Epistle

From the Rector
Entering the Heart of the Church Year

My dear parishioners and friends of St. Paul's,

This Epistle will be mailed to you by First Class mail along with my Easter letter and the Holy Week schedule. This will hopefully mean that you receive all this information ahead of Palm Sunday, March 20.

Observing Holy Week and Easter
Even though this is the April Epistle, let me still reiterate the importance of our observation of Holy Week. Note especially the one single liturgy that runs from Maundy Thursday evening through the Great Vigil of Easter. As you know, the Most Rev'd Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, will be the celebrant and preacher at our Maundy Thursday liturgy on Thursday, March 24, at 6:30 PM, and at our Good Friday liturgy on March 25 at 6:30 PM, and at the Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter on Saturday, March 26, at 9:00 PM.

Each year, I promise people that if they attend these three events faithfully and with an open heart and mind, God will work wonderful works in them and they will be changed. The liturgies of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Eve are at their heart literally life changing, and by God's grace we can be continually renewed in the defining and saving events of the Paschal Mystery, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I once more, then, urge you to make these liturgies an absolute priority in your life and the life of your household.

April itself begins on the Friday of Easter Week, and the season of Easter runs until Sunday, May 15, the Day of Pentecost.

March 25 is usually the Feast of the Annunciation. This year, Good Friday falls on that date; the Feast of the Annunciation gets bumped off from Holy Week, and from Easter Week, each day of which is a prayer book Holy Day, to the first available day, which is Monday, April 4. There will be low Masses at 7 AM and noon and a Procession and Solemn Mass at 6:30 PM with our own Fr. Randall McQuin as the preacher.

My trip to England
I shall be leaving for London on the night of Sunday, April 3, and shall be taking just under a week's study leave to attend a conference in London, April 5-9. This is being organized by my old friend, Fr. David Houlding. He is the International Master of the Society of the Holy Cross. The Society was formed 150 years ago as part of the Catholic renewal of the Church of England as a society where priests could be nourished in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. There are now over one thousand members of this priestly society. Though I am not a member of the Society, Fr. Houlding has asked me and another nonmember, Fr. Aidan Mayoss, to be the chaplains of the conference. Many of you will remember Fr. Mayoss from a previous Holy Week; he is a member of the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield.

On Tuesday, April 5, there will be a celebration, and then on Wednesday and Thursday, April 6 and 7, a theological conference on "The Person of Christ." The conference and celebration are an observance of the Society's sesquicentennial. The Archbishop of Canterbury is one of the speakers who will deliver a paper at the conference.

On Friday, April 8, the whole conference will be transported to Walsingham to make a pilgrimage to the Shrine there. The conference ends with a great celebration on Saturday, April 9, at Royal Albert Hall in London. There will be a Mass that afternoon at which three or four thousand people are expected to be in attendance, and where I have been asked to give a devotional address to the congregation to prepare them for the celebration of Mass. The image of Our Lady of Walsingham will also be at the heart of the day, with Marian devotions at noon and the image being transported from Walsingham along with all the Guardians and Honorary Guardians. It all promises to be quite an event and obviously a huge amount to organize. Fr. Mayoss and I will be available throughout the conference for any pastoral matters that arise and also to make ourselves available to priests and others who wish to make their confessions.

I then hope to take a few days of vacation, which will enable me to visit my mother. I also have to attend a meeting the following week in Walsingham. The Directors of the Guardians have appointed me to the Appeal Board, which is responsible for a capital campaign for Walsingham that hopes to raise œ2 million for the improvement of their facilities there. In time, I shall be establishing a U.S. appeal board, and we in the U.S. will -- I hope -- be able to make some major contributions to that capital campaign. I am sure you will be hearing more about that!

Walsingham pilgrimage
On Friday, April 15, some 20 of our parishioners will fly to Manchester for our parish pilgrimage to York and then to Walsingham and a brief visit to Lincoln. I have asked that the itinerary for the Pilgrimage be placed in this Epistle (on page 5) so that you may say your prayers for us as we journey -- in a sense on behalf of the whole parish -- to some of the holy places of northern England, as well as participate in a full weekend with many other parishes at Walsingham itself. In the previous years when we have done this, there has been a real sense of making this pilgrimage on behalf of the parish as well as building bridges in all sorts of places between our parish and the Church at large. As you will see from our itinerary, we all return to Washington on Thursday, April 28.

