This Sunday there is a combined service for our congregation at 9:00 am, to be followed by the Annual Parish Meeting and then a great pot luck luncheon. Sharron Lewis-Watts, Parish Administrator asked me if 125 bulletins would be enough for the service. After a quick moment of thought, I said I would be ecstatic to see that many people on Sunday! I told her some members of the congregation avoid the Annual Parish Meeting Sunday as if they were going to have their tonsils out without anesthesia. Seriously, though, I encourage every member of the congregation to come and participate, not only in the Liturgy, but the meeting and festive meal afterwards. Your presence makes a big difference in the quality of our corporate life and the Annual Parish Meeting is “the business” meeting for us with the election of new Vestry leaders and various reports from ministry and program groups printed in the meeting brochure. It is also one of the opportunities I have to say thank you to retiring Vestry members and other congregational leaders and staff.

 I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Peace in Christ.   Fr Williams +

Announcements

 The Annual Parish Meeting is this Sunday, January 29th. There is only one service on that day.  It will be held at 9 a.m., followed by the Annual Meeting  that will begin at 10:30am and conclude with a pot-luck lunch.

The Vestry Nominating Committee has submitted the following names for election to the Vestry; four to be elected for a three year term and one for a two year term vacated by Kevin Powers who moved away. The candidate names are: Stephen Cleantis, Dave DeMent, Ron Dixon, Bill Eldon, Malcolm Finney, Kevin McEwen, Susan Mora,  Alice O’Keefe and Matt Olsen. This is an excellent slate of candidates and all deserve a good prayer as they stand for election to your Vestry at the Annual Parish Meeting.  

The New Year is a good time to update your Will and Estate Planning documents. It is my sincere wish that you remember St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church with a financial gift in your Will or Estate Plan. Gifts we have received in the past have enabled us to purchase a new organ and provide earthquake retro-fits to our church and parish hall buildings among other programs and projects. Rachel and I have remembered St. Gregory’s in our Estate Trust and we invite you to join us in this way.  

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WEEKLY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 St. Gregory’s Annual Meeting  will be held on  January 29, 2012

 9:00 AM-Holy Eucharist                                             10:30 AM-Annual Meeting
(combined service)                                                        and Pot Luck Luncheon

 Parish Life will provide the Fried Chicken.  Please bring a dish to share according to the first initial of your last name:

A- G Side Dishes                       H-P Salads                        Q-Z Desserts

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Rummage Sale

For everyone who is packing up holiday items and/or looking forward to spring housecleaning -  The Parish Rummage/Plant Sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2012.  So, please put aside any treasures for that or for Holly Faire, later in the year.

Warning!  We have been advised by an unnamed Rector that there is absolutely no storage space at St. Gregory’s.  So, please do not deliver treasures until we tell you that it’s safe!