Beloved,

One of the joys and challenges of being a downtown church is our proximity to those in greatest need of support and shelter. Over the years that I have been with you we have had our share of people camping on our property, sleeping a night on our property, seeking shelter in our foyer or nave on a cold or rainy day, and using our bathrooms when our doors are open. All this we offer with thanksgiving to the One who has given us the gift of this place and our place in God's kingdom.

Sometimes, though, there are folks who are unable to understand the boundaries we try to set, or who cannot be reliably present around other people, or whose presence creates concerns about safety and health. Most recently we have been visited regularly by William who has made his way in through our unlocked doors on many different occasions - concerts, worship, coffee hour, office hours, choir rehearsals, and so on. On many of these occasions staff and volunteers have tended to William's needs and even taken him by car to get assistance. We once gave him a bus ticket, in coordination with the UVM social worker, to go to his family in the south, but he was unable to get on the bus by himself (mentally unable, not physically).

Yesterday, we found William had entered the building during normal office hours and set up camp in a room downstairs. If Adam hadn't seen him, quite by accident, he might still be there now. William has now developed a pattern of coming in to our building at all hours of the day and evening. A wise mentor of mine shared that the easiest way to break that pattern is to take away the opportunity, at least for a time. To that end, we have decided to keep our main doors locked during the week for all events happening here including normal staff hours, choir rehearsals, chorister lessons, and support groups, and will consider locking the doors for concerts once the concert begins (stationing someone at the door to let in latecomers). The doorbell works and is found on the left side of the doorway as you face the doors and sounds in the office wing. We hope that breaking the pattern of leaving the doors open for a month or so will help William to find someplace else to go. He is welcome at the COTS Day Station but chooses to not go there.

I am taking this space to share all this with you for two reasons: first, I ask you to pray for William; second, I need you to know that we don't take this step lightly or with ease. It is not easy to turn away someone in need, but William is not able to accept the help that is and has been offered on multiple fronts by professionals and by staff and by members of the congregation, and is not able to understand what we would consider normal boundaries.

Life in the kingdom of God is complicated.

Beloved, you are beautiful. I love you and God adores you.

Greta+

May YAT Gathering Postponed

Dear Young Adults - our Table for this week is postponed till May 22, as the Brightlys had a death in the family and need to be away.

The May YAT (Young Adult Table) is rescheduled for May 22. Please mark your calendar for dinner at 6:00. On June 5, YAT will resume meeting on the first Fridays of each month.

Weekly Witness and Prayer Vigil Start Time Moved to 11:45

Our vigil began on June 7, 2020 when our community gathered by the dozens to silently witness in response to the murder of George Floyd. That event revealed, yet again, the insidious and systemic racism in this country and our criminal justice system. 

We have continued to witness nearly every Sunday. It is a simple ministry. We randomly spread out along Battery and Pearl Streets. Our tattered signs have different messages: prayers for love and prayers against racism. At 21 minutes, we kneel (as we are able) for about nine minutes. This is the length of time it took for the life to be taken from Mr. Floyd as a man knelt on his neck. And then we depart. No speeches or homework. It is simply a time for witness and prayer. 

All are welcome to participate in this meaningful gathering (we have plenty of signs you can use). We'll begin at 11:45 going forward.

Support the St. Paul's COTS Walk Team

We ask all our St Paul’s Family and Friends to consider helping St. Paul’s Cathedral support the mission of COTS to end homelessness by donating to our cathedral’s COTS Walk Team.

This year the COTS Walk is on Sunday, May 3, 2026. We are raising funds to support COTS, Vermont's largest provider of services for Vermonters who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or marginally housed.

You can donate online OR sign up to walk at the St Paul’s Cathedral team page right now.

The process is fast, easy, and secure. If you would prefer, you can send your contribution to the Cathedral or place it in the weekly offering. Make all checks payable to the cathedral, please put “COTS Walk” in the memo area.

If anyone has questions or wants more information, please contact Al Belluche at albelluche@gmail.com or 802-881-9215 or Ann Giombetti at anngiombetti07@gmail.com or 802-355-9385. 

Thank you!

Children's Formation Coordinator Katie Gonyaw to Retire

Join us in offering beloved Children's Formation Coordinator Katie Gonyaw gratitude and well wishes as she will be retiring from her work at St. Paul's at the end of this program year.

During Katie's time at the Cathedral, the Church School group has grown and formed a cohesive group of enthusiastic young participants in worship. Katie has been a fierce advocate for the needs of children and young families in the congregation, and a kind and loving presence each Sunday during her time with the youngest members of St. Paul's.

