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 View as Webpage

Ministers and Receivers Rhoda Robinson “ For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ…We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us…”Romans, 12:4-6 “We who follow Jesus are agents of the Spirit’s transforming power for one another, as we all strive to live more deeply the faith we’ve received.” Bishop-elect Kym Lucas Check out the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall at church to see the ways this unique body of St. Paul’s is engaged in ministry to one another, to our community and to the world. This Lent, consider how you might be called to live out your faith in ministry – what role you might be called to serve in this particular body of Christ. Discern prayerfully. Also remember that every giver (e.g. the hand that prepares food) needs a gracious receiver – one who graciously gives the gift of receiving. It may be that, at this moment in your life, you are called to be one of the gracious receivers. We are all called to that role at times. Perhaps you have been a hand, wielding a hammer to help build for others; perhaps that hand (metaphorical or physical) has been injured and needs time to heal – take the time needed to be in the role of gracious receiver. There will always be a need for that healed ‘hand’ at another time. As Paul explained in his first letter to the Corinthians, “..God has so arranged the body…that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have ..care for one another…” I Cor.12:25 In March of 2019, where are you called to “live more deeply the faith you’ve received?”

The Pancake Supper was a Roaring Success Here are a few photos from the evening. Thanks to all the loving people of St. Paul's who helped out, donated time and talent to the dinner prep and the silent auction, and came to help us celebrate. You are the best!!

St Patrick's Day Potluck Brunch This Sunday, March 17, following the 9 am service. Bring a dish to share that is Irish, green, or that will bring good luck! Contact Judy Matthews if you would like to help set up, clean up, and/or serve during the potluck.

A Lenten Shared Discipline Online with Laurie Gudim The Presiding Bishop has introduced a seven week study and discussion series called “The Way of Love.” You can download the documents from the Episcopal Church website HERE . It's pretty simple, really, though it takes some pondering. I have created a Google group email list so that we can share our experiences of this material with one another and challenge ourselves to go deeper. We will do it in four sessions: “Turn and Learn”; “Pray and Worship”; “Bless and Go”; and then “Rest”. For those in a ministry at St. Paul’s, consider how it applies to your ministry. I will email you twice a week, and then you can respond to the group email — short replies. Are you in? We have started, but you can still join.  Email me or talk to me when next you see me.

Suffering as a Path of Transformation: A Lenten Retreat with Rick Klein Saturday, March 16, 8 am to noon is a joint educational opportunity hosted by Mary of Magdala .  Spiritual director trainer and retreat facilitator Rick Klein, using writings from Richard Rohr, Teilhard de Chardin, Jack Kornfield and contemplatives from different faith traditions, will lead an exploration of the who, what and why of the spiritual path of suffering. The retreat is intended to be experienced with times for contemplation and meditation. Please RSVP to  Rosean Amaral  or 970-692-4238.

Lenten Midweek Soup Suppers and Holden Worship    Wednesdays March 20, 27, April 3 & April 10: Supper at 6 pm, Worship at 6:45 pm Our first Wednesday evening soup supper and worship was cancelled due to weather. We still have four more to enjoy, though. During the worship, join with Trinity Lutheran and Mary of Magdala Ecumenical Catholic Community to experience “The Potter and Me” - a Lenten drama (written by Pastor John Trump). We will act out this story as Reader’s Theatre, with actors and actresses from each congregation. Sioux and Jeff Icenhower are designing the sets! Sign up to bring soup or bread. The sign-up sheets are in the narthex on the counter.

"Pray the Devil back to Hell"    Film and Discussion - Tomorrow, Friday, March 15, 7 to 9 pm at the Council Tree Library This award winning film chronicles the remarkable story of the Christian and Muslim women of Liberia who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to the shattered country, resulting in the first female head of state in Africa. It is one of a series by filmmaker, activist, and philanthropist Abigail Disney, which looks at war through women's eyes. Discussion will focus on the unique role of women in promoting peace - or not? Sponsored by Partners for Peace, Veterans for Peace, and Dining for Women. We will be joined by members of the Greeley Chapter of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

