From the Dean & Rector

Welcome Music Director Candidate Douglas Keilitz

Join us this Sunday as we welcome Douglas Keilitz, a candidate for the position of Director of Music and Cathedral Arts.

Douglas is Director of Music at Holy Trinity Church (Shakespeare’s Church), Stratford-upon-Avon, in the United Kingdom, and a teacher of organ, piano, and ABRSM aural skills at King Edward VI School (Shakespeare’s School), also in Stratford-upon-Avon. Prior to moving to Stratford in February 2020, he served as Canon for Music at St Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral, Boise, Idaho. Former posts have included St Mary’s Episcopal Church on Cape Cod, and St Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church, Manhattan, New York City.

An experienced choral director, he has founded several choruses, professional and amateur, and is a former director of the Greater Trenton Choral Society in New Jersey. He is also active as an accompanist and vocal coach, and has served in that capacity for several community choruses and synagogues. He is also a composer of choral music, and his works for the synagogue have been performed at New York’s Temple Emmanu-El.

This Week in the Adult Forum: New Testament, Part 1

Adult Forum this week begins the first part of our last conversation with Bob until next fall. What better place to end than at our beginnings as a distinct community of faith? This week we begin a two-week overview of the New Testament, in which we discuss language and the Synoptic Gospels and the Book of Acts.

Don't know what those are? Come and see this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Discussion is encouraged. All ages of adults are welcome. 

This Sunday: Support the St. Paul's COTS Walk Team

Please help St Paul’s Cathedral support the mission of the Committee for Temporary Shelter (COTS) to end homelessness by joining us or making a donation to our church’s COTS Walk Team.

This year the COTS Walk is on Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. The walk is a 3.5-mile trek (a shorter 1-mile route is available) around downtown Burlington that starts from Battery Park and follows the path a person experiencing homelessness might travel to connect with COTS shelter and services. We are participating to support Vermont's largest provider of services for community members who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or marginally housed.

You are invited to participate by walking with us or donating to our team's fundraising effort. The more people that join, the greater our collective impact will be. To donate, you can write a check made out to COTS, give cash, or visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral team page at this link right now. https://secure2.convio.net/tcots/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1017710&pg=personal&fr_id=1110. To join as a walker, please register using the same link.

The process is fast, easy, and secure. If you would prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below.

COTS

PO Box 1616

Burlington, VT 05402

Make all checks payable to COTS.

Feel free to share this fundraiser with any friends you think might be interested in supporting this important cause.

Young Adults Potluck Friday, May 17

The Young Adults of St. Paul (18-after-high-school to 40ish) will gather for an evening of food and fellowship. Young Adults are invited to bring a dish to share as we get to know each other better and celebrate the coming close of the program year at St. Paul's. Please do not see bringing a dish to share as an impediment to participation: your presence is the real gift. Childcare will be provided. 

Friday, May 17, 5 - 7 p.m. at the Cathedral.

Childcare Sought for Young Adult Potluck

As you may have seen the Young Adults of the parish will gather Friday evening, May 17th. As you may have also seen, we are in need of faithful St. Paul's parishioners to spend time with our youngest followers of Jesus.

Perhaps you miss the times you spent with your own family. Perhaps you want to repay all the kindness you were shown by those who helped to care for your children. Whatever the case, if you have a special place in your heart for children, you are invited to be a part of the team that will spend time with the children of our Young Adults so they can get to know one another without the small (in size) large (in scope) demands for their time.

If you are able to help in this way, please email Bob for the particulars. Thank you so much in advance. 

Celebrate Pentecost with us May 19

One service at 10:00

On Sunday, May 19 we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost, or Whitsunday, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples following Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, and it marks the beginning of the Christian church's mission to the world.

It is customary for clergy and members of the congregation to wear red on Pentecost, which symbolizes the fire of the Holy Spirit.  

We look forward with great joy to celebrating two baptisms at St. Paul's on Pentecost this year. We hope you will join us for our 10:00 a.m. service in person or online.

Following the service, we will gather for a Parish-wide potluck.

Recognition for Graduates

God has graced us with outstanding young people in our midst who have the potential to be transformative agents in the life of our church, community, and world.

On Sunday, May 19 we would like to recognize the achievements of our high school and college graduates. You can help us celebrate these young people in two ways: First, pray for the graduates and their families as they navigate this time of transition. Second, if you are a graduate or the family member of one, send us their name so that we can be sure to celebrate them.

Names can be sent to the Cathedral office: Admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org.

Thank you!

Celebrate Pentecost with a Potluck Picnic

Join us after the 10 o'clock worship service on Sunday, May 19 for a parish-wide potluck meal.

We'll gather for good food, fellowship, and to celebrate the end of the church program year. While the life of the church continues throughout the summer, families are away, schedules change, and we bid a temporary farewell to Sunday school, the church choirs, and the Revd Bobby Leopold for the summer.

Please bring a dish to share. No sign ups required - just your presence! All are welcome.

Donations for the Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP)

On Sundays during the prayers for the people, when Rick asks for prayers "for all who come to JUMP for help," do you know exactly what that means?

