Professional Documents
Culture Documents
year. In reality, there are probably at least two others days and sea-
sons that are theologically more important. There is Easter, the forty Inside this issue:
day celebration of the resurrection Jesus, and Pentecost, the Day and
The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller season when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. These celebra- Calendar 1
tions are important because they commemorate the highlights in Jesus’ life
that indicate and memorialize God’s continual love for all of Humanity. Choir Schedule 7
The fact that we feel an obligation to be present on these high holy days is the corresponding indi- Mission and
cation that we recognize God’s acts of loving mercy and wish to respond. Yet, over and above our Outreach
10
simple responses of attendance, how can we indicate and respond to the love God shows human-
ity? I think one very important way is to attend the Annual Meeting. We will elect new Vestry mem- Prayer List 6
bers and pass a budget, but these actions are not the most important things we do. As we gather
Upcoming
together at the annual meeting, we remember and memorialize the things God has done in our 2-5
Activities
lives in the preceding year; and we plan how we might best implement the faith that is in us in the
year to come. These important activities are best accomplished with a large portion of the mem-
bership present and active in the discussion.
(Continued on page 16)
Epiphany
By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
here are four important days in the Christian Liturgical year that are always cele-
T brated but seldom observed. A service is always planned and held (celebrated), but
Services the attendance is often so meager that it is obvious that most of the congregation is un-
aware of their importance: All Saints Day (always November 1), Ash Wednesday
Noon and 7 p.m. (always on a Wednesday in either February or March), Ascension Day (always on the
Thursday 40 days after Easter) and Epiphany (always January 6).
Epiphany is a celebration of the fact that the Magi found Jesus and were the first to proclaim him Lord. The
alternative name for Epiphany says it all: The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. In the Orthodox branches
of the Church, this day has more significance and is more of a time of celebration than Christmas. This year
Epiphany will be celebrated on a Sunday. We have some special things planned (see elsewhere in this issue), so
plan on being present.
January 2009
St. Paul's News Page 3
Noah’s Pudding
By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
n Sunday, January 11—the next date for baptisms—we will have Turkish Muslim visitors who will introduce
O us to an ancient custom called Noah's Pudding. Since Noah and the flood is a story common to all Abra-
hamic religions, this is a good opportunity for us to both host and be hosted by our Muslim sisters and brothers.
The group will bring a PowerPoint presentation and handouts to be shared, along with the pudding, at the cof-
fee hour. It will be a children’s story that we can all share.
Nimet Alpay, spokeswoman for the Great Lakes Society for Friendship and Culture, wrote:
The first month of the Islamic calendar, though it changes every year, starts at the end of December this year
and ends at the end of January. During this month, we make a special pudding from different beans, spices and
fruits, as we believe Prophet Noah and his believers had made this pudding to survive when they were rescued
from the big flood. They made and ate this pudding as a symbol of God's blessing on them.
This tradition has been carried on for centuries in Turkey. People make the pudding in very large pots and they
distribute it in their neighborhoods to show their love, care and friendship for their neighbors. As the Turkish
community here, we have been trying to keep the same tradition here every year. We make the pudding and
distribute it among our neighbors and neighborhood churches as a way to start new friendships, conversations
to understand one another, and to share this wonderful tradition with the people here in Lansing....We will bring
the pudding in individual serving bowls, covered and labeled with the ingredients so people will know what is in
it...Thank you again for your willingness and openness to introducing a different tradition in your church. I think it
will be a wonderful opportunity for people of different faiths and cultures to come together and learn from
each other. I am really excited about this."
I hope we, the members of the St. Paul’s community, will be excited also.
Thank You
inda and I would like to thank all the members St. Paul’s Annual
L of the parish for your cards, gifts and season’s
greetings. This is truly a wonderful community and
Martin Luther King, Jr.
we are pleased to be a part of it. Service
Gordon & Linda Weller Sunday, January 18
Worship and Praise Eucharist
10 a.m.
January 2009
Page 4
St. Paul's News
If You Feed Them, They will Come
By Lyn Zynda, ECW President
or the past few months in St. Paul’s News, and throughout this issue are numerous articles about the upcom-
F ing Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 25 after the 10 a.m. service. There is important work to be done,
Vestry members to be elected, Angel and Canterbury Awards to be presented, Millennium Development Goals
to be decided, and much important parish business to be discussed. Now I give you another great reason to
attend the Annual Meeting: FOOD.
