Announcements

Two Bible Study Classes Available
 

 They're back!  The bible study for retired men, on Thursdays, at 9 am, will now meet at St. Paul's.  Deacon John Doherty will present a study option.  Please call the church office at 288-7297 to let him know you will be there.  It is a great group and always welcomes newcomers.  Learning, prayer, discussion, and community are what make it special.

The new Thursday evening bible study for men is going co-ed! The class being held in the library at 7 pm on Thursday evenings is now open to all. Come and learn the Gospel of John from a historical perspective.   For details, contact Steve Theis.
 

Quiet Garden
 

This new website allows you to actually calculate how much water you use so you can begin to assess your "water footprint." Cutting down on how much water we use in our homes and yards is the most important step we can take to reduce our water footprint. But our consumer and lifestyle habits also have a big, although less obvious, impact.

To assess your water footprint, go to http://www.h2oconserve.org/home.php?pd=index
To learn how to reduce water use at home, go to http://www.eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm
To find water-saving products, go to http://www.eartheasy.com/shop/water_save.htm

Iowa Interfaith Power & Light

This statewide organization based in Des Moines mobilizes the religious community to become leaders in the fight against global warming. Launched two years ago, IIPL gave birth to the "Cool Congregations" stewardship program.  The group is now seeking its first full-time Executive Director to lead the educational outreach and advocacy for global warming solutions, develop partnerships with utilities on energy efficiency goals and continue the expansion of the Cool Congregations initiative.  A complete job description is posted on the information bulletin board by the back door.

Plastic Bags - Re-Think Attitude
Be Cool!

Every year, approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide.  That's a lot of bags! Over one million bags are used every minute, and they're damaging our environment. Of those 500 billion, 100 billion are consumed in the United States alone.  That means every person uses 83 plastic bags every year. That a bag per person every 4-1/2 days. Bags release toxins into the ground water from landfill sites, stay in the environment for hundreds of years while they break down, and waste energy in the manufacturing process. Re-think your attitude! Use cloth re-usable bags for all types of shopping.  Look for "green" bags for sale on-site now. Re-use large plastic sacks whenever possible. Refrigerate food in containers. Think cool.

Resource: Plymouth's newsletter, "Contact" dated 2/6/07 (Volume 28, Issue 6, p. 3)

St. Paul's Chapel and Columbarium
 

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul has a columbarium located against the back wall (North side) of the chapel downstairs next to the entrance. Currently in the chapel there are 6 columns with 6 rows of white granite squares. St. Paul’s is the only Episcopal Church in Des Moines to have a columbarium and it is open to the Diocese of Iowa. The current 36 vaults have nearly all been reserved; the bottom row is still available. However, plans are underway for another 30 spaces located to the South of the chapel entrance. These will be constructed similar to the current spaces using white granite. The reservation price is $1000 per vault and $750 for a bottom row vault. Each vault can contain 2 urns. If you would like to consider the columbarium of St. Paul’s as your final resting place, you are invited to contact the Columbarium Committee chairmen, Herndon Hippee and Paolo Bartesaghi and Kenton Klein, who can provide you with more information regarding costs, use, and maintenance.
 

All Ages Welcome!

A team of at least six or seven parishioners transport and serve the Churches United Shelter meal each month.  The Outreach Cloister encourages additional St. Paul's members to participate in this rewarding, "feel good" ministry.  Time commitment is 5:30-6 pm if transporting food from church to the Shelter, and 6-7 pm if serving at the Shelter (it's also easy to do both!)--almost always on the 24th of each month.  Current "wait-staff" report it is socially a good time, an opportunity to spend time with friends and new people, plus the clean-up afterwards is done by Shelter members.  No dishes to do!  Watch for the poster in the parish house corridor and add your name. Many thanks!

Loaves and Fishes Ministry

This group provides meals for parishioners who are ill or have lost a loved one.  The clergy contacts the coordinator of the ministry to relay a need for meals, and the coordinator calls upon parishioners who are willing to prepare and deliver a meal.  The meal is usually dinner and should include a main course, salad or sides, bread and dessert for the entire household.  If you are interested in helping this this caring ministry by preparing and delivering meals, please contact Jan Doherty, Loaves and Fishes coordinator, by e-mail or phone.  If you ever find you need a few meals to help you through a difficult situation, please do contact the church office or one of the clergy.

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