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Monthly Parish Newsletter for May 2008
What's the Deal
with the Hair?
Dear
Friends in Christ –
The
truth is, I’ve always been a bit vain about my hair. When I was little, my
father always used to say that my long hair was beautiful, and I loved
hearing him say that. When I was embarrassed in Junior High about being
overweight or in High School about having terrible acne, I kept my hair cut
in the latest style (remember when “feathering” was popular??). I felt my
hair helped me look cool. These days, I color my hair; I started doing that
when my hair stylist told me that my gray hair was emphasizing the dark
circles under my eyes!
I was
challenged this winter to think about the importance of hair when I heard
about the dozens and dozens of men and boys who were raising money for
cancer research by shaving their heads on “St. Baldrick’s” day. And I was
also challenged by the girls who cut their hair and give their tresses to
“Locks of Love” to make wigs for people with cancer. The fact that these
folks gave up something so personal for something they believed in (helping
others) really inspired me.
And
then it was my turn to think of what I could do to support St. Paul’s, a
community I believe in. Folks have given so generously over these past
months to support our work together, but we still need a little more help.
So the beginning of April, I put offered up my hair . . . the youth of
the church get to choose to make my hair whatever color they wish - if,
together, we raise the remaining $15,000 we need to balance the operating
budget by April
30th.
We’re getting down to the wire, so
Mark Floberg (our Junior Warden)
and Dave Cribbins (our Senior Warden) have put their hair on the line, too.
(Just imagine those gents with hot pink hair!! What a sight!!) Good fun
for a good cause – the mission and ministry of our church. There is nothing
I believe in more strongly and there’s nothing I treasure more than the work
we are doing together – not even my hair!
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
(PS –
This is the END of our “Stepping into Light” Campaign. If you haven’t
already made a pledge, please do. If you have already made a pledge, please
consider giving whatever you can; every gift helps! And consider
this: if 75 families give a tithe of their IRS stimulus check, our parish
budget will balance!! A yellow pledge form is enclosed. Thank you!!)
***************
St. Paul's
Golf Classic
Players,
Sponsors, Help Needed
Less than one month to
go for the May 22 Golf Classic being held at the Harry B. Brownson Country
Club!! Preparations for the Golf Classic are moving along but we still need
your support and assistance. What can you do to support this event?
☺ Participate in the
event as a golfer for an enjoyable day.
☺ Distribute the attached registration form to your golfing friends.
☺ Take a sponsorship and/or solicit support for a sponsorship.
☺ If you don’t golf, join us for dinner.
☺ Volunteer your time during the day of the Golf Classic.
More forms are
available in the Narthex or on the St. Paul’s website. We look forward to
your support of this worthy event and fundraiser. Any questions can be
directed to members of the Golf Committee.
Thank you!
Golf Classic Committee
Byron Peterson, Chairperson
Marybeth Banks, Scott Colvin, Bob Cordes, Phil Hadden, Bob Hilliard, Judith
Kreuter,
Dave Nash and Lauren Thunem.
***************
food bank
The following items are
needed for donation to the Food Bank:
Canned tuna fish
Jello and puddings
Instant mashed potatoes Baked Beans
Canned potatoes
Coffee (small cans)
Cereal Soup
Applesauce
Spaghetti sauce
Spaghetti
Crackers
Juices
Monetary donations for milk and eggs
Boxes for donations are
located under the table in the Narthex. Thank you for your generosity and
caring.
***************
youth confirmation
“What
is the Church?” is the theme for this Spring’s evening series with Rev.
Janet.
A
good way to understand our own faith tradition is to explore the faith
traditions of other. In May and June, we will have a series of short field
trips to other ‘houses of faith’ - Muslim, Jewish, Roman Catholic and
perhaps another. These field trips will be on various evenings, due to the
schedules of the worshipping communities (mostly on Friday and Saturday
evenings) - dates and times to be announced in early May. Confirmands,
their sponsors, parents and all other members of the parish are
invited to attend these field trips.
These
field trips will be book-ended by two important sessions:
Wed., May 7– 7:00-8:30 pm-Understanding other Faith Traditions
Wed., June 18 - 7:00-8:30 pm - Faith Tradition Exploration Wrap-up.
Looking forward to seeing you there!!
************
fixing up the old
church
It’s
been over a decade since the work began: the siding has been replaced, the
tower has been repaired, the exterior has been painted, and the roof has
been replaced. Now, due to the generosity of 3 anonymous donors, we have
funds in hand to fix up the interior.
