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Dear Friends in Christ,
It's rather quiet around St. Paul's during these long days of summer. Everything seems to slow down just a bit as we enjoy these few precious days of sun and holy leisure. And yet just as seeds are stirring in our garden and reaching forth into the light, and so it is with new and renewed ministries at St. Paul's. The garden is up, and gardeners are gathering more and more to tend to the tender plants that will provide nourishment for our bodies and souls, and those of our neighbors. A basement renovation team is also growing in these lingering days of June to make our undercroft a hospitable gathering place for children and youth. Our Christian Education staff is adding new members and exploring new programs and new ways in which all ages might learn our sacred story and share our experiences of God with one another.
Likewise current ministries are seeking renewal and new growth as well. Take time to pray in particular for our food pantry collection ministry. Many of our neighbors are in need of nourishment and encouragement that our generous donations help provide in these difficult economic times.
Take time to connect with your friends at St. Paul's this summer and see where those relationship might grow as well. I am in my office for much of the summer. Stop by for a visit, or call for an appointment.
In Christ,
Rev. Stacy+
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Join us for the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul--Wednesday, June 29th at 6PM
Bishop Lee will preach and preside at our new annual celebration of mission and ministry with our friends in Christ at St. Peter's, Sycamore.
Our inaugural celebration of unity in the mission of sharing the Good News of God in Christ will be held at St. Paul's.
Two members of St. Paul's and one member of St. Peter's will be received into the Episcopal Church by Bishop Lee at this evening midweek service.
Bishop Lee will also bless the oil of chrism and oil of anointing of the sick prepared by Rev. Stacy (St. Paul's) and Fr. Dave (St. Peter's). These oils will be used by both parishes at celebrations of Holy Baptism and in anointing prayers for healing in the year to come.
Childcare will be available during the service. A celebratory potluck feast will follow in the St. Paul's parish hall.
Offerings collected at this celebration will benefit the local mission of United Campus Ministry in the spirit of St. Peter, and the global mission of Episcopal Relief and Development in the spirit of St. Paul.
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Food Pantry Ministry does not take a Summer Vacation!
Pat and Vince McMahon share this story from their recent trip to deliver our food pantry donations to the Salvation Army Food Pantry in DeKalb:
On Sunday, June 12, 113 items were donated to the Salvation Army Food Pantry, bringing this year's total to 784 donations. When we delivered St. Paul's contribution to the Food Pantry the following Tuesday we were thanked profusely. "You people are life savers!" was the comment made by the food pantry coordinator. The volunteer who helped us unload our donation is a pipe fitter who had lost his job; he has been out of work for six months. He too thanked as repeatedly and added, "God bless you." The site manger told us that they expect things to get much worse over the summer months. Request for food are expected to grow and donations may decrease due to donors' summer vacations. Summer is a particularly challenging for families whose children normally receive free lunch at school. With schools in recess, these children no longer receive this benefit.
St. Paul's has been generous with its donations in the past. However, we encourage parishioners to consider making more consistent contributions. If you forget to bring your offering on Food Pantry Sunday (Second Sunday of each month), just bring your food any time and place it in one of the baskets. This is a ministry that St. Paul's can grow and it really does not have to cost anyone a lot of omney. Please consider bringing some contribution, no matter how small. If you don't have time to shop, drop a designated donation for the Food Pantry by the parish office or in the collection plate and we will shop for you.
Remember, a big part of our Christian action in living into the mission or the Church is to help those less fortunate that we are.
The Second Sunday of each month we offer our donations to the food pantry before the altar at the Holy Eucharist. Non-perishable food items (no glass jars, please) and monetary donations can be dropped off on any Sunday, or at the parish office Monday through Thursday, 9AM-2PM. For further information contact Pat and Vince at (815)758-1575.
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B.U.N.S. Collection for DeKalb County Hospice Presents Another Opportunity for Feeding the Body and Spirit
 The summer Baking Up Nice Surprises (B.U.N.S.) delivery is coming up soon, and DeKalb County Hospice (DCH) would appreciate your help. Three times a year members of the community are invited to prepare baked goods for hospice patients and bereaved families. When DCH receives our cookies, fresh fruti, candies, breads, etc. , a group of volunteers make up gift bags of a variety of goodies that are then distributed to hospice families. DCH typically delivers 115-145 bags each time, and the gifts are greatly appreciated by the people who receive them. To meet the next delivery, baked goods may be dropped off at the parish hall kitchen on Sunday, July 10th, 2011. If possible, please wrap your items in small zip-lock plastic bags. This really helps the volunteers who pack the gifts. If you have any questions, or if you would like more information, contact Sharon Dowen at (815)758-1278. Sharon will deliver the items from St. Paul's to the DCH office Monday, July 11th.
