St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Lynchburg, Virginia

THE EPISTLE

JOURNEY THROUGH LENT 2016

This year’s adult Wednesday Evening Lenten Program, What Wondrous Love, is a presentation of the story of Holy Week. In this series of videos, world-renowned biblical scholars and a celebrated professor of preaching from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology offer their expertise in discussions of how the gospel texts of Jesus’ last week on earth are brought to life in the artwork of John August Swanson. After seeing the beauty and power of art and sacred tests, and hearing the insight of Candler’s scholars we will share in a group discussion. We look forward to seeing you there. - Diane+ and Todd+

ST. PAUL’S MISSION

To Know Christ, To Worship Christ,

To Serve Christ, And To Make Him Known

A Message from Diane and Todd

It seems just a couple weeks ago when over 650 members and friends of St. Paul's gathered on Christmas Eve to remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We sang hymns, we read scripture, we said prayers, and we felt the power of the Spirit of God moving through our hearts and our souls. Truly a wonderful experience!

It was only days ago that the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia assembled in Roanoke for Annual Council. Hundreds of lay women and men, delegates and clergy, including over 130 youth and children, gathered to give thanks to God for all that we have been blessed with, and to envision the future of our ministry as God’s people in Southwestern Virginia, and in the world.

During Council weekend, we stood in the gap between our brokenness and God’s holiness. New friendships were begun, old ones renewed, and all were strengthened. We sang new songs, we prayed new prayers and we filled new wineskins with new wine. It was a time of hope, encouragement and affirmation that what we are doing in this place matters, and that we are faithfully carrying the mission of the church as faithful people of God.

Due to Snowmageddon 2016, we rescheduled our parish Annual Meeting to Sunday, February 7th. Together we took a look back at all that we did in 2015 and all that we are so grateful to our gracious and loving God for equipping us to do and inviting us into. There are so many wonderful and meaningful ministries within and well beyond our walls. Please read on for the many and varied opportunities that you have to become involved in the life of this wonderfully vibrant community of faith-filled people.

So much has happened at St. Paul's in the past year, and so much has been planned for our life and ministry as we continue into 2016. For all that is past, all that is, and all that will be, we humbly and eagerly give our thanks and praise to our creating, equipping and loving Triune God.

God’s Peace and Our Blessings,

Diane+ and Todd+

COMMUNITY LENTEN SERIES

AT COURT STREET UMC

WEDNESDAYS DURING LENT

AT 12:00 A.M. Prelude 11:45

FEBRUARY 10—MARCH 23

The community is welcome. Weekly guest clergy, organist and soloist, followed by lunch. Schedules are available in the narthex, undercroft, and parish office.

ECUMENICAL WORSHIP

Every Sunday morning at 9:30, an invitation is extended to downtown ecumenical

churches who wish to gather together for early worship. These Sunday School classes

are hosted by a neighboring church and are open to all adults. St. Paul’s church family are invited and encouraged to support this downtown ecumenical group. For more

information, contact Clyde Shepherd or the parish office. A schedule is also posted in

the CE building.

FEBRUARY

7—Jackson Street Methodist

15—Holy Cross Catholic

21—Court Street Baptist

28—West Presbyterian

MARCH

6—Diamond Hill Baptist

13—Power of God

20—Eight Street Baptist

27—5th Street Baptist

APRIL

3—White Rock Baptist

10—Household of Faith

17—Park View Methodist

24—Amazing Grace

MAY

1—First Baptist of Lynchburg

8—Court Street UMC

15—Ice Cream Social 1-4pm

For more information, please contact the parish office or

Clyde Shepherd. All adults welcome.

