St. Blogory's: the internet café at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, Deerfield, IL

Parish Newsletter

2012-01-24T22:51:57-06:00

Dearly Beloved,

The 59th Annual Meeting of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church will be this Sunday, January 29, 2012, beginning with the Nine O'Clock Service, for the purpose of reviewing the Spiritual and Temporal Condition of the Parish, and for the election of Wardens, Vestry, Diocesan Convention and Deanery Chapter Delegates, and members of the Parish Nominating Committee.

Continuing Vestry Resolution Concerning the Annual Meeting

"The Rector shall publish the voter eligibility requirements and qualifications for election of Wardens and Vestrymen in the Newsletter, stating that nominations will be accepted from the floor at the Annual Meeting under the following conditions:

"(a) The Rector, as Chairman, shall determine the eligibility of any nominees from the floor, as outlined in the Constitution at the time of the nomination.

"(b) The nominee shall indicate his willingness to serve if elected at the time of the nomination, if present, or express such intent in a previously written statement, if not present— said statement to be presented to the Chairman at the time of the nomination.

"General Qualifications: Communicants in good standing: faithful in corporate worship and in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God; 17 years old and a voting member of the parish for one year.

"Voter Eligibility: Baptized persons age 16 or older; who regularly attend the Public Services of the Church in this Parish; are recognized as members by the Rector and at least one of the Wardens; whose names appear on the Treasurer's books as contributors for at least six months prior to the Annual Meeting, it being understood that the pledge or obligation for such contributions shall have been incurred prior to the said six months; and declare their willingness to conform to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Church."

The Parish Nominating Committee will submit the following slate for election:

For one-year terms as Wardens: Art Bielski and Catherine Martin.

For three-year terms on the Vestry: Michele Appelbaum to succeed Al Bazzoni, Ron Falbe to succeed Jeff Singleton, Jim Swager to succeed Paula Hamilton, Cherie Thompson to succeed Ray Bukszar; Al Bazzoni for a two-year term to complete Lisa Halpin's term, and Howard Hush for a one-year term to complete Donna Shelton's term..

For two-year terms on the Standing Parish Nomination Committee: Caroline DiNardo to succeed Bonnie Travis and Woody Lovacheff to succeed John Craig.

Two Delegates to the Diocesan Convention and Deanery Chapter meetings are elected directly at the Annual Meeting. I have received Candidate Forms from Ingrid Roberts.

Position descriptions are posted on the Bulletin Board next to the Rector's Office.

THE EASEL-R― EPISCOPAL SPIRITUAL LIFE RENEWAL― SPIRITUAL LIFE SURVEY IS UNDERWAY!

If you have already taken your Spiritual Life Survey, THANK YOU! I won't know unless you tell me because it's anonymous and I'll only get reports on how many have taken it, not who has taken it.

If you haven't taken it, please receive this as a reminder about how much I hope you and each adult in your household will take it, because the greater the participation, the more we will learn about the ways St. Gregory's can help you grow spiritually.

On Sunday, I gave out 8 paper copies of the Survey; if you would prefer this way of taking the Survey, please let me know. There are also some paper copies available in the Parish Office.

And here is an encouragement from our Bishop:

A NEW COFFEE HOUR HOST SIGN UP SHEET. . .

. . . returns to the bulletin board opposite the Parish Office this Sunday, so please sign up to host once or twice after the Nine O'Clock Service. The new sign-up sheet will go through April 29. Anne Clark

Manna preorders will be available for pick up on Sunday. Order forms for next month and cash and carry gift cards will be available as well.

David Weasley of THE NIGHT MINISTRY was a great hit as a preacher, and at the Adult Forum. And, thanks to a generous Christmas contribution to the Rector's Discretionary Fund, he returned to Chicago with a $1,000 check for that ministry.

David also left us the DVD about The Night Ministry, so let me know if you'd like to see it. Eventually I'll give it to Parish Librarian Sue Koy for cataloguing in the Sally Craig Memorial Library.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

After listening to David at the Adult Forum, Gail Bozzano, Melly Peterson, and Peggi Adams decided to do something more, and here is their announcement:

"Bring your new or gently used socks to the box in Founder's Hall to give to the homeless via The Night Ministry. Practical socks, fun socks, kids socks, holiday socks, any kind of socks. This is what they need. Also deodorant, if you have any to donate. Let's do it! "

OUR TURN AT THE COMMUNITY MEALS PROGRAM IS COMING UP

Sunday, February 5th, is our turn to cook and serve lunch at the Christ Church, Waukegan, Community Meals Program -Soup Kitchen.

We are in need of volunteers to help us with this important outreach ministry.

If you are not able to commit the afternoon (12 noon - 4 pm), please contribute baked dessert items which are greatly appreciated by our guests.

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Schaper or Bill and Janet Foltz.

BOOK CLUB NEWS

Join the book club for the next meeting at 7 o'clock in the library on February 15th to discuss The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

Henrietta Lacks, known to scientists as HeLa, was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and in vitro fertilization. Henrietta's cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can't afford health insurance.

Dates and books for March through June will be selected on this night. Bring your calendars and your suggestions!

TROOP SUPPORT MINISTRY NEWS

The 38th Troop Package Event will be held on March 6th from 7-9 p.m. in Founders' Hall.

