The St. Paul's Epistle
August, 2003
Contents
Letter From the Rev. McCart
The Bible & the World Lecture
New Series to Begin
Introductory Class on Islam
General Convention 2003
Hospitals & Clergy Visits
All Inclusive Eucharist
SPY News
Welcome to SPY
Mark Your Calendars
Heifer Project News
Who Drinks Coffee?
Back to Church School
Fall Highlights From the Church School
September 7: Back to Church School Breakfast
October's Focus is Stewardship
Intergeneration Advent Event and Supper
Special Thanks
The Episcopal Church Women
A Day at Habitat
By Popular Demand
Flower Ministry
Baptismal Dates 2003-2004
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's,
Together, the Pastoral Care Advisory Team and I have been working to develop a comprehensive approach to pastoral care that will meet the different levels of need for the people of St. Paul's. You will be hearing more about the various ministries that will be implemented in the coming months.
Presently, I want to help you grow in your understanding of one component, that of taking communion to the shut-in.
Although we do not know with certainty "how" the early church celebrated the Eucharist, we do know that the celebration of the Eucharist was at the heart of the life of the community. The early church found in Jesus' transformation of the Jewish ritual of blessing and sharing bread and a cup a new understanding of what it meant to be community, a people in relationship, one with another and with God.
For the early church, as for us today, the telling of the story of God's actions in the lives of people, even from the beginning of time itself, is central to the forming of community. As we tell that story, we proclaim how the community came to be _ how God calls us to be God's people, we assert our identity as the gathered of God, and we prepare ourselves to be the people of God. It is in response to that story that we offer bread and wine to be blessed by God and in receiving those blessed gifts that we become one with God and with those who are gathered in God's name. In other words, we become the Body of Christ, the Church. This theological understanding lies at the heart of why we take communion to those who are unable to be present with us as we gather to celebrate the Eucharist - we want those who are absent to experience and be a part of what we share on Sundays.
Writing around 150 C.E. (Common Era), Justin Martyr is the earliest evidence for the practice of taking communion to those who are absent. In his I Apology, Justin informs us that the distribution of the Eucharist was the ministry of deacons, both to those present and to those absent. Through their ministry, the absent were remembered by the gathered community and were brought into their midst, even though physically absent, through receiving the bread and wine offered at the altar, blessed by God, and shared by all the faithful.
Although Justin specifically mentions this as a ministry of deacons, other evidence suggests that non-ordained Christians also took the sacrament home from the Sunday service, either for them to receive communion during the week or to administer communion to the sick, the shut-in and the dying or both (e.g., Tertullian, c. 160-225).
What is to be noted is that the early church held taking communion to the absent faithful as an important ministry, whether it was carried out by deacons or laity.
In future articles, I will show how this ministry evolved to become limited to the dying and how and why it has been restored to this earlier understanding.
Thomas McCart
Associate Rector
|
Save the Date!
The First Annual
The Rt. Rev’d |
New Series to Begin
A new opportunity for growing in your faith is coming this fall to St. Paul's!
Beginning on Wednesday, October 1, and continuing throughout the month, Thomas McCart will present a series of lectures entitled "Anglicanism 101." This series will explore the beginnings of the Church of England, and address such questions as "What did Henry VIII really do?," "Why a Book of Common Prayer?," "What is the Elizabethan Settlement?" This is more than a history class, however. It is about what makes "Anglicans" Anglicans; it is about how we think and what we believe.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with Evening Prayer in the choir, followed by a light supper in the Parish Hall and the lecture. Childcare will be available.
Watch for more details and plan now to attend this exciting series.
Introductory Class on Islam
The Commission on Christian Muslim Relations is sponsoring an Introductory Class on Islam in five sessions beginning Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. Each session will meet at the Islamic Center of Rochester on Westfall Road. This class is sanctioned by Bishop McKelvey and is open to the public - free of charge. Please take this opportunity to become more familiar with the Qur'an and meet some of our wonderful Muslim neighbors.
Ayanna Hoffman
General Convention 2003
The General Convention (GC) meets every three years and will convene this summer July 30 _ August 8 in Minneapolis. Besides the usual budgetary and election agendas, several areas of discussion will, in all probability, generate lively debate and will, depending upon the action taken by convention, perhaps have long-reaching implications. These areas include:
- The 20/20 Vision from GC 2000
- The original plan called for the church to double in size by the year 2020. Conversations and decisions will impact how parishes address issues of evangelism.
