Grace Episcopal Church
924 Lake Street
Oak Park, IL 60301
Embracing all to become one with Christ.
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd begins with and Open House on September 22, 2013.
Click here for a Registration Form for all our children's and youth formation programs.
On September 22, we will have an Open House and Introduction to Catechesis Sunday. Throughout the fall we will have some forums on topics such as: Raising Our Children in the Christian Faith and Life; The Role of Families in Faith Formation; I want to Know More About... and a few other topics. Let Shawn know topics you would like to explore. |
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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 Dear Friends: I am excited to share with you information about the variety of life-long formation programs and ministries at Grace Church. I believe that formation starts the moment children are born into this world and goes until the moment we leave this earth. Please take a moment to read this email from top to bottom. Discover ways that will help you and the community to raise faithful and moral people. Make a commitment to bring your child(ren) / youth to one or more of the many formation opportunities. While you are at it, begin to consider how Grace can help you to grow in your faith and your commitment to God. Look over all of the adult offerings and if you do not see something you are interested in, email me. I believe that you will discover that together we will form children and adults who will change our lives and the world. In fact, we already have and will continue to do just that. Peace,
Shawn Schreiner shawnschreiner@sbcglobal.net
P.S. We have added children and youth volunteer ministry opportunities to our registration form. Have a conversation with them to see where they might want to live out their baptismal ministry. Consider your own gifts and interests.
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Registration Form for Formation Programs and Volunteer Ministries
 You will find our registration form for children's / youth formation on our website.
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Worship
Do you want to know what Episcopalians believe, how we describe God, how we understand scripture? Our Liturgy, our worship, is where you need to begin. Episcopalians firmly believe that our praying shapes our believing. We are formed as the people of God in what we pray in our prayers and music and actions. The beginning of formation for you and your children begins in our worship.
As you experience all of our youth ministries, you will see what we say and do in our worship being lived out in our programs. Come and see!
On Sundays, we have two distinct liturgies (services). Both include the Eucharist (Communion).
The first liturgy, at 9:00am, is specifically designed for children and all in their households. Children (and adults) are active participants in an informal and relaxed setting wherein children are celebrated just as they are. We strive to build a community where all feel a sense of hope and compassion from a church that welcomes all of God's children.
The second liturgy, at 10:30am, is a sung Eucharist and more formal in nature. Being a liturgical church, we seek to use the gifts of many-lay and ordained-in liturgical roles. We strive for engaging and thought-provoking preaching, and excellent music. On any given Sunday, our robust congregational singing is enhanced by one of our Children's Choirs, our Madrigal Youth Choir, or our Adult Choir.
Adults and children are welcome at all services at Grace! We encourage you to try both services and see which best fits your needs.
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 Holy Baptism is the rite of initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church.
In our opinion, it is the Sacrament that should come with the grandest of festivities for it is the one that helps shape who we are as people of God and reminds us of our calling to be God's hands and feet in the world.
It is out of baptism that all of our programs get their meat, their purpose.
Our next baptism date is All Saints' Sunday, November 3, 2013. If you'd like to be baptized, or have your child(ren) baptized on a different date, please let Shawn know.
Click here for more information and an online form for those desiring to be baptized.
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Nursery care is available every Sunday for infants and toddlers from 9:30 a.m. until the end of the 10:30 a.m. service.
Parents are welcome to pick up their children during the 10:30 a.m. service so that the family can participate together in the Eucharist.
Nursery attendants: Ani Brugioni and Heather Hunter
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 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Our wonderful children's education and formation program for kids ages 3 to 11 meets on Sunday mornings at 9:35. The program will begin with the Open House on September 22.
Inspired by the Montessori principles of education, the Catechesis program is based on the conviction that each child is already in relationship with God. The program is led by adult "catechists," who wonder with the child, rather than trying to "pour-in" information. Materials in the classroom or "atrium" invite children to explore and deepen their experiences at their own pace. A small altar, chalice, font, and Paschal candle introduce the child to the liturgical life of the church. Figures from the parables and from the life of Jesus help to make the person of Jesus concrete for the child and help the child wonder about the great mystery of the kingdom of God.
