|
November 13, 2007
COVER
STORY
Saying
"Yes" to the Holy Spirit
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 Dear
St. Michael's Family and Friends,
Thank you
very much for your love, prayers and support over the past several
weeks as the search for the selection of the next bishop of the
Diocese of Chicago unfolded. When the process began to unfold
nearly a year ago, it was time to say "yes" to the Holy
Spirit and open more fully to God's desire for my life, my family's
life and our life as a parish community. It was interesting last
week on retreat reading a wonderful new book entitled Christianity
for the Rest of Us that everything I read seemed to be a call
to us here. Sometimes, however, we even shut out the Holy Spirit
for mysterious reasons.
On Sunday,
any of you said to me, "welcome back!" I didn't realize
I had left because I was here. But, then it struck me that the
past year has been a challenge for us, for me and for many of
you…and this process of bishop search has, in one sense,
been a distraction. Saying "yes" to the Holy Spirit
always held the truth that "yes" just might mean "yes"
to right here…what a gift. Like I said above, your love,
hope and prayers are, as the ad says, priceless.
Now, we have
work to do. On the First Sunday of Advent, December 2, there are
some thoughts I'd like to share with you about many things. Please
don't worry; the sermon won't be too long. We have a spiritual
life to engage more deeply, a community that needs not only healing
but also new ways of deepening and of being with each other; we
need to continue to embrace our passion for reaching out to others.
If the walkabouts taught me anything, they taught me that we are
a highly regarded parish in the wider diocese and church and that
is because of the Holy Spirit, all of you and our collective team
of leaders…so, back to work…and, thanks.
Love and Blessings,
Alvin+
WORSHIP
A
Word About Worship: What and Why
by The Rev. Martha Gillette
Our church
year beings in Advent, and this year the first day of Advent is
the second of December. Among other things, the new liturgical
year brings with it a shift in the Gospel we focus on in our Sunday
readings. Our lectionary — the church-wide 'schedule' which
dictates the readings it is 'proper' to use on any given day —
moves in a continuous three-year cycle, with one year devoted
to each of the Gospels of Matthew ("A" years), Mark
("B" years), and Luke ("C" years), with readings
from John used for the Christmas, Lent, and Easter seasons in
all years, and for part of the "A" years when Mark is
used, Mark being considerably shorter than the other Gospels.
This year, when the "Matthew" cycle of readings commences,
we will move not only into a new Gospel, but into a new lectionary.
Sitting in the pew on Sunday morning you probably wouldn't really
notice the change in the lectionary, unless you have actually
committed the entire three-year cycle of readings to memory; but
it's always nice to know what's going on!
The lectionary
we've been using since 1979 begins on page 889 of the prayer book.
At the 2006 General Convention, however, the Episcopal Church
opted to change to the Revised Common Lectionary, an ecumenical
lectionary used by many denominations, including Methodists and
Lutherans. This means that on Sundays, we will be hearing the
same readings as Christians around the country, not just other
Episcopalians! The change is not dramatic as far as the Gospels
and epistles are concerned; indeed, the prayer book lectionary
and Revised Common Lectionary are very similar in those areas.
My favorite part about the Revised Common Lectionary, however,
is that during the (long!) season of Pentecost, we will be able
to hear Old Testament readings somewhat sequentially. Currently,
Old Testament readings are chosen thematically, because to those
who created the prayer book lectionary, they seem to complement
the Gospel reading of that day. This can certainly help sermon
writers, because it means we have a ready-made Theme-of-the-Day,
but we definitely lose something by not hearing Old Testament
stories read in their integrity.
Reforming
the lectionary so that we regularly read Scripture sequentially
was an aim of the original prayer book created by Archbishop Thomas
Cranmer. You can read Cranmer's preface to the 1549 prayer book
on pages 866-877 of our current prayer book. Cranmer complains
that the intent of the church fathers, that the Bible be read
entirely in church once each year, had been corrupted, and states
his hope that people will "continually profit more and more
in the knowledge of God, and be the more inflamed with the love
of his true religion" by continual exposure to the complete
Scriptures. Cranmer not only revised the lectionary, but —
over the course of the several prayer book editions he had a hand
in producing — many other parts of the liturgy of the day,
to reflect emerging theology, social and cultural trends, and
the progressive revelation of God to God's people. As our lectionary
and liturgy shift in form and content here and there in response
to the working of the Spirit with the People, therefore, we stand
on long and solid precedent.
