From A Stewardship Committee Member | | |
Dear fellow parishioners,
When Bobby asked me to serve on this year’s stewardship committee, I initially hesitated. Stewardship campaigns often make me uncomfortable, even though I know that CCSP relies on the financial support of parishioners. We all live with different financial realities, some harsher than others, and the pressure to pledge—and especially to pledge more—can feel like a lot. I have certainly experienced that. But I said yes to Bobby because caring about CCSP necessarily means caring about its financial health. And I was grateful to have had this opportunity to think more deeply about what pledging means to me.
I remember a time when I didn’t understand all the fuss about pledging. I thought that surely what really matters is just that we make some offering of our gifts. That is of course true. But I’ve learned over the years that pledged giving helps CCSP in a special way: it’s what enables the church to make a budget and to plan in financially responsible ways. Unpledged plate offerings are always very welcome and always greatly appreciated—but they are less helpful than pledges when it comes to planning.
When I first came to CCSP about a decade ago, I felt a bit intimidated during my first stewardship season. As a newcomer not yet in the church directory, I hadn’t received a stewardship packet in the mail, so I wasn’t even sure if this pledging business was really for me. Even after I obtained a packet from the Narthex table, all kinds of questions ran through my mind. Some were fueled by financial anxiety (What if only rich people pledge? Would a relatively modest pledge look bad and be worse than no pledge at all?). Other questions came from insecurity about fitting in (What if only cradle Episcopalians pledge? or people whose entire families come to church with them? or Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Vergers and so forth?) I was none of those things, and so I wondered: Is pledging something that people like me even do?
Despite my uncertainty that year, I pledged anyway. Coming to CCSP had been life-changing for me, and I felt called not just to contribute, but to commit to contributing in an ongoing way, even if it was small. So I pledged, and it felt like a good and right thing to do. And it taught me a couple of things. First, it showed me that the invitation to pledge truly is for everyone and not just for some elite group of churchgoers. Second, while I had thought that pledging was just about giving money, my experience made me realize that there’s more to it than that. For me, it was also a declaration of commitment to CCSP. It was my way of saying YES, I am a stakeholder in this community; YES, I care about this church’s future; YES, this is my spiritual home. What I found was that I wasn’t just pledging my resources; I was also pledging my heart. I now understand that every pledge, no matter how humble, is an act of love.
CCSP parishioners do all kinds of vital work in the world outside of church: everything from justice work to environmental stewardship, from teaching to health care, from great acts of service to small, everyday acts of loving our neighbors. Maybe some of you, like me, find that there’s something about church that nurtures and sustains you in your day-to-day efforts. Maybe it’s Communion, or the Sunday gospel message, or the prayers of the people, or the sermons. Maybe it’s the music, or the promise for the future embodied by the children at the altar. Maybe it’s being together in community, or finding the quiet stillness in the nave that lets you just be with God. We live our faith in many different ways, and we all have different experiences of church. But CCSP is one thing we all have in common. And I bet that’s because we all just somehow need church—and need this church. We followed very different paths to get here, and we arrived as strangers, but here we found who we really are: not strangers but friends, siblings in Christ who are so strengthened and renewed by our communal worship that each week we’re able to go forth in hope, trying—in our various ways—to make the world a little bit better than how we found it.
CCSP is our home, and we are its stewards. For that simple reason, I invite you to join me in marking your commitment to the future of this beloved community by pledging in this year’s stewardship campaign. CCSP is our church. And our financial support—in whatever amounts we’re individually able to give—is what makes CCSP possible. So please pledge—again, or for your very first time. As the saying goes, it takes a village . . . and we are the villagers. Every little bit helps. The church we love gives us so very much. Let’s all give back what we can, so that together we can continue the hard but joyful work of Marching in the Light.
Faithfully yours,
Jen Sisk
| | Cathedral Church of St. Paul News & Events | |
Thank You
Thank you to those who participated in Saturday's diocesan convention and especially our convention volunteers! We are grateful for your efforts to make the Cathedral a welcoming place for visitors from around the diocese.
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Daylight Savings Time Begins This Weekend
Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour this coming Sunday, November 2 at 2 a.m.
Enjoy the extra hour of sleep and we'll see you at 10 a.m. in church for All Saints' Day and our Stewardship Ingathering!
