St.

Paul's Episcopal Church

Lansing Michigan

St. Paul’s News

Advent December, 2005

By The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller

Volume 30, Issue 10
"Without vision the I use this quote because it says some things of
people perish" Proverbs which we need to be aware. As many know, the
29:18 Vestry and Evangelism Committee have spent a
considerable amount of time this year develop-
W
The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller Advent,
hen we get to ing a "vision" and "plan of implementation" (The
the season of Welcoming Church) that they believe will see us
we cannot help into the future. They have taken the time to
Inside this issue:
but look to the future. share both of these with you, the congregation. Upcoming Activities 2-3,
The entire season speaks to preparedness. What must happen now is that the congregation
When we get to Christmas and consider the gift must look at these items with a sense of urgency
of the Christ, we are also called to think of the St. Paul’s News 4,6,
for "without vision the people perish.” 10-14
future. Newborns, and especially Jesus, are all
about what will be. With those thoughts, I ask If you have not done so already, read the two
you to consider the above quote. These words documents previously mailed to you. Mark them Vestry Highlights 5
from Proverbs come from a portion of the Old where you agree, disagree or have your own
Testament called wisdom literature. Wisdom ideas. For this to succeed, both must become the Choir Schedule 7
literature includes other books like Psalms, Job, vision of the entire parish, not just the 12 vestry
Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiasticus and The Wisdom of members, two clergy and eight members of the
Solomon. The writings convey a variety of prac- Evangelism Committee. Send your thoughts to Christmas Schedule 3
tical principals and divine thoughts on virtuous me or Susie, or any member of the Vestry. Be
and productive living. If you have any familiar- prepared to discuss your thoughts at the Annual Youth Ministry 8-9
ity with these books, you know that they often Meeting in January.
contain pithy statements that people for a thou- Calendar 15
sand generations have found to be true. (Continued on page 14)

Why Convention Matters

By Rick Laub, Senior Warden

A t the end of last month,

the convention for the
Diocese of Michigan of the
Episcopal Church of the United
States of America was held
here in Lansing – at the far
reaches of a diocese that
stretches from Monroe at one
corner to this side of the Lansing
Mall on the other. It was the
first convention I had attended,
and my first convention as a lay
delegate.
Even though I grew up in the
Episcopal Church, I, like many
others, viewed my local parish
as an entity unto itself. Sure it
was neat to have the bishop
visit, but to me it was the same
as having some visiting roy-
alty—perhaps important, but
unconnected with the everyday
running of our local parish. WE
were the congregation, and
perhaps we might seek the ad-
vice of the bishop if we were
stumped on some issue.
The recent national convention
disabused a great many pa-
rishioners of this impression of
our “congregational” orienta-
tion. In the turmoil that ensued,
it has been made evident that
our clergy and our physical
assets fall under the direct con-
trol of that “visiting royalty”
who oversee all of the parishes
(Continued on page 14)
Page 2
Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities
St Paul’s In Action
Ongoing Activities St. Elizabeth Guild, Sunday, December 12, Corporate
Communion and Brunch, beginning at 8 AM
St. Aelred’s Guild, 3rd Wednesday, 5 PM
Bible Study, Wednesday, 6:15-7:30 PM (Beginning Committee Meetings
January 18, 2006) Design & Preservation, 2nd Tuesday, 5:15 PM
Book Cart, 2nd Sunday Service/Mission/Outreach, 3rd Monday, 6 PM
B&PW Dinner Meeting, 2nd Tuesday, 6 PM
This Month at St. Paul’s
ECW, 1st Tuesday, 7 PM
St. Nicholas Party, Sunday, December 4, following 10
Family Night Dinner, Wednesday, 5-6 PM AM service
Food, Faith & Fellowship, 2nd and 4th Monday, Noon
Looking Ahead
St. Paul’s Library, open every Sunday
Baptisms, Sunday, January 8, 10 AM service
Prayer Group, 1st Tuesday, 5:30 PM
Women’s Retreat, April 28-29, 2006, Weber Center,
Men’s Breakfast, 3rd Thursday, 7 AM Adrain
Mid-week Eucharist, Tuesday, 12 Noon

St. Elizabeth Guild

By Debby Pierce

S t. Elizabeth Guild will hold its annual Corporate Communion on December 11, dur-
ing the 8 AM Eucharist with a Holiday Brunch immediately following the service.
For additional information please contact me at 485-5446.

ECW Mitten Tree

The Rev. Susie Shaefer, Curate
By Barbara Richardson, President

A gentle reminder for coffee hour servers.

