News from St. Paul's Episcopal Church                                 September2015 


 

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



Reverend Stacy will be on Sabbatical from September 1st through November 24th, 2015. 


 


 
IN THIS ISSUE
Rev. Stacy on Sabbatical
Sunday School Resumes
Music Ministries
From the Senior Warden
Treasurer's Report
Thrive Market
Parish Picnic
Prayers2Pass
Pet Blessing
Mid-Week Holy Eucharist
Eucharist at Oak Crest
Service Schedule Change
Nursery Hours
Shelter Care
St. Nicholas National Shrine
Parish Office Reminders
Flowers for the Altar
Food Pantry Report and Reminders
Grace Place Trivia Night
Anniversaries, Birthdays, & Events
Contact Information
Sunday School Resumes September 13

Sunday School for Adults and Children resumes on Sunday, September 13th, at 9:30 A.M. Adults meet in the Conference Room and Children meet in the St. Timothy Center. Maureen Gerrity is coordinating the Godly Play Curriculum for the Children and Marilyn Cleland and  Gretchen Schlabach are organizing the Adult Bible Study.

Come and join in song, dance and scripture 
with our Adult/Youth and Children's Choirs! All are welcome! 

Adult/Youth & Children's Choir Rehearsals begin Thursday, September 3! 
Children's Choir meets at 6:00 PM and the Adult/Youth Choir meets at 7:00 PM
Sunday Worship, September 13 (Rally Sunday) music will be lead by both choirs.

A few members of the Children's Choir recorded several anthems this year to add to our choir CD. In the spirit of an invitation for you to join in our Rally Sunday, here is a sample I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together! 

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.

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.

From the Senior Warden, Peggy Newby


This is a unique time for our parish.  We wished Rev. Stacy well as she began her sabbatical.  The Vestry worked diligently to ensure coverage for routine needs.  We expect there will be unexpected circumstances, and ask that you let the office or one of the Wardens know if you see an unmet need.  The Wardens and Vestry appreciate the contributions of all parishioners towards the life of St. Paul's.   If you did not receive the information sheets 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.  Copies are available in Parish Hall or the church office.

I am looking forward to having one Sunday service this fall, worshiping with our whole family, and welcoming guest priests.  I also look forward to seeing those whose summer takes them away from DeKalb.  We appreciated everyone who stepped up for "First Come, First Serve."  However, the truth is we have lost several active members due to relocation.  We need you!  If you could pick up a ministry this fall, it would be so helpful!  Please let me know if you'd like to explore a ministry.  Instructions and tips will be provided by a seasoned minister! 

A new Parish Directory is available!  Please begin using it as soon as possible.  There have been many changes, so using the new directory is important to our continued communications.  Thank you to our Parish Administrator, Susan King, for her assistance in making sure our information is as up-to-date as possible.  Remember to let the church office know whenever you have a change in phone/address/email, etc.
 
Julie Stubblefield and I are chairing this year's Stewardship campaign, which we "kicked off" at the picnic.  You will receive a letter in the mail containing your pledge commitment card. Weekly bulletin inserts will present thought-provoking questions regarding stewardship.  Please use them as you prayerfully consider your commitment.  Remember that our goal is to wrap up the campaign a bit earlier than usual, by the end of September.   We recently formed a Finance Team and need to provide them information so they can prepare a budget for consideration at our Annual Meeting.  Thank you in advance for your timely response! 

The Nominating Committee will be meeting soon!  This committee is charged with replacing outgoing Vestry and standing committee members.  Theirs is important and sometimes challenging work, and I ask your prayers for them and our parish as we look ahead to 2016.

Thank you for all you do for the life of our Parish - See you Sunday!

Treasurer's Report

August 2015 Mars Hill Treasurer's Report with July 2015 figures: 
This report covers the month of July 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 July 2015
We have received 69% of the pledged amount and 72% of the total budgeted receipts for the seven month period. Year to date receipts as of 07/31/2015 were $159,625.05.

