St.

Paul's Episcopal Church

Lansing Michigan

St. Paul's News

From a Different Perspective March, 2009
By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
t’s the 15th, Sunday evening at 5 p.m., and it is St. Paul’s News dead-
I line day. This month it’s different because rather than being at home,
I’m in South Carolina to have a first peek at my grandson. When it
Volume 34, Issue 3

came time for Church this morning, we decided to go to the non-

denominational church Sarah and Joe go to. They met at a church like Inside this issue:
this while still in college and have continued to go one like it after com-
The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller ing to South Carolina. I have to say that their service is not your typical Calendar 15
Episcopal service.
Choir Schedule 7
The first thing you notice upon entering is that it is somewhat dark inside, and many have coffee in
their hands. Most are in jeans—including the ministerial staff. There is no altar, and the chancel is a Mission and
stage about 75 feet wide. The music is a seven-piece band; the choir, being members of the band Outreach
10
with microphones attached to their ears, are very loud. The chairs are in amphitheater setting,
padded, and people stroll in and out in a very informal manner. Prayer List 6

When the service starts, everyone stands and begins to follow the words printed on the three Upcoming
2-5
screens behind the band. They have a great sound system, and every participant alternates being Activities

(Continued on page 14)

Listening Is An Act of Love

By Martie Repaskey, Sr. Warden
ecently, I read the book, “Listening is an Act of Love,” a celebration of American life from the
R StoryCorps project. At the heart of StoryCorps is the recording and documentation of five
years of conversations between people who are important in each other’s lives—a daughter ask-
ing her mother about her childhood, a couple reminiscing on their 50th anniversary, a grandchild
asking about his grandfather’s history. The StoryCorps experience has been simply about helping
people to connect and talk about their lives, and it has had powerful and sometimes life-changing
effects on the almost 23,000 individuals who have participated. In partnership with National Public
Radio and the American Folk life Center at the Library of Congress, StoryCorps is an independent,
nonprofit initiative which assists its participants in celebrating one another’s lives through listening.
Many of those people have reported that the act of listening to stories may be as powerful as
those who are participating in the telling.
It occurred to me that we, at St. Paul’s, may experience similarities as we listen to one another tell-
ing our faith stories, relating anecdotes of our past, and reminiscing about our experiences of the
“old days” as we engage in the celebrations ahead for our 160th anniversary. We all have stories
to tell, and in the listening we will hear about courage, humor, faith-challenged trials and triumphs
of the pilgrims walking their way through the years. No matter our years of membership in this
Christian family, the experience can be enriching for all, with a reminder of our commonality in
Christ, and just how precious each day can be!

(Continued on page 14)

Page 2
St. Paul's News
Activities at a Glance
Ongoing Activities • Becoming the Household of Christ, March 27-28,
• St. Aelred’s Guild, third Wednesday, 4:30 PM Cathedral Church of St. Paul
• Book Cart, 1st and 2nd Sunday after 10 AM • Cabaret, Saturday, March 28, 5 PM
• B&PW, Tuesday, February 10, 6 PM Looking Ahead
• ECW, 3rd Monday, 7 PM
• “An Evening at the Theater,” Saturday, April 4,
• Family Night Dinner, Wednesdays, 5 PM Sally & Don Lawrence, BoarsHead Theater
• 4 Fs, replaced by Lenten Book reviews, see article• Baptism, Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, May 31
on page 5 • Special Diocesan Convention, April 18, 8 AM-2:30
• St. Paul’s Library, open every Sunday PM, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Detroit
• Prayer Group, 1st Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 PM • Blood Drive, Saturday, April 25, 8 AM—2 PM
• Men’s Breakfast, 3rd Thursday, 7 AM • ACTION, April 28, May 12, 2009 7 PM
• Mission/Outreach, first Monday, 5:30 PM • Adult Confirmation Preparation, Saturday, May 2,
• Mid-Week Eucharist, Tuesdays, noon 9 & 16, 9 AM—noon
This Month at St. Paul’s and Elsewhere • Godspell, May 29 & 30, Central United Methodist
• Lenten Book Reviews, March 2, 9, 16, and 30, Church
11:30 Eucharist, Noon– 1 PM Lunch • Bishop visit to St. Paul’s, Saturday, May 30, 10:30
• Lenten Series, Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18, 25 AM
and April 2, 6:15 PM • 160th Anniversary Celebration, May, 2009
• Baptism Preparation Classes, March 14, 21, 28, 9- • Sunday Eucharist & Picnic in the Park, Sunday, June
11:30 AM 14
• Healing Sunday, March 15

