“Work to Live or Live to Work?”

Every few years or so since I emerged from divinity school (1982), somebody asks me a question something like this: “Do you consider what you do a job?” The idea is of course is that priests don’t really get days “off” as the vocation is “on” 24/7. That’s true. I am a priest all of the time. Even when I sleep. It is the same as for any Christian; our ministries, whatever they may be - are forever. There are no vacations for Christians, and no retiring for Christians. Discipleship is every day, every hour, forever.

But as a priest employed as a rector, I get “time off” for personal use. I eat and sleep, play with Alexandra and give her baths, practice the cello, and give Cyndie a hard time. Technically, this is not on the clock of St. Paul’s Church. But I am still a priest when I do things that don’t involve the ministry of our parish community directly.

It’s a question of balance. In the Anglican tradition we speak of balance as a theological virtue. We embrace the via media, or ‘middle way’, between, for example, Catholicism and Protestantism, faith and reason, or salvation by grace and by works. In my ordination vows (see the Book of Common Prayer, page 532), I promised to do my best to pattern my life (and the life of my family) “in accordance with the teachings of Christ,” so that I may be a “wholesome example” to others. To me this means trying to live a balanced life: spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. This takes time, energy, and commitment.

You may not believe this in a million years, but I am a recovering workaholic. During my first 9 years out of divinity school I dreaded days off and was miserable on vacations. Some of this was because I was in a troubled marriage and parish work was an escape from problems at home. Some of it was because church work is just so interesting and fun much of the time. There is a lot of variety in what parish priests do. Every day there is something different. In fact, church work can be down right addictive. My first bishop used to say that the clergy of our diocese lacked discipline; we didn’t know when to quit and cultivate our family lives, other interests, or even our spiritual lives. Yes, I was way too busy to pray.

All of that stopped when I got separated and, eventually, divorced. I did some serious discernment around my values and priorities. In addition to giving my spiritual and emotional life an overhaul (with God’s help, of course!), I studied the art of leisure.

I even have a leisure file. Cyndie was looking through it today for some references to things that we might want to do as a family in my “off” time, and found an article from The Boston Herald dated April 11, 1994 entitled Work to Live or Live to Work. I remember how impressed I was with the wisdom in it, and the stories of people who’d made major life changes because they no longer had time to “live.” I found this little cartoon very enlightening:

“Working” in the Church is tricky because it is “God’s work” that we’re doing, so it can feel like sinning to do something else for a day or two or even a few hours. And so many people appreciate what we do! But as I looked this little chart over I saw the life of Jesus - and my own life as one dedicated to the service of God - in a new light. Jesus had balance: he went off to pray, reflect and relax by himself; he went to parties (remember Cana?), and without a doubt he felt that life was a “celebration.” It reminded me that all of life is holy, not just the part we spend in church or doing the work of the church, just as Christ is found in the people we meet in the places we spend our off times.

Peace,
Randy

Senior Warden

Now we are entering into the post-Easter season with Pentecost approaching and the second half of the liturgical year; the period of Christian Growth and maturation.

I believe that it is especially appropriate to this time that we can express feelings of enthusiasm and excitement, as so many of our programs and projects have shown good progress and are coming to fruition.

There are many new faces at church, and we are beginning to experience growth. We are pleased that our message is getting out into the community that St. Paul's is a place where we can "Reconnect our Spirits without Disconnecting our Minds".  Our increased visibility in the newspapers and our new and improved website hopefully are helping to get the word out. As always the word is even more effectively spread when it comes directly from you.

We have been working behind the scenes on improvements, such as obtaining the grand piano for our music program, building a storage room off the Oliver Room for coffee hour and other supplies, and improving our sound system.

We are still not out of the woods on our finances, however, and everyone needs to keep their pledges coming in to support our general operations. We still have a long way to go to pay our assessment!  We are continuing when appropriate to use grant and dedicated capital monies to repair our building.

I hope everyone continues to make our visitors and new members feel welcome and included in our parish family. As others discover our church we all are stimulated to examine what the community of St. Paul’s helps us to understand about ourselves and our relationships with others.

