Mars Hill Proclaimer
St. Paul's Episcopal Church August Newsletter 2020
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From The Reverend
Barbara A. T. Wilson
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As I am writing this, I’m aware of this being quite a beautiful day, and of the hummingbirds flitting around the pond, and the fish playing what looks like a game of tag and tussle. There is so much to for which to be grateful. And yet.
There is the horrible pandemic, the apparent lack of leadership to bring it under control, children and families still in cages at the border, unemployment and poverty abounding and I for one, am tired. Tired of not being able to see you and share bread and wine with you in prayer. All of the usual means of finding solace and peace seem from another world and a time far, far away. I wonder if some of you share these feelings of weariness and sometimes even doubt? Allow yourself to feel what you feel, share it all with God---try to be patient and compassionate with yourself and those around you.
Here are some words that help me through these days, from Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (italics mine.)
“Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.
And yet it is the law of all progress
that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—
and that it may take a
very
long time.”
“Only God could say what this new spirit
gradually forming within you----
and within our world and society
will be.
Give Our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
in suspense and incomplete.”
I will be taking some time away for prayer and solitude and maybe prairie walks, and walks in the woods to help that take place. Please pray for me and know that I hold each of you prayerfully in my heart always.
Faithfully,
Barbara+
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Book Discussion,
5 PM
(Zoom Video or Audio)
Tuesdays
Liturgy of the Word and Prayers
, 8 AM and 10:30 AM
Coffee Chat following each service
(Zoom Video or Audio)
Sundays
All other occasions will be on hiatus while Mother Barbara is on vacation through August 16th. Watch for updates.
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July 31, 2020
To My Dear St. Paul’s Family,
As we enter the sixth month of isolation, I feel the need to tell you how much I miss you all! I joined St. Paul’s congregation in 1992 because I was constantly praying for the safety of my children (ages 4 – 11), but I was falling short in my “plan” to teach them about God on my own. I was raised by parents who depended on their faith to see them through life’s struggles, and they were committed to providing their children with a strong faith foundation. I wanted this for my own children as well. Mind you, I did not think that I needed the “church-going” experience. I joined St. Paul’s for my children’s Christian formation.
Over the years, I came to realize how much I needed the St. Paul’s faith community. My children flew the coop almost 15 years ago. Yet, until the pandemic, I rarely missed a Sunday service at St. Paul’s and usually only because I was out of town. Seeing you all every week was a gift I took for granted!
I am now working on Saturdays and I have missed several of our weekly “check-ins”. I am hoping I will be able to keep that time clear as it means so much to connect with you all. I have also been attending the 8:00 am virtual services on Sundays. I am not a morning person, but there is something about worshiping at the start of the day that I find especially gratifying. And it is also good to spend time with the St. Paul’s “early birds”. I do miss the 10:30 am “peeps” though, so I will plan to alternate services so that I get to see you all. Each of you has helped me to grow spiritually and I cherish the moments we have together.
I hope that you and your loved ones are doing okay. If you are feeling alone, please reach out to me, Mother Barbara, Gretchen Schlabach, or any member of the vestry. We care about you and we will do our best to help you through this difficult time. May the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, abide with you always.
In Faith and Hope,
Maureen
Senior Warden
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July 31, 2020
Greetings Brothers and Sisters of St. Paul’s,
I wanted to share with you my thoughts of last week’s reading, Matthew 13:44,
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field
.
As I understand countless books have been written in an effort to expound the precise meaning of the concept in this verse of the Scriptures. I thought about that passage and tried to find meaning in it in my day-to-day life. The word,
field
, stood out.
It brought me back to my ol’ NJ days. As a youngster with an older brother, I coveted the opportunity to play baseball with him and his friends. Tentatively, he allowed me to follow him to the vacant lot where we mowed the grass and lined the
field
. Then one day they were short a player, and I got to play. I can’t even begin to describe the exhilaration I felt when I got picked to play on a team. I was so focused on the game that I was oblivious to the fact that I was girl playing a guys’ game. Although I was different and quite honestly not nearly as skilled as the guys, my inner self, filled with bubbling joy, was telling me that I belonged on that
field,
and it really felt right. I wasn’t trying to prove anything; I was just excited to play this game with my teammates. This was an extraordinary feeling. Part of me believes that my passion to play the game was heaven-sent. It was the treasure on the
field
.
In adulthood the term,
field
, took on a different meaning with similar heaven-sent outcome. I entered the
field
of athletic training after completing my schooling. As an athletic trainer (AT), I was focused on providing the best health care to my athletes, and was exhilarated when I could properly diagnose, treat, rehab, and return the athlete-to-play. I was oblivious to the fact that less than 1% of ATs were women in this
field
when I began this career. Again, although I was different, my inner self, was telling me that I belonged in the
field,
and it felt right. Again, I wasn’t trying to prove anything; I was/ just enjoying the profession with my colleagues. Part of me believes that my passion for my work in this
field
was heaven-sent. It was the treasure in the
field
.
