Celebrating 5 Decades of ministry and mission moving forward in faith

“...the LORD your God is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not

partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers,

providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of

Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10: 17-19

“... [Jesus said] 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foun-

dation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of

me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw

you and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a

stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in pris-

on and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of

these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Matthew 25: 34-40

Dear Friends –

One of the criticisms of Christianity is that is all about “pie in the sky by and by” – as in, it

has nothing to do with daily life as we know it and it’s all about getting our goodies when

we die and get to heaven. And one of the criticisms of the Resurrection and Pentecost cel-

ebrations of our faith is that they are about events – real or imagined – long ago and far

away and have nothing to do with the life of body or spirit in the “real world” today, (as

any one individual might define “real world”).

For several reasons, those challenges to our religion have been on my mind lately. One of

the reasons is that we are in the throes of the presidential campaign season (“Deliver us, O

Lord”), once again being inundated with claims of which candidate will bring us back to

the Judeo-Christian values upon which, they say, our nation was founded. Which “Judeo-

Christian values” are rarely specified. I suggest those touting those unnamed values use

their debate gatherings to come in for a landing on the two biblical quotes above, and in

their time allotted articulate specifics as to how a secular government would put into prac-

tice – as challenging as such implementation is – those traditional Judeo-Christian values

specified in Deuteronomy and Matthew.

With the great debates going on about immigration and stranger-welcoming in our country,

it was a breath of fresh air and a boost to the spirit – a sign of hope- that I experienced

watching the latest viewings on our local PBS show “Insight”. These were interviews with

folks from the Center for New Americans, which is part of InterFaith Works of Central

NY. (St. Michael’s supports the work of this agency through contributions from our Mis-

sion Endowment Fund for local benevolences as well as our donations of clothing and

household goods for new arrivals to our country. I serve as our Lutheran Upstate NY Syn-

od’s representative on their Round Table of Faith Leaders). My words cannot begin to con-

vey the powerful hope in these testimonies of lives resurrected this side of the grave, or the

pentecost energy of the sacred spirit bringing together disparate and desperate people into

new life in community. To see what has been happening in the lives of these new Ameri-

cans is also to experience those for whom the “American dream” is not some worn-out

politicians’ cliché but is a powerful vision of hope and stimulus to action for these recently

-arrived neighbors. To be reminded by those who have chosen to come to our country and

PASTOR’S MESSAGE

MAY 2016

Volume 61 Issue 4

Several Points of Interest in

this issue:

* Confirmation Sunday

* Financial Updates

* Spring Clean Up

* Summer Worship and

Church Picnic

St. Michael’s Trumpet

Pastor’s Message

to become American citizens, who have fled horrific situations of oppression, warfare, violence – the worst things that

one human being can do to another – to come to our nation seeking the freedoms that we promise and try to live

by....well, watch them tell their stories and hear for yourselves:

http://video.wcny.org/video/2365724104/

Sometimes we need those who are “not us” to bring “us” to see what we have lost sight of.... and how blessed we truly

are.

And sometimes we need voices from the past to speak wisdom and hope into our present and future. I know that I have

shared before with you these following words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, yet I think that it is good to do so again.

Amid all the mud-slinging and personal demeaning going on in our democratic political process, it is time once again to

appeal to, as Abe Lincoln called it, the “higher angels of our nature” in the life of our nation. So here to remind us of

who we are to be as Americans, “The New Colossus”, by Emma Lazarus. (The title of the poem and the first two lines

refer to the Colossus of Rhodes, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The poem talks about the

millions of immigrants who came to the United States, many of them through Ellis Island at the port of New York, as the

near-by “Lady of the Harbor” stood watch and bid welcome. The " air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame" refers to

New York City and the City of Brooklyn, which were consolidated into one unit in 1898, 15 years after the poem was

written).

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

In Christ -

St. Michael’s Trumpet

CONGREGATION COUNCIL REPORT

We’ve all heard the old joke about “How many Lutherans does it takes to change a light

bulb?…None, Lutherans don’t believe in change”. But, “How many Baptists does it

take?...At least 15, one to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the

change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken”.

