St. Paul's Episcopal Church Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
MESSENGER
"Making friends while serving God"
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The Week of September 6 - 12, 2022 | |
A phrase we heard over and over during our vacation in Costa Rica was pura vida. This phrase literally means “pure life,” but in practice contains many deep meanings.
It can be used instead of hello, or as a response to Como estás/how are you? It can be used as a response when you fall down and someone asks, Estás bien/Are you ok? And it can be used to say, Oops, we messed up! It’s sort of the Costa Rican equivalent of the French c’est la vie or the Swahili hakuna matata.
It’s not clear where this phrase came from, but it seems to have become widely used in the 1950’s or 60’s, as tourism increased and the country began to embrace eco-conscious and sustainable practices. It embodies several Costa Rican values -- being proud and protective of the beautiful land, going with the flow, not rushing through life, and not sweating the small stuff.
We found pura vida used in product and publication names around Costa Rica, and emblazoned on t-shirts and other souvenirs sold in Costa Rican shops. But mostly we heard it, over and over, and we enjoyed practicing using it!
¡Pura vida!
¡Pura vida! ¿Como estas?
¡Pura vida, pura vida! ¿Y tu?
¿Pura vida tambien!
This phrase and all it is about feels so refreshing and needed in our high-stress, out-of-touch with our environment, sweating-every-detail American context. We need more grace, more gentleness, more appreciation of nature, and more slowing down. In short, we could all use some more pura vida!
Remember the zip-lining? As I positioned myself on that first practice run over the forest canopy, I looked forward at the guide and back to my daughter Kennedy. With my heart pounding, I gave a nervous smile and said, ¡Pura Vida!
The guide laughed and pushed me on my way.
Pura vida, everyone!
Rev. Mary
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--The Rev. Dr. Mary E. Barber | |
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 10AM WILL BE OUR LAST ZOOM SERVICE
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“God is the good shepherd who goes looking for the lost sheep. God is the woman who lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches everywhere for her lost coin until she has found it. God is not the patriarch who stays home, doesn't move, and expects his children to come to him, apologize for their sinful behavior, beg for his forgiveness, and promise to do better. God is the father who watches and waits for his children, runs out to meet them, embraces them, pleads with them, and begs and urges them to come home. It might sound strange, but God wants to find us as much, if not more, than we want to find God." (quote from Nouwen)
--Shawn Prater-Lee
To be redirected to the Lectionary Page and get a digital copy of the readings
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The Sunday Sermon
22-9-4 Proper 18 Luke 14:25-33
This Friday, my day off, I went down to the city with our older daughter Kennedy, who is moving into a new apartment and getting ready to start a new job. We spent hours together on the floor, putting together furniture, with a screwdriver and those tedious little hex wrenches. Then we drove back home in Labor Day traffic. I had been thinking about today’s sermon and it crossed my mind, Did I really estimate the cost when I decided to become a parent? Did I foresee having to assemble furniture and unpack boxes with my 24-year-old daughter on my day off?
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?
Estimate the cost. Jesus’ statement seems like such practical advice, so sensible to follow. Something we all strive to do before taking on a big project -- setting aside money, making a budget, good solid planning, virtuous even, we may think. We may raise our eyebrows a bit over someone who is unable to finish their deck, or who offers to treat us to dinner but then looks in their wallet and has to borrow $10.
Estimate the cost. Jesus is talking here about what it means to be his disciple, and how it is not just fun and games. He is warning the crowds, and his followers, that discipleship is costly.
But estimating the cost is not always so easy. At times, many of us, even when we face a seemingly simple thing like building a deck, many of us will find we did not estimate the cost well enough.
It is not always about poor planning. Even with a defined project, even when we do all the careful things before we start, we all know things can go wrong. Costs can go up, contractors can be delayed in doing the work, parts can be hard to get.
We at St. Paul’s are having struggles like that with our boiler right now, a saga that has been going on for a couple of years, despite the best efforts of the wardens, vestry and finance team. We know as a community that estimating the cost is not always so simple.
And even more so with the bigger things we set out to do, the bigger things we are called into. Choosing a career. Becoming a parent. Answering a call from God.
Can we really know what we are saying yes to when we say yes to these big things? Can we really know beforehand what the work will ask of us, about the challenges we will face in raising children, about the worries and sleepless nights?
Did Jesus fully realize what the cost of his discipleship would be? And even if he understood that the Romans would probably kill him, when he got closer did he know what it would be like to experience the humiliation and pain?
