As I write this, I’m anticipating the great feast, Pentecost. While this day is observed with great joy and solemnity throughout the Christian church, that is even more the case in this parish which is dedicated to the Holy Spirit.

From Father Graham

Dear Friends in Christ,

As I write this, I’m anticipating the great feast, Pentecost. While this day is observed with great joy and solemnity throughout the Christian church, that is even more the case in this parish which is dedicated to the Holy Spirit.

It has always struck me as ironic that every year we celebrate the gift of God’s Holy Spirit with all the energy and excitement that suggests and we then move into that portion of the year, the lazy days of summer, when the supposed vitality of the church is at its lowest ebb. Indeed, participation in worship, as well as other church activities, is perceived by many of the faithful as appropriately seasonal. Many folks take the summer off from church without even a seconds’ hesitation. That’s just the way things are.

Please know that I don’t hope to turn such behavior and practice around by means of this article. I simply want to remind all of you and myself as well what we are about as Christians in the first place. We are people who believe ourselves to have been called into a relationship with God and that relationship is very very important to us, so important that it cannot possibly be seasonal! Enough said?

In Christ,

Warden’s Corner

On the 12^th of May, your vestry met in executive session to further define our Original Goals and Objectives (G&Os). We have taken these broad G&Os, quantified them and made them more finite. We have not only prioritized them, but have articulated a specific timeframe within which we expect them to be started. We have set specific targets and target dates which will allow the Stewardship and Building Committees to plan accordingly. These G&Os were reaffirmed and made a matter of record during our regular meeting on May 21^st.

It is important to note that we took a great deal of time to come to agreement on these Supplemental G&Os. We worked together, listening to each other, and determined that these are in the best interest of our parish family. Each vestry person received a worksheet several days before the executive session. These worksheets contained a series of actions/projects. Each member of the vestry determined needs vs wants, what the priority was, from 1-5, and the starting time frame to begin the action/project. Then, on the 12^th, we discussed each item and came to agreement. We chose to balance our need to begin the process of searching for and hiring a new rector, with the need to get the garden and parking lot done, paint the church and bell tower, and address other needs of our parish.

Your vestry is united in these decisions and excited about being able to provide these goals and objectives. This is an ambitious program we have outlined. However, with your support, it will happen and happen soon. As an example, we plan to begin work on the garden and parking lot no later than next quarter. We intend to accomplish this in small steps, using only funds that are currently on hand. There will be plenty of opportunity for “sweat equity.” Please note that we are in no way, discarding the Master Plan. However, we decided that it was prudent to use a different course of action to accomplish the mission. We adhered to our promise to you to exercise fiscal responsibility, and at the same time, do something now.

Evan

Stewardship Update – As we approach the Doldrums

There is some really great news in the year-to-date Financials for April…1/3 of the way through 2007. Our pledge income, through April, is $1700 over budget and almost $12,000 ahead of last year! I’m sure that Easter giving played a part in this, but it’s still wonderful news and shows that we are not only Looking Forward, but Moving Forward at Holy Spirit as more people strive to kept their pledge current!

With the summer months fast approaching, and the dreaded “doldrums” that most churches experience with pledge income during this period, I wanted to highlight some things that might help our parish get through this period. We have talked a lot within the Stewardship Committee about the ability to set up automatic withdrawal for those that wish it. If you would like to do this, please contact our Treasurer, Charles McClelland, and he can help you set it up with your bank.

It occurred to me, however, that there is probably even an easier way to continue your pledge over the summer when attendance may not be as regular. Many of us already do electronic bill paying on-line. It would be very easy to set up Holy Spirit as one of your on-line payees. However, you do need an account number so Charles can recognize the payment. I checked with Charles and he indicated that all you need to do is fill out the name and address information for the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, then input your name as the account number in your on-line banking system. After that, you can make electronic payments whenever you wish. I’m going to get Holy Spirit set up as a payee in my on-line banking account and give it a try so I can use it this summer to schedule payments when we are away on vacation. I suggest that others do the same and let me know how it works.

Jay Franklin
Stewardship Chair

Family Faith Nights

 

We are very excited about the Family Faith Nights we are offering Wednesday nights during the month of June. The dates are June 6^th, June 13^th, June 20^th, and June 27^th. Our focus will be Faith in the Home: Reflecting God’s Love in our Families. Below you will find the topics for the 4 nights.

 

• June 6th Session I: Reflecting God's Love in the Family through Hospitality
• June 13th Session II: Reflecting God’s Love in the Family through Forgiveness and Acceptance
• June 20th Session III: Reflecting God’s Love in the Family through Affirmation and Accountability
• June 27th Session IV: Reflecting God’s Love through Presence

 

 

Our program will follow this schedule:

 

Dinner: 6:00 until 6:30
Opening: 6:30 until 6:50
Rotation 1: 6:55 until 7:25
Rotation 2: 7:30 until 7:55
Closing: 7:55 until 8:10/8:15

 

Please plan to attend; you do not need to be present for all four evenings. We realize this is summer and vacations are planned, this program is such that you can be present for any number of evenings. The fees are $8.00 per person per evening with a family maximum of $20.00 per evening. Registration forms are available in the breezeway between the sanctuary and the parish hall. Scholarship help is available, if needed please talk to Father Graham.

