The St. Paul's Epistle
July 1, 2007
Contents
Dear Members & Friends of St.
Pauls:
Church School & Other Repairs At
St. Paul's
Stewardship News
Song and Sunshine
Congratulations to Adam
Peithmann
Cheers From Laura Dunbar
St. Joseph's House
Dear Members & Friends of St. Pauls:
In anticipation of our new Director of Music, Robert Poovey, coming to St. Paul's, I thought it would be helpful to know more about his professional experience as well as his interests and hobbies.
Robert is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and comes to St. Paul's with thirty years' experience as a church musician. Most recently he completed eleven years of service as Director of Music Ministries at St. Luke's in Atlanta, where he built a large and innovative music program comprising seven musical groups; prior to that he spent four years at Emmanuel Church, Mercer Island, Washington. He holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati (B. Mus.), Southern Methodist University (M.M.) and The Eastman School of Music (DMA), is active in both The Association of Anglican Musicians and The American Guild of Organists, and has served on the Music and Liturgy Commissions of several dioceses. Robert also is active as an organ and harpsichord recitalist and we look forward to hearing him in those contexts as well as in our liturgies.
He assures me, since he spent three years in Rochester as a student as well as a year in the Montreal area, that snow "isn't a problem". In his leisure time Robert likes to read, and for many years has had a passionate interest in organ building. This past year he has worked at Casavant Frères (one of North America's leading pipe organ companies located in Québec) as Project Director and has learned much from that experience. He also loves long walks "to clear the head" and more rigorous exercise.
Robert and his partner Gordon Porth (who is a church musician as well as a terrific jazz/cocktail pianist and teacher) have two dogs that impose order on their lives. They will move to Rochester in July and Robert will begin his duties at St. Paul's on August 1.
We look forward to his first Sunday with us, which will be August 5, and we will commission him as our new Director of Music in the early fall.
~ The Rev. Frederic W. Reynolds, Rector
Church School & Other Repairs
At St. Paul's
The Vestry acted at the May 31 meeting to address the condition of the Church School building and other needed repairs. Water from the roof leaks into the building causing damage to the interior of the classrooms and to the structure. In addition, this spring Bob Frank, vestry member and chair of the Facilities & Property Committee and John Bero, architect and member of St. Paul's, conducted a comprehensive, systematic assessment of our property. They identified twenty-eight individual capital repair and maintenance issues, some needing immediate attention.
Project Cost
The Vestry authorized a contract with Frank J. Marianacci Inc. as general contractor for major repairs to the Church School structure and roof, the sanctuary roof parapets, energy conservation upgrades, a new member ministry area and scheduled Wainright Hall repairs. The Vestry also authorized funds for additional repairs and safety upgrades separate from the Marianacci contract. These additional tasks can be managed cost effectively separate from the main contract. The total cost for the Marianacci work, additional repairs and safety upgrades is not to exceed $1,350,000. The Vestry approved funding the project with the appreciation from our investment portfolio.
Project Schedule Status
The goal is to complete exterior work during the summer months and finish the entire job by November 2007. Work to recondition the windows on the second floor church school wing and the third floor apartment started in May. Leo J. Roth will start work on the sanctuary slate roof immediately. The Marianacci firm will have people on site in early July. Some of the additional repairs and safety upgrades remain to be contracted. The Cadigan room is unavailable for the duration of the project because it is being used for storage of church school furniture and fixtures.
Detailed Project Description
The work to be done is organized into two categories. The first category includes those tasks that can be effectively bid and managed by a competent general contractor. The second category includes additional repairs and safety upgrades that we can manage cost effectively.
The tasks contracted with the Marianacci firm follow.
- Church school building parapets rebuilt
- Church school roof replaced
- Church school second floor interior repaired and repainted
- Sanctuary parapets pointed with North parapet removed, flashed and replaced
- Clean portions of the sanctuary interior walls
- Replace roof in bell tower
- Pointing on entire complex
- Replace storm windows in Church School, Vestry/Cadigan rooms, Day Care, Parish Hall, third floor apartments
- Paint trim on Wainwright Hall
- Replace gutters on Wainwright Hall
- Move screen in Sanctuary up two rows of pews
- Repair Chantry entrance door
- Other items including snaking storm drains, moving water bib, etc.
Additional planned repairs and safety upgrades include slate repair, lightning upgrade, AC for the third floor apartment., clock repair, and electrical upgrades.
Bid Process
The requests for proposal were released May 14. Six contractors participated in a walk through May 17. Five contractors responded to the request for proposal by the May 30 due date. One bid that offered to do the work in 2008 was not considered. The Marianacci firm submitted the low bid. They have done quality work for us on other projects. They are just completing a project at Asbury Methodist Church.
The Vestry is committed to open and full communications with the parish. We will continue to keep you informed as the project develops. If you have questions, please speak with one of our Wardens or with Bob Frank.
~ Stan Refermat, Junior Warden
~ Robert Frank, Facilities and Property
Stewardship News
We are pleased to report that the 2007 Stewardship Campaign for St. Paul's Episcopal Church was a success. It is rewarding to see you, a member of the St. Paul's community, respond with support through our tradition of pledging.