Annual Meeting notice
You will see a note elsewhere in this Epistle regarding our Annual Meeting. (See "Vestry Nominees Sought," page 1.) The Annual Meeting of the parish will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2005, following the 9:30 AM Mass. The meeting will begin approximately at 10:30 AM in the Dining Hall, and at that time we will elect new members of the Vestry. I hope to also have reports and updates from the Building Improvements Committee about the status of our new building plans and comments from our Finance Committee with regard to the state of our 2005 budget.

You will receive materials regarding the Annual Meeting while I am away, to be mailed no later than April 22. This will include a list of Vestry vacancies, the agenda, and a list of nominees presented by the nominating committee.

With my love and gratitude, as always,

Andrew Sloane+

Vestry Nominees Sought

The Annual Meeting of St. Paul's Parish will be held on Saturday, May 7, at 10:30 AM. Among the purposes of the meeting will be the election of four members to the Vestry for three-year terms, to replace Larry Cook, Toni Mac Aulay, David McGaw, and Marcia Stanford, whose terms are expiring.

According to the Canon Law of the Episcopal Church, "the Vestry shall be agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its Clergy" (Canon 14, Section 2). The role of the Vestry in regard to parish property is also recognized in civil law in the District of Columbia.

St. Paul's Vestry spends a lot of its time on the parish budget, balancing expected income with anticipated expenses in accordance with priorities established in the Long-Range Plan, as well as the construction/renovation program.

If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself) to serve on our Vestry, please forward to a member of the Nominating Committee a brief biographical sketch of the individual, a statement as to his or her willingness to serve, and a signed copy of a Certificate of Eligibility to serve.

Precise criteria for eligibility are set forth in the parish bylaws, but, in general, the individual must be 18 years of age or older, a communicant of the Episcopal Church in good standing, and a pledger whose pledge was paid in full for the calendar year 2004 and whose pledge is current for 2005.

Nominations may also be made from the floor during the Annual Meeting, but the same criteria must be met. Intent to nominate an individual from the floor must be conveyed to the Secretary of the Vestry at least 60 minutes before the start of the May 7 meeting.

The Nominating Committee requests that nominations be forwarded by April 14; the list of nominees will be published at least 14 days prior to the Annual Meeting. If you have further questions regarding the nomination process, please contact one of the members of the Nominating Committee:

Marcia Stanford (chair), 202-546-0577 or marcia.stanford@leonard.com;

Larry Cook, 202-543-5198 or Larry.Cook@dmjm.com;

Toni Mac Aulay, 703-734-9099 or toni-mac@earthlink.net; David McGaw, 202-498-5540 or david@mcgaw.net, and Paul McKee, 202-338-1108 or Pwmckeedc@aol.com.

[MS]

The Future of the Church

The future of the Church is not in some church growth formula, but right here and in every church where the youth are being trained, educated, and formed in the faith. The future of the Church is the youth of today, and just as we were once given the faith and now govern the body of the faithful, these young persons will one day be the clergy and laity of the Church.

It is always cause for hope when new children are brought into the Church. Indeed, we practice that hope when we pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy for all parishioners expecting the birth of a child. The joy of a new born baby is exceeded only at the baptism of that child. The human nature of the child is washed clean in the water of baptism, and from it a Christian citizen is admitted into the body of the faithful. We as a community promise to support these persons in their life in Christ.

At the Easter Vigil, when the new light is growing within the body of the Church (the faithful people), the experience of regeneration in baptism reflects the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and is a sign of the hope of our own resurrection.

