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News from St. Paul's Episcopal Church  March 2013 |
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Dear Friends,
We have now been on our Lenten journey together for about two weeks. How are your fasts and spiritual disciplines going? Every year I tell myself, "Don't take on too much." Then I plan to engage in what I think is a modest amount of fasting and intentional spiritual disciplines. Inevitably I end up in a situation where something's got to give. Generally what has to give are my overly high expectations of my time and stamina. About this time every Lent I need to be reminded that the reason I am fasting and praying more intentionally in the first place is not to win some cosmic pat on the back for being a "really good Christian." Week two, without fail God reminded me that the reason I'm on this Lenten pilgrimage is to be still and be with God as we approach cross. I was reminded of this as a scrambled around this morning looking for my "Simplifying the Soul" book and remembering that I didn't do some of those practices from the end of last week, and couldn't exactly remember what they were. Oh, well! Today is a new day!
Rev. Stacy's letter continues below... |
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In other news from the pilgrim's way, our family fast from television is going really well! There are definitely times when I just want to veg in front of the tube at the end of the day. But then I see the whole family relaxing with a good book, or playing wild games of chess together, exploring our winter backyard, and engaging in other hobbies and projects around the house we just could never find time for before turning off the TV. Our family prayers are also less rushed because the television is not vying for our attention day and night. Come Easter, I think the television may just stay off more often than not. We are all enjoying the rest and renewal we have found in its absence. And when we are well rested, then we are more open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
I pray you are finding rest and renewal in your Lenten journey this year. If you took on more than was reasonable, consider paring back a bit. Perhaps just keep the fast that is feeding your soul the most. Or, if you really can accomplish the fast you took on, pick yourself up and dust yourself off and start again. God hasn't gone anywhere. Jesus is always waiting for you to join him on the Way into the heart of God. Today is a new day! Go ahead, and begin again.
The Peace of Christ be with you,
Rev. Stacy+ |
 This is the second year I have participated in this outreach effort. This year the weather was a little more cooperative with a little sun but it was still pretty cold. I had the privilege of being partnered with Rev. Joyce and we were covering the parking lot side of the church. Almost as a soon as we got outside we had a gentleman drive in, he had been to Ashes on the Go at St. Paul's last year and returned for a second year. In addition, we had several parishioners drive in and receive ashes and a prayer.
 The customers were sporadic and the avoidance behavior was notable but we didn't let that stop us from approaching students as they passed by, as they tried hard not to make eye contact! We quickly explained that what we were doing and offered ashes and a prayer or just a prayer. We had lots of polite "no thank you's" a few "I am going to mass later", some were open to a prayer but no ashes, and some took us up and received our prayers and imposition of ashes. There was a couple particularly moving experiences during the 3 hours. One young man walked up and told us that one of his good friends had been in a bad car accident and would we pray for her? Of course. Another young woman approached us with tears streaming down her face. She reported that she went to a different church seeking ashes and was turned away. She was very grateful for our presence and prayers. I think those who were open to receiving the ashes were touched by our friendliness, the gift of ashes and prayers. The simplicity of the experience, the uncomplicated message that God loves you resonated with each encounter. It is a privilege to be part of this important ministry. ~Ellen Anderson
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Lenten Soup for the Soul Continues
Wednesdays: March 6, 13, and 20
 2013 Lenten Soup for the Soul will meet for three more sessions on Wednesday nights in Lent ( March 6, 13, and 20). We are using the book Simplifying The Soul: Lenten Practices to Renew Your Spirit by Paula Huston as our guide. This book provides a practical day to day guide of Lenten practices to simplify your life and make room for God. For example, the practice for simplifying space on Ash Wednesday asks the pilgrim (one on a spiritual journey) to clean out a junk drawer. Our sessions are a time to reflect together on our ups and downs on our mini-pilgrimages to Holy Week and Easter. Those who cannot make the weekly suppers will still find this book helpful for keeping a Holy Lent. Sign-up sheets are available for our potluck soup and salad suppers.