Over the next year or so, we’ll have to take on a bit more of the Baptist mentality (except

we’ll be bringing cake!!). We will have to approve and accept changes in our church life to-

gether during our pastoral transition. I would like to thank Steve Carlic for volunteering to

head the committee overseeing this transition while continuing to serve as Council’s Vice

President. This committee’s duties will be far reaching and, at times, I’m sure, quite diffi-

cult. However, I am confident that with the cooperative effort of all, St. Michaels will weath-

er this proverbial storm and will thrive as we move into our 7th decade of worship, fellow-

ship and service.

That leads us to our 60th Anniversary Celebration. A big thank you to Jan Kunkle for volun-

teering to head the anniversary committee. She and I will be on the lookout for members

to help in this task. If you have a specific interest in this, please don’t hesitate to reach out

to one of us. We are looking to have the celebration in early December.

ATTENTION PARENTS: We have a need for kids of all ages to help out at church in the com-

ing weeks. First, we will soon be setting a make-up date for Steve Carlic’s lessons on using

Facebook. It would be wonderful to see our youngsters interacting with our less experi-

enced computer users in an effort to bring everyone into the Facebook age. Second, our

Church Picnic is June 5. Again, children of all ages are needed to help decorate and organ-

ize games and, of course, participate in this annual event. Thanks to Betty Rising and How-

ard & Ann Reichert for coordinating the picnic.

Wishing you a Happy Spring!!

Jeff Till Council President - 380-8080

Council Update

St. Michael’s Trumpet

Christian Education

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Thank You! Thank you! Thank You!

A sincere thank you to all who purchased pinwheels so that St.

Michael's can join the many who are taking a stand against Child

Sexual Exploitation and Neglect. Your generosity made it possible to

donate $151.00 to the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center here

in Syracuse. And the pretty blue and silver pinwheels sure dress up

our front lawn!

Laura King, Jan Kunkle and Emily Zieres

The last day of Sunday School is May 8. Thank you to our teachers and chil-

dren for a great Sunday School year! First Holy Communion will be June 19.

Laura King (380-7325), Jan Kunkle (468-2400)

Sunday School Co-Coordinators

YOUTH - Ga-Ga Youth Event

Thank you for spending your Sunday afternoon at Good Shepherd for the GaGa

Event, April 10 !! Forty-six youth and 15 adults participated and I do believe the kids

had a great time and I am assuming you all did as well! Thanks to Jeff Till and Jan

Kunkle from St. Michael’s for getting the second GaGa court to Good Shepherd and

for the ice-cream and brownies. Thanks to the ladies who helped at the food table,

the brave souls who stayed in the gym to supervise and to everyone who helped

with set- up and clean- up. Another successful event with some great youth and

adults from The Central Crossroads Conference!!Looking forward to seeing every-

one soon.

Bonny McCabe - Central Crossroads Conference Cooperative Youth

Ministry

.Jeff Till (380-8080)

PENTECOST SUNDAY — RITE OF CONFIRMATION — MAY 15

Bill Kunkle, Chairperson, (468-2400)

SPRING CLEAN UP

SAT., MAY 14

BEGIN AT 9:00 A.M.

WITH COFFEE AND TREATS

LUNCH SERVED AT NOON

Our Annual Spring Clean up Day is Sat., May 14.

We will begin at 9:00 a.m. with coffee. There will be

various projects for you to do. Please sign up for one

that interests you. Lunch will be served at noon. Join

us for a day of work but with a purpose - to make St.

Michael’s shine!

Bill Kunkle (468-2400)

Property Committee Chairperson

St. Michael’s Trumpet

Property Committee

SUMMER WORSHIP BEGINS - JUNE 5 One Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.

The Church Picnic will be the summer kick off celebration. We will have coffee and treats following worship.

We will eat at noon. The hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. Please sign up for a side dish or a dessert to bring. Games and fellowship to follow.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

NEWS

Confirmation Class

Schedule

May 1 - Confirmation

Class

May 8 - Confirmation Class

Serve Coffee Hour for

Mother’s Day - Ice Cream

Social

Rite of Confirmation is

Pentecost Sunday

May 15

June 26 - Confirmation

Class serve Coffee Hour

St. Michael’s Trumpet

Learning at the Crossroads

Come Learn and Grow with Friends

Learning Offerings of the Central Crossroads Conference,

Upstate New York Synod

Spring 2016

Saturday, May 21 — “The New Jim Crow”

Discussion of the book by Michelle Alexander with focus

on the problem of continuing racism in the United States.

