June/July/August 2016 - St. Paul`s Episcopal Church
Transcription
June/July/August 2016 - St. Paul`s Episcopal Church
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church The Epistle Proclaiming Christ in the Heart of the City Richmond, Virginia | (804) 643-3589 | www.stpaulsrva.org | June, July & August 2016 New faces, new Christians, and beautiful promises O n Pentecost, we baptized five Christians, confirmed sixteen, received two, and reaffirmed three. Actually, if I’m going to be completely accurate, Bishop Shannon, on behalf of God confirmed, received, and reaffirmed, while the St. Paul’s clergy, on behalf of God baptized. Although all these liturgical rites made the service extra-long, Pentecost was a joyous day filled with new faces, new Christians, and beautiful promises made by those who are now calling St. Paul’s their church home. What a delight to welcome so many into our incarnation of Christ’s Church in the world, the Jesus movement! People come to St. Paul’s for many different reasons, but ultimately, people come to St. Paul’s because they were called by God to be part of our community, just like I was, and just like you were. This is exciting because this represents new growth and new life in the very midst of us. So what do you do when you encounter some of this exciting new growth? First, when you see someone you don’t know, introduce yourself. Ask questions so you can remember who they are. How long have they been attending St. Paul’s? Why did they choose St. Paul’s? What do they love about St. Paul’s? What do they love about life? Who do they love in life? Who knows, maybe by talking to them you can find a new friend or a new volunteer for the Altar Guild or the Micah Initiative. Secondly, invite them to do things with you and with others at the church. Hospitality, food, and friendship go hand in hand. Eating a meal together is one of the best ways of getting to know someone. Maybe you don’t cook; you can still order pizza or meet at a restaurant. You can invite them to come along with you to the Block Party (July 14) or another group. New people mean new passions, new energy, and new Spirit-filled activity, a blessed side effect of new Spirit filled life. Don’t be surprised if you hear about some new action happening down on Grace Street, or find yourself saying “yes” to something you thought you didn’t want to do. This is the blessing of new people, of new life, and of new growth. It’s an exciting time ahead. Your sister in Christ, The Right Reverend Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop for the Diocese of Virginia, with the clergy and newly baptized, confirmed, and received people of St. Paul’s. Pentecost, 2016. Photo by Pete Nunnally. IN THIS ISSUE Page 2016 Eyes on Richmond A year of, “It’s not about us”.....................................2 Youth Ministry update ...............................................2 Making many talents in downtown..........................3 Vestry highlights.............................................................3 Updates from Outreach................................................4 Building a foundation with Legos ...............................5 Opportunities in music................................................6 Lectionary readings.....................................................7 Parish Register...............................................................7 Pete Nunnally Director of Adult Formation & Youth Ministries Email: pnunnally @stpaulsrva.org A year of, “It’s not about us” T hroughout this year we have been exploring what it means to believe “it’s not about us,” while engaging different sub-themes like Abundance, the Cross, and Resurrection. In order to provide for the unique and diverse interests of the parish, we added a third program during Sunday mornings in addition to bible study and the formation session in Scott Hall. St. Paul’s is a parish enriched by the spirituality and vocation of its members, and this year many of our parishioners led formation sessions. Engagement in Sunday morning formation substantially increased from years past. God’s grace and love for the world is not about us, it is about God. It is about our neighbors. It is about the life-force of love that flows between us when we gather together. Our life is about us only insofar as we understand that to save our lives we must lose them. This is the hardest part about actually believing in Jesus, but it is simultaneously the Good News that makes Christ’s resurrection real. The Spiritual Formation Planning Team has been working on planning for the year ahead, as well as for the theme for the 2016-2017 programming year. We look forward to unveiling the new theme soon! 2 Envisioning a city where EVERYONE thrives FRIDAYS, OCTOBER 7 - NOVEMBER 11 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | St. Paul’s Scott Hall Speakers & Lunch Schedule Coming Soon www.stpaulsrva.org/EOR Youth Ministry update Y AC spent most of the year gearing up for our pilgrimage to Ireland, which will happen July 8-17. The youth were committed to making this pilgrimage a reality, and spent hours on the street raising money by selling fans at the bike races, and working hard to put on our Grown-Up Prom. They also were highly engaged, and selected Ireland out of a list of countries, and gave presentations highlighting the cultural, historical, and spiritual aspects of Ireland. We celebrate the graduation this year of Maddie Hamp, Will Sherrill, Stephen Sears, Malcolm Ilnicky, and Blakely Lockhart. Good luck next year, y’all!! Our J2A group went through confirmation class this year, led by our mentors Phil