St. Paul's News - February, 2007

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Lansing Michigan

St. Paul’s News February, 2007

The Sin of Racism By The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller

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n Sunday, January 14, St Paul’s gathered to mark the life and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our preacher The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller at the morning services was The Rev. Joyce Matthews, curate at Christ Church, Cranbrook. Following the service, 50 to 60 people gathered in the Merrifield room to discuss “The Sin of Racism.” This title has been used for the last two years because it reflects the view that the Episcopal Church has of Racism. It comes from a document written by the Episcopal House of Bishops in 1994 and reaffirmed in 2006. In the afternoon session, many voiced the opinion that some aspects of the program and discussion were eye opening: that they “had never thought of it that way before.” There was an admission that Racism still exists and infects many of us.

The key question of the day was, “What do we do about it? How can we be more in tune with God’s will for us and all strive to be brothers and sisters, as children of God?” Some of the responses were very simple. Don’t be afraid to sit with someone who is different from you. Don’t be afraid to talk to them. Make a conscious effort to be with them. I share this with you because in February, we will again begin the season of Lent. As always, it follows the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany, when God took the initiative to come to and be with those who were different. Jesus extended that initiative even further when he spoke and ministered to sinful humankind. God/Jesus didn’t have to do this, but it was the right thing to do to break down the barriers between humanity and divinity. It was an act of love. (Continued on page 2)

St. Paul’s Organ Restoration Committee By Jeff Kressler and Nancy Milne, Co-Chairs

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hanks to all for the support received during our recent fund-raising drive to refurbish St. Paul’s pipe organ! The instrument sounds absolutely wonderful with the new stops and other improvements to the electrical system! The final cost for this project was actually less than we had anticipated: $150,580.00. The financial breakdown is as follows: Total amount pledged

$96,386.00

Monies Received: Pledges Non-members & gifts from members above the pledged amount Fratcher Foundation Diocese Whitely Foundation Pampered Chef

$84,418.00 $18,160.00 $10,810.00 $10,000.00 $2,000.00 $164.92

Total Received:

$125,552.92 (Continued on page 10)

Volume 32, Issue 1

Inside this issue: Calendar

11

Choir Schedule

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St. Paul’s News

6

Upcoming Activities Vestry News

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Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities St Paul’s In Action

Ongoing Activities • St. Aelred’s Guild, 3rd Wednesday, 5 PM • Book Cart, First two Sundays in December, after 10 AM • B&PW, 6 PM • ECW, 3rd Monday, 7 PM • Family Night Dinner, Wednesdays, 5-6 PM • 4Fs, Monday, February 12, 11:30 AM • Infant/Toddler Group, 3rd Saturday, 10 AM-Noon • St. Paul’s Library, open every Sunday • Prayer Group, 1st Tuesday, 5:30 PM, Choir Rehearsal Room • Men’s Breakfast, 3rd Thursday, 7-8 AM, Hill Room • Mid-Week Eucharist, Tuesdays, noon Committee Meetings • Design & Preservation, 2nd Tuesday, 5:30 PM • Evangelism Meeting, 3rd Tuesday, 5 PM • Mission and Outreach, 3rd Monday, 5:30 PM • Vestry, 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 PM • Vision Statement, 3rd Tuesday, 5:30 PM • Welcoming Church, 3rd Tuesday, 5:30 PM

This Month at St. Paul’s and Elsewhere • Brown Bag Sunday, February 11 and 18 • Shrove Tuesday, February 20, 6 PM • Ash Wednesday Services, February 21, 7 AM, Noon, 7 PM • GLHC Winter Theater, Thursday, February 22, 6 PM • Holy Eucharist and Book Review, five Mondays beginning February 26, 11:30 AM • ACEFC Series, five Wednesday evenings beginning February 28, 6:16 to 7:45 PM • Morning Prayer, Wednesdays, February 28— March 28, 7 AM Looking Ahead • Cabaret, Saturday, March 3, • Baptismal Covenant Classes, four Saturdays beginning March 10, 9:30 AM • ERD Book Sale, March 18 and 25, 11:30 AM • Stewardship Conference, March 23-24, St. John’s Royal Oak • Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation, April 22, St. Paul’s, Jackson

