The St. Paul's Epistle
March 1-15, 2003
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's,
Your Vestry and clergy gathered together for a weekend retreat, February 15-16, at Notre Dame Retreat Center overlooking frozen Canandaigua Lake. Don Schwab continued from our Fall retreat as our facilitator , providing insight, guidance and, when needed, to direct us to be quiet and listen. This February Retreat has become a core planning and community-building experience for the Vestry. The time together enables the welcoming of newly-elected members, as well as continuing the reaffirmation of our mission, focus and purpose as leaders for our parish. We again recognized that our central purpose as Episcopalians is to gather for worship and experience the transforming power of God's spirit through word and sacrament. All of our mission and programs grow out of the transforming experience of worship.
With thankful and joyous hearts, the Vestry celebrated the faithful response of many parishioners' additional pledges to raise over $50,000 for our 2003 mission and programs. Under the leadership of Tom McCart, a new pastoral care program called the Stephens Ministry will be instituted this fall. Local and worldwide outreach monies were restored, as well as monies to support our choirs. More adult education offerings will be offered this fall, as well.
With the possibility of a war against Iraq, the Vestry thoughtfully and prayerfully dialogued about the tension between our Christian faith and our American duty. Several Vestry members expressed their gratitude at being able to talk openly about their struggle of conscience in a safe and respectful environment where opposing views could be expressed in a spirit of mutual understanding and respect. Our faith disturbs us, especially when violence is used to promote change.
I give thanks to our Vestry for their faithful leadership and courage as they continue to help guide us to live out our baptismal vows. I especially give thanks to Ann Clarke, Ann Buerschaper and Jennifer Marini for their service on the Vestry, helping to "Lift High the Cross" of Christ in the midst of troubling times.
Faithfully yours,
The Rev. Frederic Reynolds
Dates to Remember
54th Antiques Show
Preview Party Thursday April 24, 2003
Show: Friday, April 25, 2003 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday April 26, 2003 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Mark your calendars!
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God, the World, and Evil
March 12
March 19
March 26
April 2
April 9 Our program this year will focus on these aspects of the problem of evil. Join us for a simple celebration of the Eucharist at 6 p.m., followed by a soup supper at 6:30 ($3 donation, please), and the program at 7:15 (we promise to end promptly at 8:15). To be good stewards, please sign up in the Parish Activities Book (there is a page for each evening). Child care will be provided upon request, as will supervised study hall for school age children. For either or both, please call the Parish Office to make a reservation. |
Music Forum
With the retirement of David Craighead, a Music Assessment Committee has been appointed to do an assessment of all of the music programs at St. Paul's: Bell Choir, Youth and Alleluia Choirs, Senior Choir, and the Organist position. Given the importance of music as evidenced in the Ministry and Program Commission Report (1997) and the profile for the search for a rector, it was decided to separate the task of assessing the programs from that of a search committee.
The charge to the committee is two-fold: to assess where each of these aspects of our music ministry is presently, and to chart a vision for where we would like to be in the next ten years.
The committee will be interviewing staff, members of the various programs, and would like to hear from the congregation as well. On Sunday, March 2, please join us at 11:30 a.m. in the Vestry Room for a conversation about the future for these important programs. Specifically, we would like to hear how the music ministries have been spiritually nurturing for you and what your dreams are for these ministries.
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WHEREAS, David Craighead has blessed the congregation of St. Paul's Episcopal Church with his ministry and musical artistry for 48 years, and WHEREAS, the clergy and Vestry of St. Paul's desire to formally recognize and pay tribute to Dr. Craighead, and to express the utmost appreciation for the bountiful aural gifts that Dr. Craighead has bestowed upon this congregation, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that by unanimous vote and proclamation of the Vestry, and in recognition of the many contributions made by him to the music and life of our church, David Craighead is hereby appointed and named Organist Emeritus of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. |
The Great Litany
In 1544, England was at war with Scotland and France. Henry VIII directed Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, to compose a set of prayers with responses as a special supplication. That set of prayers, entitled "The Litany," became the first rite published in English.
The form was not new. Litanies were in use in the Eastern church by the fourth century, if not earlier, and by the fifth century, the West had adopted this form. Litanies also began to be used in place of pagan processions. About 467, when the city of Vienne was shaken by earthquakes, Mamertus, the bishop, inaugurated processional litanies. Other churches in the West soon adopted this practice.