Directions for coffee hours are posted on the
I t’s time to decorate the tree for the holidays!
We’re looking for very special ornaments: mit-
tens, scarves and hats. During Advent, the Mitten
inside of the cabinet door nearest the east wall in Tree will be in the cloister.
the Merrifield Room. Please bring your gifts of
these new winter items to
decorate the tree. Items are
A Time for Baptism needed in all sizes, including
those for children. And re-
By The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller member, “less is more” does
not apply to decorating this
O n Sunday, January 8, baptisms are planned.
This traditional time marks the baptism of Je-
sus and has been set aside by the Church as an
tree, so let’s fill it up! Our
gifts will be gathered up the
week of December 19 and
appropriate time. Should you desire to be bap- donated in time for Christmas. Your warm generos-
tized or have a child baptized, please contact one ity will keep others warm this winter. Thank you!
of the clergy or the parish office.
 Upcoming St. Paul’s Activities Page 3

Gifts for the Christ Child B&PW March Meeting

The Rev. Susie Shaefer, Curate
What shall I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a
shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
“In the Bleak Midwinter,” Hymn 112
At Christmas Eve services, we have a chance to
bring gifts for the Christ child. We will be filling
the manger with the kinds of presents that are
needed for new babies: bottles, diapers, formula
and clothes. These gifts will be donated to EVE’s
House, a local shelter for victims of domestic vio-
lence. Thank you for your gifts!
By Elisabeth Richardson, Treasurer
T he Business & Professional Women's Guild will
meet December 13 at 6 PM for its Christmas pro-
gram. Steve Lange will be the guest speaker, bringing
us into the Christmas season. Reservations are due by
December 11 to Nancy Milne (882-0573). The meet-
ings are open to the entire congregation and we en-
courage visitors to attend. If you have questions, please
feel free to call me at 372-1369.

Lange Choral Ensemble Concert

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

T he Lange Choral Ensemble will present its annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 11, at 4:00 p.m.
The program is entitled “Making Merry Mary Music” and will consist of pieces based on texts relating in
some way to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Included in the program will be works by Robert Parsons, Henryk
Gorecki, Giles Swayne, John Rutter, Robert Young, Herbert Howells and Moses Hogan. The program will fea-
ture Magnificat in B-Flat Major by Johann Pachelbel, an extended work that will be accompanied by a small
instrumental ensemble. Soloists include Brooke and Ian Broughton, Deborah McMartin-Finkel, Rick Laub, and
Nancy Lange. Tickets, which will be available at the door, are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and children.

Christmas Services 2005

December 18, Advent 4 Tuesday, December 27, St. John's Day
8 AM Holy Eucharist Noon Holy Eucharist and healing service
10 AM Lessons and Carols January 1, 2006
December 24, Christmas Eve The Holy Name of our Lord, Christmas 2

4 PM Family/Children's Eucharist 8 AM Holy Eucharist

10:30 PM Christmas Carols 10 AM Holy Eucharist
11 PM Choral Eucharist with Brass Friday, January 6, Epiphany
December 25, Christmas Day, One Service 6 PM Holy Eucharist
10 AM Eucharist
Page 4
St. Paul’s News
New Liturgy and Bulletin Format to be Used During Advent
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

D uring the season of Advent, worship at St. Paul’s will use a Eucharistic Prayer and service music taken
from the series Enriching Our Worship. This series provides parishes with new liturgical elements that are
approved by the Standing Liturgical Commission. St. Paul’s will use Eucharistic Prayer 2 during Advent because
of its emphasis on the Incarnation. The prayer says, “To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to re-
veal the riches of your grace, you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive
and bear a son, Jesus the holy child of God.” In addition, new settings of the service music will be used. To help
the congregation become more familiar with these new texts and music, the bulletin during Advent will contain
the entire liturgy—words and music. The Worship and Music Committee will seek feedback on the new prayers,
music and bulletin format to help them evaluate how they can help the congregation to worship more effec-
tively.

New Look for the

Needlepoint Update
By Mandy Lawton
M ore "silent beauties" have been stitched to add to
the beauty of our church. On the west side is a
kneeler for Grace and John Hawkins. Next to them is
one for Grace's brother and sister-in-law, Robert and
Patricia Brownyer. The memorial for Dr. Robert Wilson
is joined by the one for the McClintocks. On the east
side is the kneeler in memory of the deceased members
of the Business and Professional Women's Guild. This is
joined with the kneeler for Elizabeth Marsh.
Memorial Garden
By The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller
Y ou may have noticed the changes that have
occurred recently in the Memorial Garden
and the west side of the Church. Many thanks to
Mary Jane Wilson and her decision to use memo-
rial money given in memory of her husband,
Robert, to refurbish both the garden and the west
side. When spring arrives, and the new plantings
reappear, these changes will give the church a
very different look.

