Messenger - August 2008

514 E. Argonne Kirkwood, MO 63122 (314) 821-1806

www.gracekirkwood.org

Learning in the Moment

August, 2008

He said,"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But she [a Canaanite woman] came and knelt before Jesus, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish."
And her daughter was healed instantly. Mt 15: 24-28

Jesus was always open to the moment. Sounds easy enough, but when one is set upon by many people, multiple scenarios occurring simultaneously, and having to deal with complex religious, spiritual, social and political scenarios, discerning the “moment”, never mind doing something in it, is difficult. Yet he managed to do it in the most complex of situations. Most of the time.

This is one confrontation where he had to learn, in spite of himself. On his way to Tyre and Sidon, he encounters a woman who begs him to cure her daughter, who is beset by a demon. In his response, Jesus takes a narrow view of his ministry, as being only to “the house of Israel.” But she persisted. Yet again, Jesus puts her off by saying, “It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs," that is, to someone who is not of the house of Israel. Then, in her desperation, she turns the table on him. "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Brilliant! Jesus instantly sees her wisdom, grows in his ministry, and cures her daughter.

Many of us ministering in the Church are confronted by the pressure of time, group dynamics, and having to deal with the particular ministry needs of individuals. We can feel that we just don’t have the time or resources to respond. We can limit our ministry so that we don’t have to deal with “problematic” issues or people, such as walk-in pastoral care. Perhaps our response to the ‘danger’ is to limit our contact to groups in which we know everyone. No Canaanite woman to burst our bubble.

But then, inevitably, “she” walks in and asks the questions. “How do we deal with this request from a woman who is not a member of the Church?” What if he is not a Christian? What if she is not an Episcopalian? As Jesus emphasizes, it doesn’t matter who or what the person is,
* we help them establish a right relationship with God;
* we help heal them from whatever it is that is standing between them and the love of God;
* we help them understand where God is in their situation, or what it is that is separating them from the Creator.
Sometimes it may mean telling them something they profoundly do not want to hear, as with the rich young man in Matthew 19.

Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live. Is 55

Our parish has a rich past of dealing with the needs of others, and we continue our tradition in reaching out to the people in the Diocese of Lui, Episcopal City Mission, and to the wonderful worldwide ministry of Episcopal Relief and Development, and other more local groups for whom we sometimes raise funds.

There is one area of ministry that offers an opportunity to live out the profound depths of our faith, offers a challenge to put our faith, our hope, our love of Creation and our understanding of God’s world, on the line: pastoral care. It is in the one-on-one encounter with the unknown (to us) people of God, those who live in a world with which we might have no experience, that we can begin to understand the depths of our own faith and mission in life.

Our parish offers opportunities to visit and minister to people who are preparing for the next stage in their life beyond the confines of this world; people who have no reason to love anyone or anything because there is no life beyond their current suffering, yet they abound in love and life; those whose only contact with life, love and caring is our presence with them. Then there are those who have led full lives and now live their final years in increasing pain and confinement, yet with love, care and hope. I am continually grateful that my own understanding of faith and love of life and God, has been enriched through the ministry of pastoral care.

Our parish offers you a different understanding and experience of faith, hope, love and life through the pastoral care ministry we offer: Stephen Ministry, the ministry of presence for a person; Eucharistic Ministry, taking the Bread of Life to those who are confined and; Pastoral Visiting to those who are struggling with sickness, confinement, accident, or simply inability to personally continue as an active member of our faith community for some period of time.

Interested in one of the pastoral care ministries? Talk to any of our members involved in these ministries

John+

We live in community, even when we go off by ourselves. Remember the old song:
"I see the moon and the moon sees me, the moon sees somebody I want to see; God bless the moon and God bless me and God bless somebody I want to see.”

To be in relationship with God is to be in relationship with every person who is also in relationship with God. And we do not need to speak the same language or have the same accent to be in true community; we have only to realize that we are all part of God, and to keep that uppermost in our mind and spirit as we live and relate to each other.
William A. Kolb,

Rector Search Work Continues
(Parish Messenger, August)

Despite vacation season, your Search Committee continues to meet each week and is making good progress preparing the Parish Profile brochure and diocesan search form. These documents are instrumental to characterize our parish and attract rector candidates that wish to lead us on our spiritual journey. At our last meeting, we agreed to: 1) the four most important rector qualifications, 2) four key parish goals, and 3) a brief description of our parish (staying within the 330 character limitation!). We are shooting to have a first draft of the Parish Profile brochure completed by the end of July, which will then be submitted to the Vestry for review and approval.

