I love serving at St. Ann's in Woodstock. Thank you for the opportunity.
Call or e-mail me with any news or questions you may have.
God Bless You.
815-355-6840
(direct cell phone) |
February Birthdays
4 Rob Purdy
11 Alan Hill
14 David Chase
24 Becky Stretch
24 Pat Lechtanski
28 Spin Bowe
28 Vincent Castillo
28 Holly Emrich
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2009 Vestry
and Wardens
Sr Warden Mike White
Jr Warden Joan Purdy
Treasurer
Becky Stretch
Asst. Treasurer
Sharon Porter
Clerk of the Vestry
Joanne Gitlin
Vestry Members
Victoria Castillo
Sharon Porter
Dinah Hoppe
Howard McCarthy
Duane Lahti
Mary Keyse
Holly Williams
Randy Wakitsch
Joanne Gitlin
Tim Killinger
Joanell Powers
Steve Fleming
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Please, remember in prayer this week . .
That the sick and those in special need may find your healing love, especially:
J.J., Dorothy, Annette, Ruth, Karen, Pat, Lori, Michael, Maggie, Jeannette, Joanne, Elizabeth, Teagan, Lou, Val, Terry, Todd, Cole, Shirley, Susan, Minerva, Amy, Barbara, Jim, Julie, Anita, John, Dan, Fred, Cindy, Benedict, Liz, Mike, Bob, Dan, Darlene, Evan, Megan, Barbara, Angela, Arthur, James, Mike, Frances, Marie, Dan, Kelly, Mary, Jackson, Maxine, Jeanie, Grace, and Thelma
And we remember those serving in our Armed Forces:
Baret, Bryce, Todd, Steven, Michael, Tim, Matthew, Benjamin, Dan, Chris, Guy, Joseph, Alicia, Carl, Dave, and Anne
And we remember those serving in public office:
Barack, Joe, Pat, Melissa, Don, Dan, Pam, Jack, Mike, Mark, Brian, Virginia, Tina, Paula, and Jim.
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 Okay --
I must admit it . . .
I enjoyed a Super Bowl party instead of writing my weekly "Reflection" this past Sunday . . .
I knew you would understand and forgive me. Better a little late than never, here is your "Rector's Reflection" for this past Sunday, February 1, 2009.
Rev. Pat + |
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This past Sunday at St. Ann's
It was wonderful to see and visit with all who were present. We even had some visitors from Nevada braving our serious northern Illinois winter. :) [ If you can guess who those visitors were -- send me a note: Rev. Conley's e-mail ]
Some of you may know that Terree Emrich is on sabbatical - yet our choir "carries on" quite well in her absence - under the capable leadership of Phyllis Connelly. Thank you choir, and thank you Phyllis.
I slipped out of town last week -- during the week -- to visit my mother in California. My weekday travels provided an opportunity for Randy Wakitsch to serve as Preacher this past Sunday. Thank you Randy for your pulpit ministry and for reminding us that we are called to be everyday-prophets -- right here and now -- witnessing for God in service and encouragement to those we meet each day.
Following the Eucharist, and following Coffee Hour, we enjoyed a brief Adult Education and Formation presentation about The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). If you missed the class and would like to learn more about the BCP, here a couple web-links: About The Book of Common Prayer and The ONLINE Book of Common Prayer. There is an unusual but useful site for praying the Daily Office. After you click on the Daily Offices Online link below, simply click on "Click for Today's Prayer Service" -- and pray along with the guided service as you click through the items in the left column. Daily Offices Online (This site even provides music for the optional sung parts of the devotion.) Personally, I find this "praying with an online guide" a bit odd -- but, perhaps some will appreciate it. Don't forget our special Family Fun Night and Baby Shower -- this coming Friday (Feb 6th) -- bring a potluck dish, an indoor game to play, and whatever you wish to drink -- all the details are provided just below this article (scroll down to read).
Please especially remember Grace Hajeck, Val Gitlin, and Mary Johnson in your prayers this week. They and their families are facing particularly difficult challenges.
Finally, remember each other in prayer -- and know that I pray for each member of St. Ann's each and every day.
God bless you. Rev. Pat +
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This FRIDAY NIGHT (Feb 6th)
Family Fun Night Potluck
and Baby Shower
February 6 -- Family Fun Potluck and Baby Shower
We're getting ready for Isaac Fleming to arrive from Korea.
Please bring along a potluck dish to share --
. . . bring an indoor game to play (if you would like to)
. . . and bring whatever you wish to drink.
Here is what Isaac's mother-to-be tells us about him:
Isaac is currently 7 months old. The last we heard, at 5 months old he was 12 lbs. and 23". He was considered a bit small for his age, but healthy. We have not been given any updates on his weight/length since then, unfortunately.
