St. Paul's News - June, 2009

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Lansing Michigan

St. Paul's News The Prime Directive

June, 2009

By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller n the television series “Star Trek” and movies that followed, there was a rule known as Star Fleet General Order #1 called “The Prime Directive.” It was the guiding principal for all the exploration done by the Starship Enterprise and any other ship operating on behalf of The United Federation of Planets.

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With this short introduction, I am sure many of you remember what that “Directive” was. For those who don’t, the law stated that there was to be no interference with the internal affairs of other civilizations discovered in the universe. As the prime directive, it governed every thought and action of Captain Kirk and his crew as they went “where no man had gone before.” The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller

As we complete the season of Easter, having heard all the resurrection stories and the Gospels’ admonitions about how to behave in response to God’s greatest gift, it is easy to become confused as to what to do. Matthew 28:19-20 says “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” Mark 16:16 says, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”

Volume 34, Issue 6 Inside this issue: Calendar

12

Prayer List

7

Treasurer’s Report

9

Upcoming Activities

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(Continued on page 10) Summer

Standing in the Tragic Gap

Office

By Martie Repaskey and Millie Ericson

Hours

embers of St. Paul’s Prayer Group have been moved and inspired by lessons learned in the current issue of “Weavings,” a bimonthly collection of articles related to spirituality, which we have used as our “textbook” throughout this year. Last month, we read an article by Parker Palmer in which he discussed the experience of standing in the “tragic gap.” He describes the gap as a place of tension, between what is and what could and should or will be, or the interval between the reality of a given situation and an alternative reality we know to be possible because we have already experienced it. The tragic gap is so named because it is “inevitable, inexorable, inescapable.”

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This concept resonated with many of us, as we were able to review many times in our own lives when we have faced this experience. Parker states that to live in this world we must learn how to stand in the gap with faith and hope. When finding ourselves in the gap, we are faced with alternative responses—either caving in to the tyranny of the primitive brain (fight or flight) or “holding life’s tensions in the responsive heart, where we may encounter social and cultural creativity.” Parker asserts that when the primitive brain predominates, “humility, compassion, forgiveness, and the vision of a beloved community or relationship do not stand a chance.” He states that the destruction that occurs causes humans to forget that their first calling is to love one another. In another article, in the same journal, we learned about one man who stood in the gap for many (Continued on page 10)

Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Office closed Fridays thru September 4, 2009

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St. Paul's News Activities at a Glance

Ongoing Activities • St. Aelred’s Guild, resumes in September • Book Cart, resumes in September • B&PW, Tuesday, June 9, 6 PM at the home of Debby Pierce • ECW, Monday, June 15, 6:30 PM at the home of Lyn Zynda • Family Night Dinner, resumes in September • 4 Fs, resumes in September • St. Paul’s Library, open every Sunday • Prayer Group, resumes in September • Men’s Breakfast, resumes in September

• Mission/Outreach, resumes in September • Mid-Week Eucharist, Tuesdays, noon

This Month at St. Paul’s and Elsewhere • Committee Leaders’ Training, Sat., June 6, 9-11:30 AM • Special Parish Meeting, Sun., June 7, after 10 AM • Sunday Eucharist & Picnic in the Park, Sun., June 14 • Vacation Bible School, June 15-19 Looking Ahead • 2009 Youth Mission Trip, July 26-31

All Parish Meeting

Thank you, Thank you. . .

By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

By Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager

n Sunday, June 7, immediately following the 10 a.m. service, we will hold an All Parish meeting to discuss the shortfall in the budget. At the January Annual Meeting, a motion was made to “ask the Vestry to consider the problem and report back to the parish (by May 31) with some solutions.” By now you should have received a report from the Vestry with some thoughts about how we might solve the problem. Please make every effort to be in attendance on June 7.

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would like to thank everyone at St. Paul’s for all their prayers and thoughtfulness during my recent medical leave. I truly appreciate all the cards, flowers, gifts, meals (I love A Catered Affaire!), and phone calls that I received. I would especially like to thank all the wonderful parishioners, ECW, and B&PW for taking over the office duties while I was away. A special thank you to Libby Richardson, Debby Pierce, and Chris Strukel for making sure everything was organized and taken care of. And, of course, a BIG THANK YOU to “my boys” (Gordon, Ron, Steve, Bill, and Doug) who did everything possible to make sure I didn’t worry about the office and could recuperate peacefully. I’ve truly been blessed with a wonderful St. Paul’s family. I appreciate and thank all of you.

