The St. Paul's Epistle
October 1-15, 2005
Contents
Letter from the Associate Rector
Water for Sudan
Church World Service
Flower Ministry Needs Volunteers
Follow the Apple Path
SPY Wrapping Paper Sale
Hymn of the Month Meeting Report
Ushers
SPY CORNER
Breaking Open the Word
The Blessing of the Animals
Marcus Borg
Elijah Poster
Mendelssohn's Elijah
Featured Artist
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's:
Occasionally, I find something that truly resonates with me. Most recently it was a sermon by the Reverend J. Edwin Bacon, Jr., who is rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church, Pasadena, CA, given at the commencement service at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. I share an excerpt with you, with permission (both Fred and I know Ed well).
"…My friend, Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest who has the reputation of working with gangs in East L.A. says that he refuses to work with gangs. 'I don't work with gangs, he says - I don't go to their meetings, their reunions, their family days in the park because every thing having to do with gangs is about placing conditions on love. I work with people who want to come out of gangs. I try to create a space where people can literally know and feel what it is like to have a community where there are no conditions placed on love.'
"That, my friends, is what Jesus created at the Table and what you and I are called to create in the space called the Church - a place where fear-based questions can be gently set aside and human beings can breathe in God's love for them that has no conditions - whoever they are and wherever they are on the journey of faith, each person can be nourished and embraced and have their feet washed and know and feel that God loves their very being and that in that love there is absolutely no need to fear.
"The issue facing the Anglican Communion today is whether we will be a gang or the Body of Christ. Will the Episcopal Church be a gang or the Body of Christ? Will our seminaries be a gang or the Body of Christ? Will our parishes be a gang or the Body of Christ? Will our individual hearts be gang-like, placing conditions on our love or will they be like the heart of Christ - love for everyone without condition?
"There once was a survey which asked people what were the things they most wanted to hear said to them.
After thousands of people were surveyed those who conducted the survey were very surprised that there were three things at the top of everyone's list. The survey said that the three things that everyone wants to hear are: first, 'I love you.' Everyone also wants to hear 'I forgive you.' And finally everyone wants to hear 'Supper is ready.'
"My brothers and sisters, if we forswear a fearful heart and let the Spirit of Jesus and God's love come into us and give our lives away creating spaces where others can know how deeply God loves them without condition - if we can cook this on our own stoves, so that others feel these words coming from our insides out - you are loved, you are forgiven, then we will have a reason to also say, supper is ready. Now, let's come to this table and eat. Amen."
Thomas McCart, Associate Rector
Water for Sudan
T-shirts are available for sale $15 each or $25 for two. Adult and children sizes are available. Proceeds help support Water for Sudan. Contact Louise Moore for special size needs and more information at 377-8239.
Church World Service
There is greater than ever need for Church World Service health kits. Please help by bringing in hand towels, washcloths, bars of bath size soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, 6 Band-Aids, and metal files. All items should be new and clearly marked for Church World Service. Baskets for the items are at the back of the church and in the office.
Flower Ministry Needs Volunteers
A significant pastoral care ministry takes place every Sunday at St. Paul's as volunteers take flowers from the Altar to our home-bound, those in the hospital or recovering at home, and members of this community who are celebrating an "advanced" birthday.
This is not a complicated ministry. One simply comes to the flower room on the day you are scheduled to deliver, arrange a small vase of flowers from the altar, pick up a "delivery" card (maps provided!), 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 Mary Jo Doyle (421-3464).
Thomas McCart
Follow the Apple Path
The bright cardboard apples along the carpet have helped us find the way up through the Day Care area to Church School Rooms. Classes are organized for fall semester. It's not too soon to begin looking ahead to the SPY/ Church School All Saints' party on Sunday, October 30, from 2-4 p.m., the Gather Together Service and Luncheon on Sunday, November 20, and even the Christmas Pageant - save Saturday mornings, December 10 and 17 from 10:00 a.m. to noon for pageant rehearsals followed by a pizza lunch. The Christmas Pageant is Sunday, December 18, at 4:00 p.m. followed by supper and carols. All will have an opportunity to participate!
Barbara Warner, Coordinator for Christian Formation
SPY Wrapping Paper Sale
Saint Paul's Youth (SPY) has some ambitious outreach projects planned for the coming year. Please support our fund raising efforts which begin on October 30 . We will be selling holiday wrapping paper after both Sunday services.
Hymn of the Month Meeting Report
Over the last year or so, St. Paul's has introduced some seven or eight new hymns, along with three new pieces of service music. New hymns were introduced initially by being sung by the choir during communion. The following Sunday, the hymn was sung by all during communion, and on the Sunday after that, sung again by all, but not necessarily at communion. Early in August a group of parishioners met in Wainwright Hall to talk about our Hymn of the Month introduction process. The focus of the discussion was on two main areas: what has been their experience with the introduction of new hymns/music and how might we do a better job of introducing new hymns?
Many people come to St. Paul's for the integrity of the liturgy and the beauty of the music. With the purpose of hymns to praise God and increase our knowledge about God, it was noted that different music resonates differently with people -- some appreciated the new hymns and some did not. It was also noted that as we welcome new people to St. Paul's, each person brings with him or her a set of hymns, some of which may be unknown to us, but well-loved by that person, and what may be one of our favorites, is unknown to him or her.
