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St.

Paul's Episcopal Church


Lansing Michigan

St. Paul's News


Tiny Tim and Charlie Brown
December, 2008
By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
any of our most loved Christmas stories are born out of pain and
M suffering. Tiny Tim was on a crutch. The hills of Appalachia have
provided tales of sorrow and happiness interwoven with the sentiments
Volume 33, Issue 10

of Christmas. In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the Herdmans were a


“pack” of misbehaving children underappreciated by all. Even Cindy Inside this issue:
Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas or Charlie Brown in A Charlie
The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller Brown Christmas have their moments of sorrow. Calendar 13

This Christmas threatens to be one with many of those kinds of stories filling the newspaper and Choir Schedule 7
evening news programs. People are losing their homes, sometimes set out on the street with no
place to go. And, while I think it is not right that consumerism overwhelms the spirit of Christmas, this Mission and
year will be a financial disaster for many. Some businesses will close, stores will close, and jobs will Outreach
8
be lost. Sorrows will abound.
Prayer List 6
The paradox of some of this is the way we romanticize the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. In re-
ality it was a story of sorrows. It was about an unwed mother, an unyielding Roman Empire forcing St. Paul’s News 6, 10
unreasonable travel, no room at the inn and a child being hunted down by a murderous King
Herod. Upcoming
2-5
Activities
What brings all these stories together is the ability of God to transcend the sorrowful reality of
(Continued on page 12)

“There is No Security Without Giving”


St. Paul’s Celebrates Invitation Sunday with Dr. Steve McSwain
By John Nevin, Vestry Member
n All Saints Sunday, St. Paul’s welcomed philanthropy expert Dr. Steve McSwain as guest
O preacher. The key message was that there is no security in possessions and that the only real
measure of security we can achieve is through our faith in Jesus Christ and by sharing God’s bless-
ings. Invited to the parish by the Stewardship Committee, McSwain explained to the St. Paul’s fam-
ily that many people don’t contribute more because of the mistaken notion that they can achieve
security through a savings account. McSwain said that the recent market crash and financial crisis
were clear evidence that those who seek security by hoarding what they have will be sorely disap-
pointed. Invitation Sunday was covered by Channel 10 and Channel 6, and Dr. McSwain was also
interviewed by local radio stations, including 1240-WJIM and 1320-WILS.
The service on November 2 was followed by a Unity Brunch prepared by the ECW. We were even
blessed by a preview of the upcoming production of “Godspell.” In particular, the Stewardship
committee is very grateful to Max and Debby Pierce and to Barb Richardson and Libby Richard-
son for making the brunch such a success.

(Continued on page 12)


Page 2
Page 2
St. Paul's News
Activities at a Glance
Ongoing Activities • Men of Orpheus, Friday, December 12, 7 PM
• St. Aelred’s Guild, third Wednesday, 4:30 PM • Lange Ensemble, Sunday, December 14, 7 PM
• Book Cart, 1st and 2nd Sunday after 10 AM • The Gathering Holiday Party, December 19, at the
• B&PW, Tuesday, December 9, 6:15 PM Gut home, 7-9 PM
• ECW, 3rd Monday, 7 PM • Lessons & Carols, Sunday, December 21, 10 AM
• Family Night Dinner, Wednesdays, 5 PM Looking Ahead
• 4 Fs, 2nd and 4th Mondays (except as noted) Noon-
• Ministry Retreat, January 8-10, 2009
2 PM
• Baptisms, January 11, 2009
• St. Paul’s Library, open every Sunday
• Parish-wide Book Read, beginning the week of
• Prayer Group, 1st Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 PM
January 11, 2009
• Men’s Breakfast, 3rd Thursday, 7 AM
• Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 25, 10 AM
• Mid-Week Eucharist, Tuesdays, noon
• Voyaging on the Dawn Treader, Friday, January
This Month at St. Paul’s and Elsewhere 30, 2009
• Quiet Morning Saturday, December 6, 9-noon • ACTION, April 28, May 12, 2009 7 PM
• 160th Anniversary Celebration, May, 2009

