Epistle

From the Rector

Reach Out and Make Disciples

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

In many places the summer months are "down" months, but here at St. Paul's they will be busy and important on a number of levels.

First, I am happy to announce the appointment of a new assistant music director: Scott Dettra. He will start in July. Many of you will recognize him as the accompanist on two of the St. Paul's choir recordings. (For more on Scott, see page 3.)

The applications for a new curate should all be in by the middle of July, and I hope to begin interviewing almost immediately. Obviously, for those clergy with families, a move in the summer before school starts is advantageous. At the time of writing, I have received approximately one dozen applications from a diverse group of people. Come mid-July, I shall, in consultation with the other clergy and others, come up with a short list and eventually bring those on the short list to the parish for interviews over a few weekends.

Schedules and support while we search for a new curate
With the full-time clergy staff reduced by 50 percent, we will in turn see a reduction of the Mass schedule. (See page 16.) I am pleased that we will be able to maintain a Mass each day, so that it can continue to be at the heart of our parish life. I am also pleased that we will offer two Masses a day on prayer book holy days, in the morning and in the evening. As soon as a curate is in place, we shall resume the Mass schedule that I initiated when I first came here, namely restoring an extra Mass each day, so there will be a 7 AM Mass and a 6 PM Mass.

I am grateful to our honorary clergy, who will be pitching in on the liturgical schedule. The rigorous Sunday schedule will remain unchanged. However, I shall be away on vacation for the first two weeks of August, from Saturday, July 30, until Saturday, August 13. During my absence, I am delighted that a friend of mine from London will be here to assist with liturgical and pastoral coverage. He is Fr. Simon Clark, from the parish of Ponder's End in North London, in the episcopal area of Edmonton, in the Diocese of London.

Many of you will have met Fr. Simon (as he likes to be called) at the time of my jubilee last year. Fr. Simon will be arriving prior to my departure so that he can learn some of the ropes, and you will certainly see him on Sunday, July 24. He will be in Washington until Monday, August 8. Fr. Radley will be covering for me from Tuesday, August 9, until Saturday, August 13. Fr. Radley and I are also at the time of writing in negotiation for his consistent coverage in the absence of the curate on Sundays and on Fridays, which I intend to keep as my day off.

Preparing for fall
In addition to all of that, the usual work of preparation for the fall will continue. Christian Formation activities for adults and children will be under review and in preparation so that you can have a full picture of the year ahead come Labor Day. We will produce the usual trifold brochure, and the information will be on the parish website as soon as possible.

The new Vestry is already working hard. We are still negotiating with architects and general contractors to reduce the cost of our building project. Three new members of the Vestry, David Schnorrenberg, Linda Wilkinson, and Geoffrey Peckham, have been appointed to the Building Improvements Committee and have already added valuable contributions as we seek to bring some resolution to our plans and some initiation of the work itself. All Vestry committees are functioning over the summer, as are the new Vestry stewards for the six areas of our parish's ministries. Please see page 7 in this Epistle for the revised organizational chart and the new list of committees.

You will be hearing from Phil Schlatter, junior warden and the chair of our Finance Committee, regarding open parish meetings to discuss our proposals for the 2006 budget. I would imagine that these will take much the same form as last year, whereby the Vestry stewards will present a vision for mission and ministry for their various areas as well as giving us a picture of what resources will be needed.

Looking -- and traveling -- outward
Another venture for the summer will be a Diocesan trip to our companion diocese of Honduras. I am delighted that three of our parishioners, Jo Stelzig, John Presley, and Geoff Suiter -- the latter two fresh from this year's Pilgrims in Christ class -- will be joining that trip. This will strengthen our ties with the ministry in Honduras, and I know that they will be returning with some specific projects for us to support. So watch this space and others for presentations and keep them in your prayers as they travel July 30 through August 7.

As I said at the annual meeting, and as I have said from the pulpit, I would also like all of you to see the summer months as a potential for the important work of evangelization. I hope that you will use these months to sow the seed of possibility of transformation to those that you encounter at home and at work. I would like everyone to consider their responsibility to be presenting candidates for baptism, confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation for the Pilgrims class, which will begin in September.

St. Mary's Day
Monday, August 15, is the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin -- or, for those more daring, the Feast of the Assumption! There will be a procession and Solemn Mass at 6:30 PM, and I am delighted that Fr. Richard Martin has agreed to preach on that occasion. You know Fr. Martin as the eighth rector of this parish. He is also the Superior of the Society of Mary, and it is this hat that he will be wearing on August 15. It is an important feast and a wonderful celebration in the midst of the summer. I do hope that this will be an opportunity for you to bring your friends and neighbors to a glorious celebration here at St. Paul's.

So life is busy in the doldrums of the summer here in the parish. I do hope that people will also find in the summer months a time for reflection, recreation, and relaxation. In the end, balance is important, isn't it, in the exercise of our spiritual lives.

As ever, this comes with every blessing and with my love and gratitude as always.

Andrew Sloane+

New Parishioner Profile -- Jeff Coulter

You may recognize Jeff Coulter as an acolyte serving at the 11:15 Mass. He was first brought to St. Paul's by Bill Prather and Bob Maddox. Jeff says, "It really started out as my being polite to my hosts. I was immediately attracted to the beauty and tradition of the Solemn Mass, and while they are always excellent, there are times when the choir just takes my breath away."

Jeff was born in Glens Falls, New York, and grew up in California. As a child, he attended both Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches with his parents. "My parents were very involved in the Lutheran church, but other than being dragged out of bed on Sunday mornings I wasn't involved at all. I stopped attending when I enlisted in the Navy right out of high school. I was essentially un-churched for almost 25 years. I'm an avid reader, and I spent years reading and exploring different beliefs and spiritual trends."

Jeff has lived all over the United States, most recently in the French Quarter in New Orleans. His professional background is in corporate training and speaking. He has worked for AOL, MCI, and motivational speaker Tony Robbins. He currently works as a performance development consultant for companies in the area.

Jeff is an avid reader and says he has recently discovered that, "I really enjoy taking on desktop publishing projects that let me be creative."

Jeff reports, "I just completed the Pilgrims in Christ program, and to say it was life changing is a major understatement. I went from being someone who held no Christian beliefs at all to finding a relationship with God that has become the basis of the person I am becoming. Pilgrims not only gave me an intellectual background of the faith and the Mass, it helped instill a wonder and an awe of the act of corporate worship. My curiosity led me to a desire to serve as an acolyte. I met with Fr. Sloane, and even though I was still very new to the faith and couldn't really tell him the difference between a Collect and a Sanctus to save my life, he agreed that serving might help me with my spiritual growth. During the next year, I will continue to serve as an acolyte and will be working with the 2005-2006 Pilgrims Christ group in a logistics/administrative role."

Please welcome Jeff on Friday evenings and at the 11:15 Mass. [ST]

St. Paul's Welcomes New Assistant Music Director

Scott Dettra has been appointed assistant music director of St. Paul's Parish. No stranger to St. Paul's, he maintains an active career as an organist, accompanist, recording artist, and teacher.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Scott studied music from an early age, beginning piano at age three, organ when he was eight, and holding his first church position at the age of nine. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in music, both with honors, from Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

Scott is the keyboard artist for both the Cathedral Choral Society and the Washington Bach Consort, and is school organist at Episcopal High School in Alexandria. Until July 2004, he served as organist of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.