Relative to St. Paul’s, more recently the term,
field
, took on an interesting meaning with the view from the Zoom gallery
field
. All people are welcomed to St. Paul’s Zoom worship and can add their photo square to the collage of faithful worshippers. The Zoom gallery view
field
lights up after service with coffee talk, aka, just catching up with each other. This has become my joyful place on Sunday mornings. It is truly a treasure from the
field.
What is the meaning of your
field
? What is the treasure hidden in your
field
?
Peace,
Gretchen
Junior Warden
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SHARE WORK PLAN FOR CHURCH GROUNDS
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Several years ago when Dick Dowen was on the vestry, he came up with a Share Work plan to care for the church. Several folks adopted a bush or two or an area of plants and Betsy Pool made those folks name plates on stones by their respective bushes. Bill and Jennie have continued to care for their adopted bushes twice a year since the plan was set in motion.
So far, Barb & Lynne have offered to care for the Durning Memorial Garden, Mary Short is tending the Raised Beds, Rebecca and Brad have adopted the west side (Door One), and Jennie and Bill the east side (Doors 3,4, and 5)
.
Rhys has washed off the patio. That leaves the north side (Door 2) if anyone would like a little outside exercise?
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Here is a diagram of the areas that could be adopted.
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Music Ministries
Wishing you moments of peace, inspiration and hopefulness! A musical offering, with pictures of St. Paul's parishioners (you) in worship and fellowship, via YouTube.The choir you hear in the background is singing "Panis Angelicus" by
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. And yes, that choir is your very own St. Paul's choir from a previous recording.
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In the future, after the Pandemic, we are hoping to schedule a concert that will feature some of the favorite and diverse anthems unique to St. Paul's multi-generational music program, and that will include a new professional recording session for both the Choirs.
For now, we are all trying to embrace the challenges in our lives during covid times. Having some structure and goals can be very helpful. Listening to music and singing can be inspiring and healing!
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Singing (all music is acceptable) in the safety of our homes (likeable areas that offer good acoustical embellishments include the basement, garage and shower) while creating new moments and works of art, are a blessing and a gift we can give to ourselves, and through ourselves, others! Though the Adult/Youth and Children's Choirs are on summer break, they continue to practice and record hymns and anthems.
Here is a work in progress, a sample of the children's choir members recording themselves for a new artistic rendering of their voice. Take1 is below (Go Bears). Wow! Awesome! Thanks, Ava, Liam and Luke!
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Hello Friends,
We are looking for a few folks that might want to be part of a new ministry. With the shelter in place directive, folks are lonely for human connections. Many will continue to shelter in place and really hunger for a friendly note or call. If you or another parishioner would like to receive letters or calls, let us know. We will try to connect folks.
Remember "chain letters"? Maybe we could do something where we pass along newsy items in a letter that gets added to by each recipient and eventually comes back to the first. Sort of thing that happened before FaceBook...
Please let
Jennie Cummings
or Susan in the
Parish Office
know if you would like to be a part of this ministry - either as a caller or as a recipient.
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TREASURER'S REPORT
JUNE 19, 2020
We have enough money in the bank to easily cover our June bills. We will not need to take any money from the Endowment Fund this month. We took in $5287 in pledges in May; we have collected about 70% of our 2020 pledge income so far, even though the year is only 42% over.
As of today, our bank balance stood at $40,777.
We spend $19,333 in May. We have spent 41% of our annual budget, which is right on target. We are spending more on Computer Technical Assistance and the Website than anticipated, since we are doing a lot more online than we did before the pandemic. We have also spent a lot on Communications and Taize, mostly for advertising. Other than those categories, nothing stands out as an unusually high expense category. Some expenses have dropped: for example, our Copying bill is normally about $200/month; our combined bill for April and May was $17.
We are still paying all of our workers their full salaries, equal to what we paid in February before the onset of covid-related restrictions.
The amount of time we have to spend our $27,000 PPP loan has been extended from 8 weeks to 24 weeks. We will easily be able to spend all of it on salaries and utilities, so it should be entirely forgiven. I will be working with our bank to apply for forgiveness, probably some time in August or possibly September.
We transferred $3000 to the Endowment Fund in May. I will transfer the rest ($5288) in June.
The Music Fund is quite low: $29. The Discretionary Fund has $681 in it. We sent $140 to the Salvation Army Food Pantry in May. We also sent our quarterly contribution of $450 to Grace Place.
We traditionally send $250 to a seminary every year. I would like to do this in June if possible. In recent years, we have sent it to the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, in honor of Brian Prall. Since he has graduated and has a job, I would like to know if we should continue to send the money there, or instead to some other seminary.
Our electric bill remains quite high, over $400 despite minimal building usage. I suspect this is caused by lights that are always on or come on at night. I suggest replacing all of them with LEDs, which use much less electricity than incandescent bulbs.
