In this week's edition:

- Weekly Reflection: Notes on Convention + Bishop Mello's Address

- Hurricane Melissa: Support ERD's Hurricane Relief Fund

- A message from Bishop Mello on SNAP benefits

- Reminder: Clocks change tonight!

- Exciting news: A Generous $12,000 Match Offer

- November 11: Eric Ward, VP of Race Forward, to speak on democracy at Congregation Mishkan Israel

- News from the Wider Church: More on SNAP, remembering Indianapolis Bishop Waynick, date set for Archbishop of Canterbury's installation, and more

- This Week at St. PJ's: All Saints' Day (and Cycles of Prayer)

- Video: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon

- Safe Church Training

- There's Always More...

Weekly Reflection:

Notes on Convention

From Bev Letter, ECCT convention delegate

Last Friday and Saturday, Rev. Nathan, David Tate, and I represented St. Paul and St. James at the Episcopal Church in Connecticut's 242nd Annual Convention in Bristol. The following are my reflections on that meeting.

Having been a delegate to several conventions, I was pleasantly surprised as I walked into the room on Friday to see that the attendees were a bit younger, more colorful, and definitely more women -- among both the clergy and lay delegates. The Convention's theme was "Growing in Faith, Living in Hope, Serving in Love."

Bishop Jeff Mello's address was one of the highlights. After discussing some of the changes and events since the last meeting, he said that he and Suffragan Bishop Laura Ahrens have noticed a shift in the atmosphere in the churches on their visitations: A strategic shift to asking what and how to respond to our present situation. He went on to say we need to respond outwardly and courageous as followers of Jesus to the needs of the hungry, stand with those being oppressed, especially the immigrants. It was a very powerful address and I encourage you to read or watch it on the ECCT website.

As for business, we have a balanced budget. A Reparations Fund Board has been formed under Canon D Littlepage (who will visit St. PJ's on November 23) to oversee the disbursements. The stipend for supply clergy was increased for the first time in years. Diocesan committee members and churchwide General Convention delegates were elected. And two mergers were approved and celebrated: St. John’s Episcopal Church, East Windsor, and Grace Episcopal Church, Windsor, now called "Grace Episcopal Church"; and St. Paul’s, Bantam, and Christ Church, Bethlehem, now called "St. Paul’s Parish – St. Paul’s Church with Christ Church Chapel".

All in all, it was a good Convention, an improvement over others. We as a diocese are in good hands with the bishops and their staff, who are supporting congregations to move forward in Jesus's name to support the poor and stand with the oppressed.

Bishop Mello's Address



From Rev. Nathan Empsall, priest-in-charge

During last week's Sunday service, David Tate encouraged everyone to listen to Bishop Mello's sermon online. You read Bev Lett give that encouragement in her reflection above. And now I'd like to do the same. You've heard it from all three of us: This is an inspiring message you don't want to miss!

Read Bishop Mello's sermon on the ECCT site >>

Watch Bishop Mello's sermon on YouTube >>

An excerpt:

"There’s a joke of sorts that the Episcopal Church is the world’s best kept secret. But as I look at the world around me today, I don't think that’s funny anymore...

"Pundits ask the blogosphere: 'Is the Church still relevant?'... Our relevance does not come from what kind of music we sing, what vestments we wear, or how large or small our worshipping communities might be. Our relevance comes from our clarity of who we are and why we do what we do. Our relevance is in Jesus Christ. Members of the Body of Christ is who we are, and to follow Jesus more closely is why we do what we do.

"So, I wonder if the question we might want to ask ourselves this 241st Convention isn’t whether the Church is relevant or not — but is it willing or not; is it capable or not; is it convinced or not; is it courageous or not; and is it bold or not? ...

"To do it well, and to do it faithfully, it is time for us to tell the world its best kept secret."

Hurricane Melissa:

Support ERD's Hurricane Relief Fund

Hurricane Melissa has left 77% of Jamaica without power, thousands displaced, and at least 50 people dead, including at least one member of our extended parish family.

To help with Hurricane Melissa relief efforts, donate to Episcopal Relief & Development's hurricane fund today >>

"Our local partners are assessing the needs of their community as the damage and long-term effects of this disaster become clearer," said Eric Weaver, Director of Global Disaster Response & Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development. "We stand by, ready to support them and the communities they serve as we learn more about the extent of damages and how best to target our response."

A Message from Bishop Mello on the expiration of SNAP benefits

Friday, October 31

Watch the Bishop give this message on Facebook >>

Greetings Faithful Members of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut,



Tomorrow, November 1, unless there is action by our elected officials in the federal government, millions of people around our country, and approximately 360,000 people here in Connecticut, will lose access to critical food assistance benefits, referred to as SNAP.

As I said in my address to you at Convention, as the support networks and safety nets of our civil common life seem to crumble and fail, we as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, must respond. The food pantries and feeding programs located in congregations across the Diocese are preparing for a spike in need while already overwhelmed by the need they have been seeing and working faithfully to meet.

