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St.

 Paul’s 
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
SEPTEMBER 2010 — VOLUME 35, ISSUE 6
news
For the tenth year in a row, we are
Commissioning scheduling a Commissioning Service on
the first Sunday after Labor Day, the be- Church Events
(Again!) ginning of the fall schedule. One might
ask “Do we have to do that again?” The September
answer is “Yes we do!”
By the Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
We are once again asking all members 7 PRAYER GROUP
of the acolytes, altar guild, choirs, lectors,
COMMISSIONING SERVICE,
Lay Eucharist Ministers, Lay Eucharist Visi- 12 CHURCH SCHOOL BEGINS
tors, Prayer Leaders, Church School teachers and students, Ushers, and all parishioners
in general to be present. The reason this continues to be such an important service is be- 14 B&PW
cause many are restarting their spiritual journeys. When we do, when we look to others
to lead us, inspire and transform us, we always need the blessing and companionship of 16 MEN’S BREAKFAST
God for the journey. 19 USHERS’ BREAKFAST,
MEMORY WALK, YOUTH
Sundays are special days. They are the times set apart for gathering together and GROUP PLANNING
praying that God will be in our midst. That we will receive by word, sacrament and
community the grace of God. By the nature of our very busy lives there will be times 20 4FS
when we will be unprepared and short of enthusiasm for the task. With Commissioning, 24 THREE-DIOCESE GATHERING
we hope and pray that it least one among us will hear the voice of God on that day.
Who will that be? 28 ST. ELIZABETH GUILD

We hope you will plan on being present at the 10 a.m. service on September 12 and
presenting yourself for the blessing of God.

Tribute to Steve Lange


By Jeff Kressler, Sr. Warden
Last May 16 was a very special day for the parish of St. Paul’s. On this day, during the 10 a.m. service, we paid trib-
ute to the music ministry of Dr. Steven Lange. Dr. Lange has contributed to our church in a great many ways during the
past four decades, and the time had come for us to say thanks. Highlights included:
 The Cherub & Grace Choirs sang “In His Hands” with special lyrics for Dr. Lange.
 Composer Doug Austin composed “Psalm 100” in honor of Steve’s 40th year. This was commissioned by the
choirs of St. Paul’s and performed that morning for the first time. Doug was the accompanist and choir member
Vicki Walker conducted.
 A wonderful sermon was given by Vicki Walker in tribute to Dr. Lange.
 Doug Austin also composed a hymn in Steve’s honor which was sung at the conclusion of the service.
(Continued on page 10)
4 F’s
By Nancy Sheldon
Please mark your calendars and join us for the 4 F’s Group in 2010-2011. This year, our meetings are the first and
third Mondays of each month (*exceptions noted). Anyone is invited who has time in the middle of the day!
12 noon Eucharist 12:30 p.m. Lunch ($4.00)
1 p.m. Bible Study (Steve Lange) 1:15-2 p.m. Program
 September 20 – Program on China by Susan Henderson and Chris Couch
 October 4 – Potter Park Tour behind the scenes
 October 18 – Maplewood Home for Women & Children (City Rescue Mission)
 November 1 – Programs by Altar Guild and on Kneelers
 November 15 – Overview of Lutheranism by Amanda Highben of University Lutheran Church
 December 6 – Someko Singers Christmas Celebration (with Melanie Walker and Emily Laub)
 *January 10 – Program on Australia, Fiji and New Zealand by Nancy Rudd
 *January 24 – Program on Autism, its causes and treatments
 February 7 – Visit to Ele’s Place (grief counseling for children)
 February 21 – Rites of Passage
 March 7 – Visit to Mt. Hope Assembly of God Church & Gideon Healing Center
 *March 9 (Ash Wednesday) to April 24 (Easter) – 5 Lenten Book Reviews
 May 2 – Visit the Buddhist Retreat Center (lunch & Eucharist at the Millars’)
 May 16 – Annual Picnic, book review, planning session at Nancy Sheldon’s

