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Dear Companions in Christ,
I’ve been waiting a long time to write this article about returning to in-person worship. Here are the two most important details: 1) We miss you! 2) We want you to be safe and exercise your best judgment whether you’re a good candidate to return to in-person worship at this time. Our Regathering Task Force and Tech Committee are working hard to ensure that we will continue to offer worship by remote on our YouTube Channel and WPAA-TV even as we begin regathering in person.
Starting Sunday, September 6, we’ll offer a service at 9:30 AM outside under and around an event tent on the North Lawn. The decision to gather outside is informed by the best guidance from the Episcopal Church in CT and public health officials. If extreme weather prevents us from safely gathering outside, we’ll send out an emergency text that morning. A service on YouTube and WPAA-TV will be available rain or shine. Our ultimate goal is to return to services at 8:00 & 9:30 AM in our beautiful building, with a remote worship component, when it’s feasible to do so.
Look for more information coming soon via both email and regular mail. Please note that in the interest of careful preparation for proper physical distancing, you must sign up in advance each week to let us know you’re coming. You’ll be able to do so either online or by calling the parish office. We’ll all be expected to honor a covenant of care for one another, which includes promising to wear a face mask, respect physical distancing measures, etc. Bring your favorite lawn chair (or a blanket, if you wish, for family groups.)
We’ll have music with a keyboard and soloist, plus a new sound system for outside. And, we’ll join Christians around the world celebrating a “Season of Creation” – a time to renew and repair our relationship with the earth and one another. This year’s theme is Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope. I for one am ready for just that; how about you?
Faithfully,
Dee Anne ✝
I’ve been waiting a long time to write this article about returning to in-person worship. Here are the two most important details: 1) We miss you! 2) We want you to be safe and exercise your best judgment whether you’re a good candidate to return to in-person worship at this time. Our Regathering Task Force and Tech Committee are working hard to ensure that we will continue to offer worship by remote on our YouTube Channel and WPAA-TV even as we begin regathering in person.
Starting Sunday, September 6, we’ll offer a service at 9:30 AM outside under and around an event tent on the North Lawn. The decision to gather outside is informed by the best guidance from the Episcopal Church in CT and public health officials. If extreme weather prevents us from safely gathering outside, we’ll send out an emergency text that morning. A service on YouTube and WPAA-TV will be available rain or shine. Our ultimate goal is to return to services at 8:00 & 9:30 AM in our beautiful building, with a remote worship component, when it’s feasible to do so.
Look for more information coming soon via both email and regular mail. Please note that in the interest of careful preparation for proper physical distancing, you must sign up in advance each week to let us know you’re coming. You’ll be able to do so either online or by calling the parish office. We’ll all be expected to honor a covenant of care for one another, which includes promising to wear a face mask, respect physical distancing measures, etc. Bring your favorite lawn chair (or a blanket, if you wish, for family groups.)
We’ll have music with a keyboard and soloist, plus a new sound system for outside. And, we’ll join Christians around the world celebrating a “Season of Creation” – a time to renew and repair our relationship with the earth and one another. This year’s theme is Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope. I for one am ready for just that; how about you?
Faithfully,
Dee Anne ✝
Parish Office Hours
The Parish office will be open to the public on
Wednesdays 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM starting on September 9th (or by appointment).
We require that masks be worn while visiting the office.
In addition, we request that social distancing guidelines are followed.
As always, you can reach the office anytime at
(203) 269-5050
or
office@stpaulswallingford.org
The Parish office will be open to the public on
Wednesdays 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM starting on September 9th (or by appointment).
We require that masks be worn while visiting the office.
In addition, we request that social distancing guidelines are followed.
As always, you can reach the office anytime at
(203) 269-5050
or
office@stpaulswallingford.org
For People Facing Uncertainty
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to us all as we wait in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make us the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you.”
(edited excerpt From: “A New Zealand Prayer Book.”)
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to us all as we wait in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make us the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you.”
(edited excerpt From: “A New Zealand Prayer Book.”)
