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September 25, 2007
COVER
STORY
Our
Brothers and Sisters in Sudan: A Journey and Mission
by Sue Barnum
Second
in a series.
 Garang
Atem was born in 1962 in a small village in Bor area of southern
Sudan. He grew up in the African Tradition Religion (ATR), a religion
of many gods. The name Garang was chosen for a reason. Garang's
mother had not been able to bear children for many years, so his
father and elders in the village sacrificed a goat to Garang,
god for creation. At the time of sacrifice, a leader of the ATR
predicted that his mother would give birth to a son. The parents
were to name him Garang, to honor the god for creation.
Garang grew
up in the village and never attended school because in the Dinka
culture, education was thought to be a bad influence. Male children
were to learn from their fathers how to farm and tend the livestock
and remain in the village. However, when Garang was ten, the plan
changed.
One day, in
1972, Garang's cousin, Andrew Chol Biar, came to the village and
asked Garang's father if he could take him to the school he attended,
which was about 75 miles away. He would take full responsibility
for Garang's care and needs at school, and he promised to bring
him back to the village. His father finally consented, and Garang
left for school with Andrew.
Upon arriving
at school, they were told that first grade was full, so Garang
would have to return home or enter second grade. They chose second
grade. By day Garang went to school, and at night, Andrew tutored
him so he could keep up.
However, there
was more for Garang to learn. At school, he studied the Islamic
religion, and each evening Andrew took him to the Episcopal Church
to learn the Christian faith. In 1973, Garang was baptized in
the Episcopal Church and took the Christian name of Joseph. Why
Joseph? He was captivated by the story of Joseph in the Book of
Genesis. Joseph, son of Jacob, was a man with a forgiving heart
who found favor with God and was blessed by God. In taking the
name of Joseph, he, too, hoped for a forgiving heart for others
and a life that God would favor and bless.
Joseph went
on to finish primary and senior secondary school (high school)
and graduated with a Sudan certificate. Throughout these years,
Joseph continued studying the Bible, praying, and growing in faith.
Jesus' words, "I am the Way," and God's promise to eternal
life drew Joseph into deeper commitment. As a result, Joseph says,
"I committed my heart and soul to Christ." He eventually
left a well-paying job as a mechanic for the government of Sudan
for a non-paying job in God's church.
Joseph volunteered
with the Dinka congregation in Khartoum, where he was appointed
Youth Leader, a non-paying job, as were all jobs in the church
during the civil war. Joseph and Roda met during this time, and
because of her commitment to God and the church, she quickly caught
the eye and heart of Joseph.
Bishop Daniel
(then Bishop of Port Sudan) and many people in the congregation
wanted Joseph to go for theological studies in Egypt, so he applied
and was accepted. He was about to go, when in 1992, Nile Theological
College was founded and opened by the Presbyterian Church in Sudan.
Studies were in English, and because Joseph wanted the challenge
of learning the English language, he remained in Khartoum as a
student at NTC.
It was during
this time that Bishop Daniel's vision for building a bible school
in Renk grew, and he wanted Joseph to study in the United States
for a Masters of Theological Studies and return to Sudan to open
Renk Bible School. In 1998, Joseph was ordained, and Fr. Joseph
Garang Atem set off for two years of study at Seabury-Western
Theological Seminary in Evanston, just twelve days after marrying
Roda. While Joseph was in seminary, the home of Jackie and Dick
Kraus became home for Fr. Joseph on weekends and school holidays,
and it became home for Roda when St. Michael's sponsored her to
join him for his second year of studies. A close family relationship
continues to develop, and Jackie is honored to be called "Mom
Jackie" by them and many of the Sudanese (Lost Boys of Sudan)
who have settle in Chicago.
Fr. Joseph
graduated from Seabury in 2000 with his Masters Degree. His thesis
— Death and Life in Sudan: Will There Be Reconciliation?
— is in the libraries of St. Michael's, Seabury, and Renk
Theological College.
Fr. Joseph
returned to Renk Diocese to open the Renk Bible School, now known
as Renk Theological College, one of five official institutions
for theological training in the Episcopal Church of Sudan. Bishop
Daniel's vision and Fr. Joseph's mission were becoming realities.
