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September 11, 2007
COVER
STORY
For
and Against the Plan of God
by Nerissa Brueckbauer
 Brian
D. McLaren, a highly respected author focusing on the church and
the postmodern cultural shift surrounding it, talks about the
advice he was given when deciding what kind of book to write.
He shares in his finished work, A Generous Orthodoxy, that
a friend encouraged him to write what people "already know
and agree with." This approach seems to be what people want
and what sells. Alternatively, another friend advised McLaren
that true learning results from thinking rather than teaching
or writing. As a catechist, my experience would lead me to agree
with McLaren's friend who valued learning as the consequence of
thinking. Recently, I was fortunate enough to watch as two classes
of fourth, fifth and sixth graders revealed their virtually inexhaustible
ability to really ponder a subject and draw conclusions that were
truly consistent with profound aspects of their own individual
and collective religious formation.
The subject
explored in Room 5 last week was "The History of the Kingdom
of God and My Century." The exercise was simple. The children
were asked to think about the last century, drawing from their
school, church and personal knowledge. They then were to write
an invention, event or person identified with the last century
on a Post-it note. There next move was to place the Post-it notes
above the appropriate year (approximately) and also in a range
defined as either "for the Plan of God" or "against
the Plan of God". (Children do not have any difficulty defining
the terms "for" and "against" in the context
of the Plan of God.)
Their facility
to think and think creatively was evident right away. Many Post-it
notes appeared immediately on the line between "for"
and "against" the Plan of God because some things, people
and events have characteristics of both and some are actually
neutral in qualification. Post-it notes appeared on the line before
the year 1900 (the first year on the graph) and after 2010 (the
last year on the graph) because, I was told, some started before,
some are yet to come and some Post-it note choices were "timeless".
(Notice how much explaining the children had to do so this catechist
could understand where they were going!) We discussed individually
the content of each note and its placement on the line. Whereas,
we generated lively discussion around what was placed on the line
and many opinions about the exact placement were proffered, the
final decision on placement was that of the author.
I would like
to share with you some of the "thinking" going on in
Room 5:
- 9/11
and terrorism: against the Plan of God — not much discussion
and very decisive.
- Airplanes:
for and against the Plan of God — wonderful inventions
which contribute greatly to the world of transportation, but
airplanes can also deliver weapons of mass destruction.
- Hurricane
Katrina:
against and for the Plan of God — the destruction and loss
were devastating, and the children were worried about the actions
of a few less than honorable people right after the storm, but
the outpouring of supplies, assistance and shared hope after
the storm were certainly actions and events for the Plan of
God.
- Barry
Bonds: against the Plan of God — (this, interestingly
enough, came up in both classes) his alleged use of steroids
was viewed as cheating by some of the children and, thus, against
the Plan.
- My
sister: for the Plan of God - one child placed her sister
on the timeline at the year of her birth, her sister's birth
into their family was definitely an event for the Plan.
- Me
— a couple of children wrote their own names on Post-it
notes and placed them on the timeline at the year of their birth;
these Post-it notes moved a bit back and forth across the for
and against the Plan of God line because, as one child explained,
sometimes his actions are in concert with God's Plan, and, sometimes,
he makes poor choices.
- John
Brown: for and against the Plan of God — (I had to
step back and rack my brain to remember John Brown and his significance
in history.) His intentions as an abolitionist to end slavery
were viewed as for the Plan, but some of his actions resulting
in the loss of life of innocent bystanders were pronounced as
against the Plan.
- Cell
Phones:
for and against the Plan of God — cell phones have helped
to report and prevent crime, seek emergency assistance, and
let loved ones know about the well-being of the user in exigent
circumstances (i.e., the collapse of the bridge in Minnesota),
but the children also thought that teachers and parents might
see cell phones as an obstacle to learning and communicating.
Once again,
I am struck by the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd approach. Our
children are thinking! Oh, and by the way, McLaren chose to challenge
his readers to think!
Nerissa
Brueckbauer is Director of Children's Ministries for St. Michael's.
She can be reached at nbrueckbauer@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
OUTREACH
Victims
of Poverty
by The Rev. Martha Gillette
The necessities
of life are water, bread, and clothing, and also a house to
assure privacy. Better is the life of the poor under their own
crude roof than sumptuous food in the house of others. —Sirach
29:21-22
 We
talk about the 'victims' of poverty. But if poverty's such a bad
thing, why does it seem as if it's held up as a good thing in
so many places? Jesus was poor, right? And he was forever doing
things that look a lot like encouraging poverty — sending
his disciples out with "no purse, no bag, no sandals,"
preaching that the poor are blessed because the kingdom of God
is theirs, and telling people to sell all they own. Many people
in religious orders take vows of poverty, preachers warn us that
it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, and there's
no end of books and periodicals exhorting us all to simplify our
lives.
The fourth
chapter of the book What Can One Person Do addresses two
assumptions imbedded in the preceding paragraph. First, it challenges
the assumption — often not consciously made — that because
a person is a 'victim' of poverty, he or she is totally defined
by that reality. Second, it focuses our attention on the crucial
difference between voluntary and involuntary poverty. Throughout,
it gently speaks a truth to us in love, namely, that the way in
which many of those who have provided, and who do provide resources
to help the impoverished, relate to the poor themselves in a very
patronizing, infantalizing, way.
Roman Catholic
social teaching on poverty has been of immense value to all manner
of people interested in aiding the poor. It is based on the conviction
that all human beings are entitled to a level of respect and dignity
inherent in their being created in the imago Dei, the image of
God. But, of course, there's a difference between being made in
the image of God and being God. There are attractive and unattractive
wealthy people, healthy and ill, kind and cruel, generous and
stingy, angry and joyful — the list goes on. Likewise, there
are attractive and unattractive poor people, healthy and ill,
kind and cruel, etc. Just as a person rich in material things
might feel stupid, unloved, unfulfilled, insecure, bitter, or
depressed, a person with few worldly possessions might live a
very happy life. It is not okay to assume that because we have
more money than the poor, we automatically have more intelligence,
creativity, courage, strength, and insight. Treating the poor
with respect means enabling them to be the architects of change
in their communities, rather than presuming they're helpless and
incapable, and allowing ourselves to play god in their lives.
Treating the
poor with respect also means understanding the difference between
voluntary and involuntary poverty. The two are inter-related,
but making an informed, considered, truly free-will choice to
renounce the things of this world is not the same as having no
access to them. It is said, "you cannot fast when you have
no bread," and I think this adage makes the point succinctly.
The MDG considered in the fourth chapter of What Can One Person
Do is itself the fourth, "Reduce child mortality."
Millions of children die every year, one every few seconds, mostly
from causes such as malnutrition, diarrhea, malaria, and HIV/AIDs.
Watching your child starve to death, or die for want of a couple
dollars' worth of mosquito netting, is bitter, harsh, devastating,
and utterly undesirable — a far cry from the elegant simplicity
of life some seek through voluntarily divesting themselves of
material wealth.
What can one
person do to gain a fuller, more realistic understanding of the
similarities between rich and poor people, and the differences
between voluntary and involuntary poverty? Connect with the impoverished.
Engage in a voluntary service program — you can find opportunities
as short as two weeks. Start with a website such as www.bridgestocommunity.org
or www.volunteerinternational.org.
Take an organized holiday with an ethical slant. Speak to one
of the several St. Michael's parishioners who have done this,
or check out www.ecotourism.org,
www.responsibletravel.com,
or similar sites. If you participate in a program that pairs people
up, such as our partnership with the Diocese of Renk in the Sudan,
or a child sponsorship agency, consider visiting those whom you
support. See, smell, listen, learn, give, gain, and grow. AMEN.
This is
the sixth 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
St.
Michael's Youth: Learning Value Systems
by Rev. Kevin Kasper
 Value
systems — at the core of the things we do lay a value system.
The recent Mattel toy recall prompted New Testament Scholar Ben
Witherington, III, to blog about the real "cost" of
this whole recall. While reading the article, I was reminded of
a quote I read years ago, "We live in a society where we
know the price of everything, and the value of so little."
Where I read it I do not remember, but it reminds us that a Christian
value system is to be very different than the rest of society's.
Which brings
us to this past summer's mission trip to Savannah, GA. Most of
you have probably heard about the bus breaking down, the replacement
bus breaking down, and that it took us 35 hours to get back to
the church. What you've probably not heard is that the work done
by our S.M.U.S.H.ies and others communicated a different sort
of value system — one that says to the elderly, and those
unable to afford basic maintenance of their homes (the poor) —
you are valuable, how can I help?
Our young
people were in action, digging post holes for a wheelchair ramp,
working on rebuilding porches, painting, etc. More importantly,
a little more than a week after we returned, I was told that one
of the houses worked on during our trip had been visited by the
local housing commission. Because of the repairs made to this
woman's home, her house was not condemned, and torn down because
it now met the minimal standard of living requirements. It is
people over product — this is the Church.
As always
we are thankful to our many adult chaperones — Kevin Callahan,
Phil Darrow, Kathy Randolph, Judy Tammi. And thank you to the
community of St. Michael's for supporting this ministry. God's
grace to you.
Rev. Kevin
Kasper is St. Michael's Youth Minister. He can be reached at 847-381-2323
ext. 15 or kkasper@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
PARTNERSHIPS
Our
Brothers and Sisters in Sudan: Focus on Fr. Joseph Garang Atem
by Sue Barnum
This is the
first of many articles that will help keep us informed about Sudan,
the Episcopal Diocese of Renk, our Covenant of Relationship with
the diocese, and our brothers and sisters in Christ who rejoice
in our caring support and relationship with them. The Covenant
of Relationship began nine years ago in January 1998 and continues
today. Throughout this ongoing relationship, lives are being changed
and formed, in Sudan and here, because of the work being done
in the name of Christ.
Fr. Joseph
Garang Atem is coming to St. Michael's to concelebrate and preach
on Sunday, September 30, St. Michael's Feast Day. He is the Principal
of Renk Theological College which was built, and rebuilt after
the northern Islamic government demolished it, with St. Michael's
financial contributions. Through the years we have continued to
support and fund the college, its teachers, and the needs of the
students who attend.
Fr. Joseph
brings news from Renk Town that he will share on September 30.
Let's show our concern, support, and respect for him, his people,
and our Covenant by attending a Sunday service and listening with
empathy to the news he brings from his war-ravaged country. God
is at work, and for that we give thanks and praise!
Sue Barnum
is a member of St. Michael's Renk Ministry Partnership. The next
article will look more closely at Fr. Joseph and his life and
mission.
Update:
Fr. Joseph arrived safely in Chicago on Saturday, September 8
after a two-week delay as a result of the process between the
United States and Sudan. He will remain in the U.S. through October
22. Fr. Joseph will preach at all services on Sunday, September
30, as we observe the feast day of St. Michael. Brief receptions
will follow the 7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. services with a special
reception following the 10:30 a.m. service in which parishioners
will have the opportunity to as questions and learn more about
Fr. Joseph's ministry in Sudan.
FORMATION
Women's
Bible Study Explores the Challenges of an "Urgent" Life
by Kay Lewis
Have you ever
wished for a 30-hour day? Every week we leave a trail of unfinished
tasks. Unanswered letters, unvisited friends and unread books
haunt our waking moments. We desperately need relief. These studies
are designed to help you put your life back in order by discovering
what is really important. Find out what God's priorities are for
you.
I've
chosen the study, Priorities: Tyranny of the Urgent by
Charles Hummel for us to examine this fall. As I read through
this study, the questions seemed to jump off the page for me.
I believe that I am not alone in being "terrorized by the
urgent." Please come and join us for eight weeks, on Tuesday
mornings beginning September 18 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
in the St. Michael's Library. I will have some study guides available
($7) and you can order the book Tyranny of the Urgent from
And All The Angels bookstore if you want to further complement
your study. However, that it not a requirement.
This is a
bible-based study using six different passages to help us learn
God's priorities for us. Come and feed your soul. Women's Bible
Study will meet from September 18 until November 13 with no meeting
on October 2. For more information, or if childcare is needed,
contact Kay Lewis at 847-381-7820.
Don't
Miss the Barrington Area CROP Walk!
When you watch
the news of people struck with disaster and wish you could help,
CROP Walkers and their sponsors can feel the satisfaction of being
there. They have helped. Last year they raised over $68,000. Of
that, over $17,000 was given to seven local food agencies: Northern
Illinois Food Bank, St. Anne's Project Hope, Wauconda-Island Lake
Food Pantry, Barrington Meals with Wheels, PIN project of the
Barrington Ministerial Association, Barrington Giving Day and
FISH Food Pantry-Carpentersville. Church World Service CROP has
been there in your name and with your monies during times of disaster
in the United States and around the world. CROP also works quietly
helping people help themselves to eliminate hunger through education
and improved skills in food production. So, how can you help?
- Come to
Java Jam on Sunday, September 23 and October 7 to make your
contribution via cash or check. Or you may contribute online
with a credit card (instructions will be available at Java Jam).
- Pick up
an envelope at the Outreach Table any time, get sponsors and
walk either the 10 kilometers or the Golden Mile.
- Sponsor
a Walker. In addition to all of the other walkers, our pastors
will appreciate having you sponsor them. There are pledge sheets
for them at the Java Jams or the Outreach Table.
- Make chili
for ten or two dozen cookies for after Walk feasting and fellowship.
Sign up at the Java Jams or the Outreach Table.
This year's
CROP Walk is Sunday, October 14. The Walk begins and ends at Barrington
Middle School Station Campus with registration at 12:30 p.m. and
step-off at 1:00 p.m.
For more information
contact Catherine Koelling, 847-304-1284 or Lori Boice, 847-462-9195
or visit http://barringtoncropwalk.freehostia.com.
Author
to Visit St. Michael's
 Bob
Thompson, author of the the newly published book A
Voluptuous God will visit St. Michael's to offer a presentation,
discussion and book signing on Sunday, November 4.
