Greetings from Deacon Todaro
Faith as a mustard seed
Last year I preached on the parable of the mustard seed. Rather than faith the size of a mustard seed, a better translation would be faith as a mustard seed. Mustard seeds are small, round and hard. Somehow those seeds I threw on the ground in the fall have grown into these tall, beautiful flowers.
Mustard doesn’t grow without some care. It grows best in a sunny location, needs water and may need some fertilizer. In return, it grows flowers and produces more seeds, edible greens, and large roots to help break up the clay soil in my yard.
Our faith, like mustard, requires some care. Summer is coming and many people like to skip church attendance. I understand that. Church is hot and uncomfortable and there are so many fun things to do in summer. However, just like plants can wither and die in a drought, faith can wither and die without some care. We can effort to attend some services, whether in person or online. Daily prayer is available online and as podcasts. I like evensong available from churches and cathedrals around world online as video and podcasts. Forward Day by Day devotional books are available at the entrance to the church, and online. There are many resources to grow in faith, or at the very least not let faith wither during if you don’t attend worships services weekly.
Rectory Painting and Clean-up
We will hold at least one more work session, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Tuesday, May 19, to complete painting and for final touches, window washing and clean-up. Even if you are not a painter, we can use help with clean-up at the end of the day. Please join us if you are able to help. All supplies will be provided. 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.
Pentecost Celebration
St. Paul’s will celebrate the Day of Pentecost on Sunday, May 24. Parishioners may wish to observe the tradition of wearing red to symbolize the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Pride Evensong
St. Paul’s will celebrate Pride Evensong, June 9, at 5:30 p.m.
Beaver Cross Volunteer Day
The diocese is planning a volunteer day at Beaver Cross Camp, 10:00-4:00, June 13, 575 Burton Rd., Greenwich. Lunch is included. RSVP KHyde@CTKCenter.org or 518-692-9550.
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, even if only for an hour or two, please contact Mark Lowery. Appointments are NOT limited to Power Red donations as indicated in previous announcements. Appointments for both whole blood and Power Red donations are still available. You can make an appointment to donate at https://www.redcrossblood.org/.
During the month of June, Stewart’s Shops will donate a certificate for a free pre-packaged pint of ice cream or gelato to anyone who donates blood at a participating Red Cross location through its Pint For Pint Program. Donors will also receive a Looney Tunes t-shirt, while supplies last.
Summer Service Times
St. Paul’s summer service times will begin on June 14. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 8:00 am and 9:30 am each Sunday. The choir’s last Sunday before its summer hiatus will be June 7. The choir and normal worship times will return on Homecoming Sunday, September 13.
Scholarship Applications
Applications for the Mall, McWilliam, Funk and Sayles/Hutchinson Memorial Scholarships are available in the parish office. All applications are due in the parish office no later than 4:00 pm, May 31, 2026.
IN OUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK
For those who celebrate an anniversary:
Lisa and Dale 5/19
For those in need of healing, guidance, and comfort:
Joel, Mike, Hilda, Matt, Raelynn, Cynthia, Joe, Elizabeth, Dennis, Meaghan, Jescyka, Ty, Lynn, Russell, Anita, Laura, Bruce, Lea, Linda.
For those who have asked for our prayers:
Bob Caldwell and the people of All Saints Catholic Mission in Oakland Park, Florida.
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.
