Life
Together

March 2007 Volume 11, Issue 3

16457 Old Frederick Rd, Mt. Airy, MD 21771 - 410-489-4411

Website - http://www.stpauls-poplarsprings.ang-md.org

Email - stpaulsemail@comcast.net

Contents:

(page numbers are from the paper version of this newsletter)

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Schedule of Events
March 2007

March 7^th -

Evening H & E Teaching 6:30 PM – Soup Dinner

March 14^th -

Evening H & E Teaching 6:30 PM – Soup Dinner

March 15^th – Vestry Meeting Parish Life Center, 6:30-8:30 PM

March 21^st -

Evening H & E Teaching 6:30 PM – Soup Dinner

March 28^th -

Evening H & E Teaching 6:30 PM – Soup Dinner

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Rector’s Seedlings:

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the fortieth weekday before Easter. The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is an ancient biblical sign of desolation of spirit and repentance. Acknowledging our sin and turning to the Lord for forgiveness and reconciliation is at the heart of the Baptismal promise. All of us sin, individually and corporately, by what we do, what we fail to do, and what is done on our behalf. Sin is separation from God and while we walk in faith we do so imperfectly. Examination of our lives is analogous to an annual physical exam with our physicians. Spiritual examination is as important as physical exams for our wholeness. Lent is a season that encourages the discipline of fasting and self-denial.

Many years ago during Lent I gave up not eating lunch as my Lenten devotion, which is to say I put on eating lunch. In more recent years, I have put on special acts that require a sacrifice of time in order to do things that nourish my faith.

For example, I might select a book to read that is not part of a course I am teaching, a forum to be presented, or a lecture elsewhere, but entirely for spiritual food. The point is to consider where your life is too busy or out of balance and how you might realign time to be with God.

St. Paul’s Parish is offering a Lenten series beginning with soup at 6:30 followed by 7 pm teaching and Eucharist on Wednesday evenings. The topic is “Countering Pharaoh’s Production-Consumption Society Today” based on a DVD five part series by Walter Brueggemann, a prominent Old Testament scholar. Each session is based on biblical texts, and a series of questions that invite us to understand the text in its’ historical context and re-interpret it within our contemporary context. As the study session will represent the sacrament of word, the Eucharist will begin with the Eucharistic prayer rather than the full service of Holy Eucharist in the traditional format.

The children of the parish are collecting pennies for the playground in Ghana, sponsored by the Diocese of Maryland. If your schedule does not permit attendance at the weekly Wednesday evening service, try to attend one of the Sunday services. Set aside time for prayer, meditation, and reflection. Invite the Spirit of God to guide you into disciplines that renew and inspire your faith.

During Lent the symbols and icons of our faith will be covered with sheer cloth to remind us of the limitations of our vision of the transcendent God. Just as the disciplines of prayer and sacrifice are customs that enhance our spiritual well being, so too does the environment of our worship remind us of the seasons of the liturgical year. All we do corporately and liturgically is intended to instruct and encourage us in our faith journey.

The hallmark of Christianity is the resurrection of Christ – the paschal mystery – (the saving mystery of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus). We celebrate the paschal mystery in each weekly Eucharist. In Baptism we enter that mystery and in Eucharist we participate in it. Proclaiming the resurrection is the mission of the Church. The seasons of the liturgical year renew in us the saving mystery of the Incarnate Word. Lent helps us prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection – Easter Day, as we enter into the Christian disciplines we become infused with the Spirit of the Living God and are transformed into members of the living Body of Christ to do the work God has given us to do.

Ann +

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Episcopal Church Women (ECW) News

The ECW met on 2/11/07. This year we will be active with the Yard Sale on June 2nd. Keep that date in mind to help us out and remember that we also will need baked goods to sell at the event.

A craft workshop relating to the Fall Bazaar will be held by Norma Prentice for interested persons. Norma is willing to teach those interested when the times and dates are open for her. We hope to have some new ideas.

There is interest in taking a trip to the Washington Cathedral. Scheduling will not be until September. Contact Pat Marquis if you are interested. Other local churches may be considered for visits for special events also.

