St. Paul's Memorial Church Newsletter
Telephone: 295-2156 www.stpaulsmemorialchurch.org January 12, 2012
Pastoral Emergency: 806-9069
Rector’s Blog – Join in the conversation with Rector Jim. You are invited to join each day in conversation on Rector Jim's blog Fiat Lux. Jim updates it daily. You can reach it by clicking http://spmcrector.blogspot.com/
Adult Education this Sunday (1/15) - Jan. 15 “Will You Continue in the Apostles’ Teaching and Fellowship…? Will You Strive for Justice and Peace…and Respect the Dignity of Every Human Being?”: Christian History and Practices of Hospitality. Explore the rich legacy of Christian hospitality from the early church to the Middle Ages, the Protestant and Catholic social gospel movements, and contemporary practices with attention to the ways the expressions of hospitality correlate with ideas about what it means to be the people of God.
Youth Confirmation Class ? Confirmation classes will begin on Sunday, January 22.
Habitat for Humanity - Region 15 churches have lots to do at the duplexes and the beginning stages of the condos at Sunrise this Saturday, the 14th, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Bring water utensil and your lunch this Saturday. All are welcome, and you'll be fitted into a crew. If you come later, come between 11:45 - 12:30. Please don't let us turn up empty handed for building these new condos. The townhouses are finished! Likewise, the Habitat office rehab. And our Region 15 Sunrise townhouse dedication is at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 28th!
Discovering God’s Questions, Listening for Answers: A special workshop for discernment of God’s vision for our parish - Join Rector Jim Richardson on Saturday Jan. 21 from 9 am to noon for a workshop as we discover together what God is calling us to do and be in our next century. The method we will use was developed by the “Emergent Church” movement and is based on the idea that sometimes we can hear God in our questions rather than in the certainty of our own answers. We will spend our morning in prayer, conversation and questions about our future. Come ready for the possibility of surprise. The method has been successful used by the Diocese of Virginia for small groups and planning retreats.
Parking - Recently the parking lots under the parking deck on Elliewood Avenue and behind the Ragged Mountain Running Shop have gone "automated" and eliminated their attendants. As a result, people parking in those locations need to have a parking permit to place in their dashboards. Permits are available in the church office or from an usher on Sunday. In addition, for the next several weeks, we have hired an attendant to be on the lot and distribute parking permits to those coming to St. Paul's. Call the office if you have any questions.
Stephen Ministry Update: Here is what our Stephen Ministers are studying this week. Continue to pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as Stephen Minister training nears completion. Session Sixteen—Bringing the Caring Relationship to a Close. Stephen Ministry relationships go on until the crisis is past, the need for care is diminished (not necessarily completely over), and the care receiver is able to cope on his or her own. In this session our Stephen Ministers explore how to know when it is time to bring closure to a caring relationship—and how to do so in a healthy way.
Morning Prayer - St. Paul's is now offering Morning Prayer weekdays at 8 a.m. with ministry intern Joe Lenow. Come begin your day with this peaceful, reflective service - and then join us afterward for some free gourmet coffee. Monday-Friday, in the choir loft; the service lasts around 20 minutes. We hope to see you!
Community Night on January 18 - Join us for a showing of the Documentary Film: “I am” An entertaining non-fiction film that poses two practical and provocative questions: What’s wrong with our world, and what can we do to make it better? The filmmaker is Tom Shadyac, creative force behind such comedy blockbusters as “The Nutty Professor,” and “Bruce Almighty.” Shadyac steps in front of the camera to recount what happened to him after a cycling accident left him incapacitated, possibly for good. Though he ultimately recovered, he emerged determined to share his own awakening to his prior life of excess and greed, and to investigate how we can improve the world. Meeting with a variety of thinkers and doers–remarkable men and women from the worlds of science, philosophy, academia, and faith–including such luminaries as David Suzuki, Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Lynne McTaggart, Ray Anderson, John Francis, Coleman Barks, and Marc Ian Barasch – Shadyac asks tough questions, but offers no easy answers, he takes the audience to places it has never been before, and presents even familiar phenomena in completely new and different ways. The result is a fresh, energetic, and life-affirming film that challenges our preconceptions about human behavior while simultaneously celebrating the indomitable human spirit.
