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3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
Please welcome the Reverend Jane-Allison E. Wiggin-Nettles, Associate Rector for Youth and Families, Trinity New Orleans Diocesan Youth Coordinator as our supply priest this weekend. Join us in person with the same precautions or watch via St Augustine's website or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/staugmet 8:00 am Service Bulletin 10:30am Service Bulletin A Big Congratulations Congratulations to Paula Belanger and Benjamin Sanchez for their exchange of wedding vows on Saturday. We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are so proud to share in their life story. Our prayers for continued blessings for them both. Announcement of Fr. John Lawrence's passing It is with our deepest sadness that we inform you all that Fr. John Lawrence, one of St. Augustine's former Rectors, has passed away. He was surrounded by all his loving daughters. He was preceded in death by his wife of many years, and previous parishioner as well, Waynoka Lawrence. We send our condolences and prayers to a beloved leader and family of our congregation. Calling all Drivers The Outreach Committee is looking for anyone who is interested is driving fellow parishioners to appointments. Please call or email Susan Scotton.
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 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany
Please welcome the Reverend Kit Sharp McLean from Trinity Church, New Orleans as our supply priest this weekend. Join us in person with the same precautions or watch via St Augustine's website or Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/staugmet 8:00 am Service Bulletin 10:30am Service Bulletin Welcome Fr. Brad St. Romain The Vestry of St. Augustine's is pleased to announce that the Reverend Brad St. Romain will be joining us beginning in February 2021 as our Interim Rector. Fr. Brad's first Sunday with us will be February 7, 2021 and we are looking forward to the opportunity to meet and get to know him. We do have an outdoor welcoming party being planned between the 8:00 and 10:30 services on that date. Our Vestry was quite impressed by Fr. St. Romain upon our meeting him. He is a well experienced, personable, kind, and good-humored person who is eager to get to know us as a parish and lead us through our time of transition. He understands how dear Fr. A.J. was to us and honors that. Fr. Brad grew up in River Ridge and attended Jesuit High School before earning his undergraduate degree at LSU. After managing small businesses in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Fr. Brad was hired by Raytheon Marine Company as Regional Sales Manager and later became National Sales Manager. From 1989 to 1994, Fr. Brad and his family lived in South and Central Florida and relocated to Mandeville in 1994 where his call to ordained ministry became apparent. In the fall of 2000, Fr. Brad entered Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX, where he received a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained as a Deacon by Bishop Charles Jenkins in December 2002 and ordained as a Priest in November of 2003 in Texas where he served several parishes as Priest in Charge, Associate Rector, and Rector. Fr. Brad returned to the area in late 2017 and has served as Supply Priest in the Diocese of Louisiana and in the Diocese of Mississippi while working as a Hospice Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator. His experience in Hospice work began in 2002 and remains an important part of his pastoral care ministry. Fr. Brad has three adult daughters and two grandchildren, all who remain his greatest love and reside out of state. His father, brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews, and other family members live in the area, and he enjoys getting together with them as often as possible. Living on the water in Slidell, boating, fishing, and just about any water-related activities are Fr. Brad's main hobbies. Calling all Drivers The Outreach Committee is looking for anyone who is interested is driving fellow parishioners to appointments. Please call or email Susan Scotton. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c45a5a82faafa7-kri This Sunday, December 20th!
