Is this an upbeat joyful service? No, it isn’t. Christianity is not a cafeteria-style religion meaning that we take only what we like or what feels comfortable. As disturbing as it may be, the Passion of our Lord must be considered and the Way of the Cross is one of the Lenten devotions that furthers such consideration.

From Father Graham

As I write this some of you are creating Stations of the Cross which will be placed around the interior walls of the church. The Way of the Cross is a moving devotional activity during which the congregation actually moves from one station to another. At each of the twelve stations, we remember some part of our dear Lord’s journey through the streets of Jerusalem and finally, his crucifixion.

Is this an upbeat joyful service? No, it isn’t. Christianity is not a cafeteria-style religion meaning that we take only what we like or what feels comfortable. As disturbing as it may be, the Passion of our Lord must be considered and the Way of the Cross is one of the Lenten devotions that furthers such consideration.

When I agreed to become priest-in-charge of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, I told the Vestry that mine would be a back to basics approach. Congregations in transition often become spiritually depleted thanks to everything that’s going on and there is a definite need for a reconnection with the fundamentals of our faith. Observing a holy Lent is one such fundamental. I want this to be a Lent characterized by real spiritual growth on the part of all of us.

Our Lenten Family Evenings promise a wonderful intergenerational experience of everyone helping to prepare young children for Holy Communion and all learning and growing in the process.

The many other worship opportunities offered during Lent including the Way of the Cross have meaning only if there is participation on your part. Please decide now to commit to these services. The pay-off will be an especially glorious Easter because you will know that, in some sense, you have walked the Way of the Cross.

In Christ,

THE VESTRY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT -- GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 2007

LOOKING FORWARD IN FAITH

GOD WILLING:

First, the Vestry is committed to ensuring that Holy Spirit is a place of spiritual nourishment that is inclusive, harmonious and respectful of all members -- collectively and individually. We will keep our doors open to welcome all who seek fellowship with God.

- We will improve the worship atmosphere to include pre-service quiet and facilities.

Second, the Vestry will be good stewards of this community by doing the following:

1) Reinvigorating our youth programs by:

- Continuing to integrate our children and teenagers into our worship services

- Supporting and building our Sunday School

- Finding and supporting adult leaders for our youth groups

2) Preparing and staying within a disciplined financial budget and improving the financial health of Holy Spirit by:

- Eliminating deficit spending

- Rebuilding our reserves

- Promoting an increase of parish annual giving

3) Continuing to empower and support ministry committees to take the initiative in their activities.

4) Working with the Building and Grounds Committee to develop a prioritized list of projects that must and can be undertaken in 2007.

5) Ensuring the continuing vitality of the church as we transition to new pastoral leadership by engaging the congregation in deliberate dialogue regarding barriers to growth.

Stewardship Update – making it continuous

Previously in this column I have written about making our Stewardship efforts a more continuous year round program. Back in August I attended a workshop at the cathedral where some principles of a year round Stewardship program were presented. These included:

Ø Develop a vision statement for the program

Ø Set goals to be accomplished over a three-year period

Ø Less than one-third of the goals should involve financial commitment

Ø Do not keep either the vision or the goals secret

Ø Review your three-year plan annually

Ø Use what you have…look for opportunities to incorporate existing themes and activities

Obviously our goals will need to be reviewed and approved by the Vestry to make sure they fit with the overall mission of our parish. As a Stewardship Committee we will now begin following these principles as we develop some goals around our vision…Looking Forward in Faith. Speaking of “Faith”, I liked the definition that Father Newell gave in a sermon a few weeks ago:

“Faith is not knowing where you are going, but going there anyway.” – Fr. Newell Graham

That sort of describes where Holy Spirit is right now in our journey. Stay tuned as our vision becomes clear and our goals are set.

Jay Franklin

Men’s Breakfast - Saturday, March 10th at 8:30 AM 

We had a good sized crowd of 17 men of the parish at the February breakfast. Please plan to attend the next men’s breakfast on Saturday, March 10th and enjoy some good fellowship.  A sign-up sheet is located on the door as you enter the parish hall. Also, please let me know if these articles need to go to anyone else that is now involved with getting the Dove out.

 Thanks,

 Jay C Franklin

Easter Services Schedule:   

April 1 - Palm Sunday:  

	8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

 April 5 - Maundy Thursday:

	7:00 p.m. Celebration of the institution of the Holy Eucharist, Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar

  April 6 - Good Friday

 	Noon - Stations of the Cross

 	7:00 p.m. - Good Friday Liturgy

 April 8 - Easter Sunday

	6:30 a.m. - Easter Vigil and Baptism

	8:00 a.m. - Breakfast

	10:00 a.m. - Egg Hunt

	10:45 a.m. - Easter Service

From Greg Tallant

Emily and I have great news.  I have been offered and have accepted a position as curate at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Rome, GA.  The rector there, Roger Ard, is a former interim rector at Holy Spirit, and he 

baptized our oldest son Andrew.  Roger and I met over Christmas break, and Emily, the boys, and I flew down last week to visit as a family.  We are very excited and believe this is a wonderful opportunity to serve the church, to learn more about ordained ministry, and to live in a wonderful town and a loving parish.  We'll know more details as the year progresses but for now we're just rejoicing in having this opportunity and enjoying our last  semester in New York City.

