As you might have seen on WTTW's Chicago Tonight, The Chicago Community Trust, in celebration of its 99th Anniversary, is asking people and groups of the Chicago Region to host community dinners.  The name of the event is "On The Table."  Grace Episcopal Church was asked to host one of these dinners and our Rector Shawn accepted the invitation.

Our hope is that these conversations will generate new ideas, inspire bold solutions, and cultivate relationships and collaborations that will advance our outreach to our community. 

The On The Table event at Grace Church will take place on May 12th at 6:30pm.  Since we will be serving dinner we ask that you RSVP to kjmensch@yahoo.com on or before May 8th.  Please join us to share your ideas and to meet members of our community. 

For more information on On The Table please visit:   www.OntheTable2014.com.  If you have specific questions please feel free to contact Karen Mensch or Shawn Schreiner.

At the South Sudan Vigil held at Saint James Cathedral on Sunday, April 27th, there was news shared about our partner parish.  Last week, rebel military forces went into Renk town and there were many people killed, including neighbors of Bishop Jospeh Atem.  Bishop Joseph received an email that Mother Alice's house was burned down and that she fled to another town, Geiger, with a number of her parishioners.

Please keep Mother Alice, Bishop Joseph, Saint Luke's and all the people in Renk in your prayers.  They need them more than ever now.

-Susan Hickey

Because Grace ended last year with a budget surplus, the Finance Committee gave Outreach extra money. We have used some of it to support the new PADS apartment project by purchasing everything needed to accessorize one apartment. This picture shows just some of the items: vacuum cleaner, coffeepot, fans, towels, as well as personal supplies. HOORAY! Because of your generosity to Grace Church, we have been able to help somebody enjoy life with fresh, beautifully new items for their home.

PADS has received a grant to support up to 65 apartments. In the weeks to come we will post a list of needed items you might like to contribute.

Madeleine Woodworth Senior Recital: This spring, Madeleine Woodworth will be graduating from the Chicago Academy for the Arts (CAA). On Saturday, May 3, she will play her senior organ recital on the historic, recently-renovated Casavant organ at St. John Cantius Church (across the alley from CAA), 825 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, IL 60642. Madeleine's recital is also featured as the final event of the season for the Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the Organ Historical Society. The recital starts at 1:00 pm and lasts about an hour, with a reception following. This event is free and open to the public, and we would be especially delighted to have Grace parishioners in attendance. Responses are not required, but would be helpful in planning the reception. Please direct responses and questions to Randi Woodworth.

All are welcome to join us in the Parish Hall for a Benedictine experience: a soup supper with spiritual reading, then Lectio Divina Bible study, and ending with Evening Prayer and centering prayer. Questions? Contact Suzanne Haraburd. 

The Book Study Group is looking forward to our next discussion of The Essence of Jung's Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism, by Radmila Moacanin. Our first discussion in early April was a terrific start on this book.

All are welcome to join us on Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30 PM at the home of Bets Howland and Dennis Zavac.

What to read for discussion:

Chapter 2 - "Carl Gustav Jung"
Chapter 3 - "Methods in Jung's Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism"

Please contact Bets & Dennis for more information, or to join the group. 

The Northwest Choral Society will present masterpieces from the choral repertoire of Sir Charles Villers Stanford's Three Latin Motets, op. 38, Ralph Vaughan Williams' O Clap your Hands, Herbert Howells' A Hymn for St. Cecilia and Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb.   The concert will celebrate the revival of late 19th century choral music in England.  Alan Wellman, artistic director, will be conducting the chorus and NWCS Chamber Orchestra. Our own Dennis Northway will be the organist. 

A Spring Cleaning & Special Project Day is planned for May 31st from 9-4.  Volunteers are needed to help clean out several areas of the Parish Hall.  We would like to beautify the Parish Hall by painting some areas, removing carpet & furniture from the teen room and perhaps do some outdoor work if weather permits.  

There will be jobs for all skill levels, come for a couple of hours or all day.   

Lunch will be provided.

-Your Property Committee
Leslie Atwood, Sharon Harmsworth, Lillian Holman, Cliff Hunt, & Mark Woodworth