Healing Sunday Eucharist on This will be the first Sunday in some time since we have
offered this opportunity. So please mark your calen-
March 15 dars if you are interested. Others who may not want
prayers may return to their pews in the normal fashion.
By The Very Rev. Gordon F. Weller
Healing is one of the oldest ministries of the church and
he Sunday, March 15 services will offer a healing was a major ministry of Christ. We are all broken in
T Eucharist. This will be similar in format to the regu-
lar Tuesday noon healing Eucharist service that we now
some fashion in body, mind, or spirit. And our society
spends billions of dollars on amazing medical reme-
offer in the chapel. dies. Maybe it is also time to spend a few moments on
a spiritual one. Take this opportunity to invite the heal-
For those of you who would like healing prayers and/ ing presence of Jesus into your life.
or the laying on of hands, you may receive them imme-
diately after receiving communion when you file We will pray for your own needs or for the needs of
through the cloister. We will have one or two stations others for whom you may be concerned. The celebrant
provided for healing prayer. and the ushers will provide you with directions at that
service.

Special Diocesan Convention

By The Very Rev. Gordon F. Weller
n October 2008, the Diocesan Convention set aside April 18 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedral
I in Downtown Detroit to consider the monetary difficulties facing the Diocese. Our delegates attending will be
Charlie Krupka, Martie Repaskey, and MaryLea Benson. In addition, our clergy, Gordon Weller, Ron Byrd,
Chuck Millar, Bill Ericson and Bill Fineout have voice and vote. Should you wish to attend to see the Church in
action, please contact one of the above and a car pool will be established.

March 2009
 Page 3
St. Paul's News
Cabaret
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
abaret 2009 will be held on Saturday, March 28, with a delicious
C Italian dinner (including salad, roll, main course, dessert and drink)
beginning at 5 p.m. in the Merrifield Room. At 6 p.m. (or close to that),
the entertainment will begin in the church. The proceeds of this evening’s
events will benefit the high-school choir’s study/travel trip to England this August. Tickets for dinner and enter-
tainment are $13 for adults and $7 for children, or just $5 for the show alone. Tickets for dinner should be pur-
chased by Wednesday, March 25; tickets for just the show will be available on March 28. Please invite friends
and neighbors to attend this evening of great fun and entertainment. There will be special numbers by members
of the Cherubs and Boys’ and Grace Choirs, along with delightful acts by members of the High School and
Chancel Choir members. For more information, please contact Stephen Lange at 482-0369.

160 Years at St Stations of the Cross

Paul’s…Where our
Past Welcomes our
Future
By Nancy Sheldon
Don’t forget to mark your calen-
dars for St. Paul’s 160th Celebra-
tion!
• May 3rd - Music and Worship
• May 10th – Children (it’s also Mothers’ Day)
• May 17th - Mission and Outreach
• (May 24th –Memorial Day Weekend)
• May 30th – Heritage Dinner Theatre at St
Paul’s
• May 31st - Homecoming Sunday
n Monday, March 30, Minister of Music
O Stephen R. Lange will present “The Stations of
the Cross,” a collection of 14 improvisations on the
14 Stations of the Cross, written by organist Mar-
cel Dupre. The presentation will last about one hour
and will include slides of the Passion shown during
the organ pieces. Between each of the numbers,
Nancy Lange will read the poetry of Paul Claudel,
on which the improvisations are based. The pro-
gram is free of charge and will begin at 8 p.m.
Please feel free to invite neighbors and friends to
this presentation that will help to launch our special
holy week observations.

Lenten Series DeWitt, "The Episcopalian Lutheran Rela-

By The Very Rev. Gordon F. Weller March 11
his year's series is entitled “The Episcopal Clergy
T and Parishes of the Lansing Area.” On five succes- March 18
sive Wednesdays (March 4 - April 1), we will hear
from the clergy of the other parishes in the Lansing
area and the interests that hold us in common. Sessions
will begin at 6:15 pm and conclude at 7:30 p.m. Din- March 25
ner is available by signing the Family Night guest list
and a 5:30 p.m. arrival. Listed below are the speakers
April 1
and their extended topics:
March 4 The Rev. Terry Williamson - Christ United,
tionship"
The Rev. Wayne Knuckle - St Augustine's,
Mason, "The Small Episcopal Church"
The Rev. Richard Hamlin - St. Michael's,
Lansing, "The Connection between the Na-
tional Church and Individual Parishes"
The Rev. Jannel Glennie, St Katherine's,
Williamson, "Mysticism and the Church”
The Rev. Sarah Midzalkowski, Canterbury
MSU, "Campus Ministry - Local, Diocesan,
and National"

