St. Paul's Episcopal Church |
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From the Rector
By the Rev. Donna S. Mote, PhD
Dear People of St Paul’s,
Grace and peace.
This missive should reach you on the evening of Thanksgiving Day.
Becky and I have given lots of thanks for many things in this past year.
We give thanks for having moved, by God’s grace, through these last twenty months of a worldwide pandemic.
We place near the top of the list of our greatest blessings the opportunity and privilege to live and serve with you.
After only six months among you and in Key West we feel very much at home and very much welcomed. We are grateful.
As our epistle reading for this Sunday, November 28, the first Sunday of Advent, puts it, “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?” (1 Thessalonians 3:9)
We send our best wishes to all of you and all of yours for a blessed Thanksgiving weekend, and we invite you to join us in praying “A General Thanksgiving” found on page 836 of the Book of Common Prayer:
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
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With you on the journey,
Donna+.
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This Week's News Highlights
Wednesday Healing Service
The weekday Eucharist with Healing service is on Wednesdays at 10:00AM in the Lady Chapel. Please join us if you are able.
Training and Educational Opportunities!
The "Come Learn How" series continues next Monday.
If you want to be trained for a particular ministry, please join us in the sanctuary (near the altar) at 5:45 PM (until 7:00 PM). If you are just curious about how to do these things, come join us. If you've always wondered why we do these things, come join us.
This week and forward:
"Come Learn How to Be a Eucharistic Visitor" (November 29),
(no class on December 6),
"Come Learn How to Be a Lay Reader" (December 13).
Other topics to follow after Christmas. If you are interested in serving in one of these ministries and can't join the scheduled session, please email Padre Donna (rector@stpaulskeywest.org).
Brass Polishers Needed!
Attention all brass polishers! The Order of St. Brasso is soliciting acolytes to prepare for Advent. We have 1 Saturday remaining to shine brass and make ready for the Advent season, which begins November 28th. If you'd like to be part of this marvelous working Order, please come to the Sacristy on Saturday, at 9AM. Altar guild leader Wendy Niven hopes to see you then!
Join the Choir
We have a full choir again! Rehearsals are weekly on Saturday mornings from 10AM - 11:15AM in the choir room. (Use the door on the cloister side of the church that leads directly to the choir room.) Members also meet Sunday mornings at 9:15AM for a short warmup and to review material for the 10:00AM service.
Reminders About the Service
For those who have been away, welcome back! A few reminders.
Masks are optional. If you are more comfortable wearing a mask, please do.
Communion is currently offered under one kind (bread) and is distributed at the altar. If you need to have communion brought to you in your pew, please let an usher know.
Please remember that during The Peace we are maintaining social distancing protocols by remaining in place. Waves, smiles, and peace signs welcome!
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Join Us After the 10:00AM Service
Please join us after the 10AM service in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship.
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Brick Project Ongoing
Purchase a brick! This is an ongoing way to support the restoration and preservation of St. Paul's. You can order your brick(s) here.
Proceeds help preserve our iconic church and grounds for future generations.
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Weekly Services
Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 7:30AM and 10:00AM on Sunday. The 10:00AM service will also be streamed on Facebook. There is also a weekday Eucharist with Healing service on Wednesdays, at 10:00AM in the Lady Chapel. Please join us if you can.
To join via Facebook (at 10:00AM), 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 10:00AM Sunday service here.
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Junior Warden's Report
By Greta Philips-Ford
Thankful
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Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for all of the volunteers who helped prepare the greens for hanging, and who hung the greens; for those who spruced up the model of St. Paul's for the Parade. |
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I am thankful for those who polish the brass; prepare the altar; bring treats EVERY Sunday for our "Tea Time"; re-plaster/repair the walls in the Sacristy; rewire the lights; re-plant/weed the garden; open/close the church; conduct morning/evening prayer and everyone who has contributed to our many projects this year! I am thankful that we once again have choir and singing inside! But more importantly, I am thankful for the fellowship shared with ya'll as we worked together on these projects.
We will not meet this Saturday morning. In hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
If you are interested in donating flowers in memory of your loved one; please contact the office via email.
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Senior Warden's Report
By Ray Warren
Thank You!
First, a humble and overwhelmed thank you to the vestry, my fellow members and our wonderful new Rector for the recognition in last week's Epistle and at Sunday's service. I am (believe it or not) a bit of an introvert. But the love and warmth made it all very wonderful for me.
Thank you, people of St. Paul's. We came through a difficult time together. I held the rudder part of the time, but many folks were rowing and trimming the sails. We made voyage as a team.
Looking Like Christmas!
