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December 11, 2007
COVER
STORY
Four
Candles: Hope
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
Dear St. Michael's
Family and Friends,
 On
the Second Sunday of Advent we light the second candle. This candle,
like the first one, will also be colored blue. This second candle
is for hope. Last week the candle was for help and you joined
me in entering a simple task of bringing 2008 canned/dry goods
to St. Michael's for areas food pantries by 2008. We'll get an
update soon. One author I read this past week wrote this, "Life
is a gift, which comes bearing a gift, which is the art of giving."
Our first call for Advent is to help and helping we are doing
in many, many ways this season.
The second
candle is for hope. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Willow Creek
has a billboard on the Northwest Tollway saying, "Hope starts
small." I think I begin here because the challenges of our
world, our culture and our lives can appear so overwhelming at
times that we don't know where to begin so we don't begin anywhere.
When that happens, despair rues the day. We are a people of hope.
Every day we say our prayers, do the right thing, and act kindly
to others we are acting in hope. Every Sunday we come to worship,
place our lives in the hands of a Savior we cannot see, work with
each other in this community, we are acting on and in hope.
Advent is
about hope. The lesson for the preschool children is the same
lesson for adults: we await the birth of Jesus within our hearts.
We hope beyond all hope that when we come to Christmas Day, something
will happen that we will notice; Jesus will take his rightful
place deep within ourselves and give himself completely to you
and me unworthy though we are for such a gift. Hope gets born
again in the Divine Love living in the human heart.
We cannot
solve the massive problems with hunger in the world, but we can
start small with 2008 canned/dry goods. We cannot solve all the
problems of Hurricane Katrina, but we can help Pat, Mission on
the Bay, and others and by so doing give hope to thousands who
still despair. We cannot solve the problems of religious persecution
in the Sudan, but we can stand by our brothers and sisters there
and remind them that we love them, support them and care for them…and
they find hope. You and I never, ever, know what God is going
to do…what God can take and mold into something that changes
the world. Hope big. Hope for the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Hope for an end to war. Hope that all people can have medical
care and insurance. Hope that people will stop shooting and start
believing in God and in themselves as fundamentally good. Hope!
Hope!
Love and Blessings
and Expectation,
Alvin+
OUTREACH
2008
By 2008
by Cam Sells
 Here's
a look at the first week of food collection for Fr. Johnson's
challenge: 2008 by 2008. The Little Red Wagon has been temporarily
replaced with shelving that can accommodate a few more items and
it was truly needed this past Sunday as the shelves were quickly
filled! Ruth Silver will be collecting (and counting!) the many
items that have been offered and will redistribute them to those
who are in need. In addition to offering canned or dry goods,
cash is also accepted if you'd like to have someone do the shopping
for you.
As Ruth notes,
"It is important especially during the holiday season to
not forget those whose circumstances prevent them from having
such festivities. The Little Red Wagon "shelving" sits
in the narthex/main entrance to remind us of their needs."
Ruth asks that you please continue to donate to the wagon throughout
this season of giving and beyond.
December food
donations will go to the Barrington Township Food Pantry and in
January, the Cuba Township Food Pantry will receive the collection.
CHILDREN'S
FORMATION
Gifts
From our Children
by Nerissa Brueckbauer
One of the
greatest gifts in my life is spending time with the children at
St. Michael's. Children have such an enviable ease about their
relationship with God. They can understand and see the spiritual
with such a knowing acceptance; it is as if the proclamations
they hear about our faith are something they have known all along.
I have had three experiences with the children in the last several
weeks that I would like to share because of the profound impression
they made on me.
Recently,
I was reading the parable of the True Vine with a small group
of children. We read John 15:1-17. After listening to our reading,
Valerie, who is eight years old, declared, her hand firmly planted
on one hip and her head tilted to one side, "Well, I can
tell you what this is about. This is about Jesus. And this is
about us. And Jesus wants us to be close to him. And he guides
us and gives us directions. And if we follow him and stay close
to him, we will be with him always in the Kingdom of Heaven."
And that was that. In the next moment Sean grew very impatient
with me and expressed in an exasperated way (as if I were about
the dimmest person on earth) that "those blocks" we
were talking about that prevented the sap of the vine from flowing
to the branches were "sins" and that sap was "grace."
Do you think I said anything more? No, there was no need to add
one more word.
Shortly thereafter,
I was with the older children and we were talking about the miracles
of Jesus. We were discussing how in the plan of God, miracles
are signs that show the Kingdom of God is at hand as foretold
by the prophets and fulfilled in Parousia (when God will all in
all and the heavens and the earth will be made new). Ali and Arianna
were reading Matthew 8:23-27 in which we read that Jesus stilled
the storm. I asked them what they thought about that particular
event and what it could portend about Parousia. Ali immediately
responded that she felt that there would be no catastrophic weather
events in Parousia. What a beautiful thought. I then asked what
it could mean on a more personal level, and Arianna said that
it reminded her of an advertising slogan. She felt that the storms
within our own souls would be quelled. "You know, like 'tame
the beast within.'" OK, then, we were obviously done. Nothing
more needed to be said.
