St. PJ's eNews: October 17, 2025 | | |
- Brief Weekly Reflection: Tomorrow: No Kings
- Announcing New St. PJ's Ministry Teams!
- A Lament for Hamden: A prayer for those detained by ICE
- A resounding and stylish thank you
- Congratulations to Will Cleary
- Also: "Neurodivine" service 10/25, no Sunday School NEXT Sunday 10/26, and "Margins and Movements" book discussion 10/28
- Remembering Our Loved Ones on All Saints
- News from the Wider Church: New Philadelphia 11 and Fred Rogers stained glass, Anglican leaders gather, Pope calls on bishops to support addres Trump's immigrant crackdown
- This Week at St. PJ's and Cycles of Prayer
- Video: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon
- Safe Church Training
- There's Always More...
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Weekly Reflection:
Tomorrow: No Kings
By the Rev. Nathan Empsall, priest-in-charge
I'll keep this short and sweet, because there's a lot of other great stuff to get to this week (join a new ministry team!).
Tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, will mark round two of the giant, national, nonpartisan, pro-democracy "No Kings" protests. One is set to take place on the New Haven Green from 3 - 5 p.m.
These events are sponsored by many nonpartisan faith groups, among them Sojourners, the Interfaith Alliance, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice (aka Nuns on the Bus), American Friends Service Committee (go Quakers go), and my old stomping grounds at Faithful America.
The church does not sponsor these events but, with our Baptismal vows of striving for justice and peace among all people in mind, the Empsalls will be there -- as I'm sure will many other individual members of St. PJ's. Let's feel free to find one another on the Green to bear Christian witness together for democracy and love, and against the white Christian nationalist hijacking of our faith and the authoritarianism it breeds.
I will try to be towards the front of the crowd near the programming, but things don't always go as planned. Feel free to text me at (203) 278-9199 if you've looked around and still can't find your Episco-pals.
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Announcing New St. PJ's Ministry Teams!
I am excited to announce that we are launching three new volunteer ministry teams for PJ's members to serve as Christ’s hands and feet in New Haven, and to support and strengthen the parish’s continued vitality:
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Prophetic Voice: Faith in action with social justice
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Resource and Renewal: External fundraising
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Tentmakers: A revived building and facility committee
- Let me (Rev. Nathan) know if there's something else you'd like to do!
More info on each is below. The teams will launch in January, but sign-ups will begin this month during Stewardship Season as a way of pledging our time and talent!
These lay-led committees may be new bodies, but their work is already known to us. They will formalize, organize, and build upon some of the many wonderful things that St. PJ’s members are already doing – both collectively and individually – to seek God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Each team will be in charge of both planning and carrying out its respective mission. Teams are encouraged to meet at least monthly, with a mix of in-person and virtual meetings. Each team will select its own chair and set an accessible schedule, and will also include one Vestry representative. The priest-in-charge (oh hey) will attend initial launch meetings and serve as a member ex officio, but will not generally attend regular ongoing meetings.
These are in addition to the existing Finance Committee, Altar Guild, gardening team, pastoral care team, and more. We are so deeply grateful for each of these other ongoing groups and their faithful participants!
Prophetic Voice Ministry Team
The Epistle of James says that faith in Jesus is brought to completion by good works. This outreach and social-justice team will provide opportunities to St. PJ’s members for fulfilling our Baptismal vows to seek and serve Christ in all persons, love our neighbors, strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. Team responsibilities may include:
- Identifying key social events to promote within the church (such as Pride parades and pro-immigration rallies) and coordinating a collective St. PJ’s presence
- Offering opportunities to send advocacy postcards during Coffee and Community
- Managing the monthly “Margins and Movements” justice book club
- Coordinating with relevant parish leaders to offer social-justice adult formation opportunities
- Identifying and organizing larger-scale, faith-based projects or networks for the church regarding social, racial, economic, and/or ecological justice
- Coordinating with other churches, organizations, and partners
Resource and Renewal Ministry Team
Like our co-patron St. Paul asking the churches across the Mediterranean to give for the saints in Jerusalem, this fundraising team will help fuel all our other ministries by seeking revenue from outside the congregation. It is separate from (though may coordinate with) the Stewardship campaign and Finance committee. Team responsibilities may include:
- Searching and applying for grants
- Conceiving, planning, and executing special fundraising events and opportunities
- Marketing the church’s event and rental spaces, in coordination with parish staff
- Work with Tentmakers and church staff to spruce up the event rental spaces and make them more inviting
(Oops - did I miss an opportunity to call this the External Revenue Service?)
Tentmakers Ministry Team
The church is the people, not the building, but the building is certainly a divine tool for helping us connect to God and serve God’s people. Like our co-patron St. Paul, who provided and maintained shelter as a professional tentmaker, members of this revived building and facilities committee will help St. PJ’s steward and care for our spiritual home. We have had our holy site at 57 Olive Street for seven generations – since 1829 – and can show our gratitude to God and to those who came before us by maintaining it for the next seven. Team responsibilities may include:
- Identifying maintenance needs around the St. PJ’s campus, both inside and outside, and communicating about these needs with the staff and vestry
- Ensuring maintenance of the St. PJ’s property, whether by recruiting volunteers, rolling up your sleeves, or partnering with the staff and vestry to secure and oversee professional/contractor services
- Looking for ways to improve our physical safety and security
- Ensuring the completion of a triennial energy audit
- Organizing an annual Spring grounds clean-up day
Tentmakers will pair long-time volunteers who hold a wealth of building knowledge with others who are eager to learn, in order to spread our facilities knowledge around.