Disbursements through July 2015
Total operating disbursements for the seven month period were 63% of the budgeted amount. The total year to date disbursements were $142,832.45. The difference between receipts and disbursements year to date is $16,792.60 on the positive side. In early July we deposited $40,000 from the Endowment fund into the Operating fund for additional cash flow. 

Building Fund
The balance in the Edward Jones Building Fund at the end of July 2015 was $45,948.72, $30,000 in CD's and $15,948.72 in the Money Market Fund.  The total balance of Building funds including $4,988.35 in the American Midwest Bank account is $50,937.07.  We expect to use some of the funds in the Money Market for Parking Lot repairs to be completed later this summer.

Endowment Fund
The value of the Endowment Fund at the end of July 2015 was $2,021,196.95. The net decrease in value for the year is ($20,493.57.) This includes the $40,000 transferred to the Operating Account in July.

Apache Stock 
The 5.945 shares on deposit with the company were valued at $272 on July 31, 2015. The value has decreased ($154.94) since the beginning of the year.
On July 31, 2015 the balance in the AMB checking was $32,405.93. The Flower Fund balance was a negative ($121.45); Discretionary Fund was $27.30; Columbarium Fund was $1,464.30.  The Garden Fund has a $145.28 balance. The Building fund portion was $4,988.35 and Operations balance was $25,902.15.

Respectfully submitted,
Pat Brown, Treasurer, August 19, 2015.
Last Thrive Market Date

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! 

THE PARISH INDOOR-OUTDOOR PICNIC -
Despite some rain, it was a beautiful day! God is good!
                      










   




                   
PRAYERS 2 PASS

Classes began at NIU on August 25th and we again offered Prayers 2 Pass for those walking through our lawn on August 26th and 27th. We'll be lifting up the 
prayers of the students through the month of September - for families, relationships, success in school, good health, less stress, and for "Everyone to have financial Aid."

Thank you to Rosemarie Ostberg, Rebecca Smith, Terry Dickow and Rev. Amy Fallon from Grace Place Campus Ministries for being outside handing out water,candy, prayers - and having compassionate hearts and ears for this ministry.
 
7TH ANNUAL PET BLESSING
OCTOBER 4TH

Join us for the 7th Annual Pet Blessing on the front lawn on Sunday, October 4th at 1:00 P.M.. We invite the community to bring pets of all sorts, on leashes or in crates - or pictures of pets if they can't travel. Meet the TAILS humane society "Pet of the Week" and bring donations for TAILS. (see our website for the list of hoped for donations). Reverend Amy Fallon from Grace Place Campus MInistries will be officating this year.

There will be a sign up sheet in the Parish Hall to help distribute flyers to various places to help make this a true community event.
Mid-Week Holy Eucharist Service 
with Prayers for Healing
 
While Reverend Stacy is on sabbatical, from September through November, there will be no Wednesday morning service. The service will resume on December 2nd.
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 September 16th. 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.

Service Schedule Change

There will only be one Holy Communion Service on Sunday at 10:30 AM during Rev. Stacy's sabbatical. The 8:00 AM service will resume on the First Sunday of Advent, November 29th.

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. 
Shelter Care and The State Budget


Because our Republican Governor and Democratic Legislature are locked in a stalemate, the State of Illinois budget has not been approved. Thirty-four percent of social service providers have suffered delays in funding and have had to cut services.

At Shelter Care, the State would have sent at least a portion of our allocation. Programs have already been cut and suspended, and employees have been laid off, leaving the most vulnerable in the community, the most underserved and the most underpriviledged without assistance. The negative impact is pronounced.

St. Paul's has been a loyal supporter of Shelter Care, and we are asking once again to dig deep into your hearts and help through the transitional period while the State waits to adopt a budget. Whatever you can do will make a difference. Your gift will go toward helping keep programs open, services active, and the lives of the people we serve consistent and stable.

