News from St. Paul's Episcopal Church                                      August 2015 


 

August 2015

Jesus said to the apostles, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.--The Gospel of Mark 6:31-32


 

Dear Friends,


 

On September 1st I will embark on a twelve week sabbatical.  My sabbatical will be a time for spiritual renewal. I will be engaged in doing a few things (traveling, visiting with family and friends, writing and reading). My main goal is to not do too much, but to rather be present to God wherever I am.  This will be a new experience for me as I have never taken a sabbatical before.  And this will be a new experience for St. Paul's as we're fairly certain no priest is living memory has taken a sabbatical before.


However, there is precedent for priests taking a sabbatical starting right within our sacred scriptures.  This quotation from the Gospel of Mark was one of our lessons earlier this summer.  Jesus had sent the apostles out to do works of healing and proclaim the Good News on his behalf.  They returned with all sorts of stories their excitement running high.  The temptation would be to just keep pushing on and do more and more.  


 

Rev. Stacy's letter continues below...
IN THIS ISSUE
Dear Friends (Rev. Stacy)
Rev. Stacy's Letter Continues
Sabbatical
Service Schedule Change
From the Senior Warden
Treasurer's Report
Parish Picnic
Thrive Market
Music Ministries
Prayers2Pass
Bike MS
General Convention
Bishop Michael Curry
Mid-Week Holy Eucharist
Eucharist at Oak Crest
Sunday School Resumes
Nursery Hours
Thank you
Parish Office Reminders
Flowers for the Altar
Antiracism Training
Food Pantry Report and Reminders
School Supply Drive
NIU Family Fun Night
Anniversaries, Birthdays, & Events
Contact Information

Instead Jesus beckons them to go away and rest a while, something they perhaps had neglected to do on their mission--even on the sabbath.  They would have remembered that even the Creator rested when the world was fully put together.  Rest is a holy endeavor.  It's time to rest with God and listen for what's next. 


 

My prayer for St. Paul's is that this fall during my sabbatical you will also find this to be a time of renewal and holy listening.  We have a wonderful mix of priests and preachers who will offer a different illumination of scripture for your contemplation.  Many of you have stepped up to lead important (and fun!) ministries we engage in each fall.  Additionally in the fall we often welcome many guests who are looking for a church to call home.  St. Paul's has a wonderful opportunity to invite these guests to join us at a time of faithful ministry of all the ministers of the Church. 


 

Look for a letter later this month with more information about life and ministry at St. Paul's during my sabbatical.  Until then, I offer this prayer for the "Good Use of Leisure" from the Book of Common Prayer (p. 825): O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


 

The Peace of Christ be with you,


 

Rev. Stacy+

Reverend Stacy Sabbatical

Rev. Stacy's last Sunday before her sabbatical will be August 30th. Plan to join us at 10:30 AM to send her forth with our prayers.

Also look for a communication later this month with more information about life at St. Paul's during Rev. Stacy's sabbatical.
Service Schedule Change

Starting with the picnic, Aug. 23rd, there will only be one Holy Communion Service at 10:30 AM. The 8:00 AM service will resume on the First Sunday of Advent, November 29th.

From the Senior Warden, Peggy Newby


 If you have been reading your weekly email blasts and/or reading the announcements in the weekly service bulletin, you have probably noticed that life does not stop around here in the summer!  I would like to thank everyone who has stepped up for the First Come, First Serve ministries, and encourage you to take a chance and fill a new role before summer's end.  Someone will help you!  Be bold!  You might discover a new way you can serve the parish.


 
The Vestry continues to collaborate with Rev. Stacy regarding her fall sabbatical.  There are information sheets available that describe plans for these 12 weeks.  Please make sure you get them, as they will provide you with the info you need during this time.  If you have questions, please ask Rev. Stacy or any member of the Vestry.

 

Our annual parish picnic is coming up on August 23rd.  We will have one service (hopefully outdoors!), followed by lunch. Please plan to be there! 

 

Julie Stubblefield and I are chairing this year's Stewardship campaign, which we will "kick off" at the picnic.  Our goal is to wrap up the campaign a bit earlier than usual, by the end of September.   A word of explanation.  The budget for the coming calendar year is discussed long before it is presented at our annual meeting.  Our treasurer, Pat Brown, uses figures from the current year to provide an informed recommendation regarding the fixed expenses.  But this isn't all there is to a budget.  In addition to what we must do to sustain our parish and ministries, it's equally important to plan for what we dream of doing.  In some cases, this could involve looking at current programs and ministries and determining if they continue to be meaningful and possible.  In other cases, we need to let ourselves think outside the box, and envision new or different ministries. 

