News from St. Paul's Episcopal Church                                     March 2016 

 
March 2016
 
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
 
Dear Friends,
 
Often we think of Lent only as a time of fasting or bettering ourselves through some sort of practice of prayer.  We are missing the larger dream of God if we reduce this holy season to an opportunity for self improvement. In the early church, Lent was a time of preparation for baptism. It was also a time when those who had been separated from the fellowship of the church due to notorious sins could seek forgiveness and be welcomed back into the body of Christ (See the "Invitation to a Holy Lent" in the Book of Common Prayer pages 264-265). In other words Lent was a time to seek a new life whether at the beginning of one's life in Christ, or finding a renewed life in Christ after wandering away from the way of God.
IN THIS ISSUE
Letter from the Rector
Holy Week Services
Readers Needed
Reconciliation of a Penitent
Chili Cook-Off
Treasurer's Report
Music Ministries
United Thank Offering
Eucharist at Oak Crest
Mid-Week Holy Eucharist
ECW Meeting
Camp Chicago
Diocesan Confirmation
From the Diocese
Time Change
Parish Office Reminders
Easter Flowers
Flowers for the Altar
Food Pantry Report and Reminders
Tools for Caregivers
Anniversaries, Birthdays, & Events
Contact Information
Lent is essentially a season of preparation for our reconciliation with God.  The great sign of God's radical, reconciling love for his beloved Creation is the Cross. The gravity of our sin we see painfully born by our Savior Jesus Christ in his passion and crucifixion.  The love and commitment of our God we see in Christ not turning away from the cross and the grave, but willingly dying so that a new creation may be born. The power of God and the grace of God we see in the empty tomb and the risen Christ.  Death no longer has any power over Creation, in Christ all are made new--all repentant prodigals are welcomed into the heart of God.
 
In the Episcopal Church the most powerful sign of our new life in Christ is the sacrament of Baptism.  For many of us baptism was an event long ago in our past, perhaps even before our conscious memory. But the Church has another sacramental rite of commitment to new life in Christ that can be equally powerful: Confirmation and the Reaffirmation of Faith. Even if one has been confirmed, you can reaffirm your baptismal vows at other significant times in your life. This rite is only presided over by a bishop. And my friends, if you are curious about confirmation or reaffirmation then you are doubly blessed because Bishop Lee will be visiting St. Paul's for a regional confirmation service on Saturday, April 23rd at 11A.M.
 
What are you waiting for? Let go of any false notion you may have about Lent being a time of gloom and doom. Prepare for reconciliation with God will all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. Walk the way of the Cross with Christ through all the services of Holy Week so that you might experience the full joy of the resurrection on Easter Day. Is God calling you to reaffirm your faith? Are you experiencing the Spirit of re-creation in your life? Let's talk.  Make a visit with your priest one of the rest stops along your spiritual journey.
 
In Christ,
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES


March 20   Palm Sunday, 10:30 PM 
                     one service only
March 24   Maundy Thursday, 6:00 PM
March 25   Good Friday, 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM
March 26   Great Vigil of Easter, 6:00 PM
March 27   Easter Sunday,10:30 AM
                   one service only                                     followed by Easter Egg Hunt


Readers Needed for Palm Sunday reading of the Passion and for the Great Vigil of Easter - Look for sign up sheet and scripts in the Parish Hall or contact the Parish Office.

Reconciliation of a Penitent

Lent is not only a time of fasting and prayer, it is also a time of reflection on one's spiritual life. Feeling disconnected from God? Have a heart heavy with sins? Feeling stressed out and not sure of what the Christian response ought to be. Consider the rite of the Reconciliation of a Penitent (see the Book of Common Prayer, page 447.

Rev. Stacy will reserve Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM from now through March 16th for drop in conversations and confessions (or by appointment). Enter Easter with a lighter heart open to receiving the hope and joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Chili Cook Off

The Annual Chili Cook Off will be held the first Sunday in March, March 6th,  in the Parish Hall after the 10:30 A.M. service. 

Come fill your stomach and soul with good food and fellowship! 

Treasurer's Report:
February 2016 Mars Hill Treasurer's Report with January 2016 figures
 
This report covers the month of January 2016. The American Midwest Bank checking account is our primary operating account. Accounting reports are compiled by American Midwest Tax and Accounting, Inc. whose office is on Elm St. in Sycamore next to the American Midwest Bank downtown branch. Sheila Appel is our primary contact.
 
