What’s Inside Rector’s Letter · 12/11/2017 · Dec 3 First Sunday of Advent Eucharist at...

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Rector’s Letter

DECEMBER 2017 – JANUARY 2018 VOLUME 42, ISSUE 9

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cary is home to an active, caring, and diverse congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of North

Carolina. Through corporate worship, spiritual development, fellowship, and service we continue to grow together in faith. We

strive to be Christ's welcoming, reconciling, and transforming presence in the world through our many and varied ministries.

What’s Inside About Our Church 5

Adult Formation 9

Advent Offerings 4

Advent Play 8

Altar Flower Memorials 19

Arts & Crafts Festival 8

Associate Rector’s Message 2

Calendar: Dec. & Jan. 20-21

Children’s Ministries 10-11

Christmas Poinsettias 19

Episcopal Youth Community 12-14

Greening of the Church 7

Holiday Worship Schedule 3

Ministry of the Week: Coffee Hour 6

Mystery Book Club 7

Music Ministry News 17-19

Newsletter Deadline in Jan. 6

Note from Nursery 2

Outreach: Dorcas 16

Outreach: Family Promise 15

Outreach: Heifer 17

Outreach: St. Nicholas 15

Parents Night Out 6

Preschool News 9

Senior Ministry 7

Vestry - Transitions 5

Warden’s Corner 4

Dear Friends,

Richard Rohr describes the liturgical year as a way of taking “big

mysteries” and placing them on small stages. These small stages we

call the seasons of the liturgical year. The liturgical calendar is a way of

inviting us to dwell on “big mysteries” by focusing on them for a

season.

Advent, the first season of the liturgical year, is therefore not just a

season, but a big mystery that is a part of our everyday life as we seek

to open our lives in hope and anticipation to the fullness of the wisdom

of the eternal Christ. It is a season to ask: “What are the blockages that

keep me from that wisdom? What is my resistance to that wisdom?

What is my stubbornness? What is my closed mindedness that keeps

me from welcoming the wisdom of the eternal Christ?” You see, Advent is ALWAYS, it’s not just a season. To think of it only as a season of

preparation for Christmas is a very limiting understanding. I invite you

to a holy Advent.

There are four Sundays in the Advent season, and this year is

unique because the fourth Sunday of Advent also falls on the same day

as Christmas Eve. Let me explain what that means for us at St. Paul’s on

Sunday, December 24.

On Sunday morning, December 24, we will have a service at 7:30

a.m. and another at 10:00 a.m. celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

There will not be a 9:00 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. service.

Then that evening we will have services at 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and

10:30 p.m. celebrating Christmas Eve. And on Christmas Day, we will

have a service at 10:00 a.m.

The reason I am addressing this is not to confuse folks who may

think that by coming to a Sunday morning service they are coming to a

Christmas Eve service. Not the case. There will be no Christmas music

or Christmas celebration during the December 24 morning services

because it will still be the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The Christmas Eve

service schedule is shown in the adjacent box to the left. (Also, check out

the listing of services on page 3.)

I wish you a holy Advent and blessed Christmas.

George

December 24 Christmas Eve Services

4:00 p.m. Child friendly celebration of the Eucharist with a special homily for all the children.

7:00 p.m. A celebration of the Eucharist filled with wonderful Christmas Carols.

10:30 p.m. A celebration of the Eucharist that concludes near midnight making this service our “Midnight Mass”

December 25 Christmas Day

10:00 a.m. Gather on Christmas Day for a quiet, contemplative celebration of the Eucharist.

Clergy

Racial Justice and Reconciliation: A

More Excellent Way 1 Corinthians 13 is often heard at

weddings: “If I speak in the tongues of

mortals and of angels, but do not have

love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging

cymbal …” (1 Cor 13:1). Paul calls this

the “more excellent way” of Christian

discipleship – we may have all the skills

necessary to obtain acclaim, respect, and

honor in the eyes of others, but if we do

not have love, we have effectively gained

nothing.

The passage is, of course,

appropriate for weddings, yet its context

is much larger than a couple’s

relationship. Paul wasn’t speaking about

a lifelong commitment between two

people; he was talking about a way of life

for the Christian community. Love is “a

more excellent way” in the face of

injustice, division, and distrust. Love is

not simply a feeling, but a firm

commitment – one that we are all called

to undertake as members of the Body of

Christ.

This coming year, I have been asked

to co-chair the Bishop’s Committee for

Racial Justice and Reconciliation (RJR)

alongside Monnie Riggin, a member of

St. Luke’s in Durham. The committee’s

purpose is to help Episcopalians in our

diocese pursue a “more excellent way”

through racial injustice and division. The

primary way that we undertake this task

is by offering our diocesan anti-racism

training, “Seeing the Face of God in Each

Other.” Additionally, the RJR Committee

provides scholarships for any

Episcopalian interested in attending the

Racial Equity Institute (REI) training. The

REI training is a highly-effective

supplement to our diocesan work: it

delves deeply into issues of systemic and

structural racism, and it brings people

together from a variety of churches and

community organizations.

In the coming year, we hope to

explore what other needs or issues the

minority communities in our diocese

would like to address. Training is a

necessary and beneficial starting point,

but sometimes our efforts to be inclusive

shift the focus away from those most

likely to be affected by these issues.

Ultimately, our hope is to do both: we can

provide an avenue for new people to

engage in conversations about racial

justice and reconciliation, while also

providing support for those communities

that have historically borne the brunt of

racial bigotry and discrimination.

In the words of Cornel West, Martin

Luther King, Jr. “called for us to be

lovestruck with each other, not

colorblind to one another.” I hope that

you will take this opportunity to check

out the resources for racial justice and

reconciliation available through our

diocese. There is a more excellent way

available to us, and we are all – each and

everyone one of us – an integral part of

that journey.

The Rev. Javier Almendárez

Bautista

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://

www.dionc.org/Ministries & Mission/

racial-justice-reconciliation.html

A Note from the Nursery On Sunday December 24th, Kids’ Club will be open during the 10:00 a.m. Advent IV service and for the

4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Family-Friendly service.

