St. Paul's News - December, 2007

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Lansing Michigan

St. Paul’s News December, 2007

Frosty the Snowman By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller

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ost people know the story of “Frosty the Snowman.” They learned it from someone singing the song or a cartoon proThe Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller duction on TV. I think I learned it from Gene Autry. It was on the reverse side of the equally beloved song, “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” I know that dates me, but I remember as if yesterday hearing the song as I was Christmas shopping with my mother and rushing home to play it again and again.

characters of the Bible come alive as we hear the stories and the promises over and over again. My personal favorite in this genre is John the Baptist. But it could be Isaiah or any number of the preparatory lessons or characters so oft repeated in this season. As old as they are and as many times as I have heard them, they become real as each new year and season approaches.

My reason for combining these two seemingly opposite story lines is to emphasize how this season is about the renewed hope we all have when love makes the impossible become real. When, in a totally rational world, would the infiThis season that Christians call Advent and secu- nite God of all power and creation take on finite human form, experience a lowly human birth lar society calls Christmas has the ability to do that: give life to ideas and inanimate objects in and eventually death just to show the depth of a way that stirs the love we have deep within us. his love? It’s totally irrational. Yet here we are ready to celebrate that very fact. I think present-day storytellers and animators are able to draw on that love, imagination and Enjoy and experience this season and its magic because it confirms that, with God, nothing is appreciation of the impossible, because of the impossible. In that we all can find the hope that way we have come to love the Biblical characters associated with the most beloved story of will sustain us. all: the birth of Jesus. Every year, the words and

Vestry 2007: One More Dimension to Welcoming By Greg Wortley, Senior Warden

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n an effort to highlight St. Paul’s welcoming initiative this past year, my St. Paul’s News articles have typically focused on actions of the Vestry, happenings within the Church or simple practices and attitudes that relate to building a culture of welcoming. Though I have tended to focus on welcoming as it pertains to newcomers, another important aspect to being a welcoming church is the practice of being warm and friendly and engaging with our brothers and sisters of other parishes within the Diocese. Being a welcoming church means we are open to persons from our larger church family, inquiring as to what God’s Spirit is inspiring in them and eager to discuss and build together the household of God and its mission. A fine example of this was the recent Annual Convention of the Michigan Diocese held right here in Lansing on October 26-27. Three Vestry members, Kathy Gut, Charlie Krupka and myself, served (Continued on page 16)

Volume 32, Issue 10 Inside this issue: Calendar

17

Choir Schedule

9

Mission & Outreach

10

St. Paul’s News

8,12

Upcoming

2

Vestry News

7

Youth Group

14

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Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities Activities at a Glance

Ongoing Activities • St. Aelred’s Guild, third Wednesday, 5:00 PM • Book Cart, 2nd Sunday after 10 AM • B&PW, Tuesday, December 11, 6 PM • ECW, third Monday, 7 PM • Family Night Dinner, Wednesdays, 5-6 PM • 4 Fs, second and fourth Mondays, noon to 2 PM • St. Paul’s Library, open every Sunday • St. Elizabeth Guild Corporate Communion, Sunday, December 9, 9 AM • Prayer Group, first Tuesday, 5:30 PM, Choir Rehearsal Room • Men’s Breakfast, third Thursday, 7-8 AM, Hill Room • Mid-Week Eucharist, Tuesdays, noon

• Men of Orpheus, Friday, December 14, 7 PM • “The Holiday Gathering,” Friday, December 14,

6:30 PM

• Lange Choral Ensemble Concert, Saturday, Decem-

ber 15, 7 PM

• Lessons & Carols, Sunday, December 23, 10 AM

Looking Ahead • Parish Wide Book Read, discussions for three weeks beginning the week of January 7, 2008 • Praying the Psalms, Wednesdays, January 9–30, 6:15 PM • Martin Luther King, Jr. Service and Celebration, Sunday, January 20, 2008 • Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 27, 2008, after 10 AM service This Month at St. Paul’s and Elsewhere • ERD Book Sale coming in February • Hymn Sing, Sunday, December 2, 9:45 AM • ACEFC Lenten Series, Wednesdays beginning Feb• Amahl and the Night Visitors, Friday & Saturday, ruary 13, 2008 December 7-8, 7 PM • “Serving God with Gladness” Women’s retreat, • Grand Ledge Madrigal Singers, Monday, Decemlate April, Weber Center. ber 10, noon • Miter Meeting, Thursday, December 13, 7 PM, St.

Augustine’s, Mason

Christmas Music at St. Paul’s By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

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he Christmas season at St. Paul’s will be sung in four special programs.