Set up will begin at 4 o'clock and packaging will begin at 7.

We have several new individuals and units to support. One unit is 600 strong. The Chaplain reports that they don't have much at their PX and it is only open a few hours weekly. Any support we can offer will be greatly appreciated.

The soldier who gave us this information requested that any boxes that might be sent his way to go to the help the Chaplain. Our boxes will have a St. Patrick's Day theme and we hope to ship 150 packages.

The postage rate has just increased to $11.35 per box. If you would like to contribute towards the cost of postage or the items for the boxes, please write a check to St. Gregory's Church with "Troop Support" in the memo line.

Besides the usual socks, snacks, and hygiene items that we always need, in these cold months we like to include packages of hand or foot warmers.

Thanks for your support. Cissy and Nuala

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In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially, Francis, Raquel Titrud, Ed Kussler, Darrell Groves, Dawn Hainsworth, Beverly Falbe, Jake and Mary Ann, Richard Moore, Liz Barris, Kara Graham, Mitch Kopeny, Lauren Keller-Taylor, Sharon Moceri, and Andrew Zint;

our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné;

the men and women serving in the armed forces and their families, remembering especially Timothy Welton, Cary Clark, Mike Demmon, Ilan Kedar, Jason Greenman, Robert Steere, Robb Dunlap, Brian O'Lavin, Greg Hirsch, Jamie Mitchell, Brian Adamson, Bob Morrissette, and Doug Columbus.

Faithfully yours,

Parish Newsletter

2012-01-18T17:11:39-06:00

Dearly Beloved,

LATEST ON EASEL-R― EPISCOPAL SPIRITUAL LIFE RENEWAL― INITIATIVE

The following Episcopal Churches are joining us in taking the Spiritual Life Survey and participating in the Episcopal Spiritual Life Renewal initiative:

All Saints, Western Springs; St John's, Naperville; St Lawrence, Libertyville; St Andrews, Grayslake; St Edward & Christ, Joliet; St Giles, Northbrook; St James Cathedral, Chicago; St Marks, Barrington Hills; St Matthews, Evanston; Calvary, Batavia; and St Charles, St Charles.

As this Newsletter goes to print, the link to the Spiritual Life Survey is expected any time. I will send it to our parishioners on our eBlast list as soon as the information is available.

Meredith Potter has graciously agreed to help parishioners who do not have ready access to the Internet so they may also participate.

As I mentioned in last week's Newsletter, your spiritual growth is of central importance to me as your Rector and to St. Gregory's as your parish.

Whether you're just starting to explore the Christian faith, or a seasoned Christian or feeling a bit stalled or dissatisfied with your spiritual journey, please take this survey and help us know what you need to take the next step in that journey.

Five things about this survey:

1. It's completely anonymous so you can be open and honest with your feedback

2. It's comprehensive and thought-provoking

3. You should set aside 35-40 minutes to take it

4. It's extremely important. The findings from this survey― which we will only receive for St. Gregory's as a whole in composite form and not from any of you individually― will shape our ecisions about how to create the best possible programs and strategies to serve you better on your spiritual journey.

5. We want to hear from ALL of you. Whether you worship at St. Gregory's every week or only a few times a year, please take the survey and encourage all of your St. Gregory's friends to take it, too.

THE PARISH TITHE (10%) HAS BEEN RESTORED!

As announced last Sunday in the Vestry Report by Ray Bukszar, our Preliminary Budget has restored a full Parish Tithe. This means that our Missions Board will be able once again to respond to the many opportunities we have to help people beyond our four walls in this continued time of financial stress, especially among our poorest citizens in this country and the poorest of the poor around the globe.

But wait! There's more: THE NIGHT MINISTRY is one of our Missions Board ministries, providing outreach services and more than 50 shelter beds to run-away and homeless youth in Chicago― who numbered 15,580 during the last school year according to the Chicago Public Schools district.

Our guest preacher and Adult Forum speaker will be the Rev. David Weasley, the Community and Congregational Relations Coordinator at The Night Ministry since September of 2010. An ordained American Baptist pastor, David serves on the board of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, the national Baptist LGBTQ organization. He lives with his partner and about a dozen others in a co-op in Hyde Park. David graduate from Oberlin College and Chicago Theological Seminary.

You can see a segment by CBS local news aired on December 13 last year that featured The Night Ministry's work in Chicago by clicking here.

But wait! There's more: we received this letter from Friends of Open House, another Missions Board ministry located in the Holy Land, which parishioners visited during our pilgrimage in the 1990s:

"I want to express our sincere appreciation for your 2011 gift of $500. . . . Without generous partners like you, Open House in Ramle could not succeed in its efforts to serve the local Arab and Jewish communities. The "head start" nursery school for Arab toddlers and the joint activities for Jews and Arabs rely on our worldwide network of caring friends. We are deeply grateful that you are part of that network, and we invite you to enlist others who share your commitment to justice and reconciliation in Israel/Palestine. Shalom, Salaam, Diane Hassin."

YOUTH GROUP REMINDERS FROM BRET CHANDLER!

The Sr. Lock in will not be this Friday.

Both the Sr. High and the Middle School will be meeting this Sunday for Youth Group―

The Middle School will meet from 5-6:30 and the Sr. High from 7-8:30. Hope to see you all there!

WELCOME OUR NEW ASSISTANT BISHOP!

