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September 18, 2007
COVER
STORY
Hellos
and Good-byes
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 Dear
St. Michael's Family and Friends,
There are
several things to write to you about this week. First, our celebration
of Marjorie's ministry begins this week with our staff celebration
and lunch on Wednesday. Our parish-wide celebration will be on
September 30. We will ask God's blessings on her and send her
forth from each worshiping community that day. We will also recognize
her in the context of our brunch honoring Fr. Joseph that day.
As a part of celebrating her ministry here we are putting together
various gifts for her. If you would like to give towards a parish
gift for Marjorie simply make your check out to St. Michael's,
mark the memo for Marjorie Gift, send it in or drop your gift
in the collection plate next Sunday. This is a wonderful way for
all of us to share our appreciation. More than anything, however,
please share your thoughts and prayers with Marjorie directly
as those will be a blessing to her. Her presence, creativity and
love of the Church will be deeply missed by our parish community.
On that Sunday
we will also say "farewell" to someone who has been
a member here for a long time. Sharon Veenker has been involved
in ministry here for over three decades. She has served in many
capacities and most recently as an acolyte and a LEM. Sharon was
the person who approached me many years ago and asked if she could
put my name in here for consideration as Rector. She is moving
to Florida to be with her mom and will be making several trips
to Denver to visit her grandchildren.
Finally, our
worship that day will be glorious…music, drums, baptism at
9:00 a.m., Fr. Joseph preaching, St. Michael's Day, Sudan Reception,
and so much more. Make plans to attend and join in worshiping
God, in saying thanks to Marjorie for her many, faithful years
of service to St. Michael's, in bidding Sharon a fond farewell,
and basking in the presence of a wonderfully faithful friend,
Fr. Joseph.
Love and Blessings,
Alvin+
MINISTRY
Suffering
by The Rev. Martha Gillette
My God,
my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping
me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but
you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. —Psalm
22:1-2
It is difficult,
if not impossible, to consider the Millennium Development Goals
without confronting the issue of suffering itself; for behind
every tick on a tally sheet of new Cholera outbreaks or failed
crops or illiteracy rates or infant mortality, an untold tale
of human misery and despair unfolds. So many heart-wrenching stories,
so many millions — billions — of our brothers and sisters
in dire need. Where is God in all this suffering?
This is the
question addressed in the fifth chapter of the book What Can
One Person Do? In the interest of full disclosure, I will
tell you now that the authors make no effort to provide a definitive
answer to the question, but rather hold it up and look at it steadily.
Quoting Dorothee Soelle's quip that "theologians have an
intolerable passion for explaining and speaking when silence would
be appropriate," (110) the authors provide brief summaries
of several of the arguments made by these garrulous theologians
over the course of human history, as they have attempted to reconcile
the experience of suffering with a belief in a loving God. Any
particular one of these theories might intrigue or infuriate you,
but none is universally accepted, and each affirms the reality
that to be human is to be incapable of fully knowing the mind
of God.
What I find
valuable in this chapter are two things. First, the reminder that
the Biblical record, the lives of the Saints, and human history
itself show that we are not unique should we witness the pain
and tragedy that surrounds us and experience a crisis in faith,
feel bereft of God's presence, or want to argue with or question
God. Second, an affirmation that, whatever we do understand to
be the relationship between God and suffering, it is not something
we as mortals can control. What we can control, at least to some
degree, is our response to both God and suffering. It is this
capacity to choose a constructive vision, to choose a faith-full
response, that results in such vibrant expressions of love for
and trust in God and neighbor in places around the world where
poverty and devastation run rampant. It is this ability to grace-fully
decide to turn toward, rather than reject, God in the midst of
our most horrific pain, that creates the incredible human reality
that those who suffer most in our world are not necessarily those
who are most angry with God.
The MDG that
chapter five considers is the sixth — "Combat HIV/AIDS,
malaria, and other diseases." It is a goal that focuses on
a source of almost incomprehensible suffering around the globe,
felt most intensively perhaps in Sub-Saharan Africa, where around
thirty percent of the world's people living with HIV/AIDS reside
in an area that is home to only about two percent of the earth's
total population. The target for this goal is to halt, by 2015,
and begin to reverse, the spread of HIV/AIDS and the incidence
of malaria, tuberculosis, and other major diseases.
Worldwide,
the majority of adults living with HIV/AIDS are women, a statistic
which reflects the reality that many women are culturally, socially,
or economically unable to avoid unsafe relationships and practices.
With regard to other diseases, efforts to combat them rage full
force, unfortunately hindered by changing environmental conditions,
fragile care delivery systems, persistent poverty, and the emergence
of drug-resistant strains of the disease agents. In general, we
are making rather poor progress toward the target of halting and
reversing the spread of these diseases, although there is good
news here and there around the globe. As we confront this reality,
one question for us becomes our response to God and suffering.
Will we bless or curse God? Will we turn toward or away from the
suffering?
Those who
turn toward the suffering - whatever their relationship with God
- often seek to raise awareness and funds in support of their
relief efforts, and this is certainly true of those who work to
eradicate HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases
of epidemic proportions. The fifth chapter of What Can One
Person Do? offers some suggestions on how to do this. While
the book itself addresses the specific event of a concert —
music being a powerful emotional force in its own right, with
the capacity to express heights and depths of feeling that words
alone cannot — the points raised as being important to running
a successful event are, I believe, easily translatable to other
types of activity. Most fundamentally, the authors suggest that
enthusiasm and common sense are more important to organizing a
successful fundraising event than any particular expertise —
guidance that may well pertain to much of what we do when confronted
by suffering in general and the desire to address the issue of
disease prevention and eradication in specific. AMEN.
