St. Paul's Episcopal Church Lansing Michigan Volume 32, Issue 7 By The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller St. Paul’s News September, 2007 Earlier in my life and my ministry I was a “night” person. I would stay up every evening at least to see Johnny Carson and often beyond that. Hence, it was sometimes difficult to get up in the morning and be at my church office by 9 a.m. When I was at St. James in Birmingham, Wednesdays were most difficult. There we had a regular Wednesday morning 7 a.m. Eucharist, Bible study and breakfast. Oftentimes our num- bers would be in the teens, so these obviously were “morning” people in this parish. Several years into my tenure, I overslept one Wednesday morning. My house was about three blocks away from the Church, and our bedroom was on the first floor and in the front. That morn- ing, about 7:15 a.m., there was a rustling on my front porch and 15 lusty voices broke out in a chorus of “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus,” No. 561 in your hymnal. They had modified the words a bit to fit the situation and were having a great time at my expense. I hurried to dress and drove to church for the service. As long as I was at St. James, they never let me forget the occasion. I haven’t forgotten: I always try to be at a service at least an hour beforehand. As that “night” person, I could never see what people found so exhilarating about getting up in the morning. It has taken me years to figure it out. Perhaps I have gotten it a bit, however. Presently, I seldom see the end of Leno, and (Continued on page 13) The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller“Stand up, Stand up for Jesus” September 9 Begins the Fall Season By Elisabeth Richardson, Stewardship Committee Welcome back! Hope everyone had a wonderful summer. In the past, as a part of the start of the fall season, St. Paul’s has hosted “Sampler Sunday.” Usually it is the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year we are going to change things around a bit. It has been suggested that “Sampler Sunday” is a bit overwhelming. So many organizations, so many people, not enough time to really see all that St. Paul’s has to offer. This year we are going to start “Sampler Sundays,” with a different focus/interest area to be featured every Sunday in September starting after La- bor Day. The schedule is as follows: Calendar 12 Choir Schedule 9 St. Paul’s News 8 Upcoming 2 Vestry News 7 Inside this issue: September 9, Youth • Sunday School • Youth Group • Vacation Bible School • Nursery • Family Night • Mission Trip September 16, Music and Worship • Choirs • Acolytes • Altar Guild • Ushers • Lectors • Lay Eucharistic Ministers & Visitors • Greeters • Welcoming Table September 23, Adult Fellowship, Spiritual Growth & Education Opportunities • 4-F's • Bible Study • Retreats • Wednesday night classes • The Gathering • Men's Golf • Parenting classes (Continued on page 12)
was a “night” person. Iwould stay up everyevening at least to see
Johnny Carson andoften beyond that.Hence, it was sometimes
difficult to get up in the morning and be at mychurch office by 9 a.m.
When I was at St. James in Birmingham,Wednesdays were most difficult. There we hada regular Wednesday morning 7 a.m. Eucharist,Bible study and breakfast. Oftentimes our num-bers would be in the teens, so these obviouslywere “morning” people in this parish.
Several years into my tenure, I overslept one
Wednesday morning. My house was about three
blocks away from the Church, and our bedroomwas on the first floor and in the front. That morn-ing, about 7:15 a.m., there was a rustling on myfront porch and 15 lusty voices broke out in achorus of “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus,” No.
561 in your hymnal. They had modified thewords a bit to fit the situation and were havinga great time at my expense. I hurried to dressand drove to church for the service. As long as Iwas at St. James, they never let me forget theoccasion. I haven’t forgotten: I always try to beat a service at least an hour beforehand.
As that “night” person, I could never see whatpeople found so exhilarating about getting upin the morning. It has taken me years to figure itout. Perhaps I have gotten it a bit, however.Presently, I seldom see the end of Leno, and
(Continued on page 13)
The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller
“Stand up, Stand up for Jesus”
September 9 Begins the Fall Season
By Elisabeth Richardson, Stewardship Committee
W elcome back! Hope everyone had a wonderful summer. In the past, as a part of the start ofthe fall season, St. Paul’s has hosted “Sampler Sunday.” Usually it is the first Sunday after
Labor Day. This year we are going to change things around a bit. It has been suggested that“Sampler Sunday” is a bit overwhelming. So many organizations, so many people, not enough timeto really see all that St. Paul’s has to offer. This year we are going to start “Sampler Sundays,”with a different focus/interest area to be featured every Sunday in September starting after La-
bor Day. The schedule is as follows:
Calendar 12
Choir Schedule 9
St. Paul’s News 8
Upcoming 2
Vestry News 7
Inside this issue:
September 9, Youth• Sunday School• Youth Group• Vacation Bible School• Nursery• Family Night• Mission Trip
Page 2 Upcoming St. Paul’s ActivitiesSt Paul’s In Action
Ongoing Activities
• St. Aelred’s Guild, third Wednesday, 5:00 PM•
Book Cart, 2nd Sunday after 10 AM• B&PW, Tuesday, September 11, 6 PM• St. Elizabeth, September 25, 12:30 PM at the
home of Debby Pierce• ECW, third Monday, 7 PM• Family Night Dinner, Wednesdays, 5-6 PM• 4 Fs, second and fourth Monday, noon to 2 PM• Infant/Toddler Group, 3rd Saturday, 10 AM-Noon• St. Paul’s Library, open every Sunday• Prayer Group, first Tuesday, 5:30 PM, Choir Re-
hearsal Room• Men’s Breakfast, third Thursday, 7-8 AM, Hill Room• Mid-Week Eucharist, Tuesdays, noon
This Month at St. Paul’s and Elsewhere
• Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting, Sunday, August26
• Dedication Sunday, September 9• Sampler Sundays, beginning September 9• Lectionary-based Bible Study, Wednesdays begin-
ning September 12, 5:30-6:15 PM• Ordination of the Rev. Ron Byrd, Saturday, Sep-
tember 15• Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, Sunday, September 16
@ MSU• Ushers’ Breakfast, Sunday, September 16, 9 AM• Family Pizza Party, Friday, September 21, 5:30-8
Food Drive, October 19 – November 4• Blood Drive, Saturday, October 20, 8 AM-2 PM• UTO Sunday, November TBD
Dedication Sunday
By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
O n Sunday, September 9, St. Paul’s will come together once again to dedicate ourselves to service in thename of Jesus. We will celebrate our new fall programs. It will be the beginning of Church School, the
welcoming of a new curate and the start of a new season of activities. Various groups will be recognized andblessed for the Sunday morning ministries in which they participate. Please plan on being present.