March 2009
Page 4
St. Paul's News
For Those Considering Baptism
By The Very Rev. Gordon F. Weller
hose considering Baptism in the spring or those who
T were baptized in November or January and missed
the corresponding instruction should plan on attending
the March classes. The three Saturday morning classes
will be held on March 14, 21, and 28, beginning at 9
a.m. and concluding at 11:30 a.m. Babysitting will be
provided if needed. Please contact the clergy if inter-
ested or if childcare is needed.
Newcomer Classes
By The Very Rev. Gordon F. Weller
hose who are new to the Parish should con-
T sider attending the Confirmation classes men-
tioned elsewhere in this issue. The dates are May
9, 16, and 23. They begin at 9:30 a.m. and last
about two and a half hours each. The Welcome of
new members will be held on May 31, the Day of
Pentecost.

Opportunities for Baptism

By The Very Rev. Gordon F. Weller
his spring there will be two opportunities for Baptism. The first will be on Saturday, April 11. This evening
T Baptism will commemorate a time when Lent was the preeminent time for people converting to Christianity.
After a period of study, those seeking Baptism would gather the evening before the first Easter morning Eucha-
rist, within the context of the Easter Vigil, and be baptized. Those observing the Vigil through the night would
receive their first communion on Easter morn to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
The Second occasion this spring will be May 31. This is the Day of Pentecost and communicates the coming of
the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church. Because baptism is a time when we celebrate the coming of the
Holy Spirit into a person's life, this is a time the Church designates as an appropriate time for baptism.
If you or some member of your family is considering baptism, please contact one of the Clergy.

B&PW From the Parish Life Committee

By Nancy Milne By Millie Ericson, Chair
t the February meeting of Business & Professional Upcoming Events
A Women, Ray Thibeault, Director of Loaves and
pril 4, 2009 - “An Evening at the Theater,”
Fishes Ministries, was our featured speaker. Loaves and
Fishes has been a non-profit shelter and service pro-
vider for the homeless for more than 25 years. Carol
A hors d’ouevres at the home of Don and Sally
Lawrence, followed by the BoarsHead Theater
Spangenberg, formerly with St. Paul’s, assisted in production of “Forbidden Broadway,” a sassy,
founding the Lansing area branch and former parishion- tongue-in-cheek musical that pokes fun at all of
ers Calvin Andersen and Bill Kahl were longtime vol- your Broadway favorites like Les Mis, Into the
unteers. Woods, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story
and so many more! More details and sign up avail-
We learned that on average 270 men, women and able soon.
children are helped every two hours by the organiza-
tion. Clients receive assistance from social workers for June 14, 2009 - “Sunday Eucharist and Picnic in
shelter and referrals to Lansing area services. the Park” at Hawk Island Park
Our next meeting is March 10, and begins with dinner
at 6 p.m. followed by our guest speak Fr. Weller.
Please call Debby Pierce for reservations
(517.485.5446) before Sunday March 8th.

March 2009
 Page 5
St. Paul's News
4 F’s, Looking Back Helps Us to Look Forward
By Nancy Sheldon

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 ($4.50)
• 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.
During Lent, 4Fs will be temporarily replaced with the Lenten Book Reviews. The schedule will be 11:30 a.m.
Eucharist, 12 noon -1 p.m. Lunch.
• March 2 - Grace - Dorothy Marsh
• March 9 - The Emerging Church – The Rev. Ron Byrd
• March 16 - The Poetry of Mary Oliver - Carol Ingells
• March 23 - The People of the Book - Sue LeDuc
• March 30 - God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible - Chris Couch
The schedule for the balance of the 2008-09 season is as follows:
• April 13 - No meeting, 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

Sunday, April 5, Palm/Passion Sunday Friday, April 10, Good Friday

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist Noon Ecumenical Service, CUMC
10 a.m. Choral Eucharist & Dramatic reading 7 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy
of the Gospel
Saturday, April 11, Holy Saturday
Monday, April 6 8 p.m. Baptisms and Vigil
7 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Sunday, April 12 – Easter Sunday
Tuesday, April 7 7 a.m. Sunrise service and first Eucharist of
Noon Holy Eucharist and healing service Easter
10 a.m. Choral Eucharist with Brass
Wednesday, April 8
7 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Thursday, April 9, Maundy Thursday
6 p.m. Agape meal, Garden Meditation, Foot
Washing and Stripping of the Altar

