Christian Counseling Center Lease Approved

Debbie Kichar, Executive Director of the Christian Counseling and Family Life Center, and Ron Marcho, Senior Warden of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, signing the new relationship agreement and lease.

Dear Friends in Christ -

A wonderful thing happened today: St. Paul's voted to approve a new lease for the Christian Counseling and Family Life Center (CCC). 25 years ago, the CCC was started as a ministry of the parish. It has grown from a "program" of the parish with volunteer counselors meeting clients in parish meeting rooms into a fully-credentialed center serving hundreds and hundreds of clients a year. The CCC has a staff of 13 and budget of over $400,000. Not bad for a "little" parish program, eh?!

As the CCC moves into the next phase of its ministry, the best things that St. Paul's can give them are (1) our continued prayers and support and (2) a continuing lease of the space in the "Baldwin" building. St. Paul's gave both of these things on Sunday, topped off by a big round of applause!!

Many thanks to all those who have worked so faithfully over these past months to make this transition a success: the CCC sub-committee and board of directors, St. Paul's vestry and executive committee, and Ginny Mihalko, our stalwart legal advisor!

May God show us all what He would have us to do next for the building of His kingdom!

Blessings,
Janet+

SPECIAL PARISH MEETING

SPECIAL PARISH MEETING
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2007 - 11:45 A.M. - PARISH HALL
For the purpose of:
Approving a New Lease for the
Christian Counseling and Family Life Center

We need YOU to come and vote at this Special Parish Meeting. For 25 years, the Christian Counseling Center has been an important outreach of the parish. The best way that you can support them now is to come and vote to approve this lease so that they can continue to minister out of the "Baldwin building" - a garage that they have converted into wonderful office space.

Detailed information was distributed at the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. worship services this morning. If you would like a copy of this information, stop by the parish office this week or email the parish administrator (stpauls@stpaulsct.org) to receive a copy via email. A copy of the lease is also available.

Thank you, in advance, for making the effort to come to this important meeting!

Feldenkrais

Dear Friends in Christ -

Felden . . . what????

You know, in church we talk about wholeness - body, mind and spirit. Mostly we talk about spirit. Not because the other things aren't important, but because the church kind of specialized in the spirit stuff.

But I know a good opportunity when I see it - and one came to us a few weeks ago. A local physical therapist who has trained in the Feldenkrais method of movement was looking for a place to hold classes. Through a Shelton-New Orleans connection, she found us (small world!).

Feldenkrais is a therapeutic type of movement exercise that helps realign the body and get stiff joints moving. Through improved posture and body awareness, it also helps increase energy and circulation. People of all ages and abilities are welcome. Exercises are not strenuous, so people with various abilities and disabilities can participate.

If you want more information, take an information tag off of one of the parish bulletin boards, or call the parish office (929-1722). Classes will be held regularly (once a week) in the parish hall. The first class will be held on Thursday, October 25th, at 9:15.

Enjoy!
Blessings,
Janet+

Three Cheers for Diocesan Convention!

Dear Friends in Christ -
I came home tonight inspired! That's a pretty good thing to be able to say when I've spent all day at Diocesan meetings.

I came home inspired because of two AWESOME activist mothers - Enola Aird and Evalyn Wakhusama. Enola is a mom who lives just down the road from here, in Cheshire. Evalyn is a mom (and a priest) who lives in Kenya. Though these moms live a world apart from each other, one of their key messages was the same: we have to do more to protect and fight for our children - here in this country and around the world.

Stay tuned for more about these wonderful women, the work they're doing, and the work they're challenging us to do.
Blessings,
Janet+

Details . . .details . . .

"So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe of the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by ropes. Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, ‘Just put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.’ Jeremiah did so. Then they drew Jeremiah up by the ropes and pulled him out of the cistern." - Jeremiah 38:11-13

" . . . and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." - Matthew 10:42

In the middle of a daring rescue attempt, the people who rush to get the prophet Jeremiah out of a cistern stop to get some rags to prevent rope-burn on his armpits. In the middle of teaching his disciples about the drama and dangers of discipleship, he reminds them that just getting a cup of water for a child is a kindness worthy of heaven.

Several years ago, Hallmark coined the phrase, "It's the little things that mean so much." And we know it's true. In the midst of busy days and "important" work, these thoughtful, gentle gifts send a message to people: I care; God cares.

May God open your eyes this day to an opportunity to do a little kindness for someone - a kindness that brings a little piece of heaven to earth.

Blessings,
Janet+

5 minutes for greater wholeness in our Body

Dear Friends in Christ -

At church on Sunday morning, someone said to me, "I haven't seen _________ here at church in a few weeks. Have you seen him?" I hadn't.