The Right Rev. C. Christopher Epting is the retired bishop of the Diocese of Iowa, and he served for nine years as the Presiding Bishop's deputy for ecumenical and interreligious relations.

Bishop Epting was elected bishop of the Diocese of Iowa in 1988, following 16 years as a parish priest in the Diocese of Central Florida.

During his time in Iowa, Bishop Epting focused on the ministry of all the baptized, the renewal of the diaconate, spiritual formation and ecumenical relations both locally and nationally.

He was also a leader in the state Council of Churches and chaired the Episcopal Church's writing team for "Called to Common Mission," outlining the full communion relationship between the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which began in 2001.

Bishop Epting's blog, That We All May Be One, may be found here.

Bishop Epting will also be the celebrant for our Waukegan Deanery's Confirmation Service, which we will host on Saturday, April 14, at 11:00 am.

CONFIRMATION FOR ADULTS

Would any of you like to learn about the Christian Faith as the Episcopal Church has received it, and perhaps be confirmed or received into this branch of Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church? Please let me know. Several parishioners have already indicated their interest.

GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH

Please remember that we are still collecting hats, mittens and scarves, and accepting cash or checks to support our Diocesan Deacons' project to protect Chicago's needy from the winter's cold. Make checks payable to St. Gregory's Church and noted "Gift of Warmth." Thank you! Deacon Dennis Lietz

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In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially, Darrell Groves, Dawn Hainsworth, Beverly Falbe, Jake and Mary Ann, Richard Moore, Liz Barris, Bruce Roberts, Kara Graham, Mitch Kopeny, Deann Gerber, Addie LeSueur, Marion Perhauch, Don Lypold, Sarah Snyder, Brian Hill, Lauren Keller-Taylor, Sharon Moceri, and Andrew Zint;

our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné;

for the faithful departed, remembering especially Hema Vittachi.

Faithfully yours,

Parish Newsletter

2012-01-11T16:59:35-06:00

Dearly Beloved,

WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY?

Your spiritual growth is of central importance to me as your Rector and to St. Gregory's as your parish.

Perhaps you're just starting to explore the Christian faith. Perhaps you're a seasoned Christian. Or perhaps you're feeling a bit stalled or dissatisfied with your spiritual journey.

Beginning Saturday, January 21, all parishioners 18 years and older will have the opportunity to take a look at where we are on our several Christian journeys by taking a Spiritual Life Survey.

There are five things you need to know about this survey:

1. It's completely anonymous so you can be open and honest with your feedback

2. It's comprehensive and thought-provoking

3. You should set aside 35-40 minutes to take it

4. It's extremely important. The findings from this survey― which we will only receive for St. Gregory's as a whole in composite form and not from any of you individually― will shape our decisions about how to create the best possible programs and strategies to serve you better on your spiritual journey.

5. We want to hear from ALL of you. Whether you worship at St. Gregory's every week or only a few times a year, please take the survey and encourage all of your St. Gregory's friends to take it, too.

The Spiritual Life Survey is the first step in St. Gregory's participation in the EASEL-R Program― the Episcopal Spiritual Life Renewal Program.

I am particularly excited because a dozen years ago the Vestry adopted this Vision Statement: "to build a community of God's love where spiritual journeys are discovered and nurtured."

In 2012 we will begin to realize that vision and grow together spiritually through this challenging and life-giving experience. Stay tuned for the login information so you can take the survey.

OTHER COMING ATTRACTIONS!

This Sunday, January 15:

Sexual Abuse Prevention Training Part II at 10:10 am in Founders Hall

Winter Skit Costume and Prop Night from 5-6:30 pm in Founders Hall (and please see Winter Skit Schedule below)

Wednesday, January 18:

Book Club discusses Gail Collins' When Everything Changed at 7 pm the in Library

Saturday, January 21:

Episcopal Spiritual Life Renewal Initiative begins with the Survey

Sunday, January 29:

The 59th Annual Meeting of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY IS COMING!

Are you planning a dinner out, a fancy meal at home or a box of chocolates?

Manna cards are available to purchase everything you need.

We need your orders no later than January 17 for pick up January 29.

We also have a small number of grocery, movie theater and restaurant cards on hand.

Keep us in mind and help the preschool raise some money by shopping for things you would typically buy.

THANK YOU TO DE-GREENING HELPERS!

I really appreciate all of you who pitched in to help take down the Christmas decorations throughout the church and store them away for another year.

These intrepid volunteers included Lyle and Sybil Ten Eyck, Curtis and Mary Keller, Pat Carroll, Diane Jones, Jake Hamilton, Kathleen and Ross Peacock, John Welker, and David Schaper.

Thanks a ton!! Leigh Stewart

LAKE COUNTY UNITED'S 7TH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIFE INSTITUTE will be held on Sunday, January 15, beginning at 2:00 pm with the Community Meal at Christ Episcopal Church, followed by panel and small group discussions on Economic Inequality & Democracy. There are two articles to read in advance and you will find them on the table opposite the Parish Office.

To RSVP and get the two articles, please contact Meredith Potter at her home or Matt McDermott at 773-206-8292.

