The St. Paul's Epistle
September 16-30, 2003
Contents
Letter From the Rector
Attend a Festive Luncheon
Anglicanism 101
Altar Guild News
Thank You
A Rich Harvest
The Bible & The World Lecture
Welcome Senior High Students
Mission I Programs at St. Paul's
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's,
I write this on the eve of my departure for the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, and the beginning of a one-month sabbatical. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity of study and refreshment.
However, I am also disturbed by media reports that the Episcopal Church is on the brink of schism after the General Convention's approval of an openly gay man, The Rev. Gene Robinson, to be Bishop of New Hampshire (not exactly a hotbed of radicalism). I do not believe any schism will happen. The Episcopal Church has always been a place where labels of conservative and liberal lose their adversary divisiveness when we all come to the table for Eucharist. The Episcopal Church has always been a place where you can give voice to things that you care deeply about. We do not marginalize one another by turning people we disagree with into one-dimensional cardboard cutouts. What we do in the Episcopal Church is tell the truth, as we know it, to one another in love and respect.
I am a cradle Episcopalian. I was baptized as an infant, confirmed as a teenager, attended an Episcopal summer camp, and graduated from an Episcopal college. I have known both joy and pain as a member of the Episcopal Church. But what I have always experienced was a welcome at the table, no matter what my politics and convictions—conservative or liberal.
I am personally thankful that Gene Robinson's election as Bishop of New Hampshire was confirmed by General Convention. We here at St. Paul's have, for a long time, had gay men and women as faithful members of our church. We know of their integrity, and their love of Jesus Christ as the core power in their lives.
St. Paul's has been, and continues to be, deeply committed to being a place of radical welcome and hospitality, that helps mediate God's reconciliation and forgiveness, and that calls upon the Holy Spirit of God to transform us into the likeness of Christ.
It is hard work to be a place that encourages diversity, that seeks opposing opinions, but we have learned that when we honor seeming contradiction of thought and opinions, we are enriched and deepened into the heart and mind of God.
Faithfully yours,
The Rev. Frederic Reynolds, Rector
Please plan on attending
St. Paul's 2004 Stewardship Campaign
Festive Luncheon
Sunday, October 12, 2003
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
in the Parish Hall
Anglicanism 101
This series of classes, led by Thomas McCart, focuses on the primary question of what makes Anglicans, Anglican. We will look at how we read the Bible, why the Eucharist is at the heart of what we do on Sunday, what shapes our core values, and similar subjects.
The classes begin on Wednesday, October 1, and continue throughout the month. We begin with Evening Prayer in the Church at 6 p.m., followed by a light supper (it is important that you make a reservation so we know how much food to prepare - there is no charge, but donations will be accepted), followed by the presentation. We promise to end by 8:15 p.m. Also, child care is available.
You may be a life-long Episcopalian. If so, this class will refresh and deepen your understanding of your church. You may be new to the Episcopal church. If so, this will help you to understand our approach to faith. Where ever you are in your journey, this will be a class that will feed your spirit and your soul.
Altar Guild News:
Breakfast for Altar Guild Monthly Chairs - On September 21, there will be a breakfast for the Altar Guild Monthly Chairs. The breakfast will be held in the Cadigan Room from 8:50 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. This will be an opportunity for the Altar Guild Leadership team to thank past and current monthly chairs for the work they do. It will also be an opportunity to learn and to share ideas. Please contact Linda White (482-2616), Linda Lakeman (244-7802), or Ann Buerschaper (654-6803) for more information.
The Altar Guild Leadership team is just completing the annual inventory. This year we worked with Wayne Reinert to photograph the silks to add to the pictorial inventory. We have also made note of items in need of repair. The appliqué on the Green superfrontal on the High Altar is in need of repair. We will investigate the cost of purchasing a new green superfrontal as well as repairing the current superfrontal.
In the October - November timeframe, the Altar Guild Leadership team will be contacting the members to determine what months they would like to serve in 2004 and when they would like to serve in December of 2003. Check your calendars.
Linda, Linda and Ann
Your many kindnesses and prayers during my hospitalization and
recovery meant a great deal to me and my family.
Thank you.
Barbara Warner
A Rich Harvest of Ideas and Camaraderie Awaits You
September 25, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m., the REAPers will gather again in Wainwright Hall to begin another year of rich discussion as we explore Listening For God, Vol. 2, a collection of short stories with Christian messages. We will begin this fall with "The Rich Brothers" by Tobias Wolff in the book that is available at The Good Book Store. Those of us who choose to, will then convene to a nearby restaurant for more camaraderie. Come join us to Read, Enjoy, And Participate in a rewarding experience on second and fourth Thursday mornings.
Marylu Andrews
The Bible Does Matter: How & Why - with
Illustrations
The Right Reverend Frederick Houk Borsch
November 2, 2003
4 p.m. - Choral Evensong
5 p.m. - Lecture I
6 p.m. - Dinner in the Parish Hall
7:30 p.m. - Lecture II
Pre-paid reservations for the dinner are a must! The cost is $10 per person for a delicious chicken casserole (recipe from Tom McCart), salad, bread, drink, and dessert. Space is limited to 150 people, so don't wait as this event is being publicized to all churches in the greater Rochester area. Deadline for reservations is October 27. No refunds for cancellations after that date.
Welcome Senior High Students
A NEW Sunday morning Christian Formation Program
Has been created for people just like you
(and those not anything like you too)
It will run Sunday morning from 9:45 a.m. till the "Peace"
EVERY SUNDAY
Come to be with your friends, meet new people, or bring along a
friend,
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
JOIN US in the EAST ROOM at 9:45 a.m.
Mission I Programs at St. Paul's
Mission I refers to St. Paul's ministry outside its own congregation. St. Pauls' shared $45,350 of its resources in 2002 with groups working to meet the needs of many hundreds of people in and around Rochester. Programs funded through Mission 1 efforts provide meals, housing, education, and other services for those in need.
This article will focus on meals. In subsequent issues we'll look at other Mission I activities. All of this information, and then some, can be found at Outreach and Mission.
St. Paul's gifts of time, talent and funds help feed the hungry.
Four programs that work to feed hungry people here in Rochester as well as in Mexico received a total of $3,550 from St. Paul's Mission I funds in 2002 (A Meal & More; Feed the Hungry, St. Paul's Mexico; Rochester Food Not Bombs; and St. Joseph's House of Hospitality).
Serving as a
prime example of service to others is the ministry through St. Joseph's
House of Hospitality on South Avenue. On the first Saturday of each
month from September to June, many St. Paul's parishioners heed our
Lord's call to "Feed my lambs", shopping for food and preparing a warm
meal for as many as 96 men, women and children in a restaurant-style
setting. The dedication of our volunteers is always evident, down to
the homemade cookies that accompany every meal we serve. Kind words of
welcome and encouragement are part of our mission to feed not just the
bodies but the souls of our guests.
Service at St. Joseph's exemplifies the story of the feeding of the 5000. There are times when more guests appear with greater hunger than expected. Sometimes the regular Saturday helpers are not as numerous. But because we ask it in His name, our good Lord blesses what we have and who is there. There is always enough.
St. Paul's provides $1350.00 annually for the 10 Saturdays we serve, or $135 each time. Any balance at the end of the year is given to St. Joseph's House in the form of a check for use as needed.
For more information, contact Jane Smith, Co-Chair, St. Paul's Ministry to St. Joseph's House of Hospitality at 385-4012.