Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas Snow

Mass was said for the "faithful few" who braved icey roads to come on Sunday, December 26. 

Christmas Party

Scenes from the annual Christmas party at the Cunningham's cabin......


Midnight Mass 2010

A White Christmas in Seymour







Best wishes for a happy, blessed, and prosperous new year!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Advent Schedule

Advent is upon us. We will continue the Wednesday evening Undercroft work crew, and throughout the Advent season we will also begin a Thursday evening choir practice at 6:30.

Mark your calendars: December 5 will be our monthly covered dish luncheon, immediately followed by our annual Parish meeting.  The annual meeting is a time to reflect on our 2010 accomplishements and plan for 2011.

We will celebrate the "Hanging of the Greens" after Mass on Sunday, December 19. Following the morning service,  there will be a soup luncheon, after which we will decorate the nave in preparation of Midnight Mass.

The highlight of the season: Christmas Eve Midnight Mass.  We will begin with music at 10:30 PM; the service begins at 11:00 PM....High Mass, complete with incense, full choir, and a sung service.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

St. Francis Day Observed

Our annual "Blessing of the Animals" service drew 58 dogs, 3 cats, and over 65 people this year. We appreciate all the hard work by the ladies who made dog treats, people treats, and gift bags for all attendees.  A special THANK YOU to STARBUCKS for providing the coffee and tea.

CONGRATULATIONS to ANITA GRAHAM, winner of the quilt raffle.


Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Choir "Workshop" Scheduled

There will be a choral workshop on Saturday, October 23 at St. Paul.  Attendees may gather for coffee at 8:30; the workshop will start promptly at 9:00 and end at noon with a light luncheon.


We welcome the choir from St. Luke Episcopal Church in Knoxville, who will be joining us for the workshop.  All choir members are highly encouraged to attend this event. 

We are pleased to have Dr. Harry M. Switzer lead this event.  Dr. Switzer has an M.S. in Music Education, a D.M.A. in Vocal Performance, and over 35 years of experience in directing, composing, and conducting choral music. 

Among the topics covered will be following the director, posture and breathing, individual vocal production, achieving good sound and blend, and making music interesting.

To all who are currently choir members or those who are considering choir membership: Please make every every effort to attend this event, it will be worth your time!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Mass 101

To those of us who have been Episcopalians for some time, there are things that we do on Sunday mornings that are just automatic. Personal acts that help us experience worship such as the sign of the cross or genuflecting are often not familiar to those who walk in to St. Paul's without prior experience in liturgical worship. This short article is offered to shed a little light on those practices.

1. Posture: We typically stand up for praise and the reading of the Gospel lesson, kneel for prayer and to receive the Holy Eucharist, and sit for instruction. It is common for those who are physically unable to kneel to stand during times when others are kneeling. This physical movement keeps us involved in the service rather than having us simply sit throught it as mere observers.

2. Genuflection and Bowing: Genuflection is the act of briefly kneeling on one knee as an act of reverence. To bow or genuflect is a proper way to reverence the altar when passing by it or before being seated in your pew.  It is also a tradition to bow slightly when the processional cross passes by your pew, and at certain times during the Creed (at the name of Christ and mention of the Virgin Mary).

3. The "Sign of the Cross" is done by touching the forehead, breast, left shoulder, and right shoulder, thus marking the cross upon oneself. It is generally done with the first two fingers and the thumb, denoting the Holy Trinity. There is no simple rule as to when the sign of the cross should be made, but it is customarily done any time there is a reference to the dead, at the beginning and ending of prayer, at any reference to a blesing upon oneself, and when the priest approaches you with the Holy Eucharist and/or after receiving .  The easiest thing to do if you are not familiar with when to do the sign of the cross is to watch the people in the chancel during Mass to see when they do it.

4. The "Sign of the Cross" at the announcement of the Gospel lesson is often done three times, once on the forehead, once on the lips, and once on the heart.  This is to denote the prayer for God to "write his words in my head, on my lips, and in my heart".

These are just a few of the basics... by no means an exhaustive list. As you will notice, some people practice all of these things and some almost none. These are personal acts that are not required of anyone.  It is perfectly acceptable to attend and take part in the service while omitting any or all of them. I hope this article has offered some insight.  

Friday, August 13, 2010

On a lighter note.....