For the past several years the members of the ECW Steering Committee have prepared a fantastic, extraordi-
nary, can’t-be-beat-for-the-price brunch for our fellow parishioners. We’ve done this for a couple of really
good reasons; to raise money for a worthy charity and because we’ve learned from experience that, “. . .if you
feed them, they will come.” You might feel as I do; I’ll sit through almost anything to enjoy a meal I didn’t have
to cook.
This year we are donating the money collected from the brunch ($5 per person or $15 per family) to the Food
Bank. In this economic climate the need is so great; and, unfortunately because of the economic climate, dona-
tions are not meeting the increased need. We are also asking that you bring a donation of canned non-
perishable food items for the Food Bank (and please watch the expiration date).
It is amazing the amount of good you will accomplish by attending the Annual Meeting. You will help decide
important business for your parish community, your donations will help feed hungry people in the community
where you live, and you won’t have to stand in line for 20-30 minutes waiting for a table for breakfast.
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 Kariuki. 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 ten 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.
January 2009
St. Paul's News Page 5
January 2009
Page 6
St. Paul's News
160 Years at St Paul’s…Where our members of St Paul’s (living or
dead) who have served in the
Past Welcomes our Future military during our 160-year
history, so we may honor them
By Nancy Sheldon next spring at our Homecoming
celebration. If someone in your
lose your eyes for a moment and try to imagine
C the innumerable blessings this church has be-
stowed upon those who have visited as well as the
family has served, or if you
know of someone who has,
please call Ruth Farmer at
members of our congregation since 1849. Just think of (517) 882-0404) or e-mail
it! Picture the thousands of people who have worshiped Buffy Mann at buffy-
at St. Paul’s and received comfort and solace, hope matt396@hotmail.com. In addition to the person’s
and renewal, forgiveness and healing, education and name, we’d like the branch of the military in which he
joy, not necessarily in this building, but in this commu- or she served, the years served and rank if you know.
nity of faith, during the past 160 years.
Also, if you have given a talk to the congregation for
Each Sunday, throughout the year, Jean Shawver will the Every Member Canvass or the Stewardship Drive
be placing a little known historical fact in the bulletin on “What St Paul’s Means to Me,” please dig in your
to give us a mini history lesson which we hope you will desk drawers or file cabinets to see if you still have
enjoy. She will also share a special story with us each your speech. If you do, please make a copy and send
month in the St. Paul’s News about an interesting piece it to Mandy Lawton at 1510 E. Oakland Ave., Lans-
of our history. Our committee has planned a variety of ing, MI 48906.
other activities with the main focus in May. Mark your
calendars now so you don’t miss these special Sundays: If you have a memory or story about St Paul’s as you
or your children were growing up (and we know that
• May 3 - Music and Worship there are many!) that you would be willing to share
• May 10 - Children (it’s also Mothers’ Day) with us, please call Mandy Lawton (482-4316).
• May 17 - Mission and Outreach Someone will then contact you to interview you or col-
• (May 24 - Memorial Day Weekend) lect something you’ve written to place in a memory
• May 31 - Homecoming Sunday book.
Help Wanted: We’re looking for current and former
e pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson, Richard
W and Aaron Hegmon, Shelley Robinson, Mason Hill, Erik Lindquist,
Chance Collins, Barb Hacker, Darrick, Marjorie Belles, Aleda, Dave, Kath-
ryn Senko, Barb Powers, Patricia Reno, Skip and Marsha Macholz, Carrie,
Michael Skinner, Edward Such, Judy Jones, Cambria McMillen, Ed Ben-
son, Marguerite Upham, Christine Farr, Bonta Hiscoe, and Nancy Rudd.
We pray for comfort: for the family and friends of Audrie Hegmon, who recently passed away.
We pray for those expecting: Sarah (Weller) and Joseph Evenden, Linda and Don Junger, Amanada and
Darrick Alvarez, Summer (Sleight) and Jake Stevens, Brooke and Ian Broughton, and Susie and Luke Shae-
fer.
We give thanks for: the birth of Lydia Jane Sleight to parents Jeff and Deborah Sleight.
January 2009
Choirs News
St. Paul' Page 7
A big thank you goes to all of you, parents and choristers alike, for all you did to make the Christmas
services so special, especially Lessons and Carols and the two Christmas Eve services. Without your
dedication and willingness to give of your time, talent, and (singing) resources, the services would
probably not have manifested as much joy and love as they did. A very heartfelt wish for a joyous and
blessed New Year!