El Porvenir Walk for Water
Help St. Paul’s continue in their support of El Porvenir by joining me in the Walk for Water fundraiser. Our group is called St. Paul’s Water Warriors and you can help by donating on our fundraising page AND by committing to walk, bike, or paddle one of the suggested distances the week of September 1st through 7th. Our goal is to raise $300 for El Porvenir. At the same time, El Porvenir has a matching offer from dedicated donors so whatever we raise will be DOUBLED! I will be walking/biking 30 miles during that week. On Saturday, September 5th, I will be leading a 3.7 mile walk at 10am. Join me (masked, please!) at 10am, leaving from the St. Paul’s parking lot. Click here for the link to our fundraising page. Or use this address: https://pages.donately.com/elporvenir/fundraiser/st-paul-s-water-warriors
And click here to set up your own fundraising page. Or use this address:
https://pages.donately.com/elporvenir/campaign/cmp_c966156fbec6
Please contact me if you have any questions or want more information. Thank you!
-Wendy Oestreicher
I can be reached by text at 203-314-4456 or email at wendyoes@gmail.com.
Help St. Paul’s continue in their support of El Porvenir by joining me in the Walk for Water fundraiser. Our group is called St. Paul’s Water Warriors and you can help by donating on our fundraising page AND by committing to walk, bike, or paddle one of the suggested distances the week of September 1st through 7th. Our goal is to raise $300 for El Porvenir. At the same time, El Porvenir has a matching offer from dedicated donors so whatever we raise will be DOUBLED! I will be walking/biking 30 miles during that week. On Saturday, September 5th, I will be leading a 3.7 mile walk at 10am. Join me (masked, please!) at 10am, leaving from the St. Paul’s parking lot. Click here for the link to our fundraising page. Or use this address: https://pages.donately.com/elporvenir/fundraiser/st-paul-s-water-warriors
And click here to set up your own fundraising page. Or use this address:
https://pages.donately.com/elporvenir/campaign/cmp_c966156fbec6
Please contact me if you have any questions or want more information. Thank you!
-Wendy Oestreicher
I can be reached by text at 203-314-4456 or email at wendyoes@gmail.com.
Recipe from El Porvenir
One of the great pleasures participating in St. Paul's work trips with El Porvenir is working with our Nicaraguan guides, Besides ensuring that we are safe, providing translation services and teaching us about Nicaraguan culture, the guides prepare us fresh food each day. The following is Jose Solis Ruiz's recipe for Pico de Gallo (Rooster's Beak). Pico de Gallo is a less liquid type of salsa that goes well with Gallo Pinto (Rice and Beans) and many other Central American dishes.
Pico de Gallo Recipe
Cucumbers
Green pepper
Tomatoes
Onions
Celery
Salt and black pepper
Vinegar
Limes
Hot sauce
Chop all vegetables, then add spices and sauces until you get the flavor you wish.
As with many good chefs, Jose is not concerned with exact quantities, but uses what is on hand. Unfortunately, Jose's creme fraiche recipe is still a secret.
If you have any questions about St. Paul's support of El Porvenir including work trips to Nicaragua, please check El Porvenir's website at https://www.elporvenir.org or contact Rob Page at rpage@protonmail.com
One of the great pleasures participating in St. Paul's work trips with El Porvenir is working with our Nicaraguan guides, Besides ensuring that we are safe, providing translation services and teaching us about Nicaraguan culture, the guides prepare us fresh food each day. The following is Jose Solis Ruiz's recipe for Pico de Gallo (Rooster's Beak). Pico de Gallo is a less liquid type of salsa that goes well with Gallo Pinto (Rice and Beans) and many other Central American dishes.
Pico de Gallo Recipe
Cucumbers
Green pepper
Tomatoes
Onions
Celery
Salt and black pepper
Vinegar
Limes
Hot sauce
Chop all vegetables, then add spices and sauces until you get the flavor you wish.
As with many good chefs, Jose is not concerned with exact quantities, but uses what is on hand. Unfortunately, Jose's creme fraiche recipe is still a secret.
If you have any questions about St. Paul's support of El Porvenir including work trips to Nicaragua, please check El Porvenir's website at https://www.elporvenir.org or contact Rob Page at rpage@protonmail.com
Gil Boyd Memorial Scholarship
The Sacred Trust Committee awarded scholarships this year to Joshua Ramirez and Jason Myers of Troop 4 Boy Scouts.
The Sacred Trust Committee awarded scholarships this year to Joshua Ramirez and Jason Myers of Troop 4 Boy Scouts.
