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November
6, 2007
COVER
STORY
Asking
for Your Prayers
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 Dear
St. Michael's Family and Friends,
Prayer is
on my mind this week. As this week unfolds, I ask your prayers
for our diocese and for our upcoming convention this weekend.
Pray especially for the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds
to perceive God's will for our next bishop and then to vote accordingly.
Please also pray for Vickie and me as we live our part of God's
call this weekend. The balloting for our next bishop begins about
9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Vickie and I will be at the hotel in Wheeling.
Cam will be at the convention and will convey the results of each
ballot on our parish website. Pray along and follow along.
Our prayer
group continues to meet every other week. We are praying our way
through a book entitled Traveling the Prayer Paths of Jesus.
Our hope is to be ready to lead a variety of prayer groups in
Lent of 2008. Every time we meet we spend time in silence, prayer,
study, and sharing. Our ministry is moving towards the above leadership
of prayer groups.
Finally, I
ask you prayers for our parish community. I invite your prayers
of gratitude for the many ways that God is touching lives through
the wonderful people who make up this community. I invite your
prayers for healing for the many in our community who are hurting
and wounded physically, emotionally or spiritually. I ask your
prayers for our community herself…we are wounded and need
healing as well. Pray that God will guide us to accept and love
each other. Pray. Pray. Pray.
Love and Blessings,
Alvin+
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* * * * * * * * *
Worship
note: The 5:00 p.m. Eucharist on Saturday, November 10 is
cancelled to accommodate lay and clergy participation at the Diocesan
Convention.
OUR
DIOCESE
High
Turnout for Nominees' Visits
by David Skidmore, Canon for Communications,
Diocese of Chicago
Over 1300
people turned out for the six presentations of nominees for election
as our next bishop the week of October 22 through 28. The highest
turnout was at the first venue, St. Mark’s, Glen Ellyn which
drew over 400 clergy and lay people. All eight nominees participated
in the six presentations, and separate meetings with diocesan
staff, Episcopal Charities and Community Services directors, campus
ministries, the clergy mentoring group, and diocesan governing
bodies (Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, Bishop and Trustees).
Their week-long visit began with a two-day retreat at the Resurrection
Center in Woodstock followed by a tour of Shelter Care Ministries
in Rockford, an ECCS agency; and lunch with agency directors.
In addition to the weekday evening presentations in Glen Ellyn,
Elgin, Lake Forest and Palos Park, the nominees met diocesan staff
over breakfast Wednesday and on Thursday and Friday met with individual
program directors. Bishop Persell and his wife Nancy hosted a
reception for the nominees on Thursday, and on Saturday following
the presentation at St. Edmund’s, Chicago the nominees had
a lunch meeting with students and chaplains of Brent House and
Canterbury Northwestern campus ministries. Their visit to the
diocese ended Sunday afternoon with the final presentation at
St. Luke’s, Dixon.
The format
was consistent at each of the presentation sites: the nominees
were introduced and given a minute to speak about themselves before
the gathering was directed to pre-assigned breakout rooms. Two
monitors in each room collected questions on index cards from
the attendees and selected questions for the nominees. The nominees
rotated through the breakout rooms accompanied by their staff
shepherd and spouse or partner. Among the more common topics:
supporting the apportionment or voluntary giving; perspective
on supporting and deploying deacons; supporting youth and young
adult ministry; assisting struggling congregations; challenges
facing the diocese; quality or role to emphasize as bishop; position
on General Convention resolution B033, the resolution that calls
on bishops and dioceses to exercise restraint on consenting the
election of a bishop nominee whose manner of life might pose a
problem to the Anglican Communion; expanding antiracism work;
and addressing the redevelopment of the diocesan center.
If you did
not have the opportunity to attend one of the sessions on Sunday,
October 28 with St. Michael's delegates to the Diocesan Convention
and would like to share your reflections on the nominees for bishop
of Chicago, the delegates would like to hear from you. Please
call or email Irene Brown, monnetgy@aol.com
or 847-842-1684; Sally Smith, sallysplace@comcast.net
or 847-202-5996; and Diane Zinn, dizinnhome@comcast.net
or 847-420-3405. The Diocesan Convention will take place on Friday
and Saturday, November 9 and 10, with the election taking place
on Saturday, November 10.
Information
about the nominees is available by contacting the Parish Office
at 847-381-2323 or at www.bishopforchicago.org.
Affluence,
Privilege and Parenting
 St.
Michael's will offer a two-session presentation and workshop entitled
Affluence, Privilege and Parenting: Identifying and Responding
to the Effects of Privilege on our Youth and Families on Monday,
November 12 and Monday, November 19 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00
p.m. in the undercroft. The presentation includes an overview
of the recent publication, The Price of Privilege: How Parental
Pressure and Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of Disconnected
and Unhappy Kids by Madeline Levine, Ph.D. and a follow-on
workshop involving discussion and facilitated group exercises.
It is not necessary to have read the book to participate in these
sessions. The presenter is Alice Virgil, MA, LCSW, who is a practicing
psychotherapist in Chicago providing psychotherapy services for
adult individuals, couples, children, adolescents and families.
