New Sunday Service Schedule

Effective May 2, 2010 we will be switching to a single Sunday Service which will start at 9:00 AM.

Also, the first Sunday of each month will become our Celebration Sunday with music at the service and a pot luck brunch in the parish hall following the service.

Please join us in worship each Sunday and come enjoy brunch on Celebration Sunday as well.

The Providence String Quartet

The Portsmouth Arts Guild presents the Providence String Quartet (quartet-in-residence for Community MusicWorks) and the CMW Fellows Quartet in music of Philip Glass: String Quartet No. 5 (1991), Elliot Carter: Elegy (1943), and Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet in F Minor Opus 80 on Sunday March 21, 2010 at 3 PM in Saint Paul's Church . General admission is $15 and Benefactor admission is $50. For more information, call (401) 293-5ART or visit www.portsmouthartsguild.org . This activity is made possible in part by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through a grant from the National Endowment of Arts "American Masterpiece" program.

Sparky's Puppets

The PAG Performing Arts Season wraps up with a visit to a shoemaker's shop on a wintry day, a trip to the land of the Northwind, and the discovery of three magic gifts as Sparky Davis performs "Stories from Snowy Lands". Sparky's Puppets have delighted children and family audiences throughout New England for over 30 years. Join us in the magical world of children's stories brought to life by Sparky's colorful puppets and lively humor this weekend. Great for the kids! The show, which was originally scheduled for December 20 but which was postponed due to snow, is now scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 3 PM on December 27 in Saint Paul's Church with a free reception following at the Arts Guild Gallery in the Saint Paul's Parish Hall. Tickets are only $5 and are available at Clements' Market, or by calling 401-253-6682.

The Bohemian Quartet

The PAG Performing Arts Season continues this weekend with fast and furious tunes from The Bohemian Quartet. The Quartet, a four-piece string band comprised of a violin, viola, cello and bass, was founded by violinist, Stan Renard, in 2005 and is based in Providence, Rhode Island. Other members are Nancy Richardson on viola, Christine Harrington on cello, and John DeBossu on upright bass. The name "Bohemian Quartet" was borrowed from the original Bohemian Quartet which was founded in 1891 and disbanded in 1934. The "new" Bohemian Quartet performs a vast and unique repertoire revolving around traditional 'Gypsy' or 'Romany' music as well as traditional Eastern-European folk music. The music has been collected via recordings, transcription, interviews, and arranged by Stan. The quartet released its first CD "Word of Mouth", in 2006 and was featured on the "One World Show" produced by Robert Malin; receiving an award for "Best Music Documentary-2007" in Rhode Island. The mission of the Quartet is to create an awareness of, and love for, 'Romany' music. The show is Sunday afternoon at 3 PM on November 15 in Saint Paul's Church with a free reception following at the Arts Guild Gallery in the Saint Paul's Parish Hall. Tickets are available at Clements' Market, or by calling 401-253-6682.

Bishop Wolf's Visit

The Right Reverend Geralyn Wolf came for a visit to St. Paul's on Sunday November 8th. While here the Bishop presided at our 10 AM Eucharist and then met with parish members for a reception and some conversation. During her sermon Bishop Wolf addressed "giving out of abundance" and "giving out of poverty" from Mark 12:38-44 and also addressed art and spirituality. At the reception following the service we had an excellent discussion of the characteristics of parishes in transformation. The Bishop's visit has given us a great deal to reflect on during this time of "living in Holy Saturday".

Bishop's Convention Address

The Right Reverend Geralyn Wolf's remarks at the 219th Convention of the Diocese of Rhode Island have been made available at the Diocese blog site. In her remarks the Bishop asks our particular attention to "what it means to live in Holy Saturday, the ten characteristics of transforming churches, new models for evangelism, and what you're going to do about your attitude toward money". Read the Bishop's address here ...

