Striving to Thrive

When I first heard that tons of folks were caught up in this new TV show, Downton Abbey, I wondered what all of the fuss was about.  So, being curious, I started watching it.  Week after week I got drawn into the drama.  I am not really sure why so many of us are captivated by this show. Perhaps it is the characters or the history of the time period it is based on or maybe a favorite actor or maybe we do not even know.

When you stop and think about it, there is much to reflect on in this show:  what does it mean to have people living in an upper/higher economic status with their workers living below them and waiting on their every need; how do they/did they survive the economy of the time; what is it like to live through wars and deaths and births and marriages; what kind of community is built when so many people live together and so much more.

Such are our Biblical stories and our own stories.  God calls us to be a people of hope, justice and love. Jesus begs us to pay attention to the poor and the needy and to be present to all.

When I think of Grace as Oak Park's downtown abbey, I dream of a church where the doors are open throughout the week; of a people who wrestle with the economic injustices of our world; of a place that builds community with a wide mixture of people; of a sacred space that proclaims God's love to all; and of a congregation who houses those who are homeless and feeds those who are hungry and thirsty for God's reconciling love.

"Downtown Abbey," may or may not be a name we want to claim. We are already a downtown congregation that can be, and sometimes is the kind of place I described. We are striving to thrive as that kind of place.

Let's join together to be that place.

The vestry, rector and staff having been giving serious consideration to joining the new group of 20 congregations that will begin this program in January 2014. We would like to invite you to an informational meeting on October 6.  After each service, Shawn and others will tell you more about what this program is all about, the expectations that come with it and why we are leaning towards being a Thrive congregation.

Learn more about Thrive at this link.  

Open Forum on Thrive
9:30AM and/or 11:45AM in the Parish Hall 

We'll meet at the home of Bets Howland and Dennis Zavac. 

We will discuss chapters 3 & 4 (pp. 43-70) of John Shelby Spong's book, Why Christianity Must Change or Die.

Tony Dobrowolski and I are planning an Arts and Crafts Mini-Bazaar at Grace on Sunday, November 10. We will set up and open at 9:30am to sell our wares, and will go through the coffee hour following the 10:30AM service.

If you would like to show and sell your creations, please contact me or Tony Dobrowolski. Looking forward to folks joining in on the fun. Thanks! 

-Cherryl Holt

Come to Grace Church on Halloween to see the incredible silent film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, accompanied by our grand 1922 Casavant Pipe Organ played by David Rhodes.  The show begins at 7:30 and is a fundraiser for Grace Church.  Admission is $20 at the door or $10 if you come in costume!  Drinks and popcorn will be available. 

Do you ever wonder what is really important in your life? Are you looking for a deeper insight into your own spiritual journey? How do you know whether your life choices are helping you to become the person you are called to be? Spiritual accompaniment can be a powerful tool for personal growth in any of these areas. A spiritual companion will meet with you monthly to walk with you as you discern where the spirit may be leading you. No fee is required, just a willing heart.

My name is David Sgarlata. I am a Grace parishioner and a candidate for the Master of Arts in Spirituality degree at Loyola University. If you think you might be interested in spiritual accompaniment, please contact me at (815) 761-8879 or djsgarlata@comcast.net for more information.

Mark Your Calendar: An Evensong with Bishop Joseph Atem from Renk, South Sudan

An evensong has been set for Sunday, October 20th at 4 pm.  It is a joint venture with Saint Christopher's, Oak Park to welcome Bishop Joseph back this year to Grace.  After the Evensong, there will be light refreshments in the Parish Hall.  More information about the event is forthcoming.

Did you know . . . that 50.6% of the population of South Sudan lives on 50 cents a day?  In a UN report dated November 2010, 75.6% of the population of South Sudan live below the poverty level.  

The Cross is Still Burning, the documentary we told you about in last week's e-Items is now available online.  Click below to watch on YouTube.

Below is the list of individuals and organizations along with the topics they will cover:

Austin Coming Together (ACT) - Rev. Reginald Bachus, Executive Director

    Strategies for Collaboration

Bethel New Life - Edward Coleman, VP, Community Economic Development

    Economic Development and Jobs

Central Austin Neighborhood Association (CANA) - Serethia Reid, President

    Neighborhood Revitalization

Chicago Police and Firefighters Training Program - Lieut. Frank Brim

    The role of youth programming - Issues relating to youth

Circle Family Health Care Network - Dr. André Hines, Chief Executive Officer

    Healthcare

Cluster Tutoring Program - Kathryn McCabe, Executive Director

    Education

8th District State Representative - Rep. La Shawn K. Ford

    The role of the state in serving the Austin Community.

Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry-Michele Zurakowski, Executive Director

    Access to healthy food in Austin

Prevail (formerly The Walk-in Ministry) - Christy Harris, Executive Director

    The challenges of poverty.

West Suburban P.A.D.S - Lynda Schueler, Executive Director

    Housing in Austin

September 29th 10:30am Service:
ACOLYTES: Natalia Reniszewski, Phoenix Sullivan
MC/LEMS:  Susan Hickey; Tony Dobrowolski, Cherryl Holt, Hansi Kess
LECTORS: Marilyn Wardle, Lascelles Anderson
INTERCESSORS: Barbara Larsen, Debbie Edwards
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Hansi Kess, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: Barbara Larsen
USHERS: Benjamin Daramola, Kweku Leighton-Armah
GREETERS: Carol Dorsey, Alice Leighton-Armah
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: 9:00am: The Ratz family
10:30am: Marian & Stan Kaderbek

October 6th  10:30am Service:
ACOLYTES: Joe Ratz, Natalia Reniszewski
MC/LEMS: Cherryl Holt; Joni Klein, Barbara Larsen, Charlie MacDougall, Karen Mensch, Natalie Ratz
LECTORS: Lillian Hohmann, Sam Love
INTERCESSORS: Willie Polite, John Seaton
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Hansi Kess, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: Izabella Brugioni
USHERS: James Redden, Flemming Bovell, Linda Reynes, Jim Groll
GREETERS: Paul & Cathy O'Kelly, Heather Bovell
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: 9:00am: Volunteers needed
10:30am: Volunteers needed