Thursday, December 23, 2021
WORSHIP
Christmas Services Schedule
Friday, December 24
4 pm Christmas Pageant
7:30 pm Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist Service
Saturday, December 25
10 am Christmas Day Holy Eucharist Service
Sunday, December 26
Virtual Morning Prayer Service
No Sunday School this Sunday, 12/26
Sunday School is held the first three Sundays of each month and a family friendly homily will be offered on the fourth Sunday. Please register your children online here: https://www.stpaulschatham.org/sunday-school-registration
Prayers
We ask your prayers this week for Norm, Linda, Genevieve, Jennifer, Ed, 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.
Home Communion on Christmas
Any parishioner who would like to receive communion at home on Christmas, please email Rev. Ellen or call the church office.
Please note: the Church Office will be closed December 24 - January 2. Rev. Ellen will be on vacation but will be available for pastoral emergencies.
Upcoming Services
Sunday, January 2
10 am One service only, Pajama Sunday!
Sunday, January 9
8 and 10 am Service of Lessons and Carols
UPCOMING EVENTS
Concert!
Please plan to stay after the 10:00 a.m. service on January 16th for a soloist concert given by our very talented bass, Greg Voinier. More details to follow!
St. Paulʻs presents Masters of Hawaiian Music featuring Grammy award-winning musicians, Hawaii's unique acoustic guitar stylings, and rich storytelling. Tickets for the Friday, January 21, 2022, 7:00 pm show are $25 advance/$30 at the door and can be purchased from Andy Wang or at http://hawaii.brownpapertickets.com. All profits benefit St. Paul's programs and outreach.
Daily Online Audio Advent Reflections and Weekly Discussion Group
Thursdays at 7 p.m. December 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 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! 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.
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
Altar Flowers
At St. Paul's, Altar Flowers are often donated in memory of a loved one. Altar Flowers, however, may be donated for any reason--to the glory of God, in thanksgiving for a loved one's recovery, a new birth in the family, or anything you feel called to memorialize. For more information on supporting the Altar Flower ministry and donating flowers, please email the office.
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!
News from the Diocese
News from the National Church
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Christmas Address, Fletcher Harper on Climate Change and more...
Episcopal Relief and Development on how to help the tornado victims
The Great Episcopal Baking Show!
