9a- Rector's Forum
10a- Morning Holy Eucharist, Coffee Hour
5p- Evening Celtic Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s
8p- Zoom Compline

This Week at a Glance

Thursday- Zoom Compline, 8p.
Friday- Zoom Compline, 8p.
Saturday- Seabury Room in use, 9a.
Sunday- See Above
Monday- Alcoholics Anonymous, 8p; Zoom Compline, 8p.
Tuesday- Dance for Joy meet up group, 9a; Writers Group, 6p; Zoom Compline, 8p.
Wednesday- Al-Anon, 10a; Lunch at Woodbury Country Eatery, 11:30a; A Place to Belong Campaign Committee, 4p; Meditation with Rev. Tuesday, 6:30p; Zoom Compline, 8p.
Thursday- Zoom Compline, 8p.

Each week we will be sharing information about the progress made in our Parish House Renovation here in the newsletter. For more information about the project, click here.

Images: Pancake the Dog examines the work done on the HVAC, electrical, and alarm systems in the Lower Hall. Fast progress is being made in the upstairs bathrooms as fixtures are being installed.

Ministry Spotlight: A Place for Every Generation

The new lower hall is about much more than bricks and mortar. It is about creating opportunities for ministry.

Imagine children laughing together during Sunday School, youth gathering for fellowship and service, families celebrating milestones, neighbors sharing a meal, and parishioners of every age finding connection and belonging.

Though the campaign officially concluded on August 1st, we still welcome any generosity to continue helping create a space where faith can grow, friendships can flourish, and lives can be transformed for generations to come.

This is the heart of the Place to Belong project.

Image: Church School with Katie Syombathy

Exterior Renovation Update: The work on the entry pad, French drains, and rain garden was completed this past Friday. We are delighted by the quality of the masonry and the overall design by Earth Tones Nursery.

The main Parish House door is now ready to be used again!

Thanks to Lydia Straus-Edwards and to our Property Committee for their work in seeing this project to completion. Thank you also to the family whose generous gift made this elegant renovation possible.

These weekly updates are part of our A Place to Belong campaign renovations. The campaign includes: Total renovation of our Lower Hall, including: flooring, ceilings and LED lighting, window repair, mini-splits, food preparation and creative use space renovation, adding accessibility ramps, bathroom renovations (including ADA restroom), appliances, and furnishings; Upstairs renovations including: Bathrooms near the Pearson Room (including ADA restroom), new flooring from the entryway, throughout the Pearson Room and extending to the Seabury Room; new ceiling and LED lighting, painting throughout including both stairways, and new furnishings.

Program Chairs Planning Day SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 12th, 9a - 1p. Program chairs, save the date for a fun, informative, and productive morning. We will get to know one another and our ministries and plan into 2027 and beyond. Brunch will be provided - details to come!

Committee Meetings.  Please note: there are no leadership committee or vestry meetings in August.

All Staff & Leadership Meetings are on hiatus for the summer. 

Volunteer Opportunity at the Fair! Looking for the perfect way to enjoy a traditional summer Fair while helping a neighboring church community? St. Mark’s in Bridgewater, where our Youth Director, Deb serves as Senior Warden, is looking for a little additional help at our tent at the Bridgewater Fair. Experience the joys of selling freshly-sliced Cabot cheddar cheese, pickles-on-a-stick (trust me, it’s silly!), and other delicious church-made jams, jellies, baked goods. Shifts are open throughout Fair Weekend - Friday, August 21-Sunday, August 23. No prior skills needed - we will train. Come and meet nearby Episcopalians…and bring a great big smile to Deb’s face. For more information message or email Deb Tickell at (623) 3407474 or deborahtickell@gmail.com. Note: Community Service Hours will be signed for participating students! Many thanks in advance!! - Deb

Handbell Concert: Save the Date! Saturday, September 5th at 6pm

Connecticut Handbell Musicians Summer Showcase includes ringers from various towns all over the state who come together over the summer when their home choirs take a break. This “choir of orphans,” led by Assistant Director Samantha Beschta, is connected by their love of the instrument and desire to grow in technique and musicianship. 

You are invited to an evening of lively music from this group of passionate musicians, including a special performance by the renowned Handbell Trio FaLiSaD. Don’t miss  this performance guaranteed to delight audience members of all ages!

6 pm in St. Paul’s Church Sanctuary. Admission by free will offering to support CHM and St. Paul’s.

• Short-term Host Family Needed: Camp Washington is looking for a host family for our Prov IX counselor guest, Andrea from Honduras. She is a lovely young woman, easy to spend time with, sweet and kind! Part of the Camp Counselor program is offering a weekend of cultural immersion post Camp to include church visit (sharing summer experience) great food, fun: theater, movies, music, sports event, etc., local destinations/highlights, and more. 
  
  We need a host family for Andrea for the weekend of 8/15-8/18. Interested? Reach out to Bart Geissinger ASAP!
  

• New Start Ministry- Cecilia received a round of applause from the garden crew at OLLI - Osher Lifelong Learning in Waterbury, CT - when she demonstrated how to walk with a load on her head! While in Uganda during their asylum processing, not only did they carry heavy boxes on their heads, but they also hauled 10 liters of water, five liters in each hand. Amazing! 

• An Urgent Message about our Little Free Pantry- Our Little Free Pantry is being used heavily right now — about 75–90% of the food is gone every two days. The large donation that recently filled our shelves has now mostly been distributed to neighbors in need, and supplies are running low again. Click here to learn more!
  Update: We have NO soup, veggies or cereal!  Any food item is appreciated but these are basics and are totally missing.

Professional Nursery Care is on hiatus for the summer. Our beloved childcare worker, Nicole, will be back with us on Sunday, September 13th. Parents and caregivers are welcome to make use of the nursery during services and parish events.

Youth Group meetings in August will follow our regular schedule: August 5 & 19, 6pm-8pm. We will continue to create and study a timeline of social justice needs and movements. Incoming sixth graders, get ready!! We look forward to welcoming our newest middle schoolers at a special dinner in September! Plans are underway! Details of this event and a parents’ meeting to be announced soon! Questions? Reach out to our Youth Minister, Deb Tickell, youth@stpaulswoodbury.org. For last-minute questions, text at (623) 340-7474.

A Note from Deacon David: 

Tuesday and all the wonderful folks of St. Paul’s, Woodbury,

It has taken me far too long to write a formal “Thank You” acknowledging the wonderful send off at my retirement. I do so appreciate the donations to Beacon Hose Co. 1 and assure you this will go toward building a strong support protocol for First Responders in our community and statewide.

I also appreciate the welcome you all extended to my family at the service and reception on May 3rd. Thank you! I want you all to know that I miss everyone and realize at the same time how important it was for me to retire and continue to address more time with Rose and the family. 

Finally, thank you, one more time, for the support you showed me during my time with you over the last six years. My work as a Deacon was made possible thanks to your guidance and encouragement!

Gratefully yours,
Deacon David

As a valued and beloved member of the St. Paul’s community, we invite you to continue your support of the church by adding St. Paul’s to your estate plan. For more information, please reach out to Peter Bowles, peter.bowles356@gmail.com.

Blessings to you in this sacred, ordinary time.

In Faith,

Rev. Tuesday+

rector@stpaulswoodbury.org