue Schnorf
September 15, 2004
The Reverend James Nixon
Dear Mr. Nixon,
Thank you for St. Catherine's Episcopal Church's recent gift of $1,431.10, which we received on Wednesday, Sept 1, 2004. Your gift will be designated for our US Hurricane Relief Fund.
...Your gift is helping supply vulnerable families with temporary shelter, emergency food, and other humanitarian needs such as baby wipes and soap. ERD stands ready to respond to other developing storms. Episcopal Relief and Development will work with affected dioceses to help communities.
Please continue to pray for hurricane victims, and thank you for caring so much!
Thanks to every single person who helped make this gift possible. We are standing ready to help those who will suffer from Ivan -- do hope that Marietta escapes serious damage!
Sincerely,
Sandra Swan, President
SICK: Sharon Parisi, Mary Koenig, Arlene Brooks, Tom Snook, James, Dawn Houston, Jean Pitts, Lisa Arnold, Missi Driussi, Jim LeBatard, Ross Emerson, Karen Dechert, Benjamin Bagby, Thomas Burns, Dorothy Burns, Paul Manno, Andrew Boyd, Terry Adams, Peggy Gudim, Howard Nielsen, Madelyn Sailors, Mit FitzSimons, Dorothy Hill, Julie Heath, Raquel Smith, Mary Ann Heil, Scott Clark, Floy Borron, Sandra Edwards, George Wyatt, Lacy Hamilton, Clare Cronkelton, Linda Berry, Christy Sheridan
BEFORE SURGERY: Jamie Harding, 9/30/04; Barbara Perry, 10/5/04.
DECEASED: Adam Grover, Tom & Marilyn Hunter’s nephew; Harold Russell, Rachel Bagby’s uncle; Michelle Reeves, her parents are friends of Jim & Bobbye Greene
SPECIAL PRAYERS: Defend all the men and women of our armed forces at home or abroad especially in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait that they will have a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be.
All Saints’ Church and School in South Carolina where Nancy Denton’s mother attends.
For the Baptism of Bella Nicole Unger on Saturday, October 2, 2004, 5:30PM, at St. Catherine’s. Parents are Anne & Michael Unger; grandfather is Mit FitzSimons.
PARISH CYCLE OF PRAYER:
(10/10/04) -- Tom & Marcia Gura; Deborah Guy; Gretchen Hall; Todd & Shannon Hall; Bette Hamilton
(10/17/04) -- Scott & Lauren Hammond & Breeanna Foster; Jamie & Bill Harding; Greg, Julie, Kate & Jennifer Harnage; Bettye Harris; Judy Harrison
Next Dates -- November 7 and 21
Please check with the office for more information and to request the customary booklet about Holy Baptism.
| Monday, 10/4 | Monday, 10/11 | ||
| 6:30PM 7:30PM |
EFM Boy Scouts Troop 713 |
6:30PM 6:30PM 7:00PM 7:30PM |
Men’s Book Study EFM Pilgrimage Meeting Boy Scout Troop 713 |
| Tuesday, 10/5 | Tuesday, 10/12 | ||
| 10:00AM | Staff Mtg. | 6:30PM 7:00PM 7:00PM |
Office Closed for Moving Executive Meeting Fellowship Meeting Women’s Reading Group |
| Wednesday, 10/6 | Wednesday, 10/13 | ||
| 8:30AM 9:30AM 6:45PM 7:30PM 7:45PM |
Construction Meeting EFM Youth Choir Youth Weekly Meeting Adult Choir |
8:30AM 9:30AM 6:45PM 7:30PM 7:45PM |
Construction Meeting EFM Youth Choir Youth Weekly Meeting Adult Choir |
| Thursday, 10/7 | Thursday, 10/14 | ||
| 10:00AM 6:30PM 7:00PM |
Preschool Board Meeting C.E. Ministry Team D.O.K. |
||
| Friday, 10/8 | Friday, 10/15 | ||
| 10:00AM 8:00PM |
Folders A.A. |
10:00AM 8:00PM |
Cobb County Schools Closed Folders A.A. |
| Saturday, 10/9 | Saturday, 10/16 | ||
| 8:00AM 8:30AM 8:30AM 3:00PM 5:30PM |
Youth Leader Meeting Men’s Bible Study Stephen Leader’s Meeting @ Hunter’s Century 2000 Holy Eucharist |
8:30AM 8:30AM 9:00AM 5:30PM |
Men’s Bible Study Finance Meeting Fall Planting & Picnic Holy Eucharist |
| Sunday, 10/10 | Sunday, 10/17 | ||
| 7:30AM 8:45AM 10:00AM 11:15AM |
Holy Eucharist Family Holy Eucharist Church School Choral Holy Eucharist |
7:30AM 8:45AM 10:00AM 11:15AM 6:30PM |
Holy Eucharist Family Holy Eucharist Church School Choral Holy Eucharist Stephen Ministers |
Keep up with all the new doings at the St. Cat's Youth Webpage
Surprise Shower for Brian & Rebecca!
A shower for Brian & Rebecca's new baby was held at the last Wed. Night Youth Meeting. Don't miss next Wednesday, you never know what will happen!
 |
 |
 |
 |
Weekly Youth Meetings Every Wednesday
Weekly Youth Meetings - Join us on Wednesday nights for music, discussion and fun! Meet us in the new youth rooms at 7, if you want to get some refreshments and hang out, and we'll start the fun at 7:30! Plan to be out sometime before 8:45. Hope to see you there!
NEW! Subscribe to the St. Cat's Youth Yahoo Group!
Hey Youth, parents, leaders, and adults who work with Youth! Stuart Wallace has created a Yahoo Group, which will allow us a single site to post important information about upcoming events, list e-mail addresses, and share photos of events. You will not be able to view any of this information unless you are a member of the group, and you cannot become a member of the group unless allowed in by a moderator. Also, providing your personal information (i.e. email address) to other members in the group is optional. If you have not received an email explaining how to join the group, or have questions, send an email to Stuart at stcatyouts