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 Lascelles Anderson, Jim Redden, Karen-Jo Mensch, Kendall Batten Kalantzis, Charles Wells, Cherryl Holt, Vicki Garvey and maybe others, were all able to be at the Diocesan Convention this past weekend. The Convention was filled with vision and energy. Guest speaker Becca Stevens reminded us all of the amazing power of love. LOVE HEALS. For me, one of the best moments was when we passed a resolution inviting our convention and our congregations to send a message to our Governor that lets him know that the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Chicago supports allowing Syrian refugees (Muslim, Christian or whatever -- or of no -- faith they may be) and other international refugees into our state and into our city. Below is the resolution. I wonder how Grace would like to respond.
The 178th Annual Convention Diocese of Chicago November 20-21, 2015
Subject: Welcoming of Syrian and other international refugees
Sponsor: The Reverend Kara Wagner Sherer
RESOLUTION
Resolved, that the 178th Convention of the Diocese of Chicago directs the Bishop and the Bishop's Staff to communicate to the Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner the Convention's support for the welcoming of Syrian and other international refugees, regardless of their religious affiliation, and that the Convention urges the governor to support financially the existing government programs to resettle refugees; and
Further resolved, that the Convention urges Episcopalians throughout the Diocese to contact Governor Rauner and other elected officials and urge them to support government programs for refugee resettlement; and
Further resolved, that the Convention encourages congregations to become involved in supporting refugee resettlement.
EXPLANATION
Our Baptismal covenant calls us to "work for justice and peace and promote the dignity of every human being."
The Episcopal Church and individual Episcopalians are already supporting the ecumenical partnership organization RefugeeOne (www.refugeeone.org), which has resettled 131 Syrian refugees this year,
The Chicago City Council adopted a resolution on November 18, 2015 which "reaffirms the City of Chicago's status as a sanctuary city, and its commitment to remain a city of sanctuary and refuge for refugees from all around the world ..." and urged city agencies to collaborate to "provide shelter and sustenance for refugee families ...."
The following letter can provide a template for appeals to elected officials. This letter was sent by Charis Davidson, parishioner of St. John's in Chicago, to Governor Haley of South Carolina, her home state.
Dear Governor Haley,
During the years I've lived and studied in South Carolina, there have been many times I've disagreed with you. There have also been times I've been encouraged and inspired. I was grateful for your leadership in removing the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds and in the aftermath of South Carolina's historic flooding. I know that you have a hard job, and that we'll never agree on everything. However, I am heartbroken and feel betrayed by your change of stance yesterday on allowing Syrian refugees to enter South Carolina.
Governor Haley, I'm utterly baffled that you, as the child of immigrants to South Carolina, would refuse to welcome and house innocent victims who are fleeing for their lives. As I've watched the news play out in Syria and Iraq these last several months I've said that this must have been what the beginnings of World War 2 looked like, as the unthinkable evil that was Nazi Germany began. And in the past couple of days I've watched governor after governor declare that Syrian refugees will not be welcome in their states. This must be what it was like to witness the Holocaust- to see entire nations destroyed by unthinkable evil, to watch innocent families flee for their lives and yet have nowhere to go. I am shocked at the heartlessness displayed by so many Americans, and feel helpless in the face of hate and ignorance. Advent is coming soon- the season when we as Christians remember Jesus' first coming into this world, and his promise that he will come again and make all things right. We also remember Herod's brutal slaughter of innocent children, and Jesus' family being forced to flee into Egypt. And so, since I have no idea what else to do, I will grieve, I will cry and pray for Syria and those whose country has been destroyed. I will pray that Christ returns swiftly and set all things right, and I will beg you to change your mind. Sincerely,
Charis Davidson |
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A Thanksgiving Message From Our Bishop
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In this season of Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude for your support and to share just a couple of the reasons why I am so grateful to be the bishop of our diocese.
Last month, right here in our cathedral, I had the privilege of welcoming 91 new members into the Episcopal Church during a spirited and beautiful Hispanic Confirmation Liturgy. The service reminded me of how grateful I am to lead a diocese that is so wonderfully diverse.
