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December
27, 2007
COVER
STORY
Coming
Home to God
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 Four
Candles; four words; four actions: help, hope, heal and now, home.
Henri Nouwen, the wonderful author of the spiritual life, once
noted that home is the unconditional love of God and most of us
spend most of our time away from home. Christmas is our yearly
invitation to come home to God. What does that mean? Some have
never left. There is an old missionary story that speaks of what
took place when the first missionaries discovered the aborigines
in Australia. When asked if they wanted to follow Jesus they said
'no'. When the missionaries asked, "didn't they want to return
to God?" the aborigines simply said they never left. For
those of us who never leave, the path to God's unconditional love
remains open and paved for our travel. Bless you.
Some of us
wander in and out of being at home. We show up without any pattern.
We pray in need but we also pray in joy. Sometimes we pray when
driving; sometimes when we eat; sometimes before we go to bed;
sometimes when our day begins. We are prone to wander; to drift.
We test the love of God not realizing that unconditional love
means just that…we cannot escape the grasp of God's love
for us. So God settles in one place this time of year; one manger
in one stable and God invites us to come and worship. The invitation
is open and free. Love abounds. God desires us to simply see love.
Some of us
wander away and don't come back for a long time. Those who travel
this path are of particular interest to Jesus. He spoke of the
lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son. He reminded us that
God searches most especially for the lost and finds no rest until
the hearts of the lost find their home in God's divine love. It
is always easy to find something when that which we seek stays
in one place and puts a star overhead shouting, "Come here!"
To come home we need to know where our home is; our home is the
unconditional love of God. No matter how much time we spend at
home or away, we are always welcome. What else could a vulnerable
little child mean but access?
So, welcome
home to the unconditional love of the Divine Love. Blessed Christmas
to you and those you love. Be safe. Enjoy life. Love God. Come
home.
Love and blessings,
Alvin+
RENK
MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP
A
Christmas Greeting from Sudan
Dear brothers
and Sisters,
Love, grace
and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
On behalf
of Renk Diocese and Renk Theological college I would like to thank
you for the work you are doing for Renk Diocese in Sudan since
the time of civil war in Sudan up to now during the peace time
you show us high commitment, mean that a lot of things changed
in the life of the Diocese.
By your supporting
to us our diocese became one of the strong diocese in the Episcopal
Church of the Sudan. Because of your support to Schools, Theological
education, health care and many other things as women project.
Dear friends this partnership is God plan to his people in this
world.
Thank you
for highly hospitality you offer me at my two months visit to
USA. Now we are coming to the end of this year we pray that it
will be peaceful year in Sudan so that we can develop our country
to be healthy country. Pray for us let Jesus be born in our heart
during this days. We pray that Thousand of Angeles protect you
all. Happy Christmas.
God bless
you.
Thank you,
Rt. Rev. Daniel Deng Bul, Diocesan Bishop of Renk
Fr. Joseph Garang, Principal of RTC
Special
Holiday Schedule for The Sword
This issue
of The Sword is offered as a combined issue covering the
weeks of both Christmas and New Year's Day. There will not be
an issue published on Tuesday, January 1. Regular publication
will resume on Tuesday, January 8.
Confirmation
Classes to Begin in January
Confirmation
classes will begin on Sunday, January 27 and will meet each Sunday
from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the Sturtz house. Students
will be required to find an adult who is not related to them to
serve as a mentor through the time of confirmation. They will
be expected to meet with their mentor once a week for at least
an hour. In addition, students are expected to participate in
the 30-Hour Famine (February 22-23) and participate in a trip
to Jesus People, USA/Cornerstone Community Outreach.
If you are
planning on being a part of the confirmation class, please contact
Kevin Kasper by January 13 in order to be added to the rolls and
in order for materials to be purchased. At this time, the final
date for confirmation by the bishop has yet to be determined.
For more information contact Kevin Kasper at 847-381-2323 ext.
15, or e-mail kkasper@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
ACE
(Adult Christian Experience) Returns During Lent
Whether
you're a "cradle Episcopalian," new to the Episcopal
tradition, or simply seeking an opportunity to deepen your faith,
be sure to save the following dates on your calendar for a wonderful
opportunity to grow your relationship with Christ. Start your
journey with a "Pre-ACE" potluck at 6:30 p.m. at Kay
Lewis' home. This is an opportunity to find out more about ACE
and meet others who have participated in past programs. Meetings
will begin Friday, February 29 with a three-day session (Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday), then will continue on Sundays through April
6. Watch for more information in The Sword or pick up a
brochure.
Shares
of "Uncommon" Stock to Support Mission to Sudan
Renk Ministry
Partnership (RMP) is continuing to offer $20 shares of "Uncommon
Stock" to support travel expenses of the mission team going
to Sudan 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. 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.
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.
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.