The JUMP Drop-In Center (in the First Congregational Church on South Winooski) offers direct assistance with utilities, food, thrift store and laundromat vouchers, toiletries, and referrals, as well as the hospitality of a cup of coffee and a snack. JUMP can assist up to 15 households/individuals on Thursday and on Friday mornings. 

We can help JUMP help our neighbors with these donations:

TP (individually wrapped only) 

Shampoo (travel size only)

Razors (we put two razors in each bag. so double supply of razors is helpful)

Toothpaste -- at least 2 oz. size and no family size, please

If you'd like to help out, please put any donations in the basket near the front door of the church.

Justice Speaks: Milk With Dignity

After thousands of phone calls, letters from individuals, NGOs and stakeholder actions, Hannaford still refuses to join the Milk with Dignity Program. 

Neither Hannaford nor corporate owner Ahold Delhaize has engaged with Migrant Justice in any meaningful way since their invitation five years ago to join Milk with Dignity Program. While Hannaford has created initiatives that mimic aspects of the Program, there is no accountability in these initiatives, and this has actually caused more trouble for farmworkers after contact with them. Please visit https://migrantjustice.net

Hannaford is making profits from the labor of farmworkers working on dairy farms supplying Hannaford-brand milk. Many experience labor and living conditions that are abysmal, demeaning and in violation of basic human rights. Conditions that would be addressed by the Milk with Dignity Program include stolen wages, no pay stubs, long work days without break for lunch, lack of privacy and space, decrepit housing, abuse by farm personnel, no time off for injury or illness, and no redress of grievances. 

Milk With Dignity reminds us of the differential in power and status between corporations and undocumented migrant workers. Let’s remember that Jesus was occasionally confrontative with the powerful in his day. 

As people of faith in a loving God, we expect workers in Hannaford’s food chain to be treated with dignity and respect. When we see that Hannaford turns a deaf ear and a blind eye to suffering among workers in their food chain, we must stand with the workers in solidarity for change. And Milk with Dignity has meant real and positive change for farmworkers and for farm owners. 

Sylvia Knight

Cathedral Square Portraits Exhibition

An exhibit of portrait photographs by Paul Van De Graaf and Gerry Davis will be on display in the Nave of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington though the month of May. Cathedral Square was created in 1977 as a mission of the church and an independent nonprofit corporation to develop Cathedral Square Senior Living, the nine-story, solar-panel-topped building just east of the Cathedral, with 108 apartments for older adults. The project to photograph residents at Cathedral Square Senior Living was undertaken as a service to these subjects and to honor the missions of Cathedral Square and the Cathedral.  

Twenty-one residents, including one couple and one staff member, volunteered to participate. Each subject was photographed in color with a modern Sony digital mirrorless camera and in black and white using a Zone VI 4”x5” large format film camera. Each subject received a set of color and B&W prints to share with family and friends in time for the holidays.

This project was helped greatly by the support of Kim Aldous at Cathedral Square, Dean Greta Getlein, and the Cathedral Arts Committee. These photographers have teamed together previously on several projects, are good friends, and enjoy their photography and their work together.

Coming up at St. Paul's

• Sunday, May 5: Holy Eucharist, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Third candidate for Music Director visiting. Church School and Adult Forum, 10 a.m.
• Sunday, May 12: Holy Eucharist, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Last Sunday for Adult Forum and Church School until September.
• Friday, May 17: Young Adults Potluck Picnic, 5 - 7 p.m.
• Sunday, May 19: The Day of Pentecost Holy Eucharist, 10:00 a.m. Recognition for Graduates, followed by parish-wide potluck. Single Sunday worship service schedule begins.
• Tuesday, May 21: Cathedral Arts Presents Lynette Combs, Organist, 12 noon.
• Friday, May 24: Cathedral Arts Presents Transcontinental Piano Duo Elaine Greenfield and Janice Meyer Thompson, 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 25: Trinity Eve Holy Eucharist, 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 26: No services, Marathon Sunday.
• Sunday, June 2: Holy Eucharist, 10:00 a.m., Cathedral Arts Presents Vermont Choral Union, 4:00 p.m.

Green Up Day is May 4

Green Up Vermont’s mission is to promote the stewardship of our state’s natural landscape and waterways, and the livability of our communities by involving people in Green Up Day while raising public awareness about the health, economic, and visual benefits of a litter-free environment year-round.

The first Green Up Day was launched statewide by Governor Deane Davis on April 18, 1970. The Interstate highways were closed for litter pick up by volunteers. Schools bused kids all over Vermont to lend a hand while the Governor covered many miles in his helicopter, landing on the Interstate to praise volunteers.

Want to make a difference in your community? Click here to learn more about how to participate in this fantastic Vermont tradition.

Organ for Pianists Worship Series

On Saturdays May 18, June 1, and June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon, Dr. David Neiweem will lead workshops for pianists interested in playing the organ at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. 

Participants should bring a piano piece that represents their ability. Attending all three workshops is recommended but not required. This series is sponsored in part by the Vermont Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Email Karl Fandrich to learn more or call him at 603-731-1199.