Call and Response

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

26 July 2012

Get ready to be asked to do something.  And get ready to hear about being asked, because in the month of August the sermons will add a thematic focus to the exposition of the Scripture lessons.

On Sunday, 9 September, our full programming resumes.  There are changes, including new Sunday School curricula, new ways of fostering volunteer ministries and youth minstry, greater involvement of children in ministries, the adoption of a new steardship plan, and the launch of an eighteen month program on discipleship.  Details of these programs will be provided in a special supplementary edition of The Angelus that will be published on 22 August, but to lay the ground for these changes there will be a lot of communication–including in preaching–about how every one of us is called to serve.

Look around you in the congregation, and consider prayerfully the gifts you see in the members of our Lord’s Body with whom you share in worship.  As you are looking, realize that others are considering your own gifts, so don’t be surprised to be asked to do something.  You may be asked to join a particular volunteer ministry, or an education project.  You may be asked to offer intercessory prayer, ro to visit those who cannot join with you in worship.  You may be asked to give in others ways.  When you are asked, remember that you are asked because those around you have discerned in prayer that God calls you to do something in His Church.

Be open-minded.  Above all, be open in prayer–open to God and open to each other.  We must each be open to God’s call, because the reality is that God does not deliver  His kingdom to us.  He says that it has “come near”.  We have to choose.  We have to choose the kingdom, and this choice involves what we do as a reflection of who we are.  But when we live into our prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” then our lives change because we walk no longer in the world but in God’s kingdom which breaks into the world around us.

Be open.  Being asked can be threatening.  Being asked can be a bother.  But remember that you are asked because you are called, and that in saying “yes” to God you will be blessed in ways that neither you nor those asking can now see.

Rector’s Forum:  On Sunday, 12 August, a rector’s forum will be held to discuss the actions taken at General Convention 2012.  The forum will not be a discussion of issues at large in the Church.  It will focus on what we are called to, who we are called to be, and how nothing in this is changed by actions in the Church around us.

Being the Body:  Please thank Pat Ford Smith and Katy Larson for help in the office.  Please thank Ben Dobey and Elizabeth Schaffenburg for ongoing work in the cutting garden, and Ben as well for descorating the daily altars in the parish.

Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge meets on Tuesdays, following the 5:30 p.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, and a light supper (pot luck).  The 31 July session will review Week 22.  Bible study for the Sunday lessons takes place on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist.

All Saints’, Elkhart Lake:  Throughout the Summer, please be intentional about two things (whether or not you attend All Saints’):  (1)  Pray for this ministry, and for those who serve in it, that they may serve our Lord by bringing more to know, love, and serve Him; (2) Engage in mission yourself.  You may know or meet people who you can ask to join you in worship, and All Saints’ can serve as a less formal setting that is more user-friendly in outreach.  Invite seekers to worship with you.

Music this week:

Prelude                                    Andantino                                                                    Darke

Entrance Hymn 377                “All people that on earth do dwell”

Offertory Hymn 522               “Glorious things of thee are spoken”

Comm. Hymn 308                  “O Food to pilgrims given”

Closing Hymn 438                  “Tell out, my soul”

Postlude                                  Toccata in D                                                                Krieger

Parish Notices

§  Youth participation is requested: As full members of the Body of Christ the youth of the parish are encouraged to participate in all areas of parish life. This includes: being a lector-reading the lessons, bringing up the gifts, both in the Holy Roller (the red wagon) and collecting the offering. A musical offering will be made by the youth on September 23^rd. Please contact Deacon Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com or Nick Whitford at njwhitford@gmail.com if your children are interested in participating.

§  Second Annual Rummage Sale: Blessed Trinity Parish 319 Giddings Avenue Sheboygan Falls, is having a rummage sale Saturday, August 4, 2012  from 8am – 2pm in the Church Hall (in Basement) Items:  Household items, toys, children’s clothes and small appliances. Food will be available as part of the sale.  If you have any questions, please contact our Rummage Sale Chairperson: Nancy Bouche (467-4046).

§  Hear about and discuss General Convention actions: All are invited to attend a Post General Convention Forum from 10am-12noon, Saturday, August 11th at All Saints, Appleton. Look for reflections on General Convention actions from our bishop and deputies over the next few weeks: Bishop's Video Chat and September Clarion (print edition) will include reflections from deputies and the bishop. Information and links about General Convention at diofdl.org/gc.

