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October 2013Volume VII Number 8
Five Marks of MissionI taught the Faith Forum about outreach or mission on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in the Dixon House. Together we looked at the five marks of mission developed by the Anglican Consultative Council. They offer a framework for mission and ministry work that is true to our tradition. The five marks are: “To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom; to teach, baptize and nurture new believers; to respond to human need by loving service; to seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation; and finally to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”The first mark is to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa says that our mission flows from the fact that God loves us, period. That dignity is imparted to everyone, and that is our message by word and deed.Christ Church and St. Michael’s dedicated a portrait of their late rector Jean Mather, and I was asked to send a letter. I concluded, “Go forward to spread the Kingdom, that great mending, that is all our duty. The first mark of mission is to proclaim reconciliation and community in our hearts, our homes, our nations and our world.Saint Paul’s had its beginning in 1856 with this mark of mission in mind. Our original purpose and passion was to build Christian community. This is the fruit of proclaiming God’s Kingdom. It is our past, our future and our present.~Cliff
O P E ND O O R S
O P E NM I N D S
O P E NH E A R T S
Renew Refresh, Revitalize
“...be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”Romans 12:2 Saint Paul’s Monthly Newsletter
StewardshipOur stewardship ingathering of commitment and contribution to God’s work of reconciliation and community at Saint Paul’s will take place on Sunday, November 10. Below is a poem by Helen Steiner Rice
about the abundant life that comes from generous living.
The more you give, the more you get – The more you laugh, the less you fret –
The more you do UnselfishlyThe more you live AbundantlyThe more of everything you share,
The more you’ll always have to spare – The more you love, the more you’ll findThat life is good and friends are kind…
For only What we give awayEnriches us from day to day.
Blessing of the AnimalsOur annual blessing of the animals will take place on Sun-day, October 6 at 1 p.m. at the corner of Bethlehem Pike and Germantown Avenue (in front of the Children of America school). We are taking our blessings out into the community as part of the Fall Arts Festival on the Avenue. October 6 is the Sunday nearest St. Francis Day commemorating St. Fran-cis (1182-1226). He said, “Let creatures all give thanks to thee, and serve in great humility.” Bring your pet cat or dog, hermit crab or turtle, even your stuffed animals – we’ll bless them all!
Events at Saint Paul’s
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Fr. Domenic Rossi, founder of the
BethesdaProject to Preach
Domenic Rossi, a Norbertine priest who lives at St. Gabriel’s parish in South Philadelphia, will lead the adult Faith Forum at 9:15 a.m. and be our preacher at the 10:30 a.m. worship on Sunday, October 13. At a Bible Study he led in 1977 three out of twelve participants opened at random to Isaiah 58 where it says share your bread with the hungry and shelter the homeless. Do you think God was telling them some-thing? Two years later he got a call to work with the homeless, and so was born the Bethesda Project. Be-ginning as a volunteer effort by the prayer group to help homeless men and women, it grew into a $5 mil-lion, nonprofit agency - today one of the city’s largest providers of services and housing for the homeless. Bethesda Project employs 140 full-time and part-time employees, as well as 500 volunteers. About 60 per-cent of its budget comes from federal, state and city sources. The agency runs 10 residences for homeless men and women, and has contracts with the city to operate a men’s shelter at Ninth and Hamilton Streets, plus two seasonal, drop-in centers for the homeless. Fr. Rossi lives the reality that prayer can change peo-ple’s lives.
The Rev. Dr. John Lewis to lead workshops and Preach at Saint Paul’s
John Lewis will present a series of workshops on October 25 and 26 sponsored by the Phila-delphia Theological Institute (an organization founded by Saint Paul’s Assistant Jim Ransom!). The first is a “Happy Hour for Busy Professionals” to be held at Trinity Memorial Church, 22nd and Spruce, on Friday, October 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. The topic will be Professional Codes of Ethics, do they help or hinder Christian discernment in difficult workplace situations? This event is particularly appropriate for younger adults but working adults of all ages are welcome.
