Dear Companions in Christ,
How's your Advent going? Any luck keeping up with the AM/PM Prayers for Advent? May we see a picture of your home altar? It's definitely not too late to start either or both of these ideas, if you've not already done so. Please email to share how you're doing, or to ask for help.
It's even more important than usual to be in touch this week as the weather forecast has changed many of our plans:
Finally, St. Paul's is participating in Wallingford's holiday "car parade" this Sunday, December 6 from 5:00-7:00PM. Everyone along Main Street has been asked to decorate with Christmas lights that can be safely enjoyed by those driving by. Come check it out!
Faithfully.
Dee Anne+
How's your Advent going? Any luck keeping up with the AM/PM Prayers for Advent? May we see a picture of your home altar? It's definitely not too late to start either or both of these ideas, if you've not already done so. Please email to share how you're doing, or to ask for help.
It's even more important than usual to be in touch this week as the weather forecast has changed many of our plans:
- The Community Drive-Thru collecting food for Master's Manna, diaper money and Christmas toys for our neighbors in need has been RESCHEDULED to NEXT SATURDAY, December 12 9:00-noon. Please help spread the word.
- Dropping off 2021 Pledge Forms will now take place at the "Pledges & Pretzels" drive-thru THIS SUNDAY, December 6 from 11:00AM - 1:00PM. (Yes, you'll receive a sweet treat as a gesture of thanks!) Of course you may also Pledge Now here or mail your pledge in to the parish office ASAP. Whichever you choose: Thank you!
- Worship for this Sunday, December 6, will be a livestream only beginning at 9:30 AM on our YouTube Channel (archived thereafter) and shown on WPAA-TV at the regular times. Sadly, due to weather conditions, we won't be gathering on the North Lawn. But we will have a full observance of Advent -- including celebrating the feast day of St. Nicholas! Please follow along in this week's bulletin.
Finally, St. Paul's is participating in Wallingford's holiday "car parade" this Sunday, December 6 from 5:00-7:00PM. Everyone along Main Street has been asked to decorate with Christmas lights that can be safely enjoyed by those driving by. Come check it out!
Faithfully.
Dee Anne+
Dear Companions in Christ,
Today we begin the season of Advent, the fresh start of a new church year. This of all years let's mark this holy* time together, even as we are apart.
Consider using this simple "Numbering the Days in Advent" AM/PM Prayer Form for the next twenty-six days. I've heard from so many of you who've joined me in the AM/PM prayers these past two weeks that I decided to create an Advent version. (Some of you will be happy to learn that these Advent prayers are adapted entirely from A New Zealand Prayer Book.) Once again, I invite you to:
1) Hold me accountable and ask how I'm keeping up; and
2) Join in these prayers and let me know how you're doing.
Today we begin the season of Advent, the fresh start of a new church year. This of all years let's mark this holy* time together, even as we are apart.
Consider using this simple "Numbering the Days in Advent" AM/PM Prayer Form for the next twenty-six days. I've heard from so many of you who've joined me in the AM/PM prayers these past two weeks that I decided to create an Advent version. (Some of you will be happy to learn that these Advent prayers are adapted entirely from A New Zealand Prayer Book.) Once again, I invite you to:
1) Hold me accountable and ask how I'm keeping up; and
2) Join in these prayers and let me know how you're doing.
You may have an Advent Wreath to use as a focal point for your prayers. Or make a home altar as Frances Chamberlain suggests in today's homily. Read her sermon here and be inspired, or watch it on our YouTube Channel. (Her sermon begins at minute 13 of November 29, but the whole service is filled with Advent music and prayers you'll enjoy.) As Frances says, create a home altar that is special to you and it will be lovely. Please send a photo of your home altar that we can share to inspire one another. I'm amazed by the photos already received!
We'll be observing the remaining three Sundays of Advent in our liturgy, so be sure to participate whether on the North Lawn (weather permitting) or remotely via YouTube or WPAA-TV. Look for the Sunday bulletin sent out every Friday for seasonal prayers, scripture and other information. I'll be posting a daily "Advent Word" on our Facebook page. Finally, here are the "Advent Antiphons" (with reflection questions) mentioned in Frances' sermon.