Registration Forms are available on the Narthex table.

Write check to “Central Crossroads Conference”

($20. each session) and mail to Luther Memorial

Lutheran Church, 425 S. Main St., North Syracuse, NY

13212

Registration must be received by the Thursday before the

Workshop at the latest.

Join us in the Fellowship Hall Following 10:30 a.m.

worship

Sunday, May 8 for an Ice Cream Bar

in Honor of all Women

Sponsored by Confirmation Class

St. Michael’s Trumpet

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church Finance Committee Trumpet Report May 2016

Mother Nature cooperated, and the 2015 audit was conducted on March 19.

Thanks to auditors Brenda Williams, Mort Davis and Rob Smith for taking time to

help with the audit. Please see the list of audited funds in this issue of the Trumpet.

Finance Committee members Beth Healy, Art Johnson, Jeff Till, Jim Breault and

Garth Kmieczak met on April 5. Topics of discussion included helping out the transi-

tion team being formed by Congregation Council Vice President Steve Carlic as we

prepare for the 2017 changes in pastoral leadership, as well as the current status of

the church budget and financials. In addition, members of the Finance Committee

are continuing to work with various lending institutions to get current account au-

thorizations and signature cards up to date.

A brief note on the current financial report: Thanks to the generosity of our congre-

gation, combined with some expenses being lower than planned, there have not

been any withdrawals from the Sale of the Parsonage Property Fund to cover ex-

penses to date. Part of the approval of the 2016 Budget at our Annual Congrega-

tional Meeting last November included a withdrawal of up to $25,000 from that ac-

count to cover expenses, and to date there has not been a need. If you have any

questions regarding the budget, please let me know.

If you are interested in helping out with the Finance Committee, please contact

Chairperson Beth Healy at 315-254-0350 or bfhealy@earthlink.net

St. Michael’s Finance Committee

This and That

Team Samson, consisting of Joshua Walz and Steve Carlic, raised $1,700 for the annual St.

Baldrick’s fundraiser at Kitty Hoynes in Syracuse to fight childhood cancer. Thanks to eve-

ryone who contributed! Even though the event is over, you may donate still at StBal-

dricks.org. Search for Team Samson and help Kitty Hoynes reach $500,000!

CATFISH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Camillus Area Transport Friends In Service Here (CatFISH)

is a volunteer organization that provides transportation to town of Camillus senior citizens

for medical and dental appointments. The service, which is free of charge, is offered on

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Seniors must be ambulatory, unable to drive themselves or have no other means of trans-

portation. CatFISH is a program of the Town of Camillus, and has twenty dedicated volun-

teers. Volunteers act as schedulers, dispatchers, drivers and board members. Due to the

high demand for this service, more drivers are needed. If you would like to serve the com-

munity and become a CatFISH volunteer, please call the Camillus Senior Center at 672-

5820.

Ten Tons of Love is Coming May 2 – May 13 at First English Lutheran Church, Syracuse.

Volunteers are needed to haul, sort and fold tons of clothes and other items from Syracuse

University and Onondaga Community College dorms left behind when students move out.

Ten Tons of Love then distributes them to those in need in the Syracuse area. Work shifts

are weekdays, 11:00-1:00 p.m. or 1:00-3:00 p.m. We will have a group from St. Michael’s

participating. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall and Narthex.

Upstate NY Synod Looking for Help for Synod Assembly

We are looking for assistance loading and unloading for Synod Assembly at the synod of-

fice. It typically takes no more than 1 - 1 1/2 hours. More volunteers make the work easier

and the time shorter.

* Loading on Friday, June 3 - could be any time from 11 a.m. on; we will be flexible to

the schedules of those who are able to assist.

* Unloading on Tuesday, June 7 around 4:00 p.m. upon our return from Rochester. If

you can assist please let Patsy Glista know no later than May 15.

(pglista@upstatenysynod.org or (315) 796-2985. Thank you.

Patsy Glista

St. Michael’s Trumpet

Upcoming Events

St. Michael’s Trumpet

MUSICAL NEWS

The Anglican Church of Saint Mary the Virgin will be hosting a new bi-weekly musical event for all those

who have enjoyed, or thought they might enjoy, singing liturgical chant.

