From Bob Railey s Pen:

Transcription

1 Published regularly by the parishioners of St. Paul s Episcopal Church 201 E. Ridge Street * Marquette * Michigan * (906) From Bob Railey s Pen: Late and Early Christmas Eve Services Last year, two significant changes were made in the late service: 1) the start time was moved earlier (to 9:00 p.m.), and 2) the flavor of the service was changed from that of a very traditional Christmas Eve Eucharist by using shorter liturgical texts and by singing more carols than were previously incorporated. Feedback to both changes was favorable, so we are keeping with those changes this year. Come join us for Candlelight Christmas: Carols & Eucharist. The early service will be full of readings and music, especially aimed at families and younger participants. The Feast of the Nativity on Christmas Eve is a celebration of the Light of Christ through singing, drumming, dramatic reading born anew in our lives on the night. All ages are invited to this evening as we experience how the people walking in darkness are seeing a great light. The service starts at 5:30pm. Winter Quarter Schedule The usual display is posted for January through March. Note that it is now posted on the BULLETIN BOARD BY THE OFFICE DOOR (due to the Craft Fair covering the chapel hallway board). The display includes the quarterly schedule, rosters for the various activities, and FAQs about the use of the schedule. You may use the schedule to sign up for specific role(s) on specific date(s). You may use the appropriate roster(s) to indicate when not to schedule you. The display will remain posted through December 15. Completed schedules will be distributed beginning December 22. Note to parents: We are no longer scheduling Youth Sundays. Instead, one or more folks from Youth Ministry will be working with me to schedule youth as lectors, servers, bread-bearers, ushers at any of our Sunday liturgies. You as parents may sign up your child for a role he/she is comfortable with on any Sunday you plan to attend. Questions ask Bob Railey. Seasonal Planning December 22 will be the last day to sign up for the Easter 2014 seasonal planning block. Seasonal planning is the national church s process for incorporating the flavor of our liturgical seasons into the broad aspects of parish life. The display, posted on the sign-up bulletin board in the chapel hallway, includes the signup list and FAQs about how seasonal planning is done at St. Paul s. The Easter season begins with the Great Vigil on April 19 and ends with the Day of Pentecost on June 8. The display will remain posted through January for the remaining season of the liturgical year. Questions ask Bob Railey. Christmas Season Flowers Donation envelopes for Christmas season flowers will be placed in the pew-card racks for the first three Sundays of the Advent season (December 1 through 15). Due to Christmas Eve falling on Tuesday this year, we are asking that contributions be submitted by December 15. Be sure to note carefully on the envelope whether the donation is a memorial or a thanksgiving; write carefully who the memorial or thanksgiving is for Hunger Walk Results St. Paul s 2013 team consisted of three walking units who raised a total of 510, proceeds going to combat world-wide (75%) and local (25%) hunger. This was the lowest number of walkers ever for St. Paul s team, but the money raised exceeded that of two previous years. Thanks to those who participated and those who contributed on behalf of St. Paul s walkers. Look for details of the 2014 Walk (usually late September or early October). Thanks also to our friends at ELCA for continuing to lead this ecumenical effort. Next Liturgical Meeting: Friday, December 13,

2 St. Paul s Annual International Craft Fair and Alternative Gift Market Friday, December 6 th: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, December 7 th : 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by Karan Hendricks Can you believe how time flies? It is time for us to sponsor another Craft Fair and Alternative Gift Market. The shelves are set up and just waiting for this year s shipment. It is always exciting to open up the boxes and see what is inside. We will be doing just that on Saturday, November 23 rd, at 9:00 a.m., and would like to invite everyone to participate. There are sign-up sheets at the church, or you can just show up on Saturday. We will be happy to see you. We would also like to ask you to take a look at some of the other Volunteer Sign-Up sheets, and see if there is something else you might like to do. There is always plenty to do, and the more the merrier. Craft Fair is our largest fundraiser, and our longest running event. We are now in our 27 th year and continue to grow. The community looks forward to shopping our fair and know they are giving back, at the same time. The monies continue to provide for sustainability to individuals and communities, worldwide. The Alternative Gift Market provides goods and services for children, families and communities. What feels better than helping to provides medical supplies or to contribute to a clean water project? Maybe you would like to give the gift of livestock, in the form of a sheep or goat for a family. These are just a few of the ways you can help others through though the Alternative Gift Market. Be sure to mark your calendar to attend The International Craft Fair and Alternative Gift Market. Bring your holiday wish list, and don t miss this season s most unique shopping experience. Oh yes, and spread the word. Thank you for your support and we will see you at The Fair! The Rooster Sings: Pre-Christmas Orders for Haitian Coffee, Art and Christmas Cards by Burt Purrington For the past two years, our coffee hour hosts have been serving Haitian Mountain Bleu coffee. The coffee is sold by Singing Rooster in Madison, WI, and is purchased through direct trade that is, the coffee is bought directly from farmer-owned coffee cooperatives rather than purchased through an intermediary. Singing Rooster provides pre-harvest financing to the farmers and pays above fair-trade prices. All proceeds from sales are returned to the community of Jeannette high in the mountains southwest of Haiti s capital Port-au- Prince. Singing Rooster and the partnership with Jeannette are ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee. Each year at our International Gift Fair in December we sell Singing Rooster coffee as well as Haitian art (also purchased directly from the artisans by Singing Rooster) and banana-bark Christmas and note cards from Beyond Borders, a Pennsylvania-based organization that supports schools and microfinancing in Haiti and works to end child slavery there. Most of the art is made from recycled metal oil drums, for which Haiti is internationally famous, and includes Christmas tree ornaments, geckos, angels, trees of life, crosses and Noah s arks as well as a coconut nativity. The banana bark cards are made by young men from the slums of Port-au-Prince and provide income where jobs are very hard to find. You can buy coffee, art and cards at the Haiti table at the Gift Fair, but we are also accepting and encouraging pre-orders. Coffee comes in dark, medium-dark and light roasts, whole bean or ground, as well as ground decaf. You may pre-order by contacting me at blp331f@charter.net or