CHURCH CALENDAR ...At A Glance

MONDAYS:

4:00 p.m. Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal

7:00 p.m. Bible Study (see schedule)

(e/o week, hosted by the Shepherds)

TUESDAYS:

4:15 p.m. Choristers Rehearsal

WEDNESDAYS:

11:45 a.m. WC Lunch with Clergy (3rd week)

6:00 p.m. Vestry Meeting (3rd week)

THURSDAYS:

7:30 p.m. St. Paul’s Choir Rehearsal

———————————

Mark Your Calendar …

See Lenten Flyer for more details on upcoming

events and services!

Wednesday, Feb. 10—ASH WEDNESDAY

Services at 7am, 12 Noon, 6pm (see flyer)

Sunday, Feb. 14—Special Christian Ed Offering

9am Breakfast by the St. Paul’s Men Who Cook

9:30am—Program by the 4th, 5th, 6th Graders

Lin Vitale at church checking blood pressures.

Monday, Feb. 15– Presidents’ Day (office closed)

Wednesday, Feb. 17—Lenten Programs Begin

5:30 Program—6:30 Dinner (see flyer)

Friday/Saturday, March 4/5—EYC Nightwatch NYC

Sunday, March 6— Celtic Evensong, 5:00 p.m.

Friday, March 18—Make Palm Crosses (see flyer)

Sunday, March 20—PALM SUNDAY

8:00 a.m.—Holy Eucharist Rite One

10:15—Procession of the Palms from the lawn

10:30—Holy Eucharist w/Music and Choirs

Thursday, March 24—MAUNDY THURSDAY

Lamb Dinner, 6:00 p.m. (please RSVP)

The Liturgy of Mundy Thursday, Holy Eucharist,

and Stripping of the Altar, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, March 25—GOOD FRIDAY

The Liturgy for Good Friday, 12:00-1:30

Stations of the Cross—5:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 26—EASTER VIGIL, 7pm

Flowering of the church, 9:00 a.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 27—EASTER DAY

Worship services at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

Monday, March 28 — Parish Office closed (Easter)

March 28-April 1 — Lynchburg City Schools Closed

Sunday, April 10—Bishop’s Visitation, Baptisms,

Confirmations and Reception

Sunday, April 24— Celtic Evensong, 5:00 p.m.

On April 10, the Bishop will make his official

visitation to St. Paul’s. We will be hosting,

and packaging meals for Stop Hunger Now,

hopefully with some potential help from

other volunteers from the Lynchburg convocation,. These meals

will be sent to feed children in a sustainable effort to end world

hunger. There will be more information to follow including how

to donate to raise the funds for the project and what can be

expected on the day of the event. We hosted one of these events

in the past which went very well some years ago and Stop

Hunger Now is very excited to be working with St. Paul’s again.

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LYNCHBURG, VA

PERMIT 15

THE EPISTLE

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Established 1822

605 Clay Street - Lynchburg, VA 24504-2447

Parish Office (434) 845-7301 Church (434) 845-7521

Email: info@stpaulslynchburg.org

Website: www.stpaulslynchburg.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StPaulsLynchburg

__________________________________________________

The Rt. Rev. Mark A. Bourlakas, Bishop

The Rev. Diane Dr. E. Vie, Priest The Rev. Todd M. Vie, Priest

The Rev. Bill Bumgarner, Deacon

The Rev. Lloyd Lipscomb, Priest Associate

Ann E. Coulter, Organist and Choirmaster

Emory McVeigh, Head Acolyte Lee Herbert, Verger

Cindy Minton, Parish Administrator Gayle Rhodes, Office Asst

Lin Vitale, Parish Nurse Cathy Greene, Finance Secretary

Tray Light, Youth Leader Judy Spencer, Parish Librarian

Linda Woody, Head Custodian Tim Shepherd, Sexton

Label

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 605 Clay Street

Lynchburg, VA 24504-2447

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

8:00 A.M. Holy Eucharist

9:00 A.M. Body and Soul Café (breakfast)

9 30 A.M. Christian Education Classes

10:30 A.M. Holy Eucharist with Music

11:45 A.M. Refreshments & Fellowship

(Nursery available at 9:15 for children ages 0-3)

_________

“Journey through Lent “

Your Lenten Flyer is enclosed.

