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 OUR CHURCH: The Messenger
The Gift of Sacrament
Coming Soon
When will the Rector be on Sabbatical?
Who will fill in?
A Note from the Music Director The most prominent parishioner of the 19th century was the statesman, Henry Clay (1777 - 1852). Clay was an American statesman and orator who represented Kentucky in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, where he served as Speaker. He also served as Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. Clay was a dominant figure in both the First and Second Party Systems. As a leading war hawk, he favored war with Britain and played a significant role in leading the nation to war in 1812. He was a major supporter of the American System, fighting for an increase in tariffs to foster industry in the United States, the use of federal funding to build and maintain infrastructure, and a strong national bank. Dubbed the "Great Compromiser," he brokered important compromises during the Nullification Crisis and on the slavery issue, especially in 1820 and 1850, during which he was part of the "Great Triumvirate" or "Immortal Trio," along with his colleagues Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun. He was viewed as the primary representative of Western interests in this group, and was given the names "Henry of the West" and "The Western Star." In 1957, a Senate committee chaired by Sen. John F. Kennedy named Clay as one of the five greatest Senators in U.S. history. In his early involvement in Illinois politics and as a fellow Kentucky native, Abraham Lincoln was a great admirer of Clay. Clay was nominated and ran four times for the Presidency. He refused nomination a fifth time with the statement, "I would rather be right than President." While Clay's time was much divided between his political duties in Washington and his life as a Lexingtonian, Clay consistently expressed great interest in matters relating to the parish in Lexington. He was not, however a baptized member of the parish. This son of a Virginia Baptist minister was not baptized into the Church until the age of 70. From a letter from the Rev. Edward H. Berkeley, Rector of Christ Church, Lexington (1839-1858) to a Vestryman of the time we have this report: "I baptized Mr. Clay in his parlor at Ashland, at the same time administering the same ordinance to his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Thomas H. Clay, and four of her children, on the 22nd of June, 1847, a few special friends only being present....It may interest you to know that in the baptismal service of the Protestant Episcopal Church there are certain questions asked which the candidate is supposed to answer from the book. Seeing that Mr. Clay did not have a prayer book in his hand, I suggested that the use of one might enable him more readily to answer the questions. He replied, "I think I shall be able to answer them;" and the readiness with which he answered, and his familiarity with the service, gave evidence that he had made it a personal study, and was ready to stand by his declarations." Clay was confirmed on July 18, 1847 in a service at the Morrison Chapel of Transylvania College where services were being held as a new church was being built. In another communication the Rev. Berkeley related this anecdote concerning himself and his famous parishioner: "One Sunday I preached a sermon that had too much of myself and my views in it; I was a young man then..." A few days later, after dining at Ashland, he and his host were walking around the beautiful grounds. Mr. Clay praised the recent sermon, complimenting him upon its composition and delivery, but added, "When I go to Church, I like to hear something in the sermon that will guide a sinner to his Saviour." Berkeley wrote that he accepted the rebuke and felt that it was deserved. He remembered and treasured those words and was restrained by them whenever he felt inclined to preach anything else than "Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
Grace and Peace,
What's New at St. Paul's
A Festival of Music
Meet a parishioner: Kaye Savage Kaye Savage has been attending St. Paul's off and on since the early 90's when she transferred in from St. Augustine's Church in SW to St. Paul's to take advantage of the strong Christian Education program that the church had for young people managed by an "excellent" Education Director on staff. Kaye has 3 children, now adults, two daughters and a son. She eventually left St. Paul's to attend Epiphany Church which was near her job but returned to St. Paul's in 2008 when she found herself driving by. She enjoys the beauty of the church and the service and has found Rosemari to be a very calm, positive, and centered priest. She appreciates St. Paul's strong focus on its Outreach programs and the Strawberry Festival. And she loves Advent, Epiphany and the Christmas services and how beautifully the church is decorated. She finds it peaceful and glorious. For the last five years Kaye has been involved in the establishment of the Excel Academy Public Charter School, an all girls' school located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. in SE. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of the school which began operation in 2008 with 134 students, now has 210 and next year expects to have 330. The school will eventually encompass pre-school through eighth grade and currently consists of preschool through second grade. The young girls are being prepared to be successful in high performing high schools and college. Currently the school has a partnership program with Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda. Kaye feels strongly that God has led her to this point through her education and various positions in the community and economic development fields and sees the school as her ministry to the children and families that are a part of her school. Kaye has a Master's and undergraduate degrees from Howard University and a second Master's in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. National Convention of the American Guild of Organists at Rock Creek, July 8 St. Paul's, Rock Creek will host several hundred of the more than 2000 people coming to Washington, DC for the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists during the first full week of July. We will be hosting simultaneous concerts of music at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. in both the Church and in the Great Hall. In the Church noted Austrian organist, Ulriche Theresia Wegele will present a solo recital. In the Great Hall Washington's own Fessenden Ensemble will present a concert of chamber music utilizing the portative organ. From 1:00 -2:30 p.m. New York organist Isabelle Diemers will present a workshop in the Church on a portion of the organ works of the German Romantic composer Max Reger. With several hundred guests around our property between the two buildings that morning we would like to have a small team of volunteer hosts from the Parish to answer questions, give directions, and be a face of welcome from the Parish. Please speak to Michael Parrish if you can offer a few hours for hospitality that day. Vacation Bible School Well, it is true the Christian Education program is drawing to a close. Sort of. While Sundays we will no longer have Sunday school for the kids, we are embarking on a new journey for the summer. At the end of July St. Paul's will be hosting a five-day Vacation Bible School. The purpose is to invite the children in the community to St. Paul's to experience fun and engaging teachings, crafts, and games. The five-day event will be held in the evenings from approximately 4 to 8pm on July 26 through the 30th.
I am, however, most excited about the curriculum that is in-store. The title is ReNew and its main focus is teaching kids the importance of being good stewards of the environment. Grounded in Jesus' Parable of the Sower, ReNew brings together the Bible and environmental stewardship. The students will grow in faith as they play, learn, sing, and work toward renewing their congregations and communities. Is there a better place to study God's creation than on the beautiful landscape of St. Paul's? I think not.
Finally, be in prayer with myself that God will use this venture to God's glory.
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