I’m not sure that he did. I think even Jesus may not have fully thought through the costs of his ministry when he started out. Why do I think that? Well Jesus himself prayed, the night before he was executed, he prayed, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. In other words, Please God, can we just not? Can I just turn back and not finish this story, because I didn’t realize it would be so hard!
Discipleship is hard, and Jesus wants us to know that. He wants us to think about it, up front, before deciding to follow him. And he wants us to prepare for hard work and hard times ahead.
Because it’s true, we sometimes say yes to something, we start something, without really thinking it through. We think of all the good things, but we don’t always think about the possible costs. And so we end up having trouble when things don’t proceed in a perfectly easy, predictable way.
We don’t always estimate the costs. And many times, we can’t.
But this week, I’m thinking about the reverse. About how some of us look at something like parenthood, or a career, or a call deeper into ministry, and all we see is costs. All we can see is hard work, hoops we need to jump through, comforts we would need to give up. We see those things, and they scare us, they paralyze us, and we end up stopping on our path, or not even starting.
I’m thinking about this because of a fire that has been in our local news this week. Now, in the national news we are still arguing over whether students should have a small portion of their debts canceled. And some are saying, well those students should have estimated what their education would cost, and why should we bail them out for poor planning?
And while we are arguing over this, there is flooding happening in Texas. There are fires raging out west. The grass here in the Hudson Valley is crispy brown, and leaves are falling off the trees simply because they are so dry. And now there is a fire raging out of control in our own mountains, so that the Minnewaska State Park has to be temporarily closed.
We have been hearing the call of our planet for years, that it needs help and attention, that we cannot keep abusing it as we have. We have heard this call, and we have mostly ignored it. We have ignored it, because we have not wanted to pay the cost of answering. We have not wanted to give up our consumption, our comforts, and so we have mostly not even started to work on the big tower that is the work to stem our climate crisis.
The problem is, we did estimate the cost, and we got scared, we froze, and we chose to not go forward. What we did not estimate, is what doing nothing would bring. We did not estimate the cost of not following this call from our planet, this call from God to care for all of God’s creation.
We are not all called to be parents. We are not all called to be priests. We are not all called into certain professions. But we all have some sort of a call, a call to live into the person God made us to be.
When we say yes to that call to our true purpose, to be our realest selves, we are saying something that comes with a cost. But there is also a cost to not saying yes, to not living into who God is calling us to be, and what God is calling us to do.
If I hadn’t been a parent, sure, I would have been free on Friday, and I might have fewer gray hairs. And also, I would have missed out on one of the most beautiful and rewarding parts of my life. Being a parent opened me so much to the wild and unpredictable and wondrous thing that is loving your children, so much that I don’t think I would have heard the call to the priesthood if I hadn’t first experienced it.
If I hadn’t followed this impractical call to priesthood, one where I couldn’t have possibly known all the costs, some things would be easier now, sure. Ministry is harder than I ever could have imagined, it demands all of me, and sometimes more than I think I can give. And it is also more wonderful than I could have imagined. How much poorer I would have been, if I had let the costs hold me back.
Saying yes to our purpose, saying yes to God’s call as individuals, as a community, and as a part of this planet, saying yes is costly. And despite what Jesus says in today’s Gospel, we often cannot possibly estimate the cost ahead of time.
Saying no may be even more costly though. When we don’t choose to follow God, when we don’t hear the cries of others, of our planet, when we don’t take that path into wholeness, we are allowing something vital about ourselves to die.
The fires are raging. When are we going to answer the call? When will we leave our possessions? When will we choose to pay the cost, to save ourselves and our children and this beautiful planet God has created? When? The time to estimate the costs has long passed. Now is the time to act. Amen.
--The Rev. Dr. Mary E. Barber
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ALL AGES BOOK READ
PAULI MURRAY:
SHOUTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE (DEBORAH NELSON LINCK)
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Hopefully, many of you ordered the book by now, and are getting excited about discussing it together.
This new book from Church Publishing is for young readers, but the content is very adult. For many of us who are unfamiliar with Pauli Murray, the writer, activist, attorney, and priest, it’s a great introduction.
The St. Paul’s discussion for the book will be after the Sunday service on Sunday, October 2. Please come having read the book, with your questions and thoughts. This discussion is open to youth and adults of any age.