Kids’ Club will be closed Dec. 31st for the holidays.

The cry room / bride's room is readily available on the 31st for families with little ones.

May your holiday season be filled with wonder! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Submitted by Laura Gorman

http://www.dionc.org/Ministries%20&%20Mission/racial-justice-reconciliation.html



Service Schedule

Date Service Times

Nov 29 The Word in Advent Eucharist at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.

Dec 3 First Sunday of Advent Eucharist at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.

Dec 6 The Word in Advent Eucharist at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.

Dec 10

Second Sunday of Advent

ST. NICHOLAS SUNDAY

LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL

Eucharist at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.


Dec 17

Third Sunday of Advent

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT AT 9:00 AM

ADVENT LESSONS & CAROLS

Eucharist at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.

Advent Lessons & Carols at 4:00 p.m.


Dec 24

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Christmas Eve

Eucharist at 7:30 and 10:00 a.m.

Family Friendly Eucharist at 4:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Eucharist at 7:30 p.m.

“Midnight Mass” Christmas Eve Eucharist at 10:30 p.m.

Dec 25 Christmas Day Contemplative Christmas Day Eucharist

at 10:00 a.m.

Dec 31

First Sunday after Christmas

CHRISTMAS LESSONS & CAROLS

Rite I Eucharist at 7:30 a.m.

Christmas Lessons & Carols at 10:00 a.m. .

Jan 7 The Baptism of our Lord

SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES Eucharist at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.

Vestry

Warden’s Corner Hope for Tomorrow!

Looking back at 2017 might, to some,

seem depressing. In the United States

alone we have suffered through

hurricanes that have devastated Texas,

Florida, and Puerto Rico, and, wild fires

that have decimated big parts of the

West Coast. We have suffered

innumerable acts of violence, most

recently in Las Vegas, Manhattan, and

Sutherland Springs. In addition, there

have been horrific and shameful

incidents of racism in Charlottesville and

elsewhere. There have been threats of

nuclear war, political shenanigans,

allegations of criminal misconduct at the

highest levels of government, and

allegations of sexual misconduct in

Hollywood, the national news media, and

in politics. It must seem like the end of

days are near.

However, I see signs of hope in the

dreary landscape of 2017. The nation has

really started to pull together in the wake

of the many natural disasters and violent

events. Many conversations have started

because of Charlottesville and the

Hollywood allegations. Both political

parties show signs of rallying and,

perhaps, working together in the future

to bring about a joint solution to some

very troubling issues.

While some might accuse me of overt

optimism in seeing hope in the broader,

national picture, hope is unmistakable

when considering our situation closer to

home. Our diocese elected a new

Bishop, Samuel Rodman, who will be

leading us into 2018 and beyond. New

leaders always make the future brighter

because you can’t grow if nothing ever

changes. St. Paul’s is busier than ever,

not only with worship but in fulfilling

God’s commandment to love one another

and to help those in need or distress.

Things have been so busy at St. Paul’s

that we have grown out of our space, so

we are looking to expand and enhance

our current facilities. Amid all the

travesty of 2017, St. Paul’s and our

Episcopal community has been a beacon

of hope for the future. May that beacon

shine bright worldwide in 2018.

This year has been a pleasure for me

to serve on St. Paul’s Vestry. I am

particularly grateful to Jeff Kager, who

already does so much for the church and

will continue to provide leadership for

the vestry next year. Merry Christmas,

St. Paul’s, and a very hopeful 2018.

Sherri Hubbard

Senior Warden

All Are

Welcome

Advent Offerings You will soon be receiving a letter

and special envelope in the mail for

Advent offerings. Each year, the vestry

designates where the Advent offerings

will be used: this year, these specific

funds will be go to hurricane relief efforts

through Episcopal Relief and

Development. Should you wish to make

an Advent offering, please place your

offering in the special envelope and

return to the church or simply designate

“Advent Offering” on the memo line of

your check and drop it in the offering

plate. Advent offerings will be accepted

through the end of the calendar year.

Submitted by Sherri Hubbard

Vestry

About Our Church We rejoice in the baptism of Clark

Robert Hauser, son of Brent and Jillian

Hauser.

We express our sympathy to Kelly

Gregg for the death of her father, Croson

Burns "Burnie" Miller, Jr.; and to the

family of John White, former member of

St. Paul’s.

Submitted by Melanie Fairbrother Office Manager

Vestry Members – Transitions Congratulations, and “thank you” to

the four parishioners elected to the

Vestry Class of 2018-2020 at the annual

meeting on November 5th. They will

begin their new roles in January.

“Thank you” also to the four faithful

stewards completing their 3-year terms

on the vestry at the end of this year:

Carter Collins, Ralph Greco, Frank

Laney, and Sherri Hubbard.

Hospitality, Parish Life, and Pastoral Care

Welcome to Vestry Members Elect – Class of 2018 These four new vestry members will take their seats on the Vestry in January.

Nicole Gatchalian

Rob Johnson

Mary Kintz

Kristen Walker

Thank You to our Retiring Vestry Members Thank You for your faithful service, 2015 – 2017.

Carter Collins

Ralph Greco

Frank Laney

Sherri Hubbard


The deadline for the next Newsletter is

Wednesday, January 16th

at 10:00 a.m.

[email protected]

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

Ministry of the Week

Dec 3 Youth Ministry

Dec 10 Mystery Book Club / Women’s Study Group

Dec 17 Children’s Ministry / Fellowship Event

Dec 24 No Coffee Hour

Dec 31 No Coffee Hour

mailto:[email protected]


Hello Mystery Book Lovers Our book for December is A

Christmas Message by Anne Perry. We

will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday,

December 5th.

We decided Pei Wei was too noisy to

be able to discuss the book in comfort.

I have reached out to the manager at

IHOP on Kildaire Farm Road, and we

have a room booked for our December

meeting.

