St. Paul's is in the process of updating our 2021 Parish Directory! As part of this initiative, we ask that all parishioners who would like to have their picture shown submit a recent photo of themselves by clicking on the link below -- and all parishioners who have moved, changed phone numbers
All photos should be clearly identifiable and uploaded as a JPEG file. Submitting your photo not only ensures that St. Paul's has the most up-to-date record of our current parishioners but will also greatly aid the new Rector in building a relationship with the community when he/she arrives. This is more important that ever during a time of virtual and limited occupancy services.
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A Message from the Interim Rector:
Chestnut Hill Conservancy looks at racism through our cultural heritage and architecture
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From the Conservancy newsletter:
In our History at Home Then and Now series of jigsaw puzzles, we pair two images, offering different levels of difficulty, Beginner and Expert. For this month's Then and Now puzzles, we're featuring images of St. Martin-in-the-Fields church on the corner of West Willow Grove Avenue and St. Martins Lane. The 'Now' image is from 1996, the 'Then' image is circa 1890-1900.
At our request, The Reverend Jarrett Kerbel has shared his thoughts on the history and future of the church and it's beautiful building:
"The Church Building of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is more puzzling than it first appears. On the one hand, it is a beautiful and generous gift to the community by the families that developed West Chestnut Hill, the Houstons and the Woodwards. Sincere in their faith, these families built a dignified building to worship God. At the same time, the building was meant to attract "the right people," - meaning White Anglo-Saxon Protestants - to buy or rent property in the new planned community around it. Not until the late 1970s did the church begin even the slightest integration.
"From its earliest days, inspired by our Patron Saint, many charitable endeavors overflowed from this building including Buttercup Cottage on Cresheim Road. Yet, once again, like the church itself, the charitable enterprise reinforced segregation by race and class rather than challenge it as the Gospel teaches us to do. Buttercup was for white working class women only and was separate from the Wissahickon Inn which served a wealthier caste. We hold gratitude for gifts and repentance for error together as a normal tension that propels us deeper into faith. At St. Martin's today we are working hard at Anti-Racism through our Becoming Beloved Community program of education, system change and advocacy. We have a long way to go but we look forward to a new puzzle with many, more diverse pieces."
-- The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, Rector
Learn more about the efforts of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church to become a racism-free and diverse community that reflect the city where we worship here.
Following the example of our sister local parishes, I hope we can add our own contribution to this healing process and ask - what is St. Paul’s doing “to become a racism-free and diverse community that reflects the city where we worship?”
Albert Ogle
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Guest Preacher this Sunday
The Rev. Darrell Tiller
Grace Epiphany Episcopal Church, Mt. Airy
The Reverend Darrell Tiller is currently the Priest-in-Charge at Grace Epiphany Episcopal Church-Mt. Airy. This is his first call and he has hit the ground running in spite of the global health pandemic. Darrell grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania, a community where church was at its center. Always having a spirit of giving, Darrell never thought he would enter into ministry. He trained most of his early life to be an orchestral conductor. Although music was very important, after graduating college, teaching become Darrell’s passion. For over 30 years, teaching and education leadership positions have enabled him to touch the lives of children and young people—helping them understand the importance of education and its ability to change lives especially those in underserved schools and communities.
During college, Darrell was influenced by his experience at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College. He began to see how his life was meant to serve God, but was not convinced about his role in ministry. After a stint at Boston University School of Theology, Darrell accepted the call to ministry but still could not mesh this call with his life and work. While being a part of the Episcopal Church and after a career in education coupled with committed community and church service, Darrell revisited and finally found comfort to walk into his call to ordained ministry.
Reverend Tiller prepared for ministry at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church NYC and received his M.Div. and Diploma in Anglican Studies from the United Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia. His sending parish is the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas where The Reverend Absalom Jones was its first Rector.
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The Last Sunday after The Epiphany:
Sunday, February 14th, 2o21
9 AM: Live-streamed only! Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary with organ and choir. The Rev. Darrell Tiller (Grace Epiphany Episcopal Church, Mt. Airy) is preaching, The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle is celebrating, and The Rev. Dan Kline is assisting. Music is led by Dr. Andrew Kotylo and St. Paul's staff singers. This service will also feature our weekly Godly Play lesson on the Good Samaritan.
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This service will be available live on YouTube at 9 AM. Bulletin and service link will come in a Saturday evening email and will be posted on Facebook on Sunday morning.
11 AM: Clergy Conversations - The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle interviews parishioner Denise Jones (photo above): Join this Zoom call at 11 a.m.! More information available below. Q and A to follow at 11.30 a.m.
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In-person services on Ash Wednesday
pending local advisories and Vestry support
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Members can pick up their own ashes from Tuesday morning through Wednesday to self administer at home when they are watching the choral eucharist at 7 p.m. They will be available in the narthex from 9AM-5PM both days. Please mix the ashes with some oil at home to avoid any abrasiveness before applying to your skin.
