Jubilation and Fall Ministry Fair – Next Sunday, September 7
The activities of our annual fall kick-off Sunday will be September 7, following the 10:00 am service. Brunch will be served. You can browse displays of many activities and ministries that are a part of our parish life. Sunday School registration will be held. And it is a good chance to catch up with friends after the summer. Everyone is invited!
Seeking All Bowlers
A Sunday afternoon church bowling league is looking for new bowlers. If you are an experienced bowler or just learning, come and have fun with us. Bowling is every other Sunday afternoon from September 14 – April 26, 2015, at Lynwood Bowl. Check out the flyers on the table in the undercroft or see Gale Michael for more information.
Sunday School Begins September 14
The Sunday School year begins Sunday, September 14, with the annual “painting of the window” in the Atrium. Regular classes for children and adults begin the following Sunday, September 21.
Seeking Delegates for Diocesan Convention
The annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago will be held November 21 – 22 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. If you are interested in representing St. John’s at convention, please speak to the Rector.
Parish Office Hours
The parish office will be closed Monday, September 1, to commemorate Labor Day. Tuesday, September 2, regular (non-summer) office hours resume. The office will be open Monday through Friday, 9 am – 1 pm.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Reflection for August 31
The Practice of Walking on the Earth
Not everyone is able to walk, but most people can, which makes walking one of the most easily available spiritual practices of all. All it takes is the decision to walk with some awareness, both of who you are and what you are doing. Where you are going is not as important, however counterintuitive that may seem. To detach the walking from the destination is in fact one of the best ways to recognize the altars you are passing right by all the time. Most of us spend so much time thinking about where we have been or where we are supposed to be going that we have a hard time recognizing where we actually are. When someone asks us where we want to be in our lives, the last thing that occurs to us to look down at our feet and say, “Here, I guess, since this is where I am” (Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World).
Not everyone is able to walk, but most people can, which makes walking one of the most easily available spiritual practices of all. All it takes is the decision to walk with some awareness, both of who you are and what you are doing. Where you are going is not as important, however counterintuitive that may seem. To detach the walking from the destination is in fact one of the best ways to recognize the altars you are passing right by all the time. Most of us spend so much time thinking about where we have been or where we are supposed to be going that we have a hard time recognizing where we actually are. When someone asks us where we want to be in our lives, the last thing that occurs to us to look down at our feet and say, “Here, I guess, since this is where I am” (Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World).
Friday, August 22, 2014
Announcements for August 24
Uplifting Update
At the August 18 vestry meeting the vestry approved the purchase of a vertical lift and a bid from a general contractor to do the associated renovations. The lift will provide access to all three levels of the church. More information on the project is available in the undercroft.
Blessing of the Backpacks
This Sunday Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks or bookbags to the 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday, August 24, for a service of prayer and blessing as a new school year begins.
Jubilation and Fall Ministry Fair – September 7
The activities of our annual fall kick-off Sunday will be September 7, following the 10:00 am service. Brunch will be served. You can browse displays of many activities and ministries that are a part of our parish life. Sunday School registration will be held. And it is a good chance to catch up with friends after the summer. Everyone is invited!
Seeking All Bowlers
A Sunday afternoon church bowling league is looking for new bowlers. If you are an experienced bowler or just learning, come and have fun with us. Bowling is every other Sunday afternoon from September 14 – April 26, 2015, at Lynwood Bowl. Check out the flyers on the table in the undercroft or see Gale Michael for more information.
Seeking Delegates for Diocesan Convention
The annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago will be held November 21 – 22 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. If you are interested in representing St. John’s at convention, please speak to the Rector.
At the August 18 vestry meeting the vestry approved the purchase of a vertical lift and a bid from a general contractor to do the associated renovations. The lift will provide access to all three levels of the church. More information on the project is available in the undercroft.
Blessing of the Backpacks
This Sunday Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks or bookbags to the 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday, August 24, for a service of prayer and blessing as a new school year begins.
Jubilation and Fall Ministry Fair – September 7
The activities of our annual fall kick-off Sunday will be September 7, following the 10:00 am service. Brunch will be served. You can browse displays of many activities and ministries that are a part of our parish life. Sunday School registration will be held. And it is a good chance to catch up with friends after the summer. Everyone is invited!