Annual Winter Theater - GLHC

ECW Update & Annual Meeting

By Debby Pierce, Chair, Mission and Outreach

By Annette Irwin, President

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n Thursday, February 22, the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition will be putting on the play "The People vs. Friar Lawrence, the Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet" at the BoarsHead Theater. This musical is a Shakespeare parody with Friar Lawrence being grilled at court as he relates the entire story of the Capulets and the Montagues and the fate of Romeo & Juliet. There will be a buffet and silent auction. Hors d'oeuvres are at 6 p.m. and the curtain is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35.00 per person ($20 is tax deductible). Please make your reservations by February 2 by calling the Coalition office at 372-5980. This is a great opportunity to support the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition and have some fun at the same time. A show of support from St. Paul's would be wonderful.

hank you to all who contributed cookies for the Lessons and Carols’ coffee hour. As always, it was a beautiful service with wonderful fellowship during coffee hour. A special thank you to Max and Debby Pierce who were the interior decorators, making the Merrifield Room shine with Christmas cheer. ECW will be providing brunch for the Annual Meeting. Donations will be accepted and appreciated. The money will help reimburse food costs and assist in ECW continuing to provide special receptions when needed. Information will be provided in the coming weeks about the ECW retreat in the spring.

(Continued from, “The Sin of Racism,” page 1)

In the season of Lent, we are called to respond to the initiative of Christmas and Epiphany and examine ourselves so that we might also do the “right thing” to be instruments of love. As part of your own Lenten discipline, consider the ways you might break down the “isms” that divide and separate us: ageism, “genderism,” ethnic “backgroundism,” and yes, Racism.

Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities

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Lenten Programs Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

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uring the season of Lent, a time during which we are called to focus a little more intentionally on our spiritual life, St. Paul’s will offer several programs that can help us to reach inward, upward and outward. On five consecutive Mondays at noon, beginning February 26, parishioners will review books of a broadly spiritual nature. Holy Eucharist will be held at 11:30 a.m., with a soup and salad lunch beginning at 12 noon. The book reviews are usually held from 12:30 1 p.m. This year’s book reviews will be as follows: • • • •

• March 26 - The Best Day, The Worst Day by Don-

ald Hall (reviewed by Carol Ingells). This book is by Poet Laureate Donald Hall, a former professor at the University of Michigan. It tells of the power of love in marriage and of his life with Jane Kenyon.

On Wednesday nights, The Adult Christian Education and Formation Committee is offering a series based on Matthew 25: 35-36 (…For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…). The programs will focus on ways in which we can fulfill our baptismal promise to “seek and serve February 26 - Across Barbed Wire by James PoChrist in all persons, loving [our] neighbor as [our]self. cock (reviewed by Nancy Sheldon) The sessions will run from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. and will March 5 - Almighty God and Politics by Madeleine feature speakers describing their specific organizations Albright (reviewed by Gordon Weller) and how we may help them: March 12 - Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by • February 28 - “Hungry and Thirsty and You Gave Anne Lamott (reviewed by Dorothy Marsh) Me Drink and Water,” Chris Bobier of Central March 19 - The Vicar of Afton by Jim Brewster (reviewed by Caroline Such), an Episcopalian (Continued on page 10) “Who done it”

Shrove Tuesday Supper and Palm Burning By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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n February 20, we will celebrate the end of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent with our annual Pancake Supper. It will begin at 6 p.m. As has become our custom, the children will burn the palms from the 2006 Palm Sunday Service in the courtyard. Please bring them on Tuesday or the Sunday before. The meal is free except for any donation you would like to make.

