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Beloved,
As you read this on Friday morning dozens of people, including many clergy, are participating in another non-violent direct action at WhiteCap Business Park at the ICE surveillance center that is housed there. Many Vermont clergy made the decision to put themselves at high risk of arrest by blocking the inside doors to the ICE offices. The clergy intend to be arrested as a statement against the immoral and unjust actions of ICE in targeting innocent people, tearing apart families, kidnapping and trafficking immigrants, and committing acts of cruelty. Archdeacon Susan is among those clergy as are many of our friends and colleagues. I also intended to be there and be arrested but have been pulled away on family business.
We cannot stay silent in the face of these grave injustices. We cannot stand by while our neighbors are violently kidnapped. The surveillance that leads to these actions comes directly from the facility in Willison and a similar facility in California. Two facilities in the entire nation whose work involves scrubbing social media and other available data to "find" those who may be in the country without legal documentation. They are targeting people who are legally in the process of seeking asylum or citizenship, people who are here legally with work visas and student visas, people who are citizens of the United States but who have darker skin or speak with an accent. They are mostly targeting innocent people. Innocent people who are being placed in detention camps and then exiled to countries they have never been to.
As Christians we must take a stand. With our voices, with our money, and even with our bodies. If not now, when? If you are interested in being part of such actions, even if you do not wish to risk arrest, please speak with me or with Susan. There is a place for everyone at the protest table.
A song the clergy may be singing as they are arrested has these words:
"Our love is stronger than the fear. We see the path before us and we are not afraid. We are a mighty chorus and we are not afraid." We are a mighty chorus. In fact, we are the heavenly chorus. The time for singing is at hand.
Beloved, you are beautiful. I love you, and God adores you.
Greta+
P.S. I will be in Connecticut on urgent family business for the next week or, possibly, two. I am working, just not in Vermont! Please welcome guest celebrants Phillip Wilson and Bram Kranichfeld in my absence.
| This Week at the Cathedral | |
Thank You
Thank you to the St. Paul's Audit Committee: Taylor Wallace, Bill Anderson, and Fran Carlson for their work reviewing the 2025 audit.
Thanks to Marley Skiff for cleaning up the weeds in the parking lot on the hill.
Thank you to Mary Christiaanse and the COTS Liaisons for bringing food donations to Feeding Champlain Valley. In June and August we donated 22 pounds of food to our neighbors in need.
Many thanks to everyone who stuck around after worship, participated in last Sunday's forum with the Bishop, and pitched in to make the Last Sunday Lunch another success. Cheers to Mark Johnson, Jay Vos, and Shannon Williamson for their extra help.
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Calling All Chair Movers
Join us on Tuesday, September 8 between 5-6 p.m. as we reconfigure the chairs in the Nave. No experience necessary - we'll have experienced guides on hand and many hands make light work.
No need to RSVP - just show up.
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St. Paul's Young Adults Table Friday, September 11
The table will be set for all Young Adults at 5:30 on Friday, September 11, in the Parish Hall.
Last month, we found a common interest in learning about the ancient Christian meditation practice called Centering Prayer, (or that we have one!). After dinner and connecting time, we will talk about what Centering Prayer is and isn’t – and introduce another tool for your toolkit! Experienced practitioner Kenzo An has agreed to walk us through an intro, and conversation afterward, about this and then any other conversations we uniquely can have here at the Young Adults’ Table!
By popular vote, catering again will be provided by the Wise Fool! Childcare also will be provided. Please RSVP by Wednesday (9/9) to Karen Brightly 323-385-2034, (please note how many dinners to order, including any friends you want to bring into this space)
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The Cathedral Online Donation Page Has a New Look
Next time you're on the Cathedral website, check out the new online donation page! Vanco, the Cathedral's online donation software provider, has upgraded their user interface.
If you're already a registered online donor, your login and other information remains the same, and any recurring donations will continue without interruption. This new interface is just a new way of showcasing the many ways to financially support the Cathedral and its ministries.
If you have questions about navigating the new page, reach out to the Cathedral office.
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Beware Phishing Texts and Emails
Please use caution when opening or responding to texts or emails that appear to be from St. Paul's clergy or staff. Often the return email address will be similar to, but not part of our network. We will never ask for your banking or credit card information or solicit gift cards via email or text. Most importantly, do not click on any links in these communicatons!
If you have questions about the validity of a text or email you have received, don't hesitate to reach out to us in the Cathedral office: 802-864-0471, or admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
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Cathedral Office Closed
The Cathedral office will be closed on Friday, September 11 through Wednesday, September 16 to accommodate staff schedules and an off-site planning meeting.
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Discipleship Sunday is September 13
What is discipleship and how do we do it? Mark your calendars and plan to join us on Sunday, September 13 as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist and focus on growing our faith and active ministry. The choirs will be back with us, and Church School will kick off the new season after worship.
