October 2023 - Parish Notes

Parish Notes

Clergy

Jeanne Leinbach, Rector jleinbach@stpauls-church.org

Brandon Ashcraft, Associate Rector bashcraft@stpauls-church.org

Patricia Rose, Assistant Rector prose@stpauls-church.org

Staff

Lois Bell

Handbell Choir Director

Brenda Burton, Controller

Daniel Colaner, Organ Scholar

Lauren Dockery

Director of Children’s & Youth Min.

Kelsey Ferguson

Director of Children’s & Youth Choirs

Ethan Greenberg, Sexton

Steve Halasz, Sexton

Kevin Jones, Director of Music

Paul McCuen, Sexton

Pam O’Halloran

Director of Operations

David Osburn

Carillonneur

Amber Patton

Administrative Assistant

Karel Paukert, Artist-in-Residence

Sylvester Person, Sexton

Nathaniel Powell

Director of Communications

Jenni Thomas

Administrative Coordinator

What's the Difference?

Pam O'Halloran

For the past two months, we have focused much of our parish communications on the Walking in Love capital campaign. The capital campaign is in its concluding phase and it is time to turn our attention to our annual stewardship campaign as we do each fall. With the two campaigns falling so closely together, we recognize that it might feel like the church is overly focused on the raising of money. Yet the purposes and frequency of the two campaign types (capital vs. annual fund) are quite different, and it’s essential to understand the distinctions.

The goal of the stewardship (or annual fund) campaign is to support the annual operating needs of the parish. This fund is the financial foundation that supports the day-to-day operations of St. Paul’s, ensuring that essential programs and services can continue and the buildings and grounds are maintained. Parish members must raise money through the annual campaign to sustain the church, meet our operational needs, and fulfill our mission. A capital campaign supports more significant expenses like major infrastructure needs that come around once every 20, 50, or even 100 years. Examples of these expenses in the Walking in Love campaign are the Holtkamp organ renovation, the tower’s masonry repair, and the elevators overhaul. These are significant one-time expenses that we are not able to cover within the annual budget, and that will not occur again for the foreseeable future.

The strengthened endowment portion of the capital campaign, along with the infrastructure investment, focuses on the future, seeking to ensure the longterm health of the parish just as generations have before us. While the annual fund supports the essential operational needs of the church for the coming year, the capital campaign focuses on the longer-term needs of the church and investments in the future.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

2747 Fairmount Boulevard

Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106

(216) 932-5815

www.stpauls-church.org info@stpauls-church.org

Pastoral Care Line:

(216) 238-4001

Cover Photos: This issues cover photos are some of our favorite moments from our Celebration of Ministries event Sunday, September 24. Want to get involved with a ministry? Contact a member of the clergy! Do you have a photo to share? Send them to Nathaniel, and you just might see them on social media, or around the church: npowell@stpauls-church.org

Living In Covenant

The Rev. Jeanne Leinbach

Loving is no small matter. Loving is vital to a just society. Jesus tells us that all commandments are summed up in these words: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Yet, loving is not a simple task. We come up against disagreement regularly in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, these days, rather than listening and learning and reconciling, we are prone to take sides. Animosity has creeped into our culture.

We come together in this faith community to support one another in deliberate loving, to inspire one another to live the lives we are meant to live, in relationship with one another, in the light of Christ. We are invited to cast off the yoke of individualism and enter into a profound commitment to others, a discipleship of fellowship. This fellowship will not always be easy. At times, we will disagree. At times, we will be offended. But, our faith does not prioritize right vs. wrong. Our faith prioritizes relationship. So, here, in this faith community, we commit ourselves to forgiveness and reconciliation, to keeping our hearts open to one another, so we can faithfully collaborate in ministry.

We learn about God’s covenant with God’s people, God’s promise of love, throughout Scripture. We hear in Isaiah (54:10): “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord.” Every Sunday, in Eucharist, we receive the “Blood of the New Covenant.” We enter into Christ’s covenant, who forgives our sins and offers us new life. Covenant is deeply rooted in our faith. As

we kick off a new program year, let us enter into covenant with one another to create a discipleship of fellowship.

