church St. Paul’s EPISCOPAL September 2011 Vol. 12 - No. 9 THIS ISSUE: FROM THE RECTOR On the “surprises of life”. OUTREACH Haiti work group moves forward. GET YOUR BIBLE READY Bible study resumes! DEACON NANCY REVIEWS: The Final Conflict: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” SPECIAL MUSIC EVENT Musical meditation commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. GARDENING EVENT Get the grounds ready for homecoming The Epistle of Saint Paul’s: a Joyful Noise PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE CITY OF ALBANY From the Rector The summer break always seems to pass so quickly, too quickly! As I lament at the end of summer, I also look forward to returning to a regular schedule in September. In fact, I like drawing up a weekly plan that will allow me to accomplish some new things, while maintaining a normal balanced life. My normal balanced life may vary so much from year to year that I should not refer to any new schedule as normal! For many of us, the beginning of September is filled with New Year’s resolu- tions. Then when the New Year comes in four months, the resolutions are modified or expanded. The New Year then becomes a half-time break in for re-evaluation during the program year.. While goals for work or school may be set for us, we have the other goals to set ourselves regarding healthy eating, exercise, an appropriate amount of sleep, reading, prayer, service to others, worship, relationships, hobbies, and relaxation. In spite of this planning, too often our plans for a balanced year are derailed by things over which we have no control. At such times, we may have to abandon our plans, and do whatever requires our time. For me, the peacefulness of a balanced life is often a dream for the future. Each year, I try to improve the schedule, but too often pack so much into the times of day when my good energy is already spent. As needed, each year, I cut back on time at the gym, in pleasure reading, and in unproductive relaxation, in that order. I do this so that I am able to deal with the daily “surprises of life”. In the “surprises of life”, I often see God at work in the people around me, when they are stressed or in distress. I see the grace of God giving them energy and peace for the tests that they are facing. I see God guiding them to move beyond being right in eve- ry situation. I see them being gracious with everyone they meet in every sort of trou- bling situation. Anger is subdued by love, God’s love. In the “surprises of life”, my mind returns to the schedule. I wonder what basic things are included in the weekly schedule of a gracious person, which energizes that person to reflect God’s face, to reflect God’s love in the world and to the world. I won- der how many of these goals contribute to the loving reactions of the gracious people by whom I am being surprised: healthy eating, exercise, an appropriate amount of sleep, reading, prayer, service to others, worship, relationships, hobbies, and relaxation? When such goals have to be abandoned due to things beyond our control, I hope that the example of some other gracious people will be present, present when we need to see God at work in others. May we be surprised by those whom God is changing! May we move beyond just being right: may we be gracious as God is gracious! Peace, Nixon+
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Transcript
church St. Paul’s
EPISCOPAL
September 2011 Vol. 12 - No. 9
THIS ISSUE:
FROM THE RECTOR
On the “surprises of life”.
OUTREACH
Haiti work group
moves forward.
GET YOUR
BIBLE READY
Bible study resumes!
DEACON NANCY
REVIEWS:
The Final Conflict:
“Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows Part 2”
SPECIAL MUSIC
EVENT
Musical meditation
commemorating the 10th
anniversary of the
9/11 tragedy.
GARDENING EVENT
Get the grounds ready
for homecoming
The Epistle of Saint Paul’s: a Joyful Noise
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE CITY OF ALBANY
From the Rector
The summer break always seems to pass so quickly, too quickly! As I lament at
the end of summer, I also look forward to returning to a regular schedule in September.
In fact, I like drawing up a weekly plan that will allow me to accomplish some new
things, while maintaining a normal balanced life. My normal balanced life may vary so
much from year to year that I should not refer to any new schedule as normal!
For many of us, the beginning of September is filled with New Year’s resolu-
tions. Then when the New Year comes in four months, the resolutions are modified or
expanded. The New Year then becomes a half-time break in for re-evaluation during the
program year..
While goals for work or school may be set for us, we have the other goals to set
ourselves regarding healthy eating, exercise, an appropriate amount of sleep, reading,
prayer, service to others, worship, relationships, hobbies, and relaxation. In spite of this
planning, too often our plans for a balanced year are derailed by things over which we
have no control. At such times, we may have to abandon our plans, and do whatever
requires our time.
