The St. Paul's Epistle
November 1-15, 2005
Contents
Letter from the Youth and Family Minister
ECW
Shalom Fellowship Gathering for November
Thanksgiving Day Service
SPY Wrapping Paper and Note Card Sale
Advent Series
Vestry Notes
A Meal And More
What's in a Pageant
Forum
Outreach
Watch for Rite 13!
Email from Fred Reynolds
The Meaning of the Stephen Series Logo
UTO Boxes Available
SEM Ingathering
SPY Corner Update
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's:
AMEN! AMEN! I say to you he who believes in me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. (John 6:47-48)
AMEN! AMEN! I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. He who eats of my flesh and drinks of my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:53-54)
Amen, it is a very important word for those of us who profess a belief in the triune God. One of my treasured memories of my days in the South is of attending an African American Full Gospel Episcopal Church. Now I have to confess I am still a bit unsure what a Full Gospel Episcopal Church is, but I can tell you that being in that congregation was an exhilarating experience. Members of this community AMENED a lot, punctuated with Alleluias and Praise the Lords. They raised their arms in the air and sang with their full bodies; unable, it seemed, to be still as the words of prayers and hymns danced through their bodies and their souls. Sermons were sort of a dialogue between preacher and congregation, that rose and swelled to fill the room, the people voicing their understanding and consent with AMEN! AMEN!
I have been thinking about Amen a good deal lately. It appears to be something that we may be letting go of in our way of being in worship. So what is this AMEN thing, anyway? In Hebrew the word Amen connotes agreement, certainty, faithfulness. It was simply transliterated in Greek and thus also into the English to be AMEN. Sometimes we find it at the end of a prayer or blessing allowing the reader or hearers to say YES! So Be It! We Agree! Sometimes, as in the opening passages to this article, it is repeated twice for emphasis. In this case it is usually translated to mean, Truly, truly… and in this voice it is almost exclusively Jesus speaking. In fact in the Gospels the only person to say AMEN is Jesus himself, typically using "Amen, I say to you…" at the beginning of his own statements as opposed to responding with Amen as we do. In the fourth Gospel, the Gospel of John, there are 25 AMEN! AMEN! statements, and in these we find some of the most important claims made by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is primarily through these statements that we, as Christians, define Jesus and in fact the Trinity.
This is also the place where much of the inspiration and material comes for our Eucharistic prayers. The Eucharistic Prayer is the place it all comes together on Sunday morning. Everything we do, everything we say, points toward this moment when together we pray this prayer. Now you may be saying, 'Leslie, we don't pray this together, you pray it' and that is precisely why we can't let go of AMEN! The priest at the table, the celebrant, carries the entire community of God to the table. With one voice, that is really a rising and swelling chorus of all our voices, we praise God, ask God's presence, and finally re-member (as in re-people, create again in this space and time) the Last Supper, in which we enter into the promise of eternal life through the flesh and blood of Jesus, our Savior!
Eucharistic prayer C that we are praying right now ends this way: Lord God of our Fathers; God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.
Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.
Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and theHoly Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN.
And the people respond AMEN!! Truly, truly. So be it! I agree!! All the people add their Yes to the table and together they create the Holy Communion which makes us one body, the Incarnate Christ in the world.
AMEN! AMEN! I say to you, we need to say AMEN! I want to hear AMEN!! (We won't look for hands in the air and dancing to the hymns any time soon, I promise.)
Blessings,
The Reverend Leslie M. St. Louis
Youth and Family Minister
ECW
On Thursday, November 3, City Historian Ruth Rosenberg Napersteck will speak on "The City of Rochester History." A business meeting at 11:00 in Wainwright Hall will be followed by lunch at 12:00. The program will start at approximately 12:45 in the Chantry. Reservations for lunch are requested. Please call 271-2240. Both men and women are welcome to attend this event.
Shalom Fellowship Gathering for November
SHALOM, St. Paul's group for young families, invites you to our November fellowship gathering from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on Saturday, November 5. Meet in the Spanish Chapel (below the Parish Hall) for a potluck supper, and stay for youth and adult programs. (Make sure your potluck main dish, side dish, or dessert is ready to serve and that you bring serving utensils - kitchen facilities and supplies in the Spanish Chapel are limited.) The adult program theme will be "How Vestry Works." Child care is provided. For more information, contact Nancy Curtis or Angie Jones. See you at Shalom!
Thanksgiving Day Service
Thursday, November 24
10 a.m.
SPY Wrapping Paper and Note Card Sale
Saint Paul's Youth (SPY) will be selling holiday wrapping paper and note cards after the Sunday services in Wainwright Hall. Each wrapping paper kit is packaged with 4 rolls of paper with colorful holiday designs printed on heavyweight paper. Included are 6 colors of coordinating ribbon, 15 bows and 12 gift tags. Our holiday note cards capture some of your favorite Christmas designs from our very own St. Paul's kneelers. These are perfect for holiday giving or for use as Christmas cards!
