At Monday night's regular meeting, the vestry expects to vote on the draft memorial policy. After our meetings with the parish in January, we have incorporated some of the feedback we received on the original draft. Parishioners who would like read the final draft before the vote should email Father Eric to request a copy.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! It truly was a wonderful Holy Week at Saint Paul’s, full of faithfulness, vibrancy, and, let’s be honest, people. The paradox of Holy Week is that every year we put all of our effort into building it, but then God is the one who actually does all the most important parts. The resurrection itself, of course, is God’s work, but so is the quickening of our hearts, the leaning together into a community of faith, the transformation of ourselves and our world that is the ongoing work of resurrection. It’s not a bad model for a working church, a church fully committed to ministry in God’s world and to God’s people: we work as hard as we can, but no matter how hard or well we work, the “success” of our endeavors is finally dependent on the grace of God.

Now, my friends, I’m going to speak frankly. If we’re going to extend the joyful proclamation of Easter to our neighbors and the world, we need you. Yes, we need you to come to church, but even more, we need you to help us be the Church together. As I tried to see you through happy tears on Sunday, I thought of how well-positioned we are to be a vibrant center of love and ministry in a town and world that desperately need the good news of God’s unquenchable love. In response to God’s great love for us, we:

There is room for your gifts in any of these ministries, and you can imagine ways of loving that the church hasn’t thought of yet.

On behalf of Saint Paul’s, I’m deeply grateful to the many hands that set the stage for Holy Week so well. Keith Shafer and the choir led our music with something even beyond their usual excellence. Our children’s formation leaders planned and implemented new liturgies for our kids on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. The audio-visual team streamed everything and improvised with expertise as our worship moved from the yard to the church to the parking lot and back to the church. The flower guild and altar guild put in countless hours behind the scenes to prepare our worship space. The staff nearly set up cots in the office last week to accommodate the hours the staff was putting in. Our acolyte masters and vergers coached full teams of acolytes through liturgies we hadn’t really done in a few years. And our assisting priests graciously participated in leading our worship, and graciously helped me lead our worship as well.

We gave our best, and God did the rest. Now let’s take that same Easter energy into the world. The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Eric+

The Finance Committee and the Vestry are beginning the work of preparing the 2022 budget. Your pledge allows them to prepare a more accurate budget. If you have not yet completed a pledge card, please prayerfully consider your pledge to a momentous year. Pledge cards are available in the Narthex and by contacting the parish office. You may also pledge online using the link below.

92 Increase (23 new), 6 Decrease, 40 no change

as of 04/20/2022

Offerings pledged this Week $12,981.00

Offerings received this Week $4,693.33

Operating Expenses to Date $259,026.77

Operating Income to Date $379,841.76

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.