Answering a Call

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

27 September 2012

This coming Sunday, 30 September, is our parish annual meeting.  We will elect wardens, vestry members, and delegates to diocesan council.  We will enjoy fellowship together, in a pot luck meal.  We will review the state of the parish, both from a committee report perspective, and from the perspective of how I, as rector, perceive the health of the parish.  We will discuss the stewardship process and what our budgetary concerns are, but we will not discuss a proposed budget.  Why?  It is because we must move into a new understanding of what it means to be the Church, and discussing the budget up front sends the message “This is how much money we need to be the Church.”

In stewardship the question must not be “What can you do for the Church?”  Stewardship must be focused on the true wonder in the fact that God counts each one of us worthy to do His work, and calls each one of us to do His work.  So the question is not, “What can you do for the Church?” but “What is God calling you to do?  How are we going to do this together?”

We know from Scripture that “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have life everlasting” (Jn. 3.16), but this wondrous truth does not address the question of why there is the sacred mystery we know as the Church.  The truth is that the Church exists for one reason, and for one reason only:  To be a blessing to the world, to be a vehicle by which God’s grace flows into the world.  God calls us to do His work.  He calls us to worship Him—and we recognize that all worship is praise, and all praise of God involves thanksgiving—but God calls us together to focus us outward.  He points us toward the world.  His will is the salvation of the world, and He calls each one of us to work to effect His will. 

It’s really very simple.  When we do what is pleasing to God, He will bless us.  Whatever we need to be the Church, to incarnate God’s love, God will provide through the people whom He has called to serve Him.  So at our annual meeting we will discuss what God is calling us to do—how we are called to be the Church and to embody God’s will—and only after we are clear on mission will we consider how to do it, including the details on what resources are needed in accompishing the mission of the Church.

Just as the Church is blessed in doing God’s will, so are you.  Each one of us must discern what God is calling us to do, knowing that when we do God’s will this is pleasing to God and He will bless us.  So ask yourself, what is God asking me to do?  This will involve a specific ministry in the Church.  The ministry may be less visible, such as one of intercessory prayer for others, or it may be more public, such as serving in a parish office, singing in the choir, working with youth, etc.  In addition to the ministry in which you will participate individually, we are each called to work together as the Body of our Lord in this place, and one of the ways we work together is in how we offer of ourselves.  God blesses each one of us with resources, and we must each decide what portion of our resources we will dedicate to God’s work.  Will I respond to God’s call to do His work by saying that I will dedicate 1% of my resources or 10%?  Such decisions are personal, but they represent a response to call—they represent the reality that we each have a relationship with God and a relationship with each other in doing God’s work together.

Come to the meeting prepared to ask questions, prepared to listen, prepared to be with each other as God’s Body gathered in this place.  Come to the meeting knowing that we have work to do.  We are engaged in mission.  We are in common call and common purpose, blessed in knowing that the One who calls us is the One who is with us to guide us, to comfort us, and to bless us.

Security alert!  Two northside churches were burglarized within the past two weeks.  This follows an earlier burglary of a church, and so it is possible that a person or persons are targeting churches.  Please keep this in mind in securing the parish.  Double check, and don’t assume that somebody else has locked the door!

Pictorial Directory Update:  We are on schedule to complete our last photography day on Monday, October 1st.  The session is completely filled.  Please be sure to arrive 5 minutes early for your appointment and to bring canned goods for the Holy Roller Wagon.  If you have already had your photograph taken and forgot the canned goods you can still bring them to church.  Thank you.

Grace Abounds:  Please thank Jack Britton for cleaning the statues on the rood screen and reredos.  Saints without dust and cobwebs shine forth!  Please thank Mary Clabots for organizing the Chez Grace parish dinners.  Please thank Elizabeth Schaffenburg for weeding the cutting garden.  Please thank all who helped check in parishioners for the pictorial directory photo sessions, including Pat Ford-Smith, Joan Horne, Deb Gagin, Jane Hanson, and Barb MacEwen.

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 is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 2 October, following the 5:30 p.m. Mass an 6 o’clock pot-luck.  Readings will be for week 31.    Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.

The number of people following The Bible Challenge on-line is gratifying, and weekly summaries will continue to be posted.  However, attendance at the Tuesday evening sessions has been problematical.  Therefore, if you plan to attend you must alert the office by Tuesday, noon.  If you do not notify the office of planned attendance, the evening session will be cancelled.

Music this week:

Delpha MacAloon, guest organist

Prelude                                    Variations on Song of Praise                          Searle Wright

Entrance Hymn 408                “Sing praise to God, who reigns above”         Mit Freuden zart

Offertory Hymn 609               “Where cross the crowded ways of life”        Gardiner

Communion Hymn 336          ”Come with us, O blessed Jesus”                   Werde munter

Closing Hymn 473                  “Lift high the cross”                                       Crucifer

Postlude                                  Fanfare                                                           William Mathias

Parish Notices

• Notice of Parish Annual Meeting: Our Annual meeting will be September 30, 2012. We will begin with Low Mass with hymns at 9:00am followed by the meeting in the church at 10:15. We will conclude the morning with an all parish potluck at 11:45. If you are in charge of anything, please write a short report to be included in the Annual Report and send it to the office. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex. We will also need a team of people to clean up. Please mark your calendars now.

