st. paul newsletter dec-09 colorr.b5z.net/i/u/6148654/i/st._paul_newsletter_dec-09_color.pdf ·...

Volume 5 Issue 10

Advent Alternative

December 2009

OUR MISSION

STATEMENT

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chittenango, New York exists for the

purpose of glorifying God, proclaiming the Gospel and Serving

others in His Name, in this community and

around the world by the grace and power of the

Holy Spirit.

We gather together to joyfully celebrate the

sacraments, encourage inquiring hearts and

minds and share life’s joys and sorrows.

Hearts & Hands 2

Advent & Christmas 3

Vestry Highlights 4

Flower Form 5

Holiday Boutique Thank Yous

6

Parish People News 7

Time for Prayer 8

Outreach 10

Inside this issue:

St. Paul ’s Episcopal Church Chittenango , New York

My dear friends ~

I was watching television this week with my

granddaughter Kate. We were watching “Alice in

Wonderland.” As we watched she became more

confused—I thought she was too tall, I thought she was too small, and who is that rabbit anyway? The

questions raged on .

It strikes me that entering into this time of Advent can be a bit

like wandering down the rabbit hole. It isn’t all just what it seems in the

world we encounter each day. The people, places and things that we see

make no more sense to us here in Advent than the racing around in

Wonderland made sense to Alice.

This time of year is a time of paradox. The days are growing

shorter, and we get tired earlier. Yet our schedules are more packed with

things to do, people to see, places to be than at most other times of the

year. Our lists of things to do, places to go, people to see during this

time before Christmas has taken over the reality of our lives as much as

Wonderland did for Alice. So, we race on, encountering all manner of

interruptions and distractions as we race to… where?

I want to extend to you an alternative to all this craziness. Amid

all the other invitations you will receive over the next few weeks, I invite

you to join me in a time of quiet each day; a time to balance the racing

about with rest, the holiday of Christmas preparation with the holy time

of preparation for the feast of Christmas. A time we set aside in each

day to be with God, to tune our ears to hear what God has to tell us. A

time to find peace amongst the hectic days of multiple demands. I invite

you to carve out time at home each day.

At least each week, there is an Advent opportunity for gathering

in prayer. Each week, we will offer Sunday Eucharist and an observance

of Advent.

Blessings ~

The Good News

THE GOOD NEWS VOLUME 5 ISSUE 10

Mother’s Musings

The paint cans have been cleared away, but the beauty of the new paint on the

outside of church remains. Thanks go to Mike Furtado and his crew of volunteers who

have given St. Paul’s a face lift.

Thanks to Barb Buyea for stepping in to organize the Pledge Campaign this year.

Thank you to Father Charles Grover and all of the speakers who shared their love of St. Paul’s

Church and the joy of giving back to God.

Thanks to the Vestry and Wardens who have put in some overtime to make sure the leadership is

managing the necessary aspects of the parish. You too have a chance to serve on Vestry.

Another Word about Vestry

Someone said to me that back when they

were on vestry it was an honor that people take

seriously. Times have changed as we know, but

the need to have good people serve on vestry

remains a constant. Being on vestry means taking

on a ministry as leaders of this faith community.

We would all rather think of church as a place of

prayer and worship, but the reality is that there

are countless details involved.

I urge everyone to pray for the vestry

members and wardens. This is a time of discern-

ment for some of you whom God is calling to

serve in this way. Yes, God does ask a lot of us

sometimes. If you have felt the tug of God

towards this ministry, please come and talk with

me about that and what it means to be on vestry.

As I write this, I know that many people

have been invited to run for vestry, but few have

responded. Consider what gifts God has given

you to use in this service – and come join us

around the table. We all have much to offer and

we need a good blend of experience and enthusi-

asm as well as new ideas and creativity as we

move into 2010. I will continue to hold the

people of this parish in prayer that God will

recruit the right people to lead us forward.

Hearts & Hands Hearts & Hands Hearts & Hands Hearts & Hands Monday, January 25, 7:00 p.m.Monday, January 25, 7:00 p.m.Monday, January 25, 7:00 p.m.Monday, January 25, 7:00 p.m.

