st. paul's news - mar. 2009

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St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Lansing Michigan

Volume 34, Issue 3

St. Paul's News

March, 2009

Calendar 15

Choir Schedule 7

Mission and

Outreach10

Prayer List 6

Upcoming

Activities2-5

Inside this issue:

By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

From a Different Perspective

Its the 15th, Sunday evening at 5 p.m., and it is St. Pauls News dead-line day. This month its different because rather than being at home,

Im in South Carolina to have a first peek at my grandson. When itcame time for Church this morning, we decided to go to the non-denominational church Sarah and Joe go to. They met at a church likethis while still in college and have continued to go one like it after com-ing to South Carolina. I have to say that their service is not your typical

Episcopal service.

The first thing you notice upon entering is that it is somewhat dark inside, and many have coffee intheir hands. Most are in jeansincluding the ministerial staff. There is no altar, and the chancel is astage about 75 feet wide. The music is a seven-piece band; the choir, being members of the bandwith microphones attached to their ears, are very loud. The chairs are in amphitheater setting,padded, and people stroll in and out in a very informal manner.

When the service starts, everyone stands and begins to follow the words printed on the threescreens behind the band. They have a great sound system, and every participant alternates being

(Continued on page 14)

The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller

Listening Is An Act of Love

By Martie Repaskey, Sr. Warden

Recently, I read the book, Listening is an Act of Love, a celebration of American life from theStoryCorps project. At the heart of StoryCorps is the recording and documentation of five

years of conversations between people who are important in each others livesa daughter ask-ing her mother about her childhood, a couple reminiscing on their 50th anniversary, a grandchildasking about his grandfathers history. The StoryCorps experience has been simply about helpingpeople to connect and talk about their lives, and it has had powerful and sometimes life-changingeffects on the almost 23,000 individuals who have participated. In partnership with National PublicRadio and the American Folk life Center at the Library of Congress, StoryCorps is an independent,nonprofit initiative which assists its participants in celebrating one anothers lives through listening.Many of those people have reported that the act of listening to stories may be as powerful asthose who are participating in the telling.

It occurred to me that we, at St. Pauls, may experience similarities as we listen to one another tell-ing our faith stories, relating anecdotes of our past, and reminiscing about our experiences of theold days as we engage in the celebrations ahead for our 160th anniversary. We all have storiesto tell, and in the listening we will hear about courage, humor, faith-challenged trials and triumphsof the pilgrims walking their way through the years. No matter our years of membership in thisChristian family, the experience can be enriching for all, with a reminder of our commonality inChrist, and just how precious each day can be!


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March 2009

St. Paul's NewsPage 2

Activities at a Glance

Ongoing Activities

St. Aelreds Guild, third Wednesday, 4:30 PM

Book Cart, 1st and 2nd Sunday after 10 AM B&PW, Tuesday, February 10, 6 PM ECW, 3rd Monday, 7 PM Family Night Dinner, Wednesdays, 5 PM 4 Fs, replaced by Lenten Book reviews, see article

on page 5 St. Pauls Library, open every Sunday Prayer Group, 1st Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 PM Mens Breakfast, 3rd Thursday, 7 AM Mission/Outreach, first Monday, 5:30 PM Mid-Week Eucharist, Tuesdays, noon

This Month at St. Pauls and Elsewhere Lenten Book Reviews, March 2, 9, 16, and 30,

11:30 Eucharist, Noon 1 PM Lunch Lenten Series, Wednesday, March 4, 11, 18, 25

and April 2, 6:15 PM Baptism Preparation Classes, March 14, 21, 28, 9-

11:30 AM Healing Sunday, March 15

Becoming the Household of Christ, March 27-28,Cathedral Church of St. Paul

Cabaret, Saturday, March 28, 5 PMLooking Ahead

An Evening at the Theater, Saturday, April 4,Sally & Don Lawrence, BoarsHead Theater

Baptism, Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, May 31 Special Diocesan Convention, April 18, 8 AM-2:30

PM, St. Pauls Cathedral, Detroit Blood Drive, Saturday, April 25, 8 AM2 PM ACTION, April 28, May 12, 2009 7 PM Adult Confirmation Preparation, Saturday, May 2,

9 & 16, 9 AMnoon Godspell, May 29 & 30, Central United Methodist

Church Bishop visit to St. Pauls, Saturday, May 30, 10:30

AM 160th Anniversary Celebration, May, 2009 Sunday Eucharist & Picnic in the Park, Sunday, June

14

Healing Sunday Eucharist on

March 15

By The Very Rev. Gordon F. Weller

The Sunday, March 15 services will offer a healingEucharist. This will be similar in format to the regu-

lar Tuesday noon healing Eucharist service that we nowoffer in the chapel.

