St. Luke s Episcopal Church. The Northern Light. April 2017

Transcription

1 The Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac: Being Communies of God s Mercy and Delight St. Luke s Episcopal Church The Northern Light April 2017 Spring Conference, Saturday, May 13 9a 3p, Waupaca Sign-up at In his address to the annual convenon last October, Bishop Mahew Gunter said it was me for the church to step out of its defensive posture and go on offense. While the challenges of increasing secularism and declining aendance are real, it is not enough to merely acknowledge the situaon, he said. "We have good news to share. We have played defense too long. It is me we went on offense." The first sustained drive of the bishop's vision has been the work of the new Commission on Congrega- onal Vitality (CCV), notably its ongoing consultaons with congregaons, and now the May 13 conference in Waupaca for lay members and clergy. Taking God's Mercy and Delight into the Neighborhood is designed to engage church members in conversaon and reflecon on discipleship, and to equip them in answering God's call to be the church in the world. Carrie Headington, canon missioner for evangelism in the Diocese of Dallas, will share her passion for sharing the abundant and uncondional love of God in her keynote address, and in one of the four workshops offered that day. Headington has led workshops on evangelism and equipping Chrisans for discipleship in both the Episcopal Church and denomina- ons around the world. Bishop Gunter and other commission members will lead workshops on sharing one's faith story and praccal strategies for storytelling as evangelism (Telling Our Story); praccal ways to discern and define a congregaon's mission and how to make it happen (We Were Headed for Aruba; How Did We End Up in Anchorage? How to Make a Vision Happen); and a dialogue on what it means to be sent as a disciple and missionary, and resources for connuing that conversaon in congregaons (Jesus Has Le; the Building). Headington will explore how Chrisans can embody God's mercy and delight, and share strategies for inving the world into this experience. The conference ends with a sending liturgy in which parcipants will be commissioned as disciples. The conference, which is at the Ramada Waupaca hotel and conference center, begins at 9 am and ends at 3 pm at the close of liturgy. Each congregaon will receive a thumb drive at the conference which will be loaded with resources on discipleship, community outreach, and evangelism. The day is about reclaiming our identy as a missionary church, said Bishop Gunter, about how we as disciples of Christ can connect with people for whom aending church on a Sunday morning is not a high priority. It's about "how we as a church engage our communies and get outside the walls of the church." We may not be able to turn the de of post-modern culture, but as a healthy, faithful church we can make space for the Holy Spirit to transform lives, he noted. Connue page 5 The Pentecost Project The Commission on Congregaonal Vitality is asking each congregaon to make a 2-3 minute video about how they share God's love with others. This does not require professional equipment or experse; it can be as simple as a smartphone video. You can make it on Pentecost Sunday June 4 or by June 4 and then send it in to the diocesan office. The videos will be used to highlight how the Jesus Movement is taking place here in the Diocese of Fond du Lac.