Convention Resolutions
By Rick Laub, Senior Warden
From Herb Gunn, editor of “The Record”

D iocesan Convention approved a 2006 mission budget of $3,037,442, which is 20 percent smaller than the
2005 budget. Convention considered 13 resolutions, one of which restored $115,000 in grants to public
ministries, education and advocacy. Convention also called on Diocesan Council to review the use of the Extended
Ministries Fund and affirmed the diocese’s support for international development programs, economic justice edu-
cation and the right of workers to organize. Convention also voted to support legislation for second parent adop-
tion and anti-bullying laws and to oppose legislation that would ban same-sex domestic partner employment bene-
fits. A late-filed resolution to rescind the Diocesan Council decision to sell the Gordonwood property did not receive
the necessary two-third vote in order to be considered by convention.
Another resolution that did not pass had co-authorship by the Rev. Deacon William Renfrew, and asked that
“this Diocese proclaim its repentance for its part in assenting to the consecration of Gene Robinson .…” It did
generate considerable debate and elicited a substitute resolution which also failed to pass.
 News from the Vestry Page 5

Treasurer’s Report
Financial Information As of October 31, 2005
By Jeff Irwin
Through the end of October, over $211,000 of pledge and non-pledge revenue has been received. However,
this is approximately $20,000 short of the budget for 2005.
Each parishioner who made a pledge commitment for 2005 will receive a statement of their contributions re-
ceived by the church through November 30, 2005. The extra statements will be mailed in early December.
Hopefully, this will provide the information for any parishioners with a shortfall on their 2005 pledge contribu-
tions to make it up by December 31.

The operations of the church had a loss for the month of October of $2,744 and a year to date loss of
$74,014. This is less than prior months primarily because of the $11,387 from the Diocese to support the pay-
roll and benefits of the curate.

Over $71,000 has been withdrawn from the St. Paul’s Perpetual fund this year to provide funds to continue to
operate the church. At the October meeting, the Vestry approved an additional $20,000 to be withdrawn from
the St. Paul’s Perpetual fund. It is anticipated that this will be sufficient to get us through the end of 2005.

Highlights from the Vestry Meeting

At the November 15 Vestry Meeting, your Vestry: persons who wandered in from the streets
• Received committee reports. Among them:
• Received a financial report indicating expenses ∗ By-Laws - approved a by-laws change for
still continue to exceed revenue approval at the Annual Meeting that will al-
• Reviewed a preliminary 2006 budget and made low a youth representative on the Vestry
recommendations ∗ Building and Grounds - new doors repainted,
• Approved new software for financial and mem- garden re-landscaped, old doors refinished,
bership management new signage, and nursery refurbishment
• Discussed progress on the Mission/Vision State- ∗ Stewardship - 148 of 307 pledge campaign
ment and the Actively Welcoming Church docu- cards returned for a total of $235,700. Call-
ment. Set aside January 29, following services, to ing to urge return of the outstanding cards
receive comments from the congregation. discussed and to be assigned in two weeks
• Heard a report from delegates about the Dioce- • Appointed nominating committee for the January
san Convention 2006 Annual Meeting. (Laub, Richardson, Boman,
• Received a report that indicated that the new pic- and Pierce)
torial directory would be ready by the end of the • Heard report on funding sources for organ resto-
year ration
• Provided dinner and assistance for two indigent • Received Clergy Reports
Page 6
Sr. Paul’s News

By Tom Shawver, Staff Writer

W e welcome as new members of the parish, Kirk and Barbara Lindquist of 2154 White Owl Way in
Okemos. He is a financial analyst in the Fiscal Agency of the State House of Representatives. She is a
sixth grade teacher in the Washington Woods Middle School in Holt. They formerly were members of Univer-
sity Lutheran Church, and are the parents of two grown children, Anders, of Ann Arbor, and Britt, a student at
Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Their mother and grandmother is Mary Lindquist of East Lansing.

