Put In Bay Church News May 2012
St. Paul’s Put in Bay Church will observe several joyful occasions in May, including the important observance of Ascension Day on
Thursday, May 17, at 7 p.m. May also marks the beginning to the 100th anniversary of St. Paul’s Put in Bay Church re-connection to the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. On May 8th, there will be a “Ladies Tea” in the parish hall at 3:30 p.m. The ladies invite all women of any age to gather with us at 3:30 p.m. You may RSVP by calling the church office or signing up on the sheet in the parish hall before May 7th.
Lifetree Café is coming to South Bass. Hosted at St. Paul’s, it is a comfortable place and time to gather weekly to explore life and faith. Members of St. Paul’s will learn about this program at 9 a.m. on Sundays in May so we can share it with others. All are welcome at our exploration of Lifetree Café on May 6th, 13th, and 20th at 9 a.m.
The atmosphere of Lifetree Café encourages conversations, questions, and personal stories. Join us for compelling stories about fascinating people. Stories from the news. Stories from our own lives. The story of what God is doing in the world around us. The Bible Buddies will have their last spring meeting on May 1st at 3:15 p.m.
Join us for the “Sneak Preview” of the new program St. Paul’s will use in the fall. It is an active program just for youth grades 1-6 title at’s in the Bible.” The emcee of the fall program is a lively character named Buck Denver. Older youth are encouraged to sign-up to help assist in leading this program.
Saturday, May 5th, is World Labyrinth Day. We will join in with all other labyrinth hosts with a global “Walk as One at 1” Everyone is invited to come to walk our labyrinth at 1 pm May 5th for this worldwide observance. St. Paul’s Put in Bay Church will offer Labyrinth Workshops throughout the weekend. Friday, May 4th, at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 5th, at 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 6th, at 2:30 p.m.
April was a wonderful month as St. Paul’s celebrated Holy Week and Easter. We welcomed Paula Hubner back on the organ. Justin Case will be on vacation until June, when he will play the 9 a.m. service. We also enjoy Tyler King’s guitar instrumentals at our service. Ms. Melody Many received the sacrament of baptism on April 15th, with many of her family members joining in the service.
St. Paul’s celebrates 100th anniversary – St. Paul’s Put in Bay Church will kick off the 100th Anniversary Celebration this month. A special History Tour of St. Paul’s will occur Wednesday, May 16th at 2 p.m. Although worship services using an Episcopal prayer book have occurred in St. Paul’s church since 1865, 2012 is the 100th Anniversary of St. Paul’s return from the Reformed Episcopal Church to the Protestant Episcopal Church. Each month this summer,
St. Paul’s will remember the steps taken by Philip Vroman, Laura Cooke Barney, and many others as this return to the Episcopal Church occurred. On May 15th – 18th, 1912, the General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church met in Philadelphia. St. Paul’s rector since 1907, the Rev J. Fred Speel, was not in attendance with St. Paul’s delegate, Mathias Burgraf, and John Wonnacott, the alternate.
The parish reported 77 members that year and the annual budget was $3,172.58, which included over $350 for outreach beyond the parish. In his report to the Council, Reformed Episcopal Bishop Chenny told the representatives of participating parishes that “St. Paul’s Church, Put in Bay continues to present a challenging field of effort for our [the Reformed Episcopal] church.
We have some devoted and praying people in the congregation, but the fact an island is a place, not merely of summer resort
but of Sunday excursion from all cities on the border of Lake Erie is a very grave obstacle to spiritual religion. The Rev. Mr. Speel deserves the fullest credit for the brave struggle which he has made against overwhelming difficulties….” Within a few weeks of this Council, Mr. Speel announced he was leaving the island for a larger church in Albany, NY.
The congregation voted to return to the Protestant Episcopal Church. Most adult members sent a petition signed by 69 people to Bishop Leonard in Cleveland requesting re-acceptance. The parish spent several months in 1912 organizing to make the transition. At the time, Jay Cooke’s son, the Rev. Henry Cooke, was the editor of the local Episcopal newspaper.
His published articles provide insight into the decision of the parishioners. St. Paul’s Church will be sharing additional information about this key event in its history from 100 years ago in its newsletter and web page. At the time of the transition, the property title where the church sits was held by Jay Cooke’s daughter, Laura Barney, who, like her father, was a devoted member of the Protestant Episcopal.
Church.
We at St. John Put in Bay Church invite you to worship with us at our new worship time for the summer months! We will be gathering on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at Mother of Sorrows Church from now through the month of October. Please join us to renew yourself through the worship and music of a traditional Lutheran service in a contemporary style! If you have any questions or would like a visit, contact Pastor Dan Keck at 419-341-7216.
Parents, grandparents, and children… don’t forget…Vacation Bible Camp 2012. This year Bible Camp week is scheduled for August
6-10, 2012, and is for children entering grades K-6. The theme is quite appropriate for our island community…“Adventures on Promise Island,” where we will discover God’s promises for us! As was mentioned in last month’s Put In Bay News Gazette edition, we will focus our outreach efforts by collecting items to benefit the people of Haiti…another island community!
And as part of that outreach, we invite you to donate new pillowcases, which will be made into dresses for the women of Haiti. If you want to donate, you can get them to Pastor Dan from St. John @ The Bay, Sister Lucille from Mother of Sorrows, or Mother Mary at St. Paul’s! If you would like more information on this, please get in touch with Pastor Dan at 419-341-7216.
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