Men's Bible Study - By popular demand, the group has begun meeting every Wednesday from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Come join the fellowship and make bagels and coffee on Wednesday mornings a new year's habit. Please contact Tim Rambo if you have any questions ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Tea drinkers are also welcome!
Potluck Dinner for St. Paul's Parents – The next potluck dinner for parents of church school and nursery aged children is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m., at the home of John Frazee and Cindy Cartwright, 1404 E. Market St. Line up a babysitter and join other St. Paul's parents for a fun, kid-free evening of good food and good conversation. Our parent potlucks offer a great opportunity to get to know other parents in the parish in a relaxed setting. Please join us! Contact Alice Fitch at 296-8989 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to RSVP and to sign up for what dish you'd like to bring.
Vestry Nominations - The Vestry Nominations Committee (Tara Little, Chairperson, Jane Butler, Pam Dennison, Sandy Gilliam, Vickie Gottlob, Margaret Haupt, Lila Lassetter, Robert Viccellio, and Bill Wilkerson) is extremely pleased to present the following slate of candidates for the Vestry Class of 2014:
Susan Cluett - I have been a member of St. Paul’s since 2004 when I moved from Northern Virginia to take a position at UVA as Program Director for the Children’s Fitness Clinic - a medical management, behavior modification and lifestyle education program for obese kids and their families. I am a nurse practitioner.
I was searching for a “new member” friendly, all inclusive, biblically grounded, mission oriented, intellectually stimulating and joyful place to worship and grow. ..as well as meet new friends. I also was looking to become a part of the Episcopal community as I had been worshiping at the National Cathedral and loved the liturgy. I am a Presbyterian convert, having served as Elder and Deacon. I found all this and more at St. Paul’s.
While at St. P’s I have been an usher, lector, and am currently co-leader for the Flower Guild. I am also serving on the St.Paul’s Safety Committee. It is a great honor to be considered for Vestry.
Gwynn Crichton - I would be greatly honored to serve St. Paul’s in the capacity of a vestry member. I feel a strong call to serve in this ministry. I love St. Paul’s— the community, our common worship, the ministries, the esprit de corps and the many opportunities to seek and serve Christ. I moved to Charlottesville in 2000 to work for The Nature Conservancy where I serve as a senior conservation planner and scientist. After doing some church shopping, I landed at St. Paul’s in January 2001 on the recommendation of a friend and I’ve been here ever since. The more I have gotten involved in ministries and service at St. Paul’s, the more I have loved being part of this faith community. I am currently a Eucharistic Minister, an usher, and a member of the altar guild. I also was the chairperson of the St. Paul's Gay Straight Concerns Group for 5 years and co- found the Integrity Cville chapter. I have served on the Annual Giving Campaign team the last two years, and am currently serving as the chair of this effort. I've participated in other St. Paul's ministries including PACEM, the Green Team and CROP walks. I have many ideas for how to help our parish grow and thrive in coming years. I'd like to contribute my experience, skills and energy to helping with our long-range planning, evolving mission and vision and cultivation of the next generation of membership. I love St. Paul's and want to help our church grow and answer God's call to seek and serve Christ in all persons. Thank you for considering me for the vestry.
Joel Hoppe - I grew up in Richmond and attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, adjacent to the State Capitol. After completing my undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, I returned to Richmond for law school. For the past nine years, I have practiced law, primarily in public service for the State and Federal Governments. Currently I serve as a federal public defender, representing indigent people who are charged with a federal crime.
My wife, Eleanor, and I joined St. Paul’s in 2009. We were new to Charlottesville (and, I guess, still are) and starting our family. In selecting a church, we looked for one that emphasized community involvement, offered spiritual guidance through a progressive message, and maintained the traditional feel of the Episcopal churches that we grew up attending. St. Paul’s fit our criteria. Our daughter, Avery, was baptized at St. Paul’s in June 2010. On Sundays at church Avery splits her time between the nursery and the sanctuary, where she joins us for the service. We look forward to when she will attend Sunday School. I am interested in joining the vestry for the opportunity it offers to serve St. Paul’s and the community.
Ellen ‘E.D.’ Rambo - My family and I moved to Charlottesville almost 3 years ago, and began attending St Paul’s almost immediately. We have loved getting to know the community, and growing more and more involved. I grew up in Cambridge, MA, attending Christ Church where I was in the junior choir, and helped in the nursery.
