St. Paul's Episcopal Church Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
MESSENGER
"Making friends while serving God"
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The Week of June 22-28, 2021
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An adaptable, flexible ministry
Jul 1, 2012
Are you a planner? Do you set an agenda for your day? Is your BlackBerry or iPhone programmed to alert you to upcoming appointments? Do you make lists that help structure your time and order your priorities?
Most of us do approach life with a desire for order and yearn for a sense of accomplishment. Of course, this can be very beneficial, unless such a penchant for scheduling weakens our ability to be flexible, or if it diminishes our willingness to be engaged by the unexpected. When we value adhering to a schedule more than we value the needs of others, then God’s good people are ill-served.
In this regard, Henri Nouwen once shared an experience of his own (“Time Enough to Minister,” Leadership, Spring 1982). Pressed by the demands of teaching at Yale and feeling overwhelmed, Nouwen decided to take a prayer sabbatical at the Trappist Abbey of the Genesee in New York. His “schedule” would consist solely of prayer -- no teaching, no counseling, just prayer. On his second day there, a group of students from a nearby school approached him and requested that he give them a retreat. Nouwen complained to the abbot, “I came here to get away from that type of thing. These students have asked for five meditations -- an enormous amount of work and preparation. I don’t want to do it. Why should I spend my sabbatical time preparing all those things?”
“Prepare?” the abbot asked. “You’ve been a Christian for 40 years and a priest for 20 and all these students want is to be a part of your life in God for just a little while.”
What the abbot knew and what Nouwen learned is that disciples of Jesus are called to live in a constant state of being prepared, so that when someone who is drowning comes into our world, we are ready to reach out and help. That’s ministering.
The Gospels make it clear that Jesus came among us with an agenda: He came to announce the reign of God. He came to invite sinners to repent and to believe the good news of salvation. He came to reveal God’s love, mercy and forgiveness to all, and he did this with a sense of urgency and purpose. But when he was called to digress from his daily agenda, he did. By allowing himself to be flexible to the needs that took him from his plotted course of action, Jesus accepted the will of God for him and for those to whom he ministered.
In today’s Gospel, Mark picks up his verbal portrait of Jesus immediately after the healing of a man possessed by demons. A large crowd has gathered, and it would seem an opportune time to develop the man’s cure into a teachable moment. However, at the request of a synagogue official named Jairus, Jesus willingly puts his plans on hold and sees to the man’s need. Then, en route to Jairus’ home, Jesus is approached by yet another who desires his help. A woman who suffers from a malady that renders her ritually unclean and isolated from society touches him and is healed. Instead of continuing on, Jesus chooses to make her experience public and to cite her faith as the impetus for her healing. Then, Jesus resumes his “schedule,” and, despite the news that Jairus’ daughter has died, he urges Jairus to let his faith supplant his fear and proceeds to raise the girl to life.
In his willingness to set the needs of others before his own plans and desires, Jesus remains the example for every minister. Had Jesus insisted on keeping to his own agenda, the lives of many people would have been quite different. He could have told Jairus and the woman to make an appointment. He could have insisted that his agenda did not allow for distractions such as these. However, Jesus knew that in healing the bold woman of faith and raising Jairus’ daughter he was preaching a powerful and persuasive Gospel ... all because he was flexible enough to take the time to do so.
In a song written for his son Sean (“Darling Boy,” on the album “Double Fantasy,” 1980), the late John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” The same could be said of ministry.
[Patricia Sánchez holds a master’s degree in literature and religion of the Bible from a joint degree program at Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary in New York.]
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To be redirected to the Lectionary Page and get a digital copy of the readings
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2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27; Psalm 130;
2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43
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SPRING FLING A SUCCESS
Thanks to the following people who participated Saturday - Janet Q., Debbie P., Rose Marie P., Adrian G., Shawn P., Mark G., Ben S., Maria B., Colleen M., Cynthia B., Alexis P., Brooke P., Adrianna B., Ryan, Angel H., and Bobbie G. (I apologize if I have forgotten to include anyone)
Shoppers enjoyed the many clothes, kitchen supplies, lamps, pictures, etc. for sale. Plus it was great they could buy water or soda to stay hydrated!! Cookies and brownies were good too. There were few items left at the end of the day. Profit from this endeavor - $547.50
Thanks to all who donated items, baked, collected, sorted and priced. GREAT JOB DONE!!
--Bobbie Gordon
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MOVING TO MORE IN PERSON SERVICE
As more and more people are getting vaccinated against COVID 19 the Bishop has eased some of the restrictions that have affected our worship. Given this the Vestry has decided that starting with the month of June all services (at 10:00am), except for the second Sunday of the month, will be in person and will include singing. We also hope to be able to broadcast the in person service live on our YouTube channel.
