St. Paul's Episcopal Church |
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From the Rector
By the Rev. Donna S. Mote, PhD
Dear People of St Paul’s,
Grace and peace.
This issue of The Epistle is going out on September 23, the autumnal equinox, and the day my parents were married in 1942. This would be their 79th anniversary.
As you’re reading this I’m still on vacation in my native Georgia and staying at my homeplace in Henry County outside McDonough. This property is the only placed I lived until I went away to college.
A characteristic feature of the yard and grounds here is that something blooms every month of the year, as my parents designed.
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In September, one of the things that blooms is Lycoris squamigera. You may know it by one of its common names: surprise lily or resurrection lily.
Both these names come from these flowers’ sudden appearance in early fall. They spring forth quickly from the ground without any prior noticeable growth. Unannounced and nearly undetectable, when their time comes, they appear.
There was no evidence of them last week. Then, on Saturday, there they were. Such beauty. A delightful surprise.
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I love them because they are beautiful and because they bloom around my parents’ anniversary. And I love them because they were one of many connections between the place where I grew up and the place where I sojourned in Japan: Miyoshi in rural Hiroshima prefecture.
Because they bloom right around the equinox, these lillies are known in Japan as higambana, or autumnal equinox flowers. The autumnal equinox, o higan, is an important day of Buddhist observance in Japan. On this day, as on the vernal equinox, one should visit the graves of one’s forebears.
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And this I will do. I will visit my parents’ graves, giving thanks for the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Tomorrow we will drive home to Key West. And, on Sunday, what a joy it will be to celebrate the resurrection and the gift of new life as we together baptize baby Charlee Starr McConnell (pictured here) one day after her first birthday and renew our own baptismal vows.
With you on the journey,
Donna+
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This Week's News Highlights
Mask Reminder
In light of the Delta surge, we ask that everyone, both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, please wear a mask inside the nave, including before, during, and after the in-person services.
Also the congregation will not sing, although cantor Dean Warden will still sing a solo.
Other than the changes noted, the services will proceed as usual. There is ample space for self regulated social distancing. Communion under one kind (bread) will still be distributed at the altar. When receiving the bread, please remain masked, return to your seat and reverently consume the consecrated wafer.
Please join us if you are able.
Padre Donna Returns
After two weeks away, Padre Donna will return to lead us in worship on Sunday. The 10:00AM service will feature the baptism of a child. Please join us!
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Join Us After the 10:00AM service
For the first time since the pandemic began we now have a time for personal fellowship after the 10AM Eucharist. Thanks to an experiment organized by Junior Warden Greta- Philips Ford, light refreshments (lemonade, tea and cookies) are being served on the side porch (cloister). If you attend the 10:00AM service please drop by and say hello to your fellow parishioners and the visitors who join us.
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Brick Project Ongoing
We just placed an order for a new grouping of bricks. They should be installed in the Memorial gardens soon.
Let's start working on a new set! This is an ongoing way to support the restoration and preservation of St. Paul's. You can order your brick(s) here.
Proceeds help preserve our iconic church and grounds for future generations.
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Sunday's Service
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 7:30AM and 10:00AM on Sunday. The 10:00AM service will also be streamed on Facebook (if Facebook cooperates with the connection). There is definitely room for all. Please join us if you can.
To join via Facebook (at 10:00AM), go to the church Facebook page at the appropriate time and look for the window showing that "St. Paul's Key West is now live". Click on the window. (You may need to refresh the page a few times if the "live" window does not appear promptly at the appointed time.)
You can open or download the bulletin for the 10:00AM Sunday service here.
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Junior Warden's Report
By Greta Philips-Ford
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This week the volunteer group (which you can join!) will gather for a very exciting event to take place on Sunday, our first baptism since the lock down! We will be working on the altar and grounds.
Please join us for this special event. I remember my children's baptism at St. Paul's and remember the spirit of community was so special. Baptism marks our adoption into the body of Christ. Please join us for the celebration of symbolizing purification/regeneration and admission to the Christian Church.
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The photo is of Stephen Garrison - a volunteer who "loves to get down on his knees to the root of the problem". Stephen is not a member of the parish but volunteers at St. Paul's when the need arises. His specialty is negating the uneven bricks that cause trip hazards from the roots of trees. We are blessed with individuals who provide their experience and sweat and smiles to St. Paul's.
I would like to thank the many individuals who escape my camera, but more importantly, those who keep us celebrating in the spirit. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday for fellowship/work from 9:00AM to 12:00 noon or Sunday in celebration of baptism.
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Senior Warden's Report
By Ray Warren
This and That
I'm traveling this week, so (to the relief of many, I am sure) my part of the newsletter will be short.
Here are some thoughts and information.