From the author's
website: "Voluptuous is not a word most of us associate with
God. Yet God is delicious, says Thompson. God takes pleasure in
simple things. God knows “that laughter is the best medicine,
that only love can heal what ails us, and that only joy can cause
our hearts to sing.” Thompson calls us to worship a God of
intimacy rather than a God of distance. God and humanity hunger
for closeness, and so Thompson calls us to an intimate relationship
with the divine."
The book is
rooted in the Christian tradition but affirms that truth is found
in other religions and spiritualities, and in secular practices.
It offers an exploration of the place—which is here and now—“where
we belong to God and to each other.”
A Voluptuous
God questions, and offers insight into, many of the ideas and
experiences our minds and souls dance with daily. It allows us
to examine our personal spiritual needs and makes accessible the
larger spiritual truths that give shape and meaning to our lives.
Watch The
Sword for more details and the time for this exciting event.
And
All The Angels
Christmas
has come early! Let And All the Angels help to make your
Christmas a little easier. During the month of September all boxed
Christmas cards are on sale. The fun part is that you can even
look through the store's catalogs and pick out the cards that
you like. Need a little incentive to stop by? During the month
of September the store is offering 20% off of your order for boxed
Christmas cards. The catalogs and order forms can be found at
And All The Angels where the helpful staff is ready to
assist you. Come order your cards soon and cross one thing off
that long Christmas to-do list!
And don't
forget...During the month of September all children's books are
on sale for 25% off the regular price at And All The Angels book
store. For books and gifts for all occasions, be sure to visit
the store on St. Michael's lower level.
Documentary
on Sudan to be Shown at Illinois International Film Festival
Facing
Sudan is the winner of the Best Documentary at the 2007 Landlocked
Film Festival and tells the stories of what ordinary people can
do as individuals to make a difference. It will be shown on September
16 at 5:30 p.m. in St. Charles at the Illinois International Film
Festival, Arcada Theater. More information about the film as well
as previews
are available on filmmaker Bruce David Janu's website at www.bellbookcamera.com.
John Kuol
(Akuak Dut), Salva Dut (Water for Sudan) and Jackie Kraus had
the privilege of being part of the production and worked with
Bruce Janu who directed and produced the film. Bruce teaches Social
Studies at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights. This is a
testimonial of his passion and response to a too-often-neglected
tragedy — the 21-year-old civil war between northern and
southern Sudan, plus the most current genocide in Darfur. The
film also features stories of volunteers from around the United
States.
ECW
Talent Show
On Saturday,
November 3, the ECW will be sponsoring a fun, social evening —
The St. Michael's Talent Show. Start thinking now about how you
may want to participate or just mark your calendar for this "not-to-miss"
event. Coordinator Kay Lewis will be in touch soon with more details.
Please note that the date for this event has been changed from
an earlier published date.
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.
Around
the Neighborhood
Blood Drive
at Lutheran Church of the Atonement
Lutheran Church
of the Atonement will host a blood drive on Sunday, September
23 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please
call Edi Normann at 847-381-0243 ext. 176.
In
the Parish Family
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
This week
prayers are asked for: Jim, military troops still in danger, Bp.
Persell, Ken, Luke, Craig, Lynne Minerva Joe & Thelma, Amy,
Carrie Ann, Paulette, Kim, Michael, Adrienne, Emily, Ralph, Maribeth,
Rae, Joshua, Amity, Robert, Sallie, Sue, Vickie, Chris, Church
of the Redeemer
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 9.15 Katie
Everson, Bridgit Maire, John Allen, Jeff Dickenson, Brian Murphy,
Meghan Doran
- 9.16 David
Poll, Jean Schoepke, Avi Skor, Jeffrey Bono
- 9.17 James
Bateman, Joe Madonia, Drake Imhoff, Adrienne Darrow, Devyn Ernst,
Nik Waller
- 9.18 Edward
Tilly, Sean Lock
- 9.19 Patrick
Harrigan
- 9.20 Andrew
Schaefer, Joe Beuttas
- 9.21 Rob
Ulaszek, Martha Gillette
Anniversaries
- 9.15 Amy
& Bob Jones
- 9.17 Karen
& Dennis Malec
- 9.18 Jenny
& Jay Welsh
- 9.19 Jackie
& Dick Kraus
- 9.20 Janette
& Daniel Warner, Sue & Jim Pajakowski, Jacquelyn &
Frank Napoleon
- 9.21 Marti
& Kevin Callahan, Robyn & Chuch Boetsch
Deaths
- 9.15 Helen
Peters, Louis Schirmer
- 9.19 Pierre
J. Lareau, George Bachini, George Dickson
- 9.20 Erin
Elizabeth Buckley
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