St. Paul's Communicator
January-February 2012
A MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR
Happy New Year to all. I know we have made “New Year” resolutions and intend to follow through with them. It is always good to clear out of our heads old negative thoughts and to begin planting new positive thought seeds. There is so much joy to be had in this life and we can participate in that happiness if we work at it. I want your church life and your affiliation with Saint Paul’s to be part of that joy and happiness.
Over the years our congregation has developed with people from different religious backgrounds, and during this course of time there have been questions that arise about our traditions in the Anglican Church. Sometimes there are concerns, and other times there are complaints. There is no such thing as a perfect Church. Our main mission is to preach the “Good News” and to reach out to those who still do not know Jesus Christ.
Recently, I received questions concerning who may come to the communion rail during the Eucharist. I would like to share with you the protocol for this. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion and instructions for that are on the back of the pew booklet. Should anyone wish to receive a blessing, a healing prayer, or the laying on of hands, come to the communion rail, cross your arms on your chest, and the priest or chalice bearer will ascertain your wishes. Periodically, we have offered what is called
an Instructed Eucharist. As this has been well received and is so informative, we will do it again in the near future.
In the Anglican tradition, it is required that you be baptized and confirmed before receiving the sacraments. However lately, if you have the intention to be confirmed and have been baptized, you may receive communion. There are many valid reasons for this. We welcome all believers to our communion table and into our membership. We plan to begin an Inquirers Class as soon as possible for new members who may not have come from an Anglican, Lutheran, Episcopal or Roman Catholic background, hoping those who attend will have a deeper appreciation for the Anglican way or Anglican tradition. We want everyone to feel comfortable and not to be confused by the formalities. In my years of serving the church, I’ve seen ritual and decorum divide people and cause them to leave churches. That is truly sad.
Our Savior wants us to love each other and worship in spirit and in truth. If we can achieve this, we will experience “Joy and Happiness.” Sometimes just clarifying why we do things the way we do can give a person a totally different outlook and make them less uneasy about customs that may make them feel uncomfortable at first. I am trying to develop a convenient time to have this class and would appreciate hearing from all who might be interested in this venture.
Paul’s carefully chosen words to the Ephesians were, “By grace you have been saved through faith.” Beloved, this is the qualifying phrase. He wants us to share the happiness of His eternal family. The sacraments along with the liturgy are all part of what helps us enjoy and appreciate our worship of Him who loved us so much that He sent His only Son so that we may have eternal life. Nothing puts a smile on a face or love in a heart like the overwhelming awareness that all we could ever ask for has been given to us in the perfect gift of God, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Faithfully,
+Bob
A MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR WARDEN
By Henry RiserHappy New Year to all. We had a wonderful Christmas season at our church; the services were beautiful and inspiring and well attended. Thank you, Father Bob, clergy, and all who helped with the various services. In the coming year as you think about your resolutions, I would like you to consider getting involved with our Outreach Committee. It is now chaired by Mary Carruthers and she would like to enlist a number of people for the committee. She and I believe there is much we can do to help people in our community. She and the committee will be working on a plan for new projects and programs through which we can make a difference in the lives of some of the less fortunate people around us. If you have some ideas of things you would like to offer, please talk to Mary and join her committee.
In terms of our financial condition, we continue to do well in this time of trouble for many people. We finished the year with a surplus in our General Operating Fund. We didn't do as well as we hoped in the Building Fund, but we still have a balance set aside for any emergency we may experience. We have been able to pay an additional $200 per month on paying down the principle of our loan and still have a little left to build the balance in the Building Fund. We renegotiated the mortgage this month, and our interest rate went down by over 1%. We plan to continue our advanced payments at the same level so we will be able to pay down even more of the principle. The Long Range Planning Committee and the Vestry are looking at plans for the next couple of years, and as we settle on them, we will be notifying everyone. If you are able, I would like to suggest increasing your donations to the Building Fund. The sooner we pay off the mortgage the better, since paying interest really doesn't help us.
And as always, if you haven't already, I ask you to join a committee where we can use your talents, skills, and expertise. We have been blessed with great clergy and generous members. Thanks to all who have volunteered their services over the last year; you have given us a great start for 2012. May God continue to bless us all.
A MESSAGE FROM THE JUNIOR WARDEN
by John Welch
December was a slow month, winter weather-wise; but there is still a lot of winter left! Our snow removal contract is in place, and we are awaiting Mother Nature. The warm days in December allowed us to install new decorative spotlights on the flagpole and chapel. There have been several other little projects completed, including replacing the sconces in the chapel and replacing several ballasts in the fellowship area. The next few months should (hopefully) be slow for the Junior Warden. If you want to read more about our buildings and grounds, check out the Junior Warden website: http://jwelch1.weebly.com/
SP NUTS
By Kelli Welch
The youth group’s monthly events were very successful in 2011, thanks in part to our youth members inviting friends, and we hope to keep going strong throughout the 2012 school year. The next events will be Friday, January 20th and Friday, February 17th. These events will be held in the fellowship hall beginning at 6:30. There will be sign-up sheets posted on the bulletin board. If you haven’t attended a youth meeting, please consider joining us at one of these events; they are always filled with food, fellowship and fun!