March 2009
Page 6
St. Paul's News
Advancing in Another Direction of the parish, and a committee to discuss a comprehen-
sive plan for eliminating the church’s operating deficit
A Look Back at the 2009 Vestry Retreat is already being established.
In addition, the vestry viewed a proposed website de-
By Stephanie Van Koevering, Vestry Member veloped by Matt Ferguson and discussed the Evangel-
eneral Douglas MacArthur once said, “We are not ism Committee’s plans for developing a structured
G retreating; we are advancing in another direc-
tion.” This type of advancement was precisely what
mentoring program for new members.
Vestry members also took time to share their personal
members of the 2009 vestry had in mind when they journeys in spiritual growth with one another, shared in
convened at the Weber Center in Adrian, February 6- prayer and Eucharist, and discussed their common
7, for their annual retreat. hopes for the future of St. Paul’s. The vestry will meet
This year’s team-building and planning sessions in- again on February 17, refreshed and invigorated by
cluded a look back at 2008 and a discussion of up- its time together and prepared to help lead the church
coming opportunities and challenges. Members of the during the coming year.
vestry are attuned to the financial and structural needs

Preparation for Confirmation, Reception and

Reaffirmation
By Rev. Ronald C. Byrd
n Saturday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m., the Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr.,
O Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan, will be at St. Paul’s. We will be this
year’s host for the Bishop’s annual official visit to the Capitol Area Deanery. In
addition to presiding over the Eucharist and preaching, the Bishop will confirm,
receive and reaffirm members of our diocesan household into Christ’s holy catho- In the course of their
lic and apostolic Church. It is our hope, and certainly the Bishop’s expectation, Christian development,
that St. Paul’s, as well as all Capitol Area Deanery Episcopal churches, will pre- those baptized at an early
pare and present qualified candidates for the apostolic laying on of hands. Un- age are expected, when they
der the guidance of their parents, young adults 15.5 years and older who have are ready and have been
not been confirmed in the Episcopal Church, are encouraged to discern confirma- duly prepared, to make a
tion at this time. mature public affirmation
of their faith and
To prepare our young people for confirmation, Fr. Weller, along with a distin- commitment to the
guished cast of instructors including Fr. Byrd, Deacon Bill Fineout, regular senior
responsibilities of their
high instructor Lyn Kressler and interested parent Rick Laub, will lead a nine-
Baptism and to receive the
session preparation program. These will be held on Sunday mornings beginning
February 8, in place of the normal High School Church School Classes. The pro- laying on of hands by the
gram curriculum will cover a variety of topics including Anglican theology, church bishop. (BCP Pg. 412)
history, the Catechism (An Outline of the Episcopal Faith) and the Episcopal
Church’s policy, practices, governance, and much more.
Adult classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. - noon on May 2, 9 and 16, in a compressed for-
mat. These three adult statements of faith are essential for all Christians. Confirmation is the opportunity for
adults to confirm the vows of Christianity that may have been made for them when they were infants. Reception
is essential for Christians who may have been confirmed in another branch of the Christian faith and now wish to
commit to the Episcopal Church. Reaffirmation is an opportunity for an adult to make a recommitment to Jesus
Christ after having been Confirmed or received at an earlier time.
For more details and information, please speak with a member of clergy.

March 2009
 Choirs News
St. Paul' Page 7

Choir Newsletter and Dates to Remember

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

Special Dates to Note: 
Cabaret ‐ Remember that Cabaret will be Saturday, March 28 with dinner at 5 p.m. and entertain‐
ment at 6 p.m. All members of the choirs, Cherubs, Boys’ and Grace, and High School will be per‐
forming as groups, in addition to soloists. Please save this date! Thanks  

Singing Schedule
Date Choirs

March 1 High School; Boys’ and Grace

March 8 High School; Chancel
March 15 High School; Chancel
March 22 High School; Chancel
March 29 High School; Chancel

April 5, Palm Sunday High School, and Chancel

April 12, Easter,10 a.m. only High School; Chancel
April 19 High School; Chancel
April 26 High School; Chancel

Supper Groups
By Sally Lawrence, Vestry Member
t. Paul's is a large congregation, and we need to have many ways to provide for a sense of community in
S small intimate gatherings. In the past, five or six supper clubs, hosted throughout the area, provided just this
kind of opportunity. It has been brought to the attention of the Parish Life Committee that there is some interest
in reviving these groups. Each group would decide how to be organized. It could be potlucks, organized around
a meat or main entree theme, or the group could go out for dinner and support the local restaurants. Whatever
the format, it would be a good opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners a little better, have some
good food and fun. If you are interested, contact Sally Lawrence at 323-7211,or sign up outside the Merri-
field room, and the Parish Life Committee will help you set these up.

