January Spire

Guatemala Trip Scheduled; Green Christianity at Faith Matters; Join the Choir in January

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In This Issue January 2016

Guatemala Trip Set for July
Introduce Yourself to Sean
Join the Choir this Month
Green Christianity

Join St. Peter's in Guatemala!

"I had a preconceived notion about what I might encounter in a country in which the media focuses on the bad and ugly of the country and not the good things. By being there, I was able to experience the warmth of the people, the richness of the culture and the beauty of the country."

Listen to Danny Alvarado's account of his trip to the Canterbury School in Guatemala City on the Open Minds blog.

Please consider joining St. Peter's as we travel to the Canterbury School in Guatemala City this summer. The trip this year will be July 17-25.

St. Peter’s Church has had a partnership with the Canterbury School in Guatemala City since 2005. The school has about 200 students from Pre-K through 7th grade. Over the years, adult and youth members and friends of St. Peter's have gone on trips there to work with the people of the school to make improvements to the facility and to develop relationships with the students and teachers.

This year the plan is to be in the classroom for a few days teaching the students English. We also hope to present a “History of Philadelphia” show and the Guatemalan children usually do an extensive show for us. We will then travel to San Lucas Mission, a Franciscan mission located on Lake Atitlan, for a few days for some time of service and then do some sightseeing. The mission provides housing, health care, nutrition, and education for Guatemalans. They run a coffee plantation from which we buy and sell Juan Ana Coffee.

For more information about this year's trip to Guatemala, please contact Danny Alvarado (eliudalvarado@gmail.com), Hannah Poole (eloop44@verizon.net), or Barbara Tobin (tbtobin@aol.com).

A picture is worth...

A message from the Rev. Sean Lanigan

It’s hard to believe that I’ve only been in Philadelphia for one month now! I’ve already learned so much in this short period of time, and I am feeling more acclimated by the day. Thanks for all you’re doing to help me get settled and oriented!

As I’ve greeted you in the receiving line after liturgy each week, I’m grateful that so many of you have shared your names with me, as well snippets of your stories. Please know that I’ve been working diligently to remember all of your names, but I must admit that I’m still struggling a bit. There’s a lot of information to digest in that brief span of time after worship each Sunday! And while you are most certainly a deeply memorable people, I’m also a very visually-oriented learner. I often need to see names in order to remember them. So, I’d like to invite you to help me out in the name-learning department. When you have moment, would you please send me a brief email introducing yourself and the members of your household? I’d welcome you to share a bit about who you are and to also include a recent photograph. I’m at lanigan@stpetersphila.org. Thanks in advance for being willing to accommodate my learning style and for allowing me to begin to get to know you!

And while this request of mine might seem solely practical, I’d like to think that it’s also a bit theological. The feast of Epiphany (also known as Three Kings Day) takes place on January 6 and initiates the season of Epiphany, which lasts until Lent. This season is all about recognizing who Jesus really is. Read more>>

The Gift of a Music Education

Families with boys and girls ages 6 through 17 who love to sing are encouraged to enroll in the boys and girls choir at Saint Peter's Church. January is an especially good time to get involved in the program.

You can begin the process by emailing or calling Darryl Roland to set a time to meet. Dr. Roland provides a comfortable environment for the parent and child to learn more about the program and for him to learn more about you and your family. In the course of the meeting, Dr. Roland guides the child through simple vocal melodies to determine his or her pitch matching abilities. Children do not need previous musical experience and do not have to prepare any music in advance. (Contact Dr. Roland at roland@stpetersphila.org or 215-925-5968.)

In addition to considering you own family’s involvement in the choir, parishioners are encouraged to spread the word about Saint Peter’s Choir to friends and relatives! The 2016 choir season has a lot of exciting opportunities for boys and girls and we look forward to welcoming new singers!

On the Wings of a Dove

10 a.m. Sundays, January 3 and 10

St. Peter's is pleased to welcome special guest Mark I. Wallace, Professor of Religion and Environmental Studies at Swarthmore College, at the next two Faith Matters. Wallace, author of "Green Christianity: Five Ways to a Sustainable Future" and other books, will give a presentation titled “On the Wings of a Dove: Christianity, Animism, and the Reenchantment of the World.” Faith Matters meets in the auditorium at St. Peter's School.

“Unfortunately, Christianity has been misunderstood as a religion that says God alone is holy, and that the natural world is devoid of sacred power. By using biblical and historical sources, however, I will show that Christianity sees all things – people, animals, trees, rocks, rivers, land, and the atmosphere itself – as saturated with God’s presence.”

What's Going On

The Episcopal Way

What do Episcopalians believe about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? How do we view the Bible? How and why was the Episcopal Church formed? Why does our worship look the way it does? What is the Anglican Communion? How does one become an Episcopalian? Join the Rev. Claire Nevin-Field for a discussion of these issues and much more in this first workshop in our “road map.” The Episcopal Way is intended for all who have questions and especially for those who wish to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church.

This four-week class will be held at 10 a.m. Sundays January 17, 24 & 31 and February 7. For more information contact the Rev. Claire Nevin-Field.

Ordinations

10 a.m. Saturday, January 16 at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral

Two St. Peter's parishioners—Sarah Emily Hedgis and Amanda Molina-Moore—will be ordained to the priesthood on Sunday, January 16. Sarah is the new Director of The Episcopal Mission Center and the Assistant at St. Gabriel's Church. Amy is Curate at Christ Church Christiana Hundred. Your prayers and presence are encouraged.

Parish Annual Meeting

12:30 p.m. Sunday, January 24

Everyone is invited to the State of the Parish report from the rector, wardens and vestry. The 2015 and 2016 budgets will be presented, vestry members will be elected, and parishioners will be thanked for extraordinary effort this past year. Lunch is provided.

