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“...so that all may learn and all be encouraged...”
1 Corinthians 14.31
At 9:35 a.m. from the second Sunday in September to late May nearly
every corner of the church is filled with folks of all ages engaged
in studying God’s Word for their lives.
- Sunday Church School ministry
is available for children age 3 through sixth grade. Children
gather in age based groups for learning activities.
- Confirmation Ministry.
Young people in seventh and eighth grades are encouraged
to participate in the Sunday morning class which focuses on the
Bible and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism in alternating
years. This class is one dimension of a wider Confirmation Ministry
which prepares young people to identify more fully with the community
of the church and to understand how the Christian faith gives
shape and meaning to their lives. Other aspects of this ministry
include retreats, social events, servant events, and establishing
a mentoring relationship with another adult in the congregation.
- High School Breakfast
– Confirmed Youth of St. Paul Church gather in
the narthex following the 8:30 a.m. worship service and travel
to the Old Saybrook Diner for conversation and fellowship.
- Adult Forum. Adults
are invited to participate in this opportunity to explore God’s
Word revealed in Scripture and issues relating to faith and life.
- Sunday Intergenerational
Events. On occasional Sundays during the year,
intergenerational events focusing on a special theme or holy-day
are held.
Small group ministry at St.
Paul Church
A growing number of small
groups provide opportunities for members of St. Paul and of the
surrounding community to gather for study, conversation, support,
friendship and nurture in the faith.
Some of the current groups are:
Wednesday Evening Women's Book
Discussion Group
This group meets for lively
discussion over issues of faith and life raised in book readings
selected by group members. First and third Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
in homes of some of the group's participants. Lauren Brazicki (860-388-5396)
and Julie Koch (860-388-2728), coordinators.
Wednesday Morning Breakfast
Club
This group of early risers
gathers at the church at 6 a.m. each Wednesday morning to share
a meal and to study the Scripture lessons for the upcoming Sunday.
New participants are always welcome! They even continue through
the summer months. Earl Simoneau (860-767-2289) coordinator.
Thursday Brown Bag Lunch Bible
Study
This group meets weekly for
lunch, prayer and conversation over Scripture. You are invited to
join this group at any time. Carol Voigt (860-388-3213) coordinator.
September through May.
Saturday Morning Women’s
Book Group
This group meets the first
Saturday of each month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and discuss a book that
has been chosen at the previous month. Sandi Linton (203-421-5045)
coordinates this group.
Saturday Morning Writing Group
This group meets the second
Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m.. Participants read short
passages, then “free write” their reactions to the reading.
If they choose, writers may share their personal expressions. No
writing experience is necessary; there is no critique of grammar
or spelling. Instead, writers receive positive, supportive feedback.
Adults and teens from the community also are invited to participate.
Dale Griffith (860-227-6744) coordinates this group.
Interfaith Dialogues
Each winter we have an interfaith
dialogue to open up discussion between those of the Muslim, Christian
and Jewish faiths.
ChristCare Groups
The Salon - Meets once a month
from 7 to 9 p.m. to pray and study together as they discuss current
events and its effects on themselves and the world around them.
For more info Jane Watt can be reached at 860-388-9449 or jlsearjeant@snet.net.
Renewing Relationships - This group meets every Monday
from 7 to 9 p.m. at the home of Lauren and Bill Brazicki to gather
together in prayer and study as they work toward building and enriching
their relationships in the way that God intended. For more information,
Lauren Brazicki can be reached at 860-388-5396 or lauren@champagnetaste.net.
The Brown Bag Bible Study - This group meets weekly at
church on Thursdays (no meetings until September) from noon to 1:30
p.m. to pray, study, and discuss Bible passages. For more information,
Carol Voigt can be reached at 860-388-3213 or windsongcv@sbcglobal.net.
Life Transitions - This group meets every other Monday
6 to 7:30 p.m. at the home of Kathy Smith to pray, study, and care
for one another as they deal with transitions in their lives. For
info, Kathy Smith can be reached at 860-434-6229 or lymelight154@gmail.com.
Vacation Bible School
Since the summer of 2000,
the "Most Fantastic Week for Children in the Old Saybrook Area"
has been right here at St. Paul Church. Storytelling, worship, singing,
crafts, recreation and loads of fun for five special mornings. Watch
for more details to come.
First Communion Preparation
Children in second grade and
above are invited to participate in a special series of workshops
to help prepare them to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.
These workshops are held during Lent and are done cooperatively
with Trinity Lutheran Church in Centerbrook. Parents are also expected
to attend. Whether a child is ready to participate in these workshops
is the decision of the parents in consultation with the pastor.
Secret Angels Ministry
Young children at St. Paul
(kindergarten through 3rd grade) each have a "secret angel,"
a person in the congregation who will secretly send them special
greetings and blessing through the year. Mid-way through the school
year (in January), the secret angels reveal themselves at a special
social gathering and party. Stacey D'Aquila serves as coordinator.
Kids for Christ (KFC)
Our junior youth group for
kids grades 4-6. They meet on a regular basis for community service
activities and afternoons of fun and fellowship. Melissa Hart serves
as coordinator.
Ministries of high school age youth are alive at St. Paul. In addition
to regular activities of study and service through the school year,
other rich opportunities abound for youth at St. Paul including:
- annual weekend at Camp Calumet in the beautiful While Mountains
of New Hampshire
- annual Camp Out weekend in September with nearly 1,000 other
youth from New England at Hammonasset Beach.
- summer "mission trips" to places of need where St.
Paul youth who will be entering the 9th grade or higher join with
other young people from around the country to serve and discover
new dimensions of self and selfless serving. These trips have
taken our youth from the Blackfoot Reservation in Montana in 2001;
to Lynn, Massachusetts in 2002; one to Niagra Falls, NY, the other
to Brooklyn, NY in 2003. In 2004, the youth served in Mon Valley,
Pennsylvania, and in Philadelphia, PA in 2005, and Mohawk Indian
Reservation, Upstate NY in 2006, Toronto in 2007, and the Adirondack
Mountains in Upstate NY in 2008. The 2009 trip will be to Washington,
DC July 12-17.
In addition to all the above, you will find St. Paul youth involved
in a variety of serving and worship ministries of the congregation.
Ellie Rufleth coordinates.
Special fellowship events for the whole congregation are held almost
monthly. These events provide a wonderful opportunity for folks
of all ages to gather for a pleasant evening, informal conversation,
almost always over food. Some of the highlights of the year include
a summer Ice Cream Social and Hymn Sing, pre-Christmas potluck and
party following the children’s program, a Valentine's Day
party and talent show, and Mothers Day supper. Lenten soup suppers
are held on Wednesday evenings during Lent preceding a Lenten study
and worship. Small informal dinner groups, "Dinner for 8 or
9," that meet occasionally during the year are also arranged
and encouraged so that folks can get to know one another within
the congregation.
Summer Softball Team...The St.
Paul Disciples!
Every summer is softball time for folks at St. Paul. "The
Disciples" play in the Old Saybrook Park and Recreation Co-ed
League. It is low-key and lots of fun for everyone! Get your arms,
legs, gloves, bats, etc. ready! Charlie Brown (860-388-9444) is
coach. Practices begin in May and games begin in mid-June.
For further ministries that
nurture and support growth in faith and community, see our "Serving"
section. |
