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GOOD NEWS!
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A Newsletter of St. Paul's Church, Concord, NH
"A place to belong . . . Whoever you are . . . Just as you are." | November 2012
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November Calendar Highlights
1 Havenwood Service - 10:30 AM
1 All Saints Day Service of Remembrance
Healing & Hope - 5:30 PM
3 Safe Church Training - 8:30 AM
4 Return to Standard Time - 2:00 AM
4 Catholic? Episcopal? What's the
Difference? - 9:00 AM
5 Men's Just Supper - 6:00 PM
10 Bishop Robinson's Reception,
Grappone Center - 1:00-4:00 PM
12 OFFICE CLOSED - VETERANS' DAY
13 Forever Young - 11:30 AM
18 Thanksgiving Lunch - 11:30 AM
20 Parish Potluck - 5:30 PM
20 Vestry Meeting - 6:30 PM
21 Friendly Kitchen - 4:30 PM
21 Thanksgiving Service - 5:30 PM
22/23 OFFICE CLOSED - THANKSGIVING
28 Advent Eucharist - 5:30 PM
28 Advent Series - 6:00 PM
Dec 2 Scrip Launch - 9:00 AM
Dec 2 Children's Christmas Sale &
Pictures with Santa - 11:30 AM
See entire calendar
For details of these and other parish events, check the weekly
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Milestones
Burials
Edward Trombly 10/9/2012
Mia Dameron 10/11/2012
Robert Fenton 10/26/2012
Memorial Service
Thad Schilling 10/21/2012
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Shorts
A Pastoral Letter from our Bishops
Bishop Rob and Bishop Gene have sent out a letter to everyone in the diocese, encouraging us to prayerfully consider how we will vote on November 6. Click here to read what they wrote and be inspired!
Our gift to you ...
and your gift to St. Paul's
Don't forget to pick up your pledge packet from the Upper Parish Hall. The fewer we have to mail the greater our saving on postage! Once again, a parish family has donated a unique gift that you will find in your packet. We hope you enjoy it and we thank you for the gift of your presence at St. Paul's and your support of our parish.
Bishop's Purse
Everyone is invited to drop in to Bishop Robinson's reception on November 10, any time from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Grappone Center in Concord. At this gathering, the Bishop will be presented with his retirement gift, commonly referred to as a purse. He intends to designate his purse to the Endowment of the NH Women's Prison Chaplaincy, a ministry with which he has been involved throughout his time as bishop. Click here for more information or to make a donation.
What does Advent mean to you?
Our Wednesday evening Advent series for 2012 features special guests from the faith community of Greater Concord. Come and experience Advent from a variety of perspectives, and find new ways of exploring your own response to this holy season.
Is there another way?
The stores are already full of reminders that Christmas is coming. But Advent means so much more than shopping and planning celebrations. On three Sunday mornings in December, from 9:00 - 9:45, St. Paul's will offer "The Advent Alternative". We will gather for prayer, discussion, and some creative ways of focusing our minds on what Advent is really all about. |
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Come Worship With Us
Saturdays:
4:30 PM Our Simple Saturday Service of Holy Eucharist.
Sundays:
8:00 AM This celebration of Holy Eucharist is quiet and reflective. Occasional music, but no choir.
10:00 AM This is a traditional service of Holy Eucharist. Music includes traditional and contemporary hymns and choir anthems. All ages welcome.
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12:10 PM Holy Eucharist in the chapel.
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church
21 Centre Street
Concord, NH 03301
Tel: 603-224-2523
Fax: 603-224-2524
[email protected]
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Clergy and Staff
Rev. Kate B. Atkinson,
Rector
Rev. Herb Sprouse,
Assistant Priest
Rev. Darrell Huddleston,
Priest Associate
Rev. Charles Edward LeClerc, BSG,
Deacon
Rev. Will Ottery,
Deacon
Mark Pace,
Director of Music
Kristin Dunklee,
Parish Administrator
Sarah Nyhan,
Minister for Families, Youth and Children
Steve Blackmer,
Minister to High School Youth
Andrew Brundrett,
Sexton
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| This issue we inaugurate our "Behind the Scenes" column, featuring parishioners whose efforts and ministries are largely unrecognized. We are out to change that! Care to nominate someone at St. Paul's who has been flying under the radar? Please email us at [email protected] |
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Clergy Corner
by Rev. Herb Sprouse
Dear friends,
Be Thankful...and Vote!
