THE GOOD NEWS April 2015

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1 THE GOOD NEWS April 2015 Celebrating Easter 8:00 Rite I & 10:00 Rite II Sunday, April 5 Inside this Issue Parish News & Notes Vestry highlights Upcoming Events EYC Happenings Church Calendar and Ministry Schedule Smooth Landings from the Rector There were a lot of things that I did not like about my thirteen years on active duty with the U.S. Army. I can easily remember the exercise in Germany when the temperature got down to twenty-four degrees below zero and then there was the wind. I remember the time my truck slid into a ditch during a hurricane in Louisiana and I had to hang out the window and risk electrical shock in the driving rain to hold the radio antenna in position to be able to call for help. And of course Jenny can give you the low-down on all the birthdays and anniversaries for which we were in different parts of the country or different parts of the world. It s not always just a bowl of cherries being all you can be. One thing that I did enjoy, however, was hurling myself out the door of a moving airplane. For a while there, I would periodically join a couple hundred others of borderline sanity, strap on nearly a hundred pounds of equipment and we would stuff ourselves into aging Air Force planes. We would usually fly around for nearly an hour, during which the Air Force pilots would deliberately try to make us airsick. Finally, the time would come and we would all gratefully stand up, hook up and shuffle to the open door, a green light would flash and out we went, marching down the metal deck of the plane until that one final step when there was no deck. There s an old joke that talks about a high fall not being a big problem it s the sudden stop at the end that will kill you. Falling with the aid of a parachute isn t all that different. The actual falling part is easy. The real challenge comes in working things out so that the stopping at the end is as uneventful as possible. The type of parachute that the Army uses is not as maneuverable as those things used by fancy skydivers at parades and such. But the parachute is designed so that, with a little training and a lot of upper body strength, the parachutist can pull on the straps attaching the parachute and use the wind to steer to reduce the force with which the ground comes up and slams into him or her. The biggest problem in stopping gently, or at least less roughly, is determining which way the wind is blowing. I knew some old soldiers who would turn around in a circle until they felt the wind in their faces. Still others just forget about it all together and take their chances. I always practiced a third way of determining the wind s direction. You see, these parachutes were so that, if left alone they will always turn to run with the wind. As soon as I had gained control of my parachute, I would simply let go of the risers and let the wind take me. Thus oriented, I was able to communicate with the wind throughout the descent, the rest of the ride was a joy, and turning to come face to face with the force that drove me, my landings were always safe and usually gentle. Some of us are always just sure our way is the right way, often sticking to it for good or ill. Some of us go around and around in circles, changing direction over and over again, trying to figure out which way is which. Some of us struggle aimlessly and carelessly, painfully and repeatedly taking whatever comes. It s hard to joyfully receive the journey of life when you re always fighting against its driving force and pridefully bouncing off the too-solid ground of your own failures. There is a phrase that has been around the Church for a long time: Let go and let God. If you want to make the ride of life a true joy and the stop at the end safe and gentle, you might try taking your hands off the controls every now and then. And then let the breath of God define your direction. After all, it s the way you were designed. Peace and joy,

2 Upcoming Events Sundays 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 1, 9 a.m. Choir Practice, Parish Family Breakfast, 10 a.m. Choral Eucharist, Sunday School. Coffee Hour following the service. Mondays 6 p.m. Education for Ministry Rector s Study Tuesdays 6 p.m. Saints, Sinners and Cynics Rookies Sports Bar Monday Wednesday during Holy Week 12:10 Holy Eucharist Maundy Thursday April 2 6p.m. Lord s Table liturgy Good Friday April 3 6 p.m. Stations of the Cross Holy Saturday April 4 8 pm. Great Vigil of Easter Easter Day April 5 Holy Eucharist 8 and 10 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt Monday Friday April 6-10 Henderson County Schools Spring Break Wednesday April 8 6 p.m. Potluck Supper and Program Sunday April 12 6 p.m. Youth Back-to-School Pizza Sunday April 19 CCO Sunday Mac N Cheese 11 a.m. Youth to Tri-Fest Monday, April 20 Noon, St. Ann s Guild Tuesday, April 21 5:30 p.m. Vestry Meeting Rector s Study Saturday April 25 Prayer Shawl Ministry, Parish Hall Wednesday April 29 6 p.m. Chili Supper and Program Parish News and Notes Anthony the plumber shows the high water line that disabled our electrical service.

