Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
28 April 2016
Within the span of two Sundays we have spent
time to focus on who we are, what are our strengths and challenges (last
Sunday, with the Commission on Congregational Vitality), and will welcome our
bishop for his annual visitation (this coming Sunday). This combination allows us to focus more
intentionally on identity—identity in Christ, identity with each other,
identity with the wider Church.
When we are faithful in discerning God’s will,
and in offering ourselves to effect His will, He will equip us with every gift
and blessing we need. A good aspect of
the CCV methodology is that it allows us to focus on what we have, not on what
we don’t have or think we might want.
When we focus on what we have, we can consider better how to build on
the foundation we have been given. And
that’s where the coming visit of the bishop is timely, for one of the things we
heard in our CCV discussion was that there are members of the parish who are
unclear about what the diocese offers to us.
The first thing to point out is that we are the diocese—all parish members,
all parishes. The diocese exists only by
reason of and for all of us together. Take
the time to explore the diocesan website:
www.diofdl.org The website does a good job of setting out
what’s happening at a diocesan level (i.e.,
outside of this parish), what resources are available, who does what, etc. Links are provided to extensively populated resource
databases maintained by The Episcopal Church.
News links and calendars of events are available. Teaching materials are available. Resources for vestries and for individuals
are available.
As described below, our Adult Education in
May will focus on open forum Q & A about the Church and about the
faith. This can include questions that
can be directed to the bishop this Sunday, or referred to the diocesan office if
we can’t provide answers here in the coming weeks.
One additional thing you will notice on the
diocesan website is information about
opportunities to serve. Just as
in this parish we want to make it completely transparent how you can serve when
you feel you might be called, or how you can serve in the community through the
LoveINC network, you can also explore how you can serve at a diocesan level—as
an elected official, on a committee or commission, in diocese-wide youth
ministry, etc.
Identity is about who we are, and who we are
is determined, in part, by what we do—what we invest time and effort in. Explore your identity as a Christian, as an
Episcopalian, as a member of the diocese and of this parish. Ask questions and offer ideas. Happy browsing!
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Parish cleanup: Randie Barrows, Rachel Boland, Tom Crouse,
Colleen Darling, Julie Davidson, John Davis, Scott Gedemer, Julia Laack, Ty
Massey, Susan McIntosh, Pat Sather, Karl Schaffenburg, Mary Snyder, Bryan
Stenz, Tom Wright.
§
Commission
on Congregational Vitality reception:
—Organization/setup: Leslie
Kohler, Mary Snyder
—Food: Deb Gagin, Leslie
Kohler, Traci Revas, Mary Snyder
—Cleanup: Tom Crouse, Julie
Davidson, Elaine Dinstuhl, Deb Gagin, Bobbie May
—Child care: Grafton Smith,
Bryan Stenz
§
Rummage
Sale: Jessica Ambelang and Julie Davidson,
with thanksgivings for parish hall setup for the bishop’s visitation to Bill
and Bobbie May.
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.
Music
this Week: The
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Rogation Sunday and Bishop’s Visitation
Prelude Chorale Preludes on Blessed Jesus, we are here J. S. Bach
Entrance
Hymn
405 “All
things bright and beautiful” Royal
Oak
Offertory
Hymn
379 “God
is Love, let heaven adore him” Abbot’s Leigh
Communion
Motet God be in my head Wilby
Comm.
Hymn 655 “O
Jesus, I have promised” Nyland
Closing
Hymn
473 “Lift
high the Cross” Crucifer
Postlude Trumpet Tune in C David N. Johnson
Parish
Notices
§ Bishop Visitation
& Confirmation: On Sunday, May 1st, we welcome The Rt.
Rev. Matthew A. Gunter and his lovely wife Mrs. Leslie Gunter. The Bishop will
preach and celebrate at both 8 and 10:15 services. We will celebrate the
Sacrament of Confirmation with Reception, Renewal of Baptismal Vows and First
Communions at the 10:15 am service. Please join us for a gala reception to
welcome the Bishop and Mrs. Gunter and honor the Confirmed.
§ The Bishop’s Discretionary Fund: The undesignated offering today goes to the Bishop’s
Discretionary Fund which provides for the pastoral emergencies and other
unplanned pastoral expenses. Please be generous as you are able.
§ Confirmations,
Receptions, Renewal of Baptismal Vows, First Communions: We celebrate with the new Confirmands: Elaine Dinstuhl, Gary
Dinstuhl, Ty Massey, and Grafton Smith. We welcome Michelle Abrashinski who is
received into this Communion. We honor those who have renewed their Baptismal
vows: Leslie Kohler and Jennifer Pawlus. We recognize Julian Worthey, Maxwell
Ehler, Miah Ehler and Fynley Bouck who celebrate their first Communions.