See you in church!

FEBRUARY 2016

EYC CALENDAR Attention Youth and Parents—Mark you calendar!

February 26-28 – Happening in Roanoke

Feb 28- Senior youth at Daily Bread from 9am – 1pm while

middle school youth will be at St. Paul’s doing an event to

supplement the activity at Daily Bread.

March 13—we are hoping to have another Seder, additional

details to follow.

March 18—there will be a father daughter dance for younger

children that we are hoping some senior youth will volunteer to

help with as a fundraiser for the Senior Mission trip this

summer to the Boys Home Mission from June 19-23.

For more on the combined youth program,

contact Diane Vie or Tray Light, Youth Leader.

Thinking about SUMMER CAMP for your child(ren)?

Join Cat and Luke Mosley during the Parenting Class on Sunday, February 21st at 9:30 a.m. in the undercroft. They will share their experiences at Camp Kanuga, affiliated with the Episcopal Church and located in Hendersonville, NC for children aged 7-17. If you are unable to attend the class and would like more information, please email cmosley222@aol.com.

A Personal Note of Appreciation from the Organist’s Spouse

[This was originally written in December, its only motivation being

the 15th anniversary. Since Ann has announced her impending

retirement, there is all the more reason to take note of these things.]

Ann began her appointment as St Paul’s organist/choirmaster in January 2001, so she is now celebrating 15 years in the post. This means she has planned and played somewhere between 900 and 1000 services at this church. (She had substituted twice for Roger Cole, for several months each time, prior to 2001, which increases the total.) For every one of these services, the hymns have been carefully chosen to support and illuminate the scripture readings; the anthems have been selected for their beauty and their appropriateness to the liturgical season; challenging music has been taught to the choir, always in a spirit of good humor and encouragement; and beautiful and fitting preludes and postludes have been practiced and played to promote reflection or celebrate majesty. The handbells and the children have made many contributions, and for the last several years the Celtic services have meant still more thought and preparation. All of this has required many more hours of work than anyone in the congregation could begin to guess, and in all of it she has gone about her work in a beautiful spirit of selflessness. The music is never a “performance,” always a musical offering; it is never about her, or about the choir, but always about the spirit of worship. I stand in awe of her accomplishments, and I salute her and thank her for them. - Bill Coulter

ST. PAUL’S REACHES OUT… DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION SHELTER

This fall, parish volunteers re-built and filled a new pantry providing much needed storage for supplies to feed and accommodate the residents of the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Prevention Shelter. Recognizing additional needs, the Shelter was selected as one of the recipients of the proceeds from St. Paul’s Annual Holiday Bazaar. These funds (over $2,000) were used for major repairs and renovations. Volunteers also provided Thanksgiving dinner to the residents. St. Paul’s has adopted a bedroom at the Shelter, which will accommodate a family of four. Plans are currently underway to refurbish this room with new paint, bedding, furniture, flooring, and accessories. As part of our ongoing relationship with the Shelter, we will maintain this bedroom in the future. “It is our desire to have a welcoming, warm, and clean environment for our needy families to call home…” said Linda Ellis-Williams, Director of the Domestic Violence Prevention Shelter/Sexual Assault Response Program. In thanking St. Paul’s for our help, Ms. Ellis-Williams wrote, “…we love you with all our hearts for all you have provided and done for us.”

St. Paul's is adopting a bedroom! Yes, we are adopting a small bedroom at the Domestic Violence Prevention Center Shelter. It is now ready for refurbishing. We will need a few volunteers to paint, clean and decorate on Saturday, February 13th and Saturday, February 20th. Please contact Anne-Riely Popper (anne_riely@verizon.net or 434-841-0427) or the parish office (434-845-7301) as soon as possible. The DVPC Shelter is counting on us! Many thanks!

