Back in 2008, Grace embarked in a vision process that led us to want to hire someone to lead our Education/Formation ministries.  I am pleased to announce that we have just hired Nick Currie to fill that position.

I want to give a huge round of thanks to the team who helped with some or all of the tasks to review, interview and check references of the applicants.  The team included Donna D'Oro Anderson, Jo Wojack, Jim Redden, Cherryl Holt, Nadia Stefko, Jill Gimesky, Mark Woodworth, Cathy Tokarski, Jon Baumgarten, Natalie Ratz and Al Corzine.

Please take a moment to introduce yourselves and to welcome him.

-Shawn 

I'm thrilled to join the Grace community! I'm coming to Grace midway through my M.Ed. in Youth Development at UIC, where I'm exploring holistic and participatory approaches to youth engagement and community development. I also recently completed two years of service with the Episcopal Service Corps' Julian Year program where I lived in faith-based intentional community and worked with Ravenswood Community Services and Lawrence Hall Youth Services to lead, develop, and support community and youth programs. When I'm not out making a difference and building intergenerational networks, you might find me in a kitchen, a theater, on a bike, having deep conversation over coffee, or with my nose in a book.

Please feel free to get in touch with me at nick@graceoakpark.org. I'm very excited to meet each of you and to get started working with the many great programs for children, youth, and adults!

-Nick Currie 

Please join Saint Christopher's and Grace Episcopal Churches for a late-afternoon Evensong-a traditional service that includes Canticles, Psalms and Hymns-under the direction of Dr. Dennis Northway. Both Saint Christopher's and Grace will be welcoming

Bishop Joseph Atem to hear about the current conditions in South Sudan. There will be a free-will offering to assist our partner parish, Saint Luke's in Renk Town. Light refreshments will be served after the service in the Parish Hall. Share or join this event on Facebook at this link. 

Here are some facts about South Sudan:

* At least 80 percent of the 8.3 million people in South Sudan are poor - living on the equivalent of 50 cents per day.

* Less than 40 percent of the population has access to any form of health care.

* Eighty-five percent of the total population, and more than 90 percent of women, are illiterate.

* Only about 48 percent of children are enrolled in primary school; the percentage of children entering secondary school is even lower. It is the second lowest in the world after Afghanistan.

* Child mortality is 135 per 1,000 live births, and maternal mortality is approximately one in every 50 live births - the highest rate in the world.

* A 15-year-old girl in South Sudan has a greater chance of dying in childbirth than of finishing school.

Photo by D. Josiah Montgomery

Over 400 people gathered for the blessing of the marriage of our Rector, Shawn and her longtime partner Vicki Garvey.

Shawn and Vicki want to thank everyone for helping to make this gathering a memorable time in their lives and in the life of this congregation, the diocese and beyond.  Those who gathered reflected that it was a joyous occasion, filled with life-giving music, great food, wonderful energy and clearly a momentous occasion for all.

Guests were heard to say, "If this church is like this all of the time I would love to attend."

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.

Volunteers needed:  We are seeking a few volunteers for this endeavor.  Needed are a projectionist, someone to pick up the screen, lemonade server, table movers, clean-up, decorators, distributors of trick-or-treat candy, and decor provider.  If you can help with yet another fun Grace event, please click here to contact Karen Mensch.  THANKS so much!

We all grieve and suffer loss in different ways, however, the Christian perspective is that death is a portal not a conclusion.  Join us on November 3 beginning at 4:00PM for an Evensong for the Feast of All Souls.  This is a service to mourn, pray and reflect.  Names of the faithful departed will be read during the prayers in the service.  

As the conclusion of the service, the choir will sing the Mozart Requiem accompanied by members of the Handel Week Festival orchestra.  The soloists for the Requiem will be Nicci Krebasch, Susan Gosdick, Gerald Frantzen and David de Jong.

Kindly invite your friends to this moving service.

Share or join the event on Facebook at this link.