Celebrating 5 Decades of ministry and mission moving forward in faith
“...the LORD your God is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not
partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers,
providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of
Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10: 17-19
“... [Jesus said] 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foun-
dation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of
me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw
you and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a
stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in pris-
on and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of
these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Matthew 25: 34-40
Dear Friends –
One of the criticisms of Christianity is that is all about “pie in the sky by and by” – as in, it
has nothing to do with daily life as we know it and it’s all about getting our goodies when
we die and get to heaven. And one of the criticisms of the Resurrection and Pentecost cel-
ebrations of our faith is that they are about events – real or imagined – long ago and far
away and have nothing to do with the life of body or spirit in the “real world” today, (as
any one individual might define “real world”).
For several reasons, those challenges to our religion have been on my mind lately. One of
the reasons is that we are in the throes of the presidential campaign season (“Deliver us, O
Lord”), once again being inundated with claims of which candidate will bring us back to
the Judeo-Christian values upon which, they say, our nation was founded. Which “Judeo-
Christian values” are rarely specified. I suggest those touting those unnamed values use
their debate gatherings to come in for a landing on the two biblical quotes above, and in
their time allotted articulate specifics as to how a secular government would put into prac-
tice – as challenging as such implementation is – those traditional Judeo-Christian values
specified in Deuteronomy and Matthew.
With the great debates going on about immigration and stranger-welcoming in our country,
it was a breath of fresh air and a boost to the spirit – a sign of hope- that I experienced
watching the latest viewings on our local PBS show “Insight”. These were interviews with
folks from the Center for New Americans, which is part of InterFaith Works of Central
NY. (St. Michael’s supports the work of this agency through contributions from our Mis-
sion Endowment Fund for local benevolences as well as our donations of clothing and
household goods for new arrivals to our country. I serve as our Lutheran Upstate NY Syn-
od’s representative on their Round Table of Faith Leaders). My words cannot begin to con-
vey the powerful hope in these testimonies of lives resurrected this side of the grave, or the
pentecost energy of the sacred spirit bringing together disparate and desperate people into
new life in community. To see what has been happening in the lives of these new Ameri-
cans is also to experience those for whom the “American dream” is not some worn-out
politicians’ cliché but is a powerful vision of hope and stimulus to action for these recently
-arrived neighbors. To be reminded by those who have chosen to come to our country and
PASTOR’S MESSAGE
MAY 2016
Volume 61 Issue 4
Several Points of Interest in
this issue:
* Confirmation Sunday
* Financial Updates
* Spring Clean Up
* Summer Worship and
Church Picnic
St. Michael’s Trumpet
Pastor’s Message
to become American citizens, who have fled horrific situations of oppression, warfare, violence – the worst things that
one human being can do to another – to come to our nation seeking the freedoms that we promise and try to live
by....well, watch them tell their stories and hear for yourselves:
http://video.wcny.org/video/2365724104/
Sometimes we need those who are “not us” to bring “us” to see what we have lost sight of.... and how blessed we truly
are.
And sometimes we need voices from the past to speak wisdom and hope into our present and future. I know that I have
shared before with you these following words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, yet I think that it is good to do so again.
Amid all the mud-slinging and personal demeaning going on in our democratic political process, it is time once again to
appeal to, as Abe Lincoln called it, the “higher angels of our nature” in the life of our nation. So here to remind us of
who we are to be as Americans, “The New Colossus”, by Emma Lazarus. (The title of the poem and the first two lines
refer to the Colossus of Rhodes, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The poem talks about the
millions of immigrants who came to the United States, many of them through Ellis Island at the port of New York, as the
near-by “Lady of the Harbor” stood watch and bid welcome. The " air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame" refers to
New York City and the City of Brooklyn, which were consolidated into one unit in 1898, 15 years after the poem was
written).
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
In Christ -
St. Michael’s Trumpet
CONGREGATION COUNCIL REPORT
We’ve all heard the old joke about “How many Lutherans does it takes to change a light
bulb?…None, Lutherans don’t believe in change”. But, “How many Baptists does it
take?...At least 15, one to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the
change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken”.