I offer five elements for our covenantal life together. First, let us worship together, and as much as possible, in person. There is synergy in coming together. Relationships among us deepen as we recognize our common desire to love God and our dependence on one another. We are supporting and inspiring one another on our faith journeys. Second, let us assume the best in one another and trust that we can be authentically ourselves with each other. Every one of us is loved by God in our uniqueness. Third, let us forgive one another. We all need forgiveness. God forgives us, and so we forgive. Fourth, let us give ourselves to this community, sharing with each other our talents and resources. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). Fifth, in gratitude for being nurtured in our faith, let us share Christ’s love in the world. Worshipping, trusting, forgiving, sharing, loving.

Loving is no small matter and not a simple task. Let us remember these words from John’s Gospel (15:11), when Jesus is urging us to abide in his love. Jesus says, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” Discipleship does ask something of us, being deliberate in loving. Within a discipleship of fellowship, we share the journey; we inspire one another, and come to the joy that is God’s peace. Through a discipleship of fellowship, we bear witness to the world of Christ’s love. What a respite from the animosity. What a gift to the world.

Centered Groups Filling Up

The Rev. Patricia Rose

Our “Centered” groups, which are now forming, are part of a series that is brand new this fall to St. Paul’s. The series was designed and made possible through the work of The Episcopal Church in collaboration with colleagues throughout the Anglican Communion. It is designed to create spaces of safety and curiosity where participants can discuss questions about applying their faith to their daily lives.

Two committed groups of 6-12 people are forming now at St. Paul’s. The groups, which will meet for 9 sessions from mid-October through March, are filling up. If there is a need, a third group may be formed. Participants will share food, prayer, view a short video, and discuss questions about God, faith, and living a meaningful life. The program will begin on Sunday, October 15, at 3 p.m. with an all-group gathering led by Rev. Patricia to orient everyone to the program.

Small intentional groups have tremendous ongoing benefits! They strengthen and clarify our faith. Rich and often long-lasting relationships that nourish and strengthen us often emerge from them. They offer a space to be heard, to feel a sense of belonging, and to build community. They feel comfortable in choosing to be more deeply authentic and vulnerable. In this way, everyone can receive encouragement and insight in powerful, personal ways.

There will be a Sunday afternoon group and a Wednesday evening group. The Sunday group, led by Lisa Koops, will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m. This group will be an intergenerational women’s group. Lisa will participate with her teenage daughter and welcomes other moms and daughters to attend. Kristen Busa and Molly Castillo-Keefe will jointly lead the Wednesday night group, which is open to all.

To register, please go to www.stpauls-church.org/ Centered. If you have questions, please contact Rev. Patricia at prose@stpauls-church.org.

Rejoice in the Lamb

Kevin Jones

Following Choral Evensong on Sunday, October 15, at 4 p.m., the Senior Choir will return to the Nave to present the cantata, “Rejoice in the Lamb” by Benjamin Britten (1913–1976).

Britten was commissioned by Walter Hussey and the Church of St. Matthew, Northampton, to write an extended anthem in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the consecration of the church. The Rev. Walter Hussey later became Dean of Chichester Cathedral, where he built on his commissions of artistic works that had begun at St. Matthew’s. While at Chichester, he commissioned Leonard Bernstein (Chichester Psalms), Graham Sutherland (Noli me tangere), Maurice Chagall (a window based on Psalm 150), an altar tapestry by John Piper, and many others. Britten chose the recently discovered poem by Christopher Smart (1722–1771), Jubilate Agno. Smart was a controversial poet known for his public outbursts of religious fervor that probably led to his involuntary institutionalization at St. Luke’s Hospital for Lunatics from 1757 to 1763. While there, he wrote his two best-known works, Jubilate Agno and “A

Song to David.” Jubilate Agno (c. 1762) fell into obscurity (and was probably accused of heresy) soon after and was not rediscovered until 1939. Its description of the universe where everything and everyone (cats, bears, leopards, flowers, musical instruments, etc.) are seen as reflections and servants of God must have appealed to Britten. The cantata falls into five groups comprised of nine sections but begins:

Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues; give the glory to the Lord, and the Lamb. Nations, and languages, and every Creature, in which is the breath of Life. Let man and beast appear before him, and magnify his name together.

From this introduction flows the remainder of the text of the work. Since its inception in 1942, the work has received nearly universal praise for its originality, freshness, and adept handling of the attimes odd nature of the text. In 1946, writer Scott Goddard wrote that it “has about it a freshness unlike anything in our music” (British Music of Our Time). I hope you will join us to experience the poetry and music of this great choral work.