St. Paul’s Prayer Group
By Carol Ingells
T he St. Paul’s Prayer Group resumes monthly meetings on September 4. The group gathers on the first Tues-day of the month from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Rehearsal Room during September thru May.
We invite you to come and learn more about prayer and praying. This year’s book isPaths to Prayer: Finding
Your Own Way to the Presence of God by Patricia D. Brown.
This group offers an opportunity to share your concerns and rejoicings in group prayer and helps develop theskills to commit yourself to pray regularly for the church and the world. Experience silence as comfortable andnon-threatening. All participation is voluntary.
If you would like to order the book before the first meeting, contact Steve Lange at 482-0369. The group willbe co-led by Carol Ingells and Steve Lange (and sometimes others!) Come as you can and feel free to bring afriend.
“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”
T he 4 F’s meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of each month, with communion at 12 noon,lunch at 12:30, Bible study at 1 p.m. and the program from 1:15 to 2 p.m. We provide faith, fellowship,
food and fun for anyone who has time in the middle of the day! Sign up for each session on the table outsidethe Merrifield Room.
September 10
Welcome lunch with an “Introduction to the Psalms”with Steve Lange. This year, our bi-weekly Bible Studywill focus on the Psalms.
September 24
“Bridging the Gap between Willing Hands & People in
Need” with the director of Christian Services, Mary-anne Harkema.
October 8
Program to be announced
October 22
“Walking Turkey in Peace” with Carol Ingells. Carolwill share her stories from a special trip to Turkey.
November 12
“Spiritual Eldering” with retired director of refugeeservices, Pat Hep.
November 26
“Spiritual Eldering” continued with Pat Hep.
December 10
A special Christmas Celebration with the Grand LedgeMadrigals led by Nancy Lange.
We will continue the 4F’s programs on January 14 andwill have program information in the January St. Paul’s
News.
Lectionary Based Bible Study
By Larry Clark, Vestry Member
B eginning on September 12, St. Paul’s is offering aweekly, lectionary-based Bible study for all
adults on Wednesdays from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Eachweek, we will focus on the scripture passages beingread in the following Sunday’s services. We will beusing the adult version of the “Living the Good News”curriculum that is being used in many of the children’sSunday school classes. In the beginning weeks, RickLaub and Larry Clark will alternate serving asteacher/moderator, and anyone interested may take
part in the teaching rotation. If you come to the FamilyNight Dinner, feel free to eat either before or duringthe sessions. Coincidentally, the class time works per-fectly for those who bring children to the church forchoir practice, but of course, all adults are encouragedto attend. We will meet in either the Hill or the VanAtta room. Please sign up on the sheet outside the Mer-rifield room as soon as possible so that we can orderenough materials for everyone who plans to attend.
Food & Blood Drive
By Nancy Sheldon
W hat better way to celebrate the legen-dary rivalry between MSU and U/M than
to encourage participation in the annual FoodDrive to benefit the Greater Lansing Food Bankand the October Red Cross blood drive. Pointswill be awarded to the team you designate fordonations of food, blood or money or for volun-
teering at the blood drive held on Saturday, Oct.20, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
The food drive runs between Oct. 19 and Nov. 4,which is the day after the MSU/U-M footballgame.
A kick-off for the competition will include fun-filled fellowship at our family bonfire on Friday,Oct. 19, at Julie & Mike Young’s (4055 LehmanRd., DeWitt). More details will follow in the Octo-ber SPN and the church’s Sunday service bulletins!