Advent Series
Competition or Complimentary:
Christianity in Dialogue with World Religions
On the four Wednesday's during Advent, the Rector will present, through slides and dialogue, reflections on his sabbatical to Nepal. Discussion will include what life is like for the Nepalese people and their religious traditions, what might be a new dialogue between Christianity and other religions. The Rev. Denise Yarbrough, Rector of St. Mark's Church in Penn Yan and candidate for Doctor of Ministry on World Religions, will be a guest lecturer at one of the sessions.
Vestry Notes
At its September 20 meeting, the Vestry voted on the following actions:
- Agreed to partner with an Episcopal church in Mississippi which was affected by Hurricane Katrina, subject to discussion with the Mississippi diocese. Agreed to expend up to $15,000 through the end of 2006 from the Unusual Mission Opportunity fund for this purpose.
- Agreed to express its support for the neighborhood voter registration program, as described to the Vestry by Tom Hanson.
The Vestry also heard reports on the following items:
- Update on the Parish Hall renovations, by Bob Frank.
- Update on the New Member Ministry Commission, by George Kittredge.
A Meal And More
A Meal And More depends on St. Paul's to provide the turkeys and roast for their Holiday meals.We can do this again this year if you will please write a check for $10 or more to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, with Meal and More in the memo line. It is nice to know that we help make it possible for others to enjoy a festive meal this holiday season.
Gail Pearson
What's in a Pageant?
- The Christmas Pageant teaches and re-teaches us the Holy Day (holiday) story.
- The Christmas Pageant encourages adults and children to work and play together.
- The Christmas Pageant refreshes our hearts and souls in the midst of what can be a hectic, commercial season.
Plan to see this year's Pageant - Sunday, December 18, at 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed for the production - on stage and back stage. Rehearsals are scheduled for Saturdays, December 10 and 17, from 10 to noon, followed by pizza lunch. Watch for sign-up opportunities! Or, contact Barbara Warner at 271-2240 or by email
Forum
On Sunday, November 13, Dr. Donald Schwab will the guest lecturer at the adult forum at 11:30. The title of his lecture is "Balancing Reverence and Frustration: Working with Those Affected by Dementia and Alzheimer's." Please register by calling the Church Office or sign up in the Activities Book.
St. Paul Outreach Touches Diverse Missions
In an effort to understand the broad implications and effects of our Outreach dollars, the Vestry asked that a master schedule be prepared that accounted for the distribution of $299,720.93 in 2004 Outreach funds. This schedule includes items that were budgeted through the Vestry, Mission 1 distributions, unbudgeted items funded through plate offerings, educational grants, the Rector's Discretionary Fund, outreach grants made possible through proceeds from the Antique Show, and grants from ECW.
We found these dollars touch many lives:
| A Meal and More | Paul Majar Africa |
| Alternatives for Battered Women | Paul's Place (RAIHN) |
| Ark of Christian Ministry | Race & Reconciliation |
| Berea Theological College | Rector's Discretionary Fund |
| Bishop Sheen | Right-on-School |
| Church Women United | Salvation Army |
| Eastern Service Workers Association | Samaritan Pastoral Counseling |
| Ecumenical Cephas Attica | Seaman's Church Institute |
| Episcopal Church Home | Sojourner House |
| Episcopal Diocese of Rochester | Southeast Ecumenical Ministry |
| Episcopal Relief and Development | St. Francis Academy |
| Friends Helping Friends | St. Joseph's House of Hospitality |
| Habitat for Humanity | St. Mark's & St. John's Episcopal Church |
| Hillside Children's Center | St. Paul's Day Care Center |
| Holy Trinity School - Port-au-Prince | Step-by-Step |
| Martin Luther King School | Thorp Scholarship |
| Memorial Scholarship | Water for Sudan |
| - and untold others reached through our annual Diocesan apportionment | |
One of the initial by-products of the creation of this master schedule was the recognition that an Outreach Mission Statement was required to ensure that what and to whom we give supports an intentional vision. Thus, a Mission Statement has been proposed to the Vestry that would serve to guide future Outreach activity:
"Our Mission is to involve our church and our parishioners in bearing witness to the person and teachings of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior by serving the needs of the peoples of the world, both spiritually and materially."
This is to be accomplished by serving our faith community and others directly through the many and varied outreach opportunities, available parish-wide, for applying:
- Our time and talent, individually and collectively, through church sponsored programs and activities, and
- Our treasure, through our annual pledges, periodic and focused in-gathering donations, and parish-wide events.
Our goal is to intentionally and faithfully build community in the larger context through the impact of our contributions.