I'm so thankful for the opportunity to "prepare the way of the Lord" together.
Faithfully,
Dee Anne+
*Who knows what the word "holy" means? Email your answer and get a shout-out during next Sunday's livestream!
We'll be observing the remaining three Sundays of Advent in our liturgy, so be sure to participate whether on the North Lawn (weather permitting) or remotely via YouTube or WPAA-TV. Look for the Sunday bulletin sent out every Friday for seasonal prayers, scripture and other information. I'll be posting a daily "Advent Word" on our Facebook page. Finally, here are the "Advent Antiphons" (with reflection questions) mentioned in Frances' sermon.
I'm so thankful for the opportunity to "prepare the way of the Lord" together.
Faithfully,
Dee Anne+
*Who knows what the word "holy" means? Email your answer and get a shout-out during next Sunday's livestream!
Dear Companions in Christ,
This year has been difficult for all of us in so many ways. One constant we've had is the St. Paul’s parish community. We're “entwined” together by our faith like a pretzel. Did you know that a pretzel can be a symbol of the Trinity and a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment? Think about how you're “entwined” with St. Paul’s — and that we need each other now more than ever!
As a parish we've adjusted to these hard times by staying entwined. When we couldn't meet in person, we found a way to livestream our service on our YouTube channel. We've had Zoom coffee hours, book clubs and Bible studies. We carefully opened up the church for an Election Day Prayer Vigil, and before that a "Pilgrimage". We've held food collection drive-thrus to help our neighbors, and had Church School and Youth Group outside. We've offered worship from the North Lawn, and just had an Advent Wreath-Making Event there too. And so much more. Just wait until you see what we're planning -- both in-person and remotely -- for Christmas!
Unfortunately, what we cannot do safely these days is hold many of our traditional fundraisers. We cannot safely rent out our hall, host the Holiday Fair or Tea, or open the Thrift Shop. Two things can be true, and are true, at the same time: we value the well-being of the community and put that first, and our parish needs financial resources to thrive. (Check out these FAQs about pledging at St. Paul's.)
To continue to be entwined in faith and as a parish, we need your continued support. Our church is running on a deficit of funds. Your annual pledges are crucial to our ministries continuing and growing in these difficult times. The Stewardship Committee asks you to prayerfully consider making a pledge to support God’s mission through St. Paul’s in the year ahead.
There are several ways to make your pledge for 2021. Click the white "PLEDGE NOW" button at the top of this page. (You may also give online immediately by clicking the red "DONATE NOW" button above.) Or drop off this 2021 Pledge Form at the Pledges & Pretzels Drive-Thru this Sunday, December 6th from 11:00am-1:00pm -- and receive a heart-felt thanks in the form of a sweet treat from MELT Chocolatier! Finally, you may mail your completed Pledge Form to the parish ASAP. Please email or call the parish office if you need further assistance or have any questions.
Thanks be to God for your prayers, participation and generosity of spirit!
Faithfully,
Ralph Nardi
Stewardship Chair
This year has been difficult for all of us in so many ways. One constant we've had is the St. Paul’s parish community. We're “entwined” together by our faith like a pretzel. Did you know that a pretzel can be a symbol of the Trinity and a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment? Think about how you're “entwined” with St. Paul’s — and that we need each other now more than ever!
As a parish we've adjusted to these hard times by staying entwined. When we couldn't meet in person, we found a way to livestream our service on our YouTube channel. We've had Zoom coffee hours, book clubs and Bible studies. We carefully opened up the church for an Election Day Prayer Vigil, and before that a "Pilgrimage". We've held food collection drive-thrus to help our neighbors, and had Church School and Youth Group outside. We've offered worship from the North Lawn, and just had an Advent Wreath-Making Event there too. And so much more. Just wait until you see what we're planning -- both in-person and remotely -- for Christmas!
Unfortunately, what we cannot do safely these days is hold many of our traditional fundraisers. We cannot safely rent out our hall, host the Holiday Fair or Tea, or open the Thrift Shop. Two things can be true, and are true, at the same time: we value the well-being of the community and put that first, and our parish needs financial resources to thrive. (Check out these FAQs about pledging at St. Paul's.)
