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December
18, 2007
COVER
STORY
Four
Candles: Healing
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 Dear
St. Michael's Family and Friends,
On the third
Sunday of Advent we light candle three, the rose candle. This
Sunday is known as Rose Sunday. This candle, originally, was a
symbol for taking a break in the much earlier sense of Advent
as a penitential season. The color rose was reflective of joy
and was meant to lead us towards the anticipated joy of Jesus'
birth. Some churches use this candle on the fourth Sunday of Advent
because Christmas approaches more quickly. We keep this candle
on the third Sunday of Advent. Candle one, (these are my titles
and not of our tradition) was for 'help', and candle two for 'hope'.
The third
candle is for 'heal'. Nothing draws out the need for healing within
us like the Christmas season. While joy stands as the expression
of the rose candle, for many people joy is mitigated by sorrow,
depression, changes, and more. Just because our culture and our
religious community says it's a time of joy does not mean the
very real areas of pain begging for healing within us go unnoticed.
In fact, with a backdrop of joy, they stand out all the more.
I had always
heard that the Rose Candle signified the sky before dawn…the
last vestiges of the night before the morning sunlight dances
across the horizon spilling right into our laps. When I think
about healing, the image of dawn comes to mind. Dawn is a time
of expectation…awaiting the light. Dawn is a time of curiosity;
what will the day bring our way? Dawn is a time of anticipation…that
our life can be renewed any day now and that healing is always
possible.
Dawn also
invites us to believe that Jesus is about to be born again into
the world and into our hearts in such a way that we are invited
to receive the gift of healing. So many of us have hearts burdened
this time of year by loss, illness, separation and more. We suffer
silently and await the gift of hope. Several years ago I made
the point of getting up early one morning and sitting by the Sea
of Galilee to welcome the sunrise as Jesus must have done many
times during his life. Sitting by the quiet sea, looking at the
Golan Heights, the light began to brighten over the mountains.
And then, in one spectacular moment, the water began to dance
with a million brilliant lights. That is what I hope Christmas
is for anyone who wishes this year for healing more than anything
else…that the Light of the World dances upon your broken
heart and brings healing.
Love and Blessings
and Expectation,
Alvin+
WORSHIP
Advent
and Christmas Adventures: New Traditions for Worship
by The Rev. Martha Gillette
In his sermon
of December 2, Fr. Johnson articulated the vague sense of treading
water that many members of this congregation have admitted feeling
over the last several months. This sense of "busily standing
still" does not overlook the tremendous good that has been
done here in the last year or so, but rather anticipates, with
longing, movement in a particular direction, toward a particular
goal. The goal, we know, is lives — our lives and the lives
of others — being formed and changed through deeper intimacy
with Jesus Christ. The question, then, is how we move toward that
goal, what we do as we pursue it, what tools we use to attain
it; and because none of us will achieve the intimacy with Christ
we desire by following precisely the same path as another, the
answer becomes extremely complex.
The role of
worship in all of this is, itself, complex. One of the things
that worship can do for us is to help us find the balance between
the tried-and-true, no-place-like-home, comfortable, reliable,
familiar security that intimacy requires, and the growing, developing,
challenging, enriching, edifying inspiration it equally demands.
It is in this context of liturgical balance that I want to expand
briefly on some of the "Advent Adventures" mentioned
in the Sunday Sword. I am not going to suggest that "old"
is "bad" and "new" is "good" or
that a trend should be embraced simply because it is fashionable.
Sticking with concept of fashion for a moment, I think it's fair
to say that some things that were new and trendy once — ruffs,
for example, or bustles, or leisure suits — are things we
are quite well off having set aside. On the other hand, it's difficult
to imagine some things that were once unheard of ever going out
of style — Navy blue blazers, let's say, or purses, or umbrellas,
or jeans. So it is, to some degree, with our worship. We are,
I believe, unlikely to ever bring the Order of the Purification
of Women back into regular use, or to re-insert "We kindle
God's wrath over us, we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases,
and sundry kinds of death" into our Eucharistic prayers.
The Collect for Purity, however, is — except for changes
in spelling — the same in our 1979 Prayer Book as it was
in Cranmer's original version of 1549.
Some of our
Advent Adventures are, I think, more obvious than others —
although, as always, I am more than willing to speak with you
in greater depth about any element of our worship that might raise
questions for you. Yes, we are using blue chalices on the altar
during Advent, but this is akin to changing the color of the clergy's
vestments, something to which we are quite accustomed. Yes, we
are using standing incense at 9:00 a.m., but the use of liturgical
incense isn't new (although it might not always be appreciated).
In a previous article, I spoke at some length about our use of
one of the Enriching Our Worship (EOW) Eucharistic Prayers at
the 9:00 a.m. services throughout Advent, Christmastide, and Epiphany.
