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July 2017

The Episcopal Parish of Alton has as its mission:

To live and show Christ in our midst.

I hear parishioners express rightful concerns about the future of our congregations all the time, and ask me

whether I think our numbers will just dwindle to nothing as parishioners die. The answer is that it depends on

the work we all do together now to keep that future from becoming our reality. It isn’t enough to try to escape

the horrible vision of our empty churches, the doors locked for the last time. Concentrating on that mental pic-

ture of our future is dangerous, because it fosters hopelessness and inertia. We will make that future for our

congregations come true.

Closing up shop is not the future God has in mind for us! Jeremiah 29:11 says, For surely I know the

plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

So what are we to do when very few new people come through our doors despite our best efforts, and the

children who were raised here don’t often come back to raise their families in our churches? If only we could

get people to come in through the doors, we think, we know what to do, because we’ve done it forever.

We need to claim the vision God has for us, but first we need to discern that vision, with God’s help, and

develop a plan that supports it. We also need to keep that vision in mind as we work to reach our goals. We

need to keep claiming the life and ministry God is urging us toward.

How we talk about ourselves can make a real difference in our ability to keep reaching for God’s promises.

Our Diocese has adopted a new Constitution and Canons to help in this endeavor. We have reclaimed the tradi-

tional meaning of the term “parish.” Wikipedia defines it as: A parish is a church territorial unit constituting

a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a parish priest, who

might be assisted by one or more curates, and who operates from a parish church. Historically, a parish often

covered the same geographical area as a manor (its association with the parish church remaining paramount).

By extension the term parish refers not only to the territorial unit but to the people of its community or con-

gregation as well as to church property within it.

Our mission field grows with this definition to include the entire area around us. We need to

get outside of our doors to bring the Gospel to the people in our area in a way that they under-

stand and can relate to. In the new Constitution and Canons, vestries are renamed “Mission

Leadership Teams.” Congregations will now submit a “Mission Strategy Report” at this year’s

The Reverend Cynthia A. Sever, Rector

A Purpose-filled Future and a Thriving Congregation!

OR It’s All in the Name

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Synod, and yearly thereafter, again in an effort to remind us to keep our focus on mission and strategies for

long range health and vitality. Long term health and vitality must include spiritual growth for us as well.

What should our mission and strategies be? Think about your opinion of the kinds of ministry we are the

best at, and bring us the most joy. Then think about the greatest needs in our area and among our current

members. Where do you see our joy and talents intersect with the needs in our geographic area and among

our current members? What creative ways can you envision for utilizing our skills and the things we love to

do to meet the needs and foster spiritual growth? I would love to hear your thoughts!

In my year here, our vision has included ministry to youth and families in an effort to place a safety net

under our children and youth by providing as many mentors for them as possible, and to help build facetime

among families; to answer the expressed need for educational and spiritual growth opportunities by adding

Family Fun Night, an additional Bible Study, the adult education program, and continuing the Lenten Teach-

ing series; and by the continuation of the fine musical tradition at St. Paul’s.

If we all work together, we can claim God’s promise to give us a future with hope. I’m looking forward to

hearing your ideas!

Faithfully,

Mother Cindy+

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TREASURER’S REPORT THRU MAY

MAY AMOUNT AMOUNT WEEKLY PLEDGES RECEIVED BUDGETED DIFFERENCE Monday, May 01, 2017 800.50 Monday, May 08, 2017 2,518.50 Monday, May 15, 2017 2,254.00 Monday, May 22, 2017 2,494.00 Monday, May 29, 2017 12,397.83 TOTAL 8,067.00 12,397.83 (4,330.83) INCOME TO DATE 63,785.20 EXPENSES TO DATE 82,609.74 OVERSPENT (18,824.54) AMOUNT BORROWED 18,700.00

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BOOK CLUB The Book Club will meet on Wednesday, July 27 at 9:30 am at Lucianna’s Pastries, 212 State Street, Alton. Our book selection is Camino Is-land by John Grisham. Join us for coffee, sweets, discussion, and fellowship.

Market Street Community Block Party

It’s that time again! The Episcopal Parish of Al-

ton is continuing their partnership in the 9th Annual

Market Street Community Block Party and Health

Fair. The event will be held Saturday, August 19th

from 11:00-3:00pm with the Health Fair portion

being from 11:00-2:00pm.

Market Street will be blocked off from Third to

6th Street for a family-oriented Block Party com-

plete with free hot dogs, ice cream, sno-cones, en-

tertainment and kid-friendly activities including

bounce houses and face-painting.

St. Paul’s will be the venue for the Health Fair

portion of the Block Party, housed in Heneghan

Hall. Requests have been sent to vendors to partici-

pate in the Health Fair.

