St. PJ's eNews: October 10, 2025 | | |
- Weekly Reflection: Joy in Communion
- TONIGHT: "Sound and Style" concert
- Office closed Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day
- Saturday, 10/25: "Neurodivine"
- Next "Margins and Movements" book discussion
- News from the Wider Church: Responses to Archbishop-designate Sarah; Native American Episcopal news for Indigenous Peoples Day; faith reactions to Gaza ceasefire; and more
- 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: Joy in Communion
By the Rev. Nathan Empsall, priest-in-charge
It's been a busy week, but a full one, too -- full of church, and full in the Spirit. (It continues tonight with the Sound & Style concert in the undercroft!)
Last weekend, we concluded the Season of Creation with the annual Blessing of the Pets, first in Wooster Square Park and then in church. The animals in church certainly blessed me as much as I blessed them – and the same can be true of the children.
We had 67 people, our third biggest service of the year so far. That included all 10 of our regular kids, and they were holy delights during Communion. One of the littler ones was carried up by his grown-up, and when the sprite received his Communion bread, he got an impish grin and gleefully wanted to feed it to his grown friend, trying to push it into the adult's mouth. He was so, so happy to give and share!
Moments later, a second toddler was walking up slowly, but when I bent down so she could see the bread, she broke into a giant smile and started to run right at me. Sure, she still sees the Sacrament as "snack time" -- but she's not entirely wrong. This bread does nourish us in profound, deep ways, connecting us to the divine and to one another, preparing us to go out and do the good work of God. Sounds like a pretty healthy snack to me.
When the younger children come for Communion, I modify the words slightly, telling them, "We call this bread the Body of Christ. It means Jesus loves you!" I want kids to have a spiritual moment at the altar, but I also want to ensure that it's a positive and joyful experience for them. The childhood memories and associations they form will follow them for decades -- so let's make sure the Communion associations are good ones, memories that make them want to keep coming back for a lifetime.
Over the next few days, my attention shifted from one kind of communion to another, from Holy Communion to the global Anglican Communion, as I spent three days at Yale Divinity School for alumni convocation. One of the moments that I think will resound most with St. PJ's members was the panel of Berkeley (Episcopal) honorary degree recipients. All four were inspiring women leaders from around the Communion: The Bishop of South Carolina, rebuilding after an anti-LGBTQ exodus; a theologian from Kenya; an indigenous theologian from New Zealand; and a religious historian from Oxford. To hear them discuss how they support fellow women throughout the Communion -- and to listen to their perspectives on and stories of Dame Sarah Mullaly, the new Archbishop of Canterbury-designate and first woman to hold the role -- was a joyful and wholesome hour I didn't realize my Spirit needed. This is what the church can be and do at its best.
Yale Divinity also dedicated its new Living Village, the greenest student residence ever built anywhere. But it’s not just green; it was also designed with an eye to fostering community, beauty, and healthy living, and is already serving as a model for green construction around the country. At the same time, the Berkeley dean, Andrew McGowan, is stepping down, and there were wonderful heartfelt celebrations and stories to thank and appreciate our favorite Australian punk rocker turned ancient-theology scholar. He left a larger institution for Berkeley to build community at a human level, and that's exactly what he did, as both academic and priest. And it is largely to him that I owe my appreciation for the broader Anglican Communion, not just the Episcopal Church, as a limb of the Body of Christ.
Throughout the week, I kept running into old friends and classmates. We would catch up and swap notes, and I gained a few ideas we might try here. But more than that, it was always a joy to brag on you: About this church’s long-standing strength of lay leadership and warmth of community, the dedication and faithfulness of its people, your desire for justice, and my eagerness to find out what new light our future may hold for New Haven and the Body of Christ.
