Be sure to wear RED to Church on the Feast of

Pentecost

Sunday, May 27, 2007

The Day of Pentecost is one of the seven principal feasts of the church year.

The others are Easter Day, Ascension Day, Trinity Sunday, All Saints’ Day, Christmas Day, The Epiphany

Pentecost means "the fiftieth day." It is used in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament it refers to a feast of seven weeks known as the Feast of Weeks. It was apparently an agricultural event that focused on the harvesting of first fruits. Josephus referred to Pentecost as the fiftieth day after the first day of Passover.

The term is used in the New Testament to refer to the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), shortly after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. Christians came to understand the meaning of Pentecost in terms of the gift of the Spirit. The Pentecost event was the fulfillment of a promise which Jesus gave concerning the return of the Holy Spirit. The speaking in tongues, which was a major effect of having received the Spirit, is interpreted by some to symbolize the church's worldwide preaching.

In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is now the seventh Sunday after Easter. It emphasizes that the church is understood as the body of Christ which is drawn together and given life by the Holy Spirit. Some understand Pentecost to be the origin and sending out of the church into the world.

The liturgical color for the feast is red. Pentecost has also been known as Whitsun or Whitsunday, a corruption of "White Sunday." This term reflects the custom by which those who were baptized at the Vigil of Pentecost would wear their white baptismal garments to church on the Day of Pentecost.

From the Rector...

Well, here we are and it’s May, the month of concerts, and concerts, and concerts. Maybe it’s just me, but I think people may make music even more than the birds do in May. Don’t get me wrong, you all know that I love music, but I think May just gets out of hand. I may start a movement to get concerts moved out of May into some of the other months, you know, to spread the wealth around.

In church we are into the midst of the Great Fifty Days of Easter, our ongoing celebration of the Resurrection. You may have noticed some changes in the Liturgy. The optional prayers that have a more penitential nature have been temporarily dropped. As we asked everyone to kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer in Lent, now we ask all those who are able to stand during the Eucharistic prayer during the Easter season. After Pentecost, at the end of the month, we will all go back to personal preference, but for now we act out our joy with a standing ovation!

Pentecost is coming, the day where we remember the giving of the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a day when we all wear some sort of red, and the church is festooned with red hangings and the altar party is decked out in red, symbolizing the flame of the Holy Spirit and the fire of belief that burns in each of us.

After the stunning and amazing Resurrection, the disciples knew that something had happened, but they didn’t know exactly what; and even worse than that they were unsure of how to respond. In our Gospel last week we see Peter falling back into old habits; he goes fishing. We too sometimes slip back into old habits. As we approach Pentecost I ask you to pray for an enlivening of the Spirit within each of us, to dedicate ourselves anew to the mission and vision of St. Charles.

Almost daily the news reminds me that the world is so desperately in need of the message of love and reconciliation that we have to share. We have been so blessed in our ministry together. Keep up the good work, the work of Christ. Share the gifts you have been given. And share the good news you have received.

ALLELUIA! + CHRIST IS RISEN! + THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED! + ALLELUIA!

See you in Church!

Bill +

From the wardens...

The hardest part about writing this message to the parish each month is the concern that I will forget to tell you something. There is so much going on at St. Charles Episcopal Church that it is almost impossible to keep up with everything. The good news about our variety of ministries is that each of you has lots of opportunities to get involved and turn your faith into action. Christianity is not a passive religion. When we become involved, our faith comes alive and is strengthened. Jesus calls each of us to our own ministry and we all have been given gifts that can make this place "a true light in our community."

Well, here are the highlights:

The Charles I Commission continues their work. Kristen Balisi gave an update to the vestry on April 12th and the Commission will give a report to the parish at the May 10th Vestry Meeting. Please come and hear about what they have discovered about Charles I. The Vestry Meeting starts at 7 p.m.

