What is Lent? Set Free By Truth February 1, The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society

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1 St. Paul s Newsletter The Monthly Newsletter of St. Paul s Episcopal Church 212 W. Grand Avenue * Beloit, WI * Office Hours: Monday - Thursday * 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM stpauls@stpaulsbeloit.org * Volume 177, Issue 2 February 2018 What is Lent? Early Christians observed "a season of penitence and fasting" in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (BCP, pp ). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days) has a long history. Originally, in places where Pascha was celebrated on a Sunday, the Paschal feast followed a fast of up to two days. In the third century this fast was lengthened to six days. Eventually this fast became attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, in imitation of Christ's fasting in the wilderness. The forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious 2018 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by selfexamination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265). ASH WEDNESDAY Ashes may be imposed on the heads of participants in the Ash Wednesday service as a sign of mortality and penitence. The ashes are imposed with the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (BCP, p. 265). Ashes are typically imposed by inscribing a cross on the forehead. The imposition of ashes has been practiced on Ash Wednesday since the ninth century The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society Set Free By Truth February 1, The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry joined the leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in preparing Lent Devotions for the upcoming liturgical season. Named Set Free By Truth, the Lent Devotions begin with Ash Wednesday on February 14 and continue through Easter Sunday, April 1. Each segment of Set Free By Truth presents Scripture citations, a reflection, and a prayer. Set Free By Truth is available for free downloading ( Copies are also available in the office. Set Free, Continue on Page 2

2 Right Reverend Steven A. Miller Bishop of the Diocese of Milwaukee The Rev. Dr. Helen W. Tester Priest-in-Charge The Rev. Gregg Schneider Deacon Staff Jenny Williams Sexton Thomas Fallin Administrative Assistant The Vestry Johanna Peterson Senior Warden Judie Robson Junior Warden Shirley Brunton Diana Fogderud Patrick Jacobs Jeff Page Shari Williams John Gillespie Set Free, Continued from Page 1 Ash Wednesday: Return to me with all your heart ; by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Lent 1: An appeal to God for a good conscience ; by Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Anglican Church of Canada. Lent 2: Take up their cross and follow me ; by National Bishop Susan Johnson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Lent 3: But we proclaim Christ crucified ; by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the Episcopal Church. Lent 4: The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people ; by Presiding Bishop Eaton. Lent 5: Purge me from my sin ; by Archbishop Hiltz. Palm/Passion Sunday: Hosanna! by Bishop Johnson. Triduum: Until he comes again ; by Presiding Bishop Curry. St. Paul s Episcopal Church Minutes of the Vestry Meeting January 10, 2018 Our year to date income was $130, 805 and our year to date expenses was $114,459, for a surplus of $16,346. Carolyn presented two budget options for 2018: option one assumes that we will have supply clergy throughout the year; option two assumes we will have a 3/4 time clergy person for half the year. Also assuming we will pay our musician $9,600 per year and both our sexton and administrative assistant receive modest raises. Annual Meeting to be held on January 28, Rev. Tester s last day will be February 11, The Order of St. Luke will meet in the church library at 9:00 am on Saturday, February 3rd & 17th. Contact Carolyn H. for information. February 18th 24th Contact Kathy Miller if you are interested in volunteering. Coffee Hour & Altar Flowers Sign up sheets are posted on the church office window. Many openings are still available! Want to get the most up-to-date information of what is going on during the upcoming week! Subscribe to Thursday News! Carolyn Hansen Treasurer Anita Williams Clerk Do you want to receive the newsletter and other information by ? Do we have your address? Call or the church office. Simply send an to: stpauls@stpaulsbeloit.org stating you want to be added to the list. Already subscribe to Thursday News then don t forget to open it when it arrives!