 

Having the Stewardship campaign earlier in the fall is a change for our parish.  I hope that you will begin thinking about your annual giving, and be prepared to participate in the campaign during the month of September.  It will be a big help to the folks who will be developing the 2016 budget. 

 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention our friends who have relocated this summer.  At the risk of missing someone, I would like to thank Luke, Chris, Chelsea, Tyler, Amanda, Sue, Jim, and Janie for their service and friendship.  You will be sorely missed!

 

Enjoy the rest of your summer - see you Sunday!

 

Peg Newby

Treasurer's Report

 

July 2015 Mars Hill Treasurer's Report with May and June 2015 figures: 

 

This report covers the month of May and June 2015.  The American Midwest Bank checking account is our primary operating account. Accounting is done by the American Midwest Bank Tax and Payroll Department.

 

Receipts through June 2015

We have received 64% of the pledged amount and 52% of the total budgeted receipts for the six month period. Year to date receipts on June 30, 2015 were $114.567.05. We have received more than $2000.00 in donations for Tornado Relief and have disbursed them to aid victims of the local April tornados and storms. Thank you to the donors.

 

Disbursements through June 2015

Total operating disbursements for the six month period were 55% of the budgeted amount. The total year to date disbursements on June 30, 2015 were $124,086.65. The difference between receipts and disbursements year to date is negative ($9,519.60.)  In early July we deposited $40,000 from the Endowment fund into the Operating Fund. This is part of the allocated operating funds in the 2015 budget.

 

Building Fund

The balance in the Edward Jones Building Fund at the end of June was $45,948.67, $30,000 in CD's and $15,948.67 in the Money Market Fund.  The total balance of Building funds, including $4,903.35 in the American Midwest Bank account, is $50,852.02.  There were disbursements from the Building Fund of $2,302.46 for Vic Reed Lighting work. More permanent lighting fixtures were installed in the back door circle with long lasting bulbs. This will solve the problem of frequent lighting outages requiring bulb changes.

 

Endowment Fund

The value of the Endowment Fund at the end of June was $2,067,659.43. The net increase in value for the year is $25,968.91.

 

Apache Stock

The 5.945 shares on deposit with the company were valued at $343 on June 30, 2015. The value has decreased ($29.67) since the beginning of the year.

 

On June 30, 2015 the balance in the AMB checking was $5,685.11. The Flower Fund balance was a negative ($131.10); Discretionary Fund was ($110.70); Columbarium Fund was $1,464.30.  The Garden Fund has a $102.77 balance.  Building fund portion was $4,903.35 and Operations balance was ($410.05). See the last section of the Disbursements paragraph for a report of a $40,000 addition to the Operating Fund from the Endowment Fund in early July.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Brown, Treasurer, July 20, 2015
Parish Picnic

August 23rd will be the date for our annual outdoor service and picnic. The service begins at 10:30 AM followed by the picnic. Childcare will be provided. Bring school backpacks for the Blessing of the Backpacks, too. 
Sign up sheets are in the Parish Hall.







Thrive Market Dates

Aug 15    11:00 AM-2:00 PM   Sept 19   11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 

GARDEN NIGHTS EVERY TUESDAY, 6:30-7:30 pm

WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are asking for volunteers to come out each Tuesday evening between 6:30 and 7:30 P.M. to help weed and tend the garden.  There's a sign up sheet in the Parish Hall for Market Days. 

 

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 and 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! 

 
HOW THE GARDEN GROWS
        
 Planting in May                                                              Readying on NIU Cares Day
        The First Strawberry                                                         Plant the Garden Sunday
                          
















                                                                    July Thrive Market

Hear ye, hear ye! Time to pick up your feet and ring out those bells for fun and service!

Come and join in singing with our Adult/Youth and Children's Choirs on Sunday mornings! All are welcome! 

If you like to sing & dance & even act, then this is your chance, because this is the place to have some artistic fun while giving thanks to the Lord. If you can't make our Thursday rehearsals and would like to sing with us, just meet up with us for a short run through of the anthem on Sunday mornings The Adult/Youth Choir meets at 10 AM and the Children's Choir meets at 10:15 AM.
Join us in word, song and dance, for our church picnic service, August 23, 10:30 AM! 

The Adult/Youth and Children's Choirs will have a "Picnic Music" rehearsal on Thursday, August 20, 6 or 7 PM (Time TBD). This is in preparation for our 10:30 AM Church Service & Picnic Celebration on Sunday, August, 23.

