St. Paul's Memorial Church Newsletter
Telephone: 295-2156 www.stpaulsmemorialchurch.org June 02, 2011
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/
EFM, Education for Ministry, is a four-year program from the University of the South that offers the finest theological training outside of a seminary -- and it's for lay people just like you. In the course of four years, you will read much of the Old and New Testaments, learn about the history of the church and how the Bible was written, and learn about the different theologians and movements that have gained a following over the 2,000-plus-year history of Christianity. The class meets weekly throughout the academic year for 2 1/2 hours, and you should plan to spend about five hours a week in outside reading. The class also worships together, with each member getting a chance to provide services throughout the year, and we also spend time in theological reflection.
Currently, we offer one day and one evening class on Mondays, meeting from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Each class must have a minimum of six students and no more than 12. The course fee is $350 per year, and partial scholarships are available. The mentors are Rector Jim Richardson and his wife, Lori Korleski Richardson.
If you'd like to deepen your understanding of the Bible, Christianity, your spirituality and faith, come join us! We will have an informational meeting on EFM on June 13 from 7-8 p.m., and during St. Paul's Shrine Mont weekend, July 15-17. If you can't attend either of those, but are still interested, please contact Rector Jim and arrange for a time to meet and apply for the course.
Sunday Scriptures: Going deeper – Join Summer Intern Rob Morris, M.Div., for a preview of the following Sunday’s Scripture lessons after our 10:00 am worship each Sunday beginning June 19 until July 31 in the Lounge. We’ll examine what the lessons say, and explore why they say it, and, time permitting, the way they say it. We may even get a handle on why we read them together. We aim to be done by 12:30 p.m.
Vacation Bible School – It's time to sign up for VBS! The dates are June 20 - 24 (9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.), and this year's theme is Moses. All children 3 and up are welcome. Please join us for a week full of storytelling, art, crafts, music, drama, games, snacks, and a whole lot of fun. For more information, or to register, please call or email Iris Potter (823-2709, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
IMPACT Celebration and Investment Drive Kickoff! – On Thursday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Ivy Episcopal Church, the 30+ congregations of IMPACT will gather to celebrate, give thanks for those who worked so hard for justice in the issue of mental health this year, hear updates on our issue work, and plan for the future. Great music, food, and fellowship - if you were at the Nehemiah Action (or even if you weren't) - we hope to see you there! Contact John Frazee for directions or more information (295-6327, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
Shrine Mont is coming up! – Join us July 15-17 for our annual Parish Weekend at Shrine Mont. The weekend, with a theme of Creative Prayer, will offer workshops on Yoga, Poetry and Art, all related to prayer. A weekend filled with opportunity! Hayride, hiking, sports fun, hand crafts (bring your own), fishing, parades, song and dance, R&R, liturgy, and sharing in addition to the workshops. All of this and more along with the great meals served every year at Shrine Mont. Singles, couples, families and friends. All ages welcome with something for everyone. And good news: we've booked the Pennsylvania and Maryland houses again this year. Sign up in the parish hall after church or you can register on-line at the St. Paul's website: www.stpaulsmemorialchurch.org. The deadline for registration and full payment is Tuesday, July 5. Questions? Contact Anne Cressin: 249-4362 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Community Garden Gathering and Work Day – Come to the Community Garden for gentle easy gardening to plant flowers, to nibble on snacks and drink lemonade, to share your garden expertise and ideas or just to visit and see what's been done so far. Saturday, June 4 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. All are welcome! Please join us! contact Anne Cressin: 249-4362 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions.
Linen Guild – Do you prefer to serve in an "invisible" ministry? If you do, St. Paul's Linen Guild needs you. Want more information? Please call Nancy Galloway at 973-2150, or Mary Carolyn Lawson at 906-6266.
Newcomers – Are you new (or newish) to St. Paul's? Would you like to meet new people and learn more about our wonderful church community? Please join us after this Sunday's 10 am service (6/5) for a light lunch and discussion with Rector Jim Richardson. We will also hold a session on June 12, with a recognition of our new members on Sunday June 19 at the 10 am service. Please contact the office to sign up for the Newcomer's class.
Support the New Orleans Pilgrimage (June 11-19) – Trouble the Water DVDs are now on sale in Parish Hall (suggested donation $25) - "Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, this astonishingly powerful documentary takes you inside Hurricane Katrina in a way never before seen on screen." (courtesy of a flyer by Zeitgeist Films)
Shop and Share: June Food In-gathering – In the summer months, hungry families need more food since their children will not be able to take advantage of the Free School Lunch Program. Please be generous. For June, we will be collecting spaghetti and spaghetti sauce (please try for some meat sauce for added protein). Shelf stable milk is always needed. If you are unable to shop, please consider a check made out to St. Paul’s and note in the memo line “Food Pantry”.
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Reel Theology: Summer films and theological reflections Again this summer we are planning to show a series of films that work well as a basis for a theological reflection in June and July. Come join Jim and Lori on the following Wednesday nights. Since we don't have Community Night during the summer, eat before you come, or brown bag it -- we'll provide popcorn. The movies will start promptly at 7; the discussion will follow, after a short break. If you want to come just for the movie, that's OK too. The lineup: |
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June 15 - Chariots of Fire, PG, 124 minutes, 1981 |
July 6 - The Apostle, PG13, 134 minutes, 1998 |
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June 22 - Hope and Glory, PG13, 113 1987 |
July 13 - Get Low, PG, 10 minutes, 2009 |
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June 29 - Toy Story 3, G, 103 minutes, 2010 Note: This movie starts at 6 p.m. (bring kids!) |
July 20 - Shane, Unrated, 118 minutes, 1953 |
Books for Vets – The community liaison staff member at the Veteran’s Hospital Outpatient Center on Pantops reports that they have a small bookcase that is used as an opportunity for their patients to choose free reading material from donated books. Frequently the shelves are empty. Light reading books – mysteries, best sellers, science fiction, and military books – WWII and civil war – are particularly popular. As you go on vacation this summer and finish a “beach book,” bring it back and contribute it for the veterans’ reading shelf. A basket marked for this purpose has been placed in the library. As a shelf’s worth of books are found in the basket, a delivery will be made to the Pantops clinic. We have made our first delivery. We hope that this book ingathering will be a regular activity throughout the summer. The Ministry Beyond Our Walls team is looking for someone to round up the Books for Vets that have been donated and, once a month (unless we are swamped with books) deliver them to the VA Outpatient Clinic on Pantops. Please contact Joan Burchell ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you are able to help.
Trip to the National Cathedral – SAVE THE DATE: Generation Wise is hosting an Advent day trip to Washington National Cathedral on Monday, December 12! We will worship at the noon Eucharist, then listen to an organ demonstration at 12:30, followed by a guided tour. Mark your calendar and watch for more information!
Celebrating Success – St. Paul's recently hosted a wonderful and encouraging banquet for the Reentry Program of OAR (Offenders Aid and Restoration), an organization dedicated to assisting offenders to reenter society after their release. Initially established with four offices in Virginia, the organization has spread to other states as a model for offender rehabilitation. Services provided to newly released inmates include planning, emergency assistance (food, clothing, shelter), vocational/lifeskills training and employment assistance.
More than 70 people attended the banquet to celebrate the success of 25 clients who have successfully transitioned back into the community and have been gainfully employed for the last year or more. Staff and family members who were involved in these clients' success were there to recognize these individuals and their positive role in the community.