Calendar

B&PW

By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

By Libby Richardson

une is when we begin to place the activities of our various Guilds, Committees and activities on the calendar for the upcoming September through August period. If you are involved with or in charge of any parish group, please be sure you calendar events are turned into the parish office as soon as possible.

he last meeting of B&PW for the 2008-09 year will be a bar-be-cue, June 9 at 6 p.m. at the home of Debby Pierce. The main course is Pulled Pork and each member is asked to bring an appropriate dish to pass. For additional information please call Debby or myself.

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Graduation Sunday By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller n Sunday, June 7, at the 10 a.m. service, St. Paul’s will again celebrate the accomplishments of many who are involved in academic pursuits and celebrate graduation. Because we wish to acknowledge everyone, please notify the parish office if anyone in your family is graduating this spring.

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Staff Vacations By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller hroughout June, July and August, the staff will be taking well deserved vacations at various times. Be assured that even if several are on vacation at the same time, the pastoral responsibilities of the parish will be maintained. If you have a need or situation to report or discuss, please be diligent in trying to contact us. We will try to leave appropriate reminders on our voicemails, etc. but may be out of contact for periods of time. Please be sure you actually talk to someone rather than just leaving a message. If you cannot contact one of the clergy, consider contacting one of the Wardens: Martie Repaskey, Senior Warden, or Stephanie Van Koevering, Jr. Warden.

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Annual Sunday Service and Picnic in the Park By Millie Ericson, Vestry Member ith a red, white and blue theme to honor Flag Day, the Annual Sunday Service and Picnic in the Park will take place on Sunday, June 14, beginning with Eucharist at 10 a.m. The location this year is Hawk Island Park, 1601 Cavanaugh St. (between Pennsylvania and Aurelius) in Lansing. Parishioners are invited to join in the festivities of the day by wearing flag colors!

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Hawk Island offers many activities for all ages, including swimming, fishing, a paved trail for walking or biking, a splash pad, sand volleyball and a community-built playground. No dogs are allowed in the park but the Soldan’s Dog Park is available nearby. Sign up is available by the Merrifield Room to bring one of the following: potato salad, baked beans, salad, veggies, fruit dish, chips, dessert. The church will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and picnic ware. A map to the park and a coupon for parking are available with the sign-up sheet. Donations will be collected at the picnic to cover the parking fee and offset the cost of hot dogs, etc. The 10 a.m. service will take place at the Park, in lieu of a service at the church. The 8 a.m. service will be at the church as usual.

St. Paul’s News Available On Line By Lyn Zynda, Layout Editor he June issue of SPN will be the last to be mailed out Parish-wide. Beginning in September the newsletter will be available at our new and improved web site, www.stpaulslansing.org. We are taking this step for a variety of reasons: production and paper costs, staff time to prepare and mail, and the negative impact printing the newsletter has on the environment to name a few.

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For me this is an exciting evolution. Currently we struggle to gather the articles (it’s deadline, people, not suggested deadline) edit, layout the issue, and proofread in an effort to get the issue in your hands before the first of the month. This causes lots and lots of stress for everyone involved, especially Christine Caswell, our editor, and myself. An additional bonus for being online is the ability to use color in each issue and hyperlinks to additional information and related sites. There is still the option of requesting a mailed, hard copy of each issue for those in the parish who aren’t connected to the internet and copies will be available in the tract rack in the Cloister. If you still would like a copy of St. Paul’s News sent, please call Kathleen Johnson at 517-482-9454.

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Memorial Plaque By Martie Repaskey, Sr. Warden he above graphic depicts the proposed bronze plaque for the Memorial Garden. This plaque, which will list all interred in the Garden, will be placed below the windows of the Van Atta Room on the east side of the Garden.

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We were hoping to be able to install the plaque in time for the Homecoming, but we now expect the plaque to be completed sometime in June.

St. Paul’s Youth Group Can Attest Father Byrd’s BBQ is the BEST! By Barb Heany n May 3, youth group members and their parents gathered at the home of Barb Heany to celebrate a year filled with fun and accomplishments. And there couldn’t have been a better way to celebrate than with Father Byrd’s (a.k.a. Baby Byrd’s Q) World Class barbeque ribs. Grilled and smoked to perfection, Father Byrd’s BBQ ribs were everything they were hailed to be and more!

