May 2009

Volume 34, Issue 5

Being Proud of St. Paul’s
By The Very Reverend Dr. Gordon F. Weller

In this month of May, intermingled with the

we will look at many people in the pew and it
aspects of our past. is breathtaking, both in
Many will make us image and theological
proud. Certainly our significance.
building is one of those We are immensely
things in which we can proud of our music well as to the
take pride. I have often program as well. Every community. We have
said that my view from Sunday, we sing special huge parish
the pulpit on Sunday praises to God. We take involvement and all,
morning is the best to heart the old saying, children and adults
St. Paul’s News

there is. The Te Deum "He who sings prays alike, feel something
window, with its image twice." It has been that when the week is over.
ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, LANSING MI

of the people of God way for years, and we But for me, I take
standing around God's are well known for our pride in how we live
throne is special. On musical tradition. into our motto: "St.
certain Sundays, the Recently we have taken Paul's, where no one
sunlight streams special pride in the sits or stands alone."
through the glass and Vacation Bible School Several weeks ago, we
causes the people of the programs we offer to had a good example.
grass to be our own children, as (Continued on page 14)

If These Walls Could Talk...

By Martie Repaskey, Senior Warden

…we might hear such the 40 days of Lent. Marsh, the Rev. Ron
great accolades for With grateful hearts, Byrd, Carol Ingells,
those who treated the we recall each of those Sue LeDuc, and Chris
community of St. moments. Couch. We were
Paul’s to a grand vari- Lenten book reviews stimulated by each
ety of learning opportu- were presented each sharing and enticed to
nities and spiritual ex- Monday in the month sit down with each of
plorations all through of March by Dorothy their books.
(Continued on page 10)

Inside this issue:

Mark Your Calendar!
Upcoming Activities 2

A Stealth Program Comes In From the Cold 4

There will be a special parish-
wide meeting on Sunday,
Let the Celebrations Begin! 5
June 7, 2009. At this meeting,
Pastoral Care Through St. Aelred’s Guild 6
the Vestry will present its plans
Freshening Up a Familiar Word 10 for addressing the church’s
Transitions 11 operating deficit. Please plan
Parish Calendar 15 to participate!
St. Paul’s Activities At A Glance
Ongoing Activities This Month at St. Paul’s and Elsewhere
rd
• St. Aelred’s Guild, 3 Wednesday, 4:30 PM • Adult Confirmation Preparation, Saturday,
st nd
• Book Cart, 1 and 2 Sunday after 10 AM May 2, 9 & 16, 9 AM—noon
• B&PW, Tuesday, February 10, 6 PM • 4Fs meeting and annual picnic, May 18
rd
• ECW, 3 Monday, 7 PM • Ascension Day Eucharist, 7 PM
• Family Night Dinner, Wednesdays, 5 PM • Godspell, May 29 & 30, Central United
Methodist Church
• St. Paul’s Library, open every Sunday
st • Bishop visit to St. Paul’s, Saturday, May 30,
• Prayer Group, 1 Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 PM
rd 10:30 AM
• Men’s Breakfast, 3 Thursday, 7 AM
st • 160th Anniversary Celebration, May, 2009
• Mission/Outreach, 1 Monday, 5:30 PM
• Parish-Wide Meeting, June 7, 2009
• Mid-Week Eucharist, Tuesdays, 12:00 PM
• Sunday Eucharist & Picnic in the Park,
Sunday, June 14

Ascension Day Eucharist

By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
Graduation Sunday—June 7
This year, Graduation Sunday will be
Thursday, May 21, is Ascension Day. It is one of the June 7. If you have anyone in your
major Holy Days in the Church Year and commemorates
Christ's ascension into heaven. The event is marked 40
family who will be graduating from
days after his resurrection any level of education, be sure their
from the dead, which was name is given to the front office. We
on Easter Sunday. publish names in the bulletin, honor
Please consider attending High School grads with a breakfast,
the Eucharist to be held and encourage all graduates in their
that evening at 7 p.m. in
the Church. future.

Golf League
By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

Once again, St. Paul's will have a
Men's Golf League. We will play
on Thursdays, beginning at 3:30
p.m. Our first night of play will be
May 14. We play at Groesbeck Golf
Course in Lansing. Play lasts about
three hours, and it is a time of
fellowship and relaxation. All levels
of play are acceptable. If you are
interested in joining us, please
contact Father Weller or one of
last year's champs, Howard Cook
or Roger Fowler. (There is a
penalty for winning!)

