Weekly
Postings
news & events
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February 19 - February 28, 2021
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A Letter from the Interim Priest-in-Charge |
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DÉJÀ VU All OVER AGAIN
The legendary New York Yankees Hall of Fame catcher, Yogi Berra (1925 – 2015) was known as much for his quotes as he was for his prowess on the baseball field. One of my favorite “Yogisms” is “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” Yogi’s knack for creatively mangling the English language has left us with many head-scratching and belly laugh-inducing “quotable quips” – what gifts!
Earlier this week one of Yogi’s quotes jumped into my mind – this one was more poignant than funny: "It's like déjà vu all over again." If déjà vu is the feeling that one has already had an experience that they are currently having, then the “all over again” addition must mean that we have had the experience twice.
Forgive me for being somewhat convoluted, but Yogi’s quote is now a cold reality as we journey through Lent into Holy Week and arrive at the day of days, Easter. What we faced one year ago we are about to experience a second time – separation.
When in-person worship was suspended in 2020, we went scurrying about trying to figure out ways to keep folks connected to each other and connected to the church. I won’t say that that was fun, but I did learn a lot and could have done a lot better. I look at this current “all over again” time as an opportunity to look at things I should or could have done last year – a second chance.
If I had to describe Christians in a few words, I would say that they are creative, persistent, and resilient. We will need to call upon those qualities as we go forward-facing the challenges before us, but not to worry, God will help! I don’t know who coined the phrase, “God doesn’t call the equipped – he equips the called,” but it is a mantra to which I often return.
The writer of Hebrews said this even better in the benediction at the end of that letter:
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
It is going to be a good Lent!
Peace,
Joe+
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To the People of Saint Paul’s:
This week began with joy and sadness. A beautiful baby was baptized at Saint Paul’s for the first time in a while. Events such as this are indicative of the future of our church and a reminder that life is a process of renewal even in its earliest stages. We know that other sweet angels are waiting, and we look forward to the day when we can welcome them into the Episcopal Church and witness their new birth in Christ. If you missed the service, you can watch it on YouTube and witness not only Grayson’s baptism, but also Fr. Jenkins’ last sermon at Saint Paul’s, which was an open letter to Grayson. Fr. Jenkins' love for our congregation shone clearly in his eyes and voice.
As we move into the season of Lent, please look for additional methods to connect with the Church and each other as we reflect, prepare, and examine our lives in preparation for Easter’s rebirth. We continue to be prohibited by Diocesan protocols from worshipping en masse, but opportunities for in-person prayer and contemplation in our familiar spaces are available.
Finally, new email addresses for our Priest-in-Charge and Senior Warden will be announced shortly to allow for more direct contact when needed. Until then, please continue to call the Church office should a need arise.
Ashley Wright
Senior Warden
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From the Rector Search Committee |
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Dear Community of Saint Paul’s,
The Rector Search committee has been hard at work since last summer and we are thrilled to announce the completion of our Parish Profile. The profile is an important instrument we will use to share the story of our ministries and Parish life, our strengths and challenges, and our priorities and hopes for the future of our church community. We are grateful to the many parishioners who participated in the Church Assessment Tool (CAT) survey this past summer and the Vestry listening sessions last year. Your perspectives, experiences, and opinions have been valuable in helping us understand where our church is now and in helping us create a vision for how we can grow more fully into being the church community God calls us to be.
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We are now moving into the next phase of our search process. Our Parish Profile has been submitted to the Diocese and received approval. The profile will now be made available to clergy who may be interested in a call to a position here at Saint Paul’s. An accompanying document, the Ministry Portfolio, has been developed and will be posted on the database of the Office of Transition Ministry (OTM) for national clergy exposure. We welcome suggestions for potential candidates from our parishioners and invite you to contact us for conversation or questions about the process ( rectorsearch@saintpauls.org). You may also find detailed information about the search process by clicking “ Rector Search” on our church website.
We are excited about moving into this next phase of our search, and we ask for you to continue to keep this committee and all of our church family in your prayers.
