The St. Paul's Epistle
August 1-15, 2006
Contents
God is Coming!! Will you come too?
Music Search Committee Named
What Witness Will We Make?
McCart at National Conference
Calling All Knitters
Spring Stewardship Series
Rochester Marathon 2006
Stephen Ministry Leadership Training
Carolyn Reynolds
Trauma Healing Workshop a Great Success!
Jacob Deng
St. Paul's at Park Avenue Festival
What Are We Doing Over Summer Vacation?
God is Coming!! Will you come too?
"God has always been coming. He came in the creation of light and he came yet more in Adam. He came in Abraham but was more fully in Moses. He came in Elijah but was to come even more fully in Jesus. The God who comes takes part in the procession of time. With history he localizes Himself in the geography of the cosmos, in the consciousness of man and in the person of Christ. He has come and has yet to come." (Carlos Carretto in The God Who Comes)
Here we are in the hot, hazy, humid days of summer. Many of us have escaped the city for the lakes or the mountains, anywhere that is a bit cooler and breezier. This is a time of sabbath for many folks. They lighten their schedules during the summer, ease off from the demands that have us chasing hither and yon throughout the year.
I hope that wherever you are, be it here in Rochester, or off somewhere, that you are having a time of rest, refreshment and rejuvenation. I pray as well that this is a time when you experience the presence of the God who comes. The God who is with you in this time and place in history, your history and our history as St. Paul's.
In a few short weeks the new program year will begin. All of those who have been missing from our midst and those who have "kept the pews warm" during the summer months, will return, and the ministries to which we are called will begin again. As the days begin to shorten and our minds begin to turn to returning to school, church and life - in the program year - I ask you to prayerfully discern God's call to you at St. Paul's. There are many wonderful ministries at St. Paul's; we always need more church school teachers, SPY advisors, volunteers for School Number 9, Stephen Ministers… The list could go on for a good while. Any one of these, I believe, may be the place and the time where God localizes Godself it, pray about, talk about it.
See you soon!!
The Rev. Leslie M. St. Louis
Music Search Committee Named
A committee has been named to conduct the search for a new director of music for St. Paul's. The Rector has asked Ted Curtis to chair the new group. Ted has agreed and has asked the following people to join him: John Bevier, Nancy Curtis, Peter Doyle, Charlotte Kimberly Haag, Karen Noble Hanson, and Olivia Moore.
As Senior Warden, Chris Moore is an ex-officio member, and Tom McCart, who has a splendid background in church music, is Clergy Adviser.
Announcements of the opening have been placed in the appropriate professional journals, and we have already received two responses and an additional recommendation from a member of the congregation. The cutoff date for receiving resumes is January 10, 2007. The opening is for a full-time parish musician to begin July 2007.
The committee stresses that the successful applicant will be in charge of all music programs at St. Paul's. It is clearly not contemplated that one person should perform all the necessary tasks associated with this challenging assignment.
Members of St. Paul's are encouraged to contact the committee if they have questions or recommendations. If you wish to talk with the chair, Ted's number is 244-5151. Listings for other committee members can be found in the parish directory.
In addition to questions or recommendations, the committee earnestly requests your prayers. The person we recommend to the Rector for final appointment will play a critical role in the future of St. Paul's.
What Witness Will We Make?
As Episcopalians we are living in truly remarkable times. The election of the Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori as Presiding Bishop; the continuing struggle within our own church, as well as the larger Anglican Communion over gay and lesbian people and their election as Bishop; the recent revelations about our government's use of torture and the increasing violence and death in Iraq.
As a church we are making headlines in Newsweek and the NY Times. It is a God-given opportunity to respond to the question raised by Bishop Steven Charleston, Dean and President of the Episcopal Divinity School (my seminary), "What witness will we make as a church?"
Jesus calls us into a radical hospitality that we renew at every baptism by "respecting the dignity of every human being" and "seeking to serve Christ in all persons." We are an inclusive church that welcomes all people into a rich mix of diversity and differences. We believe it is the Holy Spirit at work when we can worship together with people who hold views passionately different from one another. We are a witness to the world when we live out our faith that we are all children of God and trust in God's creative love to continue to live in community together because of our differences.
Jesus calls us to be people of reconciliation, which doesn't mean we are to agree with one another, but rather to trust one another that when harsh words are spoken, forgiveness will bridge the distance between us so we can hear each other in the new light of God's love. We are a witness to the world every time we take on the pain and struggle of reconciliation.
Jesus calls us to personal and institutional transformation. We are to be disciples of justice, truth and love. Through prayer and the creative power of the Holy Spirit, we are open to change strongly held convictions, whether we are young or old, conservative or liberal, as we experience the deeper truths of God's transformative love. We are a witness to the world not in our rigidity or legality, but in our compassion and commitment to God's transformative love in ourselves and in our church.
"What witness will we make as a church?" We are being given a wonderful opportunity to show the world that we are faithful people being guided by God's spirit to incarnate hospitality, reconciliation and transformation. Let's take up this opportunity together as disciples of Christ's love.
Faithfully yours,
Fred Reynolds, Rector
McCart at National Conference
The 31st annual Mississippi Conference on Church Music and Liturgy will take place from August 1 - 6 in Canton, MS. The conference draws musicians and clergy from across the country to hear presentations, participate in workshops to improve skills, learn new music, and share ideas. The three faculty for this year's conference are John Repulski, Director of Music, Christ Church - Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Richard Webster, Music Associate, Trinity Church - Copley Square, Boston, and the Reverend Thomas McCart, Associate Rector, St. Paul's, Rochester.