His mission? In his own words, "To serve the Episcopal Church
in Sudan and the community of God's people." Renk Theological
College is becoming a center for the Episcopal Church of Sudan
for training priests, evangelists, and lay leaders. God was and
is at work in Renk, and we, at St. Michael's, are part of that
vision and mission.
Sue Barnum
is a member of the Renk Ministry Partnership and interviewed Fr.
Joseph for this series. Fr. Joseph will join us this Sunday and
will preach at all three services. A reception in his honor will
be held in the Community Room following the 10:30 a.m. service
where he will speak and answer questions.
OUR
DIOCESE
A
Voice in the Process
by Cam Sells
As the discernment
of a new bishop for the Diocese of Chicago unfolds, St. Michael's
will be in the unique position of being the only parish in the
diocese whose rector will be offering a voice in that process.
In a letter read to the parish on Sunday, September 23, Fr. Johnson
announced his decision to accept a request to be nominated from
the floor for Bishop of Chicago. In his letter, he writes:
Dear
St. Michael's Family and Friends,
When
the final list of nominees for Bishop of Chicago is made public
tomorrow you will see my name among those on the list. Two weeks
ago I was contacted by two people discerning and inquiring my
willingness to be placed in nomination. Their reasons were simple:
my history in the Diocese of Chicago, and their belief that
I could offer a different voice in the process of discerning
God's desire for our next bishop.
I said
'yes' because I feel compelled to do so through the Holy Spirit
working with these two people, because I feel it is the right
thing to do, and because I think I have something to contribute
to the conversation about the future of our Church and our next
bishop. It's not a question of loving or being loved by this
great parish, but an answer to a call from the Holy Spirit to
enter this process. Let me just ask for your prayers for our
diocese, for all the candidates, for our parish and for my family.
Love
and Blessings, Alvin+
In addition
to the five nominees previously named by the Standing Committee
in August, the nominations from the floor brings the number of
candidates to eight. Two other individuals whose petitions have
been accepted include The Rev. Canon Robert K. Koomson, Pastor-in-Residence
at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary; and The Very Rev. Petero
A. N. Sabune, Pastor and Protestant Chaplain at Sing Sing Correctional
Facility. The election of the next bishop will take place at the
Diocesan Convention on Saturday, November 10.
information
about all nominees is available at www.bishopforchicago.org.
(Contact the parish office to receive a printed copy.) In the
coming weeks, St. Michael's will also offer opportunities to learn
more about the process and to share thoughts about the election
of the next bishop with our three delegates.
Everyone in
the diocese will have the opportunity to hear all of the voices
as nominees take part in presentations the week of October 23
at the following locations:
| Date |
Location |
Arrival
& Registration |
Welcome
& Presentations |
Tuesday
October 23 |
St.
Mark's
393 N. Main St. Glen Ellyn |
5:30
p.m. |
6:15
p.m. |
Wednesday
October 24 |
Church
of the Redeemer
40 Center Street, Elgin |
5:30
p.m. |
6:15
p.m. |
Thursday
October 25 |
Church
of the Holy Spirit
400 E. Westminster Rd., Lake Forest |
5:30
p.m. |
6:15
p.m. |
Friday
October 26 |
Church
of the Transfiguration
12219 S. 86th Ave., Palos Park |
5:30
p.m. |
6:15
p.m. |
Saturday
October 27 |
St.
Edmund's
6105 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago |
8:45
a.m. |
9:30
a.m. |
Sunday
October 28 |
St. Luke's
221 W. 3rd St., Dixon |
1:45
p.m. |
2:30
p.m. |
 Singing
Farewell
This Sunday,
September 30, marks not only St. Michael's observance of the feast
day of St. Michael, but Director of Music Marjorie Johnston's
final Sunday with us.
Margie will
be honored at each service that day as we ask God's blessings
on her and send her forth.
Plan to be
in attendance as we welcome Fr. Joseph, celebrate Margie's ministry,
and hear the offerings of St. Michael's Choirs and guest musicians.
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 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.
Tour
Lawrence Hall Youth Services
St. Michael's
has been offered a special chance to tour Lawrence Hall Youth
Services and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the Tryme Cafe's
culinary students! Lawrence Hall is a member of Episcopal Charities,
delivering an essential continuum of care — a lifeline of
action, hope, and opportunity — that enables children to
build more promising futures. From foster care to therapeutic
day school, residential treatment, and supervised independent
living programs, they answer the needs of the least fortunate
— and least able — in our communities. This trip will
meet at St. Michael's on Wednesday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. and
will carpool with Ann Ryba to the facility on Francisco St. in
Chicago. The group will return to Barrington around 2:00 p.m.