Future Teams
If there is enough interest, we can eventually start additional teams for spirituality and liturgy, hospitality, and open doors. I am especially eager for us to launch that last one, with an eye on growing the church. Even better yet: What idea do you have (whether half-baked or full-baked!) that isn’t listed here?
So while the three teams described above will be the ones with sign-ups for early 2026 beginning this month, do let me (Rev. Nathan) know about your other interests too!
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Almighty God of hope and peace, we lament that eight of your children, including some who are parents themselves, were seized by masked ICE agents at a Hamden car wash on Wednesday. So many St. PJ's members live in Hamden, and our hearts break for this assault on our beloved neighbors.
We repent of religion's role in creating a climate of evil, racism, and fear. We ask for your presence, justice, and freedom for the wrongly detained and their families. We beseech you to turn the hearts of our political leaders and their masked enforcers alike. And with your help, we pledge our own action for a more loving world.
All this we pray in the name of your Son our Savior, Jesus Christ the holiest immigrant and refugee, and through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
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A Resounding and Stylish Thank You for "Sound and Style"
Last Friday night's "Sound and Style" concert was a big success -- thank you to everyone who made it happen! Everyone I've spoken to was thrilled by the inspiring talent and artistic vision of both Ionne and the St. PJ's Jazz Collective. What an amazing spirit they brought. Once pictures are available, we will share them on our Facebook page and website.
Approximately 60 people attended, a great turnout for something like this -- including many who had never been to St. PJ's before. After expenses, the church made approximately $500-600. That's a great start: Small concerts don't always break even. As many venue owners can tell us, it's tough for any arts event to be in the black, especially at a non-professional occasional venue.
A huge thank you to everyone who performed so beautifully, including Maurice Harris, Will Cleary, Dylan Rowland, Trevor Babb, Alec Pederson, and David Tate (on his birthday no less!). A double thank you to Maurice and Will who also put in most of the organizing energy. Thank you also to the late Wilma Lou Whitley, our beloved musician, whose bequest to St. PJ's helps make events like this possible. And one last enormous thank you to all the night's volunteers, too many to name here yet all of you making a big difference.
Different events and different venues appeal to different crowds. The undercroft is a great space for those looking for a Manhattan-style basement jazz club vibe, and we can do even more with the Sanctuary and Parish Hall thrown in the mix. So don't worry, there is more to come: We'll announce dates for a Christmas concert as well as a Christmastime hymn sing soon!
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Congratulations to Will Cleary
Speaking of all the hard work Will put into Sound & Style, we're delighted to share the news that Southern Connecticut State University just promoted him to full-time for the school year! Another faculty member just retired, and the university wisely thought of Will to teach his courses for fall and spring.
Will, as he has done for years, routinely goes above and beyond for St. PJ's, putting in more hours as our music director than we can compensate him for. We are so deeply mindful of and grateful for how much he does for us and how much he is juggling. Thank you Will, and congratulations!
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Next Saturday, 10/25, 2 p.m.:
"Neurodivine," a new worship service for neurodivergent families
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Next Saturday, October 25, St. PJ's will hold a special worship service for autistic and other neurodivergent children, families, and adults.
If it’s hard for you, your autistic child, or another neurodiverse family member to come to church -- whether you fear you'll disrupt church or because church could disrupt you -- then Neurodivine is the low-key, low-stimulation worship service you've been looking for.
Designed and led by a Methodist minister and psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioner at an Episcopal church, this ecumenical Christian gathering is an interactive service for families, groups, and people of all ages with stories, singing, and simple prayers. All are welcome -- come learn how God loves YOU.
(Questions? Or can you help volunteer at the service? Contact Lynne Severance at lynne.severance@gmail.com. And all credit to Lynne for making this offering happen!)
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No Children's Sunday School NEXT weekend, October 26
The Children’s Garden will take place this weekend (10/19), pause for one Sunday next week (10/26), and then resume as regularly scheduled on Sunday, 11/2.
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Next "Margins and Movements" book discussion: Tuesday, October 28
Our social-justice book club will discuss "Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table" by the Rev. Brandan Robertson on Tuesday, 10/28, at 7 p.m. Thank you in advance to Sam Earnest for leading our conversation.
All are welcome, whether you've read (or listened to) the whole book, part of the book, or none of the book. Get your copy at the library or https://bookshop.org/shop/pjs to benefit the church, and invite your friends!
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Remembering Our Loved Ones on All Saints
On All Saints Sunday, November 2, we will pray for those in our extended church family who have passed over the past year. Please submit names to office@stpaulstjames.org by Wednesday, October 29.
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Come to worship this Sunday, October 19, at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate the 19th Sunday after Pentecost.
Rev. Nathan will preach and celebrate the Eucharist.
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Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
In person and online
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Wednesday Prayer 12:30 p.m.
In person
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Thursday Compline 8 p.m.
On Zoom
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Cycles of Prayer and St. PJ's Prayer List
The ECCT webpage with the diocesan and Anglican cycles of prayer is down today.
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
Our postulant for ordination: Milton Gilder
Deceased: Donovan Davis (10/15) (friend of Bill Evans)
New Haven area concerns: The eight children of God cruelly taken by ICE in Hamden Wednesday, and their families; and those impacted by the federal shutdown, especially our hardworking civil servants and their families
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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.
Our seminarian intern Kelly Park gave her first St. PJ's sermon, and Rev. Nathan celebrated the Eucharist.
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New 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."
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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
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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
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Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Nathan Empsall, revnathan@stpaulstjames.org, (203) 278-9199
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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
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