WEEKLY UPDATE
A Note from the Mission & Service Task Force
Dear St. Paul’s,

“…Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?” “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

The work of the Mission & Service Task Force is steeped in this and several other Gospel imperatives, and is designed to help the parish realize its mission and service ministry goals:

  1. To engage meaningfully in an organized way with a discreet number of identifiable projects, relationships and commitments that, taken together, represent our understanding of where God is calling St. Paul’s to serve as a parish community.
  2. To nurture and support a culture of mission and service at St. Paul’s such that every parishioner of every age is touching at least one of our mission and service projects in a hands-on way in the course of a year.

The Task Force kicked off its work in February. We are excited that we are now beginning to have conversations with leaders of various organizations that have a relationship with St. Paul’s—and we are seeking out others. We expect to finish this initial phase of our work in late spring and early summer.

If you have questions or thoughts you’d like to share, please contact members of the Task Force—John Frazee, Sophie Gibson, Ginger Meislahn, Jim Plews-Ogan, and Christie Thomas.

- Co-Chairs Ginger Meislahn and Christie Thomas
This Sunday at St. Paul's
Second Sunday in Lent
(Readings: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 / Psalm 27 / Luke 13:31-35)

8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist in the Chapel (quiet, traditional)

9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Nursery Care: birth - kindergarten (Sunday school wing)

10 a.m. –  Holy Eucharist with Choir and guest preacher the Rev. Rock Higgins (festive, intergenerational)

11:15 a.m. – Adult Forum: Triangle of Hope (details below)

11:15 a.m. – Sunday School: pre-K - 5th grade (Sunday school wing)

11:15 a.m. – Youth Groups: 6th - 8th & 9th - 12th grades (Sunday school wing)

5:30 p.m. – Evening Eucharist in the Chapel (informal, candlelit)

6:30 p.m. – The University Fellowship Sunday Supper: Casual meal and conversation, free and open to all undergraduate students (lounge)
Music Notes
About Sunday’s Organ Postlude

The Belgian composer Joseph-Jacques Callaerts (1830-1901) was born in Antwerp and studied with Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens at the Brussels Conservatory. He became organist of Antwerp Cathedral, taught at the Royal Flemish Conservatory and played the city’s carillon. Callaerts's compositions include an opera, a symphony, piano and organ concertos, chamber music, choral music, songs and many works for solo organ and solo piano. The dramatic Toccata in E minor, Op. 29 is a virtuosic tour-de-force and perhaps the composer's best known work. 
Upcoming at St. Paul's
Saturday, March 16 – PACEM hosting ends

Monday, March 18, 9 p.m. – Compline (chancel)

Tuesday, March 19, 12:15 p.m. – Holy Eucharist (chapel)

Tuesday, March 19, 7 p.m. – Vestry meeting (lounge)

Wednesday, March 20, 4:30 p.m. – Contemplative Prayer (church school wing)

Wednesday, March 20, 4:30 p.m. – Junior Choir Rehearsal (choir room)

Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 p.m. – Evening Prayer (brief, informal, all ages)

Wednesday, March 20, 6 p.m. – Dinner for all (parish hall)

Wednesday, March 20, 6 p.m. – Poetry Reading Group (library)
Contact Peter Moench: moench.peter@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 20, 6:15 p.m. – The University Fellowship Gathering (Canterbury house)

Thursday, March 21, 7:30 a.m. – Bible Study (library)

Friday, March 22, 7 p.m. – Combined Choir Concert at Christ Church (details below)

Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m. – Spring Cleaning Day (details below)

Sunday, March 24 – Third Sunday in Lent

Sunday, March 24, 12:30 p.m. – Children's & Youth Ministries Christian Formation Summit
St. Paul's News & Notes
Adult Forum This Sunday: Triangle of Hope – The Triangle of Hope is an ongoing three-way partnership of the Diocese of Virginia, the Diocese of Kumasi (in Ghana) in the Church of the Province of West Africa, and the Diocese of Liverpool in the Church of England. Each of the three dioceses includes a sailing port that was critical in the Atlantic slave trade. The Triangle of Hope organizes youth pilgrimages in all three dioceses, through which teenagers from all three dioceses can learn with and from one another about the history of the slave trade through the lens of their shared Anglican faith. This Sunday, the Rev. Rock Higgins, who is priest-in-charge at St. James the Less, Ashland, and one of our Diocese's Triangle of Hope leaders, will be our guest preacher at 10 a.m. and speak at the Adult Forum about the Triangle of Hope initiative.

Baptisms – Our next baptisms will take place at our Easter Vigil service on Saturday evening, April 20. To inquire about baptism for yourself or an infant or young child, call or email the parish office to schedule a conversation with the Rector about baptism preparation: 434-295-2156 or office@spmcuva.org.

Lenten Devotional – Our booklet of reflections for each day in Lent, written by members and friends of St. Paul's, is available here or in booklet form at the church.  Note: We mistakenly put the meditation by Jarrett Millard under the readings for Sunday, March 24, instead of Monday, March 25. A corrected sheet for the meditations for those days is available in the parish hall.
Mozart in March – On Friday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church (120 High Street West), the Parish Choir of St. Paul’s combines with the choir of Christ Church and orchestra for Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore (Solemn Vespers). This free hour-long program also includes organ duets by Alice Layman and Deke Polifka. Reception following.  

