At the end of September every year the Church celebrates Saint Michael and All Angels. Saint Paul’s has carved angels galore in both stone and wood. The earliest representation of the Archangel Michael that we have is the Tiffany window in the parish hall installed in 1916. Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?”, is said to be the captain of the heavenly armies. He expresses God’s loving care that watches over us both directly and indirectly. The date of our window of Michael is significant. 1916 was a year of assaults on all sides in the First World War. The United States had yet to enter the war on the side of England. That year England lost 58,000 troops on the first day of the Battle of the Somme which remains a grotesque record to this day. You will notice that in the window Michael is carrying the standard of England in addition to a flaming sword. Does the window indicate a parish sentiment to enter the war which the U.S. would do in another year? Three months after the U.S. declared war on Germany, our rector John Chapman enlisted as an army chaplain. The architect for the new church was also chosen in 1916. Clarence Zantzinger submitted drawings that again showed the Archangel Michael sword in hand carved in stone at the apex of the west face of the new church. Presumably we enter the church under Michael’s protection with a loving God watching over us. The Tiffany window was given in memory of Samuel Goodman, Jr., one of Philadelphia’s most prominent athletes, who died at the age of 28 on March 4, 1905. He was an American cricketer playing first class cricket between 1894 and 1903. His role on the team was a right-arm fast bowler. I am not sure what these statistics mean, but his bowling average was 21.14, and his batting average was 2.83. Any cricketers out there that can explain this? In 1903, Goodman played his final first-class match for Philadelphia against the touring Kent team from England.~ Cliff
At the meeting of the Wissahickon Deanery on Thursday, September 23, our Rector was elected Dean. There are fourteen churches in our deanery. The purpose of the deanery is to work together in this region of the diocese to strengthen one another and extend the mission of the Church. It is one of the healthy areas in the diocese in which to make a positive difference. Cliff once served as Dean of Fairmount, a deanery of Philadelphia inner-city churches that does not exist anymore. In Massachusetts he was Dean of the South Shore. Cliff succeeds the Very Rev. Robert Smith of Good Shepherd Church in East Falls.
Sunday, October 3 will be “Unity Sunday” at Saint Paul’s. On that day we will combine our three services into one at 10 a.m. This is a response to parishioners’ desires as expressed through last year’s stewardship conversations. We have decided to have two Unity Sundays, our potluck picnic in October and our Parish meeting in May. These two Sundays give expression to what every Sunday is about restoring all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. On October 3, church school will be at the usual time, 9:40 a.m. The children will then join their parents for communion. Afterwards, we will have a potluck picnic. Bring hotdogs, hamburgers, salads, sandwiches, casseroles and cookies! We will share and have fun. Following the picnic around 12:30 to 1 p.m. we will have our blessing of animals. Last year we even blessed a couple of goats! Don’t miss this fun day of unity, fellowship and blessing.
The hallways and classrooms in the Christian Education wing exuded the excitement of Kick-Off Sunday on September 19 when new and returning families were welcomed to a new church school year. Children and youths headed to their classrooms following the 9:00 service where they were met by teachers and friends for lessons and fellowship. It's great to be back in our classrooms where we always know we can count on God to show up and be with us! Church School meets on Sundays from 9:40 to 10:25 a.m.
Cathy Davis and Joe Fafara continue to provide leadership for Parents Exchange during the 45 minutes that children and youth are in their Sunday School classes. Parents come together in the Parents Exchange room (the "Meeting Room") in the Christian Education wing to find and provide support for one another. It's a wonderful way for parents to create fellowship among Saint Paul's families in the safe and sacred space where their children are also discovering the presence of God.
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Save the Date – On Friday and Saturday, November 12 and 13, Saint Paul’s will hold a major fund raiser to preserve its architecturally significant buildings. The whole community is invited. An energetic committee is planning this fantastic weekend. The Friday evening event will be held in the church, (the back of the church will be opened up by removing some of the pews) and the portecochere will be enclosed. Hearty hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served throughout. An on-line auction to commence in the fall, will culminate with several live items auctioned that evening. Candlelight tours of the church will be guided by knowledgeable architects and others who have helped with Saint Paul’s restoration project to date. Saturday will feature an architectural lecture by Emily T. Cooperman, Ph.D., architectural and landscape historian and historic preservation consultant, with slides of the church as well as local buildings of architectural interest from the early 20th century. Please plan to attend and invite your friends Advance sale tickets are $50 per person for Friday and $25 for the Saturday lecture.