Isaac will be 8 months old on 2-15-09. We have been purchasing 12 month sized outfits, thinking he could wear them in the spring when we bring him home...and also purchasing some 18 mo. old outfits as well. That's the tricky part -- just guessing as best we can, and buying stuff that might be a little big, hoping for the best.
We certainly appreciate you folks for doing this. Your kindness is so appreciated. Please let me know if there is anything we can do, or if you need any other information.
-- Angela Fleming
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Date: Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009
Service Times: 12:15 (noonish)
and 7:30pm.
What is Ash Wednesday?
The first of the forty days of Lent, named for the custom of placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of worshipers at Ash Wednesday services. The ashes are a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality, and may be imposed with the sign of the cross. Ash Wednesday is observed as a fast in the church year of the Episcopal Church. The Ash Wednesday service is one of the Proper Liturgies for Special Days in the Book of Common Prayer (p. 264). Imposition of ashes at the Ash Wednesday service is optional.
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About Shrove Tuesday and our Pancake Dinner --
Date: Tuesday, February 24th
Pancake Dinner Time: 6:00pm
Coordinators: Bruce & Natalie Armstrong
We need some helpers!
Please contact coordinators to RSVP and to see how you might help: Armstrong E-Mail or call Bruce/Natalie:
What is Shrove Tuesday?
The day before the beginning of Lent is known as Shrove Tuesday. To shrive someone, in old-fashioned English (he shrives, he shrove, he has shriven OR he shrives, he shrived, he has shrived), is to hear his acknowledgment of his sins, to assure him of God's forgiveness,and to give him appropriate spiritual advice.
The term survives today in ordinary usage in the expression "short shrift". To give someone short shrift is to pay very little attention to his excuses or problems. The longer expression is, "to give him short shrift and a long rope," which formerly meant to hang a criminal with a minimum of delay.
On Shrove Tuesday, many Christians make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with. Often they consult on these matters with a spiritual counselor, or receive shrift.
Shrove Tuesday is also called Fat Tuesday (in French, Mardi=Tuesday; gras=fat, as in "pate de foie gras", which is liver paste and very fatty), because on that day a thrifty housewife uses up the fats that she has kept around (the can of bacon drippings, or whatever) for cooking, but that she will not be using during Lent. Since pancakes are a standard way of using up fat, the day is also called Pancake Tuesday. In England, and perhaps elsewhere, the day is celebrated with pancake races. The contestants run a course while holding a griddle and flipping a pancake. Points are awarded for time, for number and height of flips, and number of times the pancake turns over. There are of course penalties for dropping the pancake.
The day (or sometimes a longer period immediately preceding Lent) is also called CARNIVAL, which means "farewell to meat." "Carni" as in carnivorous, and "vale" as in valediction, valedictorian, etc. One last hamburger before the Lenten fast begins!!
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February Book Group -- 
Latest changes . . .
The February selection for the Book Group is The White Tiger, a novel set in India by Aravind Adiga. The group will meet at Sharon & Jack Porter's home on Sunday, February 22, 2009. (4:00pm)
The group enthusiastically welcomes new members. We will look forward to our discussions in April. Write for more information or address/directions: Sharon Porter or call Sharon at (815) 334-8166. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 Speaking of Books . . .
I picked up my copy of this book at Read Between the Lynes (on the Square) -- hope to get to it soon. If anyone else reads it, please let me know what you think of it. - Rev. Pat +
Title: "You don't have to be wrong for me to be right" - author, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield.
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Dates and Events
Thursday, Feb 5 Drop-In Shelter Lunch (See Dinah Hoppe for details)
7:30pm Choir
Friday, Feb 6 11:45 St. Ann's Executive Committee Meeting
6:30pm Family Fun Night Potluck & Baby Shower
Sunday, Feb 8 8am & 9:30am Eucharist; Sunday School 10:45am
PM Festival of Music - at Grace Lutheran.
Poster in Parish Hall. Benefitting WACM.
Thursday, Feb 12 7:30 pm Choir; Needlepoint Group in A.M.
Sunday, Feb 15 8am & 9:30am Eucharist; 10:45 Sunday School;
10:45 Green Group; Bishop's Blend Coffee Sales
Thursday, Feb 19 7:30 pm Choir; Needlepoint Group in A.M.,
Saturday, Feb 21 VESTRY RETREAT (In Parish Hall) 8:30am - 2:00pm
Sunday, Feb 22 8am & 9:30am Eucharist; 10:45 Sunday School;
10:45 Altar Guild; 4:00pm Book Group.
Meeting at home of Sharon & Jack Porter.
Book: The White Tiger, by Aravid Adiga.
Tuesday, Feb 24 6:30 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
Wednesday, Feb 25 ASH WEDNESDAY. 12:15 Eucharist & 7:30pm Eucharist
Thursday, Feb 26 7:30 pm Choir ; Needlepoint Group in A.M.
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