June/July/August 2016 - St. Paul`s Episcopal Church

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
The Epistle
Proclaiming Christ in the Heart of the City
Richmond, Virginia | (804) 643-3589 | www.stpaulsrva.org | June, July & August 2016
New faces, new Christians, and beautiful promises
O
n Pentecost, we baptized five Christians,
confirmed sixteen, received two, and reaffirmed
three. Actually, if I’m going to be completely
accurate, Bishop Shannon, on behalf of God confirmed,
received, and reaffirmed, while the St. Paul’s clergy, on
behalf of God baptized. Although all these liturgical
rites made the service extra-long, Pentecost was a
joyous day filled with new faces, new Christians, and
beautiful promises made by those who are now calling
St. Paul’s their church home. What a delight to welcome
so many into our incarnation of Christ’s Church in the
world, the Jesus movement!
People come to St. Paul’s for many different reasons, but
ultimately, people come to St. Paul’s because they were
called by God to be part of our community, just like I
was, and just like you were. This is exciting because
this represents new growth and new life in the very
midst of us. So what do you do when you encounter
some of this exciting new growth?
First, when you see someone you don’t know, introduce
yourself. Ask questions so you can remember who they
are. How long have they been attending St. Paul’s?
Why did they choose St. Paul’s? What do they love
about St. Paul’s? What do they love about life? Who
do they love in life? Who knows, maybe by talking to
them you can find a new friend or a new volunteer for
the Altar Guild or the Micah Initiative.
Secondly, invite them to do things with you and with
others at the church. Hospitality, food, and friendship
go hand in hand. Eating a meal together is one of
the best ways of getting to know someone. Maybe
you don’t cook; you can still order pizza or meet at a
restaurant. You can invite them to come along with you
to the Block Party (July 14) or another group.
New people mean new passions, new energy, and new
Spirit-filled activity, a blessed side effect of new Spirit
filled life. Don’t be surprised if you hear about some
new action happening down on Grace Street, or find
yourself saying “yes” to something you thought you
didn’t want to do. This is the blessing of new people,
of new life, and of new growth. It’s an exciting time
ahead.
Your sister in Christ,
The Right Reverend Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop for the Diocese of Virginia, with the clergy and newly baptized, confirmed, and received people
of St. Paul’s. Pentecost, 2016. Photo by Pete Nunnally.
IN THIS ISSUE
Page
2016 Eyes on
Richmond
A year of, “It’s not about us”.....................................2
Youth Ministry update ...............................................2
Making many talents in downtown..........................3
Vestry highlights.............................................................3
Updates from Outreach................................................4
Building a foundation with Legos ...............................5
Opportunities in music................................................6
Lectionary readings.....................................................7
Parish Register...............................................................7
Pete Nunnally
Director of Adult
Formation & Youth
Ministries
Email:
pnunnally
@stpaulsrva.org
A year of, “It’s not about us”
T
hroughout this year we have been exploring
what it means to believe “it’s not about us,” while
engaging different sub-themes like Abundance,
the Cross, and Resurrection. In order to provide for the
unique and diverse interests of the parish, we added
a third program during Sunday mornings in addition
to bible study and the formation session in Scott Hall.
St. Paul’s is a parish enriched by the spirituality and
vocation of its members, and this year many of our
parishioners led formation sessions. Engagement in
Sunday morning formation substantially increased
from years past.
God’s grace and love for the world is not about us,
it is about God. It is about our neighbors. It is about
the life-force of love that flows between us when we
gather together. Our life is about us only insofar as we
understand that to save our lives we must lose them.
This is the hardest part about actually believing in
Jesus, but it is simultaneously the Good News that
makes Christ’s resurrection real.
The Spiritual Formation Planning Team has been
working on planning for the year ahead, as well as
for the theme for the 2016-2017 programming year. We
look forward to unveiling the new theme soon!
