From Mark Lowery, Junior Warden
For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat.
This past Saturday, April 11, Sandy Lowery, Rod Cripps and I represented St. Paul’s at Loaves and Fishes Outreach Ministries, which operates out of the St. Francis Mission, 498 Clinton Avenue, Albany. We joined approximately a dozen volunteers from other Episcopal parishes in serving 486 hot meals, and distributing more than 100 bags of groceries and several hundred pounds of winter clothing, shoes and household items. Although we were able to handle the workload, we could have used a couple more pairs of hands.
In the past, a different parish was responsible for providing the volunteers on each Saturday of the month. St. Paul’s was responsible for second Saturdays. Loaves and Fishes has now dropped that practice and encourages volunteers to come to help whenever they are available. In fact, some individuals volunteer almost every Saturday. And once you have been there, it’s easy to see that the sense of camaraderie and the joy of giving of one’s time and energy to those in need are the reasons volunteers resist the temptation to sleep in on Saturday morning and keep coming back.
A weekly or even monthly commitment is not necessary. Due to other commitments, Sandy and I generally limit our participation to one or two weeks per month, but we look forward to a time when we can do more. The feeding ministry can always use more willing hands, especially during the summer months when regular volunteers may be unavailable. All ages, from teenagers to seniors, are welcome, and no particular skills are necessary. The work begins around 9:00 am and is usually complete by 2:00 pm, but even an hour or two of extra help can be useful.
If you choose to join us, I can guarantee you at least three things:
- It will be the most fun you have all week.
- You will appreciate what you have all the more.
- You will see Christ in the faces of those whom you help.
Vestry Meeting
St. Paul’s vestry will meet in the Blue Room at 7:15 pm, Tuesday, April 21.
Rectory Painting
We are directing spring clean-up efforts to the rectory this year. We have several rooms to finish painting and windows in need of washing before the rectory is ready to welcome its next occupants. Rod Cripps, Bill Harrison, Caleb Lindquist, Sandy Lowery and Bill Moll made a great start this past Tuesday. We will continue the work on Tuesday, April 21, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, please join us if you are able. Additional sessions will be scheduled as necessary.
All paint, supplies, brushes, rollers, etc., will be provided. If you have a favorite paint brush, please feel free to bring it, but the treasurer will not reimburse any unauthorized expenditures for this work as the parish already owns more painting supplies than it will ever use. Please bring your own lunch. The rectory is located at 85 Mosher Road, Delmar, in the Town of Bethlehem. Please contact Mark Lowery if you have any questions or are available to work at other times.
Retired Easter Lilies
Although they were beautiful at the altar on Easter, the bloom is off the lilies, and they are available in the ambulatory for the taking to anyone who wants to repot the bulbs or plant them outside.
Bach Concert
St. Paul’s Choir will present its annual Bach concert in the church sanctuary on Sunday, April 26, at 3:00 pm. This year’s concert will include three of Johann Sebastian Bach’s best-loved cantatas: BWV 4, Christ lay in death’s bonds; BWV 182, Welcome King of Heaven; and BWV 196, The Lord blesses us. A reception will follow in the Blue Room. Admission is $20; students are admitted free.
CROP Walk
The John U. Miller Memorial CROP Walk will step off from St. Paul’s at 1:30 on Sunday, May 3. The 2026 goal for this annual event to enhance food security, both locally and around the world, is $104,500. Registration will begin in McEwan Hall at 12:30; music will start in the church sanctuary at 12:45, and the opening ceremony will begin at 1:10. St. Paul’s is part of the Loaves and Fishes/Episcopal Parishes of Albany Team. To join the team or start your own, or to make a donation, visit https://events.crophungerwalk.org/chw/teams?event=albanyny.
Many thanks to Dan Halloran for both leading the L&F/EPA Team and serving as St. Paul’s coordinator for the event.
Flower Memorials
If you would like to dedicate altar flowers, please sign the flower chart hanging outside the Blue Room kitchenette door, complete a flower dedication form (also hanging outside the kitchenette) and submit it to the parish office at least three weeks prior to the desired dedication date.
Blood Drive
The Red Cross will hold a blood drive at St. Paul’s from 2:00 to 6:00, Tuesday, June 30. A few volunteers are needed to help with registration and dispensing snacks to donors. If you are willing to help for an hour or two, please contact Mark Lowery.
Scholarship Applications
Applications for the Mall, McWilliam, Funk and Sayles/Hutchinson Memorial Scholarships are now available in the church narthex and parish office. All applications are due in the parish office no later than 4:00 pm, May 31, 2026.
See the full list of announcements and additional information at Announcements – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
IN OUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK
For those who celebrate a birthday.
For those who celebrate an anniversary.
For those in need of healing, guidance, and comfort:
Ty, Elizabeth, Joe, Hilda, Lynn, Russell, Anita, Laura, Raelynn,
Matt, Cynthia, Meaghan, Dennis, Jescyka.
For those who have asked for our prayers:
Bob Caldwell and the people of All Saints Catholic Mission in Oakland Park, Florida.
Zac and all the members of the armed forces.
For our mission partners:
Mother Martha Hubbard and the people of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Albany.
Father Samuel Louis Charles, and the people of Christ the King
Episcopal Church and parish school in LaHoye, Haiti.
Father Nicolas Stebbing, and the Tariro orphanages.
For the departed: All of our loved ones.
For the victims of conflict and violence.
For the victims of natural disasters throughout the world and those who suffer from or are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
For the victims of gun violence.
PRAYER FOR A NEW RECTOR
Almighty God, giver of every good gift; Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
EASTER MEMORIALS
EASTER MEMORIALS
Clyde & Patricia Childs
Stephen Clark
Pam Coutchie
Frances & Thomas Cripps
Roberta Cripps
George Dannecker, Sr.
George Dannecker, Jr.
Vincenza P. Dannecker
Sharon Davis
John Deisley
Mildred & Robert Englert
James W. Feck
Hubert & Catherine Harwood
Kirk & Dick Hauser
Dr. Denis Jones
Gretchen Lane
Lillian LeBaron
Anna Losinger
Flora Losinger
JoAnn Losinger
Robert Losinger
W. Michael Losinger
Christine Malone
Rev. Nixon McMillan
Steve Momrow
James Noisette
Bill & Janet Peltz
Nelson & Effie Roberts
Richard Roberts
Jesse Rodger
Kay Shaffer
Donald & JoAnn Schmidt
David Shove
Kenneth & Virginia Smith
Arnold Stalker
Mary Ann Stalker
H. William Steinhorst
John & Valerie Thompson
Robert Wensley
Elizabeth White
James White
William White
Jennie Williams
EASTER FLOWER DONORS
Vivian Cripps
Robert Englert
Sandie Feck
Stacie & Dan Halloran
Susan Harwood
Steven Rosenberry
Andrew Schmidt
Sheila Smith
Robin Steinhorst
Beth Wensley
