St. Paul's Episcopal Church



301 E. Stuart Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: 970-482-2668
Email: [email protected] - Website: www.stpauls-fc.org
New Fall Schedule – Adult Ed and Potlucks
– by Rev. Lyn
 
With the start of the new school year, St. Paul’s is putting into place an Adult Education schedule that will hopefully bring balance to our common life together.  Starting in September, Adult Ed will be held twice a month – on the first and third Sundays - at 10:15 am in the Sunroom.  Our monthly potluck will be scheduled for the fourth Sunday of the month.  This means that we will have two Sundays during which all of us can be together for social time, and two Sundays when we can address our spiritual formation.  I would encourage everyone to participate in Adult Ed, the focus of which will be becoming aware of the world around us.  I am afraid that most of us tend to live in a bit of a bubble that insulates us from the realities that so many of our brothers and sisters in our own communities have to deal with day in and day out.  I believe that I, as too many of us, continue to live in a bubble of white privilege at our peril.  It concerns me greatly, because human blindness is a core issue for Jesus. 
 
During the summer, we presented a range of Adult Ed programs, many of which were to help us “see with new eyes” – to learn to see people on their own terms – to walk in their shoes.  We must continue to do this. 
 
To this end, I would invite the entire congregation of St. Paul’s to commit to attending some of our Adult Ed offerings.  We start this Sunday with the first in a series on the “Poor People’s Campaign,” a movement begun by Martin Luther King Jr. and brought to our attention by Dr. Barber ,  pastor and longtime civil-rights activist.  He also co-chairs the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.
 
It seems to me that Dr. King’s comments in the late 1960's are as true now as they were then. He said that America’s sickness was spiritual—and would be terminal, unless we experienced a “radical revolution of values.” A shift to the left or the right could not save us; only a movement that changed the moral narrative could refocus our priorities on building a society that honored the dignity of every person. This country had to be born again—not only in budgets and policy decisions, but in spirit.
Notice: There will be no nursery coverage at the 9 am service this Sunday, 9/2.

Also, the St. Paul's Office will be closed Monday, 9/3, for the Labor Day Holiday
Sunday Early Morning Eucharists

A reminder that starting this Sunday, September 2, in addition to our 9:00 am services, St. Paul’s will conduct all the 8:00 am Eucharist services at Trinity. We will be joined by some of our Lutheran brothers and sisters, some of whom, no doubt, will miss their traditional 8:00 am services. This is a wonderful opportunity to exercise our welcome and hospitality to them as they have to us. St. Paul’s will continue to offer Rite I on the first Sunday of the month, and will introduce Eucharistic Prayers from a supplementary Episcopal service in “Enriching Our Worship” for the third Sunday each month.

PLEASE NOTE: Because St. Paul’s will be celebrating Eucharist each Sunday, we need additional acolytes, lectors (those who read the lessons), chalice bearers and altar guild people. All are wonderful ministries. None demand much time. With enough people participating in each, your commitment may well only involve one Sunday a month. Training is required for each of these ministries, and can be scheduled at times that are convenient for you. Please consider becoming involved. For more information about:
Acolytes: Contact Becky Sheller , 307-416-2966
Lectors and chalice bearers: Contact Laurie Gudim , 970-556-3111
Altar guild: Contact Tim Johnson , 970-567-7560 or Rev. Lyn , 970-467-7750
End of Life Care

St. Paul’s member Elaine Hild recently returned from a period of study at Notre Dame University in Indiana, where she continued her work as a musicologist, specializing in Medieval chants for the sick and dying.

“We have become,” as Elaine describes it, “very specialized in the area of end-of-life care. We are excellent at understanding the body, and how we can control symptoms, control, pain. On the other hand, because we’ve specialized in that, we’ve created some weaknesses in other areas.” Find out more about the remarkable work that Elaine is doing HERE
Eucharist Visitors

As you all know , a Eucharistic Visitor (EV) is a lay person licensed by the Diocese to take consecrated bread and wine to members of the congregation who cannot get to church because of illness or infirmity. Typically, EVs take communion to those parishioners once a month. Currently, there are two persons serving as EV’s at St. Paul’s: Karin Rogers and Charlotte Leighton. We are looking for additional people interested in participating in this ministry.

Serving as an EV is one of St. Paul’s most amazing and spiritual ministries. EVs make it possible for home or facility-bound parishioners to participate in the Eucharist that the congregation has shared on a Sunday morning. Rev. Lyn can provide the short in-person training course at St. Paul’s. Candidates also take 2 online Safeguarding God’s People modules. Please let Charlotte Leighton , EV coordinator, know if you are interested (240-643-7599).
Blessing of the Animals

Our September 30 joint worship celebration will include a blessing of the animals. Since we all have cherished companions of many species, we will do this blessing remotely, by posting a photo of your animal on the screen in the Trinity sanctuary with their name and your name. Please send photos to the Trinity office at [email protected] and please do include your name and the name of the pet in your email.

"Duncan", a friend of Laurie Gudim
Special Rector's Discretionary Fund

Thank you for your generosity! Last week, I shared a “Samaritan Story” story with you … about how a member of our congregation reached out and took care of the stranger – a Romanian couple and their three children who found themselves in a place of dire need. I made a request to you all to consider making a Special Rector’s Discretionary Fund contribution towards their stay at a motel for a week. I also asked you to consider contributing to an EfM (Education for Ministry) Scholarship Fund. My sincere thanks to you all for your generosity. $460 was raised! That is an immense help.