Our parish administrator, Lisa McCarthy, has agreed to continue to work for us remotely from her new home in Ohio. Lisa will be handling those aspects of the position that can be handled in that manner -- such as forwarding electronic bills to the accountant, handling PayPal transactions, and managing inquiries and procedures dealing with the columbarium.
For the moment we'll be using trained volunteers to staff the office and handle things that must be done on site -- such as processing mail, sending out checks and filing.
Padre Donna will continue to have her office hours (for drop in visits) on Tuesday afternoons at the church office. If you call the office an nobody answers please do leave a message. Either Lisa, Padre Donna or a trained office assistant will return your call.
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Keep in mind that the church nave has been open every day (except during the tropical storm) since June for prayer and meditation. For those still wary of attending services this is a good time to experience the sacred space, perhaps light a candle, and pray.
The windows are open (so early in the day is generally cooler) and there are rarely many people in the space at one time.
Hours are from around 7:30AM until around dark. Among others enjoying a moment of quiet and peace, our parish mascot, Clover, was spotted recently offering his own thanks and praise.
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Contacts:
Church office phone: 305-296-5142
Church mailing address: 401 Duval Street, Key West FL 33040. Pledges and offerings can be mailed here or made electronically at the church giving page.
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Reminder from Tim
By Tim Peterson
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"The From the Organ" will not be having a concert in October.
I and other local organists have been providing monthly organ concerts for just over a year. In October we will take the month off, and hope to be back the first Thursday in November.
I hope that you will consider supporting this important series at St Paul's. The organists each donate their time in playing these concerts. A great way in saying 'thank you' would be to attend (in person, if possible, or online) the next one hour long concert. Watch for details and information in an upcoming issue of The Epistle.
If you missed the monthly organ concert on Thursday, remember that you can also find prior recordings of many past concerts and musical offerings on St Paul’s Facebook page, or on YouTube.
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We Pray Each Day
Daily Morning and Evening Prayer is being offered on Facebook Live at 7:30AM and 5:00PM on weekdays.
Thanks to Bruce Hagemann, Lisa Laskow, Mary Simmons, Samantha Hall and Tim Peterson for volunteering to officiate at these sacred moments.
To join in the prayers via Facebook, go to the church Facebook page at the appropriate time and look for the window showing that "St. Paul's Key West is now live." Then click on the window.
"Like" us and turn on live notifications to get a reminder whenever we are offering prayers.
Please pray this week for healing for
Brittany (Sherri Hodies’ daughter), Beth and Jon Peterson (sister-in-law and brother of Tim), Al (Kitty Roberts’ partner), Tom Hojnowski (Dave and Irene’s nephew-in-law), Dave, Pat and Pete, Michelle Garcia, John and Martha England (parents of Becky England)
We pray for the departed and their loved ones
Wanda Harris, Ruth Andrew (mother of the Very Reverend Debra Maconaughey, dean of the Keys Convocation), Earl Johnson (uncle of parish administrator Lisa McCarthy), Jerry Bird (friend of Les Steele)
"Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant"
(Send your prayer requests to Tim@stpaulskeywest.org for future publication and to be included in the Sunday service. By default requests will be listed for four (4) weeks. But if the need continues, please let us know.)
We Celebrate these September Birthdays:
Sandy Higgs 09/02
Eddie Webster 09/03
John McDaniel 09/04
Tony Willis 09/04
Sabrina Acevedo 09/05
Hunter Lavoie 09/05
Daniel Marsical 09/05
Thomas Edward Highsmith 9/06
Karen Horan 09/06
George Wallace 09/06
Lorri-Ann Guay 09/07
Edith Losley 09/07
Mitchell Mungall 09/07
Larry Myers 09/07
Amanda Horan 09/09
Terri Seargent 09/09
Tim Peterson 09/10
Margo Alley 09/12
Wendy Niven 09/13
Sherry Webster 09/14
Sarah Hall 09/16
Michael Malgrat 09/18
Tamara Hernandez 09/20
Joan Papy 09/20
Henry Allen 09/23
Caitlin Ford 09/23
William Albury 09/25
James Canterbury 09/25
Theresa Marius 09/25
Joanna Schmida 09/26
Steven Blanco 09/27
Michael Guay 09/29
(If your name is missing from this month's birthday list please send a note to info@stpaulskeywest.org so we can add it.)
We celebrate September Anniversaries:
Eddie & Sherry Webster 09/07
James & Angie Canterbury 09/09
Jim & Pamela McCloud 09/09
Robert & Sharon Ward Wilcox 09/27
Thomas & Nicole Reeder 09/30
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Reminders
Sunday School will resume when possible.
Back issues of The Epistle are available here.
Send questions and comments to the editor of this newsletter here.
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Tel. (305) 296-5142
Pastoral Emergencies (305) 735-1867
The nave of the church, the grounds and gardens are open for prayer and meditation daily.
The church office is located in Holy Innocents Hall
Rector's Drop In Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1 - 5PM
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