Boone Porter, one of the significant crafters of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, once commented, “It is a strange irony that many church people try faithfully during Lent to observe forty days of preparation, yet virtually abandon Eastertide after leaving church on Easter day.” If Holy Week is one of the best-known weeks of the church year, Easter Week is probably one of the least. This has not always been the case. In the early church, the eight days after Easter were called the Easter octave and was a time set aside for the faithful to consider the mysteries of God in general and more specifically, the mystery of the resurrection.

Actually, Easter is not just a day or a week, but a season – Fifty Great Days! This season of Easter has its roots in the Hebrew Feast of Weeks, which began at Passover and ended at Shavuot or Pentecost. Interestingly, the word Easter comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, who was associated with renewal, growth, and fertility. Although “borrowed” from the pagans, this is an appropriate description for Easter, which in truth is all about the promise of new life – the promise that God, through this single act of love, gives us the same indescribable gift that He gave Jesus – resurrection! It’s no wonder that the early Christians kept Easter as a season of fifty days! They knew that this time God had done something that would take humanity time to absorb!

During the weeks of the Easter season, the Lectionary offers us the stories of Jesus’ many post-resurrection appearances. We will be once again with Thomas as he puts his fingers into the wounds in Jesus’ side and hands. We will be with the lonely and confused men on the road to Emmaus who were treated to “hearts burning with fire” when Jesus opened the scriptures to them. We will join Jesus for an open-air breakfast of freshly cooked fish on the shores of Galilee. We will hear of a new commandment to love one another as Jesus has loved us. We will receive again the Holy Spirit and the Peace, which passes all understanding.

In a little less than forty days from now we will stand with the disciples craning our necks as we look upward into an empty cloud and hear the words from the angels, “He’s gone into heaven – it’s up to you now!”

Peace,

Joe+

To the People of Saint Paul’s Church:

Happy Easter! It was a beautiful day to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, and for those who were able to attend in-person worship, what a joy to see each one of you! The 9 a.m. service in the east parking lot was a little chilly, but the geese flew overhead, the birds chirped, and the Celtic Cross presided over our service again. We even had some interested worshippers on the outside of the walls looking on and joining in from different locations, including the River Walk. Our 11 a.m. service was in our more usual setting, and the parishioners from both services had a chance to witness our egg hunters’ successes! The Return to Worship Committee (Bill Ford, Barbara Coleman, Coleman Graham, Laura Robertson, Laurie Montgomery, and Nick Uros) worked to insure an appropriate manner of worship for the day. Many others were involved in the flawless morning, including but not limited to the Altar Guild and Flower Guild, who set up two different locations for worship; the AV Team, who moved everything outside and back in again; the Sextons, who moved furniture and cleaned up; the Ushers, who guided everyone to their seats; the Office staff, who kept everyone informed and educated; the Clergy, who responded with a new outdoor service; Keith Shafer, who planned the music; and the Vestry, who made our opportunities possible. Please join me as we thank them for all of their work.

The Return to Worship Committee has recommended that we return to regular in-person worship within the Diocesan guidelines on Sunday, April 18, at 11 a.m., with a 5:30 p.m. Celtic service to follow in the weeks ahead. The Vestry has approved this recommendation unanimously. We stress to the Parish that the 11 o’clock service will continue to be live-streamed on Facebook Live and the music will be pre-recorded. As of now, we remain limited to 50 persons for indoor worship, which includes service participants. The number of attendees may be increased when the guidelines from the Diocese are altered. Registration will continue to be required, and the link will be provided on Tuesday, April 13. In order to keep us moving forward, we ask that you continue to wear your masks in the church and around others, keep a safe social distance, and follow our guidelines. As indicated previously, the opportunity for in-person worship brings a need for additional volunteers for ushers, for flower guild and altar guild members, and for the AV Team. Please contact the Parish Office if you feel called to serve in these capacities.

On April 5, as per our Charter, the new Vestry was installed on the front steps of the Church at noon. This was a bittersweet moment for the Vestry as the 2020-2021 Vestry was unable to meet in person. The Vestry plans to meet at the Church for the April meeting under the approved guidelines, and we are very excited about this opportunity! As a reminder, Catherine Boardman is the Junior Warden; the Vestry members are: Barbara Coleman, Bill Ford, Matt Gullette, Coleman Graham, Laurie Montgomery, Cameron Nixon, Claiborne Porubsky, Laura Robertson, and Nick Uros. Brett Montroy is the Chancellor and Will Rice is the Treasurer. We heartily thank Dennis Bell for his work, guidance, and diligence as Junior Warden and Donald Horton for his efforts and insight as a retiring Vestry member. Both have served faithfully over the last several years and both have helped us weather the storm that the past year has brought to our midst.  As we concluded the annual meeting and commissioning, Fr. Bowden offered the following prayer: “O Eternal God, the foundation of all wisdom and the source of all courage: Enlighten with your Grace the Churchwardens, Vestry Members, Officers, People and Clergy of this Congregation, and so rule their minds, and guide their counsels, that in all things they may seek your glory and promote the mission of your Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Ashley Wright

Senior Warden

Our posting for Saint Paul’s rector search with the Office of Transition Ministry closed on Wednesday, March 31. The Search Committee will begin reviewing the list of candidates approved by the Bishop at our next meeting on Tuesday, April 13. We ask for your continued prayers during our search process. 

Like the 2020 Christmas offering, this year's Easter offering will be used to make a real difference in our community. The Outreach Committee has selected Christ Community Health Services to be the recipient of this year's Easter offering. CCHS is a nonprofit in Augusta that offers affordable, quality primary health and dental care to the uninsured and underserved. Their mission is "To proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and to demonstrate His love by providing affordable, quality primary health care to the underserved."

In 2019, their ministry served more than 7,600 patients. We are excited to be a part of this important organization in our community! You can learn more about CCHS on their website.

If you have questions or would like additional information about this Offering, please contact Melissa Friedman or Nancy Kotti.

Ways to Give to the Easter Offering 

Give Online by clicking the button below

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.

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.