It's been an almost unbearably noisy and annoying election cycle this time around. Since we live in a "swing" state, we have been subjected to more than our fair share of deceptive advertisements, partisan spin and fractious punditry. So now's the time to step back, take a deep breath...and then go vote.
It can sometimes be difficult to remember that life in our participatory democracy is a blessing that many people around the world can only dream of. By exercising our voting franchise, we can truly determine the course of our government, the policies that affect all of us, and the way our nation behaves in the world. I know that it can seem futile - that no individual's vote really matters - but every election ultimately consists of a tally of individual votes. In very close national elections, as this one appears to be, individual votes are especially significant, and even more so in a low-population swing state such as ours.
I'm often bemused that the Christian Right calls themselves Values Voters. In fact, everyone votes his or her values. Everyone. The only question is: what do you value most? We all have our political convictions (about the role of government, for example, or the responsibilities of a market economy or the accountability of our public officials.) The critical question for all Christians is this: are our political convictions consistent with our understanding of what the Gospel requires of us? Here at St. Paul's we are actively feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, comforting the afflicted and advocating for the oppressed. I'm sure that we are all aware that our ability to carry out this holy work is already stretched nearly to the breaking point. As faithful followers of Christ, we must each ask ourselves what the impact of our vote in this election will be on those who are least among us.
But in case this election season is filling you with anxiety or fear (and many of the political messages we cannot seem to escape are designed to do just that) let me remind you that we do not place our ultimate faith in human institutions. So remember that God created us in God's own image and loves us and all of creation more than we can ever imagine. And then please, please, please be sure to vote.
Faithfully yours,
Herb+
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Ministries and Missions: Food Pantry
by Mary Waples
We have had some difficult weeks recently in the Food Pantry. For the first time in anyone's memory we did not have any USDA food to hand out to our clients. (This is Federal Government-supplied food which normally fills the middle of our storage space.) The NH Food Bank from whom we buy food weekly has had less food to purchase. Thus, in order to provide for the many people that the Pantry serves, we have had to buy food at local stores. During the past year we have served, on average, 1294 people per month. In August and September that number was over 1500. That is the bad news.
Now for the good news! We have not turned anyone away. The Pantry has meat, rice, and pasta and every week we get fresh carrots and other vegetables and bread. The volunteers, some whom have worked in the pantry for 15+ years continue to serve the people in the community. A USDA delivery arrived in mid-October, the Boy Scouts will have their food drive early this month and soon we will be giving out Thanksgiving baskets to our regular clients.
How can you help? For one thing, you can help us fill those Thanksgiving Baskets. There are shopping lists in the Sunday bulletins for you to use as a guide when you shop for them. Or, if you prefer not to shop we would be happy to accept monetary donations that we will use to buy what is needed. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving we will be assembling the baskets, so please come and help. More information will be announced in church and Centre Point.
But the biggest way you can help is by remembering that people are hungry all year long and St. Paul's Food Pantry is an on-going mission.
Recently I wrote a note to the Pantry volunteers about our difficulty in getting food. I wanted them to know what a difference they make in people's lives. Every year people across the country participate in the "Make A Difference Day" volunteer opportunity. People get together and do up to a thousand volunteer activities on that day. Well, here at St. Paul's it is not ONE day a year. The Food Pantry Makes a difference in people's lives EVERY DAY, all year long.
In closing, I want to pass along to you some of the comments I hear when I am purchasing large amounts of food for the Pantry. One cashier said to me that she had used St. Paul's Pantry herself and that we were the only ones that had a line (i.e. more people). I think that is because we give our clients a choice in what they get, and we treat them with kindness and respect for their dignity. Another woman said to me, "Thank you, you people are wonderful. I don't know what I would have done without you". And a third young woman has thanked me many times and always waves to me when I shop at her store.
