Showing Up

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

25 April 2019

This will be the last weekly blog column that I will write for Grace Notes, so I want to focus on what comes next.  In all previous editions of this blog there has been a separate heading “Call for Contributions”, soliciting guest columns.  Over the years (and there have been over 350 editions of this blog), the number submitted has been less than 20.  In other words, if the parish is going to maintain a weekly blog, it will require:  (a) that someone decides to manage and format the blog; and (b) that a small group of people plan to contribute regularly.

If this blog goes away, there will be no great loss.  The overall average number of hits has been about 50.  But consider that an average of 50 people a week have both received information and some form of witness/reflection on matters spiritual.  In other words, ask yourself the question:  To the extent I have followed this blog, do I feel called to continue it (even if not weekly)?

As a final personal reflection I want to both report and reflect.  I will report that in a series of ongoing farewells outside of the parish I have been very surprised by the frequency of kind words, tributes, offerings of thanksgivings, etc.  Rather than being tempted to feel special, I will reflect the reality that whatever I have been able to do in the community has been as directed and empowered by God, and that the overwhelming majority of what I have “done” is to just show up.  Really.  Whether a tribute has been offered by a community organization, and government agency, the police, etc., the common theme has been that those offering tributes have not been accustomed to anybody from a church participating in public initiatives and a faith-based leader.  We can speculate about why churches have not been visible in a lot of public initiatives, but rather than speculate let’s just observe that when people of faith are visible in the community, in “showing up” to discuss and attempt to address common problems, a form of Christian witness takes place that is noticed.

Pray about where and when you are called to “show up”, and when you do, God will take over in how you will be called and empowered to serve.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Everyone who contributed savories to the Easter gala reception, and to Polly Schmeiser and Mary Snyder for organization and setup.

§  Bobbie May for janitorial help, and for church decoration.

§  The Altar Guild, for much extra work:  Bev Evans, Mary Snyder, Bob and Anne Hanlon,  Elizabeth Schaffenburg,  Steve Fischer, Jon Fischer, Scott Fabiano, Stuart Schmidt.

§  Ben Dobey and the choir for much extra work!

§  Nicci Beeck for much extra work!

Music this Week:  The Second Sunday of Easter

                              R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                           Fantasy in G Major                                            J.S. Bach    

Opening Hymn 193          “That Easter day with joy was bright”               Puer nobis                      

Offertory Hymn 206        “O sons and daughters, let us sing”              O filii et filiae                                                                     

Communion Motet           This joyful Eastertide

                                          Traditional Dutch melody harmonized by Charles Wood                                                     

Communion Hymn 209    “We walk by faith, and not by sight”               St. Botolph

Closing Hymn 57             “Lo! He comes with clouds descending”              Helmsley                                    

Postlude                          Offertoire sur le chant O filii et filiae

                                                                                         Jean-François Dandrieu

Parish Notices:

§  Annual Bake and Plant Sale: This annual event takes place, in conjunction with St. Luke United Methodist Church Rummage Sale, on Friday, April 26 (11:00–5:00 p.m.) and Saturday, April 27 (9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) We need volunteers to provide baked items, staff tables, set-up and take down. Look for a more detailed list and sign-up sheet in the upcoming weeks.

§  Celebratory Save-the-Date: On Sunday April 28, we come together for ONE MASS at 10:15 as Fr. Karl celebrates his final service as the Rector of Grace Church. A reception lunch will be held after Mass, in St. Nicholas Hall, to show our appreciation for the many years of service by Bill May as our Sexton, as well as celebrating the 7 ½ years of service and friendship by Fr. Karl and Elizabeth Schaffenburg. For more information or if you have questions, contact the Parish Office.

§  Spring Cheer: Is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 1 at 11:00 AM in the church kitchen. At that time we will assemble daffodils and box cookies and then make deliveries. (There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex.) We need helping hands.  Can you bake, make a delivery and/or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling and fun ministry to our homebound and elderly; they will appreciate it. Call Barb MacEwen (920.912.4505) if you have questions. 