For those of you who would like healing prayers and/or the laying on of hands, you may receive them imme-diately after receiving communion when you filethrough the cloister. We will have one or two stationsprovided for healing prayer.

This will be the first Sunday in some time since we haveoffered this opportunity. So please mark your calen-dars if you are interested. Others who may not wantprayers may return to their pews in the normal fashion.

Healing is one of the oldest ministries of the church andwas a major ministry of Christ. We are all broken insome fashion in body, mind, or spirit. And our societyspends billions of dollars on amazing medical reme-dies. Maybe it is also time to spend a few moments ona spiritual one. Take this opportunity to invite the heal-ing presence of Jesus into your life.

We will pray for your own needs or for the needs ofothers for whom you may be concerned. The celebrantand the ushers will provide you with directions at thatservice.

Special Diocesan Convention


In October 2008, the Diocesan Convention set aside April 18 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Cathedralin Downtown Detroit to consider the monetary difficulties facing the Diocese. Our delegates attending will be

Charlie Krupka, Martie Repaskey, and MaryLea Benson. In addition, our clergy, Gordon Weller, Ron Byrd,Chuck Millar, Bill Ericson and Bill Fineout have voice and vote. Should you wish to attend to see the Church inaction, please contact one of the above and a car pool will be established.

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March 2009

St. Paul's News Page 3

160 Years at St

PaulsWhere ourPast Welcomes our

Future

By Nancy Sheldon

Dont forget to mark your calen-dars for St. Pauls 160th Celebra-tion!

May 3rd - Music and Worship

May 10th Children (its also Mothers Day)

May 17th - Mission and Outreach

(May 24th Memorial Day Weekend)

May 30th Heritage Dinner Theatre at StPauls

May 31st - Homecoming Sunday

Lenten Series


This year's series is entitled The Episcopal Clergyand Parishes of the Lansing Area. On five succes-

sive Wednesdays (March 4 - April 1), we will hearfrom the clergy of the other parishes in the Lansingarea and the interests that hold us in common. Sessionswill begin at 6:15 pm and conclude at 7:30 p.m. Din-ner is available by signing the Family Night guest listand a 5:30 p.m. arrival. Listed below are the speakersand their extended topics:

March 4 The Rev. Terry Williamson - Christ United,

DeWitt, "The Episcopalian Lutheran Rela-tionship"

March 11 The Rev. Wayne Knuckle - St Augustine's,Mason, "The Small Episcopal Church"

March 18 The Rev. Richard Hamlin - St. Michael's,Lansing, "The Connection between the Na-tional Church and Individual Parishes"

March 25 The Rev. Jannel Glennie, St Katherine's,Williamson, "Mysticism and the Church

April 1 The Rev. Sarah Midzalkowski, CanterburyMSU, "Campus Ministry - Local, Diocesan,and National"

Cabaret

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

C

abaret 2009 will be held on Saturday, March 28, with a delicious

Italian dinner (including salad, roll, main course, dessert and drink)beginning at 5 p.m. in the Merrifield Room. At 6 p.m. (or close to that),the entertainment will begin in the church. The proceeds of this eveningsevents will benefit the high-school choirs study/travel trip to England this August. Tickets for dinner and enter-tainment are $13 for adults and $7 for children, or just $5 for the show alone. Tickets for dinner should be pur-chased by Wednesday, March 25; tickets for just the show will be available on March 28. Please invite friendsand neighbors to attend this evening of great fun and entertainment. There will be special numbers by membersof the Cherubs and Boys and Grace Choirs, along with delightful acts by members of the High School andChancel Choir members. For more information, please contact Stephen Lange at 482-0369.

Stations of the Cross

On Monday, March 30, Minister of MusicStephen R. Lange will present The Stations of

the Cross, a collection of 14 improvisations on the14 Stations of the Cross, written by organist Mar-cel Dupre. The presentation will last about one hourand will include slides of the Passion shown duringthe organ pieces. Between each of the numbers,Nancy Lange will read the poetry of Paul Claudel,on which the improvisations are based. The pro-gram is free of charge and will begin at 8 p.m.Please feel free to invite neighbors and friends tothis presentation that will help to launch our special

holy week observations.