12 noon: Spoken Holy Eucharist service and communal self-administration of ashes
7 p.m.: Choral Holy Eucharist service and communal self-administration of ashes. We will have individual containers holding ashes for each worshipper given out with the bulletins. At the appropriate moment, the celebrant and congregation will self anoint in unison.
Click on the above sign-up link to read more about our safety precautions. The 7 p.m. service will also be streamed live and ashes will be available to self administer at home as in church.
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Behind the Scenes: Ash Wednesday
How do we make the ashes for Ash Wednesday? And how could you make the ashes at home? Find out by watching this video!
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Missed last week's sermon and service?
Albert Ogle reflects on the controversial call of being a healer, as we follow the example of Jesus.
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In the Company of Angels
celebrating our legacy society at St Paul's
Over the past century, a number of very generous parishioners have left bequests to St. Paul’s. This has enabled our church to maintain its vital ministries and build our endowment. Current parishioners have also pledged and we call them "The Company of Angels.” As we start this new year, we pause to honor those parishioners – past and present - for their generosity.
If you have included St. Paul’s in your estate plans and would like to be included on this list, please let us know. And if you know of anyone who left a bequest to St. Paul’s in the past and is not on this list, please give us that information. Thank you!
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Charles Affel
Henry Ballerstedt
Charlotte Betancourt
Wilson and Anne Brown
William Bulitt
Alessandra Cartelli
Jeanette Cord
Amy and Cliff Cutler
Rob Davidson
Nina Deats
Sandra Dillon
Thomas Evans,
Gil and Tim Hahn/Kiser
Sue Hansen
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Charles Head and John Faggotti
Robert T. Hubby
James Johnson
Barbie and John Kimberly
Charlotte Kleis
Sandra Knup
Dick Kolb
Elizabeth Lippincott
Mary Loveland
George McNeely
Mrs. Richards Galt (Eve) Miller
Willliam Robert James Morris
Joyce O'Connell
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Tom and Jody O'Rourke
Margaret Pearson
Arabella and James Pope
Posey Randall
Karen Richter
James Robertson
John Root
Harvey Shipley Miller
Virginia C. Simons
Margaret and Stuart Skinner
Edward Smith
Anne and Newby Strong
Lowell Thomas
Nicole Tullo
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An Update from the Search Committee |
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Thanks for your Tuesday evening prayers, folks! The committee is moving steadily along with more interviews and internal discernment about the large number of candidates who have applied for St. Paul’s Rector position. They’re from all over the country, of really varied backgrounds and ages. We’ve listened to lots of sermons via YouTube and other media; there are so many ways, these days, to learn about the candidates. When we interview them, after the committee has asked our Profile-based questions and ones prompted by their portfolios, the candidates have a chance to question us. And often we’re pleased to find that they’ve read St. Paul’s website and all its links - there was one question based on the minutes of a recent Vestry meeting - and they really challenge our knowledge of St. Paul’s and where we want to go. Next week we’ll be reviewing the Parish Profile again, to make sure we’re sending the right messages. We’ll still be accepting applications through the end of February, so there will be more to come.
Stay tuned!
Louise Thompson
Chair of the Search Committee
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An Update on the Building Renovation |
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There was another productive meeting held this week to track progress on the ongoing Buildings and Grounds projects. We are now only waiting on the Philadelphia Water Department to sign off on the new sewer line before contractors can start to break ground. In addition, testing of different restoration techniques is underway, and once the best method is found, work will begin on the church and Education Wing roof immediately. The planned rewiring of the church is also in the final stages of approval and was signed off by the Vestry this week. Stay tuned for more updates as there are many exciting improvements coming in the next few weeks! |
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During this time when we are not attending church services in person, we are offering a Virtual Collection Plate. Please contribute what you would normally have given each Sunday and help Saint Paul's continue its important work! |
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Instead of giving online: if you would like offering envelopes to be mailed to you, please contact Paul Diefenbach. If you have questions about your recent end of year pledge statement, please also contact Paul or Kristin Deissler.
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Shop and Drop
Thank you for your generous donations to Shop and Drop. Your contributions continue to make a positive impact on those Germantown families with food insecurity. Shown here is the Latini family making a recent - much appreciated - food delivery!
Drivers are needed in the months ahead to deliver to St. Luke's. Ideally it is a one month gig, delivering once a week. Easy instructions provided. Questions or to sign up, please contact Charlotte Biddle; 215-247-0837.
Consider donating:
Vegetables/rice/potatoes, other: canned vegetables, boxed mashed potatoes, and rice
Protein: Peanut butter (or any other nut butter), nuts/seeds/trail mix, canned tuna fish, canned chicken, soup/stew-hearty, shelf stable milk. Consider donating jelly or jam in unbreakable containers to accompany peanut butter.
Carbohydrates: Crackers, granola bars, cereal
Other: Red tomato sauce, fruit cups, applesauce, canned fruit, and dried fruit.
The St. Paul’s Outreach Committee thanks you for your dedication.