March 2009
Page 8
Mission
St. Paul'and
s News
Outreach
St. Paul’s MDG Project for 2009
By the Rev. Bill Fineout, Deacon
eifer International will be our 2009 Millennium
H Development Goals project.
Beginning next month and culminating with the Feast of
Francis of Assisi and a “blessing of the animals” on Oc-
tober 4, 2009, we will attempt to fill an “ark” of ani-
mals for Heifer International.
In 1944, Heifer International sent Faith, Hope, Charity
and 15 other heifers by ship to struggling families in
Puerto Rico. That voyage marked the start of a new
life for those families and for others like them around
the world. Today, Heifer provides more than 30 dif-
ferent animals, from ducks and camels to llamas and
geese. Other animals become part of Heifer’s ark as
project participants make important environmental im-
provements on their land. Some Heifer projects form a
buffer zone around endangered nature reserves.
As it was for Noah, so it is for today; the ark is about takes the form of war, environmental destruction and
hope and a new beginning. For Heifer project families, massive poverty and hunger—all problems created by
farm animals can provide:
• Nutritious food for the children through milk,
Mission and Outreach Activities:
Where is Christ calling you to help others?
March 1—October 4, 2009
• Episcopal Relief and Development or Heifer
International
March 22
• Cooking dinner for Canterbury/MSU
April 12-26
• Food Drive—Food Bank
April 25
• Blood Drive
April 28
• ACTION Rally, 7 p.m.
May
• Sudanese Education Project Month, raising
tuition for 2010 school year.
May 10
• UTO Ingathering
March 2009
•
eggs and meat
Income for housing, health care, school fees,
and other needs
• Motivation to plant trees and grasses and make
other environmental improvements
• A catalyst for community development
The ark is also about multiplication. God told Noah,
“Bring with you every living thing—birds and animals
and every creeping thing—so that they may abound
on the earth and be fruitful and multiply.” (Gen. 8:17).
Today Heifer animals are spreading over the earth as
each participating family passes on the gift of one or
more of their animal’s offspring to another family in
need. This miracle of birth creates a chain of giving
that continues for years.
The most urgent question facing our world is whether
we can act quickly enough to save the earth and its
inhabitants. Noah faced a similar question thousands
of years ago. In biblical times, the actions of people
brought on God’s flood. Today, we are the ones who
threaten to destroy God’s creation. Today’s flood
greed and injustice.
(Continued on page 11)
May 12
• ACTION Nehemiah Assembly, 7 p.m.
May 21
• Ascension Day - Deacon's Dinner
Ongoing:
• Outreach Committee meeting, second Monday,
5:30 p.m.
• Manna Sundays for street ministry (busing/work
boots)
• Heifer International
• Prayer quilts
• Cars INC
• Habitat
Check the Newsletter articles and the Sunday Bulle-
tin Announcements for additional details and infor-
mation.
 Page 9
St. Paul's News
Financial Information as of January 31, 2009
By Jeff Irwin
At the annual meeting on January 25, 2009, the congregation accepted the operating budget for 2009 show-
ing an operating loss of $120,973. While this is again a very large number, it is slightly lower than the 2008
budget deficit. In addition, the designated and restricted funds are not part of the operating budget.
At the time of the annual meeting, it was believed that no significant unrestricted gifts would be forthcoming in
2009. However, we have been blessed by a bequest of over $130,000 from the Georgia Thaman Trust. The
funds from this bequest are unrestricted as to the purpose for which they are to be used.
With January being the first month of the church’s fiscal year, it is difficult to report any meaningful financial
results. However, it is noteworthy that through January 31, 2009, we recorded $31,459 in pledge revenue. This
is 10 percent of the total pledge revenue budgeted for 2009. This amount includes $12,260 of 2009 pledge
payments received in 2008.

Vestry Highlights
At its February 17 meeting, your vestry:
• Shared dinner together
• Did devotions with the Rev. Deacon Bill Fineout
• Approved the January minutes
• Accepted the January treasurers report (synopsis
elsewhere in this issue)
• Noted that the Audit will be completed by the
end of the month
• Received notification that the Thaman bequest
will be forthcoming
• Assigned the Deficit Reduction Study to the fi-
nance committee
• Voted to continue to completion the Garden Me-
morial plaques
• Voted to make this year's youth representative
position on the Vestry a rotating position
• Agreed to have the new Web page in place by
March 1
• Reminded all Vestry Members that the Sexual
Misconduct Policy must be read and the signa-
ture page turned in by the next Vestry Meeting
• Reviewed the Action Plan and discussed its im-
plementation this year
• Noted Kathleen's recovery
• Welcomed Julie Young as our new treasurer
• Made new Committee Assignment
• Building and Grounds noted
∼ The new ice maker in the kitchen
∼ Continuing Roofing problems
∼ Church Sound System requested upgrades
• Approved a budget line item for the 160th cele-
bration
• Discussed and moved to committee the goals for
2009 as discussed at the Vestry Retreat