We bid a fond farewell to Peter and Jennifer Saama and their children, Elizabeth, 5, and Emmanuel Patrick,
19 months. They are moving to Bowling Green , KY, where he has taken a position as an animal genetics re-
searcher with Sygen International in Franklin, KY. He will maintain an academic affiliation with Michigan State
University, where he has been employed in the Department of Animal Science. A former junior warden of St.
Paul's, Peter is the son of a retired Anglican bishop in the African nation of Uganda.

Updates Musicals Galore!

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
By Penny Rypstra, ERD Representative

A special thank you must go to the parishioners

who gave so much to ERD for the hurricane relief
effort. Last counted, there was $1,240 given to help all
those in desperate need. Thank you.
Another grateful thanks goes to "The Gathering," that
was hosted by Larry and Kathy Gut. It was in the
theme of "New Orleans" and appropriate live jazz was
played by Jeff and Peter Kressler. We thank them for
giving their remarkable talents to us. Just our lit-
tle "gathering" of St. Paul’s people collected $240.
Our parish is indeed a giving one. Let this unselfishness
continue; it has to, because our people still need assis-
tance. ERD also needs donations for future development
and for the other countries that need us. It was reported
that those who died in the Pakistan earthquake were of
greater number than during the tsunami.
Especially at this Christmas season, please think of those
who still need our care, concern and money. Look in the
Merrifield Room for Gifts of Life brochures, so you can
buy gifts to honor your loved ones at this time of year.
Once again, many thanks, and God's blessings.
C ongratulations to youth of the parish who
have been in their local school musicals! Emily
Laub was in the Kinawa Middle School production
of Honk, Matthew Nauss in the Chippewa Middle
School production of Oliver!, Staci Sparks in the
Holt High School production of Oklahoma!, Sarah
Niven in the DeWitt production of Jekyll and Hyde
and Megan McGee in Grand Ledge High School
production of Fiddler on the Roof.
Advent Prayer Booklet Sent
By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
I n order to help parishioners of St. Paul’s pre-
pare for the Christmas Season, the Adult Chris-
tian Education and Formation Committee has sent
out a collection of prayers for the Advent Season
composed by members of St. Paul’s. If you did not
receive one, or if you would like another to send to
friends or relatives, copies are available on the
table in the cloister. A big Thank You goes to all
who contributed prayers to this collection!
 St. Paul’s Choirs Page 7

Choir News and Dates to Remember

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

T hank You, Choristers

A huge THANK YOU goes to all the choristers and their families whose dedication of time and talent dur-
ing the Christmas Season has helped to bless the spiritual lives of all worshipers. Your gifts have tremendously
enriched our worship!

T he sounds of Advent and Christmas will be celebrated again this year with special music for the service of
Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 18, and for the Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist at 11PM,
(10:30 PM pre-service music) on December 24. All of St. Paul’s Choirs—Cherubs, Boys’ and Grace, High School,
and Chancel—as well as the Handbell Choir will present anthems for the Service of Lessons and Carols, a re-
counting in scripture and song of the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Messiah to redeem the world. As
has become custom, the Christmas Eve “Midnight Mass” will be preceded by 30 minutes of Christmas music pro-
vided by vocal and instrumental musicians of St. Paul’s. A brass quartet will provide special music for this ser-
vice.

Singing Schedule
Date Choirs
December 4 Boys’ and Grace; High School
December 11 Chancel Choir; High School
December 18, Lessons and Carols Cherubs; Boys’ and Grace; High School; Chancel
December 24, Christmas Eve
4 PM Family Service Cherubs; Boys’ and Grace
11 PM Service Chancel Choir; High School
December 25 Choirs will not vest

January 1 Choirs will not vest

January 8 High School; Chancel
January 15 High School; Chancel
January 22 High School; Chancel
January 29 High School; Chancel

Rehearsal Information to Note

T he High School and Chancel Choirs will rehearse together on either
Wednesday, December 21, or Thursday, December 22 (depending on
people’s schedules). Information will be sent home the prior week. Boys’ and
Grace and Cherubs will not rehearse on the 21st. No choirs will rehearse on
December 28 or 29. All choirs will resume their normal rehearsal schedule on
January 4 and 5.
Page 8
St. Paul’s Youth Ministry
A Crop Walk Thank You Youth Group Lock-in:
By Chris Nazar, Youth Leader
Soaked!
T he St. Paul’s Crop Walk Team did an
outstanding job this year. Our 12
walkers raised approximately $1,875 to
T he St. Paul’s Youth Group will par-
ticipate in a lock-in at the church on
December 2-3. The theme of the lock-in is
support hunger relief in Lansing and around
“Soaked!” We will be examining the role of
the world. This year’s team success re-
water in our spiritual and everyday lives.
sulted in recent highs in the number of
We will have a full report on the lock-in
walkers and the amount raised. Thanks to
next month.
the generosity of so many donors, we had a
50 percent increase in donations compared
to last year. Emily Laub and Melanie Youth Group Ponder Mission Trip