THE ALTAR GUILD
By Missy Carroll
The new church year began with the first Sunday in Advent and the new secular year began on Sunday, January 1, 2012. For many people the New Year is an opportunity to reflect on their goals and aspirations for the future. The Altar Guild begins this New Year with an important meeting on Saturday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m. at church to thank our members and to reflect on our work. We will welcome three new members to our group - Gretchen Mayer, Myrtis Messenger and Karen Royer. It will also be a training session as we go over “what we do and why we do it” complete with demonstrations.
St. Paul’s is blessed with a committed core group of ladies (and one man) who support our clergy in preparing the church and chapel for liturgical services. Their willingness to take on this responsibility and give of their time is appreciated. Members are scheduled in teams of two depending on the service they routinely attend. The majority of members go to the 9:15 or 11:00 services while we have only two members who go to the 8:00 Communion in the chapel. Those two are assisted by Deaconess Ann Hayman, but we could use the help of additional people to learn how to set up and clean up after Holy Communion. It is my hope that more people who attend that early service will come forward with a desire to help support it by joining the altar guild.
Our January meeting will be an opportunity for anyone who has an interest in the guild to come and ask questions. An invitation is extended to all members of the parish to join us on January 14 for coffee, cake and fellowship.
LAY ASSISTANT’S COMMENTS
by Fred Blair
How quickly 2011 ended and 2012 began! My THANKS to all who served on the altar during Advent and the Christmas Services. Our Christmas Eve late service was filled with all the traditional, beautiful and very Holy elements that made it so very special. With torches, incense, the choir and music, we were a true cathedral in Crownsville. To Chuck, Cassandra, Sara, Elliott and Chris – you should know that the Bishop and Father Tom were so delighted to work with you all; again, thank you for a well-done job! Soon Lent will be upon us and the great feast of Easter, so anyone willing or interested in serving, please see me or the Bishop.
Bell Concert to Celebrate Laetare Sunday
Mark your calendars now and plan to join us on Sunday, March 18th for a Handbell Concert in recognition of Laetare Sunday – known as Rose Sunday and “Mothering Sunday;” this is the fourth Sunday in Lent. Laetare translates from the Latin “to rejoice” and traditionally, this Sunday provides a break from the otherwise penitential austerity of the Lenten season.
There are several traditions associated with Laetare Sunday. Among them:
· In England, “Mothering Sunday” is celebrated by honoring mothers with spring flowers and simnel cake;
· In church, the miracle of the loaves and fishes is remembered in the readings for this Sunday; and
· The vestments worn during the services provide symbols of the hope and joy to come on Easter Sunday.
In true St. Paul’s fashion, we will celebrate Laetare (Rose) Sunday with a Pot Luck Luncheon and Handbell concert. We are still working on the exact details as to the time of the concert; please watch the bulletin or check out the church web-site for the exact time.
But remember, Sunday, March 18th Laetare (Rose, Mothering) Sunday Pot Luck and Handbell Concert.
Inclement weather: It is that time of year again. If it is questionable whether there will be services, please check your e-mail, church answering machine, FACEBOOK or our web page for information.
Coffee Fellowship
by Lucile Seborg
We have had wonderful food provided during 2011 for the coffee fellowship after the 9:15 AM and the 11 AM services. Thank you to everyone who prepared the food, cleaned up, and left the parish hall nice and clean. J
I try to space the volunteers on a 3 to 4 month cycle, but sometimes that doesn’t work out, so if you are called sooner than you think you should, please let me know.
Everyone has been so generous with your time in helping with this mission. The list for January is posted near the kitchen on the bulletin board. I will be calling for February and March during January. Please call me if you have questions. Lucile Seborg.
Kitchen Angels
The Kitchen Angels are those who volunteer to clean the kitchen once per month. The list for 2012 is posted near the kitchen door. There are still spaces to be filled in, please write your name opposite the month you can help. There are instructions posted in the kitchen. Thank you to those who helped in 2011! We need both men and women so don’t be shy; sign up today!
Prayer List: The first part of the year is always a good time to review our prayer lists. If you have placed a name on the “Friends or Armed Forces” lists, please check on the person and find out how they are and if they should remain on the list. If they are to remain on the list, you need to tell Jan or leave a note on her desk. The lists will begin again on Feb. 5. Please get the names to Jan before that date.
