The St. Paul's Epistle
December 16, 2007
Contents
Dear Members & Friends of St.
Pauls:
The Narthex Will Not Be
Enlarged
Stephen Ministry Update
Join the Christmastide Choir!
United Thank Offering Results
The McKelveys Reflect on
Rocheste
Christmas Memorial Flowers
Holiday Office Hours
Christmas Services
Dear Members & Friends of St. Pauls:
I find Advent to be a strange and occasionally difficult time. Tucked up here in northwestern New York, Rochesterian's are acutely aware of the fading daylight. Some of us begin to suffer sunlight deprivation depression. Then there is the increasing economic pressure for Christmas gift buying. There are perhaps many of us as well who are acutely aware of loved ones no longer with us. It is a recipe for a melancholy, hide under the blankets time of the year.
But as people of faith, we have spiritual resources to draw on as antidotes for our own personal emotional darkness, as well as our cultural consumerism frenzy.
St. Paul's offers worship services and fellowship gatherings unique to this season: Advent Lessons and Carols, the Festive Dinner, the Christmas Pageant, the Advent Series on Thursday nights, to name a few.
Recently I have been exploring the real historical person behind Santa Claus, Bishop Nicholas, who lived in what is now Turkey during the mid-4th century. He was tortured and imprisoned during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian. We know Bishop Nicholas to be the Patron Saint of children, but he is also the saint for sailors. What a strange combination: infants and sailors. Sam Portaro, in his book on the saints of the church, suggests that the link may be in the helplessness they both share. Any of you who are sailors know the incredible power of water, whether Lake Ontario or the ocean. It is no surprise then that those who bravely crossed the ocean might pray to the saint who personifies benevolence. Sailors know that for all their skill, they are not in control of the seas. So whether child or sailor, life is not in their control. This awareness can open you up to the deeper gifts of the spiritual life - gratitude.
Gratitude can be our Advent antidote during this strange, sometimes troubling time of the year.
I invite you to pick and choose the many spiritual resources we as the church have during this season of Advent.
Faithfully,
~ The Rev. Frederic W. Reynolds, Rector
The Narthex Will Not
Be Enlarged
At its meeting on November 20, the Vestry approved by a majority of votes, with one abstention, a motion to "reconsider its decision and will not do the project of moving the Narthex screen."
This decision was reached after extensive discussion of the potential long term benefits as well as drawbacks of going forward with this project. Further, due consideration was given to all relevant comments submitted in writing or made at the open forum by parishioners following the 8 and 10 a.m. Services on Sunday, November 4, 2007.
The congregation should be aware that the discussion at the November 20 Vestry meeting was vigorous, deliberate and thoughtful. Different perspectives and opposing points of view surrounding this issue were passionately presented and these are reflected, in some measure, in the final vote.
The vestry may differ with regard to methods but is united in supporting the goal of making St. Paul's an even more welcoming church for current and prospective members seeking Christ. Indeed, this was the principal consideration behind the Narthex proposal - one of several initiatives recommended or already implemented by the New Member Ministry Committee during nearly two years of intense deliberations.
With this in mind, the Vestry is considering an additional forum in early 2008 to conduct a thoughtful and constructive exchange of ideas about providing a more welcoming environment for current and prospective members. Given its most recent decision on the Narthex, the Vestry urges all parishioners to come prepared with alternative proposals in support of our membership goals for further consideration.
Faithfully Yours,
~ The Vestry
Stephen Ministry Update
It's been a busy fall for the Stephen Ministers.
On October 13 St. Paul's hosted a Caring Ministries Workshop. This event was designed to provide an introduction to Stephen Ministry for churches that have not yet started a program. We hosted 6 different churches in the Rochester area, 1 church in Canada, and 1 Episcopal Church from Rome, NY. (Zion Church is where The Rev. Ed Hunt is rector). The speaker, Mike Russo, was terrific. He presented a sample training module on ministering to those who are grieving. It was even more powerful because he shared his own personal experience. Because our group of Stephen Ministers were all attending a regional retreat (see below), we give great thanks to Marylu Andrews, Ann Buerschaper, Gwen Cheney, and Karen and Dick Yalmokas who helped welcome our guests.
