No Destination, No Help

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

30 August 2018

I was riding the Chicago “L” recently, standing in the back of a car. I’d noticed the man in the seat in front of me, he appeared asleep, strange, rough, didn't belong. He was struggling to get out of his heavy coat sleeves. I reached down a couple of times from behind to assist. I’d need to wash my hands. He moved as if in a daze. He eventually stood up. He moves slowly from his seat to the emergency door beside me and starts to open it. “No!” I said, surprised by my vehemence. He glanced at me pulling the door again; I looked around for help. Was anyone going to alert the authorities? The train needed to be stopped. He’s out, standing on ‘whatever’ between the cars, the train lurching, racing down the track. He’s relieving himself. He knew what he was doing. He staggers back into the car. I expect to see him falling to the floor. I wondered if I'd help him back to his feet, but he grabs at a pole like in slow motion and then swings plopping back into his seat. I sit across the aisle watching him count his money for the third time. I notice the 12-pack beer carton under his seat. Then he's examining a 20 oz. paper cup which seems important to him. We reach our stop and at the last moment he follows us off the train. I look behind to see him waiting for the next train back into the city. My son, a social worker, explains to me that he has no destination, the trains are it, his home, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, warm in the winter, cool in the summer. If he gets off and on at the right places he can ride indefinitely. 

****
Was that a Lazarus, the poor man under the table in Jesus' parable? What does it really mean that the last shall be first, and the first, last? Was this the man the Good Samaritan stopped to rescue? Where's Mother Theresa, Dorothy Day? What a waste! What you do to the least of these you do to me? What does Love require; no, rather what does Love offer? Is there really nothing one can do? It all happened so quick. I wasn't prepared. At the very least it keeps alive our hope for the better world to come, lamenting over what still is. And it can, if we allow it, encourage us to do those good things that God has prepared us yet to do. Stop feeling guilty; harness those feelings, use them for God's good.

 ****
In thinking about this it’s interesting to know my assumption was that I could help him.  However, there was no indication at all that he was seeking such.  No doubt he would have accepted money, but that wasn't what I was interested in giving.  I was also limited by time; the clock was running and the train moving.  There was little I could do as far as getting to know him, earning his trust, and becoming a friend.  Not going to happen.  I’d likely be dismissed as a do-gooder who packed him into a stereotype doing something nice, but of no real help.

—Fr. John Ambelang

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Pat von Rautenkranz for the Sunday coffee hour, with cleanup by Ed & Mary Clabots, Julie Davidson, Katie Larson, and Pat Ford Smith.

§  Ben Dobey for gardening.

§  Julie Davidson for landscape watering.

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!  Clergy discretionary accounts are provided for by church canon.  At Grace Episcopal Church the regular contributions to these funds are the loose plate offering for the first Sunday of each month.  This amount is not, on its own, sufficient to continue to fund things like jail commissary costs for prisoners (including parishioners), medical and housing costs, and work with victims of human trafficking.  Please give generously, with gifts designated “Clergy Discretionary Accounts”.

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 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17B)

                                      Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                           Pastorale                                            Marco Enrico Bossi

Entrance Hymn 377         “All people that on earth do dwell”                     Old 100th

Offertory Hymn 556        “Rejoice, ye pure heart”                                        Marion

Communion Hymn 660    “O Master, let me walk with thee  ”                     Maryton 

Closing Hymn 436          “Lift up your heads ye mighty gates”                       Truro

Postlude                         Prelude and Fugue in A Major                              Walther                                                              

Parish Notices:

§  Deacon School Resumes on September 8:  The diocesan Deacon School courses in Old Testament (taught by Fr. Glen Kanestrom of St. Paul’s, Marinette) and Church History (taught by Fr. Karl Schaffenburg of Grace, Sheboygan) are set to begin. Classes meet 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month, September – December.

§  Auditors are welcome. If you wish to audit deacon school, contact Fr. Karl to receive details. 

§  Note:  Those in formation for the diaconate pay tuition.  Auditors are requested to contribute to the cost of the school, but if the offering of a donation would restrict your attendance be assured that a donation is voluntary.

§  Mass in the Grass celebration at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, September 9.

