St. Paul s Episcopal Church The Epistle. September, 2017

Transcription

1 St. Paul s Episcopal Church The Epistle September, 2017 Love God. Love others. Help others love God. We welcome you to join us on our journey as we strive to share the love of Jesus through worship, Christian education, fellowship and service to each other and the community beyond our walls. For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. Matthew 25:14 Father John is on a journey. He has entrusted St. Paul s to us, the people of St. Paul s. As in the parable from the gospel of St. Matthew, we can bury this treasure until his return, or we can put this treasure to work. We thank all who, with God s help, have joined together putting St. Paul s to work. We have many lay people who have either taken on new responsibilities or increased their involvement to assure that St. Paul s continues to meet and exceed our mission statement: We welcome you to join us on our journey as we strive to share the love of Jesus through worship, Christian Education, fellowship and service to each other and the community beyond our walls. We thank Fr. Bill Lutz for celebrating the Eucharist with us on Sundays. We thank Fr. Richard Schaal and Fr. Jim Jones for their celebrating our Wednesday morning Eucharist/Healing services. We thank Diane for all she has been doing to keep St. Paul s office running smoothly and handling the many things that come up during the week. We thank all those whose efforts go unseen but who keep all of our ongoing activities and programs running throughout the summer. Our newly formed properties and social committees are in full swing providing improvements to our facility and a number of opportunities for fellowship during the summer. Our Pledge Committee is well underway with preparation for fall. Our service to the community beyond our walls included helping All Saints in Johnson City with its Soup and Salad Saturdays. Our Adult Choir and St. Paul s Ringers, with some additional helpers, provided 125 meals (the most we have seen in many years) at the Trinity Canteen on our 5 th Sunday coverage in July. As we move into the second half of Fr. John s sabbatical, we look forward to celebrating our fall programs with hot dogs following the 10 am service on September 10th with Sunday School registration. The following Sunday, September 17 th, our Sunday School, Youth Chimes and Bell Choirs will begin rehearsals and the Adult Forum will begin. Fr. John still has a month and a half before his return. During his absence, we have not buried the treasure that is St. Paul s, but have worked hard to keep St. Paul s thriving. In our summer Epistle we asked, Can we do this? The answer is Yes, together WE ARE! Bruce Dailey and Jennifer Westermann, Wardens 1

2 Thank you to Karen Cahill for filling in for Paula in July and August when she was on vacation. Thank you to Eunice Barton for arranging Father Bill s welcoming receptions on his first Sunday with us at St. Paul s. Thank you to those who worked Clean-Up Day: Chris Petras, Jack & Jennifer Westermann, Sandy & Dick Schwab, Roz Sommers, Sindy Garey, Bruce & Barb Dailey, Ruthie Koerts. Thank you to the July and August Movin On crews: Judy Wolf, Jane Parker and Sue Jones. Thank you to David Krzyzewski and Jack and Jennifer Westermann for keeping the church lawn neat and tidy this month. Thank you to Bob Pettit for sweeping the mulch back into the landscaping after a July storm flooded the sidewalk. Thank you to Bruce Dailey for keeping the elevette dry during this rainy summer. Thank you to the Choir Members who hosted with Trinity Canteen in July: Ted & Judy Wolf, Lukas & Kelly Parker-Seeley, Jack & Jennifer Westermann, Melissa Moon, Scott & Janet Manchester, Cassie Manchester, and Paula Giroux. Thank you to Lou for saving a baby accipiter hawk (a merlin) who was injured and left in the middle of Jefferson Avenue. We were told that this hawk was uncommon in our area and is doing well! Thank you to Eunice Barton for organizing our Ice Cream Social and Zoo Mobile and to Suzanne Pettit for the bountiful raffle baskets, both in quantity and contents. A special thanks to Bea VanNess for her balloon animal creations for the kids. They were a big hit! Also, a big thank you to Sean Rincavage, Eunice s son, for donating the Hershey s ice cream! Many thanks to all of you who volunteered to scoop, set-up, clean-up, and help with so many other things. A fun time was had by all! Thank you to Dick Schwab for taking care of the weed problem on our church grounds. I would like to thank everyone for all the prayers, thoughts, and well-wishes as I recovered from my two detached retina surgeries back in April. My St. Paul s family has helped me along the way for a speedy recovery. Thank you! --Scott Kidder 2