Vestry Assignments ∼ Pastoral Care - Martie Repaskey

Following are the committee assignments for Vestry
members:
∼ Building and Grounds - Stephanie VanKoevering
∼ Communications - Matt Ferguson
∼ Christian Ed, Adult - Larry Clark
∼ Christian Ed. - Youth - Barb Heaney
∼ Evangelism - Sally Lawrence
∼ Finance - Kirk Lindquist
∼ Parish Life - Millie Ericson
∼ Personnel - Kristi Thompson
∼ Service/Mission & Outreach - MaryLea Benson
∼ Stewardship - John Nevin
∼ Worship & Music - Roger Fowler
New Vestry Officers for 2009
∼ Senior Warden - Martie Repaskey
∼ Junior Warden - Stephanie VanKoevering
∼ Treasurer - Julie Young
∼ Secretary - Pam Irwin

March 2009
Page 10
St. Paul's News
Narnia Comes to St. Paul’s
By Millie Ericson, Vestry Member
n Friday, January 30, the Merrifield Room was transformed into the Land of Narnia as about 50 people,
O children and adults alike, went for a “Voyage on the Dawn Treader.”A carnival atmosphere prevailed and
the events in the book came alive as children took a turn at the ship’s wheel on the deck of the “Dawn Treader.”
With passport in hand, they then traveled to the Lone Islands to play “Capture Lucy, Edmund and Reepicheep
the Mouse” in a ring toss game; Golden Island to fish for gold and meet the Golden Knight; and Dufflepod Is-
land to hop Dufflepod-like along a path on one foot. At Dragon Island, they freed Eustace from his dragon skin
by breaking the Dragon Piñata. On the Island of Aslan’s table, everyone feasted from a great banquet and
three sleeping Lords snoozed. Characters from the book wandering the route included Edmund, (Tom Laub),
Lucy, (Kaitlyn Narezo), Reepicheep, (Anna Krupka), Eustace, (Drew Krupka), Lord Bern, (Antonio Clarke), the
Lady, (Emily Laub), Ramandu, (Kirk Lindquist), the Golden Knight, (Parker VanVorhees), a Narnian resident,
(Margaret Kariuki), the three sleeping Lords, (Fr. Gordon, Fr. Ron, Fr. Bill Ericson) and Aslan, (Deacon Bill).
Pictures from the evening are posted on the St. Paul’s Group site on Facebook (go to facebook.com, sign up—
it’s free—then search in “groups” for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Lansing, MI). If you are intrigued by the de-
scriptions of characters and islands, check out the book and all of the Chronicles of Narnia.
Thank you once again to everyone who helped make this evening a success.

The three sleeping Lords, from left, Fr. Gordon Weller, Fr. Ron
Byrd and Fr. Bill Ericson

Kaitlyn Narezo as Lucy sails the Dawn Treader

Voyagers on the Dawn Treader prepare to free Eustace from his
dragon skin at the Dragon Piñata

March 2009
 Page 11
St. Paul's News
2009 Annual Meeting
By Christine Caswell, Assistant Editor
he Congregation gathered on January 25 to elect new vestry members, give out awards and discuss the
T issues of the church.
The newly elected vestry members were Barbara Heany, Sally Lawrence, Matt Ferguson and John Nevin. The
outgoing vestry members who were recognized included Sr. Warden Charlie Krupka, Sue Henderson, Kelly
Gmazel, and John Nevin (who had finished an open position before being reelected).
Lyn Zynda gave a very moving speech about this year’s posthumous Angel Award recipient, Vivien Toomey,
who Lyn said “through hard work, dedication and selflessness has made an outstanding contribution to the
church….She really is an angel now.”
Fr. Weller gave out two Canterbury awards to two long-time and very active members of the church: Pete Shel-
don and Jeff Irwin. Pete has provided his lawyering skills over the years as the church’s counsel and on numer-
ous committees. Jeff has provided his CPA skills as treasurer for the past five years.
Two new members, Jim Bay and Paul Beckett, were also recognized as being in attendance.
After the election, Pete Sheldon explained the formation of the St. Paul’s Society for those who make monetary
contributions to the church either through annual pledges or by gifts made either during one’s lifetime or after
death through planned giving. Much discussion was then held about the budget deficit and ways to combat it.
After deciding the vestry would form a committee to bring a proposal to the congregation on how to best ad-
dress this, the meeting was adjourned.