The person speaking to me continued. "I think I'll give him a call . . ."

Ah, what a gift! Both to the person who has been missing these past few weeks, and also to the congregation as a whole. The person who has been missing may be ill or on vacation or discouraged about something. A simple call restores the connection and brings us together again, making us whole in spirit, mind and Body.

Do you know anyone who has been missing? Give him/her a ring. The restored connection will give you a lift - guaranteed.
Blessings,
Janet+

Ever wonder how some things get done . . . ?

. . . by stealth in the night!!

We are privileged to have a new program here at St. Paul's, under the direction of Dawn Barber, our wonderful Director of Religious Education. The program is called "God and Country" and it dove-tails scouting with church.

The kids above (Mikey and Kyle, accompanied by Mr. Barber) are doing a little night-time demolition of an old cabinet that used to be in the double classroom. Service to the church is part of their "God and Country" curriculum, and it's not a sin to have a little fun doing it!

Thanks, guys!

Blessings,

Janet+

Rector's Challenge

Dear Friends in Christ -

Yesterday's Gospel lesson (Luke 17:5-10) forced us to take a hard look at God's call on our lives. As followers of Jesus, God asks us to work . . . and work some more. This work (though challenging and sometimes even full of risk and danger) is also full of purpose.
One of the things that drew me to St. Paul's was the parish's understanding of the work you are engaged in, as articulated in your mission statement:

"Our mission is to bring people to an ever-deepening relationship

with God, and with one another, through Jesus Christ.

Under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit,

we aspire to be a loving and welcoming family of faith

which is a living witness for the coming Kingdom of God."

For a long time now, this mission statement has been printed at the top of each Sunday morning bulletin. Now it's time to pull the mission off the page, write it on our hearts, and see what God will do with it - and with us - next!

So here's the RECTOR'S CHALLENGE: I challenge all people of the parish to memorize the mission statement and say it to me before Thanksgiving. I will reward those who do this with HOMEMADE FUDGE. I make some pretty good fudge, if I do say so myself, so get busy!!!!

I look forward to hearing from YOU!

Blessings,

Janet+

Blessing of the Animals

Wow - what a day!

Those who love creatures of fur, feather and fin brought their beloved pets to St. Paul's yesterday (Saturday 10/6) for the Blessing of the Animals. The whole affair was caught on video tape by a wonderful reporter/photographer/videographer from the Connecticut Post, Christian Abraham.

To see the action for yourself, go to the Connecticut Post website . . .
http://www.connpost.com/photogallery

What joy to welcome people from all over the community to our parish for this glorious event.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+

Mission Statement for Outreach

Dear Friends in Christ -

For the past couple of weeks, I've been holding in my heart the new mission statement for Outreach at St. Paul's that was approved by the Outreach Committee on September 23rd.

Will you join me in offering it up to our Lord in prayer . . . and see where God leads us???

As a community of faith we seek to answer

the radical call of the Gospel

to be in solidarity with those in need

through service and fellowship and advocacy and witness,

all for the glory of God in working to bring about God's Kingdom

by being the love and light of Christ in the world.

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD ~ James 2:17

Faithfully yours,

Janet+

An ancient prayer . . .

. . . that's powerful in modern times, too. The Confirmands and their Sponsors prayed it this evening in tonight's youth confirmation class.

From the end of the Compline (late night) prayer service - Book of Common Prayer p.134
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

Mini me

"For as you return to the Lord, your kindred and your children will find compassion . . . and return . . . For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him." -- 2 Chronicles 29:9

When my daughter was 2, she started filling huge bags and purses with things. Every time we left the house, she would insist on taking one with her. Like many little kid behaviors, it was both charming and irritating. Charming because she was clearly doing something which such purpose and intent. Irritating because we often had to wait for her to get her bag before we could leave the house.

One morning as we were running late and yet still waiting for my daughter to lug her huge bag to the car, my husband fumed: "Why does she do that??"

It set me to wondering . . . and then I realized: both my husband and I packed a huge bag of stuff everywhere we went - books, calendars, computers, kid stuff, etc. Of course she would think that was just what she should do, too!

Our kids watch us even when we're not watching ourselves. They are aware of not only our actions, but also our attitudes. What do we want them to pick up from us? What do we want them to see, to know, to mimic?

Today's Scripture reading reminds us that our family and kids will follow where we lead. If we're going to God (even if we haven't gone to Him in a while), they'll see that, and they'll follow.

Faithfully yours,
Janet+