As the fall goes on, look for more news on a retreat discussion with St. George’s and other participating faith communities.
Rev. Mary
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PASTORAL CARE UPDATE
The Committee met with Rev. Mary on August 17 and would like to share some updates with you.
Eucharistic Visitation. If you would like to receive or know of someone who would
like a visitation, please contact Rev. Mary or a member of the committee.
Ongoing committee activities include phone calls, cards, rides to church, prayer list
intercessions.
Nursing home and hospital visits done by Rev. Mary at this time due to Covid.
Pastoral Care asks for your assistance in reaching out to those who may need support, are sick or
struggling in any way.
If you would like to join the committee, please speak with Rev. Mary or a member of the Committee.
We welcome and thank you.
Pastoral Care Committee: Rev. Mary, Mark Goodwin, Tessa Kale, RoseMarie Proctor,
Cynthia Benjamin, Janet Quade, Deb Williams
--Janet Quade
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FUNDRAISERS
HELP!! MEN NEEDED!!! We will need help setting up and breaking down for the Rummage Sale Sept. 17 (Rain Date - Sept. 24). We plan to begin setting up at 8:00 and will break down at 3:00. We’ll need tables ( not sure of the number yet) and chairs brought out to the Hamilton Street side of the church. Please see Janet Quade or Bobbie Gordon if you are able to help. MANY THANKS!!
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ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER RUMMAGE SALE : Acceptable items: women’s, men’s & children’s gently used clothing, shoes, handbags, housewares, knick knacks, pictures, small furniture, lamps. NOT ACCEPTING: bedding, seasonal items, jewelry, electronics, appliances.
Bring donations to the church door between 10 am & 2 pm Sat., Sept. 10, Mon., Sept. 12 - Fri. Sept. 16. PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATIONS AT THESE TIMES!!! Someone will be there to accept them. Many thanks.
--Bobbie Gordon
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ST. PAUL’S
SMALL BLESSINGS THRIFT SHOP AND FOOD PANTRY
In addition to our regular Thrift shop and Food pantry hours (Tues. Weds. Thurs. 10am - 2pm)
WE ARE ALSO OPEN THE LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH - 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Clothing for men, women and children, housewares, knick-knacks, etc.
GREAT BARGAINS - CHECK IT OUT!!
St. Paul’s Church
161 Mansion St.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
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It was decided and announced that we are dropping the mask mandate for services. People may continue to wear the mask if they choose, but they are not required to wear one.
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STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
FROM THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE:
The Members of the Stewardship Committee would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make our fund raising events so far this year a big success. It’s only with your participation that these events have been successful. The CHILI TAKEOUT EVENT earned about $847 and all the chili has been sold. The lunch at OUTBACK brought a profit of $931. Again many thanks to all who supported these events. Next up - FALL FLING - Rummage sale, raffle, snacks & beverage for sale.
Many thanks to all who have returned their pledge form for 2022. Your envelopes are available to be picked up in the Narthex. It’s not too late to return your pledge - just complete the form and put it in the collection plate. Your envelopes will then be available the following Sunday.
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A NOTE FROM THE TREASURY TEAM
Total deposits for the month of August - $7,531 (includes $150 for the Food Pantry). Many thanks to all who have been generously supporting the Food Pantry.
A reminder - Please remember to either mail in your pledge or drop it off through the mail slot any day during the week. The correct address is: 161 Mansion St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
ST. PAUL’S THANKS YOU!!!
--Bobbie Gordon
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Dear Friends,
Our Family Fun Day is on Saturday, September17th, and you are all invited.
--Carol Reichert
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
Sauerbraten Dinner
Saturday
September 17th
The Dinner Includes:
Sauerbraten, Spaetzle, Red Cabbage, Bread, butter and Cake.
Fellowship Hall Opens At 4:30 pm.
Take Out Is Available At 6:45 pm.
$15.00 Per Person
Make Reservations by Monday 9/12/22 with the Church Office at 845-452-6050 (If Answering Machine Leave Name, Phone Number, Numbers of Dinners And if a takeout Meal.
4:30 p.m.
Saturday - September 17th, 4:30 pm
325 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
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Lay Eucharistic Visitor
Online Training
Monday, September 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
The Eucharistic Visitor is a bishop-licensed lay ministry in the Episcopal Church. At the conclusion of Sunday worship, those who have been authorized to serve as Eucharistic Visitors take communion to fellow parishioners who are homebound or hospitalized.
