1

January 2013

The Good News A Newsletter of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Louisville, Kentucky

Walking the Spiritual Journey

1st New Year’s Day 5th Men’s Breakfast 6th Epiphany 13th Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ 21st Martin Luther King Jr. Day 18th Confession of St. Peter 18th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 19th Chili Cook-Off 25th Conversion of St. Paul

Resolve to Read the Bible in 2013 Even though we hear more Holy Scripture read on Sundays than many oth-er Christian denominations, Episcopalians are Biblically illiterate. At St. Paul's Church we are committed to reading and teaching the Bible, and we want everyone to share in that commitment. So, we have a challenge for you: Read the Bible in One Year! As people of faith, we believe that the Bible, as the inspired word of God, speaks to us as in the here and now of our lives. Knowledge of the Bible helps us share more meaningfully together in our worship, prayer, out-reach, stewardship, pastoral care, teaching and evangelism. And, we be-come better equipped to listen to God's call in our lives, to make important decisions, to feel strengthened and comforted as we face challenges, and to share God's love with the world around us. The Center for Biblical Studies has designed a one-year schedule to help everyone successfully read through the entire Bible in a year's time. The books of the Bible are read in sequence, and include a portion of the Old Testament, a Psalm and the New Testament each day. Readings are as-signed for every day except Sunday, when we hope everyone will attend Sunday worship and hear Holy Scripture read aloud! We are inviting everyone at St. Paul's Church to begin reading the Bible on Ash Wednesday, February 13th. If you do not have a Bible, we will provide you with one. We recommend that you read the translation we use on Sundays, the New Revised Standard Version, in a Study Bible format that includes brief explanations of each book of the Bible and helpful footnotes. We will share more about this Bible Reading Challenge in the next couple of weeks, and will provide you with a reading schedule, but start praying now about how you might respond to this Challenge. Consider this prayer, written by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer in 1549 which still appears in The Book of Common Prayer. "Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." Have a Happy and Blessed New Year! Mark

2

The Good News

Men Celebrate New Year with Breakfast The women are cooking break-fast for the men at 9:00 am on January 5th. Our guest speaker will be Bro. Jeffrey K. Butcher, National Vice President of The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, who will share with us more about this ministry for men that focuses on the Disci-plines of Prayer, Study and Service. Sign up in the entry or call the parish office to let us know you are coming. Come enjoy breakfast, learn more about this important ministry, and make plans for the future!

New Ministers for a New Year

Every year we rotate responsibilities among par-ish members for Sunday ministries, consistent with church canons and Vestry policy. Our new Eucharistic Ministers are Sue Brotherton, Judith Dannemiller, Dave Elks, Andy Graves, Mary Greenlee, Jim Latimer, Emily Simuel and Jo Stuebe. Our new Lectors are Rich Baker, Arlene Buckner, Barbara Dunn, and Brenda Wit-ten. Our new Prayer Leader is Mary Ann John-son. We are so grateful for your ministries in our midst on Sunday mornings! Many thanks to those who have faithfully served us in the last three years: Liz Babcock, Arlene Buckner, George Busch, Carrie Hagan, Becky Hall, Mary Ann Johnson, Ray Keller, and Patricia Lightfoot as Eucharistic Ministers; Carrie Hagan, Melissa Shirley and Kenyatte Simuel as Lectors; and Emily Simuel as a Prayer Leader.

Our Annual Meeting

Our Parish Annual Meet-

ing will be January 27th at 9:00 am Come for elections, reports and a review of our budget for 2013. Continental breakfast will be served!

Colossal Chili Cook-Off Get out your best recipe so you can be prepared to compete in our annual Chili Cook-Off on January 19th! We will have the tables ready by 6:00 pm and plenty of plugs for the crock pots. If chili is not what you want to bring, we will gladly enjoy a salad or desert of your choice. We will also have hot dogs for finicky eaters. Prizes will be awarded in the taste test contest. Don't miss out on the fun and fellowship. Contact the parish office at 502-491-7417 if you have any questions or for further information.

