News from St. Paul's Episcopal Church

May 2014

Dear Friends,

May is a busy month here at St. Paul's. It seems particularly so since Easter began at the end of April this year. We barely finished our celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection when the lobsters came snapping at our heels! And the end of children's and youth Sunday School year, and the end of the spring semester (prayers2pass.com), and time to plant the Thrive Neighborhood garden ( thrivemarket.org). I love a good act of faith, but when there is so much to be done it is easy to forget to also practice prayer.

I give thanks to God for prayers2pass starting off our month of busy-ness in acts of faith. Why? Because once we've dragged the water bottles outside and set up our table to receive prayer requests and offer prayers to students and passers-by all we need to do is wait. Wait attentively, yes indeed. But simply waiting and being still. Being still and remembering that God is God, and we are not. We are a reminder of God's presence in the world. At prayers2pass we are the starters of the conversation with God--aka prayer.

Rev. Stacy's letter continues below...

IN THIS ISSUE

Dear Friends (Rev. Stacy)

Rev. Stacy's Letter Continues

Article Headline

Baking Bread

Recognition Sunday

From the Junior Warden

Treasurer's Summary

Music Ministries

Parish Office Reminders

Goodbye from Melissa, Administrative Assistant

Mid-Week Holy Eucharist

Support Terry Dickow in the MS Walk

Eucharist at Oak Crest

Community Garden and Farmer's Market

Lobster Boil

Feast of the Ascension

Prayers2Pass Spring Finals Report

NIU Regional History Center

Food Pantry Report and Reminders

Camp Chicago

Hope Haven Fundraiser

Giving Local DeKalb County 24-Hour Online Donation Drive

Meals for Moms Luncheon

Shelter Care Spring Luncheon

Love INC News

Anniversaries, Birthdays, & Events

Contact Information

So this month as we each do our part at St. Paul's and in the rest of our lives to celebrate endings and new beginnings, and to serve others through acts such as cooking lobsters and planting a garden remember to slow down and pray. Be partners in conversation with God and with each other. Let the Holy Spirit remind you why you are doing all of this anyway. We are serving the risen Christ in the people we meet. We are sharing the good news of life abundant in Christ Jesus. You are all in my prayers, and I ask that you keep me in yours as well.

The Peace of Christ be with you,

Rev. Stacy+

Plant the Garden Sunday

Sunday, May 4th after the 10:30 AM service

We will be planting seeds in the children's garden and front beds as well as some seeds in the main garden after the 10:30AM service this Sunday, May 4th. Join us immediately following the service for a special prayer of blessing over the newly installed children's garden. Wear your blue jeans or other garden attire if you would like to help plant after the prayers. Bring the kids in play clothes so they can plant their very own garden (with a little help from their older friends!).

Baking Bread for Recognition Sunday

Sunday, May 4th

On May 4th at 9:30 AM, the younger children will bake the communion bread for both services on Recognition Sunday. There will also be a communion exploration/teaching area in the parish hall to compliment the bread baking process.

Sunday School and Graduate Recognition Day

Sunday, May 11th

The Sunday School program year is coming to a close. We will be having Sunday School and Graduate Recognition Day on Sunday, May 11th at the 10:30 AM service. Children's Sunday School, Adult/Youth and Children's choir will be on summer vacation after May 11th until September.

From the Junior Warden, Peg Newby

This is a busy time of year - we had a successful UTO Ingathering, we celebrated Easter, we will say goodbye to our choir and to the Sunday School classes for a few weeks, and we will "Lobster Boil."

That's just a few of the things going on at St. Paul's. All of these activities and transitions give us reasons to be together to celebrate, congratulate, and share fellowship opportunities.

Guess what? Opportunities are available all year! Just because it's summer, don't think St. Paul's is on vacation! Please continue to make Sunday worship a part of your week. The chance to worship and share fellowship is a gift from God. Just as we have snow birds in the winter, we have travelers in the summer. Time away is refreshing for the body and soul. But if you're in town, please come share your faith and fellowship with your St. Paul's family. And if you have family in town, bring them along!

I know I sound like a cheerleader, but quite honestly, I look forward to seeing my St. Paul's family every week. And we do miss you when you're gone! See you Sunday!

