News from St. Paul's Episcopal Church                                   November 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


Reverend Stacy will be on Sabbatical from September 1st through November 24th, 2015. You can check out her blog, Cry of the Indigo Bunting, for her activities during her sabbatical.


 
IN THIS ISSUE
Rev. Stacy on Sabbatical
All Saints Sunday
From the Senior Warden
From the Junior Warden
Music Ministries
Children's Fellowship Movie Outing
Treasurer's Report
Advent Booklets
Thanksgiving Baskets
Diocesan Convention
Installation of Presiding Bishop
Mid-Week Holy Eucharist
Eucharist at Oak Crest
Crop Walk
Syrian Refugee Relief
Daylight Savings Time
Parish Office Reminders
Flowers for the Altar
Help Needed
Food Pantry Report and Reminders
Shelter Care
Anniversaries, Birthdays, & Events
Contact Information
All Saints Sunday Dedications

All Saints Sunday Remembrance of Everyday Saints to be prayed for in the prayers of the people will be observed on Sunday, November 1.

A very meaningful part of this service is the remembrance of the saints in our lives who have gone before us. Again this year, we have set aside a space in the parish hall where pictures can be placed of those whom we remember as teaching and inspiring us in our faith. Cards are provided in which parishioners may write a short remembrance or share a saintly quality embodied by a loved one.

The cards are available in the parish hall and the table for remembrances is set up. All parishioners are invited to participate and sign up names for both the altar of remembrance and the list of every day saints to be read in the prayers of the people.

Sign up names of the beloved everyday saints in your life who have gone on to glory (who are deceased) by October 27th on the list in the Parish Hall or via email to the Parish Office.
From the Senior Warden, Peggy Newby


We are in an active time of the year!  Pumpkins have been decorated, the garden is beginning its winter's rest, Christian Education classes are in full swing, and Thanksgiving baskets are right around the corner!  I appreciate everyone's efforts to keep things moving forward during this time of Sabbatical.  I sincerely hope we will continue as a parish to provide support in all areas.  Everyone can help in some way!

Have you let Susan know you can help with a Sunday ministry? She'll put you on the rotation.  Have you turned in your pledge card??  It's time!  Have you noticed something around the parish that needs attention?  Tell a Vestry member!  Do you have information to share about the homebound or someone who is ill?  Let the office and the McMahons know.  Thanks!

One area that needs our attention is coffee hour.  Rather than being assigned, we have been self-assigning for this since the beginning of summer.  Trouble is, there have been many Sundays the same people pitch in because no one has signed up.  If making the coffee is too much to take on, please sign up to bring snacks.  There are many of us who don't mind putting the coffee pots on when we arrive on Sunday.  We can work together on this!  Questions can be directed to Jocelyn Prall.

The Nominating Committee has begun their initial talks.  We need to fill two 3-year Vestry terms, one 2-year Vestry term, along with a couple of other committee assignments.  I urge you to be receptive to the committee's requests and do what you can.

I am very grateful for the priests who have provided clergy support during Rev. Stacy's time away.  It has been very interesting and enjoyable to experience diverse styles and thoughts.  Rev. Stacy's Sabbatical time is coming to an end.  Please keep her, Rev. Rich, Oscar, and Rowen in your prayers.  We will welcome Rev. Stacy back the first week of Advent. 

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

From the Junior Warden, Rick Johns


A Letter Arrives
 
The other day, I got a card in the mail from Rev. Stacy.  This was an unexpected pleasure: in these days of e-mail and instant messaging, one rarely gets anything in the mail except bills and advertising. Her message to me was of the healing power of quiet reflection and prayer, our need to find a way to pause in the midst of our constant busy-ness and listen to the quiet voice of God speaking in our hearts. 
 
For me, this was a very welcome message.  On that busy day, I was frantically trying to figure out which overdue-but-essential project I should attend to, before I had to rush off to my next important meeting.  Instead, I paused.  I sat on my porch contemplating my place in the world, while watching the world go by on a beautiful fall day.  I tried to discern what God had been trying to show me about my path forward.  There was no sudden revelation, I reached no decisions, but I came away feeling calm, feeling that there is a path for me and that I will be able to find it, and indeed that I am already walking it. 
 
So, my dear St. Paul's family, I am relaying Rev. Stacy's message to you: spend some time in quiet prayer and reflection.  Attend to the spiritual side of your life.  And, she sends her love to all of us. 




Our All Saints Sunday (11/01) worship service will lighten your spirits walk!

Come and hear the Children's Choir sing the traditional anthem "I'm going sing when the Spirit says sing" (& dance, laugh, pray, listen, shout)!

The Adult/Youth Choir will sing a Baroque setting of Richard Dering, Arr., James Kirkby, called "Gaudent in Coelis" (The souls of saints rejoice in heaven).  
 _________________________________________________________
 
 very first two CD set is now available! 

