News from Diocesan Convention: First Sitting

I would like to share my experience with everyone. The first "sitting" was held at St. Mark's Cathedral on September 27th. I believed this was our last beautiful day to enjoy the sunshine, but over 300 people gathered inside for Holy Eucharist during the morning. How wonderful to hear all those voices singing together! The songs were both old and new, but easy to follow.

We were given an hour and half for lunch. However, our group had to meet to discuss a few unresolved items. I then took off for the great outdoors, to get some vitamin C and exercise before having to sit another two hours.

The main item on the agenda was whether or not to elect a Bishop Suffragan. I had basically made my decision, however I was interested in hearing all the comments from other churches.

This will be a new position within our Diocese whose major role will be to work with groups responsible for faith formation and to recruit and encourage those called to various orders of ministry, lay professionals as well as deacons and priests. The Bishop Suffragan will work closely among ethnic congregations, assisting them as they develop ministries.

Bishop Warner made it clear he would like to have this person be a person of color, and multi-lingual. After an afternoon of discussion we voted to elect a Bishop Suffragan within our diocese. A search and nominating committee had been chosen previously. The afternoon ended with the introduction and commissioning of the committee.

All went well, and the sun was still waiting for us. What a beautiful day.

Submitted by Marilyn Pantano

Diocesan Convention: Second Sitting

Please pray for them as they are involved in voting for some very important issues that are facing the Church. It will also be a very exciting time as it is the closing event for the 150th year anniversary celebration for the Diocese of Olympia and the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop, will be in attendance fresh from his journey to England where he met with the Primates from Anglican Provinces around the world and with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Rowan Williams.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Please Welcome THE COATS!!

Remember the fabulous, four-person. a cappella choral ensemble from St. Petersburg, Russia that sang Russian religious and folk music at St. Paul's last year? That was a memorable evening of harmony, emotion and superb vocal talent.

Once again the St. Paul's Concert Series brings you a four-voice a cappella group, THE COATS, U.S. National Grand Champions of, The National Harmony Sweepstakes!

THE COATS have performed all over the world because of their supreme entertainment value as a corporate act and have received thousands of standing ovations from audiences all across the country. The group has evolved into a four-voice chemistry that truly demonstrates the excitement of a cappella music. Their fearless repertoire spans the popular hits of more than four decades. People of every age get hooked on THE COATS high-energy stage show and phenomenal vocal harmonic range.

THE COATS have appeared on NBC's hit comedy, Frasier as well as with Jay Leno, The Beach Boys, Chicago, Crystal Gayle, Trisha Yearwood, Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Gallagher to name a few. President George W. Bush stated that, "The White House has never heard such great harmonies!" The performance in the East Room had the whole White House singing along to THE COATS!

So invite your friends and family to the Nov. 7th performance, only $15 per person (with childcare provided by reservation). CD's will be available before and after the performance and beverages and light snacks will be available before the show at 7 p.m. Looking for more information about THE COATS vocal group extraordinaire? Check out their website, www.thecoats.net.

Cindy Holland

Kirking of the Tartans and Bagpipes

Now is the time to get your plaids or tartans ready. It also would be a good time to invite a friend to church. So, mark your calendars and spread the word.

You don't have to be Scottish to join in the Kirking and enjoy the music of the two pipers, Seamus Neary and his wife Suzanne Wolf. For further information, contact Cindy Holland or Larry Dugan.

A BIG THANKS! …to the Supporters of the Musical Arts At St. Paul's 2004

Church Quiz - November, 2003

Saturday, November 1 - All Saints' Day
Sunday, November 2 - All Saints' Sunday
Monday, November 3 - Commemoration of All Faithful Departed (All Soul's Day)
Sunday, November 16 - Late service with bagpipes and Kirking of the Tartans
Wednesday, November 26 @ 7:00 p.m. - Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist
Sunday, November 30 - The first Sunday of Advent

1. What is the color for All Saints' Day?

a. Green
b. White
c. Purple

2. What is the color for All Soul's Day?

a. Green
b. White
c. Purple

3. What is a veil?

a. A solid cloth that covers the chalice at the Eucharist.
b. A loose-woven cloth draped over all crosses and crucifixes during Passiontide.
c. A vestment worn by a priest hearing confessions.