 

Julie Wilson
jwilson@msiweb.com

Men’s Breakfast

Pastoral Support

4th Annual Episcopal Softball Tournament
Break out your bats and dust off your gloves! It’s that time again! Time to register for the 4^th Annual Atlanta Diocese Episcopal Softball Tournament & Family Fun Day! Volunteers are needed to help with planning, supply acquisition, etc. Please contact Judy Narde at softball2005@bellsouth.net to join the planning team or to offer goods or services.

The tournament will be held again at Heritage Park in McDonough located at 101 Lake Dow Road, McDonough, GA 30253. This is a beautiful park with 4 adult fields, 2 playgrounds, ample parking, a walking track and a Historic Village on site! You can learn more about this park by going to http://www.co.henry.ga.us/ParksRecreation/Parks/ParksHeritage.htm.

Senior Spirits Luncheon

Our Senior Spirits luncheon in April was delicious and well attended. Many thanks to Cheryl Howell for her chef's artistry (says she's just a cook) and to all in the Pastoral Support Ministry who worked together to make this such a lovely event. Father Newell blessed our food and us with a special little talk and his presence. A very special thanks to Jeff Daniel and Michael Arens for our "Cabaret at Noonday"! Michael's singing and Jeff's playing lifted our spirits and united us in song and fun.

 

Did you know?

We can advertise many of our events for free -- yes, for free -- on the church events page of the Forsyth County News. We also have the capability to send out an electronic newsletter to advertise your events. If you want your event publicized, please send an e-mail to Janice Davis at janiceid@comcast.net. All we need is a brief description of the event and the date and time of the event.

 

Have you checkout out our Website lately?

REMEMBER YOUR YOUTH AND OURS

Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you!!

The event on May 12 was so much fun and such a success because of all that attended and donated (even if they could not attend). We had a very good meal, thanks to Carmen Smith, Lucy Woodhead, Ro Woodhead, Julie Wilson and Cheryl Howell. The tables looked great, thanks to Zack Wilson, Jay and Carol Franklin. The entertainment was sooooooo much fun, thanks to Laura Smith and Alisa Selman, the generation dancers, and Lucy Woodhead, the bass player.

The story that everyone shared about their youth was very entertaining and showed how similar, we all are no matter the age difference. Thank you to Liz Tanner, Nancy Greene and Shannon David for dressing for their generation.

As you can see we had a great time and we-the youth- will have a great Pilgrimage and Mission to New York City-Thank you again.

We will see the great Episcopal churches there; plus serve at a soup kitchen that is also run by an Episcopal church and even get in a little sight seeing.

A Special Thanks from Northside Hospital Preemie Unit

 

Dear Knitters and Other Very Talented Ladies,

 

The angel blankets are beautiful and the parents were very touched by the pattern. Boy am I happy Ro found those of you that "serge" the quilts. It is perfect and, I assume, much easier and quicker. Those of you that cut, serge and iron on the Velcro do a terrific job. Thank God for iron-Velcro! And for those that knit, crochet and whatever else, thank you for your continued dedication and support for "my" babies! Have a great summer.

 

WE WANT YOU!

To Join ECOHS Friends for some

All American Fun

At the

 

ECOHS Foyer Summer Party

ALL AMERICAN PICNIC!

 

DOVE INFO

 

TRANSFERS IN:

 

Chuck Brislin from St James’, Marietta

 

 

BIRTHS:

 

Madison Caroline White, daughter of Regan and Katie White, and granddaughter of Emory and Jeanie Lipscomb, on April 27.

 

Gresham Nicholson Allen, son of Robbie Allen and Catherine Rosborough, on May 4

 

 

ANGELS:

 

Laurie Tuttle, Julie Wilson, Ro Woodhead, Janice Davis, and Melissa Roehm for covering the office while Sarah Jane has been away!

 

 

PRAYER LIST:

 

Bill and Joan Payton, Angela Harrison, DeWitt Clemmer, Lee Clemmer, Mel and Hope Hewitt, Allison Younkins, John Wayt, Michael Polk Edwards, Mary Kay Devillier, Shelby Hope, Betsy Tanner, Tom Middlemore, Mame Leslie Harvey, Charles Dewers, Don Lanier, Lou Mobilia, Delores Arnold, Julie Ellington, Joyce and Joe Hilliard, Chuck Brislin, Marj Willoughby, Susie Tallent, Wendy Murphy.

 

We give thanks for healing begun and continuing in Marjorie Burnhauser, William Brewer, and Susan Bradbury.

 

We pray for expectant parents: Brandon and Kristen Schofield; Greg and Valerie Sylvester, Sam and Fiona Norris, Matt & Shannon David.

 

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

 

 

BIRTHDAYS: