In this week's edition:

- Daylight Savings Time: Spring forward one hour tonight!

- Weekly Reflection: Three Poems for March

- March 31: Return of the "Margins and Movements" social-justice book club

- March 15: NeuroDivine service at St. PJ's

- March 15: Bishop Holly Commemoration Service at St. Luke's, Whalley Avenue



- New times for weekday services

- Lenten Adult Formation: "Harden Not Your Hearts"

- News from the Wider Church: Bishop Jeff and CT pilgrims return safely from Israel, Episcopal Parish Network meeting coverage, religious responses to the War on Iran, and more

- This Sunday at St. PJ's

• Cycles of Prayer
• Video: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon

- Support Loaves & Fishes and Sunrise Cafe during renovation

- Reach out to Rev. Nathan to schedule your household visit

- There's Always More...

Weekly Reflection: Three Poems for March

"March in my bones" by Katelynn Martin

March woke me up

with her atmospheric rivers,

and unrealized crises,

and pea-sized hail,

and burdened sleep,

and gentle rain,

and school shootings,

and warming sunbeams

amidst brisk, prolonged Winter air and a cosmic war,

and flooded fields and homes and roads and lives,

and bright evening walks

to look at the painful gift

she placed before me —

eyes that long to see

and a heart that aches

to lay her life down

for the ones she longs to love —

even when it’s costly,

because I know now

it costs more to look away.

//

March taught me to see,

awakened a deep, aching gladness

to meet a hunger in the world

that can only be satisfied

by the One who saw me first.

March lives in my bones now

and I pray I never forget

the urgency of this painful, burdensome

gift.

Soli Deo Gloria.

"The Winds of March" by Patience Strong

March wind, wild wind, blow this day.

Whirl the winter snow away. Dry the

ditches and the hollows-in tracks where

April follows. Clear a path for her advance.

Teach the daffodils to dance. Through your

ravings harsh and strong-thrushes thread

a golden song. Cleanse the air, Make fresh

the earth-for the season of rebirth.

Wind of heaven, searching, keen. Sweep

the world and make it clean. Blow away the

old dissensions-grievances and bad inten-

tions. Godless dogmas, pagan creeds. Ugly

words and ugly deeds. Scatter them beneath

your wings. Blow away all evil things-So

that man from strife may cease-and enjoy

the fruits of peace.

"Dear March--Come in--" by Emily Dickinson

Dear March—Come in—

How glad I am—

I hoped for you before—

Put down your Hat—

You must have walked—

How out of Breath you are—

Dear March, how are you, and the Rest—

Did you leave Nature well—

Oh March, Come right upstairs with me—

I have so much to tell—

I got your Letter, and the Birds—

The Maples never knew that you were coming—

I declare – how Red their Faces grew—

But March, forgive me—

And all those Hills you left for me to Hue—

There was no Purple suitable—

You took it all with you—

Who knocks? That April—

Lock the Door—

I will not be pursued—

He stayed away a Year to call

When I am occupied—

But trifles look so trivial

As soon as you have come

That blame is just as dear as Praise

And Praise as mere as Blame—

March 31: Return of the "Margins and Movements" social-justice book club

Margins & Movements Book Club: Our social-justice book club returns for 2026. We will meet once per month for a different book each month, beginning on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. with a discussion of "The Ungrateful Refugee: What Immigrants Never Tell You" by Dina Nayeri. From the publisher:

Aged eight, Dina Nayeri fled Iran along with her mother and brother and lived in the crumbling shell of an Italian hotel–turned–refugee camp. Eventually she was granted asylum in America. She settled in Oklahoma, then made her way to Princeton University. In this book, Nayeri weaves together her own vivid story with the stories of other refugees and asylum seekers in recent years, bringing us inside their daily lives and taking us through the different stages of their journeys, from escape to asylum to resettlement.

In these pages, a couple fall in love over the phone, and women gather to prepare the noodles that remind them of home. A closeted queer man tries to make his case truthfully as he seeks asylum, and a translator attempts to help new arrivals present their stories to officials.

Nayeri confronts notions like “the swarm,” and, on the other hand, “good” immigrants. She calls attention to the harmful way in which Western governments privilege certain dangers over others. With surprising and provocative questions, The Ungrateful Refugee challenges us to rethink how we talk about the refugee crisis.

