June 17, 2021
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
From the Rector
By the Rev. Donna Mote

Dear People of St Paul’s,

Grace and peace.

My first full week as the thirty-fourth rector of St Paul’s was a great one, and, as I write, I am winding up the second full week of my tenure.

My office in Holy Innocents is looking more and more like my own now that various personal books, icons, and artifacts adorn it. And it is delightful to have our worldly goods arranged in and around the Riviera Drive rectory. Increasingly, we feel at home.

On the back porch of the rectory, we have placed a placard in Latin that hung on our front porch in Decatur, Georgia. It reads, Vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit. Translation: “Bidden or not bidden, God is present.”

The words are said to originate from the oracle at Delphi’s reply to the Spartans when they were planning a war against Athens. I don’t think anyone is entirely certain of that, but it has been established that Carl Jung encountered this aphorism at age 19 while studying a Latin collection of analects by the Renaissance scholar Erasmus.

Jung was so taken with the truth of this saying that he had the words carved above the door of his home in Zurich. He said they were to remind those entering his house that, “Awe of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10). The same words are inscribed on his tombstone.

God is with us, among us, around us. Every encounter has the potential to be a sacred interaction and a reminder of grace.
I experienced this again this past week when I had the privilege of blessing the civil marriage of a couple married a few days previous in their native Argentina who were honeymooning in Key West.

The truth of these words came home in a conversation with a service employee at a business near the St Paul’s campus.
When the wind pushed my kayak around a mangrove hammock the nearness of God was palpable. Likewise in the golden hour as I walked home from Smathers Beach and the deliciousness of fresh mangoes. And these are just a few examples. God is present, bidden or unbidden.
So amazing. Knowing this is the case, in what new ways can you imagine God may show up in your life this coming week?

With you on the journey,

Donna+

This Week's News Highlights

Our Service This Week

Holy Eucharist on Facebook and for those in person will be at 8:30AM on Sunday.

Masks are still required as is social distanced seating. Congregational singing is not yet permitted, but there will be beautiful music from the organ and our cantor.

The Church is open every day for prayer

The Nave of the church is open every day for prayer and reflection. Please observe social distancing protocols.
A Message about EfM from Susanne Woods

The current group of St. Paul’s parishioners enrolled in Education for Ministry (EfM) finished this academic year in May and has decided to continue in the fall. We are graduating one member and would welcome more to join us in late September. 
 
EfM is a program of practical theology developed by the School of Theology at Sewanee, the University of the South. Its purpose is to help laypeople explore their personal ministries as baptized Christians through Bible study and biblical commentary, church history, Christian theology and ethics, and interfaith relationships. A community of six to twelve people meet weekly over 32 weeks for regular prayer and worship, sharing responses to readings, and developing skills of theological reflection. 
 
Beginners are very welcome and will fit in easily, as will anyone who has had one or more years of EfM either earlier at St. Paul’s or elsewhere. For more information about the program, explore the website: https://efm.sewanee.edu .
 
Snowbirds will have no difficulty joining, as we will meet initially on Zoom and together in person when all or almost all participants are in the Key West area. To learn more, contact Susanne Woods at Susanne.woods@gmail.com or 305-407-7003. 
Restoring and Preserving St. Paul's One Brick At A Time

A new set of bricks, representing love, remembrances and faith as expressed by parishioners, was recently set in the Memorial Garden. (The latest grouping is pictured.) Please consider joining in this project. You can order your brick(s) here.

Proceeds help preserve our iconic church and grounds for future generations.
Sunday's Service

Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 8:30AM on Sunday in person and streamed on Facebook. We had a robust attendance last Sunday, but still had room for social distancing. So, there is definitely room for all. Please join us if you can.

To join 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". 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 Sunday service here.

If attending in person, you no longer need to pre-register to attend a Sunday services. Please remember that masks are still required, there is no congregational singing (though there will be beautiful organ music) and socially distanced seating will be in effect. We look forward to seeing you!
Junior Warden's Report
By Greta Philips-Ford

The volunteer group will meet this Saturday at 9:00AM. Weather permitting, the volunteers will start working on securing the hurricane shutters for this season. 