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2026 Stewardship Campaign: Ingathering This Sunday
This is the Sunday when you are encouraged to bring your commitment/pledge cards to worship at St. Paul's. This is called the ingathering of the stewardship season. As Greta shared in her welcome and announcements last Sunday, even if you have completed your pledge for 2026 online, you may want to bring in your pledge card anyway, marking it “completed online,” so that you might have something to put into the basket on Sunday morning. After the Stewardship Moment, but before communion, we will sing several verses of Marching in the light of God, while those who feel called can walk (or dance) their pledge cards forward to a basket at the front of the nave. Those who are called to remain seated, can place their pledge cards into the offering basket at the usual time it comes around. If you worship with us online, please engage in your version of this wherever you find yourself during worship. Thank you so much for your faithfulness and participation.
Consider what you can give - the dollars pledged to our 2026 campaign will be used to fund our operating budget - salaries, utilities, outreach programs, and much more. Donating to St. Paul's Annual Giving campaign enables us to accurately budget each year. Our ingathering date is this Sunday, November 2, 2025, but we will gladly receive your pledge anytime!
Pledges can be made online using the link here. If you would like a pledge packet mailed to you, please reach out to Jennifer in the Cathedral office. Extra pledge cards and packets are available on the table in the rear of the church.
(admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org, or 802-864-0471).
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This Week in Adult Forum: Hallowtide
Adult Forum this week studies the “other” Triduum (three-day) tradition in the Church Year of Hallowtide: All Saints' Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day. Is Halloween a Christian practice? Where did it come from? Is Día de los Muertos a part of this practice? What is the difference between a Saint and a Soul?
Come find out this Sunday after worship and a snack. Questions and discussion are encouraged.
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St. Paul's Parishioner in the News
Check out this edition of Stuck in Vermont featuring St. Paul's choir member and parishioner Kason Hudman leading Burlington's downtown clean up crew. We appreciate your effort to make our community more beautiful!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKsO-baI4IQ
Read the Seven Days article here.
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Beware Phishing Emails
Please use caution when opening 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. Most importantly, do not click on any links in these emails!
If you have questions about the validity of an 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 Arts and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival Present Elizabeth Chang & Jiyan Sun in Concert
Join us Thursday, November 6 at noon for a performance by this talented piano/violin duo featuring works by Debussy, Poulenc, and Busoni.
This is a free concert, donations to Cathedral Arts are always gratefully accepted.
In recent years, the Chang–Sun duo has appeared internationally in South America and Asia, as well as throughout the United States. They have frequently performed the complete cycles of Beethoven and Brahms sonatas and are recognized for their thoughtfully curated programs, which often frame the music within its broader cultural and historical context—illuminating the composers’ lives, the aesthetic currents of their time, and the connections between past and present musical traditions.
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Young Adult Game Day November 9
The Young Adults of St. Paul's (18-after-high-school to 40s+) will gather for an afternoon of tabletop games. As usual, folks will split into affinity groups related to the various games (and teachers) on hand. All levels of engagement will be represented: from casual card games to gateway board games to narrative-driven roleplaying games.
Please bring a snack to share if you are able. We will gather upstairs in the office area, with children down the hall with a movie.
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Choral Evensong for Remembrance
The Cathedral Choristers, Adult Choir, and Guests sing music for the annual observance of Remembrance Day / Veterans Day / All Souls.
Sunday, November 9 at 4 p.m. at the Cathedral.
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Help Provide Lunch at the COTS Daystation
On Tuesday, November 11 St. Paul’s church members are preparing and serving a lunch for people at the COTS Daystation. The Daystation is a safe and warm refuge that connects unhoused individuals to resources, services, and housing. We will be preparing and serving sandwiches, cookies, fruit, and other snacks for about 60 + people.
We are looking for some parishioners who are willing to contribute (and/or prepare) sandwiches, portable baked goods (cookies, brownies, etc.).
For those willing to help, there is a sign-up sheet on the table at the back of the church. Detailed notes about drop off times for food items will be listed on the sign-up sheets.
Thanks to everyone willing to lend a hand.
If anyone has questions or needs more information please contact Ann Giombetti at anngiombetti07@gmail.com or 802-355-9385, or contact Al Belluche at albelluche@gmail.com or 802-881-9215.
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The Wreath Project is Approaching!
We are collecting all kinds of pinecones (except white pine-we have plenty of those), seed pods, and tree nuts for decorating holiday wreaths. We especially need large cones of all types and cones like the ones pictured here. Please leave the cones downstairs near the Wreath Project doors (where we have coffee hour).
