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St. Paul's Messenger St. Paul’s Messenger August 25, 2021 “…a Christ-centered, caring congregation” Fruits of the Spirit Each Fruit of the Spirit nourishes the soul satiating fuel for young and old Love, peace and joy nutrient dense, Goodness and kindness sharing makes sense Patience and gentleness handle with care, Self-control and faithfulness replenish through prayer The fruits of the spirit staples for living good for the soul receiving and giving Lorraine Battista Seasons Hybiscus flybiscus Crepe Myrtle too fading fast from summer's blast the beauty I hoped time would outlast just a tad longer before winter's cold shuts nature down let it rest catch its breath beneath the frost’s protective vest with boutonniere’s floral cheer awaiting a chance to reappear annual dance of another new year. David M. Finch Puzzles “Count it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1:2-4 This past Sunday, our two & a half year old, granddaughter, Haylee, came to visit. With a cabinet full of toys, and shelves filled with children’s books, she immediately requested the “Winnie the Pooh Puzzle,” a ten-piece puzzle of Pooh Bear eating from a honey pot with a friendly bee buzzing overhead. Scattering the puzzle pieces on the floor, with amazing dexterity and problem-solving skills, (This is not just her grandfather writing. She could be a genius?), she had it together again within moments. She repeated this process several times before moving on to other puzzles, mastering them also with amazing ease for her age! What impressed me most, as I watched with delight, except for one momentary frustration, was her patience and joy with fitting the pieces together - first turning them this way, then that. I will confess, I’ve been finding it challenging to get my puzzle pieces to line up: whether it’s getting a hold of my health issues, managing my mother’s care, checking all the boxes as a husband and father, and having a clear vision and plan for our church. But, maybe, watching Haylee’s patience, playfulness, and determination were just what the doctor ordered, especially the playfulness part. Maybe, I’ve been taking things a little too seriously and missing the joy in it all. How about you? What are the puzzles you’ve been working on in your life and are you remembering to trust and “count it all joy”? - Pastor Dave Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, September 11, 8 AM The St. Paul’s Men’s Group will begin meeting again for breakfast on Saturday, September 11 at 8 am, at the Hollywood Grill. Pastor Dave will offer a devotion followed by a brief discussion, food, and fellowship. Everyone is encouraged to bring a guest. Please call me if you have any questions. - Pastor Dave Meet our New Bishop: Bishop Latrelle Easterling Our Peninsular Delaware Conference will soon have a new Bishop: Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, the episcopal leader of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, the oldest and most diverse annual conference in The United Methodist Church. She was appointed to this office in September 2016. Prior to being elected, she served as Dean of the Cabinet of the New England Conference and as a superintendent, leading 57 congregations in the Boston Hope District. She was ordained a Deacon in 1995 and an Elder in 1997, and was pastor of Union UMC in Boston’s historic South End, Pearl Street UMC in Brockton, Mass., and Old West Church, UM, in Boston. Easterling is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. The child of Mary and Walter Miller. As an active United Methodist, Easterling sang in numerous choirs, served as a youth group leader and Sunday school teacher. Upon moving to Denver, Colorado, she joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she learned the art of preaching and the importance of advocacy and justice ministries. A strong proponent of education, Easterling received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a Law degree from Indiana University School of Law. She graduated summa cum laude in 2004 with a Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology. In 2020, she was named a Distinguished Alumna of that school for her leadership in The United Methodist Church. Prior to entering the ministry, she worked as a human resources manager and director, and as a prosecuting attorney. A delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conference in 2012 and 2016, Easterling serves on a number of boards and agencies, including the Committee for the National Plan for Hispanic and Latino Ministries, The Council of Bishop’s Immigration Task Force, the Boards of Directors for Wesley Theological and American University, the Board of Child Care and The Jane Robinson Bancroft Foundation. Easterling also serves as the President of the Northeast Jurisdiction Multi- Ethnic Center, the Anna Howard Shaw Board of Boston University School of Theology, and Boston University School of Theology Dean’s Advisory Counsel. Upon arriving in the Baltimore- Washington Conference, she founded The Seeds of Security ministry, or SOS, which benefits people in crisis who are seeking to leave abusive relationships. Easterling is a much sought-after speaker and preacher, poet and published author. She has received numerous awards and recognitions, most recently receiving the 2017 Rainbow Push Trombone Award for Faith in Action, presented by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. She is married to the Rev. Marion Easterling Jr., pastor of Locust UMC in Columbia. They have two grown sons, Garret Walter and Miles Teronza. Up-Coming Town Hall Meeting: Discussing the Affiliation between the BWC and Pen-Del Conference Tuesday, August 31, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM This coming Tuesday evening, Bishop Easterling and conference leaders from the Peninsula- Delaware and Baltimore-Washington Conferences will meet online to share information and insights about the new affiliation between our two conferences, which goes into effect Sept. 1. Registration is required. After registering, you will receive information about joining the Zoom town hall webinar in an e-mail. To register, please click on the “Register” button below. Register If you have trouble registering, please visit our conference website @ https://www.pen-del.org/ and look under the conference calendar, August 31 for more information. Welcome Eric Moore Guest Song Leader We are happy to announce that we will have a guest Song Leader, Eric Moore, to help lead us in worship on Sunday mornings. Eric is a past student of Music Director, Rob Kennan, a graduate from Shenandoah University in Music Studies, and a current graduate student in Music Therapy at Immaculata University. Following morning worship, please take a moment to introduce yourselves and welcome Eric to our fold. You’re Invited to Our Annual Welcome Back Picnic Brunch Sunday, September 12 Come and join us on Sunday, September 12, for our annual Welcome Back Picnic Brunch to kick off our new year. Following morning worship, we will gather on our back lawn for a delicious brunch provided by our Fellowship Team. All you need to do is to show up and enjoy a great time of food and fellowship. Along with our delicious meal, there will be picnic games and prizes for children and youth. We will also be blessed with a concert performed by The Diamond State Concert Band. Don’t miss the fun and remember to bring a friend! Sign Up Now for a Connection Group beginning September 13 We are returning to the in-person small group experience. All the studies are designed to meet you where you are in your faith journey enabling you to put into action what you learn. The book we will study is First Corinthians: Searching the Depths of God by Jaime Clark-Soles. This is a 6-week study with an accompanying video to supplement the teachings in the book. Monday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. with Chet Thayer (302-388-9290) starting on September 13. Chet’s group will be hosted by Sue Marvian in North Wilmington. Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. with Fran Smart (302-477-1629) starting on Sept. 14. hosted by Ray Clowesley & Trish Kronen in their North Wilmington home. Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. with Lynn Simpson (302-525-6501) starting on September 15. This group will meet in the Simpson’s house in Newark, DE. Please sign up on the St. Paul’s website or contact the leader of the group you wish to join. Order your book as soon as possible! We are really looking forward to having these sessions in person. We have really missed your physical presence and energy (and the snacks!). Fran, Chet, and Lynn Up-Date for Sunday Morning Worship In light of a significant uptick in COVID cases reported in New Castle County, our Church Reopening Team, following Delaware State and CDC guidelines, is now strongly recommending the use of masks and social distancing for fully vaccinated persons, during Sunday morning worship, and other large group indoor church gatherings. Mandatory indoor mask wearing remains in effect for all unvaccinated persons. Because fully vaccinated persons can be carriers of COVID, the wearing of masks is primarily intended to protect the unvaccinated – including our children under the age of 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccination in the U.S. The Reopening Team will continue to monitor the intensity of the coronavirus pandemic in New Castle County, as well as, State and CDC guidelines, to make changes in our protocol as warranted.
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