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Envisioning a city
where EVERYONE thrives
FRIDAYS, OCTOBER 7 - NOVEMBER 11
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | St. Paul’s Scott Hall
Speakers & Lunch Schedule Coming Soon
www.stpaulsrva.org/EOR
Youth Ministry update
Y
AC spent most of the year gearing up for our
pilgrimage to Ireland, which will happen July
8-17. The youth were committed to making this
pilgrimage a reality, and spent hours on the street
raising money by selling fans at the bike races, and
working hard to put on our Grown-Up Prom. They
also were highly engaged, and selected Ireland out of
a list of countries, and gave presentations highlighting
the cultural, historical, and spiritual aspects of Ireland.
We celebrate the graduation this year of Maddie
Hamp, Will Sherrill, Stephen Sears, Malcolm Ilnicky,
and Blakely Lockhart. Good luck next year, y’all!!
Our J2A group went through confirmation class this
year, led by our mentors Phil Huss and Cindy Wofford,
and had some really great discussions, particularly
around why bad things happen to good people. Many
thanks to Phil and Cindy for their dedication to our
youth and their journeys! We’re blessed with a great
group of youth in J2A, who are very service-oriented.
This year they also have done magnificent work in our
Saturday Sisters program, organizing activities and
mentoring students from Woodville elementary.
The Middle School group is an energetic and
rambunctious group, and they fill the entire youth
room with laughter. Toward the end of the year we
created our own skits, interpreting bible stories for
contemporary times, and had a hilariously great time
doing it!
I want to personally thank all our hard-working
mentors who gave their Sunday mornings for the last
two years to work with the youth of St. Paul’s: Joe
James, Laura Carr, Analise Adams, Mary Kay Huss,
Brian Carr, Sarah White, JJ Flores, Jeanne Lefever,
Suzanne McWilliams, Cindy Wofford, and Phil Huss.
Your service has been amazing, and you’ve left a
lasting impact on the lives of our youth!
The Reverend
Melanie Mullen
Downtown Missioner
Email:
mmullen
@stpaulsrva.org
Making many talents in downtown
“Imagine the surgical tech who treats you was once an
underemployed kid with few prospects in Creighton Courts.”
—RISC participant
T
here’s a parable of Jesus in which a man give talents (gold) to his
servants before a voyage (Matthew 25: 14-20). While just one servant
holds on tight to his small talent, others spread the talent around
and make more! The point of faith based community organizing isn’t to
“fix things for people” but to make more “talents” – community leaders who share prophetic imagination.
Through RISC (Richmonders Involved in Strengthening our Communities), St. Paul’s Amos ministers joined
interfaith partners and had a banner year of prophetic imagining together. Several St. Paul’s people joined in the
city-wide house meeting process and helped listen for a pressing call to action in the midst of hundreds of our
neighbors’ testimonies. They heard people worry about the state of our schools and the lack of real careers for
East End high school grads.
Then St. Paul’s volunteers joined in the work of prophetic imagining by serving on research and negotiating
committees, break down the ‘big issue’ into a single action item. One team member, Carol Parke, reflects on the
RISC success this year:
“Through RISC and its hundreds of volunteers we have been given the tools to succeed, in the process, and in the name
of justice, we have learned to hold ourselves accountable and to move forward, despite significant risk. As an Education
Committee member and as part of a negotiating team I’ve seen at first hand the results of RISC community members’ good
ideas, solid research, honest communication, understanding of the local political, economic and educational cultures, and
skill in negotiating. Vision may well come first, but feet on the ground — lots of feet — accomplish each challenging task.
Progress may be slow, but it is good, and it is real. To me, there has been nothing better than gaining a deeper understanding
of such intractable issues as elementary school reading levels, job training and mass transportation that block racial, social
and economic justice in our city, and working toward solutions that will help provide that justice for all. “
After a year of praying and imagining with community groups and corporations, RISC volunteers crafted a
ground breaking agreement with VCU hospital and local community colleges to create a new “career ladder”
program providing free academic certification and on-the-job training for careers in the medical and surgical
tech professions.
