The St. Paul's Epistle
March 16-31, 2002
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In Remembrance Estelle Houston December 1916--February 2003 |
Contents
The Instant Culture
Rite 13 and the Passage From Childhood
Church World Service
Episcopal Relief and Development
Update on the Pllanas
Music Assessment Committee Report
Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday
Come Join the Event!
Vestry Highlights
To call the church on Sunday
Antiques Show Insert
The Instant Culture
For the last three weeks I've now become part of the larger family of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. I have enjoyed participating in the mass, witnessing the Choir singing, listening and contemplating the gospel proclamation. I have also become part of St. Paul's clergy staff meeting which takes place on Tuesdays to evaluate and reflect the Sunday worship service and to plan ahead for the coming parish events.
Meanwhile, Bexley Hall has also become another branch of my extended family where I attend Anglican Formation on Mondays and as time allows, go to the seminary library.
The Franks have continued to be my wonderful hosts. They have made me feel at home in their Christian family integrations. Nancy has continued to be my wonderful pilot - "Michael Motors" to the avenues and roads which lead to St. Paul's, Bexley Hall and the rest of my destinations. In their absence, I've also enjoyed the motorway of other members of St. Paul's. And I say a big thank you to all of you (Hasante sana).
Gradually, I'm being incorporated into the Western concept of time: instant culture: the anxiety of rush to compete with minutes and seconds! Oh, my friends, what is the rush for? Why are you running? You have no enemies chasing you from behind. Yes, run but with consistency (In Kiswahili, pole pole). Slow down and recognize the value of sharing and tell someone, "God loves you!" It makes a big difference in his/her life rather than technically calculating our minutes and seconds. Don't be slaves of time but be masters of time which is a God-given valuable commodity equated with life.
In your prayer schedule, please remember my family in Kenya (my wife Christine, my daughter Roselyn, and sons Justus and Victor).
The Rev. Michael Lolwerikoi
Rite 13 and the Passage From Childhood
Dear Fellow Believers,
In this time of preparation for Easter, we will gather to acknowledge another time of preparation: that from childhood on the way to adulthood. The members of our parish who are thirteen will be asking for your support as they begin the important journey that all persons must make. As a faith community, we are called by God to support each other in every step and phase of our lives. The notion that we need to support each other from cradle to grave is the very foundation of our corporate prayer life. As we go on the journey together, the path from birth to death is marked by sign-posts of ceremony. The Rite 13 ceremony is one such sign-post. It is a liturgy that marks the end of childhood and the beginning of a journey to adulthood. The beginning is very crucial. Since adulthood must be earned, it is important for us to have these persons start off correctly because they will learn to be adults from the adult models that they see. Therefore, these persons need our mentoring and support as they are about to embark on the most momentous journey since birth. As you participate in the Rite 13 Liturgy on Sunday, March 16, do so with the intention that you are called upon to be a model of adulthood for these persons who will stand before you. Together, with God's help, we can provide those who are on the Journey to Adulthood the means to grow, the space to grow, and the support to sustain that growth.
The Rev. Edward Hunt
Curate for Family Ministry
Church World Service
Donations of items for Health Kits are always needed: hand towels, wash cloths, bars of bath soap, toothbrushes, combs, toothpaste, Band-Aids and metal nail files. There is a basket for these items located in Wainwright Hall.
Episcopal Relief and Development
Faith, Hope and Joy is a response of the Episcopal Church to thousands of victims of Hurricane Mitch who lost their homes and everything they owned to Hurricane Mitch in the fall of 1998. The project is designed to support families and build community. Ground was broken in June 1999, and today many families are living on site. Recipient families and volunteer work teams from the United States assist hired workers in building new homes and a new community including a medical clinic, named Clinica Medica: Frank Griswold, a community center, a church complex and a school.
Jerusalem 2000 is a church-wide effort to support the churches, schools and hospitals of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and thereby sustain a measure of stability and hope in this troubled region of the world. The program calls on Anglicans everywhere to actually do something about peace in the Middle East. The hospitals, schools and churches of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem address the madness of war with a witness of faith. Their very presence says that reconciliation, tolerance and love will prevail. Jerusalem 2000 gives Anglicans a chance to make a difference in the Middle East … to build peace through our presence there.
Find out more about these and other projects of ERD when Phoebe Griswold, wife of Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, visits us on Sunday, March 30, at the 10:00 service and a forum to follow. Don't miss this rare opportunity!
Linda Workman
St. Paul's Episcopal Relief and Development Chairperson
Update on the Pllanas
Behlul Pllana and family have had a difficult year with Shemseije's medical conditions worsening, frequent hospitalizations and her hepatitis complicating everything. At the moment, she is awaiting word as to whether she has been accepted for a liver transplant. The family's hopes are high.
