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THE GOOD NEWS LETTER JULY 2010 | "Do the best you can and entrust the rest to God" Dear friends in Christ: I have spoken with a number of people over the past few weeks and have come away from some of these conversations with the overwhelming impression that many of us are feeling terribly burdened. There are undoubtedly many reasons for this. Of course, each of us has his own "issues" which must be dealt with on a daily basis. These include health concerns, relationship struggles, financial worries, and a myriad of other causes. And all of this before we even leave our own heads or homes. We live in an age in which a huge amount of information is available to us at all times. Disasters or wars which are occurring thousands of miles away feel like they are transpiring right next door. There is an immediacy about all this troublesome news that is at times overwhelming. While it is a good thing to be informed about national and international developments, is it possible that we suffer from having just too much information? I fear that the distress that may of us encounter as we hear the tragic details of the Gulf oil spill, absorb more alarming news about the economy, learn of political conflict, or consider impending war, all combine to leave us with a sense of being over-loaded. In addition to all our own "stuff" must these burdens also be shouldered? What does our faith have to say about this situation? By now we all know that "having faith" does not grant us immunity from life’s pressures. Surely the example of our Lord’s life makes that clear. But our faith also reminds us that our human affairs are not absent from the mind of God. We believe that the risen Christ participates in every dimension of our lives through the presence of the Holy Spirit. We are not alone; not solo-piloting. In all things we should be encouraged by acknowledging God’s permanent companionship. The troubles of the world must be faced one step, one soul at a time. We begin to heal the problems of our world as we engage daily the fabric of our own personal spheres. Cultivating peace, promoting renewal in difficult relationships, or even healing the environment, all begin as we, individually, face our demons with trust and determination. And our trust is not just in our own abilities, but in the assurance of God’s care. Our first response must be to pray for God’s intervention into our worlds, whether personal or international. God will not abandon us, and we must strive to remain faithful to the gospel message of hope and grace. Similarly, we are wise to inventory our thoughts and actions to ensure that they are not contravening God’s purposes. Humility demands that we recognize that we have limited vision. As a dear friend of mine once told me, "Pray and get out of the way!" We proclaim a God who is invested in our welfare. Christ struggles, weeps, and laughs with us as we engage life’s journey. And God uses us to bring hope and healing to others through our thoughts, words, and action. The Holy Spirit is always active, though these mysterious movements are certainly not always apparent to us. Whatever joy or sorrow we know, whatever burden or delight we might encounter, God will use all that is happening around us in a holy and redemptive way. This does not mean that we will achieve immediate release or instant contentment. But as God once told Moses, "Stand fast and watch the salvation your God will work for you." Yes, we must do all that we can to live in a faithful manner, as Christ has taught us, but then we must wait and entrust the rest to God. We are not alone. We are beloved of God. Faithfully yours, George, Vicar (The Very Reverend George E. Hillman) News from our Parish Summary of monthly statistics for June 2010 Saturday/Sunday attendance: CTK: 137; HN: 134 Plate and Pledge Income: $11,781 (Budget: $9375 per month) Year-to-Date: $79,076 (Budget: $56,250) Please note: these income figures include receipts for the Building Fund, Memorials, and other miscellaneous non-budgeted items. GERANIUM SALE Our Parish thanks event organizers Melinda Johnson and Mary La Violette for a job well done. With the help of a number of church volunteers, as well as those who purchase flowers, the annual Maifest Sale realized $1292.00 in profits. BUTTER BRAIDS Our June sale of the now familiar Butter Braids should ultimately turn a profit of approximately $523.00 (once the remaining 22 Butter Braids are sold!) We thank Kay Lindemann who was the primary organizer, as well as Barb Graul who assisted with sales at Holy