Remember, St. Paul's Church MAKES A DIFFERENCE in many people's lives. Thank you for all that you do to help. |
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Formation: Catholic? Episcopal? What's the Difference?
by Tim Fraser 
So many parishioners and guests attended the first session of "Catholic? Episcopal? What's the difference?" that only standing room remained in the library. The first session was given to receiving people's introductions and explanations of why they were attending and listing questions to be addressed in later sessions. Some cradle Episcopalians or converts from other denominations were simply curious to learn more, but many others recounted their experiences either as Roman Catholics themselves or as people close to Catholics. Concerns about Catholic doctrine on sexuality, contraception, the role of women, and exclusivity were frequently cited. Some had experienced a more open Catholic church during the years following the Second Vatican Council, but noted discomforting changes more recently. All of the newcomers present said they had found the Episcopal Church and St. Paul's in particular to be very welcoming and comfortable.
An essential difference between the two churches is in how we "do theology." The teachings of the Episcopal Church are set forth in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP), both in "An Outline of the Faith: commonly called the Catechism" (beginning on p. 844) and throughout all of our liturgies and prayers. The BCP can be revised by the triennial General Convention, which includes not only clergy but elected laity. Changes must be introduced gradually, often taking a decade or more to be implemented.
At the same time, the teachings that are found in the BCP leave room for conscientious personal interpretation and belief. For example, the BCP defines "sin" as "the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation." Episcopalians range widely in their understandings about the particulars of sin, but are encouraged always to remain in conversation with the larger community about matters of faith. Our understanding of our faith and our church is, therefore, a living, breathing, and growing process of individual and community discernment.
Divergence in belief can be found from one Episcopal parish to another, and often within a parish. At St. Paul's, for example, our priests regard the bread and wine in the Eucharist as symbolic of the action of God's grace through the sacrament. But other parishes, and even some members of St. Paul's, anticipate the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist along more literal, Roman Catholic lines. There is room and acceptance in our church for this wide range of understanding.
Most often, the Episcopal Church relies on the "three-legged stool" of reason, scripture, and tradition as our model for how belief and practice unfold. Each "leg" informs, balances and stabilizes the others. This is why our conversations will always continue and our faith, both personally and as a community, will continue to develop. |
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Poll of the Month
Last month's poll question was: "How often do you read the Bible?" Here are the results:
hardly ever 42%on special occasions 8%
once or twice a month 12%
weekly 21 %
daily 17%
This month's question is "How do you approach reading the Bible?"
ᴼ I'm working through it in order, chapter by chapter
ᴼ I choose a topic and focus on passages connected with it
ᴼ I peruse the Bible randomly
ᴼ I follow the Lectionary in selecting readings
ᴼ I have a study group/guide/class that directs my reading
To vote, click here |
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Behind the Scenes: Election and Transition Committee
 by Barb Wanner
When Bishop Gene Robinson was consecrated I worked on the ticketing Committee. We sent out thousands of tickets and it was fun and rewarding.
When I learned Bishop Robinson was retiring and there would be a search I decided I would like to be part of that process and felt I had the qualifications. Election and Transition Committee interested me and I was fortunate to be selected.
The committee met to learn of our responsibilities. Dave Young and the Rev. Heidi Franz-Dale are the co-chairs of the Election and Transition Committee (E&T). There were a myriad of details for each event that needed to be considered. Much thought was given to the needs of the candidates and making them feel welcome. It was decided there would be a welcoming dinner at St. Paul's so candidates, their spouses, and the E&T committee could meet.
We could only make educated guesses as to how many folks would attend the Meet and Greets and initially we had no firm idea how many candidates there would be. We set up dates and venues that would be as convenient to as many people as possible, and we were delighted by the number of people who attended. After the Meet and Greets the St. Paul's delegates met after each of the Sunday services to hear parishioners' impressions. As a delegate I felt it was important to hear your thoughts on each candidate's presentation.
The E&T committee was responsible for the Electing Convention on May 19, 2012. Being in charge of balloting, my biggest concern was how many ballots I should have printed. Needless to say it only took one ballot and I had more than enough available.
The Friday the Presiding Bishop was in New Hampshire a Clergy Day was held at St Andrew's, Hopkinton. E&T was responsible for setting up that meeting and serving lunch.
The Consecration was another complicated task. The Presiding Bishop and her husband attended along with several other Distinguished Visitors. This required advance co-ordination with her office. There was a large choir, lots of clergy, committee representatives and lay folks along with many others from the Diocese of New Hampshire. It was a wonderful service!
Our next task is Bishop Robinson's retirement reception. In January we will have Bishop Hirschfeld's Installation at St. Paul's.
One task we take very seriously is letting the Diocesan Staff and Bishop know we care about their well being during this changeover. Its easy to get lost in the tasks and lose sight of how important they are.