In
this final phase of the project, the plaster will be repaired, the entire
inside of the building (including the pews, etc.) will be painted, and the
carpet will be replaced.
As you
know from doing interior repairs and painting in your home, the process can
be messy and inconvenient. Please note:
ED
ROGOWSKI is the point person for this project. He is supported by a special
committee: Mark Floberg, Alison Bushnell, Jim Baldwin, Carol Ulrich, Andrea
Serino, Marybeth Banks, Dave Cribbins, Guy Beardsley and Janet Waggoner.
Please address any questions or concerns to members of this committee and
not to the contractors.
The
final worship service in the Old Church before the church is closed for
repairs will be
SUNDAY, MAY 4. We anticipate that the plastering, painting and carpeting
will take no more than three months, and we anticipate being back in the Old
Church for worship around the first of August.
This
work will culminate in a wonderful HOMECOMING AND REDEDICATION service this
fall. The Parish History Project has begun preparing for this wonderful
event. Stay tuned for more details!!
************
MUTUAL MINISTRY REVIEW
WHAT?
This is the final step in the
Search Process that brought Rev. Janet to us. The Mutual Ministry Review is
an opportunity to evaluate how we have proceeded to meet the goals we
outlined in the parish profile under Rev. Janet’s leadership. The review
will be led by Diocesan consultant Rev. Greg Welin, who will shepherd us
through the ministry review in a worship-style format. Other congregations
have found this process to be reflective, engaging and inspiring-and we
anticipate that it will be the same for us!
WHY?
To celebrate the conclusion of the search and to explore the joys and
challenges of our life as a parish.
WHO? ALL
parishioners are invited and encouraged to attend.
WHEN? MONDAY.
May 12—7:00-9:00 p.m.
WHERE? Chapel
(concluding with dessert in the Parish Hall)
.
***************
PARISH GOAL SETTING
Saturday, May 3—9:00-11:30 a.m.—Parish Hall
ALL
ARE WELCOME to participate in this final phase of St. Paul’s visioning and
goal-setting process.
The
work begun at the Parish Leadership Retreat in February will conclude with
this dynamic session. We will take the vision articulated at the retreat and
set out some specific goals for the next year, three years, and maybe even
five years. Don’t miss this opportunity to come and to hear together the
voice of our Lord calling us together into the future.
***************
COURAGE TO CHANGE
Courage is
what you need if you want to change. I think most everyone knows that on one
level or another but one thing I know for sure is that I know this for
myself. I also know for myself that there have been many times when I have
wanted to change something but I just could not get it done and the more
that happened, the longer it took, the more frustrated I would become and
many times I would give up. I would start to feel alone, separate,
abandoned, forgotten and sometimes invisible. Years ago I could get
swallowed by those feelings and just exist from day to day.
Then
someone would come along and give me a ‘hug’. I don’t mean a real one but an
emotional one. Someone would say or do something to make me feel not so
alone and not so insignificant and the sun would come out and I would
somehow get the strength to do what I needed to do. I have come to call them
‘Hugs from God’ and they are the most wonderful empowering things in this
world. Those that have delivered one of God’s hugs to me know who they are
and I say again, “Thank You!” for being God’s hands.
They
were there for me when I seemed to not be able to feel God’s love without
some help. With the support and encouragement from those around me, I was
able to accept the strength and love there for each of us through Jesus. My
world changed because I had the courage to change, in faith; to the person
the Bible teaches me how to be. I wanted to share that.
One
Sunday during coffee hour I overheard someone say, “Have you tried Joyce’s
cake today? It is great! You should go get a piece.” A couple of things went
through my mind. One was wishing I could try that cake but the other was
“God how can I encourage someone who needs it?” The answer I got was, “It is
just like the cake Leanne. Tell the truth and say it from your heart. If the
person is ready to open their heart to Me, then they will hear Me, they will
see My light in you.” Oddly it is clearer now then it was then. I have to be
honest and say that was a little intimidating and I had to mull it over.
Then I met a women at my job who in every spare moment was trying to search
for something on the Internet. Curiosity getting to me, I offered to help if
she would tell me what she was looking for. I will never forget the look on
her face. She was surprised, a bit cautious and relieved all at the same
time. She told me that her son had recently been incarcerated and she was
trying to find things to print out and mail to him that would help him keep
his hope up. Any little story or joke or whatever so that he did not feel
defeated in there. That if I could help her find them then she would print
them and add them to her letters.
