THE CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 2010 EARTHWORKS URBAN FARM...IT WORKS! In the heat of the noon day summer sun, Linda Shan- non, Norma Smereka and I eagerly toured between rows of tall sunflowers, smelled crushed mint leaves, and watched youth volunteers ready a new garden "lasagna" style. Pumpkin vines trailed across broken sidewalks, hatted workers gathered on bended knee between rows of leafy beans, and pollenators hummed with satisfaction. We mar- veled at these beautiful lush gardens scattered in vacant lots in the midst of Detroit's poverty and hopelessness. expanded into a thriving farm market, complete with edu- cation, youth programs and internships. There are com- post piles, drip lines, and certified organic plots. The vi- sion, now a reality, turned our heads and left us with the feeling that St. James parishioners might want to lend a hand...or a rake. Outreach opportunities abound, especially during the growing season. Volunteer gardeners are welcomed from 9 am to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There are also youth programs needing adult volunteers. All volun- teers meet at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen at 1264 Mel- drum, Detroit (one street from the Elmwood/Mt. Elliott Cemetery). When we arrived back at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, we purchased newly picked vegetables from their garden mar- One man, hoe in hand, told us that he doesn't consider ket and then ate lunch inside with garden interns and De- weeding as work, but rather a time for meditation and troit residents. All in all, it was quite an impressive morn- prayer in God's garden of plenty. Perhaps you might want ing! to join him. Started in 1997 by Brother Rick Samyn of the Capuchin Check their website http://www.cskdetroit.org for more Soup Kitchen, this Earthworks Urban Farm project has details. -Madeleine Jones THE CHRONICLE—SEPTEMBER 2010 1 SAINT JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH MASSEY’S MUSINGS ST. JAMES MUSICAL AUTUMN BRINGS THREE RECITALS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 25150 E. River Road What an exciting time this is in the musical life of Saint James Parish! In June, Grosse Ile 48138 Ross King and associates completed the work on the initial phase of the organ re- (734)676-1727 building. The sound of the organ in the Church is noticeably enhanced and the mechanical-electrical actions of the console are greatly improved. Mission Statement: Rich in tradition, yet forward-looking, the mission of Saint The renovated organ will be heard in public worship for the first time on Church James’ Episcopal Church is to celebrate and carry forth the good news of Jesus Fest Sunday, September 12 at 10 a.m. The S. P. D. Bell Choir will provide the Christ as a family, bound together in his prelude to worship as we rededicate the organ to the worship of Almighty God. name. Then the organ will sound to introduce the opening hymn as the Senior Choir leads us in a hymn of praise, beginning our program year. STAFF Speaking of choirs, the Senior Choir began rehearsals on August 26, but welcomes The Rev. Philip M. Dinwiddie , Rector new members at any time, especially at the start of the fall season. Rehearsals are Lance Massey , Minister of Music on Thursday from 7:30 pm—9 p.m. The S. P. D. Bell Choir also welcomes new Sandra Hahn , Director of Christian ringers to rehearsal beginning on Thursday, September 2 at 6:30 p.m. If you are Education interested in becoming a part of the Music Ministry of your parish, please feel free to come to a rehearsal or talk with me about your participation. Paula McSweeney , Parish Secretary Jill Craig , Treasurer As we celebrate the rejuvenated organ in the Church, we will host three recitals to Harold Schwochow , Sexton inaugurate the artistry of The Ross King Company. On Sunday, September 19, Barbara Gray-Massey will perform; on October 17, yours truly will “mount the VESTRY bench”; and on November 28, Dr. Joseph D. Daniel of Saints Matthew and Joseph Andrew Johnson—Sr. Warden in Detroit will play. All recitals will be at 3 p.m. Tina Wirtel—Jr. Warden What an exciting time for Saint James Music Ministry—and you can be an active Larry Crabtree participant in any or all of its offerings. As the Latin phrase below exclaims: To Dave Dowhan God alone be the Glory! Josh Goyert– youth representative Jack Hartley Soli Deo Gloria! Carolyn Hoey Lance A. Massey Blanche Hutchinson Madeleine Jones RUMMAGE SALE COMING UP! Diane Larkin This fall, our Saint James Rummage Sale will coincide with the first island-wide Diane Mammo Garage Sale. We will have our rummage sale for the traditional two-day run (Oct. 1-2 this year), while