August 2017

Good Samaritan Window, St. Paul’s Church

St. Paul’s in Mission

A Message from our Rector

August 2017

Dear Friends,

A good friend of mine used to say about Maine: “If you can’t take the winter, you don’t deserve the summer.” The same could be said here in Rochester… and I’m enjoying it! Though off to a slow start, I hope you are also having a relaxing and refreshing summer.

While I appreciate the slow-down on the parish calendar, I find myself in August looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. You should have received a mailing last month with information about the 2017-2018 program year. It should be another wonderful year complete with the traditions we hold dear and some new events and programs.

I look forward to seeing you at the Parish Breakfast on Sunday, September 10th, if not sooner.

As always, I remain, Your friend and Rector,

(The Rev’d) Robert A. Picken

Tom McCart’s ministry in our diocese remembered

On June 29, The Rt. Rev. Prince Singh, Bishop of Rochester, as well as clergy from throughout the diocese, joined members of the Rev. Dr. Thomas McCart’s family and St. Paul’s clergy and members to celebrate Tom’s ministry among us from 2002 to 2012.

One of Tom’s great loves was liturgical music. He earned degrees in music education and organ performance. Tom earned a M.Div. Degree in 1978 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. In 1994 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Church History from Vanderbilt University. He founded the Anglican Musicians Foundation which later became the Association for Anglican Musicians. Memorial contributions may be made to the AAM Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 62834; Colorado Springs, CO 80962-2834.

NOTE: Tom’s surname was misspelled in the July edition of the Epistle. I apologize for this error. jaw, editor

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Faith in the World Evensong followed by lecture and Q&A Sunday, October 1: 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary

Workshop: “The Eucharist and Human Flourishing” Monday, October 2: 9:30 a.m. – noon, Parish Hall

No Fee, but registration required: https://tinyurl.com/fitw-Farwell

James Farwell is Professor of Theology and Liturgy at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. His work is in liturgical and sacramental theology, theories of ritual and religion, comparative theology, and the theology of religions. He holds degrees from The Catholic University of America, The General Theological Seminary, and Emory University. Dr. Farwell has long been interested in liturgy as the ritual performance of identity and worldview – a notion central to his books on Holy Week (This Is the Night, T&T Clark 2005) and the shape of the Eucharist (The Liturgy Explained, Morehouse 2013). The same notion informs his Inaugural Address at Virginia Seminary and a recent essay published in the journal Liturgy, in which he calls for Eucharistic prayers to refer more explicitly to the ministry of the human Jesus, linking the Incarnation and Redemption together in the liturgical assembly’s imagination of its own life in Christ. His most recent publications turn his preoccupation

with liturgy as the performance of identity to the case of inter-religious practice. His own autobiographical reflection on “Whether Christians Should Participate in Buddhist Practice” will appear in the November 2017 issue of the Journal of Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology. In “The Eucharist and Human Flourishing,” Dr. Farwell will share his reflections on how liturgy imagines-in-performance the identity of the church; about the church’s liturgical consent to participation in the mission of God; and about the implications of all this for the future of the Eucharistic prayer, the manner in which the Eucharist is celebrated, and the possible revision of the Book of Common Prayer.

Sundays on Thursdays Each Thursday this summer, the Holy Eucharist is being celebrated—weather permitting—at St. Paul’s Cross. When the weather doesn’t cooperate the service is moved indoors. There are still a few Thursdays left this summer to avail yourself of this worship experience. Shown here are the Rev. Jay Burkardt with parishioners during a July service.

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Our call to mission: To share our time, talent & treasure

St. Pauls’ offers a wide variety of activities that involve our members in providing direct ministry to those in need of support. In addition, our parish financially supports other groups that are providing such ministries. St. Paul’s members are welcomed and encouraged to participate by directly sharing their time and talent. Information below and on the next page describe some of these opportunities.

Outreach Council

St. Paul’s Outreach Council is the arm of the Vestry that oversees and advocates for our outreach projects and mission giving. This monetary support falls into two categories:

One-time grants to projects that meet human needs where our contributions will make a difference locally as well as worldwide

Vestry-designated funds that support Unusual Mission Opportunities (UMO).

Although there are exceptions, the focus of our efforts is the greater Rochester community. Groups seek our support. However, as they come to our attention the Outreach Council contacts organizations supporting the under-served of our community to learn if we can assist them. Outreach Council members meet monthly to review grant applications. Although they add up to a considerable amount of St. Paul’s annual budget, our grants represent a small portion of the resources needed to tackle the significant problems of our community in the areas of poverty, hunger, homelessness, and education.