As a choral accompanist, he appears regularly with such ensembles as the American Boychoir and Dennis Keene's Voices of Ascension, and has served as rehearsal accompanist for such noted conductors as Claudio Abbado, John Eliot Gardiner, Zdenek Macal, Neville Mariner, Kurt Masur, and Andre Previn. He accompanied the St. Paul's choir on two of its recordings: Show Yourselves Joyful and Day of Resurrection.

A frequent organ recitalist, he has performed on major instruments on three continents and was awarded third prize at the 1996 Dublin International Organ Playing Competition. Scott's first solo recording, Tongues of Fire, features French masterworks performed on the 325-rank organ of the Cadet Chapel at West Point, New York.

Scott will be a fine addition to our staff, and we look forward to welcoming him in July. [MD]

Sign up for Pilgrims in Christ

It's already time to begin letting us know that you would like to join the 2005-2006 Pilgrims group. Everyone is invited -- candidates (for adult Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation), sponsors (Episcopalians who are members of St.˜Paul's), and companions (those who would simply like to join our pilgrimage).

If you would like to know more, or to register, please contact Fr.ÿSloane at the parish office or Edie Davis at 301-277-6545 or edavis008@hotmail.com. As soon as we have next fall's schedule, we will announce the date of the Pilgrims introductory dinner and reunion -- watch for it! [ED]

Planning for Trip to St. Mary's Convent Continues

St. Paul's parishioners and friends will visit the Community of St. Mary, in Greenwich, New York, over the Columbus Day Holiday weekend, Friday, October 7, through Tuesday, October 11, 2005.

At press time, 15 parishioners had reserved space on the trip and several more had expressed interest in going. There will be an informational meeting later in the summer for those who plan to go.

A $50 non-refundable deposit will hold a place for you on this trip. For details, please call Betsy Siegmund at 202-965-0729 or Marcia Berrien at 301-987-6559. We hope you will join us. [MB]

Charles Burks Says Goodbye

As I prepare to begin my next ministry as director of music at Albany Cathedral, I look back on my time at this parish with a sense of deep gratitude and awe. Little did I know what God had in store for me when I first visited St. Paul's during my audition week in May 2003. I was still a bit green to the Anglo-Catholic experience, having only recently joined the Episcopal Church after growing up Presbyterian.

Fortunately, prior to my arrival at St. Paul's, I had gained some experience in catholic worship as music director at a very traditional boys' camp in upstate New York, where the 1940 Hymnal was used for Mass each day, and Evensong and Benediction were offered each Sunday evening. I felt right at home my first Sunday at St. Paul's when we sang "I Am the Living Bread" at the end of the day!

I'll never forget my second and third weeks in this parish. Jeffrey Smith was due some much-deserved vacation time, and he left me in charge of a music program with which I had just become acquainted. The warm support and passionate spirit of the choir and congregation carried me through those challenging first weeks, and I now look upon that time as one of the many blessings during my stay at St. Paul's. Perhaps it is human nature to want to learn to swim slowly; but one often gains much greater knowledge and experience by simply being thrown into the deep end!

Such was also the case last June when Jeffrey left St. Paul's to take up his new position at Grace Cathedral. Fr. Sloane courageously asked (or rather ordered) me to run the music program until the next music director arrived. I must admit that I did not in the least look forward to the uncertainties that lay ahead. Following a music director as gifted as Jeffrey Smith was not a painless task, and it certainly wasn't what I had envisioned when I first came to St. Paul's. However, I hoped that from this experience I would gain a clearer picture of God's will for my future calling in the Church.

As it turns out, the five months during which I piloted the St. Paul's music ship were to be the greatest blessing of all. Most assistant organists rarely have the opportunity to "crawl out from behind the console" and lead the choir for any extended period of time. For me, directing the diverse musical groups at St. Paul's, as well as having the responsibility of planning the music on a weekly basis, made all the difference in the world for my career path. When my time as acting music director had ended, I felt prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead of me.

So dear had St. Paul's become to my heart, it would take the right opportunity to draw me away. I truly believe that the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany is the perfect next challenge for me. Though I am sad to move on from my time in Washington, I will take with me all that I've experienced at St. Paul's and use it for the rest of my life.

I hope many of you will come visit me up north, and I promise you can expect to see me in town on occasion in the future (perhaps around February). Thank you for helping further my own Christian formation during these past two years and for believing in the continued mission of the music program. I pray that it will go from strength to strength and might offer as much to future assistant organists as it has to me. [CB]

May Vestry Meeting Notes

The Vestry met May 20 and 21 at the Cathedral College for its annual workshop.

Fr. Barnett, Larry Toombs, and Patrick White gave a status report on the building improvement plan. Since the current estimated cost of the revised building plan is $4.2 million, the Building Improvements Committee is going through a process of "value engineering" to find ways to reduce the cost to $3.2 million.

Among the cost reductions they have identified so far are a smaller glass roof over the narthex, one elevator and a lift instead of two elevators, fluorescent lights instead of incandescent, a smaller air conditioner, and possible extension of the existing under-floor nave heating system to the townhouses.

The group discussed what parts of the plan should take priority if the cost cannot be brought down to $3.2 million.

The Building Improvements Committee anticipates bringing a revised proposal to the Vestry by the end of June. Meanwhile, Jerry de Michaelis is working on securing financing for the project, which even if approved at $3.2 million, will require a loan.

The Vestry also chose Vestry stewards and appointed members to the various parish committees.

Stewards
Vestry stewards for the six areas of ministry are as follows:
Stewardship -- Matt Leddicote, Geoffrey Peckham, Lynne Walker
Worship -- Fr. Sloane, Kenwin Benn
Evangelism -- Alistair Nevius, Jerry de Michaelis
Formation -- David Chase, Phil Schlatter
Pastoral Care -- David Schnorrenberg, Linda Wilkinson
Mission -- Rhoda Geasland, Deb Loucks

Committees
These committees were appointed:

Finance Committee: Phil Schlatter (chair), Lynne Walker, Fr. Sloane, Ed Stephenson, Susan Moore, Susan Dirstine, Polly Kennedy Peckham (ex officio, Treasurer), Jerry de Michaelis (ex officio, endowment property).

Stewardship Committee: Matthew Leddicotte (chair), David Schnorrenberg (co-chair) -- with the understanding that they will select additional committee members.

Human Resources Committee: Ed Loucks (chair), Douglas Ruff, Marcia Stanford, David Schnorrenberg (renamed from Personnel Committee).

Buildings Improvements Committee: Larry Cook (chair), Larry Toombs, Patrick White, Geoffrey Peckham, Linda Wilkinson, David Schnorrenberg.

Columbarium Committee: Fr. Sloane (chair), Atlee Shidler (co-chair), Peggy Battle, Gary Fischer, Bob Maddox, Merlin Packard.

Endowment Board: Paul McKee (chair), Nicholas Goldsborough, Barbara Williams, Allen Payne, Douglas Purvance. (Members were appointed at the April Vestry meeting.)

Mission Board: Rhoda Geasland (co-chair), Deb Loucks (co-chair), Jane Stephenson, Stephanie Chesson Bailes, Barbara Gurr, David Gurr, Tina Mallett, Betsy Siegmund, Gay Hanna.

Landscape Planning Committee: Atlee Shidler (chair), Gary Fischer, Shannon Whitefischer, Fr. Sloane, Michael Womack, Linna Barnes, Lesley Cross, Bill Gettys, John Klein.

Other reports
Fr. Sloane brought the Vestry up to date on the status of his search for a new curate to replace Fr. Barnett. (See the first section of the rector's article on page 1.) There was discussion of the traits an ideal candidate should have, and whether marital status was important. This led to discussion of the relative costs of paying married versus unmarried priests.