Peace,
John Winesdorfer

Vestry Meeting Notes

Fr. Randy received a letter from The Rev. Dr. Peter Strimer who is the Jubilee Officer for the Diocese of Olympia. He wanted to let us know that the National Church Jubilee Office was sending a representative to review the churches that were candidates for Jubilee Centers. Fr. Randy set up a meeting with him for April 4, and all that were interested in this process were welcome to come.

Terrie Remick, Treasurer, reported that we were in the black for the month of February. However, we need to keep in mind that these figures did not show the nonpayment of the Diocesan assessment. Fr. Randy is setting up a meeting with the Early Response Team to discuss our inability to pay the assessment.

The vestry voted to purchase the grand piano that we’ve been testing out. The purchase price was $5000 and Bruce Hecke, piano tuner, said that we wouldn’t be able to find a better deal. The money used to pay for the piano comes from a fund that is solely designated for music. The piano has recently been retuned and seems to be holding it well. Bruce Hecke also reported that there is nothing wrong with the piano at this point that cannot be corrected.

The vestry approved the Rector’s Letter of Agreement and the Mutual Ministry Agreement. These documents will be printed up, signed by the vestry and the rector, and then sent to the Bishop.

Dean Taylor from St. Mark’s Cathedral will be a guest at the Friday Feast on May 31. The vestry will be attending this function and all parishioners are encouraged to come as well to support the Dean. The vestry has also decided to help serve at the Lord’s Neighborhood Diner on June 15.

Tom Remick will be installing a new coffee maker on the wall in the Oliver Room. This project requires some rewiring and will cost $1000-1200 for installation. There will also be a wheeled serving cart placed underneath the new coffee maker to make serving the coffee easier in the narthex.

Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Dueñas
Clerk of the Vestry

Worship & Arts Committee

The Worship and Arts Committee met on April 6 primarily to review the Easter liturgies. This year’s Holy Week was considered a success with a couple of items for additions to next year’s services referred to planning early in 2003. They include having a “flowering of the cross” activity in connection with the Great Vigil.

The committee also reviewed the changes to the Prayers of the People during Lent. The prayers are being lead by a lay person from the front of the center aisle. The trial period was well received and the practice will continue. Thanks to Larry Dugan for putting a lot of energy into getting people trained. We will be using Form 4 from the BCP in the coming months and members of the congregation are encouraged to speak their own prayer requests out loud, saying “Lord in your mercy”, to allow the congregation to respond, “Hear our prayer”. If you are interested in becoming one of the readers of the prayers of the people, contact Fr. Randy, Larry Dugan or Sandy Stutey.

The new bulletin format, i.e. 8 ½ by 11, will continue to be used. Printing options are being explored to allow it to be printed and folded instead of having to be stapled.

There was a review of music for the sequence hymn and the communion hymn to make the flow a little better. Selections for communion will include instrumental pieces and familiar hymns to allow the congregation and liturgical ministers to be able to join in the singing more easily.

The announcement that Cece Morris will be ordained on June 29 at the Cathedral and will preach her first service at St. Paul’s on June 30 was made. It is also the patronal day for St. Paul, so a celebration will be forthcoming. And, watch for liturgical dance at the 10:15 service on Pentecost!

A review of plans to move the Corpus Christi that hangs on the east wall of the Narthex was made. Plans are also being made to display the Vision of St. Paul’s in its place to include some visual representation of our Anglican or Celtic roots. As there are a number of very creative folks in the congregation, artists, architects, designers, people with good taste, it was proposed that an opportunity be given for suggestions. If you have a “vision about the Vision”, you are encouraged to sketch it, draw it, verbalize it, paste it up, and submit it to Fr. Randy by May 15th. He will be working with the Communications Committee and the Worship and Arts Committee to make a final selection.

Questions or suggestions about the worship experience or the liturgical arts? Contact Fr. Randy or Sandy Stutey.

Sandy Stutey
Worship Committee Chair

Jubilee Ministry Update

There are currently four churches in the Diocese participating in the Jubilee designation process. A report will be presented to the Executive Council of the National Church in June. It is anticipated St. Paul’s will receive official notification of the Council’s decision in late summer.