Huss and Cindy Wofford, and had some really great discussions, particularly around why bad things happen to good people. Many thanks to Phil and Cindy for their dedication to our youth and their journeys! We’re blessed with a great group of youth in J2A, who are very service-oriented. This year they also have done magnificent work in our Saturday Sisters program, organizing activities and mentoring students from Woodville elementary. The Middle School group is an energetic and rambunctious group, and they fill the entire youth room with laughter. Toward the end of the year we created our own skits, interpreting bible stories for contemporary times, and had a hilariously great time doing it! I want to personally thank all our hard-working mentors who gave their Sunday mornings for the last two years to work with the youth of St. Paul’s: Joe James, Laura Carr, Analise Adams, Mary Kay Huss, Brian Carr, Sarah White, JJ Flores, Jeanne Lefever, Suzanne McWilliams, Cindy Wofford, and Phil Huss. Your service has been amazing, and you’ve left a lasting impact on the lives of our youth! The Reverend Melanie Mullen Downtown Missioner Email: mmullen @stpaulsrva.org Making many talents in downtown “Imagine the surgical tech who treats you was once an underemployed kid with few prospects in Creighton Courts.” —RISC participant T here’s a parable of Jesus in which a man give talents (gold) to his servants before a voyage (Matthew 25: 14-20). While just one servant holds on tight to his small talent, others spread the talent around and make more! The point of faith based community organizing isn’t to “fix things for people” but to make more “talents” – community leaders who share prophetic imagination. Through RISC (Richmonders Involved in Strengthening our Communities), St. Paul’s Amos ministers joined interfaith partners and had a banner year of prophetic imagining together. Several St. Paul’s people joined in the city-wide house meeting process and helped listen for a pressing call to action in the midst of hundreds of our neighbors’ testimonies. They heard people worry about the state of our schools and the lack of real careers for East End high school grads. Then St. Paul’s volunteers joined in the work of prophetic imagining by serving on research and negotiating committees, break down the ‘big issue’ into a single action item. One team member, Carol Parke, reflects on the RISC success this year: “Through RISC and its hundreds of volunteers we have been given the tools to succeed, in the process, and in the name of justice, we have learned to hold ourselves accountable and to move forward, despite significant risk. As an Education Committee member and as part of a negotiating team I’ve seen at first hand the results of RISC community members’ good ideas, solid research, honest communication, understanding of the local political, economic and educational cultures, and skill in negotiating. Vision may well come first, but feet on the ground — lots of feet — accomplish each challenging task. Progress may be slow, but it is good, and it is real. To me, there has been nothing better than gaining a deeper understanding of such intractable issues as elementary school reading levels, job training and mass transportation that block racial, social and economic justice in our city, and working toward solutions that will help provide that justice for all. “ After a year of praying and imagining with community groups and corporations, RISC volunteers crafted a ground breaking agreement with VCU hospital and local community colleges to create a new “career ladder” program providing free academic certification and on-the-job training for careers in the medical and surgical tech professions. We all possess a shared prophetic imagination. Amos and RISC volunteers have experienced how trading in the whispers of limits and scarcity for a prophetic vision – is good for ourselves – and one step at a time can change our community. To get involved in Amos and RISC, contact Bruce Cruser ([email protected]) or Michelle Whitehurst-Cook ([email protected]) Vestry highlights from April & May • The Vestry approved the budget for the 2016-2017 year as recommended by the Finance Committee. • The Vestry approved a motion to appoint a committee to act as the Project Implementation Team for the building projects funded by the Capital Campaign. • The Vestry approved a motion to amend the current Endowment matching plan for the Capital Campaign to include a $1 to $3 matching for funds raised over $3 million. • The Vestry approved a motion for a $400,000 “advance” from the Program Endowment to be used for expenses associated with the Capital Campaign. 3 OUTREACH MINISTRIES AT ST. PAUL’S Hana Yun, MSW On-site Social Worker & Outreach Volunteer Coordinator Email: hyun @stpaulsrva.org Outreach by the numbers E mmaus would not be possible without the support of the people of St. Paul’s. We have done some amazing work! The Food pantry program has already served 46 families, which equals 85 individuals. The Veterans Meal program has increased the amount of serving we are doing this year. Our Youth team has taken on four to five extra dates this year. Emmaus lunch has had several amazing accomplishments this year, as well. Not only have we served 44 Thursdays, but we have also served close to 7,800 individuals. We really could not have done it without all of the amazing volunteers and corporate partners. Along with all of our other partnerships, we were able to implement a new program for our Emmaus guests in partnership with the VCU School of Medicine. During the month of June and throughout the school