T he first meeting of the Men’s BreakfastGroup will be on Thursday, September 20 at
7 a.m. The Breakfast group meets from 7 to 8a.m. on the third Thursday of the month to share ameal together and then to engage in a half-hourdiscussion on its members’ faith. This year the dis-cussions will center on the Gospel of Mark. Break-fast is provided by A Catered Affaire for $5.50.Please feel free to join us, as you are able. Reser-vations are requested (please contact GeorgeGallup or Gordon Weller or sign up by the eleva-tor) so we know how many will be attending. Ifyou are one of the “regulars,” please consider
inviting a fellow parishioner to join us.
Ushers’ Breakfast
By John David Hawkins
A
nother school year is upon us and the ushering
staff will, once again, begin the new season withour Sixth Annual Breakfast Meeting on September 16,2006 at 9 a.m. Breakfast will be served by A CateredAffaire.
This is a great opportunity to invite new members tojoin our group and to join us for breakfast. It would begreat if we could staff eight ushers per crew. Do notforget the 8 a.m. crews; they also need new members.
Spouses and children are welcome to join us for break-fast.
Head ushers, please contact your members about the
meeting and determine how many will be attending.Head ushers can RSVP counts to John David Hawkins at303-1217 by September 9.
Parish Family Pizza Party andGame Night
By Millie Ericson, Vestry Member
WHO: All members of the parish (and friends) – all ages, singles, couples, families
WHAT: Bingo, Charades, Card Games, BoardGames
SOMETHING FUN FOR EVERYONE!
PRIZES - PRIZES - PRIZES!!
WHEN: Friday, September 215:30 – 6:00 p.m. Pizza, salad, pop, dessert6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Games
WHERE: The Merrifield RoomHOSTS: The Parish Life Committee
We are suggesting donation of $4 per person or$10 maximum per family for food. Nursery Carewill be provided.
We Have Air!By The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller
A fter several specially calledVestry meetings to approve
the project and a generous donation from a mem-ber of our parish, the Merrifield Room has nowbeen air conditioned.
We are excited about the prospect of cool andcomfortable coffee hours, meetings and Parishgatherings.
Invitation to Join Choir
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
I f you enjoy singing or ringing handbells (on-the-job-training is gladly provided!),you are warmly invited to join one of St. Paul’s choirs this fall. It’s a great opportu-
nity to share your musical talents in a way that praises God and blesses your fellowparishioners on a regular basis. No experience is required, just a desire to “sing untothe Lord a new song.” For more information, please contact Stephen Lange, Minister of Music, at 482-0369.
T he Adult Christian Education Formation committee is sponsoring its second class in the ProActive Parentingseries, entitled “Communicating with Your Child or Teen.” Millie Erickson and Martie Repaskey will once
again be the facilitators for this interactive study of communication in Christian families. The group will meet onfive Wednesday evenings: October 10, 17, 24, and November 7 and 14, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
Jim Williams, parenting expert and author of this series, will present in a video format, leading to exercisesand group discussion about family communication and choosing to live in a family circle of influence—with Godin the center!
This class is open to parents with children of any age. Since the class will be meeting on Wednesday evenings,all are encouraged to come early to have dinner and enjoy fellowship beforehand. Childcare will be pro-vided. Please look for the sign-up sheet on the table outside the Merrifield Room, or talk to Millie or Martie.
It's the Beginning of a New Year
By Debby Pierce
T he St. Elizabeth Guild will have its first Fall Meet-ing on Tuesday, September 25 at 12:30 p.m. at
the home of Debby Pierce.
Please plan to attend as we will be arranging ourmeetings and celebrations for the coming year. Be sureto come with some ideas.
If you are interested in attending a meeting or wouldlike more information about the Guild, please contactme at 394-4800 or 485-5446. We always welcomeguests.
UTO Update
By Kay Gallup
T he report on the May 13 UTO shows a gen-erous donation of $662.81. My thanks again
to those who helped on Mother’s Day, May 13,with the collection of the offerings.
As a reminder, the fall Ingathering will be in No-vember. UTO Offering Boxes continue to be near
entrances to the church. Envelopes will be in bulle-tins the week before and the week of the collec-tion.
Thanks to all who participate. Your help in themissionary efforts to spread God's material andspiritual goods is vital and appreciated.
Attention All Quilters
By Millie Ericson, Vestry Member
I nterest has been expressed about creating a Prayer Quilt Group atSt. Paul’s. This is something that is done in several other area churches.
Those who are interested please check in at the Parish Life Table on Sam-pler Sunday #3, September 23. An initial gathering of quilters will beplanned in early October to explore this idea further. Watch for moreinformation. In the meantime, direct questions to Millie Ericson (who isn’t aquilter but admires the beautiful work!) who would love to help support, onbehalf of the Parish Life Committee, this worthy effort.
Opportunities to Experience An Exciting Fall of Outreach Ministry.
By William H. Fineout, Diaconal Candidate
T here are two types of ministry under our large and growing “outreach umbrella” of helping others inneed. Some activities occur year round while others are events that we participate in once or twice a
year. Both types are varied and exciting. As we begin another church program year, we invite you to shareyour time and gifts where God may be calling you.
