Home | Welcome | News | Outreach | Pastoral Care | Calendar | Music | Families & Youth | Christian Formation | Contact Us
Letter from the Rector
Christmas Memorial Flowers
Advent Series
From the Church School
Looking for a Gift?
Vestry Highlights
Thank You, St. Paul's
Angel Tree
Christmas Ushers
Christmas Stamps
Christians Dialogue
Christmas Schedule
Welcome to Newcomers
Patrick Cahill
With the National Episcopal Convention approval and then consecration of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire, several of you have asked such questions as "Do I still belong to the Episcopal Church?" or "What's going to happen to the financial stability of the church?" In an attempt to respond to those of you who asked me the question, and those of you who wished you did, here are some of my thoughts:
To a "social conservative": you have been courageous and loving to tell me that you object to a gay man being consecrated Bishop. You have asked if you, a conservative like yourself, are welcome at St. Paul's. I believe myself to be a conserver of the faith, trying to uphold our baptismal covenant's charge to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." I believe that it is by our coming to the table for Eucharist, we open ourselves up to know each other in Christ and can share our deeply held convictions. What makes the Church unique and faithful is our willingness to tell our understanding of the truth in our love. Your deeply held convictions are welcome and necessary, being important members of the body of Christ as we enter into this new era for the church.
To a "social justice activist": you have expressed your opinions about the war in Iraq and the death penalty. Why isn't St. Paul's doing more to influence opinion or take a stand? At St. Paul's, there are no labels of left or right, Republican or Democrat here. Instead, I believe we need to create a safe place for people of faith to discuss important contemporary issues that affect our lives. I find our societal culture intolerant of opposing views. I urge you to attend the December 7th forum on the growing gap between rich and poor, sponsored by our "Christian Dialogue on Contemporary Issues" Steering Committee.
To you who are worried about money: So am I. But as faithful Christians, we trust God, who is our Creator and source of all that we have. I believe money issues are spiritual issues, challenging us to set priorities as to where God is in our lives. We have not, as yet, met our Stewardship goal for 2004 and continue to need committed givers. However, if circumstances have reduced your income, then you may need to proportionately reduce your pledge. I believe that when your financial circumstances change that you will joyfully share your riches with God through St. Paul's.
To one who asks, "Who are all these new people?": As we continue to be a place of hospitality, reconciliation and transformation, people seeking God are coming to St. Paul's. Like you and me, people are thirsty for a faith that challenges the mind and expands the heart. Let us together welcome these new seekers to discover what we have found here at St. Paul's.
Faithfully yours,
The Rev. Frederic Reynolds, Rector
Each year we fill the church with Christmas poinsettias, wreaths and greens in memory of loved ones. Envelopes for donations to this year's Memorial 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 would like honored. If the names are illegible, they will not appear in the Christmas leaflet. Make checks payable to St. Paul's Episcopal Church and write Christmas Flowers on the memo line. The deadline is Sunday, December 21.
Join our Associate Rector, Thomas McCart, and Steve Lane, Canon to the Ordinary, as they lead us through a discussion and presentation of the themes found in the season of Advent.
The first Christmas gifts were given to the Christ Child by the "Three Kings," actually priests and astrologers, who followed the Star and reached Bethlehem twelve days after Jesus was born. The day of their arrival is called Epiphany, meaning "manifestation" or "being made known." The Three Kings brought with them precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The last two are kinds of incense treasured for their aroma.
The custom of giving gifts at the season we celebrate as Christmas began in pre-Christian Roman times, during the Saturnalia. Because gift giving at this time of year was considered a pagan habit, the early Christians did not practice it. However, it's such a nice custom that by the 12th century many people were giving each other gifts at Christmas-or at least at some time during the season. In some places Epiphany-January 6-is gift-giving day. Some people exchange on January 1 St. Nicholas' Day, December 6 is the occasion for others.
There are different "gift bringers," too. In America, of course, it's Santa Claus, while his ancestor, St. Nicholas, visits many European homes. Father Christmas makes the rounds in England. In Germany it's the Christkind or Christ Child, dressed in a long white robe. In Sweden and Denmark the job is taken over by elves, the toten and the nisse. Befana, an old woman, visits Italian children and leaves gifts with them. Pere Noel-Father Christmas-comes to France, and in many places it's the Three Kings themselves who bring the gifts. Even with all these gift givers roaming the world, the best presents still seem to be exchanged among relatives and friends.