Men’s Breakfast St. Paul’s Hosts Prayer Group


Group Three-Diocese By Carol Ingells,
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Gathering Spiritual Director
Minister of Music By The Rev. Deacon The Prayer Group will resume its
meetings on Tuesday, September 7,
Inviting all men of the parish to join William Fineout from 5:30-6:30 p.m., in the Choir
us for our first meeting of the 2010 Room. Our focus this year will be
-2011 meeting year (yes, it might You will see a lot of activity at
The Psalms and prayer experiences
be a bit crowded, but we’d love to St. Paul’s on September 24
with them. This ancient “prayer
try our hand at that loaves and when three Episcopal Dioceses
book of the Bible” contains every
fishes thing—only it would proba- in the Lower Peninsula will host
sort of human feeling, frailty,
bly be eggs and sausage). The a mutual gathering with
beauty and hope. The verses of the
group meets at 7 a.m. on the third speaker The Rev. Dr. Katherine
Psalms were part of Jesus’ prayer
Thursday of every month with time Grieb. This is a chance for
life, ancient even then. “Where two
for eating (breakfast is $5.50 and clergy to gather and hear one
or three are gathered in my Name,
is supplied by A Catered Affaire) of our own.
there I will be in the midst of them,”
and fellowship (until 7:30 a.m.) and The Rev. Dr. Grieb teaches the- Jesus said. This is a powerful way
then a half hour of Bible study. This ology at Virginia Theological to connect with God and help our-
year we’re continuing our study of Seminary and is the author of selves, one another, our parish, the
the Gospel according to John. The Story of Romans, a Defense community, nation and world. The
We’re led by a wide variety of of God’s Righteousness. She is setting is peaceful and informal,
facilitators (both lay and clergy), currently working on a book of non-threatening and sometimes
and we invite you to join us in our the Hebrews. even fun! Steve Lange and Carol
search to find out how the scrip- Ingells co-lead these monthly gath-
tures relate to our everyday lives. erings and you are invited! For
If you have any questions, please questions, call Carol at 372-5714
check with George Gallup or Steve or Steve at 482-9454
Lange. We’d love to have you join
us!
Page 2
Please join the Memory Walk 2010
By The Rev. Deacon William Fineout
The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Lansing Memory Walk is scheduled for Sunday, September 19. Alzheimer’s is an
insidious disease that is affecting more and more of our friends and relatives. Deacon William Fineout will be walking on
behalf of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Please join him as a walking team member or please donate to our team total.
Deacon Bill will be walking in his tenth Memory Walk event. Locally, two years ago, St. Paul’s was represented by five
walkers, and last year we had two. Won’t you please join us?
Nationally, Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and re-
search. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $300 million for the cause. When you register for the Alz-
heimer's Association Memory Walk®, you're joining a nationwide community of thousands of people who are standing up
and participating in the fight against this devastating disease. All Memory Walk donations benefit the Alzheimer's Asso-
ciation, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The mission of the Alzheimer's
Association is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and
support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. We are on the MOVE
to end Alzheimer's. There were over 276,000 walkers who participated in 596 walks nationwide and raised $41 million,
a 7 percent increase over last year.
 Where: MSU Auditorium Field, Auditorium Road and Farm Lane, East Lansing
 When: Sunday, September 19. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the walk begins at 1 p.m.
 Length: 5K (3.1 miles) or 3K (1.8 miles). Actually you can make the walk as short as you physically need, because we
walk along the Red Cedar River on the beautiful MSU campus, and there are many bridges to shorten the walk to fit
your needs.
If you would like to donate, please make out a check to “Alzheimer’s Association,” and give it to Deacon Bill, or go to the
Memory Walk website and make a pledge on line. Go to http://www.alz.org/memorywalk/ and keep searching until
you find our team, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in the Lansing Memory Walk.