FORMATION
What
are You Grateful For?
by Elaine
Quinn
Each year
in November I ask children what they are grateful for. Usually
it goes something like this…"so little person, you seem
very happy today. Can you tell me why you are so happy?"
The typical preschooler looks at me for a few minutes and then
usually says the first thing that comes to mind that brings joy
to them. It could be anything from "playing with play dough"
to "my new baby brother." The interesting thing is that
they always have an answer. While some may hesitate; they all
are truly happy or grateful for something in their every day life.
Why is that? Perhaps it's because they live in the moment or maybe
it is because God blesses them with hearts that are open to joy,
eyes that look for beauty and hands that enjoy being busy. Whatever
the reason is; we, as adults, can certainly learn a great deal
about gratitude from these little people. I, personally, am grateful
that I work with little children.
The preschool
is participating in our annual food drive, along with the children
from St. Michael's Catechesis program. We will be giving this
year's donation to Ruth Silver's "Little Red Wagon"
ministry, which Ruth will then take to the St. Augustine Center
for American Indians. Thank you, Ruth, for your help in feeding
those less fortunate in this world.
The preschool
recently has their annual Book Fair which was a huge success and
I want to thank the St. Michael's parishioners who participated.
As always, your continued support of the preschool is deeply appreciated.
On behalf
of the preschool staff, Happy Thanksgiving and God bless your
families.
OUTREACH
Focus
on Outreach: Cathedral Shelter
Each year
St. Michael's parishioners provide gifts to many of the families
served by Cathedral Shelter. Marie Schriefer is pleased to report
that every family that St. Michael's has offered to "adopt"
for Christmas has been spoken for and will receive gifts. Here's
some more information Cathedral Shelter, one of the Episcopal
Charities of the Diocese of Chicago.
Restoring
hope. Preventing homelessness. These values have inspired Cathedral
Shelter since its inception 92 years ago. The mission of Cathedral
Shelter is to minister with love and compassion among and with
the most vulnerable of our community — particularly those
who suffer from addiction — through crisis intervention,
addiction recovery, community assistance and life skills development.
Cathedral
Shelter was founded in 1915 as a storefront mission of the Episcopal
Diocese of Chicago, providing food and clothing to the hungry,
homeless, and poor. In 1920, the shelter began offering substance
abuse treatment. Today, Cathedral Shelter continues to serve some
of the most vulnerable members of society. All are poor. Most
are not only currently or formerly homeless and recovering from
addiction; they also lack a high school diploma or GED and are
chronically unemployed. Many have been incarcerated, typically
on drug-related charges.
The organization
offers a variety of programs and services to help clients overcome
the formidable obstacles they face to self-sufficiency. Their
recovery services include both Higgins House and outpatient addiction
recovery services. Higgins House, opened in 1953, is the state’s
first residential treatment facility for men in recovery and among
the first in the nation. Outpatient addiction recovery services
include both individual and group counseling for substance abuse.
Cathedral
Shelter’s other programs and services include Cressey House,
one of the few supportive housing programs in the Midwest that
allow homeless men and women to live with their children while
in recovery. The pantry distributes food and other items to the
general public, the homeless, and HIV-impacted individuals. Work
Transitions services help our clients find a job by offering computer
training, employment-related workshops, and other services. Second
Chance Thrift’s voucher service provides free clothing, furniture,
and household items to people in need. The SAFE Parenting program
enhances our clients’ parenting skills through workshops
and individualized guidance. The Christmas Basket program provides
Christmas gifts to individuals, families, and seniors who cannot
afford to buy presents.
Special thanks
to the many members of St. Michael's for their participation in
the Christmas Basket program and for making Christmas special
for families who are so deeply in need.
St.
Michael's Talent Show: Was That Fun or What??!!
"Our
mouths were filled with laughter, ...." Ps. 126:2
I overheard
someone say that it was worth the price of admission just to see
Danny Warner in that yellow, sequined vest!!! Yes, it was Danny
... and we thank you for that!