As long as we all eat or drink

something, there is no minimum limit on

participants. Having a separate room

will definitely be better.

Any questions or concerns, please

contact Sarah Collins at 919-757-2086.

For January, we will be reading

Murder at the 42nd Street Library: A

Mystery by Con Lehane. We will meet on

the 1st Tuesday at IHOP.

Submitted by Sarah Collins

Women’s Study Group The Women’s Study Group will meet

Tuesday, December 13th, from 12:00

noon - 1:30 p.m. in the bride’s room to

discuss An Altar in the World: A

Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown

Taylor. Marcus Borg writes about this

book, “Elegant, wise, and insightful, this

book is also sacramental: it mediates the

life it describes.” This will be a

wonderful book to read and discuss.

Come join us to learn ways to “do

church” anywhere.

Our upcoming books are:

• January: Homegoing by Yaa Hyasi,

• February: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nahisi Coats.

We would love to have you join us for

our discussions – even if you haven’t

finished the book! If you have any

questions, contact Leah Dail at

[email protected].

Submitted by Leah Dail

The Senior Ministry Committee is

planning events for 2018 starting the year

with a drama-themed activity.

Tentatively, the event will involve an

event at the Cary Theater or a local

movie theater. Unfortunately, venue

schedules for January offerings won’t be

published in time to put the information

in the December-January newsletter! So

please keep your eyes peeled for

updates in St. Paul’s E-news and the

Sunday bulletin.

Submitted by Gerri Batchelor

Senior Ministry Plans for 2018

Greening of the Church Because the Fourth Sunday of Advent

and Christmas Eve are on the same

Sunday this year, the Greening of the

Church will be held in two parts. Part

one will be Thursday, December 21, from

7:00 until 8:30 p.m. We will be

decorating the organ platforms, hanging

the roping, and decorating the window

sills.

The Altar Guild is responsible for

preparing the church for our Christmas

services, but we always welcome the

help of members of the congregation.

And, we need fresh greenery to fill the

various areas around the church -

boxwood, cedar, magnolia leaves, holly,

etc. Please bring some when you come

to Green the Church on Thursday.

Greening part two will

occur immediately after the

10:00 a.m. service on

December 24. We will be

changing decorating the

altar area with poinsettias,

changing the wreath bows

to red and putting out the

crèche. Everyone is

invited to stay after the service and help.

Submitted by Anne Babb

mailto:[email protected]?subject=WSG


The Arts & Crafts Festival for

Outreach took place on Saturday,

November 4. It was a great shopping

opportunity, as dozens of artisans sold

their handmade items. Festival goers

enjoyed the soup, bake sale, and coffee,

bought books at bargain prices, won a

variety of raffle prizes, and were treated

to concerts by the Celtic Collective, the

St. Paul’s Carolers, and the Bells of St.

Paul’s. Our planning committee wishes

to thank the many volunteers who

contributed to the success of our event

this year. We received generous

donations of beautiful handmade items

and delicious baked goods. Volunteers

staffed the different areas of the festival,

transported tables, put out signs,

distributed fliers, kept our website up to

date, counted the proceeds, and helped

out with numerous other tasks. Thanks to

all of you, we raised over $5000 for

outreach. Special thanks go to Prayer

Stitchers, our biggest contributor, and to

Fellowship Events for their delicious

homemade soup, which was a big hit.

Thank you, all! Thank you, all!

Submitted by Sally Moller

Arts & Crafts Festival – Thank You to All!

Sunday, December 3rd

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

In the Chapel They are, without a doubt, the worst kids in the

history of the world. So, no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and

decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. None of the Herdmans has ever heard

the Christmas story before. Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus – it's all news to them.

Come see the youth of St. Paul’s perform this funny and heart-warming drama – our gift to the parish as we all wait during this Advent season for the birth of our Savior.

Shazaaammmm!

Education and Spiritual Development

Adult Formation in Advent SUNDAY FORUM:

Approaching the Holy – What do We

Do In Worship? Advent is a season of

preparation in the church, a time when

we ready our hearts and minds for the

incarnation, the coming of Jesus Christ

into human reality. In that spirit of

expectation, join us on Sunday mornings

as we continue exploring our Episcopal

tradition: what do the various elements of

our worship – the worship space, the

reading of Scripture, and sharing bread

and wine – indicate about the God whom

we worship? What do these elements

say about us and our faith in Jesus, who

took on human flesh and lived among us?

The Sunday forum will address these and

related questions as we explore the

mystery of the incarnation (Dec 3, 10,

and 17 from 10:15-11:00 a.m. in the

Chapel).

WEDNESDAY EUCHARIST AND

CONVERSATION (NOON AND 7:00 P.M.):

Engaging the Word in Advent. In seasons

of preparation in the church, it is

customary, not simply to fast from things

which may distract us, but also to take up

practices which will help us focus on the

meaning behind our worship and

prayers. On Wednesdays in Advent, you

are invited to delve deeper into our

Sunday readings alongside other

members of St Paul’s. These mid-week

Eucharist services will be meditative and

include an opportunity for reflection and

conversation. (Wednesdays at noon and

at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel – November 29

and December 6, 13, and 20.)

Adult Formation needs your help

with setting up coffee hour. Minimal

commitment one Sunday per month and

training is available. Interested

volunteers can contact Andrea Johnson at

[email protected] or call/text 919-348-

9599.

The Rev. Javier Almendárez Bautista

Preschool News November was a time of thanks at the

preschool. The children are thankful for

their wonderful teachers, friends, family

and toys! The annual Thanksgiving Feast

with the 4- and 5-year old children was a

success. Special thanks to all the parents

who helped with the feast.

December is such a special month at

the preschool. The children are full of

excitement about Jesus’ birthday! The 3,

4, and 5 year olds are busy practicing for

our Christmas program which is

Tuesday, December 19th at noon. This

year’s theme is Snowflakes. The TK

children will recite “The Legend of the

Snowflake” and all the children will sing

a variety of songs. All are welcome to

see the precious preschool children

singing Christmas songs. After the

program, we will proceed to the parish

hall to enjoy yummy Happy Birthday

Jesus cake.