- Alternate paths to ordination
- There is a proposal for a total revision of the canons that regulate ordinations to the diaconate, priesthood, and episcopate. The role of diocesan Standing Committees and Commissions on Ministry in the process, and whether a person should be ordained directly into the priesthood (rather than being ordained a deacon first, which is the present case) are two aspects of the proposed revisions.
- Prayer Book and Hymnal Revision
- When and how we shall revise the current prayer book and further additions to the Hymnal 1982 will probably be taken up in this convention. The question of how to allow for more flexible worship styles that reflective the diversity of the church will likely be a part of the discussions.
- Tithing
- This topic has been discussed at the last four (and perhaps five) conventions. Several resolutions address issues of accountability with outreach partners, funding of church growth, and other stewardship concerns.
- Sexuality issues
- Sexuality, whether related to ordaining openly gay persons in lifelong, same-sex partnerships or the blessing of lifelong, same-sex unions, will certainly be a topic of lively debate.
- Reconciliation
- The focus of discussion will be on the question of whether dioceses, parishes, individuals, and even provinces within the whole Anglican communion might learn to live together despite seemingly irreconcilable differences on any number of topics including but not limited to sexuality.
On Sunday, September 21, Thomas McCart and Steve Lane (both are attending GC) will present a forum on the actions of GC 2003. Plan to join them following the 10 am service in the Vestry Room.
Hospitals & Clergy Visits
On April 14, 2003, new patient privacy rules went into effect at all health care institutions nationwide. These rules have enormous impact on the ability of clergy to visit parishioners in health care institutions. In short, unless you personally, or a member of your immediate family, informs us that you are in the hospital, we will not be aware of it, and we will not be able to obtain information from the institution. For example, we can no longer request information over the telephone about a person, i.e., whether he or she has been admitted or not. If a person chooses not to be listed in the patient directory, we will not be able to receive any information about that person from the institution. For example, if you choose not to be listed, even though we know that you are in the hospital, unless you tell us your room number, we won't be able to find you.
It becomes critical, therefore, that you or someone in your family let the church know that you are in the hospital, whether it is a planned event (i.e., scheduled care) or an emergency. Otherwise, we will not know of your presence and your need for prayer and support from your church community.
ALL INCLUSIVE EUCHARISTMake plans now to attend an inclusive service to be offered the THIRD Sunday of each month at 9:00 a.m. The Liturgy will feature a short homily, youth participation and musical offerings by younger instrumentalists and communion for all. The service begins at 9:00 a.m. and will run about 30 minutes, after which time children can go to Church School (maybe grabbing a bagel along the way??). This is an excellent opportunity for all generations to worship together as the entire body of Christ. Parishioners who are in Church School and parishioners who have church school aged children and grandchildren are especially urged to attend this relaxed but still devout service. SPY NEWSSaint Paul's Youth is happy to announce that Mr. Hank Morrow and Mr. John Bevier will be new SPY Advisors for the 2003-2004 year. Both men bring a wealth of talent, insight and energy to our expanding program. WELCOME TO SPYAre you at least in 6th grade (September, 2003), but no older than a senior in High School? SPY is for you!! Come join the group for fellowship and an exploration of your faith in a safe Christian context. This year, all SPY meet at one time, for a deeper experience of what it means to be St. Paul's Youth. Come join SPY and see what the fun is all about!! MARK YOUR CALENDARSThe first SPY meeting is September 21 at 5 p.m.. Come meet the new SPY advisors, as well as those of us from last year to kick off another fun-filled but meaningful year. See all of you on the 21st!!!! HEIFER PROJECT NEWSTHANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! To the Antiques Show Committee for their generous gift of $1,323 to the Heifer Project fundraiser at St. Paul's, sponsored by St. Paul's Youth. Our grand total is now $3,716.75. We are now only $1,283.25 away from our goal of $5,000!!!! And with that in mind… WHO DRINKS COFFEE?????If you can't get through the day without a steaming cup of java, SPY has all the answers you'll ever need! In connection with the Heifer Project fundraiser, SPY will be selling "Bishop's Blend Coffee", which is in turn sponsored by Episcopal Relief and Development, to help family coffee growers in Central America. With your purchase of "Bishop's Blend", you will not only be getting a great cup of coffee (free samples offered at upcoming coffee hours), but will be helping to alleviate world hunger through the Heifer Project, AND help family coffee farms achieve economic independence. That's a lot from a hot cup of joe!! |
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
9:00 A.M.
