Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
7 November 2012
Grace Notes is published one day early this week, due to the parish office being closed on 8 November, for a meeting of diocesan clergy.
By the time you read this, the election results should be known. In a time when there are many divisions within this country and state, it is well that we reflect on how the Church can model unity. We first need to recognize that the Church has done a poor job in modeling unity. We confess one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, but the reality is that sad divisions remain, and the world all too often sees the Church as “an institution which ‘circles the wagons’ and then shoots into the middle”!
When we allow disagreements to divide us in the Church we are being worldly. So, let’s look at the types of things which are argued over. It is useful to recall three “D’s”: Dogma, Doctrine, and Discipline. Dogma is fundamental; it is bed rock. One cannot argue over dogma without defining himself/herself to be heterodox (i.e., separating oneself from the faith). Examples of dogma include the confession that “Jesus is Lord,” and anything in the Creed. One cannot, for example, deny the resurrection of Jesus and claim to confess the faith.
Doctrine relates to how we understand the “economy of salvation,” how God’s will is effected in the life of creation. An example of doctrine would be the Atonement, the truth the Jesus’ sacrifice atoned for our sins. But the doctrine of atonement can be argued over, in terms of how Jesus’ sacrifice “takes away the sin of the world”. Does His sacrifice substitute for the penalty which we owe? Does His sacrifice apply to the sins of all, or only to those who confess His Name and follow Him in faith? Arguments over issues like these are real, and holding different positions does not necessaroly define one to be in any way lapsed from the faith.
Discipline relates to how we do things. Can priests be married? Are the faithful to be communicated with both the Body and Blood at every Mass? Arguments over discipline abound. The most important thing to note, here, however, is that most of what is argued over in the Church—most of what divides Christians from each other—are matters of discipline, which can change, and not matters of dogma or discipline. Where The Episcopal Church has set an unfortunate example relates to how arguments over dogma have been tolerated.
At the most fundamental level the unity of the Church is a mystical reality to be experienced as and in identity. When we each identify ourselves as in relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior; when we do this together—as “two or three gathered” in His Name (Mtt. 18.20)—it is then that we experience who we really are as children of God, who we really are as members of one Body in Christ. It is then that when we disagree we can still see each other as members of one Body, each to each as parts of each other. Let us always live into this reality, and model this unity to the world around us, a world divided not only by opinions and political and economic philosophies and agendas, but by sin.
Consecration Sunday: Consecration Sunday is this week! 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 a 2012 deficit), we need to significantly increase how each one of us participates in giving.
Grace Abounds: Many people merit thanksgivings for their service this past week:
Parish clean-up day: We accomplished a lot in raking, trimming, and clearing, plus window cleaning. Helpers included: John Ambelang, Ed & Mary Clabots, Julie Davidson, John Davis, Ben Dobey, Bill Gagin, Bob and Ann Hanlon, Bobbi and Kaleigh Kraft, Bill and Bobbie May, and Tom Wright.
Office help: Paul Aparicio, Jane Hanson, and Pat Ford Smith.
Coffee hours: The Prange Family, The Bouck Family.
Seminarian family hosts: John and Jennifer Keller.
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.
Interested in flowers? Flowers are used in Grace at both the high altar and in the chapels. If you are interested in participating in the ministry of arranging flowers for the altars, please see bernie Markevitch, who is willing to train interested persons in flower arranging. No prior experience or knowledge is necessary, just a call to serve!
Adult Christian Education: Adult Education meets on Sundays at 9 a.m., in St. Nicholas Hall. On 4 November we continue 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 37. Bible study for the Sunday lessons meets on Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass. Bible study will not meet this Thursday, due to a conflixt with a meeting of diocesan Executive Council.
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.
Music this week:
Prelude Lento Stanford
Prelude on a theme of Orlando Gibbons
Entrance Hymn 375 “Give praise and glory unto God”
Offertory Hymn 388 “O worship the King”
Communion Motet Lead us, O Father Gibbons
Communion Hymn 302 “Father, we thank thee”
No recessional hymn and postlude will be offered this week, due to the plan of the New Consecration Sunday liturgy.
Parish Notices
§ Consecration Sunday: Consecration Sunday is next Sunday! 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.
§ Michele on Vacation: Michele will be on vacation Tuesday, November 13th –Thursday, November 15th. Office hours will be from 9:00am to Noon on Tuesday and Wednesday, the office will be closed on Thursday as Fr. Karl will be at the Executive Council Meeting in Waupaca.
§ 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. Aaron will play some Bach. 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!
§ Christian Ethics: 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.
§ Hosting the Seminarian and His Family: Please consider hosting our seminarian Ryan Delaney and his family for a Saturday evening meal or Sunday Brunch. Ryan and his lovely wife Melanie and children Brenna and Bremen 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.
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