St. Paul’s Girls’ Friendly Society – September UPDATE
I can’t believe September is already here! The spring and summer flew by despite the Covid 19 quarantine! Normally at this time, I would be letting everyone know about our resumption of “GFS” meetings (which usually coincide with the beginning of the school year) but this year is different – way different and St. Paul’s GFS will unfortunately NOT be starting this fall.
Our leaders, Jane Smith, Kate Adams and I have decided to postpone in-person meetings until 2021 (late winter/spring) – hopefully when we are physically back together- safely. There was some discussion about having Zoom GFS meetings, but these are not the kind of meetings that our leaders would like to engage the girls in. Our children will be spending hours on their computers weekly for schoolwork and we did not want to add to that time. Also, we didn’t want to add any more stress to mom and dad, especially as our kids start back to school with so much uncertainty.
Our hope is that we will have a great 2021 spring GFS program – culminating with Camp Weekend! We appreciate our girls and our parents so much and hope that you will all understand the difficult decision we had to make at this time. We will continue to keep you updated on any changes in our plans. Happy fall! If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at k.rowe@cox.net or 203-619-2410.
With love,
Karen Rowe, Branch Advisor
St. Paul’s Girls’ Friendly Society
Church School!
I can’t believe September is already here! The spring and summer flew by despite the Covid 19 quarantine! Normally at this time, I would be letting everyone know about our resumption of “GFS” meetings (which usually coincide with the beginning of the school year) but this year is different – way different and St. Paul’s GFS will unfortunately NOT be starting this fall.
Our leaders, Jane Smith, Kate Adams and I have decided to postpone in-person meetings until 2021 (late winter/spring) – hopefully when we are physically back together- safely. There was some discussion about having Zoom GFS meetings, but these are not the kind of meetings that our leaders would like to engage the girls in. Our children will be spending hours on their computers weekly for schoolwork and we did not want to add to that time. Also, we didn’t want to add any more stress to mom and dad, especially as our kids start back to school with so much uncertainty.
Our hope is that we will have a great 2021 spring GFS program – culminating with Camp Weekend! We appreciate our girls and our parents so much and hope that you will all understand the difficult decision we had to make at this time. We will continue to keep you updated on any changes in our plans. Happy fall! If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at k.rowe@cox.net or 203-619-2410.
With love,
Karen Rowe, Branch Advisor
St. Paul’s Girls’ Friendly Society
Church School!
How could it possibly be time for school again already?! If your summer was anything like my family’s it flew by and went at a snail’s pace, all at the same time. The prospect of school starting up again during this time of pandemic is daunting. We at St. Paul’s recognize that this is a difficult time of transition for many of you. Schedules will need to be adjusted and risks will have to be weighed. How does church school rank in your family’s priorities? Or youth group? Please consider this as we move into fall. St. Paul’s is here for you. We will strive to meet you where you are at and take your preferences into consideration. According to the church survey that came out in early August, most of you are interested in your kids attending church school and youth group in person, outdoors, and in a socially-distanced way. Some of you were also interested in virtual options. I suspect that this year at St. Paul’s will consist of a combination of both. I plan to send out a follow-up survey to the church school families of St. Paul’s in early September to help me gauge some of the finer points. Once I have heard back from you I can tailor a program to our church’s particular preferences. In the meantime please mark your calendars for a socially-distanced church school family picnic on Sunday, September 13th at noon! We will meet under the big tent on the North Lawn, each family occupying their own picnic blanket, bringing their own picnic lunch, seeing friends from a safe distance, and doing some fun activities together. Look for a postcard in the mail soon. I look forward to seeing (yes actually seeing!) you soon!
~Miss Frances
~Miss Frances
Update from Jay Lindsay, St. Paul’s Music Director
By now you have probably heard about our plans to resume in-person worship services in the fall. I’d like to tell you a little about our upcoming plans for the music program, as well as some of the things the tech committee is working on to continue our virtual services.
Unfortunately Covid-19 is having a major impact on the ability of people to sing together. Many choirs that have chosen to sing since Covid-19 reached the U.S. have had disastrous results. One choir in Washington state, for example, made national headlines back in March. After a two and half hour rehearsal with 63 singers, 53 of them became sick with the coronavirus, and two people died. Numerous studies have been published on the effect of singing on virus transmission. The consensus is that singing can spread the coronavirus very rapidly. When singing, you breathe deeply and frequently and are at the same time expelling air very forcefully. This is a very dangerous combination for the spread of coronavirus. The current recommendations from the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and many other organizations is to suspend group singing for the time being. Soloists can sing, but they should be 25 feet from any other person.