Thank You

Kevin Jones attended the Association of Anglican Musicians (AAM) annual conference in June. The 250+ conference participants renewed friendships, made new friends and colleagues, and worshiped together in Morning Prayer, Eucharists, daily Evensongs, and Compline. They met at various locales in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan area including: St. Michael’s and All Angels, Church of the Incarnation, Church of the Transfiguration, St.

Mark’s School, and the Episcopal School of Dallas, and heard multiple addresses by keynote speaker, The Rev. Barbara Cawthorne Crafton. It was an inspiring week filled with song, camaraderie, and professional development. Thank you to St. Paul’s for allowing me to attend and represent us. If you are unfamiliar with AAM, I encourage you to read more about this fine organization at www. anglicanmusicians.org/about

Parish Picnic

PHOTO GALLERY

Parish Calendar

Parish Notes Event Submissions

Submissions may be emailed to Nathaniel Powell, Director of Communications: npowell@stpaulschurch.org. • Submissions must include: Title (max 50 to 60 characters); date; and a description (max 500 characters, links are exempt). For more information, we will set up a page on our website (max 250 to 300 words). • Photos: a photo or graphic or suggestions for a photo or graphic. Only photo files with a minimum pixel dimension of 1080 x 1080 will be published.

Worship

Newcomer Blessing

Sunday, October 8

All newcomers who’ve joined or rejoined the parish in the past 2 years or so are invited to participate in a newcomer blessing on Sunday, October 8, at all three services. RSVP to Rev. Jeanne: jleinbach@stpauls-church.org

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 8, 4 p.m.

From kittens to chickens, guppies to puppies, our clergy will bless all pets, great and small. Join us for a brief service and blessing on the front lawn (or in Tucker Hall if the weather is inclement).

Choral Evensong

Sunday, October 15, 4 p.m.

The Senior Choir sings its first Evensong of the season. This liturgy includes Responses by Matthew Martin, Precentor and Director of College Music at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, canticles by the American composer Lee Hoiby, and “Evening Hymn” by H. Balfour Gardiner. Immediately following Evensong, the choir will present Benjamin Britten’s cantata, Rejoice in the Lamb, set to a text by Christopher Smart.

Service of Remembrance

Wednesday, November 1, 6 p.m.

Recognizing the loss and grief so many of us carry privately, St. Paul’s will hold its annual Service of Remembrance to honor those whose deaths have touched our parish family this past year. We will hold our loved ones and one another in God’s presence through gentle music, prayer, readings, and a candle-lighting ritual. The service will be held on Wednesday, November 1, at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

All Saints Combined Service

Sunday, November 5, 10 a.m.

On this feast that celebrates the great fellowship of saints, we’ll gather as one St. Paul’s community for a festive combined worship service at 10 a.m. Following the service, gather in Tucker Hall for the Saints Hall of Fame, a time of education, fellowship, and snacks.

AROUND ST. PAUL'S

Invitation to Holy Baptism

Holy Baptism is full initiation into Christ's Body the Church, and all who are interested in baptism for themselves or their children are invited to contact the Rev. Brandon Ashcraft (bashcraft@ stpauls-church.org). We will celebrate baptism on the following dates, which are those days in our Church Calendar especially set aside for baptism. We are also happy to explore other possible dates, as necessary:

November 5 • All Saints’ Sunday

January 7, 2024 • The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ

March 30, 2024 • The Great Vigil of Easter Diocesan service at Trinity Cathedral

May 19, 2024 • The Day of Pentecost

Christian Formation

The Forum

Sundays, 10:15 a.m.

Unless otherwise noted, all Forums will take place in the dining room. Contact Rev. Patricia with any questions at prose@stpauls-church.org.

October 1 • The Divine Gifts of Creation, Creating, Creativity

The Rev. Patricia Rose

October 8 • The Art and Creativity of John Donne: The Exhilaration of Private Study

Gary Walters

October 15 • Appear and Inspire

Musical Creativity and Community

Kevin Jones

October 22 • No Forum

Walking In Love Celebration ( page 9)