St. Paul’s and Grace Episcopal Churches will come together in celebration for outdoor worship with Mass and a picnic lunch to follow. Location: Deland Community Center, 901 Broughton Drive in Sheboygan. There will be games and activities for children’s enjoyment and inviting guests is encouraged. A food sign up can be found on the Narthex table.  Please note: There will be no 8:00 Mass that morning.

§  Thinking Theologically will be offered in Adult Education on Thursday evenings (7—9 p.m. beginning September 13).  This class is intended to allow the student to understand that the postmodern, Materialist worldview itself is in opposition to any classical understanding of reason and science, and that faith—far from being opposed to reason—is founded upon reason.

Thinking Theologically will allow the student to know and use the language of formal thought to explore his/her own faith, and to defend this faith.  The first term will focus on methodology.  No prior experience or knowledge in/of philosophy or theology will is assumed. 

§  Sunday School begins: We are excited to announce that Sunday School will be starting again on September 16, 2018.  Classes meet from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. and are open to children ages 3 to 5^th grade.  Ms. Andrea and Ms. Nicci have A LOT of fun lessons and activities planned for this year and would love to share the message of God’s love with your children.  A sign-up is located in the Narthex. 

§  Adult Formation begins: Broken Mirrors–Reflections on Sacramental Healing: No one goes through life unscathed! We all experience pain and brokenness, ranging from the sting of disrespect to the tragic death of a loved one, or even the loss of faith! We often hide our pain and carry it with us throughout our lives.  Our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being becomes impaired, preventing us from living in the joy that God wishes for us. The Broken Mirrors series encourages us to reflect on those burdens that we carry and the pain that we bear. We gather as a humble and faithful community to prayerfully navigate into the depths of our pain and brokenness through definition, discovery, acknowledgement, and reflection.  We will pray, consult scripture, share stories, meditate, invite Jesus to walk with us, and release our burdens to power of His boundless love.  This series is based upon the book Be Healed–A Guide to Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life by Bob Schuchts. Our first session will take place on Sunday, September 16^th at 9:00am in St. Nicholas Hall. All future sessions will meet weekly on Sundays at 9am in the Library. There is no need to prepare. Come as you are. All are welcome!  Invite family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who may be seeking relief and the healing power of God.   

§  Healing Conference: The St. John, New London's Order of St. Luke healing ministry is hosting a healing conference, "How to Live in the Power of Christ,"  September 22, 2018 from 8:30-3:00. Subtitles include: Praying in the Power of Christ's Faith; Living in the Power of Christ's Life; Healing in the Power of Christ's Love. Opportunity for healing prayer will also be offered. The guest speaker is the Rev. Josh Acton, North American Director for the Order of St. Luke International Healing Ministry. He has been a pastor for 27 years at Anglican, Episcopal and Vineyard churches and is the spiritual leader for OSL. Cost for attendance is $30, includes presentation, lunch and breaks. For more information about the healing ministry or to register, contact Jan Peskie 920-716-5757 or joejanpeskie@gmail.com.

§  Celebration of New Ministry: The Cathedral of St. Paul, Fond du Lac will host this celebration with its new Dean, the Very Rev. Patrick Perkins on Saturday, September 29 (re-scheduled from August 25). The Rev. Ezgi Saribay Perkins will be installed as Canon Precentor. All are welcome and invited to attend. The service marks the transition of ministry for the congregation and the priest as they live into a new relationship in serving the Gospel.

§  Catechumenate will begin: Catechumenate is a nine-month course in the basics of the Faith and its practice. It is a period of training and instruction in Christian understandings about God, human relationships, and the meaning of life. It includes the Sacrament of Baptism, if you are not already baptized, and culminates in Confirmation, Reception, or Renewal of Baptismal Vows. The class will begin on Tuesday, October 2 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. (room location TBD) and will continue until May when Bishop Matthew Gunter makes his annual visitation. The study is led by Mother Michele Whitford, the Parish Catechist. If you would like to be a part of this exciting study and fellowship or would like more information, please call the office 452-9659 or email Mother Michele at mwhitford@gracesheboygan.com. There will be a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.

§  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 office@gracesheboygan.com.