So then, what are we going to be doing for music in the Fall? The first thing is that we will be bringing out an electric keyboard for our outdoor services, and I will be playing the prelude, postlude and providing other musical offerings. I plan to continue our virtual choir projects that I wrote about last month, and including anyone who would like to sing. We will also be having a soloist at our in-person services, distanced by 25 feet. Our former choral scholar Samantha Martinez has recently graduated from Boston Conservatory and has agreed to be our cantor while our choirs are on break. I’m looking forward to collaborating with another musician in person again. It’s been too long!
Meanwhile our tech committee is hard at work to make sure things go smoothly in the fall. Ralph Nardi and Joe Sholtes are looking into purchasing a sound system for outside so everyone can hear our speakers and musicians. We plan to record the outdoor service and make it available for people to watch on YouTube who would prefer not to attend in-person services at this time. In the event of rain, we will not be able to bring out the electrical equipment, so the plan is to have a service outside under the tent without music. After the service is over we’ll be holding a second service in the sanctuary with music and worship leaders only that will be uploaded to YouTube. We are hard at work on making the audio and video quality the best it can be in the sanctuary. I have met with members of the tech committee several times to address the sound system in the sanctuary, and when we’re confident that the audio and video quality of our services in the sanctuary will be much improved since the last time we tried live-streaming there back in April.
Those are just a few of the things planned for the fall. I’ll continue working with the staff, tech committee, and Living with Covid committee to monitor the situation and adjust as necessary. I miss the choirs immensely and am as eager as anyone for them to resume, but the health and safety of everyone needs to be our highest priority. I look forward to seeing many of you in Fall!
By now you have probably heard about our plans to resume in-person worship services in the fall. I’d like to tell you a little about our upcoming plans for the music program, as well as some of the things the tech committee is working on to continue our virtual services.
Unfortunately Covid-19 is having a major impact on the ability of people to sing together. Many choirs that have chosen to sing since Covid-19 reached the U.S. have had disastrous results. One choir in Washington state, for example, made national headlines back in March. After a two and half hour rehearsal with 63 singers, 53 of them became sick with the coronavirus, and two people died. Numerous studies have been published on the effect of singing on virus transmission. The consensus is that singing can spread the coronavirus very rapidly. When singing, you breathe deeply and frequently and are at the same time expelling air very forcefully. This is a very dangerous combination for the spread of coronavirus. The current recommendations from the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and many other organizations is to suspend group singing for the time being. Soloists can sing, but they should be 25 feet from any other person.
So then, what are we going to be doing for music in the Fall? The first thing is that we will be bringing out an electric keyboard for our outdoor services, and I will be playing the prelude, postlude and providing other musical offerings. I plan to continue our virtual choir projects that I wrote about last month, and including anyone who would like to sing. We will also be having a soloist at our in-person services, distanced by 25 feet. Our former choral scholar Samantha Martinez has recently graduated from Boston Conservatory and has agreed to be our cantor while our choirs are on break. I’m looking forward to collaborating with another musician in person again. It’s been too long!
Meanwhile our tech committee is hard at work to make sure things go smoothly in the fall. Ralph Nardi and Joe Sholtes are looking into purchasing a sound system for outside so everyone can hear our speakers and musicians. We plan to record the outdoor service and make it available for people to watch on YouTube who would prefer not to attend in-person services at this time. In the event of rain, we will not be able to bring out the electrical equipment, so the plan is to have a service outside under the tent without music. After the service is over we’ll be holding a second service in the sanctuary with music and worship leaders only that will be uploaded to YouTube. We are hard at work on making the audio and video quality the best it can be in the sanctuary. I have met with members of the tech committee several times to address the sound system in the sanctuary, and when we’re confident that the audio and video quality of our services in the sanctuary will be much improved since the last time we tried live-streaming there back in April.
