From the Rector

Lives Well Lived!

This week is one of those times when I am having trouble sitting and writing my column. I keep thinking of Fred Larsen and Anne Smedinghoff. Both have been on my mind a lot over the last several days. Fred died after a long, full life. Anne died after a short, full life. Fred and Anne were lives were well lived.

As Fred approached his death he was very aware that he had been lucky to have lived a life that was filled with some sorrow and a lot of goodness. He was active in his church. He loved his family. He loved music. He wanted the world to be a place filled with peace and safe for all.

The news about Anne, niece of our parishioner Cathy Tokarski, has been filled with details of the life of a young woman who clearly knew what she wanted in and from life and went after it. She was so dedicated to making the world a better place.

I am struck by how these two people had such a sense of self and purpose. They are models for our own lives. They are reminders that life is short so we should grab hold of what we want from the world and from ourselves and go after it.

It seems to me that they both also had the knowledge of the one who created them and loved them God. This love appeared to be their rock and their guide.

As we live into this season of Easter and recognize that we are people of the Resurrection, I wonder whether we are all looking to the ways that we can make our lives to be a witness and proclamation of the goodness of God. I wonder if we are striving to be the people that God has called us to be. I wonder if we are willing to get out of ourselves to make the world a safer place for all.

For me this is not just wondering for the sake of just our individual lives. It is also about the life of the parish -- of faith institutions. Is Grace living a well lived life? Are we doing all we can to make the world a better place for all or are we caught up just in ourselves? It is worth pondering and we will.

In the meantime, I pray that we may each go to our graves having lived a well lived life. May we go making our song, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

These are my thoughts for the day!

-Shawn
shawnschreiner@sbcglobal.net

HANDEL IS FUN WORKSHOP!

A Hands-On Exploratory Workshop on Music 

Oak Park Library

Saturday April 20, 2013, 10:00 a.m.

FREE ADMISSION!!!

Study sound production by building an instrument, learn to conduct, tell stories in song and write an opera! Fun for the whole family with renowned music educator Dennis Northway.

HANDEL WEEK IS FUN CONCERT

Saturday Afternoon April 27, 2013, 3:00 p.m.

924 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

Dr. Dennis E. Northway, Conductor

Admission $10 for Adults $5 for Kids

Program will include highlights from Messiah, Israel in Egypt, Judas Maccabaeus, the Harp Concerto, and a Flute Sonata.

Please consider joining us for these two exciting events. Your kids will enjoy them tremendously and you will have the satisfaction of fostering your family's musical and cultural experience.

We have been blessed in the last few months with some new faces at Grace. In meeting with people I am frequently asked about what it means to be a member of this community. Folks understand that getting involved with ministries, building community, coming to church, etc. are all part of the life of the church. They also want to know about what the expectations are around financial giving.

In the Episcopal Church, as well as many denominations, giving financial to a church is our way of giving thanks to God for the blessings in our lives. Practically speaking, it is also the way in which the congregation is able to support the building, mission, staff, and ministries here at Grace and in the Community. Making a formal financial pledge helps us to have our choirs, worship, outreach ministries, staff and much more.

One new member asked me how we are doing. I gave an answer that others have used, "The good news is we have enough money to support this budget, hire the formation person, fix the building and change the world. The bad news is that it is still in the pockets of the members."

We have set a minimal goal of $261,000 for our pledge base. As of this moment we have a little bit over $232,000. We expect the rest to come in. We need your help in getting there. Please take a moment to turn in your pledge. Be a first time pledger, a recouping pledger. Be a pledger to a community that offers so much to our members and to the world.

Have not pledged yet? Go to this link.

Remember that every dollar matters.