__________

If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry to the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Prevention Shelter, please contact Anne-Riely Popper at anne_riely@verizon.net. Many thanks to all who have already provided their time and talents and those we welcome to ongoing and future projects with the Shelter.

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS If you would like to give flowers in thanksgiving for, or in memory of, loved ones, living or deceased, please email the parish office or complete the flower form that will be mailed to you by mid-February. This is a wonderful way to help the Flower Committee’s budget during Easter. You may give any amount you wish. Print names clearly and make checks payable to St. Paul’s, note “Easter flowers” on the memo line. Deadline to send in your form and check is March 18th. You may also email Cindy Minton (cminton@stpaulslynchburg.org) and mail or place your check in the offering plate.

Music Notes from Ann Coulter

As we enjoy the gradually lengthening days during this Epiphany season, I am still thinking

with gratitude of the beautiful singing and ringing of the St. Paul’s Choirs during Advent and Christmastide! My thanks, as always, go to the St. Paul’s Choir who sang such a lot of music

during the month of December! Their commitment to much rehearsal time during which they

worked very hard made the music possible. The St. Paul’s Bell Choir rang beautifully both at

Advent Lessons and Carols and then again two weeks later when the Bishop visited. The St.

Paul’s Choristers sang so well at Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve, and I’m grateful for them, and also to their families who got them to rehearsals and sat with them during services! Our thanks to Lily Jablonski and Loren Oliver for their lovely solos on Christmas Eve and for the extra rehearsal time they gave! Many thanks to St. Paul’s choir member Mary Colin Santos who introduced me to the music of the young British composer Philip Stopford whose Ave Maria was a favorite of all in the loft and the pews at Advent Lessons and Carols and again on Christmas Eve! The Choir and I have been delighted to welcome Andrea Bain and Edie Light to the choir in the past several months! Thanks to Ali Donaldson and Elizabeth and Mary Alexander Patterson for singing with the Choir on Christmas Eve, and to our guest singers, Barbara Betenbaugh and Tom Feazell. We are grateful also to our own St. Paul’s instrumentalists Susan Carol and Jasper Oliver, and to our guest instrumentalists. The Choirs are now working on music for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter! Please mark your calendars for the remaining Celtic Evensong and Holy Eucharist services on March 6th and April 24th, and bring a friend. An anonymous donation has been made to St. Paul’s again this year to fund a guest organ recital. Dr. John Lowe, a native of Lynchburg, will present a recital on Sunday, May 22, 2016, 5:00 p.m. John is Organist/Choirmaster of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Gainesville, FL. He is known in the United States as a virtuosic recitalist. You will

not want to miss this event! - Ann __________________________________________

The parish wishes to thank Ann Coulter and the St. Paul’s Choir, Choristers, Hand Bell Choir, musicians, singers, and volunteers who contributed to the beautiful worship services, Celtic Evensongs and memorial services iin 2016. For more information on the music program, email Ann at aecoulter49@gmail.com or call 845-7301.

NOTES FROM ANNUAL COUNCIL 2016

On Sunday, January 31, I returned from the 97th Annual Council of the Episcopal Church of Southwestern Virginia with a suitcase, copies of the 2016 budget, four Resolutions, a name tag I had failed to turn back in, and a deep sense of peace and assurance that our Episcopal Diocese is being led by the Holy Spirit.

While Council took care of business, finances, and our Constitution and Canons with a proficiency I had not experienced in my earlier four years (it must be the return of Jim Ackley to the Executive Board!), the focus of this meeting was about being One In Mission -- listening, learning and dreaming about who we could be as a Spirit-Led Church. Our keynote speaker, The Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile, challenged us to honestly assess where we stand today in a culture that is turning less and less to the Church for answers and community. With our traditions as the foundation, he inspired us to rediscover who we could be if we were willing to lose our fear of failure, expand our definition of “neighbor,” dare to experiment, and begin to make “good mistakes.”