BP&W By Barbara Richardson

Ash Wednesday Services

February 21, 2006 7AM — Chapel Noon — Chapel 7PM — Church

St. Aelred’s Guild

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t. Aelred’s Guild works to provide visits, cards, prayers and support to the community of St. Paul’s unable to attend church regularly because of illness or other hardship.

he B&PW meeting will be Tuesday, February 3, with dinner starting at 6 p.m. The cost is $8, and reservations need to be made in advance with Nancy Milne.

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Request forms for this special ministry are available at the Welcome Table after church, or you can call Gordon Weller or Susie Shaefer and give the name of the person who would benefit from a little special attention.

Also, B&PW is currently selling Younker’s Community Day coupon books at the coffee hours after the 10 a.m. service. The books are $5, and the Community Day will be held at Younker’s on March 3.

The Guild meetings from January through May will be the first Wednesday of each month at 5 PM in the Van Atta Room or call Nancy Sheldon, (517) 393-9165 for additional information.

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Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities

10th Annual Conference, Worthy Of Your Consideration By Sue Millar

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or 10 years our diocese, through the Whittaker School, has offered an annual two-day conference on stewardship. Words can't describe what is in store for you if you commit a Friday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon to attend. I am happy to witness to the fact that each of the preceding conferences has impacted my thinking and spiritual awareness significantly, long-term and constructively. I look forward to this next conference with eager anticipation, knowing that I will be "fed." Bishop Michael Curry of the Diocese of North Carolina is the scheduled speaker. People who have heard him enthusiastically endorse his message and his abilities as a skilled and persuasive speaker. Watch for more information in the Sunday bulletins or bulletin board notices. For now, just save the date, Friday, March 23, 6-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 24, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Special Holy Week Guest

Brown Bag Sunday

By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

By Debby Pierce, Chair, Mission & Outreach

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oly week and Easter are not until April, but we ask you to put a special event on your calendar now. During holy week, Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday, we will have a guest preacher in residence to help with the spiritual discipline that this holy time demands. Our guest will be Micah Jackson. He is an Episcopalian, currently in California, studying for a doctorate in preaching. We are fortunate to be able to have him with us. More news will be in the March issue of the St. Paul’s News.

n Sunday, February 11 and again on Sunday, February 18, we will be handing out brown grocery bags to be filled with items for the Lansing Area Food Bank. The bags are to be returned on Sunday, February 25 for delivery to the Food Bank. While this did not start out as a cold winter, we are seeing colder weather now, and there are many people in the area who need our help. Be sure to pick up a bag and fill it with foods that you like. Thank you.

St. Paul’s February Prayer List

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e pray for those who are sick and in need: Beverly McEachern, Cindy Robinson, Richard, Audrey & Aaron Hegmon, Shelley Robinson, Donna, Grady, & Dennis Letner, Clara Voges, Mason Hill, Lois Caswell, Brian Schray, June Wyatt, Dick Siebert, Erik Lindquist, Carol, Bernie Lynch, Judith Jones, baby Benjamin, Becky Chamberlain, Kim Cross, Nancy Hiscoe Clark, Elizabeth Marsden, Dezi & Penny Horvat, Charles Weaver, Kristin Kelley, Rich Davis, Cris Plyler, Ben Herbert, Tim Ross, Chance Collins, Marlene Dombroske, Caroline Thomas and her parents, brothers & godparents, Chris Laurion, Steve, Carolyn Such, Betty Jensen, Aaron Robinson, Linda, Marjorie Belles, Dan, MaryLea Benson, Ed Meier, Marsha & Skip Macholz, Gloria Harvat, Roland Howes, Cindy Alvarez, DakBai DakBai, and Jack Siebold

Prayer List

We pray and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas: Carlos Sims We pray for those expecting: Norm & Tara Farhat, Tad & Leigh Miller, Mark & Kate Johnson, Ian & Brooke Broughton, and Daren & Ellen McConnell

We pray for and celebrate the baptisms of: Alexander Thomas Kissling, son of Kurt Kissling & Cara Garvale Kissling; Aida Virgine Leonard, daughter of Justin & Jessica Leonard; Abigail Elizabeth Young, daughter of Michael & Julie Young

Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities Visit to the Local Greek Orthodox Congregation

Baptismal Covenant Classes

By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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he Four F’s group will visit Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Monday, February 12. This visit is part of our continuing examination of “Abraham, Father of Three Religions.” The day will begin with an 11:30 a.m. Eucharist and a noon lunch. At 12:30 p.m., we will go to the Orthodox Church to compare, contrast and reflect on the differences and similarities of another branch of the Christian faith. If you would like to attend, please call the church or sign the guest list outside the Merrifield Room. The cost for lunch is $4.

