Mars Hill Proclaimer
St. Paul's Episcopal Church March Newsletter 2022
|
|
Beloved of God,
There seems to be a lot going on at St. Paul's this Lenten season. Which is one of the reasons this issue of the Proclaimer is so late! Last Saturday, the Vestry and I enjoyed a working retreat and the opportunity to get to know one another, and our sanctuary better. They are a truly remarkable group of individuals and an altogether wonderful Vestry!
As we draw nearer to the Feast of the Resurrection, I'm thinking that on this one Sunday above all others---that we celebrate altogether in one worship service, to be held at 9:30 AM, followed by (catered) festive Easter Brunch. I hope everyone feels safe enough to come out and celebrate!
We have another change imminent in "Zooming" the 10:30 AM service, too. As the bulletin is available on our website, we are no longer going to scroll it on Zoom. If you need a printed bulletin, please call the office and let Susan know and we'll get it to you ASAP. This will be effective as of Sunday, March 27.
Finally, let me offer an invitation to you all to join us Wednesdays for (guided) Contemplative Prayer from Noon until 12:30 PM. The sanctuary will be open at 11:30 AM until 1 PM. Remember that Christ promises to "abide" in us, as we abide in him. Abiding in Christ is what contemplative prayer is all about. Come and see.
All the Best,
Barbara+
|
|
MARCH 2, 2020
Noon and
6:00 PM Services
with imposition of ashes
|
|
|
|
Please consider joining our next book discussion, recommended by Bishop Chilton: The Church Cracked Open , by Stephanie Spellers, on Saturdays at 2:30 PM in the Conference Room.
|
|
|
|
A discussion group for Lent, on Tuesdays during Lent in the Conference Room at Noon. Bring a lunch (or we will order lunch) and come talk together.
|
|
|
|
MARCH, 2022
Greetings Brothers and Sisters of St Paul’s,
March 2022 seems to coincide with change.
Some of the changes are seasonal and expected such as winter hopefully being mostly behind us and spring being weeks away. Then, we have the obvious outcomes personally and globally with the war in Ukraine. For me, I have the additional aspect that it has been a year since my physical well being was so dramatically affected as to affect my employment. Lastly, we have the Lenten season upon us and therefore hopefully our efforts to reevaluate where we are spiritually and with our personal relationship with God.
Some of these come with a measure of hope others with uncertainty and concern. However, we are directed to pray and trust in our Savior. We cannot understand why certain things happen and it is not reasonable for us to expect to understand God’s timing (for he is GOD and we not). We must however have faith that all things come together for good (1 Thessalonians 5-18; Romans 8-28). Just as the images of Ukrainians kneeling outside in the freezing weather and praying, the one thing, we can do is be intentional with our prayers.
Your Vestry is getting together for a mini retreat. We also welcome your prayers for our collective efforts to make Godly decisions steeped in wisdom and love. Aside from spending time to get to know each other better we will be discussing a wonderful book God’s Grace and Robert’s Rules. Richard Kunz’ insight and wisdom is profound, and one could practically be convinced that he is a member of St. Paul’s. He seems to have a clear understanding of the challenges we are facing.
I have had the pleasure of speaking with several of you and we all seem to be on the same page about the issues facing St. Paul’s (need more people). This gives me hope that we will overcome and succeed in reshaping the future of our Church. The prevailing themes are together we can ACHIEVE MORE and that we need to get creative and think outside the box in our efforts to become a Beloved Community.
I leave you with my heartfelt request for your participation in as many things as you can at Saint Paul’s. Our desire now that we are hopefully entering the endemic phase of Covid is that we can again get together socially developing relationships and finding out how we can be there for each other.
Sincerely
Lucinda
Senior Warden
|
|
I have been quite busy trying to be in attendance at everything there is to offer at St. Paul's. I appreciated the Wednesday Prayers and Guided Reflection. It is not something that I normally do but felt the pull to experience it. Next, I have attended two book discussions on the book, The Church Cracked Open. Although the book is not offered on Audible, I find myself reading and reading each chapter. This book is quite timely to our world right now and our group is continuing valuable discussions.
