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News from The Episcopal Church of St. Paul  August 2012 |
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Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat? One of the disciples, Andrew, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" John 6: 5b, 8
Dear Friends,
Deep in the Chihuahuan Desert within the boundaries of Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas there is a twisted mass of cottonwoods and mesquite in the middle of an otherwise dry and hostile environment. The trees at Dug Out Wells inexplicably grow up in the midst of yucca and prickly pear because of a spring that bubbles persistently from the ground. It seems strange that in the midst of the desert there would be a year round wet spot, and yet there it is. Life abounds in the desert, and the animals who live there do not take it for granted, including the weary hikers who find rest in the shade and delight in the raucous songs of a thousand migratory birds.
 | | Rev. Stacy at The Window, Big Bend National Park |
Rev. Stacy's letter continues below... |
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Dug Out Wells is a glimmer of abundance in an otherwise sparse and hostile landscape. It is a reminder that life is abundant in the most unlikely of places. We can see this holy abundance if we pause long enough to adjust our vision and trust that God will make a way in the desert. This morning as I was preparing to write this letter we had a huge thunderstorm. We desperately need the rain as the land suffers through the worst drought we have experienced in twenty-five years. This storm isn't going to break the drought. But like Dug Out Wells, it reminds me that life abundant is just around the corner.
At the end of a long day of preaching and healing in the hot and arid countryside Jesus asks his disciples, "How are we going to feed these people?" Jesus is inviting them to seek abundance in the midst of what appears to be scarcity. It is hard for Philip and Andrew to believe feeding the crowd is possible: there are so many people, so few resources, and they are so very tired. I can understand how frustrated Philip and Andrew must have been. It's the same feeling I had when I heard on the news this morning that thirteen people were shot in Chicago overnight. This in the wake of lots of coverage about the tragic domestic terrorist attack on a large crowd watching a movie premier at a theater in Aurora, Colorado last Friday. It is challenging to see life in the midst of all this death.
What are two fish and five loaves among so many people? What are our prayers and acts of compassion in an epidemic of violence in our community and society at large? They are signs of water springing forth out of the desert. They are signs of rain in the midst of a drought. They are signs of hope in the life abundant that God has provided all around us. Let us pray that we might readily embrace this abundant life more often than not. And may God grant us the grace to share these signs of abundance with the whole crowd.
The Peace of Christ be with you,
Rev. Stacy+ |
 From the Senior Warden, Michael Duffy
As I sit here writing this message to you, DeKalb is in the midst of a severe thunderstorm, the likes of which have been exceedingly rare this summer. The water that is pouring down from the sky will hopefully help to bring life to the parched crops in our farms and gardens. Water is essential to life, along with sunlight, food, and oxygen. These elements help our plants, animals, and bodies grow and maintain themselves.
Good communication is one of the key elements that help our communities grow and maintain themselves. Good communication begins with honesty and sincerity, and is completed with directness. Experience has taught me that people in all areas of my life appreciate direct and honest communication. Direct communication is essential for our parish to function effectively as well.
Lay people, bishops, priests, and deacons all have a role to play in the governance of the Episcopal Church, at the church-wide, diocesan, and parish levels. Effective governance is dependent on good communication. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church met in July, as it does every three years, to pray, worship together, and to consider legislation on a wide range of topics, from how the Church relates to other member churches of the Anglican Communion, to the blessings of same sex unions, to the relation of the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. The General Convention consists of representatives from every diocese of the Episcopal Church in its Houses of Bishops and Deputies. Similarly, the Diocese of Chicago, with representatives from every congregation, will meet in its annual Convention in the fall to consider resolutions and legislation on a variety of topics. The Church seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit just might be speaking through you!
Your vestry meets every month to consider important financial and spiritual matters that confront our parish. Please know that you are welcome to speak with me or with any other member of the vestry directly about your concerns about our parish, our diocese, and our Church. Whether you feel joy or fear, we are here to listen to you. Our future growth and thriving are dependent on our good communication with each other. It is an honor to be your senior warden, and I hope to be able to support you on your spiritual journey by lending a listening ear.
