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Worship Services:
April 28th, 2024
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
8.00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I
(in person only)
10.00am Holy Eucharist, Rite II
(in person and online)
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Coffee, tea, and light snacks are available in the Parish Hall for fellowship time after the 10 am service.
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Upcoming Events:
April 25th
- "On the Road" event at St. Mark Lutheran Church
April 26th
- Rummage Sale Donations Begin
April 28th
May 2nd
- Spring Rummage Sale Begins!
May 5th
May 11th
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Beloved,
This coming Sunday we plan to honor one of the most hard working and faithful members of our church community, Kathy Gordon. Kathy was our church treasurer for over 20 years. Kathy has seen the church through many ups and downs during that time, but most recently she was
treasurer during the covid pandemic and the resignation of Mother Anne, some of the most difficult times in the history of this church. We will be presenting her with a special Episcopal plaque during the 10.00am Eucharist, but more than that we will be honoring her sacrificial service to the church and to all of us.
It is a fundamental principle of our church that it is not the clergy and staff who do the ministry of the church with the help and support of the lay people, rather it is the people (you) who are the ministers of the church and the gospel. The clergy and staff exist to help and support you in your ministries. By ministries I am not just talking about being involved in things in and around church. Ministry is everything we do and say and are, ministry is the way we choose to live and order our lives. Ministry is being the voice and presence of Christ at work, at school, as a neighbor, as a parent, as a citizen. You are a minister of Christ and of the church.
May God grant you Holy Wisdom and love.
Simon+
This week at St. Paul’s
Sunday, April 28th – 12noon-1.15pm Confirmation class, room #108
Wednesday, May 1st – 5.15-6.00pm church community evening dinner (parish hall), followed by a Celtic inspired prayer service in the chapel (6.15pm)
Thursday, May 2nd – St. Paul’s Rummage Sale!!
Sunday, May 5th – 4.00pm Evensong Concert
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Walk in Love
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10
Thank you for sharing your unique gifts and talents to serve others at St. Paul’s and our community.
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From the Diocese -
Election of the Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church’s Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop has announced the names of the bishops it will nominate to succeed Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
They are (pictured in top-down order):
The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker,
Diocese of Nebraska
The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez,
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe,
Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania
Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
The Rt. Rev. Robert Wright,
Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta
Videos of each nominee discussing a biblical image or metaphor that resonates with this moment in the life of the church and the role of the presiding bishop are available on the General Convention website.
This page also includes photos and links to each bishop’s biography on their diocesan websites.
Click here to read more.
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2024 Vestry Members:
Johana St. Clair, Sr. Warden
Chuck Chamberlain, Jr. Warden
Jeanne Clark
Nancy Gordon
Hollie Groves
Barb Leque
Rob Owen
Liz Mills
Elaine Sanchez
Betsy Steinberg
Cott Thompson
Michelle Wardrip
Linda Gilbert, Clerk of the Vestry
Dick Rankin, Treasurer
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Click here to view Vestry minutes, reports, and updates on our website!
Click here to view COVID-19 updates from the Oregon Health Authority.
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Parish Events and Information | |
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Moms Group (with childcare!)
April 28th
Moms are warmly invited to join us for another gathering at St. Paul’s on Sunday, April 28th from 3:30-5:00pm. We’ll take time for quiet reflection and group conversation loosely based on the book Nurture the Wow by Danya Ruttenberg, and childcare will be provided. (No pressure to read the book - just a heads-up!) Email Christa Kramer (morse.christa@gmail.com) or Julie Hall (JulieEThompson@gmail.com) with any questions. Hope to see you there!
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St. Paul’s Spring Rummage Sale
Accepting Donations April 26th - 28th
RAIN OR SHINE, BRING IT ON! We are ready to receive all of your unloved, un-needed, un-used items! FRIDAY, SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, APRIL 26 – 28 from 9 AM to 3 PM.
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Evensong Concert
May 5th at 4pm
The Extraordinary Young Musicians at St. Paul's concert will highlight South Salem HS senior Ellie Starr. She will offer sacred piano and vocal solos for this concert scheduled for May 5 at 4:00pm following the service of Evensong.
The concert is live in person at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1444 Liberty St SE, Salem 97302 or live-stream will be available online at stpaulsoregon.org under music guild concerts.
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Join Us for Community Dinner
Join us for dinner, Connection, and Love Reminders, Wednesday nights at 5:15pm.
Please register by the Monday before the dinner you will be attending.
Menus may be subject to change based on supply availability. You are welcome to RSVP or order for multiple weeks, please "register" for each week. Please contact Shauna at Shauna@stpaulsoregon.org if you need assistance.
St. Paul’s offers this ministry and welcomes donations to help cover the expenses. If you would like to donate to support this effort, please click here.
