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February
19, 2008
COVER
STORY
Taking
a Stand on Violence
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
Dear Pilgrims,
 Violence!
Violence! Our hearts go out to the six families who lost loved
ones in the horrible tragedy at Northern Illinois University.
We pray not only for the five who were killed, but for the sixth
who came to the conclusion that whatever he fought in his life
would be readily handled by killing others and then himself. The
violence must come to an end. We look ridiculous as a country
of people. Did you know that there were four shootings at schools
this past week? The others were not so grand, but resulted in
loss of life as well. And these shootings do not include the tragic
death of five employees at the Lane Bryant store nor the shootings
in Kirkwood, Missouri. Talk about feeling powerless: I do. But
I also know that violence not only frightens me, but angers me
as well; and it is so antithetical to the Gospel. The net result
of an overly permissive society when it comes to violence is that
violence comes to rue the day and fear only multiplies. When do
we stop acting as if violence is acceptable? When do we each look
into our own hearts and minds, our own families and circles of
friends and begin speaking out against violence of any and all
kinds. When do we begin to hold our leaders accountable for ending
violence?
Friends, the
time to work to stop violence is right now! Like Mayor Daley says,
we don't need assault rifles for hunters to shoot birds and clay
pigeons? We don't need to buy violent games for our kids and turn
aside when we say that the graphics look real but it's only a
game. We must respect and trust all aspects of mental illness
and be courageous enough to monitor those who pose a threat to
themselves as well as to others. It is in the nature of violence
to ignore violence when the possibility is present.
For the life
of me, I don't know why we and I continue to play this game as
if it doesn't matter. Each life matters. One of the victims of
this tragedy had been the girlfriend of our own Patrick Duncan
for three years. Friends, do whatever you can to stop violence
now. Think about this when you vote, support candidates, drive
your car, speak about other people, treat your spouse or children
or pets, live your life. Pray for all that is good within people
and seek that out. Jesus advised us to turn violence to good by
not answering in kind. Peace monger? No, there are other forms
of strength besides getting a bigger baseball bat. Let's find
those and use them. Pray for peace and do your part. I plan to
do mine.
Love and Blessings,
Alvin, a pilgrim
and seeker at ending violence…
Please
read the letter from Bishop Lee below and visit the links to places
where you can offer support to our ministries in the DeKalb/Northern
Illinois University area.
THE
DIOCESE OF CHICAGO
A
Letter from Bishop Lee
The following
letter was send to all parishes in the Diocese of Chicago on
Friday, February 15, following the shootings at Northern Illinois
University on Thursday, February 14.
Dear Friends,
In the wake
of the shooting tragedy at Northern Illinois University on Thursday,
I am asking all our congregations and fellowships to offer prayers
this Sunday for the DeKalb and Northern Illinois communities,
and in particular the victims of the shooting and their families;
and all those responding to this tragedy. Our prayers must include
the young man who allegedly perpetrated this tragedy and took
his own life, and the family and friends grieving his action and
death.
I spoke with
the Rev. Mark Geisler, rector of St. Paul's parish in DeKalb and
the president of the United Campus Ministry board, on Thursday
afternoon to let him know that his parish and the ministry are
in our prayers as they cope with this devastating news and provide
care and comfort to the university community and family and friends
of those affected by this calamity. Dawn Jones, the director of
the United Campus Ministry-a partnership of the Episcopal, Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and United Church of Christ
campus ministries-and her fellow chaplains of the associated campus
ministries at NIU have been engaged in providing pastoral care
and hospitality to the university community since the news unfolded
yesterday afternoon. The Lutheran Campus Ministry, where the United
Campus Ministry offices are located, is just a block from Cole
Hall where the shootings occurred. Last night Dawn and the ELCA
chaplain Diane Dardon led outdoor prayer vigils for students,
faculty and the general public which drew over 400 people. Other
vigils have been scheduled, including an ecumenical prayer service
at the Newman Catholic Student Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, a public
vigil on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commons outside the Holmes
Student Center at 9:00 p.m. Friday, and on Sunday at Cortland
United Methodist Church in Cortland on the east side of DeKalb.
According to Dawn the university and the campus ministry association
will be planning a memorial service in coming days.
The Lutheran
Campus Ministry center has been open since the campus authorities
ended the lockdown last night and will be open throughout the
weekend for prayer, meditation, conversation and counseling. Local
churches are being contacted for food to serve to visitors to
the center and for clergy to offer pastoral care services. These
efforts are being coordinated by Bishop Gary Wollersheim's office
of the Northern Illinois Synod of the ELCA in Rockford.
St. Paul's
parish is planning a prayer service for 5:00 p.m. Friday. On Saturday
afternoon on my return from presiding at the funeral for the Rev.
Sherman Miller at Emmanuel, Rockford, I will be stopping in DeKalb
to visit Mark, his parish leaders; and Dawn and members of campus
ministry community. They have all been doing incredible work as
caregivers, prayer partners, listeners and sojourners for those
deeply affected by this tragedy. Please include them in your prayers
in the days and weeks ahead. This is very demanding and emotionally
exhausting work, and any support that we can provide will be a
blessing to them.