Over the next year or so, we’ll have to take on a bit more of the Baptist mentality (except
we’ll be bringing cake!!). We will have to approve and accept changes in our church life to-
gether during our pastoral transition. I would like to thank Steve Carlic for volunteering to
head the committee overseeing this transition while continuing to serve as Council’s Vice
President. This committee’s duties will be far reaching and, at times, I’m sure, quite diffi-
cult. However, I am confident that with the cooperative effort of all, St. Michaels will weath-
er this proverbial storm and will thrive as we move into our 7th decade of worship, fellow-
ship and service.
That leads us to our 60th Anniversary Celebration. A big thank you to Jan Kunkle for volun-
teering to head the anniversary committee. She and I will be on the lookout for members
to help in this task. If you have a specific interest in this, please don’t hesitate to reach out
to one of us. We are looking to have the celebration in early December.
ATTENTION PARENTS: We have a need for kids of all ages to help out at church in the com-
ing weeks. First, we will soon be setting a make-up date for Steve Carlic’s lessons on using
Facebook. It would be wonderful to see our youngsters interacting with our less experi-
enced computer users in an effort to bring everyone into the Facebook age. Second, our
Church Picnic is June 5. Again, children of all ages are needed to help decorate and organ-
ize games and, of course, participate in this annual event. Thanks to Betty Rising and How-
ard & Ann Reichert for coordinating the picnic.
Wishing you a Happy Spring!!
Jeff Till Council President - 380-8080
Council Update
St. Michael’s Trumpet
Christian Education
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Thank You! Thank you! Thank You!
A sincere thank you to all who purchased pinwheels so that St.
Michael's can join the many who are taking a stand against Child
Sexual Exploitation and Neglect. Your generosity made it possible to
donate $151.00 to the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center here
in Syracuse. And the pretty blue and silver pinwheels sure dress up
our front lawn!
Laura King, Jan Kunkle and Emily Zieres
The last day of Sunday School is May 8. Thank you to our teachers and chil-
dren for a great Sunday School year! First Holy Communion will be June 19.
Laura King (380-7325), Jan Kunkle (468-2400)
Sunday School Co-Coordinators
YOUTH - Ga-Ga Youth Event
Thank you for spending your Sunday afternoon at Good Shepherd for the GaGa
Event, April 10 !! Forty-six youth and 15 adults participated and I do believe the kids
had a great time and I am assuming you all did as well! Thanks to Jeff Till and Jan
Kunkle from St. Michael’s for getting the second GaGa court to Good Shepherd and
for the ice-cream and brownies. Thanks to the ladies who helped at the food table,
the brave souls who stayed in the gym to supervise and to everyone who helped
with set- up and clean- up. Another successful event with some great youth and
adults from The Central Crossroads Conference!!Looking forward to seeing every-
one soon.
Bonny McCabe - Central Crossroads Conference Cooperative Youth
Ministry
.Jeff Till (380-8080)
PENTECOST SUNDAY — RITE OF CONFIRMATION — MAY 15
Bill Kunkle, Chairperson, (468-2400)
SPRING CLEAN UP
SAT., MAY 14
BEGIN AT 9:00 A.M.
WITH COFFEE AND TREATS
LUNCH SERVED AT NOON
Our Annual Spring Clean up Day is Sat., May 14.
We will begin at 9:00 a.m. with coffee. There will be
various projects for you to do. Please sign up for one
that interests you. Lunch will be served at noon. Join
us for a day of work but with a purpose - to make St.
Michael’s shine!
Bill Kunkle (468-2400)
Property Committee Chairperson
St. Michael’s Trumpet
Property Committee
SUMMER WORSHIP BEGINS - JUNE 5 One Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.
The Church Picnic will be the summer kick off celebration. We will have coffee and treats following worship.
We will eat at noon. The hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. Please sign up for a side dish or a dessert to bring. Games and fellowship to follow.
CONFIRMATION CLASS
NEWS
Confirmation Class
Schedule
May 1 - Confirmation
Class
May 8 - Confirmation Class
Serve Coffee Hour for
Mother’s Day - Ice Cream
Social
Rite of Confirmation is
Pentecost Sunday
May 15
June 26 - Confirmation
Class serve Coffee Hour
St. Michael’s Trumpet
Learning at the Crossroads
Come Learn and Grow with Friends
Learning Offerings of the Central Crossroads Conference,
Upstate New York Synod
Spring 2016
Saturday, May 21 — “The New Jim Crow”
Discussion of the book by Michelle Alexander with focus
on the problem of continuing racism in the United States.
