St. Luke s Episcopal Church. The Northern Light. November 2016

Transcription

1 St. Luke s Episcopal Church The Northern Light The Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac: Being Communies of God s Mercy and Delight November 2016 St. Luke s annual stewardship campaign will take place in November. This annual inia- ve seeks to raise the funds necessary to support our parish life to fund our outreach efforts in the community and beyond, to sustain our educaon and fellowship programs, to care for our building and grounds, to support our clergy and other staff. The stewardship theme this year is God s countless gis of love, drawing from the familiar hymn Now thank we all our God. God surrounds us with his countless gi1s of love at St. Luke s and throughout our lives, blessing us with the love of family and friends, the beauty of his creaon, his help in all that we do, his healing power at work when we are ill, his guidance in life s difficult decisions and in truly countless other ways. The Chrisan responds to God s blessings with faithfulness in prayer, in a#endance at worship, in doing the work of the Kingdom, and in giving to support the church. The people of St. Luke s are asked simply to look at their giving in the context of God s countless gi1s of love, and to do what we can. If some are able to increase their annual giving, wonderful! To those who are already doing all they can, we re deeply grateful. A le#er to all parishioners is going out November 1, with a pledge form and return envelope. We re all asked to consider our response prayerfully and return our pledges by November in thanksgiving for God s countless gi1s of love. Church Repairs Underway St. Luke s lawn is now a beehive of acvity, with a construcon crew and all their gear dismantling and reconstrucng the front wall. New wooden mbers will replace the badly deteriorang exisng ones, and new stucco and brick facing will restore the wall to its original appearance. This project will, more crically, restore the wall s funconality. The mbers have disintegrated to the point that one can reach right past them to the back of the inside drywall, leaving the interior vulnerable both to the elements and to cri#ers looking for nesng space. Reconstrucng the wall is thus not oponal but essenal. We have nearly reached out goal for the capital campaign. If we are blessed to exceed our goal, addional money will be placed in a buildings and grounds conngency fund. Photo: Doug Schwartz, Junior Warden

2 The Northern Light Page 2 The Vestry Betsy Rogers, Sr. Warden Doug Schwartz, Jr. Warden Judy Bush (2017) Ray Osinski (2017) Norma Bramsen (2018) David Skidmore (2018) Ralph Blankenburg (2019) Steve Ellio# (2019) Vestry minutes appear monthly on our website at hp://stlukessisterbay.org/ O$$%&'()*'*+, T% S+&.+ Please don t wait to be asked if you want to get involved. We invite you to pray about serving and see what you discover. You can let any vestry member or Mother Barb know you are interested. Training is provided. Counters for Sunday Offering. Reading the lessons and/or the Prayers of the People during Sunday worship. Serve as a chalice bearer -- they offer the cup of wine, the blood of Jesus Christ. Some also assist at the table during communion. Altar Guild they prepare for worship services including communion bread and wine as well as flowers. Added bonus, great gatherings with scrumpous food. Lay Eucharisc Visitor (LEV) they take communion to parish members at Scandia. Providing transportaon to church for members who live at Scandia. Speak with Gwynne Schultz, Deacon Joy or Mother Barb. Assist with recycling following worship. Speak with Gwynne Schultz or Mike Eischen. Medicare COMMUNITY HEALTH INFORMATION PROGRAMS WHAT IS A COMMUNITY HEALTH INFORMATION PROGRAM? It is a series of presenta$ons covering a wide variety of health-related subjects and is available free of charge. These C.H.I.P.s are now being held on Sunday a*ernoons at 4:00 pm at the First Bap$st Church in Sister Bay. For more informa$on, visit their website at They also provide informaon on other services such as blood pressure screening and transportaon. For those over 65 or under 65 with certain disabilies, MEDICARE provides health insurance for hospital care, doctors services, outpaent services and prescripon drug costs. It is the naon s largest health insurance program covering over 49 million Americans. WHEN: Sunday, November 13 4:00 pm WHERE: First Bapst Church, Sister Bay SPEAKER: Nancy Anderson, Kelli Clark, Nancy Daoust and Brian Stephens, Ministry Door County COMMUNITY TRAINING: CPR / AED WHEN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, from 6pm - 10pm WHERE: Sister Bay Fire Staon, Mill Rd. The Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department is partnering with the American Safety & Health Instute to offer classes to educate the community in the proper method of using an AED and performing CPR. The 4-hour CPR/AED class will teach infant, child and adult CPR and offers a 2-year cerficaon; $20.00 per person will be charged. REGISTER: CALL , LV MSG or SisterBayFireCPR@gmail.com YOU COULD SAVE A LIFE ONE DAY!

