The St. Paul's Epistle
November 16, 2006
Contents
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's
We Gather Together
Becoming a Member
Advent Lessons and Carols
Advent Series
Festive Dinner
Handel's Messiah
Good News of Great Joy!
Advent Series
Welcome New Members
News from Diocesan Convention
St. Paul's Stephen Ministry
Advent Outreach for SEM Food Cupboard
A Meal and More
Episcopal Church Home Gift Shop
Christmas Flowers
Can you believe it??????
All Saints' Party
SPY Hosts the Good Bookstore
Kneeler Christmas Cards for Sale
SPY CORNER
Thank you!
Thanksgiving Office Hours
World AIDS Day
Postcards from the Circle
Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul's
As many of you know, I love our American Thanksgiving Day. I have been blessed with great cooks in my family, so we always have delicious food. There is none of the emotional weight often associated with Christmas, so that a lighter spirit surrounds family and guests at the table. We have a tradition that perhaps many of you follow as well - to ask all at the table what they are thankful for. It gladdens my heart to hear, over the years, my children move from thankfulness for things to thankfulness for people and relationships. We are, of course, especially thankful for those people who have helped enrich our lives through bringing us joy and happiness. However, I rarely, if ever, give thanks for those people who have loved me enough to challenge me to grow in my spiritual life, to not be satisfied with the "same old, same old," but instead expect God to change me.
I give thanks for those family and friends who patiently listen to my complaining and then help me to do something about it. I give thanks for those family and friends who remind me that I am a child of God when I begin to assume the worst in life. I give thanks for family and friends that know how hard it is to change habits, but continue to walk beside me until I do, no matter how long it takes.
I, like you, have much to be thankful for, especially to feast on God's transforming power to change us into people with grateful hearts and gracious souls.
~ The Rev. Frederic W. Reynolds, Rector
We Gather Together
Please come to the enhanced coffee hour on Sunday, November 19 after the 10 a.m. service. The Parish Life Commission will serve apple and pumpkin pies as well as cider on this Sunday before Thanksgiving. See you there!
Becoming a Member
Are you new to St. Paul's? Has our balanced meal - Word & Sacrament - nourished you? Are you considering joining us in this wonderful journey in faith?
Wherever you are, wherever you find yourself on your journey in faith - there is a place here for you. Your presence here has enriched us, and we pray that your life in Christ has been deepened as you worshiped with us.
If you believe there is a place here for you, we invite you to become a member of St. Paul's. It is an easy process:
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If you are an Episcopalian, simply let us know the name of your last parish, and we will write to request a Letter of Transfer.
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If you come from another Christian tradition (Methodist, Presbyterian, etc.) and have been baptized, you may have your baptism recorded here. Simply complete a form that we will provide you upon request.
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If you have not been baptized, you may request baptism. Simply make an appointment to speak to one of the clergy.
If you have any questions about becoming a member of St. Paul's, please speak with any of the clergy.
~ Thomas McCart
Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 3 at 4 p.m.
St. Paul's Choir, David Fetler, conductor
Adam Peithmann, organist
The Angel Gabriel
Adam Lay Ybounden
Behold, The Days Are Coming
Organ selections and Advent Readings
Advent Series
Thursdays, December 7, 14 and 21
"The Role of Mary in the Incarnation:
Implications for the 21st Century"
Dr. Eugen Baer, Professor of Philosophy at
Hobart William Smith Colleges
Eugen Baer was appointed interim dean of Hobart College last June after 35 years of teaching at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. As a professor of philosophy, Baer routinely taught courses in semiotics (the study of signs), philosophy of language and continental philosophy. He continues to teach philosophy on a limited basis during his tenure as interim dean. On the side, Baer gives lectures on biblical topics in Europe and has published books on how to approach the Bible in the context of Jewish and Christian traditions.
A native of Switzerland, Baer came to Hobart and William Smith after earning a doctorate in philosophy from Yale University, a licentiate degree in theology from the University of Freiburg, Switzerland, and a biblical baccalaureate from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. Baer, an ordained laicized Catholic priest, has three grown children and currently lives in Lodi with his wife Karen and his five year old son Geni.
