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The Book of Acts tells the story of how MOMENTS OF JOY Summer 2020 the early Christian church navigated this same question—what does it look like to live as a Jewish community that has been turned upside down and in- side out and is now following Christ? the Because of the persecution they faced, the early Jewish Christians were dis- persed around Asia Minor, unmoored from the traditions and communities that had held them safe. But this was for them, too, a time of great creativity After the 1918 These past several months I have been when communities came together in Spanish Flu pan- pondering how the losses of 1915-1920 new ways around their new heart—the demic, American disrupted norms and traditions within heart of Jesus Christ. culture experienced families, churches, communities, and a great renewal the nation. These norms and traditions What might this mean for us here at of energy and were sometimes a blessed source of St. Paul’s in 2020 as many of the things Kristine Blaess creativity. The stability and received wisdom, and that have kept us feeling safe and Rector Harlem Renais- sometimes they no longer brought comfortable are being turned upside sance, new forms of music and dance, blessing and had become heavy baggage. down and inside out? The time will a flourishing of literature—these all Communities in the 1920s were left to come when we are all together in person came after the crushing losses of WWI imagine new ways of being community again, and it will be a grand and and the Spanish Flu. These worldwide together and new ways of living into glorious day. And even as we return, we tragedies were heartbreaking pruning American ideals. How were they to will recognize that we are, in Christ’s that made way for a new flowering live together in a world that had been of culture. turned upside down and inside out? Continued on page 2 u

Moments of Joy in the Midst of a Pandemic

As I have been considering the theme of this edition of the Epistle, I think this very moment, as I am literally writing this article, serves as a per- fect example. Our three-year old son, Charles, is climbing all over me as Michael Whitnah I lie out on a picnic blanket under Associate Rector the shady poplar trees in our yard, enjoying a beautiful spring day. Moments of joy, in the midst of pandemic. Michael and Charles under the poplar trees I can’t possibly catalogue all the moments of joy I’ve housewarming surprises, from tomato seedlings to Crumbl experienced in the past few months, but there are a few snap- cookies. I’ve explored the beauty of the greenway, shots that capture the essence of St. Paul’s which I would like to share. You have delighted and blessed our family with Continued on page 2 u

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 1 OF 14 Kristine† Continued from page 1 aroused. Our thirst to be together full-heartedly, mercy, becoming a new people. We generously, and authenti- will notice that some patterns and tra- cally will be whetted. God ditions have fallen away, and space has is even now placing before been made for yet another season of us unique opportunities to flourishing at St. Paul’s. grow into the new future he is preparing for us. This is a time of growth and change for us, when seeds for the future are being I could not be more proud planted. God is with us in it. I believe of this parish, and I could Michael, Kristine, Natalie and Jack that even as we continue to navigate not be more honored and the Coronavirus for some time, we will proud to serve alongside you. I keep Yours in Christ, experience a freshening, a renewal of marveling how God has cared for energy and creativity. Fresh vision for us all and for our parish. No detail is reaching new groups of people with too small for his creating goodness the Good News and serving our neigh- to touch. I cannot wait to see where The Rev. Dr. Kristine Blaess, bors even more fully will emerge. Our he leads us in the months and years Rector hunger for spiritual renewal will be to come.

Michael† Continued from page 1 day our daily bread.” Our daily bread. But the Word! What a rich, joyful feast Christians have understood this phrase it has been! Gathering together every battlefield, and scenic country roads as referring to physical sustenance, to day at 9:50 a.m. for prayers and a quick while cycling (socially distanced!) be sure, but also to the Bread of Life— reflection with you all; meditating with parishioners. And, of course, Jesus Himself. Give us this day the together in discipleship groups us- experiencing the St. Paul’s ing the Lambeth/African way in planning and bible study method; visioning meetings with diving into the funda- staff, vestry, and lay lead- mental texts with our ership. The sense of youth Confirmation class. camaraderie, creativity, All is joyful feasting on that we are all in this to- the Daily Bread which gether, flows through our Father has prom- each of these meetings ised to give us whenever as people offer their two or three are gath- expertise and their effort ered in the name of Jesus. toward not just maintain- To borrow from our ing, but expanding the sacramental theology, the mission and ministry of real presence of Jesus has our church. Joanna, Michael, Annalie and Charles Whitnah been, and will continue to be, in our joy-filled In the midst of this season, however, presence of Christ, we pray, through feasting on His Word. the moments of most profound joy in Word and Sacrament. We have not the midst of pandemic have occurred as been able to fully participate in the Eu- God has continually answered this charist together for some time, and I The Rev. Michael Whitnah, most familiar petition: “Give us this know we are all feeling that loss keenly. Associate Rector

