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February
26, 2008
COVER
STORY
Living
With the Awareness of Life
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 Dear
Pilgrims,
Sometimes
I am asked about how I handle "things" in life like
deaths of members, violence, family struggles. The following comes
from my journal entry of February 20, 2008 and offers some insight
into my limited repertoire.
Last night
I shared with Vickie my struggle around these two deaths (Ken
Locher and Jim Galasso), a friend's surgery for prostate cancer,
and Jimmy's (Vickie's Dad) aging and dependency. I noted how all
relationships come to an end and that ours, (Vickie's and mine)
will come to an end as well and yet life marches on; and do we
make a difference to anyone? Will anyone notice when we are gone?
Am I living my life aware of death? Am I living my life aware
of life? That's the question! And my answer coming out of these
experiences is yes; I am aware of the sheer beauty of life and
love; they are irreplaceable in the human journey and are God's
gift in help of transcending the limits of our existence. There
is no infinite or indefinite future; there is the beauty and the
power of today; a place Jesus constantly called us to embrace.
Everything else is trust and that is the birth of awareness; all
relationships end, the question is how to enjoy them for the now
and not for then.
I don't
really know what the "actual" promises are after death.
The purpose is to deepen the breadth of life today and leave tomorrow
where tomorrow always has been; in the hands of God. So awareness
is born and intensity deepens for life today. All decisions that
seem so major become less so; all fears gently subside in the
moment of and grace of today. Jesus, what am I being led to see
about life? Am I on track here? Bless me with depth, Lord. Transform
my life as only you can. Please help me stay on today.
Thanks for
listening, thanks for prayers, thanks for community…pilgrims.
Love and Blessings,
Alvin, a pilgrim
WORSHIP
A
Vision for Our Music
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
For well over
a month some dozen members of our parish, under the leadership
of Mike Donohue, have been working on discerning and preparing
a vision for our music ministry here at St. Michael's. After several
meetings the committee has a prepared a draft document for review,
discussion and feedback. The text of the document is available
on the website at http://www.stmichaelsbarrington.org/Ministries/choirs.htm#musicvision
Following
each service this coming Sunday, March 2, you are invited to offer
your feedback on this vision with a representative from this team
in the conference room. You can offer your written feedback at
any time to myself at ajohnson@stmichaelsbarrington.org
or to Mtr. Martha Gillette at mgillette@stmichaelsbarrington.org.
From this
document we plan to begin designing how we will continue in our
fine tradition of offering inspirational music as a part of a
commitment to excellent worship reflecting God's beauty. We are
hearing a desire to intensify the offerings and the opportunities
of our music ministry. We are excited about putting together,
in time, a team of people who can help us reach out in more ways
with music. We are planning diligently for our search process
and for the description of the person we seek who can help us
build upon the excellent tradition of many gifted leaders in our
past.
Our community
responsibility is to read the following vision statement; comment
if you so desire; attend one of the discussions; and pray. With
the commitment of our excellent community and by the grace of
God, we hope to continue building an excellent tradition of worshipping
God and basking in God's beauty through music.
PARTNERSHIPS
Lenten
Opportunities at Holy Apostles
by The Rev. Martha Gillette
In addition
to the opportunities available at St. Michael's, consider these
Lenten and Holy Week services at Holy Apostles:
- Fridays
during Lent, 7:00 p.m. / Stations of the Cross
- Maunday
Thursday, 6:30 p.m. / Eucharist in the context of an Agape Meal
followed by a silent procession to the Sanctuary to strip the
altar and set the Watch.
- Good Friday,
7:00 p.m. / Good Friday service in the style of Taize.
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.
A
Note of Thanks from Fr. Joseph
Fr. Joseph
Garang Atem of Renk Diocese in Sudan recently sent the following
note thanking St. Michael's for its continued support of the Renk
Theological College as well as for its support of Bp. Daniel who
was elected Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Sudan on February
14.
Dear St.
Michael's Family,
I am very
much thankful to you and St. Michael's for the hard works you
are doing to us in Renk Diocese and especially Renk Theological
College. On the other hand, the work you did that is to make
Bishop Daniel to be the Archbishop of Sudan.
Thank you
so much and God bless you,
Fr. Joseph
The Renk
Ministry Partnership invites you and your friends to save the
date of Saturday, April 15, 5:00 PM, for a celebration fundraiser
to benefit Renk Theological College. U2 will want to be there!
Watch this space for further information.
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.
Help
Wanted for Easter Receptions
Marti Callahan
is asking for your help with this year's Easter reception. If
you are interested in being a part of this festive event, please
sign up on the sheet in the kitchen to let her know of your interest.
What's needed??
- 2 people
to help refresh and clean up after the 7:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
services.
- 3-4 people
to stay and clean up after the 11:00 a.m. service.
- 8-10 people
to make 2 dozen deviled eggs each (trays are available in the
kitchen)
- 10-12 people
to bring two or more trays of finger foods to the service they
attend
- 1 person
to help Saturday morning setting up the tables, paper goods,
decorations, etc.
The
Little Red Wagon: Lent 2008
During the
month of 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:
- 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.
Around
the Neighborhood
Trinity
Church to Host Lenten Retreat
Trinity Church,
Chicago, will offer a Lenten retreat entitled A Journey in
Lent on Saturday, March 8 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at
Trinity Church, 125 E. 26th St., Chicago, IL 60616. The program
begins with worship and includes segments on Satisfaction and
Fulfillment, Structure and Organic Community, The Six Stages of
Faith, and Twelve Keys to an Effective Church. Lunch will be offered
for $5. Presenters will include The Rev. Erroll Narain, Sam Love,
and John Marshall.
Position
Opening
The Diocese
of Chicago has a position opening for an Administrative Assistant
for the Assistant Bishop. Position responsibilities are available
on the diocesan website at http://www.epischicago.org/documents/PositionDescriptionAdminAsst..pdf
In
the Parish Family
Birth
Sue and Jim
Wilder are the proud new parents of a baby girl, Elizabeth Constance
Wilder, born Monday, February 18 at 9:34 p.m. at Rush University
Medical Center weighing 5 lbs., 11 ozs.
Baptism
Andie Grace
Evans, 8, daughter of Dave and Regina Evans, was baptized on Saturday,
February 23.
Those
for whom prayers have been requested
Military troops
in danger, John, Mary, Margo, Kevin & Marti, Ray, Sue, Shirley
& Bob, Mary Beth, Katy, Constance, Suzanne, Jimmy, Marshall,
Mary, Mackenzie, Chad, Priscilla, Evelyn, Gayle, Ormonde, Tony,
Kathy, Jane, Mike, Charlene & R.P., Claire, Dick, the Galasso
family.
Rest in Peace: Ken Locher, Jim Galasso, Michael Foort, Henry Parker,
Bill Allen
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 3.1 Sandra
Volkmann
- 3.2 Steve
Cutliffe
- 3.3 William
Clancy, Elizabeth Clancy
- 3.4 Bryan
Cross, Amanda Couch, Steve Maison
- 3.5 Kim
Chapdelaine, Valentina Scotti, Madeline Clark
- 3.6 Cassandra
Arms, Gustavo Lopez
- 3.7 Clare
Kean
Anniversaries
- 3.2 Janice
& Emanuel Semerad
- 3.3 Sharon
& Richard Curran
Deaths
- 3.6 Sarah
Logan, Henry Greene, David Bailey
- 3.7 Jerry
Camper
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