Polly Peckham, parish treasurer, presented the treasurer's report. There was discussion of various unbudgeted expenses and an explanation of what makes up the "miscellaneous other income" category. (Answer: Income from the initial $2 pledge envelopes, Ordo Kalendar sales, book sales, and photo directory sales.) Deb Loucks asked about the annual problem of reduced summer income not matching the continuing expenses. The Finance Committee is reviewing the idea of setting up a reserve account to cover this. [AMN]

No Standing Still: Our Pilgrimage to Walsingham

Somewhere along our recent sojourn in England, a Brit noted that only in the United States does the phrase "it's history," suggest irrelevancy. Our parish pilgrimage made evident that history -- our Christian story -- is present and therefore very pertinent. We learned the stories of saints and synods, crypts and cathedrals, minsters and monasteries. And we placed our own stories and the stories of those we loved before Our Lady of Walsingham in prayer and worship. This is the story of St. Paul's parish pilgrimage.

Day 1 -- Saturday, April 16
Shortly after dawn, we landed -- a bit disheveled and disoriented -- in Manchester, to be warmly greeted by Margaret Shearing, our guide for the next two weeks. David, our driver, not only delivered us safely to our various destinations but enthusiastically joined us in every aspect of our trip. Both David and Margaret worshiped and prayed with us as we traveled through their country. Their participation conferred a special integrity on our happy band of 21 pilgrims.

As we headed northeast toward York, Margaret informed us that we were crossing the Pennines, a mountain range considered the backbone of England. Well, the backbone was covered with snow. Yes, that first morning snow fell. We stopped in Linton, West Yorkshire, for a warm meal of scrambled eggs in a picturesque pub with a roaring fire and arrived at our home for the next week, Middlethorpe Hall, in the late morning. We refreshed ourselves before heading inside the city gates for our very first expedition.

York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, is distinctive for its medieval stained glass. The English civil war caused the destruction of much medieval glass, but York Minister's survived that period thanks to Lord Fairfax, a friend of Cromwell's. The great east window (fifteenth century) is the largest medieval stained glass window in the world, said to be the size of a tennis court. In the north transept the Five Sisters soar -- five windows filled with grisaille glass that rise 50 feet.

The cathedral that stands today was begun in 1220 and took 250 years to complete, but in fact was the fourth building to stand on that holy site. The undercroft shows the archeological remains of a Roman basilica, a Saxon oratory, and a Norman cathedral. Amid those ruins, a sign states in all capital letters: "YOU ARE STANDING JUST A FEW METRES FROM WHERE HISTORY WAS MADE!" For in that spot, in 306 AD, the Romans declared Constantine Caesar and head of the Empire. History, yes, but our story.

Day 2 -- Sunday, April 17
We gathered in the morning of our second day to head to Harrogate and Mass at St. Wilfrid's Church. Fr. Sloane preached, and after Mass we were escorted to a reception to visit with the parishioners. Fr. Mark Sowerby, the rector, then treated us to a tour of their magnificent place of worship, which was designed by Temple Moore in the early twentieth century.

An elegant mobile of seven tongues of the Holy Spirit crowns the baptismal font and bas relief pieces in muted tones of orange, brown, and sienna line the nave. These murals featured images from the Stations of the Cross as well as other periods from Jesus' life. After a lunch, kindly hosted by the parish, we traveled to the village of Ripley. Ripley Castle is renowned for its gardens, particularly the hyacinths. Then we headed to Ripon Cathedral for a tour and evensong.

Our guide pointed out a window donated in 1840 by Baron Brantley, whose forbearers included Edward III as well as the Durham family of Washington (ancestors of our George). The coat of arms for the Washington family formed the basis for the flag of Washington, D.C., so the D.C. flag was right there in 150-year-old stained glass in Ripon Cathedral.

Day 3 -- Monday, April 18
We began our third day with readings on St. Cuthbert and St. Aiden as we drove nearly two hours north to Durham. Lillian Groves served as our guide in the cathedral, and she delighted us with her enthusiasm and evident love for the edifice. As author of the "Rites of Durham," her tour provided us with an intimate and close examination of the history and practices of this medieval church. We were guided through the cathedral and saw many exquisite works of art (most notably a statue of Mary at the Annunciation), relics, monuments, and the tombs of the Venerable Bede and St. Cuthbert. Canon Michael Whitehead celebrated Mass around the latter, and then we enjoyed a delicious meal at the Archdeacon's home. We pilgrims then dispersed to check out the monk's dormitory and the exhibit of St. Cuthbert treasures or to wander through the town.

Day 4 -- Tuesday, April 19
On our fourth day, we headed first to the Community of the Resurrection, an Anglican monastery in Mirfield, founded in the late nineteenth century during the Catholic revival. We started with Mass, and then Fr. John Gribben led us on a tour of the Community. The church contained icons and crosses and chapels that caused Edie Davis to observe that the place just had "layers and layers of prayer." The expansive and enviable sacristy stores exquisite, antique vestments.

We joined the monks for noonday office, and their plainsong moved us. After sharing lunch, we headed off to our first secular site: Harewood House, home of the seventh Earl of Harewood and cousin to the Queen. The home featured many works of art, and the gardens were pristine, lovely, and enormous.

Day 5 -- Wednesday, April 20
This day was the day of St. Cedd and St. Hilda. First we stopped at St. Mary's church in Lastingham. There, in the ancient Norman crypt dedicated to St. Cedd, we tenderly and quietly danced around each other while we witnessed "the intersection of the timeless moment" (a line from T.S. Elliot's Four Quartets that appeared on a laminated card placed on the kneeler). Next we headed to Pickering, where we boarded the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to travel north toward the coast through hills covered with sheep and primroses. Nancy Lewis observed the puffs of smoke seemed like little angels. At the end of the train ride we headed to Whitby, where we visited the hilltop church of St. Mary's and the graceful abbey ruins along the North Sea. We finished our day with dinner at Magpie Cafe.

Day 6 -- Thursday, April 21
We began our sixth day with a bus trip to nearby Bishopthorpe, home of the Archbishop of York. In the thirteenth-century chapel, the Mass celebrated spiritual friendship, in honor of St. Aelred of Rievaulx. A gentleman named Gordon showed us the building, pointed out the features and shared historical tidbits. We then headed to Rievaulx Abbey.

The expansive ruins of this medieval Cistercian monastery spread over 15 acres in a valley near Helmsley, where we dispersed for lunch. After, Fr. Peter guided us through Amplethorpe, a Roman Catholic school and abbey founded in 1802 by Benedictine monks fleeing the French Revolution. Our day finished with an elegant dinner to say farewell to those in the area who made the northern portion of our stay so memorable.

Day 7 -- Friday, April 22
On the seventh day, we left early to head to Walsingham. On the way, we stopped at Beverley Minster, one of the finest Gothic churches in England; the nave is flooded with light. In medieval times, Beverley served as a center of music, and the church celebrates this with over 70 delightful carvings of musicians who play a variety of instruments. We lunched at the Tally Ho Inn in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and finally arrived at Walsingham in late afternoon. After a prayer service, a visit to the Holy House, and, settling in, we were warmly greeted at a private reception hosted by the Fr. Philip North and Fr. Philip Barnes.

Day 8 -- Saturday, April 23
We began our day with the Stations of the Cross through the blooming Shrine gardens. After, many traveled to the Slipper Chapel where pilgrims of old would remove their shoes to walk the last mile barefoot. Now the Roman Catholic Walsingham Shrine, this site featured helpful panels that recount the fascinating history of the Shrine, including the petitions of English Kings and Queens.

