St. Paul's News - April, 2008

8/14/2019 St. Paul's News - April, 2008

1/14April 2008

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Lansing Michigan

Volume 33, IssueBy The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller

St. Paul's NewsApril, 200With Reservation

Go Green!

By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

Its only in Spartan circles that the announcement that we are Going Green would be metwith a cheer and a response of Go White. To St. Paulsalthough many are Spartansthe

call to "Go Green is a call to become more ecologically aware of the situations and opportuni-ties that surround us. In this case, we are asking that all consider bringing their used cell phones,batteries and computer ink cartridges to Church on a regular basis and depositing them in ournew receptacle, which will be found in the Merrifield Room. Not only is this beneficial to the envi-ronment, the aforementioned items will be recycled by CarsINC, our new mens guild. CarsINC(Cars In the Name of Christ) is a group of men who work closely with Christian Services to pro-vide transportation for those who are worthy but unable to purchase a vehicle on their own.

Many thanks to Dorothy Marsh for her artwork in painting the receptacle.

Calendar 12-13

Choir Schedule 9

Prayer List 6

St. Pauls News 6, 8

Upcoming 2-5

Vestry News 7

Youth Group 10

Mission

& Outreach11

Inside this issue:

By the time many of you read this, I will be on Sabbatical. Onceagain I would like to thank you, as a parish, and the Vestry, as the

authoritative body, for this gift. As I write this, some 15 days before I amscheduled to be away, I am beginning to become excited. But even in theexcitement, there is some reservation. The reservation grows out of therealization that I will not see you for several months, and I know I willmiss you.

When Jesus began his period of ministry, the first thing he did was to call the disciples and form acommunity. They lived together, traveled together and learned to love one another in what wasan all-too-short, three-year period. During that time, Jesus tried to teach them what it meant to bedevoted to God, devoted to themselves and devoted to each other. Im not sure they ever com-pletely understood the theology He tried to teach. At the crucifixion, all but a few ran and hid.When He appeared after the resurrection, they were afraid. When they tried to teach it to oth-ers, they were often in disagreement. What the disciples did understand was the community theyestablished. After the crucifixion, not knowing what else to do when they were alone and afraid,they re-gathered in the upper room to console each other. For the next 20 to 30 years, they werenever far from one another and continually lived as community. It was Paul who made the greatestchange in this somewhat confined community. He was the vagabond who traveled all over theMediterranean world and caused Christians to rethink their theology because of what he saw.

We have a community. I think I have become one of you and, together, we all are St. Pauls. This isa good place to be. I think we reflect many of the good aspects of what a Church should be. Nev-ertheless, this separation is important. One of the greatest challenges to ones faith is to keep it inmotion. It is too easy to fall into the same patterns day after day and week after week. This sepa-

(Continued on page 5)

The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller


2/14April 2008

Page 2 Upcoming St. Paul's ActivitiesActivities at a Glance

Ongoing Activities

St. Aelreds Guild

Book Cart, 2nd Sunday after 10 AM B&PW, Tuesday, April 8, 6 PM ECW, third Monday, 7 PM St. Elizabeth Guild, Tuesday, April 22, 12:30 PM

at the home of Joan VanAuken Family Night Dinner, Wednesdays, 5-6 PM 4 Fs, second and fourth Mondays, noon to 2 PM St. Pauls Library, open every Sunday Prayer Group, first Tuesday, 5:30 PM, Choir Re-

hearsal Room Mens Breakfast, third Thursday, 7-8 AM, Hill Room Mid-Week Eucharist, Tuesdays, noon

This Month at St. Pauls and Elsewhere Becoming the Household of God, Aril 4 & 5, St.

Johns Church, Royal Oak Youth Activity, Box City, Friday, April 11 Pre-Marriage Series, Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30 PM,

Wednesdays beginning April 16

Spring Blood Drive, Saturday, April 19 Serving God with Gladness Womens retreat,

April 25 & 26, Weber Center Youth Activity, Nightwatch, April 26-27 Choir Auction, Sunday, April 27, following 10 AM

service

Looking Ahead

Ascension Day Outreach Dinner, Thursday, May 1 Ministry Fair, Saturday, May 3, 8:30 AM to 4 PM ACTION of Greater Lansing, May 5 and 19 Mens Golf League, Thursdays, beginning, May 8,

3:30 PM UTO Ingathering, Sunday, May 11 Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation, Satur-

day, May 10, 10:30 AM, St. Michaels, Lansing Graduation Sunday, June 1 Parish Sunday Mass/Picnic in the Park, June 8, 10

AM, Lake Lansing Vacation Bible School, June 23-27, 9 AM to Noon

Pre-Marriage Series

By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.