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 2 OF 14 Going Virtual

This pandemic has really stretched with yards of cable to my imagination. Never in my wildest improve the sound, and dreams would I have pictured St. Paul’s it was time to go “live” worshipping exclusively online! I know with what we had. God many of you feel the same way. provides. However, I have heard from quite a few parishioners that this new and Kristine suggested that different worship experience has been we consider Zoom as very meaningful. Some find a novel the vehicle for the next and personal intensity when wor- week’s service, as many shipping alone and quietly at home. folks were rapidly be- Others enjoy gathering very casually coming familiar with with their families close. Many are happy this video-conferencing to “see” their brothers and sisters and tool. We were uncer- be part of the comfort and hope we tain about the number derive from worship. It is a good of parishioners who Alex Hollis directing Sunday Service reminder that God welcomes us would join us for worship, and were preparing service leaflets and con- however and whenever we come to Him. amazed that we exceeded our capacity ducting Compline, Alice Gibson and sad that many tried to join us but and Kathy Warlick for much assistance It already seems like a long time since could not. For the third week and each but especially for preparing the read- our first effort on March 22. Bringing Sunday since then, we have been using ings and Prayers of the People, Richard our worship online has been a team the Zoom Webinar format. From this Detmer and our lectors for volunteering effort from the very beginning. platform, parishioners can watch and from home, Heather Studenberg and Members of St. Paul’s always step listen without being seen or heard. Stacy Clark for our website, eblast and up in a challenging situation, and the myriad of other things they do. this is another confirmation of their Over the weeks we have tried many Last but not least, Kristine and Michael love for each other and for the new things to improve our product. We are our rocks! We are so blessed by Lord. Many thanks to Andy Metz, discovered that cellphones have better their creativity, joy in worship, stead- who has a personal mixing board; cameras than our webcams. We have fastness and good humor. Elizabeth Myers, who worked for a added different views to make our pro- concert production company; and duction more interesting and engaging. You have been so supportive and uplift- Dale and Angela Tipps, who have Our “zooming” has been fairly suc- ing throughout this wild experiment. worked in front of the camera and cessful, but we have run into technical Thank you for your support, help and behind the camera in a million ways. glitches nearly every week that make faithfulness. The silver lining in all this We truly cobbled together the first my sparse head of hair even whiter! We is that we have been knocked out of Sunday from our personal equipment apologize for these situations, many our routines and are actively looking and our bins of forgotten “stuff,” of which are beyond our control, and for new ways to be God’s community at having little time for purchase and thank you for your patience and kind- St. Paul’s and in the world. I am hum- limited funds. Our first rehearsal was ness as we carry our efforts forward. bled to be a part of this community both a triumph and a disaster—the and I cannot wait until we break bread video was acceptable but the audio was Our thanks go to Dale, Angela, together once again. Planning for this awful! Recording from a laptop micro- Virginia and Sam Tipps for making next step has begun! phone in the middle of the nave was beautiful music together, Andy Metz for not going to work. We reconfigured technical assistance, Angela also for w ALEX HOLLIS

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 3 OF 14 Above and Beyond: The Tipps Family

What a gift the Tipps family has given us!

Their generous weekly quartet at our Sunday services, Nightly Compline, and her always-beautiful music have been a blessing during this unique time. I asked Angela if she would share her family’s experience with her fellow parishioners.

