Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
12 July 2012
Pronouns matter. Jesus in general addresses the people as “you” (plural), rather than speaking to us each only as an individual. He invites us to address God using the informal form-of-address (“thou” in English). How we address God, and how we understand Him to be addressing us informs us of our relationship with Him. For example, in the Anthony Burgess novel The Wanting Seed, “God” is a figure of fun in the popular culture, referred to as “Mr. Livedog”. Needless to say, the culture and world portrayed by Burgess (who is more famous for A Clockwork Orange) are highly dystopian.
So, how do you address God? Do you call Him “God” or “Father” or “Jesus”. Do you say “Come, Holy Spirit” in inviting God into your life? Do you avoid using a pronoun like “Him” and say “God”? Each form-of-address tells us something about our relationship with God, just as each of us can recognize that if I call someone “Sir”–as opposed to speaking to him only with reference to a verb (as in “Excuse me, is this register open?”)–I am saying something about my relationship with the person.
Jesus invites us to call God “Father,” which is why it is conventional to use the personal pronoun “He” in reference to God. This pronoun is also used because Jesus was a man. He had a real body. He did not just appear to be a human being (as claimed in the ancient heresy of Docetism, from the Greek verb meaning “to seem or appear”). The Holy Spirit is not referred to using any gender, except grammatical gender. At Gen. 1.2, the Spirit is referred to using a female pronoun. When Jesus refers to the Spirit (e.g., at Jn. 14.16-17) He uses a neuter pronoun (“it”), but remember we are dealing with grammar. In English we call a ship “she;” in Spanish “he”. The ship is neither.
So what about God? It is not helpful to confuse God–the source and summation of all Being, all Beauty, all Good, all Truth, and all Love–with gender, because gender is a subcategory (i.e., a limitation) and God is without limits. Where pronouns matter relates to how they express relationship, i.e., in possesive pronouns. Throughout Scripture God refers to His people as His own or “My own”. Jesus refers to us as His children. God speaks to us and tells us that we are in intimate relationship with Him as a Person. We must do no less, so whether we address God as “God” or “Father,” as long as we are addressing Him as One who is intimately involved in our lives we’ll not engage in the errors of thinking of God in impersonal terms. God is not a life force (let alone “The Force”!) He is One God in thee Persons. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not “modes of action,” but Persons who know us, and who call us to know each of them in One God.
Focus on relationship. Address God. Address Him often, as someone who is with you always. And every time you address God, listen.
Rector’s Forum: General Convention ends today. Actions taken include significant changes in Church governance structure and budget, the approval of a rite for the blessing of unions between same sex couples (at a diocesan option level), and lectionary changes, and the rejection of other proposed changes. A “de-brief” by the Standing Committee will be offered in an open forum to be held on Satuday (10 a.m. to noon), 11 August, at All Saints’, Appleton. Here at Grace a Rector’s Forum to discuss developments will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, 22 July. This forum will include distribution of a written summary for those who cannot attend.
In considering the implications of actions taken at General Convention, and in dealing with reactions in others to news reports of these actions, please keep one question paramount: What has changed in my faith? The answer is easy: Nothing. Just as nothing can “... separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8.39), nothing can change the faith of anyone of us except our own will, and if we continue to will to love God, and to practice our faith together, our faith remains that once-delivered by the apostles.
Please come on 22 July prepared for discussion, but ready particularly to listen.
Prayer for General Convention (3 to 12 July, Indianapolis, IN): Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 818)
Being the Body: Please thank Polly Schmeiser for her work on lawn care, and Ben Dobey for his ongoing care of the cutting garden. Please thank Elizabeth Schaffenburg for preparing meals for the stewardship meeting on 2 July and the parish planning meeting on 11 July.
Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.
Biblical Literacy: The Bible Challenge and bible study will resume this week. The Bible Challenge meets on Tuesdays, following the 5:30 p.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, and a light supper (pot luck). The 17 July session will review Week 20. Bible study for the Sunday lessons takes place on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist.
All Saints’, Elkhart Lake: Throughout the Summer, please be intentional about two things (whether or not you attend All Saints’): (1) Pray for this ministry, and for those who serve in it, that they may serve our Lord by bringing more to know, love, and serve Him; (2) Engage in mission yourself. You may know or meet people who you can ask to join you in worship, and All Saints’ can serve as a less formal setting that is more user-friendly in outreach. Invite seekers to worship with you.