The preschool will be closed

December 16th - January 1st for Christmas

break. We will return to school on

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018.

As the

2017 year

comes to a

close, 2018

brings us

registration

for the 2017-

2018 school

year.

Registration

information

will be sent

home in

January and

open house

tours will

occur the week of January 15th. Please

pass this information on to any friends

who are In search of a warm, nurturing

and loving environment for their

preschool child.

We would like to wish you all a

sparkling Christmas and a glittering New

Year! Enjoy all those special holiday

moments with your loved ones.

Blessings,

Brooke Bowersox and Laura Gorman

Dec 19th: Christmas Program at Noon

Dec 19th - Jan 1st: No School / Christmas Break

January 2nd -First Day back after Christmas Break

January 15th -No School WCPSS Holiday

January 16th- Thursday, January 18th- Open House tours

January 22nd -No School WCPSS Workday

January 25th- Snow BALL

Upcoming Events


Teddy Bear Tea-Feb. 3 Looking for something special to do

with your younger child or grandchild?

Join us on Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m. in the

parish hall for our third annual Teddy

Bear Tea. Children are welcome to bring

their favorite doll or stuffed animal and

enjoy some special treats and fun with

you and their “stuffed” friends. More

information about this fun event will be

available after Christmas in the St. Paul’s

E-news or your weekly Children’s

Ministries email.

Christmas Pageant – December 17, at

the 9:00AM Service Come one, come all!

Come big and small!

Come hear the story of

Christmas! Please join

the children of St. Paul’s

as they present “The

Story of Christmas” on

Dec. 17 at the 9:00 a.m.

service. Angels,

shepherds, wise men,

animals, soldiers and the

Holy Family will all be

ready to share their talents and

excitement with you as they tell the

story of Jesus’ birth. After the

pageant, join us in the parish hall

for a festive coffee hour. We still

have openings for non-speaking

actors and actresses (no prior

experience necessary), so please

contact Christine Ingram if your

child would like to participate in

the pageant.


Sunday School/Children’s Chapel on

“Vacation” The fall semester of Sunday school

will conclude on December 10, 2017, and

Sunday school will resume on January 7,

2018. 9:00 a.m. Children’s chapel will be

on vacation starting Dec. 17 through

January 7, 2018.

Thank you for your understanding as

we give our Sunday school teachers and

children’s chapel volunteers a much-

needed holiday break.

Christine Ingram

Children’s Ministries

Director

919-467-1477, ext. 19

Children’s

Ministries

Children’s Stewardship is Growing A huge thank you to our children for

their growing generosity! Their “little

brown” stewardship basket has collected

over $800! All money collected in this

basket goes toward the donation fees

required to host our on site Note in the

Pocket Sort Day on June 3, 2018! Keep

those dollars rolling in!

Crafts and Cookies Coffee Hour –

Nov. 26 at 10:10 AM Please join Children’s Ministries for

the annual “Crafts and Cookies” Coffee

Hour! Formerly known as the

Intergenerational Coffee Hour, this is a

festive morning of freshly baked

chocolate chip cookies and craft making.

All ages and stages are welcome – bring

your visiting family and friends.

Communion Classes Communion classes will be taught

April 15, 22, and 29 during the Sunday

school hour (place to be announced).

Classes are taught by clergy and are

open to all children in 1st grade and up

that have not received prior communion

education. Classes are cumulative and

children are encouraged to attend all

three classes. Class participant

registration will be available in February

(watch the weekly Children’s Ministries

email for additional information).

Participants must be baptized prior to

communion class participation.

During the Sunday school hour April

22, a parent communion class, also

taught by the clergy, will be offered to all

parents of children participating in

communion classes. However, everyone

is welcome to attend!

A special communion celebration

will be held on May 6 at the 9:00 a.m.

service for those children that have

complete the classes (dress attire is

recommended) and a coffee hour to

honor the children will immediately

follow the service.

Pre-EYC Update Our growing group of Pre-EYCers

has been very busy this fall! After

Reverse Trick or Treating in October, this

energetic group volunteered at Note in

the Pocket, sorting clothing for children

in need in Wake County! In December

the Pre-EYCers will perform some

outreach projects at their Christmas

party (Dec. 4). More outreach projects

are planned for the spring, including an

afternoon of volunteering at the food

bank and helping around the church.

And, don’t forget our annual overnight

retreat, scheduled for April 14-15, 2018!

Pre-EYC is open to all 4th and 5th

graders. We meet on the 2nd and 4th

Sundays of each month, late September

through mid-May. Meetings are held in

the parish hall from 11:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

and include lunch. We focus on

fellowship, food, fun, and outreach.

Please contact Christine Ingram if your

child would like to participate.


Date Event

Dec. 3 Clergy Led Chapel 9am

Dec. 10 Pre-EYC Christmas Party/St. Nicholas Sunday-Last Day of Sunday School

Dec. 15 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 5:30-7:30pm

Dec. 16 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 9am-12 noon

Dec. 17 Christmas Pageant 9am Service/No Sunday School, No Children’s Chapel, No Pre-EYC

Dec. 24 Worship Services at 7:30am, 10am, 4pm, 7:30pm and 10:30pm

Dec. 25 Christmas Service 10am

Dec. 31 No Sunday School / No Children’s Chapel

Jan. 7 Sunday School / Children’s Chapel Resume

Jan. 14 Pre-EYC Meets

Jan. 21

Jan. 28 Pre-EYC Meets11:15am / Quarterly Update 10:15am

Feb. 3 Teddy Bear Tea 10:30am-12noon

Feb. 4

Feb. 11 Pre-EYC Meets

Feb. 13 Pancake Supper 5-7pm

Feb. 14 Ash Wednesday Service for Families 5:45pm

Feb. 18

Feb. 25 Pre-EYC Meets

Date Event

Mar. 4

Mar. 11 Pre-EYC Meets/Note in the Pocket Drive Begins/PJ Sunday

Mar. 18 Note in the Pocket Drive

Mar. 24 Pre-EYC Volunteers at Food Bank of NC 2-4pm/Note in the Pocket Drive

Mar. 25 Palm Sunday/Note in the Pocket Drive

Mar. 30 Good Friday Service for Children 10am

Apr. 1 Easter Sunday/Easter Egg Hunt/Note in the Pocket Drive Ends/No Sunday School