Letter to Rhode Island from Presiding Bishop

A Letter to Rhode Island from The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori thanking the "dear brothers and sisters in Rhode Island" for our "commitment to mission, and for the faithful leadership and ministry of Bishop Wolf" is available on the Diocesan web site. Read the letter now ...

The Telltale Heart

The PAG Performing Arts Season continues with Edgar Allen Poe's classic story of murder and madness brought to life by Katie Latimer. Join us for "The Telltale Heart" on Sunday afternoon October 25 at 3 PM in Saint Paul's Church. A free reception follows at the Arts Guild Gallery in the Saint Paul's Parish Hall. Tickets are available at Clements' Market, or by calling 401-253-6682.

Superchief Trio

The PAG Performing Arts Season begins this month with the "two-fisted piano,  red hot trombone, powerful vocals and frenzied percussion antics" of Superchief Trio on September 27. The show is Sunday afternoon at 3 PM in Saint Paul's Church with a free reception following at the Arts Guild Gallery in the Saint Paul's Parish Hall. Tickets are available at Clements' Market, or by calling 401-253-6682.

September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

On Friday, September 11, The Reverend Gordon Stenning and The Reverend Hébert Bolles will preside at the Holy Eucharist at 7:00 AM in observance of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Join us as we gather to honor and offer tribute to the courage witnessed on that day and those that followed. We invite all baptized persons, regardless of age or denomination, to receive Communion with us.

Hamburgers, Potato Salad and Ice Cream - Oh My!

Yes, we're having a potluck cookout this Sunday, August 30th, from 11:00 until 1:00 or so. If you're coming please let Linda Remington know and, since we've got many of the fundamental cookout food groups ... such as hamburgers, potato salad, ice cream and stuffies ... already on the menu, it would be best to also speak with Linda regarding any food you might be planning to bring.

PAG Performing Arts Season

The first Portsmouth Arts Guild Performing Arts Season begins next month. It's not too soon to be making your plans for attending one or more of the upcoming shows. There's New Orleans flavor dance blues with Superchief Trio on September 27, Katie Latimer bringing to life Edgar Allen Poe's Tell-Tale Heart on October 25, fast and furious gypsy folk tunes with The Bohemian Quartet on November 15 and a visit to a shoemaker's shop on a wintry day with Sparky's Puppets on December 20. All shows are Sunday at 3 PM in Saint Paul's Church with a free reception following at the Arts Guild Gallery in the Saint Paul's Parish Hall. Tickets are available at Clements' Market, or by calling 401-253-6682.

The Shack

A group of us at Saint Paul's are reading William Paul Young's thought provoking bestseller and will be having what are likely to be lively discussions on the book each Sunday at our adult study time between the 8:00 and 10:00 services during the month of August. The discussions will be led by the Rev. Dr. David Jenkins. Come join us.

Recent and Upcoming Activity

We've been busy at Saint Paul's this spring and we expect to be busy this summer as well.

We raised $449.80 by walking for CROP/CWS and Saint Paul's parishioners are now supporting the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) .

The Rev. Dr. David Jenkins will be returning again as the visiting priest at St. Paul's this summer. He will serve at the 8:00 and 10:00 services on Sundays beginning July 19, and will be leading a discussion between services on "The Shack" by William P. Young.

A portable stage is currently being built by our friends in the Portsmouth Arts Guild. The stage will be ready for a show by the Superchief Trio on September 27 which launches a performance series hosted by the Arts Guild and Saint Paul's partnership.

Retreat Held

At a retreat held at our parish house on Saturday, March 14, 2009, the vestry of St. Paul's Church in Portsmouth renewed its commitment to its Mission to "Follow Jesus' example of Loving, Healing and Teaching."

The church will offer a series of programs to the Portsmouth community, and also support programs of The Portsmouth Arts Guild.

St. Paul's first program this season will be its second annual Lenten program, "A Journey Through Holy Week." The Rev. Gordon Stenning will officiate at services on Palm Sunday on April 5th and Easter Sunday April 12th, at 8:00 and 10:00, and also at daily services at 7:00 - 7:30 AM Monday - Thursday, and 12:00 noon on Good Friday, during Holy Week. For more info about Lenten services call Jeff Reise at 401-683-0483.