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St Paul’s Spring Work Day
May 11th
Mark your calendars! Saturday, May 11th from 9am-12pm we will be working inside and out to spiff up our church. Jobs for everyone … all ages and all abilities. Working in community for a common goal is great fun. We will provide lunch for a fun way to end our day. This is the weekend before the Bishop comes, so it will allow us to have everything top top for her visit.
Suggestions and questions contact Julia Battle 337 280-4207 or Fr Simon.
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Church at the Park - New Oven
The Social Gospel Ministry would like to thank all of you who have contributed time, treasure, and spiritual gifts in service to Church at the Park whether it be through providing dinner and companionship or monetary donations towards their oven. We will be closing the account next week and preparing to offer a check to DJ Vincent, the Pastoring Exec Director of C@P at the 10:00 service on May 5th.
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Newcomer's Ministry
Do you enjoy meeting new people? Is hospitality your thing? If you feel called to welcome new folks into our community, then consider joining our Newcomer’s Ministry Team. Contact Hope Heusdens at newcomers@stpaulsoregon.com for more information.
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Social Gospel - Volunteers
The Social Gospel Ministry is in need of 9 people willing to make a salad to feed 10 for Staff Appreciation Week for our community partner, Leslie MS. If you could deliver it to the church by 10:00 am May 6th, we will be setting up the luncheon in their staff room and serving it. Just so you are aware, Salem-Keizer SD will be furloughing 400 staff on May 17th. Our local staff need our love, prayers, and support through this stressful time. Feeding God’s people is one way we can make ChristKnown. Please join our ministry in delivering fellowship to these teachers and paraprofessionals. If you will help, let me know: Barb Leque tbamjk@gmail.com, 541-571-2075
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Tutors Needed
The family from Afghanistan that lives in St Paul’s Walton house next to the church, is in need of tutoring help. We were asked by Salem for Refugees for assistance. There are two children ages 6 and 8 that are behind in reading and each need help. Also the father of the family is also in need of someone to help him learn English. There are materials and other assistance available to use for these jobs.
Please contact Julia Battle @ 337-280-4307 or Jhbattle@outlook.com.
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Art and Architecture Committee
Do you have strong interests in or experience in the arts or architecture?
The A and AC is looking for new members to help us maintain and develop St. Paul’s collection of the arts and the preservation of the architectural fabric of our church. The visual arts play a significant role before, during and after our worship services and throughout the week. If you would like to join us and learn more about what we do, OR if you know of someone having these interests and
talents whom we might reach out to, please contact Jinx Brandt, Chairperson, at Jrb60@live.com.
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Library Renewal
The library needs your help. We are currently building an online catalogue of the church library holdings. If you have borrowed a book from our library, please bring it back so we can enter it in the catalogue. Returned books should be placed either in the wooden tray on the top shelf or in the plastic basket on the floor near the acolyte torches. Thanks for your cooperation. We are eager to finish the renewal of the library.
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Dot the Free Pantry:
Community Mutual Aid
Follow Dot_thefreepantry on Instagram to stay up-to-date on ways you can take direct action to love our neighbors!
A friendly reminder that Dot is a pantry and not a clothing exchange or library. Please only share unexpired food and small toiletry items there. Thank you!
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St. Paul's Children, Youth, and Families | |
Parents and Guardians please complete a NEW Annual Permission form linked below for each child participating in St. Paul's Children, Youth and Families activities. | |
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Little Wonders
Infant-Preschool
This Sunday: April 28
Families with young children explore God's love for us and the world through story and song! Infants through preschoolers along with their grown-ups gather on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month in Room 110 at 10:00am. Families join the service during the Peace for Communion.
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Godly Play
K-5th
This Sunday: April 28
Knowing Jesus in a New Way
Godly Play is a way for children to experience faith stories in a Montessori style setting and wonder together about God's love for us. Children grades K-5 gather in Room 114 on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 10:00am. They join their families in the service at the Peace.
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SPARK 2024: Ukraine!
July 15th - 19th
St. Paul’s Rhythm and Arts for Kids returns this summer! This beloved week long day camp allows children ages 6-11 to experience the music, art and culture of a different country right here in Salem. Each day from 9am to 2pm campers will be immersed in the literature, songs, arts, animals, geography and food of Ukraine!
Click here to register!
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Camp Firelight! 2024 Vacation Bible Camp
Grades K-5th
August 26th-30th
9am-12pm
Cost: $10/child or $20/family (scholarships are available)
St. Paul's and Westminster Presbyterian Churches are teaming up this year for Vacation Bible Camp. The camp will be held at Westminster and registration is open now. Click here to register your child now. Payments can be made in person at the time of camp or online here. Please include VBC in the Memo.
