What’s Happening at St. Paul’s 9-3
 What’s Happening at St. Paul’s |
As I prepare for my 3-month sabbatical, and you prepare for the joys of deepening our practices of Christian hospitality, I offer a passage from Paul’s Letter to the Romans for us to mutually “read, learn, mark and inwardly digest” (BCP, p. 236) as we are apart, September 13 to December 11, 2021. The Marks of the True Christian, Romans 12:9-13 “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” The last verse captures my soul completely because while I’m away, you will offer our most generous and hospitable ministry of the year, the Christmas/Harvest Fair. Even though, at the writing of this article, we are evaluating whether or not we will postpone the fair to spring of 2022 due to the incredible surge of the Delta variant in Maine, our hearts are set on some way to raise funds for the contributions we give annually to our outreach partners. Stay tuned for the ways in which we set our hearts and souls on “contributing to the needs of the saints and extend hospitality to strangers,” particularly if we postpone the fair. “Extend hospitality to strangers” is a wonderful commandment St. Paul calls us to. Hospitality is our gift that the Spirit will nurture while we are apart. Deirdre Good, PhD, New Testament scholar will preach and teach on Christian hospitality in October 17 and 24 at 10:30. She will lead the Zoom “Exploring the Sermon” discussion afterward. Another aspect of Christian hospitality that will be nurtured during our time apart will start in September. During the pandemic, Family Worship and Family Group, our families and youth, have met on Sunday afternoons. Beginning September 12, I’m excited to announce that our assistant rector the Rev. Katie Holicky has organized with the families and youth to worship at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays. Family Worship will be followed by Family Group which is designed to be an intergenerational offering of Christian formation activities for families. The beauty of this change is that our families with young children and youth will have an opportunity to cross paths with those of us who come to worship at 10:30 on Sundays. You might remember that before the pandemic, we had a thriving ministry of “grand-friends” who befriended our little ones during Family Worship. Our St. Paul’s “grand-friends” nurtured children and parents. Thank you, Betsey Bailey who created the “grand-friends” of hospitality to children. I invite you to introduce yourself and make a point to get to know a person you haven’t met yet. Outdoor worship offers a great opportunity to make new friends. My prayers will be with you for a Spirit-led deepening of our Christian gift of hospitality. I ask God to pour blessings upon you and our neighbors during our time apart! In joy and hope, Carolyn+ St. Paul’s Guidance for Outdoor and Indoor Gatherings* *Updated 8/13/21 OUTDOOR 1. Masks are highly recommended for fully vaccinated people and required for unvaccinated people. 2. Contact tracing is required. 3. Masks are recommended for congregational and choir singing. 4. Physical distancing is not required. 5. There is no limit to number of people gathered. 6. Please gently ask if a hand shake or hug is permissible. 7. Community groups such as the 12-step groups may meet outdoors. 8. If possible, it is recommended to bring a chair to use. 9. If food and drink are served, servers must be masked. Food is not laid out buffet style, but served on individual plates. INDOOR Parish Office is open. (see hours in announcements) No in-person indoor Sunday worship until surge reverses to May 2021 levels for at least a month’s consecutive days. 1. No more than 25 people in building at a time. 2. Masks are required for all entering building. 3. Contact tracing is required for all entering the building. 4. No more than two masked people or two family units in each restroom at a time. 5. Building is closed to community groups, but open to members. WORSHIP 1. Summer Sunday outdoor “picnic Eucharist” will continue through the end of October in-person in the me-morial garden at 10:30 a.m. Facebook live streaming will be offered. 2. Starting September 12, Family Worship and Family Group begin at 9:00 a.m. outdoors. 3. When heavy rain or thunderstorms are forecast, Spiritual Eucharist from the Nave at 10:30 a.m. will be offered on Facebook Live from the closed nave instead of outdoor in-person Eucharist. The Saturday email and a Facebook announcement will be sent. 4. Memorial services may be in-person in memorial garden (see above for outdoor guidelines) or in-person indoors in the nave for no more than 25 masked family and friends or postponed to a date that fits the in-person indoor gathering criteria. |
Sunday, September 5th The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost  10:30 a.m. Outdoor Picnic Eucharist in the Memorial Garden & on Facebook Click on the link below to view from home: To watch on Facebook for the Worship Booklet for the St. Paul’s Announcements Readings Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Psalm 125 James 2:1-10, [11-13], 14-17 Mark 7:24-37 Lectionary Page  There will be no Family Worship, Family Group, or Youth Group this week 9/5 because of the holiday. HARVEST FAIR  HARVEST FAIR—Help Needed The Annual St. Paul’s (Christmas) Harvest Fair will be Saturday, October 2nd, outside in the garden (rain date October 9th). Please volunteer to help with this yearly signature event! This is St. Paul’s biggest push. All proceeds will go into our Outreach Fund and be distributed to nonprofit organizations. The Fair will feature: · Jewelry and household Treasures · Fiber Arts · Country Store · Baked Goods · Silent Auction—back by popular demand! We need volunteers to: · Staff various tables · Serve as ambassadors and greeters · Cashier · Set up for the fair and clean up afterwards · Help create items for the Fiber Arts table. We have yarn and supplies available. To volunteer, please contact Jeff DeBlieu at jeff.deblieu@icloud.com or 252-548-0001. · Have some household items for our Treasures Table? Please contact Nancy Johnson at (978) 387-6058. · Have an idea for a service or item for our Silent Auction? Please contact Nancy Whitehouse at nancyw797@gmail.com. · Is your garden