The CommunicantAPRIL / MAY 2020

Our mission is to explore and celebrate God’s infinite grace, acceptance and love.

WWW.STPAULSFAY.ORG224 N. EAST AVE. FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72701 • PH: 479-442-7373 • #STPAULSFAY

STRANGE SEASON OF GIVINGIn this time of quarantine and physical distancing, I have been surprised at how eager people are to give. Over and over, people ask me how they can help. Despite raising among us new fears and anxieties, the COVID-19 pandemic has also awakened within us a desire to respond to the threat not passively but actively—by giving of ourselves to support those in need. But, when we are forced to stay at home, how can we help?

Maybe you have seen heart-warming stories of neighbors helping neighbors on social media or in the news. You might have heard on the radio this week about a new food pantry that has opened up on Dickson Street. You may have been the recipient of a gesture of kindness—a package of toilet tissue left on your doorstep by a thoughtful friend, a hand-written note of encouragement by someone who loves you, or a phone call from someone who just wanted to check on you.

This week, Suzanne Stoner began dividing up all of the households connected with our church into groups of around thirty so that volunteers can reach out by phone and be sure that everyone gets a friendly call. Of course, you do not have to wait for an official invitation. Susan Mayes decided to call many of the people who, like her, normally attend the 7:30am service on Sundays. Take a moment to think about the people who usually sit near you in church. Think about the individuals and families you often interact with at St. Paul’s. Pick up the phone and give them a call. Ask them how they are doing, and tell them that you miss them. In those conversations, you may discover specific ways to offer prayer or assistance in response to needs you could not have anticipated. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

STAYING CONNECTEDIn this time of physical distancing, we are finding new ways to connect. In addition to Sunday Morning and Wednesday Night worship, we now offer Morning and Evening prayer online. And the work of the church continues; formation and advocacy groups are meeting online and Community Meals is being served as grab & go lunches. At home, we can all use this moment as an opportunity to reach out to parishioners, especially those with limited internet access and who might feel disconnected from our community. Ask that person how they are doing and how you might pray for them. Whether online or offline, physically present or distanced, we all are—and continue to be—the church.

From the RectorSTRANGE SEASON OF GIVINGCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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All of us can benefit from a phone call or a word of encouragement, but some of us need more than that. How are hungry people being fed? With many local agencies closed, who is helping physically and financially vulnerable people in our midst? Our Community Meals program is continuing to offer meals on Mondays and Wednesdays, and we are grateful for our volunteers, but we have had to limit our numbers to ten or fewer and practice physical distancing while making and distributing sack lunches. Over the last two weeks, our Little Free Pantry has been empty more often than usual, and it could use replenishment by anyone who is driving by on their way home from the store. Soon, though, we may have to stay at home altogether, and some would argue that the time to shelter in place is now.

What are the organizations that could use your financial gifts and put them to good use in our community? Although it has had to change access to its day center, 7Hills Homeless Center continues to provide resources to those in this community who are experiencing homelessness. The Salvation Army is another organization that is working to adapt its critical services in this time of pandemic. So far, I have not heard of any organizations that are attempting to support individuals and families that have lost jobs because of the economic downturn associated with the novel coronavirus outbreak, but, in the months ahead, that is something our parish would like to do. This year, our Easter Offering will be set aside to provide financial assistance to those who are affected either by providing direct aid or through channels we have not yet explored. Giving to organizations with which you already have a relationship is the best place to start, but you may find other ideas of where to give in this recent article from the New York Times (www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-how-to-help-donations-charities.html).

Of course, St. Paul’s also depends upon your generosity, and, if you are still able, I hope you will continue to send in your financial gifts either by mail or through online giving (https://tithe.ly/give?c=454227). Some of us have lost substantial portions of our income because of layoffs or the downturn

in the stock market, and we know that, in those cases, giving needs to decrease. Others have steady incomes that have not been affected, and we hope that their giving will continue. Regardless of what you are able to contribute, know that what you share with your church goes directly to carry out God’s work among us. And know that, by sharing your financial resources, you are also sharing yourself with God.

Most of us bring our financial gifts with us when we come to church and place them in the offering plates so that they may be presented to God at the altar. We cannot do that in person right now, but we can continue to share our resources and give them to God so that our work as the church—as the Body of Christ—can continue beyond what each of us is able to do with our hands and feet.

Beyond financial contributions and acts of service, you can give yourself to this moment of need in spiritual ways. Start and end each day by joining our online services of Morning and Evening Prayer if possible or, if not, by praying on your own. Hold those who are sick, alone, or scared before God, and ask God to keep safe those whose work on our behalf makes them and their families vulnerable. Give up some of the comforts you usually enjoy in order that, by reducing your consumption, you need to take fewer trips to the store. Take a break from pandemic news coverage if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, trusting that by staying emotionally and spiritually grounded you are better able to ease the burdens of those dear to you. As a spiritual practice even more substantial than a Lenten discipline, find ways in this season of scarcity to give of your heart, your life, your good will.

