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Associate Rector's Letter
An Update From Salva
A Letter to Salva Dut
Church School News
ECW Picnic
Spring Cleanup - May 14
Flower Ministry News
A Meal & More
Shalom Fellowship Gathering in May
Curiosity Shop Thank you
Bishop's Visit
Letter to David Craighead
Mission Opportunity
Publication Deadlines
Church School News Insert
I've shared with several of you my deep respect for Nora Gallagher's vivid and insightful story of her journey into the Episcopal Church, Things Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith. For several years now, I've re-read during the season of Lent her telling of how she entered Trinity Episcopal Church (Santa Barbara, California) as a "tourist and ended up a pilgrim."
In the midst of the Queen of Feasts, the Great Fifty Days of Easter, let me share a portion of her story.
"In the mid-eighties, I visited a dinosaur dig with Vincent's aunt, Malinda Chouinard, her children, and a friend. The dig was in eastern Montana, on the edge of the prairie that had once been an inland sea. We slept in huge white tepees, getting up in the night to watch the Northern Lights sprinkle the sky with pink powder. During the day we fished for pieces of dinosaur egg in the clay soil with toothbrushes and dentists' fine-pointed tools. The largest egg fragment I found was a quarter-inch wide, cola black and finely pitted like the rind of an orange. It was a hundred million years old. All around us were pieces of egg and bone - fragments, nothing made sense. Each evening, a paleontologist described what they had made of these bits and pieces, how they saw mother dinosaurs on nests, dinosaurs that lived in herds, their duckbills, their webbed feet. Listening to him was like watching a weaver make whole cloth out of threads or a pot emerge from shards.
"When I ponder the resurrected Jesus, what I see is this coherence, this possibility. Out of the chaos and trauma of death, something new is written or revealed. Jesus walked through the curtain, into the Reality blazing behind it, a place he had grasped and apprehended all his life. Then, because he lived fully in hope, fully in love, something happened to him. Nothing kept him, nothing held onto him, the past didn't weigh him down. He returned, more coherent, more real, carrying Reality with him, in a final act of love. Jesus, as archaeologist, picked up the pieces, made them cohere, gave them meaning, and knitted, finally, everything together. Nothing is hopeless anymore." [pp. 137-38]
I believe Gallagher is absolutely right. Through the mystery of the resurrection, God has made known God's love for each of us, picking up the pieces of our lives, giving them meaning, knitting us together in such a fashion that "nothing is hopeless anymore."
Thomas McCart
Associate Rector
Report of completed 5 boreholes in Lonariik (Payam)
Water for Sudan had finished 5 boreholes successfully in Lonariik village of Tonj North.
Akok borehole- is serving 3985 people and 386 household. This borehole was the first to be dug. It is calling St. Paul. It took 4 days to be complete, and 7 days for drying before people use it. The depth of this borehole is 80 meters. 15 liters per minute and that may drop if people use it for long time.
Pankor borehole- it is serving 2348 people and 250 household. Name after Dr. Hoffman. The depth is 65 meters. Lot of water in this borehole, 20 liters per minute and that may drop when people use it too much. This borehole took us long time to complete. Our truck was the first automobile to run there.
Moch borehole- is serving 4019 people and more than 400 household. 75 meters deep. 18 liters per minute and that may drop to 15 liters per minute. Our truck was the first automobile to run there.
Thonyiik borehole- is serving 1400 people. 67 meters deep. More water. 20 liters per minute. People were having a conflict on this borehole. It took me a long time to resolve the conflict within that community.
Akuach borehole- is serving 5730 people. 85 meters deep, and 17 liters per minute. This community was very supportive and they work hard, because this borehole was drilled in a different style. It is well dug and I think this borehole may last longer. The road to this village was name after Salva, because I chose it and I was the first person to clear the shrubs. Our truck was the first automobile to run there.
Each borehole is supposed to serve only 400 people, according to the statistic.
These are the completed boreholes by Water for Sudan, Inc. Supervised by Salva Dut and assistant manager Simon Kueth, Contractor - KIJ run by Dr. Kamil.
