The parish office is open Tuesday – Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
The telephone number is (203) 269-5050.

DEADLINE FOR THE

JUNE NEWSLETTER IS

SUNDAY, MAY 26

Below is an important statement from the Vestry that's the result of more than a year of exploration. It was read at both services in church on Sunday, April 14, as a follow-up to a longer statement read back on March 17 (and which appeared in this spot in the April newsletter.) We'll be working together in the next few months to adjust to this new schedule as individuals and a community, and of course spread the word throughout the parish -- and well beyond. Thank you so much for your patience and goodwill as we make this transition. I invite you to be in touch with me with any questions, comments or ideas.

For some time now we as a parish have been discussing and discerning the possibility of streamlining our Sunday morning schedule. The proposed changes aim to address uneven church attendance, declining enrollment in our church school and the lack of families involved in parish activities. On Sunday, April 7 we had yet another round of open discussions for members of the parish, and we thank all of you who provided feedback at those meetings and throughout the past year. On Tuesday April 9, the Vestry voted on the proposed schedule, and we voted unanimously in favor of accepting it. We will begin the new schedule on the first Sunday in July, which is July 7.

The 8:00 service will begin at 8:00 as usual, and the later service will begin at 9:30. In the fall, choir, adult forum and a mini-coffee hour will begin at 9:00 and church school will begin at 9:15. Those children whose families attend the 9:30 service will join them at the Peace, and those who attend the 8:00 service will leave at that time. As we make plans to implement this new schedule, we hope you will share any thoughts on how best to make this change go smoothly, and of course hold our parish in your prayers. If you have any suggestions or questions, please feel free to ask any member of the Vestry.*

* Vestry members have been asked to wear nametags at church during the next several weeks. In addition, their contact information is listed in this newsletter and pictures posted on the "Welcome" bulletin board by the elevator and stairway to the back parking lot.

The biggest item in the agenda this past Vestry meeting was the continued discussion of the Sunday Service schedule change. After numerous meetings, many involving the church membership, the Vestry voted unanimously in favor of accepting the change, which if you are not yet aware, is to change the 10 am Sunday service to 9:30 am. This new schedule will begin on the first Sunday in July, which is

July 7. The 8:00 am service will begin at 8 as usual, and the later service at 9:30. In the fall, choir, adult forum and a mini coffee hour will begin at 9:00 am and church school at 9:15. Those children whose families attend the 9:30 service will join them at the Peace, and those who attend the 8:00 service can leave at that time. Please be sure to share your thoughts with any Vestry member on how to best make this change go smoothly.

A couple of other items discussed included parking issues for our church and how other town visitors are affecting them, and recommendations for grants made by the Sacred Trust Committee were approved.

Regarding the Parking situation, Reverend Dodd and Bob Mansfield have met with Mayor Dickinson and we have been assured that the new parking lot the town is planning for the Wooding/Kaplan property will blend in with our parking lot with minimal loss of parking spaces.

Finally, we would like to thank all of you that participated in the forums, meetings and discussions regarding the schedule change.

Save the date! May 4^th is the day to welcome spring by showing up at the church and helping to clean up the grounds! We will need weeders and painters and hole drillers (to repair a protective fence), etc., etc. 8:00 is the time, and we will quit by noon. Come and join the crowd!

St Paul’s is hosting a Spring Fling Dance on Saturday, May 11^th from 7:00 -11:00 PM in Wilkinson Hall. The cost is $10.00 per person and includes a DJ, soda, water, coffee and desserts. Tickets will be sold on Sundays in April following both services. For additional information contact Ranee Bibisi, Karen Rowe or Carole Ireland.

TO ALL

USHERS, CRUCIFERS, ACOLYTES,

LECTORS, CHALICERS:

Anyone who will be changing the service they presently attend (8 am to 9:30 an or vice versa) need to notify me by May 15^th, otherwise you will continue to be scheduled as you are now.

Thank you! Jane Smith

On May 12, 2013 at the 8:00 am service, the St. Paul's Girls' Friendly Society will be celebrating the installation of our girls as Junior and Senior members of our organization. The Junior members have spent the year participating in service projects such as collecting hygiene products for our mission project, creating Christmas cards for our troops overseas and our shut-ins, making up candy gifts and Valentine cards for our shut-ins and also learning our GFS prayer, which is a formidable task! Our meetings consist of working on either a service project or craft project for themselves, learning lessons that coincide with the church calendar and applying those lessons to daily life. Our newest members receiving a Junior pin are: Kayce Madancy, Dori Madancy and Macy Buccheri. Our Senior member is Brooke Mommsen. Brooke has helped the girls with their projects this past year and has also run a few of the meetings from planning to implementation. We are excited to officially recognize the girls for their efforts this year and continue to enjoy spending time with them! Please join us at the 8:00 am service where the girls will be ushering and participating in the service! Following both services, there will be a special coffee hour displaying the activities of the girls over the year!