CONGRATULATIONS CORNER

Great Grandson Westley Jack Potter was born on January 10, at 12:58 pm Colorado time, 21 inches long and 8 lbs. 9 oz. Westley is Meredith's son Charlie's older son Eric's and his wife Alechia's first child. (A genealogical quiz will follow in next week's Newsletter.)

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

If you contributed to our Special Christmas Flowers, there are some Christmas Cacti and Red, White, and Pink Poinsettias in Founders Hall awaiting your living and dining rooms and kitchens

CONFIRMATION FOR ADULTS

Bret and I launched our Confirmation Class for Youth this past Monday with an impressive group of Confirmands: Kate Baddeley, Ashley and Hannah Benson, Jacob Hamilton, Brian Hill, Myra Peterson, and Emily Zint.

Are there any of you who would like to learn about the Christian Faith as the Episcopal Church has received it, or who are thinking of being Confirmed or received into this branch of Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church? Please let me know.

Now that winter snows and cold are threatening to make their late arrival, please remember that we are still collecting hats, mittens and scarves, even though the mitten tree is long gone from Founder's Hall.

We will also accept money donations, and these donations may be placed in the alms basin, mailed in, or given to Dennis personally at the Church and checks made payable to St. Gregory's and noted "Gift of Warmth."

Thank you! Deacon Dennis Lietz

REMINDER ABOUT OFFERING ENVELOPES

Please use only current year Envelopes to assure accurate contributions are recorded. Your 2012 Envelopes are available on the hallway table across from Bret's office. Please return unwanted Envelopes to the Treasurer for recycling.

Thank you! Dorthea White

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In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially, Ed Kussler, Jake and Mary Ann, Richard Moore, Liz Barris, Bruce Roberts, Kara Graham, Mitch Kopeny, Deann Gerber, Addie LeSueur, Marion Perhauch, Don Lypold, Sarah Snyder, Brian Hill, Dawn Hainsworth, Lauren Keller-Taylor, Sharon Moceri, and Andrew Zint;

our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné;

for the faithful departed, remembering especially Donald Dutcher, Bob Porter, and Ryan Saf.

Faithfully yours,

Poured Out Richly

2012-01-08T22:46:58-06:00

+ In the Love of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Please turn in your pew Bibles to Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.

“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep”― meaning, the waters― “while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.”

Notice right away that water is the first element of creation and it’s mentioned twice.

Now skip down to verse 6 and read through verse 10:

“And God said, ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’ So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. And God said, ‘Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.”

Again, notice how prominent water is― dry land only comes on the third day of creation! So think of what a powerful symbol water is for Baptism as a sign of new beginnings and new creation.

Now let’s go back up to the second verse and the phrase “wind of God.” Do you see the footnote? It tells us that the phrase could also be translated “the spirit of God.” And that in fact has been the traditional way it’s been translated.

For example, here’s a verse from a Jewish interpretation of this verse:

“And the Spirit of God brooded over the waters like a dove which hovers over her young without touching them” (Targum of B. Hag. 15a).

What does the phrase “the Spirit of God brooded over the waters like a dove” remind you of?

[this morning’s Gospel, which describes “the Spirit descending like a dove on him”]

Now please turn in your pew Bibles to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 10, verses 1 to 4:

“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud”― what does this refer to?

[After the Exodus from Egypt God led the people of Israel through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night],

“and all passed through the sea”― what does this refer to?

[when Moses led the people of Israel across the Red Sea to escape the Egyptians],

“and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea”― so Paul understands the Exodus to be a kind of baptism―

“and all ate the same spiritual food”― what does this refer to?

[manna, the mysterious food God provided for the people of Israel in the wilderness], “and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.” ― what does this refer to?

[when the people of Israel were thirsty for their wandering in the desert and complained to Moses, Moses struck a rock to get water for the people of Israel in the wilderness].

For Paul, Jesus is the rock from which refreshing and renewal water comes forth.

Now please put the pew Bibles back and turn in the Book of Common Prayer to page 306 in the service of Holy Baptism just before the blessing of the water:

“We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

“We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.”

Finally, take up your bulletin and turn to our Gospel this morning. If you were here just a few weeks ago on the Second Sunday of Advent this may have sounded very familiar, because we read this passage right up to the point where John the baptizer says: “I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

But we didn’t see Jesus because it was the Season of Advent! Now it’s Epiphany, which means “appearance,” and so in today’s reading Jesus makes his appearance:

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

How many of you have read about Easel-R in the Newsletter over the last two weeks?

Do you remember what Easel-R stands for?

[Episcopal Spiritual Life Renewal]

A lot of impressive research has gone into the Episcopal Spiritual Life Renewal project, and among its findings is that spiritual growth begins with three basic beliefs: first, that salvation is a gift from God; second, that God is a Trinity of Persons― Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and third, that God is personally active in our lives. And so I find it fascinating that Mark’s Gospel begins by enacting these three basic beliefs.

From the very beginning of Mark’s Gospel it is clear that everything is a gift from God and which God initiates, from the call of John the baptizer in the wilderness to the tearing apart of heaven and the descent of the Spirit. Baptism itself is a sign that salvation comes as a gift because no one can baptize himself or herself. Even Jesus must be baptized by someone else. And infant baptism is the ultimate sign of salvation by grace― for infants have obviously done nothing to earn their salvation; it is received as a gift from their parents who themselves have received God’s gift of salvation.