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March 2009


For Those Considering Baptism


T

hose considering Baptism in the spring or those who

were baptized in November or January and missedthe corresponding instruction should plan on attendingthe March classes. The three Saturday morning classeswill be held on March 14, 21, and 28, beginning at 9a.m. and concluding at 11:30 a.m. Babysitting will beprovided if needed. Please contact the clergy if inter-ested or if childcare is needed.

Opportunities for Baptism


This spring there will be two opportunities for Baptism. The first will be on Saturday, April 11. This eveningBaptism will commemorate a time when Lent was the preeminent time for people converting to Christianity.

After a period of study, those seeking Baptism would gather the evening before the first Easter morning Eucha-rist, within the context of the Easter Vigil, and be baptized. Those observing the Vigil through the night wouldreceive their first communion on Easter morn to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

The Second occasion this spring will be May 31. This is the Day of Pentecost and communicates the coming ofthe Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church. Because baptism is a time when we celebrate the coming of theHoly Spirit into a person's life, this is a time the Church designates as an appropriate time for baptism.

If you or some member of your family is considering baptism, please contact one of the Clergy.

Newcomer Classes


T

hose who are new to the Parish should con-

sider attending the Confirmation classes men-tioned elsewhere in this issue. The dates are May9, 16, and 23. They begin at 9:30 a.m. and lastabout two and a half hours each. The Welcome ofnew members will be held on May 31, the Day ofPentecost.

B&PW

By Nancy Milne

At the February meeting of Business & ProfessionalWomen, Ray Thibeault, Director of Loaves and

Fishes Ministries, was our featured speaker. Loaves andFishes has been a non-profit shelter and service pro-vider for the homeless for more than 25 years. CarolSpangenberg, formerly with St. Pauls, assisted infounding the Lansing area branch and former parishion-ers Calvin Andersen and Bill Kahl were longtime vol-

unteers.

We learned that on average 270 men, women andchildren are helped every two hours by the organiza-tion. Clients receive assistance from social workers forshelter and referrals to Lansing area services.

Our next meeting is March 10, and begins with dinnerat 6 p.m. followed by our guest speak Fr. Weller.Please call Debby Pierce for reservations(517.485.5446) before Sunday March 8th.

From the Parish Life Committee

By Millie Ericson, Chair

Upcoming Events

April 4, 2009 - An Evening at the Theater,hors douevres at the home of Don and Sally

Lawrence, followed by the BoarsHead Theaterproduction of Forbidden Broadway, a sassy,tongue-in-cheek musical that pokes fun at all ofyour Broadway favorites like Les Mis, Into the

Woods, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Storyand so many more! More details and sign up avail-able soon.

June 14, 2009 - Sunday Eucharist and Picnic inthe Park at Hawk Island Park

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March 2009


4 Fs, Looking Back Helps Us to Look Forward

By Nancy Sheldon

U

sually the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month (exceptions noted *due to Town Hall conflict):

12 noon Eucharist, 12:30 p.m. Lunch ($4.50) 1 p.m. Bible Study (Steve Lange), 1:15-2 p.m. Program

Anyone is invited who has time in the middle of the day! Please sign up for lunch outside the Merrifield Roomor call the Church office for a reservation.

During Lent, 4Fs will be temporarily replaced with the Lenten Book Reviews. The schedule will be 11:30 a.m.Eucharist, 12 noon -1 p.m. Lunch.

March 2 - Grace - Dorothy Marsh March 9 - The Emerging Church The Rev. Ron Byrd March 16 - The Poetry of Mary Oliver - Carol Ingells March 23 - The People of the Book - Sue LeDuc March 30 - God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible - Chris Couch

The schedule for the balance of the 2008-09 season is as follows:

April 13 - No meeting, day after Easter April 27 - We will take a trip to see the work of the City Rescue Mission. While there, someone

will talk to us about their ministry. May 18* - Picnic at Nancy Sheldons

Sunday, April 5, Palm/Passion Sunday

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist10 a.m. Choral Eucharist & Dramatic reading

of the Gospel

Monday, April 6

7 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Tuesday, April 7

Noon Holy Eucharist and healing service

Wednesday, April 8

7 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Thursday, April 9, Maundy Thursday