The group will be called The Schola of Saint Mary, and will meet on the first and third Wednesday of every

month from 7:30-9:00. Our goal will be to explore two very different styles of chant singing --- Gregorian

and Anglican. We will be led by Roderick Etzel and Thomas Sauve, two experienced local musicians and

music educators who have spent decades immersed in these musical traditions. This will be a chance to

learn about: the history and theory of chant; how to read neumes, notation and pointing; and the art of

singing this sublime music, from which all modern western music is derived.

If you are interested, please call 637-3899 for more information or simply come to a meeting at Saint

Mary’s (7831 Morgan Road, Liverpool). There are no membership fees or registration, and all are invited.

Defensive Driving Class: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 4947 State Route 31, Clay NY

If you are looking for a reduction on your auto insurance premiums and/or need point reductions on your

license, this is the way to make it happen. To register for the class, please call the Church Office (699-

7268) or email : ImmanuelLutheranChurch@verizon.net .

Donna Gataletto invites you to hear her band play on May 6 at Camillus Park. Here is her background

and involvement with Camillus Park: “I am a member of the Friends of Camillus Park, which is a commu-

nity group trying to bring the community back to the Park. Although the pool has been removed, a wonder-

ful new Splash Pad has replaced it and opening day is set for May 21. Also the park has wonderful walk-

ing trails May – October; they set up Pickleball courts for all to play for free. Additionally the first Friday

from May - September they hold tailgating parties.”

Donna’s band, ECHO, is playing at the first Tailgating Party. The date is Friday, May 6,

5 - 8 p.m. The group will provide the music and participants are just asked to bring their own beverages

and an appetizer to share.

A Birthday Thank you from Pastor Emeritus Ken Heuermann

Dear Friends,

I want to thank you for all the kind cards and calls received for my 85th birthday. I counted over 50 cards,

some serious and some funny, but each carry your best wishes. I thank you so much for being part of this

meaningful milestone.

Love you all,

Pastor Ken

St. Michael’s Trumpet

Church History

Did you know?

December 8, 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of St. Michael’s being officially organized as a congregation.

During this anniversary year, Deacon Betty Rising, one of our charter members, will continue her “Did You

Know?” articles in our Trumpet newsletter, sharing with us her remembrances of our congregation’s history.

On March 1962 ground was broken for a new sanctuary. The ground was so frozen that it had to be

broken up with a pick axe. But the building of St. Michael’s was started. Each day some of us would

walk to the lot to see how many bricks had been placed. Lillian Murray’s husband was one of the ma-

sons who worked on the church building. It was a slow going process but by November it was almost

finished. In December 1962 the building was dedicated. But even before the building was built, the

Lutheran Church Women was organized (now called Women of the ELCA -WELCA). Altar Guild was for-

mally organized. Then Service Guild and the Missionary Guild were formed. Later it became the Mary

Circle. During those years, Service Guild put on many suppers, lunches, etc. and raised money to buy

the stove, dishes etc. for the kitchen. All the Guilds had plenty of work set before them. There were

many, many tears of thankfulness and joy the day the cross was placed on the steeple. It was a beau-

tiful sight and still is. The baldachin* which hangs over the altar was made in the basement of Alice

and Joe Kieffer’s home. More about our altar at a later date. In the meantime, Ruth and Bill Coe

were busy every month publishing the Trumpet using an old mimeograph machine with stencils. What

a job it was! But they got the Trumpet printed each month. For two years West Genesee School Dis-

trict rented the Fellowship Hall for kindergarten classes. There were four classes in the morning and

four in the afternoon. The Red Cross Blood drive was held monthly also. It was decided that no money

making group could rent the building. We wanted to be a self-supporting church. Each Sunday the

ushers would bring up a table, cups and a coffee pot to the Narthex for coffee and fellowship. The

Narthex would get quite crowded at times but it was all worth the trouble.

*St. Michael’s baldacin is the open canopy of wood hanging over the altar in the church. A baldachin,

or baldaquin (from Italian: baldacchino), is a canopy of state over an altar or throne. It had its begin-

nings as a cloth canopy, but in other cases it is a sturdy, permanent architectural feature, particularly

over high altars in cathedrals. One of its functions is to focus attention on the altar. "Baldachin" was

originally a luxurious type of cloth from Baghdad, from which name the word is derived. The word for

the cloth became the word for the ceremonial canopies made from the cloth. Pastor Janet

The picture on the next page is of our baseball team.