Overall it has been a wonderful journey for me and I look forward to the work ahead! |
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Photo Feature: Fall Fair
Organized by Harriet DeGreenia, Davis Richmond and Tamar Roberts, our Fall Fair was held on Saturday, October 20, in Ordway Hall, and with a silent auction inthe Upper Parish Hall. A total of over $3000 dollars was raised. Thanks to all who participated, and to Michael Atkinson for these photos:
      
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From the Vestry
 October Vestry Notes
The October Vestry meeting was held on the 16th with twelve members in attendance. Guest attendees included Cinda Lavely and Leslie Pendleton from the Episcopal Church Foundation, Jim Milliken from our Finance Committee, Chris Nelson from our Capital Campaign Committee, and Ray Fournier from our Stewardship Committee.The meeting began at 5:30 pm with a presentation by the Episcopal Church Foundation on the suggested process for conducting a capital campaign.
The regular business meeting began at 7:10 with an opening devotion led by Herb Sprouse. Our treasurer, Valerie Blake, reviewed the financial report for September, and noted that a draft of the 2013 budget will be presented at the November meeting. The quarterly report to the parish will be published now.
Kate Atkinson reported that the stickers to promote a "no guns zone" at the church entrances has been redesigned as a response to the Vestry's previous objection to them. She circulated the new design and asked that a decision be made at the November meeting, regarding displaying the stickers. Kate also presented a number of applications for new or renewed lay ministry licensing, and all were approved.
Herb Sprouse reported that the latest Wednesday evening adult offering had been very well received, with an average attendance of 35 each week. He also reported that the food pantry is still in desperate shape. Donations have increased, but the demand is so great that much more is needed, both to meet the general needs and to provide the 70 Thanksgiving baskets for distribution. Herb noted that St. Paul's has been seeing a lot of visitors from other churches who come for the experience. He also continues to address the issue of the Boy Scout policy banning homosexuals. In this regard, the Vestry adopted a resolution resolving to continue St. Paul's sponsoring relationship with Troop 88 as its leadership does not intend to enforce the BSA policy.
Casper Kranenburg reported that Chris Nelson has volunteered to set up a telephone tree of volunteers, the "Holy Helpers", who would be available to provide non-medical assistance to parishioners needing help. Casper also noted that a new stained glass window is being unveiled at Grace Church, East Concord on October 28th at 3PM, and that Kate Atkinson has proposed giving Grace the gift of an icon of St. Paul, to commemorate the church's new status from a mission (first established by St. Paul's 130 years ago) to a parish.
Jan Greer-Carney noted that the Legacy Society Recognition Plaque will hang on the wall outside the door of the upper parish hall where the name tags currently are. She will follow up with the vendor to correct the mistakes on the plaque.
Cathy Menard noted that the first Diversity Dinner was held at her home on October 15th, and was successful. The group is going to keep meeting on a quarterly basis. Kate Atkinson expressed gratitude to Geoff Forester for his video, What Inspires You? What is Your Passion? Ginnie Schartner noted that she has been taking a tally, and during any given week, several hundred people use the church building.
The Vestry approved the opening of a new bank account at TD Bank to be used for the Scrip Program. Ginnie Schartner noted that it is time for the Nominating Committee to start working on getting names of candidates for the next election in January. Kate Atkinson noted the importance of elections and getting all to participate.
The meeting adjourned at 9PM with a closing prayer led by Marilyn Watson.
(Summarized by Tamar Roberts prior to formal Vestry approval of the minutes.)
Casper Kranenburg, Senior Warden
Jan Greer-Carney, Junior Warden
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Youth Happenings
by Sarah Nyhan
Fall is shaping up to be a busy and spirit-filled time in our Sunday school classes. During the month of October we remembered together Old Testament lessons that help to shape our faith, and open us up to great "wonderings". We started by revisiting the story of the Creation and then moved on to the "Great Family"- Abraham and Sarah, as well as discussing sacrifice and the harvest (including a special All Hallows Eve lesson on the 28th as well as a bit of work on a colorful, visual prayer) - leading us to All Saints Day when we join the congregation in witness to baptisms of new little souls at our November Ageless Worship!
During the month of November we will remember Moses and the people of God that he led out of slavery and through the desert. We will also discuss thanks and gratitude and a rule of life and hope many families will attend the church Thanksgiving lunch on November 18th.
