Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan,
Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
30 July 2015
Today is the feast of William Wilberforce
(d. 1833), a British politician best remembered for his tireless work to
abolish the slave trade. Wilberforce was
actually quite active as a reformer on a number of fronts, including the
support of foreign missions and the emancipation of Roman Catholics (who until
1829 were prohibited from voting in Great Britain). We should remember and honor Wilberforce, but
in doing so let’s focus less on his good works and more on the intersection
between private faith and public life exemplified in his leadership.
Wilberforce came from a wealthy Yorkshire
family. He was educated at Cambridge,
and took a seat in parliament in the same way that many men of his class and
time did—as a matter or prerogative. In
his education and political career he was surrounded by all kinds of people,
including those who were keen only upon their own privileges (e.g.,
supporters of the slave trade) or those who looked upon the give and take of
politics and finance and withdrew.
Wilberforce did not withdraw. He
understood and exemplified that as people of faith we cannot withdraw. We are called to live in the give and take of
life, in business, politics, in finance.
The option to just “check out,” and to leave the issues of the day to
those who are more worldly, is a false option.
People of faith are called to engage, especially when our witness is not
popular because it is contrary to the prevailing spirit or debate.
How we engage matters. On the foundation of his faith, William
Wilberforce was consistent in his position.
In our more recent history, we may recall that President Reagan famously
did not “evolve” in his geopolitical focuses.
Regardless of what one thought (or thinks) about Reagan, it was clear
where he was coming from. He did not
seek to please the greatest number of people, but to consistently serve the
first principles by which he governed his decisions.
Like Wilberforce or Reagan we are called to
focus on first principles, with these principles being, in fact, aspects of our
identity as members of the Body of Christ.
This means that there will be many times when we will not win a
popularity contest. But we are not here
to please others; we are called to please God.
When we are consistent in our witness we are both faithful and can have
the greatest effect. Oh, and by the way
(!), Wilberforce had grown up a something of a wastrel. His consistent witness evolved from his
conversion to a lively faith in Jesus Christ.
When our position on any issue is founded on a lively faith, it is then
that we will witness best.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§
for the Sunday coffee hour.
§
Antiques
valuations:
Once again we were able to successfully fill the entire evening with 44
appraised items for the Antique Appraisal Event by Mark Moran.
Participation included 15 parishioners as well as 8 non-members. Many
thanks go to the following:
- Jill Stagner for her advertising efforts in
the local media and checking in the attendees.
- Paula Roenitz for announcing the schedule.
- Bill May for set up and take down of the hall
- All the participants in helping to make this
a successful fundraiser
Mark made it into a very informative and fun
evening. We learned that our Thomas Noyes-Lewis painting was done for our
Fr. Curtis and Grace Church. When you see it please note how the gift
being given in the painting resembles our building (we are giving Him
ourselves-not just individually, but as a group, this part is the Church) and
Mary and her throne resembles the Walsingham shrine throne. The painting
is in spectacular condition, please check it out in the Walsingham Shrine where
it is hung on the South wall. It turned
out to be the most highly appraised item of the evening!
Podcasts! Podcasts
are found on the website under “Media”.
You can also subscribe on ITunes or with RSS full feed at:
Music
this Week: The tenth Sunday after Pentecost, 2 August,
Proper 13B
Prelude Andante; Melodia Max Reger
Entrance
Hymn 544 “Jesus shall reign where’er
the sun” Duke Street
Offertory
Hymn 307 “Lord, enthroned in
heavenly spendor” Bryn Calfaria
Communion
Hymn 302 “Father, we thank thee who hast
planted” Rendez a Dieu
Closing
Hymn 533 “How
wondrous and great thy works”
Lyons
Postlude Fugue in G Major Felix Mendelssohn
Call for
Contributions: If you
have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshippers
toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by
Wednesday in the week of publication.
Parish
Notices
§ Transfiguration
of Our Lord:
Thursday, August 6th at 6:00pm we will celebrate The Transfiguration
of Our Lord with a Solemn Mass. Please plan on worshiping with the Grace Church
family and meeting with Jesus as his glory is revealed on the mountain top.