3 The family of Betty Aten would like to express its sincere appreciation to Father John and the people of St. Paul s Episcopal Church for all the love, visits, prayers, services, and flowers that were sent during her hospital stay as well as her last six months at Hilltop. Betty wanted to be sure that her heartfelt thanks were known to all of you. Betty and her family cannot thank you all enough for all that you did. May God bless you! Stewardship Thought This month, I would like to have us think about the stewardship of God s Creation. The ecological movement has been raising our consciousness about our endangered earth. God has given us stewardship and management of all creation, and we have littered, polluted, and destroyed it. I believe that Christians need to provide the leadership for a reverence and care of God s creation. We need to capture the sense of the Hebrew Bible that we must care for our children s children by our stewardship of God s earth today. Fr. John+ Pastoral Reminder: We need your help! Please be aware that hospitals and nursing homes do not notify our Church Office of admissions to their facilities, even though some of them ask your church affiliation during the admission process. THEY DO NOT CALL! It is your responsibility to notify the Rector. During my sabbatical, we have made arrangements for visits to be made to our homebound, those in the hospitals and nursing homes. Luther Chergosky, Ruthie Koerts and Jennifer Westermann will provide this ministry. I am grateful to them for their willingness to accept this ministry. Also, if you know of a family member of a parishioner who has passed away while I am gone please notify the office. It will also help me to know this information upon my return. During this time if a need arises please contact either Jennifer Westermann or Bruce Dailey. Fr. John+ 3

4 Prayers for Our Ministries Each week a different ministry area of St. Paul s is featured in the bulletin to highlight, encourage involvement and give thanks for the people who make it happen. During the month of September we pray for the following ministries: September 9/3 Acolytes 9/10 Altar Guild 9/17 Barbara Becker for baking our Communion Bread 9/24 Card Committee Flower Memorials September 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24 are all available Sanctuary Candle Memorials September 9/3 The Sanctuary Candle burns this week in loving memory of Lisa Elaine (June 10 to August 31, 1968) infant daughter of Bob and Suzanne Pettit. 9/10 The Sanctuary Candle burns this week in loving memory of Ed Cook from the Orris Family. 9/17 The Sanctuary Candle burns this week in loving memory of Mary Esther Hoyt Grillo from Connie Hess and Sue Hankey. 9/24 The Sanctuary Candle burns this week in loving memory of John Perestam from his loving wife, Linda Littell. Note: Please call the office ( ) any time during the Fall if you would like to designate the altar flowers or candles in memory of a loved one, to recognize a special event or simply in thanksgiving for God s many blessings. Forms are in the back of the church. Dates may be shared. Bible Study Thursdays, 9:00 A.M. Bible Study continues on Thursday mornings. This is an informal way of studying the Scripture readings for each upcoming Sunday. Please come to the Conference room, enjoy a cup of coffee and lend your thoughts as to what you feel God is saying to us. 4

5 Bishop Duncan-Probe: Hatred, racism, anti-semitism, and the dehumanization of others have no place in our common life. Dear People of Central New York, During my time of Sabbath, I too have witnessed last week s events in Charlottesville, Virginia with a heavy heart. Hatred, racism, anti-semitism, and the dehumanization of others have no place in our common life. Our Christian faith professes that all people are created by God and in the image of God. As I watched our fellow Episcopalians in Charlottesville peacefully praying and standing in opposition to blind hatred, I felt resolved that we will be just as courageous in our own diocese and local communities. The sins of racism, anti- Semitism and dehumanization are not confined by geography or political opinion. As Christians, we begin with repentance, returning to the way of God. It is too easy to insist that racism, anti-semitism and dehumanization are sins belonging to others. Indeed, as last week s events unfolded, many of us felt the sting of hatred and blame rising in our own hearts alongside grief. But our savior is a Middle-Eastern Jew who commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to forgive our enemies, and to serve one another. As Episcopalians, we have taken vows to resist evil, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to honor the dignity of every human being. We cannot profess to be faithful to the God of love if we do not address the sin in our own hearts. None of us are perfect. All of us need forgiveness and restoration. Still, I encourage you to beware of making false equivalencies between white supremacism, Nazism, Neo-Nazism and fascism, which have resulted in the torture and senseless slaughter of millions, and those who stand in opposition to this violence. In World War II, many of our brave men and women fought to defeat an evil that now seeks expression in our own country. We must be clear: this cannot be tolerated. The words we speak and our conduct are the ways we express our faith. Now is a time for honest self-reflection. Has fear prevented us from forming relationships or supporting our neighbors? Have we or those we know made jokes or casual remarks that may perpetuate hate and negative stereotypes? Have we benefited from systems and practices that favor us, not counting the cost to others? The hard truth is that all of us dehumanize others from time to time; in some way viewing them as substandard to us. But if we say we love God, we must repent. I John 4:20 tells us: If anyone says, I love God, and hates a brother or sister, he is a liar, because the person who doesn t love a brother or sister who can be seen can t love God, who can t be seen. (CEB) There can be no doubt: these times in which we live are very, very difficult. Fear is all around us. Many people, ourselves included, are afraid, confused, and struggling to find the right path forward. There is great temptation to polarize, expressing our fear in anger and division rather than seeking God s healing and grace. Let us hold one another in prayer, and determine that together we will live our faith in ways that speak to the power of love over hate. There are many faithful responses, so let us affirm one another in responding to the Spirit s work within us. I pray we will remember who we are, and, more importantly, whose we are. God, our Creator, is faithful; Jesus continues to be the light that cannot be overcome by the darkness of this present time. We need not be afraid. My dear friends, our help is in the name of the Lord so be bold, be vigilant, stay alert, and live as ambassadors for Christ. Share God s eternal life-giving love with the world. In closing, I offer this prayer: 5