First, on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8, will be “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by GianCarlo Menotti. This short opera tells the story of a poor, crippled shepherd boy who lives with his widowed mother in a simple hut about the time of the birth of Jesus. The three kings stop by on their way to visit the baby Jesus, and the story unfolds from there. It’s a wonderful story, with humor, great singing and a very touching message. It would make a great family outing and a delightful way to start your holiday celebrations. It is in English and lasts less than an hour. Victoria Walker and Margaret Kariuki will team up as the Mother and Amahl on Friday night, with Larissa Clark and Thomas Laub on Saturday night. The kings will be Michael Nauss, Larry Clark, and Rick Laub, with Matthew Nauss as the page. Members of St. Paul’s Choirs will form the chorus of shepherds and shepherdesses. Please bring friends! Tickets will be $7 for adults and $5 for children and senior citizens. There will also be a special family ticket for $20. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Second will be a Christmas concert by the Men of Orpheus, an all-male singing group from Lansing. Directed by former parishioner Gayle Pohl, the Men of Orpheus will present a concert of lighter Christmas music. They will be accompanied by St. Paul’s Handbell Choir and directed by Mary Rodeck. Their concert will be Friday, December 14, at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door. For the third performance, see the separate article about the Grand Ledge Madrigal Singers on page 3. And finally, the Lange Choral Ensemble will present its annual Christmas concert on Saturday, December 15, at 7 p.m. Entitled “My Soul Doth Magnify . . .” the concert will feature “Magnificat” by Johann Sebastian Bach, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble, including strings, winds and trumpets. In addition, there will be several shorter numbers by Marenzio, Gesualdo and Clausen, and a setting of several Spanish Christmas carols by Steven Sametz. Tickets for the concert are $8 for adults and $6 for children and seniors.

Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities

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4 F’s Presents the Grand Ledge Madrigals By Nancy Sheldon

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n, Monday, December 10, the 4 F’s group will host a Christmas offering by Nancy Lange’s Madrigal Singers from Grand Ledge High School. The program will start with a noon Eucharist in the Chapel followed by a delicious lunch ($4.00) and the program from the Madrigal Singers.

Please join us by calling the church office or signing up outside of the Merrifield Room. Rides will be provided by notifying Kathleen Johnson in the office. We'd love to have you join us!

2007 Christmas Services

St. Elizabeth Guild By Debby Pierce

Sunday, December 23 8 a.m. 10 a.m.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Eucharist Lessons and Carols

Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4 p.m. 10:30 p.m. 11 p.m.

Family/Children’s Service Special Music Choral Eucharist

Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day 10 a.m.

Eucharist

Sunday, December 30 First Sunday of Christmas 8 a.m. 10 a.m.

Eucharist Eucharist with music

Tuesday, January 1 No regular Tuesday noon Eucharist

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oin us for our Corporate Communion and Breakfast at St. Paul's on Sunday, December 9 at 8 a.m. We have a special Christmas program planned that we hope you will enjoy. If you would like more information, please call me at 394-4800 or 485-5446.

B&PW By Barbara Richardson Fa-la-la, it’s so-o-o good!!

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ur Christmas dinner and carol sing will be held December 11 in the Merrifield Room at 6 p.m. with punch and snacks, and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Lange will conduct the program and carol sing. Please join us for a festive evening. Reservations are requested so please contact Debby Pierce at 485-5446 by December 9. Dinner is $8.

Special Christmas Music During Worship By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music The Advent/Christmas celebrations will get into full swing with special music at several of St. Paul’s services. The annual service of Advent Lesson and Carols will be held on Sunday, December 23, during the 10 a.m. service. The service will feature a recounting in seven lessons of the fall and redemption of humanity. All of St. Paul’s choirs, including the Handbell Choir, will join in this annual musical preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. One day later, St. Paul’s will celebrate Jesus’ birth with two Christmas Eve services, which will also feature special music. At the 4 p.m. family service, the Cherub Choir and the Boys’ and Grace Choirs will sing an anthem. The 11 p.m. Festival Eucharist service, featuring the singing of many carols, will be preceded by a half hour of Christmas music, presented by St. Paul’s musicians. The music will include pieces for soloists, choir, handbell choir and brass quartet.

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Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities

Praying the Psalms: The Prayer Book of Jesus By Carol Ingells

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raying the Psalms: The Prayer Book of Jesus” is a four-week class led by Carol Ingells, providing an opportunity to learn more about and experience more deeply the “prayer book of the Bible.” The program will be held four Wednesday nights from January 9-30, 2008, lasting from 6:15-7:30 p.m. We will explore the varieties of Psalms, the background of this book and pray with some of our favorite passages. We will learn to use the Psalms more effectively in our private devotions, as well as further appreciate their inspiration and beauty in worship. Although attendance at all sessions is preferable, you are welcome to come when you can. You are also welcome to bring someone with you! Session I - Overview of the Psalms, with a Focus on Our Favorites Session II - Praying with the Psalms in Times of Crisis Session III - Praying with the Psalms in Times of Thanksgiving and Wonder Session IV - Praying with the Psalms on Any Old Day The class will include study of Psalms, their background, the types of Psalms and exploration of how they can help us pray on special occasions and every day. There will be opportunity for discussion and sharing of experiences, as well as input from the leader.

Advent “The Gathering” By Millie Ericson, Vestry Member

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elebrate the holidays with friends, food and music for all adults in the parish (and friends) on December 14 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the home of Larry and Kathy Gut, 5553 Wild Iris Lane in Haslett. Please bring hors d’oeuvres or dessert, wine to share, yourself, a friend and/or a spouse/partner. An opportunity will be offered to share in the Spirit of the Season by making a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development. The sign-up sheet is on the table outside the Merrifield Room

Visit the Book Cart Twice in December By Sue Millar

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he Book Cart will offer books and other items for sale on the first TWO Sundays in December in order to provide additional opportunities for holiday shopping. We have books that appeal to a wide range of readers as well as craft items, jewelry and the “10 Reasons to be an Episcopalian” T-shirt. New are long-sleeved shirts. There is still time to place special orders for Prayer Books or Bibles.

