News from St. Paul's Episcopal Church

November 2013

Dear Friends

Rev. Dr. Joyce, Rev. Stacy, and Bishop Lee at the Annual Pet Blessing

Tucked in the first section of The Book of Common Prayer is a little spiritual gem called "Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families." (pages 136-140)

These are shortened versions of the orders of morning, noon-day, evening, and close of day prayers intended to be used by Episcopalians (and friends) in the home. In the middle of each of these five minute services is the opportunity to offer intercessions for ourselves and others. At the close of day, those prayers said right before bedtime, is a further direction that reads "it is appropriate that prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings of the day, and penitence for our sins, be included." While it is generally quite easy for me to think of people and circumstances in my life that I am generally thankful for, it is a bit harder to sit still with my day and reflect on the good and the bad of that day. And yet, every day there are many times when I turn away from God-when I lose my temper, when I am lazy in my prayers, when I think unkind thoughts of my fellow children of God.

Rev. Stacy's letter continues below...

IN THIS ISSUE

Dear Friends (Rev. Stacy)

Rev. Stacy's Letter Continues

All Saints Sunday

Junior Warden Notes

Treasurer Summary

Music & Creative Ministries

Parish Office Reminders

Wednesday Services

Parish Hobby and Craft Show

Eucharist at Oak Crest

Salvation Army Thanksgiving Meal Drive

Diocesan Convention

Thanksgiving Service

Donations to Enhance Worship Services

For Seniors Over 70

Rochelle Rotary Club Calendars

Baptism Information

Bishop's Discretionary Fund Thanks!

CROP Walk Report

Food Pantry Report and Reminders

Photos from October Events

Save the Date!

Anniversaries, Birthdays, & Events

Contact Information

Actually, it isn't too hard to think of the ways in which I have sinned in the day. What often seems harder is naming my thanksgivings for the day. Now why is it so hard to recognize that every "good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1: 17)? Perhaps the reason lies in the words of wisdom from another canon of my generation, "The Simpsons." Early in season two of this television show the eight year old son, Bart, is asked to lead the prayer before a family dinner attended by his father's boss. Bart famously intones: "Dear God, we paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing." (You'll be happy to know that his parents, Homer and Marge, were appropriately mortified!) All kidding aside, when was the last time you thanked God for the person who served you a hot latte? Or who helped check out your groceries? Or for that latte and groceries being in your hand at all? And what about all those things in life that we just expect to happen, but never give a second thought to, that is until their not there? Your furnace, your roof, your car, your loved ones.

Whatever our circumstance, we have all been richly blessed with the breath of life from our blessed and holy God. So remember that even if you're having a Bart Simpson sort of prayer moment (I paid for all this myself, so why thank you, God?). Remember, repent, rejoice and give thanks-in that order. And throw in a little "Our Father" now and then (you know-that prayer Jesus taught us). Do that every day, and you will be in right relationship with God and one another. And that's something to give thanks for as well!

In Christ,

Rev. Stacy+

All Saints Sunday

Sunday, November 3rd

All Saints Sunday Remembrance of Everyday Saints to be prayed for in the prayers of the people will be observed on Sunday, November 3rd. A very meaningful part of this service is the remembrance of the saints in our lives who have gone before us. This year, we will be setting aside a space in the parish hall where pictures can be placed of those whom we remember as teaching and inspiring us in our faith.

Cards are available in the Parish Hall in which parishioners may write a short remembrance or share a saintly quality embodied by a loved one. All parishioners are invited to participate and sign up names for both the altar of remembrance and the list of every day saints to be read in the prayers of the people on All Saints Sunday, November 3rd.

There's still time to sign up names of the beloved everyday saints in your life who have gone on to glory (who are deceased) via email by October 30th to the Parish Office, parishoffice@stpaulsdekalb.org

Notes from the Junior Warden, Peg Newby

"They don't have to do it all, they only have to do something". I wrote this quote down on my service bulletin when Bishop Lee spoke them in his sermon to us on October 6th. Rev. Stacy's October 13th sermon included a reference to this theme also. The reference is to the faithful, and why faith needs to be a verb. Take action. Do something. As we travel our faith journey, acting out our faith changes with our circumstances. Attending Christian Education classes, participating in ministries, increasing annual giving, and assisting and attending fellowship events are all actions we can take to act our faith, and there are so many more. Attending Sunday services is certainly something. Being a part of the gathering of the faithful is powerful stuff. A wealth of opportunities to live out our faith exist both inside our church walls and in our communities. Spread the good news that faith is alive at St. Paul's. Then do something to prove it!

