Construction and Reconstruction

Dear Friends:

When glancing through my Facebook messages, I discovered that on Sunday, one of our members drove around 15 minutes trying to find some place to park so they could come and worship. The parking garage is down and we have a new reality for Sunday mornings: limited parking.

I have a few suggestions to carry us through this time:

Households who drive to church in two cars might consider coming in one. One is in choir? No problem. Take a moment to join the Lectionary Bible Study at 9:35 or come to coffee hour and get to know some of the faces from each service. One stays with the kids in Formation programs? No problem. Come to Bible Study or . . .

The construction on the corner of Lake and Forest will be there for a good 18 months. What if Grace could do our own construction? Constructing community through the choirs, formation programs, coffee hour, altar guild and so many ministries could have a profound impact on all of our lives.

Be good stewards and help the environment. Walk or ride a bike.

It seems to me that we can turn what is definitely a major inconvenience into a time to build new communities. We can consider having a service on Sunday afternoon. We can reach out to a neighbor and share a ride and perhaps build a new connection.

I am not meaning to sound flip about the challenge that this brings to us. I believe that every challenge can have an opportunity of goodness and new life. Jesus was all about new life.

Have your own workable solution? Contact me.

Peace,

Shawn

P.S. Please keep the staff informed of parking struggles. Contact us if you want to see if someone lives in your area.

Our profound thanks to all who planned, organized, set up, shopped and cooked for, entertained at, and attended the Anniversary Dinner Party last Saturday. Thanks also to all who contributed to the purse. We are most grateful for your recognition.

-Shawn, Dennis, Jon & Douglas 

Our Children & Youth Programs will be up and running soon! Thanks to all who have already registered their children, and all who have offered their help. You can still register at this link, and if you're interested in leading or assisting a program let Nick know. 

Here are some upcoming program kick-off dates:

Catechesis Levels I & II for those Pre-K - 4th Grade will begin with an Open House for children and their families to learn about Catechesis after the 9am service on Sunday, September 21st. Regular Catechesis programs begin Sunday, October 5th.

A new program for 5th - 7th Graders, G. A. P. Year (Group for Action and Prayer) emphasizing prayerful service to the Grace community and beyond will kick off on Sunday, October 5th from noon until 2pm.

Journey To Adulthood (J2A) for grades 8 and above begins Sunday, September 28th from noon until 1:30pm.

Information about our programs can be found on our website, and further information (including dates) for parents who have already registered their child(ren) is forthcoming. 

The group will meet on Wednesday, September 10 at 7:30PM at the home of Bets Howland and Dennis Zavac. More information is on our website at this link.

If you need a copy of the book, please consider buying it by using the link below and Grace will receive a portion of the purchase price:

Exploring Reality: The Intertwining of Science and Religion

by John Polkinghorne by Yale University Press

Paperback

List Price: $18.00

Our Price: $8.90

Buy Now

This fall, Saturday, October 18, the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Chicago will be hosting an event on hunger. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, La Grange will be hosting this event which begins at 9:00am and concludes at 3:00pm. It is the belief of the ECW that many people participate in food programs without really understanding why there is such need. What does it mean to be hungry, or have no food at all? What is it like to lack proper nutrition and have limited access to healthy food? What is being done in our state and local governments? How are the causes of hunger different across Illinois? Are all poor people hungry? How can a family get help? How can we help? The ECW 2014 Fall Forum will include a panel discussion with representatives from organizations working to eliminate hunger in our region. The Rev. Bonnie Perry, All Saints, Chicago, will be the moderator. Following lunch, there will be small group discussions with panelists to cover the issues of hunger in more depth. The Rev. Peg Williams, of Grace Church in Sterling, will lead the opening and closing prayer services.

A registration form is at this link.  Additional information and updates on the program are available on the ECW website: www.ecwchicago.org.  

September 14th 10:30am Service:
MC/LEMS: Cyndy Reynolds; Natalie Ratz, Natalia Reniszewski, Bob Vogler, Sue Wells, Lascelles Anderson
LECTORS: John Seaton, Willie Polite
INTERCESSORS: Lascelles Anderson, 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: Barbara Larsen
USHERS: Adrienne Gervais, Jane Shirley, Paul O'Kelly, Cathy O'Kelly
GREETERS: Flora Green, Sarah Hunt, DeLacy Sarantos
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 9:00 SERVICE: Donna Anderson, beverages; Stephanie Bailey, treats
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Donna Anderson, beverages

September 21st 10:30am Service:
MC/LEMS: Steve Fanning; Phoenix Sullivan, Tony Dobrowolski, Cherryl Holt, Barbara Larsen, Sam Love
LECTORS: Faye Peters, Jim Prescott
INTERCESSORS: John Seaton, Willie Polite
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: Barbara Larsen
USHERS: Flora Green, Stan Kaderbek, Linda Francis, Alex Lippitt
GREETERS: Donna Anderson, Adrienne Gervais, Cyndy Reynolds
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 9:00 SERVICE: Kim Sangster, beverages
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Kim Sangster, beverages & treats