Peg Newby, Junior Warden

Treasurer's Summary, Pat Brown

March 2014

This report covers the month of March 2014. The American Midwest Bank checking account is our primary operating account. This account includes funds transferred from the Building Fund at Edward Jones to facilitate paying capital project bills. Our Building Fund major funds and the Endowment Fund are managed by Edward Jones. American Midwest Bank Tax and Payroll Department does the Accounting for St Paul's.

Receipts through March 31, 2014

We have received 45% of the pledged amount and 24% of the total budgeted receipts by the end of this three month period. Total operating receipts through March, 2014 were $51,492. No allocations have been taken from the Endowment Fund as of 3/31/14 but $30,000 was requested in April.

Disbursements through March 31, 2014

Total operating disbursements for the three month period were $62.027. That is 29% of the total allocated. The difference of disbursements over receipts is a negative ($6,297) for the month and ($10,535) for the year. We've received 24% of budgeted receipts and spent 29% of budgeted disbursements.

Building Fund (Capital Projects)

The balance in the Edward Jones Building Fund at the end of March was $68,502, $50,000 in CD's and $18,502 in the Money Market Fund. The total balance of Building funds is $72,865. The Building Fund balance in Regular checking is $4,363. We received contributions of $85 in March for the Building (Capital Projects) fund.

Endowment Fund

The value of the Endowment Fund at the end of March was $2,068,768. The net increase in value for the year as of March 31, 2014 was $4,128.

Apache Stock - The 5.833 shares on deposit with the company were valued at $484 on March 31, 2014.

On March 31, 2014 the Flower Fund balance was $455.59. Discretionary Fund was ($.34), Columbarium Fund was $1,471.80. The AMB Checking Account balance was $2,171.62. $30,000 was allocated to checking from Endowment in early April 2014.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Brown, Treasurer

Music Ministries

The Adult/Youth and Children's Choirs will be performing together on Sunday, May 11th. The choirs are off for the summer, so this will be our last Sunday singing at services until September. Join us for a kid friendly, Jubilate, Deo!

A special thank you to all the instrumentalists (Michael Duffy, Michael Ouellette, Kathleen Johnson, YoonJin Kim) and members of the Adult/Youth and Children's Choirs, for their support during Holy Week and Easter Sunday, in doing a fantastic job with leading the music for our worship services.

The Adult/Youth Choir is preparing to make a CD of anthems for our archives. Though the church is offering the space for our use, the project expenses of the overall production are at no cost to St. Paul's. We hope that we will be able to give away the CD's as gifts to family and friends, in addition to being tokens of gratitude to people that donate financially to the St. Paul's music program.

Congratulations! Several musicians that have shared there musical gifts at St. Paul's in the last year, are graduating from NIU this Spring, and moving forward in their musical endeavors.

YoonJin Kim, Pianist (2013-2014)

YoonJin is graduating with a Performers Certificate in Piano Performance! YoonJin will be pursuing her doctorate in piano performance next fall. She has been accepted into the doctoral program at several colleges including Penn State and University of Iowa. She is not sure which school she will be attending.

YoonJin is looking forward to a visit back to Korea after 3 years away from being with her family. Thank you and good luck, YoonJin!

Yuki Nakano, Steel Pan

Yuki will be graduating with a Masters Degree in Steel Pan! Yuki is already in demand, as a performing artist and teacher. You can follow her career on her website yuki nakano as well as Facebook and Blog. Yuki shared so much beautiful music and spirit with St. Paul's. Her artistic style and the colors her steel pan playing produced greatly enhanced our worship service experience! Thank you and good luck, Yuki!

Andrew Voelker, Pianist (2012-2013)

Andrew is graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Music (Piano & Voice). Additional congratulations to Andrew for receiving the Northern Illinois School of Music, Deans Award!

Andrew has been accepted into the Cleveland Institute of Music on Scholarship for his Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano.

In addition to being a wonderful accompanist with both the Adult/Youth & children's choirs, Andrew shared his incredible musical gifts of singing, conducting and organ accompanying for many of our worship services. Thank you and good luck, Andrew!

Lorraine Langer, Director of Music Ministries

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. The next collection will be on May 4th. Please note that the Rector's Discretionary Fund is currently very low.

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. Food Pantry Sunday is May 11th.

