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September 4 - September 13, 2020
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(We'll be adding events to the calendar as they are scheduled.)
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Back to School Blessing

As students and educators have been returning to school over the past few weeks and continue to do so in the coming days, we offered a Back to School Blessing on Sunday. Families gathered on Zoom to talk about what they were excited and nervous about for the upcoming year. Everyone brought their bookbags, laptops, and other school items to be prayed over, and Father Jenkins offered a special prayer.
From the Rector
To the Community of Saint Paul’s Church,

In the Burial Office we find this brief prayer, “Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting.”

There is so much in life that we don’t understand. There is so much in our current reality of COVID-19 that is beyond what we knew to expect. There is so much in our common experience that seems to be confusing and unreal. But, here we are, squarely in the midst of things we cannot understand. 

How can someone who thinks so radically different than I do, think that way...I don’t understand. How can someone see a monument of a southern general or soldier and not be offended…I can’t understand. How can good people treat each other with contempt…I don’t understand. How can the world continue to accept divisiveness and hatred…, and the list could go on, and on, and on.

The above referenced prayer reminds us to trust, to trust that in the midst of the confusion and uncertainty that swirls around us that we are a part of a larger reality, a larger experience. Even now we, as followers of the risen Jesus, are supported by the fellowship of love and prayer, the assurance that even when we fall short we are forgiven and that now, yes now, we are living the new life promised by our Savior.

We, as a people set apart, are called to something better. In the midst of so much we don’t understand we are called to look for the good and call it out. We are called to offer of ourselves and our tightly held perceptions to the way of reconciliation and unity. We are called to continually ask God what God would will us to do and be.

I believe that with trust in all that we believe and hold sacred, we can move beyond the clamor of uncertainty and unrest. I believe we can be beacons of all that is good and noble and just.

I believe.
Episcopal Relief & Development - Hurricane Relief Fund
As hurricane Laura plowed through Louisiana and Texas it left a path of destruction from which it will take years to recover. There are many in our congregation that have friends and family in these areas.

We will, for the next week, be receiving gifts for hurricane relief that will be channeled through Episcopal Relief and Development. If you would like to make a gift to those in need of the basics and for rebuilding their lives, please do so through the Saint Paul’s website (select "Outreach" under "Choose A Fund" and add to the comments ERD Hurricane Relief Fund), or by mailing a check to the Church with the memo line noted “hurricane relief.”

Learn more about the work of Episcopal Relief and Development on their website.
Search Committee Survey

The Deadline for the survey is THIS Sunday, September 6.

We ask that all active parishioners 16 years and older complete the questionnaire. If you have not done so already, please do so right away. The Survey will be available until Sunday evening. Your perspective, experiences, and opinions are highly valued and an important part of our Parish self-examination. Your responses will also help guide the Search Committee in determining the kind of Rector that will help us continue to grow into the parish we aspire to be. As you review the questions, please give them careful and prayerful consideration.
Thank you for your participation in this survey. Your input is vital to our search process and will have an important role in the selection of our next Rector. We look forward to hearing from you.
EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | SEPTEMBER 6
SUMMER GATHERINGS WITH GODLY PLAY- Children through 5th grade
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
Leader: Kim Butler and Ivey Coleman

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 366 090 592

PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.
This gathering will be a relaxed time where we have the chance to connect and talk with each other, share a story or activity, sing, and pray together. We will continue to meet at our regular formation time, Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and you can join us by using the same link and password that we have been using each week. See you Sunday!
RECTOR’S FORUM
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
Leader: The Rev. George Muir

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849 
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
The Rector's Forum offers a time and place for engaging conversation that is not anchored to a specific curriculum or topic. Always we consider how to honestly and faithfully live out our Baptismal vows, now more than ever! 
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849 
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! Participants will be split into groups of 5-6 people to allow everyone a chance to catch up with your Saint Paul's family.
NEW GROUP OPPORTUNITIES
BECOMING BELOVED COMMUNITY
…WHERE YOU ARE
Ministry of Racial Healing & Reconciliation
Fr. Jenkins invites you to participate in the ministry of racial healing and the work of dismantling structures of racism in our church and culture. This group will create ministry opportunities and events within the guiding framework of The Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community.
 