At the April 12th Vestry Meeting we voted to establish a "House Committee" which will be responsible for providing direction to all Vestry Committees, but principally the Building and Grounds Committee around decorating and landscaping issues. The House Committee will be expected to access professionals for advice and be responsible for the coordination of our Church's and ground's physical appearance. Wendy Bangs is coordinating the formation of this committee, so if this a ministry that interests you, give Wendy a call.

While we are talking about our church building, April was a big month for our physical plant. Construction was completed, a new roof was installed over the entire building and after at least 20 years the leak in our downstairs Sunday school hall was repaired.

Under Cathy Koch's leadership the Worship Committee is exploring ways to better accommodate the growing numbers at our 9 o'clock service, and returned our guest book and our "little church" suggestion box for input. In addition, they are reviewing every facet of our various worship experiences and making sure everyone is trained for their part.

Now that our construction is finished, Christy Becker's Communication Committee will be adding new bulletin boards and making a variety of changes in information signs and a new sign-up area.

Mary Zupke and Liz Ryan have so much going that finding enough education space is a serious problem. The Evangelism Committee, led by Dick Hattan, has reviewed our "Church Experience" from the perspective of a guest and is making some changes to our signage, website, and training. Their work also includes working with a group from Oswego who want to plant a new Episcopal church in that area.

As you can tell, Joe Ryan's Grounds Committee has been busy dressing up the outside of our church.

Kevin Thomson reported that our Senior High Formation Class is interested in building a new shed for the church (pending permit and insurance approval) as a service project and "practice" for their June 11th mission trip to Eastern Kentucky. If you are handy with building tools and you would like to help and teach our youth give Holly Parks a call.

For those of you who have been concerned about the cleanliness of our church be assured that Henry Mora and the church staff are on top of it and have hired a new cleaning service. Watch for the improvement.

All of our other Vestry Committees - Parish Life led by Katie Thomson, Outreach led by Colin Campbell and Special Projects led by Michelle Moore are busy with specific projects for fun and Christian Service.

Finally, I'm sure you have noticed that our church building is being stretched to accommodate our parish and its activities. While this is a very good thing (some might say a miracle), we need to look at solutions to this problem because our crowdedness keeps visitors from feeling welcomed. One of the things that the vestry is going to be looking at in the coming months is a Space Needs Analysis for our worship, fellowship and education space.

As you can tell from the above, we have a very talented and dedicated Vestry, but they all need your help. How can you help make this place where "all people may be drawn into your fellowship and transformed by your love?"

See the Miracles!

God Bless each of you,

Bob Parks (Senior Warden)

Bo Smith (Junior Warden)

Wondering how YOU can get involved in Bibletimes Marketplace? 

There all sorts of opportunities to share your skills with the children of this parish and the community during our annual summertime program, Bibletimes Marketplace. Bibletimes Marketplace will be “open” July 28 through August 3. If your gift is working with a small group of children - we could use your help as a “Tribal Leader”. You would assist a group of approximately 8 or 9 children of varied ages as they experience the daily life of a Tribe of Israel. Praying together, making bread, watching history unfold as well as encouraging them to try Biblical arts at the Marketplace Tent.

If you are gifted at arts & crafts, there are many places where your skills could be used. For example, you could be a Basket maker or a Beauty shop attendant, a Brick maker or a Candy maker, a Carpenter or a Cloak maker, or any one of the other jobs listed here:

Cloth dyer

Grain grinder

Jewelry maker

Kite maker

Leather worker

Metal worker

Mosaics

Musical Instrument maker

Needle worker

Potter

Rope maker

Sandal maker

Scribe

Sower (planter)

Spices & herbs

Stonecutter

Weaver

Actor 

Childcare provider

Games leader

Dance leader

Kitchen helper

Photographer

Set up/take down

Storyteller

Costume maker

Pre-event tasks (help artisans assemble crafts)

There are training sessions for newcomers and experienced volunteers who will help you with your chosen “profession”. We want YOU to enjoy this very special time with the children! See Liz Ryan and she will answer any questions you might have.

On the road again...

