From Your Senior Warden, Jean Burns
In spite of a fiercely bitter January and February and the demands for patience and flexibility required by the virus, we at St. Paul’s are amazing. While other churches are struggling to schedule their annual meeting, ours, held in the sanctuary after the Sunday service, worked very well, perhaps even more efficiently and with better attendance than if it were held in the Parish Hall. Three members were elected to serve as Vestry leadership for one year terms: Jean Burns, Senior Warden and Margie Bender and Tom Brown, co-Junior Wardens. Debbie Ryan and Mike Konieczny were elected to serve three years as vestry members. Three new vestry members - who are serving for the first time, will bring enthusiasm and fresh insights and ideas. Two new vestry members, who have served before, will share experience and insights. It is gratifying to have a full slate.
As I visit with friends and acquaintances who attend other churches, I feel so good about the way we have handled Covid-19. It is apparent that others have not been as successful in holding safe in-person services, relying on virtual church as their only recourse. We continue to be masked and to observe safe distancing, but our choir and congregation sing and we share the Eucharist in both kinds. Our community meals as carry-outs have resumed; we will once again share a coffee hour after our Sunday service; and our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper for this year will be a Shrove Sunday pancake and sausage celebration. All of this has been possible because of careful decision making, planning, and flexibility, all encouraged and spearheaded by Mother Michelle.
For the past several months, vestry meetings have begun with a discussion of a chapter from Part-Time Is Plenty; Thriving Without Full-Time Clergy by Jeffrey MacDonald. Yes, churches can thrive and grow without full-time clergy but only when adjustments in attitude, beliefs, and behavior occur. We have witnessed this at St. Paul’s as parishioners have taken ownership of tasks and responsibilities previously belonging to the priest. St. Paul’s is treated as an equal member at the Diocesan level with total support from Bishop Sparks. We believe in ourselves and do not feel second-rate or diminished with part-time clergy. In fact we feel blessed and optimistic and feel joy with the presence of new attendees who have joined us, not only on Sunday morning, but in parish activities. We are thrilled that community groups are using underused space in our facilities. Of course, there is more to do, but we have an abundance of talent in our church yet to be tapped. Please pray about how you might share yours.
I do not know what God’s plans are for St. Paul’s, but I do know that we are a faithful, dedicated family who will work and pray together to understand and fulfill those plans. I look forward, as I know you do, to whatever that might be.
- Jean Burns, Senior Warden
This Week at St. Paul's
Mother Michelle Walker
Dear St. Paul's Family,
As I write this, it's Thursday morning and I'm sitting in my home office waiting for part 2 of the great storm to bring the sleet and snow. I am so incredibly thankful for Jean's article above, that reminds us of how blessed we are. I am so thankful for each one of you, and the opportunities that I've had to ministry to and with you. Thank you for being such a faithful community. In this newsletter I'd like to share a few practical things with you, to keep you fully informed of what's going on at St. Paul's.
Shrove Tuesday, transferred to Sunday 2/27 - In case you haven't heard, we will be offering our Shrove Tuesday meal of pancakes and sausages on Sunday 2/27 during the coffee hour. Please plan to attend. Susie will have a sign-up sheet in case you're also willing to help.
Financial Investments - On 2/10 our Wardens and Treasurer met with our Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Jess Dunger. This is a yearly meeting where we review our investments and revise the signatories on the account to our new vestry leadership (wardens). As a matter of process, every new vestry member, employee, or warden is required by canons to have a (financial and criminal) background check. Those all came back without issue and the updates regarding who can sign on the accounts are in process.
(As a point of interest, I have elected to NOT have signature power on any of our accounts, include my discretionary account, in order to maintain separation from our financial expenditures. I want to lead with transparency and always have the validation checks that our lay leadership offer.)
We learned that our investments are doing well. We heard that even if there is a market adjustment, our long-term outlook is excellent. And we discussed that as long as we are withdrawing less than 7% on a regular basis, our investments should continue to grow. Based on our budget, we are blessed to expect we'll only need to withdraw 5% in 2022. Praise God!
Our Sister Parish - St. Andrew's by the Lake, Michigan City
As many of you are already aware, the congregation at St. Andrew's by the Lake in Michigan City voted late last year to close. St. Andrew's was a home for my family for many years. They were also my sponsoring parish for my ordination. Their last service will be on Sunday 3/6, with Bishop Doug Sparks. On that day, the first Sunday of Lent, I plan to leave directly after our service to be with them for the last part of their service and to fellowship with them. Please keep them in your prayers as they take these next, difficult steps.
Lent is Approaching, Quickly!
As I mentioned in last week's newsletter, Lent is right around the corner. On Ash Wednesday (3/2) we will offer service WITH the imposition of ashes at noon and 6pm. During the Wednesdays of Lent (3/9-4/6), we will gather at 6pm for a brief Anglican Rosary service, followed by Stations of the Cross. We do intend to livestream or record them if it's easier for you to attend from home. We hope you will join us either way.
It is my hope to set aside this Lenten time for a bit more stillness and meditative time, both personally and as your priest. The Anglican Rosary prayers we will offer on Wednesdays and I implore you to offer each day of your week, at home and at a time that is convenient to you. In addition to those prayers, I am encouraging some times of listening ... listening for the Holy in a quiet space of your home, of your life.
I was recently reminded of the difference between Kataphatic and Apophatic prayer. Kataphatic prayer is content based, spoken, left brain centered, and particularly supports decision making. We are really good at this prayer as Episcopalians. Apophatic prayer is silence, meditation, emptying of one's self, right brain centered, and particularly good at supporting discernment ... that listening and looking for where God is present amongst us already. We can all increase this kind of prayer in our lives.
For this Lent, our intention is to lean into both kinds of prayer. To that end, our prayers will have more periods of silence before and after. We will say, versus sing, all of the service (with the exception of our hymns and the choir anthem). And we will intentionally slow down to create small but noticeable spaces for Apophatic prayer. This will also be incorporated into your Anglican Rosary prayers. I hope you will find this Spirit-filled and peaceful.
Lastly, thank you, thank you, thank you for being you and for loving the Lord. You all know me well enough by now to know this gratitude is genuine and ongoing. We are blessed to be the worshiping community at St. Paul's and to continue to share the light of Christ. May this coming Lenten season bring that to fruition even more fully.
Have a safe, happy, and warm day my friends.
Blessings,
Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226 (c)
A Thank you from Fr. Paul Nesta
Fr. Paul Nesta sent a lovely thank you note in appreciation of the prayers, support, and cards that were offered after the recent passing of his father. He remains grateful to and appreciative of our St. Paul's community.
Announcements & Requests
Join us Thursdays at 9am for an offering of Morning Prayer (side altar of church) followed by a book study of Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter (parish hall). All are welcome.