And also here at the beginning of Mark’s Gospel we are introduced to the God who is Spirit, descending from heaven; Father, speaking from heaven; and Jesus, the beloved Son.

And finally, this is a personal God, active in John the baptizer, active in the people coming out to be baptized, active in Jesus, and, as we will rediscover in all kinds of new ways this year as we participate in the Episcopal Spiritual Life Renewal Project, active in us.

This morning’s Gospel and the three basic beliefs that are identified in the Easel-R as catalysts of spiritual growth are all summed up in this passage from Titus (3:4-7) which was one of our Christmas readings:

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly”― notice that the Spirit is described as being poured out just as water is poured out― “through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Thanks be to God.

Parish Newsletter

2012-01-04T10:35:45-06:00

UPDATE OF KEY DATES!

This Sunday, January 8, 2012:

Sexual Abuse Prevention Training Part I at 10:10 am in Founders Hall

Meeting of the Standing Parish Nominating Committee (see below #2)

St. Gregory's Youth Group Resumes! (see below #3)

Sunday, January 15, 2012:

Sexual Abuse Prevention Training Part II at 10:10 am in Founders Hall

Wednesday, January 18:

The Book Club (see below #4)

Saturday, January 21, 2012:

Episcopal Spiritual Life Renewal Initiative begins (see below #1)

Sunday, January 29, 2012:

The 59th Annual Meeting of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church

#1 THE EPISCOPAL SPIRITUAL LIFE RENEWAL INITIATIVE [ESLR] is a diocesan project developed by the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest in collaboration with Willow Creek Church (how's that for an exciting pairing!).

I first learned about the ESLR [maybe we could pronounce this as "Easel-R"] when Jay Sidebotham, Holy Spirit's rector, sent me a letter "to share experiences we've had as a parish over the last two years, and to invite you to join with other parishes in the diocese in the coming months in a process of exploration and spiritual growth. The process involves a survey assessing spiritual vitality and subsequent workshops to reflect on the survey results. A number of parishes in our diocese have committed to this process in hopes of bringing renewed life to our parishes and to our diocese, [and] helping our churches to be agents of growth and service in the world. The process has brought spiritual growth to our congregation. It has brought spiritual growth to my life as well. It has been a gift."

I sent this invitation and other information about the Easel-R [ESLR] to the November Vestry meeting, which unanimously endorsed our participation in this exciting and spiritually challenging program.

The survey will be available from Saturday, January 21, through February 12. More details later!

Between now and then, please add this prayer to your daily devotions: "Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with us as we consider the renewal and mission of our congregation. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us by your Holy Spirit to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it, and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

#2 THE MEETING OF THE STANDING PARISH NOMINATING COMMITTEE will begin at 1:30 PM in the Rector's Office with elected members Bonnie Travis, John Craig, Jon Dutcher, and Mary Curtis; and two retiring Vestry members, Paula Hamilton and Ray Bukszar. They will choose the nominees to present to the Annual Meeting for the following positions. Please let any of them know the persons you would like to see nominated (including yourself):

For one-year terms as Wardens: 2 to be elected (Art Bielski and Catherine Martin, eligible for 3 more one-year terms). For three-year terms on the Vestry: 4 to succeed Al Bazzoni (eligible for a three-year term in his own right), Jeff Singleton, Paula Hamilton, and Ray Bukszar; 1 for a two-year term to complete Lisa Halpin's term, and 1 for a one-year term to complete Donna Shelton's term.

For two-year terms on the Standing Parish Nomination Committee: 2 to succeed Bonnie Travis and John Craig.

We also directly elect two Delegates to Diocesan Convention and Deanery Chapter meetings for one-year terms. If you would like to represent our Parish at the November 16-17, 2012, Diocesan Convention, please fill out a Candidate Form, available on the table across from the Parish Office, by Sunday, January 22.

Complete descriptions of these positions are posted outside my Office:

The 59th Annual Meeting of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church will be Sunday, January 29, 2012, beginning with the Nine O' Clock Service, for the purpose of reviewing the Spiritual and Temporal Condition of the Parish, and for the election of Wardens, Vestry, Diocesan Convention and Deanery Chapter Delegates, and members of the Parish Nominating Committee.

#3 ST. GREGORY'S YOUTH GROUP RESUMES!

Happy New Year to all!

After having a break from Youth Group for a few weeks, we will resume this coming Sunday with a joint Youth Group, including all ages from grades 6 to 12.

We will have dinner, fellowship, and games. Hope to see you there to start off the new year! Bret

#4 JOIN THE BOOK CLUB for the next meeting on January 18th at 7 o'clock in the library to discuss When Everything Changed by Gail Collins. Enjoy a cup of tea, treats, and engaging conversation.

The selection for February 15th is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Cissy

THE DEACONS' PROJECT CONTINUES!

Our Mitten Tree in Founders Hall continues to have empty branches waiting for your hats, mittens and scarves.

We will accept money donations as well, either through the alms basins, the mail, or personally to Deacon Dennis Lietz.

Please make out your check to St. Gregory's and note "Gift of Warmth."

Thank you! Deacon Dennis Lietz

MORE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT PICTURES― from Shari Benson

JUST IN! LAKE COUNTY UNITED'S 7TH ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIFE INSTITUTE will be held on Sunday, January 15, beginning at 2:00 pm with the Community Meal at Christ Episcopal Church, followed by panel and small group discussions on Economic Inequality & Democracy. There are two articles to read in advance. To RSVP and get the two articles, please contact Meredith Potter or Matt McDermott at 773-206-8292.