Portsmouth Arts Guild Members Show

The Portsmouth Arts Guild 2009 season is underway. The Emerging Artists III Area Student Show has just ended and the Annual Members All-Media Exhibition opens March 12. The Members Exhibition will run through April 5. Make plans to stop by for the show and for the Opening Reception on March 15th from 2-4 PM.

Annual Meeting Upcoming

Our Parish Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday January 25 at 10:30 AM following a single 9:30 AM service celebrating The Conversion of St. Paul. Vestry elections will be held at the meeting and a pot luck brunch will be served. All members of the parish are encouraged to attend.

Presiding Bishop's Christmas Message

In her 2008 Christmas message, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori speaks of both the need for light in the world and the need for sharing that light. Her message is provided below.

The world settles into winter, at least in the northern hemisphere, and life to many seems increasingly bleak. Foreclosures, layoffs, government bailouts and financial failures, continuing war on two fronts, terrorist attacks, murders of some identified only by their faith -- this world is in abundant need of light. We know light that is not overcome by darkness, for God has come among us in human flesh. Born in poverty to a homeless couple, to a people long under occupation, Jesus is human and divine evidence that God is with us in the midst of the world's darkness. Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, Divine Counselor is come among us to re-mind, re-member, and re-create. A new mind and heart is birthed in us as we turn to follow Jesus on the way. The body of God's creation is re-membered and put back together in ways intended from the beginning. And a new creation becomes reality through Jesus' healing work. Christians tell the story again each Christmastide, and the telling and remembering invites us once again into being made whole. Our task in every year is to hear the story with new ears, and seeing light in the darkness of this season's woes, then to tell it abroad with gladsome hearts to those who wait in darkness. Where will you share the joyous tale of light in the darkness?

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church

Portsmouth Arts Guild Holiday Show

The Portsmouth Arts Guild Holiday Under $200 Show & Sale is underway until December 22nd. There are photographs, paintings, jewelry, prints and more available to see and purchase. All Guild commissions on work sold for this show will go to the Eileen Shanley Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards a scholarship to a Portsmouth youth who is artistically gifted.

Book Discussion

During our adult study time between services each Sunday we are currently reading and discussing the book God Reflected: Metaphors for Life written by Flora Keshigian. The Reverend Flora Keshgegian frequently presides at St. Paul's. Her book Time for Hope: Practices for Living in Today's World was awarded the 2005 Trinity Prize. She has taught at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Come join us as we explore the thought provoking ideas presented in Flora's inspired writing.

A History of Saint Paul's

The voices raised in worship each Sunday at Saint Paul's in Portsmouth are forever joined by a cloud of witnesses who have also shared in worship within the small white church building with red doors at the corner of East Main Road and Church Lane during the last 175 years. Though the small white church and the Episcopal Church itself have undergone changes during this time, the essential joyful rhythm of the Prayer Book liturgies have been maintained in this sacred space throughout these years. This year, in both their Sunday services and in their daily lives, parishioners at Saint Paul's are celebrating this continuous history and are seeking God's blessing for their future.

Saint Paul's Church was founded by a small group of Portsmouth residents, with the Rev. John Fenner from Saint Michael's, Bristol, RI, conducting its first Episcopal service on July 7, 1833. At this time he discussed the possibility of starting a parish and then gained approval to do so from the Rhode Island Convocation. Ground was broken in September 1833 and the church building was completed in December that same year. The building was designed and built by architect Russell Warren who also designed the Portsmouth Free Library, the Arcade in Providence, and the Jane Pickens Theatre in Newport. On the 25th day of December in 1833 the first service was held in the new Saint Paul's Church. The record of this service is reported in the Episcopal Recorder on January 1, 1834: "On Christmas Day last, S. Paul's Church, Portsmouth, R.I., was opened for the worship of Almighty God."