6 p.m. Agape meal, Garden Meditation, FootWashing and Stripping of the Altar

Friday, April 10, Good Friday

Noon Ecumenical Service, CUMC7 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy

Saturday, April 11, Holy Saturday

8 p.m. Baptisms and Vigil

Sunday, April 12 Easter Sunday

7 a.m. Sunrise service and first Eucharist ofEaster

10 a.m. Choral Eucharist with Brass

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March 2009


Advancing in Another Direction

A Look Back at the 2009 Vestry Retreat

By Stephanie Van Koevering, Vestry Member

General Douglas MacArthur once said, We are notretreating; we are advancing in another direc-

tion. This type of advancement was precisely whatmembers of the 2009 vestry had in mind when theyconvened at the Weber Center in Adrian, February 6-7, for their annual retreat.

This years team-building and planning sessions in-cluded a look back at 2008 and a discussion of up-coming opportunities and challenges. Members of thevestry are attuned to the financial and structural needs

of the parish, and a committee to discuss a comprehen-sive plan for eliminating the churchs operating deficitis already being established.

In addition, the vestry viewed a proposed website de-veloped by Matt Ferguson and discussed the Evangel-ism Committees plans for developing a structuredmentoring program for new members.

Vestry members also took time to share their personaljourneys in spiritual growth with one another, shared inprayer and Eucharist, and discussed their commonhopes for the future of St. Pauls. The vestry will meetagain on February 17, refreshed and invigorated byits time together and prepared to help lead the churchduring the coming year.

Preparation for Confirmation, Reception and

Reaffirmation

By Rev. Ronald C. Byrd

On Saturday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m., the Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr.,Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan, will be at St. Pauls. We will be this

years host for the Bishops annual official visit to the Capitol Area Deanery. Inaddition to presiding over the Eucharist and preaching, the Bishop will confirm,receive and reaffirm members of our diocesan household into Christs holy catho-lic and apostolic Church. It is our hope, and certainly the Bishops expectation,

that St. Pauls, as well as all Capitol Area Deanery Episcopal churches, will pre-pare and present qualified candidates for the apostolic laying on of hands. Un-der the guidance of their parents, young adults 15.5 years and older who havenot been confirmed in the Episcopal Church, are encouraged to discern confirma-tion at this time.

To prepare our young people for confirmation, Fr. Weller, along with a distin-guished cast of instructors including Fr. Byrd, Deacon Bill Fineout, regular seniorhigh instructor Lyn Kressler and interested parent Rick Laub, will lead a nine-session preparation program. These will be held on Sunday mornings beginningFebruary 8, in place of the normal High School Church School Classes. The pro-gram curriculum will cover a variety of topics including Anglican theology, churchhistory, the Catechism (An Outline of the Episcopal Faith) and the Episcopal

Churchs policy, practices, governance, and much more.Adult classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. - noon on May 2, 9 and 16, in a compressed for-mat. These three adult statements of faith are essential for all Christians. Confirmation is the opportunity foradults to confirm the vows of Christianity that may have been made for them when they were infants. Receptionis essential for Christians who may have been confirmed in another branch of the Christian faith and now wish tocommit to the Episcopal Church. Reaffirmation is an opportunity for an adult to make a recommitment to JesusChrist after having been Confirmed or received at an earlier time.

For more details and information, please speak with a member of clergy.

In the course of their

Christian development,

those baptized at an early

age are expected, when they

are ready and have been

duly prepared, to make a

mature public affirmation

of their faith and

commitment to the

responsibilities of their

Baptism and to receive the

laying on of hands by the

bishop. (BCP Pg. 412)

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March 2009

St. Paul's News Page 7Choir News

March 1 High School; Boys and Grace

March 8 High School; Chancel




April 5, Palm Sunday High School, and Chancel

April 12, Easter,10 a.m. only High School; Chancel

April 19 High School; Chancel

April 26 High School; Chancel

Singing Schedule

Date Choirs

SpecialDates

to

Note:

Cabaret RememberthatCabaretwillbeSaturday,March28withdinnerat5p.m.andentertain

mentat6p.m.Allmembersofthechoirs,Cherubs,BoysandGrace,andHighSchoolwillbeper

formingasgroups,inadditiontosoloists.Pleasesavethisdate!Thanks

Choir Newsletter and Dates to Remember

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

Supper Groups

By Sally Lawrence, Vestry Member

St. Paul's is a large congregation, and we need to have many ways to provide for a sense of community insmall intimate gatherings. In the past, five or six supper clubs, hosted throughout the area, provided just this

kind of opportunity. It has been brought to the attention of the Parish Life Committee that there is some interestin reviving these groups. Each group would decide how to be organized. It could be potlucks, organized arounda meat or main entree theme, or the group could go out for dinner and support the local restaurants. Whateverthe format, it would be a good opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners a little better, have somegood food and fun. If you are interested, contact Sally Lawrence at 323-7211,or sign up outside the Merri-field room, and the Parish Life Committee will help you set these up.

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March 2009


Mission and Outreach Activities:

Where is Christ calling you to help others?

March 1October 4, 2009

Episcopal Relief and Development or Heifer

International

March 22

Cooking dinner for Canterbury/MSU

April 12-26

Food DriveFood Bank

April 25

Blood DriveApril 28

ACTION Rally, 7 p.m.

May

Sudanese Education Project Month, raising

tuition for 2010 school year.

May 10

UTO Ingathering

May 12

ACTION Nehemiah Assembly, 7 p.m.

May 21

Ascension Day - Deacon's Dinner

Ongoing:

Outreach Committee meeting, second Monday,

5:30 p.m.

Manna Sundays for street ministry (busing/work

boots) Heifer International

Prayer quilts

Cars INC

Habitat

Check the Newsletter articles and the Sunday Bulle-

tin Announcements for additional details and infor-

mation.

St. Pauls MDG Project for 2009

By the Rev. Bill Fineout, Deacon

H

eifer International will be our 2009 Millennium

Development Goals project.

Beginning next month and culminating with the Feast ofFrancis of Assisi and a blessing of the animals on Oc-tober 4, 2009, we will attempt to fill an ark of ani-mals for Heifer International.

In 1944, Heifer International sent Faith, Hope, Charityand 15 other heifers by ship to struggling families inPuerto Rico. That voyage marked the start of a newlife for those families and for others like them aroundthe world. Today, Heifer provides more than 30 dif-ferent animals, from ducks and camels to llamas andgeese. Other animals become part of Heifers ark asproject participants make important environmental im-provements on their land. Some Heifer projects form abuffer zone around endangered nature reserves.

As it was for Noah, so it is for today; the ark is abouthope and a new beginning. For Heifer project families,farm animals can provide:

Nutritious food for the children through milk,

eggs and meat Income for housing, health care, school fees,

and other needs Motivation to plant trees and grasses and make

other environmental improvements

A catalyst for community development

The ark is also about multiplication. God told Noah,Bring with you every living thingbirds and animalsand every creeping thingso that they may aboundon the earth and be fruitful and multiply. (Gen. 8:17).Today Heifer animals are spreading over the earth aseach participating family passes on the gift of one ormore of their animals offspring to another family inneed. This miracle of birth creates a chain of givingthat continues for years.

The most urgent question facing our world is whetherwe can act quickly enough to save the earth and itsinhabitants. Noah faced a similar question thousandsof years ago. In biblical times, the actions of peoplebrought on Gods flood. Today, we are the ones whothreaten to destroy Gods creation. Todays floodtakes the form of war, environmental destruction andmassive poverty and hungerall problems created bygreed and injustice.


Mission and Outreach

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March 2009


Financial Information as of January 31, 2009

By Jeff Irwin

At its February 17 meeting, your vestry: Shared dinner together Did devotions with the Rev. Deacon Bill Fineout Approved the January minutes Accepted the January treasurers report (synopsis

elsewhere in this issue) Noted that the Audit will be completed by the

end of the month Received notification that the Thaman bequest

will be forthcoming Assigned the Deficit Reduction Study to the fi-

nance committee Voted to continue to completion the Garden Me-

morial plaques Voted to make this year's youth representative

position on the Vestry a rotating position Agreed to have the new Web page in place by

March 1

Reminded all Vestry Members that the SexualMisconduct Policy must be read and the signa-ture page turned in by the next Vestry Meeting

Reviewed the Action Plan and discussed its im-plementation this year

Noted Kathleen's recovery Welcomed Julie Young as our new treasurer Made new Committee Assignment Building and Grounds noted

The new ice maker in the kitchen Continuing Roofing problems Church Sound System requested upgrades

Approved a budget line item for the 160th cele-bration

Discussed and moved to committee the goals for2009 as discussed at the Vestry Retreat

Vestry Highlights

At the annual meeting on January 25, 2009, the congregation accepted the operating budget for 2009 show-ing an operating loss of $120,973. While this is again a very large number, it is slightly lower than the 2008budget deficit. In addition, the designated and restricted funds are not part of the operating budget.