At Saint Paul’s on Saturday morningOctober 26, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. business professionals will gather with John to talk about leadership in the workplace. How can faith help workplace leaders find direction and inspire strong in-teraction with colleagues? He will teach how small groups can discern challenging workplace issues through the lens of scripture and spirituality.A third session on October 26 from 4:30 -6 p.m., held at St. Mary’s Church, 36 Ardmore Avenue in Ardmore will explore workplace issues from the standpoint of spiritual maturity and balance. The role of wisdom, board leadership, and men-toring in the workplace will be the subject of this gathering from 4:30 to 6 p.m.John Lewis was a former trial lawyer in a large firm who sought to understand and shape his professional life in light of his Christian faith. This desire led to a deeper engagement with scripture through doctoral work in New Testament at Oxford University. The Rev. Dr. John Lewis (D.Phil.) is an Episcopal priest who inspires and trains people to think imaginatively
Dr. Eben Alexander to
speak at Saint Paul’s
Best-selling author and neuroscientist Eben Alexander, M.D. will speak at Saint Paul’s on Sunday afternoon, October 20 at 2 p.m., followed by Choral Evensong sung by St. Paul’s Choir. The suggested donation for the speaker is $10. The public is invited. Following a presentation on his book Proof of Heaven: A Neu-rosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife, and an exploration of con-sciousness giving access to transcendence, there will be a period for questions and answers, as well as a book signing.Eben Alexander while on the faculty of Harvard Medical School helped promote the development of stereotactic radiosurgery, intraoperative MR imaging and MRI-guided focused ultra-sound surgery in neurosurgery. In 2008 Dr. Alexander endured a severe case of bacterial meningitis. During a seven-day coma, he underwent a near-death experience that is recounted in his book. The richly detailed memory of that experience persists and has changed his life. His experience took him to another world where he encountered a sister he had never known and an unconditional compassion stronger than death.
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Godly Play Training on October 5We thank Valerie Chikwendu, Lynn Williamson, Sherri Hamilton, Chesley Lightsey, Sarah Latini,
Maria Johnson, Kara Gaghan and Joyce Klinefelterto our Godly Play Teachers Team.
Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth GradeGodly Play I-Ages 3 & 4
Godly Play II-Kindergarten and 1st & 2nd Grades, Godly Play III-3rd, 4th & 5th Grades
Meets every Sunday from 9:40 -10:30 a.m.
Saint Paul’s Hosts Godly Play Training“The use of Montessori’s approach to education has been adapted to Godly Play in order to stimu-late children’s active participation in story and ritual and to awaken their creativity for the learn-ing of the language, sacred stories, parables, litur-gical action and silence of the Christian tradition.”
www.godlyplayfoundation.orgThe second of three Teacher training sessions will be held at St. Paul’s on October 5 and the final session on December 7. The group consists of 15 teachers in all, six from St. Paul’s, and facilitator Dawn Stewart from the Godly Play Foundation. The certification of our teachers is as important for the teachers as it is for the children. Through the training process, teachers ac-quire the mechanics of Godly Play, the language, skill also deepens their own understanding of the program. The teachers are excited and commited to the children of St. Paul’s and are dedicated to continuing the high standards of St. Paul’s Godly Play Church School pro-grams. Godly Play started with a big bang!! Amazing day, great teachers and lots of kids!!! All the various pieces are in place for a great year. We have a great group of teachers who have had their first training and prepping for the second training on Saturday, October 5, 2013. Godly Play teachers were introduced and celebrated during the 9:00 a.m. service on Welcome Sunday, and it was such a wonderful sight to see all our teachers presented with corsages in appreciation for the ministry to which they have committed themselves. It is such an exciting time for our Godly Play program and we are looking forward to a spectacular year.
Christian Education for Children at Saint Paul’s
Listening and telling the Good News. Christian education on every level renews our minds, no matter whether you are the teacher or the learner. We seek to be a learning community.
Welcome Sunday & Empty Bowl Making for the Empty Bowl Dinner on November 20th, 2013
Christian Education For Adults at Saint Paul’sOur purpose as a Christian community is, in part, to be a wellspring of spiritual nourishment. We think you will find these
offerings spiritually nourishing. We also “educate for life” in both meanings of this phrase. We believe that education is life-long; and our aim is through spiritual education to understand life more truly.