We have been given some quilting and

scrapbooking equipment and supplies. This may

be the time to gather a group together who love

to work with fabric, paper, and yarn. All of these

things can be used as offerings of ministry for

prayer quilts, prayer shawls, cards… and so

much more.

I invite you to come together for a

brainstorming session on a new ministry that I

have begun to call “Hearts & Hands.” It is a

chance to serve God, be creative, learn a new

skill, share your skill with others, and have a

good time in conversation and good Christian

Fellowship.

Join me Monday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m.

at the parish hall. We will have refreshments and

share ideas of what this ministry might look like.


Our Angel Tree will

soon be up in the Parish Hall.

A big thank you to the Sunday

school kids who cut out the doves that will hang on

the tree with a needy child’s name and request for a

gift. Our families will be able to pick an angel to

shop for. These are very needy families with many

different histories, but who all deserve a hand up

this year.

Gifts must be returned to the Parish Hall by

December 13th. The gifts should be unwrapped, in

a bag with the selected dove included for a gift tag.

We are also accepting donations of wrapping

paper . Questions? Contact Joanne Furtado or

Tania Mousaw.

ADVENT The Advent of our God Shall be our theme for prayer; Come let us meet him on the road, and a place for him prepare. Sunday, Nov. 29 First Advent - Worship 8, 9:30

Sunday, Dec. 6 Second Advent - Worship 8, 9:30

Thursday, Dec. 10 Advent Study – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 13 Third Advent - Worship 8, 9:30

Saturday, Dec. 19 Advent Quiet Day—9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 20 Fourth Advent— One service, 9:00 a.m.

Please join us for a Festive Coffee Hour before the

Greening of the Church as we decorate the church for Christmas.

Wednesday, Dec. 23 Labyrinth Walk – 7:00 p.m., Trinity Church, Fayetteville

CHRISTMAS The Child to be born will be Holy.

He will be called the Son of God.

Sunday, Dec. 20 Children’s Pageant following 9:00 a.m. Worship

Thursday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Family Worship, 5:00 p.m.; Carols, 4:30

followed by a birthday party for baby Jesus

Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship, 9:00 p.m.; Carols, 8:30

Friday, Dec. 25 Quiet Eucharist, 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, Dec.27 Christmas Lessons & Carols

Christmas Baskets—Assoc. of Churches

Christmas Baskets will be sorted on

Thursday, Dec. 17, 9:00 a.m. to noon; packed on

Dec. 18, 9:00 a.m. to noon, and distributed on Dec. 19, 9:00 a.m. to noon. All volunteers are

welcome at the North Chittenango Fire Barn.

ADVENT CALENDARS—Online & Interactive

http://www.sherrysknowledgequest.com/

adventcalendar.htm

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/

Advent/Beliefnet-Interactive-Advent-Calendar.aspx

TREASURER’S REPORT

October, 2009

Oct. Income: $5,552.10

Oct. Expense: $11,124.38

YTD Income: $77,575.17

YTD Expense: $82,127.49

2009 Pledge Total: $73,604.00

PAGE 4 THE GOOD NEWS VOLUME 5 ISSUE 10

Vestry Meeting November 11, 2009 New Business: 1) The nominating committee is aggressively searching for people to fill positions for jr. warden, two 3-yr terms, and one 1-yr term. 2) The Wardens and Mo. Kathlyn will begin the diocesan mandated Mutual Ministry Review in December. 3) Discussion about the contents of an updated vestry manual. 4) Per Ida Goins suggestion, as soon as current Styrofoam tableware is used up, it will be replaced by biodegradable types. 5) Annual meeting date—Jan. 17, 2010; Vestry retreat—Jan. 30, 2010 Outreach (Tania Mousaw):

1) Rescue Mission — all donations for the Holiday drive are due Dec. 6 2) Habitat—another St. Paul’s group will help with the beginning of the “indoor” phase of building in the near future. 3) Angel Tree—will support 3 families. Unwrapped gifts are due Dec. 13