Deacon Betty Rising

St. Michael’s Trumpet

Upcoming Guild Events:

Altar Guild

Altar Guild will meet

Mon., May 2, at Bren-

da Williams’ home at

7:00 p.m.

Ruth McConnelee (488-3078)

Mary Circle

Mary Circle will meet on Wed.,

May11, at 9:30 a.m.. in the Fellow-

ship Hall. (Please note the change to

the second Wednesday of the

month.) Lillian Murray will be the

Hostess. We will write summer greet-

ings to our special needs members

and watch the Religions of the World

video on Buddhism. Please join us

for coffee and cake, fellowship and

information on an interesting topic.

Emily Zieres (422-7873)

Service Guild

Service Guild will be meeting on May

17, at noon, in the Fellowship Hall.

Linda Seeland will provide dessert

and give the devotions. Please join

us and bring a sandwich for lunch.

Ann Maxfield (487-1413)

Women’s Events

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

FALL RETREAT

OCTOBER 28 - 29

CHRIST THE KING RETREAT HOUSE

SYRACUSE

Cost: $75.

Includes Friday night and Saturday with room and

breakfast and lunch on Saturday

OR

Saturday only with meals

Cherish All Children 2016 National Gathering

October 20 - 23, 2016 at

Christ the King Seminary East Aurora, NY

Morning and evening prayer led by

Pastor Joanne Stewart Sharing of ministry “best practices”

Community organizing training Sunday worship at Buffalo area ELCA churches

Cost: $250 /person

Questions? Speak with Emily Zieres, 422-7873

St. Michael’s Trum-

pet

Congregation Council

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church

A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (E.L.C.A.)

Upstate New York Synod

Rev. Janet L. Fechner, Pastor

Home Phone: 487-2324 E-Mail: revjlf@twcny.rr.com

Allison Evans Henry, Organist/Adult Choir Director

Paula Hansen, Church Office Secretary

Rev. Kenneth C. Heuermann, Pastor Emeritus

St. Michael’s Deacons are people who have been trained at the Hartwick Seminary Theological

Institute sponsored by the Foothills Conference, and are commissioned to perform specific tasks

within our congregation, as extended volunteer service, without financial reimbursement.

Christine Jones: (468-5902) Liturgical Assistant, Health and Wellness Issues

Caren Paventi: (484-6257) Liturgical Assistant, Christian Education,Visitation

Joan Rasi: (487-0792) Caring Outreach, Wellness Issues

Betty Rising: (487-3932) Liturgical Assistant, Visitation

Lucille Teufel: (685-6109) Liturgical Assistant, Christian Education, Visitation

Emily Zieres: (422-7873) Liturgical Assistant, Adult Christian Education

CONGREGATION COUNCIL 2016

Note: Our Council is in the process of re-structuring. Ministry areas for

which each Council member will have responsibility will be listed when

this process is soon completed.

President: Jeff Till (380-8080)

Vice President: Steve Carlic (673-4398)

Jim Breault (468-3469)

Aren Burnside (708-0854)

Beth Ann Healy (254-0350)

Chuck Kemp (320-4400)

Lillian Murray (487-3704)

Jason Ryder (635-2691)

Emily Zieres (422-7873)

Secretary: Cathy Bauer (468-1998)

Treasurer: Art Johnson (488-4339)

Financial Secretary: Gail Meyer (488-5619)

Deacons

St. Michael’s

Mission Statement

We believe God calls

St. Michael’s Lutheran

Church to be

a community of

Christian faith for all

people,

to worship God

together,

to nurture growth in the

Christian faith,

and to use our God-

given gifts

to serve each other,

our community,

and our world.

.

St. Michael’s Trumpet

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church

5108 W. Genesee St., Camillus, NY 13031

NON-PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 9

CAMILLUS, NY 13031

Ph: 315-487-9360 F: 315-487-7623

E-mail: stmlc@twcny.rr.com

Handicapped Accessible

Address Service Requested

We’re on the web:

www.stmichaelscamillus.org

May 15, 2016

10:30 a.m.

Worship Service

Join us afterwards in the Fellowship Hall for cake

and to personally congratulate this year’s

Confirmands.

All Church Spring Clean Up Saturday

May 2

9:00 a.m. Coffee and treats

Lunch Provided We need your help!