Springtime, summertime and marriage-time, everything in its own time and season. Contemplating mar-riage? Planning your wedding? Well, dont forget to schedule time for this years pre-marriage classes,

offered here at St. Pauls. This years series is entitled Sailing the Four (C) Seas, and will begin April 16 andrun every Wednesday evening through May 6. Classes will start at 6:15 p.m. and end promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Clergy and lay ministers will provide and engage participants in various perspectives on marriage, rangingfrom church, communication, children, and cash. To enroll, please contact the church office or sign up at the ta-ble outside the Merrifield room. For questions or additional information please contact Fr. Ron.

St. Elizabeth Guild

By Debby Pierce

April 22 will be the first spring meeting of theSt. Elizabeth Guild. We will meet at the

home of Joan VanAuken at 12:30 p.m. Ourguest speaker will be a representative of Rain-bow Homes. If you would like to join St. ElizabethGuild or just attend a meeting, we would love tohave you anytime. Please call Debby Pierce at485-5446 or 394-4800 for additional informa-tion.

B&PW

By Barbara Richardson

Our meeting on April 8 will feature Eileen Hatt, alocal artist and retired teacher. Eileen will tell us

about her trip to the White House when she was aguest at a tea for those artists who painted ornamentsfor the 2006 White House Christmas tree. She willshow us some of her ornaments and demonstrate howshe does her designs.

Dinner is at 6 p.m. in the Hill Room. Reservations arerequested by contacting Debby Pierce. All are wel-come to our meeting.


3/14April 2008

Page 3Upcoming St. Paul's Activities4 Fs 2008 Programs Taking Care of Ourselves & Others

By Nancy Sheldon

T

he 4 Fs meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of

each month for12 noon Eucharist,12:30 p.m. lunch,1:00 Bible Study and the program from1:15 2 p.m.

April 14

Looking back at the social policies in U.S. health carewith Luke Shaefer

April 28

The future of health care in the United States as

presidential candidates put forth their different plans

with Anne Rosewarne, President of the MichiganHealth Council

May 12

Year-end picnic with participants giving a brief reviewof the one or two of their favorite books that wouldmake for good summer reading

Outreach Dinner May 1

By Bill Fineout, Diaconal Candidate

You are invited to a parish dinner on Thurs-day, May 1, 2008, hosted by the Mission &

Outreach team. Mark your calendars! Tentatively,dinner will be at 6 p.m. with Holy Eucharist follow-ing at 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted. Moreinformation will be in the May newsletter and the

Sunday bulletins.

Baptismal Covenant ClassesBy The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.

On April 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, we will beoffering a Baptismal Covenant class to pre-

pare interested candidates for Holy Baptism onMay 11, The Day of Pentecost. This class is re-quired for those parents and godparents whoseek baptism for their children. The next class willnot be offered until the fall.

Participants will discuss the Baptismal Covenant as

delineated in the Book of Common Prayer, reflecton their personal spiritual journey and look atprivate responses to our Christian calls to serviceand action. Please contact the Church office orsign up on table outside the Merrifield room.

Going Going... Gone!By Vicki Walker

Mark your calen-dars for April

27, 2008 because itsAuction time again!Once every fouryears, the St. PaulsChoirs organize andhost an auction tohelp support the cho-

risters England trip tostudy church music.We need your help!Do you have something you might be able to donate?Ideas include antiques to sports tickets, musical instru-ments to household items, getaway weekends to giftcertificates. Big or small, this is a great way to help aworthy cause, clean house a bit and pick up someamazing deals along the way. A letter is being sent tothe entire St. Pauls parish family to provide furtherdetails, and soon the St. Pauls choristers will be con-tacting members of the parish asking for prayers, sup-port and donations. They will even sing to you if you

want!!

The Auction will take place Sunday, April 27, 2008,following the 10 a.m. service, and a light box lunch willbe available. Invite your friends, family and coworkersfor a fabulously fun afternoon of bargains, biddingsand boxes (lunch variety only), as we celebrate thefinal major fundraising effort for England 2008.