Fall Beginning
B&PW St. Paul's Ushers for St. Elizabeth
By Nancy Rudd, President By John Hawkins Guild
The September meeting of the Welcome back. I hope your sum- By Debby Pierce
B&PW Guild is Tuesday, Sep- mer was enjoyable. I want to
tember 14, 2010. We will meet thank everyone for helping out Our first meeting of the season
in the Hill Room for dinner, pro- during the summer when others will be on Tuesday, September
gram, and business meeting. It is were away on vacation. How- 28 at 12:30 p.m. This will be a
our annual recipe dinner, so ever, the start of the fall schedule planning meeting for the rest of
please bring a dish to pass is quickly approaching. the year. Please bring your
along with copies of the recipes. ideas to the meeting, which will
Our program will be Chris We will have our Annual Break-
be at the home of Pat Smith,
Couch presenting a book re- fast Meeting on Sept. 19 at 9
7427 Delta River Drive, Lansing
view on Wolf Hall by Hilary a.m. Please let your Head Usher
48906.
Mantel. Please call Debby know how many in your family
Pierce for a reservation. Dinner will be attending. Head Ushers If you need directions or a ride,
is $8. Join us for an enjoyable must let me know by Sept. 12, so I please let me know at 485-
evening of delicious food, enter- can tell A Catered Affaire the 5446.
tainment and great companion- number that will be attending.
ship. As we start our next year,
let’s all try to bring a guest and Thank you, and I look forward to
possible new member. seeing you there.

Page 3
Evangelism Update
By Sally Lawrence, Jr. Warden
By the time the SPN is in print, pictures of the current Vestry should be hanging in the north entrance of the church. We
are now working on staff pictures and hope to have them up soon. Catching up with people, camera in hand, wasn’t as
easy as I had hoped, so this project took a little longer than I wanted. Now that everything is in place, and only three
new ones to be added a year, things will go more smoothly. The Evangelism Committee has also been finishing up the
new ministry guide and will have that ready for the fall.
We have had many new faces at St. Paul’s this summer, and several of them have mentioned how warm and welcom-
ing they found us to be. Keep up the good work, and as always, look around every Sunday for that new face. Intro-
duce yourself, introduce them to others, and invite them to the Merrifield room for lemonade. The Evangelism Commit-
tee is a small one, and we need the help of everyone to make this the friendly church that brings people back. Thanks.

Thanks to Summer Helpers Help Needed


By Debby Pierce By Bobbi Tisdale, Vestry Member
We are thankful for Maggie McDaniel, Anna Krupka, Sunday School Teacher and Teacher Assistant Needed:
and Margaret Kariuki for working this summer as our Growing God's children is the greatest part of St.
Nursery Attendants. These fine girls did an awesome Paul's. And being a Sunday school teacher or teacher
job caring for our babies and toddlers. assistant is the best way to be part of this very impor-
tant ministry. We need two people to staff
A special thank you to Theresa Milne, Joyce Renfrew, the 2nd/3rd grade Sunday School classroom. If you're
Pat Riley, and Pat Smith for volunteering to cover the interested in this rewarding opportunity please contact
office during Kathleen's summer vacation. Thank you! Fr. Weller or Shelley Sanford.

New Youth Ministry Coordinator


By Bobbi Tisdale, Vestry Member
Shelley Sanford is St. Paul's new Youth Ministry Coordinator. Shelley was previously an associate teacher with a Clin-
ton County Intermediate School District child care program that lost its funding. As St. Paul's Youth Ministry Coordinator,
Shelley will assist Sunday school teachers with planning and schedules, work with the youth to co-plan and conduct
youth groups' activities and lead Vacation Bible School. Shelley has two grown sons and lives in St. John's. She and her
husband are foster parents to niece Ashley. Please introduce yourself and welcome Shelley to St. Paul's.

Welcome Back to Church School – We Missed YOU!


By Barb Heany
Church School will resume on September 12th with a Welcome Back to Church School Celebration Reception following
the 10:00 Service. Church School begins at 09:45 a.m. with the 1st Sunday of each month designated as Youth Sunday
when the youth will participate in the service (there is no church school on that day). We look forward to an exciting
year filled with fun, learning and outreach projects.
This year’s teachers are:
PreK – 1st Grade Carol Laub and Julie Fletcher 2nd - 3rd Grade Sheila Harper
4th - 5th Grade Marti Narezo and Amanda Alverez 6th – 8th Grade Barb Heany
9th – 12th Grade Hank Borden, Joan Bolander and Judi Brown-Clarke

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Financial Information as of July 31, 2010
By Julie Young, Treasurer

Pledge income in May was $23,943; in June, $21,229; and July, $13,239. This brings year-to date total pledge income
to $168,064, which is 51% of the annual budget amount. Operations for May had a net loss of $15,726; June, $9,766;
and July, $15,485. There was one transfer required from the investment account into the operating account during May
for $10,000. An additional $10,000 transfer was required in both June and July.
The investment accounts/funds had a net loss of $33,404 in May and $13,865 in June. There was a gain of $23,819 in
July.