At the time of the annual meeting, it was believed that no significant unrestricted gifts would be forthcoming in2009. However, we have been blessed by a bequest of over $130,000 from the Georgia Thaman Trust. Thefunds from this bequest are unrestricted as to the purpose for which they are to be used.

With January being the first month of the churchs fiscal year, it is difficult to report any meaningful financialresults. However, it is noteworthy that through January 31, 2009, we recorded $31,459 in pledge revenue. Thisis 10 percent of the total pledge revenue budgeted for 2009. This amount includes $12,260 of 2009 pledgepayments received in 2008.

Vestry Assignments

Following are the committee assignments for Vestrymembers:

Building and Grounds - Stephanie VanKoevering Communications - Matt Ferguson Christian Ed, Adult - Larry Clark Christian Ed. - Youth - Barb Heaney Evangelism - Sally Lawrence Finance - Kirk Lindquist Parish Life - Millie Ericson

Pastoral Care - Martie Repaskey Personnel - Kristi Thompson

Service/Mission & Outreach - MaryLea Benson Stewardship - John Nevin Worship & Music - Roger Fowler

New Vestry Officers for 2009

Senior Warden - Martie Repaskey Junior Warden - Stephanie VanKoevering Treasurer - Julie Young Secretary - Pam Irwin

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Narnia Comes to St. Pauls

By Millie Ericson, Vestry Member

O

n Friday, January 30, the Merrifield Room was transformed into the Land of Narnia as about 50 people,

children and adults alike, went for a Voyage on the Dawn Treader.A carnival atmosphere prevailed andthe events in the book came alive as children took a turn at the ships wheel on the deck of the Dawn Treader.With passport in hand, they then traveled to the Lone Islands to play Capture Lucy, Edmund and Reepicheepthe Mouse in a ring toss game; Golden Island to fish for gold and meet the Golden Knight; and Dufflepod Is-land to hop Dufflepod-like along a path on one foot. At Dragon Island, they freed Eustace from his dragon skinby breaking the Dragon Piata. On the Island of Aslans table, everyone feasted from a great banquet andthree sleeping Lords snoozed. Characters from the book wandering the route included Edmund, (Tom Laub),Lucy, (Kaitlyn Narezo), Reepicheep, (Anna Krupka), Eustace, (Drew Krupka), Lord Bern, (Antonio Clarke), theLady, (Emily Laub), Ramandu, (Kirk Lindquist), the Golden Knight, (Parker VanVorhees), a Narnian resident,(Margaret Kariuki), the three sleeping Lords, (Fr. Gordon, Fr. Ron, Fr. Bill Ericson) and Aslan, (Deacon Bill).

Pictures from the evening are posted on the St. Pauls Group site on Facebook (go to facebook.com, sign upits freethen search in groups for St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Lansing, MI). If you are intrigued by the de-

scriptions of characters and islands, check out the book and all of the Chronicles of Narnia.

Thank you once again to everyone who helped make this evening a success.

Voyagers on the Dawn Treader prepare to free Eustace from his

dragon skin at the Dragon Piata

The three sleeping Lords, from left, Fr. Gordon Weller, Fr. Ron

Byrd and Fr. Bill Ericson

Kaitlyn Narezo as Lucy sails the Dawn Treader

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March 2009


Used Book Sale - First Day

By Sue Millar

The first day of the book sale, February 15, ended with many happy customers carrying home bags of ex-citing choices. These parishioners donated over $500 to Episcopal Relief and Development when they pur-

chased these books! (It always helps, of course when some folks pay more than the actual asking price some-times as much as $50.) THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED BOOKS AND ALL WHO BOUGHT THEM. In the nextSPN well have the complete report from the sale that will include the total from the February 22 sale.

January 16, 2009

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Please plan to join me on Friday night and Saturday, March 27 & 28, for the twelfth annual Becoming theHousehold of God conference at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. The topic this year is Millennium Develop-ment Goals - Working and Praying to Alleviate Poverty.