Some of the short term activities are:
• Back to School Children’s Clothing (Christian Services: Judson’s Love Clothing Center) - In late August andearly September we will collect new and like new clothing for children (shirts, blouses, pants, jeans, newsocks and & new underwear, and winter coats, sizes 4 toddler through teens). The clothing center servesover 800 children in the Lansing area. Clothing may be left at the Deacon’s office or given to Bill Fineout,but we still need someone to coordinate this effort for us here at St. Paul’s.
• Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, Sunday, September 16, 2007 on the MSU campus - Please join your diaconal
candidate, Bill, in walking the 3K/5K walk along the Red Cedar this fall. You may join by becoming awalker yourself, or by supporting Bill or anyone else who walks with a donation. More than five millionpeople are living with Alzheimer’s and 78 million baby boomers are approaching the age of greatest risk.Now is the time to contribute to Alzheimer’s care and research. If you would like to join in a walking teamfrom St. Paul’s, please see the following web site, www.alz.org, www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=229831or get a brochure from Bill Fineout. Look for the Memory Walks section (Great LakesChapter; Lansing area walk) and find our team to join or support. More information to follow.
• Food Drive - U/M-MSU competition and collection, October 19 through November 4. See article on page3; you can’t miss it when it happens. This begins with a PARTY!
• Blood Drive on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - This has become a very valuable and enthusiastically ob-served twice a year tradition here at St. Paul’s. (We may have a little BLUE/GREEN blood competition
here also.)• Thanksgiving Baskets - This very wonderful operation will continue as we share our abundance with needy
families to allow them a successful “breaking bread’ gathering for Thanksgiving.
Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities
T he following are new members of our parish fam-ily. We welcome them to St. Paul's and are
pleased to see them already active.
John and Lisa Craig of 1625 Clifton in Lansing. Heheads an enforcement section in the state Departmentof Environmental Quality and she helps to run her fam-ily-owned business, Keystone Printing, in Lansing. Be-tween them they are parents of five grown children.
Fred and Terry Junger of 7196 White Pine Dr. inShaftsburg. He is retired from teaching elementaryschool in Durand. The couple formerly lived in Minnea-
polis and they have a grown son, Don, in Las Vegas,Nevada.
Also, the Milnes are back!
Back from Grand Rapids area after seven years areJim and Teresa Milne. They are living at 2767 StillValley Dr. in East Lansing with their two children Ian, 7,and Hope, 5. Jim is still with the state Department ofEnvironmental Quality, serving as an environmentalmanager. Teresa ended seven years of employmentwith the Grandville School System near Grand Rapidsand is settling the family into their new home.
Page 7 News from the Vestry Financial Information as of June 30, 2007
By Jeff Irwin
The total pledge and non-pledge revenue received through June 30 was $148,026, which is 52.3% of the to-
tal 2007 budget. June is the midway point of 2007, so we are ahead of the budget.
In June, we booked a net loss from operations of $2,331 which brings the year-to-date total loss from opera-tions to $38,264.
The main reason that we had a relatively low June operating loss is that we received a $12,000 gift, restrictedto the installation of a new air conditioning unit for the Merrifield room. No expenses were incurred as of June30 related to the air conditioning unit so it looks better than it would have otherwise.
The restricted and designated funds have recorded $19,019 in investment gain through June 30. Combinedwith $69,649 of restricted contributions (including the $59,194 from the Penniman Trust), we have recorded atotal of $88,668 in restricted income through June 30, 2007. As of that date, this brings the combined net in-come of the church to $50,404.
Also, in June, $20,000 was withdrawn from the Perpetual Fund and an additional $10,000 was withdrawn inJuly. As of July 31, a total of $80,000 has been withdrawn from the Perpetual Fund in 2007.
Highlights from the Vestry Meeting:
At the June 19th Vestry meeting your Vestry:
• Approved a payment for "vacation time" forSusie Shaefer. This is for vacation time earned butnot taken because of the change in her employ-ment status.
• Received a presentation from Stamp Rite aboutplacing plaques in the Memorial Garden to me-morialize those interred there. Authorized a castbronze set of plaques with 160 spaces. Moneywill be borrowed from the Memorial Fund andBancroft Fund until it is recouped from those whowill be interred in the future.
• Received a report on GLADE (now called AC-TION) about the justice ministry process in theLansing area and our involvement.
• Received a report on the Oliver Towers project.No movement since the last Vestry meeting.
• Received a report on the Sewer separation pro-
ject. It will be starting soon. The Roosevelt Parkingstructure will remain available throughout the con-struction project. This is good news for our eve-ning and weekend programs.
• Received a report about the Public Relations Planbeing developed by Mark Doyal and StephanieVanKoevering. Meetings with groups of parishion-ers for gathering information will be set up.
• Received a report concerning the Diocesan Con-
vention which will be held in Lansing October26th and 27th.
• Visioning Committee and Welcoming Church Com-mittee assignments were made: Visioning - Clark,Gut, Henderson, Krupka, Ericson, Gmazel-Sanchez, and Clarke. Welcoming - Wortley,Richardson, Repaskey, Lindquist, Tisdale and San-chez.
