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November 20, 2007
COVER
STORY
Another
Word About Worship: What and Why
by The Rev. Martha Gillette
 One
of the final gateways a seminary student has to successfully make
it through on the path toward ordination is the General Ordination
Exam (GOE). The GOE consists of seven, three-and-a-half hour written
exams, taken over the course of four anxiety-producing days in
the January of one's final year in seminary. There is one exam
for each of the seven areas in which our Canons require Candidates
for Holy Orders to show competence: Liturgy and Church Music;
Church History; Christian Theology; Contemporary Society; Theory
and Practice of Ministry; Christian Ethics and Moral Theology;
and The Holy Scriptures. Some allow the use of any and all resources,
some allow strictly limited resources, and some allow nothing
other than "memory, reason, and skill," and the work
of the Holy Spirit.
Last January
when I was sitting my GOE, the very first exam was in Liturgy
and Church Music. Here is what I read when I opened the envelope
containing the pertinent question:
"Eucharistic
Prayer 2 from Enriching Our Worship and Prayer I, Rite
I, from the Book of Common Prayer both follow the structure
of other Eucharistic Prayers in the tradition of the Book of
Common Prayer, though each uses different imagery.
In an
essay of three single-spaced pages, describe the theological
similarities and differences in the structure and content of
these prayers, addressing the following questions:
- What
does each prayer say about who we believe God to be?
- How
does each prayer understand what it is to be human?
- How
does each prayer understand the community that is praying?
- What
does each prayer say we believe is happening when we celebrate
the Holy Eucharist?"
I did rather
well on this exam, but that's not the point here. The point is
that there ARE theological differences in the Eucharistic prayers
available to us; different understandings of humanity, divinity,
and the relationship between the two. Most of us have a favorite
Eucharistic prayer, although our preferences are at least as often
based on familiarity as on theology. Whatever our favorite may
be, however, I think it is important to pray a different prayer
from time to time. First, because certain prayers may be more
appropriate for certain situations, services, and seasons than
others. And second, because as members of this faith community,
and the broader communities of Diocese, Church, and Communion,
we are called to live in relationship with each other. Any relationship
requires commitment, concession, compassion, and understanding.
Occasionally setting aside one's own favorite Eucharistic prayer
to pray another's with him or her is one way of developing those
relational qualities.
In keeping
with this commitment to developing community, throughout Advent,
Christmas, and Epiphany, our Eucharistic prayer (at the 9:00 a.m.
service) will come from Enriching Our Worship. The Eucharist
as represented here is the celebration of a new creation, of bright,
abundant, and joyful life, of simplicity, and grace, and forgiveness
— things we hope and pray for always, but perhaps with special
longing at this time of year. Advent is a time to prepare our
hearts for Emmanuel, God with us, the marvelous gift the Incarnation.
We are all — no matter how we prefer to worship — children
of God and brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, whose birth we
will celebrate at the end of this time of waiting and watching.
The Enriching Our Worship Eucharistic prayer may not end up being
one of your favorites, but it is someone's favorite, and I hope
it can be experienced and enjoyed in the spirit of community in
which it is offered. If you have questions, comments, observations
or reflections on your experience of this Eucharistic prayer,
please let me know.
OUTREACH
How
to Volunteer: Six Ways that One Organization Can Use Your Help
by Marie Schriefer
Last week
you read about the wonderful things that Cathedral Shelter does.
This week find out about some simple ways that you can help.
- Volunteer
to help one day (or more) with the Christmas Basket Program
— Help is especially needed from December 3 through December
19. Jobs include checking in participants when they come to
get their baskets; unloading, stacking, and inventorying boxes;
distributing gifts; and driving a truck to pick up gifts.
- Use GoodSearch.com
as your internet search engine. — Cathedral Shelter will
earn revenue from every search you make.
- Donate
to the Second Chance Thrift Store — New or gently used
clothing, furniture, and household items are accepted. Especially
needed at this time are men's casual and business attire. Clothes
donated to the store are given to clients for free or sold to
help fund the programs at Cathedral Shelter. Donations are accepted
during store hours: Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until
4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.. Call
312-997-2222 ext. 221 to check for other drop-off times or to
schedule a pick-up.
- Shop online
with GoodShop, iGive, or MyCause — While shopping using
one of the sites above, choose Cathedral Shelter as your charity,
and a percentage of the sale will be donated to them. GoodShop,
iGive and MyCause are online shopping malls which feature an
extensive selection of leading stores including Target, The
Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble.
- Hold a
drive for food, personal hygiene items, or clothes.— Food
is needed for the pantry, hygiene items are made into kits for
the homeless, and the Second Chance Thrift store needs clothing.
Collecting goods can make a great service project for your work,
school, church, club or team.
- Check out
other possibilities at CathedralShelter.org.
WORSHIP
Advent
Lessons and Carols
Join St. Michael's
for a Service of Advent Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December
9 at 5:00 p.m. Be sure to invite your friends and family to this
wonderful service full of anticipation! Help will also be needed
with the reception following the event. Watch next week's Sword
for more information.
STEWARDSHIP
Faith,
Hope, Love: Supporting St. Michael's Mission Through Stewardship
by
St. Michael's Stewardship Team
As has been
seen during the last few weeks, Faith, Hope and Love are powerful
gifts from God, with the power to lift up not only our lives,
but also each person we meet. St. Michael's multiplies these gifts
in our mission to form and change lives through Jesus Christ.
Remember the power in these gifts as you prayerfully consider
your 2008 pledge. Our vital calling is to financially support
the mission of our church, and our great reward is to see how
our contributions shape and deliver that mission. Please take
part and return your pledge card today.