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By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller he spring edition of our Baptismal Covenant classes will begin March10 and meet for four consecutive Saturdays. These classes are required for those considering baptism for themselves or their children, but are something that could benefit any Christian yearning to know the requirements of being a Christian. Each class begins at 9:30 a.m. and will last for two hours. A sitter is available if needed (notify the Church). Please sign up now by calling the Church office or signing the guest list outside the Merrifield Room.

Coming Next Month: ERD Used Book Sale By Sue Millar, ERD Diocesan Coordinator

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ast year we held the first ERD used book sale. Thanks to your wonderful support, it was a great success and we sent over $500 to support the work of Episcopal Relief and Development.

Since that time I have frequently been asked if we planned to have another one. "Sure," I would answer, and the time is here. For the second sale to be successful, it again depends on you. Look through your and your children's bookshelves for books you have enjoyed but won't read again. (You may also have unread books that you can't imagine ever reading.) Place them in the red bin under the sign-in table next to the elevator and we'll be launched on our second annual sale. Come March 18 and 25 to buy replacements for the spaces on your shelves, donate generously to ERD and return home to enjoy some new reading adventures. (Please, no textbooks, magazines or computer manuals.)

A 2006 Thank You By Debby Pierce

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would like to thank all of you who helped with the many projects and celebrations of St. Paul's this past year. You have all volunteered for so many things whenever asked. My St. Paul's Family is the best and very precious to me. Heartfelt thanks to you all.

Confirmation, Reception, & Reaffirmation By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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ishop Wendell Gibbs, Jr. will visit the area on April 22 to confirm those who present themselves. The service will be held at St. Paul’s Jackson. Those interested in Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation should contact one of the clergy or call the Church office.

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St. Paul’s Youth Ministry

Stewardship Happenings By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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ne of the commitments that the 2006 stewardship committee made to themselves and to St. Paul’s was to live the theological realization that Stewardship is a year-round way of life, and not just a fall fund raising campaign. To that end, the committee will continue to meet every month during the year and present some of their thoughts and findings to the congregation on a regular basis. Their current presentation is “Which Star Are You Following?” This diocesan program is an outgrowth of last fall’s stewardship campaign, “The Gift of Generosity.” The program begins on Ash Wednesday and continues throughout Lent. Explanations have been included in the weekly bulletins since Epiphany. We would be happy to mail any parishioner a more complete explanation on request. The essence of the program is to challenge individuals to think of tithing as a Christian way of life and to be one who tithes during the season of Lent. This is not simply another fundraiser for St. Paul’s. As the Diocesan material states, gifts of generosity can go anywhere, not only to the Church. Everything is anonymous and the only criteriaon is to try. One component will be a Labyrinth meditation that will take place at St. Paul’s on Friday, February 9 at 7 p.m. Anyone trying the program will be invited to attend a dinner in the fall with the bishop to celebrate the attempt. Contact the Church office for more information. Another program sponsored by the Stewardship committee and the Diocese is a “Planned Giving Seminar.” This will take place on Saturday, March 10 at St. Paul’s and will be open to the Lansing area parishes. More information on this event will be included in the March issue of the St. Paul’s News.