As part of their seminary education, students of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia will be visiting area churches. On Sundays October 3, 10 and 17 you may look about the congregation and see seminarians joining us for worship. Afterwards they will meet for conversation with the rector. As you know we have a seminarian with us this year, Carl Rabbe, doing his “field education.” Practical studies like this make up one-third of ministry education today.
The Parish’s Intercessory Prayer group will meet on Tuesday, October 12 at 7 p.m. in the chapel. The Prayer Group is open to all. At a noon Eucharist we celebrated the healing of a person we had been praying for. The Intercessory Prayer Group is like a little engine at the heart of the parish. Many say how they feel so held by the prayers of this group. Come join in.
There will be a garden party under the tent on the front lawn of the rectory (18 E. Chestnut Hill Ave.) on Saturday, October 16 at 5 p.m. to celebrate all the new members that have become part of our community. There will be hors d’oeuvres and wine and sparkling cider. If it is too nippy outside, we will take our party inside the rectory. All are welcome greet one another and experience the joy of being together.
Each year the vestry goes on a retreat off campus to spend time thinking about the big picture and issues that Saint Paul’s will face in the year to come. Not surprisingly, this year a lot of attention will go to the budgetary and ministry implications of stewardship and finance. These two areas were designated by the parish as our highest priorities and greatest needs. They cast serious question upon our ability to hire an assistant rector, and they stimulate all of us to be involved to the fullest extent in the ministry of “our close and thoughtful community.”
Friday Night Bible will be held this month on Friday, October 8 at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. There will be refreshments alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The topic this month will be “Hope in the message of the Prophets, and how this relates to Christ.” Childcare will be offered.
Stephen Tippett leads this small group that engages in learning and caring around issues of Bible Study, exploration of other religions, fiction with a religious theme, anthropology of religion, theology and models of God, or books by Karen Armstrong, Marcus Borg and others. Participants will choose the topic and meeting times. Membership is limited to twelve. If a greater number are interested we’ll just add another group! Belonging to a small group in a religious community can be meaningful, helpful and fun. Stephen holds a degree in divinity. harrisjazzz55@aol.com.
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As you sit down to enjoy breakfast on Sunday mornings in the Parish Hall served from 8:30 until 9:30, you may have wondered about the saint’s name for which each team is named. Even after these fifteen years of serving breakfasts, many of the original embroidered aprons are still in use. Here are a few facts about each of the saints who have made contributions significant enough to be remembered at our breakfasts: The St. Alban’s Team menu is Eggs Benedict, cooked apples with cinnamon and brown sugar and an amazing coffee cake with lots of butter made by team captain Barbie Kimberly. St. Alban is the earliest Christian in England who is known by name and, according to tradition, the first British martyr around 304 C.E. He was a soldier in the Roman army stationed in Verulamium, a city about twenty miles northeast of London, now called St. Alban’s. He gave shelter to a Christian priest who was fleeing from persecution and was converted by him. When soldiers came to Alban’s house, he dressed himself in the garments of the priest and gave himself up. Alban was tortured and martyred in the place of the priest, on the hilltop where the Cathedral of St. Alban’s now stands. St. Barnabas’s Team serves creamed chipped beef on toast with tasty bacon. John Zimmermann chairs this team and may be the only captain who has continuously chaired the same team since its inception. It was Barnabas who brought Paul to the apostles, and declared to them how, on the road to Damascus, Paul had seen the Lord, and had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. Later Barnabas, having settled in Antioch, sent for Paul to join him in leading the Christian Church in that city. Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus where Barnabas is traditionally honored as the founder of the Church. Tradition has it that he was martyred in Salamis in Cyprus. He is one of the carvings in our reredos. The St. Bede’s Team menu is sausage and egg casserole or the vegetarian spinach and mushroom casserole and is chaired by Cathy Glazer. At the age of seven, Bede’s parents brought him to a monastery at Jarrow for his education. There, as he later wrote, “spending all the remaining time of my life…I wholly applied myself to the study of Scripture, and amidst the observance of regular discipline, and the daily care of singing in the church, I always took delight in learning, teaching, and writing.” Bede was the greatest scholar of his time (he died in 735 C.E.) in the Western Church. He wrote commentaries on the Scriptures, but his most famous work, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, gained him the title “father of English History”. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1899 by Leo XIII, and is the only native of Great Britain to have been given this position of theological significance. The St. Chad’s Team went on hiatus for a while but, now under the leadership of Fred and Pat Voigt, this menu has come back with a creative slant. Originally, this team served pancakes and bacon but now it serves shirred eggs and biscuits. Fred offers several varieties: asparagus with salmon, ham and cheese, and spinach with cheese. A shirred egg is one that has been baked and is served in its own little ramekin. Chad was a “holy man, modest in his ways, learned in Scriptures, and zealous in carrying out their teaching.” Impressed by Chad’s qualities, the King appointed him Bishop of York. His first ordination being irregular, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Theodore, impressed by Chad’s humility, appointed him Bishop of Mercia and Northumbria. He built a monastery and established monastic rule at Barrow. Chad died of the plague in 672 C.E. and was buried at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in Lichfield. The St. Monica’s Team serves caramel French toast which is prepared by team members the night before, often by captain Carole Tippett, that is soaked overnight and baked to perfection on Sunday mornings. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, was born about 331 of Berber parents. She grew in Christian maturity and spiritual insight through an ever-deepening life of prayer. Her ambition for her gifted son was transformed into a passionate desire for his conversion to Christ. She also won her husband to the Christian faith before his death. The St. Perpetua Team serves an all-time favorite: scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Ned Smith has been serving as the interim captain, taking on the team responsibilities when Nancy Kohl and Bob Ware left Pennsylvania to move to Massachusetts in 2004. Vibia Perpetua was a young widow, mother of an infant, and a catechumenate preparing for baptism. Early in the third century, when she refused to sacrifice to the divinity of the emperor, she was arrested and held in prison in miserable conditions. Perpetua and her companions were sent to the arena to be mangled by a leopard, a boar, and a bear, and a savage cow. Eventually all were put to death by a stroke of a sword. The report of her death concludes, “Perhaps so great a woman, feared by the unclean spirit, could not have been killed unless she so willed it.” Reprinted in part from The Tympanum, Volume XI, Number 1, January 1995 4
Property News • 26 September 2010
mons. The church doors are in the process of being refinished thanks to the gift of time and talent of one of our fellow parishioners. Another parishioner noticed a person with a walker waiting for transportation at the Chestnut Hill entrance with nowhere to rest. A new bench will soon be in place in that location. Another has made a gift to replace the cellar doors on the rectory. These are just a few examples of the many ways – large and small - people participate in preserving and improving Saint Paul’s campus.
A historic and architectural gem, the Saint Paul’s campus is a treasure for both the parish and the larger community. The property committee is privileged to be stewards of this significant place. As with any property of this size and age something always needs to be done. Contributions to our restoration fund including funds still available from our Partners in Sacred Places grant have allowed us to complete many projects this summer and plan for many more on the horizon. Buildings For the first time in memory the report on roofs downspouts and gutters is positive. Everything is in good shape. We only have one peculiar water problem in the basement of the parish hall. The property sleuths are monitoring the situation to solve the mystery. Several of the stained glass windows in the sanctuary were restored including the Saint Paul’s window in the baptistery. If you are interested, there is a memorial book next to the baptistery which provides a fascinating record of gifts to the parish. Did you know we once had a basketball court and that it was a gift in memory of World War I veterans? In Dixon House the boiler was replaced with a new high efficiency model which will get the heating bill for this building under control during the coming winter. With that project complete the infrastructure of Dixon House is in good shape. In the rectory, the bathroom renovations are complete and there is some repair work going on in the kitchen. Grounds The Gardening Angels have been busy with the grounds as well. Several trees have been removed and new trees will soon to take their place. Many volunteers have given graciously of their time to keep the plantings fresh and watered through a very dry season. I have seen many neighbors strolling across the campus enjoying the serenity of Saint Paul’s. Perhaps they’ll decide to join. A grounds clean up day will be scheduled for November. Watch the bulletin for the date and time. Soup and bread will be provided for all who come to help get the campus ready for the winter. Church of the Angels Saint Paul’s really is the church of the angels as evidenced by the many angels who have stepped forward to underwrite specific projects on the property wish list. We have all enjoyed the new sound system which makes it possible to hear every word of the ser-
Then Solomon said, “I have built you a lofty house, a dwelling-place for you to occupy forever.” I Kings 8: 12a, 13.