David Jayne recently asked to resign from the Search Committee due to his inability to participate during his recovery. The Vestry has asked Mike Heyer to fill the vacant position. We wish Dave a full recovery, and appreciate Mike’s willingness to help us.

We remind you to look for our poster in the Narthex which highlights the search process and has a suggestion box. Please share your thoughts with us. We have received several thus far, and read your comments at each meeting.

Please continue to keep Grace, the Vestry, and our Committee in your prayers.

2008-09 Grace Program for High School Teens

The 2008-09 Grace’s Senior Youth Group program will begin with a swim party on August 24th from 3-6:00 PM at Debbie and Hank Caby’s. Details below.

Here are some plans for the year. There are some changes from the schedule published in May.

Calendar
a. For service and fun – 2 meetings per month:
1st Mondays & 3rd Sundays of the month from 6:30-8:00 PM (hours might need to vary depending on particular activities)
b. Breakfast, discussion & worship together on 1st Sundays of the month, beginning 9a.m.
c. 2 retreats per year: Nov 1-2 and May 2-3
d. 2 teen-led worship at 10a.m. Sunday services on Nov 16 and Mar 15
e. Fundraisers: St. Francis Day, Italian Dinner, Souperbowl, Car Wash, others
f. Fellowship at every meeting
Goals: fellowship, community service, worship, christian formation, learning about relational ethics and conflict management.

Parents: please note we really do need your assistance with coordinating activities and providing snacks. We’ll be in touch.

See you soon!!! ~~~Rev. Emily+

SENIOR YOUTH GROUP ~~~A SWIM PARTY~~~
for teens entering 9th -12th grades

Where: Debbie and Hank Caby’s home,
21 Lemp Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122
When: Sunday, August 24, 2008
Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
What’s to eat: Snacks and dinner
What to bring: swimsuit and towel

RSVP to Lois Russell at Grace, 314 821-1806.

2008-09 Grace Program for Middle School T(w)eens

The 2008-09 Grace’s Middle Youth Group program will include Church School and monthly meetings for fun and community service. We begin with a swim party on August 17th from 3-6:00 PM at Debbie and Hank Caby’s. Details below.

Church School is offered for Middle Schoolers (grades 6-8) every Sunday (beginning Sept.14th).

We are asking our T(w)eens to help out in special ways to run the All-Parish Program Year Kick-Off Picnic on Sept. 7th. Details will be mailed to you on a post card.

Please notify Lois Russell in the parish office if your address or phone number or e-ddress has changed.

MIDDLE YOUTH GROUP ~~~SWIM PARTY~~~
for t(w)eens entering 6th -8th grades

Where: Debbie and Hank Caby’s home,
21 Lemp Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122
When: Sunday, August 17, 2008
Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
What’s to eat: Snacks and dinner
What to bring: swimsuit and towel

RSVP to Lois Russell at Grace, 314 821-1806.

How can we help David Jayne and his family?

Many in the parish have inquired how they can help David and his family after this horrible accident.

Ruth, Callie, and Emmie have been spending many hours at the hospital every day. We, at Grace, usually bring food to those at home during these difficult times, through the RETURN THANKS Team headed by Jane Cenova, but the Jayne family is not at home, they are with David at the hospital

One way we can help is to take care of their meals and sundries with gift cards to St. Louis Bread Co., IMO’s Pizza and Schnucks. The Jayne’s can then send anyone to get food for them or pick it up on the way to/from the hospital.

How you can help. The RETURN THANKS Team has set up an account at Grace Church for contributions. These contributions will be used to purchase Gift Cards at the three retailers mentioned. You may bring or send a check to church made out to Grace Episcopal Church, earmarked Return Thanks Fund. Also, there will be a table in Albright Hall after the services where you may drop off a gift card from any of the above stores or make a donation. If you will not be at church in the next few weeks and would still like to help, please contact Debbie Caby at 314-821-3983.

