THE GOOD NEWS October 2014

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1 The mission of St. Paul s is to be the Body of Christ and instruments of his love and grace committed to serve and nurture this church and community. THE GOOD NEWS October 2014 Inside this Issue Parish News & Notes Vestry highlights Upcoming Events EYC Happenings Church Calendar and Ministry Schedule Spiritual Fruit Gentleness from the Rector There s a story told about the winter of at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. Actually, there are a lot of stories told about that winter, but the one I m talking about involves a detail of soldiers of the Continental Army who were working one day to reinforce the defensive works around the American position. The work involved felling trees and lifting heavy sections of logs into position one on top another to build fighting fortifications. It had gotten late in the intensely busy day and the squad was working to lift one last log to complete the top of their section of the wall, but exhausted, the work was not going well. From where he stood to the side, their corporal shouted louder and louder, Put your backs into it, men! One, two, three, heave! One attempt after another ended with the giant log collapsing back onto the shoulders of the exhausted men. A tall figure stepped up to the men from the gathering dusk, wrapped in a long coat against the cold. Why don t you help them, sir? the stranger asked. Sir, I am a corporal. They will get the job done, or I will know the reason why! The newcomer shrugged and stepped under an open spot on the log. Okay, men, he said quietly, now! and the group lifted the final piece into its place, completing the wall. Most of the men collapsed to the ground, slapping each other on the back for having finally finished their work. The corporal just stood, looking after the stranger as he brushed off the shoulder of his coat and walked away toward the center of the encampment. Who the heck does that one think he is? he spit. You don t know? said one of the men, poking another, That was the General. Gentleness is not seemingly a quality that is much valued in our world. In our sometimes obsessive emphasis on individual rights and personal prerogatives, any sign that we are not standing up for ourselves, is seen as some kind of character flaw. With General Washington s corporal, we are led to feel that if we give way on any point, if we give up any privilege, others will take advantage, or step all over us, or use us for their own ends. And so we guard our turf, and we protect our position, and in the process, we have come to equate gentleness with weakness. But for Paul, and for every other ancient writer, the Greek word that most modern English translations render as gentle or gentleness was only used to describe the powerful, those who were possessed of great strength and the character to productively channel it. In creating his list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, Paul isn t suggesting for a moment that Christians will or should become doormats, but that the Spirit can teach us how to be truly powerful. Jesus himself is our best example of what it truly means to be gentle. The Son of God, who had laid down the glories of heaven to live as one of us, was the same one, we are told, who picked up children and said they were the model for those that want to experience heaven. He was the same one who taught us to turn the other cheek and to walk the extra mile. He was the same one who endured even the cross, for us. Far from being a doormat, Jesus s awareness of his strength empowered him to be gentle to those in need, to restore the dimly burning wick, to lift up the lowly and restore the broken reed. Day by day, we will encounter situations where it is easy to react with privilege or anger or even violence. But when we accept the reality of who we are in Christ, we can be gentle, whatever conflicts may arise. That is the gentleness that the Spirit of God offers to grow in my heart and yours.

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 Wednesdays 12:10 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Healing Service Saturday October 4 6 a.m. St. Paul s Yard Sale and St. Ann s Guild Bake Sale Wednesday, October 8 6 p.m. Potluck Supper and Program End Times Sunday, September 12 5:30 p.m. EYC Back-to-School Pizza at Firedome October Fall Gathering at All Saints Camp Sunday, October 19 5 p.m. E.Y.C. to Cates Farm, CCO Sunday Dry Pasta Monday, October 20 Noon St. Ann s Guild Tuesday, October 21 5:30 p.m. Vestry Meeting, Rector s Study Saturday, October a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry Wednesday, October 29 6 p.m. Sloppy Joe Supper and Program End Times, 6 p.m. EYC Halloween Supper with the Presbyterians. Parish News and Notes Larry makes a difficult point during his first sermon from St. Paul s pulpit.