Though the worship service each Sunday still has many similarities with the first services held here, there have been significant renovations to the church and churchyard. This summer the Parish Hall shingles were cleaned and the trim repainted, and painting of the church building exterior was completed. The Hall was also recently completely refinished inside with help of our partners in the Portsmouth Arts Guild.

But of course there were many more significant changes earlier in St Paul's history. For example - when first built St Paul's had two doors, there was no organ, the pews were enclosed by doors and the first pulpit was donated from Saint Andrew's Church in Providence on April 25, 1859. A coal and wood furnace was installed in 1873. Electricity was installed for lights in 1920 - the church had previously been lit by lamps filled with whale oil. Oil heat was installed in the 1930's - when the price of oil was 19 cents a gallon.

The Rectory was built in the 1839 for the Rev. Robert E. Northrum who, sadly, died the following year. Over the years since the rectory has been used to house the rector, for the Sunday school, and more recently as office space and as a meeting place. The house is currently rented and used by a counseling service.

The Parish Hall was built in 1895. Electric wiring was also installed in the Hall in 1920 and indoor plumbing was added in the Hall in 1928 - indoor plumbing was not provided in the Rectory until 1962.

A bell tower was added to the Hall about 1900 to house a bell cast in 1858 that was donated by Emmanuel Church Newport. In the late 1960s after an automobile hit the tower, the vestry removed the bell and the tower top for safety reasons . The bell is still in Portsmouth in the care of a private citizen. The base of the tower currently houses the Parish Hall restrooms.

Some older parishioners can also remember the church interior being completely redone from 1961 through 1966 . During this renovation, described at the time as a "complete refurbishing of the fabric of the building", a new organ console was installed in the choir loft and the altar rails were moved; the pews, the chancel, choir loft and sacristy were remodeled; and, the needlepoint cushions at the altar rail were done by women of the parish under the supervision of Phoebe Garforth. Photographs are available from that time which capture the dramatic transformation.

During this period the Lady Garden, a place of contemplation, was designed and built by Rev. David Jenkins who has returned to preside at St Paul's this summer. The Rev. David Jenkins recalls how he begged used bricks, removed the old rectory outhouse and landscaped the area with many plants donated from his mother's gardens. In later years Peter Harris maintained the garden and the central fish pond was replaced with a weeping elm tree.

In 1982 the Agnes Dei window, which was originally installed when the chancel was added to the original church building in the late 19th century, was restored and blessed. This window can be seen on your left when you first enter the church.

The grounds of Saint Paul's Church have an historical cemetery, well maintained by very dedicated volunteers. A family burial ground was on the property purchased as the site for the Rectory in 1836, with graves predating the American Revolution. The burial ground was expanded over the years into the current peaceful cemetery. In August of 2006 an Urn Garden was dedicated and afterwards the celebrants enjoyed a potluck brunch.

Of course, any potluck occasion at St Paul's means many busy people. Among these many people you will find Shirley Sylvia. Some 50 years ago Shirley came to Saint Paul's at the suggestion of the rector at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church in Fall River. Shirley concisely recalls this as, " Tried it, liked it, and never left". Like many who belong to Saint Paul's, Shirley has been an active member of the parish . She has been in the Altar Guild since 1980 and has been head of the Guild since 1986 following the death of long time Altar Guild Directoress Ruth Barton. Shirley also serves on the vestry where her sense of Saint Paul's history and her insight are a valuable resource - and she can always be counted on for a contribution of excellent food at almost any gathering.

Another very busy person at Saint Paul's is Linda Remington, former Senior Warden and now Junior Warden. Linda recalls, "Stan and Chi Cornwall introduced me to Saint Paul's after their dog Windsor introduced us while I was rollerblading on the bike path. I was recovering from a divorce and found the Wednesday healing service a portal to a spiritual path I'd drifted from in my late teens. It has been a richly rewarding experience serving and growing with the people of this parish . . . and they're fun to be with."

