Catholicity

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

22 May 2014

Friday is the feast of St. Vincent of Lérins, and his commemoration is a good occasion for us to remind ourselves of what we mean when we say that the Church is catholic (universal).  St. Vincent lived in the fourth and fifth centuries, and is the father of what has come to be known as the Vincentian Canon:  "Care must especially be had that that be held which was believed everywhere [ubique], always [semper], and by all [ab omnibus]." By this triple norm of diffusion, endurance, and universality, a Christian can distinguish religious truth from error.

Obviously, innovations in belief and practice have always been present in the Church, and when we vow (in the Baptismal Covenant) to “continue in the apostles’ teaching” we recognize that this teaching is alive and not static.  The Vincentian Canon provides a healthy brake, however, on the momentum of any claim that we “are being led in a new direction” in the practice of our faith.  When Vincent writes (in his Commonitorium of A.D. 434) of that “which was believed” he is writing about how we interpret Scripture.  It is fair to say that even in Vincent’s time not all people came to the same conclusions in interpreting Scripture, but at the same time we must be aware that whenever we speak of belief we have to question whether it is novel and personal, or whether there is a common consent within the Church.

What is most important for each one of us is that we can say we have belief which is informed.  In order to interpret Scripture I have to know it; I have to study and wrestle with it, and open my ears to the arguments of others.  I can’t make a vow to continue in the apostles’ teaching if I don’t really know what that means.  I must take responsibility for my own participation in a faith which is active, for the Church which we confess as “one, holy, catholic and apostolic” can only be universal in how she encompasses those who know and practice their faith.  Catholicity, in this respect, in about ownership.  Do you own your faith?  Do you profess it?  When challenged can you defend it?  When we can say “yes” to each of these questions we participate in a whole which is truly holy, catholic and apostolic. 

Grace Abounds:  Please thank:

§  Nicci Beeck, Mary Snyder and Tom Wright for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Ben Dobey for planting flowers in the columbarium courtyard, and Bobbie May for weeding the cutting garden.

§  Many thanks to all of you for your participation in Spring Cheer.  All your contributions of flower cutting, arranging, baking, assembling, and delivering were very much appreciated by the shut ins.  They are most grateful for your thoughtfulness.  (Barb MacEwen).  Participants included:  Dani Wilson, Deb Gagin, Mary Snyder, Mary Kohler, Mary Massey, Kaleigh Kraft, Joyce Wessel, Ben Dobey, Bernie Markevitch, Mary Clabots, Mary Ann Neuses, Dan and Linda Griswold, Barb MacEwen.

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 in the week of publication.

In Search Of: 

When I was young there was a TV show called “In Search Of”.  Leonard Nimoy was the narrator.  I hear his voice in my head whenever I use the words “in search of” in my everyday life.  I share that now because I/we are “In Search Of” the following:

-          We have the opportunity to host one of the Festival Foods Brat Frys held on Saturdays throughout the summer.  We are “in search of” those who would be willing to (first and foremost) man the grills.  Without grillers we have no need of additional workers to sell the brats, or bakers to donate baked goods for selling.  If you’d be willing to grill for a few hours on a Saturday, please let us know and we can choose a date.

-          Do you know a thing or two about selling items on Ebay?  We are “in search of” those who may know a thing or two about Ebay.  An idea has been raised that would allow parishioners to donate items that could be sold for the benefit of the parish on Ebay.  It would be nice to get some guidance from those who have already sold items on Ebay.  The church now has a PayPal account that can accept payments and donations.  We also have members with items they’d be willing to donate.  If you know a thing or two about selling on Ebay, please let us know.

-          On Saturday, Sept 20^th, every congregation in the diocese is invited and urged to bring a visioning team to St. Anne’s in DePere.  We are asked to bring a team of 4-6 people who have a passion for young people.  The event is not a one-day workshop but the beginning of an entire new way to address the needs of young people and the need of the church to embrace a whole new vision.  It will be facilitated by Fr. John Palarine…and is not confined to those parishes with youth ministry in place or those who have a large number of youth.  We are “in search of” individuals who feel called to get involved with this aspect of our church.  If God is tapping your heart to do so, please let us know.

If you can help with any of the above items, please contact let Fr. Karl, Deacon Michele or ―Bobbi Kraft.

An Unknown Prisoner:  A prayer written on the wall of Ravensbruck (concentration camp): 

O lord, remember not only the men and women Of good will, but also those of ill-will.  But do not remember all the suffering they have inflected on us;  remember the fruits we have brought, thanks to this suffering.  Our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of all this, and when they come to judgement, let all the fruits Which we have borne be their forgiveness.

