Weekly
Postings
news & events
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August 28 - September 6, 2020 |
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To the Community of Saint Paul’s Church,
“Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.” (Matthew 11:28)
These word from Matthew and as a part of the Comfortable Words in Rite I Eucharist remind us that in the midst of our weariness Jesus calls us to be with him. Yet another translation says, “Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”.
I know that I am feeling a bit weary right now. There is the pressure to get things up and running again. Schools and colleges are moving forward in fits and starts. Business and commerce are adjusting to new ways. There is the virtual learning and meetings and yes, worship. It seems that many of us are trying to, in a sense, be all things to all people. Mother, father, teacher, working professional, grandparent, friend, community and church member and leader, health care provider and expert, computer pro, all coming together in one seemingly overwhelming package. “Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”.
As we move forward, as we move closer to a return to all that is familiar in our lives and the lives of those around us, we need to remember that we are not there yet. In the words of the familiar song, “The road is long, with many a winding turn…”. As we follow the road before us let’s remember that we are not alone. As we draw toward Jesus, he comes toward us in and through the love we share with one another, his presence is made real.
As a community of faith, bound together by all we have experienced, all we have given and received in and through this place we call our church home, we walk this road together. It is in this community, in this fellowship of love and prayer, that we find the refreshment our Lord Jesus so freely gives.
“Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Amen.
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We ask that all active parishioners 16 years and older complete the questionnaire by Sunday, September 6.
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 30 |
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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 need our support, and we 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 is invited 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.
All names submitted will be carried in a basket and placed upon the altar during the entrance procession. They will be offered to God with the Eucharistic elements and the week’s monetary offerings. Following the post-communion prayer, we will bid God's blessing upon them and our whole community.
Click on this button below to offer as many names (first name only) as you wish.
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FOR FAMILIES with CHILDREN, and for TEACHERS & EDUCATORS
Families of school aged children and educators are invited to
gather this Sunday online at 10:00 for a back to school prayer and blessing.
Bring the backpack tag or bookmark you received this weekend from the church plus any other gear you wish to have blessed--backpacks, etc.--as special signs of God’s loving presence. Before our blessing, we will name the things that we are excited about as we return to school as well as the things that we are nervous about. In prayer, we will offer all of this into God’s care and keeping.
The letter enclosed with the tags and bookmarks included the Zoom meeting instructions and password, but contact Maddy Elledge should you need access. The back of that letter included an at-home “Back to School” liturgy for you in case you cannot join us this Sunday.
God’s peace and joy enfold and uphold you! ALWAYS! —Fr. John
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 366 090 592
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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 2:30 - 5 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 31 - SEPTEMBER 6 |
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PrayingTogether
Audience: All parishioners, visitors, and guests
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
Praying the Book of Common Prayer’s Daily Devotions
Monday, August 31, 12 - 12:30 p.m. Followed by Noonday Prayer, 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 2, 12 - 12:30 p.m. Followed by Noonday Prayer, 12:30 p.m.
Praying with the Word - Prayer practices with Holy Scripture
Wednesday, September 2, 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 31, 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 2, 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, September 2, 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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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
Offerings pledged this Week $15,000.00
Offerings received this Week $5,988.90
Operating Expenses to Date $626,779.12
Total Income Received to Date $594,039.34
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?
Birthday Sunday will be celebrated on September 13!
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