Baer has been president of the Semiotic Society of America twice, a fellow of the National Endowment for the Humanities, a member of the Fulbright Grant Screening Committee and the chair of the philosophy department at the Colleges. He also served as Lodi Town and Seneca County Supervisor during the late 1980s and 1990s and is presently councilman of the Lodi Town Board.
~ Fred Reynolds
Festive Dinner
Christmas is coming! Start the season with the "Deck the Halls" dinner on Friday, December 8. Formerly known as the Progressive Dinner, this re-named event will take place beginning with wine, punch and hors d'oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the singing of Christmas carols. We will supply the meat, and we ask that you call Gail Bush at 377-5129 to sign up for a dish to pass. Donations for wine will be accepted. Please join us for one of the highlights of the church year.
Handel's "Messiah"
Handel's popular Messiah with St. Paul's Choir will be presented with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, December 10, 3:00 p.m. at the Hochstein Music School, 50 N. Plymouth Avenue. Tickets are available at Wegmans or by calling Julie Doescher at 442-9778.
~ David Fetler
Good News of Great Joy!
The familiar story, carols, and set are somehow new every year as we gather together for the Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 17, at 4:00 p.m. followed by supper in the Parish Hall. We plan a somewhat abbreviated rehearsal schedule this year with practice and pizza for narrators and main characters on Saturday, December 9, from 10-noon. Everyone will get costumes and have a dress rehearsal with the youth choir on Saturday, December 16, from 10-noon. Angels and shepherds need attend only the rehearsal on the 16th. Children of all ages can take part in the show of the season. Sign up in the Parish Hall, call me at 271-2240 or send an email to barbara@stpaulsec.org to tell me that you will participate.
~ Barbara Warner
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Please welcome the following into the St. Paul's community:
Leo Peter Carr, Baptized Sunday, November 5,
2006
Laura K. Carr, Transfer
Mason T. Carr, Baptized Enrollment
Daryl Sharp, Transfer
Henry (Hank) Kingston and Kathleen (Kathy) Kingston, Transfer
Jennifer Louise Barons and
Sean Patrick Costello, Baptized Enrollment
News from Diocesan Convention
The 75th Convention of the Rochester Diocese was held at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel in Rochester on October 27 and 28 with the theme "Partnerships and Possibilities: A Time for Every Purpose." Participants had opportunities for learning, worship, decision-making, and fellowship.
Among the highlights:
The Rt. Rev. Jack McKelvey announced his retirement as the seventh Bishop of Rochester effective in 2008 and set into motion a plan for selecting a new bishop.
Delegates elected parishioner Les Kernan to a term on the Diocesan Council.
Resolutions were passed to:
- Endorse the consecration of all qualified candidates to the episcopate
- Affirm the resolution passed by General Convention to end the war in Iraq
- Support the establishment of an international peace-keeping force to prevent further loss of life in Darfur, Sudan
- Call upon the State of New York to provide same-sex couples access to civil marriage
- Foster between the scientific community and congregations dialogue related to stem cell research
For more information, go to St. Paul's web site and click on "News" or or contact any of the delegates from St. Paul's: Fred Reynolds, Tom McCart, Leslie St. Louis, Rick Harrison, Les Kernan, Sally McGucken (alternate) and Barbara Warner.
~ Barbara Warner
St. Paul's Stephen Ministry
(One-to-one Ministry by a Trained, Caring Friend)
Do you need someone to listen and extend the hand of Christian love? If you do, Stephen Ministry can play an important role in your life. We encourage both men and women to experience the comfort of having a Stephen Minister.
For the past two years, our Stephen Ministers have made over 600 visits to St. Paul's people. We, the Stephen Leaders, ask your continued prayers for our dedicated Stephen Ministers: Donna Nash-Bayley, Floyd Bayley, Jim Blake, Joyce Bogdanski, Ann Marie Fabrowicz, Nancy Frank, Kitty MacDowell, Louise Moore, Carol Panzer and Beverly Vaughn. We also ask your prayers for the care receivers and for the healing God is working through Stephen Ministry.
If you would like more information about Stephen Ministry please contact one of us.