§  *I know this is short notice but it is MAY DAY and daffodils are just now blooming.

§  Good News Jail & Prison Ministry Banquet: The annual banquet in support of ministry in the local jail is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. (Blue Harbor Conference Center) Nicci has 8 tickets available. There is no charge, but the cost of the meal to the ministry is $28.00; donations in support are accepted. There will also be a silent auction.  For more details, contact the Parish Office.

§  Bishop’s Visitation: On Sunday, May 12 (Mother’s Day) we welcome Bishop Matthew Gunter for his annual visitation. The Bishop will preach and celebrate at both 8:00 and 10:15 services. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Communion at the 10:15 am service. Please join us for a gala reception immediately following the service. A sign-up sheet for savories, sweets and clean-up is on the Narthex table.

§  Summer Camp registration for camp sessions are now open: The Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th graders.

§  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-Eucharistic Festival, Saturday June 29: The Festival will be followed by the Bishop’s Picnic; there is no cost for the Picnic which include hot dogs, brats and ice cream. For more details, visit www.diofdl.org/ef.

§  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!

§  Reservations Required: Grace Church has been blessed with many assets used for hospitality. Parishioners are welcome to use rooms and these items. This is a gentle reminder that Grace’s policy is to complete a form listing the items being borrowed and rooms being used. This form can be obtained from 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.

Tears and Seeds

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

18 April 2019

We began this most holy week of the year with the procession of palms, welcoming the entry of Our Lord into His earthly home.  But our work week began with the heart-wrenching news and images of the partial destruction of the Cathedral de Notre Dame in Paris, a soon nine centuries old testimony to holiness and to French identity, which has become a part of the patrimony of what was erstwhile defined as Western Civilization. See https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47947425 .

I will confess to shedding not a few tears.  My reaction was akin to that experienced on receiving the news of the loss of a dear friend or a family member.  My personal experience of this cathedral as a place of holiness, as a place of witness, and as lying at the core of whatever we may define (in terms not just of a nation state) as France, resulted in my experiencing real loss in looking upon the burning.  More interestingly, the loss of a such a center of holiness and culture has called forth a response among many with no personal experience of Notre Dame.  The Parisians witnessed gathering, and those offering prayers and hymns, included not only those identified as Christians.  More than 33% of the residents of France identify themselves as having no faith, but something in the spectacle of loss brought people together in ways we got a brief taste of in how we mutually experienced the shock of the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001.

As humans we long for what is permanent, because regardless of what we may say about eternity, our very being testifies to the reality that we are made for eternity.  This testimony results in people of no faith at all continually seeking, “looking for answers”.  This testimony flies in the face of the daily small losses in cultural patrimony we must suffer from those around us who continually claim that all language and culture is no more than a reflection of power structures, and that what we yearn for is in fact somehow “relative”.

If it’s all just “relative” why do we mourn loss?  A shocking loss, like what we have witnessed in the partial destruction of Notre Dame, evokes real response.  As of the date of this writing (24 hrs. after the fire) more than one billion million dollars has been pledged by private donors to rebuild the cathedral.  We respond to a big loss because we are shocked, but in this most holy week, as we participate in the way of the cross, and come to relive that in Jesus’ triumph over the dominion of sin and death we too triumph over loss and destruction, let us re-tune our senses to notice the daily little losses, and to testify against them.

As the cathedral burned a crowd gathered nearby, praying the Rosary in chant.  I tuned in when live coverage allowed me to hear the chanting of the ancient prayer Memorare.  Fresh tears from me, but what seeds planted in those witnessing this!  The offering of hearts in prayer is the most eloquent testimony possible against the nihilism of the world.  May our mourning by transformed into joy in our participation in Christ’s victory!

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bob and Anne Hanlon, and Jack Britton and Helen Mullison for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Bobbie May for janitorial help, and for church decoration.

§  Ben Dobey for planting flowers in the columbarium courtyard.