Those are just a few of the things planned for the fall. I’ll continue working with the staff, tech committee, and Living with Covid committee to monitor the situation and adjust as necessary. I miss the choirs immensely and am as eager as anyone for them to resume, but the health and safety of everyone needs to be our highest priority. I look forward to seeing many of you in Fall!
The Adult Forum Returns…
Would you like a chance to have thoughtful conversations with other parishioners? Would you like to read some powerful books (including the Bible!)? Then give the Adult Forum a try! This year we are planning to change things up every two months, first reading a book, then engaging in Bible study, and alternating between the two. So, you can step in an out if you’d like according to your interests—in fact, you should feel free to join in any time!
Our first book (for September and October) will be I’m Still Here, by Austin Channing Brown. Brown, a Black woman, was named “Austin” by her parents in part so that when she applied for jobs, employers would think she was a white man—that fact alone offers a lot to think and talk about! Here is part of Amazon’s description of this highly acclaimed memoir: “Austin writes in breathtaking detail about her journey to self-worth and the pitfalls that kill our attempts at racial justice. Her stories bear witness to the complexity of America’s social fabric—from Black Cleveland neighborhoods to private schools in the middle-class suburbs, from prison walls to the boardrooms at majority-white organizations…[The book invites] the reader to confront apathy, recognize God’s ongoing work in the world.”
This fall we will begin by meeting on Zoom on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. As the weeks progress, we’ll determine how best to continue as coronavirus conditions change (for the better, we hope!!). The first meeting will be on Wednesday, Sep. 16 at 7:00 pm.
If you are interested in participating on Zoom and/or if you would like me to order a copy of the book for you, please email Amy Foster at foster9092@gmail.com or call 203-675-4657. Note that you can participate by joining via computer, cell phone, or landline.
Would you like a chance to have thoughtful conversations with other parishioners? Would you like to read some powerful books (including the Bible!)? Then give the Adult Forum a try! This year we are planning to change things up every two months, first reading a book, then engaging in Bible study, and alternating between the two. So, you can step in an out if you’d like according to your interests—in fact, you should feel free to join in any time!
Our first book (for September and October) will be I’m Still Here, by Austin Channing Brown. Brown, a Black woman, was named “Austin” by her parents in part so that when she applied for jobs, employers would think she was a white man—that fact alone offers a lot to think and talk about! Here is part of Amazon’s description of this highly acclaimed memoir: “Austin writes in breathtaking detail about her journey to self-worth and the pitfalls that kill our attempts at racial justice. Her stories bear witness to the complexity of America’s social fabric—from Black Cleveland neighborhoods to private schools in the middle-class suburbs, from prison walls to the boardrooms at majority-white organizations…[The book invites] the reader to confront apathy, recognize God’s ongoing work in the world.”
This fall we will begin by meeting on Zoom on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. As the weeks progress, we’ll determine how best to continue as coronavirus conditions change (for the better, we hope!!). The first meeting will be on Wednesday, Sep. 16 at 7:00 pm.
If you are interested in participating on Zoom and/or if you would like me to order a copy of the book for you, please email Amy Foster at foster9092@gmail.com or call 203-675-4657. Note that you can participate by joining via computer, cell phone, or landline.
VESTRY
Rector, The Rev. Dee Anne Dodd
203-269-5050 rector@stpaulswallingford.org
Senior Warden, Chuck Maynard
Junior Warden, Gene Gervais
Clerk, Kate Adams-Bravo
Treasurer, Ted Hartsoe
Maryellen Connell
David Baxter
Ray Bibisi
Patti Cullen
Tammy Napoli
George Richardson
Ben Henry
Kathy Schave
Brian Sahlin
Rector, The Rev. Dee Anne Dodd
203-269-5050 rector@stpaulswallingford.org
Senior Warden, Chuck Maynard
Junior Warden, Gene Gervais
Clerk, Kate Adams-Bravo
Treasurer, Ted Hartsoe
Maryellen Connell
David Baxter
Ray Bibisi
Patti Cullen
Tammy Napoli
George Richardson
Ben Henry
Kathy Schave
Brian Sahlin
Please advise us of change of address or telephone numbers, illness, hospitalizations, deaths, andrequests for baptisms, weddings, etc.
Times for St. Paul's Sunday Service
Comcast Cable Channel 18
Please advise us of - change of address or telephone numbers
Frontier 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
Readers – 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!
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!
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