Rev. Stacy's letter continues below... 

September marks one year since I first attended the vestry in the service of the office of Senior Warden. One year goes by quickly.

Royer finally got back to me. They don't simply do resealing but Rick Ball did send me two companies he likes to work with for paving. Their bids were the previous ones that had been submitted with a full repaving, which were just above or below, $5,000.

We do have our permit for the shed. I will keep consulting with Rhys as to how we should proceed, but I know he has been busy lately with his parents and I do not want to overburden him. I hope that Rick Johns and I along with Rhys' consultation can have it up on our grounds by November.

The drain on the roof that was plugged long before I came on vestry is now clear. The drain is on the south side of the sanctuary near the breezeway. As my predecessors, Dave Anderson and Mike Duffy had told me, a plumber had suggest tearing out the wall in the sanctuary to access the pipe, cut it, and replace it. After carefully checking the various ends of the drain, we cut into the bottom of the pipe, removed a portion of it, and stuck an iron rod up into the pipe, and cleared out a great deal of gunk. A plug is currently on the drain, and we will replace the cut pipe shortly. Much thank to Rhys, Collin, and Jocelyn Prall, and Rick Johns. The carpet did get a little dirty, and Rhys and Jocelyn used a carpet cleaner to get much of it cleansed. On September 4, after our cookout for the Theatre Dept., I came by with resolve and did deep spot cleaning. It looks in good shape, although once we get the pipe replaced, we'll have a professional come in and clean it up.

We had the carpets cleaned early in September. I was able to come by and put the tables and chairs back in the Parish Hall. Much thanks to Rev. Rich for moving them out before the carpet guys arrived. 

The refrigerator in the basement, which no longer worked, was taken to dumpster and picked up by 1800GotJunk.

I was able to make many garden nights to help pick vegetables over many nights. It's a blast, and probably the most relaxing moment I get all week.

http://www.episcopalchicago.org. I strongly encourage everyone to read over these and offer St. Paul's delegates your position/opinion. The delegates are: Luke Krueger, Peg Newby, and Henry Leonard.   

Finally, I will be participating in Crop Walk this year in support of Henry and Eva Leonard's team. I do have a page on the www.hunger.cwsglobal.org site.

People may donate there. My goal was to raise $200. At present I have raised $250.

I remember St. Chrysostm's words, "you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them." Yes, I have quoted this prayer before, but the prayer itself brings me great comfort. I say it at the end of the daily office in the evening. St. Paul's is a wonderful home, and if I am away, I take great comfort in knowing we are gathered, always, together. Thank you all for allowing me to serve St. Paul's over the past year. A few more months to bring it home. 

Respectfully submitted,

Luke Krueger

Michael and Kristin Duffy. It has been such a gift and honor to conduct and also sing with Michael and Kristin! Personally and professionally, I will miss working with such exceptional artists and persons. Michael's trumpet and Kristin's oboe playing have enhanced many services over the past eight years at St. Paul's.

Michael Duffy, Trumpet. I have found Michael's technical facility and warm brilliant sound on the trumpet to be on a par with the great classical trumpet players in our major symphonies around the country. Definitely, a gift and honor for me, was the opportunity to work on and perform the soprano & trumpet classics such as J.S. Bach's "Jauchzet Gott in alle Landen" and G. F. Händel's Let the Bright Seraphim" with him. The St. Paul's Choirs and congregation have been lifted by his spirited sounds on many hymns and anthems. You will be able to hear him perform on several anthems and a hymn, with the St. Paul's Choir, on the soon to be Choral CD recorded this past May. Michael has also shared many other talents with us at St. Paul's. He served on the vestry for several years and also as Sr. Warden.

After serving as Music Librarian since 2002 and also Head of Branch Libraries, Michael Duffy will leave Northern Illinois University on October 3, to begin his appointment to the position of Performing Arts Librarian at Western Michigan University. How cool is it that Michael has M. Music in musicology from Northwestern University, Master of Library and Information Science from Dominican University, Bachelor of Music in music education from Western Michigan University, and he is now heading back to WMU!

Kristin Duffy, Oboe. Another one of my favorite musical memories of Kristin playing the Oboe at St. Paul's was for a Lenten service when she accompanied the choir on the beautiful anthem titled "And No Bird Sang" by Douglas Wagner. Kristin has such an incredibly beautiful quality in her oboe sound. It was truly a gift and blessing to have Kristin play for and enhance many of our worship services. How awesome to have the sound of the oboe!!

Kristin has also shared with us at St. Paul's many other gifts! She has been on the Flower Guild for many years. Additionally, She was very instrumental and active on the rector search committee. Kristin is a Contracts and Industry Relations Coordinator, in the Office of Sponsored Projects at Northern Illinois University.  Kristin holds a B. A. in History from Hope College and M. A. in Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program (SUNY Oneonta).  

All are welcome to a Raise the Roof Trivia Night Fundraiser for Grace Place Campus Ministry here at St. Paul's on October 17 from 7:00-9:00 PM. 

You can form a team or come solo. Suggested donation is $10 for Community Members and $5 for College Students. Under 18 are free. Childcare will be provided.

 We could use donations of soft drinks, snacks, cookies, or bars. Anything                that could be easily eaten during a Trivia Game! Contact Jennie Cummings for more  information. 

The Casserole Ministry is looking for a few more volunteers, or you can donate money towards a meal. Casseroles can be divided into 2-portion freezer-proof plastic containers which can be stored in the freezer in the Parish Hall. Casseroles should be labeled, including main ingredients, date prepared, and cooking time and temperature. We don't need casseroles every month and you can participate as you have time. There will be a need for folks to bake and deliver at times, too. Contact Jennie Cummings for more information.

The Food Pantry Ministry is also looking for a few more folks to rotate into the group. The  commitment  is 3 days per year for 3 hours each day. St. Paul's has adopted the first Thursday each month from nine to noon at the Salvation Army Food Pantry at 830 Grove Street in DeKalb. Contact Vince and Pat McMahon for more information.