Submit the names you wish to hold in remembrance
for All Saints' and All Souls' Day services here on November 1st.
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Please note: Daylight savings time will end on that Sunday!
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Outreach in the age of COVID:
How can we be FAITHFUL together?
In this challenging year, social distancing, gloves, and masks seem counter-productive to any conversation on outreach for St. Paul’s. As with everything else, Covid has forced us to look differently about one of St. Paul’s greatest values -concern for others less fortunate than ourselves in our neighborhoods. The most obvious blow was not being able to have the annual Rummage Sale where we raise about $40k a year for local partner organizations like Face to Face, Whosoever Gospel Mission, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and others.
Twenty years ago, St. Paul’s had close to double the membership we have now, yet our noble expectation is to keep levels of community and volunteer engagement at the same levels with less people. We know this is not healthy, practical, or sustainable, yet human needs and suffering have also increased with the economic, class and racial divides deepening in our nation rather than contracting. Many of us feel overwhelmed and guilty that we are not doing enough, or we also might feel powerless that we can make a difference. Just as Covid has forced us to become more creative and imaginative around worship, educational opportunities like the confirmation class of Adult Education, so Covid invites us to become more imaginative about outreach and expand our interpretation. Here are some hopeful signs…
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Search Update
The search process is switching into high gear as the finishing touches are placed on the Parish Profile and supporting documentation is prepared for vestry and the Bishop’s approval. The vestry will be asked for its approval of all documents at a special meeting on November 2. Once approved, all documents will be sent to the Canon for Transition at the diocese for what we hope will be a quick turnaround. Once the Parish Profile is approved it will be shared with the parish and subsequently, available on our recently refreshed website. All documents will be posted on the Office for Transition Ministry “job board” which is the national database for parishes and clergy who are discerning a call. At that point, our search committee will begin to receive applications from clergy.
St. Paul’s Rector Search Committee
On behalf of the vestry, I thank all who have offered their service or referred others to the important work of discernment. We believe we have assembled a search committee that is broadly representative of the parish composed of individuals who are good team players, willing to work for the good of the church, and bring no hidden agendas to the process. Each has accepted this call with great enthusiasm and respect for the significance of the work they will do together. The Rev. Barbara Abbott will work closely with this group in her role as diocesan search consultant. Regular updates about progress will be provided to the parish as the process unfolds.
At its October 19 meeting, the vestry unanimously approved the following slate of committed parishioners to serve on the rector search committee:
Louise Thompson, Chairperson and vestry member
Colin Brown
John Faggotti
Matt Hyde
Denise Jones
Michael Latini
Chesley Lightsey
Tom O’Rourke
Steve Pearson (vestry)
Kristen Poole (vestry)
Nicole Tullo
While the search committee is a subcommittee of the vestry, it is important that the congregation delivers its mandate that this group discern the individual whom God has called to be our next rector. A special blessing and commissioning ceremony will occur on November 8 at 10 AM. Zoom link here.
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The Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, October 25th
8 AM: Spoken Eucharist in the chancel - registration required for first 25 people. The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle is preaching and celebrating.
9 AM: Family Holy Eucharist on the Labyrinth with The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle as preacher and The Rev. Dan Kline as celebrant. Pre-registration required for 25 people.
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This service will be streamed live via Zoom at 9 AM. Bulletin and Zoom link will come in a Saturday evening email and will be posted on Facebook on Sunday morning.
10-11 AM: Clergy Conversations: An interview with Jack Pannell, Founder and President of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys. Clearly, a man on a mission and Jack wants to talk to St. Paul's about the possibility of opening a preparatory school on our campus. - click here to watch it.
11 AM: Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary with organ and choir. The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle is preaching and celebrating. Music is led by Dr. Andrew Kotylo, Emily Amos, and four staff singers.
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This service will be broadcast live at 11 AM. Bulletin and video link will come in a Saturday evening email and will be posted on Facebook on Sunday morning.
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12 noon: This is a special Zoom Coffee Hour, as we celebrate the thirteen years of work and care put in by our Parish Administrator, Virginia Emlen - click here to join. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to Virginia's gift.
Jim baked a birthday cake for Virginia on Tuesday. Let's give Virginia a great send-off!
Jim Everts' Farewell
You may send cards and gifts to the church address as Jim will remain on campus until November 3rd. A farewell ZOOM coffee hour is planned for next week November 1st at 12 noon.
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"I feel that one of the many strengths of St. Paul's is how the reverence for tradition is lived out in a very relevant and hands-on way in our Children and Youth programs." |
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During this time when most of us are not attending church services in person, we are offering a Virtual Collection Plate. Please contribute what you would normally have given each Sunday and help Saint Paul's continue its important work! |
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A school for Black and Brown Boys?
Jack Pannell is interviewed this week about his work in founding the Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys with over 500 students and a similar-sized waiting list. Why have a seemingly segregated and single sex education institution in the days of equality? Jack is interviewed by Albert Ogle while some representatives of our key committees in Outreach, Property and Adult Education questions him as he seeks discernment about where to open a second school in Philadelphia. What does an Episcopalian on a mission look like? Tune in and watch at 10 in Sunday!
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A Prayer for An Election
"Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
From The Book of Common Prayer, p. 822
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Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
by Isabel Wilkerson
Join us for a weekly discussion based on the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson. She explores the origins of racial hierarchical systems in America, particularly through the development of laws in the life of our nation. As a part of our praxis, we plan on implementing a community project at the end of our study.
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Time: 7-8pm
Dates: Wednesdays
10/28: Part 3 (p. 99-130)
11/4: Part 3 (p. 131-166)
11/11: Part 4 (p. 167-207)
11/18: Part 4 (p. 208-262)
11/25: Skip!
12/2: Part 5 (p. 263-310)
12/9: Part 6 (p. 311-360)
12/16: Part 7 (p. 361-389)
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Join us for a movie night under the stars! Bring a blanket and chairs, some snacks, and your mask! We will be sitting in family pods that are socially distant. |
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If you have any old Halloween decorations you can donate, please reach out to Dan+. |
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Confirmation Classes Continue This Tuesday! Check Your Email For More Details!
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Be on the lookout this week for our next Godly Play At Home drop-offs. Look for the St. Paul's bags near your door! |
The form has been updated, and the photo release form is following soon after. |
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Our Assistant Rector, Dan+, picking up pumpkins from Christ Church (Ridley Park) to distribute to children in our Godly Play program. They came all the way from a Navajo Native American Reservation in Farmington, New Mexico and the money used to purchase the pumpkins will help employ people in that nation. |
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Please continue to donate food!
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
St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Germantown sends sincere thanks to St. Paul's parishioners and its neighbors for the weekly abundant delivery of food items for its food pantry. The continued generosity of everyone is heartwarming and much appreciated. As we all know... the need continues.
Thanksgiving Turkey Drive in honor of Jake and Betsy Roak
Drop off turkeys on Sunday, November 22nd between 9 and 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall kitchen! More info to come.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Do you like arranging flowers or would you like to learn? Are your fingers itching to be creative? Want to meet other parishioners? And have fun at the same time?
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.
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New Website Tips!
Looking for the page with Sunday morning information, services, and Zoom links?
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Missed last week's live-streamed service?
You can watch it (or re-watch it!) here.
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