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 the June/July issue of the Proclaimer to the Parish office by May 18th. The maximum length for all articles is 300 words.

The Vestry meets every month. The vestry minutes are available on our website here.

The Parish Office hours are Mondays: 8AM-2PM and Wednesdays 10:30AM -2:30PM through May 14th. Summer office hours to be announced.

Thank You and Goodbye from Administrative Assistant, Melissa

Dear Friends and Family of St. Paul's,

As many of you know, this May will be my last month working at St. Paul's. I will be starting my clinical practicum at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Chicago this summer as part of the requirements to complete my doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

During the last two years that I have worked here, I have had the opportunity to meet with or speak with many of you. It has been a sincere pleasure working here and interacting with you all, even if it was just through email or post-it notes! I am especially thankful for the guidance, support, and flexibility provided by Reverend Stacy and Lorraine during my time here. This has been one of, if not the, most supportive working environments I have been a part of and I am sad to go. I hope to keep in touch and wish you all the very best.

Best,

Melissa

Join us Wednesdays for Mid-Week Holy Eucharist Service w/Prayers for Healing

All are welcome to join us Wednesdays for a quiet service of Holy Communion with healing prayers. The service begins at 9:30A.M. and never lasts longer than 30 minutes. We meet in the chapel in the Parish Hall, which was formerly the nursery. Enter through the North doors or the Kitchen door. The readings for the day are the propers for the Saint of the day from the "Holy Women, Holy Men" book. Here is the schedule of saints propers we will use for prayers and readings of the day:

May 7: CANCELLED

May 14: The Martyrs of the Sudan

May 21: John Eliot

May 28: John Calvin

Support Terry Dickow As He Participates in the MS Walk

Sunday, May 4th

Terry Dickow will be participating in the MS Walk Sunday, May 4th in an effort to raise money to find a cure for MS. He is walking on the Lane's Ladies. To read more from Terry, click here to go to his personal page where you are also able to donate to this cause. You can also join the walk at the site. For more information contact Terry at Dickow@comcast.net

Eucharist at Oak Crest, May 21st

Third Wednesday of Every Month, 2pm

St. Paul's has begun a monthly service of Holy Eucharist for parishioners and others at Oak Crest Retirement Facility. We will be having services on the third Wednesdays of the month at 2pm. The service will include music, readings, a short homily and communion. If you would like to be involved in this important outreach of our parish, please contact the Parish Office or Rev. Stacy.

Thrive Neighborhood Market and Community Garden

It may not feel like it yet, but Spring is fast approaching! The Thrive/Garden Team is excited to announce the dates for the Farmer's Markets we will be hosting here at St. Paul's this Summer: June 28th, July 26th, August 23rd, an September 27th

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We will be asking for volunteers in June to come out each Tuesday afternoon/evening to help weed and tend the garden. There will be a sign up sheet, of course!

Please be thinking about how you might like to contribute on market days. We will be in search of volunteers to help coordinate children's activities/crafts, possibly some baked goods, folks to provide musical entertainment, etc. We want these events to be a good time and since we know you all know how to have fun, we want you to help us make it happen! See any member of the Thrive or Garden team if you have questions or ideas: Christina Krueger, Julie Kostrey, Freyja Rasmussen-Johns, Jocelyn Prall, Jamie Stubblefield, Terry Dickow.

The Lobster Boil is Here!

Saturday, May 17

Lobsters are Coming!

Things are gearing up for the ECW's 45th annual Lobster Boil on May 17. This event raises money for many local charities and for programs at St. Paul's-it's our biggest fundraiser of the year. And, it's a wonderful and fun community building event for our parish family!

What can you do now??

Sign up in the Parish Hall to help with one or more of the various tasks to make this event a success.
ORDER your lobsters!

Help us promote it:

This year we are asking everyone to help distribute order forms to co-workers, friends, neighbors, and friendly strangers walking down the street, and post at your favorite stores, etc.
Let's beat last year when we made $10,000

The basics:

Lobsters are ordered with a form or on-line - orders are due by May 12th
Live 1 1/4 lobsters are transported from Boston to DeKalb
From 4 - 8 pm we work feverishly cooking the lobsters and filling the orders
At 8 pm we have celebratory dinner together (byo lobster or entr�e of your choice!)