Vestry Highlights
At the August 16 Vestry meeting, your Vestry:  Noted that the credit card approved for the office at
an earlier meeting was still undone
 Had dinner together  Received a report that Terminex had completed the
 Did devotions on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the work on the barrier to inhibit termites
topic of attitudes  Noted that the bathroom in the Lange portion of the
 Approved the agenda building had developed a leak and that it was re-
 Held up the approval of the June minutes until Sep- paired including the sheetrock
tember  Received various Committee reports
 Had discussion of the cost overrun on the new com-  Received various clergy reports
puter system  Noted the Father Sauerzopf will be returning in Sep-
 Approved a short term loan (three months) to Father tember - His recovery goes well
Weller for the purchase of a Condominium  Noted that a three-Diocese Clergy day will be held
 Received the treasurer’s report (found elsewhere in here September
this issue)  Accepted a motion adjourn at 8:50 pm
 Received a report on the progress of the new (2010)
pictorial Parish Directory

Go Green! Go Blue! Which fans can collect the most food?


By The Rev. Deacon William Fineout
St. Paul’s will once again hold the “Go Green, Go Blue” food drive competition for the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
This year’s battle will culminate on Sunday, October 10, the day after the University of Michigan vs. Michigan State
University football game. We will start this year’s competition to see whose fans can donate the most food during the
month of September. The Sheldons and Smiths will once again coordinate this fun and worthwhile event. The Food
Bank is a local organization which needs more help than ever before. We have made local agencies our focus for this
year’s Millennium Development project here at St. Paul’s, and this competition is a perfect fit for our outreach efforts.
Be ready for all our announcements in the Sunday bulletins in a couple weeks. And then join us to make Go Blue, Go
Green Food Drive a real winner!
Page 5
Jr. High Youth Group Formation of a Youth
Planning Meeting – Group for 4th and 5th
September 19th Grades
By Barb Heany By Barb Heany
Parents and Jr. High Youth are invited to a Youth
Planning Potluck Meeting on Sunday, September 19th St. Paul’s has never before had a youth group for our
in the Merrifield Room (following the Youth Christian younger youth at St. Paul’s and we are looking for a
Ed Meeting). The Junior High Youth Group which con- team to facilitate a fellowship group for our 4th and
sists of grades 6-8 typically gathers on the 1st Sun- 5th grade youth. Please contact Gordon Weller if
day of the month after the 10 a.m. service for fellow- you think you might like to explore and blaze a trail
ship and outreach opportunities. We look forward to for this much needed ministry.
an exciting year and hope you will join us. Contact
Barb Heany or Father Gordon if you need more de-
tails.

Crop Walk 2010


By Barb Heany

Come join St. Paul’s Youth Group on 10/10/10 as they walk 10K
to stomp out hunger in the 34th Annual Greater Lansing CROP
Walk. CROP, which stands for Communities Responding to Over-
come Poverty, raises money and awareness for hunger relief
around the world. A percentage of what is raised stays right here
in our own local community. Look for more details in upcoming
bulletins and at the sign-up table located in the Merrifield Room.

Quilts for Kids


By MaryLea Benson
Here it is, another church school year is beginning. Over the summer things have been forgotten or just pushed aside.
But not everyone was forgetting! Quilting strips and squares were cut and are now ready for assembly. Oh wait, we
need developing minds and curious hands to help! Beginning this fall, the children of St. Paul's will be coloring pictures
of animals on fabric squares to be assembled into quilts. These quilts will be for kids in need of extra prayers and
blessings. After the “Farm” quilts are assembled we will bless them and donate them to one of the many places kids go
which are sometimes scary. Places such as, the Ronald McDonald House, the McRee House, and Eve’s House.

