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 Connecting Station in the narthex (lobby) to chat and find materials that might help if you are new to St. Paul’s or The Episcopal Church. Join a tour of our campus on September 27 after the 9 a.m. service to learn more and meet others. Contact Mary Kintz, our Community Connector, at mary.kintz@stpaulscary.org to find out more about us!
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.
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.
HAPPENING TODAY – SEPTEMBER 20, 2026
Children’s Chapel: Children 3 years old through 5th grade are invited to process to Children’s Chapel during the 10 a.m. service and will return to their families during announcements.
Children’s Sunday School – 5th grade and under: Classes are meeting from 10:15-11 a.m. in the education building.
Youth Sunday School – 6th thru 12th grade: Classes are meeting from 10:15-11 a.m. in the youth wing.
Adult Forum Welcomes Dr. Ellen Davis: Join us at 10:20 a.m. in the chapel as we welcome Ellen Davis, PhD, the Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School. The author of twelve books and many articles, her research interests focus on how biblical interpretation bears on the life of faith communities and their response to urgent public issues, particularly the ecological crisis and interfaith relations. We are privileged to have her join us.
Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) 6th thru 12th grade: We are not meeting today after the weekend retreat. Join us next week from 5-7 p.m. for food, fun and conversation in the youth wing. Invite your friends!
Pre-EYC Welcome Potluck: Pre-EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) is a twice monthly gathering for 4th and 5th graders that builds church friendships through fun activities, food and service. Our Parent/Child Meeting is today from 5-7 p.m. in the parish hall. Please bring a food item to share for dinner. We hope you’ll bring a friend, too! For more info, contact Shannon Robinson at shannon3b@gmail.com.
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rainbow Gathering at Holly Springs Pride Day: St. Paul’s Rainbow Gathering is preparing to celebrate Holly Springs Pride on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 3:30–6:30 p.m. We’re looking for volunteers to help represent our community with love and inclusion. If you’re able to help, please reach out to Drea Johnson at jang7e@gmail.com as soon as possible.
RJPG Fall Book Discussion: The Racial Justice Planning Group will facilitate discussion on “How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America” by Heather Cox Richardson on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the annex. The sign up is currently full; a waitlist has been formed. Please contact Aleta McClenney at aleta@att.net for more information on being added to the list.
Acolyte Training: Learn to be an acolyte at St. Paul’s! Derived from a Greek word meaning companion, attendant, or helper, acolytes support our liturgies carrying candles (torches), assisting with the Gospel book and helping at the altar. Anyone (4th grade to adults) can serve in this important role. Acolyte training will take place on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m in the church. Whether you’re brand new or have served for years, please plan to join. Serving as an acolyte is a meaningful, engaging way to be involved in worship that fills a great need in our community.
St. Paul’s Christmas Pageant 2026 – Please Register Now: It may sound strange, but coordinating roles for our Christmas Pageant requires us to start early! All children, preschool through 5th grade, are invited to take part in our pageant—whether in a speaking role or simply being part of the story. Older children are welcome to volunteer behind the scenes. Roles are matched to the children who register (with 5th graders getting preference since it’s their last year!). Everyone will have a place in the story. The pageant will take place during the 9 a.m. service on Sunday, Dec. 20. More information is available online or by contacting Melanie Williams at melanie@moyer.net. Register on the St. Paul’s website by Sept. 27 and let us know your role preferences.
Lobster Fest Ordering Closes Sept. 30: Attention! We’re ten days away from closing the online order store, the only way to guarantee your order for Oct. 3. 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 now! Join a crew! 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. 4 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.
REI (Racial Equity Institute) Phase I Training: St. Paul’s will host Racial Equity Institute Phase I training for the community on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 15-16. St. Paul’s folks – first timers and alum – are welcome. Thanks to the generosity of the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee of our diocese, scholarship funding is available. We will be able to cover half of the cost for new participants until those funds are exhausted. If financial support would help make this training more accessible to you, please reach out to aleta@att.net BEFORE registering. Find out more about REI training on the St. Paul’s website.
Call for Vestry Nominations: 2027 is going to be a very important year for St. Paul’s! St. Paul’s vestry is the core elected lay leadership group of the parish. The four new vestry members we elect in November will be a part of the group that will build our vision with Fr. Jay and help move us forward together. 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. Learn more about the work of the vestry by speaking with current vestry members (listed on our website). To nominate someone, or for any questions, please contact wardens@stpaulscary.org.
We pray for Noah, Sally, Parrish, Janet, Susan, Chuck, Carter, Anne, Ethan, Mary Jo, Judy, Carl, Martha, Henry, Althea, Jan, Zemiria, Henry, Louise, Terri, Lee, Andy, Benita, Mary, Sherry, Louane, Keith, Jimmy, Sharo, Claudia, Ethan, Mauricio, Allison, Theresa, Ben, Rich, Chris, Paige, Mary Martha, Erika, Stacey, Lisa, Kay, Jack, Carl, Jan, Quinn, Travis, Zachary, Bob, Claudia, Marsha, Travis, Savannah, Kathryn, Jackie, Ted, Renee, Xavier, Lambert, Scott, Sue, Barbara, Larry, Zachary, Ken, Jonathan, Kevin, Jon, Kathleen, Farley, Jenna, and Sophie.
In the prayers for the deceased, we pray for June St James-Pfouts.
If you have a name you would like to include on the prayer list, or a ministry event that you would like to announce in this printed bulletin, please send information to announcements@stpaulscary.org. Names included in the prayer list will remain for a month, and we are happy to extend at your request. Please note that there is a 2-week lead time on printed announcements.