Nativity. At present the Braids still available for sale, @ $11.00 each, include the flavors of cherry, cream cheese, and raspberry. If you are interested in making a purchase, please call the Church Office at 743-3286. RUMMAGE SALE Thanks to Katie Schnorr who presided over our recent Rummage Sale held at Christ the King on Saturday 26 June. With Katie’s organizational work and leadership along with the cooperation of a number of parishioners, the sale raised slightly over $1000 which, like our other fundraisers, is to be split between the building funds of our two churches. CIRCLE SUPPER Our summer Circle Supper will be held on Friday 23 July at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Jerry Kruse (4494 Bayshore Drive in Sturgeon Bay). If you plan to attend, please be sure to place your name on the sign-up sheet to be found in the back of the church. PARISH DIRECTORY As the Summer proceeds we will be issuing an updated Parish Directory. If your present listing needs to be corrected or otherwise changed, please be sure to communicate your updated information to the Church Office at your earliest convenience. CAP PANTRY The Community Action Pantry (CAP) needs your help. During the month of July we are asking parishioners to donate bottled juices for distribution. Other sorts of donations will, of course, be accepted, but our July focus is on juices...a very appropriate need during these hot summer months. BISHOP JACOBUS’ VISITATION On the weekend of August 14, 15 Bishop Jacobus will be making his official annual visitation to our parish. In conjunction with this visit from our Diocesan, we will hold a POTLUK PARISH PICNIC to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday 14 August (after the Holy Nativity 5:00 p.m. Eucharist). The picnic will be held at Lakeside Park in Jacksonport. Melinda Johnson is serving as coordinator of this event, so please watch for sign-up sheets and other pertinent announcements which will be inviting your participation in the picnic. ************************ Farmers¡¯ Market Coupons are still available! You are eligible for coupons if: 1. You are 60 years or older; or 55 if Native American 2. You are a Door County resident. 3. Your household income is at or below 185 percent of: Household size Monthly Income Annual Income 1 $1,670 $20,036 2 $2,247 $26,955 3 $2823 $33,874 4 $3,400 $40,793 For each additional household member, add $577 monthly, $6,919 annually. If you meet all these eligibility requirements and you are interested in receiving Vouchers (coupons), please call Jo-Ann Schley at 746-2543. SENIOR FOOT CLINIC A Senior Foot Clinic is held every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to Noon.. It is also held one Thursday and one Monday per month. All requests will require an appointment. The clinic is sponsored by Door County Memorial Hospital. The cost is $8.00. Appointments must be made by calling Karen at 746-3570. First appointments will require a health history and list of Medications. The address for the clinic is: Lakeside Surgical Associates 1843 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. *************** July Birthdays and Anniversaries 6 Trisha Filar 9 Eric Johnson 13 Kay Lindemann 14 Pete Repp 17 Mary and Roy La Violette John Schopf, Jr. 18 Barbara Stahl 19 Kurtis Lauder 21 Holly Okkerse 22 Daniel Lauder 25 Deacon Jerry Kuehn, Ordination 28 Marti Ziegelbauer 29 Marilyn Cunningham THIRD QUARTER OUTREACH Now that we have begun the third quarter of 2010, our new outreach target for July-September will be the BISHOP’S PENTECOST APPEAL. Your generosity in supporting this endeavor to help strengthen our Diocese’s ministry and mission is greatly appreciated A FRIENDLY REMINDER.... For the last several months our pledge income has been running considerably short of the amount budgeted to ensure that we can meet all of our general operating expenses. Donation statements for the first halfof the year will be mailed in early July so you will have then an accurate accounting of your pledge. If you have fallen behind in your commitment and are able to make your pledge current, please do so. If your financial circumstances have changed and you are in need of revising your 2010 pledge, please feel free to contact Fr. Hillman or Nancy Fisher, Treasurer. <‡Gↈ> IMPORTANT NOTICE Also, please note that effective July 7th we will have a new Post Office Box number for the church. It is P. O. Box 828. Please feel free to use it since it appears to be the most secure way of ensuring that your mailings are received.
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