Our parish theme this year is the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). We think this is a great place to start!
Your Questions Drive Bible Readings on Wednesday MorningsEvery Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. beginning on Wednesday, September 25 our assistant Emmanuel will lead a study of the Bible determined by participants. September begins with the Book of Genesis. This along with the other 38 books of the Hebrew Scriptures (that we call the Old Testament) was the Bible that Jesus knew in his earthly life and used in his teaching. So too with Paul and the authors of the Gospels, who understood the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord in the context of these scriptures. In addition to the stories from Gene-sis, we will go on to explore those of Moses and the Law and the Prophets. Our questions will drive our readings.All are welcome.
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The Stones Cry Out – Film Premiere & Discussion with FilmmakerThe film “The Stones Cry Out” will premiere in Philadelphia on Sunday, October 27 at 3 p.m. at Saint Paul’s in the church. Filmmaker Yasmine Perni will be present to introduce the movie and answer questions. The movie exam-ines the plight of Palestinian Christians, the direct descendants of those first Christians to follow Jesus. They are often called the forgotten faithful in the current Middle East crisis. Media coverage portrays Palestinians as Muslims when in fact they include both Muslims and Christians. In 1948 Elias Chacour, now Archbishop of the Galilee, was just a little boy when Israeli troops ordered his family out of the Christian village of Kir Bir’am. He remembers leaving his home with a blanket on his shoulder and having to take up residence with his family in a cave. Today the village of Kir Bir’am has been turned into a national park forbidding any possibility of return. The church there is abandoned.The story continues with the preemptive, surprise attack by Israel in the Six Day War that expropriated the West Bank. Then came the settlements that continue to take more land in the West Bank for Israeli villages, and the separation barrier or wall that has hemmed in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. In the film, leading Palestinian Christians including the late President of Beit Zeit University Gabi Baramki, Palestinian leader Hanan Ashrawi, civil society activist Ghassan Andoni, Patriarch Emeritus Michel Sabbah and others recount the unwavering and sometimes desperate struggle of all Palestinians to live on their land and resist the occupation under which they must live. The film is all the more important for the peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians that are currently being conducted under the auspices of Secretary of State John Kerry. Filmmaker Yasmine Perni returned to her native Italy after living in the Middle East from age 13. After work-ing as a journalist, photographer and television producer, she went into documentary filmmaking inspired by the Christians of Palestine whose story of perseverance and pride have been largely overlooked. This is her first experience of producing and writing a documentary. She con-ducted extensive research, combed through official Palestinian, Israeli, and U.N. film archives, and trav-elled the length and breadth of his-toric Palestine to make this picture. We welcome her to Saint Paul’s. For more information you may visit the website thestonescryoutmovie.com
Upcoming Events at Saint Paul’s
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Just Come and EatHospitality at Saint Paul’s includes periodic fellowship dinners whose only agenda is to share a meal to-gether (which is why we call it sim-ply, “Just Come and Eat”). This sup-per in the Parish Hall at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 27 will include an international flair. If you have a recipe from a different country let Jill Wemple ([email protected]) know and bring it along! At the same time bringing a dish is hardly necessary. Cooks have been lined up. Dishes will be prepared and there will be plenty of food for all. Our gathering to share a meal rein-forces the idea that everyone in our community is important. Conversa-tion is unstructured, open and fun.
Young ProfessionalsYoung professionals of Saint Paul’s is a group of parishioners who get together on a near monthly basis for meals and outreach. Our first meeting of the year will be a Happy Hour on Friday, Oc-tober 11th 2013 at 7 p.m. The venue is Chestnut 7 located at 8201 German-town Ave, Philadelphia. The second is a workshop: Center City Happy Hour for Working Professionals on Friday, October 25 at 5-8 p.m. This workshop will be led by John Lewis who is a for-mer lawyer and is the founder of The WorkShop (www.theworkshop-sa.org), an organization that seeks to help busy professionals find time and space for faith in the workplace. Young Profes-sionals from across the Churches in Center City will gather together at Trin-ity Memorial Church (22 & Spruce St.) for a Happy Hour. The workshop will be discussing the professional codes of ethics that structure our behaviors in the workplace- do they help or hinder Christian discernment in difficult situ-ations. What more or what else is ex-pected of us as Christians.