§  The Commemoration of Blessed Charles Chapman Grafton is observed as a Feast Day of the Diocese of Fond du Lac at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. It is included in "Holy Men, Holy Women" by the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. The Feast Day is August 30th, although the Commemoration liturgy may be translated to another day. The 2012 Commemoration will take place Saturday, August 25th at the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle, Fond du Lac. For more information and to register go to diofdl.org/grafton. 

o   2:00 p.m.―Lecture on Bishop Grafton. Our scheduled speaker is Mr. Richard J. Mammana, Jr., of New Haven, Connecticut, Founder and Director of Project Canterbury, tentatively speaking on the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.

o   3:30 p.m.―Evening Prayer.

o   4:00 p.m.―Solemn Pontifical Mass followed by a “Blessing of Pilgrims”.

o   5:00 p.m.―An “Old Fashioned Garden Party” in the Cathedral Close. Grafton came from a culture of Victorian Garden parties, which would have consisted of tea and coffee, bread and butter, biscuits, cake, sandwiches, fruit, lemonade, and ice cream. Perhaps even a harpist.

§  Register Now for EfM: Two classes are again forming this fall for EfM or Education for Ministry. Through the study of scripture, each individual is encouraged to learn more about who they are so they have a closer vision of what God desires for their lives. Each group gets to know each other, worships together and help each other discern God’s will for their lives and their ministries.  It takes time and commitment to change ourselves and consequently our communities, but the rewards are great! Classes start on Tuesday, September 4, 9am at St. Paul’s in Plymouth, and at 6:00 pm. place to be determined.  Cost is $350 for this college level class which starts the first year studying the Old Testament. Scholarships are available and clergy have been generous with their discretionary funds, if assistance is needed. Contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman for registration materials at bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189. Get registered by August 15^th, so you can receive your materials in time for the first class. These classes are not just for laity, clergy are always welcome and encouraged to attend so that they, too can be better leaders in their congregations. 

Being the Church

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

19 July 2012

At General Convention 2012, which just concluded, the delegates adopted a large number of resolutions.  Some are controversial.  Whether or not you agree with particular actions taken at General Convention is of secondary importance.  How can this be?  It is because of a simple reality:  General Convention (GC) is not The Episcopal Church (TEC), and TEC is not the kingdom of God.  GC delegates vote their own consciences.  They are not representatives.  Their beliefs may well be those of many in TEC, but whatever policy statements they agree upon, these policies become the doctrine and discipline of TEC only by virtue of adoption locally, or by virtue of an actual change in the Constitution and Canons, or the prayer book, of the Church.

The actions taken at GC sometimes do changes canons, as in the 2009 change to the disciplinary canons for clergy.  GC 2012 has proposed structural changes in the Church, and a task force has been appointed to study options and to make recommendations to the next GC in 2015, but absent changes to the constitution and canons to effect a change in structure, the force of any recommendation is of no more consequence than the many, many statements issued in the past century and a half by political parties and the U.S. Congress itself that the Electoral College system of electing the president should be changed.

So much for constitutional or canonical change.  What about adoption?  Consider one example.  Three years ago, GC 2009 adopted a resolution which stated that the Church should urge the government of the United States to agree to the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions.  Did TEC parishes and dioceses in fact do this?  Some may have; most did not.  Again, the point is not whether American government policy on the environment is a good one.  The point is how policy is adopted and implemented, and the simple fact is that the vast majority of actions taken at GC remain no more than statements of the sense of the delegates at GC, and have no effect on the identity of local congregations.

There is a final and more fundamental point to be made about adoption, and it relates to the fact that TEC is not the kingdom of God.  Nothing in any statement of policy–or even in any canonical or constitutional change–changes who you are called to be in Jesus Christ.  When we focus on who we are called to be in Jesus Christ, how we are called to live in the Holy Spirit, what we are called to do in new life together, then we are members of the household of God, whose true citizenship is in heaven.  When we focus on this reality our differences become a source of strength, for we can both learn from and support each other as we together seek to follow our Lord.  Remember who “the Church” is.  You are.

