Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
25 October 2012
At diocesan convention on 20 October three decisions were taken/announced that are of particular materiality. (1) Bishop Jacobus announced his retirement, effective 31 October 2013. See http://diofdl.org/documents/publications/announcesretirement.pdf (2) Bishop Jacobus announced that General Convention (2012) Resolution A-049, a provisional rite for the blessing of same sex unions, will not be implemented in the Diocese of Fond du Lac. Under the terms of A-049, such blessings must be authorized by the diocesan bishop, and Bishop Jacobus has announced his decision not to allow such rites in this diocese. The reasoning behind this decision is included in the bishop’s pastoral address to the convention, which may be found here: http://diofdl.org/documents/publications/pastoral2012.pdf (3) Elizabeth Schaffenburg was elected to the Standing Committee of the Diocese.
We have been blessed with our bishop’s ministry since 1994. The process of transition will, per canon, be managed by the Standing Committee. Once candidates have been identified, screened, and nominated, they will be identified to the diocese, and opportunities made for members of the diocese to meet the candidates prior to the election. Following election of a candidate, the election must be consented to by a majority of the Standing Committees of dioceses of The Episcopal Church.
The following prayer will be included in our worship for the next year, and is commended to your individual devotions, as well:
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Being the Body: Our 18 month discipleship program re-starts this coming Saturday, 27 October (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at Grace Church, with a session led by The Rev. Dr. Steven Peay, Academic Dean at Nashotah House. Fr. Peay will begin our “knowing” focus with a discussion (to include small group activity) of “fundamental theology”: How do we know who God is, and what His will is for us?
Please join with us. Participation has been good (let the office know if you plan to attend, so we can plan the meal), and this program was singled out by Bp. Jacobus in his pastoral address (see the second link above) at convention as an example of what the Church needs to be doing.
Consecration Sunday: Consecration Sunday is three Sunday’s away! We will gather following our one service of worship that day. (Worship will be at 10:15 a.m.) Our gathering is a time of celebration, at which we can thank God and each other for the blessings we enjoy, including the blessing of giving. This is a catered luncheon (not pot luck), because it is a time of special celebration, as we come together in the life of the church. Mark your calendars now, and look for your luncheon reservation cards to be distributed in one week!
Due to deaths and parishioners moving away, we have lost pledges for 2013 which would have totaled $31,879. In order to stand still (and standing still involves as 2012) deficit, we need to significantly increase how each one of us participates in giving.
Grace Abounds: Additional help at clean-up following the Walsingham pilgrimage was organized and provided by Mary Clabots, with help provided by Brenna and Bremen Delaney. For the 21 October children’s service, Pat Ford Smith is to be thanked for her help.
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.
Fall clean-up: Fall clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, 3 November, from 8:30 a.m. until noon. (Breakfast snacks will be provided.) We need to rake, weed, clean-up, trim, etc. Please bring hand garden tools with you, and let Ed Clabots or the parish office know you are coming.
Adult Christian Education: Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall. We have begun our nine part series on Christian Ethics. The entire course can be found on the parish website under “Christian Formation: Adult Education”.
Biblical Literacy: The Bible Challenge readings will be for week 35. 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, Tuesday evening pot-luck and discussion sessions are cancelled.
Grace Church All Hallows Eve Party! Today! Thursday, October 25 6-8pm.
Games and fun for children of all ages. Are you brave enough to try a mummy pizza? How about the pungent punch? Have you ever walked through the hall of bones?
Wear your costume and bring your Ghoulish Buddies, Invisible Friends and Cousin Its!
Come and play our tricks and you'll be sure to get a treat!