Red doors need to be scraped, sanded, primed and re-painted red: 1 set in Columbarium; 2 sets doors along alley. Front doors under porte cochereIron gates to Columbarium AND iron railings at upper entrance on alley side- need reconditioning, painting, etc. Windows in Chapel: estimate from Beyer Studio, Inc. $975. Storm cellar door on alley side of Rectory needs to be replaced. Parish Hall needs to have floor repaired and refinished. Also needs ceiling repainted. Carpeting on stairs and throughout offices in Dixon House- needs to be replaced. Refurbishment of exterior wooden frame around Tiffany window in Parish HallSwift Bird room ceiling repair. Chapel blue wall behind altar and wall around windows need repair and repainting Rectory shutters: one big one from living room is in crypt and perhaps can be repaired; otherwise needs to be replaced. Need replacement of two more shutters on 2nd floor. All shutters should be checked for stability. Leather doors in church: 4 sets to be recovered, plus one with new sagging leather. Property committee has voted to cover with naugahyde, rather than leather, in future. Paul D’Orazio of Flourtown is vendor. Brass kick-plates on bottoms of all leather doors in church. Restoration of stained glass windows Repaint Sacristy and Flower room Replacement trees Gas powered hedge trimmer
The moneys we have now in the Restoration account will need to be spent on the exterior envelope of our buildings. If any parishioner would like to adopt one of these additional projects, that would be terrific. Any help would be most gratefully appreciated. 5
"Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom now and forever." Sound familiar? About 75% of our parish worship begins with this exaltation of the Holy Trinity. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is an explanation of the idea that there are three divine persons that make up one true God. If God is three persons in one, then there is a sense of community in God. Our prayers, blessings, meditations, hymns, and liturgical theology are all rooted in Trinitarian doctrine, which seeks to describe the identity and nature of God. I've always found it helpful to think of "the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" in terms of their roles: "The Creator, the redeemer, and the sustainer." These three manifestations of the same God have guided us in wisdom and word for the past two thousand years, providing us the means to encounter God. Therefore, the Trinity is both the object of our worship, and the way in which we worship. The Holy Trinity is at the core of Christian worship because it is a concept that is fundamental to our understanding of God. This belief has been handed down through the apostles who were charged to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Traditionally, baptism is a pivotal point in our relationship with and worship of God, and it makes sense that the start of our worship here on earth would be the work of the Holy Trinity. Therefore, when we begin our worship together each Sunday with a prayer to the trinity, we are reminding ourselves of what we have in common - our baptism and our life as a community together. As we worship together at Saint Paul's, let us be mindful of the trinity's role in our worship. Throughout our liturgy (our work together), take notice of any Trinitarian language and remember each time you encounter it that through our common baptism, the Holy Trinity calls us into communion with one another and with God. Each occurrence of the trinity in our worship is an affirmation of the work of God within our prayer and in our daily life together. Simply stated, we give thanks and glory to the Creator through the Son with the Holy Spirit.
