Silence Redux

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

21 June 2018

This coming Sunday will be the eighth since we instituted a practice of observing two minutes of silence after listening to the scriptural lessons and the sermon.  Feedback has not been received from a large number of people within the parish, but those who have commented have uniformly expressed a positive reaction, with comments including those of appreciation for a time to think, to pray, and to just be present to what God is saying to us. 

We are going to continue this practice of intentional silence.  And I would like you to consider, as well, how the “bookends” of worship can be respected.  Those of us who are in the church daily are well aware of the many hours of practice put in by Ben Dobey on the organ, practice that allows the weekly offering of a musical prelude and postlude.  But how much of these musical offerings do you get to hear?  There is quite a lot of noise attendant to people visiting with each other before and after each service.  This means that those who want to participate in the music offering, and those who wish to pray in silence before worship or after, have to do so against quite a lot of background noise.

To be clear:  We do not want to in any way discourage visiting and sharing!  There are people in every parish who have challenges finding community outside of the times around worship, and community is vital.  But in sharing please consider how this may affect those around you:  visit in the fellowship hall, not in the church nave or in the narthex.

We will be actively encouraging quiet before and after worship, in the nave and in the narthex.  Be observant.  Watch to notice if others are seeking to linger and pray, or to listen to the musical offering.

The door from the narthex to the nave will be closed by the ushers, and the receiving line to visit clergy will be moved to the hall area in front of the fellowship hall.

Let’s cultivate the nave and sanctuary as places for our prayerful attention, and give thanks for the blessings of building community not in those places, but in the places set aside for community.  Let’s give thanks, as well, for the beauty of musical offering by offering our own silence, both before the music and before the Blessèd Sacrament in the tabernacle.  Reserve the nave and sanctuary as holy places, not just as another part of the world outside.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Ben Dobey and the Crouse family for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Fr. John Ambelang for lawn care.

§  Mary Snyder, Leslie Kohler and Julie Davidson for organization and cleanup of the reception for Fr. Kamal’s presentation.

Special “Thank You’ s” :  A supply of Thank You note cards can be found on the table at the back of church nave.  When someone in the parish does something special, take the time to write them a personal note.  Also, from time to time, think about who you might want to thank for ongoing service, and let them know you have noticed!

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.

Special call!  We have issued full and partial scholarships covering diocesan camp expenses for 5 children in the community and the parish.  Funds have been disbursed from clergy discretionary accounts, and we need help to replenish these accounts so that unplanned-for aid can continue.  Please give generously.  Mark on your check memo line “Discretionary/Camp”.

Please contribute for photocopies:  The photocopier is being subjected to frequent use that relates to parishioner’s needs and not those of the whole parish.  If you need to make copies (and please keep this to a minimum), please inform a member of the parish staff and make a contribution toward the costs of the copies.  A suggested contribution is $0.6/page.  (We are trending above budget on copy costs!)

Don’t forget “Something Extra for Grace”:  Supplemental giving envelopes can be found in pews.  If you want to give something extra, please use an envelope to ensure that you are credited. 

Music this Week:          The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7B)

                                      R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                           Monastic Peace                                             Flor Peters

Entrance Hymn 493          “Oh for a thousand tongues to sing”                   Hanover

Offertory Hymn 379        “God is love, let heaven adore him”             Abbot’s Leigh

Communion Hymn 482    “Lord of all hopefulness”                                         Slane   

Closing Hymn 563           “Go forward, Christian soldier”                         Lancashire

Postlude                         Festival Voluntary                                                 Peters

Parish Notices:

§  Inmate pen pal:  A local inmate (known to Fr. Karl) is looking for people to write letters to him.  If you wish to explore how you may be called to this ministry, contact Fr. Karl.