Worship (Gini Smith): 1) Holiday Boutique—the choir and Eliz. Kay will provide special music in the sanctuary this year. 2) Gloria Wilkins helped design a new bulletin cover to replace the purchased ones we use now. Using these in-house covers will save $450 a year. 3) Newsletter & Website—the newsletter is shorter and with the exception of November & December, will be published bi-monthly. Parishioners can read the newsletter on the St. Paul's website which may eliminate mailing a copy to everyone. This will save postage also. 4) Mo. Kathlyn will continue the special service once a month. These have been meaningful, spiritual, and well-received. Finance (Don Lee): 1) Pledges—hope is that most parishioners will pledge so the budget planners have as accurate information as possible when forming the 2010 annual budget. 2) Budget committee will meet to formulate the 2010 budget & then submit at the Dec. vestry meeting for re-view & a vote. Old Business: Land Sale: Mo. Kathlyn updated — Village of Chittenango is in contact with Paul Curtin, diocesan attorney, about sub-dividing the property. They will then work on closing details.

Vestry Highlights

Next Vestry Meeting December 3, 6:30 pm

Tania Mousaw’s House

The Agenda will be posted or published within a

reasonable time before the meeting.

for the January / February issue

December 27

Pot Luck Brunch and Business Meeting January 17, 2010 Following a combined 9:00 a.m. service

Annu

al

Meet

ing

Repor

ts

Deadline

Dorothy Saunders

requests that committee

chairpersons and vestry

members start thinking

about their written reports

for the Annual Meeting.

Due January 10, 2010.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

If you wish to make a donation toward decorating the church during the Christmas season, please fill out the form below. Place this form along with your donation in the offering plate, mail to the church office, or give to the treasurer, Jim Montgomery. (please make checks payable to “St. Paul’s Altar Guild.”)

PLEASE PRINT In Memory

Thanksgiving for

Your Name:

Phone: Amt. Enclosed:

Tantalizing “Tid-bits”


~ Thanks to Helen Frederick for organizing and the volunteers who assisted in the Clothing Closet. $38.81 was taken in from donations, Thanks to Caz Cares and to Jim Montgomery from St. Paul’s who picked up clothes for the St. Pauly Shed. ~ The Christmas baskets will be sorted & packed on Dec. 17 & Dec. 18, 9:00 am to noon, and picked up from the North Chittenango Fire Barn on Dec. 19, 9:00 am to noon. Any questions call Barb Schwitter 687-9068. ~ Senior Citizen Christmas Baskets will be packed and delivered from the Parks and Rec office Call Robin McCombie. ~ Thanks to Charlotte Fragale for chairing the Crop Walk: 7 churches had 50 registered walkers. A total of $2,178.12 pledge

money has been turned in. ~ Dan Budlong will research new hymnals for Stonehedge. We will ask for individual donations, and Pastor Machaela will email the clergy to see if they agree to a love offering basket available after the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service for people to donate toward the hymnals. ~ All churches are asked to bring cookies or brownies for the fellowship reception after the service on Nov. 22nd. Mother Kathlyn from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will be the preacher at the Community Thanksgiving Service. The offering taken that night during the service will be given to the Area Food Cupboard.

Chittenango Association of Churches November 2009 meeting

Altar Guild News

There will be a Brass Cleaning Session on Saturday, December 19 at 9:30 a.m.

Mother Kathlyn will be with us to share in the Holy Eucharist at 11:30.

Thanks to Tania Mousaw and Judy Montgomery for the cornucopia display on

the Altar.

If you are interested in joining the Altar Guild please see Mother Kathlyn or Judy Montgomery.

Holiday Boutique—Another Success! Thank you, for the work and support for the Holiday Boutique. Special thanks to Roberta Kincaid for

organizing this event; to Julie Reals for organizing the kitchen; to Darryl Tarbell and Joanne Furtado for

the basket raffle; to all the bakers and soup makers of the parish who made the day memorable. Thanks

to Tania Mousaw, Elizabeth Kay, Gini Smith for organizing the new musical offerings in the church - a wonderful

addition of Christian hospitality. Initial proceeds are $1,518 with more coming in! Mother Kathlyn


The Fellowship, Outreach

and Worship Committees planned

a musical program in the church

Saturday afternoon during the

Boutique. Ron Barber greeted

people and passed out flyers with

a history of the church and times

of services. Elizabeth Kay played

several harp solos. The audience

also enjoyed a sing-a-long of

beloved hymns.