Email Fr. Jenkins to connect with this ministry or express your inquiries, suggestions, or concerns.
EVENTS NEXT WEEK | SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13
PrayingTogether
Audience: All parishioners, visitors, and guests

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:

Praying the Book of Common Prayer’s Daily Devotions
Wednesday, September 9, 12 - 12:30 p.m. Followed by Noonday Prayer, 12:30 p.m.
 
Praying with the Icons - Prayer practices with Sacred Icons
Wednesday, September 9, 7 - 7:55 p.m. Followed by Compline at 8 p.m.

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923

PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.
Episcopalians are a people of prayer. How we pray and worship proclaims and communicates more about our Christian belief and hope than can be found in theology libraries. Yet, how do we learn and grow in the living steam of our prayer tradition?

PrayingTogether offers informal and practical tutorials about prayer and our prayer tradition so that anyone may learn and grow in God’s grace through the prayers of our Church. Topics vary, and Fr. Jenkins invites your suggestions.
Noonday Prayer
Wednesday, September 9, 12:30 p.m.

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923

PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.
Gather online to pray the service of Noonday Prayer. The service will be led by members of the parish and the bulletin will be presented through Zoom so all may participate.

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 daily devotions on page 138.
Praying with Sacred Icons
Wednesday, September 9, 7 p.m.
 
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
 
PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.
This tutorial will offer a way to gaze into and pray through the holy images known as icons. This too is a form of contemplative reflection that allow the image to unfold its truth within you. The more we practice and allow the transformation process to happen, the more we are able to experience the Indwelling Presence in everything we do. These practices are drawn from Rev. Martin Smith’s classic guide "The Word is Very Near You: Praying with Scripture," and Rowan Williams’ "The Indwelling of the Light." 
 
Following the tutorial and meditation, we will join the parish for the liturgy of Compline on the same Zoom meeting at 8 p.m.
 
"Contemplative practices facilitate and deepen our relationship with God.”
 
Inquiries, questions to be addressed in the tutorial? Please send them in advance to Fr. John Jenkins.
Compline – Facebook Live and Zoom
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m., social time follows worship on Zoom.

Participate live through our Facebook page.

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923

PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.

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, which are streamed on Facebook Live, those who gather through Zoom have opportunity for a mid-week visit.
OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Saint Paul's Faithfulness
 
Offerings pledged this Week $15,000.00 
Offerings received this Week $9,946.50
 
Operating Expenses to Date $642,591.31
Total Income Received to Date $604,166.25 
 
Stewardship Campaign:
174 pledge commitments made for 2020 ministries. 

2021 campaign begins in September 2020
Requesting Updated Mailing Address for College Students
Parents of college students, the Daughters of the King have requested addresses for our college students so that they may send notes and small surprises to them during the year. As your children register for housing for the fall semester, please forward updated mailing addresses to the Parish Office.

For more information, contact DoK President, Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau.
Zoom Tips & Tricks
Since we have been fortunate enough to continue connecting online as a parish family through Zoom, we wanted to provide some helpful guidelines & tips.

  • You do not need to have a Zoom account to participate - Everyone can join!

  • You can access the link either through your smartphone, tablet, computer, or by calling in by phone

  • If you use your smartphone, you should download the Zoom app beforehand

  • You can enable both audio and video, or just audio if you prefer not to be seen
  • **You MUST enable audio to be able to hear and speak. If using a computer: "Join with computer Audio" may appear when you log in. If using cellphone/tablet: Select the option to Dial in using Wifi.

  • Use the mute feature when you are not talking—this will make the call better for everyone

  • If you have trouble connecting (some people can connect their video but not their audio), leave the meeting and try again

For instructions on how to use Zoom, click here. Or, email Maddy Elledge for a quick tutorial.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Are we missing your birthday?
Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.

Birthday Sunday will be celebrated on September 13!
Saint Paul's Church www.saintpauls.org