§ Continuing
Education:
Michele will be out of the office August 3-7 at a Mediation Training class.
Ellen Aparicio will be in the office Monday- Thursday. The office will be
closed on Friday.
§ Salvation
Army Volunteer:
We are in need of a volunteer to take the groceries from the Red Wagon each
week to the Salvation Army. This takes about 15 minutes each week. Nancy Yurk
will be happy to show you where to drop off the gifts. Please call the office
to volunteer.
§ The
Grace Walsingham Foundation: is actively seeking a candidate or candidates for the
positions of bookkeeper and recording secretary. For its bookkeeping functions,
the Foundation utilizes Quickbooks 2010 software. Time requirements currently
average 5 hours per month. For the recording secretary functions, duties
include preparing agendas, attending meetings (four times per year) in order to
record minutes, and corresponding with the board members and donors. Time
requirements fluctuate based on meetings and other communication requirements
between the board and outside parties (typically averages 10 hours per
meeting). Interested parties looking for a way to use their bookkeeping and/or
secretarial gifts for ministry should contact Steve Larson by July 31st.
§ Brat
Fry and Bake Sale:
is August 8, 2015 at Miesfeld’s. Do you have an interest in baking goodies for
our bake sale? (This proves to be a major part of a brat fry event and your
help is most appreciated!) And/or could you help package the baked items on
Friday, August 7th at 1:00 PM? All sign-up sheets including working
at the brat fry are in the narthex. Thank you so much for your participation.
§ Six
Flags Great America:
August 4 is a multi-diocese day at the theme park in Gurnee, IL. Visit
diofdl.org for more info.
§ General
Convention Forum:
August 6, 6:30PM at Episcopal Church of the Intercession in Stevens Point.
Please bring a pot luck dish to share. Come early to celebrate the Feast of the
Transfiguration at 5:30PM.
§ Bishop’s
Night at the Ballpark:
August 14, 5:30PM all-you-can-eat picnic on 3rd base picnic deck, 7:05PM first
pitch Timber Rattlers vs South Bend Cubs, at Fox Cities Stadium, Grand Chute,
WI. Picnic and game tickets: $22,50 ages 11+, $16.50 ages 2-10, no cost under
age 2. Game tickets only: $9. Parking: $5 per vehicle. Visit diofdl.org for
more info.
§ Women’s
Mini-Week:
August 13-16 “Surprised by Joy” retreat for adult women offering refuge,
friendship, relaxation, fun, and NO dishes! Held at Camp Lakotah in Wautoma, WI
Thursday supper through Sunday brunch. Varied lodging or program/meal is
available. Visit diofdl.org for more info.
§ St.
Mary the Virgin:
Monday, August 17th we will celebrate the eve of the Feast of St.
Mary the Virgin also known as the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. We will
celebrate with a Solemn Mass at 6:00 pm. We will continue the celebration with
an Ice Cream Social. Please join in the fun. If you can stay and help clean up
that would be wonderful.
§ Study
Guides for Congregational Use: Bishop Gunter has released two study
guides for use by congregations and individuals of the Diocese of Fond du
Lac. The King or a Fox: Configuring the Mosaic of Scripture
is a 14-page document as a guide to understanding and interpreting
Scripture. It was used by clergy during deanery clericus gatherings. In
Dialogue With Each Other is a Study Guide created to aid congregations in
studying and discussing the topic of same-sex unions. Clergy may want to
encourage individuals to make use these resources or use them as a basis for
forums or other study series. Downloads are available both as PDF and Word
files. Visit diofdl.org.
§ Eucharistic
Festival:
August 29, 11AM-2PM at Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Fond du Lac, WI. A
traditional celebration of the Sacrament, with an outdoor procession &
adoration. Homilist is Archdeacon Michele Whitford. Picnic meal follows. All
are welcome to this diocesan family celebration. Sign up online to help or sing
in the choir. Visit diofdl.org for more info.