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Blessed with a beautiful day, the group was able to enjoy various outdoor games and activities and to make plans for their work weekend at Michi-Lu-Ca Camp at Stoney Lake in May and the Youth Works Mission trip to Cario, Illinois in July. From outreach projects to fun group outings, it has indeed been a year to celebrate and be proud of. A special thank you to Father Byrd for all you have done for us! And your ribs are mighty good, too!

June 2009

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St. Paul’s Leaders Greet Archbishop Desmond Tutu By Stephanie Van Koevering, Vestry Member

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lergy and lay leaders from St. Paul's were among those who participated in an intimate gathering with Archbishop Desmond Tutu on May 7.

The event, which included Bishop Wendell Gibbs and approximately 30 to 40 Episcopal leaders from around the Lansing area, offered an opportunity to hear Archbishop Tutu's perspectives on the future of the worldwide church.

Fr. Gordon Weller, Archbishop Desmond Tuto and

"When you consider the things we face together as a Bishop Wendell Gibbs global communion, poverty, AIDS, suffering, it is a shame that we should focus so intently on the issues that divide us," Tutu said. He went on to express his belief that the church will survive these challenges and continue to make a difference. Archbishop Tutu also exhorted the young people in attendance to act with purpose and vigor in all areas of their lives. "Go and do," Tutu said. "God is relying on you." Event details and photographs can be accessed by visiting www.stpaulslansing.org.

Calling All Committee Leaders

our activities, timelines and expectations for the future.

Please plan to join members of the Vestry in the Merrifield Room on Saturday, June 6 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. for a training/work session. Please RSVP to the parish t. Paul's is blessed to have an abundance of counoffice by May 29. If you are unable to attend for selors to provide guidance and direction to the some reason, please plan to send an alternate from parish. As we prepare to embark on the 161st year of your committee. This will help ensure full representation St. Paul's, we wish to pause and reflect on where our and rich discussion at the event and beyond. united journey in faith is taking us. At the event, we will coordinate committee calendars, This year, St. Paul's committee leaders are being inwork on committee and parish action plans, and share vited to help develop strengthened plans for the fusome thoughts about effective committee and church ture. The Vestry is preparing to embark on a long-term governance. This promises to be a collaborative, hands planning effort and is offering practical suggestions -on learning event that kicks off some meaningful thinkand training in the development of committee-level ing about the ongoing life of St. Paul's.  strategies. This will allow us all to better coordinate

By Stephanie Van Koevering, Jr. Warden

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Thanks to Stephanie in the Interim By Christine Caswell, Editor yn Zynda and I wish to thank Stephanie Van Koevering for jumping in last month to do the layout for the St. Paul’s News. As most of you know, our beloved layout editor, Lyn, lost her husband, Andy, in April, so she had other matters to attend to. I was going to try to do the layout myself (without the appropriate software), but Stephanie (who has lots of software and creativity) volunteered to help me, and it was greatly appreciated. Lyn is back for the this last issue of the 2008-2009 SPN year, but we both wanted to acknowledge Stephanie’s contribution and thank her for helping us through a difficult time.

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June 2009

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Rich in Heritage and Spirit! By Nancy Sheldon he year 2009 began with the acknowledgment that we were 160 years old! That certainly was a reason for celebrating, not just during the month of May, but throughout the year with a variety of messages. Each week, Jean Shawver has put a historical fact in the bulletin for us to think about, and our banners (made by Mike Young) proclaim our pride in our heritage to all who pass by. There will be other occasions, as the year continues, to remind us of our past that we hope everyone will enjoy.

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The children were in charge of the whole service: they greeted everyone at the doors, helped the ushers, led us in the Morning Prayer service, sang beautifully, buried a Time Capsule, and prepared and served a birthday party for our 160th during the coffee hour. It was a busy, happy day and we all gave thanks in our hearts for the wonderful children in our church and their teachers who guide them so caringly and ably!