Below is a
message from Mark to our diocese:
I would
like to thank you for all of your prayers and support during
these horrific hours at NIU. Obviously, people in the DeKalb/Sycamore
area are in a state of major shock. Students and faculty with
whom I have talked are "in different places." For
some, the full impact of this has not yet hit. Others have needed
help trying to process what it is they are feeling. So many
are grateful that they, along with friends and loved ones, are
alive. Our prayers certainly go out to the families of those
who died or have been injured.
Episcopal
Relief and Development is in contact with Mark on how ERD might
assist, and my office will be relaying information on memorial
plans and the needs of the campus ministry's pastoral outreach.
For now, let us pray for healing for those wounded, physically
and spiritually, and for the repose of the souls of those who
died:
Daniel
Parmenter
Catalina
Garcia
Ryanne
Mace
Julianna
Gehant
Gayle
Dubowski
Stephen
P. Kazmierczak
Below you
will find information on supporting the pastoral outreach and
on participating in vigils and memorials. A resource for understanding
and coping with traumatic stress, prepared by the Rev. Canon Randall
Warren, canon for pastoral care, is attached to this message.
In Christ,
Jeffrey
D. Lee, Bishop
of Chicago
Resources
and contacts
Dawn Jones
Director of United Campus Ministry at NIU
815-758-8176
dejones39@aol.com
The Rev. Mark
Geisler
Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, DeKalb
815-756-4888
frmark@tbc.net
Northern Illinois
Synod of the ELCA
103
West State Street
Rockford IL 61101-1105
815-964-9934
www.nisynod.org
Northern Illinois
University
www.niu.edu
Facebook group
Pray for Northern Illinois University students and families at:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7880939436&ref=mf
Lenten
Opportunities for 2008
It's not too
late to participate in one of the many offerings available this
year during Lent. Visit the Lenten Opportunities
page of the St. Michael's website to learn more about these offerings:
- Adult Christian
Experience (ACE)
- Traveling
the Prayer Paths of Jesus (New time on Saturday!)
- The Book
of Jonah: Life Lessons and Applications
- Wednesday
Evening Supper & Study
- And
more...
Guests
from Lawrence Hall to Visit on February 24
 Sunday,
February 24 is Lawrence Hall Day at St. Michael's. Come hear the
Rev. David Stanford and CEO Mary Hollie share the story of Lawrence
Hall, which serves the most neglected youth in the Chicago area.
Fr. Stanford
will celebrate the Eucharist at 7:45 a.m., preach at 9 a.m. and
join our youth Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. The Java Jam after
each service will feature a light brunch with an illuminating
presentation by Mary Hollie and staff describing LHYS' mission
to provide a safe environment where abused and neglected children
can access a day school, residential treatment, employment training,
job placement and family counseling and support. The vestry has
designated Sunday's open offering go to Lawrence Hall, and the
goal is to raise funds to be a part of the room-naming project
in the new Residential Treatment Center (pictured above during
construction). Please study the brochure you received via mail
last week for more details about this project to honor a beloved
member of the parish by giving the fund to name a room in his
honor.
Bishop
Daniel Elected Archbishop of Sudan
The Episcopal
Church of Sudan has elected Bishop Daniel Deng Bul, bishop of
the Diocese of Renk, as archbishop of the province. The election
took place February 14 at a three-day emergency General Synod
at All Saints Cathedral in Juba, Sudan. Bishop Daniel has been
a guest at St. Michael's on several occasions and has been an
instrumental part of the relationship between St. Michael's and
the Diocese of Renk in Sudan.
He succeeds
the Most Rev. Joseph Marona who served eight years as archbishop
until retiring last December. Since Marona’s retirement the
dean of the cathedral in Khartoum, The Very Rev. Nathaniel Garang
has served as interim archbishop. Deng's enthronement will be
held at All Saints Cathedral in Juba on April 20. The Church of
Sudan has 5 million members in 24 dioceses. The Diocese of Chicago
has been in companion relationship with the Diocese of Renk since
2001.
Benefit
for Sudan
Tina Beverly
Summerfield, daughter of Clark and Sue Beverly will be performing
with the parishioners of St. Barnabus Episcopal Church of Glen
Ellyn in a benefit concert for Sudan on Saturday, March 8 at 7:00
p.m. in Pierce Chapel (located on the NE corner of Washington
and Union) at Wheaton College in Wheaton. Celebrating its third
year, the participants are all professional musicians, so promises
to be a very exciting and moving concert! Proceeds from each $20
ticket donation will benefit the Renk Medical Clinic in Sudan.
Easter
Flower Offerings
Remember a
loved one or offer thanksgiving through your offering of Altar
flowers this Easter. Offering envelopes are available in the narthex/front
entrance and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday,
March 17 to be included in the printed bulletin.
The
Little Red Wagon: Lent 2008
During the
months of February and March, the St. Cyprian Food Pantry will
receive offerings made to the Little Red Wagon. St. Michael's
has been supporting this food pantry for many years. Its needs
are even greater now — not just because of the growing number
of clients, but because of the great drop in food available from
its main support agencies, The Greater Chicago Food Depository
and the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation.