Dinner starts at 545PM. Reflection and Study is from 615-715PM. Childcare will be provided. Older children and teens are welcome to participate in the reflection and study time. |
You are Invited to the Contemplative Outreach United in Prayer Day
Saturday, March 16
 The Rockford Centering Prayer group will host the Contemplative Outreach United in Prayer Day on Saturday, March 16. This is a wonderful opportunity to join with others in a day of silence. We will meet from 9:30am - 3:30pm at St. Anskars Church, located at 4801 Spring Creek Road in Rockford. There will be three 20 minute periods of centering prayer, a chance to view the video "God is All in All" provided by Contemplative Outreach, some free time, and lunch in silence (bring a sack lunch).
There is no charge for this event. You are welcome to come for only part of the day. For more information, contact Molly Lovelock at lovelock3@gmail.com or 815-520-0811. Or call the Rev. Andrea Wight at St. Anskar Church, 815-877-1226. |
Lenten Resources
2013 Lenten Meditation booklets from Episcopal Relief and Development are available in the Parish hall. There is no charge to the parish or to you for this daily devotional guide. However, you may be inspired to make a contribution to the work of ERD around the world. A pdf version of the booklet and a daily email meditation may also be found at www.episcopalrelief.org/Lent
and website http://www.lentmadness.org/
. Who will win the Golden Halo? In the style of March Madness, Lent Madness pits 32 saints in a "holy smackdown" for the prize, and you will decide the winner. The play in round is George Berkeley vs. Samuel Seabury. Not sure who those guys are? Sounds like someone needs a little Lent Madness this year! |
Mark Your Calendars for the 2013 St. Paul's Chili Cook-Off
Sunday, March 17th
Do you think you have the best chili recipe ever, or do you just like to enjoy great chili? Following the 10:30AM service on March 17, we will hold the St. Paul's Annual Chili Cook-off. There will be a sign up sheet in the fellowship hall starting March 3. If cooking chili isn't your thing, then you can always sign up to bring bread or a salad. Regardless of the weather outside, this St. Patrick's Day is bound to involve some warm bellies and great fellowship. If you have any questions then feel free to contact Julie or Jamie Stubblefield. |
Reconciliation of a Penitent
Lent is not only a time of fasting and prayer, it is also a time of reflection on one's spiritual life. Feeling disconnected from God? Have a heart heavy with sins? Feeling stressed out and not sure of what the Christian response ought to be? Make an appointment to talk to Rev. Stacy and consider the rite of the Reconciliation of a Penitent (See theBook of Common Prayer page 447- the Book of Common Prayer is also available online). (Rev. Stacy will also reserve the Monday of Holy Week-March 25th-from 10AM-230PM for drop in conversations and confessions). Enter Easter with a lighter heart open to receiving the hope and joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
Palm Sunday Passion Reading and Creative Movement Opportunity
Sunday, March 24th
On Palm Sunday this year, we are hoping to experience some of what it must have been like to be present at Christ's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. We will use words, music, drama and movement as we join the crowds shouting Hosanna to our king! You've already been asked to consider signing up for a part of the in the passion Gospel. We are also looking for four people who would like to participate through creative movement. No specific dance training is required, only an interest in exploring together ways to praise the Lord through movement. Please e-mail Sue Ouellette or call her at 815/751-0251 if you are interested or have questions.
You can still take the opportunity to make the study of the Palm Sunday passion reading a part if your Lenten spiritual disciplines. A sign up sheet for parts is available along with copies of the script. Even if you only want to be one of the voices of "the crowd" you can take home a copy of the script and read it throughout Lent as you contemplate Jesus' journey to the cross. Those who sign up for a part may be invited to a practice before Palm Sunday. More details to be announced by our Creative Liturgy Team (Sue Ouellette, Luke Krueger, Lorraine Langer, and Rev. Stacy Walker -Frontjes) |
Holy Week and Easter Services at St. Paul's, March 24-31
 Palm Sunday, March 24thHoly Week begins with Palm Sunday liturgies at both the 8:00 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. services. We will being with the blessing of the palms in the parish hall and proceed outdoors (weather permitting) into the sanctuary. The passion narrative read as a play in parts will also be part of this service.