Video
Production Help Needed
Interested
in being part of a team to produce a St. Michael's video for the
upcoming Annual Meeting in February? If you have a creative calling
to share St. Michael's vision through video, consider lending
your talents for this special event. Students with classroom experience
in video production and those with video production software are
especially encouraged to consider this opportunity. Contact Cam
Sells at 815-382-6874 or csells@stmichaelsbarrington.org
by January 6 to learn more.
From
the Parish Office
Offering
Envelopes for 2008
In an ongoing
effort to save money and reduce waste, St. Michael's has decreased
the number of offering envelopes ordered. If you currently have
offering envelopes with a number higher than 110, you will be
assigned a new number in 2008. The 2008 offering envelopes are
available for pick up in the foyer by the Community Room. If you
have any questions, please contact Kim Lessner in the parish office
at 847-381-2323, ext. 16 or klessner@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
Parish
Office Closed New Year's Eve
Please note
that the Parish Office will be closed on Monday, December 31 and
Tuesday, January 1. The office will reopen on Wednesday, January
2.
Around
the Neighborhood
The Ordination
and Consecration of the New Bishop of Chicago
The ordination
and consecration of the Rev. Jeffrey Lee, bishop-elect of the
Diocese of Chicago, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February
2, 2008 at the House of Hope Arena in Chicago's Pullman district
(Far South Side). As the arena holds 10,000, all clergy and lay
members are enthusiastically invited to participate. Because of
security policies at the House of Hope Arena, this will be a ticketed
event. Tickets are free but reservations will be required. Congregations
are encouraged to consider arranging group transport by van or
bus. Ticket reservations can be arranged through Elaine Caldbeck
(administrator@bishopforchicago.org)
and will be mailed in mid- to late-January.
There will
be a pre-consecration reception/light meal to be held at the Church
of the Atonement on the evening of February 1. Although the event
is open to all, reservations must be made in advance and there
will be a charge of $20 per person. Information on reservations
will be available in January.
Volunteers
will be needed for the liturgy of consecration. If you are interested
in serving as an usher, greeter, acolyte, thurifer, eucharistic
minister, contact Elaine Caldbeck at administrator@bishopforchicago.org.
Call
for Photographers and Videographers
The Diocesan
Office of Communications is seeking volunteers with professional
experience in photojournalism, commercial photography and videography
to assist in the coverage of the consecration. Volunteers will
have to provide their own equipment. Photography and videography
must be in digital format. Videographers will be working with
the production staff of House of Hope Arena.
If interested
contact David Skidmore, Canon for Communications, 312-751-4207.
Please include your email and phone numbers and a description
of your equipment. There will be a technical rehearsal during
a weekday preceding the event. Date and time of day will be announced
in January.
In
the Parish Family
Death
Please keep
Fr. Don Moon, his wife, Jodi, and their family in your prayers
following the death of their daughter, Sarah Armstrong, on Christmas
Eve in Alaska as the result of an automobile accident. Fr. Moon
and Jodi are traveling to Alaska for her funeral where they will
be joined by Sarah's sisters.
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
This week
prayers are asked for: Jim, military troops in danger, Bp. Persell,
Craig, Joel, John, Amy, Mary, Richard, Jen, Sarah, Manuel, Pam,
Chris, Sadie, Sheryl, Patrick, Mary, Patrick, Austin, Dillon,
The Barrington Township Food Pantry, The Cuba Township Food Pantry
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 12.29 Molly
Cross, Lori Pepper, Leanne Tresnowski
- 12.30 Michael
Brown, John Papamarcos, Emily Cooper
- 12.31 Mackenzie
Peltier, Trish Henry, Peter Boice
- 1.1 Dean
Frelk, Dorothy Lick
- 1.2 Albert
Lockett, Jane Dawson, Maria Knox
- 1.3 Sara
Mayberry, Jack.Brown
- 1.5 Robert
Stanton, Art Kinney, Gail Baar, Robin Darrow, Amber Mullins,
Christina Roennau
- 1.6 Deanna
Arms, Steven Miner, Donna Brooks, Pete Belden, Julie Allord
- 1.7 Elizabeth
Strouse, Nancy Lenz, Ann Dickson, Kathy Kent
- 1.8 Dolores
Curran, Cristina Kuechmann, Kristin Lafon, Bill Saunders
- 1.9 Mary
Jean Ross, Jan Semerad, Lori Wood
- 1.10 William
Nagy, Charoltte Cressey, Jessen Koelling, Beth Wilson
- 1.11 Susan
Johnston
Anniversaries
- 12.29 Margaret
& Al Lockett
- 1.2 Ann
& Rick Ryba
- 1.3 Vickie
& Al Johnson
- 1.4 Karen
& Chris Dickerson
- 1.7 Priscilla
& Jim Galasso
- 1.10 Vickie
& John Schnure
Deaths
- 12.30 Iris
Hartman
- 1.1 Claire
Koener, Edith Luke
- 1.2 Menter
Terrill
- 1.4 Edith
Tudela, Michael Manning
- 1.6 Robert
Johnson, Frank Faust, Antoinette Lutsky
- 1.7 Lloyd
Silver
- 1.8 Julia
Ward
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