In the afternoon, we toured Holkham Hall, home of the Coke family and the Earls of Leicester. Mike Dailey, the house master, shared the history of the eighteenth-century home with us and directed us through the regal rooms, which overflow with statues of classical figures, valuable volumes of books, and portrait and landscape paintings. We even saw an early (1743!) sofa bed. Our day concluded with a candlelight procession of Our Lady of Walsingham, under the full moon, and Benediction.

Day 9 -- Sunday, April 24
On the ninth day, we attended Mass at the local village church, St. Mary's Parish. During free time, some walked to surrounding villages, others visited the abbey grounds -- site of the old abbey affiliated with the shrine and now 20 acres of tranquil and picturesque gardens, woodland, and river walks -- and yet others visited the shrine shop. In the afternoon, a service of sprinkling at the Holy Well with Laying on of Hands and Anointing provided a sense of purpose and hope. A procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction followed.

Day 10 -- Monday, April 25
On our tenth day, Fr. Peter McCrory took us on a "church crawl." Norfolk enjoys the densest concentration of churches of any English county. We visited Binham, St. Martins; St. Mary's, Wiveton; and St. Nicholas, Salthouse. Barbara Marlow and Fr. Geoffrey hosted us for tea at their cozy home in Wells-next-the-Sea. Our day finished with Mass in the Shrine Church.

Day 11 -- Tuesday, April 26
Our final day at Walsingham began with Mass at the Shrine Church. We collected our belongings and said farewell. On our way to Lincoln we stopped to see St. Peter's in Walpole, a fourteenth-century church. We then headed to Boston, where we dispersed to see the sites, including St. Botolph in Boston (known as the stump because of its tower, at 272 feet the highest in England), the Guild of St. Mary (where perhaps pilgrims headed to the Americas were tried), and the town square. We arrived at the White Hart Hotel in Lincoln in late afternoon just in time to walk over to nearby Lincoln Cathedral for Evensong.

Day 12 -- Wednesday, April 27
In the morning of our twelfth day, we went to Mass and toured Lincoln Cathedral, where we learned that the numbers over the seats in St. Hugh's choir signify psalms. Wherever they may be, all of the 53 canons recite their assigned psalms each day, and in that way the entire Psalter is said.

Our prolific guide, Linda Tillbury, pointed out the green man, the Lincoln Imp, and the graves of St. Hugh, Robert Grosseteste, and Katherine Swynford. In the afternoon, some headed to Grantham to see St. Wulfram's Church, while others visited Lincoln castle to see one of the original copies of the Magna Carta and to walk the walls. A farewell reception and dinner culminated in the singing of "Pilgrim Memories," a song written by Linda Wilkinson that summed up some of the highlights.

Day 13 -- Thursday, April 28
On the thirteenth day, we headed home. Fr. Sloane noted that a pilgrimage mirrors the Christian life and journey of the soul. "There is no such gear as neutral; there is no standing still. We are either going toward Christ or away from him." On this trip, we nearly never stood still!

This exploration of our historical Christian roots, the spiritual power of the friendships created, and the healing and renewal offered by the Shrine of Walsingham together altered each of the participants. Each of us was mindful that we traveled on behalf of the entire parish of St. Paul's. The pilgrims aspire to bring not just ourselves personally to Christ but to bring the gifts and blessing of the trip home to our community. [CM]

Outline of Parish Pilgrimage Online Extra

Below is an outline of the pilgrimage. This sketch of the trip sets forth the sites seen, highlights a few features, and includes links to websites that often provide online tours and much history. On many days we encountered the lives of saints, and when we did brief descriptions of them are included. Follow the links and learn more.

Day 1 - Saturday, April 16

Lunch in Linton, West Yorkshire

York Minster

Largest Gothic Cathedral north of the Alps
Medieval stained glass -- 5 Sisters and great east window
Undercroft/crypt

Day 2 - Sunday, April 17

St. Wilfrid’s Church, Harrogate

Hosted for lunch by parish
Frescos by Frances Darlington
Baptismal Font

Ripley Castle

Weeping cross
Hyacinths in formal gardens
Pleasure grounds and park

Ripon Cathedral

Bestiary miserichords (rabbit down hole)
Lewis Carroll
Washington window

St. Wilfrid (634-709), Bishop of York, advocated for Rome at Synod Whitby, traveled through France and Italy

Day 3 - Monday, April 18

Durham Cathedral

Shrine of St. Cuthbert (and treasures), Oswald and the Venerable Bede
Galilee Chapel
Sanctuary Knocker

St. Cuthbert (635-687), Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary and Abbot, buried at Durham
St. Aidan (? – 651), first Bishop of Lindisfarne and missionary from Iona to North Umbria at Oswald’s request
St. Bede (672 – 735), priest, monk, scholar, and historian
St. Oswald (c. 605 – 642), king of North Umbria who died in battle, concerned with conversion of his people to Christianity

Day 4 - Tuesday, April 19

Community of the Resurrection, an Anglican monastery in Mirfield

Community founded in Oxford in 1892
Plainsong at midday
Sacristy and vestments

Harewood House, home of the seventh Earl of Harewood

Built from 1748-1771
Renown for grounds and Chippendale furniture
Princess Mary (aunt of Queen Elizabeth II) married into family and is current earl’s mother

Day 5 - Wednesday, April 20

St. Mary’s Church and Norman Crypt of St. Cedd in Lastingham

Very old religious site; reputed burial place of St. Cedd
Norman crypt with T.S. Eliot poem
Church building from three periods -- eleventh, thirteenth, and nineteenth centuries (windows dedicated to young child)

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

St. Mary . in Whitby

Graveyard overlooking the sea
Unusual three-story pulpit, boxed pews
199 steps down to docks

Abbey . Ruins

Founded in 657 by Hilda along the sea, unbelievable scenery
Synod of Whitby in 664
Ruins from fourteenth century (nave) and thirteenth century (choir)

Magpie Café

St. Hilda (614 – 680), nun, educator, established several monasteries, last at Whitby; educated five bishops
St. Cedd (Cedda) (? - 664), sent to convert Middle Angles, founded monastery at Lastingham, buried there, brother of Chad
St. Chad (Ceadda) (? – 672), Bishop of York, Lichfield in Mercia; was elected Bishop of York but stepped aside after objections amid dispute between Celtic and Roman Christianity, brother of Cedd

Day 6 - Thursday, April 21

Mass at Bishopthorpe, home of Archbishop of York and tour

Built in 1241 for Archbishop Walter de Grey (who began current Minster)
Drawing room with portraits of twentieth century archbishops
Great Hall stained glass of coat of arms of various archbishops
Chapel much today as in 1241, restored in 1891, ceiling lowered for nursery

Rievaulx Abbey

Cistercians mission in England, settled in 1132
Led by Abbot William, then Maurice, then Aelred,
Under Aelred, this monastic establishment was largest in England (400 monks), wool provided industry and income

Ampleforth

Founded by Benedictine monks who fled French revolution
Opened school in 1802 (was all boys, now co-ed; mostly board, some day)
St. Lawrence (?) relic – arm

Farewell Dinner

St. Aelred of Rievaulx, (1109-1167) student of Bernard of Clairvaux; writer, abbot. Most famous work is Spiritual Friendship

Day 7 - Friday, April 22

Beverley Minster

Nave flooded with light
Center of medieval music, 70 carvings of musicians

Lunch at the Tally Ho Inn in Sleaford, Lincolnshire

Arrival at Walsingham

St. John of Beverley, (? – 721), Bishop of Hexham, then York, monk at Whitby, renowned preacher and scholar

