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April 1,
2008
COVER
STORY
The
Valley of the Shadow of Death
by The Rev. Alvin C. Johnson, Jr.
 How
long does it take to fall into the valley of the shadow of death?
Sometimes it does not seem to take so long. In fact our fall into
the valley can be as quick as a phone call, a blood clot or a
painful conversation over a glass of wine. As much as we celebrate
Jesus' resurrection from the dead only three days after his death,
the gift of new life often comes to us in very different ways
and at very different times…much to our either joy or frustration.
Awaiting new life is about timing. There is our time and God's
time…and maybe even the world's time; but I'm not so sure
that is much different from our time.
The world's
time is quick fix. Our culture does not encourage patience. Because
so much of our lives are based on being connected and expecting
quick responses, we naturally think that God uses the same timing
in our lives, especially when we await new life. I have several
friends who make the commitment to return all phone calls within
48 hours…a wonderful virtue in our relationships but not
a foreshadowing of God's work. Waiting molds the human spirit,
however; waiting builds character; waiting sometimes makes us
question and wonder about God. In this time of Easter, let's begin
by noting that our culture does not encourage the spiritual practice
of waiting on the Lord…patience. Our culture demands fast
action.
Our time is
different. We might be driven by the quick fix mentality, but
more often than not our desire for God to act quickly has to do
with our pain threshold; as is, when I feel pain I want pain relief…new
life can bring relief to the pain. Sometimes our time also has
to do with our belief that we have worked out the best answer
for our challenge or loss. Let's admit that often we think we
know what's best not only for ourselves, but also for others.
Although new opportunities come out of our losses and challenges,
once again it often takes time to learn what those opportunities
might be for us, trusting God has our best interest in mind.
And then there
is God's time; kairos time; the right time. Appearing arbitrary,
God speaks to our awaiting hearts when we are able to not only
hear God's words of love and encouragement, but also believe them
enough to act upon them and trust his offer of new life. Coming
out of seminary, I was trained to believe that when a loved one
had died the bereft party should be getting back on tract within
a year…that is the world's timing. God brings healing when
we are ready to be healed and not a moment before no matter how
hard we try to push the event. How much I could will each and
every one of us to accept this truth.
What this
means, early in the season of Easter, is we are at a time of awaiting
new life. The disciples were just now beginning to experience
Jesus alive in a new way with absolutely no idea what this new
life meant, awaiting the direction to come. We are in good company
as we await new life. Next week I will explore anticipating new
life. Until then, join me in sitting still and listening in the
silence for the presence of God.
Love and blessings,
Alvin+, a
sometime impatient pilgrim wondering about new life…
CHILDREN'S
FORMATION
Vacation
Bible School: Twelve Who Changed the World
by Nerissa Brueckbauer
Vacation Bible
School will take place from July 14 through July 17, 9:00 a.m.
to 12:00 p.m. This year we will, as so many have through the centuries,
examine the lives of the twelve men who were closest to Jesus
with a program entitled Twelve Who Changed the World. Much has
been written about them and many legends have sprung up around
the events of their lives and their deaths. Jesus called very
ordinary people to do extraordinary things. We, too, are called
to help do God’s work.
The
Little Red Wagon
Each year
during April and May, we gather food for the Open Pantry at St.
Clement's Episcopal Church in Harvey. With less food available
from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, all pantries are in
greater need for donations to fill their shelves. Government commodities
are next to nothing. One item of great need at St. Clement's now
is peanut butter, an all-time favorite. Since food stamps will
not cover personal items, there's always a need for toilet paper,
toiletries, and dish and laundry detergents. This is just the
beginning of their wish list...it will be expanded in the weeks
to come.
Donations
of any kind may be left in the Little Red Wagon located in the
narthex/main entrance of the church each Sunday or in the coat
area by the foyer during the week.
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!
Nicholas
Alvin Johnson Memorial Scholarship
Established
in August 2006 through the generosity of Friends of the Alvin
Johnson Family, this scholarship will be awarded to a high school
graduate, who has been and is active at St. Michael’s in
Barrington, Church of the Redeemer in Elgin, or Holy Apostles
in Wauconda, for the purpose of college or university fees. The
scholarship amount is $2500. The scholarship is renewable for
four years based upon meeting the standards established by the
Scholarship Committee.
Please call
the parish office at 847-381-2323 if your graduating senior has
not received an application packet. Completed application packets
need to be submitted to the Parish Office by May 1.
United
Thank Offering: Spring Ingathering
As the Easter
season continues and spring finally comes to Barrington, it is
a good time to reflect on the abundance of God's blessings in
our lives. When we think about all the wonderful and generous
things that have been provided to us by God, we realize that we
also need to give back to others. Donating to the United Thank
Offering is one small way to share our blessings. This ministry
of the Episcopal Church, started in 1889, encourages adults and
children to give thanks to God every day. The thanksgivings lead
to offerings to God, which when combined with the offerings from
around the nation, provides funds to support mission projects
both in the U.S. and abroad. 100% of the money collected is given
out in grants each spring. Projects have included kitchen equipment
for a homeless shelter, a school in the Dominican Republic, a
dental clinic for the poor, a library for a seminary in Africa,
handicap access to churches, and many, many more.
The ECW of
St. Michael's will be collecting UTO offerings on Sunday, April
20, at all three services. Please bring your checks or Blue Boxes
at that time, or mail your donation to the church. If you or your
children would like a Blue Box in which to collect your offerings
daily as you count your blessings, they are available near the
front door of the church or in the Sunday school area. Please
prayerfully consider your blessings and join us for UTO Sunday
on April 20.
New
at And All The Angels Gift Shop
 And
All The Angels is introducing a new line of artwork from Isabel
Bloom, inspirational Iowa artist who studied under American master
Grant Wood and who favored subjects range from playful children
to friendly creatures of land and sea to create the look of Victorian
era garden sculptures of the 40's and 50's. Visit And All The
Angels on St. Michael's lower level to see these works as
well as the many other books and gifts available. Remember that
profits from all sales at And All The Angels help organizations
in the area that serve women and children.
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
Those for
whom prayers have been requested
Ray, Kevin
& Marti, Mary, Brad, Patrick, Margo, military troops in danger,
Mary Beth, John, Maurice, Wendy, Kate, Jo Ann, Kate, Chuck &
Gloria, Dick & Patricia, Laurie, Matt, Kim, Caleb, Kathy,
Jim & Katie, Peyton, Nancy, Mary
Anniversaries
This Week
Birthdays
- 4.5 Joshua
Galasso, Alison Tomczyk, Valerie Mangan, Kiernan Racicot
- 4.6 Leigh
Conway, Libby Rieke, Amanda Dern
- 4.7 Hayley
Nolan, Jesus Gonzalez, Dennis Sundin
- 4.9 Meghan
Frelk, Patrick Duncan, Greg Schriefer, Andrew Barrueta
- 4.10 Helen
Curtis
- 4.11 Martha
Callahan, Ryan Donohue, Julie Christie, Mackenzie Rough
Anniversaries
- 4.7 Gayle
& Philippe Maraval, Jennifer & Matt Beverly
- 4.8 Beth
& Court Rejman, Julie & Mike Zgoda
- 4.9 Kathleen
& James Blair, Kay & Randy Lewis
- 4.11 Shân
Atkins & James Erbs
Deaths
- 4.5 Pamela
Hartman
- 4.6 Dorothy
Peterson
- 4.8 Kenneth
Barton
- 4.9 Babbie
Wastcoat
- 4.10 Ralph
Crist
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