This year, we once again are blessed not only with adult baptisms at the Easter Vigil, but with the precious gift of children and their potential for the future. After this year's Easter Vigil, we should have three new Christian children in our care for the future of the Church: Christian Crane, the son of Sophia Haughton and John Crane; Caroline Fitzpatrick, the daughter of Heather and Tim Fitzpatrick; and Michelle Freeland, the daughter of Elizabeth and Mark Freeland. Let us welcome the newly baptized into the body of Christ. [EB+]

February Vestry Highlights

The Vestry took the following actions at its February 15, 2005, meeting:

In preparation for the upcoming Annual Meeting, a nominating committee was appointed for Vestry candidates. (See the article on page 1 for more details.)
Acting on recommendations of the Planned Giving Task Force, and completing a reorganization begun last month, the Vestry clarified the descriptions and oversight of various designated funds, helping provide both for appropriate stewardship of our parish assets and for increased confidence from donors that their gifts will be well used.
Keeping an eye on the current and future physical plant, the Vestry reviewed ongoing building maintenance and progress in developing the new construction plans.
Stewards of each Long-Range Plan area were assigned dates to make complete reports to the Vestry of progress in their areas, to ensure that this "living vision" continues to guide our parish life and mission together.

[DM]

Parish Office Locations During Construction

Beginning April 4, 2005, the parish offices will be in the following locations:

Frs. Sloane and Barnett -- Guild Room
Mark Dwyer and Charles Burks -- basement level of Pillsbury House in the assistant music director's office
Melva Willis and daily volunteers -- music director's office, Pillsbury House ground floor

This will continue until the construction project is finished and we can move into the office area in 2422 K Street.

After March 20, the coffee hour after the 11:15 AM Mass will move out of the Guild Room and back into the Dining Room.

Walsingham Pilgrimage Itinerary

Here is the daily itinerary for the parish pilgrimage to Walsingham, April 15-28, 2005.

Friday, April 15 -- Depart Washington/Dulles at 7:00 PM aboard British Midland International Airways flight 702. Overnight flight to Manchester, England. Dinner and light breakfast aboard flight.

Saturday, April 16 -- Arrive Manchester Airport at 6:00 AM. Coach and guide will meet our group and transfer to the Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa. After check in and time to relax, we plan an excursion to a nearby restaurant for lunch (on your own). Later, we will drive to York Minster for an afternoon guided tour and Evensong at 5:00 PM. At the conclusion of Evensong, we will return to the Middlethorpe for a "welcome" wine and cheese reception.

Sunday, April 17 -- Depart hotel at 9:00 AM by coach to St. Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate, for Mass at 10:00 AM. Fr. Sloane will preach. Lunch hosted by the parish. After lunch, we will visit Ripley Castle, a stately home, and continue to Ripon Cathedral for a tour and Evensong at 5:30 PM. Return to Middlethorpe Hall. Dinner is on your own. (Restaurant recommendations provided.)

Monday, April 18 -- Breakfast in hotel, then board our coach for a full day trip to Durham and tour of the cathedral, with Mass by Fr. Michael Whitehead. Lunch at the home of the Archdeacon. Afternoon return to Middlethorpe for a quiet evening. A light supper of soup and sandwiches will be available in the hotel. (On your own.)

Tuesday, April 19 -- Breakfast in the hotel. This morning, we will drive to the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield for Mass. Lunch at Mirfield. This afternoon, we continue with a tour of Harewood House, one of the great stately homes of England. After the tour of Harewood, we will drive to Ripley for dinner (on your own) at 6:00 PM at the Boar's Head Hotel. After dinner, we will return to the Middlethorpe Hotel.

Wednesday, April 20 -- Breakfast in hotel. Then Mass at the Chapel of Bishopthorpe Palace, home of the Archbishop of York. After Mass, we drive to Lastingham, St. Mary's Church. Continue to Pickering, where we will board the North York Moors Railway, a steam train departing at 1:15 PM and arriving at Grosmont at 2:25. A picnic lunch box will be available for purchase at the Middlethorpe Hotel prior to departure. Enjoy lunch as we steam from Pickering to Grosmont. Upon arrival at Grosmont, the coach will meet us and drive to Whitby Abbey and the hilltop church of St. Mary. This evening we will enjoy a fish and chips supper at the Magpie Cafe in Whitby. (Supper is on your own.) After supper, return to the Middlethorpe Hotel.