This decision might provide a rather greater Adventure than does
the use of incense or blue chalices. But every Eucharistic Prayer
in our current Prayer Book was new and provocative once, as was
every Prayer in the 1928 book, and the 1789 book, and the book
of 1549. Does the EOW liturgy help us find balance by using challenging,
enriching, edifying words within the comforting, tried-and-true
structure of our Eucharist? Is it capable of helping us move toward
a deeper intimacy with Jesus Christ? We're unlikely to know if
we don't pray it.
This leaves
us with the decision to offer a different experience of worship
at the 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. services on Christmas Eve than
has been offered in the past. In particular, we will not be doing
a children's dramatized version of the Gospel. There are several
reasons for this. The first set of reasons is fairly pragmatic.
Realistically, by all indications, interest in this activity has
been waning over the last few years. Many people travel over the
holidays, there are competing priorities for both children's and
parents' time, winter illnesses are taking their first toll —
a common list of difficulties, but a significant one. Additionally,
the events of 2007 dictated some change in plans. For example,
our Children's Ministries Coordinator purchased a program which
incorporates songs into its script, but quickly realized our staff
transitions made this a poor year to attempt such a thing for
the first time. Of course, we pray that you will find what we
are offering to be at least as meaningful a Pageant, but if the
children's dramatized Gospel is a "it's simply not Christmas
without it" experience for you, I do hope you will contact
Nerissa Brueckbauer (847-381-2323 ext. 33) to volunteer your services
for planning one in the future.
The second
set of reasons for trying a couple of new things in our Christmas
Eve services this year is based on an acknowledgment that every
enduring tradition has a beginning, and that we can't know what
will move us until we're exposed to it. Our 2:00 p.m. and 4:00
p.m. Christmas Eve services will continue to be more family-oriented
services than the later ones. Our Gospel will continue to be dramatized,
but rather than having our children perform, we will be inviting
them to gather around the story teller, who will relate the familiar
passage of scripture. Pulling from the "song and story"
idea mentioned above, the congregation will sing verses of beloved
Christmas hymns at appropriate points in the Gospel. The end result
will hopefully be something that facilitates deepening intimacy
by helping us balance security with inspiration. It will certainly
give us an opportunity to sing more of our wonderful Christmas
hymnody than would otherwise be possible! There will be other
treats to anticipate, too — various musical offerings, singing
Silent Night to the light of candles, etc. Please plan to come
and join us! Perhaps this will be a perfect opportunity for you
to "reflect, recommit, and reenergize" yourself for
your journey toward deeper intimacy with Christ; but if not, I
pray it will at least be a perfect opportunity for you to raise
your voice in praise and thanksgiving for the great, glorious
gift of the Incarnation!
RENK
MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP
Pillars
of Hope in Renk, Sudan
by Jackie Kraus
 Renk
Theological College (RTC) now stands as a beacon of hope in a
strategic location in Renk Town. The seeds of hope for training
clergy and church leaders were planted in 1998 by the visionary
Bishop of Renk Diocese, Daniel Deng Bul. As part of a fact-finding
missionary team of six other people from the Diocese of VA, I
remember so very well how proudly Bp. Daniel showed off the six
pillars that were to become the "bible school." Those
majestic pillars, made of brick, rose up out of the tan, dusty
desert in the hope that walls and a roof would soon connect them.
And, so they waited there, in what seemed to us to be the middle
of nowhere. I also remember well how we all looked at each other
with hopeless expressions of "how is this ever going to become
a reality?"
The people
of southern Sudan had seen only war since 1983 and, in the area
of the Great Upper Nile region, the border between north and south
Sudan, Christianity blossomed. As the people fled into the bush
for their own safety, they joined the Anglican Church, organizing
themselves into parishes and choosing from among themselves those
with knowledge of the Holy Bible. These leaders conducted prayer
services, led worship and evangelized the masses. Some even served
as chaplains and followed the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army wherever
the fighting was going on. However, because few of those who had
been chosen as biblical leaders had any formal training, there
was great inconsistency in the application of the Church's Anglican
heritage, doctrine or style of worship.
Eventually,
with the growth of the Church in the bush, a canonical hierarchy
developed through ordination to the priesthood. As the Church
continued to grow, rural deaneries were developed to help administer
the parishes. However, most of these developments happened in
a vacuum of theological and liturgical training because of the
tremendous insecurity caused by the war. And, the bishop faithfully
continued to pray for a way to build the much-needed bible school.
And, I must say that I began to believe that it would become a
reality.
