WHO WE ARE:  Ephesians 2:10 St. Paul tells us:   For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

SLMG is a group of Christian men, who attend St. Luke’s Anglican (Episcopal) church in Blue Ridge, Georgia, who participate in assistance projects and fellowship activities.  All of our men are encouraged to participate in our meetings and fellowship.

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It is important to note than no special talents or skills are necessary to participate. We merely share our resources, time, laymen’s skills and talents to assist others in need; and, we attend to certain needs of our Parish church, and assist various service organizations within our community. 

 

Our referrals come from clergy, parishioners, from SLMG members, and community service organizations. Decisions to undertake major group projects are based upon group consensus.  For less demanding assistance requests, members often assist others individually or form smaller groups. 

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For more information, contact Neil McDonald at n.mcdonaldiii@gmail.com

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Below please find the Agenda and the Minutes for this months meeting: 

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SLMG MEETING AGENDA, SATURDAY OCTOBER 3rd, 2026

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• Opening Prayer

• Welcome New Members

• Approve September 2026 meeting minutes.

• Read/approve Treasurer’s report 

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Old Business Updates and Tasks: 

• Mrs. Patsy William’s home repairs:

  • Jim Noblett, Gordon, Bob Bradley, Todd and I have reconstructed hazardous deck boards.

  • Schedule final task: pressure wash the deck, and haul rotted boards, etc. to the landfill

           

• Ongoing Assistance to Fr. Ron and Diane Wikander

  • Personal visitation sign-up schedule (continue relief for Diane as needed)

  • Schedule mowing and edging detail

 

• Planning for St. Luke’s Annual Church-wide Picnic, Sunday October 11

  • Friday Oct. 9: Purchase food, disposables, condiments, chips, buns, drinks, etc.

  • Saturday Oct. 10th @ 0930 hrs. Parish House pavilion pre-event clean-up

  • Sunday Oct. 11, assist with set-up, and post event clean-up

• 2nd SLMG Barn Liquidation Sale Schedule and Planning:

  • Prepare Craigslist, Newspaper, Marketplace Ads, etc.

  • Create Several More Street Signs, to advertise better. 

  • Setup on Friday Oct. 16 @ 9:00 AM,

  • Sale day, Saturday Oct. 17 @ 8:30 AM.

 

• Fellowship Outing: (Select lodging, and distillery to tour)

  •  Tuesday 11/18 (overnight) University of the South tour

  •  Wednesday 11/19 (overnight) Christ Church Cathedral noon prayer services, and afternoon distillery tour,

  • Thursday 11/20, return home (may consider an additional venue).

 

New Business:

• Assign volunteers for Tuesday October 6th North Court food distribution

• Schedule a Spring 2027 Hala’s Place Fellowship Retreat.  Host Jack Ewing suggested that except for the first weekend in May any other date is available

• Member Suggestions/Recommendations: for assistance projects, fellowship activities, educational tours, etc. 

• Assign November 3rd meeting lunch “chef”

• Invite group prayer concerns, and blessing for lunch. Adjourn for lunch

• The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, Nov. 3,  2026.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Neil McDonald, SLMG Chairman

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Click here to download the Agenda

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Minutes from SLMG meeting on October 3, 2026--our first Saturday breakfast meeting

 

The meeting was called to order at 1000AM by Neil McDonald.  In Secretary Jim Noblett’s absence, Bob Bradley took minutes.  We thank Fr. Victor for preparing a delicious breakfast casserole with fresh fruit for everyone’s enjoyment. 

 

Members in attendance were:  Mike Fitzgerald, Paul Hiller, Neil McDonald, Roger Johnson, Rick Gillert, AL Cash, Tom Wall, Kevin Sartain, Jim Joldersma, Jordan Van Horn and Bob Bradley

• A motion was made by Roger Johnson and second by Rick Gillert. Members voted and the September 2026 minutes were accepted

• A motion was made by Tom Wall and second by Al Cash. Members voted and the September 2026 Treasurers report was accepted.

 

Assistance Projects:

Lawn & grounds assistance for Ron and Diane Wikander will be ASAP

Mrs. Patsy Williams home will be addressed after the October 11th Annual Picnic

 

SLMG Liquidation Sale Schedule and Planning

In advance we need to advertise, in the newspaper, radio, Craigslist, Marketplace, etc..

Friday Oct. 16, 0900 hrs., Set-up date, meet at the Parish House

Saturday Oct 17, 0830 hrs. SLMG GARAGE SALE DAY

A motion was made by Roger Johnson and second by Jim Joldersma to spend no more than $200 for generic reusable vendor made signs that are adaptable for use at future sales. The motion passed.  Neil will design and hire a sign vendor ASAP. 

 

Fellowship Outing

Members present voted 5 to 0 to do the George Dickel Distillery and 0 votes to do the Jack Daniels Distillery tour. It was mentioned that Beech Aircraft has a museum that is somewhat close to the Dickel Distillery and may be a possible tour addition.  Neil will attempt to arrange group lodging rates and inform everyone ASAP.  Final details will be decided on Nov. 3rd .

 

Northcourt food distribution: Tuesday October 6.  at 1230, meet at Northcourt. Neil and Jim Joldersma will pick up boxes from the food bank.

 

Final Planning for October 11 Annual Church Picnic (following the 1030 service):

• Tuesday October 6 after Northcourt distribution we’ll meet at the Parish House pavilion to inventory onhand picnic items and list what needs to be purchased

• On Wednesday October 7, Bob and Neil will purchase what’s needed at Costco

• On Saturday, October 10 at 0900 hrs., we’ll need help cleaning the pavilion, tables, BBQ grills, and other set up preparations.

• At 1000 AM Sunday morning a few of us can assist with setup, light the grills and cook the burgers and dogs.   After the event we’ll clean-up the pavilion.

 

Hala’s Place retreat:  Tentatively scheduled retreat dates for May 20-23,2027

Recommendations for future fellowship activities:

• Fr. Rick Gillert to research a visit to John C Campbell Folk school, Brasstown, NC

• Al Cash to research March 2027 visits to Warner Robins Air Museum and possibly to nearby Andersonville National Cemetery, and/or to the National POW Museum

• We shared our prayer concerns for parishioners, friends and family members

• Tom Wall will provide lunch for the November 3rd meeting -- in the Green Room. 

• Meeting adjourned just before noon

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Click here to download the Minutes from the October meeting

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