The St. Paul's Epistle
September 1, 2007
Contents
Dear Members and Friends of St.
Paul's
Construction Update
Use of St. Paul's Facility
Stewards of God's Gifts
Welcome Back Sunday
What To Say???
Worship News
Outreach Opportunities
Dear Friends at St. Paul's
RAIHN
Reapers
SPY Corner
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's
Recently I had a wonderful conversation with another Episcopal priest expressing his frustration that we are actively engaged in social action ministry, but often fail to express the driving force behind our actions: our faith.
We are usually very private about our faith, even amongst each other. I happened to ask one of our Stephen Ministers why they are so committed to this ministry and they replied that during their own struggle with illness, the faith and caring of another parishioner made all the difference. Years ago I asked another parishioner, "Why do you wash all those pots every month at St. Joseph's House of Hospitality?" "Because," he said, " I am so grateful to God for the riches I have in my life and this is a small way to express my thanks." To another parishioner, "Why do you teach church school?" and she replied, "To help pass along the faith I received from my own teacher many years ago."
Every Sunday we gather together to celebrate the power of God's actions in our lives and in the life of the world. We reaffirm our faith in the community of the faithful.
I am asking all of us to shed our Episcopal shyness and tell your faith story to friends, strangers, even relatives! Don't keep it a secret. You may be the very vehicle of Jesus' love and action needed at that moment. And then, invite them to come to St. Paul's.
As many of us return from summer vacation, I look forward to welcoming back our teachers, St. Paul's youth advisors (SPY), as well as our children and young adults, at the 8:45 a.m. September 9th Welcome Back Breakfast.
We have some exciting new Adult Christian Formation programs this fall. You will soon be receiving a pamphlet describing these offerings to help build up our faith.
On September 16th, we will have our Welcome Back Church Picnic, as well as formally welcome and celebrate Dr. Robert Poovey as our new Director of Music at the 10:00 a.m. service.
I look forward to hearing your faith stories as we continue to journey together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Faithfully yours,
~ The Rev. Frederic W. Reynolds, Rector
Construction Update
Work on the Church School building will continue well into the fall, with completion hopefully before Thanksgiving. As we progressed with the planned removal of the parapets and the roof on the church school we discovered that two of the vertical beams on the building are also damaged and need to be replaced. It was expected that we would find additional repairs, but not necessarily of this magnitude. Work is also ongoing in and on the bell tower and pointing around the entire complex is progressing. Painting the trim on Wainwright Hall and the Parish Hall building has started, to be followed by new storm windows installed for the Parish Hall before fall. In early September we will enlarge the narthex by moving the screen at the back of the sanctuary two rows of pews forward. This will allow a more welcoming entrance into the church with sufficient area to remove coats in the winter, better access for the choir, and a permanent welcome table for new members. Most of the work will be completed in one week but there will be some restrictions over one weekend. Thank you for your patience during construction and for following the signs restricting parking and access. If you have any questions about the project please contact Bob Frank or one of the Wardens.
~ Bob Frank
Use of St. Paul's Facility
St. Paul's has a history of making our facility available to outside groups and organizations, as well as for our own internal programs. With the renovation of the Parish Hall we have updated the guidelines, fee structure and contract for use of all church facilities.
Of course, Church programs have first priority for use of our space and at no charge. Facility use for non-church programs is divided into outside groups associated with a pledging member of St. Paul's and outside organizations with no St. Paul's connection. There is a fee for use of the facility for non-church programs with or without a connection to St. Paul's.
St. Paul's charges a fee to cover our costs for items such as set up, clean up, staffing during the event, heat and light, and wear and tear on the furniture, etc. Rates have been established for outside groups that are competitive with other venues. We have hosted non-St. Paul's concerts and receptions, such as a wedding reception where the couple were not members of St. Paul's and the ceremony was conducted elsewhere, dinners for outside groups, meeting space for outside groups, neighborhood meetings, etc. These have been well received and have brought a number of people into our facility that would not have been here otherwise. We have also turned down requests to use our space where we think the activities do not fit with our mission or facility (for example: a weekly dog training class).
Use for pledging members of St. Paul's is charged at 50% of the non-associated outside group rate. The charge to pledging members is to cover our costs but still recognize the connection to St. Paul's. Further rate reductions are available for groups that use the facility on a regularly scheduled basis, for instance every Thursday evening.
Overall, our objective is to have our wonderful space used for purposes aligned with our vision and mission. This is a way to both serve the community and to introduce St. Paul's to a broad range of people. Requests for use of St. Paul's facility should be directed to Judy Loveland in the Church Office. Judy works with Bob Frank, Property Chair, and members of the clergy to ensure alignment with our vision and mission and to ensure schedule availability.