New Speakers’ Fund Established

Gift to St. Paul’s

By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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hanks to the generosity of Tom and Jean Shawver, St. Paul’s has a wonderful new resource to assist in our education about our faith. The Shawvers have established the fund to allow us to invite persons of interest to come and share their vision and insights. Our first speaker will be Micah Jackson who will be with us in Holy Week (see Holy Week article). While other possible speakers have not been contacted, there is a possibility our new Presiding Bishop, Katherine JeffertsShori, will be with us in October 2007. There will be more about this exciting possibility in the March Issue of the SPN. Thank you, Tom and Jean.

any know that St. Seraphim’s, a Russian Orthodox congregation, has been meeting on a weekly basis in the chapel for the last two years. In gratitude for our hospitality, they have given us an oil painting of St. Sergius-Trinity Monastery in Latvia. This monastery was built in the 14th century. This picture will be displayed in the upstairs meeting room (Sr. High Class Room) with pictures of several English Cathedrals. Stop by and see it.

Wednesday Mornings in Lent By The Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

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very Wednesday morning in Lent, February 28 - March 28, there will be a service of Morning Prayer at 7 a.m. It will be followed by a Bible study that will concentrate on the resurrection appearances of Jesus.

News from the Vestry Financial Information As of

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December 31, 2006

By Jeff Irwin

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his article was written before the December 31, 2006 accounting was finalized. Therefore the amounts reported are preliminary and may change.

Many positive things happened in 2006. There were many generous gifts that were placed in various restricted funds. Some of the more significant gifts were made by the estate of Juanita Assiff, the estate of Janet Hendy and the Lucille Penniman Trust. Additionally, Tom and Jean Shawver provided funds to start a special speakers’ fund in 2006. All told, a total of $102,543 was received that was either designated or restricted for a particular purpose. Additionally, the restricted funds recorded an increase in value of $63,940 in 2006. A successful organ restoration project took place in 2006. Almost $144,000 was raised to restore the organ. The majority of the funds came from within our congregation. At year end, over $99,000 had been received from members with an additional $12,000 in pledges to be collected in 2007. Approximately, $33,000 came from the Diocese, the Fratcher Trust and the Whitely Foundation. Final funding was provided by a $6,000 transfer from the Organ Repair Fund to complete the project. As in the past, support was provided to assist the Sudanese. All carryover funds were expended for Sudanese projects in 2006 with net support of approximately $5,000 provided. In 2006 the designated and restricted revenue totaled $154,891. In the unrestricted operations, pledge and non-pledged revenue was $267,836. Almost $10,000 of that was (Continued on page 10)

Highlights from the Vestry Meetings:

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At the January 16th Vestry meeting your Vestry: • Discussed three small pieces from, The Business of •

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Heaven: Daily Readings From C.S. Lewis for devotions Received Correspondence from the office of the Presiding Bishop that indicated they will respond to our request to visit St. Paul's and the people of the State of Michigan by March 1 Accepted, with thanks, the generous donation by Jean & Tom Shawver to start a "Speakers" Fund. Approved the December 18th minutes Elected Judi Clarke to fill the remaining one year Vestry term of Chris Nazar who will be moving to Kansas City Noted, with thanks, those going off Vestry, Jim Boulton, Graham Crabtree, Ellie Doersam, Chris Nazar, and Nancy Sheldon Received seven names of individuals who will run for four Vestry positions Received the name of one teen who will run for

• • • • • • • • •

the newly created "youth" position on the Vestry Reviewed the new voting procedure for Vestry positions (Each person elected must get a majority). Noted that our new By-laws on election are now congruent with National and Diocesan Bylaws. It probably will mean we must have more than one ballot Discussed the Vestry calling lists that were acted on in December Reviewed and accepted the 2006 year end draft financial report Discussed and approved for presentation at the annual meeting, a budget for 2007. It is a deficit budget Received various committee reports in printed form without discussion Discussed the 2007 pledge totals which continue to creep up. Current total is $281,440 Reviewed the food assignments for the annual meeting (Who brings what) Reviewed the Vestry retreat dates and times. (8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, February 3, St. Francis Center DeWitt) Noted VBS (Vacation Bible School) dates as being June 18 - 22 Adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

