We welcome all into our facilities (whether you have been here before or are seeking a worship home) for in-person worship, meetings and gatherings.

As Episcopalians, we are members of the world-wide Anglican Communion. At times we are referred to as’ that church started by Henry VIII so he could get a divorce’. Come visit and you’ll find out there is much more to us than a cranky old ancestor. Theologically some suggest we are progressive – instead we think of ourselves as keen on social justice issues, fairness, justice and equality for all folks. Worship-wise, or liturgically as we refer to it, we have a well-defined service that includes scripture readings, hymn singing, praying, preaching and sharing holy communion.

The only way to know if we are a good fit for you, is to try us out. We welcome all and pressure none. The most important thing is your relationship with God and we encourage you to find the place where it will grow most fruitfully. For more information about St. Paul’s, its ministries or anything else, feel free to email the rector, Karen Lewis at rector@stpaulslansing.org or contact our parish office at 517-482-9454.

Blessings to you and yours,
Karen+

November 8, 2026

Dear All,

The elections are over! No matter who won, our job now is to pray that all make wise and just decisions for all people. No matter race, ethnicity, faith tradition, age, sexual orientation – Jesus cared for all. I keep remembering the feeding of the 5000 – Jesus did not stop and card each person and ask, “Are you baptized?” nor did he ask who they worshiped of if they were gay or straight. He fed all, period! Let that be our guiding light as we figure out how to move forward in an angry and divisive word. Also, find someone today to share a word of kindness or to perform an act of kindness. They will feel better and so will you.

Other important things on my list to share with you …

… please make time in your calendar to join us for “If Music Be the Food” at 7:00pm on November 24th. This one-hour concert performed by MSU student musicians is delightful and benefits the First Presbyterian Food Bank. Plus, it is one way we can support MSU as we give these students practice in public performance. The concert is free, but I encourage you to bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank.

… on Tuesday, November 24th we have our Grateful Gathering meal and conversation. This is a time when we gather to express our gratitude for all our blessings and also to learn a bit more about the history of oppression of various groups of folks. Previously we have seen films on the oppression of indigenous folks including their forced removal to boarding schools.

This year we will view Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North and spend some time discussing what we have seen. This film chronicles a unique and disturbing journey into the history and legacy of the U.S. slave trade. We will be viewing the abridged version as the original is 86 minutes in length. Katrina Brown, the director/producer of the film, discovered her ancestors were slave traders in Bristol, Rhode Island. She decided to make a film that would ask: In what ways was my family shaped, formed, made by African slavery? What is the broader legacy of slavery for white Americans? As she tracks the DeWolf descendants’ journey, they confront their assumptions and America’s depiction of slavery as a predominantly Southern institution. One of the questions for all of us to ponder before we view the film – What do you know about the role of the North in slavery and the slave trade?
Please sign up if you are attending the dinner and also, please bring a dessert.

…one of the life-changing opportunities we have had at St. Paul’s is experiencing the Sacred Ground class. I have led the class twice and am willing to offer another one beginning early 2027. For those who have already taken this, the curriculum has undergone significant change with new course materials including responses to the question “Where do we go from here now that we know this?” So, if you have taken this before, you might want to consider doing it again. It is an 11-session course for which the group will establish its meeting dates/times, etc.

Now what is Sacred Ground? Here is how it is described on The Episcopal Church website:
Sacred Ground is a dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups use films and readings to walk through chapters of history of race in the United States, while weaving in threads of family stories, economic class, and political and regional identity. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day—all while staying grounded in our call to faith, hope, and love. Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society.

To know more about this life-changing opportunity I encourage you to speak with someone who has already participated in the course. Folks who have participated in past years include Susan Henderson, Bob Merriman, Maria Wawro, Jim Milne, Martha McKee, Sally Boron, Susan Kendall, Barb Heany, Mark & Nancy Rudd, Jane Bryce, Ann & Mike Sanders, Kelly Hackett, Dick Hamlin. If you are interested in this opportunity, please sign up to indicate your interest.

… and last but not least . . . the pipe leak downstairs! Well, it is worse than we had anticipated. Our hope was that it was one small section of the pipe that was rusted through. No such luck. Without going into too much detail, additional digging was required and the pipe was found to have rusted all the way through to the outside wall. This means sewage from who knows how long had gathered under the floor. The pump truck returned, pumped out a lot more sewage, and now the plumber is installing the new pipe. After the water is flowing again, pea gravel needs to be shoveled into the trench; the cement truck comes and fills the trench, then we will need new floor. Plus, the concrete wall will need to be repaired, and all the rooms cleaned from top to bottom. If you really want to know more, Theresa has pictures! View them at your own risk.

Which just means your contributions to the Capital Campaign are that much more important. Thank you to all who have given!

Now, remember your prayers. Give thanks for all our blessings. And look forward to the new future opportunities we are given each day. And be kind to one another.

Blessings,
Karen+