From the Rector
A Season of Great and Majestic and Ultimate Themes

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

By the time you receive this, we shall already be in the new Christian year, with the First Sunday of Advent falling on the weekend after Thanksgiving, on Sunday, November 27. You heard in my sermon for All Saints' Day about my dislike of this time of year, the end of fall and the beginning of winter, though at the time of writing the temperature is in the mid-70s -- gloriously summer-like! Having complained about the climate in this hemisphere at this time of year, I must say that I really do enjoy Advent. Advent is a season of great and majestic and ultimate themes.

A season of preparation
Advent is properly seen as a season of preparation -- more specifically, a preparation for the Second Coming, for the end of all things in Christ. I secretly hope that the Second Coming will in fact occur during the season of Advent, when many people in the Church are looking entirely in the wrong direction! I wonder if you remember the old days when the themes of Advent were not only observed but preached on the four Sundays of Advent: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. It used to be quite a challenge to preach about hell on the Sunday prior to Christmas. Having said all that, there must obviously be an element of preparation for celebration of the first coming of "the Word made flesh," the Feast of the Incarnation, the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Christmas.

So our life together is rightly colored by these themes of the season. The Advent Lessons and Carols service has been the best attended single service of the church year. So much so that we now offer that magnificent service at 6 o'clock on both the first and the second Sundays of Advent, and they are both more or less identical services. On both days Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament follows the service of Lessons and Carols so that we continue our tradition of weekly Benediction.

One of the challenges of this time of year within the Church is that we perhaps find it quite difficult to swim upstream against the tide of a secularized and commercialized "holiday season." With that in mind, we observe Advent with great devotion and deliberation in this parish. For example, in addition to the special annual Advent Lessons and Carols, both Masses each day are always of the Advent season with a proper commemoration of the lesser feasts and fasts. The major Prayer Book holidays are observed otherwise, namely the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle on November 30 and the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle on December 21.

In addition to that, I schedule each year an Advent quiet day. I commend this day to you, Saturday, December 10, as a crucial time to withdraw from the hustle and bustle and meditate upon the "things eternal" in the peace and silence of holy space and holy time. The quiet day will run from 9:30 in the morning, beginning with Mass, and will conclude with simple Benediction at 2:30 in the afternoon. I shall be leading the quiet day and shall take as our theme some of the characters whom the Church presents to us as companions along the Advent way.

Many of you will remember with joy the concert given this year by the Countertop Quartet, which benefited St. Paul's hunger/homeless program. In addition to their concert at that time, they also recorded a CD. That CD is now published. The cover of the CD contains the statement that 30 percent of sales of the CD will be given to the homeless and hunger ministries here at St. Paul's. This donation is a generous gift from the members of the Quartet. I hope we can all show our gratitude to them by attending their next concert, which will formally launch the new CD, on Saturday, December 10, at 7:30 PM in the church.

I shall have two preaching engagements outside the parish in December. On Thursday, December 8, I have been invited to preach at St. Clement's in Philadelphia at their Procession and Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. On Saturday, December 17, I have been invited to preach at the silver jubilee of ordination of my friend, Fr. Neal Moquin at St. Michael's, Carlsbad, California.

Christmas
Christmas happily falls on a Sunday this year, which is good for us church folks! The usual Christmas schedule, as you will see elsewhere in this Epistle, will obtain, namely on Christmas Eve Sung Mass at 6:30 PM and at 11:00 PM Procession and Solemn Mass. Please note that on Sunday the 25th the Christmas Day schedule will apply, not the Sunday Schedule. There will be a Low Mass at 8:00 AM and a Procession and Solemn Mass at 10:30 AM. Benediction will follow immediately after Mass. There will be no Evensong and Benediction on Christmas Day.

In addition to the Twelve Days of Christmas, being important days in themselves, you will remember that there are feast days immediately after Christmas: St. Stephen on December 26, St. John on December 27, and the Holy Innocents on December 28.