3 Taking AIM (and Pepsodent) Our challenge for giving to Christian Community Outreach for March was toothpaste. All told, we collected more than 108 tubes of dentifrice, though as anyone who has had to stand in the dental care aisle at the supermarket or pharmacy can tell you, the variety is nearly overwhelming. We had toothpaste from Crest, Colgate, Aim, AquaFresh, Pepsodent, and Close-Up. We supplied the stuff in fresh mint, ultra mint, cool mint, original mint and original mint zing (whatever that is). Some was gel, and some was paste, and some even had mini breath strips. We gave toothpaste that is tartar protecting, cavity protecting, even triple protecting and triple action. We did not calculate how many total brushings it represents, but with nearly 35 pounds of toothpaste given for CCO to distribute, one thing is certain: A lot more families in Henderson will be able to smile bright and breathe easy. For April, we will be gathering in your offering of boxed mac-and-cheese on Sunday the 19th. Daughters of the King A new chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King is now on its way to becoming a reality in and for St. Paul s Parish. Daughters of the King is a spiritual sisterhood of women dedicated to a life of prayer, service and evangelism, committed to Jesus as their savior, and to following him as Lord of their lives. Daughters find time in their daily lives to offer each other community and spiritual support in local chapters of three or more women, and devote themselves to praying, individually and with each other, for their parish, for their friends, and for anyone who asks for prayer. On Sunday, March 22, St. Paul s Vestrymember Marty White, the only member of our congregation that is an active member of the Daughters, presented three other women to the Rector to begin their preparation for establishing our chapter. Three other women who could not be with us that Sunday have also begun the training that will lead to each of them to take on a rule of life centered on prayer for the whole world and for our Parish. Let us support them in our prayers as they seek to support all of us in theirs. Wednesday Evenings As Lent draws to a close, so does our weekly Wednesday program of light supper and group reflection from our devotional booklet, A Wondrous Love. Though the programs have yet to be announced, for April we will return to our regular Wednesday evening activities: We ll share a potluck supper (welcome back, fried chicken!) on the second Wednesday, April 8, and Jenny s supper (chili this month) on the last Wednesday, April 29. Supper is at 6:00 and program at 6:30. Holy Week and Easter Palm and Passion Sunday 8:00 & 10:00 Sunday, March 29 Monday Wednesday, March 30-April 1 12:10 Holy Eucharist Rite II Maundy Thursday, April 2 Noon Lenten Program Zion UCC 6:00 Maundy Thursday Liturgy (incl. supper) Good Friday, April 3 Noon Stations of the Cross Holy Name RCC 6:00 Stations of the Cross St. Paul s Holy Saturday, April 4 8:00 Great Vigil of Easter The Feast of the Resurrection Sunday, April 5 8:00 Holy Eucharist, Rite I 10:00 Holy Eucharist, Rite II

4 Heading into Holy Week Leslie Newman Just a reminder that EYC will set up for, cook, serve and clean up for breakfast on the fifth Sunday, March 29. Then we will stay after the 10:00 service for lunch and to prepare for the Easter egg hunt. Contributions of candy to stuff the eggs, plastic eggs or Easter baskets for the hunt are welcome. The Easter egg hunt will be immediately after the 10:00 service on Easter morning. All children through fifth grade are welcome to participate, and all children of any age are welcome to help us hide eggs, and help the younger children find them. The Youth and the Bishop St. Paul s Youth shared their table, and some soup with Bishop White during his visit March 1. And they got to share their thoughts with the Bishop as well, giving their own perspective on the life of our Parish family and hearing the Bishop s thoughts on how they fit into the life of the Diocese of Kentucky. The soup was good, and the talk was frank and generous. Thanks Leslie for making such a special time happen, and for all you do for the youth of St. Paul s. Gathered for Spring Leslie Newman Anna and Sophie Hayes, Alexis and Trae Purdy and Caitlin Walker attended Spring Gathering at All Saints the weekend of March It appeared a fabulous time was had by all. Despite soggy and cold conditions early in the weekend, the sun shone and daffodils were ready to bloom by Sunday, and the kids lingered as long as they could, bidding their friends farewell and looking forward to Senior High Camp and being counselors-in-training this summer. Tim and Kris Sandefur drove the youth to camp on Friday, and Iris Gentry and I picked them up on Sunday. We adults concur with Fr. Rich that drive time with our youth is hard to beat. See me if you want to get in on that fun. Iris and I attended the Eucharist and observed how our St. Paul s youth pays attention to our community. In keeping with the theme of the weekend Building Community, we were pleasantly proud to see names we knew on prayer boards the youth made and to hear several of our St. Paul s family included in the Prayers of the People. We made our customary stop at the Dairy Queen in Leitchfield on the way home, and detoured by Smothers Park in Owensboro as well. The flood waters of the Ohio were almost but not quite enough to keep away the throngs of people basking in the spring weather, and we vowed to go back and visit the park another fine day. And Then It s Time for a Break Leslie Newman Easter weekend starts spring break and the youth will recount their spring break adventures and commiserate going back to school with dinner at Firedome at 6 p.m. on Sunday April 12. Actually, my experience is that most of our kids can t wait to get back to school to see their friends! Keep an Eye on Our Athletes Leslie Newman Our youth are involved in lots of spring sports, school happenings and other events. Please take time to stop and ask them about their interests and activities, and show them you also understand the value of Building Communities. Diocesan Youth Leadership Leslie Newman St, Paul s Youth have been leaders in the Diocese of Kentucky for a few years, but now it s official. Our own Sophie Hayes and Alexis Purdy have been elected to the Diocesan Youth Council. In that role, they will represent the youth in planning camp and other youth events. They will also have the opportunity to attend the Diocesan Convention this fall as delegates with voice and vote. It s an honor to be chosen, and a good opportunity for service. Congrats to them both.