“I would like to thank every-

one who helped set up on

Thursday night, and set up,

served and cleaned up on

Saturday. Thank you to

everyone who donated the

soups, chilies and all the

fixings for the salad. We

heard many compliments

about the delicious food. I

could not have done it with-

out you.“ Julie Reals Thank you to all the

people who donated craft

items for the craft section.

Sallie Acton, Ethel Barber,

Denise Bordell, Ida Goins,

Libby Mills, Tania Mousaw,

and Molly Woodworth

attended workshops in the

summer and fall to make

many of the items for sale.

Thank you to Judy

Montgomery for publicity

and Jim M., Bob S., Doug T.

and Bob & Margaret Mules

who helped set up the

displays.

Retirees’ Group

Christmas Party Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday, December 15

At Delphia’s 12:00 Noon

Please bring a gift for a child— aged 2 to 4

No meetings in January or February


Parish Family News

To all my friends at St. Paul’s, Thank you for all the cards and words for a speedy and healthy recovery. Your prayers must be working because I feel amazingly well. I am blessed to have such great and long-lasting friends. Love, Heather Tarbell

Thank you to several anonymous parishioners who donated... ...$500.00 toward the Building Fund.

…four lovely sturdy wooden chairs for the nursery.

…all the blinds in the parish hall, Sacristy & Priest’s office.

Our Heartfelt Sympathy to…

...Donald O’Dell on the death of his wife, Jean. They moved to Florida a few years ago.

Don’s address is 943 Lucaya Ave, Venice FL 34292.

...the family of George Teachout. He often attended the 8:00 am service with the Jack-

sons. He worked part time at Kinney Drugs in Chittenango.

Thank you to…

...Denise Bordell who volunteered at the Clothing Closet and to Jim Montgomery who

transported the extras from the Clothing Closet for the St. Pauley shed.

...Evelyn McAllister for the donation of some new serving spoons.

December BirthdaysDecember BirthdaysDecember BirthdaysDecember Birthdays

1 ~ Barb Semian 15 ~ Virginia Smith 4 ~ Cory Huebler 16 ~ Colleen Pratt 5 ~ Jennifer Oviedo 17 ~ Shaun Stanton 6 ~ Brandon Reals 21 ~ Tania Mousaw 6 ~ Fayann Brown 25 ~ Meredith Furtado 6 ~ Alexandra Kraus 26 ~ Evelyn McAllister 7 ~ Brennan Buyea 26 ~ Molly Woodworth 9 ~ Margaret Greene 26 ~ Sophia Yulan Feng 9 ~ Ahsinnhare Tarbell 29 ~ Ken Saunders 14 ~ John Boyle 31 ~ Alicia McIntyre 14 ~ Gary Pratt

December AnniversaryDecember AnniversaryDecember AnniversaryDecember Anniversary

21 ~ Bob & Gloria Wilkins


Time for PrayeTime for PrayeTime for PrayeTime for Prayerrrr

ST. PAUL’S PRAYER LIST Betty Allen (Matthews/Brown’s request), Irene Barber, Ron Barber, John Brennan (Kraus’s request), Lena Brown, Diana D’Amico (Pokorny request), Alicia Doherty, Eleanor Dougan (Judy Montgomery’s mother), Betty Every, Raymond Every, James Fellows—in Iraq (Matthews/Brown’s request), Tim Frink–-in Afghanistan (Matthews/Brown’s request), Laurie Green (Lena Brown’s request), Fr. Charles Grover, Janice Hall (Lynn Greene’s sister), Judy Hallagan (Pat Stucker’s sister), Peter Hudson (Schofield’s request), Terry Long ( Lena Brown’s request), Ola Nicholson (Brown’s request), Dorothy Norlander, Diane Ojugbeli (Gerling’s request), Pat Olcutt (Barber’s request), Dorothy Pearson (Robin Weisbrod’s mother), Mick Petryk (Schofield’s request), Alan Snyder, Mavis Stanton, Heather Tarbell, Katherine Weisbrod, David Wilcox (Matthew/Brown’s request), Joanne Wilcox (Matthews/Brown’s request), Chris Winters, Robert Winters (Chris Winters’s brother), Mary Wright

(If you do not wish a prayer list name to include the relationship or wish to remove or add a name, please contact Dorothy Saunders at the church office on Monday mornings.)