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St. Paul’s Youth Ministry

Vacation Bible School

Super Bowl Party

By Pastor Susie Shaefer, Curate

By Pastor Susie Shaefer, Curate

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ave the dates!! St. Paul’s Vacation Bible School will be Monday, June 18-Friday, June 22. We will need lots of volunteer help before, during and after the event. Mark your calendars, and look for registration materials in early spring!

ll youth in grades 6-12 and their families are invited to the annual Super Bowl Party on February 4, from 5-10 p.m. This year, we will also be celebrating Chris Nazar’s work with St. Paul’s Youth over the last several years, and wishing him well in his move to Kansas City. Join us for football, fun, fellowship and a grand farewell. The party will be held at the home of Susie & Luke Shaefer at 1030 Grenoble Circle in Lansing. Signing up is appreciated, either on the sheet outside the Merrifield Room or by calling the church office.

Summer Camp By Pastor Susie Shaefer, Curate

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his year, the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan is partnering with the Lutheran Church to offer summer camp programs for children and youth. The camp ministry, called Living Water Ministries, has all kinds of offerings from Sailing Camp or Acting Camp for high schoolers, to Junior High Horse Camp, to traditional summer camp for those entering grades 4-9. On Sunday, February 18, a team of counselors from Living Water Ministries will be joining us in church school and worship to share more about the camp ministry. Check out the camp brochures available in the literature & tract rack, and join us on February 18 to hear about this exciting opportunity for children and youth.

By Tom Shawver, Staff Writer

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e bid a fond farewell to Chris Nazar who is leaving Lansing and St. Paul's in March to take a new job in Kansas City. In his nearly six years at St. Paul's, he has been one of the most active members of the parish, especially in mentoring and working with the youth groups. He was a leader of last year's mission trip to Tennessee and an earlier trip to New York City. He also participated in "lock-ins" for parish young people and coordinated the annual Crop Walk to alleviate world hunger. As a Vestry member for two years, he worked primarily in Christian Education. Chris is a native of Ontario and a graduate of the University of Toronto. He will head up planning operations in the Kansas City office of Wilbur Smith and Associates, his present employer. "I've really enjoyed my experience in St. Paul's," he said. "I've been blessed to work with a good group of people, and I'm impressed that so many people here are involved in the work of the church."

St. Paul’s Choirs

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Choir News and Dates to Remember By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music Chancel Choir - Thursday, February 8: No rehearsal (We will be going to Wharton Center to hear the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Anton Armstrong) High School Choir - Wednesday, February 21: No Rehearsal, although all members of the High School Choir are invited to join the Chancel Choir for the Ash Wednesday service (7 p.m.). Cherubs and Boys’ and Grace will meet as normal from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Chancel Choir - Wednesday, February 21: We will sing for the Ash Wednesday service (rehearsal for the service will begin at 6:30 p.m.) and then will have our normal Thursday rehearsal after the service. There will be no rehearsal on February 22. All Choirs - Saturday, March 3 - Cabaret (an evening of dining, fellowship and great entertainment provided by choristers of St. Paul’s.) This is a fundraiser for the England Choristers’ trip. All the Youth Choirs will be presenting numbers. Please save this date and support the High School Choristers!

Singing Schedule Date

Choirs

February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25

Boys’ and Grace; High School High School and Chancel High School and Chancel High School and Chancel

March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25

Boys’ and Grace; High School High School and Chancel High School and Chancel High School and Chancel

Cabaret is Coming Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

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wonderful evening of light dining and heavy entertainment (or is that heavy dining and light entertainment?) will be held at St. Paul’s on Saturday, March 3, beginning at 5 p.m. The menu will be spaghetti, salad, roll and dessert, to be followed by some of St. Paul’s finest performing works from Broadway and offBroadway (and maybe even off-off Broadway). Tickets will be available at coffee hours in February. It’s always family-rated entertainment, with Cherubs, Boys’ and Grace, High School Choirs, and several adult soloists and groups performing for us. Reservations are necessary, so please purchase your tickets early. It’s a great way to spend an evening: good food, great entertainment and wonderful fellowship. Please join us!

