Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
6 June 2013
We recently heard the story from Acts 16.16-34, in which the apostle Paul rebukes a spirit which dwells in a slave in Philippi. In writing in reponse to a truly bizarre interpretation of this story, preached recently by a well-known figure in the Church, Bp. Dan Martins of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield has “cut to the chase” about what is problematical about Church leaders deconstructing Scripture. His words apply not only to Church leaders, but to all of us, and are good enough to share:
[A]ll Christians, but particularly those in ordained leadership, [have the duty] to operate from within the tradition, as an insider looking out, and not from a critical distance, as an outsider looking in. The Christian tradition (a term I use in what I think is an Eastern Orthodox sense, inclusive of scripture, liturgy, ascesis, and the mainstream of theology) is certainly an appropriate object of critical inquiry by detached outsiders, whether sympathetic or hostile. But such critical inquiry is not in the remit of a bishop; in fact, bishops pretty much surrender the option of engaging in that sort of work the moment they are consecrated. A bishop is, by definition, by job description, thoroughly a conservative, operating as a custodian of the tradition and articulating an insider's point of view. Is there room on the margins for prophetic voices that challenge the establishment, speaking words of truth and justice? Yes, there certainly is room for those voices. But they are not the voices of bishops. It is, rather, the job of bishops, speaking as consummate insiders, to equip the baptized faithful to listen to the voices from the margins and discern between true prophets and false ones.
As believers we are not called to “seek the truth,” but to proclaim that we have found it. Always be prepared to testify to the hope that is within you (1 Pet. 3.15). Listen to those who question the faith, and be prepared to learn more about your own faith by how you come to answer this questioning, but remember that we are called to proclaim, not to engage in a “discussion club” about what is and is not the faith. Tell your own story, and relate this to your faith story, that those who do not know God may meet Him because of how you have shown them the way.
Grace Abounds: Please thank Houa Wa, Neng Her and Dustin Yang for the wonderful coffee hour and Hmong delicacies this past Sunday.
Faith Alive: The Faith Alive weekend is 20 to 22 September. Throughout the summer, you will hear and read brief answers to the question, “What is Faith Alive?” Here is the first answer:
Faith Alive involves an intentional inventory of our life in Christ. It’s not about how we “do church” on a Sunday, but about how we are the Church at all times, alive in the Holy Spirit and in life together.
Episcopal Youth Community: The best friends you'll ever have for your whole life.
Grace and Peace to you!
Lately on my social media "news" feeds I have had many of my friends post reminiscences, memories, or pictures from our time at camp. These people that I went to camp with, or worked at camp with have been my confidants, my away-from-home family, my this-is-random-but-I-know-you'll-understand friends, my roommates, table-mates, swim buddies. My late-night walk, look at the stars, watch the moon set kind of friends. These are the people I worshiped with, played with, had heart warming discussion with, shared heart-aching tears with, and prayed with. From these people I have seen sudden and amazing changes, and watched them change slowly over the course of a week, summer, year, or life, and in turn they have shown me the changes I have gone through. They are my pen pals, my long-lost, never-forgotten, always-answer-the-phone friends that know who you are and where you come from even when you haven't spoken in years. These are the people I went to camp with. These are the people who shaped me, as a boy, as a man, as a Christian. It's through these people that I began to understand who God is in me, by them showing me who God is in them. Without them, I don't know who I might be today.
This is my best testimony for why all of our youth should go to camp. By and through the people we meet, the relationships we make, and the God we serve we become who we are today.
Please consider the Diocesan Summer Camp Program, it's just about the best thing our Diocese does for our youth, or maybe I should say it simply is the best.
There's still time! If you are interested in camp, but don't know how to get registered please contact the church office. If you are interested, but you don't think it's something you can afford please know that we full-heartedly believe that cost should never ever be a reason not to go to camp. There are scholarships and funds to campers available for anyone who might need them.