...during the summer months we take our evening Eucharist “on the road”. This means that on the Wednesday of each week from June 13^th through August 29^th we will meet at a different parishioner’s home for Eucharist and, if they wish, a house blessing! (Fr. Bill will bless rooms and closets from afar if you wish!) We combine this with fellowship (which is one of our strengths here at St. Charles’ Episcopal Church) by inviting any members of the parish who would like to come and having a potluck supper afterward. This has been a very enjoyable tradition and one that you might like to be a part of. Please sign up to be a host on the sign up sheet in Ludtke Hall.

Robinson Family Update...

Well, it’s been about a year and a half since we met Earnest and Bessie Robinson and their family. Hurricane Katrina had forced them to evacuate their home just outside of New Orleans and they’d gone to Texas, only to have to leave again and head north.

Things have not been easy for Earnest and Bessie. They stayed with us for almost a year while Earnest tried to find work around here. Unfortunately jobs were not easy to find and this area proved too expensive for them, so they went back to Chicago to stay with Bessie’s sister. As you can imagine, it’s hard having two families in one apartment, and the decision was made that they would return to Louisiana.

At the end of March Earnest headed south and now has two jobs (his old job as an Avis shuttle bus driver and a part-time bellman’s job). Bessie and the kids will stay with her sister until the end of the school year to allow Jasmine to graduate from High School. In June they will pack up all their belongings and head to Louisiana. Your donations of over $500 will help pay for the moving van.

They are very excited that their apartment in Metairie has been refurbished and is almost ready for occupancy. They will be able to move back in and be with other friends who have decided to return.

Bessie wanted to say how thankful she is for the love and care she and her family received from everyone at St. Charles’ Episcopal Church. She says that she will always think of us as “family” and keep us in her prayers.

Happy Birthday to you...

            MAY

2          Marcia Flanagan

3          Andrew Parks

5          Elise Parks

5          Glorianne Campbell

6          Jeff Blaschak

9          Kevin Thomson

10        Sheryl Vitel

11        Katherine McCleary

12        Erika Englehart

13        Joe Ryan

14        Dick Hattan

15        Barbara Haase

15        Anne Hollis

16        Karen Hattan

18        Marge Mejia

19        Eoin Cottrell

21        Thomas Van Nortwick

22        Kyle Ingraham

24        Alan Wolff

24        Liz Benning

28        James Wolff

28        Alec Heffron

31        Stephanie Hillard

31        Jane Wolff

31        Tom Flood

Happy Anniversary in May to:

9          Jeff & Mary Jo Blaschak

12        Jim & Barbara Bachman

16        Gary & Liz Meade

17        Tim & Jo Ellen Druffel

18        John & Kai Godina

20        Jim & Christine Lyng

22        Jack & Judy Clarke

27        William & Darlene Gillis

27        Jack & Liz Benning

29        Tom & Sharon Miller

Our deepest sympathy to Grace Rhead upon the loss of her mother, Margarita Loredo on April 12^th.

And Happy Birthday to you!

            JUNE

2          Holly Parks

2          Karen Madura

4          Greg Vitel

6          Kathy Mertes

6          Matthew Groskopf

7          Tom Jancauskas

8          Wink Bangs

8          Rich Foster

9          Colin Brown

10        Walker Bowman

11        Robin Travis

12        Kimberly Ingraham

17        Emma Englehart

21        Dick Lander

21        Adrianne Elfring

21        Spencer Godina

22        Gary Punch

22        David Ingraham

24        Joe Stephano

24        Jack Druffel

25        Gerry Miles

25        Mary Wolff

26        Mary Benjamin

29        Nikole Custer

30        John Mertes

Happy Anniversary in June to:

2          Rod & Sandy Parsons

10        Bill & Liz Johnson

11        John & Anne Hollis

18        Charles & Bobette Dodson

19        Derrick & Erika Englehart

21        John & Mary Benjamin

22        Dick & Gloria Babcock

22        Dick & Karen Hattan

23        Alan & Jane Wolff

23        Gary & Mary Elfring

24        Barry Cottrell & Michaela McDaid

24        Bill & Becky Kruse

25        Bob & Katie Thomson

25        Jack & Trann Kelly

27        Elmer & Jody Rullman

30        Rich & Carol Foster

April Showers bring May flowers...

