Have you ever wondered about the rectangle shaped carving near the roof line on the outside west wall above the choir/flower door? It is the family crest of our sixth rector, The Rev. Francis R. Godolphin, who served Grace Church 1913 - 1930. According to a history of Grace Church edited by John Moelmann, "Thus began one of the longest and most eventful rectorates of Grace Church". When he arrived in 1913, Oak Park still had active farms though the population was growing quickly as was the congregation. In 1912 Grace had grown large enough to establish a mission in south Oak Park which would become St. Christopher's. By 1923 Grace had again grown large enough to establish a second mission in River Forest which is now Christ Church. However Grace's building was only partly finished and soon its programs exceeded its space. Under Godolphin's leadership most of the facilities that we enjoy today were added through parishioners' generosity and through memorials. These include the parish house (1922), the rectory (1928), the tower and Seabury chimes, our magnificent organ, rood screen, reredos, the bronze light fixtures, the chancel floor and new pews, all in 1922, and the beautiful Baptismal font given in 1923 along with all the stained glass windows of the Baptistry, most of the clerestory and first floor windows and the large window over the altar. Try to imagine Grace Church without these beautiful parts. Mr. Moelmann states that at Rev. Godolphin's resignation in 1930, "(he) was much loved by the parishioners and it was with great reluctance that they acquiesced in his departure...His place in the hearts of his church associates...would be difficult to fill." Referencing Shawn's recent sermon on understanding our family history, it's also enjoyable to know about Grace's history. Rev. Godolphin left a huge legacy and it is the buildings built during his rectorate 100 years ago that we are actively maintaining today. A picture of Rev. Godolphin hangs in the working sacristy directly opposite the entrance door.

The Adult Choir of Grace Episcopal Church
Cordially invites the Congregation
to a
Recital and Festive Potluck
In Commemoration of the 70th Birthday of
Parishioner and Chorister John Seaton
on
Friday, 14 November, 2014
The concert to commence at 6:30 p.m.
Followed by a gracious repast 

To perform, to bring a dish, to R.S.V.P. or just ask a question, contact Dennis Northway, Parish Musician. 

We are excited to announce that the book about our 9AM service, and our theology around children, is now available to the larger world. Dennis and I put the words into the book with the help of staff and volunteers. Grace Church and her members are the real the authors. We came together as a community and discerned that God was leading us to start that service. We are modeling the concept of "parallel church" - two services, with two distinct communities in one church and one larger community.

So, thank you for giving birth to what is turning out to be an evangelism tool far wider than our doors.  

You can find the book at this link.  

-Shawn 

P.S. 5% of the proceeds will be coming to Grace Church. 

Advent Wreaths return! Join us after both services on Sunday, November 30th to celebrate the first week of Advent with a fun activity for all ages.

Advent Wreaths, with their four candles, help us to commemorate the season of waiting that leads us to the birth of Christ at Christmas, and the ritual of lighting a candle for each of the season's four weeks is an invitation to prayer and contemplation as we wait for the coming of God.

We'll have the usual materials - greens, bases, candles, etc. - as well as some prayerful materials you can take home to use alongside your wreaths. If you have materials (especially bases or candleholders) leftover from previous years, or have some creative ideas of your own (hint: Nick Currie uses empty beer bottles for candleholders), please bring them! 

Working on your Christmas shopping list? Please don't forget to add

one more special name . . .

Through the ReVive Center for Housing and Healing (formerly Cathedral Shelter) Christmas Basket program, Grace Church will supply Christmas gifts for 5 seniors and 13 families (a total of 50 individuals) this year.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:

• The names and gift requests of the members of Grace's families will be available in the Parish Hall after each service on Sunday, November 16 and Sunday, November 23. Simply choose a member of one of the families and fill out your name and contact information on the list next to the person's name you have chosen; or, consider sponsoring an entire family (Grace's families this year range from two to five members). You can also contact Heidi Lukas (708-308-0602 or lukash@cso.org) to receive a name(s) and gift requests.
• ReVive guidelines state that you should plan to spend $25-$30 per person for gifts. This is only a guideline and, of course, the amount you spend is at your discretion. Please do not feel obligated to buy everything on the person's list. We recommend buying two gifts per person - one "practical" item (such as clothing, etc.) and one "fun" item (such as a toy for a child or bubble bath for an adult, etc.). You may also wish to confer with those Grace members who have chosen members of the same family in order to equalize gifts purchased.
• Wrap your gift(s) and clearly mark the outside with the recipient's name and family number. Please place your gifts in a packing box (left open) so that we can more easily coordinate our packing and delivery to ReVive Center.
• Bring your gift(s) to the Parish Hall on Sunday, December 7. Please note that this is the last day for drop-off; if you need to make arrangements to drop-off sooner than this, please contact Heidi Lukas or Sue Wells.
• Volunteers are needed to help load the gifts into ReVive's truck on Tuesday, December 9 (exact time to be confirmed). If you are available to help, please contact Heidi Lukas or Sue Wells.

Thank you in advance for your support of this very important program!