Grace Episcopal Church
924 Lake Street
Embracing all to become one with Christ.
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January 20th 10:30am Service:
ACOLYTES: Phoenix Sullivan
MC/LEMS: Cyndy Reynolds; Nadia Stefko, Walter Thorne, Sue Wells, Helen Thomason, James Redden
LECTORS: Jim Prescott, Ted Reichardt
INTERCESSORS: Helen Thomason, Ade Onayemi
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Carol Dorsey, Flora Green, Hansi Kess, Doug Lucé, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: Lindsay Schumaier
USHERS: Flora Green, Stan Kaderbek, Alex Lippitt
GREETERS: Cyndy Reynolds, Donna Anderson, Gayle Kelley, Kary Deuel
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: 9:00am:
10:30am: Flora Green, Willie Polite, Joan Anderson
January 27th 10:30am Service:
ACOLYTES: Tim Edwards
MC/LEMS: Nadia Stefko; Lascelles Anderson, Tony Dobrowolski, Cherryl Holt, Hansi Kess, Joni Klein
LECTORS: Bonnie Shadid, Lil Hohmann
INTERCESSORS: Lascelles Anderson, Sam Love
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Carol Dorsey, Flora Green, Hansi Kess, Doug Lucé, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: Lindsay Schumaier
USHERS: Laura Morgan Day, Stan Kaderbek, Sam Love, Jim Deuel
GREETERS: Ade Onayemi, Gloria Rayburn, Jane Shirley
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: 9:00am: Cyndy Reynolds
10:30am: Cyndy Reynolds
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e-Items is a weekly publication of Grace Episcopal Church, Oak Park, Illinois.
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From the Rector
An Epiphany Moment
Have you ever found yourself saying, "I just had an Epiphany." You know, that moment when you have a sudden realization about the nature or meaning of something. Some people just might call it an "Aha Moment."
Hearing about the news of the sudden death of a colleague (Al McClure) from my Indiana days managed to give me a few:
- When I first came to Grace I was very involved in getting the Walk-In-Ministry (local agency that helps give emergency assistance to the residents of Oak Park and River Forest) up and running. Al had given me the opportunity to be part of a similar program in Anderson, Indiana when I was doing my field Ed.
- Priests need to go to the coffee shops and hang out and get to know the neighbors. It was Al who led the way.
Those are just some minor ones. I have had many over the years. Some have changed my life and helped to shape who I am.
I think society is beginning to have a few "Epiphany moments" as well. We are beginning to realize that there is not just one way to respond to acts of violence. We are learning that we need to come together and talk about the big picture so that we can work to end violence.
In the last few years I have certainly had some of those moments about the importance of how what we eat and drink can so impact our health. Watching folks who have serious allergies to gluten, nuts, etc. reminds me of how we all need to practice hospitality for those whose bodies may not tolerate certain substances, and that the church needs to respond better.
These are just some of the "Epiphany Moments" that have happened to me.
What ones have you experienced? Have they changed your life? Are there some you wish we would have? -Shawn shawnschreiner@sbcglobal.net |
Grace Church Annual Meeting
The Grace Church Annual Meeting--at which we'll elect vestry members, warden and delegates to Diocesan Convention--will take place on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 9:40AM. On that day the second service will begin 15 minutes later than usual. So, we'll have a 9:00 a.m. service followed by the Annual Meeting, and a second service at 10:45 a.m. All are welcome! |
Burns is Back! Robert Burns Supper on January 26th
You Are Invited to a
Robert Burns Supper
Saturday, January 26, 2013
at 6:30pm
at Grace Episcopal Church
924 Lake Street
Oak Park, Illinois 60301
Reservations required by Thursday, January 24. It is 254 years after his birth and those who love a good party with plenty of wit in  poetry-reading, a wee bit of the dram and all the traditions of pipes and Scottish dancers will enjoy this toast to the Immortal Memory. Traditional haggis warm reekin' rich with champit tatties and bashed neeps, cullen skink and savory Highland Beef that's on the menu for an elegant, adults-only party. A Burns Supper is nothing less than an almost ancient ritual. Dress is traditionally black tie or kilts (they are rentable) but at least evening clothes with as much plaid as you wish. All are welcome to participate with their favorite solemn or silly Burns poem or musical homage; please let emcee Mark Woodworth know what piece you'll present no later than January 25th so he can prepare the program. Cost is $40 and includes meal, entertainment and some first-rate single-malt Scotch and other beverages. You are welcome to bring your favorite brand to share. Purchase tickets at this link. |
Seeking Annual Reports From all Ministry Chairs
 If you would like to submit an annual report for the ministry for which you have responsibility, please email your report to me by Sunday, January 20, 2013, either in the body of an email or as a Word attachment (preferred).
