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
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.
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
We Are on
Itunes! Check out the new
podcast!!!
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