With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, therefore, New Year's Day will also fall on a Sunday. On that Sunday, January 1, the Feast of the Holy Name, the usual Sunday schedule will in fact apply, so there will be Low Mass at 7:45 AM, Procession and Sung Mass at 9:00 AM, Procession and Solemn Mass at 11:15 AM, and Solemn Evensong and Benediction at 6:00 PM.

A visit from Dean Alan Jones
Last year at the rector's forum, we studied with great interest and enthusiasm Alan Jones's book The Soul's Journey, a commentary on Dante's Divine Comedy. Alan Jones is the Dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, where our former music director, Jeffrey Smith, is now Canon Director of Music. I and several others were able to be at Grace Cathedral at All Saints' tide last year for his induction as a Canon, and I was thrilled to be able to preach at Grace Cathedral on All Saints' Sunday.

I am delighted that Alan Jones has been able to accept my invitation to squeeze us into his schedule on his visit to Washington on the first weekend in December. He will be preaching at the National Cathedral on December 4 and has agreed to come to St. Paul's at 9:30 AM on Saturday, December 3. Dean Jones will deliver a homily at that Mass, and then there will be a special reception following and a forum with him and an opportunity to hear him further and to have a discussion about the book that we studied.

Dean Jones was trained at Mirfield in England and is very much formed in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. He is a fascinating man with a very agile and able mind, who I think will be able to offer challenges in all the right ways, so I hope you will take advantage of having him in our church on that Saturday.

And other parish matters
I know you will all continue to give a very warm welcome to Fr. Nathan Humphrey and his wife, Anne. Fr. Humphrey has begun to settle in well, and I think all of us couldn't be more pleased with his presence and ministry among us. He is already clearly an asset in so many different aspects of our parish life. I am very grateful to you all for your warm and enthusiastic welcome of them. I know you will continue to fold Fr. Humphrey and Anne ever more closely into our community here at St. Paul's and will continue to give them a good welcome and all the support they need.

As you know, December is the time when the Vestry tackles the budget for the following year. It is essential therefore that we hear from all of you by returning your pledge card with your financial contribution for the coming year. As you have heard many times, this parish is entirely dependent upon the giving of our parishioners to enable our mission and ministry in the name of the Lord and in the power of the Spirit. If any one person fails to make a financial commitment to the parish, then the mission and ministry must necessarily suffer.

If we all contribute generously and sacrificially, then the Lord's work can be done faithfully and effectively. We try to be faithful stewards of the resources of our parish. But to do that, we can only work with what you have told us will be your contribution to those resources. If we have not heard from you, you need to know unequivocally that this hinders our mission and ministry in a most destructive way.

I wish for all of us a meaningful and real Advent that will uphold things eternal. I wish for you and those whom you love the full blessings and peace of the Incarnate Lord.

Andrew Sloane+

Stevens School Miniwalk a Success

On Friday, October 21, the Stevens/St. Paul's Miniwalk for the Homeless marched gleefully onward despite the dismal weather conditions. Fortunately, the rain and drizzle stopped just long enough for over 210 chanting and singing students and adults to walk up K Street from 21st to 20th, around the block, and down L Street back to the school.

Special thanks go Dr. Robert Matthews, school counselor; Ed Stephenson, photographer; and Jo Stelzig, sign maker.

Commission on Mission Gift Cards

Commission on Mission gift cards will be made available again this year. This program was new to the parish last year and was met with great enthusiasm and success. You will have the opportunity to purchase gift cards again this Christmas season for your family and friends to benefit the outreach ministries of St. Paul's Parish: Grate Patrol, Habitat for Humanity, Stevens Elementary, Honduras, and Malawi.

Please make your plans now to include the outreach gift cards as part of your 2005 Christmas gift giving. They are available at the back of the nave or online at www.StPauls-KSt.com. We thank you in advance for your continued support of our parish outreach efforts. [DL]

Bake Sale Raises Money for Malawi Mission

The parish bake sale on October 30 was a great success, thanks to the efforts of a lot of volunteers who baked, set up, checked items in, staffed the tables, spread the word, and generally showed the spirit and fellowship of our St. Paul's community.

