February 2019 THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The Dove Contents CALENDAR 3 YOUTH 4 Page PARISH LIFE 5-6 ANNOUNCEMENTS 7 OUTREACH 8-9 TREASURER S REPORT 10 CLERGY/STAFF/ VESTRY 11 FROM THE SENIOR WARDEN We are several weeks in now without a full-time rector and while I miss Father Keith immensely, I must admit that I have also really enjoyed the different pastors that have filled in as our guest celebrants since Keith left. They have each brought refreshing new perspectives and styles of preaching the Gospel. Change is something that most of us are afraid of and that many of us even dread. Our brains are wired to resist change, but we are better off in the long run if we do not resist. The psychological stress associated with a change (like losing our rector of 9+ years!) makes it very difficult to feel optimistic. My hope is that each of you can get through your grief period (some of you have probably kicked and screamed a little like me ) and then begin to look at how our journey forward can and will be a blessing. Fixating on what was lost can prevent us from the benefits that our new experience will bring us. God has a new plan for Keith and he has a new plan for us at Holy Spirit. In my own experience, I have always grown from change that has impacted me whether the change was at home, Church or at work. When we are pushed outside our comfort zones, we must learn how to do things differently and can no longer rely on coasting with a normal routine. I am personally looking forward to the change and challenges that lie ahead for ECOHS and know that with Gods help, we will be in a position in the next year or so to secure a new full time rector and get back to some level of routine at ECOHS. How can each you help? Pray for Father Keith and for our congregation that each can find our new path that God is calling us to do. Learn to accept the changes in your life and grow from these experiences by focusing on the benefits and praying for guidance. (Cont. on Pg 2)
Senior Warden s Column (Cont. from Page 2 Volunteer for an ECHOS ministry if you are involved in one already, thank you and please keep up the great work and stay with it! Share our story at ECOHS with others now is not a time for us to withdraw. We must continue the path that Keith helped us develop and do God s work through our many wonderful ministries! I d like to leave you with a verse that I think will help us as we begin our search process: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:6-8 God bless you, Mark Bohan
Calendar Page 3 Upcoming Events: COHI TRAINING February 2nd, 10:00 am -12:00 pm COHI CIRCLE OF LIFE February 6th, 12:00 2:00 pm SASSE February 8th, noon MEN S BREAKFAST February 9th, 8:00-10:00 am HONDURAS FUNDRAISER DINNER February 9th, 6:00-9:00 pm VESTRY MEETING February 10th, 12:30pm PASTORAL SUPPORT MTG February 21st, 10:00 11:00 am Monday AA Meeting, 12:30pm Tuesday Rosary, Noon AA Meeting, 12:30 pm Daytime EfM 12:30-3:00 pm Wednesday In Stitches, 9:00 am Contemplative Prayer, noon Weekly Schedule: Sunday Holy Eucharist, 8:30 am Eucharist, 10:45 am Thursday Bible Study, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist, noon AA Meeting, 12:30 pm Friday Church office closed Saturday The Pantry 8:00 am (last Saturday of the month) Cumming Harvest 10:00-12:00 THE PANTRY February 23rd, 8:00-9:30 am FORSYTH RACE & JUSTICE February 28th, 5:00-7:00 pm Upcoming Diocesan Events For information and events click Connecting here Sunday s Readings: February 3, 2019 Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71: 1-6 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 Luke 4:21-30 Sunday, February 10, 2019 Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13] Psalm 138 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 Luke 5:1-11
For Our Youth!!! Page 4 From the Youth Minister: For Our Youth! February 9 : Honduras Fundraiser Dinner If you are joining the away team, great! If you are home support team, plan to help prepare and serve the meal to raise funds for the LAMB institute! February 24: EYC 3:30 6:00 pm March 5th: Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper (Sign Up Genius coming soon!) Check out eycdioatl.org for Diocesan events, like EYC retreats and Happening! Blessings, Shannon David shannonldavid@bellsouth.net 678-457-0192
Parish Life Pg. 5 On Saturday, January 12th, the parish celebrated Fr. Keith and Jeff Daniels as they both were preparing to end their tenure at Holy Spirit Fr. Keith to accept a new call as Associate Rector at Christ Episcopal in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and Jeff on his retirement. We enjoyed a wonderful evening of delicious food, fellowship, remembrances, the giving of gifts and more. It was a bittersweet evening as we bid a fond farewell to two incredible men who each left a very loving mark on our parish. Fr. Keith and Lynn with the Swanson print gifted to them by the parish. Julie presenting Jeff with gift certificates to 2 organ conferences. Fr. Keith and Martha Wayt Br. Kenneth talking about the Icon he is writing for Jeff. Just some of the partygoers. The house was packed!
Parish Life Pg. 5 Sunday, January 13th marked the end of Fr. Keith s time as our rector at Holy Spirit. The Canon Rev. Canon John Bolton was on hand for the special service of The Ending of a Pastoral Relationship. We sent Fr. Keith to his new church with love, prayers and good wishes! Final prayer before Eucharist Procession with Canon Bolton The Ending of a Pastoral Relationship The Lord be with you. Farewell! So long, Fr. Keith!
