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August 28, 2007
COVER
STORY
Off
and Running...
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 Dear
St. Michael's Family and Friends,
Off and running…all
classes got off to an excellent start this past Sunday and it
was great fun to see so many people gathered together after being
here and there for the summer. Thanks to everyone involved. Pat
Baird looked and sounded great. The Katrina We Do Care Brunch
was delicious and informative. Many of our classes were filled.
Our music was a gift at all three services. We welcomed local
musician Ron Bedal to our 9:00 a.m. service and enjoyed Donna
Brooks singing as well. St. Michael's Choir gave a rousing rendition
of I'll Fly Away and the spirit of New Orleans was alive
and well as we worshipped this day. If you were unable to be with
us this past Sunday, plan to join us on September 2. We've got
plenty of space and look forward to welcoming everyone to worship
and education over the next several weeks.
We also began
a new practice at the beginning of our worship. From this past
Sunday forward at 8:55 and 10:25 the bells will be rung, a simple
announcement relevant for worship or the particular day will be
made and then we will be invited into a time of silence followed
by the prelude music. This change is intended to help us in centering
and quieting ourselves before worship in order to, hopefully,
better prepare ourselves for worship. Our hope each time we worship
as a community is to experience the transcendence of God. This
experience can be enhanced when we quiet ourselves down beforehand.
One person, (granted with three young children), said that the
one minute of quiet today was a beautiful gift. My hope is that
we will adapt ourselves to this new practice and know that our
parish church is striving to help all of us slow down.
What about
announcements? There will be no announcements within the services
as we have done to date. Outside the opening announcement, we
will welcome guests and have special liturgies like solemn communion
at the peace. Our regular announcements will take place through
the written Sunday Sword and verbally at Java Jam. Make
sure you take some time to stay for a cup of java and help bless
our parish community.
Love and Blessings,
Alvin+
OUTREACH
Mission
by The Rev. Martha Gillette
The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach
good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to
the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at
liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable
year of the Lord —Luke 4:18-19
The majority
of the book What Can One Person Do is, in fact, focused
on the question of how a single caring individual can respond
to the suffering of the poor in the world. As Christians, however,
we are never really autonomous. Even if we are acting 'independently,'
we are by definition members of a community of faith, bound to
others by prayer and intercession and, usually, worship, fellowship,
and witness. It is therefore appropriate, as we set out to serve
God's people in God's world, to ask "What about God? What
is God doing? What might it be that God wills for creation?"
The second chapter of What Can One Person Do considers
these questions.
If we look
at the Bible, we can see that the persistent theme that runs throughout,
from Genesis to Revelation, is that of God's love for the world,
and God's desire to make all that is in it whole and new. The
Bible, as it were, reveals God's mission. And that mission, the
missio Dei, is to reconnect humanity and divinity, to restore
unity to the relationship between God and humankind which has
been broken by sin, to heal a hurting humanity, and to reconcile
a divided world.
As Christians,
we are called by our baptismal covenant to be faithful to the
mission of God — to work for justice, compassion, and reconciliation
in the world. We cannot afford to think of 'mission' as something
limited to one particular kind of activity, restricted to some
specific part of the world, or reserved for those who are ordained
or otherwise 'set apart.' Rather, 'mission' for us involves any
journey from the safety and comfort of what is known, to the disquieting
danger of what is unknown. 'Mission' is not a peaceable affair.
'Mission' means risking oneself, one's control, and ultimately
one's faith. At the heart of 'mission' is the ability to see God
in surprising and unexpected places, the capacity to discover
God in those who are utterly different than we ourselves. And
this ability to find God in that which is radically 'other' is
also at the heart of a Christian engagement with the MDGs.
The MDG that
the second chapter of What Can One Person Do highlights
is the first, "Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger."
While hunger exists everywhere, the greatest number of poor persons
is in Asia — 221 million in India alone — while the
greatest proportion of poor persons is in Africa — 73% of
the people of Eritrea are undernourished. All told, over 850 million
people don't have access to enough food to meet their basic nutritional
needs. Hunger kills 5 million children annually, meaning 60% of
all child deaths are related to malnutrition.
"The
beginning of wisdom is this," we read in Proverbs 4:7, "Get
wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight." One person can
study, learn, pursue wisdom, gain insight, seek understanding.
Read, listen, ask questions. Host a discussion group, suggest
to your book club a series on global poverty, access foreign newspapers
and journals, attend lectures and exhibits, write to field agencies
for information. If we are to be faithful to the mission of God,
we must choose to make the hazardous journey from the security
of that which is known to the vulnerability of what is not; the
more we study, the more we know, and the farther we can go.
