Dear Friend,
I am on vacation this week, so I offer you this poem from Mary Oliver. May you notice where God shows up in your summer days.
The Summer Day
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
In Christ,
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Aftercare Conversation with Bishop Skip
You are invited to join Bishop Skip for an aftercare conversation regarding Bishop Hougland's suspension and resignation. Clergy and laity from throughout our region of the diocese will be in attendance. RSVPs are not required.
July 20, 10:30am - noon
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Cadillac, MI
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Concert by Alex Weller
St. Andrew's musician, Alex Weller, will be leaving this fall for college to continue her music studies. She is offering a concert to say thank you and farewell to her communities. You are invited to attend.
The concert will be held on August 7, 2021 at 3:00 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Big Rapids, MI.
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St. Andrew's Knitting Circle
The St. Andrew’s Knitting Circle meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Our mission is to provide prayer shawls and mittens for the Manna Pantry. All are welcome to join us. If you don’t knit or crochet, please join us with your current handwork project for the fellowship. Hope to see you on July 22 at 1:30PM in the Parish Hall.
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St. Mary's Altar Flowers
Do you have lovely flowers in either a planter or growing in your garden? If so, would you like to share them with St. Mary's on the Sundays that we have Eucharist? Planters "borrowed" from your home are welcome, as are flower arrangements. There is a sign-up sheet for flowers on the bulletin board near the head of the stairs. If you would like to bring in flowers, please put your name next to the date on the sign-up sheet, and place your flowers in front of the altar at least 10 minutes before the service starts.
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Service Time Change at St. Mary's
St. Mary's has returned to our service time of 10:00 am. All Sunday services will begin at 10:00 am. Thank you for your patience as we transitioned back to in-person services!
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St. Mary's Music Pew Folders
Theresa Williams and Mtr. Radha are beginning to work on updating the St. Mary's pew folders of hymns and songs. Over the next few weeks, please think of your favorite songs or hymns - the ones you want to make sure we include! On July 4, Theresa and Mtr. Radha will be starting to ask you for the names of those hymns and songs.
You can also submit your hymn requests here.
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Episcopalians Speak Out Against Voter Suppression
Advocating for equal access for all eligible voters
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A group of Episcopalians visited with their representatives in Lansing last week as part of a growing effort to exercise the voice of faith leaders in ensuring equal access to democracy.
Vicki Shroeder (St. Augustine's, Benton Harbor) and Bobbie Gaunt (All Saints, Saugatuck) found themselves increasingly concerned about new voter suppression legislation in the Michigan Senate. They reached out to their clergy, the Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson and the Rev. Deacon Francis Berguis of Saugatuck and the Rev. Cynthia Caruso and the Rev. Deacon James Enelow of Benton Harbor. A grassroots initiative began to take shape and claimed a name - "Episcopalians in Southwest Michigan Committed to Social Justice."
 In early June, they invited clergy of both dioceses to sign a letter advocating for equal voter access for all eligible voters. Over fifty members of the clergy, including Assisting Bishop Skip Adams, joined the letter that was later distributed amongst Michigan state senators as well as with the media.
They also invited members of the clergy to join them last Wednesday in Lansing. The group members attended a portion of an elections committee hearing but were unable to testify due to unexpected scheduling changes. Some were able to meet with their senators over the course of the day.
 As of last week, there are 39 proposed bills in Michigan aimed at restricting access to the vote. In the letter signed by the clergy, they write, "We are urging this action as people of faith who are committed to social justice and equality, which are cornerstones for all of the world’s major religious traditions. This commitment is part of our shared efforts to help ensure the common good in our communities so that all can thrive and flourish as God our Creator intended. These efforts rely on the full participation of our citizens in the political process, including safe and convenient access to voting by all who are eligible," citing specific concern about populations that would be affected by the proposed restrictions, including urban areas, the elderly, and more.
Photos: Bobbie Gaunt and Vicki Shroeder; clergy gather on the steps of the Capitol, from left to right - Bobbie Gaunt, the Rev. Canon Valerie Ambrose, the Rev. Jim Perra (Traverse City), the Rev. Radha Kaminski (Big Rapids & Cadillac), the Rev. Sr. Diane Stier (Mt. Pleasant), the Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson (Saugatuck), the Rev. Cynthia Caruso (Benton Harbor), the Rev. Deacon Jim Enelow (Benton Harbor), the Rev. Deacon Francis Berguis (Saugatuck), and Vicki Shroeder (Benton Harbor); the group pauses for prayer before heading into the Capitol building.
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Episcopal Word of the Week
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The Word of the Day is going to do a walk-through of everything that we use at the altar for a service of Holy Eucharist. We begin with the stack that is on the altar.
Veil - 1) A square cloth that covers the paten and chalice until preparation of the altar for communion. The veil usually matches the vestments and altar hangings in the liturgical color of the season. It is draped over the pall, which is a white square placed on top of the paten, purificator, and chalice. The burse, which usually contains the corporal and purificators, is placed on top of the veil. After the ablutions following communion, the veil may once again be placed over the paten and chalice. The term has also indicated a linen covering that was placed over the unconsumed elements of the eucharist after communion.
