Dear friends, One of my favorite paintings is “Christ Learning to Read” (1914) by Henry Ossawa Tanner. In it, we see Jesus as a young boy, maybe 8 or 9 years old, nestled by his mother’s side. She holds a scroll, and together they focus on its tiny words. Jesus looks like he’s…
Dear Friends, I love stories that spend a lot of time in character development, revealing what is going on behind the action scenes. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Star Wars battle scene, but the lessons of Yoda and Obi-Wan to the young Jedi Padawans are what I remember more – the…
Dear Friends, It has been quite a week at St. Paul’s. It began with a beautiful, fun, loving, and prayerful farewell to Javier Almendarez-Bautista, who is off for a few weeks of vacation and then begins his tenure as rector of Holy Family in Chapel Hill. After the 10 am service and after…
Dear Friends, It will be a bittersweet day as we gather with Fr. Javier for his final Eucharist with us at 7:30 a.m and 10 a.m. this Sunday, August 24 — but I predict it will be far more sweet than bitter. Read a Letter from the Interim Rector, Mo. Sarah
Over the past year St. Paul’s has experienced an astonishing amount of change. The turnover of three beloved clergy members in such a short span is no small thing…read more from Mother Sarah…
Sunday, August 24th is a day to celebrate Fr. Javier’s wonderful and impactful ministry at St. Paul’s! We will blend two services together and celebrate with one voice at 10 a.m.
Dear Friends, I have spent over nine years at St. Paul’s, and that time has been filled with everything that ministry has to offer. It has included baptisms, marriages, and funerals; committee meetings and hospital visits; moments of celebration as well as moments of grief and sorrow. In conversations in the narthex and elsewhere,…
Based on contributions from more than 150 of you, the Rector Search Committee has written the narrative portion of our parish profile, and it turned out to be essentially a love letter to St. Paul’s, the place and the people.
Dear Friends, I went through a transition of mental states after learning Fr. Javier will be the rector at the Church of the Holy Family in Chapel Hill. Mine started with “Oh no!” transitioned to “What a great opportunity for Javier!” and included a few sprinklings of loss and “What does this mean for…
Dear Friends, Over the last two weeks – my first two weeks as your Minister for Children, Youth, and Family Formation – I’ve already seen the deep investment you make in our young people, from the littlest infants in Kids’ Club to graduating high school seniors. You give your time, energy, resources, and hearts…