The next meeting of the ECW will be in May.

ECW Event Planning (tentative) Schedule

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Suggested Readings for Lent

I have read and been touched in various seasons and stations of my spiritual life by the books listed below. If you fail to locate these on Amazon.com or your local bookstore, you are welcome to borrow my copy.

“Water in the Wastelands: the sacrament of shared suffering,” by William Blaine-Wallace, Cowley Publications, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2002. This book is a moving series of stories that emerged from compassionate care for persons dying with AIDS.

“New Seeds of Contemplation,” by Thomas Merton 1961 is a timeless classic guide to meditation and contemplation. In contrast to active praying with words, reading the office of morning or evening prayer, Merton takes us to a dimension of silence where God can be felt beyond words.

“We Preach Christ Crucified,” by Kenneth Leech, Church Publishing, NY, 2005. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles notes that the message of Christ Crucified is foolishness to the Greeks and the wisdom of our faith. The six chapters in this book are based on Holy Week sermons in which Leech struggles with the word of the cross and the cruciform character of Christian life.

“Death on a Friday Afternoon,” by Richard John Neuhaus (2000) is a series of meditations on the last words of Jesus from the cross. In the preface, Neuhaus says, “Good Friday is not just one day of the year. It is a day relived in every day of the world and of our lives in the world….for Good Friday is the drama of the love by which our every day is sustained.”

“No Future without Forgiveness,” by Desmond Tutu (1999) recounts the way in which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission dealt with the renewal of South African society after Apartheid.

“Courageous Incarnation,” by Fredrica Thompsett (1993) invites all persons to see the work of God in human life. Dr. Thompsett describes the work as “talking out loud.” Every chapter underscores the centrality of the incarnate presence of God in human relationships.

Ann +

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Symbols of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit

Ann Boyd

The hand, in various forms, is one of the most common symbols of God the Father. Exodus 15:6 “Thy right hand, O Lord, glorious in power…” and Ps. 48:10, “Thy right hand is filled with victory”. The hand of God is often extended from a cloud indicating our limited vision of God. Early in Christian art, the hand extends downward from a cloud with two fingers extended. A three-rayed nimbus, symbol of the Deity, completes the symbol of benediction or blessing. A nimbus contains three rays of light called a triradiant indicates that a symbol of God is meant. In the Latin form the thumb and first two fingers are extended downward while the other two fingers are bent toward the heel of the hand. The three fingers refer to the grace of our Lord, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. The Greek form of the hand of God shows the forefinger extended upward. The longest and shortest fingers are bent downward in a semicircle. The thumb crosses the ring finger. Reading from right to left the letters IC XC are formed; they are the abbreviation of the Greek name for Jesus Christ.

The all seeing eye is often pictured within a triangle. The symbol points to the omniscience: “Behold the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him” (Ps. 33:18). The creator’s star is a six-point star that is a symbol of the creative work of God.

The descending dove is the most common symbol of the Holy Spirit. In the story of Jesus’ baptism, Mark tells us that the Holy Spirit descended “like a dove” (1:10). The dove has been used in diverse ways in Christian history. The dove with an olive leaf in its mouth refers to the story of Noah and the flood (Gen. 8) and symbolizes the expectation of new life. Engravings of doves are found on burial monuments as a symbol of eternal rest (Ps 55:6 “Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest”). When a pair of turtle doves is shown, it refers to Jesus’ presentation in the temple. A dove above the waters is symbolic of creation (Gen 1:3).

In religious art the Savior is sometimes surrounded with seven doves, representing the gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord). Six of these traditional gifts are mentioned in Isaiah 11:2. The list from Revelation 5:12 consists of power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory and blessing. Sometimes each dove holds a scroll in her beak on which a virtue is inscribed.

The flame or seven flames, representing the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost when “tongues as of fire” rested upon the disciples and “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:3-4). A seven-pointed star with the initial of each gift within each point also symbolizes the Holy Spirit. When the points of a nine-pointed star contain the initial or name of a gift, the reference is to Gal. 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance as the fruits of the Spirit).