~ Judy Carpenter, Sally McGucken, Anne Refermat & Tom McCart
Advent Outreach for
SEM Food Cupboard
Won't you share - a jar of peanut butter, a box of tissue, a can of tuna or chunky soup, a box of rice or pasta, some corn flakes or a tube of toothpaste? People in our neighborhood need food, paper and hygiene products, and we can help the SEM Food Cupboard meet these needs.
Share this Advent by bringing a bag-full of groceries to the tree in the Parish Hall. The tree will be ready for you from December 3 through 24. Young people from the Church School will give you decorations for the tree in return for your contributions!
~ Barbara Warner
A Meal and More
A Meal and More depends on St. Paul's to provide the turkeys and roasts 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 A 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.
Episcopal Church Home Gift Shop
On Sunday, November 19, the Tip Top Shoppe will have seasonal and every day items to sell in the Parish Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Gift items for all ages include jewelry, plush animals, toys, cards, novelties, pottery, glassware, books, sweaters, scarves - all new. Profits benefit the Episcopal Senior Life Communities (Independent, Assisted, Skilled Nursing and Rehab Units). Parishioners Sally Tait, Gwen Cheney, and Dorothy Phillips will greet you there.
Origin of Our American
Christmas Traditions
Christopher Bensch, Vice President of Collections at the Strong National Museum of Play, will be our guest speaker December 7 at 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall following the ECW Luncheon at noon. His topic will be American Christmas Traditions and How They Took Shape. He is an engaging speaker on a variety of topics (his first of what is anticipated to be several visits to Episcopal Church Women.
One of his questions to us all will be to identify the Top Ten Toys in the Toy Hall of Fame. It's not as easy as you might think! It's serious business taking on the solemnity and focus one might find studying seemingly more profound fields of concentration.
It is appropriate that Victorian customs will be discussed in December in our newly-renovated Victorian space!
As always, if you plan on Luncheon at noon with ECW, please confirm your reservation through the Church office at 271-2240 by Monday, December 4.
~ Mary Critikos
Christmas Flowers
Each year we fill the church with Christmas poinsettias, wreaths and greens in memory of loved ones and in thanksgiving for God's many blessings. Envelopes for donations to this year's Christmas Flower fund will be found on tables around the church on Sundays and in the office during the week. Please print clearly the names of those you wish to honor - we do not want to guess at the correct spelling of a name. Make checks payable to St. Paul's Episcopal Church and write Christmas Flowers on the memo line. The deadline is Monday, December 18.
Can you believe it??????
It doesn't seem possible, but at this time last year we were in the final stages of the Parish Hall renovation, and on December 2, we gathered in our gloriously re-furbished space and gave thanks to God as Bishop McKelvey led us in this prayer: Blessed are you, O God. You are pleased to dwell with us and to fill our lives with your presence. May this place be filled with your love. May this place be a haven of peace. May this place be a sign of your transforming grace. May we be bound together in your love and grace, and may we serve you and others in your name. Amen.
SPY All Saints' Party
On the Eve of All Hallows' Eve, ghoulies and goblins of all shapes and sizes gathered at St. Paul's. St Paul's Youth Group sponsored a Halloween party for the wee ones of the parish. The kids decorated the Spanish Chapel, there was pumpkin painting, and face painting (the human variety), bowling with pumpkins, bobbing for apples and more. The evening concluded with a dancing Ghoul and Goblin parade throughout the house.
~ The Rev. Leslie M. St. Louis
SPY Hosts the Good Bookstore
On Sunday, December 3, the Good Bookstore will be visiting St. Paul's. There will be a wide selection of items available for sale in the Parish Hall between 8:30 a.m. and noon. You will find books for all ages, music, gifts and jewelry. Come do some Christmas shopping, and at the same time, support St. Paul's Youth (SPY) fund raising efforts. The Good Bookstore will contribute 10% of the total sales to the SPY Mission Trip Fund. Payment by cash, checks, VISA or MasterCard will be accepted.