Thursday, April 21 -- Breakfast in the hotel. A morning visit to the ancient abbey of Riveaulx, followed by a pub lunch (on your own) at Helmsley or the Star Inn at Harome. After lunch, continue to Ampleforth, a Roman Catholic working abbey and college, for a tour and afternoon tea. Return to Middlethorpe Hotel, where we will enjoy a special "Farewell to York" dinner with invited guests.

Friday, April 22 -- After breakfast and checking out of the Middlethorpe, we will board our coach for the journey to Walsingham. As we drive to Walsingham, we will stop at two of the finest churches in North Yorkshire, Beverley Minster and Selby Abbey, for visits and lunch on your own. Arriving in Walsingham late this afternoon, we will make our first visit to the Holy House. Dinner at Walsingham.

Saturday, April 23 -- Breakfast, then Stations of the Cross. A quiet morning with a possible visit to the Slipper Chapel and Roman Catholic Shrine. Lunch break, than a visit to Holkham Hall. Mass in the Shrine Church at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner. Liturgy and candlelight procession of Our Lady at 8:30 PM.

Sunday, April 24 -- Mass at the Parish of St. Mary's, Walsingham, at 11:00 AM, followed by drinks and lunch. Sprinkling at 2:30 PM. Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction. Dinner at 6:00 PM.

Monday, April 25 -- 8:00 AM Mass in the Shrine Church, followed by breakfast. Morning at leisure. After lunch, we board our coach for a special "church crawl" of nearby parishes, followed by a delightful tea at the home of Barbara Marlow at Wells-next-the-Sea. After tea, return to Walsingham. Dinner at 6:00 PM.

Tuesday, April 26 -- 8:00 AM Mass in the Shrine Church, followed by breakfast. Last visit to Holy House at 9:30 AM. After the last visit, we board our coach for the drive to Lincoln, with stops in Walpole and Boston to visit the glorious churches of St. Peter and St. Botolph. Arrive in Lincoln this afternoon and check in at the White Hart Hotel. Evensong at Lincoln Cathedral. The White Hart Hotel is located next door to the Lincoln Cathedral. Dinner in Lincoln is on your own.

Wednesday, April 27 -- Breakfast in the White Hart followed by a tour of Lincoln Cathedral and spending the morning in the city. Lunch is on your own. After lunch, we will visit the church of St. Wulfram at Grantham. Return to the hotel in afternoon with free time to see Lincoln on your own. Tonight we will meet in the White Hart Hotel for a farewell dinner.

Thursday, April 28 -- Breakfast in the White Hart. Morning departure by coach to Manchester Airport for the return flight to Washington/Dulles. BMI flight departs Manchester at 12:20 PM, arriving Washington/Dulles 3:00 PM.

New Parishioner Profile | Robert Bear

Robert Bear is a catechumen in this year's Pilgrims in Christ class, where he is preparing for his baptism and confirmation at the Great Vigil of Easter.

Robert did not attend church as a youth, as his father was a confirmed atheist and his mom non-practicing in the Jewish faith. In college, he worked summers at a Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA) summer camp on the waterfront staff. On Sundays, he joined some of the non-Jewish staff in attending a small Episcopal church. "I did it to get away more than anything else at first, but I came to like it for its own sake. In later years, I didn't pursue anything, but I felt some affinity for the Episcopal Church."

He was introduced to St. Paul's by a friend, whom he met in January 2004 while campaigning for John Kerry in New Hampshire. The friend is an occasional visitor to St. Paul's, and both the introduction and the campaign made a difference in Robert's life: "This was the first time I had really gotten into anything much larger than myself since my anti-war days in the 1960s." It turned out that the two had a number of similar interests: knowing and discussing all the British monarchs in order from Edward the Confessor to the present; having been in the same movie theater for the one-time showing of the full Lord of the Rings trilogy a few months earlier; having the same childhood hero (Mozart); and both were interested in sailing.

"One Sunday, he ended up taking me to St. Paul's and I felt a calling to get more involved in a faith community. I have chosen St. Paul's as my spiritual home because the Pilgrims class appeared much more meaningful than anything being offered at other churches in the area I had attended."