• Approved the assignment of a new Curate to St.Paul's. His name is The Rev. Ronald Byrd and hewill begin on August 15th.
• Received the treasurer's report. We are withinthe expectations of the budget approved at theAnnual Meeting in January. An additional$30,000 was approved to be transferred fromthe Perpetual Fund to the Operating Fund, asneeded.
• Heard a report of a new outreach programcalled CarsInc (Cars in the name of Christ) begunby members of St. Paul's. This program continues,in a more intentional and organized way, the
procurement of cars for those in need.• Received a report about building security con-
cerns. We have had several incidences during thelast several weeks. Everyone involved will be in-formed and asked for more diligence.
• Were thanked by Mr. William Fineout for thewarm welcome he has received since arriving asour "Deacon to be" (God willing).
D o you know how old the BPW Guild is? Take aguess! You are not even close!!! Our guild is 65
years old. WOW, we’ve been around a long time andhave quite a history.
The guild was organized in January 1942 as theLeague of Business and Professional Women. Backthen, people’s lives revolved mainly around church andschool activities, with emphasis on patriotism, prayerand the war effort.
During 1943, we served 14 dinners to soldiers andassisted in looking after the War Shrine. Service hourswere recorded and tabulated. We began with fewerthan 20 members and 12 resigned during the first twoyears—not a very inspiring beginning. The stringent,enforced rule of 30 hours of service to the church byeach member was soon eliminated from the Constitu-tion and Bylaws. The name was changed to the St.Paul’s Guild of Business and Professional Women andthe growing process began. Thirty-six women joined inthe 1940s, 46 in the 1950s and 21 in the 1960s.
The group met weekly for lunch on Wednesdays witha speaker. After many years, a dinner meeting (withspeaker) was added on the third Tuesday of themonth. Luncheons were discontinued in the fall of1958, and our meeting date changed to the secondTuesday of the month in 1978.
Our guild has built a reputation through the years as avery active group. Often you hear someone saying,“The BPW will help with that project,” or “You girlshave always answered yes!” It is our commitment thathas held the group together over the years. Our mem-
bers have included doctors, nurses, lawyers, account-ants, secretaries, clerks, teachers, principals, stateworkers, librarians, music teachers, people in business,salespersons and a deacon.
We’ve had many service projects: rummage sales,lavish card parties with style shows (the first partyheld in the new Parish House had 400 attendees), tripsto Detroit, Grand Rapids, Meadowbrook Hall and theLowell Showboat to see Pearl Bailey. Other projectsincluded popcorn and nut sales, tote bags, jewelry,jams and candles, blood drives and coupons to Youn-ker’s fall sales.
During the past 65 years, we have contributed over$20,000 for in-reach/out-reach projects and, in addi-tion, much of our more than $6,000 collected in dueshas benefited others. You can see from our history whythe beehive is our symbol.
Presently we have 20 members who meet monthlyfrom September to June. Our September meeting is aRecipe Dinner on Tuesday, September 11 at 6 p.m. inthe Hill Room. Each member brings her favorite dishand copies one of her recipes. It’s a great kick-off toan active year.
ALL women in the parish are invited to come be a partof this active and committed group of women. Pleasecall Barbara Richardson (372-1369) for questions orinformation.
Note: Historical information for this article came from a
play written by Doris Bailey, a former historian for the
guild.
L inda and I want to thank you for all your prayersand support the last few weeks of July. As many of
you know, our daughter was married on July 28 andwe became “in-laws.” As any who have gone througha wedding know, it can be a difficult time, bringingeverything together at the right moment. You weresupportive spiritually and emotionally to Linda and meas well as to Sarah and her new husband Joe. Wewant to express our gratitude. Thank you!
September 9 - (First Sunday back and Commissioning of Choristers during church) September 15 - Ordination of St. Paul’s new Curate (High School Choir and Chancel Choir) September 23 - Choir Parents’ Meeting at 11:30 a.m. in the Choir Rehearsal Room (All choir parents are
invited to attend this orientation meeting, at which we will share our hopes and expectations for this up-coming year. We will also hand out a calendar of the year’s activities and enlist your help throughout theyear for vesting, being greeters and serving at the coffee hour. Please plan to attend.)
October 7 - England Chorister Parents’ Meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Calling All Choristers!
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
O ur first rehearsals of the year will be:High-School Choir (Grades (6) 7-12)
Wednesday, August 29, 6 p.m. Pizza Supper and rehearsal from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (This will give us achance to catch up on each other’s summer activities and get an early start on learning new music.)
The normal Family Night Schedule begins on Wednesday, September 5:
• Cherub Choir (Boys and Girls in grades K-2, Mrs. Maureen Nauss, Director) - 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.• Boys’ and Grace Choirs (Boys and Girls in grades 3-6) - 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.• High-School Choir (Grades 6 or 7 to 12) - 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
Chancel Choir Potluck Dinner and Rehearsal - Thursday, September 6
Potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. (We’ll provide plates, cups, napkins, and plastic ware.) Rehearsal will beginat 7:30 and last until 9 p.m.
