Notes from the Jail

Grace Episcopal Church

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes

9 August 2018

I’ve been doing a Bible Study at the Sheboygan Detention Center for over a year now every other Monday night.  It’s been a privilege for me.  At no other time in a long pastoral ministry have I had 12 men (let that register, twelve men), many of them desperate, wanting something to hang on to during what for most of them are uncertain times. 

·         Will I be going to prison?

·         What will happen to my family?

·         When will I get out?

·         Can I make it on the outside this time?

I try carrying on a discussion; sometimes it works, sometimes not.  But sometimes it’s obvious that the Holy Spirit is much at work. 

A couple of months ago after class before the guard came to open the door, a Hispanic man, embraced me and wouldn’t let go chattering in Spanish.  He finally did and started in English.  I still couldn’t understand him, but I gathered he’d been powerfully moved.  I haven’t seen him since, but then the group is continually changing. 

A few weeks ago, it was after class again, and a man, I’d not met before, came to me passionately confessing, “I am a thief, a liar, and a cheat; and, I’m sick of it.  Here’s your pen that I was going to steal.”  Could that have been the Spirit?  A turning point, maybe his life will never be the same?  I do pray that it’ll be so.

Fr. John Ambelang

An “editorial comment”?  A typewritten 2 x 3” note was found this morning, propped on a tree branch outside of the parish entrance:

Our job is to love others without stopping

to inquire whether they are worthy.

An additional note (from Fr. Karl):  A group of 20 churches working together is seeking to recruit and train a cadre of volunteers willing to work with prisoners as mentors.  The specific need, at this time, is for women to work with women.  If you want more details, contact Fr. Karl.  This project is in early days, and will require more definition and training.  Keep the initiative (and your own possible involvement) in prayer.

Grace abounds:  Please thank: 

§  Nick and Jennifer Whitford, and Julie Davidson for the Sunday coffee hours.

§  Ben Dobey for gardening.

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 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14B)

                                      Dr. R. Benjamin Dobey, Music Director

Prelude                          Prelude on ‘Song 46’                                    Leo Sowerby

Entrance Hymn 408         “Sing praise to God who reigns above”     Mit Freuden zart     

Offertory Hymn 523        “Glorious things of thee are spoken”             Abbot’s Leigh

Communion Hymn 328    “Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord”          Song 46  

Closing Hymn 657          “Love divine, all loves excelling”                      Martyrdom

Postlude                         Finale on ‘Hyfrydol’                                 Charles Callahan

Parish Notices:

§  The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: On Wednesday, August 15 there will be a Solemn Mass at 6:00 p.m., followed by a potluck brat fry. A sign-up sheet can be found on the Narthex table. All are welcome!

§  All Saints’ Chapel in Elkhart Lake: The Chapel offers services at 9:00 a.m., continuing through Labor Day weekend.

§  Save the Date: Mass in the Grass celebration on Sunday, September 9.

St. Paul’s and Grace Episcopal Churches will come together in celebration for outdoor worship with Mass at 10:15 a.m. 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. More details to be shared in the upcoming weeks. If you are interested in participating in the planning committee, please contact the office at (920) 452-9659 or office@gracesheboygan.com.

§  Thinking Theologically will be offered in Adult Education on Thursday evenings (7—9 p.m. beginning 13 September).  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. 

§  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.

§  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.

§  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.