There are many stories and details between that day and now which I will
share with anyone who would like to talk about them but for here I will say
that I started helping her find these articles and then I started to send
them with my own notes that became letters. I spoke from my heart and told
the truth. I was asked if I would like to do the same for someone else
incarcerated that had been helping her son get through this ordeal safely
which I agreed to do. I have corresponded with these two men for over a year
now and there is no real way for me to explain to you how reaching out to
them has helped me and my walk in faith.
When I was asked to write this article for the Visitor, I wanted to check
with both of them to know if they were comfortable with this.. I was not
sure what I would write but I needed to know that they would not be
uncomfortable and to respect their feelings. Please understand that two
weeks after I first heard of my friend’s son, the two inmates were
transferred to separate facilities and have not had contact with each other
since. They both sent me something that they would like you to know.
My name is Abimael Ramos and I have been incarcerated for fourteen months. I
can assure you it is not easy. One thing I learned while being incarcerated
is that receiving letters really help inmates get through jail. For example,
my grandmother would always write to me about God and to put all my trust
and everything would be OK. I followed my grandmother’s prayers and I
started to believe and everything turned out positive. There was many times
when I was stressed out and down all of
sudden I would receive a letter from grandma or Leanne and it would just
brighten my whole day. When a person goes to jail they’re taken away from
their freedom then only two things an inmate looks forward to is mail and
visits. I experience this and believe me I wouldn’t want anybody to go
through what I went through. Visits are also very helpful for inmates. I
remember days when I would be laying down thinking about my family and how
my mistake really affected so many people. Seeing my family visit me and
getting letters was something that really helped me get through the hard
times. People need help especially when they want to change their lives. I
believe that reaching out to inmates is good to the community.
Abimael is now in a
half-way house in a transition process to return to society. He is working
every day and has good reports from his employer.
Dear Congregation, I
am writing on behalf of my friend Leanne. She has been a very supportive
individual and a good friend. I want the congregation to know that before I
knew Leanne, I was really ashamed of putting myself in such a situation. At
that point in time of my life I felt that I had failed once again. I felt
like it was an end to my sense of being the person I should have been. We
have been writing to one another for a few months and she has given me some
motivation to give life another chance. Also she has been helping me
communicate with people that will help me when I get back out in society.
She has helped me open up to God. Today I have Christ in my heart and I have
given myself another chance to make a better person through Christ. I thank
God and anyone who helped Sister Leanne’s for her generosity and friendship.
May God Bless You All! - Luis Carrasco
Luis is currently
waiting a parole hearing and is attending school everyday for his GED and
multiple programs to help him learn how to make better choices.
After I received these
letters I spoke with each of them and asked why they chose to do this. The
both seemed to have the same feelings but Luis said to me, “Leanne, knowing
that someone who does not know me is willing to reach out even to just talk
to me in a letter, has given me the courage to change...” made me see the
circle of God’s Hugs.
Bless you and please
pray for them.
- LeannE
************
st. paul's 3rd annual
talent show 2008
"a night at the county fair"
Saturday, May 17th
Excitement is
building!
Want to support our youth?
Let them know how talented and special they are with a booster ad in the
Talent Show program for just $5! Contact Carol Kaesmann cbkaes621@snet.net
Meg Rennie needs YOU! she has
been hard at work and doing a great job on the Theme Basket Raffle,
but she could use your help! Contributions are being accepted until May 4th,
please drop them off in the double classroom. Contact Meg with any
questions. Popcorn and frozen slushies will be sold during preview hour.
Attention Cast and Crew!
Talent show rehearsals are scheduled for Friday May 9th @ 7pm and Friday May
16th at 6pm. Pizza will be served on May 16th, so remember to bring $5 in
you are interested. IMPORTANT Please review your act and contact Mrs.
Newbold bellenwbld@aol.com
with your sound needs - number of microphones, music title/artist, sound
effects etc. Feel free to contact Mrs. Parkosewich or Mrs. Johnson with any
other needs or concerns regarding your act.
************
st. paul's youth mission
trip
angel program 2008
If you wish to help
our Youth Group missionaries go to Calais, Maine in July,
please consider becoming an
“Angel of the Mission Trip”
I. Angel - $25
II. Bronze Wings - $50
III. Silver Harp - $75
IV. Golden Halo - $100
V. Or contributions of any amount would be greatly appreciated!!!
Make
checks payable to the St. Paul’s and be sure to write Angel Program
’08 in the memo line. Checks can be turned in to Nancy in the
parish office or given to Karen Nash or Sue Donegan.
