Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace Notes
20 June 2013
Today’s date includes the commemoration, in a minority of Anglican churches and more widely in the eastern Orthodox Church, of the translation of the relics of King Edward the Martyr (d. 980), not to be confused with the more famous King Edward the Confessor (d. 1066). Edward is an obscure saint, never officially canonized, but culted following his murder during a succession struggle. So why is he remembered, and why mention him in a parish blog? It is because of the nature of his cult, as what the Orthodox refer to as a “passion bearer”.
A passion bearer (Russian = strastoterpets) is a person who faces his or her death in a Christ-like manner. A passion bearer is not explicitly killed for his or her faith, but hold to their faith in the face of death through piety and love of God. Thus, all martyrs are passion bearers, but not all passion bearers are martyrs.
We pray for protection from attack and untimely death. Indeed, we pray this explicitly in The Great Litany, praying for deliverance from “... oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and unprepared ...” (BCP 149), but the example of a passion bearer is perhaps must relevant to us when we consider how we have to face challenges far less daunting but far more prevalent than sudden mortal threat. Do we, in fact, bear Jesus’ passion and share in His suffering, in how we face the many small details of suffering in this life? These can include minor indignities or major assaults upon our well-being. They can include annoyance or real pain. The question becomes, how do we respond to suffering? Do we rage against it (and against others) because we somehow believe that we should be treated better? Do we withdraw into a calculating rationalism, in which our only response to suffering is to try to figure out how to shift it to somebody else? Or do we bear pain for the sake of God’s love, for the sake of Jesus’ sacrifice? The example our Lord gives us is to always hate the evil which causes suffering, but to bear the suffering as a participation in the redemption of creation.
Bearing suffering—acting as small, day-to-day passion bearers—is certainly countercultural. It is also something that we cannot do on our own. We can only bear suffering by allowing our Lord to take our burden from us (Mtt. 11.28). And let’s be clear, while we may be called to bear our own suffering, we are never called to condone the suffering of another, but to be God’s own agents to relieve the suffering of others. When we participate in the redemption of creation by offering up our own burdens, and by working to lift the burdens of others, we become more Christ-like.
Grace Abounds: Please thank Dale and Mary Massey for the wonderful coffee hour. Please thank Pat Ford Smith and Jane Hanson for providing office coverage during Dcn. Michele’s service at camp.
Faith Alive: Faith Alive: The Weekend takes place Friday to Sunday, the 20th to 22nd of September. You are encouraged to pray for the Weekend as we’ve been doing in our worship every Sunday morning. There’ll be other opportunities: a Thursday night Prayer Vigil just before it all begins. AND, let’s not just pray before, but continue giving thanks afterwards; praying for those good things begun & the commitments made. Stay tuned.
Episcopal Youth Community: Bonfire on the Beach UPDATE!
Grace and Peace to you in the name of the risen Lord! Please don't forget that tomorrow is our 2nd annual Start of Summer Bonfire on the Beach! June 21, 2013 between 6:30pm-10:00pm in Deland Park, Sheboygan, North of the playground.
Due to competition for space, we will defer to the other group (who was featured in the newspaper) and move our party up the beach to the next fire pit. It is approximately 400 yards north of the other one. I expect that this will make for a closer group rather than a more spread out group only because the walk would seem so long. However, if you find yourself at the other fire pit or curious about what is going on or wondering who they are, they will be singing worship songs and Campus Life of Sheboygan is hosting. You are welcome to check it out, and sing along if you wish, but the food and things will be with us, just to the north.
Second point to consider. There is an increasing chance of rain tomorrow, so the contingency plan will be to meet in St. Nicholas Hall at Grace Church. We'll get the stove going and cook our food there, and we'll bring out other entertainments. In fact we'll probably bring out a few board games, and then we'll really get rowdy. Obviously we will keep an eye on the weather situation, and plan accordingly.
I look forward to this time, and can't wait to see all of you!
For the most up-to-date information find this event on facebook with this link. https://www.facebook.com/events/313873442079025/ You don't need an account to view it.
Music this week:
Prelude Prayer; Invocation Alexandre Guilmant
Entrance Hymn #427 “When morning gilds the skies” Laudes Domini
Offertory Hymn #366 “Holy God, we praise thy Name” Grosser Gott
Comm. Hymn #482 “Lord of all hopefulness” Slane
Closing Hymn #561 “Stand up, stand up for Jesus” Morning Light
Postlude Grand Triumphal Chorus Guilmant
Parish Notices:
Dcn. Michele will be attending The Washington Island Forum: for continuing education all week June 24 -28. The office will be open 9:00 am -12:00 pm.
Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! No, really, our Christmas in July Red Kettle Campaign is coming to a kettle stand near you. In order to assist families in our area this summer, we are pulling out the familiar symbols of The Salvation Army - our red kettles. For several weeks, our homeless shelter has housed several families and their children. As the summer goes on, we expect to see even more. Need truly doesn't have a season and this summer is no exception. We hope you will help us make a difference for these families in need. On Tuesday, July 23rd, Grace Church will be ringing bells at Pick & Save - South – Sheboygan from 10:00am to 6:00pm - and we need you! Bring the kids, invite the neighbors and enjoy the sun. Help us provide assistance to area families in need this summer. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Nancy Yurk at 453-9948.
Ladies and Gentlemen: I write to you as congregations nearest our Cathedral. The Cathedral graciously hosts the Eucharistic Festival, but it is becoming more of a struggle to have enough hands to set-up and clean-up. I appeal to you for assistance. If you are attending and have a willingness to serve, would you please assist with set-up before or clean-up after? Set-up will be moving chairs, tables, coolers, setting up serving lines and filling coolers with soda and ice. Clean-up will be returning tables and chairs inside the building, garbage detail, and other cleaning needs. Please sign up at www.diofdl.org/ef
Bishop’s Retirement Celebration: Everyone is invited to attend the Celebration for Bishop Russ and Jerrie Jacobus Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 3:30 – 9:00pm at Homestead Meadows, W7560 Spencer Rd. Appleton, WI 54914. This will be a casual event including Hayrides & games, dinner, a program, concluding with a dance with a DJ. Please register at diofdl.org/celebration . The cost to attend is $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 12-18 and children under 12 free. Please do not let cost be a factor in attending, assistance is available for all.
Bishop Search: For all information concerning the search for the eighth Bishop of Fond du Lac please go to bishopsearch.info.
Song of Solomon: It’s known the Bible provides great wisdom for righteous living and spiritual growth. But it can guide us in our dating, courtship and marriage relationships as well! Pastor Andy Shanholtz will guide married and engaged couples in this informative, 8 week study of one of the earliest known books on relationship advice. Class will be Monday evenings at the Great Marriages office, beginning Sept 9th. *Please note the new date!* Call 920-783-3660 for more information and to register.
Love Thinks: This program is for adults who want to make smart choices in dating including: individuals who have experienced a divorce and are dating again, never married singles, and anyone who wants advice on how to find a mate who is compatible for a healthy relationship. This one day, free and informative program will be held Sat, Sept 28, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Great Marriages office. Please call 920-783-3660 for more information and to register.
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