Rector’s Forum:  The forum previously scheduled for 22 July is being rescheduled to Sunday, 12 August, at 9 a.m.  This will allow us to benefit from information received at the diocesan forum to be held at All Saints’, Appleton on Saturday, 11 August, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The forum on 12 August will not be a discussion of issues at large in the Church.  It will focus on what we are called to, who we are called to be, and how nothing in this is changed by actions in the Church around us.

Being the Body:  Please thank Pat Sather and Ed Clabots for cleaning the old sacristy.  Please thank Pat Ford Smith for her help in the office.

Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge and bible study will resume this week.  The Bible Challenge meets on Tuesdays, following the 5:30 p.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, and a light supper (pot luck).  The 24 July session will review Week 21.  Bible study for the Sunday lessons takes place on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist.

All Saints’, Elkhart Lake:  Throughout the Summer, please be intentional about two things (whether or not you attend All Saints’):  (1)  Pray for this ministry, and for those who serve in it, that they may serve our Lord by bringing more to know, love, and serve Him; (2) Engage in mission yourself.  You may know or meet people who you can ask to join you in worship, and All Saints’ can serve as a less formal setting that is more user-friendly in outreach.  Invite seekers to worship with you.

Music this week:

Prelude                        Partita on the chorale ‘What God decrees is always good’    Pachelbel

Entrance Hymn 1        “Father, we praise thee”                                 

Offertory Hymn 690   “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah”

Comm. Hymn 343      “Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless”

Closing Hymn 524      “I love thy kingdom, Lord”

Postlude                      Toccata in F                                                                            Pachelbel

Parish Notices

§  Sunday School Meeting: is scheduled Monday, July 23^rd at 6:30pm for everyone who has children or is interested in making Jesus known to our youngest members is encouraged to attend. This will be a time for gathering information and questions answered. You will not be hounded into teaching if you attend.

§  Youth participation is requested: As full members of the Body of Christ the youth of the parish are encouraged to participate in all areas of parish life. This includes: being a lector-reading the lessons, bringing up the gifts, both in the Holy Roller (the red wagon) and collecting the offering. A musical offering will be made by the youth on September 23^rd. Please contact Deacon Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com or Nick Whitford at njwhitford@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.

§  The Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall: As part of a five-part series of sermons and events commemorating the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, Nashotah House Theological Seminary is pleased to welcome the Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall as the second preacher in the series. Bishop Marshall will preach Thursday, 26 July 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in the historic Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin at Nashotah House. All events are open to the public, free of charge and include displays of original manuscripts of the Book of Common Prayer (1549, 1559 and 1662) and other historic Anglican texts from the Walter S. Underwood Prayer Book Collection, the centerpiece of the Frances Donaldson Library’s rare manuscript collection. There will be a van arranged for transportation. If you are interested in going please contact the office at 452-9659.

§  Second Annual Rummage Sale: Blessed Trinity Parish 319 Giddings Avenue Sheboygan Falls, is having a rummage sale Saturday, August 4, 2012  from 8am – 2pm in the Church Hall (in Basement) Items:  Household items, toys, children’s clothes and small appliances. Food will be available as part of the sale.  If you have any questions, please contact our Rummage Sale Chairperson: Nancy Bouche (467-4046).

§  The Commemoration of Blessed Charles Chapman Grafton is observed as a Feast Day of the Diocese of Fond du Lac at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. It is included in "Holy Men, Holy Women" by the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. The Feast Day is August 30th, although the Commemoration liturgy may be translated to another day. The 2012 Commemoration will take place Saturday, August 25th at the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle, Fond du Lac. For more information and to register go to diofdl.org/grafton. 

o   2:00pm―Lecture on Bishop Grafton. Our scheduled speaker is Mr. Richard J. Mammana, Jr., of New Haven, Connecticut, Founder and Director of Project Canterbury, tentatively speaking on the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.

o   3:30pm―Evening Prayer.

o   4:00pm―Solemn Pontifical Mass followed by a “Blessing of Pilgrims”.

o   5:00pm―An “Old Fashioned Garden Party” in the Cathedral Close.  Grafton came from a culture of Victorian Garden parties, which would have consisted of tea and coffee, bread and butter, biscuits, cake, sandwiches, fruit, lemonade, and ice cream. Perhaps even a harpist.

