The St. Paul's Epistle
January 16, 2007
Contents
Dear Members & Friends of St.
Pauls
McCart Appointed
Scott Arrington
A Note of Gratitude
St. Paul's 2007 Inquirer's
Class
Learn to Speak Episcopalian
Outhouses (that's right!)
Nominating and Transition
Committees
SPY Corner
New Nativity Window
Participate in the Annual Meeting
January 28
Vote for Vestry Candidates January
28
Absentee Voting
Dear Members & Friends of St. Pauls
The Christmas - Epiphany season is marked by a generosity of spirit unique to this time of the year. There have been several special gifts to St. Paul's that reflect your generous hearts.
Thanks to an anonymous matching grant of $5,000 for Water for Sudan, you graciously responded with over $8,000. These monies will enable Salva Dut to drill two fresh water wells in drought stricken Southern Sudan.
Nancy Wainwright and her three sons, John, Andrew and Timothy, donated the new Nativity window above the Port Cochere entrance in honor of Bob Wainwright. It is a fitting tribute and gift for Bob, who cherished the Christmas season.
Several parishioners have made special gifts above their annual pledge for the new Director of Music position.
An anonymous gift of $10,000 was given to me for our ministries to School #9 Adopt-a-Kindergarten program, Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network for homeless families, and support for our extensive Sudanese ministries, both locally and globally.
I, like you, am grateful for St. Paul's to provide us with giving opportunities that make an enormous difference in people's lives.
Faithfully yours,
~ The Rev. Frederic W. Reynolds, Rector
McCart Appointed
Bishop McKelvey has appointed Thomas McCart, Associate Rector of St. Paul's, to a three-year term on the Commission on Ministry. This is a significant group which helps the bishop to make decisions regarding ordinations, policies, and procedures. Nancy Curtis, an active member of St. Paul's, also serves on this commission.
Scott Arrington
Scott Arrington has been a leader in our parish, especially as one of the founding members of Water for Sudan. Scott combines his business skills with his deep faith in God to be a champion for social justice, both in Rochester and in Africa, and does it with charm and humor.
Reluctantly, I accepted Scott's resignation from St. Paul's Vestry. In August of 2006 he suffered a concussion and is recovering much more slowly than expected.
Our prayers and thanks go out to Scott as he continues to heal.
~ Fred Reynolds, Rector
A Note of Gratitude
Scott and I want to express our deep gratitude for all the prayers and support you have given us during our time of need. We have been truly blessed with your generosity of spirit. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as well. We look forward to seeing you sometime in this new year.
~ Scott and Sandy Arrington
St. Paul's 2007 Inquirer's Class
All newcomers (and any existing members) are invited to attend the Inquirer's Class, which begins on Sunday, January 21 in the Cadigan Room. The core of the class is your personal questioning of faith within the Anglican tradition. Join us for lively discussion as we explore our faith. Class starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 9:45 a.m. and is led by The Rev. Fred Reynolds. Call the Church Office at 271-2240 to sign up and to order your books.
Learn to Speak Episcopalian
Via Media is a program that brings people together to learn about the Episcopal Church and what it means to be an Episcopalian in today's world. Hear from well-known and respected theologians and religious scholars as they break down the door of ancient tradition and uncover the truth and reality of the Episcopal Church today and what it means to be a part of a progressive movement in religion.
St. Paul's is offering two Via Media sessions, one in the spring and another in the fall, for those who need to plan ahead. It is a 7-week program (with an optional 8th session to be scheduled with each group) focused on continuing the conversation about the Episcopal Church. Our objective is to create an open and inclusive environment where we can explore the history, traditions and theology of the Episcopal Church. The program offers something for all - both newcomers to the church and more experienced members.
Using a combination of learning styles which include video, written materials and small group discussion, a group of people encounter the basic principles of Christianity through the Anglican approach of Scripture, Tradition and Reason. All are encouraged to ask questions, and to learn how to answer their own questions of faith. A light supper is provided. Enrollment is limited to 20 for each session.
- Spring Session: Begins February 11, 2007 (Sundays), 5pm - 7pm
- Fall Session: Begins September 21, 2007 (Fridays), 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Please sign up by calling the church office, or sign up in the Activities Book in the Sunday office. For more information, please contact Nancy Grear (262-3925 in the evening or ncgrea
Outhouses
(that's right!)
Carolyn Adriaansen, amateur historian from Marion, N.Y., will be speaking on the evolution and variety of outhouses February 1 at 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall following the ECW Luncheon at noon. Her light-hearted program documents how the "Necessary" moved from Out-house to In-house.
Ms. Adriaansen will come prepared with slides, photos, newspaper clippings, and stories of interest to all.
Won't you please join us in what promises to be an amusing and culturally edifying program? Guaranteed.
As always, if you plan on Luncheon at noon with ECW, please confirm your reservation through the Church office at 271-2240 by Monday, January 29.
~ Mary Critikos
Nominating and Transition Committees
The Standing Committee is pleased to announce the names of those appointed to the Nominating and Transition Committees for the Eighth Bishop of Rochester. For further information and updates on the process, click here.
SPY Corner
Soup Lunch with Senior Parishioners
Sunday, January 21,
11:30 am - 2:00 p.m.
Following the service, we will meet in the kitchen and prepare to host our soup lunch for some of the senior members of our parish. Our guests will join us at about noon, following the coffee hour. Pick up time is at 2:00 p.m.
Please RSVP to Laura Hayden by Wednesday,
January 19 (383-8808 or lhayden@rochester.rr.com)
Save the Date: Polar Wave, February 4
New Nativity Window
The Nativity Window
Given in loving memory of
The Rev. Robert M. Wainwright
Rector of St. Paul's Church 1970 - 1995
by his wife Nancy and sons John, Andrew and Timothy
Participate in the Annual Meeting January 28
Prior to the beginning of the 10 a.m. service there wil be a report from the Nominating Committee followed by a vote for Warden and five (5) Vestry members. Additional candidates for Vestry may be nominated from the floor with their prior consent. The morning continues with a full Eucharist service complete with choir. During the service, the Rector will reflect on the year at St. Paul's. The results of the election should be available at the end of the service. The Annual Meeting will then convene in the Parish Hall for lunch. Reports will be presented by the Senior Warden, the Treasurer and others regarding budget and mission.
Vote for Vestry Candidates January 28
In addition to the voting at the 10 o'clock service, ballots will be available during the 8 o'clock service and following the service in the Sunday Office until 9:45.
Note: Persons eighteen years or older are eligible to cast a vote if they are baptized, a pledging member for 1 year, and attend at least 3 services per year.
Absentee Voting
The vestry authorized making the absentee voting policy a permanent policy. Absentee ballots may be requested by mail, phone, or email to the Church office after January 1.