 We look forward to seeing you all whenever we get home again.  It was a wonderful gift to be with you all at Christmas and to get to serve as deacon and preacher.

 Come see us!

 Peace,

Greg

Children's Sunday School: 

 Please remember that we have a children's Sunday School Program downstairs and we are starting a new rotation that is focusing on the Miracles of Jesus.  We start at 9:30 AM and are over by 10:30 AM.   Please bring your children and their friends. The more the merrier! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call Julie Wilson. 

770-886-6828 jwilson@msiweb.com

Christian Education:

 As we continue our journey in understanding, our Sunday Adult Education agenda continues to develop.  Here's the current schedule:

 	Feb. 4th - Discussion & conclusion of 3 Faiths - Judaism, Islam & Christianity

	Feb. 11th - Roman Catholic

	Feb. 18th - Roman Catholic

	Feb. 25th - Parish Retreat - no Sunday School

	Mar. 4th - Ukrainian Orthodox

	Mar. 11th - Ukrainian Orthodox

	Mar 18th – Islam 101

	Mar. 25th – Women and Islam.

	Apr. 1st - Palm Sunday - no Sunday School

	Apr. 8th - Easter - no Sunday School

	Apr. 15th - We are in the process of scheduling an Islamic speaker for this date.

-Rest of schedule to be determined.  Classes will focus on an understanding of Christian Religions.

THE THURSDAY MORNING FAITH GROUP

Vestry “Go To” Liaison List:

Need to know who to “go to”? We want to make it easier to communicate. Keep this list for future reference!

Admin,/Personnel: Primary – Evan Fournaris  Alternate – Donna Kukarola

Finance: Primary – Donna Kukarola  Alternate – Evan Fournaris

Worship: Primary – Chad Cartwright   Alternates – Janice Davis & Sam Edwards

Evangelism: Primary – Janice Davis  Alternate – Donna Kukarola

Education: Primary – Chris Kennedy  Alternate – Carol Franklin

Buildings & Grounds: Primary – Carol Franklin Alternate – Evan Fournaris

Parish Life: Primary – Kathy Gibson Alternates: Norm Goeltz & Sam Edwards

DOVE INFO

TRANSFERS IN:                    

-Harry B. Neal Jr. from Holy Innocents, Atlanta

-Louis & Josephine H. Mobilafrom St. Margaret's, 

                    Miami Lakes, Florida

-Margo Simpson from St. Margaret's, Carrollton, Georgia

-Debbie Dipoeto from St. Augustine of Canterbury,          Morrow, Georgia

-Carol Moses, from The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta

-Dagmar Marshall from the Catholic Church

TRANSFER OUT:                   

-Bill and Patricia Ratcliffe to Holy Comforter, 

                    Burlington, NC

-Nancy Carithers to Grace Episcopal, Gainesville

ANGELS:                               

-Janice Davis and Julie Wilson for helping in the office 

PRAYER LIST:                       

-Bill and Joan Payton, Carl Camp, Carol Franklin, Sarah Lipscomb, Heather Story, Kenneth Tuggle, Jeff Joyner, Israel Ramsey, Emory Lipscomb, Christine Barnett,                                                      Angela Harrison DeWitt Clemmer, Lee Clemmer, Mel and Hope Hewitt, Edith Bley, Tom Gibson, Allison Younkins, Reagan Carson, Marjorie Burnhauser, William Brewer.

 We give thanks for healing begun and continuing in Buddy Murphy, Doug Manheim, James and Virginia Williamson, Frank Danowski, Seth Wynn, Linda McCormick.

We pray for expectant parents, Craig and Jennifer Schmidt; Regan and Katie White; Brandon & Kristen Schofield. Catherine Rosborough and Robbie Allen.

 We pray for all soldiers and civilians alike who risk their lives for freedom and peace in Iraq and Afghanistan. And especially for Matthew Killcreas and the 82  Airborne Division serving in Iraq.

 BIRTHDAYS:              

Pat Gill, Sarah Lipscomb, Barbie Rodgers, David Smith, Robert Allen, Savanna Allen, Patrick Markey, Matthew Roberts, Midge Printz, Mark Williams, Russell Jackson, Gloria Sylvester, Roy Freeman, Norman Goeltz, David Jennings, Frances Pickering, Brynna Parrish, Melissa Roehm, Putnam Smith, Jan Cahoon, Kathy Mello, Justin Jackson, Megan Twilley, John Ellis, Sierra Ferrell

DEATHS:                                

-Dr. Irving Dreibrodt, father of Joan Anderton, who died on January 22, 2007

-Shirley King, friend of Blair & Joanie Anderton's

OUT REACH

The Outreach Committee and Parish Life are sponsoring a cookie baking event. We invite all members of our church to bake cookies and bring them to the Parish Hall on Tuesday, March 13 at 7 pm. We will meet to package the cookies. We will send the cookies to soldiers in outlying locations in Iraq. We hope they will arrive by Easter. Our goal is to send 100 dozen cookies. We ask that you bring any type of cookie you want to make, but ask that you do not bring any cookies with chocolate chips, as these will melt. If you have any questions, please call Carmen Smith at 770-887-4460. Thank you.

Carmen

OTHER OUT REACH NEWS

In January 93 families were served by the Outreach Pantry.

Pantry Angels for the month of January are: Liz & Bruce Tanner, Trudie and Todd Berry.