Over the past year and a half, the Council awarded one-time grants to: A Meal & More

Advent House Bereavement Program

Eastern Service Workers

E.D.E.N. Urban Farm (St. Mark’s and John’s Church)

Horizons Student Enrichment Program

RDJ Shelter

Rural & Migrant Ministries

St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality

St. Stephen's Food Program

Saving Grace Ministries

School #9

Southwest Ecumenical Ministries (SWEM)

The Council is in the second year of its three-year commitment to support the Nativity Preparatory Academy.

The Council continues to explore ways to support parish members in their individual mission and outreach endeavors, serving as a clearing house of information about local organizations who need both financial and volunteer support.

The Council built upon the success of our initial “St. Paul’s in the City” program, which focused on urban education in 2016 with a second series in 2017 that focused on urban poverty. In addition, the Outreach Speaker Series continued.

Outreach Committee members are: Rita Lancy (Chair), Marylu Andrews, Jan Ashley, Floyd Bayley, Claudius Scott, Bob Shaddock, Steve Snell, and Peggy Willard; the Rev. Robert Picken, ex officio. Please reach out to any of us with any questions or ideas which you may have. 4

Opportunities for Mission at St. Paul’s

Adopt-a-Classroom: 18 years of Service St. Paul’s Adopt-a-Classroom program helps students reach reading readiness at Rochester’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., School #9. Volunteers meet weekly with primary students to read aloud, practice skills and play reading games; others help in the school library. Volunteers also sort and pack bags of vacation books.

CONTACT: Paula Valeri, City School Outreach Coordinator 585-748-7048 pdvaleri@gmail.com.

St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality On the first Saturday of each month, from September to June, St Paul's volunteers prepare and serve a hot meal for people who are among the working poor, unemployed, and homeless. Volunteers bake cookies, shop for food, and prepare and serve meals.

CONTACT:

Meredith Halter 585-615-2058 mhalter@rochester.rr.com

Prayer Shawl Ministry A group of men and women who knit and crochet handmade shawls and prayer squares that are available to anyone going through a difficult time or giving thanks for special blessings.

CONTACT:

Judy Carpenter 585-750-7613

RAIHN (Rochester Area Interfaith Housing Network) Four times a year, `PaulsPlace' provides families in the midst of a housing crisis, a safe and comfortable place to stay for a week. Approximately seventy volunteers set up church school rooms for up to five families, prepare and serve meals and provide hospitality.

CONTACT:

Lynn Griffith 315-904-4121 Volunteer at www.paulsplace.ivolunteer.com.

Sudanese Refugee Ministry The Sudanese ministry helps refugees from Sudan to assimilate to the western world. The Ministry provides professional support and guidance. Scholarships and educational support are offered. An annual Refugee Trauma healing conference with RGH is also provided.

CONTACT:

Jerry and Ann Marie DeLuccio 585-582-2648 or 585-503-3281

Water for South Sudan Water for South Sudan delivers safe drinking water to South Sudan villages by drilling viable wells and providing hygiene education. By May 2017, WFSS had drilled 304 wells in remote villages. Salva Dut, a former Sudanese Lost Boy and member of St. Paul’s, serves WFSS as Executive Director of East Africa Operations.

CONTACT:

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St. Paul's Child Care Center The high-performing St. Paul's Child Care Center's Universal Pre-Kindergarten program achieves consistently high attendance. Our parish supports this autonomous agency by providing space and utilities. Parishioners also serve on the Center’s board of directors.

CONTACT: Michelle Mousseau stpaulschildcare@rochester.rr.com

Altar Guild Altar Guild supports and enhances worship at St. Paul’s. Guild members prepare the altars for all services and care for the sacred vessels and linens. Working in teams and meeting twice a year in community, the Guild is a vibrant, behind-the-scenes ministry that welcomes members committed to maintaining our spiritual home.

CONTACTS:

Co-Chairs

June Talarico 585-319-5485 Jackie Barnes 585-436-5104

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LOOKING FOR LEMS!!

We need people (teens, too!) interested and willing to be Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs), especially for the 8:00 a.m. service! You will be trained and asked to serve approximately once a month.

It is a lovely way to connect with your fellow parishioners while helping to celebrate the Eucharist! If interested please contact Louise Moore at tilney4@gmail.com or (585) 748-1657

Missionpalooza! From July 31-August 4, St Paul's hosted the second annual Missionpalooza for the Diocese of Rochester. Thirty-five youth and 5 adults from 6 congregations were sent out to seven different places throughout the city to serve God and God’s people most in need. They worked tirelessly each day before ending with a celebration at Seabreeze. Caption: Missionpalooza youth moving compost for a new garden at St Mark’s and St John’s.