Sunday, September 13 at 10 a.m.
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Church School Begins September 13
We are excited to kick off another great year of Sunday School following the 9/13 service. Holly, Henley, Ashley and Nicki will be downstairs to welcome families of children ages four to 13 by 11:00.
Guardians, please take a moment to complete a quick registration form when you arrive while the children get acclimated. Traditionally Sunday School will run from 11:00-12:00, however, we will wrap up this first week by 11:45 to allow families time to get to the PRIDE parade kick off. Can’t wait to see you all there!
Questions? Please feel free to contact Holly through her church email at kids@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
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March With Us in the
2026 Pride Parade
The Pride Parade in Burlington is Sunday, September 13 and, as you all know, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul is an ever-present participant in this moving statement of commitment to inclusion, diversity and God’s love.
We hope you will join the St. Paul's contingent that will be marching on that day. A group of St. Paul's marchers will walk down to the staging area from the Cathedral after worship. You do not need to sign up to join us - just show up!
The parade starts at 12:00 p.m. on South Winooski Avenue, moves up Church and Pearl streets, and ends at Battery Park for a festival from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All are welcome.
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Cathedral Arts and Burlington Baroque Festival Present Secular Chansons & Sacred Transformations
Boston's critically acclaimed ensemble Blue Heron (Scott Metcalfe, Artistic Director) presents an extraordinary program of 15th-century Franco-Flemish chansons and the sacred motets and masses that borrow their secular tunes. Divine Songs: Secular Chansons & Sacred Transformations, features music by Binchois, DuFay, Ockeghem, Agricola, LaRue, and Bauldeweyn, who were among the most celebrated and distinguished composers of the Renaissance.
Scott Metcalfe and his team of extraordinary artists have been leaders in the field in bringing this repertoire to world audiences through their many critically acclaimed recordings, numerous tours, and their resident series in Cambridge. This will be a rare opportunity for our region to enjoy a precious repertoire presented by one of the most acclaimed ensembles in the world of early music. We are delighted to bring Blue Heron to the 2026 Burlington Baroque Festival and to welcome back Burlingtonian Scott Metcalfe!
Saturday, September 19, 2 p.m. at the Cathedral
Tickets available via the Burlington Baroque website. Prices start at $44.74.
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Coming Soon: Lunch at COTS Daystation
On Thursday, September 24 the COTS liaison team members are organizing a lunch for people at the COTS Daystaion. The Daystation is a safe and warm refuge that connects unhoused individuals to resources, services and housing. For this lunch, we will be preparing and serving sandwiches, cookies/brownies, fruit and other snacks for about 60 + people.
We are looking for some parishioners who are willing to contribute (and/or prepare) sandwiches, cookies or brownies. For those willing to help, there will be a sign-up sheet on the table at the back of the church.
If anyone has questions or needs more information please contact Ann Giombetti at anngiombetti07@gmail.com or call 802.355.9385. Can also contact Al Belluche at albelluche@gmail.com or call at 802.881.9215.
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September Last Sunday Lunch
Our September Last Sunday Lunch will take place on Sunday, September 27 after worship. All are welcome to join us downstairs in the Parish Hall after the service. The Cathedral provides the food; we'll setup, eat, and cleanup together.
If you are interested in coordinating one of these Last Sunday Lunches, please speak with Greta.
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Wreath Project Tech Help Needed
Coming up in September we need expert help doing a single mail merge mailing to our 2025 Wreath Project customers to discover what they’d like to order this year. We have an Excel spreadsheet that contains all the information (name, address, email address and price paid). We also need to generate letters and address labels.
I am not going to pretend that I know how to do this! Probably there are more than one of you who could do this for us in a flash. If you or several of you St. Paul’s folks would help us, we can proceed in a timely fashion. (I’d even bake you a pie (or TWO!!)
Contact me please!
Penny Pillsbury 802 734-9349 or ppills949@gmail.com
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Cathedral Arts Fall Happenings
Cathedral Arts is delighted to deliver its quarterly brochure for the fall season in this eNews, with printed copies available in church on the Narthex table.
In addition to the fabulous and varied musical offerings throughout the fall, we seek parishioners able to host musicians (chaperoned children and adults) for the nights of Oct 10 and 11, and to provide some transportation and meals, in exchange for admission to the concert on October 11 and our deep gratitude. If you are interested, please contact Cecile Woodbury at (978) 269-4204. or cecileb47@gmail.com.
On the second weekend (Oct 24-26), there is an opportunity to be a traveling "groupie" to Newport, Rhode Island to enjoy the concert again in a splendid Gothic chapel, visit iconic tourist sites, and either stay in a hotel or be the beneficiary of return hospitality from Rhode Islanders. Information about this mini-tour is posted here and at cathedralarts.org; reserve by October 5.