Fall Schedule Resumes: Rehearsals begin Thursday, September 3 (Children's Choir at 5:00 PM and Adult/Youth Choir at 7 PM). Sunday Worship, September 13 (Rally Sunday) music will be lead by both choirs.

Jan Bach, Wins National Composition Contest

You may not know that one of our parishioners and choir members (Jan has a fabulous voice!) is also an accomplished composer. Congratulations, Jan! We are proud of you!

 

Jan Bach, NIU Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus, has received the $5000 National Composition Contest sponsored by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, national music fraternity. There were 114 entries, and the judges included Samuel Adler(Juilliard), Carlyle Floyd (opera composer) and Keith Lockhart (conductor of the Boston Pops). The award was presented to Dr. Bach by the fraternity's national president, John Mongiovi, at the triennial convention's banquet in New Orleans Saturday night. Dr.Bach won the competition with a song for men's chorus and piano named "Clink," a drinking song with words by Chicago composer Eugene Field. The work was sung at the occasion by "Men of Note," the fraternity's male choir.

 

Also at the banquet, 83-year-old jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr. was given the"Man of Music" award in recognition of his long service as a jazz performer and music educator. He is the father of Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis,all well-known jazz musicians who grew up in New Orleans.

 

St. Paul's Adult/Youth and Children's Choirs first CD will be ready soon, to share with anyone as a gift, through gift donations to the music and other programs.
Sharing Music from the Six Major Liturgical Seasons: 
Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Advent and Christmas.

PRAYERS 2 PASS

Classes begin at NIU on August 25th and we will again be offering Prayers 2 Pass for those walking through our lawn on August 25th and 26th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. It's a time to give encouragement for the coming year to our neighboring students who pass through our property. Please let Rev. Stacy know if you can volunteer a few hours to meet and support the NIU students.

Bike MS Tour de Farms was held July 27-28 in DeKalb. Rev. Stacy and I rode on the Jackies Jokers team. Thanks to the generosity of St. Paul members,  friends and family, our team raised $1,260!  That is an amazing amount and we truly thank everyone who donated.

Bike MS draws over 1,000 riders. Courses run from 15 miles to over 100.  While I opted for the 15 mile course, Rev. Stacy rode 35 miles that day. It was a beautiful day to ride through the DeKalb countryside.  Rest stations were provided about every 10 miles or so for riders to get fresh drinks, healthy snacks, visit, and use bathrooms.

The event raised over $1.3 million to fund research that someday will lead to a cure for MS.

As many of you know, my wife has MS.  She was diagnosed about 16 years ago.  Over the years there has been a slight, but steady, loss of body movement.  In the past 5 years she has gone from relying on a cane to relying on a walker. Most of you know someone with MS.  It can be a frustrating, heartbreaking illness. Statistics show that women living north of the 37th parallel are more likely to get MS than women living south, almost by a two to one margin.  And it seems to affect women more then men. Researchers have not discovered a cure, nor have they found a cause. Environmental?  A virus?  Some researchers have hinted at a link between a lack of vitamin D and the disease, so vitamin D supplements are recommended.

What they do know is there are  over 400,000 active cases in the United States.Many of those are in our area. Someday there will be a cure.  I like to think that Rev. Stacy, myself, and all of you will have had a hand in finding that cure.

And next year?  The ride is the last weekend in June.  We would be happy if our team grew by leaps and bounds, so please join us.

Terry Dickow

You can contribute by going to this website: 

General Convention wrap-up: Historic actions, structural changes

The 78th General Convention, in a series of historic moments, elected the first African-American presiding bishop; approved marriage equality for all Episcopalians; adopted a budget that emphasizes racial reconciliation and evangelism; endorsed the study of fossil fuel divestment; opposed divestment in Israel, Palestine; and made some significant changes to the church's governance. You can read more at the Episcopal News Service.

Presiding Bishop Elect
Michael B. Curry

Michael Bruce Curry was elected eleventh Bishop of North Carolina on February 11, 2000. He was consecrated on June 17, 2000, at Duke Chapel on the campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.


 

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 13, 1953, Bishop Curry attended public schools in Buffalo, New York, and graduated with high honors from Hobart College in Geneva, New York, in 1975. He received the Master of Divinity degree in 1978 from Yale University Divinity School. He has also done continued study at The College of Preachers, Princeton Theological Seminary, Wake Forest University, the Ecumenical Institute at St. Mary's Seminary, and the Institute of Christian Jewish Studies.