It is estimated that the bake sale raised over $1,800. These funds will be matched by the Carwithen Charitable Trust Fund and will be sent to the Sisters of the Community of St. Mary to offset the costs of building a new security fence.

Mother Miriam of the Community of St. Mary has written to the parish:

Please convey our excitement and gratitude to all at St. Paul's who worked so hard to make the bake sale for the Malawi Mission such a wonderful success. We cannot thank your committee and contributors enough for the $1,800 you have raised to help our Sisters build their compound wall at Luwinga. I have never heard of a bake sale raising so much in one day!

We are most grateful that the Vestry is also willing to match your efforts with funds contributed to the parish from Bill Carwithen. Thirty-six hundred much-needed dollars are the foundation for building our Sisters' safety in a very rough and desperate neighborhood.

With the wall in place these young dedicated Sisters can sleep at night with the peace of mind that the fruits of their labor will still be in the fields to be harvested. With the wall in place they will be able to invite people to experience the hospitality of the Sisters and love of God in an orderly community. Lastly, with this wonderful gift, you have also helped the people of the neighborhood by giving the Sisters' the opportunity to provide paying jobs. Thank you for helping make all this possible.

[SB, AK]

Third Annual Preparing for Christmas Activity

All of the children of the parish -- plus friends and neighbors -- are invited to the third annual Preparing for Christmas activity morning on Saturday, December 17.

We'll begin right after 9:15 AM Morning Prayer and 9:30 AM Mass with snacks and lighting of the Advent wreath candles. Then we will return to the church for our treasure hunt, brass polishing, and decorating. At the end we'll have pizza in the dining hall, and there will be prizes for all participants.

Children of all ages are welcome, and the activities will be geared according to age-appropriate interests -- teens would be very welcome if you can fit this into your busy schedules. Sign-up sheets will be available by Sunday, December 4, in the back of the church and in the lower level of Pillsbury House. Mark your calendars and plan for the activities to last from 10:00 AM to about 1:00 PM. [JS]

Thanks from the Bishop of Louisiana

My Dear Father Sloane and Friends of St. Paul's Parish:

Thank you for your several gifts to the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana for Hurricane Relief. Your gifts and the Christian love and community they represent mean much to us in our diocese. We have been brought low by Hurricane Katrina and more recently by Hurricane Rita. We are told that we have experienced a disaster unprecedented in the modern history of this nation. Eighty percent of New Orleans and surrounding civil parishes have been flooded. Many people are displaced and countless homes and businesses destroyed.

Your gift will be used to care for the displaced, rebuild lives, and enable the continuing presence of the Church as we struggle to redevelop southeast Louisiana. I am convinced the Church must be part of this redevelopment process in a significant way. Again, thank you for your sacrificial gifts. I hope that one day soon I can thank you in person.

Yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev'd Charles Jenkins, D.D.
Bishop of Louisiana

Seminarian Profile -- Seth Dietrich

I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, close to deep limestone swimming holes, live bluegrass music, and a wealth of Hispanic culture. Many people call my parents a bit eccentric. Both of them were originally from the Midwest (Minnesota and Ohio), but my father moved the family to Austin to accept a teaching position in theoretical mathematics at the University of Texas. After some career turmoil, he left academics, taught himself architecture and construction, and became a residential builder.

My mother was a primary spiritual influence in my life at a young age. Raised in a nominally Jewish household, she converted to Christianity in college, and sent me to a small Southern Methodist elementary school.

I had a relatively normal childhood: excelling at school while longing for summer vacation; playing soccer and tennis (perhaps a bit less intensely than kids do today); chasing girls at first for fun and then for other reasons altogether. When applying for colleges, I knew early that I wanted to go to a Christian school, and I eventually chose Wheaton College, a somewhat conservative, more evangelical school.