Music has always been a central part of worship at Saint Paul's, whether it be the oldest and most traditional Anglican hymns or contemporary Christian music. We express our love and are loved through our music, we heal and are healed through our music, and we teach and learn through our music.

Many clergy have shared our parish life and have helped form our community. Among those in the recent past who are very much a part of our lives are the Rev. Andy Barasda - with whom we celebrated our 150th anniversary; the Rev. Aaron Usher - who emphasized the healing dimension of our ministry; the Rev. David Jenkins - who is with us this summer; the Rev. Gordon Stenning - who frequently leads our services and with whom we celebrated the 50th anniversaries of his ordination as a Deacon and to the Priesthood; and the Rev. Paul Twelves - who led our services and mentored our Christian Formation as an interim rector and supply priest several times in recent years and who still presides at occasional services. When asked about Saint Paul's, the Rev. Paul Twelves recalls " I think of the first service ... there was no Mount Hope Bridge then. I wonder if the ferry was running on Christmas Day, 1833 or did those stalwart soul's cross the bay in their own boat, pulling with oars all the way. In many ways that image of a few people rowing against wind and current is an apt image for Saint Paul's. Maintaining a church here has required a hopeful spirit, sacrifice, imagination, and resourcefulness. I admire that. "

Additional clergy with whom we share a special bond include the Reverends Hébert Bolles, Daniel Burke, James Bocchino, J. Patrick Maundy, Anne Bolles-Beavan, and Ashley Peckham. The latter three individuals attended Saint Paul's prior to ordination while the Rev. Bocchino trained at Saint Paul's before attending seminary. The Rev. J. Patrick Maundy, recently retired former Coordinator for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church and Deputy for Anglican Communion Relations, first attended Saint Paul's while at Officers Candidate School in Newport after returning from Vietnam. He recalls being "unchurched" at the time but being "deeply moved" by the worship at Saint Paul's and that the Rev. David Jenkins brought him and his wife into this community where his vocation to priesthood was awakened.

Other clergy from former years fondly remembered for faithful service include the Rev, J. Sturgis Pearce who served for 25 years until 1911 and the Rev. Thomas Walker, a priest from England who served in the early 1950s and visited the family home of every parish member by foot.

The parishioners at Saint Paul's work daily at extending Christian love, grace and mercy among themselves and also into the community beyond as part of their church's mission to follow Jesus' example of loving, healing and teaching. These efforts vary over a broad range of activities which include sharing use of the church facilities with groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Alanon, Overeaters Anonymous, and the Portsmouth Arts Guild. Monetary support is given to local, national and international groups such as the annual CROP Hunger Walk, Episcopal Charities Fund of Rhode Island, Episcopal Relief and Development, Oxfam and other groups as the need arises. This year Saint Paul's is one of eight parishes in the Rhode Island Diocese that reached the Diocesan request for the Episcopal Charities Fund Drive.

Saint Paul's member Bob Gessler recently returned from a Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip to Tajikistan in Central Asia. The Habitat team of 12 people from across the country primarily helped dig the foundations, mix concrete, pass buckets of concrete, carry rocks and assemble rebar for the concrete foundations. During the two week stay in the country Bob worked on building several houses at two sites. The houses are constructed of mud bricks on concrete foundations with sheet metal roofs attached to timber rafters. When asked about his trip Bob said "The experience was what I had hoped for. I enjoyed most working along side the homeowners".

A 2006 Heifer Campaign conducted in partnership with Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, was very successful with over $7500 raised to help end world hunger. The joint effort was a key part of the Saint Paul's commitment to helping achieve the Millennium Development Goals outlined by the UN and strongly endorsed by the Episcopal Church of the USA at the 75th General Convention.

These and other ministries which fulfill the Saint Paul's mission are firmly grounded in and strengthened by being a part of worship within the Saint Paul's community. Thinking of that community Linda Remington reflects, " In my view the congregation and clergy who have served Saint Paul's during my tenure have exemplified the Episcopal/Anglican covenant of Unity - this in the face of substantial diversity, adversity and change. It has been taxing and fulfilling, and I am very proud of the people of Saint Paul's parish. "

---
This history was prepared for our 175th Anniversary Celebration. Many thanks to the many persons who contributed. A version of this history was published in the Sakonnet Times of September 11, 2008.

