St. Paul's Memorial Church Newsletter April 18, 2012
Telephone: 295-2156 www.stpaulsmemorialchurch.org 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/
Condolences of the Parish to Marsha Trimble and her husband Kent Olson upon the death of Kent's mother, Marian Olson.
Guest Preacher on April 22 – Robert W. Radtke, the President of Episcopal Relief & Development, will be our guest preacher at all three services on Sunday, April 22. He will also lead the Adult Education forum following the 10 a.m. service that morning. Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States, serving over 2.8 million people annually in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Parish Tea
Sunday, April 22
3:00 - 6:00 pm
At Jim and Lori Richardson's house
3:00 p.m.: Pouring of tea
4:30 p.m.: Evening Prayer
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.: Adult refreshments
Directions: Drive west on I-64, exit on Highway 29 south; move immediately into the left lane on Highway 29. When you see the X sign, move into the left turn lane, turn left, cross highway onto Teel Lane. You can park in the park-and-ride area immediately on your right, and a van will pick you up.
Jim Richardson's cell - 434.964.7946
A New Community Night Offering from The Rev. Janet Legro - Three Bits of Wisdom to Guide Our Relationships: Wednesdays at 7 p.m., April 25 - May 23. Sometimes our judgements, opinions and desires can become stumbling blocks for our most important relationships. In our relationship with friends, children, partners or colleagues it can be hard to let go of the way we think things should be and yet, letting go of these thoughts might be exactly what we need to do. Using the teachings of the Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, Episcopal priest, author and contemplative, we will look at three ways to free ourselves from judgement and attachment in our relationships. In other words, we will explore ways to free up our relationships - free for joy, compassion, and loving attention. The Rev. Bourgeault's work comes directly from the teachings of Jesus, the wisdom tradition, and the practice of Centering Prayer. We will spend four Wednesday evenings together exploring these teachings, looking at examples from scripture and life, and finding ways to put them into practice. Janet will provide some brief readings to guide our conversations for those who would like to read along. Janet will also try to show some funny clips from the TV show, Modern Family, to highlight these teachings and have a little fun. Please join us any Wednesday evening you are able from 7 - 8:15 p.m.: April 25, May 2, May 9 and May 23. There will be no class on May 16th.
Habitat for Humanity - On Saturday, April 21, from 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. please join us and other Region XV churches at the Habitat Build at Sunrise Village. Lunch is from 12:00 - 12:30 (pack your own). If you cannot stay for the entire day, we’ll be better able to get you plugged into a meaningful task if you could leave or arrive at the lunch break. Address: 1410 Carlton Ave. Charlottesville, 22902. Parking: street parking on Carlton Ave., Rives St., Midland St. Note: Must be at least 16 years old to build at Sunrise (see www.cvillehabitat.org/youth-families for more information about opportunities for younger volunteers). Event contact: Katie Geisshuesler, office: (434) 293-9066, mobile: (828) 989-1082. Please let Frances know if you are coming: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 293-9893.
AIM Benefit Breakfast – You are invited to a pancake breakfast to benefit the Alliance for Interfaith Ministries (AIM) on Sat. April 21 from 8 -10 a.m. Pancakes, sausage, and beverages will be served. Suggested donation: $7 per person ($20 for a family of 3 or more). It will be held this year at the Olivet Presbyterian church at 2575 Garth Road. AIM is an ecumenical partnership that depends on donations to provide emergency assistance to local families facing economic crisis—especially for rent and utilities.
St. Paul's has partnered financially with AIM for a number of years. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Directions to Olivet: From the Barracks Road Shopping Center, go west on Garth Road. The church is located on the left, just 2.3 miles beyond the Foxfield Race Track.
Baccalaureate Sunday – On Sunday, April 29, we will honor our University of Virginia graduating students and all those who are connected with the University.
Integrity of Charlottesville Annual Meeting – Integrity of Charlottesville will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, April 29, from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The annual meeting will include a potluck lunch and board elections. For more information, contact Ben Kong at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Janice Dean at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Evensong - Please join us for the Evensong (with Holy Eucharist Rite One) sung by Zephyrus on Sunday April 29 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul's. An Organ Prelude with works by J. S. Bach and Max Reger will begin at 5.15 p.m. Zephyrus, directed by Megan Sharp, is an early music vocal ensemble based in Charlottesville, specializing in medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music.
Our Tuesday noontime Holy Eucharist is being temporarily discontinued. We will still continue to offer Morning Prayer each weekday at 8 a.m. We hope to resume the Tuesday Holy Eucharist once we fill the position of senior associate rector.
Senior Associate Rector – A number of you have asked whether we will fill the associate rector position recently vacated by Ann Willms. Yes, we will! I am actively looking for an experienced priest to become our senior associate rector. A small committee, chaired by Paula Kettlewell, recently wrote a description for the position, and the bishop's office is assisting with finding qualified candidates. I will keep you posted as this develops. I hope to issue a call by June 1. – Rector Jim
Serving homeless people – From time to time I am asked how we should respond to homeless people who come through our doors. We attempt to give people safe refuge from the elements and a friendly face. We also have people who can be aggressive and behave inappropriately. So here are a few rules to assist you: (1) Under no circumstances give someone money. Direct them to the Haven and/or the Salvation Army downtown where they can get a hot meal and social services (2) If you are feeling uncomfortable, walk away. If you are threatened, immediately call 911. (3) Please DO NOT work in our building alone after hours. Go home. The work can wait. Please work with other people, and leave with other people, especially after dark. We live in an urban environment that can look deceptively bucolic. The safety of everyone, including our guests, is of utmost importance and we need everyone's help in making that possible. -- Rector Jim
The Men’s Bible Study recently celebrated its 6 month anniversary, a milestone for our weekly fellowship of engaging, interesting study of the Gospel of Mark. The conversation/study has progressed slowly one might say (we’re on Chapter 9), but that’s because Andy Guffey is such an amazing source of knowledge and also because we explore the readings in a historical and religious context as well as our own, personal context. Come join us for really good bagels and coffee on Wednesdays, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. in the church library. Contact us if you have any questions (or answers): Tim Rambo at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Sunday Scriptures: Going deeper – Join Joe Lenow, our ministry intern, for a preview of the following Sunday’s Scripture lessons after our 10 a.m. worship each Sunday. We’ll examine what the lessons say, and explore why they say it, and, time permitting, the way they say it.
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!
Update on our Stephen Ministry - Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34b) Next week Paula Kettlewell will join our Stephen Ministers for their bi-monthly meeting of continuing education and peer supervision. We will be learning about how to use distinctly Christian caring to minister to the dying and their family and friends. Our meeting will also include peer supervision. In supervision Stephen Ministers talk about their caring relationships and their own feelings about their lay ministry. They never tell the care receiver’s name and they do not share information that would reveal the care receiver’s identity. Supervision is necessary to help our Stephen ministers provide quality care and grow as caregivers. To arrange for a referral to a Stephen Leader, call Jim Richardson.