The Triduum - Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil
 Maundy Thursday, March 28th, 6:00pm
We will gather in the parish hall for the service of the Word (first half of the Eucharist) with a family style Mediterranean meal in the spirit of the last supper Jesus ate with his disciples. There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall for food as well as to set up and clean up. Holy Communion will follow in the second half of the service with procession to the altar of repose with the reserved sacrament (bread from Communion) to set in a garden to remind us of Gethsemane in the Sanctuary. A vigil will be kept at the altar of repose until midnight.
Good Friday, March 29th, 12:00pm and 6:00pm
At noon we will pray the stations of the cross and read the passion narrative. At 6pm, there will be a reading of the passion narrative from the Gospel of John. Music will be a part of the 6pm service. The nursery will be open during the 6pm service.
 The Great Vigil of Easter, March 30th, 6:00pm
On Saturday night, we will light the Paschal (Easter) fire at 6 P.M., outside the west entrance to the Sanctuary. The Easter Vigil liturgy begins in darkness with song and story reminding us of our journey from Creation to Easter. Creativity in storytelling and singing will abound this year. We will also renew our baptismal vows along with a glorious celebration of the first Eucharist of Easter. We will then break the fast of Lent with a festive reception (chocolate, hors d'oeurvres, champagne and equally attractive bubbly non-alcoholic beverages).
Children are welcome at all services, and encouraged to attend and participate. Too close to bedtime? Bring them out in their pj's. Bedtime snacks, blankies, and stuffed animals in the pews are also welcome.
 Easter Sunday, March 31st, 8:00am and 10:30am
At 8:00am we will celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection with a traditional Rite I Holy Eucharist with contemplative organ music. Our 10:30am service will be a full festival Eucharist featuring music led by the Adult/Youth Choir and the Children's Choir. An Easter egg hunt will follow outdoors (weather permitting), please dress for the weather. In case of inclement weather, the egg hunt will be in the St. Timothy Center.
The Nursery will be available for infants and toddlers during the 10:30am service. Older children should plan to join the congregation for worship. The Easter Story for Children will be told during our regular Sunday School time from 9:30 to 10:15am in the St. Timothy Center.
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Treasurer's Summary, Pat Brown
January 2013
 Receipts through January 31, 2013
We have received 5.2 % of the pledged amount and 18% of the total budgeted receipts by the end of this one month period. Total operating receipts through January were $37,258. This includes allocations of $30,000 from the Endowment Fund. Last year we received a large pledge early so funds were not allocated from the Endowment Fund until June. This year it was necessary to tap the funds earlier. We had an increase in value in the Endowment fund of $57,810 in January. The net increase, therefore was about $20,000.
Disbursements through January 31, 2013
Total operating disbursements for the first month were $22,201. That is 10.72% of the total allocated. The difference of receipts over disbursements is a positive $15,056.
We paid about $950 to Vic Reed Electric from the Building Fund for the lighting improvements.
Building Fund
The balance in the Edward Jones Building Fund at the end of January is $93,347.
Endowment Fund
The value of the Endowment Fund at the end of January is $1,903,376.
Apache Stock was worth $17,993 on January 31, 2013. We now have 214.815 shares.
On January 31, 2013 the balance in the Flower Fund was $246 The balance in the Discretionary Fund was $590. The Columbarium Fund balance was $572.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Brown, Treasurer |
Music Ministries
We hope you are enjoying the Lenten music that the Adult/Youth Choir is sharing with you in services. The Children's Choir rehearses in the St. Timothy Center during the beginning of the 10:30 AM Sunday service and have now added to their repertoire; the art of bell ringing. Both choirs continue to prepare Lenten as well as Easter music.