175th Anniversary Celebration Held

Our celebration of the 175th Anniversary of Saint Paul's was held yesterday on Sunday September 14, 2008. The Right Reverend Geralyn Wolf, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, presided over the service; the Reverend Anne Bolles-Beaven delivered the sermon; and we were joined by a large and joyful crowd of visiting clergy, friends, and neighbors. Many thanks to those who helped make this celebration possible, to those who attended, to those unable to attend who sent us greetings and to that cloud of witnesses from our history that brought us to this day.

The Rev. Dr. David Jenkins

Since June 29 and through mid-September, 2008, the Rev. Dr. David Jenkins is the visiting priest at St. Paul's. He will serve at the 8:00 and 10:00 services on Sundays, and has been leading a discussion between the services from 8:45 to 9:45 AM called "Mind and Faith Expansion." The current topic relates to Biblical texts that seem to condone bigotry, anti-Semitism, oppression of women, homophobia, punishment of children and destruction of the earth. The study objectives are to understand the culture and underlying factors present at the time of the writing of these passages, and explore how these writings can be balanced against Jesus' vision and teachings of God as Love, and the Bible as a source of life. Dr. Jenkins, also an artist, musician, scholar, and seafarer, was rector of St. Paul's from 1962 to 1969. After leaving St. Paul's, Father Dave worked in Student Personnel at the University of Albany, where he completed his Doctorate, and served in several parishes in upstate New York. In 1991 he sailed to the Windward Islands and Trinidad and lived aboard his sailboat, ministering to churches on the islands. He retired to Florida in 2002 and again took up painting. He will serve in Portsmouth until September 14 when the parish celebrates its 175th anniversary.

Painting Projects Completed

Over two years ago we started renewing our parish buildings with the complete remodeling and refurbishment of the parish hall interior. Next the rectory and the front of the church itself were painted. Then an additional sign announcing service times and our 175th anniversary was added to our street-side sign. Finally, as of last week, painting was completed on the remainder of the church exterior, the parish hall trim was painted, and the parish hall siding was power-washed. Alleluia! And thank you, thank you, thank you to all St. Paul's parishioners, to our painting contractors and to our Portsmouth Arts Guild partners for their help and support.

Work Day

On Sunday, June 22, parishioners gathered before and after services to pitch in with gardening, carpentry and painting skills. When "Work Day" adjourned at 1:00 PM, the wheelchair ramp had been reinforced (Jeffrey Reise), the entry to the rectory painted (Linda Byrum), gardens weeded and mulched (Linda Remington and Larry Dean, Gordon and Barbara Stenning, Marilyn Hennessey, Marilyn Hambly and Judy Gessler), the hedges were trimmed (Brad Chase), the shed was repaired and painted (Doug and Linda Byrum, Bob Gessler), and even more. Not only that ... we were all well fed and had fun!

175th Anniversary Tree Planting

Today just after our 8:00 AM service we planted a small white cedar near the south west corner of the Saint Paul's Cemetery. The tree was a gift from the Portsmouth Tree Commission. During the simple and joyful ceremony there were brief remarks by our Senior Warden Doug Byrum and a blessing from the Reverend Charles Chaplin. In his remarks Doug stated that the tree was being planted both in memory of those who were part of our church's previous 175 years and as a gift from us and the town to our future parishioners. Our Junior Warden Linda Remington closed the ceremony by reciting a portion of a poem by e.e. cummings .

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
- e.e. cummings

Presiding Bishop's Pentecost Letter

This Pentecost, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori writes that the gift of Holy Spirit is a 'breath of ever-new life' as we encounter 'issues of identity, vocation, and mission'. Her letter is provided below.