In Christ,
Saint Paul’s Rector Search Committee
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Purse Contribution for Fr. Jenkins |
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Six years ago, John Jenkins came to Saint Paul’s not yet ordained and full of energy. Since then, he publicly affirmed his belief in the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church through his ordination. He has grown in his position as Associate Priest to the Priest-in-Charge, and he has led us with him on this journey. His commitment to our Church encompassed many avenues, including tremendous support for the outreach projects. Fr. Jenkins will leave us this weekend as he prepares for a new role at Saint Stephens’ Church in Richmond, Virginia. We send with him our deepest personal affection, our prayers for success in his new calling, and our gratitude for his faithful service to Saint Paul’s Church. Should you wish to make a gift to Fr. Jenkins to show your thanks, please send your contribution to the Church office and ensure that it is marked for Fr. Jenkins.
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | February 21 |
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Godly Play - Children through 5th grade
K-2nd grade, 9 - 9:40 a.m.
3rd-5th grade, 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 366 090 592
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We take children and their relationship with God seriously and seek to provide both space to foster encounters with God and the language necessary to make meaning of those experiences. Within the Godly Play classroom, the Biblical narrative is lovingly presented to children using beautiful materials with an invitation to step into each story with awe and wonder. Children are then allowed time to respond to and reflect on their experience of the story.
The Godly Play class sends weekly emails on Saturday morning. If you have children K-5th grade and would like to receive this email, please contact Maddy Elledge.
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Foundations of Christianity Inquirer’s Class
Newcomers & long-term members welcome
Sundays, 9 a.m.
Led by Fr. Bowden
Meeting ID: 893 0981 4467
Password: SPCgather
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All are invited to this series of conversations about the foundation of Christian life. Each week we reflect on content from two sources:
1) one half of a chapter in Julia Gatta’s "Life in Christ."
More details from the orientation session are available here.
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Sunday Forum
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
Led by Fr. Dolen
Meeting ID: 860 972 849
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Theodicy: God and Human Suffering.
For thousands of years, philosophers, theologians, and just plain people like us have asked, “If God is present and active in the world, if God is love, if God is merciful, if God is just, and if God is omnipotent, how can there be so much pain and suffering?” For the first 3 weeks in Lent, we will explore some of the solutions found in Holy Scripture and in the writings of traditional theologians, and how to grow our faith by speaking “accurately and justly of God amid suffering."
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Coffee and Conversation
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
Meeting ID: 860 972 849
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We miss seeing you! Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! |
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Evensong
Sunday, February 21, 5:30 p.m.
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An encore of Saint Paul's Evensong will be shared this Sunday on our Facebook page. Evensong, a service of sung evening prayer, finds its roots in the Medieval English church and has become one of the most beloved liturgies of the Episcopal Church. At Saint Paul’s, the choir sings this beautiful service twice a year. It is celebrated with the singing of glorious canticles, psalms, songs of praise, and petitions for renewal by the Holy Spirit. |
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | February 22 - February 28 |
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Noonday Prayer
Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:05 p.m.
Led by Fr. Bowden
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
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Noonday Prayer is a short and simple service which allows prayer to enter into the midst of our daily work or other activities, while joining our prayers in the ongoing prayer of the Church around the world. It may also be observed in private and is found online here and on p.103-107 in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) or in the simplified version for daily devotions on page 138.
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About Your Sermon: Conversations on Sunday's Sermon
Mondays, Noon - 1 p.m.
Led by Fr. Bowden
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
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Every Monday we invite you to gather for and discuss the Good News of Jesus Christ proclaimed in Sunday’s sermon from the 11 a.m. service. We begin with Noonday Prayer at 12:05 p.m. and then jump into discussion to explore your questions and interests, theological themes, and implications. We end promptly at one o’clock for those joining during a lunch hour.
The video of the service is available on our Facebook page immediately following Sunday’s 11 a.m. livestream. The sermon usually begins at about 25 minutes into the service, to which you can advance the video.
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Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Tuesday and Friday, or by appointment
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Sacred Space is an opportunity for you to be in your church’s sacred space to rest and pray. You will be provided with a simple Order of Service to guide your prayers, but pray according to your practice and however fulfills your needs for your own sacred time and space.
Please note that during this time, we ask that everyone sign up to attend as each time is limited in the number of participants. You will be required to submit your email address for contact tracing.
Masks are kindly required by all individuals at all times. You will receive a follow up email with more details on additional guidelines.