• Coffee Hour Hosts for 2013:  Last Call for Coffee Hour 2013 Host sign-ups!  The binder on the table in the narthex contains a sign-up for 2013 Coffee Hour dates.  Please sign up by Sunday, October 7.  After 10/7, Katy Prange will be compiling a schedule for 2013 and will be calling potential hosts to fill in the gaps.  A final schedule for 2013 will be distributed in November. For questions or thoughts, contact Katy Prange - 920-889-1252, katyprange@gmail.com.

• Pictorial Directory Update: We are on schedule to complete our last photography day on Monday, October 1st.  The session is completely filled.  Please be sure to arrive 5 minutes early for your appointment and to bring canned goods for the Holy Roller Wagon.  If you have already had your photograph taken and forgot the canned goods you can still bring them to church.  Thank you.

• Walsingham Pilgrimage: This is the 61^st Annual Pilgrimage to the American Proto-Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. On Friday, October 12^th there will be a Quiet Day with meditations at 12:00 and 3:00pm concluding with Solemn Evensong at 6:00pm. The Rev. Arnold W. Klukas will lead the meditations. On Saturday, October 13^th The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus will celebrate at the Procession and Solemn Pontifical Mass at 10:30am. The Rt. Rev. Lindsay G. Urwin, OGS will preach. Bishop Urwin is the, Administrator of the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Walsingham, England. If you can help with the cost of the Pilgrimage by donating for music and for flowers please make you check out to Grace Church with “Pilgrimage music and flowers” in the memo. Thank you so much.
• Coats for Kids: is a community service campaign. Area residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages, with the need being greatest for children’s coats. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan county residents who would otherwise go without. Drop off location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan. September 4 –October 24 Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm. Distribution Location: Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan. Friday, October 26, from 9:00am–1:00pm and Thursday, November 1 from 2:00–6:00pm.

• Friends of the Poor Walk: Save the Date September 29, 2012 for the 5th Annual “Friends of the Poor Walk " sponsored by Sheboygan County St. Vincent de Paul. The 2-mile walk takes place at Sheboygan South High School and begins at 10:00. This year we are focusing on "Caring4Kids". Help us make sure that every child in the area has a good bed, warm clothing and the necessities for a great start in life. Support the walk by either participating in the walk, and/or getting pledges. For more details contact Dennis 920-457-4844 ext. 11.

• Nourish 4th Annual Harvest Celebration & Fundraiser: Sheboygan, WI...Nourish a program of SCIO will be holding its Harvest Celebration & Fundraiser Saturday, October 6th from 6pm - 9pm. Nourish is a two prong educational program through demonstration & execution that serves the community's fundamental need for healthy food by linking local farmers with individuals/children/families via experiences that change behaviors. This year's event will again feature locally inspired appetizers & desserts prepared by LTC Lakeshore Culinary Institutes student chefs and staff.  Live music by Jenny Thiel, wine, beer, and live and silent auction. Nourish Harvest Celebration will be held at the NEW LTC Lakeshore Culinary Institute, 712 Riverfront Drive Sheboygan, formally Riverside City Streets. Tickets for the event will be available at the door or prior for $20 or reserved tables of 8 for $250. Contact Kelly at 457-7272 x 14 or scio@excel.net.

• FREE Movie Night: All are invited to a “FREE Movie Night”, to see the movie “Courageous”! It will be shown on big screens at First Christian Reformed Church 428 Geele Avenue – Sheboygan. You have two opportunities to view it: Sunday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m. and/or Saturday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. ALL –children, youth, adults –are invited and encouraged to see this motivating movie! It is rated PG-13, so if parents prefer, there will be activities for children age 12 and under, and a supervised nursery for infants and toddlers.

Stuff Happens?

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

20 September 2012

It’s just coincidence.  How often we hear this.  For example, “it’s just coincidence” between the fact that back in July we decided to designate the 23^rd of September as the first of a regular series of children’s Sundays, and the fact that the gospel lesson for that day includes Mk. 9.37, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."  Perhaps we may remember the words of William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury (d. 1944), “When I pray to God ‘coincidences’ happen; when I do not, they don’t.”

It is one thing to believe that there are no coincidences, and to believe that all happenings are predestined.  This is not a Christian view.  For example, our Lord does not foreordain evil.  Evil results from human choices, but once evil occurs God remains present in order to bring about His will for good, and all humans have the freedom to choose to do God’s will.  It is another thing to believe that there are no coincidences on the basis of a morbid self-centeredness, as voiced by James Bond in one of Ian Fleming’s novels, “Twice is coincidence.  Three times is enemy action.”  (In Bond’s case, he was right.)  But what about what to all appearances is coincidence?  What about those times when a “random” event (like selecting a date for a celebration) just happens to coincide with some other action or message in a way that we can either dismiss as “coincidence” or accept as having a special signficance?

This question brings us to Jesus’ words about welcoming “one such child”.  Our Lord enjoins elsewhere that we are receive the kingdom of heaven as a child (Mtt. 18.3-5).  In other words, we are to humble ourselves; we are to be open to the reality that we are not just going to “figure out” what God’s will is, but must receive His will, accepting that there is One greater than we who will lead.  When we try to figure things out, what we can’t explain we dismiss, such as when we call something a “coincidence” when it may, in fact, be God speaking to us.