You can make a donation on our website here. Thank you for helping us through this very unusual and difficult time.
SAINT NICHOLAS 
NATIONAL SHRINE
AT GROUND ZERO


As you know, September 11 is now a national holiday called Patriot Day. You may not know that the only house of worship destroyed by the terrorist attacks in 2001 was a small Greek Orthodox Church called St. Nicholas. In the shadow of the World Trade Center, St. Nicholas offered a quiet place of respite for all amidst the busy streets of lower Manhattan until it was leveled to the ground -what we now know as Ground Zero.

In 2016, on the 100th anniversary of its founding, the doors of St. Nicholas will open again as the St. Nicholas National Shrine, a spiritual home for all Americans and for visitors to Ground Zero from around the world. It will be one of the most visited churches in America.

Every Greek Orthodox Parish in America is participating in raising the final 5.6 million dollars necessary to meet the $38 million budget of your National Shrine, including St. George Greek Orthodox Church here in DeKalb. You are cordially invited to attend a brief Memorial Service for the victims of 9/11 followed by a Greek Luncheon on Saturday, September 12, 2015 beginning promptly at 11:00 AM. Free will donations will be accepted following the memorial service. If you choose to stay for lunch, tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Tickets may be purchased by emailing anagenesisphiloptochos@gmail.com, calling the St. Nicholas Shrine Fundraising Coordinator at 815-757-2654, or by dropping by St. George Fellowship Hall any Sunday between 11:30 and Noon, 320 South Second Street, DeKalb, IL 
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, September 6th.
 
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 September 13th. This month's priority item is Pet Food.
 
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 September 20th. 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:

    

     September 27th, October 25th, November 1st, 8th, and 15th.

August Food Pantry Report and Reminders
  

Thanks to all parishioners who contributed to Food Pantry Sunday in August. 

 

The diaper donations on Food Pantry Sunday totaled 601. The pantry is grateful for this generous donation. In addition to the diapers, 32 food items were also donated. Thanks to all who responded to this mission. total donations year-to-date are 3,231.

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 September 13th. Although any contribution is most welcome, we are choosing one particular item as a priority each month.  For the month of September, the priority item will be pet food. Contributions may be made at any time during the month, not just on the 13th.  


 

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

                                                                                                                            Pat and Vince McMahon and Jennie Cummings

GRACE PLACE 
TRIVIA NIGHT FUNDRAISER


Have some fun and help out NIU Campus Ministries at the Trivia Night Fundraiser on September 25th, from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Salem Lutheran Church, 1145 DeKalb Avenue in Sycamore. Suggested donation is $10 for community members, college students $5, under 18 years old are free. This is a family-friendly event, so children are welcome to play. Childcare will also be provided. For questions or more information, check with office@graceplaceniu.com or 815-756-7700. 

Rick Johns is organizing the St. Paul's Episcopal Church Team! 
Anniversaries, Birthdays & Events


 

September Birthdays


 

9/7           Bill Cummings

9/7           Peggy Russell

9/15         Robert Russell

9/18         Lorraine Langer

9/24         Elizabeth George

9/25         Pat Brown

9/26         Peggy Newby

9/27         Jamie Stubblefield

9/28         Vince McMahon

9/29         Jennie Cummings

 

September Anniversaries

 

9/4            Henry and Eva Leonard

9/4            Bill and Jennie Cummings

9/11          Jamie and Julie Stubblefield

 

September Events


9/1             Rev. Stacy on Sabbatical to 11/24

9/3             Adult/Youth (7 PM) & Children's Choirs (6 PM) Resume 

9/13           Rally Day - Start of Sunday School

9/16           Oak Crest Service - 2:00 PM

9/19           Thrive Market, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM

9/20           Vestry Meeting, 12:15 PM

9/25           Grace Place Trivia Night Fundraiser, 7:00-9:00 PM

 

 

Save the Date:

 

10/4            Pet Blessing, 1:00 PM


   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  
  

 

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