Help fill in the puzzle of the RAIHN schedule of volunteers for our next rotation, August 27-September 3rd ! Volunteer today by calling Lynn Griffith at 516-662-1216 OR sign up online: www.paulsplace.ivolunteer.com or at coffee hour. Spend part of your Labor Day Weekend with our guests. It is also a good time for families to volunteer! News: There will be a volunteer training on Wednesday, August 23rd at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 43 Gebhardt Road in Penfield (off Five Mille Line Road). More news: The RAIHN organization will have moved its offices by the time you receive this newsletter. They are now located at 142 Webster Avenue. Volunteers have been spackling, sanding, cleaning and painting the building. Many groups have sponsored a room. Thanks to all who have worked to prepare for this move. Even more news: The RAIHN Ritzy Rummage Sale on July 15 raised $900. RAIHN says that is not what was hoped for in proceeds but they still feel blessed! And to everyone reading this, monetary donations of any size are always welcome in any organization. Donations of all amounts and from a wide community of people add up to a healthy organization.

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NEWS

Learning Opportunities this Fall

9:00 am, Sundays, 9/17, 9/24 Parish Hall

Introduction to Faith-in-the-World Using Liturgy Explained, participants will explore and discuss material to prepare for the 2017 Faith-in-the-World lecture and workshop led by the Rev. Dr. James Farwell, Professor of Theology and Liturgy.

Saturday, 10/1

Evensong & lecture 4:00 pm Monday, 10/2 Workshop 9:00–11:30 am

Faith in the World Lecture:

“The Eucharist and Human Flourishing” This year’s speaker, the Rev. Dr. James Farwell, Professor of Theology and Liturgy at the Virginia Theological Seminary, is author of, “This Is the Night: Suffering, Salvation, and the Liturgies of Holy Week.”

2:00 pm, Mondays, 10/2, 10/9, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13

Wainwright Hall

Book Group: The First Axial Age Participants will read and discuss The Great Transformation by religious historian Karen Armstrong, to learn why the First Axial Age occurred, and how it aligns with the Second Axial Age of our time. Nancy Grear

9:00 am, Sundays, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12 Parish Hall

Mysteries of Faith Our series from last year will continue to explore some questions of our faith: Creation, Revelation, Grace, Fellowship of Saints, and What Does It All Mean?

11:30 am, Sundays, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5

Raising a Family of Faith This series for parents, led by the Rev. Jay Burkardt, will focus on essentials for raising a family in faith.

7:00 pm, Monday, 10/16 Parish Hall

Dessert & Discussion: AMERICAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH HISTORY The Rev. Dr. Ronald Young, Assistant Rector, Christ Church, Pittsford, and a church historian, will lead this discussion.

7:00 pm, Monday, 11/6 Parish Hall

Dessert & Discussion: AMERICAN FIRST CENTURY JUDAISM The Rev. Peter Stein, Senior Rabbi at Temple B’rith Kodesh, will lead this discussion.

Saturday, 12/2 9:00 am–1:00 pm (with lunch) Wainwright Hall

ADVENT RETREAT Join Ann Buerschaper and Nancy Grear for a quiet morning as we enter into Advent. Lunch will be provided.

9:00 am, Sundays 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 Vestry Room

Are you worried about how to pray? Join us to try out three prayer practices as we enter into Advent.

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Saintly Summer Study: Early Saints of England

The lives and times of Early Saints of England are being explored at 9:00 am on Sunday mornings this summer. By the end of August we will have discussed all those pictured here. There are still two more saints to be learn about –

8/20- Margaret, Queen of Scotland 8/27 -Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury.

BE:OW: The Rev. Rob Picken and Nancy Grear leading discussions about early English saints.

First Wednesday Reading Group October Selection

November Selection

December Selection

Beginning October 4, we will meet after the Healing Service on the First Wednesday of the month to discuss one book. Bring your lunch if you like. We will provide beverages and dessert. Our first three books are shown at the left.

Books used in programs at St. Paul’s As you look to the beginning of the program year, you will see that there are more book groups starting this fall: a five week program looking at The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong; and a monthly book group, meeting on the First Wednesday of the Month beginning in October. We are asking that if you would like to participate in these groups (or for any purchase) that you use Amazon.Smile.com, choosing St. Paul’s as your charity. St. Paul’s will earn .5% on each purchase. Setup is easy. If you have an Amazon account, look under the tab “Accounts and Lists” and see “Your Amazon Smile” in the right column. Otherwise type Amazon.Smile.com in the internet search tool of your choice and follow instructions.

