Beloved,

August, high summer! May God bless those of you who will be traveling this month, and God bless those of you who will be staying home. On the subject of being away, I will be out of the office for my summer vacation from Monday, August 7th until Friday, August 25th. Fr. Dennis Parker will be celebrating and preaching on Sunday, August 13th and 20th. For pastoral emergencies please contact one of our pastoral care team leaders: Jon Langenwalter, Liz Mills or Sally Shackleford. I am looking forward to some downtime, so as to be ready to hit the ground running in September!

It being the first Sunday of the month, August 6th will be the third of our Q&A sermons. If you would like to prepare your question(s) ahead of time, the readings are:

Genesis 32:22-31

Romans 9:1-5

Matthew 14:13-21

On a completely different subject, each fall lay and clergy delegates gather for our annual Diocesan Convention. This is where we decide on future diocesan policies and the shape and scope of all of the ministries that we do together. Each Episcopal church in the diocese gets to send representatives of the congregation to the convention, the number is dependent on the size of the congregation. Usually, St. Paul’s delegates are elected at the church annual general meeting. That didn’t happen this year because we were in the middle of transition. To fill the gap your vestry appointed our 4 delegates for this year:

Aimee Fritsch, Kathy Gordon, Johanna St. Clair and Cott Thompson

I am deeply grateful that these four are willing to serve in this capacity. We will be electing new delegates at our 2024 AGM, so think about whether you might be called to this ministry yourself. I will miss you while I am away, but I know that you are in the very best of hands with our vestry, staff team and our incredible group of ministry leaders. I am looking forward to sharing new and exciting ministries with you in the fall!

With my prayers,

Simon+

____

Our beloved brother, The Rev. Fred Heard, died peacefully on Monday, August 1st. Please keep him, Adair, and their family in your prayers. We will let you know when his funeral will take place.

The Sale of the Bishop's Close and Elk Rock Garden

Dear Friends in Christ,

I write to share the news that we have officially sold the property at 11800 S. Military Lane. The Elk Rock Garden Foundation is the new deed holder, and through this purchase, the property has come full circle as it is once again in the hands of the heirs of the original donors. 

The Close and Elk Rock Garden will always have a special place in the heart of the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon, and I am glad people will be able to continue to enjoy the property.

The sale was finalized on Friday, July 28, and the diocesan staff has completely relocated to our new office at 2780 SE Harrison St. in Milwaukie. I appreciate your patience as the staff continues to orient themselves to the new building.

In Christ,

+Diana

Read this online. A Spanish translation will be available soon.

Vestry Corner

2023 Vestry Members:

Ann Lovejoy, Sr. Warden

Roy Bryan, Jr. Warden

Chuck Chamberlain

Jeanne Clark

Hollie Groves

Barb Leque

Doug Lusk

Elaine Sanchez

Johana St. Clair

Betsy Steinberg

Cott Thompson

Michelle Wardrip

Kathy Gordon, Treasurer Pro Tem

Linda Gilbert, Clerk of the Vestry

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The next Vestry Meeting will be on Tuesday, August 29th at 6:30pm.

Click here to view Vestry minutes, reports, and updates on our website!

Click here to view COVID-19 updates from the Oregon Health Authority.

Watch services online:

Many thanks to Judy Quenzel and Charlotte Riester for offering to coordinate our Christmas Share Outreach Program! These two ladies and their team of volunteers will do an awesome job of gettin’ ‘er done. We anticipate another Christmas of St. Paul’s generosity and care for its neighbors in need.

Barb Leque

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Do you have some community appreciation that you would like to share? Send your shout outs to colleen@stpaulsoregon.org to be included in an upcoming newsletter!

Parish Events and Information

From the Audit Committee

The 2019-20-21 audit of church finances is complete.

You can find a summary here.

The full audit is here.

2023 Chi Yo Project a Success! 

Sincere thanks goes to the one-hundred and twenty five volunteers who prepped, rolled, fried and distributed Chi Yo during the 2023 Salem Art Fair Weekend. We made over 200 dozen of the veggie and meat Vietnamese spring rolls. The recipe was given to the parish over 40 years ago by the Lam Mi Chung and Lam Ba Tang families. These families were harbored by St. Paul's during the Vietnam conflict. 

We will be sending $2000 to the "Helping Hands" ministry in Salem for their continued good work in our community. Remaining donated funds after expenses; will go to music scholarships for camps and travel.  

Many thanks to all, 

St. Paul's Chi Yo Committee

Men's Breakfast 

The "First Monday" men's breakfast continues at 7:30 AM this coming Monday, August 7, at Shari's 5005 South Commercial. Tax collectors and sinners are welcome. All are welcome! Come and join us for good food and fellowship. 