On Mission and Outreach Sunday, we considered our role of mission in the Greater Lansing area by recognizing the senior wardens from All Saints Episcopal Church and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. St. Katherine’s Episcopal (to whom we sent lay readers 125 years ago when they were still a private chapel and had no However, the month of May priest) was unable to be was truly special. The afterthere due to a very special glow from the services will celebration it was having on sustain us for quite a while. that same Sunday. Another Each Sunday celebrated a important mission has been part of St. Paul’s which has our relationship to the state significant importance to us capitol. Lt. Governor John all and for which we are Cherry was present to talk grateful. As different as each about the importance of that Sunday service turned out to relationship. Deacon Bill Finebe, God’s love was abunout gave an interesting homdantly felt as we worshiped ily about the history of the together. Our choirs were Leslee Fisher and Kathy Wilson Banwell, two of the first outreach to which St. Paul’s magnificent in their performfemale acolytes at St. Paul’s has been committed and the ances as well as the selections vision that our Mission & OutDr. Lange chose each week. reach Committee has for its continuance. Having former parishioner Doug Austin accompany the choirs for the several pieces he has composed Homecoming Weekend saw people from near and far throughout the years especially for St. Paul’s was a who gathered their families to celebrate our 160 real treat. There were many new faces and there were years of service and fellowship during four special old friends whom we hadn’t seen in a long time. Each events: (1) a confirmation service Saturday morning at Sunday brought special gifts. St. Paul’s with the Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs, Jr., our Music and Worship Sunday was celebrated by two of our former women priests, the Rev. Carol Spangenberg, a former assistant, and the Rev. Monique Ellison, a former curate. In addition, two women from the first class that allowed female acolytes in 1972 were “guest” acolytes to help us commemorate the role of women in the Episcopal Church. They were Kathy Wilson Banwell and Leslee Fisher. There were many smiles and the tapping of feet as the choir sang a gospel mass throughout the service…a wonderful way to begin our celebration! Our Children’s Sunday (on Mother’s Day), beautifully organized by Father Ron and Barb Heany, brought joy, hope and grateful hearts as they processed in with their Sunday school teachers, all waving 160th flags!

Bishop, for our members as well as all the Capitol Area Deanery Episcopal churches; (2) a fun-filled evening, beginning with a delicious Homecoming dinner; (3) moving to the Methodist Church to watch “Godspell,” presented by our high school choir; (4) and lastly, Homecoming Sunday, a memorable service with former rectors participating, as well as recognizing former senior wardens, and those who, throughout our history, have served in the armed forces. I want to thank a terrific Advisory Committee who worked so hard for more than a year planning this celebration: Pam Irwin, co-chair, Ellie Doersam, Sue LeDuc, Martie Repaskey, Susan Henderson, Dorothy

June 2009

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Choirs News St. Paul'

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Did You Know? By Jean Shawver

he altar in the Chapel of the Incarnation has special importance for those of us who now celebrate the 160th year of St. Paul’s. The cabinet encloses the original altar from the first church on Washington Avenue. How thoughtful of those who chose to perpetuate the founding of our church.

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e pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson, Richard and Aaron Hegmon, Shelley Robinson, Mason Hill, Lois Caswell, Erik Lindquist, Chance Collins, Barb Hacker, Marjorie Belles, Aleda, Dave, Kathryn Senko, Barb Powers, Patricia Reno, Skip and Marsha Macholz, Michael and Gwen Skinner, Edward Such, Judy Jones, Melinda Naumer, Tom Foltz, Cheryl Ann, Vivian Hawkins, Perce Guilder, Linda, Kaema Amachree, Bill, Mary Lindquist, Yvette Constan and family, Cris Plyler, Brian French, Lynne, Donald Clark, and Roland Howes

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We pray and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas: Daniel Reno, Michael Benson, and Steven Johnson We pray for comfort for the family and friends of: Katherine Pope, Andy Zynda, Ernie Hedburg, Russell Huber, and Kathryn Chlebo We pray for all those whose jobs and livelihoods are in jeopardy We pray for those expecting: Summer (Sleight) and Jake Stevens, Brooke and Ian Broughton, Susie and Luke Shaefer, Tara and Norman Farhat, Jill and Clif Schneider, Rochelle and Stuart Cullum, Allyson and Jerry Parker, and Carrie (Kressler) and Charlie Smith We give thanks for the birth of Elkanah Lagu son of Joseph and Hayat Lagu, and Gavin Theodore Alvarez daughter of Amanda and Darrick Alvarez and siblings Erikah and Abraham

Going, Going, Gone! By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr. Sales end soon. There are just a few weeks remaining to get your youth group fundraiser discount card. Each card sells for $20 and offers 15 incredible freebies and/or discounts to local area businesses. Cards can be purchased on Sundays during coffee hour in the Merrifield room or at anytime from members of St. Paul’s Youth Group. Please help our youth help others!

