COFFEE HOUR MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS: The Prayer Stitchers Ministry is hosting coffee hour in the Parish Hall following the 9:00 service today. This handiwork ministry – which includes knitting, crocheting, weaving, and quilting – welcomes adults, young people, and children as participants. They enjoy prayer and fellowship as they make items for persons in need.
Next week is Scout Sunday, and members of various local scout troops will be hosting coffee hour. Scouting fosters self-esteem, a sense of value and belonging, accountability, service, leadership, and teamwork. Stop by to learn more about opportunities in our area.
ADULT FORMATION: Lenten Series: Loving Our Neighbors Near and Far, Sundays in the Chapel, 10:15-11:00 a.m.). Join us today as we begin a new series that explores the role of our faith in public life. Today, Molly Williamson, Ph.D. student in Old Testament at Duke University, will delve into how Scripture informs our understanding of whom our neighbor is. Her talk is entitled, “The Hebrew Prophets and Our Neighbors.”
Next Sunday, March 4, join the Rev. George Adamik as he explores the monastic theme and practice of stability as a way of engaging our neighbors. His talk is entitled, “Monasticism and Our Neighbors.”
Wednesday Eucharist and Conversation (Noon and 7:00 p.m.): Engaging the Word in Lent. In seasons of preparation in the church, it is customary, not simply to fast from things which may distract us, but also to take up practices which will help us focus on the meaning behind our worship and prayers. On Wednesdays in Lent, you are invited to delve deeper into our Sunday readings alongside other members of St Paul’s. These mid-week Eucharist services will be meditative and include an opportunity for reflection and conversation. (Wednesdays at noon and at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel – February 28; March 7, 14, and 21.)
Women’s Beach Week 2018: Registration for Women’s Beach Weekend in Emerald Isle (April 29 – May 6) has started. Cost is $40 a night, plus help with a meal or 2. This trip is open to all women (graduated high school and up)! Sign the poster in the narthex, fill out the forms, and turn in your check as soon as you can. Leave your forms in the folder on the poster, mail them to the church office, or email them to Yvon Daniel at yvdaniel60@gmail.com.
Men’s Beach Week runs Sunday, April 22 through Sunday, April 29. Mark your calendars now – plan for a day, or plan for the week. The signup sheet is available in the narthex. Questions? Contact Mike McInerney at michael.k.mcinerney@gmail.com or (919)656-4629.
The Altar Guild is looking for new members. We will welcome your help even if you can only give 30 minutes on a Sunday after the church service you attend. To learn more about this ministry, please contact Anne Babb (Altar Guild director) at 919-362-4622 or email aebabb@nc.rr.com.
REFUGE for REFUGEES has been assigned a new family of six, expected to arrive late February from Afghanistan. We know few other details at this point so, to find out more, check the church website for updates. Or contact Mike Harrell at harrell@manningfulton.com, or MM Cupitt at mmcc.ltc@gmail.com.
Scout Sunday Celebration 2018: St. Paul’s will once again be celebrating Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts at the 9:00 a.m. service on Sunday, March 4th. Our Scouts will be volunteering for the service (greeters, ushers, lectors, etc.) as well as hosting the coffee hour that follows. Please sign up here to support this effort: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4daea62fa46-scout. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Kathleen Neff at kneff@nc.rr.com.
The Senior Ministry: All ages are invited to attend an “Advance Directives” event on March 10 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Rich Gwaltney, the Community Engagement Representative for Transitions Life Care, will provide practical tips on selecting a healthcare power of attorney and making decisions for future medical care. Please RSVP to Jean Huey at jehuey@outlook.com or 919-303-5769.
APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT (ASP) brings thousands of volunteers from around the country to rural Central Appalachia to repair homes for low-income families. Their mission is to make homes “Warmer, Safer, and Drier.” This year we will go June 24 – June 30 to a location in Tennessee. Registration for the ASP Trip has begun. There are limited spaces available for youth who are rising 9th graders – graduating seniors. To sign up, contact Kevin Swann at swann.kev@gmail.com or (919) 607-5913.
ASP SPAGHETTI DINNER: Enjoy fellowship and fabulous food at this ASP fundraiser. This year’s Spaghetti Dinner will be from 6 – 8 pm on Friday, March 9th, in the Parish Hall. Individual plates are $5.00 for children and $8.00 for adults or feed the family for $20.00. There will also be an auction of baskets. Join us for a fun night! Our youth and adult volunteers will be volunteering with ASP this summer, and we appreciate your support.
HERMANO DAY: Sunday, March 18th, is our annual “Hermano Day.” We will be joined by representatives from the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry. Please bring donations of men’s clothing and bedding to church that day. These items are for migrant farm workers who have just arrived in North Carolina. Migrant laborers journey here with just the clothes on their backs and live in remote labor camps. The Episcopal Farmworker Ministry in Newton Grove, NC, provides men in 47 labor camps with clothing, bedding, food.
The following donations are needed and welcomed: men’s work pants (smaller sizes), men’s long-sleeved shirts (small sizes), men’s socks and underwear, sheets (twin are best), towels, blankets, dried pinto beans, rice and tortillas. Clothing and bedding can be new or used. Monetary donations are always welcome. Please make checks out to the “Episcopal Farmworker Ministry.”
New Ministry at St. Paul’s: Wake County Sponsors
Have you volunteered at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter? What if we also worked on policies that could end hunger and homelessness? What if people of different faiths found common ground working on issues that affect the entire community? Clergy and lay leaders have been meeting for the past year to discern how to form a broad-based, non-partisan organization to address issues that benefit everyone in Wake County. Informational meetings are coming up. Spend a couple hours learning and sharing time with faith-filled individuals who are motivated to find common ground and new ways to collaborate.
Monday, March 12, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Cary First Christian Church (1109 Evans Road)
Thursday, March 15, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Raleigh (813 Darby St)
Saturday, March 17, 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Baptist Grove Church in Raleigh (7109 Leesville Rd)
Contact Katie Bricio at katiebricio13@gmail.com f you are interested in attending. All are welcome!
Lenten Quiet Day-2018: The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, a vowed non-residential community of Episcopal women, invite you to attend a Lenten Quiet Day on Saturday, March 17th, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church in Hillsborough. The day, led by the Rev. Susannah Smith, will include three meditations followed by quiet time. Continental breakfast and warm lunch included. Suggested donation: $10.00. Please R.S.V.P. to shfisher46@outlook.com by 3/10/17.
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 $1703.78 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.
- VBS Participant Registration forms are available in the Narthex. VBS will be June 18-25 (note the date change). Please email Christine Ingram if you are interested in volunteering for Craft (co-leader), Snack and Story.
- We need Easter Candy for our Easter Egg Hunt! Please drop off candy donations (small, peanut-free, individually wrapped) in the bin located in the collection area by the Music Room. Thank you.
- Communion Class Participation Forms are available in the Narthex. Please return them to Christine Ingram by April 1, 2018.
- 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
- 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.
- Sunday School: The lesson today is entitled “Peace & Justice – Apathy: Ignoring Christ.” Middle School meets in the Youth Wing (go straight there, snacks are provided) and High School meets in Room 10.
- Confirmation Class: Meets in the Curry Center.
- No EYC Tonight: Since a group of us will be coming back from a Diocesan event, Bishop’s Ball. Keep us in your prayers for safe travels, wonderful fellowship, and lots of space for God during the weekend!