DOCSLIB.ORG

OUR PARISH PROFILE St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
OUR PARISH PROFILE St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church OUR PARISH PROFILE St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church 3321 Wheeler Road Augusta, GA 30909 706-738-6676 www.staugustinesaugust.wix.com The Mission of St. Augustine’s We are a loving community, welcoming all people, serving others in the power of the risen Christ! We begin a journey of faith, seeking a new rector… In constant prayer “Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN” Our Current Status… Our vestry members are continually in touch with individual parishioners through our shepherding program and provide opportunities for the parishioners to express their realities and aspirations regarding the parish and feel that these contributions provided an accurate and complete self-evaluation of our present status as of 2015. A summary of these results showed the following: Our parish community is truly warm and welcoming and that we deeply care for each other. The diversity of our people and the welcoming family atmosphere contribute to this strong sense of community. We desire to strengthen our outreach ministries, youth programs, and youth involvement in the parish. Our congregational life together (weekly worship, spiritual formation opportunities, fellowship at holidays, etc.) has been strengthened and we want it to continue to expand. We have many gifts (parishioner talents and physical space) to willingly share with our community and desire a stronger presence in the community.. Our efforts to improve printed and digital communication are noteworthy such as our weekly newsletter, The Canterbury Tales, and our enhanced website. We have sustained strong leadership through our vestry, deacons, and staff. The hopes for the future are universal---bustling with growth, adding new families, and increased outreach opportunities! We seek a rector who… brings a diverse background of experiences to draw upon in order to help St Augustine's grow; delights in the diversity of our parishioners; works collaboratively and cooperatively with all to articulate and achieve a clear vision for the parish; will effectively shepherd and support our children and youth; values active pastoral care with deep involvement in the lives of parishioners; and encourages the parishioners to utilize their talents and gifts to lead within the congregation and community. 2 We Worship Together Sunday Mornings 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I This service is a quiet, intimate liturgy of Word and Sacrament. This service is held in the sanctuary for a small group of loyal participants. 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 2 The main morning service is a joyful celebration of the Eucharistic rite according to the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. Organ, piano and other instruments accompany congregational and choral song, as we "lift up our hearts" to God. This service lasts about one hour and is followed by fellowship in the parish hall with coffee and refreshments. A nursery is staffed by a trained childcare provider for children under five although children of all ages are welcome in the worship service. Average attendance weekly is about one hundred parishioners. Wednesdays 12:00 noon Healing Eucharist This service is held in St. Brigid’s Chapel. The service includes the Litany of Healing and the celebration of Holy Communion. Anointing and the Laying on of Hands are offered in the context of the service. Noon Day Prayer On Tuesdays and Thursdays during the Lenten season, we offer prayers and intercessions at noon in St. Brigid's Chapel. The Prayer Book service of Noonday Prayer lasts less than 30 minutes, and is led by members of the St. Augustine's congregation. Holy Day Services Holy day services are held on appropriate special days especially during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Holy day services typically use Rite II and incense, usually during Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Two Christmas services are usually scheduled, a traditional afternoon Eucharist with a children’s pageant at 4:00 p.m. followed by a mass with Holy Eucharist and Music at 10:30 p.m. Our Organization St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Augusta, Georgia, is a church of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia under the leadership of The Right Reverend Scott A. Benhase. This diocese serves the southeastern part of Georgia and the office is located at 611 E Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401 · (912) 236-4279. We are a member of the Augusta Convocation of which the Very Rev. Billy Alford serves as dean. 3 The Clergy St. Augustine’s is presently searching for a new rector. The Rev. Dr. Talmadge Bowden, Jr., is serving as priest-in-charge as we search for a new rector. St. Augustine’s is blessed to have two deacons who preach, teach, and assist in providing pastoral care to our congregation. The service of the deacon is very important in the life of our church. The Vestry St. Augustine’s vestry comprises nine parishioners elected for staggered three-year terms. This body supervises parish governance and provides leadership for the church’s various organizations through its standing committees. The Staff Our parish is supported by several part-time staff members: parish secretary and office assistant, parish administrator, music director, sextons, and nursery attendant; and a volunteer disbursing treasurer and chancellor. Lay