Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
3 July 2014
Acting on the recommendation of a friend, I
watched the first episode of the HBO dramatic series Boardwalk Empire. I won’t be watching any more. The production values and acting are top
notch. The story (of gangland rule
during Prohibition in Atlantic City) has its share of human interest. The dramatic arc (at least in one episode)
keeps your attention. So why not keep
watching? It’s because of what the
story keeps your attention on, which can best be described as base and
degrading.
There is a pattern here. Think of movies like Pulp Fiction or
TV series like Orange is the New Black.
Human drama is depicted, surely, but drama in the context of depravity. (And “twerking” does not even claim any
dramatic mantle or purpose.) Before you
think me a prude, consider the reality that where we invest energy and focus (e.g.,
for example in entertainment) will affect both how we view the world and how we
view ourselves as creatures created in God’s image and likeness. When Paul admonishes that we are to focus on
“that which is above” (Col. 3.1-2) he is speaking both in spiritual and
practical terms. In my own life I have
worked in the medical examiner’s office and a central emergency room of a large
city (Philadelphia), encountering all kinds of fallenness and ugliness. I have been present at the investigation of
murder scenes and murder victims. I
survived the language of boot camp in the Marine Corps, in which the “universal
modifier” (my phrase) means that every sentence must include some form of the
“F word”. I am not easily shocked, in
the sense of requiring avoidance, but this does not mean that I seek out that which
is base and degrading. Whether or not we
have been exposed to ugliness, we know it exists. Why seek it out? Why consider it to be entertaining,
particularly when this involves witnessing the degradation of the human person?
Our challenge is to look at reality through
God’s eyes. When we see ugliness we are
not to avoid it, but are to testify to God’s truth. We are to witness that the ultimate reality
of creation is one in which the Creator is revealed as the source and summation
of good, beauty, love, truth and being. When
we affirm God’s presence and sovereignty even in the midst of pain, even
despite evil, we affirm what is real, knowing that what is evil is nothing more
than negation of what is good.
Choose your entertainment carefully. What we choose to focus on shapes how we view
ultimate reality. Let’s not desensitize
ourselves to the extent that that which should shock us doesn’t. Seek that which is above.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It will not do to not refer to Independence Day
in this week’s blog! As we gather to
remember and celebrate our liberty, consider a series of contrasts between the
worldview of those who founded this republic and much of our modern
culture. Consider the difference between
liberty and license, and the difference between having values
and embodying virtues. The
contrast is evident in the very language of the Declaration of Independence,
which invokes the Laws of Nature and God (i.e., a classical virtue
perspective) in declaring the liberty interests of a free people.
We must ever defend liberty, while never
promoting license.
Grace Abounds: Please thank:
§ Bobbie May for trimming of shrubs, and gardening.
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.
Hebrew: After two years of study of New Testament
Greek we will offer a course in biblical Hebrew. Classes will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. on
Thursdays, beginning on 11 September.
There is a cost of $100 for materials, but this can be supported through
a generous scholarship fund. The class
is open to people who are not members of the parish, so feel free to invite
friends from the community or other churches.
This class does not assume that
you have any particular ability in learning a language. The goal is not to learn to speak and write
Hebrew, but to be able to work in the biblical text using written and online
aids. We want to be able to work in the
text to gain insights into the message of the Bible, insights that may not be
apparent in English. For example, how
verbs work is vastly different in Hebrew.
The concept of time is very different.
What can we learn about God and His will for us by exploring these
differences? Our discussions will be
more theological than linguistic, as they were in our Greek class.
If you are interested, or know
someone who is, contact Fr. Karl.
“Before and After”: In the July edition of The Angelus the ministry of the month is described, a floor
cleaning project. If you want to see the
result so far, look at the Lady Chapel.
The floor was last refinished in 1988.
There are colors to be seen that haven’t been seen in years!
If you are interested in
participating, see Fr. Karl. This is
tough, physical labor, so if you are challenged in working on hands and knees,
consider whether you want to help with material costs, with a gift outside of
your regular giving to the parish.
Summer adult formation: In
the 17 June web publication of the journal First
Things: A Journal of Religion and Public Life is found the article “Why Do
People Become Catholic?”, in which R. R. Reno examines the phenomenon and
reasoning of conversion of Protestants to Roman Catholicism. See http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2014/06/why-do-people-become-catholic R. R. Reno (a Roman Catholic) celebrates the
catholicity of the Church, and enumerates the following realities about the
Church Catholic, that she is: 1. visible; 2.
universal; 3. enduring; 4. possessed of authority; 5. embodies beauty; 6. hierarchical; 7. in communion with the saints; and 8. a moral witness. Our discussions will focus on these eight
realities of the Church, and particularly how these are embodied in
Anglicanism. In other words, we are
going to talk about how and why the Church matters, and how we participate in how she matters! This class will meet beginning on Sunday, 20
July, at 9 a.m.
Bible study resource: The Christian Classics Ethereal Library (www.ccel.org) is a wonderful resource provided
by Calvin College, that makes available online a wealth of materials for bible
study, theological research, research into hymnody, the writings of the Fathers
of the Church, and current opinion. The
CCEL also provides online bible study discussion groups from time to time, and a group is forming now for the study of
The Acts of the Apostles. To get more
information and explore interest act now by going to http://www.ccel.org/node/25643 . A complete listing of study and discussion
groups can be found at http://www.ccel.org/groups
.
LoveINC kick-off: The kick-off celebration for LoveINC (Love in
the Name of Christ) Sheboygan was held this past Tuesday. If you could not attend but want to learn
more about how you might be involved, please contact Fr. Karl or Dcn.
Michele. A listing of the types of
ministries involved is available to help you discern a call to service.