On a practical note, the group consensus was that introducing new hymns during communion was not the best time, due largely to the fact that a good number of folk are moving to and from the altar, making it difficult for people to join in the singing. In response to that, at the last music staff meeting, it was decided that we will introduce new hymns in between the New Testament and Gospel readings first, and then on subsequent Sundays move it to other positions in the liturgy, depending upon the hymn.
Erin Glanton and Thomas McCart
Ushers
If you are interested in serving your church as an usher or would like information about ushering, call the church office and someone from the usher committee will contact you. It requires serving only two or three times a year and is an excellent way to meet other members of the congregation.
Elmer Cheney, Usher Chairman
SPY CORNER
October Events
Lock-In, October 7-8, Friday 8 p.m.
until Saturday 12 noon
8:00 p.m. - Meet at Wainwright Hall for dinner, discussion of mission work, fund raising, T-shirt design, fun, games and a movie.
Saturday morning we will
paint the SPY room!
Please RSVP to Laura Hayden
by October 3
(383-8808 or email)
o o o
Sunday, October 30, 2-4 p.m.
We will host an All Saints' party for younger members of the church including Halloween dress-up, pumpkin carving, games and treats. We will decorate the Spanish Chapel during Sunday School.
Note: In November, we will begin
selling wrapping paper after the
8:00 and 10:00 services
and will begin our
Thanksgiving Food In-Gathering.
Please RSVP to Laura Hayden by October 27
(383-8808 or email).
Breaking Open the Word
The October Series
The Incarnation, Jesus and the first disciples, the wedding at Cana, and the baptism of Nicodemus - the biblical accounts are enhanced when we trace the texts from their Hebrew and Greek beginnings. Share this opportunity to grow in understanding and deepen faith by looking beyond our English translations. The series will be led by the Revs. Edward French and Alice K. Ford and will be held Wednesdays, October 5, 12, 19 and 26 in the Wainwright Hall Parlor. 6 p.m. Evening Prayer, 6:30 supper and 7 - 8 program.
Contact the Rev. Leslie St. Louis or Barbara Warner
The Blessing of the Animals
This special service will take place on Sunday, October 9, at 2 p.m. at Paul's Cross. All animals (living or stuffed) and their human companions are welcome. The service is inspired by St. Francis of Assisi's love for animals (St. Francis' Day is October 4) and includes prayer, readings, and a blessing for each animal. A special offering will be collected for Lollypop Farm.
Marcus Borg
Marcus Borg is coming to St. Paul's on November 6. Share perspectives on Borg's latest book The Heart of Christianity Monday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30, September 26 through October 31 in the Church Conference Room (come into the church through the Westminster Road entrance). Bring a copy of the introduction. Please sign up in the activities book in the Sunday Office or call the Office 271-2240 by Sunday, September 25.
Mendelssohn's
with
ST. PAUL'S CHOIR
FESTIVAL SINGERS & ORCHESTRA
DAVID FETLER, Conductor
|
NANCY CURTIS, Soprano |
GRADY BAILEY, Tenor |
|
HOLLY BEWLAY, Soprano |
BERNARD HOLCOMB, Tenor |
|
PAMELA TERRY, Alto |
CHRISTOPHER MOORE, Baritone |
|
JESSICA BEST, Alto |
OLIVIA MOORE, Youth |
Sunday, October 2, 2005 - 4:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
East Avenue & Westminster Rd.
Suggested donation - $10, Students - $5, Families - $25
Mendelssohn's ELIJAH
Written by Felix Mendelssohn in 1846, Elijah is an oratorio (similar to an opera but without costumes, scenery or acting) based on the biblical story of the prophet Elijah. Elijah was one of the great prophets of the Old Testament through whom God spoke. It was through Elijah's prayers and pleadings that a widow's child who had died was revived, and that rain finally came upon a dry land where people were starving. He challenged and rebuked the followers and worshipers of the false god Baal, a statue, led by Ahab and his wife Jezebel. At the end Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into heaven. The music of Mendelssohn brings this graphic story to life.
Featured Artist
Baritone Derrick Smith has emerged as a rising vocal sensation, singing with distinction in theaters around the world. He has performed roles in Porgy & Bess around the world, several of which were nationally televised, in Don Giovanni in Sweden, and in Russia as the title role of Eugene Onegin. Mr. Smith had standing ovations for his role of Joe in Showboat at both the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago and the California Musical Theater in Sacramento, and more recently appeared with Opera Ebony in the debut performance of the original Opera Harriet Tubman. A frequent oratorio and concert soloist, he has performed in recital with renowned soprano Renee Fleming, as well as a soloist in Jessye Norman Sings for the Healing of AIDS, telecast live on PBS. Mr. Smith's other credits include solo performances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Long Island Philharmonic, the Opera Theater of Rochester, and the New York City Opera. Derrick Smith and his family reside in Rochester, N.Y. Mr. Smith is a Senior Associate Instructor of Voice at Eastman School of Music.