§  All Saint’s Chapel in Elkhart Lake: The Chapel offers services at 9:00 a.m., continuing through Labor Day weekend. We are blessed to have Fr. Patrick Twomey serving as Celebrant for the entire season. Services will continue to be a shared ministry, which means volunteers will be needed for Sunday Service ownership.

o   This includes:

o   Picking up the bulletins box at Grace Church in Sheboygan

o   Arriving early on Sunday to:

o   Open the buildings

o   Identify readers for the readings and the prayers of the people

o   Light candles

o   Greet Fr. Twomey

o   Locking up at the conclusion of Mass and

o   Returning the bulletins box and etc. to Grace Church.

o   A printed list of instructions is on site, in the event of questions, as well as a list members available by phone to offer direct support.

§  Diocesan Eucharistic Festival and Bishop’s Picnic, Saturday June 30: Established in 1960 by Bishop William Brady, the Eucharistic Festival gathers the diocesan family to be united in its faith in the Presence of our Blessed LORD in the Bread and Wine of the Altar. In being so devoted, we can be united in making known God's presence to all people. The Festival includes the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Bishop's Picnic, Evening Prayer and the Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac. If you are interested in carpooling, contact the parish office.

§  Diocesan Choir invites members to sing at the Eucharistic Festival: If you are willing to sing at the event, register at www.diofdl.org/ef or contact the Cathedral’s Interim Organist-Choirmaster, Joseph Lindsay at (920) 322-7360. The Diocesan Choir will meet at 9:00 a.m. on June 30 to rehearse for the 11:00 a.m. liturgy. Participants may borrow cassocks and surplices from the Cathedral’s inventory, per availability.

§  Brat Fry and Bake Sale at Miesfeld’s: Saturday, July 7, Brat Fry at Miesfeld’s Brat Haus! A sign-up table is located in the Narthex. We are looking for: Brat fryers, stand attendants, baked goods bakers, before the sale packagers and attendants while at the sale. Questions? Contact Barb or Bob MacEwen at (920) 912-4505.

§  Save the Date-Diocese of Fond du Lac Schedule for Ordination: The Ordination of the Reverend Roberta Ann Kraft to the Priesthood will take place on Saturday, July 21, 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle in Fond du Lac at 11:00 a.m. More details will be shared in the upcoming weeks about this joyous event.

§  Diocesan polo shirts are back: Every few years a Diocesan Polo Shirt embroidered with the diocesan shield is available for order and purchase. 2018 is the year! These 65/35 cotton blend shirts come in both men's and women's sizes. They are red in color and without pockets. Shirts may be ordered and paid for online or by check. Pick up your shirt at the Diocesan Office, arrange to pick up at a diocesan event, or have it shipped by U.S. Mail. Prices start at $30. Order at diofdl.org/polo

§  Volunteer Opportunities-Transformational Ministry Program, Love INC: Help local lives transform by sharing your time and your God-given gifts to bless our Neighbors across Sheboygan County. Volunteers needed are: Mentors, Class Facilitators, Childcare, Meal Prep/Food Donor, Set up/Clean up, Greeters/Welcome Table, On-site Prayer Warriors and Financial Supporters. To learn how you can provide a hand-up call or email Jenna at (920) 783-6701 or jenna@loveincsheboygancounty.org

§  Kairos Outside Weekend Retreat, October 12-14: This is an ecumenical Cursillo-type event for women having been impacted by incarceration. Perhaps they’ve been prisoners, or had/have family members, friends in the Corrections System. The weekend is a time of support and encouragement in a Christian community of women. The cost of the weekend is covered.  If you have questions or would like more information, contact Fr. John Ambelang, (920)453-8983.

§  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; please write your name on the envelope.

§  Bulletin Prayer List and our Grace Church Prayer Team: The Episcopal Church believes in the power of prayer. Grace Church regularly prays for the needs of our own members, as well as the needs of the country, and our world.  We would be honored to pray for your needs, and the needs of your friends and relatives if they or you are in a state of trouble, sorrow, pain, or are experiencing any other adversity. Please call the Parish office at (920) 452-9659 or email a request to office@gracesheboygan.com to have a name(s) put in the bulletin, the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and/or out to the email Prayer Team. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Prayer Team, contact the office.