This coming Sunday marks another important milestone in the interim period as the parish take another step closer to calling a new Rector. We will be praying over and commissioning our Search Committee at a special service on the labyrinth at 10 a.m. This will be livestreamed so all the congregations can witness it.

The Vestry has appointed a really wonderful group of people who will journey together over the Fall and Winter to begin the process of identifying clergy candidates that fit the mission and are drawn to the profile of St. Paul’s. A lot of work has already gone into the parish survey, the development of the profile and getting things ready for the next phase of the search itself. You can see who has been called to the committee and check out the updated and newer website that was created in the past 6 months (thanks to Marisa Curcio, Van Williams, Clark Groom and Arabella Pope, working with our consultant Fred Shequine). We want to put our best foot forward and we know candidates will be looking carefully at our website, our weekly newsletters and social media to begin to get to know the good people of this parish and what ministry here looks like. So check out the committee and join with us to pray over them and wish them all the best in the months ahead.

There is a high level of trust and confidentiality that will be needed and built up as our brothers and sisters in Christ begin to meet with our Search Consultant, Rev. Barbara Abbott (who will be present at the commissioning on Sunday) staff at the Diocese and the candidates themselves. The Search Committee does not appoint the next Rector –that is the work of the Vestry in consultation with the Diocesan Bishop. The Search Committee will keep referring to the parish profile (a kind of constitutional mandate) and be looking for the skills, experience and heart of a few individuals who will then be invited to meet the Vestry. It is at this point of handing over a couple of names to the Vestry, that the Search Committee’s work is done. It is important and difficult work and we thank all of the members for their commitment and sacrifice to this place.

On Sunday, as the children learn about the call of the great prophet Samuel in their Godly Play lesson, the Search Committee will be reflecting on their aspirations and qualities they are looking for in the next Rector. We have invited them to share an object, a book or a symbol that will be placed in our own “ark” and the ark will remain in the altar area each week until the rector is called. The ark is a wonderful red chest that reminds us of the Holy Spirit at work in one another, and especially in this group of parishioners. Unfortunately, they will not be able to talk much to us about what they are up to…so the presence of this tangible “ark” will help us direct prayers and good thoughts in the coming days, not quite knowing ourselves what is before us…. a contested presidential election, Covid 19 and the possibility of another stay at home order before the end of the year. While we can, we should come and be together in church and hold each other in God’s healing presence. So, plan to be with us on Sunday and mark this important step and achievement that St Paul’s can really celebrate!

Blessings

Albert J. Ogle

Interim Rector

8 AM: Spoken Eucharist in the chancel - registration required for first 25 people. The Rev. Dan Kline is preaching and celebrating.

9 AM: Family Holy Eucharist on the Labyrinth with The Rev. Dan Kline as preacher and The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle as celebrant. Pre-registration required for 25 people.

10-10:30 AM: Middle/High School Check-in - click here to join.

10-11 AM: Parents' Exchange - click here to join.

10-10:30 AM: Commissioning Service for the Rector Search Committee -- click here to join the Zoom call. In place of Adult Education hour.

11 AM: Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary with organ and choir. The Rev. Dan Kline is preaching and The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle is celebrating. Music is led by Dr. Andrew Kotylo, Emily Amos, and four staff singers.

12 noon: Zoom Coffee Hour! Click here to join.

Gifts now stand at $388,000, representing 72 families. Please remember to have your pledge card sent to us (or online) so we can bless it in church on Ingathering Sunday on November 15th.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who remembered St. Paul's in their estate planning and wills. The parish benefits so much from your contributions and ways you would like to be remembered. Last weekend, we listed the most recent group of members in the Sunday bulletins. This important society, founded in 1936 to underpin all of the ministries here, allows for close to 25% of our budget from bequest-related investments. Please let us know if we do not have a record of your bequest or if you would like more information.

A preview of the matters to be discussed appears below. The same Zoom link will be used for both dates.

The need has not changed.

Protein: Peanut butter (or any other nut butter), nuts/seeds/trail mix, canned tuna fish, canned chicken, soup/stew-hearty, shelf stable milk

Carbohydrates: Crackers, granola bars

Other: Red tomato sauce, fruit cups, applesauce, dried fruit

Thanksgiving foods: stuffing, canned cranberries and yams, canned vegetables, dried or canned gravy

The Monday Morning Flower ministry at St. Paul’s is creative and fun and is seeking several volunteers to continue its work. Your mission is to make small arrangements from the beautiful flowers adorning Sunday's altar (artfully created by the Flower Guild) and deliver them to those families selected by the clergy each week. These have been so appreciated by the many recipients over the years. 

Time Commitment: Most Monday mornings, but not all, from 9 - 10:30 am. 

Place: flower room at St. Paul’s 

Duties per person: breakdown altar arrangements and make 2-3 small arrangements and deliver them. We work in teams of three. Come have fun knowing you will bring joy to others. 

Please contact Charlotte Biddle with questions and if you are interested: biddlesea@gmail.com or 215-247-0837.

My beloved parents, Jake and Betsy Roak led the inaugural St. Paul’s Thanksgiving Food Drive last November and the congregation responded with great enthusiasm. Honoring their commitment to help those in need, we are doing it again! We are asking you to consider shopping the items below and putting the items in two reusable shopping bags: frozen items in bag #1 and dry goods in bag #2. These bags will be delivered to St. Luke’s and Face to Face Germantown. Since many of the recipients will be walking or taking public transportation, the reusable bags will allow for easier transport. We invite you to provide a Thanksgiving dinner for these families.

You can create meal bags from the specified shopping list below for one family on your own. It will cost approximately $35.

Or, you can donate $35 to St. Paul’s Church and we will assemble the meal bags and deliver with the others. Donate online here!

(Select "Outreach Donation" or mail check payable to St. Paul’s Church, memo: Outreach Committee. St. Paul's Church, 22 East Chestnut Hill Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118)

Please sign up here to indicate your intent to participate by November 8. This will allow us to plan accordingly for the distribution of the goods.

1 10-12 lbs frozen turkey

1 frozen pumpkin or apple pie

1 box of mashed potatoes

1 14 oz. can cranberry sauce

2 6 oz. box of Stove Top Mix for Turkey

2 14.05 oz cans of fresh-cut green beans

1 12 oz. jar of turkey gravy

Please drop off your bags with food donations to St. Paul's parish hall on Sunday, November 22, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Thank you, in advance, for giving the gift of a Thanksgiving meal to those in need.

With gratitude,

Lisa and Mike Budd

Time: 7-8pm

Dates: Wednesdays

We are collecting candy for our troops through Operation Gratitude.

The Halloween Candy Give-Back Program has been connecting communities with Military, Veteran and First Responder Heroes each fall since 2007. While Halloween may look a little different this year, Operation Gratitude and our incredible volunteers are committed to continuing to give back in meaningful ways.

Please bring all excess candy to St. Paul's no later than next Tuesday, November 10th! There will be a bucket on the back porch of the Rectory offices where you can drop, or to Cathy and Joe's house (6800 Lincoln Dr.). We will ship it! Contact Cathy with questions. Thanks for this great suggestion, Sarah Latini!

Marisa Curcio is available to help you get connected, and she can be reached by e-mail at mcurcio@stpaulschestnuthill.org.