Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
21 November 2013
An elevator pitch, elevator
speech, or elevator statement is a short
summary used to quickly and simply define a person, profession, product,
service, organization or event and its value proposition. Ask yourself, if you have one minute to
summarize to someone who does not know us who and what Grace Episcopal Church
is, what we believe in and practice, and why they should visit to experience
worship with us, what will you say?
We all need to practice and have
ready our pitch, recognizing that what we do is much more important than
selling—it is the proclamation of the kingdom of God, and we are, indeed,
instructed in Scripture to always be prepared to offer a defense for the hope
that is within us (1 Pet. 3.15).
In developing your pitch, a good
place to get background information is on the parish web page, in our
“Statement of Identity,” and on the link “What do Episcopalians believe?” Your description of who we are, what we believe
and practice, and why all are invited to worship with us must be tailored to
the person(s) you speak with, but the description must include elements like
the following:
1.
Our very reason for being Grace Episcopal Church
is to proclaim who God is, and what His saving act is. We are people who seek to know, love, and
serve God.
2.
Our focus is on Jesus Christ, not on any issue
or agenda. As Jesus people we can hold
differences over issues and agendas in tension, as members of one Body.
3.
Through Scripture, Reason and Tradition we seek
to know who God is, and what His will is for us. We seek to be the people He calls and equips
us to be. We seek to do the work He
gives us to do.
4.
This is God’s Church, not ours. All are welcome to join us in transformation
by and through Jesus Christ.
5.
We experience God in His blessed Sacraments, His
life-giving Word, His Holy Spirit, each other, and the in the beauty of
holiness. Join us in the experience,
that you may come to know who God is, and what His will is for you!
Grace Abounds: Please thank Wayne and Pat Sather, and Art
and Nancy Imig for the wonderful coffee hours this past Sunday. For the Fall parish clean-up held on last
Saturday, please thank: Paul &
Andrea Aparicio, Julie Davidson, Ben Dobey, Claudia Fischer, Steve Larson,
Scott Lubbers, Bill and Bobbie May, Elizabeth Schaffenburg and Mary Snyder.
Call for
Contributions: If you have a spiritual reflection to share,
or want to point your fellow worshippers toward a resource, submit your
contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday (noon) each week.
This week, we’ll add the
following thanksgivings submitted by Bobbi Kraft:
Happening #66 was a success.
It couldn't have happened without the generosity of so many in a variety of
ways. On behalf of Emily & Beth Boland, Kaleigh & Bobbi Kraft,
and Deacon Michele we offer thanks to the Grace Church family for supporting
Happening in a variety of ways.
We received bananas and oranges
from Renee Stauffacher, cookies from Mary Snyder and Pat Ford Smith.
Jessica Ambelang provided brownies that surprised the kitchen staff at their
abundance. Along with all of this food, an air mattress from Mary Kohler
helped to ensure the physical needs of candidates and staff were taken care of.
In addition, showing support by
attending the closing Eucharist were: Fr. & Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Deacon
Mike Burg, Nick, Jenni & Eowyn Whitford, Jon Whitford, Orlando Scott
Fabiano, Susan MacIntosh & Mary Grace Boland from Grace. Plus, Jeanna
& Dan Werbeckes & John Clabots (formerly of Grace) who know our group
from camp. Their physical presence reminded all that they do not walk in
faith alone.
Of course, the weekend would not
be the same without spiritual support. The candidates were overwhelmed by the
fact that so many were praying for them and so many had written words of
encouragement to them. It was a running theme through the weekend and at
the closing. Special prayer partners included: Susan MacIntosh, Mary
Clabots, Crawford & Pat Ford Smith, Jane Hanson, & Pat Sather.
Thank you one and all!
Advent Lessons &
Carols will be offered, again, this year on Sunday, 8 December, at 4 p.m.,
followed by High Tea. This is an ideal
introduction to Anglican piety, as well as just a wonderful opportunity to
gather in worship. This year we are
inviting community leaders from outside the parish to serve as our
readers. Please invite your friends to join us!
Society of Mary: The Society of Mary will meet in the parish library this Sunday at
9 a.m. to discuss organization and practice.