Alice frequently provides lectures and trainings on mental health
topics, including child and adolescent development issues, parenting
and family resilience. There is no cost to participate, but but
pre-registration is requested. To register, contact Nerissa Brueckbauer
at nbrueckbauer@stmichaelsbarrington.org
or call 847-381-2323, ext. 33.
Calling
All Cooks! Help is Needed for St. Michael's Community Thanksgiving
Dinner
This year's
community Thanksgiving dinner is off to a great start! There will
be 75 guests from Maryville Academy and 50 sailors from Great
Lakes attending along with other guests from throughout the community.
It is estimated that as many as 200 will be in attendance.
Your help
is needed with food. Plenty of volunteers have stepped forward
to help on the day of the event but cooks are still needed to
prepare one or two turkeys (turkeys will be provided) prior to
the event, and to donate pies (25-30 pies will be needed).
You can also
participate by helping to underwrite some of the following costs
for the event:
- Bus to/from
Great Lakes and tip for driver (who is donating her time): $60
- Round tables:
$75
- Incidentals:
Donations in any amount accepted
If you're
interested in cooking a turkey or donating a pie, contact Nancy
Holmes in the parish office at 847-381-2323 or nholmes@stmichaelsbarrington.org
as soon as possible so that she can ensure that all food preparation
needs can be met.
New
RMP Logo Introduced
 The
Renk Ministry Partnership is pleased to announce its new logo,
which you will begin to notice on correspondence, flyers, and
posters at church. As you can see, the logo visibly links St.
Michael's and the Diocese of Renk as we are "Walking Together
in Christ." Within Africa, the country of Sudan is depicted,
as well as St. Michael's Chapel which emerges out of the town
of Renk. The cross upon St. Michael's bell tower, which penetrates
into Africa, symbolizes our efforts to reach and help our brothers
and sisters in Sudan.
St. Michael's
Chapel is a separate building on the campus grounds of Renk Theological
College, all of which has been made possible by contributions
from St. Michael's and her people. We are committed to helping
build and support the College as our 10-year partnership with
Renk Diocese continues for years to come. Through the vision of
Bishop Daniel Buhl, the mission of Fr. Joseph, and the commitment
of St. Michael's, the Renk Theological College will continue to
draw and educate priests, evangelists, and lay leaders. It is
one of five official institutions for theological training in
the Episcopal Church of Sudan, but the need is great and the growth
must continue through our prayers, love and generosity, financial
support, and relationship-building efforts and visits.
The RMP team
would like to acknowledge and thank Natalie Scotti, a parishioner,
and Lisa Towery for their work in designing and donating the logo
to St. Michael's. Thank you so much!
St.
Cyprian Food Pantry: Gifts for Children
Once again
St. Michael's has the opportunity to help provide Christmas gifts
for the 700+ children of clients at St. Cyprian's Food Pantry.
The request for each child is two gifts: one for fun and one for
need.
This Sunday,
November 11, the names and wish lists will be available in the
Java Jam area after each service. If you would like to participate
in this fun project but won't be at church that Sunday, please
call Ruth Silver at 847-381-1871.
Can
You Help a Needy Family This Christmas?
Sponsors are
still needed to help low income Chicago area families this Christmas.
Some of the families are from Church of the Redeemer n Elgin and
some from the Cathedral Shelter Christmas Basket program. Sponsors
are asked to buy gifts for the children and adults, and purchase
a gift certificate for food. Many of the families have a single
head of household and they all have very limited or no income.
The information packets you are given include gift ideas, sizes,
ages, and instructions. They will be available outside the community
room after each service on Sunday. All gifts are due back at the
church on December 2. Some of the families are large (six or seven
members), so if you can join with a friend, neighbor or relative
to take a family, you'll have a lot of fun doing it together.
Don't like
to shop? If you don't have the time and/or energy to shop for
a family, but you would like to be a financial sponsor, the ECW
would be glad to do the shopping, wrapping, and packing for you!
If you have any questions, or want to sponsor a family and you
won't be at church, please call Marie Schriefer at 847-719-1012.
"For
the poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I command
you, You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy
and to the poor, in the land." Deuteronomy 15:11
St.
Michael's Little Red Wagon Assists St. Augustine Indian Center
in November
For over 40
years, St. Augustine's Center has provided supportive services
for American Indians in Chicago. It is an Episcopal ministry that
depends solely on churches and benefactors. With a small staff,
the center continues its counseling and food pantry distribution.
In November,
St. Michael's sill be collecting food along with Little Angels
Preschool to help these native Americans have a happy holiday
season. Shopping suggestions include: canned fruit and vegetables,
pork and beans, rice, macaroni and cheese, cereal, peanut butter,
crackers, and cookies.
The Little
Red Wagon is located in St. Michael's narthex/main entrance on
Sundays and in the coat area near the parish office during the
week.
Barrington
Giving Days
Each December
the Barrington Area 220 School District invites disadvantaged
families residing in the School District to the Barrington Giving
Day . Families receive food, warm coats and gifts. Members of
Barrington churches, schools, businesses and civic organizations
have always been generous in their support of this day. Last year
616 families were helped.
