From the Rector

Geek-dom for the Kingdom: E-Formation, E-Evangelism, E-?

Have you been noticing more photos in our e-Items, invites on Facebook to various Grace events, information about websites like Suzanne Haraburd's on Benedictine Spirituality? Have you found yourself joining Google+ and participating in a Google Hangout?  Or do you receive short meditations in a text message?  Do you go to blogs, Twitter, websites or celly? Or perhaps this is all Greek to you (not sure why the Greeks get blamed for things we do not understand).

Congregations across the world are embracing Social Media for evangelism, formation, community building and much more. Why? We live in an ever growing digital world and also in a world where people are overworked, overextended and seeking ways to connect to communities is more challenging.  In society in general fewer people go to church and yet in the United Stated more people talk about God than most countries.

Many religions are waking up to the reality that one of the ways we can help people be connected to community, take time for meditation, meet spiritual needs is more carefully crafting our message through a variety of social media opportunities. Don't get me wrong, person to person is still one of the best ways to connect. Going to church or to a synagogue or a mosque or temple, will always be important. I also believe that we have to reach out to one another through the communication methods that so many of us use.

As Christians, and as a Christian Community, we are charged with spreading the good news of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to make disciples, feed folks spiritually, help one another grow in our faith, and change the world so that all know of the love of God.

Over the next few weeks and months, I will be sharing some of my favorite blogs and websites. I will also talk more about apps that can enhance your spiritual life.  How about sharing some of your favorites?

shawnschreiner@sbcglobal.net  

We will baptize Wyatt David Henry on June 9th at the 10:30AM service. Wyatt's family attends both the 9AM and 10:30AM services. 

Our formation ministries depend on many dedicated volunteers, but they need support to help bring ideas into action and keep successful programs going once started.  The Formation Director would be responsible for developing and leading a core group of volunteers in a ministry for children, youth, and young adults and their families, as well as, working with the Rector and an Adult Formation team to develop and coordinate programs for adults.  We would also like to see more opportunities for intergenerational activities.

Our goal is to raise $40,000 for the first two years of salary for the Formation Director.  We are one-third of the way there.  Please help us to move this plan forward and join with those who have already made a commitment to strengthening our congregational life.  Give a gift of $300.00 or as generous as your means will allow.  Donate today by clicking on the donate button below or write a check with Formation Director in the memo line and drop it in Sunday's collection basket.   Thank you.

- Donna Anderson

Along with funding the Formation position, we are also inviting those of you who have not made a pledge to the Operating Expenses to please consider doing so now. We believe that as a community we have the money to fund the Formation person and get our pledges to our base pledging of $261,500. Please join in financially supporting Grace Church. Click here for more information, and to submit a pledge form, and give to the ministries of Grace.

Every year since the tragic events on September 11th, Grace members have contributed to my neighborhood charity, the 700 block of Bonnie Brae LemonAid Stand, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local charitable organizations that serve children. Inspired by the success of the LemonAid stand, a group of people are seeking to expand the concept to the wider Oak Park/River Forest/Forest Park community so that more children and adults will be able engage in neighborhood-based service learning.  My neighbor, Patty Henek, is one of the people organizing "The Neighborhood Giving Project."  They are "kick-starting" the project with a fund raising party at Molly Malone's on Saturday, June 29th, from 7 to 10 p.m.  Click here for details.  Please come, or consider a donation.   

Thanks,

Suzanne Haraburd  

We know this is early. We know school just finished for the year. But we also know that delicious back-to-school sales start by early July. So we want you to know that this summer the Outreach Committee is sponsoring a collection of school supplies to benefit the 40 residential students at Lawrence Hall Youth Services (one of the Episcopal Charities and Community Services which we supported a few years ago with a wonderful silent auction). Lawrence Hall works with over 500 students, so don't worry, if we get more than 40 of anything, we can then benefit the others as well.  

The Outreach committee will purchase 40 backpacks. We're asking you to help fill them.

Here's a list of what's needed:   

• No. 2 pencils
• Blue/black pens     
• Spiral notebooks
• Loose-leaf paper (wide ruled)
• Binders
• Folders
• Crayons (don't you just love to buy new crayons!)
• Glue sticks
• Washable Markers
• Rulers
• Calculator 
• Colored Pencils

Beginning June 30 we will have boxes in both the Parish Hall to collect your donations. In late August we will hold a bag-packing party. Hope you can join us then as well. THANKS so much for your generous enthusiasm.  Questions? Please contact Sue Wells.