News from St. Paul's Episcopal Church October 2019
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FROM THE REVEREND
BARBARA A.T. WILSON
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
During the latest Adult Formation session featuring the book by Pete Enns, “The Bible Tells Me So,” I was excited to learn about something I hadn’t known before! I LOVE learning, and especially about our scriptures. For me they are kind of tease, a mystery with tantalizing clues which, if followed can lead one to bump right into God! Who, I think, loves to surprise us and enjoys this sacred game of “hide and seek.”
In the video discussion, Enns was tackling the idea of the “inerrancy” of scripture and how some believe “God’s Word,” is fixed and cannot change, with the implication that is has ALWAYS been understood that way---until modernity. Enns pointed out the fact that Jesus’ kith and kin, the Jews—specifically their teachers, the rabbis---debated the meaning of the scriptural texts from the beginning. Among them, there has been no single, one way to understand a text because the texts, and our experiences of God, are
intended
to be engaged with and interpreted in light of what was happening in their lives and culture. And of course, that’s one of the places Jesus comes into the story, another rabbi, interpreting the scriptures and his own experiences of God in his own way. A way that has become for us, as Bishop Curry puts it, the “Way of Love.”
So over the past few weeks we’ve been learning about Bishop Curry’s idea of becoming a covenantal community of followers of that Way, and in Adult Formation, we’ve enjoyed learning more about scripture and our own history as God’s people over the ages. In the coming weeks, I hope to say more about covenantal community life from Bishop Curry’s perspective and I’ll invite you to join me in a small group experience to discuss the various aspects of that.
This past Saturday, I was blessed and excited to be able to teach some new members of the parish how to be a lector, intercessor, acolyte and minister of the Eucharist during our Sunday celebrations. They were excellent and enthusiastic students!
At this time, though, as far as I know, we have no younger students to form and guide in the ways of God and our church. I suggested we move the time “Children’s Sunday School” is offered to the same time most parishioners come for worship, 10:30 AM. My hope is that time may be more convenient. There is a simple method of formation for children based upon the adult liturgy, Children’s Chapel, which I would like us to offer. Formation and education are so very important! I know someone whose experience of Sunday School was so formative and joyful that she chiefly wants to be a Sunday School teacher in order to pass on the gift.
We need someone who is willing to learn how Children’s Chapel works (it is easy and there are lots of ready resources, myself and Lynne included.) I trust that God’s delight in surprising and delighting us with sacred “hide and seek” is not limited to adults. Jesus had a special place in his heart for children. Is there anyone with some time willing to learn about Children’s Chapel, and so be ready if---just on the outside chance---someone comes with little ones who want to learn to play with God?
Yours in Christ,
Barbara+
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Sunday, October 6,
1:00 PM,
Pet Blessing
Front Lawn
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Bring your pets for a personal blessing from Mother Barbara
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Kids Hope USA
We’re happy to announce that Peggy Anderson is in the process of completing requirements to be a KHUSA mentor. We also say good-bye to Mother Heidi and Lori Judkins as mentors for this school year. Please welcome back Jocelyn, Sandra, Rebecca, Brad, and the Kombrinks and keep everyone, the mentors and the students, in your prayers. Our initial meeting for this school year is Wednesday, October 2
nd
, at noon. Thank you for your support!
Building and Grounds
We have an estimate for landscape cleanup from JJ Marshall Landscape. The building and grounds committee will review this estimate and make their recommendation to the vestry. There was a plumbing issue in the rectory regarding a leak in the shower. Since our attempts to rectify this on a couple of occasions, I’ve authorized a plumber to be called.
Meetings
We had an executive committee meeting on September 12 and a vestry meeting on September 15.
Stewardship 2020
Maureen Gerrity, Jr. Warden, with Mother Barbara’s assistance, agreed to lead the stewardship program for 2020. You will be receiving a letter asking you for your plans in the coming year.
Marv Kombrink
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September 2019 Vestry Treasurer’s
Report with figures for August 2019
This report covers the month of
August 2019
. The checking account with Heartland Bank is our primary operating account. Accounting reports are compiled by American Midwest Tax and Accounting, Inc. whose office is at 901 North First Street in DeKalb. Sheila Appel is our primary contact. The firm also pays the bills and processes the payroll. The Edward Jones Firm on Sycamore Road, managed by Matt Myre, oversees our Building (Capital) and Endowment Funds.
