Weekly
Postings
news & events
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August 21 - August 30, 2020 |
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Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3. |
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The ritual of children returning to school always seems to prompt a renewed sense of order and optimism in my life. I suspect that many in our parish look forward to getting back into their routines and anticipate the approach of fall. In the cycle of our church, we would normally resume Christian formation, the choirs’ voices would welcome us back to our sanctuary, and we would feel a sense of comfort in this familiarity. Instead, this summer, we continued Christian education for all ages via Zoom, we added additional opportunities to pray and to learn together instead of reducing our contacts, and Keith, Sarah and the choir (along with Wright and Tom on the AV team) brought us music so beautiful that we feel like we are with them in person and not just in spirit. Our clergy adapted to bring worship to us in a meaningful and faithful manner, while affirming and complying with diocesan guidelines. Our office staff revamped communications and processes, and Hilary and his team cared for the buildings and spaces where we gather for worship and life in community. We have all changed. We have all grown. We commissioned an inspired search committee to identify our next Rector (please complete the PARISH SURVEY, which is foundational for the search process); created a vestry committee to prepare for our return to in-person worship; and contemplated a revised budget for this year with ongoing consideration for our upcoming 2021 stewardship campaign. We must choose how we frame these “trials of many kinds” while standing on our sure foundation in Christ.
Let us be grateful for what we have and remain hopeful for our future. Thanks be to God!
Ashley Wright
Senior Warden
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We ask that all active parishioners 16 years and older complete the questionnaire by NEXT Friday, August 28th.
Your perspective, experiences, and opinions are highly valued and an important part of our Parish self-examination. Your responses will also help guide the Search Committee in determining the kind of Rector that will help us continue to grow into the parish we aspire to be. As you review the questions, please give them careful and prayerful consideration.
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If you are unable to complete the questionnaire electronically, we are happy to provide a paper copy; however, we strongly encourage you to submit your responses online, as it will greatly assist us in compiling the information. Please be assured that your responses are completely confidential.
Thank you for your participation in this survey. Your input is vital to our search process and will have an important role in the selection of our next Rector. We look forward to hearing from you.
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | AUGUST 23 |
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SUMMER GATHERINGS WITH GODLY PLAY- Children through 5th grade
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 366 090 592
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This gathering will be a relaxed time where we have the chance to connect and talk with each other, share a story or activity, sing, and pray together. We will continue to meet at our regular formation time, Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and you can join us by using the same link and password that we have been using each week. See you Sunday!
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RECTOR’S FORUM
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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The Rector's Forum offers a time and place for engaging conversation that is not anchored to a specific curriculum or topic. Always we consider how to honestly and faithfully live out our Baptismal vows, now more than ever! |
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COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! Participants will be split into groups of 5-6 people to allow everyone a chance to catch up with your Saint Paul's family. |
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Interested in an in-depth, small group study?
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EfM)
September – May; Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. OR Sundays 6:45-9:00 p.m.
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Are you curious to explore the meaning of Holy Scripture, the history and traditions of Christianity, and our ever-changing understanding of God that you may more deeply and abundantly live your faith? Then EfM may be for you.
EfM, developed by The School of Theology at Sewanee, is a small-group program (12 member limit) of study and spiritual growth open to ALL people. The complete program spans four years of weekly group meetings between September and May, offering the breadth and depth of our Christian tradition and bringing it into direct conversation with your personal experience of the world through study, worship, and theological reflection.
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BECOMING BELOVED COMMUNITY
…WHERE YOU ARE
Ministry of Racial Healing & Reconciliation
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Fr. Jenkins invites you to participate in the ministry of racial healing and the work of dismantling structures of racism in our church and culture. This group will create ministry opportunities and events within the guiding framework of The Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community.
Email Fr. Jenkins to connect with this ministry or express your inquiries, suggestions, or concerns.
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | AUGUST 24 - AUGUST 30 |
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PrayingTogether
Audience: All parishioners, visitors, and guests
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
Praying with Sunday’s bulletin (11 a.m. Holy Eucharist)
Monday, August 24, 12 - 12:30 p.m. Followed by Noonday Prayer, 12:30 - 12:40 p.m.
Praying with the Word
Wednesday, August 26, 12 - 12:30 p.m. Followed by Noonday Prayer, 12:30 - 12:40 p.m.