Yours in Christian fellowship,
Michael Duffy |
Notes from the Junior Warden, David Anderson
Building and Grounds Projects
A couple of months ago, Flores Construction completed a rebuilding of the stone retaining wall in front of the main/west entrance to the church. The wall was falling apart. They took removed, cleaned, and rebuilt the wall using the same stones. Drainage tile was installed behind the wall and stones were mortared together.
In July, Flores Construction also finished the patching, repair, and painting of the walls and ceiling in the sanctuary. There was a major damaged area above the pulpit, as well as many cracks and water spots. They were quite meticulous in covering the stone walls, pews, and floors to prevent drips and did an excellent job. This job was covered by insurance due to water damage from the roof leaking from an ice dam a year and a half ago. The sanctuary had not been painted in a long time and now looks fresh and bright!
K & J Decorating is in the process of refinishing pews also damaged, and stripped, sanded, and stained the first five pews on the north side thus far. This is also covered by insurance.
David Anderson |
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 Treasurer's Summary, Pat Brown
January-May 2012
This report covers the first five months of the year with notes regarding June transactions.
Operating Income (receipts) received during this time period totaled $75,870. That is 37% of the total budgeted amount of $205,608. Pledges totaling $70,905 have been received which is 58% of the budgeted amount of $121,761.
Operating Expenses (disbursements) incurred during the period were $92,980, 45% of the budgeted amount of $205,608. That created a deficit of ($17,109) - expenses over income. We transferred $30,000 of the projected $74,397 budgeted for that line item from the Endowment Fund in June to create a positive balance on the books.
Our cash flow has been supplemented by the $25,000 insurance payout to repair the ceiling, walls and pews damaged by the ice jam in the winter of 2010. When the repairs are completed in June and July we will need to send the unused portion back to the insurance company. The walls were painted and patched in June and July and the pews resurfaced. When additional resurfacing is done on the pews the project will be complete. The expense of repairing the damage was much less than anticipated.
The front retaining wall was rebuilt in May and funds totaling $4,800 came from the Building Fund. The Edward Jones Building Fund portion was $84,808 and Castle Bank portion $12,071 for a total balance of $96,879 at the end of May. The May balance in the Endowment Fund was $1,789,446 and the Apache Stock was valued at $17,409.
If you have questions about the finances of the church please do not hesitate to contact me.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Brown, Treasurer |
DeKalb Corn Classic 10K Run & 3K Run/Walk
Saturday, August 25th
 Join the Diocese of Chicago at the DeKalb Corn Classic 10K & 3K Saturday, August 25th to support Episcopal Relief and Development's campaign to distribute mosquito nets that help fight malaria with Team NetsforLifeŽ. Learn more, download a race packet, and register for the race online.
A team is forming from St. Paul's and runners will be looking for sponsorships to raise money for Nets for Life. Please contact Reverend Stacy, Kristin Duffy or Julie Stubblefield for more information. To make an online contribution, go to www.inspirationfund.org and select "Donate." Choose NetsforLifeŽ Inspiration Fund and enter gift amount. Under the Gift Information section, select the option "Yes, in honor of" and enter "DeKalb Corn Classic" and the runner's name. Call 855-312-HEAL for assistance or to contribute by credit card over the phone.
You can also mail checks or money orders to Episcopal Relief & Development. Checks should be made payable to NetsforLifeŽ. Please insert "DeKalb Corn Classic" and the runner's name in the memo line.