This event is sponsored by the Parish Life Committee and Episcopal Relief and Development.

St. Paul’s Plans Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service and Celebration By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate

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n January 20, 2008, our St. Paul’s community will commemorate and celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s service and forum will center on the theme, “His Dream, Our Nightmare.” We hope the preaching, speaking and teaching on this day at St. Paul’s will be a theme taken from Bill Cosby’s and Alvin F. Poussaint’s newly released book, Come on People, and Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We hope you will mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend what we anticipate will be another memorable King birthday celebration.

Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities

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Parish-Wide Book Read By Millie Ericson, Vestry Member All members of the Parish are invited to join in a Parish-Wide Book Read sponsored by the Parish Life Committee. The goal is to enhance our fellowship and common connections as the Body of Christ at St. Paul’s. The book is The Worst Hard Time, the Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl, by Pulitzer Prize winning author Timothy Eden. Please indicate how you would like to participate by filling out and turning in the following form or sign up on the sheet outside the Merrifield Room. This is helpful in determining how many copies of the book to have available and how many discussion groups to plan for.

I/we would like to participate by: ____ Reading the book (some copies of the book are available in the office to purchase or circulate) ____ Joining in the series of three discussion groups in January (groups will take place at various locations and times to help facilitate the needs of all) ____ Hosting a discussion group in my home ____ Facilitating a discussion group: Name(s)______________________________________________________________________________ Phone # and/or email___________________________________________________________________ Suggest a fun, catchy name for the “book read,” and, if your suggestion is chosen, win a free copy of the book and credit for your creativity! My suggestion:_______________________________________________________

Annual Meeting – January 27 The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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lease place January 27 on your calendars as the date of our Annual Meeting. It will open with the rector’s “State of the Parish” address at the 8 a.m. service, continuing with a repeat of that address at the 10 a.m. service and conclude with lunch and the business session following the Eucharist. The lunch and business session will begin about 11:30 a.m. Because of its importance, all parishioners should plan to attend. Child care will be provided.

Christmas Communions

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f you know of anyone who would like to receive communion and will not be able to attend Christmas services, please notify the Church office so that we may contact them about receiving it.

Reminder of an Opportunity By Sue Millar, ERD Diocesan Coordinator

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e all receive appeals from a wide variety of worthwhile organizations, but again I urge you to consider honoring/gifting a friend or family member with a choice described in ERD’s “Gifts for Life” catalog. You will find them on the literature table in the Cloister.

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Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities

Special Lenten Programs to Address Electoral Issues By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music The Adult Christian Education and Formation Committee has planned a five-part series of programs for Lent that will look at some of the key issues people will be facing in the upcoming elections. Entitled “Seeking the Common Good,” the five parts of the series will include: • February 13 - Christian Citizenship 101: Biblical Foundation for Christian Involvement in the Public Arena. • •

• •

Ben Baldus will outline Biblical reasons for involvement in the political process: our responsibilities and opportunities. February 20 - The Economic Life of the State (especially through the eyes of the Michigan Budget processes). Tom Clay, of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, will help us to understand the budget process and how economic issues drive the other issues we face. February 27 - The Environment and You. Millie Ericson will coordinate this program with the parish-wide book read of The Worst Hard Times by Timothy Egan and bring in guest speakers to help us come to grips with some of the ecological issues facing our state and the nation: water usage, energy consumption, land use, etc. March 5 - When Did I See You? Matt Ferguson will develop a program that will lead us through mental health issues, including correction policies of the state (one of the largest budget items). March 12 - How to Function in a Pluralistic Society: How to live and interact with those with whom you disagree. Chris Couch will formulate a program to help us come to grips with the challenges that face us in living in a pluralistic society.

Please save these dates and invite friends to attend. As we approach an election year, these programs will help clarify the issues and provide us with tools to address them within a Christian perspective. All the programs will be held on Wednesday nights from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.

ST AELRED'S GUILD offers spiritual friendship to members of our congregation in time of need through notes, visitation, prayer list management, Eucharistic visits, celebration of births and marriages as well as phone calls to shut-ins. St. Paul’s would like to know when one of our parishioners is in the hospital, is unable to come to church, has been moved to a special care facility or just might appreciate a card or visit to let them know we are thinking about them and praying for them. Please pick up a form for this special ministry at the Welcome Table after church or call Kathleen in the office at 482-9454. All parishioners are welcome to join us in this Ministry the Third Wednesday of each month from 5:00 - 6:00 PM in the VanAtta Room.

By Carol Ingells

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erving God with Gladness and Singleness of Heart” is the theme for the annual women’s retreat weekend in late April (the exact date will be announced later). It will be held at the beautiful Weber Center in Adrian, about 75 miles south of Lansing, beginning on Friday with evening dinner and ending late afternoon on Saturday.