2 The Northern Light Page 2 The Vestry Betsy Rogers, Sr. Warden Doug Schwartz, Jr. Warden Norma Bramsen (2018) David Skidmore (2018) Ralph Blankenburg (2019) Steve Ellio (2019) Judy Bush (2020) George Hughes (2020) Vestry minutes appear monthly on our website at hp://stlukessisterbay.org/ O))*+,-./,/01 T* S0+20 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. Bishop Matt s Blog: anoddworkofgrace.blogspot.com A Radical Centrist Manifesto: Jerome the Ciceronian St Jerome ( ) was one of the great saints of the Church (and one of the crankier ones). He was a great Bible commentator and translated the Bible into Lan, the common tongue of the western Roman Empire. In a leer, Jerome recounted a vision he had in which he was revealed to be kidding himself about his true loyales: Suddenly I was caught up in the spirit and dragged before the judgment seat of the Judge; and here the light was so bright, and those who stood around were so radiant, that I cast myself upon the ground and did not dare to look up. Asked who and what I was I replied: "I am a Chrisan." But He who presided said: "You lie; you are a follower of Cicero and not of Christ. For 'where your treasure is, there will thy heart be also.'" Jerome was convicted of believing himself to be a Chrisan although his thinking and living were much more shaped by his loyalty to the Stoic philosophy of Cicero. As a result he was trying to make Jesus look more like Cicero. In the vision, Jesus called him out. I wonder, What might Jesus say about our truest loyales? Few Chrisans in America are likely to be accused of being followers of Cicero and not of Christ. But, are there other persons, enes, or philosophies that shape our idenes more than Christ? Where do we find our deepest values and sense of belonging? There are mulple possible answers. But, in our current polarized polical and social context, it does seem that many get their identy more from belonging to Conservasm or Progressivism than following Jesus or belonging to the body of Christ, the Church. In fact, these two idenes have much of the character of religious convicon and community. And the opposion between the two has the character of religious sectarian conflict. Some studies suggest that people are more likely to marry someone of another religious faith who shares the social/polical identy than the other way around. Connued page 6 St. Jerome

3 The Northern Light Page 3 What is Tenebrae? Although Tenebrae is not a commonly used service, most denominaons have some form of this service. Some use this service from The Episcopal Book of Occasional Services as a Maundy Thursday service or Good Friday. It is usually held on the Wednesday in Holy Week. An Episcopal Diconary of the Church gives the following descrip- on of Tenebrae: This form of the monasc office (mans and lauds) is commonly adapted for congregaonal use during Holy Week. The office is structured around psalms, readings, and responsories. A disnguishing characterisc of this service is the series of readings from Lamentaons which appear early in the office. The disncve ceremonial of Tenebrae includes use of fi;een lighted candles, o;en set on a special, triangular stand. One candle is exnguished as each of the fourteen appointed psalms is completed. The fi;eenth candle, symbolic of Christ, is le; lighted at the end of the final psalm. But it is carried away to be hidden, which signifies the apparent victory of the forces of evil. A sudden loud noise is made at the end of the service, symbolizing the earthquake at Christ's death. The lighted candle is then restored to its place, suggesng Christ's eventual triumph. In some churches, a black cloth is draped over church furnishings and ornamentaon when each reader finishes their passage. This represents the flight of the disciples and the approach of the dark hate of Jesus enemies. Will Spring Ever Come? Joanne Skidmore I am beginning to wonder: Will spring ever come? In this long drawn out prelude to spring, it seems to me like the bursng forth of spring may not happen. You might saw, but it always does but I have lived in a place where if you blink, you might miss spring. That was one of the things I did not like about living in Alaska. Spring and fall were over, if seemed before they began. The trees leafed out almost overnight and spring flowers quickly gave way to summer favorites. But the most powerful mark of spring was break-up which came before spring and lasted longer than spring. The mud that was everywhere. And the potholes as the ground would freeze and thaw potholes were born and blossomed. Perhaps that was why the other signs of spring seemed to vanish so quickly for me. The dirt and mud of break-up, the potholes everywhere, all created such messiness that they overwhelmed the gi; of spring so that I couldn t enjoy or even see the beauty of spring. I wonder if life isn t like that? That the dirt and grim, potholes and messiness of life doesn t blind us to the beauty and wonder of God s gi; creaon. That the dirt and grim, potholes and messiness of life doesn t blind us to the beauty of others. Where am I focusing on what I don t like in another person to the point I forget the gi;s that person brings? Where am I forgesng to see that this person is a child of God, loved by God, valued by God just as much as God cares for us. Our judgments can certainly blind us to the gi; and beauty of another person. In this season of spring and as we prepare for Easter, we are being invited to remember God s gi; of new life through his Son. God is inving us to celebrate the many gi;s he has given us: creaon; abundance; beauty and each other. We are being called by God to embrace them even when they are messy. Now for my next wondering what is it like to live in the southern hemisphere where Easter comes during fall. What images and language do they use for new life in fall?