Day 8 - Saturday, April 23

Stations of the Cross

Roman Catholic Walsingham Shrine – the Slipper Chapel

fourteenth-century church
a popular route to Walsingham, pilgrims removed shoes for last mile
Kings of England went there multiple times (Henry VIII, Richard II)

Holkham Hall

Home of Coke family (famous lawyer Sir Edmund Coke) and Earls of Leicester
Built between 1734 and 1764
Unbelievable art collection and library, very valuable

Liturgy with candlelight procession of Our Lady

Day 9 - Sunday, April 24

St. Mary’s Parish

Sprinkling

Walsingham Abbey Ruins

Day 10 - Monday, April 25

Church Crawl, Peter McCrory – Norfolk densest concentration churches of any English county

Binham, Priory of St. Mary (early Norman, window tracery earliest in England, before 1244 -- predates Westminster); St. Martins (built for tenant workers in nineteenth century); St. Mary’s, Wiveton (former harbor, St. Mark stained glass shot out); St. Nicholas, Salthouse (1954 flood)

Tea at Barbara Marlowe and Rev. Geoffrey in Wells-next-the-Sea Mass in Shrine Church

Day 11 - Tuesday, April 26

St. Peter in Walpole

Worship on site since 1021
Begun about 1300, mostly from 1360-1425
Seventeeth-century screen at back of nave, nave arcades

St. Botolph in Boston (Botoph’s town = Boston)

Known as Boston Stump (272 feet high) – highest church tower in England
Largest parish church in England, built from 1309 thru to mid-fifteenth century
Fourteenth-century choir stalls, well preserved misericords

Evensong at Lincoln Cathedral

St. Botolph (? – c. 680), scholar and monk, founded monastery at Boston

Day 12 - Wednesday, April 27

Lincoln Cathedral

Great Gothic cathedral, current structure built from 1192-1280
Burial of St. Hugh, Robert Grosseteste (1235-53, Bishop of Lincoln), Eleanor of Castile (some of her), and Katherine Swynford
Imp, green man, St. Hugh’s choir (eastern arm)

St. Wulfram Church in Grantham

Built in 1100s on site of Saxon church
Finest steeple in England

St. Hugh (1140-1200), Bishop of Lincoln, Carthusian monk, rebuilt cathedral after earthquake of 1185
St. Wulfram (? – c. 704), Bishop of Sens, missionary in Frisi

Day 13 - Thursday, April 28

Return to D.C.

Commission on Mission Year-End Report

Exactly one year ago this month, the Vestry unanimously approved the creation of the Commission on Mission. This added a new and energized outreach entity to the parish organizational chart. As a result, outreach and pastoral care ministries -- both domestic and foreign -- were consolidated into one cohesive, dedicated outreach program. The five ministries identified were: hunger/homeless (Grate Patrol, Red Sea, and Salvation Army dinners), Stevens Elementary School tutoring program, Habitat for Humanity/Interfaith House, Honduras, and Malawi.

A board was created with one representative from each of the five outreach ministries. Members of the first board formed in 2004 were:

Co-chairs: Rhoda Geasland and Deb Loucks
Hunger/Homeless/Grate Patrol/Red Sea -- Tina Mallett and Rhoda Geasland
Habitat for Humanity -- Stephanie Chesson Bailes
Stevens Elementary School Tutoring Program -- Jane Stephenson
Honduras -- Barbara Gurr
Malawi -- Betsy Siegmund
Grant Advisor -- David Gurr

We are pleased to announce that each board member has agreed to stay on the Commission next year to continue the terrific work that was begun during the first year. And we happily add to the list for next year:

Co-chair -- Stephanie Chesson Bailes
Grant Writing -- Gay Hanna

Among the accomplishments of the Commission in its first year: The Vestry approved dedicating 10 percent of pledge income to work outside the parish. This provided almost $14,000 for the commission after the pledge to the diocese was paid. The Commission board approved a plan to divide the money equally among the five mission ministries.

First-year fundraising initiatives:

May 2004 -- $5,000 grant to hunger/homeless for the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
June 2004 -- CounterTop concert to benefit hunger/homeless -- $2,400.
October 2004 -- Fannie Mae walkathon mini-walk. Parishioners participated by walking and/or donating, resulting in an extra $2,000 in bonus incentives.
October 2004 -- Bake sale for Malawi cleared over $1,000.
November 2004 -- Fannie Mae walkathon realized a profit of $3,800 for participation.
December 2004 -- Gift cards generated over $7,000 in gift donations to the various ministries.
March 2005 -- Stevens School bought drums as a start of new arts and music programs.
May 2005 -- Grant from the IMF, the Capital Group, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for hunger/homeless ministries.
May 2005 -- First annual plant sale to benefit Honduras resulted in over $1,800 profit.
June 2005 -- Second CounterTop concert; future proceeds from a CD will go for hunger/homeless ministries.

Looking forward to next season, on October 30, 2005, we will have the second annual bake sale to benefit Malawi.

And be sure to read the Epistle each month for a calendar of events.

The Commission on Mission is in awe of the incredibly positive support and response from the parish. And we are very grateful to all who have helped bring us to this point today.

Plans are to maintain the current five mission ministries. See their various year-end reports throughout this Epistle. We encourage parishioners and friends to give of yourselves in three ways: Your time, your talent, and your treasure. [RG]

Habitat for Humanity Report

St. Paul's participated in three events this year to benefit Habitat for Humanity. On September 11, 2004, we joined a Jewish congregation, a Roman Catholic parish, and a Muslim community for an ecumenical building project. On Martin Luther King's birthday, January 17, 2005, and again on February 26, 2005, we participated in building projects and raised funds for Habitat.

St. Paul's members and friends provided hands-on hard labor in such varied activities as hanging drywall, painting, shoveling dirt, and laying down sod for a new instant lawn! Through these efforts, those participating were rewarded with a true interfaith sense of community and the knowledge that they made a real difference in the lives of others who are our neighbors.

Look for a chance to participate in future events in the coming year. [AL]

Hunger/Homeless Ministries Report

Thanks to God and to the work of many dedicated volunteers, the following hunger/homeless minis tries were able to meet this year's goals of providing meals and fellowship to hundreds of homeless or at-risk individuals in Foggy Bottom and beyond.

The Grate Patrol served almost 200 meals every Saturday and Sunday, for a total of 19,656 breakfasts. Did you know that it takes 19 people per week to carry out this work? Most of our volunteers are from the parish, but there are individuals and groups from the wider community that help organize, prepare, and deliver Grate Patrol breakfasts.

Rich Veins, for example, who volunteered through Greater D.C. Cares, has taken over scheduling delivery, and Mike Kekker has continued to make three enormous urns of coffee at 4:00 AM -- plus have food and thermoses ready to roll every Sunday. Three parishioners who serve faithfully every week and have certainly garnered stars galore in their crowns deserve special mention: Chuck Phillips and Lucky Ajueyitsi, overseers of sandwich making and bag assembly, and Linna Barnes, egg boiler par excellence.

This year, in addition to the generous contributions from parishioners that support the hunger/homeless programs, we have been fortunate to receive funds (and attendant publicity) from other sources. Jane Stephenson wonderfully coordinated our fun and profitable Fannie Mae Help the Homeless mini-walk. Flint Hill School also held a mini-walk on our behalf. Deb Loucks and Rhoda Geasland were successful in securing grants from the Internal Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Capital Groups made a large contribution, thanks to one of their employees who is a Grate Patrol deliverer. C.B. Wooldridge, Susanne Kogut, and others brought in $6,000 on behalf of Tina Mallett and the Grate Patrol by writing two winning nominations for community service awards.