Spring Cleaning Day at St. Paul's – Please join us on Saturday, March 23, for a parish spring cleaning day. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. The more helping hands we have, the more we can accomplish! We’ll clean from 9 a.m. – noon, but feel free to arrive late and/or leave early. For any who are interested in eating lunch together after the cleaning is complete, bring a crock pot of soup and/or sandwich fixings to share. We’ll enjoy some fellowship and celebrate our cleaning success!  Questions? Contact organizers Christie Thomas (mail4christie@gmail.com) or Jarrett Millard (jarrettva@aol.com).

Easter Lilies – St. Paul’s is blessed week in and week out by the ministry of our Flower Guild, a group of volunteer parishioners who enhance and honor our worship with beautiful floral arrangements throughout the year. The Flower Guild is funded by gifts and memorial contributions, with a large portion of the budget coming at Easter, when the church is adorned with dozens of Easter lilies.

Please consider supporting this ministry with a gift of any amount in thanksgiving for, or in memory of, one or more loved ones. The names of all who are remembered or honored will be printed in our Easter bulletins, and donations will contribute to the beautification of the church all year long.

Contact the church office (office@spmcuva.org or 434-295-2156) no later than Monday, April 15, if you wish to make a contribution to be recognized in the Easter bulletin. If you would like to make your contribution online, you may do so here. Please use the field labeled "add special instructions" to type "in memory of ____" or "in thanksgiving for ____."

2019: A Foundation for the Future – If you haven't yet made a 2019 commitment, you may do so here, or mail or bring a pledge card to church anytime. Be part of a thriving 2019 at St. Paul's!
Mission & Service News
Partnership with Kris Roi Episcopal Church and School in Léger, Haiti – St. Paul's parishioner Mary Preston will be visiting our brothers and sisters in Léger March 20-25. She would like to take small practical gifts for the teachers (scarves, ball caps with UVA/Canterbury/Virginia logo, etc. – use your imagination!). Please leave them in the office by Tuesday, March 19.
Children's & Youth Ministries News
On Sunday, March 24, from 12:30-3:30 p.m., the Children's & Youth Ministries Renovation Team will be conducting a Christian Formation Summit. If you are involved with the children and youth of our congregation or just interested in helping determine the future of Christian instruction for kids at St. Paul's, we would really appreciate your involvement.

Our goal is to discuss the learning objectives of each age level and how these might be accomplished using available curriculum, milestones, and special programming. 

Lunch will be provided at 12:15 p.m. Childcare will also be provided.

Please RSVP to the church office: alice.fitch@spmcuva.org or 434-295-2156.

Note: Childcare is available by RSVP only.
Prayers of the Parish
Holding each other's joys, sorrows and concerns before God in prayer is a spiritual practice that characterizes our life together at St. Paul's. In our worship services we pray each other's prayers together. Outside of our time together many parishioners make it part of their daily lives to pray the prayers of the parish community. You are invited to participate in your own way.

Thanks be to God

for the ministry of the Rev. Rock Higgins, guest preacher and adult forum presenter this Sunday.

for the master grilling expertise of Lloyd Snook and Robert Viccellio, who helped prepare our Wednesday night dinner this week.

for the hospitality extended to PACEM guests at St. Paul's this week by our PACEM coordinators Julie Lautenschlager, Anne Ribble, and David Slezak, and by countless parishioner volunteers.

for the faithful gifts of all who support the life and ministries of St. Paul's, including the 237 households who have made financial commitments for 2019.

Godspeed and blessings

to Nancy Snow, as she moves to Manassas to be closer to her family.

Your prayers are requested

for St. Paul's this Lent.

for members and friends of the parish who are sick, sorrowful, or in any kind of trouble, including David Nelson, Anne, Anne, Mary Elizabeth Beck, Ruth, Mary Ann Miller, David, Lila M., Pierce, Doug Vest, Libba, Thomas, Jim, Matti, Bob, John, Tiffany Gordon, John Ritchie, Debby Strzepek, Lynda, Joyce, Jason, Joy, Margaret Ann, Nancy, Tyson Kemp, Marisa, Mary Bevis, the Haamel family, Judith Kovacs & her family, David, Ellen, Mark, Katie, Joann Healey, Chauncey, Kyle, Glen, Betsy Poist, Andrew, Emmett & Townson, Rick, Bobbie, Barbara, Helen.

for neighbors who are homeless or struggling to pay rent, and for all our partners in IMPACT as we continue to seek housing justice in our community.

for Kris Roi Episcopal Church and School in Léger, Haiti, for Mary Preston as she prepares to visit our partners there later this month, and for their lay leaders and Rector, the Rev. Max Accimé.

for the renovation of our children's and youth ministries and for all our leaders and volunteers as we search for a Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries.

for our city and community and nation; for the victims of racism, injustice, and oppression; and for all who serve the common good in law enforcement and the courts.

for our bishops as they gather for the House of Bishops meeting in North Carolina, according to the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer.

for the people and ministries of the Church of England, and for the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, according to the Anglican Cycle of Prayer.

We commend to God’s never-failing care

victims of violence and warfare throughout the world, including migrants and refugees who have died fleeing danger.

all whom we love but see no more, including Richard K. Welte (Christopher Welte's father), who died last week in New York.