To continue to be entwined in faith and as a parish, we need your continued support. Our church is running on a deficit of funds. Your annual pledges are crucial to our ministries continuing and growing in these difficult times. The Stewardship Committee asks you to prayerfully consider making a pledge to support God’s mission through St. Paul’s in the year ahead.
There are several ways to make your pledge for 2021. Click the white "PLEDGE NOW" button at the top of this page. (You may also give online immediately by clicking the red "DONATE NOW" button above.) Or drop off this 2021 Pledge Form at the Pledges & Pretzels Drive-Thru this Sunday, December 6th from 11:00am-1:00pm -- and receive a heart-felt thanks in the form of a sweet treat from MELT Chocolatier! Finally, you may mail your completed Pledge Form to the parish ASAP. Please email or call the parish office if you need further assistance or have any questions.
Thanks be to God for your prayers, participation and generosity of spirit!
Faithfully,
Ralph Nardi
Stewardship Chair
Christmas Greetings Wanted!
As you may or may not know, St. Paul's is producing a video that will air on Christmas Eve. Due to the pandemic we will be unable to meet in person for the traditional services offered previously. This video will be part of our Christmas Eve offerings in this unique year.
We would like to involve all of you!
The video will feature a segment where Christmas greetings from the congregation will be shared. We hope all households will submit a short video greeting - won't it be nice to see everyone?! Ugly Christmas sweaters are optional but we hope you can have some fun with this!
Here are the criteria for the video you will submit:
Video will last no longer than 10 seconds.
Video will be shot by holding your phone horizontally, in landscape position.
You will say, "Merry Christmas from (insert your name here)!"
Your video needs to have good sound quality.
New babies, kids, and pets should be featured prominently!
Submit your video by Thursday, December 10th.
Once you are done please upload your short video to
St. Paul's by clicking here.
If you have any questions please contact me by email here.
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing your Christmas greetings!
~Miss Frances
Director of Christian Education and Formation
St. Paul's, Wallingford
We would like to involve all of you!
The video will feature a segment where Christmas greetings from the congregation will be shared. We hope all households will submit a short video greeting - won't it be nice to see everyone?! Ugly Christmas sweaters are optional but we hope you can have some fun with this!
Here are the criteria for the video you will submit:
Video will last no longer than 10 seconds.
Video will be shot by holding your phone horizontally, in landscape position.
You will say, "Merry Christmas from (insert your name here)!"
Your video needs to have good sound quality.
New babies, kids, and pets should be featured prominently!
Submit your video by Thursday, December 10th.
Once you are done please upload your short video to
St. Paul's by clicking here.
If you have any questions please contact me by email here.
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing your Christmas greetings!
~Miss Frances
Director of Christian Education and Formation
St. Paul's, Wallingford
A Gift from and for the Episcopal Church:
A FREE, downloadable PDF of our beloved
Book of Common Prayer
"When we pray, we are never alone."
The Rev. Scott Gunn, Forward Movement
We may be physically distant from one another these days to contain the COVID19 pandemic, but we're always spiritually together -- especially when we open The Book of Common Prayer. To help us through these uncertain days, Church Publishing has made the Prayer Book available for free. Just click here to download your copy.
A FREE, downloadable PDF of our beloved
Book of Common Prayer
"When we pray, we are never alone."
The Rev. Scott Gunn, Forward Movement
We may be physically distant from one another these days to contain the COVID19 pandemic, but we're always spiritually together -- especially when we open The Book of Common Prayer. To help us through these uncertain days, Church Publishing has made the Prayer Book available for free. Just click here to download your copy.
Questions, comments, submissions, and general feedback are all welcomed and should be addressed to Andrew Speyer, Website Caretaker.
St. Paul’s is on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Please follow us:
YouTube: Saint Paul's Episcopal Church
Facebook: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Wallingford, CT
Instagram: stpaulswallingford.org
Twitter: @StPaulsWlfd
YouTube: Saint Paul's Episcopal Church
Facebook: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Wallingford, CT
Instagram: stpaulswallingford.org
Twitter: @StPaulsWlfd