Music this week:
Prelude Two Slow Airs Howells
Entrance Hymn 686 “Come, thou fount of every blessing”
Offertory Hymn 528 “Lord, you give the great commission”
Communion Hymn 419 “Lord of all being, throned afar”
Closing Hyumn 539 “O Zion, haste”
Postlude Carillon Murrill
Parish Notices
§ Sunday School/Youth curricula: Attendance at the 9 July planning meeting was disappointing. Your input is needed as a parent or student. Please explore questions, or expression concerns or suggestions to Dcn. Michele a.s.a.p., in order that the Fall curricula can be defined for publication in August.
§ Vestry: Vestry meets this Sunday at 11:45 a.m. The agenda is full, so please plan on a longer-than-normal meeting. Vestry elections will be held this Fall. If you are interested in standing for election, please explore this option with Fr. Karl.
§ Vacation Bible School: St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2104 Geele Avenue, is hosting Slash in God’s World VBS July 15th -18th beginning with gathering at 5:45 and program from 6:00-8:00pm. It is for ages 3 years old through 5th grade with opportunity for older children and adults to help. There is no cost for VBS. Please bring a Bible, in case there is a need there will be Bibles available for purchase. There are registration sheets on the table in the Narthex.
§ The Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall: As part of a five-part series of sermons and events commemorating the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, Nashotah House Theological Seminary is pleased to welcome the Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall as the second preacher in the series. Bishop Marshall will preach Thursday, 26 July 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in the historic Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin at Nashotah House. All events are open to the public, free of charge and include displays of original manuscripts of the Book of Common Prayer (1549, 1559 and 1662) and other historic Anglican texts from the Walter S. Underwood Prayer Book Collection, the centerpiece of the Frances Donaldson Library’s rare manuscript collection. There will be a van arranged for transportation. If you are interested in going please contact the office at 452-9659.
§ The Commemoration of Blessed Charles Chapman Grafton is observed as a Feast Day of the Diocese of Fond du Lac at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. It is included in "Holy Men, Holy Women" by the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. The Feast Day is August 30th, although the Commemoration liturgy may be translated to another day. The 2012 Commemoration will take place Saturday, August 25th at the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle, Fond du Lac. For more information and to register go to diofdl.org/grafton.
- 2:00pm ~ Lecture on Bishop Grafton. Our scheduled speaker is Mr. Richard J. Mammana, Jr., of New Haven, Connecticut, Founder and Director of Project Canterbury, tentatively speaking on the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.
- 3:30pm ~ Evening Prayer.
- 4:00pm ~ Solemn Pontifical Mass followed by a “Blessing of Pilgrims”.
- 5:00pm ~ An “Old Fashioned Garden Party” in the Cathedral Close. Grafton came from a culture of Victorian Garden parties, which would have consisted of tea and coffee, bread and butter, biscuits, cake, sandwiches, fruit, lemonade, and ice cream. Perhaps even a harpist.
§ Register Now for EfM: Two classes are again forming this fall for EfM or Education for Ministry. Through the study of scripture, each individual is encouraged to learn more about who they are so they have a closer vision of what God desires for their lives. Each group gets to know each other, worships together and help each other discern God’s will for their lives and their ministries. It takes time and commitment to change ourselves and consequently our communities, but the rewards are great! Classes start on Tuesday, September 4, 9am at St. Paul’s in Plymouth, and at 6:00 pm. place to be determined. Cost is $350 for this college level class which starts the first year studying the Old Testament. Scholarships are available and clergy have been generous with their discretionary funds, if assistance is needed. Contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman for registration materials at bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189. Get registered by August 15th, so you can receive your materials in time for the first class. These classes are not just for laity, clergy are always welcome and encouraged to attend so that they, too can be better leaders in their congregations.
§ Jesus was a carpenter; you can be too! Do God’s work this summer. We need your help in building a new home and a new life for a wonderful family in Plymouth! We will be building every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and there are many jobs to choose from, including: General Volunteers, Crew Leaders, Lunch Hosts, Fundraisers, and much more! “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” Please contact Amanda Stopar for more information: buildhopelakeside@gmail.com or (920) 458-3399. For information about volunteering or making a donation of a meal to the upcoming builds, visit Habitat for Humanity Lakeside’s website at http://www.habitatlakeside.org/ or call our office at (920) 458-3399. I am praying we can all connect together to do something wonderful for our community.
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