Organize Your Team!

Start getting your team together for St. Paul’s Annual Trivia Night on Friday February 8 at 7:00 pm! If you like playing trivia and enjoying a night of fun and fellowship, you won’t want to miss it. We will be using a Pub Quiz format again this year. There will be 10 categories with 10 questions per category and every team gets the same questions. Each question is worth one point and the team with the highest score at the end of the night wins. There will be a cash prize for the winning team! Teams are made up of 8 to 10 people, so get a team together or just come and join a team. The entry fee will be $10 per person. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. One-half the proceeds will benefit The Crusade for Chil-dren. Drinks and light snacks will be provided, but last year many people brought an appetizer or dessert to share. Contact the parish office at 502-491-7417 for more information.

3

The Good News

First Sunday Luncheon!

On Sunday January 6th we will enjoy lunch to-gether in the Parish Hall

after our 10:30 am worship. We are rotating re-sponsibilities for food items by last name each month: G-L bring an entree, M-R vegetable, S-Z salad, and A-F dessert. St. Paul's provides drinks. Contact the parish office at 502-491-7417 for more information.

Wonderful Pre-Christmas Celebrations!

About forty people attended our Adult Christmas Party and enjoyed fellowship, food and a “White Ele-phant” gift exchange. Thanks to Sue and Larry Benner for hosting this year! Thirty-eight children also enjoyed the excitement of Breakfast with Santa on December 3rd. Santa (George Busch) was a hit with everyone and Mrs. Claus (Penny Southwick) calmed nervous children. The children loved shopping for Christ-mas presents without their parents in our Frosty’s Gift Shop. Thanks to all who donated items to our gift shop and to all who made this a wonderful time for the children.

Diocese Elects New Leaders

At our recent Diocesan Convention Mary Green-lee was elected to serve a three-year term on the Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board, the entity that reviews complaints concerning clergy conduct, and Mark Feather was elected to serve a three-year term on Trustees and Council, the govern-ing body of the Diocese. Mark was also appoint-ed by the Bishop to serve on the Committee on Church Architecture and Allied Arts. Congratula-tions and thank you for your service!

GEMS Anyone? The Gather Eat & Mingle Society (GEMS) is small groups of 5 to 9 people that meet for din-ner and fellowship once a month. Dinner is usu-ally hosted by a different person each month. The host prepares the main course and the other members of the group bring a salad, a vegeta-ble, or a dessert. Sign up through January 13th. Contact the parish office at 502-491-7417 with questions.

Incredible Holiday Giving

Many thanks for your generosity this Thanksgiv-ing and Christmas season. You contributed enough food and cash donations for fourteen Thanksgiving baskets, plus an additional $1,133.00 in donations. You gave $1,766.00 which will be di-vided between neighbor support through South East Associated Ministries, and Hurricane Sandy relief through Episcopal Relief & Development. Our parish children raised $95.06 - enough to buy two goats through the “Gifts for Life” program at Episcopal Relief & Develop-ment, and adults contributed $710.00 enough to buy eighteen more goats! God bless you all!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Christmas has come and gone and the staff of St. Paul's are grateful once again for your gener-ous Christmas gifts. Ours is a ministry of work-ing together to share the good news of God in this special place among special people. Thank you for remembering our effort on your behalf! Ken Cordle, Jennie Fahey, Cathy Meister, and Mark Feather.

4

The Good News

January Outreach Partner

Our Outreach Partner for Janu-ary is The House of Ruth, which provides comprehensive pro-grams such as housing assis-tance, clothing and workshops for families that are effected by HIV/AIDS. Many HIV/AIDS indi-

viduals often feel lonely, isolated, desperate and hopeless. Please keep them in your pray-ers and give generously the last Sunday of the month to support this ministry.

