ADULT EDUCATION: All are welcome to attend forums in the Chapel on Sunday mornings between the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services. Today’s forum topic is sponsored by “Refuge for Refugees,” and features a presentation by Grace Benson from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants about the process of sponsoring a refugee and the vetting process used to admit refugees to the U.S.
Next Sunday we will be “Celebrating the Life and Ministry of Jennifer Durant,” former St. Paul’s parishioner who discerned her call to the priesthood while at St. Paul’s and was ordained and served as a priest at Church of Our Savior Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, Virginia until her death from ALS disease in 2015. Her husband Matt joins us to talk about her journey from St. Paul’s to the priesthood and her life as a priest with ALS.
“CONVERSATION AND COMMUNITY” a small group discussion opportunity uses selections from Brian McLaren’s book, We Make the Road by Walking, to facilitate spiritually focused conversation and to foster friendships. Please come for one week, or all weeks, or anything in between. This group is for anyone looking for something more casual than Adult Education Forums in the chapel but more structured than Coffee Hour. Meetings are in the conference room on Sunday mornings between the 9:00 and 11:15 services.
COFFEE HOUR MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS: Care and Share is hosting coffee hour in the parish hall following the 9:00 service today. This is an in-reach ministry where members of St. Paul’s respond to short-term needs of parishioners, such as providing visits, meals or transportation. Join them for coffee and snacks and to learn more about this compassionate and helpful ministry.
Next week the vestry will be hosting a “Meet the Vestry” coffee hour in the parish hall. Don’t miss this opportunity to stop by, enjoy coffee and refreshments, and to talk with newly elected and returning vestry members.
Shrove Tuesday pancake supper will be held Tuesday, February 9th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall. This event, sponsored by the Men’s Group, is a great way to start off your Lenten journey. Come by and have lots of good pancakes with all the fixings. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Ash Wednesday Services, February 10, 2016
7:00 AM: Imposition of Ashes
12:00 Noon: Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes
5:45 PM: Special service for families with children
7:00 PM: Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes
The Women’s Study Group will meet next on Tuesday, February 9th from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. in the Bride’s Room to discuss A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power by Jimmy Carter. Please note that this is a change in books since our original selection isn’t readily available at the public libraries. From Amazon: “President Jimmy Carter addresses the world’s most serious, pervasive, and ignored violation of basic human rights: the ongoing discrimination and violence against women and girls.” Come join us for a thought-provoking and lively discussion. For more information, contact Leah Dail (leahdail@gmail.com).
St. Paul’s Refuge for Refugees Ministry is seeking donations of furniture and other household items to equip an apartment for a family of four prior to sponsoring a family for resettlement. If you have items you could donate, especially bedroom and kitchen furniture, please go to www.signupgenius.com/go/5080849acae1-refuge and sign up, or send an email to Mary Marsha Cupitt at mmcc.ltc@gmail.com. You may also find the link for the SignUpGenius at St. Paul’s website.
CARE AND SHARE
A Blessing of the Hands service is offered to all attending the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services today. This is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we use our “hands” and our whole selves to serve our church community in many ways in Christ’s name. Members from the Care and Share Leadership Team will guide you to the Baptismal Font for this meaningful Blessing.
Men’s Beach Week 2016: Mark your calendars now for April 17th through 24th for our annual beach trip to Emerald Isle. Sign-up sheet available soon.
Women’s Beach Week 2016: Mark your calendars now for April 24th through May 1st for our annual beach trip to Emerald Isle. Sign-up sheet available soon.
Senior Ministry Organizational Team
Are you worried about your medical care when you near the end of life? Are you part of the sandwich generation and dread decisions you may be forced to make? Would you like to make difficult circumstances as easy as possible for your loved ones? Join us for a presentation on Advanced Directives Saturday, February 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel to learn how to approach these topics. Rich Gwaltney from Transitions Life Care will present practical tips on selecting a healthcare power of attorney and making your wishes known to your loved ones regarding your future medical care. Adults of all ages are welcome to attend. Please RSVP if you will attend to Margie Best at mwbest@bellsouth.net or 919-303-3830. This program is sponsored by Senior Ministry Organizational Team.
HATRED HAS NO GLORY, An Interfaith Open Dialogue: TODAY, 2:45 – 5:30 p.m. at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Avenue. An opportunity “to get to know Islam and Judaism and to shun hatred and stimulate love and peace,” the program includes the film “Sitting at God’s Table,” featuring Bishop Michael Curry, Shakil Ahmed, Imam of the Islamic Association of Cary, and other religious leaders followed by a panel discussion featuring the Rev. George Adamik, Imam Shakil Ahmed, and others. Seating is limited! Reserve your seat at www.carymasjid.org. All are encouraged to attend and all are assured of being home in time for the Super Bowl.
Children’s Ministries
- Children’s Chapel will be held at the 9:00 a.m. service only today. This session is for children ages 3 through 2nd grade. Please follow the children’s cross processional to the youth wing. There is no 11:15 a.m. Chapel today.
- Our Children’s Stewardship Basket is collecting for Stop Hunger Now. Please contribute as the children continue their collection toward our $2900 goal that will sponsor a children’s Stop Hunger Now Day on May 15, 2016. Money for this event will be collected June 1, 2015 through May 15, 2016. To date we have collected $1473.00.
- We need parent assistance in teaching Children’s Chapel! Please sign up to share a simple story lesson with the children and a brief craft time. Spring 2016 Children’s Chapel sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0544aaa92ca02-2016
- Mark your calendars for our second annual Teddy Bear Tea! This event for our younger parishioners and their guardians will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 10:30 a.m. in the parish hall. Come enjoy some special time with your little ones and their stuffed friends! Sign up for this event at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0544AAA92CA02-teddy
- VBS Meetings will be held on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m., starting Feb. 16! Our VBS theme will be Heroes and Villains! Please contact Christine Ingram if you would like to help create this fun and exciting week.
- Please join us at the Ash Wednesday Service for Families. It will be held at 5:45 p.m. on February 10. This is a very casual service that is ideal for families with children.
- Mite Boxes will be distributed in Sunday School today and will also be available in the narthex and near the Children’s Ministries Bulletin Board in the education building. This year’s Mite Box collection will go toward our Children’s Stop Hunger Now event.
YOUTH
- Sunday School: The lesson today is entitled “What Do I Believe? Holy Spirit.” Middle School meets in the youth wing (go straight there, snacks are provided) and High School meets in Room 10. The Education Hour is from 10:10 – 11:00 a.m.
- EYC Tonight 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: We are going back through the neighborhoods near church to pick up donations for our Souper Bowl food collection. Please note the change in time and remember no dinner will be served. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes – we will be walking a lot.
- Kanuaga Trip 2/12-14: There are a few spaces left so if you want to go, contact Leah ASAP.