 

Bishop Curry was ordained to the diaconate in June 1978, at St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo, New York, by the Rt. Rev. Harold B. Robinson and to the priesthood in December 1978, at St. Stephen's, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by the Rt. Rev. John M. Burgess. He began his ministry as deacon-in-charge at St. Stephen's, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1978 and was rector there from 1979-1982. He next accepted a call as rector at St. Simon of Cyrene, Lincoln Heights, Ohio, where he served from 1982-1988. In 1988 he became rector of St. James', Baltimore, Maryland, which he served until his election as bishop. 

           

In his three parish ministries in North Carolina, Ohio, and Maryland, Bishop Curry had extensive involvement in Crisis Control Ministry, founding of ecumenical summer day camps for children, preaching missions, the Absalom Jones initiative, creation of networks of family day care providers, creation of educational centers, and the brokering of millions of dollars of investment in inner city neighborhoods. He inspired a $2.5-million restoration of the St. James' church building after a fire. The St. James' After School Academy was designated a Jubilee Ministry by Presiding Bishop Edmund Browning.


 

Bishop Curry has served on the boards of a large number of organizations and was a member of the Commission on Ministry in each of the three dioceses where he has served. He has a national preaching and teaching ministry, having been featured on The Protestant Hourand as a frequent speaker at conferences around the country.  He has received honorary degrees from Sewanne and Yale.


 

He is married to the former Sharon Clement, and they have two daughters, Rachel and Elizabeth.


 

You can hear Bishop Curry's July 3rd sermon at the Convention here.


Mid-Week Holy Eucharist Service 
with Prayers for Healing
 
All are welcome to join us on Wednesdays for a quiet service of Holy communion and healing prayers. The service never lasts longer than 30 minutes. We meet in the chapel in the Parish Hall. You can enter through the North doors or the Kitchen door. The propers of the day are from the book "Holy Women, Holy Men."

August 5                            9:30 A.M.        Albrecht Durer, Matthais Grunewald, and                                                                         Lucas Cranach the Elder
August 12                          9:30 A.M.        Florence Nightingale
August 19                          9:30 A.M.        William Porcher Dubose (from Aug. 18)
August 26                          9:30 A.M.        Thomas Gallaudet and Henry Winter Syle                                                                        (from Aug. 27

While Reverend Stacy is on sabbatical, from September through November, there will be no Wednesday morning service.
Holy Eucharist at Oak Crest

 

The monthly service of Holy Eucharist for parishioners and others at Oak Crest Retirement Facility will be held at 2:00 PM on August 19. While Reverend Stacy is on sabbatical this fall, Reverend Dave Hedges from St. Peter's in Sycamore will be leading the services.


 

This service includes music, readings, a short homily and communion. Readers, chalice bearers and music leaders are needed each month. If you would like to be involved in this important outreach of our parish, please contact the Parish Office or Rev. Stacy.

Sunday School Resumes

Sunday School for Adults and Children resumes on Sunday, September 13th, at 9:15 A.M. Adults meet in the Conference Room and Children meet in the St. Timothy Center. 
Our Prayer Tree Grew

"May we be like trees planted by streams of water"
from Psalm 1 was the inspiration for our prayer tree that was "planted" in the back of the Sanctuary by the Sunday School students. Our tree is filling out! Thank you to our children for inspiring us to pray in this creative way. We'll leave the tree up until the end of August.


 

The tree planted in May


 

Our tree now!

Nursery Hours

With the start of Sunday School on September 13th, the Nursery hours will be expanded again to
9:15 AM to 11:45 AM. 
Thank you

Dear Members of St. Paul's,

Ellen, Lucy, and I would like to thank you all for your generous gift. Your contributions will help to alleviate some of the costs of moving and getting our home settled to accommodate a full time seminarian, a music teacher and a rambunctious little girl. We are exceedingly grateful for all of your kind words, love, support, and prayers as we are about to embark on this journey.

St. Paul's was a wonderful parish to grow up in, and we could not have been more blessed to be able to worship with you as your guests over the past few years. You will all be in our prayers, and, as the song says, God be with you till we meet again.

Love,
Brian, Ellen and Lucy Prall

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 Sunday, August 2nd.
 
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.  The Food Pantry Sunday coming up is August 9th.
 
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 September 2015 issue of the Proclaimer to the Parish office by August 16th. The maximum length for all articles is 300 words. Your pictures are also welcome.
 
The Vestry meets every month. The vestry minutes are available on our website here.
 
The Parish Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Flowers for the Altar
Dates are open for your dedications

 

 

The flower sign up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the parish office and dates can be selected for all months during the year. Generally the donation is about $30 for a Sunday. Available dates are:

     August 2 and August 9

     September 13 and September 27.

