Grace
Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Grace
Notes
30 June 2016
The “masthead” for the parish web page (Can we use this old term in writing about a
web page?) has three words displayed prominently under the name of Grace
Episcopal Church: Christ, Community, Compassion. In
some ways there is redundancy built into this formulation, for in Christ we are
both called to and experience community and compassion.
I have been reminded several times recently
of the need for community. The issues
which present themselves in pastoral and spiritual care—regardless of the
variety of problems encountered—at some level relate back to an underlying root
cause in a failure of community. This
shouldn’t surprise us. The source and
summation of Being, the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is a
community of Being, and Jesus emphasizes to us that what we do in faith we do together” “… where two or three are gathered in my
name, there am I … “(Mtt. 18.20).
We don’t have a lot of parish “programming”
planned for this Summer. People have
been engaged and busy, and sabbath time is needed. But this is a good time to focus on
community—on just getting to know each other better—so that when programs and
new forms of outreach recommence we can better work together. Take time, therefore, both to relax and to do
things together. This can be as simple
as calling a couple of people to go get an ice cream cone, or to go to a
baseball game. It doesn’t have to be
about ministry; it’s just about getting to know each other.
A great way to get to know each other is to
share in a meal. For the Fourth of July
holiday, invite someone else from the parish or wider community, someone who
doesn’t have “plans”. If you are
wondering what to do one the Fourth, and no one has asked you to come by, then
let me know on Sunday. On the Fourth we
will have a very informal cook out at the rectory. You are invited, but please let me know by
Sunday, so we can plan.
Focus on community. Invite or be invited. God wills that we experience His love through
each other.
Grace
abounds: Please thank:
§ Bobbie May. Mary
Massey and Mary Snyder for the Sunday coffee hour.
§ Bryan Stenz and
Archdeacon Michele for their work in cleaning basement rooms to prepare for
Grace Abounds ministry space.
§
Ben
Dobey for work in the garden.
Call for
Contributions: If you
have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers
toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by
Wednesday in the week of publication.
History
of Philosophy Volume 1 Greece and Rome [A brief review]
Frederick Copleston was a Jesuit priest,
philosopher, and historian of philosophy.
Copleston’s first volume in multi-volume
history of philosophy is a semi- chronological tour of Greek and Roman
philosophy beginning with pre-Socratic philosophers and an in-depth analysis of
Plato and Aristotle. Without spelling it out he seems to take the common
approach of many historians of philosophy, that is, Greek philosophy is primary
whilst Roman is for the most considered secondary in its impact on the history
of philosophy. This is not particularly a criticism, rather an
explanation the reviewer believes should be stated. The author proceeds
along these lines, at least partially in the interests of some degree of
brevity. A ten volume set of
approximately 500 pages per volume is a daunting undertaking, for author as
well as reader.) The terse treatment of “minor” philosophers (many of these with
whom the reviewer was entirely unfamiliar) is not disruptive since the work is
a history. I suspect that this is owing
to the fragmentary nature of currently extant philosophy rather than
overweening on the part of the author. None of this severely effects the
thoroughness of the work as it pertains to any discussion of the Ancients’
influence as related to medieval Christian philosophy/theology, which was the
reviewer’s proximate cause for the endeavor.
No doubt the target audience was above the
reviewer’s education/intellect, as the often untranslated interjections in
Greek, Latin, French and German were disconcerting when one was not able to
ascertain the meaning from context. (I felt I became better to parse some
of the languages as I delved deeper in the book.) I felt this practice
unsatisfactory, as I had limited desire to engage in a full-court press to
fully understand the meaning of the philosophical phrases in English, not to
say anything of the other languages. I’m less inclined to massive
undertaking in my waning days!
I am more thoroughly appreciative of the
preparatory nature provided by the author, the reviewer having just started
Volume II Augustine to Scotus at the time of this writing. I feel fully
prepared for Augustine-Scotus by way of the Greek-Roman volume. Despite
the slight ecclesiastical nature of the books these are good words and I
ascribe to them. (Apologies to Trotsky
and Proudhon! )
—Dale Massey
Music
this Week: The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 9C)
Prelude Adagio
Alan Gray
Entrance Hymn 390 “Praise
to the Lord, the Almighty” Lobe den Herren
Offertory Hymn 541 “Come,
labor on” Ora
labora
Communion Hymn 321 “My God, thy table now is spread” Rockingham
Closing Hymn 717 “My
country, ‘tis of thee” America
Postlude Prelude & Fugue
in B Flat Johann
Pachelbel
Parish
Notices
§ Elkhart Lake Chapel: We
are still in need of help for the following Sundays: July 17 & 31, August 14 & 21 and September 4. This includes:
picking up the box of bulletins at Grace Church, arriving a little early to
open the buildings, finding readers for the lessons and the prayers of the
people, lighting candles, greeting the visiting priest, various other tasks,
locking up at the end and returning the box to Grace Church. There are
instructions printed and several people who would be able to help if you have
questions. Please sign up for a Sunday or two by calling the office at 452-9659
with dates you are available. Thank you.
§ Unless
volunteers come forward there will be no Coffee Hour: for next week and for the
month of August. Please see the sign-up book on the table in the Narthex.
§ Ben Dobey, our Organist & Choirmaster, is retiring on
July 31st: Mark your calendars and sign up on the sheet
on the table in the Narthex, or call the office to make a reservation, for the
celebration brunch to be held that day in Ben’s honor. Brunch will be catered
by the hospitality committee.
§ Lobster Boil: Once again, for the 24th year, on July 15
the Sheboygan Early Bird Rotary are offering a Lobster Boil. For more details,
see the notice board in the Narthex or call Greg Burgett at 451-6264.
§ Education for Ministry (EfM): This class was created to help
you find your vocation and ministry with a trusted group of friends. By
studying scripture, history and reading other people’s writings, we discover
more about God’s wonderful plan for our lives. The EfM class will meet on
Tuesday nights starting September 13 at 5:30 pm. at the St Peter’s Church
House, Sheboygan Falls. Interested individuals can contact Barb
Drewry-Zimmerman at: bzimmy@excel.net or call 920-893-5189
for registration materials. Cost is $350 & scholarships are available.
Registrations are due by August . They can be mailed to Barb
at: PO Box 67, Boulder Junction, WI 54512.
§ 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!!!
