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Dear Members & Friends of St.
Pauls:
ECW Programs for 2007 -
2008
Water for Sudan
The "dog days of August"
Teachers Prepare for Fall
Classes
Shalom
Clergy Teach on Sunday
Mornings
Home Communion
Acolyte Ministry
Foyer Groups
ECW Program Calendar
Pledge Reminder
On Sunday, August 5, Tom Hanson, in his sermon, reminded us that we need each other, as he asked us to look to the left and to the right to see the people seated next to us. I would add that God needs us as well. You and I do not live in isolation; we live in relationship, relationship with each other and the God who loves us and desires nothing less than the best for each and every one of us.
It is a message that many people find difficult to hear. Why that is so, I'm not certain. I suspect it is partly due to the self-centered world in which we live, partly due to the message's counter-cultural spirit, partly due to any number of factors that tend to keep us from the idea that there is a God who loves and desires to be in relationship with us - not for what we do, but for who we are - children of God. The fact that many find this a message difficult to hear means that you and I and the church must work that much more to find ways for people to hear and to know this message of radical hospitality and grace-filled love.
St. Paul's has long been committed to this gospel message, and in the five years I have been here, we have done much in keeping God's love before us and others. Our expanding New Member Ministry, our partnership with the Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, our Stephen Ministry, our worship at God's table where all are welcome, all these and many other examples are ways in which we live out what we believe.
In one of my recent sermons, I shared with you my fervent belief that God is moving us toward the good. In support of that, I mentioned that Origen, a 3rd-century theologian, got into a lot of trouble for arguing that God was so good and so great and so loving that at the end of all time even the devil would be brought back into God's love.
God is moving us toward the good, not by manipulation, but by offering us choices. Each day, you and I have the opportunity of choosing to move toward the good through the choices we make. My desire for each member of St. Paul's is that you will know in the deepest level of your being that you are loved so thoroughly and so unconditionally that you tap into God's love and find new energy to be in relationship with this community of faith and with God, so that together we may continue to proclaim to one and all the message of this astounding God who gives us abounding grace and love.
~ Thomas McCart
ECW speaker program listings for 2007 - 2008 can be found either in the enclosed flyer or in the organization's annual directory available later this month from the Church Office (during the week) and from the back of the Chantry and narthex (on Sundays).
Each of you is encouraged to consider attendance at these programs as they have been selected on the basis of general topical interest and insightful speaker presentation. The subject matter range for 2007 - 2008 is diverse and, we hope, welcomed. Questions or concerns can be addressed to me at home at 442-3369.
~ Mary Critikos, ECW President
Please plan to come to the neighborhood garage sale which benefits "Water for Sudan, Inc." on Saturday, August 25 and Sunday, August 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You will find the sale at 86 & 89 Amsterdam Road (off Atlantic Avenue between Winton and Culver). Donations of items to sell are also being accepted prior to sale dates. For more information contact Mary Moughan at mary@moughan.com.
~ Nancy Frank
In the South, especially, this time of year is often referred to as the "dog days of August." This is because August in the South is usually the hottest time of the year, although the heat spells we've been having here in Rochester are coming close to rivaling the South! It is also a time when many folk try to squeeze in the last days of vacation before the "routine" of September begins.
Time is a gift. It is something that we cannot earn, save or bequeath. That makes it different from money in a number of ways, which we can earn, give, spend, save, or bequeath. Time is truly a gift, and what we do with this gift says much about our being stewards of God's creation.
As stewards, it is good to wake up each morning, giving thanks to God for bringing us safely to this new day, and then using our waking hours to make a positive difference in the lives of people around us. And at the end of the day, it is good to give thanks again, this time for all the blessings God has given us throughout the day (including those "challenges"!).
So, as we come to the end of the "dog days of August," begin and end each day with thanksgiving for the goodness of God.
~ The Stewardship Committee
Church School teachers are planning ahead for our young people come September. What a gift we give children by encouraging them to participate Sundays in worship, music, and learning and every day in prayer and thanksgiving.