§ Commemoration
of Blessed Charles Chapman Grafton: August 29, 2:00-6:30PM at Episcopal
Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Fond du Lac, WI. An event honoring a former
bishop of our diocese. Includes presentation by Nashotah House Dean Steven A.
Peay at 2:30PM, Evening Prayer at 3:45PM, Holy Eucharist at 4:15PM, and Garden
Party. Visit diofdl.org for more info.
§ Mass
in the Grass:
Please join us Sunday, September 13, 2015 for an outdoor Mass and All Church
Picnic at Deland Community Center, 901 Broughton Dr., Sheboygan, the Mass will
begin at 10:15 a.m. with lunch following. There will be games and activities
for our children’s enjoyment. Inviting guests is encouraged. There will be ONE
MASS only that day. We will be asking for donations of cookies/bars, potato
chips, water and monetary donations to defray the cost. Please sign up on the
sheet on the Narthex table.
§ 91.3FM/103.3FM
The Message – WSTM invites you and your family to a day of family fun and an
evening of local praise and worship music at our annual Praise in the Park event
at the Plymouth City Park, on Suhrke Rd in Plymouth. Contact The Message at
920-893-2661 or wstmfm.org for directions and information on where to pick up
wristbands that will get you discounted rates for mini-golf at Tom &
Jerry’s, across the street from the park, as well as $3.00 swimming at the
Plymouth Aquatic Center starting the morning of August 7. Then at 4:30 pm, come
up the hill to the Plymouth bandshell for a brat fry and evening of Praise and
Worship music from local area musical groups. This is a free, family-friendly
event, and we will be accepting donations of non-perishible food items for the
Plymouth Food Pantry. We hope to see you there!
§ Like
Grace Church on Facebook
§ Follow
Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan
§ We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!
§ Feed
My Sheep
Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved Him
& each time, when Peter responded with “Yes”, Jesus said “Feed my sheep”.
Each time that Jesus asked Peter, Jesus wanted to make sure that Peter
understood that love requires action. Jesus wanted Peter to do action that
would be life-giving and nourishing to everyone Jesus loved. We can learn from
Peter that it is NOT just enough to love Jesus, but we need to show others, by
our actions, our love. We need to “feed” others. How do we give love that is
nourishing to others? How do we show love that bears fruit? What is love if it
does not give life? How we do that differs for each one of us and with each
loving encounter we have with others. Loving others is never easy much less
doing something loving for others can be a challenge. Many times we don’t know
what to do, or how to do it. But God does if we allow Him to show us.
There are many proven ways to learn how we
can put our love into action and for 40 years Education for Ministry (EfM) has
changed thousands of peoples’ lives and helped to teach them more about
themselves so they can go out into the world to love and serve others. “EfM is
a four-year study & group reflection process for the formation of Christian
ministry through the development of knowledge, attitude, skill, and identity as
Christians.” The theme for this year is “Living Faithfully as a Spiritually
Mature Christian”. In each year of study we read from selected texts and then
use what we have to read to discuss & reflect using reflection guides that
ask us questions, as well as offering additional supportive materials.
If you want to grow to become a more
spiritual mature Christian, you can sign up and participating in EfM group. Two
groups will be offered in Sheboygan County starting September 14, 2015. The
Monday night group will meet at 6 pm, at St Peter’s in Sheboygan Falls and the
Tuesday morning group starts at 9 am in Plymouth. Sign up by August 10th
in order to get your books before the first class. Cost is $350 and this includes college
credits and all your materials. Scholarships are available. You can go to the
EfM website at: www.sewanee.edu/EFM and print your
registration materials or contact me at: bzimmy@excel.net or 920-893-5189.
God wants for each one of us to grow in our
spiritual walks and doing it with other committed Christians helps to
strengthen our faith and gives us a trusted group of friends who love and
support us.
§ In
His love because He loved us first,
Barb Drewry-Zimmerman
EfM mentor