This is
the seventh 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 Rev. Martha Gillette,
call 847-381-2323 ext. 39 Mondays or Wednesdays, or email her
at mgillette@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
Blessing
of the Animals
 Pets
of all varieties are welcome to a blessing of the animals as St.
Michael's celebrates the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi on
Thursday October, 4 on St. Michael's front lawn at 6:00 p.m. Bring
your animal live or stuffed, big or little, scary or soft...all
are beautiful in the Good Lord’s sight. Punch and cookies,
baked by St. Michael's' own Marti Callahan, will be served to
humans and appropriate treats to animals.
If you're
not able to attend on Thursday, Holy Apostles in Wauconda will
also offer a special blessing for animals on Wednesday, October
3 at 6:30 p.m. More information will be available in upcoming
issues of The Sword or through your church school student.
The
United Thank Offering
The United
Thank Offering is a ministry of the Episcopal Church and is facilitated
by the Episcopal Church Women (ECW). In the past six years, UTO
has awarded eight grants to the Diocese of Chicago. UTO complements
the emergency aid and long-term support offered by Episcopal Relief
and Development here and around the world. Watch for blue boxes
and envelopes in next week in church school or after the services.
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.
Planning
Commission Gives Sturtz House Green Light for District 220 Program
On Tuesday,
September 11, the Barrington Planning Commission voted unanimously
to pass an ordinance proposal that would allow District 220 to
use the Sturtz House for its LIFECO program serving developmentally
disabled young adults.
Under the
proposal, the Sturtz House would be used during school hours to
provide six students with a home-style setting in which they could
develop life skills. St. Michael's has supported the proposal
as it is consistent with the mission of "lives formed and
changed." The village board will vote on the ordinance on
Tuesday, September 24.
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.
ECW
Talent Show: The Arch Angel Antics are Coming Your Way
 First
call!!!! for those with talent (or not...)
The date is
Saturday,
November 3 in St. Michael's Community Room. The ECW sponsored
talent show now known as The "Arch Angel Antics"
(the AAA Show) is looking for lots of adults (21 and over) to
join in on the fun and entertainment. When the ECW says "talent"
they don't really mean... that... but they won't turn you down
if you do have some.
Do you have
a stupid human trick? Can you tell some jokes or do impersonations?
Do you do a magic trick? Can you learn a few lines for a skit?
Can you blow on an empty beer bottle when someone points to you?
You get the idea. There will be a couple of "historic and
classic talent show routines" from many years past. You just
have to promise to laugh again (even if you've already seen it).
Because that's the important thing...getting together and laughing.
It'll lengthen your life...promise!
Kay Lewis
is looking for lots of help and is waiting for your call with
ideas or just to volunteer to be a part of something that they'll
put together. Contact Kay at 847-381-7820.
And for those
who can still recall the talent shows from years past, there's
a rumor that there may be a sighting of "the yellow tux."
Author
to Visit St. Michael's
 Bob
Thompson, author of 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.
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
Cathedral
Hosts Peace Vigil
On Friday,
September 21, the International Day of Peace, St. James Episcopal
Cathedral (65 E. Huron) will host a Vigil for Peace which will
be from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Those at the cathedral will join
thousands around the world to pray hourly for peace, especially
in Iraq. The Vigil helps to launch the Christian Peace Witness
for Iraq's continuous vigil, a group of over 30 Christian denominations
praying and organizing for peace in Iraq.
The Vigil
for Peace will include hourly music, meditations and prayers,
a Eucharist for Peace at 12:10 p.m. with The Rev. Joy Rogers presiding,
and a 5:30 p.m. Taize Service. People are invited to any portion
of the Vigil.
Stations of
reflection and resources will be available. The Vigil for Peace
will be an opportunity for people of faith to bring alive —
in both prayer and witness — our world's longing for peace,
justice and reconciliation. For more info, please contact the
Episcopal Peace Fellowship at 312-922-8628 or epfnational@ameritech.net.
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, Minerva, Joe & Thelma, Amy, Carrie
Ann, Kim, Emily, Ralph, Rae, Joshua, Amity, Robert, Vickie, Sallie,
Chris, Church of the Redeemer, Miguel, Gaby, Frank, John, Bob,
Jordan, Melanie, Elizabeth, Hugh, June, Doris, Kirby, John, Joseph
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 9.22 Melinda
Knobe, Kathryn Ryba, Jeff Tolle, John Schmidt, Victoria Marchioretto,
Brett Samuels, Hayden Carani
- 9.23 Kathryn
Belcore, Jodi Sundeen
- 9.24 Susan
Madonia, Tochukwu Aliberi
- 9.25 Chloe
Padula, Olivia Harrington, Jeffrey Phillips, John Baartz
- 9.26 Alvin
Johnson, Coy Walcott, Timmy Fuhs
- 9.27 Roberta
Henderson, Chris Wright, Cara Allen, Emily Ernst
- 9.28 Nancy
Moore, Blaire Gunderson, Bryan Cressey, Alex Cooper, Madeline
Mangan, Kathy Delaney-Saunders
Anniversaries
- 9.22 Chris
& Stan Pepper
- 9.23 Mary
& Bob O'Riordan, Mary & Peter Hassler, Mita & Sumit
Mullick
- 9.26 Megan
& Mike Donohue, Kim & Bill Chapdelaine
- 9.27 Irene
& John Brown
Deaths
- 9.23 John
Freiman
- 9.24 Michael
Barker
- 9.26 Edward
Finlay, Ethyl Ray
- 9.28 Ethel
Banks
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