So that we have enough for all, please RSVP with the number in your party, at the church office (920-452-9659)
OLD-FASHIONED HYMN SING, DESSERT PARTY, & CONCERT
An old-fashioned hymn-sing (you know you’ve been wanting to sing those favorite old-time hymns we never get to do because Episcopalians have such good taste) will be held on FRIDAY, NOV. 16TH at 6:30pm in St. Nicholas Hall, featuring Aaron Horvat at the mighty Steinway Grand, and Ben Dobey at the fabulous (or appalling, depending on your point of view) Hammond electronic spinet. The purpose is to have some fun and raise money for the Arts in Croatia Ministry for teens in Osijek, led by Aaron and by Winnie Coleman-Horvat. It will be worth it just to see if the Hammond explodes, like it kept doing when we did this in 2008. Come, bring a dessert to share if you feel inspired, and enjoy!
Annual Clothing Drive: The annual community clothing drive is Saturday, November 10th from 9:00-11:00am at the Grant School Gym 1528 North 5th St, Sheboygan. Donations of warm clothing in good condition (for all ages) is being accepted during the Annual Clothing Drive. Clothing donations can be dropped off at church by November 3rd. What a great way to help the community! This program is sponsored by Kiwanis Club & SASD and open to ALL community members and is FREE. It is suggested that a non-perishable food item be donated in exchange for warm winter clothing items.
Music this week:
Prelude Prelude & Ayre Geoffrey Vintner
Entrance Hymn #523 “Glorious things of thee are spoken” Abbot’s Leigh
Psalm 13 (Choir) Anglican chant: Henry Smart
How long wilt thou forget me O Lord, for ever:
how long wilt thou hide thy face from me.
How long shall I seek counsel in my soul, and be so vex’d in my heart:
how long shall mine enemies triumph over me?
Consider and hear me O Lord my God:
give light to my eyes that I sleep not in death.
Lest mine enemy say, “I have prevailed against him:”
for if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it.
But my trust is in thy mercy:
and my heart is joyful in thy salvation.
I will sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me:
yea I will praise the Name of the Lord most Highest.
Communion Motet Eternal light, shine in my heart Samuel Scheidt
Communion Hymn #691 “My faith looks up to thee” Olivet
Closing Hymn #542 “Christ is the world’s true light” St. Joan
Postlude Toccata in C Johann Pachelbel
Parish Notices
· New Adult formation: The adult formation class is looking at Christian Ethics. We will first examine what an ethical decision is, where we look for guidance in ethical decision-making, and how ethical decisions relate to salvation. We will then pass on to consider specific ethical issues. Throughout the course we will seek to identify the teachings of the Church as found in Scripture, Reason and Tradition. The course materials are posted on the parish website, under “Christian Formation: Adult”. Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall.
· All Saints’ Day: We will celebrate All Saints’ Day Thursday, November 1st with a Solemn Mass at 6:00pm followed by an All Parish Potluck Dinner. Please plan to attend and sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and as you are able, plan to help with clean up. Thank you.
· Hosting the Seminarian and His Family: Please consider hosting our seminarian Ryan Delaney and his family for a Saturday evening. Ryan and his lovely wife Melanie and children Brenna and Bemen will be staying most Saturday evenings in preparation for services on Sunday morning. This will give the parish an opportunity to get to know them and for the Delaney’s to get to know the parish. Please find a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex for dinner Saturday evening and brunch Sunday after the service.
· Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Grace Church is signed up to ring bells for the Salvation Army on November 10th in two different locations. At the Piggly Wiggly on the north side from 1:00-7:00pm and at the Piggly Wiggly on the south side from 9:00am-3:00pm. Both of the locations are inside. The bells and kettle will be there, & a sign in sheet. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. If you have any questions please call Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.
· 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.
· Wanted: $200 to cover the cost of a cart to hold the overflow of black chairs that are needed from time to time for extra seating in the church. The chairs are presently stored in the room across from the elevator but they are heavy and hard to move one at a time. Having a cart to store them would make it SO MUCH EASIER to move and use them! Is there someone out there who can help cover this "out of budget" expense? Please contact Michele or Ed Clabots. Thank you in advance.
No comments:
Post a Comment