This is a time to “be,” for rest, reflection, solitude, conversation and fun. The retreat will be led by Carol Ingells with long experience as a spiritual teacher and retreat leader. This will be the fourth annual retreat and those who have attended previously—many of whom return as often as they can—have testified to its restorative value in body, mind and spirit. It is also an excellent opportunity for women of the parish to get to know one another better.

News from the Vestry

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Financial Information as of October 31, 2007 By Jeff Irwin The total pledge and non-pledge revenue received through October 31 was $234,290, which is 82.8% of the total 2007 budget. As of the end of October, we were through 83.3% of the year, so we are slightly behind our budget for 2007. In October, we booked a net loss from operations of $11,271, which brings the date total loss from operations to $114,523. The restricted and designated funds have recorded $31,353 in investment gain through October 31. Combined with $70,158 of restricted contributions (including $59,194 from the Penniman Trust), we have recorded a total of $101,511 in restricted income through October 31, 2007. This brings the combined net loss of the church to $13,011. Through November 15, 2007, a total of $140,000 has been withdrawn from the Perpetual Fund to provide cash necessary to keep the church operating.

At its November 20 meeting, your Vestry:

• Discussed what it might mean to support Zacheria

Akol in seminary

• Did devotions based on Tobit, the Apocrypha and • Received various committee reports. We are a •

• • • • • •

St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Interestingly, two Vestry members visited her grave this past summer. Discussed the Visioning & Welcoming Committees - Fr. Weller, Greg Wortley, and Charlie Krupka will formulate a process to allow the Vestry committees to evaluate progress and allow us to move on and set new goals. Discussed the new Garden Plaques since they are not ready yet, and the sudden vandalism that can occur when people steal metal for salvage Heard a report on ACTION Discussed the sewer separation that St. Paul's needs to comply with; nothing will be done until spring Received a report on the Public Relations plan Received a report from LAEP and the possibility of their/our sponsoring a movie called "For the Bible tells me so" Discussed the recent Diocesan Convention

beehive of activity.

• Received the October 31 financial report

(contained elsewhere in this issue)

• Passed a motion allowing another $20,000 to • • • • • • •

pass from the endowment funds to the operating account, if needed Discussed personnel issues with regard to the 2008 budget Discussed the first draft of the 2008 budget Received a stewardship report on 2008 pledges Appointed a nominating committee for candidates to the Vestry (Wortley, Gut, Tisdale, Clarke) Received information on our new outreach initiative, CarsINC (Cars in the name of Christ). Were reminded that annual reports for the January 27 Annual Meeting are due January 5 Adjourned with two minutes to spare so we could get out of the Parking Structure at 10 p.m.

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St. Paul’s News

Millennium Development Goals Kick-off By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

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t. Paul’s will spend the next three months trying to raise awareness within the parish of the nature and scope of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and to find concrete ways in which the parish can further the realization of these goals, through individual, small-group and parish-wide efforts. The theological underpinnings of these goals were presented in a special program put on by Chris Couch (aka Tim Blusterer), Dorothy Marsh (God the Mother), Larry Clark (Jesus) and Carol Ingells (Holy Spirit) on November 11. On December 2, one of the Sudanese refugees from Lansing, will speak to the parish about his experiences in Sudan and as a refugee in the United States. In early February, there will be a special intergenerational program after church to help the parish understand the MDGs a little more fully and to find ways to help fulfill these goals. In addition, there will be posters in the Merrifield Room through Christmas. Please take time to familiarize yourself with these goals and to think how we as a parish can support them.

All Saints’ Baptisms and New Member Welcome By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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ovember 4 was another huge All Saints’ celebration at St. Paul's. That morning, at both the 8 and 10 a.m. services, eight new members were welcomed to St. Paul's. In addition, nine were baptized at the 10 a.m. service. Among those nine, there were three sets of twins. This unusual gathering of twins will be covered in both the Lansing State Journal and the diocesan newspaper The Record.

Meanwhile the photo below captures the moment. Also, please welcome the following as new members to St. Paul's: • • • • • •

John Bissel Hank Borden Charles Buck Joan Ferguson Gwen & Mike Skinner Terri & Fred Junger

Profiles of each will be found in succeeding issues of the SPN. For now, please look them up at services and coffee hours and let them feel that St. Paul's is a place where "No one sits or stands alone."

We celebrate those newly dedicated to God with their families

St. Paul’s Choirs

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Choir Newsletter and Dates to Remember By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) 4 p.m. 11 p.m.

Cherubs; Boys’ and Grace High School; Chancel (Rehearsal at 10:15 p.m.)

December 26-27

No Rehearsals

January 2-3

No Rehearsals

Sunday, January 6 Singing and Rehearsal Schedule resumes

Singing Schedule Date

Choirs

December 2 December 9 December 16 December 23 (Lessons & Carols) December 30

Boys’ and Grace; High School; High School; Chancel High School; Chancel Cherub, Boys’ and Grace, High School Choirs will not be vesting

January 6 January 13 January 20 January 27

All choirs will vest; High School and Chancel will sing High School; Chancel High School; Chancel High School; Chancel

Vestry Nominations By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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ames of candidates for election to the Vestry are now being received. Qualifications include: • • • • • • •

Baptized At least 16 years of age Regular in attendance A contributing member of the congregation Willingness to attend 10 vestry meetings Willingness to chair a vestry committee Willingness to attend the vestry retreat on Feb. 1-2, 2007

If you are willing to serve or have someone you would like to nominate, please confirm his or her willingness to serve and then submit the name. As always, nominations from the floor are acceptable.