Receipts through August 2019
We have received
$87,324
from 2019 pledges through the end of August which is
75%
of the
$115,914
budgeted. The total of all receipts so far this year is
$164,389
which is
65%
of the
$254,926
budgeted. We need to receive $60,537 additional receipts in the last 4 months to balance the budget, since we have requested $30,000 from the Endowment.
Disbursements through August 2019
Total operating disbursements through August were
$178,612
which is
70%
of the budgeted amount of
$254,926.
At the end of August we had received (
$14,223)
less than we spent. In early September we requested the additional $30,000 Endowment Allocation which brings the total to $100,000 for the year.
Capital Fund – August 2019
The balance in the Edward Jones Capital Fund at the end of August was
$10,000
from the proceeds of a CD which matured in May and
$6,329
additional Money Market Funds for a total of
$16,329 in Money Market Funds at Edward Jones
There is
$7,200
left from a donation to be used by the Altar Guild in the Building Fund part of the Heartland acct. which now totals
$9,325.
One half the funds for the Rectory Pond, $2.600, was used from the Heartland Account. In August an Additional pond cost of $2,340 was matched so that the pond is now complete. About $1,400 more funds will be needed for landscaping.
Endowment Fund – August 2019
The value of the Endowment Fund at the end of August was $2,082,144. a net change in value from January 1
st
of
$150,438
. For reference,
5%
of the Monthly Average Balance on August 31st was
$103,673
and
4%
was
$82,939.
After consulting with Matt Myre, Rick Johns and I decided to withdraw the additional $30,000 Allocation for 2019 in Sept.
Apache Stock
– There were
6.603
shares on deposit with the company valued at
$143.
on August 31, 2019.
On August 31, 2019 Fund balances in the Heartland Bank checking account were: Discretionary Fund ($18.63;) Flower Fund $1,817.36; Music Fund $1,076.35; Columbarium Fund $3,623.90; Operating Fund $21,677.41; Endowment $563.72, Capital Fund $9,324.53, for a total of $38,064.64.
Respectfully submitted Pat Brown, Treasurer – September 15, 2019.
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The latest approved Vestry Minutes, for the August 18, 2019 meeting, are now posted on the bulletin board near the Parish Office.
They also are available on the church website on the Vestry page.
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Come join our multi-
generational programs!
All ages and musical abilities are welcome to sing, play an instrument, dance, recite, share in fellowship, improvise, and share in worship!
The St. Paul's Choirs!
Rehearsals are on Thursdays
Children’s Choir 6:00-6:30 PM and Adult/Youth Choir 7:00-8:30 PM.
The choirs sing with the
Sunday 10:30 AM Service.
Anthem rehearsal 10:15 AM.
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We have a few new music students from NIU joining us for the fall.
We welcome back
Tyrique McNeal, Bass
, a Junior Music (Vocal) Performance major. Tyrique assists the Bass section in the Adult/Youth Choir. His Junior recital is coming up, so stay tuned.
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Additionally, in addition to the return of our very own,
Lynne Jacobson, Alto Recorder
extraordinaire, we have a new volunteer instrumentalist,
Braden Graham, Clarinetist.
Braden is a Freshman Music (Instrumental) Performance major.
You can see and hear Braden play in The NIU Philharmonic-Season Premier, Dr. Benjamin Firer, Orchestra Director, Wednesday, October 23, 8:00 PM, Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.
The NIU Philharmonic's repertoire includes; "La Forza del Destino", Overture to the Opera - by Giuseppe Verdi, "Introduction et Allegro for Strings" by Edward Elgar, and "Symphony No. 2 in D Major" by Jean Sibelius. Good Luck, Braden!
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We'll finish the five part series on a book by Pete Enns, "The Bible Tells Me So . . . Why defending scripture has made us unable to read it" on Sunday October 6th. We take a week off, then the next series begins on Sunday, October 20th with "The Active Life: A Spirituality of Work, Creativity, and Caring
" by Parker J. Palmer.