persons from the congregation provide volunteer leadership to all parish ministries. Opportunities for Ministries for Lay Persons Worship and Liturgy Two lay ministers, at least one deacon, and a team of acolytes assist with the 10:30 a.m. service. Worship is enhanced by the preparations of an active and experienced Altar Guild who meet annually to discuss various service related items and for spiritual direction. Acolytes are an important part of our Rite II services. The 8:00 a. m. Eucharist is supported by a priest server. The 10:30 a.m. service normally has candle bearers and a crucifer in addition to a server. All young people in grades three through twelve are invited to serve as acolytes. Lay ministers are assigned to the 10:30 a.m. service to read the lessons, prayers of the people, and to bear the chalice. Lay Eucharistic ministers take communion weekly to individuals unable to attend church. Ushers promote hospitality and assistance at every service. Sanctus bells are used and there is a unique ringing of the outside courtyard bell from the altar area after the blessing of our Lord’s body and blood during both services. 4 Music Music in our Sunday liturgy reflects the richness of resources available to us in the Episcopal Anglican tradition. We enjoy musical selections from the great church music composers. Our Mohler pipe organ is most often used to lead our hymns, chants, and service music, but we also have wonderful hand bells and a few volunteer musicians to accompany our congregations’ prayer and praise. Spiritual Formation The promises we make in our Baptismal Covenant are reminders that we are not yet perfect, that we are called to move deeper in our faith and make a difference in our world. Christian formation is the lifelong process of growing in our relationship with God, self, others, and all creation. Spiritual formation classes are held for all ages every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. A lay person provides lessons for children that are fun and interactive. The theme for the 2015-2016 school year is "the big story of the Bible." We explore it through acting, singing, drawing, and other lively methods. Adult classes are offered by the clergy and lay people on a variety of themes, including Bible and book study as well as current events in light of the gospel, using Bishop Benhase’s weekly reflections as a starting point. Special programs are offered during Lent and Advent. Intergenerational lessons are often provided for the congregation around major liturgical days. A one-week Vacation Bible School is usually offered during the summer. Our parish hosts Education for Ministry (EfM) on Tuesday evenings throughout the school year. EfM is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study and practice. The EfM program is preparation for the ministry to which we all are called. It is that vocation for which we pray at the end of the Eucharist: "And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord." Youth Episcopal Young Churchpersons (EYC) for youth in grades 6-12 meets most Sunday nights. Our meetings emphasize fun, faith and friends, usually with a little food added to keep our engines going! We provide a variety of opportunities and experiences to draw teens into active, responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the faith community and the greater church. The youth play games, explore scripture and its application to daily life, pray together, 5 and have a great time getting to know one another and God. Our young people participate in convocational and diocesan events and enjoy Christian fellowship in a lot of fun ways! Young Adults Members of our parish are actively involved in the leadership and development of Columba House Augusta, an intentional living community for young adults sponsored by the Diocese of Georgia. Columba House Augusta currently offers space for young adults to meet on Tuesday and Thursday nights to explore how their faith intersects with their daily lives. Morning Prayer is held weekday mornings at 7 am. Outreach Our parish responds to the needs of others financially and through service.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Directions to Augusta Georgia from This Location
    Directions To Augusta Georgia From This Location Otes breakaway her aparejos rampantly, giggliest and denticulate. Ari elbow confessedly. Hair-raising Quiggly still timbers: physicochemical and amerciable Godfrey apprizes quite shufflingly but symmetrised her kalis after. Not designed for this location to get an order to the places with a great staff that offer access maps of lane North augusta convention center have to this location type of cardiology in is located beside olde town inn. From whom our office transfer the the fifth building space the daughter, just after and next and to press Center and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The Boardman Athletic Center resolve the athletic fields are located at the oversight of the. Get Walmart hours driving directions and passenger out weekly. Car washes and barbershop. Guests at augusta regional library system covers a location to redeem exclusive in georgia, directions from the locations allow you have a couple of the items. We recognize that augusta each location to. Directions Plantation Blood Haunted Attraction Augusta GA. Locations Maps and Directions Augusta Georgia GA. Join our services and advertisements adapted to the route calculations take advantage of the best option to online map, when you find the shortest or mail your app! Save some vehicles to get started! Please choose another payment method to suspend your purchase. All season long to augusta high school district. Each law will improve its own characteristics that drivers must adapt to. Right onto windsor springs rd on right at augusta, visit us today to the locations of our site builder is located in? Directions The Jumping Place Skydiving Center.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 3: Where Are We