Apr. 8 Spring Break Sunday-No Sunday School

Apr. 14-15 Pre-EYC Retreat

Apr. 15 Communion Class #1

Apr. 22 Communion Class #2

Apr. 29 Communion Class #3/Pre-EYC Meets

May. 6 Communion Celebration 9am Service/Last Day of Sunday School

May. 13 Mother's Day

May. 20

May. 27 Memorial Day/No Children’s Chapel

June. 3 5th Grade Recognition/Note in the Pocket Sort Day

June. 10 Summer S(f)undays Begin

Children’s Ministries Calendar


Fostering the love of Christ in the youth of

St. Paul’s. Youth Coordinator

Leah Dail

[email protected]

Please check the youth page on the St. Paul’s website

(www.stpaulscary.org/ministries/youth/) for registration forms or

contact Leah Dail ([email protected]) for hard copies forms.

The following must be turned in to participate in any youth events:

information form, youth covenant, medical release, media release,

and behavior agreement.

Registration The mission of the Youth Ministry is to develop a spiritually rich community of young people through fellowship, fun, education, service, and worship. Our Core Development Values are the foundation of our ministry and define what is most important. They

are:

Fellowship Education Fun Growth Spiritual Development Service

Inclusiveness Respect

Youth Formation Come join us for Youth Faith

Formation! There is a middle school

class for 6th-8th graders and another

for high schoolers, grades 9-12. The

Formation hour is from 10:15-11:00

a.m. (between services). Middle

schoolers meet in the youth wing

– and no need to go by coffee

hour. We will have snacks for

you there. High schoolers meet

in Room 10 of the education

building.

Episcopal Youth Community Every young person in grades 6-12 who attends St. Paul’s is welcome to be a

part of the Episcopal Youth Community (EYC). The youth group is divided into

middle school and high school programs, though sometimes activities are

combined. Friends are always welcome to attend. EYC gathers on Sunday

nights for fellowship and fun activities from 5-7 p.m. with a shared meal at 6:30

p.m. We combine lots of zaniness – games, songs, lots of action – with worship

and service. Our mission is to develop a spiritually rich community of young

people through our programming and the presence of faith-filled adults. It’s

organized chaos, but it works!

Our curriculum is Episcopal Curriculum for Youth, from Virginia Theological Seminary. The upcoming lessons are:

12/3 Peace & Justice: Bless Those Who Persecute You

12/10 Peace & Justice: God’s Ethics

12/17 Peace & Justice: Selling a Birthright

12/24 & 31 No Church School

1/7 Peace & Justice: Temptation

1/14 Peace & Justice: Controlled by Possessions

1/21 Peace & Justice: God’s Creation

1/28 Peace & Justice: Strength from the

Advent Prayer Stations: Advent helps us get ready to enter the mystery of Christmas. But December is often so full of so much busy-ness and activity that it’s hard to make time to stop and watch, to ready our hearts for the

gift that God gives us at Christmas. So, I invite all youth to come on Tuesdays in Advent to spend time at prayer

stations that we will create and use. There will be some art, music, and mediation, and lots of contemplative

prayer. It will be a wonderful way to spend quiet time together awaiting the Christ Child. We will meet in the

youth wing.

Advent Series: Tuesdays, Dec 5, 12, & 19 from 6-7 PM

We’re hosting coffee hour and promoting the Advent play this Sunday, so please sign up to help:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4eaaae22aafd0-youth.

December 3 – Youth Ministry Hosts Coffee Hour

December 3, 5-7 PM: Advent Play:

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Even if you’re not performing, come help usher and hand out candy canes and then watch the production.

We’ll have dinner together afterwards.

Youth Ministry December Events

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Youth

http://www.stpaulscary.org/ministries/youth/


http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4eaaae22aafd0-youth


December 17 – Christmas Party & Caroling It’s our Annual Christmas Party! Here’s what to do:

• Wear your most “memorable” (the tackier, the better!) Christmas sweater, shirt, sweatshirt, or “outfit” for our 5th Annual Crazy Christmas Sweater / Sweatshirt Competition

• Bring a wrapped gift (worth no more than $10 – something fun, but not gross) for our Silly Gift Exchange.

• Have your singing voice and good cheer – we will also be going out to carol. Dress for the weather and

bring a flashlight.

Epiphany is observed on January 6, so we will celebrate it at EYC tonight. We will learn more about this

Feast Day through crafts, games, and skits. Since the magi brought gifts to Jesus, please bring gifts of

canned food / staples for Urban Ministries.

January 7 – Epiphany Party & Winter Kickoff 5-7 PM

December 10: No EYC

January 15 – MLK Day Convocation Event This is being planned now, so look for details soon, but go ahead and mark your calendar for this full day

event. There will be service, learning, worship, and fellowship with other churches.

January Schedule

January 14: Regular EYC 5-7 pm

December 8, 6-9 p.m. – Babysitting Fundraiser and

Lock-in Afterwards We will provide babysitting for children of the parish as a Youth Ministry fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. Youth come at

5:30 for set-up. Then, after babysitting, the lock-in! We’ll start off with bowling. We’ll also play some games or

watch a movie, and SLEEP – really! Pickup will be 9:00 a.m. Saturday.

January 21: No EYC

December 24 & December 31: No EYC

Jan. 19-21 -

Kanuga

Snowtubing

Trip See article on next page for

details.

We will prepare and deliver flyers in the neighborhood to advertise

our Souper Bowl Food Drive scheduled for February 4th. Wear

comfortable shoes and warm clothes – we’ll be outside regardless of

the weather.