From the oak trees of Martha Bourlakas’ youth, to “You” as Our One Word, to an Andrei Rublev icon, to finger-snapping youth, to the Live Hymnal band, to Bishop Bourlakas who delivered a sermon on the depth and breadth of God’s love that brought tears to my eyes, I could feel the Holy Spirit in our midst. My prayer is that we who served as part of the St. Paul’s delegation are able to carry this Spirit home to each of you.

I wish to express sincere thanks to my fellow delegates, with whom it was a privilege to serve: Jennipher Lucado, Leila Lou Baldwin, Rod Meek and Richard Greene. And to our clergy, Todd, Diane and Bill; our fearless leader on Executive Board, Jim Ackley; and special friends and clergy, The Rev Lloyd and Elizabeth Lipscomb, The Rev. Chris and Jack Payden-Travers, Cathy Greene, Susan Ackley, Mike Lucado, and Steve Baldwin, who were able to join us for meetings, services, the entire weekend, and/or wine!

Respectfully submitted,

Shannon Valentine, Head Delegate

To hear the audio of the Bishop’s address and read more updates from Annual Council,

visit the Diocese website: http://www.dioswva.org

Boys’ Home of VA - Birthday Card Ministry St. Paul’s Outreach Committee adopted the boys of Greene Cottage at the Boys Home in Covington for this school year. We will

support the boys with birthday cards and other notes of encouragement throughout the year. Write a personal note and sign your

name. No monetary gifts are allowed but gift cards to McDonald’s, Subway and Wendy’s are appreciated. Please consider supporting

this ministry. It means so much to these young men to hear from us! Flyers are also in the narthex and undercroft. For more, contact

Anne-Riely Popper at anne_riely@verizon.net. Thank you for your support!

MEET THE BOYS OF GREENE COTTAGE

Carlton Cameron Ryan Aurelius

Xavier Nehemiah Maurice Hunter

Birthdays Send Greeting Cards to:

01-31-2000-- Nehemiah R The Boys Home of VA

04-24-1999-- Maurice W Greene Cottage

08-04-1998-- Aurelius M ATTN: (Boy’s name as listed)

09-18-2000-- Hunter W 414 Boys Home Road

09-26-1997-- Carlton B Covington, VA 24426

10-06-1998-- Xavier P

12-05-1998-- Ryan L

12-17-1998-- Cameron G

DINNERS FOR THE GATEWAY

St. Paul's provides dinner for the men of The Gateway every first

Monday of the month. On March 7th the St. Paul’s Outreach

Committee is providing dinner. Typically, members of a group

take dinner, prepared at home, and bring it to the Gateway. If a

group wants to make dinner at the St. Paul's kitchen to prepare for

a Monday evening, that's been done, and it's a great plan. If you

would like to serve in this ministry, contact Brian or Allison

Jablonski (brnj2a@gmail.com; jablonski@lynchburg.edu).

The Gateway is a St. Paul’s mission outreach.

ST. PAUL’S INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

Before you leave home, always call the parish

office phone number—845-7301—to check for

any updates or cancellations. We will put the

message on voicemail , parish wide email,

website, and if worship services are cancelled, it

will also be announced on the local TV stations.

Be safe this winter!

NEWS FROM CAMP TIMOTHY (CHURCHES FOR URBAN MINISTRIES)

Each fall the children of Timothy Academy (Churches for Urban Ministry's tutoring program) join their tutors and CUM board members for an afternoon of soup making at St. Paul's. They use vegetables from The Grow and Give Community Garden (a CUM program) and other ingredients to make a delicious vegetable beef soup. The children wash and chop the vegetables, help with the soup making, and the clean up. Later the children host a dinner for their families. The children set the tables, prepare cheese bread, soup and dessert, and serve. It is a wonderful time of fellowship and celebrating God's abundant blessings at harvest time. Thank you St. Paul’s!