Behlul, formerly an electrical engineer at
a power plant in Pristina, continues his job at Advanced Interconnect
Manufacturing where he is a test board assembler. He also fills in when
needed in maintaining the company's mechanical equipment. Mimoza, age
26, has just started a job at the same company where she builds
harnesses. Mirela, age 13, is a seventh grader at Mercy High School
where she is very happy and doing well. Dafina, age 19, is a second
semester student at MCC in Criminal Justice studies. Mentor, age 22,
works part time in a car glass tinting business.
Behlul has completed 12 of the needed 24 credits he needs for his electronics certificate but with the wearing concerns about his wife he has put his studies on hold for the moment.
The Pllanas are wonderful tenants. They love their apartment and the neighborhood. They never fail to express their appreciation that we asked them back to live here in this house again. For me, the small American flag they stuck in the window after Sept. 11 signifies the degree to which they connect with us as a church and as people. It stayed there until it had faded to pastel.
Nancy Frank
Music Assessment Committee Report
The charge to the Music Assessment Committee is two-fold: to assess the past ten years of the music programs at St. Paul's - Bell Choir, Youth & Alleluia Choirs, Senior Choir, and the Organist position, and to vision where St. Paul's might be in ten years, including a recommendation regarding the leadership model that will best help us to achieve that vision.
The committee is especially interested in hearing your thoughts on these questions:
- How has music been important to you at St. Paul's, especially as it nurtures your spirituality and faith?
- What have you experienced in other churches that you have found meaningful?
- What ways do you see that we could strengthen our various programs?
- What are your dreams for the music ministries?
To date, the committee has received a significant number of responses from parishioners, and we look forward to receiving more. Please feel free to contact any member of the committee:
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Thomas McCart, Co-chair |
Chris Fitzstevens, Co-chair |
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Jim Cooper |
Susan Dow |
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Sue Grinnell |
Dan Harrison |
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Chris Moore |
Karen Nobel Hanson |
Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday
Matthew 25:40 "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
I work full time. I go to graduate school. I volunteer. Between homework and commuting and grocery shopping, I try to juggle family obligations, friendships, exercise, and countless incidental needs. In the busy-ness of life, how can I serve Christ? How can I fulfill my commitment to "seek and serve Christ in all persons"? It is too easy for this most important mission to be swallowed up by all the small details of day-to-day living.
I know that I can give a refugee a ride to church, I can donate food to the food pantry, or I can help serve food to the homeless. But there is so much need in this world, and I am only one small person. When I am overwhelmed with news of floods, hurricanes, homelessness, AIDS epidemics, terrorist attacks, and the threat of war, I feel powerless to help anyone.
As an Episcopalian, though, I can join with the worldwide church through Episcopal Relief and Development to make a difference around the globe. There is definitely strength in numbers, and together we are a mighty force.
Episcopal Relief and Development "is the collective response of Episcopalians to help people in need in the United States and around the world". Here are just a few of the things we accomplished together in 2002:
- Assisted victims of natural disasters in West Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Nebraska, the Caribbean, Mexico and Peru, to name a few.
- Supplied grants to promote interfaith understanding and education
- Developed a chaplaincy program for EMS workers in New York, and supplied aid those directly affected by 9/11 through loss of family, job, or health.
- Helped those suffering from civil unrest in Colombia and the Congo.
- Continued rebuilding a community in Honduras that lost everything to Hurricane Mitch.
- Supported the churches, schools and hospitals of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem to help sustain a measure of stability and hope in that troubled region of the world.
March 30 is St. Paul's Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday. We will have the opportunity to hear more about this vital mission from Phoebe Griswold, an active participant in the programs of ERD, and the wife of our presiding bishop. It will also be our opportunity to give our support to ERD. Please come, and please give generously.
Linda Workman
St. Paul's Episcopal Relief and Development Chairperson
Come Join the Event!
Saturday, March 15 - Bishop Nathaniel speaks to area Sudanese, scheduled to start around 2 p.m. in St. Paul's Parish Hall. Dinner provided.
Sunday, March 16 - Forum at 11:30 a.m. by Bishop Nathaniel and The Ven. Peter Yuang
Sunday, March 16 - Service lead by Bishop Nathaniel for area Sudanese at 2:00 p.m. Help needed in ushering as well as in preparing 1:00 p.m. lunch (tuna fish sandwiches and hot dogs). Come to the service and enjoy worshiping as it takes place in other lands. Perhaps we will use the Kenyan liturgy and hymns will be Sudanese favorites.
Nancy FrankVestry Highlights
The Vestry adopted a balanced budget in the amount of $1,097,591. Details of the budget and the restoration of certain items that had been subject to possible reduction or elimination will be shared with the congregation.
A request from the Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network for St. Paul's to serve as a host church for two years (September 2003 - May 2005) was approved. Doug and Gayle Hitchcock will coordinate the program and solicit volunteers from the congregation.
The new format of the annual meeting was reviewed, and the Vestry discussed suggestions for further improvements next year.
Chris Moore presented the monthly treasurer's report. The 2002 audit will be presented by the auditors at the March Vestry meeting.
Michael Traphagan, Christopher Moore and Jennifer Marini were appointed as St. Paul's delegates to the Diocesan Convention.