How many times has it happened to you that while you were bearing a burden or pondering a problem, you found that somebody else just raised the topic, or that the lessons in a service of worship spoke about the topic, or that the sermon did?  When we are open to the reality that God does speak to us, that He does answer our prayers, that He expresses His will for each of us, then in this opening we can start to listen.  In listening we can start to internalize message.  In internalizing message we can start to act, and to live out God’s will.  In living out God’s will we can find blessing, and then, “coincidentally,” we find that the kingdom we have prayerd to come is come.  Lotteries are random.  God’s will is not.

Chez Grace:  A series of parish dinners for 8 to 10 people at a time is being organzied, with dinners hosted by leaders of various ministries in the parish.  These will serve as opportunities for us all to get to know each other better, in order that we may better serve God as a parish of His Church.

Please sign up now!  Sign-up sheets can be found in the parish narthex.

Parish Library:  Our parish library needs help.  The collection is more extensive than that found in many congregations.  (How many of you knew that we have the collected works of Bl. Charles Chapman Grafton, our local saint?)  There is some overlap, and some culling needed, complicated by recent donations.

If you are willing to work on cataloguing and arrangement, please contact the parish office.  Ideally, if we have two or three people, we can complete the project quickly.

Grounds and Garden Care:  For many years this parish has relied on the good offices of Wes and Barbara Jung in caring for the grounds and garden.  Barbara–may she rest in peace–now tends another garden, and Wes has moved to Massachusetts to be with his son.  We need to form a Grounds Committee.  In order to jump start the process, we recently hired a professional landscaping company to provide a major trim on ornamental plants.  But now we need to maintain the plants.  We need people who know plants, and can work on a rotating schedule to keep the grounds and gardens in order.  Please pray about how you are called to serve, and contact Ed Clabots, junior warden, to explore interest.

Pictorial Directory:  The pictorial directory photographic sessions are scheduled for 21 and 22 Septembe, plus 1 October.  Please remember to double check your appointment.  You will get a $10 credit toward any photos you wish to order.  (You do not need to order any photos.)  If you bring canned goods for the Holy Roller (food pantry collection) you will receive another $5 off credit!  Only 3 openings remain.  Call Barb MacEwen a.s.a.p. if you haven't already booked an appointment. 

Grace Abounds:  Please thank the members of Grace who stayed after the Being the Body session this past Saturday, to help clean up.  Helpers included Martha Shad, Elizabeth Schaffenburg, Bev Evans, Bobbi and Kaleigh Kraft, Bob and Barb MacEwen, Bill and Debbie Gagin, Scott Lubbers and Grace Zangara.

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 will meet on Tuesday, 25 September, following the 5:30 p.m. Mass an 6 o’clock pot-luck.  Readings will be for week 30.    Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.

Music this week:

Prelude                                    Cantabile                                                        Jongen

Entrance Hymn 365                “Come thou, almighty King”

Offertory Song                       “Sanctuary” (Sunday School children)

Communion Motet                  My eyes for beauty pine                                   Howells

Communion Hymn 655          “O Jesus, I have promised”

Closing Hymn 551                  “Rise up, ye saints of God”

Postlude                                  Prelude & Ricercar                                         Krieger

Parish Notices

• Pictorial Directory: Pictures start tomorrow! There are openings still available for Monday, October 1 for later in the afternoon and evening so please call Barb MacEwen (920.467.6909) to make your appointment now or go on line at the church website and book it yourself.  We want and need all of you to participate.  Thank you.

• Please Check your Entry: An “almost final” draft is located on the narthex table. If you have not checked your entry, please do so as soon as possible. We plan to have the new non-pictorial directory available at the annual meeting on September 30. This is different from the pictorial directory, which will be distributed sometime early in the new year. Thank you for helping keep our records up to date.

• Annual Meeting Reports: If you are in charge of anything, please write a short report to be included in the Annual Report and send it to the office office@gracesheboygan.com by Thursday September 20th. Thank you so much.

• Notice of Parish Annual Meeting: Our Annual meeting will be September 30, 2012. We will begin with Low Mass with hymns at 9:00am followed by the meeting in the church at 10:15. We will conclude the morning with an all parish potluck at 11:45. If you are in charge of anything, please write a short report to be included in the Annual Report and send it to the office. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex. We will also need a team of people to clean up. Please mark your calendars now.

• Call for Vestry Nominations: Vestry elections will be held on Sunday, 30 September, at the parish annual meeting. We need at least six nominees, with names provided to the parish office by 16 September. You can nominate another person or yourself. Be prepared in the election process to provide a brief biographical sketch which allows your fellow parishioners to better understand your relationship with God and His Church, and your call to lead. Vestry members are called to commitment, and are expected to attend twelve meetings throughout the year (once per month).

• Coffee Hour Hosts for 2013:  Last Call for Coffee Hour 2013 Host sign-ups!  The binder on the table in the narthex contains a sign-up for 2013 Coffee Hour dates.  Please sign up by Sunday, October 7.  After 10/7, Katy Prange will be compiling a schedule for 2013 and will be calling potential hosts to fill in the gaps.  A final schedule for 2013 will be distributed in November. For questions or thoughts, contact Katy Prange - 920-889-1252, katyprange@gmail.com.