§  All who helped in the parish cleanup day:  Randie and Austin Barrows, Jack Britton, Sutton Cecil, Bev Evans, Claudia Fischer, Bill and Deb Gagin, Edoh and La Htoo, Bobbie May, Kristin Plucar, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Stuart Schmidt, Mary Snyder, Tom Wright.

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.

Music this Week:  Palm Sunday (The Sunday of the Passion)

                              Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Maundy Thursday

Prelude                           Meditation on ‘Ubi caritas’                              Larry Visser

                                      Prelude on Adoro te devote                          Healy Willan

Entrance Hymn 320         “Hail, Zion praise thy Savior, singing”             St. Thomas

Offertory Hymn 315        “Thou who at thy first Eucharist”                          Song 1

Communion Motet           Ave Verum Corpus                                            Plainsong

Communion Hymn 314    “Humbly I adore thee”                                Adoro devote

Procession to the Altar of Repose        

                                      Now my tongue the mystery telling    St. Thomas Aquinas

Good Friday

Veneration of the Cross   Adoramus te Christe                Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

                                      Behold the Lamb of God                               Healy Willan

Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar    

                                      Sing my tongue , the glorious battle Venantius Fortunatus

Easter Vigil

Offertory Anthem            Fanfare: Dextera Domini                    R. Benjamin Dobey

                                      Christus Vincit             Joseph Noyon, arr. Gerre Hancock

Communion Motet           Most glorious Lord of life                        William H. Harris

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

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

Postlude                         The triumph is completed

                                      (from the Christmas Oratorio)                          J. S. Bach

Trumpets:

          Michael Winkler

          Scott Winkler

Easter Sunday

Prelude                           Organ Concerto in F Major, op 4 no. 5           G. F. Händel

Entrance Hymn 207         “Jesus Christ is Risen today”                        Easter Hymn

Offertory Anthem            Regina Coeli                                                 W. A.Mozart

Communion Motet           Jesus, Sun of Life                                         G. F. Händel

Communion Hymn 174    “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing”                     Salzburg

Closing Hymn 210           “The day of resurrection”                                 Ellacombe

Postlude                         Toccata from the Fifth Symphony       harles-Marie Widor

The String Quartet:

          Robin Petzold, violin

          Katherine Brooks, violin

          Amanda Koch, viola

          Trischa Loebl, cello

Parish Notices:

§  Maundy Thursday Foot Washing Tonight: The Gospel of John (13:1-17) records that Jesus washed the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper. Jesus urged the disciples to follow his example of generous and humble service. Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet was a live expression of his teaching that "whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all" (Mk 10:43-44). Everyone will have the opportunity to have their feet washed and to wash someone else’s; please wear socks and shoes that are easily removed.

§  Vigil before the Altar of Repose: Please sign up to watch and pray for an hour at the Altar of Repose beginning immediately following the Maundy Thursday Mass on April 18 and concluding Friday, April 19 as the Good Friday Liturgy begins. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex; more than one person may sign up for any given hour.

§  Good Friday Offering: Every year since 1922 the church has taken a collection for the Church in the Middle East during Holy Week. This year our loose plate offering on Good Friday will go to support the church efforts in Jerusalem and throughout the Middle East. Please be generous as you are able.

§  Easter Vigil-The Holy Noise: It is an ancient custom that parishioners bring bells from home to make Holy Noise during the singing of the Gloria in exclesis at the Easter Vigil. This is to symbolize the waking of the dead in Christ because of His resurrection, as well as the proclamation to the entire world that Christ is risen from the dead.

§  Easter Vigil Dinner: The first Mass of the Resurrection is on Saturday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. The Easter celebration then continues at Trattoria Stefano, 522 South 8^th Street, at 9:30 p.m. The actual cost of the meal is a gift to the parish, so you not only get a delicious meal but you help the church by purchasing a ticket for the dinner. Tickets can be bought in the parish office or in the Narthex after mass for $50 a person. Everyone is invited, but seats are limited. There are scholarships for anyone wishing to attend but are challenged by the cost. A final head count has been requested by tomorrow, Monday, April 15.