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Mission and Outreach

Mission & Outreach Activities: Where is Christ calling you to help others? December • Starter Apartment Collecting for SILS • Mitten Tree December 2 or 9 • Housing Assistance Fruit & Greens pick up at All Saints, East Lansing December 24 • Collecting gifts to support the Christ Child in support of Eve’s House January • Possible sponsoring of meals for Ronald McDonald House guests February • Episcopal Relief & Development Used Book Sale fundraiser

Looking Ahead By William Fineout, Diaconal Candidate

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n the second two weeks of Advent, we will be doing our SILS young adult apartment startup collection (see the related article). The youth will also be involved in the “Mitten Tree” and a personal needs collection as mentioned on the Youth Page, and the Christmas Eve collection for the Christ Child which will be held at the Christmas Eve services. We hope to share baby items with Eve’s House and possibly Hannah’s House, as well as others agencies. Do you need to find a Christmas present for that hard-to-buy-for person? Remember the Episcopal Relief and Development catalog. We have about 30 copies circulating around St. Paul’s. These items make great Christmas presents (as well as presents for other occasions) and help to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals.

Check the newsletter articles and the Sunday Bulletin Announcements for additional details and information.

Kassi Needs Our Help By William Fineout, Diaconal Candidate

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ome foster children who age-out of foster care (at 18) and who have no family/friend support or infrastructure are able to enter the program of Supervised Independent Living Services of Child & Family Services. Lansing Area Episcopal Projects has discovered that the State of Michigan funds for this program have been vastly cut, and Child & Family Services needs our help. For almost two years, the surrounding Episcopal Churches, including St. Paul’s in LAEP, have pitched in to provide new apartment start-up goods for these young adults who would have literally nothing without us.

We will pass out the needed items’ list on Sunday, December 2, in the Merrifield Room. Please check out the table where we will have the lists grouped into seven areas: bedding, bathroom, kitchen utensils, cooking, dishes, cleaning supplies and personal needs. You will be able to choose as many items as you wish from each area. We will have each item listed on a note card to keep from having duplication. We are asking you to shop and purchase the needed items during a two-week period and to have all them brought into church and collected by Sunday, December 16. For your information, a complete list will also be posted on the Outreach bulletin board in the Parish House hallway.

Last year, the St. Paul’s vestry did an entire apartment Extra items, such as small appliances and furniture, for such a young person. This year, your Mission & may be donated with Child & Family Service’s authoriOutreach team is asking St. Paul’s parishioners to make a collection in December for a young woman, zation. Questions can be directed to Bill Fineout. named Kassi, who will begin her adult apartment life this January 1.

Mission and Outreach

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Mission & Outreach Events have a Fruitful and Successful Fall By William Fineout, Diaconal Candidate

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n September, St. Paul’s registered three walkers for the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk and raised $140.

In October, the total CROP walk donations collected by the youth group was $1,100. The youth who walked were Steven and Margaret Kariuki, Anna and Drew Krupka, Steven Walker, Tommy Gut and Antonio Clarke; the adults were Father Ron, Judi Brown-Clarke and Barb Heany. An additional $340.00 was collected by walker Jim Milne. Also in October, the St. Paul’s Red Cross Blood Drive hit the goal of 50 pints, and special thanks should once again go to Ellie Doersam, Pat Riley and all the volunteers and donors. What a great job!!! On November 4, we finished the U/M v. MSU food drive for the Greater Lansing Food Bank, and many baskets of food were delivered to the Central United Methodist Church. See the article elsewhere in this newsletter for more information. Lastly, Habitat for Humanity has two houses going at this time. More volunteers and workers are needed at both sites. Michelle Benson completed her Habitat fundraiser with Pampered Chef in November. Hopefully you found that special Christmas present you were seeking.

On Christmas Eve, Give to EVE’s House

Fitten, Mittens…!

By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate

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id you know? EVE’s House, the first domestic violence shelter in Lansing, opened its doors in 1977, and for more than 30 years has provided free residential (and non-residential) services to victims of domestic violence. Did you know? EVE’s House programs are client-based and focused on empowering women survivors, by assisting them in a variety of areas, including housing, legal matters, parenting and employment placement. Did you know? Children are often the silent victims of domestic violence and, in a single year, women and children spend more than 6,680 nights in an EVE’s House shelter. Did you know? Every year at Christmas, St. Paul’s parishioners give generous gifts of baby bottles, diapers, formula and clothes to EVE’s House to assist in its ministry and outreach. Did you know you can make a difference to many women and children by donating needed items for newborns to EVE’s House? On Christmas Eve, please do not forget to bring your gift prepared for the Christ child, so that through him, we may give our gift, to those who need us most.

