This Week at St. Paul's - October 28, 2010

Sunday, November 7, will be our observance of the Feast of All Saints. It will also be a Youth Sunday, which means that the children and youth will be in church, they will participate in many parts of the service, and we will also be commissioning acolytes that day.

As has long been our custom, part of our All Saints' commemoration involves the reading of the names of those who have died over the past year, both parishioners, and family and friends of parishioners. If you have a name that you would like included in this reading, please call the office (632-8221) or email it to us at paulspals@gmail.com. Thank you!

Bishop Candidate Walkabouts

The diocese has arranged for four walkabouts to take place next weekend. Each of these is an opportunity for us all to meet with the candidates for bishop, to ask them questions, and see where the Spirit is leading us. Here are the 2 closest to St. Paul's:

Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. - Christ Church, 7145 Fieldcrest Dr., Lockport
Sunday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. - Trinity Church, 371 Delaware Ave., Buffalo

There are also walkabouts that weekend in LeRoy and Jamestown. Information about those can be obtained on the diocesan website www.episcopalwny.org, or by calling the parish office (632-8221).

Elder Seminar - November 11

Join us for the next installment of our 2010-2011 series of Elder Seminars on Thursday, November 11 at 7 p.m. This session is entitled "Decisions and Responses: When do you decide an elder needs help? How do they respond to help?" These seminars are free and open to the public, so please invite anyone who you think might be helped by the discussion.

Confirmation - Classes are now on-going!

Bishop Michael's last visit with us will be on Sunday December 5. He will be retiring at the end of April. Since the Bishop is coming that means that it is time for Confirmation and Reception classes.

If you:

Will turn 15 before the end of the school year or are an adult

Have not been confirmed in the Episcopal, Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches

Wish to be a part of the Episcopal Church for this portion of your spiritual journey

You are eligible for Confirmation.

If you:

Will turn 15 before the end of the school year or are an adult

Were confirmed in the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches

Wish to be a part of the Episcopal Church for this portion of your spiritual journey

You are eligible to be Received into the Episcopal Church.

The preparation for Confirmation and Reception are the same. Pastor Vicki is conducting preparation classes. The classes are taking place in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 9:45 from October 10 through November 21.

The classes will include sessions on the beginnings of Anglicanism, the Episcopal Church and how the Episcopal Church approaches Scripture and Theology. If you are interested in any of those topics, come along even if you are already confirmed.

Materials from the classes, including class audio and Powerpoint slides are now available on the website.

Brent School Course

Pastor Vicki is teaching a Brent School class on Generations in America at St. Paul's on Wednesday November 10 and 17. The class will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Brent School is a ministry of the Diocese of Western New York. The class is on the 5 generations currently in American society, the experiences that shaped them and what generational theory can tell the church about reaching out to them. The cost of the class is $10. For more information or to register http://www.episcopalwny.org/ministries/christian-formation/brent-school

Can You Help?

We are looking for people to be part of planning teams for a couple of events that will be happening in the spring. Each team is looking for 3 or 4 people to work with Pastor Vicki on the events. They are: The Episcopal Community Services campaign in March; the Easter Egg Hunt in April; The Carnival in May and a Vacation Bible School this summer. The sign up sheet is in the parish hall.

Submissions for "This Week"

If you have information to submit for this newsletter, please send it to Liz at paulspals@gmail.com, no later than 9 am on Wednesday of the week in which you would like it to appear. Thanks!