This is
the fourth in a series of articles based on, and featuring excerpts
from, the book What Can One Person Do? - Faith to Heal a Broken
World by Sabina Alkire and Edmund Newell, (Church Publishing,
New York, NY, 2005). To contact The Reverend Martha Gillette,
call 847-381-2323 ext. 39 Mondays or Wednesdays, or email her
at mgillette@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
FORMATION
Little
Angels Preschool Begins Ninth Year
by Elaine Quinn
Little Angels
Christian Preschool is beginning its ninth year of operation!
Our staff is the same as last year and the program continues to
grow with God's blessings. The 2007-2008 staff includes: Bobbi
Bandy, Martha Carroll, Sue Dreys, Ruth Jones, Mary Kehl, Maggie
Killick, Kristin Plescia, and Rita Weaver. Marilyn Borkgren-Okonek,
R.N. will continue as the school nurse and Lori Muligano as the
music teacher. Mrs. Annie Braasch will be this year's Spanish
teacher. The St. Michael's clergy will continue to support us
with weekly clergy visits.
The challenges
any teaching staff inevitably face are also filled with wonderful
opportunities for growth on both professional and personal levels.
While working through those challenges, we will strive to be a
positive force in the spiritual, social and cognitive development
of the children who are entrusted to our care and, as such, we
ask for your continued support and prayers.
I will attempt
to keep you advised via the Sword, of the preschool's many wonderful
"happenings" throughout the upcoming year. I invite
you to visit us or if you feel you have a gift or talent you want
to share that is age appropriate for preschoolers, please contact
me to discuss your participation in the program.
Please
join me as I begin the year by offering this prayer, borrowing
from the inspirational words of a tender song by Nichole Nordeman,
Oh Great God, be small enough to hear me now.
Listen
to each and every prayer made by the young children in our care.
Please bless all the teachers and the families of those young
children. Continue to bless all the St. Michael's parishioners
and all the dedicated clergy as we begin our new program year.
Amen.
OUTREACH
Two
Years After Katrina: We Still Care
by Ann Ryba
When I search
the word 'dear,' as in Dear Friends, the thesaurus in Microsoft
Word gives me the synonyms cherished, prized, valued, treasured,
precious and beloved. As corny as it may sound, you, as a parish
family are ALL of these, both to me, and to those whom we seek
to serve in New Orleans and Mississippi. Your generous gifts of
time, talent and treasure to support the Katrina We Still Care
festivities this weekend showed that not only do many hands make
light work, but they can have a darn good time doing so as well!
It is impossible
to name each person who added their special contribution to the
events, but as a group, we served 400 delicious meals in a lovely
atmosphere, raised over $3000, and organized a November work trip
of at least 10 volunteers. We were able to learn about post-Katrina
life in New Orleans from our guest Elvia James, and our friend
Pat Baird shared the stories of life in Waveland, Mississippi
two years after the storm. It's a story of fear and hope, exhaustion
and resiliency.
I encourage
you to support (and send a 'thank you' if you wish!) Jimmy Bannos,
owner and chef of Heaven on Seven, who donated the delicious gumbo,
red beans, cornbread and jambalaya for the Katrina We Still
Care meals. Catherine Koelling was instrumental in procuring
his fabulous food for the weekend, and we sincerely applaud her
efforts. The Abita Brewing Company and World Wide Liquor, at the
corner of Palatine Road and Brockway in Palatine, generously donated
beverages for our event, and Gumbo-a-Go-Go, at 45 N. Bothwell,
Palatine, added more gumbo to the pot. The best way we can thank
these businesses is to be sure to choose them when shopping and
dining.
Your warm
welcome, kindness and prayers comforted and strengthened both
Elvia and Pat. Your generous donations from this weekend will
go to support the work at St. Luke's, New Orleans, North Bay School,
and Mission on the Bay, Waveland. Thank you so very much for showing
this weekend that Katrina We DO Still Care.
PARTNERSHIPS
Holy
Apostles Shares Inter-generational Study Program with St. Michael's
by The Rev. Martha Gillette
St. Michael's
parishioners are encouraged to join their partner parish, Holy
Apostles, in an inter-generational (but structured for youth,
aged 6-14) program that will be undertaking this fall starting
on September 12 and running every other Wednesday evening from
6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. I would like to issue an invitation
to bring a brown-bag dinner or join us for pot luck as we take
a look at the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals, eight
goals aimed at eradicating the world's most extreme poverty by
the year 2015. The resource text we will be using is the book
What Can One Person Do — Faith to Heal a Broken World,
by Sabina Alkire and Edmund Newell. Lessons on the Goals themselves
will alternate with Bible study and service projects.
