St. Paul’s Family Worship Weekly Postcard 09-23-21
| Blessings to St. Paul’s Beloved Family Eucharist Congregation! |
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| Join us for Worship Family Ministries Sunday Schedule September 26th, Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost 9 am Family Worship Worship Booklet here Family Group following worship, ending by 10:1512-1 pm, 2nd & 4th Sundays Middle & High School Youth Group  Dear Sisters and Brothers of St. Paul’s, This time last year, we were facing a winter of unprecedented uncertainty in our lifetime And yet, look at what we accomplished then and since: worshiping together online and, starting last spring, together outside; holding prayer groups, knitting sessions, Sacred Ground circles and many other activities; continuing to build a vibrant family ministry under Katie’s leadership; coming together with great care to stage two successful fairs to raise funds for the needy; putting the leadership in place to send Carolyn on a much-needed sabbatical; and more. As we think back over the past twelve months, we are struck by how well we’ve sustained our cohesion as a church community. Praise be to God! These are still difficult times, but it’s fair to say that our footing is a bit more certain, and our ship less tossed by the waves. Most of our parishioners are vaccinated. We are able to come together for worship outdoors. Our programing online continues. Best of all, we have proved we are a church community that can pull together and provide for each other even under dire circumstances. We are loving and giving in the best of times, yes, but also in the hardest. Through all of it, St. Paul’s has been a place of stability for us, and we hope that’s also the case for you. Not that the storm is necessarily over; not at all. But even if the situation worsens, we know we are here for each other, helping to provide firm footing. When the Stewardship Committee first met this summer to plan the annual autumn campaign, members settled on a theme of Rejoice, Regather, Give Thanks. It is disappointing that Regather has turned out to look a bit different than we envisioned. As this letter goes out, we are still adjusting to the news that we will not be worshipping in the Nave for an unspecified amount of time. Please know that we are carefully watching Maine’s Covid case count and that we will move back inside as soon as it is safe. We give you that promise. And we Rejoice and Give Thanks always. Last year in a stewardship talk, Jan related the story of her first Sunday in Maine in 2018, days after her and Jeff’s move north. She told of the extreme temperatures spawned by a cyclonic bomb their first night here—minus seventeen!—and despite it all the absolute warmth they felt in St. Paul’s that first morning. It’s something we all know and feel: This is an intensely caring parish, with strong, focused leadership, a deep social conscience, innovative problem-solvers, and verve beyond compare. Our annual giving helps the ship of St. Paul’s ride high in the water, able to take on whatever the currents of life steer our way. We say it often because it is true: Stewardship helps us fund what we love. It gives us the resources to be exemplary, to live into our faith joyfully. Please continue to help us support what we all dearly love—a church community with thriving programs for all ages, many of which inspire us, many of which make us examine our relationship to Jesus Christ in a world that’s more complicated than we ever imagined it could be, and yet still full of light, love, and welcome. Yours in love, Cliff Ruprecht and Jan DeBlieu, Wardens The Feast of Saint Francis Save the date for St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals!  Sunday, October 3th—Blessing of the Animals We will honor the beloved saint with prayers during worship and with a blessing of the animals in the Garden. Please bring your pet leashed or in a carrier, a picture of your pet, or a stuffed animal. Wear a mask and practice social distancing. 9:30 a.m. (following 9:00 a.m. worship) 11:30 a.m. (following 10:30 a.m. worship) Mask up St. Paul’s!  Mask up St. Paul’s! Please don’t forget to wear your mask while at church. Let’s do all we can to keep one another safe! Updated Gathering Guidelines here. Family Groups  Family Group following 9am worship on Sundays. Join as we pray, play, and spend time in story! If you are interested in joining a Family Group please reach out to Rev. Katie. Please wear a mask, practice physical distance All Things Youth  Hello St. Paul’s Middle & High School Youth! 2nd & 4th Sundays 12-1pm in the Garden. Please wear a mask, practice physical distance, and bring your own water and snack should you need them. Faith at Home  Fun things for Families! Here is a list of some exciting resources to add to your at home collection! Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints. An illustrated children’s storybook about people of diverse faiths who rocked the religious boat on behalf of love and justice. Common Prayer for Children and Families. Whimsical, simple illustrations and prayers drawn from Episcopal prayer resources Common Prayer for Children and Families is a collection of prayers and liturgies written for kids and the adults or communities who pray with them. Faith at Home, lectionary based family devotions. Enjoy some Bible Stories brought us by Godly Play. Well suited for the youngest among us. Justice Resources  Check out the new children’s book Netflix show: Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices The Center for Racial Justice in Education has some great resources to help families in the work of racial justice. Family Sermon by Rev. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones about the sin of racism. A list of resources from some Episcopal friends in North Carolina. A short family guide to supporting racial justice now. Book Lists: (various social justice topics, including racial justice) Social Justice Books; A Teaching for Change Project Act for Social Justice Embrace Race: “Diverse” Books for Children Anti-Racism Books for Elementary Students Indigo Arts Alliance Book list 21 Anti-Racism Videos To Share With Kids: These helpful videos cover a variety of topics to help us talk together about race and racial justice. They’re Not Too Young to Talk About Race: This helpful chart breaks down concepts of race that children can engage with based upon age. Sunday Junior Paper – Click to Read!  MCHPP Program Support On August 30th Brunswick schools will open for the 2021-2022 school year. The good news is that children will be able to receive free lunches; however, it does not solve the entire problem of food insecurity. MCHPP will again start up their Backpack Program. providing nutritious food to the children to help them get through the weekend when school is not in session. The children can pick up a bag of food anonymously. The food is the type that will not spoil. MCHPP will have to purchase most of the food used in this program. Please consider writing a check in any amount to MCHPP, 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, ME 04011. Put Backpack Program on the memo line. St. Paul’s Weekly Calendar |
