Thursday, December 2, 2021
Thursday, December 2, 2021
WORSHIP
Special Guest Speaker This Sunday
Tim Wong, Director, International Seafarers’ Center
We have a special guest speaker joining us this Sunday. Tim Wong, former St. Paul's Youth Director and son of parishioners Philip and Sylvia Wong will speak during the service about his work at the Seaman's Institute. Tim will also be receiving the donations we have collected for the Christmas at Sea Program.
Our Sunday Services at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. are in person. Masks and social distancing are required in the Sanctuary. We'd love to see you (an hour in a mask really isn't too bad!). Our livestream is available and will continue indefinitely on www.facebook.com/stpaulschatham and on our YouTube channel St. Paul's Episcopal Church Chatham, NJ - YouTube
Christmas Memorials
Christmas Memorials may be made in any amount, and designated for Poinsettias, Music or the Memorial Garden. If you would like to remember a loved one by making a donation, please send a check to the office by December 15th, and note the name or names to be remembered and by whom (i.e., Jane Doe, sister of John Doe). Please make checks out to St. Paul's and note "Poinsettia", "Music", or "Memorial Garden" on the memo line.
Sunday School this Sunday
Kids, join us for Sunday School this Sunday lead by Mary Foster. We will have a special Advent lesson and craft. Class meets at 10:10 am. Sunday School meets in person on the first three Sundays of each month, and there will be an adult friendly children's homily on the 4th Sunday. Please register your children online here: https://www.stpaulschatham.org/sunday-school-registration
Stewardship Ingathering
Pledge Card Return Reminder
We are so grateful to all of you who have already returned your pledge cards. If you still have yours, please bring it to the service this Sunday and place them in the offering plate, mail them to the church or drop them off in the main office. Together we will keep St. Paul's thriving in the new year. Thank You!
Music Notes
Two quiet anthems continue the Advent season. Paul Manz and Glenn Rudolph are both American composers, well-known in the choral and organ world. The prelude, by Purvis, is based on a plainchant, starting softly and increasing to a rather crashing finishing, as befits the original text. The postlude, by Louis Vierne, arranged for organ by a late organist of the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, actually quiets down in the middle, but builds to a big finish.
Jim Little
Choir Director
Prayers
We ask your prayers this week for Michael, Kim, the King family, Andy, the Kellogg family, Gloria, Sam, Matt, Marky, Sarah, Chris, Mary, John, Sophia, Michael, Ray, David, Marilyn, and Mark.
Please notify the office if you have any changes or additions to the Prayer List.
THIS WEEK
Advent Zoom Supper Group This Thursday December 2nd
Next One December 16th
The Zoom supper group is back for Advent. Join us as we prepare a simple meal, hear a story of a biblical heroine and dine together on Zoom. Traditional Jewish recipes will be provided in advance. Please email Rev. Ellen at Zoom information:
December 2nd
Meeting ID: 854 9216 6241
Passcode: 432557
December 16th
Meeting ID: 810 6301 6679
Passcode: 600607
This Saturday!
Ordination of George Dredden
to the Transitional Deaconate
Our beloved George Dredden will take the next step in his journey to ordination this week. He will be ordained to the Transitional Deaconate on Saturday, December 4th at 10 am. The service will be held at Trinity and St, Phillips Cathedral in Newark. Due to covid restrictions attendance is limited to those participating in the service. It will be livestreamed. We hope you will join online and share this blessed day with George. Ordination Livestream Link
Youth Group Lunch at Arminio's,
This Sunday, December 5 at 11:30 am
Join Rev. Ellen for the Youth Group lunch at Arminio's on Sunday, December 5th. Ages 13-18 are welcome. RSVP to Rev. Ellen at Ellen@stpaulschatham.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
Special Events for Advent
The season of Advent is a special time for reflection and prayer. We have several special offerings planned for this year, which we hope will enrich you in body, mind, and spirit. We hope you will join in one or all!
Christmas Cookie Swap Sunday, December 12
After the 10 a.m. service
Ready, Set, Bake! Gather the family together and start baking. It's almost time for the Christmas Cookie Swap. YUM! Please wrap 3 or 6 cookies (depending on size) in individual plastic or paper bags for the swap.
Advent Zoom Book Group
Year W A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church
Tuesday Evenings from 5 to 6 p.m.
November 30, December 7, 14, 21
The Advent Zoom Book Group is a collaboration with St. Stephen's, Millburn and Christ Church in Short Hills Tuesday Evenings from 5 to 6 p.m. November 30, December 7, 14, 21There is a new lectionary being introduced in the Episcopal Church, Year W A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church by Wilda C. Gafney. Bishop Hughes has approved the use of this extraordinary new work in our Diocese, which includes scriptural readings that focus on women in the bible. The book group will take a deep look at the texts. We have 2 copies available at St. Paul's, one church copy and one from Rev. Ellen. If you plan to join the group and want to borrow a copy, please contact Rev. Ellen at ellen@stpaulschatham.org. Click on the picture to order your own copy.
Here's the Zoom information:
Tuesday, November 30th at 5:00pm. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89007366018?pwd=RFNTcFFpZ2ZwT01Xb2ZhWlcvM3hlUT09The password is SSM119.