Thank you!
-Douglas VanHouten
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A Birthday Evensong on January 27
 You are most cordially invited to a festive Evensong and reception honoring the 90th "birthday" of our magnificent pipe organ! Our instrument, one of the ten largest in the metropolitan area, was built and installed in 1922. We will celebrate its anniversary on Sunday, January 27 at 4:00 p.m. Featured will be the Schola, Madrigal and Adult choirs of Grace Church and, Parish Musician Dennis Nort hway will play the prelude and a mini-recital as a postlude of the Evensong. A festive reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
Two separate contracts, one date January 31st, 1922 and the second, dated March 21st, 1922, the first for the front organ and the latter for the rear organ began the history of our beautiful 1922 Casavant Pipe Organ Opus 940 of the company. The Englishman, George H. Clark, the Organist and Choirmaster of Grace Church, was also the sales representative for the Casavant Pipe Organ Company of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. This instrument was to be one of the largest in the metropolitan area; and was put in in the same year as the organ at St. Luke parish in Evanston; both buildings designed by John Sutcliffe, a member of Grace Church.
The head of the music committee Albert Cotsworth was also a great lover of the pipe organ. He and the Organist/Choirmaster envisioned a grand organ for the great space. They also wanted to make a splash at its inauguration! And a splash they procured. The most celebrated organist in the world at the time, Messr. Marcel Dupré of Paris was invited to play the dedicatory recital in December of 1922. It was a grand event. Messr. Dupré was also invited back in 1947 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the installation of the organ. A similar parish-wide celebration occurred for the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the instrument.
We are using this anniversary to celebrate the music ministry of Grace Church. Dennis Northway will play music that might have been heard in the 1920's and will also play Marcel Dupré's Cortège et Litanie to pay homage to the recitals from the 1920's and 1940's that were performed by him on Grace's instrument. To celebrate the current Parish Musician's tenure, the choral music for the service will be all composed by Dennis Northway.
We hope you will attend this festive event! A free-will offering will be taken to support the organ and music programs at Grace. |
Coffee Hour
 Coffee Hour is such a large part of our Sunday ritual and serving each other continues to be part of our Grace community. Personally, it gives me great satisfaction to break bread and continue the fellowship with the congregants after Services. In addition, there are so many new and some existing members of the Grace I have yet to meet . . . that making a personal goal each week to shake a new hand has been very rewarding. On 2 separate Sundays, my husband and I partnered with others we did not know and this time together was such a wonderful way to get to know new faces to us. (Cyndy's testimonial) As this new year begins, you will be receiving a phone call regarding Coffee Hour and which dates you will be available during 2013 to serve as hosts. If you have reservations on what to do or what to serve, we will work diligently to set you up with Grace members who are familiar with the process. We realize that many of you serve in other capacities and want to make this as easy and flexible as possible. We will also be surveying you all to inquire if an automatic yearly sign-up, with options to switch dates, would be preferable. As you may have noticed, we have Sundays with no one signed up to host Coffee Hour and it is time to rework the process in order for it to be successful. Many thanks to you, for your service to Grace and to each other in this effort. -Cyndy Reynolds and Sarah Hunt |
Uncorking Theology Discussion Group to Meet This Evening (January 16)
 The Uncorking Theology Discussion Group will meet this evening (Wednesday, January 16) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the home of Cathy Tokarski and Bill Ford (email them for address). Please email Dennis Zavac with questions or for further details. Our discussion topic is, "What does the Nicene Creed mean to me within the framework of the contemporary Christian community?"
Two opposing views are represented by the following contemporary theologians.
Former Episcopal Bishop John Spong stated that the Nicene Creed was fashioned inside a worldview that no longer exists. The way reality was perceived when the Creed was formulated has been destroyed by the expansion of knowledge.