Thank you very much, and God bless our work,
Salva Dut, 4/16/2005
I am a teacher at Madison Middle School in Madison, Mississippi. Every year the 7th grade takes a day and explores the different aspects of Africa. Our Africa day is designed to help the students learn about different countries and cultures. Each year we have local 'Lost Boys' of Sudan come speak to our students. This year Mrs. Sage, one of our teachers, read an article on your undertaking to bring water to the people of Sudan. We all immediately wanted to help. The 7th grade students (along with a contribution from our PTO) collected money to help dig your wells.
Please accept this check for $1,120 with our best wishes!
Laura Shanley
all the 7th grade
students and Teachers
Everyone is invited to a Spring Breakfast in the Parish Hall, on Mother's Day, May 8, from 8:30 to 9:30. Students in the Church School will be providing invitations, favors, and service for this happy event to honor mothers and others!
Plans are underway for our celebration of Pentecost and Confirmation on Sunday, May 15. The Annual Recognition Service and Parish Picnic are planned for June 5. Thinking ahead to next year, the Church School staff will be asking for input from families at a Forum on May 22 and at Shalom on June 3. Questions and comments are always welcome.
Barbara Warner and The Rev. Leslie St. Louis
The annual ECW picnic will be held on Thursday, June 2, 11:00 a.m. at Brighton Park on Westfall Rd. between Clinton Ave. and E. Henrietta Rd. Bring a sandwich if you like but we are all requested to bring either a salad or dessert or fruit.. There will be a regular meeting and the agenda will include a decision on where to give any funds we have not already given to our various charities. Mostly this is just a time to enjoy being together.
Please join us on Saturday, May 14 from 9:00 a.m. until noon to spruce up the grounds around the church. Good fellowship and a picnic lunch will be enjoyed by all. In addition, the church will make a glorious entrance into Spring. Please contact Tom Lincoln at 271-2240 or Jack Pearson at 244-5086 for more information or to sign up.
A significant pastoral care ministry takes place every Sunday at St. Paul's as volunteers take flowers from the Altar to our home bound, those in the hospital or recovering at home, and members of this community who are celebrating an "advanced" birthday.
For some time, Jeannette Lyons has coordinated this ministry by scheduling volunteers for each Sunday, and I'm grateful for her gifts to this ministry. I'm pleased to announce that Mary Jo Doyle will be assuming responsibility beginning this summer. All of us invite you to consider becoming a part of this very rewarding ministry.
It is not a complicated ministry. One simply comes to the flower room on the day you are scheduled to deliver, arrange a small vase of flowers from the altar, pick up a "delivery" card (maps provided!), and you're on your way!
Although a simple ministry, it is one that is deeply appreciated by the recipients. Just one example is this note from a parishioner: "The beautiful thought expressed in the card accompanying the exquisite flowers from the altar added to the great pleasure of receiving them. The reminder of God's love and concern and from the friends at St. Paul's is a wonderful gift."
I hope you will consider this important ministry. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, Jeannette or Mary Jo.
Thomas McCart
Do you know that St. Paul's bakers contribute to the A Meal & More program at Christ Church downtown? The third Sunday of each month for the past few years we have taken frosted brownies or chocolate cake to augment their program. They serve meals to the needy two days a week. If you would like to help with this program either occasionally or each month please contact June Hasty at 288 -9131. It's an opportunity to bring a little sweetness into their lives!
Shalom, St. Paul's group for young families, will hold its May fellowship gathering on Friday, May 6. All families with children school-age or younger are warmly invited to attend! Join us at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall for a family-style pizza supper, followed by separate programs for youth and adults from 7 to 8. The adult program topic will be "How to Talk to Kids about Disturbing Events." Several experienced parents from the St. Paul's community will be joining us to share their insights. Nursery care is provided. For more information, see the Shalom Web page, or contact Shalom coordinators Nancy Curtis or Angie Jones.