The Red Sea has met each Tuesday this year in the dining hall for a pleasant home-cooked dinner and fellowship under the able direction of Joe Manson. There are usually about twelve Red Sea members present, and we are grateful to the several wonderful chefs and helpers who make this meal possible. On many evenings, we made use of the parish DVD player for enjoyable after-dinner video travelogues and movies -- one of our favorite sessions featured a viewing and discussion of the inspiring baseball film, The Rookie.

On the first Friday of each month, a faithful band of volunteers, headed up by Nancie Majkowski and Polly Peckham, converge in Pillsbury House to make their popular macaroni/veggie/meat casserole for the Salvation Army Grate Patrol. This meal, supplemented by fruit and cookies, serves 100 persons. Multiply that by 52 weeks, and you get another 5,200 meals that come from the St. Paul's kitchen.

It is impossible here to thank by name the dozens of generous parishioners and friends of the parish who carry out week by week the mission of our hunger ministries, but we are grateful for and proud of their labors and prayers. We are convinced that the meals we serve are a blessing to those who receive them and that we are blessed by the friendships that we have been able to develop through this service. [TM]

Honduras Report

As part of Fr. Sloane's proposal that St. Paul's focus time, treasure, and talent on mission -- both within the neighborhood and around the world -- the Honduras Committee was organized and incorporated into the Commission on Mission.

This past May, the committee held a plant sale in order to raise the funds to support a health clinic in the province of Santa Barbara in Honduras.

The plant sale realized over $1,800 in profit. This money, together with other funds from the parish earmarked for Honduras, has been transmitted to the Diocese of Honduras -- for a total of $5,600.

The plant sale however, was not just about raising funds: It was about fellowship and cooperation. It was a time when parishioners, new and long-standing, bridged the age gap, working and laughing together on two magnificent days. It was an event where parishioners met people from the surrounding community. Sitting among the flowers on the side lawn, talking with friends and neighbors, was a great opportunity to live the Gospel.

The long-term impact was to add an annual plant sale as a fundraiser on the St. Paul's calendar. The members of the Honduras Committee, as well as those on Mission and Outreach, wish to thank all for contributing their time, treasure, and talent to make the first annual plant sale such a success. [DG]

St. Paul's/Stevens Elementary School Partnership Report

The partnership between St. Paul's Parish and Stevens Elementary School began last summer after St. Paul's liaison Jane Stephenson met with Stevens Elementary School principal Dr. Polly Brown to identify schools needs and church resources.

Three areas of need were identified: tutoring, facilities, and arts and music. Stevens has an excellent instructional program and is well provisioned with student textbooks and workbooks. However, their facility is small, with no room large enough for full school assemblies and other gatherings. Also, due to decreasing student enrollment and D.C. public school budget cutbacks, Stevens no longer has a music or art teacher on staff.

Over the year, nine St. Paul's and community members tutored in the after-school tutoring program. Tutors came to the school between 4:00 and 5:00 PM and worked with students in grades 1 through 4 individually or in small groups. Tutors assisted students in completing their homework, reading, and basic math. This tutoring succeeded through the loyal efforts of Bob Bear, Susan Dirstine, Cassandra Metzger, Jo Stelzig, Geoffrey Suiter, Helen Zughaib, Jane Stephenson, and community members Joyce Brazewell and Luis Landau.

An art club was initiated in the fall and continued throughout the year on Friday afternoons. Fifteen fourth grade students participated in the club for the majority of the year, under the direction of artist Alex Roehner. A beautiful mural they made hangs in the school today.

The Stevens after-school coordinator, Angela Wilkens, was our primary contact for this program. She was unbelievably patient and supportive with tutors' schedules and helpful when new tutors began. One difficulty was the increased security clearance process that D.C. began this year. We worked out a compromise plan to ensure that tutors have clearances, but that they do not need to be fingerprinted for this program.

Seven parishioners -- Peg Northen Cole, Dick Best, Christine Cornelius, Deb Loucks, Pattie Kindsvater, C.B. Wooldridge, and Elia Zughaib -- donated items such as book bags, binders, children's books, and a VCR to the school. Two parishioners and one community member bought Commission on Mission gift cards to total $550.

Jo Stelzig identified the General Mills box top program, and several large envelopes of box tops were delivered to the school throughout the year.

The partnership and tutoring program were advertised in the Foggy Bottom community newsletter, and as St. Paul's liaison, Jane Stephenson spoke about the partnership at their November meeting. Many members of the community expressed interest and appreciation for the program. Two community residents are tutors. Several have contacts with art groups and the Kennedy Center.

Ms. Thompson, the school's kindergarten teacher and special event organizer presented the idea of buying drums with the gift card monies. This was a huge success and a new after-school enrichment club has begun. A parent instructs ten students two days a week for four week sessions. Eight students marched for the first time with their snare drums in the school's Annual International Day Festival on May 26.

Also, Ms. Thompson and Dr. Brown identified the need for music support for the sixth grade graduation now that they no longer have a music teacher. Randy Benton, a Fairfax County public schools music teacher, provided music, and Janelle Gill, a faculty member at the Levine School of Music Southeast Branch, rehearsed with and accompanied the students for the ceremony.

A fall pep rally was scheduled at St. Paul's in October, but due to rain had to be rescheduled. Some complications exist with scheduling student activities at St. Paul's, primarily involving transporting 260 students to the church. The St. Paul's liaison developed a form to facilitate communication between the school and church should they want to use the church for smaller student or staff events.

Costs to date of the partnership include $600 for a drum set and eight snare drums and $200 for sixth grade graduation music and pianist.

Plans for next year
Ideas are flourishing and energy is high as we look toward next year. Plans include:

Continue the tutoring program as a part of the after-school program. Meet with the after-school coordinator to consider expanding the mentoring aspect of the program.
Continue participating in the Commission on Mission gift card program and collecting General Mills box tops for the school.
Meet with St. Paul's music director and rector to discuss how St. Paul's can contribute to the music program at Stevens Elementary.
Meet with Stevens's principal and a principal-identified committee to develop a strategic plan for the newly designated funds from St. Paul's and to discuss future use of St. Paul's facilities.
Continue to publicize all aspects of the program both in St. Paul's and Foggy Bottom community newsletters.
Reschedule the rector's visit to the school (canceled due to a snow day).
Elicit new ideas from Commission on Mission members and Stevens faculty.

Consider becoming involved in this growing ministry that not only benefits the students at Stevens Elementary School but reflects positively on St. Paul's Parish as a caring contributor to our immediate community. Suggestions are welcome. For additional information, please contact Jane Stephenson at ed.jane@verizon.net. Thank you! [JS]

Malawi Report

There has been a long-standing relationship between St. Paul's and the Community of St. Mary. For many years, St. Paul's Associates of St. Mary's have participated in retreats to the Community's convent in Greenwich, New York, and welcomed Sisters of the Community.

Last year, the Associates undertook a challenge to assist the Community of St. Mary in their work with their convent in northern Malawi. In December, Mother Miriam from Greenwich visited St. Paul's and gave a thrilling presentation of the work being done at the convent.

In response, the Malawi committee, parishioners, and friends raised $7,000 to fund building a chicken house at the Malawi convent. This is a phenomenal accomplishment, and everyone who participated is to be congratulated. The Saint Mary's Messenger reports, "Our Associates and friends at St. Paul's Parish, K St., Washington, D.C., raised the funds to build a chicken house in time for the Sisters to raise and sell fryers for the customary Malawian Christmas chicken dinner. They are also raising laying hens for eggs to sell."