year, our Emmaus guests have the opportunity to receive a foot washing and examination, as well as blood sugar and blood pressure checks from medical students. This program recently won the 2016 Currents of Change Award for Exemplary Partnership in Outreach! We are hoping to offer dental services in the future. Lastly, our Transformation Grant program has had 118 cases. The 118 is made of 272 individuals, and of those, 104 were children under the age of 18,. We are very excited to see where the 2016-2017 year takes us! If you would like to learn more, please contact me at any time. Jonti Simmons, MSW On-site Social Worker at Woodville Elementary School Email: jsimmons @cisofrichmond. org • • • • • • • Wrapping our arms around children and families at Woodville T he 2015 – 2016 school year is winding down at Woodville Elementary School and our students are starting to take their SOL tests. It has been a year full of challenges, change, growth, and opportunity for our community. Because of the tremendous support from the St. Paul’s Micah Initiative as well as our other community partners, we were able to really wrap our arms around so many children and families this year. Here are some of the incredible things we accomplished as a team: Matched over 100 volunteers in our building on a weekly or monthly basis serving as mentors, classroom assistants, lunch buddies, or adopting classes Provided quarterly field trips to all scholar roll students Provided case management services to over 50 students (including grief support, groups for children of incarcerated parents, and social skills education) Held monthly family engagement nights and six parenting skills workshops Supported over 100 children with holiday assistance programs Provided weekend food bags for 90 children every Friday Coordinated a Woodville Welcome for all rising Kindergarten students There are so many more ways that we connected with the Woodville community, and we could not have done it without your support. Thank you to our amazing volunteers and other folks who make it possible for us to really be a part of this vibrant community of promise! Please be on the look-out for more ways to get involved over the summer and in the fall! 4 Linda Willis Director of Children’s & Family Ministries Email: lwillis @stpaulsrva.org surrounding counties. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with its Children’s Park and butterfly exhibit is the best. Crump Park in Henrico County has one of the best playgrounds, pond for fishing, farm animal exhibit and lots of walking trails. And the public library systems have so much to offer as well. Enjoy your Summer and come share your adventures with your St. Paul’s family. If you have any suggestions or thoughts about our Children/Family Ministry at St. Paul’s, always feel free to share with me. Building a foundation with Legos and scripture, and other summer opportunities W e have a busy Summer ahead for our children and their families. Spiritual Formation for children will be offered each Sunday during June. We will be building a foundation both with Legos and scripture! The children will continue to gather with the Gospel reader at the 9 a.m. service in June and at the 10 a.m. service in July until Homecoming Sunday on September 11. We will also have worship time during the sermon, returning for Eucharist. (This time is particularly appropriate for children three years old – rising second graders.) We would like to offer an opportunity for our children and youth to be Lay Readers in July and August during the 10 am. service. There is a sign up sheet on the Liturgical Ministers bulletin board outside the clergy vesting room in the parish house. If you have any questions, please contact me. Children bringing up the food offering at the 9 a.m. service on Sunday morning. Photo by the Reverend Wallace AdamsRiley. In July, we will again have an Anthem LemonAid stand at St. Paul’s, providing delicious lemonaid and cookies for sale as a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital, MCV. Do you enjoy telling stories to children? We need your help! Please consider becoming a doorkeeper or storyteller for Godly Play. We have two groups – one for children three years olds through second grade, and a second group for third through fifth grade. You will receive such a blessing working with our children! We have a group of committed teachers who would be happy to share their experiences with you, or answer any questions you may have. In the Fall, we will have a Blessing of the Backpacks for our students returning to school. But we will also take this opportunity to share with others. When you are doing school shopping for your own family, help by purchasing a second backpack and filling it with basic supplies. School supplies can be incredibly expensive for families with limited funds. Take some time to enjoy the amazing parks and activities for children and families in Richmond and 5 Dr. Christopher Reynolds Director of Music & Organist Email: creynolds @stpaulsrva.org Opportunities in music W ith the 2016-2017 music season just a few months away, I want to highlight our upcoming opportunities in the music ministry. We want you to consider lending your talents to this ministry. The Parish Choir, formed on Easter Day, 1895, is a semiprofessional ensemble that leads the congregation in singing in addition to offering anthems and psalms at the 11:15 AM service from September through June. They also sing the service of Evensong, feast and fast –day services, concerts, and other special events. The Parish Choir sings a great variety of repertoire, representing