The following spread of treasure reflects the diverse opportunities we have supported:
| Funding Types | Source of Funding | |||
| Vestry Designated | $200,947.81 | Through Diocese/Other | $228,270.43 | |
| Non-budgeted | $95,337.69 | Mission I | $32,137.75 | |
| (e.g., ECW, Antiques Show, etc.) | UMO | $28,206.00 | ||
| Plate Offerings | $3,435.43 | Antiques Show | $7,954.75 | |
| ECW | $3,152 | |||
| Basic of Distributions | Constituency | |||
| Unique | $39,773.18 | Youth | $15,960.75 | |
| Sustained | $259,947.75 | Elderly | $1,150.00 | |
| All-ages | $282,610.18 | |||
| Geographic Distribution (when discernable) | |
| Local | $51,618.50 |
| National | $4,425.00 |
| Global | $29,917.43 |
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In addition and extending in reach from local to national to global recipients: |
|
| Episcopal Diocese of Rochester (Annual Apportionment) | $170,667.00 |
| Rector's Discretionary Fund | $43,093.00 |
While those responsible for the various distribution decisions are free to allocate our treasure as they deem appropriate, we as a Church shall strive to present a single voice to our respective communities.
Outreach is an extension of who we are and how we serve, and is a reflection of our parish life and commitment to our faith. As such, it is our resolve to move forward intentionally, matching outreach opportunities with our abundant financial and personal resources.
| Jim Blake | Mary Critikos |
| Parish Mission and Outreach Coordinator | Vestry Liaison |
Watch For Rite 13!
One of the "truths" of humanity is that we often think that others know what we think of them or their actions. We often hear people say things like "Oh, she knows I love her," or "He knows I am proud of him." We believe that others know our thoughts and feelings without having to say them. The truth is words can be a powerful affirmation, and the absence of the right words can leave a void that is painful long after the absence of the right words. Actually very little goes without saying, and the important things should never go without being said. Yes, it is true that there are things we "just know," but often we need to hear them loud and clear.
During the 10:00 am service on Sunday, November 20, we will celebrate an important passing with some of our 7th and 8th grade youth. This group of students is our Rite 13 youth; those who have turned or will be turning 13 in this fall semester. On this Sunday we will celebrate a special liturgy in which we honor them, speaking specifically those words that convey their importance within our community and honoring their unique gifts here. We want the youth to know that we walk with them on their journey toward adulthood, that we think they are wonderful, capable, and talented, and, most importantly, that we love them and cherish them as members of St. Paul's.
One of the unique aspects of the Journey to Adulthood program is that it seeks to provide rites of passage that are often lacking in our culture. The church is one of the important places in which we can define places along the path to adulthood that tell our youth they are working hard, making progress and we honor there specific journey to adulthood. Rite 13 is the liturgical cornerstone that lays the foundation for the entire congregation of St. Paul's Episcopal Church to tell our young people that they matter to us.
The Rite 13 liturgy is a rite of passage that recognizes the gift that God bestows upon each of us - the gift of manhood or womanhood. This is a free gift that we cannot earn and need not prove. This gift is the essence of who we are. The same energy that pushes us through adolescence gives us the power to change the world. And these remarkable young men and women will do just that.
Please join me and the Youth Ministry team as we affirm all that is good and whole and holy in these youth we are privileged to have in our community. Celebrate with us on November 20 as we gather together. The youth choirs and guest artists from the Eastman School of Music promise to make this a stirring Sunday, filled with the voice of the Holy Spirit and the energy of youth! Thanks be to God!
The Reverend Leslie M. St. Louis
Youth and Family Ministry
Email from Fred Reynolds
October 8
Dear Family and Friends,
I have just arrived back in Kathmandu after 17 days on the Annapurna circuit. I had planned on flying from Jomsom to Porkhara but cloudy weather preventing planes from being able to fly in, so we trekked out at a brisk pace because my guide and now friend Jangbu had a baby girl. The Annnapurna trek combines Hindu temples high up where one would think only birds could fly as well as Hindu Stupa's and sacred 122 water spouts in Mukinath. There have been literally thousands of pilgrims going and coming to Mukinaths as well as people heading to Porkhara for the Daisin festival. I share the trail with herds of goats that will be slaughtered for the festival, as well as heavy loaded donkeys, porters carrying at least 140 pounds, and naive trekkers like me. The snow capped mountains are my constant companion. I have moved through what looks like a rain forest-lush and green, to semi-desert at the Tharong La pass at 5400 meters. Other than a few sore toes, I am holding up well for an old man.
The people continue to be gracious and kind, some actually trying to crack a few jokes and practice their English. But what is ever present is the religious fervor-whether Buddhist prayer wheels or Hindu sacred water sites. This is a place that is close to earth, wind and fire in their daily lives. There is grinding poverty but a remarkable spirit of friendliness despite the hardships.