~ Bob Frank, Property Chair
Stewards of God's Gifts
September is thought of by many as a month of new beginnings. Children and youth are back in school, vacations are pretty much over, and many church activities and other programs start up again after the summer break.
That makes September a great time to consider your involvement in St. Paul's ministries. There are many opportunities for service such as teaching Sunday School (full time or as a substitute), joining the choir, taking flowers to our home bound and ill, serving as an usher or a greeter, helping with the care of facilities and grounds, and a host of other activities.
God has entrusted each of us with special gifts, talents and abilities. God also provides us with opportunities to use these gifts, talents and abilities within the home, the workplace, the church and the community. No deed, regardless of what one may think, is insignificant. God has gifted each of us differently, so that we can complement each other as members of the body of Christ to do the work God has given us to do.
St. Paul, in writing to the Romans (12:1-8), encouraged them to consider who they are, how they have been gifted, and what they can do well-and then do it! The list of opportunities to apply God's gifts is large enough to let us know that we can all contribute something of value as stewards of God's gifts. The key is to make ourselves available to do what we can do and love to do. Individually and together, we can make a difference in the world, in the life of St. Paul's and this community through being good stewards of God's many gifts.
~ The Stewardship Committee
Welcome Back Sunday
Stay after the 8 a.m. service or come early for the 10 a.m. service for a breakfast buffet in the Parish Hall from 8:45 to 9:30. In addition to enjoying good food and good company, you can learn about the many formation programs happening this fall for parishioners of all ages.
Youngsters will register for Church School and then meet with their classes at 9:30 a.m.
Adults can sign up for a variety of experiences - look for a compelling topic and convenient time frame. Learning together, we can deepen relationships, have fun, and grow in faith.
~ Barbara Warner
What To Say???
Introducing ourselves to someone we don't know can be very awkward. I remember greeting someone I didn't know after church only to discover that they were founding members! (They had been on a six-month cruise, and I had only been on staff four months).
One of the simplest ways to begin a conversation with someone you don't know is to introduce yourself and say, "I don't believe we've met, have we?" This goes a long way toward solving the problem of greeting an unrecognized fellow member and also provides some direction for the conversation.
Once you've started, you can do any or all of the following:
- If the person is a visitor, ask, "What brings you to our church today?" This may provide some information on how the church may continue to be of service to that person.
- At some point in the conversation, you might want to state in one sentence what you most appreciate about St. Paul's, such as "I really like this church because…"
- Draw their attention to the tract racks and the new brochure describing St. Paul's, and ask if they completed a Visitor Card.
- Invite the person to join you for coffee fellowship after the service, and before you leave them, invite them to return for another service or program.
- If it can be done graciously, introduce the visitor to someone who shares a common interest or who can speak to the information gleaned from your conversation.
We're all in the business of welcoming. I hope the above will help you welcome people this summer and throughout the year.
~ Thomas McCart
Worship News
Since the publication of the Hymnal 1982 and the Book of Common Prayer 1979, Church Publishing has produced a number of supplemental materials for the church. These include Wonder, Love & Praise, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Enriching Our Music 1 and 2, Voices Found, and Enriching Our Worship 1 and 2. Over the past several years, we have used these materials to enhance our worship experience, and we will continue to do so in the future.
Beginning on September 9, we will be using a chant for singing the Psalm appointed for the day that we've used in the past. Published in Enriching Our Music 2, this chant was composed by George Emblom, who teaches church music at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. We will also use Eucharistic Prayer 2 from Enriching Our Worship 1, which was first introduced at St. Paul's in 2006, and the Prayers of the People will be those written for us two years ago.
~ Thomas McCart, for the clergy and music staff
Outreach Opportunities
Now in its eighth year, St. Paul's highly successful Adopt a Classroom Project continues to focus on building literacy skills in "adopted" kindergarten and first grade classrooms at Rochester City School District's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School #9 on North Clinton Avenue and Charles Carroll School # 46 on Newcastle Road.
Adopt a Classroom volunteer tutors use specific grade level skill sets and written suggestions from classroom teachers to design individual interventions for students. St. Paul's provides volunteer training and a wide variety of books, educational games and teaching materials for use during weekly tutoring sessions.
Following a program developed at School #9, volunteer Literacy Circle coaches will meet with small groups of students at School #46 to discuss books recommended by classroom teachers. Coaches work with students to enrich reading comprehension, expand vocabularies and encourage listening and responding to group members. A grant from the 2007 Antiques Show provides for study guides, a year end party and subscriptions to Ranger Rick magazine for all participating students.
