On July 29, the Episcopal Church will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the ordination of women in our part of the world and jurisdiction. Countless men and women worked hours and hours and years and years to make this happen. Many of those folks put their lives literally on the line to move the church towards what people said was justice for women.

Today, an Indiana (my birth state) judge ruled that the ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Again, many people have put themselves out there for justice for GLBT people.

Last week was the 50th anniversary of a powerful movement for justice for black people in this country. Many died and worked for justice.

Women. Black. GLBT. Justice. It seems to me that we need to remember that the justice work was not just for those folks. It was and is justice for ALL people. I believe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others when they said and say that nobody is free or has justice unless all do.

Our world is yet to have the justice that God and Christ call us to. Our work as people of the gospel is still great. There are many without a place to live, or good healthcare, or mental health assistance or enough food on the table or equal access to . . .

I am thankful to and for all who have worked and are still working for equality and justice for all. I am thankful that as a gay, female priest, I have all that I need to live a good life. Oh, wait, I do for me personally; but will not feel that I have a good life until all do.

"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." -Amos 5:24

Parish Picnic: 

What a picnic we had. Thanks to all of you who came and helped to setup and clean up and to enjoy one another's company.

CAT Results Meetings: 

A huge round of thanks to the THRIVE Team (diocesan congregational vitality program) who shared with us some of the findings form the Survey that we took during the winter. Thanks for their time and their openness. Thanks to: Steve Kvaal, Tony Riley, Audrey Riley, Pat Gulik, Jim Redden, Shawn Schreiner, Nick Currie, Linda Francis, Chuck Tupta, Jon Baumgarten and Sam Love.  

NOTE: Shawn Schreiner and Steve Kvaal will be available this Sunday, June 29 after both services to share the actual data with those interested.

JOB 14:2 Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.

JOB 14:10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost and where is he?

We have pondered this question and have decided that we are going to stay right here in the Memorial Garden on the east side of Grace Church where we can keep an eye on things. To ensure that this will be as we planned we have pre-purchased our space. We are in no hurry to use our purchased eternal home. We have accomplished two things with this move. Our children will not have to make the decision; they will know what we want. Equally important we will be helping to finance the new master plaque, and ensuring the financial health of the Memorial Garden.

Just a thought for some of you who, like us, are on the far side of our prime.

-Cliff and Sarah Hunt 

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. 

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 

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.

June 29th 10:30am Service:
ACOLYTES: Olajuwon Osinaike
MC/LEMS: Sam Love, Charlie MacDougall, Karen Mensch, Phoenix Sullivan
LECTORS: Ade Onayemi, David de Jong
INTERCESSORS: Cyndy Reynolds, Gloria Rayburn
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta; Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: Emilysue Reichardt
USHERS: Benjamin Daramola, Laura Morgan Day, Kweku Leighton-Armah
GREETERS: Alice Leighton-Armah, Angela Billings, Norbert Teclaw
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 9:00 SERVICE: Jane Shirley
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Jane Shirley, beverages; Gary & Jeff, treats

July 6th 10:30am Service:
ACOLYTES: TBA
MC/LEMS: Steve Fanning; Natalia Reniszewski, James Redden, Helen Thomason, Bob Vogler, Sue Wells
LECTORS: TBA
INTERCESSORS: TBA
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta; Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: Lindsay Schumaier
USHERS: James Redden, Flemming Bovell, Linda Reynes, Jim Groll
GREETERS: Stephanie Bailey, Heather Bovell, Paul & Cathy O'Kelly
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 9:00 SERVICE: Donna Anderson, beverages; Stephanie Bailey, treats
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Donna Anderson, beverages; Jane Shirley & Chuck Tupta, treats