St. Paul's Communicator

MARCH 2010

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Is Baptism necessary?  In conversations with friends or family members, I am sure we have heard statements such as “I am going to let my child decide if he wants to be baptized” or “I believe in God; I do not need baptism.”  Baptism is God’s seal on this child for all of eternity, never to be outgrown or cast aside.  Baptism is not dependent on the knowledge or emotions of the child or the child’s ability to make a decision.  Nor is it necessary in the case of infants for faith to precede baptism.  It is enough that the parents answer on behalf of the child.

Infant Baptism gives expression to the truth that we have been saved by grace alone, apart from works; it is God’s love made concrete and real.  God’s presence in Baptism is more than His working in every place in the universe. In Baptism, He takes children to Himself, and He comes to live with us.

For infants, the Gospel text (Mark 10:13-16) and the exhortation following it, proclaim the total good will of the Lord Jesus to the infants brought to him in this sacrament of Baptism. “By His outward gesture and deed, He (Christ) declared his good will toward them; for He embraced them in his arms, He laid His hands upon them, and blessed them.”

With adults, the Gospel text (John 3:1-8), and the exhortation following, also proclaim the good will of the Father and the Son to the person coming for Baptism.  And the prayer following also requests the gift of the Holy Spirit, new birth and becoming an heir of eternal salvation.

Regardless of whether we are baptized as children or adults, there needs to be sponsors, the sponsors for children being the parents and godparents.  Sponsors for infants make promises in their name and take vows on their behalf. It is anticipated that godparents will accompany these children on their spiritual journeys and, by prayer and example, prepare them for their confirmation.

The baptism of an adult or an older child also requires special preparation.  Sponsors for adults and older children signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayers and example in their Christian life.

We celebrate the Easter Vigil (Service of Light) at a convenient time between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Morning.  The service consists of four parts: 1) The Service of Light 2) The Service of Lessons 3) Baptism 4) The Holy Eucharist.  This would be an ideal time for those with children not yet baptized and adults who have never been baptized to plan to do so.

Recall that God’s love and salvation are not earned but are offered as a gift.  It is a gift so precious that it calls for a response.  In the baptism of an infant, that response takes the form of joy, gratitude and commitment offered by parents, godparents and the entire Christian community.  The child’s mature response will come later, but it begins in the earliest years through a child’s joy, wonder and awe, which appear naturally as a child experiences the natural world, the arts, and participates in ritual, especially Holy Communion.

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Along our pilgrimage together, we each have something to offer as we encourage our godchildren to grow out of their childishness, and they encourage us to become more child-like.  As Christians we are all bound together for life, and we are responsible for each other on our pilgrimage of living into our baptism.  I urge all of you who are eligible for this sacrament to embrace it at this meaningful service - the “Easter Vigil.”

Faithfully, +Bob

FROM THE JUNIOR WARDEN

By Bob Carruthers

This has been a record winter for us, as you all well know, and the deep snows have impacted all of us in many ways.  St. Paul’s fared reasonably well, but some repairs are going to be needed once the ice and snow melts, and we can survey the damage.  Parking has been a problem, I know.  After several years of mild winters, there seemed to be no end to the snowfalls this winter.  Our budget and contract are set up for snow plowing.  Once we get into snow removal, we get into the big leagues cost wise.  I thank you all for making the best of a tough situation and for understanding that we could uncover only a certain number of parking spaces without incurring prohibitive expenses.

Since the last report, the Chapel pulpit has been professionally polished and lacquered, thanks to the generosity of Sally and Boyd Gilbert; the Chapel Sacristy repairs have been made and a new carpet installed, the bad wood in the Chapel belfry has been replaced (repainting is awaiting a break in the weather), the Chapel furnace has been inspected and tweaked to make it, we hope, a little warmer during these cold spells, and measures have been taken in the nursery to make it warmer.  As mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, we may expect some repairs needed to St. Paul’s as a result of the snow once we are able to inspect the premises.

As of the Annual Meeting, I will be ending my time as Junior Warden.  Anyone interested in assuming these duties should contact me, the Senior Warden (Henry Riser), or Bishop Bob prior to that Meeting.  We would be most happy to provide a fuller explanation of what is involved.  I believe that performing the tasks of the Junior Warden is one of the best ways to become aware of what is truly involved in maintaining a place of worship.  Ranging from having the Church open each Sunday for worship, to having enough toilet tissue on hand – there are varied tasks.  Those of you that have an interest and a background in keeping things in operation, please consider this challenge.  It is a very fulfilling way to serve St. Paul’s.

ALTAR GUILD

By Missy Carroll

Most of us have many demands on our time. We are asked to volunteer and to participate in many activities, not only in church, but in communities and with friends and family as well. It is hard to make commitments of our time when so many calls for service weigh in on us. We want to help; we want to contribute, but how to do it? How to say “yes” and when to say “no”? Some years ago I found the following advice in A Testament of Devotion written by a Quaker, Thomas R. Kelly:

“Much of our acceptance of multitudes of obligations is due to our inability to say ‘No’.