Wheaton stands as a great paradox in my life. While I met many amazing people, and while I experienced deeply the reality that all truth (even in the most secular things) is God's truth, Wheaton is also the place where I came up against the limits of the American evangelical world.

For a six-month internship designed to be part mission work, part development work, I went to rural Uganda in my junior year. This proved, in many ways, to be a defining experience in my life.

Maggie and I had met on the bus ride to an Outward Bound-like experience for incoming Wheaton freshmen. We began dating a year later and married right after graduating from college in 1996. We settled in Madison, Wisconsin, so Maggie could pursue a master's degree in physical therapy. I was an English major and, using my gifts for communication, I began a career selling health insurance to small businesses through a large corporation called Humana, Inc. I was promoted three times in three years, but, despite the success, I felt deeply unfulfilled.

So I quit. In a radical career move, I began coordinating a meal program at a day center for people with severe mental illness called Off the Square Club. I was exposed to the complex issues of homelessness, affordable housing, and drug abuse, and after three years I had grown tired. The romantic notions of "helping the less fortunate" had worn thin, and to this day that experience has given me a profound respect for all those in the helping professions who continue to serve daily long after it has stopped feeling good.

During this time, I had also begun to feel a strange, inexplicable pull toward ordained ministry. I had been through a number of different denominations, but Maggie and I had recently found an Episcopal church that fit us so well it was like we had come home. The deep rhythms of the Book of Common Prayer, the sacramental theology, the emphasis on community grounded in worship all rang true. I was confirmed in 2001 by Bishop Russell Jacobus, of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, at my home parish, St. Luke's, in Madison. I then began a more formal process of discernment, which ended with my arrival at Virginia Theological Seminary two years later.

I have deeply enjoyed VTS so far: the theological diversity; the acumen of the professors, the strong community life. Maggie is the president of the seminarian spouse group, and Ella Joy, our 2-year-old, has made many friends. At the same time, I saw early on last year that St. Paul's, with its Incarnational emphasis, manifested in its particular reverence for the sacraments, might be a great complement to my VTS education. Besides, I thought I might be able to learn something from this priest with the funny accent. It has proved a great match so far. I'm having a wonderful time learning the component pieces of great liturgy on Sunday mornings, and it has been a privilege to teach in the Pilgrims catachumenate class on Wednesday nights. Thank you all for the hospitality you have shown me and my family so far, and I look forward to our continued fellowship over the next year and a half. [SD]

October Vestry Notes

The Vestry held its October meeting on Tuesday, October 18. Several items were discussed:

New Commission on Mission board members were appointed by the Vestry. They are Stephanie Bailes as Commission on Mission co-chair, Ann Korky to replace Betsy Siegmund as the Malawi mission representative, and Gay Hanna as grant writer.

The Vestry approved the disbursement of $40,832 from the Carwithen Charitable Trust Fund as matching grants for special outreach projects and extraordinary gifts as recommended by the Commission on Mission, beginning with the Honduras Plant Sale in May 2005.

Jerry de Michaelis reported on the status of ongoing negotiations with the architect over his fee for the building project.

The Vestry passed a resolution designating a portion of Fr. Humphrey's compensation as a housing allowance.

The Vestry also approved a resolution authorizing the liquidation of Dominion Direct securities to pay for the installation of the new organ trumpet stop and the cabinets at the rear of the church.

The treasurer's report indicated that as of October 13, the parish has received 80 pledges, totaling $258,154.

Three-quarters of the way through our fiscal year, year-to-date operating income is at 70.57% of the amount in the budget. Meanwhile, year-to-date operating expenses are at 86.18% of the amount in the budget. To date, expenses exceed income by $50,016. Much of this is attributable to our annual summer slowdown in pledge and plate income. [AN]

Into the Liturgical and Pastoral Deep End

When I was seven years old or so, my mother decided it was high time I learned how to swim. I had spent my early years in Huntington Beach, California, after all, and I had passed up plenty of previous opportunities, preferring sandcastles to waves. Accordingly, she signed me up for lessons at the community pool.

