STEWARDSHIP: VISION 2020 for the operating budget is well underway! As we work, walk, seek, welcome, and care together for a better world, we begin that journey in our little corner at St. Paul’s. If you have already pledged for next year, we thank you. If you have not, we encourage you to make the effort and make a pledge today. Wherever you are in your stewardship journey, start right there and step forward, in faith. Your commitment in the form of a pledge allows us to plan and grow all the amazing programs and ministries we’re so fortunate to offer at St. Paul’s. Extra pledge forms are available in the narthex. You may also go to stpaulscary.org to pledge with the push of a button.
We will celebrate our gifts on Stewardship Sunday, November 24 with a festive coffee hour. Be sure to pledge today so you can celebrate the journey. Thank you for your pledge!
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS AND COFFEE HOUR: The St. Nicholas Ministry is hosting coffee hour in the parish hall following the 9:00 a.m. service today. If you haven’t already done so, please stop by the narthex and make your selection from the tags on the tree. Then come to the parish hall for refreshments and a chance to thank the St. Nicholas Ministry team for coordinating this wonderful opportunity to make Christmas a little brighter for children in need.
Next week the Stewardship Committee will be hosting coffee hour in the parish hall. Our Stewardship Committee encourages us to respond with gratitude and generosity for the gifts we continue to receive as part of our parish community. Please join them for coffee and refreshments in a celebration of our common life together.
FOOD DRIVE: St. Paul’s Preschool Transitional Kindergarten class is hosting a food drive for the “Little Red Wagon” project at St. Paul’s which supports Urban Ministries, one of St. Paul’s outreach groups. There is a complete list on the Urban Ministries website, but most non-perishable items are welcome, especially healthier versions of the item. Please put your donations in the bins in the parish hall. The last day for the food drive will be Friday, November 22nd. Thank you for your support!
ADULT FORMATION
Sunday: Join us at 10:10 a.m. in the chapel this morning, as we continue our fall series, Roots Down: Exploring through the Old Testament and the Monastic Tradition. Today, the Rev. George Adamik will lead a discussion of “Kings and Prophets: The Nation of Israel.”
Wednesday: Please join us Wednesday at 7:00-8:00 p.m., in the youth wing as we discuss Emily Dickinson: Words, Nature, and God, a series on the poet’s life, led by George Van Arnam.
This week, we explore “I Never Felt at Home–Below: Pursuing Home.” Dickinson’s poetry speaks to the restless heart of many who seek to draw nearer to the God beyond creeds and sermons.
The Care & Share team would like to make parishioners aware of a new resource.
The Loss of Spouse Group hosted by the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church is open to community members who have lost their spouse within the past 3 years. The group meets twice a month – for dinner at a local restaurant, and for a monthly discussion group meeting. For more information, please contact Margie Best at 919-303-3830 or mwbest@bellsouth.net or Melonie Wigley at 919-264-4401 or melonie.wigley@att.net.
ST. NICHOLAS IS COMING TO ST. PAUL’S: The St. Nicholas tree is up and covered with tags identifying children in need served by local agencies. Please take one or more of the tags from the tree and plan to join us for St. Nicholas Sunday on December 8th. If your family would like to get gifts for all the children in a single family, there are family groups (with 2, 3, 4, or 5 children) on the small tree next to the St. Nicholas tree. The tags are self-sticking and state whether to wrap the gift or not. Bring your gifts to the church on or before noon on Dec 8th, since the gifts will be delivered to the service agencies that afternoon. If you have any questions, contact Colette Hibberd at 919-803-982.
Newcomer Ministry: The St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Newcomer Ministry will host a Newcomer Gathering on Sunday, December 8, 12:30-2:00 p.m., in the Bishop Curry House. We’ll have brunch and time to get to know each other. If you have visited St. Paul’s recently and would like to chat with the clergy, some ministry leaders, or other new folks like yourself, please come! It will be casual and friendly. Food will be provided.
The Bishop Curry House is located just off the far end of the parking lot, near the conveniently positioned garbage bin. Yes, that is the landmark to look for. Please RSVP to us at annewlaney@gmail.com by Dec. 1 and let us know if you can or cannot attend.
CHILDREN’S Ministries: Sunday School begins at 10:10 a.m. in the education building. We still need two teachers! If you’re interested in teaching, please email us at churchschool@stpaulscary.org.
Kids’ Club provides childcare for infants through three-year-olds during worship and Sunday School.
There is Children’s Chapel today for children ages 3 yr. – 2nd grade at the 9:00 a.m. service.
The Children’s Little Brown Stewardship Basket is collecting money for Rise Against Hunger. We have collected $665.98 toward our $3400 goal.
The Christmas Pageant will take place on December 15th during the 9:00 a.m. service. Please turn in your completed forms to Natalie Sroka, Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator, by 10:00 a.m. today. Extra copies are available in the narthex.
The Children’s Ministry Committee will be meeting today at 11:15 a.m. in the conference room.
YOUTH: Join us forChristian formation this morning from 10:15-11:00 a.m. High School meets in Room 10 Middle School meets in the youth wing.
SAVE THE DATE! Our babysitting fundraiser will be Dec 13th from 5:30-8:30 p.m.! Let our youth entertain your children with planned activities, games, and crafts while you go out. Youth will stay afterwards for midnight bowling and another lock-in. We’ll complete it with breakfast and be ready to be picked up at 9:00 a.m.