Parishioners enjoy brunch before the Annual Meeting The ECW Steering Committee, Brittany Irwin, Leigh Henrys,
Annette Irwin, Libby Richardson, Lyn Zynda, Sally Lawrence,
Nancy Milne, and Debby Pierce, prepared and served brunch before
the Annual Meeting.

(Continued from “MDG Project,” page 8)

God told Noah to build an ark and to take every kind of animal into it. To save the earth for our children and
future generations, we too must build an ark of refuge. As Noah drew upon faith and hope, so we must draw
upon faith and hope to build a future with no hunger and a healthy environment.
We would like to fill our St. Paul’s ark by purchasing for Heifer the equivalent of two pigs, two cows, two trios
of rabbits, two donkeys, two beehives, two sheep, two llamas, two flocks of geese, two goats, two oxen, two
flocks of chicks, two trios of ducks, two trios of guinea pigs, two water buffalo, and two camels.
We will be announcing our how we will do this in the coming month.

March 2009
Page 12
St. Paul's News
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan 

January 16, 2009

Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Please plan to join me on Friday night and Saturday, March 27 & 28, for the twelfth annual Becoming the
Household of God conference at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. The topic this year is “Millennium Develop-
ment Goals - Working and Praying to Alleviate Poverty.”
Ms. Abagail Nelson, Senior Vice President of Episcopal Relief and Development and The Rev. Dr. Mark An-
schutz, board member of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, will help us explore this important effort to
change the world of the poorest of the poor. Dr. Anschutz will focus on the theology underpinning the goals
while Ms. Nelson will explore practical responses to the Goals.
The annual Becoming the Household gathering is an important part of the on-going life and ministry of the dio-
cese - every year for different reasons but always centered around the idea that stewardship is what we are
and what we do after we say “I believe.”
It is my hope that every congregation will send at least three representatives to this 2009 Becoming the House-
hold of God conference. However, because I believe that you will not want anyone to miss the opportunity to
hear these gifted speakers, I encourage you to gather many more than three. Youth and young adult members
of your congregation are especially welcome to come.
The enclosed brochure has more details about the event and about the speakers. Please contact Nanette Lutz at
the Whitaker School of Theology for more brochures, sponsorship and registration information at (313) 833-
4423 or email household@edomi.org.
I look forward to spending Friday evening and Saturday, March 27 & 28, with you at the Cathedral Church of
St. Paul, Detroit.
Faithfully,

The Right Rev’d Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr.

Tenth Bishop of Michigan

Used Book Sale - First Day

By Sue Millar
he first day of the book sale, February 15, ended with many happy customers carrying home bags of ex-
T citing choices. These parishioners donated over $500 to Episcopal Relief and Development when they pur-
chased these books! (It always helps, of course when some folks pay more than the actual asking price – some-
times as much as $50.) THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED BOOKS AND ALL WHO BOUGHT THEM. In the next
SPN we’ll have the complete report from the sale that will include the total from the February 22 sale.

March 2009
 Page 13
St. Paul's News
Youth Group Sledding & Tobogganing Trip
By Courtney Irwin
n the first Sunday of January, the youth group went sledding at Burchfield
O Park in Eaton County. While sledding we held onto each other’s sleds and
went down as a group. We also raced on the toboggan trails. Drew Krupka
found a big box at the church before we left and tried sledding down on that.
Surprisingly, it didn’t fall apart, but it didn’t go very fast either. There were at
least ten kids who attended. A big thank you goes out to Mr. and Mrs. (Rick &
Carol) Laub for chaperoning, and especially to Mr. Laub for being our sled-
ding starter and for pushing us down the hill! Fr. Byrd, Kayla Byrd and Ramon
Byrd at Burchfield Park

Nightwatch: Detroit participants from All Saints Episcopal Church in East

By the Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.
AYA, Youth and Young Adult Ministries at the Dio-
Y cese of Michigan, is sponsoring Nightwatch: 2009,
March 21-22. Nightwatch is a diocesan wide event
designed to bring together junior high school age Epis-
copalians for a weekend of adventure, community,
worship and mystery. Buses will pick-up (and drop-off)
Lansing and take them to the Cathedral Church of St.
Paul’s for an overnight Christian experience, not soon
to be forgotten. We are planning to take a contin-
gency of St. Paul’s youth group members to Night-
watch. If your child is interested in participating in
Nightwatch: 2009, please contact Fr. Ron for more
details. Parents are invited to attend our upcoming
March youth group business meeting where details and
plans for Nightwatch will be finalized.