Nancy Curtis
Gold stars to my co-chairs Mary Jane McKnight and Karen Walrath. They "flew" back from Florida and other points to be at the week long setup. Understaffed, they worked to perform miracles and, lo and behold, the room was transformed to help make money for the church.
I would like to thank all my workers and all members of the church for their donations.
I am beholden to you all…
Louise Creatura
Old Curiosity Shop Chairperson
On Sunday, May 15, the Feast of Pentecost, The Right Reverend Jack McKelvey will make his annual visitation to St. Paul's.
Mr. David Craighead
95 Commodore Parkway
Rochester, NY 14625
Dear Mr. Craighead:
Your extensive teaching experience and contributions in the music field are an inspiration to students, most particularly to students in the Mary Pappert School of Music. Your influence on organ teaching is without parallel. Your collection of organ music and books is a great addition to our Library. Your donation will continue to impact students for many generations.
On Saturday May 7, 2005, the Mary Pappert School of Music will hold its graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Union Ballroom, Third Floor. At this commencement exercise, we would like to bestow on you the degree of Honorary Doctor of Music in recognition of your dedication to students and accomplishments in the field of music over your lifetime. I hope that you will accept this acknowledgment of your achievements.
Sincerely,
Charles J. Dougherty, Ph. D.
President
Guet Akou's children, Monica, Susan, Deng and Victoria will be attending the Horizons Program at Harley School this summer. Drivers are needed to transport the children from St. Paul's to Harley during the six-week program which begins at the end of June. We need your help. Please call Ann Marie DeLuccio for details at 582-2648. Thank you.
A treat for Mothers and everyone! Enjoy good food, flowers, and favors. This event is co-sponsored by the Church School and Parish Life Commission. To let us know you will attend, please call 271-2240 or sign up in the Parish Activities book.
The word PENTECOST means "fiftieth day." Pentecost, fifty days after Easter, marks the coming of the Holy Spirit and is generally regarded as the "birthday of the Church."
The liturgical color for the day is red. Red reminds us of the "tongues of fire" that fell on the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost. Wearing red symbolizes our connection with these early Christians. Christians also wear red this day to announce that we are alive with the spirit - that the God who breathes life into creation has also breathed life into each of us.
Bishop Jack McKelvey is to be with us on Pentecost at 10:00 AM. for Confirmation. A festive reception will follow the service. Young people in the Church School are to meet in the Parish Hall at 9:40 AM. Child care will be provided in the nursery.
The youth take part in the 10:00 AM service. Come acknowledge the service of members of the choir, acolytes, and others. Thank those who have worked with youth this year. Following the service, enjoy picnic foods and games on St. Paul's lawns.
Students meet in the Parish Hall at 9:40 AM. The Nursery will be open as usual for babies and toddlers.
Be sure to get a photo and article about your high school career and future plans to the church office by June 1 to be included in the June 15 issue of the Epistle.
Beginning Sunday, June 12, families worship together. Nursery Care is provided in the Day Care Rooms.
Sunday, September 12, starting at 9:00 AM.
Can you believe it? The program year is just about over! The school year is winding down and so is the Church year. As you know, we will kick into summer mode on June 12th but for those of us who do planning and programming the busy time is about to begin.
There are many things that are working really well at St. Paul's; most of all there is such commitment to building this community of faith and to preparing our children to live faith-filled lives. Christian formation is a lifelong journey. It is a practice that we all engage in as we live and move and have our beings in this and every community in which we interact. Formation involves many things. There is, of course, the didactic or "book" piece, learning lessons, reciting prayers and creeds and so forth. But it is also much more than that. It is about experiences, which open us up as individuals and as a community to the movement of the Holy Spirit within our lives. It is about recognizing God's unique call to each of us, so that we may live into the ministries set before us.
I look forward to planning the next program year, with these thoughts about Christian formation in my mind and on my heart and in my prayers. Please join Barb Warner and me in prayerfully considering this important work. I anticipate hearing wonderful thoughts and suggestions from all of you as we meet to discuss and plan. I know that together, with the power of the Holy Spirit, we will do amazing ministry.
Peace,
Rev. Leslie