St. Paul's Episcopal Church |
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From the Rector
By the Rev. Donna S. Mote, PhD
Dear People of St Paul’s,
Grace and peace.
This Thursday upcoming, November 11, we will commemorate the feast day of St Martin of Tours.
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Martin of Tours, patron saint of veterans (and, arguably, of chaplains as well), was a career Roman soldier who, after his discharge, became a priest, the founder of a monastic community, and the bishop of Tours in France. He lived in the fourth century, and he is one of my personal saints of inspiration. |
In the fifth century, one of Martin’s successors as bishop of Tours started locally something that would spread far and wide. He called for Christians to fast three times a week for the forty-three days (including Sundays) from November 12 through December 24.
This season wasn’t quite as penitential as Lent, but it was a seven-week observance of preparation and self-examination before Christmas. That means the day after St Martin’s Day was the beginning of Advent. Yes, Advent. On November 12.
In the Middle Ages, this long, ascetic, quasi-penitential Advent became the norm across the Church; it was called St Martin’s Lent.
St Martin’s Day, November 11, became the equivalent of our Thanksgiving (a huge feast celebrating the harvest and the beginning of winter) combined with Mardi Gras (a massive party day before the pre-Christmas season of fasting began).
Many years later, Advent was shortened to the four weeks before Christmas. In recent years we observe it not so much as a penitential season as an expectant and preparatory one.
St Martin’s Day, albeit now less raucous, remains among the most popular saints’ days in many places. And November 11 is still a pivotal day in the seasonal life of Europe, indicating the time that autumn becomes winter. All this no doubt figured into the choice of November 11 as the day of the armistice that ended the devastation of the Great War, World War I, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
Beginning on November 11, 1919, we in the United States observed Armistice Day, and it was made a legal holiday in 1938. In 1954, following the sacrifices of US personnel in World War II and the Korean conflict, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor the service and sacrifice of all veterans.
On Memorial Day we commemorate those who sacrificed their lives. On Armed Forces Day we recognize those currently serving. On Veterans Day we commemorate other kinds of sacrifice by those who have previously served.
On Veterans Day we express our thanks to veterans—not in a glib expression of “Thank you for your service;” not in a breezy, easy expression of patriotism that doesn’t cost us anything; not in a celebration of nationalism; and not in a glorification of militarism. Not in any of those. Rather, we express our thanks in a recognition of sacrifice, which is distinctively and nearly inescapably a religious term and category. Sacrifice: the giving up of something valued for the sake of something else regarded as even more important or worthy.
Martin of Tours continued to serve as a veteran. So did other saints who were soldiers, including Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, and dozens of others. And so have thousands of other veterans across the ages and decades, including those in our diocese and those of the congregation of St Paul’s. As veterans they are well trained to focus on the mission at hand. This makes them great assets to the Church and to their communities.
In the War Memorial Chapel at St Paul’s on Thursday, November 11. At 11:11AM, we will hold a Veterans Day Eucharist, offering our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God for the sacrifices of veterans and their continued service. Please join us in person or via Facebook live.
And, later that day, please join those of us who plan to watch the annual Veterans Day parade from St Paul’s excellent vantage point on Duval Street. Especially, we invite any veterans who will not be in the parade to join us. The parade steps off at 4:00PM, so come early to get a spot.
Please encourage all veterans you know to attend our 11:11AM service and invite them to view the parade with us.
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With you on the journey,
Donna+.
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This Week's News Highlights
TRUE Fund and Rector's Fund Sunday
This Sunday, November 7, is the first Sunday of the month. Two of St. Paul's most important outreach programs receive funds on such Sundays. To contribute to the TRUE Fund (the lay led outreach project for those in need) either write TRUE Fund on the check or envelope or use one of the TRUE Fund envelopes available from an usher or in the pew at church.
To contribute to the Rector's Special Assistance Fund, write "Rector's Special Assistance Fund" on your check or envelope. Also, on the first Sunday of the month all the loose "plate" contributions are allocated for that purpose. So, any "extra" cash contributed (and not part of an assigned giving account) also goes to this important effort. (Note: this fund was previously known as the Rector's Discretionary Fund. It provides a source of funds for the rector to assist those she encounters in the course of her pastoral ministries.)