By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate ome of you may remember this wonderful holiday song, which begins with these lyrics by Sammy Cahn: “Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful And since we've no place to go, let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!” As many of you know, Michigan weather can be quite frightful, especially for the many who have no place to go for warm clothing during the winter season. I am delighted to be this year’s coordinator for the St. Paul’s Mitten Tree program. Over the next four weeks of Advent, please help decorate the tree in the cloister with new mittens, hats, gloves and scarves. Your generous gifts will be collected and donated to those in need, and then we can all say together, “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”

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St. Paul’s News

Go Green!! Go Blue!! By Nancy & Pete Sheldon (UM) and Pat & Tony Smith (MSU)

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OW!! What an amazing UM-MSU competitive food drive and blood drive we had at St Paul’s this fall. Many, many generous people opened their hearts to provide for the Greater Lansing Food Bank at Central United Methodist Church, and 50 pints of blood were donated to the American Red Cross. We owe all of you a huge THANK YOU for your generosity! Early in October, the new minister of Central United Methodist Church, Reverend Joe Huston, came to speak to our 4F’s group about the “Open Door Ministry.” Every day their doors are open for people to come in off the street for a cup of coffee, perhaps cereal, a sandwich or a roll and a warm welcome. One day a week, they serve lunch to about 150 people. They are also a branch of the Greater Lansing Area Food Bank (and hand out food) and have a clothing bank. When Rev. Huston was talking to our group about their ministry, he asked where we were taking our food drive items. Father Weller said we’d just take them next door to them this year, which we did with the help of our high school youth group. There was a lot to move! One of the ways people were asked to “vote” for their favorite team was by being one of 70 participants in the semi-annual St Paul’s Blood Drive, which included giving blood, making sandwiches, bringing cookies, setting up and taking down tables and chairs, organizing and being there to make it all go smoothly. Another way our parishioners were asked to “vote” was by bringing food or writing a check to the Greater Lansing Area Food Bank. However people participated, they were generous and enjoyed being able to choose their team in this wonderful rivalry! The drive ended the Sunday after the UM/MSU football game. While UM emerged victorious on the gridiron, Sparty supporters bested the Blue in the blood and food contest. The final results were: GIFT

Blood Drive (1 person = 3) Food Drive (each item = 1) Monetary Donations

MSU

UM

165 1048 535 $1748

45 692 310 $1047

B

TOTAL 210 1740 845 $2795

ea Richards, who turned 96 on November 20, has been a member of St. Paul's all her life and still enjoys special holidays. Here she celebrates Halloween at The Marquette, an Assisted Living Facility where she now resides. Happy Birthday, Bea!

St. Paul’s News

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The Rt. Rev. Names Our Rector The Very Rev. By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate

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ollowing a unanimous cleric vote and supporting recommendation, the Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr. in the eighth year of his episcopate, at our recent Diocesan Convention, appointed Fr. Gordon as Dean. This means The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller serves and functions as the Bishop’s representative in the Capitol Deanery. He will meet regularly with the Bishop, consulting and advising him on matters concerning official diocesan business, important local/ regional issues, as well as providing for local clergy counseling, pastoral care and hospital/home visitations. Fr. Gordon will also, on occasion, represent the Bishop at special church services, funerals and community events.

ship and direction of the Dean, having a purpose of promoting fellowship, communication and community, common ministry and formation, and clergy training and education. In the Capital Area Deanery, there are nine churches: Christ United, DeWitt; All Saints, East Lansing; Canterbury at MSU; St. Paul’s, Jackson; St. Paul’s, Lansing; St. Augustine, Mason; St. Katherine’s, Williamston; and St. Andrew, Northwest Jackson. Clergy from each of these churches meet monthly as a clericus, to share personal and professional experiences, plan bishop visitations and to discuss other matters of shared interest.

It is with thanksgiving and celebration that we congratulate The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller, Dean of In the Diocese of Michigan, there are eight established the Capitol Deanery. deaneries. A deanery is organized under the leader-

Convention By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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n October 26-27, the Diocesan Convention was held in Lansing at the Holiday Inn, South. Many people had the opportunity to attend. Sixty people from St. Paul's attended the Friday evening banquet and heard the Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, speak.

Delegates Greg Wortley, Charlie Krupka, Kathy Gut, Chuck Millar, Ron Byrd and Gordon Weller attended all the business sessions. The Saturday Eucharist definitely had a St. Paul's flavor with Sue LeDuc and Pat Riley comprising the Altar Guild and Anna Krupka and Antonio Clarke serving as Acolytes. Hugh Clarke was the crucifer and Greg Wortley was one of the Lectors. It should be noted that Larry Clark, a vestry member, attended most of the business sessions as an alternate. Well done. The whole backdrop for Convention was created by Michael Young. These items will service the next several conventions and currently are in our Merrifield room as backing for our own assessment of the MDGs. When the Convention was adjourned on Saturday afternoon, a $2.8 million budget had been passed, The Millennium Development Goals had been adopted as Diocesan Goals and Bishop Gibbs had reasserted his vision for the diocese in his convention address. In addition, most were treated to a fine sermon by The Rev. Mike Kinman about the Millennium Development Goals, all diocesan offices were filled and an assortment of resolutions and canonical changes had been voted upon. Good job to all who participated.