Ushers – Crucifers – Acolytes – Chalice Bearers!

Please check your schedules for services and times you are serving. If you are unable to fulfill your obligation, please obtain a substitute for yourself! If you would also inform the parish office of any changes it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

All are welcome and the cost is $10. Please sign up on the easel in the back of the church. The May menu is Chicken Picatta, baked rice pilaf, fresh vegetables, tossed salad, rolls and butter, with trifle for dessert. Enjoy the food and fellowship!

Another year of Church School has seemed to have flown by. Many thanks to our faithful shepherds for their continued commitment to our children and to all of those who took time to teach a rotation. We could not have done it without you! A special thanks to those who dressed up as bible characters this year for the children to guess. Our last day of Church School will be May 19th and will include our traditional 30' Sunday.

Lawn Mowers unite! It’s that time of year when all of the dedicated St. Paul’s lawn mowers proclaim their solidarity by calling Bob and offering to mow once again!

Last year we had 12 mowers, ant they were only scheduled to mow three times. Not a great burden, and certainly a great way to show your support for the church.

We supply the mower and the gas, you supply the steering (the mower pulls itself). To volunteer, contact Bob Mansfield or let the church secretary know. Mowing starts soon!

A program for Sunday school-aged children on Sunday, June 16, between services.... Learn about the importance of protecting ourselves when outside having fun in the sun! This timely activity leading into the summer season will include a lesson about protecting ourselves in the sun and a craft project. If interested, a sign-up sheet will be in the back of the church, or you can contact Kristin McJunkins with the name and age of the child attending.

Congratulations grads! Please send in names of the graduates in your family (and dates of graduation, plus any education or work plans) by Sunday, June 16, so they may be included in our prayers and be recognized in church on Sunday, June 23.

The Skein Sisters of St. Andrew's and St. Peter's have invited the members of the St. Paul's Prayer Shawl Ministry to their monthly meeting at St. Andrew's in Meriden at 6:30 on the second Monday of the month for an evening of prayer, socializing and working on shawls. Use the side entrance of the church.

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be celebrated on the following Feast Days: Pentecost (May 19, 2013), All Saints’ Day (November 10, 2013) and Sunday after the Epiphany: Baptism of our Lord (January 12, 2014)..

Preparation for this celebration of Christian initiation includes a formal application and participation of parents and godparents in our Baptism Workshop and Rehearsal.

Thanks to the people who brought in cloth shopping bags. Guests of the food pantry receive one extra item of food if they have a reusable bag. It is an ongoing need as each week at least two dozen new people sign up. Those interested in volunteering three hours on Saturday simply show up at the back door of the Episcopal Church just off the Green in New Haven at 8:00. By 11:00 you will be on your way home. Groups need to call ahead. Information is on the Loaves and Fishes website. It’s a very rewarding experience. Bags can be left with Master’s Manna food.

The WMRC is looking for medical and nonmedical volunteers to assist in managing shelters in case of tornado or other natural disaster or manning emergency clinics for distribution of vaccinations in the event of a new flu epidemic or terrorist attack (such as anthrax). Medical people needed include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacists’ assistants and mental health counselors. For every medical volunteer about two non-medical personnel are needed for such a task as greeting and directing people, registration, delivering supplies to medical personnel, helping with paper work, etc. Volunteer training is provided and it is not an onerous time commitment. If you can help your town in its time of need, contact Eloise at the Wallingford Health Department,

St. Paul’s Thrift Shop
Where “It’s nifty to be thrifty”
65 North Main Street (behind church)
Wallingford, CT 06492
Hours: Thur., Fri. & Sat. 10am-1pm

New Volunteers always wanted & welcomed (a great experience for teen community service/summer help )!

We are in need of donations of ties, men's shoes, house wares & decorative items!

and click on the Thrift Store tab to see a complete list of acceptable donations and to learn more about our shop.

Times for St. Paul’s Sunday Service

Comcast Cable Channel 18

U-Verse Channel 99

www.WPAA.TV - WPAA on the Internet

Sunday – 5:00 PM

Monday – 8:00 AM

Wednesday – 2:00 PM

Saturday – 7:00 PM