There are many volunteer opportunities for older youth and adults! If you'd like to be a part of this fun-filled week please contact Amy Goerger amy@stpaulsoregon.org.
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St. Paul's Graduate Recognition Sunday
May 19th
High school and college graduates will be recognized during the 10:00am service with a reception to follow. If you are graduating or know someone who is, please contact Amy Goerger at amygoerger@stpaulsoregon.org so that we can celebrate this accomplishment!
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Salem Youth Collective
Grades 6-12
May 19th 12:30-3:30pm
Don't miss this! Next month is the last SYC gathering of the program year. We'll meet at First Presbyterian Church of Salem downtown for lunch and to assemble move-out kits for Family Promise. We'll form teams for the scavenger hunt game downtown!
SYC End of Year Survey
We have had a fantastic first year of Salem Youth Collective collaboration! Please fill out the survey linked below to give us feedback as we make plans for next year. Thank you!
Youth Survey
Parent Survey
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City Camp 2024!
Registration is now open! Youth (rising 6th graders through rising 9th graders) are invited to register as campers. High school students may register as resource staff. If you are participating in CET you can still join us for afternoon/evening activities: half-time, half-price!! Please contact Amy Goerger for more information.
Click here to register!
Cost: $125/student
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Confirmation Classes
Bishop Akiyama will be with us on Sunday, May 19th – Pentecost Sunday. In the Episcopal tradition there are three routes into full membership of the Church: baptism, confirmation and being formally received into the Episcopal Church. If you have not been baptized, then we offer baptism; for those who have already been baptized but not confirmed, we offer confirmation. For those who have been baptized and confirmed in another church tradition, we offer formal reception into the Episcopal Church. All of these bring you into full membership of both the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion and St. Paul’s local church community. Being in full membership means that you can serve on the vestry, or as a church officer, and vote at our Annual General Meetings, among other things.
If you are interested in pursuing spiritual membership, I will be offering 5 preparation classes. We take a dive into our Episcopal traditions, the Book of Common Prayer, our worship, the life of prayer, and daily living as well as your own questions. There will be two class times to choose from – both classes will have the same content:
Sundays after church, beginning on Sunday, April 7 th from 12noon – 1.00pm
Wednesday afternoon, beginning on Wednesday, April 10 th from 4.00pm – 5.00pm
If you are interested in exploring this further and would like some more information or you have questions, please contact me or Amy Goerger:
fathersimon@stpaulsoregon.org
amy@stpaulsoregon.org
or 541-207-5826
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Extraordinary Young Musician Concert
May 5th at 4pm
Mark your calendars for the 2024 Extraordinary Young Musician Concert. This year the featured musician is our very own Ellie Starr, South Salem High School Senior!
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We're hiring! Children & Youth Ministry Assistant
With Vestry’s approval of a Children and Youth Ministry Assistant, we are looking forward to filling this position soon and expanding programming in 2024! If you or someone you know might be the perfect candidate for this position please consider applying or passing along the information.
The job description can be found here.
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Children's Bulletins
Here are some fun ways for children to engage with the scripture readings each week.
The bulletins may be printed off and games accessed online.
There is a secret code on the front cover page that is unique to our church and allows SAFE and secure access to online games to reinforce the message for the week. The games are geared toward all age levels so everyone can join in the fun!
Step 1: Print the age-appropriate bulletin with a secret code on the front.
Step 2: Enter the secret code at Games.ChildrensBulletins.com
Step 3: Pick a game and play!
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Dennis Todd
Edwin Peterson
Nelda Forner
Zoe Johnson
Joe Lindsey
Terese Labar
Chris Strum
Lynda Bush
Jose Vazquaez-Valenzuela
Wendy Francis
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CONTACTING ST. PAUL'S CLERGY: Our Clergy can be reached by phone or email. You may call the St. Paul's office at 503-362-3661 between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and a staff member can connect you. If you call after hours, you can choose a voicemail box from the automated menu.
SUBMISSIONS: If you have an announcement for the weekly email or bulletin, please send an email to stpauls@stpaulsoregon.org by Wednesday afternoon for it to be included in the week's edition. Announcements will be removed after two weeks.
ONLINE PRAYER REQUEST FORM: We have an online prayer request form available on our website.
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Cover Image: Christ the Vine, painting by Peter Koenig (1939- ). Koenig has spent his life creating Christian-Catholic art by painting the drama, romance and poetry of the sacred book. His paintings are based on the imagistic interwoven connections that he has explored through regular and deep reading of Scripture. Koenig was born in London in 1939 to recent Austrian immigrants. He is a life-long member of the Society of Catholic Artists in London, and was president from 1973-1980.
Koenig, Peter. Christ the Vine, from https://www.pwkoenig.co.uk/Portfolio/christ-the-vine-
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