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Thursday, April 7, 2016

Witness in the Gulag


Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin



Grace Notes

7 April 2016



An alternate celebration appointed for Today is that of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow (d. 1925).  Tikhon served as Lord Archbishop of the Aleuts and North America, of the Russian Orthodox Church.  In this capacity, and as a result of the efforts of our own Bl. Charles Grafton, Tikhon participated in the consecration of Bishop Weller as suffragan in Fond du Lac on 8 January 1900.  A photo of the participants may be found here:  http://www.diofdl.org/grafton/#circus  The consecration caused a strong negative reaction in much of the wider Church, being referred to as “The Fond du Lac Circus”.

Following the 1917 fall of the Russian monarchy, Tikhon was consecrated as Patriarch of Moscow.  There had been no patriarch from the 17th century reign of Peter the Great (who had essentially made the Church a department of the State).  Tikhon was martyred by the Bolsheviks in 1925.  Under the floorboard of his prison camp hut was found a copy of the “circus” photo.  The cope worn by Tikhon in Fond du Lac was given to Bishop Grafton, and was presented by Bishop R. Jacobus to Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev (principal officer of the Russian Orthodox Church for external relations) at a ceremony at Nashotah House in 2013.  The Russian Church now retains the cope as the second order relic of an important martyr.

How is any of this relevant to us in the life of the Church today?  First, we remind ourselves that we are “surrounded by a cloud of witnesses”.  Secondly, knowing our own history allows us to witness more effectively to others.  We are grounded in our identity.  Thirdly, we recall in the example of Tikhon that the Church is a holy mystery far greater than any denomination, and that Our Lord’s will that we might all be one under one Shepherd (Jn. 10.16).

Tikhon’ s example reminds us that who we are can have effects far beyond our immediate circle.  Bishop Grafton certainly sought better relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, but in doing so he could not even have thought that his efforts in outreach would form a witness in the Soviet gulag camp decades after his own death.  When we act in God’s Name, He plants seeds we may not even know of!



Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bob and Barb MacEwen, Kevan and Traci Revis, and Julie Davidson for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Bobbie May and Ben Dobey for work in the garden.

§  Randie Barrows for extensive repair work on the light fixtures in St. Nicholas Hall, and to emergency exit lighting in the basement.



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.



Music this Week: The Third Sunday of Easter



Prelude                            Chorale on ‘Haec Dies’                                           Widor

Entrance Hymn 199         “Come, ye faithful, raise the strain”                    St. Kevin

Offertory Hymn 305        “Come, risen Lord, and deign to be our guest”    Rosedale

Communion Motet           Most glorious Lord of life                                        Harris

Communion Hymn 343    “Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless”              St. Agnes

Closing Hymn 208           “The strife is o’er”                                                 Victory

Postlude                          Trumpet Tune & Ayre                                        Telemann



Parish Notices



§  Adult Formation: Will resume this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. discussing ‘What’s My Gift?’  This will include small group discussion and getting to know each other’s gifts, specific knowledge and skills.

§  Our Diocese’s Commission on Congregational Vitality (CCV): On Sunday, April 24th there will be ONE Mass only at 9:00 a.m. followed by a meeting with the CCV from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (refreshments will be provided). Our Vestry leadership is asking you to make an effort to participate in this conversation. Please see the insert of this Mass Booklet for more information.

§  First Communion Instruction: Pat Ford Smith will be providing Communion Lessons during the month of April in preparation for the Bishop's visit on Sunday May 1st, 2016.  If you or your child are interested, please contact the office to sign up. Classes will take place in Ms. Nikki’s classroom (located in the basement) each Thursday in April, 5-6:00 p.m.  Should you have any questions, please call Pat Ford Smith at 920-918-1492.

§  Parish Clean-Up Day!!!! April 23rd has been set for clean-up of the Grace Church buildings and grounds. We will begin at 8:30am and work until noon. Please put this date on your calendar, many hands will make light work.

§  Bishop’s Visitation: May 1st we welcome Bishop Matthew Gunter for his annual visitation. The Bishop will preach and celebrate at both 8 and 10:15 services. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Communions at the 10:15 am service. Please join us for a gala reception to welcome Bishop Gunter and honor those Received and Confirmed. Please sign up to bring sweets and savories and to clean up.

§  Cursillo: Many of you have heard of Cursillo. It could be that you are looking for such an experience and may not even know it. If the Holy Spirit nudges you, there is one coming up April 21-24, Thursday evening till Sunday afternoon. For many it's a great experience, revitalizing and memorable. Fr. Ambelang will be the spiritual leader of this one with the Bishop assisting, as well as a team of lay people. If you have questions talk to Ed or Mary Clabots, Jennifer Pawlus, or Fr. John Ambelang. 

§  Something Extra for Grace: Envelopes are available in the pews if you are moved to give an extra gift, beyond your pledge or regular plate donation, toward the life of the church.  Gifts are tax deductible if you write your name on the envelope.

§  Bake Sale/Plant Sale/Rummage Sale: Friday, April 29th from 12:00-3:00pm and Saturday, April 30th, from 9:00-2:00, in conjunction with St. Luke Methodist rummage sale, Grace will be selling baked goods with proceeds going to Sunday School’s outreach projects. Home baked goods such as pies, breads, muffins, bars, puppy chow, cookies or anything you would like to donate (cupcakes do not sell well) can be dropped off at the church any time before Friday at noon. We will be once again selling plants from our cutting garden. Proceeds go to maintain the garden. Grace will also have a small rummage. Please bring pre-priced items to the northeast room in the basement (under the office). Proceeds will go to Grace Church fund raising. Unsold items will be taken to the Salvation Army. If you have any questions, please call Jessica Ambelang on 920-918-5667 or leave a message on 920-452-5667



§  Summer 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 12 (Sun 3pm) – June 18 (Sat 12noon)

§  Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

§  Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)

§  KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 9 (Thu 2pm) – June 11 (Sat 12noon)

§  There are application forms on the Narthex table.

§  Like Grace Church on Facebook

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan

§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!







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