Stewardship…A Journey of Faith
August 2008

As the summer months fly by we will soon be looking at the fall season as our children return to school and we look anxiously to the coming winter period. The fall is time of reflection for me as I look forward to Christmas and the closing of another calendar year. Of course this is also the time when I plan for the coming year, setting out my budget and considering all my priorities and goals for the next year. Grace Church and my Christian commitment is part of that process for me.

As you all know last year the Stewardship Committee initiated a “year round” Stewardship Process rather than an annual “pledge campaign” that is focused on the “budget”. Our “Journey of Faith” is a continual process rather than a short-term drive. Stewardship is a commitment to the Church of one’s time, talent and treasure. It is important for our Grace to provide the platform for each of to make our Christian commitment. To that end Grace will have its second “Ministry Fair” in early October where we will share the opportunities for all of us to participate in our Christian mission. That will be followed in late October with our annual Commitment Event as a celebration of the contributions we have made in time, talent and treasure over the last year and our re-commitment for the coming year.

This is an exciting time for our parish as the Search Committee does its work in calling a new rector. The commitment we all make to Grace over the next several months will be an important to our new rector as an indication of mutual support to our Christian mission. Please prayerfully consider your commitment of time, talent and treasure to Grace as we enter the fall season. Look for coming announcements for our Ministry Fair as well as the Commitment Event in late October.

Andy Miller

ECM’s major fund raiser, A Moment in Time, is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM in the Starlight Room of the Chase Park Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008. Gerald Early, Ph.D., a noted author, essayist, and Director of the Center for Humanities at the Washington University will provide words of inspiration.  Dr. Early has also served as a consultant on Ken Burns' documentary films on baseball and jazz, which both aired on PBS.

You can also count on great food and libations, select auction items, and an opportunity to be with the community of people who believe in our mission.  The Just in Time ensemble will provide music during the cocktail reception and pianist Roy Pennington will entertain us during dinner. Come celebrate the ministry of the Episcopal City Mission at its 5th annual Moment in Time Gala. More information can be found at www.ecitymission.org, plus you can purchase tickets for the event, or find out about sponsorship and advertising opportunities, on-line as well. Or call the ECM office at 314-436-3545 now to reserve a ticket.

Episcopal City Mission raffles off unique Pendant

Designer & Metalsmith Roger Rimel of James Durbin Jewelry Design has again created a unique Pendant to be raffled off in support of Episcopal City Mission. This one-of-a-kind piece, commissioned especially for ECM with a value of $1500, is a 14K Rose & White Gold Heart with a Yellow Sapphire, in keeping with the theme of this year’s Gala, “Mend a Broken Heart”. The pendant is being raffled in conjunction with the Episcopal City Mission Moment In Time V event being held on Wednesday, September 10th at the Starlight Room of the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in the Central West End. Raffle tickets are only $10 each or 3 for $25, and can be purchased from any ECM Board Member, your Parish Ambassador [list name here], or you can call the ECM office [314-436-3545] for ticket information. A picture of the necklace can be seen on the ECM website, www.ecitymission.org. The Drawing will be held during the Moment In Time IV Gala, and all proceeds are to benefit ECM. You need not be present to win. Don’t miss the chance of owning this wonderful pendant and necklace, while supporting our Mission of Providing Hope & Healing for Children in Detention.

Kirkcare Needs Deliverers

Kirkcare is in need of volunteers to deliver food from the Kirkcare pantry (located at the Christian Life Center of the Webster Hills United Methodist Church) to the homes of Kirkcare clients. Deliveries are made Monday through Friday. If you are interested in helping, please talk to Denise Miller or Sue Nixon, or call Kirkcare board member Julie Balzer at 821-1302. Thank you for supporting Kirkcare.
 

Sue Nixon

Altar Flower Memorials

It has come to my attention that there is some major confusion about the Altar Flowers, and I would like to take this opportunity to clarify a few things.

First, many of us think we cannot reserve a Sunday for Altar Flowers; but that is not so. There are reservations for some Sundays through the end of 2008. However, no one can BLOCK a Sunday for their exclusive use. If a member of the Parish wants a given day for themselves, and someone else has already booked that day, there are three options: (1) ask the person to switch to another Sunday; (b) change to another Sunday oneself, or; (c) share the Sunday. Each person booked for a Sunday will still get the same prayers in church, and the memorial published in the bulletin for that day.

