St. Paul s Episcopal Church 31 Rider Avenue Patchogue, New York 11772 Bulk Rate US Postage Paid Permit No. 00000 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Mailing Address Street Number and Name City, State 98765-4321 Vestry Wardens: Robin Sconzo and Marjorie Kulesa Martin Immel III, Michael Daly, Scott Harris, Rosemary Smith, Cathie Pliszak, Ronnie MacDonald, Conni Still, Maurine Jacobs, Barbara Ruest Clerk: Conni Still Treasurer: Barbara Lapinski; Assistant Treasurer: Cynthia LaValle Parish Phone: 631-473-3078 Email: www.stpaulspatchogue.org 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.
St. Paul s Epistle Vol.XV Ed.10 November 2016 St. Paul s Parish Mission Statement: to be a thriving, loving, Christ-centered parish; a parish who knows Christ and makes Christ known A Word from Mother Liz November is full of many events this year: All Saint s Day, the Celebration of the Day of the Dead to benefit Lakeview Cemetery, the election, Diocesan Convention, the Christmas Fair, our stewardship in gathering on the Feast of Christ the King, the distribution of turkeys and baskets from the Food-Pantry, Thanksgiving, and even the first Sunday of Advent. But one event that will be missing this year is the arrival of the Christmas Trees. Last year in our budget planning the vestry agreed to eliminate our tree and wreath sale. Profits had been declining over the past five years and so had the number of people available to help sell Christmas trees. The net impact on our bottom line is very small, less than 1%. Last year given that we made about $1500 and for the number of hours involved, our hourly rate would be less than minimum wage. I admit that it is sad to see such a tradition go. There was an element of fun in putting out the call for all hands to help unload and stack the trees after they arrived especially since we never knew when they would be here. We will also miss the customers who made shopping for our trees a family tradition and the relationships we made simply by being visible and present on the front lawn. Nevertheless most of us will enjoy the liberty of an unencumbered post - Thanksgiving Holiday and look forward to one less thing to do as we enter Advent. Thank you to all those who have worked the Christmas Tree and Wreath sale for so many years. The fellowship was invaluable - even if standing around in the cold was not! I myself am going to take advantage of the holiday and join my family for Thanksgiving. This means that I will not be available to participate in the Interfaith service that usually takes place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. While I regret not being a presence with the other clergy of Patchogue, there have never been that many members of St. Paul s who actually attended the service. I will however forward details about the service when they are available. As always at this time of year please keep in mind those who are vulnerable, who are in need of food, shelter, and clothing and give generously when we ask for support. Holy Eucharist Evening Service Saturday November 5, 2016 at 5:00 PM Vestry highlights Bishop s visit was very positive. He encouraged the steps we are taking to reach out to the Latino population in our community and appreciates all the work that is being done by Mother Liz for the diocese. 1
Tithed fundraising gifts in honor and memory of Mother Paulette to include the Episcopal Relief Fund and Development, Caring Bridge, and Good Shepherd Hospice. Pasta at the Parrish raised a little over $1,000. Fun, good food and fellowship was had by all! November 5 th is an event called The Day of the Dead at the Cemetery in Patchogue. The cost is $85 per person and it will be held at the YMCA. The Vestry voted to approve our annual Diocesan Assessment. It is the time of year that the Vestry is recruiting for new members! SAVE THE DATE! through people. So God chose the people of Israel to be the agents of bringing his kingdom about on earth. The people didn't always stick to the script, but God remained faithful. Then, in the time of the prophet Samuel, the people decided that they wanted a human king, so they could be like the other nations around them. Samuel was displeased that they were rejecting God from being their king, but God told him to grant their request, so Samuel appointed Saul as king. Saul was followed by David and then Solomon. Both of these kings were far from perfect, but they found favor with God. Humans are prone to drama, and this seems especially true of kings. The subsequent kings lost sight of God and followed after their own schemes. Eventually the kingdom was divided in two, and both the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were invaded and conquered. God still had his plan. Jesus came to give the kingdom back to God. He preached not just a heavenly kingdom, but a kingdom to be realized and lived here on earth. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. November 7, 2016-7 PM Evening Prayer An Evening Prayer Service for the Country, prior to the election as requested by the Bishop Stewardship Committee JOIN US IN BECOMING STEWARDS OF GOD S KINGDOM indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. -Matthew 6:32-33 God has a plan for the salvation of the world. The funny thing is, God wants the plan to be carried out God s plan continues with us. As the Church, we are the stewards of God s kingdom. By supporting the mission and ministry of St. Paul's we help to spread God's kingdom here in Patchogue. We will be gathering pledges on Christ the King Sunday, November 20 th. Join us in carrying on God's plan. From St. Paul s Stewardship Committee Laura Cooley, Michael Daly, Martin Minogue, Conni Still, Phyllis Voegeli The stewardship breakfast is scheduled for October 30 th. Packets will be distributed to those present, the rest will be mailed. Reminder post cards will go out November 3 rd, and the in gathering of pledges will be on Christ the King Sunday, November 20 th. 2