Registration Forms are available on the Narthex table.
Write check to “Central Crossroads Conference”
($20. each session) and mail to Luther Memorial
Lutheran Church, 425 S. Main St., North Syracuse, NY
13212
Registration must be received by the Thursday before the
Workshop at the latest.
Join us in the Fellowship Hall Following 10:30 a.m.
worship
Sunday, May 8 for an Ice Cream Bar
in Honor of all Women
Sponsored by Confirmation Class
St. Michael’s Trumpet
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church Finance Committee Trumpet Report May 2016
Mother Nature cooperated, and the 2015 audit was conducted on March 19.
Thanks to auditors Brenda Williams, Mort Davis and Rob Smith for taking time to
help with the audit. Please see the list of audited funds in this issue of the Trumpet.
Finance Committee members Beth Healy, Art Johnson, Jeff Till, Jim Breault and
Garth Kmieczak met on April 5. Topics of discussion included helping out the transi-
tion team being formed by Congregation Council Vice President Steve Carlic as we
prepare for the 2017 changes in pastoral leadership, as well as the current status of
the church budget and financials. In addition, members of the Finance Committee
are continuing to work with various lending institutions to get current account au-
thorizations and signature cards up to date.
A brief note on the current financial report: Thanks to the generosity of our congre-
gation, combined with some expenses being lower than planned, there have not
been any withdrawals from the Sale of the Parsonage Property Fund to cover ex-
penses to date. Part of the approval of the 2016 Budget at our Annual Congrega-
tional Meeting last November included a withdrawal of up to $25,000 from that ac-
count to cover expenses, and to date there has not been a need. If you have any
questions regarding the budget, please let me know.
If you are interested in helping out with the Finance Committee, please contact
Chairperson Beth Healy at 315-254-0350 or [email protected]
St. Michael’s Finance Committee
This and That
Team Samson, consisting of Joshua Walz and Steve Carlic, raised $1,700 for the annual St.
Baldrick’s fundraiser at Kitty Hoynes in Syracuse to fight childhood cancer. Thanks to eve-
ryone who contributed! Even though the event is over, you may donate still at StBal-
dricks.org. Search for Team Samson and help Kitty Hoynes reach $500,000!
CATFISH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Camillus Area Transport Friends In Service Here (CatFISH)
is a volunteer organization that provides transportation to town of Camillus senior citizens
for medical and dental appointments. The service, which is free of charge, is offered on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Seniors must be ambulatory, unable to drive themselves or have no other means of trans-
portation. CatFISH is a program of the Town of Camillus, and has twenty dedicated volun-
teers. Volunteers act as schedulers, dispatchers, drivers and board members. Due to the
high demand for this service, more drivers are needed. If you would like to serve the com-
munity and become a CatFISH volunteer, please call the Camillus Senior Center at 672-
5820.
Ten Tons of Love is Coming May 2 – May 13 at First English Lutheran Church, Syracuse.
Volunteers are needed to haul, sort and fold tons of clothes and other items from Syracuse
University and Onondaga Community College dorms left behind when students move out.
Ten Tons of Love then distributes them to those in need in the Syracuse area. Work shifts
are weekdays, 11:00-1:00 p.m. or 1:00-3:00 p.m. We will have a group from St. Michael’s
participating. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall and Narthex.
Upstate NY Synod Looking for Help for Synod Assembly
We are looking for assistance loading and unloading for Synod Assembly at the synod of-
fice. It typically takes no more than 1 - 1 1/2 hours. More volunteers make the work easier
and the time shorter.
* Loading on Friday, June 3 - could be any time from 11 a.m. on; we will be flexible to
the schedules of those who are able to assist.
* Unloading on Tuesday, June 7 around 4:00 p.m. upon our return from Rochester. If
you can assist please let Patsy Glista know no later than May 15.
([email protected] or (315) 796-2985. Thank you.
Patsy Glista
St. Michael’s Trumpet
Upcoming Events
St. Michael’s Trumpet
MUSICAL NEWS
The Anglican Church of Saint Mary the Virgin will be hosting a new bi-weekly musical event for all those
who have enjoyed, or thought they might enjoy, singing liturgical chant.
