The Epistle

St. Paul's Anglican Church | Iglesia San Pablo

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

December 17, 2023

Dear George,

We were privileged to hear from cultural anthropologist, Dr. Laura Montgomery, on Cultural Competency in Mexico December 10 in the Parish Hall during our English language coffee hour. I think our questions might have gone another hour!

However, Dr. Laura and her husband Dr. Karl Sanlin are in charge of a large group of University students in Querétaro, who are enjoying their despidida after a semester in México, the evening of Advent Two.

Laura and Karl were present at the Rector's home for a Vestry cocktail party Saturday December 9...a particular joy for the Rector as they now worship at his first parish, All Saints'-by-the-Sea, Montecito, California, and also, when local, at our cooperative parish, Santiago Apostol in Querétaro.

Padre Miguel+ is collecting donations for inexpensive toys to be distributed in various poor communities in the campo under the auspices of St. Paul's Community Development Project. Padre Miguel+ initiated this (now becoming an annual event) together with the Rector and Lynn Ramsey in 2022. Small donations are most welcome as small toys are being purchased as we strive to spread a bit of Epiphany/Tres Magos Joy among our less advantaged neighbors. Padre Miguel may be reached at: padremiguelsma@gmail.com

We enjoyed a lively discussion offered by former NBC war correspondent, Martin Fletcher, last Tuesday on the situation in Israel/Gaza. A YouTube production of the event, thanks to Daniel Morgan, is available below. With 300 in attendance, we are asking ourselves about how, realistically, St. Paul's might expand to accommodate a growing Sunday School, parish and community ministry. Muse along with the Vestry, won't you?

Our Holiday Bazaar occurs this coming Saturday from 10am to 4pm with more on offer than can be easily communicated, and a great many more volunteers very much needed! If you might volunteer a couple of hours or an entire day, you would rejoice the heart of the organizers, and might communicate your interest to Kathy Lapsys at mklapsys@gmail.com

Susan Robinson and Doug Craig, have, as is their custom, underwritten our Christmas Eve Music, which offers Xavier Hernández free hand in establishing a remarkable group of musicians for Christmas Eve! Bless you Susan and Doug.

2024 Pledge Cards may be downloaded from the parish website HERE, and are available from the parish administrator at StPaulManagementSMA@gmail.com

The Vestry is pleased to announce three candidates for Vestry Class of 2027:

Jeff Arnold

Christine Durboraw

Kathy Lapsys

Two free English classes are underway at 6pm every Tuesday and Thursday offered by wonderful Lynn Duroff from our local Jewish community. Space is now available.

Our free tennis program for 20 underserved young people from greater San Miguel is underway each Tuesday and Thursday.

Advent grace and peace,

GFW+

Post Script: I was delighted to purchase an antique Natividad for St. Paul's from Susan Page and Mayer Shacter (RIP) at Galería de Atotonilco some years ago, and previously purchased a delightful Costa Rican Nativity for my previous parish of St. Edmund's, San Marino, which I gather is still in use. But I had never owned a Nativity set of my own, until a friend gifted me with a wonderful Mexican collection today. Lighting pending! But I now have my own handsome Nativity set, and I hope you don't mind that I share my joy:

A brief glimpse of our amazing Hospitality Team at work! (fotos courtesy of John Baker)

CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN MEXICO

Dr. Laura Montgomery

English Coffee Hour December 10 Advent Two

Growing up in California only a stone’s throw from the U.S.-Mexico border, Dr. Laura Montgomery developed a strong interest in other cultures and Latin America from an early age. She pursued these interests at Wheaton College in Illinois where she earned a B.A. with high honor in anthropology. As a part of her undergraduate studies, she spent nine months in Guatemala researching the nutritional practices of an indigenous Mayan community. She then attended Michigan State University where she received a M.A. and a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology.

For her doctoral dissertation, she conducted field research in Mexico on the role of ecological crises in agricultural change. Dr. Montgomery is one of the first scholars to study the effects of short-term medical missions on a community’s health status and access to healthcare. In addition to publications on these topics, she has also written about energy consumption by households in the U.S. and the role of gender, social class, and ethnicity in the life path choices of undergraduate students. Her more recent work focuses on the development of cultural humility and intercultural competencies through study abroad.

From 1984-87, she was a member of the Wheaton College faculty as an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Associate Director of the Human Needs and Global Resources Program. She was then a Professor of Anthropology at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, where she served for over twenty years and was also Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. While there, she spent three semesters as the Resident Director of an innovative study abroad program located in Querétaro, Mexico, that she co-designed with her colleague, Dr. Mary Doctor.