Contact Nancy Grear for questions about setup, no access to PC, or any other book related question.

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Opportunities to be Uplifted by Music this Fall

Sunday, 10/1

4:00 pm Choral Evensong

for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels

(Faith in the World lecture to follow.)

Sunday, 10/8

10:00 am Rejoice in the Lamb by Benjamin Britten

Performed by the St. Paul’s Choir during the worship service

Friday, 11/3

7:30 pm

ORGAN RECITAL To celebrate the 5th anniversary

of the restoration of our Skinner Organ, Op. 65 by Dr. Robert Poovey, Organist

Sunday, 11/5

4:00 pm Choral Evensong

For the Feast of All Saints (Reception to follow.)

Sunday, 10/23

7:30 pm Music as Outreach:

IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD (IMBTF) to benefit Foodlink,

the Rochester area food bank.

Performers TBA.

Sunday, 12/3

4:00 pm

Lessons and Carols for Advent *Festive Reception to Follow*

To worship God, to gladden the hearts of worshippers – help make a joyful noise

CHOIR STARTUP INFORMATION: St. Paul’s Choir: rehearsals begin on Wednesday, 6 September, at 7:00 p.m. St. Paul’s Ringers: rehearsals begin on Thursday, 14 September, at 7:00 p.m. St. Paul’s Choristers: rehearsals begin on Sunday, 17 September, at 11:30 a.m.

There is currently room in all these choirs for new members! If you’re interested in learning more about participating in our Music Ministry, please email Dr. Robert Poovey at robert@stpaulsec.org, or call the church office (585-271-2240) to speak to him (or leave a message).

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My Healing Witness

I’ve been asked to write about my ministry of praying for healing at St. Paul’s, and how it came about. It’s the result of a long journey, and arose out of deep needs on my part that led me to spend many years searching for help and trying to “fix myself.” It took me many years to finally come out of the dead-end of self-actualization and self-help. But as you’ll see as I share a little bit of my journey, when we turn to God for help and healing, Jesus can meet our deepest needs.

Years ago, I was working in a very stressful job, and going through a very demanding Executive Development program at the U of R. Upon graduation, I decided to attend a “spirituality” conference in Toronto promising help for searchers like myself.

It turned into a disaster and worsened my stressed-out condition. My doctor had me take a medical leave from work. While being treated by my doctor, I heard about a group of Christians meeting at home who offered to pray with people at the end of their meetings. I went for weeks and received prayers, and God used these praying people to help me greatly. Then one night the leadership team told me they believed that I was to now join them in praying for other people’s healing as a way of growing as a Christian.

I started to do that, and when my doctor said I was fully recovered, I went back to work. Over the subsequent years, my work would take me all over North America. In each place, there would often be opportunities to pray for people. Once, on an assignment in Denver, I went to the Sunday service at a very large non-denominational church. Part-way through the service, the Sr. Pastor walked down the center aisle, stopped by me, took my hands, and said, “Jesus wants to use these hands to heal people.”

I remember a time back in the Rochester area a few years ago when there was to be a healing service at St. Louis’ in Pittsford. I was to be part of the prayer team. Karen and I got to the service early. The church was already packed. I remember thinking about all the needs present in these people. They had come to receive prayer for themselves, or to intercede for a loved one. I remember thinking how great it was that people could come for such help through prayer.

I’ll end now with a few summary points:

First, people can be helped and healed through Christian prayer. It’s not magic, and it doesn’t always happen in our time-frame, or the way we would like. After all, God is God, and we are not.

Second, what a blessing it is to us here, worshiping God at St. Paul’s. This is a church that offers so many different avenues for us to minister to others, using the gifts and talents God has given to each of us, including a ministry of offering healing prayer on the first Sunday of each month.

I want to end by encouraging all of us to offer our gifts and talents to God, to be used as a blessing for others; and to advance God’s Kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven. To God be the Glory. Amen.

Richard Yalmokas [ryalmokas@hotmail.com]

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Summer Pledge Payments Please remember to mail in your pledge payments if you are not able to attend services.

Your continued payments help maintain our cash flow during the summer months. Thank you in advance.