Looking for a place to serve? Check out the blue “Get Connected” brochures in the undercroft!

Volunteers are needed to assist with the care of the communion rail kneelers and the needlepoint chair and bench cushions. We would like to have teams (husbands & wives, moms and older daughters or sons. friends). The duties are not difficult. Our kneelers need to be covered after each 10:30 a.m. service and vacuumed once a month. A term of duty would be the month of your choice. Cleaning or spot removal is not required. If you can help please contact Joyce Houck (434) 384-9329 for more information.

The Altar Guild is adding new members to the teams. This ministry consists of twice a year service for a month at a time. Teams have 4 to 5 members who prepare the altar for services on Sunday and any additional services that are scheduled throughout the month assigned. No experience is necessary and training is available. If interested in volunteering your time to this vital (and fun) ministry, please contact Sue Ellen Inman at 434-473-1130 or seinman55@gmail.com.

There are a few vacancies on the Usher Teams. Adult men and women are welcome to join this ministry. Please email Jim Ackley, Head Usher, at jimackley1@comcast.net.

If you have a desire to share your time and talents, please contact Diane or Todd and let them know!

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

The 2016 Stewardship campaign resulted in total

pledges of just over $371,000. There were 131

pledges averaging $2,833 per pledge. In the previous

year there were 147 pledges totaling $383,455, the

average pledge being $2609. There is both good

news and bad news in these figures. While the total

number of pledges and the total amount pledged is

down slightly, the fact that in 2016 we had ten new

pledges and a further 59 pledges that were increased

over the amount given in 2015 is heartening. The

Stewardship Committee chaired by Geri Cecil meets

monthly to analyze these returns and to determine

what we can do to run a record-breaking campaign

for 2017. Any new ideas and strategies you might

have would be most welcome.

amazon.smile Amazon.com will contribute .5% of

your purchase (at no cost to the buyer) to St. Paul’s Episcopal

Church, Lynchburg VA when you begin your Amazon purchase by

logging on to smile.amazon.com Proceed as you would for any Amazon

purchase. When you sign on to your account, choose your charity by

searching for St. Paul’s Episcopal, Lynchburg, VA and then choose us!

It’s as easy as 1 -2 -3 ! 1. Go to smile.amazon.com

2. Choose St. Paul’s Episcopal, Lynchburg VA as your charity

3. Log on to your Amazon account and shop as usual.

____________________

Kroger’s Community Rewards program benefits St. Paul’s!

Register your Kroger PLUS card at krogercommunityrewards.com Our organization number is 90016.

All you need to do when you shop is swipe your Kroger Plus Card!

Register your card TODAY and support St. Paul’s !

Parish Notes…

Please continue prayers for our military family: Hank Donaldson and Fletcher Baldwin.

The Outreach Commission would like to express a heartfelt thanks to the many St. Paul's parishioners who generously supported

our many outreach ministries during Advent. Your generosity provided food, necessities and gifts for many during the holiday

season. A special thanks to our Outreach Commissioner, Anne-Riely Popper, for leading the outreach mission efforts in 2015.

Thanks to Holly Perrow and Alex Vaughan for another successful Christmas Pageant—and of course our wonderful children!

Cinda Hurt completed another year of copying, collating, and folding the many worship, funeral and Celtic bulletins for our

services. Thanks also to Trish Owen for the extra help when needed during Holy Week and Advent.

Once again, the church was beautifully flowered during Christmas with the gifts of memorial flowers, and designed by the artistry

of Anne McKenna, Rod Meek, and all of the flower committee members and volunteers!

Our sympathies to George and Cinda Hurt, on the loss of George’s brother, Dr. Holcomb Hurt, Jr., on Dec. 20th; to the family of

Judith Cox Hollohan, daughter of Edna Gilchrist, Dec. 31st (a memorial service is planned at St. Paul’s on Saturday, April 16th,

2:00 p.m.); and, to Susan Jackson, and family, on the loss of her brother, Adam Sutor, who passed away on Dec. 20th.