On the very northern boundary of our diocese, in the village of Antioch, the good people of St. Ignatius Episcopal Church are working to change the world by engaging in anti-racism training and hosting cutting-edge conversations about religion and spirituality with nationally recognized authors and speakers. This kind of dialog helps move our communities and our world to a new and better place, and it is happening not just in Antioch, but all across our diocese.
I am grateful to serve as your bishop at this exciting time, I am grateful for your part in our shared ministry, and I am grateful for God's wondrous and abundant blessings as we experience them together. May you have a very happy Thanksgiving.
+Jeff |
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 Thank you to everyone who has turned in pledges for 2016! Please note that your pledges are always welcome, and we will continue to present pledges during the service for the next two Sundays (November 29 and December 6). You can also make your pledge online by clicking this link.
Gratefully,
Your Stewardship Team |
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This Sunday, November 29 after both morning services
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 Advent Wreaths don't just help us count down the weeks until Christmas - they help us stay mindful and connected to each other during a hectic season.
Join us on Sunday, November 29 after both the 9AM and 10:30AM services for an inter-generational wreath-making event and get your family set for Advent! We'll have some greens, candles, ribbons, and other materials. Please bring your creativity - and if you've got it, an old wreath base to reuse (and any other supplies you'd specifically like to use).
We're looking for a few more pairs of hands to help out on the day-of, so if you're interested please email Shawn. There is no cost to participate, but donations of supplies and money will be accepted. We hope to see you there!
Need some inspiration? Some ideas about different takes on Advent wreaths are at this link. |
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Thank you so much to all of you who are participating in this year's Christmas Basket program - we are happy to report that all the names have been taken! Please remember that gifts should be delivered to the Parish Hall on Sunday, December 6.
Still interested in participating? NEW!
ReVive has let us know that they are in need of additional toys for this year's program. If you'd like to participate and can provide a new, unwrapped toy, suitable for any age between 3 and 12, or wish to donate money (and have someone else do the shopping!), please contact Heidi Lukas (lukash@cso.org). Toys should also be brought to the Parish Hall on Sunday, December 6.
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Presented by the Madrigal Choir of Grace
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 Please join us for our annual Christmas performance with beautiful music and amazing food.
Friday, December 11th 7PM
or
Saturday, December 12th 7PM Non-Dinner Seating also available.
Please use our reservation form at this link, call 708-357-7721, or email
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Midwinter's Tales: Sweet Home December
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A benefit for Oak Park Festival Theatre and Prevail / Housing Forward
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 No matter which winter festivals we keep, December calls each us of home to celebrate. We all open our homes and hearts, sharing our bounty and our traditions that mark the fading year and welcome the one ahead. This year's Midwinter's Tales is called Sweet Home December and features the work of such authors as: Kenneth Graham, Anne Lamott, Claude McKay, John O'Donahue, John Steinbeck, James Thurber, and Derek Walcott. Please come in and share the warmth, wit, and wisdom of celebrated authors and composers as they keep their several December feasts.
The production is created and directed by parishioner Belinda Bremner, and parishioners Lascelles Anderson, Tony Dobrowolski and Ade Onayemi are performing.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Doors open with live music at 6:30PM
Program begins at 7PM, followed by a Holiday Reception
Grace Episcopal Church
924 Lake Street
Oak Park, IL 60301
Tickets:
Purchased in advance from www.oakparkfestival.com or the Oak Park Visitors Bureau on Lake Street : $30 General Admission, $25 Seniors, $10 Students, Under 13 FREE. Add $5 when tickets purchased at the door. |
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Vestry Meetings and Nominations for Vestry, Warden, and 2016 Diocesan Convention Delegates
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The vestry (board) of Grace, meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month. The meetings are open to the community. Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 24th at 7PM in the St. Hilda meeting room on the second floor of the parish house.
The nomination process for Vestry elections is now underway. Please take some time to consider whether your talents could be offered to Grace Church in this important ministry of leadership. Serving on the Vestry as either a Vestry member or Warden provides a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the future direction of the life of our congregation.
The election will take place at our Annual Parish Meeting in early 2016 (tentatively on January 31st). If you are interested in serving as either a Vestry member or Warden, please contact Shawn Schreiner or Barbara Larsen.
The nominating committee consists of the following members: Mary Hope Griffin, Sam Love, Chris Sculles, Shawn Schreiner, and Barbara Larsen.