January 28 – Souper Bowl

Flyer & Bag Distribution


This diocesan event is full of awesome activities and

workshops – and the bishops are there. There is a formal

dinner, followed by a celebration Eucharist and dance with a DJ

Saturday night. Most participants dress up for Saturday

evening’s festivities. The cost is $100 and some scholarships

are available. Register online: http://www.dionc.org/Youth/

youth-main.html. This is an amazing event!

Looking Ahead: Bishop’s Ball

February 23-25

Looking Ahead

We’re going back to the mountains! Come snowtube with us

and enjoy a fun weekend at Kanuga in Hendersonville, NC.

We stay in a lodge and eat our meals at Kanuga Conference

Center (http://www.kanuga.org/camps-and-outdoor-

education/camp-kanuga/). We’ll fellowship together, visit

downtown Hendersonville, and worship Saturday night at St.

James. The cost is $135.00 per person, which includes

lodging and meals, snow tubing, and transportation.

Additional money will be needed for lunch on Sunday. For

information on where we snowtube: http://

www.moonshinemountain.com/.

The trip is open to any middle school or high school student

who is currently involved in Youth Ministry. Each student

should also be able to demonstrate appropriate behavior and

conduct during the trip. A Youth and

Adult Covenant must be signed

before the trip.

Registrations must be made by

January 8, 2018 and payments must

be received by January 12, 2018.

Questions? Contact Leah at

[email protected] or 919-467

-1477.

Kanuga Snowtubing Weekend

January 19-21, 2018

http://www.dionc.org/Youth/youth-main.html.

http://www.dionc.org/Youth/youth-main.html.

http://www.kanuga.org/camps-and-outdoor-education/camp-kanuga/

http://www.kanuga.org/camps-and-outdoor-education/camp-kanuga/

http://www.moonshinemountain.com/

http://www.moonshinemountain.com/

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Snowtubing


This year our Advent tree bears 394

names and gift ideas from Santa’s “nice

list” provided to us by four agencies that

serve children and families in our

community: CommWell Health, West

Haven Housing Ministry, Healing

Transitions, and Families Together.

December 10th is the day to bring your gifts and present them to St.

Nicholas! If you are unable to attend

services on this

day, please deliver

your gifts to the

office BEFORE then

so they will reach

the children on

time. Gifts

received after noon

on Sunday will be

saved and used for

a child next year.

Remember, the

tags are actually

self-adhesive

labels. Peel off the

backing and attach

the label securely

and easily visible on

the box or bag

containing the present

or presents for each

child. If you need a

second label (for

example, if you also

purchase a large

additional gift like a

bike), please

photocopy the tag,

clearly label both of

the tags (e.g., 1 of 2 &

2 of 2), and securely

attach the second tag

to the oversized item.

Thank you for

your generosity and

kindness. Every year

the congregation’s

support for this

ministry seems to

blossom wider. It is immense,

astonishing, and appreciated by people

from all across North Carolina!

Submitted by Colette Hibberd

St. Nicholas is coming to St. Paul’s

December 10th

Family Promise Ministry to the

Homeless is a coalition of faith

communities that helps families without

homes achieve independence by

providing temporary housing, lodging,

meals, case management and

educational services. St. Paul’s serves as

a host congregation, providing meals,

supplies, and volunteer support to

families temporarily residing at White

Plains United Methodist Church in Cary

several times each year.

St. Paul’s 1st week for this year is

January 21-28. Family Promise is a

wonderful “hands-on” outreach

opportunity, both for adults and for

families.

Some volunteer opportunities you

can sign up for HERE are:

1. Room set up: Sunday, January 21 at

2:00 p.m.

2. Social hosts: 6:30-8:30 p.m. on

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,

Thursday, & Saturday.

3. Overnight hosts: A couple will work

for any of these nights (Sunday

through Saturday), and it’s OK to

have two men or two women on any

given night. We just try to have one

of each if we can. This is from 8:30

p.m. to around 6:30 a.m.

4. Saturday morning hot breakfast:

Saturday, January 27 at 7:30 a.m.

5. Cleanup: Sunday, January 28 at 6:30

a.m.

Submitted by Myrna Belingon

& Kathleen Neff

Family Promise Homeless Ministry

Week (January 21-28, 2018)

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0445aea62f4-family

Outreach

Toilet Paper Collection News

St. Paul’s has signed up for half a

shelf of toilet paper for the Dorcas Food

Pantry which equates to 200 rolls a month

(or 2,400 a year). As of Nov. 12th, we

have collected 2,888 rolls of toilet paper

and 12 boxes of Kleenex for the Dorcas

Food Pantry for 2017. Thank you for

supporting this effort. Our normal

collection is the 2nd Sunday of each

month but you can donate any time since

we have a permanent collection box

located in the hallway outside the choir

room.

Thanksgiving Breakfast

I would like to extend a special thank

you to all those who attended the Dorcas

Ministries 6th Annual Thanksgiving

Breakfast. Through donations, pledges

and sponsorships, they were able to

raise $217,350 for the programs and

services provided by Dorcas Ministries.

Calling All Quilters

Dorcas Ministries will celebrate its

50th anniversary in 2018, and the

celebration theme is “Stitching Together

A Community - 50 Years of Service.”

Dorcas is named after a woman from the

Bible who made garments for the poor

and became notable for her charitable

work. (Acts 9:36-42). Today, Dorcas

Ministries provides crisis relief to

western Wake County residents who

seek stability and sufficiency through

food and financial aid, scholarships,

training programs, referrals, and an

affordable thrift shop.

As a part of the 50th anniversary

celebration, we are looking for volunteer

quilters to sew a quilt inspired by our 50

years of service to the community. We

are asking quilters to donate quilts to be

auctioned off at the commemorative

event in November 2018. The funds

raised will support our outreach services.

To support our effort, Dorcas

Ministries will:

• Provide sketches, pictures and themes

to assist in the creation of quilts;

• Assist in the cost of quilting supplies if a

quilter is unable to afford the quilting

materials;

• Acknowledge quilters for their gift of

time and talent at our

commemorative event.

