The Challenge of Change

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

9 August 2012

The Challenge of Change:  When Jesus calls us, His first call is “Follow me.”  This means He is calling us on a journey with Him, one that we make together.  It also means that if we are not following we are not standing still, but are regressing.  If we are not growing in faith and discipleship, then we are diminishing.  The challenge this presents to every one of us is that “standing still” can be comfortable.  We all want to feel connected to God and to each other, and when activities and ministries in the parish are added to or changed in any way, this can cause us to question how we are connected, with whom, and who is driving the “program”.

Ask questions:  Ask the clergy and the parish leadership.  You should expect that a rationale must be provided to you for everything we do, and if you disagree with the rationale, then discuss this with clergy and leadership.  Ask yourself what you are called to do.  It may involve serving in a ministry, working on a committee, or something else.  If you want to be included more, then pray about what you are called to do and ask to be included more.  If you believe you need more information, ask for it.  All parish communications are designed to make as much information available as possible.  There are no secrets and no circle of those “in the know,” so if you believe more information is needed about anything, ask for it.

Pray:  Once you are satisified that you understand the reasons behind each ministry initiative, pray about how you are called to participate and respond.  God gives each one of us some gift by which to build up the Body.

Serve:  Respond to God’s call.  This can be in something as simple as intercessory prayer on your own, or can involve an active and visible ministry in the parish or in the community.  In serving you will be taking to heart our Lord’s call, “Follow me.”

Finally, note something very important:  Any of the changes in parish program only add to what we are doing already.  Nothing that we are doing is being taken away, so if you are not called into any of the additional activities or programs, you can continue to serve faithfully as you always have.

Call for Vestry Nominations:  Vestry elections will be held on Sunday, 30 September, at the parish annual meeting.  We need at least six nominees, with names provided to the parish office by 16 September.  You can nominate another person or yourself.  To run for Vestry you must be a qualified elector of the parish, which means that:  (1)  You are regular in your attendance on worship; (2)  You have received Holy Eucharist at least once in the prior year; (3)  You are active in your support of the parish through a pledge or some other form of giving; and (4) Your are at least sixteen years of age.

Vestry members are called to lead.  Be prepared in the election process to provide a brief biographical sketch which allows your fellow parishioners to better understand your relationship with God and His Church, and your call to lead.  Vestry members are called to commitment, and are expected to attend twelve meetings throughout the year (once per month).

Pictorial Directory:  The pictorial directory photographic sessions are scheduled for 21 and 22 September.  Please visit the parish website to schedule your appointment.  You will also receive an automated telephone call from the parish, which will provide details of how to schedule your appointment.

Rector’s Forum:  On Sunday, 12 August, a rector’s forum will be held to discuss the actions taken at General Convention 2012.  The forum will not be a discussion of issues at large in the Church.  It will focus on what we are called to, who we are called to be, and how nothing in this is changed by actions in the Church around us.

Being the Body:  Please thank Susan McIntosh and Michael Boland for pinch hitting and filling in as hosts at the coffee hour recently.

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 meets on Tuesdays, following the 5:30 p.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, and a light supper (pot luck).  The 16 August session will review Week 24.  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                                    Prelude on ‘Song 46’                                                  Sowerby

Entrance Hymn 408                “Sing praise to God who reigns above”

Offertory Hymn 523               “Glorious things of thee are spoken”

Communion Hymn 328          “Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord”

Closing Hymn 657                  “Love divine, all loves excelling”

Postlude                                  Voluntary in C                                                             Heron

Parish Notices

• New Parish Directory: Please find a draft copy of a new parish directory on the table in the Narthex at Grace Church. If you would please look at your entry and make any changes necessary and then initial it so we know it is correct. We are trying to have as many email addresses as possible, it saves postage and much of the communication of the church is done electronically. We never give them out but. Thank you.

• Sunday School Begins: We have a terrific new curriculum, several new teachers and a renewed commitment to enrich all of our children (and maybe some newcomers) with the love of Jesus Christ! Sunday School will begin on September 9^th at 9:00am. Please watch for more information.
• Acolyte Training: If you have been an acolyte for years or would like to come and see what it is all about we will have a training Saturday August 18, 10:00-11:00 am. All children entering 3^rd grade or older are invited to become an acolyte! This is a great way to serve during worship and become an active member of our parish family! We will teach the basics of each position and learn to work as a team. Scott Fabiano, Father Karl and I will be providing a training and refresher for all acolytes. If your child is unable to make it, but would like to participate, please call or email the office.

• Youth participation is requested: As full members of the Body of Christ the youth of the parish are encouraged to participate in all areas of parish life. This includes: being a lector-reading the lessons, bringing up the gifts, both in the Holy Roller (the red wagon) and collecting the offering. A musical offering will be made by the youth on September 23^rd. Please contact Deacon Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com or Nick Whitford at njwhitford@gmail.com if your children are interested in participating.
• Please Help fill up the Holy Roller: Our red wagon is brought forward every Sunday by the children filled with food for the Salvation Army and individual sized toiletries for Repairers of the Breach. Please remember to bring these items every Sunday for these worthy causes.

• Help the Local Schools: The schools can receive up to $10,000 in Target giftcards for books or any supplies they need. Wouldn't that be great? All you need to do is vote for a school each week until September 8. For every 25 votes the school receives, Target will send the school a  $25 gift card. Visit the Give with Target app at Facebook.com/Target. And Vote!
• Fr. Schaffenburg’s Vacation: Fr. Karl and Elizabeth will be on vacation from August 20^th through August 26^th. He will be back in the office on the 27^th.

• 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. 
• 2:00 p.m.―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.
• 3:30 p.m.―Evening Prayer.
• 4:00 p.m.―Solemn Pontifical Mass followed by a “Blessing of Pilgrims”.
• 5:00 p.m.―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.