News from St. Ann's Episcopal Church

J.J., Dorothy, Karen, Pat, Lori, Michael, Maggie, Jeannette, Joanne, Elizabeth, Teagan, Lou, Terry, Todd, Cole, Shirley, Susan, Minerva, Amy, Jim, Anita, John, Dan, Fred, Cindy, Benedict, Liz, Mike, Bob, Dan, Darlene, Evan, Megan, Barbara, Arthur, James, Mike, Frances, Marie, Dan, Kelly, Mary, Jeanie, Sue, Maryann, and Maxine.

And we remember those serving in our Armed Forces:
Baret, Bryce, Todd, Steven, Michael, Tim, Matthew, Benjamin, Chris, Guy, Joseph, Alicia, Carl, Dave, and Anne.

And we remember those who have died:

And we remember those serving in public office:

Barack (Pres),

Joe (V-Pres),

US Senators:

Dick & Roland,

US Rep: Melissa,

Governor: Pat,

State Senator: Pam, State Rep: Jack, Mayor: Brian, County Board: Yvonne, Anna, Marc, Bob, Scott, James, Kenneth, Lyn, Ed, Kathleen, Barbara, Mary, Sue, John, Peter, Sandra, Tina, Paula, James, Virginia, Randall, Mary, Daniel, and Ersel.

NOTE: I drafted this "Reflection" on June 16th -- as I was rushing to complete arrangements for vacation . . . and as Constant Contact is still having problems with our "images". The usually-quite-reliable-service that makes this e-newsletter possible will no doubt fix the problem very shortly. But, this issue will not wait. Thanks for enjoying this almost-devoid-of-photos issue. :)
-- Rev. Pat Conley

Greetings friends,

Technology is still not working well today. But, I but want to be sure you have the current announcements.

Remember -- When you are traveling - be safe. And when you are home, don't forget -- 9:00am Sunday is a great place to be.

Viva la summer!

Thanks for everything. God bless.

God bless you and keep you safe.

-- See you in church!
Rev. Pat Conley +

Apple Tree Project
July 5 - August 2

Our annual Apple Tree Project will soon be underway. Remember -- this is when we collect school supplies (and donations for school supplies) for the children who need them.

Please remember to support this project.

Contact: Pat Lechtanski -

(815) 206-0403

Becky Blaho -

(815) 337-6848

Vestry Highlights -

by Mike White, Sr. Warden

St. Ann's Episcopal Church

At the June 10, 2009 Vestry Meeting
1.     Finances:
        a.     Budget through May is balanced.
        b.     However, Pledge collections are $3,800 behind budget.
2.    Outreach Committee will have its first meeting June 15.
3.    Tentative service schedule beginning in September:
        a.     Early service: 8:30AM
        b.     Sunday school: 9:30AM
        c.     Second service: 10:00AM (children join at Passing of the Peace).
4.    Reports on Upcoming Events:
        a.     Picnic Brunch: July 19
        b.     Apple Tree: July 5 - Aug 2.
        c.     Altar Guild Retreat: Aug 7.
        d.     Yard Sale: Aug 14-15.
        e.     Lobster Sale: Aug 9 - Oct 3
5.    Rector's Vacation: June 17 - July 7.
6.    2008 Parochial Report to National Church:
        a.     Increased number of baptized members in last year: 15.
        b.     Average service attendance: 65 (up 8 vs. 2007).
        c.     Number of pledging units: 55 (Up 10% vs. 2007).

Additional Note: Representatives of our Green Group will meet with individuals from Nativity Lutheran Church in Wonder Lake on Saturday, June 13. They had heard of the rain gardens we have installed on our church property (they have received national publicity) and want to learn first-hand how they might make a similar ecological improvement to their own church grounds.

Godly Play --

       Are you interested in being a member of our "Godly Play" team of storytellers this fall.
   Godly Play is the new Sunday School curriculum for our Toddler class this Fall. If you are at all interested . . . take a look at this brief video! This is going to be GREAT FUN!

Father Matthew presents "Godly Play."
Here is another YouTube video about Godly Play: About Godly Play

Here is an informative website.   Godly Play Website

1. Thanks to Joanne Gitlin for organizing and leading the Yard Sale team and event that is coming up!

2. Thanks to Bruce and Natalie Armstrong for organizing the Parish Picnic Brunch . . . coming in July . . . watch for more. (And thanks for the photos!)