During the week, Robert works as a computer network engineer. He also practiced law for 25 years, still maintaining his law license in Maryland. However, Robert's real passion is racing small 15-ft. sailboats called Albacores. He says, "they look like a very simple boat from far away -- until you get close enough to see all the control lines. My high point so far was coming in sixth at the U.S. Nationals and seventh at the North American Championships last year. I am heading to England in September '05 for International Championships in Lyme Regis."

"If you ask what other hobbies I have for when I'm not sailing -- I don't get the concept, except in winter. Even then, I'm too busy shaping, sanding, and finishing new foils for the boat."

Robert recently took a whirlwind trip to England after becoming interested in the legends surrounding St. Joseph of Arimathea in England. He visited Glastonbury and many of the other sites in southwest England that relate to the Arimathean legends.

When asked recently about where he is on his spiritual journey, Robert says, "I am a sinner, trying to find faith, who probably has too much time on his hands." He is now faithful in his attendance at St. Paul's, enjoying the Pilgrims Class and attending the Wednesday night Lenten dinners. "I'm looking forward to my upcoming baptism and confirmation this Easter."

Please greet Robert at the 11:15 Mass. [ST]

Feast Days and Prayer Book Holy Days in April

Friday in Easter Week
Friday, April 1
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7 AM Low Mass
Noon Low Mass
5:30 PM Devotions at the Walsingham Shrine
6:15 PM Evening Prayer
6 PM Low Mass

Saturday in Easter Week
Saturday, April 2
9:15 AM Morning Prayer
9:30 AM Low Mass
5:00 PM Confessions
5:30 PM Devotions at the Walsingham Shrine
5:45 PM Evening Prayer

The Feast of the Annunciation (transferred)
Monday, April 4
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7 AM Low Mass
Noon Low Mass
5:30 PM Devotions at the Walsingham Shrine
5:45 PM Evening Prayer
6:30 PM Procession and Solemn Mass

St. Mark the Evangelist
Monday, April 25
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7 AM Low Mass
Noon Low Mass
5:30 PM Devotions at the Walsingham Shrine
5:45 PM Evening Prayer
6:00 PM Low Mass

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday, March 20
7:45 AM Low Mass
8:45 AM Procession from Washington Circle and Sung Mass
11:15 AM Procession from Washington Circle and Solemn Mass
Music: Ludovico Grossi da Viadana, Missa l'hora passa est; Thomas Weelkes, Hosanna to the Son of David; Felice Anerio, Christus factus est; Kenneth Leighton, Solus ad victimam procedis; Kenneth Leighton, Drop, drop slow tears
6:00 PM Solemn Evensong and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Wednesday in Holy Week
Wednesday, March 23
8:00 PM Tenebrae
Music: Gregorian chant; Roland de Lassus, Tristis est anima mea; Tomas Luis de Victoria, Vere languores nostros; Jakob Handl, Ecce, quomodo moritur; Gregorio Allegri, Miserere mei, Deus

Maundy Thursday, March 24
5:00 PM Confessions, Fr. Barnett
6:30 PM Solemn Mass and Procession to the Altar of Repose
The Most Rev'd Frank T. Griswold, celebrant and preacher
Music: Jean Langlais, Messe Solonnelle; Maurice Durufle, Ubi caritas; Jean Langlais, Ubi caritas; Pierre Villette, O salutaris hostia

Good Friday, March 25
Noon Stations of the Cross with Meditations; Confessions, Fr. Sloane
5:00 PM Confessions, Bp. Griswold and Fr. Barnett
6:30 PM Solemn Liturgy of the Day
The Most Rev'd Frank T. Griswold, celebrant and preacher
Music: Anton Bruckner, Christus factus est; Roland de Lassus, Tristis est anima mea; Tomas Luis de Victoria, Reproaches; John IV of Portugal, Crux fidelis