Page 2 ST. PAUL’S NEWS

4Fs: Looking Back Helps Us to Look Forward
By Nancy Sheldon
12 p.m. Eucharist
12:30 p.m. Lunch (no cost)
1 p.m. Bible Study (Steve Lange)
1:15-to about 2 p.m. book share &
chat
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. If you need a ride,
please call Nancy Sheldon at 393-
9165 or Kathleen at the church of-
fice 482-9454
Confirmation Day
By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
On Saturday, May 30, 2009, at
10:30 a.m., our bishop, The Rt.
Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr., will be
in Lansing and at St. Paul's to
administer the rites of
Confirmation, Reception and
Reaffirmation. These ancient
Adult Confirmation
By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
To be confirmed into the
Episcopal Church, one must be
instructed as to what it means to be
part of the Episcopal Church.
Instruction for young people has
taken place in their Sunday morning
Church school class since January.
Instruction for Adults will be held
on three successive Saturdays: May
2, 9 and 16. These two-hour classes
will begin at 9:30 a.m.
VOLUME 34, ISSUE 5
An interesting year for 4 F’s is
coming to an end. Our continuing
study of the psalms with Steve
Lange and our recent look at the
religions of Catholicism and
Methodism and our visit to two of
our neighboring churches brought
pleasant surprises and new insights.
Our April 27 trip to see the work of
the City Rescue Mission was espe-
cially interesting. While there, they
talked to us about their ministry and
answered many questions.
On May 18, our last meeting and
annual picnic, will be at Nancy
services are the means by which
adults in the Church make
conscious decisions to indicate their
commitment to Jesus Christ, St.
Paul's and the Anglican way of life.
Confirmation and Reception are
rites that are only done once.
If you are interested in
being Confirmed or
Received, please contact
one of the clergy to sign
up for the classes.
Sheldon’s home. We are inviting
people to bring a salad or dessert
and a good book they’d like to
share. It’s always enjoyable to find
what others are reading as well as
have a chance to just chat with
friends and fellow members of St
Paul’s. We also hope to generate
ideas for next year’s 4 F’s series
that would be of interest to you.
Even if you have never attended a
4F’s gathering, we’d love to have
you. If you need directions to
Nancy’s house, please call 393-
9165.
Reaffirmation is a statement of
commitment that can be done as
often as a person feels the need. If
you are considering any of these
rites, contact the front office or one
of the clergy.
Page 3
A Stealth Program “Comes In From the Cold”
By Chuck Millar

A stealth program that has been
running at St. Paul’s for the past
six years came in from the cold
recently.
In 2001, several of my Sudanese
friends asked for help with paying
some of the cost they had
shouldered in order to send young
relatives still living in the Kakuma
Refugee camp in northeast Kenya
to boarding school. They were
sending a significant part of their
meager incomes from bagging
groceries at Meijer back to East
Africa in response to feelings of
loyalty and obligation toward
young family members they had
left behind.
I shared this request with
perhaps a dozen St. Paul’s friends
who had been engaged in helping
the “lost boys” manage their
transition from subsistence
refugee camp life to their new
homes in Lansing. The response
was positive. We raised $2,000
and sent four youngsters to school
for the full 2002 school year. The be able to ask for support from the
project has continued quietly each entire St. Paul’s membership for the
year since then. For the 2009 school 2010 school year and (2) adoption
year, we raised a by the parish places the
little over $6,000 program on a stable
and awarded 10 The institutional base, rather
grants to supporters of than a personal one.
supplement the
contributions of our the Sudanese
Fund raising for the
ministry are program would normally
local Sudanese
begin next fall to provide
friends. delighted that grants for the 2010 school
Unfortunately, we it has become
year beginning in January
were not able to
fund 11 additional a visible part in East Africa. Since a fall
of St. Paul’s solicitation would
applications.
compete with St. Paul’s
Last fall when the outreach. Every Member Canvas,
Parish met after fund raising for the
church to discuss St. Paul’s Sudanese Tuition Grant Program is
response to the Millennium occurring during May this year.
Development Goals, those present
The past supporters of the grant
consented to make the Sudanese
program are delighted that it has
Tuition Grant Program an official
become a visible part of St. Paul’s
parish outreach program addressing
outreach, and we are looking
the MDG educational goal. This
forward to telling you more about
move has had two consequences:
the program and the opportunity it
(1) instead of raising funds from a
gives to young relatives of our local
small group of supporters, we will
Sudanese “lost boy” community.