3 Good-bye for a While from our Postulant Last Sunday afternoon, September 28, I drove to Trinity Episcopal Church in Owensboro for my formal orientation to my six-month Discernment Internship for the Diaconate. The meeting was facilitated by Deacon Rose Bogal-Allbritten, who is in charge of diaconal formation for the Diocese of Kentucky. Deacon Rose introduced me to my Discernment Committee, and presented the schedule for my meetings with the Committee, including sessions to examine Prayer, Outreach, Preaching, and Power. The final session I won t attend as the Committee evaluates my time with them. I then met less formally with Fr. Pat Connell, Rector of Trinity Church, to discuss the outreach component of my time there. He was pleased when I let him know that I had already begun working on the project to bring a support group from Matthew 25 AIDS Ministry to Trinity to serve the clients in the Owensboro area. We also discussed my preaching schedule I will preach at Trinity on Sunday, November 9. Next Sunday, October 5th will be my first Sunday attending Trinity as Intern. Fr. Pat will be introducing me to the congregation at each of the three services that day, though I will only be attending the services that day, not serving in any capacity. That will be very different for me. When thinking about traveling to Owensboro every Sunday and Wednesday for the next six months, and about how much I will miss being here with you, I am reminded of Psalm 121: I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. Please continue to pray for me; I shall always keep you in my prayers. Love one another, pray for each other, and serve Christ and his Church, receiving his blessing of eternal life in heaven! God Bless All of You, Close Up Giving Our challenge for giving to Christian Community Outreach for September was toothpaste, the first time that has been our collection. All told, we collected more than 75 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 the aforementioned Close Up. We supplied the stuff in fresh mint, ultra mint, cool mint, original mint and cinnamon. We gave toothpaste is tartar protecting, cavity protecting, even triple protecting and triple action. We did not compute how long a ribbon might be created from all those tubes, nor did we calculate how many total brushings it represents, but with nearly 400 ounces 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. Blessing of the Pets St. Francis of Assisi, friar and mystic is known for his learning, his piety, and for his love of animals. Because of that association, we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, by blessing the animals that are dear to us. On Sunday afternoon, October 5 at 4:00, you and your pet are invited to gather in the children s playground where Fr. Rich will lead us in prayer and meditation on the natural world, and help us celebrate the blessing of the pets in our lives. Join us to say thanks to your special friend and to thank our Lord for giving us such friendships. It s finally here! Annual Yard Sale Saturday, October 4 6am to 1pm Come for baked goods, hot dogs and lots of stuff!

4 Youth Happenings Leslie Newman Our outdoor movie night at Community Baptist on Sept. 5 was postponed, unfortunately, but we moved the event to St. Paul s for an indoor movie night, and our Presbyterian friends were able to join us! Fr. Rich got us set up in the Parish Hall, Jenny grilled our hot dogs on our griddle, and we added chips and even some veggies for supper. The kids watched the popular movie, Heaven is for Real, and then we walked down to the Logan s cheerful new frozen yogurt shop on Second St. for another treat! Feeding the Children Leslie Newman As it turns out, I was the only youth from EYC who was able to join the Feed Our Starving Children community event sponsored by the United Methodist Churches and Holy Name Catholic Church on September 20. I worked with ladies from Greater Norris Chapel Baptist Church, Poole Missionary Baptist Church and a family with four children from Newburgh who were from Crossroads Christian Church on the 9-11 a.m. shift. Time flew and we had much fun. And in the end we were part of packing 256,000 meals for hungry children, meals that will be distributed at feeding centers around the globe. Jumping for Joy! Leslie Newman The youth from St. Paul VBS partners, the Presbyterian Church and Community Baptist Church gathered on September 28 for a long-awaited trip to SkyZone, the new indoor trampoline park in Evansville. It was quite an experience, and fun was had by all. Caitlyn said this adventure was on her bucket list and she now can cross it off! Afterwards we went to Cici s pizza, where one (especially a young one) can eat all the pizza they want. Special thanks to the Presbys for driving us all in their church van. Coming this Month Leslie Newman EYC has a fun October planned! Fall break for Henderson County Schools starts when the last bell rings on Friday October 3, and EYC will wind up the vacation week at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday October 12, at Firedome Pizza and Wings, with supper and the chance for our youth to talk about how they spent their time away from school. In the meantime youth looking for something to do, or service hours, or both, are encouraged to volunteer anytime between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 4 to help with the parish rummage and bake sale. Proceeds from the bake sale will help fund St. Ann s scholarships for All Saints, and the rummage sale haul always goes to a good project, last year for new choir robes. On Sunday, October 19, EYC will travel once again to Cates Farms for their fall extravaganza, which includes picking pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, the corn maze, games, hay ride and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Then on Wednesday, October 29 at 6 p.m., the Presbyterian Church will host not only our youth but our entire parish, for a Halloween party, complete with supper, games and treats. Costumes are encouraged! Details of how we will contribute to the supper will be forthcoming. Fall Sports Leslie Newman Keep an eye on the sports page for St. Paul s Warner Mattingly playing soccer, and Renner Wehr playing football, both for Henderson County High School. Better yet, head out to watch them play! It s Almost Calendar Time Leslie Newman EYC calendars will be arriving soon, and will sell for $7 again. So start saving your change. And it will be time to fill boxes for the Seamen s Ministry and Operation Christmas Child next month, so as you are dodging the Christmas decorations sprouting in the store aisles already, please focus your holiday overload on how you can help others as we head into the season. Gathering this Fall at All Saints Leslie Newman Diocesan Fall Youth Gathering at All Saints is from Friday October 17 until Sunday October 19. Anyone looking for an excuse to see the camp in fall, please see Fr. Rich or me because we ll need help with transportation. Thanks to St. Ann s Guild for making it possible for our youth to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities provided by our diocese and our diocesan youth director, Kendall Badgett, and the staff and volunteers at All Saints.

