St. PJ's eNews: June 6, 2025 | | |
- Weekly Reflection: The Power of a Letter
- This Sunday is Pentecost: Wear red!
- Speaking of Red, David Tate stars in "Shawshank Redemption"
- No Sunday School on June 15
- Monday, June 23: Hymn Sing and Ice-Cream Social
- Spread the word with our updated rental page: Hold your next party, event, or meeting at St. PJ's
- News from the Wider Church: Pride Month, remembering Walter Brueggemann, the 40th anniversary of Francis Toy's ordination, rising antisemitism, and more
- This Week at St. PJ's and Cycles of Prayer
- Video: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon
- Parish-wide Visits with Rev. Nathan
- There's Always More...
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Weekly Reflection:
The Power of a Letter
From the Rev. Nathan Empsall, priest-in-charge
I was tidying up my home office a little last week - oh, so many more miles to go before that work is done - when I came across a small stack of Christmas family letters.
You know the type: Little Johnny is in sixth grade and won the spelling bee, little Suzy isn't so little anymore and now has her first boyfriend in ninth grade, mom got a promotion at work, the cat has finally learned how to knock things over, dad took second at the church chili cook-off but the winner was vegetarian and shouldn't count, etc. etc.
These letters are a dying art. I receive fewer and fewer of them each year. And I get it: With social media, we're much more caught up on what our friends doing all year long.
But last Sunday in church, listening to Bev read from the epistle to the Ephesians, I was reminded of the power a letter can hold.
This particular reading was from the first chapter of Ephesians. It started right after the greeting, but was still full of pleasantries and prayers. Initially, I was surprised to hear this in the lectionary. Why include the small talk? Why not cut to the good stuff?
But then I realized, this small talk is the good stuff.
The author -- likely Paul, but possibly one of his next-generation followers -- initially begins, "To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
When was the last time you got a letter calling you a saint, and right off the bat? How often are our conversations enthusiastically grounded and framed in the peace of Christ, right from the start?
The author goes on, "I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers."
This is remarkable. No, this isn't the part of the letter that holds instruction or clear theology that we might digest today. But it is a part that shows us, by example, how we might live.
At this point, the church is new. It's only been 50-70 years since Jesus died and rose again! There isn't a single believer who isn't new to their faith -- and that's especially true in a place like the Greek city of Ephesus in modern-day Turkey. This is a community that is likely confused and figuring out where to go as a minority religion, and everyone has their own ideas on how to face these challenges.
Paul is writing to urge them to get along. But before he does that, he begins with enthusiasm, peace, love, encouragement, and reassurance. To receive that kind of endorsement from a giant like Paul must have meant the world to his struggling community, and given them the Christ-like love, hope, warmth, and confidence to keep going.
When was the last time you got a letter like that?
More importantly, when was the last time any of us wrote a letter like that?
It's a busy world, but then again, so was Paul's. More than ever, the world today seems to need love and community -- to hold us together, and to be the seeds that encourage us to do more and more.
Let's not skip over the small stuff, the fluff, the small talk that comes first. Let's revel in it, and let's share it. I'm going to pick up the phone to call an Idaho friend I haven't spoken to in years -- and I might just write a letter, too. Will you join me?
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This Sunday is Pentecost:
Wear red!
This Sunday is Pentecost. It's one of the seven "principle feasts" of the church year, a day reserved for the Holy Spirit, and often considered to be the church's birthday.
We don't usually sing "happy birthday dear chuuuuurch," but we do wear red to celebrate the Holy Spirit! A hat, a dress, a shirt, socks, shoes - whatever you've got that's red, don't forget to slap it on and show it off this Sunday.
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Speaking of Red, David Tate stars in "Shawshank Redemption"
Tonight is opening night for parishioner David Tate's latest theater role -- his third of the year and it's only June. Impressive!!!
David will be playing "Red" in Shawshank Redemption -- yes, the part made famous by Morgan Freeman in the 1994 movie. The play, from the Town Players of New Canaan, is at the Powerhouse Theater Performing Arts Center, and runs through June 22. Buy tickets online here.