"The Active Life is Parker J. Palmer's deep and graceful exploration of a spirituality for the busy, sometimes frenetic lives many of us lead. Telling evocative stories from a variety of religious traditions, including Taoist, Jewish, and Christian, Palmer shows that the spiritual life does not mean abandoning the world but engaging it more deeply through life-giving action. He celebrates both the problems and potentials of the active life, revealing how much they have to teach us about ourselves, the world, and God." amazon.com
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For our Children's Prayer Ground.
A new resource is now available every Sunday for our children.
The Sunday Paper Junior
is a bulletin sized pamphlet with cartoons to color based on on the lectionary readings of the day. There also is a note to parents to help them discuss the lessons.
These are available from the ushers each Sunday.
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The Bishop Search & Nomination Committee encourages all laypeople and clergy in the diocese to take a brief online survey.
Survey results will help guide the committee as they write our diocesan profile, a detailed description of the Diocese of Chicago that helps those who may be discerning a call to be our next bishop learn more about our diocese and its people.
How long is the survey?
The survey will take only about ten minutes to complete.
Who should take the survey?
All laypeople and clergy in the diocese are encouraged to participate. The more input the Search & Nomination Committee receives from different perspectives, the more accurately the profile will reflect the diversity of our diocese.
When will the survey close?
The survey will be open through Sunday, October 13.
Do I have to answer all of the questions?
The survey is divided in two parts. The first part asks about various aspects of the Diocese of Chicago and what characteristics are desired in the next bishop. These five questions are required. The second part includes questions that will help the committee learn a little bit about you. These answers are helpful in interpreting the results, and are optional. All answers are anonymous.
PRINTED SURVEYS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PARISH HALL
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This month, garden workers found a monarch caterpillar in the parsley. We are overjoyed to be hosting such a special guest.
We had an explosion of green beans and lots of spinach this month. Both were second plantings of the season, and both were pretty dirty from recent rains, so we did a lot of washing in the kitchen sinks. Tomatoes are still coming along, but slowing down. We are getting a few but very weirdly-shaped cucumbers. Our peppers have been puny and sparse, but a second planting of beets is growing lush and strong. Our second planting of radishes is getting eating by something, and second plantings of arugula, turnips, and kale never took.
Garden continues a slow recovery from a difficult spring and summer season. Over half the beds have been cleared because of bug infestations. Our plants were vulnerable after being weakened by first too much and then too little water. Our cucumbers and winter squash are looking as though the squash bugs will also finish them off before too long. We may need to take next year off from squash entirely! Meanwhile, pulled crops are on the burn pile.
However, we so have some hope. A late crop of green beans might still
produce a crop. Beets, spinach, lettuce, kale, and collards have been
replanted for fall. The tomatoes are finally turning colors. Sweet and hot peppers are slow but producing some fruit. We've pruned back the bush broccoli hoping it might grow back with nicer "blooms."
We haven't had much to give our food pantries this season but they are
still so appreciative and warm when we do that it keeps our chins up
and hands in the dirt!
Heidi Haverkamp
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BOOK CLUB
All St. Paul’s Readers.
When:
Friday October 18th at 5:30 P.M.
What:
Discussion of the short essay
"The God Who Is Spirit"
by Marcus Borg from: The Changing Face of God edited by Frederick Schmidt
Where:
home of Donna de Oliveira,
1413 Reserve Ln, DeKalb, IL 60115
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ALL
are welcome to join the discussion surrounding how we think about God
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For 50 years, the people in DeKalb County have been participating in the Crop Hunger Walk raising funds to fight hunger both at home and around the world.
This year’s walk will take place on
Sunday, Oct. 6.
Registration may be completed online at
www.crophungerwalk.org
or at the walk’s kick-off location, First United Methodist Church, 317 N. Fourth St. in DeKalb. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. and the walk will step off at 2 p.m. after a brief program at 1:30 p.m.
St. Paul's will be a rest stop for the walk on Sunday. Contact Mother Barbara if you'd like to help. Check out the
Crop Walk Facebook Page
and the article in the
DeKalb Chronicle
if you'd like to know more.
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Grace Place NIU Campus Ministry is located at the corner of Normal and Lucinda. On Tuesday evenings they share a fellowship meal at 6:00pm followed by worship time. St. Paul’s has provided the meal once or twice a semester for several years. This involves a team of 4 to 5 people. Each person on the team prepares a portion of the meal at home (or buys their contribution) and the food is delivered by 5:30 by one or more of the team members. Because the meal starts at 6:00, we usually set up the food when we arrive and have it ready to go. The students take care of the rest. We have always been invited to stay for the meal and worship, but it is not expected.