Help Fill the Mitten Tree


By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate
t is once again my honor to be the mitten tree program coordinator during
I the four weeks of Advent. Last year I was privileged to deliver nearly 100
mittens and a number of gloves, hats and scarves to Cristo Rey. Your generous
donations were met with excitement and appreciation, and I can only say that
this was another job well done St. Paul’s!
Please target your contributions for children age 0 – 5. This year’s Mitten Tree offering will be given to Chris-
tian Services, which will distribute the collected efforts to the WIC Office (Women, Infants, and Children) and
Head Start Classrooms. Mitten and hats too large for 5 year olds will be given to Judson Memorial Baptist’s
Love Clothing Center in Lansing.
I’m confident that the members of St. Paul’s will surpass last year’s collection by bringing new mittens, scarves,
hats, and gloves to decorate the Christmas tree in the cloister. This is a warm and wonderful gift we can give
our brothers and sisters to prepare for the harsh Michigan winter ahead.

B&PW St. Elizabeth Corporate Communion


By Barbara Richardson By Debby Pierce

he December 9 meeting will feature Dr. Stephen The December meeting on St Elizabeth Guild will be
T and Mrs. Lange with a program of Christmas music. a Corporate Communion at the 8 a.m. service to be
followed by brunch and a musical program. Vicki
Dinner is at 6:15 p.m. in the Hill Room and costs $8. Walker and her daughter, Melanie will entertain us
Everyone is welcome and for a reservation, please con- with a selection of Christmas music.
tact Debby Pierce. We invite you to join us for a won-
derful evening of holiday food and beautiful music. For additional information and to make reservations,
please call Debby Pierce.

December 2008
St. Paul's News Page 3

Christmas Eve Collection


By the Rev. Deacon Bill Fineout
nce again the St. Paul’s community will step up and
O provide layette items for newborns. This year’s
Christmas Eve collection will go to Christian Services –
Small Children’s Closet at Pilgrim UCC. They partner 2008 Christmas Services
with social workers at Ingham Regional Medical
(Pennsylvania Campus) and Sparrow Hospitals who give
Wednesday, December 24, Christmas Eve
needy moms a voucher for the items. The Small Chil-
dren’s Closet provides a LOVE Layette that contains all 4 p.m. Family/Children’s Service
new clothing and items to bring their babies home from 10:30 p.m. Special Music
the hospital. Christian Services follows up with a call to 11 p.m. Choral Eucharist
see if they need an appointment for other clothing and
needs that can be met through the Christian Services Thursday , December 25 , Christmas Day
Church network. 10 a.m. Eucharist
In our celebration of Christ’s birth, let us remember those
in need with generous gifts of baby bottles, diapers,
formula, clothes, etc.

Cookies for Lessons and Carols


By Lyn Zynda, ECW President
ollowing the Festival of Lessons and Carols on December 21,
F St. Paul’s presents the annual Christmas Tea. The members of
the Episcopal Church Women’s Steering Committee polish the silver,
dust off the “good” china and glass punch cups, decorate the Merri-
field Room and arrange the cookies, breads and dessert bars in
anticipation of this time-honored event.
Perhaps newer members of the church wonder where all the delicious cookies come from. From you, dear
friends, from you. Traditionally, every female member of St. Paul’s is automatically a member of ECW and we
depended on the women to provide the sweets for this eagerly anticipated event. But, because this is the 21st
century and we are an inclusive bunch, we will gladly accept cookies and such from St. Paul’s folk of all gen-
ders. (Personally, I think we should rename the group ECP — Episcopal Church People.)
Now, I recognize this is a busy time. There are a myriad of reasons not to participate, but be honest, do you
really want to see this event fade away? There’s something really special about seeing the kids dressed up in
their Christmas finery with a cookie in each hand and chocolate on their faces.
Please contribute by bringing three dozen of your best cookies or dessert bars. Perhaps a coffee cake or sweet
bread better fits your baking skills. Whatever! What’s is important is that we all do our part. If you have ques-
tions or need further information, give me a call at 202-6992.