Second, there is a belief among members of the Parish that there is a waiting list for donors. Again, that is not so. The following list shows see that we still have 14 “open Sundays”, that is with no reservations, between now and the end of 2008. There have been gaps in the schedule as long as I have been Head of Altar Guild, which is 2005. Altar Guild has been “covering” the open weeks, which has resulted in a huge drain on our finances.

Please take a moment to review the list, on the reverse side. Call me if you have questions.
Rebecca Harrison (314) 791-7149

July 6 Sara Losse
July 13 Bill & Rebecca Harrison
July 20 Jim & Carol McKown
July 27 Katy Mills

August 3 The Berry family
August 10
August 17
August 24 Tim & Becky Engelbrecht
August 31 Don & Norma Radaeckar

September 7
September 14 Martha Johnston
September 21 Russ & Chloe Poe
September 28 Mike & Janet Heyer

October 5
October 12
October 19 Barb & Chris Manuel
October 26 Shirley Browne

November 2
November 9 Marion Bock
November 16
November 23
November 30

December 7 Martha Jones
December 14 Skip & Leah Guessing
December 21
December 28 CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS STILL UP – NO FLOWERS

Mary Louise Kean, Jane’s daughter, called this afternoon to notify us that Jane passed away yesterday.  She was 93 years old. If you would like to send condolences to Mary Louise, her address is 5310 Yorktown Road, Bethesda, MD  60816. Her phone number is (301)657-8214.

HANDBELLS, FALL 2008

Fall rehearsals for Grace handbell choirs will be beginning soon. Three groups will be available from which to choose—to accommodate different ages and schedules. The groups are as follows:

St. Dunstan Handbell Choir—This young people’s training group is for grades 5 and up and will meet on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

All Saints Handbell Choir—This choir for adults will rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Previous music reading experience is desirable.

Gloria Deo Handbell Choir—This mixed group of junior high, high school students,
and adults will rehearse for an hour on Sunday mornings after church at 11:30. Previous music reading experience is desirable.

Want to find out more? Call the church office or Ella Heigham 621-3077. All handbell choirs will meet in Room 2 and begin rehearsals in September. First rehearsals are as follows: All Saints Handbell Choir on Wednesday; September 3, St. Dunstan on Wednesday, September 3, and Gloria Deo on Sunday, September 14.

Calling All Women

The Women of Grace are planning their Fall and Winter programs and we want you to be a part of them. This year we have adopted the theme “Women Responding to the Call of God” and have geared our programs accordingly. Here’s just a sample:

A panel of women priests telling of their call to the priesthood
A return visit by the popular Beth Vaccaro of Care & Counseling
The Rev. Susan Naylor discussing our relationship with the Diocese of Sudan
A tour of the Museum of Religious Art at St. Louis University
A Quiet Day with Rev. Emily Davis

We’ll kick off our program on Tuesday, September 21 with a visit from Laurel Jean, a blind spiritual pianist and vocalist who will present her interpretations of traditional music from around the world.

In December, we’re planning our popular Cookie & Candy Sale which will be augmented with a jewelry, used book and record sale. So start saving your no-longer-used items.

In case you didn’t know, ALL women who are members of Grace Church are automatically members of Women of Grace. So, come join us for these and other interesting and spiritually fulfilling programs.

P.S. Women of Grace do not charge dues, but we do ask for a contribution of $10 annually to help fund our activities and programs. We call them “do’s” because they help us do our thing. Please help us by sending your “do’s” to Treasurer Melissa Osborne at 674 Hawbrook, Kirkwood 63122 or place in the Women of Grace mailbox. Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you.

PERSONALITY DIMENSION WORKSHOP
Discovering Temperament and Who You Are

Do you value being free and spontaneous – love to play and create?
Do you value belonging to a group or community?
Do you value developing yourself and facilitating growth in others?

Do you value striving to learn, to know, to predict the next big thing?

FIND OUT: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2008

9:00 – 12:00 a.m.

If they are a gold, I know they want details... and
if they are blue, I am more careful …