The group will be called The Schola of Saint Mary, and will meet on the first and third Wednesday of every
month from 7:30-9:00. Our goal will be to explore two very different styles of chant singing --- Gregorian
and Anglican. We will be led by Roderick Etzel and Thomas Sauve, two experienced local musicians and
music educators who have spent decades immersed in these musical traditions. This will be a chance to
learn about: the history and theory of chant; how to read neumes, notation and pointing; and the art of
singing this sublime music, from which all modern western music is derived.
If you are interested, please call 637-3899 for more information or simply come to a meeting at Saint
Mary’s (7831 Morgan Road, Liverpool). There are no membership fees or registration, and all are invited.
Defensive Driving Class: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 4947 State Route 31, Clay NY
If you are looking for a reduction on your auto insurance premiums and/or need point reductions on your
license, this is the way to make it happen. To register for the class, please call the Church Office (699-
7268) or email : [email protected] .
Donna Gataletto invites you to hear her band play on May 6 at Camillus Park. Here is her background
and involvement with Camillus Park: “I am a member of the Friends of Camillus Park, which is a commu-
nity group trying to bring the community back to the Park. Although the pool has been removed, a wonder-
ful new Splash Pad has replaced it and opening day is set for May 21. Also the park has wonderful walk-
ing trails May – October; they set up Pickleball courts for all to play for free. Additionally the first Friday
from May - September they hold tailgating parties.”
Donna’s band, ECHO, is playing at the first Tailgating Party. The date is Friday, May 6,
5 - 8 p.m. The group will provide the music and participants are just asked to bring their own beverages
and an appetizer to share.
A Birthday Thank you from Pastor Emeritus Ken Heuermann
Dear Friends,
I want to thank you for all the kind cards and calls received for my 85th birthday. I counted over 50 cards,
some serious and some funny, but each carry your best wishes. I thank you so much for being part of this
meaningful milestone.
Love you all,
Pastor Ken
St. Michael’s Trumpet
Church History
Did you know?
December 8, 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of St. Michael’s being officially organized as a congregation.
During this anniversary year, Deacon Betty Rising, one of our charter members, will continue her “Did You
Know?” articles in our Trumpet newsletter, sharing with us her remembrances of our congregation’s history.
On March 1962 ground was broken for a new sanctuary. The ground was so frozen that it had to be
broken up with a pick axe. But the building of St. Michael’s was started. Each day some of us would
walk to the lot to see how many bricks had been placed. Lillian Murray’s husband was one of the ma-
sons who worked on the church building. It was a slow going process but by November it was almost
finished. In December 1962 the building was dedicated. But even before the building was built, the
Lutheran Church Women was organized (now called Women of the ELCA -WELCA). Altar Guild was for-
mally organized. Then Service Guild and the Missionary Guild were formed. Later it became the Mary
Circle. During those years, Service Guild put on many suppers, lunches, etc. and raised money to buy
the stove, dishes etc. for the kitchen. All the Guilds had plenty of work set before them. There were
many, many tears of thankfulness and joy the day the cross was placed on the steeple. It was a beau-
tiful sight and still is. The baldachin* which hangs over the altar was made in the basement of Alice
and Joe Kieffer’s home. More about our altar at a later date. In the meantime, Ruth and Bill Coe
were busy every month publishing the Trumpet using an old mimeograph machine with stencils. What
a job it was! But they got the Trumpet printed each month. For two years West Genesee School Dis-
trict rented the Fellowship Hall for kindergarten classes. There were four classes in the morning and
four in the afternoon. The Red Cross Blood drive was held monthly also. It was decided that no money
making group could rent the building. We wanted to be a self-supporting church. Each Sunday the
ushers would bring up a table, cups and a coffee pot to the Narthex for coffee and fellowship. The
Narthex would get quite crowded at times but it was all worth the trouble.
*St. Michael’s baldacin is the open canopy of wood hanging over the altar in the church. A baldachin,
or baldaquin (from Italian: baldacchino), is a canopy of state over an altar or throne. It had its begin-
nings as a cloth canopy, but in other cases it is a sturdy, permanent architectural feature, particularly
over high altars in cathedrals. One of its functions is to focus attention on the altar. "Baldachin" was
originally a luxurious type of cloth from Baghdad, from which name the word is derived. The word for
the cloth became the word for the ceremonial canopies made from the cloth. Pastor Janet
The picture on the next page is of our baseball team.