All donations are tax deductible, and should be mailed to:
Episocopal Relief & Development
c/o NetsforLifeŽ Inspiration Fund- DeKalb Corn Classic
815 Second Ave
New York, NY 10017
 Since 2006, NetsforLifeŽ has distributed over 8.5 million nets. Combined with the community education and net monitoring work of nearly 74,000 Malaria Control Agents, the nets have saved the lives of over 100,000 children under five and reduced the overall malaria-related death by 45% in communities where NetsforLifeŽ is active. |
Mark Your Calendars! Blessing of the Backpacks and Kick-Off Sunday
Sunday, August 26 and Sunday, September 9
Rev. Stacy will be leading a prayer for the blessing of the back packs of all those who will be returning to school this fall, preschool through university! This is scheduled to take place at St. Paul's, during the 10:30 AM service, on Sunday, August 26th, 2012. Those returning to school are invited to bring their backpack or other symbol of learning and/or teaching with them for prayers and blessings.
Kick-Off Sunday to mark the beginning of the Sunday School year will be September 9th, 2012. Look for more information in the September Proclaimer. |
Art * Music * Theatre
Do you want to explore your creative liturgical skills?
We are looking for interested adult, youth & children of all abilities!
Adult /Youth Choir
Rehearsals & Service Schedule for 2012-2013 TBA. Information forthcoming. First rehearsal will be
Thursday, August 23 or Thursday, August 30, 7:00-9:00 PM. Preparing for KickOff Sunday!
Rehearsals & Service Schedule for 2012-2013 TBA. Please email the Director of Music if your children are interested in participating.
If you are interested in singing in one of our choirs, or playing an instrument for a service during the year, please email our Director of Music, Lorraine Langer or call (847) 328-4104.
St. Paul's Musicians in the Community
Michael Duffy, Trumpet, [Can you pick out Michael Duffy in the photo below?] and Michael
Tuesdays, 8:00 P.M. through mid August and are held at the Hopkins ParkBand Shell, DeKalb.
Upcoming performance is at the Ellwood House Ice Cream Social, Sunday, August 5th, 2:30 P.M.
If you have an artistic event in the community at large and want to share this with St. Paul's, please email the Director of Music with your information. |
Sue Ouellette's Trip to Korea
 "I am not the same having seen the moon shine on another side of the world." This is the motto of Korean Ties, a homeland program for Korean adoptees of all ages and their families. The program was developed by Becca Piper, herself an adoptive mother, nearly 18 years ago in order to provide international adoptees with an opportunity to retrace their adoption journeys and to reconnect with their birth culture. I have traveled with Ties with each of my three Korean-born children and have seen the tremendous impact of the trip on their self-esteem and sense of themselves as Korean-Americans. I have also seen firsthand the healing that took place for each of them as they came to understand adoption within the context of a culture that is very different from ours here in the United States. It is now my honor and privilege to serve as adjunct staff for Korean Ties in the role of the adoption professional.
The two-week trip is carefully balanced to include time for adoption-related activities and time for enjoying the country and its wonderful culture. This year, I arrived just a day before the 65 members of our group landed and enjoyed reconnecting with the other staff members including two adult adoptees who serve as bus leads, another mother of Korean adoptees who directs the program, and our translator, a young doctoral student who grew up in Korea and now lives in the U.S. We began our trip in Seoul, a bustling, vibrant, modern city, Our first day focuses on culture as we travel to Suwon to visit the Korean Folk Village. One is tempted to think of this park that represents the "old ways" as a sort of Williamsburg until someone mentions that people lived like this just a generation ago. Korea has changed so very rapidly and has experienced the expected clash between centuries-old tradition and modern technology and culture.
The next two days of the trip focus on adoption issues. The parents and their children, ranging in age from eight to mid-twenties, visit the adoption agency that placed them with their families. There, they review their files with a social worker and may gain new information about the circumstances of their adoption. Many of the adoptees will meet the loving foster mothers who cared for them and a very few may meet members of their birth family. In the past, it was not possible for young Korean women became pregnant out of wedlock to keep their babies because of the shame of an unplanned pregnancy. Further, these young women were sent to maternity homes and their pregnancy was kept secret, often forever. The young mother did not disclose her pregnancy to her husband for fear that he and his family would reject her. As such, a meeting with a birth child could expose this secret and result in the woman being separated from her family, including any children that were born during her marriage. Although this, like other aspects of the culture, is changing rapidly many birth parents remain at risk if their secret were to be disclosed.