overflowing? Please save some of your canned creations for our Country Store. Contact Carol Martin at cmartin@northpark.edu. Many thanks! Jan and Jeff DeBlieu Parish Announcements Parish Office volunteers needed: If you’d like to help with reception / answering phones on Fridays from 10-12, please contact the Rector. Memorial services scheduled at St. Paul’s in September: Due to the surge of the COVID Delta variant in Maine, currently planned and future memorial services will be offered either in the memorial garden under the canopy (weather permitting), indoors in the nave with a limit of 25 family and friends, or postponed until criteria are met for safe indoor in-person gatherings. Sunday, September 5 at 2:00 p.m. service for Ritalee Doty Friday, September 10 at 2:00 p.m. service for Cam Smith Saturday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. service for Jo Belknap Sabbatical On September 12 we’ll say a farewell to Rev. Carolyn Eklund before she leaves for sabbatical, returning December 12. Thank you! Thank you to office volunteers Karen Rienert, Carol Martin (and Fannie!), and Moriah Freeman for helping us pack up the parish office and unpacking for the new flooring installation and for assisting in the office weekly. We so appreciate you! From Ellen Hall and Caroline Russell to the women of St. Paul’s, We are hoping to co-facilitate a new women’s faith community for an initial period of 6 months. We are introducing some “touchstones” to guide how participants treat each other. *We speak from personal experience, knowing that others will respect our feelings. *We provide a safe space for open conversation, respecting confidentiality. *Identify assumptions; suspend judgement. *Each of us is here to discover her own truths, not to fix or correct what we perceive as broken or incorrect. *Be aware of the difference between intention and impact; assume no member intends harm or discomfort. Please examine our offerings and share your reactions and input at one of the following: Wednesday, September 14, 2:00pm at Caroline Russell’s at 8 Whitney Way Topsham 729-1845 OR Saturday September 18, 2:00pm at Ellen Hall’s at 29 Tarrantine Drive Brunswick 603-721-1733 or 373-1113. If you cannot attend either, please feel free to call or email either of us. Hoping for fruitful discussions. Reserving the Memorial Garden: Please contact the church office if you’d like to schedule a meeting in the Memorial Garden to ensure you’re on our calendar and we avoid double-booking. Thank you! Camp Bishopswood -Summer Finale There will be NO Family Worship, Family Group, or Youth Group this week 8/29 as folks gather at Camp Bishopswood for Summer Finale. (Registration ended 8/20)” Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program When the Covid-19 pandemic hit last year, MCHPP had to close their dining room. Despite this, they have been able to continue to provide meals to those in need. They partnered with a few local organizations to provide remote sites for those who find it hard to get to their main site. From January to July, they have provided 80% more meals this year over last year. Your donations this month will be doubled due to a matching grant that they have received. Please consider sending them a check, in any amount to MCHPP, 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, ME 04011 St. Paul’s Summer Schedule Changes Sunday “Picnic Eucharist” 10:30 a.m. Bring your own bread and chairs if able. If storms predicted, Facebook Live. 9/5 NO Family “Picnic Eucharist” 2:00 p.m. in the Memorial Garden. Sunday “Zoom Exploring the Sermon” at 11:30 a.m. will not meet over the summer. Summer Choir Schedule—In July and August a member or members of the choir will lead the hymns at outdoor worship, sometimes as a solo cantor, other times as a quartet. Daily Morning Prayer and Compline starting July 6: Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday, 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Facebook Live. Wednesday afternoon Bible Study, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. will not meet over the summer. It will resume in September. Those interested in joining in the fall please contact Pam Nugent. Prayer Requests The scene in Haiti right now is devastating… After a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck on Saturday morning, at least 5,700 people have been injured, 30,000+ people lost their houses, hospitals and churches have been reduced to rubble and at least 1,300 people are dead. That death toll continues to climb. Communities affected by this deadly earthquake urgently need your help. Please donate now to support relief efforts on the ground. We are in touch with our partners in Haiti as they assess the damage and determine what is most needed, and will be providing that support. They have reported numerous casualties and extensive damage in and around Les Cayes, Petit Trou de Nippes and Maniche. Pray for Good Shepherd, Rangeley and All Saints’ by the Sea, Southport Pray for all who labor and work and for all who seek the dignity of meaningful employment Pray for the Maine Episcopal Public Policy Network. Pray for Anderson, Andrew, Cedric, Jason, Michael, Richard, and all in the military. Pray for those who have died. We pray for: Christy, Ryan & family, Ray, John, David, Judi, Nick, Bob, Kathy, Skip, the Blackburn family, Willow, Ann, Jim, Lollie, James, Dave, Caroline, Jeffrey, Carol, Harlan, Shirley, Rick+, Elizabeth, Courtenay, Larry, Courtenay, Patsy, Ward, Mary Ann, Steve, Nancy, Joe, and Robert G., and Larry Jennifer, John, Victor, Travis & family, Ben, Diane, Nate, Priscilla, Garrett, Elliot, Marcia, Lynn, Bill, Bob, Paul, Sue, Clare, Cameron, Barbara, Christy, Michael, Ryan, and Jacob, Jen and all essential workers, Sandy, Jennifer, Caroline, Carol, Judy, Alice, and baby Isla Matthew, Herb, Jason, Annie, Terry, Mark, Donelda, Sudie, Pat, Marie, Michael, Debbie, Carol, Ron, Hope, Therese, Lois, Bob, Virginia, Sally, Steve, Luke, Catarina, Darah, Barbara, Ronald, Ray, Philip, Patricia, Steven F, Bill, Dave, Diane, Therese, Sallie, Julie Call or email the parish office if you would like a name to be placed on the prayer list. The names will be removed after three months unless otherwise notified. Click here for this week’s calendar |
