Weekly
Postings
news & events
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February 5 - February 14, 2021
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A Message from the Senior Warden |
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To the People of Saint Paul’s:
As we move forward following the conclusion of Father Muir’s tenure at Saint Paul’s and Father Jenkins’ acceptance of a call to Saint Stephen’s in Richmond, Saint Paul’s Church will adopt a new and temporary organizational structure within the Church. The Rev. Joe Bowden, M.D. will serve as our Priest-in-Charge responsible for clergy functions and pastoral care, and the Senior Warden, in consultation with the Vestry, will be responsible for the administration of the parish. We will develop more direct methods for reaching us, but until then, please call the office and they will help guide you.
With regard to pastoral care, it is the expectation of the diocese that a departing minister will not be available for sacramental or pastoral ministrations. Our personal and pastoral relationships sometimes make this a sad and frustrating challenge to the people on both sides, especially where there has been a close relationship and great appreciation for service. This process of separation is not intended to cause harm or pain but to allow both sides to move forward with their personal and spiritual journeys.
In our faith practice as well as in the rest of our lives, we wonder when we will be able to return to our “normal” practices. Sadly, our Church currently falls within the “dark red” level of guidance according to the Diocese’s COVID-19 Safer Standards. The various levels refer to the number of cases per 100,000 persons in the county or to the current capacity of the local hospitals. Dark red is the most severe and restrictive level, and it reflects 60 or more cases per 100,000 or hospitals at 90% or more capacity. With this level, no more than 10 persons can be present during a service unless the Bishop has given special approval for a larger group. We are able to move to a lower level of guidance only after 14 days with numbers in a lower rate category.
I will conclude by asking for your continued prayers for Saint Paul’s Church, for its clergy, staff, and communicants, and for our community.
Ashley Wright
Senior Warden
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Thank you to everyone who joined the 271st Parish Annual Meeting. If you missed either of the Annual Meeting Zoom sessions, you can watch the recordings by clicking the video icon below.
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First session of the Annual Meeting held on January 10 |
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Second session of the Annual Meeting held on January 31 |
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Purse Contribution for the Muirs |
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In gratitude for the work that Fr. George Muir has performed at Saint Paul’s Church over the past eight years, parishioners who wish to contribute to a purse in his honor may do so by sending a contribution earmarked for the Muirs to the Church office. Surely such a gift is a small token of our appreciation for his efforts and service over the years. |
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | February 7 |
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Godly Play - Children through 5th grade
K-2nd grade, 9 - 9:40 a.m.
3rd-5th grade, 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 366 090 592
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We take children and their relationship with God seriously and seek to provide both space to foster encounters with God and the language necessary to make meaning of those experiences. Within the Godly Play classroom, the Biblical narrative is lovingly presented to children using beautiful materials with an invitation to step into each story with awe and wonder. Children are then allowed time to respond to and reflect on their experience of the story.
The Godly Play class sends weekly emails on Saturday morning. If you have children K-5th grade and would like to receive this email, please contact Maddy Elledge.
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"I sing a song of the saints of God…and I want to be one too" | AKA: Foundations of Christianity, Inquirer’s Class, Newcomers
For Whom: welcoming all seekers and those who desire to be Confirmed, Received, or Reaffirm their faith; also for well seasoned Episcopalians interested in shoring their foundations.
What: conversation about the foundations of Christian life
When: Sundays, 9 a.m.
Leader: Fr. Jenkins (Fr. Bowden will continue this series after 2/14)
Meeting ID: 893 0981 4467
Passcode: SPGgather
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All are invited to this series of conversations about the foundation of Christian life. Each week we reflect on content from two sources:
1) one half of a chapter in Julia Gatta’s "Life in Christ."
More details from the orientation session are available here.
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Rector's Forum
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
Leader: Fr. Bill Dolen
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Join us for the Rector’s Forum this Sunday. During our time together we will reflect on the Collect of the Day and lessons appointed for that Sunday. Our time is spent understanding how ancient words impact our current reality. |
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Coffee and Conversation
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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We miss seeing you! Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! |
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | February 8 - February 14 |
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Noonday Prayer
Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:05 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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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.
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About Your Sermon: Conversations on Sunday's Sermon
Every Monday, Noon - 1 p.m.
12:05 - 12:10 p.m. Noonday Prayer
12:10 - 1 p.m. Conversation about Sunday’s sermon
Facilitator: Sunday’s preacher
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Every Monday we invite you to gather for and discuss the Good News of Jesus Christ proclaimed in Sunday’s sermon from the 11 a.m. service. We begin with Noonday Prayer at 12:05 p.m. and then jump into discussion to explore your questions and interests, theological themes, and implications. We end promptly at one o’clock for those joining during a lunch hour.
The video of the service is available on our Facebook page immediately following Sunday’s 11 a.m. livestream. The sermon usually begins at about 25 minutes into the service, to which you can advance the video. If you would like any help, contact Maddy Elledge.
No reservation is required. If you need any help learning how to join a Zoom meeting, contact Maddy Elledge.
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Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Tuesday and Friday
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Sacred Space is an opportunity for you to be in your church’s sacred space to rest and pray. You will be provided with a simple Order of Service to guide your prayers, but pray according to your practice and however fulfills your needs for your own sacred time and space.
Please note that during this time, we ask that everyone sign up to attend as each time is limited in the number of participants. You will be required to submit your email address for contact tracing.
Masks are kindly required by all individuals at all times. You will receive a follow up email with more details on additional guidelines.
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Compline – Facebook Live and Zoom
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m., social time follows worship on Zoom.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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 an opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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OTHER FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES |
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Read the Gospel of Mark
Now through February 16.
Epiphany 2021
Other resources:
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LOVE IS THE WAY: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times
Postponed until Eastertide
This Easter season, the Racial Healing Ministry of our diocese will host a diocesan wide reading group of Bp. Curry’s Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times; therefore, we will postpone our study until then. 12 Copies are available ($20 per) in the parish office, so please reserve yours today.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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From the Stewardship Chair
Lord, we give faithfully, and in our giving, we honor you,
the source of all our blessings, our daily bread, and all the gifts in our lives.
Received as of 2/3/21 for the Year 2021
137 Pledge Cards representing $606,401.00
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.
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
as of 2/3/21
Offerings pledged this Week $11,669.25
Offerings received this Week $6,031.00
Operating Expenses to Date $77,404.64
Total Income Received to Date $107,704.48
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The new Day by Day issue for February, March, and April has arrived. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please contact the parish office.
Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily, "page-a-day," inspirational meditations each reflecting on a specific Bible passage from the daily lectionary readings of the Episcopal Church. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences.
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The 2020 Annual Report includes reports from the clergy, wardens, and ministry chairs, as well as, financial results for 2020, the Vestry approved budget for 2021, and five-year trends for average Sunday attendance, pledge income received, and number of pledges. |
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Are we missing your birthday?
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