COFFEE HOUR MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS: CANCELED: Winter Mini Ministry Fair will be held in the Parish Hall following the 9:00 service today. There are three mini fairs annually, and each one highlights different groups. Come see what’s happening, sign up for something new, or just enjoy coffee, food and fellowship.
Next week there will be a Parish Quarterly Update in the church following the 9:00 service. There will not be a formal Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall, but coffee will be served by the Vestry in the narthex before the meeting.
Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) begins another class in February. MOMS is a program in which a group of women experience a 7-week journey of personal and spiritual growth. Through small group discussions and journaling, participants have an opportunity to develop self-esteem, relationship skills, and a more defined sense of their own spirituality. This class is for mothers of infants through elementary school aged children. Classes will be Tuesdays, February 16 – April 5 (no class March 29) from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Please see the website for more information and registration forms.
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.
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).
ADULT EDUCATION: Today there will not be a forum. Instead, all are encouraged to attend our Winter Ministry Fair held in the parish hall between services. This is an opportunity to learn about some of St. Paul’s many ministries.
APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT (ASP) MISSION TRIP 2016: This year we will be going to Tennessee for our ASP Mission Trip from July 10th – July 16th. St. Paul’s will join other youth in rural Central Appalachia to help Appalachia Service Project (ASP) repair homes for low-income families.
ASP is about more than the home repair – ASP is about building and strengthening relationships with one another and with God. We share our skills, and we share our faith, and together we make a difference. I am personally inviting you to consider joining us in this awesome ministry. Please contact Kevin Swann to volunteer of get more information at 919-607-5913 or swann.kev@gmail.com.
ASP is open to all high school students and rising 9th graders. We have 25 openings for youth. We need and must have 12 adults to volunteer as chaperone leaders.
The Little Red wagon collected almost 12.000 pounds of food in 2015, which is almost 6 TONS.
As you know, food is used up and needs to be replaced, and with the holidays over the needs continue. The Urban Ministries food pantry needs soup, tuna fish, peanut butter, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, canned and dry beans, and pasta, dry rice, and whatever you find on sale at the grocery store.
We are grateful for your support, and count on your continued efforts to keep the food pantry able to meet the needs of the hungry families of Wake County. We’re always glad to have your extra paper and plastic grocery bags, too.
2nd Annual Murder Mystery Dinner: Come celebrate Valentine’s Day with a juicy murder mystery and dinner served up by the St. Paul’s Youth. They will be performing “Don Donato Brundizzi’s Prohibition Party: A Mafia Murder” and you get to try and figure out who done it. Dinner will be an elegant three course Italian meal. The event will be from 7-9 pm and child care will be provided ($5 per child, $15 max per family). Tickets are $15.00 per person and there will also be a wine cash bar. Proceeds will go towards Youth Mission trips. Contact Leah Dail at Leah.Dail@stpaulscary.org for tickets and more information.
The Winter Mini Ministry Fair will take place next Sunday and the participating ministries will be hosting Coffee Hour. Each of the three mini fairs highlights different opportunities. A few of the ministries present at this fair will include: Altar Guild, Appalachian Service Project, Care and Share, Fellowship, Habitat for Humanity, Memorial Garden, Refuge for Refugees, Ushers, and Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network.
STEWARDSHIP UPDATE: So far, we have raised $875,808 from 308 pledges. Please join your fellow parishioners, and prayerfully consider an increase of your pledge this year. 2016 Budgeting has already begun and your pledge is important to help us plan for the future of St. Paul’s!
Sitting at God’s Table : All are invited to a screening of Sitting at God’s Table on Thursday, January 28, 2016, 7:00 PM in the Youth Wing. One filmmaker seeks the answers to why we do what we do in the name of God. She invites religious leaders from five different faiths (Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Baptist, and Episcopal) to join her in a surprising conversation based on their candid responses, marked differences, and surprising commonalities. Bishop Michael Curry is one of the participants. Contact Andrea Johnson at 919-348-9599.
Children’s Ministries
- Children’s Chapel will be held at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15a.m. services today. These sessions are for children ages 3 through 2nd grade. Please follow the cross processional to the youth wing.
- 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 $1400.00.
- 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
- We are in need of a Kindergarten Sunday School Teacher. One of our teachers is moving, and we need someone to step in and help with this class. Please contact Christine Ingram if you can help us fill this special role.
- 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!
- VBS Meetings will start in February! Our VBS theme will be Heroes and Villains! Please contact Christine Ingram if you would like to help create this fun and exciting week.
YOUTH
- Sunday School: The lesson today is entitled “What Do I Believe? The Only Son of God.” 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 am.
- EYC Tonight 5-7 pm: We will continue to explore the theme of Justice. Father Carr will help us learn more about our Christian response and responsibilities to issues of justice in the world. It will be a fun evening of learning and activities.
- Murder Mystery Rehearsal Tonight 3-5: Bring your scripts and be ready to rehearse! Snacks will be provided.