3 Join us Sunday, February 11, 2018 following the service as we have a Celebration of Ministry for Rev. Dr. Helen Tester And bid her a happy retirement. A Retirement Blessing ~ Barbara D. MacAdam You started on this journey, so many years ago, and now it's time to leave behind dear friends you've come to know! You sought Divine direction and a heart to do His will. Your work became your passion, as you used your gifts and skills. You set the highest standards for yourself and others too, showing honor, pride and dignity-they saw the best in you! A "rags to riches" story need not be your bottom line. The priceless things we gain in life, often come from the Divine. So don't waste one more minute "wishing" for things that might have been, rather watch the seeds you planted grow, and feel His peace within. I pray God keeps you safe and well, wherever you may turn, surrounded by your loved ones, living out the dreams you've earned. And in the quiet of your heart, may you hear God softly say... "My good and faithful servant, I'm so proud of you today!" January 21, 2018 Sacrament of Holy Baptism Jack Michael Matzen

4 Middle School Youth Retreat at St. Dunstan's on March 2nd Lenten Retreat with Bishop Steven Miller at DeKoven Center Bishop Steven Miller of the Diocese of Milwaukee will lead a Lenten retreat on the theme "Our Lord's Devotion" at the DeKoven Center from March 2-4. The retreat will start on Friday with a reception and dinner at 5:00 p.m. and conclude with Eucharist and breakfast on Sunday. The cost of the retreat is $225. Bishop Miller's retreat meditations are based on the writings of Emile Guerry ( ), an Archbishop in Cambrai, France who contributed to the formation of Vatican II. To register for the retreat, please call Sarah Bussell at ext. 105 or her at sbussell@dekovencenter.org. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has called upon Episcopalians to study and commit to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. In response, the Diocese has initiated a diocesan-wide book study and discussion of Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Clergy and lay deputies read Just Mercy prior to the October, 2017 diocesan convention, where it was discussed. Just Mercy is a true story about the potential for mercy to redeem the justice system. Written by the founder of the Equal Justice Institute (EJI) in Montgomery, Alabama, the EJI is a legal practice dedicated to defending the most desperate and in need: the poor, wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. St. Christopher's will host a forum to examine this topic on Thursday, February 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room. All members of the diocese are welcomed and invited to attend! We will watch Bryan Stevenson's TED talk followed by discussion. Just Mercy is available at Boswell's, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. Middle School Youth Retreat, Friday, March 2 - Sunday, March 4, 2018: All middle school youth (grades 6-8) are invited! Our theme is prayer - we'll explore what it is and some of the many ways there are to pray. We'll gather at 6pm on Friday night at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, on the west side of Madison (6205 University Ave.). We'll spend the weekend at St. Dunstan's until our final Sunday morning worship and reflection at St. Francis House Episcopal Student Center (1011 University Ave.), concluding at noon. Registration materials available soon at shenes@myfrontiermail.com with questions, or to let us know about kids who'd like to come! Episcopalians, friends and supporters are invited to observe Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on the first Sunday in Lent, February 18. Congregations also may observe a special service on any Sunday in Lent or at a more convenient time during the year. This church-wide tradition is marked with special prayers, materials and a dedicated offering to support the organization's worldwide programs. Safeguarding God s Children Saturday, February 17th 9 AM to Noon St. Mary s, Dousman and Christ Church, Whitefish Bay To register, contact Dcn. Terry Garner dcnterry.g@gmail.com Or contact Susan Gillespie.

5 THE MEN ARE COOKING AGAIN! Join us Tuesday, February 13 at 5:30 for our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. There will be pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee and milk. February 14, Noon Service Imposition of Ashses (No Eucharist) 7 PM Service Ecumenical Imposition of Ashes Deacon Gregg will lead a Lenten Study beginning Thursday, February 22nd. We will have soup and bread at 5:30 PM and the study will begin at 6 PM. The study will continue on Thursday for 5 weeks. Topic TBD Community Lenten Worship Services Beloit Community Ministers Fellowship & Beloit Area Ministers Association Offering taken at each service to benefit Caritas & Family Promise Host church provides order of worship, ushers etc, choir/musicians. Light refreshments after Wed. services. Preacher coordinates with host church pastor on Scripture, sermon and suggested hymns. Other pastors and lay readers may be involved in the service as well. Ash Wednesday Feb. 14, 7:00 p.m. St. Paul's Episcopal 212 W. Grand Ave. Beloit. (608) Preacher: Rev. Ian Stirrat (Honorably Retired, Sun Valley Presbyterian) Wed., Feb.21, 7:00 p.m. Church: United Church of Beloit 657 Bluff St., Beloit. (608) Preacher: Rev. Kenda Roman (New Covenant Life) Wed., Feb. 28, 7:00 p.m. Church: Emmanuel Baptist 1151 E Grand Ave, Beloit. (608) Preacher: Rev. Steven Erkel (United Church of Beloit) Wed., March 7, 7:00 p.m. Church: Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) 2222 Shopiere Rd, (608) Preacher: Pastor Hayes (Emmanuel Baptist)Wed., March 14, 7:00 p.m. Sun Valley Presbyterian 1650 Sun Valley Dr. Beloit (608) Preacher: Pastor James Ivy (New Zion Baptist) Wed., March 21, 7:00 p.m. Church: New Zion Baptist 1905 Mound Ave., Beloit (608) Preacher: Rev. David Ewing (Sun Valley Presbyterian) Good Friday, March 30, 12:00 noon (NO refreshments) Church: River of Life United Methodist 2345 Prairie Ave, Beloit, WI (608) Preacher: Rev. Michael Ramsdail (Lighthouse Fellowship)