If you have any questions, contact Auction Chair, JuliePowers at [email protected], 1-301-452-3693or 332-3131.


4/14April 2008

Page 4 Upcoming St. Paul's Activities


O

n Saturday, May 9, Bishop Wendell N.

Gibbs, Jr. will visit Lansing for the purpose ofConfirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation. TheService will be held at St. Michaels in south Lans-ing and will be open to all who have been suffi-ciently instructed. This service begins at 10:30a.m.

Confirmation is the sacramental rite available toall persons who have been baptized as childrenand now want to have that rite of initiation af-firmed by the bishop with the laying on of hands.Reception is the rite of initiation that is availablefor all persons who have had their infant baptism

affirmed by a bishop in another denominationand now want to make a statement of their inten-tion to be a sacramental part of the EpiscopalChurch. Finally, Reaffirmation is the occasion thatmany Episcopalians take to restate their faith asChristians. If you would like to participate in anyof these rites, please contact the front office orone of the clergy.

Confirmation

ACTION of Greater Lansing

By Bill Fineout, Diaconal Candidate

T

he justice ministry team for St. Pauls attended the focus rally at the Community Problems Assembly after

listening to parishioner and community concerns. There the justice ministry teams from 13 Lansing-areachurches assembled to vote on this years topic: Housing.

Over the next month and a half, research teams will interview and report on as many aspects of local housingissues as possible. Many concerns will be looked at and studied, including lack of affordable housing, red-tagged homes and families losing their homes. This research will culminate in choosing one issue to be pre-sented to the ACTION community churches on May 5 at the ACTION Rally. The final issue which it is hoped willbe changed in 2008 will be prepared for presentation two weeks later. On May 19, we will meet with thepertinent government housing officials who have the power and authority to make change. There we will pub-licly present the problem and solution (the officials will be presented with our findings ahead of this meeting).At this Nehemiah ACTION Assembly, we need your help to make this years justice ministry issue important tothe selected officials.

Last year, St. Pauls had 37 people attend this assembly. For 2008, we are hoping for many more of you. Youdont have to donate any money or goods, just that evenings time. The St. Pauls justice ministry team needspeople who are willing to be counted in support, as we present this years issue to the appropriate elected,appointed or business officials, who have the power to make a difference in peoples lives. Plan on joining usMay 5 and May 19; time and location of both meetings are to be determined.

You are also welcome to join our St. Pauls justice ministry team and the ACTION research teams.

St. Pauls to Host Ministry Fair


O

n Saturday, May 3, St. Pauls will host the 6th an-

nual Diocesan Ministry Fair. The Fair begins at8:30 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m. Lunch is providedfor those staying for both the morning and afternoonsessions. Because the Ministry Fair is so large, the dio-cese will also be using the Central United MethodistChurch facility next door.

The Ministry Fair is a gathering of learning centers andeducational opportunities that provide attendees witha wide variety of experiential learning. Please markthe date on your calendar. More information and a listof the centers will be available in the May issue of theSPN.


5/14April 2008

Page 5Upcoming St. Paul's ActivitiesDates to Remember from the Parish Life Committee

By Millie Erickson, Vestry Member

T

he Parish Life Committee is busy planning events for spring and for next year. The Parish Family Game

Night will be back in the fall; the One Book, Many Journeys book read in the winter; and other excitingideas are in the works. Two upcoming dates to make note of:

The Gathering Night at the Theater, Saturday May 10Start the evening with hearty hors doervres at the home of Sally and Don Lawrence at 6 p.m. Continue toThe BoarsHead Theater at 8 p.m. for Escanaba in Love by Jeff Daniels. The cost of tickets is $18.00. Signup outside the Merrifield Room. More details to follow.

Parish Sunday Mass and Picnic in the Park, June 8 at Lake LansingThe 10 a.m. service will be at the park (only the 8 a.m. service will be at the Church as usual), followed bya picnic, games and activities. More details to follow.

UTO

By Nancy Milne

The next United ThankOffering collection will

be Sunday, May 11. Enve-lopes will be available on

both that Sunday and the Sunday before, May 4.For those of you who are traditionalists and put inyour pennies of thanksgiving throughout the year,the boxes will be collected at that time as well.