On the same day, our Stephen Ministers and those currently in training attended a wonderful retreat day hosted by the Regional Stephen Ministry group at Faith Lutheran Church in Penfield. There were close to 100 Stephen Ministers from the Rochester area in attendance. Rev. Leslie St. Louis was the keynote speaker for this day and was well received by all.
Our new Stephen Ministry trainees are about a third of the way through the training program. They meet each Monday evening with trainees from four other churches. This ecumenical group is just wonderful. In addition to providing an enriched group for training, our whole Stephen Ministry group has enjoyed joining St. John of Rochester's group for a continuing education event. In December, we will join the trainees for an Advent Event.
Please continue to keep the Stephen Ministry Program in your prayers, and especially those who are in training this year: Kathy Kingston, Suzie Spencer, Madeleine Sweet, Bruce Sweet, and June Talarico.
The Stephen Leader Team,
~ Judy Carpenter, Tom McCart, Sally McGucken, and Anne Refermat
Join the Christmastide Choir!
If the 3:30 Christmas Eve service is "your" service, then the Christmastide Choir may be "your" choir! We are forming it especially to sing for that service. It will be a choir for all ages, and whole families are encouraged to take part. Why not consider lending your voice to lead the singing of well-known and loved Christmas carols?
We will meet after the 10:00 service on Sunday, December 23 to practice the Christmas Carols for the service plus two special selections the choir will offer on its own. We will be finished by 12:45. On Christmas Eve, we'll meet at 2:45 for a quick "refresher" before the service.
It promises to be lots of fun, so please call me at the church (271-2240), or email me (robert@stpaulsec.org) to let him know you are interested!
~ Robert Poovey
United Thank Offering Results
We are pleased to announce St. Paul's raised $462.30 as this year's United Thank Offering. One hundred percent of the amount raised benefits others.
You have our collective thanks for enabling the parish to extend its ministry beyond our campus where it is most needed. This is nothing short of putting faith in action.
Thank you for your generosity.
~ Mary Critikos
The McKelveys Reflect
on Rochester
The Rt. Rev. Jack McKelvey and Mrs. Linda McKelvey, our diocesan First Family, will be presenting a program of their Rochester Reflections January 3 at 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall following the ECW Luncheon. They will take us on a spiritual and secular journey over an eight-year period that highlights their individual impressions and collective decision-making that has lead them to retire - come Spring - to Rochester, the City. As they are about to transition from public to private life they will recount incidents and recall particular persons and/or organizations that have been key to enhancing their ways of life.
Please join us in what promises to be a bright and forward-thinking event that is sure to enhance our already positive civic pride in ways most of us have probably never considered! This is a joyous occasion and one in which we can extend our thanks to Jack and Linda for their excellent works and wish them continued joy and satisfaction as they embark upon yet another journey together.
As always, if you plan on luncheon at noon with ECW, please confirm your reservation through the Church office at 271-2240 by Friday, December 21.
~ Mary Critikos
Christmas Memorial Flowers
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 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 17.
Holiday Office Hours
Christmas Eve Closes at Noon
Christmas Closed
Day after Christmas Closed
New Years Eve Closes at Noon
New Years Day Closed
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve
| 3:30 p.m. - | Children's Service |
| & Holy Eucharist | |
| 5:30 p.m. - | Holy Eucharist - |
| All Choirs and Brass | |
| (Child care available) | |
| 10:30 p.m. - | Choir Carols |
| 11:00 p.m. - | Holy Eucharist - |
| Senior Choir and Brass |
Christmas Day
| 10:00 a.m. - | Holy Eucharist |
December 30
| 8:00 a.m. - | Holy Eucharist |
| 10:00 a.m. - | Christmas Lessons & Carols |
| (Child care available) |