Yours Faithfully,

Evan D. Garner

Sunday Mornings

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SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

At 8:45 a.m. Sunday morning, worship is livestreamed on our YouTube channel. By tuning in live, we have the opportunity to join together in spirit and form a virtual congregation.

St. Paul’s YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/c/stpaulsfay

Our service bulletin, which contains the lessons, music, and spoken parts of the service is available on our homepage, www.stpaulsfay.org. Look for the blue buttons beneath the gray “Church Online” banner. If you can’t tune in live, come back at watch the service anytime after 8:45 a.m. The recorded video will continue to be available on our YouTube Channel.

VIRTUAL ADULT FORUM

At 10 a.m. Sunday morning, join us for a virtual adult forum, livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

St. Paul’s YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/c/stpaulsfay

You can come back at watch Adult Forum anytime after 10 a.m. To access the recorded video, visit our YouTube channel at the link above..

VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURAt 11 a.m. Sunday morning, we are hosting a virtual coffee hour via Zoom. This is an open forum for anyone who wishes to join, see familiar faces, and say hello.

You can access Zoom from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. When you click on the link below, you will be asked to download either an app or an extension/program for your computer.

St. Paul’s Zoom Coffee Hour:https://zoom.us/j/397519893

For more detailed instructions, check out our weekly news.

HOW TO WORSHIP ONLINESTARTING AT WWW.STPAULSFAY.ORG

Throughout the Week

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MORNING & EVENING PRAYER

Whenever possible, we are broadcasting Morning Prayer & Evening Prayer on Facebook Live. Visit St. Paul’s Facebook page to join us.

Morning Prayer: 8 a.m. M - F Evening Prayer: 5:30 p.m. M, T, Th, F

St. Paul’s on Facebook:www.facebook.com/stpaulsfay

Read the Daily Office online:prayer.forwardmovement.org/daily_prayer_anytime.php

WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIPAt 6:15 p.m. Wednesday evening, worship is livestreamed on our YouTube channel. Visit the links above to access the live stream and the service bulletins.

St. Paul’s YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/c/stpaulsfay

Our service bulletin, which contains the lessons, music, and spoken parts of the service is available on our homepage, www.stpaulsfay.org. Look for the blue buttons beneath the gray “Church Online” banner.

SUNDAY EVENING PRAYER

At 5:30 p.m., in lieu of our Sunday Evensong services, we will offer spoken Evening Prayer through a Facebook Live broadcast. Visit St. Paul’s Facebook page to participate:

St. Paul’s on Facebook:www.facebook.com/stpaulsfay

FILL THE PEWS: A COMMUNITY ART PROJECT

If you are stuck at home and looking for a way to entertain yourself or your family, join us in a community art project. We are inviting the people of St. Paul’s to create a cardboard cutout of yourself and symbolically fill our pews.

Though we have limited our opportunities for corporate worship, our church doors remain open during the week for personal prayer. Spend some time at home designing and decorating your cardboard cut out (a waist up representation will sit best in the pew) and share photos of you and your family at work on the project by tagging St. Paul’s and using hashtags #stpaulsfay and #churchinthetimeofcovid19. Then, drop by the church, say a prayer, and leave your doppelgänger sitting in a pew. (You may use a hymnal or prayerbook to prop them up.) On Sunday morning, try to spot yourself on our live stream.

Compassion in Action

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Remember the Little Free Pantry!

Adult Formation

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RECTOR’S BIBLE STUDY:KING DAVID PT. 1

The Rector’s Bible Study is exploring the story of King David. Hailed as the greatest King of Israel and the one after God’s own heart, David is remembered as the leader who shepherded God’s people into greatness. Boy soldier, steadfast friend, military strategist, merciful leader,

murderous adulterer, and caring parent, David is celebrated for his accomplishments, admired for his gentleness, yet criticized for his failings. In this series, we explore the first part of David’s life-from shepherd boy to rival king.

Tune in on Mondays at 10 a.m., as The Rector’s Bible Study streams on Facebook Live. Visit St. Paul’s Facebook page to participate.

St. Paul’s on Facebook:www.facebook.com/stpaulsfay

THEOLOGY ON TAPOur First Tuesday Theology on Tap discussion group will meet online for the time being. Our next session, which will be held over Zoom, is Tuesday, April 7, from 6 - 8 p.m.

We are discussing The Sacrament of the Present Moment by Jean-Pierre de Caussade, using the HarperOne edition with an Introduction by Richard M. Foster. April’s discussion begins at Chapter 7 “The Mystery of God’s Grace” and will go to the end. (It’s a short book, but a classic.)