My first lesson was unforgettable. The instructor, a fit, tan woman, picked me up and unceremoniously threw me into the deep end. I was incensed at the effrontery. So I simply held my breath, crossed my arms, sank to the bottom, and waited to be rescued. I reasoned that the instructor would get into big trouble if she allowed one of her charges to drown. Sure enough, within a few seconds, I was whisked to the surface, safe and sound.

I didn't really learn how to swim until I was in the eighth grade. I'm still not very good at it.

I was reminded of this formative childhood experience my first week at St. Paul's. I had a peculiar sense of deja vu, only this time the deep end into which I was being thrown was liturgical and pastoral rather than aquatic. And unlike the unceremonious actions of my swimming instructor, every action here is highly ceremonious. I'm still incensed, but this time it's a thurible, not my temper, that is the proximate cause. Also in contrast to my underwater adventure, I've decided this time round that it's in my best interest to swim rather than to sink. (The MCs here are far more "persuasive" than that swimming instructor!)

I'm still learning, of course, but I think for the most part I'm getting better at it.

One thing I was told I could count on was that people would tell me when they couldn't hear me, or when I should genuflect, or what other little detail I had missed. I haven't been disappointed. And, for the most part, I welcome the feedback. It proves you're paying attention.

I am eager to dive deeper into the pool of pastoral work. Fr. Sloane and I have been visiting homebound parishioners and those in the hospital. I've begun to hang out with our energetic and witty high school group, I've sat down with the tykes in the CGS atria, and I hope to get to know our middle school youth better. I'm also looking forward to spending more time with the Canterbury and Carpe Deum folks; already, everyone has been very welcoming. Newcomers will be an ongoing priority, as well.

Anne and I are drowning in boxes right now, but we hope to be settled in our Takoma bungalow soon. Anne has been warmly welcomed, and we are thankful for your efforts at making her feel at home here. We would like to thank in particular the members of the transition committee that Fr. Sloane assembled under Laurel Radley's leadership, especially Ed and Jane Stephenson's hospitality in the first couple of weeks while Anne and I were still based in Baltimore and I needed a local place to stay overnight.

All in all, it's been a good start to what I hope will be a long and fruitful ministry among the people and friends of St. Paul's. This is an extraordinary parish, and I'm grateful God has given me the chance to take the plunge, buoyed up as I have been by your prayers and support. In short, everything's going swimmingly.

Yours faithfully,
Nathan Humphrey+

Parishioners Travel to St. Mary's Convent

Nineteen St. Paul's parishioners (plus a couple of others) drove or flew or taxied to Greenwich, New York, and spent an enjoyable country weekend from October 7-11 at the Community of St. Mary. Despite a mostly drippy sky, there were beautiful fall colors, and the St. Paul's visitors became better acquainted with the Sisters of St. Mary and their Benedictine way of life.

We were very comfortably housed and fed at the new Albany Diocese Spiritual Life Center, and we worshipped in the convent chapel for the Daily Office and Mass. Plus we enjoyed afternoon tea and a picnic supper with the Sisters.

Mother Miriam gave us talks on the Community, including a film of its history and the individual Sisters' stories, explained about being an Associate, and gave a delightful update and report on her recent time with the Malawi house that St. Paul's has been assisting through our mission program.

In addition to Sung Mass, Sunday was a full quiet day with meditations on the Benedictine values of prayer, study, and work. There followed a less structured day, in which we toured the Center, learned about the Sisters' beekeeping and honey production, met the Angora goats they raise for producing yarn, and then drove into Vermont or explored the nearby charming old town of Cambridge. Some of us just stayed put and rested!