Godspell
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

Members of St. Paul’s High
School Choir will present
“Godspell,” a musical based on the
life of Jesus according to Matthew,
on Friday and Saturday, May 29
and 30, at 7:30 p.m. Choristers in
this production include Matthew
Nauss as Jesus, Steven Walker as
John the Baptist/David, and A. J.
Fletcher, Margaret Kariuki,
Emily Laub, Maggie McDaniel,
Baylie Sanchez, Melanie Walker,
Courtney Irwin, Anna Krupka,
Thomas Laub, and Antonio
Clarke.
Other members of the chorus
include Zoe Becket, Caitlyn
Narezo, Rebecca Rose, Mathieu
Wiesner and Ian Milne. The play
is directed by Nancy Lange and
choreographed by Maureen Nauss.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5
for seniors and children. Tickets are
available during the Coffee Hour,
by calling the office (482-9454) or
at the door. It’s a show for all ages,
so plan to come and bring a friend!
The production will be held at
Central United Methodist Church
(just east of St. Paul’s) in its
Fellowship Hall.

Page 4 ST. PAUL’S NEWS

Let the Celebrations Begin!
By Nancy Sheldon
The month of May, with our four
very special Sundays celebrating
the 160th birthday of St. Paul’s, is
finally upon us. The invitations
were mailed, not only to current
members, but to as many former
members as we could find. The
clergy and staff, the Vestry and the
160th committee are looking
forward to worshiping together with
all of you as we celebrate this very
special church and its congregation
which has served this community
for so many years.
• On Music and Worship Sunday
(May 3), we’ll be using the
1789 Prayer Book service, a
unique opportunity for all of us.
We’ll celebrate the role of
women in the Episcopal Church
with two of our former women
priests celebrating the mass, as
well as acolytes, crucifers and
readers. The choir will be
singing the Gospel Mass.
• On Children’s Sunday (May
10), which is also Mother’s
Day, the youth of the church
will conduct the entire service.
Father Ron and the children
have planned a wonderful
morning, ending with a
procession outside to bury a
time capsule for future
generations to open. That
Sunday, all of the choirs,
including the cherub choir, will
sing Psalm 46, a special piece
written for St. Paul’s by Doug
Austin.
• On Mission and Outreach
Sunday (May 17), we will
highlight all of St. Paul’s
mission work since its
inception, as well as its
innumerable outreach activities.
VOLUME 34, ISSUE 5
Lt. Governor John
Cherry will be with
us, as well as
representatives of
mission churches
established by St.
Paul’s and
congregations who
use or have used our
facilities for worship.
The music will be
interesting and
eclectic, our visitors
many. Our outreach
activities will be
woven into the theme
of worship and the
homily.
• Our Homecoming
Dinner Theatre
(Saturday, May 30)
will be a gala affair!
The committee chose
to have it in the
Merrifield Room so
that we could keep the
cost down and everyone could celebrate the heritage of our
participate. It will also make it church, ‘conceived in the hearts
easier to go next door to see of a few devout pioneers’, …let
the wonderful production of us also respect our past and
“Godspell” by our own choir reflect on it and the role it has
students. We are expecting played in who we are today and
former members to join us from who we will be tomorrow.”
out of town, so make your Past senior wardens will be
reservations early for this recognized and honored for
enjoyable occasion! “Godspell” their leadership; former priests
is also showing on Friday night will be here to help us celebrate
for those who choose to see just the mass and special music will
the performance. be written for this service. This
• Homecoming Sunday (May 31) is a unique opportunity for us to
will be an opportunity for our gather our family and friends
and come to St. Paul’s…our
extended St. Paul’s family to
home for 160 years!
come together to give thanks
and praise for all that God has
bestowed on our congregation
and our church. “As we
Page 5
Pastoral Care at St. Paul’s Through St. Aelred’s Guild
By Nancy Sheldon, Chair

St. Aelred’s Guild was formed
several years ago to bring spiritual
friendship to those members of our
congregation who are unable to be
with us on a regular basis on
Sundays. The guild supports these
people with visits, calls and cards to
let them know we are praying for
them and thinking about them. This
ministry has grown with a dedicated
group of parishioners who share
their love of Christ and this church
through visitations, cards and phone
calls.
One of the challenges for St.
Aelred’s is to know who may be in
need of a visit or a phone call. The
law in Michigan does not allow a
hospital or institution to give out
information as to whether someone
is a patient or resident in its facility.
Therefore, if a family member or
friend does not let us know that
someone is there and would
appreciate a visit from the clergy or
St. Aelred’s Guild, a patient may be
in a hospital or a nursing home and
eventually
leave
without ever
receiving a
visit from
St. Paul’s.
Therefore, it
is very
important
that you let
the church
office know whenever any family
member or friend, who is ill or
homebound, would appreciate a
visit or our prayers. If you aren’t
sure whether anyone has called, a
repeat phone call from someone
else is always welcome!
St. Aelred’s also helps the church
office to maintain the prayer list by
calling the parishioners who put the
names of those who are ill on the
prayer list every three months or so
to see how they are doing. This
gives us a chance
to know who may
need additional
calls or visits,
whether people
want to stay on the
list or whether
they feel they are
ready to come off
it because they are
doing better.
St. Aelred’s Prayer, written by
Aelred in 1109, states: “Pour thou
into our ears, we beseech thee, O
God, the Holy Spirit’s gift of love,
that we, clasping each the other’s
hand, may share the joy of
friendship, human and divine, and
with thy servant Aelred draw many
into thy community of love;
through Jesus Christ…Amen.”

Request for Help

By The Rev. Deacon William Fineout

We have a few of St. Paul’s
parishioners who, while not
homebound, are transportation
challenged. They need help to get to
and from church and church
functions. Once in a while, they
also need help to get to medical
appointments. Not only do they
require someone to provide
transportation (which could be
public), but they need help getting
into and out of their homes (which Please let
public transportation will not do; Deacon Bill
plus the public transportation will or Chuck
not run on their schedule). Millar
know if you
If any of you could join a list of
would be
on-call transportation providers, it
available
would be greatly appreciated. We
for this
have a couple individuals who are
wonderful
willing to drive others now, but
ministry.
when they have a conflict, we need
some substitute drivers and TLC.

Page 6 ST. PAUL’S NEWS

Choir Newsletter
By. Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

A big “Thank You!” goes to all of the Chancel Choir for their work in And thanks to Emily, Dave, Jeff,
you for your work in making the letting the and Peter for
Easter service such a celebration of music of the festive
life and joy. Congratulations to the Easter reflect atmosphere the
Cherubs and their director the love and brass quartet
Maureen Nauss for the wonderful excitement brought to the
job they did on their anthem. It was that is such a hymns and
a wonderful testimony to the power big part of other service
of children sharing their gifts to our music. The
bless others! Thanks, too, to celebration Lord is risen
members of Boys’ and Grace of Jesus’ indeed!
Choirs, the High School Choir, and resurrection.

Singing Schedule
May 3 High-School and Chancel Choirs May 17 High-School and Chancel Choirs
(Gospel Mass)
May 24 High-School and Chancel Choirs
May 10 Cherubs, Boys’ and Grace, High-
School, and Chancel Choirs (Psalm May 31 High-School and Chancel Choirs
46) June 7 High-School and chancel Choirs

Dates to Note
Wednesday, May 13 - Final rehearsal for Cherubs and Boys’ and Grace Choirs
Sunday, May 17 - Last Sunday for Boys’ and Grace Choirs to Vest, Choir Banquet after Church
Friday, May 29, “Godspell” at Central United Methodist
& Saturday, May 30 -
Sunday, June 7 - Last Sunday for all other choirs to vest

Godspell Rehearsals
May 2 - 10-11:30 a.m. (all); Final Week - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May
12-2 p.m. (main cast) 26, 27, 28 (all), 6-9 p.m.
May 9 - Same
May 17 - 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. (all); Performances: Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30 at
7:30 p.m.
12:30-1:30 p.m. (main cast)
May 16 - Same as Saturdays above

