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e-Items Has a New Look
Over sixty percent of those who read e-Items do so on a mobile device. Quite some time ago, I switched to a mobile-friendly format. However, given there are potentially as many different brands / models of mobile devices as people reading this, it's a bit of a challenge to keep up with software updates and other issues so that each person has a pleasing view of e-Items. Beginning with this edition, I've made a few changes to the format in hopes of providing a positive experience for those viewing on both desktop and mobile devices. I welcome your feedback, which may be provided in the form of a reply email.
-Douglas VanHouten
P.S. Because I realize that the email will look slightly different on each device, in each edition of e-Items there is an option to read the email in a web browser instead of within your email client. Just below the header at the top of this email, simply click the link after, "Having trouble viewing this email?"
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Exploring an Expanded Sunday Schedule
This Sunday, after the 10:30 service, all parishioners are invited to a community conversation about an expanded Sunday schedule. Last Sunday, Grace Church Staff met with the Vestry and the Worship Committee for an open-ended exploration of the opportunities an expanded Sunday schedule would offer our congregation. And we do mean open-ended -- we are genuinely interested in hearing from you on how to proceed.
The following expanded schedule -- possibly, but not necessarily starting mid-September -- is what we are exploring (note the changes in service times):
- 8:45 - 9:15.....Children's Worship Service
- 9:15 - 9:30.....Transition time (grabbing a cup of coffee, moving to classrooms, etc)
- 9:30 - 10:30.....A solid hour of Formation opportunities for both Children and Adults
- 10:30 - 10:45.....Transition time (finishing up formation opportunities, getting ready for the later Worship Service)
- 10:45.....Worship Service (followed by Coffee Hour)
That's the "sketch" - and our community conversation this Sunday is to ask and answer questions, and explore opportunities and challenges. When Vestry, Worship Committee and Staff met on July 10, we engaged many perspectives and the feedback was positive, detailed and helpful. Now, we would like to do the same with the broader Grace Community, and we'll continue offering opportunities to explore this idea in the weeks to come. Please join us! |
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Join Us For a Concert By Charlie Carpenter
Please plan to join us for a special organ concert by Charlie Carpenter on Thursday, July 21st at 6:26PM.
Mr. Carpenter will offer his Concerts@6:26 Recital as a fundraiser for the continuing repair and restoration of our pipe organ. We know you'll enjoy this entertaining event with a very worthwhile cause. There is a suggested donation of $15 for adults and $8 for students.
We'd love your help in publicizing this concert. Please consider sharing our Facebook event.
More information may be found at this link.
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Property Update
Last week the Parish House shingle roof replacement work began. We anticipate that the work will continue for several more weeks. During this time please avoid parking in the far north section of the parking lot where the large dumpster is now located. Thanks to all for understanding that this type of work can be noisy and dusty.
-Leslie Atwood
Property Committee
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Last Sunday's Sermon
Fr. Peter Siwek's sermon for Sunday, July 10th is available online at this link. |
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Seeking Catechist Nominations
Children's formation at Grace is in the midst of an important transition. As our long partnership with St. Giles comes to a close, we are devoting extra attention to preparing our parish for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the fall. While Kendall and others are working hard to prepare the spaces and acquire materials for the children, all of this is dependent on the presence of committed Catechists! These are the folks who sit with children and help them discover the love of God. We are calling on the Grace community to nominate parishioners who they believe would be a good fit for this important ministry. We are seeking folks who have spent at least a year in the community, who are prayerful, kind, and willing to commit to Sunday mornings and training. You do not need to be a teacher by profession to be a wonderful Catechist. Many Catechists find that leading Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is extraordinarily enriching for their own spiritual lives. Those nominated will go through a discernment conversation with Kendall and current Catechists.
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Concerts@6:26 Each Thursday Through August 11th
You are invited to Grace each Thursday through August 11th when we will sing Evensong at 6:00 p.m., followed at precisely 6:26 p.m. with a thirty-minute recital. There will be a freewill offering, half of which goes to our outreach programs.
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In Memoriam
In Communion with all the Saints and in profound gratitude, we pray for and ask for the prayers of Jane B. Lange. Earlier this year, Grace received $25,000 from the Estate of Jane Lange. It was used to fund our director of formation position for this year, along with another anonymous gift of $25,000.
Jane and her husband were married at Grace and the family were members from the late 1930's to the early 1960's. Her spirit and countless others truly grace this place.
The bells of Grace will be tolled this Sunday in memoriam of Jane B. Lange and in gratitude for the anonymous donor. Requiescat in Pacem. Deo Gratias.
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Participant's in This Sunday's Worship Service
July 17th 10:30am Service:
MC/LEMS: Tony Dobrowolski; Barbara Larsen & Kendall Batten KalantzisLECTORS: MaryPat Mauro, Ade Onayemi INTERCESSORS: Cliff Hunt, Barbara Larsen GREETERS: Kim Osinaike, Peter Patterson, Cyndy Reynolds USHERS: Flora Green, Stan Kaderbek, Linda Francis ALTAR GUILD: Heather Bovell, Flora Green, Kathy Onayemi, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta
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Attention Amazon.com Shoppers!
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Shopping at Amazon.com? By clicking this link to get to Amazon's home page, Grace will receive a percentage of revenue from 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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This Week at Grace
Our full master calendar is available online at this link. Here's what's happening this week: Wednesday, July 13, 2016
| | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | Big Book Study Hour | 7:30 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Staff Meeting | 10:30 AM | | Oak Park Festival Theatre Rehearsal | 6:00 PM |
Thursday, July 14, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Evensong | 6:00 PM | | Concerts@6:26 | 6:26 PM | | SAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM |
Friday, July 15, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA 12-Step Workshop | 9:05 AM |
Saturday, July 16, 2016 | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 9:30 AM |
Sunday, July 17, 2016 | | 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 | | Stewardship Committee | 11:45 AM | | Madrigals Rehearsal | 12:00 PM | | SLAA Women's Group | 5:30 PM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM | | AA 12-Step Group | 8:30 PM |
Monday, July 18, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM |
Tuesday, July 19, 2016 | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | SLAA 12-Step Group | 7:00 PM |
Wednesday, July 20, 2016 | | Wednesday Morning Eucharist | 7:00 AM | | Big Book Study Hour | 7:30 AM | | SLAA/SAA Meeting | 9:00 AM | | Staff Meeting | 10:30 AM | | Finance Committee Meeting | 7:00 PM |
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Our Mission:
Grace Church seeks to bring God's love and Christ's teaching to all people, to become a passionately involved, intentional Christian community, to support the spiritual journey of each person, and to work toward reconciliation, peace, and justice in our world.
Our Core Values:
-Reach out to support our neighbors locally and worldwide as we seek to obey God's command to love our neighbors as ourselves.
-Encourage and support spiritual growth in all people while respecting that each person is at a different point in his or her spiritual journey.
-Work to be ever more present to and caring for each member of the Grace community and to be fully welcoming to all who enter Grace's doors.
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Grace Episcopal Church | 924 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301
Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.
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