Worship. Serve. Grow.

Bulletin Announcements for Sunday, Feb 16, 2020

Award-winning film screening along with Q&A:  St. Paul’s hosts a screening of the award-winning documentary Same God on Saturday, February 29 at 5:00 p.m.  A question-and-answer session follows with the woman at the heart of the film, Dr. Larycia Hawkins, and its director, Linda Midgett.  In Dec. 2015, the political rhetoric against Muslims was escalating.  Dr. Hawkins, an African American political science professor at Wheaton College wanted to show support for Muslim women.  She posted a photo of herself in a hijab on Facebook.  “I love my Muslim neighbor,” she wrote, “because s/he deserves love by virtue of her/his human dignity…. we worship the Same God.”  Within days, she was suspended from her tenured position and eventually terminated.  Were the school’s actions a move to protect its Christian theological purity, as it insisted?  Or was it, as some suggested, the result of racism and Islamophobia?  Same God, directed by Midgett, a Wheaton alumna with ties to North Carolina, follows the journey of Dr. Hawkins while exploring the polarization taking place within the evangelical community over issues like race, Islam, religious freedom, and political leadership.  Everyone is invited to a reception following the movie and discussion for a chance to meet Dr. Hawkins and Ms. Midgett.  The event is free and open to the community, but please RSVP on the St. Paul’s website so we’ll know how many guests to expect. 

HERMANO DAY will be on Sunday, March 1st.  Members of the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry will be at St. Paul’s to accept our donations of clothing, bedding, and food for migrant farmworkers in need.  These farmworkers arrive in NC with only the barest of necessities and live in remote labors camps on farms just an hour from Cary.  The most needed items are men’s work pants (size 30-34), men’s long sleeve shirts (S, M, L), shoes and socks (7-10), bath towels, twin sheets, instant coffee, rice, beans, granola/protein bars, dried fruit.  Clothing / bedding can be new or used.  Monetary donations can be made to the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry.  PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY, MARCH 1st.  

ONE WAKE (formerly Wake County Sponsors) is a partnership of 40+ multi-faith, multi-racial organizations formed with the goal of assembling a broad-based, non-partisan organization capable of taking effective public action to resolve the top pressures facing families and communities across Wake County.  We will have an internal meeting on Sunday, February 23 at 12:30 p.m. in the conference room as we plan for ONE Wake’s official launch on the Feast of Pentecost (May 31).  Questions?  Contact Katie Bricio at katiebricio13@gmail.com. 

COFFEE HOUR:  The Acolytes are hosting coffee hour in the parish hall following the 9:00 a.m. service today.  Acolytes assist the clergy during worship services by carrying the cross and torches in procession and helping with various duties at the altar.  New acolytes – youth as well as adults – are always welcome.  You are invited to stop by to enjoy refreshments and to find out more about being an Acolyte. 

Next week the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) will be hosting coffee hour.  ASP is a home repair ministry to needy families of central Appalachia. Youth and adult participants grow spiritually, gain self-confidence, and build relationships as they work together. 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: This year Shrove Tuesday is on February 25.  Plan to kick off Lent at the pancake supper in the parish hall from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. costs is $7 per adult: $3 for each school-age child: preschool-age children are free, and there is a cap of $20 per family. 

Fellowship Events Team is hosting an Improv show with The Unintentionals, on Sunday, February 23rd from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.  This is a family / church friendly comedy event.  A suggested donation is $5 for a family and $2 for an individual.  Snacks will be available for purchase.  Look for our poster, and flyers.  Ten percent of the proceeds will go to St. Paul’s.  If you have any questions or you wish to find out more about our ministry contact, Sheila Reilly SKreilly7@gmail.com or Raymonde Koonce Raykoo83@gmail.com. 

Racial Equity Institute Phase I Training:  St. Paul’s will host a two-day Racial Equity Institute Phase 1 training on April 30 and May 1.  The REI Phase 1 workshop presents a historical, cultural, structural, and institutional analysis of racial equity to move the focus beyond individual bigotry and bias to understanding the structural barriers to equity.  These workshops are open to the community and fill up quickly, so early registration is encouraged.  Scholarship funding is available to help defray the cost for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.  Email Rev. Almendárez‑Bautista at Javier@stpaulscary.org for more information about scholarship support.  The full cost for both days including a light breakfast and lunch is $295 for first-time participants.  REI alums can attend for $35.  Fees are payable online when registering or by check mailed to the OAR Coalition.  You must register in advance through the St Paul’s website for this two-day training, which takes place from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.  Please only sign up if you can attend both full days.  For questions, please contact Kevin McIntire at kvn.mcintire@gmail.com or Aleta McClenney at aleta@att.net.   

RAINBOW GATHERING: All Are Welcome to join Rainbow Gathering on Friday February 21, in the youth wing at 7:00 p.m.  This month we will discuss notable LGBTQ people of color and current events.  For more information please contact Andrea at jang7e@gmail.com. 

ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: In 2019, we raised $7,558 for outreach ministries and we need your help to continue this good work in 2020.  We’ll begin planning in the spring for our festival in November.  We have openings for committee members to head up the different areas of the festival.  Please consider joining the committee.  It’s a great opportunity to help raise money for outreach while getting to know other St. Paul’s parishioners.  For more information, please contact Sally Moller at sbm2@nc.rr.com.

MEN’S BEACH WEEK: Each year, the men of St. Paul’s gather in Emerald Isle for a week of fun at the beach – just to have a great time!  This year, Men’s Beach week runs from Sunday, April 19th through Sunday, April 26th.  Choose to come for one or more nights – the sign-up sheet is in the narthex.  For more info, please contact Mike McInerney at (919) 656-4629 or at Michael.k.mcinerney@gmail.com. 

CHILDREN’S Ministries:  

There will be no Children’s Chapel or Sunday School today.  Classes resume next week. 

The Children’s Little Brown Stewardship Basket is collecting money for Rise Against Hunger.  We have collected $1295 toward our $3400 goal. 

First Communion Classes will be on March 1, 15, 22, with a special service on the 29th.  Registration information is available on the website.  

Kids’ Club provides childcare for infants through three-year-old’s during worship and Sunday school.  

ADULT FORMATION

Sunday Morning: Our Epiphany series, Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, continues today, February 16, 2020, at 10:15 a.m. in the chapel.  Please join the Rev. George Adamik, as he leads discussion of “Matthew: Teachings of Jesus, the Christ.”

Wednesday Evening: Join us at 7:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 19, in the youth wing, when we continue our series, Death, Grief, Support, and Faith. Annie Ritter, Clinical Chaplain and Grief Counselor, UNC Hospice, will lead a discussion of “Crisis and Faith.”  We will examine how our own faith and philosophy of life inform our spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing in times of crisis.  How has your spirituality helped you through major life events?  What do you really believe about death and eternal life?

Appalachia Service Project:  Please drop by the parish hall during coffee hour next Sunday, so we can spread the word about our incredible volunteer, home repair ministry and the fellowship that can be found through participating.