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Thursday, April 28, 2016

Vital Faith, Vital Practices

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 aboundsPlease 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 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.

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!!!



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