Welcome to St. Bede's E-News!
We hope that this weekly offering will keep you up-to-date
on the latest information from the parish
and from around the Diocese of Atlanta and wider Church.
Our e-newsletters are now being archived on our website.
at the top of the home page to find past newsletters.
The deadline for submission to the E-Newsletter each week is Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
Please send your submissions ready to go into the newsletter,
text and images attached in an email to the Parish Administrator.
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In Person and Online Worship
for Sunday, December 19, 2021
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Join us for
Worship Together in the Nave
at 10 am on
Sunday, December 19, 2021
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Masks continue to be required
whenever in the building.
The 10 am liturgy is now being steamed live
from the Nave on
5 pm - Worship in the Nave (in Spanish)
Registration is required.
Please email The Rev'd Fabio Sotelo
(fsotelo@stbedes.org)
if you would like to attend.
Masks are required.
_____________________
Information about how to join
any other Sunday offerings on Zoom
will be sent out in a separate email
by Saturday afternoon.
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Decorating the Parish Christmas Tree
The whole parish is invited to join
in decorating the Christmas tree in the Commons
as you arrive for worship this Sunday!
As you arrive for worship (either at 10 am or 5 pm) on Sunday, December 19, members of the Flower Guild will have ornaments ready at a table near the entrance doors for you to pick up and hang on a branch of the tree as you walk by on your way into worship. Ornaments will be ready to pick up as early as 9:30 am and 4:30 pm before the two worship services. You are also welcome to bring an ornament from home or create an ornament to donate to the tree decoration.
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Please join us for any of the following special worship offerings for Christmas:
Friday, December 24 at 4 pm
Christmas Eve Worship (in English)
with Carols & Festive Music
Friday, December 24 at 7 pm
Christmas Eve Worship (in English)
with Carols & Choir
Saturday, December 25 at 1 pm
Christmas Day Santa Eucaristía (in Spanish)
Sunday, December 26 at 10 am
Christmas Lessons & Carols (in English)
(Registration for Sunday worship will be sent out on Wednesday, as usual.)
An email with registration links
for the two Christmas Eve liturgies
will be sent out
on Monday, December 20 at Noon.
In the interest of keeping everyone who attends healthy and safe we are hoping to spread attendance evenly over the two Christmas Eve liturgies with no more than around a hundred people attending each service.
It is our plan to livestream
each of these offerings
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Christmas Offering
to St. Bede's
As you prepare to celebrate Christmas this year,
please remember St. Bede's
on your Christmas list
and consider making a Christmas offering
to support the ongoing
mission and ministries of the parish.
or you may mail your offering
or drop it off in St. Bedes' secure mailbox
at the Midvale Road entrance.
You may also use this link to keep current
on your 2021 pledge or to make any other
gifts or offerings to St. Bede's online.
If you would like information about
end-of-the-year gifts of securities
or other types of charitable distributions,
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The 2022 Annual Pledge Campaign
for St. Bede's
THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all who have already
prayerfully considered and returned
your 2022 pledge of financial support to St. Bede's.
As of December 16, we have received pledges
from sixty-six folks/families totaling $330,000.
If you have not already made a financial pledge
to support St. Bede's for 2022,
we hope that you will prayerfully consider
your pledge to St. Bede's
and return your pledge card
or use the link below to pledge online.
If your pledge packet never arrived in the mail,
please call or email the church office
and we will get one sent out to you as soon as possible.
Thank You!
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Christmas Flower
& Music Dedications
If you would like to make a special dedication of Christmas flowers or music in memory or thanksgiving for someone, you may pick up a "Christmas Flower and Music Envelope" in the Commons or contact Muriel Diguette in the office. Please have all names for these dedications submitted to Muriel by Monday, December 20 at Noon in order to be included in the Christmas bulletins.
...and Flowers to Share
Our wonderful Flower Guild is also working to make up several dozen small Christmas mini-arrangements. You will be able to pick one up and deliver it to another St. Bede's parishioner who might need a little extra Christmas joy.
These flower will be available the fourth week of Advent for delivery prior to Christmas.
If you would like to deliver a mini-arrangement to another parishioner, you can contact Muriel Diguette and she can help connect you with a parishioner who might enjoy having one delivered.
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Baby Jesus Baskets
During the seasons of Advent & Christmas, we will be filling baskets with donations to help homeless new mothers in need. Baskets will be in the Commons by the Christmas tree until Epiphany.
The most needed items are:
New children’s clothing, sizes newborn to 12 months
Unscented Baby Wipes
Baby Soap for sensitive skin
Baby Lotion for sensitive skin
Other items needed:
Enfamil Ready to Feed Gentlease Formula
Enfamil Ready to Feed Prosobee Formula
Enfamil Ready to Feed Infant Formula
Boys Pull-Ups (size 3T/4T and 4T/5T)
Girls Pull-Ups (size 3T/4T and 4T/5T)
Diapers (size 4, 5 and 6)
Sippy Cups (hard/soft tips)
Bottles (new with nipples)
Sorry, no stuffed or used toys.