At least three-quarters of the money collectedstays in the U.S. The UTO board metes out thegrants with special attention to the disadvantagedwithin the diocesan mission strategy. The grantsare usually fairly small and some are used to pro-vide services to smaller churches, such as getting aleaky roof replaced, plumbing repairs or buildinga handicapper access. All of the funds must bespent within a year.

If you are feeling particularly thankful, pleasemake a contribution to the UTO on May 11, andwe will be grateful to you.

Graduation Sunday

By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.

As is our custom, wewill honor our high

school, college and ad-vanced-degree graduateson Sunday June 1. At 9a.m., the Vestry will pro-vide a breakfast for thehigh school graduates and

their families. During the 10 a.m. Eucharist, there willbe a short ceremony and graduates will be presentedwith a small gift from the congregation.

Members or relatives of parishioners graduating thisyear are asked to contact the parish office and pro-vide the name of the institution and date of gradua-tion.

ration will give a new perspective of who we are and where Christ is calling us. Indeed, I need renewal my-self, for spiritual, emotional and physical reasons. You have wonderful people in charge and I have nodoubt that all will be well. Please remember Linda and me in your prayers. We will think of you often. Au-gust is not so far in the future.

(Continued from, With Reservation, page 1)


6/14April 2008

Page 6

St. Paul's News

St. Pauls Prayer List

We pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson, Richard, Audrie &Aaron Hegmon, Shelley Robinson, Grady & Dennis Letner, Clara Voges, Mason Hill,

Lois Caswell, June Wyatt, Dick Siebert, Carol, Judith Jones, Becky Chamberlain, Nancy

Hiscoe Clark, Charles Weaver, Ben Herbert, Chance Collins, Caroline Thomas and her

family, Betty Jensen, Dan Heany, Mary Ann Kelley, Ed Farmer, Ed Jones, Justin, Eliza-

beth, Barb Hacker, Andrew Astley, Michael Skinner, Ginny Bancroft, Darrick, Chris,

Tom, Cheryl, Patricia Utter, Marjorie Belles, Edith Self, Cal, Christopher, Carrie, Sally,Kathryn & Elizabeth Senko, Kaema Amachree, Daphne Such and Aleda

We pray for and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas: Daniel Reno, DanielLaurion and David Granger

We pray for those expecting: Rachel & Jeff Bott, Kym & Matt Hall and Andrea Horton

We pray for and celebrate the birth of Samuel Charles, son of Jessica and Justin Leonard

We pray for those who have died and for their families: Fred B. Perry, Jr.

Prayer List

Calling all heroes!

By Carol Laub

A

hoy, ye good-hearted pirates! All hands on deck for a whale of a good

time as the "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything-A VeggiTales VBS"docks at St. Paul's from June 23-27. Kids from age three to fifth grade areinvited for a fun-filled week exploring what it means to be a true hero forGod. Our travels center around the verse of the week: "I can do all thingsthrough Christ because he gives me strength," Philippians 4:13. Our crews willlaunch their day with the Yo-ho-ho opening show where we will sing livelysongs, view a movie clip, learn our daily Bible theme (e.g., true heroes do theright thing), and participate in skits. Then we will sail on to adventures in TheSpyglass Bible Theater, Whipcrack Island Games, Rock Monster Science Lab,Clapping Rock Crafts and Cheesecurl Cave Snacks. To book your spot on our

crew, call the church office (482-9454), fill out a registration form or contact Carol Laub (349-5149) withquestions. To enlist as part of our seaworthy crew (volunteers), look for inserts in the church bulletin.

In Spite of Wind, Ice and Snow

By Sue Millar

In spite of wind, ice, snow and cold, you came,you searched and you purchased books, tapes

and DVDs at our third fundraiser for EpiscopalRelief and Development. The most important resultis that, because of the funds we sent to ERD (a total of $1,220), life will be better for many who suffer fromdisease or hunger. Thank you for the difference you have made. Also, many of us are enjoying some new,good reading or viewing.

I want to express special thanks to the wonderful crew who sorted, organized and sold your donated books:Karlene Bach, Barb Hamm, Carol Ingells and Carol Miller. Actually, we had a great time in the process.

See you next year.