Published separately in 1544, with its accompanying music, the Litany was included in the first Book of Common Prayer (1549) and has been in continuous use ever since, including other branches of the Anglican communion. Following the medieval custom of singing litanies in procession, Cranmer's Litany was ordered to be used on Sundays and festival days in 1545. The Edwardian injunctions of 1547 directed that the priest and choir sing or say the Litany kneeling in the church (a clear sign of anti-Roman feelings). The Elizabethan injunctions restored the medieval custom of singing the Litany in procession.
In the past, St. Paul's has followed the practice of the Edwardian church, singing the Litany, kneeling in the church. This year, we will experience the Elizabethan practice of singing it in procession (the congregation will sing, but not process; the choir and clergy will do both), although not outside.
The Rev. Thomas McCart
The Rt. Rev. Nathaniel Garang and
the Ven. Peter Yuang to Visit
St. Paul's welcomes back Bishop Nathaniel on Sunday, March 16. He brings with him the Venerable Peter Yuang, his assistant! Remember our years of prayers for Peter as he studied in Berea Theological College, Nakuru, Kenya. Peter has been asked to preach to us and he responded enthusiastically! Bishop Nathaniel will speak briefly at "announcements."
Bishop Nathaniel is in the United States pastoring to the members of his Diocese who are refugees here in the USA. Peter is an archdeacon in his own right in Southern Sudan in Bishop Nathaniel's Diocese, the Diocese of Bor, but acts also as Bishop Nathaniel's assistant, as well as Assistant Secretary of the Diocese. We have educated a skilled leader in Peter.
Bishop Nathaniel was born in Southern Sudan but does not know the date of his birth. Bishop Nathaniel is known far and wide for his evangelization of southern Sudan between the years 1974 and 1983. He was consecrated as an assistant Bishop of Rumbek Diocese and for the years between 1984 and 1990, the outside world did not know whether he had been killed in the war or where he was. The story goes that in 1984 he had five pastors with him in his evangelization efforts, and when missioner Marc Nikkel "found" him in 1990, he had seventy-five pastors and multitudes of Christians. Bishop is married and has four sons. He is currently the Bishop of Bor Diocese.
The Rev. Peter Yuang was recognized early on in his life by the relief agencies near his remote pastoral home area. They used him as a translator and liaison between the agencies and the people. Peter, no matter what job he has ever been given, has yearned to go back to his home area of Sudan and to work for the church there. He has enormous concern for his home people and the world AIDS epidemic. Many people fled during the war years to surrounding countries such as Kenya and Uganda where the epidemic is decimating the countries. Those who stayed remained somewhat isolated from the epidemic. Now those who are returning are bringing HIV and AIDS with them. His area does not understand the issues, the ability to prevent the disease or the ultimate consequences to each individual and the next generation. During the years Peter was in Berea Theological College, he made even further strides in his English. I sent him frequent copies of our church service tapes and he thoroughly enjoyed the new perspective he heard in them. He is widely respected for his intellect and thoughtful approach to theological questions. He is an excellent interpreter, a hard job to sustain hour after hour.
Nancy Frank
Join the activities with Bishop Nathaniel
and the Ven. Peter Yuang
Saturday, March 15: There will be a meeting and dinner of the local Sudanese and Bishop Nathaniel. Gather at 1:00 p.m. Bishop will speak at 2:00 p.m. on the war, the peace process, Kakuma Refugee Camp, friends and relatives. Peter Yuang will facilitate a question and answer period. At 5:30 p.m., a simple dinner will be served for all.
Sunday, March 16: Peter Yuang will preach at St. Paul's 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services. At 10 a.m. the Sudanese Choir will sing two selections and Bishop Nathaniel will greet us in "Announcements." An 11:30 a.m. Forum will follow with Bishop Nathaniel and Peter. Following the Forum any Sudanese present will be served lunch. At 2:00 p.m., an ecumenical service in Sudanese tradition will lead by Bishop Nathaniel. He will preach and celebrate.
The Bishop and Peter will actually be in Rochester from March 10-19. They will work and pastor with all local Sudanese in Sudanese tradition. It is meant to be a relaxed time when meetings and discussions can take place. Please join us for any of the weekend activities.