There will be a Coning Class on 11/16, after the service for anyone who would like to learn to cone or refresh their skills. We have more orders this year and need many hands to get wreaths finished on time. Please let me know if you plan to attend so that I have materials ready for you.
Thank you,
Barrie Montross (bamontross@gmail.com)
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All children aged four through 13 are welcome to join Church School after worship downstairs in the Church School room.
You can view or download the Sunday Paper for this Sunday by clicking here.
If you have questions, please contact Katie Gonyaw at kgonyaw@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
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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: Theri Davis, Shannon Williamson, Maureen Ramos, Pamela Van de Graaf.
Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers: Tom Allen and those who love him; Steve McMillan; Ann Guillot; Mark Gadue; Bob Skiff; Charlie and Koela; Frank & Misty Lockwood; Thora Chadwick; Tom Grenier; Alice Winn; Joe Comeau; Teaghan; Valerie; Christine; Ella Baskett; Jennifer; Lindsay; Charles Lewis; Maddie Cross; Susan Simmons; Patrick Getlein; Judith Roberts; Anthony Maulden; Aimee Viens (Deal); Barbara; Sally; Sharan Williamson Nosal; Taby; Jody Andreoletti; Kim and Luis; Tracey; Keith Pillsbury; Lynne Dapice; Kitty Noyes; Mike Bell; Laurie Donaldson; Gail Ernevad; Barbie Kimberly; Alice Van Buren; Jim and Linda Larson; Gina Hilo; Ben; Steve Burns; Barbara; Genevieve; Jaya and Abby Kelly; Fran Carlson, Devin Starlanyl; Karin Davis; Jay Slobodzian; Thomas McGrade; Ashton Christy; Randy and Ruth Booze; Michael Fay; Henry Maciejewski; P.J.; John; Marie Cole; Kim Martin; Nancy Johnson; Jean Erno; Jackie; Lillian Robinson; Peter Adams; Elizabeth Webster; Debbie Altemus; Vaughn Altemus; Helen McGrath; and Mary Carter. For Ukraine and those fleeing its borders and for the people of Russia, and the ongoing wars in Sudan, Myanmar and Ethiopia. For peace in the Holy Land and between Israel and Palestine. For all victims of gun violence. For all who grieve. For all refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers. For an end to all acts of political violence.
For al
We pray for our seminarian: Henry Kellogg.
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“Giving is more than a responsibility – it is a privilege;
more than an act of obedience – it is evidence of our faith."
-- William Arthur Ward
| | Lessons for November 2: All Saints' | | Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. | |
St. Michael's Theater Professor Resurrects Original Play Mill Girls in his Final Act
The Saint Michael’s College fall Mainstage Theatre Production is Mill Girls, compiled and created by Fine Arts Professor Peter Harrigan and local musician Tom Cleary, with scenery and lighting designed by Fine Arts Professor John Paul Devlin.
The play tells the hidden stories of women and girls who worked in mills in the 19th century, in their own words. Harrigan drew inspiration from the Champlain Mills and other industrial structures that remain part of the local architectural landscape. His research on the American Woolen Company and collaboration with then-history Professor Susan Ouellete led him to learn some of the stories of young women who worked in the mills in Winooski, as well as those in many other towns, including Lowell, Massachusetts. The play explores how these women contributed to the world but also challenged it while advocating for themselves and others.
The production will also serve as a directorial swansong for longtime St. Mike’s Theatre Professor Peter Harrigan, who will retire at the end of the academic year after more than 34 years of teaching at the College.
All performances are free and open to the public, but tickets must be reserved using this EventBrite link.
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Vermont Faith Communities for Immigrant Justice
ICE facility in Williston
188 Harvest Lane, Williston
Thursday, November 13, Noon-1 p.m.
This is a prayerful public witness for immigrants. "One Church, One Family: Catholic Public Witness for Immigrants" will take place in multiple locations on Nov. 13. This date coincides with the feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who became the first U.S. citizen to be declared a saint, and who in 1950 was named the universal patroness of immigrants due to her work on their behalf. The grassroots coalition of events is being spearheaded by the Jesuits West province, based in Portland, Oregon.
The "One Church, One Family" project's two days of prayer and witness (the first was on Oct.22) will include vigils outside of immigration offices and detention centers, prayer services at the sites of immigration arrests, rosaries recited as individuals report for immigration court hearings, Masses and private prayer.
Please join us!
| | 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. | | | | |