Please consider a gift to either or both funds, keeping in mind that there no administrative costs with either outreach effort, so 100% of what is contributed goes towards those in need.
Time Change and Choir Returns
Don't forget that the annual "fall back" Daylight Saving Time change happens overnight Saturday. Be sure to set your clocks back an hour! While arriving an hour early for church ensures that one will not be late, there is no need to be that prompt.
For the first time since the pandemic began, St. Paul's will have a full choir again. If you would like to join the choir, please do so. Rehearsals are weekly on Saturday mornings from 10AM - 11:15AM in the choir room. (Use the door on the cloister side of the church that leads directly to the choir room.) Members also meet Sunday mornings at 9:15AM for a short warmup and review of the anthem and hymns for the 10:00AM service.
Reminders About the Service
For those who have been away, welcome back! A few reminders.
Masks are optional. Although not required, certainly feel free to wear yours if desired.
Communion is currently offered under under one kind (bread) and is distributed at the altar. If you need to have communion brought to you in your pew, please let an usher know.
Please remember that during The Peace we are maintaining social distancing protocols by remaining in place. Waves, smiles, and peace signs welcome!
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Join Us After the 10:00AM service
Please join us after the 10AM service on the side porch (cloister) for tea, snacks, and fellowship.
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Brick Project Ongoing
Purchase a brick! This is an ongoing way to support the restoration and preservation of St. Paul's. You can order your brick(s) here.
A new set of bricks (ordered earlier this year) will be set in the Memorial Garden this week. Help us get enough orders to have the newest set delivered. For reasons of delivery cost, bricks are delivered when a dozen or so have been ordered.
Proceeds help preserve our iconic church and grounds for future generations.
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Sunday's Service
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 7:30AM and 10:00AM on Sunday. The 10:00AM service will also be streamed on Facebook. Please join us if you can.
To join via Facebook (at 10:00AM), go to the church Facebook page at the appropriate time and look for the window showing that "St. Paul's Key West is now live". Click on the window. (You may need to refresh the page a few times if the "live" window does not appear promptly at the appointed time.)
You can open or download the bulletin for the 10:00AM Sunday service here.
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Junior Warden's Report
By Greta Philips-Ford
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PROJECTS PROJECTS PROJECTS!
Last week the group was busy removing the hurricane shutters from the church, parish hall and the historic rectory. It always amazes me how one small job leads to another.
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As we were taking down the shutters we started to log another list of projects that need to be completed: window trim that needs to be replaced and painted; wing nuts to replace on the shutters; shutters that need to be remarked as to their location/window. We need hurricane shutters on the french doors on the balcony of Holy Innocent Hall that can be secured from inside the building. The climb up the ladder and over the railing is a bit perilous! We also need to straighten-up the storage area so we can find everything next year! |
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It was great to have one of our returning volunteers, Lonnie, back and ready to join in the fun. Les, Lonnie, and Caroline decorated the area around the baptismal font for the baptism and the parish hall for the reception.
This week we will concentrate on the garden preparing for the bricklayers to install bricks in the memorial garden from our latest donations. We will brick the pathway next to the historic rectory with the leftover pavers behind the fence and replace or repair areas of the picket fence.
To join the fun and help out, join us at the church at 9:00AM on Saturday.
We were blessed with a surprise call from one of our past volunteers that needed more community service hours --perfect timing for the work we needed for resurfacing the plaster walls in the sacristy and the choir room!
Repair/replacement will start on the AC at the Riviera Rectory this week as well as the elevator in Holy Innocent Hall.
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Clover even participated this week by catching/killing a pesty rat that has been eluding our traps.
As you can see we have many projects that need your help! Please join us Saturday morning at 9:00AM.
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Senior Warden's Report
By Ray Warren
Newsletters and Homecomings
I'm in Lauderdale again for the two week checkup after my knee replacement surgery. Once again, Becky England has handled the lion's share of the newsletter layout and editing. I cannot tell you how important it has been for Becky to step up and offer her time and talents.
