This Sunday at a Glance

9a- Rector's Forum: NEW SERIES: Christian Mystics: History and Practice
10a- Morning Holy Eucharist, Coffee Hour
5p- Evening Celtic Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s
8p- Zoom Compline

This Week at a Glance

Thursday- Property Committee 4p; Executive Committee 5p; Finance Committee, 6:30p; Zoom Compline, 8p.
Friday- Zoom Compline, 8p.
Saturday-
Sunday- See Above
Monday- Yoga with Susan, 6:15p; Alcoholics Anonymous, 8p; Zoom Compline, 8p. 
Tuesday- Dance for Joy meet up group, 9a; Word & Spirit Book Group, 7:15p; Zoom Compline, 8p.
Wednesday- Al-Anon, 10a; Lunch at Woodbury Country Eatery, 11:30a; Meditation with Rev. Tuesday, 6:30p; Zoom Compline, 8p.
Thursday- Vestry Meeting, 6:30p; 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.

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.

Committee Meetings.  Thursday, November 12, Property Committee (4p); Executive Committee (5p); Finance Committee (6:40 pm).

Vestry Meeting: Thursday, October 15, 6:30 pm, Seabury Room.

Acolyte Informational Meeting, Sunday, October 11th after church 

Have you ever watched your friends up at the altar on Sunday mornings, dressed in white and carrying around fire, crosses, Gospel book, offering plates and more? Have you ever wished you could be up there too? Great news- you can! Join us on Sunday, October 11th right after church in the sanctuary, to talk about what it means to be an acolyte: time, commitment, training, showing up, and belonging. This brief meeting will answer all your questions. Please join us if you are new or if you are already serving as an acolyte.

Word & Spirit Book Group
Tuesday, October 13th at 7:15p in the Seabury Room

In September we read The Odyssey and talked about the ways journeys can change us. Our October book is Madeline Miller’s critically acclaimed novel, Circe. In conversation with the book, we will ask: What is life like for those who are left behind?

Word & Spirit is a book club dedicated to exploring the nature of the sacred in literary fiction. Reading fiction has been shown in multiple studies to increase empathy. When we engage in a story from another person’s perspective, we gain insight and appreciation for the lives of others and for the human condition.

This year our meetings will take place on Tuesday evenings from 7:15-8:30pm except where date changes are noted. We will gather in the Seabury Room. Bringing snacks to share is encouraged! All of the books we will read together are available through the Woodbury Public Library and the Southbury Public Library.

Special Offer: If you plan on purchasing a copy of the book, check this out! Our friends at the Little Fox Bookshop are offering a 10% discount for Word & Spirit book purchases! Just let them know at the register when you buy any of the titles on this year’s list.

America 250 Celebration Concert with Tony Nalker and Bob McDonald! Friday, October 16th at 7:00 pm. 
Purchase Tickets Here

You won’t want to miss this very special fundraiser concert, “The House I Live In:  An American Songbook for an American Birthday.” Selections will include beloved standards, Sinatra, and Broadway classics. You’ll hear two amazing musicians, Tony Nalker, pianist and Bob McDonald, baritone vocalist. (Plus, a special guest appearance by Rev. Tuesday on vocals!) 

On Friday, October 16th, at 6:30 pm the doors open for a chance to purchase raffle tickets for numerous gift baskets in the church's Parish Hall. The concert starts at 7:00 pm, followed by a reception when raffle tickets sales will continue before the drawing commences at the end of the evening.

As we would love to fill our beautiful church, please "Each one, reach one." In other words, please let your friends and families know about this event. They won't be disappointed!

Before retiring from the Army, Tony and Bob performed regularly at the White House and for visiting dignitaries from across the globe. Tony continues to perform widely and currently serves as jazz pianist with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra Pops. He is also the pianist for Hal Leonard Publishing’s Jazz Play-Along series which has produced nearly 200 CD’s/books. Bob is a familiar face to the Washington Capitals fans, now in his 31st season of singing the National Anthem for the team. He also has performed the National Anthem for other DC sports teams, as well as the Super Bowl and World Series. He is also a regular fixture of the Washington DC musical theatre and cabaret scene.