This fall will be interesting with the renovation project underway. It is the perfect time to look anew at using our time together on Sunday mornings to maximize the Christian formation experience. Look for information about this year's programs and plan to attend a grand Open House once renovations are complete!
Sunday, September 9, marks the start of the new school year for children and adults. All are welcome to enjoy a buffet breakfast served in the Parish Hall from 8:45-9:30 that morning.
~ Barbara Warner
When I came to St. Paul's over three years ago, one of the ministries in my charge was a group known as SHALOM. Shalom is a Hebrew word which is used often as a greeting, however its meaning is far deeper than a mere hello. Shalom quite literally means "is it peace with you." It refers to the status of relationship, both relationship between two earthly entities but also between God and humanity. Here at St. Paul's Shalom had functioned as a place for fellowship and support for our members with young children. Many of our families grew deep and abiding friendships through their time at Shalom.
As time went on the number of attendees diminished and last year the coordinators of Shalom decided to "retire." At that time no one indicated a desire to take over the coordination of this group. So Shalom took a hiatus for a year. With the coming of the new program year I wanted to test the waters and see if there are those of you who are interested in meeting once a month to share a meal, a time of fellowship, bible study or some other activity.
I believe this can be a fruitful time for our children to build relationships in the church. Parents can have fellowship with others and perhaps build some peace into what is typically a hectic and harried life. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity and either contact me by email at leslie@stpaulsec.org or call me at 271-2240.
~ Leslie St. Louis
Our clergy is providing a variety of opportunities for learning this fall. Leslie St. Louis looks at the Bible in new and helpful ways; Tom McCart shows us the American Episcopal Church in the context of the world Anglican Community; and Fred Reynolds provides a deepening of our understanding of ourselves and others with a view of the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
Come to the Welcome Breakfast Buffet on Sunday, September 9, for information about these programs and all the other offerings for adults. Look also for the fall Christian Formation brochure.
~ Barbara Warner
Every edition of the prayer book has provided for the communion of the sick. The intention, generally, was for the clergy to celebrate the eucharist in its entirety at the bedside. If it was "expedient", the service could be shortened, but not by much.
The 1979 Book of Common Prayer provided specific directions and authorization for communion under "special circumstances" (see pages 396-99) from the reserved sacrament. And in 1985, General Convention adopted a resolution that enabled parishes to utilize laity in taking communion from the Sunday service to those unable to be present.
Last year, St. Paul's commissioned three people to be Eucharistic Visitors, charged with taking communion to members of this community unable to be with us at our Sunday celebrations. Whether these folk are recovering from a hospital stay or confined to home due to health reasons, receiving communion from the Sunday service connects them with those of us gathered to give thanks to God for God's many blessings, including bread and wine made holy.
If you are unable to come to church for a period of time due to health issues, our Eucharistic Visitors would be delighted to visit you and bring the sacrament. Simply give me a call.
~ Thomas McCart
The celebration of the Eucharist, the drama in which we all participate, is at the core of the worship service in the Episcopal tradition. The quiet, solemn work of the acolytes, or servers, is integral to the pageantry of the celebration. The head acolyte, Griffin Jones, can always make use of an extra pair of hands and he will train all ages, from my 10 year-old daughter Kate, to a 40-something year-old like me. If you want to participate in the ministry of being an acolyte, please come and join us. Lighting candles, bearing torches, serving as Crucifer-the bearer of the processional cross, assisting at the altar, or waving the ribbon wand each add to the spirit of worship and celebration.
If you are nine years old or older; please consider participating as frequently or as seldom as you wish.
Contact Griffin Jones, one of the clergy or the church office for more information.
~ Patti Blain
"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
The author of John's first letter wrote that fellowship with one another was imperative.. The word fellowship comes from the Greek word KOINONIA, which means, "to share in common." Christian fellowship is more than attending Church - it is "assimilating" into the body of believers, becoming "one" in worshipping, loving, caring and sharing.
There are many ways in which we at St. Paul's "share in common." We do not, however, have many opportunities to simply be together as a family on a regular basis. Many churches throughout the country use a format known as Foyer Groups to facilitate just that. Foyer is a French word meaning "hearthside" which implies the warmth of a close, small group of friends or family members sharing a common love and concern for each other.