Please consider
donating gently used or new winter coats, used toys and books
(in Spanish and English) for children and teens. Hats, scarves,
mittens, gloves and related items are greatly appreciated. A box
for donations will be located outside the Community Room from
Thursday, November 29 through Wednesday, December 13. Items will
then be sorted for the Saturday Giving Day.
Financial
gifts are also accepted and are used to purchase food, and grocery
food certificates, children's coats, blankets, and essentials.
Checks may be made payable to: Barrington Giving Day, c/o John
Paul Hills, Barrington Bank & Trust, 201 S. Hough St., Barrington,
IL 60010
Volunteers
for the Giving Day are always needed, and their time and effort
is greatly appreciated. Please contact Pat Karon at 847-382-2670
or pmkaron@sbcglobal.net
or Jeanette Muench at 815-444-1622 j.a.muench@sbcglobal.net.
Partnerships:
Holy Apostles Auction Dinner and Dance
Church of
the Holy Apostles Auction Dinner and Dance is scheduled for Friday,
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 be at St. Michael's this Sunday, October 28,
with dinner and raffle tickets available. For more information
contact Jim Pinder at 847-255-8444 (work) or 847-414-3430 (cell).
UTO
Update
 Thank
you to everyone who donated to the Fall Ingathering for the United
Thank Offering. St. Michael's collected over $800 which was presented
at the Elgin Deanery Day by Sally Smith and Marie Schriefer. This
money will be forwarded to the national UTO committee which will
award grants to help needy people and organizations both here
and abroad. Your generosity will be felt around the world.
St. Michael's
will be doing another ingathering in the spring. If you would
like to have a Blue UTO Box now to use for your coins when you
are counting your blessings, they are available in the narthex
front foyer (in the racks by the window). Please feel free to
take one.
Pictured:
Sally Smith, The Rev. Gwynne Wright, and Marie Schreifer at St.
James, West Dundee
Sage
Men Schedule Change in November
To accommodate
the Diocesan Convention and Thanksgiving, Sage Men will meet only
once during the month of November, on Friday, November 16.
News
for Those Called to Lay Ministry
Catechists,
Eucharistic Ministers, Eucharistic Visitors, Pastoral Leaders,
Preachers, and Worship Leaders all play a vital part of the Lay
Ministry in the Diocese of Chicago. These are licensed ministries
and licenses are renewed in Advent for a period of three years;
so the licenses renewed in 2007 will be in force until 2010. While
a new license may be requested at any point in time, Advent is
also an obvious opportunity to request a license for those who
do not yet have one.
If you feel
called to enter into a new lay ministry, or continue serving in
your present capacity, please register for your license as soon
as possible. (Email Deacon Martha Gillette at mgillette@stmichaelsbarrington.org,
leave a message at 847-381-2323 ext. 39, or reach her by cell
phone at 847-226-9043 with any questions.) The canons governing
lay ministers have changed, and those requesting renewal must
complete a form (copies will be available at the receptionist's
desk in the church office area) which, when complete, may be left
in in Dcn. Gillette's St. Michael's mailbox. Requests for license
renewal must be submitted to the diocese by November 28. Requests
for new licenses require their own form (copies of which will
also be available at the receptionist's desk in the church office
area) Requests for new licenses must also be approved by the rector,
endorsed by the vestry, and submitted to the diocese by November
28. The Diocese of Chicago requires that lay ministers complete
the Diocesan misconduct prevention training, Keeping God's
People Safe (KGPS). If you have not yet completed this training,
please do so at your earliest convenience. You may contact Beth
Erickson at the Diocesan Center at 312-751-4212 or by email at
eerickson@episcopalchicago.org.
In
the Parish Family
Baptisms
Heidi Katherine
Baartz was baptized on Sunday, November 4. Heidi is the daughter
of John and Valerie Baartz.
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
This week
prayers are asked for: Jim, military troops still in danger, Bp.
Persell, Craig, Fr. Joseph, R.P. & Charlene, Eileen, Connie,
Joel, Steve, Betsy, Steve, Joe, Larry, Michael, Amy, Phillip,
Kim, Lois, John, Jan, George & Anne Louise, Wally, Priscilla,
Frank, Carrie, St. Augustine Indian Center
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 11.10 Isabel
Peltier, Robert Lekai, Diane Zinn, Carter Brett
- 11.11 Taylor
Miller-Ensminger
- 11.12 Terry
Cummings, David Brooks, Sean Tucker
- 11.14 Courtney
Stanton, Lindsay Stanton
- 11.15 Lindsay
Hardy
- 11.16 Zach
Schirmer, Kate Curtis, William Stoettner, Arthur Holzknecht
Anniversaries
Deaths
- 11.10 Max
Wallach
- 11.11 Myra
Driever
- 11.12 Allen
Cummings
- 11.13 Norman
Jones, Patricia Yager
- 11.14 Frank
Kohlhase
- 11.16 Robert
Warren
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