~Peg Newby, Junior Warden

Treasurer's Summary, Pat Brown

September 2013

This report covers the month of September 2013. The American Midwest Bank checking account is our primary operating account and includes funds which were transferred from Castle Bank when that account was closed September 27, 2013. It also includes funds transferred from the Building fund at Edward Jones to facilitate bill paying. Accounting is done by the American Midwest Bank Tax and Payroll Department.

Receipts through September 30, 2013

We have received 79% of the pledged amount and 76% of the total budgeted receipts by the end of this nine month period. Total operating receipts through September 30, 2013 were $156,994. This includes allocations of $60,000 from the Endowment Fund. We are budgeted to take $82,900 from the Endowment fund for the year but may not need that much to cover expenses. This currently is 4.32% of the Endowment Fund 12 month moving average

Disbursements through September 30, 2013

Total operating disbursements for the nine month period were $145,441. That is 70% of the total allocated. The difference of receipts over disbursements is a positive $11,553. We've received 76% of budgeted receipts and spent 70% of budgeted disbursements.

Building Fund

The balance in the Edward Jones Building Fund at the end of September was $82,913 - $60,000 in CD's and $22,913 in the Money Market Fund. A $10,000 CD matured in September and the funds were put into the Money Market Account. The Building Fund balance in American Midwest Bank Checking account was $1,712 for a total of $84,710. We owe J. Marshall Landscaping $1,265 for the second one-half of the expense for building the Rectory Patio. Money Market funds will be moved to AMB to pay future Building Fund expenses such as furnace repairs and new vestment advances.

Endowment Fund

The value of the Endowment Fund at the end of September was $2,000,847. The net increase in value, year to date, on September 27, 2013 was $125,746.

Apache Stock - The 5.821 shares on deposit with the company are valued at $496.

On September st the Flower Fund balance was $348.79, Discretionary Fund was $665.92, Columbarium Fund was $871.80 and Operating funds were $14,198. The Checking Account balance was $17,882, which includes $1,797. in Building funds.

Respectfully submitted

Pat Brown, Treasurer

Music & Creative Ministries

Thank You, Choir & Musicians! (Michael Duffy, Trumpet & Yuki Nakano, Steel Pan-Pictured) For assisting in the worship service in celebration of new confirmands and baptisms for Bishop Lee's visit in October.

For All Saints Sunday (11-03) the Adult/Youth Choir is working on a new anthem that we hope you will enjoy titled Gaudent in Coelis Anime Sanctorum (The Souls of the Saints Rejoice in Heaven) by Richard Dering.

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Michael Ouellette, Clarinetist (That Acolyte, 3rd from left in the pic to the left) is definitely an artist to watch! He is enjoying his studies while working on his undergraduate degree in music at NIU. Michael has been asked to play in many venues this past year, including the fifth annual Chicago Clarinet Collaborations (photo above) that took place this last month at the Salme Steinberg Recital Hall, Northeastern Illinois University. Feature ensembles from participating universities as well as a performance by the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble. Invited universities include Northeastern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University, DePaul University, Roosevelt University, North Central College, Vandercook College, and Elmhurst College. Way to go, Michael!

Andrew Voelker, Pianist

Andrew was our church pianist from 2012-2013. He will be performing his Senior Piano Recital on Sunday, November 10th, at 7 PM, at the NIU Recital Hall in the Music Building.

The recital will be live webcast as well, so you may listen to it live, at home on your computer. The recital will be about an hour long with works by Bach, Debussy, Liszt, and Brahms. Congratulations and Good Luck, Andrew!

Reminders from the Parish Office

Rector's Discretionary Fund is collected the first Sunday every month. These funds are used to help people in need in our community. The collection this month will be on November 3rd.

Food Pantry Sunday is the second Sunday of each month. You can bring your food any time and place it in one of the baskets. Non-perishable food items and monetary donations can be dropped off any Sunday, or at the Parish Office. Please make all checks out to St. Paul's with "Food Pantry" in the memo line. This month, Food Pantry Sunday is November 10th

Proclaimer Deadline: The deadline to send information for the monthly newsletter is the third Sunday of every month. Please send any information you would like to see in the December/January issue of the Proclaimer to the Parish office by November 17th. Please note that the next issue is a combined December/January issue. The maximum length for all articles is 300 words.

The Vestry meets every month. The vestry minutes are available on our website here.

The Parish Office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8AM to 1PM.

Melissa will be away from the office November 6-10th.

Reverend Stacy will be away November 12-20th. Reverend Joyce will be preaching November 17.