I am planning a walk through our campus pathway with their updated message boards. I have heard that students do read the messages and even share pictures of the messages with their families. I am looking forward to Coffee Hours and getting a chance to get caught up with everyone. I look forward to Lent and we will have a special book study on Tuesdays at Noon. There are several newer folks that Bill and I would like to know better. We are comparing calendars and setting up dates to visit with folks.
As far as the vestry, much is happening. Between the changing of the guard, the keys, the bank signatories, we have been preparing for a new portion of the HVAC. We have been organizing bids for painting the brown arch on the west side of the entranceway. We have had meetings, emails, and texts between Mother Barbara and Senior Warden Lucinda Brunner and myself. I have worked on a calendar of events that I edit as there are changes. We have been discussing the viability of a 2022 Lobster Boil. We are discussing and planning a church Strategic Plan, an Assessments, and an audit. I am trying to make myself visible and available to hear what you want me to hear and where God is guiding our church.
A note of praise. I very much appreciate Mother Barbara and her Kind, gentle ways. I appreciate Gretchen as a mentor and always being approachable and responsive. I appreciate Lucinda as a leader and a passionate advocate for our community. As I am typing, I think of each of you and all the things I appreciate about you individually. I am not an eloquent writer but the St. Paul's family is a special family to be a part of. God is guiding us and is with us always.
Jennie Cummings
Junior Warden
|
|
WEEKLY DEVOTIONS AND
OCCASIONS TO CONNECT
|
TUESDAYS
Lenten Discussions, Noon
WEDNESDAYS
Noonday Prayers
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Leader-led prayer
12:00-12:30 PM
Last Wednesday of month-
Catered lunch at 1:00 PM
THURSDAYS
Multi-generational choir rehearses
in person and via zoom on Thursdays, 7:00 PM
SATURDAYS
Book Discussion, 2:30 PM
SUNDAYS
Liturgy of the Word and Prayer
8:00 AM in Sanctuary (no music)
10:30 AM
Sanctuary and on Zoom (with music)
Coffee Hour following
|
|
|
|
JANUARY 2022 VESTRY MINUTES
|
|
TREASURER'S REPORT
FEBRUARY 20, 2022
I am happy to continue as Treasurer for another year. I find the job suits me quite well, although I am still learning how to do it efficiently. However, as specified in the by-laws, the vestry will need to elect me to this position for 2022. I also request that Pat Brown be elected Assistant Treasurer. She continues to be extremely helpful for me.
I want to walk you through the monthly budget spreadsheet. There is a lot of information on it that may be a bit overwhelming at first glance. Also, I have made a few changes for 2022.
As of February 16, our Heartland Bank checking account balance stood at $57,400.80. Along with our pledge income, this should see us through the next couple of months. We will not need to touch the Endowment Fund anytime soon.
We spent $25,391.17 in January, and we took in $12,080.00 from pledges and regular contributions. We also spent $332 from the Flower fund and took in $601 to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. As of January 31, the Discretionary Fund had $1655 in it.
The Endowment fund is valued at $2,289,042.37 and the Capital Fund at Edward Jones is $31,438.50. I need to mention that I made a mistake in my 2021 annual report: the actual value of the Endowment Fund as of January 1, 2022 was $2,448,372.35; I had reported a slightly higher value.
The vestry needs to decide whether to approve spending $206 so the Davey Tree Co. can treat the ash tree that is inside the rectory fence for emerald ash borer. This company has treated it several times in the past, and, in my opinion, the treatment seems to be effective on ash trees generally.
I think the vestry should take a look at the snow removal bills we are getting from Marc’s Lawn Service. The cost of salt for the sidewalks is quite large and apparently not covered by our contract.
I am not sure we are completely up to date with our Lakeshore Recycling payments—this is mostly a note to myself so it doesn’t get forgotten. We are now paying them by ACH (automatic electronic payment), but previous to this month we were sending in checks that were not always cashed in a timely manner.
