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Music carries us to experiences with the Holy. Grace Church owes a huge round of applause to -- and tons of thanks for -- Kipp Cortez for his ministry as our Sabbatical Musician. His experience, love of God, and love of Grace have all made these last four months run very smoothly and with grace.
Thank you Kipp, and God bless you with your new journeys.
Join us on Sunday, December 27, at either the 9AM or 10:30AM service to help us send Kipp off with a blessing.
Peace,
Shawn
P.S. The offices will be closed between Christmas and New Year's Day, but if you need to reach me in an emergency, contact information will be on my voicemail.
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If you would like to make an online Christmas donation to Grace, please click the button below: |
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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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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. We meet in the St. Hilda meeting room on the second floor of the parish house at 7PM.
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 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 |
Thursday, December 24, 2015 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Christmas Eve Service | 5:00 PM | | SAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Christmas Eve Service | 11:00 PM |
Friday, December 25, 2015 |
| | | SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop | 9:05 AM | | Christmas Day Service | 10:30 AM | | POSA Support Group | 7:00 PM |
Saturday, December 26, 2015 | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 9:30 AM |
Sunday, December 27, 2015 | | The Rite Place - A service for the child in us all | 9:00 AM | | Coffee Hour | 9:30 AM | | Lectionary Discussion Group | 9:45 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, December 28, 2015 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM |
Tuesday, December 29, 2015 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, December 30, 2015 | | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | PADS Overnight Shelter | 7:30 PM |
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