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 Blue Christmas Service
Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people at Grace and other communities. The Worship Team, Allie Wills and the staff want to be attentive to the needs of people who are blue at Christmas by creating a sacred space for people living through dark times. This service is called a "Blue Christmas Service" and it will be reflective, accepting where we really are, and holding out healing and hope.
Monday, December 21st at 7:30 pm, you can join others in our Blue Christmas Service. This service is held near the longest night of the year, which falls on the Winter Solstice. There is an interesting convergence for this day as it is also the traditional feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. This linkage invites making some connections between Thomas's struggle to believe the tale of Jesus' resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with loss.
Please let me know if you would like to read a lesson or help setup for the service.
Peace,
Shawn
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Stewardship - Pledge Update
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Thus far, we have received 52 pledges for 2016, totaling $175,231. If you haven't submitted your pledge for 2016, you may do so at this link. |
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Christmas Flower Donations
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 If you would like to contribute toward the Christmas Flowers at Grace, in memory or thanksgiving, please click here to donate securely online. Be sure to list how the acknowledgment should appear in the bulletin (e.g., "In memory of Jane Smith by Linda & Bob Jones"). The deadline is December 20 for acknowledgments to appear in the Christmas bulletins. |
If you would like to make an online Christmas donation to Grace, please click the button below: |
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This Sunday, December 20, 2015 at 4:00PM
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 A treasured tradition of our church is the beautiful service of Lessons and Carols.
You are invited to join us at 4:00 p.m. this Sunday, December 20th as our Schola Choir sings songs of the season interspersed with readings and carols. We hope to see you there!
There is no admission fee and no advance reservations are necessary. |
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All are invited to join us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. We'll gather for carol singing prior to each service (at 4:45 p.m. for the early service, and 10:30 p.m. for the later service).
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Sabbatical Purse for Our Deacon Jon
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We are collecting a purse for Jon Baumgarten, our deacon, as he goes on sabbatical. Deacons are not compensated for their work in the church. Jon has been with us for many years. He and his family have been with us for countless Sunday services, as well as at our hospital bedsides, our kitchen sinks and in our living rooms. We are profoundly grateful to Jon and wish to express our love and appreciation. If you would like to donate, kindly write "Deacon's Purse" in the memo line of your check. Please note that your donation will not appear on your statement of giving as it's not a tax-deductible gift.
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Seeking Donations for the OPRF Food Pantry
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As many of you know, we are always collecting donations for the OPRF Food Pantry in a basket near the back entrance to the church. As you shop in December, please remember to pick up some extra baking items (vanilla, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, etc.) for the pantry. All donations are always appreciated, but these items will be especially appreciated by the individuals and families who visit the food pantry during the holidays! Also, the food pantry has told us that toilet paper is always needed, as well. Pick up some extra, next time you're shopping! Thank you from the Outreach Committee.
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A fundraiser for Nate Kucera
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Carnival Grocery (the old Pan's at 824 S. Oak Park Ave) and the Lirong Medical Foundation are partnering through the Shop for Charity Program to help reduce Nathan Kucera's medical costs. Nathan is a former member of the madrigal choir and played Aeneas in their 2005 production of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. He is 27 years old and was stricken with a very aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis, rendering him unable to walk. He recently underwent a successful hematopoietic stem cell transplant at Northwestern University, and is now doing recovering and walking without assistance. However, Blue Cross Blue Shield refuses to cover the cost of his stem cell treatment and Nathan's medical bills have become unmanageable.
Between December 18 - January 31, Carnival grocery will contribute 10% of its sales to the Lirong Medical Foundation when the cause "No MSing Around 2016" is mentioned. Anyone who shops at Carnival just has to mention "No MSing Around 2016" and the donation will be applied. In addition, Carnival is offering a challenge grant of an additional $2000 if we are successful in raising $2000. That's $4000 towards Nathan's medical costs!
Please help us spread the word and help raise money for a good cause simply by shopping at Carnival this holiday season. And remember, mention "No MSing Around 2016" when checking out. Let's not MS around!
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How I Spent My Sabbatical Time
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Information and reflection with Dennis Northway, Parish Musician
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 For those interested in hearing about Dennis' sabbatical time, he will offer two information and reflection sessions from which to choose:
Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Noon in the Red Room (upstairs) and
Friday, January 15, 2016 with a POTLUCK in the choir room at 6:30 p.m.
What was it like living and worshiping in Norwich, England for four months?
What was interesting about the Cathedral? What was the routine? What is the history of the community? Do you have pictures? What music did you write? Did you learn anything new?
These and many other questions will be answered by a grateful parish musician in a multi-media presentation on his recent sabbatical.
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An Oak Park Tradition Returns to Grace Church
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Twelfth Night Concert January 10, 2015
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Mark your calendars now to attend a long-time Oak Park tradition! The choirs of Oak Park have gathered each year after the Advent and Christmas season to sing for each other. Join us on January 10th at 4:00 p.m. in Grace Church for the beautiful, annual Twelfth Night Concert. The concert is always a benefit for Oak Park charities and every dime of your offering stays in Oak Park to help the hungry and the homeless. Hear musical offerings by many of the local ensembles and have one last chance to sing a few holiday carols! For further information, contact Dennis Northway.
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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, December 22nd 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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| Wednesday, December 16, 2015 | | Advent Circle Garden in Church | | | 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 |
Thursday, December 17, 2015 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Staff Lunch | 12:00 PM | | Evensong | 6:00 PM | | Healing Prayer Group | 6:30 PM | | SAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Adult Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 PM |
Friday, December 18, 2015 | | Rector's Day Off | | | SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop | 9:05 AM |
Saturday, December 19, 2015 | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 9:30 AM | | Rush Holiday Party | 4:00 PM | | R13 / J2A Christmas Party | 7:00 PM |
Sunday, December 20, 2015 | | The Rite Place - A service for the child in us all | 9:00 AM | | Catechesis of the Good Shepherd / Encounter | 9:30 AM | | Coffee Hour | 9:30 AM | | Lectionary Discussion Group | 9:45 AM | | Sung Choral Eucharist | 10:30 AM | | Coffee Hour | 11:45 AM | | R13 / J2A | 12:00 PM | | Lessons & Carols | 4:00 PM | | SLAA Women's Group | 5:30 PM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | AA 12-Step Group | 8:30 PM |
Monday, December 21, 2015 | | Chess Camp | 9:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Education for Ministry (EfM) | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 |
| | | Chess Camp | 9:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Vestry Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, December 23, 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 |
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