Our mask rule remains that anytime you are moving from your pew that you have your mask on. When you are seated you may take off your mask if you choose to do so. If you are singing please put on your mask. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.
The second Sunday of the month will be on Zoom (see below for Zoom link). This allows us to have the coffee hour discussions and to retain those parishioners who are able to only be with us remotely.
We hope to see you on Zoom on Sunday and in person whenever you can make it in.
--Shawn Prater-Lee
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ZOOM CHURCH LINK FOR ALL SERVICES
All services except for the second Sunday (on Zoom) of the month, will be in person at 10:00am and will include singing.
Our Zoom connections remain the same and are
Meeting ID: 823 3911 5280
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,82339115280# US (New York)
+13017158592,,82339115280# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YOUTUBE CHANNEL
We now have a YouTube channel.
To get there PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
or search on YouTube for St. Paul's Poughkeepsie.
We hope to put copies of all of our online services there.
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A NOTE FROM THE TREASURY TEAM
Total deposits for the past week - $811.50 ($45 for the Food Pantry). Many thanks to all who have been generously supporting the Food Pantry.
A reminder - Please remember to either mail in your pledge or drop it off through the mail slot any day during the week. The correct address is: 161 Mansion St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
ST. PAUL’S THANKS YOU!!!
--Bobbie Gordon
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For more support groups, trainings and educational sessions please visit our website
Mental Health America of Dutchess County
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2021 STRENGTHENING FAMILIES FORUM
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--The Rev. Dcn. Julett Butler
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_2 Donna Taylor
_ _Kevin James Kelly
_7 Molly Jones
__ Serena Mazzuto
10 Hyacinth Curtis
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11 Ira wethington
12 Garrett Martin Bell
13 Kimberli Williams
15 Bobbie Gordon
17 Benjamin Charles Rosborough
__ Jordan William Rosborough
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22 Michael Babb
25 Donna Hosier
30 Luke Goodwin
__ Amanda Rose Bell
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Please keep those on our parish prayer list in your minds and in your prayers, especially at this time of separation and isolation.
Intercessions
JUNE 2021
Our prayers are asked for:
Gerry; Tish; Mary Ann; Tommy; Carol; Chris; Sandra; George, Norm; Janett; Kay, Katherine, Renate; Frank Burnett, Food Pantry Volunteers, victims of Human/Sex Trafficking; Burton family; Lillian, Matthew, Sasha; Joe, G.J., Aleta, Plain family, Melius family; Ibadan Diocese, All Saints' Church, Oni family; Gary, Legend; Rhonda, Joe, Ann, all Teachers, Parents, Students, Theodore, John, Paul, Kathy; Sharon Greene, Owen, Agnes, Norma; McLauren family; Graham family; Wood family; Braxton family; Lori, Steven, Jim, Seth; Phil; All essential workers; Beryl & Glen, Vincent family; George; Daniel Mizell and family; Liz, Martha; Eileen; the Butler, Richards and Barrett families; Fr. Allan and family; St. Paul's Vestry; Darien family; Sherow family; Edna Clarke, Michelle, Kathy B.; Carola and Violet; Whitman, Medical Reserve Corp. of Dutchess County, The Laken family; All Parishioners; Kairos International, Catherine, Michelle, Yamily; Matthew, Lillian; Lynita, Perry, Melius family, Sasha; Stacey; Tucker family, Branch family, Atkinson family; Alison, McGhan, Sterling, Unah, Avonel, Kim, Santos family, Madeline, Bramble, Charlie, Cynthia, Gencia, Val, Joanne, Janet, Corkey, Pelaez, Josephs-Clarke family, Dixon family, Paulette, Jarah, Mertlyn; Adam, Paul, Andrew & family, Douglas family, Ron, Dave, Liz; Jill, Lana, Andrew, Susan; Schneider family, all in need; Susie; Sherry, Claudia
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Please "Like" our page to stay up to date with all services and events.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Poughkeepsie
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'In Service to God & You'
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Our food pantry volunteers are in active service at St. Paul's these days. We give thanks to them and thanks to God for their willingness to help us by helping others.
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THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR
JUNE 22-28, 2021
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TUE__ 22
WED__ 23
THU__ 24
SUN___27
MON__ 28
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10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
6:00pm
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________________
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Food Pantry & Thrift Shop
Food Pantry & Thrift Shop;
Food Pantry & Thrift Shop;
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Rite II
Evening Prayer; Vestry
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YOUR NEWS BELONGS IN ST. PAUL'S MESSENGER
Help us get the word out by submitting news of parish activities. Send submittals to stpaulpk@verizon.net or call 845 452 8440
Give us a call today!
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church 161 Mansion Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
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