Anna Krupka and Antonia Clarke with Bishop Wendell Gibbs

Members of the St. Paul’s community gather at the convention

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St. Paul’s Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry Articles Provided in Collaboration By: Youth Christian Education and Youth Fellowship Chairperson, Judith Brown-Clarke Youth Group Executive Council President, Steven Kariuki Youth Group Coordinator, Barbara Heany Youth Group Advisor, Tom Foltz Acolyte Guild, Directors Patricia Bellinger & Carol Sleight The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate

Acolyte Guild Welcomes New Members

Church School Students Planning Shut-in/Senior Pen Pal Program

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he St. Paul’s Acolyte Guild would like to invite you to join in welcoming three of its newest members: Daniel Crabtree, Daniel Fletcher and Frankie Nevin. The guild now has 17 active members, boasting nearly perfect attendance at its November meeting. WOW!

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As many of you know, this is one of the busiest and most rewarding times of year for the Acolyte Guild. The upcoming schedule includes many significant services, including “Christ the King,” “Lessons & Carols,” “Christmas Eve,” (Yep! Yep! double duty!), Christmas Day and, most certainly, the “Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ!” These services encompass a variety of liturgical schemes, and to ensure proper preparation and assignments, the Acolyte Guild will meet twice in December: first, on the regularly scheduled second Sunday of the month, December 9, and again on December 16.

One of our church school projects is to adopt a “shutin” senior for our Pen Pal Program (P3). Each class will be assigned a senior(s) as their “pal” and will periodically exchange letters, gifts and photos. This will give the seniors a wonderful way to stay connected to the church and to establish a relationship with an unlikely friend. Our students will have an opportunity to honor and bond with our wisest members and thereby connect to our circle of life. This church school project is supported by and in conjunction with the St. Aelred’s Guild.

hings are going well and attendance is high. Teachers take it as a BIG compliment when they see students eagerly going to class, ready to learn and willing to participate. We hope that your child is sharing his or her experiences, because they certainly bring value and interesting perspectives to our discussions.

As a reminder, first semester for church school ends in the middle of January. We are always in need of teachers, substitute teachers and helpers in the classrooms. There is little that is more fulfilling than being a role model and leader for our precious children

Youth Group Sponsors Personal Needs

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f one thinks of the typical homeless person as being a vagrant, chronic alcoholic male in his 40s or 50s, it’s an eye opener to realize that over half of the homeless persons seen by local agencies are women and children, and over one-quarter are children and youth. In this season of thanksgiving, the youth group would like to share their many blessings by sponsoring a “personal needs” drive. Proceeds will be given to the Lansing Rescue Mission. Items being collected are blankets, napkins, toilet paper, Styrofoam bowls, plates and cups, plus-sized clothing, long underwear, underwear, hats and gloves, socks, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, alcohol-free mouthwash, double-blade razors, shaving cream and kitchen towels. Items will be collected throughout December. A drop-off site will be located in the Merrifield Room. Just look for the shopping cart! Please give generously. The blessing will be all yours!

St. Paul’s Youth Ministry

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Executive Council To Be Commissioned, Youth Lounge To Be Dedicated

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t. Paul’s Youth Group is up and running strong. On October 21, the youth group membership elected an executive council. Elected by a majority vote of their peers were Steve Kariuki, President; A.J. Fletcher, Vice-President; Steven Walker, Treasurer; and Baylie Sanchez, Secretary. Sub-committee and ad-hoc chairpersons for the youth group room, fundraising, mission/outreach, advertising/marketing and professional development are yet to be selected. These committee chairs will be announced in a few weeks. On the first Sunday of Advent, Fr. Weller will commission the youth group’s executive council, committee chairs and participants during the 10 a.m. church service.

St. Paul’s Youth Group

The Youth Group is thrilled to have newly dedicated space, located downstairs next to the choir rooms, for meetings and activities. We are in the process of creating a list to be presented to the congregation for solicitation of items that will make the room more functional and comfortable. The Youth Group Lounge will be dedicated immediately following the December 2 commissioning service.

One Person’s Junk Is Another Person’s Treasure

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eeding to get rid of an old couch, loveseat or chair? Perhaps you have an extra television, microwave, computer, Sony Play Station or DVD player sitting around your house. Well, St. Paul’s Youth Group would very much like to take any of these items off your hands. Over the next several weeks, (and of course beyond), please consider donating any of the items mentioned, or any other items which you feel maybe useful, toward enhancing the décor, ambiance and comfort of the new St. Paul’s Youth Lounge. For donations or additional information, please contact Steve Kariuki, A.J. Fletcher or Fr. Ron.

Upcoming Youth Group Events

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n December 2, the youth group will spread some cheer at Tendercare West when it plays Bingo with the residents. Bringing our youth together with these seniors has been a very rewarding experience in the past. The youth bring a vibrancy and energy to the seniors and, in return, receive a loving and embracing warmth. What a perfect way to begin the Christmas Season. Also, a mid-winter youth group lock-in is in the early planning stages. Dates and details will be forthcoming.