There is still time to contribute. If you choose to do so, please make out your checks to “Special Rector’s Discretionary Fund.” Monies collected will be directed solely to these two above-mentioned causes.
-- Rev. Lyn
Jacki Petrino's New Responsibilities

Jacki has been invited by Pastor Rick from Trinity to include Trinity’s Sunday School kids in St. Paul’s Sunday School program. Jacki has accepted this offer.

  • Beginning of Sunday School - September 16th - 9:00 a.m. until we join the service.
  • Youth Group will start October 3rd at St. Paul's - 6:00 - 7:30 pm - join us for pizza and games All kids entering 6th grade and above are welcome!
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jacki Petrino
FOOD BANK VOLUNTEERS

Friday, September 7, 1:00-3:00 pm

A sign-up sheet is on the St. Paul's bulletin board in the
Fellowship Hall.
Social Justice Team Recommends:

Wednesday, September 12 at Iliff , a day-long workshop with Dr. Miguel De La Torre and Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, who will reflect on their experiences in Texas with the El Grito de las Frontera/Cry from the Border rally and teach-in. T hey will help local leaders think about ways to engage in conversation and action about the immigration crises we face today. HERE is more information.

Plymouth Congregational Church is hosting a 5 week series on immigration reform -- unfortunately at 10 am on Sunday mornings.

And HERE is this week's newsletter from Fort Collins for Progress - School Funding, State Boards and Commissions and Book Clubs.
Addie Kano Memorial Service

Saturday, September 8, 10:30 am at St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Reception will follow. Contact Mary Jean Currier for more information.
Stories of Spiritual Journey: Practices in the American Indian Experience

A World Wisdoms Project Event, September 13 - 6:30-8:30 pm at First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover Street, Fort Collins
Professor “Tink” Tinker (Osage Nation), Ph.D., Emeritus Professor (Iliff School of Theology) and Osage Nation Tribal Elder will is the speaker. Check out Dr. Tinker’s book to learn more: American Indian Liberation: A Theology of Sovereignty 2008 by George Tinker, PhD.
Bishop Search

Walkabout meetings will be your chance to personally meet the bishop search candidates, ask questions, and see them in action. The Walkabout will start Sunday, October 7, and will conclude at the end of the day on Friday, October 12. The Standing Committee urges every delegate and member of the clergy to attend a meeting as part of your discernment of who leads us in the next phase of our spiritual journey. Sunday, October 7, 2-6 pm, St. John's Cathedral, Denver
Monday, October 8, 5-8 pm, All Saints', Loveland
Tuesday, October 9, 5-8 pm, Edwards Interfaith Chapel, Edwards
Wednesday, October 10, 5-8 pm, St. Matthew's, Grand Junction
Thursday, October 11, 5-8 pm, St. Mark's, Durango
Friday, October 12, 6-9 pm, Grace and St. Stephen's, Colorado Springs

Please continue to keep the nominees in your prayers. They are: The Rev. Kimberly (Kym) Lucas; The Rev. Canon Michael Pipkin; and The Rev. Canon Ruth Woodliff-Stanley. Find nominees' videos, resumes, and statements HERE

The election will take place during an abbreviated Diocesan Convention at St. John's Cathedral on Saturday, October 27.
Colorado Haiti Project

St. Paul's School in Petit Trou, Haiti, needs our support. A scholarship for a student is $300, and the school is badly in need of repairs as well. Thanks in advance for your contribution! For more information, talk to Lawrence Baietti .

And don't forget the fundraiser on September 9, 4:30-8:00 pm, at Lone Hawk Farm - 10790 N. 49 th  Street, Longmont, CO. Haitian cuisine, and the beautiful scenery of Lone Hawk Farm. For more information, to purchase tickets or sponsor a table, see HERE .
Trinity Book Group

Trinity Book Group will meet next month on the second Monday, September 10, at
9:30 am in the Fireside Room. The book for discussion will be The Sunflower by Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal, a thought-provoking study of forgiveness, justice, compassion, and human responsibility. We invite members of Mary of Magdela and St. Paul's to join us. Questions? Call Nadine Hunt at 970-825-3730. 
Please Help Address Homelessness
Join the Murphy Center in proclaiming December 8th as Homelessness Awareness Day in Fort Collins. Multiple activities will take place throughout the day, including the annual Mission to Hope Walk (Morning) and the Murphy Center Community Dinner (Evening). Last year, our collaborative helped more than 100 people (including 12 families) along their path to escape homelessness as they prepared for, located and secured affordable housing.
Please consider 1) purchasing tickets to the Walk or Dinner, 2) sponsoring a guest of the Murphy Center to attend the Walk or Dinner, 3) buying a table at the Community Dinner, 4) creating a walking team for the Mission to Hope Walk, or 5) donating to support the event. More information and all these ticketing options are available HERE
"John McCain"

" As [Jesus] teaches in the temple, people are recognizing him as something special – guessing that he might be the Messiah. This is very threatening to those in power. Not only does it challenge their authority, it forces them to look at who they are, what choices they have made to get where they are, and what they have sacrificed along the way."

Laurie Gudim at Speaking to the Soul . See full reflection HERE .