Tucker Hall

October 29 • One With Creation: Reciprocal Relationships With Plants and Faith

Jess Miller

Centered: A New Small Group Series

Beginning in October

This series is designed to create spaces of safety and curiosity, where we can wrestle with questions about applying our faith to our daily lives, struggles, and longings. Whether you’ve been here for 40 years or 4 weeks, it’s an opportunity to build life-giving connections and learn fresh insights for whatever life is bringing these days. Groups will meet twice monthly through March to share food, prayer, view a short video, and discuss questions about God, faith, and living a meaningful life. To learn more or to register, visit our website: www.stpauls-church. org/Centered. Contact Rev. Patricia if you have any questions: prose@stpauls-church.org

Contemplative Prayer

Join fellow seekers and spiritual pilgrims at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Chapel of the Cross for a holy hour of Contemplative Prayer (also called Christian Meditation) and reflection. The virtual group meets on Friday mornings at 10 a.m. on Zoom. To express interest or learn more, contact Dave Rodney (rodney. dave@gmail.com) or Laurie Rodney (lauriewsr@ gmail.com).

Bible Study

Thursdays, 9 a.m.

Join the preacher-on-deck at 9 a.m. on Thursdays in the Sanders Room for a deep dive into the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday. Drop in anytime; no RSVP is needed.

Children and Youth Ministries

Trunk-or-Treat

October 29, 3 p.m.

The Village, the fellowship group for families with young children, is celebrating Halloween in the Coventry parking lot with trunk-or-treating, crafts, and a costume contest on Sunday, October 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. RSVP to Lauren Dockery by October 22: ldockery@stpauls-church.org

Fellowship

Walking In Love Celebration

Sunday, October 22, 10 a.m.

Thank you to everyone who generously supported the Walking In Love Campaign. This campaign came out of five years of financial planning and congregational study to ensure that our magnificent 95-year-old church home and our 175-year-old faith community remain healthy, strong, and vibrant well into the future. The enthusiastic response of our parishioners has inspired us, and we are grateful for your embrace of these goals.

To honor the campaign’s successes and the tireless efforts of our campaign volunteers, we are excited to invite all to a Walking In Love Celebration on Sunday, October 22, at 10 a.m. in Tucker Hall. Everyone is welcome to join us as we celebrate all we have accomplished together.

Thank you, again, to everyone who helped us reach our fundraising goals. We look forward to updating the parish on the projects and programs that will be enabled through your generous gifts.

Architectural Tour

Sunday, October 29, 12:30 p.m.

Do you know where the four Diocesan seals are in St. Paul’s? How about the movie projection booth? Where can you find the image of a German World War II soldier? Dave Loomis will lead a free, hour-long tour of the church, beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, in the Narthex (just behind the Nave or main worship space), so you can find out. Whether you’ve been at St. Paul’s for many years or just a few months, there’s always more to discover about the beautiful space in which we all gather. Learn more about the art and architecture of St. Paul’s!

Herb Harvest Sale

Sunday, November 12

Mark your calendars for the annual Herb Harvest Sale, which will be in Tucker Hall on Sunday, November 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This sale provides funds that help sustain the beauty of our gardens. St. Paul’s Lay Weeders are busy harvesting and preparing products for you to purchase!

All of your favorite items from the past will be back, including jams, jellies, homemade breads, chutneys, herb flavorings, soup mixes, moth chasers, lavender sachets, and other decorative and gift items.

In past years, many of you have graciously baked delicious breads and other delicacies for the Herb Sale. This year, we will again have recipes and small pans available to pick up in the Parish Office. All baked goods can be brought to the church when we set up for the sale on the morning of Saturday, November 11, or the day of the sale. For more information, contact Susan Blackwell at susanmblackwell@hotmail.com. We can’t do this without you!

We also welcome new product ideas and contributions from you. Let us know about a specialty of yours that would enhance our product list. For more information or to share your ideas, please contact Julie Micheletti at michelettijulie@ gmail.com. Thank you!

Music and Art

Kevin Jones, Organist

Sunday, October 1, 4 p.m.

Director of Music Kevin Jones presents an organ recital as part of the series of Concerts at St. Paul’s series. Jones will employ both the Hradetzky and Holtkamp organs in works of Nicolaus Bruhns, William Byrd, J.S. Bach, and the Suite, Op. 5, by Maurice Duruflé. A reception will follow in the rotunda.

Choir Swap

Sunday, October 22

On Sunday, October 22, the Youth and Senior Choirs will switch places at the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services. The Senior Choir will lead music at the 9 a.m. liturgy, and the Youth Choir, directed by Kelsey Ferguson, will sing for the 11:15 a.m. service.

A Celebration of Karel Paukert

November 17, 6:30 p.m.