The Diocesan Parochial Report is due March 1 and (I think) needs vestry approval. I will have my portion of it done by next week.
A few other outstanding business items:
We need to set up an audit.
Setting up a meeting with Matt Myre, our Edward Jones advisor, would be
useful.
The junior and senior wardens need to sign signature cards at the bank and
at Edward Jones.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Johns, Treasurer
|
|
|
|
Come join in our music making and fellowship. All ages and musical abilities are welcome! Choir rehearsals on Thursdays at 7:00 PM, in-person (masks and safe distancing) and live via Zoom for anyone to attend, listen in & sing along. (see links is below).
|
|
|
|
Lorraine Langer
Hannah Buckle
Assistant Director of Music/Pianist
Kathleen Johnson
Pipe Organist
|
|
|
Streaming Ministries
Enhancing the Quality of In-Person and On-Line Worship Services
|
|
Our new streaming ministries sound and video system continues to enhance our:
- Intelligibility of spoken and sung worship in-person and on-line;
- Ability to stream live via YouTube in tandem with Zoom to our Parishioners and community; and
-
Ability to offer an Assisted Listening System (ALS) We are now offering the option for anyone to use "Listen EVERYWHERE" to enhance their ability to hear the service more clearly. This is an Application to download from Apple and Google Play onto your smart phone, iPad, device, etc.) You can listen via BlueTooth, using Earbuds as well as Hearing Aids. Let Mthr. Barbara and Lorraine know if you would like to explore and try out "Listen EVERYWHERE".
The Sanctuary system is almost complete. We are waiting for a set of wireless microphones due to delivery issues across the country. These microphones will make it easy for parishioners to use for reading the Lessons and Psalms as well as share an announcement from the pews (instead of going up to the lectern) during the service.
The Parish Hall system is also almost complete. Though we are also waiting on microphones for this system, last week we were able to make several upgrades and updates, and we will be experimenting with the system this week for choir rehearsal, and yep, coffee hour for the parishioners zooming from home, after the service on Sundays. Just stay on with us to chat!
We would love to have you come join us and share in our New Streaming Ministry! Send us an email if you would like to have some fun (via zoom and YouTube) operating the cameras, sharing the bulletin, chatting with parishioners, experiencing worship through another lens, giving to others, Etc.
Streaming Ministers: Peg Newby, Gretchen Schlabach, Katt Scott, Hannah Buckle, Lorraine Langer
|
|
YouTube and Zoom Links are below for easy access! |
|
April is an exciting time for the members of St Paul's Gardening Club! Some members already have begun growing seedlings for the garden in the anticipation of spring. Although we undoubtedly have more winter weather ahead, the growing season is near!
The Gardening Club has met and planned out the beds for our 2022 garden. This year we have an addition of a trough donated by Mother Barbara.
We also hope to expand the church garden by adding a pollinator garden around the majority of the fence line. In order to fill these beds in the least expensive manner, we would like to ask church members for any perennials they are willing to donate from their own gardens. The new beds we are hoping to install will receive mostly full sun. Please stay tuned for future announcements, but we definitely hope to see more butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds in our garden's future!
In closing, I would like us all to consider the unique spiritual opportunity that St Paul's Garden offers. There, with loving care, we witness the abundance of God. It fills us with gratitude as we harvest the fruits of our labor. We feel joy when blessed with nutritious, organically-grown vegetables that we, in turn, share with a hungry community.
Would you be willing to join our team of workers? All are welcome!
|
|
St. Paul’s committed to provide the pre-worship supper meal for NIU’s Grace Place Campus Ministry on two Wednesdays this semester; March 23 and April 6. If you are interested in providing a salad, fruit or dessert, please let me know via email (rhysprall@comast.net) or in person on Sunday. Your offering can be brought to church prior to the date or I can pick it up from your house. The meal is delivered ready to serve by 5:45. Usually two of us deliver and set things out then they take it from there. Pastor Mack welcomes anyone from St. Paul’s to join them.