§  Register Now for EfM: Two classes are again forming this fall for EfM or Education for Ministry. Through the study of scripture, each individual is encouraged to learn more about who they are so they have a closer vision of what God desires for their lives. Each group gets to know each other, worships together and help each other discern God’s will for their lives and their ministries.  It takes time and commitment to change ourselves and consequently our communities, but the rewards are great! Classes start on Tuesday, September 4, 9am at St. Paul’s in Plymouth, and at 6:00 pm. place to be determined.  Cost is $350 for this college level class which starts the first year studying the Old Testament. Scholarships are available and clergy have been generous with their discretionary funds, if assistance is needed. Contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman for registration materials at bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189. Get registered by August 15^th, so you can receive your materials in time for the first class. These classes are not just for laity, clergy are always welcome and encouraged to attend so that they, too can be better leaders in their congregations. 

§  Jesus was a carpenter; you can be too! Do God’s work this summer. We need your help in building a new home and a new life for a wonderful family in Plymouth! We will be building every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and there are many jobs to choose from, including: General Volunteers, Crew Leaders, Lunch Hosts, Fundraisers, and much more! “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” Please contact Amanda Stopar for more information: buildhopelakeside@gmail.com or (920) 458-3399. For information about volunteering or making a donation of a meal to the upcoming builds, visit Habitat for Humanity Lakeside’s website at http://www.habitatlakeside.org/ or call our office at (920) 458-3399. I am praying we can all connect together to do something wonderful for our community. 

Form-of-Address

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

12 July 2012

Pronouns matter.  Jesus in general addresses the people as “you” (plural), rather than speaking to us each only as an individual.  He invites us to address God using the informal form-of-address (“thou” in English).  How we address God, and how we understand Him to be addressing us informs us of our relationship with Him.  For example, in the Anthony Burgess novel The Wanting Seed, “God” is a figure of fun in the popular culture, referred to as “Mr. Livedog”.  Needless to say, the culture and world portrayed by Burgess (who is more famous for A Clockwork Orange) are highly dystopian.

So, how do you address God?  Do you call Him “God” or “Father” or “Jesus”.  Do you say “Come, Holy Spirit” in inviting God into your life?  Do you avoid using a pronoun like “Him” and say “God”?  Each form-of-address tells us something about our relationship with God, just as each of us can recognize that if I call someone “Sir”–as opposed to speaking to him only with reference to a verb (as in “Excuse me, is this register open?”)–I am saying something about my relationship with the person.

Jesus invites us to call God “Father,” which is why it is conventional to use the personal pronoun “He” in reference to God.  This pronoun is also used because Jesus was a man.  He had a real body.  He did not just appear to be a human being (as claimed in the ancient heresy of Docetism, from the Greek verb meaning “to seem or appear”).  The Holy Spirit is not referred to using any gender, except grammatical gender.  At Gen. 1.2, the Spirit is referred to using a female pronoun.  When Jesus refers to the Spirit (e.g., at Jn. 14.16-17) He uses a neuter pronoun (“it”), but remember we are dealing with grammar.  In English we call a ship “she;” in Spanish “he”.  The ship is neither.

So what about God?  It is not helpful to confuse God–the source and summation of all Being, all Beauty, all Good, all Truth, and all Love–with gender, because gender is a subcategory (i.e., a limitation) and God is without limits.  Where pronouns matter relates to how they express relationship, i.e., in possesive pronouns.  Throughout Scripture God refers to His people as His own or “My own”.  Jesus refers to us as His children.  God speaks to us and tells us that we are in intimate relationship with Him as a Person.  We must do no less, so whether we address God as “God” or “Father,” as long as we are addressing Him as One who is intimately involved in our lives we’ll not engage in the errors of thinking of God in impersonal terms.  God is not a life force (let alone “The Force”!)  He is One God in thee Persons.  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not “modes of action,” but Persons who know us, and who call us to know each of them in One God.

Focus on relationship.  Address God.  Address Him often, as someone who is with you always.  And every time you address God, listen.

Rector’s Forum:  General Convention ends today.  Actions taken include significant changes in Church governance structure and budget, the approval of a rite for the blessing of unions between same sex couples (at a diocesan option level), and lectionary changes, and the rejection of other proposed changes.  A “de-brief” by the Standing Committee will be offered in an open forum to be held on Satuday (10 a.m. to noon), 11 August, at All Saints’, Appleton.  Here at Grace a Rector’s Forum to discuss developments will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, 22 July.  This forum will include distribution of a written summary for those who cannot attend.