EVEN MORE JUST IN FROM DORTHEA! OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: Please use only current year Envelopes to assure accurate contributions are recorded. Your 2012 Envelopes are available on the hallway table across from Bret's office. Please return unwanted Envelopes to the Treasurer for recycling. Thank you!

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In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially, Bob Porter, Mitch Pokeny, Jack Therian, Deann Gerber, Addie LeSueur, Jeff Franciosi, Marion Perhauch, Don Lypold, Donald Dutcher, Sarah Snyder, Brian Hill, Dawn Hainsworth, Cheryll Johnston, Lauren Keller-Taylor, Sharon Moceri, and Andrew Zint;

our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné;

for the faithful departed, remembering especially Bill Morell and Bill Milligan.

Faithfully yours,

Not "What's in a Name?" but "Who's in a Name."

2012-01-01T11:45:00-06:00

+ In the Love of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today we are celebrating the Feast of the Holy Name, so it was a bit of an Emmanuel Moment this past week when I read one of the vignettes from Gail Collins’ remarkable book, When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present.

Gail Collins tells the story of a teacher, Jo Meyer Maasberg, who taught in a small Wyoming school. For six years she taught her daughter’s class. Here’s what her daughter Jennifer said about the experience:

“It was funny because [my mom] gave me this big speech . . . how I had to show her respect and call her Mrs. Maasberg and, you know, all on the same playing field with the other kids. But I couldn’t call her Mrs. Maasberg. I called her Mom. So my whole class called her Mom.”

When I read this I thought of a similar experience that happened with me and my son, James. Almost from the time James could call me “Dad” he called me “Bill.” That was fine with me. From my standpoint, it was natural because I always encouraged people to call me “Bill” rather than “Father Bill” or “Father Roberts.”

But some people, including Ingrid’s dad, were incensed that James didn’t call me “Dad” or by some other “fatherly” title. Eventually James explained why he called me “Bill”: “Everyone else calls you ‘Father,’ so I wanted to call you by your first name.”

A second Emmanuel Moment arrived via an op-ed piece in this past Tuesday’s New York Times, titled “Want a New You? Change Your Name.” The author is a singer and writer whose name is Alina Simone. Here’s an excerpt from her op-ed:

“In June, my band performed at a party at a Lower East Side boutique that specialized in wool ankle cuffs and sheer tunics. A few weeks later, we were playing in Brooklyn when a man approached me and said, ‘I just thought you might like to know that a friend I brought to your last show changed her name to Alina Simone.’

“I laughed and said something like, ‘Well, I hope that’s working out for her,’ but the news was a strange revelation.

“Twelve years ago, I changed my own name to Alina Simone. (I used to be Alina Vilenkin, until I swapped my father’s last name for my mother’s.) So I know that whenever someone changes her name, a body gets stuffed in the closet. When I think back to my old self, I think of an entirely different person, not altogether likable, whose singular distinguishing characteristic was the chronic inability to follow through with anything she said she would do. I picked up and abandoned projects with great regularity back then, careful to always avoid the frightening terrain where my true ambitions lay.

Then I changed my name and it changed me. In my new incarnation as Alina Simone, I had no reputation, no history of unmet expectations, nothing to lose. I started singing; I formed a band. I poured my best self into my new name.”

This story, too, triggered a memory from my own life. When I was 10 my family moved from Evanston to Kenilworth. And I decided to change the name I was called, from my middle name to my first name. I, too, wanted to leave behind the “old me” and re-invent myself, and the name change helped me do it.

Final Emmanuel Moment: As I was thinking about this sermon I recalled a wonderful reflection on prayer that the late Dutch Roman Catholic priest and writer, Henri Nouwen, had written years ago, in 1980, when I was a young priest.

In his Introduction to Prayer and the Priest, Henri Nouwen writes this:

“A few months ago I went to visit a hermit-monk to ask him for his spiritual counsel. This hermit lives a very simple life of manual work, long fasts, and unceasing prayer. His clear, shining eyes radiate the living Christ, and his lips speak only about the abundant goodness of God. I told him my troubles and struggles, my sins and my guilt. He listened attentively and responded with words of comfort and consolation. But I kept prodding him, saying: ‘Yes, but . . . What about this . . . and this . . . and this . . . Don’t you think that’s pretty bad?’ Then he looked at me critically and said: ‘It might be worse than you say and it probably is, but remember, the worst has already happened in Jesus Christ. . . . And when you make his Name into your dwelling place, your burden will be light and your yoke easy.’”

May we who have been baptized into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, make Jesus’ Name our dwelling place in this New Year.

Amen.

Parish Newsletter

2011-12-27T18:16:34-06:00

Dearly Beloved,

KEY DATES:

This Sunday, January 1, 2012: a softly spoken Feast of the Holy Name celebration at 10:00 am (no music, quiet voices)

Sunday, January 8, 2012: Meeting of the Standing Parish Nominating Committee (see below #2)

Saturday, January 21, 2012: Episcopal Spiritual Life Renewal Initiative begins (see below #1)

Sunday, January 29, 2012: The Fifty-Ninth Annual Meeting of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church (see below #2)

A MESSAGE FROM MEREDITH

At the December vestry meeting, I announced my decision to retire effective December 31, 2011. As I reported to the vestry, the decision came after much prayerful discernment, and I am looking forward to remaining at St. Gregory's and participating in the life of the community as a member of the congregation. I will continue to officiate and preach at the Wednesday morning service as well as preach monthly at Sunday services.

