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 Chalking the Door: An Epiphany Tradition
The picture is of my office door. Years ago. I learned about the tradition of chalking doors at Epiphany. Perhaps it has stuck with me because of fist attending an Episcopal Church on Epiphany.
I love the idea of liturgically marking an invitation of God's presence into our homes. I love that you all are part of that blessing.
Read more below about the history of this ritual from my friend Sharon. Sharon Ely Pearson is a 30+ year Christian formation veteran, currently serving as an editor and the Christian Formation Specialist for Church Publishing Incorporated:
What is Chalking the Door?
This short liturgy is a way of marking our homes, usually at the front or main entrance, with sacred signs and symbols as we ask God's blessing upon those who live, work, or visit throughout the coming year. In Exodus, the Israelites marked their doors with blood so that the Lord would pass over their homes; but in this service, we mark our doors with chalk as a sign that we have invited God's presence and blessing into our homes
In Great Britain, the service commonly takes place on Twelfth-Night, January 6th. This date is also observed as Epiphany, commemorating the visiting of the Christ Child by the three Magi (Wise Men) with their gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. On Twelfth-Night in Europe, many families gather in their homes to celebrate this feast with friends, food, singing, and gifts. It is at these Twelfth-Night celebrations that "Chalking the Door" is most often observed.
The inscription written above the door is as follows:
20 + C + M + B + 16
(Change the last number to the current year)
What do the numbers and letters mean?
The numbers at the beginning and end of the inscription simply refer to the current year. The letters C M B come from the traditional names for the three kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. Some also suggest "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means, "May Christ bless this dwelling!"
Why Chalk?
Chalk is used in this service as an ordinary substance made of common elements of the earth, put to holy use. Chalk will not permanently mark the dwelling. As its image fades from view over time, those who participated in its original placement will remember it and the purpose for which it was intended. In doing so, they may rededicate themselves to that purpose. After a year passes and a new Epiphany arrives, they will have the opportunity once again to celebrate the themes of this season and once again to seek God's blessing on their homes and on those who come and go through its doors.
Take a moment to download the service for chalking your door at this link. See what "epiphany" happens for you.
-Shawn
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It's Complicated! The Master, the Protégé and Their Muse
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Renaissance Quintet to present concert at Grace on January 24th at 4PM
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 We are excited to welcome Renaissance Quintet to Grace on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 4:00 p.m., when they will present a concert to benefit Grace Church.
Come and hear the story behind the greatest love triangle in Romantic Music: Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms.
A free-will offering will be taken to benefit Grace Church. Learn more about Renaissance Quintet (featuring our own Emilysue Reichardt) at this link.
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 To have a life-long dream fulfilled by a community is, perhaps, a very rare thing indeed! However, that is exactly what this family, called Grace, has done. Many times, while vesting for Evensong; or opening the door of my flat in view of a nearly 900-year-old Cathedral; or walking in the close from choir practice to organ practice; or traveling the countryside viewing Medieval churches; or while composing pieces for Lillian Hohmann's birthday, or Cliff and Sarah's anniversary or Alison Nelson's wedding, I have thought, with gratitude, of you.
While in England, the community of Norwich Cathedral welcomed me wholeheartedly. They provided me the opportunity to pray Morning Prayer at 7:30 am daily, usually in the company of the Dean, Canons of the Cathedral and Bishop. While there, I was able to help out by playing regularly for the 800 students of Norwich School, teaching music theory to three different levels of boy choristers, play the miscellaneous postlude for Evensong, sing Alto as a Lay Clark in the choir daily, conduct rehearsals for the Men's, Girls and Boy Choristers, sing solos as an Alto during Evensong, conduct the choir at Evensong, and compose and sing in Evensong in a Magnificat and Nunc written by me for the choir to sing. On Thursday nights, just for a change, I sang Tenor in the Chamber choir that is also a Cathedral Ensemble. During this time, I had the honor of getting to know and making music with, some delightful, faithful and talented individuals whom I will miss.
This was also a time of healing. In late April, I awoke one Sunday in great pain in my shoulder. The pain continued to increase. Upon investigation, I found that I have arthritis in my upper spine, and a nerve got pinched that would normally have provided sensation and muscle coordination to three fingers of my right hand. It seemed to be a career-ending affliction. Thanks to much prayer, doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, and hundreds of hours of exercises, things are on the mend. The Providential time of being in England was an opportunity in which I could work on my healing process.
For all of this, I am grateful, deeply-grateful to the community of Norwich Cathedral, and to YOU! Thank you Kipp, for leading in my stead; you did a wonderful job! Thank you Nicci, for the million organizational details, memos to parents and singers, and moments in rehearsals that you were faithfully there to lead. It could not have been done without you. Thank you, kind donors for sponsoring Kipp's salary so I could be in Norwich; I was constantly aware of -- and grateful for -- your generosity! Thank you Wardens, Vestry, and Shawn for your support and follow-through on this project. Thank you Douglas, so much, for faithfully continuing to coordinate and support the ongoing work of this parish. Thank you, patient singers, who faithfully sang God's praises, no matter who the choir director was!
-Dennis Northway
Parish Musician
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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 an information and reflection session on 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 this multi-media presentation.
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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 vestry is meeting this coming Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 7PM to finalize the 2016 budget, review minutes, and a resolution regarding property matters.
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 on January 31, 2016. 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, January 6, 2016 |
| | | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Staff Meeting | 10:30 AM | | Schola/Scholars Rehearsal | 3:30 PM | | Handel Week Rehearsal in Choir Room | 6:00 PM | | St. Giles Catechesis, Levels 2 & 3 | 6:00 PM | | PADS Overnight Shelter | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, January 7, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Evensong | 6:00 PM | | Healing Prayer Group | 6:30 PM | | SAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Adult Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 PM |
Friday, January 8, 2016 | | Rector's Day Off | | | SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop | 9:05 AM | | POSA Support Group | 7:00 PM |
Saturday, January 9, 2016 | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 9:30 AM |
Sunday, January 10, 2016 | | 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 | | Outreach Committee | 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 | | Twelfth Night Choir Sing (arriving 2pm) | 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, January 11, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Education for Ministry (EfM) | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | St. Giles Catechesis, Levels 1, 2 & 3 | 4:00 PM | | A Benedictine Experience | 7:00 PM | | Property Committee Meeting | 7:00 PM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 | | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Staff Meeting | 10:30 AM | | Schola/Scholars Rehearsal | 3:30 PM | | Handel Week Rehearsal in Choir Room | 6:00 PM | | St. Giles Catechesis, Levels 2 & 3 | 6:00 PM | | Vestry Meeting | 7:00 PM | | Book Study Group | 7:30 PM | | PADS Overnight Shelter | 7:30 PM |
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