Of special
note will be the programs on September 26 and January 30. On September
26 we will be joined by The Rev. Joseph Garang Atem, from Renk,
in Sudan. Fr. Joseph will be talking about life and faith in this
much publicized war-ravaged nation. On January 30, our guest will
be The Rev. Amity Carrubba, who will share stories and pictures
of her mission work with orphans in Kenya.
Church of
the Holy Apostles is located at 26238 N. Route 59. If you would
like more information or an outline
of the program, please call me in the Parish Office at 847-381-2323
ext. 39 or by email at mgillette@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
PARTNERSHIPS
The
Little Red Wagon Teams With Redeemer
by Ruth Silver
The Church
of the Redeemer in Elgin, where Fr. Pedro Lopez serves as rector,
is very active in responding to the many needs of the people in
its area. Two of the programs they offer are the Soup Kettle
and Families in Crisis.
Every Thursday
evening, the Soup Kettle serves dinner to 75-90 people
which includes a main course, fruit, vegetables, salad, bread,
desserts, and beverages. Different church groups are responsible
for one Thursday of the month. Catherine Koelling coordinates
a group from St. Michael's on the second Thursday. The Soup
Kettle and pantry are stocked with food that is used by these
groups.
The Families
in Crisis program deals mainly with people in financial hardship.
One family with three children has the mother working two jobs
to pay rent and bills. Her husband was deported back to his home
country, and she has lost their house because she could not pay
the mortgage on her own. Another family of seven has the father
working two jobs to pay the family's bills. His wife was working
but became ill, lost her job, and is too sick to continue working.
With these people and others in such dire straits, receiving food
and necessary household items allows them more money to pay the
bills. Some financial assistance may also be given in certain
circumstances.
St. Michael's
has the opportunity to help provide for the needs of these two
great services that Redeemer offers to those in difficult times.
The Little Red Wagon is requesting a dual collection during the
months of September and October. Let's fill those pantries with
the following:
- Soup Kettle:
Instant potatoes, pork and beans
- Families
in Crisis: Diapers (sizes 3-6), baby wipes, toothpaste and tooth
brushes, bar soap, laundry detergent, dish detergent, shampoo,
rice, pasta, tomato sauce and pasta, spaghetti sauce
- Both: Peas,
green beans, corn, mixed vegetables, yams/sweet potatoes, pears,
peaches, toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex
- Children's
clothing is also welcome.
The Little
Red Wagon is located in St. Michael's narthex/main entrance each
Sunday and in the coat area near the parish office during the
week. Monitary donations are also accepted. Simply make a notation
on your check that the funds are earmarked for the Little Red
Wagon.
Renk
Ministry Partnership updated
8/28/2007 9:47 p.m.
Due to a delay
in the processing of Fr. Joseph's documents by the American Embassy,
he will not be arriving on August 29, as hoped. His visa application
was approved, but the process between Sudan and Washington, DC,
has caused the delay. The exact date of his arrival is not known
at this time, however he still intends to make the trip and sends
his greetings and apologies.
Youth
Program Update
The Wednesday
Catechesis and Youth Choir Programs are going on hiatus this fall.
Although Wednesday Catechesis classes did not meet minimum enrollment
numbers, classes are in full swing on Sunday mornings. If you
have not yet registered your children for church school, please
contact Nerissa Brueckbauer (ages 3 through 6th grade) or Kevin
Kasper (7th through 12th grade). Members of the Youth Choir members
are encouraged to keep their singing voices warmed up and ready
for the time when a new Director of Music is in place.
Sunny
Hill Still Needs Your Help
 On
Monday, August 20, St. Michael's Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
President, Marie Schrieffer, and Advisor, Sally Smith, dropped
off close to 50 filled backpacks plus ten bags of loose school
supplies for the kindergarten through fifth grade students in
need at District 220's Sunny Hill Elementary School. A big "THANK
YOU" to everyone who contributed to helping these kids kick
off their school year with all of their supplies!
There are
many children still in need, so the ECW will continue collecting
supplies through September 9. School supply lists are still available
outside the Community Room. New and gently used school supplies,
extra backpacks, and filled backpacks can be left under the display
table outside the Community Room. Contact Sally Smith at 847-274-4622
for more information.
Pictured:
Sunny Hill Principal Loiuse Robb and Assistant Principal Rick
Aceves with backpack donations from their friends at St. Michael's.
Don't
Miss the Barrington Area CROP Walk!