Has your priest, deacon or warden identified you as a member of the congregation who is called to serve as a Eucharistic Visitor? This two-hour online training will teach you about:
- Spiritually preparing to make a visit;
- The materials that you will need for a visit;
- What to do once you arrive;
- The worship/liturgical content of a visit;
- Writing up a visit for clergy or warden; and
- What to “do” or not do after a visit.
There is no charge for this online training.
(We're sorry, but there is no in-person training option at this time.)
Please click here to register for the Sept. 19 online training Instructions for joining the Sept. 19 training via Zoom
will be sent well ahead of the day.
Questions?
Arlene Bullard
abullard@dioceseny.org
212-932-7363
Fall and early winter dates to be announced for:
- Eucharistic Minister training (Spanish)
- Eucharistic Minister training (English)
Episcopal Diocese of New York | 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025 Unsubscribe meb2195@utsnyc.edu Update Profile |
Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by info@dioceseny.org
--The Rev. Dr. Mary E. Barber
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COMMUNITY CHESS PARK - READY! | |
"On a side note, we were playing in the street ... I looked around I noticed Mayor Rolison taking pictures of us!
Many thanks to everyone who had worked to make this Community project a success!" (Photos above)
--
Matthew E. Tether, AIA
Board of Directors
tetherarchitecture@gmail.com
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NEW Regional EFM Group
We are planning a new Education for Ministry cohort for either the Fall of 2022 or January of 2023.
The intention is for this group to meet on-line as well as occasionally in-person.
Alison Quinn and Heather Sisk are currently in organizational discussions with Deacon Teri Jones.
We need at least six participants to start a new group.
Please contact Heather if you have interested parishioners.
Thanks and Peace,
Heather+
(Cell: 917-561-0141)
The Rev. Heather K. Sisk
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
PO Box 1449
Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
845-635-2854
--The Rev. Dr. Mary E. Barber
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1 Richmond (Noto) Hodge | 12 Marjorie Marks | 22 Shamara A. Wethington Mizell | Brandon Clarke | ----Colleen Misner | 28 Adrian Joseph Goldson | 9 Judith Mizell | 21 Aleen Josephs-Clarke | 29 Daphne Barrett | | |
Please keep those on our parish prayer list in your minds and in your prayers, especially at this time of separation and isolation.
Intercessions
SEPTEMBER 2022
Our prayers are asked for:
Rose; Tessa; Dave & Liz, Paul, Maddie, Simone, Avil; Michael, Those impacted by natural disasters; Habitat for Humanity; Rural and Migrant Ministry; Peace in our world; The elderly, shut-ins and prisoners; Jeanne & Charlie; Ann, Phil; Hailey, Vickie; Marie; Maggie; G.J., Cynthia, Jeffrey, Linda, Marshall, Lillian, Michail I & II, Chandra (Plain), Evans; Paul; Alexis, Avonel; Carola, Violet, Warren; Nancy, Plain family, Sasha; Margaret; Mizell family; Jill; Donna; Janice; Norma; Ruthann; Lauren; Andrew & family, Ian; Nicholas, George; Gary, Marianne; Stacey, Meghan, Peggy K.; Carol, Jim, Seth, Lori, Neil; Whitman, Deb; Adrian; Chloe; Christine, Lucas, Santos family, Bramble, Anna, Sterling, Leigh family, Stewart, Tucker family, Hosier family, Darien family
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Poughkeepsie
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'In Service to God & You' |
Our food pantry volunteers are in active service at St. Paul's these days. We give thanks to them and thanks to God for their willingness to help us by helping others.
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We continue to pray for those who lost their lives and the family and friends they left behind.
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THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR
September 6 - 12, 2022
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YOUR NEWS BELONGS IN ST. PAUL'S MESSENGER
Help us get the word out by submitting news of parish activities. Send submittals to stpaulpk@verizon.net or call (845) 452-8440
Give us a call today!
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
161 Mansion Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 452-8440
stpaulpk@verizon.net
www.stpaulspoughkeepsie.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stpaulsepiscopalchurchpoughkeepsie/
The Rev. Dr. Mary E. Barber, Priest-in-Charge
The Rev. Gloria Payne-Carter, Priest Associate
Maris Kristapsons, Music Director and Organist
Adam Mazzuto; Audio/PA System
Notoe Hodge, Custodian/Sexton
Ben Sundar, Parish Administration
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church 161 Mansion Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
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