St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 27 Plains Road, Windham Center, CT. 860 423 9653
Vicar - The Rev. John Burton
Sunday Holy Eucharist Service - 9.30am.
Church School for children grades 1 thru 8. Nursery available for infants and toddlers
St. Paul's Messenger
January 2012
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Village Coffee
It’s taken us three seasons, but Village Coffee has finally come into its own as the place to be on Saturday mornings. The January coffees were attended by dozens from the Parish and the community. There were many new faces, much lively discussion. A real experience of community. Come and check it out some Saturday. Invite a friend or neighbor, show off St. Paul’s and its hospitality, introduce them to the Vicar. Upcoming dates are February 4th and 18th , March 3rd and 24th . 9:00-10:30 a.m.
From Virginia Fulton:
ST. PAUL'S SATURDAY WORKDAY AT WAIM
St. Paul's parishoners are scheduled for a workday at WAIM on Saturday, March 3. Since this is the first Saturday of the month, which means that WAIM is open for people to come and choose clothing and household goods that morning, it will be a busy, fun morning for us. We will be needed to help receive donations at the loading dock, sort clothing, assist people to find things if they need us, and myriad other possibilities.
We are the only group that is coming that morning, so let's come out in force and make it a good experience for all of us.
I look forward to working with you on March 3. Our next workday at WAIM is not until Nov. 3.
Important Events at other WAIM Faith Communites
At Temple Bnai Israel, 345 Jackson Street Willimantic , Sunday, January 29th, 3:00-4:30 PM - GIVING A FACE TO HOMELESSNESS, STORIES FROM THE WINDHAM REGION NO FREEZE PROJECT
Local past and present homeless individuals will share their stories. The presentation is free and open to the public. Donations to the No Freeze Project are welcome.
Refreshments will be served. Call 860-933-0286 with questions.
At First Church of Christ, Mansfield, corner of 195 and 89, Friday, February 10, 7:00PM - THE DEATH PENALTY IN CONNECTICUT
The critical issue of the death penalty in CTmay come before the CT Gen. Assembly during the session that convenes on Feb. 8. This program is offered
by the Just Peace Ministry Steering Group of First Church of Christ to learn, provide a forum for discussion and write our legislators. Sister Helen Prejean's
Challenging Capital Punishment will be shown.
News from Father John:
Contemplative Eucharist Wednesday, 2/8, Thursday 3/1
Our Sunday worship is joyful, alive, sometimes noisy and lately, a bit crowded. Those who wish for a quieter, more meditative time with God should consider the Contemplative Eucharist. Several of us gather monthly to sit together in silence, contemplate the Gospel reading, offer our intercessions quietly, and then gather around the altar for an informal Eucharist using one of the alternative forms of the Eucharistic prayer. Sometimes we pray for an individual’s healing if there is a need. We leave refreshed, restored and settled for the evening. Upcoming Contemplative Eucharists will be held on Wednesday, February 8, and Thursday, March 1, at 7:00 pm. All are welcome! (Please note deviation from usual First Wednesday schedule.)
Healing Service February 12
The Gospels report that a major part of Jesus’ ministerial activity involved healing. He offered physical, spiritual and emotional healing to all sorts of individuals as a way to demonstrate his proclamation that the compassionate God was entering into the world with power. Throughout much of its history the Church has continued Jesus’ healing ministry. We gather with those who need healing, we anoint them with holy oil and lay hands on them while we pray. It seems that when we do this something happens. While occasionally we see an unexpected cure, more often those receiving our prayers experience a sense of God’s peace and presence, a change in attitude, sometimes an improvement in their condition. There is a definite connection between our bodies, minds and spirits. While some Churches hold their healing services during the week, somewhat out of sight, it occurs to me that we need to practice this ministry when the majority of us are gathered, so that the greatest number of people can benefit from the prayers of the most of us. Our next Healing Eucharist (one of 3 or 4 per year) will be held on Sunday, February 12. I encourage you to come and take part in what God is doing in our midst.
Children’s Sermon, Sunday February 19
Our Sunday School continues to grow. Were you there in December to hear 18 of our children sing for us? In an effort to include our younger members more fully into our community and worship, from time to time I offer a special sermon for them as part of the service. (I’ve noticed that the adults who listen in get something out of it too!) This happens again on the last Sunday of Epiphany, February 19. I invite all of our families to make a special effort to worship with us that day.