• Walsingham Pilgrimage: This is the 61^st Annual Pilgrimage to the American Proto-Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. On Friday, October 12^th there will be a Quiet Day with meditations at 12:00 and 3:00pm concluding with Solemn Evensong at 6:00pm. The Rev. Arnold W. Klukas will lead the meditations. On Saturday, October 13^th The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus will celebrate at the Procession and Solemn Pontifical Mass at 10:30am. The Rt. Rev. Lindsay G. Urwin, OGS will preach. Bishop Urwin is the, Administrator of the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Walsingham, England. If you can help with the cost of the Pilgrimage by donating for music and for flowers please make you check out to Grace Church with “Pilgrimage music and flowers” in the memo. Thank you so much.

• Coats for Kids: is a community service campaign. Area residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages, with the need being greatest for children’s coats. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan county residents who would otherwise go without. Drop off location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan. September 4 –October 24 Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm. Distribution Location: Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan. Friday, October 26, from 9:00am–1:00pm and Thursday, November 1 from 2:00–6:00pm.

• Break the Language Barrier: He gives you flowers when what you really want is a hug. She spends time with you but what you really need is a home-cooked meal. The problem isn’t a lack of love, it’s your love language! Join us as we discover the five different ways that people express and receive love. Apply the right principles and soon you’ll know the joy of being able to express your love-and feel truly loved in return. Based on the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Registration is required for this free program. Join us at Great Marriages 612 Center Avenue, Sheboygan Saturday, October 13, 2012, 9:30am – noon Call GMSC at 920-783-3660 to register.

• Friends of the Poor Walk: Save the Date September 29, 2012 for the 5th Annual “Friends of the Poor Walk " sponsored by Sheboygan County St. Vincent de Paul. The 2-mile walk takes place at Sheboygan South High School and begins at 10:00. This year we are focusing on "Caring4Kids". Help us make sure that every child in the area has a good bed, warm clothing and the necessities for a great start in life. Support the walk by either participating in the walk, and/or getting pledges. For more details contact Dennis 920-457-4844 ext. 11. 

• Nourish 4th Annual Harvest Celebration & Fundraiser: Sheboygan, WI...Nourish a program of SCIO will be holding its Harvest Celebration & Fundraiser Saturday, October 6th from 6pm - 9pm.  Nourish is a two prong educational program through demonstration & execution that serves the community's fundamental need for healthy food by linking local farmers with individuals/children/families via experiences that change behaviors. This year's event will again feature locally inspired appetizers & desserts prepared by LTC Lakeshore Culinary Institutes student chefs and staff.  Live
  music by Jenny Thiel, wine, beer, and live and silent auction. Nourish Harvest Celebration will be held at the NEW LTC Lakeshore Culinary Institute, 712 Riverfront Drive Sheboygan, formally Riverside City Streets. Tickets for the event will be available at the door or prior for $20 or reserved tables of 8 for $250.   Contact Kelly at 457-7272 x 14 or scio@excel.net.

• FREE Movie Night: All are invited to a “FREE Movie Night”, to see the movie “Courageous”! It will be shown on big screens at First Christian Reformed Church 428 Geele Avenue – Sheboygan. You have two opportunities to view it: Sunday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m. and/or Saturday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. ALL –children, youth, adults –are invited and encouraged to see this motivating movie! It is rated PG-13, so if parents prefer, there will be activities for children age 12 and under, and a supervised nursery for infants and toddlers.

Deciding to Respond

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

13 September 2012

God is not calling us to go to church; He is calling us to be His Church, the hope of the world.  I do not know who wrote these words.  They were provided to me by Dcn. Michele in response to my request that members of the “Being the Body” team provide quotations that can be used as thematic links during the introduction to our discipleship program this coming Saturday.  The full program, Being the Body:  Beyond Church Membership, will run for eighteen months.  When the clergy who are driving the program, Fr. Karl, Dcn. Michele, Mthr. Marie Gray (St. Paul’s, Plymouth), and Fr. Samuel Nsengiyumva (St. Peter’s, Sheboygan Falls) met this past week to finalize launch details and program “shape,” the spirit of purpose and progress was palpable enough that we all realized the presence of the Holy Spirit.  This is what happens when we (all of us) are intentional in ministry.

All of us in ministry?  That’s right.  As stated in the prayer book Catechism, “The Church carries out its mission through the ministry of all of its members.”  Let’s consider a few measures.  Over the past four Sundays we have passed out bulletin inserts to allow you to indicate areas of interest for service.  We have received thirty-eight cards back.  Add to these the nine young people serving as acolytes, and the twelve people serving in the choir; then subtract out the duplicates.  When you do this calculation, you find that for a parish with a 2011 average Sunday attendance of 127, over 40% are active in ministry.  This not only belies the 80:20 rule of most organizations, it belies that accepted wisdom that “the same people are doing everything in the parish”.

