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 Why Come?
You have seen the announcements. Or have you? You have been before. You wonder about coming. Perhaps you think that is not for you.
Annual Meeting. Why come? Once a year - although more would be nice - we come together as a community to reflect on the year, elect new officers, read reports, thank people, present a budget and so much more.
So much more is absolutely right. Our Annual meeting can be a time when we see old friends and make new ones, hear the stories of how God has been in our midst and think about where God might be calling you and us.
Let's get real, it has not been an easy year at Grace. We have spent significant time in dealing with a lawsuit about our parking lot and we have not all been on the same page. Perhaps we have things to say to each other, and perhaps we have dreams to build upon and relationships to develop.
Take a moment to ponder what your deepest desire is for Grace. Where might God be calling us to be? What might God be calling us to do at this meeting?
You asked to have a time where we all worship together. We have answered that request (see details below about the service schedule for Annual Meeting Sunday) and invite you to come together for the glory of God and God's church.
Peace,
Shawn
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Grace Church Annual Meeting Notice
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The Annual Meeting of Grace Church will take place on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at 11AM in the Parish Hall.
On that day, we will have one service at 10AM (there will be no 9AM service, and the later service will begin 30 minutes earlier than usual).
We will enjoy a potluck luncheon on that day. A main course will be provided; please bring either a side dish or dessert to share.
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 This weekend, the diocesan youth retreat MIQRA will be held at Grace! It focuses on introducing youth to the Bible - what is in it, why we should care about it, and how to read it. Registration is $65 and is still open for youth grades 6-12. Part of the weekend experience is reading through the entire Bible out loud. MIQRA is looking for anyone (youth, adults, families) interested in taking a turn reading from the Bible from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning. Please contact Chad Senuta, Diocesan Associate for Youth and Campus Ministry, directly if you are willing (csenuta@episcopalchicago.org or 913-620-0007). |
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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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Community of Congregations Annual Meeting
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 From the Community of Congregations:
All are invited to attend the Community of Congregations Annual Meeting on Monday, January 25 at Pilgrim Church, 460 Lake Street in Oak Park.
Dinner is served at 6:30 and the program begins at 7:30. Dr. Marshall Hatch of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. Ira Acree of Greater St. John Bible Church, and Rev. Cy Fields of New Landmark Missionary Baptist Church will be the guest speakers. These three men will talk about the Leaders Network, a group of faith and community leaders serving the west side of Chicago - making a difference every day in people's lives. There will also be time for discussion to explore how each of us and our faith communities might become more involved in solving problems in our communities.
There will be a brief business meeting at 8:30 to elect incoming leadership, and approve the budget. Folks will be on their way home by 9:00.
RSVP to oprfcoc@gmail.com or 312-560-3960 by January 18. Community of Congregations asks for a $15 free-will offering to cover the cost of the food. |
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Save the Date: Black History Month Luncheon
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Sunday, February 21, 2016 following the 10:30 service
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 The Black History Month Luncheon will take place on Sunday, February 21st following the 10:30 service. More details will follow, but please plan to join us for this annual celebration! |
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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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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 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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| Thursday, January 14, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Evensong | 6:00 PM | | SAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Adult Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 PM |
Friday, January 15, 2016 | | MIQRA (Begins at 9AM) | | | Rector's Day Off | | | MIQRA | 9:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop | 9:05 AM | | Sabbatical Reflection & Potluck with Dennis Northway | 6:30 PM |
Saturday, January 16, 2016 | | MIQRA | | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 9:30 AM |
Sunday, January 17, 2016 | | MIQRA | | | 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 | | 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, January 18, 2016 |
| | | MIQRA (Ends at 11:00AM) | | | Parish Offices Closed | | | MIQRA | 9:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Education for Ministry (EfM) | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | St. Giles Catechesis, Levels 1, 2 & 3 | 4:00 PM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Healing Song Circle | 7:30 PM |
Wednesday, January 20, 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 21, 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 |
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