St. Paul s Episcopal Church 31 Rider Avenue Patchogue, New York Bulk Rate US Postage Paid Permit No

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1 St. Paul s Episcopal Church 31 Rider Avenue Patchogue, New York Bulk Rate US Postage Paid Permit No ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Mailing Address Street Number and Name City, State Vestry Wardens: Robin Sconzo and Cathie Pliszak Mary Dykman,, Scott Harris, Ronnie MacDonald,, Maurine Jacobs, Barbara Ruest, Laura Cooley, Barbara Greco, Nancy Western, Teresa Julian Clerk: Laura Cooley Treasurer: Barbara Lapinski; Editor: Conni Still Parish Phone: Office Hours: Tuesday Friday, 9:30 AM- 1:00 PM Office Closed on Mondays Rector: the Rev. Elisabeth E. Tunney Parish Administrator: Ronny Pliszak Parish Ministers: All the People of St. Paul s.

2 St. Paul s Epistle Vol.XVII Ed.4 April 2018 St. Paul s Parish Mission Statement: to be a thriving, loving, Christ-centered parish; a parish who knows Christ and makes Christ known. We take seriously our Baptismal Covenant that says we will respect the dignity of every human being. You are welcome to worship with us, to join with us in fellowship, and in our ministries, regardless of age, economic status, marital status, nationality, race, sexual orientation or gender identity, ability or disability, and wherever you are in your spiritual journey. Alleluia, Christ is risen! A Word from Mother Liz The Day of Resurrection is here at last. Winter has taken its sweet time in leaving and between snowstorms and faulty furnaces we have felt every last bit of it. But where there are daffodils, and crocuses, and snowdrops there is hope. It reminds me of the words by John Macleod Campbell Crum Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain, wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain; love lives again, that with the dead has been: Love is come again like wheat that springeth green. I hope your Lent was a fruitful one. Some of you have told me of your experiences with using Forward Day-by-Day as your spiritual guide through Lent and I would love to hear from more of you. It helps to share our experiences because people are challenged and filled in different ways. I know that for me Lent usually muddies the waters and stirs up things that take a while to resolve. I do trust that God is in the mix and that if I listen carefully I will discern the right direction in which to move. The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia! Vestry Highlights Date for Fashion Show changed to May 5 th Tag Sale to be June 16 th Venues for 175 th anniversary celebration on 10/14 were reviewed: 1. Lombardi s on the Bay, 1

3 2. Bellport Country Club, 3. Catering in the Parish Hall Stairwell repair for karate school underway Discussed safety concerns, including window security, lighting and camera needs Sign up for Safe Church Training has been completed Stewardship Committee STEWARDSHIP Coming together in faithful community to serve God in the world. We gain strength for our work in God s world from life in our faith community. Part of our spiritual life is contemplation of the Word of God (the Bible). Here some stewardship committee member offer favorite psalms for our consideration: Psalm 31 (BCP p ) Serving God in this world can be very stressful, whether in faithful community or by myself. I call Psalm 31 my anti-stress psalm, because the words help me to be faithful and remind me that I always have Him to lean on. Praise God! 1. In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. Laura Cooley Psalm 150 (BCP pp. 149,150) My choice is Psalm 150 which has always been a favorite of my whole family. Music was a large part of our life and to "Praise God with the sound of the trumpet" and "strings and dance" with Clifford and Chris both playing trumpet.and guitar and Jenn dancing and all of us singing the Praising was all part of our worship and life at home. Last fall my grandson Adam made his Bar Mitzvah and read Psalm 150 as part of the service and Chris played the trumpet to again celebrate how we all Praised God, even though it was in a different way. I am Thankful for the meaning of this Psalm and how it wove through the fabric of my life. Let everything that hath breath Praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Conni Still Psalm 139 (BCP pp. 794, 795) 1. Lord, you have searched me out and known me;* you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 7. If I climb up to heaven, you are there;* if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. 12. For you yourself created my inmost parts;* you knit me together in my mother s womb. 13, I will thank you because I am marvelously made;* your works are wonderful, and I know it well. 14. My body was not hidden from you,* while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth. Although veering off into a brief, hateful tirade (vs. 18, 19,20,21); the psalmist prays this: 22. Search me out, O God, and know my heart;* try me and know my restless thoughts. 2