The unpledged plate offering on Sunday, March 16, will be designated as a contribution to Peter Yuang.
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To call the church on Sunday dial 271-2240 ext. 23 |
St. Paul's 54th Annual
ANTIQUES
Show & Sale
Friday April 25 11-8
&
Saturday April 26 10-4
This is the 54th Antiques Show fundraiser held by the St. Paul's community. I want to extend an invitation to each of you to participate in this unique tradition.
This show accomplishes many goals for the St. Paul's Family:
- It is responsible for raising funds which underwrite many ministries and needs of our church. Last year's proceeds were used to support St. Paul's Daycare Center, Race and Reconciliation programs and the Fetler church in Latvia. Further, proceeds were used for parish needs, a Church School Catechesis Room, tools for the sextons, the Youth Choir trip to Washington, D.C., a freezer for St. Paul's kitchen, and new china and flatware for church fellowship activities.
- It provides opportunities for all of us to contribute. The Antiques Show fundraiser is as successful as we all volunteer to make it. What can we do? As church members have done for 54 years, we can bake, help serve food, donate items to our shops, eat in our venues and purchase a ticket to attend the show. Volunteer today so that you don't miss out on all the fun and the satisfaction a good cause creates.
- It is a great opportunity to meet each other. I invite you to attend the first Antiques Show event. On Sunday, March 23, the Show's committee will host a coffee hour after the 10:00 a.m. service. Come sample our baking, enjoy parish fellowship and join in the efforts for a successful 54th.
Nancy Kleintop
Chair, 2003 Antiques Show
www.stpaulsec.org/antiques2003.html
ANTIQUES SHOW COFFEE HOUR
Come one and come all to the Antiques Show special coffee hour on Sunday, March 23!
- Enjoy home baked cookies and other treats in an antique atmosphere.
- Bring your donations for the show and leave them on stage.
- Buy tickets for the first time at the same antique price of $3 each, or 4 for $10.
- Volunteer to help at the show. Everyone can help in one of many ways.
- Read the following articles to help you know what we are looking for in donations.
Come one and come all....on March 23.
Return to contents...ABC's of the Antiques Show
- A
- antiques, art, American Girl dolls
- B
- books, baseball cards, book ends, barometers
- C
- collectibles, china, chairs, computer games, clocks
- D
- dolls, dishes, demitasse cups
- E
- enamels, etageres
- F
- furniture, frames, fire irons
- G
- glasses, games, globes
- H
- hats, high chairs
- I
- ice buckets
- J
- jewelry boxes, jugs
- K
- kitchen equipment
- L
- lamps, linens
- M
- musical instruments, mirrors
- N
- notepaper, needlepoint
- O
- Oriental rugs, ornaments
- P
- pitchers, pots, pans, puzzles, Picassos
- Q
- quilts
- R
- Revere bowls, roller blades, rocking horse
- S
- silver, silver, silver!
- T
- toys, trucks, trains, trays, televisions
- U
- utensils, unicycles, Ukrainian eggs
- V
- videos, violins, valentines
- W
- wine glasses, wedding veils
- X
- Xmas stockings
- Y
- Y'all come!
- Zee
- end!
THE JEWELRY SHOP
Gently used and once loved jewelry is needed for the upcoming Antiques Show.
The Jewelry Shop has been one of the show's best fund raisers due to the generosity of the St. Paul's family. All donations are tax-deductible.
You can drop off your donations at the Parish Hall on Sundays or in the church office during the week. Please be sure to label them "Antiques Show".
Linda Butwid
DONATIONS, DONATIONS
Your gently used linens, jewelry, old curiosities and books may be left in the church office during the week or on the Parish Hall stage on Sundays. Please label the box or bag as to its contents. Remember, if it is too old or worn for you to use, we can't sell it either. If you have questions about the suitability of any item, please call Sharron Isaacson (linens), Linda Butwid (jewelry) or Mary Jane McKnight (Old Curiosity Shop).
TAX DEDUCTION FORM
To get a tax deduction for your Antiques Show donations, bring or send an itemized list of your contributions to Lisa in the church office. She will generate an IRS-acceptable letter and mail it to you. Be sure your name and address are on the list but do not place a value on the items. The value you decide on is between you and the IRS.
SPRING CLEANING?
Bulbs and Forsythia are beginning to pop through the snow, which means Spring is not far away. And with Spring, comes Spring Cleaning! If you are in the Spring Cleaning mode, we hope that you will think OLD CURIOSITY SHOP! We are interested in donations of furniture, rugs, lamps, silver, glassware, kitchen appliances, toys, baby items, pictures, books — you name it! We look forward to finding a new home for items you have stored away, and not used in years.
Donations, which should be in good condition, can be left on the Parish Hall stage, marked for the Old Curiosity Shop. Celebrate the beauty of the season by not only having more space in your home, but helping to raise money for St. Paul's outreach projects.
Plan to browse in our shop during the Show, April 24 - 26. Questions? Ask Karen Walrath and Mary Jane McKnight.