Lively discussion and outstanding fellowship can be found in the Parish Hall between the 9:15 am and 11:15 am services (while the children are in Church School) during the Fall and Winter service schedule. All are invited and all are welcome.
“When two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
Nursery care is provided for children ages birth through 3 at our 9:15 and 11:15 services.
2009 – 2010
Journeys: Mind, Body, Spirit
Come join us on Sunday mornings as we gather to learn and to grow in the Spirit!
Led by an exciting, diverse and distinguished group of presenters representing the religious, medical and academic communities, this year’s Adult Faith and Life Forums promise to be enriching, provocative and educational. We’ll walk through Scripture, explore the joys and challenges of parenting and aging, travel with St. Paul, investigate advance directives and Alzheimer’s Disease, meet Martin Luther, identify our spiritual gifts, pray and meditate.
Sunday, May 9th: The Healing of Haiti with Dr. Allen Levy
The Haitian earthquake was devastating to Haiti and over 2,000,000 Haitian people. Over 250,000 people died. The population is in fear that it will happen again within their lifetime. The international community responded with a flood of aid: food, water, shelter, clothing, medical supplies and money were all sent. Medical doctors from all over the world gave freely of their services. With a team of doctors and support staff from the United States, Dr. Allen Levy went to Haiti in order to give psychological counseling to those in need.
The Fairfield community rallied round and freely gave over 2000 pounds of clothing and school supplies. Dr. Levy will be speaking on his experience in Haiti and what it has meant to the Haitian people.
Allen Levy is a practicing transpersonal modern psychoanalyst and clinical social worker in private practice in Westport, Connecticut. As well, Dr. Levy is internationally known for his work over the past 35 years in stress reduction, deep relaxation and meditation.
Dr. Levy is an ordained interfaith minister through the All Faiths Seminary International in New York. He has taught yoga and meditation at Columbia University, St. John the Divine Church, and Broadway Presbyterian Church in New York City, as well as throughout the United States, Europe and India.
Sunday, May 16th: St. Paul’s Professional Marketplace
Attention all St. Paul's entrepreneurs!
Spread the word about your company, whether it's a full-time business or a part-time endeavor. Tables will be set up in the parish hall for displaying information about your company. Refreshments will be served. If you are interested in being part of this wonderful opportunity, please contact Mary Ellen Hagedus at mehagedus"at"optonline.net or 203-576-6528 to reserve a table.
April 25: Spiritual Gifts/Personal Journeys “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.
By virtue of our Baptismal Covenant, each of us is welcome into the Body of Christ. We are Christ?s eyes and ears, his arms and legs. God has blessed each one of us with unique gifts useful and necessary to his work in and through the church. What are your gifts?
Join us for a hands-on approach to discovering and affirming the gifts of the Spirit within us and among us. Special guests Joan and Chester Fairlie and Amy and Larry Malick will share their personal spiritual journeys. How did they discover their gifts? Diverse and inspiring, their stories and ministries illustrate the workings and blessings of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
PAUL: HIS LIFE AND WORK with Dr. John Gettier
April 11: The Road to Damascus/Blinded by the Light
April 18: Paul's Travels/Man on a Mission
For what he accomplished in his lifetime, for the writings he left behind, and for what he represents in Christian thought and action, the apostle Paul is a giant of world history and a seminal figure in the evolution of Christianity. The New Testament devotes more space to him than to any person other than Jesus. Who was he? Why is he so important? Please join us as we welcome back Dr. John Gettier to St. Paul’s Adult Faith and Life Forums. In these two sessions we will examine the available biblical literature by and about Paul in order to probe the critical questions concerning this man and his impact.
John A. Gettier taught biblical literature at Trinity College in Hartford for thirty-five years specializing in apocalypticism, ancient Near Eastern mythology, Hebrew language and narrative, and the relationship between the two Testaments. He has a B.A. from Wesleyan University , a divinity degree from Yale, and his Th.D. from Union Theological Seminary in New York.
March 14 and March 21
Gospel Based Discipleship: Walking in The Word
Join us for a two-week exploration of "Gospel Based Discipleship." This will not be a traditional Bible Study but more a start of a long journey into being more comfortable with Scripture and more importantly, the Gospels. During our time together, we will be focusing on the following reflections:
What word(s), idea(s) or sentence(s) stand out for you in the reading?
What is Jesus (the Gospel) saying to you?
What is Jesus (the Gospel) calling you to do?
We are all called to not only read the Gospels but to reflect on how we can live them in our time. All you will need is a willingness to share and openness to Scripture as the Living Word of God. As we grow in our knowledge and understanding of Scripture, we come to realize just how contemporaneously meaningful and personally relevant their teachings are. The more we sit with these texts and study them, the more our lives will be reflections of Jesus‘ life. The Gospel readings are included below for your reference. Bibles will be provided. Sunday, March 14: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Sunday, March 21: John 12:1-8
February 28: Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening: Cynthia Klokel
Centering prayer has been found to be one of the most effective ways for God to nurture our hearts to love and trust – to allow the Gospel to become more and more alive in us. It increases our capacity to become followers of Christ. Centering prayer is an opening of our heart and mind – our whole being – to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. During these moments of silence we are consenting to God’s presence and transformation. If we are transformed, everybody in our lives will be changed too. If we are pouring out love wherever we go, that love will start coming back. Come and discover what a blessing God has given us through this “prayer of silence.”
Cynthia Klokel was introduced to St. Paul’s through Evensong in 2005 and has since joined the church family. She practices the Centering Prayer method taught by Cynthia Bourgeault, an Episcopalian priest and contemplative, who worked closely with Father Thomas Keating on the practice of Centering Prayer.
February 21: Yale Divinity School Bookstore Lenten Book Fair
Micah Luce, Manager of the Yale Divinity School (YDS) Bookstore, will be in the Parish Hall with a selection of books on Lenten reflections, spirituality and Christian devotion, biblical studies, Christian family and education, and scholarly works by YDS faculty.
All books are available for purchase via cash, check, or credit card (sorry, no American Express). Don't worry--if you did not come prepared to make a purchase, you can always contact the YDS bookstore with special orders or other Christian book questions at 203.432.6101.
February 14: All God’s Children/Foster Care: Frank Tuchols
“The church is called to receive, nurture and treasure each child as a gift from God. The church is called to love, shelter, protect and defend children within its own community and in the world, especially those who are abused, neglected or in danger.” Children’s Charter for the Church
Join Frank Tuchols for an in-depth look into the world of foster care. Children and youth need a family – not just a home. Family is a bridge of hope for youth in foster care, a connection that bolsters and nurtures them throughout life. Frank will speak about the need for foster families and the work of foster care, enter-taining any questions of those who may be interested in welcoming a foster child/youth into their home.
Frank Tuchols has been a member of St. Paul’s for the past seven years and just completed his service on the vestry. Frank is a licensed Social Worker with Casey Family Services in Bridgeport and has worked with children and families in foster care for the past fourteen years.