See you Saturday!

I am pleased to report that the repair work done on the northeast corner of the church above the sacristy area has worked and the area is dry! 

A-Plus construction will need to do a little more work on the gutters (see photo) but for the most part it appears to have stopped our leaks.
The flagpole base has been dug out and determined that its base is sturdy and can support a new pole.

Ken is ordering the new pole which will take about 6-8 weeks before it is delivered. We should have it up by Veterans Day in November.

(Photo Caption: New volunteer Becky England and the excavated flagpole.)
Senior Warden's Report
By Ray Warren

This may turn out to be the all time most popular senior warden column. Because, it is late on Thursday and I have almost nothing to add. The new rector is fantastic. Our church remains strong and all is good.

I do commend the EfM program discussed by Susanne Woods above. The seven of us who participated last year (six in our first year and Bill Malpass, who finished his final year) learned a lot, grew spiritually as individuals and grew closer as a group.

I know there is a hunger for Christian education and Christian formation at St. Paul's. I can't think of a better opportunity. I hope you will consider joining us this fall.
- - -
Among the photos of work being performed on the roof of the church above the sacristy (basically on the left if looking toward the high altar from the pews - behind the military chapel) is one showing a satellite dish.

Does anyone know the history of the dish and what it's purpose is? I literally am not aware of us utilizing it now. Just wondering.
- - -

It's been a long and difficult year, but things are looking up. I am so very proud of all of you for standing together and keeping us together to reach this point.
Contacts:

Parish Rector: The Rev. Donna Mote: rector@stpaulskeywest.org

Sr. Warden: Ray Warrenseniorwarden@stpaulskeywest.org

Jr. Warden: Greta Philips-Fordjuniorwarden@stpaulskeywest.org

Epistle Editoreditor@stpaulskeywest.org

Church office (and administrator Lisa McCarthy): info@stpaulskeywest.org

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.
Monthly Organ Recitals
By Tim Peterson

the next "from the Organ" concert will be on Thursday, July 01, 2021 at noon, on both Facebook live and in-person viewing. This month will be Tom Scheck, Dean Warden, and Tim Peterson.

Remember that you can also find prior recordings of many past concerts and musical offerings on St Paul’s Facebook page, or on YouTube.
We Pray Each Day

Daily Morning and Evening Prayer is being offered on Facebook Live at 7:30AM and 500PM on weekdays.

Thanks to Bruce Hagemann, Lisa Laskow, Mary Simmons, Samantha Hall, Sarah 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), Peter Nanos, Joseph Lyles, David Sweeting, Carolyn Sangston, Ed Hinkle, Monica (Kitty Roberts’ daughter), Gina, Sandy Highsmith, Carla Harper (sister of Joseph Lyles), Fran Lepine (friend of Joseph), Shirley Sweeting, Judy Denton Ping, and Ken Reed

We pray for the departed and their loved ones

Gina Delisio (friend of Joseph Lyles) and Dottie Clifford

"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 June Birthdays

Holle Campbell 06/02
Miles Mungall 06/07
Ray Warren 06/07
Irene Eyer 06/08
Erin Kracht 06/08
Sylvia Halldorson 06/10
Millicent Mario 06/13
Rachel Sweeting 06/14
Stephen Graniela 06/17
Anne Shaver 06/19
John Benson 06/25
David Eyer 06/26
Carole Fauth 06/26
Charles Percy Curry 06/27
Barry Hitch 06/30
Julia Pischke 06/30
(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 June Anniversaries

William & Carol Wilusz McBride 06/04
Juan & Joan Sammy Mayancela 06/08
Bill & MaryCarlin Porter 06/08
Stephen & Jackie Gahan 06/12
David & Phyllis Sweeting 06/17
Susan & Damon Byrd 06/23
Ivan & Sheri Sampson Stanke 06/27
Reminders
Sunday school is canceled during the virus emergency.
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