She returned to Wheaton College in 2012 as Dean of Global Programs and Studies to lead its strategic initiative to “globalize a Wheaton Education.” Her responsibilities included expanding education abroad opportunities, building international partnerships, providing opportunities and resources to support faculty members’ global engagement, and monitoring the health and safety of all College-sponsored international travel. Her work has taken her throughout Latin America and Spain as well as to six continents and over seventy countries. In June 2023, she retired from Wheaton as Professor Emerita of Anthropology. This semester she returned, again, to Westmont College to lead the Westmont in Mexico Program in Querétaro. She and her husband, Karl Sandin, M.D., attend All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church in Santa Barbara and the Iglesia Anglicana Santiago Apóstal when they are in Querétaro. They have two adult daughters, Linnéa and Ellen.

Thank you Dr. Laura and Dr. Sanlin for sharing your limited time in Mexico with us in San Miguel de Allende ant with St. Paul's!

Our Community is fully participating in Saturday's Holiday Bazaar this coming December 16, including SOME of the following, and bids on quite splendid dinners and events. The Rector, in addition to the below, is bidding on some delightful dinner options!

1. Rhonda Christmas arrangements

2. Kathy Dog Collars, Wine bags

3. Patrice Abrazos

4. Maria Belen Jewelry

5. Nancy Small Cakes

6. Paul Escott Tamales

7. Kathy Tin items and Catrina Factory small pieces

8. Susan Finca Luna Serena, olive oil products

9. Victor Pancakes

10. Mary Jane Icons

11. Felipe Goat’s Cheese

12. Geoffrey Drayton Educafe Coffee

13. Adrian Christmas Wreaths

14. Sharon, Bev Hot and cold drinks

15. Emma Little bites for sale

16. Karina Bolsas, carteras

17. Spanish Parishioner Pozole y sopes

St. Paul's Community Development Project: PADDLE / TENNIS

A few shots from our Tuesday and Thursday Padle Classes. Guys train separately from gals. Racquets, shoes, refreshments and transportation provided.

Upcoming Events:

HOLIDAY BAZAAR: December 16, 10am - 4pm, Parish Hall.

VESTRY: December 22nd

ADVENT FOUR: One English Eucharist only, 10:15am Sunday December 24

CHRISTMAS EVE: One English Eucharist only, 5pm Sunday December 24

CHRISTMAS DAY: One English Eucharist only, 10:15am Monday December 25

BUDGET PRESENTATION: January 21, 2024 coffee hours

ANNUAL MEETING: February 4, 2024

DIOCESAN SYNOD: Saturday February 10, 2024, Mexico City

To join ST PAULS SAN MIGUEL NEWS' WhatsApp community for parishioners and friends, for the sharing of announcements, news and prayer requests. Ask webmaster Eric Fash to add you: send an email with your phone number to ericfash@gmail.com

Israel and Gaza – 50 Years of Reporting

Martin Fletcher, author and illustrious, award winning NBC news correspondent and bureau chief in Tel Aviv for thirty years, presented to 280 persons at St. Paul's December 5, followed by a Q & A and audience discussion. 

Anderson Cooper wrote of Martin Fletcher: “For decades, the gold standard of war correspondents.” 

Unsurprisingly, these two hours proved valuable, and strenthened the collaboration between CHESMA and St. Paul's. CHESMA offered a lovely reception following.

The YouTube link to the event is below.

STEWARDSHIP 2024

With Gratitude to Almighty God for Pledges in support of labor and ministry at St. Paul's Church

Jeff Arnold and Paula Hebert

Debra Broussard

David Burton

Rebecca Carney

Cheryl and Greg Cavanagh

Valerie Brown Coon

Geoffrey Drayton

Christine Donaldson Durboraw

Kerry and Alejandro Fautsch

Paul Finnegan

Paula Hebert and Jeff Arnold

The Reverend Canon Francis N. Hebert+

Stephen Huey

Cynthia Gilley and Richard Soudriette

Sharon and Alex Kurlycheck

Mary Beth and Bud Lawrence

Raquel Martin

David A. Miller

Patti and Daniel Morgan

Kenneth G. Oehlkers

Sandra C. Orellana

Marjorie and Mike Pope

Lynn and Rob Ramsey

Susan Robinson and Doug Craig

Elaine Sells and the Reverend Dr. Jeff Sells+

Jeff Spears

Andrea Spessard

The Reverend Canon Dr. Barbara Stewart+

Adrian Ross

Elaine Sells and the Reverend Father Jeff Sells+

Carol Troy

The Reverend Canon George F. Woodward III+

Karina Yañez Rios and Padre Miguel Rangel+

We're excited to introduce Edu Cafe! Educafe.org is a Mexican not-for profit raising educational funds from the sale of coffee grown in Oaxaca and Veracruz. Each bag is priced at 200 pesos, of which 87 pesos goes to a project of your selection. The QR code on the back of each bag allows you to select the project of your choice, a few of which support St. Paul's Development Project (formerly the Dispensa Project). Parishioner Geoffrey Drayton will have coffee available after Liturgy Advent One, December 3, and can answer further questions!

