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.