§  Easter Gala Reception: We will continue our Easter celebration with a Gala Reception after the 10:15 a.m. Mass on Sunday, April 21. A sign-up sheet is on the Narthex table.

§  Annual Bake and Plant Sale: This annual event takes place, in conjunction with St. Luke United Methodist Church Rummage Sale, on Friday, April 26 (11:00–5:00 p.m.) and Saturday, April 27 (9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) We need volunteers to provide baked items, staff tables, set-up and take down. Look for a more detailed list and sign-up sheet in the upcoming weeks.

§  Celebratory Save-the-Date: On Sunday April 28, we come together for ONE MASS at 10:15 as Fr. Karl celebrates his final service as the Rector of Grace Church. A reception lunch will be held after Mass, in St. Nicholas Hall, to show our appreciation for the many years of service by Bill May as our Sexton, as well as celebrating the 7 ½ years of service and friendship by Fr. Karl and Elizabeth Schaffenburg. For more information or if you have questions, contact the Parish Office.

Hat Size

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

11 April 2019

After the past week I might need a bigger hat, because my head might grow.  My head might grow because of all the words I have heard from those inside and outside the parish who have said kind things about me.  The reason I won’t actually need a bigger hat is that in listening to such words the persistent thought in my head has been “Is he/she talking about me?”  I know well my own failings.  But (and here’s where theology enters), to the extent that whatever I have done in my priestly ministry in this place has brought forth words of praise or thanksgiving, what those who have offered praise or thanksgiving have responded to has been the ways in which God has used me to do His will.  As a person there are many, many limitations on what I can do, but as the apostle teaches, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (in Jesus) (Phil. 4.13).

It is in Christ that ministry happens, and God uses fallible human beings to incarnate His presence.  In a season of transition, it is as people in Christ, both as individuals and as the Church, that you will incarnate God’s presence to each other and to those who God places before you.

When we recognize that the praise and thanksgiving belong to God, and give Him the glory, our hats continue to fit, and heads that bow in prayer may lift up to look to the glory that God reveals in the myriad ways He shows forth His will in the world.  But this means, as well, that we must be open to the reality that God will use us—everyone of us.  God will use you to reach another person in ways that will allow that other person to come to better know, and love, and serve God.  God will use you as the Body of Christ in ways that will make His love real in the world.  God will call you through all times of transition into blessings that cannot even now be foreseen.  The constant in all is God:  His love, presence, truth, goodness; His promises that never fail.  Trust in God in all things, and your hat will fit just right.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.  Amen.    Ephesians 3:20, 21

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Bob and Anne Hanlon, Bill & Deb Gagin, and Bob and Barb MacEwen for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Bobbie May for janitorial help.

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.

Music this Week:  Palm Sunday (The Sunday of the Passion)

                              Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Procession             “All glory, laud and honor to thee, Redeemer King”       

Sequence H. 435   “At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow”                         

Offertory Anthem   The royal banners forward go                                     Plainsong                                       

Communion Motet Crucifixus                                                            Antonio Lotti                  

Comm. H. 168       “O sacred head sore wounded”         Herzlich tut mich verlangen                                       

Postlude                Chorale Prelude on O sacred head, sore wounded                      

                                                                                                  Johannes Brahms

Parish Notices:

§  Chrism Mass: On Tuesday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. In the early church bishops baptized catechumens at the Easter Vigil with blessed oils. Over time this blessing was made earlier so oils could be used at the local level. This tradition includes blessing the oil of catechumens (adults preparing for baptism), oil of the sick (for anointing) and chrism (for baptism, confirmation, ordination of clergy, and consecration of altars).

§  Maundy Thursday Foot Washing: The Gospel of John (13:1-17) records that Jesus washed the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper. Jesus urged the disciples to follow his example of generous and humble service. Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet was a live expression of his teaching that "whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all" (Mk 10:43-44). Everyone will have the opportunity to have their feet washed and to wash someone else’s; please wear socks and shoes that are easily removed.