December 2008
Page 4
St. Paul's News
4 F’s Looking Back Helps Us to Director in Grand Ledge, we’ve invited the
Someko singers from Okemos, as our own Matt
Look Forward Nauss is a member of this talented Okemos
High School group.
By Nancy Sheldon • January 12 - Fr. Weller will give us a presen-
tation on the Roman Catholic Church and how
sually the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month
U (exceptions noted *due to Town Hall conflict):
it presently relates to the Episcopal Church by
comparing and contrasting the two faiths.
• 12 noon Eucharist • January 26 - We will visit the Cathedral of St.
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch ($4.00) Mary and have someone there guide us and
• 1 p.m. Bible Study (Steve Lange) talk to us about the cathedral and the Catholic
• 1:15-2 p.m. Program faith.
• February 9 - Steve Lange will give us a pres-
Anyone is invited who has time in the middle of the entation on the Wesley brothers and the rela-
day! Please sign up for lunch outside the Merrifield tionship of Methodism to Episcopalianism.
Room or call the Church office for a reservation. • February 23 - We will visit Central United
Methodist church next door and tour their fa-
• December 8 - We will continue our annual
cilities. We will also continue our conversation
tradition of a Christmas celebration with a with Joe Huston, their minister, about the Meth-
special luncheon before a concert in the church. odist church and their faith.
Since Nancy Lange is no longer the Choral

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ERD Bishops Blend Coffee ERD Gifts for Life Catalog


By Sue Millar
vailable for purchase almost every Sun-
A day. Over 20 percent of the cost sup-
ports the work of ERD, plus you are supporting A lovely new ERD Gifts for Life catalog is avail-
able in the cloister to help you honor your
a Fair Trade product that assures individual loved ones this holiday season when you provide a
coffee farmers a fair price for coffee that is donation to ERD’s live-saving work. Your gift could
shade-grown without pesticides or fertilizers, be in the form of a mosquito net that prevents the
protecting the environment. spread of deadly malaria. Or you could provide
animals that give food and a livelihood or support
a sanitation system for a village. This catalog gives
us another opportunity for a win-win transaction. Be
inventive, be generous and be glad.

Visit the Book Cart Twice in December


By Sue Millar
he Book Cart will be available for the first two Sundays in December in order to provide greater opportu-
T nities for your purchase of books, jewelry or T-shirts for folks on your Christmas list. You could also place
special orders for prayer books and/or bibles, and there is plenty of time to have a name embossed, which is a
nice personal touch. Of course, if you browse the table, there’s always the chance that you will find a book that
will appeal to your own interests. So do stop by.

December 2008
St. Paul's News Page 5

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Season
The Advent/Christmas celebrations will get into full
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music swing with special music at several of St. Paul’s ser-
vices. Advent Lessons and Carols will be held on Sun-
everal Choral Concerts will highlight St. Paul’s
S Christmas celebrations this year. First will be a
day, December 23, during the 10 a.m. service, re-
counting in seven lessons, the fall and redemption of
Christmas concert by the Men of Orpheus, an all-male humanity. All of St. Paul’s choirs, including the Handbell
singing group from Lansing. Directed by former parish- Choir, will join in this annual musical preparation for
ioner Gayle Pohl, the Men of Orpheus will present a the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
concert of lighter Christmas music. Their concert will be
Friday, December 12, at 7 p.m. Tickets will be avail- Three days later, St. Paul’s will celebrate again with
able at the door. two Christmas Eve services, which will also feature spe-
cial music. At the 4 p.m. Family Service, the Cherub
Second, the Lange Choral Ensemble will present its an- Choir and the Boys’ and Grace Choirs will sing an an-
nual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 14 at 7 them. The 11 p.m. Festival Eucharist service, featuring
p.m. Entitled “Christmas Music for Brass, Organ, and the singing of many carols, will be preceded by a half
Choir,” the concert will feature several Renaissance hour of Christmas music, presented by St. Paul’s musi-
two-choir numbers, “Christmas Cantata” by Daniel cians. The music will include pieces for soloists, choir,
Pinkham, several settings of well-known carols, and handbell choir, and brass quartet.
several movements of “Magnificat” by John Rutter.
Tickets for the concert are $8 for adults and $6 for
children and seniors.

Join “The Gathering” for an Advent Party


By Millie Ericson
elebrate the Holidays with friends, food and music featuring live jazz with
C Jeff Kressler and Associates. Join us on Friday, December 19, from 7 to 9
p.m. at the home of Larry and Kathy Gut, 5553 Wild Iris Lane, Haslett. Please
Note: This is a new date to accommodate Jeff’s schedule.
Jointly sponsored by the Parish Life Committee and Episcopal Relief and De-
velopment, the event is open to all adults in the Parish and their friends. Bring
either an appetizer or dessert and wine to share. You will have an opportunity
to celebrate the Spirit of the Season by making a donation to Episcopal Relief
and Development. Information about ERD will be available at the party. Sign
up on the sheet outside the Merrifield Room.