Respectfully, Zach Hemenway
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On October 17, the Adult Choir of Saint Paul's Church will sing Choral Evensong at 5:00 p.m., featuring the music of American composers. The Introit, "Pilgrims' Hymn" by well known composer Stephen Paulus, is quickly becoming a favorite in choral circles across the country. Consisting of lush harmonies that give life to a hauntingly beautiful text, this hymn for the evening is simple in its form, yet very effective. Saint Paul's Choir last sang the "Pilgrims' Hymn" as an introit at the Cathedral of Saint John Divine on its New York City Choir trip earlier year. The rest of the service will consist of music by Byron Adams, an accomplished contemporary composer who currently resides in Los Angeles. His "Evening Service in A" and Choral Responses were composed for All Saints' Parish in Beverly Hills, and they share the same melodic and harmonic material throughout. Using them together in one service yields a sense of continuity throughout the service for the listener. Adams' fresh approach to harmony lends a new energy and exciting new take on familiar Evening texts. The Anthem for the evening, "Praises of Jerusalem", is also by Byron Adams. Though not specifically composed to go with this evening service, it is similar in approach and contains much of the same ingredients that make his music so memorable.
For the next month or so, we will be singing Hymn 334 repeatedly at our services. We're doing so because it is new to us, and repeated exposure will help us learn it. Entitled "Praise the Lord, Rise up Rejoicing," it's an exuberant hymn that offers our community a great text with which to pray. Within three short verses, this hymn makes use of the idea that God the Creator, Christ the Redeemer, and the Guiding Spirit (Holy Trinity! See article previous page!) guides us in our worship and in our daily life. The hymn instructs us that through our weekly parish celebration of the Eucharist, we are fed and strengthened to do God's work in our daily life. The full text of the hymn is below. I would encourage you to use it in your own daily devotions if you are moved to do so. In addition, I always like to use one of the hymn texts for the day for my own personal prayer before the service starts, so next time you're at a Saint Paul's service, open the hymnal to number 334 and meditate on the text. Use it to prepare you for worship, and to prepare yourself for applying what you experience in worship to your daily life. ~ Zach 1. Praise the Lord, rise up rejoicing, Worship, thanks, devotion voicing: Glory be to God on high! Christ, your cross and passion sharing, By this Eucharist declaring Yours the final victory. 2. Scattered flock, one shepherd sharing, Lost and lonely, one voice hearing, Ears attentive to the word; By the blood new life receiving, In the body, firm believing, We are yours, and you the Lord. 3. Sins forgiven, wrongs forgiving, We go forth alert and living In your Spirit, strong and free. Partners in your new creation, Seeking peace in every nation, May we faithful followers be.
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On Sunday, September 26, a large, eager and energetic group of families, several of them with three generations present, with children of all ages, headed to the trails directly after the 9 a.m. service to find the Chief Tedyuscung statue as well as hints to the mystery of God lurking in Nature. After congregating at the statue, hikers headed back to the Parish Hall for refreshments, including fresh soft pretzels provided by Joe Fafara, proprietor of the Chestnut Hill Train Station News stand. Another very memorable hike!
The Very Rev. E. Clifford Cutler, Rector ccutler@stpaulschestnuthill.org ext. 28 Zachary D. Hemenway, Director of Music & Organist zhemenway@stpaulschestnuthill.org ext. 35 Virginia A. Emlen, Administrative Assistant vemlen@stpaulschestnuthill.org ext. 25 Caroline Robinson, Organ Scholar crobinson@stpaulschestnuthill.org Karen Richter, Music & Office Assistant krichter@stpaulschestnuthill.org Kalil Swinson, Parish Bookkeeper accountant@stpaulschestnuthill.org ext. 27 Carl Rabbe, Seminarian Sonam Dhawo, Sexton • Dolma Dhawo, Custodian
John Rollins, 2011, Rector’s Warden; Pam Prior, 2013, Accounting Warden; Cathy Glazer, 2011, Parishioners’ Warden; Cyndi Anderson, 2011, Secretary; Linda Boggs, 2014; Mark Duckett, 2014; Betsy Evans, 2013; Sarah Heckscher, 2012; Steve Heimann, 2013; Matt Hyde, 2011; Alix Jones, 2012; Dale Lower, 2014; Bob Martin, 2013; Tracy Piatkowski, 2012; Jake Roak, 2012; Allison Romig, 2014