St. Paul's Pride Book Club

St. Paul's Pride invites you to join us in a book club reading Transforming: The Bible & The Lives of Transgender Christians.

The meetings will be hybrid, in-person in the church library, and online on Zoom, from 6:30-8 every other Monday, for the following sessions:

July 31st (Forward- Chapter 3),

August 14th (Chapters 4-6),

August 28th (Chapters 7-9), and

September 11th (Chapter 10-Conclusion).

We have 8 copies of the book available to borrow thanks to a Church Periodical Club grant, please text Aimee at 208-741-1910 to coordinate getting a copy!

Acolyte Ice Cream and Pool Party!!!

August 18th and 3:00 pm we will gather at the home of Ellis and Michelle Deister. After ice cream sundaes, we will head up to the pool. Parents are encouraged to join us, for pool fun or a time to interact with other Acolyte parents.

Please contact Mary Forner to let us know how many to expect. She will also give you the address at that time.

Mary Forner

mwforner@live.com

503-363-0551

Tuesday Yoga with Colleen

Join us Tuesdays at 2pm for free community yoga!

This 45 min, all-levels class offers a mix of relaxing stretches and strong poses, with a focus on breath and an emphasis on muscles that hold daily stress.

Bring your mat (or borrow one of ours!) and wear clothes that you're comfortable moving in.

Click here to register!

_____

Please note the list of recommended mobility skills (such as bending, standing, and kneeling) listed on the registration form.

If you have different mobility needs and are interested in a gentler class, please email colleen@stpaulsoregon.org. If we can get a few folks interested in adaptive options, we can start a chair yoga class!

Community Caring

Back to School Supply Drive

School is just around the corner! Will you help us gather school supplies for South Salem High School students and teachers? Please click here to sign up for specific items requested by South teachers or donate general school supplies.

General school supplies include pencils, ball point pens, highlighters, 3 ring binders (1 inch), clorox wipes, composition graph notebooks, single spiral or composition notebooks (college rule), clear tape, glue sticks, index cards, bandaids, first aid kits, masking tape, Sharpie markers, Kleenex/tissues, multi-color stock paper, color markers, dry erase markers, loose leaf graph paper, and snack foods. 

Bring donations to the South Salem High School main office between now and August 28. The office is open weekdays from 7:30-3:30 p.m.

Donations may also be dropped off at St. Paul's office during business hours.

Thank you!

Needed: Warm Weather Care Items!

The youth will be collecting warm weather care items to distribute to local pantries during their City Camp August 13-17.

Needed items: bottles of water, shelf stable snacks, small sunscreens, chapstick, socks, neck coolers, powder drink packets (gatorade, other electrolyte drinks), hats, etc. Donations may be made to the church office.

Please contact Amy Goerger amy@stpaulsoregon.org if you have any questions. Thank you!

Invitation for Prayers

Are you filled with the Spirit while lifting someone in prayer? Are you drawn to God in prayer often? You may be receiving the calling to join a group of St. Paul’s friends who faithfully intercede for those in need of prayer and offer their specific intentions to the Lord. This parish has so many needs and concerns individuals have and the Lay Pastoral Care Ministry is inviting you to become part of a group of “prayer warriors” who religiously pray daily for those intentions. 

Please text, call, or email Barb Leque if you see yourself contributing to this ministry: 541-571-2075, tbamjk@gmail.com.

Notes from Dot

Dot the Free Pantry: Community Mutual Aid

Dot is one pantry in the FreeFridgeSalem network of fridges and pantries. There are many ways to help support the amazing work being done in communities around Salem. Along with helping to keep Dot stocked with food and water, click here to see other ways you can volunteer with FreeFridgeSalem this summer. Thank you to everyone who continues to care for our community through Dot! 

Most needed items: grab-n-go meals and snacks such as breakfast/granola bars, applesauces, ramen noodles, bottled water, electrolyte drinks and hygiene products.

As the weather heats up, Dot's cooling station will be set up. If you have an old cooler you don't need anymore, we could definitely use it! Contact Amy Goerger at amy@stpaulsoregon.org if you can help. Thanks!

Follow Dot_thefreepantry on Instagram to stay up-to-date on ways you can take direct action to love our neighbors!

St. Paul's Children, Youth, and Families

Parents and Guardians please complete a NEW Annual Permission form linked below for each child participating in St. Paul's Children, Youth and Families activities.

Thank you to everyone who has already completed the survey! It's not too late. We'll keep the form live for a few more weeks. Don't miss your chance to let us know what your family needs!

The Children, Youth and Families Ministry leadership and advisory council are busy making plans for the upcoming program year and we need your help!

Volunteers are needed!

