Michelle's Short & Sweet Updates

Happy Thursday Everyone,
 
Wow, Lent is here! The Ash Wednesday service was truly meaningful, as I hope the rest of your Lenten Journey will be. Here are some opportunities being offered during Lent to help you in your spiritual reflection:

​ SATURDAYS, 12 NOON, BEGINNING MARCH 4  
(This Saturday)  EMBRACING FORGIVENESS Workshop Series: Father Brian will lead us in a five-week exploration of what forgiveness is, what it is not, and how to find it in our lives on both a personal and communal level. This popular new series was prepared by Episcopal priest, spiritual director and author, Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, and is presented in a warm, honest and practical manner. Five Saturdays from March 4 through April 1, 2017 at 12 noon. BYOL (Bring your own lunch) . We will meet in the Parish Hall.
 
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT:   Each Wednesday of Lent, beginning March 8, we will have Evening Prayer in the Sanctuary at 5:00, and a bible study in the library at 5:30  pm. Due to a lack of interest and inadequate staffing, we will not be offering soup suppers this year.
 
ATTN: Altar Guild, 8 am coffee hosts, and others frequenting our grounds on Saturdays: Retreat groups will visit on Saturday March 4 and Saturday March 25th. They will be using our labyrinth and library meeting area from 9 am to 4 pm. Please do not disturb. As a result, the Saturday morning confidential Al-Anon group will need to relocate upstairs to the Parish Hall on those dates. In an effort to guarantee the Al-Anon group’s privacy, please note: The parish hall is absolutely not available from 9:25 am to 11:25 am for coffee hour prep, etc. If you see activity or persons in the Hall, please do not inquire as to the nature of their presence. Your cooperation is very much appreciated. Thank you!
 
OUTSIDE GROUP TO HOLD CHURCH SERVICE HERE SUNDAYS THROUGH EASTER!   The Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) will hold 2 pm services here in the sanctuary, with fellowship time following, beginning this Sunday, March 5. Attn Altar Guild- There will be a need to service the altar, etc immediately following the last Episcopal service of the day, so that the sanctuary is ready for the 2 pm service. I mention this because I have been advised that occasionally, those duties are left until later in the day, which would definitely not be possible now.  The group will still continue to meet on Tuesday nights in the Parish Hall.
 
SUNDAY, MARCH 5:  We’ll hold a 9:30 am service and view a recorded presentation of Presiding Bishop Curry’s sermon, delivered to those who attended his January Diocesan visit in Salinas. In the presentation, he speaks on “The Jesus Movement”. Vestry will also hold their first Sunday regular meeting, in the sanctuary. Bells practice at 11 in the Library.
 
LENTEN READERS- Please sign up if you’d like to be a wreath reader on the Sundays in Lent. The readings for each reader will be posted on the bulletin board in the hall. Just take your corresponding reading with you, as they will not be available in the church on the day you read.
 
JOE GOLOWKA MEMORIAL SERVICE:   Joe’s service will be incorporated into the 10:30 am Sunday service on March 19th. Though the family will provide the refreshments for the reception afterward, we need several volunteers from the parish for set-up, kitchen support and clean-up of the Hall. Attendance may be as high as 100 people. PLEASE SEE THE SIGN UP SHEET IN THE HALL IF YOU CAN HELP. It is located on the far left side of the left bulletin board.
 
SENIOR HEALTH SCREENING HAS LEFT CAMBRIA:   The monthly Monday screenings have been cancelled in Cambria, due to poor participation. One can still access those services on the fourth Tuesday in Morro Bay (Senior Center, Kennedy Way, 9 to noon), or in Paso Robles on the fourth Thursday (Senior Center, Scott Street, 9 to noon). For further info, call 544-2484 ext. 1.
 
EARLY OFFICE CLOSURE, THURSDAY, MARCH 9:   The Parish Administrator will leave promptly at noon for a 1 pm Parish Administrator’s meeting in San Luis Obispo next Thursday.
 
NEW FACES ON FRIDAYS:   Evelia Marroquin has retired as our campus cleaner. This Friday, we welcome Vicente Cueva and his wife Eva to our extended church family as Evelia’s replacement. They will be cleaning on Friday afternoons. Please be patient with them while they get acquainted with the facilities and cleaning routine.
 
THE GARDEN IS LOOKING BEAUTIFUL THESE DAYS!   Mary Brockman heads this important ministry and we are grateful for her efforts and time. Contact Mary if you’re interested in caring for our beautiful grounds; perhaps adopting a patch for regular maintenance. Have you seen Susie H’s jade corner? It’s that simple! In honor of the garden, I thought a quote shared with me recently, written by Henry David Thoreau, was timely: Heaven is under our feet as well as above our heads.”
 
THANK YOU DOUGLAS WONG for tackling the gutters that were full and clogged. The job is no easy task!
 
That’s it for now. Have a great weekend!
Michelle Costa
Parish Administrator
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
805.927.3239

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