Some of the Children's Choir repertoire consists of; Jesus Loves Me, I've got the Joy down in my heart, An American Indian Alleluia (Halleluyan), A Palm Sunday Hosanna, and others.
With ages 2-8, we are slowly becoming three little choirs.
We have also been learning about and sharing in the playing of musical instruments (mostly percussion), to keep us "on beat" and enhance our liturgical drama and dance movement skills.
The Adult/Youth Choir continues to grow in spirit, artistry, repertoire & fellowship. We are excited to be working on and look forward to performing a new anthem from the G. F. Händel Oratorio Judas Macabeus, Christ Has Risen, for Easter. |
Arts in the Community
Luke Krueger, Playwright, Actor, Author, Teacher & St. Paul's Jr. Warden
Congratulations and Good Luck Luke! His new play, Burning Times, will premier at NIU as part of their studio series, February 28-March 3. "...The play is an absurd, satire that deals with a Beckian Uphoff, a former Secretary of Education who takes a new role as a school superintendent in a small down, and she is quickly embroiled in a bizarre cult, line dancing, and a shock rocker named Satan. This play is intended for mature audiences because of language..." The Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows are at 8:30 The Sunday show starts at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $6.00 and are available one hour before the start of the show. For more information NIU Theatre Website.
Andrew will be busy this month with several venues of performance. This past week on Tuesday, February 26, 8:00 PM - NIU Choir Concert Tenor Soloist, Solo Quartet. Congratulations and Good Luck Andrew! Saturday, March 2, 7:00 PM Center for Southeast Asian Studies Concert Webcast Tagalog Opera Duet. Saturday, March 16 - Andrew will be accompanying Jessica Vadney for a voice competition in Chicago. March 22, 24 - NIU Opera Theater - Magic Flute - NIU Choir and Opera Chorus. Andrew is also preparing for his NIU Junior Piano Recital, that will be performed at First United Methodist Church in DeKalb on Sunday, April 14 at 3:00 PM. If you would like to contribute cookies or other treats for Andrew's reception following his recital, let us know. St. Paul's music program will organize, prepare & serve the after recital reception.
 Jan Bach, Composer
Congratulations and Good Luck Jan! For the upcoming performance of Concerto for Steel Pan and Orchestra, Liam Teague, soloist, Sunday, March 3, 2013, Elkhart IN by the Elkhard Symphony, Brian Groner conducting. We are blessed to have such a talented artist and wonderful person share in our worship services. Jan sings Bass-Baritone in the St. Paul's Choir.
Here are a few of Jan's Compositional activities since this past Fall. September 10-13: Rehearsal for commercial recording and local concert of Jan's Quintet for Tuba and Strings, with Edward Mallett, tuba, and the Harlem String Quartet of NY City, in Big Rapids MI. September 29-30: Rehearsal and concert during the "Tuba Bach" (no relation) Festival in Big Rapids MI, of Concert Variations for Euphonium and Piano, in his new orchestra arrangement as played by Ed Mallett, euphonium, and the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. October 11: Presentation with Liam Teague, soloist, on my Concerto for Steelpan and Orchestra for the Music Librarians' Conference at the Country Inn in Naperville (and introduced by Mike Duffy!) January 19: Performance of three movement Triptych for brass quintet at the Chamber Music America weekend in NY City, honoring the fiftieth year of the American Brass Quintet. February 9: Performance of Eisteddfod for flute, harp, and viola, by the Janus Trio at the Lyon and Healy Auditorium on Ogden in Chicago's west loop. February 10: Performance of Four Two-Bit Contraptions for flute and horn, performed and streamed at NIU by Penelope Sturgeon, flute, and Veronica Finegan, horn. Check out Jan Bach's Website here.