Handbell Choir will begin on Thursday, September 13, at 6:30 p.m.
September 9 Cherubs, Boys’ and Grace, High Schoo l, Chancel
A teachers’ meeting has been scheduled for August 26th;and the first day of class will begin September 9th.
We will stay with last year's curriculum. I am currently order-ing the 2007-08 books/materials, which will be distributed atthe August 26 meeting.
Page 10 St. Paul’s News
About the Parish Life Committee
By Millie Ericson, Vestry Member
T he PLC was organized last January, a new committee of the Vestry, tasked with supporting and expand-ing the activities of the parish that help us fulfill the fellowship aspect of our baptismal covenant (to con-
tinue in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers).
Fellowship opportunities being planned by the committee include activities for the whole parish family (seearticle about the Parish Family Game Night), “The Gathering” (fellowship evenings for adults), a quiltinggroup, and a community book read (more to come later on this). Other ideas to enhance our life at St. Paul’sare always welcome.
Membership on the committee is open to all. New members are always welcome! Meetings are on the 4thTuesday of the month beginning at 5:30 p.m. for a light supper followed by the meeting from 6-7 p.m. Pleasespeak to Fr. Weller, Millie Ericson or any of the current committee members if you are interested, or see us atour table on Sampler Sunday #3, September 23. Current committee members are: Mindy & Matt Pauley,Julie Young, John and Lisa Craig, Sally and Don Lawrence, Barbara Lindquist, Max and Debby Pierce,
Steve Swihart, Carol and Charlie Rose, Millie Ericson (Chair) and Gordon Weller .
Eucharistic Ministers: Time to Be Re-licensed
By William H. Fineout, Diaconal Candidate
A
ll Eucharistic ministers and visitors in the Diocese
of Michigan are to be licensed by the dioceseevery three years. It is our time at St. Paul’s!
This is also a time for NEW chalice bearers to be li-censed for the first time. If you feel the call to explorebeing a chalice bearer, or you feel the call to takeCommunion to our homebound parishioners, this fall isthe time to be trained. A Eucharistic minister serves aspecial ministry during the Sunday service. A Eucharis-tic visitor takes Communion and our St. Paul’s presenceto those who cannot be in attendance.
Talk to Father Weller, me or one of our chalice bear-
ers if you think you might be interested in becoming a“LEM.” This is truly one of those wonderful ways toserve Christ and each other.
I will be scheduling training for re-licensing and new
licensing in late September/October, possibly a
Wednesday evening or Saturday morning, dependingupon the group.
A note about LEMs
The Episcopal Church used to call chalice bearers “layEucharistic ministers” or LEMs for short. Our ministerstaking Communion to the homebound were known as“lay Eucharistic visitors.” But that changed in the lastnational church canons; the term “lay” was droppedfrom the titles. So now we have EMs and EVs, althoughmany in the church, including myself, still use the oldlanguage, possibly because it seems to roll off the
tongue more easily.If you presently are a Eucharistic minister and if youhaven’t received a call or e-mail from me as to a re-training date, please contact me immediately.
W e pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson, Richard, Audrie &Aaron Hegmon, Shelley Robinson, Donna, Grady, & Dennis Letner, Clara Vo-
ges, Mason Hill, Lois Caswell, Brian Schray, June Wyatt, Dick Siebert, Carol, BernieLynch, Judith Jones, baby Benjamin, Becky Chamberlain, Nancy Hiscoe Clark, Eliza-beth Marsden, Dezi & Penny Horvat, Charles Weaver, Kristin Kelley, Rich Davis, CrisPlyler, Ben Herbert, Tim Ross, Chance Collins, Caroline Thomas and her parents,
brothers & godparents, Betty Jensen, Marjorie Belles, Dan, Marsha & Skip Macholz, Gloria Harvat, JackSiebold, Joe Manson, DakBai DakBai, Jessica Ryan, Irene Jones, Roger Ophaug, Fredrick Engle, KelseyBauman, Mary Ann Kelley, Mark Surprenant, Ed Farmer, Virginia Jessop, Sally Engle, Ed Jones, and Alice
Jessop Lamb.
We pray for and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas: Carlos Sims and Daniel Reno
We pray for those expecting: Amy (Fowler) & Brian Ashcraft, Gretchen & Daniel Barnas, Leigh (Zynda) &Ryan Henrys, Karen & Opuene Amachree, Rochelle & Stuart Cullum, Stacy & Cory Nelson, and Kristen &
Chris Chase
We celebrate the birth of: Alexander Robert McConnell to Ellen & Daren McConnell, Charles Leighton Fer-
guson and Rachel Elizabeth Ferguson to Joan & Matt Ferguson
We pray for those who have died: Carter Leslie We celebrate the baptism of: Tamara Lynn Sleight, daughter of Deborah Stoner & Jeffrey M. Sleight, LaurenElizabeth Johnson, daughter of Kate & Mark Johnson, Jennifer Shea Lawrence, daughter of Rhonda & Pat-
rick Lawrence, and Blake Patrick Judge, son of Katharine & Bryan Judge
We celebrate the weddings of: Leigh Zynda & Ryan Henrys, Sarah Weller & Joe Evenden, Heather Petchell
& Eric Grant, and Lyndsy Carr & Andrew Gamet
Prayer List
Stewardship Lives at St. Paul’s
By Karen and Bob Tarrant,Stewardship Committee
E mbracing the expanding role of supporting St.Paul’s journey of stewardship, the Stewardship
Committee has met monthly throughout 2007 andweekly during June and July. The Every Member Can-vass will begin with opening presentations to the con-gregation on Sunday, September 9 and conclude onNovember 4.
