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!!!
