St. Paul's News
Published 9/26/2025

Let us Pray the Collect for The Sixteenth sunday after pentecost 

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

NEWS Summary

  • a message from interim rector jean vargo
  • The Feast of St. Francis
  • All Saints' Sunday
  • Honoring and Remembering our veterans
  • Dismantling Racism Training - October 2025
  • parish life events
  • Ongoing outreach opportunities
  • Vestry Meeting Minutes
  • Financial Report
  • St. Paul's Serves at canterbury court
  • September Birthdays


CELEBRATE….
THE HOLY EUCHARIST WILL BE CELEBRATED EVERY SUNDAY AT both St. Paul’s and St. Mark’s. All parishioners are invited to attend whichever service fits their schedule best.


8:45 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship with Rev. Vargo at St. Paul’s
9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s, led by Rev. Vargo

10:30 a.m. Education and Fellowship at St. Mark’s
11:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist at St. Mark’s, led by Rev. Vargo 


A Message From interim rector jean vargo

Dear Church,
Wow, I celebrate our new worship times! Celebrating the Eucharist with both churches each Sunday is truly a blessing. The Eucharist is at the heart of our faith life. Why do I say this? Because our worship, our holy time, is tuning into our relationship with God, recalling the saving acts of God. It is being engaged with others, and it is having some private time to think and to pray and to reflect. When we are engaged with others we are blessed to share with them what they need from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. And we receive it all in the Eucharist: the strength and nurture, the forgiveness and the promise of a savior who walks with us, the encouragement and steadfastness to be Christ to and with others, the promise of life and love and compassion. It is in the Eucharist that we acknowledge who is Lord of Lords, who is our King forever and ever. It is in our worship that God wraps us in love and gives us what we need to wrap others in the compassion of our Lord. So, when you aren’t in the pew, be Christ to one another, and be blessed while you bless another.

I look forward to continued visits with you all as we get to know each other. Please make an appointment with Lois at St. Paul’s and I will meet you at either church or a coffee shop.

There are a few important dates I want to lift up:

October 5: Blessing of the pets during regular worship

October 26: 10:45am Stewardship Brunch for the congregation of St. Paul’s


November 2: All Saints’ Sunday - be sure to give the name(s) of your deceased loved one(s) you would like remembered in church by emailing Lois, in the church office, at lois@stpauls-dayton.org


November 9: Honoring of our Veterans, be sure to email Lois, in the church office, at lois@stpauls-dayton.org and give the name and branch of service


Novembers 9: Look Back Look Forward all congregational event at St. Paul’s


This week, think about how you want to be the church. Peace and blessings to you.

Rev Jean Vargo+

The Feast of St. Francis - Let Us Bless Our Pets

YES! Let us bless our pets. October 5 is the Feast of St Francis. Feel free to bring you beloved pets to church with you. During the worship service we will bless the pets. Pets are an important part of our lives. “Having a pet provides significant physical and mental health benefits, including reduced stress, anxiety, and loneliness, increased opportunities for physical activity, and a greater sense of purpose and companionship through unconditional love and daily routine. Pets act as social catalysts, encouraging interaction with others and providing a calming presence, which can improve overall life satisfaction and well-being.” Let’s thank God for our little guys and gals.

All Saints’ Sunday - November 2nd

All Saints’ Sunday, November 2 - If you have a loved one who died this past year and you’d like them remembered on All Saints’ Sunday, please email their name to Lois in the parish office at lois@stpauls-dayton.org, or call the office at 937-293-1154.  Please have names submitted by Friday, October 24.  Thank you!

Honoring and Remembering Our Veterans

On Sunday, November 9th we will celebrate our Veterans.  If you are a veteran, please give your name and branch of service to Lois in our parish office by emailing her at lois@stpauls-dayton.org or by calling the church office at 937-293-1154.  Please have all names in by Saturday, November 1st.  We look forward to honoring you and your service to our Country.  Thank you!