And a great,
big THANK YOU goes out to all of the rest of you who helped make
our "Not really a Talent Show" happen last week! I especially
want to thank everyone who participated (you KNOW who you are).
It helps to put on a fun event when close to 30 people agree to
be a ham for the evening. Also, I could not have done it without
my assistants: Ann Kimes, Donna Brooks and my "Technical
Director," Cam Sells. We are so blessed to have these funny,
responsible and creative people here.
Thanks to
Wes Kimes for lugging out the bank of lights to give our evening
a "Show Feel." Marie Schrieffer and her outstanding
ECW Board did a ton of work and gave our community room a wonderful
night club feel.
Our underwriters
for the evening, Rob and Adele Osmond, Charley and Jenny Wickman,
Paul and Betty Carrubba, John and Leslie Yerger, Stan and Chris
Pepper, Semmy and Jan Semerad and Jim and Judy Tammi kept those
drinks coming for free. THANK YOU!!!
Also be sure
to patronize Kelley Cellars (downtown Barrington on Cook Street)
for some fine wine and great help. Catherine Koelling worked with
them to get us a fine assortment at great prices. Thank you, Catherine!!
Let's not
wait 17 years (like the cicadas) for another show! —Kay
Lewis
St.
Michael's Blood Drive
Many thanks
to those who supported St. Michael's blood drive on October 28.
24 pints of blood were donated.
St.
Michael's Thanksgiving Community Dinner
As many as
200 individuals are expected to attend this year's event and all
of the pieces are coming together very nicely. There is still
a need for families to prepare turkeys in advance and to provide
pies. If you are interested in helping, contact Nancy Holmes in
the parish office at 847-381-2323 or nholmes@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
St.
Cyprian Food Pantry: Gifts for Children
Ruth Silver
reports that over 50 children, whose families are clients of St.
Cyprian Food Pantry will receive gifts from St. Michael's parishioners
for Christmas, but also notes that the pantry has an abundance
of families this year that are still in need of gifts. If you
are still interested in purchasing gifts for any of the St. Cyprian
children, please call Ruth Silver at 847-381-1871.
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.
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.
And
All The Angels Christmas Gift Bazaar
Thursday,
November 15 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, November 16 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 17 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 18 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Gift Bazaar
takes place in the gift shop and the undercroft on St. Michael's
lower level and is a great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping
started and to help others at the same time. All profits from
the sale of merchandise at the store helps ministries that serve
women and children in the area.
In
the Parish Family
Death
Please keep
Christie Middlebrook and her family in your prayers following
the death of her grandmother, Jennie Robinson.
Requests
for Prayers
This week
prayers are asked for: Jim, military troops still in danger, Bp.
Persell, Craig, R.P. & Charlene, Connie, Joel, Phillip, Kim,
Lois, John, Jan, George & Anne, Wally, Priscilla, Frank, Carrie,
St. Augustine Indian Center, John, Gray, Priscilla, Laurie, Artie,
Erin, Ben, Onan & Amn, Teresa, Amy.
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 11.17 John
Kuechmann, Jack Dern, Thomas Darrow, Tommy Daigler, Ella Mathison,
David Kamman, M.J. Ward
- 11.18 Catherine
Koehlinger
- 11.19 Emily
Breidenbach, Matthew Breidenbach, Bridget Breidenbach, Denise
Kunkle, Rachel Parker, Nicholas Parker
- 11.20 Patrick
Keclik, Paulette Forrest
- 11.21 Alicia
Cressey, Raymond Raufeisen, Abigail Schirmer, Colin Noble, Abby
Pajakowski
- 11.22 Michelle
Chan, Ninajo Ceniti, Stuart Greene, Patrick Briesemeister
- 11.23 Robert
Lick, Patsy Taylor, Colleen Buckley, Michael Zgoda, Virginia
Qualiardi
Anniversaries
- 11.17 Sandra
& Raymond Volkmann
- 11.22 Erica
& Michael Ward
Deaths
- 11.17 Diane
Krueger
- 11.18 Harold
Johnson
- 11.19 Judy
Fisher
- 11.20 Rowland
Fisher
- 11.22 Bob
Walerius, Hugh McClure, Andrew Greene
- 11.23 Eric
Plane
|
|