w GINA URBAN

What is it like playing/singing in an (almost) empty a challenge for me as the director to select music that fits just church? What are the challenges? four voices instead of a full choir. Oddly enough, none of us felt awkward singing to empty pews. I’d like to say it’s because Dale and I have raised our What have been your surprises from this experience? kids to see music as offerings to God rather than to the What are the joys? congregation members, but I suspect that’s not entirely Other than the weekly technical surprises (like Zoom be- accurate. Mostly, we felt the cam- ing down!), we have all been era served as our congregation. surprised at how quickly we’ve As for challenges, there seem to made the transition to singing have been technical glitches to together weekly. I have been sur- be ironed out (masterfully by prised at how similar our voic- Alex Hollis and Andy Metz) al- es are: sometimes it’s hard to most every week, but even that distinguish who’s singing what has become de rigeur. Sam has part! And the greatest joy is the probably had the biggest learn- sheer pleasure of being together ing curve: at 16, he has been and singing together. We have singing bass in the choir since also felt great joy at being able only this past summer! He miss- to be in the nave, and are very es having other singers helping much aware of what a privilege him along, but I think he’s doing that is, when others cannot be remarkably well—and it has cer- there right now. And as Sam tainly helped his sight-singing says, “It’s just nice to be able to ability! Amelia Clark, Angela, Virginia, Dale and Sam Tipps DO something!” on Graduation Day How did you decide for your family to serve as the What reaction/feedback have you received from Sunday choir? How much rehearsing is involved? parishioners? My family’s answer to this question was, “We follow orders!” Our St. Paul’s parishioners have been so very kind and ap- That’s not too far from the truth. Instinctively, I just knew preciative of our efforts. From comments on Facebook to that Dale, Virginia, and Sam (and sometimes Amelia Clark) texts, emails, and handwritten notes, everyone has been would be a great makeshift choir for our virtual services. very gracious, and it has not gone unnoticed. Their kind- The single most rewarding experience for me personally has ness makes it all worthwhile! been to make music with my family every week. As far as re- hearsal time, it is less than you might think. Everyone reads Nightly Compline—what has that meant to you? music very well, so we go through the pieces (a psalm and You can blame Rick Burcham for Compline! We were in a an anthem or hymn) two to three times a week. It has been Zoom staff meeting early on when I suggested doing nightly

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 4 OF 14 Compline to help stay connected with parishioners. Rick said, “Do it!” and that was all it took. It gives me a sense of peace and comfort every evening to sing those scriptures and prayers. They are eerily poignant for these times: Psalm 91 says, “You shall not be afraid . . . of the plague that stalks in the darkness.” And the closing prayers: “Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night,” and “grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil.”

Compline has become a part of my nightly ritual, and I am From the back porch on Pentecost Sunday grateful that others have found it meaningful as well. For my kids, however, 8 p.m. means it’s time to pause the mov- for the camera, with a metal pie plate behind it to reflect ie we’re watching, and Virginia and Sam go get ice cream. some light—for ten minutes! Then by candlelight we played Or on other evenings, it’s Sam’s guaranteed ten minutes of “I Dissent,” a card game with questions like “toilet paper: having the house to himself, even if he does hear his parents over or under?” which led to a heated discussion with much chanting through the walls. laughter to follow. I hope that’s what Virginia, Sam, and Amelia will remember from all of this. What’s been going on in your home life? We moved into our home on Richland Place in October. We Saturday, May 9th, was to be Virginia’s graduation from love our neighborhood, and especially love being just a mile MTSU. I was going to sing the national anthem and call from St. Paul’s, MTSU, and Sam’s Central Magnet School. the graduates’ names, with our family seated in President We’d planned to renovate the kitchen months ago and McPhee’s special section. It would also have been 35 years to moved everything out of there in mid-February. I would the day since I graduated from MTSU, so it was going to be not recommend being without a kitchen or washer/dryer a special day. As the date approached, it was hard not to feel in the middle of a global pandemic! Dale has made some angry and sad about commencement’s being cancelled. So, amazing meals with a microwave and a hot plate; I don’t Amelia and I planned a virtual commencement and drive- even try! Virginia has been taking our laundry to her house by parade. Borrowing some academic regalia, Dale por- every week, and Dale washes dishes in the bathroom sink, trayed Dr. McPhee, Sam was Provost Byrnes, and I got to which grosses me out. But the end is in sight, and it will be sing and call Virginia’s name after all. After the “ceremony,” a beautiful space for entertaining friends and family as soon family, friends, and even some of Virginia’s professors drove as that can happen again. by, honking and cheering. Virginia was so surprised! And as she says, “It wasn’t the day it should have been, but there We are enjoying seeing what is blooming in our new yard was joy, love and excitement.” and planning for what to plant next season. Sam is getting his driving hours in, and now is the perfect time to practice since hardly anyone is on the road. And Virginia is building a fire pit in our backyard, assisted by her brother.