The other very significant adoption-related experience occurs the following day when we visit a maternity home in nearby Pyongtaek. There, the adoptees have the opportunity to meet with a group of birth mothers who are considering adoption for their unborn children. The adoptees engage in intimate conversation with the birth mothers who range in age from 13 to 39. The adoptees are able to express their deepest fears that they were unwanted and unloved while the birthmothers are able to communicate their fears that their children will be angry with them and hate them for placing them for adoption. Much healing for adoptees and birthmothers grows from this tear-filled dialog and heartfelt embraces are usually exchanged as their time together ends. Many of the adoptees leave this meeting with a new realization of how much love their birthmothers had for them and how difficult it was for them to place their children's needs above their own.
After two such emotionally-charged days, it is a pleasure to head for the mountains and to experience beautiful Mt. Sorak where the families can enjoy hiking in a magnificent setting or simply have some down time. Next comes the coastal drive to Busan (The Koreans have recently softened the hard P sound of Pusan to a softer B sound) and two days on beautiful Haeundae Beach. This is often a high point of the trip as the families enjoy bountiful buffets, swimming in the East Sea, visits to local fish markets, and shopping. All too soon, it is time to return to Seoul aboard the KTX high-speed train.
Back in Seoul, the families enjoy a visit to a local school and dinner in the home of a host family. A free day follows during which many families visit the DMZ or choose to shop for souvenirs and hanboks, Korean traditional clothing. After a wonderful farewell dinner and a performance of Nanta (an amazing drumming show), it's time to say goodbye to new friends and to a country that all have come to admire and, yes, even love. As preparations to leave begin, everyone talks about when (not if) they will return to Korea and about ways they plan to keep in touch,
Like many other Ties travelers, I have come to embrace South Korea as a second home, a country with which I feel deep emotional bonds and connections. The Koreans are an incredibly warm and welcoming people and the country is as engaging as any I have visited. I am deeply thankful to three birthmothers who loved their yet-unborn babies so much that they could only choose the heart-wrenching option of sending them away to be raised in better circumstances than they could offer. Because of their unselfishness, I have had the indescribable joy of being a mother to three wonderful children. I can't imagine my life without them nor can I imagine life without a connection to this Land of the Morning Calm. I thank God daily for the privilege of parenting my children, for the self-sacrificing love of their birthparents, and for the privilege of traveling half-way around the world to help others understand in new ways that they have been loved and wanted from the start by both their birth families and their culture of origin. |
June/July Food Pantry Report
Thanks to all parishioners who contributed to Food Pantry Sunday in June and July. Only 103 items were donated in June, and a total of 142 items were donated in July, bringing the number of 2012 contributions by St. Paul's to 1,044.
The summer months place a greater strain on the food pantry. Almost 700 people were served in June. Demand is up because children do not have access to free or reduced cost school meals. Supplies may be down due to regular contributors being on vacation.
If you have not contributed to St. Paul's Food Pantry Sundays, please consider doing so in August. To those who contribute on a regular basis, please consider including an extra item or two. Items that we have noticed to be in short supply at the pantry include: canned fruit, canned meat, jelly (plastic jars only, please), dessert items such as cake or brownie mixes, and toothpaste.
The next food pantry collection will be on Sunday, August 12.