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No Sunday School on June 15
Some advance notice for parents and families: After meeting as usual this Sunday for Pentecost, the Children’s Garden Sunday School will take a one-week hiatus next week, on June 15, before returning on June 22.
Children are always welcome in the Sanctuary for the full service!
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Monday, June 23:
Hymn Sing and Ice-Cream Social
Will, Dylan, and Rev. Nathan are excited to announce an upcoming Hymn Sing and Ice Cream Social on Monday, June 23, at 6:45 p.m.!
This is a chance to gather in the Parish Hall around the piano and under the pretty lights to fill our hearts with song, have a sweet treat, and just simply be together for an hour.
Will is creating a reusable "PJ's Pick-up Hymnal" of a few dozen tunes that can bring together various sources - the Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing, and so many more. If there’s a hymn that's particularly special to you and that you want to be sure we include, please email revnathan@stpaulstjames.org ASAP.
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Spread the word with our updated website:
Hold your next party or meeting at St. PJ's
Do you know anyone -- a friend, a colleague, an organization -- who needs space for a birthday party, meeting, music rehearsal, public forum, baby shower, prep kitchen, or dance recital?
Let them know that St. PJ's has great space at affordable rates!
The parish hall, undercroft, guild room, downstairs commercial kitchen, and (for the right event) sanctuary are all available. Information regarding these spaces and their rates is now on the St. PJ's website.
Please share the link and spread the word!
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Come for Jazz Eucharist this Sunday, June 8, at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate the Day of Pentecost.
Rev. Nathan will preach and preside.
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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
In the cycle of prayer for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, we pray this week for Christ Church, Norwalk; for St. Andrew’s, Northford; and for Companions in Mission for Publishing & Communication & those communicating God’s Word; and for digital ministries, online social networks & communities.
In the global Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Melanesia.
ST. PJ'S PRAYER LIST: Rachel, Doug Parker, Anne Matthies, Betty Hill, Tim Barnes, Calvin Griffin, Lenny Santarsiero, Rev. Walter MacNutt, Tom Caffelle, Kevin Gerbe, Leota Tucker, Edwina Johnson, Cynthia King, Paul D'Agostino, Richard Holcomb, Tiras Jaske, Gwen Chapin, Uli Mackert, Steve Crowson, Charlie & Bridget Farrell, Alyce, Judi, Tom, Leslie, Andrew, Pam, Tommy, Beverly Lett, Vanetta Lloyd, Janea Barthle
Birthdays & Anniversaries: Marilyn Bergen (06/08), Sam Babb (06/14)
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VIDEO: Last Sunday's Service and Sermons
If you either missed or want to revisit last Sunday at St. PJ's, you can find the recorded livestream on Facebook or YouTube.
Rev. Nathan celebrated the Eucharist and Marilyn Bergen preached on the Ascension of Christ.
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Upcoming Visits with Rev. Nathan
As previously announced, I am now trying to meet with every St. PJ's member -- as families or individuals -- and get to know you and your dreams for our community life together.
Ideally this meeting would be at your home, where I can also offer a home blessing. If you prefer a coffee shop, your office, or a park bench on a nice day, those are fine options too -- just not the church.
I want to hear about who you are, what makes you tick, what you believe and love, your history at St. PJ's, and your hopes for this congregation's future. Through these meetings, I hope to get a better feel for who we are as a community -- and where the Spirit might be leading us.
Because I am half-time, it will undoubtedly take several months to get through these visits. If you would like to meet sooner, please let me know. Otherwise, I'm going to use an Excel random-number generator to determine the order in which I'll reach out. But whether it's next week or in September, know that I can't wait!
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There's always more...
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
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - Noon
office@stpaulstjames.org
(203) 562-2143
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Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Nathan Empsall, revnathan@stpaulstjames.org
- Administrative Director: Monifa Atkinson
- 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
- 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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