§ Adult Education: Following on
the pulse-taking exercises undertaken in April (e.g., with the
Commission on Congregational Vitality), in May our focus will be on our
identity. This will involve a simple format, an open forum Q & A about the faith, the life of the Church,
etc. Think of these sessions (Sundays at 9 a.m.) as a time to ask any of
those questions that have bugged you, like: “Why do we …?” “What is
the origin of …?” “Do I have to …?” “What does the Church
teach about …?” “What is a …?” Think of your questions in advance,
but also build questions on what you hear others questioning or wondering
about!
§ Deacon School: will take place on
Tuesday, May 3rd, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. and will cover church history.
§ Spring Cheer: is scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 5th
at 11:00 AM in the church kitchen. At
that time, we will assemble freshly emerging daffodils (!) and bag cookies, and
then make deliveries (there is a signup sheet in the narthex.) We need your
helping hands! Can you bake, make a delivery or help arrange? Please join us for this fulfilling ministry
to our shut-ins. They will appreciate
it. If you have any questions, please
call Barb MacEwen at 912-4505.
§
Ascension Solemn Evensong and Reception: Please join the Tripartite Covenant Parishes in celebrating Ascension
Day. Grace Church, will host Solemn Evensong Thursday, May 5th at
7:00pm. Evensong is a beautiful service of sung evening prayer. This will be
followed by a reception in St. Nicholas Hall. Please sign up on the sheet in
the Narthex to bring cookies or bars.
§ SCIO’s
Annual Spring Luncheon Fundraiser: Held in honor of women on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Pine Hills
Country Club. Scott Gedemer has kindly
donated 6 tickets for anyone who would like to attend. Primarily attended by mothers and daughters
but men are welcome to attend also. Please call the Parish office if you are
interested in attending this event. More
details may be found on the notice board in the narthex.
§
Parish Life
Survey: During this season of Eastertide
your parish has been in celebration and examination of the love that God offers
to us all. To further the examination, please take a moment to participate in
the Parish Life Survey. In conjunction with the "What's My Gift?" sessions in
Adult Formation each week and the Commission on Congregational Vitality held
last Sunday, this survey will continue our efforts to live as members of the
Body of Christ. Printed copies of the survey can be found in the Narthex or to
complete the survey electronically go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K2PT7KF
§ Celebrations
Committee: We are looking for a small group of people to form a
committee or rotating list of people to take charge of the occasional
celebrations such as teas, gala receptions, etc. These events occur
approximately once a month. If you feel
called to this ministry, please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. Once a list of people has been established,
the office will call you to discuss details.
§ Parish Music
Survey: We have concluded our open
forums and the Music Committee is working towards forming a proposal of what
this ministry is called to be after Dr. Dobey's retirement. An additional
aid in that effort is the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RDMKWB8. Please take a few minutes and
offer your thoughts so that we as a family can best listen to how our Lord is
guiding us.
§ Something Extra for Grace: Envelopes are available in the pews if you are moved to give an extra
gift, beyond your pledge or regular plate donation, toward the life of the
church. Gifts are tax deductible if you write your name on the envelope.
·
Choral Evensong and
High Tea: Sunday May 15, 2016
at 4:00 p.m. we will have Choral Evensong followed by High Tea in the Parish
Hall. Please plan to attend this beautiful service. There is a sign-up sheet to
bring a sweet or savory on the Narthex table.
§ Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for
kids age 4 through graduating 12th graders. Camp is an opportunity
for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about
themselves and have fun! If you have questions about what camp is like, please
call Michele at the office.
§ Scholarships are
available.
§ Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 12 (Sun 3pm) – June
18 (Sat 12noon)
§ Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June
19 (Sun 3pm) – June 23 (Thu 5pm)
§ Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 19 (Sun 3pm) – June
23 (Thu 5pm)
§ KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 9 (Thu 2pm) –
June 11 (Sat 12noon)
§ There are application forms on the Narthex table.
§ Love INC: Cadre Ministries is looking for volunteers who are interested in
mentoring. “Ministry is Relationship” will take place on Saturday May 14th
9:00 pm- 1:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls. For further
details, see the notice board in the Narthex or go to
www.loveincsheboygancountry.org.
§ Like
Grace Church on Facebook
§
Follow Grace
Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan
§
Follow
Grace Church on
Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan
§
We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!