We all possess a shared prophetic imagination. Amos and RISC volunteers have experienced how trading in the
whispers of limits and scarcity for a prophetic vision – is good for ourselves – and one step at a time can change
our community.
To get involved in Amos and RISC, contact Bruce Cruser (brucecruser@gmail.com) or Michelle Whitehurst-Cook
(michelle.whitehurst-cook@vcuhealth.org)
Vestry highlights from April & May
• The Vestry approved the budget for the 2016-2017 year as recommended by the Finance
Committee.
• The Vestry approved a motion to appoint a committee to act as the Project Implementation
Team for the building projects funded by the Capital Campaign.
• The Vestry approved a motion to amend the current Endowment matching plan for the
Capital Campaign to include a $1 to $3 matching for funds raised over $3 million.
• The Vestry approved a motion for a $400,000 “advance” from the Program Endowment to
be used for expenses associated with the Capital Campaign.
3
OUTREACH MINISTRIES AT ST. PAUL’S
Hana Yun, MSW
On-site Social Worker
& Outreach Volunteer
Coordinator
Email:
hyun
@stpaulsrva.org
Outreach by the numbers
E
mmaus would not be possible without the support of the people of
St. Paul’s. We have done some amazing work!
The Food pantry program has already served 46 families, which equals
85 individuals.
The Veterans Meal program has increased the amount of serving we
are doing this year. Our Youth team has taken on four to five extra
dates this year.
Emmaus lunch has had several amazing accomplishments this year, as well. Not only have we served 44
Thursdays, but we have also served close to 7,800 individuals. We really could not have done it without all of the
amazing volunteers and corporate partners. Along with all of our other partnerships, we were able to implement
a new program for our Emmaus guests in partnership with the VCU School of Medicine. During the month of
June and throughout the school year, our Emmaus guests have the opportunity to receive a foot washing and
examination, as well as blood sugar and blood pressure checks from medical students. This program recently
won the 2016 Currents of Change Award for Exemplary Partnership in Outreach! We are hoping to offer dental
services in the future.
Lastly, our Transformation Grant program has had 118 cases. The 118 is made of 272 individuals, and of those,
104 were children under the age of 18,. We are very excited to see where the 2016-2017 year takes us! If you would
like to learn more, please contact me at any time.
Jonti Simmons,
MSW
On-site Social Worker
at Woodville
Elementary School
Email:
jsimmons
@cisofrichmond.
org
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Wrapping our arms around children and
families at Woodville
T
he 2015 – 2016 school year is winding down at Woodville Elementary
School and our students are starting to take their SOL tests. It has
been a year full of challenges, change, growth, and opportunity for
our community. Because of the tremendous support from the St. Paul’s
Micah Initiative as well as our other community partners, we were able
to really wrap our arms around so many children and families this
year. Here are some of the incredible things we accomplished as a team:
Matched over 100 volunteers in our building on a weekly or monthly basis serving as mentors, classroom assistants, lunch buddies, or adopting classes
Provided quarterly field trips to all scholar roll students
Provided case management services to over 50 students (including grief support, groups for children of incarcerated parents, and social skills education)
Held monthly family engagement nights and six parenting skills workshops
Supported over 100 children with holiday assistance programs
Provided weekend food bags for 90 children every Friday
Coordinated a Woodville Welcome for all rising Kindergarten students
There are so many more ways that we connected with the Woodville community, and we could not have done it
without your support. Thank you to our amazing volunteers and other folks who make it possible for us to really
be a part of this vibrant community of promise!
Please be on the look-out for more ways to get involved over the summer and in the fall!
4
Linda Willis
Director of Children’s
& Family Ministries
Email:
lwillis
@stpaulsrva.org
surrounding counties. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
with its Children’s Park and butterfly exhibit is the best.
Crump Park in Henrico County has one of the best
playgrounds, pond for fishing, farm animal exhibit and
lots of walking trails. And the public library systems
have so much to offer as well. Enjoy your Summer and
come share your adventures with your St. Paul’s family.