June 2009

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Mission St. Paul'and s News Outreach

planning a “Petting Zoo” on Friday. We By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr. think this will be especially rom June 15-19, St. Paul’s will take a few steps fun for the back into the old west, when pre-school through children and 6th grade students take “A Wild Ride Through God’s Word.” The wild ride begins each day at 9 a.m. with help increase their awareSing and Play Stampede. Through the course of the ness of St. morning, children will experience Wild Bible AdvenPaul’s MDG tures, Horseplay Games, Chuck Wagon Chow, Cowpoke Crafts, and Chadder’s Wild West Theater. At the initiatives. Now how’s that for a wild ride! end of every morning children will gather for a showTo register your child for this awesome Bible-learning time round-up and dismissal. On Friday, our final day adventure, please complete a registration form and together, there will be a carnival for the children and return it to Fr. Ron’s office mailbox. their families. If that’s not enough to get our kids’ boots kicking, maybe our special twist on this year’s program Finally, on Saturday June 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will! volunteers, will gather at St. Paul’s to decorate and for a pre-VBS meeting. For more details, questions or to In support of St. Paul’s Millennium Development Goals volunteer please contact Fr. Ron. I look forward to (MDG)/Mission and Outreach Heifer project, we are seeing you on the ranch!

Vacation Bible School

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Brown-Clarke and Fr. Ron will depart from the St. Paul’s at 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 26 and return to the church at approximately 7 p.m. on Friday, July 31. The By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr. first part of our week will include engaging younger children through games and activities. The second half t is less than two months before St. Paul’s Youth Group heads off to Cairo, Illinois for a week of min- will be set aside for helping seniors and may include tasks such as house painting, residential cleaning and istry and mission. Our 2009 mission trip is being some minor home repairs. Evening activities will give planned and coordinated through an organization called YouthWorks, which is based out of Minneapolis, our youth insight into the lives of local residents and culture. Activities might include costume bowling, worMinnesota. For more than 15 years, YouthWorks has ship at a local church, a scavenger hunt around Cairo, provided life-changing, Christ-centered youth mission and perhaps a community Bar-B-Q. Additional inforopportunities for junior and high school children. Six core values influence and stand at the center of Youth- mation may be obtained by visiting YouthWorks’ website at www.youthworks.com. Works mission trip planning and execution: Youth Minded, Servant Leadership, Relationship Oriented, The reservation deadline is June 15, and there are Life Changing, Multi-Denominational and Ministry Foonly seven spots remaining. Parents interested in havcused. ing their child participate in this year’s mission trip are

Countdown to Mission Trip

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Our youth accompanied by Fr. Weller, Dr. Judith

encouraged to pick up a mission trip planning package from Fr. Ron.

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Marsh, Nancy Berger, Steve Lange, Debby Pierce, Mandy Lawton, Jean Shawver and Janie Wilson. Others helped throughout the process on a variety of projects: Pat Smith, Mary Luginsland, Stephanie Van Koevering, Mary Rose Siebold, John Irwin, Max Pierce, Mike Young, Chris Couch, Matt Ferguson, Kirk Lindquist, Carol Ingells, Barbara Heany, ECW and church Guilds and the staff. Thanks to Gordon Weller, Ron Byrd, Bill Fineout, and Kathleen Johnson for her extra hours and patience with all of us throughout this process! Thank you to all of you!

June 2009

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Financial Information as of April 30, 2009 By Julie Young Ninety-percent of the Thaman bequest, or $136,763.13, was deposited into the Perpetual Fund, with the remaining 10 percent going into the Mission and Outreach Fund. April 30 marks the end of the first third of the year. Pledge income in April was $25,804, bringing the year-todate total pledge income to $105,474, almost 34 percent of the budget, so it appears that we are on target with pledge revenue. Overall revenue is at 34 percent for the year. There was a shortfall in April of $10,633, making it necessary to withdraw $10,000 from the St. Paul’s Perpetual Fund.

Vestry Highlights At the May 19th meeting of the Vestry, your Vestry:

• Approved the presentation of that plan to the

• Had dinner together • Did devotions with St. Dunstan as our model. (Did

• Authorized additional employment for Fr. Byrd

• • • • • • • • • • •

you know we have a St. Dunstan's Guild?) Approved the minutes from the April 21st meeting. Received the completed 2007 Audit. Acceptance will be at the June meeting. Discussed the Recommendations and Implementation of same. Approved the withdrawal of an additional $30,000 from the endowment funds as needed. Authorized the transfer of $365 from the organ repair fund to the general account. Accepted the treasurer's report. Received a report from the finance committee about answering our financial shortfall. Discussed the implications of the plan (conduct a Capitol Campaign) Discussed two major issues associated with our budget shortfall (Diocesan Pledge & Curate's program) Passed a "Motion of Intent" to support our financial commitment in full to the Diocese Approved in concept the continuation of the curacy program (although a replacement for Fr. Byrd may not be available until June 2010)

congregation on June 7

through December 2009 (if needed)

