A Note from Fr. Steven

Dear People of St. Paul's,

A while back I listened to an episode of Simon Sinek's podcast "A Bit of Optimism" in which he interviewed David von Drehle about The Book of Charlie. You can find that episode by clicking here. The book is framed as wisdom to be handed on from a 109-year-old who likely lived through as much change as any other generation. It's a remarkable telling about navigating life, all told by a Kansas Citian about a Kansas Citian who also was a deeply connected member of St. Paul's.

David and Simon have a beautiful conversation about Charlie White, share many stories and lessons of from Charlie's life, including especially Charlie's innate ability and gift to remain in the present—to not get too rattled about what is coming or too bogged down in what could have been. I found this especially compelling. I don't know about you but I find this to be a tremendous challenge in my own life, as I seek to engineer the perfect outcome to every detail or worry about one dropped opportunity even when most other things seem to have gone OK, all too quickly forgetting God's presence through it all and in every moment.

I have been going back through my copy to places I have underlined and found a couple of lines that jumped back off the page: David writes of Charlie, “He had a gift for seizing joy, grabbing opportunities, and holding on to things that matter. And he had an unusual knack for an even more difficult task: letting go of all the rest.” And, "If all the trappings were stripped away, leaving only my true self, who would I be? Am I living fully as that self in every moment? And when it ends, will my story have meaning?..." These—and many more—point to a life well lived and invite deeper reflection into cultivating not just an awareness of but gratitude for the present moment even if it is both "comedy and tragedy, joy and sorrow." ​

We are excited to welcome David von Drehle to St. Paul's one week from today, next Friday, April 26 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. David will be in conversation with me in our Nave to begin the evening and then we will move to the Parish Hall for a reception. I'm grateful to Deb Schneider and our Invite/Welcome/Connect team who has led the way in this event. We hope to have a lot of guests with us. If you are able to or want to help please email Deb at debschneider49@gmail.com.

I hope you are able to join us. Consider inviting a friend—this might be the perfect way for them to be introduced to a little bit of the St. Paul's community.​

Fr. Steven

This Sunday

We begin at 9:00 AM with:

Godly Play | Third Floor

Adult Forum | Garden Room | Embracing Easter | Info Below

And continue at 10:00 AM with:

Worship | Nave | Psalm 23 (from Requiem) - Herbert Howells

• Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Christ Episcopal Church, Boonville and Bishop Spencer Place
• As this is the third Sunday of the month, we will offer healing prayers in the tower room during communion.

Children's Worship | Third Floor

Find out more about what's happening at St. Paul's on our website.

To view the Sunday worship bulletin and join us for online worship, click here.

Coming Soon

Apr. 21: Acolyte and Chalice Bearer Training | After service| Info Below

Apr. 26: David von Drehle Author Talk - The Book of Charlie | 5:30 PM | Info Below

Apr. 27: Safe Church, Safe Community Training | 10:00 AM | Learn More

Apr. 28: Touching the Soul Book Group Discussion on The Book of Charlie | After service

May 15: St. Paul's Adult Choir Concert | More info soon!

May 19: Annual Pentecost Picnic | After Church

For an easy-to print list of all upcoming events, click here.

All items subject to change.

Announcements

Acolyte and Chalice Bearer Training April 21

Join us for an Acolyte and Chalice Bearer training session in the Nave following the service on April 21. Acolyte positions are open to any baptized individual aged nine and above – adults are warmly encouraged to participate as well! Any confirmed individual, under the guidance and approval of the clergy, is invited to become a Chalice Bearer.

Curious about the roles of Acolyte or Chalice Bearer? You're welcome to attend the training to learn more. We look forward to seeing you there!

Local Legend's Story Comes Alive! Author David Von Drehle at St. Paul's

Join us for a heartwarming evening with renowned author David Von Drehle (Washington Post) on Friday, April 26th (5:30 PM - 7:30 PM) here at St. Paul's!

Why this is BIG:

• Hear the story of Charlie: the beloved St. Paul's parishioner at the center of Von Drehle's book, "The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man."
• Meet the author, get your book signed, and enjoy a reception: Mingle with Von Drehle, enjoy a glass of wine, and get your copy signed after the discussion. Books will be available for purchase, courtesy of Rainy Day Books.
• Discover what it means to live a long, happy life: Inherit wisdom gleaned from Charlie's extraordinary journey.

P.S. The Wall Street Journal calls "The Book of Charlie" "an original and highly readable account of a splendid American life."

We look forward to seeing you there! If you incur childcare expenses to attend this event, please submit them to the church office for reimbursement.

Volunteer for St. Paul's Food Ministries

We are in need of help! We are especially short of food distribution volunteers on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 to noon, but other opportunities are also available. If this ministry might speak to you, please reach out to the church office, and we'll link you up with Paul Herbers.

Embracing Easter: Hope, Love, and Resurrection in Today's World

What difference does Easter make today?

Join us for a series of insightful 9 AM Sunday forums exploring the profound impact of the Easter season in our modern lives. Whether through war and violence, illness, or any other troubles, we know that as followers of Jesus, hope, love, and joy always find a way. Together, let's reflect on embodying these promises amidst the woes of today's society.

This Sunday morning: "Confronting Hate, Embracing Love: Unveiling the Power of Compassion" (Part 2)

Save the date for food and fun at our annual Pentecost Picnic!

May 19th after church under the tents on the upper field. Please bring a generous side dish - enough for your family and a few more ~ e.g. salads, beans, casseroles, rice, cookies, etc. St. Paul’s provides the chicken, biscuits and drinks.

Cool off with a Super Water Slide for the kids! If you have a lawn game you're willing to set up and share with fellow parishioners, please bring it.

Contact Pat Rudy or Rebecca Collier with questions.

St. Paul's Choir Concert May 15 - Save the Date!

Save the date for a wonderful concert full of high Anglican choral music presented by St. Paul's Adult Choir, led by Sam Anderson. We're still ironing out some exciting details, so the exact location has yet to be determined. In any case, we would love to see you there to support our outstanding St. Paul's musicians. Be on the lookout for more details in the near future.

Touching the Soul Book Group - 2024/2025

We would love for you to join us! Please register (nancyeday@gmail.com) to receive updates and discussion questions. Or just show up! A Zoom option is available.

In April, we'll join the entire St. Paul's Community to read The Book of Charlie (https://shorturl.at/LMY57).

• We are pleased to host a talk by its author, David von Drehle, on Saturday, April 26, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; a reception follows. On Sunday, April 28, Touching the Soul Book Group will meet at our usual time,11:45 in the conference room, to discuss the book in our small group setting. All are welcome.

May Reading holiday - see you in June!

June - will feature The Measure (https://shorturl.at/bjqHP): 

• Our discussions will be after church at 11:45 in the second-floor conference room on June 9 & 23. 

Graduation Sunday is May 19th

We want to celebrate with you! If you or someone you know is graduating from school (8th grade and up), completing a course, degree, or program work we can honor, or has done so since last May, please submit their name and their course or school of completion to the Church Office email by Wednesday, May 1st.

Do you have something you think should be included in this email? Submit your request to the editor by 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. If your request is submitted after this cutoff, we may not be able to include it in the same week's edition. Thanks!