Becky does a lot of volunteer work in Key West. It's not right to rely only on her as an associate editor.
So, this is something that can be done from anywhere. If you're willing to put in the time to lay out this communication tool, please let me know. We need to build a team for this - and maybe you'd be a good part of the team
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It has been wonderful to see the winter residents and visitors return. Last week featured Wendy Niven, Mary Taylor, and Lonnie Gordon. More will return each week from now until January. It's like a homecoming each week, and just a little more incentive to make it to church each Sunday.
More from me next week as the knee event recedes. Have a good week.
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Contacts:
Church office phone:
305-296-5142
Church mailing address:
401 Duval Street, Key West FL 33040.
Pledges and offerings can be mailed here or made electronically at the church giving page.
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Reminder from Tim
By Tim Peterson
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Chancel Choir Begins this Saturday
Our Chancel choir will be back leading us in worship starting on Sunday, November 7, 2021. Rehearsals are weekly on Saturday mornings from 10AM - 11:15AM in the choir room. They also meet Sunday mornings at 9:15AM for a short warmup and review of the anthem and hymns for the 10:00AM service. We are always looking for and needing new members to sing and lead the congregation. Please consider joining us in the choir loft. We have a choir robe which will fit you perfectly!
You can find prior recordings of many past concerts and musical offerings on St Paul’s Facebook page, or on YouTube.
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We Pray Each Day
Morning and Evening Prayer is being offered daily on Facebook Live at 7:30AM and 5:30PM on weekdays.
Thanks to Bruce Hagemann, Lisa Laskow, Mary Simmons, Samantha Hall, and Tim Peterson for volunteering to officiate at these sacred moments.
To join in the prayers via Facebook, go to the church Facebook page at the appropriate time and look for the window showing that "St. Paul's Key West is now live." Then click on the window.
"Like" us and turn on live notifications to get a reminder whenever we are offering prayers.
Please pray this week for healing for
Brittany (Sherri Hodies’ daughter), Beth and Jon Peterson (sister-in-law and brother of Tim), Al (Kitty Roberts’ partner), Don Curry, Joanne Nanos, and Ray Warren
We pray for the departed and their loved ones
June Klausing (mother of Nadia Hall), Bruce Woodard (friend of the Ford family), Donald Whiteside (uncle of Mark Whiteside), James Hamilton, and Joan Neinmen
"Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servants."
(Send your prayer requests to Tim@stpaulskeywest.org for future publication and to be included in the Sunday service. By default requests will be listed for four (4) weeks. But if the need continues, please let us know.)
We Celebrate these November Birthdays:
Cody Vildostegui 11/02
Jane Burchett 11/04
Susan Gilman 11/04
Mike Benfield 11/05
Ashley Cyrillien 11/06
Mark Murphy 11/09
Brian Howard 11/13
Michelle Garcia 11/15
Nathaniel Harris 11/16
India Hall 11/18
Lorilee McDaniel 11/18
Jeff Hillard 11/19
Wally Senney 11/21
Lilla Whiteside 11/23
Manuel Acevedo 11/26
Shirley Albury 11/26
Joan Sammy 11/26
Sandy Highsmith 11/27
Sheri Sampson 11/27
Kristy Smith Callaway 11/30
(If your name is missing from this month's birthday list please send a note to info@stpaulskeywest.org so we can add it.)
We celebrate November Anniversaries:
Ronald & Sabrina Acevedo 11/01
Harvey & PK Lynch 11/08
Tim Peterson & Brian Wagstaff 11/09
Billy & Pamela Albury 11/17
Kip & Tiffany Cooligan 11/22
Ashley & Cody Vildostegui Cook 11/27
Laurence, Sr. & Alona Marius 11/29
Lilla & Mark Whiteside 11/30
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Reminders
Sunday School will resume when possible.
Back issues of The Epistle are available here.
Send questions and comments to the editors of this newsletter here.
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Tel. (305) 296-5142
Pastoral Emergencies (305) 735-1867
The nave of the church, the grounds and gardens are open for prayer and meditation daily.
The church office is located in Holy Innocents Hall
Rector's Drop In Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1 - 5PM
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