REVERSE ADVENT PROJECT

a St. Paul's Development Project Event

We have enjoyed tremendous response to the Reverse Advent Project, created together by Paula Hebert; Sr. Warden, and Lynn Ramsey; founder and director of St. Paul's Community Development Project. Distribution of no fewer than 18 elaborate dispensas in the campo will occur near Christmas. Should you wish to participate, here is the list. Boxes may be located in the parish hall, but at this point return to the parish hall must occur following the Holiday Bazaar on December 16 for concerns regarding space and storage.

o Day 1 Box of Cereal

o Day 2 Bag of beans

o Day 3 Bag of lentils

o Day 4 Boxed milk (2 or 3 would be appreciated)

o Day 5 Salt

o Day 6 Canned fruit

o Day 7 Canned tomatoes

o Day 8 Canned tuna

o Day 9 Jar of jam

o Day 10 Jar of applesauce

o Day 11 Pollo Boullion

o Day 12 Large box tomato sauce

o Dat 13 Harina for Tortillas

o Day 14 Box of Crackers

o Day 15 Package of rice

o Day 16 Package of Oatmeal

o Day 17 Package of Pasta

o Day 18 Spaghetti Sauce

o Day 19 Canned Chicken

o Day 20 Sardines

o Day 21 Canned Corn

o Day 22 Canned Mixed Vegetables

o Day 23 Canned Carrots

o Day 24 Spam

o Day 25 Boxed fruit juice

TWICE MONTHLY THURSDAY EUCHARISTS AT LOS LABRADORES

Twice monthly services at Rancho Los Labradores continue on the first and third Thursday of each month at 3:00pm. Rancho Los Labradores is located on the highway to Dolores Hidalgo about 13 kilometers from San Miguel de Allende. In addition to over 100 houses and condominiums, Labradores boasts various amenities, including a lovely interfaith chapel. Canon Frank Hebert, a resident of Rancho Los Labradores and Assisting Clergy at St. Paul's, leads the Thursday services, which include hymns, a sermon, and Holy Eucharist.  

St. Paul's members are warmly invited to participate, and especially to help with the service including reading the scriptures, leading the prayers and welcoming the residents. Some of those who come from the nursing facility need a bit of extra help. so they always appreciate those who can assist them with finding their place in the bulletin.  

The special Rancho Los Labradores Christmas service will be on Thursday 21 December followed by a special celebratory coffee hour. If you would like to help by participating in the service or providing some food or drink, please contact Canon Frank at 55 2967 3819 or fnhebert@gmail.com.  

Martin Fletcher: "Israel and Gaza", Tuesday 5 December HERE

The sermon for The Second Sunday in Advent, December 10, 2023 may be viewed HERE

The appointed lessons for December 17, Advent Three, may be found HERE

Lecturas para la Misa del 17 de deciembre, adviento tres, NOON estan AQUI

WOMEN'S SPIRITUALITY GROUP

Meetings are generally the first Saturday of each month at 10AM - 11:30 in the parish Church.

ST PAUL'S BEREAVEMENT GROUPS: Edna Marta Hamill, thanatologist and bereavement counselor, leads groups in English and in Spanish. The pain of loss can be overwhelming, but there are healthy ways to learn to cope and heal. The groups are free of charge and occur in the conference room Tuesdays 4 - 5:30pm in Spanish and 5:30 - 6:30pm in English. The group is suspended until September.

Paul in Brussels

Tracey in Parish (chemo)

Gail Baker

Virginia Barron (hospice care)

Douglas Buchanan

Rebecca Carney

Steve Clark

The +Most Reverend Michael Curry; Primate of the Episcopal (Anglican) Church in the United States of America

Patricia Corr (terminal cancer, Matt Stokes Mum)

Diana Rosario Rangel Cruz (lymphoma)

Christine Eyre

Tony Faught

Cynthia Gilley (knee surgery)

Susan Gist

Linda Gilmer (Jeff Spears Aunt)

Lynne Gleason

Dorothy Glenn

Mireille Grovier

José Guadalupe

Jenny Kerston

Mike Lapsys

Tim Noel Marinello

Marni McGee

Mari Mitchel (achilles heel recovery)

Santiago Munguial

Christian Olson

Karen O'Malia

Francisco Ortíz

Father Jeff Sells+

The Rev'd Canon Dr. Barbara Stewart+

Bruce Stuart

Rosalba Suárez (leukemia)

Pamela Summers

Jaye Truax

Alonzo Bautista Vallejo (shattered leg)

José de Jésus Bautista Viejo (destroyed pancreas and kidney)

Ken McCuthceon Vaun

Andrew Whitman

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

The Reverend Canon Peter D. Haynes

(Diocese of Los Angeles)



FOR OUR COMPANION PARISH AND COLLABORATIONS

Trinity Episcopal Church, Folsom, California

Santiago Apostol, Querétaro