sacred choral literature from all periods. The choir is open to those with some music reading ability. Rehearsals are every Thursday, 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The Chancel Choir is a semi-professional ensemble that leads the congregation in singing in addition to offering anthems at the 9:00 AM service from September through June. The Chancel Choir performs a variety of choral literature, from chant to spirituals, and other ecumenical forms of liturgical music. The choir is open to those with some music reading ability. For special occasions, members of the Chancel Choir will combine with the Parish Choir. Rehearsals are as announced. The St. Paul’s Choristers, for boys and girls age 8 and up, is an ensemble that combines excellent musical training, leadership and teamwork, worship and fellowship. Choristers learn musical skills and theory through the curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). The early and thorough musical training of the RSCM curriculum has documented success stories in assisting children in fundamental life skills: self-confidence, problem solving, spatial reasoning, communication, creativity, and cooperation. The Choristers rehearse on Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM and sing frequently in church. We are also looking for those who play instruments to enhance our worship experience here at St. Paul’s. Don’t feel like you have the ability to offer your vocal or instrumental talents? We are always looking for volunteers to help out at music events, provide administrative help, etc. 6 Parish Register: April & May LECTIONARY READINGS Deaths: Patricia Miller, April 4, 2016 Mary Leavell Tompkins, April 14, 2016 Henry Wilson, May 9, 2016 Ellen Boyd Miller, May 18, 2016 June 5: The Third Sunday after Pentecost 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) Psalm 146 Galatians 1:11-24 Luke 7:11-17 July 24: The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Hosea 1:2-10 Psalm 85 Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19) Luke 11:1-13 June 12: The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 1521a Psalm 5:1-8 Galatians 2:15-21 Luke 7:36-8:3 July 31: The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Hosea 11:1-11 Psalm 107:1-9, 43 Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21 Youth Confirmations on May 15, 2016: Sarah Carr Katie Hayes Sophia Johnston Anna Sherrill Molly Sherrill Charlie Pilc August 7: The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24 Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:32-40 Adult Confirmations on May 15, 2016: Sandy Marie Akers Jesse Anderson J. B. Belk Ronald Timothy Cecil, Jr. Christopher David Clark Brad Etters Erica Brittany Mitchell Jennifer Lynn Pearson Michael Cain Seay Richard Zhang June 19: The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a Psalm 42 and 43 Galatians 3:23-29 Luke 8:26-39 June 26: The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Luke 9:51-62 July 3: The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost 2 Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30 Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 July 10: The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Amos 7:7-17 Psalm 82 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37 July 17: The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Amos 8:1-12 Psalm 52 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42 August 14: The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56 August 21: The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17 August 28: The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 81:1, 10-16 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14 Baptisms on May 15, 2016: Ronald Timothy Cecil, Jr. Ian Alexander Jules Sophie Grace Jules Michael Cain Seay Richard Zhang New Members joined since March 31, 2016: Sandy Marie Akers Jesse Anderson Lynn Karna Blankman Peter Edgar Blankman Ronald Timothy Cecil, Jr. Christopher David Clark Brad Etters Carissa Etters Hugo Lane Hamnett Timothy Stuart Hamnett Adrienne Hunter Jules Erica Brittany Mitchell Donald Chumbley Moore, Jr. Ashley Scott Payne Jennifer Lynn Pearson Scott Sandridge Michael Cain Seay Cheryl Lynn Sheets Richard Zhang Transfers Out since March 31, 2016: Mary Holly & Rick Bigelow to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA Peter Johnson to All Saints Episcopal Church, Winter Park, FL 7 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 815 East Grace Street Richmond, VA 23219 Return Service Requested WWW.STPAULSRVA.ORG CLERGY The Reverend Wallace Adams-Riley, Rector The Reverend Molly Bosscher, Associate Rector The Reverend Melanie Mullen, Downtown Missioner STAFF Betsy Carr, Director of Outreach Kathy Coleman, Administrative Assistant Michael Dabney, Sexton Mernard Green, Sexton Karen Harris, Assistant Organist Aliesha Hart, Financial Administrator Carter Johann, Administrative Assistant David Maldonado, Sexton Pete Nunnally, Director of Adult Formation & Youth Ministries Linda Pitts, Facilities Manager Chris Reynolds, Director of Music & Organist Ulrike Robinson, Kitchen Supervisor Jonti Simmons, Social Worker at Woodville Dessa Tampio, Director of Communications Linda Willis, Director of Children & Family Ministries Rich Wolkiewicz, Director of Administration & Finance Hana Yun, Social Worker at St. Paul’s 8 VESTRY Class of 2017 Dabney Carr, Senior Warden Mitzi van der Veer Susie Scott Roger Whitfield Class of 2018 Linda Armstrong Philip Brooks Lewis Holley Philip Huss Joyce Smith, Junior Warden Class of 2019 Tim Baird Jane Nelson Edie Patterson Deb Love Yoder