Spending time with children in our parish is a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity. Lessons and materials are provided. Please contact Amy Goerger amy@stpaulsoregon.org if you are interested in learning more about Children's Ministry at St. Paul's and how you might be involved. 

SPARK 2023: Philippines!

Thank you to everyone who made this year's St. Paul's Arts and Rhythm for Kids camp such a success!! We had fun learning about the Philippines while making art, playing games, dancing and through song. The photo above is from our last day together right before we joined in the Salem Art Fair Children's parade!

Click here to see more of our week.

City Camp Registration is now closed BUT there is a waitlist!

Sign up TODAY!!

City Camp

City Camp is a fun and exciting four day OVERNIGHT CAMP adventure for middle school youth who have completed grades 5-8. High School students can register to serve as resource staff by filling out this form as well. 

Location: Westminster Presbyterian in Salem

Dates: Sunday, August 13-Thursday, August 17

Fun Activities: Night games, outdoor movie night, pool day, silent disco dance party, costume dinner, kickball competition, Kona Shave Ice truck and more!

Help Serve: Sunnyslope Community Garden, Free Fridge Salem, Fircrest Park, and more!

Cost: $125 and includes all meals, group stay, and all activities.

Scholarships/financial assistance are available.

Contact Amy Goerger amy@stpaulsoregon.org for more information.

Click this link to register.

Children's Bulletins



Here are some fun ways for children to engage with the scripture readings each week.



The bulletins may be printed off and games accessed online.

• Ages 3-6 Children's Bulletin
• Ages 7+ Children's Bulletin

There is a secret code on the front cover page that is unique to our church and allows SAFE and secure access to online games to reinforce the message for the week. The games are geared toward all age levels so everyone can join in the fun!

        Step 1: Print the age-appropriate bulletin with a secret code on the front.

        Step 2: Enter the secret code at Games.ChildrensBulletins.com

        Step 3: Pick a game and play!

Weekly Birthdays

August 4th

Chris Casebeer

August 5th

Ann Lau

Scarlett Prine

Kristen Drechsler

Marin Krumenauer

August 7th

Ray Phipps

Alex Sanchez

August 8th

Gayle Holland

Diane Bagley

August 9th

Michelle Wardrip

In Loving Memory

Cooper

Ryan Johnston (7/7)

Jeannie Galey (7/15)

Paul Farrell (7/21)

Mary Elizabeth Parker Domejka (8/1)

Rev. Fred Heard (8/1)

The Rev. Fred Heard

Dear friends in Christ,

It is with sadness that I announce the death of our brother in Christ, the Rev. Frederick Walter Heard. Fred passed into life eternal this morning, August 1, 2023; he was 82 years old.

Fred was born on September 9, 1940, and grew up in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Fred attended the University of Oregon, Southern Oregon University, and Church Divinity School of the Pacific. Prior to ordination, Fred was a professor at the Oregon Institute of Technology and a State Representative and State Senator, later becoming the President of the Senate in 1981.

He was ordained to the priesthood on December 6, 2003, in the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon. After his ordination, he served in the dioceses of California and El Camino Real before returning to Oregon in 2014. He served as an assisting priest at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salem, then in 2016, he was called to serve as Vicar of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Dallas. Fred served for many years as the Dean of the Willamette Convocation up until his retirement in 2022.

During the pandemic, Fred reconnected with his childhood pen pal, a story that was picked up by the BBC and other news outlets.

Please keep Fred's wife of 57 years, Adair, their three adult children, their family, and their community in your prayers during this time.

We will share information regarding a memorial service when it becomes available.

Yours in Christ,

+Diana

______

Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful servant Fred; and we pray that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, you will receive him more and more into your joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in the past, he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Cover Image: Loaves and Fishes, 2003, Serigraph (24” x 36”) by John August Swanson (1938-1921). Swanon’s art reflects his strong heritage of stroytelling inherited from his Mexican mother and Swedish father. He says about this painting: “For many years I sketched, and tried to work out in my imagination, how the scene of the LOAVES AND FISHES, with its multitude of people, could be painted. I wanted this image to honor native peoples in many parts of the world; those who work the land for their livelihood, and have lived for generations in small communities or villages. The people in my painting are wearing garments with many colors and patterns, inspired by the creations of the makers of cloth, the weavers, and the dyers of Central America, Mexico, and parts of Africa and India. My image of LOAVES AND FISHES emphasizes and reminds us of the basic needs of all humanity. We all share the need for food and for providing for our families and communities. If we take the cosmic view, that there currently exists enough of what we need to sustain the world; we urgently need to consider sharing the resources that have been entrusted to us.”

Swanson, John August. Loaves and Fishes, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56553 [retrieved August 1, 2023]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, https://www.johnaugustswanson.com/.