We don’t always get the chance to reflect at a moment of transition. As often as not, we are fully occupied with finishing task A so that we can begin task B. Sometimes we don’t even have the capacity to notice that it is a moment of transition. But I noticed this week a kind of micro-transition in our year at church. The two exciting adult formation series with which we began the year ended this week and two exciting new series begin next week. Rabbi Shai Beloosesky will lead three sessions of our regular Women of the Bible series on Sundays at 9:30, and on Tuesday nights on zoom we’ll be reading Hospitable Planet by Stephen Jurovics.

It's not a major shift—just different topics and leaders at the same times and places as the classes they’re replacing. But it’s a small transition, which sent me back to the big book of things going on at Saint Paul’s that we published a few weeks ago. In a moment of minor transition, I reflected back on our bigger goals, as represented in that big book of stuff. First, I remembered our insistence then that “we want to be the community with which you find your role in God’s story of redemption” (to quote myself, embarrassingly). And second, I remembered our framing of that big book not as a program guide but as an invitation to go deeper with us in your life of discipleship. This is what we’re up to with these formation offerings, and deeper attention to children and youth, and energized outreach programs, and extra opportunities to gather to pray and eat and talk with each other. I hope you’ll join us for these two formation opportunities, but even more than that I hope you’ll hear again the invitation to find your place in God’s story here. The Spirit is always already at work. Come and see.

Eric+

Pledges (faithful stewardship) come in various amounts, in different percentages of income, and in gifts of time and talent from all over our diverse parish. Soon you’ll be receiving a pledge card. We are asking all Saint Paul’s households to complete and return a pledge card online or by mail, and to please consider an increase over last year. If pledging has not been your practice, we encourage you to join this year’s campaign. This helps the budgeting process and allows the Vestry and Finance Committee to more accurately address the 2023 priorities.

Please prayerfully consider what your financial stewardship means in the context of your personal spiritual journey and your place in the story of Saint Paul’s Church.

Bill Ford, Committee Chair; Cameron Nixon, Senior Warden; Catherine Boardman, Junior Warden; Fr. LaRue Downing; Fr. Eric Biddy, Rector

as of 10/12/2022

Offerings pledged this Week $12,981.00

Offerings received this Week $7,570.00

Operating Expenses to Date $665,454.49

Operating Income to Date $741,559.49

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.