The fundamental Mission is to foster devotion to Mary, Mother of God, at
Grace Episcopal Church. The Society will be revived, to qualify as an
internationally-recognized named cell. Focuses will include: (a)
Revitalize attendance at the celebration of the four annual commemorations of
Mary on the Church Calendar; (b) Increase attendance support of the Walsingham
protoshrine daily prayers, and for the corporate Rosary recited on Mondays at
5:30 p.m.; (c) Improve communication in the broader community of our intended
missions. Normal meeting time will be after the first service on the
fourth Sunday of the month in the church library. Contact person is Mary
Kohler.
Special stewardship
opportunity: Whichever person has
the greatest increase in a 2014 pledge, over their paid 2013 pledge amount
(calculated at close of the giving year), or who has the highest new pledge for
2014 (for any person who has not pledged previously), will receive a
complimentary stay at a Hyatt-managed timeshare apartment in Key West, Florida
(occupancy dates are 2 March to a 9 March check-out. These dates include Mardi Gras.) Go To: www.hyattwindwardpointe.hyatt.com You can find all the amenities and room
pictures there.
The unit is on the 3rd level,
set way back on the property, with a virtual private lani looking straight out
on the grounds, pool and ocean. Cuba 70
miles straight south. The unit is about
a 2 mile walk to the southern most point in the lower 48, on the east and quiet
side of the Key, about 1 ½ mile walk to Duval St. St. Paul's Episcopal Church is on Duval, a great
place for Ash Wednesday services.
This timeshare opportunity is the
gift of Bill and Debbie Gagin.
Operation Christmas
Child: There have been lots of
donations to the Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box ministry through
Samaritan's Purse. A big thank you to everyone. The children in
classes with Nicci Beeck, Pat Ford Smith and Mary Ann Portz have begun filling
up the shoe boxes. We will deliver them to Sonlight Book Store on Sunday,
Nov. 24 following the 10:15 AM mass. We will have a better count of how
many will be sent this year after class. Nicci Beeck and Pat Ford Smith
are coming in Thursday, 11/21 at 12:30 p.m. to sort through those that are
already packed. On Sunday, 11/24 we will finish packing with the kids.
Anyone who wishes to help with this can join us. We have already
been given $40 in cash and a promise of $28 check to help defray shipping
charges ($7 for each box). I'm estimating approximately 20 boxes will be
taken over. If we have any supplies left over, we will keep them for the
following year.
These gifts present us with an
amazing opportunity to spread the Good News of the birth of our Lord Jesus
Christ to children in foreign lands that might not hear in any other way.
This is a gift that keeps on giving our love to children who may not have
ever had a gift of their very own.
Merry CHRISTmas!
Episcopal Youth
Community: Thank you!
Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts for our students and
staff that went to Happening this past weekend. The stories coming back about
the weekend tell a story about a blessed weekend. Finding connections between
each other, and learning that when you listen to each other before judging each
other, you find that you have more in common with people you would not normally
choose to get to know. The togetherness of this Happening was completely
evident from my perspective as a visitor at the closing Eucharist. I want to
thank our church family for taking the time to think about, pray for, and for
your support spiritually and with your presence.
New Beginnings - December 7-8 -
Grace Church, Sheboygan - is for all students grades 6-8 - http://diofdl.org/newbeginnings
Each of these is unique in style,
delivery, and experience, and each one is a great way to learn more about God
and our faith, as well as connect to the wider community of Christian youth in
our diocese; many people have made life-long friends with those around the
diocese and have stayed connected through events like these, camp and others.
Please contact me or the office
with questions, but remember to sign up!
Grace and peace, Nick
Music this week:
Prelude Benedictus Rowley
Entrance Hymn 544 “Jesus
shall reign where’er the sun” Duke Street
Offertory Hymn 483 “The
head that once was crowned with thorns” St. Magnus
Communion Motet King of glory, King of peace Walker
Comm. Hymn 383 “Fairest
Lord Jesus” St. Elizabeth
Closing Hymn 494 “Crown
him with many crowns” Diademata
Postlude Allegro from Symphony in D Boyce
Parish Notices
§ Admirals
Hockey Game! On November 22nd
(Friday) there is a group of people going to the Milwaukee Admirals hockey
game. Transportation is provided (depart from the parish at 5:30 p.m.,
promptly). If you are interested in going
please sign up by calling the parish office before 3:00pm tomorrow, Thursday,
November 21!