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Services, Forums, Classes

Wed – 8/16 12:00 PM Holy Eucharist with Healing

Thu – 8/17 8:00 AM Morning Prayer

4:00 PM Holy Eucharist – Valley Manor

5:30 PM Sunday on Thursday Holy Eucharist

Sun – 8/20 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist

9:00 AM Forum: Early Saints of England

Wed – 8/23 12:00 PM Holy Eucharist with Healing

Thu – 8/24 8:00 AM Morning Prayer

5:30 PM Sunday on Thursday Holy Eucharist

Sun – 8/27 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist

9:00 AM Forum: Early Saints of England

Wed – 8/30 12:00 PM Holy Eucharist with Healing

Thu – 8/31 8:00 AM Morning Prayer

5:00 PM Sunday on Thursday Holy Eucharist

Sun – 9/03 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist

Mon – 9/04 Labor Day – Church Office Closed

Wed – 9/06 12:00 PM Holy Eucharist with Healing

Thu – 9/07 8:00 AM Morning Prayer

4:30 PM Holy Eucharist – St. John’s Meadows

Sun – 9/10 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist

9:00 AM Welcome Back Breakfast

10:00 AM Sunday School

Wed – 9/13 12:00 PM Holy Eucharist with Healing

Thu – 9/14 8:00 AM Morning Prayer

Sun – 9/17 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist

9:00 AM Adult Formation: Farwell Intro.

10:00 AM Sunday School

Wed – 9/20 12:00 PM Holy Eucharist with Healing

Thu – 9/21 8:00 AM Morning Prayer

4:00 PM Holy Eucharist – Valley Manor

Sun – 9/24 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist

9:00 AM Adult Formation: Farwell Intro.

Wed – 9/27 12:00 PM Holy Eucharist with Healing

Thu – 9/28 8:00 AM Morning Prayer

_____________________________

Committee Meetings & Other

Meetings/Events

Tue – 8/15 12:00 PM RAIHN Executive Committee

7:00 PM Vestry Meeting

Sun - 8/27 – Sun - 9/3 RAIHN at Paul’s Place

Mon – 9/04 Labor Day – Church Office Closed

Thu – 9/07 4:00 PM Investment Policy Committee

Tue – 9/12 11:00 AM & 7:00 PM Hearing Loss Association

5:30 PM Parish Operations Council

Wed – 9/13 5:30 PM Altar Guild Picnic

Thu – 9/14 7:00 PM Education for Ministry

Fri – 9/15 4:30 PM Epistle Submission Deadline

Mon – 9/18 5:30 PM Outreach Council

Thu – 9/21 10:00 AM REAPers

7:00 PM Education for Ministry

Sat-9/24 – Sat-9/30 Food Drive: St. Joseph’s House

and Loop Ministries

Tue – 9/26 5:30 PM RAIHN Board of Directors

Thu – 9/28 7:00 PM Education for Ministry

Sat – 9/30 9:00 AM Vestry Workday

____________________________

12 Step Programs at St. Paul’s

AA Meetings

Tuesday - 6:00 pm - The Women’s Home Group

Wednesday - 8:15 pm - The Young & the Reckless

Thursday - 8:15 pm - The Academy Group

Friday - 10:05 pm - Heard It Through the Grapevine

Saturday – 10:00 pm - Last House on the Block

Debtors Anonymous Meetings

Saturday - 10:30 am - Currency of Hope

NA Meeting

Monday – 7:30 pm - Bangin’ Recovery

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Special music

Grace Henshaw, harp, and Helen Valenza, flute, performed sacred music during the 10:00 a.m. service on July 16.

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Our Vision We pray that all who enter St. Paul’s

experience God’s presence in this community of faith, a community that through Christ

strives to be loving, joyous, inclusive, transforming and filled with God’s Grace.

View the full church calendar at: www.stpaulsec.org

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Church Office Hours: M-F, 10 am – 4 pm

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25 Westminster Rd., Rochester, NY 14607-2223 585-271-2240 • Email: info@stpaulsec.org

Web Site: www.stpaulsec.org

St. Paul’s Ministry Staff

Rector

The Rev. Robert A. Picken

Assistant Rector

The Rev. Jay P. Burkardt

Director of Music Dr. Robert Poovey

Organ Scholar Jacob Taylor

Director of Adult Faith Formation

Nancy Grear

Director of Children, Youth & Family Faith Formation

Amy Welker

Clergy Assistant Judy Loveland

Parish Accountant

Judy McGrath

Accounting Assistant Lisa Werner

Maintenance

Property Manager Bob Potter

Maintenance Associates Dave McEntee Jim D’Angelo

Corey Jackson, Intern

Next Epistle Deadline September 15 for the October 1 issue

To receive the Epistle in color, forward your email address

to info@stpaulsec.org.

Judy Wadsworth, Editor

sa M. Werne