We will be planting Spring Flowers on Saturday May 19th. The time will be from 9 am until ???. We will also level the old sign/flower bed. So bring your gardening tools and join us. Pizza will be served for lunch. If you have any questions, call Joe Ryan.

LADIES’ BUNCO NIGHT!

Sunday May, 13 is Mother’s Day. Saturday night (May 12) is LADIES’ BUNCO NIGHT. Have mom go to Bunco while the kids make something special for her. Or if you do not have children still at home, come out and laugh and have fun with other women. Not sure how to play – we will teach you. Hope to see you at 7 pm in Ludtke Hall. For more information, contact Sheryl Vitel.

SUNDAY, JUNE 3

FORMATION SUNDAY

10:30 am Service will be at

Pottawatomie Park

We will picnic and party after the service.

There is a fee for parking for non-residents of St. Charles, so please plan to carpool with a resident or turn in a note to the church office and the fee will be considered part of your giving for the day and credited to your pledge. Watch for more details in The Pulse.

Worship Committee

Do you have a comment, an idea or compliment that you want to give for our Worship experiences? Use the “View from the Pew” little church note cards or contact a Worship committee member. The Worship Committee will meet on Saturday, May 19 from 10 to 11 am.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES

Chair: Fr. Bill Nesbit

Vestry Liaison:                                                                                                                                          Cathy Koch

Acolytes:                                                                                                                                                   Jamie Koch

Altar Guild:                                                                                                                                     Barbara Bachman

Altar Bread:                                                                                                                                               Kathy Hari

Bulletins:                                                                                                                                                     Lela Lowe

Choir:                                                                                                                                                  Phyllis Andrew

Formation:                                                                                                                                                    Liz Ryan

Flower Guild:                                                                                                                                         Carol Paschal

Intercessors:                                                                                                                                                  Bo Smith

Lay Eucharistic Ministers:                                                                                                                    Kathy Mertes

Lectors:                                                                                                                                            Walker Bowman

Music:                                                                                                                                                   Dan Williams

Ushers:                                                                                                                                             Walker Bowman

9:00 Service:                                                                                                                                     Kerri Hildebrand

Deacon Liz Meade

USHERS/GREETERS/HOST FAMILY

Notice something new with our Ushers, Greeters and Host Families for the 9:00 service? Every Sunday during the Easter season, they will be wearing carnations to help everyone know and recognize who they are. These are very important ministries and we thank them for giving their time and talents to our church. Thanks to Walker Bowman for all of his help with this.

What’s Up in Formation?

Spring has sprung!

And the classes are having a great time.

The Purple Atrium (preschool) is finishing up the year with stories about the Good Samaritan, the Ascension and Pentecost.

The Green Atrium (K- 1^st grade) is learning about the vessels of our liturgy. What are those things called and why do we use them.

The Blue Atrium (2^nd - 4^th grades) continues to explore our wonderful Book of Common Prayer and the laws of Moses.

The kids in the Middler’s class (5^th & 6^th grades) are working on “discipleship”. The lessons are structured to help them discern what that means in their world!

The Jr. High (7^th & 8^th grades) will be starting May by serving at the 10:45 service on Youth Sunday and then continue their study of what the Spirit of God is saying to us through the scriptures.

The Sr. High will be preparing for their Mission Trip.

Looking ahead...

Set your calendars...

Sun. May 20 – This will be our last REGULAR class of the Formation year.

Sun. May 27 – No Regular Classes (Memorial Day Weekend). But be sure to wear RED in celebration of the Feast of Pentecost.

Sun. June 3– Formation Sunday! All children and youth are invited to be part of a formal blessing at the 10:30 am service which will be held at Pottawatomie Park. Students should plan to be at the Park no later than 10:15. We’ll picnic and party after the service. Members of the Sr. High who will participating in the Mission Trip will be “commissioned” for this ministry at this service. There is a fee for parking for non-residents of St. Charles, so please plan to carpool with a resident or turn in a note to the church office and the fee will be considered part of your giving for the day and credited to your pledge.