Consider either checking out a copy from a local library or buying one from https://bookshop.org/shop/pjs, where proceeds benefit the church.

Come if you've read the whole book, listened to the whole audiobook, just read a few chapters, or didn't read but are interested in hearing from those who did. Above all, invite your friends! Multiple St. PJ's members brought friends to the fall discussions, and others came who saw flyers at coffee shops.

Next Sunday, March 15, 2pm:

NeuroDivine Service

If it’s hard for you, your autistic child, or a friend's neurodiverse family member to worship in church, then this could be the low-key, low-stimulation service you've been looking for. Designed and led by the Rev. Lynne Severance, NeuroDivine is an interactive service for families, groups, and people of all ages with stories, singing, and simple prayers.

All are welcome next Sunday, March 15, 2 PM, at St. PJ's Episcopal Church at 57 Olive Street, New Haven. Come here how God loves YOU -- and please spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested!

Also March 15: Bishop Holly Commemoration Service at St. Luke's, Whalley Avenue

Did you know that the first Black man to serve as bishop in the Episcopal Church was first ordained a priest right here in New Haven? Before becoming Bishop of Haiti, the Rt. Rev. James Theodore Holly served as rector of St. Luke's from 1856-1861.

Next Sunday, March 15, at 4 p.m., St. Luke's will hold a Bishop Holly Commemoration Service. The broader ECCT community is invited to what promises to be an auspicious and glorious occasion!

According to a brief biography shared by St. Luke's,

"His early years were spent in D.C. and Brooklyn where he connected with Frederick Douglass and other Black abolitionists... In 1856 Holly was ordained a priest in New Haven, Connecticut. That same year he co-founded the Protestant Episcopal Society for Promoting the Extension of the Church Among Colored People, which challenged the Church to take a position at General Convention against slavery. Theodore Holly would later become the first African American Bishop in the Episcopal Church. Holly served as rector at St Luke’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut until 1861 during which time he traveled and extolled the benefits of emigration to Haiti, a country where slaves had led a successful revolt and overthrown their European forces. He viewed Haiti as an opportunity for Black people to bind together and establish a Black nation in the Western hemisphere. Holly believed that bringing Anglicanism to Haiti would help to stabilize and develop the country more expeditiously."

New times for weekday services

There is a new quiet Eucharist each Wednesday at 12:30.

Our long-standing, lay-led midweek prayer service, which places special emphasis on the St. PJ’s prayer list, is now on Thursdays at 12:30.

All are welcome to either or both!

Lenten Adult Formation:

"Harden Not Your Hearts"

From Kelly Park, Seminarian Intern

Starting this Sunday - after a week's weather delay -- the St. PJ's Lenten adult formation series is based on "Harden Not Your Hearts," a 2022 online offering from the Ignatian Spiritual Network.

In-person conversations will take place at church after Coffee and Community on most Sundays in Lent, beginning this week.

Additionally, there is also an optional email portion that began on Ash Wednesday. Each morning you can receive reflections, invitations, and the daily INS link in your inbox. Send an email to kelly.park@yale.edu to be added to the list!

You can receive the emails, come for the conversations, or both! It is my hope that through this time of prayer, penitence, and reflection we will be able to grow together as a community of faith and to shore up our dedication to being Christlike in our hearts, minds, and actions.

News from the Wider Church

- [ENS] Connecticut Episcopalians, bishop arrive home after Iran attacks end Holy Land pilgrimage

- [RNS] Coverage of Episcopal Parish Network conference: 'A lie from the pit of hell': Episcopal leaders push back on rumors of fatal decline

- [ENS] EPN speakers press Christians to resist anti-democratic movements as church plans for future

- [RNS] Conservative Anglican bishops seek 'disengagement' from Canterbury, repositioning GAFCON network as a formal denomination and "Anglican" rival to the Anglican Communion

- [Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs] Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on military strike on Iran

- [ENS] Jerusalem archbishop thanks Episcopal Church for support in video remarks to EPN conference

- [Word & Way] Attacks on Iran Draw Fire From Mainline, Catholic, and Middle Eastern Christian Leaders

- [Sojourners] Kings Start Wars, Christians Stop Them

Come at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Sunday, March 8 -- the third Sunday in Lent -- for Holy Eucharist, children's Sunday School, coffee & community, and adult formation after church.

