St. Paul's Episcopal Church |
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From the Rector
By the Rev. Donna S. Mote, PhD
Dear People of St Paul’s,
Grace and peace.
This past weekend Becky and I hosted my cousin Paige and her boyfriend Carlos at the rectory. They were our second and third houseguests since taking up residence there in June, the first being our elder son Anderson last month.
Paige and Carlos loved Key West and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the island. Neither of them had been here before. Their experiences echoed Anderson’s last month; he had a wonderful time and said repeatedly how happy he is for us that we have landed here. His only complaint: there are no waves.
In both these visits last month and this month with young adults in our lives and in our family , Becky and I enjoyed sharing food and spending time over meals with them. They all did some exploring in our company and a good deal on their own (especially the nightlife parts as we turn in pretty early as a rule).
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Our conversations ranged from “fun facts to know and tell” about the Keys to Key West history to St Paul’s history to how we came to be at St Paul’s to why we feel so at home here and lots more besides. All three of them worshipped at St Paul’s and were warmly received.
In conversation with these dear ones, I thought about the difference that our season of life makes in interpreting our experiences. For me at 57, to live through two very strange years in the history of planet earth feels very different than for Anderson, not quite 23. Percentage-wise, much more of his life has been lived in pandemic circumstances than mine.
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I also thought about the difference that our generation makes in interpreting our experiences. My parents were members of the so-called Greatest Generation. Becky’s parents and my surviving aunts and uncle are part of the Silent Generation. My siblings and I are all Baby Boomers. Becky is Generation X. All my nieces and nephews and most of the children of my first cousins (like Paige) are Millenials. Our boys are Generation Z. And baby Charlee, the newly baptized, is Generation Alpha. That’s seven living generations in the world and in the Church today. |
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Increasing amounts of research indicate that it is beneficial for all involved to interact inter-generationally. We learn from each other, and we often discover we really like each other. We will bear this in mind as we look toward Christian formation offerings to come.
Seven living generations. All hungry for the sacraments and for the sacramental—for connections to the holy that are meaningful to them and that ring true. The Christian mystic Howard Thurman would say we are “listening for the sound of the genuine.” May we hear it in multigenerational company.
With you on the journey,
Donna+
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This Week's News Highlights
Reminder: Masks Optional, Singing Returns
The number of new cases of Covid-19 appear to be leveling off and slightly declining in both Monroe County and the nation. At this time, mask wearing will be entirely optional and congregational singing has returned.
Communion under only one kind (bread) will still be distributed at the altar. Please remember that the prohibition on embracing and moving into close contact at the peace remains in effect. Please nod and wave to your neighbors instead and maintain household social distance.
Please join us if you are able.
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Join Us After the 10:00AM service
Please join your fellow worshippers after the 10AM service on the side porch (cloister) for soft beverages, cookies and fellowship.
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Brick Project Ongoing
We just placed an order for a new grouping of bricks. They should be installed in the Memorial gardens soon.
Let's start working on a new set! This is an ongoing way to support the restoration and preservation of St. Paul's. You can order your brick(s) here.
Proceeds help preserve our iconic church and grounds for future generations.
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Sunday's Service
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 7:30AM and 10:00AM on Sunday. The 10:00AM service will also be streamed on Facebook (if Facebook cooperates with the connection). There is definitely room for all. Please join us if you can.
To join via Facebook (at 10:00AM), go to the church Facebook page at the appropriate time and look for the window showing that "St. Paul's Key West is now live". Click on the window. (You may need to refresh the page a few times if the "live" window does not appear promptly at the appointed time.)
You can open or download the bulletin for the 10:00AM Sunday service here.
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Junior Warden's Report
By Greta Philips-Ford
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Our hardworking and invaluable junior warden is taking a well deserved two week vacation to the Rocky Mountains.
Her column will return.
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Senior Warden's Report
By Ray Warren
Ushers, Oblation Bearers and Sweet "Secret" Music
Now that many of our seasonal members and friends are returning, I hope everyone will consider volunteering to be an usher. As most of us know, for years Chuck Hammond and Don Curry handled this task at the 9:30 service (now held at 10: 00AM) as a dynamic duo. When Chuck passed away last year, a new group of ushers arose spontaneously, primarily from the group that had planned the reopening protocols.
Now we are in transition again. Don is back, faithful as always. But many in the group that were supplementing his service are also in the choir. And joyfully, we know that the choir is hoping to return to full service by November 1. But it's really not logistically possible to be an usher and a choir member.
Nobody will be asked to be an usher every week. Don does that as a special ministry, but what we really need are a few people who will assist him, or fill in when he's not here, every now and then. It's one of those very simple and easy tasks that is also very necessary. So please consider offering yourself for it as a ministry. To volunteer please contact me, Greta, Padre Donna or any other member of the vestry.
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A related matter is being asked to bring forward the gifts of bread and wine after the collection at the beginning of the Eucharistic part of the service. Traditionally the ushers have simply approached a couple, or any two people, and asked them to do this.
I can tell you from experience that this can be a very meaningful way to participate in the service without a lot of pressure. The two people represent the congregation, bringing forth the elements that will be used in the Eucharistic service. But the action itself is quite simple.