VOLUME 34, ISSUE 5 Page 7

ACTION
By The Rev. Deacon William Fineout
ACTION of Greater Lansing will
partner with the MSU Children’s
Health Initiative for its 2009 goal to
protect under insured and uninsured
youth, as the Children’s Health
Initiative develops its unified, user-
friendly “One Stop Shop” for
Children’s Subspecialty Health
Services.
An Existing Group (The MSU
Children’s Health Initiative) is
Outreach Calendar
May
May 10 – Sunday
May 12 – Tuesday
May 12 – Tuesday
May 18 – Monday
June 9 – Tuesday
August 11 – Tuesday
September
September 20 – Sunday
October 4 – Sunday
October 25 – Sunday
Ongoing:
Page 8
already working on the issue, and Please mark your calendar and plan
our combined forces can assure that to attend. Every person counts in
it will move forward with the full this ministry. Sign in for St. Paul’s
community in mind. ACTION is when you get there.
supporting a University/Community
Where and When:
partnership in an Ambulatory
Pediatric Subspecialty Center that is Nehemiah Action Assembly –
accessible, integrated, Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 7 p.m.
interdisciplinary, connected and Union Missionary Baptist Church -
fiscally sound. (500 S. Martin Luther King, Jr.
We need your help and presence! Blvd., Lansing)
Sudanese K-12 Education Project Month, raising tuition for 2010 school year
UTO Ingathering
Outreach meeting (dinner meeting & then on to ACTION, RSVP )
ACTION Nehemiah Assembly – 7 p.m.
LAEP (Lansing Area Episcopal Projects) meeting, 7 p.m., St. David’s
Outreach meeting
Outreach meeting
SILS Apartment Startup Collection
Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk – 1 p.m.
Blessing of the Animals – Heifer Celebration
Heifer International Ingathering Finish
Manna Sundays (first Sunday loose & dedicated offerings) for street ministry
(busing/work boots) & food
Prayer quilts
Cars INC
Habitat
ST. PAUL’S NEWS
Treasurer’s Report
By Julie Young
St. Paul’s received the bequest
from the Georgia Thaman Trust on
April 7 in the amount of
$136,763.13. The vestry has
determined that 90 percent of the
bequest will be placed into the St.
Paul’s Perpetual fund, and the
remaining 10 percent will be placed
into the Mission and Outreach
fund.
Vestry Highlights
At the April 21st meeting of your
Vestry:
• Had dinner together.
• Did devotions by discussing
Anselm of Canterbury and his
"ontological argument" for the
existence of God.
• Approved March 17th minutes.
• Received the treasurer's report,
a summary of which is found
elsewhere in this issue.
• Approved a motion from the
Finance Committee that moved our
endowments from Oppenheimer
Funds to Ameriprise Funds and
continues our relationship with Tim
Marshall as our agent.
• Approved a motion from the
Finance Committee to broaden our
range of investments and included
the Shawver funds as an option for
people who might wish to
contribute to St. Paul's.
• Reviewed charts and grafts that
the Finance Committee has
developed to indicate where we
have been spiritually and
financially prior to development of
a financial and spiritual package to
assist us in our eliminating our as
VOLUME 34, ISSUE 5
Through March 31, 2009, we
recorded $79,670.05 in pledge
revenue. This is 25 percent of the
total pledge revenue budgeted for
2009. There was a shortfall of
$20,609 for the month, making it
necessary to withdraw $10,000
from the St. Paul’s Perpetual fund.
dictated by action of our Annual
Meeting this past January.
• Acknowledged the deadlines
associated with the development of
that financial package as being:
June 7th - Parish wide meeting to
discuss our financial condition and
the recommendations of the
Finance Committee, May 31st - the
deadline set by the Annual Meeting
to have a plan in the hands of the
congregation, May 15th - St. Paul's
News deadline for the June issue.
• Received a report that the
Memorial Plaque scheduled for the
Memorial Garden can be ready by
"Homecoming Sunday (May 31st)
if we get Stamp Rite the
information by April 30th.
• Discussed the June 6th meeting
(workshop/training session) about
our use of the Action Plan.
• Discussed the implementation
of a more extensive use of email
addresses for communication.
• Reported to each other the
results of Vestry Calling. Some had
not completed their calling so the
final report will be given at the May
meeting.
• Discussed the report of the
160th Anniversary committee.
• Received a report that the audit
is done. The final product will be
distributed to Vestry Members and
it will be received and discussed at
the May meeting.
• Received Committee Reports -
of note: a discussion about pictures
posted on our web site and the work
of Building and Grounds to
prioritize our repair needs.
• Elected delegates and alternates
to the October Diocesan
Convention. Delegates are Martie
Repaskey, Stephanie
VanKoevering, and Sally
Lawrence. Alternates are Mary
Lea Benson, Matt Ferguson, and
Millie Ericson.
• Noted the Ministry Fair on May