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YOUTH: Come Away by Yourself and Pray a While
Tuesday, February 23, 8 p.m.
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Prayer comes in many forms, and what deepens and enriches one person’s relationship with God may not do so for someone else. The Diocese will offer youth a three-week series on prayer. The series will introduce a few different types of prayer, both active and contemplative, and will offer a chance to practice each one. This series is a chance to set aside an hour each week to ground yourself, to explore different forms of prayer, and to connect with others who are able to take part. |
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Labyrinth Walk
Wednesdays in Lent, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., or by appointment
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The Labyrinth will be available for self-guided walks Wednesdays during Lent in the Berlin Room. Printed guides will be provided in the room. Please wear or bring socks to wear after removing your shoes. Visit veriditas.org for more information about prayer and meditation with labyrinths.
Please be sure to sign-up as slots are limited to individuals or families to practice social distancing. If your desired time is not listed, please contact the Parish Office to schedule a time.
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Compline
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m., social time follows worship on Zoom.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Compline is a beautiful, simple, and quiet service to end the day together in prayer with God. This service is led by members of the parish using an on-screen bulletin so everyone may pray together.
Following the prayers, those who gather through Zoom have an opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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The Theology of Film
Thursdays in Lent at 7 p.m.
Meeting ID: 876 9052 0993
Password: 551123
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We have been invited to join on Zoom with the folks of St. James Episcopal Church for a class led by their Interim Rector, the Rev. Michael Singer. The one-hour class will feature a different film each Thursday night during Lent (all films can be found on Netflix or Prime).
We hope this is a fun and enlightening Lenten study with the added benefit of getting to know some of our brothers and sisters in Christ from St. James.
FILM FOR NEXT WEEK: WONDER
The 2017 movie, Wonder, is about the Pullman family. Ten-year-old August Pullman (Jacob Tremblay), living in New York City, enrolls in mainstream school for the first time. Because he was born with facial differences, schoolmates and parents ostracize him and his family. The Pullmans, Mom, Isabel (Julia Roberts) and Dad, (Owen Wilson) struggle with the challenges of their new experiences in hope of finding acceptance and community. Wonder can be viewed on Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming services.
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OTHER FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES |
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As we enter this season of Lent, more information on Saint Paul's Lenten offerings is available on our website. You will find opportunities for daily prayer, study, conversation, reflection, and worship. |
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LOVE IS THE WAY: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times
Beginning Eastertide
This Easter season, the Racial Healing Ministry of our diocese will host a diocesan-wide reading group of Bp. Curry’s Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times.
12 Copies are available ($20 per) in the parish office, so please reserve yours today.
Book Discussion Guide Now Available
A book discussion guide for the Diocese of Georgia's 1Book1Diocese reading of Love is the Way is now online here: Discussion Guide PDF
Bishop Curry to meet online
Individuals may also read the book and then join for the online meeting with Bishop Curry to discuss the book.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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From the Stewardship Chair
Lord, we give faithfully, and in our giving, we honor you,
the source of all our blessings, our daily bread, and all the gifts in our lives.
Received as of 2/17/21 for the Year 2021
136 Pledge Cards representing $605,801.00
If you have not completed a pledge card, please complete this year’s annual stewardship appeal and return it to the church as soon as possible, or pledge online on our website at saintpauls.org/pledge-card/. If you did not receive a pledge appeal in the mail or have simply misplaced yours, please email the parish office or contact by telephone at (706) 724-2485 ext. 225.
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
as of 2/17/21
Offerings pledged this Week $11,650.02
Offerings received this Week $6,285.00
Operating Expenses to Date $105,978.12
Total Income Received to Date $145,976.48
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COVID-19 Vaccine Registration |
Eligible individuals, including those ages 65 and older, can now register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Washington Square shopping center. Registration must be completed in advance on the AU Health website.
South Carolina residents who are eligible can also register to receive the vaccine at Aiken Technical College through the AU Health website.
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The new Forward Day by Day issue for February, March, and April has arrived. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please contact the parish office.
Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily, "page-a-day," inspirational meditations each reflecting on a specific Bible passage from the daily lectionary readings of the Episcopal Church. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experience.
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Are we missing your birthday?
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