Yuki will be performing this month in her NIU, Graduate Steel Pan Recital, on Wednesday, March 20th at 6:30 PM, in the NIU Recital Hall. If you would like to contribute cookies or other treats for Yuki's reception following her recital, let us know. St. Paul's music program will organize, prepare & serve the after recital reception. Congratulations on all your recital work and Good Luck Yuki!
We hope to also hear Yuki play steel pan and share her artistry at St. Paul's for our Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services. Last year, Yuki joined David Aarons (NIU graduate and previous St. Paul's Sunday School Teacher and Member) in a Steel Pan Duet for one of our postludes. We are blessed to have Yuki with us on Sundays!! |
Reminders from the Parish Office
Rector's Discretionary Fund is collected the first Sunday every month. These funds are used to help people in need in our community. This month the collection will be on March 3rd
Food Pantry Sunday is the second Sunday of each month. You can bring your food any time and place it in one of the baskets. Non-perishable food items and monetary donations can be dropped off any Sunday, or at the Parish Office. Please make all checks out to St. Paul's with "Food Pantry" in the memo line. This month Food Pantry Sunday is March 10th.
Proclaimer Deadline: The deadline to send information for the monthly newsletter is the third Sunday of every month. Please send any information you would like to see in March's Proclaimer to the Parish office by March 17th. Please note that the maximum length for all articles is 300 words. |
Preparation for Baptism and Save the Date for Big Questions (An Old and New Members Group)
Lent is also a traditional time of preparation for Baptism and Confirmation of One's Baptismal Vows. If you or someone you know would like to be baptized, please contact Rev. Stacy to arrange for baptism on the Great Vigil of Easter (March 30th) or one of the Sundays of Easter, or on Pentecost Sunday. All are good times for a baptism.
Those who would like to inquire about formal membership in the Episcopal Church through the rite of Confirmation (or Reception or Reaffirmation depending on your faith journey) should also contact Rev. Stacy . The Big Questions group is open for anyone who would like a refresher on questions like "What does it mean to be an Episcopalian?" and "What do I mean when I say I'm a Christian?" and many other big questions (and perhaps small ones too) that the Holy Spirit may plant in our hearts and in our minds. We will be meeting in a monthly small group format on Saturday nights in people's homes again this year. Save the date, our first meeting will be Saturday, April 13th, 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Rectory. We will meet monthly in preparation for Bishop Lee's Visit on Sunday, October 7th, 2013. In the Episcopal Church only bishops may preside at the laying on of hands for Confirmation.
Youth confirmation classes will begin in late August, parents of youth who would like to be confirmed should contact Rev. Stacy for further conversation about that course of preparation. |
Rev. Stacy and I were asked at our first Thrive meeting in January: What was your very first experience with God? We shared our answer with a complete stranger and much to our surprise, it was our first time ever telling that part of our story! It became clear that this two year program of helping to improve and grow our church is going to be a marathon and not a sprint full of self reflection as well as outward growth.
In our February meeting, Rochelle Cripe, Rev. Stacy and I were posed two more questions, "What are your church's core values?" and "Who are your neighbors and what do they need?" We've brought all of these questions back to our accountability team which is comprised of Jamie Stubblefield, Terry Dickow and Ellen Anderson. We decided that our neighbors are a lot of families (some new and some long time residents) as well as NIU students and we would like to implement some programming to serve them.
In an attempt to reach out to the college community, we are planning a "Care Fair" to take place April 30th from about 10am-2pm on the church grounds. We are going to offer stations that include snacks, stress relief, prayers, etc. We are still in the early planning stages but please feel free to ask any one of us if you have questions or would like to help out!
We also really need your feedback as a congregation to guide us on this journey. PLEASE take some time between now and March 4th to fill out the Church Assessment Tool (CAT) survey either online (through your email) or in a paper copy that can be picked up and/or completed at the church. Thank you and we look forward to representing you at Thrive events over the next two years!