$5 Buys 1 Milion!
Bishop Bob and Emily have been invited to go on a two-week retreat with other APA Bishops and their wives to follow in the footsteps of St. Paul as he traveled to Athens, Rhodes and Ephesus. They will also visit the island of Patmos where St. John wrote The Book of Revelation.
We want to raise money to make this trip a reality and we need your help. We would like to raise around $4,000 to send our dear Bishop and his wife on this trip to relax and refresh them while they experience the wonders St. Paul observed in his travels.
In the parish hall is a map of Greece and the Aegean Sea. We discovered the ancient Greeks measured distance using a unit of measure called a “milion” (about 1.5 kilometers). Measuring the trip from city to city, the distance is 682 milions. Adding in an approximate distance for sightseeing, Bishop Bob and Emily will travel about 800 milions. Considering the $4,000 we want to raise, we calculated that each $5 donated will buy 1 milion. Can you help?
As money is received (even amounts under $5 will help), you’ll be able to watch as Fr. Bob and Emily leave Athens for Rhodes and on to Patmos, Samos and Ephesus. Don’t leave them stranded in the middle of the Aegean!
Donations may be placed in the offering plate in an envelope marked “Greece,” put in the donation box near the map, or given to Henry Riser, Karen Riser, Dwight Gates or Cathy Gates.
LADIES GUILD
The Ladies Guild of St. Paul’s meets once a month and is open to all the women of the church. We fellowship with each other, minister to those in need and look for ways to bring the congregation together throughout the year.
At our next meeting Feb. 4th at 9:30AM, we are going to pack up our cookies, Valentines and goodies to ship out to our troops. If you have someone in the military for us to include in this outreach, please get the name and address to Jan Wyatt before that date. We will be collecting small toiletries, hand warmers, and anything else that may be appropriate to send. Watch for a list in the announcements. There are lots of empty coffee containers at the church for the cookies so grab one or two and start baking. We pack the cookies in mini-marshmallows and then include hot chocolate in the boxes for the troops. This year, rather than write out lots of valentines, we are going to design one large one for each box with information about St. Paul’s, some prayers and we will all sign it.
We are also planning another trip to Sight and Sound to see “Jonah” in October. More details will be forthcoming in the next month.
The Ladies Guild is also sponsoring a new picture directory with the help of Tricia Seeman. We will set appointments for 2 Sundays, March 11th & March 25th from 9:00-2:00. We will also have an evening or Saturday morning to finish up the photos. If you will not be here, you may give Tricia a photograph that she can scan and use. Watch for the sign-up sheet soon and an information sheet to complete for our new directory.
MEMBERSHIP SUNDAY
Sunday, February 12 is
Membership Sunday.
We will introduce our new members at each service and enjoy a
Welcome to St. Paul’s
with a
Covered Dish Brunch
following the 11:00 service.
If you would like to become a member of our congregation, please ask Jan Wyatt or Bishop Bob for a membership application.
COMING EVENTS
January 17 7pm Vestry Meeting
January 20 & 21 Church office open 9am - 3pm
January 21 6pm Supper Club at the church
January 22 Begin signing up for photo time
February 1 Deadline to turn in names of servicemen
February 4 9:30am Ladies Guild meeting - pack cookies for servicemen
February 12 Membership Sunday and brunch after 11am service.
February 21 6pm Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner & Vestry Meeting
February 22 Ash Wednesday Services
Noon & 7:00pm
Feb 24-March 30 Fridays
11:30am Stations of the Cross
Noon HC and Bread and Soup
March 11 & 25 9:00-2:00 Pictures taken for new directory
March 18 Lenten Bell Concert Time TBA
March 21 7pm Vestry Meeting
A LITTLE CHURCH HUMOR
This millionaire wanted take some of his money to heaven with him when he died, so he talked to God about it beforehand. He told God that he had lived a good life and all he wanted was to bring a little of his fortune with him. God finally agreed, but told the millionaire he must limit the amount to whatever he could fit into one suitcase.
The millionaire decided to make the most of it by comparing American dollars, French Francs, Japanese Yen, and every kind of currency available in the world to see to it that he fit the most possible into the suitcase. Finally, he decided the best he could do was to exchange his money for gold and place that in the suitcase.
When he died and arrived at Heaven's gate, St. Peter asked him what was in the suitcase. He told St. Peter that down on earth he had been a millionaire and that God had given him permission to bring some of his fortune with him, as long as he could fit it into one suitcase.
St. Peter told the millionaire this was most unusual and he would have to take a look inside the suitcase before he could determine whether the millionaire could enter the gate with it. The millionaire opened the suitcase and St. Peter said, "Oh, yes. That's just pavement, please come in!"