Fall Family Potluck:The first Family Potluck for the year will be hosted by Scott and Alana Da-vis on October 12th, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. St. Paul’s Family Potluck is a great way for families to get in a relaxed social set-ting and enjoy each other’s company over drinks and good food. Parishio-ners also get the chance to get to know ourselves beyond the usual ‘busyness’ of Sunday mornings. We are very grateful to the Davis family for volunteering to host our first gathering and we hope you will all come out with the children for a great time. The address for the Davis Family is: 7952 Pleasant Avenue, Wyn-dmoor, PA. For further information and questions, please contact Alana Davis: [email protected] or Manny: [email protected] or 215-242-2055.
Turkey DriveAs part of our outreach to the com-munity and to those who hunger, we organize a Turkey Drive every year to support Face-to-Face, Germantown and Church of the Advocate. These two organizations which feed the hungry in our community, rely on our generous support in reaching out to those who may have nowhere to go for a turkey meal during the Thanksgiving holiday. Frozen turkey donations will be col-lected on Sunday, November 24th. Your generosity will be very much appreci-ated. For further information, please contact Manny: emercer@stpaulschest-
nuthill.org or 404-822-1422
Fall RetreatWe are offering a fall retreat which will be led by The Very Rev. Joseph Britton, Dean of the Berkeley Divin-ity School at Yale University. Dean Britton is one of the highly respected leaders in the Episcopal Church and an excellent retreat leader. The theme for the retreat is Renewed for Mission and Ministry- a topic much in-line with our thematic goal for the year. Because of circumstances, we had to change the date and the venue. The new date is November 2-3 and the venue is Pendle Hill Retreat Center in Wallingford. Please contact Man-ny at [email protected] or 404-822-1422.
Parents Exchange:The first in our monthly offerings for Parents Exchange is October 20, 2013 at 9:40 a.m.. Our seminar will be led by Mr. George James who is a thera-pist with the Council for Relationship. Mr. James will be talking about Com-munication as an Effective Tool in Marriages/Partnerships or any other relationship. Please join Mr. James in the Meeting Room, Church School wing for an interesting seminar.
Music News and Upcoming Music Events
A New Season of Glorious MusicWe are blessed at Saint Paul’s with a music program that is second to none in this region. Unique instruments, talented staff and parishioners, and a beautiful sanctuary, are combined with the parish’s commitment to lift up our worship in the love of making music together. This energy and joy is palpable, and draws visitors and seekers to Saint Paul’s. The chorister program is developing rapidly, offering children the opportunity to grow in musicianship and understanding of our tradition and lit-urgy. The adult choir continues to soar in worship. Members of both choirs are deeply embedded in other parish activities, strengthening the Saint Paul’s community of care, outreach and love.
October is a busy month with several exceptional musical opportunities. You are encouraged not just to attend these events, but to invite your friends.
Five Fridays ConcertsThe third season of Five Fridays begins this month. We cannot recommend highly enough these entertaining and excellent music events that take place on the labyrinth at Saint Paul’s. The audience is drawn in to the performance as talented young artists perform in our dramatic and intimate setting. A reception follows each concert. Generous community sponsors have made it possible for us to donate all ticket proceeds to Outreach, the beneficiary organizations being Face to Face German-town and the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Information about each program and online ticketing at www.fivefridays.org.