How does this happen?  It happens, first and above all, because of the Holy Spirit prompting us to act, and people responding to this call.  But it also happens because we are intentional about listening to and responding to God.  As a case in point, look at what has happened and is happening in Sunday School and youth ministry.  Dcn. Michele has been instrumental in curriculum design and planning.  She is also working with the Parish Life Guild in to match calls to service with needs.  She can do this (i.e., live more into her calling as a deacon) because six members of the parish have at various times served a couple of hours on a rotating basis to handle administrative duties, and so allow Michele to dedicate time away from the front office.  To add to this, Nick Whitford is able to dedicate time to youth ministry because we have been intentional about adding resources to this area, and The Grace Walsingham Foundation has responded to our request for help.

Each of us can live into the ministry to which we are called—whether this is as a deacon, a youth minister or a minister some other area of serving God and His people—when we are intentional, when we decide to respond to God’s call.  He calls all the time.

What about if you are restricted in what you can do because of health reasons?  What about if you can’t generally come to church?  In this case, you can ask first how we can serve you (and let us know!), but in asking what you can do consider this option:  Take out your parish directory, and every day pray for five people on the list.  Whether you know their needs or not doesn’t matter.  Just lift them up before God, for He knows their needs.  By praying for every person in the parish on a regular basis you will serve God, and you will serve to build up His Body in this place.  Welcome to ministry!

Farewell to Fr. Ken & Grace Okkerse: This Sunday, September 16^th after the 10:15am service. We will be celebrating the ministry of Fr. Ken & Grace and sending them off to a new life with gratitude for all they have done here at Grace Church. They moved to Menasha on September 4^th to be closer to family. Please join in the celebration by signing up to bring sweets or savories for a Gala Reception and then stay to help clean up. There is a sign-up sheet on the Narthex table.

Chez Grace:  A series of parish dinners for 8 to 10 people at a time is being orgainzied, with dinners hosted by leaders of various ministries in the parish.  These will serve as opportunities for us all to get to know each other better, in order that we may better serve God as a parish of His Church.

Please sign up now!  Sign-up sheets can be found in the parish narthex.

Parish Library:  Our parish library needs help.  The collection is more extensive than that found in many congregations.  (How many of you knew that we have the collected works of Bl. Charles Chapman Grafton, our local saint?)  There is some overlap, and some culling needed, complicated by recent donations.

If you are willing to work on cataloguing and arrangement, please contact the parish office.  Ideally, if we have two or three people, we can complete the project quickly.

Grounds and Garden Care:  For many years this parish has relied on the good offices of Wes and Barbara Jung in caring for the grounds and garden.  Barbara–may she rest in peace–now tends another garden, and Wes has moved to Massachusetts to be with his son.  We need to form a Grounds Committee.  In order to jump start the process, we recently hired a professional landscaping company to provide a major trim on ornamental plants.  But now we need to maintain the plants.  We need people who know plants, and can work on a rotating schedule to keep the grounds and gardens in order.  Please pray about how you are called to serve, and contact Ed Clabots, junior warden, to explore interest.

Pictorial Directory:  The pictorial directory photographic sessions are scheduled for 21 and 22 September.  Please visit the parish website to schedule your appointment.  You will also receive an automated telephone call from the parish, which will provide details of how to schedule your appointment.

Grace Abounds:  Please thank all of the Sunday School teachers for their work in launching the new program.  In addition to the teachers (Nicci Beeck, Annette Fabiano, Pat Ford Smith, Brian Heck and Nick Whitford), the up-front design and planning work was spearheaded by Dcn. Michele Whitford and Katy Prange.

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.

Episcopal Youth Community:  Grace and Peace to you all. This past week in D-group we began our discussion about what does it mean to be a disciple.  We looked at the word “disciple”, at its definition, and what we could learn at-a-glance from the scriptures where Jesus calls His first followers. We also watched a video from the Nooma series called Dust, in which Pastor Rob Bell teaches us what it meant to be a Rabbi and a disciple in Jesus' day. Jesus called men who didn't “make the cut,” as it were.  When Jesus called these fishermen He called the anybodies, the not-good-enoughs, people who messed up (people like you and me) to be His followers, His disciples, the people who carry on His work. When He says, "Come, follow me" what He means is: “I believe you can do what I do.” This is good news. We can be like our Rabbi, Jesus, because He calls us, and He believes in us.

—Nick Whitford

 Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge will meet on Tuesday, 18 September, following the 5:30 p.m. Mass an 6 o’clock pot-luck.  Readings will be for week 29.    Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.

Being the Body:  Knowing, Being Doing:  This discipleship program (which will be offered in conjunction with St. Paul’s, Plymouth and St. Peter’s, Sheboygan Falls) begins on Saturday, 15 September, at 9 a.m., here at Grace.  Our first session will focus on a diagnosis of where we are in the Church now, and we will then build from there.  As a preview, consider that our first two speakers this Fall will be The Rev. Dr. Steven A. Peay, Academic Dean at Nashotah House, and Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., retired president of Gordon Conwell College, and a world-known author of more than 25 books on scripture.

Please sign-up at the parish office, so that we can have a reasonable headcount estimate for logistical planning.

