eThepisTle
St. Paul’s Church builds bridges — to God, to one another, to the city and beyond.
Dear friends,
Iwant to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the many ways you have surrounded me with kindness and care in my final weeks. Your many cards, notes and words of encouragement, the generous and thoughtful gifts, and most of all, your presence at the farewell liturgies and gatherings have touched me deeply.
Serving among you has been one of the great privileges of my ministry. I will carry with me the memories and
learnings from our worship, our work, and our shared life together. Your prayers, encouragement, and good wishes mean more than I can say, and I leave with profound gratitude for the time we have shared.
As is the custom of our church, I will step back from personal contact for the next year, and after that I may only return to participate in worship at St. Paul’s at the invitation of your next rector. While this practice ensures the healthiest transition for the parish and for your future clergy leadership, please know that you will remain very much in my thoughts and prayers as you embark upon this exciting transition. I am very hopeful for your future!
May God continue to bless each of you from the riches of his grace and may the parish find itself inspired by the Holy Spirit to new and greater things in these next chapters. I will remain, always,
Your friend in Christ,
Wardens’ Letter read to Rob & the Congregation at Rob’s last service: Good morning. Rob, it is with our deepest gratitude that we, the congregation, send you from St. Paul’s. You graciously shared your gifts of preaching, leading, comforting, educating, and humor with us; we have been blessed and our faith deepened. By word, action, and example you have changed us and because of you, St. Paul’s is better equipped to build bridges to God, to each other, to the city and beyond.
In her book “How We Learn to Be Brave,” Bishop Maryann Budde writes about bravery in the chapter entitled “Deciding to Go.” You have made a courageous decision and are taking that leap of faith to transition to what is next. In your journey and as you answer the call to serve in a new parish, know you go with our blessing, love, and profound thanks for having been our rector these last eleven years. May God’s grace go with you, may Christ’s love surround you, and may the Holy Spirit guide and inspire you.
After decades of discussion, two years of thoughtful research and conversation, and a brief six-week delay to navigate preservation board approvals, we are pleased to share that the sanctuary cooling system is now operational. This investment will serve for decades as an act of hospitality and welcome for parishioners, friends, and guests. It also expands our potential for community engagement throughout the warmer months, opening our sacred space more widely to all. Our gratitude goes to Mary Critikos for her generous support, to Bill Moore and the Property Committee, and to Bob Potter for his faithful shepherding of this project.
“Neither the sultry heat nor the sun shall smite them; for God who is merciful shall lead them.” (from Isaiah 49:10)
Photo: Stephen Richards, Diocese of Rochester (3)
The Wardens a noTe from
Dear People of St. Paul’s Church,
It is difficult to say goodbye to people we have come to know, value and admire in their ministries among us. But our “good-bye” is really a “God be with you” as we give thanks for how God is at work, calling his servant to new ministries for building up of the kingdom.
We have faced saying good-bye to our rector of eleven years with grace and love. We know his leaving means changes for our parish family, but we can be assured that God is working to transform St. Paul’s into what we are to become next.
Bishop Kara has assured us that we will have all the support that we need from the Diocese. The Wardens and the Vestry, along with Jay Burkardt, will work hard to ensure the continuation of ministry at St. Paul’s. We will be welcoming an Interim Rector, as early as October. The interview team for the Interim Rector consists of Jane Chapman, Erin Glanton, Rick Harrison, Doug Kelley, and Ingrid Stanlis.
In the meantime, the program year begins now, with all its attendant vibrancy and spirit. Many of you have remarked on the fact that St. Paul’s is in “a good place” and we encourage all of you to keep the energy level positive and high.
Please continue your prayers for our parish, in particular our clergy and staff, your Vestry and --whoever he or she may be -- our Interim Rector and, ultimately, our new Rector.
Questions can be directed to either warden.
With great gratitude, your Wardens,
Erin
Glanton
Ingrid Stanlis
St. Paul’s Youth Group
Youth Group begins on September 21st from 4:30 - 6:30 pm! We welcome everybody in grades 6-12, and each week includes a time to share and celebrate people’s achievements and successes, a meal, games, and concludes by praying Compline together as a group.