In considering the implications of actions taken at General Convention, and in dealing with reactions in others to news reports of these actions, please keep one question paramount:  What has changed in my faith?  The answer is easy:  Nothing.  Just as nothing can “... separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8.39), nothing can change the faith of anyone of us except our own will, and if we continue to will to love God, and to practice our faith together, our faith remains that once-delivered by the apostles.

Please come on 22 July prepared for discussion, but ready particularly to listen.

Prayer for General Convention (3 to 12 July, Indianapolis, IN):  Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church.  Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  (BCP 818)

Being the Body:  Please thank Polly Schmeiser for her work on lawn care, and Ben Dobey for his ongoing care of the cutting garden.  Please thank Elizabeth Schaffenburg for preparing meals for the stewardship meeting on 2 July and the parish planning meeting on 11 July.

Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge and bible study will resume this week.  The Bible Challenge meets on Tuesdays, following the 5:30 p.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, and a light supper (pot luck).  The 17 July session will review Week 20.  Bible study for the Sunday lessons takes place on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist.

All Saints’, Elkhart Lake:  Throughout the Summer, please be intentional about two things (whether or not you attend All Saints’):  (1)  Pray for this ministry, and for those who serve in it, that they may serve our Lord by bringing more to know, love, and serve Him; (2) Engage in mission yourself.  You may know or meet people who you can ask to join you in worship, and All Saints’ can serve as a less formal setting that is more user-friendly in outreach.  Invite seekers to worship with you.

Music this week:

Prelude                                    Two Slow Airs                                                             Howells

Entrance Hymn 686                “Come, thou fount of every blessing”

Offertory Hymn 528               “Lord, you give the great commission”

Communion Hymn 419          “Lord of all being, throned afar”

Closing Hyumn 539                “O Zion, haste”

Postlude                                  Carillon                                                                       Murrill

                                   

Parish Notices

§  Sunday School/Youth curricula:  Attendance at the 9 July planning meeting was disappointing.  Your input is needed as a parent or student.  Please explore questions, or expression concerns or suggestions to Dcn. Michele a.s.a.p., in order that the Fall curricula can be defined for publication in August.

§  Vestry:  Vestry meets this Sunday at 11:45 a.m.  The agenda is full, so please plan on a longer-than-normal meeting.  Vestry elections will be held this Fall.  If you are interested in standing for election, please explore this option with Fr. Karl.

§  Vacation Bible School: St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2104 Geele Avenue, is hosting Slash in God’s World VBS July 15^th -18^th beginning with gathering at 5:45 and program from 6:00-8:00pm. It is for ages 3 years old through 5^th grade with opportunity for older children and adults to help. There is no cost for VBS. Please bring a Bible, in case there is a need there will be Bibles available for purchase. There are registration sheets on the table in the Narthex.

§  The Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall: As part of a five-part series of sermons and events commemorating the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, Nashotah House Theological Seminary is pleased to welcome the Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall as the second preacher in the series. Bishop Marshall will preach Thursday, 26 July 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in the historic Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin at Nashotah House. All events are open to the public, free of charge and include displays of original manuscripts of the Book of Common Prayer (1549, 1559 and 1662) and other historic Anglican texts from the Walter S. Underwood Prayer Book Collection, the centerpiece of the Frances Donaldson Library’s rare manuscript collection. There will be a van arranged for transportation. If you are interested in going please contact the office at 452-9659.

§  The Commemoration of Blessed Charles Chapman Grafton is observed as a Feast Day of the Diocese of Fond du Lac at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. It is included in "Holy Men, Holy Women" by the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. The Feast Day is August 30th, although the Commemoration liturgy may be translated to another day. The 2012 Commemoration will take place Saturday, August 25th at the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle, Fond du Lac. For more information and to register go to diofdl.org/grafton. 