Sharing Music from the Six Major Liturgical Seasons: 
Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Advent and Christmas.
Check out this wonderful organ solo from the CD
 Hornpipe - G. F. Handel - Kathleen Johnson, Organist
 ________________________________________________________

DeKalb Festival Chorus Concert (11/21)
 
Did you know two of our choir members are performing in the community this month?! Good Luck Rick & Freyja!

Rick Johns (Tenor) and Freyja Rasmussen-Johns (soprano) are singing in The DeKalb Festival Chorus Concert, American Experiences, Featuring American Artists, under the Direction of Paul Marchese, on Saturday, November 21, 7 PM, at First Lutheran Church, 324 N. 3rd St., DeKalb. 

Children's Fellowship Outing at the Movies
 
"A single moment can change history. 
A single kindness can change everything."

Let's go see "The Good Dragon" together!
 Date and Time: TBA    If you are interested, please email Lorraine by November 15

A teenage Apatosaurus named Arlo who befriends a human boy named Spot. A Pixar, Peter Sohn's movie. Trailer to the left.

Admission and Snacks are Compliments of St. Paul's. We will have adult supervision. 

What is the message of the story? What makes something or someone good? During Thanksgiving, it is nice to be appreciate and thankful for good things. What are you thankful for in your life? We will have a short discussion after the movie.
 
Treasurer's Report
St Paul's Episcopal Church, DeKalb, IL 60115
October 2015 Mars Hill Treasurer's Report with September 2015 figures: 

This report covers the month of September 2015.  The American Midwest Bank checking account is our primary operating account. Accounting reports are compiled by the American Midwest Bank Tax and Payroll Department.

Receipts through September 30, 2015.
We have received 80% of the pledges and 78% of the total budgeted receipts for the nine month period. Year to date receipts as of 09/30/15 were $172,216.

Disbursements through September 30, 2015
Total operating disbursements for the nine month period were 78% of the budgeted amount. The total year to date disbursements were $174,377. The difference between receipts and disbursements year to date is ($2,161.) on the negative side. This includes  $80,000 of the $100,000 we have budgeted to be disbursed from the Endowment fund.

Building Fund
The balance in the Edward Jones Building Fund at the end of September was $46,064 - $30,000 in CD's and $16,064 in the Money Market Fund.  The total balance of Building funds including $3,718 in the American Midwest Bank account was $49,782 on Sept 30. We paid $1,895 for the new Advent wreath from Trevor Floyd & Company, the firm we purchased the Altar Covering and Vestments from. It should arrive by the first Sunday in Advent. The parking lot was sealed and striped early in October. Funds to pay for this will be transferred from the Edward Jones Building Fund.
Endowment Fund
The value of the Endowment Fund at the end of September was $1,890,514. The net decrease in value for the year is ($151,177.) This includes the $80,000 already transferred to the Operating Account. According to the Bylaws we may use up to 5% of the yearly average monthly ending balance in the Endowment fund for operating costs. To exceed that amount would require a vote of parish members. At the end of September 4% of that figure was $81,460, and 5% was $101,825.  We have allocated $100,000.00 in the budget to come from Endowment funds. The recent downturn in the stock market accounts for a portion of the decline in value. 

Apache Stock 
 The 5.979 shares on deposit with the company were valued at $234 on September 30, 2015. The value has decreased ($140) since the beginning of the year.

On September 30, 2015 the balance in the AMB checking was $12,385.32. The Flower Fund balance was $92.31; Discretionary Fund was $222.32; Columbarium Fund was $1,464.30.  The Garden Fund has a $215.03 balance for DCCG.  The Building fund portion was $3,718.35 and Operations balance was $6,673.01.

A worksheet showing more detailed transactions for the year is available on request.

Respectfully submitted,
Pat Brown, Treasurer, October 20, 2015.
Advent Booklets


In Living Well Through Advent 2015, the annual Advent booklet from Living Compass, Scott Stoner is joined by guest writers Steven Charleston, Nurya Love Parish, Tom Purdy and Porter Taylor. 

Booklets will be available in the Sanctuary and in Parish Hall to help with your Advent devotions.
Thanksgiving Baskets

St. Paul's will again be collecting for Thanksgiving Baskets for the Salvation Army.

Here is the item list for each basket:
Reusable Grocery Bags (x2), $10 Gift Certificate for a Turkey, Canned Cranberry Sauce, 4 Cans of Vegetables, Stuffing Mix, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Gravy Mix, and Boxed Dessert Mix. If you want to sponsor a family and have the Salvation Army put together a basket, the cost per family is $30.00. There are printed shopping lists in the Parish Hall.

You can bring items to the church during the week from 9 AM to 2 PM during regular office hours Monday through Thursday or on Sundays. We will bring the items to the Salvation Army on Thursday, November 19th.
Love Heals
2015 Diocesan Convention  
 
The 178th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago will take place on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard.