Christian Formation

We have just finished Ministry Resource Day, the Easter Pageant, and the Adult Lenten Study of "Honest to God".  While still maintaining our activities of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Rite 13/J2A Young Adult Training, Sunday Children's Chapel, Youth Group, and the St Paul's Nursery.

Now it is time to think about end of year activities for our program year and complete the planning for the Summer Program and start-up for next year.

The end of year brings the Bridging Ceremonies on June 2, with the actual end of the program year being on June 9.

In God's Love and Patience,
Rusty Holland

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

You might wonder how “materials” can enhance the religious life of a child. If, for example, you hear a beautiful passage from the Bible, you may find the same passage and read the words again slowly to more completely appreciate and understand them. You may think deeply about the words and speak to God in a prayer about them. But a little child, especially one too young to read, needs another way. In the atrium that child can ponder the biblical passages or liturgical prayers presented to them by working with the materials provided for that text – placing wooden figures of sheep and shepherd in the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting figures, representing the apostles, around a Last Supper table, exploring The City of Jerusalem, in miniature, or preparing a small altar with miniature replicas of articles we use at Eucharist. Older children can chose from copying parables from the Bible, laying (in order) written prayers from the rite of Baptism, planning a liturgy, discovering what their spiritual gifts may be, preparing a personal missal, or exploring, discovering and labeling a time-line showing the history of the kingdom of God.

Each of the three levels, ages 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12, offers age-appropriate themes for children taken from scripture and our liturgy. Each level builds on the previous one.

The heart of catechesis for the child under six revolves around the Parable of the Good Shepherd, revealing the absolute and unconditional love of God. The child in the second atrium is captured by the image of the True Vine. “I am the vine, you are the branches.” How God works through us is their focus. For the children at the third level, the focus shifts to a presentation of the history of salvation and God’s plan for community--a plan to link all people together. The emphasis at that point is on the child’s own responses to the gifts of God and the responsibilities that come with receiving those gifts. “What is the kingdom of God and my place in it?” is a question which begins to lay the foundation for their relationship with and commitment to God.

The catechist’s role is to foster an interpersonal relationship between God and the child by making presentations that “call forth” the child’s response rather than simply “pour in” information. The adult is a co-wanderer with the child. The catechist and the child work together addressing questions generated from exploring Scriptures with one another.

Our worship family has participated in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd children’s faith formation process for two years now. We’ve built the atriums and sent teachers to training. All the materials necessary for this formation process are being provided. The young people’s attendance is growing. There are four trained catechists working with the children on Sunday mornings and as well as volunteers. You are invited to come explore the atriums anytime and see for yourself the vital and effective environment created there.

Myra Battin

“Flowers for the Living”

Even if one is separated by distance or by death, it evokes feelings, sometimes pleasant, sometimes painful. With death it takes years of grief before you can feel comfortable with the memories.

If your relationship with your mother is less than ideal or you lost her at a young age it can be heartbreaking. Feeling and words left unexpressed or said and regretted can cause wounds that are difficult to heal. Often efforts are made to mend the relationship before death. Trying to repair years of estrangement is often impossible.

To bring some peace to both mother and child, counselors suggest trying for the possible. If just establishing communication is the only goal possible then the effort is focused on that. To open communication several statements are suggested. "I forgive you." "Can you forgive me?" "Thank you." "I love you." and "I 'all be OK."

Even if the response is less than hoped for, the statements give some comfort to the sayer. Sometimes just the effort brings results and opens dialogue, often it takes time to sink in. Unfortunately, most of us wait until a crisis occurs to make the overture.

Ensuring death is often that crisis.

Many Mother-Child relationship can be restored and bring healing to both. So if you haven't heard from your mother (or child) because of prior disagreements or painful relationships try picking up the phone or send a letter to say "I Love you and I forgive you." It may bring unexpected results.

The title for this article was one of my mother's favorite expressions. She felt bringing flowers to the grave was less appreciated.

