St. Paul's Memorial Church Newsletter
Telephone: 295-2156 www.stpaulsmemorialchurch.org April 13, 2011
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 every day. You can reach it by clicking http://spmcrector.blogspot.com/
Adult Ed - Please join us in the Parish Hall after the 10 a.m. service this Sunday (4/17) when Jim and Heather will continue our discussion on same-sex blessings while specifically focusing on ceremonies currently in use in various parts of the country.
Congratulations to Sally Cary Booker and John Allan James who were married at St Paul's on April 2, 2011.
Continuing the conversation on same-sex blessings - We've had a good response on our Sunday forums on the issues of marriage and same-sex blessings. We will repeat this series on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Community Night beginning May 4. We've attempted to give balanced presentations on the history, culture and theology of marriage, and an examination of what Scripture says (and doesn't say) about sexuality, blessings and marriage. If you missed our Sunday forums, please come. All points of view are welcome. We will also offer this as a one-day workshop on Saturday May 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a lunch break.
Liturgical Notes - Palm Sunday – We mark the beginning of Holy Week with a procession of palms, remembering again how Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The liturgy continues with a gospel lesson remembering his last supper with his disciples. In past years, the entire Passion narrative was read, in effect putting all of the events of Holy Week into a single Sunday. This year, we will read a shortened gospel lesson, ending just before the betrayal of Jesus. It is our hope you will come experience the rest of the story as it unfolds at each of our liturgies in Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and the Great Vigil of Easter.
The Great Vigil of Easter – Held Saturday April 23 at 7:30 p.m., this is the first celebration of Easter and the most important worship service of the year. The Great Vigil begins with the lighting of the Paschal fire outside the church doors; the congregation then proceeds into the church in darkness following the single large paschal candle lit for the first time at the fire. As the lessons are read, candles held by the congregation are lit. The lights brighten at the first proclamation of Easter. In the ancient church, the Vigil was held in the hours of darkness between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Day, and went all night. Ours is a good deal shorter.
Yes! GENERATION WISE will meet on Thursday, April 21 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the Lounge. Continuing our theme of Wellness, we will hear from Wendie Price, RN, and Brooke Rodgers, who are experts in Medical Consumer Advocacy. Come learn how advocacy can work for you and your loved ones. For more information, contact Ann Willms at 434-295-2156 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Lenten confessions - Do you have a stone on your heart, something that is weighing you down? Come claim the forgiveness that is yours by making a personal and confidential confession during Lent with one of our priests. Private confession and absolution is especially appropriate in Lent as one of the sacraments of the Episcopal Church, called "The Reconciliation of a Penitent" on BCP p. 447. It is a powerful liturgy for priest and penitent, and ends with the proclamation of forgiveness and restoration "in the perfect peace of the Church." You can make an appointment for private confession with a priest by calling the office on weekdays. We will also have priests available during Holy Week (April 17-23) and on the afternoon of Good Friday April 22.
Japan Earthquake Response Fund: Following the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that struck off the coast of Sendai, Japan, on March 11, Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Nippon Sei Ko Kei (NSKK; the Anglican Communion in Japan) in its initial response efforts. Please go to Episcopal Relief & Development's website, www.er-d.org, to learn more or to contribute to the Japan Earthquake Response Fund.
Community Night – Join us next Wednesday (4/20) at the 5:30 p.m. service when Janet Legro will be our guest homilist. Our weekly community night dinner and education offerings follow the service.
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.
Work Pilgrimage to New Orleans -Seek the Lord in the City of the Saints! - There are still open spaces for the Work Pilgrimage to New Orleans! Don't deny the Call! Join your fellow pilgrims June 11 - 19 in a ministry of work and social justice in the Big Easy. Contact Jonathan Schnyer by phone (434-760-1354) or email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
Diagnosing and Treating Depression -- Region Ten Community Services Board is presenting a free community information session on Diagnosing and Treating Depression. The featured speaker is Anita Clayton, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of Virginia Medical Center, Medical Director Adult Out-Patient Clinic. The information session will be held on May 3, 2011, from 6:00-7:30 p.m., at the Region Ten Conference Center, 500 Old Lynchburg Rd. For more information, call 970-1453.
Michael J Smith will speak on "United Nations Peacekeeping" this Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m. at the next chapter meeting of the local United Nations Association at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 717 Rugby Rd. Michael Smith is the Thomas C. Sorenson Professor of Political and Social Thought and Associate Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia. He teaches courses on human rights, political thought and ethics and international relations. He was a member of the United Nations International Commission on Sovereignty and Intervention. All are invited to this important presentation. Refreshments will be served.
Stephen Ministry Update: We have had an amazing outpouring of interest in the new lay caring ministry called Stephen Ministry, being developed here at St. Paul's! Currently, your Stephen Leaders are in the process of interviewing several members who have applied to be trained as Stephen Ministers beginning in September.
Once they are commissioned, the Stephen Ministers will be carefully matched with "care receivers" - people like you and me who may be facing a difficult life situation. Your Stephen Ministers will be thoroughly trained in providing confidential, quality care for those who desire it: a compassionate listening presence, one hour a week, for as long as is needed.
Our vision: "To show the love of Christ to St. Paul's and our community through a lay caring ministry of people called to serve in love, listening, prayer and presence."
FINAL PHOTO DIRECTORY APPOINTMENTS: APRIL 27, 28, 29 & 30 - We are on the final stretch of having all parishioners included in our new Church Photo Directory that will come out later this year. Have you made your appointment yet?! Please contact Janet Hendrix at 295-5295 – leave a message for a call-back in the evenings or call her as late as 10:00 any night. Email is a good way to reach her too: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you are attending St. Paul’s, but have not transferred your letter – the rest of us think you are a member here. Please participate!
Flower Guild - Join us in preparing for a glorious Easter by bringing flowering and green branches, and all kinds of blooms to the parish hall on Thursday, April 21 or Friday, April 22. And by helping to create bountiful baskets of blooms to adorn Saint Paul’s (Don’t be shy! Experienced arrangers will be available to help.) on Saturday, April 23, beginning with a brief service at 9:00 a.m. (morning coffee and a light lunch will be served.) Children who accompany a parent may bring a small basket to arrange. We’ll share some of our blooms, and they will have a treasure to take home. So we may plan for you, please let one of us know if you can join us: Susan Cluett ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Stuart Dopp ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or Frances Lee-Vandell ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Even if it’s a last-minute decision, don’t hesitate to come.
Blessings to all,
The St. Paul’s Flower Guild
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Easter Lily Memorials or Appreciations
Remember a loved one and beautify our Easter worship with an Easter Lily plant. A $25 contribution is suggested. The deadline for returning the form to the office is Monday, April 18.
Your name: _______________________________________
E-mail or phone number: ____________________________
This memorial is (circle one) in honor of / in memory of _____________________________________
A check is attached for $ ____________
