September 2017 Apostle

As you all know, our beloved Randy Daley+ died Saturday, August 12 while up in Canada after suffering a stroke. The funeral is scheduled to be on September 22 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Dedham. This was the church that launched Randy+ into full-time ministry and is his family’s church.  A van will be available for transport from St. Paul’s, North Andover to St. Paul’s Dedham.  A sign-up sheet will be made available for those in need of transportation.  You may also call the office and let us know that you would like a seat on the van.  We will have a St. Paul’s, North Andover Celebration and Remembrance of Randy+ on October 7 at 4:00 p.m. This will be a time where the people of St. Paul’s can come together, say prayers and tell stories of our beloved Randy.

Here we are ready to begin a new program year which will be my first program year serving as your rector.  I find myself energized for this new program year and I am excited to take this journey alongside you as your rector. Thank you so much for your outpouring of love of congratulations as I accepted the call to become your next rector.  I accepted quite enthusiastically because you are just so easy to love!  It is with great anticipation that I look forward to our Celebration of New Ministry and Instillation Service on November 7 at 6:30 p.m.  I really do hope ALL of you can be there to celebrate our mutual ministry together.

For those of you who have been traveling this summer, welcome back.  It has been quite a summer filled with both laughter and tears.  I do grieve alongside you at the loss of our dear Randy+ and I look forward to being with you to tell stories of Randy as well.  Please know that my door is open if you would like to talk.

Finally, as we begin our new ministry together this program year, I am excited to breath new energy into all of our ministries here at St. Paul’s.  I’d like to challenge each one of us not to let St. Paul’s be a well kept secret here in North Andover.  Let’s engage in radical hospitality and love so the community of North Andover and beyond will want to see what all of the “fuss” is about!  God bless each one of you in the ministry God has given you!

In the name of our compassionate Lord,

Sarah+

This program year we will be trying something a bit different.  Each Sunday will have a different focus.  The first Sunday of the month, we will continue our Family Service, the second Sunday will have our children engaging in Godly Play for the younger kids and re:form for the older youth.  The third Sunday of the month will focus on mission and outreach, having our youth engage in service projects etc.  The fourth Sunday will be Expressions Sunday where our youth will be able to express their faith through music, art, and other ways as well. Please bring your kids to register for church school on September 10 at 9:45 a.m. and as always, put the word out there and bring a friend!

The next vestry meeting is on September 9 from 8:30am – 11:00am.  This will be a joint kick-off meeting with St. James. In between vestry meetings, feel free to contact any member of the vestry with any concerns.  (see list at the end of this newsletter.)

The Property Committee has been busy this past summer completing the shingling on the back of the Parish Hall, sealing and striping the parking lot, and keeping up with routine maintenance.

The first ECW meeting of the new season will be held Monday, September 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the French Memorial.  Come … bring your stories, photos, iPad pictures, and most of all yourself to mingle and share your memories of summer.  Hostesses Paula Fines, Lili Fundeklian, and Gloria Brady will serve appetizers and dessert.  If you have any questions,

call Paula at 978-764-9868.

Community Yoga at Saint Paul’s is a time for folks in our neighborhood to find balance and peace in the midst of their hectic modern lives through breathing and gentle moving meditation.  No prior yoga experience is necessary.  Students should be in good general health. $10 drop in fee – no registration required. All proceeds benefit St. Paul’s. Please bring a yoga mat, blanket and water. For more information, please contact either Kimberly Whitworth or Celia Brunette at yogastpaulsna@gmail.com.

       Mondays:        6:00pm – 7:00pm  Kim

Wednesdays: 6:30pm – 7:30pm Celia

The Cor Unum Meal Center welcomes hungry visitors for breakfast and dinner every day.  To date, it has provided over 1 million free meals to thousands of men, women and children who suffer from hunger in Lawrence and the surrounding area.  Additionally, it offers a warm, safe place for people to socialize.

The facility has only two employees yet typically serves about 700 meals a day.  Therefore, it relies on “an army of generous volunteers” to fulfill its mission.    People help by serving meals, bussing tables or cleaning in the kitchen.

Our next volunteer opportunity is scheduled for Friday, September 15th from 4-7 pm.Please click on the schedule below to sign up for any of our upcoming dates.

 

Spare Change Sunday

The first Sunday of every month is SPARE CHANGE SUNDAY.

The loose change given in the plate benefits our Church School youth’s Heifer Project ministry.

 

Will Ferguson                          September 1

Devon Cameron                      September 6

Kathleen Bass                         September 7

Susan Miller                            September 7

Paula Fines                              September 9

Brigid Dunigan                       September 10

Jim Fines                                 September 25

Jennifer Daniele                      September 27

Peter Kalafarski                      September 28