Special Dates to Note:
There will be no Chancel Choir or Handbell Rehearsal on January 1. Rehearsals will resume as
normal on January 7 and January 8.
Ash Wednesday: February 25
Cabaret: March 21 ‐ All choristers are asked to save this date for our evening of good dining and
entertainment: Cherubs, Boys’ and Grace, and High School. Thanks.
Singing Schedule
Date Choirs
Saturday, January 3 and Saturday, February 21 ‐ all rehearse from 10 a.m. until
noon; the main cast from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Sunday, January 18, Sunday, January 25, Sunday, February 15, and Sunday, Febru‐
ary 22 ‐ all rehearse from after 10 a.m. service until 12:15 p.m.; the main cast from
12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
Performances will be Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30, at Central United
Rehearsals Methodist Church
January 2009
Page 8
St. Paul's News
Emily and Elizabeth
By Rick Laub
any Sundays, two young women seem magically to appear at
M the altar, or near the piano—usually bearing a trumpet, or a
clarinet or perhaps a handbell. Often, they can be seen unobtru-
sively at the piano turning pages. Who are these young women who
delight us with their musical talents? They are Emily and Elizabeth
Rodeck, daughters of our assistant music director Mary Rodeck and
her husband Dan.
Emily is in 10th grade at Grand Ledge High School and has been Emily and Elizabeth Rodeck
playing trumpet since 3rd grade and piano since she was three. In
addition to her performances with the Grand Ledge Wind Symphony, she can often be spotted in the orchestra
pit for the musicals.
Elizabeth is in 8th grade and has been playing clarinet since 5th grade. Since she doesn’t want to march with
her clarinet, she is learning trumpet to play in marching band next year. She is also a pit musician, recently
playing the penny whistle and recorder in “The Secret Garden.”
Both Emily and Elizabeth were selected to be in the All State middle school bands and both are in the ad-
vanced pointe and lyrical ballet group at Riding Star Dance Studio. You can see Emily’s dancing in the GLHS
production of “Footloose.”
When they are not at St. Paul’s blessing us with the fruits of their talents and hard work, they attend Trinity
Episcopal Church in Grand Ledge. A blessing indeed!
U sually the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month (exceptions noted *due to Town Hall conflict):
• 12 noon Eucharist, 12:30 p.m. Lunch ($4.00)
• 1 p.m. Bible Study (Steve Lange), 1:15-2 p.m. Program
Anyone is invited who has time in the middle of the day! Please sign up for lunch outside the Merrifield Room or
call the Church office for a reservation.
• January 12 - Fr. Weller will give us a presentation on the Roman Catholic Church and how it pres-
ently relates to the Episcopal Church by comparing and contrasting the two faiths.
• January 26 - We will visit the Cathedral of St. Mary and have someone there guide us and talk to
us about the cathedral and the Catholic faith.
• February 9 - Steve Lange will give us a presentation on the Wesley brothers and the relationship of
Methodism to Episcopalianism.
• February 23 - We will visit Central United Methodist church next door and tour their facilities. We
will also continue our conversation with Joe Huston, their minister, about the Methodist church and
their faith.
We will have Book Reviews during Lent and the schedule will be 11:30 a.m. Eucharist, 12 noon -1 p.m. Lunch.
• March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 - Book Reviews
• April 13 - NO meeting since this is the day after Easter
• April 27 – We will take a trip to see the work of the City Rescue Mission. While there, someone will
talk to us about their ministry.
• May 18* - Picnic at Nancy Sheldon’s
January 2009
Page 10
St. Paul's News
Outreach
By The Rev. Deacon Bill Fineout
ur 2008 Millennium Development Goal project, “Water for Life,” has been completed!
O The Water for Life collection finished in December. We are in the process of counting donations as this
newsletter goes to press. We will report how “deep we dug” for water as soon as we can. We are thankful to
Meijer for donating the water bottles.
We have been able to meet five of the eight MDG goals with this project:
• Achieving universal primary education for children; with access to closer water, girls can stay in school and in
the classroom, instead of traveling miles for water
• Promoting gender equality and empowering women; women and children no longer have to leave their vil-
lages for much of the day to carry water, sometimes as far as 13 miles
• Reducing child mortality; having ready access to clean water and sanitation
• Improving maternal health
• Combating disease
At the 2008 annual meeting, we agreed that we would attempt an MDG project to meet each of the eight
MDG goals; one project in each of eight years. This year, we will choose our second project. The Outreach
team will make a recommendation at that time.