There are six openings available and reservations are requested.
Contact Ann Ryba at 847-358-5808 to reserve a space and learn
about one of the many agencies that your outreach dollars support!
ECW
Elgin Deanery UTO Ingathering
The Episcopal
Church Women (ECW) of the Elgin Deanery will be holding its fall
UTO Ingathering on Saturday, October 20, at St. James Episcopal
Church. All women of St. Michael's are invited and encouraged
to attend. The guest speaker, The Rev. Gwynne Wright, will talk
about "English Cathedrals." St. James is located in
West Dundee at 516 Washington Street. Registration will begin
at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Eucharist at 10 a.m. and a luncheon
at noon. A $5 donation will be collected at the door. For reservations,
please call Lee Myers-Hickey at 847-824-3205 or Natalie Armstrong
847-340-7200 by October 19.
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!
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.
Partnerships:
Holy Apostles Auction Dinner and Dance
Church of
the Holy Apostles Auction Dinner and Dance is scheduled for November
16. Mark your calendars, and program all of your electronic gadgets
so that you will not miss a great night of fun. The Auction Dinner
and Dance Committee is in full swing planning this event and will
have all the details available in the very near future. In the
meantime please save the date and make plans to attend. Don't
keep this a secret, tell all your friends.
Use
of Sturtz House Approved by Village
On Monday,
September 24, the Barrington Village Board voted to approve the
use of the Sturtz House for School District 220's LIFECO program,
a program serving disabled young adults. The house will provide
a home-like setting where students can learn a range of life skills.
It is expected that the school district will be able to begin
using the house for the program in the very near future.
Around
the Neighborhood
Interfaith
Gathering to Take Place in Crystal Lake
Islamic, Jewish,
Buddhist, Christian and other religious communities of the north
suburban area will share an evening of interfaith fellowship and
reflection on Monday, October 8 in Crystal Lake. The interfaith
gathering and potluck for the north suburban area (which includes
Woodstock, McHenry, Crystal Lake, Cary, Fox River Grove, Algonquin,
Barrington, Lake Zurich, etc.) will be held on Monday, October
8, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Four Colonies Club House,
680 Cress Creek Lane in Crystal Lake. Families and children are
welcomed to this potluck. Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Jews,
Native Americans and others will offer brief presentations. The
event is free, but donations will be accepted to defray the costs.
While reservations are not required, RSVP's are encouraged. To
find out more or to make a reservation, contact the First Congregational
Church of Crystal Lake at 815-459-6010.
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, Ralph, Amity, Robert, Sallie, Chris, Church of the Redeemer,
Miguel, Gabi, Frank, John, Bob, Jordon, Melanie, Elizabeth, Hugh,
June, Doris, Kirby, John, Joseph, Jim, R.P. & Charlene, Nancy,
Aaron & Julie; Rest in Peace: Kay Olson (brother of Fran Collins)
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 9.29 Courtney
Parker, James Romer
- 9.30 Kelsey
Kazmier, Dan Witczak, Jacy Stauffer, Kathy Mangan, Eden Renko,
Brady Dern, Morgan Maison
- 10.1 Earl
Duncan, Emeline Johnston, Lucas Rogers, Wendi Nagy, Sharon Bullion
- 10.2 Tom
Ross, James Hollensteiner, Zoe Ulaszek
- 10.3 Jim
Tammi, Teana Wright, Gillian Stoettner
- 10.4 Vinnie
Orpen, Ben Garbarek, Kate Garbarek, Mike Laughlin
- 10.5 Thomas
Moore, Paul Clancy, Carolyn Wright, Carrie Kenney
Anniversaries
- 9.29 Teri
& Bill Doran
- 9.30 Penny
& John Kazmier
- 10.1 Julie
& Gary Gunderson
- 10.2 Wendy
& Bill Nagy
Deaths
- 9.30 Dorothy
Wright
- 10.1 Nora
Parker
- 10.3 Sammie
Dowling
- 10.4 Charlotte
Jahnke, Howard Johnson, Olivia Bailey
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