Walker raised the two highest amounts for
St. Paul’s. Thank you to all of our walkers
for the hard work and to everyone who
contributed to this important cause.
T
he St. Paul’s Youth Group is beginning to
make plans for a mission trip in 2006.
This trip will be open to both junior high and
senior high youth. The Youth Group will be dis-
cussing potential options for the mission trip at
the Soaked! lock-in. We will report on our plans
in future editions of the St. Paul’s News.

Youth Group Bowling Results

M embers of St. Paul’s Youth Group went bowling at Royal Scot on Sunday, November 13.
The games were very competitive with the Youth Group leaders holding back stiff chal-
lenges from Youth Group members. In the first game, Susie Shaefer threw a strike on the
final frame to beat out Brad Richardson by one pin. In the second game, Tommy Gut threw
two straight strikes on the final frame but couldn’t overcome Chris Nazar’s lead. Other youth
group bowlers included: Steven Walker, Emily Laub, Steve Kinunda, Dan Crabtree, Rich Bo-
man, and Eric Saites. Several family members and friends also joined in the fun.

Nursery Volunteers
The Rev. Susie Shaefer, Curate

W e are so lucky at St. Paul’s to have Clarissa

Chavez, the talented young woman who
staffs our nursery each Sunday. We are also very
lucky to have so many small children in our congre-
gation. This means that our Sunday nursery gets
very full. Starting in November, we have put a sign-
up sheet for volunteers in the nursery so that a
second adult is present for all of those “just in
case” situations. Would you be willing to spend one
Sunday morning with the youngest members of St.
Paul’s, so that their parents can attend worship
more freely? The volunteer sheet is downstairs in
the nursery. Please come by, meet Clarissa, and
offer a helping hand. Of course, you can also call
the Rev. Susie Shaefer during the week and she
will happily find a slot for you. Thanks!
 St. Paul’s Youth Ministry Page 9

/Christmas Intergenerational Event

By The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller

A gain this year, St. Paul's will celebrate the season of Advent and its
anticipation of Christmas with the second annual Advent/Christmas
Intergenerational Event. This is an educational opportunity for people of
varying ages to share their views and understandings of the season. In-
stead of going to an educational center design for a specific age, partici-
pants will go as families and share the experience.

This year's event is scheduled for December 4, immediately following the 10 AM service. The
service will be shortened so that we may have more time in the educational centers. Each of
the centers will have crafts meant to be taken home as a reminder of the experience.

As a member of the parish family, please make an effort to stay. Reservations would be appre-
ciated. Please call the Church office or sign up on Sundays.

Church School News

The Rev. Susie Shaefer, Curate

A fter our Communion Instruction class in October, 10 children participated in the Solemn
Communion liturgy on All Saints Sunday. Each child received A Child’s Guide to the Holy
Eucharist and a certificate marking this step in his or her faith life. The children who partici-
pated were: Sela Bauman, Zach Bauman, Thomas Laub, Maggie McDaniel, Alyssa McCon-
nell, Kaitlyn Narezo, Frankie Nevin, Sara Nevin, Paulie Nevin, and Alex Van Koevering.

Looking ahead, December is a busy time here at Saint Paul’s. Some of these great Advent ac-
tivities affect the Church School schedule, so let me take a few lines to remind you of our
schedule for the next few weeks:

December 4 NO Church School

Family Sunday Intergenerational Program after Church
December 11 Regular Church School
December 18 Lessons & Carols – NO Church School
December 25 Christmas Day – NO Church School
January 1 New Year’s Day – NO Church School

This also means that there are only a couple more Sundays left in this semester of Church
School. The new semester starts in January. Perhaps your New Year’s resolution might include
teaching Sunday School? Our curriculum is easy to use, and we have people willing to sub when
a teacher can’t make it to class. If you think this ministry might be calling your name, please
let me know.
Page 10
St. Paul’s News
Soap, Stain and Finish Make Pews Look Almost New
By Tom Shawver, Staff Writer

T he 44 oaken pews in the nave of St. Paul's are looking good, the best they've looked in decades of con-
stant use by countless worshipers.
It's the result of tender loving care and some serious elbow grease applied by a hoard of volunteers. About 30
of them—men, women, youths—spread out over the church on a Wednesday night in October to wipe off the
accumulated grime and discoloration with steel wool and Murphy's soap and apply a coat of stain.