"WE CARE"

Volunteers are needed for the "WE CARE" Committee.  The committee is charged with coordinating our ministry efforts to members within the congregation. The church is growing, and we need to be sure that our sick and shut-in folks are taken care of.  Anyone wishing to volunteer is encouraged to see the "We Care" coordinators, Rachel Clarke and Carolyn Thomas.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Five Years

On a sultry August afternoon in 2005, the first Episcopal Mass was held at St. Paul's. Since that day, we have grown and accomplished much.

We will take time to commemorate our first five years with a special service, followed by a covered dish luncheon on Sunday, August 1, 2010. 

We are also publishing the history of our first five years, in the words of the congregation.  All Communicants are encouraged to contribute a paragraph or two to this project. The deadline for submissions is July 25.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

GIANT RUMMAGE SALE

Our annual Church-Wide RUMMAGE SALE will be Saturday, June 19.  We welcome volunteers to help sort and price items for sale the week before the sale, and we welcome volunteers to help out the day of the sale. We will be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs on Saturday for those helping. See the Junior Warden for more information.

Friday, May 21, 2010

St. Paul Gardens











Undercroft Renovation Update


Work is coming right along on the Undercroft renovation project. The guys are in the process of putting up the walls. Before things get hidden behind the walls, here is a picture of the foundation stones original to the 1857 construction. The floor of the nave is supported by these big hand-hewn beams.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Opportunities

Lots going on at St. Paul's here lately. Here are some things we need help with....

The renovation project for the Undercroft is well under way. The wiring should be finished shortly, and then we will need help putting up the wallboard, ceiling, and trim followed by painting. Work days are scheduled for Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. See Treva B. or David F. for more information.

Diane S. and Jackye T. are their volunteers are busy working on the "green space" near the rear parking lot. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board for those who would like to purchase a tree or plant in memory or honor of a loved one. Anyone with a "green thumb" is invited to come and help with this project.

Calvin has enlisted the help of the Civil Air Patrol in cleaning up the old slave cemetery next to the rear parking lot. Plans are to clear and level the lot, followed by re-setting the grave markers and re-seeding the grass.  Please see Calvin or Lee R. if you are interested in helping with this project.

We are looking for someone to volunteer to do the quarterly newsletter, "St. Paul's Epistle".  If anyone is interested on taking on this project, please see Father Swann or one of the Wardens for more information.

The choir is always looking for new victims....or, ah, "Volunteers"....yeah that's right...."Volunteers"...that's the word I was looking for. At any rate, show up for choir practice at 9:15 Sunday mornings and you will be welcomed.

Look for pictures of the Undercroft renovation project coming to the blog soon....

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Holy Week Schedule

PALM SUNDAY, March 28: Procession and Mass 10:30 AM

TUESDAY, MARCH 30: Baptism Service, 6:30 PM

MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 1: Mass and Stripping of the Altar 6:30 PM




GOOD FRIDAY, April 2: Stations of the Cross, The Solemn Collects, and Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament, 12:00 Noon

EASTER SUNDAY, The Day of the Resurrection, April 4: Anglican High Mass 10:30 AM

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Mardi Gras 2010

Mardi Gras was celebrated by a crowd of 43 folks this year. It seems like there were people gathered in every nook and cranny to enjoy a menu of home-cooked Italian food and the traditional King Cake for dessert. We Episcopalians like nothing better than a big party, and this is the last one for awhile; Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the penitential season of Lent.


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Week Ahead

The third week of February is going to be busy, busy, busy.........

Tuesday, February 16: Mardi Gras - Shrove Tuesday celebration begins at 6:00 with hospitality hour, and an italian dinner at 7:00.  The sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board. Look for pictures here on the blog soon from the Mardi Gras festivities!

Wednesday, February 17: Ash Wednesday Liturgy and the Imposition of Ashes, 6:30 PM

Friday, February 19: The Lunch Bunch will meet at Connie's Restaurant in Seymour at 12:30; Gladys Heldt, hostess

Saturday, February 20: Lenten Work Day 8:00 AM

Sunday, February 21: Mass wil begin at 10:30 with The Great Litany (Rite I for Lent)

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Here We Grow Again....

Remember this picture from last year? These were the first of two groups of new members to be Confirmed or Received into The Episcopal Church at St. Paul's in 2009. Our total membership increased by more than 20 people last year, and it looks like 2010 is starting out just as strong.