7/14April 2008

Page 7

News from the VestryFinancial Information as of February 29, 2008

By Jeff Irwin

Pledge income was $53,561 as of February 29, 2008, which is 18% of the 2008 budget. February is 16.7%

of the year.

February had an operations loss of $17,400, which brings the year-to-date loss to $18,504. A large insurancebill and the cost of the 2008 snowplowing added to this total. Through February 29, the designated and re-stricted funds had net revenue of $2,180. The combined net loss was $16,324.

In February, it was necessary to withdraw $10,000 from the Perpetual Fund to make payroll and pay out-standing bills. An additional $10,000 was also withdrawn in early March.

The Penniman Trust funds should be received in April and are expected to be over $50,000. Ninety percentwill go into the St. Paul's Perpetual fund and 10% will go into the Mission and Outreach fund.

At its March 18 meeting, your Vestry:

Had Lenten/Easter devotions by discussing theirthoughts and feelings about Holy Week andEaster

Accepted a presentation by Mandy Lawtonabout the state of our needlepoint kneelers. Theyare in need of repair. They are 40+ years oldand the padding is disintegrating. Approved upto $750 from the Memorial Fund to begin repair

of the kneelers Received the Treasurer's Report. (Synopsis found

elsewhere in this issue.) Authorized $50,000 to be taken from the Perpet-

ual Fund as needed for operations Received a report from the Sabbatical Committee

that preparations have been made for Fr. Wellerto be away and that the committee will be meet-ing on a regular basis until the Sabbatical is over.

Received a report on ACTION of Greater Lansingfrom members of our Justice Ministry Team. Thefocus this year will be housing. Research is in pro-gress with results and action initiatives being pre-

sented in early May Welcomed new Vestry member John Nevin, as a

replacement for Libby Richardson Reviewed the "Action Plan" and approved its be-

ing presented to the congregation in March. Accepted for review a pamphlet entitled "The

Committee System at St. Paul's." The pamphletlists committees, members, chairs of these commit-tees, suggestions on how to conduct a meeting,and "Smart Goals," some guidelines of how todevelop goals

Received various committee reports: Learned many Building and Grounds projects

are in order, parish workday on April 26 Discussed the Web site Noted the many educational opportunities

available through June Applauded Baylie Sanchez selection to at-

tend The Episcopal Youth Conference in SanAntonio

Noted the visitation of Ms. Jo Ganzer, DiocesanCanon for Lifelong Learning, on April 20. She willpreach at both services and be available follow-ing the service for questions.

Noted that St. Paul's will host the Diocesan Minis-try Fair on May 3. Our building will be used aswell as Central United Methodist Church

Discussed Diocesan and National Episcopal news

including: The proposed moving of the Diocesan offices The Diocesan Budget The meeting of the House of Bishops Lambeth, 2008

Adjourned at 9:05 p.m. (Thanks be to God)

Vestry Highlights


8/14April 2008

St. Paul's NewsPage 8

A Great Read

Book Review by Susan LeDuc

Ijust read a fascinating book entitled The Mascot: Unraveling the Mystery of My Jewish Fathers Nazi Boy-hoodby Mark Kurzem. It was published in November 2007. I love mysteries, but this is a true story, a his-

tory lesson and a mystery all rolled into one. Mr. Kurzems father, Alex, was five-years-old when Nazi soldierscame to his little town in Belarus. The villagers were slaughtered by the soldiers who were clearing the way tomake room for German Jews to be moved out of Germany. Alex escaped and lived in the woods for severalweeks on his own before he was found by Latvian soldiers in Nazi uniforms. A kindly sergeant takes him inand, in washing him, sees that the little boy is circumcised. He warns Alex never to let anyone know that he is a

Jew.

The young boy is adopted by the troop and believes that he is a real soldier. Eventually the commandertakes an interest in the boy and even has several Nazi uniforms made for him. He is taken into the householdof a family for a time. After the war, he emigrates to Australia with a number of other people from the East-ern front, including the family who befriended him. He makes a new life there, marries and has three children.

Alex Kurzem begins his search in Australia by seeking out a Holocaust survivor group. They reject him and donot believe his story. But his memories continue to haunt him and he asks his son, Mark, to help find the truth ofwhat happened. He remembers three words and thinks maybe one is his name and maybe one is the name ofhis village.