4 The Northern Light Page 4 Notes from Mother Barb As you will note on the calendar (and from the spring-like weather outside) Holy Week and Easter are fast approaching. We'll have all the usual services of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and then Tenebrae on Wednesday, the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. If you've never aended the Great Vigil of Easter, which is on Saturday at 7, perhaps you could consider doing so. This is the first Eucharist of Easter and is a glorious service, with the blessing of the new fire and water, as well as the singing of the Exsultet as well as all the other familiar Easter music. And then, of course, there's the always-wonderful Easter morning service. My hope is that Holy Week will be the culminaon of a holy Lent for each of us. Also, I'd like to bring you up to date on the building repair project. As you will note, it's prey much completed. The front garden will need work, of course, and there are sll guers to be put on parts of the building. You will remember that the vestry promised a one-to-one match for your extra contribuons for the repair. While all the expenses are not yet in, we sll ancipate a generous overage when your contribuons are matched as promised. That extra money has been placed in a special building and repair account to be used as needed in the future. Thank you again for your incredible generosity, which is shown so o;en and in so many ways! Sat. June 11 Congrega"onal Vitality Conversa"on. Come parcipate in a gathering of informaon that will help our leadership discern God s call and the next steps. It is a 3 hour process. More details to come. Sat. June 24, 7p: The Collegium Ladyes singing a program of medieval and contemporary repertoire on themes of love and peace. Sun. June 25: Bishop s Visit Book Group Please watch E-News for date and details about their April meeng If you don t get E-News, call the church office to get the informaon. Adult Education Lec"onary Bible Study: a conversaon about the upcoming Sunday lessons. Wednesdays, 2p starng again a;er Lent. Talk with Jane Weis to learn more. Sundays readings will take on a new dimension. Going Green In Lent! The Green Team has created a novel and environmentally useful approach to Lenten disciplines. These will be simple prac- ces each of us could take on during Lent to help green our environment and be true to our Chrisan calling as stewards of Creaon. So instead of giving up chocolate, for instance, one might commit to reusable grocery bags, or carpooling when possible. Nothing obligatory just ideas for you in case your Lenten pracce has become a lile old or stale. Lenten Canterbury Cinema Wed, April 5, 5p Of Gods and Men A group of French Trappist monks making their home in the Algerian mountains have ample reason to believe they're in danger. But their assumpon that there can be common ground between Islam and Chrisanity leads them to remain at the monastery. Please sign-up so we know how many to expect for a simple supper and the film and indicate if you plan to bring something. Mary Blichmann and Bes Williams PO Box 193, Sister Bay Mary: Bes Mary Bushong 2277B Villa Dr., Sister Bay, Ruth Dallman 2311 Meadow Wood Dr., Woodview, Sister Bay Roger Johnson, N. Highland Rd, #1, Sister Bay Joanne Lovig, 10636C Bluffside Rd, Sister Bay Doug Marvin, PO Box 415, Sister Bay

5 The Northern Light Page 5 February Vestry Notes Appointment/elec"on of the Clerk and Treasurer Karen Schwartz was appointed treasurer and Jane Weis as secretary. Gi1 to Discre"onary Account Barb noted that she had received a very generous gi; to this account. Membership Barb would like to present a liturgy of welcome to all those members who have recently joined St. Luke s Church and again explain how membership is obtained. Parochial Report shows that average aendance is up, membership is up. Audit Review a;er discussion, decided to have a Financial Review rather than an Audit. Policy on Weddings and Funerals at St. Luke s Church A policy for these was approved. Memorial Garden Policy a moon was made. Further conversaon is needed. Plan for the Shed Doug remarked that in the future, the vestry may wish to consider removing the shed. Front Wall and Front Window Doug suggested a new blind in the front window. The queson of light was considered. Dwight Anderson was asked if he could do a light stained glass window but he declined stang the window was too large for the kind of work that he does. It was suggested that Gary Chaudoir be contacted. Financials financial reports were sent to