Music this week:

Prelude                                    Saraband                                                         Bingham

Entrance Hymn 427                “When morning gilds the skies”                     Laudes Domini

Offertory Hymn 448               “O love, how deep, how broad, how high”    Deus tuorum militum

Communion Motet                  Ave Verum Corpus                                          W. A. Mozart

Communion Hymn 498          “Beneath the cross of Jesus”                           St. Christopher

Closing Hymn 477                  “All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine” Engelberg

Postlude                                 Fanfare; Galliard                                             H. Howells

Parish Notices

§  Pictorial Directory Update: We have had a very good response to date and Sept 21 and 22 are now fully booked. There are openings still available for Monday, October 1 for later in the afternoon and evening so please call Barb MacEwen (920.467.6909) to make your appointment now or go on line at the church website and book it yourself.  We want and need all of you to participate.  Thank you.

§  Please Check your Entry in the Parish Directory: An “almost final” draft is located on the narthex table. If you have not checked your entry, please do so as soon as possible. We plan to have the new non-pictorial directory available at the annual meeting on September 30. This is different from the pictorial directory, which will be distributed sometime early in the new year. Thank you for helping keep our records up to date.

§  Annual Meeting Reports: If you are in charge of anything, please write a short report to be included in the Annual Report and send it to the office office@gracesheboygan.com by Thursday September 20^th. Thank you so much.

§  Parish Annual Meeting: Our Annual meeting will be September 30, 2012. We will begin with Low Mass with hymns at 9:00am followed by the meeting in the church at 10:15. We will conclude the morning with an all parish potluck at 11:45. If you are in charge of anything, please write a short report to be included in the Annual Report and send it to the office. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex. We will also need a team of people to clean up. Please mark your calendars now.

§  Call for Vestry Nominations: Vestry elections will be held on Sunday, 30 September, at the parish annual meeting. We need at least six nominees, with names provided to the parish office by 16 September. You can nominate another person or yourself. To run for Vestry you must be a qualified elector of the parish, which means that: (1) You are regular in your attendance on worship;(2) You have received Holy Eucharist at least once in the prior year;(3) You are active in your support of the parish through a pledge or some other form of giving; and (4) Your are at least sixteen years of age. Vestry members are called to lead. Be prepared in the election process to provide a brief biographical sketch which allows your fellow parishioners to better understand your relationship with God and His Church, and your call to lead. Vestry members are called to commitment, and are expected to attend twelve meetings throughout the year (once per month).

§  Walsingham Pilgrimage: This is the 61^st Annual Pilgrimage to the American Proto-Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. On Friday, October 12^th there will be a Quiet Day with meditations at 12:00 and 3:00pm concluding with Solemn Evensong at 6:00pm. The Rev. Arnold W. Klukas will lead the meditations. On Saturday, October 13^th The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus will celebrate at the Procession and Solemn Pontifical Mass at 10:30am. The Rt. Rev. Lindsay G. Urwin, OGS will preach. Bishop Urwin is the, Administrator of the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Walsingham, England. If you can help with the cost of the Pilgrimage by donating for music and for flowers please make you check out to Grace Church with “Pilgrimage music and flowers” in the memo. Thank you so much.

§  Coats for Kids: is a community service campaign. Area residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages, with the need being greatest for children’s coats. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan county residents who would otherwise go without. Drop off location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan. September 4 –October 24 Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm. Distribution Location: Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan. Friday, October 26, from 9:00am–1:00pm and Thursday, November 1 from 2:00–6:00pm.

§  Break the Language Barrier: He gives you flowers when what you really want is a hug. She spends time with you but what you really need is a home-cooked meal. The problem isn’t a lack of love, it’s your love language! Join us as we discover the five different ways that people express and receive love. Apply the right principles and soon you’ll know the joy of being able to express your love-and feel truly loved in return.  Based on the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Registration is required for this free program. Join us at Great Marriages 612 Center Avenue, Sheboygan Saturday, October 13, 2012, 9:30am – noon Call GMSC at 920-783-3660 to register.

§  Songs of the Seasons Goes Broadway: You are invited to join us for “Let Us Entertain You: A Musical Revue” presented on Sunday, September 16, at 2:00, at First Congregational Church (310 Bluff Ave.) Special guests will be the cast from Sheboygan Theatre Company’s 4th of July musical revue and Jason Summers from NYC, the guest director of STC’s upcoming musical. The show was created and arranged by Sandra Kasten, choreographed by Veronica Hilke, and will be accompanied by Bill Born. Narration was written by Doug Kleinhans. The freewill offering will be used to offset the expenses of the Songs of the Seasons sacred music concert that will be held on February 17, 2013, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

On your mark. Get set. Go!

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

6 September 2012

Kick-off.  Rally Day.  Different congregations have different names for the Fall Sunday when full programming resumes.  Ours is this Sunday.  Details on new programming were published in our second August edition of The Angelus, and in our September edition, as well.  Details can also be found on the new edition of our parish website at www.gracesheboygan.com.

Take a look at the new website!  The new look, feel and utility result from a lot of thought and effort brought to the project by Jon Whitford and Joann Otte.  Please take the time to thank them, and to thank them for all the work that goes in on a weekly basis to keep the site current.  Thank, as well, Bobbi Kraft and Dcn. Michele Whitford for getting the parish calendar current and interactive, and Sherri Smies and Joann Otte for the extra work on The Angelus.  We recently received a communication from the diocese praising our newsletter as a model for other parishes, both in terms of content and layout.

