News from the Red Doors - December 26, 2020

From Senior Warden, Sandra Provan

As we come to the end of 2020, a year none of us will ever forget, let's think about the good things that have happened at St. Paul's.

  • We sold the preschool building to an energetic young woman who is turning it into a wonderful family home. She is a special education preschool teacher who has been able to use all the equipment we had.

  • Then we called the Rev. Canon Michelle I. Walker to be our priest-in-charge. If you could see her monthly report to the vestry about what she has done, in a part-time capacity, you would be amazed. I am especially grateful that she had the knowledge to apply for a grant of $5,000 that has funded our ability to live stream our services and virtual coffee hour.

  • We have replaced our antiquated boiler with a state-of-the-art system that will save us on utility bills.

  • We are still able to have up to 32 people in church, socially-distanced, masked and with temperatures checked - even when other faith communities were not meeting in-person.

  • Organist John Gouwens and soloists Mona Coalter and Susie Richter have made the services seem almost like normal. We all hope that when everyone has been vaccinated we can get back to having the choir and congregation sing!

Please remember that our gifts of food to the Salvation Army are an ongoing project for us, the need is greater than ever.

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas and I look forward to 2021 with hope in my heart.

God bless,
Sandra J. Provan
Senior warden

PS. We have a twin bed, including frame and springs, that is free to a good home. If you know of anyone that could use this please let me know at 219-362-5618. They must be moved out of the rectory prior to it's rental the week of January 10th.

Our First Drive-Thru Communion

Sandra and I had a lovely time administering drive-thru communion. It was brisk with a light snow (hence the umbrella, which Sandra eventually gave up on!) and we enjoyed the ministry.

Most importantly, FIVE people who had not received communion since near the beginning of the pandemic were able to be prayed with/for and were blessed to receive the Holy Sacrament. What a joyous beginning to our Christmas Eve celebrations!

This Week at St. Paul's
Mother Michelle Walker

Dear St. Paul's Family,

Good morning! I pray that you had a wonderful Christmas celebration, no matter how you were able to celebrate. And I hope you are enjoying the 12 Days of Christmas hymns. It has been a fun project for all of us. We (John, Mona, Susie, & myself) hope it helps you feel more connected to your St. Paul's community.

It's been a rather busy week for your part-time priest so my letter today will be short. I LOVED presiding in that beautiful space and to our beautiful people. Regardless of whether you were present physically, attended via the live stream, or were only in our thoughts and prayers - know that you are loved and were prayed for on the celebration of the birth of the Christ child.

I am very much looking forward to our 2021 year in ministry together (hopefully with a bit more normalcy than 2020 brought us!).

Merry Christmas dear ones!
Blessings!Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226