Part 3 in a series on Christian Symbols from “Our Christian Symbols” by Friedrich Rest, Pilgrim Press, 1980.

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Katrina Relief Trip to Mississippi (2 Articles)

Powerpoint Slide show (22 Meg file – not recommended for dial up friends!)

Michele Ridgely

F

It started with meeting 13 other wonderful people from various churches ranging from the youngest 36 to the oldest 74! We all clicked and supported each other emotionally and spiritually! Half of us were women with no skills beyond our enthusiasm. What a relief! I realized I didn’t have to control anything. When we learned to “Let go and Let God” use us, we were very helpful and truly blessed. Everyone we came into contact with was very grateful for every bit we did. Picking up trash, sanding drywall, laying tile, cleaning, listening, talking to their children and simply giving God’s loving promises.

We all experienced a huge growth in our maturity. There was a miracle every day. A woman in our group received communion for the first time in 10 ½ years because the cook at camp got her a ‘wheat-free’ wafer. The peace that we felt because of God’s presence was amazing! We can have hope - hope that this storm is for our good, will result in His glory, and will one day end. It is estimated that it will take 7-10 years to re-build and the locals are hopeful and their faith is inspiring. Please keep them in your prayers!

I have pictures and would love to answer any questions. Feel free to talk to me and I will share all the other details with you (like sleeping on a cot, eating bananas and beans every day, and what Bourbon Street is really like.)

Consider - 1:Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” Michele

Before & After Katrina

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Mississippi – A Trip Back in Time

Jim Harry

E

Our accommodations were in a gym that was part of the Episcopal School located right in Long Beach itself. The sleeping and eating setup was prefect in that it immediately created a sense of community. Sleeping was on cots in a coed environment and eating was definitely a community affair. The staff at the camp consisted of young people who gave up six months or more of their life to help direct the reconstruction; they were paid a small stipend, given trailers to live in and food and for this they worked upwards of six and half days a week averaging nine plus hours a day; truly a labor of love.

Without a doubt the most uplifting part of the trip was working on people’s homes; meeting them in person and hearing their stories firsthand. They had a spirit that was truly admirable – never down, always looking to the future with an eye on when they could finally move back into their home. One home that Michelle and I worked on belonged to Ms. Lewis. She was a fifties-something great grandmother who was going to have four generations of her family living with her because all of their homes were also ravaged by the storm. Her outlook was truly remarkable.

Michelle and I decided to help Ms. Lewis obtain new furniture for her new home. To help in this endeavor Michelle will be having a Pampered Chef party in her home with all proceeds going to this fund. Bob Fitterer suggested we have a second pancake supper to help with raising funds. I have set a goal of $1000 and everything we can do to help reach this goal is greatly appreciated.

On the last evening we were there the group decided to go to New Orleans for dinner, a drive of a little over an hour. As bad as what we saw in Mississippi, New Orleans was worse. Apartment project after apartment project was nothing but walls, no windows, no doors. Homes that weren’t much to look at before the storm were awaiting the bulldozer to be totally razed. While the French Quarter was clean and working there still weren’t the tourists there that the city depends on for its survival.

It is believed that the entire area will take twenty-five years or more to rebuild it to what it was before the storm. I personally don’t know if that can happen with the apathy of the country to this blight. To justify my opinion all you have to do is tell someone you are going to Mississippi and they might say, “Oh, going on vacation?”

In summary, if given the opportunity to go back to Mississippi or New Orleans I would go and if you find this to be a mission you would like to join, I assure you that you will never have a more uplifting or rewarding experience.

Jim

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From the Altar Guild Lent 2007

The penitential season of Lent is upon us. I am certain you have noticed some changes within the church and at the Altar. For instance, as is our tradition, at St. Paul’s the crosses are covered or draped. The color for Lent is purple.

However, Easter arrives following this austere season and is the major festival of the Christian year. Once again, the Altar Guild needs your help to transform St. Paul’s into its glorious best for the celebration of Easter. To achieve this, we depend on your contributions for purchasing Easter flowers.