Fort Collins: The Choice City . . . For Whom? Tuesday, March 19, 6:30 pm There will be a showing of ”Fort Collins: The Choice City… for Whom?” at Trinity Lutheran Church. 301 E. Stuart. The film’s local producer, Betty Aragon-Mitotes, will be present to introduce the film and lead discussion afterward. “Choice City,” filmed in 2016, is about the historical and current discrimination and racism that occurs in Fort Collins. The showing is an offering of the Joint Social and Ecological Justice committee of three partner parishes – St. Paul’s Episcopal church, Trinity Lutheran church, and Mary of Magdala Ecumenical Catholic Community ─ all of whom share space at Trinity. There will be a free will offering collected and light refreshments We need help . There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex at the St Paul’s table. We need donations of finger foods like cookies and other light refreshments. We also need some people to be greeters, set up and help with clean up.

Food Bank Volunteers Save the date and sign up for Friday, April 5 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  The signup sheet is posted on the bulletin board, or email Jo Baietti or call 970-223-1686. We continue to have a faithful group of volunteers but can always use a few more. This outreach ministry is so important as we truly make a difference in the lives of thousands of folks who access the Food Bank every month. Many thanks to our volunteers!

The Trinity Men’s Bible Study Group is organizing an invitation of the Mental Health First Aid Colorado|MHFACO workshop to Trinity We do not yet have a date or time, but need to get a list of interested people who would attend this training at a future time (to be scheduled based on the most popular date and time). So far we have 10 people from our men’s breakfast who want to attend + spouses. If you are interested, please contact Larry Salmen .

Joint Eco-Justice Team Are you interested in Ecology and the Environment? Come and join us! Trinity, Mary of Magdala and St. Paul’s are now joining together for projects and educational opportunities inspired by our desire to care for our sacred earth. Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 26, at 5:30 pm. Location to be announced. For more information, contact Judy Matthews , the Joint Eco-justice Team liaison for St. Paul’s.

The First Annual Joachim Viens Memorial Lecture April 9 at 6:30 pm at The Drake Center, 802 West Drake Road, Fort Collins .  The World Wisdoms Project is proud to offer the first annual Joachim Viens Lecture, bringing quality speakers in multi-faith issues to the Fort Collins area. Explore the world of public spiritual care with Dr. Winnifred Fallers Sullivan. Today, chaplains who do not identify themselves with a particular faith offer spiritual care in a variety of secular institutions: businesses, hospitals, first-responder venues. Chaplaincy traces its origins to the medieval church and yet this profession is at the very forefront of a rapidly changing and diverse religious scene in the twenty-first century. The work that chaplains do, their training for that work, their responsiveness to the spiritual marketplace, and their regulation by the government, deserve attention. Come find out how chaplains are able to offer spiritual care in today’s workplaces. The speaker, Dr Winnifred Fallers Sullivan, is Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, Professor of Law in the Maurer School of Law, and Director of the new Center for Religion and the Human, all at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. The lecture begins at 6:30 pm, followed by a question and answer session, and then a reception. There is no charge.

Easter Lilies can be purchased for $13 each. Pick up your order form on the counter in the narthex or stop by the church office between 9 am and noon on weekdays. A payment must accompany the order, and checks can be made out to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, with "Easter Lilies" in the memo line.

Flowers for the Altar T o dedicate altar flowers in memory of a loved one, in celebration of a birthday or anniversary, or just to express gratitude to God, sign up on the list located on the red bulletin board where we used to gather for coffee. The money for these flowers comes from donations. We ask for a $25 donation, but any amount is acceptable. Write the check to St. Paul’s, put “Flowers” in the memo line, and put it in the offering plate. Thanks!

Need a Lift or Able to Give Someone a Lift?   Judy Matthews is coordinating the effort to match people who need rides with those who can provide them. Please contact her (and let her know which part of town you live in).

For God So Loved the World " The incarnation of God, God's self, he helps us to see beyond the limits of human understanding even when we cannot bear to think of hope and love. He points us to the next thing we are called to do – and then the next after that – all the while showing us that he sees our inmost thoughts and fears, and loves us – not in spite of them but including them . . "  -- Laurie Gudim writes for Speaking to the Soul at the Episcopal Cafe. Read the full reflection HERE .