Many
thanks for your generous contributions in support of our
Youth Ministries Outreach Program!!
************
MONTHLY RECIPE
This recipe was first
served at St. Paul’s at the Palm Sunday Coffee Hour
and was prepared and submitted by Laura Dwinells
Aunt
Terry’s Crock Pot Mac & Cheese
1 16 oz package elbow
macaroni
3 Tbsp. Butter
4 cups evaporated milk
6 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste
Cook macaroni as
directed. Toss cooked macaroni with butter. Add remaining ingredients and
pour into greased 3 1/2—5 quart crock pot. Cover and cook on high setting
for 2 to 3 hours. You can adjust the amount of cheese/green
Pepper/onion to your
taste. You can also add some of your favorite ingredients such as bacon or
jalapeño peppers. Adults will love this dish as much as the children! Have
fun and enjoy!
************
CHRISTIAN
HEALING MINISTRIES
SCHOOL OF HEALING PRAYER
Level I Extended
Classes
2nd and 4th Tuesday for 12 sessions
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Starting May 13, 2008
The School of Healing Prayer is a spiritual
formation program for pastors and laypersons to enrich their
spiritual lives as they achieve a new confidence in praying for those who
need healing of body, mind and spirit. In the process, students are often
surprised to discover they have received much needed healing. Often it is
inner healing or physical healing that they had expected to live with the
rest of their lives. This program is Board approved for 3 CEUs for pastors.
Francis MacNutt's book Healing is required reading prior to Level I.
You can order through the Oratory.
A Biblically based workbook is provided with each
level.
Registration $120.00
(payment plans and scholarships are available if needed)
Too register call (860) 354-8294 or email
oratory1@sbcglobal.net
Visit our website at:
www.oratoryhealing.org for more
information on our ministry. The Oratory of the Little Way is a
Christ-centered ecumenical healing ministry, and retreat center
The Oratory Mission Statement:
"We listen, love and pray for all those who come seeking and the healing
ministry of Jesus Christ"
************
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
As Jesus has taught us
to do, we will be teaching the children about praying this May. The younger
groups will concentrate on the Lord’s Prayer, different ways we pray, the
Book of Common Prayer and leaders of our prayers. The 2nd and 3rd graders
will be learning about pastoral offices, Episcopal services, the Psalter,
prayers and thanksgivings, the church seasons and the calendar of saints.
Our 4th and 5th graders will be exploring the Trinity, church, creeds, sin
and redemption, and prayer and worship. The 6th—8th graders will explore the
theme “What Is the Church?”
Curriculum
Planning Meeting May 27th 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Teachers and parents
are invited to a meeting to review the curriculum and plan the schedule for
the next Sunday School year. We are planning to use the current ECC and add
special dates where we will use the Group VBS curriculum.
HELP WANTED - NURSERY SPECIALIST
Sunday mornings 9:00
a.m. - 12:00 noon
St. Paul’s is seeking someone who loves children to guide the care of our
youngest members. Skills needed in (1) providing basic childcare such as
changing, feeding, etc. (2) providing meaningful activities for children
under 3 years of age; (3) working with volunteers who will assist the
nursery specialist.
Candidate must have CPR and First Aid certification and must be willing to
become “Safe Church” certified (training provided).
Pay based on experience (min. $12/hr).
If you are interested, please contact Dawn Barber at
k.barber@snet.net
Vacation Bible School † † †
August 4th-8th, 9AM-Noon
Making summer plans?
Mark your calendar and plan to attend, volunteer, teach or help at Vacation
Bible School on August 4th-8th. The theme this year will be “Power Lab”.
Children 3-years-old through 4th grade travel to different stations
throughout the morning doing crafts, playing games, hearing stories and
singing songs that reinforce the lessons of the day. Children 5th grade and
older serve as junior and senior helpers during the week. Contact Dawn
Barber at k.barber@snet.net.
************
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
FRIDAYS!!
We only have a few more
meeting left. But don’t get upset! Why you ask? Because this summer we will
be doing a teen VBS!! So keep your eyes on the Visitor and check your
e-mails for the dates of this exciting summer program.
Our last meeting is May 23rd. We will be meeting at the Parish Hall for some
pizza, soda, games and music. Then we’ll go to Wells Farm for ice cream!
Side note—our May 9th and 16th meetings are cancelled due to a rehearsal on
the 9th and dress rehearsal on the 16th for the Talent Show. If you are
interested in helping out with this really awesome event please contact me
at lbeard9178@yahoo.com for details.