Yes, the ERD Used Book Sale Will Return


By Sue Millar
or those of you who are already setting aside books for this spring’s sale, that’s well and good. For the
F rest of you, this is a request and reminder to begin filling boxes or bags to help us re-circulate your good
books while raising money for ERD’s efforts to bring safe drinking water where it is now lacking. We will put
out collection boxes in January. And remember, no magazines, computer manuals or texts, please. CDs and
DVDs welcome. Thank you.

December 2008
Page 6
St. Paul's News
Vestry Elections
By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
ive new members will be elected to the Vestry at the January 25 Annual Meeting. One will be our youth
F member. This position, created in 2006, is for a one-year period and is filled by a young person nomi-
nated by a youth caucus, which will be held in early January, and then elected at the Annual Meeting. The out-
going Youth Representative is Stephen Karauki. Thank you, Stephen, for your time and efforts. The other four
positions have been admirably occupied by Sr. Warden, Charlie Krupka, and Vestry members Susan Hender-
son, Kelly Gmazel and John Nevin, who is completing an unexpired term. We thank them for their service as
well. These four positions will be filled at the Annual Meeting. To qualify you must be:
• A Baptized member
• At least 16 years of age
• Regular in attendance
• A contributor to the life of the congregation with time, talent and treasure
• Willing to attend a minimum of 10 Vestry meetings a year
• Willing to chair a Vestry committee
Willing to attend a Vestry retreat at the Weber Center on February 6-7, 2009
If you would be willing to serve or would like to nominate someone, please confirm that person’s willingness and
submit his or her name in writing through the parish office. As always, nominations from the floor of the Annual
Meeting will be accepted if the consent of the person nominated has been obtained.

e pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson, Richard,
W Audrie and Aaron Hegmon, Shelley Robinson, Mason Hill, Erik
Lindquist, Charles Weaver, Chance Collins, Barb Hacker, Darrick, Marjorie
Belles, Aleda, Dave, Kathryn Senko, Barb Powers, Patricia Reno, Skip and
Marsha Macholz, Carrie, Michael Skinner, Edward Such, Virginia Jessop,
Mason Beasley, Judy Jones, Mary McClelland, Ken Vogel, Berthella Hock-
ert, MaryLea Benson, Cambria McMillen, and Marguerite Upham.
We pray and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas:
Daniel Reno, David Granger, Bill Sheldon, and Michael Benson.
We pray for comfort: for the family and friends of Vivian Toomey, Richard Edwards, Mary Olds, and Clem-
ent Laurion, who passed away recently.
We pray for the recently baptized: Hannah Violet Hall, daughter of Matthew and Kimberly (Kym) Hall,
Thomas James Hilbert, son of Douglas and Shelly Hilbert, and Kate Brooks Waugh, daughter of John and
Elana Waugh.
We pray for those expecting: Sarah (Weller) and Joseph Evenden, Linda and Don Junger, Amanda and
Darrick Alvarez, Summer (Sleight) and Jake Stevens, and Brooke and Ian Broughton.

December 2008
Choirs News
St. Paul' Page 7

Choir Newsletter and Dates to Remember


By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

Special Dates to Note: 
Thursday, December 25 — There will be no Chancel Choir rehearsal 

Wednesday, December 31 and Thursday, January 1 — There are no rehearsals 

We will resume the normal singing schedule on Sunday, January 4 and Wednesday, January 7. 

Singing Schedule
Date Choirs

December 7 Boys’ and Grace; High School


December 14 High School; Chancel
December 21 All Choirs:
Lessons and Carols Cherubs, Boys’ and Grace, High School, Chancel
December 24
4 p.m. Family Eucharist Cherubs; Boys’ and Grace
11 p.m. Choral Eucharist High School; Chancel
December 28 Choirs will not be vesting

January 4 High School and Chancel


January 11 High School and Chancel
January 18 High School and Chancel
January 25 High School and Chancel

Annual Meeting
By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
he Annual Meeting will be held on January 25,
T 2009, immediately following the 10 a.m. service.
This will be a very important meeting as we will review
our activities in 2008, our hopes for 2009 and elect
Vestry members for three-year terms. Please make
every effort to attend. Child care will be provided.

