St. Paul's Episcopal Church 301 E. Stuart Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Phone: 970-482-2668 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.stpauls-fc.org View as Webpage

Advent Reflection by Rev. Lyn The lessons this Sunday continue to remind us that this Advent season is about “preparing the way.” In preparation for this holiday season, we reflect on where and with whom we are going to spend Christmas; we reflect on what gifts we’re going to give loved-ones; we reflect on preparations for Christmas – what are we going to make – what are we going to bring? I hope we also make the time and space in our own lives to reflect on what it means this season to “prepare the way.”   My Advent season this year is filled with more activity than usual as I pack up my apartment. I have decided to “travel light” by selling or giving away all my furniture, by letting go of those “possessions” that possess me, rather than the other way around. It strikes me that this is a good metaphor for how I need to “prepare the way.” Not only do I need to de-clutter my physical space, but those clogged up emotional and spiritual spaces that cloud my judgment, make me brittle and intolerant, and prevent me from being still … from looking and seeing … from “being awake.” De-cluttering our minds and hearts allows us to “prepare the way,” for the One preparing to coming into this world to show us yet another “Way.”   God bless you all in this season of preparation and reflection.

Your Wardens' Update "As I reflected on this advent season, the coming of our Savior, and the new year, I see so many invitations at St Paul’s to share our gifts Inspired by the Spirit. We are invited to reflect on our 2019 pledge as our In-Gathering approaches. We are invited to celebrate our Reverend Lyn as she takes her leave. We are invited to share our spiritual gifts, perhaps in a sermon in the new year or as a new vestry member. Come on in; all are welcome. " See full article HERE

Your Stewardship Team This is the fourth and last in a series of reflections about our upcoming Every Member Canvass Ingathering Sunday. The Holy Spirit has placed so many good and challenging things before our Parish Community of faith. Together let us work for good as we seek, even more deeply, to faithfully listen within our hearts and minds, through Word and Sacrament and Prayer , to the Inspiration of the Spirit in each of our lives and in the life of St. Paul’s Parish. Please give thoughtfully and generously. NOTE: This Sunday is our Parish’s Pledge Ingathering . If you have not already turned your pledge card in, at the indicated time please bring your pledge card forward and place it on God’s holy Altar as an act of sacrifice and thanksgiving.

Ushers Needed Be the face of welcome for those visiting St. Paul's by helping people to feel comfortable in our worship services. Hand out bulletins, pass offering plates and help people to know when to come up for communion. Express our value of abundant hospitality. To sign up, talk to Pony Davis

Contemplative Art Adult Ed., Today, 10:20 or so to 11:05 or so in the Sun Room Experience Contemplative Art with Elaine Hild, Brianna Van Dyke, and Judy Matthews. We will again have art supplies and writing materials available, but you can also bring your favorites – journaling, knitting, sewing, painting, or any other art form that you love. Learn about sitting in silence and messing around with God and one another.

Coming Soon! Celebrate Rev. Lyn's Time With Us We had a lovely party for Deacon Jim last week, and next week we will be celebrating our time with Rev. Lyn. Join us Sunday, December 16, at 10 am . A light breakfast will be hosted. Do you have questions about any aspect of this celebration? Contact Beth Etter

St Paul’s Giving Tree  St. Paul's Giving Tree provides much needed supplies to the Voices Carry Child Advocacy Center in Fort Collins. All the needed items can probably be found in the grocery store. There are still tags. Please take one from the tree in the narthex and return the item  unwrapped  no later than Monday, December 17. If you have any questions ,please contact Joan Stephenson . Thank you for your support!

Soup Suppers and Taize Services For two more Wednesdays in December (12 and 19) Trinity Lutheran, St. Paul’s Episcopal, and Mary of Magdala Ecumenical Catholic Community will join for an evening of fellowship and contemplation. A simple soup supper in the Fellowship Hall at 6 pm will be followed by Taize worship at 6:45 pm. Sign up sheets are on the counter in the narthex for those who wish to contribute soup or volunteer to help set up or clean up the soup suppers. :

Calling All Coffee Hour Fans Signing up to bring snacks for Sunday Coffee Hour is now super fast and easy. Just click HERE , choose a date, and sign up. (The SignUpGenius will even send you a reminder email.) Don’t delay - these “Coffee Hour Host" slots are going fast, only three more are available for 2018!

Habitat for Humanity Opportunities The next Habitat For Humanity Build Day is Saturday, January 12th. There will not be a Build Day in February. Come and help. No experience or tools are needed, the work is at your own pace and skill level (including total newbie), and it's an opportunity to help build a safe, decent, affordable home for a hardworking local family. Work from 7:45 AM to 4:00 PM, and enjoy a fabulous free lunch onsite, provided with love by one of our partner parishes. Try it once, you'll want to come back! Please contact Gray Currier by noon of the Sunday before to get signed up.