As in years past, church member volunteers are

needed for the success of this event. We are need-

ing about 2-3 volunteers for inside the Health Fair

for clicker counts and to give directions. The Alton

Market Street Community Block Party Committee

is requesting help in all areas. You can volunteer

for any amount of time you feel comfortable with.

You receive a free T-shirt for volunteering so

please include your shirt size when you sign up.

There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board

in Heneghan Hall and Trinity Meeting Room.

I would appreciate all your help! Thanks,

Parish Nurse Amy Bohn

(618)798-1979

CONGRATULATIONS!

Gavin Michael Hayes was born to Amber and Justin Hayes on June 6, 2017, weighing in at 5 lbs 5 oz.. Peter and Nancy-Weiss Hayes are the proud grandparents.

NEEDLEPOINT KNEELERS

For more than thirty-five years we have enjoyed the beautiful needlepoint kneelers at the altar at St. Paul’s, as well as the smaller needlepoint cushions in St. Elizabeth’s Chapel. We are putting together the history and memories of these beautiful kneelers that are an integral part of our worship and plan to share this information/memories in The Angelus in the months to come.

Photo by Carl Slaughter

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

ST. PAUL’S

July 4, 2017 will be the 181st Birthday of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Alton.

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Please continue to remember in your prayers all those in need of healing. Heavenly Father, giver of life and health, comfort and restore those who are sick, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and trust in your unfailing love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Skin cancer occurs when muta-

tions form in the DNA of skin cells, causing them to grow out of control. Usually, the damage results from ex-

posure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which comes from the sun and artificial rays (tanning beds, sunlamps).

Skin cancer most often appears in areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, head, neck, hands, lips,

ears and scalp. However, the disease can also develop in other areas.

Some statistics: 1. On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five

sunburns. 2. Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing squamous cell

carcinoma by about 40 percent, and the risk of developing melanoma by 50%. 3. More than 419,000 cases of

skin cancer in the U.S. each year are linked to indoor tanning. 4. People who first use a tanning bed before age

35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75%.

People with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop skin cancer. The general risk factors

are:

-A lighter natural skin color.

-Family history of skin cancer.

-A personal history of skin cancer.

-Exposure to the sun through work and play.

-A history of sunburns, especially early in life.

-A history of indoor tanning.

-Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.

-Blue or green eyes.

-Blonde or red hair.

-Large number of moles.

Some sun healthy tips are:

- Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended

outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher. Apply 1 ounce (2

tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or

immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. A tan does not indicate good health. A tan is a response to

injury, because skin cells signal that they have been hurt by UV rays by producing more pigment.

-Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.

-Do not burn.

-Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.

-Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

-Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreen should be used on babies over the age of six months.

-Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.

-See your physician every year for a professional skin assessment each year.

If you find something suspicious you can also take advantage of the free skin screenings at Alton Me-

morial Hospital. The screenings are offered the second Wednesday of each month at our Cancer Center.

You can call 1-800-392-0936.

Blessings, Parish Nurse Amy Bohn

SKIN CANCER

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Vestry Rector’s Warden: Jeff Dunnagan

Parish Warden: Mary Molloy

Clerk of the Vestry: Vivian Monckton

Treasurer: Donna Fisher

Mother Cindy Sever 585-261-8970

Mimi Almonroeder 462-7004

Jean Downey 466-2253

Jeff Dunnagan 467-2771

Diana Enloe 463-0391

Martha Fisher 259-3177

Harold Green 466-5732

Lynn Hoffman 823-2806

Marti LoRusso 251-4921

Mary Molloy 531-0317

Dan Plate 550-9534

Carl Slaughter 377-3757

Barb Ulffers 462-1364

Donna Fisher, Treasurer 791-3860

The Episcopal Parish of Alton

St. Paul’s Church Trinity Chapel

10 East Third Street Alton, Illinois 62002 1901 State Street

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Telephone: 618-465-9149 E-mail: epialton@episcopalalton.org

Rector: rector@episcopalalton.org

Website: www.episcopalalton.org

Facebook: Facebook.com/episcopalalton

Angelus Editor: moyerb@charter.net

July Birthdays 7 Ethan Plate

9 Morgan Alexander

11 Byron Sever

Anne Schmitt

20 Jodie Eagleton

Chuck Drennan

21 Cory Swiecicki

23 Elizabeth Bumbacher

26 Donald Moyer

27 Aaron Shields

29 Peter Hayes

30 Gigi Darr

O God, our times are in your hand; Look with favor, we pray, on your servants, As each one begins another year. Grant that

they may grow in wisdom and grace, And strengthen their trust in your goodness

all the days of their lives; Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The church office will be closed on Tuesday,

July 4, in celebration of Independence day.