I am pleased to announce that, at its meeting last Monday night, the Vestry elected Teresa Singer as Sr. Warden, and Tom Sramek as Jr. Warden. The wardens, the Vestry, and the clergy work as a team to provide leadership that will help us fulfill the mission of the church “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ, as we pray, worship, proclaim the Gospel, and promote justice, peace and love.”
The Strategic Plan that the Vestry approved last Spring helps us to live into this mission by focusing on three goals: Facilities, Stewardship, and Human Resources. The physical space where we live in community needs attention. We are obliged to attend to it by addressing and correcting dangerous safety issues (e.g., only one way in and out of the nursery), the lack of ADA compliance, and the outdated and limited configuration of the space for everyday ministry. Addressing these items will foster growth, make us even more welcoming, and provide optimal opportunities for worship, formation, music and youth ministry, community outreach and fellowship.
Intentional work to improve stewardship through increased giving, the implementation of a Planned Giving Program, and a capital campaign is needed to support a commitment to the future growth and impact of St. Paul’s. As we move forward with the calling of the next rector the future is bright, and the potential for new ministries is limited only by our imagination.
Mission and ministry is about inviting people to live into their Baptismal vows by continuing in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers, to proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ and to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity every human being. The people of St. Paul’s — the right balance of paid staff and volunteers, are the human resources we must nurture and empower to do the work of ministry. Together we offer expertise, talent, labor, treasure and a variety of spiritual gifts to help build God’s beloved community.
This work is rooted in prayer and trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide us as she has all along the journey. Below, please note the exciting ministries unfolding during Lent.
Pray for one another. Pray for the needs of the world. Be kind. Be patient. Keep the faith!
Peace,
Ray
Historically Lent is a time for those seeking baptism into the Church to be formed in the way of Jesus and to learn more intimately what life as a member of the Body of Christ is all about. Because of this historical trend many churches today continue this model by offering robust Lenten offerings; the hope being that we will be invited deeper into our relationships with God as we ask ourselves again what it means to be disciples. Here at St. Paul’s we are offering several options for formation during this season.
Pancake Party Packs: Available while supplies last; pick yours up on Sunday, February 14th from the church between 8:45am and Noon or 2pm-4pm. Enjoy a pancake dinner at home on Shrove Tuesday!
Lent in a Box: It is not too late to secure your free box of Lent at home formation supplies. Boxes include ashes and an at home liturgy for Ash Wednesday, symbols of the season to invite you into reflection and deeper study, and a Journey Through Lent calendar offering day to day actions for the 40 days of Lent. You can register for your box here: and they can be picked up on Sunday, February 14th during the same hours as listed above.
Sunday Adult Formation: Beginning on Sunday, February 21st Adult Formation will begin a five-week series entitled A Time for Renewal. Central to this study will be themes of a Christian life as outlined in our baptismal covenant. Themes of love, justice, and peace will be considered in light of societal ills such as racism in the latter weeks of the course. Join us as we dig deeper into our covenant and explore ways to love and serve one another as the Church in our world today.
Wednesday Lenten Series: Beginning on Wednesday, February 24th I will be leading a discussion on the Eucharist. Over five sessions we will discuss its themes and development over time and explore in detail the Eucharistic prayers we use today. Central to this study will be the question of how celebrating Eucharist again and again in a community of faith forms the body of Christ for God’s mission in the world. Discussion will begin at 6pm via Zoom.
Dismantling Racism Ministry: A new ministry that will meet monthly beginning March 1st at 7pm. To begin we will read White Fragility and use this text to guide our discussion. This group will read and learn together as well as discern was to serve our wider community in the work of dismantling racism. If you’d like to join, Zoom meeting information will be found on our website.
Outdoor Services: Our first outdoor service will be on Ash Wednesday at 12:10pm in our parking lot (off of Princess Street). This will be the only Ash Wednesday service we hold this year. Beginning on Sunday, February 21st we will hold an outdoor Eucharist beginning at 10:30am in our parking lot. A Eucharist Service with music will be live streamed and recorded at 8:30am on Sundays for those who are unable to be with us or who may not yet feel comfortable joining in person events; we will no longer be allowing in person worship at the early service. If you would like to join us on Sundays in person we would love to see you. Please bring a chair. In the event of poor weather, cancellations will be announced on our website and Facebook pages at least one hour in advance.