SEPTEMBER 21, 2025
Please wear your nametags when you’re here at church! And if you don’t yet have a nametag, please complete an order form in the narthex (lobby) so we can get you one!
New to St. Paul’s? Welcome! Please let us know you are here by filling out a visitor card in the pew. Stop by our Welcome Station in the narthex (lobby) to chat with Greeters and find materials that might help if you are new to St. Paul’s or The Episcopal Church. Join a tour of our campus TODAY at 10:15 a.m. to learn more and meet others. Contact Mary Kintz, our Community Connector, at mary.kintz@stpaulscary.org to find out more about us!
Accessibility: St. Paul’s strives to make our services and programs comfortable and accessible to all. Ushers and Greeters are available to help. Please let us know how we can work together to improve your experience here.
Kids in Worship at St. Paul’s: Children are always welcome in our worship services without exception, but if parents should wish for a space where your kids have more room to move around during the service, you are welcome to make use of the Comfort Room (glassed-in room at the rear of the worship space from which you can still hear and see the service). Ask an usher if you need help finding it. Also, our Kids’ Club (free nursery care) is available during the 9 a.m. service, and infants/toddlers through 36 months (3 years old) are welcome to attend.
Children’s Chapel: Children 3 years old through 5th grade are invited to process to Children’s Chapel during the 9 a.m. service and will return to their families during announcements.
Coffee Hour (Parish Hall): Hosted this week by the Lobster Fest Committee. Join us after the 9 a.m. service for coffee and conversation; you can place your order this morning as well!
Adult Formation (Chapel, 10:15-11 a.m.): Our series on Affordable Housing in our Community continues today with a conversation with the Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome of Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary. Hear more about the Carr Center project planned for the corner of Maynard and Kildaire Farms Rd. in Cary.
Children’s Sunday School – 5th grade and under (Education Building): Classes are meeting from 10:10-11 a.m.
Youth Sunday School – 6th thru 12th grade (Youth Wing): Classes are meeting from 10:10-11 a.m.
Episcopal Youth Community (EYC): Meets this evening for fun and fellowship TONIGHT from 5-7 p.m. in the Youth Wing.
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
First EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) Gathering Sept. 21: Rising 6th graders through 12th graders are invited to join St. Paul’s EYC, which meets most Sunday evenings from 5-7 p.m. in the Youth Wing. EYC looks to build spiritual community through games and other fun activities, conversation, and dinner together. Our first meeting is tonight. Please plan to join us and bring friends! Questions? Contact Erica at erica@stpaulscary.org.
Newcomer Gathering Sept. 28: Are you new to St. Paul’s since our last newcomer event in 2024? Please join us in the Youth Wing on Sunday, Sept. 28 from 2:30-4 p.m. to enjoy snacks and share stories with others who have recently joined us. The clergy and members of our hospitality ministries are excited to welcome you and get to know you better. Children are welcome, and we’ll have the Kids’ Club open as well (if you’d like adult conversation). RSVP online or contact Community Connector Mary Kintz at mary.kintz@stpaulscary.org.
Racial Justice Book Group on Sept. 28: Join us for the last of our summer offerings as we discuss “Migrant God” ahead of author Isaac Villegas’ visit with us in October. We have added a few more spaces to the sign-up in order to meet interest. Please note this group begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Youth Wing because of shift in service times. Email Aleta McClenney at aleta@att.net with questions; you can find the sign up on the St. Paul’s website under events.
Ordering Closes Oct. 1 – Lobster Fest: Attention! We’re ten days away from closing the online order store, the only way to guarantee your order for Oct. 4. If you weren’t sure about ordering or joining one of our crews, find one of our Lobster Fest leaders between the services – they’re wearing “Ask Me About Lobster Fest” nametags and hosting Coffee Hour today. Place your order and chat about joining one of our volunteer crews. This is a fun way to get to know folks while helping raise funds for outreach. Questions? Contact Vicki Bradley at vicki@lobsterfestcary.org.
Blessing of the Animals: Join us on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m. in the St. Paul’s Courtyard for the annual Blessing of the Animals as we cherish the earth and all its creatures in the spirit of Francis of Assisi. Bring your pets and invite your neighbors and friends of your pets as well. All are welcome.
Racial Equity Institute Training Returns to Cary Oct. 9-10: The Racial Justice Planning Group and the Outreach Support Team are hosting a Racial Equity Institute (REI) Phase I training on October 9-10 in the Youth Wing. REI’s two-day workshop is designed to provide attendees with a vocabulary and historical framework for racism to better understand how it damages lives in all communities. The training is open to the public and has limited spaces. Please find more details on the St. Paul’s website or contact Kevin McIntire at kvn.mcintire@gmail.com for more information.
Parish Wide Yam Jam/Sweet Potato Gleaning Oct. 11: All parishioners are invited to join us for a morning of gleaning at a local farm. We’ll collect leftover sweet potatoes to support local food banks—serving neighbors, caring for God’s creation, and building community. Final details and directions will be emailed on October 10th. Please sign up online to get updates and carpool info. Questions? Contact Shannon Robinson at shannon3b@gmail.com.
St. Paul’s Christmas Pageant 2025 – Reg. by Oct 12: It’s time to plan the pageant again! All families of St. Paul’s are invited to participate in our Christmas Pageant, a magical way to celebrate the birth of Christ. All roles (speaking and non-speaking) are played by children ages preschool through 5th grade. Older children are welcome to volunteer to help. The pageant will take place during the 9 a.m. service on Sunday, December 21. All information, including rehearsal dates, can be found on the Christmas Pageant page on the website.
Call for Vestry Nominations: 2026 is going to be a very important year for St. Paul’s. The four new Vestry members we elect in November will be a part of the group that will call our next Rector and further develop our vision. The vestry meets monthly and gathers for an annual weekend retreat to accomplish the meaningful, necessary work that underpins all that happens at St. Paul’s. All confirmed adult members in good standing are eligible to be nominated to serve on the Vestry. To make a nomination, or for any questions, please contact Dan Loughlin at danloughlin@gmail.com.