Join us Wednesdays for Mid-Week Holy Eucharist Service w/Prayers for Healing

All are welcome to join us Wednesdays for a quiet service of Holy Communion with healing prayers. The service begins at 9:30A.M. and never lasts longer than 30 minutes. We meet in the chapel in the Parish Hall, which was formerly the nursery. Enter through the North doors or the Kitchen door. The readings for the day are the propers for the Saint of the day from the "Holy Women, Holy Men" book. Here is the schedule of saints propers we will use for prayers and readings of the day:

November 6, 2013: William Temple

November 13, 2013: Charles Simeon

November 20, 2013: Edmund of East Anglia

November 27, 2013: NO SERVICE for Thanksgiving holiday!

Get Ready for the Parish-Wide Hobby and Craft Show!

Sunday, November 17th

Collect your collectibles, bake your cookies, corral your crafts, join your jewelry, prepare your pots..... you know; get ready to exhibit at the yearly, all-parish craft and hobby show. No ideas? Here's a sampling of the exhibits from past shows: woodworking, framing, sewing, knitting, crochet, collection of linens, array of postcards, jam, jellies, candy and cookies, jewelry, pottery, travel souvenirs, a consolation of elephants. Some parishioners sell homemade goodies and donate the proceeds to their favorite charity. Dust off that train set or stamp collection and get ready to share your enthusiasms with the whole parish family. Call Betsy Pool 815/895-8271 to reserve table space. There is no charge to exhibit. The show is held in the Parish Hall before-between-and after the Sunday services on November 17. Excellent opportunity for Santas to shop for unique gifts.

Eucharist at Oak Crest, November 20th

Third Wednesday of Every Month, 2pm

St. Paul's has begun a monthly service of Holy Eucharist for parishioners and others at Oak Crest Retirement Facility. We will be having services on the third Wednesdays of the month at 2pm. The service will include music, readings, a short homily and communion. Readers, chalice bearers and music leaders are needed each month. Please sign up in the Parish hall. The chapel at Oak Crest has both a piano and electric organ. If you would like to be involved in this important outreach of our parish, please contact the Rev. Dr. Joyce Beaulieu at revjoyce@stpauldekalb.org.

Salvation Army Thanksgiving Meal Drive

Please bring items to the church by Thursday, November 21st

2013 St. Paul's Thanksgiving Meal Baskets

The Salvation Army is once again asking local churches to help with its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Each family will be given everything they need for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner plus breakfast the next day. There will be sign-up sheets on the table in the Fellowship Hall for each meal. If you would like to help with the congregation baskets, please sign your name next to the item(s) you plan to provide. There will be post-it notes on the table to jot down the item(s) you've signed up for.

In addition, there will be a sign-up sheet for individuals (or groups) wanting to provide a complete dinner. Please take a copy of the complete list of items needed for each family. Note: Two reusable grocery totes are needed for each complete meal.

All Thanksgiving meal supplies must be delivered to the Salvation Army on Saturday, November 23rd.. Please bring your items to the church by Thursday, Nov. 21st as the parish office is closed on Fridays.

The Salvation Army will also accept monetary donations for complete meals ($30 per meal). Donations should be sent directly to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 442, DeKalb, 60115. Include "Community Thanksgiving Meal" on the memo line of your check. In 2012, St. Paul's provided thirteen (13) complete meals and $160.00 in monetary donations - It would be great if we could top that! Last year, there were 791 families in our area requesting Thanksgiving meals.

If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Gerrity at 815-895-8084. Thank you!

Diocesan Convention

Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23, 2013

The 176th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago will take place on Friday, November 22nd and Saturday, November 23rd at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard. The Keynote speaker is Father Albert Cutie, Priest-in-Charge of Church of the Resurrection in Biscayne, FL. Anyone can attend as a general attendee and childcare is available. This year, our delegates are Luke Krueger , and Henry and Eva Leonard. The alternate delegates are Marilyn Cleland and Bill Cummings.

Advanced registration is $75/person October 1st through November 8th. On-site registration will be $85/person. Learn more about online registration or contact Courtney Reid with any registration questions. The diocesan convention rate at the Westin, Lombard is $119 per night plus tax (available through October 31)- book online or contact Reservations at 1-888-627-9031. Additional information regarding the schedule, volunteer opportunities and worship will be available at the Diocese of Chicago website soon.

Thanksgiving "Day" Service

Tuesday, November 26th at 7pm

This year the Thanksgiving Service will take place on Tuesday, November 26th at 7pm here at St. Paul's. We look forward to seeing you there and hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Make a Donation for Vestments and Other Articles to Enhance Our Worship Services!