4 23. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me* and lead me in the way that is everlasting. For me, this psalm says it all rejoicing in God s presence in my life --- from before the beginning to after the end Phyllis Voegeli Phyllis Voegeli, for the stewardship committee: Laura Cooley, Martin Minogue, Conni Still Buildings and Grounds The last known bit of rotting shingles on the parish hall has been replaced. We are now ready to schedule painting of the parish hall exterior and all that remains to be done is to pick the colors Raise the Roof Please include in your prayers this month: Those who are sick or in need: Craig Shaber, Dylan & Family, Ed Smith, Linda Bocca, Mary, Mike, Marcy, Lillian Hemmert, Janis McEvoy, Lou Cooley, Nikki, Phyllis Trypuc, Johnny, Martin Gunkel, Bill Whyland, Ann,Jackie & Dick Root, Jeannine Cranor, Janice Hofmann, Ann Keyes, Barbara Ruest, Jennifer, Bruce Dimler, Adam, Laney, Dan Condon, Larry Smith Those who are serving in the armed forces and their families: Nicholas Lo Russo, Danny Martin, Samantha Schwartz Thanksgivings and Acknowledgments Conni Still and Nancy Western for launching a very successful campaign for Episcopal Ministries Geppie Celaurao for plowing during those March snowstorm Robin Sconzo and Cathie Pliszak for cleaning the front yard in preparation for the Easter Egg Hunt Everyone who patiently sat through not one but two more Sundays without heat 3

5 The Altar Guild for managing all of the services during Holy Week All those who attended the Lenten Program Charlie Polley for locking all the windows in the St Nicholas Wing Robin Sconzo and Dee Laffin for meeting with the vendors proposing security cameras Martin Minogue for being useful wherever he is needed Mary Dykman for her work on the Cemetery Restoration Committee The members of the St. Clare s Guild for making all the palm crosses Conni Still for providing new bells for the return of our Alleluias! Tracy Classon for arranging the Easter Egg Hunt Jeannine Cranor for her birthday and other occasion cards Rita Hihn and Dick Stevenson for their faithful visits to Dick Root Thrift Shop The Thrift Shop celebrated our Fifth Anniversary with an unexpected BANG. I was getting ready to come in when I received a call from Warden Robin Sconzo that the shop had been broken into. I agreed with her to call 911 and drove right over. When I arrived the police car was already there. The work room doors were open and it seems the burglar(s) entered through a window that we had not been able to lock. They somehow entered the chapel and took one of the brass candlesticks and used that to break the glass windows into the shop and the secondary room (vestry room). The area by the cash register had most of the pens and office supplies thrown to the floor and a small petty cash bank we use for change was gone with about $30 and the coin was on the floor. A few pieces of inexpensive jewelry and one vintage piece of silver plate were taken and a small amount of clothing. Some knives were taken from the kitchen and found on the floor, apparently used to try to pry the windows open. Considering how many fragile items we have in the shop we are grateful that more vandalism was not done. They left a very disgusting mess in the bathroom, and we are so grateful to Scott Harris for going above and beyond everything by cleaning that up. Thanks again to Tanya, Teresa, Ginny, Rita and Robin who stayed until all the clean up was done. We are now beginning our sixth year and looking forward to a busier and healthier year. Our plans for our fashion show are underway. The date has been finalized AGAIN to May 5, please mark your calendars. A sign up sheet will be going up on the office window for helpers for set up, break down, models, culinary cuties, and all round helpers. We are so grateful for all the wonderful donations we receive and for our faithful volunteers. We welcome anyone who likes to join us, no experience necessary, we train on the job! Respectfully submitted Jeannine Cranor and Conni Still St. Clare s Guild As of the beginning of February we changed our meeting time from Tuesday evening to Friday afternoon at 2:30 to accommodate those members of the guild who can no longer travel at night. We hope that more people will join our friendly and productive group. Coffee Hour 4

6 Volunteers are needed to host the coffee hours after the 8 and 10 o clock services. Sharon Minogue will give you all the instruction on how to make delicious coffee and where all the equipment is kept, and the goodies are up to your imagination and baking or shopping skills! Best of all you can be reimbursed for your purchases. Please see Sharon to sign up. SAVE THE DATES! April 5, AM-Noon Lakeview Cemetery Clean-up bring shovels, gloves and chainsaws April 7, PM Holy Eucharist Evening Service on the first Saturday of the month in the Chapel April 22, PM in the Church Baroque Chamber Players May 5, PM Fifth Annual Thrift Shop Fashion Show! More details to follow, volunteers needed to model, behind scenes and culinary experts. June 2, Spring Fair. 9 AM-3PM Volunteers needed, see Cathie Pliszak. June 16, Tag Sale 10 AM-3PM Volunteers needed, see Laura Cooley and Dee Laffin Oct 14, 2018 is the 175 th Anniversary Luncheon Watch for details! St. Clare s Guild spent a fun filled meeting Making the palm crosses for Palm Sunday 5

7 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! May this Holy Week lead us all to experience the joy of the Resurrection. The congregation processes around the church waving their palms. Mother Liz bids a fond but sad Farewell to Walter Schiff as he moves to Massachusetts to live near his daughter. We will miss you Walter. God Bless You. 6