During Lent,
please remember those struggling to survive each day. Their needs
are many and money is limited. Providing food is essential and
something we can all do. Please consider the following suggested
items when you're shopping during the months of February and March:
- February
24 - Dinner items: Canned meat, vegetables, instant potatoes,
yams
- March 2
- Basics: Dried beans, rice, pasta, macaroni & cheese
- March 9
- Extras: Salad dressings, salsa, pasta sauce
- March 16
- Desserts: Snacks, crackers
- All Weeks
- $10 gift certificates from Jewel are also helpful as they
are provided to families to allow them to purchase fresh meats
World
Day of Prayer
Church Women
United (CWU) will be celebrating World Day of Prayer on Friday,
March 7 at 1:00 p.m., at Wauconda Federated Church. The church
is located at 200 S. Barrington Road at Route 176, Main Street,
in Wauconda. World Day of Prayer is an annual event that unites
all Christians in a common worship experience. This year the women
of Guyana have written a worship service that celebrates the theme,
"God's Wisdom Provides New Understanding." The speaker
will be Rev. Digna Campanano, Staff Chaplain for Cardiac Care
at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. Rev. Campanano, a native of
the Philippines, has worked at the Disaster and Rehabilitation
Coordinating Council which provided moral, spiritual and psychological
support and assistance to the victims of war conflicts in the
Philippines. This work experience enhanced her passion for the
Word and her compassion for the world.
After the
service, there will be a time for fellowship and refreshments.
Child care will be provided at no charge. If you have questions,
please call St. Michael's CWU representative Marie Schriefer at
847-719-1012. This is a wonderful opportunity to pray and worship
with other Christian ladies in the Barrington area.
February
is Greeting Card Month at And All The Angels
Stock up on
all of your greeting card needs during the month of February at
And All The Angels gift shop. Buy three cards at the regular
price and receive the fourth free! Small Tickelopes and Gel Gem
cards are included! And All The Angels is located on St. Michael's
lower level.
Around
the Neighborhood
4th Annual
Winter Bowl-A-Thon for Lawrence Hall Youth Services
Lawrence Hall
Youth Services will hold its 4th annual Winter Bowl-A-Thon benefit
on Tuesday, March 11 at the Lucky Strike Lanes, 322 E. Illinois
Street, Chicago. Youth session runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m.;
the adult session is 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Registration fee is
$400 per team of 5, or $100 per individual and includes food,
beverages and shoes. For information contact Nicole Askew at 312-456-2490
or naskew@lawrencehall.org.
Prospective
Student Days at Seabury
The faculty,
staff, and students of Seabury invite prospective students to
join them for Prospective Student Days on March 2-3.
Prospective
students learn how Seabury can empower them for ministry, address
questions and concerns about choosing a seminary, and speak with
spouses and children to find out about family life "on the
block." It will allow all visitors to discover the wealth
of resources available in Evanston and the greater Chicago area,
and, most importantly, become a part of the community for a few
days, and see how the people and experiences here can enable students
to deepen the intellectual, spiritual, and practical dimensions
of their participation in the mission of Jesus Christ.
To learn more
visit http://www.seabury.edu/admissions/prospect_days_spring.php
or call Liz Donohue, Admissions Coordinator, at 847-328-9300,
ext. 28.
In
the Parish Family
Deaths
Please keep
the Locher family and friends in your prayers following the death
of Ken Locher on Thursday, February 14. Ken was the husband of
Ceres and the father of Erin Reeff and Drew Locher. He was remembered
on Monday at St. Michael's; interment will be private. The Locher
family has requested that memorials for Ken's life be offered
to St. Michael's.
Please also
hold the Galasso family and friends in your prayers following
the death of Jim Galasso at home on Saturday, February 16. Jim
is survived by his wife, Priscilla, and children, Susan, Josh,
Becky, and Emily. A memorial service is being planned for a date
within the next few weeks.
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
Military troops
in danger, John, Mary, Margo, Kevin & Marti, Ray, Sue, Shirley
& Bob, Mary Beth, the Galasso family, Katy, Constance, Suzanne,
Jimmy, Marshall, Mary, Mackenzie, Chad, Priscilla, Evelyn, Gayle,
Ormonde, Tony & Kathy, June, Mike, Charlene & R.P.
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 2.23 Eric
Brown, Laura Dern, Amy Lekai, Emanuel Semerad
- 2.24 Rick
Ryba, Tracy Allen, Alexendra Pullinger, Patrick Fuhs
- 2.25 Kelley
Curran, Sharon Curran, Kim Garrity, Lee Potter-Murray, Bradley
Conway
- 2.26 Steffan
Olsen, Max Raynor, Barbara Kane, Brad Murphy
- 2.27 Abby
Ferry, Emily Galasso, Benjamin Briesemeister, Allison Bradtke,
Macy Brett
- 2.28 Jeff
Moore, Christine Olson, Julia Yerger
Anniversaries
Deaths
- 2.23 Don
Johnson
- 2.25 Bill
Allen
- 2.27 Jean
Clendinning
- 2.28 Stacey
Curtis
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