• Heard that the plaque for the Memorial Garden • • •

• • • • •

will not be ready by the May 31 homecoming. Will be installed sometime in June Discussed the Action Plan seminar scheduled for June 6 Discussed the all-parish e-mail list Discussed the Vestry calling program. It would be appropriate for those who have not completed their calling to advertise the General Parish Meeting on June 7 Reviewed the 160th celebration. So far it has been spectacular! Made plans for Graduation Sunday and the Vestry sponsored breakfast on June 7 Discussed and began to implement a long-range planning program for the parish that would encompass program as well as finance Received a report in the hiring of a new Sunday nursery attendant Received Clergy reports

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years before the Civil War! That this community was able to remain in faithful communication with one anyears, witnessing to God’s love. John Woolman was a other until unity was reached is an inspiration, for it seems evident that they continued to love and respect Quaker living in colonial New Jersey who believed that slavery was immoral. He urged his fellow Quak- one another despite their differences. It was yet aners to release their slaves and discovered that many other reminder of how decisions can be made in a were not willing to do so, largely for economic reacommunity in a peaceable fashion. sons. Despite their varying views on this issue, his conWe in this faith community of St. Paul’s hold the seeds gregation supported him in true Quaker fashion by taking care of his family while he toured up and down of such discovery in our spiritual journeys! We can choose to “fight or flight” over potentially contentious the east coast, carrying his message to Friends. John Woolman stood “in the gap” for over 20 years, con- issues that might result in a divided or embittered vinced that his belief about the evils of slavery was in community, or we can choose to “stand in the gap” and seek to achieve a unity of spirit that can yield a fact a message from God. Quakers were then, and stronger and more unified community. With responsive are now, committed to making decisions on issues inhearts that promote trust in God and in each other, volving God’s will by coming to unity rather than by voting and having majority rule. They consider major- and with an ever-present willingness to listen deeply ity vote a form of violence against the humanity and to one another through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can tackle the challenges which come our integrity of the minority. Consequently, when faced with a divisive matter, Quakers would talk and pray, way, and we can be sure that God’s truth is working in the process! In Christian communities, how we achieve talk and pray, talk and pray, listen to one another, our goals is at least as important as the goals we then attempt to discern the will of God until they bechoose to achieve. came united on the position. John Woolman held the tension throughout those 20 years, convinced in his If you would like to explore similar prayer-related heart of the rightness of his position but always mind- topics with us, please feel warmly invited to join the ful of his faith community. Ultimately, the Quakers be- St. Paul’s Prayer Group, which meets on the first Tuescame unified, agreeing that slavery was immoral and day of the month at 5:30 p.m. We will resume meetan abomination. The Quakers were the first religious ings next September in the choir room. Please join us! community to free their slaves, and they did so 80 (Continued from, “Standing in the Tragic Gap,” page 1)

(Continued from “The Prime Directive,” page 1)

Luke 24:47 says that “Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” And John says in chapter 21:30-31, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” I think that as Christians we have a Prime Directive. That directive is “To be God’s Healing Presence in the World.” In some ways, our first rule is exactly opposite of the Star Fleet command to change nothing. God has no hands but ours, no eyes and ears but ours, no way to facilitate the changes we all pray for, except we be present and allow it to happen. In any life situation, personal or social, if merciful action is needed, it will happen through us. I offer this because on June 7, we will have a parish meeting where we will consider how we will respond to the budgetary shortfall that was evident at January’s Annual Meeting. If our only concern is to “survive,” we will fail to keep our Christian “Prime Directive.” If our only concern is to balance the budget, we will negate what we have become, a healthy agent of God’s love in the world. Indeed, we need to “take care of business” at home, but only in so far as it enables us to take care of business in the world. To quote another science fiction, other-world series, “May the force be with us!” In my heart, I know He will.

June 2009

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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 The Rev. Deacon William H. Fineout Ms. Mary Rodeck, Assistant Minister of Music Ms. Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager

St. Paul’s News Editorial Staff Christine Caswell, Editor Lyn Zynda, Acting Editor

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