Sign Up For Life Line Screening

Stroke is a leading cause of death today, affect-ing over 750,000 people each year. According to the National Stroke Association, approximately 97% of Ameri-cans cannot recognize the signs of stroke. This is why we have decided to invite Life Line Screening, a lead-ing, mobile health screening service, to St. Paul’s Church on Saturday January 19th to offer potentially life-saving ultrasound screenings. These tests are not typi-cally offered during a regular physical, and they are not usually covered by insurance.

Life Line Screening is providing our members with $10 discounts off of a screening package, as well as giving a $10 donation to St. Paul's Church for each person who participates. They also will be offering two free screenings which we will award from a drawing of submitted names. Contact the parish office, or call the special Helping Hands registration number (1-800-324-9458) for more information.

Is the Vestry Your

Calling?

In The Episcopal Church the Vestry is similar to a board of directors of a nonprofit organization. The Vestry oversees the money and property of the parish, assures there is adequate and prop-er staff, and shares in the leadership. The Ves-try also cooperates with the Rector to promote the spiritual welfare of the parish.

Vestry members serve a three-year term. Three or four members are expected to be elected at our parish Annual Meeting in Janu-ary. Nominees should be willing to carry out Vestry responsibilities, including taking a lead-ership role in the parish, being regularly in-volved in parish events, attending an overnight or all day Vestry retreat, and attending monthly Vestry meetings. If you are interested in serving on the Vestry, or want to nominate someone (do ask his or her permission first), please con-tact the parish office. If you have questions about the Vestry, please speak to the Rector or a member of the Vestry.

An Afternoon with the Lady Cards

Join us on Saturday February 2nd for the U of L vs. Georgetown Women’s Basketball game at the KFC YUM! Center. The game is at 2:00 pm and tickets are $2 / person as long as we order 10 or more. Please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex by January 22nd. If you would like to go, but don’t want to drive downtown, we will arrange car-pooling. Contact the parish office at 502-491-7417 for more information. Even if you don’t like basketball, here’s your chance to tour the KFC YUM! Center! Go Cards!

5

The Good News

Barbara Merrick Nominated as

Deacon

With the support of St. Paul's Church, Barbara Merrick has been nominat-ed to enter into a process

of discernment to determine whether she should become a deacon in the Church. With the assis-tance of a liaison from the Diocesan Commission on Ministry, we formed a small committee of per-sons, including Andy Graves, Mary Greenlee, Melissa Shirley, and Ned Southwick, along with persons from two other parishes, to undertake some initial discernment with Barbara. After six months of meetings and conversation, the com-mittee recommended that Barbara continue in her discernment. Now, Barbara will pursue addi-tional studies with the Diocesan School of Minis-try, undertake an internship, and have several meetings with the Bishop and the Commission on Ministry For Barbara, this process of discernment may lead to ordination as a deacon in the Church, to some other form of ministry, or to a continuation of her current ministry as a baptized person. We are all ministers by virtue of our baptism. For most of us this means active involvement in lay ministries. But, some Christians also are called to ordained ministries, like being a deacon. Our Book of Common Prayer describes a deacon as someone who brings the ministry of Christ and the Church to those outside the Church’s doors, “… particularly as a servant to those in need” (BCP, p. 856). Deacons are called to be bold community agents who make their Christian faith visible where they live and work; to interpret “the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world” to the Church (BCP, p. 543); to serve as catalysts and guides for baptized people engaged in the outreach work of the Church; and to assist bish-ops and priests in proclaiming the Gospel and administering the sacraments (BCP, p. 856).

We celebrate with Barbara her willingness to be open to this process of discernment. We invite your prayers and your words of encourage-ment. The Vestry has also committed to sup-porting Barbara financially as well in her studies, so please consider making a donation made payable to "St. Paul's" and marked as "Deacon" to share in this undertaking. May we all be guid-ed to our personal ministries through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Monthly Treasurer’s

Corner

Through the end of November, current pledging continues to lag behind budgeted amounts. The Preschool continues to perform very well and most expenses are within budget. The Vestry approved the transfer of the Church’s Endow-ment Fund to Stock Yards Bank, which the Ves-try felt could provide better oversight and diversi-ty as part of the Diocesan Commingled Fund. Please consider making an additional contribu-tion to support St. Paul’s before the end of the year. And, it’s not too late to make a pledge of support for 2013! If you have any questions, please let me know.