The Barrington
Area will hold its 25th Anniversary CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday,
October 14. Churches, civic organizations, and people of all ages
are getting ready to fight hunger. Recruitment for the Walk begins
at St. Michael's on Sunday, September 23. The Walk and all of
its festivities will begin and end at Barrington Middle School
Station Campus. There are many ways for you to be involved: be
a walker, be a sponsor, provide chili, provide cookies, and pray
for hungry people and those involved with fighting hunger throughout
the world. Last year St. Michael's walkers collected just over
$800. To participate in any of the ways listed above call Catherine
Koelling, 847-304-1284 or Lori Boice, 847-462-9195 or visit http://barringtoncropwalk.freehostia.com.
St.
Michael's to Host Diocesan ECW Fall Forum
All women
of St. Michael's are invited to attend the Diocesan ECW Fall Forum
on Saturday, September 22, at St. Michael's. Registration will
begin at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Eucharist, program, and lunch.
The program, Accepting God's Embrace, will deal with our
lives, death, and what we want for our legacy. Practical advice
on discussing death and funerals for ourselves or elderly loved
ones will be given. We will not be worrying about our deaths,
but arranging how to live our lives to the fullest.
If you wish
to attend, please R.S.V.P. to Susan O'Brien at 708-535-3156 or
Marie Schriefer at 847- 719-1012. A $10 donation will be collected
at registration.
Women's
Bible Study Moves to Tuesday Mornings
For those
of you returnees and especially to those of you who have never
tried a Bible Study (and especially to those of you for whom leaving
the house early on Monday mornings is just impossible), Tuesday's
are for you!
The Women's
Bible Study will be moving to Tuesday mornings, from 9:30 until
11:00 a.m. We will be beginning a new 8-week session running from
Tuesday September 18 through Tuesday, November 13. (We will not
meet on October 2) This is a nice way to get in some great fellowship
and study and we'll be done before the rush of the holidays.
You are encouraged to give it a try especially if you've never
done a study before. The Women's Bible Study is a friendly group
who helps each other come to new awakenings of spirituality. You
do not have to know a thing about the Bible to come. Or if you
are a scholar, we particularly welcome you.
If you are
interested and will need childcare or for more information, please
contact Kay Lewis at 847-381-7820 immediately so arrangements
can be made for a sitter. The book and subject will be announced
soon.
Foyers
Needs You
Foyers is
an opportunity for people to get together in a casual fellowship
setting at individual homes and a wonderful way to meet new friends
whether you're new to St. Michael's or have been a member for
a while. It is sign-up time, and three new leaders are needed
to get this fall's program under way: one to train to lead the
group for 2007 with an assistant, one to be that assistant, and
one to help with sign-ups and move into the assistant slot. It's
not a hard job and all that's required is selecting dates, publicizing
the program, and coordinating the Foyers groups. If you're interested
in continuing to grow this fellowship opportunity that brings
new friends together, please contact Ann Ryba at 847-358-5808.
In
the Parish Family
Birth
Eloise Nelson
is the new daughter of Dylan and Kelly Nelson and the granddaughter
of Dave and Carol Nelson.
Deaths
Please keep
the family and friends of Jane Edmunds in your prayers. Jane died
on August 24 at St. Alexian Hospice Facility. Arrangements for
a memorial service are pending.
Pray also
for the Cutliffe family following the recent death of Steve's
father. Phillip.
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
This week
prayers are asked for: Ken, Carrie Ann, Paulette, Jim, Kim, Michael,
Emily, Adrienne, Lynne, Emily, Luke, Joe & Thelma, Ralph,
Minerva, military troops still in danger, Amy, Craig, Bp. Persell,
Maribeth, Rae, Joshua, Amity, Sallie, and Robert.
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 9.1 Jessica
Malec, Lisa Allen, Bill Chapdelaine
- 9.2 Gus
Chapdelaine, Nancy Daigler
- 9.3 Kathleen
Blair, Dolores Duncan
- 9.4 Lauren
Fleer, Colin Smith, Malyssa Peltier, Tatum Turner, Janet Gellert
- 9.5 Sheryl
Romer, Robert McGugan, Jennifer Lekai, Rollo Nesset, Tony Poidomani
- 9.7 Tara
McLaughlin, Michelle Lanham, Lucille Keller, Raj Mullick
Anniversaries
- 9.1 Lucy
& John Bono
- 9.2 Alice
& Louis Carrol
- Frank Cesario
& Sophia Ts'o
- 9.4 Mary
& John Nicol
- 9.5 Katy
& David Pepper, B. Rae & David Buckley, Jodi & Bob
Sundeen, Vicki & Phil Montgomery
- 9.6 Roxelyn
& Richard Pepper, Carrie & Curt Kenney, Monique &
Mike Turcotte, Diane & Philip Zinn, Julie & Dennis Sundin
- 9.7 Colleen
& Dean Maire
Deaths
- 9.2 Roy
Ziegler
- 9.6 Howard
Johnson, Adelaide Hunker
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