I know that many of you are the plan ahead types, so I want you to know Padre Donna's planned schedule for Christmas services:
Christmas Eve at 5:30PM and 11:00PM (both livestreamed)
Christmas Day at 10:00AM
1st Sunday of Christmas, Dec 26, 7:30AM and 10:00AM
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I am overjoyed that St. Paul's will again be participating in the annual Key West Holiday Parade. In years past our parish had elaborate floats and even won prizes for our efforts. Sadly, at some point in the past decade we ceased to be part of the event. But we are coming back!
Our first outing this year will be modest. The wooden
model of the church that used to grace our float will be mounted on the bed of Padre Donna's pickup truck. The rest of us will march or cycle around the truck with banners (and candy to hand out to kids).
If you've never attended a Key West Christmas parade, you should. It is the antithesis of the Fantasy Fest parade - family oriented, light hearted and fun, with a true small town feel. If you are along the route (though I hope you'll consider marching with us) give us a shout out as we pass by. To volunteer as a marcher, sign up at one of this week's services or contact the Junior Warden.
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Special thanks to Sarah and Mike Kindinger for volunteering to repair and refurbish the wooden model of the church to make it "seaworthy" for the parade!
Also, thanks to the volunteers who stayed after the 10AM service last Sunday to "hang the greens" and make things festive:
Les Steele, Derek Pierce, Greta and Tom Ford, Tim Peterson, Lilla and Mark Whiteside, Eric Whiteside, Tom Bond, Becky England, Dean Warden and Ken Bagge.
(If I missed somebody, let me know and I'll make it right next week.)
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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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Reminder from Tim
By Tim Peterson
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Chancel Choir Rehearsals
Rehearsals for Chancel Choir are weekly on Saturday mornings from 10AM - 11:15AM in the choir room. We also meet Sunday mornings at 9:15AM for a short warmup and review of the anthem and hymns for the 10:00AM service. We are always looking for and needing new members to sing and lead the congregation. Please consider joining us in the choir loft. We have a choir robe which will fit you perfectly!
Special Events and Services during Advent
The December edition of “From the Organ” will be on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at noon. This monthly event will also be aired on our Facebook Channel. We hope that many of you will be there to hear music of the season.
The annual Eaton Street Christmas Stroll takes place next Sunday, December 5, 2021 beginning at 4 pm at St Paul’s. The stroll will take you to other events at the Studios of Key West, the Key West Theater, the Tropic Cinema, First United Methodist Church, and Williams Hall (Fleming at Margaret streets). Tickets are free, but you must register for tickets at the box office at the Tropic Cinema, or online at tropiccinema.com. Seating is limited for this family-friendly event.
December 12, 2021 at 5PM will be a service of Advent Lessons and Carols, held in the Nave at St Paul's. This service will be familiar to many. It is truly beautiful with the singing of the choir, the congregation, and readings. We hope that you will consider attending.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 7PM, the Keys Choral Arts will present their Seasonal choral concert, that this year they are calling, "A Very NORMAL Christmas Concert". This popular concert has 'sold out' in previous years. We encourage you to purchase tickets in advance on their website at keyschoralarts.org. $30 includes reception following the concert.
Recordings of many past concerts and musical offerings are on St Paul’s Facebook page, or on YouTube.
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We Pray Each Day
Morning and Evening Prayer is being offered daily on Facebook Live at 7:30AM and 5:30PM on weekdays.
Thanks to Bruce Hagemann, Lisa Laskow, Mary Simmons, Samantha 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), Betty Toppino, Barrie Ford, Bobby Pauley, David Sweeting and Dan Sweeting.
We pray for the departed and their loved ones
Don Heim (friend of Brian Wagstaff and Tim Peterson)
"Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servants."
(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 November Birthdays:
Cody Vildostegui 11/02
Jane Burchett 11/04
Susan Gilman 11/04
Mike Benfield 11/05
Ashley Cyrillien 11/06
Mark Murphy 11/09
Brian Howard 11/13
Michelle Garcia 11/15
Nathaniel Harris 11/16
India Hall 11/18
Lorilee McDaniel 11/18
Jeff Hillard 11/19
Wally Senney 11/21
Lilla Whiteside 11/23
Manuel Acevedo 11/26
Shirley Albury 11/26
Joan Sammy 11/26
Sandy Highsmith 11/27
Sheri Sampson 11/27
Kristy Smith Callaway 11/30
(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 November Anniversaries:
Ronald & Sabrina Acevedo 11/01
Harvey & PK Lynch 11/08
Tim Peterson & Brian Wagstaff 11/09
Billy & Pamela Albury 11/17
Kip & Tiffany Cooligan 11/22
Ashley & Cody Vildostegui Cook 11/27
Laurence, Sr. & Alona Marius 11/29
Lilla & Mark Whiteside 11/30
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Reminders
Back issues of The Epistle are available here.
Send questions and comments to the editors 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
Rector's Drop In Office Hours: Tuesdays, 1 - 5PM
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