Announcements 2-12-12

The Adult Forum Series focused on Our Parish Transition continues this morning with, Life Cycle of a Parish: Where is St. Paul’s today? 9:15 in the parish hall. Videos of the forums are available on the St. Paul’s website, (www.stpaulsmaine.org) by following the links to the Christian Education page and clicking on the Adult Forums Series.

Do you wonder what God is dreaming of for St. Paul’s? Join us for “Who Are We? Who Could We Be?: Furthering the Conversation,” an open meeting on Thursday, February 16, at 7 pm in the Great Hall. As at the annual meeting, members of the Self-Study committee will offer provocative questions and listen carefully as parishioners share their views on our parish and their hopes for the future. Coffee and dessert will be provided.

This afternoon at 2:00 p.m. the Winter Gardening Workshop series continues with Vegetable Gardening ‘102’ Getting started, soil and soil management, organic vs. conventional gardening, soil tests, preparing the ground offered by Dick Brzozowski – Extension Educator. Sponsored by the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust’s Tom Settlemire Community Garden. Free and open to the public. held in St. Paul’s Great Hall.

Do not hide your opinions under a bushel! Be sure to fill out the St. Paul’s Parish Survey. It will only take about an hour of your time and will help guide us in the selection of a new rector. Go to http://www.stpaulsmaine.org and scroll down to “Calling a New Rector News”, where you will find instructions and a link to the survey.

Join the fun on Shrove Tuesday, February 21st, starting at 6:00 p.m., as the Women’s Group sponsors the all-parish dinner, featuring “Mardi Gras”! Sign up to bring something to share. Suggestions are on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Great Hall, but your favorite item is always welcome. There will be music, party favors, King Cake (Will you win the prize?) and more! Don’t cook? Help is needed with set-up and clean-up. Please call Caroline Russell (729-1845) or Susan Martens (688-2294) with any questions.

The Journey to Adulthood group would like to thank everyone who helped support our fund raising efforts with the Souper Bowl Chili Sale. We would also like to say a special thank you to the folks who helped us make the chili: Roberta Beal, Al Hipkins, Nancy Johnson, Kristine Schuman, John Tyler. Many thanks to Kristin Agudelo for donating her homemade hot sauce for us to sell. We really appreciate everyone’s help and support!

We are forming a committee to care for the church gardens. If you are interested in helping, please contact Abigail Manny hogtide@comcast.net or 725-9062. Thank you!

Everyone in the parish is invited to our Young Adults’ Open Mic Night on Friday, February 17th from 7:30 to 9:00 pm in the parish hall. We have an incredibly talented group of young men and women who meet with their friends for a relaxed evening of music, readings, and snacks.

New St. Paul’s Directories have been printed. Copies are available in the vestibule, parish hall and in the Church Office.

Church School This Week

This week in church school the children are hearing more stories of Jesus’ healing mission, and thinking about the ways in which loving touch can be a way of showing God’s love. During craft time we’re making plaster of paris handprints, so it’s going to be a fun, messy morning!

Save the dates! This Lent we’re offering two new services for children and families on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Both services will start at 4pm and last only about 1/2 hour, being geared towards younger children and their busy parents. On Ash Wednesday (2/22), kids will gather round the altar for a brief Eucharist and story and have the option of receiving ashes; on Good Friday we’ll gather to hear an age-appropriate story of the crucifixion and receive the sacrament reserved on Maundy Thursday. Please contact Kristin if you’d like more details. Lent is a special time for us as Christians–please make an effort to join us!