The E-pistle

September 14, 2023

From This……………………….To This

Funding for the Rectory Renovation

Virgil Stucker, Chair

Pastor Libby, Genet Jeanjean, Martha Bodine, and I became a committee a few weeks ago to help create a welcoming home for our new rector. Although the rectory had received a ‘face lift’ on the outside over the last few years, the inside was worn and unwelcoming. Its condition may have even caused a potential rector to think twice about coming.

The vestry jumped in, authorized a renovation, and it’s underway. This morning I peeked into the kitchen window. It’s looking great and shows that we are indeed welcoming! I look forward to seeing the rest of the house. Imagine, we are even modernizing the bathrooms!

From This……………………….To This

This project costs $200,000. The vestry authorized use of $100,000 from modest reserves and asked us to raise the additional $100,000.

We turned first to ourselves and, then, to the vestry. 100% of those asked have made pledges. We are 13 individuals and/or couples and have pledged $26,700, more than 25% of the goal.

During September and October we will be inviting you to offer a donation as well. We know you will welcome the opportunity to help with this important work.

If you have any questions, please reach me at VirgilStucker@icloud.com

This Sunday – In the Church at 9:00 AM

Creation Collect for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

O God, because in our ignorance and selfishness we so often fail to care rightly for your Creation, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may soften and unite our hearts with all living beings who suffer; through Jesus Christ the Wisdom of Creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Scripture for September 17: Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103:8-13, Matthew 18:21-35

Worship Team for September 17^th

Celebrant/Preacher The Rev. Jane Tillman

Reader Sharon Billetter

Intercessor Darryl Lafferty

Usher/Greeter Jorja Marsden

Lemonade Host Martha Bodine

Musician Nancy King

Worship Team for September 24^th

Celebrant/Preacher The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher

Assisting Priests The Rev. Libby Wade

The Rev. Jane Tillman

Acolyte Rob Maloney

Reader/Intercessor TBD

Usher/Greeter TBD

Coffee Host TBD

Musician David Smith

(If you can help on September 24^th, please e-mail Libby Wade.)

Parish Prayer List

- People we pray for on Sundays: Bruce, Charles, Linda, Veronica, Jeff, Karen, Lisa, Rosalind, Estreeta, Kit, Jacob, and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

- People on our long-term prayer list: Allie, Irby, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Tom, Khali, George, Doug, Barbara, Christy, John, and Anthony

- Our partners at Grace Church, Great Barrington, and their priest Tina Rathbone; Christ Trinity Episcopal-Lutheran Church, Sheffield, and their priest Erik Karas; the residents and staff of the Austen Riggs community and the Riverbrook Residence

- Outreach Ministry of the Week: Cathedral of the Beloved

- Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Holy Spirit, Sutton

- Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean

- Victims of floods in Libya, earthquake in Morocco, war in Ukraine, and people everywhere who are affected by violence, oppression, and natural disasters

- Sympathy is extended to Diane Dillon upon the death of her mother, Zsuzsa Huebner

- Altar flowers are given by Patty Melville in honor of the victims of 9/11/2001

Creation Season Photo Challenge

Thanks to Patty Melville for this week’s photo. We look forward to receiving others as we move through this Creation Season.

We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 840)

Student Care Packages

Greetings,

As our college students from St. Paul’s settle into the new school year, we would like to again send them care packages to remind them that they are always in our thoughts and prayers and have support within their faith community. As the fall term progresses, we know that work, lack of sleep and feelings of isolation from being far from home can often feel overwhelming. A small package of thoughtful gifts can serve to brighten up a day. You can contribute by purchasing some of the items on our list, helping us to pack the care packages, or posting the packages.

We compiled a list of much-appreciated items by interviewing two of the students. Included are: small note cards, candy, pens, pencils, bookmarks, popcorn, small flip notebooks, and stickers for laptops. We’ll let you know soon when items need to be brought to the church for inclusion in the packages.

If you have a college student (or a high school student in boarding school), please let Libby know and we will include them in the list of recipients.

Thank you for your help in this project,

Kim Savery and Rob Maloney

As we put our students in our prayers,

May every student develop a thirst for learning, respect for each other, and a deep love of the truth. We pray that God’s peace may replace fear, anxiety, and frustration. May they feel encouraged by the community gathered around them and may their needs be met. Lord our God, in your wisdom and love, send your Spirit upon these students and fill them with your wisdom and blessings. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation, and embrace their true potential in this period of development, discernment, transitions, and creativity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Fisher

will be joining us at our 9:00 AM

worship service on Sunday,

September 24th.

COME CELEBRATE WITH US!

“Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices” (Inquirers’ Class)

This 6-week series will begin in early October. It can be either zoom or in-person or a mixture of the two. This class would be a great refresher for anyone, but is especially intended for those who are new(ish) to the Episcopal Church and perhaps considering becoming an Episcopalian through either transfer of membership, reception, or confirmation. The Rev. Libby Wade will lead the group. Please let Libby know if you are interested. The meeting days and times will be set with input from participants, so please let Libby know if you’re interested.

Opportunities Abound for Learning, Outreach, Fellowship, and Worship

Participants in our Forum on Ministry on September 10^th had an opportunity to complete a survey to express interest in a wide variety of activities, forums, classes, concerts, and outreach ministry. The survey will be available in church for the next couple of Sundays. Some things listed are definitely happening. Others are possibilities. It’s important that we hear from as many of you as possible as we decide which to include in the schedule this fall and which will be ideas held in reserve for the future.

To that end, you can access the survey here (link to PDF) and mail it to St. Paul’s or bring it to church on Sunday.

Community Thanks and Congratulations

- Thanks to Rob Maloney and Natalie Boyce for adopting our summer ferns.

- Thanks to Darryl Lafferty, Sharon Billetter, and Libby Wade for sharing their calls to ministry as lay minister, deacon-in-formation, and priest last Sunday.

- Congratulations to the Red Lion Inn on its 250^th Anniversary.

Search Committee Update

The Search Committee (David Pearson, Martha Bodine, Darryl Lafferty, Donna Gray, Robin Race, Matt Fillio, & Anne Covell – Chair) has begun its work as the next step in St. Paul’s search for a new minister. Visit our new church website and click on the rector search button for more information on the process and how potential candidates can “look” at our church. The committee will keep the congregation updated as we progress.

Prayer for Rector Search

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Season of Creation

During the Season of Creation (September and October), we join with billions of Christians around the world to celebrate in prayer and action our Gospel calling to protect the Earth that God has entrusted to our care. You’ll notice a thematic emphasis on creation in our Sunday worship with Eucharistic Prayer C, Creation Collects, and often a reading from tradition as well as scripture. This liturgical material has been authorized for use in public worship in the Diocese of Western MA and almost two dozen other Episcopal dioceses. May these prayers and readings deepen our response to the living God and strengthen our resolve to follow Jesus in this critical time for all of Creation.