The St. Paul's Epistle
May 16, 2007
Contents
Dear Members & Friends of St.
Pauls:
Pentecost Celebration
Spring Clean Up at St.
Paul's
The Parish Picnic
Episcopal Church Women
Welcome New Members!
Mission 1
Young Men of Sudan
Dear Children of St.
Paul's
Ascension Day
David Fetler
Preview Party
Roe v Wade
High School Seniors
SPY Corner
Dear Members & Friends of St. Pauls:
After eight months of hard work, collecting and reviewing 43 resumes, boiling these down to 9 semifinalists, conducting telephone interviews with each of them, doing detailed reference checks on all 9 and spending many hours in consideration, we arrived at 2 finalists, each sharing one key factor: we believed that either could be an outstanding music director at St. Paul's. These two will be in Rochester in early to mid-May for final interviews, performance sessions on the organ and with the choirs, and some exposure to the community. The search committee will make its recommendation to the Rector before the end of May. He will then make the final decision and negotiate with the candidate regarding terms and conditions. We expect an announcement to the congregation sometime in June with the successful candidate reporting for duty sometime after the first of August.
The chair repeats his earlier assurances to the congregation: this has been a good, thorough, and professional process. The commitment, attitude, dedication and collegiality of the committee has been exemplary. We all express our deep appreciation to Tom McCart for his invaluable guidance and support, and we all await eagerly the arrival of our new Music Director.
~ Ted Curtis
Pentecost Celebration
On Sunday, May 27, Bishop Jack McKelvey visits St. Paul's for Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. He will take part in the ritual of baptism and confirmation at 10 o'clock. Following the service, everyone is invited to celebrate the newly baptized and confirmed with the Bishop and to enjoy a luncheon reception in the Parish Hall. Anyone willing to make some cookies or deviled eggs or to help serve that day, please call Ruth Dawson (436-4755) or Gail Bush (377-5129).
~ Gail Bush
Spring Clean Up at St. Paul's
A group of parishioners is getting together Saturday ,May 19 to clean up the grounds of St. Paul's. Activities will include picking up sticks, raking, spreading mulch, and generally improving the appearance of our property. Jack Pearson is coordinating the team and promises to serve a hot dog lunch to all participants. This is a great opportunity to help our church look better, meet fellow parishioners, and enjoy some time outside. Bring work gloves and gardening tools if you have them or just show up with your energy and enthusiasm. Parishioners of all ages are welcome. The group plans on working between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Come for the whole time or any portion that you are available. Contact Jack Pearson at 244-5086 with any suggestions or questions.
~ Bob Frank
The Parish Picnic
Enjoy food and festivity at the Parish Picnic on Sunday, June 10. Come to the tent on the church lawn immediately following the ten o'clock service for lunch, music, magic and more!
~ Barbara Warner
Episcopal Church Women
Left to right are the recently elected ECW officers for 2007-2008: Carol Panzer, Corresponding Secretary, Ray Claus, Treasurer, Kim Petrucci, Recording Secretary, Dorothy Phillips, Assistant Treasurer, Mary Critikos, President and Joanne Claus, Vice President - Luncheons. Not pictured is Nancy Andrus, Vice President - Speaker Programs.
The officers will be installed during the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, May 20. Please extend your congratulations and best wishes to them all.
The out-going officers are Gail Bush, Vice President - Luncheons; Carol Panzer, Recording Secretary; Joanne Claus, Corresponding Secretary; Gwen Cheney, Treasurer; and Margie Kaiser, Assistant Treasurer.
Gail Bush has been, and will continue to remain, a pillar within our parish. Her presence is broad-based and thorough; she steps up to the mark whenever and wherever she is needed to make our collective lives smoother and richer. Her devotion to ECW, and to St. Paul's in general, is beyond question; she remains a role model of service. Thank you Gail.
Carol Panzer understands the human condition and is acutely aware of far-reaching impacts that are invaluable in service work. She is quick and eager to perceive the underlying message and to facilitate a goal that supports an objective. Her humor is insightful and filled with wit. Her work is supportive and collegial. Thank you Carol.
Joanne Claus is meticulous in her effort to do what is right. She is conscientious and gentle and therein lies her strength. She is a team-player who understands the value of a smooth process and will go to lengths to achieve that goal. No task is too insignificant if it supports the objective and generates kindness. Thank you Joanne.
Gwen Cheney is singular within the parish for her contributions spanning fifty-plus years. Her role within ECW has been relatively confined to keeping us solvent and aware of precedent. Her corporate memory serves as a ballast to keeping the Good Ship afloat during the times and tides of our shared life. She not only knows the answers, but more importantly, she knows the questions. Thank you Gwen.
Margie Kaiser is constant and true. Her vigil and concern are, what we can only assume, among the traits taught by her mother, Natalie Jameson. And Margie has learned well. She is diligent and focused in her approach and in the execution of any task she undertakes. She is effective and unobtrusive in her willingness to serve. Thank you Margie.
