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.
Volunteer Drivers Needed: The Care and Share Committee provides transportation for those in our parish who need a ride to appointments or to attend a Sunday service. We are putting together a team for a new parishioner in Apex who is willing to attend either the 9:00 or the 11.15a.m. service. We will need four drivers, one for each Sunday! If this is something you can do or have questions about please contact me, Lesley Dinwiddie (919) 616-8140 or email to lesleydinwiddie@gmail.com.
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.
COFFEE HOUR: The Fellowship Events Team will be hosting a special Valentine’s celebration in the parish hall following the 9:00 a.m. service today during coffee hour. Stop by, enjoy a treat, and talk to Fellowship Events Team members about how you can get involved.
Next week the Acolytes will be hosting coffee hour. This ministry plays an important role in assisting clergy in worship services by carrying the cross and torches in procession and helping with various duties at the altar. Join them for coffee and snacks and to learn more about this ministry.
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 items most needed 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.
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. A percentage of the proceeds will go to St. Paul’s.
Women’s Study Group will meet on Tuesday, February 11 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in the bride’s room. Our book for this month is a New York Times Bestseller: The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Carlton Abrams. Please join us, even if you haven’t finished the book. Questions? Contact Joyce Loughlin at loughlin1@mindspring.com.
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.
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.
CHILDREN’S Ministries:
- There is Children’s Chapel today for children ages 3 years-2nd grade at the 9:00 a.m. service.
- Sunday school begins at 10:10 a.m.in the education building.
- There will be no Children’s Chapel or Sunday School, next Sunday, February 16th.
- 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.
- Children’s Little Brown Stewardship Basket is collecting money for Rise Against Hunger. We have collected $1200 toward our $3400 goal.
- EYC’s Annual Murder Mystery Dinner: Saturday, February 15th, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets $20 each, please pay at the door. RSVP at https://forms.gle/Vs6J9qas5XRoBuYw6. Please email Zack Rugen at Youth@stpaulscary.org for more information.
ADULT FORMATION
Sunday Morning: Our Epiphany series, Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, continues today, February 9, 2020, at 10:15 a.m. in the chapel. Please join the Rev. Javier Almendárez‑Bautista, as he leads discussion of “Matthew: Jesus’ Trial, Death, and Resurrection.”
Wednesday Evening: Join us at 7:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 12, 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 “The Grief Journey.” We will examine how to most effectively communicate with and help those who are grieving a loss or faced with a difficult problem. Feel free to drop in for any sessions you’re able to attend.
Appalachia Service Project: Please drop by the parish hall during coffee hour on Sunday, February 23 so we can spread the word about our incredible volunteer, home repair ministry and the fellowship that can be found through participating.