St. Patrick’s Rector Jay Weldon delivers Food for Thought message

ALBANY — Noting the legacy of giving that exists at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Albany, Father Jay Weldon, the rector at sister St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, offered words of encouragement Wednesday during remarks at St. Paul’s annual Food for Thought fundraiser.

St. Paul’s hosts “light lunches with a message” on the Wednesdays leading into the Easter season. Wednesday’s lunch was the third of this year’s program.

“I’ve learned to appreciate churches that are authentic, intentional and missional,” Weldon told a gathering of around 75. “Churches that are engaging and relevant will remain long after we’ve all gone.”

Weldon offered the story of St. Paul’s beginnings, when funding for construction of the church came up $1,000 short.

“That was $1,000 in the 1890s, which would be $70,000 today,” he said. “When church leaders were told the project couldn’t be finished because of the funding shortage, they said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it.’ And they did. They sold $70,000 worth of pies.”

Food for Thought is a three-year-old St. Paul’s program developed to raise funding for deserving nonprofit organizations and to help believers prepare for the Easter season, Christendom’s most sacred holiday. Officials with Albany Episcopalian churches (also including St. John’s and St. Marks) are delivering messages during the five weeks of the Food for Thought program.

This year’s final two services will be held March 9 and March 16.

Reading from 2 Timothy, Weldom told Wednesday’s audience, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God.” He later told those gathered, “The fruit of the Spirit of God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control.”

The programs begin at 12:10 p.m. and are finished around 12:50, giving attendees time to return to work. For additional information on Food for Thought, contact St. Paul’s online at www.stpaulsalbany.org or call (229) 436-0196.