    3 Where Are We Now 3.1 Socio‐Economic Overview The ARTS planning area after suffering along with the nation from the bursting of the housing bubble in mid‐2007 has recently commenced a sustained socio‐economic comeback. The relatively low cost of living, maturing of the baby‐boom population, military influence, and the natural beauty in the region continues to sustain population growth. The dominance of stable public sector jobs has been eclipsed by service sector job growth, primarily in the areas of health care, data management, information technology and educational services. The opening of a UNISYS Call Center in downtown Augusta, relocation of the National Cyber Command to Fort Gordon, construction of the Augusta Corporate Park and the establishment of supporting businesses and accommodations servicing these new employers will enhance the economic strengths of the ARTS planning area. However, with the increasing competition from other metropolitan areas to secure jobs, challenges remain for the ARTS planning area. A selection of opportunities, strengths and future socio‐economic challenges in the study area are presented in Table 4. Table 4: Opportunities, Strengths, and Challenges Challenges Opportunities and Strengths Availability of workforce for new industries Abundant and qualified workforce Availability of sites for industrial location Robust Transportation Infrastructure Concentration of health services and Availability of supporting infrastructure activity centers Neighborhoods requesting public Extent of Public Transportation
    [Show full text]
  • The Georgia Confederate March/April, 2018
    2015 ~ 2016 DeWitt Smith Jobe Award Winner VOL. IV Issue 5 Official Publication of the Georgia Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans March/April, 2018 Celebrate Your Heritage & History/ Fly Our Flags Past Division Commander Charlie A. Lott Special Flags Over Georgia Issue September 15, 1937 - March 25, 2018 Mr. Charlie A. Lott, age 80, of A flag can be a symbol to identi- he has done over the past several Carrollton, Georgia formerly of fy who you are. It can be demon- years to promote this great Geor- Winston, Georgia passed away strated to show where you belong gia Division project. Three cheers Sunday, March 25, 2018 peaceful- and what you respect. It can stand and hats off to Joel., a true South- ly at his residence surrounded by for the memory of your ancestors. ern gentleman. ~ .al perry. his family. In short, a flag is the same as your identity. Charlie was born in Thunderbolt, To take away a person’s flag is Georgia on September 15, 1937. the same as taking away his/her He is a 1955 graduate of Carrollton identity. It is no different than High School and was Methodist by telling someone they do not exist. faith. And who is allowed to get away With a servant's heart, Charlie with that today? If you think began his distinguished life of ser- about it, it is no different than vice with the State of Georgia, murdering someone. working with the Georgia State As the verbally militant and Patrol (GSP). During his career he served as President in 1975.
    [Show full text]
  • Augusta-Richmond County Is Served by a Street Network That Includes Two Interstate Highways, Four Federal Highways, Ten State Routes, and Numerous Local Roads
    CHAPTER 5 TRANSPORTATION 87 88 Chapter 5 – Transportation INTRODUCTION6B Transportation facilities have had a profound effect on the development of Augusta and Richmond County. From pre-colonial times to the present trails, road, railroads, waterways, and air service have all influenced the timing, location and extent of development in the community. This chapter includes an inventory and assessment of transportation facilities and services in Augusta and Richmond County. Transportation facilities include roads, sidewalks, bikeways, airports, railroads, public transportation and parking facilities. Transportation services include the public transit system. ROAD37B NETWORK Augusta-Richmond County is served by a street network that includes two interstate highways, four federal highways, ten state routes, and numerous local roads. Streets have varying functions, so the street network is generally divided into four categories: freeways, arterials, collectors and local streets. Design standards vary from one functional class to another. For example, an arterial road has more travel lanes, a higher operating speed, and fewer curb cuts than a local street. The basic characteristics of the functional classification system are outlined below. Functional classification is not static. As roads have been widened or extended, their functional classification has changed to reflect their new role. Tobacco Road, Windsor Spring Road, Gordon Highway, Doug Barnard Parkway, Deans Bridge Road, Jimmie Dyess Parkway, Wheeler Road and Riverwatch Parkway are some of the major roads that have either been widened or constructed in the last 20 years. Planned road widening projects on Alexander Drive, St. Sebastian Way, Greene Street, Mike Padgett Highway (SR 56) and Windsor Spring Road will result in other changes to the system.
    [Show full text]