St. Paul's Memorial Church - St. Paul's Memorial Church, Charlottesville, VA

St. Paul's Memorial Church Newsletter

Telephone: 295-2156 www.stpaulsmemorialchurch.org September 8, 2011

Pastoral Emergency: 806-9069

UVA CONVOCATION this Sunday, September 11: Guest Preacher, Michael Suarez
The Rev. Dr. Michael Suarez, S.J., Director of UVA’s Rare Book School, University Professor, and Professor of English, will preach at our Convocation Sunday as we welcome back the University community and also commemorate the tenth anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington DC. The wearing of academic regalia is encouraged on this special Sunday. Those in regalia are welcome to join the opening procession before taking their seats.

STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING BEGINS! Our Stephen Ministry training class begins this Sunday with Session One - The Person of the Caregiver. We ask you to keep our Stephen Minister trainees in your prayers as they nurture their gifts and acquire new skills for lay caring ministry. During our 10 am service next Sunday, September 18, there will be a special blessing for the Stephen Minister trainees as they embark on this learning.

Sign up September - Our calls to service come in a variety of ways, not the least of which is the gift of our time. Beginning this Sunday, we will begin the month long (gentle) campaign, to encourage parishioners to consider volunteering their time to the Ministries of St. Paul's. You will see again the banners and notices announcing "Sign-Up September". Available for all services during September, the tables, banners and clipboards will be set up in the parish hall for perusal. Each ministry will be represented with a sign-up clipboard, a brief description of the group or committee and up to date contact information.

GENERATION WISE: a St. Paul's group for elders of sage years, will kick off the fall with our first gathering on Thursday, September 15 at 12:30-2pm in the Lounge. Join with friends, old and new, to begin considering the meaning of legacy and "elder call." Our meetings are topical, timely, and relaxed, with time for true fellowship and sharing. Bring a bag lunch and a friend! For more information, call Ann Willms, associate rector, at 434-295-2156, x103 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The prayer shawl ministry will meet on Saturday, September 17 in the parish hall from 10 a.m. - noon. Members of this ministry knit shawls with prayerful intention for comfort and healing. The shawls are then given to parishioners at coffee hour on the first Sunday of the month. Our shawls have been sent or given to friends and family members who live near and far. Knitters provide their own materials and a variety of patterns are available. Drop ins and beginners are always welcome to join this ministry. If you have questions, please email or call Margaret Haupt 996-3548 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Parish Potluck Picnic! Say that three times fast! On Sunday, September 18 following the 10 a.m. service, we will gather in the meditation garden outside the church for food and fellowship. St Paul's provides chicken and lemonade - you bring yourself and a dish to share (salad, bread, dessert).

Renovations to the Parish Hall, Library, and Lounge – We are "updating" the Library, Lounge and Parish Hall. Please ignore the mess as we take steps to enhance the beauty and the usefulness of these spaces.

Morning Prayer - St. Paul's is now offering Morning Prayer every weekday 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 there!

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. Read ahead! We’ll be glad to welcome you. The upcoming readings for September 11 - Exodus 16:2-15: Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16.

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be administered on Sunday, September 25 at the 10 am service. If you desire to be baptized, or have a loved one be baptized, please contact the office at 434-295-2156.

Wednesday Evening Women's Prayer Group – The Wednesday women's bible study group is shifting to a new model and a new time this fall – a women's prayer group that will meet at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays prior to the 5:30 p.m. community night service. Please join us in the parish library from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 14. Childcare is provided. Drop off the kids in the playground and join us for a respite from the chaos of our everyday lives, a time to center ourselves and support each other in prayer. Call Kelli Olson at 979-2982.

FEED HUNGRY CANTERBURY STUDENTS! - The semester is back in full swing and so are our post-5.30 p.m.-service meals! We are looking for volunteers to make a meaty and/or vegetarian main course to be served after the Sunday evening service. Sides, drinks and deserts are provided by our resident chef, Dee, who also can provide suggestions for main courses if needed. This is a great way to take part in the student ministry here at UVA and to get to know many of our regular students who are always grateful for a home cooked meal. Last week I sat next to a student who said to me "I'm so glad our 5:30 meals are back- this is the best meal I eat all week!" Please contact Gillian to volunteer or for more information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 434 249 2627.