The theme of this year's convention is "Love Heals," inspired by keynote speaker Becca Stevens and her ministry with Magdalene House and Thistle Farms. 
 
Our delegates from St. Paul this year are Peg Newby, Rick Johns, Marilyn Cleland, and Bill Cummings (alternate). Learn more on the website, download a preliminary convention schedule and stay tuned for more details.

Installation of Presiding Bishop

Episcopalians from across the church will gather in Washington D.C. on October 31 and November 1 to celebrate the installation of Bishop Michael Curry as the 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.On Saturday, October 31, there will be a Vigil Celebration and Eucharist sponsored by the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) in honor of Bishop Curry.

Sunday, November 1
The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop takes place at noon EST at Washington National Cathedral. 
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 November 18th. 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.

Crop Walk 2015

The Sondra King Memorial CROP Walk of DeKalb took place on Sunday, October 18th. Henry and Eva Leonard, Chairs for the Crop Walk participation at St. Paul, report that $24,761.00 was collected for hunger relief, of which St. Paul collected $250.00. Twenty-five percent of proceeds go to DeKalb County food pantries and seventy-five percent supports Church World Service hunger programs. The Leonards would like thank everyone for their support of this event and the people that it helps.
 
Donations are still being accepted at crophungerwalk.org; you can make a donation using a credit card. For more information, contact Henry and Eva Leonard, 815-758-4831 or leonard@math.niu.edu.

Syrian Refugee Relief

Episcopal Relief & Development is engaging the Syrian crisis through support to agencies in Syria, to the Diocese of Jerusalem's Holy Land Institute for the Deaf and in support of large numbers of people traveling out of crisis areas into Europe.  The agency is in contact with Anglican Communion partners through The Episcopal Church's Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and The Church of England's Diocese in Europe, as well as interfaith partners such as Islamic Relief.

Please continue to pray for all those fleeing violence and unrest. Contributions to the  Syria Response Fund will help Syrians fleeing violence as the country's civil war enters its fifth year.
Daylight Savings Time Ends

Don't forget to move your clocks back one hour on Saturday, October 31st.
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, November 1st.
 
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 November 8th. This month's priority items are diapers and wipes.
 
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 December 2015/January 2016 issue of the Proclaimer to the Parish office by November 15th. 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:

    

                       November 1st, 8th, and 15th.


 

Flowers on the altar in December will be Christmas greens. Poinsettia remembrances will be offered again.

Help Needed

Several of the people who were on our ushering list have moved away or cannot help out as much. Would you consider being an usher? 

Here's the job description:

Usher (10:30 service - need two)
Greets people at the entrances and distributes bulletins. Gives welcome bags to guests and invites them to sign the guest book. Offers children's coloring pages to youngsters. Helps seat people if needed. Collects offering, and leads rows to communion. After the service, collects leftover bulletins. Makes sure doors are locked after service. Requires that you be at church about fifteen minutes before service and about fifteen minutes after the service.

Reward: Knowing you've helped people feel welcome at St. Paul's, helped the service flow smoothly, and have secured the building for the coming week. 

If you'd like to offer a hand for his ministry, please let the parish office know. And THANK YOU!
September Food Pantry Report and Reminders
  

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

 

In October, 92 food and/or cleaning items were donated for the Salvation Army Food Pantry. Total donations year-to-date are 5,948 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 November 8th. Although any contribution is most welcome, we are choosing one particular item as a priority each month.  For the month of November, the priority items will be diapers, size 4 and up, and wipes. Contributions may be made at any time during the month, not just on the 11th.  


 

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


 

                                                                             Pat and Vince McMahon and Jennie Cummings

Did You Know....

that members of St. Paul provide supper occasionally to students at Grace Place Campus Ministries? Thanks to all who help with this caring ministry!
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.
Anniversaries, Birthdays & Events


 

November Birthdays


 

11/3            Clifford Cleland

11/3            Mary Keleher

11/3            George Nenonen

11/3            Jennifer Sitzes

11/6            Robert Harkness

11/8            Liam Stubblefield

11/10           Kathleen Johnson

11/11          Jacqueline Mounts

11/18          Stacy Walker Frontjes

11/21          Michael Biundo

 

November Anniversaries

 

11/12          Lonnie and Gail Piper

 

November  Events


11/1             All Saints Sunday

11/15           Vestry Meeting, 12:15 PM

11/18           Communion Service at Oak Crest, 2:00 PM

11/18           Children's Waiting Room, 3:00 PM

11/19           Thanksgiving Baskets ready for Salvation Army

11/20-21       Diocesan Convention

11/25            Rev. Stacy returns from Sabbatical

11/29            First Sunday in Advent

 

Save the Date:

 

12/5            St. Nicholas Party

12/6            St. Nicholas Sunday

12/9            Blue Christmas

12/24          Christmas Eve


   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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