Weekly
Postings
news & events
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October 30 - November 8, 2020 |
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To the Community of Saint Paul’s Church,
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
By this point many of us have already voted, but the prayer offered here reminds us that in all we say and all we do we are empowered by our belief in Jesus; the same Jesus who taught us that in loving our neighbor we are loving God, and by serving as Jesus served we are following him.
We don’t know the outcome of the election. What we do know is that no matter the outcome we continue as faithful followers of the Prince of Peace. We know that the example we set in respecting the dignity of every human being speaks to our hope that the transforming love of Jesus himself will infect the hearts and minds of all.
This Sunday we celebrate All Saints’ Day. We celebrate the Saints who have gone before and are with us now. What I do know is that the vanities of opinions and causes that they served may be different than mine, but that we are united with God and with one another in the Communion we share. We are, in our uniqueness, each made in the image of God. There is nothing that binds us together more than this.
Remembering and giving thanks for all the Saints lets us hold fast to our belief that we are working together with them to fulfill God’s purpose.
Go forth into this world in peace, for that is something tangible we can offer.
Be of good courage, hold fast to what is good, for it is in the strength of Jesus that we have courage to strive for his purpose.
Render to no one evil for evil, for we are taught to return evil with good.
Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the afflicted, honor all persons, for it is in so doing that we both serve God and transform the world.
Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit, for it is in God’s love that we find power to proclaim God’s hope and healing to a broken world.
May the blessing of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us, God’s saint in heaven and on earth, this day and forever. Amen.
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We are ten months through the year and have received pledge amounts totaling $533,191.62. We need $246,808.38 to meet our 2020 goal for $780,000. Your generosity has helped get our church so close to this goal, and with your continued support we know this will be attained.
You probably noticed that the operating loss year to date has been significant. This is primarily due to the loss of River Room income. However, our cash position remains healthy, largely due to the PPP loan.
Historically, the final quarter has been strong financially for our church as people complete their pledge obligations and wrap up charitable contributions for the year. If possible, please consider completing your annual pledge by November 30, 2020. This allows the church to keep current with its ongoing ministries. If you can give beyond your stated pledge amount this fall, it will greatly help the church make up for the lost revenue.
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FROM THE STEWARDSHIP CHAIR |
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Lord we give faithfully, and in our giving, we honor you,
the source of all our blessings, our daily bread, and all the gifts in our lives.
As the deadline approaches to complete pledge cards for the 2021 church year, I am reflecting on the tangible sense of excitement emanating from two active Church committees: the Strategic Planning Committee and the Search Committee. Both are neck-deep in discussing and planning for the future of Saint Paul’s and both are bullish on what is to come next for our congregation. The Strategic Planning Committee, ably chaired by Barbara Coleman, has wrapped up a series of meetings reviewing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to our Church, and the vision for the future is exciting. As a participant in this initiative I can say that the future execution of the ideas, the recommendations and the vision will lead us to become the Church we want to be. What’s more exciting is that the initiatives are very achievable, achievable with our support: both by personal engagement and with financial support. The Search Committee, ably chaired by Kim Butler and Brad Sandbach, is also excited for the future as they see what they are laying out for the next Rector of Saint Paul’s. This mirror’s the vision from the Strategic Planning Committee and is also achievable. What these committees are showing is that the Church we want to become and believe we can become is within our grasp, but with our support.
Thank you to all those who have pledged so far and to those who are in the process of completing the pledge card with their support. If you have not completed a card, please join the congregation in financially helping Saint Paul’s seize the future ahead of us.
Cameron Nixon
Stewardship Chair
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | November 1 |
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GODLY PLAY - Children through 5th grade
K-2nd grade, 9-9:40 a.m.
3rd-5th grade, 9:45-10:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 366 090 592
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We take children and their relationship with God seriously and seek to provide both space to foster encounters with God and the language necessary to make meaning of those experiences. Within the Godly Play classroom, the Biblical narrative is lovingly presented to children using beautiful materials with an invitation to step into each story with awe and wonder. Children are then allowed time to respond to and reflect on their experience of the story.
