Moving from Point A to Point B
During his time at St. Paul’s, Fr. Al has taught us that in order to succeed, we must be willing to change and growth, moving from Point A to Point B and back again to start the cycle anew in response to God's call. This is good, transformative, and sometimes challenging and exhausting work; but God is with us, and we support and help each other along the way, too. This Sunday, after much hard work, change and growth, we come to the final leg of our journey to "Point B" at St. Paul’s and will say goodbye to Fr. Al. At both the 8:00 and 10:00 services, we’ll have a presentation of gifts from the Vestry and congregation; and we’ll host a special coffee hour after the 8:00 service and a pot-luck luncheon after the 10:00 service. Please bring something to share for whichever celebration you attend. (If you missed the Annual Meeting potluck, here’s your second chance. We have some amazing good cooks in this parish!) Come ready with share fun stories about Fr. Al. Plan to attend this important event in the life of our parish this Sunday, January 28. We’ve worked hard together getting from Point A to Point B, and especially Fr. Al!

A New Beginning: Point A
After more than a year of planning, prayer and discernment, St. Paul’s Vestry has called the Rev. Rebecca Ragland to be our next Rector. We are very excited to welcome Rebecca and her family to the parish! Rebecca and her husband, Scott, live in Webster Groves with their sons Wesley, Owen, and Jose. Pastor Rebecca’s first Sunday with us will be February 4; she’ll preach and celebrate the Eucharist at both the 8:00 and 10:00 services; and she’ll be available to meet the congregation in the parish hall at coffee hour afterwards. Please mark your calendar and plan to come welcome our new Rector. It’s an exciting time of new beginnings at St. Paul’s!

​The Annual Address of the Interim Rector will take the place of the Adult Sermon and there will be a Youth and Children’s Sermon. Following worship we will enjoy a potluck meal, hear about the state of St. Paul’s Church, its finances from 2017 and its budget for 2018; and elect vestry members and delegates. There will be time allotted for discussion and questions about the future of our church.
Another very important part of our Annual Meeting will be an opportunity for all of us, both younger and older, to invest part of our time and talent for the good of St. Paul’s Church. You will be given the opportunity to sign up for various programs and ministries. Some of these ministries already have individuals or couples who are assisting with them; however the Holy Spirit wants us all to share our interests and talents.
Here are some examples: teaching – children, adults, internet skills, artistic and other creative skills, assisting with office work and finances, helping to prepare and fold bulletins and other items, working with the weekly internet newsletter, even writing articles, taking Holy Communion to the sick and shut-in, being an acolyte or a lector, singing in the choir, working with the altar guild, gardening, painting, small repair jobs, helping to organize events, helping organize pot lucks, coffee time. How about learning to play a musical instrument? What if we invited local artists to gather and share talents? The list is not limited to the above. Use your imagination, let the Spirit guide you.
St. Paul’s does not exist only for worship on Sundays. We do not exist only for our occasional gatherings. Our church sits empty most of the week. We have space, we can reasonably purchase needed supplies. Just what is God calling you to do? Remember think outside the box – that’s the way the Holy Spirit always thinks and guides us!
Fr. Al Jewson

If you were unable to attend the Healing a House Divided lecture by Presiding Bishop Curry on April 4th, it is now available for viewing here: 
livestream.com/accounts/7945443/events/7203200

Women of the Passion A Journey to the Cross 
On Wednesday, April 12, during Holy Week, St. Paul's will offer the very special reading of Women of the Passion A Journey to the Cross by Katie Sherrod. 

Voices of women in Scripture are so often unexplored. This is an opportunity to broadens our spiritual experience with these unique and inspiring voices. 
 
“So here they are, the stories of the women who witnessed the Passion of Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us of several women whose lives were touched by Jesus – the bent-over woman, the woman with the flow of blood, the Syrophoenician woman. I always thought the women whose lives were touched in such a powerful way by Jesus would not simply have said, “Thank you,” and gone home and resumed their everyday lives.” (From the Introduction of the book)

The book begins with three meditations: the anointing of Jesus by a woman, the denial by Peter of Jesus, and a dream of Pilate’s wife. Followed by the 14 stations of the Cross, we travel with the women and with Jesus on his journey to the Cross, ending at the tomb where he is laid. The stories of these women offer a unique perspective into this man we call Jesus and the lives of the people he transformed.

You are invited to be a part of this rich, powerful event as a reader or as a listener at St. Paul's Carondelet on Wednesday, April 12, 7 p.m. Please contact Barbi Click (bgclick@gmail.com) or Fr. Al Jewson (padrealstl@gmail.com) for more information. 

https://www.amazon.com/WOMEN-PASSION-Journey-Cross-Sherrod/dp/1419657321