Not to take away anything from all these thanksgivings (and those below), remember that the life of faith, the life of following Jesus Christ, is something that we do together.  We are called not just to gather in worship, but to new life in Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and this new life means that our faith is lived at all times, not just during Sunday worship.  One “size,” of course, does not fit all, and that is why we are offering a variety of programs throughout the Fall.

The Sunday School curriculum is new.  Teachers are new.  Adult Education will begin with a five week course on The New Atheism and the Defense of the Faith, which will meet on Sundays at 9 a.m.  Ideally, we will have course offerings taught by a number of people, both clergy and lay, so please consider what you would like to study, and what you would like to teach. 

Leave-taking for Fr. Ken and Grace Okkerse:  Save the date!  On Sunday, 16 September, following the 10:15 service, we will hold a reception honoring Fr. Ken and Grace Okkerse for their years of grace-filled service in this parish, both in Sheboygan and at Elkhart Lake.

Parish Library:  Our parish library needs help.  The collection is more extensive than that found in many congregations.  (How many of you knew that we have the collected works of Bl. Charles Chapman Grafton, our local saint?)  There is some overlap, and some culling needed, complicated by recent donations.

If you are willing to work on cataloguing and arrangement, please contact the parish office.  Ideally, if we have two or three people, we can complete the project quickly.

Grounds and Garden Care:  For many years this parish has relied on the good offices of Wes and Barbara Jung in caring for the grounds and garden.  Barbara–may she rest in peace–now tends another garden, and Wes has moved to Massachusetts to be with his son.  We need to form a Grounds Committee.  In order to jump start the process, we recently hired a professional landscaping company to provide a major trim on ornamental plants.  But now we need to maintain the plants.  We need people who know plants, and can work on a rotating schedule to keep the grounds and gardens in order.  Please pray about how you are called to serve, and contact Ed Clabots, junior warden, to explore interest.

Pictorial Directory:  The pictorial directory photographic sessions are scheduled for 21 and 22 September.  Please visit the parish website to schedule your appointment.  You will also receive an automated telephone call from the parish, which will provide details of how to schedule your appointment.

Grace Abounds:  Please thank Katy and Nina Prange in getting the “Busy Bags” for children restocked and prepared for our kick-off Sunday next week.  Nina came up with the ideas for the contents, including clipboards for coloring art, instead of coloring books that get filled up quickly.  She and her mother have worked hard to consider how to provide for young children during Sundays, and Nina also came up with the idea of a basket to keep all the bags together.

Please thank, as well, Ed Clabots for the time he put in in managing our recent safety audit, and the thoroughness of his follow-up on physical plant issues, including saving the parish money by recently effecting repairs at the rectory himself.  Please thank Pat Ford Smith for her work in preparing the ice cream social for Sunday School sign-up.

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.

Episcopal Youth Community:  D-Group (as in discipleship).  For the first couple of weeks we are going to be doing some group building and introductions, so that we can work on becoming a community–a community that can work and play together, trust and pray together. We will begin our work as a Discipleship Group by defining what a disciple is, what a disciple does, who can be a disciple, and who Jesus called to be his closest followers.  Along with dinner, and prayer and a couple of fun games, I trust this to be an excellent first couple of weeks for our youth.

Please remember the youth of all ages in your prayers, as they are the rising stars, the future leaders, and they are the church now.  In our parish we have 69 youth from birth to age 18 who are members of the parish or family of members in the parish.  I thank you for your support and look forward to where the Spirit guides us.  —Nick Whitford

Electronic Devices:  Worship involves focus on God, on being present for God who is at all times present for you.  Please exercise spiritual discipline, and consider as well the worship focus of those around you, and do not use any electronic device in the nave.  A cell call, an email, a text message, a Tweet, can wait on God’s timelessness.

A Need for Shelves:  In our recent safety audit one finding related to the need to install shelves in several storage areas in the parish, to cure a degree of floor clutter.  If you have serviceable and sturdy shelves please contact the parish office.

Angelus Bells:  Three times  every day, at 7 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. the bells of this parish ring in a set pattern as a summons to pray the Angelus prayer.  This practice is a witness to the community around, a reminder of the loving protection of our patron, Our Lady of Walsingham, and a discipline that allows us to engage in intercessory prayer on a regular schedule.

The bell-ringing controller has failed.  Parts are not made for this 42 year-old piece of equipment, and the manufacturer can only offer to install a new controller.  With installation the cost will total $3,250!  This is not in the budget.  Please pray about and consider whether you are called to make a designated offering, that the Angelus may continue to sound.

Biblical Literacy:  The Bible Challenge will meet on Tuesday, 11 September, following the 5:30 p.m. Mass an 6 o’clock pot-luck.  Readings will be for week 28.    Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass.

Being the Body:  Knowing, Being Doing:  This discipleship program (which will be offered in conjunction with St. Paul’s, Plymouth and St. Peter’s, Sheboygan Falls) begins on Saturday, 15 September, at 9 a.m., here at Grace.  Our first session will focus on a diagnosis of where we are in the Church now, and we will then build from there.  As a preview, consider that our first two speakers this Fall will be The Rev. Dr. Steven A. Peay, Academic Dean at Nashotah House, and Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., retired president of Gordon Conwell College, and a world-know author of more than 25 books on scripture.

Please sign-up at the parish offcie, so that we can have a reasonable headcount estimate for logistical planning.