Ms. Abagail Nelson, Senior Vice President of Episcopal Relief and Development and The Rev. Dr. Mark An-schutz, board member of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, will help us explore this important effort tochange the world of the poorest of the poor. Dr. Anschutz will focus on the theology underpinning the goalswhile Ms. Nelson will explore practical responses to the Goals.

The annual Becoming the Household gathering is an important part of the on-going life and ministry of the dio-cese - every year for different reasons but always centered around the idea that stewardship is what we are

and what we do after we say I believe.

It is my hope that every congregation will send at least three representatives to this 2009 Becoming the House-hold of God conference. However, because I believe that you will not want anyone to miss the opportunity tohear these gifted speakers, I encourage you to gather many more than three. Youth and young adult membersof your congregation are especially welcome to come.

The enclosed brochure has more details about the event and about the speakers. Please contact Nanette Lutz atthe Whitaker School of Theology for more brochures, sponsorship and registration information at (313) 833-4423 or email [email protected].

I look forward to spending Friday evening and Saturday, March 27 & 28, with you at the Cathedral Church ofSt. Paul, Detroit.

Faithfully,

The Right Revd Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr.Tenth Bishop of Michigan

DioceseofMichiganEpiscopal

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March 2009


Youth Group Sledding & Tobogganing Trip

By Courtney Irwin

O

n the first Sunday of January, the youth group went sledding at Burchfield

Park in Eaton County. While sledding we held onto each others sleds andwent down as a group. We also raced on the toboggan trails. Drew Krupkafound a big box at the church before we left and tried sledding down on that.Surprisingly, it didnt fall apart, but it didnt go very fast either. There were atleast ten kids who attended. A big thank you goes out to Mr. and Mrs. (Rick &Carol) Laub for chaperoning, and especially to Mr. Laub for being our sled-ding starter and for pushing us down the hill! Fr. Byrd, Kayla Byrd and Ramon

Byrd at Burchfield Park

Nightwatch: Detroit

By the Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.

YAYA, Youth and Young Adult Ministries at the Dio-cese of Michigan, is sponsoring Nightwatch: 2009,

March 21-22. Nightwatch is a diocesan wide eventdesigned to bring together junior high school age Epis-copalians for a weekend of adventure, community,worship and mystery. Buses will pick-up (and drop-off)

participants from All Saints Episcopal Church in EastLansing and take them to the Cathedral Church of St.

Pauls for an overnight Christian experience, not soonto be forgotten. We are planning to take a contin-gency of St. Pauls youth group members to Night-watch. If your child is interested in participating inNightwatch: 2009, please contact Fr. Ron for moredetails. Parents are invited to attend our upcomingMarch youth group business meeting where details andplans for Nightwatch will be finalized.

Youth Group Launch MajorFundraiser

By The Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr.

The youth group is selling fundraising discountcards to support their 2009 mission trip to

Stony Lake, Michigan and Cairo, Illinois. Each fund-raiser card offers 15 incredible freebies and dis-counts to local area business. Each card sells for$20 and we are hoping every parishioner will pur-chase at least one card. Mission trip fundraiser

discount cards also make for excellent birthdayand Mothers Day gifts. Dont delay, get your cardtoday and help support our youth in their mission tohelp support others. Cards maybe purchased onSundays during coffee hour in the Merrifield roomor at anytime from members of St. Pauls YouthGroup.

Youth Group Upcoming Activities:March 1 Ronald McDonald House - Helping

Hands Service Project

March 21-22 Nightwatch The Cathedral Church ofSt. Paul/Diocesan Center

April 5 Scheduled Meeting Cancelled PalmSunday

April 19 Monthly Meeting & Bowling Outing atMSU (Rescheduled)

May 15 - 17 Mini-Mission Trip to Stony Lake, Michi-gan

June 15 19 Youth Group Volunteer for VacationBible School

July 26 31 Mission Trip to Cairo, Illinois

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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

If you no longer wish to receive these mailings, please call the church office (517) 482-9454,any time of the day or night and leave a message to be taken off our mailing list.

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LANSING, MIPermit 1621

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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

The Rev. Deacon William H. Fineout

Ms. Mary Rodeck, Assistant Minister of Music

Ms. Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager

St. Pauls News Editorial Staff

Christine Caswell, Editor

Lyn Zynda, Acting Editor

st. paul's news - mar. 2009

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