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

A Reflection by Rev. Lyn The Annunciation is the announcement of the Incarnation by the angel Gabriel to Mary. The church day commemorating this day is March 25, which puts Mary today, at the end of September, at the beginning of her seventh month of pregnancy. Despite being “perplexed” by Gabriel’s words, Mary appears to have enough presence of mind to voice an extraordinary commitment of trust: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Earlier this year, The Rev. John Wengrovius led the Vestry retreat. At that time, he suggested that we, too, were experiencing a time of waiting – active waiting. There is nothing static about Mary’s waiting for the birth of the Holy Child of God, which we will be celebrating oh so soon! Life in its amazing complexity is growing within her. There is nothing static about our waiting, either. I believe that life is growing within all of us at St. Paul’s as we continue to wait. In our waiting and perhaps  because  of our waiting, we are being formed and transformed in the depth of our spirits by the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. For this reason, we are invited to submit to the authority of this loving and powerful Presence that infuses us with vitality and grace, and whose guidance alone will lead us to apprehend God’s greater purpose for St. Paul’s.

This Sunday Joint Worship Service Blessing of the Animals and “Picnic Potluck” One Worship Service - 10:30 am Join us for another creative, three-denomination worship service this Sunday. We will not meet for worship at 8 am or 9 am; however, Jacki will be teaching Sunday School at 9 am , so bring the kids for that. After worship, we will continue to celebrate our ecumenical partnership in a “Picnic” themed potluck. Burgers, buns, veggie burgers, hot dogs, and beverages will be provided (cash donations appreciated). We can eat outdoors – if the weather cooperates! Please bring a side dish to share if you are able: Trinity and St. Paul’s: Salad or Side Dish, Mary of Magdala: Dessert

Youth Group starts October 3, 6 - 7:30 pm!!! Please register on the Sunday school/youth group registration form.   We will celebrate with pizza and games! Bring your favorite board game AND a package or two of socks!! We will be collecting socks for Homeless Gear in honor of SOCKTOBER.  One of the most wanted items for people experiencing homelessness is clean, dry socks! If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jacki !

Name Tags Please wear your name tags – especially this Sunday, when all three congregations have an opportunity to get together. Folks from Trinity are also being encouraged to wear theirs. As a welcoming community, we should be wearing them all the time. They really do make a difference!  It’s such a helpful way to begin the conversation. In the future, St. Paul’s will provide blank name tags for folks who are visiting.  Thanking you all. -- Rev. Lyn . P.S. – If you don’t have a name tag, please sign up on the sign-up sheet on the counter in the narthex to get one.

The Way of Love Being an Episcopalian Christian is exciting in these times of taking our mission as followers of Christ seriously, both as individuals and as a parish. Here is a tool created by PB Michael Curry and shared at General Convention this past summer. It's a way of considering what a well-rounded discipleship looks like. The seven areas of focus for daily Christian living are: Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest and Turn. In which of these are you doing well? What areas need development? For a description of these areas and some ideas for practices in each, go HERE .

Fellowship Hall Remodel T he kitchen and Parkside Room adjoining the Fellowship Hall at Trinity will be remodeled this fall. As a result, Sunday morning coffee times will be in a smaller space and we St. Paulites will be sharing the Trinity coffee bar (on the west side of the Fellowship Hall) with the Trinity folks. There will only be one food table for both congregations. We still need coffee hosts so don’t hesitate to sign up – but keep it simple. Trinity will continue to provide donuts and bagels and we can focus on things like fruit, cheese, nuts. . . . There have been requests for more co-mingling of the congregations and – as God often does – God has found a modern and efficient way to make this happen! Thanks be to God!! – Rhoda

Adult Ed After the 9:00 am service in the Sun Room on the first and third Sundays of the month. On Sunday, October 7, Erika Nossokoff, from Habitat for Humanity will tell us about the Habitat program. I hope you will join us.

Celebration of the Life of Margaret Solomon This service will be held on October 6 at 10:00 am at St. Luke's Episcopal Church A reception follows.

Sound Healing, Singing Bowls Saturday, October 6 - 3:30-5:00 pm Saturday, October 20 - 10:30 am-12:00 pm in the Sun Room Experience the soothing sound vibrations in a beautiful venue as Betsy Perna plays her Himalayan Bowls. Certified by Atma Buti Sound Healing School in Boulder, Betsy has been practicing ancient Tibetan methods for inducing balanced body rhythms, relaxation and meditation since 2008. Please bring a mat, small blanket and a pillow for under your knees, as needed. If you like, enjoy tea and “Joe’s Cookies,” as we process your experience afterward.  It’s great if you can come 15 minutes early to get situated, so that we can start on time! Suggested donation: $7

Pilgrimage in Jewish and Christian Tradition Hillel Katzir, Emeritus Rabbi, and George Bannoura, Palestinian Christian, Will Describe Personal Holy Land Pilgrimage Experiences Thursday, October 11, 6:30-8:30 pm, in Trinity's Sanctuary The World Wisdoms Project of Fort Collins is offering a unique opportunity to share in the personal pilgrimage stories of two leaders in faith traditions that treasure one “holy” or “promised” land. Rabbi Hillel Katzir has served Jewish communities in Main, Iowa and Colorado since 2001. His passion is bringing people together across religious and other lines of tension. George Bannoura lives in Denver, and, in the summer, Bethlehem, where he contributes to his family's 300-year-old business, creating handicrafts from olive wood. Where does the spiritual journey lead? Is it just an outward journey or is there also an inward exploration? How does one prepare, what occurs during the journey, and what resources and guideposts do these traditions offer? Hear how these two men understand their sacred travel. A $10 donation is suggested; students free.

Remember These Opportunities: The Rev. Peter Munson's fundraiser for his walk across the country: Sunday, October 7, 6-8:30 pm, Wolverine Farm Publick House, 316 Willow Street, Fort Collins More information is HERE . Tickets are available HERE . Habitat for Humanities Build Days: Saturday, Sept. 29 and more. For the recently revised sign-up procedure, and to learn more about our St Paul's participation, please read more HERE CWS CROP Hunger Walk: Sunday, October 7, 1:00 pm, Starting at First Presbyterian Church Contributing to the Colorado Haiti Project. This year so far we have raised $4,975.

In Memoriam - Bob Geller Bob Geller was a pioneer in multi-faith cooperation, active in the Interfaith Council, and the founder of the Geller Center, especially engaging the CSU community. He has recently passed away at age 97. For Interfaith Council's Memoriam, go HERE

Bishop Search Walkabout meetings Sunday, October 7, 2-6 pm, St. John's Cathedral, Denver; and Monday, October 8, 5-8 pm, All Saints', Loveland. Please continue to keep the nominees for the new Bishop of Colorado in your prayers. They are: The Rev. Kimberly (Kym) Lucas and The Rev. Canon Ruth Woodliff-Stanley. The election will take place during an abbreviated Diocesan Convention at St. John's Cathedral on Saturday, October 27.

"To Whom Do We Belong?" " Jesus is calling his community to go beyond their understanding of themselves, of him, and of God. He wants them to do this for the good of the world. " Laurie Gudim at Speaking to the Soul . See full reflection HERE .