“What are the three happiest memories of your early childhood? And, think of three with your mother and three with your father.” This was one of those strange questions I was asked as part of my psychiatric evaluations, which are part of the process for ordination to the priesthood.

I had many more than three happy early childhood memories with my mother, because my father wasn’t around. He, along with hundreds of thousands of other fathers, was thousands of miles away. In the 1940’s my early childhood happy memories were of surrogate fathers, Uncle Jay, Grandpa Theodore, Uncle Floyd and Uncle Lloyd. They taught me how to swim, put tadpoles in a jar and feed the chickens. Those are all happy memories. I don’t remember my father’s return from the war, but looking back on the ensuing fifty years I have only very happy memories of my father and our special relationship. He must have said to me a hundred times, “Joe, you can do anything you want to do.” That’s special!

My father had all the qualities of his comrades of the “Greatest Generation.” He was a completely committed follower of Jesus Christ and he was an American patriot.

When he died I was the executor of his estate. As I was going through his well-organized files I came across several boxes of check stubs. As I went through those entries I found that he gave a few dollars to just about every charity that sent him a request. I also found records that he had tithed as far back as the records went. 

This was a man whose family lost what little they had in the American economic crash of 1929. They went from landowners to sharecroppers. This was a man who, as the eldest son, joined the Army in 1931 so he could send money home for his mother and father and seven siblings. As a private he made $21 a month. He sent $15 to his family. He kept $6 for himself. Because of him they survived - that redefines tithing!

Sunday is Father’s Day. Sadly I will not be with you all as I will be celebrating and preaching at Good Shepherd. 

I will miss being with you, but I will have four opportunities to add a line to the Lord’s Prayer, “My father, who is in heaven, thank you.” 

Peace,

Joe+

Dear People of Saint Paul's Church: 

Four weeks ago, we received feedback from the Revs. Becky Rowell and Melanie Lemberg regarding the most recent listening sessions. Thank you to everyone who participated in the process in any way, including speaking with the facilitators, attending the liturgy, contemplating the results, and praying for our Church.  As our lives are busy, not everyone who wanted to attend was able to be present during that time. For that reason, we have scheduled another Zoom report to occur with the Rev. Becky Rowell. This session, which is open to all persons "known to the church" who are over 18, will occur Sunday morning, June 27 at 9:45 a.m.  Rev. Rowell will be present via Zoom; this will be a hybrid presentation so that others may be present in person in the River Room at the church.  

Even if you already have attended a report presentation, you are welcome to join this one. Please sign up using this link. We will send a Zoom link on Saturday, June 26 to all those who have signed up. If you have questions about the opportunity, please contact the office or me (Seniorwarden@saintpauls.org). One important part of the feedback was that not everyone's preferred method of communication is via email. We understand that it is a convenient, quick and cost-effective means of communication, but that it is not perfect. If you know of a congregant who does not often use email or who is out of town but who may otherwise be interested, please remind them of this opportunity.  

Since the report was provided to us, the vestry has met to attempt to convey to the newer members the process which was undertaken in making the decision to move the Polk cenotaph. This background will hopefully assist the vestry in understanding and responding to the recommendations from the Conflict Transformation Report. One of the biggest items was a concern about communication. Over the summer you will begin to see a coordinated response to that concern.  

Yours truly,

Ashley Wright 

Senior Warden

We finally have the doors open for three services of in-person worship and are now able to take communion once again. Things aren’t exactly back to normal, but this is moving in the right direction.

It takes a lot for our Sunday worship and so many other things at Saint Paul’s. For us to continue to move forward, we need ushers, altar guild, linen guild, flower guild and wedding guild members. We need acolytes and a new acolyte master to train them. We need Sunday School teachers and youth leaders as well as those who want to share Bible studies and Adult formation. We need volunteers for Hospitality and Parish Life and more help for the Outreach committee. We need to bump up our pastoral care with members for the Pastoral Care Committee and Evangelism. All of these hard working committees and guilds are at the forefront of what makes Saint Paul’s happen three times a week on Sundays and more!

There will be information in the Narthex about all of the many things you can get involved with and who to contact if you are interested. Please check it out.

Laurie Montgomery

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.

as of 6/16/21

Offerings received this Week $5,500.00

Operating Expenses to Date $328,119.73

Total Income Received to Date $441,490.22

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.