Find Beautiful Women


To see pictures of beautiful women, go to http://beboldfeelbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/08/in-darkest-night.html

Page 6
Choir News
Choir Newsletter
I hope you’ve all had a great summer and are ready to get back together to do some singing, to share your talents
with the congregation in the worship of God and, of course, to see your friends and to catch up on your summer activi-
ties. Rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 8, for youth choirs: Cherubs (grades K-2) 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.;
Boys’ and Grace Choirs (grades 3-6) 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and High School Choir (grades 7-12) 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Chan-
cel Choir (for adults) will begin on September 9, with a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. and rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. Please
come join us and bring a friend! See you then!

Special Dates to Save:


September 12 - 11:30 a.m. - Choir Parents’ Meeting for all parents of Cherubs, Boys’ and Grace, and High School
Choirs
September 26 - 11:30 a.m. - England Chorister and Parents’ Meeting

Singing Schedule
Date Choirs Date Choirs

September 12 Chancel Choir; High School Choir


September 19 Chancel Choir; High School Choir
September 26 Chancel Choir; High School Choir
October 3 Boys’ and Grace; High School Choir

High School Choir (grades (6)7‐12) 6:30‐7:45 p.m. 
Calling All Choristers—Ages
We will vest choirs right after rehearsal, so choristers 
5 to 105 may not be finished until a little after 6:30 p.m. 
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music Thursday, September 9: 
If you enjoy singing and you would like to add an ex‐ Chancel Choir (Adults) 7:30‐9 p.m. 
tra dimension to your worship—and that of your fel‐
The Chancel Choir rehearsal will be preceded by a 
low worshipers—on Sunday mornings, if you seek 
fellowship based on shared work toward a common  potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. Plates, cups and plastic 
goal, or if you’ve just always wondered what it was  ware will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass 
like to sing in a choir, then come and join us this fall.  and come join in the fellowship before rehearsal 
begins. If you don’t have time to make a dish, 
Choirs will begin rehearsals the week after Labor Day.  please come and join us anyway!  
Rehearsal schedule is as follows: 
Thursday, September 16 
Wednesday, September 8: 
Handbell Choir will begin at 6:30 p.m.  
 Cherub Choir (grades K‐2) 5:30‐6:30 p.m.  If you haven’t sung with us before, please come and 
Boys’ and Grace Choirs (grades 3‐6) 5:30‐6:30 p.m.  join us. If you have any questions, please call Steve 
Lange at 482‐0369.  

Page 7
Mission and Outreach Activities Canterbury MSU Mulch Sale
By Julie Powers
Where is Christ calling you to help others?
We have Michigan mulch for sale! For only $4, you get
September your choice of natural (medium brown) or red mulch.
19 Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s Association Sales of 10 bags or more are delivered to your home/
office/parish at no additional charge. Proceeds go to
26 U/M v MSU Food Drive for Greater Lansing underwrite an annual mission trip for students. In 2010,
Food Bank begins students participated in an ongoing Hurricane Katrina
relief effort and in 2009, traveled to Jamaica to refur-
October bish and rebuild a school. To order mulch, call Julie
Crop Walk, Food Drive ends Powers at (517) 292-3078 or email jpow-
10
ers155@gmail.com. You can also stop by All Saints
17 Christian Services Hat and Mitten Tree begins Episcopal Church in East Lansing and pick up your own
mulch. Leave your check/cash in the ASEL office.
November
TBD ECW United Thank Offering
14-21 Thanksgiving Baskets

December Canterbury MSU Fall Feast -


Sudanese Education Fund October 1, 2010
By Julie Powers
24-25 Layette Gifts for the Christ child
Ongoing Save the date for the annual Canterbury MSU Fall
Feast and Silent Auction on Friday, October 1, 2010.
1st Sunday Manna Sunday, loose and dedicated offer- This elegant and fun evening includes gourmet cuisine,
ings for street ministry, busing and work boots; great entertainment and some really great silent auc-
Youth Noisy Offering for local charities tion items. To purchase your ticket, call Julie Powers at
Heifer Gift Cards (517) 292-3078 or see Father Gordon. Tickets are
$35. Let's fill at least TWO St. Paul's tables this year!
Prayer Quilts (P.S. Beverages provided include coffee, tea and wa-
ter. You're welcome to bring something else should you
CarsINC
desire. Appropriate glassware will be available.)
Habitat for Humanity