These commendations would not be complete without a special homage to June Hasty - a tribute that is approximately 12 months overdue. The timing is my fault and in no way reflects upon her service.
Our June completed her third term as president last year, covering 2005 - 2006. She served her first term when the six chapters - forerunners to what is now ECW - merged years ago into the newly formed Episcopal Church Women. She stepped up to the plate for the third time in 2005 when our slate for officer candidates was rather slim and in need of an urgent transfusion. Not to unstring our organizational structure, she boldly announced that she would run if asked. The timing between her offer and our acceptance was too short to record. She served with heart and joy, with vigor and stamina, and with an openness and love that is signal to her being. The results galvanized our membership into a body willing to undertake leadership responsibilities with renewed energies, direction, and expectations. One person made a difference. Thank you June. A Great Big Thank You.
Thanks to all of you, as well, who support our parish aid efforts. We are ever mindful that our work could not be done without you.
~ Mary Critikos
Welcome New Members!
Please welcome the following into the St. Paul's community:
June Talarico, Baptized Enrollment
Deron C. Weet, Transfer
Andrew J Welker, Baptized Enrollment
Amy Cole Welker, Transfer
Thomas J Welker, Baptism
Mission 1
Through the end of March, Mission 1 has made grants totaling $13,000 to seven different groups or charities in the Rochester area. Six of the grants are to groups who deal with teenagers or adults. The seventh was to a project at School #9.
Several year ago, the Vestry adopted a policy of pre-designating certain portions of our funding to projects which had proven worthy and which they wanted to be certain would continue receiving funding. This part of the Mission 1 budget is dispersed through the committee and becomes part of our granting process and no prior application or approval is required. The groups receiving these pre-designated grants are Paul's Place, School #9 and St. Joseph's House.
To date, the committee has also awarded grants to Step-by-Step, Sojourner House, Friends helping Friends and Literacy Volunteers of Rochester.
These grants are made with funds which are a part of the stewardship of St. Paul's parishioners. They are dispersed without regard to any church affiliation. But, since they are St. Paul's monies, the Committee would encourage any parishioner who is involved with, or knows of a deserving organization, to encourage that organization to apply for funding.
~ Ed Rubel
Young Men of Sudan
Thanks to the young men of Sudan who offered their dance, songs and drumming at the ten o'clock service on Sunday, April 22. Thanks, too, to those who contributed to the Church School Outreach Project during Lent, adding links for one dollar each to create a chain of hope. The project encouraged learning what life was like for boys emigrating from Sudan and collected $700 for Hope of Sudan. Hope of Sudan, founded by parishioners Ann Marie and Jerry DeLuccio, provides education and counseling support for the young men living in Rochester and their siblings in the Kakuma Refuge Camp in Kenya. Learn more at www.hopeofsudan.org.
~ Barbara Warner
Dear Children of St. Paul's
On behalf of "Hope of Sudan" and the incredible young men who are the hope of Sudan, thank you for all your hard work and dedicated effort during the Lenten season. "The Chain of Hope" represented your kind hearts and generous spirits binding God's people, of all ages, as we work together to bring heaven to earth. A very special thank you to Barbara Warner and all the Sunday School teachers who lovingly supported this effort of outreach and ministry.
~ Jerry & Ann Marie DeLuccio for "The Hope of Sudan"
Ascension Day
Ascension Day is Thursday, May 17.
There will be a 12 Noon Holy Eucharist in the Chantry.
David Fetler
Come celebrate our love for David Fetler and his beautiful music on Sunday, June 3. Join the party in the Parish Hall after the 10 a.m. service which will include a stand up lunch and a brief, joyful program.
~ Carol Miller
Preview Party
We have received many compliments for the Antiques Show Preview Party. The dealers and patrons alike agree the food was memorable. We thank all who toiled in your kitchens to make this party one that is looked forward to year after year. With our thanks and appreciation.
~ Joan Flint & Gail Pearson
Roe v Wade
Roe v Wade, pro-life v pro-choice: Can we take out the 'v' ? We have been polarized for decades, and are no closer to resolution. Can we find a common ground on which to stand and work together? The Christian Dialogue on Contemporary Issues group will offer an opportunity for us to discuss the charged topic of abortion in a safe, non-judgmental environment on Sunday, May 20 after the 10 a.m. service. All are welcome - we need views from all sides so we can better understand each other. Please join us in the Vestry Room!
High School Seniors
Seniors will be featured in the Epistle next month. To be included, please send a photo and a paragraph or two telling about yourself and your future plans to Wayne Reinert, newsletter editor, at wayne@stpaulsec.org. Wayne needs this material before June 1. Also, celebrate at St. Paul's on Sunday, June 10 with the Youth Recognition Service and Parish Picnic.
~ Barbara Warner
SPY Corner
"SONGSPIRATION"
On Sunday, May 20 at 4:00 p.m. the St. Paul's Youth Choir will present its greatest hits concert. Please join us for the concert in support of the many SPY members who sing in the choir. There will be a reception honoring Laura Dunbar following the event celebrating Laura's five years at St. Paul's.