• 2:00pm ~ Lecture on Bishop Grafton. Our scheduled speaker is Mr. Richard J. Mammana, Jr., of New Haven, Connecticut, Founder and Director of Project Canterbury, tentatively speaking on the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.
• 3:30pm ~ Evening Prayer.
• 4:00pm ~ Solemn Pontifical Mass followed by a “Blessing of Pilgrims”.
• 5:00pm ~ An “Old Fashioned Garden Party” in the Cathedral Close. Grafton came from a culture of Victorian Garden parties, which would have consisted of tea and coffee, bread and butter, biscuits, cake, sandwiches, fruit, lemonade, and ice cream. Perhaps even a harpist.

§  Register Now for EfM: Two classes are again forming this fall for EfM or Education for Ministry. Through the study of scripture, each individual is encouraged to learn more about who they are so they have a closer vision of what God desires for their lives. Each group gets to know each other, worships together and help each other discern God’s will for their lives and their ministries.  It takes time and commitment to change ourselves and consequently our communities, but the rewards are great! Classes start on Tuesday, September 4, 9am at St. Paul’s in Plymouth, and at 6:00 pm. place to be determined.  Cost is $350 for this college level class which starts the first year studying the Old Testament. Scholarships are available and clergy have been generous with their discretionary funds, if assistance is needed. Contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman for registration materials at bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189. Get registered by August 15^th, so you can receive your materials in time for the first class. These classes are not just for laity, clergy are always welcome and encouraged to attend so that they, too can be better leaders in their congregations. 

§  Jesus was a carpenter; you can be too! Do God’s work this summer. We need your help in building a new home and a new life for a wonderful family in Plymouth! We will be building every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and there are many jobs to choose from, including: General Volunteers, Crew Leaders, Lunch Hosts, Fundraisers, and much more! “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” Please contact Amanda Stopar for more information: buildhopelakeside@gmail.com or (920) 458-3399. For information about volunteering or making a donation of a meal to the upcoming builds, visit Habitat for Humanity Lakeside’s website at http://www.habitatlakeside.org/ or call our office at (920) 458-3399. I am praying we can all connect together to do something wonderful for our community. 

Let Freedom Ring

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

5 July 2012

Let freedom ring.  This we proclaim, and this we celebrated yesterday, on Independence Day.  But when we speak of freedom, of what, exactly, are we speaking?

Freedom has itself evolved as a concept.  Classically, true freedom was understood as something inseparable from one’s nature.  To be truly free was to be at liberty to realize one’s proper “essence”.  For Plato or Aristotle, or for Christian thinkers like Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine, Maximus the Confessor, John of Damascus, or Thomas Aquinas, true human freedom is emancipation from whatever constrains us from living the life of rational virtue, or from experiencing the full fruition of our nature; and among the things that constrain us are our own untutored passions, our willful surrender to momentary impulses, our own foolish or wicked choices.

We are free when we achieve the end toward which our inmost nature is oriented, and whatever separates us from this end (even if it comes from our own wills) is a form of bondage.  In other words, freedom involves not just choice but choosing well, and to choose well requires that our choices be made with reference to some standard outside our own wills.

In our culture, today, freedom is defined as the unfettered exercise of the will, without reference to the end toward which the will acts and without reference to a standard external to the will.  (The “standard” is that the will is exercised.)  The net effect of this is to define a person merely in terms of his ability to act, not in terms of his essence as a being and not in terms of how his being relates to other beings in creation, and to creation itself.  The culture has succeeded, therefore, in regressing to a worldview in which the definition of a person is functional as opposed to ontological.  (Ontology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, essence, and reality.)  A finite thing’s (in this case a human’s) essence (what he is) entirely fails to account for its existence (that she is), and however we measure and define what humans do  this does not account for what humans are within creation.  If there is anything to existence beyond physicality, then certain boundaries exist to how humans are defined, how personhood is defined.  On the other hand, if the materialist view of reality is correct, than the exercise of the will is its own measure, and we are free to define others as no more than objects for the exercise of power.

To argue that “freedom” equates with unfettered choice is to oversimplify and cheapen freedom.  For example, you may have a musical gift, but unless you practice, and practice, and practice for years, this gift will not lead to a career as a performer.  In order to realize this gift you must limit your freedom.  There will be other things that you cannot do.  Perhaps the best example that freedom involves choosing well is love.  Love is the most liberating loss of freedom of all.  You have to lose liberty in order to gain greater intimacy.  To experience the joy and freedom of love, you must give up personal autonomy (Gen. 2.24; Mtt. 19.5).  Far from being liberating true atheism is enslaving.