Volunteer Opportunities! (Please leave your name and number on my answering machine as I am out of town March 1-8.)
Kathy Schaertel has offered to head up the kitchen crew on Saturday, March 15. We need a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th assistant! Tasks will be to heat food, run out to pick up pizza, serve and clean up (emphasis on clean up and to tidy up the Parish Hall). Paper plates will be used. How many do we expect? Anywhere between 50 and 200.
We need someone to coordinate the lunch on Sunday, March 16: heat it up or set it out; set up water, milk. At the service, we will need ushers.
Nancy Frank
Think White, Think Linens
Be sure to remember that all gently used linens, tablecloths, scarves, placemats, sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads, and even towels will be put to good use at the 54th Antiques Show here at St. Paul's! Just bring your items to Wainwright Hall during the week or to Parish Hall on Sundays, and your items will be laundered and ironed so that they can be readied for sale at the show this April. For your convenience, Hank and Sharon Isaacson are most willing to pick up any items you may have at your home. Please phone Sharron at 872-2919.
Thursday Morning Prayer Group to Sponsor Forum
Following the ten o'clock service on Sunday, March 9, the Thursday Morning Prayer Group will lead a forum on juvenile capital punishment. This forum is intended to offer members of St. Paul's the opportunity to express their own understandings and to hear the words of others as we jointly explore controversial issues that challenge our faith and our world.
What does the Episcopal Church have to say on the issue of juvenile capital punishment? How does your faith inform your personal perspective? How ought our country respond to the perpetrators of horrifically evil acts by those who are still juveniles? What might be acceptable as criteria for determining "youthful" status? Please come on March 9 and help us as we explore an issue of controversy and faith. This forum is co-sponsored by the St. Paul's Public Policy Task Force.
Jim Blake
To St. Paul's Parishioners
Thank you so much for your prayers and cards while I was in the hospital and St. John's Home rehab. All were greatly appreciated.
Fran Kerr
St. Paul's Supports the Diocese of Rochester
As part of the structure of the Episcopal Church (congregation, diocese, province, and national church), each congregation helps support its diocese. St. Paul's provides about 17% of its income for the work of the Diocese of Rochester.
The diocesan budget for 2003, says Karen Noble Hanson, Canon for Finance, Resource and Community Development, in Living Water, September 2002, "reflects our giving to individuals, one another, congregations and the world beyond us. ...The budget reaches the Southern Tier of the Diocese, from Christ Church, Corning (Stewart Park Child Care), to Christ Church, Hornell (Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers), to St. Mark's and St. John's, Rochester (Step by Step), to St. Paul's, St. Luke's (Fairport) and St. Thomas' work with School 9 in Rochester. It provides a deacon to explore Prison Ministry with congregations. It continues our commitment to our retired clergy health care and to our youth. It includes our support for the National Church, a partnership to the wider world. It provides support for the Bishop's office, enabling pastoral support to lay and ordained leadership. The office helps to strengthen congregations and to provide for the financial and legal well being of the Diocese and our congregations. It keeps us in touch with one another through electronic and printed means."
To learn more, visit the Diocese of Rochester.
Remember St. Paul's in your will
An excerpt from D&C, January 19, 2003. "Preparing a will not an age-related duty."
"...Preparing for death by preparing a will has moved onto the 'to-do' list this year. Having a baby will make the answer to the looming question, 'I'm young. Do I even need a will?' a crystal-clear 'yes.'
Not there yet? Twenty-something, healthy, cholesterol 140, no kids. Do you really need a will? Not surprisingly, there are two distinct and opposite theories on whether singles and married couples with no dependents should have pieces of paper outlining their final wishes. One is that it's not so crucial. After all, many people are decades away from Geritol and gray hair. The other: Death doesn't always go by the number of wrinkles on a face.
A will can make the end a little easier for loved ones. It's never fun to think about this, we know. But more people are. In 1991, just 17 percent of the population had wills. By 1999, the number had doubled to 34 percent. Today, 42 percent have wills, according to an ABC News poll...
If you do not have a will, consider making one out and perhaps remember to set aside a gift for the future of St. Paul's educational programs, outreach, and worship. If you do have a will or estate plan, please consider adding a codicil to include a gift to St. Paul's.
Joan and Dave Flint for the Planned Giving Committee.