Join us for an evening to honor our very own maestro Karel Paukert. Paukert, recently named Artist-inResidence at St. Paul’s, has been part of the St. Paul’s community for more than 45 years. Featured in the concert will be former students of Karel’s from around the country, including several spoken remembrances. All are invited and welcome at this milestone celebration of our dear Karel. A dessert reception, party, and general merrymaking will follow the concert. Please mark your calendar for this very important event. Suggested donation of $25. RSVP requested and greatly appreciated: kjones@stpauls-church.org

N.B. White Gallery Fall Show

Now through November 26

The Fall Show in the Nicholson B. White Gallery features the works of these talented Ohio artists: textiles by Helen Murrell, paintings by Martha Shiverick, and ceramics by Brian Sarama. The show runs until Sunday, November 26.

Pastoral Care

The Pastoral Care Team is available for all parish pastoral needs. If you or someone you love needs pastoral care, call us at (216) 238-4001.

Opportunities to Care for Each Other

Being part of a church community means we’re given a chance to offer care to one another in times of need. Here are two great ways to both seek and offer care:

Transportation Ministry: Help parishioners by providing rides to church events, doctor visits, and other appointments.

Meal Ministry: Prepare and deliver a home-cooked meal to a church member experiencing a short-term transition or difficulty.

Contact Rev. Jeanne to sign up and learn more: jleinbach@stpauls-church.org.

Outreach

ODA Annual Benefit Clambake

Saturday, October 14, 5:30 p.m.

Join Open Doors Academy (ODA) for its third annual benefit fundraiser on the banks of the beautiful Cuyahoga River. ODA began as an outreach initiative at St. Paul’s 30 years ago serving students in our neighborhood and is now a thriving non-profit serving students in Out-ofSchool Time programs at 19 sites across Northern Ohio. We continue our support of its mission as a sponsor of this event, its largest fundraiser of the year. The evening features a riverfront clambake dinner, an open bar, live music, and the presentation of their Luminary Award. Find more information and how to purchase tickets on their website: www.opendoorsacademy.org.

Loaves and Fishes

Second Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., and Fourth Mondays, 5:30 p.m.

The Loaves and Fishes ministry serves two meals a month at local homeless shelters. Anyone interested in preparing food or serving our guests may email Jeff and Carol Spero at cjmspero@gmail.com.

Around the Diocese

Considering Matthew Shepard Sunday, October 22, 4 p.m.

Cleveland Chamber Choir’s 2023/24 season opens with Craig Hella Johnson’s modern oratorio, Considering Matthew Shepard. This poignant composition masterfully intertwines passages from Shepard’s personal journal, interviews with his parents, and texts from renowned figures such as Rumi and Hildegard of Bingen in a panoply of musical styles. The Washington Post notes that the oratorio’s evocative portrayal “demonstrates music’s unparalleled power to encompass, transform, and transcend tragedy.” The Choir will be joined by Lakewood High School’s Symphonic Mixed Choir for these performances under the direction of Rayna Brooks.

Considering Matthew Shepard will be performed twice: Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 7 p.m. at Avon Lake UCC; and Sunday, October 22, at 4 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral. Ticket reservations are encouraged, and free-will donations are accepted. A portion of donations collected will be directed to QYou, a program supporting queer youth through the LGBT Center of Cleveland. A pre-concert talk will be presented by Charles Edward McGuire, PhD, from Oberlin College & Conservatory, 45 minutes before each performance. To reserve tickets and learn more, visit their website at www.clevelandchamberchoir.org.

St. Martin’s Pews Available for Purchase

As previously announced, we are replacing the pews in St. Martin’s Chapel with chairs to allow for a more versatile worship space. These chairs are made of heavy wood with upholstered seats, kneelers and hymnal racks, stained to match the existing pews, and connected in rows. They are expected to be delivered in the late fall. In the meantime, plans are underway for repairing the slate floor once the pews are removed and for finding alternative uses for the pews.

Unfortunately, storage of the pews will not be possible. Some of the chapel pews will be repurposed within the building. For the remaining, we are exploring options for selling or donating them to another church, and many will be available to St. Paul’s parishioners to purchase for a small fee. Pews can be shortened to any length and still retain both end caps. If you have interest in purchasing a pew, please contact Pam O’Halloran at pohalloran@ stpauls-church.org or (216) 238-4008.