Music this week: Proper 9A
Prelude Three
Modal Pieces Jean Langlais
Entrance Hymn 544 “Jesus
shall reign where’er the sun” Duke
Street
Mass Setting New English Folk Mass Timms & Warrell
Offertory Hymn 404 “We
will extol you” Old
124th
Communion Hymn 302 “Father,
we thank thee who hast planted” Rendez à Dieu
Closing Hymn 718 “God
of our fathers”
National Hymn
Postlude Fantasie Langlais
Grace Episcopal Church is pleased to present an antiques
and collectibles appraisal event featuring expert Mark F. Moran on Thursday,
July 24, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
Moran bought and sold antiques for
more than 30 years, specializing in vintage folk art, Americana , and fine art. He has been active
as an appraiser of antiques and fine art for more than 20 years.
Formerly senior editor of Antiques
and Collectibles Books for Krause Publications in Iola , Wis. Atlantique City ,
an antique show held in Atlantic City , N.J. ; and as editorial director of F+W
Media 's Antiques Group.
He is the author or co-author of
more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles, including three editions of
the 800-page annual Warman's Antiques & Collectibles.
Pre-registration and payment is required. Cost is $15 per item. Cash, check or MC/VISA will be accepted. You
may sign up for a maximum of 3 items. Please call 920-912-4505 to schedule your
appointment.
Categories of objects for appraisal may include:
Fine art, including
paintings, drawings, prints and statuary.
Furniture (usually smaller
pieces are best).
Ceramics, including figural
pottery, vases, dishes, kitchenware and stoneware.
Glassware, including
lighting, marbles and souvenir items.
Vintage photographs,
including snapshots, tintypes, Ambrotypes and daguerreotypes.
Advertising, including
posters, lithographed tin, paper and
figural objects.
Folk art, including
carvings, quilts, weathervanes, windmill weights and "outsider" art.
Assorted toys, including
dolls (bisque, composition and plastic), windups and mechanical banks.
Metalware, including iron,
bronze, brass, pot metal, silver, silver plate.
Clocks, including mantel,
hanging and figural.
Costume jewelry, including
brooches, bracelets, earrings.
Musical Instruments,
including string, wind and reed instruments.
Books.
Sports Memorabilia.
Excluded items: all weapons, including swords
and knives (though folding knives with advertising are accepted); Nazi
memorabilia; coins and paper money; fine jewelry, including precious gems;
Beanie Babies.
Interest in this
event is already starting to build and this is exciting. Parishioners have already started to register
to have their valuable evaluated and volunteers are stepping forward to help on
this date. Won’t you consider donating
one to two hours of your time that day?
A sign up in the narthex is available.
Proceeds from this fund-raiser goes towards youth outreach.
Parish Notices
§ The church office is
closed on Friday, 4 July.
§ Brat Fry in July: Saturday,
July 19 from 11:00am until 5:00pm Grace Church will have a brat fry at Festival
Foods in Sheboygan. All proceeds will go to Grace Church and Missions. Please
come out and enjoy a great brat, fellowship and support the mission of Grace.
§ A Prayer Ministry at Grace: Saturday mornings at 10:00am members of Grace meet and walk
throughout the church praying. Our prayers are focused on asking
the Holy Spirit to be released in a deeper, more powerful way into our
Grace Church community. The prayers begin at the back of the church and
continue through each pew, chapels, pulpit, sanctuary and sacristy. Where the
Spirit leads, we will pray, ending at the main altar. In Acts1:14 we read that
the early church prayed together constantly. Paul reminds us in 1 Thess.5:17 we
are to pray without ceasing. It is with deep devotion and great conviction that
we begin this Prayer Ministry by meeting once a week to pray for our Church. If
anyone feels called to join in the praying, please come. If you are unable to
join us in person, you can still join us in spirit by praying for those listed
in our Parish Directory. Saturdays 10AM.
§ Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal Event: featuring expert
Mark F. Moran on Thursday, July 24, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interest in
this event is already starting to build and this is exciting. Parishioners have already started to register
to have their valuable evaluated and volunteers are stepping forward to help on
this date. Won’t you consider donating
one to two hours of your time that day?
A sign up in the narthex is available. Pre-registration and payment is required. Cost is $15 per
item. Cash, check or MC/VISA will be accepted. You may sign up for a maximum of
3 items. Please call to schedule your appointment or for further information
and if you would like to help on this event please contact Barb MacEwen at
920-912-4505. Proceeds from this fund-raiser goes towards youth outreach.
§ EfM or Education for Ministry: was created to help you find your vocation and ministry with a trusted
group of friends. By studying scripture, history and reading other people’s
writings, we discover more about God’s wonderful plan for our lives. Two groups are starting September 8, 2014.
The Monday group meets at 6 pm and the Tuesday group meets at 9 am. Sign up by
August 1st in order to get your books before the first class. Cost is $350 and
this includes college credits and all your materials. Scholarships are
available, so don’t let the cost keep you from participating. You can go to the
EfM website at: www.sewanee.edu/EFM
and print your registration materials or if you have questions, don’t hesitate
to contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman at: bzimmy@excel.net
or call her at 920-893-5189.
§ Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice: cordially invites you to walk our gardens
and participate in a path to healing on Thursday, July 10th from
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Join us for this first time event and enjoy a
complimentary refreshment and a variety of therapeutic experiences. Caregivers
and those experiencing a loss are encouraged to attend. Public is welcome, for
further information contact Angelia Neumann at 467-7940.
§ 4th Annual Rummage Sale Blessed Trinity Parish: Friday, July 18 & Saturday, July 19,
2014 from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Blessed Trinity Parish (in Church Basement) 319
Giddings Avenue, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin will have a rummage sale which will
include household items, toys, children’s clothes and small appliances. Please
plan to attend our 4th Annual Rummage Sale.
No comments:
Post a Comment