Deacon Betty Rising
St. Michael’s Trumpet
Upcoming Guild Events:
Altar Guild
Altar Guild will meet
Mon., May 2, at Bren-
da Williams’ home at
7:00 p.m.
Ruth McConnelee (488-3078)
Mary Circle
Mary Circle will meet on Wed.,
May11, at 9:30 a.m.. in the Fellow-
ship Hall. (Please note the change to
the second Wednesday of the
month.) Lillian Murray will be the
Hostess. We will write summer greet-
ings to our special needs members
and watch the Religions of the World
video on Buddhism. Please join us
for coffee and cake, fellowship and
information on an interesting topic.
Emily Zieres (422-7873)
Service Guild
Service Guild will be meeting on May
17, at noon, in the Fellowship Hall.
Linda Seeland will provide dessert
and give the devotions. Please join
us and bring a sandwich for lunch.
Ann Maxfield (487-1413)
Women’s Events
WOMEN OF THE ELCA
FALL RETREAT
OCTOBER 28 - 29
CHRIST THE KING RETREAT HOUSE
SYRACUSE
Cost: $75.
Includes Friday night and Saturday with room and
breakfast and lunch on Saturday
OR
Saturday only with meals
Cherish All Children 2016 National Gathering
October 20 - 23, 2016 at
Christ the King Seminary East Aurora, NY
Morning and evening prayer led by
Pastor Joanne Stewart Sharing of ministry “best practices”
Community organizing training Sunday worship at Buffalo area ELCA churches
Cost: $250 /person
Questions? Speak with Emily Zieres, 422-7873
St. Michael’s Trum-
pet
Congregation Council
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (E.L.C.A.)
Upstate New York Synod
Rev. Janet L. Fechner, Pastor
Home Phone: 487-2324 E-Mail: [email protected]
Allison Evans Henry, Organist/Adult Choir Director
Paula Hansen, Church Office Secretary
Rev. Kenneth C. Heuermann, Pastor Emeritus
St. Michael’s Deacons are people who have been trained at the Hartwick Seminary Theological
Institute sponsored by the Foothills Conference, and are commissioned to perform specific tasks
within our congregation, as extended volunteer service, without financial reimbursement.
Christine Jones: (468-5902) Liturgical Assistant, Health and Wellness Issues
Caren Paventi: (484-6257) Liturgical Assistant, Christian Education,Visitation
Joan Rasi: (487-0792) Caring Outreach, Wellness Issues
Betty Rising: (487-3932) Liturgical Assistant, Visitation
Lucille Teufel: (685-6109) Liturgical Assistant, Christian Education, Visitation
Emily Zieres: (422-7873) Liturgical Assistant, Adult Christian Education
CONGREGATION COUNCIL 2016
Note: Our Council is in the process of re-structuring. Ministry areas for
which each Council member will have responsibility will be listed when
this process is soon completed.
President: Jeff Till (380-8080)
Vice President: Steve Carlic (673-4398)
Jim Breault (468-3469)
Aren Burnside (708-0854)
Beth Ann Healy (254-0350)
Chuck Kemp (320-4400)
Lillian Murray (487-3704)
Jason Ryder (635-2691)
Emily Zieres (422-7873)
Secretary: Cathy Bauer (468-1998)
Treasurer: Art Johnson (488-4339)
Financial Secretary: Gail Meyer (488-5619)
Deacons
St. Michael’s
Mission Statement
We believe God calls
St. Michael’s Lutheran
Church to be
a community of
Christian faith for all
people,
to worship God
together,
to nurture growth in the
Christian faith,
and to use our God-
given gifts
to serve each other,
our community,
and our world.
.
St. Michael’s Trumpet
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
5108 W. Genesee St., Camillus, NY 13031
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 9
CAMILLUS, NY 13031
Ph: 315-487-9360 F: 315-487-7623
E-mail: [email protected]
Handicapped Accessible
Address Service Requested
We’re on the web:
www.stmichaelscamillus.org
May 15, 2016
10:30 a.m.
Worship Service
Join us afterwards in the Fellowship Hall for cake
and to personally congratulate this year’s
Confirmands.
All Church Spring Clean Up Saturday
May 2
9:00 a.m. Coffee and treats
Lunch Provided We need your help!
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