January 2009
St. Paul's News Page 11
Vestry Highlights
At its December 16, 2008 meeting, your vestry: present a "Planned Giving" concept to the parish
at the Annual Meeting.
• Shared a meal in the glow of the Christmas tree • Discussed the status of the Memorial Plaque for
in the Merrifield Room. the Memorial Garden with the question, "Do we
• Considered Ember Day traditions as part of its continue?" Martie Repaskey will contact Stamp-
devotions. Rite.
• Approved the November 18, 2008 minutes. • Established a Shawver Fund Oversight Committee
• Accepted a bequest in the amount of $240,000. consisting of Rector Gordon Weller, Jr. Warden
Details will be disclosed at a later date. Martie Repaskey and Jean Shawver.
• Accepted the treasurer's report as presented. • Discussed the Web Site - Stephanie Van Koever-
• Passed a motion to write-off $3,713.86 from the ing needs a Vestry response to the proposal dis-
balance sheet as un-received Organ Restoration tributed last month.
monies. • Received various Committee reports which said, in
• Passed a similar motion to take $3,713.86 from part, the following:
the Music Fund to cover this shortfall. ∼ Some roof leaks still exist and the roofer will
• Passed a motion to make an additional $30,000 be contacted
available to the treasurer for the operating ac- ∼ Confirmed that Mark Curriden will be our Book
counts. Read/MLK celebration speaker.
• Reviewed an updated draft of the 2009 budget. ∼ Approved this year's Millennium Development
The final version will be distributed at the Janu- Goals project as raising money to purchase an
ary Vestry meeting. "Ark" through the Heifer Project.
• Accepted with great regret the resignation of ∼ The Personnel committee has met with all staff.
treasurer Jeff Irwin, effective following the An- • Discussed and planned the Vestry calling to take
nual Meeting of January 25, 2009. place in January.
• Received a Stewardship report. We are on tar- • Reviewed the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct policy
get for at least equal last year's totals. and the Vestry's compliance responsibility.
• Approved a report from the finance Committee to • Received Clergy reports.
January 2009
Page 12
St. Paul's News
Christmas Hymn 84
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
n Sunday, November 23, as part of the Intergenerational Pentecost/Advent/Christmas program, people
O gathered in the choir rehearsal room to write a hymn of their own for the Service of Lessons and Carols.
The following are the hymns that were created during this meeting. They were sung at the Service of Lessons
and Carols on December 21 to the tune of hymn 84.
Gifts came down at Christmas, Light arrived on Christmas
Gifts received and gifts we share - and drove the darkness away,
Gifts of hope and loving, No more despair nor doubt,
Lifting weights of hurt and care or light shone on Christmas day.
Sue Millar Joy appeared at Christmas,
All sorrows were banished then.
Life afresh, burst upon us. When joy came at Christmas,
Break our bonds that cramp and kill. The world shone brightly for them.
Life anew, surge through us.
Bring us joys that lift and thrill Zoe Beckett
Chuck Millar Peace was born on Christmas,
Banishing all war away.
Peace came down at Christmas; Peace will live through Christmas,
Peace so difficult to find. Peace, my friends, is here to stay.
Jesus' peace is what we crave,
Joy is here this Christmas;
Peace of heart and soul and mind.
the world will no more be sad.
And He will not fail us Joy springs forth from Christmas,
or forget or walk away. Rejoice my friends and be glad.
God's peace is for us all Paul Beckett
Thank You, on this Christmas day.
Hope came back at Christmas,
Carol Ingells
Doubt, it couldn’t bear to stay.
Joy at Christmas coming, Hope was born on Christmas,
joy so beautiful, joy divine. Banishing all fear away.
With this joy to brighten, Claire Beckett
all on earth will shine.
Truth at Christmas coming,
God’s truth, the truth of God’s Love
Hear the angels singing,
His Love gentle as a dove.
MaryLea Benson
January 2009
St. Paul's News Page 13
Celebrating II –
Becoming a whosoever church that can, by grace, grow everywhere
xpanding Hospitality and Discipleship,” or increasing the number of visitors and new members, is the
"E theme of this year’s joint day of workshops and worship with the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. Begun last year, “Celebrate
II – Becoming a whosoever church that can, by grace, grow everywhere” is a collaboration to pool the wisdom
and best practices of the two denominations.