Jenny Laris

A Letter from the Bishop

Please reserve October 13 as a day for you and your congregation to celebrate faith, fun and friendship with the first Bring a Friend to Church Sunday. On this day Episcopalians across Western Washington will invite friends to attend services with us and then to stay and enjoy a special event held afterwards. The Office of Evangelism is sponsoring Bring a Friend to Church Sunday in response to both our Diocesan Convention and our National Church’s resolution aimed at doubling Episcopal membership by 2020. National statistics tell us the following:

· 88% come because someone else invited them
· 6% come because they were invited by a clergy person
· 3% come as the result of some other form of advertising
· 3 % of visitors come to a church as the result of a yellow page ad

The Diocesan Council has directed funds to increase visibility of our churches, including yellow pages advertising, promotional materials and an expanded Internet site. But far and away our most effective way of bringing new people into our churches is to encourage our parishioners to invite them. Bring a Friend is a part of Reclaiming the Great Commission, to bring others to Christ. We plan to celebrate bringing our friends to church by setting aside one Sunday a year to specially recognize our friends….

I want to thank you in advance because it is so exciting to think of the impact of Episcopalians in Western Washington being evangelists in this specific way. October 13 will bear fruit that we cannot imagine. This comes with warmest wishes for a glorious Eastertide.

Faithfully,
Vincent W. Warner

An Evening With Dean Robert Taylor

Dean Taylor will be visiting St. Paul's at the invitation of OUTKitsap and St. Paul's to talk about what it means to be a welcoming church.  Taylor will draw upon his own ministry as a priest and on his own personal story and background as one who came to the US as a political exile from South Africa (and is now a US citizen).

Following the events of 9/11 it becomes even more apparent that communities of faith need to take a more active role in being welcoming and including the marginalized within their communities of faith. The Kitsap Peninsula has a large number of faith communities but only a scant handful have made any effort to embrace the GLBT community that live and work in their midst.   With Dean Taylor's visit we hope to develop a dialog between the communities of faith and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents and promote a change of attitude in becoming more accepting and welcoming.

Come and join with other welcoming and inclusive communities of faith and those wishing to know more about establishing one, and hear Dean Taylor and his message of hope.

For more information contact the OUTKitsap office (373-6150), Stanley Hess, or the church office (377-0106).

Stanley Hess

Stewards of the House

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered that it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound will still be there.”

As we work with one another toward growth, the parable’s lesson remains the same. Words can hurt. I remember a sign that hung in one of my classrooms that reminded us to “engage brain before starting mouth.” Wow, what a concept! Our friendships will depend on our using our head. True, due to imperfection of the flesh, mistakes will be made and forgiveness will be needed. Yet, each of us need constant reminders of our responsibilities in friendship. I hope this helps you as much as it does me. Please, forgive me if I left a hole in your fence.

With Love,
Tom Remick

Editor’s Note: We encourage everyone to offer for publication in the newsletter your suggestions, comments, ideas, or articles. We especially encourage those of you who would like to write a personal piece on some aspect of your spiritual journey. This is how we learn and grow in union with Christ. Please contact Ann Horn.

Captain Smartypants

Part improv-comedy troupe, part musical theater extravaganza, the eight members of Captain Smartypants sing and dance like the illegitimate lovechild of ‘NSYNC and Monty Python’s Flying Circus’. The Pants brought down the house recently when they opened the Seattle engagement of Margaret Cho’s one-woman show.

Eric Lane Barnes, the ensemble’s artistic director, notes, "In Song and Pants, we will tackle song styles from barbershop and 40s swing to contemporary country and classical, to 50s doo-wop and Cole Porter, to a cappella funk." The show will include all these styles and will culminate in what Barnes mirthfully describes as, "a sort of Riverdance extravaganza." In a special treat, local singer Jeannette d’Armand will join the Pants for several numbers as well as take a solo turn in the show.

Song and Pants will take you through the landscape of popular music, turning songs and styles end over end. Expect to be moved to laughter, tears, and sometimes both at the same time.

