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Being in and Living into Community
For several months I have been wondering what most of us think when we think about being in and living into community. Is it about friendships? Groups of people? Faith? Where two or three are gathered?
This morning an article by Tom Ehrich, author and leader and priest and father and spouse and child of God, was passed on to me and he had/has quite an interesting take on the meaning of this word, community.
"As Jesus modeled community, it means mercy - turning away from our instinct to judge and to punish. It means compassion - giving to the least, even when our instinct is to disdain.
Gospel community means dying to self, living for the other. It means holding all things in common, including wealth. It means living apart from the world, not in splendid isolation, not in a closed circle or tribe, but radically open and inclusive." (From For innovation to have a prayer, it needs to start with brokenness by Tom Ehrich, May 6, 2014).
What would the world look like if his definition was the reality of our times? Would people around the world have enough food, money and housing to survive? Might people be less afraid of most established religions if this is how they lived out their faith traditions?
I wonder what Grace would look like if truly embraced this way of defining and living into the word community? Is there anything we would change? Anything we would celebrate about who we are?
One could say that offering the marriage ceremony for Tony and Bob on a Sunday morning (June 1 at the 10:30 service) is our own way of proclaiming a bold sense of community. We are so used to Grace (and most of the Episcopal Church) being inclusive to the GLBT community that we forget that a good deal of the world may not be.
GLBT inclusiveness is not the only area of radically inclusiveness that we should be striving to achieve. I can think of many, how about you?
-Shawn
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Grace to host community dinner on May 12
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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.
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Save the Date for Tony & Bob's Wedding
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Tony Dobrowolski and Bob Vogler ask you to save the date, Sunday, June 1, 2014, so that you might celebrate their wedding at the 10:30 a.m. service. This is a celebration Tony and Bob want to share with the Grace community since they have been members of Grace almost as long as they've been together. This will be a further witness to their relationship that was first celebrated at Grace as part of the November 17, 1995 Integrity Service. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
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Book Study Group Meets This Evening
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Wednesday, May 7th, 7:30PM
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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 this evening, 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.
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Northwest Chorale Society Concert at Grace
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 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. More information and tickets available at this link. |
Garden season is finally here. The Garden ministry is in need of a few helping hands to plant or water. The big spring planting will take place Saturday May 17th from 10am to Noon.
Please see me at coffee hour after either service for more information.
-Louann T.
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Spring Cleaning & Special Project Day
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Saturday, May 31st, 9AM - 4PM
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 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 |
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Wednesday, May 07, 2014
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Wednesday Morning Eucharist
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7:00 AM
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SLAA/SAA Meeting
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9:00 AM
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Schola rehearsal
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3:30 PM
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PADS Overnight Shelter
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7:30 PM
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Thursday, May 08, 2014
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SLAA/SAA Meeting
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9:00 AM
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Staff Meeting
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11:30 AM
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Voice Lessons
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2:00 PM
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Evensong
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6:00 PM
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SAA 12-Step Group
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7:00 PM
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Sight-Reading Club
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7:00 PM
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Adult Choir Practice
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7:30 PM
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Friday, May 09, 2014
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Rector's Day Off
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SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop
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9:05 AM
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Northwest Choral Society Rehearsal
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7:00 PM
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POSA Support Group
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7:00 PM
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Saturday, May 10, 2014
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Voice Lessons
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9:00 AM
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SLAA 12-Step Group
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9:30 AM
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Northwest Choral Society Concert (arriving at 5PM)
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7:30 PM
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Sunday, May 11, 2014
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The Rite Place - A service for the child in us all
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9:00 AM
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Coffee Hour
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9:30 AM
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
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9:35 AM
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Lectionary Discussion Group
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9:45 AM
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Sung Choral Eucharist
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10:30 AM
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Coffee Hour
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11:45 AM
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Outreach Committee
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11:45 AM
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Rite 13 Youth Program
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12:00 PM
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Madrigal Rehearsal
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1:30 PM
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SLAA 12-Step Group
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7:15 PM
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AA 12-Step Group
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8:30 PM
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Monday, May 12, 2014
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SLAA/SAA Meeting
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9:00 AM
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Voice Lessons
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2:00 PM
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On The Table Dinner
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6:30 PM
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EfM
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7:00 PM
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Tuesday, May 13, 2014
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SLAA/SAA Meeting
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9:00 AM
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SLAA 12-Step Group
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7:00 PM
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Wednesday, May 14, 2014
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Wednesday Morning Eucharist
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7:00 AM
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SLAA/SAA Meeting
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9:00 AM
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Last schola rehearsal for the season
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3:30 PM
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PADS Overnight Shelter
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7:30 PM
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Grace Episcopal Church 924 Lake Street Oak Park, Illinois 60301 www.GraceOakPark.org 
Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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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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