How has this experience helped you grow as a family? We are a pretty close family to begin with, but we’ve real- ly enjoyed having a purpose to our family gatherings. And we’re building lots of memories and stories to tell. Easter Sunday evening, in particular: the electricity went out right before Compline, so we lit as many candles as we could find, and Sam held a flashlight above the phone we use

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 5 OF 14 Reaching Out As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. —1 Peter 4:10 ESV During my 30 years as a middle school with needed ministry leaders and/or our clergy, and just teacher and principal, I learned that let them know they remained in our St. Paul’s sphere. This the key to establishing a safe, pro- certainly is an appropriate goal. ductive environment was developing relationships with my students. You And then things changed. I contact people now to contin- could be competent, even gifted, but ue conversations, share support, and just have a great time Rick Burcham unless they knew you valued each visiting. I don’t know about others, but I am renewed and my of them personally, they didn’t trust life is enriched with every call. We have amazing people, full you enough to risk being wrong, which is the essential ele- of wit and grace. I so appreciate this opportunity to connect. ment for accepting real challenge. In my role as Membership Coordinator, I still believe that connecting with people, with So, I encourage each of you to reach out to some folks at no agenda other than interest, is key to doing my part to main- St. Paul’s, perhaps some you don’t know well but always wanted tain the wonderful welcoming spiritual home that is St. Paul’s. to get to know better. If you consider that a little too much, you can always blame it on me. Realm has contact informa- During this time of required isolation, I have spent every tion for practically every parishioner. Reach out and grow. week contacting quite a few parishioners, usually by phone. My original goal was to check in on folks, connect them w RICK BURCHAM

Shepherding in the Era of Social Distancing

Not long before we clear that the Shepherd’s job needed as finding were introduced to expand. and deliver- to COVID-19, I ing masks so was asked to serve As a Shepherd, I feel it’s important to let they can feel as a Shepherd for my new friends know that, even though comfortable St. Paul’s. I thought they are isolating in their homes, they are going out to Debby James it would be a good not alone. I pray daily for them and want run errands. way to serve my them to know that we are all struggling church family and get to know some with fears and uncertainties as we maneu- I consider it a new people. ver through this difficult time. I also hope privilege to we can find reasons to laugh and play as serve God’s One of Debby’s Shepherding messages Not long afterwards, all our lives changed well as time to reflect and pray. I contact people as a and serving as a Shepherd became them more often now, but hopefully not Shepherd. I have enjoyed getting to know something much different. Originally, to the point of being a nuisance, always the parishioners and sharing experiences a Shepherd’s job was to check in with our hoping they will share what is going on in with them. These are times when we truly assigned folks about once a month or their lives and feel comfortable enough to need our church family and this is one chat with them at church and let the let me know when they need help. Some small way we can reach out to each other. church know when parishioners were people just want someone to listen as they having challenging times. After the express their fears and frustrations. Some w DEBBY JAMES virus closed everything down, including are struggling with medical issues. Others our ability to worship together, it became may need me to do something as simple

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 6 OF 14 Food Team

The St. Paul’s food team has expanded to include grocery and prescription ordering and delivery assistance. Our regular meal volunteers have been joined by more than 20 other parishioners who wish to be helpers during this pandemic. We are blessed to have many more volunteers than needs thus far, but we always welcome additional volunteers!

Our food team is under the guidance of the church’s pastoral care arm. We regularly deliver simple meals to parishioners going through transitions, illness, or grief. Life has carried on during the pandemic, and our priests, lay leaders, and staff have been quick to alert us to opportunities to show someone love through meal delivery.

In addition to making and taking meals, we have dispatched a handful of volunteers to pick up and deliver prescriptions, help order groceries online or by phone, and deliver the bags of groceries donated to our parish by Inspiritus.

Our parish nurse has provided some simple no-contact guidelines which Anna Stewart, photographed by we are following in our ministry. Even while practicing social distancing, her daughters we are making new and stronger connections between our parishioners with our calls, texts and delivered items. We enjoy being a part of this tangible way of showing Christ’s love for each other. w ANNA STEWART

MOMENTS OF JOY Staying together | Taking care of each other | Growing in our faith | Reaching out to our community

MORNING DEVOTIONALS AND “DISTANT” VISITS

Our morning devotionals at 9:50 have been wonderful! Not only for the devotion- als and prayer time together, but for seeing Kristine, Michael, and other members’ faces and hearing their voices. And it is not just adults—some of our children are on with their parents, too. The morning devotional has been a godsend in the midst of this chaos.