I am attaching a budget summary sheet. It is still in the data-rich but quite opaque spreadsheet form it has been. I am aware of a strong need to improve it so that important things are easy to spot. I haven’t gotten to this yet: the job of Treasurer is still quite difficult for me (but it is getting better).
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Johns,
Treasurer
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ON LINE GIVING USING REALM
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If you would like to begin giving through the Realm system, here are
instructions
.
If you would like my help in setting things up, please email me (Rick Johns) at
mitrick.a.johns@gmail.com
. You can also text or call me at 815-217-4849.
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Our church garden is in full swing this summer. Jocelyn Prall, Kris Borre, Linda Lorbach and Brad & Rebecca Smith have kept busy planting and harvesting. In July we have had crops of beets and beet greens, collards, onions, green beans, tomatoes, broccoli, herbs, and a few peppers and zucchini.
Our bumper crop has been cucumbers with over 50 pounds harvested so far! Of course we have lots of weeds doing very well in the garden, too. We have made weekly donations to the food pantry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. We are missing Jocelyn while she and Rhys are away in New York. Kris Borre, our resident master gardener has provided us with lots of growing tips and has also donated plants from her home garden. We thank Lorraine Langer for kindly dropping off donuts and coffee for the gardeners! We are looking forward to a bountiful August!
If anyone would like to stop by the garden to gather a bit of produce for yourselves, you are more than welcome! If you would like to help in the garden (a lot or a little) please contact
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Have you ever wondered about the stained glass window on the north side of the Sanctuary? This window was placed in honor of Christopher Edwin Anderson, son of David and Ellen Anderson.
Here is the story
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We will feature more of the memorials on the property of St. Paul's in coming Proclaimers
.
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The Rector's Discretionary Fund Collection
First Sunday of the month
August 2, 2020
Donations allow us to assist people in need
in our community.
While there are no gatherings at church,
please remember donations can be mailed.
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Food Pantry Collections for August
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As The Salvation Army responds to the Coronavirus,
financial donations
are the most helpful. We are able to obtain food and supplies at a better cost in bulk, and they help us support businesses. If you're interested in making in-kind donations of non-perishable foods and supplies, please call 888-369-1349 to make arrangements.
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Activities & Events
for what is offered.
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August Birthdays and Anniversaries
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Birthdays
8/19 Barbara Wilson+
8/31 Ellen Kilday
Anniversaries
8/3 Rick/Freyja Johns
8/15 Steve/Jane DeGolier
8/25 Roy/Nanette Mason
8/30 Brad/Rebecca Smith
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We are in "Phase 4" now of the state recommendations for Covid 19 practices, and hopefully will continue to "Phase 5". Starting in August, I will be in the parish office mornings on Tuesdays through Fridays. Thanks for your patience. -
Susan
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Eating More Than Our Share of Radishes
Weekly Words of Wellness
July 24, 2020
by Scott Stoner
for Living Compass
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In 1996, psychologist Roy Bauermeister conducted a fascinating experiment on will power. He invited a large group of people into a room filled with the smell of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. He sat them at tables and then brought to each table two bowls. One bowl contained radishes and the other chocolate chip cookies. Half of the people were told they could eat only the radishes and to use their will power to avoid eating any of the cookies. The other half of the group were told they could skip the radishes and eat as many cookies as they wished.
Ten minutes later, everyone was led to another room where they were given (unknown to them at the time) an unsolvable geometry problem. The group of people who had just eaten the cookies worked an average of nineteen minutes trying to solve the problem before giving up. The group of radish eaters gave up after just eight minutes.
Bauermeister concluded that the radish eaters gave up earlier on the math challenge because they were suffering from “ego depletion,” which is a fancy way of saying they had exhausted their will power muscles as they refrained from eating the cookies. The will power of the cookie eaters, on the other hand, had not been depleted, and so they were able to concentrate more than twice as long on the math problem.
I believe that the results of this experiment help explain what I hear many people (including myself) now reporting regarding the challenges they are experiencing as this pandemic continues. People are noting that they and others are more impatient, irritable, distracted, and exhausted. And many report having trouble with focus and concentration, as well as impulse control related to eating and drinking.
If you are experiencing any of these challenges, perhaps Dr. Bauermeister’s experiment can offer a little comfort and self-compassion. The pandemic has forced all of us to give up many of “the cookies” in our lives, those things that bring us the greatest pleasure. We are all having to “eat a lot more radishes” than usual, and our will-power muscles are tired.
And speaking of self-compassion—that’s something we all can probably use a little more of these days, as we realize just how much emotional energy we are using to get through each day.
So pass the radishes. We can do this, and we will, one radish at a time—until the day comes when we can all once again sit around a table, shoulder to shoulder, faces uncovered, enjoying as many chocolate cookies together as we wish.
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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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