From our Priest-in-Charge-
Welcome back to a new program year here at St. Paul’s! Its going to be an exciting year as we continue in our mutual ministry together. This fall we will enter our third year together and will begin our active discernment towards a possible mutual call to be your rector. There is much work and prayer to do together this year. I look forward to continuing on this prayerful journey with you!
O God of unchangeable power and light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things are made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, p.528)
Blessing of the Animals Outdoor Service
October 2th at 4:00 p.m.
On this day, we celebrate the life and work of Francis of Assisi, as well as, bless our animal companions. St. Francis of Asissi was known for his love of all creatures great and small and so it is fitting that on his feast day, we honor the lives of our treasured companions. Please bring your pets for this wonderful celebration that honors and lifts up how important our pets are to us and how thankful we are for having them in our lives. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal, please bring it for a blessing too! All creatures are welcome!
Adopt-A-Book
Yes, if you missed out on Adopt-A-Priest, here’s your chance to have you name permanently set in the St Paul’s records. We have about 8 primary ledger books (sacramental, vestry and annual meeting records) that need to be professionally repaired. A repair runs about $175 per book, and you are invited to adopt one of these orphans, or share in an adoption, and have your name remembered inside as its patron. First come, first served. Contact Tom Kooken.
It’s History Night at St Paul’s
Yes, back by popular demand, coming in October, it’s History Night again. This years topic – The Next Generation, looks at those saints that followed the founders to further mold the shape of St Paul’s. Mark your calendars — October 27th.
Book Group
On Thursday, Sept 8th, the Women’s Book Group will begin the 2016/2017 season with The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. This is the story of nine Americans and their quest for gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
We will meet at 7pm in the French Memorial. Hope to see you there.
Book description:
This 417 page book is nonfiction and is available in various formats through the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium. It is also available in Kindle and Audible formats.
The Boys in the Boat is a character-driven story with a natural crescendo that will have you racing to the finish. In 1936, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team raced its way to the Berlin Olympics for an opportunity to challenge the greatest in the world. How this team, largely composed of rowers from “foggy coastal villages, damp dairy farms, and smoky lumber towns all over the state,” managed to work together and sacrifice toward their goal of defeating Hitler’s feared racers is half the story. The other half is equally fascinating, as Brown seamlessly weaves in the story of crew itself. This is fast-paced and emotional nonfiction about determination, bonds built by teamwork, and what it takes to achieve glory. -Chris Schluep
Episcopal Church Women
The first ECW meeting of the new season will be held Monday, September 12, 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 Gloria Brady and Lili Fundeklian will serve appetizers and dessert. If you have any questions,
call Lili at 978-687-01618.
Peace & Justice
The first Peace & Justice Meeting has been scheduled for
Wednesday, September 21st at 7:00pm.
All are welcome!!
Outreach
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 16th from 4-7 pm.
Neighbors in Need: A whopping “300 pounds” of cereal, rice, beans, milk and formula stocked the shelves of the food pantry for their summer guests at a time when donations and supplies run very low. Great thanks to our thoughtful and empathetic parishioners!
NA Senior Center BBQ/Cookout: “75” friendly, appreciative senior citizens joined us on a hot summer evening for our first annual BBQ/Cookout. Thank you to all who participated in our fun event and delicious meal, it was enjoyed by all!
Happy Hands at Hancock: A record “30” children received brand new, stuffed backpacks to head back to school this fall, as well as “5” boxes of additional school supplies to refill their packs and desks when the needed. On behalf of the children and their parents, many thanks to everyone involved for your unending generosity!
Mission Trip
Seventeen youth, teens and adults traveled to The Pilgrimage, Washington, DC to embark on our first ever Mission Trip; what an unbelievable experience it was! We began Friday morning and listened to inspiring speakers from National Coalition for the Homeless who shared both devastating and encouraging stories, we made an outreach run to a park to distribute toiletry bags and talk to the homeless, before we set up a make shift grocery store, Martha’s Market, in the housing project rec center where kids, parents and grandparents shopped for fresh produce and grocery staples. Saturday morning took us to Charlie’s Place where some cooked breakfast while others organized their clothing closet and passed out essentials to visitors before we served breakfast. Our final stop was Loaves and Fishes where we had tea and conversation with folks before serving them a warm lunch. Our trip was meaningful, at times emotional, always inspiring and incredibly rewarding. The entire Mission Trip Team would like to sincerely thank all of our supporters; financial, spiritual or otherwise, who helped make this journey possible. We can’t wait to begin planning our next one! Please join us at our “Mission Trip Coffee Hour” later this fall to hear more about our endeavor, listen to stories from young and old and view our informative slide show.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sept 11
Fall Schedule Resumes/ Kick Off BBQ
Sept 18
Vestry
Oct 2
Blessing of the Animals