We'll send Katie off at our festive Last Sunday Lunch on Sunday, May 31, which will be her last Sunday with us.

Spring Social Justice Ingathering at St. Paul's

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. We will also be donating proceeds collected from the offering plate at the Ingathering to our Social Justice Outreach Ministries.

There will be an ingathering on Sunday, May 31. Thank you for your generosity.

Cathedral Office Closed Wednesday

The Cathedral office will be closed on Wednesday, May 6 so that the staff may participate in a planning day.

Cathedral Arts Presents Harpist Eleanor Freeburn

The annual Cathedral Arts Young Artist Showcase Recital has in the past few years included the striking artistry and commentary of Ms. Freebern, who is off to Scotland this fall for college study of the Celtic harp.  

Thursday, May 7 at noon. This is a free concert. Contributions to support the work of Cathedral Arts are gratefully appreciated.

Cathedral Arts Presents Alan Chiang, Piano

South Burlington native Chiang, having performed scintillating noon concerts for Cathedral Arts, moves to prime time with a program of works of J. S. Bach. Starting next fall semester, Alan will be pursuing a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance.

The program showcases the range of J. S. Bach, featuring pieces that are joyful, expressive, dramatic, and contemplative, including the Italian Concerto, Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother, and the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue.

Arranged chorale preludes by Ignaz Friedman, Ferruccio Busoni, and Chiang offer more intimate moments, highlighting the piano’s expressive warmth. After a pause, the English Suite No. 2 closes the evening with a sequence of elegant Baroque dances, balancing refinement and lively spirit.

Sunday, May 10 at 4 p.m.

Cathedral Church of St. Paul

General admission: $25.00, Students: $10.00

Click here to purchase tickets.

Cathedral Arts Presents Champlain Consort in Concert

Spring into Early Music and celebrate the arrival of spring with an enchanting program of Medieval and Renaissance music performed on period instruments by the Champlain Consort. Tunes ranging from lovelorn madrigals to lively dances spring to life through the ensemble’s recorders, sackbuts, crumhorns, and percussion.

The program features music by John Dowland, Thomas Weelkes, and Maddalena Casulana (1544–1590) who is believed to be the first woman composer to have her music published under her own name during her lifetime.

Thursday, May 14 at noon. This is a free concert. Contributions to Cathedral Arts are always gratefully accepted.

Cathedral Arts Presents Come Away to the Skies

Music of Resurrection and Transformation

John Rutter’s Requiem, with chamber orchestra, is paired with a second half featuring the music of Paul Halley and Anglican gems by Edgar Bainton and Gerre Hancock. Theresa Thomason, beloved soloist of the Paul Winter Consort, returns to the Cathedral for several Halley works including Freedom Trilogy, a joyous and uplifting jazz transformation of styles and themes.

Tickets available here through 7 Days.

Sunday, May 17 at 4 p.m. at the Cathedral

For more information visit www.cathedralarts.org.

Marathon Sunday is May 24

On Sunday, May 24 downtown Burlington hosts the Vermont City Marathon, bringing runners, spectators, volunteers, and street closures to the city.

Church services will be cancelled on that day due to lack of access to the building.

Calling All Graduates

If you are graduating from high school or college this year, we want to celebrate you! Come to church on May 31st for a sending prayer to celebrate your accomplishment!

Please also send your name into the office (admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org) so we can pray for you even if you can’t be in church that day. 

Join us May 31 for Worship, a Celebration of Graduates, Social Justice Ingathering, and our Last Sunday Lunch

Sunday, May 31 is Trinity Sunday, a feast that recognizes the one and equal glory of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We'll celebrate with the Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. During worship we'll recognize the graduates in our congregation and offer our prayers for them as they embark on a new phase of their lives. We'll also have our Social Justice Outreach Ingathering that day.

This will be the last Sunday of our program year, so it will be the last Sunday for Church School and the Choirs until the fall. After worship, we hope you'll join us for a Last Sunday Lunch where we'll gather in fellowship, offer our gratitude and well wishes to Children's Formation Coordinator Katie Gonyaw, and enjoy a meal provided by the Cathedral.

Cathedral Redevelopment Corner

Members of the Cathedral Redevelopment Task Force are scheduled to meet with representatives from Burke & White Real Estate Advisers on Tuesday of next week to review and discuss the financial terms of the proposed redevelopment project with Stewardship Realty.

The outcome of this conversation will inform the task force on their negotiations with Stewardship Realty on the financial terms of the agreement.

