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Worship Ministries
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Mission and Outreach Ministries
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Liturgy means ‘the work of the people’. Our Vicar presides at most liturgies assisted by members of the congregation.
- Lay Readers read the assigned lessons.
- Sub-deacons lead the psalm and assist with the distribution of communion. They usually wear a liturgical vestment and are part of the procession.
- Ministers of Communion sit with the congregation, lead the Prayers of the People and assist with the distribution of communion.
- Acolytes (all ages) are part of the procession, light and extinguish candles and act as servers as the communion elements are prepared.
- Greeters, welcome and seat people, ring the church bell and present the Eucharistic elements and the offering during the Eucharist.
- The Altar Guild prepares the altar for all services, maintains the vestments and sacramental linens & vessels. The liturgical calendar is followed in determining the colors of altar hangings and vestments.
- Altar Flowers for Sunday Service are donated by parishioners. Dedications and memorials are noted in the service bulletin. The flowers may be arranged by professional florists or by the donor. Robin Rouse will arrange store bought flowers in church vases and place them on the altar for anyone who would like this assistance.
St. Paul’s is especially blessed to have a large number of our members participating in liturgical ministries. Training is available for all interested, and a new schedule comes out 3-4 times per year. Speak to Fr. John if you are interested in serving.
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St Paul's acknowledge and support the many ministries that our parishioners are involved with both locally and globally. Our "champions" work with various organizations such as, WAIM, the Covenant Soup Kitchen, Camp Washington, the Bishop's Fund for Children, Perception Programs, the No Freeze Shelter and many more, to improve the lives of those served.
A group of parishioners went on a work week to help provide relief and rebuilding to those effected by Hurricane Katrina.
We maintain a relationship with a medical Clinic in Port au Prince Haiti, LAMP for Haiti. This relationship was developed by two parishioners Sarah and Jessica whom we sent on mission trips to help with human rights issues. We have sent clothes, medications and funds to install electricity at the clinic.
The monies we receive from our fundraising efforts are disbursed throughout the many programs we support as well as to other areas of need.
Mission and Outreach Committee Chair: Pati Long
Douglas Manor: Debbie Russel
No Freeze Shelter - Father John Burton
WAIM (Windham Area Interfaith Ministry)
Delegate: Beth Russel
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Educational Ministries
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Music Ministries
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Education is essential to the development of Christians of all ages. Ongoing opportunities include:
- Sunday school offering age-appropriate study of the week’s Bible texts, for grades 1 thru 8, during the first part of our Sunday service. Students join their families at the time of the exchange of the Peace to participate in Communion.
- Nursery care is provided for infants ans toddlers during the service. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this to allow themselves time and space to attend to their own spiritual needs, but children are always welcome at our services.
- Weekly afternoon Bible Study, most Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:00pm. This study takes place in the Vicar's Office and usually focuses on the Gospel reading assigned to the following Sunday.
- Seasonal Programs are offered in Advent, Lent and throughout the Church year. Most are led by the Vicar often in collaboration with another member of the Parish. Programs are announced in the bulletin, newsletter and website are open to all and typically run only for several weeks duration to accommodate people’s busy schedules.
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As a small Church, St. Paul’s is blessed to have many musically talented members. Our spirited choir which rehearses many Sundays either before or after the service presents an anthem about once a month and special service music for major feasts and celebrations. Elizabeth Austin, a composer whose works are known both in this country and in Europe, serves as our organist and choir director. St. Paul’s historic 1857 Holbrook tracker organ (recently restored) provides the music at all services, occasionally with accompaniment of other instruments.
Recorder Ensemble
Several years ago a group of recorder enthusiasts of all levels, mostly beginners, was assembled by Cilla Carroll, a member of the congregation. Under her instruction and direction this group has grown and progressed and now provides music for services several times a year.
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Parish Communications
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Parish Life Ministries
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- The "St. Paul's Messenger" is a monthly newsletter featuring all the exciting and important activities happening in our parish community. To include your article, contact Jo Anne Loughery
- Directory of parishioners, names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail contact. To add or update your information, please contact the Parish Secretary, Janice MuKusick
- Web-Site managed by Carole Horwell. To include your article, add or update your information, add or update your calendar event, please e-mail to info@stpaulswindham.org
- ScrapBook Team Organizer - Kristin Benini. This was started at the request of the Mission and Outreach Committee. We gathered photos of parishioners and their involvements in outreach activities and some of the social events as well. It's an ongoing project. We are always looking for people to share pictures of their ministries in the community!
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Parish Life Committee Chair: Dan Chace
- After Sunday Service, fellowship and light food are in abundance at coffee hour in the parish hall.
- We relish occasions for shared meals, including: Movie Nights, Soup Suppers, Maundy Thursday Meal, and our annual picnic!
- Village Coffee: we open our doors for people to come and sit and chat over free coffee or tea. Everyone welcome, parishioners, neighbors, community at large and area visitors. First and Third Saturday of each month from 8.30am-10.30am.
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Parish Leadership
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Other Important Positions and Employees
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Management of St. Paul’s finances, property and Parish life are the responsibility the Vestry, eight individuals elected to staggered three-year terms at an annual Parish Meeting held in January who also are called upon to provide wise counsel to the Vicar.
Vestry 2010
Vicar – The Rev. John Burton
Senior Warden – Marion Beausoliel
Junior Warden – Sally Muir
Treasurer – Marian Brazziel
Clerk – Bonnie Card
Finance Chair – Carole Horwell
Property Chair – Stephen Miller
Parish Life Chair – Dan Chace
Mission & Outreach Chair – Pati Long
The Senior Warden chairs Vestry meetings and holds ultimate responsibility for all parish matters.
The Junior Warden is responsible for the annual stewardship process, and handles scheduling of Parish buildings.
The Treasurer is responsible for Parish finances.
The Clerk takes meeting minutes and signs official documents.
The Property Chair heads the Property Committee which oversees the care and maintenance of our buildings and grounds. St. Paul’s is blessed to have many talented, dedicated members and we tend to take on many projects ourselves.
The Finance Chair assists the Treasurer and convenes the Finance Committee to prepare the annual budget and oversee our investments.
The Parish Life Chair coordinates the many events involving food and hospitality which take place at St. Paul’s each year including Coffee Hours, dinners, special events and the annual Parish picnic.
The Mission and Outreach chair coordinates and publicizes the many outreach events and ministries supported by St. Paul’s and convenes a committee to make recommendations to the Vestry regarding distribution of our Mission and Outreach funds.
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Altar Guild –
Church School – Janice McKusick
Diocesan Committee on Aging – Dana Kessler
Diocesan Delegate – Sally Muir
Alternate to Convention – Ann Higginbotham
Historian – Ann Higginbotham
Newsletter – Jo Anne Loughery
Nursery – Jayne Woodcock
Organist – Elizabeth Austin
Parish Secretary – Janice McKusick
Pledge Secretary – Jo Anne Loughery
Sexton – Rosa Blay
WAIM Delegate – Beth Russel
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