June 11-16 – “Mission in the Mountains”! The Sr. High group will be in Prestonsburg, KY. Please keep them in your prayers.

July 28 -August 3 – Bibletimes Marketplace! This program is for children from 4 years old through 5^th grade and is our version of a vacation bible school. The Marketplace is a cooperative effort with Bethlehem Lutheran Church where it is held. Register NOW! Forms are on the board in Ludtke Hall. Lots of staff opportunities for kids entering 7^th grade in the fall through adults. See Liz Ryan for further information.

Who’s Who in our Church!

Dorothy (Thompson) Payleitner is a veteran member of the Altar Guild and a regular 7:30 am service attendee. When asked if there is anything special we should know about her, Dorothy’s response was “No, I think I’m pretty ordinary.” Ah, not so Dorothy!

Born in her parents’ home in Delrapids, South Dakota and raised in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Dorothy was all business. In fact, she attended Oshkosh Business School and got her degree. While she was in school she worked in a bakery on Saturdays. (She still has a weakness for baked goods - especially cookies !) After she left school, she worked for the Treasury Department at the Merchandise Mart during World War II. Then she held a job as a secretary for a medical office. Her precise manner has been a skill that has blessed all of her employers.

Dorothy was married to Duane Payleitner for over 53 years when he passed away in December of 2002. High school sweethearts, they raised three children together: Melissa, David and Thomas.

Dorothy and her family came to St. Charles’ Episcopal in 1982 when Fr. John McCausland was rector. Dorothy says she will never forget the care she and Duane received from Fr. McCausland and their fellow parishioners when Duane had a heart attack shortly after they started attending. She knew they were in the right place.

Other skills Dorothy has developed include sewing and arts & crafts, and her hobbies include reading good novels, watching movies, going out with the “Friday Night Fish” group and her “Coffee Ladies” group. She lends her aid to us at church in several capacities. In addition to the Altar Guild, Dorothy can be found volunteering at our monthly visits to the Soup Kitchen in Aurora and leading the Y.E.S. Group (Youthfull Episcopal Seniors).

And lastly, when asked if there was anything she would ever have liked to have tried in her life, Dorothy responded, “I always thought it would be nice to be a concert pianist.” Ordinary? I think not!

Green Corner of Hope

(Healing Our Planet Earth)

"Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee." – Job 12:8

Spring is in the air and soon our trees will provide shade from the hot sun. Did you know that they actually cool the air too? There is a process called photosynthesis that allows water to pass though your tree's roots to be released into the air through leaves (called transpiration). As the water evaporates, it cools the air surrounding the tree - similar to the human sweat cooling system. Because of transpiration and shading, the air surrounding a tree is on an average 9 degrees cooler. Tree-shaded neighborhoods are up to 6 degrees cooler then those without according to the Dept. of Energy. It is estimated that planting one shade tree on the sunniest side of your house, after tree cost and maintenance, will help you realize an annual average savings of $23.

For a great do-it-yourself guide on choosing and planting the right tree for your home, check out http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phtv_000481.pdf

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The evening gathering of the prayer shawl ministry will meet on Thursday, May 3 at 7 pm in Ludtke Hall. Join us to knit, crochet or to learn how! We have several new knitters and crocheters, so you will not be alone! The morning gathering will be Tuesday, May 15 at 10:00 am.

VESTRY

Bob Parks, Senior Warden

Bo Smith, Junior Warden

2008                        2009                        2010

ST. CHARLES’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Rt. Rev William Persell, Bishop

The Rev. William R. Nesbit, Jr. Rector

The Rev. Elizabeth G. Meade, Deacon

Dan Williams, Director of Music

Liz Ryan, Director of Youth & Children’s Formation

Lela Lowe, Administrative Assistant

phone: 630-584-2596

Fax: 630-584-8633

email: scecoffice@sbcglobal.net

Web site: www.stcharlesepiscopal.org