On December 2 we will celebrate a special Ageless Worship as we learn about the feast of St. Nicholas and this year go beyond gifts in our shoes to the opening of our first Children's Gift Fair as well as photos with a special friend of the season!
During Advent we will prepare for the mystery of Christmas with special lessons and projects including ornaments. We hope many students will participate in the Nativity rehearsal and bagel brunch on December 9th (following the 10 am service) and the presentation of the Nativity play at the 5pm service on Christmas Eve. Remember that ALL children connected to our parish are welcome to participate - including out-of-town relatives and guests that arrive on the 24th!! Look for sign-ups as December approaches.
There will be no Sunday school on December 30th, and Ageless Worship on January 6th will be a modified lessons and carols service for Epiphany - with one last chance to dress up and welcome the arrival of the Magi! |
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Personal Reflection
by Bob Samson
Like the journey of faith, the road of life is filled with some very unexpected turns. I don't always fully understand what happens and why it happens, but I try to accept it with grace and humility. Like the eternal optimist I am, I always search for that silver lining.
On August 8 of this year, at about 2:15 PM, my world forever changed, when my Nurse Practitioner told me I had CLL, a form of Leukemia. I always thought of myself as a healthy person. However, this kind of news rocks you at the core and makes you reevaluate things. Once I came to terms with my new reality, I knew I had my faith to get me through it all.
I believe I have a strong faith, but getting this news has deepened it even further. Brad and I reached out to Kate, who was wonderful and supportive as she prayed over me and inspired me with her prayers and kind words . The outpouring of support from family and friends has also been amazing, and a shining example of how the Holy Spirit works through all of us. You wonder how you will get through these challenges, but God's unending love and guidance pull you through.
While undergoing chemo, I often reach for my Book of Common Prayer that I was given when I was received formally into the Episcopal Church back in June of 2011. Meditating on the Psalms and praying give me an inner peace that makes me stronger and helps me weather the fight. I would surely be a lost soul without my faith.
The day I walked into St Paul's was big turning point in my journey. I have absolutely no regrets either. Being a part of such a vibrant community is very powerful and inspires me on many levels. I want to thank you all for your kind words and prayers. The good Lord is listening and I am getting stronger.
Thank you Lord!
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History and Artifacts
by Frank Spinella
Horace A. Brown lived a life of service to his community and his church. Born in 1823 in Cornish, he came to Concord in 1852 to take employment as a pressman with the New Hampshire Statesman, and spent the rest of his professional life in the publishing industry. He also served in the State Legislature, and as Mayor of Concord.
But these positions were eclipsed by his service to St. Paul's, as choir member, lay reader, delegate to General Convention, and especially as warden. Brown became Junior Warden in 1861 and Senior Warden four years later, holding that office for forty two years -- by far the longest tenured warden in parish history. In December of 1884 Brown delivered a historical address to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of St. Paul's "new" church building. His remarks are a treasure trove of information on the parish's early years (read it here). A letter from our vice-rector Rev. Daniel Roberts to Bishop Niles, introducing the publication of Brown's address, includes a telling comment: "Only those who know all the facts will perceive the modesty of this recital, which so carefully avoids the part taken in the development of the parish by the devoted Senior Warden himself, long honored and trusted in the church and the municipality. The history of his life for the past thirty years is woven so completely into the history of the parish that the two could not be separated."
Brown also served for fifty years as Secretary of the Diocesan Convention. We find the following resolution in the Journal of the Proceedings of the 1906 Convention: "Resolved, That the One Hundred and Fifth Annual Convention of the Diocese of New Hampshire cordially greets its honored and venerable Secretary, who this year completes a half century of able and devoted service in his important office. We are very thankful to him for this long and splendid keeping of our records, and properly grateful to Almighty God for having given him to us. We pray that he may have yet many years of health and continuance among us."
Alas, those "years of health and continuance" were not to be. Brown died the following year, at the age of 84 -- within hours, as it happened, of the death of Rev. Roberts earlier that same day, October 31, 1907. His funeral service was held at St. Paul's on November 4, 1907, officiated by Bishop Niles.
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� St. Paul's Church, 2012. Next Newsletter: December 1; deadline for submissions: November 27. Please do not reprint text or graphics without permission.
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