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we come to the end of Eastertide and the feast of Pentecost, we shift to an awareness of God present with us in Holy Spirit. The early church marked that gift as inspiration, fire, and language -- the breath of ever-new life and the burning desire for ongoing relationship with God. That gift of Holy Spirit keeps us lively and moving, bears us into new territory and challenges unsought.

In this as in every age, we face issues of identity, vocation, and mission as members of the Body of Christ. Entering the long season of Pentecost brings our focus to how we, too, will follow Jesus inspired by Holy Spirit. I would like to offer a few reminders about identity, vocation, and mission that I shared recently with the people of the Diocese of San Joaquin:

1) Jesus is Lord. In the same sense that early Christians proclaimed that Jesus, not Caesar, is Lord, remember that no one else -- not any hierarch, not any ecclesiastical official, not any one of you -- is Lord. We belong to God, whom we know in Jesus, and there is no other place where we find the ground of our identity.

2) We are all made in the image of God. Even when we can't see that image of God immediately, we are challenged to keep searching for it, especially in those who may call us enemy.

3) In baptism we discover that we are meant to be for others, in the same way that God is for us. This means that God's mission must be the primary focus, not anything that focuses on our own selves to the exclusion of neighbor. For when we miss the neighbor, we miss God.

4) None of us is alone. We cannot engage the fullness of God's mission alone, nor know the fullness of God's reality alone. Together as members of the Body of Christ, we can begin to try. And the Spirit, burning fire, inspiring breath, and speaking in many tongues, is present in that Body, empowering and emboldening and strengthening our work. Thanks be to God who continually makes us new.

Your servant in Christ,

+Katharine Jefferts Schori

Person-to-Person

Our Person-to-Person connections ministry is underway. Each person who signed up has the name and phone number of another Person-to-Person participant and a commitment to call them once a week and to pray for them as they indicate based on the call. The eight week commitment to the Person-to-Person ministry will enhance communication by having more people at Saint Paul's talking on a regular basis, will build a bond by sharing something of value, will build fellowship by doing something Christian together, will increase our chances of hearing what God is saying to us by practicing listening, and will respond to the parish strength revealed by our recent survey which was that 92% of us pray regularly outside of church services.

CROP Walk 2008

Taking advantage of beautiful weather today, Linda Remington and Bob Gessler completed the 10-mile route of the CROP Hunger Walk 2008. The route started at Emmanuel Church in Newport , went up Broadway to St. Peter's, then back to Emmanuel Church for the completion of the four-mile route and start of the six-mile extension around Ocean Drive and back to Emmanuel Church. Of the 80+ walkers only 10 chose the longer route. Linda and Bob were the last two in, tired and sore but happy to have completed the walk. So far over $300 has been pledged for their efforts, but we hope additional pledges will come in. So why support CROP? Simply, we walk because they walk. They walk for water, food and fuel. They walk to escape violence. Seventy-five percent of the money raised goes to Church World Services projects. These projects include responding to national and international emergencies, assisting refugees, and hunger and development programs. There is much more information on the website at www.churchworldservice.org. The other 25% stays on the island to help the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and Florence Gray Center programs. As you know, food prices are increasing everywhere but especially hit people with low incomes and in developing countries hardest so any contribution you can make will be much appreciated. Thank You!

Habitat for Humanity Global Village

St. Paul's member Bob Gessler recently returned from a Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip to Tajikistan in Central Asia . During the two week stay in the country Bob worked on building several houses at two sites. The houses are constructed of mud bricks on concrete foundations with sheet metal roofs attached to timber rafters. The Habitat team of 12 people from across the country primarily helped dig the foundations, mix concrete, pass buckets of concrete, carry rocks and assemble rebar for the concrete foundations. While there the team enjoyed the hospitality of the people. Some highlights include attending the New Year's celebration on March 21 and being invited into people's homes for meals. Bob will be presenting photos from the trip during a potluck dinner at St. Paul's starting at 7 pm on May 2. Hope you can join us.