Altogether, it was a worthwhile trip that we hope can be repeated sometime in the future for others to enjoy. [MB]

December Birthdays

1 Greg Capaldini
2 Elisabeth Braw
3 Anne Abbott
4 Debra Loucks, Jean Groves, Anne Stone
5 Philip Schlatter
6 Daniel Miller
8 David Schnorrenberg; Devon Hill
9 John Walker
11 Robert Bullock; Peter Yeager
12 Martha Shoesmith
13 Douglas Purvance
15 Kalyn Bruin; Joseph Manson; Martha Baker; Linnie Condon; Mitaire Ojaruega
18 Ron Meekhof
20 John McKendrew
21 Robert Menzer; Beverly Dame
22 Thomas Hardy
23 Shannon Whitefischer
24 Seth Bruin
25 Lucky Ajueyitsi; Michelle Freeland
26 Linda Schafer; Ann Bush Cooper
28 Lesley Cross
29 Gabriel Benn

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

Parish Statistics

Marriages: Patricia Blumenthal and Cyrus Robl (October 22, 2005)

Baptisms: Aaron Gareth Lewandowski (November 6, 2005)

Transfer In: Morgan Sammons from Trinity Church, Ashland, Oregon; Phillip Merrill from St. Alban's, Washington, D.C.

Transfer Out: Marie Walter to St. Michael and All Angels, Denver, Colorado

Feast Days in December

St. Thomas the Apostle
Wednesday, December 21
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7 AM Low Mass
5:30 PM Devotions at the Walsingham Shrine
6:15 PM Evening Prayer
6 PM Low Mass

Vigil of the Nativity: Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 24
5:45 PM Evening Prayer
6:30 PM Sung Mass
The Rev'd Andrew L. Sloane, preacher
Reception following in the dining hall
11:00 PM Procession and Solemn Mass
The Rev'd Andrew L. Sloane, preacher
Reception following in the dining hall

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25
7:45 AM Morning Prayer
8:00 AM Low Mass
10:30 AM Procession and Solemn Mass, followed by Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament
The Rev'd Nathan Humphrey, preacher
Note: There will be no Evensong on Christmas Day

St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
Monday, December 26
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7 AM Low Mass
5:30 PM Devotions at the Walsingham Shrine
6:15 PM Evening Prayer
6 PM Low Mass

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Tuesday, December 27
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7 AM Low Mass
5:30 PM Devotions at the Walsingham Shrine
6:15 PM Evening Prayer
6 PM Low Mass

The Holy Innocents
Wednesday, December 28
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7 AM Low Mass
5:30 PM Devotions at the Walsingham Shrine
6:15 PM Evening Prayer
6 PM Low Mass

Advent Quiet Day
Saturday December 10 with Fr. Sloane
In Good Company:
Meditations on some of the "characters" of the Advent season presented to us by the Church. Saints like St. John the Baptist and Our Lady accompany us on the Advent journey and can give us glimpses of our source, course, and goals.

9:15 AM Morning Prayer
9:30 AM Low Mass
Silence begins
Refreshments available in the Guild Room -- in the event that there are any volunteers to assist -- please contact Fr. Sloane.
10:30 AM Meditation I
11:30 AM Meditation II
Noon Noonday Prayers
Lunch -- please bring your own
1:30 PM Meditation III
2:30 PM Simple Benediction
Fr Sloane will be available for confessions and conferences during the day.

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

Editor Alistair Nevius
Assistant Editor Allison Freeman
Desktop Publisher John Walker
Designer David McGaw
Contributors Stephanie Bailes, Marcia Berrien, Seth Dietrich, Charles Jenkins, Ann Korky, Nathan Humphrey+, Deb Loucks, Andrew Sloane+, Jo Stelzig, 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 Nathan Humphrey, Curate
Mark Dwyer, Music Director
Scott Dettra, 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
Chip Heath, Secretary
Polly Peckham, Treasurer
Jeremiah de Michaelis, Debra Loucks; Kenwin Benn, Rhoda Geasland, Matthew S. Leddicote, Lynne V. Walker; Alistair Nevius, Geoffrey Peckham, David Schnorrenberg, Linda Wilkinson

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, December 5

© 2005 St. Paul’s Parish, K Street