Dear St. Paul’s Family,
Angels and Animals
We have entered into a portion of the liturgical year that focuses on God’s created order. Yesterday we celebrated St. Michael and All Angels with Holy Eucharist and the most gorgeous Choral Evensong I have ever experienced. It truly felt like heaven and earth were meeting in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s. Next week we will remember St. Francis of Assisi as we bring our pets into the church for the Blessing of the Animals (Oct 10). We will move from celebrating angels to blessing animals. In a symbolic way, we are moving from the highest part of the created order to the lowest. God is the Creator and Lord of it all; and so we celebrate the expansiveness of God’s kingdom by specifically honoring opposite ends of the wide spectrum of God’s creation. Angels and animals have something to teach us humans. Angels are messengers of God and remind us that God protects us. Animals (especially our pets) remind us that we are called to honor, protect, and care for all creation. During this season when we have the opportunity to celebrate all of God’s creation, may we also spend some time reflecting on how we could perhaps make some simple changes in our daily lives to be better stewards of it.
New Diocesan Worship Guidelines Issued
Yesterday, the diocese issued new worship guidelines regarding corporate worship during the pandemic. Most importantly, new guidelines have been issued for the distribution of wine. You may find the bishop’s pastoral letter and new guidelines here https://www.diocese-
I, along with some of the worship leaders of St. Paul’s, will be in discernment about how best to approach these new guidelines. We will continue with communion of one kind (bread only) until we are confident in a plan for the distribution of wine that both minimizes risk and honors the church’s comprehensive theology of the Eucharist. That may be next Sunday, October 10, or it may take more time. What Bishop Skirving has provided for us is a great start and we are most grateful for his leadership. Thank you for your patience as we discern how best to utilize these new guidelines here at St. Paul’s.
See you Sunday,
Caleb+