Search This Blog

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Invite or be Invited

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 aboundsPlease 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 ContributionsIf 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!!!




No comments:

Post a Comment