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Camp Chicago Registration is Now Open!
Camp Chicago returns for 2013! We provide an opportunity for youth from all over the Diocese to come together to learn about God and each other. The Summer Camp experience allows young people to develop a greater spiritual awareness of God's presence in our lives through fun and engaging activities, daily reflections, prayer services, and celebration of the Eucharist. Join us for a week of archery, adventure, arts and crafts, big games, Christian education, canoeing, theater, swimming, ropes course, tent camping, fellowship, leadership development, campfires and more!
Camp Chicago is NOT restricted to Episcopalians or regular churchgoers. All are welcome, so feel free to invite friends and family! Registration is easy and can be found here or on the diocesan website: www.episcopalchicago.org. For more information, contact Jess Elfring at jelfring@episcopalchicago.org. |
February Food Pantry Report and Reminders
Thanks to all parishioners who contributed to Food Pantry Sunday in February. The parish donated 90 food items and 465 diapers to the Salvation Army Food Pantry on February 12. The staff was very appreciative of the diaper donations, especially because a range of sizes was donated.
The next food pantry collections will be on Sunday, March 10th. Thanks. |
Thank you all for the amazing Christmas gifts for our teens. The teens were very excited and grateful to get such personalized gifts just for them. Without your help and support, many of those teens would have had nothing for Christmas. We really appreciate all of your generosity.
~ Safe Passage |
A Letter of Thanks from the Episcopal Church in Newton, CT
Following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newton, CT, St. Paul's sent a letter and a card with our prayers to the Trinity Episcopal Church. This is the letter that was received in response to our messages:
On behalf of Benjamin Wheeler's family and the members of the Trinity Episcopal Church, I would like to thank you for your comforting message.
Please know that we read each letter, card, and email and we share them with the congregation. We all feel surrounded by God's love, in the caring thoughts and prayers of others.
Trinity is committed to honoring the memory of our beloved Ben and the Sandy Hook angels by endowing the ministries that will promote the long-term health of Newtown's children and families, and nurture a culture of nonviolence and caring.
To that end, Trinity Episcopal Church has established Ben's Lighthouse Fund to support programs that are open to anyone, regardless of church affiliation. More information about Ben's Lighthouse Fund is available at the website: www.benslighthousefund.org.
Your continuing prayers are needed and appreciated.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Kathie Adams-Shepherd, Rector |
Sunday, March 3rd
 Team St. Paul will bowl 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 3rd, at Mardi Gras Lanes for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. To date, our bowlers are Jennifer Sitzes, Lonnie Piper, Sean Sitzes & Janet Sitzes. More bowlers are welcome! See any member of the Sitzes-Piper family if you would like to make a donation to this wonderful cause. Last year, we raised $380 - it would be great if we could top that! Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer for our team on bowling day. Contact Maureen for more information. |
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Anniversaries, Birthdays & Events
March Birthdays:
Andrew Voelker (3/5)
Arline Fanning (3/6)
Norma Fitzgerald (3/6)
Jimmy Russell (3/6)
Emily Russell (3/8)
Jane Nenonen (3/9)
Danny Russell (3/10)
Julie Stubblefield (3/11)
Lindsey Anderson (3/14)
Miles Guiborat (3/15)
Stephen Roberts (3/23)
James Torma (3/24)
Jackie Dickow (3/27)
Mary Lincoln (3/27)
Gail Piper (3/28)
Upcoming Events:
3/2: Vestry Retreat
3/3: Bowl-For-Kids'-Sake
3/17: Vestry Meeting, Chili Cook-Off
3/24: Palm Sunday
3/28: Maundy Thursday
3/29: Good Friday
3/30: Easter Vigil
3/31: Easter |
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Finding God in the Everyday
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church Contact Information
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
900 Normal Rd., DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Parish Office: (815) 756-4888
Parish Fax: (815) 758-6140
The Very Reverend Stacy A. Walker-Frontjes, Rector
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