3 Stewardship Update- November 13 th, 2013 by Dennis West Great News--we have yet to reach Stewardship Sunday and we are putting up some impressive numbers in our campaign. If you have not made your pledge by the time you receive this, I hope that you will consider supporting this campaign. I believe that we will have great news by the time of the Annual Meeting. Thanks again for your support of St. Paul s. Year Pledged amount 74,870 84,467 81,724 99, , , ,557 62,026 Pledges Average Pledge 1,208 1,385 1,409 1,659 1,616 1,670 1,645 1,723 Total % of Top 3 givers 21% 19% 20% 17% 17% 15% 13% 19% Through November 13 th, we have received 36 pledges which puts us at 52% of the total pledges in comparison to our total in We have received pledges that have totaled 62,026 which is 55% of the total in We have 4 new pledges from people who have not previously pledged to St. Paul s, and of the 32 who have renewed their pledge, 20 have increased, 3 have lowered their pledges and 9 have stayed at the same amount. Through November 13, 2013, pledges have been received from Denny Beck and Patty Neva, Jack Bullock, Tom and Carol Cappuccio, Marian Carlton, Dan and Barb Carpenter, Fred and Cathy Cole, Kathleen Conover, Jim and Jan Edwards, Frank and Laura Farwell, Marcia Franz, Lin and Terrell Frazier, Trudy Gray, Holly Greer, Howard and Suzanne Harding, Lydia Hoff, Alan and Mary Hunter, Jim and Margaret Jajich, Deb Jean, Frank Kerwin and Sue Micensky, Elizabeth Lancour, Hal Martin, Jayne McQuaid, Hermiz and Mary Mikhael, Kris Mowafy, William and Tina Ostwald, Joan Petersen, Marcella Platt, Tom and Brenda Ray, Kay Payant and Ted Raymond, Carol Rees, Olive Sain, Phyllis Schultz, Geoff and Ann Smith, Kevin and Rise Thew Forrester, Dennis and Kayla West, and John Wilson. Thanks to all who have committed this year, and we look forward to concluding our most successful campaign yet. If you had responded before November 13 th and don t see your name listed, first my apologies and please talk to Dennis West or Geoff Smith so that we can update our records. New Directories and Other Hospitality News by Sandy Purrington Our St. Paul s directory is being updated and should be available in time for our annual meeting in February. If your address, phone number, or any other information has changed since our last directory was printed, please send your information to Kathy Lenten in the church office at kathylenten201@gmail.com or If you have questions, please see Iris Erickson or me. We want everyone to be included! Geoff Smith is available after the service most Sundays, if you d like a new photo for the upcoming directory (that would also go on the wall on our St. Paul s Family Tree). Thanks so much, Geoff! As always, many thanks for wearing your nametags. They re a big help to all, especially visitors and new members.