Thank you. |
 St. Paul's Neighborhood Garden Notes
Thanks to the efforts of many parishioners who have been watering the vegetable garden during this long hot summer we are expecting an abundant harvest this August. In late June two grocery bags of radishes and broccoli were delivered to Safe Passage. In late July four grocery bags filled with cucumbers, summer squash, peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes were delivered to the Salvation Army Food Pantry. There are currently many vegetables and herbs (cilantro, basil and oregano) available for anyone who would like to have them. Help yourself or ask an able bodied person to help you pick something for dinner tonight! You can also help the garden and farmers and wildlife in our community by praying for rain. A collect for Rain from the Book of Common Prayer: O God, heavenly Father who by your Son Jesus Christ has promised to all those who seek your kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send us, we entreat you, in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
St. Paul's Mission & Outreach Committee, Volunteer Opportunity at the Salvation Army Food Pantry
St. Paul's has adopted the 1st Thursday each month, from 9am to Noon at the Salvation Army Food Pantry located at 830 Grove Street, DeKalb, IL 60115. Please see Jennie Cummings or Pat McMahon if you want to join our committee. We only need 3 volunteers a month. With rotation, you would only be volunteering for 3+ times per year. Food Pantry Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 9am-12pm; Thursday 9am-12pm & 5pm-6:45pm. Gary Billings, SA Volunteer Coordinator can be reached at 815-756-4308 or gbillings119@yahoo.com |
Dear Friends,
The Midwest is experiencing the driest Spring/Summer in decades. Coupled with the extreme heat, crops are gasping, flowers beg for water and the air hangs heavy with expectation as everyday life raises its eyes to the heavens searching for rain. Almost every living being knows what it must do to survive a drought, though some won't survive.
July and August is drought time for Shelter Care Ministries. Money is slow to begin fowing to the organization, fund raising has lapsed because our event was in May, and Christmas is far into the future. As Cay and I sat together trying to figure out who we could pay and who could wait, I decided to reach out to you, our friends, and ask for help.
Last summer, two major gifts and many other donations contributed close to $73,000. With the help and support of our donors, Shelter Care was able to make it through the year even with all the state and federal cuts in funding. Many not for profits will not survive this drought, some have already succumbed under the financial pressure.
Shelter Care is still here. We continue to serve the many families who are homeless seeking housing, the doors at Jubilee Center are open as 85 members seek relief and MAYA'S House continues to provide a respite from grinding poverty and its devastating impacts on children. So many wonderful projects are in the planning stage if we can only bridge the gap.
A donation from you made the difference for Shelter Care last year, please consider being the rain that refreshes, bringing with it renewal and relief. Together we can accomplish anything...together all things are possible.
Working Together to End Poverty,
The Reverend Louisett M. Ness
Executive, Director, Shelter Care Ministries
You may make your donation to Shelter Care online at: www.shelter-care.org or by mail. Please send donations to:
Shelter Care Ministries
412 North Church Street
Rockford, IL 61103 |
October 2 through November 6
If you regularly take time to help a loved one with errands, personal care, living arrangements, financial and legal concerns or activities, you are a caregiver. Care giving can be stressful-- physically, emotionally and financially.
DeKalb County Hospice is sponsoring a six week class, entitled Powerful Tools for Caregivers. Classes will be held Tuesdays, October 2 through November 6 from 11:30am to 1pm at the DeKalb County Hospice office, DeKalb. This educational program is designed to help you, the caregiver, with the tools needed to take care of yourself. There is no cost for class participation. Each participant receives a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook.
For more information or to register, contact Helen Maurer, LCSW, or Val Heintz at DeKalb County Hospice, 815-756-3000. Class size is limited, advance registration needed. |
 Anniversaries, Birthdays & Events
Anniversaries:
Rick & Freyja Johns- (8/3/2003)
Steve & Jane DeGolier- (8/15)
James & Janie Torma- (8/16/58)
Craig & Jo Abbott- (8/20/1983)
Richard & Sharon Dowen- (8/22/1970)
Roy & Nanette Mason- (8/25/1963)
Joe & Sharon Smaldino- (8/25)
Birthdays:
Brad Cripe- (8/27)
Sue Ouellette- (8/31)
Events:
8/19: Vestry Meeting
8/25: DeKalb Corn Classic 10K & 3K
8/26: Blessing of the Backpacks
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Finding God in the Everyday
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The Episcopal Church of St. Paul Contact Information
The Episcopal Church of St. Paul
900 Normal Rd., DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Parish Office: (815) 756-4888
Parish Fax: (815) 758-6140
The Rev. Stacy A. Walker-Frontjes, Rector
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