In 2000, a
generous gift from a parshioner was made to the Diocese of Renk,
and it was exactly what was needed to begin connecting the pillars
of hope. I phoned Bp. Daniel in Renk on a Sunday evening to share
this good news, and following a prayerful silence, he shared that
he had been praying that morning, "very seriously" about
the bible school. That gift was God's message to move forward,
cultivate those seeds. The building began with local materials
— mud walls and the thatched roof, with a cross on top. (See
photo.) The vision became a reality. The campus grew, with a main
classroom, a kitchen, the library, a small tukul that was the
dormitory, and 30 students.
Then, "in
April 2004, the Sudanese Islamic Government demolished the buildings,
claiming that the Bible College was located directly on the route
of the new highway the government was constructing, which was
not true," reported Bp. Daniel. Nothing could stop this demolition,
which was seen as a continuation of the government's hatred against
the Episcopal Church of Sudan.
Following
protests and talks, the Diocese and the government partially resolved
their differences. The government was to rebuild on a new site,
but never followed through on that promise. However, they gave
the Bible College a new site for reconstruction, in the middle
of Renk Town, two blocks from St. Matthew Cathedral; perfect site,
but no funds to rebuild.
Bp. Daniel
turned to St. Michael's again for help. "St. Michael's, and
other parishes in the Diocese of Chicago heard our cry and responded
positively by donating $55,000 for reconstruction of the College,"
he said. Reconstruction of Renk Theological College began in October,
2004. This time, the buildings are made of brick, metal, cement.
From six "pillars of hope" on barren land to sturdy
brick and mortar buildings standing in witness to God's answer
to prayers of hope.
In February,
Fr. Johnson, Jackie Smith, Phil Darrow and I will represent St.
Michael's, Barrington, at the dedication of the new campus of
RTC and St. Michael's, Renk. Praise God from Whom all blessings
flow.
For more
information about Episcopal efforts in Sudan you can also visit
the American Friends of the Episcopal Church in Sudan (AFRECS)
website at www.afrecs.org.
OUTREACH
2008
By 2008
by Cam Sells
 Fr.
Johnson's challenge to gather 2008 cans or packages of food by
2008 continues. By Saturday, December 15, Ruth Silver reported
the count at 793 items. The picture at the left shows the growing
number of goods in St. Micahel's narthex/main entrance as a result
of the generosity of parishioners. Ruth notes that the response
has been so outstanding that in addition to the Barrington Township
Food Pantry, the Cuba Township Food Pantry will also benefit from
the effort this month. Please continue to bring your goods to
church so that those who may not have the means to provide meals
for themselves this season can still enjoy.
Special
Issue of The Sword
Since both
Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Tuesday, the usual publication
date for The Sword, a two-week issue will be published
on Thursday, December 27. The deadline for submitting articles
for this special holiday edition will be Monday, December 24.
The Sword will resume regular publication on Tuesday, Januiary
8.
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.
Lost
and (not) Found: Pictures from the North Wing
If you've
visited the north wing of St. Michael's, you've undoubetedly seen
the many photos and memorabilia that tell the story of St. Michael's
from its time as a mission church that met in the Masonic Temple
in the late 1940's to events that have happened in the last year.
Two of the more recent photos have been removed from the wall,
however, and Ruth Silver is hoping that they will be returned.
Ruth has given countless hours creating St. Michael's "framed"
history and notes that the items on the walls are not replaceable,
so if they are borrowed it is important to let the parish office
know.
If you've
borrowed any of the more recent photos, please locate them and
return them to their hooks on the wall! Or if you are aware of
where these photos may have been relocated, please contact the
parish office at 847-381-2323 or Ruth Silver at 847-381-1871.
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.
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.
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.
In
the Parish Family
 Ordination
Congratulations
to the Rev. Martha Gillette following her ordination to the priesthood
on Saturday, December 15 at St. James Cathedral. Martha is pictured
third from the right. (Click the picture to enlarge.)
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
This week
prayers are asked for: Jim, military troops in danger, Bp. Persell,
Craig, Joel, John, Amy, Kevin, Mary, the Conway family, Richard,
Jen, Sarah, Manuel, Pam, Chris, Sadie, Sheryl, Patrick, Mary,
Patrick, the Barrington Township Food Pantry, the Cuba Township
Food Pantry.
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 12.22 Kay
Richards, Karl Richardson, Elizabeth Ewart, Bill Arms, Diane
Hollensteiner, Donna Kean, Kate Tighe
- 12.23 Jessica
Haycock
- 12.25 Kathy
Schnure, John Reidmuller
- 12.26 Justin
Everson, Carrie Van Eaton
- 12.27 Chuck
Boetsch, Jimmy Couch, Emily Kean, Katie Lindeen, Len Azzaro,
Sara Widelski, Megan Fuhs
- 12.28 Bill
Heinrich, Ellen Weiss, Kerry Wanthal, Johanna Stegvik
Anniversaries
- 12.22 Ellen
& Rick Lindeen
Deaths
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