I am grateful to the Deacons of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut who have been raising awareness and sharing resources that the hungry among us might be fed.

If you find yourself in need of food assistance, please contact your local Episcopal Church, Connecticut Foodshare, or call 211. If you are wondering how to help in this moment, you can give financially to your local Food Ministry or to Connecticut Foodshare; you can donate food to your local food pantry and you can volunteer. I have included links in the comments below to connect you to these ministries.

And you can pray. Pray that the hungry will be fed, and pray that our elected leaders will find a way forward without harming the most vulnerable among us in their negotiations.

In Matthew 25, the question is asked, “Lord, when did we see you hungry…and not minister to you?" In this time, may God give us the will and the courage to see the hungry among us today, and to respond in faith.

God Bless You, and Thank You,

The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello

Bishop Diocesan

Exciting News: A Generous $12,000 Match Offer to Fill Our 2025 Gap

By Rev. Nathan Empsall, priest-in-charge

This year, the stewardship campaign has three asks to sustain and grow our shared mission of jazz, justice, and Jesus: To pledge our time and talent, to pledge our finances in 2026, and -- once our 2026 pledges are made -- to make a special one-time gift for the 2025 budget.

The week of September 14, treasurer David Hill and I shared the news that St. PJ's is facing a $31,500 shortfall for 2025. Pledge income has been on track, as have day-to-day expenses -- but rentals have been short of what we'd hoped, and there have been a few large, unexpected expenses (like hiked insurance premiums and an upgraded fire panel).

I am pleased and grateful to share that since that announcement, St. PJ's members have given an extra $7,500 to close the gap. Inspired by this generosity, an anonymous donor is now offering a $12,000 match to close the gap. Moved by the Spirit and a love of St. PJ's, this donor will match every penny given this year -- up to $12,000 -- to bring us to $31,500.

This means that whatever you donate above and beyond your 2025 pledge (and not as part of a 2026 pledge) -- whether $5 or $5,000 -- you will make double the difference.

To everyone who has given in the past month, bringing us to a point where a close-the-gap match became possible, THANK YOU. To this anonymous donor who has stepped up so generously (and dare I say spiritually), THANK YOU. And to everyone who can give anything - -even $2 - in the two months to come, THANK YOU!!!

To give online, use the button below -- or better yet, bring a check to church so that we don't have to pay the online processing fee.

"I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." - Philippians 1:3-5

Nov. 11: Eric Ward, VP of Race Forward, to Speak on Democracy at Congregation Mishkan Israel

What: A Community Conversation: Protecting our Multiracial, Multifaith Democracy

Who: Eric Ward, Vice President of Race Forward and senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center

Where: Congregation Mishkan Israel

785 Ridge Road

Hamden, CT

When: November 11, 2025

7 - 8:30 p.m.

Free Registration Required >>

News from the Wider Church

- A message to The Episcopal Church from Executive Council: October 2025

- [ENS] Episcopal churches, food pantries prepare to aid 42 million Americans on food assistance

- [RNS] Faith leaders join Democrats to decry health care cuts, expiring SNAP benefits

- [ENS] RIP: Catherine M. Waynick, retired Indianapolis bishop, dies at 76

- [ENS] Archbishop of Canterbury’s installation set for March 25

- [ENS] Arizona Episcopal church continues serving unhoused, low-income people despite lawsuit threats

Note from Rev. Nathan: Wow, this is the church where my parents got married!

- [ENS] Episcopal Church hosts climate action webinar ahead of annual UN conference

- [MSNBC] Another pastor hit by pepper shot as Team Trump’s clashes with faith community worsen

Come to worship tomorrow, Sunday, November 2, at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate All Saints' Day.

The Rev. Harlon Dalton will preach and celebrate the Eucharist, Rev. Nathan Empsall will concelebrate, and Dr. Maurice Harris will serve as cantor for the Litany of Saints. We will also light candles during Communion in memory of loved ones, and renew our Baptismal vows.

All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1, honors the great communion of saints—those known and unknown—who live in the nearer presence of Christ. It is one of the seven Principal Feasts of the Church, unique in that it may also be transferred to the following Sunday. It is further set apart as one of the four especially appropriate days for Holy Baptism, highlighting the unity of the living and the dead in the Body of Christ.

This Eucharist will be celebrated in memory of those in our extended parish family who have recently transitioned to new life:

Douglas Reeder

J. David Obser

John Fredrick North

Moses Tate

Ophelia Tate

Zerita Tate

Oyarma Tate, Sr. 

Alene Tate

Kenneth Tate

John Farrand

Mark Kaliss

Kesh Danton

Tamica Hargro

Harriet Rose Reid

Herman Mukwaya 

Marcia Smith 

Mark Kaliss

Claudia Holmes

Barbara W.