Prayers
MaryLea Benson, Chairperson
During the past two years the Prayer Quilt ministry has given many prayers through the gifts of quilts to those among
us who have been in need or sick. During the past year quilts have been given to persons suffering from cancer, having
surgery, and experiencing difficulty in their lives. We have also provided quilts for an unborn child, St. Paul’s members
longtime and new, and both of our priests.
This next year will be just as trying for the members of our parish and quilts full of prayers will be needed even more.
Currently the committee has five active members, but more are needed. You do not need to know how to sew to be an
active member of the committee. People are needed to purchase cards for the recipients, as well as people to select
quilt top materials, threads and backing material.
This year we are in need of scrapbooking help so that pictures of the recipients with their quilts can be recorded for
those who come after us.
Please think about joining us and lending a hand or two during this next year.

Page 8
Requests for Prayer
We pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson, Shelley Robinson, Mason Hill, Lois Caswell, Barb
Hacker, Marjorie Belles, Aleda, Dave, Kathryn Senko, Barb Powers, Patricia Reno, Skip & Marsha Macholz, Tom
Foltz, Vivian Hawkins, Linda, Bill, Jan Bigham, Max Sutton, John and Grace Hawkins, Joan, Karol Ryan, Phyllis
Quinn, Amanda, Laura Miller, Stephanie, Maureen Nauss, Stephanie Van Koevering, Noah, Norm Landon, Jared
Miller, Aviana Bridgeman, Pat Amundson, Sam Montie, Emilio Garcia, Richard Sauerzopf, Orville Wiggins, Lloyd
Law, Ray Benner, Andrea Ingraham, MaryLea Benson, Jacob Thomas, and Raymond White.
We pray and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas: Jeff Doorlag and Justin Murphy.
We pray for comfort for the family and friends of Roland Howes and Julia Kludy who recently passed away.
We pray for and celebrate the weddings of Steven Irwin and Kirsten Forseman, Jack Boman and Sandra Tor-
geson, and David Parks, Jr. and Deborah Henrie.
We pray for those expecting: Kym and Matt Hall and Sacha Mallory and Seth Burris.
We pray for and celebrate the birth of Andrew Jacob Stevens to parents Jacob and Summer Stevens and big sister
Annabella.
We pray for and celebrate the baptism of Meadow Marie Rawlins.
We pray for guidance and continual help in all our activities at St. Paul’s.

House in East Lansing and Loaves and Fishes in Lansing.


Housing Assistance Fund Winter is an especially challenging time for the homeless
Citrus and Greens Sale is persons in mid-Michigan and the shelters they rely on.
Your purchases can make a difference for someone.
Back! Beautiful and fragrant wreaths and bows is available in
By MaryLea Benson three sizes and roping is available by the foot. Navel or-
anges and pink grapefruit are available in 20 and 40
After a year off and a lot of people asking why it was pound boxes and tangelos in 20 pound boxes. Lush, high
gone, the Housing Assistance Fund’s Citrus and Greens sale quality poinsettias are available in three colors, red, pink
returns. The usual fare of oranges, grapefruit, tangelos, and white, and three sizes with pots holding one, two or
wreaths, roping, and poinsettias will be joined by some three plants. There will be other items as well.
new and yet to be determined items. You can order Octo- All of the items offered are perfect for your own enjoy-
ber 17 through November 14. Pickup is December 4-5 ment or for holiday gift giving. Each item bears a label to
during the Alternative Christmas Sale at All Saints Episco- share the story of the Housing Assistance Fund and its com-
pal Church in East Lansing. mitment to the two shelters.
For over 26 years the Housing Assistance Fund, an infor- Special are the gifts that help to make a difference in the
mal coalition of Lansing-area churches, has been dedi-
world. Help us make that difference.
cated to helping the homeless. Money raised in the annual
holiday sale is distributed to two local shelters, Haven

Program Board Openings


By Julie Powers
Do you like college students? Do you enjoy organizing events? Do you know how to cook for large numbers of people?
Do you have a few free hours each week to help out with administrative tasks like making deposits and writing thank
you notes? If you say "yes" to any of these things, you might enjoy serving on the Canterbury MSU Program Board.
We are looking for two representatives from St. Paul's to join the Board this year. If you're interested, please email
Rev. Sarah Midzalkowski at smgogator@hotmail.com or call her at (517) 648-3378.