Roundtable for Newcomers

12:30 p.m. Sunday, January 17

Join us and other seekers to learn what’s happening at St. Peter’s Church. Opportunities abound for learning, sharing, caring and serving. This is also a great way to get to know others who are new or sort-of-new to St. Peter’s. So please come for conversation and lunch at 313 Pine Street following the 11 a.m. service. Questions? Contact Kate Randall at randall@stpetersphila.org. Lunch is provided.

Upcoming Events

Faith Matters: On the Wings of a Dove
10 a.m. Sunday, January 3
Guest speaker: Swarthmore professor Mark I. Wallace

Book Group
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 5
“The Age of the Spirit: How the Ghost of an Ancient Controversy is Shaping the Church” by Phillis Tickle with Jon M. Sweeney

Faith Matters: On the Wings of a Dove
10 a.m. Sunday, January 10
Guest speaker: Swarthmore professor Mark I. Wallace

Youth Group
12:30 p.m. Sunday, January 10

TNT Lunch Gathering
12:30 p.m. Sunday, January 10

Knitting Group
5 p.m. Tuesday, January 12
At Pat Fusco's house

TNT Brews & Beliefs
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 13
At Bainbridge Street Barrel House

The E piscopal Way
10 a.m. Sunday, January 17

A Gathering of Parents
9:45 a.m. Sunday, January 17

Faith Matters: Christian Faith, Ecology, and Ethics – What’s Next?
10 a.m. Sunday, January 17

On Being
12:15 p.m. Sunday, January 17

Roundtable for Newcomers
12:30 p.m. Sunday, January 17

Sages Gathering
12:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 20
Guest speaker: The Rev. Sean Lanigan

The Episcopal Way
10 a.m. Sunday, January 24

Parish Annual Meeting
12:30 p.m. Sunday, January 24

The Episcopal Way
10 a.m. Sunday, January 31

Faith Matters: Get to Know our Associate Rector
10 a.m. Sunday, January 31

Youth Group
12:30 p.m. Sunday, January 31

Click here to view all the events in the month of January.

Announcements

St. Peter's Piano Studio

Parishioners of Saint Peter’s Church who are interested in beginning piano lessons or in finding a new piano teacher are encouraged to look at Saint Peter’s Church Piano Studio! Silvanio Reis is currently a doctoral student at Temple University who comes to us with a significant amount of teaching and performing experience. He is comfortable teaching young, beginning students as well as more advanced students.

Currently we are accepting children who are participating in the choir program and/or have parents who regularly participate in the life of Saint Peter’s Church. Mr. Reis is scheduled to teach at Saint Peter’s Church’s Parish House on Monday afternoons.

For additional information regarding lesson fees and scheduling, please contact Darryl Roland at roland@stpetersphila.org or 215.925.5968.

1761 Society Event

The 1761 Society recognizes parishioners who have made a thoughtful commitment to the future life and ministry of St. Peter's. As a way of showing our gratitude, the members of the 1761 Society are invited to enjoy a private guided tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 24. This one-hour guided tour, devoted to images inspired by the Christian faith, will feature works by many of the greatest artists of the Medieval and Renaissance times, such as van Eyck, Botticelli and Bellini.

If you have remembered St. Peter's in your will or estate plans, please let us know so we can include you in the 1761 Society and invite you to this and future events. Want to know more about planned giving options? Visit the planned giving section of our website or contact Lauri Cielo.

Vestry Election

During the Parish Annual Meeting on January 24, St. Peter's parishioners will elect two new members to the Vestry. The nominees are Nora Adelmann and Cordelia Biddle. Nora, a parishioner at St. Peter's since 2013, is a member of choir, volunteers with the food cupboard, serves as a chalice bearer, and co-chaired the steering group for The Way Forward planning process. Cordelia has been a member of St. Peter's for 20 years, has served on the Vestry and as Rector's Warden, currently serves as a greeter and lector, and member of the Adult Education Committee. To learn more about Nora and Cordelia, click here to read their full bios.

Welcome Recent Visitors:

Annette Warden; Tim & Bernadette Olsen; Morgan Caulfield; Jared Cram & Lindsay Krieg; Meghan Dearnley & Brian; Allegra & Nikolina; Kevin Loftus

Thank You:

Jill Minick for lighting and leading our way
Sheila Jamison Schwartz for sharing her faith story
Henry Hauptfuhrer for helping with needed repairs
Katie and Joe Fanelli for hosting the party for Sean & Dale and Sophia McClendon for their help
Sue Mooney for her tireless service in Godly Play and Tower Room
Ben Cornelius for joining the bell ringer ministry
Scott Greer & Jen Childs for their help with the pageant
Leslie Ross for the pretty red bows for the wreaths
To altar guilders, crucifers & torch bearers, acolytes, lectors, vergers, ushers, greeters, bread bakers and chalice bearers for all your extra work at Christmas time

Birthdays:

Best wishes to those celebrating birthdays in January:
1 - Hildegard Kent
3 - Kitty Holder
7 - Parker Betten
8 - David Richards
12 - Barbara Elliott
13 - Elizabeth DiPentino
16 - Erik DeBaun
19 - Katey Schatz
19 - Sophia McClendon
19 - Peter Duffy
20 - Silas Grasse
22 - Nell Hornsby
23 - Bill Brady
23 - Nancy Fago
23 - Conrad Nelson
26 - Analise DiCicco
27 - Fred Shindle
27 - Max Julyan
28 - Ejner Jensen

Did we miss your birthday? Email Kate Randall to add your birthday to the list.

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St. Peter's is a church on a mission: To embody the love of God as Christ's heart, mind, and hands.

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