IMPACT wants to hear from YOU! IMPACT's 31 congregations are conducting listening sessions to identify justice issues in the city and county. Come share your thoughts, experiences, and prayers, and help us live out God's call to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God." (Micah 6:8) Remember, it is through YOU that we can continue to make an IMPACT in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Monday, September 12 (7pm @ John Frazee's house - 1404 E Market St): Coffee / dessert

(Stay tuned for other dates / locations!) RSVP: John Frazee - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - 434-242-0103

Men's Bible Study - Grab a bagel and coffee (served!) and join an informal discussion that will surely be enriching! We'll meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday in the library, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Andy Guffey, a doctoral student at UVa, will facilitate the discussion. Please contact Tim Rambo if you have any questions

Celebrate Peace One Day / International Day of Peace - Wednesday, September 21st is the UN International Day of Peace, an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Among the local activities of note, please put these on your calendar: Peace One Day @ Community Night (5:30 p.m.): The service will be dedicated to songs, readings, and reflections on peace - long-term and immediate, global and local. The service will be followed by a community dinner at 6:15 p.m. and a chance to learn more about our programs for outreach and social justice ministry at St. Paul's at 7 p.m. International Day of Peace Celebration @ Burley Middle School (7pm - 9:30pm): The Interfaith Cooperation Circle of Central Virginia, an affiliate of the United Nations Religious Initiative, is the principal sponsor of this event. A number of faith, civic, and service communities, including St. Paul's Memorial, are co-sponsors. The program will start with an introduction by Mayor Dave Norris and includes a "peace envisioning" presentation, songs by the C'ville Women's Choir and by the Barbershop Belles, some improv, dances of peace, and a presentation by the IRC.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 13. We meet each Tuesday in the Library from 11 a.m. until noon. We will begin this year by reading the letters of John followed by the Gospel of John. Our process is to read these in small bites, stopping to discuss the information in the reading, the context of the reading, and its relationship to our lives. No homework or prior knowledge required! Everyone is welcome!

Ecumenical Service of Remembrance and Mozart Requiem planned for Sunday, September 11, 3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St., Charlottesville. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, The Oratorio Society and The UVa University Singers will serve as the nucleus of a choir to present one of the most powerful works in choral literature, Requiem by Mozart, under the direction of UVa Professor Michael Slon. Members of St. Paul's Memorial Church Choir and our organist, Albrecht von Gaudecker, will be participating, and Rector Jim Richardson will be offering the closing prayer. All are welcome to join in this community observance.

ADP Harambee news -

The African Development Project

invites you to our annual

Harambee*

Friday September 30

St. Paul’s Memorial Church

1700 University Avenue, Charlottesville

5:30 Kenyan crafts and jewelry sale

6:00 Festive African dinner prepared by our volunteers

7:00 Our speakers: Pastor Ouma and Ambassador Odembo

With two special guests from Kenya:

Pastor James Ouma

of Nyalwodep Center for Widows and Orphans

&

His Excellency Elkanah Odembo

Kenyan Ambassador to the U.S.

*Harambee means “pulling together” and describes a Kenyan custom: When a family needs a new roof or a cow, for example, they hold a big party with lots of food, and the guests make a gift of money as they leave.

This event is a fundraiser!

We hope you will come. Please RSVP for the dinner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call the church office, 295-2156.

If you would like to help with food or arrangements, contact the same email or call 293-4979.

Pastor James Ouma is director of the Nyalwodep Center for Widows and Orphans, a village where 65 widows and 114 AIDS orphans live and learn together in community. A Seventh Day Adventist pastor with a masters in theology from Andrews University in Michigan, Ouma has served numerous churches in the Kisumu area and as a chaplain in secondary schools, hospitals and currently at Kenyatta University. As the HIV pandemic swept over the country leaving many orphaned children and widows, he and his wife and brother started the Nyalwodep Center in Nyalguna.

Ambassador Elkanah Odembo is an old friend of ADP, who visited us three times in the 1990s when he was East Africa Representative for World Neighbors (1988-1998). He was appointed Kenya’s ambassador to the United States in 2010 after serving as ambassador to France. His many leadership roles in Kenya include serving on the committee to draft the new constitution, chairing the Kenya Community Development Foundation, and directing the Ufadhili Trust, which promotes philanthropy and corporate social responsibility in Africa.

The four projects we help support in Kenya are experiencing great need, especially because of the severe drought and increased food prices. Please contribute as generously as you are able. Many thanks to all our supporters.

If you cannot attend the Harambee and wish to donate to ADP, please send checks payable to St. Paul’s Memorial Church, with “African Development Project” in the memo line to: St. Paul’s Memorial Church, 1700 University Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

Funds sent to the projects from Nov. 2010 to August 2011:

Oyani Christian Rural Services: the Rev. Peter Indalo: $10,492

Nyalwodep Project for Orphans: Pastor James Ouma, $2500

Kitui Development Center: Janet Mumo, $6500

ADP’s Current Kenyan Partners:

Oyani Christian Rural Services; Rev. Peter Indalo

· School fees for over 60 orphans

· Pipes for spring-fed water projects

· Reforestation for environmental renewal

· Conference center for training and reconciliation

Nyalwodep Project for Orphans; Rev. James Ouma

· Meals and care for 100+ orphans and the widows who care for them

World Neighbors’ MUDEP Program, Busia, Western Kenya

· community organizers and health workers enable villagers to improve soil and grow more food, plant orchards, and combat AIDS and care for sufferers

Kitui Development Center; Janet Mumo

· Women’s empowerment groups, income-generating projects—bee-keeping, sunflowers

· Support of caregivers for orphans to provide food and school fees

· Vocational training for youth to combat child labor and exploitation