Psalm of an Advent Ear

With prayerful pleas and Advent songs of longing,

I await the birth of God’s Anointed One.

Come O Gift of heaven’s harmony,

and attune my third ear, the ear of my heart,

so that I may hear,

just as Mary, faithful woman of Israel , heard.

O God, the time is short, these days are too few

as I prepare for the feast of the birth of Mary’s Son.

Busy days, crowded to the brim, with long lists of gifts to buy

and things that must be done.

Show to me, also your highly favored child,

how to guard my heart from noise and hurry’s whirl,

so that I might hear your voice

calling my heart to create an empty space

that might be pregnant with heaven’s fire.

Quiet me within, clothe my body in peacefulness,

that your Word once again may take flesh -

this time, within me -

as once it did in holy Mary, long Advent days ago.


GOD LAUGHS TOO !GOD LAUGHS TOO !GOD LAUGHS TOO !GOD LAUGHS TOO !

CHRISTMAS DISORDERS and CAROLS

1. Schizophrenia — Do You Hear What I Hear?

2. Multiple Personality Disorder — We Three Kings Disoriented Are

3. Dementia — I Think I’ll be Home for Christmas

4. Narcissistic — Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

5. Manic — Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and

Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and…..

6. Paranoid — Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me

7. Borderline Personality Disorder — Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire

8. Personality Disorder — You Better Watch Out, I’m Gonna Cry, I’m Gonna Pout,

Maybe I’ll Tell You Why

9. Attention Deficit Disorder — Silent night, Holy oooh look at the Froggy – can I have a

chocolate, why is France so far away?

10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder — Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,

11. Oppositional Defiant Disorder– You better not cry – Oh yes I will

You better not Shout – I can if I want to

You better not pout – Can if I want to

I’m telling you why – Not listening

Santa Claus is coming to town – No he’s not!!

Sub

mitt

ed b

y Ja

n W

oo

dw

ort

h

O u t r e a c h

As the excitement and busy days of the holiday season close in on all of us, I am reminded

that peace, love and joy are the best gifts of all, and I always find them in the spirituality

embodied in St Paul’s that comes to life in the people of this parish. May the living grace follow

with you through this season and bless everyone.

Outreach Chair, Tania Mousaw

Donations of toiletries and thermal socks are still needed for the Rescue

Mission. Community donations are way down this year, and St. Paul’s

donations will fill at least one gap in helping provide residents a stocking filled

with love. All items must be in by Sunday, December 6th.

Our Habitat Home is about to enter the “indoor” building phase. So we will organize

another St. Paul’s group who love to tape dry wall and play with paint brushes and

rollers!! Stay tuned.


Behind The Scenes: Priest-in-Charge: Rev. Kathlyn Schofield (H)315-378-4650 [email protected] Senior Warden: Virginia Smith (H)315-687-0089 Junior Warden: Judy Montgomery (H) 315-687-6282 Secretary: Dorothy Saunders (H)315-687-6409 (O)315-687-6304 Director of Music: Elizabeth Kay (H)315-469-3975

Finance/Stewardship Commission: Buildings and Grounds: Don Lee (H) 687-3558 Mike Furtado (H) 687-3726 Fellowship Commission: Worship Commission: Becky Kraus (H) 633-2971 Gini Smith & Mike Mills (H) 687-9201 Outreach / Service Commission: Pastoral Care Commission: Tania Mousaw (H) 687-7023 Judy Montgomery (H) 687-6282 Education: Treasurer: Mike Mills (H) 687-9201 & Gini Smith Jim Montgomery (H) 687-6282 Communication: Assistant Treasurer: Denise Bordell (H) 687-6306 Robert Semian (H) 687-6736 Clerk of the Vestry & Newsletter Editor Gloria Wilkins (H) 363-6065 — [email protected]

st. paul newsletter dec-09 colorr.b5z.net/i/u/6148654/i/st._paul_newsletter_dec-09_color.pdf ·...

Documents