If you have any suggestions or thoughts about our
Children/Family Ministry at St. Paul’s, always feel free
to share with me.
Building a foundation with
Legos and scripture, and other
summer opportunities
W
e have a busy Summer ahead for our children
and their families. Spiritual Formation for
children will be offered each Sunday during
June. We will be building a foundation both with Legos
and scripture! The children will continue to gather
with the Gospel reader at the 9 a.m. service in June
and at the 10 a.m. service in July until Homecoming
Sunday on September 11. We will also have worship
time during the sermon, returning for Eucharist. (This
time is particularly appropriate for children three
years old – rising second graders.)
We would like to offer an opportunity for our children
and youth to be Lay Readers in July and August during
the 10 am. service. There is a sign up sheet on the
Liturgical Ministers bulletin board outside the clergy
vesting room in the parish house. If you have any
questions, please contact me.
Children bringing up the food offering at the 9 a.m. service
on Sunday morning. Photo by the Reverend Wallace AdamsRiley.
In July, we will again have an Anthem LemonAid stand
at St. Paul’s, providing delicious lemonaid and cookies
for sale as a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital, MCV.
Do you enjoy telling stories to children? We need
your help! Please consider becoming a doorkeeper or
storyteller for Godly Play. We have two groups – one
for children three years olds through second grade,
and a second group for third through fifth grade. You
will receive such a blessing working with our children!
We have a group of committed teachers who would be
happy to share their experiences with you, or answer
any questions you may have.
In the Fall, we will have a Blessing of the Backpacks for
our students returning to school. But we will also take
this opportunity to share with others. When you are
doing school shopping for your own family, help by
purchasing a second backpack and filling it with basic
supplies. School supplies can be incredibly expensive
for families with limited funds.
Take some time to enjoy the amazing parks and
activities for children and families in Richmond and
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Dr. Christopher
Reynolds
Director of Music &
Organist
Email:
creynolds
@stpaulsrva.org
Opportunities in music
W
ith the 2016-2017 music season just a few
months away, I want to highlight our upcoming
opportunities in the music ministry. We want you
to consider lending your talents to this ministry.
The Parish Choir, formed on Easter Day, 1895, is a semiprofessional ensemble that leads the congregation in
singing in addition to offering anthems and psalms at the
11:15 AM service from September through June. They also
sing the service of Evensong, feast and fast –day services, concerts, and other special events. The Parish Choir
sings a great variety of repertoire, representing sacred choral literature from all periods. The choir is open to
those with some music reading ability. Rehearsals are every Thursday, 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
The Chancel Choir is a semi-professional ensemble that leads the congregation in singing in addition to offering
anthems at the 9:00 AM service from September through June. The Chancel Choir performs a variety of choral
literature, from chant to spirituals, and other ecumenical forms of liturgical music. The choir is open to those
with some music reading ability. For special occasions, members of the Chancel Choir will combine with the
Parish Choir. Rehearsals are as announced.
The St. Paul’s Choristers, for boys and girls age 8 and up, is an ensemble that combines excellent musical
training, leadership and teamwork, worship and fellowship. Choristers learn musical skills and theory through
the curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). The early and thorough musical training of the
RSCM curriculum has documented success stories in assisting children in fundamental life skills: self-confidence,
problem solving, spatial reasoning, communication, creativity, and cooperation. The Choristers rehearse on
Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM and sing frequently in church.
We are also looking for those who play instruments to enhance our worship experience here at St. Paul’s.
Don’t feel like you have the ability to offer your vocal or instrumental talents? We are always looking for volunteers
to help out at music events, provide administrative help, etc.