5 Vestry Notes At their monthly meeting on August 15, St. Paul s Vestry: Reviewed Parish financial reports for the end of August, showing net income for the month. Completed plans for the Parish Picnic and discussed Sunday morning breakfast participation. Received a status update on the Operating Fund campaign. Sixty-six pledges have been received so far, though individual calls have not yet begun. Discussed arranging for a periodic external audit to assure responsibility. Estimates will be solicited. Heard a pastoral update on Barbara and Bebe, rejoicing that Marty could attend the meeting. We will use the take-a-meal website program to help when Barbara returns home. Was informed that all Vestry members are current with Safe Church training, with two employees needing to complete the newest modules. Confirmed that we have pledged $27,886 to the Diocese for 2015, 14% of our 2013 operating revenue. Celebrated River Bend Academy s rental of the west side of the annex building. Examined the Rector s proposed 2015 Operating Budget, including a modest increase in pledged income, reduced budget for investment income, an increase in nursery spending to allow for expansion of our program for children, and a balanced 1% increase in operating revenue and expenses. Members will consider the Budget for approval at the next meeting. Elected Carolyn Fuller and Greg Powell as delegates to the Diocese of Kentucky Convention in November, with Kathy Powell and Leslie Newman elected as alternates. The next Vestry meeting is October 21. All Saints Needs YOU! Kent Preston Our beloved All Saints Episcopal Conference Center and Camp is in need of all our help. A tradition in our church that was started many years ago was to have the Sunday plate collection on All Saints Sunday go to benefit All Saints. This has never been a huge amount, but every little bit helps. All Saint s has experienced a very difficult year, however, and is looking for a special level of support on All Saints Sunday. We are trying to raise $25, across the Diocese of Kentucky for a place that is very near and dear to most of us, and I am calling on all the folks of our Parish to help support All Saints. I was told once by Fr. Morrison, that I was the first person in All Saints history to be a camper, a counselor, a board member, and Chairman of the Board. So you can see how much this place has had an impact in my life. I know All Saints has had that kind of impact with so many at St. Paul s. I ask you to please support this wonderful ministry by giving what you can, in the offering plate on All Saints Sunday, November 2, or with a special gift between now and then. Perfectly Pretty Parish Picnic It was a beautiful day at Audubon Park for St. Paul s Parish Picnic September 28. Fr. Rich and Evalyn led our prayers and praise, with a special emphasis on old, familiar singing. Ribs and chicken were provided by the Parish by way of J&B Barbeque, and the rest of our feast included the usual side dish and dessert bonanza for which our Parish is deservedly famous. If you missed this year s picnic, you missed a wonderful time! Education for Ministry Underway Education for Ministry, the four-year program of theological education for the laity of the Episcopal Church, is back in session at St. Paul s. Though there is still opportunity for others to join the class, Marty White and Paula Crowley of St. Mary s, Madisonville will be beginning their first year of the program. EfM veterans, Larry Courtney, Kathy Powell, and Bill Brodsky will be taking up Year Two. In addition, we are hosting three learners from Trinity Church, Owensboro as they complete their programs. Financial Summary as of August 30, 2014 Pledged Amount to Date $116,667 Pledged Income received to Date $113,278 Other Operating Income to Date $36,743 Operating Expenses to Date $159,695

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 George Marsha Bebe Billy Barbara Terry Donna Seymour Michelle Rita Our Family & Friends Don Pam Farley Jerry Byron Kathy Nancy Jeff Carol Polly Beverly Peggy Evan Whitney Darrell Mary Catherine Elijah Diane Ethan Herb Barry Jack David Reagan 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 Brandon Vestry Members Service Times Wardens Michelle Green, Carolyn Fuller Sunday 8:00 Rite I Clerk Susie Watkins 10:00 Rite II Budget and Finance Hugh Hennessy Wednesday 12:10 Rite II Building and Grounds Becky Stone w/ anointing Parish Life Marilyn Dixon, Greg Powell Outreach Carolyn Fuller, Marty White Worship and Music Mike France Christian Formation and Youth Michelle Green Communications Susie Watkins, Michelle Green Treasurer Becky Carroll St. Paul s Episcopal Church 5 South Green Street Henderson, KY