For me, the peacefulness of a balanced life is often a dream for the future. Each
year, I try to improve the schedule, but too often pack so much into the times of day
when my good energy is already spent. As needed, each year, I cut back on time at the
gym, in pleasure reading, and in unproductive relaxation, in that order. I do this so that I
am able to deal with the daily “surprises of life”.
In the “surprises of life”, I often see God at work in the people around me, when
they are stressed or in distress. I see the grace of God giving them energy and peace for
the tests that they are facing. I see God guiding them to move beyond being right in eve-
ry situation. I see them being gracious with everyone they meet in every sort of trou-
bling situation. Anger is subdued by love, God’s love.
In the “surprises of life”, my mind returns to the schedule. I wonder what basic
things are included in the weekly schedule of a gracious person, which energizes that
person to reflect God’s face, to reflect God’s love in the world and to the world. I won-
der how many of these goals contribute to the loving reactions of the gracious people by
whom I am being surprised: healthy eating, exercise, an appropriate amount of sleep,
reading, prayer, service to others, worship, relationships, hobbies, and relaxation?
When such goals have to be abandoned due to things beyond our control, I hope
that the example of some other gracious people will be present, present when we need to
see God at work in others. May we be surprised by those whom God is changing! May
we move beyond just being right: may we be gracious as God is gracious!
Peace, Nixon+
Rector
The Rev. J. Nixon McMillan
Rector Emeritus
The Rev. Leslie C. Hughs
Priest Associate
The Rev. Ned Dougherty
Deacon
The Rev. Nancy Rosenblum
Organist-Choir Director
Steven L. Rosenberry
Sexton
James H. Noisette
Wardens
Judy Condo
Bob Walenta
Vestry
Candace Deisley
Robert Englert
Lisa Kissinger
Sandy Lowery
Mary Jane McGuire
Geoffrey Moore
Perry Smith
Katherine Storms
Valerie Thompson
Treasurer
Denise Mason
Secretary
Sharon Kasman
Who’s Who
at St. Paul’s
1
OUTREACH ACTIVITY
Haiti Work Group Moves Forward
On July 27th, St. Paul’s Haiti Work Group continued its inquiry into joining with St.
Andrew’s Episcopal Church in mission projects in rural Haiti. After discussion with
two representatives from St. Andrew’s, the task force agreed to approach Vestry for
authorization to begin to outline a partnership. Action on this proposal is anticipated
at the September vestry meeting. In the meantime, the Work Group prepared to sup-
port the Action H20 fund-raiser held by the Empire Haiti Coalition at the Cathedral of
All Saints on August 30th.
ANNUAL AIDS WALK SUPPORTS LOCAL PROGRAMS
The Capital District AIDS Walk will be held Saturday, September 24th. Walkers
will step off from the Washington Park Lake House in the15th annual holding of the
popular fund-raiser for programs for persons living with AIDS and their families. St.
Paul’s walkers, including Pam Love, Kate Storms and other volunteers, will be solic-
iting donations on Sunday mornings from September 11th through 25th. St. Paul’s
AIDS Care Team continues to be an important part of the life and well-being of their
care partner.
What’s at the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry?
On a rainy July morning, Carolyn Burnworth and I followed directions to meet Rev.
Deb Jameson to tour the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry at Emmanuel Baptist
Church at 275 State Street on Albany’s Capitol Hill. For the last few years, St. Paul’s
has been collecting personal care items and designating the abundance of our annual
Christmastime Mitten Tree to support this well-established ministry. At the urging of
Pantry volunteer, Nancy Rodgers, and others, we decided to visit and get better ac-
quainted with Rev. Deb Jameson, Director of Community Ministry for the ecumeni-
cal FOCUS collaboration.
We opened heavy wooden doors and joined a few pantry guests seated waiting for
volunteers to help with registration, selection, and packing for each patron. Rev. Deb
quickly appeared and began a tour through the busy pantry space, where over 300
neighborhood families a month pick up a 7-day supply of food and personal items.
As we moved through the capacious 1871 church structure, it became clear that in
recent years the congregation of Emmanuel Baptist has made thoughtful architectural
up-grades and prioritized its resources to strengthen its ability to serve the communi-
ty.
The six FOCUS churches in covenant, together with additional faith affiliates, jointly
mount an impressive combination of worship services, pantry and hot meal pro-
grams, advocacy for just public policy, computer literacy for children and an annual
school supplies drive.
St. Paul’s notable contribution this summer and last has been the FOCUS Commu-