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St. Paul’s Youth Ministry

(Continued from, “Lenten Programs,” page 3)

United Methodist Church on their open door ministry

• March 7 - “Naked and You Clothed Me,” Mary Ann Harkema of Christian Services • March 14 - “Sick and You Ministered to Me,” Steve Esop, on staff with Heartland Hospice • March 21 - “In Prison and You Visited Me” Mary King from the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative on the

needs of prisoners and how to minimize recidivism • March 28 - “A Stranger and You Welcomed Me,” Vince Delgado of Christ Lutheran Church will deal with

the concerns and difficulties of immigrants being assimilated into and cared for in our society And third, described elsewhere, Gordon Weller will offer Wednesday Morning Prayer services, along with a look at the Resurrection appearances of Jesus as described in the Gospels. Finally, on Sunday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m., Stephen Lange will play The Stations of the Cross, a musical work composed by French organist, Marcel Dupré to depict the 14 Stations of the Cross. Each of the stations will be introduced by poetry written by Paul Claudel that reflects on each of these events in the last day of Jesus’ life. The poems will be read by Nancy Lange. During the playing of the stations, slides of great works of art depicting each of them will be shown. This program will be open to the community without charge. Please feel free to invite friends and neighbors to any of these programs. (Continued from, “Organ Restoration,” page 1)

At the time of this report, we have $11,968.00 in outstanding pledges, and we also will be receiving another grant of $10,000 from our Diocese, bringing the grand total to $147,520.92! Our thanks go out to the Organ Restoration Committee members: Brad Deacon, Susan Henderson, Ben Herbert, Steve Lange, Rick Laub, Kirk Lindquist, Mary Luginsland, Tom Repaskey, Libby Richardson, and Greg Wortley. A special thank you also goes out to Gordon Weller, Susie Shaefer, MaryLea Benson, and Carolyn Such for their help with the campaign! (Continued from, “Treasurer’s Report,” page 7)

over the budgeted amount. We also, received $27,467 from the Diocese of Michigan in support of our Curate. In total, the operating activities of the church recorded a deficit of $144,415. In order to provide funds, it was necessary to withdraw money from various restricted funds when allowable. A sum of $90,000 was released from the St. Paul's Perpetual fund to provide cash. An additional $32,371 was taken from the Building, Bancroft, Hubbard Literature, Memorial, Levina Miles and Mission & Outreach funds. Without the use of these funds, we would not have been able to pay our bills during the year. The combined 2006 results of St. Paul's for 2006 were $664,956 in revenue and $654,480 in expenses. This includes both the restricted and operating activities of the church for a combined net revenue of $10,476. Although this appears to be a positive year, a significant amount of the revenue is not available for the church’s day-to-day activities. Additionally, we have been the beneficiaries of many generous bequests this past year. With the exception of $50,000 from the Penniman Trust for 2007 and 2008, it is unlikely we will be so fortunate in the future. On December 31, 2006, the total fund balance of the church was $607,246. The unrestricted fund balance is actually in a deficit position of $24,501. There is $631,747 that is restricted. There is not a budget for the restricted and designated funds since this revenue is essentially the result of unpledged contributions and earnings on the funds invested. In both 2007 and 2008, we will receive approximately $50,000 from the Penniman Trust. The vestry has established that 90% of this amount will be placed in the St. Paul’s Perpetual fund and 10% in the Mission and Outreach fund. The operating budget for 2007 again shows a very large deficit. Only by using the St. Paul's Perpetual fund and other funds will we be able to continue to operate in the same manner as we have in the past.

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID LANSING, MI Permit 1621

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: www.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 Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller, Rector The Rev. Susie Shaefer, Curate Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music Ms. Mary Rodeck, Assistant Minister of Music Ms. Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager Mr. Daniel Kallish, Sexton St. Paul’s News Editorial Staff Christine Caswell, Editor Tom Shawver, Staff Writer Helen Hiscoe, Proofreader Lyn Zynda, Layout Editor

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