Words
of Thanks
...from
Brian Battle, President, District 220 Board of Education
Dear Members
of St. Michael's ECW Women's Group,
On behalf
of the Board of Education and the entire District 220 community,
I would like to thank you for you kind donation of 40 filled backpacks
to Sunny Hill School. Your generous support is greatly appreciated
and our District will benefit from your gift for years to come.
The purpose
of public education in our District is to help all children achieve
success as lifelong learners and to inspire them to excellence
in learning in all its forms. Generous support from our community
has enabled us to provide substantial opportunities to students
and your support furthers this effort in meaningful ways. Your
contribution provides a living example to our youth that our community
is supportive and caring. We are grateful for your support.
On behalf
of the entire Board of Education, thank you for caring.
...from
St. Michael's ECW
The Episcopal
Church Women (ECW) would like to thank everyone at St. Michael's
who made our Talent Show Fundraiser such a success. We made a
little over $4,000! Thank you to those who performed in the show,
came to the show, brought hors d'oeuvres and desserts, paid to
help cover the costs of the event, or gave a donation. We really
appreciate it. The money will be used in a variety of ways to
help our parish, the community, and the world. We just donated
$500 to the Diocesan ECW to help buy treated mosquito nets which
they are sending to Renk, Sudan. The mother's union there will
distribute the nets to children, pregnant women, and the elderly
to help prevent them from contracting malaria. Donations like
this would not be possible without the wonderful support we get
from you, the people of St. Michael's. Thank you!
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.
Deacon
Martha Gillette's Ordination to the Priesthood
Deacon Martha
Gillette will be ordained as a priest in the Cathedral of Saint
James in Chicago, at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 15, 2007.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Martha also invites you to an open
house reception at her home from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at
154 Timber Ridge Lane, in the Lake Barrington Shores community
north of Barrington on Route 59. She will be celebrating the Eucharist
at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at Church
of the Holy Apostles in Wauconda.
Make
an Advent Wreath
Make your
Advent Wreath on Sunday, December 2 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00
p.m. in St. Michael's Community Room. Rings and candles are available
from "And All The Angels" gift shop or you can bring
your own. All material is provided to make an Advent Wreath for
your household: fresh greens, decorative picks, pine cones. We
also will have a small booklet available with prayers you may
choose to use when lighting the candles on the wreath each Sunday
in Advent. This is a fun opportunity for all ages!
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.
Ladies'
Christmas Dinner
The ECW will
be hosting its annual Ladies' Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December
12, at Chessie's Restaurant. The festive evening, which will start
at 6:30 p.m., will include holiday fellowship, dinner, and entertainment.
Please mark this date on your calendar and watch for your invitation
in the mail!
Around
the Neighborhood
Support
Episcopal Charities and Welcome our Bishop-Elect
It's official:
Bishop-elect Jeffrey Lee will attend the St. Nicholas Ball. Plan
to join him on Friday, November 30, at the Hilton Chicago, 720
S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Following cocktails at 6:30 p.m.,
enjoy dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and one of the
first post-convention opportunities to meet our Bishop-elect.
If you have
not yet received your personal invitation by mail, contact Ann
Ryba at 847-358-5808 or greeno51458@gmail.com,
or Doreen Baker at ECCS, 312-751-6721 or baker@eccsonline.net.
Whether you
fill a table of ten, or simply come solo, the Ball is a wonderful
way to support the mission of Episcopal Charities and Community
Services, the Diocese's life-transforming outreach to more than
50,000 people throughout Northern Illinois.
In
the Parish Family
Births
Sebastian
Taylor Bertinelli was born November 15 at 11:14 p.m., weighing
8 pounds 2 ounces. Sebastian is the son of Chris and Christina
Bertinelli and the first grandchild of Patsy and Stuart Taylor.
Luke Samuel
Olney was bown November 15, weighing 9 pounds, 4 ounces and measuring
21 inches. Parents are Don and Laura Olney of Grand Rapids, MI
and grandparents are Larry & Annilee Quinlan
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
This week
prayers are asked for: Lois, John, Jan, George & Anne, Priscilla,
Wally, Connie, R.P. & Charlene. Kevin, Kim, St. Augustine
Indian Center, Philip, Carrie, Gray, Onan & Amn, Priscilla,
Teresa, Laurie, Artie, Erin & Ben, John, Joel, Amy, military
troops still in danger, Jim, Craig, Bp. Persell, Frank
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 11.24 Patrick
Ryan, John Daigler
- 11.25 Maribeth
Totten, Jonathan Vollman, Sophia T'so, Casey Reeves, Paul Reeff
- 11.26 Nancy
Carney
- 11.27 Bill
Bradtke, Eric Perrine, Ashley Keclik
- 11.28 B.
Rae Buckley, Ryan Curran, Elisabeth Schoon, Dee Hagg, Jennifer
Beverly, Alice Tate
- 11.29 Patrick
Okonek
- 11.30 Noell
Poidomani, Deanna McCrea, Tyler VanderMeer, Michael Ward
Anniversaries
- 11.24 Laura
& Jeffrey Anetsberger
- 11.25 Marcene
& Charles Penhaligen, George & Jackie Smith
- 11.26 Florence
& Frank Compton
- 11.27 Patsy
& Stuart Taylor, Joseph & Katherine Mangan
Deaths
- 11.24 Richmond
Birge
- 11.28 Catherine
Silver
- 11.29 Ann
Hamm
- 11.30 James
Knaak
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