The canvass is being held earlier this year to providethe Vestry with pledge amounts prior to developmentof next year’s budget. As one of the Canvass activitiesthis year, we will hear from parishioners of variousage groups regarding the value of St. Paul’s programs
and ministries. Another activity will be short informaldiscussions, to be held in conjunction with Wednesdayfamily night dinners, seeking input regarding futurestewardship opportunities at St. Paul’s.
New Curate for St Paul’s
By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller
A
s was reported in a July mailing, St. Paul’s
now has a new curate on staff. He is theRev. Ronald Byrd. He started August 15 and wasfirst presented at services on August 19. Ron andhis wife Jennifer, and two children Kayla (5) andRamon (3), moved into their East Lansing residenceon August 1.
Ron, currently a transitional deacon, is a graduateof the Virginia Theological Seminary and he andthe Bishop have set September 15 as his ordina-tion date to the priesthood. It will be here at St.Paul’s. Please plan on being present to celebratethis wonderful occasion. We will officially wel-
come Ron and his family at the coffee hour onSeptember 9.
• ECW• Business & Professional Women• St. Elizabeth’s• St. Dunstan’s
• St. Aelred’s• Needlepointers/Quilters• Parish Life Committee• Mission/Outreach• Habitat for Humanity• Design & Preservation• Blood Drive
(Continued from, Fall Season, page 1)
CarsINC
By Tom Repaskey
C
ars IN the NAME of CHRIST (CarsINC) is a non-
profit corporation created to assist families in thepurchase, operation, maintenance, titling and insuranceof a car.
Rationale
During the past six years, St. Paul’s has been blessedwith the arrival of immigrants from the Sudan andKenya. These are bright, hard working people whobecame Christians in Africa, were compelled to es-cape and now want to learn to become Americans.Chuck Millar has been significantly involved in thisministry to help them become assimilated into our soci-
ety, which includes getting a job and getting a car toget to the job. Others from St. Paul’s have been in-volved in a variety of ways, not the least of which is ingifting a car to these immigrants. These people arepoor, but they do not want to remain poor. They strivefor education, want their children to have opportunitiesand are willing to work hard to achieve their dreams.
Christian Services is a local not-for-profit organizationand is a part of Love INC, or Love IN the NAME ofCHRIST. They assist churches in the Greater Lansingarea to provide programs to assist the poor. One im-portant area hitherto lacking is an organization which
assists qualified families to obtain an automobile.CarsINC hopes to be able to serve this need.
CarsINC was incorporated as a not-for-profit corpo-
ration on July 26, 2007, after a dozen meetings andnumerous emails. It has evolved into an organizationwith specific goals:
• Assist families in the purchase of an automobile• Provide access to information regarding:• Operation• Maintenance• Titling• Insurance
Christian Services
If any family petitions CarsINC, we will first refer themto Christian Services for their review and to be surethey have learned how to handle their financial affairsso they can afford a car. We want to follow a struc-ture to assure ourselves that each family will be suc-cessful.
Raising Funds
We intend to raise funds by asking interested peopleto contribute $1,000 during the next 12 months. Theywill be named Founders and will be known as Foun-ders of Cars IN the NAME of CHRIST. Until such timethat we achieve 501(c)(3) status, we will ask donors tomake their checks payable to St. Paul’s, with credittoward CarsINC.
On each Sunday there will be tables set in the Merrifield Room for display purposes. Please bring whateverinformation, displays, decorations, props you need to illustrate and illuminate your organization, group, projector program. Everyone has creative license as to how they represent themselves. The more creative the better.Extra tables can be set up for any last minute participation. Please note that if you need electricity for yourdisplay, you must notify Kathleen.
Letters have been sent to committee chairs, organizers, staff, vestry and anyone else we can think of, invitingtheir participation in “Sampler Sundays.” If we have missed anyone or if there is a new endeavor wishing tostart, please call Kathleen in the office (482-9454) to request a table or just come on the designated Sunday.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 372-1369. Thank you for your participation.
Page 13 St. Paul’s NewsYoung Adult Foster Care Apartment Startup
By William H. Fineout, Diaconal Candidate
U nder current Michigan law, when foster children turn 18, their foster families no longer receive aid. Someof these young adults, for many reasons, are cut off or removed from their foster homes. Locally some
are placed in their own apartments under the auspices of Child and Family Services. However state fundinghas been cut, and there are no longer are any funds for start-up household goods. These young adults needour help with basic items to begin living in their own apartments.
