Dear friends,
This is a busy time of the year, as evidenced by this long email. Take a look; you may find things that interest you.
It is hard for me to believe that Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is a week from today. I’ll talk more about the season later, but now I remind you that our services that day are at noon and 7 p.m. The day sets the tone for the season, so I encourage you to come if you can.
If Lent begins next week, then this Sunday (the last Sunday after Epiphany) is one of the highlights of the year — our annual Jazz Eucharist, followed by a pancake breakfast. Frank Bock’s Dixieland Jazz Ensemble will join us once again. Pancakes will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share (and casseroles should be cooked at home).
We have been helping our refugee family from Myanmar, Sharif and Syukur, set up their apartment. One big thing that was needed was furniture. Thanks to Steven and Susan Hauser for donating book shelves and a desk. And thanks to those who assembled it — Joseph Henry Monti, Bruce Lafitte, and John Gimson. Those three, along with Mimi Gold and Lucy Kaltenbach, delivered the furniture and helped arrange it in the apartment. Thanks to all of you!
One of our own, Reese O’Connor, will be selling Girl Scout cookies after church on Sunday. (I’ve always thought it unfortunate that Thin Mints and Lent arrive at about the same time every year.) She will be selling those Thin Mints, along with Samoas, Tagalongs, Trefoils, and Lemon Ups, for $6 a box. You can pay with a check to Reese’s Mom, Jackie, or by Venmo or Zelle. On Sunday Reese also will be delivering cookies that have already been ordered. You may also order online at this link: https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/reese444614
Tomorrow evening (Thursday, February 8), Faith Forward Democracy will be holding A Service of Prayer for Our Nation, aimed at how people of faith may ease divisions and guide us to more peaceful grounds. Bishop Wright will be one of the leaders. The service will be at The Carter Center, Cecil B. Day Chapel, from 6:30-8 p.m. You may register here REGISTER HERE.
Finally, I wrote recently about Gregory Neal, the 12-year-old grandson of former long-time parishioner Billie Neal, who was hit by a car on the way home from school several weeks ago. Gregory suffered a severe brain injury, the extent of which is still not known. He will be hospitalized at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta for a long time. Gregory’s dad, William, says they are expecting medical costs of more than $1 million. To help with that, the Neal family has set up a way for people to make donations to help with the expenses they face. You may donate here: https://TheSweetGregoryFund.betterworld.org/donate
Hope to see you Sunday.
With love,
Tricia