Advanced Tickets for Captain Smartypants in Song and Pants on May 10th at 8pm are available at St. Paul's Episcopal Church Office (360-377-0106) or the OUTKITSAP Office at St. Paul's (360-373-6150) for $15.00 (that's less than tickets for their Seattle shows without the ferry ride)! The last time The Seattle Men's Chorus sang at St. Paul's we sold out. Ticket prices 5 days before the show will increase to $20.00 so don't wait. Information is available about the group online at www.seattlemenschorus.org.

Odds & Ends

Job Announcement
St. Charles Parish Secretary/Receptionist – $9.00 per hr. to start, 20 hrs. per week. Must be baptized Christian. Training position that may lead to Parish Administrator. Requires flexibility, good communication skills, ability to multi-task and handle confidential matters. Must possess excellent computer skills and have experience with MS Word, Excel, and Publisher. Applications available at the St. Charles office, 20295 Little Valley Rd. NE, Poulsbo or call 779-3524 for more information. Position closes May 10, 2002.

Newsletter Deadlines
Please e-mail to Ann Horn your newsletter articles by noon on the 15th of each month. Reach her by e-mail, rhorn@tscnet.com for any questions or concerns. Or catch Ann in the church office on Tuesdays through Fridays at 377-0106. Please note: Articles submitted after the due date will be published in the next month’s newsletter.

Thanks
Many thanks to Toni Hammock who is our guest music director while Cindy Holland is away on vacation. Music team and choir rehearsals will be on Thursday evenings as scheduled.

Vacation
Father Randy is on vacation from April 24 through May 14. Contact John Winesdorfer, Sr. Warden, Marilyn Pantano, Jr. Warden or the Church office for emergencies. Also Thursday morning services and Bible study will resume on May 16th.

Golf Anyone???
We would like to invite all golfers from St. Paul's to join us in our annual golf outing. The person to contact is Bob Brown who will set out a sign up sheet at St. Paul's. This is a fun outing designed for anyone who likes to golf, whether you golf once a week or once a year. All are invited; we have men, women and children out for a day of fellowship and some golf.

Garden of Repose

Honi Matchell, Emily Battin, Myra and John Battin, Jeanne Thune, Cece Morris, Mary Alice Thomas, Fred Accos, Carol Angel, Ellie Holland, Cindy and Rusty Holland, Dottie Belle Cairns, Fr. Randy, Tom Remick, Sandy Stutey, Katherine and Mike Adams, and Ann Horn.

Peace,
Larry and Caro Dugan

Around the Diocese

Faithfulness and Call Conference
A Faithfulness and Call conference will be held on May 10-11 for individuals seeking to explore more deeply their baptismal ministry. The workshop will explore a variety of questions including “Who is God calling me to be?” sponsored by the Commission on Ministry, the conference will be held at the Dumas Bay Centre in Federal Way and costs $85. Deadline for registration is April 30. Call Lucy Brand at (206) 325-4200 for more information.

Cathedral Day
Cathedral Day on May 18th is a time when the entire church- young and old- journey together to St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle to play, learn and worship together. Bishop Warner will join the festivities for a day filled with music, dance and lots of activities. The theme is “God’s Children Light the Candles of the World”. The day begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. following worship. Bring a picnic lunch and join the fun. Contact Shannon Jergenson at (206) 325-4200 for more information.

Hole in One anyone?
The Bishop’s Open Golf Tournament is scheduled for noon Monday, June 17, at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course. Form a team and come and enjoy a day of golf, prizes, good food and fellowship. Registration forms are available in the church office.

Six Day, Summer Camps and Nurses
Six Day will be held June 20-26 at Camp Huston, Gold Bar. The annual youth event is sponsored by the Office of Faith Development. Contact Emily Battin or the church office if you have questions. Also there are brochures on the media table in the Narthex, as well as, the church office, that list the various camping sessions that will be offered this summer at Camp Huston. AND, if you are a Registered Nurse, Camp Huston needs you! Come and stay for a week of camp in comfortable accommodations and enjoy wonderful meals while helping to maintain a healthy camp. Contact Bill Tubbs, Director, at (360) 793-0441 for more information.