WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ST. PAUL’S: MAY 20, 2022
https://mailchi.mp/ab009f0d4d01/templete-for-revised-weekly-communications-11519246
 Dear Friend,  Last Sunday after 9 am Family Worship I had the great privilege of leading a group of about thirty of us out to Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment. Though a little damp, we had a great time out on the farm visiting the animals and we even got to enjoy a tractor ride from Farmer Jim! While on our tractor ride all over the property Farmer Jim taught us the many ways in which this beautiful farm is living up to their motto of: “Transforming our relationship with farming and food for a healthier planet”. We learned MANY things. Here are some of them: This farm is over six hundred acres, all of which are maintained as sustainably as possible. They are in the beginning phase of building a cutting-edge research center that will help to address the carbon impacts of dairy farming. Every year they grow one hundred different types of produce distributed through a CSA program. The cows are milked twice a day and you can come and watch at 6am or 5pm! In addition to being an operating dairy farm there is also waterfront camping, hiking, visiting the animals, a farm store, cafe and more! You can imagine we were left with a lot of joy and wanting to come back before we even left. And for me, what was really striking in the midst of this adventure was the heart we have for one another. To take the time to joyfully venture outdoors together on a damp morning was a symbol of what it means to be for one another in this community. We are a people who long to be together, to learn together, to grow together. I felt this while being taught “how to speak chicken” by a young newcomer (Note: flapping your “wings” helps when it comes to communicating with chickens). I felt this while we shared in “oohs and ahhs” as we learned from Farmer Jim. I felt this when we giggled at the excitement of baby sheep nursing. I felt this as I looked into each of your faces and saw God looking back through your eyes.  These outings are special not just because we have fun with one another out in the world, but also because we are a witness to the love of community in Jesus out in the world as well. One of many touching moments for me was the way our entire group so openly invited another family who happened to be there to join us on the tractor ride. As they were leaving they came to me and expressed deep thanks… and they asked who we are. It was with great pride I said, “We are from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick. We are a church community filled with families who love passionately, love being silly together, and love the sense of community we feel in one another. Join us any time!” You can learn more about Wolfe’s Neck by clicking here.With so much gratitude, Rev. Katie Holicky, Assistant Rector |
| FAMILY MINISTRIES SUNDAY WORSHIP  Join Us For Sunday WorshipFamily Ministries Sunday Schedule 9 a.m. Modified Eucharist in the Great Hall and on Zoom. Followed by Family Group. Worship Booklet Here. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/96617111762?pwd=SGlCQmpXMnYvWTZCNkpzR2dnU1VqQT09 Meeting ID: 966 1711 1762 Passcode: church Family Group following worship. 12-1 pm, 2nd & 4th Sundays Middle & High School Youth Group – Final Gathering of the School year is this week! Coming Up! Join us for First Sundays Life Together worship on June 5th at 10:30am in the Nave and on Facebook Live! This will be a special time to worship together as we celebrate Pentecost! Special Project: Stick around after worship and join Family Ministries as we make a special item for Lay Pastoral Visitors to deliver to those in their care. Many helping hands will be needed and appreciated! Summer Schedule Is HERE! Our next outing will be on June 12th We will carry on this summer with 9am Family Worship. We will not have a formal Family Group lesson, though the outside toys will be available for you to stay and enjoy playing in the Garden. While we will not be having Family Group, we WILL BE enjoying some fun outdoor activities together over the course of the summer. *Please fill out this updated registration form for children participating in Family Ministry offerings.9:30 am Sundays Family Group follows 9 am worship on Sundays. Join as we pray, play, and spend time in the story! This is an intergenerational space to learn and grow together. All are welcome! Please note: Wear a mask and practice physical distance. Family Group will not be meeting during the summer. Please check the summer gatherings schedule above. We hope you can join us for some summer fun! Hello St. Paul’s Middle and High School Youth! Please wear a mask! Our final gathering of the school year is this Sunday! The Youth Group will not be meeting during the summer. Please check the summer gatherings schedule above. We hope you can join us for some summer fun! Safe Church Training https://episcopalmaine.org/resources/safe-church-training/The Diocese of Maine (“the Diocese”) is committed to the prevention of child abuse of all forms. The purpose of this policy is to help the church to be a safe place for all who worship, or minister, or come in any sort of need, including children, youth, and those who work with them. We believe that this policy is one aspect of honoring our baptismal vows to “respect the dignity of every human being.”SUNDAY WORSHIPSunday 10:30 a.m. Modified Festival Eucharist in the Nave and on FacebookClick on the link below to view from home: To watch on Facebook for the Worship Booklet for the St. Paul’s Announcements ReadingsActs 16:9-15Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5John 14:23-29Lectionary PageCURRENT GUIDELINES FOR WORSHIP AND GATHERINGS IN THE BUILDING PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS PRAYER REQUESTS Graduates to be Celebrated! Please email (katieholicky@stpaulsmaine.org or stpauls@stpaulsmaine.org) with the name of a loved one who is graduating from high school, college or graduate school. On June 5th, Pentecost Sunday, we will pray a blessing for our graduates at both services. Help Us Expand Our Connection to People with New Systems for Sound and Online Streaming. Thank You for Contributing! Campaign Update: $16,629 donated to date. Reaching Beyond Our Bounds: Help Us Expand Our Connection to People with New Systems for Sound and Online Streaming Thanks to a bequest from the late Jo Belknap, we have the opportunity to expand our online worship capacity with a new live streaming system that will be accessed easily and reliably through the St. Paul’s website. . To make a contribution send a check designated to St. Paul’s with “digital upgrade” in the memo or donated through Breeze or at https://stpaulsmaine.org/giving/  Like many of us, you may be struggling to make sense of racist violence against Americans of color, including the recent murders in Buffalo. While there are no easy answers, the Sacred Ground program provides a supportive environment and clear curriculum to help us to gain a better understanding of how we have gotten to this place and envision a different way forward. We are now taking registrations for groups beginning this summer and fall, and hope you will consider joining us. We offer groups on Zoom and in-person, and we make the schedule based on participant availability. Sacred Ground is for anyone who wants to join with others to understand racism more clearly and to take a step towards repair. No matter where you are in your understanding of these issues, you are welcome here! Learn more and register at https://stpaulsmaine.org/learning-sacred-ground-new/ or by contacting our Program Coordinator at SacredGroundME@gmail.com / (207)295-7856. Hard-copy registration forms are also available in the office. Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program MCHPP is a member of the Food Security Commission of the Mid Coast. It is comprised of over 25 food pantries, soup kitchens, farms and other groups. Their mission is to find ways to source food, fundraise, improve services, support the community, and increase their volunteer base. There is also a program that can provide seeds so that clients can grow their own vegetables. The seeds are provided at no cost. Despite this cooperation among agencies in the Mid Coast, food insecurity remains a serious problem. You can help with a donation in any amount to help MCHPP. Please send your donation to MCHPP, 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, ME 04011. Located in the beautiful woods of mid-coast Maine, Bishopswood is an Episcopal coed overnight camp affordable and open to all youths ages 6-16. The camp is open again and accepting registrations now at https://www.bishopswood.org/. Scholarships are available through St. Paul’s. Please email the office if you are interested (stpauls@stpaulsmaine.org |
| The Messenger is published monthly, excluding January, and with a combined July/August issue. It is emailed to the parish. Paper copies are available at the church for those who prefer them. It is also mailed to those who do not have email. Please send submissions for the June issue by May 25.Articles may be emailed to stpauls@stpaulsmaine.org |