Last month I assisted Jerry Redditt with delivering some of the copies of mate- rials for our weekly Bible Study group. I took them to several folks (Marta Van Hoose, Julia DeHart, Patricia Melvin, and Rick and Pam Burcham). At two of the houses, we stood, keeping our distance, and visited for a nice while. It was so good to get to do this, even with the six-foot separation. To actually be present, even at a distance, was very uplifting for my spirit! Alice and Bruce Gibson

w ALICE GIBSON

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 7 OF 14 Family Time “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

Love does cover a multitude of sins. Or performance, a brief 15-minute- Monopoly game or Spades tournament in the case of a pandemic, love covers a window to clean out her locker and a over a few days. multitude of disagreements, short tem- drive-through yearbook pickup. It has pers, and too much togetherness. In been a crazy few months! We have a new Friday night tradition March, when the stay-at-home order —dinner on the back porch watching took effect, it was a big adjustment for Yet, there is good that has come out of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, often the Bartsch family. We previously had our extended family time. Jonathan and with a fire going in the porch fireplace. a jam-packed schedule that kept us all Ben have had lots of time to turkey hunt And we have already been to the lake busy from the time we woke up until it together. So while meat hasn’t always this year—the earliest we’ve ever had was time for bed. Then COVID-19 hit been easy to find at the grocery store, our boat on the water. We’ve played and we, like many families, struggled our freezer is full. Guitar lessons have catch, lounged in hammocks, walked to find our way in shifting to being at been suspended for Jonathan, but he has the property, ridden the four-wheeler, home. All. The. Time. been YouTubing song tutorials and has rescued a baby screech owl, found liz- learned several new songs. Ben has con- ards, salamanders and a turtle, spotted tinued to practice his banjo and has also a turkey and too many deer to count. been practicing his shooting skills in In the mornings, you can find Jona- preparation for fall hunting and middle than and me on the front porch drink- school Trap. Molly has rediscovered her ing our coffee and tea. In the evenings, love for all things Art, learned to drive we shift to the back porch with the kids the four-wheeler and has performed in and glass of wine. a Zoom concert with her voice teacher Jonathan and DeAnna Bartsch and fellow students. And while Jonathan Jonathan and I, both in outside sales and I are lacking in terms of our teaching and keepers of our own schedules, sud- skills in the core subjects, our Home-EC denly found ourselves stuck in front game is strong—the kids have taken of our computers with our days full over their own laundry and many other of company training and conference household chores. calls. Ben, a 5th grader, and Molly, a 6th grader, went from having different Giving over responsibility to the kids Molly and Ben Bartsch with Annie (and stellar) teachers in each class to for some things has helped me relax So, as we start to get back to normal, I online learning and their parents’ woe- and not feel burdened to do everything. pray we can be more selective in what we fully lacking teaching skills. For Ben, it I have learned to shoot Ben’s bow—and schedule so we aren’t overloaded. I pray also meant no overnight 5th grade field discovered I’m a pretty decent shot, we are able to continue with family game trip to 4H camp, the cancellation of even right-handed. I’m an avid reader nights and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives the Bon Voyage sendoff the his school under normal circumstances, but have on the back porch. I pray we continue throws for the 5th graders, and no kicked it up to a whole new level during to practice 1 Peter 4:8. I pray we enjoy chance to say good-bye to friends who quarantine. We’ve celebrated Mother’s spending time together on the lake, in will be going to different middle schools Day, Ben’s birthday and my birthday in the woods, or wherever we are. But for next year. For Molly, there was the in- new, non-traditional ways. We’ve had now, you can find us on the porch. definite suspension of spring soccer, lots of family movie nights and family the cancellation of the spring choir game nights, sometimes extending our w DEANNA BARTSCH