the vestry. The Balance Sheet as of January 31, 2017 indicated total assets of $304, The expense to budget performance of January reflected a total net income of $19, and total expenses of $7, reflecng a surplus of $12, Various items were discussed. (Subsequently, Karen clarified the quesons stang that the total donaons were $24, and matching funds were taken from savings of $24, totaling $48, The repair bills were $32, leaving a balance in the Reserve Fund of $15, She also clarified that the 2016 amount pledged was $93,384 and the amount pledged in 2017 is $84,549). Kitchen going Green Norma reported that the kitchen going green is working very well. Stewardship Report Norma also reported on the final figure to date for the 2017 stewardship campaign was: $84,549. Spring Conference, Saturday, May 13 9a 3p, Waupaca Sign-up at continued from front page The conference is not a Hail Mary play but one in a series of iniaves that the bishop and CCV are planning. One that excites him is the concept of a lay evangelist team that could assist congregaons with community engagement and faith sharing, and possibly as catalysts for church starts. It would involve idenfying, recruing, training, and commissioning people with the aptude and passion for evangelism. Some might work in a parcular congregaon, while others could work within a deanery or the diocese as a whole. And some might be encouraged to sow the seeds for new congregaons in places without an Episcopal congregaon, such as Kaukauna or parts of Green Bay, said the bishop, nong: "Rather than worry [only] about whether we can keep the churches we have open, what would it look like to start a new church?" Creang healthy, vital congregaons is one of the three priories of the mission strategy Bishop Gunter outlined in his convenon address (the others being prayer and worship, and reaching out to neighborhoods and communies). Discipleship and evangelism are key components of this work, and going forward there will be addional workshops and resources focusing on these areas. CCV will also be looking at other concerns that can hinder vitality, such as dealing with change and conflict, he said. For now he hopes a spring conference dedicated to creang healthy and vital congregaons will become a fixture in diocesan life, one that encourages all of us to be agents of God's mercy and delight in the world. "The fate of the church is in God's hands. But what we can do, what I can do, is to try and be as faithful as we can to what we believe, what we are called to do," said Bishop Gunter. Reprinted from the Diocese of Fond du Lac Clarion

6 The Northern Light Page 6 Musicians Wanted Would you like to sing a solo or duet or even quartet as part of Sunday morning worship? Perhaps you would enjoy playing an instrumental piece? Sue Raye Hughes and Mother Barb are hoping to expand the musical offerings in worship. If so, please talk with our organist, Sue Raye. Lenten Outreach The Outreach Commiee would like to invite you to parcipate in a project that will put books into the hands of children who might not otherwise have access to them. We'll begin collecng books, for ages pre-school through young adult. The books can be new or gently used. Joy and the Sunday School group will prepare an area for drop-off. The books will be distributed throughout Door County, with an emphasis on Northern Door. Bishop s Blog continued from page 2 For much of my priestly career, I regularly took issue with the seeming inability of many in the Episcopal Church to disnguish a Liberal/Progressive prejudice from a Gospel imperave. But, it is clear that Chrisan Conservaves are just as unable to disentangle their social and polical prejudices from the Gospel and quite prepared put Chrisan values on pause to get the work done. Chrisan Conservaves are just as accommodated to culture as are Chrisan Progressives. They just accommodate different parts of the culture. This is a problem because Jesus was not a first century manifestaon of 21st century American Conservasm or Progressivism. Chrisanity is not seamlessly compable with either. To try to make it so is a kind of idolatry. We who are Chris- ans need to ask ourselves if we can tell the difference between our Conservasm/Progressivism and Chrisanity. And we need to wean ourselves of our emoonal aachment to those and other idenes that compromise our identy in Jesus. What would the verdict be if we were caught up in the spirit and dragged before the judgment seat of the Judge? Are we followers of Christ? Or are we followers of someone or something else? Conservasm? Progressivism? Naonalism? Is our allegiance to Jesus Christ or do we pledge allegiance to something else? As Jerome learned in his vision gesng this straight is no small maer. When we give our allegiance is to something other than Jesus Christ Conservasm, Progressivism, this or that polical party, or anything else we can find ourselves endorsing things that followers of Jesus ought not endorse and excusing behaviors followers of Jesus ought not excuse. And our charity will be cramped as we limit our reverence and gentleness to those with whom we idenfy and who follow whatever idols we follow. And that is sin. 