§  Vigil before the Altar of Repose: Please sign up to watch and pray for an hour at the Altar of Repose beginning immediately following the Maundy Thursday Mass on April 18 and concluding Friday, April 19 as the Good Friday Liturgy begins. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex; more than one person may sign up for any given hour.

§  Good Friday Offering: Every year since 1922 the church has taken a collection for the Church in the Middle East during Holy Week. This year our loose plate offering on Good Friday will go to support the church efforts in Jerusalem and throughout the Middle East. Please be generous as you are able.

§  Easter Vigil-The Holy Noise: It is an ancient custom that parishioners bring bells from home to make Holy Noise during the singing of the Gloria in excelsis at the Easter Vigil. This is to symbolize the waking of the dead in Christ because of His resurrection, as well as the proclamation to the entire world that Christ is risen from the dead.

§  Easter Vigil Dinner: The first Mass of the Resurrection is on Saturday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. The Easter celebration then continues at Trattoria Stefano, 522 South 8^th Street, at 9:30 p.m. The actual cost of the meal is a gift to the parish, so you not only get a delicious meal but you help the church by purchasing a ticket for the dinner. Tickets can be bought in the parish office or in the Narthex after mass for $50 a person. Everyone is invited, but seats are limited. There are scholarships for anyone wishing to attend but are challenged by the cost. A final head count has been requested by tomorrow, Monday, April 15.

§  Easter notice from St. Luke United Methodist: All are welcome to join St. Luke United Methodist Church for an Easter sunrise service at 6:00 am on Easter Sunday. The service will be held at the North Beach shelter, Deland Park, 1037 Broughton Drive, Sheboygan.

§  Easter Gala Reception: We will continue our Easter celebration with a Gala Reception after the 10:15 a.m. Mass on Sunday, April 21. A sign-up sheet is on the Narthex table.

§  Annual Bake and Plant Sale: This annual event takes place, in conjunction with St. Luke United Methodist Church Rummage Sale, on Friday, April 26 (11:00–5:00 p.m.) and Saturday, April 27 (9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) We need volunteers to provide baked items, staff tables, set-up and take down. Look for a more detailed list and sign-up sheet in the upcoming weeks.

§  Celebratory Save-the-Date: On Sunday April 28, we come together for ONE MASS at 10:15 as Fr. Karl celebrates his final service as the Rector of Grace Church. A reception lunch will be held after Mass, in St. Nicholas Hall, to show our appreciation for the many years of service by Bill May as our Sexton, as well as celebrating the 7 ½ years of service and friendship by Fr. Karl and Elizabeth Schaffenburg. For more information or if you have questions, contact the Parish Office.

§  Summer Camp registration for camp sessions are now open: The Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12^th graders.

§  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.

§  Good News Jail & Prison Ministry Banquet: The annual banquet in support of ministry in the local jail is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. (Blue Harbor Conference Center) Nicci has 8 tickets available. There is no charge, but the cost of the meal to the ministry is $28.00; donations in support are accepted. There will also be a silent auction.  For more details, contact the Parish Office.

§  Bishop’s Visitation: On Sunday, May 12 (Mother’s Day) we welcome Bishop Matthew Gunter for his annual visitation. The Bishop will preach and celebrate at both 8:00 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 immediately following the service. A sign-up sheet is on the Narthex table for savories, sweets and clean-up.

§  Save the Date-Eucharistic Festival, Saturday June 29: The Festival will be followed by the Bishop’s Picnic; there is no cost for the Picnic which include hot dogs, brats and ice cream. For more details, visit www.diofdl.org/ef

§  Reservations Required: Grace Church has been blessed with many assets used for hospitality. Parishioners are welcome to use rooms and these items. This is a gentle reminder that Grace’s policy is to complete a form listing the items being borrowed and rooms being used. This form can be obtained from 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.