We need everyone's help! Childcare will be provided for our younger members!

Questions? Contact a member of the Lobster Team: Rick Johns, Pat Brown, Jennie Cummings, Rhys Prall, Rosemarie Ostberg, or Betsy Pool.

The Feast of the Ascension

Thursday, May 29th at 6pm, potluck dinner to follow

Luke tells us that forty days after the resurrection, in the presence of His disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father (Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11). We affirm the ascension in the Nicene Creed and at the Eucharist. This year we will also celebrate with prayer, song, and communion the Ascension of our Lord Jesus on Thursday, May 29th the 40th day after Easter Sunday. Join us afterward for a potluck supper in the parish hall.

We are looking for a host for this event. Please contact Jocelyn Prall if you are interested. Also. please sign up in the Parish Hall to bring a casserole, salad, or dessert to pass.

Prayers2Pass Spring Finals Report

Thank you to everyone who helped make Prayers2Pass Spring Finals a success! Despite the rain on Tuesday, April 29th and the cold on Wednesday, April 30th, we talked to many students, handed out many bottles of water and mints, and prayed with students for a number of concerns beyond academic success. We were reminded of how important it is to extend simple kindness and to help people start a conversation with God that they have been longing to have. For more information, check out the website at prayers2pass.com.

Volunteer with Rosemarie Ostberg to Work with the NIU Regional History Center

A few years ago, St. Paul's received a letter from the Regional History Center at Northern Illinois University mentioning that we had not sent them anything (archival) for a long time. I decided that I could do this and have been providing material to them, with some help from Jennie Cummings, since then. This last year I have collected many things, like pictures, newspaper articles, the Proclaimer, bulletins, and records of our births, deaths, and marriages. I did that this last year for a baseline of possible contributions to the Center, which is now a regular part of the NIU Library. In the future, I will only collect bulletins from holidays or special occasions, the Proclaimers, new articles, as well as facts about our Parish. Reverend Stacy suggested that I ask for

a volunteer to learn what I do so that they could take this position or teach someone else to do it. If anyone is interested, please contact me, Rosemarie Ostberg, at 815-758-5216.

April Food Pantry Report and Reminders

Thanks to all parishioners who contributed to Food Pantry Sunday in April. The parish donated 80 food items and 501 diapers to the Salvation Army Food Pantry. Total donations year-to-date are 1294 items. Gary Billings, who runs the pantry, said he was happy to see size 5 and up in diapers as they are the most needed. He has a large supply of 3's and under.

Thanks to all whose donations helped make this a successful ministry.

The next food pantry collections will be on Sunday, May 11th. Thanks.

Camp Chicago Priority Registration is Open Until May 23rd!

Rev. Stacy and family at a Camp Chicago 2013 event

Camp Chicago returns for 2014! 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. For more information, contact Jess Elfring at jelfring@episcopalchicago.org.

Hope Haven's Annual "Night by Night" Campaign Begins this May

This May will begin Hope Haven's annual "Night by Night" campaign to raise funds for the homeless living in DeKalb County. For the past eleven years local organizations have sponsored "nights of shelter" to ensure that the homeless in our community have access to safe shelter, adequate food, and supportive services that promote education, life skills, and growth. The cost for one night of food, shelter, and services is $25.00.

You can donate online at hopehavendekalb.com/donate/ or mail in your donation to: Hope Haven, Attn: Lesly D. Wicks, 1145 Rushmoore Drive, DeKalb, IL 60115. You can also participate in the "Night by Night" campaign by joining DeKalb Community Foundation's (DCCF) 24 hour online donation drive on May 6th. By logging onto www.GiveLocalDeKalbCounty.org from 12:00am-11:59pm CST and donating to Hope Haven, their donation will be matched by DCCF raising even more funds for the homeless in our community.

Giving Local DeKalb County 24 Hour Online Donation Drive

Tuesday, May 6th from 12:00am-11:59pm CST

The DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership and the DeKalb County Community Foundation are partnering to raise support for local nonprofits and grow philanthropy in our community.

Give Local DeKalb County is a national event with local impact. We are joining hundreds of communities across the country in a one-day on-line giving challenge on May 6th to raise funds for local causes.