the Island-wide Garage Sale will take place on Saturday, Oct. Mandy Phllips 2. We are confident that there will be plenty of rummage to go around Grosse Ile and should draw nice crowds to our Saint James tradition! WEBSITE : www.saintjamesgi.net Specifics: Set-up day: Sunday, Sept. 26 after 10 am service (wear jeans and remember, THE CHRONICLE many hands make light work!) 2006 and 2007 Blue Ribbon winner Work-week: September 27-30 2008 Red Ribbon winner 2009 Special Recognition Sale days: Friday, Oct. 1, 9 am—4 pm, Saturday, Oct 2, 9 am—2pm. of the Lois Leonard Award for Excellence in Church Journalism , Take-down: Sat. Oct. 2 at 2 pm. awarded by The Record Editorial Board of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. Saint James is accepting rummage, starting September 13. Call Carole Vandenberg at 734.671.6492 to schedule pickup. THE CHRONICLE—SEPTEMBER 2010 2 SAINT JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH FATHER PHIL MESSAGE: EDUCATION V. WORSHIP Adults who love God rarely confuse Education with Wor- time to focus in adult worship while giving children person- ship. When we read a book, or attend a class, we know we alized experiences of worship that don’t involve work or the are learning: This is Education. When we take a leisurely substitution of Education for Worship. walk, or stand to sing a hymn we know we are praising Our program, called, “Godly Play” uses Montessori methods God: This is Worship. to give children the opportunity to explore and experience The distinctions are relatively clear for adults thinking God on their own level, whatever that may be. They are not about adult experiences, so why do we get so confused told about God; rather they are invited to reverence, to won- when we think about children and children’s experiences? derment, to listening, and telling, and sharing -- to their own profound Experience of God as alive and holy. So many churches have made the decision that children should not be in church for much or all of the worship ser- Once a month our children are invited to the worship we vice, because those children “won’t understand what is hap- adults find meaningful. The rest of the time they attend pening”. What do we do with them, instead? We send Worship Centers that involve order, creativity, response and them to Sunday School, of course! reverence. We substitute Education for Worship, without thinking for Some wonder that children would find such things engaging. a moment that one is no substitute for the other at all. All “What do children care about reverence?” They might say. I in the name of helping the children to understand. wonder if they are the same ones who confuse Education with Worship when it comes to K-5th graders. But do they, really? Are children really understanding so much better in Sunday School? And what kind of favors Human beings are made to learn. Education is so important are we doing them when we rob them of an experience of for us. Lesser known, and lesser understood, we are also Worship, even if we are substituting Education in its place? made to worship. True worship feeds the soul and satisfies like nothing else. It is true for adults, we know. It is for Education is so much easier to provide. Worship is special. children, too. It is unique. Don’t children deserve the opportunity to wor- ship, just as much as adults? To learn more about the Saint James’ Godly Play program, see the video at saintjamesgi.net on our homepage, or con- Questions like these have been asked in seminaries and tact our Director of Children’s Ministries, Mrs. Sandy Hahn, church Worship Committees for many years. “Parents at [email protected] or 676-1727. don’t want their kids next to them,” some say. “They don’t understand what’s happening,” say others. “Even I don’t On-line registration for the Fall is already underway! understand what’s happening,” some adults say. And the discussions go on and on. Blessings, What is a church to do? We are very excited about the solution we have made a large commitment to at Saint James’ this Fall. It honors the needs of parents and the needs of children, giving parents SAINT JAMES BOOK CLUB REVIEW: A NEW EARTH A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle Saint James Book Club members: Fr. Phil, Maren James, Katie Hartwell, Claire Krukowski, Julie Kohn, Mandy Phillips A few years ago I had the privilege of joining Fr. Phil and others in a Book group. The book was, The Question of God by Dr. Armand M Nicholi, Jr. It was a powerful experience and has remained with me since. There have been other book groups but I have not been able to join until this spring. The book to be discussed and read this spring was a new book by Eck- hart Tolle.