We also have a Work Day planned on October 5th at the gardens of St Mark’s and St John’s.
This year we also welcome Mo Allyn and Carm Liberatore to the group as adult leaders together with Rev. Jay. If you’re in middle school or high school, come and join us and bring a friend! Questions, see Rev. Jay (jburkardt@stpaulsec.org)
St. Paul’s Sunday School
Hope all our St. Paul’s families had a restful and fun summer! As children are transitioning back into school mode, I want to invite all children in preschool (age 4) through 5th grade to join our Sunday school class. We sing, play, read, learn, pray, and most importantly enjoy welcoming Jesus and our awesome classroom friends into our hearts!
Class begins on Sunday, September 14th and starts at 10:00 am. Our classroom is located on the 2nd floor in the Children’s Chapel room (to the right at the top of the stairs).
Our nursery for babies and toddlers is also available for all families during the 10:15 am service. You may sign your child(ren) in starting at 10 and pick them back up at anytime during or right after the service concludes. Our nursery care givers, Candace and Susan, are looking forward to seeing your family! The nursery is located on the 2nd floor (just left of the top of the stairs)
Children are a very important part of our St. Paul’s community! Beginning on October 19th we’ll begin our monthly Family Sundays, which gives families the opportunity to attend the full 10:15 am service together. Choristers will sing, youth will be acolytes and a children’s homily may be given. The children’s bulletins and the storybook bibles can help make connections to the readings during this service. This is a wonderful way for the children to grow their faith and strengthen their ties with our church family.
To keep families up to date on classroom and church happenings, I’ll send out a brief message through Constant Contact each week.
Adult Formation
Adult Formation will feature Bible Study through October 5th with additional opportunities for study and conversation following in the fall. Come and join us from 9:00-9:45 am in the Vestry Room as we discuss and discover each week’s scripture readings.
Does your family need to be added to my list? Send your contact information to Amy Welker at awelker@stpaulsec.org and reach out with any questions or concerns you have.
Looking forward to a wonderful year with our St. Paul’s children and families!
Dates to remember for Fall: 9/14 - Sunday School Class Begins 9/21 - Youth Group (gr.6-12) Begins 10/19 - Family Sunday (children in service for youth acolytes, Choristers & children’s homily) 10/26 - Halloween party 11/16 - Family Sunday & Family luncheon
music deparTmenT sT. paul’s
Make Music at St. Paul’s
It is going to be another year of nourishing and inspiring music at St. Paul’s and if you enjoy singing and are looking for a place to share your talents, we would love to welcome you to one of the choirs at St. Paul’s. St. Paul’s Choir is for teenagers or adults, and the choir rehearses Wednesday at 7:00 pm; the Bell Choir is for all ages, and they rehearse Wednesday at 6:00 pm; St Paul’s Choristers is for kids of all ages and they rehearse Sunday morning at 11:30 am. With these choirs you’ll enjoy the fellowship of people who enjoy making beautiful music and just being together.
If you’ve never tried it before, or it’s been a long time since you were in a choir, now is a good time to start. For more information contact John Sherer at jsherer@stpaulsec.org.
Our Organists were busy around Rochester this summer...
In July, John played a recital at the Memorial Art Gallery.
Above:
After Augustine’s recital, he gave a behind-the-scenes talk about the Memorial Art Gallery’s Organ.
Concerts at St. Paul’s
“Third Sundays @3pm,” the concert series at St. Paul’s, has an exciting season planned beginning September 21st with Jack Leslie singing Schubert’s song cycle Die Schöne Müllerin accompanied at the piano by Charles Francis. Concerts will continue each third Sunday at 3:00 pm with the following highlights:
October 19th – If Music Be the Food of Love
November 16th – Scivias Medieval Ensemble
December 21st– Christmas Lessons and Carols
January 18th – Alex Nazaretski, Classical Guitarist
February 15th – Isabel Randall, Afro-Cuban Singer
March 15th – Lenten Choral Meditation featuring St. John’s Passion by Bob Chilcott
April 19th – If Music be the Food of Love
May 17th – Diocesan Choir Festival featuring A Little Jass Mass by Bob Chilcott
And the East Avenue Music Festival returns on June 14th. Also, on Sunday, November 9th at 3:00 pm members of the Cleveland Orchestra brass section will be performing at St. Paul’s.