Our task, according to Spong, is to neither take literally nor to worship the words of yesterday's theological consensus. It is to return to the experience that created the creedal words and then to seek to incorporate that experience in the words we can use today without compromising its truth or our integrity as contemporary Christians.
Luke Timothy Johnson, a professor at Emory, states that the critical function of the creed can only be exercised by saying the words, not simply as an heirloom from Christianity past but as a public profession of a living Christian community. The more the boundaries of the Christian community are shaped by the powerful yet flexible myth of the creed, the more confident Christians growth in their identity.
The creed's most important function is to serve as a Rule of Faith. It does this first by providing a story for Christians and second by explicating the most fundamental convictions concerning God, the world and humanity.
Questions:
- How do each of these views relate to your thoughts and experiences?
- What kind of language could/should be incorporated into the creed to reflect or embrace contemporary Christian society?
- Is there a middle road which incorporates aspects of each view?
If anyone has other theological authorities they wish to bring to the discussion, please feel free to do so.
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Pledge Update
As of today, we have received 62 pledges for 2013 totaling $190,825. Our 2013 budget calls for $261,500 in pledge income. Anything above that will be a blessing for us.
Please help us reach our goal by submitting a pledge at this link.
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Snowflakes for Sandy Hook
 Thanks to Susan Montgomery for organizing this project at Grace on January 6th.
Photos of the project are at this link.
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Upcoming Events
| Wednesday, January 16, 2013 | | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Schola Rehearsal | 3:30 PM | | St. Giles Catechesis (JC) | 6:00 PM | | St. Giles Catechesis (MC) | 6:00 PM | | PADS Overnight Shelter | 7:30 PM | | Thursday, January 17, 2013 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Voice Lessons | 3:00 PM | | Evensong | 6:00 PM | | Healing Prayer Group | 6:30 PM | | SAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Sight-Reading Club | 7:00 PM | | Adult Choir Practice | 7:30 PM | | Friday, January 18, 2013 | | Rector's Day Off | | | Early Birds' Boot Camp | 6:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop | 9:05 AM | | Saturday, January 19, 2013 | | St. Giles Catechesis (LH) | 9:00 AM | | St. Giles Catechesis (MC) | 9:00 AM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 9:30 AM | | Voice Lessons | 10:00 AM | | Sunday, January 20, 2013 | | The Rite Place - A service for the child in us all | 9:00 AM | | Coffee Hour | 9:30 AM | | Catechesis of the Good Shepherd | 9:35 AM | | Sung Choral Eucharist | 10:30 AM | | Coffee Hour | 11:45 AM | | Rite 13 | 12:00 PM | | Madrigal Rehearsal | 3:30 PM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:15 PM | | AA 12-Step Group | 8:30 PM | | Monday, January 21, 2013 | | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Parish Offices Closed | | | Early Birds' Boot Camp | 6:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | EfM (Education for Ministry) | 7:00 PM | | Tuesday, January 22, 2013 | | Early Birds' Boot Camp | 6:00 AM | | St. Giles Catechesis (LH) | 4:00 PM | | St. Giles Catechesis (MC) | 4:00 PM | | St. Giles Catechesis (JC) | 6:00 PM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Wednesday, January 23, 2013 | | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Kitchen Reserved for PADS Cooking | 3:00 PM | | Schola Rehearsal | 3:30 PM | | Handel Week Chorus Rehearsal | 6:00 PM | | St. Giles Catechesis (JC) | 6:00 PM | | St. Giles Catechesis (MC) | 6:00 PM | | Grace Staffs PADS Shelter | 6:30 PM | | PADS Overnight Shelter | 7:30 PM |
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Our Mission:
Grace Church seeks to bring God's love and Christ's teaching to all people, to become a passionately involved, intentional Christian community, to support the spiritual journey of each person, and to work toward reconciliation, peace, and justice in our world.
Our Core Values:
-Reach out to support our neighbors locally and worldwide as we seek to obey God's command to love our neighbors as ourselves.
-Encourage and support spiritual growth in all people while respecting that each person is at a different point in his or her spiritual journey.
-Work to be ever more present to and caring for each member of the Grace community and to be fully welcoming to all who enter Grace's doors. |
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