The Rev. Dr. David Jenkins

Since June 29 and through mid-September, 2008, the Rev. Dr. David Jenkins is the visiting priest at St. Paul's. He will serve at the 8:00 and 10:00 services on Sundays, and has been leading a discussion between the services from 8:45 to 9:45 AM called "Mind and Faith Expansion." The current topic relates to Biblical texts that seem to condone bigotry, anti-Semitism, oppression of women, homophobia, punishment of children and destruction of the earth. The study objectives are to understand the culture and underlying factors present at the time of the writing of these passages, and explore how these writings can be balanced against Jesus' vision and teachings of God as Love, and the Bible as a source of life. Dr. Jenkins, also an artist, musician, scholar, and seafarer, was rector of St. Paul's from 1962 to 1969. After leaving St. Paul's, Father Dave worked in Student Personnel at the University of Albany, where he completed his Doctorate, and served in several parishes in upstate New York. In 1991 he sailed to the Windward Islands and Trinidad and lived aboard his sailboat, ministering to churches on the islands. He retired to Florida in 2002 and again took up painting. He will serve in Portsmouth until September 14 when the parish celebrates its 175th anniversary.

Painting Projects Completed

Over two years ago we started renewing our parish buildings with the complete remodeling and refurbishment of the parish hall interior. Next the rectory and the front of the church itself were painted. Then an additional sign announcing service times and our 175th anniversary was added to our street-side sign. Finally, as of last week, painting was completed on the remainder of the church exterior, the parish hall trim was painted, and the parish hall siding was power-washed. Alleluia! And thank you, thank you, thank you to all St. Paul's parishioners, to our painting contractors and to our Portsmouth Arts Guild partners for their help and support.