There are always some St. Paul's families who give regularly, but choose not to pledge. We are grateful for such support, yet it would mean so much more if families and friends can translate their weekly/monthly support into a pledge so that St. Paul's can plan properly for the coming year.
If you have never pledged to St. Paul's before please remember that 100% participation by all of our members is so very important to us. Seek a level of pledging that is comfortable to you.
Please know that someone from St. Paul's - clergy, Vestry member, or Stewardship Committee member - is only a phone call away and, if you have any questions or concerns, please call the church office. Thank you in advance for your support of the upcoming 2008 pledge campaign. The St. Paul's parish family is able to do good work when we combine our resources and continue on our journey of faith.
~ Paul Berezney, Stewardship Committee
Song and Sunshine
Joyful music and bright skies were highlights of the Youth Recognition Day Eucharist Service and Parish Picnic on Sunday, June 10. Laura Dunbar, leaving for school in Toronto this fall, chose tuneful hymns and led her choristers in singing the sermon, "Swingin' Samson," a rendition of Judges 4-16. Fifth graders moving to the Rite-13 class were awarded Bibles, provided by members of ECW (Episcopal Church Women). High school graduates received stained glass crosses made by parishioner June Hasty. Following the service, parishioners gathered in St. Paul's Cross for the annual picnic. In addition to good food and talk, picnickers were treated to the music of guitarist/vocalist Keith Thompson, Jr., and the tricks of "Magic Joe" Cappon. Thanks to all involved in the production of these events, especially to Susan Allison, who coordinated the picnic.
~ Barbara Warner
Congratulations!
Adam Peithmann won the American Guild of Organists (AGO) Quimby/Region VI Competition for Young Organists in Lincoln, Nebraska on June 19.
Cheers From Laura Dunbar
After five years, my time as St. Paul's Youth Choir Director has come to an end. This is a bittersweet time for me, as I say goodbye to Rochester, and transition to the next period in my life. I have had the honor and privilege of working with the fantastic kids at St. Paul's, completed my undergraduate degree, had the opportunity to work and study with some of the most amazing musicians in the world, and made some life-long friends. Saying goodbye to all of this is difficult, but I will treasure the time that I've spent in Rochester.
I will be moving to Toronto in October, to begin the next chapter in my life. I have been accepted to the Harris Institute, where I will be pursuing a diploma in Recording Arts Management. The Harris Institute is a small school in downtown Toronto that specializes in Recording Arts Management and Sound Production/Engineering. The school focuses on hands-on preparation for such incredibly competitive fields, and boasts instructors that are active in the music industry. I am really looking forward to shifting my focus toward the business side of music, and hope to utilize my personal experiences as a musician as an edge in the management world. I will also continue my own music making by singing in a church choir, and working with all of the incredible musicians I've met along the way.
I am excited and hopeful about my upcoming move, and thankful that Toronto is close enough to Rochester that I will be able to visit often and continue to perform here. One thing is for sure, as I move through my life journey, I will hold St. Paul's close to my heart, and think fondly of the years I have spent with you. And so, for the final time I say to you... Cheers!!!!
With Love and Appreciation,
~ Laura Dunbar, Youth Choir Director 2002-2007
St. Joseph's House
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb. 13:2).
St. Joseph's House of Hospitality, located at 402 South Avenue, has been serving the poor and neglected of Rochester for over 60 years. It has been a refuge from harsh weather, a haven for companionship, a place to stay during transitional periods, and a source for a meal.
"Feed my lambs."
Our Lord's words to St. Peter are also our call to offer a nourishing meal to some of society's most vulnerable members. At St. Joseph's House of Hospitality, St. Paul's parishioners gather on the first Saturday of each month from September to June. We shop for the food, which we prepare as a luncheon for our guests in a restaurant-style setting. A typical meal includes a casserole, Italian bread, green salad, fruit, homemade cookies, milk and tea. We set the tables and prepare serving and clean-up stations. There are two seatings with a capacity for 48 guests each. When people have been seated, we serve food to each guest and give seconds to those who request them. After lunch, we wash the dishes. Our day lasts from 9:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
In the simple act of serving a meal, we fulfill part of our baptismal covenant, by seeking and serving Christ in all persons and respecting the dignity of every human being.
St. Paul's church has been working with the staff and volunteers at St. Joseph's House for 20 years! After more than 10 years, the current co-chairs, Jane Smith and Mary Ellen West, are retiring, but will continue until December 2007.
Get involved!!!
If you feel called to co-chair this very important ministry, please contact Jane or Mary Ellen. Training and how-to documentation is available. Please take some time to consider assisting with this mission. The needs of the guests at St. Joseph's House remain high.
Please contact Mary Ellen West 442-9632 westme@frontiernet.net or Jane Smith 385-4012 jsmith@library.rochester.edu or one of the Wardens or Clergy for more information.
~ Jane Smith & Mary Ellen West