The idea for Foyer Groups came into being from Coventry Cathedral in England. This 14th century cathedral was destroyed during World War II. In 1967, the staff of the Coventry Cathedral began meeting together in small groups "to bridge the divisions which subtly separate us one from another." Soon thereafter the movement of Foyer Groups and the power of the ministry of reconciliation began to spread. You may know that the cross we use during Lent is from Coventry Cathedral.
Foyer Groups are groups of 8-12 individuals who meet once a month to share a meal and a time of Christian fellowship, believing that as we come together we build the body of Christ in this time and place. I ask you to prayerfully consider if this is something of which you would like to partake.
If you are interested, please call the church office at 271-2240 or email leslie@stpaulsec.org. We will collect the names of those who are interested and contact you about the organization for the fall.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this ministry opportunity.
~ Leslie St. Louis
September 2007
Dear Friend,
Welcome to the upcoming world of ECW! The reverse side of this sheet snapshots our program calendar for the coming year. Each of you is cordially invited to participate.
Look for timely articles previewing our programs in The Epistle and in the Sunday bulletins. Try us - you'll not be disappointed!
Meanwhile we invite you to take a booklet, "Taking to the Road with ECW" found in the Church office weekdays or at the back of both the Chantry and in the Nave on Sunday. It tells you what we do. Please help yourself. We are here to serve.
How can we serve you?
NOTE: reservations for lunch, only, through the
Church Office by Monday
preceding the meeting (271-2240) are requested to ensure
sufficient food for all!
(unless otherwise noted start times are as follows:
Business Meeting at 11:00 a.m., Lunch at noon, and the
Speaker at 1:00 p.m.
Church History at 11:00 a.m.
Come for part or Come for all!)
| Sep 20 | Business meeting; lunch, program "Cole Porter" |
| Sep 23 | Sunday, 11:15 a.m., ECW Sponsors Enhanced Coffee Hour |
| Oct 4* | Business meeting; dinner, program "Stem Cell Research" |
| Oct 18 | # 1 Church History with The Rev. Thomas McCart |
| Nov 1 | Business meeting; lunch, program "Knowledge is Power at any Age" |
| Dec 1 | Saturday, 9:00 a.m., Parish Hall: set-up for Bake Sale |
| Dec 2 | Sunday, 8:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Parish Hall: Bake Sale |
| Dec 6 | Business meeting; lunch, program "With Heart and Voice - The Inner Workings" |
| Jan 3 | Business meeting; lunch, program "The McKelveys on Rochester" |
| Jan 17 | # 2 Church History with The Rev. Thomas McCart |
| Feb 7 | Business meeting; lunch, program "Challenges for End of Life Care" |
| Feb 21 | # 3 Church History with The Rev. Thomas McCart |
| Mar 6 | Business meeting; 11:30 a.m., parking lot to carpool to John Marshall High School for lunch |
| Mar 12 | Wednesday, 5:00 p.m., Parish Hall: Debutante Tea |
| Mar 15 | Saturday, 9:00 a.m., A Quiet Day with the Rev. Krista Cameron |
| Apr 3 | Business meeting; lunch, program "Rochester's Violence and Anti-Violence" |
| Apr 24 - 26 | Preview Party and Antiques Show |
| May 1* | Annual meeting and election of officers; dinner, program "State of Rochester's Economic Development" |
| May 15 | #4 Church History with The Rev. Thomas McCart |
| May 18 | Sunday, 10:00 a.m. service: Installation of Officers |
| Jun 5 | Business meeting; pot-luck picnic lunch at River Edge Manor, 535 Mt. Hope Avenue |
* Business Meeting at 4:30 p.m., Dinner at 6:00 p.m., and the Speaker at 7:00 p.m.
Please continue to make your pledge payments as we head into the summer months.
We realize many folks travel and have plans during this busy time of year and are not able to attend church every week. This is just a reminder to help us keep the cash flow on budget by mailing in your payments if you are unable to attend on Sundays. Thank you for your cooperation.
~ Emily L. Wood, Treasurer