BACK TO CHURCH SCHOOL
BREAKFAST
Everyone Welcome
Gather in Parish Hall to greet your friends and meet Newcomers
Enjoy a simple breakfast
Meet the teachers and learn about our
Christian formation program for your children
FALL HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CHURCH SCHOOL
Preparations are being made for the beginning of Church School on September 7. More teachers are being trained in Godly Play, and interactive writing and skit production will continue in the middle grades. We are gearing up for a meaningful and busy year. Please check the brochure you will be receiving in the mail and use it as a reference to our Sunday morning program. Your can also access the information on our web site at www.stpaulsec.org; click on Church School.
SEPTEMBER 7: BACK TO CHURCH SCHOOL BREAKFAST
9:00 a.m., Parish Hall. See your friends, meet newcomers, meet teachers and enjoy a simple breakfast before the children go to their classes at 9:45 a.m.
OCTOBER'S FOCUS IS STEWARDSHIP
Margie Kaiser will visit all the youth to explain how we can become a part of the CHURCH WORLD SERVICE project.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 4:00 P.M. SAVE THE DATE
FOR OUR INTERGENERATIONAL ADVENT EVENT AND SUPPER
Carol Miller 271-2240 or 381-3373
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks goes to Missy McMullen, Becky Hall, Toni Novello, Kim Ross and Sue Hall who have been working with our very youngest parishioners during the summer. They have made it possible for others to sing in the choir or worship at the 10:00a.m. service. Please thank them when you see them.
Carol Miller
The Episcopal Church Women
…are proud to announce their first program for the
fall:
Thursday, September 18th Make your lunch reservation by calling the church office. All are welcome. THEN…
Join the ECW for a theater trip to HAPPY END, by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill In Chicago in 1919, a Salvation Army lass falls for an underworld killer, to the consternation of both their "gangs". This sardonic musical by the celebrated bad-boys of German cabaret features the popular song standard, "That Old Bilbao Moon." We will leave St. Paul's at 9:00 AM by chartered bus; attend the matinee at the Royal George Theater, and have a buffet supper at the Queenston Heights Restaurant. Return will be around 8:30 PM. Cost of the trip is $85.00. Make your reservation IMMEDIATELY by sending a check made out to St. Paul's Church to Gwen Cheney, 1565 Clover St, Rochester, 14610. |
A Day at Habitat
| A donut at coffee hour | $.50 |
| 10 lbs of nails | $12.50 |
| 1 window | $35.00 |
| 1 square foot | $60.00 |
| 1 door framed | $80.00 |
A day spent working at the Habitat House on Fulton Ave: priceless!
Sign up to help with the house at coffee hour or contact one of the committee members: Kathy Schaertel, Jerry Schaertel, Judy Carpenter, Lissa Stiffler, George Kittredge, Trip Miller, or Jody Manly.
BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Several of our parishioners enjoyed the picture of David Fetler and his family in the July issue so much that they have asked to see this one as well! This is David at age 6, conducting the family band.
Flower Ministry
A significant pastoral care ministry takes place every Sunday at St. Paul's as volunteers take flowers from the Altar to our shut-ins, those in the hospital or recovering at home, and members of this community who are celebrating an "advanced" birthday.
This past year, Jeannette Lyons has coordinated this ministry by scheduling volunteers for each Sunday, and I'm grateful that she will continue in this position for the coming year. As we begin a new cycle in September, we invite you to consider joining this dedicated group.
It is not a complicated ministry. One simply comes to the flower room, picks up a "delivery" card and the flowers, 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 or Jeannette.
Thomas McCart
Baptismal Dates at St. Paul's, 2003-2004
In accordance with the rubrics set forth in the Book of Common Prayer concerning specific dates for the Sacrament of Baptism, the following dates will be observed as Baptismal Sundays at St. Paul's:
- September 28, 2003 (Feast of St. Michael and All Angels)
- November 2, 2003 (All Saints Sunday)
- January 11, 2004 (Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ)
- April 10, 2004 (The Great Vigil of Easter)
- April 25, 2004 (The Third Sunday of Easter)
- May 30, 2004 (The Feast of Pentecost)
Persons who desire to be Baptized or persons who desire that their children be Baptized should contact the clergy at the Parish Office (271-2240) to make an appointment for Baptismal instruction.