Jocelyn Prall
|
|
SUNFLOWER SEEDS: POETRY FOR UKRAINE |
Poetry Reading,
Friday, April 1, 2022, 7:00 PM
This poetry reading will be a benefit for Ukrainian refugees, with fee will donations going to Doctors Without Borders. Readings will be poems in English of Ukrainian poems responsive to the war. Local poets Bonnie and Ric Amesquita, John Bradley, Marilyn Cleland, Becky Parfitt, and Susan Azar Porterfield will read.
|
|
This Lent season Living Compass is happy to be offering its daily email devotional, Living Well Through Lent 2022: Letting Go With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.
The devotional includes reflections from: Robbin Brent, The Rt. Rev. Brian Cole, Amy Cook, Dr. Sarah Robinson Flick, The Rev. Jan Kwiatkowski, William “Father Bill” Miller, The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, The Rev. Mary Bea Sullivan, The Rev. Benjamin Thomas, The Rev. Ed Thompson, and Liz Ward.
You can also find Living Well Through Lent online at
https://www.livingcompass.org/lent
|
|
|
|
BISHOP ELECT PAULA TO RETURN |
Beloveds:
The Standing Committee has good news to share as we prepare for the Lenten season: On March 7, Bishop-elect Paula Clark will return to work here in the Diocese of Chicago.
Paula is eager and fit to return to the office, and in consultation with her medical team and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, together we have determined that she will work about 20 hours per week at first, with the expectation of incrementally increasing her time at work each month. As we make this transition together, Bishop Chilton Knudsen will continue as assisting bishop, visiting congregations, holding confirmations and ordinations, and supporting the bishop’s staff and other diocesan leadership bodies. We are grateful for her ministry with us, and she is committed to being with us through the transition.
As the Standing Committee and I have been talking with Paula and preparing for her return, I have come to admire her even more than I did on the day that we elected her. Her unshakable faith in Jesus Christ, and the grace and determination that flows from it, are a powerful example to us all. We can rejoice together in the opportunity to forge our path forward even as we continue to mourn with Paula and her family the traumas of the past year.
God’s Peace,
The Rev. Anne B Jolly
President, Standing Committee
|
|
|
|
St. Paul's Columbarium is registered on Ancestry.com's FindAGrave.com. My Kiwanis friend, Mary McGinn, is a Find a Grave volunteer that registers graves. Mary helped add all 16 current names in our church columbarium on 2/17/2022. With the FindAGrave website, much more information can be added: obituaries, pictures, stories, connections to other relatives, etc. Edits can be submitted if you find errors. Mary McGinn is willing to assist people to learn how to use the site. If there is great interest, we could also do a program in the parish hall too.
Steps: https://www.findagrave.com/ > Click cemeteries at the top > in location, enter DeKalb County IL, search >Scroll down to St. Paul's Columbarium > Click Memorials to see all the names listed in our columbarium.
Jennie Cummings
|
|
Every Wednesday the Sanctuary will be open for quiet prayer and meditation at 11:30 AM. At noon, there will be a leader for responsive prayers until 12:30 PM. The Sanctuary will remain open until 1:00 PM for quiet prayer and meditation. On the last Wednesday of the month, all are invited to gather at a BYO lunch at 1:00 PM.
|
|
|
|
The Rector's
Discretionary Fund Collection
Donations allow us to assist people in need
in our community.
Remember that donations can be mailed at any time.
|
|
March Birthdays and Anniversaries |
|
|
|
Birthdays
3/6 Jimmy Russell
3/8 Emily Russell
3/9 Jane Nenonen
3/10 Danny Russell
3/11 Julie Stubblefield
3/16 Lucinda Brunner
3/16 George Taylor
3/27 Jackie Dickow
3/27 Mary Lincoln
3/28 Gail Piper
|
|
St. Paul's Episcopal Church Contact Information |
|
|
|
900 Normal Rd., DeKalb, IL 60115
Parish Office: (815) 756-4888
The Rev. Barbara A.T Wilson, Rector
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