December 2008
Page 8
St. Paul's News
Water for Life: Church World Service Collection Ends December 14
By the Rev. Deacon Bill Fineout

ll water bottle “piggy banks” are due, along with other donations, by Sunday, De-
A cember 14, when we end this year’s special Millennium Development Goals project.
For the last six months, we have handed out bottled water donated by Meijer, and we
have asked parishioners to fill the empty bottles with money.
Church World Service will use our collective donation to support places like Kenya. Mary
Obiero, coordinator for the Water for Life program in Kenya, said that only 61 percent
of the rural population has access to an improved drinking water source.
“It is the responsibility of women and girls in Kenya and Africa, in general, to fetch water. In the arid and semi
-arid areas of Kenya, where we work, they walk an average of between seven and 13 miles round-trip in
search of water. The first priority… is to increase the supply of potable water for households in water-stressed
communities, and to reduce the distance women and girls walk,” she said. “We are also providing water to
schools, because teachers also send the girls out to search for it, making them miss valuable class time.”
Closer proximity to potable water keeps women in the community and girls in schools, also providing access to
better sanitation facilities. If you haven’t taken a bottle of water yet, please do and enjoy it, fill the bottle with
money and return it on December 14.
Let’s “dig deep” for good water. Water for Life!

Mission and Outreach Activities:


Where is Christ calling you to help others?
November 15—December 15 May 21
• Sudan Education Project 2009 • Ascension Day - Deacon's Dinner

December 13 May
• Housing Assistance Fund – Fruit and Greens Pickup • Sudan Education Project for 2010

December/Advent Ongoing:
• Youth - Mitten Tree • Outreach Committee meeting, second Monday,
5:30 p.m.
December 14 • Manna Sundays for street ministry (busing/work
• MDG – Water for Life Ingathering/Wrap up boots)
• Water for Life
December 24 • Heifer International
• Gifts for the Christ Child • Prayer quilts
• Cars INC
April 1—December 13, 2009
Check the Newsletter articles and the Sunday Bulletin
• Episcopal Relief and Development or Heifer Interna-
Announcements for additional details and informa-
tional
tion.
April 12-26
• Food Drive—Food Bank

December 2008
St. Paul's News Page 9

Financial Information as of October 31, 2008


By Jeff Irwin
As of October 31, 2008, pledge revenue collected was $242,736, which is 81.4% of this year’s budget. This
puts us very close to meeting our pledge income for 2008. The operating loss was $125,381, including
$17,209 recorded in the month of October.
The designated and restricted funds recorded a slight gain of $519 in market value in October. For the first ten
months, the loss in investment value was $64,325. With contributions, the funds’ net income was $23,178. The
combined net income of operations and funds is a $102,203 loss.
Through November 13, 2008, it has been necessary to withdraw a total of $100,000 from the Perpetual Fund
in order to make payroll and pay outstanding bills. An additional $3,200 has been withdrawn from the Perpet-
ual Fund for special purposes authorized by the vestry.

Vestry Highlights
On Tuesday evening, November 17, your Vestry: ∼ Stewardship report of 100 pledges so far in
the amount of $230,132
• Enjoyed dinner together ∼ Reviewed Adult Christian Education programs
• Approved the October minutes to be presented in the spring
• Shared devotions on where we find God in life • Noted a new, less expensive, color copier for the
changing moments office
• Received a draft of the 2007 audit • Appointed Charlie Krupa, Susan Henderson,
• Continued discussion on the 2009 budget. This John Nevin and Kelly Gamazel (the out going
evening’s discussion centered on Diocesan Support Vestry members) as the nominating committee for
and Staff Compensation the 2009 Annual Meeting
• Received a report on the revamping of our web • Discussed the possible need for and opportunities
site available for fund raising in the 2009 period
• Discussed LAEP (Lansing Area Episcopal Projects) • Agreed to the need for a Shawver Fund long
representation range planning committee
• Reviewed Vestry calling with an eye to the calling • Noted that the deadline for reports to be in-
scheduled for early January, 2009 cluded in the Annual Report booklet is January 3,
• Received various committee reports and noted: 2009
∼ B&G Reported flat roof leaks • Received clergy reports

Healing Prayer in the Style of Taize


oin us on Friday, January 16, 2009 for a quiet evening of Healing Prayer in the Style of Taize at St.
J David's Episcopal Church, 16200 W. Twelve Mile Rd., in Southfield. The Taize starts at 7 p.m. in the
church sanctuary. The sanctuary will be open at 6:30 p.m. for anyone who would like quiet meditation. Dur-
ing the service, there will be clergy and prayer team members available for individual prayer and anoint-
ing. Anyone who would like to participate in the choir should arrive at 6 p.m. for rehearsal. Also at 6 p.m., in
the Parish Hall, there will be a short class on the healing aspects of Christ's ministry. Immediately following
the healing service, a prayer labyrinth will be available in the Parish Hall. This is an nondenominational ser-
vice and is open to everyone. For further information, call the church office at 248-557-5430.