Senior Camp - held June 9 (3pm)-15 (12noon), Completed Grades 9-12Middler Camp - held June 16 (3pm)-20 (4pm), Completed Grades 6-8
Junior Camp - held June 16 (3pm)-20 (4pm), Completed Grades 2-5
Kindercamp - held June 20 (5pm)-22 (11:30am), Ages 4-7 with parent or adult family member
Senior Camp - held June 9 (3pm)-15 (12noon), Completed Grades 9-12Middler Camp - held June 16 (3pm)-20 (4pm), Completed Grades 6-8
Junior Camp - held June 16 (3pm)-20 (4pm), Completed Grades 2-5
Kindercamp - held June 20 (5pm)-22 (11:30am), Ages 4-7 with parent or adult family member
Congratulations Graduates!
Eighth Grade
Beth Boland - Lake Country Academy
Dee Crouse - Bethlehem Lutheran
High School
Olivia Gallimore - North High School, National Honor Society
Will attend UW- Stevens Point
Will attend UW- Stevens Point
Alaina Gedemer - North High School, National Honor Society
Will attend Saint Louis University
Stuart Schmidt - South High School, Valedictorian, National Honor Society
Will attend Northland College
Elli Westfall - North High School, National Honor Society
Will attend UW-Whitewater
University
University
Jon Whitford - UW Milwaukee, Bachelor of Science in Information Science & Technology Magna Cum Laude
Deanna Yang – UW Madison, Bachelor of Science in Education
with Dual Certificate in Math & Science
Will be teaching English in South Korea through the English Program in Korea.
Music this week:
Prelude Prière Jongen
Entrance Hymn 616 “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” Es flog ein kleins
Waldvögelein
Offertory Hymn 448 “O Love, how deep, how broad, how high” Deus tuoroum militum
Comm. Hymn 693 “Just as I am, without one plea” Woodworth
Closing Hymn 411 “O bless the Lord, my soul” St. Thomas (Williams)
Postlude Prelude & Fugue in G Major J. S. Bach
Parish Notices:
Michele will be at camp all week June 9 -15. The office will be open 9:00am -12:00pm. Please keep Diocesan Summer Camp in your prayers.
It is not too late to sign up for Camp!! Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12th graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun! If you have questions about what camp is like please call Michele at the office.
Scholarships are available.
Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 9 (Sun 3 pm) – June 15 (Sat 12 noon)
Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 16 (Sun 3 pm) – June 20 (Thu 4 pm)
Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 16 (Sun 3 pm) – June 20 (Thu 4 pm)
KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 20 (Thu 5 pm) – June 22 (Sat 11:30 am)
- There are application forms on the Narthex table.
The 54th Annual Eucharistic Festival: at St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac is Saturday, June 29th, including the Bishop's Picnic and a Diocesan Summer Camp Reunion for any who have attended camp at anytime. The Rt. Rev. Ed Little, Bishop of Northern Indiana is the Homilist. Bishop Jacobus' goal is to make this Festival truly diocesan with every congregation represented by carrying their banner, singing with the choir, or worshipping from the pew. Read the details, including volunteering to serve by helping with set-up, serving, or clean-up, at diofdl.org/ef.
Bishop’s Retirement Celebration: Everyone is invited to attend the Celebration for Bishop Russ and Jerrie Jacobus Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 3:30 – 9:00pm at Homestead Meadows, W7560 Spencer Rd. Appleton, WI 54914. This will be a casual event including Hayrides & games, dinner, a program, concluding with a dance with a DJ. Please register at diofdl.org/celebration . The cost to attend is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 12-18 and children under 12 free. Please do not let cost be a factor in attending, assistance is available for all.
The Fifth Annual “Good Stock” Music Festival: will be held on Saturday June 22nd at the Fountain Park band shell in downtown Sheboygan. Music featuring praise bands from all over Sheboygan County, a kid’s activity area and good food will all begin at 11am and run until 8:30pm. Admission is free. For more information visit the website at www.goodstocksheboygancounty.com.
Bishop Search: For all information concerning the search for the eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac please go to bishopsearch.info.
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