Two new ministries started at Saint Paul’s this week. Together, they make for a kind of case study of how a lot of ministry happens. One is a step forward in years of intentional listening, dreaming, and working. The other, we stumbled into unlooked for as we continued on our way. 

First, this week Kim Butler joined the church staff as Director of Children, Youth, and Intergenerational Ministry. Kim will have primary responsibility for our ministry with children and youth, and will seek at all times to engage all generations at the church in ministry together. We have built this position this way intentionally. We have not hired Kim to minister to our children and youth for us, but to lead the whole church in ministering with and to our young people. This position is all at once a beginning, a continuation, and a culmination. A few years ago, the parish identified hiring a staff person for youth ministry as a priority. This priority was reflected in the strategic plan and endorsed by the vestry. So Kim starting work is a big moment in following through on a parish-wide commitment. But joining the staff is also a continuation and deepening for Kim, who has been engaged in ministry with our children for years. Join us in celebrating Kim’s beginning and continuing—and watch for the ways she’ll be inviting you to join her! 

The second ministry came by surprise. For years, it has been part of the identity of Saint Paul’s that when the world isn’t shut down for a global pandemic, the doors of the church are open for prayer and quiet reflection every day. As the weather became dangerously hot, I noted in public that Saint Paul’s is open and air conditioned from 9:00 to 3:00 every weekday. This note got noticed, and friends who are more closely engaged with some of our neighbors who lack shelter spread it around further. We are not a cooling center; but we do have a cool room that is open to anyone for prayer and reflection, and we have begun to offer simple hospitality to people who badly need a cool spot during these scorching days. (Thanks to Church of the Holy Comforter, who donated several cases of bottled water!) We didn’t really plan this, but are blessed that it came our way. The church should be open for prayer. And to do that well in our neighborhood, we could use some volunteers who are on hand to greet people. Traffic has been slow, but we expect word to spread. We need you to bring a book down to the church and take a shift for a couple hours between 9:00 and 3:00 on weekdays. Here's a link to the signup. 

This is how ministry happens. We identify opportunities and work over the long term to make them reality. And sometimes as we’re just going along trying to be who we think we’re called to be, an opportunity springs up and we find ourselves doing something new.  

Eric+

The Finance Committee and the Vestry are beginning the work of preparing the 2022 budget. Your pledge allows them to prepare a more accurate budget. If you have not yet completed a pledge card, please prayerfully consider your pledge to a momentous year. Pledge cards are available in the Narthex and by contacting the parish office. You may also pledge online using the link below.

92 Increase (23 new), 6 Decrease, 40 no change

as of 06/21/2022

Offerings pledged this Week $12,981.00

Offerings received this Week $8,925.00

Operating Expenses to Date $391,913.80

Operating Income to Date $510,387.71

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.