4 Liturgical Leadership Sundays: Date Sunday Preside Preach Deacon December 1 Advent 1 Kevin Kevin Pat December 8 Advent 2 Marcia Marcia Judy December 15* Advent 3 Rayford Coralie December 22 Advent 4 Rïse Rïse Mary December 29 Christmas 1 Sandy Burt Pat Christmas Eve: December 24 5:30 p.m. Rïse Rïse Pat December 24 9:00 p.m. Kevin Kevin Coralie *Second Generation Commissioning/Ordination December Birthdays Frank Farwell 3 Arlene Gordanier 3 Liz Lancour 6 Jennifer Baldwin 9 Jo DeYoung 10 Coralie Hambleton 10 Kevin Thew Forrester 12 Iva Arnett 14 Howard Harding 16 Burt Purrington 17 Jim Edwards 20 The Messenger Team Copy Editor Jane Ryan Reporter Bob Railey Editor Meg Goodrich Mailers Lay-out Jim Edwards Copier KathyLenten Geoff Smith, Sandy Purrington, Olive Sain Jayne McQuaid & Arlene Gordanier Nellie Magoon 22 Liam Thew Forrester 25 Jean Contois 26 Dick Contois 29 Lindsey Baldwin 31

5 December Calendar Sunday 1 Ministry Support Team 9:45 am Holy Eucharist: 1 Advent Monday 2 Altar Guild Tuesday 3 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Faith Explorations 3:30 pm Wednesday 4 LifeCycles, Daytimers II 10:00 am Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Thursday 5 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Friday 6 LifeCycles, Pilgrim s group Interfaith Forum, Harvey Building 11:30 am Spong Conference planning meeting 2:30 pm International Gifts and Craft Fair 5 pm 9 pm Saturday 7 International Gifts and Craft Fair 10 am 4 pm Sunday 8 9:45 am Holy Eucharist: 2 Advent Monday 9 Camp New Day 5:00 pm Tuesday 10 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Faith Explorations 3:30 pm Wednesday 11 Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Thursday 12 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Sunday 15 Third Sunday Forum 9:45 am Holy Eucharist: 3 Advent Commissioning of 2 nd Generation Covenant Group Tuesday 17 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Hospitality meeting 10:00 am Wednesday 18 Finance Committee meeting 12:00 pm Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Thursday 19 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Vestry meeting Scottish Dancing Friday 20 LifeCycles, Pilgrim s group Ladies Luncheon 11:30 am Sunday 22 9:45 am Holy Eucharist: 4 Advent Outreach Sunday: UTO Tuesday 24 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Christmas Eve Early Service 5:30 pm Late Service 9:00 pm Wednesday 25 Merry Christmas! Thursday 26 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Sunday 29 9:45 am Holy Eucharist: 1 Christmas Fifth Sunday Outreach ERD Typhoon Tuesday 31 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am

6 Ladies Luncheon by Barb Carpenter The annual Holiday Ladies Luncheon will be held on Friday, December 20, at 11:30 a.m. at Capers Restaurant in the Landmark Inn. Contact Sharon Stenglein by phone ( ), by or by signing the list on the scrip table at church for a reservation. Guests are always welcome. Traditionally we collect items for the Mitten Tree at the luncheon. Because our luncheon date falls later in December this year, please bring your items to church on or before Sunday, December 15. Scrip News by Barb Carpenter Beginning to think about Christmas gifts? Make your holiday shopping easy by choosing gift cards from over twenty local businesses participating in St. Paul's Scrip Program. From restaurants to jewelry, books to baked goods (and even grocery stores for the practical minded) we can help! Stop by the scrip table on any Sunday and we will do our best to fill your order immediately. Or you can leave your order in the scrip mailbox and we will fill it as soon as possible. Give us a little notice if you want multiple cards and we will have them for you within a few days. Many, many thanks to all who are participating. You are raising money for St. Paul's with each order you place. See Ann Smith, Karan Hendricks or Barb Carpenter with questions or suggestions. Fifth Sunday Outreach for December ERD s Typhoon Haiyan Relief by Burt Purrington In early November, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest cyclones ever recorded, struck the Philippines leaving a path of unimaginable death, destruction and suffering. Episcopal Relief & Development immediately began working with its local partner, the Episcopal Church of the Philippines, to provide food, water and shelter for the victims as well as to begin long-range planning for recovery and rebuilding. This year, we have five Sundays in December. Our Fourth Sunday Outreach offering will be for United Thank Offering. Our Fifth Sunday Outreach offering will be for ERD s Typhoon Haiyan relief and rebuilding fund. Please keep the people of the Philippines who are suffering so grievously during this holy season in your hearts and prayers. The deadline for the January Messenger is Sunday, December 15th.

7 This is the original chart from Dennis West s article if you want to use it. I retyped it into the document thinking that you wouldn t be able to read this one if you needed to resize it. Year Pledged Amount 74,870 84,467 81,724 99, , , ,557 62, Pledges Average Pledge 1,208 1,385 1,409 1,659 1,616 1,670 1,645 1, Total % of top 3 givers 21% 19% 20% 17% 17% 15% 13% 19%