St. Paul's Mission I grants provide funds for: December and April vacation book bags filled with books and educational games for adopted kindergarten classrooms, an annual kindergarten field trip, kindergarten graduation cakes, subscriptions to National Geographic Explorer magazine for adopted first grade classrooms and monthly recognition parties for students at School #9 who make "positive behavioral choices."
None of these worthwhile activities could happen without the time and dedication of our wonderful volunteers. We are pleased to have formed partnerships with St. Mary's (Rochester), Christ Church Pittsford, St. Luke's (Fairport), St. Thomas (Rochester) and Incarnate Word (Rochester). Do you know of other community groups who might like to learn more about working with children in the Rochester City School District? Would you or a friend like to support our projects? Just tear off the form below and we'll find just the right opportunity for you!
~ Liz Cook
I'd like to help with Rochester City School District Outreach Projects. I am interested in: (please circle):
Tutoring - Literacy Coaching - Field Trip Coordination - Scheduling - Purchasing - Library Assistant - Grant Writing - Training - Partnership Development - Substituting
Name: Address: Phone: e mail: Return this form to: Liz Cook, 314 Bonnie Brae Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618
or email.
Dear Friends at St. Paul's,
I've now completed two weeks here, including two Sunday services, two weddings, as well as the memorial service for Bob Warren. I have been rather overwhelmed with a very warm welcome and for that I thank you all very much! As I ease into my ministry here I will appreciate opportunities to get to know as many of you as possible. Please don't hesitate to stop by and say hello and introduce yourselves! My office is on the 2nd floor of Wainwright Hall.
At this stage I'm in the process of planning the music for the coming season as well as setting up my office (and with the help of Gayle Hitchcock, Ruth Atwater and the House Committee, that will be completed very soon - thank you, Ruth and Gayle!). It is a great pleasure to work with such supportive staff colleagues and parishioners!
As far as specifics are concerned, I would like to announce that rehearsals for the Senior Choir begin on Wednesday, September 5th, at 7:30 p.m. in the Vestry Room. In the coming days I will also be in touch with members of the Youth Choirs about getting together to talk about the schedule for the season as well as to bounce around ideas for the future. There are lots of interesting and exciting possibilities for the Music Ministry here!
Finally, I am pleased to announce that David Baskeyfield, a second-year Master's student in the organ program at Eastman, has accepted my invitation to serve as our Music Intern for the 2007-2008 season. He brings considerable experience to the position, having been Organ Scholar at his College in Oxford as an undergraduate (he has a degree in law from there) as well as an Assistant Organist at both the Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals in Dublin, Ireland. David is not unknown at St. Paul's, having served as a substitute organist a number of times in the past year. He will begin his duties September 1, and I know he will experience as warm a welcome here as I did!
Finally and most importantly, let me say that it is a great privilege to be here, and I look forward with great anticipation to our work together.
In Christ,
~ Robert Poovey
RAIHN
RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network) supports homeless families. RAIHN seeks donations of attractive treasures as well as gifts from area businesses for a silent auction at the RAIHN dinner on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at Church of the Transfiguration in Pittsford. Please circle the date on your calendar and begin today to collect donations for this fund-raiser. Your participation will have a direct impact on assisting homeless families. So dive into that attic and shopping mall for antiques and brand new goods and services. How about donating a gourmet dinner, cruise, car, overnight at a Bed and Breakfast or deluxe cottage? Give RAIHN that valuable work of art or piece of furniture! Please contact DMack@dor.org (put "RAIHN auction" in subject line) or telephone (585) 388-0040 X-314 with a description and estimated value on the items you wish to donate.
Reapers
Listening for God on Thursday Mornings
Look at dimensions of faith - Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Quaker, and Confucian as well as Jewish and Christian - from the perspective of authors such as James A. Michener, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Amy Tan and Hanif Kureishi. Join the REAPers on second and fourth Thursdays from 10 to 11:15 a.m. in Wainwright Parlor.
For September 13, read Michener's "Voyage 4." Call the Church Office to let me know you would like a copy of the story.
~ Barbara Warner
SPY Corner
Welcome Back Picnic
Sunday, September 9, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Calling all SPY members and their families. Please join us at the Hayden's summer cottage on Lake Ontario (878 Rock Beach Road) for a cookout and an afternoon at the beach. Bring your swimsuit and a towel.
Please RSVP to Laura Hayden
by Sepember 7
(383-8808 or lhayden@rochester.rr.com)
Overnight at Camp Cory!
Friday, Sept. 21 - Saturday, Sept. 22