We calculated that the task had to be done, and we saw no one ready to undertake it. We calculated the need, and then calculated our time and decided maybe we could squeeze it in somewhere. But the decision was a heady decision, not made within the sanctuary of the soul. When we say Yes or No to calls for service on the basis of heady decisions, we have to give reasons, to ourselves and to others. But when we say Yes or No to calls, on the basis of inner guidance and whispered promptings of encouragement from the Center of our life, or on the basis of a lack of any inward ‘rising’ of that Life to encourage us in the call, we have no reason to give, except one - the will of God as we discern it. Then we have begun to live in guidance. And I find He never guides us into an intolerable scramble of panting feverishness. The Cosmic Patience becomes, in part, our patience, for after all, God is at work in the world. It is not we alone who are at work in the world, frantically finishing a work to be offered to God.

Life from the Center is a life of unhurried peace and power. It is simple. It is serene. It is amazing. It is triumphant. It is radiant. It takes no time, but it occupies all our time. And it makes our life programs new and overcoming. We need not get frantic. He is at the helm. And when our little day is done, we lie down quietly in peace, for all is well.”

LADIES GUILD OF ST. PAUL'S

By SallyLee Hunter

We are very happy to announce that the September meeting was attended by 14 lovely ladies of St. Paul's who chose the name, you see above, for our organization. We discussed various ways an organized group such as this can help the church and each other. We talked about the naming of several committees and their functions as part of the Guild. We have made a good start in thedirection we think people want to proceed.

BUT, we are still organizing, and we need everyone who can possibly do so to attend ournext meeting, Saturday, October 24 at 10 AM at the church. We need more ideas and ladies who will participate in helping us grow.

The school teacher in Jan Wyatt came through as she led us in this endeavor and kept us on track. We envision being able to help the church as well as having social events to get to know each other and have fun. If you cannot be at the next meeting but would like to make some suggestions, you can call Jan Wyatt at the church or SallyLee Hunter at 410-897-0686. We really want to hear from everyone and have everyone be a part of The Ladies Guild of St. Paul's Anglican Church.

SP NUTS

By Kelli Welch

TBA

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP

By Lucille Seborg

The St. Paul’s Ladies Guild now has “Kitchen Angels” who clean the kitchen thoroughly once per month.  Thus far in January, Hillary Essex and Lucile Seborg served, and, in February Elva Cox and Carole Cover did a great job.  For March, Myron and Letty Wotring and Barbara Carr are on deck.  Please let these people know how nice it is to have a clean  and  well-organized kitchen.    We need  a volunteer for June to help Myrtle Ringenbach. We also need two people to volunteer

for each month July through December.  Please let Lucile Seborg know you can help or call her at 410-721-2108.  A big THANK YOU to everyone who has “stepped up to the plate” and helped with this project.

Coffee Hour

Thank you to all of our wonderful parishioners who have contributed to the coffee hour following both the 9:15 and the 11:00 services.  I have sent letters to those who have helped for the first time.  Beginning with March, I am sending a reminder post card to those who are helping.  Everyone wants to know “what to bring” for sharing.  You can bring whatever you desire!  Suggestions are:  Cake, cookies, quiche, veggies, fruit, muffins, sausage biscuits, doughnuts, small sandwiches, etc.  Keep it simple so that it is easy for others to duplicate.  If you have any questions when it is your turn, please call me at 410-721-2108. 

Ladies Guild Trip to National Cathedral

St Paul's trip to the National Cathedral is all set to go on Wednesday May 12th.  We will meet at St. Paul's at 10:30 AM, where our charter bus will meet us and drive us to the Cathedral.  We plan to arrive there in time for the noon Eucharist Service, followed by an organ demonstration at 12:30 PM.  A docent led tour of the Cathedral will begin at 1:30 PM.  After the tour, we have a table reserved in the Tower for tea, sweets and tea sandwiches.  This will be in the St. Paul's room.  Tea is at 2:45 PM.  There will be some time for a walk through the Bishop's Garden and/or a visit to the Herb Cottage gift shop.  The bus will pick us up for the return trip about 4:00 PM.  The price is $48.00 per person.  Space is limited on this trip, so please sign up early if you want to go.  We need a deposit of $20.00 per person to hold your space and the balance will be due April 21st.  To make your reservation or for more information, please contact Shirley Jenkins at jenkstvl@verizon.net or call 410-923-5592. Or call Jan.   Make checks payable to St. Paul’s Anglican Church with TOUR on the memo line.

MARCH/APRIL 2010

Remembrances: Parishioners – Dorothy Maslin, Bill Maslin, Cathy Caputo,  Len Bender, Tom Lehman, Pat Holle, Jo Mafera, Bill Mafera, Tim Thomas, Betty Royer,  Shirley D’Andrea, Helen Williams, Chuck Thomann, Barbara Baxter,Wallie Kramer and Friends – Little Riley Mitchell, Elizabeth deGuzman, Tammy Caban, Keith Masters, Bob Sheridan,  Dorothy Stone,  Marion Francis, Peggy Sherman, Margaret Masters, Keith Gates, Ruth Eckert, Joe Goetz, Arthur Marshall, Carole Valliere, Susan Hackman, Joan & Howard Coughlin, Heather Barna, Donna Humes, Sarah Tilly.

Prayers for Those in the Armed Forces: We pray for LCDR Billy Franklin, Lt.  Spec. Clinton Carr,  Capt. Pete Vickerman, CPL Brian Pittaway, Ens. Andreas Langenstein, Sgt. Michael Hodge,  LT Mark Thomann II, Marine Jason MacKinnon, LCDR Robert Munoz, Maj. Robert Petty,  LCDR Bert Hornyak  and LTC Michael Offe  “Almighty God, we commend them and their families your gracious care and keeping.”