To log into the meeting, just go to https://is.gd/1stTuesday (If it’s your first time on Zoom, you’ll be prompted to download the Zoom app.) Click to open your camera and microphone. Please sign in a few minutes early if you can.

SHARED SILENCE NOW ON ZOOMEvery afternoon (not just weekdays) you are invited to an hour of shared silence online, from 4 - 5 p.m.

Log in at https://is.gd/QuietPrayer (If it’s your first time on Zoom, you’ll be prompted to download the app.)

We begin with an opening reflection and bell and conclude with a closing gong and reading. (Please mute your microphone during the silence -- mute button is on lower left of the window.) Feel free to leave quietly whenever you wish if you don’t stay the whole hour. No agenda. Just silence. This Zoom location is available 24/7 if you just want to show up and mute your microphone, or if you want to arrange to meet another friend for online silent prayer.

DATE TOPIC SCRIPTUREMarch 16 David Anointed 1 Samuel 16March 23 David and Goliath 1 Samuel 17March 30 David and Saul’s Family 1 Samuel 18April 6 David and Saul’s Anger 1 Samuel 19April 13 No Class: Easter Week n/aApril 20 David and Jonathan 1 Samuel 20

April 27 David and the Holy Bread 1 Samuel 21May 4 David and the Cave 1 Samuel 22May 11 David and Keilah 1 Samuel 23May 18 David and Mercy 1 Samuel 24

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Stay ConnectedSUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LISTS

If you or someone you know wishes to subscribe to any of our email lists, here is the easiest way to sign up:

ST. PAUL’S NEWSA weekly newsletter with the latest updateswww.tinyurl.com/stpaulsfaynews

MORNING REFLECTIONSBrief, personal thoughts based on the scripture readings for the Daily Office, written by members of our congregationwww.tinyurl.com/stpaulsfay-reflections

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWSLETTERWeekly updates and resources for families to engage in faith at homewww.tinyurl.com/stpaulsfay-children

EPISCOPAL YOUTH COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERWeekly opportunities for formation and connection. www.tinyurl.com/stpaulsfay-eycnews

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAAlthough we cannot be physically present with one another, the internet offers ways for us to stay connected. Tag us in your posts and use the hashtags #stpaulsfay and #churchinthetimeofcovid19.

St. Paul’s on Facebookwww.facebook.com/stpaulsfay

St. Paul’s on Instagram@stpaulsfay

St. Paul’s Episcopal Youth Community on Instagram@stpaulsfayEYC

St. Paul’s YouTube Channelwww.youtube.com/c/stpaulsfay

St. Paul’s Websitewww.stpaulsfay.org

St. Paul’s Online Directorywww.onrealm.org

GIVE TO ST. PAUL’SEverything St. Paul’s does is made possible through your gifts. Gifts in any amount can be made online through Tithely or mailed to our P.O. Box.

St. Paul’s Tithely Pagehttps://tithe.ly/give?c=454227

St. Paul’s Mailing AddressP.O. Box 1190Fayetteville, AR 72702

THE CHURCH REMAINS OPENFOR PERSONAL PRAYER

Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, the doors of our church are open for personal prayer and quiet time. We ask that parishioners practice recommended social distancing in order to keep the most vulnerable among us safe.

P.O. BOX 1190FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72702

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT # 15872701

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

VESTRYLindsey ChildersDavid ClayMalcolm HaywardPhil KeeneTrent PalmerSusan HaysSusan Mayes CarneyMac MayfieldLara CatoLinda JonesDavid KelleyJon PayneChanning Smith, ClerkDavid McMath, Treasurer

WE LIVESTREAM AND ARCHIVE OUR SERVICES.SUNDAYS: 8:45 a.m. Eucharist • 10:00 a.m. Adult Formation • 11:00 a.m. EucharistWEDNESDAYS: 6:15 p.m. Wednesday Church

VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO WATCH ONLINE: www.youtube.com/c/stpaulsfay/

CONNECT WITH US! Facebook: facebook.com/stpaulsfay • Instagram: @stpaulsfayUse the hashtag #stpaulsfay when you post about church and join the conversation.

EVERYTHING ST. PAUL’S DOES IS SUPPORTED BY YOUR GIFTS. We welcome gifts in any amount. Make your contribution online at stpaulsfay.org/give

READY TO GO PAPERLESS?

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STAFFEvan D. Garner, Rector Suzanne Stoner, Associate RectorCharles Walling, Priest AssociateLora Walsh, Priest Associate Lynne Spellman, Priest AssociateJack Cleghorn, Organist and ChoirmasterLinda Kelly, Assistant ChoirmasterSamantha Clare, Director of Christian FormationEmma Mitchell, Youth MinisterKate Oxford, Nursery DirectorJoy Poole, Parish AdministratorMegan Downey, Communications DirectorDan Robinson, Media DirectorKaitlyn Rush, Parish Chef