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 8 OF 14 Finding our Joy

Prior to COVID-19, a normal day for us consisted of us asks upon waking, “Is the whole world better yet?” This getting our two daughters, Audrey (4) and Cameron (2) up thought endures as she has continued to talk about a dance and out the door for preschool and daycare, and then both party she wants to have when the world gets better. working (myself at the church and Daus from home), pick- ing the kids up, sharing some family time, making dinner, We’re now two months into our new “normal” and we have kids’ bedtime routines, and possibly ending the day with a more of an appreciation for our faith and friendships. We focus little Netflix. Our days were busy, on feeling blessed that we continue but there was a rhythm that provid- to be healthy, so far, and have ed a structure of consistency. received such grace as we work from home with our little ones. It has As the world changed with been a struggle, but our family is COVID-19 in March, there was working on our new rhythm. an air of uncertainty cast upon our Reaching out and communication, “normal” lives. I began working whatever form, has been important. from home, Audrey stopped going The support and camaraderie to preschool, Cameron stopped experienced in the weekly parents’ going to daycare, Daus stopped Zoom socials have made us feel we are traveling for work, shopping for not alone in the challenges of quaran- necessities became a stressor, and tine parenting or parenting in general! anything deemed non-essential just stopped. Home and work There has been a silver lining to became one—not an easy change to this—slowing down from our “nor- make in such a short time! mal busy” lives has revealed the beauty in this spring season. We What didn’t stop were our little have met more of our neighbors, ones and their needs. They were not we’ve seen couples out for walks aware of the news, the concerns, or Heather, Daus, Audrey & Cameron Studenberg holding hands, kids riding their the things changing. They always and still wanted to play, bikes around the block, people waving from their cars as they needed to be outside, began to miss their friends, and start- pass our house, a true joy in watching our girls play in our ed to have questions—questions about why people couldn’t yard and write encouraging messages on the sidewalk. We come over, why they couldn’t go to school, why people had have witnessed baby cardinals in their nest, have seen tons on masks, why we couldn’t go to church. We wanted to be of bunnies hopping around downtown, and have enjoyed the honest, so we shared that the world is sick and to get better colorful blooms, cool afternoons, and rain from our porch we need to stay home and do certain things like wear masks that spring has brought. All which I doubt we would have ap- and wash our hands well to make sure we don’t spread preciated as much if we were as “busy” as before. germs. If we did our part, we could make things better. One day Audrey began to pray Audrey has been inviting everyone she sees to come to her for “the whole world to get dance party when the world gets better. We look forward better”. This genuine and to when the world gets better and of course Audrey’s dance incredibly sweet prayer party. On behalf of Audrey, you’re all invited—bring your is repeated each day and disco ball! then is echoed by her little sister in her sweet toddler w THE STUDENBERGS Audrey & Cameron voice. Each day Audrey Daus, Heather, Audrey, & Cameron

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 9 OF 14 Becoming Closer as a Family

The week before the schools shut down in March, I told while other days were a struggle. By Thursdays, Sophie Sophie and Chloe, “Well, if we close, at least I’m a teacher, and Chloe were burned out on online school, so we pushed and I can teach you from home.” I had no idea how much on through to the weekends where we happily got a break life would change in a week! By the time the schools closed from doing everything—family, school, and work—under a few days later, I remember the huge sense of relief I felt to one roof. not have to send them to school and risk everyone’s getting sick; however, that relief was quickly replaced with stress During this experience, we learned how to be together when school was officially online. Jimmy and I are used 24/7. This was new for our family since Jimmy normally to working remotely—he travels during the work works from home when- week, while I stay at ever he is not traveling for home with the children. work, while I have taught We also learned to give online since Sophie was each other grace and let born. We knew how to go of the need to be busy. work with our children at We learned that Sophie home during the summer, adjusted easily to online but having them home learning, while it did not during the school year appeal to Chloe at all— was a different story. And something I expected to we have never had to be completely the oppo- educate them on top of site. At dinner, we learned everything else. James, Jimmy, Melody, Chloe and Sophie White to talk through our fears and concerns about the Adding the learning was a challenge at first. Sophie and future in a COVID-19 world. Finally, we learned how to Chloe had to share a laptop until we secured a second one. make our home a place where we can happily coexist despite At the start of the quarantine, we also had to get past the what is going on in the world around us. urge to recreate the exact same school experience at home. Soon I learned to make a loose schedule for them to follow, Our family has grown in many ways since March 13, 2020. and all three of them, James included, checked off tasks on We have all grown more patient not only with each other their laminated charts as they completed them each day. We but also with the current situation. Each of us has had our quickly realized school did not have to happen at a desk. days where we mourned how things used to be, and we They could do their schoolwork and weekly Zooms wherever made sure to comfort whoever was feeling down that day. they were most comfortable: on the sofa, on their bed, or at We have grown more empathetic as well. Jimmy has experi- the kitchen table. They were much happier with that kind of enced firsthand how challenging it is to work each day with freedom, too. children around, and now understands how it has been for me all these years working from home while he traveled. As Jimmy maintained his normal work schedule in his home Jimmy transitioned to Zooms and creating videos, I shared office. He attended daily Zooms and even began creating in- tricks of the trade to make that transition easier for him and structional videos for customers, which is something he had to ease his frustration. The greatest area of growth, and I not done in the past. I, on the other hand, worked early in believe the most important, is that we are closer than ever the mornings while the children were still sleeping or in the as a family, and we know that together we can weather evenings after dinner, so that during the day I could monitor anything—even a pandemic. their schoolwork, help them connect to Zooms, and keep them on schedule. Some days everything went smoothly, w MELODY WHITE