Cary Quilting Company will provide

a 10% discount on quilting supplies for

Dorcas quilts. Please see Ellen Frazier at

Dorcas Ministries or email Bob Stapleton

at [email protected] to get your

10% discount coupon.

Thank you for considering being a

Dorcas Quilter Volunteer to celebrate

our 50th year! If you are interested in

volunteering to make a quilt, please

contact Bob Stapleton at quilt@dorcas-

cary.org.

Career Advancement Program

Dorcas Ministries can help you with

tuition for training to get a better job,

qualified living expenses, and career

coaching. The goal is to help you qualify

for a better paying job and career path! Interested? Give Craig a call on 919-469-

9861, ext 206 or email ctownley@dorcas-

cary.org or visit dorcas-cary.org/

services/education/.

Jobs for Life

The Jobs for Life (JfL) class takes the

students on a journey – a journey to

discover who they are, their unique

value, and the principles they need to

overcome roadblocks in their lives. The

class equips students with core work

readiness skills such as presenting their

60-second commercial, developing a

vocational plan, building a resume,

learning effective interviewing skills, and

many others.

The next Jobs for Life class at Dorcas

Ministries will be March 1st to April 26th

on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 -

8:00 p.m.

You can find the JfL Application at

http://dorcas-cary.org/services/job-

training-center/. Applications will be

accepted through February 21st.

——————————————

The Dorcas Thrift Shop is located at

187 High House Road in Cary. If you are

interested in becoming a volunteer or

learning more about Dorcas Ministry,

contact me at [email protected] or

call me at 919-467-8807.

Submitted by Nancy Fierke

Dorcas Ministry Leader

Dorcas Ministry Update






dorcas-cary.org/services/education/

dorcas-cary.org/services/education/

http://dorcas-cary.org/services/job-training-center/

http://dorcas-cary.org/services/job-training-center/

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Dorcas

Outreach

Advent Lessons and Carols The St. Paul’s Choir will

present Advent lessons and

Carols this year on

December 17, 2017 at 4:00

p.m. This year the music

includes works by Felix

Mendelssohn, Peter

Warlock, and Will Todd, as

well as the live premiere of

“There is No Rose of Such

Virtue” by Rusty McKinney.

The Bells of St. Paul’s will

also be featured in the

prelude music that uses

various techniques and

colors unique to handbells.

The service follows the

traditional pattern of

Anglican lessons and

carols, presenting

scriptural readings with

music that expands and

reflects on the themes of

those readings. The event

includes congregational

hymn singing as well as

the music presented by

the choir. This is a

wonderful service to bring

friends and neighbors to.

All are welcome!

St. Paul’s Choir CD – Get Yours Soon! St. Paul’s Choir CD A Babe is Born is

available for purchase at only $10 per

CD. We will be in various places over

the next few Sundays between the 9:00

and 11:15 a.m. services, and after the

11:15 a.m. service. Or contact Rusty in

the Music Office at (919) 467-6241, or

email [email protected]

to arrange a pick-up.

The album contains music for Advent

and Christmas some of which has been

featured at St. Paul’s for Lessons and

Carols in the past two years, including

works by John Rutter, Will Todd, G.F.

Handel, William Mathias, Carson

Cooman, and Charles Ives. Also found

on the CD is the premiere recording of a

new setting of “There is No Rose of Such

Virtue” written by Rusty McKinney for

the St. Paul’s Choir. There is a great

variety of music on this album, all well

performed by the choir and wonderfully

recorded by our engineer and producer

Nathaniel Yaffe of the NC Symphony.

Here’s a great Christmas gift that you can

only get from the music ministries at St.

Paul’s!

Heifer International sends livestock and training to families in need around the

world, to provide them with sustainable agriculture, food, and reliable income. St.

Paul’s invites everyone to donate to Heifer International every Sunday during

morning services, in celebration of special people, times, and events in our lives.

Christmas presents a special opportunity to honor those we know and love by

giving alternative holiday gifts – Heifer donations – “outside the gift-wrapped box.”

You can place your donations in the Heifer Ark during the offertory on Sunday

mornings. Checks should be made out to “St. Paul’s Episcopal Church” with “Heifer

International” written on the memo line. For each $10 you donate, you can pick up a

Heifer greeting card in the church narthex and mail it to the family member or friend

you wish to honor this Christmas. Cards and envelopes will be available in the church

narthex on Sunday mornings between Thanksgiving and Christmas. All donations

through St. Paul’s help us to reach our annual goal of $5000, which buys a Heifer Gift

Ark consisting of two water buffalo, two cows, two goats, two sheep, two chickens, and

many more pairs of animals. For more information, please see: www.heifer.org.

If you have any questions, contact Alison Arnold at [email protected] or

919-605-0761.

Heifer at Christmas

Liturgy


http://www.heifer.org

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Heifer

Liturgy

Changes in Music Ministries Schedule

Changes – December and January

There are a number of changes that

happen this time of year to the music

ministries schedule. There is a new and

improved Google calendar that the

Minister of Music is trying to keep

accurate, and it can be found on the

church website. But if in doubt, contact

Rusty! See below for specifics.

Tuesday, December 12, rehearsals will all move to the same times onto

Thursday, December 14.

On Sunday, December 24th, and December 31st, the 9:00 and 11:15

a.m. services are combined into one

10:00 a.m. service. On Dec. 24th, the

St. Paul’s Choir will sing. On

December 31st, all members of 9:00

Choir, St. Paul’s Choir, and

Canterbury Choir that are available

will gather at 9:30 to warm-up, and

then we will lead the congregation in

the carol singing for a Christmas

Lessons and Carols with Eucharist.

There will be no rehearsals for ANY ensembles on December 26, 27, or

January 2.

There will be no rehearsals for Children’s Music Ensembles (Advent

& Epiphany Choirs, Advent Bells) on

January 3.

St. Paul’s Choir resumes regular Wednesday night rehearsals on

January 3, 2018.