Dave Elks, Treasurer

6

The Good News

7

The Good News

For Healing, Comfort, Relief,

Protection, and Hope

Kathy Monin, Ralph Stump, Ron Snellen, Michelle Tooke, Pete Davey, Liz Babcock, Shirley Settle, Marilyn Staley, Ed Johnstone, Ron Medlin (friend of Jim Latimer), Donald Cogswell (former member), Sissy Bauer (mother of Diane Thomas), all those serving in the military including Anthony Polio (grandson of John and Wanda Wiegand) and Capt. James Hardy (son of Deanna and David Abney), Lynne Costello (friend of Jennie Fahey), Timo-thy (son of Mary Ellen Pinto), Anne Collins (sister of Jeanne Powell), Laurie Walker (cousin of Jim Latimer), Amy Reed Jones, Francis Dillard and Felicia Smith (aunt and cousin of Janice Brown), Jim Simms (friend of Stuart and Peggy Pryse) and Donnie Brooks Evans (friend of Jim Latimer)

Wednesday Noon Eucharist! Join us for worship with Anointing for Healing and Holy Eucharist at 12:00 noon. Experience and enjoy this informal mid-week gathering. Recognize God’s healing presence in your life, or the ways God intervenes in our broken world.

Big Brown Bag Ministry This month South East Associated Ministries (SEAM) is collecting dona-tions to help families with personal items such as shampoo, soap, and

toothpaste. Please keep SEAM in your prayers and support this ministry and pick up your Big Brown Bag on the first Sunday of every month. Also, join the “$1.00-a-Month Club” by putting an extra dollar in your bag each month to help support this ministry.

January Birthdays 1/4 David Abney 1/8 Tess Hamon 1/9 Kathleen Phelps 1/9 Ralph Stump 1/12 Melissa Shirley 1/13 Matthew Witten 1/14 Abbie Derossett 1/14 Angela Robinson 1/18 Dorothy Garrison 1/21 Pam Baker 1/22 Jennie Fahey

Keep People in Your Prayers!

We believe in the power of prayer! If you would like to be included on our parish prayer list, or know someone you would like to add, or have a particular prayer request, please contact the parish office. We keep names and requests on our list for thirty days, but are happy to keep anyone or anything on our list for as long as you request.

Remember Our Homebound!

Betty Chester Pete Davey Mary Hal Hoagland Clela Hoggatt Martha Johnson Thelma McArthur Mary Scharre Margaret Wilson Peggy Young

Get Your Kroger Cards!

Our Preschool has a fresh supply of Kroger Gift Cards just waiting for you to use. Pay $25 for a card with $25 in value already on it. Then use it instead of your usual credit card, and our Pre-school gets a 4% rebate for everything you buy! Even better, recharge your Kroger Card with your own credit card, and keeping using it until it wears out! Thanks for your support!

8

The Good News

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

4700 Lowe Road

Louisville, Kentucky 40220

Return Service Requested

VESTRY MEMBERS

Mike Sims - Sr. Warden

Ray Brown - Jr. Warden

Dave Elks - Treasurer

Barbara Merrick - Secretary

Sue Benner

Donna Smith

Melissa Shirley

Brenda Witten

STAFF

Jennie Fahey, Nursery Director

Cathy Meister, Parish Administrator

Robyn Fischer, Preschool Director

Ken Cordle, Organist and Choir Director

The Rev. Mark Feather, Rector

Phone: 502-491-7417

FAX: 502-491-7593

Web: www.stpaulslouisville.com

E-mail: stpaulslouky@bellsouth.net

markfeather@bellsouth.net

Facebook: St. Paul’s Episcopal Louisville, KY

Our Mission Statement:

“With God’s help, walking the spiritual journey of faith, we will be,

and lead others to be, committed followers of Jesus Christ.”