Why do we give to the Saint Paul’s stewardship campaign? Our reason is simple-we care deeply about our church and it is very important in our lives.

That said, it has been a privilege to serve on the finance committee. There I have seen how important pledges are to the planning process. Our leaders at Saint Paul’s use their talents and prayer to wisely budget the money that is given.

The annual stewardship pledges are used to ‘keep the lights on’, cut the grass, and to pay our staff. These are also the resources that support our programs.

We are concerned about the impact that the pandemic has had on our church. We have lost members to death, and for other reasons, but have not had the opportunity to add new members.

We have big challenges and big opportunities ahead. Our gifts are important now.

This is the time to strongly support our Saint Paul’s and to work with Eric Biddy to meet the challenges that are before us.

Please join us in making a pledge.

-- Julie and Billy Badger

In the coming weeks, Saint Paul’s will be having a series of events we’re calling “Backyard Eucharists.” They are very much what they sound like: a series of simple Eucharistic liturgies held in parishioners’ backyards, surrounded by conversation. The idea is to provide a setting for me to get to know you, and for you to get to know me. I hope that you’ll agree with me that they sound like delightful evenings. But I can imagine folks wondering, with all of the priorities we face, “why backyard Eucharists?” Why, with so much going on, should this be a priority?

There is a lot going on, and so much of it is or feels urgent. I’m sure that your personal and professional life is as jam-packed as mine is. In the internal life of the church, we’re trying to chart a way forward while still knitting our common life back together after our long enforced absence. And most of all, a hurting world continues to cry out for love, food, and good news. All of this is important. 

And, I hope that you’ll join me in making these small, backyard gatherings a priority. Because as we respond to these urgent needs, we are going to do so as the Church, grounded in worship and relationship. These backyard Eucharists are more than religious-themed parties. They are an opportunity to live into one of my favorite clauses in the Baptismal Covenant: “Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?” (BCP, 304). The Baptismal Covenant recognizes that fellowship—hanging out—is a crucial part of the Christian life. Worship (“the breaking of the bread and the prayers”) and relationship-building (“the apostles’ . . . fellowship”) are foundational for everything we do together as the church. Making friends is holy work.

It can be a little intimidating to go to someone’s house if you don’t know them well or don’t feel like you are an “insider.” I get it, but please sign up anyway. I’m new too and I’ll be at all of them. Also, these turbulent days are the perfect time to make a Christian truth real: there are no outsiders in God’s family. You are welcome at God’s table—at these events, that table will just be in someone’s backyard.

See you Sunday and, I hope, in a backyard soon.

Eric+

The Phinizys have a large backyard with swing set and encourage families with children to attend. We'll begin this event at 5 PM so that parishioners of all ages can get home early in the evening. Contact the parish office if you need directions or the address of the Phinizys home.

Throughout fall, we'll continue to offer opportunities to attend an event and we hope that everyone will do so. If there is a time/day you'd like to see OR if you'd like to host an event in your backyard, please contact Elisabeth in the parish office. 

The 2022 Stewardship campaign is underway. Pledge cards have been mailed.

as of 10/8/2021

Offerings received this Week $9,270.00

Operating Expenses to Date $639,507.84

Total Income Received to Date $675,307.06

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.