6 Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 823) Faithfully, The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe Bishop of Central New York Part-time Teacher Needed We now have an opening for a part-time teacher for our Middle (8 to 9 year olds) Sunday School class. This would not be a weekly commitment, only once or maybe twice a month. The curriculum is very user-friendly and the kids are a delight! Please see Jennifer Westermann for more information. Jennifer S. Westermann Christian Education Chair CHOW Volunteers Needed Help us keep people fed! Our CHOW pantry is in urgent need of volunteers willing to take on the task of staffing the pantry on the 3 rd Thursday of each month. You will be working with an experienced veteran who knows how good it feels to know the people being served will not be going without! Tuesdays hours are 1:00-3:00 p.m. Thursdays hours are 3:30-6:00 p.m. Please call the office ( ) or contact one of the CHOW coordinators: Mary Cermak ( ), Suzanne Pettit ( ) or Karen Cahill ( ) if you are able to assist. Any time you can spare would be very helpful! It is Merry Mowing Time! Fall is soon approaching, but mowers are still needed to keep the grounds neat and tidy. A self-propelled mower is in the shed; a calendar sign-up sheet is on the table in the back of the church. If it is convenient for your schedule, the ideal mowing days are Thursday through Saturday so the lawn looks nice for Sunday. Your help would be greatly appreciated! 6

7 Women of the Church News As Start Up Sunday approaches, the WOC will be looking for ways to increase our commitment to carrying out the mission of St. Paul s to share the love of Jesus with each other and the community beyond our walls. Several activities are on the calendar with more to come. A questionnaire has gone out to the WOC via for input on outreach ministries, and also copies are at the back of the church for those who did not receive them electronically. Of course our plans also include fellowship with good friends and food. We will mark the end of our summer break with a covered dish dinner in the undercroft on September 13 th, at 5:30 pm, followed by our program at 6:30 pm. Ben Margolius, Vice- President of the Board of the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group (STVSG) and his wife Sue, who is also a Board member and serves as the secretary, will join us for dinner, followed by Ben speaking to us about the organization which provides life-changing support to our local veterans, service members and their families. In partnership with other organizations they are able to provide a broad range of services and assistance to enhance the physical, emotional and economic well-being of our veterans. Mr. Margolius will address the needs of our local veterans, and ways that we may be able to help their cause. Considering the topic at this meeting may generate parish-wide interest, we will be extending an invitation to all men in our parish to join us as our guests. The meal will be a covered dish dinner and all WOC attendees are asked to bring a dish to pass. A free will basket will be set out, with any donations going to the STVSG. Join us for an evening of good food, good fellowship and a topic that will show us ways to honor those who have served this country. A signup sheet will be at the back of the church. We will need people also to help with set up and clean up. Our sleeping bag workshops never took a break over the summer and will continue to meet at 1:00 pm on the 2 nd Thursday of the month. We have a number of completed sleeping bags we will be donating to the homeless prior to the onset of cold weather. Currently we have a good supply of materials to make more bags, although we can never have too many ties. When we start running low on materials we will send out a notice. Our next workshop will be Thursday, September 14 th. October brings our fall rummage sale, which will take place on Saturday, October 7 th. Signup sheets for the various tasks involved in our rummage sales will be put out in September. Please remember that parish-wide help is needed for this event. The WOC will be partnering with our friends from the Mosque on Rt. 26 in Vestal and All Saints in Johnson City to sponsor a Red Cross Blood Drive on November 22 nd at All Saints Episcopal Church. Mark your calendars. More details will be forthcoming shortly. We are off to a busy start, with more to come, but have no fear, there are also plans in the making for relaxing and socializing. Let s make 2017/2018 an exciting time for friendship and Christian outreach. WOC INVITATION TO THE MEN OF THE PARISH You are invited to be our guests at a covered dish dinner in the undercroft on Thursday September 13 th. Dinner will be at 5:30, followed by our guest speaker Ben Margolius, Vice- President of the Board of the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group. Come for an evening of good food, fellowship and the opportunity to learn of the needs of our local veterans and ways that we may help their cause. There will be a free will offering to benefit the works of the STVSG. Sandy Schwab, Chair 7