3. Thanks to everyone - for all you do, and your most wonderful spirit !

NEXT Book Group -- June 28th

The Book Group will be reading "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young. The group will meet June 28th at Nancy Wright's home.

For more about the book, click on the image of the cover.

Marking Milestones

We ask God's special blessing for the significant events and passages of those we love, especially:

for the birth of Jack James Purdy (Rob & Joan are grandparents)!
for Hannah Gitlin's upcoming excursion to Spain.
for Alyssa Zaino's upcoming trip to Austrailia
for the safe return of Kris Emrich from Thailand.
(Click on Kris's name, above, for her "blog")
Please, notify me of other "milestones" for inclusion in this now-to-be-regular article. Thanks --

Rev. Pat Conley +

Calendar -

June 28 9:00am Eucharist

July 5 9:00am Eucharist -- (Apple Tree Project Starts!)

July 12 9:00am Eucharist

July 19 9:00am Eucharist -- (Parish Picnic "Brunch")

July 26 9:00am Eucharist

August 2 9:00am Eucharist -- (Apple Tree Project Ends!)

August 9 9:00am Eucharist -- (Lobster Fest Kick-Off!)

Aug 14-15 Annual Parish YARD SALE -- start planning now!

Yard Sale -
August 14-15

As you get into your seasonal cleaning and organizing, remember -- the St. Ann's Annual Garage Sale is coming up soon.

Contact Joanne Gitlin for more information. Your donations and participation are greatly encouraged.

JUNE Coffee Hour Hosts

June 7 -- Pat McCullough

June 14 -- Bill & Patrice Braun

June 21 -- Ruth Cotton

June 28 -- Steve & Angela Fleming

Outreach Team . . . Ready, Set, GO!

Five years ago this August, St. Ann's received a $10,000 gift - for the purpose of "Outreach" within our community.  We have $9,000 remaining of that original gift -- and, "the hour has come" to fulfill the wishes of that visionary donor and expand the Outreach ministries of St. Ann's.

An Outreach Team is being formed . . . and, we are very happy to announce that the first to express their interest in serving on this Outreach Team are:

   Randy Wakitsch (Team Leader)

     We begin this venture with a blank canvas, determined to consider all of the ideas possible before putting the brush to palette.  And, everyone in and around the parish is invited to submit ideas for consideration.
     What an exciting prospect . . . visioning and creating NEW ways for you and me to be God's heart and hands in the world - in this community.

Please, contact Randy Wakitsch with your questions and comments. Thank God for this opportunity!

Losing it for St. Ann's!

We have kicked-off our 90 day Weight Loss Challenge FUNraiser 2009.

This year 19 people have joined the challenge team. The event officially started last Sunday, May 17th, and ends August 16th.

Pat McCullough is our Team Leader!

Because you care about our health & the ministries of St. Ann's, we ask you to pledge financial support based on our weight loss.

Losing weight is never easy, but it will be much more possible for our team members to reach their goal if YOU are a sponsor. Your pledges create incredible incentive for the weight loss team.

Please, click this link to pledge your support for the combined weight loss of the team - or for the weight loss of one or more individuals.

Pledge toward the combined weight-loss per pound of the team members together . . . Examples: 25 cents, 50 cents, $1, or more per pound for all the pounds lost by the team together . . . (you indicate a maximum total contribution).
OR, pledge toward the loss per pound of any individual team member, i.e. you might pledge $1, $2, $5, or $10 per pound for the weight loss of a specific team member . . . (you name the individual and indicate a maximum total contribution).

EVERYONE wins in this event!

Yes, there is still time for new members to join the team. If you are interested in being a member of the weight loss team, please let us know right away. Call my direct cell phone (815-355-6840) or e-mail: Rev. Pat Conley +

Here is the winning team of losers: Rob Andrews, Mary Jane Andrews, Natalie Armstrong, Patrice Braun, Bill Clow, Rev. Conley,Ruth Cotton, Cathy Etheridge, Nadine Francione, Joanne Gitlin, Dinah Hoppe, Joyce Kunath, Carol Lahti, Pat McCullough, Sharon Porter, Joanell Powers, Linda Spencer, Carrie Wienke, and Mike Powers.

St. Ann's Episcopal Church

The Rev. Patricia A. Conley

Rector
815-355-6840

E-MAIL