A Legacy of Grace

Last week I gathered with colleagues from around the country for a wellness conference that was sponsored by the Church Pension Fund. We were invited to spend time thinking about our vocations, our emotional, physical and spiritual health, our financial reality,and the legacy that we will leave behind.

Most of us do not like to think about our "legacy." Thinking about when we are gone can feel like such heavy work.  I spent a great deal of time thinking about these questions: What do I want to be remembered for? How have I impacted my section of the world?  Who, if anybody, will remember me? What would be the first word that people think of to describe me? What work do I still have to do with the time that I have? Where is God in all of this? Where is Christ?

Here at Grace, we have played with the theme of "A Legacy of Grace" for a long time. Particularly around what kind of building we will leave for those who come after us. We are also diving into who we are and who we want to be. Our THRIVE Team (congregational vitality group) wrestles with this question as we read our survey results and as we attend workshops and as we engage each of you.

The Property Team has been a vital part of new energy here at Grace.  They are taking a very close look at where we are with our buildings now and our buildings have to say about us.  They follow in the footsteps of leaders who for almost 135 years have cared for this building and our ministries.

So, speaking of caring for our Legacy, I am happy to report about some work the property team has put together. We will need your assistance in making it happen.

You will be getting much more detailed information in a special email. For now, here is a sneak peek at some projects:

Parish Hall:

• An engineer will be taking a close look at the west Parish Hall wall that is separating from the building. We anticipate fixing the problems costing $30,000. The vestry voted to temporarily take the funds from our reserve funds.  We want to pay that back as quickly as possible.
• Some general roofing work and the taking down of a chimney that is falling apart.
• New doors by the choir entrance and into the basement
• New floor tiles in the hallway
• Wall work and window work on the east side of the building
• Parish Hall roof (anywhere from $35,000 and up)

Church:

• Work on one of the flat roofs

Rectory:

• Roof over the main entrance (leakage has cause electrical damage)
• Roof work over the library
• Potentially 3 new windows

Tuckpointing a variety of places on the Church, Parish Hall and Rectory.

We have approved almost $20,000 from the Legacy Fund to do some of the Rectory work and minor work on roofs of the Parish Hall, tuckpointing, gutters and downspouts. This work will begin soon.

We are looking to raise $40,000 almost immediately. We anticipate needing up to $60,000 more for work to be done in the next year.  It would be great to have it now.

Oops. I probably gave you too much for now.  Look for more soon.  Begin giving now.

-Shawn 

The results are in - and they're fascinating. (We're one of the most educated parishes in the diocese.) Come learn more about the results and what they mean for our present and future together! (We're also one of the most theologically progressive parishes.)

Come to the Parish Hall after worship on Sunday, June 22, to have a cup of coffee and find out much more about what the survey revealed and what comes next.

This photo was taken in Michigan City, Indiana at Trinity Episcopal Church. Members of our Schola, Madrigal and Adult choirs pose with Bishop Little before praying a Festival Solemn Evensong in celebration of the 180th anniversary of the congregation on Trinity Sunday, last Sunday. And a grand time was had by all! Many thanks to all who participated! 

There is no shortage of events at Grace that involve bringing a dish to share.  And, as sometimes happens, those dishes, bowls, platters etc. are often left behind.

For the month of June, you will find those items on a cart near the kitchen in the Parish Hall. After that, anything that is unclaimed will be donated to the Economy Shop. 

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, June 19, at 6:26PM for a splendid and light-hearted thirty-minute recital of music from American Operetta and Broadway sung by Philip Kraus and accompanied by our Parish Musician, Dennis Northway. See you at 6:26PM!  

More information about Concerts@6:26, including a complete line-up of artists and their selections, is on our website at this link. 

With the help of many members of the Grace church community, my daughter Abby (now 25) participated last summer in Bike and Build, an organization that perhaps is best described as Habitat for Humanity on wheels. She rode with a couple dozen other riders from Portland, ME to Santa Barbara, CA and pitched in on various projects along the way and called attention to the issue of homelessness across the country.

As she can tell you, the generosity, kindness and hospitality she experienced firsthand last summer clearly made an impression, and it also has motivated her to host a Bike and Build team of riders when they come through Chicago on July 6 and 7.

When they arrive the afternoon of July 6, they will stay overnight at Grace and, thanks to FFC Oak Park General Manager Jeff Long, they will have access to the showers and locker rooms at FFC a couple blocks west of Grace on Lake Street. Jim and I will host the riders for dinner at our house on Sunday night.

Here's where Grace Church can help: our request is for members of the church to serve, prepare or contribute toward breakfast on Monday morning, July 7. For the 30-rider team, we are seeking some or all of the following for a great breakfast to send them on their way:

• Warm breakfast, such as a breakfast casserole
• Cereal, bagels, yogurt
• Fruit salad/bowls
• Bagels
• Yogurt
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Muffins
• Coffee Cakes
• Quiche
• Juice
• Coffee
• If someone wants to donate ingredients like eggs, french toast, pancake mix, juice, milk that'd be cool and we could maybe make pancakes and eggs/bacon for them in the morning.

If you would like to help or donate, please click here to email me. 

-Sally Prescott 

Our beloved pipe organ, built in 1922 is in need of ongoing repair in order to lead our singing of prayer and praise. This year alone, some $13,000 is needed in critical repair of two divisions of the instrument. We are delighted to announce an exciting and fun opportunity, in which you might participate, to support raising money for this necessary project. Our own Charlie Carpenter has been featured in an award-winning film documentary on his life in music by Oak Park-River Forest High School student Cosmo Coffey. We will be screening this 34-minute documentary on Thursday, July 10 beginning at 6:26 p.m., followed by a concert by Charlie and a reception. The program will be offered in support of the repair of our Casavant organ. Admission (pay at the door) to the screening, organ recital and reception is $15 for adults and $8 for students. Donations to the organ fund in addition to the entrance fee are most welcome! Please contact Dennis Northway with questions, and please help spread the word!

Can't attend, but want to donate?  Please click below:

We are planning a very special dinner party at Grace Church on Saturday, September 6th to honor Dennis for his 20 years of Music Ministry, Douglas for his 15 years of Parish Administration, Jon for 10 years as our Parish Deacon, and Shawn for 10 years as our Priest. We know you'll not only want to come, but are hoping you'll want to help out too.  

To help with the dinner (cooking, set-up, clean-up, decorations) please get in touch with Sue Wells, Sarah Hunt, or Leslie Atwood.

To help with entertainment contact Suzanne Haraburd, or Hollis Bernstein.

To help with the special gifts contact Mark Woodworth, or Barbara Larsen.

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Jane Shirley

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Jane Shirley