Deadline for donations is January 9th.
Donations will go to Our House shelter. For information about their mission and programs, visit https://ourhousega.org/.
Thank you for your support!
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HOLIDAY BAKE SALE A HUGE SUCCESS!
A big thanks to all bakers, workers, and shoppers for contributing to the success of the Holiday Bake Sale. As always, the baked goods and casseroles were plentiful, beautiful and delicious. We were pleased to welcome shoppers from the surrounding community as well as parishioners. Our “Christmas Shop” was fun to sort through and we heard there were lots of treasures on those tables that folks found they couldn’t live without. The many puzzles available found good homes! Anything left unsold will remain on the tables in the Commons this Sunday and if you see something you like, please help yourself. We will pack up what is left and donate the items. Thanks to the generosity of our parish and our neighbors we made over $1,400.00. Thank you for making this sale such a success.
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On the first and third Sundays of the month, (weather permitting) we will meet and explore God's creation together from 11:30-1:30. The locations will vary, but will be nearby and will be announced no less than a week ahead of time. On the second and fourth Sundays of the month, (again weather permitting), we will meet outdoors at St. Bede's (please bring a chair if you can) and catch up before the 10 o'clock service.
The expectation is that each of you will bring and wear your mask while you are present at youth group events, even while you are outside if you are in close proximity to each other (within 3 feet of one another) unless you are from the same household.
(Please note that all of these opportunities are intentionally planned to be outdoors to be as safe as possible, so if the weather is inclement then we will not meet.)
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Family Ministries Micropractice
Join our households with birth-elementary aged children in this simple intentional practice as we bring our learning from the lectionary into our everyday lives.
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Gathering Going Forward
Guidance for Parish Activities
Your Gathering Going Forward Group continues to affirm that our current protocols and mitigation strategies are strong and will allow for us to continue meeting in-person, inside for worship. With that said, we ask everyone to please be vigilant about the protocols and expectations that the group has for our time together when we gather – in particular:
Wear a mask whenever you are in the building
Visit with St. Bede’s friends outside before and after worship
where ventilation is better
Honor distance around other people
Claim a seat for worship when you arrive
and try to stay close to it throughout your time there
The Gathering Going Forward Group continues to encourage all eligible St. Bede’s parishioners to get vaccinated and keep up-to-date with 3rd doses (for the immunocompromised) and boosters - which have now been authorized for all adults. We would love to be a parish that models Christ’s call to love our neighbors and the most vulnerable among us by being a community that is as fully vaccinated as it can be.
Please remember that the Delta and emerging Omicron variants of the COVID-19 virus spread more aggressively and can be spread by both unvaccinated and vaccinated people (even if they do not know that they are transmitting the virus and have no symptoms themselves). Vaccination is the best and most effective mitigation strategy and even it should still be combined with secondary layers of protection such as masking when indoors or keeping appropriate distance when outdoors.
SO REMEMBER:
GET VACCINATED - AND BOOSTED!
(as you are eligible and able)
WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC
(even if you are vaccinated)
KEEP WASHING YOUR HANDS
SOCIALLY DISTANCE AROUND OTHERS
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Healing Our Racism
Book Discussion Group
Monday, January 24.
Meeting Time:
4th Monday of each month at 2:00 pm
on ZOOM
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Proposer Together
by Heather McGhee
Heather McGhee’s specialty is the American economy—and the mystery of why it so often fails the American public. From the financial crisis of 2008 to rising student debt to collapsing public infrastructure, she found a root problem: racism in our politics and policymaking. But not just in the most obvious indignities for people of color. Racism has costs for white people, too. It is the common denominator of our most vexing public problems, the core dysfunction of our democracy and constitutive of the spiritual and moral crises that grip us all. But how did this happen? And is there a way out?
Please join Muriel Diguette and other members/friends of St. Bede's to discuss current books pertaining to the issues of racism and white privilege.
We will meet the 4th Monday of each month at 2:00 pm.
If you want to go ahead and order books for future discussions:
See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Race Matters by Cornell West
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
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Mostly Mysteries Book Group
January 24th at 7pm on Zoom
Meeting Time:
4th Monday of each month at 7:00 pm
on ZOOM
The Mostly Mysteries Book Group is continuing to meet on Zoom. If you would like to take part, please contact Connie Coralli and she will send you the link.
The January selection will be announced soon.