Friday October 4th at 7:30pmAn Astral Duo: Caroline Cole (harp) and Jonathan Wintringham (saxophone)http://www.fivefridays.org/
Friday November 1st at 7:30pmThe Laughing Bird Quartet: Philadelphia’s premier early music vocal quartet
Ann Stookey Memorial Organ Recital-Friday October 18th at 7:30pmChristopher Jennings, acclaimed organist from St. James Church, Madison Avenue in New York City, will play an imagina-tive program, the centerpiece of which is the rarely heard “Storm King Symphony” by Clarence Dickinson. This piece is a brilliant choice to showcase the rich tones and textures of Saint Paul’s historic Aeolian-Skinner organ. Watch a brief video about it in the music events section of the St. Paul’s website. This program is offered in loving memory of Ann Stookey (1952-2012), a long-time parishioner and friend of Saint Paul’s. A freewill offering will support the Ann Stookey Fund for Music at Saint Paul’s, which helps to maintain and renovate the organ.
Evensong -Sunday October 20th at 5pmThe combined choirs (choristers and adults) will offer the next monthly service of Evensong. The beautiful anthem “Hear My Prayer” by Felix Mendelssohn includes the familiar and much-loved melody, “O for the Wings of a Dove”. The Magnifi-cat and Nunc Dimittis of Herbert Brewer and Richard Ayleward’s Responses will also be sung. Participating in this ancient liturgy illuminated with gorgeous music is the perfect way to begin a new week. Join us there. More about Evensong services throughout the year at www.stpaulschestnuthill.org/music.
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Happenings at Saint Paul’s
3d Dance Studio
Dance Classes offered in Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop and Gymnastics Ages 2 ½-teen!
www.3ddancestudio.netCall/Text/Email Miss Danielle today! 215-872-1145
Children’s Music Express® is a parent/caregiver & child pro-gram. Join us this fall for the 10/12-Week Fall Session, Sep-tember 26th - December 19th on Thursdays in either the 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. class. Children learn fundamental skills and concepts in music and life through our enrichment pro-gram. We venture through various styles of music through sing-a-longs, chanting, large and small movement activities, dancing, marches, tonal and rhythm patterns, finger plays, and instrument play. Get ready for a fun, educational, and
musical experience. www.childrensmusicexpress.com.
Saint Paul’s welcomes Chestnut Hill Music Academy, 3d Dance Studio and Children’s Music Express
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Chestnut Hill Music Academy offers music lessons at St. Paul’sLong time area resident and music teacher Mickey Leone is partnering with St. Paul’s church to establish Chestnut Hill Music Academy here starting in in October 2013. The school will offer private music lessons on all instruments and voice. CHMA is renting various church rooms from the church when they are not needed for other church activities. CHMA’s profes-sional staff has been carefully selected, screened and supervised to provide a flexible program of study to accommodate each student’s unique talents, interests, temperament and learning style.
CHMA Director Mickey Leone has been working with children and music for over 25 years. He operated Makin’ Music, a parent-tot music program and the Chestnut Hill Guitar School at various area locations including St. Paul’s and at the Water Tow-er Recreation Center. Mickey also holds a Master’s Degree from Chestnut Hill College in Counseling Psychology with special training in play and music therapy for children.
Lessons are offered on all instruments at a variety of convenient times during the week. As a special thank you to St. Paul’s, CHMA will offer parishioners two free lessons on any instrument or voice with no obligation until the end of 2013.
For information contact Mickey Leoneat 215.233.2560 or go to the web site at
www.chestnuthillmusic.com
Our Clergy and StaffClergy
The Rev. E. Clifford Cutler [email protected]
The Rev. Emmanuel A. Mercer Assistant [email protected]
The Rev. Robert M. [email protected]
Staff
Zachary D. HemenwayDirector of Music and [email protected]
Virginia A. EmlenAdministrative [email protected]
Joe RussellOrgan [email protected]
Sarah PundersonCommunications [email protected]
Karen RichterMusic [email protected]
Vestry
Dale Lower, Rector’s WardenRod Gagné, Parishioners’ WardenStephen Camp-Landis, Accounting WardenLinda Boggs, SecretaryMark Duckett, Joe Fafara, John Faggotti, Bill Fikioris, Joyce Klinefelter, Richard Kolb,Tom O’Rourke, Allison Romig, Paul Sehnert, Rebecca Southwell, Arthur Stokes, Jill Wemple
Brennan & Associates, [email protected] Dhawo, SextonDolma Dhawo, Custodian