We have a slightly different, new standardized, procedure. Following the crucifer, one of the ushers brings forward the offering. The two congregation members follow. The usher presents the collection plate and steps aside, but stays in front of the altar. Then the bread is presented to the priest. And finally, the wine is presented. This is a simple matter of handing the elements to the presiding clergy.
After the presentation, all three participants remain standing in front of the altar until the priest dismisses them with a bow, and they bow slightly and return to their seats. It's really very simple, and because it's very standardized, there won't be any concerns about what to do.
If asked to bring up the elements I hope you will agree. It is a beautiful way to be part of an ancient tradition. If you're a little concerned, just watch the way others do it a few Sundays. And feel free to ask questions. The ushers know this might be new to some people.
Also, you don't actually have to wait to be asked. If you'd like to do this one Sunday let me or any other usher know. If somebody has been picked for that Sunday, we'll be sure to pick you on a subsequent Sunday.
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Wednesday was a blessed day. It was a horrible stressful day, but I think I'm learning that that's when blessed days happen. Unexpectedly. Like beacons in a dark tunnel.
I had to be over at the church campus for an unanticipated reason on Wednesday evening just before sunset. Jeff Minalga, who closes the church four days a week, was inside playing the piano. It was a beautiful Rachmaninoff concerto.
There's something incredible about the interior of the church around sunset. The light is entirely different than on Sunday mornings and the windows at the back just gleam. Music, sound, light, sacred space. It was calming and overwhelming all at once.
When I related the story to Padre Donna she told me that she had closed the night before. Although she made every effort to be visible closing the church, one woman in the back pew made no move to leave. Our padre gently approached her and asked if she was okay. The woman smiled and said yes, "I'm just waiting for the piano."
I've heard that people often gather on the nights that Jeff closes to listen to him play the piano before he shuts the doors. But now I know he actually has a groupie or two. If you want to join the fan club, they meet Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the church at around sunset. It's quite an experience.
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Contacts:
Church office phone: 305-296-5142
Church mailing address: 401 Duval Street, Key West FL 33040. Pledges and offerings can be mailed here or made electronically at the church giving page.
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Reminder from Tim
By Tim Peterson
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Choir Returns November 1 !
We hope that the parish choir will be able to lead us in worship weekly, beginning in November. Regular rehearsals will be held on Saturday mornings at 10AM in the choir room, and Sunday morning at 9:15AM for a short rehearsal before the 10am mass. All are welcome. More information to come.
Remember that you can also find prior recordings of many past concerts and musical offerings on St Paul’s Facebook page, or on YouTube.
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We Pray Each Day
Daily Morning and Evening Prayer is being offered on Facebook Live at 7:30AM and 5:00PM on weekdays.
Thanks to Bruce Hagemann, Lisa Laskow, Mary Simmons, Samantha Hall and Tim Peterson for volunteering to officiate at these sacred moments.
To join in the prayers via Facebook, go to the church Facebook page at the appropriate time and look for the window showing that "St. Paul's Key West is now live." Then click on the window.
"Like" us and turn on live notifications to get a reminder whenever we are offering prayers.
Please pray this week for healing for
Brittany (Sherri Hodies’ daughter), Beth and Jon Peterson (sister-in-law and brother of Tim), Al (Kitty Roberts’ partner), Tom Ford , Joanne Nanos, James Hamilton, and all those dealing with breakthrough Covid-19 infections and their families
We pray for the departed and their loved ones
June Klausing (mother of Nadia Hall)
"Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant"
(Send your prayer requests to Tim@stpaulskeywest.org for future publication and to be included in the Sunday service. By default requests will be listed for four (4) weeks. But if the need continues, please let us know.)
We Celebrate these October Birthdays:
Rebecca England 10/01
Danielle Mariscal 10/01
Peter Graniela 10/02
Betty Toppino 10/03
Edward Cabrera 10/04
Richard Pischke 10/08
Aleida Alexander 10/10
Denise Graham 10/11
Tiffany Hendry 10/13
David Horan 10/14
Kim Grizzle-Malgrat 10/15
Katherine Ward 10/17
Tom Bond 10/19
Martin Hindsley 10/20
Julie Wallace 10/20
Ross Neagley 10/21
Frankie Grizzle-Malgrat 10/22
Eric Whiteside 10/23
Terry Garcia 10/25
CloeAnn Garrison 10/25
Shirley Sweeting 10/27
Stanley Kuzmech 10/28
Mary Simmons 10/28
Jan Malpass 10/29
Angela Richardson 10/30
(If your name is missing from this month's birthday list please send a note to info@stpaulskeywest.org so we can add it.)
We celebrate October Anniversaries:
Walter & Joanna Schmida 10/17
Tony and Barbara Tirman Marcussen 10/25
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Reminders
Sunday School will resume when possible.
Back issues of The Epistle are available here.
Send questions and comments to the editors of this newsletter here.
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Tel. (305) 296-5142
Pastoral Emergencies (305) 735-1867
The nave of the church, the grounds and gardens are open for prayer and meditation daily.
The church office is located in Holy Innocents Hall
Rector's Drop In Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1 - 5PM
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