Dismantling Racism Training - October 2025

Join the Diocese of Southern Ohio in dismantling systems of oppression, telling the truth, and building capacity to be seekers of Beloved Community in our church and in the world.

This dismantling racism course is for all clergy and lay people who are required to complete anti-racism training. It's also for anyone who wishes to build relationships with people across the diocese and seeks to build the beloved community in this corner of God's creation.

We share stories, scripture, and the tenets of our faith. Join us.  All sessions will take place on Zoom over six afternoons: October 14-16, 21-23 from 12-1pm.  There is no cost and everyone is invited.  There is no deadline to register, but space is limited and likely to fill early.

Questions about this event?
Contact Miriam McKenney, missioner for Beloved Community, at mmckenney@diosohio.org.

Parish Life Events

Young Adult Group

Our brothers and sisters at Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Dayton have invited us to join in their newly formed Young Adults Group! Friends in their 20s and 30s are invited to meet monthly for fun, fellowship, and to grow in their faith together. Last week, several couples and individuals from Christ Church and beyond met at Trolley Stop in the Oregon District where they played trivia and enjoyed each other’s company.

Interested in joining in the fun? Contact the Christ Church office at 937-223-2239.

Ongoing Outreach Opportunities


Food Bank Donations - Your Efforts Make a Difference!

Please continue to fill yellow donation bags with food (no glass jars please) and personal care items and bring them to church to be blessed and delivered to the Food Bank.  If you'd like to see the difference being made (it is astounding!), please go to the Food Bank's website: thefoodbankdayton.org    THANK YOU!
Request From the Procter Center

The Procter Center Farm is requesting donations of empty dozen-egg cartons to support their work. They can reuse your clean, old egg cartons for selling free range chicken eggs at markets. The farm is a production and educational, six-acre, diversified vegetable and livestock farm in central Ohio and is part of the ministry of the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

If you’d like to donate your clean dozen-egg cartons, please drop them on the table next to the library off the Parish Hall. Vestry member Chris Brandt will take them to the Procter Center and is available to answer any questions!
LIONS Recycle For Sight....and St. Paul's Helps!

Do you have old or extra eyeglasses you no longer use? Please bring them to St. Paul's and deposit them in the Lions Club box in the Narthex. This will be an ongoing opportunity to help others! Thank you!

vestry meeting Minutes

The Vestry is eager to establish better communication with the Parish, and will be making the minutes to Vestry meetings more accessible. Prior meeting minutes are posted on the St. Paul's website, click HERE to view.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Wardens and Vestry members with any questions. 

Financial Report

The Financial Executive Summary for June 2025 from Finance Chair Randy Young: 

St. Paul's Serves at Canterbury Court

In August Canterbury Court had a family picnic for residents and their families. There was live music, games, face painting by our parishioner Constance Campbell, caricature drawing and lots of food.  Thank you to Constance, Pat Harbert and Nancy Downey for volunteering.  A great time was had by everyone!  Last week Canterbury had a western hoedown for the residents.  Many of the residents came dressed in their western attire.  The staff performed a square dance to start things off.  The music was provided by Timmy Hembree and his band.  He and his band sang songs from a variety of genres including western,  Elvis songs and rock and roll.  Thank you to Lauren Meador, Pat Harbert and Nancy Downey who volunteered.  In addition St. Paul's provided dessert and goodie bags to take home.   These events are fun for the residents and volunteers.  I would encourage you to volunteer at the next event.  I promise you'll enjoy it!

September Birthdays

Happy Birthday to those born in the month of September!

William (Bill) Draper 09/01
Lauren Kwik 09/03
Joan (Joey) Thiele 09/06
Michael (Mike) Miller 09/09
Susan Durnbaugh 09/11
Mary Ann (Molly) Cobb 09/17
Katy Brandt 09/19
Shea Sampson 09/19
Barbara O’Hara 09/21
Laura Walters 09/23
Emmaline Barrentine 09/25
Micky Neben 09/25
Kathleen Walters 09/29
Suzanne Draper 09/30

Events