What’s Happening at St. Paul’s 10-1
 What’s Happening at St. Paul’s |
 During these uncertain times, the phrase, “walking each other home” comes to mind. When you think about it, that’s what we do at St. Paul’s, we try to walk each other home. We try to be there for each other during good times and bad. We dig — really dig — into the meanings of the gospels. We pass the peace and mean it. We meet in small groups to discuss deep issues. And, important, ours is not an insular community. Rather, we reach out to those around us who are in need by sharing our time and our treasure. We have heeded the words of poet John Donne: “No man is an island.” The challenges of the pandemic have made for tough walking for every one of us. But we have done so by keeping our heads high and our mission firm. As noted in the Warden’s letter, “we have proved we are a church community that can pull together and provide for each other even under dire circumstances.” The Stewardship Committee has established the theme “Regather, Rejoice, Give Thanks.” As we consider the meaning of those words, we can step back and reflect upon what this Church means to us. St. Paul’s is, for so many of us, our true north or, as T. S. Eliot wrote, “a still point in a turning world.” To meet the challenges that lie before us, we are hopeful that the average annual pledge will increase by 3 to 5 percent for 2022. That is an ambitious goal, but ours is an ambitious parish: our faith inspires our confidence. Whatever you can do will be deeply appreciated as we continue, together, to walk each other home. Yours in love and with appreciation, Bob Jackson and David Treadwell, Stewardship Committee Co-Chairs The October issue of The Messenger is here with all the latest news of the parish. Click here to read all the news of the parish. Two Sundays ago, Rev. Carolyn joyfully recognized our canine friends in attendance. God has gifted us with so many forms of friendship, fellowship, and companionship, we are truly blessed – and we look forward to St. Francis Sunday when we will specially bless our animal friends. We are aware of some parishioners who need to have their dogs with them at worship on other Sundays – either for the support they offer or because the dog should not be left alone at home. We also are aware of parishioners who have special sensitivity to the presence of dogs – this can be due to allergies, fears, distraction, or past trauma from an attack. We cannot let the presence or the absence of our animal friends become an obstacle to our worship and communion. And we ask all parishioners to be sensitive to the needs of others in this regard. – If you need to have your dog with you for Sunday worship, please know you and your dog are welcome. – If you bring your dog to worship, please keep it on a leash, clean up after it, and sit around the perimeter of the worship space, and try to sit separate from other dogs, so that their natural curiosity and playfulness does not become a disruption. Also, ask your neighbors in the pew whether they mind the presence of your dog, and gracefully move if necessary. – If you are sensitive to the presence of dogs and need a special seating accommodation to make you feel safe or comfortable during worship, please let one of the clergy, wardens or ushers know, and we will be happy to assist. And by all means bring your dogs, cats, guinea pigs, stuffies or pictures of your special animal friends on St. Francis Sunday, October 3rd. Peace, Rev. Katie HARVEST FAIR UPDATE Dear People of St. Paul’s, I am writing to let you know, with great sadness, that the Wardens, Clergy, and key parish advisors have decided that at present it is not safe to host an in-person Harvest/Christmas Fair. So we will not be holding any of the events planned for October 2. We reached this decision with a great deal of reluctance. It was an especially difficult call, since proceeds from the fair go directly to our Outreach Fund. But with the spike in Covid-19 cases and the prevalence of the Delta variant, it would be difficult for us to put on the fair with the same joy and verve that we’ve always felt. Cases and hospitalizations in Maine are far above the level of last fall, when we held two successful fairs. The traditional lively atmosphere might be swamped by worry that one of us could make a misstep and cause someone to fall ill. It’s true that most of us are vaccinated, and much safer than the unvaccinated. But by October our immunity might be wearing off. Our children under the age of 12 are still unvaccinated. If the opening of in-person school leads to an increase of cases, it could well be manifesting itself then. There’s an art to living fully in a pandemic, and we are not of the mindset that we all need to huddle in our homes behind closed doors. But we do need to distinguish between safe and unsafe behavior, and we each must decide where the line between the two lies. Holding an in-person fair will push many of our most loyal volunteers out of their comfort zone. We will be looking toward a future time when a fair can be safely held, as well as working to finding alternatives for raising funds for our Outreach ministry. We are