M.O. FOOD = L.I.F.E. Food Pantry

Murphy and Others, Living Interdependently for Future Endeavors, Inc. is a non-profit organization in nearby New Bedford, Massachusetts that assists people with disabilities. The food pantry, a collaborative venture with the Hunger Commission of Southeastern Massachusetts which is run by M.O. L.I.F.E staff, the people they support, and volunteer help from elsewhere including Saint Paul's, serves a growing population of hungry people in the greater New Bedford area. Each month over 300 people receive much needed food from the pantry. Our efforts, which are only a small part of those from the many others who work at the M.O. FOOD = L.I.F.E. Food Pantry as well as similar facilities throughout the southern New England area, do make a real difference ... and your efforts can as well ... please consider contacting and volunteering at a food pantry in your neighborhood today.

Bishop's Pastoral Visit

Bishop Wolf came to St. Paul's on Sunday February 3rd to preach at our 10 AM Eucharist and to spend time with parish members before and after the service. Her sermon centered on Matthew 17:1-9, the transfiguration narrative. A key theme of her message was that God bids us to "come as we are" with no preconditions but also that after we come and enter into a relationship we can expect the relationship to bring change. God is a transforming force and we can expect that to be uncomfortable for us at times but lead to our ultimate benefit.

Before and after the service an open discussion was held with the "floor open to any and all questions". A meaningful exchange occurred and we were challenged to participate in the upcoming Convocation dinner and workshop February 29 and March 1st.

Presiding Bishop's Lenten Message

In her message this Lent, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori invites us to make a "squawk list" and to tune our spiritual life. Her message to us is provided below.

Keeping a Holy Lent: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving

The Church gradually took on the discipline of Lent in solidarity with those preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil. That preparation work has traditionally been summarized as prayer and study, fasting, and almsgiving. Today we might remember the origins of Lent, take in our traditional understandings, and use these 40 days plus Sundays to prepare to renew our own baptismal vows. This ancient understanding of prayer, study, fasting, and almsgiving shapes the lives we lead. Each of us is baptized into a life of relationship with God (prayer), relationship with self on behalf of others (fasting), and relationship with all the rest of creation (almsgiving). Lent brings a regular opportunity to tune up our Christian life and relationships.

What happens when you take your car in for a tune-up? Most of us no longer do that work ourselves, because the computers in our vehicles are usually beyond our reach. They are not, however, beyond the ken of those with appropriate skill, training, and tools. The spiritual life of a Christian can also benefit from the assistance of technicians (trained practitioners) -- priests, spiritual directors, confessors, a Cursillo reunion, or 12-step group. The opportunity to review the functioning of spark plugs, change the oil, test the cylinder compression, and rotate, fill, and maybe even replace the tires keeps our cars running.

The same kind of attention to one's spiritual life can yield better gas mileage (focused energy for effective living) and effective transportation (how do I get from where I start to my destination?). Reviewing the rules of the road can make the trip much more pleasant for us and others (the early followers of Jesus actually called their practice "the road" or "the way"). We human vehicles need an effective connection to the source of life, guidance and directions (prayer and study), regular maintenance (fasting), and effective ways to connect with the world (almsgiving).

This Lent could be an opportunity to learn new ways of praying, or what the apostles teach, or what Jesus says about money. It could also be a time to take on a new prayer discipline -- maybe practicing seeing the image of God in every person on the street, or being grateful for the hidden blessings of the parts of creation that challenge us (gray days, viruses, mosquitoes -- I'm still working on mosquitoes!). We might practice compassion for the coworker who drives us crazy (and perhaps seek help in learning more effective ways to relate).

The ancient tradition of fasting is about self-discipline in what we eat and drink, and in today's world it is also about judicious consumption of the world's goods -- not just what we buy at the mall, but how we use water, how we leave the air around us, how we deal with "garbage," and the size of our carbon footprint. It is a recognition that how we use the blessings of creation has a vast relationship to how our neighbors can also enjoy those blessings.

Giving alms means caring for those in need. The word comes from the same root as eleison, as in Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy), and it really means compassion. How do we approach and respond to the people around us and far away who are "crying in the wilderness"? The work of Lent is about cultivating a compassionate heart that will shape all our encounters in the coming year and years. Sunday schools often take on a specific alms aim during Lent, like filling a penny jar for Heifer Project, or serving lunch at a homeless feeding center. Almsgiving has traditionally meant acting compassionately with one's treasure, but it is just as appropriate to think about how we use our time and talent mercifully.

As we approach Lent -- early in February this year -- let me invite you to join in tuning up your spiritual life. Take an hour to make an inventory -- what mechanics know as a squawk list. Which spark isn't as hot as it might be? Which tire is going flat? What kind of oil are you going to add this time? And what are you going to do with the old, dirty stuff? That's what the altar is for, in a spirit of repentance and return, and it's not unlike recycling the old so it can be used for good. A blessed trip this year!