Finally, I
had the opportunity to be with our youngest children in the atria
two weeks ago. I was going to try a refined approach in asking
the children the "wondering questions" we formulate
at the end of every presentation to help them really think about
what they have seen and heard. The Catechesis of The Good Shepherd
teaches catechists to carefully consider the questions posed —
never ask a question for which you expect a particular response
— and I was determined to adhere to that edict. However,
I was not quite prepared to hear the response Sarah had to the
questions I asked. We were talking about the prophets who lived
a long time ago. I asked them to think about something that happened
a long time ago. In delight, Sarah rocked back and forth and said
she remembered something that happened a long time ago, "A
war." Well, yes, I said, there have certainly been many wars
in times past. Obviously encouraged by my positive response Sarah
said, "Yeah, the Cibil (Civil) War." Oh, yes, that did
happen a long time ago, but…before I could go on, Sarah grabbed
the ends of her long, blonde braids pulled them up over her head
as if she were a Pippi Longstocking clone, and exclaimed in absolute
delight, "Yes! When Johnnie comes marching home!" As
catechists, we embrace and work with all responses that come from
the heart of a child, and I could not think of a more perfect
response from this beautiful child who took such joy in sharing
something she had learned. It was a wonderful day to be in the
atrium.
Just a couple
of reminders. We are collecting hats and mittens (new or gently
used) during Advent. Please place your donations on our Mitten
Tree outside of the Level I atria. We will share these gifts with
The Little Red Wagon ministry.
Secondly,
there will be no Church School on the 23rd and the 30th of December.
We will resume Church School on the 6th of January, Epiphany.
Trouble
Finding the Perfect Gift? Give "Uncommon" Stock
Renk Ministry
Partnership has a suggestion for Christmas gifts for hard-to-shop-for
friends and family members, teachers, employees — shares
of "Uncommon Stock" at $20 per share — to support
travel expenses of the mission team going to Renk in February.
Fr. Johnson, Phil Darrow, Jackie Smith and Jackie Kraus will represent
St. Michael's at the dedication of the new St. Michael's Chapel
on the campus of Renk Theological College. A Roster of Donors,
requested by Fr. Joseph Garang, will be presented at the dedication,
with the names of all donors to the campaign for rebuilding RTC,
and stockholders who have supported the teams in 2007 and 2008.
Consider honoring
those dear to you by enrolling them on the Roster of Donors
that will have a permanent place in St. Michael's Chapel in Renk.
RMP Stockbrokers will be selling shares throughout December between
all Sunday services. You may also purchase by mail. Make your
check payable to St. Michael's, with "Renk Mission Team"
in the memo. Shares are available at $20 each. You may purchase
multiple shares.
Renk Ministry
Partnership thanks you — and so will your family, friends,
teachers, employees, etc.
Christmas
Flower Offerings
If you would
like to remember a loved one or offer thanks with altar flowers
for Christmas, please pick up a flower donation envelope in the
narthex/front entrance. Envelopes may be placed in the collection
plate or dropped off in the parish office and must be received
by Wednesday, December 19 in order to have you offering information
included in the Christmas worship bulletin.
Enjoy
an Afternoon Without the Kids!
On Sunday,
December 16, members of the Sr. High would like to express their
gratitude for all the support given to them in their endeavors.
As such, they are offering to watch the young ones of the St.
Michael's community, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the Community
Room. All ages are welcome, but children must be potty-trained.
St.
Michael's Book Club Christmas Party Open to All
The December
Book Club date has been changed from Wednesday, December 12 to
Wednesday, December 19. This change will make it possible for
those who would like to attend both the ECW Party on December
12 and the Book Club Christmas Party on December 19 to do so.
Another change is that the December 19 Book Club Gathering will
be a party with no book discussion. The book scheduled for December
will be discussed in January: Flaubert: A Biography by
Frederick Brown. The December Book Club Christmas Party is open
to everyone, whether you have ever attended a book club meeting
before or are a regular attendee. Please bring a treat to share
and if you have a short reading that you'd like to share, that
would be most welcome. Hope to see you on December 19! Happy Reading!