The Fundraising Committee is offering an “Early Bird Opportunity!” People will be able to purchase raffle tickets (as well as concert tickets) after the 10:00am and 5:00pm services on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The gift baskets WILL BE on display in the Pearson Room at these times for people to view and take their chances.

The raffle will then continue on Friday, October 16th at 6:30pm until the concert begins. At the end of the concert, there will be a final opportunity to purchase last minute raffle tickets and then the drawings will be held near the conclusion of the reception Winners need not be present. 

Kathy Montgomery will be calling the lucky winners (please write your names and telephone numbers neatly on the backs of your tickets) We would like the winners retrieve their baskets by Sunday October 18th if possible. 

If anyone is interested in making a basket, please reach out to Kathy Baird - 203-205-0246 or Marianna Daniels - 203-560-6127. If making a basket kindly include a list of what is in it. 

Ticket Sales contact Kathy Montgomery at 203-704-1190

A sample of baskets that have been donated are:

1. Birds Unlimited 

2. Chocolate Lovers Delight 

3. Holiday Wine & Cheese

4. Casserole Basket

5. Christmas Baking

6. Coffee and...

7. Pier One plates/bowls/cups and large bowls with pasta

8. Pasta Party

9. An Enchanted English Experience from Beth Pile

10. Doggie Delights

11. Children's Books

12. Duvet Cover & Shams

A 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. 

We know that even a generous donation will go fast. Your offerings to the pantry mean so much to so many. Thank you for your continued and sustained support. Click here to learn more!

Coat Drive - Our friends at IRIS are gathering coats and warm winter gear for clients - adults and children. St. Paul’s is happy to be a drop-off location for these much-needed donations. They will also take unopened packages of diapers and women’s sanitary supplies.

New and gently used items only - all items must be clean and in good shape, with matching pairs (mittens, socks, gloves). 

Items can be dropped off in the box under the coat rack in the parish hall. Thank you for your generosity in loving our neighbors.

A Message from our Mohammad Daad Serweri at IRIS:

With winter just around the corner, we would really appreciate it if your group could participate in our coat drive. This will help us provide warm coats to our clients and their children this winter. Please see the attached flyer, and don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or would like more information. Thank you so much for your continued support!
Best,
Daad

Exciting and engaging programs are in motion for both Church School and Youth Group. Come and check us out!

Church School is underway! Classes start at 10 am on Sundays - drop-off activities begin at 9:45. 

• This year’s Church School program will emphasize the stories of our faith and values using hands-on, experiential learning. With skits, music, art projects, community service activities and more kids will grow in their understanding of what it means to Love God and Love Your Neighbor as Yourself. 

• In addition, the Church School room will be once again open during coffee hour so kids can continue to work on projects, enjoy a quiet place to relax, or play while caregivers enjoy fellowship together.

• Church School is open to kids in Grades 1-6. Registration and sign-in at drop-off are required. Register Here!

Acolytes: Is your child interested in being part of our Acolyte Program? Please be in touch with Bart Geissinger, our Liturgical Coordinator, to learn more.

Children’s Choir: Children and Youth are warmly invited and encouraged to be part of our Children’s Choir. Contact Kristin Daigneault, Music Director, for details. 

Professional Nursery Care for children ages 0-5 will has resumed - welcome back to Nicole! Parents and caregivers are welcome to make use of the nursery in the meantime. Please note: All children must be supervised by a parent/caregiver while children are in the nursery. Registration is required. Register Here!

Youth Group meetings: 6th through 12th Graders: We meet the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of the month from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Free dinner is always provided. Questions? Reach out to our Youth Minister, Deb Tickell, youth@stpaulswoodbury.org. For last-minute questions, text at (623) 340-7474.

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