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+

3.1.26

Lent 2

Dear All,

First, do not forget that next Sunday, March 8th, Daylight Saving Time starts. Which means, turn your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed Saturday night. Which means we lose an hour of sleep. Which means, you just might be late to church. If you don’t come, you will be missed!

I would like to discuss with all of you some new opportunities we will have as part of our participation in the Diocesan Children’s Ministry Development Residency pilot program. As one of the three pilot churches, it is our hope and plan to provide a variety of activities that will promote faith activities in the home. For Advent, we issued a bag-full of activities inviting families to engage in journaling; creating a Jesse tree; making a prayer chain, etc. Of course, the most popular was the hot chocolate bar for coffee hour one Sunday while they decorated the Christmas tree in the Merrifield Room.

We learned much after the first season. We are now in the process of providing Lenten activities to engage the families in conversations and activities. Soon, you will hear of a pretzel bar for coffee hour and the importance of pretzels for a Lenten practice. The families will have gratitude boxes in which to insert brief notes of gratitude. You will hear much more of this as we move through Lent.

As part of the pilot program, we have worked with Carmen Piggins, the diocesan youth missioner. You might remember her visits to St. Paul’s and her thoughtful sermons. We have had numerous conversations about our children’s space in the back of the church. This was created as part of our SP21 restoration project in 2017-2018. The goal was to establish a child-friendly space for our younger members to engage in quiet activities during the worship service. With a special rug, reading pillows, books and an assortment of ‘quiet’ activities; rocking chairs for moms who need to comfort our youngest members, we hope we illustrated that we are a church welcoming of all ages.

In consultation with Carmen, vestry and others, we are now ready for the next step of illustrating our care for our young ones. First, we will have a children’s chapel once a month led by Karen+. This will take the place of Sunday School that day. It is our goal to provide our young ones a worship service scaled to their attention spans and learning levels. We cannot expect children to fully participate in our worship in the “big church” if they have no understanding of what is happening or their role in the service.

Second, we’ve come to realize the children’s space in the rear is temptingly large and an invitation for children to run and enjoy exercising during the service. Also, the distance between the rear and the action at the altar is so extensive, it doesn’t encourage young ones to pay attention. Perhaps you noticed when Carmen was last here, she sat on the floor in front of the first pew with her son in her lap. As they sat there, he mimicked the action at the altar and was fully engaged with what was happening.

Thus, we will be creating a children’s space in front of the first pew on the pulpit side. We will place small round cushions for the children and parents to sit on. We will reserve the front pew for the parents who do not sit on the floor. Our hope is being much closer to the ‘action’, they will be engaged in the service. We will also have children’s size eucharistic vessels to enable the young ones to mimic what is occurring at the altar. The hope is this will enable both children, parents, and all in the pews to participate in the eucharist.

Our first children’s chapel is March 15th. The following Sunday, March 22nd, we will move the children’s area to the front and try this for three months, until we move our service into the Merrifield Room for the summer. All will be engaged in an evaluation of this move. I know change is not easy, particularly in the church. Instead, we are called to transformation.

So, let’s pray this movement and educational process will be transforming for all. It takes time for new habits to be developed. As we proclaim in our welcoming statement, all are welcomed at St. Paul’s. I wish for our worship space to be welcoming, safe and nurturing for all. Please let me know if you have questions, thoughts or ideas.

Remember to say your prayers for all, particularly those in leadership positions making decisions about the well-being of others.

Blessings,

Karen+