6 A list out of food we need for the homeless students we are getting very short on items Soups with pull lids things kids will like, Spaghetti-o s, Hormel Completes, Dinty more beef stew, Tuna in a pouch Campbell Ready Meal, Plastic Silver wear and Bowls Billie Dahlberg David Gwin Denice Brunton Rachel Fogderud Bob Cornell Jane Ambrose Ben Thompson Freddie Wright Mary Dorr Marnie Wright Tammie Frank Janet Easland Nancy Williams Susan Adams Marybeth Karstaedt LauraJane Sherwood Emily Guerrero Arlo Kristopeit Jason Swangstu Deacon Claudia Hogan Christian Posner Project 16:49 is a local non-profit organization serving Rock County s unaccompanied homeless teens. We believe every child deserves an opportunity to succeed. To that end, Project 16:49 ensures access to the services and support these students need to remain in school, graduate and become self-sufficient adults. Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. WISH LIST Trac Phones and Prepaid minute Phone cards Gift cards: Woodman s, Wal-Mart, Target, Shopko, Walgreens, Staples,Kwik Trip (fuel only cards), Subway, McDonalds, Burger King, Culvers, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, etc Personal hygiene items (men s and women s): Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, razors, deodorant, facial cleanser, tampons Cleaning supplies: toilet bowl cleaner, Swiffer-type mop pads (wet or dry), paper towels, trash bags, kitchen sponges, dish soap Office, school & group activity supplies: Copy paper, notepads, ink pens, 3 ring binders, HP 950/951 ink cartridges, easel pads 18 gallon plastic storage bins Names will be listed for one (1) month and renewed if the office is notified. Homebound and/or hospitalized members will remain on the list indefinitely. Chronically ill persons will be placed on the prayer list for the Order of St. Luke. Our next rotation is April 8-April 15th Please contact Project 16:49 at (608) regarding larger/single item needs or furniture donations, or to arrange for donated items to be delivered or picked-up. Local School District s Homeless Liaisons-Beloit, contact Robin Stuht at (608)

7 Randy Williams Cody Cooper Hezekiah Williams Miles Wisdom Rod Brunton 2nd 11th 11th 15th 16th Noah Yount 20th Susan Hartman 21st LauraJane Sherwood 28th Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday AM Order of St. Luke 4 Epiphany V AM 7 12:00 Noon Day Service 6:30 PM Vestry Meeting Last Epiphany 18 Lent I Meals on Shrove Tuesday 8 AM Pancake Supper 19 Meals on 20 8 AM Meals on 14 Ash Wednesday 12:00 Noon Day Service Community Service 7:oo pm 21 12:00 PM 6:30 PM Vestry Meals on 7 PM Ecumenical Service AM Order of St. Luke 22 Lenten Study 5:30 PM Soup & Bread 6:00 PM Study Meals on 23 Meals on 24 Meals on 25 Lent II AM 28 12:00 PM 7 PM Ecumenical Service

8 St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Beloit 212 W. Grand Avenue Beloit, Wisconsin Return Address Service Requested WEEKLY SERVICES SUNDAY (Coffee Hour Following Service) TUESDAY 8:00 AM WEDNESDAY Noon Day Healing/ Service Ash Wednesday February 14th 12 Noon (No Eucharist) Imposition of Ashes Mission Statement: 7 PM Ecumenical Imposition of Ashes We follow Christ s teachings. We grow spiritually. We serve the needs of our neighbors.