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June, 2018
Being Light and Life The Rev. Holly Rankin Zaher
The light streamed in the window I sat in a retreat center in
Minnesota. Spring had finally hit the Minneapolis area - birds
chirped and flew across the green retreat center lawn as I listened
to stories from eleven other Episcopal clergy. Luther Seminary’s
Missional Leadership Cohort brought twelve Episcopal clergy
together, some representing churches much like St. Paul’s and
others in radically different situations, and worked with us on how
to be missional, moving outward contrasted usually with being
attractional, and innovative in today’s culture. Like our St.
Paul’s community, many of the congregations represented practice
“Dwelling in the Word,” a way of interacting with God, each other,
and the scriptures. One priest told stories of a church walking in
their neighborhood in small groups and asking God to show them how
to be good neighbors to those who lived there. They shared how
their communities are relearning their neighborhood and listening
to the people who lived there, looking for where God is already at
work.
Each of these Episcopal communities recognizes the context in
which they live and work in 2018. Statistics help us understand
today’s “great unraveling” of churches and institutions.
Euro-tribal denominations are shrinking; our structures and
institutions are declining in prominence. The Episcopal Church is
the seventh oldest religious group as well as the seventh least
racially diverse religious group in the United States; Christianity
does not even register in the top five of the youngest religious
groups in the US. Many Christians are tempted to think our best
days are behind them, the days of full sanctuaries and busy
programs.
Into what can seem like a dire context, I gathered with
Episcopal leaders who see this situation as an opportunity and who
are doing hard work with their congregations to remember our
calling as sent people who are on God’s mission in the world. In
the past eighteen months, we gathered three times in MN to discuss
our cultural context as well as how we can listen to God’s Spirit.
During monthly coaching calls, we engaged in questions like, “What
might God be up to in the world and in the lives of those to whom
we’re sent?” It at times is a different way of doing ministry than
in the days when life revolved around the church building and it is
incredibly exciting to rediscover being the church alive in the
world. Congregations are listening to God, the scriptures, and our
neighborhood to discern how we can be in our world. While our
official program has ended, many of us hope to continue our monthly
coaching calls and meeting up yearly to tell the stories of our
congregations engaging this work.
The Missional Voices conference that Matt Knonenborg and I
attended in April echoed these themes. The Presiding Bishop
reminded us that robust spiritual formation aids us in engaging the
Spirit and in what God is doing in the neighborhood. We heard
stories of churches and communities all over the United States who
are doing similar work as my Missional Leadership Cohort,
communities discerning together who God is calling them to be and
become in 2018.
The Evangelism with Integrity clergy workshop I attended last
month and the same one we will offer at the church on June 2 from
10am - 3pm restated the same ideas. How do we start with the
assumption that God is already at work in the world around us and
in the lives of others? From there, how do we invite others further
into what God is doing and to live out their faith in
community?
Please note, this is difficult work. It takes time and energy to
listen and build relationships. It requires us to pause and shift
our energies from the “if you build it, they will come” narrative
that no longer “works” and spend time discovering what is going on
outside our building. It calls us to explore the needs of people
around our neighborhood of our church, where we live, and where we
work and play.
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This is the work we are doing here at St. Paul’s. We are
discerning together. We are exploring together. We are
experimenting together. We are being the light, worshipping
together and being sent from our practice of Eucharist, giving
thanks, into the world.
We are not alone. There are congregations and communities, in
the Episcopal church and in other denominations and groups, who are
engaging this work. There are many groups in Evansville asking
similar questions. Christ Church Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese
of Indianapolis is hosting a training day for this work on June 23.
If this work interests you, please let me know. The Diocese is
starting work in innovation in churches which will provide us
support and I will be a part of supporting congregations in the
diocese. We are not alone.
These are exciting times. What if our best days are ahead of us?
What might happen as we continue to learn and relearn how to listen
to God and our neighborhood? God has used St. Paul’s in so many
ways through the years - we have been a literal light for people on
the river, a spiritual light to wanderers who pray in our space,
and a physical light to those in need of food and care. I wonder
how God might continue to use us as a light in the years to come,
as individuals and as a community?
hrz+
Susan Huck and the Evangelism Ministry have a very wonderful,
unique opportunity coming to St. Paul’s on Saturday, June 2.
The Diocese of Indianapolis will host a special workshop about
Evangelism at St Paul’s. This
event is free, lunch will be served and we will have the
opportunity to learn how Evangelism
can be a non-threatening part of each of our lives and how we,
as a parish, can become a vital
force in Evansville to share the mission of Christ to help and
provide for others less fortunate.
Holly just attended a workshop on this topic for clergy and she
guarantees that it will be
interesting and fun!