First/Solemn
Communion
St. Michael's
Children's Ministries is offering First Communion or Solemn Communion
preparation classes. It has been the custom to invite our third
graders into this work, but if you have a younger or older child
for whom you think this opportunity is appropriate, please contact
Nerissa Brueckbauer at 847-381-2323, ext. 33 or nbrueckbauer@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
The class will be commissioned at the 10:30 a.m. Epiphany service
on January 6, 2008. Weekly meditation meetings will be held from
the week of January 13, 2008 through the final Communion retreat,
February 21-23, 2008. The First or Solemn Communion service will
take place on February 23 at noon.
Little
Angels Preschool Auction Items Needed
St. Michael's
Little Angels Preschool, is currently preparing for its annual
fundraiser to be held on February 2, 2008. This event is a "Valentine
Family Dinner Dance" with a silent auction and raffle. This
fundraiser serves as a main source of revenue for the preschool.
Auction items are needed for this event and some of the amazing
donations that have been received in the past included: travel
opportunities/destinations, sports tickets, theater tickets, etc.
If you are interested in donating please contact Melissa Paris
at 847-304-4471.
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.
For more information, contact Marie Schriefer.
ECW
Epiphany Tea
 The
ECW will be hosting an Epiphany Tea at the home of Natalie Scotti
on Epiphany Sunday, January 6, at 2:00 p.m. While this is a "Mother-Daughter"
tea, you don't need to a daughter to attend. Please come with
your mother, neighbor, friend, relative, or by yourself. Come
and celebrate the often overlooked Feast of the Epiphany.
The term epiphany
means "to show" or "to make known" or even
"to reveal." Epiphany is the Christian feast commemorating
the revelation of Jesus to humanity, specifically the visit of
the Magi. As the climax of the Advent/Christmas Season, it is
an occasion for feasting, and in some cultures includes the baking
of a special King's Cake as part of the festivities. The Wise
Men, who brought gifts to the infant Jesus, were the first Gentiles
to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first
to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world
as the incarnate Christ.
To commemorate
the Wise Men bringing gifts to Jesus, we are asking those who
come to the tea to also bring a baby gift. Our gifts will be donated
to PHD (The Society for the Preservation of Human Dignity), an
organization in Palatine which offers counseling, education, and
a clothing boutique to women and families facing the issues of
pregnancy and parenting.
Please R.S.V.P.
to Natalie at 847-426-6551 if you plan to attend. You won't want
to miss this lovely afternoon of tea, cake, and fellowship.
And
All The Angels Christmas Sale Continues
Visit And
All The Angels gift shop on St. Michael's lower level for
a great selection of Christmas gifts. The holiday sale will continue
through Christmas. During December, the store will also be open
until 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Around
the Neighborhood
Guilt-Free
Christmas Shopping
Enjoy some
"guilt-free" Christmas shopping on Saturday, December
15 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Fair Trade+Farmers Market
at Epiphany Episcopal Church, Ashland Ave. at Adams St. in Chicago.
The farmers market will feature local and international organic
and fairly-traded chocolates, jewelry, coffee, games, household
items, accessories, musical instruments, handmade papers, cosmetics,
Christmas stuff, books, soap, natural meats, cheeses, honey, fruit
spreads, dried fruit, apple cider, wool, yarn, and more. You can
also enjoy the music of the Blue Ribbon Glee Club (a punk-rock
choir), Jon Maker, and Slant. For more information contact Epiphany
Episcopal Church at 312-243-4242 or visit www.epiphanychicago.com.
In
the Parish Family
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
This week
prayers are asked for: Jim, military troops in danger, Bp. Persell,
Craig, Joel, John, Gray, John, Priscilla, Laurie, Artie, Erin,
Ben, Onan & Amena, Teresa, Amy, Kevin, Mary, the Conway family,
Richard, Jen, Sarah, Manuel, Pam, Chris, Sadie, the Barrington
Township Food Pantry.
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 12.15 Monique
Cressey, Daniel Eftax, Peyton Tilly, Forest Mayberry
- 12.16 Joyce
Cannon, Sarah Nielsen, Debbie Schirmer, Matthew Beverly
- 12.17 Gene
Dawson, Jackie Kraus, Nicole Lorenzo
- 12.18 Jeff
Cross, Alice Dally, Barbara Kohlhase, Carmen Morris, Lynda Briesemeister,
James Christie
- 12.19 Caden
Chan
- 12.20 Judy
Tammi, Sharon Walcott
- 12.21 Paul
Carrubba, Dolores Kampert, Tina Marcinkiewicz
Anniversaries
- 12.18 Wendy
& Jimmy Parr
- 12.19 Helen
& Ken Curtis
- 12.21 Rosemary
& Frank Wyatt
Deaths
- 12.17 Peter
Forbes
- 12.18 Barbara
Mabbs
- 12.19 Bette
Sue Thomasson, Scott Treveiler, Jr., John Dowling
- 12.20 Anthony
Slone, JoAnn Godfrey
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