Serving this Sunday:

Sunday

10:30 a.m.

Jazz Eucharist

In person and online

Wednesday

12:30 p.m.



Simple Communion

In person only

Thursday

12:30 p.m.

(new day!)



Midday Prayers

In person only

Cycles of Prayer and St. PJ's Prayer List

In the Episcopal Church in Connecticut's cycle of prayer, we pray this week for St. Peter’s, Hebron; St. James’, Higganum; and All Saints’, Ivoryton; and for our bishops, the Commons staff, & parish employees.

In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Kenya

On the St. PJ’s prayer list, we pray for: Rachel, Doug Parker, Anne Matthies, Calvin Griffin, 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, Stephen Lett, Vanetta Lloyd, Janea Barthle, Lydia Hamnquist, Rita Valenti-Piovane, Rev. Nihal de Lanerolle, Heather de Lanerolle, Marietta D’Albero, Maria Rodriquez, Marietta Coppola, Paul Mangels, Alexandra Sanseverino, Dr. Milton Coke, Pam Yesner, Rev. Carl Scovel, Karl Mini, Patrick Reynolds, Margaret Perry, Ryan Welch, Jack Welch, Andy & Karla Codney, Kyle Park, Carol Brennan, Fr. Tom, George Moore, A. J. Crosby, Adrienne Brady, Jeannie & Clemente Campos, Marilyn Bergen, Lydia Albers, Jean Douglas, Melissa & George Cunningham, Joan Cappella, Ruby Slade-Wooten, Yvonne Scott, Joan Farrell   

Postulant for Ordination: Milton Gilder

Birthdays: Edwina Johnson (3/9), (Kate Galambos 3/13), Alec Pedersen (3/13)

Deceased: The Rt. Rev. Jim Waggoner (retired Bishop of Spokane and mentor to Rev. Nathan)

VIDEO: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon

Last week, our priest-in-charge the Rev. Nathan Empsall celebrated Communion and preached for the second Sunday in Lent.

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

Support Loaves & Fishes and Sunrise Cafe during renovation

The long-awaited replacement of the steps to the undercroft, right on the corner of Chapel and Olive, is underway! Work has restarted now that the ground has warmed a little and the snow has begun to melt. This means that our front yard along Olive Street is fenced off while construction is underway.

While we are disappointed that we are not able to include a ramp in the project, the new steps will be wider, safer and more welcoming to the community. Please direct questions to Brian Fillmore as Capital Campaign Project Manager.

Sunrise Cafe and Loaves & Fishes continue to operate, using alternate entryways to the undercroft. We acknowledge that though fruitful in the long run, this is an inconvenience for now, so please donate to either important organization if you can:

Reach out to Rev. Nathan to Schedule Your Household Visit

By the Rev. Nathan Empsall, priest-in-charge

By now, you've likely heard me say that I want to visit every St. PJ's household. 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 the future of our common life together. Ideally this meeting would be at your home, where I can get to know you in your own environment and also offer a home blessing, but coffee shops and walks in the park are okay too.

These meetings are happening, and I have greatly enjoyed them -- but I am also realizing that I am my own bottleneck when it comes to scheduling, as I reach out to families one or two at a time. To try and speed things up, I invite you to reach out to me with some suggested times and dates we might meet.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are ideal, but Fridays and Saturdays are okay too. While weekday daytimes are certainly best, I understand that work schedules can necessitate evenings or Saturdays. Please email me at revnathan@stpaulstjames.org, and I hope to see you outside the church building soon!

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 + Sarah Hill
• Interim Director of Music: Dylan Rowland
• Tech and Music Intern: Dontae James
• Seminary Intern: Kelly Park
• Vestry: Bill Evans (co-warden), Juhani Jaske (co-warden), David Hill (treasurer), Maggie King (clerk), Maurice Harris, Pam Sayre, Vanetta Lloyd, Lynne Severance, David Boyer, Roni Holcomb