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Thursday, July 16, 2015

Formed in Wisdom

Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
16 July 2015

Who do you know who would describe as a wise man or a wise woman?  Or, who do you know who you would describe as learnèd?  In the case of wisdom, your estimation of a person to be wise is based on your experience of them—they have a track record with you of displaying sound judgment and showing wisdom.  Being learnèd is related to, but independent of, being wise.  Learnedness relates to an accumulated body of knowledge which is deployed in aid of sound judgments and wise insight.  But, again, a person has to demonstrate to you a record of consistently good advice or insight in order for you to come to trust them, and to seek their advice or insight on the basis of this trust.
Traditionally, the Church and her clergy have been invested with trust.  This trust (not of people but in the teachings they may pronounce) has certainly eroded in society.  The erosion has sometimes resulted from bad conduct of churches and clergy, leading people to quite reasonably question what one may teach if he or she cannot be trusted in other matters.  But in addition to lack of trust resulting from misconduct, lack of trust has become a sort of societal frame-of-reference, with one of the most popular T shirts sold over the past three decades proclaiming “Question Authority”. 
In a time when many do question authority just as a matter of habit, authority must especially be earned.  This means that a consistent track record of trustworthiness (not only in conduct but in the wisdom and insight offered to those who seek guidance) must be demonstrated.  The Church must speak authoritatively, and not just default to the culture by saying that we are “seeking”.  We not only claim to seek the truth, but to have found it!  (Cf. John 14.6.)  But in order to speak authoritatively we must always, and every day, immerse ourselves in the wisdom which comes from God through a continual and close study of His holy Word, and from the ongoing dialogue of prayer.  This not only needs to happen every day; it needs to happen for years, for lifetimes.  Years of praying the Daily Office, for example, and of being immersed in both the Word and in prayer, can allow us to gain the wisdom offered by God, that this wisdom may be shared.  Years of praying the Daily Office allows us to immerse ourselves in a track record of wise judgments and learnèdness that stretches, literally, for millennia.
Listen to God.  Talk to God.  Do this every day.  Over the years you will not only find yourself transformed, but you will find more and more often the wisdom which may be offered to those who need it, that you may one day be described as both wise and learnèd.

Grace abounds:  Please thank:
§  Mary Snyder and Tom Wright for the Sunday coffee hour.
§  Ben Dobey and Bobbie May for extensive garden maintenance.

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 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, 19 July, Proper 11B

Prelude                           Partita on What God decrees is always good      Pachelbel
Entrance Hymn 7            “Christ, whose glory fills the skies”                    Ratisbon
Offertory Hymn 645        “The King of love my shepherd is”                St. Columba
Communion Hymn 652   “Dear Lord and Father of mankind”                         Rest
Closing Hymn 524           “I love thy kingdom, Lord”              St.Thomas (Williams)         
Postlude                          Toccata in F                                                      Pachelbel

Call for ContributionsIf 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.

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

Parish Notices

§  Grace Okkerse’s Funeral: will be on Sunday, July19th, visitation beginning at 1:00pm followed by the Funeral Service at 2:00pm. The funeral will be at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, 226 Washington St, Menasha, WI 54952. A light lunch will follow the service. If you would like to car pool please call the office and we will see what arrangements can be made.

§  Raise Bail! Fr. Karl will serve time in the Muscular Dystrophy Association annual lock-up event, on 22 July, at Highland House. He needs to raise $1,600 in total donations to make “bail” for release. (In the spirit of Tripartite Ministry, it was Fr. Phil who issued the arrest warrant!) Fr. Karl has already donated $100.  He needs your help. Go to http://www2.mda.org/site/TR?fr_id=20453&pg=entry to make a donation.

§  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.

§  Love INC’s very first “Product Drive”: Grace Church is partnered with Love INC and Love INC is partnered up with Anti Sex Trafficking Coalition and all Law Enforcement of Sheboygan County to provide 20 “Restoration Bags” for survivors of Human Trafficking. Here are the details!
·       Grace Church has collected 3 packages of Underwear, 17 teddy bears and 5 packages of socks. There was a separate email with the specific products to be purchased. If you would like to donate funds for these things to be purchased please make check out to Grace Church with Restoration Bags in the memo.
·       We have to be very sensitive to triggers for the survivors so we have pulled the information from the FBI and we would like to give you the specifics on the product style and color.  When the specifics are available that information will be distributed with pictures.
·       The drive needs to be in July and all products need to be arranged for drop off by July 27th.
Events like the Super bowl and PGA are prime events that girls and women are trafficked.  Did you know that Sheboygan is 2nd highest in the State for Sex Trafficking.  Stay tuned for more ways the Churches are looking at getting involved to bring awareness to our Community!

§  What's it Worth Antiques and Appraisal Event: Back by popular demand Grace Church is hosting What's it Worth Antiques and Appraisal Event on Thursday, July 23, 4-7 PM.  Mark F. Moran, antique author and appraisal expert featured on the popular PBS Series, Antiques Roadshow will return to appraise your valued item as well as discuss his experience in buying and selling antiques for more than 30 years. Pre- Registration is required and is now open (at $15 per item) and can be made by calling Barb MacEwen at 920-912-4505. Spread the word among your friends, flyers available in the narthex and in the Angelus. Spectators are also welcomed. It promises to be a very entertaining time. This is one of our fundraisers for the church. Want to work? Sign-up sheet is in the narthex.

§  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.

§  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.

§  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!

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan
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