2nd at Christ Church, Grosse
Pointe.
• Discussed the Vestry sponsored
Graduation breakfast scheduled for
June 7th.
• Discussed the Diocesan
Convention about the Budget.
Received Clergy reports and a
report from the Sr. Warden.
Page 9
Freshening Up a Familiar Word
By Sue Millar
Sometimes I wish I knew how to
freshen a word that has become
burdened with stale associations.
“Stewardship” is one of those
words. Hear it and my ears snap
shut, and I move on, assuming I
know without listening what is
going to be said.
Last month, at the Annual
Household of God Conference at
the Cathedral, Mark Anschutz said
something that overrode my usual
reflex: “Stewardship is the first
building stone to ending poverty.”
Hmmm, that’s true, I thought to
myself. If only we could somehow
untangle our real needs from our
endless wants and, in a remarkable
exercise of generosity, make this
...If These Walls Could Talk (continued from page one)
Indeed, those present enjoyed the
fellowship of lively discussion
which accompanied each presenta-
tion, and we felt thankful for the
creative energy represented by the
reviewers!
Our Wednesday evening Lenten
series provided us with opportuni-
ties to meet and hear from five local
Episcopal clergy: The Rev. Terry
Williamson of Christ United
Church in DeWitt, the Rev. Wayne
Knuckle of St. Augustine’s in Ma-
son, the Rev. Richard Hamlin of St.
Michael’s, the Rev. Jannel Glennie
of St. Katherine’s, and the Rev.
Sarah Midzalkowski, the chaplain
to Canterbury MSU. Each shared
their faith journey and stories re-
lated to their ministry. We were
blessed to have this opportunity to
learn more about the larger church
beyond our walls!
Page 10
excess available to the estimated
1.1 billion extremely poor mothers,
fathers and children whose needs
could be met if they only had access
to $1.08 each day. Yes, better
stewardship would address their
needs and would be a first building
stone to ending poverty. And it
would also be a building stone for
“simpler living”—that lifestyle shift
people are talking about these days.
Abagail Nelson, senior vice
president for programs for the
Episcopal Relief and Development
Fund (ERD), connected the notion
of better stewardship to the
Millennium Development Goals.
To make this connection happen,
Abagail suggested three steps
Our congregation came to-
gether—young and old alike—to
have fun and make music at
“Cabaret” on March 28. A delicious
spaghetti/lasagna dinner—a gift of
Debby and Max Pierce—preceded
the show, which featured all man-
ner of talent and hilarity, introduced
by our own Matthew Nauss. The
High School choir provided an en-
ticing preview of “Godspell,” and
even Father Weller got into the act
and treated us to a fine and inspir-
ing rendition of “I Hope You
Dance!” After all the fun of that
evening, our clergy and choristers
were robed and ready to lead us and
to sing in worship the next morning.
The Stations of the Cross, a multi-
media meditative experience, was
presented by Steve Lange on the
restored St. Paul’s organ, with
Nancy Lange reading the poetry of
appropriate to people of faith like
us: Engage in intercessory
PRAYER so that our inner life
engages with empathy toward
people whose needs lie beyond our
customary boundaries of awareness;
commit to ACTION by connecting
with agencies that serve as efficient
channels for moving resources to
those who exist in extreme poverty;
and GIVE from those resources
which become available when we
untangle our real needs from our
endless wants.
Episcopal Relief and
Development is one the foremost
and most efficient channels
available for moving our endless
wants to their real needs: PRAY,
Paul Claudel. The beauty of the
music and the words were accom-
panied by artistic representations of
each of the Stations. This helped us
make the somber transition into
Holy Week, in an unforgettable
way, and we are thankful for all the
hours of preparation and creativity
which provided our own meditation
experience.
Throughout the 40 days of Lent,
we were consistently led in mean-
ingful worship, upheld by thought-
ful sermons, and we had the oppor-
tunity to pray for St. Paul’s via a
collection of writings on prayer,
compiled by Steve Lange. As we
walked this journey towards Easter,
we were blessed by so many in this
worshiping community. Each ex-
pression of spirit and faith through
individual talent and skill was a
gift, and we are thankful!
ST. PAUL’S NEWS
Transitions
We pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson, Richard & Aaron Hegmon, Shelley Robinson,
Mason Hill, Lois Caswell, Erik Lindquist, Chance Collins, Barb Hacker, Marjorie Belles, Aleda, Dave,
Kathryn Senko, Barb Powers, Patricia Reno, Skip & Marsha Macholz, Carrie,
Michael & Gwen Skinner, Edward Such, Judy Jones, Melinda Naumer, Tom Foltz,
Cheryl Ann, Vivian Hawkins, Perce Guilder, Linda, Marilyn, Kaema Amachree,
Betty Lorenz, Bill, Allan, Mary Lindquist, Lisa, and Yvetta Constan & family.