Coffee Hour 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! Please see Sharon to sign up. Buildings and Grounds It s been almost a month since the tiles on the stairs into Phipps Hall were replaced and what a difference these light colored tiles have made! The hallway looks brighter and it is much safer since it is now easier to watch one s footing. Please include in your prayers this month: Those who are sick or in need: Craig Shaber, Dylan & Family, Ed Smith, Linda Bocca, Mary, Manny, Mike, Marcy, Lillian Hemmert, Janis McEvoy, Lou Cooley, Nikki, Al Mathon, John Davis, Michael Greco, Valerie Leich, Conni Still, Arthur Alloy family Jo Ann Alloy- October 25, 2016 Rest In Peace Those who are serving in the armed forces and their families: Nicholas Lo Russo, Brian Lo Russo, Larry Lo Russo, James Fava, Dylan Wolf, EJ, Johanna Figueroa, Gabriela Lopez, Dakota Dealy, Danny Martin, Mike Layton Share God s grateful generosity by adopting a family for Thanksgiving. 3
Please sign up to purchase the trimmings for a Thanksgiving Dinner. The St. Paul s Food Pantry is our most active ministry and it needs your support. We hope to provide at least 60 families with the complete fixings for a Thanksgiving Dinner. We have already been given the turkeys, so all we need to provide are the fixings. The sign-up sheet is located in the Parish Hall (window in office). o Stuffing o Gravy o Cranberry Sauce o Potatoes o Sweet Potatoes o Rolls o Butter o Veggies o Pies o Juice All foodstuffs need to be delivered to the Parish Hall on Sunday, November 20 th by 11:30am, or Monday, November 21 st after 5pm. The St. Paul s Food Pantry will be distributing the Thanksgiving baskets on Tuesday, November 23 rd. We need a coordinator for this important ministry. Please see Mother Liz if you are willing to volunteer. Thanksgivings and Acknowledgments All those who were able to attend Mother Paulette s funeral service All those who helped to keep the buildings and grounds in good shape for Mother Paulette s funeral service All those who contributed merchandise, helped to schlep, sort, organize, sell, and clean up after the Tag Sale, especially the co-coordinators Laura Cooley and Dee Laffin, including the Eastern Farm Workers who did a splendid job of removing everything that was left over. The members of the Stewardship Committee for their work in designing our Stewardship theme fo 2017, for the articles they write in each newsletter, for launching the campaign and organizing the breakfast All those who contributed towards our Stewardship breakfast The Food Pantry for achieving an outstanding rating from Long Island Cares. The volunteers were commended not only for the quality of the food, including fresh vegetables but for their compassionate and respectful relationship with those who come to the Food Pantry. Mary Dykman for organizing and reviewing the archives on the Lakeview Cemetery. Thrift Shop Another one of our regular customers returned today to tell us how much her grandmother was enjoying the compliments from her friends on the latest fashions she had received from our thrift shop. Fortunately our fall clothes are out so she was able to find some wonderful new items to buy. The Halloween decorations and costumes are selling nicely, especially the rubber bats to hang from the windows, they are creepily realistic. We are cleaning shelves of some old merchandise to contribute to the yard sale to make room for the constant replenishing donations of which we are most grateful. Our finances were sadly a little below our usual figures, we brought in $801.24. Hope for a better month in October. Conni Still and Jeannine Cranor 4
St. Clare s Guild Prayer for an Election Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen St. Clare s Guild is making scarves for soldiers. We welcome anyone who would like to join us, we teach the crochet or knitting technique and supply the yarn to work on the scarves.. Join us at Dia De Los Muertos Gala Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce" <patchamber@optonline.net> Christmas Fair and Vendor Sale November 19, 2016 9 AM 4 PM Crafts, new and vintage items and art. Indoor and outdoor space available. Please let us know how you want to help. Call Marj at 631-730-5506 and volunteer.. Please Join Us!! For a Fun and Exciting Event to Help Raise Funds for our Historic Lakeview Cemetery To Purchase Tickets, Visit the Patchogue Chamber of Commerce Website Prayer For the Parish Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 5
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