Included in the newsletter is a form for you to complete along with your contribution. Names of those remembered in memorial or thanksgiving will be published in the Easter bulletin.

Please have your contribution to the church office by Sunday, March 18, 2007.

Thank you.

Dottie Streaker, Chairman

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Easter Decorations

As always we ask that you help us decorate our church during the festive occasion of Easter. Below you will find a form for the decorations. All names to be remembered will appear in the Easter Day bulletin. If you like, you may designate your offering to go toward Altar Linens. Please place your donation along with the sheet in the Alms basin or return it to the church office no later than Sunday, March 18th

FOR EASTER DECORATIONS

In Memory of:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

In Thanksgiving for: _________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Given by: ___________________________________________________________

Amount: ____________________

_____I wish my donation to be used for Altar linens.

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St. Paul's Episcopal Church Vestry Meeting

January 28, 2007

A brief Vestry Meeting was held following the Annual Church Meeting on Sunday, 1/28/07. New members were welcomed (Greg Prentice, Phyllis Weston & Alan Yeater). Reverend Ann also thanked those going off the Vestry for their faithful participation (Nancy Landry, John Softy & Helen Tuel).

The Annual Vestry Retreat was held on Saturday, February 24^th in the Parish Life Center. No comments or reports from that event are available at the time of this printing.

The Vestry

The Vestry is the governing body of the parish, with the rector as Vestry president, they manage the property and coordinate the organizations that carry on the ministry of the church. Members are elected at the annual congregational meeting. They meet the 3^rd Thursday of each month. Vestry members serve 3-year terms, which are staggered so that 3 members retire each January.

• Bob Fitterer

• Jim Harry

• Stephen Jones

• Al Marquis

• Greg Prentice

• Michele Ridgley

• Phyllis Weston

• Alan Yeater

• Ellen Zior

Thank you to the guys who contributed their time and talents to the stair removal/closet construction project on Sunday and Monday – 2/11-2/12. Pete, Glen, Mark & Al – your fine work is appreciated!

Thank You also to those who helped make the Pancake Supper / Mardi Gras a success.

Next month we’ll be able to thank all of those fellows who helped remove pews for the painter after the services on Sunday, February 25th.

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COFFEE HOUR HOSTS

Robin Mooney and Karen Softy

Phyllis Westin and Lee Hajek

Nancy McIntosh and Norma Prentice

Joanne Honsberger and Celeste Humphreys

Carrie Brown and Phyllis Heffner

Dixie Fitterer and Sue Thompson

Michelle Ridgely and Becky Rocco

Linda Barnes and Barbara Larrimore and Pat Marquis

Ellen Zior and Nancy Landry

Suzanne Bourg and Jean Meissner

These couples will rotate through the Church Schedules as posted in the monthly newsletter.

Our goal is to have our parish family united by providing opportunities to socialize. Please provide drinks and refreshments on your designated Sunday. Refreshments may be set up prior to the Sunday forum and Sunday school, prior to the 10:15 service or after communion. Please make sure there is adequate coffee made. If supplies are running low please notify the secretary. Be sure to tidy up afterwards. If you are unable to help on your assigned Sunday please arrange in advance to switch with someone.

Thank you all for making St. Paul’s Church a warm and inviting place for all.

Any other persons who would like to be a hostess or would care to help please see me.

Pat Marquis

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Celebrations

Many of our St. Paul’s Church Family are celebrating birthdays this month.
Do we have your special day on the calendar?
If you would like to update your family’s information, please contact
the church office by phone (410-489-4411) or email (stpaulsemail@comcast.net).

Birthday List

• Chris Wald Mar 01

• Rachel Gordon Mar 01

• Tom Culver Mar 06

• Stephen Jones Mar 08

• James Cassera Mar 16

• Anne Caldwell Mar 16

• Sheryl Courtney Mar 16

• Amanda Meissner Mar 18

• Karen Landry Mar 18

• Alena Fenton Mar 22

• Amy Hager Mar 24

• Dave Lawson Mar 25

Anniversary List

• (None in March)

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Prayer List