ANNOUNCEMENTS Page 7 Join us on Thursdays at 10:30 for Bible Study! We are finishing up our study of Romans on February 7th and will be moving on to the following: February 14th: Spiritual Practices February 21 March 7th: The Book of Joy. A discussion between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu All are welcome! The 7th Annual Ladies Prayer Brunch Join us for a morning of Prayer, Music and Fellowship with the Rev Kathie Stasko as our speaker. Theme: Continue the Legacy What: Delicious Brunch by Cheryl Howell When: Saturday, March 2 at 10:00a.m.- 12:30 pm Where: Church Parish Hall Who: All ladies of the church Childcare provided with sign up Look for Sign Up in your email soon! Contacts: Joanie Anderton at janderton@bellsouth.net OR Beth Jones at bethbarryj@hotmail.com
OUTREACH Page 13 An Important Message from Backpacks of Love: We Need your Help! Thank you ECOHS family for your support of Backpacks of Love! We have used all of our fall food drive donations and our shelves are rather empty. Oatmeal packets, canned tuna or chicken, canned veggies and fruit are in need. Monetary donations (tax deductible) may be made to North Georgia Community Foundation, FBO Backpacks of Love, 615F Oak Street, GainEsville, GA 30501. If your employer would like to have a food drive - we can help out. Backpacks of Love works through social workers in the school systems of Fulton and Forsyth counties to provide weekend meals for food insecure and homeless children. In 2018, 18 backpack drops donated 2074 backpacks of food supporting ~250 children per drop. There are 18 schools (elementary, middle and high) served by BOL. ECOHS joins 4 sister churches: (St. Aidan s Episcopal Church, Johns Creek Baptist Church, Alpharetta First United Methodist, and Zion Missionary Baptist) with food and monetary donations to the program. Backpacks of Love is an All Volunteer organization. Check out Backpacks of Love on Facebook. Contact Lovingbackpacks@gmail.com with questions. Thank you again for your support. Backpacks of Love 2019 Delivery Schedule Backpacks are due back to the church office by 2:00 pm on these dates: 2019: Feb. 6 Feb. 20 Mar. 6 Mar. 20 Apr. 24 May 10
OUTREACH Page 14 ECOHS Outreach Ministries In Stitches: A group who practices needle arts, creating items for various charities. Blankets and hats for babies are provided to various hospitals, hats and blankets for soldiers, or those needing that extra support, as well as chemo hats for cancer patients. For info, please contact Ro Woodhead nickwoodhead@hotmail.com. Prison Ministry: This group visits the Arrendale State Prison for Women several times a year. Participants help facilitate a day for the inmates to meet with their children at the prison s Children s Center. For more information or to volunteer, contact Lucy Murray at Lumurray@bellsouth.net Or Joanie Anderton at janderton@bellsouth.net. Backpacks of Love: A ministry serving children and their families who are homeless or otherwise in severe need by providing non-perishable food items packed in backpacks and delivered to the children s schools. For more information on Backpacks of Love, contact Cathy Schlecht at cschlecht@mindspring.com. Interested in diocesan or Episcopal news and resources? Press Ctrl + Click on for. The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Subscribe to Connecting the diocesan weekly newsletter The Episcopal News Service The Pantry: This is a non-food pantry created specifically to fill a void in the local community services. The distribution for our clients is the last Saturday of every month. Ministry participants assist with both the advanced bagging of items and the monthly distribution. Sign up to help with bagging or distribution: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e044aaea72da46-2018 Church of the Common Ground: ECOHS joins the Church of the Common Ground, a spiritual community for the homeless in Atlanta, for worship outside in Woodruff Park several times a year. After worship there is time for fellowship and we pass out sack lunches prepared that morning. For more information see their website at www.churchofthecommonground.org/. For information regarding Holy spirit's participation and visits, contact Sharon Linsley at sharonlinsley@yahoo.com. Family Promise of Forsyth County: The Family Promise program helps homeless and low income families achieve sustainable independence by connecting them with people and organizations to help combat poverty and homelessness, providing food, shelter and support services. Holy Spirit is a Host Church four times a year, providing housing, hospitality, meals, and support to families. Seasonal Ministries: Angel Tree Wendy s Bears We Support: LAMB Institute Honduras Camp Mikell Emmaus House
TREASURER S REPORT Page 15
ECOHS Page 16 Staff: Cathy Schlecht, Parish Administrator/Bookkeeper Nick Bowden, Organist/Choirmaster Julie Wilson, Preschool and Children s Christian Ed Director Shannon David, Interim Youth Minister The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit 724 Pilgrim Mill Road Cumming, GA 30040 770-887-8190 ecohs@bellsouth.net 2019 Vestry: Mark Bohan Shannon Darke Chad Cartwright Peggy Bryant Russ McClelland Marina Slemmons Joanie Anderton Carmen Smith Jeanie Lipscomb Melissa Roehm Bruce Zavitz Sr. Warden/Admin/ Search Jr. Warden/Admin/Worship Building and Grounds Parish Life Youth/Search Process Outreach Evangelism/Newcomers Parish Life Children/Preschool Clerk Treasurer Visit us on the web at: www.ecohs.net