Kneeler Christmas Cards for Sale
This holiday season, SPY is offering beautiful Christmas cards with images from our St. Paul's kneelers. There are eight cards to choose from. You may order as many of each card as you wish. Order forms and samples of the cards will be available in the Parish Hall on Sunday mornings, or they may be viewed online here.
Boxed sets of cards are also available. We will again be offering our Christmas Collection, which includes 10 cards, two each of five different designs. Boxes of the Birds and Flowers Collection and Crosses and Flowers Collection, which were introduced in the spring, will also be for sale. These cards make wonderful holiday gifts for friends and family.
All proceeds from the sale of note cards will be directed to the SPY Mission Trip Fund. Please consider supporting SPY as we continue to raise money for our February 2007 mission trip to Navajoland. If you need additional information, please contact Laura Hayden at 383-8808.
~ Laura Hayden
SPY CORNER
Serve at St. Joseph's House
On Saturday, December 2 we will meet in the Parish Hall at 8:45 a.m. where we will gather for breakfast. At 9:30 we will head down to St. Joseph's House where we will serve the guests who will be arriving for the 11:30 and 12:00 seatings. Pick up time will be at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's House, 402 South Avenue (between Comfort and Byron Streets).
Please RSVP to Laura Hayden by Friday, November 30
(383-8808 or lhayden@rochester.rr.com)
Thank you!
Dear Clergy and Members of St. Paul's:
Thank you so much for graciously offering your space for the East Avenue Walk during this year's Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative Festival! We, the students, are extremely grateful for St. Paul's relationship with the Organ Department and we thank you for your continued support. Thanks again for all your help.
Sincerely,
The students of the Eastman
Organ Department
Thanksgiving Office Hours
The church office will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24.
World AIDS Day
The congregations and community organizations listed below invite you to join us as co-sponsors of a Prayer Service to commemorate World AIDS Day, on Sunday evening, December 3, 7:00 p.m., to be hosted by Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs Street at East Avenue. The physical and spiritual needs of people living with AIDS and their families have changed over the last two plus decades. We rejoice that many are leading longer, healthier and more productive lives and are thankful for families and care givers who provide loving care. We acknowledge that our response has often been inconsistent and inadequate for the urgent needs in our community and around the world. It is our hope that this simple evening service of readings, song, prayer and reflection will nourish all on our journey of faithful response to people with AIDS.
Postcards from the Circle
Life has a way of coming full circle you know. Many people believe that it is no mistake that one of the prevalent symbols in Christianity is the circle that everything in creation works in a circle somehow.
One of the ways I stay in touch with my parents is by sending them sermons before I preach them here. This works well for me. I have a tendency to write by free association, so once a sermon gets fully formed in my head I just sit down at the computer and off we go. Dad serves as my editor in chief. He often asks me if I even breathe when I am writing because I am apt to simply forget about that silly thing we call punctuation. Mom does what she calls the non-graduate degree read through. In any event we get to have a great discussion about the scripture, the world and anything else that comes our way.
So, I sent the sermon I delivered here on Commitment Sunday on to them to read. Later that evening my father called and said, "we got your sermon, Les, you need to talk to your mother." So mom got on the phone and shared this story with me.
It seems that on January 20, 1961 she, my brother and sister and I and our grandparents (her parents) left Connecticut to drive to Illinois to join my father who was waiting for them there. There was a terrible snowstorm that day that covered most of the Eastern Seaboard. Somewhere in the late afternoon my grandfather decided that they needed to pull off the road and find some safe harbor for the night. They stopped in a small town in New Jersey and found shelter a local motel. The next morning the highways were closed, everything blanketed in a heavy covering of white glistening snow.
The owner of the motel, who had also been stranded for the night, came to each of the guests of the motel and asked if they would like to join him in the lobby of the motel. Here they had one radio and everyone could listen to the new president as he addressed the nation. There in the cold wintry morning a strange congregation of stranded stragglers gathered to here John F. Kennedy speak, "the world is very different now..."
Tears were in my mother's voice the other night as she shared the story of holding me, a nine month old infant and as she shared the sermon written some 45 years later by the one she still calls her "baby."
Sometimes we see the circle close.
Grace and Peace,
~ The Rev. Leslie M. St. Louis