A powerful reminder for me that good may come out of evil, that there can be a redemptive force we do not as yet understand.  (Jane Hanson)

Episcopal Youth Community:  Hello all! The staff for camp has been set, trained, and are praying for those of you who are coming, and that includes those of you who haven't signed up yet!  Please use this link to get your camp application! www.diofdl.org/camp

Kindercamp - June 12-14 - Ages 4-7 with parent or adult family member - Session Director Amy Heimerl

Senior Camp - June 15-21 - Completed Grades 9-12 - Session Director Michele Whitford - Chaplain Fr. Aran Walter

Middler & Junior Camp - June 22-26:

Completed Grades 6-8 - Session Directors Ben & Erin Wolf - Chaplain Mthr. Jane Johnson

Completed Grades 2-5 - Session Directors Matt Peterson & Rachel Mills - Chaplain Fr. Ralph Osborne

We believe in this ministry, and want everyone to go, the cost of camp should never be a reason not to go, if you need assistance of any kind please contact the office to let us know.

Grace and Peace,

Nick

Music this week:  Rogation Sunday and Memorial Weekend

Prelude                        Andantino; Elevation                                      Eugène Gigout

Entrance Hymn  405   “All things bright and beautiful”                    Royal Oak

Offertory Hymn 400   “All creatures of our God and King”            Lasst uns erfreuen

Communion Motet      Christ hath a garden              English folk song, arr. Gerre Hancock

Comm. Hymn 292      “O Jesus, crowned with all renown”  Kingsfold

Closing Hymn 579      “Almighty Father, strong to save”                  Melita

Postlude                      Offertoire pour un Jour de Fête                      Gigout

Parish Notices

§  Christian Formation Schedule for May: 25 May: Fr. Ambelang will lead adult education on Sunday, with a discussion of the book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christ with a focus on the growth of responses to Jesus Christ in the Islamic world.

§  Ascension Day: We will celebrate The Ascension of our Lord on Thursday, May 29^th with a Solemn Mass at 6:00pm. Please come and celebrate with us.

§  Coffee Hour: Currently there is no one signed up to host coffee hour for either the 8:00 or the 10:15 services for the entire month of June. Coffee hour generally in the summer are simple light snacks with coffee and juice and can be served from a cart in the Narthex. If you are able and willing to take a Sunday during the summer please sign-up on the sheet in the Schedules binder on the Narthex table.

§  First Communion Instruction: All those who are ready to receive their First Communion are invited to First Communion classes that will be held at Grace Church, in the Sunday School room, Thursday May 22, June 5 and June 12. We will meet at 4:00pm for an hour. Each participant will receive a book entitled This Bread & This Cup. The instructors will be Pat Ford Smith and Nicci Beeck. We will celebrate with First Communion class on Trinity Sunday, June 15, 2014 at the 10:15 service. If you have any questions please call the office or one of the instructors.

§  Meet the Gunters: Please join us at one of the following informal events to get to know Bishop Matt and Leslie. It is an opportunity for you to engage in conversation with the Gunters in order to get to know them a little better and for them to get to know you and your congregation better. Beverages and light snacks will be served.

• Saturday  May 31 - Trinity Oshkosh  1-3pm
• Sunday  June 1 - Intercession Stevens Point  3-5pm with Evensong at 5
• Saturday  June 7 – Holy Nativity Jacksonport 10-12noon
• Sunday  June 8 -  St. James  Manitowoc 1-4pm
• Saturday   June 21 -  St. Augustine Rhinelander 2-5pm
• Sunday  June 22 - St. Paul's  Suamico 1-3pm
• We look forward to seeing you!

§  Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th 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 15 (Sun 3pm) – June 21 (Sat 12noon)
• Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 22 (Sun 3pm) – June 26 (Thu 4pm)
• Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 22 (Sun 3pm) – June 26 (Thu 4pm)
• KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 12 (Thu 5pm) – June 14 (Sat 11:30am) There are application forms on the Narthex table.

§  Stay Connected! There are many ways to stay connected and find all the latest announcements. Grace Church can be found by “liking” us on Facebook. You can also sign up for the Grace Notes blog at http://gracechurchgracenotes.blogspot.com/ on the right hand side there is a place to sign up and receive the blog by email. You can find the Grace Church website at www.gracesheboygan.com. At the end of each bulletin there is QR code that you can scan with your smart phone and it will take you directly to the website. If you have an email address you can receive the Angelus electronically and save the church some printing and postage costs as well as receive any gentle reminders that may pop up between Angelus publications. If you have questions about any of these things please call the office.

§  Eucharistic Festival: Plan to attend the 55th Annual Diocesan Eucharistic Festival at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 28th, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. The Homilist will be the Rt. Rev. Matthew A. Gunter, Eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac. Picnic to follow.