Lent Begins February 22
How can it be time for Lent again? Didn’t we just have Christmas? But it’s coming. Ash Wednesday is February 22. Lent is a season of preparation and practice, like the season of training that an athlete or musician puts in before a major event or performance. It is a time to review our lives, to interrupt our routines, to try to do with a little less, to give a little more, to become better at following Jesus. As children, Lent was a time to give something up. I suggest that as adults it is a better time to take something up. What kind of training routine could you fit into your day or week? A few minutes daily for quiet meditation? A time to re-read the Sunday lessons and consider what they mean to you? Could you begin a practice of Morning or Evening Prayer daily? Could you come to the weekly Bible study, or read a bit of Scripture each day? The Soup Suppers and related reading (see below) would be a great Lenten routine. These all sound like small preparations to make, yet they can be the start of something that will transform your life. With Lent a bit more than three weeks away, there’s still time to consider and plan for something that will work for you and your schedule. Speak with me if you’d like further suggestions.Ash Wednesday Liturgy, February 22, 7:00pm.
Holy Week begins April 1.
Lenten Soup Suppers and Discussions Wednesdays February 29, March 7, 21 and 28. Supper at 6:15. Discussion begins at 7:00.
This year we will be working with material from Illuminated Life: Monastic Wisdom for Seekers of Light by Joan Chittister. I found this book following last Lent’s discussion of the Satisfying Life and was impressed with what it would have contributed to our discussion.
The Publisher offers: “This dictionary of monastic wisdom offers an A-Z on how to be in the world, but not of it. In Chittister's inimitable style, she eschews the spiritual quick fix in favor of a solid spiritual direction that has stood the test of time. Each entry illuminates a spiritual quality we can cultivate, from Awareness to Zeal, Community to Interiority, Enlightenment to Yearning--and many more. Each opens with a story from the desert mystics, then segues into a practical application of that value for our tumultuous times. Readers hungry for ancient wisdom that is ever new will find it in abundance in Illuminated Life.”
This promises to be a great book for Lent in that it is comprised of short chapters that can be read in a few minutes, but which provoke much thought about how we live. It’s one of those books that KC and I read over and over.
I have already ordered several copies that will be available for inspection and purchase in the Parish Hall. More can be had from Amazon, etc. or I can order more. It will not be necessary for everyone who attends to have or to have read the book, but I highly recommend it. Sign up sheets will be in the Parish Hall. Please come join our discussion!
An Afternoon at the Vicarage: March 17
Wondering what became of the Vicar’s Tea this year? Afraid you’d missed it? Fear not. After five years, KC decided it was time for us to change our venue to something which didn’t require so much preparation during the Christmas holidays and which would allow more daylight hours for those driving home. Besides, she has a whole batch of new recipes to try. So you’re all invited to the Vicarage on Saturday, March 17 at 3:00 in the afternoon for a farm style repast. The house, inside at least, is finally finished this year. The new kitchen is no longer new but continues to be a source of wonderful things. Come and be our guests!
From Richard Swartwout
On behalf of the Men's Table ( a volunteer group of men at St. Paul's, just in case you did not know) I am pleased to announce that we are hosting the 'Great Valentines Whist Evening' on Friday, February 17, at 7:30 of the Clock, in the Parish Hall. Those of you that attended the last 'Whistk' event remember what a good time it was, we expect no less from this event.
'Whist' is a card game that can simply be learned very quickly, moves fast and is enjoyable. It also requires all the players to move about to different tables after each hand. This means you get to sit and chat, play and laugh, with almost everyone in the room before the night is over. (for better or worse...)
We will have sign-ups sheets in the Hall this coming Sunday, singles, couples and families are encouraged to attend the festivities.
The requested donation is $10 for singles, $15 for couples. All proceeds will benefit any number of Church affiliated programs. The donation total and cause will be announced at the following Sunday service. The last 'whist' event earned $215 that was donated to the St. Paul's M&O programs...
Come join with us, won't you..., enjoy the fun, share with your friends, eat, drink and be merry. The 'Le Grande' winners prize will probably be CHOCOLATES... (hmmm, no surprise there I suppose)