Bishop Mark made an informal visit to St. Paul’s on December 13th. His formal visitation will be on Sunday, April 10th.

Congratulations to Edie Light, awarded the Preservationist of the Year Award by the Lynchburg Historical Foundation, Jan. 6th.

Geri Cecil is looking for helpers (cooks and clean up) for the Lenten Dinner on March 2nd. Lamar and Geri will be cooking the

dinner at the church in the morning if anyone would like to learn how to make spinach or sausage enchiladas. All are welcome.

Email Geri at gericecil@comcast.net if interested in cooking and/or helping.

The Annual Congregational Meeting and Vestry Election was held on Sunday, Feb. 7th. This newsletter was mailed prior to the

meeting so the newly elected Vestry members will be published on the website and in a parish wide email following the meeting.

Thank you to our outgoing Vestry members: Jason Richardson, Sandy McKenna, Anne-Riely Popper, George Hurt (fulfilled an

unexpired term). Special thanks to George Hurt, Sr Warden, and Anne-Riely Popper, Jr Warden, for their leadership this term.

The Scott Barber Randall Acolyte Cross was presented to Charlie McVeigh on Sunday, Feb. 7th. Miller Brown will also be

receiving the cross in the near future. The Acolyte cross is given by the parish in recognition of outstanding service and leadership

in the Acolyte program, and in loving memory of Scott Barber Randall, a faithful Acolyte from 1974-1977.

Thank you to Catherine Mosley for keeping our Facebook page current—and to Todd for a great job maintaining the new website.

Movie Night “Reel Faith” was held on Jan. 19th and a great evening was enjoyed by all. Details coming soon on the next one.

TRANSITIONS:

BAPTISMS: William Grove Somers, son of Schuyler and Ryan Somers, on January 10th.

DEATHS: Helen Cresswell Walker Freeman, January 5th.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

A HUGE thank you to all who helped make the St.

Paul’s Christmas Pageant a success! Ann Coulter and the

musicians once again provided beautiful music for the

program. Also, thank you to all the parents who pitched in to

help with the cast and refreshments.

Sandy McKenna’s role in setting up and taking down the

manger was an integral part. Lastly, we couldn’t have done it

without all of the children who participated. They did a

wonderful job in retelling the story of the birth of our Savior,

Jesus Christ.

We are grateful for all of the help that we received and for

the dedicated congregation of St. Paul’s. and we thank you for

allowing us again to be a part of this special tradition.

Holly Perrow and Alex Vaughan

Christmas Pageant Co-Directors

RENAISSANCE ANGEL TREE Once again, the congregation of St. Paul's has shown

their love for the Renaissance Angel Tree by offering their time

and talents to raise and decorate it, and then to carefully store it

away. Thanks to you all!

Special thanks to Tammy and Reece Kincaid, who bring

their one-of-a-kind skills and abilities to safely erect this

beautiful symbol of Christmas. A big "thank you" to Richard

Greene, who designed a marvelous professional handout/insert

describing the tree - it can be used in many ways for years to

come. Particular thanks, as well, to Frances Jackson, who has

for several years worked her special magic to repair and restore

our angels and creche figures. Frances is a master of many

sorts of antique repair and her generous willingness to tackle

such challenging jobs is much appreciated by the St. Paul's

family.

Linie Frankfort, Chair

Angel Tree Committee

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE REV. “DR.” DIANE E. VIE (D.MIN)

Diane successfully defended her doctoral thesis on January 6th at Virginia Theological Seminary, and was awarded the Doctor of

Ministry Degree (D.Min). The title of Diane's thesis is "Double Vows Double Blessing. A Study of Dually Called Couples in the

Episcopal Church". Diane has been studying the topic of clergy couples for the last 10 years and her project for her thesis consisted of

a clergy couples conference that took place in Maryland in 2014. There were 30 people at the conference from 12 different dioceses

across the country. Diane has been asked by the presiding bishop to serve on a task force to further study dually called couples over

the next three years. They will report their findings to General Convention in 2018. Please join us in congratulating Diane on this major

professional and personal accomplishment. Congratulations, Diane!