The Cathedral Redevelopment Corner is a recurring item in the eNews - a place to learn more about the potential redevelopment project the Cathedral is considering. Check here weekly for updates, frequently asked questions, and other guidance on the future of this plan.

May Day Strong

On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families rally, march, and take action across the country to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, with many refusing business as usual through No School. No Work. No Shopping.

Mass noncooperation takes coordination, training, and sustained effort. It takes all of us, talking to our neighbors, building relationships, and getting organized. And then, at a certain point, it becomes real and substantial enough to make mass change. Noncooperation is simple in principle: we withhold our labor, our money, and our participation. We don’t go along.

More information here: https://maydaystrong.org/

Get Outside on Green Up Day

We know it isn’t your litter but Vermont needs our help to be beautiful! Pick up your free Green Up supplies from your Volunteer Town Coordinator and spend an hour or two picking up litter around your town. It makes a huge difference and it feels great to give back to your community.

How It Works

Get a bag, and head outside to gather trash along the public right of ways, greenbelts, parks. Only official Green Up Day bags can be used. Household trash, bulk items or clean recyclables will not be collected. Full bags can be left on major arteries for pick up by City trucks, or in the parks (preferably near a trash can) for Parks staff to pick up.

Groups greater than ten are invited to contact the city to discuss locations, bag pickup or any other pertinent details.

In Burlington

Bags will be available starting April 30 at the following locations: Miller Recreation Center (open weekends, will have bags on Green Up Day)

645 Pine Street (closed weekends)

CEDO Office, 3rd floor, City Hall (closed weekends)

Rooted in Vermont: Connecting Cultures, Strengthening Community

Join in building bridges with people from all faiths at this interfaith, multicultural, multilingual, intergenerational, interactive gathering of listening and learning to support VIA and CASAN, two of the nonprofits in Vermont working with first generation immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Vermont.

First generational immigrants will share food, stories, and art, with proceeds going to support Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA), and the Chittenden Asylum Seekers Assistance Network (CASAN).

Here’s the link to purchase tickets.

Thursday, May 7

5-7 p.m. OHAVI ZEDEK (OZ)

188 N Prospect St., Burlington

Join Us at ICE OUT Vermont

St. Albans, Vermont

On May 8th, ecumenical and interfaith leaders will gather in St. Albans for a powerful opening witness to the ICE OUT VT event. We invite all community members to stand with us in a moment of remembrance and solidarity.

When: May 8th at 11:40 AM

Where: Taylor Park, near the Gazebo (on the green in front of St Luke's Episcopal)

The Plan: We will form a procession around the gathering, followed by the ringing of the church bells and a moment of silence for those who have died, been detained, or been deported.

Clergy: please wear alb, stole or some kind of vestments!

Special Performance: Following the silence, the Bennington College Choir will lead us in song to open the day’s program.



For more information: iceoutvt.org

Look for Rev. Susan McMillan. 

Contact Susan with questions: smcmillan@diovermont.org

Youth Service Weekend May 15-17

Rock Point Commons

Youth, families, and adults with a heart for youth across the Diocese of Vermont are invited to take part in an upcoming Youth Service Weekend at Rock Point Commons from May 15 to 17. The weekend marks the first major event of the diocese’s newly refreshed youth program and will bring together young people for a combination of fellowship, service, and community-building. There will also be time with Bishop Shannon on Sunday.

Youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to participate in the full overnight experience from Friday evening through Sunday morning and stay in the Rock Point cabins. On Saturday, all participants will help to refresh the McLeod craft cabin through organizing, cleaning, and light improvements as well as some groundskeeping. Elementary-aged children are invited to participate in the Saturday service project from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This event is presented at a sliding scale of $50, $75, or $100, and there is no cost for chaperones. Scholarships for members of the Cathedral are available through the Cathedral office.

Registration for all youth participants may be completed online. Register now.

Note, organizers are currently seeking Safe Church-trained adult chaperones, with a particular need for male-identifying volunteers. Interested adults who are not Safe Church-trained will need to complete Safe Church training prior to the event. Contact the Rev. Sarah Ginolfi, youth missioner, to volunteer as a chaperone.

Diocesan Book Study: The Psychology of Christian Nationalism

In June, join the Racial Justice and Healing Committee for a three-session book study on Zoom covering The Psychology of Christian Nationalism by Pamela Cooper-White. Sessions will begin in June and follow a curriculum written by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Tackling the Truth of a Toxic Movement.

Registration and session dates will be announced at a later date. Those interested are encouraged to begin reading the book now.

Contact the Ven. Susan McMillan, chair of the committee, with questions.