5 Vestry Notes At their first regular meeting of the year on March 25, St. Paul s Vestry: Discussed how we account for and report funds specified for certain programs. The Finance Committee will make a recommendation for compliance with accounting principles. Distributed areas of emphasis for Parish programs, each Vestrymember taking on two areas of oversight. Heard that the Diocese of Kentucky Audit team has agreed to conduct this year s audit for St. Paul s. Received an update on several building projects, including the electrical problems associated with basement flooding, the on-going painting, and next steps for bathrooms and flooring. Awarded the contract for replacement of gutters and repair of downspouts to GutterTech. They will begin work when a color has been selected. In response to their Runway Red fundraiser, awarded a $500 grant to Matthew 25 AIDS Ministry from the outreach budget, and discussed future grants for other programs in the community. Rejoiced that Larry Courtney s discernment internship in Owensboro is drawing to an end this month, and he will be home with us on Easter Sunday. The next meeting of St. Paul s Vestry is scheduled for 5:30, Tuesday evening, April 21. Grounds Work Day for Easter It s not too late for you to help us put our best foot forward by getting up a little early on Saturday, March 28, grabbing your rakes, pruning shears, and work gloves and joining us at 8:00 at St. Paul s for our Spring Work Day. You should be able to find some tasks that meets your talents. Plan to join the rest of the family in sprucing up our home in time for the Holy Days. Building Changes and Challenges Some of us noticed a bit of steam rising from the heating grates on the Green St. side of the church Sunday morning, March 15, but after the tough winter, most thought is was condensation on the grates themselves. It was not until Fr. Rich was greeted the next morning with a total loss of electrical power in the building, that he discovered that the basement beneath southeast corner of the church was four feet deep in water. Runoff from the rain and melting snow had caused a sump pump to fail, allowing the water to rise high enough to short circuit the main power line into our property, which is thankfully well protected by a system that shut down the power and prevented a dangerous situation from escalating. After our plumber pumped the water from the basement (thanks, Louis), we contacted the electricians that had installed the system five years ago, and had them clean out the panel and restore power, before installing a new sump pump to handle the water that was still flowing in. It was a tense and even frightening moment, but once again we are given cause to celebrate the foresight and provision of those that have gone before us in this beautiful and sacred space. Bishop s Visit As we are each time he can be with us, we were blessed to welcome the Rt. Rev. Terry White, Bishop of Kentucky on Sunday morning, March 1. By his teaching, by his support, and by his very presence, the Bishop reminds us and inspires us to think of ourselves as part of the much wider Body of Christ. We rejoice as well to welcome Teri Barker- Graham, Beverly Davis and Janice Hodgson as members of the Episcopal Church and of St. Paul s Parish. All three women were formally received into the Church by the Bishop during his visit, but they have all become members in the practical and personal sense in the months they have already been a part of our family. Financial Summary as of February, 2015 Pledged Amount to Date $62,666 Pledged Income received to Date $41,977 Other Operating Income to Date $13,102 Operating Expenses to Date $55,079

6 St. Paul s Episcopal Church Staff The Very Rev. Rich Martindale, Rector Leslie Newman, EYC Director Evalyn Champion, Organist/Choir Master Donna Mulcahy, Bookkeeper Judy Duncan, Parish Secretary Phone Prayer List Parish Family Steve Dan Joan Karen Marsha Billy Marty Kathy Terry Donna Seymour Michelle Rita Our Family & Friends Don Pam Farley Jerry Blanton Kathy Nancy Jeff Carol Polly Beverly Peggy Jennifer Darrell Mary Catherine Rachel Celina Diane Molly Herb Barry Jack David Chap Patty Joe Mike Chris Karen Ken Alan Bonnie John Wayne Logan Isaac Camden Agnes (Because our newsletter is published on the internet, Barbara Laurie only first names are listed here.) Linda Heather Tobyn Vestry Members Service Times Sr. Warden Carolyn Fuller Sunday 8:00 Rite I Jr. Warden Greg Powell 10:00 Rite II Clerk Susie Watkins Wednesday 12:10 Rite II Budget and Finance Hugh Hennessy, Bill Gentry w/anointing Building and Grounds Carolyn Fuller, Greg Powell, Bill Gentry Parish Life Marilyn Dixon, Marty White, Susie Watkins Outreach Carolyn Fuller, Marty White Worship and Music Susie Watkins Christian Formation and Youth Jennifer Preston Communications Kurt Wilson, Jennifer Preston Treasurer Hugh Hennessy St. Paul s Episcopal Church 5 South Green Street Henderson, KY