Diocesan 2027 Choir Tour to Ghana
We just need a few more people to sign up by September 30 for the 2027 Choir Tour to Ghana. This will be a great opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Ghana, to make and deepen friendships, and enjoy sharing the gift of music. For more information please contact John Sherer at jsherer@ stpaulsec.org. Details for the trip are in the brochure https://simplebooklet.com/ dioceseofrochesterconcerttourofghana2027.
John gave a talk and played a recital at Christ Episcopal Church in July.
eThepisTle
25 Westminster Road, Rochester, NY 14607
585.271.2240 • info@StPaulsEC.org StPaulsEC.org
The Rev. Robert Picken Rector
The Rev. Jay Burkardt Assistant Rector
The Rev. Sue Ouellette, Ph.D. Deacon
Dr. John W. W. Sherer
Organist & Director of Music
Augustine Sobeng Organ Scholar
Amy Welker
Director of Children & Youth Faith Formation
Candance Hoffman-Hussain
Susan Hall
Sunday Child Care
Sonja Slother Director of Communications & Digital Ministry
Natosche Holt Parish Office Administrator
Judy McGrath
Parish Accountant
Lisa Werner
Accounting Assistant
Bob Potter
Property Manager
Dave McEntee
Maintenance Associate
Congratulations Lisa!
This past August, the staff had the joy of celebrating Lisa Warner’s 25 years of dedicated service on staff at St. Paul’s. The occasion was marked with heartfelt words of gratitude, thoughtful gifts, and Judy’s delicious cheesecake. Lisa, we are deeply thankful for the many ways you have shared your gifts, energy, and love with St. Paul’s community over the years!
REST IN PEACE
Merciful God, we entrust to your never-failing care and love
Bill Petersen
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
St. Paul’s builds bridges to God, to one another, to the city and beyond.
We pray all who enter St. Paul’s experience God’s presence in this community of faith.
We welcome you to join in any of our events or church services.
You need not be a member to join in, so welcome!
info@StPaulsEC.org StPaulsEC.org
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, September 13th:
St. Paul’s Needle Arts Ministry in Wainwright Parlor at 10:30 am
Sunday, September 14:
First Day of Sunday School - 10:00 am Ministry Fair following services
Sunday, Sept. 14 - October 5:
Sunday Forum: Bible Study in the Vestry Room at 9:00 am
Thursday, September 18th: Caregiver Support Group in the Vestry Room at Noon.
Sunday, September 21st:
Third Sundays @3pm Concert
Wednesday, October 1st:
Parish Potluck Supper in the Parish Hall at 6:00 pm
Thursday, October 2nd:
Lunch ‘n Learn in the Parish Hall at 12:30 pm
Saturday, October 4th:
St. Joe’s Sandwich Makers in the Parish Kitchen at 9:30 am
Saturday, October 4th:
Blessing of the Animals on the church lawn at 10:00 am
Saturday, October 11th:
St. Paul’s Needle Arts Ministry in Wainwright Parlor at 10:30 am
Thursday, October 16th:
Caregiver Support Group in the Vestry Room at Noon.
Thursday, October 16th:
Dessert & Discussion at 7:00 pm
Sunday, October 19th: Third Sundays @3pm Concert
Sunday, October 26th:
Sunday School Halloween Party at 11:30 in Stone Hall
Thursday, November 6th:
Lunch ‘n Learn in the Parish Hall at 12:30 pm
Sunday, November 9th: The Cleveland Orchestra Low Brass Section Recital at 3:00 pm
WORSHIP SERVICES:
Sundays: Holy Eucharist in the Chantry at 8:00 am
Sundays: Holy Eucharist in the church at 10:15 am
Children’s Sunday School at 10:00 am
Wednesdays: Noonday Eucharist in St. Peter’s Chapel at 12:00 pm