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It's Picnic Time! Parish Picnic Outdoors at St. Paul's, 10AM, Sunday, July 10, 2011
 St. Paul's Annual parish picnic will take place on our church grounds this year. We will have one service at 10AM outdoors under a tent (weather permitting) followed by a delicious picnic lunch. Meat will be provided and grilled for us under the direction of Bill Cummings. Cold soft drinks will also be provided. You just need to bring a dish to pass, your own table service, and, if you like, a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Kids are welcome to bring outdoor toys to play with after worship. Come, invite your friends, enjoy our scenic grounds during worship, and then partake of some fabulous food and fellowship! For more information contact Freyja Rasmussen-Johns at (815)748-5896. Note: There will not be an 8:00AM or 9:30AM service on July 10th, just the 10:00AM Outdoor Holy Eucharist at St. Paul's. |
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Come and See How our Garden Grows!
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St. Paul's Neighborhood Garden
June 21, 2011
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The seeds have sprouted and plants are beginning to flower. As expected the weeds have arrived as well! Wednesday evenings this summer we will gather for weeding and fellowship. Bring your hoe, lawn chair, favorite beverage, and come relax. If the weather doesn't allow for Wednesday weeding, (or a Bishop's visit, such as on June 29!) we will meet on Thursday evening. We will start after supper around 630PM or so. Friends and families are welcome. We will also be looking for volunteers to water and tend the garden during Rev. Stacy's vacation in late July/early August. Any questions about the garden, contact Rev. Stacy, (815)756-4888.
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Campus Ministry at NIU News
 Rev. Stacy has been an active member of the Bishop's Task Force for Campus Ministry at NIU as well as the United Campus Ministry board these past several months as the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Northern Illinois Synod have been negotiating merging our separate ministries into one unified ministry. We are very close to seeing the official start of this already vibrant, ecumenical campus ministry. The new ministry has been named by the students: Grace Place Campus Ministry at NIU. A new campus pastor will also be called to begin in the fall of 2011.
The Rev. Diane Dardon of Lutheran Campus Ministries has accepted a call to be the Protestant Chaplain at DePaul University. The Rev. Dawn Jones has also resigned as director of United Campus Ministries. The following letter is from Pastor Dawn:
Dearest Members of the St. Paul's Family,
I completed my four and one half year call as Director of United Campus Ministries last month. I am incredibly grateful to the faith community at St. Paul's for all your love and support to me and to the young adults of UCM and Lutheran Campus Ministry during those years.
By way of your prayers, your presence, and your generosity UCM/LCM has been a scared place of radical hospitality serving Northern Illinois University. Students, faculty, administrators and staff at NIU look to UCM/LCM as a place where Christian discipleship is realized in weekly worship, local service projects, and annual mission trips.
God has blessed me in the distinct honor and privilege to serve as your representative in ministry through times of trial and joy in the lives of individual students and life of the unviersity. I am confident St. Paul's will continue through the gifts of the Holy Spirit to welcome and support young adults in their journey with Jesus.
I am departing in early August for South Dakota--homeland of my youth and my family--in order to provide additional support to my parents. I will always have great affection for the many friends who have graced my life from DeKalb County.
God Be With You Until We Meet Again,
Your Sister in Christ,
The Rev. Dawn E. Jones |
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St. Paul's Welcomes our Newest Staff Member
 St. Paul's welcomes our new administrative
assistant, Satomi Ivey- Johnson. Satomi and her
family recently moved to DeKalb after her husband
was discharged from the Army. Satomi has
worked as an administrative assistant for small
businesses as well as other ministry settings.
Satomi will be working with the rector to design
many of our print and electronic communications.
If you have an announcement for the bulletin or the
newsletter be sure to email Satomi at
parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org |
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Other Happenings at the Church of St. Paul
Parish Picnic--Outdoors at St. Paul's: July 10th, 10:00AM
July Vestry Meeting:
Celebration of Holy Baptism at 9:30 AM Holy Eucharist: July 17
(Holy Eucharist Rite I at 8:00AM as regularly scheduled)
Young Families and Friends Potluck and Play Date: Wednesday, August 17 at 5:30 PM
Basement Renovation Team: June 22, June 30, July 27, and August 31 at 7:00PM.
Keeping God's People Safe Training: Saturday, September 10, 2011 9:30AM-3:00PM at St. Paul's, DeKalb.
Wednesdays at 9:30AM--Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers
Sundays in the Summer (through September 4th, 2011): Holy Eucharist Rite I 8:00AM, Holy Eucharist Rite II (with music) 9:30AM.
Rector's Discretionary Fund Collection: First Sunday of every month
Food Pantry Offering: Second Sunday of every month
Parish Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
Sunday, July 17, 11:30 AM |
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The Episcopal Church of St. Paul Contact Information
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