3 The Northern Light Page 3 Report on 142nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Fond du Lac David Skidmore, Delegate from St. Luke s At last year's diocesan conven on Bishop Ma#hew Gunter offered his vision for the people of the diocese to be witnesses for God's mercy and delight, and at this year's conven on he held up three areas which are cri cal to that witness: congrega onal vitality, the centrality of worship and prayer, and a missionary orienta on. Acknowledging the challenge of being church in an increasingly secular and individualis c society, Bishop Gunter said it was me that Chris ans move Bishop Ma# giving Pastoral Address from defense to offense. Strong congrega ons are vital to that witness and he said he was commi#ed to providing the leadership and resources for each congrega on to thrive. The Commission on Congrega onal Vitality, formed last year, is leading that effort through its consulta ons with congrega ons. Finding gi1ed leaders for congrega ons remains a challenge, and requires crea ve approaches, he said. One of our congrega ons is now served by a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, with whom the Episcopal Church is in full communion, and another parish in Tomahawk is served by a lay pastoral leader. Earlier this year he called for three voca onal deacons to consider ordina on to priesthood. These are some of the crea ve ways we are addressing the challenges of declining a#endance and shrinking budgets, he said. "Some$mes it will mean uncomfortable and difficult change. Some$mes it might mean radical change. But life and growth mean change," he said. Worship and prayer must be central to our witness, he said. His invitaon last year to the diocesan community to prac ce a rule of life was a first step toward that goal. "We need each of us to commit ourselves to sinking our hearts into the heart of God where our hearts can be transformed into the image of Jesus." Lastly, we need to reach out to and engage our neighborhoods and surrounding communi es, and do so with open hearts and the awareness of how God may already be at work in their midst. We need to reach out beyond our diocese, he said, and one way will be through the proposed companion rela onship with the Diocese of Masvingo in Zimbabwe, Africa. Opening Worship More deacons are needed for this missionary work, "folk who are passionate about addressing the needs of the world and who can call us to serve the Lazarus at our gates." We also need to be passionate about sharing the Good News in Christ. This is happening in our campus ministry programs and through programs like Cursillo, but we need a dedicated program for training lay evangelists, he said. This will involve iden fying, calling, training and commissioning persons who can spread the Good News with friends and neighbors and who might also be pioneers for star ng new congrega ons. "Let's go on offense and find crea ve ways, some mes unconven onal ways, to start new congrega ons in places where there are currently no Episcopal churches," he said. You can read the full pastoral address on the diocesan website: h3p:// or view the address on the diocesan YouTube channel: h3ps:// Con$nued page 5

4 The Northern Light Page 4 Attention Knitters and Crocheters! Our supply of prayer shawls is dwindling. If you are interested in helping with this ministry contact Carol Ann Osinski at rcosinski@gmail.com. Altar Guild Annual Meeting The Altar Guild Annual Meeng will be held on Wednesday, November 30 at 9am at The White Gull Inn. The ministry of Altar Guild is open to all, male and female. It is also a wonderful ministry for families. Training is provided. Talk with Norma Bramsen or Carol Ann Osinski to learn more. Book Group The book selected for November is "Gheoside: A True Story of Murder in America", by Jill Leovy. We will meet in the Canterbury Room on Thursday, November 17 at noon. Bring your lunch! Please feel free to invite other people you know that enjoy reading all are welcome! From Amazon.com Audie Award, Non-Ficon, 2016 A masterly work of literary journalism about a senseless murder, a relentless detecve, and the great plague of homicide in America. On a warm spring evening in South Los Angeles, a young man is shot and killed on a sidewalk minutes away from his home--one of the thousands of black Americans murdered that year. His assailant runs down the street, jumps into an SUV, and vanishes, hoping to join the scores of killers in American cies who are never arrested for their crimes. But as soon as the case is assigned to Detecve John Skaggs, the odds shi1. Here is the kaleidoscopic story of the quintessenal but mostly ignored American murder--a "ghe#oside" killing, one young black man slaying another--and a brilliant and driven cadre of detecves whose creed is to pursue jusce for forgo#en vicms at all costs. Ghe3oside is a fast-paced narrave of a devastang crime, an inmate portrait of detecves and a community bonded in tragedy, and a surprising new lens into the great subject of why murder happens in our cies--and how the epidemic of killings might yet be stopped. Adult Education Learning about the Reforma$on: The series this year, on the Reformaon, has 36 lectures and, given our late start, the group decided we should "double up" on the lectures, hence the earlier start. It promises to be an interesng and challenging series and it's not too late to join. Thursdays, 9:30a. Lec$onary Bible Study: a conversaon about the upcoming Sunday lessons. Wednesdays, 2p. Talk with Jane Weis to learn more. Sundays readings will take on a new dimension. Canterbury Cinema Wednesday, November 9 at 5 pm Canterbury Cinema connues this season with the film Baraka. Please signup so we know how many to expect for a simple supper and the film and indicate if you plan to bring something. Looking forward to being with you. Baraka 1992, 1 hr 36m Baraka, an ancient Sufi word meaning blessing, as the breath of life from which evoluonary process unfolds. Set to life affirming rhythms and nature's beat, Baraka is a visualizaon of both the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, as well as the calamity humans and nature have visited upon the earth. Filmed in 70 mm in 24 countries. With no dialogue, images and music speak more effecvely than words. Occasional Sunday Transportation Needed: If you have a sedan or a wagon, would you consider being a backup driver for two people at Woodview? It involves going into Woodview to find your passengers, loading a walker (or maybe two) into your trunk and helping your passenger into your car. Most Sundays I (Gwynne) provide this service, but there are occasional Sundays when I can't be here. It would be wonderful if I had a backup list upon which I could call. If you would be willing, please call ( ) or (gwynneschultz@yahoo.com) me. I, and they, will be most grateful!