Celebrate II will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Saturday, February 28, 2009, from 9 a.m.- 4
p.m. Registration is $15, and a box lunch may be ordered ahead of time for $10. Congregations are encour-
aged to bring a team to gather as much information and as many experiences as possible. Questions and reg-
istration information can be directed to Beth Rowley, browley@edomi.org or at (313) 833-4421.
The speakers, workshops and liturgy are all designed to help congregational teams consider what they can do
to make their church a “whosoever kind of place.” The morning will begin with two keynote speakers: the Rev.
Lottie Jones Hood, who renewed and repopulated the historic First Congregational Church of Detroit, and the
Rev. Stephen Bouman, the executive director of the ELCA’s Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission
office.
The mainline churches are concerned about church growth and the development of a spiritual depth that will
help newcomers decide to stay. Certainly Bishop John Schreiber, the late bishop of the Southeast Michigan
Synod, had this in mind when he coined the phrase that became the title. A “whosoever church” would welcome,
nurture, engage and employ all comers in the work of the kingdom.
January 2009
Page 14
News Ministry
St. Paul's Youth
First Communion Upcoming Youth Group Events
Sunday ♦ January – Sledding/ice skating or Laser Tag
n Epiphany Sunday, ♦ February – Red Cross training & Valentine’s Day babysit-
O January 11, Fr. Gordon
will be welcoming children
ting for families
to their first communion. On ♦ March – Lock-in, bowling and feeding the homeless
Saturday, January 10, from
10 a.m. to noon, a two-hour ♦ April – Host Easter Egg hunt for young children
workshop will be conducted to prepare children for this ♦ May – Overnight mission trip (within Michigan)
very special day. If you are interested in having your
child receive his or her first communion on January 11, Please note: In January, the youth group will not
please contact Fr. Ron. meet on its regularly scheduled first Sunday of the
month. The first meeting for the group in the new
year will be on Sunday, January 11.
January 2009
St. Paul'sSt.
Youth
Paul'Ministry
s News Page 15
January 2009
Page 16
St. Paul's News
(Continued from, “Important Days” page 1)
I invite you all to be present on January 25, following the 10 a.m. service. A meal will be served and child care
for all ages will be offered. Our attendance in past years has been good and averaged perhaps 115 people.
But, this number represents only about 14% of the listed congregation. If our average Christmas or Easter at-
tendance is over 500, it only represents 22 %. I would like to see better representation at the annual meeting,
so I ask you to make every effort to be there. This meeting is a huge part of our corporate and spiritual life
together.
Morning News. His presentation is made possible by The Shawver Fund. Join us for the Family Night dinner
(reservations required), and stay for the presentation.
Contempt of Court is a real-life legal/courtroom 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. The…case
served as a foundation for many cases to come…a moment of courage by the Court.” The Dallas Morning
News says of the book that it should be “required reading for anyone who wants to understand how the Con-
stitution protects individual citizens.” The New York Times Book Review suggests that it “brings into focus a grim,
critical time in American history.”
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 sacri-
fice and redemption.
Sign-up sheets are available outside the Merrifield Room.
ness, intellectual consideration and a smile. And, when done in the sanctuary of our home at St. Paul’s, we know
it will be welcomed. Our visitors and guests would not be here if they didn’t want to share some aspect of our
faith with us.
(Here’s what the Evangelism Linebacker has to say about that, by the way: “Let me talk to you about fear!
Fourth and one, Jerry Rice, what you gonna do? That don’t compare to fourth and one in eternity!”)
So while we may not knock anyone over physically or verbally with our ideas, I think it’s worth letting them
show. Whether we are in church or outside of it, we can all benefit from the sharing.
It’s fourth and one, and eternity awaits.
Attendees will have the opportunity for a short Q & A session following their dialogue about what it might
take to become a “whosoever kind of church.” Two rounds of workshops will follow on topics like fast growing
congregations, engaging men in the life of the church, making worship a welcoming place for families, adult
spiritual formation, what are they doing? and many more. (A complete listing of workshops will be on the
www.edomi.org Website by February 1.) The day will close with a Lent-appropriate Eucharist that models
liturgical hospitality.
January 2009
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
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