|
Centering Prayers as we Prepare for the Annual Meeting
Repetition of a short prayer or text of Scripture is an effective way to begin centering ourselves. Let us all take a moment or moments to prepare for our Annual Meeting.
Let us pray:
Living and true God, Creator of all things, You I worship, you I adore.
(Attributed to St. Alban, first martyr of Britain)
"How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."
Peace before us, peace behind us,
Peace under our feet.
Peace within us. Peace over us.
Let all around us be peace.
(Based on a Navajo prayer. Repeat this prayer replacing
the word peace with love, then light, then Christ.)
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
(From St. Patrick's Breastplate)
|
 |
|
Grace Church Annual Meeting Notice
|
The Annual Meeting of Grace Church will take place this 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. Materials for the Annual Meeting were sent by email yesterday. You'll find that email at this link. |
|
Help Us Support Brent House
|
|
Adult Formation Questionnaires Now Available
|
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
|
|
|
Parishioner Selling Condo
|
Long-time parishioner Alison Nelson is selling her lovely 3BR, 2BA vintage condo on the 3rd and top floor (walk-up) of a well-maintained brick six-flat on Ontario St., directly behind Grace Church. Amenities include 2 parking spaces, sun deck, and in-unit laundry. Asking price is $275,000. The condo will be open to Grace members after the annual meeting this Sunday, Jan. 31. For more info or to make an appointment to tour this property, contact Alison at anelson572@aol.com. |
Sunday, February 7th will be our First Sunday Intergenerational Gathering from 9:30-10:30 in the parish hall. Join us in making fleece blankets to keep our neighbors warm on cold nights! Questions? Contact Kendall at this link. |
|
Talking Racial Reconciliation with Heidi Kim on January 28th at St. James Commons, Chicago
|
 The evening is open to all, dinner will be provided, and there is no charge.
Please RSVP using this link. |
|
Kelly Brown Douglas is 2016 Absalom Jones Speaker on February 7th at St. Thomas, Chicago
|
 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.
|
|
|
Local Memorial Service Planned For The Rev. Michael Johnston
|
Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 2PM at Grace, Oak Park
|
 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.
|
|
Save the Date: Black History Month Luncheon
|
|
Sunday, February 21, 2016 following the 10:30 service
|
 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! |
|
Support Grace while you shop!
|
|
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.
|
|
| 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 |
Friday, January 29, 2016 | | Rector's Day Off | | | SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop | 9:05 AM |
Saturday, January 30, 2016 | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 9:30 AM | | Come Children Sing! | 10:00 AM |
Sunday, January 31, 2016 | | NO 9AM service today -- one service at 10AM due to Annual Meeting | | | Lectionary Discussion Group | 9:45 AM | | Sung Choral Eucharist (please note time change this Sunday only due to Annual Meeting) | 10:00 AM | | Annual Meeting & Potluck Luncheon | 11:00 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, February 1, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Chicago a cappella rehearsal | 6:45 PM | | Education for Ministry (EfM) | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, February 2, 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, February 3, 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, February 4, 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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