Looking ahead, our next project is to raise money to buy bricks to build a protective wall around the complex.

Save the date October 30, 2005, for the second annual bake sale! [DB]

For more information on the Community of St. Mary and on the Malawi mission, you may wish to visit their Web site.

And if you'd like to visit the New York convent, please see the St. Mary's article on page 2.

New Daily Mass Schedule

As of July 1, Fr. Barnett will be on his annual leave and will have had his last Sunday with us. That will mean we shall be down to one full time priest -- Fr. Sloane. With Fr. Pollen's death, we are reduced also in the number of honorary assistants who so graciously assist us. As you know, Fr. Lewis is on sabbatical leave. Fr. McQuin has a real live job Monday to Friday and graciously assists us on Sundays. In addition, there will be clergy vacation time over the summer. Fortunately, Fr. Radley and Fr. Gillespie pitch in with their help.

With all this in mind, and in consultation with the Vestry, Fr. Sloane is going to maintain a daily Mass in the parish but is reluctantly reducing the weekday Mass schedule until such time as we have two full-time clergy.

In brief, Masses will be at 6 PM in the evening on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and at 7 AM in the morning on Tuesday and Thursday.

The 9:15 Mass on Saturday remains unchanged, as are the times of Morning and Evening Prayer and Shrine Prayers and Confession; and there will still be morning and evening Mass for prayer book holy days that fall on weekdays.

As of July 1, the weekday Mass schedule will be as given below.

Mondays
6:45 AM Morning Prayer and Liturgy of the Word
5:30 PM Shrine Prayers
5:45 PM Evening Prayer
6:00 PM Mass

Tuesdays
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7:00 AM Mass
5:30 PM Shrine Prayers
5:45 PM Evening Prayer and Liturgy of the Word

Wednesdays
6:45 AM Morning Prayer and Liturgy of the Word
5:30 PM Shrine Prayers
5:45 PM Evening Prayer
6:00 PM Mass

Thursdays
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7:00 AM Mass
5:30 PM Shrine Prayers
5:45 PM Evening Prayer and Liturgy of the Word

Fridays
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7:00 AM Mass
5:30 PM Shrine Prayers
5:45 PM Evening Prayer and Liturgy of the Word
(No first Fridays until further notice)

Saturdays (remain the same)
9:15 AM Morning Prayer
9:30 AM Mass
5:00 PM Confessions
5:30 PM Shrine Prayers
5:45 PM Evening Prayer

On prayer book holy days that fall on weekdays, there will be Low Masses at 7 AM and 6 PM. [ALS+]

Reacquainting Students with the Big Picture

As a recently graduated George Washington University student and relatively new member of St. Paul's, I am excited and optimistic about the potential for and successes already had by the young adults groups recently formed in our parish. Located blocks from a major metropolitan university and in the heart of a rapidly growing neighborhood, St. Paul's has the unique opportunity and mission to reach out to young adults in the area, and Canterbury can play a vital role in reaching out to a major portion of those individuals: college students.

Keeping priorities
I can safely say that my years in college were by far the most confusing, stressful, dynamic, rewarding, and enlightening years of my short life. The continual changing of classes, majors, future plans, friends, opinions, and beliefs can often add up to one giant feeling of being lost or, at the very least, unfocused. Priorities and perspectives can get mixed up, and it can sometimes become difficult to see "the big picture" as the papers and pressures to decide what to do with the rest of your life start piling up. It is during these semesters that a time and place to come and get reacquainted with "the big picture" are needed the most.

Canterbury
The Canterbury campus ministry offers a place for college students to come and talk, debate, read, and pray about issues that are important to us and discuss those nagging questions about life that higher education inevitably seems to create. It has helped me to stay focused on what really matters in my life and my place in this world, be even more grateful for the blessings I have been given, and trust the rest to God when midterms and scary professors seem to spell impending doom.

It may be breaking into a bag of potato chips and drinking Coke instead of breaking bread and sharing wine, but I think Jesus would happily agree that Canterbury is only putting a modern spin on some much-needed fellowship. The success of our first Winter Jam concert and the closeness I already feel to my fellow Canterburians is all the proof I need to believe that, through a group such as Canterbury, we can all become closer to each other, ourselves, and Christ with just a little effort, and even have fun doing it! Indeed, the Lord works in mysterious ways: Put a bunch of college kids, a discussion leader, and a bag of Oreos into the same room and amazing things can happen! [JW]

The Start of Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Pilgrims

If you are even mildly considering attending the Pilgrims in Christ program, it would be in your best interest to memorize Acts 2:42 now. It's the foundation of the program, and it isn't uncommon to have someone stop you at any moment, on any day, and ask you if you can recite the verse. (I won't mention any names, but if it helps you to better visualize the scenario, throw in a clerical collar and a British accent).

"Absolutely, Father," is, of course, the correct answer. However, saying that would have had two major downfalls attached.

It would have required me to recite the verse (which I couldn't). Or it would have required me to go home and add that lie to my "Things I Will Confess If I Ever Get Brave Enough to Go to Confession" List.

"Well, I meant to memorize it," seemed like a more appropriate answer. That I had also "meant" (and failed) to memorize the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the collected works of Patsy Cline might have been germane to the discussion but were probably not things he knew, and I thought, "Why clutter the conversation?" So I went with "Well, I meant to memorize it."

"And when might you have the 18 words of the verse memorized?" Father asked. I began to feel the walls closing in.

Change
"If you complete this program, I guarantee that your life will be changed." That was what Fr. Sloane said to the group gathered at the Pilgrims in Christ introductory dinner last August. Unfortunately, all I could focus on was that the recruiter at the Navy office had said much the same thing when I was 18. I may have been a bit skeptical and cynical that evening. I suppose it would be more appropriate to say that I was in a somewhat suspicious frame of mind. Not just about the Pilgrims in Christ Program, but about life in general.

In November 2003, I moved from D.C. to New Orleans. It seemed like one of those dream-come-true moments. My company had promoted me and asked me to move to the French Quarter. I had recently started a new relationship and was in the process of buying a condo. God was not a part of the plan, but that wasn't unusual for me. My relationship with God was non-existent at the time and my only experience with church was as a place to attend weddings or funerals.

Due to inspection report discrepancies, my loan was placed on hold and I was not able to buy the condo and had to scramble to find an apartment. On January 29, 2004, I was fired. I had never been fired before, and the distorted facts, recriminations, and fault finding were nothing compared to the loss of identity that came over me. Under the weight of the other issues, my relationship fell apart, and I was alone. Unable to find a job, I collected unemployment and withdrew from my savings to survive.

And change for the better
By August, I was down to less than $300 to my name and still no job in sight. Dear friends of mine here in D.C. came to the rescue and offered me a place to stay, their home. From the first, they made it clear that I was not expected to go to church with them. But out of respect for their kindness I started attending St. Paul's, and as I am sure you have guessed already, my life has changed. If that was all that needed to be said, I could have summarized this in two lines:

Fr. Sloane said Pilgrims in Christ would change my life. He was right.

What do those words mean?
What is most important is how my life changed. How did attending this weekly program radically change who I am, and who I am to become? To understand that, I have to start with the foundation of the Pilgrims program, Acts 2:42:

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Devoted -- 1. Ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle. 2. Religious ardor or zeal; piety.

Teaching -- I'm a professional trainer by trade. Which means I am a terrible participant and I tend to pick apart training programs at the seams. The prospect of attending a program that lasts the length of an average pregnancy seemed more like martyrdom than devotion. Little did I know how apt the timing would be. I am a new person. I have been reborn.

