COFFEE HOUR MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS: There is a Parish Update in the church following the 9:00 service today. This will be a very special meeting. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the visioning process for a new capital campaign. 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.
The Winter Mini Ministry Fair will take place next Sunday and the participating ministries will be hosting coffee hour. The three mini fairs each year highlight different groups. A few of the ministries present at this fair will include: Care and Share, Refuge for Refugees, Wheels4Hope, Dorcas Ministries, Episcopal Farmworker Ministry, Fellowship Events Team, Men’s Group, Ushers, Pulse, Newcomer Ministry, and more.
ADULT FORMATION: Worshiping with the Saints and Mystics of the Church (Sundays in the Chapel, 10:15-11:00 a.m.) Join us today as the Rev. J. Carr Holland leads a discussion on Aelred of Rievaulx, a 12th century Cistercian monk whose spiritual writings are considered among the finest of England in the Middle Ages. Next Sunday, February 4, the Rev. George Adamik will discuss Thomas Merton, 20th century Trappist monk, theologian, and author.
On Wednesday evening, January 31, the Adult Formation Committee invites you to the series, A Church Epiphany. These sessions explore what has sometimes been described as an epiphany for the church, or the emerging church. We will hear and discuss Carlton Pearson’s talk, “From Pentecostal to Emerging Church.” He focuses on how he moved from being a third-generation Pentecostal pastor to accepting many of the emerging church tenets. (7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Youth Wing)
Murder Mystery Dinner and Fundraiser: “Miss Iggy’s Saloon Showdown: A Wild West Who Done It on Saturday, February 17th at 6:30 p.m. Back by popular demand, the youth of St. Paul’s will be presenting another juicy murder mystery and dinner. Our mystery is set in Deadwood, a downtrodden, almost forgotten town. Someone – but who?? – is driven to murder. Come help discover who done it. The event will be from 6:30-8:30 pm and child care will be provided. Tickets are $20.00 per person and there will also be a wine cash bar. Proceeds will go towards Youth Mission trips. Please RSVP at https://goo.gl/forms/Ylpre2vPeVjpEDzr2. Contact Leah Dail at Leah.Dail@stpaulscary.org for more information.
BOOK STUDY: Join us as we read the Rev. Pauli Murray’s Proud Shoes together and discuss the family story of this remarkable woman who is honored as a Saint by the Episcopal Church. Lawyer, priest, advocate for the rights of women, people of color, and the economically marginalized, Murray’s life represented intersectionality before such a word existed. In Proud Shoes, she tells the story of her family from slavery through Reconstruction.
Space remains for participants in the group meeting on Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., January 25-February 8. Copies of the book will be available through the church office for $21. Please make checks payable to St. Paul’s and note Proud Shoes Book Group in the memo. For questions, contact Andrea Johnson at jang7e@gmail.com or Aleta McClenney at aleta@att.net.
Cursillo Weekend — April 5-8, 2018: If you are looking for something more in your spiritual life, or if you need a “kick-start”, you may want to consider attending the next Cursillo Weekend being conducted in the Diocese of NC. The weekend will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Concord, NC., April 5-8, 2018. Cursillo is a spiritual renewal ministry in the Episcopal Church for men and women. During the course of the weekend, you hear and discuss talks given by lay persons and Clergy about how the community of faith experiences God’s love. The Book of Common Prayer is used for all worship services. Music is also a major part of the weekend. Please pray for the Cursillo Weekend and pray for God’s guidance if you should be a part of the Weekend.
The cost of the weekend is fifty dollars ($50.00) which includes accommodations and all meals. For more information, about this Cursillo Weekend, contact your parish priest, or go to the Cursillo website, nccursillo.org. At the Cursillo website, you’ll find Pilgrim, Sponsor, and Weekend Team applications, which should be mailed to the Weekend Leader’s mailing address, P.O. Box 859, Lewisville, NC 27023.
FOUND: A man’s class ring from University of Georgia. Please call the church office at 919-467-1477 and speak with Melanie Fairbrother.
Prayer Stitchers: Got Yarn? We need your yarn remnants to continue our ministry of providing warmth and comfort. Even a small piece of yarn will be put to good use. If you have yarn left over from a project, we would be honored to give that yarn new life that will help needy people in our community. Yarn donations can be left in the hall across from the choir room or can be taken to the office during the week if you would like a donation receipt. Our yarn supplies are low, and we will gratefully accept all donations! Questions? Call Carolyn Anderson, 919-460-9525.
WINTER MINI MINISTRY FAIR: This event will be held in the Parish Hall during coffee hour on February 4. Different ministries are highlighted at the three mini fairs held each year. Here are some of the groups which will be on hand at this fair: Care and Share, Adult Formation, Newcomer Ministry, Refuge for Refugees, Dorcas Ministries, Pulse, Episcopal Farmworker Ministry, Men’s Group, Fellowship Events Team, Wheels for Hope, and Ushers.
Diocesan Absalom Jones Celebration in Greensboro: on Saturday, February 10 at 10:30 a.m., the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro will host a Service of Holy Communion to commemorate the Reverend Absalom Jones (1746 – 1818), the first African-American priest in The Episcopal Church, ordained 1802. Offerings will benefit two of the Episcopal Church’s Historically-Black colleges and universities: St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. Festive reception to follow.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
- The Children’s Little Brown Stewardship Basket is working toward our 2018 Note in the Pocket Sort Day, scheduled for June 3, 2018. We have collected $1290.53 toward our goal of $3000.00.
- Sunday School will start at 10:10 a.m. in the Education Building, and Children’s Chapel, for children ages 3-2nd grade, will be held at the 9:00 a.m. service.
- Calling all Vacation Bible School (VBS) volunteers! It is time to start planning our 2018 VBS, Journey to Bethlehem. VBS date must change due to snow make up days and a new date will be announced soon. Please email Christine Ingram if you are interested in volunteering or heading up the Story or Craft centers. Meetings will be minimal and will start in late January.
- The 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Tea will be held on February 3, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Hope you and your stuffed friends can join us! All are welcome!
- Pre-EYC meets today, Sunday, January 28, at 11:15 a. m. in the Parish Hall. Please watch your email for additional details.
- The presence of children is a gift to the Church and children are always welcome in our services. If you feel the need, Nursery care for babies and young children is available – please see an usher to escort you to the Nursery (Kids’ Club). Our Bride’s Room is in the back of the Sanctuary and is open to anyone needing a place for a crying baby or restless child.
YOUTH
- Sunday School: The lesson today is entitled “Peace & Justice – Environmental Issues: Strength from the Environment” Middle School meets in the Youth Wing (go straight there, snacks are provided) and High School meets in Room 10.
- EYC Tonight: We are delivering the flyers for the Souper Bowl food donations so wear weather-appropriate clothes and walking shoes. Then we are going to IHOP for all-you-can-eat pancakes. Bring $6.00 for dinner and a good appetite! Pickup will be at IHOP on Kildaire Farm Road at 7:00 p.m.
- Murder Mystery Rehearsal: 4:00-5:00 p.m. tonight.