Finally (well, finally until tonight's concert!), last night I attended the "celebration of new ministry" worship service at Trinity Trumbull for my dear friend the Rev. Kate McKey-Dunar, as she moves from priest-in-charge to rector. Kate preached here at St. PJ’s once or twice a few years ago, when she was a deacon living in Wooster Square and serving as a hospital chaplain. Trinity Trumbull is about the same size as St. PJ's, maybe a little smaller, so to hear about the wonderful ministries they've undertaken and to see their own warm spirit of community was an affirmation of all that we can do together when we walk with Christ. (Here in New Haven, St. Thomas's held a similar service for the Rev. Alan Murchie at the same time, and I'm sorry that I could not make both! St. Thomas's has also found itself growing and in a place of renewed strength, its warden told me this week, after selling its building to the day school.)
The Spirit is moving. I know that times feel dark, and that's because they are dark. There is no way around that -- but there is always, always light in the darkness. There is always hope in the loving, resurrected Christ. And as I talk this month with clergy and lay leaders from England to Atlanta, Spokane to Trumbull, Maine to New Haven, I see nothing but sparks of that hope. The Spirit is moving -- in the church, in us, and in you.
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TONIGHT, 10/10:
"Sound and Style" Concert, 6:30 p.m.
Sound & Style benefit concert for St. PJ's
feat. Ionne, the St. PJ's Jazz Ensemble, and Friends
Today, Friday, October 10, 2025
St. PJ's Undercroft
Doors open and food sales: 6:30 p.m.
Concert begins: 7:00 p.m.
Reserve your tickets now >>
Please join an unforgettable evening of music and community at "The Square @ St. PJ's," featuring a headline performance by Ionne (Maurice Harris) from his new genre-bending double-releases, “Pathos” and “A Light Untruth,” along with Will Cleary and Dylan Rowland of the St. PJ’s Jazz Ensemble and guest artists.
Each artist will bring their unique sound and style, creating a diverse and enriching musical tapestry.
This is a benefit concert for St. PJ's. Tickets are a suggested donation of $25, available online or at the door. Reserve your spot today and be part of a night that celebrates harmony, hope, and the power of music to bring us together!
Heavy hors d'oeuvres and small bites will be available for purchase, featuring homemade catering with diverse cultural options by our administrative director Monifa Atkinson and her family.
Reserve your tickets now >>
To pay a different amount for a ticket than the listed options, select "I'd just like to donate" instead, and your contribution will still be honored as a ticket.
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Church Office Closed Monday
The church office will be closed this Monday, October 13, in observance of Indigenous People’s Day. Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, October 14 (8 a.m. - noon).
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Saturday, 10/25, 2 p.m.:
"Neurodivine," a new worship service for neurodivergent families
If it’s too hard to bring your neurodiverse family member to church -- whether you fear they will disrupt church or because church could disrupt them -- then this is the low-key, low-stimulation worship service for you.
Designed and led by the Rev. Lynne Severance, Neurodivine will be an interactive service for families, groups, and people of all ages with stories, singing, and simple prayers. Come learn how God loves YOU.
And please spread the word and invite those you know who might be interested!
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Next "Margins and Movements" book discussion, 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 7:30. 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 and invite your friends!
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Come to worship this Sunday, October 12, at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate the 18th Sunday after Pentecost.
Kelly Park will preach and Rev. Nathan will 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
In the Episcopal Church in Connecticut's cycle of prayer, we pray this week for St. John’s, Vernon; St. Paul’s, Wallingford; and St. John’s, Washington; and for young adults, young adult ministries & networks, the Episcopal Service Corps, and the Young Adult Service Corps of The Episcopal Church.
In the global Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Church of the Province of Uganda.
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
Birthday: David Tate (10/10), Casondra Roach (10/13)
Deceased: Martin O’ Brien (9/21) (son-in-law of Tony Gagliardi)
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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.
Tudy Hill preached and Rev. Nathan celebrated the Eucharist and the annual Blessing of Animals, as we observed St. Francis Day and the end of the Season of Creation.
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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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