5 The Northern Light Page 5 Report on 142nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Fond du Lac Continued from page 3 The one day conven on on Saturday October 22 in Appleton was a#ended by 96 lay delegates and 46 clergy. Represen ng St. Luke's were Deacon Joy, Jane Weiss and David Skidmore. Mother Barb was unable to a#end because she was recovering from surgery on October 20; and Roberta Thelen was called into work at Scandia unexpectedly on Saturday. Jane Weis and Deacon Joy at the business mee ng. Besides the conven on Eucharist, most of the day was taken up with the regular business: elec ng officers and commi#ee members, and General Conven on depu es; approval of the budget; and consideraon of resolu ons. Bishop Gunter installed two of the three deans of the regional deaneries (Mother Barb has also been reappointed as dean of the Green Bay Deanery). All five resolu ons submi#ed were adopted, four of them dealing with changes to canons: amending diocesan canons with addi onal sec on specifying persons en tled to seat and voice; reducing the minimum me for distribu ng the proposed budget from 45 to 35 days prior to the annual conven on; removing diocesan aid from the calcula on of a congrega on's opera ng income; and reducing the minimum me for distribu ng resolu ons from 45 to 35 days prior to the annual conven on. The fi1h resolu on, establishing a companion rela onship with the Diocese of Masvingo in the Province of Business mee ng of the Diocese. Central Africa, was adopted unanimously. The companion rela onship, approved in August by the Diocese of Masvingo, will commence January 1, 2017, and con nue three years unless mutually terminated or renewed. The $606,096 budget for 2017 was adopted without debate. It reflects a $12,000 increase over The most sizable increases went to the pledge to the Episcopal Church, the reserve fund for General Conven on, and dental insurance premiums for re red clergy. Various line items were reduced in keeping with priori es set by the Execu ve Council: Wisconsin Council of Churches, Aging Ministry, clergy days, clergy spouse conference, Chris an Forma on, congrega onal development subscrip ons and networks, Commission on Congrega onal Vitality, deacons school, diocesan newspaper, and youth ministry. If you have any ques$ons or want to know more about conven$on, speak with one of the delegates, Deacon Joy, or Mother Barb. Bishop Ma# extending God s Peace.

6 The Northern Light Page 6 St. Luke s Blessing of the Animals Thank you to the unknown person who provided these photos of the gathering on the first Sunday in October. It was a beau ful day for all as a number of pets received God s blessings. Clipboard Alley Clipboard Alley is where a number of things are posted on clipboards including sign-up sheets for serving, Sunday flowers and other events. Clipboard Alley is located along the hallway that leads to the stairs. When entering St. Luke s, the hallway is immediately to your right as you walk towards the worship space. Want to be in the Know? Sign-up for E-News to get weekly and special updates on what is happening in our faith community. This is our primary means of ge;ng news out to people in the most $mely manner. All we need is your address and you will be in the know. Send Carol Ann Osinski an at rcosinski@gmail.com St. Luke s Offers Episcopal Pamphlets A rack in the Canterbury Room ves bule offers a variety of pamphlets on subjects ranging from the Episcopal Church to spiritual life to pastoral care and Bible study. These pamphlets, well wri#en and reliable sources of informa on, instruc on and inspira on, come from Forward Movement, a na onal Episcopal publishing company. St. Luke s offers them free for your learning and use. Getting your newsletter in the mail? Consider geyng it in color on-line. You can print out only what you need plus enjoy a more vibrant newsle#er. Send an to: stlukescommunica$on@gmail.com Please include your name and address. Sign-up for E-News list as well.