I actually began to worship here at St. Gregory's in 1995 when I left One in Christ Korean Congregation to accept the position of Director of Academic Affairs at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and was looking for a Christian community where I could worship on Sundays. I then came "on board" as your vicar in 2005 when I retired from Seabury.

So, I am actually returning to the relationship we first enjoyed― my being a member of the congregation and sharing with you in the worship life of the parish. My prayers continue for the parish and for each of you as we begin this new phase of our life in Christ together.

A WORD FROM WILLIAM

We will show our appreciation for Meredith's Ministry in the New Year at a PTBD― Party To Be Determined! Until then, here are some of her contributions to our life together: Meredith was instrumental in developing the Easter Eve Service of Water and Light for children and their families; the Children's Church program; the use of PowerPoint at Sunday services; The Grovers Bible Study Fellowship; and a number of experimental liturgies for the Wednesday morning services. She helped install and maintain the church's Wi-Fi system as well as trouble-shooting and updating our computers. Meredith's pastoral care will also be missed by our sick and shut-ins whom she has visited regularly for years. Finally, I am delighted that the Vestry accepted my suggestion that we give Meredith the title Vicar Emeritus as a token of our affection and gratitude.

#1 THE EPISCOPAL SPIRITUAL LIFE RENEWAL INITIATIVE [ESLR] is a diocesan project developed by the Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest in collaboration with Willow Creek Church (how's that for an exciting pairing!).

The survey will be available from Saturday, January 21, through February 12. More details later!

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 AND 15, 2012: Sexual Abuse Prevention Training at 10:10 am in Founders Hall

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT PICTURES

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS AND MUSIC― A grateful "Thank You" to all who contributed to our Christmas Flowers and Music this year. Inadvertently we excluded from the Christmas bulletin John and Debbie Welker's Music donation "In Thanksgiving for their Children and Family." I am sorry for the omission.

#2 The 59th Annual Meeting of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church will be Sunday, January 29, 2012, beginning with the Nine O' Clock Service, for the purpose of reviewing the Spiritual and Temporal Condition of the Parish, and for the election of Wardens, Vestry, Diocesan Convention and Deanery Chapter Delegates, and members of the Parish Nominating Committee.

Continuing Vestry Resolution Concerning the Annual Meeting

"(a) The Rector, as Chairman, shall determine the eligibility of any nominees from the floor, as outlined in the Constitution at the time of the nomination.

In two Sundays, January 8, at 1:30 PM in the Rector's Office, the Standing Parish Nominating Committee of elected members Bonnie Travis, John Craig, Jon Dutcher, and Mary Curtis; and two retiring Vestry members, Paula Hamilton and Ray Bukszar, will meet to choose the nominees they will present to the Annual Meeting. Please let any of them know whom you would like to see nominated (including yourself!) for the following positions:

For two-year terms on the Standing Parish Nomination Committee: 2 to succeed Bonnie Travis and John Craig.

Here are thumbnail sketches of the Positions to be filled; complete descriptions are posted outside my Office:

WARDENS

Term of Office: One Year, limited to 4 consecutive terms. Responsibilities: In addition to those for Vestry: Assist the Rector and oversee Vestry committee work

VESTRY

Term of Office: Three Years. Responsibilities: 1. Attend all regular and any special Vestry meetings [Regular meetings are held on second Tuesdays from 7:30 – 9:30 PM]; 2. Serve on or chair Vestry committees as needed; 3. Carry out Church Canons and Parish By-Laws, including: Transacting the temporal business of the Parish; 4. Participate in the annual Vestry retreat; 5. Affirm and fulfill the "Covenant for Sexual Responsibility"

STANDING PARISH NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Term of Office: Two Years. Responsibility: Meet in January for Nominations to Parish Offices for the Annual Meeting

DELEGATES TO DIOCESAN CONVENTION AND DEANERY CHAPTER

Term of Office: One Year. Responsibilities:1. Attend the annual Diocesan Convention (November) and Deanery Chapter Meeting (October). [Deanery Meetings are called "Chapters" because traditionally they began by reading a chapter from Holy Scriptures]

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In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially, Jeff Franciosi, Marion Perhauch, Don Lypold, Donald Dutcher, Sarah Snyder, Brian Hill, Dawn Hainsworth, Cheryll Johnston, Lauren Keller-Taylor, Sharon Moceri, and Andrew Zint; our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné; the men and women serving in the armed forces and their families, remembering especially Timothy Welton, Cary Clark, Mike Demmon, Ilan Kedar, Jason Greenman, Robert Steere, Robb Dunlap, Brian O'Lavin, Greg Hirsch, Jamie Mitchell, Brian Adamson, Bob Morrissette, and Doug Columbus; and for the faithful departed, remembering especially Hazel Pedersen and Jack Hicks.

Faithfully yours,

"The Mood of Christmas," by Howard Thurman

2011-12-26T20:56:41-06:00

This poem appeared in our friends Ellie's and Harry's Christmas Letter.