This year's theme is "Entertaining Angels Unawares: Creating Hospitable and Faithful Liturgy." Drawing from his sabbatical experiences, McCart will give several presentations to conference members and will do a workshop for all diocesan clergy during the week. McCart will also be the guest preacher at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson, MS on Sunday, August 6.
Calling All Knitters!
New knitters are always welcome to join the ECW knitting project for the Seamen's Institute. The knitting is easy - a simple hat and/or scarf set and there is no time limit - you set your own pace.
We are fortunate to have knitters of every age, from teenagers to those young at heart, including Heather Manly, Caroline Moore, Ginny Carpenter, Gloria Weller, Caroline Lee, Helen Rockwell and Mabel Coleman, just to name a few.
If you are interested, please call either Marylu Andrews at 425-1517, or Mary Jane McKnight at 248-0393, for yarn and directions.
Mary Jane McKnight
Spring Stewardship Series
For four weeks this spring, the Stewardship Committee sponsored discussions based on the learning series "Living with Money," published by the Episcopal Media Center. Hosted by Davis Fisher, the series started with a discussion of our "money memories," the different experiences that shape our relationships with money. Each subsequent week, we built on that theme, and explored what the Bible teaches relative to money, saving, spending, and our Christian duty with respect to wealth. In this way, we examined the power and impact of money in our personal lives.
Each session began with reading a short Bible study, then viewing a videotape of 15-20 minutes in length. This sparked discussions on how money affects each of us and our lives. We remembered to thank God for all our gifts, including those which generate wealth. We also addressed the idea of how much money is enough, and brought the classically taboo discussion of money out into the open. The conversation and topics were relevant, regardless of where a person was on his or her spiritual journey with respect to money and stewardship.
Based on the feedback received, the Stewardship Series is sponsoring the session again in the Spring of 2007 on 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25. This 5-week format provides a less hurried atmosphere in which to expand on these topics. The discussion can be different each time, depending on who participates. Mark the dates on your calendar, and join us!
Angie Jones
Rochester Marathon 2006
On Sunday, September 17, the second annual Preferred Care Rochester Marathon will take place. Participants will begin downtown and proceed up East Avenue past St. Paul's. The marathon will cause a number of streets to be closed at various times. A complete posting of road closures and times is on their web site. As you make your plans to come to worship that morning please be prepared to encounter some difficulties.
Stephen Ministry Leadership Training
Beginning Sunday, July 30, Sally McGucken will be at a seven-day Stephen Leader's Training Course in Pittsburgh. Please keep her in your prayers. When Sally returns she will be joining St. Paul's Stephen Ministry Leadership Team. St. Paul's is blessed to have a well-established Stephen Ministry Program. It has worked quietly, touching many lives and hearts. Beginning in September, Stephen Ministry will have a corner in St. Paul's Epistle. Topics will include more information about Stephen Ministry's history and purpose, introductions to active Stephen Ministers, and answers to your questions. Questions about Stephen Ministry can be addressed to any of our Stephen Ministers or to members of the leadership team (Judy Carpenter, Anne Refermat and Tom McCart.)
Carolyn Reynolds
Carolyn Reynolds is looking forward to becoming a student this September at Vermont Academy, a college preparatory boarding high school located in Saxons River, Vermont. She is especially excited about participating in the art and sports programs there and experiencing dormitory living. The youngest daughter of the Rev. Fred and Jane Reynolds, Carolyn says she will see her friends at St. Paul's when she is in Rochester during the holidays.
Trauma Healing Workshop a Great Success!
The weekend of May 26-28 was one spent beginning to heal wounds; wounds of lives and hearts broken.
We watched God's healing hand working through Paul Boyle, a Scottish missionary from Africa, as he touched twenty-seven young men of Sudan.
The workshop was a first step in a journey of processing, forgiveness and peace.
Further, Fr. Boyle conducted a "Heal the Healers" workshop with 25 local volunteers and professionals. This group reflected on his experience and the needs of the young men here in Rochester and importantly other refugees. Twelve agreed to be part of an ongoing process to sustain progress.
The Hope Of Sudan wishes to thank St. Paul's Church for the use of the Parish Hall, Mission 1 for a grant which helped fund the workshop, for their prayers, and continued help and support in this ministry!
We have invited Paul Boyle to return in 6 months to continue his great work and extend that to other members of the community in need.
Jacob Deng
One of the young men of Sudan and a member of the St. Paul's church family, Jacob Ador Deng, has been selected as outstanding senior student at Edison Technical High School. In addition, Jacob also received the Margaret O'Leary Scholarship Award from the Catholic Family Center as well as recognition for his work in New Orleans helping with reconstruction for hurricane victims.
Jacob will be attending classes at MCC in the Fall. Congratulations Jacob!
St. Paul's at Park Avenue Festival
This year St. Paul's will have a presence at the Park Avenue Festival, August 5 and 6. If you would like to participate, please call George Kittredge 385-2412 or John Bevier 389-1931.
New Member Ministries Commission
What Are We Doing Over Summer Vacation?
This summer finds Church School Teachers
- planning a SPY (St. Paul's Youth) Mission Trip to Chebeague, Maine, before taking a daughter to college
- helping to coach a Little League team and watching whales
- going to a 40th high school reunion in upstate New York and visiting a furniture maker in Maine
- vacationing in NYC to enjoy a concert and see the sights
- visiting family in Oregon and renovating a house here in Rochester
- assisting at the GEVA drama program for youth and enjoying a pug puppy
- teaching Bible stories to the young ones of St. Paul's and settling into a new home
Catch up with the teachers as well as friends you know and those you have yet to meet at the Back-To-School Breakfast on Sunday, September 10. Watch for more information about this year's classes and other events!
Barbagvra Warner