The book is the story of Marks efforts to help his father: his fathers struggle to come to terms with his past andhis fear that he may have been involved in pogroms; and the impact of these revelations on his family, who

did not know that Alex was Jewish. I wont tell you what happens because that would spoil the mystery.TheMascotwill leave you thinking about intolerance and war and the toll both take on children.

Becoming the Household of God


F

or the last ten years, the diocese of Michigan has gathered on the first weekend in April for an event

called Becoming the Household of God. This conference explores the question, What do I do, once Isay I believe? In its broadest sense, this has been a yearly stewardship conference: how we can be responsi-ble to our calling as Christians. This years conference is again to be held at St. John's, on Woodward Avenue,in Royal Oak. The Friday evening session begins at 6:00 pm on April 4th. The Saturday, April 5th continuation,begins at 8:30 an and concludes at 4:00 pm. Information is available from the parish office or one of theclergy.

In the past there have been wonderful speakers like Douglas Meeks, Walter Wink, Terry Parsons, The Rev. Dr.Kelley Brown Douglas, The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, Sister Jose Hobday, Phyllis Tickle, Ched Myers and TheRt. Rev. Michael B. Curry. This year, the speaker will be The Very Rev. Tracey Lind, Dean of Trinity Cathedralin Cleveland, Ohio. She is a wonderful speaker and author of the book, Interrupted by God.


9/14April 2008

Page 9

A big thank you! goes to all choristers (and their parents who have given the time and energy to get them

to rehearsals and services!) for your work on Cabaret, Palm Sunday and Easter. Your music did so muchto bless the lives of the parishioners in so many ways. You really did help to put the Alleluia! into the

services. THANK YOU!

Sunday, April 6

All choirs are invited to sing for this service.

Wednesday, April 9, and Thursday, April 10

Because of spring break, there will be no rehearsals (including Handbell Choir) or other Family Night

activities this week.

Sunday, May 18,

The Choir Banquet will follow the 10 a.m. service. All Youth Choirs please save this date!

Choir Newsletter and Dates to Remember

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

April 6 (Since this is the beginning of most school vacations, all

choristers who are present are invited to sing for this ser-

viceBoys and Grace, High School, and Chancel)

April 13 Chancel; High School



May 4 High School; Chancel

May 11 Cherubs, Boys and Grace, High School, Chancel



June 1 (Graduation Sunday) High School; Chancel

Singing Schedule

Date Choirs

St. Paul's Choirs

Cabaret

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

Cabaret 2008 was a huge success thanks to the support of the parish, and especially to Debby and MaxPierce, who donated the food for the dinner. The England choristers raised more than $1,400 to put to-

ward their upcoming trip to England, from August 9 until August 25. This year they will attend a Royal Schoolof Church Music Residential Course in Bath, England, from August 18 to August 24. Details of the upcoming tripwill be included in next months St. Pauls News. A big thank you goes to all who supported this activity!


10/14April 2008

Page 10 St. Pauls Youth Ministry

Box City is Coming to St. Pauls

On April 11, St. Pauls Youth Group will experience being homeless for a night. In an effort to raise aware-ness and money for the homeless, the youth group will give up their beds for one night to sleep in card-

board boxes outdoors in our parking lot.

Box City is an opportunity for the youth to put themselves in the shoes of the homeless. The event will begin withtwo speakers from Lansing Rescue Mission. One was a previously homeless person who will share his story. Fol-lowing this presentation, the youth will set up their cardboard boxes and decorate them according to a theme.

Later in the evening, a soup-kitchen style dinner will be served, followed by a scavenger hunt based on scrip-ture.

We are asking the youth not to bring any type of electronics (iPods, cell phones, video games, etc.) and tochoose only five things from a list of approximately 20 items allowed. They will need to take into considerationthat, as a homeless person living in a cardboard box, they will probably not have access to running water orelectricity.

The youth group invites your support in the form of pledges and donations, as well as new and gently usedblankets. All proceeds will be donated to the Lansing Rescue Mission which is in the process of building the Ma-plewood Center, a facility that will shelter women and children. Please visit our display in the Merrifield Roomwhere there will be a drop-off site for blankets, as well as a pledge-sheet for donations.

Help us help the homeless. Its time to Think Outside The Box!