committed to contributing as much to the well-being of our neighbors in need as we have in years past. One way to accomplish that is through cash donations. If you would like to make a contribution to this cause, please send it to the church online or through the mail and mark it clearly for Outreach. It’s been a difficult year-and-a-half. But life challenges us in many ways, and with God’s help we can find ways to safely support each other and those most in need. With a prayer for your peace and safety, Jan DeBlieu  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 handshake 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, October 3rd The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost The Feast of Saint Francis  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 Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Psalm 26 Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16 Lectionary Page Worship when Weather’s an Issue: Please check St. Paul’s Facebook and emails for weather-related worship updates. Worship when Weather’s an Issue: Please check St. Paul’s Facebook and emails for weather-related worship updates. If 10:30 worship is moved into the Nave due to bad weather we will only have the worship team in the Nave, following our current COVID protocols. As followers of Jesus we hold fast to the mission to keep one another and the most vulnerable safe.  Family Ministries Sunday Schedule 9 am Family Worship Family Worship Bulletin Here Family Group following worship, ending by 10:1512-1 pm, 2nd & 4th Sundays Middle & High School Youth Group Parish Announcements This Sunday, October 3rd is the Blessing of the Animals  Join us as we celebrate St. Francis this Sunday, October 3rd! 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)St. Paul’s Zoom Exploring the Sermon has resumed after 10:30 a.m. “picnic Eucharist’ approximately 11:50 a.m. Please join us using the link to the Zoom meeting sent in the Saturday Worship Links email. Wednesday, October 6, 11:00 a.m. Sharing and Caring Support Group, which offers support to caregivers and those living with grief, will meet outside in the St. Paul’s Memorial Garden. Please join us as we take time to share stories and conversation with each other. Looking forward to seeing you there. Susan McCracken and Sandy Meyer Memorial services scheduled at St. Paul’s: 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.  Changes are coming to Zoom software releases that will optimize security and platform performance. Your action may be required! Beginning November 1, 2021, all Zoom accounts will be required to update their Zoom software to ensure it is no more than nine months behind the current version. Users will be prompted to update their software when using the platform should their version fall behind. For more information, including how to update your Zoom account, click HERE 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! St. Paul’s Website Update and Re-launch: We are in process of updating the St. Paul’s website (http://stpaulsmaine.org). We anticipate the switch to happen around October 3-5 and the site may be down temporarily during that time as it is relaunched. Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program MCHPP has established satellite food pantries in Housing Authority facilities in our area. The food pantries are fully stocked with fresh produce, dairy products, meat, frozen meals, and eggs. The food pantries are in Bath and Brunswick. This enables clients with mobility and health problems to access good food. There is a cost to this in buying and transporting the food to these locations. Please consider writing a check to MCHPP to help support this vitas program. Any amount will help them and will be greatly appreciated. Their address is MCHPP, 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, ME 04011. St. Paul’s Schedule Sunday 9:00 a.m. Family Picnic Eucharist in the Garden 9:30 a.m. Family Group in the Garden 10:30 a.m. Outdoor Picnic Eucharist in the Garden & on Facebook Live. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsBrunswick/live 12:00 p.m. Middle & High School Youth in the Garden (2nd & 4th Sundays) St. Paul’s Zoom Exploring the Sermon after 10:30 a.m. “picnic Eucharist’ approximately 11:50 a.m. Please join us! Daily Morning Prayer and Compline Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday, 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Facebook Live. Tuesday 12:30 pm Women’s Bible Study in the Garden (if raining, on ZOOM, ID: 814 5988 6763 Passcode: 032484) Wednesday afternoon Bible Study, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. meets in the Garden (or Great Hall if raining) Prayer Requests Trinity in Castine For the ministry of the staff and volunteers who attend to the administrative needs of our churches 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 remembering especially Father Thomas Murphy, Pastor of All Saints Parish, who died last week. 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, baby Isla, Cyndie and Bob, Peter 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, 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 |