We pray for the family and friends of those who have recently passed away: Russell
Huber, Ernie Hedburg, and Andy Zynda.

We pray and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas: Daniel Reno,
Michael Benson, and Steven Johnson.

We pray for all those whose jobs and livelihoods are in jeopardy.

We pray for those expecting: Amanda & Darrick Alvarez, Summer (Sleight) & Jake Stevens, Brooke & Ian
Broughton, Susie & Luke Shaefer, Tara & Norman Farhat, Jill & Clif Schneider, Rochelle & Stuart Cullum,

Did You Know?

By Jean Shawver

The Pett Window in our church is
very unique. You can find it at the
back of the church, near the proces-
sional aisle for the choirs and
clergy. It is dedicated to St. Francis
of Assisi and his love for nature. At
his feet is a flowing stream, as well
as flowers and other creatures of
nature, such as birds and butterflies.
The unique quality comes from the
presence of native Michigan ani-
mals, a fawn and a raccoon. It may
be the only window of this kind to
portray this scene.

Finding Holy Ground at Nightwatch 2009

By Barb Heany
It was a night filled with
inspiration, discoveries, new found
friendships and just plain good fun
for 8 of St. Paul’s youth at the 2009
Nightwatch held at St. Paul’s
Cathedral in Detroit on March 21
and 22. Inspired and fashioned after
New York City’s Nightwatch
program, held at St. John the Divine
since 1973, youth groups from all
over the diocese came together to
experience an amazing night
searching for and discovering their of the people and benediction and
Holy Ground with God. dismissal was awe-inspiring.
Nightwatch was truly a night to be
A tour of the cathedral, a
remembered. Just ask any of our
labyrinth walk and a lesson in hand
participating youth: Courtney
bell-ringing were just a few of the
Irwin, Margaret Kariuki, Erikah
many activities that the youth
Alvarez, Thomas Laub, Clare
engaged in.
Becket and Drew and Anna
A candle-lit midnight worship Krupka. They are all looking
service in which the youth forward to Nightwatch 2010!
creatively expressed themselves in
preparation of the readings, prayers

VOLUME 34, ISSUE 5 Page 11

It’s Not Too Late to Support Our Youth
By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.
Help our youth help others by
purchasing a St. Paul’s youth group
discount card. The fundraising
discount cards are being sold to
support the youth group’s 2009
mission trips to Stony Lake,
Michigan and Cairo, Illinois. Each
fundraiser card offers 15 incredible
Youth Group Plans BBQ
By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.
The youth group will gather at
Barb Heany’s house for a BBQ
potluck picnic on Sunday May 4 at
2 pm for their final regular meeting
of the year.
Father Ron (AKA “Father Baby
Byrd”) will cook his world class
barbeque ribs and chicken. We are
asking parents to bring a dish to
pass and to join the youth group for
an afternoon of food, fun and
Vacation Bible School: A Wild Ride!
By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.
The time is quickly approaching to
begin planning for
this year’s Vacation
Bible School
(VBS). This year’s
theme is
“Avalanche Ranch-
A Wild Ride
Through God’s
Word.”
Last year’s program was a
success in large part due to the
Page 12
freebies and/or discounts to local
area business. Each card sells for
$20.00. Cards can be purchased on
Sundays during coffee hour in the
Merrifield room or at anytime from
members of St. Paul’s Youth
Group.
fellowship.
Our agenda will be limited to our
upcoming mission trip to Cairo
Illinois and parents are encouraged
to bring their questions. So, parents
please come and celebrate with us!
Members and parents are asked to
RSVP to Barb Heany or Father
Byrd ASAP.
many parishioners who dedicated
their time, talent and
treasure towards the
needs of the program
and our children. The
success of this year’s
program will also
depend on the efforts of
our entire church
community.
This year’s VBS program will be
June 15 – June 19. If you are able
Upcoming Youth Group Activities:
May 4rd – Final Youth Group
Meeting and Potluck at Barb
Heany’s house.
May 10th – Youth Sunday
(Celebrating St. Paul’s 160 Years!)
May 15 & 16 – Work Weekend at
Stoney Lake
July 26-31 – Mission Trip to Cairo
to lend a helping hand the week
before, the week during or the week
after VBS, please be sure to
complete and return a volunteer
pledge form. Forms are located in
the sign-up racks just outside the
Merrifield room. We are always
looking for good ideas, so please
feel free to offer any suggestions
you might have to Fr. Ron on how
we can continue to improve our
VBS program. We hope to see you
on the ranch!
ST. PAUL’S NEWS
Easter Bunny Hops Into St. Paul’s
By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.
On Resurrection Sunday the
Easter Bunny visited with
some forty children at St.
Paul’s during the youth
group sponsored second an-
nual Easter Egg Hunt. Chil-
dren searched and collected
Will Swihart
VOLUME 34, ISSUE 5
treats while hoping to find
two very well hidden
chocolate candy crosses.
Aidyn Narezo and Will
Swihart were this years
winners and each received
an additional very special
The children of St. Paul’s
Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord Is Risen!
prize for sniffing out the
chocolate crosses. It was a
fun time for all and youth
group members seemed to
have as much fun as the
“little people!”
Page 13
...Being Proud of St. Paul’s (continued from page one)