Portsmouth Arts Guild Shows

There is still time to catch the Judy Chaves Invitational with the PAG gallery in St. Paul's Parish Hall full of wonderful works by Judy's 'Art Pals' including Kendra Bidwell Ferreira, Carol Strause FitzSimonds, Jane N. Gemma, Rita Honnen, Marjorie Jensen, Annette Peterson, Jackie Schriber, Suzanne Siegel, Jeanne Tangney, Nancy Gaucher-Thomas and Carol Zaloumis. 

And you most certainly won't want to miss the PAG's Juried Members' Exhibition with a theme of H2O that has an Opening Reception on Sunday November 4th from 3-5 PM and runs through November 25th. 

Then there's the 'Under $200' Holiday Show and Sale during December and on December 9th beginning at 3PM Truman Capote's 'A Christmas Memory' - A Dramatic Reading with Barbara Blossom, Trinity Rep Veteran, and Jeremiah Allen, All Children's Theater. 

Our partnership with the PAG, which began just over a year ago, has been and continues to be in so many ways full of the grace and abundance for which we prayed when first setting out.

Gifts for Life

Gifts for Life: The Episcopal Relief and Development Gifts for Life Catalog arrived in the mail this week. This Catalog is intended to make it easy to give gifts for Thanksgiving, Christmas, & other holidays, Birthdays, Anniversaries, and for any other special occasion to help support Episcopal Relief and Development efforts in providing emergency assistance in times of disaster; rebuilding devastated communities and offering long-term program development solutions to fight poverty. Gift categories include selections that address Basics for Life, Animals & Agriculture, Preventable Diseases, Economic Opportunites as well as gifts Just for Kids with many, many choices such as the gift of an Oxen and plow, the gift of Mosquito Nets and training, the gift of Micro-Credit Loans and more.

Why not give a goat today for income and nourishment? Goats are prized in many developing countries for their milk, meat and manure. Also, they produce more goats! They are hardy and well-adapted to a variety of climates, and they can be raised on very small farms. The gift of a goat provides ongoing income for a family.

Shelley Lynn Hollis Memorial Golf Tournament

The 7th Annual Shelley Lynn Hollis Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Dr. Robert Legare Research Fund at the Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island's Oncology Center will be held on Tuesday June 26, 2007 at Newport National Golf Club in Middletown, Rhode Island. Registration is at 9:00 AM and Tee Time is at 10:00 AM. Join us at Newport National for great golf, a great charity, a great meal, great activities, 18 Hole Scramble, a fantastic buffet by Oceanside Catering, a super raffle, a silent auction, a door prize and more. For further information please call Teddie at 418-1662 .

Episcopal Charities 2007

Episcopal Charities 2007: The annual campaign for the Rhode Island Diocese Episcopal Charities Fund is underway. The more than 100 agencies that have been supported by the Fund each year make an important difference in the lives of persons in need every day. Our generosity in 2007 will mean that their good work can continue. Friends and parishioners of St. Paul's will be contacted by our fund coordinators and can help by sending in their donation, placing their gift in the offering plate on Sunday, or donating online at www.episcopalri.org/charities .

Heifer Presentation

Judy and Bob Gessler, our Outreach Committee co-chairs, and The Rev. Virginia Dinsmore of St. Mary's received plaques on behalf of St. Paul's and St. Mary's from Heifer International representative, Janice Dexter-Ganek, this Sunday at our 8:00 services for our combined efforts during the campaign last Advent where together we donated an Ark (and much more!!) to the Heifer Program.

Portsmouth Arts Guild Inaugural Exhibition

The eagerly awaited Members' Exhibition of the PAG opened this weekend with a gala event showcasing both the work of 80 guild members and the guild's new home in the Center for the Arts in the parish hall at Saint Paul's. A happy crowd filled the Center to overflowing as they enjoyed the art on exhibit and an evening which marked an important milestone in the beginning of our adventure together with the PAG. That partnership was addressed in remarks with which our Senior Warden, Linda Remington, helped begin the evening. "This adventure began with a phone call between strangers. This past six months have given deeper meaning to the words 'thanks for calling'. Eric Broudy - thank you for the call. Gracious and Loving God - thank you for the call. I'd also like to thank our steering committee: Neila Bennett, Brad Chase and Bob Gessler who worked with me, and with Eric and Jan Armor to articulate this partnership, and the vestry of St. Paul's, which, in the spirit of Episcopalian Enlightenment, approved this partnership. The word communion means sharing, and is a foundation for the faith community to which I and others of us here tonight belong, our St. Paul's family, and now the larger community of our partnership - this community with you all. May this community bring abundant blessings to its members who love and heal, and teach and learn at this Center for the Arts and at the little white church next door." The exhibit which comprises nearly 150 pieces in a wide variety of media, including two delightful items by Bishop Geralyn Wolf, runs from March 2 through April 5 and will be open for viewing from 1-5 PM each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during that period. We hope to see you there.