Daily Online Audio Advent Reflections and Weekly Discussion Group
Thursdays at 7 p.m. December 2, 9, 16, 23
St. Paul's is participating in a new district wide Reflection program and discussion group this year. Our church is in the Diocesan Evelyn Underhill District named after Theologian Evelyn Underhill. Reflections are taken from the book Advent With Evelyn Underhill. The discussion group will be led each week by clergy from the churches in our district.
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Dec 2, Dec 9, Dec 16, Dec 23,
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89965386150?pwd=clJ0WElmaE5jUUtVek81VktLand2dz09
Meeting ID: 899 6538 6150
Passcode: 034756
Advent Outreach Opportunities
North Porch Giving Tree
Look for our display in the lobby this Sunday! During Advent and Christmas our spiritual life centers on the Holy Mother and Child. In honor of Mary and Jesus, give a gift of urgently needed baby supplies to mothers and children in need this season. Donations include diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, baby toiletries. Support North Porch Women and Infants Centers by choosing an ornament from our holiday giving tree.
Christmas at Sea Program - The Seaman's Church Institute
Thousands of sea men and women will be away from home on board ships this holiday season. The Christmas at Sea Program run by the Seaman's Church Institute in Port Elizabeth and Newark provides gifts of much needed hand knit hats and scarves, toiletries, and other items for those whose ships dock in port from November through early January. The Director of the International Seafarer's Center in Port Newark is Tim Wong, former St. Paul's Youth Director and son of parishioners Philip and Sylvia Wong.
If you would like to contribute a handknit item, the Christmas at Sea patterns, which are specially designed with mariner safety in mind, are available to download here. Toiletries, travel size games and puzzle books, and leftover Halloween candy are also needed for the care packages. Last day to drop off items is this Sunday.
Advent/Christmas Resources For Families
Faithful Celebrations: Making Time for God from Advent through Epiphany. Many of our experiences in life happen when several generations are together – at church, at home, in our communities. Holidays and family events are times for celebration, learning, rituals, food, and fun. This edition of Faithful Celebrations focuses on Advent, the Annunciation, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Los Posadas, Christmas and Epiphany. It includes plenty of activities to learn more about each of these sacred seasons or days in a church setting, at home, camp, or anywhere in-between. Click on picture to order.
SAVE THE DATE
The Bishop is Coming!
The Rt. Rev. Carlye Hughes, Bishop of Newark will be worshipping with us at St. Paul's on Sunday, December 19th. Please plan to attend services that day and meet our Bishop!
Blood Drive!
A Blood Drive sponsored by the Chatham Emergency Squad will be held on Saturday, December 4th at St. Patrick's Church. For more information (including how to win a weekend in NYC!), click here
Messiah Community Sing 2021
Come celebrate the holiday season! Sing those fabulous choruses from Handel’s Messiah with members of The Masterwork Chorus at St. Peter's, Mountain Lakes on Sunday, December 5th. Patterned after Masterwork’s popular Summer Sings, the Messiah sing – along, will be conducted by Masterwork’s own Martin Sedek, and accompanied by the amazing Carol Walker. Click on the picture for more information.
NEWS
Transition Committee Update Dec 1, 2021
Dear St. Paul's Family,
In November, the Transition Team responded to several questions posed by the Diocese to get a sense of who St. Paul’s is as a community and what we’re looking for from our next Priest-in-Charge. In conversation with Canon Clark, Bishop Hughes’ designee for helping churches manage through this process, she indicated that she’s in discussions with 2-5 candidates in the Diocese to assess interest and fit.
The Canon anticipates sharing names of candidates around Christmas. The Transition Team will collect and review information from candidates in January and likely interview through the first quarter of 2022. Assuming one of these candidates is a strong fit, our goal is to have a recommendation to Vestry for our new Priest-in-Charge in March.
While these are aggressive targets, we’re making good progress and hope that you continue to keep us your prayers.
Jim Mollo, Head of Committee
Transition Committee Members
Jim Mollo, Frank Willis, Olivia Mollo, Barbara Cheifet, Ted Pishko,
Jennifer Coury. Andrew Walker, Shirley Wu, Sarah Meiring
Tour the Holy Land in May of 2022
Have you ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of Jesus? Join parishioners and friends of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church of Ridgewood for a 10 day pilgrimage to the Holy Land in May of 2022. The Rev. Andy Olivo, Rector of St. Elizabeth’s, and Canon Iyad Qumri, a Palestinian Christian and tour guide, will lead this trip. Some of the holy places and experiences include: Jericho, Nazareth, the Church of the Annunciation, a Renewal of Baptismal Vows in the Jordan River, the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Nativity, Walk the Stations of the Cross through the Old City of Jerusalem, pray at the Empty Tomb in the Church of the Resurrection, share the Holy Eucharist in Emmaus, and much more.
The cost of the trip is $2,595 (+ airfare) per pilgrim, and includes all lodging, all meals, all transportation, and all entrance fees! For more information about this trip, please email me aolivo@stesridgewood.org. All are welcome!