MEMORIAL GIFTS

November 24— February 2

In Memory of

Alice Donaldson

Dr. Peter Houck *

Dr. Holcomb Hurt, Jr.

Adam Sutor

In Honor of

Joyce Houck **

Given By

Mockie and Raymond Abramson

Anne Barlow

Jane and Bob Bowden, Jr.

Elizabeth and Jim Brunson

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Carrington, III

Anna and Bill Coulter

Emily and John Craddock

Mary Ogle Cudd

J. Michael Gamble

Dolly and Eddie Horner

Anne and William Hoskins

Betsy Houck

Kay Hughes and Bert Dunn

Cinda and George Hurt

Jeane Jones

Robin Kinnier

Kathy and Doug Leavitt

Edie Light

Alice Laughon McKenna

Susan and Dick Morris

Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Nowlin, Jr.

Anne-Riely Popper

Rosel and Elliot Schewel

Mary and Robert Taylor, Jr.

Mary Norvell Thomson

Dea and George Vermilya, Jr.

Lynne and Buster Walker

Charlene and Bill Wheeler

Mary Wright _________________

* designated for the Music Fund

**designated for maintaining the kneelers

UTO OFFERING REMINDER

Please remember to keep the Episcopal United Thank Offering in

your thoughts and continue to support it. The UTO was founded 125

years ago to help individuals pay more attention to the spiritual

blessings in their lives by making small thank offerings. These

offerings continue to support innovative ministries in the Church.

Information on the UTO offering and the traditional “blue boxes” for

collecting your offerings are located in the narthex and undercroft of

the church. We will have our annual ingathering on Sunday, May 8.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Lipscomb or Connie

Schieck or go to the UTO website at www.episcopalchurch.org/UTO.

The Free Standing Library Book Donations

If you do not already know about the wonderful free standing library

on the church grounds, it is a free lending library for the use of

downtown and more specifically for St. Paul’s and our neighbors. This

is an Eagle Scout project successfully completed by Charlie McVeigh,

with the assistance of his dad and George Hurt. The library has seen a

lot of activity and books are needed to keep it well stocked. Please

consider donations for children and adults. Be sure to stop by and

check out the free standing library and maybe take home a book to

read! Be sure to ask your friends to donate books as well!

ASH WEDNESDAY

February 10th

IMPOSITION OF ASHES

7:00 A.M. 12:00 NOON *6:00 P.M.

(* NURSERY AVAILABLE)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14th Special Christian Education Offering

Come to church early for a great start to Valentine’s Day.

9:15 a.m.—Delicious hot breakfast prepared by The St. Paul’s Men Who Cook

9:30 a.m.—Libby Koepenick leads the 4th , 5th and 6th grade Sunday School class as they present a short program consisting of the ringing of bells and the sharing of some Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled in His lifetime. Come encourage our children as they share their music and Bible knowledge with us. See you Sunday!

CELTIC EVENSONG AND HOLY EUCHARIST

SUNDAY, MARCH 6—5:00 p.m. Nursery Available

Guest musicians for this candlelit service of prayer and meditation will

be Alycia Hugo, flute, and Sean Beavers, classical guitar. Ms. Hugo

and Dr. Beavers are professors in the music department at Liberty

University. They are both active in our community and beyond as

recitalists and teachers, and Ms. Hugo is principal flute in the Roanoke

Symphony Orchestra. They will be joined by St. Paul's musicians

Jasper Oliver, violin and viola, and Ann Coulter, organ. An additional

Celtic Evensong is scheduled on Sunday, April 24th, 5:00 p.m.