If you know of an organization or group in need of meeting or event space, please refer them to Pastor Rebecca or me. (Members of St. Paul’s may also use the space for private parties at a discounted “member” rate.) In addition, we plan for St. Paul’s to be used as a wedding venue for people outside the parish, and guidelines (including fees) are in the works. Income from the use of our facilities will help offset the cost of insurance, maintenance and utilities.
Building maintenance and planning have continued this spring, much of it behind the scenes. With the help of Vestry member and Facilities Management Team member Vernon Brown, working with Junior Warden Justin Vitale and Pastor Rebecca, the Rectory has been issued an occupancy permit and is ready for our new Youth Minister, Tilton Yokely, to move in.
Like the rest of our facilities, we’ll leverage the Rectory as a ministry tool for our “Outside In” vision. Tilton will receive rent as part of his compensation, and St. Paul’s will receive his time and talent as our new Youth Minister and 1/3 of the utilities. This won’t have a negative impact on St. Paul’s budget. In fact, it will actually help St. Paul’s financially, because Tilton will bring a roommate who will pay rent and an additional 1/3 of the utilities to St. Paul’s. This income will be used to help offset the costs of maintaining and insuring the building. (In addition to the maintenance and repairs Vernon just made to meet code for occupancy, the rectory was recently tuck pointed, and earlier this year a new roof was put on.) 
​

 We are going to begin a new way of sharing the peace during the service. It's called Rock - Peace - Together.  Think of it as another way of playing Rock - Paper -Scissors.  Whoever extends a hand for a handshake gets a handshake.  Whoever spreads arms out for a hug, shifts to a handshake if a handshake is offered instead.  No exceptions.
Here's why:
Every Sunday, Episcopal Services have a mid-point. It's a place in the service, right after we've prayed where we are invited to share the peace. That sharing of the peace is a sacramental moment of reconciliation. We've been reconciled to God through prayer and confession; now we are invited to extend that restoration with each other.  That's why we say, "Peace be with you." We wish each other the wholesome, healing life that peace with God and Neighbor offers.
But this moment of sharing the "Peace" can bring anxiety, discomfort and even harm when it's not done thoughtfully. Some of our sisters and brothers feel intense anxiety when having to interact with others verbally, and physically - even a handshake might be difficult. Some people who sit in our pews each Sunday have experienced trauma - possibly sexual trauma. At some point, they experienced uninvited interaction at the most intimate level - perhaps from a stranger, but often not. Perhaps most importantly, forcing children to hug us can be harmful.  We need to be treating the children in our congregation with special care so that they are not being taught to receive unwanted touch from adults.  Respecting children's body language is important.
By practicing Rock-Peace-Together, we are opening ourselves to true reconciliation and peace. We will be able to allow everyone to trust St. Paul's as a safe and welcoming place of love and recognition.  That's Gospel hope! ​

Next Wednesday, I will be inviting us all to observe a holy Lent, by self examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's Holy Word.  You'll notice that these are all possible things we can do.  If you need a little more specificity, think about one of these options as a way of spiritually enriching your Lenten experience:
Subtract
1. Give up your wants and buy only your needs. Give the money you save to your favorite charity.
2. Give up eating after dinner and use that inclination to munch as a reminder to pray.
3. Abstain from negativite words. Practice strengthening your verbal filter and holding back on language that discourages or condemns.
Add
1. Attend Adult Sunday School during Lent and learn about the last week of Jesus' life as a way of deepening your devotion.
2. Volunteer to prepare soup and join us for Lenten Soup and Prayer on a Thursday nights.
​3. Get more sleep.  Many Americans are living in a continuously sleep deprived state. This damages them spiritually. Dreams are a way that God meets us and heals us. Just look at all the dreams in the Bible!  Use this Lent to create a more sustainable sleep schedule. The Ignatian Prayer of Examen is a great way to enter rest. Before you sleep, try this:
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude. 
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.
Sum
It is my prayer that we draw closer to Jesus Christ as we turn our intentions toward Lent. Being confident of this very thing: that God who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phillipians 1:6) That "day of Jesus Christ" is a whole like Easter!

One of the best things about Lent is that it happens every year.  It's like having a Christian restart button.  Lent reminds us that we are a people in process. As much as we intend to do well, we often fail. As much as we resolve to do differently, we forget.  Lent reminds us that imperfection and frailty are realities, but that growth is still possible - especially with God's help.
As I anticipate Lent, I have been asking God to guide me in the steps I can take to correct the ways I'm slipping. Different years have brought different actions.  One year, I gave up putting sugar in my tea.  That may seem insignficant but it was huge for me.  I wasn't keeping track of how much sugar I was consuming. Giving it up during Lent was a way to say to myself and God, 'I care about my health and I know you, God, do too'.  When Lent ended, the sugar craving was lighter. I stopped using sugar for good.  Now, I realize that I was eating about 3 lbs of sugar a month!
This year, my "giving up." activities will be different, but one thing remains the same: I want to hit a reset button. God invites us to return when we wander, to knock when we need back in. Whatever we forego, or change, or take on, God wants to be a part of it. When we empty something and invite God, God fills the empty space. When we want to change for the better, God gives us strength.  What will you add or remove in your life duing Lent? It's six weeks of resetting.  Pray about it, anticipate it, do it!  God is ready to welcome you into your "restart".