Dear <<First Name>> ,
The Diocese of Western Michigan has issued our call to convention. This year's Diocesan Covention will be held jointly with the Diocese of Eastern Michigan from October 29-30 in Lansing, MI. It is anticipated to be held in person.
This year's convention theme is "Gathered in the Field." The diocese writes:
"After more than a year in which our modes of gathering and community building were upended, our dioceses - its congregations, ministries, leaders -- demonstrated remarkable resiliency, creativity, and commitment to sharing the Good News. In this time of "regathering" and as we consider what God is calling us to be in the next year, five years, twenty years, and beyond, we pause to gather and celebrate our ministry "in the field" -- doing the work God has called us to do in this place and at this time. Our convention will bring together leaders from across the dioceses to learn about those ministries, engage in deep conversation, and to celebrate one another in the midst of a difficult year and as we look ahead to our new ministry field."
This year's convention will include a youth-led compline on Friday night (email mknill@edwm.org if your child would like to be involved), Saturday morning Eucharist, formation and programming for children and youth throughout the convention (read more about this under "News from the Diocese," and a series of ministry workshops on Friday morning.
Our delegates to convention will receive more information in the coming months. Visitors are always welcome at convention. If you would like to attend as a visitor, please register yourself by visiting the convention page on the diocesan website.
More information about convention may be found on the Diocesan website: www.edwm.org/convention.
In Christ,
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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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Invitation to Eagle Scout Ceremony
Gavin William Mathison will be having his Eagle Scout Court of Honor at St. Andrew's Church on Saturday August 14th at 2 pm. Gavin painted the St. Andrew's rectory as his Eagle Scout project. The family has extended the invitation to St. Andrew's and hopes that you can attend. There will be cake and refreshments after the ceremony.
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St. Mary's Feast Day Celebration
St. Mary's will celebrate our patronal feast day on Sunday, August 15. We will have a special service of Holy Eucharist, including a farewell to Rachel Whiteman. A boxed lunch picnic will be offered after the service. If you have a dietary requirement, please let Mary Pals or Mtr. Radha know by August 10. Bring a picnic blanket or chairs to sit outside. In case of inclement weather, the picnic will be in the parish hall. All are invited!
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Service Time Change at St. Andrew's
On Sunday, August 22, St. Andrew's will change the Sunday service time to 10:00 am. All Sunday services will begin at 10:00 am after August 22. This change will enable St. Andrew's and St. Mary's to have the same service time, which will make it easier to have joint gatherings and will help out our rector.
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SA Picnic and Service
The annual St. Andrew's outdoor service and picnic will take place on, Sunday, August 29 at 10:00 am at the home of Betty Stolarek. There will be no service in the St. Andrew's sanctuary on that day.
This year's picnic will be boxed lunches provided by St. Andrew's. Please RSVP to the St. Andrew's office by August 23, so that we can order the correct amount of boxed lunches. if you have any dietary restrictions, please also let the office know. You can RSVP by emailing standrewsbr@gmail.com or calling 231-796-5473.
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Blessing of the Backpacks
and Program Year Beginning
Our program year will kick off at both parishes with a Blessing of the Backpacks. All ages are invited to bring their backpacks or work bags to the Sunday morning service on the following dates for a blessing.
St. Andrew's: August 22
St. Mary's: September 5
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Diocesan Convention
Children and Youth Programing
We are excited to offer a time of formation and community for the children and young people of our dioceses at the Joint Convention of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern & Western Michigan. Our formation theme will be focused around our convention theme Gathered in the Field. The program is open to children of registered delegates, clergy, and visitors attending the convention, aged Pre-K (4 years old and toilet trained) through Middle School. Older children (6th-8th grades) will be helpers for the younger children.
Friday -- Check-in at 9:15am, Check-out at 8:30pm following Compline
Saturday -- Check-in after Convention Eucharist, Check-out at 4pm
Participants will spend some meals with their parents/guardians.
Adults interested in volunteering with the children's program should contact McKenzie Knill, Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adult Formation for the dioceses, at mknill@eastmich.org.