Youth Group Launch Major Youth Group Upcoming Activities:

Fundraiser March 1 Ronald McDonald House - Helping
By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr. Hands Service Project
March 21-22 Nightwatch – The Cathedral Church of
he youth group is selling fundraising discount
T cards to support their 2009 mission trip to
Stony Lake, Michigan and Cairo, Illinois. Each fund- April 5
St. Paul/Diocesan Center
Scheduled Meeting Cancelled – Palm
raiser card offers 15 incredible freebies and dis- Sunday
counts to local area business. Each card sells for
$20 and we are hoping every parishioner will pur- April 19 Monthly Meeting & Bowling Outing at
chase at least one card. Mission trip fundraiser MSU (Rescheduled)
discount cards also make for excellent birthday
and Mother’s Day gifts. Don’t delay, get your card May 15 - 17 Mini-Mission Trip to Stony Lake, Michi-
today and help support our youth in their mission to gan
help support others. Cards maybe purchased on
Sundays during coffee hour in the Merrifield room June 15 – 19 Youth Group Volunteer for Vacation
or at anytime from members of St. Paul’s Youth Bible School
Group.
July 26 – 31 Mission Trip to Cairo, Illinois

March 2009
Page 14
St. Paul's News
(Continued from, “A Different Perspective” page 1)

on camera. Everyone but me seems to know the songs and joins right in. After several “Praise Music” selections,
it begins to wind down and the lead singer performs a selection from the Psalms that he has put to music. An
offering is taken, and someone else reads the scripture of the day while music gently provides background. Fi-
nally the room goes even darker; the pastor comes out, sits on a chair in the middle of the stage and begins.
The next 40 minutes are a mixture of PowerPoint presentations and Biblical exhortations designed to have peo-
ple accept the responsibility of being Christian. The preacher enumerates the many opportunities that are avail-
able within the congregation and reminds the people that there is nothing to fear; God’s already done most of
the work. We just need to join in. Finally, he asks any who feel so compelled to stand and take a personal oath
to a renewed effort to serve Christ and the world in new and chance-taking ways. I stood and joined in; at
least half the congregation did not.
The congregation joins in one more song, and it’s over. The lights come on and the crowd pours out. Coffee and
refreshments are right outside the door, and the coffee hour begins to take place. They are friendly and well
organized in inviting the various age groups to join something that might interest them. We had the new baby,
so we didn’t linger. We headed for home so the “kid” could nap, and we could have breakfast.
After breakfast I had to stop and think, “Was that worship?” and admit I wasn’t sure. There was little to no lit-
urgy as I/we might identify it. Certainly no Eucharist. The congregation knew the order and joined in on the
songs, but there were no “old chestnuts.” Sarah and Joe said it was very familiar; they were used to it and felt
comfortable. My immediate response was to think how much I missed home and the Episcopal Church.
As I continued to think about it through the early afternoon, I realized it did make an impact. I remembered the
lessons and the sermon. The songs, though not familiar, had catchy tunes, and I found myself humming several
later in the day. I had to admit the congregation was enthusiastically involved to the point of clapping hands
and almost dancing in the aisles. “Jesus” and “God” seemed to be words used in every other sentence. Most
importantly, they obviously cared for one another and had many good things happening in their congregation.
God appeared to be in their midst.
The bottom line to this is that by the time you read this, we will be several days into the season of Lent, the very
heart of our liturgical season. In many ways, we will repeat the traditions of a thousand years and seek in our
own way to rediscover the community we have celebrated for many years. I have no doubt we will be success-
ful. But, as the opening collect of Lent asks us to “read, learn, mark, and inwardly digest” all that Lent means, I
ask you to see if you can find at least one new experience to participate in this season. Bishop Gibbs is fond of
using the cliché, “If you always do things the same old way, you will always get the same old results.” I have to
admit I was moved by today’s experience. Perhaps something a bit different might move you, too.

(Continued from “Listening,” page 1)

Research on the subject of church growth tells us that one of the most important reasons people are involved in
churches today has to do with their friendships and their relationships. Roy Oswald, of the Alban Institute, says
that each new member should be able to identify at least seven friends in the church within the first six months.
The cementing of friendships in the church community is one of the key factors in identifying a healthy church.
With that in mind, let us all enjoy the conversations with one another that build relationships, foster friendships
and nurture the spirit!

March 2009
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