ISAAC LARGE GROUP MEETING Plymouth Congregational Church Sunday, December 9 3:00 - 4:30 All are invited to our next ISAAC large group meeting for a talk on the first hand experiences of a group of Northern Coloradans who are right now participating in a Borderlands learning tour in Arizona. These learning tours are designed to bring awareness of the increasing migrant deaths, militarization, environment degradation, the effects on habitat and the effects on sister communities by the border wall along the Mexico/U.S. Borderlands. Participants increase their understanding and knowledge of the social, economic, political and ethical significance of migration in border communities, including advocacy tools and capacity building to engage others on borderlands and migration issues.  We'll also be discussing ISAAC's recent name and mission statement updates, and new ventures for our organization. Mark your calendars for this important and informative meeting. We hope to see you there! With special thanks to all of you and for all you do to make this world a better and more welcoming place, Your ISAAC Steering Committe

A LINK TO THE MOST RECENT FORT COLLINS FOR PROGRESS NEWSLETTER IS HERE

Christmas Poinsettias Christmas is just around the corner, and that means it is time to order poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for the season. With five or more blooms per plant, these gorgeous, red poinsettias stand 15”-19” tall with lush foliage, and are wrapped in red foil. A check MUST accompany your order! Orders must be received by Sunday, December 16. Please bring or mail a note to St. Paul's Office, 301 E Stuart St., Fort Collins, 80525, stating your name , your phone number and whether your gift is in honor of, in remembrance of or in celebration of someone and listing their name. Tell us how many plants you would like to order (at $13 each) and include a check made out to Saint Paul's Church , with poinsettia in the memo line.

Christmas Worship Services St. Paul's Children’s Pageant – Monday, December 24, 1:30 pm St. Paul's Christmas Eve Caroling and Eucharist – 10:30 pm St. Paul's Christmas Day Service – 10:30 am (followed by a Festive Lunch) Trinity Christmas Eve Worship Services -- December 24 at 3:30 and 5:30 pm Mary of Magdala Christmas Day Service -- 9 am

Christmas Day Festive Lunch   St. Paul’s is organizing a Festive Lunch at noon on Christmas day after our Christmas Day service . Everyone is invited – whether you wish to come for a cup of eggnog and snacks or to eat a full meal. There will be a variety of Christmas and non-Christmas dishes, as well as gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. Please join us with your friends. If you are able to contribute to the lunch in any way, there will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex this Sunday. Any questions, please contact Rev. Lyn

Thank You! Thank you to the Trinity-St. Paul’s-Mary of Magdala family for all of the loving support you have given to the children and families of the Lago Vista Mobile Home Park. We have collected nearly 100 books and MANY toys and educational activities for the children, not to mention your monetary contributions. Your gifts will help make Christmas special for the children, but they will also enhance children’s learning in school. Lago Vista Neighbor’s programs have already improved test scores and kept children from dropping out of school. We will be in touch with more details after we deliver our gifts to Lago Vista Neighbor on December 6 th . -- Your ad hoc Lago Vista Committee --Brenda Fosse, Barb Klaman, Anya Reiten, & Margaret Wick

Trinity Book Group: The Book of Joy Members of MOM and SPE are invited to join the Trinity book group on Monday, January 7th, at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room to discuss  The Book of Joy.  Two global heroes, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, look for answers to one burning question: How do we find joy in the face of life's inevitable suffering? Questions? Call Nadine Hunt at 825-3730.

Remember These Opportunities: ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAMBER SINGERS under the directorship of Ann Bunyan, will offer a brilliant luminescence of song. Sunday, December. 9 at 3 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave., Fort Collins. Admission at the door: $18 adults; $5 students. IN SEARCH OF WHOLENESS -- AN EXPLORATION OF OUR MYSTICAL ORIGINS The adult education program of Mary of Magdala will host a second Advent soup supper, Sunday, December 9 after their 5 pm Mass. Speaker Rick Klein will weave together the lives and teachings of four modern mystics to create a fabric upon which we can trace our unique spiritual paths within the common spiritual journey of all humanity. Our journey will glean insights from the Native American mystic Black Elk; contemplative and feminist mystic Beatrice Bruteau; Jewish mystic Etty Hillesum; and priest and environmental advocate Thomas Berry. Please join us for nourishment of both body and soul. PLEASE HELP ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS. Join the Murphy Center in proclaiming THIS SATURDAY, December 8th as Homelessness Awareness Day in Fort Collins . P ease consider 1) purchasing tickets to the Mission to Hope Walk (Morning) or the Murphy Center Community Dinner (Evening), 2) sponsoring a guest of the Murphy Center to attend the Walk or Dinner, 3) buying a table at the Dinner, 4) creating a walking team for the Walk, and 5) donating to support the event. For more information go HERE BETSY PERNA'S HIMALAYAN SINGING BOWLS will be in the Sun Room one time in December, December 15, 11 am - 12:30 pm

 "The Feast Day of St. Nicholas" " He became the archetypal embodiment of the unearned and utterly surprising generosity that sometimes comes into our lives at the bleakest moments." Laurie Gudim at Episcopal Cafe's Speaking to the Soul HERE .