We welcome our newest members, John and Barbara Cunningham, who have transferred their letters to St. Paul Church.  January 2010 saw us grow by 4 new members. What a great way to kick-off the new year!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Winter Weather Schedule

The work day for Saturday, January 30 has been cancelled due to the inclement weather.

We will have our regularly scheduled Mass on Sunday, January 31 at 10:30 for those who can safely travel. Stay warm and enjoy the snow!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Haiti Update

For those of you who haven't read it, the Seymour Herald newspaper has a front-page article about our efforts in helping Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) with their work in earthquake ravaged Haiti. In the days since our initial donation, more funds have been coming in to St. Paul Church to forward to ERD. Some have given directly to ERD in the past week, over $100 by my count.

The Right Reverend Jean Duracin, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, has written a letter to ERD about what is happening "on the ground" in Haiti. Following are some excerpts:

I am writing to you from the tent city we have set up behind the rubble of College Ste. Pierre, our marvelous senior secondary school that is no more. As you know, we have gathered approximately 3,000 people here
alone. Across the land, the Diocese of Haiti has set up at least 21 refugee camps, caring for more than 23,000 people.


In this letter, I wish to make clear to the Diocese of Haiti, to Episcopal Relief and Development and to all of our partners that Episcopal Relief and Development is the official agency of the Diocese of Haiti and that we are partners working hand-in-hand in Haiti's relief and recovery efforts.


We in the Diocese of Haiti have a vision and a plan for this relief and recovery effort. We know the situation on the ground, we are directing emergency relief to those who need it most, and we already are making plans and moving forward to help our people.

Since the earthquake struck, we have been and will continue to work closely with two missionaries here, Ms. Katie Mears and Ms. Kirsten Muth. I have complete confidence in you and your agency.


Finally, I wish to make it plain: I know that many of our partners wish to come to Haiti right now to help. Please tell them that unless they are certified professionals in relief and recovery, they must wait. We will need them in the months and years to come, but at this point, it is too dangerous and too much of a burden for our people to have mission teams here.

Please tell our partners, the people of The Episcopal Church, the people of the United States and indeed the people of the world that we in Haiti are immensely grateful for their prayers, their support and their generosity. This is a desperate time in Haiti; we have lost so much. But we still have the most important asset, the people of God, and we are working continuously to take care of them.

The Clergy and Congregation of St. Paul Episcopal Church remain in prayer for the people of Haiti, and dedicate ourselves to the relief work of Episcopal Relief and Development.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Undercroft Renovations Begin

The materials have been delivered, the heating and air conditioning system has been connected, and we are now ready to begin putting in the walls.

The first "work day" is Saturday, January 23.  Anyone who wishes to help needs to be at the church by 9:00 to begin putting up the insulation and installing the metal studs for the walls.

Look for pictures to be posted here soon......

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Haiti Relief Effort

As you may know, The Episcopal Church is very active in Haiti. The Diocese of Haiti is one of several Diocese we have outside of the USA, and it is also the fastest growing Diocese in the Church.

The Episcopal Church has over 100 parishes in Haiti, operates over 200 schools, and has suffered terrible damage. The Cathedral is destroyed, along with the Sisters of St. Margaret convent, a college, and the only residential school for blind and deaf children in Haiti. We have several missionarys in Haiti, all of whom miraculously survived. The Bishop of Haiti survived, but his house was leveled. Pictures of him helping dig through rubble to help pull people from what was once their home have made their way to the USA.

The St. Paul Council will be sending a special donation to Episcopal Relief and Development to assist their important work. If you would like to give through St. Paul's, you may use an offering envelope marked "HAITI" and put your donation in the offering plates on Sunday mornings.  ER-D will be working with our Haiti contacts in three phases: Rescue, Relief, and Recovery. Please go to http://www.er-d.org/ to learn how you can help.

UPDATE: The St. Paul Church Council has approved a donation of $200, Father Swann wishes to donate $100 from the Clergy Discretionary Fund, and the special ER-D offering this morning was $300....making for a total of $600.00

THANK YOU to all who contributed to this effort.

Friday, January 8, 2010

The Lunch Bunch

The January Lunch Bunch gathering will be at the church on Friday, January 15.  Betty Stenger, hostess for January, will provide the meal.