Anyone can make a donation to a participating nonprofit-minimum donation is $25. Participating organizations can be found here and include Barb Food Mart, Conexion Comunidad, DeKalb Area Women's Center, Feed'em Soup, Hope Haven, United Way, and Safe Passage.

On May 6th, between 12:00am and 11:59pm, you can log on to Give Local DeKalb County and make a donation to participating nonprofits. Donation will be amplified with $20,000 matching funds from the DeKalb County Community Foundation distributed proportionately based upon donations per organization. This event is part of Give Local America, a national day of giving sponsored by the National Council on Foundations to commemorate the 100th anniversary of community foundations.

Voluntary Action Center Annual Meals for Moms Luncheon

Monday, May 5th

Voluntary Action Center invites you to their Seventh Annual Meals for Moms Luncheon to benefit Meals on Wheels on Monday, May 5th at St. Mary's Memorial Hall in Sycamore (located at 322 Waterman Street). Tickets are $30, or you can reserve at table for 8 for $200. The served lunch, benefiting Meals on Wheels, will feature our own "Celebrity Wait Staff" of DeKalb County. Mark you calendar for this fun-filled afternoon! Call 815-758-3932 or email Ellen Rogers at erogers@vacdk.com for tickets and/or sponsorship opportunities.

Shelter Care Annual Spring Luncheon

Thursday, May 8th

Shelter Care Ministries Annual Spring Luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at an exciting new location! Join us from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, at Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St, Rockford, IL 61107. Brian Leaf, keynote speaker, will be sharing his thoughts "Poor town, Your Town". Brian is a reporter for the Rockford Register Star who for the past 18 months has been reporting on people who have been affected by a doubling of poverty in the region between 2000 and 2010. Shelter Care will unveil what has been dreamed about for the past year. Board members, staff and volunteers are excited about the project that is forming and developing because we have big dreams for our families and members.

The luncheon festivities will include a program to inspire and entertain and a Marketplace featuring handmade soaps, jams, spring d�cor and a myriad of other handcrafted items.Tickets are $35 for individuals and $280 for a tables of 8. To purchase tickets, check out http://shelter-care.org/organizer/spring-luncheon/.

What's New at Love In the Name of Christ?

Did you know there are 41 churches using Love In the Name of Christ including St. Paul's in our area? We are changing lives through the love of Christ every day! Thanks for everything you do to support this ministry.

Love INC is looking for volunteers! Can you volunteer once a week from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Thursday, or Friday? The Intake phone line has a spot for you. You can provide the first sign of hope for those who call for help. A great way to serve people in need is by delivering needed items to them. The Moving Team could use you and others from your congregation working together 2-3 hours a month. You can make a huge difference in people's lives! For more details contact Nathan Scott, director, at 815-217-0082.

Appliances, bikes, and lamps in good condition can always be put to good use. If you have some to get rid of, please remember that Love INC will deliver them to people who need them. You can also donate online now. Visit our website: www.loveincdeksyc.org and you will see the "Donate" button on the main page (left side, about half way down).

May 10^th will be our 5th Annual Banquet from 6-8:30pm at St. Mary Memorial Hall in Sycamore. It will be catered by Nat's on Maple. RSVP is needed. The fundraiser is free of charge. Our Love INC Church representative is Cindy Minnihan. To contact her with any questions, please call 815-762-1528 or email caminnihan@comcast.net.

Anniversaries, Birthdays & Events

May Birthdays:

Tyler Mitchell (5/3)

Terry Dickow (5/11)

Nan Mason (5/12)

Max Guiborat (5/13)

Morgan Newport (5/13)

Amy Biundo (5/17)

Marguerite Harkness (5/20)

Adam Petty (5/20)

Janie Torma (5/21)

Beverly Smith (5/25)

Charles Duffy (5/26)

Yuki Nakano (5/29)

May/June Events:

5/4: Baking Bread

5/11: Recognition Sunday, Sunday School Ends, Choir's Last Sunday

5/17: Lobster Boil

5/18: Vestry Meeting

5/29: Feast of the Ascension

6/28: First Thrive Neighborhood Market and Community Garden

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

parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org

http://www.stpaulsdekalb.org

The Very Reverend Stacy A. Walker-Frontjes, Rector

revstacy@stpaulsdekalb.org