Anti-Racism Training - August 8-10
at St. James Commons

Online registration is open for "Analyzing Systemic Racism," a 2½ day workshop explores the historical development of racism in the U.S.; how racism is perpetuated in institutions and how it continues to manifest itself in our culture; and how racism affects both people of color and white people. Anyone who is open to learning about these facets of historical and institutional racism is welcome to attend.  

Presented by Chicago Regional Organizing for Antiracism (Chicago ROAR) at St. James Commons, 65 E. Huron and sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago Antiracism Commission and the Evangelical Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Metro Chicago Synod's Antiracism Team. Learn more and register online by October 5.

A new list of antiracism materials are available on the diocesan website. The page includes sermons and essays, articles, videos, books, and websites.

June-July Food Pantry Report and Reminders
  

Thanks to all parishioners who contributed to Food Pantry Sunday in June and July. 

 

St. Paul's members donated 82 food and personal items and 288 diapers in June. In July, 61 food and personal items, 1112 wipes, and 50 diapers were donated.  The total of donations for the year is 2598 items.


 

St. Paul's has adopted the 1st Thursday of every month to help at the Salvation Army Food Pantry from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. We need another volunteer for November, February, May and August. Please contact Pat McMahon or Jennie Cummings if you can help out in these months or can substitute in other months.


 

The next Food Pantry Sunday is August 9th. Although any contribution is most welcome, we are choosing one particular item as a priority each month.  For the month of August, the priority is diapers--size 4 and up. Contributions may be made at any time during the month, not just on the 9th.  


 

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

                                                                                                                            Pat and Vince McMahon and Jennie Cummings

REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS 
FOR SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

For the last six years the Salvation Army has been assisting families in DeKalb county by providing school supplies for their children. The number of those in need of assistance is growing and we need to keep up with this rapid increase, but this is not possible without the help from volunteers. We would like to ask you, as a community, to join us and provide help in our school supply program.

Our School Supply Drive is at Walmart on Saturday, August 1st from 9 AM-2 PM, which is where we will receive the majority of our inventory for the program. We will also be packing all of the backpacks with school supplies on the week of August 10th-14th. Finally, we have the actual distribution, which will also serve as a block party on Saturday, August 15th from 2 PM-5 PM. Any help offered on any of the dates would be greatly appreciated. Our facility is located on 830 Grove St. in DeKalb. If you have any questions, pelase call us at 815-756-4308

Blessings,
Captain Keith Graham
Corps Office/Pastor
The Salvation Army DeKalb
Corps & Community Center
FAMILY FUN NIGHT AT NIU

NIU Athletics would like to extend a personal invitation to you to join us for Family Fun Day on Sunday, August 9th.

The FREE event will be held at NIU's Chessick Practice Center at the north end of Huskie Stadium. Doors open at 3 pm and activities will begin at 4 pm. During this time, fans will have the chance to interact with some of their favorite teams and coaches, including your 2014 MAC Champion football team. We'll cap the night off with a viewing of "Big Hero 6" on the big screen at Huskie Stadium at 6:15 pm.

A variety of concessions will be available for purchase. Visit NIUHuskies.com for more information.
Anniversaries, Birthdays & Events


 

August Birthdays


 

8/23         Jim McLane

8/27         Brad Cripe

8/31         Sue Ouellette

 

August Anniversaries

 

8/3             Rick and Freyja Johns

8/15           Steve and Jane DeGolier

8/22           Richard and Sharon Dowen

8/25           Roy and Nanette Mason

 

August Events


8/5             Holy Communion and Healing Service, 9:30 AM

8/9             Farewell Coffee for Sue Ouellette, 11:30 AM

8/12           Holy Communion and Healing Service, 9:30 AM

8/15           Thrive Market, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM

8/16           Vestry Meeting, 12:15 PM

8/19           Holy Communion and Healing Service, 9:30  AM

8/19           Holy Communion Service at Oak Crest, 2:00 PM

8/23           Parish Picnic and Outside Service, 10:30 AM

8/25,26      Prayers2Pass, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

8/26           Holy Communion and Healing Service, 9:30 AM

8/31           Reverend Stacy's Sabbatical Begins

 

Save the Date:

 

9/13            Rally Day, Childrens' Sunday School Resumes


   St. Paul's Episcopal Church Contact Information
 
St. Paul's Episcopal Church of DeKalb, IL  
                          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  
  

 

Like us on Facebook
        Follow us on Twitter        View our videos on YouTube