The Bishop is working very hard to include Southwestern Indiana
in the work of the diocese.
Let’s get behind the Bishop’s efforts by attending this workshop
and supporting her. If we get
involved, more good things will come from our involvement here
in SW Indiana.
I hope that you will consider coming to learn about Evangelism,
what your role can be, and
how we can become a partner in our community to serve
others.
If you would like to attend, you can call the church office or
sign-up on the sheet in Webb Hall and Jamie will see that all are
registered.
- Susan Huck
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June Birthdays:
01 – Carlin Finazzo 03 – Aaron Black 04 – Margaret Kimberling 05
– Jo Olson 06 – Marge Gianopoulos 14 – Sarah Paige 14 – Kaden
Leverenz 14 – Kori Leverenz 14 – Jude Godbold 15 – Phillip Hare 16
– Lauren Daly 17 – Nathan Chargualaf 17 – Jennifer Hargett 17 –
Kaiden Hagan 18 – Kenneth Rosendall 18 – Jason Hardgrave 18 –
Gabrielle Suter 19 – Pamela Grove 19 – Leigh Grimes 20 – Shelba
Bauermeister 21 – Adam Morrow 23 – Jeanne Snyder 24 – Daniel Jones
28 – Joan Cecil 28 – Melissa Coleman
June Anniversaries:
07 – John & Judy Hamsley 08 – Jerry & Beverly McCandless
08 – Nelson & Sharon Graham 20 – Stan & Amy Syra 21 – Wes
& Katie Davis 25 – Anthony & Amy Feitl 25 – Paul &
Shelley Pogue 26 – Dennis & Kathy Mullins 27 – Lee & Ann
Cooper
Share on the Second
(St. Paul’s Food Pantry)
Our food pantry has served 236
people the past month.
We ask that you bring peanut butter, tuna,
and chicken-flavored Ramen Noodles for
the collection on Sunday June 10th.
Monetary donations are always welcome
for the pantry and can be made by marking
the check or envelope that it is for the Food
Pantry.
Thank you for your continued help in
meeting the needs in our community.
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IN CONCERT SUNDAY, JUNE 10
3 p.m. ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
St. Paul's is honored to host Alec Holcomb, award
winning classical guitarist, in concert on Sunday, June 10 at 3
p.m.
Alec is currently studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of
Music under Judicaël Perroy,
the well-known classical guitarist. In 2017, Alec graduated with
a Bachelor of Music in Guitar
Performance from the Curtis Institute of Music in
Philadelphia.
Alec comes by his love of the guitar naturally. His grandfather
and father, both guitarists,
played varying styles, including rock, fingerstyle and
classical. At the age of 11 he studied at
the John Johns studio at Vanderbilt.
Alec has won numerous awards; most recently, a 1st place in 2016
at the BorGuitar Festival in
Italy a just a year ago, and 3rd place at the GFA International
concert artist competition. Alec
has appeared on NPR's From The Top.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church's Music committee is pleased to
bring this exciting and recognized
young artist to the Evansville Community. A “meet & greet”,
hosted by the Fellowship
committee, will follow the performance. Mark your calendars,
bring and tell your friends and
neighbors. You won't want to miss this afternoon of wonderful
music.
The Music Committee wishes to thank Reverend Holly and the
Vestry for their support in
underwriting the performance.
Prayers for Healing the past month:
Barbara Compton; Ruth Ann Hyatt; Jerry McCandless; Sam Vowells;
Laurie Jones; Anne Geissinger; Sybil Daubs; Judy Rosendall; Jax
Brunson
Dr. Mark Conway
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I want to say a special ‘Thank You’ to the St. Paul’s
family. The reception you gave in celebration of my
18 years as Parish Secretary was so nice. I especially
appreciate the work of Ellen Vowells and those who
helped with the reception. The hydrangea plant was
beautiful. Thank you for all the special words of
appreciation, cards and money that you gave me.
You will always be a part of my heart.
I will certainly miss you and being in the middle of
the action. It’s been a good journey. You have been gracious as
we’ve worked through
changes together.
In the next few days my husband and I will spend a few days in
Branson and in July we take an
Alaskan cruise – my retirement gift to myself! I go to Missouri
where my 96 year old mother
lives every two weeks to help with her care and my daughter here
in Evansville is a single
parent raising three kids, so we are very involved with
them.
Thanks again and may God bless the church as you move
forward.
Jane
ACOLYTE MINISTRY
(This article was inadvertently left out of the May
newsletter.
