Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
24 May 2018
Today is the feast of Bl. Jackson Kemper, first missionary bishop of
The Episcopal Church. Bp. Kemper was
consecrated in 1835, at a time when The Episcopal Church was very much
concentrated along the eastern seaboard.
His work took him early to what was then known as the Northwest
Territory (part of which became Wisconsin).
Kemper was the driving force behind the founding of Nashotah House. During his episcopacy (which included his
time from 1859 to 1870 as Bishop of Wisconsin) he traveled more than 300,000 on
horseback, founding and nurturing congregations, and being instrumental in
early Christian mission to the native peoples of this part of the land. The window at Nashotah House which depicts
Jackson Kemper portrays him in a sheepskin coat, with saddlebags, testimony to
his incessant ravel in the wilderness.
This parish is very much a daughter of the missionary efforts of
Kemper, and our “spiritual DNA” is, therefore, founded in mission, in
outreach. We may not be riding cross
country in sheepskin coats, and none of us is a bishop, but each of us is
called into the same commission Jesus gave to His disciples, to go to all
people and bring them the Good News (Mtt. 28.20). And the emphasis is on all. Jesus
never said (and Kemper certainly never worried about) that the Good News is to
be taken only to those who are worthy of it.
He said all, and to the extent that we worry about how people will
respond to the proclamation of the Gospel we are missing the point. When we worry about who will respond, and
how, we enter into a worldly and false equation, an equation in which it is up
to us to identify who is “likely to respond” (as if we were to market a
product), and an equation in which the response will be based on our powers of
persuasion.
Those who respond to the proclamation of the Gospel do so because of
the activity of the Holy Spirit, not of us.
Those who respond to the proclamation of the Gospel do so because of the
power of the Good News, not because of our powers of argument or selling. The “spiritual DNA” of our birth is that of
all of the Church—to incarnate God’s presence.
On this feast of a great missionary and of a foster father of this
parish, let us ever remember (and give thanks for) the reality that what needs
to happen for God’s will to come about is up to God, not us. Proclaim fearlessly, for we can only fear
when we worry about what we can do.
An update from Bobbi
Kraft!
It hardly seems
possible that graduation was a week ago. Then again, it's hard to grasp how
quickly these past three years has gone by.
First, I'd like to
thank all of you for your love, prayers, and continued support. It was lovely
to have Bishop Matt, Mother Michele & Jon Whitford, and Archdeacon Sue von
Rautenkranz in attendance. It was touching to know that so many of you were
able to share the day with me via the internet. I know that wherever I go, a
piece of Grace Church and Diocese of Fond du Lac always goes with me!
Secondly, I can
finally share news that I will be headed to the Diocese of Texas for the next
two years. I will take part in the "Curate Camp" programming while
serving as Curate at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Waco, TX beginning July 1.
The movers will arrive on May 31st to gather my belongings from VA and I will
fly down on June 1st.
Finally, my
understanding is that ordination to the priesthood will take place in WI in
July, Stay tuned for more details. [Ed. note: The ordination is scheduled for 11 a.m. on
Saturday, 21 July, at the cathedral in Fond du Lac.]
I give thanks for
you always! I hope to see you yet in June and then at ordination in July. My
thanks are more than I can even begin to share here. Bless you all for sending
me on this journey.
With thanks,
prayers, and love,
Bobbi
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Bob
and Anne Hanlon, and Andrea Aparicio and Nick Whitford for the Sunday coffee
hours.
§ Bobbie
May for decorating and flower care.
§ Bryan
Stenz for lawn care.
Special “Thank You’ s” : A supply of Thank You note cards can be found
on the table at the back of church nave.
When someone in the parish does something special, take the time to
write them a personal note. Also, from
time to time, think about who you might want to thank for ongoing service, and
let them know you have noticed!
Call
for Contributions: If you
have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers
toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by
Wednesday in the week of publication.
Please contribute for photocopies: The photocopier is being
subjected to frequent use that relates to parishioner’s needs and not those of
the whole parish. If you need to make
copies (and please keep this to a minimum), please inform a member of the
parish staff and make a contribution toward the costs of the copies. A suggested contribution is $0.6/page. (We are trending above budget on copy costs!)
Don’t
forget “Something Extra for Grace”:
Supplemental giving envelopes can be found in pews. If you want to give something extra, please
use an envelope to ensure that you are credited.
Music this Week:
Trinity
Sunday Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director
Prelude Kyrie,
God the Father in eternity
Christ
the Savior of the world J.S. Bach
Entrance Hymn 362 “Holy, holy, holy!
