I was blessed by the opportunity to thank these individuals for the hard work they do, and we received many grateful smiles in return. I was reminded that we often do not take the time to tend to the gardens in which we are planted and openly appreciate the plants around us for the growth they strive for every day.
 

The Feast of the Ascension and The Feast of Pentecost come toward the end of the great season of Eastertide. At the ascension the resurrected Christ is taken up into heaven in the presence of his disciples. Jesus left with a promise to send the Holy Comforter-the Holy Spirit-to inspire his followers and lead them in the proclamation of the Gospel until his return. On the day of Pentecost (ten days later) the Holy Spirit was planted firmly in their hearts, and the disciples became apostles. Disciples are students, but apostles are ones who are sent to share the good news of new life in Jesus Christ. This year we will send forth our Sunday School students in the midst of these two events to their summer break. Listen carefully, because our children have been given seeds to sow as well by the Holy Spirit. Even gnarly old trees put forth new roots and shoots when the good news of spring arrives.

At the end of all this celebration we will plant some actual seeds and plants in our garden after our 10:30AM Pentecost Sunday service. All summer we will watch these plants grow into food that we will eat and share with our neighbors in part through the Salvation Army food pantry. Sowing the seeds of God's love-that's what we do at St. Paul's. I look forward to working in all these gardens with you, my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.

Peace,

Rev. Stacy+

Hope Haven's 9th Annual "Night by Night" For the Homeless

This May will kick off Hope Haven's 9th annual "Night by Night" campaign to sponsor nights of shelter for homeless men, women and children living in our community. Your $20.00 will purchase 3 meals, a safe place to sleep and helpful services for 1 homeless person. Join our campaign! Together we can help the homeless find their way home-"one night at a time."

Please send your donation to: Hope Haven, 1145 Rushmoore Drive, DeKalb, IL, 60115.

Since 1967 St. Paul's Episcopal Church has held the Lobster Boil, an annual fundraising event that supports both the church and the surrounding community. As a part of our tradition, half of the proceeds of the Lobster Boil are donated to local social service organizations.

In 2011, ten local social service organizations were awarded nearly $500 each, including: 4-C, DeKalb County American Red Cross, Safe Passage, Hope Haven, Voluntary Action Center (VAC), Family Service Agency, DeKalb County Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center Auxiliary and Love In the Name of Christ.

These organizations address the diverse issues our community faces (i.e. homelessness, poverty, abuse, crisis) with thoughtfulness and compassion, and we as a church are proud to support them.

On Friday April 20th, the ECW distributed check to the local charities. In the back row from the left: Rev. Stacy Frontjes-Walker, Henry Leonard, Marilyn Sjoholm, Karen Hagen- Dekalb County Hospice, Leah Jordal- VAC, David Miller- Family Service Agency, and Ellen Anderson. In the front row from the left: Eva Leonard, Esther Pickett- 4-C, Leslie Wicks-Hope Haven, Emily Lefer- Safe Passage, Emily Barrile-American Red Cross, and Pat Brown.