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 10 OF 14 Meals for the Homeless

Like so many of you during this response to evolving health guidelines, pandemic, our family has been doing fewer people were allowed to take their most activities at home—working, meals within the building due to social playing, eating, mostly everything distancing policies. we do. Both our adult daughters have returned for extended stays to work Given these restraints, an individual, from home. Our son finished his portable meal in a bag has become a junior year learning—and testing— critical way to serve this community. from home. My husband finished These bags consist of a single-serve teaching his class at MTSU remotely, protein—canned meat or fish—along yes, from home. with fruit cups, granola bar or chips, trail mix and bottled water. Many of These safer-at-home parameters add our parishioners have donated items to a new layer to traditional Outreach this effort. Thank you! efforts at St. Paul’s. Just the name, Michael and Katherine Kyriakoudes, “outreach”, suggests heading out Liz Huber, St. Paul’s liaison with The assisted by Oscar Wilde, made the door. How does one reach out Journey Home, says that the little bagged meals for the homeless. while staying home? In a sense, we traveling meals are truly appreciated Katherine, were very willing partic- do it the same way we always have, by and help our neighbors stay in their ipants in the bag meal workshop in listening and responding. small-group, isolated bubbles. Thanks our home. It gave them a small sense to the generosity of our parish and of agency during a time that feels out Many of our neighbors at The Journey that of another local church, Calvary of control. “With each meal I finished Home have been reacting to the pan- Baptist, The Journey Home has I felt like I was making a real differ- demic in the same way that we have— distributed over 300 of our bagged ence to someone,” Michael told me. with anxiety and an effort to self-isolate. meals to our neighbors in need, And yes, he was. That person received It’s hard to say that they are staying averaging 50 per week. Each meal is a simple nourishment in a place of his or home, since most do not have a home, blessing you have helped to share. her choice in a time of real challenge. but many of them have been self-iso- Thanks be to God. lating to the degree that they can. And And blessings, like viruses, can be as The Journey Home began to change contagious, but in a very good way. w LISA EVELEIGH how it provided essential services in My son, Michael, and his older sister,

PLANTING GARDENS FOR INSPIRITUS

David and Stacey Owen’s family helped plant five gardens for the Inspiritus garden program, benefitting families living in public housing in Murfreesboro. Peyton Owen, age 12, also donated plants from her small garden plant business for this worthwhile project.

Photo: Stacey, David, Andie, Hayes and Peyton Owen

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 11 OF 14 Caring for Patients in a Pandemic

I have been a nurse for four years, so this is my first ex- advantage of special “healthcare and first responder” shop- perience with something like COVID-19. My experiences ping hours at Publix, expressing my gratitude to the grocery and responsibilities have definitely changed as a result of workers who have continued to show up every day for all of the coronavirus. I must wear a mask at all times at work, us. Recently I connected with a Publix employee who had a for up to a 12-hour shift, which can get hot and stuffy! I family member pass away on our services, and she insisted also have the responsibility to keep on carrying my bags out to the car; myself safe so that I may continue I suspect if things were different we to care for my patients and not car- would have hugged in the parking ry the disease to them. This means lot! I feel that there have been many that I wear a mask in the few public unsung heroes: grocery workers, places I go, in addition to at work. truckers, delivery services, utility I have an elderly mother and elder- workers, etc., who have all been es- ly in-laws who may need me, and I sential to keeping our communities want to stay healthy and available running despite the health risks. I to them. I have no control over am but one of many. It truly does where others, including my co- take a village. workers, may go, so I have to take that responsibility on myself. This COVID-19 experience has shown me that I am more resilient My patients were not allowed to than I ever thought I could be and have visitors at all during the lock- that there are so many ways for us down, but this restriction has eased to connect and show kindness. We back to two screened visitors per Jeanmarie Hill on duty can still be the hands and feet of 24-hour period. We also now allow Christ if we are creative enough to family members of deceased patients to meet the funeral find a way to do it! I miss physical contact with others, but home staff outside to view their loved one’s body before it that is a small inconvenience for a greater benefit of helping is taken to the funeral home. We utilize technology to do us all stay healthy. more home visits and to connect inpatients with their family members on the outside. w JEANMARIE HILL

The appreciation being shown for healthcare workers is humbling, but that is not why we do what we do. I have taken

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 12 OF 14 Mask Making

Several weeks ago, Alex Hollis asked Marta Van Hoose and me if we could make masks for St. Paul’s—for now and for when we are able to return to in-person worshiping—and we agreed to take on the project. Medical authorities tell us that wearing a mask even when we are feeling well helps us protect others from illness. Furthermore, some people have the coronavirus without symptoms, and can transmit the illness to others without knowing it.