I have been serving on the Martha’s Guild and teaching in the Pre-School Sunday School class for 1 1/2 years and have recently joined the flower guild. As the mother of three small children, James (5), Nell (3) and Josephine (7 mo) I am particularly interested in the youth ministry and incorporating our youngest members (and their parents) most fully.
I am trained as an Art Conservator, specializing in Objects Conservation and am just beginning to return to work after staying at home with the children. I am currently self-employed. Previously I worked at the Smithsonian Institution at the Freer and Sackler Galleries and the National Museum of American History.
I am honored to be considered for the vestry, and if elected, look forward to helping St. Paul’s with its important ministry.
Annual meeting and election of Vestry – This year’s annual meeting will be on Sunday, January 22, 2012, at 6 p.m. The balloting for Vestry members will be conducted much as it was conducted last year. Ballots will be available on Friday Jan. 20 in the office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or at St. Paul's on January 22 beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing through the start of the Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. A "themed table" potluck dinner starts at 6 p.m. and child care will be available. You can sign up for the dinner by calling the office or adding your name to a sign-up sheet available in the Parish Hall..
Let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord! - St. Paul’s will be starting up a handbell ensemble this spring. Handbell ringing is challenging, therapeutic, and simply fun! It teaches both teamwork and personal responsibility, as well as building music reading skills and hand-eye coordination. Whether you have rung for years in the past or have never seen a bell before, you are welcome to join. Anyone high-school age or older who is interested in being a part of this revived ministry is welcome to attend an information session/experimental rehearsal on Sunday, February 5, in the Choir Room at 3:00 p.m. For more information, please e-mail Daniel Hine ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
Poinsettias: Free to a Good Home - The Flower Guild offers the poinsettias in the Parish Hall windows to anyone who would like to take one home.
Lost and Found – The St. Paul's office maintains a Lost and Found box, and it is overflowing! If you are missing something that you think you may have left at church, look for it on a table in the Parish Hall this Sunday. All unclaimed materials will be taken to the Goodwill once they have been in the lost and found for more than six months.
Discerning God’s Call – Claiming God’s Vision
Congregational conversations with friends to shape our life together at St. Paul’s
Over the next several weeks, we are offering a variety of opportunities for a congregation-wide discourse focused on our hopes and dreams for St. Paul’s. Attention to scripture and tradition as well as our own rich and diverse life experiences will help us to identify the best parts of the past and to use them to envision and create a hopeful and fruitful future.
There are three ways to participate and we encourage you to join in as many as you want and your time permits:
1. Listening Groups – Discussion groups of 8 to 12 people, led by a facilitator and recorder and lasting about an hour. These will be offered from January 29 – February 12 on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Sunday afternoon at 3:45 p.m., and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
2. Personal Spiritual Practice – A 10-day personal meditation practice and journaling based on selected scripture. Participants will gather at an initial meeting on Sunday, January 22 at 11:30 a.m., to receive information and will gather two weeks later, on Sunday, February 5 at 11:30 a.m. to share insights gained from the practice.
3. Discovering God’s Questions, Listening for Answers – A Saturday morning session, facilitated by Jim Richardson, based on a process developed by the “Emergent Church” and used by the Diocese in discernment and planning. This will be held on Saturday, January 21, from 9:00 a.m. until noon at St. Paul’s.
Sign up here or on line (http://stpaulsmemorialchurch.org/learn/discerning-gods-call-sign-up-form.html)
Name _____________________________ email address __________________________________
Listening Groups:
Sunday, Jan. 29 8:45 a.m.________ 11:30 a.m. _______ 3:45 p.m. _______
Wednesday, Feb. 1 7:00 p.m.________
Sunday, Feb. 5 8:45 a.m. ________ 11:30 a.m. ________ 3:45 p.m.________
Wednesday, Feb. 8 7:00 p.m. ________
Sunday, Feb 12 8:45 a.m. ________ 11:30 a.m. _________ 3:45 p.m. ________
Personal Spiritual Practice
Sunday, Jan. 22, 11:30 a.m. __________
Discovering God’s Questions, Listening for Answers
Saturday, January 21, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ________________
Last Updated on Friday, 27 January 2012 11:05