Celebrating Saint Paul

The Rev. Dr. Paul S. Koumrian will lead us in celebrating Holy Eucharist on January 28th, with a dramatic homily to commemorate the Conversion of Saint Paul. Koumrian will be accompanied by Al Deston, on keyboard, with music from the American Songbook. The theme is "Letting Go", as it relates to St. Paul's conversion and also our contemporary life. The only service that day will be at 10:00, followed by a reception and opportunity to discuss the homily with Paul Koumrian.

The Rev. Koumrian is presently rector of Trinity Church in Newport, and is Rector Emeritus of Holy Trinity, Tiverton.

St. Paul's Church recently joined the Portsmouth Arts Guild in a partnership agreement. The two groups are restoring the St. Paul's parish house which will continue to serve as parish house to the church as well as being permanent home of the Arts Guild.

Heifer Campaign

Our 2006 Heifer Campaign conducted in partnership with St. Mary's was very successful with over $7500 raised to help end world hunger. Our joint effort with St. Mary's was a key part of our commitment to helping achieve the Millenium Development Goals outlined by the UN and strongly endorsed by the Episcopal Church of the USA at the 75th General Convention. The excellent response to this campaign by friends and parishioners of St. Paul's and St. Mary's is only the beginning of our work. We would very much welcome your joining us as we continue striving for "a world where the hungry are fed, the ill are healed, the young educated, women and men treated equally, and where all have access to clean water and adequate sanitation, basic health care, and the promise of development that does not endanger the rest of creation."

Partners

On December 19th the Art Guild invited St. Paul parishioners to celebrate Christmas under the newly restored Parish House ceiling and on January 6th parishioners have invited Guild members to a Twelfth Night Party atop the newly de-carpeted floor.

St. Paul's Parish Hall is new home for Portsmouth Arts Guild

We signed our agreement with the Arts Guild last week at the PAG members meeting in the parish house. We thank God for opening this opportunity to us, and pray that we grow in this partnership with grace and abundance. Also, we thank all of you who have shared in the conversation that led to this agreement. Further information on our exciting new partnership is provided below.

Aug. 16, 2006: For immediate release
PORTSMOUTH ARTS GUILD FINDS A HOME
The Portsmouth Arts Guild, which has been in search of a permanent home since its founding in January 2003, has found a home in the parish hall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2679 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.

In an agreement signed yesterday with the senior warden of St. Paul's vestry, The Portsmouth Arts Guild will occupy the 19th-century parish hall for exhibitions, lectures and meetings, and art classes and workshops. St. Paul's will continue to use the space for weddings, funerals, and its other usual gatherings, and groups such as AA will continue to meet there. The church itself, adjacent to the parish hall, where two masses are celebrated every Sunday, will also be available to the Arts Guild at other times for poetry readings, musical and theatrical performances.

The parish hall provides some 1,200 square feet of gallery and meeting space, plus a kitchen and basement area suitable for art classes and workshops.

"This is definitely a win-win," said Guild president Eric Broudy. "The church has acquired a partner who, like them, has a real interest in improving life in the community, and the Guild for the first time has its own space for art shows, meetings and classes. And the parish hall is ideal for a community arts center; it's centrally located, with parking and handicapped access."

"It warms my heart to envision a lively arts center in this same space that holds our parish gatherings and events," added Linda Remington, senior warden at St. Paul's and new Arts Guild member. "Creative expression and viewing artists' work are both so inspiring - how perfect. I'm very excited by what this partnership will bring to our parish and community."

The Guild hopes to inaugurate its new space with an open, juried show in the late fall, Broudy said. "We have some work to do first to transform a meeting hall into a proper gallery, but we're optimistic that working together we'll be ready for a show in the fall."

The Portsmouth Arts Guild has 100-plus members, nearly all of whom are artists working in oils, watercolor, pastels, mixed media, photography, fiber arts, ceramics, sculpture, wood carving, and print making. About half are Portsmouth residents, with most others coming from the surrounding towns of Tiverton, Middletown, Newport, Barrington, Bristol and North Kingston.

St. Paul's Episcopal church was founded in the summer of 1833, built by parishioners between September and December, with the first service held on Christmas Day of that year. The little church has always been deeply-rooted in the Portsmouth community.

Urn Garden Dedication

We had a very nice visit last Sunday with the Reverend David Jenkins, rector at St. Paul's from 1961 to 1969. Following the 10:00 service, in a ceremony led by Jr. Warden Priscilla Harrison Bates, we dedicated our new Urn Garden to Fr. Dave. Afterwards we enjoyed a potluck brunch, listening to stories about St. Paul's in the 1960s and sharing visions of St. Paul's in the 21st century.