Holy Saturday, March 26
9:30 AM Liturgy of the Day
5:00 PM Confessions, Fr. Sloane
9:00 PM Great Vigil of Easter with the First Solemn Mass of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The Most Rev'd Frank T. Griswold, celebrant and preacher
Music (with brass and tympani): Healey Willan, Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena; Charles Gounod, Sicut cervus; Joseph Noyon, arr. Gerre Hancock, Christus vincit; William Byrd, Haec dies; Roland de Lassus, Surrexit pastor bonus
Reception following in the dining hall

Easter Day, Sunday, March 27
7:45 AM Low Mass
9:00 AM Procession and Sung Mass
11:15 AM Procession and Solemn Mass
Music: Jean-Ives Daniel-Lesur, Messe du Jubile; Joseph Noyon, arr. Gerre Hancock, Christus vincit; William Byrd, Haec dies; Roland de Lassus, Surrexit pastor bonus
6:00 PM Solemn Evensong and Benediction

Mission Calendar

Hunger/Homeless
Grate Patrol every weekend
Preparation Friday afternoons 3-5 PM
Delivery Saturday and Sunday mornings

Red Sea dinner Tuesdays at 6:30

Salvation Army dinner preparation
First Friday of each month, 5-7 PM,

April Birthdays

1 Fred Sherrer; Ann Korky
2 Ruth Kriz
3 Robert Berrien
4 Marie Barnes; Herbert Thompson; Theresa Hollingsworth
5 Peter Laugesen; Lydia Bakke
6 Richard Mason; Calvert Whitehurst, III
7 Michael Robinson
8 Kenwin Benn
9 Tracey Burnett; Olivia Berrien
10 Merlin Packard
11 Barbara Hollinshead
12 Paul Winick; Chika Okwesa
13 Mark Pierzchala; Douglas Colmery
14 James Melton; Sara Lee Menzer
16 Patrick Kalk; Annie Darden
18 Walter Rhinehart, Jr.; Dylan Molineaux; Laura Dame
19 Brian Perry; R. Clarke Cooper
22 Bruce Lawrence
23 David Sheppard
24 Stephen Patrick; William Darden
25 Fr. Joshua Aalan; Jeffrey Coulter
26 Paul Damstadter
27 Fr. Andrew Sloane; Dirk Heron
28 Elaine Kelley; Ellen Perry
29 James Kiefer; Lynne Walker

If you have an April birthday that was not included, or if there are any mistakes, please contact the parish office. [MW]

Parish Statistics
Transfers In: John and Martha Evans from Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia

Death: Carol Smith (March 5, 2005)

The Epistle
A monthly publication of St. Paul's Parish
K Street -- Washington, D.C.

Editors Alistair Nevius
Assistant Editor Allison Freeman
Desktop Publisher John Walker
Designer David McGaw
Contributors Edwin Barnett+, Mark Dwyer, David McGaw, Andrew Sloane+, Marcia Stanford, Shelley Thompson, Melva Willis

Submissions Invited
We welcome the submission of articles, comments, and suggestions. Manuscripts and correspondence can be dropped off at the church office or e-mailed to the editors at nevius@erols.com. Electronic manuscripts are preferred. Articles accepted for the Epistle are subject to editorial revision.

SAINT PAUL'S PARISH Washington, DC 20037-1797
phone 202-337-2020
fax 202-337-7418
e-mail info@StPauls-Kst.com
Web www.StPauls-Kst.com

Parish Staff
The Rev'd Andrew Sloane, Rector
The Rev'd Edwin Barnett, Curate
Mark Dwyer, Music Director
Charles Burks, Assistant Music Director
Melva Willis, Parish Administrator
Frederick Murdock, III, Maintenance Manager

The Vestry
The Rev'd Andrew Sloane, Rector
David B. J. Chase, Senior Warden
Philip Schlatter, Junior Warden
Ellen Purvance, Secretary
Polly Peckham, Treasurer
Larry Cook, Antoinette C. Mac Aulay, David McGaw, Marcia Stanford; Jeremiah de Michaelis, Debra Loucks; Kenwin Benn, Rhoda Geasland, Matthew S. Leddicote, Lynne V. Walker

Our Mission
St. Paul's Parish seeks to restore all people to God and to each other, through Sacramental Worship and Christlike lives.

Deadline for next issue

Monday, April 11