End of the Program Year

Friends in Christ,

This Sunday is Pentecost: a beginning in many ways. As Deacon Stan reminded us in his sermon last Sunday, beginnings and endings, comings and goings, can paradoxically contain each within the other. This Sunday of Pentecost is no different, as we mark the end of another program year at St. Paul's Cathedral, and we also honor those who have served in Christian Education and Formation this last year, as well as those who are graduating.

As we come to the end of this Program Year, I mostly want to express my heartfelt gratitude for everyone who comes together to make all of the things we do at St. Paul's go so smoothly, especially: the choir and all of our church musicians; the Welcome Ministry, especially Penny Pillsbury, and Caroline Henne and Cécile Woodbury who have really stepped up of late; our Sunday School teachers and stewards, Ashley, Nikki, Richie, and Katie; our liturgical leaders, readers, vergers, crucifers, acolytes, subdeacons, especially Adam Skiff who binds so much together; our ushers, especially the children who have been helping collect the gifts, bring them forward, and celebrate at the table; Jennifer Sumner who gets so many folks scheduled for these ministries; and the vestry, especially our Wardens, Karl Fandrich and Marley Skiff.

Whew! That's a lot, and I know I left folks out, so just know that I am grateful to you for all you do in, through, and with this community. I'll see you Sunday! I will be wearing red.

In Christ's Peace, Bobby+ 

Celebrate the Feast of Pentecost

On Sunday, June 8 we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost, or Whitsunday, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples following Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, and it marks the beginning of the Christian church's mission to the world.

It is customary for clergy and members of the congregation to wear red on Pentecost, which symbolizes the fire of the Holy Spirit.  

We hope you will join us for our 10:00 a.m. service in person or online.

Following the service, we will gather for a Parish-wide potluck.

Pentecost Potluck This Sunday

Celebrate summer’s arrival at our traditional “PentePotluck”  Bring to the feast Meat/Cheese sandwiches, casseroles, beans, breads and butter, veggies, salads, chips, jugs of juice, fruit and desserts. We’ll supply coffee, decaf and tea.  This will be a true potluck. No signup sheet, just bring something you like. We’ll all enjoy it! Don’t worry if you can’t bring some foodstuffs, as there always seems to be enough.

We will need help on 6/8 Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. to set up tables and set tables and chairs and deal with food items coming in the door before the service begins. Of course, we need a crew of 3 to 5 people to help clean up afterwards.  

Questions: Ask Penny Pillsbury 802 862-3575 or ppills949@gmail.com

Graduates to be Recognized at St. Paul's June 8

God has graced us with outstanding young people in our midst who have the potential to be transformative agents in the life of our church, community, and world.

This Sunday, June 8 we would like to recognize the achievements of our high school and college graduates. You can help us celebrate these young people in two ways: First, pray for the graduates and their families as they navigate this time of transition. Second, if you are a graduate or the family member of one, send us their name so that we can be sure to celebrate them.

Names can be sent to the Cathedral office: Admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org.

Thank you!

Open Minds, Open Hearts Book Study to Discuss James

Open Minds, Open Hearts, next book study will meet on Zoom Tuesday, June 6 at 7 p.m. Newcomers are welcome.  

To join, use the Zoom link here.

This past month, we have been reading James, a novel by Percival Everett.

The author puts an intriguing perspective on the well-known novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. It is written in the voice of Jim, an enslaved black man forced by accident to accompany Huck Finn on a journey down the Mississippi River.

One of the most fascinating elements of the novel is the extreme measures Jim, and his fellow people of color, have to go to hide their intelligence from the white people with whom they interact. It is a totally different approach and absolutely fascinating.

This novel gives the reader pause and is definitely worth taking the time for some serious consideration.

Miriam Burns

Considering Baptism?

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul's staff is blessed to be planning for several baptisms to take place during Sunday morning worship on June 22nd.

If you are discerning baptism, or maybe there is someone in your family who is too young to discern for themselves, please reach out to me so that we might talk about possibilities.

Likewise, I am prayerful that we will have a good and supportive showing for these newest followers of Jesus. Many blessings and thanks to you all. 

In Christ's Peace, Bobby+ 

CVOEO to Present at St. Paul's

On Sunday, June 29 Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) representative Jason Rouse will be here after worship to discuss some of the fantastic and life-changing work they do in the community. 

CVOEO addresses fundamental issues of economic, social, racial, and environmental justice and works with people to achieve economic independence.

Please join us during coffee hour to learn more. 

St. Paul's Social Justice Ingathering

One of the signs of spring at the Cathedral is our annual Social Justice Outreach Ingathering, when we focus our fundraising efforts on local organizations that address hands-on support for members of our community, as well as those targeting systemic change in our community and state. Social justice fundraising is a form of support and power-building, not just a way to finance an organization's work, and raising money is an important part of the work of organizing, educating and advocating for human services.

To donate, you can drop a check in the offering plate on Sunday with "ingathering" on the memo line, or online using the link here, and enter your donation on the "Social Outreach" line so that your donation is applied appropriately.

There will be an ingathering on Sunday, July 27. To learn more about social justice outreach activities at the Cathedral, reach out to Deacons Stan Baker or Susan McMillan. Thank you for your generosity.

Vermont Lawmakers to Vote on PFAS Legislation

Our legislators have worked hard this year to craft and pass H.238 to phase out PFAS, forever chemicals, from many products produced, used and sold in Vermont. The PFAS are contaminating soil, water, fish, and our bodies.  

H.238 is now on the Governor’s desk waiting for him to sign it. This consumer protection bill contains a provision for lawsuits by the State or consumers in case of injury and has strong support in the Legislature.

For more info on PFAS, click the link here.

Sylvia Knight