CAMPAIGNERS!!
*30 Hour Famine . .
.Was the most amazing event ever. It blew me away. It has changed me so
much. I look at my life and all that God has blessed me with so differently.
I was feeling guilty at first like I didn’t deserve to have all that I have.
But then I remembered God’s words about how He gives some people more
because He wants us to use our blessings to His honor and glory. The Bible
also talks about how there will always be the poor. But I believe God
blessed me so that I can be a blessing to others; not only with material
things but with the light that He has put in me to share to the broken and
poor of spirit.
My prayer for our parish is that we can all Participate in the 30 Hour
Famine next year so that you can experience this life-changing weekend. By
showing your support to our youth who did this famine, we raised over $400
and I would like to say thank you to all who donated.
* “Expelled!! No Intelligence Allowed”
This is an amazing documentary film about
Scientists, professors, teachers and journalist who are blacklisted from
their professions because they have considered or written about the
possibility of intelligent design as a form of creation. I suggest strongly
that you go to see this film if you get the chance.
* Our last meeting is
May 18th. We will be voting on where you all want to go for our dinner. Here
are a couple of suggestions: Kobi’s Japanese or Pepe’s New Haven. If you
have any suggestions please let me know so we can vote at our meeting.
SUMMER STUFF GOING ON
Missions Trip . .
July 6-11. If you are not going there
are ways that you can help. Please contact me at lbeard9178@yahoo.com for
details.
Soul Fest . .
August 1-3. Stay tuned for details on
this great get-away weekend for college/high schoolers.
VBS . . August 4-8.
Miss Dawn will be looking for help
with her Vacation Bible School this summer. Please check it out and sign up.
Teen VBS . . .
Is coming to St. Paul’s!! This program is for the Jr. High age group but we
will need some leaders to help with this. The meetings will be once a week
in the evening. Make sure to sign up to help even if it is just for one
night. We can really use you!!
************
Vestry Minutes Summary
St. Paul’s Episcopal Society
March 18, 2008
Treasurer’s
Report
· Approved, subject to audit.
· 2007 Parochial Report was prepared with the help of Scott Colvin,
Nancy Wilson, and Rev. Janet and submitted to the Diocese.
Sr.
Warden’s Report
· Minutes of Ministry Team Meetings – will now be kept in the
Library for general access.
· Goal Setting Follow-Up to Visionary Retreat date – set for
Sat. May 3, 9:00-11:30A.
· “Mutual Ministry” Review – date set for Wed. May 14, 7:30P.
Jr. Warden’s Report(presented
by Ed Rogowski, Project Leader, in Mark’s absence)
·
Painting/Repair of Church Interior – Rev. Janet has requested that
the Diocese send a consultant to assess the work to be done on the interior
of the church and to review the bids received. Based on his assessment, the
Executive Committee recommends that McEwen Painting be selected to do the
job. On April 20, a status report will be presented to the full Parish
membership after both the 8:00AM and the 10:00AM services.
Rector’s Report
·
Shelton Brownie Troops that have been displaced from the Middle School
After Hours Programs (due to budget cuts) have been offered meeting
space at St. Paul’s for the balance of the school year by Rev. Janet.
Bishop’s
Comments
·
Bishop Laura Ahrens, who attended this Vestry meeting, referred to the
Diocesan “Purpose Statement” with the five key elements of:
1) Community
of Faith,
2) Stewardship,
3) Children and Youth,
4) Spirituality and,
5) Innovation. She asked us to go around the room and say which of these
each of us could specifically relate to and then how Innovation fits into
it. In some cases this proved to be a testimony of where we are in our
spirituality, how we feel about our church “family”, or where we hope things
will go in the future life of this church. When it came to Rev. Janet, she
said her goals this year were on the verge of being fulfilled:
1) to tend to the needs of our “spiritual center” (the old church), and
2) to balance the budget. She is very pleased and privileged that God sent
her here to St. Paul’s. The Bishop thanked us for our hospitality and
observed that we have a healthy and transparent dialogue with each other
(Vestry) and she feels the positive energy of this church.
Full Minutes will be Amended/Approved at the Next Vestry Meeting, May 20,
2008.
************
Vol. 58—No.
5— May, 2008
The “Visitor” is published monthly by:
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
25 Church Street, Shelton, CT 06484
Phone # (203) 929-1722
Editor: Nancy Wilson
Web site:
www.stpaulsct.org
Email:
stpauls@stpaulsct.org
Blog address: stpaulssheltonct.blogspot.org
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