6
Parish Register: April & May
LECTIONARY READINGS
Deaths:
Patricia Miller, April 4, 2016
Mary Leavell Tompkins, April 14, 2016
Henry Wilson, May 9, 2016
Ellen Boyd Miller, May 18, 2016
June 5: The Third
Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24)
Psalm 146
Galatians 1:11-24
Luke 7:11-17
July 24: The Tenth
Sunday after Pentecost
Hosea 1:2-10
Psalm 85
Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)
Luke 11:1-13
June 12: The Fourth
Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 1521a
Psalm 5:1-8
Galatians 2:15-21
Luke 7:36-8:3
July 31: The Eleventh
Sunday after Pentecost
Hosea 11:1-11
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
Youth Confirmations on May 15, 2016:
Sarah Carr
Katie Hayes
Sophia Johnston
Anna Sherrill
Molly Sherrill
Charlie Pilc
August 7: The Twelfth
Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
Luke 12:32-40
Adult Confirmations on May 15, 2016:
Sandy Marie Akers
Jesse Anderson
J. B. Belk
Ronald Timothy Cecil, Jr.
Christopher David Clark
Brad Etters
Erica Brittany Mitchell
Jennifer Lynn Pearson
Michael Cain Seay
Richard Zhang
June 19: The Fifth
Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a
Psalm 42 and 43
Galatians 3:23-29
Luke 8:26-39
June 26: The Sixth
Sunday after Pentecost
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62
July 3: The Seventh
Sunday after Pentecost
2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30
Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
July 10: The Eighth
Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 7:7-17
Psalm 82
Colossians 1:1-14
Luke 10:25-37
July 17: The Ninth
Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 8:1-12
Psalm 52
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-42
August 14: The
Thirteenth Sunday after
Pentecost
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56
August 21: The
Fourteenth Sunday
after Pentecost
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17
August 28: The
Fifteenth Sunday after
Pentecost
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Baptisms on May 15, 2016:
Ronald Timothy Cecil, Jr.
Ian Alexander Jules
Sophie Grace Jules
Michael Cain Seay
Richard Zhang
New Members joined since March 31, 2016:
Sandy Marie Akers
Jesse Anderson
Lynn Karna Blankman
Peter Edgar Blankman
Ronald Timothy Cecil, Jr.
Christopher David Clark
Brad Etters
Carissa Etters
Hugo Lane Hamnett
Timothy Stuart Hamnett
Adrienne Hunter Jules
Erica Brittany Mitchell
Donald Chumbley Moore, Jr.
Ashley Scott Payne
Jennifer Lynn Pearson
Scott Sandridge
Michael Cain Seay
Cheryl Lynn Sheets
Richard Zhang
Transfers Out since March 31, 2016:
Mary Holly & Rick Bigelow to St. Stephen’s
Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA
Peter Johnson to All Saints Episcopal Church,
Winter Park, FL
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St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
815 East Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Return Service Requested
WWW.STPAULSRVA.ORG
CLERGY
The Reverend Wallace Adams-Riley, Rector
The Reverend Molly Bosscher, Associate Rector
The Reverend Melanie Mullen, Downtown Missioner
STAFF
Betsy Carr, Director of Outreach
Kathy Coleman, Administrative Assistant
Michael Dabney, Sexton
Mernard Green, Sexton
Karen Harris, Assistant Organist
Aliesha Hart, Financial Administrator
Carter Johann, Administrative Assistant
David Maldonado, Sexton
Pete Nunnally, Director of Adult Formation & Youth Ministries
Linda Pitts, Facilities Manager
Chris Reynolds, Director of Music & Organist
Ulrike Robinson, Kitchen Supervisor
Jonti Simmons, Social Worker at Woodville
Dessa Tampio, Director of Communications
Linda Willis, Director of Children & Family Ministries
Rich Wolkiewicz, Director of Administration & Finance
Hana Yun, Social Worker at St. Paul’s
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VESTRY
Class of 2017
Dabney Carr, Senior Warden
Mitzi van der Veer
Susie Scott
Roger Whitfield
Class of 2018
Linda Armstrong
Philip Brooks
Lewis Holley
Philip Huss
Joyce Smith, Junior Warden
Class of 2019
Tim Baird
Jane Nelson
Edie Patterson
Deb Love Yoder