You may find out about Howard Thurman by clicking here.

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart."

A Manger, Bread, and Beautiful Feet

2011-12-25T08:52:35-06:00

+ In the Love of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

St. Luke certainly knows how to drive home a point in our Christmas Gospel:

First, he tells us that Mary and Joseph laid Jesus in a manger.

Then the angel tells the shepherds that they will find Jesus lying in a manger.

And then, when the shepherds get to Bethlehem they find Jesus lying in a manger.

A manger, from the French verb manger― to eat, is a feeding trough, a sign that Jesus, now surrounded by shepherds, will be the Good Shepherd who feeds his sheep; and as Jesus himself tells us in St. John’s Gospel:

“I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry”

and

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (6:35, 51).

A couple of years ago I read John Baxter’s Immoveable Feast: A Paris Christmas (New York: Harper Collins, 2008). He writes this about bread:

“For centuries, bread in France signified the gulf between the classes: the higher up the social ladder, the more finely milled your flour, and the whiter your bread. Of someone who had all his success in early life, then fell on hard times, the French say, “He ate his white bread first.

“The bread of the French poor, when they had any, was dark and hard, made from wheat mixed with inferior grains like barley or rye. Unscrupulous bakers sometimes adulterated the flour with sand, even cement.”― and this practice continued as recently as the early twentieth century.

Then, later in his book, Baxter writes:

“The lavishness of our modern Christmas obscures how minor a role gifts traditionally played in the celebration. In [Charles] Dickens’ day, food and good works mattered far more. Scrooge, when he sees the error of his ways, doesn’t buy presents but gives money to a charity that helps the poor and sends a turkey to his clerk Bob Cratchit, whose wages he raises and family he helps” (pp. 235).

Here’s how Dickens himself describes Scrooge at that moment of transformation:

“‘I’ll send [this huge turkey] to Bob Cratchit’s,’ whispered Scrooge, rubbing his hands, and splitting with a laugh. ‘He shan’t know who sends it. It’s twice the size of Tiny Tim.’”

Then Scrooge tells the delivery boy, “You must have a cab,” and, Dickens continues,

“The chuckle with which [Scrooge] had said this, and the chuckle with which he paid for the cab, and the chuckle with which he recompensed the boy, were only to be exceeded by the chuckle with which he sat down breathless in his chair again, and chuckled till he cried.”

St. Luke tells us that when Jesus began his public ministry in Nazareth, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day as was his custom. And when the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him, Jesus found this passage:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor” (4:18).

It’s a passage that echoes our Christmas reading from Isaiah:

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news.”

May Jesus, the Bread of Life, born in a manger, nourish our compassion for the breadless, the jobless, the friendless, and the hopeless, so that we, like Jesus, may have beautiful feet.

Amen.

Christmas Eve Children's Sermon

2011-12-24T18:56:31-06:00

Gaston is a French-Canadian reindeer who sometimes helps Santa on Christmas Eve.

Gaston: Merry Christmas, boys and girls! Joyeux Noel!

Bill: Merry Christmas, Gaston. How are you this afternoon?

Gaston: I am very excited as always on Christmas Eve.

Bill: I remember last year Santa came up with the idea of bringing a cow with him to bring milk to the boys and girls who were too poor to leave a glass of milk for Santa. So how did that go?

Gaston: Well, we discovered that a cow weighs so much that it slowed down Santa’s sleigh. So we came up with Plan B.

Bill: Which is?

Gaston: We are going to bring a goat this year, because goats are lighter than cows.

Bill: So I imagine you’ve had to learn a lot about goats this year to prepare for tonight.

Gaston: Ah, oui, we have learned a great deal about goats.

Bill: For example?

Gaston: Well, their favorite song is “Row, row, row your goat. . . .”

Bill: Oh, Gaston.

Gaston: And their favorite appetizer is escargoat.

Bill: Oh, stop!

Gaston: And their favorite car is a Chèvre-rolet.

Bill: That’s enough!

Gaston: I guess I really got your goat this Christmas, huh?

Bill: I guess you did, Gaston! Well, say Merry Christmas to the boys and girls until next year!

Gaston: Merry Christmas, boys and girls, Joyeux Noel!

Bill: Well, boys and girls, as you look at the crèche, what do you see more than anything else?

Remembering the straw in the stable in Bethlehem, people believed that it was good luck to have straw in their house at Christmastime.

In Croatia, people spread straw under the dining room table to symbolize the manger.

And in some places, people slept on the straw instead of in their beds on Christmas Eve.

And in France, at the beginning of Advent, the manger was empty, like this [take Jesus and all the straw out of the manger]. And each night, if a child had done a good deed for someone, he or she would get to add a straw to the manger. And hopefully, by Christmas Eve, there would be a soft bed of straw for the baby Jesus.

And especially in Scandinavian countries, sometimes the straw was tied into wreaths. And sometimes they created a Yule Goat, like this [take the Yule Goat out of the bag].

The Yule Goat made sure that people were preparing for Christmas, and they brought Christmas presents to children in Sweden.

So tonight, after the service, if you’ll go to my office, Mrs. Roberts will give each of you one of these little straw goats, to remind you of the straw in the manger, and to do good things for people, and how much Jesus loves you.