If you are interested in receiving the Zoom link, please email Connie Coralli
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St. Bede's Prayer List
Prayers have been requested for:
Joy Sims, daughter of Nina Daniel
Jack Raymer & Ginnie Ferrell
Fran Snider
Myles Metcalf, nephew of Susan Reef
Carmen Graciaa, friend of Laura Martin
Jim Poulos, husband of Carol Kempker
Helen Abraham
Mac Thigpen
Fay Key
Lisa Maloof, daughter in law of Anita Maloof
Kevin Maloof, son of Anita Maloof
Donareen Oakley
Larry Bing
Bill Edgar, father of Beth Cannon
Sarra David
Rosalene Larson, mother-in-law of Michael Daniel
Aree Bancroft
Laura Ribas
Jane Wiggins
Hilda Bell
Willie Diaz
Tim Waring
Peggy Allen, mother of Lisa Main
Ray Lampros
Maggie Williams
Mary Rodriguez
Hollis Pickett
Margie Klein, mother of Jody Klein
Lynn Edgar, mother of Beth Cannon
Nancy Waring
Kerry Penney
Andy Matia, friend of Ann Foote
Jim Ohl
Frances Bowen
Max Carpenter, grandson of Sarra David
Judy Penney, sister-in-law of Kerry Penney
Sydney Lund
Ann Foote
Cameron Maddox
For those who have died:
Mary Maitland Kimball, sister of Jan Swoope
Charles McDonald, father-in-law of Carmie McDonald
Arlene Means, sister of Larry Bing
Mary DeMarco, friend of Nancy Bruce
Richard Hollahan, friend of Susan Reef
We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week:
12/19: Joset Medina
12/22: Ted Walden
12/22: Luis Cuellar
12/23: Edwin Blanco
12/23: Alexis Patino
12/24: Lois Shingler
12/24: Maria Limon
12/25: Daniela Nava-Palma
We also celebrate
with Nicolas Caceras
who graduated
from the University of Alabama
last weekend.
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Community Emergency
Assistance Fund
In addition to all of the wonderful ways that the Community Engagement Team is leading us in supporting community ministry partners (locally, churchwide, and globally) during this critical time, the Vestry has established a Community Emergency Assistance Fund to help people within the greater St. Bede's community with food assistance during the current public health crisis. This fund will be administered confidentially by the clergy in a similar way as their normal discretionary funds, but will be used exclusively to help with food assistance during this crisis.
We have collected around $10,500 and distributed over $8,000 in assistance though food and utility support for individuals and families so far during the current public health crisis. The current balance of the fund stands at around $2,600 and new needs continue to present themselves. A dedicated group of members work with Fabio to help identify need and deliver food. Thank you to all who have contributed!
If you have questions about this offering to the greater St. Bede's community or if you are in need of food assistance or know someone who is, please contact either the Rev'd Caroline Magee or the Rev'd Fabio Sotelo.
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Your Amazon purchases can support St. Bede's
through Amazon Smile
If you shop on Amazon, consider accessing Amazon through
and designating St. Bede's as your charitable beneficiary.
To find St. Bede's in the beneficiary list,
you must search for "St Bedes Episcopal Church"
(without the apostrophe)
and choose the one located in Atlanta.
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From around the Diocese
and the wider Church...
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Pathways
the magazine of the Diocese of Atlanta
The new Pathways is now available online! Through original photography, articles, and interviews, Pathways shares inspiring stories from Middle and North Georgia — examples of spiritual growth.
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Bishop Wright's Weekly Podcast
Did you know that Bishop Rob Wright has a weekly podcast? You can take a spiritual "deep dive" each week with Bishop Wright and his special guests and grow deeper in faith and understanding as you listen and learn.
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Support the Cathedral Book Store.
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Episcopal Relief & Development Tornado Relief in
Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee
December 13, 2021
Episcopal Relief & Development is in contact with Episcopal dioceses in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee in response to the devastating tornadoes that struck this past weekend.
A line of severe weather spread across the central US late Friday evening, December 10 through early Saturday morning, December 11. The storms created over 50 tornadoes, including one with a 200-mile long path through Kentucky. At least four EF-3 and five EF-2 tornadoes had been confirmed in Missouri and Illinois. EF-3 tornadoes are considered severe with estimated wind speeds of 158-206 mph. Rescue efforts are underway to locate missing people and the full extent of the damage is unknown at this time. As of Monday morning, at least 26,000 homes in Kentucky are without power.
“We are in contact with Episcopal dioceses in the affected areas,” said Katie Mears, Senior Director, US Disaster Program, Episcopal Relief & Development. “Our partners are assessing the needs in their communities created by the storms. We stand ready to assist in the coming days and weeks.”
Please pray for the people impacted by the deadly tornadoes. Donations to the US Disaster Fund will support Episcopal Relief & Development and its partners as they respond. For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.
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Several St. Bede's regulars subscribe to-and like! - these e-publications. To stay up to date on activities throughout the Diocese of Atlanta, sign up for the e-newsletter, Connecting.
You can also sign up to receive For Faith, which is a weekly devotional podcast from Bishop Rob Wright sent by email on Fridays. To sign up for either or both, click here
Quick Links
To schedule events, please contact our
Muriel Diguette
For the weekly lectionary readings visit:
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