When I started the program, all I could see were material flaws, delivery challenges, and gaps. During this time, God has taught me to see with better eyes than that. Now, flaws and gaps are much more a source of smiles, and I have learned what devotion means through the example of the teaching team, sponsors, and companions. Volunteers who have given countless hours, prayers, and, most importantly, Christian examples of love.

Fellowship -- When I started the program, I had a secret. One that I kept deeply buried: A combination of intense shyness and insecurity made it difficult for me to relate to others. A judgmental nature and a quick temper made it difficult for me to break down barriers and really get to know people. Unfortunately, my professional training hid all of that quite well. I can walk into a room, portray confidence, and strike up conversations. But without connection, it's a very empty skill.

I ended the program with a whole new perspective on people and life. I smile more, I say hello first. And mean it. It's a skill, and I am still a beginner, but the rewards are more numerous than I can ever convey. I have been blessed by shared laughter, shared pain, shared experience, shared love, and shared tears. When it comes down to it, what else do we really have to give each other?

Breaking of Bread -- Daily bread, of all kinds, is a part of being a Pilgrim in Christ.

Physically nourishing: Potlucks, retreats, cookies. Need I say more?

Mentally Refreshing: Rushing from work to attend, participants would often take their first thoughtful break of the day, pray over the dinner they brought with them, and dive into the presentation or discussion.

Spiritually Uplifting: As a member of the Acolyte Guild, the most significant services for me, so far, involved my fellow Pilgrims. Serving at the altar in the presence of people I had listened too, shared with, argued with, and grown with is a blessing and an honor. I felt a part of every Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation that occurred at the Great Vigil of Easter. I was deeply moved by the experience.

And while I am on the breaking of bread: If you have never heard Fr. Sloane's Introduction to the Eucharist, attend this program. You will walk away with a whole new understanding of this Sacrament.

Oh! Before I forget. After you commit Acts 2:42 to memory, go to page 857 of the Book of Common Prayer: "What are the sacraments? The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace ..." Know it by heart. Accented collars are lurking everywhere.

Prayers -- During this program our class created a prayer list of personal intercessions. Some have been placed in the box at the Walsingham Shrine, some have not. Hearing the stories behind the need for prayer, praying for nine months for the needs of those around me (and have them praying for my needs) worked changes in me that are miraculous. Had I not changed, I can only assume I could become the sort of person that even reptiles would shun.

Differences
During the program, I found out that I had not been baptized as an infant. After discussion and teaching, I was baptized at St. Paul's with witnesses from my new family. I received Communion two days later. I had received Communion before I became aware of the Baptism issue, and the wafer and the wine hadn't really changed. Yet it was different. I made my First Confession in the Angel Chapel after horrific soul searching and worry, only to find out my personal drama was for naught. The loving nature of the Confessor and the Words of Absolution washed all that away. During the Great Vigil, I was Confirmed. An entire lifetime of Sacraments, all offered to me in the newness of this lifetime.

Oh, one more change to mention. Credit where credit is due -- if this rambling missive has touched you in some way, or inspired you, or caused you to consider being a participant, companion or sponsor. It has nothing to do with me. You owe me no word of thanks. That is the Holy Spirit taking this moment to speak to you. On the other hand, if you just want to say hi, I would love to get to know you. It's worth everything to be able to say that!

Revelation 3:20 -- Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

[JC]

July Birthdays

1 Susan Moore
2 Susan Dirstine
3 Joseph Hobson
4 Sharon Boyl; Edward Stephenson, Jr.; Leigh Ann Barnett
5 David Gurr; Thomas Leggett
6 W. Page Dame, III; Fr. Edwin Barnett; William Hall; A. Weldon Walker, III
9 Sara Mixter
10 Lisette Stewart-Brooks; Laura Schnorrenberg
11 Ann Hyde
12 Christine Nevius
13 Joseph Rawson; Ivy Quintyne
15 Christopher Wright; Anne Windle; Ken Springstead
17 Carol Meekhof
18 Bill Gettys; Barbara Ann Moyer
19 William Cox; Ronald Pitcherello
20 Lynn Gould; Adam Kriz
21 Gary Newsome; Elizabeth Nevius; Hannah Leggett
22 Hugh Gouldman, Jr.; Matthew Welch; David Boulet; Daniel Ohe
24 Robin Meigel; Glenn Smith
25 Jeff Coulter; Kristen Schutte; Paul Davis
27 Rosalyn Barnett
28 Barbara Williams
29 James Holt; Phillip Landis
30 C. Donald Roudebush
31 Andrew Zelno

August Birthdays

2 Richard Ziomek; George Keeler; Marion Guishard
3 Tandy Fleckner; Fr. Jack Aber; John Burrows; Hilary Malson
4 Ken Simmons; Samantha Taggart
5 Alice Tilson; Mary Beth Bakke
6 Lewis Cutshaw
7 John O'Dowd; Michael Davis
8 Marjorie Tweed
9 Bruce Lowery; Roy Byrd
10 Marcia Stanford; Oghenekevwe Ajueyitsi
11 Ernest Latham, Jr.
12 Martha Taggart
14 Clay O'Dell; Jane Stephenson; Sekou Okwesa
15 Charles Halty; Alice Hord de Michaelis
18 David Lewis; Susie Perry; Anna Margaret Hanson
19 Shayne Doty; William de Michaelis
20 Marilynn Wilson
21 Peggy Battle; William Linden, III; Mary McAllister; Sean Boylan
22 Virginia Northen-Cole; Antoinette Mac Aulay
23 Eileen Johnson
24 Percival Quintyne, Jr.
25 Stephanie Chesson-Bailes; Edith Davis; Ethan Henderson; Heather Fitzpatrick; Beverly Guishard-Jackson
26 Gary Blank; David Dickey
27 Lindsay Robinson; Richard Krimm
29 Brian Nahodil; Terrence Guishard
31 Gertrude Van Sant; Kelly Blank; Catherine Braun; Nathaniel Radley

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

Parish Statistics

Deaths: Dorothy Mills Parker (May 18, 2005); Mary Wolfskill (May 23, 2005); Thomas Christopher Truitt (June 3, 2005)

Marriages: Stephanie Chesson and Tygh Bailes (May 28, 2005); William E. Linden, III, and Linda Matisans Schaefer (June 11, 2005)

Transfer Out: Andrea Merrill to Christ Church, Georgetown

Transfer In: Penelope Sutherland Everman Wilhelm from St. George's Church, Arlington

Feast Days in July and August

St. Mary Magdelene
Friday, July 22
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. James the Apostle
Monday, July 25
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

Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord
Saturday, August 6
9:15 AM Morning Prayer
9:30 AM Low Mass
5:00 PM Confessions
5:30 PM Devotions at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
6:00 PM Evening Prayer

St. Mary the Virgin (Feast of the Assumption)
Monday, August 15
6:45 AM Morning Prayer
7 AM Low Mass
5:30 PM Devotions at the Walsingham Shrine
5:45 PM Evening Prayer
6:30 PM Procession and Solemn Mass
Preacher: Fr. Richard Cornish Martin

St. Bartholomew the Apostle
Wednesday, August 24
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 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 Marcia Berrien, Charles Burks, Jeffrey Coulter, Edie Davis, Mark Dwyer, Rhoda Geasland, David Gurr, Andrew Lee, Deb Loucks, Tina Mallett, Cassandra Metzger, Andrew Sloane+, Jane Stephenson, Shelley Thompson, Julie Whitis, Linda Wilkinson, 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
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, August 8