St Nicholas Bishop of Myra is Coming to St. Augustine's! This Sunday Br. Todd Aquinas van Alstyne will join us and lead us in Morning Prayer for both the 8:00am and 10:30am services (there will be no Eucharist at these services). Both of these services will be streamed live on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet St. Nicolas Bishop of Myra will be in the courtyard for the 9:15am Christian Education hour. He will tell stories and be taking socially distant selfies for all who feel safe to come. Please remember to wear your mask! Christmas Services This year, our Christmas Eve services will take a little extra planning. Please take a moment to register and let us know if you plan to attend one of our services in person. (The 5:00 PM service will also be streamed on Facebook; if you plan to attend virtually, no registration is needed.) 5:00pm RSVP: https://forms.gle/EWX4nqK8U6fuBJe68 7:00pm RSVP: https://forms.gle/UZbD1GTqVmZrXyoa9 The vestry is also trying to gauge interest for a 9:00 AM Christmas Day Service. They'd love to hear what you think! If you'd like to offer your thoughts, 9:00am Christmas Day Survey: https://forms.gle/i2TqAbLLMeE7mzue9 Christmas Flower Offering You can help support the decoration of the church and honor a loved one by making a donation for "Christmas Flowers." Please mail a check to the office, drop it in the plate at any service, or use the link below. Thank you for honoring a loved one AND helping make our church even more beautiful for Christmas! Give Now (onrealm.org) Funeral Services for Chris Nick
It is with heartfelt sadness and Resurrection-based hope that we share the news of the death of Chris Nick. A celebration praising God for the life of Chris and the promise of the Resurrection will take place at St. Augustine's today, August 12th, at 1:00 PM. Unfortunately, safety protocols requires this to be a private service for family members. You are encouraged to offer your prayerful presence by watching live at www.facebook.com/staugmet This Sunday, December 13, 2020 This Sunday we will offer all three celebrations of the Holy Eucharist: 8:00 am Rite 1, 10:30 am Rite 2, and the Spanish Prayer Service (Virtual Only) at 12:00 pm. All of the previous precautions for in-person worship will continue: mask wearing, social distancing, contact tracing sign-in, hand sanitizing, etc. All of these services will also be available live (and later recorded) on the St. Augustine's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet You can also dial in and listen to the live broadcast by dialing (888)958-7272 and then entering these codes: 8:00 - 543414894 10:30 - 926096811 8:00am Service Bulletin 10:30 am Service Bulletin A Message from Our Vestry What Happens Next? The Vestry has heard from many of you in the congregation who want to know what will happen now that we have bid farewell to Father A.J. We are very blessed to have The Rev. Canon Shannon Manning, a good friend of St. Augustine's, leading us through this process. The Vestry has already met with her to discuss what happens next. For our worship services, we will continue at 8:00 am and 10:30 am, in person and on Facebook, for at least the next two weeks with substitute priests. Canon Manning will be the celebrant for both services on Sunday, December 13th. Brother Todd Van Alstyne will be will us for both services on Sunday, December 20th for Morning Prayer (no eucharist). Canon Manning has agreed to serve at both the 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm services scheduled for Christmas Eve. Benjamin Sanchez, our seminarian, will conduct the Spanish service online at 12:00 noon for each of those Sundays. The Vestry met with Canon Manning via Zoom on Tuesday, December 8th. She recommends as a first step finding an interim rector and recommended three candidates. We are making plans to meet with candidates, in person or via Zoom, to discuss what we need from an interim rector and what each candidate can offer. It is our hope that a decision can be made by the end of the year. Once the interim rector is in place, the Vestry and a Search Committee will begin the discernment process of finding a new permanent rector. Canon Manning told us to expect the process to take at least one year. We will update you soon as to details. In the meantime, all of us on the Vestry are here for all of you, helping each of us through this. As we are so often reminded during this pandemic, we are stronger together! Please feel free to contact anyone on the Vestry to share concerns and ideas: Susan Scotton, Susan Walpole, Susan Tramontana, Rachel Whitley, Dotty Suthon, Paula Belanger, Kathy Chiles, Dan Daly, and William Genemaras. Click Here to View This Month's TORCH Click Here to View this Month's Ministry Schedule This Sunday, December 6, 2020 Services This Sunday we will offer all three celebrations of the Holy Eucharist: 8:00 am Rite 1, 10:30 am Rite 2, and the Spanish Mass at 12:30 pm. All of the previous precautions for in-person worship will continue: mask wearing, social distancing, contact tracing sign-in, hand sanitizing, etc. All of these services will also be available live (and later recorded) on the St. Augustine's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet Please make the choice that is best for you and your family's health and safety.  You can also dial in and listen to the live broadcast by dialing (888)958-7272 and then entering these codes:
8:00 - 673137583 10:30 - 129288072 12:30 - 915218858 8:00am Service Bulletin 10:30 am Service Bulletin Abundant Love in Scarce Times - An Update on our Annual Giving Campaign As of Friday, November 20, 2020, we have 80 pledges for a total of $183,758.00 If you have not submitted your Estimate of Giving for 2021 yet, please prayerfully ask yourself, "What portion of my income is God calling me to give in gratitude for all that God has done for me?" The Vestry is beginning to build the budget for 2021 and your generous commitment is helpful and appreciated. Helpful, because that's how the Vestry can prepare our programs and ministries. Appreciated, because the Vestry will have to make phone calls if you haven't replied by Friday, Nov. 20th, and we certainly would like to avoid that! : ) Here are some links to both submit your Estimate of Giving and/or set up automatic payment: https://www.staugustinesmet.com/pledge-cards.html https://www.staugustinesmet.com/eft.html Food Distribution St. Augustine's is joining with other local Episcopal Churches to provide food to members of our community in particular need due to the combined impact of both the pandemic and the hurricane. Together we can help offset some of these losses. The food has been received and divided up into 80 boxes. The distribution will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21st at 10:00 am on a first come, first served basis. Please help spread the news and/or come and help distribute the boxes. Volunteers are needed at 9:30 am on this Saturday. This Sunday, November 22, 2020 This Sunday we will offer all three celebrations of the Holy Eucharist: 8:00 am Rite 1, 10:30 am Rite 2, and the Spanish Mass at 12:30 pm. All of the previous precautions for in-person worship will continue: mask wearing, social distancing, contact tracing sign-in, hand sanitizing, etc. All of these services will also be available live (and later recorded) on the St. Augustine's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet Please make the choice that is best for you and your family's health and safety. You can also dial in and listen to the live broadcast by dialing (888)958-7272 and then entering these codes: 8:00 - 540715945; 10:30 - 738718020; 12:30 - 916960910
8:00am Service Bulletin 10:30 am Service Bulletin Coffee Hour Has Returned (sort of)! We'll have Coffee Hour in the Courtyard immediately following the 8:00 Eucharist. We'll provide individual servings of juice and snacks. Please bring your own coffee. Adult Formation Class - Rising Strong The Adult Formation class will begin at 9:15 am. You can attend either in person or on Zoom. The Zoom link is below. We'll be discussing the book by Brene Brown, Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Brown's unique way of distilling lessons from hundreds of stories provides us with a blueprint for how to fall, get up, and try again. It's the path to wholehearted living. Topic: Formation 45: Rising Strong by Brene Brown Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85457883260 Meeting ID: 854 5788 3260 One tap mobile +13126266799,,85457883260# US (Chicago) +19294362866,,85457883260# US (New York) Morning Prayer on Thanksgiving Day Fr. AJ will lead a service of Morning Prayer on Thanksgiving Day at 9:00 am on our Facebook page. To watch, go to: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet Advent Resources Now Available Advent begins on Sunday, November 29th Living Well Through Advent 2020 booklets are now available both in the Narthex and in the Welcome and Resource Center. Published by Living Compass, the theme of this year's reflections is: "Practicing Hope with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind." The booklets are free and available in both English and Spanish. Angel Tree The Angel Tree will be returning this year. Please be on the lookout for additional details in the weeks ahead. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It has been a privilege and a joy to serve as Rector of St. Augustine's since July of 2006. Looking back, I don't know what I expected would happen in the ensuing years, but I am certain that you have given me more than I could ask or imagine. I am grateful for it all. It is this deep and abiding affection and appreciation that makes this letter difficult to write. I have accepted a call to serve as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Staunton, Virginia. My ministry there will begin on January 1, 2021. My last Sunday at St. Augustine's will be December 6, 2020. I am comforted by the knowledge that Canon Shannon Manning, in her role as Canon to the Ordinary, will shepherd you through this period of transition. In fact, in the perfection of God's timing, Canon Manning was already scheduled to be here on Sunday, December 13th . You are in good, loving, and experienced hands. And, as always, we are all in God's hands. A friend recently reminded me that the same God that called me to St. Augustine's will also call someone else to St. Augustine's. God is faithful and trustworthy. God is always making things new and moving things towards his purposes. So brothers and sisters, have no fear for tomorrow. The same God who has cared for us and blessed our shared ministry for all these years, will continue to care for us tomorrow. And my fondness and appreciation for all you have done for me, my family, and my priesthood will last forever. Peace, AJ Heine Rector Help Needed
The Episcopal Relief Fund has provided a grant for food distribution to our diocese. Pallets of food will arrive at St Augustine's tomorrow. Please join us in Byrd Hall on Tuesday evening the 17th at 6pm to sort and fill 80 boxes which we distribute on Saturday. Don't forget to wear a mask!! Coats for Those in Need Deacon Hackett is collecting coats for the neighbors in our community who are not prepared for the coming colder weather. Please check you closets for coats that you may be able to donate to those who have none. Then bring any adult-sized coats that you can spare to the St. Augustine's Welcome and Resource Center as soon as possible. Thank you! Abundant Love in Scarce Times - An Update on our Annual Giving Campaign