We include it in this issue with apologies to the Acolyte
leaders. -Jane)
We would like to thank all of our acolytes for a wonderful year
of service. We will be going to our summer schedule (June, July,
and August). During that time there will be only three (3) acolytes
each Sunday due to many families taking vacations. I would
particularly like to thank our graduating seniors; Alex Hardgrave,
Nick Jones, and Anna Watson for their extraordinary service for the
last 8 or 9 years. They are amazing young adults and we wish them
God’s Blessing as they pursue their futures. If you see them in
church, please let them know your deep appreciation.
In several months we will be having our training session, and if
there is anyone you know of that is interested in acolyting, please
let us know. Faithfully, Sharon Graham, Leader Caroline Suter,
Assistant Laurie Jones, Assistant
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Disciple Bible Study Graduation
Congratulations to David Hirsch and Jim Bauermeister who, on May
4, completed 24 intensive weeks of Disciple Bible Study under the
guidance of Shane O'Neill. Take some time to talk with each of them
to learn about what the class meant to them and what it could offer
to you.
June 2018 Choir News
Eternal light, shine in my heart: eternal hope, lift up my eyes;
Eternal power, be my support; eternal wisdom make me wise.
Words: Christopher Idle (b. 1938); from a prayer by Alcuin
(735?-804) Music: Jacob, Jane Manton Marshall (b. 1924))
Eternal light, shine in my heart is our Sequence Hymn for the
10:30 service on June 3rd. Until August 26th arrives, the first
Sunday in June is also the last Sunday the choir will be singing an
anthem and leading our worship music. I thank God for each one of
our St. Paul’s choir members who have offered so much of their time
and talents this 2017-2018 choir season. What a blessing you and
Margaret Kimberling are to me, Holly, and the congregation each
Sunday. May your well-deserved, and needed, summer break be
supported by God’s eternal light, hope, power, and wisdom as you
recharge your musical batteries and return refreshed. Thanks be to
God for each opportunity He provides to praise Him in worship and
song. See you again in August!
Neil Jones, Choral Director
Pastoral Care
Members who would like to receive Holy Eucharist at home, or who
desire other pastoral care may contact the church office at
(812)422-9009, or Rev. Holly Rankin Zaher at (812)484-8543 or
[email protected].
-Julie St. Clair
mailto:[email protected]
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Parish Dates and Activities to Note
Diocesan Family Camp at Waycross! Join Holly and Team Zaher
(Jim, Ellie, Ben, and Basil) at Family Camp August 31- September 3,
2018 at Waycross Camp and Conference Center. Holly has signed up to
be the camp chaplain. Families from around the diocese will come
together and have access to all the camp has to offer. Let’s have a
great St. Paul’s presence at this upcoming event! Please contact
the office for financial assistance. For more information or to
register, click https://www.waycrossccc.org/the-woodhouse/.
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Tuesday, September 11 at 7pm will be our next opportunity
for
confirmation at St. Paul's. If you are interested in being
confirmed, please contact the church office. We are working to put
together an Anglicanism 101 class that will act as a confirmation
class for those
interested in being confirmed, received, or renew their
baptismal vows as well as those who are interested in learning more
about the Episcopal Church. See below for more information about
this class.
Just what does it mean to be part of "The Episcopal branch of
the Jesus Movement," as our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry likes to
say? Want to know more about following Jesus? Are you interested in
being confirmed? Want to join St. Paul's? Reaffirm your faith? Be
baptized? If so, join us for Anglicanism 101, which will also serve
as our confirmation preparation class. Worried you'll miss a class?
No problem! They will be taped and uploaded so you can listen if
you are away. Join us for opportunities to explore some famous
Anglicans, learn a bit about our heritage, and explore how we
connect with God and can be agents for God's goodness in the world!
Classes are tentatively scheduled for August 5, 12, 19 and 26 and
September 9 from 5:30 - 7p in Webb Hall. Please contact Jamie to
sign up at the church office ([email protected]) or contact
Holly ([email protected]) if you want to attend but those
times/dates do not work.
https://www.waycrossccc.org/the-woodhouse/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
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St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Non Profit Org
301 S.E. First Street US Postage Paid
Evansville, IN 47713 Permit # 1258
Return service requested Evansville, IN
June, 2018
We currently have an opening for a Child Care Provider for
our nursery on Sundays. The position is two hours a week in
the summer (10:00AM-12:00PM) and three hours a week in
the fall starting with the beginning of our Sunday School
Year
(9:00AM – 12:00PM). The compensation for this position is
$12/hour.
Qualifications for this position are
At least 18 years of age
Able to pass a background check
Enjoys working with children
Once hired will complete our Safeguarding training
If you know of anyone interested they can contact Matt
Knonenborg, Christian Education
Director at [email protected] to apply.
mailto:[email protected]
