St. Paul's Episcopal Church |
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From the Rector
By the Rev. Donna Mote
Dear People of St Paul’s,
Grace and peace.
This life and this world are full of seasons and rhythms that are themselves part of even greater cycles.
In my view, the seasons are best negotiated with rhythms that help us to pay attention to the changes and to the beauties and blessings on offer all along.
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One of these rhythms is that of work and rest, a pattern followed by Jesus the Christ, our Savior and our model in all things. Observing a sabbath, a time of rest, is not only a good idea; it’s also a commandment.
We may be tempted to say, “Well, I don’t always observe a day of rest each week, but it’s not like I’m murdering somebody or stealing from someone.” Really? For to only work and never rest is in fact to engage in a profound way in killing ourselves. Moreover, not to take time off is to steal from the reservoir of our own health and to steal opportunities for connection with us from those we love.
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I myself am a recovering over-extender. When Jesus says the sabbath was made for us and not we for the sabbath (Mark 2:27-28), I say a hearty Amen. And I need to practice what he said and what I preach.
My sabbath is Friday. My day of rest begins, in the manner of the Jewish, Celtic, and other traditions which begin days at sunset rather than sunrise, on Thursday evening with the observance of a Key West sunset. It lasts until at least sunset on Friday evening. Saturday is generally my day with my family.
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Rhythms are important in the midst of our work as well. Beginning next Tuesday, June 29, the Feast of St Peter and St Paul, I will keep office hours from 1-5 PM on Tuesdays. If you’d like to speak with me, please feel free to drop by Holy Innocents Hall during that interval. You don’t need an appointment although you can make one if you wish through Lisa at the church office.
Rhythms are important in our life as a community as well. On Sunday, July 4 we will resume the rhythm and pattern of two services on Sunday mornings. We are experimenting a bit with the service times to see what we think about them. For the month of July at a minimum, Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM. One reason for these times is to create an interval between services in which Christian formation and other gatherings could take place.
When the remaining COVID restrictions are lifted, we will also resume Holy Eucharist with Healing on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Chapel of our Lady.
Thanks be to God that we are able to rest as well as work, to engage one another in conversation and connection, and to continue to return to some of the long-established rhythms of the life of the congregation.
With you on the journey,
Donna+
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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. Please note that this is the last Sunday at the 8:30AM time. See Padre Donna's column above for an explanation of the new service times beginning July 4th.
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.
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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.
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Sunday's Service
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 8:30AM on Sunday in person and streamed on Facebook. (Note that this is the last service at this time.) 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!
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Junior Warden's Report
By Greta Philips-Ford
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The volunteers were busy this past Saturday with a multitude of odd jobs.
They started with getting a jump start on the hurricane shutters by tackling the least easy access shutters. This will make the final prep work for an impeding storm much quicker and safer.
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Of course with all projects, we discovered more little repair jobs that needed to be completed before some of the shutters can be put up.
The old Flagpole was removed in preparation for the new.
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The new pole will arrive in 4-6 weeks. It will be a 30 foot fiberglass pole (one piece) with internal halyard winch and a tilting shoe base. The Pole will withstand 112 mph with a 5’ x 8’ flag.
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The sign boxes got a fresh background! We are looking for anyone with artist/scrapbooking skills that would like to help freshen up the sign boxes. This is our opportunity to reach the general public on the street and tell our story. |
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The most impressive work this week goes to the organ team that replaced the wheels on the organ!
Please join the volunteer crew this Saturday from 9AM to 11AM as we continue projects to maintain and improve our church campus.
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Senior Warden's Report
By Ray Warren
As noted in the rector's column (above) she is now establishing office hours on Tuesday afternoons. Of course, she is available at other times for more in depth pastoral needs. But please respect Tuesday afternoons from 1 -5PM as the time she has reserved for drop in visits.
I can truly appreciate her emphasis on weekly rhythms, including a day of rest. In that vein I highly recommend a book by Rabbi Abraham Heschel on the subject of the Sabbath. Written in 1951, it is now considered a theological classic by both Jews and Christians.
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The book was one of the selections we read in the first year EfM class last year. All of us in the class were blown away by both the underlying idea (that God's creation is about time as much as space) and by the quality of the writing. It is definitely a "deep" book, but it isn't taxing or draining to read. Indeed, it is an "easy read" that leaves one feeling holy and blessed.
I am more than happy to loan my copy to anyone in Key West for a couple of weeks. Just send me an email and we'll arrange the transfer. (I want to get it back in two weeks, though, so somebody else can borrow it.) If you prefer to buy it, by all means check or your favorite (hopefully independent) bookseller or Amazon.
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Please stay tuned for possible changes in procedures. We do know that the diocesan regathering committee and Bishop Eaton are taking a measured look at the improving covid situation. Nobody knows what the new guidance will be, but there is reason to expect some modifications soon. We'll convey the news to you in the Epistle once any change is announced.
Also, note that we will resume two services on Sunday (as noted by Padre Donna above) in July and, once there is more guidance from the diocese, hopefully the Wednesday healing service. But these changes may be fluid. So, again, please check the Epistle for news as the July experiment in new service times unfolds.
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Anybody want a flagpole? The old flagpole, all 30 feet of it, is available. The new owner will need to anchor it on their own property, but the price is great (free). All "sales", however, will be final.
Please contact the office if you would like it.
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Contacts:
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.
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Don't Miss the July Organ Concert
By Tim Peterson
The next "from the Organ" concert will be on Thursday, July 1, 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.
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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, Ken Reed, Mickey Malgrat and Mark Simcox.
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
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Reminders
Sunday school is canceled during the virus emergency.
Back issues of The Epistle are available here.
Send questions and comments to the editor of this newsletter here.
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Tel. (305) 296-5142
Pastoral Emergencies (305) 735-1867
The nave of the church, the grounds and gardens are open for prayer and meditation daily.
The church office is located in Holy Innocents Hall
Office Hours 10AM - 2PM M- F
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