Anyone who sews has, I’m sure, looked at the dozens of patterns and tutorials on the internet. We started with a pattern and instructions from Vanderbilt University Medi- cal Center, forwarded to me by my son-in-law who worked there until six or seven weeks ago and has since worked from home.

And so we began. I ordered fabric—it was supposed to Elizabeth Myers at her sewing machine be less than a year old and laundered; my stash is mostly considerably older—and elastic, twill tape for ties, and members have worked through a variety of patterns and interfacing to provide a barrier between the two layers methods, and I have been able to pass tips on to our sewers. of cloth we were using. Elizabeth Myers, Julia Marron, I have a new pattern now and plan to pass it on. I actually Alice and Bruce Gibson, Tina Whitfield, Dawn Barnes-Watt just made a mask with Christmas fabric from a years-ago —and, I’m sure, others—joined in, and we began sewing. tree skirt. I believe we may still need these at Christmas! (Elizabeth is our youngest seamstress and as of late May has made 140 masks—50 child and 90 adult!) The front office now has a stash of masks; if you need one, email [email protected] and the staff It has been a learning experience for me, as I have a dear will arrange a way for you to obtain it. friend/amazing seamstress/designer for Nashville Repertory Theatre who has teamed up with MedThreads in Nashville, w CATHY SNIDERMAN making masks and mask covers for medical people. Their

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 13 OF 14 Instructions for Homemade Face Masks

WITH ELASTIC NO ELASTIC NEEDED

MATERIALS: MATERIALS: n Tight-weave cotton fabric (i.e. quilting cotton) n Tight-weave cotton fabric (i.e. quilting cotton) l Fabric must be newly purchased within l Fabric must be new. approximately the past year and never used. l Wash and dry fabric without fragrance or dyes prior l Wash and dry fabric without fragrance or dyes prior to sewing. to sewing. n Options for Ties n Rope elastic, beading cord elastic will work (you may l Bias Tape (either ½ or 7/8 as available), OR also use 1/8” flat elastic if ¼” is unavailable. Some have l Make ties from strips of fabric indicated above (cut used wider flat elastic and cut it in half with some success). strips 2 “ wide by 16” long)

One adult mask requires two (2) 9”x6” pieces tight-weave One adult mask requires two (2) 9”x6” pieces tight-weave cotton and two 7” pieces of 1/4 inch elastic. One yard of cotton and four (4) 16” pieces of bias tape or fabric ties 44” wide fabric yields 12-15 masks. You need 7.5 yards of (64” total per mask). One yard of 44” wide fabric yields 12- elastic for 25 masks (14 inches per mask). 15 masks. You need 21 1/3 yards of bias tape for 12 masks.

1. Put right sides of cotton fabric together (Be sure any 1. Place right sides of cotton fabric together (Be sure any fabric design is placed horizontally.) fabric design is placed horizontally.) a. Cut 9x6 (Adult) or 7.5 x 5 (Child) a. Cut 9x6 (Adult) or 7.5 x 5 (Child) 2. Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew to the first 2. Starting at the center of the bottom edge, sew around corner, stop. Sew the elastic with the edge out into the the edges of the fabric leaving about 1.5” to 2” open. corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this. 3. Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out. 3. Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end 4. Pin three (3) ½” tucks on each side of the mask. Make of the same elastic to the corner and sew a few stitches sure the tucks are the same direction. forward and back. 5. Make ties using Bias Tape or Fabric. 4. Now sew across that top of the mask to the next corner. a. Bias tape: stitch closed. Again, put an elastic with the edge out. b. Fabric: Fold in half, turn under 1/4 “ on each long 5. Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the side, iron in place. Stitch long edges closed. same elastic. 6. Pin one (1) tie at each corner. 6. Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5” to 2” open. 7. Sew around the edge of the mask twice, catching the Stop, cut the thread. Turn inside out. bias tape as you go. 7. Pin 3 tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are the same direction 8. Sew around the edge of the mask twice to secure tucks.

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH • MURFREESBORO, TN • STPAULSMURFREESBORO.ORG • PAGE 14 OF 14