The Godly Play class sends weekly emails on Saturday morning. If you have children K-5th grade and would like to receive this email, please contact Maddy Elledge.
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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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CELTIC EVENING PRAYER AND COMMUNION
Sundays, 5:30 p.m.
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Our Celtic Evening Prayer is a candle-lit service that emphasizes the contemplative side of worship and features some of Augusta’s best Celtic musicians. Come as you are and enter into a place of rest, prayer, and reflection.
Please note that during this time, we ask that everyone sign up to attend as each service is limited to the number of participants. You will be required to submit your email address for contact tracing.
Masks are kindly required by all individuals at all times.
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All Saints' Day
Sunday, November 1
On All Saints' Sunday, November 1, we remember especially those in our parish family and in our families who have died in the past year. Director of Music, Keith Shafer, has prepared a concert of newly arranged music for the season that we will premiere on our Facebook Page on Sunday evening.
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | November 2 - November 8 |
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Noonday Prayer
Monday, November 2, 12:05 p.m.
Wednesday, November 4, 12:05 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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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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Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Tuesdays and Fridays
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Sacred Space is an opportunity for you to be in your church’s sacred space to rest and pray. You will be provided with a simple Order of Service to guide your prayers, but pray according to your practice and however fulfills your needs for your own sacred time and space.
Please note that during this time, we ask that everyone sign up to attend as each time is limited in the number of participants. You will be required to submit your email address for contact tracing.
Masks are kindly required by all individuals at all times. You will receive a follow up email with more details on additional guidelines.
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Centering Prayer - Concluding Lessons and Practice: Putting on the Mind of Christ
The Fruits of Centering Prayer
10-minute prayer sit
Wednesday, November 4, 7- 7:55 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. Learn more about Centering Prayer or learn on your own at Contemplativeoutreach.org.
"Contemplative practices facilitate and deepen our relationship with God.” This tutorial will offer a beginner’s approach to the prayer practice. “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.”
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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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NEW FORMATION OPPROTUNITY |
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BECOMING BELOVED COMMUNITY
…WHERE YOU ARE
Ministry of Racial Healing, Justice & Reconciliation
Next Full Group Meeting: TBA
Email Fr. Jenkins for to connect with the practice groups
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 845 5492 0571
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Why racial healing and justice? The answer is found in our baptismal identity, most fully articulated in our Baptismal Covenant (BCP 304-5). Why now? Because injustices long accepted as normal no longer are invisible or below our consciousness. The right time to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” always is the present moment.
This group is collaboratively working to shape their ministry. Everyone is invited. Drawing guidance from The Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community vision, we strive to: 1) tell the truth about our church and race, 2) proclaim the dream of beloved community, 3) practice the Way of Love in the pattern of Jesus, and 4) repair the breach in our institutions and society.
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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 $10,570.00
Operating Expenses to Date $788,184.70
Total Income Received to Date $726,910.78
Stewardship Campaign:
Pledge Cards Received to Date for the Year 2021: 85 representing $405,174
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The new Day by Day issue for October, November, and December has arrived. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please contact the parish office.
Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily, "page-a-day," inspirational meditations each reflecting on a specific Bible passage from the daily lectionary readings of the Episcopal Church. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences.
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An Update from the Search Committee |
The Rector Search Committee would like to thank everyone at Saint Paul’s who participated in our church survey. You will find a summary of the survey by clicking the button below:
If you would like more information about the search process, our Saint Paul’s Church website has now been updated to include a special section specific to our search process. This section includes a timeline of our search with detailed information about each phase. It is also a central location for all communications related to the process.
Our hope is that this will be a resource that you will be able to use to stay informed and engaged during the search process. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to the search committee.
In Christ,
Saint Paul’s Rector Search Committee
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Are we missing your birthday?
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