Lord God Almighty!” Nicaea
Offertory Hymn 370 “I bind unto myself
today” St.
Patrick’s Breastplate
Communion Motet From the
rising of the sun Philip Tomblings
Communion Hymn 371 “Thou, whose almighty sword” Moscow
Closing Hymn 579 “Almighty Father,
strong to save” Melita
Postlude Kyrie, God the Holy Ghost
Bach
Parish Notices:
§ All Saint’s Chapel in Elkhart Lake: The Chapel offers
services at 9:00 a.m. beginning Sunday and
continuing through Labor Day weekend. We
are blessed to have Fr. Patrick Twomey serving as Celebrant for the entire
season. Services will continue to be a shared ministry, which means volunteers
will be needed for Sunday Service ownership.
This includes:
Picking up the
bulletins box at Grace Church in Sheboygan
Arriving early on
Sunday to:
o
Open the buildings
o
Identify readers for the readings and
the prayers of the people
o
Light candles
o
Greet Fr. Twomey
Locking up at the
conclusion of Mass and
Returning the
bulletins box and etc. to Grace Church.
A printed list of
instructions is on site, in the event of questions, as well as a list members
available by phone to offer direct support.
Call
the Grace Episcopal Church office at (920-452-9659 to schedule ownership of a
Sunday(s). Thank you for your support of such an important Ministry!
Please note: The Bishop will make his Annual Visitation
to the Chapel on June 17 (Father’s Day).
§ Summer Camp registration for camp
sessions are now open:
The Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating
Seniors.
The registration
process is now completely online and includes availability to make payments. www.diofdl.org/camp *Scholarships are available;
inquire at the parish office.
§ Save the Date: Open House for Samaritan’s Hand, Inc. Sober House: On Saturday, June 2, there
will be an Open House from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. to showcase the new Sober
House. Tours, snacks drinks and fun at 1406 N. 11th Street in
Sheboygan.
§ Save the Date-Eucharistic Festival, Saturday June 30: Established in 1960
by Bishop William Brady, the Eucharistic Festival gathers the diocesan
family to be united in its faith in the Presence of our Blessed Lord in
the Bread and Wine of the Altar. In being so devoted, we can be united in
making known God's presence to all people. The Festival includes the Celebration of the
Holy Eucharist, Bishop's Picnic, Evening Prayer and the Adoration and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Cathedral
Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. If you are interested in carpooling, contact
the parish office.
§ Brat Fry and Bake Sale at Miesfeld’s: Saturday, July 7,
Brat Fry at Miesfeld’s Brat Haus! A sign-up table is located in the
Narthex.
We are looking for:
Brat fryers, stand attendants, baked goods bakers, before the sale packagers
and attendants while at the sale. Contact Barb or Bob MacEwen at 912-4505 if
you have any questions.
§ Save the Date-Diocese of Fond du Lac
Schedule for Ordination: The Ordination of the Reverend Roberta Ann Kraft to the
Priesthood will take place on Saturday, July 21, 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of
St. Paul the Apostle in Fond du Lac at 11:00 a.m. More details will be shared
in the upcoming weeks about this joyous event.
§ Ushers Needed: Ushers are often the
first people seen by newcomers, visitors, and even regular parishioners when
coming to Grace Church. People enjoy being greeted by a smile; become a part of
this ministry today!
§ Bible
Challenge:
Videos for all 52 weeks of the year are now available on Grace Abounds. If you
take this challenge, you will find that in one year you will read all of the
Bible! This will require less than an hour of your time, six days a week.
A schedule of
readings is provided on the parish website, along with weekly study summaries
and a weekly video summary of the readings. If you need a bible for the
challenge, contact the parish office.
§ 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; please write your name on the envelope.
§ Lost and Found: If you have ever lost
anything while at Grace Church, it may be in the office. Please email office@gracesheboygan.com to
identify and claim.
§ Bulletin Prayer List and our Grace
Church Prayer Team:
The Episcopal Church believes in the power of prayer. Grace Church regularly
prays for the needs of our own members, as well as the needs of the country,
and our world. We would be honored to pray for your needs, and the needs
of your friends and relatives if they or you are in a state of trouble,
sorrow, pain, or are experiencing any other adversity. Please call the Parish
office at 452-9659 or email a request to office@gracesheboygan.com to have a
name(s) put in the bulletin, the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and/or out to
the email Prayer Team.
If you are interested
in becoming a member of the Prayer Team, contact the office.
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