It was a rainy Sunday morning, time for the congregation to offered a few pleasantries and
cold and dreary. The 8 a.m. service receive communion, the usher escorted him to the Merrifield room
was about a third of the way came forward and invited him to for coffee. Shortly thereafter, I saw
through when I was in the pulpit the railing. He got up and was first our guest in conversation with
delivering the sermon. Because of in line. As he approached, I could several others in attendance.
that great view, I could see the back tell he was even more unkempt Eventually, the Altar Guild and
door open. A stranger walked in. than I originally thought, one of their spouses headed for the Hill
He was wet and probably cold. the "street people." Room for their
Rather than sit in the rear of the What was
Church (obviously not an interesting was the
The words of my breakfast. We
gathered, said grace
Episcoalian), he started down the response of the sermon were and joined for the
center aisle. The closer he got, the congregation. falling on deaf meal. As I raised my
more detail I could make out. ears...the real head from grace, I
This happened to
noted that someone
He was an older man, and it had be a morning that drama was had gotten Howard
been a while since he had shaved, the Altar Guild was being played out
(he was eager to tell
and not because he was making a having its Corporate
facial statement. His clothes were Communion. Rather
right in front of us his name) a plate
us. and a healthy portion
wet and messy, and his shoes were than give him the
of food.
old. He was definitely not "one of wide berth that his
us." smell (which Howard hung
became evident when we all got around for the next service as well.
As he continued down the aisle,
into close proximity) might He didn't come to the Church for
more people
require, the Eucharist, perhaps because the
began to
women knelt coffee was hotter and more to his
notice. I could
down right liking. By the time the 10 a.m.
tell that the
next to him, service was over, he was gone.
words of my
one on each
sermon were The next morning I found him
side with the
falling on deaf sitting in the courtyard when I came
railing filling
ears because to the office. He just wanted to say
in as it would
the real drama thanks for the hospitality, the
on any other
was being warmth, the dryness, the coffee and
morning. He
played out food, but mostly for the welcome.
looked
right in front He said he didn't feel like an
around and
of us. He outsider.
noted how
eventually got
others He hasn't been back. Perhaps he is
to the front
received and on his way to the next town or city.
pew and sat
did likewise. Because we are a downtown parish,
down, and
After we get lots of visitors like Howard.
eventually the
receiving, he Sometimes—most of the time I
sermon was
returned to hope—we treat them with dignity.
over. As we
his pew. But that morning, with Howard,
began the
liturgy of the After the we had much of which to be proud.
Sacrament, he service, our We not only lived our motto, but
just sat, deacon, Bill lived our Christian calling as well.
probably sucking up some of the Fineout, gave the dismissal while Howard didn't sit or stand alone.
dryness and warmth. When it came standing right next to him. Bill

Page 14 ST. PAUL’S NEWS

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St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

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Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 482-9454
Fax: (517) 485-8621
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The St. Paul’s News

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, 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
Lyn Zynda, Acting Editor

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