9:00 Choir resumes regular 8:30 a.m. rehearsals on Sunday, January 7,

2018.

Bells of St. Paul’s, Canterbury Bells, and Canterbury Choir resume on

January 9, 2018.

Epiphany Choir, Advent Choir, and Advent Bells resume on January 10,

2018.

Music Ministries Weekly Schedule

Tuesdays

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Bells of St. Paul’s (Adult) Church Adults

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Canterbury Bells (Youth Gr. 6-12) Church Grades 6-12

8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Canterbury Choir (Youth Gr. 6-12) Choir Room / Church Grades 6-12

Wednesdays

6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Epiphany Choir (Children Gr. K- 2) Choir Room / Church Grades K-2

6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Advent Choir (Children Gr. 3-5) Choir Room / Church Grades 3-5

6:45 - 7:15 p.m. Advent Bells (Children Gr. 3-5) Church Grades 3-5

7:30 - 9:30 p.m. St. Paul’s Choir Choir Room / Church Adults

Sundays

8:30 a.m. 9:00 Choir

No mid-week rehearsals Choir Room

10:30 a.m. St. Paul’s Choir Choir Room / Church

Liturgy

Christmas Poinsettias Christmas poinsettia envelopes will

be available in the pews between

November 12th and Dec. 3rd this year.

Giving a poinsettia that will decorate the

altar and worship spaces for the

Christmas services is a beautiful way to

remember and/or give thanks for the

special people in our lives. The Altar

Guild requests a donation of $20.00 per

plant. Checks may be made payable to

St. Paul’s with Altar Guild poinsettia

noted on the memo line. Please make

sure the outside of the envelope is filled

out with your name and the name of the

person(s) for whom the poinsettia is

being given. Also indicate whether the

poinsettia is being given in memory of,

or in thanksgiving for, that person. All

requests must be received by Sunday,

December 3rd, in order to be included in

the Christmas bulletin. Requests /

donations may be placed in the

collection plates or dropped off at the

church office. Christmas poinsettias may

be taken home following the Christmas

Day service.


Altar Flower Memorials The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 will

be placed in the narthex in mid-

December. If you would like to give

flowers that will decorate the altar area

for the Sunday services, please sign up

for the Sunday of your choice. Flowers

are usually given in memory of /

thanksgiving for loved ones or to

commemorate special occasions in our

lives. The Altar Guild requests a

donation of $45.00. Checks may be

made payable to St. Paul’s with Altar

Guild flowers noted on the memo line.

Requests must be received at least 3

weeks in advance to appear in the

appropriate Sunday bulletin.


A New Year’s Resolution Join the Choir! We welcome choir members to all of

the choirs at almost any time, but January

is definitely a good time to get into a

choir. Advent and Christmas and all of

the special preparation and extra music

is over and done, and for a moment, we

get a chance to collect ourselves a bit

before we set our sights on the next

period that has intensified musical needs

– Lent through Easter.

While all voice parts are welcome in

all of the choirs, there is a particular need

for sopranos and male voices in the 9:00

Choir, and for alto and bass singers in

the St. Paul’s Choir at this time. If you

have talent for and experience with

choral singing, or are an instrumentalist

with a good choral singing voice, we

need you. Likewise, youth who sing or

want to learn should join Canterbury

Choir. And it is a good time for children

to join Advent and Epiphany Choirs.

They will be our adult singers in the

future. See elsewhere in this section for

rehearsal schedules.

Contact Rusty McKinney, Minister of

Music at

[email protected] or call

919-467-6241 the music office. (Please

leave a message if no answer.)


Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit #38

Cary, NC 27511

Clergy

The Rev. George Adamik, Rector

x 13 | [email protected]

The Rev. J. Carr Holland III, Associate Rector


The Rev. Javier Almendárez Bautista, Associate Rector


The Rev. Antoinette Wike, Priest Associate

[email protected]

The Rev. Candy Snively, Deacon

[email protected]

Vestry Senior Warden: Sherri Hubbard

Junior Warden: Jeff Kager

Carter Collins, Ralph Greco, Frank Laney,

Rick Bradley, LaQuinta Yvette Jernigan, Karen Smith

Ron Barbee, Olivia Delahaye, Bill Gautier, Victor Talbird

Treasurer: John Goehrke — Clerk: Lanny Wase

Staff

Christine Ingram, Parish Administrator /

Director of Children’s Ministries

Church School Office 467-2578


[email protected]

Christa Magee, Assistant to Children’s Ministries

[email protected]

Brandy Satterfield, Financial Assistant


Rusty McKinney, Music Minister

Music Office 467-6241


Joanna Li, Organist

Andrea Dreier, Music Associate

Brooke Bowersox, Preschool Director

Preschool Office 467-3788

x 16| [email protected]

Laura Gorman, Nursery / Kids’ Club Director

[email protected]

Leah Dail, Youth Coordinator


Melanie Fairbrother, Office Manager


Church Phone: 919-467-1477 Fax: 919-467-0152

Web Site: www.stpaulscary.org

THE PEOPLE OF ST. PAUL’S

Return Service Requested

221 Union Street Cary, NC 27511

Mailing Label

7:30 a.m. Eucharist Rite I

8:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Kids’ Club

9:00 a.m. Eucharist Rite II

9:00 a.m. Children’s Chapel

10:00 a.m. Coffee Hour / Fellowship

10:10 a.m. Education Hour

11:15 a.m. Eucharist Rite II

11:15 a.m. Children’s Chapel

Sunday Service Schedule



mailto:[email protected]?subject=St.%20Paul's





mailto:[email protected]?subject=St.%20Paul's%20Church%20School



mailto:[email protected]?subject=Preschool

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Kids'%20Club



http://www.stpaulscary.org

What’s Inside Rector’s Letter · 12/11/2017 · Dec 3 First Sunday of Advent Eucharist at...

Documents

Transcript of What’s Inside Rector’s Letter · 12/11/2017 · Dec 3 First Sunday of Advent Eucharist at...