Receipts through January 31, 2016
We have received 38% of the pledged amount and 19% of the total budgeted receipts for the one month period. Year to date receipts as of 1/31/16 were $39,069. Pledge amount totals were $38,311, as we received one large yearly pledge in a lump sum. S
 
Disbursements through January 31, 2016
Total operating disbursements for the one month period were 12% of the budgeted amount. The total year to date disbursements were $25,377. The difference between receipts and disbursements year to date is $13,692 on the positive side. Each month the Vestry receives a detailed worksheet of all the receipts and disbursements and information about the investment accounts. Please contact the Treasurer, Pat Brown, at 85-758-0906 if you wish to receive a copy of this information.
 
Building Fund
The balance in the Edward Jones Building Fund at the end of January was $30,000 in CD's and $9,114 in the Money Market Fund equaling $39,144 invested with Edward Jones.  The total January balance of Building funds including $2,640 in the American Midwest Bank account was $41,754. Contributions of $585 were received from members for the Building Fund.
 
Endowment Fund
The value of the Endowment Fund at the end of January was $1,844,492.  The net decrease in value for the year is ($76,953.) According to the Bylaws we may use up to 5% of the yearly average monthly ending balance in the Endowment fund for operating costs.  At the end of January 4% of that figure was $79,694, and 5% was $99,618.   
 
Apache Stock
The 6.009 shares on deposit with the company were valued at $256 on January 31, 2016. The value has decreased ($12) since the beginning of the year.
 
On January 31, 2016 Fund balances in the AMB checking account were:
 
 Discretionary Fund $822.35                      Flower Fund $413.75
 Columbarium Fund $2,064.30                   Operating Fund $14,162.61
 Building Fund $2,639.70                             Total $20,102.71
 
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Brown, Treasurer, February 20, 2016.

The Adult/Youth and Children's Choirs are preparing for Holy Week and Easter. 

Several Hosanna's for Palm Sunday bring the choirs together to help you lift your palms high and encourage your journey through the holy week. On Easter Sunday, the children's choir will share in an Antiphonal Acclamation while the adult/youth choir shares an Easter anthem favorite, The Risen Lord Indeed, Alleluia! 

We are very fortunate to have such awesome volunteers in both talent and spirit at St. Paul's! 
Thank You, Choirs!
Spring United Thank Offering

Our annual United Thank Offering (UTO) Ingathering (collection) is underway.  Please take a blue box, which can be found in both the sanctuary and the parish hall. As you give thanks each day for your many blessings, drop a few coins into the box.  the Ingathering will be March 13 and the money we collect will be presented at the ECW convention in late April. If you would like more information about the Ingathering, please contact Peg Newby.
Celebration of 
Holy Eucharist at Oak Crest,
Third Wednesday,
March 16 at 2:00 PM

 

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.

Mid-Month Holy Eucharist Service 
with Prayers for Healing
 
All are welcome to join us on the third Wednesday of each month 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 for the day are from the book "Holy Women, Holy Men".

March 16               9:30 AM
April 20                 9:30 AM
May 18                  9:30 AM
ECW Meeting

Please save the date for the next ECW Short Meeting. We plan to discuss the ECW donations coming up in April. A report will be shared prior to the meeting about what was done last year. The plan is go give everyone time to research, consider in prayer, and to discuss with other church members how the profits from the Lobster Boil are dispensed to various charities.

The next ECW Meeting will be
Saturday, March 12 from 10:00-11:00 AM at St. Paul's.
Please see Pat McMahon, Rosemarie Ostberg, or Jennie Marshall with questions. 
Camp Chicago


The Camp Chicago Program is thoughtfully designed to meet our goals for what we hope our campers take away from the camp experience. Accommodations for Camp Chicago are at Camp Stronghold Center located on 360 acres of land off the Rock River in Oregon, IL. 

WORSHIP AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Each year we have a biblical theme that gives focus to our overall program. During the week campers and staff attend daily Eucharist, reflections, and pray nightly with their cabins. Worship and faith formation is the guiding force at camp and surrounds all that we do.

DAILY ACTIVITIES
Daily Classes - Campers can sign up each day for different classes taught by staff such as: Adventure, swimming, archery, arts and crafts, big group games and more.
All Camp Activities - Throughout the week there are numerous times the camp gathers as an entire community for a special activity such as a bonfire, campout, or the "Wild and Wacky Olympics," featuring the world famous "Sundae, sundae, sundae" event.
High Ropes Course - Camp Stronghold has an amazing high ropes course for campers age 13 and up. The ropes course is a "challenge by choice" activity.
Canoe Trip - Once a week we offer a canoe trip down the beautiful Rock River where we stop for lunch at the Black Hawk Statue in Lowden State Park.

