Sign at Holy Cross Monastery, West Park

Temple University Hispanic Heritage Month logo

     Wednesday, Sept 14 was Holy Cross Day, a major feast day on our church calendar. It is a reminder of how a symbol of Roman oppression, humiliation, and torture, a symbol of death, became transformed into a symbol of victory over death and end to oppression.

     Holy Cross Day also marks one of the four times a year that we pray for those who are discerning calls to ordained ministry. These times are called “ember days,” for somewhat obscure reasons, but maybe having to do with fanning the flames that God is already kindling.

     Thursday, Sept 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. Why does this month span two calendar months? This entry from hispanicheritagemonth.gov gives some explanation:

• Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
• The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402
• The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

Hispanic is not a race, but an ethnicity, including people with European, African, and Indigenous ancestry. In Poughkeepsie, Hispanic or Latinx people make up 19% of the population, fully a fifth of our community. In Newburgh, the number is even more striking -- 54% of city residents identify as Hispanic or Latinx.

     How can we live out the power of the cross in our lives? How can we find new ways to lift the burdens of others?

     And how can we be more aware of the diversity in our own communities? How can we build better relationships and connections with our neighbors?

     Lord, help us to consider these questions this week and this month. Help us to consider, and to act. Amen.

--The Rev. Dr. Mary E. Barber

To be redirected to the Lectionary Page and get a digital copy of the readings 

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9.18.22

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; PSALM 79:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:1-7;

Luke 16:1-13

The Sunday Sermon

Good morning, St. Paul’s family.

Today is September 11, a day with many memories rushing in. A day of tragedy and hope.

I would like to share some of my personal experience and reflection. Twenty-one years ago today, I was in Manhattan. My usual commute was from Nanuet to Hoboken on the train and then the PATH to WTC. I had an office at 225 Broadway, one building down from the Woolworth Building.

However, that day, my commute was changed. I had a committee meeting at 830 am on 44^th Street. So, I had taken a bus to Port Authority. My path was directed a different way.

My brother was also in town and visiting Manhattan the same day. David, the Marine, Heidi, Tony and Carla. From Hoboken, they took the PATH to 33^rd St around 930 am. The PATH to WTC was already closed. They were wandering around from the SONY Center to the Library to Times Square wondering why everything was closing. They heard snippets of news. A plane hit the world trade center (well, it’s a tall building, probably happens now and then)….thousands of people are walking over the Brooklyn Bridge (well, NY is big, probably happens everyday). So, they followed the crowd to get back to New Jersey. They ended up on a ferry line to Weehawken and getting hosed down to get the ash and contaminants washed off them. They then had to walk from Weehawken to Hoboken to get a train home. They were fine.

So, my suburban life was interrupted. I was over 40, living in Nanuet with two kids. Yes, I had even taken golf and tennis lessons at the local adult education program.

But let’s go back a little further. When I was 17, it was a very good year! I ran track my senior year of high school. I ran the two mile and half mile events and had run up to 13 miles in practice. 

As life went on, I did a little jogging, but not a lot. So, in 2001, I decided to prepare to run the Rockland Half Marathon. I went from zero to nine miles in about two months. Runners know about something called shin splints. On September 9, I went to Urgent care and was told no more running on the road.

Two days later, I was limping from 44^th Street uptown. My spouse was paging me, but my cell phone was not working. There were TV’s in store windows playing. A taxi was stopped to watch the news. Two planes had the hit the towers. One building collapsed. Then the second.   I stopped at a friend’s office, to use a landline to make a call. I kept walking uptown. I had a friend at 100^th and Columbus. I was walking up the east side with the crowd almost silent. As I walked past many glass buildings, I thought-- any building could be a target, nothing was safe, what kind of a world would my kids find. I was able to get a taxi at about 96^th street across the park and shared the taxi with someone. I went to my friend Jordan’s apartment for the day and watched the news. I saw 7 World Trade Center, the Verizon building fall.

All the subways were closed, but the news said some uptown lines were reopening for a while in the early evening. I made it up to 170^th and the Concourse to my friend Lennie. He was able to drive me home to Nanuet before all the bridges closed. It felt good to find refuge in Harlem and the Bronx away from the downtown targets.

The impact was widespread. Rockland has a lot of FDNY living there. Three dads were lost from my son’s elementary school. Our babysitter knew someone who lost both parents. The hospitals were standing by for trauma and no one came. The site became a crematory.

So, it seemed that the world was about to end and some of us went into midlife crisis. I noticed that older persons handled the damage better. I talked to an 80-year-old, who had lived through the depression and WWII. They believed that we could survive things like this.

So, who was the enemy? The US declared war on terrorism.

Flashback to 1987, my first job in New York. I attended interdisciplinary meetings at St. Luke’s Hospital in Manhattan (an Episcopal Hospital, next to the Cathedral). There was a nurse named Clorette Forbes who was quite proud of her nephew, Colin Powell. (so, I have two degrees of separation from CP). She was one of the aunts in the Bronx who kept him on the straight path as a kid.

Later, there was an interview with Colin Powell; and he was asked if Barack Hussain Obama was Muslim. General Powell answered that Obama was Christian, but the real answer to the question is that there are crescents on stones in Arlington Cemetery. Muslims have given their lives for the USA in the past. And Muslims died on 9-11.

The comparison has been made that Al Qaeda is about as Muslim as the KKK is Christian. A gross distortion.

Four years ago, we attended my nephew’s wedding in Maryland. It was a two-day Pakistani wedding. The ceremony was presided over by Imam Dendi, the Muslim chaplain of Georgetown University. So now, I have a Muslim niece.

Three years ago, I attended commencement exercises at Manhattan College. The valedictorian was a South Asian Muslim woman from the South Bronx. One of our neighbors from Rockland booed at mention. Where does this animus come from?

We have a faith based in hope and in loving our neighbor. Only love can overcome fear. And yes, we have Muslim neighbors who are part of the fabric of this country. A couple weeks ago, Luke and I visited the 911 Memorial in lower Manhattan. There are thousands of names. There are two pools. The water seems to go down and disappear, but it comes back. And our hope is in the living water.

Go in peace to love and serve one another and all our neighbors.

Amen..

--Mark Goodwin

ALL AGES BOOK READ

PAULI MURRAY:

SHOUTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE (DEBORAH NELSON LINCK)

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

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

--Aleen Josephs-Clarke

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!!

--Shawn Prater-Lee

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 (September 17th, 2022; please see Flyer above).

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.

A NOTE FROM THE TREASURY TEAM

The total deposits are reported on a monthly basis. Please watch for it at the end of the month.

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

First Evangelical Lutheran Church

Sauerbraten Dinner

Saturday

September 17^th

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 17^th, 4:30 pm

325 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602

FAMILY FUN DAY 2022

Dear Friends,

        Our Family Fun Day is on Saturday, September24th, and you are all invited.

--Carol Reichert

--Bobbie Gordon

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:

1. Spiritually preparing to make a visit;
2. The materials that you will need for a visit;
3. What to do once you arrive;
4. The worship/liturgical content of a visit;
5. Writing up a visit for clergy or warden; and
6. 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

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

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

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

THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR

September 13 - 19, 2022

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