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March 25,
2008
COVER
STORY
An
Easter Call
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 Fr.
Johnson's article references the theme of the sermon delivered
on Easter Sunday. To listen to the sermon, click here
or visit www.stmichaelsbarrington.org/sermons.htm.
Dear Friends
and Pilgrims,
Alleluia!
Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Now what?
First, a time of gratitude! There are so many people to thank
for all our beautiful worship this past week. From the simplicity
of the palms on Palm Sunday to the beautiful display of spring
flowers, from the reading of our stories of our faith at the Easter
Vigil to the simplicity of the overnight prayer vigil on Maundy
Thursday, from the joy of receiving communion on Easter Day to
the starkness of the cross on Good Friday; all of these experiences
represented not only God's incredible Spirit, but also the gifts
of many people. This Easter night I just thought about how many
people came together to help us live this week? Easily over 150
gave of time, talent and treasure for this offering to God and
God's people. Thank you all for your generosity of spirit, talent
and ministry. Thank you!
Secondly,
time to ask, "what's next?" This incredible season of
new life lasts for a total of 50 days. In that time each of us
is asked to explore where we are to take this gift of new life
within the circle of life. Are there relationships that call for
healing? Are there commitments that you are called to fulfill?
Is there a need in our area, in our church, in our diocese in
the world that you or I could help make better? Is there someone
who is hurting and needs your companionship? Join me in taking
this gift of new life and watching it multiply again and again
and again. Our world needs joy, hope, faith, and love and you
and I, resurrection people; we can do just a little part in bringing
those gifts to others. That is the Easter Call to our community…take
a look at who sits outside doors confused about what to do next.
Please answer as you are so called…and, Happy Easter!
Love and Blessings,
Alvin+
WORSHIP
Lectern
Needlework Celebrates Resurrection
by Ruth Silver
 This
Easter season you'll notice a new needlepoint lectern hanging
that celebrates new life. This piece was inspired by the Easter
frontal that was introduced in 2007 and the artwork continues
the theme.
The hanging
was created and hand made by the Rev. Mary Tudela in thanksgiving
to St. Michael's for her ordination in 2005.
The lectern
hanging and Easter altar frontal will continue to be used through
the 50 days of Easter. Click on the photograph to view a full
size image.
A
Note of Thanks
Dear People
of St. Michael's Parish,
In the 16th
century, Teresa of Avila wrote:
"Christ
has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth but yours."
I have to
tell you that I have seen Christ through you in the last month
in the most beautiful guise. The hands that restored my bedroom,
that brought food, that cleaned my house, that fixed what was
broken, that tidied what was in chaos, that shoveled snow, that
set to work with compassion to carry us forward from a place of
desperation to a place of wholeness, those hands were Christ's,
embodied in you. The feet that beat a path to my door, to the
funeral home, and to the church to bring a loving presence to
dispel the fear of being alone, those feet were Christ's, too.
The eyes that met mine with honesty, sincerity, and acceptance
were Christ's eyes, looking on me in sympathy and solidarity,
giving me permission to lift my own eyes without embarrassment.
I am and will be forever grateful that God's wisdom places us
in community so that we can witness Christ's presence in our lives,
in every day, in every situation. Thank you for your faithfulness
in honoring our Lord in that way. Thank you for honoring Jim as
well. May God bless and reward you richly as you continue to love
in Jesus' Name.
With deepest
gratitude,
Priscilla, for all the Galassos
U2charist
Benefits Renk Theological College
St. Michael's
Church proudly presents the band Elevation at a U2charist celebration
Saturday, April 12, at 5:00 p.m. St. Michael's Community Room.
We celebrate our 10-year partnership with the Diocese of Renk,
Sudan, and kick off a fundraising drive to support the Renk Theological
College for the next three years.
What in the
world is a U2charist??
A U2charist
is a communion service accompanied by U2 songs in lieu of traditional
hymns and is typically a liturgical service (including communion)
that features the music of the rock band U2 and a message about
God's call to rally around the Millennium Development Goals. The
U2charist is held by supporters to be a great opportunity to reach
out to people in their congregations and larger communities, especially
young people, with U2's messages of global reconciliation, justice
for the poor and oppressed, and the importance of caring for your
neighbor.
Please join
us and bring your neighbors and friends! U2 will want to be there!
Opportunities
in Outreach
The Outreach
Team of St. Michael's meets several times a year and plans Outreach
activities for the parish and reviews grant requests from agencies
throughout the Chicagoland area. Perhaps you are searching for
something to throw your heart and soul into—I offer you Outreach.
We welcome you to join our committee and be a part of our efforts
here. Or we have the resources to connect you to a myriad of needy
agencies that would be thrilled to have your time and talents.
Just contact Ann Ryba at 847 358-5808 and let's talk. Perhaps
you fear being too busy—but when you connect with something
you love, it will refresh you and the time will be well spent.
To those
of you who do give so abundantly of yourselves to so many worthy
causes, I offer my thanks and admiration. May God continue to
bless each of you in your own Outreach efforts.
The
Little Red Wagon
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. $10
gift certificates from Jewel are also helpful as they are provided
to families to allow them to purchase fresh meats.
Around
the Neighborhood
Leadership
and Ministry Fair
The Diocese
of Chicago will host a Leadership and Ministry Fair on Saturday,
April 19 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Lutheran School
of Theology. The fair will offer a keynote address by Bishop Jeffrey
Lee in addition to 60 learning opportunities on topics related
to vestries and bishop’s committees; aspirants, postulants,
those in discernment; congregational development and vitality;
effective groups; formation; Hispanic ministry; mission and outreach;
music; spirituality; stewardship; technology; youth and young
adult ministry; and more. For a schedule, descriptions of learning
opportunities, and registration form, visit www.episcopalchicago.org
Advance registration
is $25 person ($20 for groups of 4 or more from same church) and
$10 for students, seminarians. Please register as soon as possible
to get your first choice of workshops. For more information contact
Anne Cothran at 312-751-4206.
In
the Parish Family
In the
News...
Emily Galasso
will be featured as one of the four narrators in CYT's production
of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, coming to Cutting
Hall theater in Palatine May 16-18 and May 30-June 1. Tickets
can be ordered online at www.cytchicago.org.
(Be sure to select Emily's name in the pull-down menu for ticket
contest credit!)
Deaths
Please keep
the Blair family in your prayers following the death of Katie’s
mother, Helen Biehl, on Thursday, March 20 in Pennsylvania.
Also keep
the Wilder family in your prayers following the death of Jim Wilder's
mother, Constance.
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
Ray, Kevin
& Marti, Shirley & Bob, Mary, Brad, Patrick, Margo, military
troops in danger, Mary Beth, John, Bob, Josh, Hilary, Dave, Lhee,
Nancy, Jim & Sharon, Maurice, Wendy, Kate, Jo Ann, Kate, Chuck
& Gloria, Dick & Patricia, Laurie, Matt, Kim, Caleb, Mary
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 3.29 Lisa
Van Eaton, Lynn Van Eaton, David Waring, Elizabeth Waring
- 3.30 Christine
Pepper, J. Robert Orpen, Jr., Lynn McGugan, Allison Doran, Joe
Schmidt, Tom Fuhs
- 3.31 Valorie
Eaton, Shirley Hill, Mary Hassler
- 4.1 Joseph
Ridges, Mark Marcinkiewicz
- 4.4 David
Smith, Ric Lindeen, Pat Okonek, Mita Mullick
Deaths
- 3.30 Henry
Bailey
- 3.31 Ned
Dally
- 4.3 Louis
Carrol
- 4.4 Eric
Hays
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