Praying with the Word
Wednesday, August 26, 7 - 7:55 p.m. Followed by Compline at 8 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Episcopalians are a people of prayer. How we pray and worship proclaims and communicates more about our Christian belief and hope than can be found in theology libraries. Yet, how do we learn and grow in the living steam of our prayer tradition?
PrayingTogether offers informal and practical tutorials about prayer and our prayer tradition so that anyone may learn and grow in God’s grace through the prayers of our Church. Topics vary, and Fr. Jenkins invites your suggestions.
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Noonday Prayer
Monday, August 24, 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26, 12:30 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Gather online to pray the service of Noonday Prayer. The service will be led by members of the parish and the bulletin will be presented through Zoom so all may participate.
Noonday Prayer is a short and simple service which allows prayer to enter into the midst of our daily work or other activities, while joining our prayers in the ongoing prayer of the Church around the world. It may also be observed in private and is found online here and on p.103-107 in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) or in the simplified version daily devotions on page 138.
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Praying with the Word
Wednesday, August 26, 12 p.m. AND 7 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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This tutorial will offer a way to encounter the Word in prayer through contemplative reflection on a passage of Holy Scripture. The more we practice and allow the transformation process to happen, the more we are able to experience the Indwelling Presence in everything we do. These practices are drawn from Rev. Martin Smith’s classic guide The Word is Very Near You: Praying with Scripture.
Following the tutorial and meditation with Holy Scripture, we will join the parish for the liturgy of Compline on the same zoom meeting at 8 p.m.
Inquiries, questions to be addressed in the tutorial? Please send them in advance to Fr. John Jenkins.
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Compline – Facebook Live and Zoom
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m., social time follows worship on Zoom.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Compline is a beautiful, simple, and quiet service to end the day together in prayer with God. This service is led by members of the parish using an on-screen bulletin so everyone may pray together.
Following the prayers, which are streamed on Facebook Live, those who gather through Zoom have opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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Back to School - Prayers & Blessing for our entire parish community
Sunday, August 30
We all are aware that schooling this year is different, that we are at the beginning of a new phase of our common life in the midst of the pandemic. This truth touches the lives all students from pre-K to graduate studies, all teachers and instructors, and all staff and administrators. They all need our support, and we all need ways to express our hopes and concerns for them at this time.
In order to draw those we love into the powerful ministry of Christian prayer, the Saint Paul’s community will be invited this week via a special email to submit the names (first names only, not read aloud in the Prayers of the People) of all persons—students and their friends, teachers and their colleagues, staff and administrators—for whom we desire God’s intercession and blessing. These names will be carried in a basket and placed upon the altar during the entrance procession, offered to God with the Eucharistic elements and the week’s monetary offerings, and specially blessed following the post-communion prayer.
Additionally, for families, children, and teachers:
This week all families of school aged children in the parish will receive backpack tags and bookmarks and an invitation to submit names online to Fr. Jenkins for prayer when we gather Sunday morning on zoom at 10 AM (zoom details soon). Together we will hold our prayers, name our hopes and then bid God's blessing upon the tags and bookmarks (plus backpacks, laptops, etc.) to be for us signs of God’s presence and the loving support of our church family.
Be on the lookout this week for more information in your inbox. Inquiries, contact Fr. Jenkins.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
Offerings pledged this Week $15,000.00
Offerings received this Week $5,371.00
Operating Expenses to Date $599,682.99
Total Income Received to Date $587,922.94
Stewardship Campaign:
174 pledge commitments made for 2020 ministries.
2021 campaign begins in September 2020
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Requesting Updated Mailing Address for College Students |
Parents of college students, the Daughters of the King have requested addresses for our college students so that they may send notes and small surprises to them during the year. As your children register for housing for the fall semester, please forward updated mailing addresses to the Parish Office.
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Since we have been fortunate enough to continue connecting online as a parish family through Zoom, we wanted to provide some helpful guidelines & tips.
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You do not need to have a Zoom account to participate - Everyone can join!
- You can access the link either through your smartphone, tablet, computer, or by calling in by phone
- If you use your smartphone, you should download the Zoom app beforehand
- You can enable both audio and video, or just audio if you prefer not to be seen
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**You MUST enable audio to be able to hear and speak. If using a computer: "Join with computer Audio" may appear when you log in. If using cellphone/tablet: Select the option to Dial in using Wifi.
- Use the mute feature when you are not talking—this will make the call better for everyone
- If you have trouble connecting (some people can connect their video but not their audio), leave the meeting and try again
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Are we missing your birthday?
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