Richard Saykosky

Gwendolyn Chapin

Debra Gilder

Bishop Jeffery Rowthorn 

Santi de Lanerolle 

Bishop Thomas Ely

Sandra Staton

Cynthia Suskind

Martin O’ Brien 

Donovan Davis

Troy Tucker

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

In person and online

Wednesday Prayer 12:30 p.m.

In person

Thursday Compline 8 p.m.

On Zoom

Cycles of Prayer and St. PJ's Prayer List

In the Episcopal Church in Connecticut's cycle of prayer, we pray this week for Emmanuel, Weston; and Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport. We pray also for the health & well-being of persons employed by The Episcopal Church, and for the Presiding Bishop & the President of the House of Deputies.

In the global Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Church of the Province of West Africa.

ST. PJ’S PRAYER LIST: Rachel, Doug Parker, Anne Matthies, Calvin Griffin, Lenny Santarsiero, Rev. Walter MacNutt, Kevin Gerbe, Leota Tucker, Edwina Johnson, Cynthia King, Paul D'Agostino, Richard Holcomb, Tiras Jaske, Uli Mackert, Charlie & Bridget Farrell, Alyce, Pam, Tommy, Beverly Lett, Vanetta Lloyd, Janea Barthle, Lydia Hamnquist, Kate Galambos, Rita Valenti-Piovane, Stephen Lett, Rev. Nihal de Lanerolle, William Evans, Sr., Pam Sayre, Marilyn Bergen, Marietta D’Albero, Leonilda Sanchez, Maria Rodriquez, Brian Bussey, Marietta Coppola, Heather de Lanerolle, Cheryl Harrigan, Paul Mangels, Alexandra Sanseverino, Dr. Milton Coke, Rev. Deacon Felix Rivera, Peter Loden, Pam Yesner, Rev. Carl Scovel, Karl Mini, Patrick Reynolds, Margaret Perry, Ryan Welch, Jack Welch, Freddy and Amy Swindal-Endres, Kyle Park, Rev. Deacon Glenda Empsall, Carol Brennan

Deceased: Troy Tucker (10/28)

Postulant for Ordination: Milton Gilder

Birthdays: Alyce O'Keeley (90 on 10/29), David Joyner (11/2), Anne Cleary (11/4), Sylvie Empsall (11/4), Monifa Atkinson (11/5)

Social concerns: All impacted by Hurricane Melissa, especially in Jamaica and Cuba; and those hurt by the unjust federal shutdown, especially civil servants and those who have lost SNAP benefits

VIDEO: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon

If you either missed or want to revisit last Sunday at St. PJ's, you can find the recorded livestream on our Facebook and/or YouTube pages.

Bill Evans officiated Morning Prayer and Samuel Earnest preached.

Fall Dates for Safe Church Training

In an important effort to build and protect community for everyone, the Episcopal Church requires that all church leaders (including vestry, staff, and anyone interacting with youth or pastoral ministries) take Safe Church Training every three years.

The training is free and can be done in person or online. Fall dates have now been announced by the diocese, and you can find them (and more information) online here.

Bishop Jeff Mello says: "Safe Church Training, and our commitment to creating a church that is safe for all of God’s beloved children, is at the center of our commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those most at risk for abuse are the very ones Jesus drew close; children, the frail, and those at the margins. To be made more and more into the likeness of Christ is to take seriously the safety and welfare of those Safe Church is meant to protect."

There's always more...

Please remember that there is a blue Lost & Found bin in the church office.

If you would like to submit an item for consideration in the eNews or bulletin announcements, please let Rev. Nathan know at revnathan@stpaulstjames.org by next Wednesday afternoon.

Please contact Monifa Atkinson in the church office at office@stpaulstjames.org or (203) 562-2143 if you are interested in receiving more information about any of the following:

- Renting space at St. PJ's for your next party, meeting, concert, wedding, or other event. More info at the St. PJ's website here >>

- Volunteering with St. PJ's

- Adding a name, birthday, or anniversary to the St. PJ's prayer list

- Arranging pastoral care needs

- Purchasing grocery-store gift cards to benefit St. PJ's

- Reserving a place in the St. PJ's columbarium or purchasing a plaque on the Memorial Wall

St. PJ's Staff and Contacts

Administrative Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - Noon

Priest Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday by appointment

office@stpaulstjames.org

(203) 562-2143

• Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Nathan Empsall, revnathan@stpaulstjames.org, (203) 278-9199
• Administrative Director: Monifa Atkinson, office@stpaulstjames.org
• Sexton: Sammy Rodriguez
• Children's Ministry: Molly Clayton
• Director of Music: Will Cleary
• Associate Director of Music: Dylan Rowland
• Tech and Music Intern: Dontae James
• Seminary Intern: Kelly Park
• Priest Associate: The Rev. Steve Crowson
• Vestry: Bill Evans (co-warden), Juhani Jaske (co-warden), David Hill (treasurer), Maggie King (clerk), Roni Holcomb, Steve Crowson, Maurice Harris, Pam Sayre, Vanetta Lloyd, Lynne Severance