7 The Northern Light Page 7 October Vestry Notes Mother Barb provided the devoons. Lessons and Carols Holy Navity has changed the date for this event to Sunday, December 4 in the a1ernoon. Holy Navity will be the hosts and Sue Raye has been asked to play. We plan to parcipate. Execu$ve Council Mee$ng Mother Barb noted that the Dean of the Cathedral has resigned. The roof of the Cathedral has been patched and fund raising has been put aside for now. Also the Bishop noted that there are several clergy vacancies in the diocese. He also hoped that churches would reach out and become involved in their communies. It was suggested that St. Luke s should publicize our giving programs within the community with pictures. Clearing Class Although Mother Barb had previously noted that she probably would not be teaching a Clearing Class this year, she has changed her mind and she will teach a Clearing Class this year with Roger Johnson, a clinical psychologist who has been a#ending our services, and she will also teach at the Deacon s School. Sexual Abuse Program for the Diocese the Bishop is encouraging all parishes to take this program on line. This training is required by our insurance. Church Open 9:00-5:00 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church in Sheboygan keeps their church open all day every day and has not had any security issues that we know of. Mother Barb would like us to consider that same policy. We will talk about it again. Revised Giving Policies The vestry approved the revised policies regarding the Disposion of Bequests and Gi1s and Gi1 Acceptance. Privacy Policy as related to our website This policy was reviewed. Memorial Garden Policy This policy be reviewed at the next vestry meeng. Building Fund it was suggested that we establish an addional fund that could be used for unexpected expenses that come up in the future. Shed Doug Schwartz stated that something will have to be done about the shed in the future. It is becoming very unstable and needs some drasc repairs. It was suggested that the shed be demolished. Currently it is used to store hoses and some other outdoor equipment. There will be further discussion of this issue. Financials financial reports were sent to the vestry. The Balance Sheet as of September 31, 2016 indicated total assets of $295, The expense to budget performance of January through September 30, 2016 reflected a total net income of $12, and total expenses of $7, reflecng a surplus of $4, Various items were discussed. Budget Commiee the commi#ee, Doug Schwartz, Karen Schwartz and Mother Barb will begin working on the 2017 budget. Memorial Garden Plaques Jane reported that it had been suggested to have names of people interred in the Memorial Garden on plaques in the foyer. A commi#ee of Betsy Rogers, Ray Osinski, Judy Bush, Jane Weis and Mother Barb will meet and bring a suggeson back to the vestry. Update on Mother Barb In mid-october Mother Barb had unexpected surgery. All went well and she was back to work shortly therea1er. She expressed her appreciated for all the love, prayers, notes, food and care she received. RECTOR: The Rev. Barbara Sajna, 2100 Ridges Road Baileys Harbor, WI Home: Cell: Church Phone: (920) Deacon: The Rev. Joy Zakrzewski Parish Staff: Treasurer: Karen Schwartz stlukestreasurer77@gmail.com Secretary: Jane Weis jnjweis@charter.net E-News Editor: Carol Ann Osinski rcosinski@gmail.com Newsleer Editor: Joanne Skidmore joanneskidmore@prodigy.net Website Editor: Norma Bramsen nabramsen@aol.com Parish Nurse: Roberta Thelen robertathelen@live.com Nov 5 George Eileen True Nov 5 Doug Fran Peterson Nov 17 Marcia Eischen Nov 25 Lee Hickey Are we missing your birthday or anniversary? Have we given you a new one by mistake? If so, please call the church office and let us know.

8 St. Luke s Episcopal Church 2336 Canterbury Lane PO Box 559, Sister Bay, WI Church Phone: (920) stlukesdoorcounty@gmail.com Website: h#p://stlukes-sisterbay.org/ Bishop Ma#hew Gunter, The Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac Mother Barb Sajna, Rector Deacon Joy Zakrzewski Celebrang, Deepening and Sharing our Commitment to Christ All Saints Day There will be an evening prayer and candle lighng service at St. Luke's at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1. Advent Calendars The Outreach Commi#ee has ordered some Advent calendars for your use during the upcoming season. Prepared by Forward Publicaons, the calendars have daily suggesons for readings, etc. Watch for those to be distributed a bit closer to Advent. Advent Lessons and Carols Our tradion of celebrang Advent Lessons and Carols with Christ the King/Holy Navity will be resumed this year. It will be hosted at Holy Navity on December 4th. Sue Raye Hughes and Challoner Brown are working on the music, so you can parcipate in the one- me choir if you wish. Talk to Sue Raye about this if you have ques- ons. Otherwise, if you'll recall, readers from all the congregaons share in the lessons. If you're interested in being a reader, please let Mother Barb know. Preparing for Sunday: Sunday Readings with Commentary Go to our website at hp://stlukessisterbay.org/ and click on the icon.