8 SEPTEMBER 9/2 Rowan Cavanugh 9/19 Jack Westermann 9/6 Sam Martinichio 9/20 Casey Korchynsky Michael Kakusian 9/21 Jennifer Vallone 9/9 Bill Smith 9/22 Dale Bachman 9/11 Nathan Bakalar Marie Dollmetsch 9/13 Don Manning Andrew Rhodes 9/14 Kendra Besemer 9/24 Jennifer Kakusian 9/15 Valerie Griswold 9/26 Sharon Powell 9/16 Melissa Moon 9/27 Dorothy Riley 9/17 Midge Wieland 9/28 Debbie Dieffenbacher Daniel Maxim 9/30 Amy Manchester SEPTEMBER 9/1 John and Jennifer Kakusian 9/4 John and Barbara Martinichio 9/10 Daryl and Denise Spak 9/6 Steve and Ruthie Koerts 9/16 Luther and Dolly Chergosky 9/8 Robert and Annette Bakalar 9/25 Dale and Dottie Bachman Are you a September birthday or anniversary but you don t see your name here? Please let the office know so we can update our records! We don t want to miss anyone! 8

9 at St. Paul s The Office at St. Paul s will be closed on Monday, September 4th, in honor of Labor Day. We wish everyone a Happy Labor Day Weekend! Start-Up Sunday Hot Dog Roast Sunday, September 10 th, 11:00 AM Come, one and all, for a parish-wide Hot Dog Roast and an overview of our Fall programs. You ll hear about our Christian Formation programs as well as our music programs for both youth and adults. A Free Will basket will be out but you may not put in more than $2.00/person! Classes and youth music rehearsals will begin on Sunday, September 17 th. Christian Formation News Sunday, September 17 th Faith Formation is more than a subject to be taught it is an invitation to a way of life. Joe Paprocki As August winds down we look forward to the continuation of our Christian formation. Sunday School for those age 3 through middle school will begin on Sunday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. They will rejoin their families during the Peace. For the Rector s Forum, Barb Dailey will present a series on the journeys and teachings of the Apostle Paul. High school aged and up are invited to attend. Coffee and doughnuts will be available. 9

10 Movin On Luncheon Monday, September 11 th, at Noon The Movin On Lunch will be held on the 2 nd Monday of the month. All widows and widowers are invited to share in this time of food and fellowship at noon in Fellowship Hall. Wanted: School Supplies Please consider helping our CHOW clients who will be looking for school supplies for their children. Backpacks and other items may be placed in either box at the rear of the church or in the office. If you would like to know what the Union- Endicott School District is asking of the kids (where most of our CHOW clients go) please check the list above the box on the back pew. Blessing of the Animals Sunday, October 8 th, 8 & 10AM Have your pet blessed as we celebrate the life and ministry of St. Francis of Assisi. Bring your other family members on Sunday, October 8 th for a blessing of the animals. Furry, scaly, winged or hoofed; all are welcome. Yes, this will occur during the services! Mercy House 4 th Annual Gala of Taste Thursday, October 26 th Mercy House of the Southern Tier s 4 th Annual Gala of Taste will be held Thursday, October 26 th, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Center, Endicott. All proceeds benefit Mercy House. Plan to enjoy: Regional Wineries, Local Craft Beers, Local Food, Silent Auction, Raffles, Entertainment and more! The cost is $75 per person. Ticket sales begin on Tuesday, September 12 th. New this year you will be able to purchase your Gala tickets online at Hope to see you there! 10