Can't find that certain gift for the person who has everything? How about a ticket to the 2004 show "And the Beat Goes On"?
Southeast Ecumenical Ministry (SEM) has partnered with STAGES for a theater fundraiser. STAGES is Rochester's only Musical Revue Ensemble and has a new home at the Auditorium Center, 3rd floor. Please visit their web site. Dates are Friday, January 30 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday January 31 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for Adults & $10.00 for Seniors & Students. Call the SEM office (271-5350) to purchase or reserve your tickets today. This will be a great way to begin SEM'S 35th Anniversary Year.
The Vestry voted a grant of $5,000 from the Unusual Mission Fund (UMO) with an additional matching grant of $10,000 for Water for Sudan, Inc., which in its first year will bring clean drinking water to three communities in Southern Sudan.
Treasurer Chris Moore reported income and expenses for 2003 are on schedule.
The Vestry accepted with appreciation a bequest of $130,000 from the estate of J. Benjamin Biggs.
Property Chair Bill Hosley encouraged the enjoyment of the refurbished window in the Chantry and the new doors on Vick Park B.
A gift acceptance policy was adopted.
Members of the Vestry will prepare and serve the lunch for the Annual Meeting, January 25, 2004.
Thank you to each of you who contributed to the SEM Ingathering. You filled the boxes to overflowing and SEM is very grateful. It would be very nice if each of us would continue to contribute one item each week throughout the year. In future issues of The Epistle, you will find an updated list of the current needs.
Gail Bush
Please take an angel from the tree on the stage in the Parish Hall and bring back the suggested items for the Church World Service Packets. You will notice some larger Christmas bags under the tree. If you can, please take one and fill it with health care items for the SEM families. Sorry—SEM does not have the means to distribute toys now, but they are very appreciative of gift bags of healthcare items - So be an Angel. Thank you.
Carol Miller
Four ushers are needed at the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve on Wednesday, December 24, and eight ushers are needed at both the 5:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve services. Four ushers are needed for the Christmas Morning service on Thursday, December 25, at 10:00 a.m.
Whether you have ever ushered or not, if you can help at one or more of the above, please sign up in the Parish Activities Book, or call the church office at 271-2240, or Elmer Cheney at 442-1332.
A woman goes to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. She says to the clerk, "May I have 50 Christmas stamps?"
The clerk says, "What denomination?"
The woman says, "God help us. Has it come to this? Okay, give me 6 Catholic, 12 Presbyterian, 10 Lutheran, 10 Episcopalian, 10 Baptist and 2 Unitarian."
Christian Dialogue is a new program at St. Paul's. The mission of Christian Dialogue is to provide parishioners with an opportunity to exchange views on some of the more controversial contemporary issues.
The first meeting will be December 7, following the 10 o'clock service (the usual forum time). Our rector, Fred Reynolds, and other parish leaders feel that a candid exchange on issues that are already part of our public life is an important way for us to live as Christians. We are proud of the kind of friendly sharing of views that is possible at St. Paul's.
Since time is limited, we have organized the first session around four questions: How rich is too rich? How big is the gap between rich and poor? Is the gap growing? How big a gap is too big?
The liturgy is central to parish life, but we need to make sure the relationship among parishioners does not become merely ceremonial. This sort of exchange on issues we all find difficult is expected to enrich many aspects of parish life.
David White (for Christian Dialogue on Contemporary Issues)
December 14
4:00 p.m. -- Christmas Concert
December 21
4:00 p.m. -- Intergenerational Christmas Pageant, SPY-ghetti Supper
and Caroling
December 24
4:00 p.m. -- Family Service/Holy Eucharist & Pageant
5:30 p.m. -- Holy Eucharist/All Choirs & Brass
(Child Care Available)
11:00 p.m. -- Holy Eucharist/Senior Choir & Brass
December 25
10:00 a.m. -- Holy Eucharist
December 28
10:00 a.m. -- Lessons and Carols
January 1
10:00 p.m. -- Holy Eucharist
Paul Toh Achop, Paul Berezney, Tracey & Gary Chernay, Ted Christopher, Ray and Joanne Claus, Kelly Cogsdill, Nicholas and Robin Wilt
St. Paul's would like to recognize the gracious contribution to ministry by Patrick Cahill as Chairperson of Mission I Funding as he retires from the position. Thank you to Patrick and welcome to Scott Arrington as the new Chair of Mission I Funding.