The Lansing Area Episcopal Projects group has taken on the responsibility of helping some of these young menand women begin their adult life on their own. St. Paul’s has already helped one with start-up apartmentgoods. St. Paul’s vestry members completed the whole project before it came to the parishioners. This Novem-ber we will be asking parishioners to help us with a collection for another young adult. There will be more in-formation to follow.
never anything past that time slot. I have grown to appreciate the morning. Most mornings my mental clockgoes off at 6 a.m., and I have to get up because I can’t sleep any more. What I’ve discovered is that themorning is most beautiful because as the sun rises, it has the promise that each new day brings. Just as on theday of resurrection, the night has passed and God has restructured things. When you get to the morning, allseems different. It may look the same, but it/we is/are different and it feels good and hopeful.
As we enter the fall season on September 9, I hope you have had a wonderful summer. I also hope you areready for a new day in Jesus. The morning of another season is upon us. There are exciting things happeningat St. Paul’s, and your involvement can put you in a new and hopeful place.
(Continued from, “Stand Up, Stand Up,” page 1)
More Service Opportunities
By William H. Fineout, Diaconal Candidate
Y ou may be called by God and friends to join some of the ongoing projects in which members from St.Paul's have participated in the past.
• Habitat for Humanity• UTO – United Thank Offering through ECW – Episcopal Church Women• ACTION – local community problems & issues needing change• Episcopal Relief and Development• Ronald McDonald House meals• First Sunday loose offerings to the Office Discretionary fund• St. Paul’s “Busing” Ministry through Christian Services• St. Paul’s “Work Boots” ministry through Christian Services• St. Paul’s “Street” Ministry, helping the lost and needy who come through our front door needing help• Furniture collection for needy Lansing families and individuals• Other projects of Lansing Area Episcopal Churches• CarsINC – Cars in the Name of Christ, a brand new ministry through Christian Services started by a group
of men from St. Paul’s. When all the lug nuts and bolts of this ministry have been worked out, you will hearmore!
T he Design & Preservation Committee invites you to look about St Paul's; it is a place of beauty. Whileyou're looking, if you see items belonging to you and left behind from Vacation Bible School or other past
activities, we would appreciate your claiming them. This is especially true of the north entrance closet and Mer-rifield Room closet. Removal of clutter now will let the beauty shine for the start of the Fall season.
Welcoming Newcomers to St. Paul’s
By Martie Repaskey
“M ake new friends, but keep the old—one issilver, the other, gold.” Many of us grew up
singing that simple song, and we continue to embraceits wisdom.
The Vestry supports the Welcoming Church initiative,and this congregation has become known as a very
friendly church family. Your Evangelism Committee hascrafted a list of suggestions for your interest which areguaranteed to embrace visitors and new members asthey seek to learn more about St. Paul’s.
• Say “hello” and introduce yourself to a new per-son. To assuage the anxiety that the other personmight tell you they have been attending St. Paul’s“for years,” simply say, “I don’t believe we havemet!”
• Be sure to pass the Peace during the worship ser-vice to unfamiliar individuals near you. Invite thosesame individuals or families to come to the coffee
hour following the service. Rehearse and remembertheir names, and call them by name. Engage visi-tors and new members in conversation during cof-
fee hour or other social events.• Volunteer to be a greeter or a contact person at
the Information Table in the Cloister.• Join a growing number of St. Paul’s families who
consider themselves to be “shepherds” of newmembers. When a new individual or family (whoresides in your quadrant of the metropolitan area)visits or joins St. Paul’s, consider inviting them to asmall gathering of members to get better ac-quainted. This can be accomplished in any numberof ways: dinner in your home, a coffee and dessertevent, meeting them for coffee or having brunchtogether after worship on Sundays. Research onlife in churches supports the notion that people be-come bonded in friendship through small groupexperiences.
For more information about serving as a shepherd,please talk to Martie Repaskey, Jan Bigham, SueLeDuc, Debby Pierce or Chuck Millar. Let us share ourfaith and excitement about St. Paul’s with visitors andnew members!
Making Coffee Hour An Extension of St. Paul's Ministry
By Sue Millar
B eginning this fall, St. Paul's will serve Bishops
Blend coffee at Sunday morning coffee hours.In our local marketplaces, overflowing with choicesand products from all over the world, part of our re-sponsibility as Christian consumers is to be aware ofthe ripple effect our purchases may have.
This means that searching for the least expensive qual-ity coffee may not be the best way to shop.
For example, when we purchase fair exchange coffee,either as individuals or as a church family, we are sup-porting a living wage for coffee farmers, promotingorganic farming (which avoids chemicals that may
harm the environment or the coffee
pickers); growing coffee in shade,(which preserves and protects habitatfor birds, animals and helpful pollinat-ing insects) and non-profit enterprisessuch as ERD.
The cost of Bishops Blend coffee may be higher, butsurely we can share the abundance with which wehave been blessed. Prophetic voices remind us thatGod's abundance provides enough for all to earn asustainable living if only we share generously. The cof-fee we purchase and enjoy can affirm our belief thatthis is so.