The next day, members of the Men's Breakfast Group wiped out scratches and applied a coat of finish. The
following week, a second group of about 22 parishioners applied a second coat of finish.

"It looks just great!” exulted John Irwin, who planned and organized the effort. "If you don't' look too closely,
the pews look brand new. The turnout was fantastic and the camaraderie was wonderful."

The pews are 91 years old. They were installed when the church was opened in 1914.

A First Timers Guide to the Diocesan Convention

By Elisabeth Richardson, Jr. Warden

T he gut response from most folks when the topic of

delegates to the Diocesan Convention comes up
seems to be to run and hide. No one wants to go to
see the interaction of the convocation to the Budget
and Resolutions. It was also very entertaining to listen
to the speeches that were given for and against all of
Convention. I have no idea why. the Resolutions. I really got a better feel for the gen-
eral mindset of our Diocese. There are some folks who
Anyway, I have never been to Convention before and don’t think very highly of the Bishop and it really
had no idea what to expect. I received a schedule, showed in their comments and demeanor. It was
listing all of the activities involved. Friday night: Meet equally evident as to which parishioners annoy the
and greet the candidates for Diocesan office, Bishop’s living daylights out of the Bishop.
reception, dinner, update on Katrina relief. Saturday:
Choir practice, Eucharist, morning session, lunch and I really had a great time and would strongly recom-
afternoon session. Done by 4:00 p.m. In evaluating the mend to anyone and everyone that they attend a Di-
entire Convention, the most important parts were the ocesan Convention. But do it on your own terms. You
morning and afternoon sessions on Saturday. I arrived don’t necessarily have to sit with the folks from St.
in time for the Katrina program and sat with the rest Paul’s. In fact, you may get more out of the experience
of the contingent from St. Paul’s, listening to a wonder- if you sit with people you don’t know. Be sure you
ful and informative program on the Diocesan response know what the important parts of the Convention are
to the hurricane. Saturday, I arrived for the morning and what are the extras. I’m sure the Bishop would
session and couldn’t find the St. Paul’s contingent, (how disagree with some of my assessment, but for me this
I missed Rick Laub, 6 ft., whatever, in that crowd I worked out great, and I had a very positive experi-
have no idea) so I sat with the folks from Clinton, ence. I’ll be going next year to Dearborn for the Con-
Michigan. I had a great time. It was so interesting to vention. Hope to see many of you there.
 St. Paul’s News Page 11

St. Paul’s December Prayer List

W e pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson,
Beverly McEachern, Norris Ingells, James Lantz Family,
Sally Mishra, Dixie Durr, Don Fowler, Audrey Hegmon, Richard
Hegmon, Aaron Hegmon, Shelley Robinson, Donna Letner, Grady
Letner, Clara Voges, Mason Hill, Mary Olds, Lois Caswell, Pam
Cathey, Ruthann Perry, Virginia Hilbert, Dorothy Lawrence, Brian
Schray, June Wyatt, Pat Brownyer, Janet Siebert, Grace Hawkins,
Sherry Vogel, Barbara Millar, Avel Neito, John Kim, Rich Davis
and Ray Chase
We pray for those who were recently married: Jennifer Moody &
Daniel Gunn
We pray and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas: Gabe Helma, Matthew Rawlins, Car-
los Sims, and Stacey Speck
We pray for those expecting: Opuene & Karen Amachree, Vic & Marti Narezo, Rich & Vicky Bellon, Michael
& Julie Young, and Dan & Gretchen Barnas
We pray for those recently baptized: Julia Kayden Kelleher and Emmanuel Patrick Saama

Thanksgiving Thanks
St. Aelred’s Guild

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
T hank you to all of the St. Paul’s parishioners
who provided Thanksgiving baskets for 20
needy families in the Lansing area, in addition to
cash contributions of $515 that paid for the tur-
keys and provided food for other needy families.
Donate Your Used Books
S
t. Aelred’s Guild works to provide
visits, cards, prayers and support to
the community of St. Paul’s unable to
attend church regularly because of
illness or other hardship.
Request forms for this special ministry are avail-
able at the Welcome Table after church, or you
can call Gordon Weller or Susie Shaefer and
give the name of the person who would benefit
from a little special attention.