Saint Anthony's Parade

This year marks the return of Saint Paul's parishioners as active participants in the colorful parade that is a part of the Saint Anthony's Feast held by our neighbors at Saint Anthony's Catholic Church. This year's Feast is the 78th such celebration held by Saint Anthony's.

CARE / OXFAM Car Wash

Early morning rain gave way to partial clouds then sunshine for our car wash today at Clement's Market to support CARE and OXFAM, humanitarian organizations working to end global poverty. We are especially thankful for the efforts of our guests from Landmark Volunteers whose hard work among the suds helped make our day a success.

Peter Harris Memorial Service

Peter Harris Memorial Service: A memorial service was celebrated Saturday, April 29, 2006 in memory of Peter H. E. Harris, former senior warden, and forever a member of St. Paul's parish family.

Before the service, a delegation of local Masons honored Peter's memory with a Masonic Memorial Service of readings and responses.

The Holy Eucharist was celebrated by The Reverend Hebert W. Bolles, assisted on the altar by The Reverend Deacon Ann D. Pelletier, Linda Remington and Scott Sherman. Marilyn Hambly and Sara Oliveira provided the music along with a small but beautiful choir of friends/performing hymns chosen by Peter.

After the service all adjourned to the recently restored Lady Garden for a dedication of that place where Peter had worked faithfully and well for so many years. Many were wiping their tears as Peter's wife Peggy unveiled the new stone and read the following inscription:

THE LADY GARDEN IS DEDICATED
IN LOVING MEMORY
1931 OF PETER H E HARRIS 2006
WHO DILIGENTLY SERVED AS
SENIOR WARDEN, CHURCHYARD DIRECTOR
AND CHOIR MEMBER
Afterward, all walked to the parish house for a feast prepared by Shirley and Tom Sylvia and family. It provided an opportunity for family and friends of Peter to meet and share their memories. It was a beautiful ceremony and a spectacular day. Peter would have smiled.

St. Paul's Health Club

Those looking for a way to work off any extra calories from Thanksgiving arrived early this cool Saturday morning to take advantage of a "special" offer from Bob Gessler on behalf of St. Paul's "Health Club".

The offer, extended to all, was to come with a rake and gloves to help in the church yard. In terms of getting the church yard cleaned up, getting our new flag in place, and enjoying some fresh air and fellowship ... Bob's real objectives ... the activities of the enthusiastic and hard working "exercisers" were a great success.

Paul Twelves Appreciated

Yesterday's fellowship brunch was delightful. We dined, in joyful companionship, on a delicious repast amid lovely Fall decorations and we articulated our heartfelt appreciation for The Rev. Paul 12s. There is so much that Paul has done for us here at Saint Paul's - from his leading our services during the last 2 years, to his thoughtful mentoring of us during our Christian Formation over the last several months - for which we are most thankful.

2nd Annual Lawn Party & Craft Fair

Beautiful weather, beautiful friends and beautiful craft works, as well as delicious food and fun made for a very successful and joyful time today at Saint Paul's. We are most appreciative of all who came by to share the party with us, the hard work by the many volunteers who helped make this happen and the wonderful items offered for sale by our craft fair exhibitors including Charlie of Smiling Jack's with the colorful jigs and sinkers, Elaine Carter of Barefoot Books with her wonderful celebration of art and story, Amy A. C. Punchak with her very nice knit work along with her sculptures which truly were "scenes from the next", and also the fabulous hats, boas, beaded shawls and other fine clothing from Trish of Sonnetts Design.

A Thank You From Gordon Stenning

Members of Saint Paul's received a very nice thank you card from Gordon in appreciation of our recent reception in honor of him.

Gordon Stenning Celebration

Gordon Stenning's 50th anniversary as an ordained deacon was celebrated by parishioners and friends of Saint Paul's at a luncheon reception following today's 10 o'clock service. As a part of the festivities all in attendance participated in a group reading of a commemorative poem penned for this noteworthy milestone in the life of the "Pastor of Portsmouth" by Joy and Paul Twelves. All of us at Saint Paul's share in our appreciation of Gordon's role in our church community. And all of us share as well in our appreciation of Shirley Sylvia's return from "retirement" to stage the luncheon.

CROP Walk 2005

Saint Paul's Linda Remington and Bob Gessler were among the first underway of the many area walkers who participated in this year's CROP WALK on Aquidneck Island. 

This community service and fundraising appeal for Church World Service (CWS) is a united undertaking by multiple denominations to relieve poverty, aid in development, and provide disaster and refugee assistance worldwide. We are proud to be a part of this effort once again and, even though the weather today looks a little unsettled, Linda and Bob expect to complete the 10 mile loop this morning, rain or shine.