I leave on October 11 for the Everest region and to deliver the Polartec fleeces to Chericharka-Jangbu and Mingma's village and then on the Tenboche Buddhist monastery and finally up to Kalar Patar for a glimpse of Everest.
I send you all blessings - know that many people here are hearing about St. Paul's and send their blessings as well.
Take care, Fred
October 13
Dear Family and Friends,
I am now 9,000 feet up in the Everest region in Lukla. Yesterday, I went with Jambu to his home village of Surke to deliver 40 fleeces to both children and adults. The joy on their faces was a new lesson for me in gratitude. I tried to capture as much as I could on my camera - we will see. The experience reminded me of when Nancy Frank and I went to Kakama refugee camp in Kenya - the same joy at simple gifts.
The earthquake that has so devastated parts of Pakistan and India has had no effect here in Nepal-other than a sense of sadness for those who have died and are injured or lost their homes. It a strange way, people here are sad but also say that life goes on.
I went to a Buddhist celebration in the local monastery here- spectacular interior of carefully painted walls of the life of Buddha. My friend Sally Hunsdorfer was a major contributor to restoring this beautiful Buddhist temple.
I leave tomorrow for the Everest base camp. I will hopefully be able to meet the Lama at the Tengboche Buddhist monastery on my way.
I wake up every morning here to clear blue skies, snow-capped mountains, plunging gorges, and the smell of smoke for the morning tea.
This morning I went to the weekly open market here in Lukla - fresh buffalo meat, fruit, curries, peppers, clothes, shoes. Maybe this is what the Rochester market was like before refrigeration.
Although the mountains are spectacular, it is still the people that amaze me. Is it the Buddhist faith that so penetrates their souls to be so open, friendly and funny?
My love and best to you all,
Fred
The Meaning of the Stephen Series Logo
The Stephen Series logo tells the story of a care receiver's journey from brokenness to wholeness through the transforming power of the cross of Jesus. It serves as a simple reminder that it is not the Stephen Minister who restores a person to wholeness. Rather, it is only through the cross of Jesus that a person can be made whole.
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The circle is a symbol of God's eternal and never-ending love for us. God's love surrounds us, holds us, heals us, with the cross of Jesus at the center of that love. For it was Jesus, God's Son, who allowed himself to be broken on the cross to save us from our sin and give us opportunity to be restored to wholeness through him. The broken person behind the cross symbolizes how we are all broken people, broken by our own sin and imperfections. |
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The logo's most dominant feature is the cross of Jesus. It reminds us that Christ is at the center of Stephen Ministry an all Stephen Ministry relationships. The whole person in front of the cross signifies the wholeness we encounter through the transforming power of the cross of Jesus. It is only through Jesus and his life, death and resurrection that we, who are broken people, are made whole. |
UTO Boxes Available
Pick up your blue box for the United Thank Offering in the church. Add coins as you offer daily prayers of thanksgiving to God. Offer the contents of your box on Sunday, November 20.
As habits of daily thankful prayer mature, our personal relationship with God grows. Daily prayers of thanksgiving strengthen our being and doing. The blue box can be a reminder of our many blessings. Uniting our own gifts of thanks with those of others keeps us in thankful relationship with them and with all of creation. In sharing our thank offerings with those throughout the Communion who seek to address compelling human need and extend the mission of the Church, we deepen our sense of participation in the lives of others.
The United Thank Offering is a program of the Episcopal Church USA for the mission of the whole Church
Barbara Warner
SEM Ingathering
The Fall Ingathering for Southeast Ecumenical Ministry will be held Sunday, November 13 during both services. SEM suffered great loss as a result of the basement flood in September and we can do much to restock their shelves. Please start purchasing food and personal items now and bring them with you that Sunday. A partial list of their needs includes laundry soap, dish detergent, toilet tissue, hand soap toothpaste and brushes, cereal, soup, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, canned and boxed meals and stews, canned vegetables and the always-needed paper grocery bags. Let's make this year's ingathering the biggest ever!
Gail Bush
SPY Corner
November 13, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving Food In-Gathering
We will gather at Wainwright Hall for lunch. After lunch we will decorate boxes and fill them with fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner in support of the Southeast Ecumenical Ministry (SEM) program, which provides Thanksgiving dinners to their clients. We will deliver these baskets on November 20.
Please RSVP to Laura Hayden
by November 10
383-8808 or by email)
o o o
November 20, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Delivery of Food Baskets
We will gather at Wainwright Hall for lunch and will then deliver the food baskets to clients of the SEM Food Cupboard. We will return to Wainwright Hall to discuss our experiences.
Please RSVP to Laura Hayden
by November 17
(383-8808 or by email)
Note: Our wrapping paper and note card sale is underway. If you haven't already done so, please call Laura Hayden to confirm the times during which you are available to sell paper and cards after the services.