11 September Liturgical Ministers Schedule September 3 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Lay Assistant Jack Westermann Ruthie Koerts 1 st Reading Judy Shannon 2 nd Reading Luther Chergosky Kelly Parker-Seeley Chalice Jane Parker Karen Cahill Readings Jeremiah 15:15-21 Romans 12:9-21 September 10 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Lay Assistant Jane Parker Jim Garceau 1 st Reading Zach Manchester 2 nd Reading Jackie Reece Ruthie Koerts Chalice Richard Parker Eunice Barton Readings Exodus 12:1-14 Romans 13:8-14 September 17 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Lay Assistant Mary Cermak Karen Cahill 1 st Reading Lynne Jones 2 nd Reading Dolly Chergosky Jim Buffum Chalice Chip Kinne Steve Koerts Readings Genesis 50:15-21 Romans 14:1-12 September 24 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Lay Assistant Debbie Dieffenbacher Sue Jones 1 st Reading Suzanne Pettit 2 nd Reading Bill Dieffenbacher Bob Pettit Chalice Luther Chergosky Jim Garceau Readings Jonah 3:10 4:11 Philippians 1:21-30 Note: If you are unable to serve on a given week, please try to find a substitute. Luther Chergosky is available as a substitute Lay Assistant for 8:00 services. If you need a phone number, please call the office at Copies of our church directory are available as well for your convenience. 11

12 St. Paul s Episcopal Church Vestry Minutes, July 11, 2017 To love God, Love others, Help Others to love God Rector: Fr. John R. Martinichio (A) Wardens: Bruce Dailey, Jennifer S. Westermann Vestry: Eunice Barton Lynda Helmer Ruthie Koerts Karen Cahill Marge Johns Robert Pettit Debra Wirag Chip Kinne Richard Schwab Treasurer: Jack Westermann Warden Bruce Dailey opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with introductions of the vestry members to Debra and a reading from Matthew 25: Special item for Discussion: Motion made by Jennifer S. Westermann with second from Chip Kinne to elect Debra Wirag to serve on vestry until the annual meeting in February, Motion carried unanimously. Debra was given an opportunity to introduce herself. June Minutes - Motion made by Ruthie Koerts with second from Lynda Helmer to accept the June minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously with one abstention, Debra Wirag. Financial Reports Bob Pettit: Gould Report the Gould fund balance as of June 30 was $4,506, (plus the monthly draw of $14,250) This rate of draw puts us at 3.8% which is under the budgeted and hopefully never to exceed 4%. Income/Expenses Pledges up by $1,581 but expectation is that they will even out by end of year. Jack: Memorial Fund: $ in account after expenditure of $ for Wonder, Love and Praise hymnals. Balance Sheet Closed month with $8, in checking account but $13, is earmarked for various line items such as CHOW, CHAP, Memorials, etc. which means we borrow from ourselves to cover day to day expenses. July is a bad month for bills and a light on pledges. But it should even out. Other Accounts CHOW currently has about $1,182 available; CHAP about $1,195. Sabbatical fund money: Motion made by Jennifer S. Westermann with second from Dick Schwab to move the $ in the Restricted Sabbatical fund to the general checking account in order to help cover the expenses of supply priests during Fr. John s sabbatical. Motion carried unanimously. Treasurer s Report: No surprises. Motion made by Ruthie Koerts with second from Dick Schwab to accept the financial reports as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 12

13 Consent Agenda People of the Way: Some comments made that a careful reading of the book is necessary. Name Tags: Fr. Bill appreciates them. Pastoral Coverage: Fr. Richard Schaal is willing to call families in the event of a death and has done so. Thank Yous: Two from Broome County Council of Churches, one for annual budgeted amount and one for a Jail Ministry donation. Also one from Mom s House and from the Episcopal Church Center for the Good Friday offering to benefit the Anglican Providence of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Spring Clean-Up: Thank you to those that helped. Dick Schwab still plans on doing a little weed killer spraying on the parking lot when the weather cooperates. Committee Reports Christian Education: Waiting to hear if we have a second teacher for the middle class. Women of the Church: Will continue Sleeping Bag workshops throughout the summer. Also Sandy Schwab will send a questionnaire out about what kind of outreach the group feels it would like to do. Property Committee: Dick Schwab reported that the Property Committee is working its way through its list. Bruce, Jack and Dick did a walk-through of the entire building, found one bad spot in the roof above sacristy. Also a bubble in rubber roof which Dick will repair. Jack will repair light in downstairs ladies room. Eaves and window wells were cleaned out during Clean-up Day. Dick will also put screening over the exhaust fan on roof. Dick made request that if anyone knows of anyone with skills in the construction trade that can help with repairs to let him know. Pledge Campaign: - Six people have volunteered to do a Minute for Mission on stewardship: Ruthie Koerts, Steve Koerts, Bob Pettit, Sandy Schwab, Karen Cahill and Jack Westermann A discussion was begun about the Gould Scholarship by-laws to address the issue of an award winner being a part-time college student while serving in the military. The vestry was asked to think about it and pray about it between now and the August meeting. Next Meeting - Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. Note the earlier time. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. with the prayer For the Parish from the BCP prayed by Bruce. Minutes submitted by Jennifer S. Westermann, Vestry Clerk 13