  • Session 1: June 26 - July 1 (Ages 7-15)
  • Session 2: July 3-8 (Ages 7-15) 
  • Session 3: July 10-15 (Ages 7-15)
Diocesan Confirmation

On April 23rd at 11:00 AM the first of three Diocesan Confirmations will be held at St. Paul's with Bishop Lee presiding.

If you are interested in Confirmation or Re-Affirmation, please contact Reverend Stacy. 
News from the Bishop's Staff

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Even though the snow is still flying (though thankfully not as much as last year!), I know that summer is just around the corner. I'm already busy looking at opportunities for my son's summer and I know that for many of us, the race is on to find the kids in our lives a great camp, summer school class, summer job or internship.

I'm also aware that for too many kids in our community, summer presents more risks than opportunities. That's why this is also the time of year when CROSSwalk to Work solicits summer internships for job-ready young people living in neighborhoods that lack resources and jobs. Our CROSSwalk to Work interns gain valuable workplace skills and experience and emerge from the summer better equipped for school and work. What's more, they gain new horizons for their futures. At CROSSwalk to Work we say that nothing stops a bullet like a job, and I believe it.

This year, the young people of CROSSwalk to Work have been blessed by the generosity of Episcopalians across our diocese. In addition to the many faithful gifts that we received during the year, the leaders gathered at our diocesan convention donated enough to provide four additional full-time internships for this summer.

As you make your family's summer plans, please pray for our CROSSwalk to Work interns. Thanks to you, they are preparing for a summer that can change their lives. I'm extraordinarily grateful to you for making that possible, and for making our diocese a community where we work against violence in transformative ways.

In peace,

Director of Networking 

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Don't forget to 
change your clocks
Daylight Savings
Time Change starts
 March 13
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, March 6th, 2016
 
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 March 13th, 2016.
 
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 April 2016 issue of the Proclaimer to the Parish office by March 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 Easter

We will be taking donations for Easter flowers in memoriam or in thanksgiving until March 20th. Place your check in the flower envelope and please write your name and the dedication that you would like to see in the bulletin on the envelope.
 Please write checks out to St. Paul's with "Easter flowers" as the memo and place them in the collection or leave them in the Parish Office. 
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. 

 

There will not be flowers on the altar through the Lenten Season, but dates can still be selected.

February Food Pantry Report and Reminders
  

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

 

The total number of items donated by St. Paul's members last month was 1433: 297 diapers, 1128 wipes, and 8 other 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. 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 March 13th. There will be no special designation for March. Items always needed include canned pet food, diapers (size 4 and up), canned fruit and canned beans, and fresh fruit such as apples or oranges. Contributions may be made at any time during the month, not just on the second Sunday.  


 

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


 

                                                           Pat and Vince McMahon and Jennie Cummings

Powerful Tools for Caregivers, Tuesdays, beginning March 8-April 12, 6:00pm to 7:30 pm

If you regularly spend time helping a loved one with errands, personal care, living arrangements, financial and legal concerns or other activities, you are a Caregiver. KishHealth System Hospice is offering a six week course, Powerful Tools for Caregivers designed to provide you, the caregiver, with tools needed to take care of yourself as you take care of your loved one. You will learn how to reduce stress, improve self confidence, better communicate your feelings, balance your life, increase your ability to make tough decisions, and how to locate helpful resources. There is no cost for the six week session.

Contact Sue Goudy at 815-756-3000 or email her at sgoudy@kishhealth.org to register.
Anniversaries, Birthdays & Events


 

March Birthdays

 

3/6               Jimmy Russell

3/8               Emily Russell

3/9               Jane Nenonen

3/10             Danny Russell

3/11             Julie Stubblefield

3/23             Stephen Roberts

3/27             Jackie Dickow

3/27             Mary Lincoln

3/28             Gail Piper

 

March Events

 

3/6                Chili Cookoff, 11:30 AM 

3/13              Food Pantry Sunday

3/13              Acolyte Practice, 11:30 AM

3/16              Healing Service, 9:30 AM

3/16              Oak Crest Service, 2:00 PM

3/16              Children's Waiting Room, 3:00 PM              

3/20              Vestry Meeting, 12:15 PM

3/20              Palm Sunday, 10:30 AM

3/24              Maundy Thursday, Service and Potluck, 6:00 PM

3/25              Good Friday Venerations of the Cross, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM

3/26              Great Vigil of Easter, 6:00 PM

3/27              Easter Sunday, 10:30 AM

                     Easter Egg Hunt, 11:30 AM

 

Save the Date:

 

4/3               Low Sunday Brunch

4/16             Spring Cleanup with NIU Cares Day

4/23             Regional Confirmation with Bishop Lee


   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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