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Cathedral Redevelopment Corner
The Redevelopment Task Force met this week with consultants Brian Pine and Al Shehadi to discuss next steps after the termination of the Stewardship Realty agreement. Moving forward, the committee has decided to meet with local for profit and nonprofit developers who are familiar with the Burlington real estate market and current development projects downtown. Additionally, the committee decided to launch a fundraising campaign in the next year and will be searching for someone to help manage that process.
This is a big change in direction but this process has made us better equipped to navigate. As always, if you have questions or thoughts, please reach out to the Cathedral office.
*Members: Dean Greta Getlein, Senior Warden Marley Skiff, Junior Warden Karl Fandrich, David McKay, Lisa Schnell (trustee), Caroline Henne, Shannon Williamson (vestry), Jen Sisk (vestry), Peter Anderson, Sarah van Ryckvorsel, Bert Cicchetti (trustee), Frank Guillot, Jennifer Sumner (staff)
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Church School is on hiatus for the summer. We'll continue to publish the Sunday Paper for those who find it useful.
You can view or download the Sunday Paper for this Sunday by clicking here.
Know of someone who may be interested in working with St. Paul's youth beginning this fall? Reach out to the Cathedral office.
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Join us for our Worship, in person or via our Live Stream on YouTube.
Holy Eucharist, 10 a.m.
You can view or download the order of worship on our website.
Other Regular Services
All are welcome to join us for our weekday services:
Morning Prayer, Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m. on Zoom, Tuesday - Friday in person and on Zoom.
Compline, Sundays and Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. on Zoom.
| | For Our Prayers This Week | |
We pray for blessings and joy for those who have birthdays this week: Adam Skiff, Ben McFeeters, Erin Kranichfeld.
Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers: Andrea Hutnak; Steve McMillan; Andy; Olive Getlein; Carolyn Dickinson; Pony; Don Maynard; Bob Ryder; The Bower Family, Dick, Nancy, Jenny and Amy; Libby; Bob; Gordie; Matt & Peggy; Nancy Johnson; Griffin and Lyle; Jonathan & Chelsea Ross; Cilla & David Menzies; Crystal; Kit; Brother David; Al Carpenter; Jake and Kelly; Jay and Lori Richardson; John Montross; Laura Efford; Tanya Shreve; Roberto and Lisette; The Gonyaw Family; Eileen and Tara; Thomas Cencer; Tom Allen and those who love him; Thora Chadwick; Teaghan; Christine; Ella Baskett; Jennifer; Lindsay; Charles Lewis; Susan Simmons; Patrick Getlein; Judith Roberts; Anthony Maulden; Aimee Viens (Deal); Sharan Williamson Nosal; Eden; Tracey; Keith Pillsbury; Lynne Dapice; Laurie Donaldson; Barbie Kimberly; Alice Van Buren; Jim and Linda Larson; Ben; Barbara; Genevieve; Jaya and Abby Kelly; Fran Carlson, Devin Starlanyl; Karin Davis; Thomas McGrade; Ashton Christy; Randy and Ruth Booze; Henry Maciejewski; P.J.; John; Kim Martin; Nancy Johnson; Jackie; Lillian Robinson; Peter Adams; Elizabeth Webster; Debbie Altemus; Vaughn Altemus; Helen McGrath; and Mary Carter.
We pray for peace in all areas of armed conflict and unrest: Iran; Jordan; Ukraine; Russia; Sudan; Israel; Palestine; Venezuela; Cuba; the Middle East.
We pray for our seminarian: Henry Kellogg.
For those in discernment: Emiry Potter, Judy Contompasis.
We pray for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers; for all who have been deported; for all families being forcefully separated; for all who are standing witness; for all who have died in the custody of ICE/CBP.
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“Empathy is the most radical of human emotions."
-- Gloria Steinem
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Lessons for September 6: The Season After Pentecost:
Proper 18, Track 1
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Sunday Collect
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Diocesan Convention Nominations Open
Deadline October 23
Nominations for positions to be elected at the 2026 Diocesan Convention are now open and may be submitted through JotForm. The deadline for submission is October 23.
The 2026 Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont will be held in three parts: the Pre-Convention Meeting on November 5, the Program Day at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on November 7, and the Business Meeting on Zoom on November 14.
Elections will take place for the following bodies:
To learn more about each of these bodies visit the diocesan website.
Nominate yourself or another now online.
| | Submission Deadline for St. Paul's eNews | This weekly e-newsletter is circulated on Fridays. Please send your submissions to Jennifer Sumner at admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org by noon on Wednesday. Thank you. | | | | |