If you have someone you wish to propose for nomination, we ask that you contact Shawn or Barbara to verify that the person is eligible and then that person to ensure they wish to be nominated and are willing to serve.
The Vestry is the body within a congregation that, with the clergy, leads the parish. The Vestry:
- helps to discern the vision toward which God is drawing that particular community;
- articulates and communicates the vision;
- holds the community accountable for its realization of that vision;
- stewards of the property and finances of the congregation and
- keeps the mission of the Church and that of the individual congregation clearly before the parish community.
God creates the Church, and invites us to participate in the process. A congregation's leaders are the stewards of that creation and hold it in trust. The congregation has been given the resources needed to do the job God has called it to do. Leaders identify and allocate those resources, enabling the Church to carry out its mission. They also lead the congregation in celebrating and giving thanks for these resources.
To assist you in deciding whether or not to stand for election, the following are some of the requirements for, and expectations of Vestry service:
- All baptized persons of the age of eighteen years and upwards, who regularly attend the public services of the Church in the Parish, and are recognized as members of the Parish by the Rector and at least one of the Wardens, or, if the Rector be not present, by the two Wardens, and whose names appear on the books of the Parish Treasurer as having contributed by pew rent, by pledge, by subscription or otherwise to the funds to meet the expenses or other obligations of the Parish during the six months immediately previous to the Meeting, it being understood that the pledge or obligation for such contributions shall have been incurred prior to the said six months; and in addition declare their willingness to conform to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of the Church. (Diocesan Canon)
- Is expected to attend all monthly Vestry meetings and the annual Vestry retreat. If a Vestry member misses three or more meetings within a calendar year, it may be cause for consideration of removal (Parish Guidelines).
We will elect three vestry members and one warden. We will also be electing three delegates and three alternates to Diocesan Convention at our Annual Meeting. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, please contact Shawn Schreiner. |
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Support Grace while you shop!
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If you shop at Amazon, please use the link below to access Amazon.com. Grace will then get a percentage of any purchases made. It's a painless way to help Grace and costs you nothing. FYI, we never see who buys what.
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Participants in This Sunday's 10:30 Service
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November 29th 10:30am Service:
MC/LEMS: Cyndy Reynolds; Sue Wells, Lascelles Anderson, Cherryl Holt, Kendall Kalantzis, Sam Love
LECTORS: Ade Onayemi, Lil Hohmann
INTERCESSORS: Belinda Bremner, Ted Reichardt
ALTAR GUILD: Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Kathy Onayemi, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta
USHERS: William Richards
GREETERS: Alice Leighton-Armah, Angela Billings, Norbert Teclaw
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| Wednesday, November 25, 2015 | | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Kitchen Reserved for Grace PADS Cooks | 3:00 PM | | Schola/Scholars Rehearsal | 3:30 PM | | Grace Staffs PADS Shelter | 6:30 PM | | PADS Overnight Shelter | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, November 26, 2015 | | Parish Offices Closed | |
| | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Staff Meeting | 9:30 AM | | Evensong | 6:00 PM | | SAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Adult Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 PM |
Friday, November 27, 2015 | | Parish Offices Closed | | | Rector's Day Off | | | SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop | 9:05 AM | | POSA Support Group | 7:00 PM |
Saturday, November 28, 2015 | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 9:30 AM |
Sunday, November 29, 2015 |
| | | The Rite Place - A service for the child in us all | 9:00 AM | | Advent Wreath Making in Parish Hall | 9:30 AM | | Coffee Hour | 9:30 AM | | Lectionary Discussion Group | 9:45 AM | | Madrigals Sing at Service | 10:30 AM | | Sung Choral Eucharist | 10:30 AM | | Coffee Hour | 11:45 AM | | Madrigals Rehearsal | 1:30 PM | | SLAA Women's Group | 5:30 PM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | AA 12-Step Group | 8:30 PM |
Monday, November 30, 2015 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Education for Ministry (EfM) | 7:00 PM | | St. Giles Catechist Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, December 1, 2015 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | St. Giles Catechesis, Levels 1, 2 & 3 | 4:00 PM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, December 2, 2015 | | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Schola/Scholars Rehearsal | 3:30 PM | | St. Giles Catechesis, Levels 2 & 3 | 6:00 PM | | PADS Overnight Shelter | 7:30 PM |
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