2) Material used to cover the crosses in church after the stripping of the altar on Maundy Thursday. In some parishes, the processional cross, pictures, and statues are also veiled. Customs have varied for the veiling of crosses. Crosses have been veiled throughout Lent or during Passiontide, which was the last two weeks of Lent. This veiling has also been associated with Holy Week. Veils have been black, violet, or white. This veiling is not required in the Episcopal Church.
3) Veils are part of the religious habit worn by members of women's religious orders. The veil drapes over the top and back of the head to the shoulders, and possibly as far as the back, depending on the length of the veil. The veil of a professed sister may be black or another color. The veil worn by a novice is distinguishable from the veil worn by professed members of the community. A novice's veil may be white, and it may be shorter than the veil worn by professed sisters. In the early church, Christian women wore veils to indicate their religious vocation or status. Veils were worn by virgins who rejected marriage and by widows who would not marry again. See Humeral Veil; see Veil of the Temple.
Definitions are from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors, Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY, (All Rights reserved).
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St. Mary's, Cadillac
- July 18, 10:00 am
- Holy Eucharist (in-person, in the sanctuary)
- Streamed to Facebook
- July 25, 10:00 am
- Morning Prayer (in-person, in the sanctuary)
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July 18, 10:15 am
- Morning Prayer (in-person, in the sanctuary)
- July 25, 10:15 am
- Holy Eucharist (in-person in, in the sanctuary)
- Streamed to Facebook
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Readings for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 18, 2021
First Lesson: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Psalm: Psalm 89:20-37
Second Lesson: Ephesians 2:11-22
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
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Worship Serving Schedules
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St. Mary's, Cadillac
July 18: Holy Eucharist
Celebrant: Mtr. Radha Kaminski
Reader: Mike Paulin
Intercessor: Mike Paulin
Acolyte: Jerry Hoekwater
Greeters/Ushers: Mary Pals
& Linda Mochmar
Music: Rachel Whiteman
& Jim Pals
July 25: Morning Prayer
Officiant: Nancy Foster
Reader: Jim Pals
Intercessor: Pat Foster
Greeters/Ushers: Karen Peters
& Lee Peters
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St. Andrew's, Big Rapids
July 18: Morning Prayer
Officiant: Coleen Dice
Reader: Isabel Kempton
Intercessor: Coleen Dice
Opener/Closer: Isabel Kempton
Music: Rev. Bob Garrels
July 25: Holy Eucharist
Celebrant: The Rev. Cannon Anne Hallmark
Reader: Betty Stolarek
Intercessor: Mark Lauzon
Opener/Closer: Beth Hamelund
Music: Beth Hamelund
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St. Mary's DME Lending Pantry Schedule
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July 19th: Jerry and Dale
July 22nd: Fosters
July 26th: Anita and Ross
July 29th: Peters
August 3rd: 2 people needed
August 5th: Fosters
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To sign up to volunteer in the DME Lending Pantry, contact Mike Paulin at Paulin1985@live.com or sign up on the calender in the DME.
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The Episcopal Dioceses in Michigan are currently in Phase 3 of the Plan for Re-Entry for Great Lakes Episcopalians. From the Diocesan announcement:
"This Phase of “Deeper Participation” is focused on best practices with only a few hard requirements, encouraging and empowering responsible local decision-making as you determine what level of re-entry is appropriate for your community at this time.
Because Phase 3 had not been modified since it was originally drafted in March 2020, the statewide group has instituted some changes to the original document reflective of what we’ve learned over the last sixteen months. Here is an overview of Phase 3, including areas that have been modified:
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Masks are encouraged indoors and not required outdoors. Masks are especially encouraged in the following circumstances: ministry with immunocompromised populations, children’s ministry (while children remain ineligible for vaccination), and when distributing communion.
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There are no capacity restrictions nor distancing requirements. It is advised that precautions be in place to avoid crowding.
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The preparation and serving of food is permitted. Self-serve buffets are not allowed.
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Communion is permitted in one kind using bread or wafers.
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Communal spaces must be cleaned on a regular basis. However, it is no longer required that this take place before and after every gathering.
Please read “Phase 3: Deeper Participation” within the Plan for Re-Entry for Great Lakes Episcopalians for additional detail and recommendations.
Remember that the pandemic is ongoing and while some aspects of our “normal” lives become more accessible, this may not be true for all people or all communities. Please remain generous and compassionate to folks who may not be able yet to return to in-person activities and to those that will continue to wear masks to protect themselves for whatever reason. We encourage you to continue to monitor the COVID Risk Map and consider instituting extra precautions should your county enter orange or red status."
Read the St. Mary's plan here or on the church website.
Read the St. Andrew's plan here or on the church website.
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Contributions are welcome!
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