Youth Ministry Articles Provided in Collaboration By:

Youth Christian Education and Youth Fellowship Chairperson, Dr. Judith Brown-ClarkeYouth Group Executive Council President, Steven Kariuki

Youth Group Coordinator, Barbara HeanyYouth Group Advisor, Tom Foltz

Acolyte Guild, Directors Patricia Bellinger & Carol SleightThe Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate

Upcoming Youth Events:

April 11-12 Card Box City Lock-in, 6 p.m.to Noon

April 26-27 Nightwatch, 12 p.m. to 12 p.m. ,Cathedral Church of St. Paul,Detroit, Michigan

Nightwatch: Detroit

YAYA (Youth and Young Adult Ministries) ofthe Diocese of Michigan is sponsoring Night-

watch: Detroit 2008, on April 26-27. Nightwatchis a diocesan-wide event designed to bring to-gether high school aged Episcopalians for aweekend of adventure, community, worship andmystery. Buses will pick up (and drop off) kidsfrom all over the diocese and take them to theCathedral Church of St. Pauls for an overnightChristian experience, not soon to be forgotten. Ifyou are interested in having your child participatein Nightwatch: Detroit 2008, please contact Fr.Ron for more details.


11/14April 2008

Page 11Mission and Outreach

Dr. Lange gives a Speech to the Youth GroupBy Steve Kariuki, Youth Vestry Member

On March 3, Dr. Lange, minister of music, came andtalked to the youth group about the eight millen-

nium development goals: eradicating extreme pov-erty, achieving universal education, promoting genderequality, reducing child mortality, improving maternalhealth, combating malaria and other diseases, ensur-ing environment stability, and developing a globalpartnership. Dr. Lange helped the youth visualize howhard it would be to live in these conditions by having

them imagine if they didnt have any electronics, trans-portation, enough food or even lived without a family.Dr. Lange related developing goals to the parableteachings, teaching the difference between a goatand sheep. Even if you just have one talent, you shoulduse it to the best of your capabilities. The youth groupwill participate in the read to feed program to helpcontribute to the millennium goals.

Millennium Development Goal Set


Following the March 16 Palm/Passion Sunday service, members of the parish gathered in the MerrifieldRoom to discuss and vote on the goal for 2008. Realizing that we have until 2015 to complete the eight

goals and acknowledging that all of them are important, the congregation opted to select the task of raisingenough money to drill a well in a yet undesignated third-world country.

Clean water is the number one health and survival issue around the world. Over one-billion people dont haveit and cant get it, forcing dirty and unhealthy situations on men, women and children alike.

In related discussions, it was recognized that the efforts of Chuck Millar and those who have been assisting theSudanese in receiving an education should continue to be supported by the parish. This was a five-year projectthat has gone mostly unacknowledged, except by those who have supported it.

The bottom line: Every time you take a drink of water, remember that there are people dying because theycant get what we so often take for granted. Lets try to provide health and water for those without.

Mission & Outreach Activities:

Where is Christ calling you to help others?

April 1-30

MDG Project Choice

April 11-12

Youth Cardboard Box City Lock-in

April 19

Blood Drive Red Cross

April 27

England Choristers Auction

May 1

Ascension Day Outreach Dinner/Eucharist

May 3

Ministry Fair for the Diocese of Michigan At St.

Pauls; Sessions to be Announced

May 5

ACTION Rally

May 11

UTO Ingathering

May 12, 7pm

LAEP (Lansing Area Episcopal Projects) Mtg. StDavids

May 19

ACTION Nehemiah Action Assembly

Check the newsletter articles and the Sunday Bulletin

Announcements for additional details and informa-tion.


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218 W. Ottawa

Lansing, MI 48933Phone: 517-482-9454

Fax: 517-485-8621

Choir Room: 517-482-0369

Website: Stpaulslansing.org

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Lansing Michigan

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TheSt. Pauls News is a publication of St. Pauls EpiscopalChurch, Lansing Michigan.

St. Pauls Episcopal Church Staff

The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller, Rector

The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., Curate

Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

Mr. William H. Fineout, Diaconate Candidate

Ms. Mary Rodeck, Assistant Minister of Music

Ms. Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager

St. Pauls News Editorial Staff

Christine Caswell, Editor

Helen Hiscoe, Proofreader

Tom Shawver, Staff Writer

Lyn Zynda, Layout Editor

Documents

St. Paul's News - April, 2008