Music this week:

Prelude                        Chorale Partita on ‘What God decrees is always good’         J. Pachelbel

Entrance Hymn 377    “All people that on earth do dwell”                                        Old 100^th

Offertory Anthem       O how amiable are thy dwellings                                R. Vaughan Williams

Communion Motet      Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face                                 Gill

Comm. Hymn 567      “Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old”                                      St. Matthew

Closing Hymn 562      “Onward, Christian soldiers”                                                  St. Gertrude

Postlude                      Prelude & Fugue in C Major                                                   J. S. Bach

Parish Notices

·         It’s Kick Off Sunday!  September 9^th we Kick Off a new academic year here at Grace Church. The Sunday School includes 4K-8^th grade will meet at 9:00am. They will be Weaving God’s Promises throughout the year with lessons in Old Testament, New Testament and the Church Year. The High School Group will be meeting Sunday evenings from 5-7pm and will be practicing all aspects of Discipleship. The Sunday morning adult class will be looking at The New Atheism led by Fr. Schaffenburg. Catechumenate will begin Monday, September 17 at 6:00pm. If you are interested in Catechumenate there is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

·         Farewell to Fr. Ken & Grace Okkerse: Sunday, September 16^th after the 10:15am service. We will be celebrating the ministry of Fr. Ken & Grace and sending them off to a new life with gratitude for all they have done here at Grace Church. They moved to Menasha on September 4^th to be closer to family. Please join in the celebration by signing up to bring sweets or savories for a Gala Reception and then stay to help clean up. There is a sign-up sheet on the Narthex table.

·         Pictorial Directory Update: We have had a very good response to date and Sept 21 and 22 are now fully booked. There are openings still available for Monday, October 1 for later in the afternoon and evening so please call Barb MacEwen (920.467.6909) to make your appointment now or go on line at the church website and book it yourself.  We want and need all of you to participate.  Thank you.

·         Please Check your Entry: An “almost final” draft is located on the narthex table. If you have not checked your entry, please do so as soon as possible. We plan to have the new non-pictorial directory available at the annual meeting on September 30. This is different from the pictorial directory, which will be distributed sometime early in the new year. Thank you for helping keep our records up to date.

·         Annual Meeting Reports: If you are in charge of anything, please write a short report to be included in the Annual Report and send it to the office office@gracesheboygan.com by Thursday September 20^th. Thank you so much.

·         Parish Annual Meeting: Our Annual meeting will be September 30, 2012. We will begin with Low Mass with hymns at 9:00am followed by the meeting in the church at 10:15. We will conclude the morning with an all parish potluck at 11:45. If you are in charge of anything, please write a short report to be included in the Annual Report and send it to the office. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex. We will also need a team of people to clean up. Please mark your calendars now.

·         Call for Vestry Nominations: Vestry elections will be held on Sunday, 30 September, at the parish annual meeting. We need at least six nominees, with names provided to the parish office by 16 September. You can nominate another person or yourself. To run for Vestry you must be a qualified elector of the parish, which means that: (1) You are regular in your attendance on worship;(2) You have received Holy Eucharist at least once in the prior year;(3) You are active in your support of the parish through a pledge or some other form of giving; and (4) Your are at least sixteen years of age. Vestry members are called to lead. Be prepared in the election process to provide a brief biographical sketch which allows your fellow parishioners to better understand your relationship with God and His Church, and your call to lead. Vestry members are called to commitment, and are expected to attend twelve meetings throughout the year (once per month).

·         Walsingham Pilgrimage: This is the 61^st Annual Pilgrimage to the American Proto-Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. On Friday, October 12^th there will be a Quiet Day with meditations at 12:00 and 3:00pm concluding with Solemn Evensong at 6:00pm. The Rev. Arnold W. Klukas will lead the meditations. On Saturday, October 13^th The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus will celebrate at the Procession and Solemn Pontifical Mass at 10:30am. The Rt. Rev. Lindsay G. Urwin, OGS will preach. Bishop Urwin is the, Administrator of the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Walsingham, England. If you can help with the cost of the Pilgrimage by donating for music and for flowers please make you check out to Grace Church with “Pilgrimage music and flowers” in the memo. Thank you so much.

·         Coats for Kids: is a community service campaign. Area residents are asked to donate clean coats in good repair. We accept coats of all sizes for people of all ages, with the need being greatest for children’s coats. These coats will be distributed to Sheboygan county residents who would otherwise go without. Drop off location: Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12 St. Sheboygan. September 4 –October 24 Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:00 pm. Distribution Location: Salvation Army, 710 Pennsylvania Ave. Sheboygan. Friday, October 26, from 9:00am–1:00pm and Thursday, November 1 from 2:00–6:00pm.

·         Break the Language Barrier: He gives you flowers when what you really want is a hug. She spends time with you but what you really need is a home-cooked meal. The problem isn’t a lack of love, it’s your love language! Join us as we discover the five different ways that people express and receive love. Apply the right principles and soon you’ll know the joy of being able to express your love-and feel truly loved in return.  Based on the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Registration is required for this free program. Join us at Great Marriages 612 Center Avenue, Sheboygan Saturday, October 13, 2012, 9:30am – noon Call GMSC at 920-783-3660 to register.