The cost to participate in the children and youth program is $30/child. The deadline to register is October 12th.
Click here to register a participant for the Children and Youth Program.
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News from the Wider Church
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Episcopal Delegation to the UN Climate Summit
Apply to be a member of TEC's delegation to COP26
All Episcopalians (18 and older) are invited to apply to serve as a member of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's delegation to the 2021 UN climate change conference. Young adults, members of the indigenous community, LGBTQ+ community, and those whose communities have been affected by climate change and environmental justice are particularly encouraged to apply.
The conference will take place online, including daily meetings, October 31-November 12. Applications are due August 20th. Click here to learn more and apply.
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Episcopal Word of the Week
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Our walk-through of everything that is on the altar for Holy Communion continues.
Eucharistic Elements - Bread and wine that are consecrated in the eucharist. The bread recalls the work of human hands required to harvest the wheat and make the bread, and the companionship of sharing. The wine recalls festivity and celebration, along with sacrifice. These elements of the communal meal are offered by the congregation and blessed during the Great Thanksgiving. The bread and wine of the eucharist are commonly called “elements” or “species.” The elements are the outward and visible sign in the sacrament of the eucharist and the matter of the sacrament. The body and blood of Christ are understood to be really present in the eucharistic elements after consecration. They represent the inward and spiritual grace of Christ’s Body and Blood that is given to his people and received by faith (BCP, p. 859).
Following a widespread and ancient tradition, congregations of the Episcopal Church use bread made from wheat and wine made from grapes. Other sources of bread and wine may be more appropriate in other cultures. The bread may be leavened or unleavened. It may be in the form of wafers or a loaf that is broken for distribution. No particular kind or color of wine is required, although many prefer red wine as a symbol of sacrifice and Christ’s blood. It is an increasingly common practice to use loaf bread made by members of the congregation. Homemade or local wine may also be used. The BCP makes no provision for the replacement of bread and wine with other eucharistic elements. For example, unfermented grape juice is not used for the eucharist in the Episcopal Church. However, those serving folks who are in recovery from alcohol addiction sometimes use non-alcoholic wine so that they may included in the full Eucharistic feast.
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
- August 15, 10:00 am
- Holy Eucharist (in-person, in the sanctuary)
- Feast of St. Mary the Virgin
- Streamed to Facebook
- August 22, 10:00 am
- Morning Prayer (in-person, in the sanctuary)
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- August 15, 10:15 am
- Morning Prayer (in-person, in the sanctuary)
- August 22, 10:00 am
- Holy Eucharist (in-person in, in the sanctuary)
- Streamed to FacebookHoly Eucharist (in-person in, in the sanctuary)Streamed to Facebook
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Readings for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 8, 2021
First Lesson: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
Psalm: Psalm 130
Second Lesson: Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51
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Worship Serving Schedules
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St. Mary's, Cadillac
August 8: Holy Eucharist
Officiant: Pat Foster
Reader: Jerry Hoekwater
Intercessor: Diane Wilson
Greeters/Ushers: Jim Williams & Karlene Hoekwater
August 15: Holy Eucharist
Officiant: Mtr. Radha Kaminski
Reader: Mike Paulin
Intercessor: Nancy Foster
Greeters/Ushers: Mary Pals & Linda Mochmer
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St. Andrew's, Big Rapids
August 8: Holy Eucharist
Celebrant: Mtr. Radha Kaminski
Reader: Anne Stanton
Intercessor: Isabel Kempton
Opener/Closer: Betty Stolarek
Music: Beth Hamelund
August 15: Morning Prayer
Officiant: Jodi Gabert
Reader: Isabel Kempton
Intercessor: Chris Lisuzzo
Opener/Closer: Isabel Kempton
Music: Bob Garrels
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St. Mary's DME Lending Pantry Schedule
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August 9: Jerry H.
August 12: 2 people needed
August 16: 2 people needed
August 19: Peters
August 23: Jim W. and Jerry H.
August 26: 2 people needed
August 30: 2 people needed
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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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