P lans are forming to hold two used book sales

a year. Income from the sales will be sent to
Episcopal Relief and Development.
The Guild meetings from are the 3rd Wednes-
day of each month at 5:00 PM in the Van Atta
Room or call Nancy Sheldon, (517) 393-9165
While dates aren't yet set, we do ask you to keep for additional information.
us in mind when you are sorting your book collec-
tion to make space for your new titles. Please
bring your gently used books — fiction and non-
fiction, spiritual and "secular" (but no textbooks) —
that you think someone else might enjoy. We will
place a collection box under the table by the ele-
vator that holds the sign-up sheets.
Watch for the sale date.
Page 12
St. Paul’s News
Notice of Proposed Amendments to Bylaws
By The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller
The Vestry submits the following proposed amendments of the Bylaws of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for ap-
proval or disapproval by the congregation at the Annual Meeting of 2006, with the recommendation that the
proposed amendments be adopted. These proposed amendments, prepared by the Bylaws Revision Commit-
tee, would make the necessary changes required to allow for election of a youth member of the Vestry.
The youth member would be elected to a term of office of one year, as opposed to the three-year term served
by regular Vestry members. A youth member would have to be an adult (at least 16 years of age) communi-
cant in good standing, but the one-year term of office would be available only to a youthful member—a mem-
ber who is at least 16, but not more than 18 years of age on the date of the annual meeting, at which he or
she is elected to serve. The proposed amendments do not limit the rights or responsibilities of a youth member.
Thus, the length of the term of office would be the only difference. If adopted, these amendments would allow
for election of the first youth member at the annual meeting of 2007.

The Vestry believes that this shorter term will encourage participation of youth members who might otherwise
be unwilling or unable to serve as Vestry members if required to serve a full three-year term.

The new language needed to effect this change is shown in bolded capital letters. Deletions of unnecessary
existing language are shown by bolded language stricken-out.
Proposed Amendments of Article VI, Paragraph 1

ARTICLE VI

VESTRY MEMBERSHIP
1. The vestry shall consist of twelve REGULAR MEMBERS, AND MAY ALSO INCLUDE ONE YOUTH
MEMBER. THE QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE VESTRY SHALL BE AS
FOLLOWS:

A. THE TWELVE REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE VESTRY SHALL BE adult communicants in good
standing (Article II, Paragraph 3) in this parish and their term of office shall be three years, or until a successor
is elected or qualified. Their term shall be such that there shall be three classes of four members each; and at
each annual meeting an election shall be conducted to fill the places made vacant by the class whose terms of
office expire. The term of office shall begin with the January organizational meeting of the vestry and shall run
for thirty-six months, expiring at the annual meeting. This section will be implemented over a three year pe-
riod; namely the annual meetings of 1994, 1995 and 1996.

B. THE YOUTH MEMBER OF THE VESTRY SHALL BE A COMMUNICANT IN GOOD STANDING

WHO IS NOT LESS THAN 16, NOR MORE THAN 18 YEARS OF AGE ON THE DATE OF THE ANNUAL MEET-
ING AT WHICH HE OR SHE IS ELECTED. THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE YOUTH MEMBER OF THE VESTRY
SHALL BE A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, OR UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS ELECTED OR QUALIFIED. THE TERM OF
OFFICE OF THE YOUTH MEMBER OF THE VESTRY SHALL BEGIN WITH THE JANUARY ORGANIZATIONAL
MEETING OF THE VESTRY AND SHALL RUN FOR TWELVE MONTHS, EXPIRING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
 St. Paul’s News Page 13

Proposed Amendments of Article VII, Paragraphs 1 and 2

ARTICLE VII

ELECTION OF VESTRY MEMBERS

1. The vestry, or a committee thereof, shall nominate not less than four qualified, able and willing
communicants in good standing (Article II, Paragraph 3) AS CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION AS REGULAR MEM-
BERS OF THE VESTRY, AND MAY ALSO NOMINATE ONE OR MORE QUALIFIED, ABLE AND WILLING
COMMUNICANTS IN GOOD STANDING MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTION AS A YOUTH MEM-
BER OF THE VESTRY (ARTICLE VI, PARAGRAPH 1) AS A CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION AS
THE YOUTH MEMBER OF THE VESTRY. THE NOMINATIONS SHALL BE MADE at the annual meeting for the
benefit and welfare of the parish but there shall be opportunity and encouragement of additional nominations
from the floor. Public notice of the nominees shall be given at least two Sundays preceding the annual meeting.
All nominees must have expressed a willingness to serve.

