St. Paul's Episcopal Church



301 E. Stuart Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: 970-482-2668
Email: office@stpauls-fc.org - Website: www.stpauls-fc.org

Warden's Update

Which character in the parable of the Good Samaritan represents St. Paul’s? This was the reflection topic the Vestry grappled with and reflected upon to begin our July Vestry meeting. We invite each of you to consider the same question. (Luke 10:25-37)

While considering that St. Paul’s – and each of us – has been each of the characters at some time or other, one insightful Vestry member suggested that St. Paul’s is best represented by the Inn Keeper. We take in all who come and we do our best to tend to the needs of all: those who come with wounds, those who are so wounded that they are brought to our door by others, those who seek to serve, those who want to share their bounty with all. St. Paul’s indiscriminately welcomes and cares for all.

This reflection opened the conversations we need to have about all the work before us at this time in our church life. After a very busy year of discernment we have settled on both Place and Priest – Thanks be to God!! And now our work continues….

As of August, we will be entering Season 1 of our Priest in Charge’s time with us. Season 1 is Discovery , the first of three seasons that Reverend Felicia, our new Priest in Charge has been called to walk with us. (Season 1, Discovery, will be followed by Seasons 2, Visioning, and 3, Discernment.) We began our Discovery in May 2018, when we conducted an assessment to create our portfolio, outlining what we sought in our Priest in Charge. Felicia was not a part of that work but now joins us in our ongoing Discovery. As we are all very aware, some things have changed for us over the past 14 months since we created that portfolio, adding to the discovery of who we are as a 21 st century church.

Season 1, Discovery, is now about our walking together with Felicia to continue the discovery of who we are as St. Paul’s Church. Tuesday night’s discussion of St. Paul’s as Inn Keeper got the Vestry started on our new Season of Discovery and we hope that every member of St. Paul’s will join in the conversation of Season 1, Discovery – at organized times as well as casual chats.

As of August 14 (the next Co-Op meeting) we will embark on the next step in our Place decisions --- conversations with our partner congregations about making our unique ministries a shared ministry that welcomes all comers. Again, the metaphor of St. Paul’s and our partners as Inn Keeper seemed apt and opened our minds to new ideas. We need help from everyone. As you have time and energy, please do some research into other ecumenical endeavors; read about and/or visit some other shared ministry efforts; talk with your fellow congregants, your friends, neighbors and acquaintances about our dream; explore what folks are looking for in a church. Then bring your ideas and input to the discussions. Stay tuned for ways to become engaged in these vital conversations about St. Paul’s and its partners (current and future?) can make our Place an even broader Inn of welcome to all comers.
ISAAC (Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition of Northern Colorado) is excited to present:

Ms. Soila Luna Pineda

General Coordinator of the human rights organization, Fundación Don Sergio Méndez Arceo, Cuernavaca, Mexico

July 21, 2019 at 2:00- 3:15 p.m at the Sojourn Mennonite meeting at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Stover, Street in Fort Collins .

Ms. Pineda will present (in Spanish with translation) a panorama of what is happening in Mexico, the challenges and hopes for the Mexican people with respect to food security, protection of human rights, and protection of the environment. Her presentation will speak to the theme “Roots of the Immigration Crisis: The Reality in Mexico.”

Immigration is at the forefront of national dialogue. Most of what we hear is related to border issues and border security, or ways to transform or restructure the immigration system. The reality in countries south of our border is discussed much less, and it is important that we understand and address the root causes leading people to leave their homes and come to the United States.

Ms. Pineda is brought to us by EPIC (Ecumenical Project for International Cooperation, see more information below). EPIC is based in Colorado, and has long term programs in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras upholding human rights, and supporting the renewable agriculture necessary for sustaining life in those countries.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Transforming Fear Into Compassion - A New Perspective on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Friends,Please try to attend the talk at the
Islamic Center at 5495 Baseline Rd in Boulder on July 12 at 7 pm . Richard Forer, Author, Breakthrough: Transforming Fear into Compassion, A New Perspective on the Israel-Palestine Conflict . The talk will alleviate much of the confusion that exists with regard to understanding why so many normally decent people who ordinarily believe in justice support and defend indecency and injustice. Everyone is welcome. Please tell your friends and if you are so moved, forward this email to your contact list. I plan to go, and offer a ride to anyone else interested in attending. -- Nancy McDuffie, 970 305-2396
A heartfelt thank you from FHN to all FFH volunteers:

“Guest families at FHN are brave. Their struggles may push them down but they get back up to brave another day. Each day in our program, we are amazed at how each day brings a new chance for hope. Each night they are nourished and rest safely. Your simple gifts give them the strength to hope for a better tomorrow. Thank you for the many blessings you share. YOU give HOPE. “

You may have noticed the FHN and not the FFH. Faith Family Hospitality (FFH) will remain the overnight program's name, but the organization has changed their name to Family Housing Network. Family Housing Network encompasses the 3 programs: FFH is the overnight program; the day center is the help place for homeless families who are either in the FFH program or not; and the Sherwood House will be providing extended help for homeless families. For more info on this and anything else you might want to know about FHN go to:  http://www.faithfamilyhospitality.org/

Please keep these dates in mind for volunteering : Our next two FFH rotations are the weeks of
September 8 and December 22 (Christmas eve and Christmas day are part of this week). We will be assisting our host church by cooking, evening hosting, and sleeping overnight for those weeks. The December week includes staying overnight on Christmas day.
Hear Ye – Hear Ye!!
 
Another summer is upon us – AND that brings the Colorado Haiti Project into our lives again as well. As in the past, all the congregations of our Diocese are asked to be involved, each deciding to what extent that will be. We have been informed by Wynn Walent, Executive Director of the Project, that the annual tuition remains at $350 for each student and donations are welcome. Checks may be made to the Colorado Haiti Project or to St. Paul’s Church with the Colorado Haiti Project notation.  More information, particularly regarding our involvement, to come.
 
Lawrence Baietti
Special Welcoming Liturgy

8:30 am Sunday, August 11

Sunday, August 11, will be Felicia Smith Graybeal's first Sunday with us. We will have a special service to welcome her. The 8 am and 9 am worship services will be canceled and one celebration beginning at 8:30 am will occur. Please mark your calendars.

Worship will be followed by a celebratory reception. If you'd like to help out with this, contact Weltha in the church office.
Flowers

On July 14, flowers were given by Brenda and Jim Pisula in celebration of their anniversary.

If you would like to provide flowers to honor or remember a loved one, there is a sign-up sheet on the St. Paul's bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.
Our Duty to Strangers

" His respect for the person as vessel for the Holy shows in everything he says. “Listen with the ear of the heart,” he instructs. And, from his Rule, Chapter 53: “All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me… "

Laurie Gudim for "Speaking to the Soul" at the Episcopal Cafe. For the full reflection, go HERE .
Links to the Online Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Mary of Magdala Ecumenical Catholic Community

What are our partners in ministry here at Trinity up to? Go HERE for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And HERE is Mary of Magdala's weekly bulletin.