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 vesbule offers a variety of pamphlets on subjects ranging from the Episcopal Church to spiritual life to pastoral care and Bible study. These pamphlets, well wrien and reliable sources of informaon, instrucon and inspiraon, come from Forward Movement, a naonal Episcopal publishing company. St. Luke s offers them free for your learning and use. Getting your newsletter in the mail? Consider gesng it in color on-line. You can print out only what you need plus enjoy a more vibrant newsleer. 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 Sister Bay Food Pantry Cupboards Needs Items The Skidmore s Canadian Marime tradional dinner and presentaon was a great evening including the collecng of food for the Door of Life Food Pantry. When David took the bags of food people brought to the Door of Life Food Pantry, the people were so grateful as the shelves were prey bare. They are in need of nonperishable food, paper goods and toiletries. If you can bring items to church, David and Joanne will take them to the Food Pantry. This pantry is open 24/7 and anyone can use it by just entering the vesbule. This is allows people who are struggling to get help especially when things get ght unexpectedly. April 1 April 2 April 4 April 5 April 6 April 8 April 11 April 12 April 13 April 18 April 19 April 19 April 23 April 24 April 25 April 25 April 29 Carol Hackbardt Jeffrey Rosemann Dick Egan Virginia Greenfeldt Susan Fox Deacon Joy Frank Rogers Carl Sandy Zapffe Kathy Blankenburg Carol Pyle-Weaver Mary Blichmann Tom Murray Sally Burr Pat Wisner George Hughes Trudy Jischke Carmen Marvin 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. 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 Organist: Sue Raye Hughes meowyldy@gmail.com 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 COMMUNITY HEALTH INFORMATION PROGRAMS WHAT IS A COMMUNITY HEALTH INFORMATION PROGRAM? It is a series of presentaons 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 abernoons at 4:00 pm at the First Bapst Church in Sister Bay. For more informaon, visit their website at They also provide informaon on other services such as blood pressure screening and transportaon. FEELING SAFE AT HOME & ON THE GO WHEN: Sunday, April 23 at 4:00 pm WHERE: First Bapst Church, Sister Bay SPEAKER: Jennifer Gaddes - Physical Therapist, Ministry Door County Medical Center Twenty-five percent of all Americans over the age of 65 fall each year. Jennifer Gaddes, Physical Therapist from Door County Medical Center, will discuss how to safety check your living environment and what to be mindful of when out of doors to prevent falls.

8 St. Luke s Episcopal Church 2336 Canterbury Lane PO Box 559, Sister Bay, WI Church Phone: (920) stlukesdoorcounty@gmail.com Website: hp://stlukes-sisterbay.org/ Bishop Mahew Gunter, The Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac Mother Barb Sajna, Rector Deacon Joy Zakrzewski Celebrang, Deepening and Sharing our Commitment to Christ Palm Sunday, April 9 Tenebrae, Wednesday, April 12, 7p see p. 3 Maundy Thursday, April 13, 7p, Eucharist with anoinng of hands for ministry and the Striping of the Altar Good Friday, April 14, noon Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 15, 7p First Eucharist of Easter Recepon following Easter Sunday with Brunch following See insert for details on Easter Flower gibs. Can you coordinate the Easter Brunch? If so, please speak with Jean Barre-. Check it out in this issue: Spring Conference: Taking God s Mercy and Delight into the Neighborhood front page Pentecost Project for Congregaons front page Bishop s Blog p. 2 Mother Barb s Notes p. 4 Save the Dates & Directory Updates p. 4 Calling Musicians of St. Luke s p. 6 Lenten Outreach p. 6 Door of Life Food Pantry in Need p. 7 Preparing for Sunday: Sunday Readings with Commentary Go to our website at hp:// stlukes-sisterbay.org/ and click on the icon.