Page 9
Reflections on Vacation Bible School 2010
By Sally Boron, VBS Volunteer

In the summer of 2003 I took my grandson to the first St. Paul’s VBS. I was an observer for several days until someone
asked if I wanted to help. I was hooked! (I am a retired elementary school counselor and love working with children.)
For the next five VBS events I brought both of my grandchildren and my two grandnieces. I also volunteered – after
all if I was going to drive them in from Clinton County, why not stay instead of making two trips for those five morn-
ings? I became the registrar, welcome committee, door security, attendance record keeper, and monitored delivery
and pick up of children, as well as floated to where I was needed. Over those years, we learned much and became
more efficient. Every VBS was a success for the children attending.
The grandchildren and nieces were “aging out” of VBS. I was ready to retire and pass my task of to someone else! But
my granddaughter and niece wanted to attend in 2009, and I could not attend because I had surgery the week be-
fore, so they attended without me. My plan to retire from VBS was a reality!
But, last spring Fr. Gordon asked me to return as registrar and my other roles. No one else had stepped up to the
plate, so I reluctantly agreed. My grandchildren decided that they each wanted to be youth helpers at VBS. I was
stuck!! I remained a rather reluctant volunteer until the first child walked in to the door on Monday morning June 21!
That excited face reminded me of why I had been volunteering all of these years. Every morning I had the privilege of
greeting all of the children and most of the volunteers. I had the opportunity to visit with many parents. Many took time
to tell me how much their children were enjoying and learning at VBS.
I have seen growth and change over the years in many children. Some of those little ones are now youth helpers. All
are maturing and growing into loving, caring Christians. One child has won the battle with cancer. Two others are fac-
ing the challenges of autism. Some were terrified to leave mom at the door and became confident and independent.
All had smiles. All loved VBS. All have benefited and learned. The songs, the Bible stories, the games, snacks, crafts
and the fellowship of other youth, and the caring of the adult and youth volunteers has had a profound impact on the
children.
This year, there were children with no church affiliation as well as five other churches. More than one parent told me
that she liked St. Paul’s because it is such a WELCOMING community! Another mother who is new to the USA told me
that they were expecting to feel like outsiders. She was overwhelmed with the warm reception that she and her chil-
dren received at VBS. She told me that they feel comfortable at St. Paul’s, truly WELCOMED and included!
I wish to leave you with two thoughts:
 Consider volunteering next year. It is a wonderful experience!
 Know that St. Paul’s is truly a welcoming and inclusive church. Please help keep it that way!

(Continued from “Tribute to Steve Lange,” page 1)

 A special reception for Steve was held in the Merrifield Room following the service.
During the reception, representatives of several church groups gave tributes to Steve. The presentations were from the
Adult Christian Education Formation, 4 F’s and Worship Notes, Prayer Group, Men’s Breakfast, and Mission & Out-
reach. Other presentations included a poem for Steve written by Abby English, a member of The Lange Ensemble, a
proclamation from the Governor’s office, and a scrapbook from Martie Repaskey which contained reminiscences from
many of Steve’s friends.
The final highlight was given by Rev. Weller, a plaque that was hung over the educational wing naming it the “Dr.
Stephen R. Lange Music and Education Wing.”
Thanks to all fellow committee members who made this special event happen; Martie Repaskey (chairperson), Vicki
Walker, Kirk Lindquist, Larry Clark, Alex Wiesner, Debby Pierce, Kathy Vogel, and Rick Laub.

Page 10
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church


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

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


Church, Lansing Michigan.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Staff


The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller, Rector
Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
The Rev. Richard Sauerzopf, Priest Assistant
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, Layout Editor

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