From the Bulletin of May 13, 2012

Today’s Adult Forum:  Today is the second in a series on the great hymns/poems of the Christian tradition — and through the life stories of those who wrote them  We will reflect on religious language and its meaning for us in the poetry of some of the great hymns.  We will sing some hymns and try writing one of our own.  We will focus on the Wesleys, Isaac Watts, and a few others, and use Marcus Borg’s new book on religious words as well as the works of other theologians.  Sundays: May 6, 13, 20 9:15 a.m.-10:05 a.m.  Facilitated by The Rev. Al Niese (former choirboy).

Diocesan Summer Camp Information and Scholarships Available!  Please see the Christian Ed hallway bulletin board for more information about the terrific summer camps our diocese runs for kids and teens.  If you have questions, please speak to Kristin or call the office.

 Volunteer needed:  We still need a volunteer to help us make a banner for Trinity Sunday (June 3).  Please see Kristin or call the office if you can help.

 “Journey Through a Hard Terrain: Caring and Being Cared for in the Shadows of Alzheimer’s.“  Spend a day (Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) with author and spiritual director the Rev. Martin Smith, associate rector at St. Columba's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.  Sponsored by the diocesan Committee on the Spirituality of Aging and the Dementia/Alzheimer’s Ministry Project, this is a chance to hear a first-rate author (the church Library has two of his books in the Famous Authors section) address a topic that likely touches all of us in one way or another.  The host church is St. Nicholas, Scarborough; $10 for the day and that includes lunch.  Contact Marby Payson at  or 781-4769 to register.  If you’re interested in carpooling from the St. Paul’s parking lot, please contact Pam Nugent, 737-2369

Save the date!  Church school picnic, June 3 at 12 p.m., following 10:30 worship.  The picnic will happen rain or shine, so please join us no matter what the weather.  Worship that morning will be in celebration of Youth Sunday, so a good time is promised for all.

 Volunteer to help with grilling.  We still need to find someone who can help us grill the hamburgers and hot dogs for the church school picnic the morning of June 3. If you can help, please see Kristin or call the office.

 Save the date!  The Self-Study/Parish Profile Committee will report to the parish on the results of the self-study on Wednesday, June 6.  We will begin with a pot-luck supper at 5 p.m., followed by a presentation at about 6 p.m.  There will be a “Power Point” presentation, as well as an opportunity for questions and answers.  Please plan to join us for a comprehensive look at the state of our church, including our challenges, hopes and dreams.

 Kate Egan.  Ann and the Wardens are delighted to announce that Kate Egan has agreed to join the Vestry beginning this month.  Following Lynne Caswell’s resignation, she will fill a partial term and will be eligible to be elected for a full term in January 2013.  Kate, her husband Jonathan Wayne, and their two children Madeline and Nate, are active parishioners, usually attending the 10:30 service.  Kate is currently working hard on the Self-Study Committee and is involved in preparing the parish profile.  Please take the opportunity to congratulate and thank her.

 Second Floor Project.  Painting everything is close to completion, the new stairwell is completely built, and shelving is being placed in closets.  The next steps will be to install the dropped ceiling grid, drop sprinkler heads, install ceiling panels, and hang doors.  Installation of the lift and the flooring will be the last parts of the project.  We expect completion in early June!

 Spring Yard Work Wanted:  The Gathering Place has a bulletin board with names of TGP guests willing to clean up your yard.  Call us to post your job. 729-0288 M,T, Th, F 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

 St. Paul’s Library Book Sale.  The Library has had to make room for your continued generosity in donating books by weeding out duplicates.  These are all excellent titles in first-rate condition.  Look for a display set up on the sideboard in the Great Hall.  We’d appreciate a donation in exchange for whatever books you take so the Library Committee can continue buying necessary items for the Library, which the Committee members heretofore have paid for out of their own pockets.  Our pressing need at the moment is for large library bookends to support some of the oversized books.  Please be generous, keep the donations coming, and make use of your Library.  Thank you.

This Week in Church School

               This week in the church school the children are thinking about what it means to be God's friend.  Using the example of Jesus' friendship with his disciples, we'll think about all the many ways in which God cares for us and supports us, and how we can pass on that love and support to those around us.  Our craft will make this idea more tangible: we'll each make two simple friendship bracelets--one for ourselves and one to give to a friend!