§ Game
Night at Grace Tonight! Game Nights
are times when people of all ages can come together to play different
games that are enjoyed by everyone. There will be board games, card games, and
almost any type of game that you’d want to play. Invite your parents or your
friends or anyone who you’d want to come. Game Night is open to all: young and
old, singles, couples or families. The next Game night will be Thursday,
November 21st 6:30-9:00 PM. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks. We hope to
see you there!
§ Salvation
Army Adopt a Family Gift tags: We
have the tree up, and all the name tags on it, for the Salvation Army
Family gifts, please take a name or two and follow the instructions on the
table next to the tree. Please return the gifts to Grace Church by
December 8th. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at
453-9948.
§ Christmas
Castle Volunteers: Tuesday,
December 17th from 1:00 – 3:30pm help make Christmas merry for
hundreds of children this year by volunteering. As a volunteer you will have
the opportunity to walk the aisles of the “toy store” with clients to help them
find the perfect gift. The Christmas Castle is located on the west side of
Memorial Mall in the old Walgreens’s. Please sign up on the sheet in the
Narthex.
§ Tripartite
Thanksgiving Service: We will
celebrate and give thanks with our Tripartite Covenant Parishes November 27,
2013 at 7:00pm. This year’s celebration will be at Grace Church. The beautiful
Service is followed by a reception in St. Nicholas Hall. Please plan to attend.
§ Advent
Lessons and Carols: On Sunday, 8
December, a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols will be offered at Grace
Episcopal Church, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The festival prepares us for the
coming of the Messiah by following the scriptural record through nine lessons,
each followed by a seasonal carol offered by choir and congregation. The
choir will also offer seasonal anthems, and music will include Dr. R. Benjamin
Dobey on organ. The service is followed immediately by a High Tea reception.
§ New
Parish Directory updates: 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.
§ Christmas
Shoe Boxes: Please consider
bringing toothpaste and individually wrapped toothbrushes, and mild soap bars
and wash cloths to church for the Christmas shoe boxes. We will also be looking
for these items in the coming weeks: pencils, colored pencils, erasers and
pencil sharpeners, paper to write on. These items must be able to fit into a
shoe box. Thank you so much. Pat Ford Smith
§ Operation
Christmas Child: Miss Pat's Sunday
School class is spearheading the effort to put together shoe boxes for
Operation Christmas Child, and would like to invite the whole parish to
participate by donating small items for the shoe boxes, or if you desire a
monetary donation that will be spent to get shoe box gift items. The goal is to
have this be a parish outreach lead by the youth and children of the parish.
Please participate as you can, including prayers for this to be a successful
project. The drop off date is in mid November (before Thanksgiving), and there
will be more information in the next couple of weeks.
§ Society
of Mary: The fundamental
Mission is to foster devotion to Mary, Mother of God, at Grace Episcopal
Church. The Society will be revived, to qualify as an
internationally-recognized named cell. Focuses will include: (a)
Revitalize attendance at the celebration of the four annual commemorations of
Mary on the Church Calendar; (b) Increase attendance support of the Walsingham
proto shrine daily prayers, and for the corporate Rosary recited on Mondays at
5:30 p.m.; (c) Improve communication in the broader community of our intended
missions. Normal meeting time will be after the first service on the
fourth Sunday of the month in the church library. Contact person is Mary
Kohler.
§ "So
many books so little time".
I am interested in starting/being a part of a book club centered at
Grace. My initial thought is a once a month meeting at Grace to discuss
the months selection. At this point I am simply throwing out a few ideas I have
seen work in the past. All "rules" would be decided by the
participants. Since we have made some progress in developing "Faith
Alive" small groups revolving around mostly spiritual issues I thought a
"literary" small group might be nice. Any thoughts,
suggestions, interest would be welcome. Dale Massey (920) 254-3034, masseydale51@gmail.com.
§ Meals On Wheels Christmas Cookies: Meals On Wheels
volunteers will be delivering a box of homemade cookies to our clients again
this Christmas season. (As many of you know, for some clients, this is the
only gift they will receive). So all we need are the cookies. If you
would like to donate some of your goodies to our project please call or email
Maureen at Meals On Wheels at 451-7011 or client1@shebmow.org. We have
cookie drop off sites in both Sheboygan and Plymouth and we will be packaging
cookies on the 17th of December. Your response in the past has
been overwhelming and we cannot thank you enough for your continued support.
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