St. Paul’s is signed up to provide the meal on
November 12
th
.
Anyone interested in participating in this outreach ministry to our NIU family, please see Jocelyn Prall or Jennie Cummings.
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Just a reminder to look at the sign-up sheet in Parish Hall. Several fall events need someone to assume leadership. Remember, this means coordinate the needs of the event, not do it all yourself.
If you would like more information on a particular event and what is entailed, please see one of us.
Our late summer events were well attended. About 34 at our indoor picnic, and 34 at the Beloved Community dinner (16 from St. Paul’s!). Plenty of parishioners signed up to help with these events, which makes everything go smoothly.
Thank you! Peg N. & Jennie C.
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MONTHLY EPISCOPAL SERVICES AT OAKCREST
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On the third Wednesday of each month there is an Episcopal Service of Holy Communion in the OakCrest Chapel. Mother Barbara Wilson of St. Paul's and Father Georges Jalouf of St. Peter's conduct this service on alternate months. On
October 16th
, Mother Barbara will be officiating.
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TRAVELING THE WAY OF LOVE
WITH BISHOP CURRY
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Season 2 of The Episcopal Church’s
podcast
The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry, continues with new episodes every Tuesday through November 5. These weekly conversations, featuring Bishop Curry, podcast hosts Kyle Oliver and Sandy Milien, and a variety of guests, center on ways to live a life committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial and redemptive love.
Each episode of Season 2 focuses on one of the seven
Way of Love Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life
: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest, with a focus on living these practices every day. Listeners will first hear from Bishop Curry, usually in conversation with a colleague. Faith leaders from around the country will then consider questions about what faith practices might look like outside of church as well as what it may look like to follow Jesus in a diverse and increasingly secular culture.
You can listen to Bishop Curry's podcast
The Way of Love
through any podcast portal you have.
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The Rector's Discretionary Fund Collection
First Sunday of the month, October 6th.
Donations allow us to assist people in need in our community.
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Food Pantry Collection Sunday will be October 13th, but you can bring items throughout the month
.
Donations for the Salvation Army Food Pantry for September were 37 food/personal items, 92 diapers, 1040 wipes, for a year to date total of 6494 items.
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Activities & Events
10/3 Thursday
6:00 PM Children's Choir
7:00 PM Adult/Youth Choir
10/6 Sunday
8:00 AM and 10:30 AM Services
Rectors Discretionary Fund
9:00 AM Adult Formation
1:00 PM Pet Blessing
10/10 Thursday
6:00 PM Children's Choir
7:00 PM Adult/Youth Choir
10/13 Sunday
8:00 AM and 10:30 AM Services
Food Pantry Donations
10/16 Wednesday
2:00 PM OakCrest Service
10/17 Thursday
6:00 PM Children's Choir
7:00 PM Adult/Youth Choir
10/20 Sunday
8:00 AM and 10:30 AM Services
9:00 AM Adult Formation
12:00 PM Vestry Meeting
10/24 Thursday
6:00 PM Children's Choir
7:00 PM Adult/Youth Choir
10/25 Friday
6:00 PM Movie Night
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10/27 Sunday
8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
Services with Healing Liturgy
9:00 AM Adult Formation
10/29 Tuesday
6:00 PM DeKalb Tenants Assoc.
10/31 Thursday Halloween
No Children's Choir
No Adult/Youth Choir
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October Birthdays and Anniversaries
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October Anniversaries
10/11/03 Doug/Lynn Roberts
10/18/68 Marv/Pam Kombrink
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O
ctober Birthdays
10/3 Richard Dowen
10/10 Lonnie Piper
10/10 Debi Meyers
10/11 Jordan Meyers
10/12 Henry Leonard
10/19 Linda Lorbach
10/21 Rhys Prall
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SAVE THE DATE:
ALL SAINTS DAY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church Contact Information
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900 Normal Rd., DeKalb, IL 60115
Parish Office: (815) 756-4888
The Rev. Barbara A.T Wilson, Rector
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