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 What the Heck?
What a week or so of being in the news! The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion sure do know how to get the headlines. In this case, not the kind of headline that we would want. Or is it?
Several of you have asked about what really happened at the Primates meeting that the Archbishop of Canterbury called together. You are also wondering what it really means in the life of Grace Church and the Episcopal Church. I was not there, so I cannot give a first person account. I have read several articles, and have seen various videos.
First, The Episcopal Church has not been thrown out of the Anglican Communion. The meeting of the Primates did not have the authority to take that kind of action. I am not going to get into all of the ins and outs of what they said; instead, I will let you read some phenomenal articles and watch a few great videos. The first video comes from our Presiding Bishop. The next article is an excellent write up of how the Anglican Communion is setup.
My first reaction was not to care. My faith and life and priesthood are rooted in Jesus Christ and the way the Episcopal Church lives all of that out. My reaction also comes from being a female, married gay priest who is tired of being told that who I am is not valued, nor welcomed by some of the members of the Anglican Communion. Then I pause, and give thanks for our branch of the Anglican Communion who has proclaimed quite boldly that GLBT people are welcome and same-sex marriage is part of the theology that we believe in. We believe in it so much, that we have said our marriage rites are open to me and to you.
The Anglican Communion, for me, is about relationships, and common worship. It is about a history of coming together to make the world a better place. In fact, the Primates dealt with many other items at their meeting.
Does the action by the Primates impact our relationship with our partner parish in Renk, South Sudan? Bishop Joseph and Mother Alice are committed to being in relationship with us. We need each other.
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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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Adult Formation Questionnaires Now Available
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As we begin this new year, we at Grace are reflecting on how we nurture the ongoing spiritual journey of adults through formation opportunities at Grace. What area of your faith would you like to explore this coming year? We have some wonderful formation opportunities already in place (Wednesday morning Eucharist, the Book Study group, the Benedictine Experience, the Lectionary Study Group, the Healing Prayer group, and many more) and we encourage you to seek those out.
We are also thinking about how we can build off this foundation and expand adult formation. We are considering beginning adult formation series that would meet for several Sundays (or alternate time) in a row to discuss together topics as varied as: "Misfits? The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion," "Understanding the Poetry of Isaiah," or "Christianity and Islam in America Today." Is this something you are interested in? Do you have other interests? Let us know by filling out the brief questionnaire found in the parish hall. Thank you for your participation! It is vital for us to know how we can best support your spiritual life.
-Kendall
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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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Talking Racial Reconciliation with Heidi Kim on January 28th at St. James Commons, Chicago
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 The evening is open to all, dinner will be provided, and there is no charge.
Please RSVP using this link. |
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Kelly Brown Douglas is 2016 Absalom Jones Speaker on February 7th at St. Thomas, Chicago
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 The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas is coming to Chicago to help the diocese celebrate what she calls "a paradoxical feast day."
In Absalom Jones, she says, the Episcopal Church is commemorating not only its first African American priest, but also a man who faced discrimination throughout his life and ministry. "We can't celebrate like we are celebrating the advent of racial justice," says Douglas, Susan D. Morgan Professor of Religion at Goucher College in Baltimore.
"In many ways he contains the paradox of our history. We are celebrating him as the first black Episcopal priest while, recognizing that this church has not lived fully into what it means to be called to a place of racial justice, and has not always lead the way in that regard."
Douglas, whose most recent book is "Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God," will speak at the diocese's Absalom Jones celebration at St. Thomas, Chicago (3801 South Wabash Avenue) at 3 pm on February 7. The event is sponsored by the local chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians.
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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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Local Memorial Service Planned For The Rev. Michael Johnston
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Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 2PM at Grace, Oak Park
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 Grace Church, Oak Park will hold a Memorial Service for The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Johnston, former Rector of Grace Church, on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.
And, as previously announced, a service in Kansas City's Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral will take place this Friday, January 22, at 3:00 p.m. (note service time change from previous announcements). The address of the cathedral is 415 W. 13th St., Kansas City, MO 64105.
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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 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 |
Friday, January 22, 2016 | | Rector's Day Off | | | SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop | 9:05 AM | | POSA Support Group | 7:00 PM | | Renaissance Quintet Dress Rehearsal | 7:00 PM |
Saturday, January 23, 2016 | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 9:30 AM | | Set up for MLK Luncheon | 3:00 PM |
Sunday, January 24, 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 | | Lectionary Discussion Group | 9:45 AM | | Sung Choral Eucharist | 10:30 AM | | MLK Luncheon | 11:45 AM | | J2A Pilgrimage Parent Meeting | 12:00 PM | | R13 / J2A | 12:00 PM | | Madrigals Rehearsal | 1:30 PM | | Renaissance Quintet Concert | 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 25, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Education for Ministry (EfM) | 7:00 PM | | Heritage Chorale rehearsal | 7:00 PM | | Catechesis Level Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Vestry Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 | | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Staff Meeting | 10:30 AM | | Kitchen Reserved for Grace PADS Cooks | 3:00 PM | | Schola/Scholars Rehearsal | 3:30 PM | | Handel Week Rehearsal in Choir Room | 6:00 PM | | Grace Staffs PADS Shelter | 6:30 PM | | PADS Overnight Shelter | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, January 28, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Evensong | 6:00 PM | | SAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | Adult Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 PM |
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