Let freedom ring, indeed.  As our Lord teaches, “If you continue in my word ... you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Jn. 8.31-32).

Prayer for General Convention (3 to 12 July, Indianapolis, IN):  Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church.  Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  (BCP 818)

Being the Body:  Please thank Jeremy and Emily Williams for generously providing for the restoration of the lych gate on the north end of the cutting garden.  Please also thank Dcn. Michele for her extra work while Fr. Karl was on vacation.

Please take the opportunity to notify the office of any member or friend of the parish to whom we owe thanks, in order that we can publicize this in the weekly newsletter.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge and bible study will resume this week.  The Bible Challenge meets on Tuesdays, following the 5:30 p.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist, and a light supper (pot luck).  The 10 July session will review Week 19.  Bible study for the Sunday lessons takes place on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist.

All Saints’, Elkhart Lake:  Throughout the Summer, please be intentional about two things (whether or not you attend All Saints’):  (1)  Pray for this ministry, and for those who serve in it, that they may serve our Lord by bringing more to know, love, and serve Him; (2) Engage in mission yourself.  You may know or meet people who you can ask to join you in worship, and All Saints’ can serve as a less formal setting that is more user-friendly in outreach.  Invite seekers to worship with you.

Music this week:

Prelude                        Chorale Preludes on “Rockingham”               N. Gilbert and H. Parry

Entrance Hymn  372   “Praise to the living God”                              Leoni

Offertory Hymn 544   “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun”               Duke Street

Comm. Hymn 321      “My God, thy table now is spread”                Rockingham

Closing Hymn 637      “How firm a foundation”                               Lyons

Postlude                      Prelude and Fugue in G Major                       Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow

                                               

Parish Notices

§  Women’s Bible Study: will begin this Wednesday, July 11^th and run for 6 weeks. The class will meet at Grace Church on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 until 8:00pm. The class will study Beth Moore’s “Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Assent” a study of Psalms 120 through 134. This is an educational journey tying the Old Testament to the New by relating events of prophetic fulfillment from Jesus’ life with the ancient pilgrims. Two days worth of study is spent on each Psalm, offering a decent and rich overview. The video teaching is by Beth Moore delivering truth that can change lives and accompany the written material beautifully. This is an excellent study to be experienced each day through personal study and through participation in the group discussion each Wednesday evening. Please call the office at 452-9659 to register.

§  Vacation Bible School: St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2104 Geele Avenue, is hosting Slash in God’s World VBS July 15^th -18^th beginning with gathering at 5:45 and program from 6:00-8:00pm. It is for ages 3 years old through 5^th grade with opportunity for older children and adults to help. There is no cost for VBS. Please bring a Bible, in case there is a need there will be Bibles available for purchase. There are registration sheets on the table in the Narthex.

§  The Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall: As part of a five-part series of sermons and events commemorating the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, Nashotah House Theological Seminary is pleased to welcome the Right Reverend Michael Eric Marshall as the second preacher in the series. Bishop Marshall will preach Thursday, 26 July 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in the historic Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin at Nashotah House. All events are open to the public, free of charge and include displays of original manuscripts of the Book of Common Prayer (1549, 1559 and 1662) and other historic Anglican texts from the Walter S. Underwood Prayer Book Collection, the centerpiece of the Frances Donaldson Library’s rare manuscript collection. There will be a van arranged for transportation. If you are interested in going please contact the office at 452-9659.

§  Register Now for EfM: Two classes are again forming this fall for EfM or Education for Ministry. Through the study of scripture, each individual is encouraged to learn more about who they are so they have a closer vision of what God desires for their lives. Each group gets to know each other, worships together and help each other discern God’s will for their lives and their ministries.  It takes time and commitment to change ourselves and consequently our communities, but the rewards are great! Classes start on Tuesday, September 4, 9am at St. Paul’s in Plymouth, and at 6:00 pm. place to be determined.  Cost is $350 for this college level class which starts the first year studying the Old Testament. Scholarships are available and clergy have been generous with their discretionary funds, if assistance is needed. Contact Barb Drewry-Zimmerman for registration materials at bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189. Get registered by August 15^th, so you can receive your materials in time for the first class. These classes are not just for laity, clergy are always welcome and encouraged to attend so that they, too can be better leaders in their congregations.