2. The wardens, when present, shall be the judge of the election and shall permit no person to be nomi-
nated or vote unless qualified; further, they shall canvass and declare the results. THE REGULAR MEMBERS
AND A YOUTH MEMBER OF THE VESTRY SHALL BE ELECTED SEPARATELY FROM THE CANDIDATES FOR
EACH CATEGORY OF MEMBERSHIP. Elections shall be by secret ballot and nominees receiving the greatest
number of votes cast FOR EACH CATEGORY OF MEMBERSHIP shall be elected. In the event of the absence of
one or both of the wardens, members of the vestry shall be appointed by the person presiding to act as
judges.

Vestry Nominations
By The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller

I t again is time to think about persons who might be elected to Vestry in January. This year’s nominating
committee will be Rick Laub, Libby Richardson, Val Boman and Debby Pierce. Should you wish to run
for one of the four available positions, or should you wish to nominate someone else, please give their
names to one of the committee members. Before you nominate someone though, be sure to secure their ap-
proval.
Qualifications for vestry are:

• Baptized
• At least 16 years of age
• A member of the congregation for at least six months
• Willing to attend 11 Vestry meetings during the year plus the Vestry retreat (January 28, 2006)
• A contributing member of the congregation (time, talent or treasure)
Page 14
St. Paul’s News
(Continued from, “Advent, page 1)

If you have lost your copies, others are available on Sunday mornings at the Church. They may also be found on
the Web page at www.stpaulslansing.org. If requested we will send you additional copies by mail. Please take
note and be responsive. Visions for the future are usually not destroyed by disagreement or discord; rather, they
are lost to apathy.

Another Former Chorister on National TV

First we had Melissa Ingells on "Jeopardy" in September, and now former
chorister Mark Van Auken—son of Joan Van Auken—and his wife,
Kristie, will be on the December 14 episode of "CSI: NY". Kristie won an
auction bid to be on the program, so she and Mark show up "In uniform"
in the background. Ask Joan for the photos with their co-star, Melina
Kanakaredes, and tune in on December 14.

(Continued from “Why Convention Matters,” page 1)
in their diocese.
The individual parishes of the diocese do have a say in
how the diocese is structured and managed, and their
input is gathered by their participation in a diocesan
convention. Both major and minor changes in the church
are voted on at convention, and it is the collection of
individual voters who decide. How much difference
does one vote make? One resolution at convention was
decided by exactly one vote (out of over 300 votes
cast). I have included the passage below as either a
reminder or a primer on our church’s structure.
“Episcopal” means “bishop” in Greek, and the Epis-
copal Church is governed in part by its bishops. The
basic unit of ministry in the Episcopal Church is the
“diocese,” or a region of a reasonable number of
Episcopalians. Each diocese is presided over by a
“diocesan bishop” who may have help from a variety
of other kinds of bishops, depending on the circum-
stances.
The Diocesan Bishop chooses and ordains priests and
deacons to serve the “parishes,” or congregations, of
the diocese, which carry out the ministry of the dio-
cese in their local communities. The priests lead the
parish in worship, make decisions related to the sac-
ramental life of the parish, and, in general, support
the ministry of the worshiping Christians there.
The Episcopal Church is governed by a Constitution
and a set of laws (known as “canons”) which it estab-
lishes for itself by Convention, but the diocesan
bishop is the ecclesiastical (or “church”) authority in
his or her particular diocese. The bishops of the Epis-
copal Church have no jurisdiction outside of their
dioceses, so they meet together twice per year to
pray and make decisions about the life of the
Church. Every nine years, the Church elects a
“Presiding Bishop” who represents the Episcopal
Church in the Anglican Communion and “presides”
over meetings of the bishops, known as the “House
of Bishops.”
Every three years, delegations (or “deputations”)
from all the dioceses, along with the House of Bish-
ops, gather to worship and pass legislation for the
Church. This General Convention is where broad de-
cisions are made about policy and worship, as well
as revitalizing the Christian community for ministry
“back home.”
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Phone: 517-482-9454
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The St. Paul’s News is a publication of St. Paul’s

Episcopal Church, Lansing Michigan.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Staff
The Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller, Rector
The Rev. Susie Shaefer, Curate
Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music
Ms. Mary Rodeck, Assistant Minister of Music
Ms. Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager
Mr. Patrick Brander, Sexton
St. Paul’s News Editorial Staff
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Tom Shawver, Staff Writer
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Lyn Zynda, Layout Editor

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