4. What is the chancel in the church?

a. The Rector's office.
b. The church office.
c. The area around the altar.

5. What is the narthex in the church?

a. The area between the front doors of the church and the nave.
b. The area where the chancel is located.
c. A social meeting room.

6. What is the nave in the church?

a. The area between the narthex and the chancel.
b. The area where clergy vestments are kept.
c. The room where the Eucharistic vessels are kept.

The Good Word newsletter will have earlier deadlines during the upcoming holiday schedules. The deadline for the December issue will be Monday, November 10 while the cut off date for the January newsletter will be Monday, December 8. Please contact Ann Horn (rhorn@tscnet.com) if you have questions or concerns about the holiday schedule. Contact the church office if you have any changes with your mailing address. Regular deadlines will resume in January for the February issue. Please note: Articles submitted after the due date will be published in the following month's newsletter.


Christian Formation Update

Many thanks go to Rusty Holland who has served as Christian Formation Coordinator over the last few years. Rusty has been involved with numerous aspects of formation including helping the Youth group lead VBS one summer, and sponsoring a day retreat for the teachers as we developed our unique mission statement. Rusty also ran Children's Chapel during Sunday services.

We welcome Geni Baselt as the new nursery supervisor. Geni brings a vast amount of experience and energy to the role and has managed to keep the million children in the nursery safe and happy (as happy as a toddler or infant can be when separated from Mom and Dad). Please contact Geni if you would like to volunteer to help in the busy nursery or if you have any questions or concerns.

Children's Chapel will resume on November 2 under the direction of Alexandria Nichandros. Alexandria helped lead children's chapel at her former parish and currently works with the Youth Group. She is looking for a team of volunteers to share in this important ministry. Please contact Alexandria or show up on Sunday morning and offer a hand…

Food Drive

The Loaves and Fishes Food Drive continues to be a success. St. Paul's has donated over 400 pounds of food to the Bremerton Food Bank since last spring. As most of the recipients of our donations are women and children, there is a high demand for baby food, and items for school children's lunches, such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, fruit packs and juice boxes.

You may also donate bread, as the deliveries to the food bank are now being made once a week. We ask that you please use the small square container for heavy items, such as can goods, juices, etc., and the large container for more fragile, lighter-weight items.

If you need more information about the Loaves and Fishes program, please contact Alexandria . Thank you so much for your continued support.

Lisa Kidd

Calling all Stars…

Come and join in the fun with Karaoke Night on Friday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Come and spend the evening singing Christmas Carols and other favorite Karaoke tunes! The night will include a great dinner (no turkey we promise!). Karaoke will follow the meal. There will be drawings throughout the evening for door prizes.

Childcare will be available with advanced notice for the "wee little ones". Tickets are $5 for adults and youth. Children 12 years old and under eat for free. Deadline for ticket sales will be noon, Wednesday, December 3. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Luz Accos e-mail: krayzazn@hotmail.com or Ann Horn rhorn@tscnet.com for reservations or more information.

"How the Gospels Came to Be"

Many of you have probably heard that there were more Gospels circulating around the Christian Church during its first three centuries than "made it" into the New Testament when the official collection, or "canon" was defined by the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. On the first three Wednesday evenings of November, the 5th, 12th, and 19th, join Randy in the Library from 7:00-8:00 to meet some of the "also-rans" and find out what made Matthew, Mark, Luke and John so special.

Smoke Alert!

We will be using incense at the 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service on December 24. We use a very fine grade of frankincense that doesn't seem to cause respiratory irritation in many people. The incense will only be used for the procession at the beginning of the Eucharist. The rest of the time during the service the incense will be removed from the nave. We only use incense a few times each year at special services in keeping with the rich traditions of our Church.

Pray for one another….

Do you want to include someone in St. Paul's Prayer Chain? Contact Carol Angel for more details.