We broadcast the postponed All Saints-a-thon on Sunday, November 8th--a celebration of All Saints and the culmination of our Annual Giving Campaign. Thanks to all those who helped by submitting their stories and their photos; giving their help and their pledge (estimate of giving). As of Friday, November 13, 2020, we have 68 pledges for a total of $176,058.00 If you have not submitted your Estimate of Giving for 2021 yet, please prayerfully ask yourself, "What portion of my income is God calling me to give in gratitude for all that God has done for me?" The Vestry is beginning to build the budget for 2021 and your generous commitment is helpful and appreciated. Helpful, because that's how the Vestry can prepare our programs and ministries. Appreciated, because the Vestry will have to make phone calls if you haven't replied by Friday, Nov. 20th, and we certainly would like to avoid that! : ) Here are some links to both submit your Estimate of Giving and/or set up automatic payment: https://www.staugustinesmet.com/pledge-cards.html https://www.staugustinesmet.com/eft.html You can also watch the "All Saints-a-Thon" on our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet And here's a link to some videos what we didn't have time to air: https://youtu.be/4KZpzQWgXIA Thanks again to all the Saints of St. Augustine's, and all the Saints who have gone before us in faith. This Sunday, November 8 God's "Abundant Love in Scarce Times." On Sunday, Nov. 8th, St. Augustine's will broadcast an hour-long Facebook Live telethon to culminate our Annual Giving Campaign and celebrate All Saints' Day (delayed a week due to Hurricane Zeta). The broadcast will be comprised of live video, pre-recorded segments from "friends" of St. Augustine's, and music videos featuring the people and ministries of our parish. Please tune into the St. Augustine's Facebook page on Nov. 8th from 9:15 to 10:15 (and replayed from 11:30 to 12:30) for this celebration of All Saints' Day and important reminder of God's "Abundant Love in Scarce Times." Here's a link to the St. Augustine's Facebook page. Or listen live by calling (888)958-7272 at 9:15 am and entering this code: 756651412 Services This Sunday we will only offer all three celebrations of the Holy Eucharist: 8:00 am Rite 1, 10:30 am Rite 2, and the Spanish Mass at 12:30 pm. All of the previous precautions for in-person worship will continue: mask wearing, social distancing, contact tracing sign-in, hand sanitizing, etc. All of these services will also be available live (and later recorded) on the St. Augustine's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/staugmet Please make the choice that is best for you and your family's health and safety. You can also dial in and listen to the live broadcast by dialing (888)958-7272 and then entering these codes:
8:00 - 378733931 10:30 - 268405152 12:30 - 231855260 8:00am Service Bulletin 10:30 am Service Bulletin Formation 45 (Sunday School for Kids and Adults) The Christian formation class (for 6th graders through adults) will spend the first three weeks of October discussing different ways people of faith have come to understand the existence of evil. If you've ever wondered why bad things happen to good people, plan on spending three Sundays from 9:15 to 10:00 am in a Zoom conversation group, here's the link: Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76028313979?pwd=U1pWME5iRFBnempmSXp1UjJ4K1JFUT09 Meeting ID: 760 2831 3979 Passcode: f45 New on our Website-Preparing for Sunday! Access this Sunday's lectionary readings at your convenience, and then reflect and pray over them at any time. You'll find an overview, scripture backgrounds, a reflection and prayer starter to enhance your worship experience. Just click on the "Preparing for Sunday" link on our home page (Tip: We are using "Track 2"): http://www.staugustinesmet.com A BUMPER CROP FOR THE PUMPKIN PATCH Thanks to God's abundant love, beautiful pumpkins, great weather and a "crop" of dedicated volunteers, the St. Augustine's Pumpkin Patch had a record breaking year, grossing $71,000 and netting $32,000 (less a few expenses) for the church's ministries. This is more than DOUBLE what we budget for this event each year. While folks came for the pumpkins, they also left with delicious pumpkin bread ($1,500 in sales!), cute face masks ($560!), awesome jewelry ($415!) and even buying every carving kit we had ($1 465!) Thousands of people visited our Patch this year, with so many expressing appreciation for being able to come and sharing stories of their regular visits from past years. It is clear that the Patch helped the community in healing from the stresses and trials of 2020 It has perfectly illustrated for us that even in times of perceived scarcity, God pours His love out for His children and is always with us. A celebration of the success of this event would not be complete without grateful acknowledgment of the many parishioners and friends of St. Augustine's who made it possible. From the unloaders- and those who prepared the delicious hot dogs and chili which followed- to those who staffed the Patch, baked bread, contributed homemade items for sale and managed the important administrative details- so many people came together for the good of the church and the community. Well done, good and faithful servants! The St. Augustine's Pumpkin Patch will stand out as one of the comforting certainties in an otherwise uncertain time. For Sound Government, Book of Common Prayer, Page 821 O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Lord, keep this nation under your care. To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties. Give grace to your servants, O Lord. To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations. Give grace to your servants, O Lord. To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served. Give grace to your servants, O Lord. And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen. |
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