“If not you, Sue, who?” By Sue Millar

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heresa Milne addressed these words to me as we were discussing a book about helping children experience of joys of sharing. That morning on WUOM, I had heard a discussion of sharing and found myself challenged by the description of one grandmother’s Christmas strategy with her grandchildren.

I confessed to Theresa my hesitancy to take a stand against entrenched family expectations. Would my grandkids be disappointed? Would their parents think I was meddling?

On the other hand, if I don’t share my conviction that generosity and giving for the sake of others is the truest source of joy and meaning in life, I’m hiding from Rather than struggling to find a gift that would delight my grandchildren something of importance to me. the child as well as pass muster with her own So, thanks, Theresa. Your question moved me to act on “grandmotherly standards,” she gave each child a “Share Check.” Her instructions were for her grandchil- what I believe and Christmas in our family will be a dren to find a cause that he or she could be passion- little closer this year to what is in my heart. ate about and that would benefit others, and then P.S. If you would like to look at the interactive Giving give the Share Check in support of that cause. Book for children, it is available on the Book Cart.

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St. Paul’s News

(Continued from page 1)

as voting lay delegates. In addition, Chuck Millar, Ron Byrd and Gordon Weller participated as voting clergy from St. Paul’s. More important, however, was the fact that around 55 other St. Paul’s members—who were not required to be there in an official capacity—chose to attend the Convention banquet Friday evening at which the Presiding Bishop made an appearance. Moreover, still others from St. Paul’s assisted with the Convention proceedings in any number of ways. It was an impressive way to extend our welcoming culture to diocesan relationships. Granted, we are not always going to see eye to eye with every other church or every other member within our Diocese. During the Convention business meetings on that Saturday—at which changes and amendments to the diocesan Constitution and Canons, resolutions for diocesan policy and action, and candidates for diocesan offices were discussed and voted on—there were a variety of viewpoints expressed and lively exchanges. But in no way did the diversity of opinion distract from welcoming each other under the umbrella of the One we worship, the One whose mission we all strive to advance. Christopher Weber, in a book you commonly see at our book cart once a month, Welcome to the Episcopal Church, highlights the basis of such a welcoming culture that should be present in our church and throughout all Episcopal churches. He writes, “Uniquely among the churches, the Anglican vision from the very beginning has been not centered so much on organizational unity or doctrinal unity as on a community united in worship….The call to unity is not about uniformity of approach but about unity in obedience to the gospel. There were divisions in the church in Corinth, and St. Paul suggested that the church is a body with many members who have many different roles to play. No member of the Body of Christ can say to another member, ‘I have no need of you.’ Uniformity of opinion and vision might be more comfortable to some, but unity is made up of diversity. It is precisely in the clash of opinions and the debating of different visions that the mission of the church is clarified. A church without controversy would be a dead church. The Episcopal Church at the beginning of the third millennium is far from dead!” In that spirit, the vestry continues to be fully supportive of, and eager to involve ourselves in, our larger church community. Each year the Vestry discusses and votes on a commitment to making our diocesan pledge, and I’m pleased to report once again we continue to pledge full payment of our apportionments. But most noticeable was our involvement at the annual convention of the Michigan Diocese.

St. Paul’s December Prayer List We pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson, Richard, Audrie & Aaron Hegmon, Shelley Robinson, Donna, Grady, & Dennis Letner, Clara Voges, Mason Hill, Lois Caswell, June Wyatt, Dick Siebert, Carol, Judith Jones, Becky Chamberlain, Nancy Hiscoe Clark, Charles Weaver, Ben Herbert, Chance Collins, Caroline Thomas and her parents, brothers & godparents, Betty Jensen, Dan Heany, Marsha & Skip Macholz, Gloria Harvat, Jack Siebold, DakBai DakBai, Irene Jones, Mary Ann Kelley, Ed Farmer, Sally Engle, Ed Jones, Alice Jessop Lamb, Justin, Elizabeth, Barb Hacker, Andrew Astley, Mary Tuckey, Jeff & Sandy Howe, Michael Skinner, Bob & Ginny Bancroft, Darrick, Kelsey Bauman, and Michael Pearl.

Prayer List

We pray for and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas: Daniel Reno and Daniel Laurion. We pray for those expecting: Opuene & Karen Amachree, Stuart & Rochelle Cullum, Cory & Stacy Nelson, Christopher & Kristan Chase, and Justin & Jessica Leonard We pray for comfort for the Alvarez family and friends of Larry Tim, who recently passed away, and for Patrick McKnight after the passing of his brother, Michael. We celebrate the baptism of: Kellan Michael Broughton, Charles Leighton Ferguson, Rachel Elizabeth Ferguson, Dylan Christopher Koenemann, Heather Renee Koenemann, Alexander Robert McConnell, Michael Skinner, Daphne Mae Such and Sohee Diane Such

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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 The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music Mr. William H. Fineout, Acting Deacon Ms. Mary Rodeck, Assistant Minister of Music Ms. Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager

St. Paul’s News Editorial Staff Christine Caswell, Editor Tom Shawver, Staff Writer Helen Hiscoe, Proofreader Lyn Zynda, Layout Editor

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