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

Good Samaritan Story – and Something Else ... By Rev. Lyn This past week, I have witnessed the unfolding of the Samaritan story right before my eyes. I have seen love reach out to a stranger in need, and despite limited means, offer shelter and food, companionship and support. Love reaching out unconditionally has given a family hope and created community. Love reaching out unconditionally has changed the lives of many more people than were initially involved. It will make an impact on a family living in Romania; it has made an impact on my life. It may well make an impact on yours. This love reaching out has given me a taste of the Kingdom of God. I am speaking of a Romanian family, a member of whom was introduced to us by Anne Toerper at the 9:00 am service last week. In Colorado to explore the possibility of relocating here, this family was involved in a series of unfortunate incidents that required them to stay here for longer than planned. With business now taken care of, they will be returning to their current home in California tomorrow. I invite you to make a donation to help cover the costs for the motel bill for this family – Mom, Dad and three young boys. Something else … EfM (Education for Ministry) is one of the most important theological programs available to both lay folks and clergy in the Episcopal Church today. St. Paul’s has had a flourishing group under the capable and inspired leadership of Laurie Gudim and Terry Birdsong for a number of years now. I believe that EfM is foundational to the depth, sustainability and health of our Church – it’s a fantastic program. However, participation is not inexpensive, and not all folks have the resources to cover the cost of this four-year program. I invite you to consider donating to the EfM Scholarship Fund to support additional EfM participants. And as an aside, I hope you, too, will consider participating in the program. Please know that as your priest, with the God-given opportunity through your generosity to support all kinds of folks in need through the Rector’s Discretionary Fund, I am deeply grateful to you all. It gives me great joy to know that St. Paul’s – in so many ways – financial and otherwise – continues to reach out to others, despite all the internal preoccupations that have taken so much of our time and energy these past few years. Thank you! If you choose to respond to the above invitations, please make out your checks to “Special Rector’s Discretionary Fund”. Monies collected will be directed solely to the two above-mentioned causes.

Sunday Early Morning Eucharists Starting on September 2, St. Paul’s will conduct all the 8:00 am Eucharist services at Trinity. This decision is the result of many conversations with Pastor Rick and members of both Trinity and St. Paul’s. Among the mutual benefits will be consistency – no more confusion about which congregation is leading the 8:00 am service. A number of 8:00 am worshipers from St. Paul’s have expressed regret about this decision, as they enjoy the Lutheran services, as well as the variety of Sunday morning offerings. Their point is well taken, and discussion is underway about the possibility of doing ecumenical services at 8:00 am in the future. Rev. Lyn is seeking guidance from the Diocese in this regard. As with all change, it is wise to proceed slowly. For this reason, for the time being, the early service will begin at 8:00 am. St. Paul’s will continue to offer Rite I the first Sunday of the month, and, hopefully, get permission from the Bishop’s Office to introduce Eucharistic Prayers from a supplementary Episcopal service in “Enriching Our Worship” for the third Sunday each month. As was said by a philosopher many years ago, “change is the only constant in life,” there might well be changes to this model of doing Sunday morning services. We will continue to evaluate things, and make necessary adjustments along the way.

This Sunday - Outdoor Worship and Potluck Sunday, August 26 - Starting at 9:00 am This Sunday at our 9:00 am service is our annual "Mass on the Grass" service, which will be held outside the Fellowship Hall. Following the service is a potluck, the theme of which is Rainbows. Help in setting up and cleaning up is appreciated. Contact Judy Matthews (or 970-231-5018) To help in setting up the worship space, contact Rev. Lyn.

A Habitat for Humanity Opportunity Build Day is this Saturday, August 25 There is still time to sign up. This is an opportunity to join with other folks in the incredible work of actually making a home for somebody. It's for the Lutheran community in Fort Collins, for St. Paul's and for the Mary of Magdala community. Lunch will be provided onsite by a couple of Trinity Lutheran's renowned chefs, John and Betty Wagner. Read more . Sign up HERE .

DEADLINE SIGN-UP FOR “DINNER WITH FRIENDS” Sunday, August 26 You are reminded that if you would enjoy being a part of “Dinner with Friends”, we encourage you to contact Tracy Williams and get your name on the list. Or call Tracy at 313 475-3842 . You may also sign up after service this Sunday. Thank you for considering being a part of this well-received ministry of St. Paul’s! Tracy Williams……Terry Birdsong……Jim Steinborn……Bill Hoelzel - Steering Committee Members

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. This is such a wonderful way for us to be the Children of God in community in new and rich ways. We look forward to getting updates from Jacki on this joint undertaking. Children and Youth Ministry Dates : Beginning of Sunday School - September 16, 9:00 am until we join the service Youth Group will start October 3 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: Fort Collins: The Choice City for Whom?  Film Screening Sunday, August 26, 6-8:00 pm Heart of the Rockies Christian Church, 6501 Brittany St., Fort Collins Fort Collins: Choice City for Whom?  is a documentary about racism in Fort Collins. Coming together as community to have this important conversation is the only way we can make positive changes so people of color feel welcome in Fort Collins. For more information, contact Joan Stephenson . Join the Social Justice Team, which is meeting Tuesday, August 28 at 6:30 pm.

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 What is the starting point of the spiritual journey? What is the goal? Professor “Tink” Tinker (Osage Nation), Ph.D., Emeritus Professor (Iliff School of Theology) and Osage Nation Tribal Elder will share personal stories of American Indian spiritual practice whose goal is to balance the community with its world. A sharp contrast will emerge with our contemporary American culture of individualism and competition. That dichotomy has caused great devastation to other cultures and to our planet.  Check out Dr. Tinker’s book to learn more on your journey: American Indian Liberation: A Theology of Sovereignty 2008 by George Tinker, PhD.

Bishop Search Nominees have each prepared a video in which they talk about themselves and their families, what they are passionate about, and what attracts them to Colorado.  View HERE Walkabout Visits  Walkabout meetings will be your chance to personally meet the candidates for Bishop, ask questions, and see them in action. 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.    Walkabouts have now been scheduled, and will cover all five of the Diocesan Regions. The Front Range visit will take place at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Loveland on Monday, October 8, 5:00-8:00 pm .  The High Plains Region visit will take place at Saint John’s Cathedral on Sunday, October 7, 2:00-6:00 pm.   You may attend any of the Walkabouts. 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.

"Compassion" "It is as if seeing Jesus in his totality is all that is necessary to. . ." Laurie Gudim at Speaking to the Soul . See full reflection HERE .