December 2008
Page 10
St. Paul's News
The Gathering “Coffee House at St. Paul’s”
By Millie Ericson
n November 7, the Merrifield Room was turned into a 60s/70s style coffee house and about 45 people
O enjoyed the waft of freshly brewed coffee and the sounds of folk music from the “New St. Paul’s Minstrels,”
a.k.a. various talented members of the congregation, singing such classics as “Imagine,” “Puff the Magic
Dragon,” “Country Roads” and “This Land is Your Land.” Thank you to Max and Debby Pierce for so skillfully
transforming the Merrifield Room. Thanks to Larry Clark for all his hard work in organizing the music and sound
system. Thanks to all the singers for joyfully entertaining. Thanks to the members of the Parish Life Committee
for all their contributions. Watch for return of this fun event next year!

The New St. Paul’s Minstrels


Deborah McMartin-Finkel,
Carol Ingells and Larry Clark

ACTION Chooses the 2008-2009 Topic for Justice Ministry


By the Rev. Deacon Bill Fineout
n the October ACTION Problem Assembly meeting held at St. Paul’s, with representatives from all ACTION
I churches attending, a vote was taken to choose this year’s subject for research. The focus will be on
“centralized helping services and agencies for those in need,” so people will not have to travel from one end of
town to the other to get assistance. The ACTION research team (which you may join) will explore this to see if
changes can be made for the sick and needy who now have to travel to many places. Usually the people who
have the greatest need do not have their own transportation or have problems which don’t allow them easy
travel.
We hope you will join your St. Paul’s ACTION team again in May when we need all of you to attend the Nehe-
miah ACTION Assembly, on Tuesday, May 12. Please put this on your calendars now, and make it an Outreach
priority.

December 2008
St. Paul's News Page 11

Communications and Evangelism Committee: On the Move!


By Stephanie VanKoevering, Vestry Member
wo St. Paul’s committees joined forces in October. The Communications Committee officially merged with
T the parish Evangelism Committee to strengthen and support a program of streamlined, intensive public re-
lations activities. The new committee is now co-chaired by Roger Fowler and Stephanie Van Koevering.
The committee has already begun working on website refinements and a media plan for the parish’s 160th an-
niversary. These projects are expected to lead to renewed interest in the spiritual, cultural and mission-oriented
resources St. Paul’s has to offer.
In November, committee members helped support Invitation Sunday with press materials and outreach to local
reporters. Newcomers were also welcomed at an annual dinner gathering at the home of Larry and Kathy Gut.
In the weeks and months ahead, the committee will continue to accomplish its action plan objectives and seek
new ideas and members. Parishioners with an active interest in strengthening St. Paul’s connection with the com-
munity are encouraged to consider becoming part of this vital, active committee.
Please contact one of the committee chairs or speak with Fr. Weller if you are interested in becoming involved.