The Altar Guild has prepared a display posted on the board in the hallway by the Parish Hall which describes the new Vestments, altar and pulpit stoles, chalice covers, cross, acolyte lamps, and other articles we are buying to enhance our worship services. Please look at the display and consider whether you might like to make a donation in memory of someone or merely to help St Paul's with the cost. We are using the Building Fund for payment since that is composed in part with donations contributed to St Paul's in the past. The cost of the individual items is listed, in case you would like to donate to a specific piece. A label would be applied to the selection if that were the case.

Please contact Rev. Stacy or Jocelyn Prall if you are interested in making a donation. The items have been ordered and are currently being sewn and constructed. We hope to have them in service by the end of November.

For Seniors Over 70 - Using Some of Your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) as a Contribution

A provision of the Income Tax Law which went into effect at the end of 2012 is available for 2013. You may contribute up to $100,000 of an IRA Minimum Distribution to a qualifying charity (e.g. St Paul's) and exclude it from taxation on your 2013 Federal 1040. You would not include it as a charitable deduction but exclude it from the taxable distribution. To take advantage of this one would need to have the Trustee of your IRA send the funds directly to the Church, and label it as coming from your IRA. St Paul's would then send you a letter acknowledging your contribution. This is effective for tax year 2013. I will check to see if it was extended to 2014 also.

This is a benefit for those who no longer itemize. They may get a benefit from donating to a charity without itemizing.

Pat Brown, Treasurer

Rochelle Rotary Club Calendars still For Sale!

Terry Dickow still has Rochelle Rotary Club calendars for sale. Calendars are $20 and benefit several Rochelle charities serving battered and abused women and children, a senior center, food pantry and other social service agencies. One advantage to this calendar are daily cash drawings! Each person who buys a calendar is entered into a drawing and can win a daily prize of $25 and other prizes on holidays. Contact him at: dickow@comcast.net and he will bring your calendar to church.

Next Date for Baptism will be Sunday, January 12th 2014

Adults or families of children considering Baptism should contact Rev. Stacy as soon as possible.

Bishop's Discretionary Fund Thank you!

Thanks to all parishioners who contributed to the Bishop of Chicago's discretionary fund. We received a thank-you note that is pasted below and is posted on the bulletin board in the Parish hall for our donations, a total of $115.

Dear Stacy and the People of St. Paul's,

Thank you for your generous gift to the Bishop of Chicago's discretionary fund of $115.00 on the occasion of my October 6, 2013 visit. It was a great pleasure to be able to worship with you and spend time in conversation and fellowship.

I am most grateful for your generosity and spirit of outreach and for your presence and ministry in our Diocese. Your gracious gift will be used with care and discernment.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Jeffrey D. Lee

Bishop of Chicago

CROP Walk Report

This years CROP WALK was on Sunday, October 20th The CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service to end hunger at home and around the world.

The total raised at St Paul's was $497.15. The total raised in our region in the Sondra King Memorial CROP Walk was $25,690.15. The treasurer gave us this figure at the end of the walk. He called it "unofficial" because it does not include all funds raised on the web, and because more funds will come in during the coming weeks.

Usually the unofficial total increases to a final total larger by a few thousand dollars. The treasurer said he will not make his final report to Church World Services until January 1. We are welcome to continue contributing until then! If you would like to make a late contribution please give it to me or to Eva, contact us at leonard@math.niu.edu , and we will forward it to the Treasurer, Dan Kenney. Or, you can contribute on the web until January 1. Eva and I want to thank everyone at St. Paul's who walked, collected donations, and who donated! Thank you!! Henry Leonard

October Food Pantry Report and Reminders

Thanks to all parishioners who contributed to Food Pantry Sunday in October. St. Paul's donated 150 food or personal items and 462diapers. Donations for 2013 now total 4334 items.

The need for generous donations continues. When the church's donation was delivered to the pantry on Tuesday, October 15, the food pantry bins for larger size diapers was completely empty! The staff and clients of the Food Pantry continue to be very grateful for your contributions.

The next food pantry collection will be on Sunday, November 10th. Thanks.

Photos from October Events

We had several successful events this October! Here are some pictures from our Pet Blessing, Tailgating Party, Crop Walk, and Pumpkin Decorating Event. Check out more on our facebook page! Thanks to all who helped out or participated in these events!

Save the Date!!!

The Blue Christmas Service will be on Wednesday, December 4th at 7pm. The Blue Christmas Service includes prayers, scripture, and music that focuses on the hope and healing that God offers each one of us. Everyone is welcome to stay afterwards for light refreshments and conversation. All parishioners and friends are invited to attend!

The annual St. Nicholas Party will be on Saturday, December 7th, 6pm. Jane and George Nenonen have generously offered to host this festive adult-only gathering once again at their clubhouse. The clubhouse is located at 2129 Waterbury Lane. For more information, contact George and Jane Nenonen.