-Charlotte Biddle, Tom O’Rourke, and Cheyenne DeMulder, Outreach Committee Co-Chairs
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Potential Outreach Opportunity with Standing Rock |
As a recent New York Times article reported, one of the devastating effects of COVID-19 on indigenous populations is the loss of culture. Coincidentally, we received a request around the same time that article was published from the Rev. Canon John Floberg, who was our North Dakota contact for the Youth Mission trips. He has asked us to consider purchasing Bibles and other books that are in the Lakota language as a way to help preserve the Lakota culture. More details to come in the next few weeks. Please continue to pray for the Standing Rock Reservation during this time as they pray for us.
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Adult Education: Clergy Conversations
with parishioner, Denise Jones - this Sunday at 11
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Self-described as a ‘Daughter of the South’ as well as a ‘Connecticut Yankee,' Denise Jones has been a member of Saint Paul’s for a little over two years. She is a life-long Episcopalian who serves on the Altar Guild and is a lay reader at the 8 AM service. Denise is also a member of the rector Search Committee.
Denise tranferred to the area from Connecticut with CIGNA in 1993. She is currently a Relationship Manger at Vanguard working with corporate and higher education retirement plans.
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Bishop Frank Griswold shared his experiences with us last Sunday. As a priest (3 parishes in Pennsylvania including St. Martin’s), Bishop of Chicago, and Presiding Bishop from 1998-2006. Frank has garnered a unique perspective on the world. He co-chaired the Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for many years and has much to say about the progress we are making as churches in dialogue and looking for shared ministries.
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Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society.
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Sacred Ground:
A Film-Based Dialogue Series on Race & Faith
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The Wissahickon Deanery of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania is offering Sacred Ground: A Film-Based Dialogue Series on Race & Faith in 10 sessions on Mondays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 from March 1 to July 5. The seminar, which will be held bi-weekly on Zoom is free and requires pre-registration.
Seminar dates are Mondays March 1, 15, 29; April 12, 26; May 10, 24, June 7, 21 and July 5. 7 p.m. to 8:30. On Zoom.
Contact
Barbara Ballenger
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
215-247-7466
bballenger@stmartinec.org
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Strength for the Journey from the Diocese of Pennsylvania
Several new resources have been made available to the churches of the diocese, including anti-racism training and online webinars and educational opportunities. I am interested in participating in an Epiphany Journey looking at the issues of refugees and immigration. and a new relationship between our diocese and the church in Jerusalem. Check out this very interesting Lenten Journey round the sites associated with Jesus here.
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Save the Date
"AM I AN EPISCOPALIAN?" Class
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Join the clergy, Carroll Sheppard, and Van Williams on a fun Lenten exploration of what it means to be an Episcopalian. We will meet for an hour on Tuesday evenings for five weeks from 5:30-6:30PM getting to know each other and what attracts us to St Paul's and the Episcopal church community. |
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We welcome people who are exploring, new to our internet services, newcomers and folk who have been around for long time but would enjoy a renewed conversation about what they love about our church. All welcome. More info to follow. |
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Anti-Racism Book & Action Club |
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Join us this Lent as we read The Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas' Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God. Douglas explores the stand-your-ground laws in the light of recent events through a political theological lens. Douglas is the Canon Theological at Washington National Cathedral and the Dean of Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary in NYC.
Wednesdays (2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31)
7PM on Zoom
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This Wednesday from 9:30AM-11:00AM |
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We’re going to be baking muffins for our outreach partner, Caring for Friends, one of the largest food banks in the Philadelphia area. Karen suggests corn muffins to go with chili she and Libba make, cranberry muffins to go with turkeys she and Libba are making at the end of this month, and chocolate chip muffins for desserts. Any mini muffins can be placed two in a ziploc-like bag, and one standard-size muffin per ziploc-like bag. There is room in the St. Paul’s kitchen freezer for families to drop off any muffins they make in accordance with this initiative.
We’ll be collecting the muffins on Ash Wednesday from 9AM-8PM. Please stop by, drop off some muffins, and get your ashes!
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Join us around the fire on the first Sunday in Lent from 3:00PM-4:30PM. Discover a new opportunity to partner with the Standing Rock Reservation, find out about what Lent means, and join us on a hike to the Wissahickon.
Registration Link in next week's Happenings.
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Digital Lenten Retreat For Families |
Join us as we explore indigenous spiritual practices during Lent! Our virtual retreat leader will be The Rev. LaClaire Atkins. LaClaire graduated from seminary with Rev. Dan and is a member of the South Carolina band of Cherokee. All ages welcome, with a special focus on youth.
Dates: 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, & 3/21
Time: 5:00PM-5:30PM
Zoom link and registration link forthcoming!
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Pet Show Contest Rules:
- Any child (or adult) is welcome to participate
- Submit a request to enter a (Live, fiction, imaginary, or stuffed) animal using the button below.
- Date to submit will be Feb 1-Feb 21st.
- These videos will be uploaded to St. Paul's Basecamp
- There may be categories and ribbons will be presented for categories after submission dates.
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Godly Play Drop-offs coming this weekend! |
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If we missed your birthday, please email Rev. Dan and/or register for Church School! |
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