Catechesis Leaders for 2013-2014:
Level I: Sara Muriello and Anne Diffenderffer Level II: Jo Wojack and Susan Montgomery Level III: Kathy Garness and Kelly Sculles More information is on our website at this link, and at the website of the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at this link.
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Journey to Adulthood Program
Our Rite 13 program for youth ages 11 to 13 assists young people as they begin to move into their own lives. In this program, we recognize the amazing creative power and potential of these young people, create a safe haven for them to explore new ideas and abilities, and celebrate the gift of womanhood and manhood.
We meet in the St. Francis Room from Noon to 1:30PM on the following dates in 2013:
September 29
October 13
October 27
November 10
December 1
Rite 13 Leaders: Walter Thorne and Martha Baumgarten
The following youth programs (J2A and YAC) are offered in a variety of ways at Grace: Sometimes with St Christopher's Episcopal Church, other times folded into Confirmation classes, other times as stand alone programs. Each year we determine how many youth we have in these age ranges and organize accordingly.
Journey to Adulthood (J2A or Sojourners), a program for youth ages 13 to 15, blends action and contemplation in teaching young people faithful living. After two years, the youth are given an opportunity for Confirmation in the Church and are invited to make a holy pilgrimage together.
Young Adults in the Church. This group brings together those in the later part of their high school years who are even more fully taking their place in the ministries of the Church and the world. They gather to talk about the kinds of faith questions that are real to the lives of 15- to 18-year-old youth.
Confirmation or Reception. Are you, or is someone in your family interested in being confirmed or received? Contact Shawn Schreiner.
More info. is at this link, and this link.
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Schola Choir & Scholar Program
Click here for the Schola Choir Web Site
 Now celebrating its eighteenth season, the Schola Choir and Scholars Program is open to children in grades 2-8. It is a competency-based, Kodaly-oriented choir whose members are taught sight-reading, sight-singing, and solfege.
Artistic Director: Dennis Northway
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Madrigal Choir
Click here for the Madrigal Choir Web Site
The Madrigal Choir, for teens in grades 9-12, was founded in 2001 and began as an outgrowth of Schola, a children's church and community choir at Grace. A core group of a dozen experienced Schola singers entering their high school years constituted the new choir. Now they have established a position for themselves within Grace Church and the wider community.
For more information: Dennis Northway |
Adult Choir
Rehearsal is on Thursday at 7:30 p.m, preceded by sight-reading at 7:00 p.m. The choir sings most Sunday mornings.
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 Acolytes carry the cross and torches and assist with the various worship services.
Mary Hope Griffin, MaryPat Mauro, and Mark Woodworth, Coordinators
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Lectors and Intercessors read the lessons (scripture texts) and give voice to the prayers of the assembly during the various worship services.
Tony Dobrowolski, Coordinator
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Ushers provide hospitality, hand out service bulletins and count the assembly members at worship. All ages welcome.
Fred Barber, head usher for the 10:30 a.m. service. Head usher and ushers needed for the 9:00 a.m. service.
Greeters assist you with finding where you need to go and welcome you to the Grace community.
All ages welcome.
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Communion Ministers give the bread and wine during the services. All ages welcome.
Barbara Larsen, coordinator/scheduler for 10:30 service
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Adult Formation and Lifelong Learning
Christian formation is the lifelong process of growing in our relationship with God, self, others, and all creation. Every experience in our lives can provide us with the opportunity to express our faith; the challenge we face is recognizing these opportunities and learning ways to live a sometimes countercultural life in a secular world.
Here at Grace we have a variety of offerings for adults:
- Book Study (more information at this link)
- Uncorking Theology
- EfM (Education for Ministry) (more information at this link)
- Sunday Adult Forums (Shawn Schreiner and Eric Biddy)
- Newcomer's classes (Shawn Schreiner and team)
- Benedectine Experience (more information at this link)
- Seasonal Offerings that include Bible Studies, guest speakers, inter-generational gatherings, special topics and more.
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