“One Church, Many Journeys” Parish-Wide Book Read


By Millie Ericson
oth Book Read titles, (Contempt of Court, the turn-of-the-century lynching that launched 100 years of Fed-
B eralism, by Mark Curriden and Leroy Phillips, Jr. for adults; and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S.
Lewis, 3rd book in the Chronicles of Narnia, continuing the story of Prince Caspian, for families) are now avail-
able from the St. Paul’s book cart at a discounted price.
Book groups will be formed to meet in January to discuss Contempt of Court. If you would like to host a discus-
sion group in your home or facilitate the group, please sign up on the sheet outside the Merrifield Room. Each
group will meet for one afternoon or evening a week for three consecutive weeks beginning the week of Janu-
ary 11.
An exciting family event, “Voyaging on the Dawn Treader,” will be held on Friday, January 30. Calling all
creative “St. Paulites.” If you have skills or interest in carpentry, set design, art/drawing, creating game ideas,
drama, costuming, school carnival development, Bible school/Sunday school planning (or just like to have fun),
your skills are needed on an Event Design Team for this family fun night. Contact Millie Ericson to become part
of this exciting team.
Notes about the books:
Contempt of Court is a real life legal/court room thriller every bit as compelling as anything written by John
Grisham. The book tells the story of a case that was (in the words of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall)
“perhaps the first instance in which the [Supreme] Court demonstrated that the Fourteenth Amendment and the
equal-protection clause have any substantive meaning to people of the African-American race.
Importantly for us, it is a story of Christians acting out their witness to seek justice, even in the face of great risk
to themselves, their families and their careers. It is the story of a simple man, whose epitaph reads: “God bless
you all, I am a [sic] innocent man. Farewell until we meet again in the sweet by and by.” It is a story of sacrifice
and redemption.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader continues the story of Prince Caspian as he sets out with familiar characters,
including Reepicheep, Edmund and Lucy, on a great sea voyage to the Lone Islands and beyond, in search of
the seven Lords.
December 2008
Page 12
St. Paul's News
(Continued from, “Tiny Tim and Charlie Brown” page 1)

any human situation and infuse the divine power of love and hope. As the seasons transition from Advent to
Christmas to Epiphany, we will hear more stories of personal heartbreak and sorrow. God does not cause these
tragedies that His glory might be revealed, but we should be reminded that they are opportunities for us to be
God’s agent of change in the world. May you be blessed in these marvelous seasons with the love and hope
that is God, and may we be given to share these wonderful gifts.

(Continued from, “No Security Without Giving,” page 1)

The two Sundays prior, the congregation heard testimonials regarding, “What St. Paul’s Means to Me,” from
Jean Shawver and Matt Ferguson. Both were inspiring, passionate and heartfelt, perfectly delivering the
message that St. Paul’s is a very special place and that by sharing our gifts, we can share both the glory of
Christ and the love of fellowship. Both presentations are posted on St. Paul’s webpage at
www.stpaulslansing.org.
At the Invitation Sunday services, a healthy number of pledge cards were returned, but we have a long way
to go to meet the needs of the parish and our work in the community. Pledge cards and copies of the testimo-
nials have also been mailed out to everyone who has not yet pledged.

You Might Be Episcopalian If…


. . .when you watch Star Wars and they say "May the force be with you", you automatically reply "And also
with you"
. . .if the only good reason to raise your hand during a hymn is to question the organist's re-harmonization
. . .if you might be an Episcopalian if words like: "vouchsafe", "oblation", "supplications", "succor", "bewail",
"wherefore", "dost" and "very" (in its archaic sense) are familiar to you even if you don't have a clue what they
mean
. . .if your groomsmen at your wedding whisper "with God's help" to you during your vows after you say "I will
. . .if you think that the Bible is a holy book because it quotes the Book of Common Prayer so well
. . .if you catch yourself genuflecting or bowing as you enter a row of seats in a theater
. . .if you know the best way to quiet a room: "The Lord be with you!"
. . .if your covered dish for the potluck dinner is escargot in puff-pastry shells
. . .if you know that a primate isn't just a monkey
. . .if you know that the nave is not a playing card
. . .if your friend said "I'm truly sorry. . ." and you replied, "and you humbly repent?"
. . .if you consider a sticker on your car to be an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace
. . .if you know that the Senior Warden and the Junior Warden are not positions in the local prison
. . .if you not only talk about God, but God is placed in the palm of your hand
And finally,
. . .if you reach a point when you're not sure about anything theologically but you still feel completely at home
at the altar rail and somehow know you're meeting God there, even though you can't begin to understand how.

***Ed. Note: Many thanks to Stephanie VanKoevering for sharing.

December 2008
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church


Lansing Michigan
218 W. Ottawa
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517-482-9454
Fax: 517-485-8621
Choir Room: 517-482-0369
Website: Stpaulslansing.org

The St. Paul’s News is a publication of St. Paul’s Episcopal


Church, Lansing Michigan.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Staff
The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller, Rector
The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate
Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
The Rev. Deacon William H. Fineout
Ms. Mary Rodeck, Assistant Minister of Music
Ms. Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager

St. Paul’s News Editorial Staff


Christine Caswell, Editor
Helen Hiscoe, Proofreader
Lyn Zynda, Acting Editor

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