St. Paulʹs This Week September 10, 2015 A Monthly Parish Objective: ʺBecome More Active at St. Paulʹs ʺ Some have probably heard about ʺthe 20/80 ruleʺ which operates in many organizations and churches. The thought behind this rule is that ʺ20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the workʺ and this is obviously difficult for the overworked 20 percent. As the people of St. Paulʹs become more spiritually mature, they are realizing the need to share the responsibility for the many ministries of the church with others. The temptation to which many of us can fall is to say, ʺOh, it is just a lot easier to do it myself...ʺ And then, eventually find ourselves complaining that ʺthere is no one to help me.ʺ We know that we want others to join in, but we often find it difficult ʺto let go and let others.ʺ Kick‐Off Sunday can serve as a reminder that we very much want others to share in the work that God calls us to do. We are hoping to invite others into our common tasks, but we also encourage others to speak up and say, ʺI would love to help with...ʺ To make us all more aware of how much there is to do and how many there are to do it, I have contemplated instituting a St. Paulʹs Points Program much like the credit card companies offer. ʺThe more you spend, the more you save!ʺ Well, that could get pretty scary pretty quickly, so I am hoping people will simply keep mental track of how many times in a given month they do something St. Paulʹs related: be it coming to church, singing in the choir, reading a lesson, ushering, acolyting, cooking a meal, cleaning up a meal, serving on the Altar Guild, attending a class, teaching a class, taking flowers to someone who needs cheering up, writing a comforting or grateful note, sending a birthday card, or one of a hundred other things that are part of the ʺwarp and woofʺ of St. Paulʹs. No one needs to flaunt his or her score, but it might help to measure whether your points are going up or going down month to month. We can all do a little more each month and become more active at St. Paulʹs. ʺThe more you do, the more (people) can do it with you,ʺ if you are looking for others who would get the same pleasure you do from the various ministries that you undertake. How do we grow the church? Members looking for another member or ʺprospective memberʺ to join them in doing what they enjoy. Share the work, share the joy. And watch the church grow. News Items: Remember: Answer the 3 Questions for St. Paulʹs Responses to the 3 Questions for St. Paulʹs have been coming in, but perhaps everyone would benefit from a gentle reminder. The strategic planning that the Vestry has been undertaking all summer long needs the responses of every member of the parish in order to move forward in its discernment process. Please make every effort to turn in your responses by Sunday, September 20th when the Vestry is next in session. The three questions once again are: 1) What activity, pursuit, or interest gives you great pleasure? 2) What brought you to St. Paulʹs? 3) What will be your favorite thing about St. Paulʹs ten years from now? Answer each question with as much imagination, information, and insight as you can. If you find yourself writing ʺtoo much,ʺ donʹt worry. We will take good care of what you share. If you find yourself writing ʺtoo little,ʺ donʹt fret. ʺBrevity is the soul of wit.ʺ Thank you for your responses, thoughts, and feelings. Fellowship Activity: Wednesday Night Dinners Have Resumed Over 40 people gathered in Bristol Hall this past Wednesday evening to enjoy John Maclinʹs ʺBurgers & Dogs,ʺ to share summer vacation stories, to celebrate those having birthdays in September, and to get the Fall Program started off with a delightful event. The first Wednesday night in October will be our first Potluck Supper and everyone is invited to bring some Lasagna. Come and join us next Wednesday, September 16th when Ellen and Mike Smith will be cooking for us. Friday for the Arts! Concert: Friday, September 11th at 6:30 p.m. An Evening of Christian & Patriotic Music Mike Gibson, Tenor
Carol Wilson Hill, Soprano
David M. Hill, Piano
Spread the Good News: Bring a Friend to Church on Kick‐Off Sunday! On Sunday, September 13th, St. Paulʹs will re‐gather all the faithful members of our worshipping community for a festive Eucharist to renew our commitment to God and to the community around us. This Kick‐Off Sunday is a very good day to bring those people who are all around you that are longing for an invitation to church and someone to go with them to church. Invite a family member, a co‐worker, a classmate, or a friend to ʺgive church a try.ʺ A very large percentage of Episcopalians first come to church at the invitation of a friend. Each of us can be that inviting friend who helps someone find a church home at St. Paulʹs. Invite a friend! Invite lots of friends! Fill your pew with friends! Fill the pew before you and behind you as well! There are so many simply waiting to be asked. You be the one to ask! Sunday School is Open: Students and Teachers Welcome! Deneé Tuck and Heather Dowling have been busy this summer planning for the opening of the St. Paulʹs Sunday School on September 13th. Classes begin right after breakfast at 9:30 on the second floor of the Parish House. All children are welcome to enjoy learning about the Bible and the Christian faith. Any parents, grandparents, or other adults who would like to help with the teaching of our children are encouraged to speak with Denee and/or Heather to take a turn in the classroom. We are very much looking forward to the spiritual growth that both the students and the teachers will experience in learning together in the coming year. Community Outreach: Walk Against Hunger on Saturday, October 3 The 39th Annual Walk Against Hunger, the only public fundraiser to benefit the HOPE Center of Downtown Churches United (DCU), will be held several weeks earlier this year on Saturday, October 3rd at 10:00 a.m. to take advantage of the warmer weather. The funds raised by this charitable walk go directly to benefit the core programs of the HOPE Center which are the daily lunch program, the Food Pantry, and the rent, utilities, and prescription drug assistance programs. The walk will begin at Poplar Lawn, cover a 6 mile clockwise course around the city, and return to Poplar Lawn where the City of Petersburg and several other organizations will offer folks the opportunity to learn, to win a raffle, to eat and drink, and to enjoy a celebration of ʺI Am Petersburg.ʺ St. Paulʹs was one of the ten founding churches of DCU in November 1969 and over the past 46 years has continued to support the ministries of DCU in many different ways. To support this yearʹs Walk Against Hunger, I am challenging myself and all the members of St. Paulʹs to meet the goal of making a $1,000 contribution. We have raised over $700 each year for the past several Walks, but I believe St. Paulʹs needs to ʺstep up to the plateʺ in a larger and more generous way this year. If each of us does our share, we will certainly exceed our goal of making a $1,000 gift to the HOPE Center. Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthdays Anniversaries Lillian Marcella White Scott Guthrie Grace Coover Ethan Henry September 9 September 10 September 11 September 13 Jim & Linda Wynne September 6