Seeking All Bowlers
A Sunday afternoon church bowling league is looking for new bowlers. If you are an experienced bowler or just learning, come and have fun with us. Bowling is every other Sunday afternoon from September 14 – April 26, 2015, at Lynwood Bowl. Check out the flyers on the table in the undercroft or see Gale Michael for more information.
Seeking Delegates for Diocesan Convention
The annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago will be held November 21 – 22 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. If you are interested in representing St. John’s at convention, please speak to the Rector.
Reflection for August 24
For those who have not seen it before...
Top 10 Reasons for Being an Episcopalian
10) No snake handling. 9) You can believe in dinosaurs. 8) Male and female, God created them; male and female we ordain them. 7) You don’t have to check your brains at the door. 6) Pew aerobics. 5) Church year is color coded. 4) Free wine on Sunday. 3) All of the pageantry, none of the guilt. 2) You don’t have to know how to swim to get baptized. 1) No matter what you believe, there’s bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you (Robin Williams).
Top 10 Reasons for Being an Episcopalian
10) No snake handling. 9) You can believe in dinosaurs. 8) Male and female, God created them; male and female we ordain them. 7) You don’t have to check your brains at the door. 6) Pew aerobics. 5) Church year is color coded. 4) Free wine on Sunday. 3) All of the pageantry, none of the guilt. 2) You don’t have to know how to swim to get baptized. 1) No matter what you believe, there’s bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you (Robin Williams).
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - June 16, 2014
Formation
Evening Prayer and Thanksgiving & Prayer Requests
The vestry assembled in the church for evening prayer at 7:00 PM followed by offered prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
Attendance
Present at the meeting were the rector, Kristin Orr; the senior warden, Bill Bestow; the junior warden, Diane Walsh-Madden; vestry members Steve Hofer, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, Patti Pohrte, Ted Stone, Jim Whitfield, and Hans Zigmund; the treasurer, Debbi Huggett; and the clerk, Susan Marquis.
Vestry members Nichole Dailor and Bob DeOliveira were absent.
Two guests were present at the meeting, Sebastian Koprowski and Jim Lonergan, both of whom are architects from Product Architecture Design.
Stewardship
Minutes
Pastor Orr suggested that the minutes from May be amended regarding the motion to pay for the radiator work from the reserve fund. The addition of the parenthetical phrase “(rather than from the maintenance fund as an expense item)” will make the intent of the motion clearer to those who read the minutes in the future. Gale Michael moved that the minutes be accepted as amended. After a second by Patti Pohrte the motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Debbi Huggett reported that May was a good month for collections.
The recent tuckpointing project has been paid for from the Building Maintenance Fund reserve.
St. John’s donated $520 to the diocesan Places of Grace and Gladness fund drive.
The offering from Michael Soto’s June 8th concert provided $500 for The Night Ministry.
Bill Bestow made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as presented, and Jim Whitfield seconded. The motion passed.
Gale Michael moved to establish a Special Purpose Fund for maintenance of the parish food garden. Hans Zigmund seconded, and the motion passed.
Information
Rector’s Report
--Michael Soto’s recent organ recital was a wonderful musical event.
--Pastor Orr expressed personal thanks for the organizers and the parish support of the parish brunch that was held in honor of her tenth anniversary as rector of St. John’s.
--The rector is grateful to the Pentecost arm of the Altar Guild for their work on Pentecost decorations of the church. She heard many comments about the great “Spirit” of the day.
--The website is coming along.
--Pastor Orr was appointed to the Community Communications Commission for School District 161, which includes Parker Junior High and the Flossmoor elementary schools.
--The plumbers called and said that they will look at the two outdoor faucets that do not work.
--The Ice Cream Social is coming up, and Gale needs card tables and workers on July 3rd and 4th.
--We will be getting new lighting in the sanctuary. A private donor will cover most, if not all, of the costs. There will be new tracks with both spotlights and floodlights that will be soft-colored, dimmable LEDs. Hans Zigmund made a motion that we move forward with the lighting project, and Bill Bestow seconded. The motion passed.
Discussion and Decisions
Accessibility Project
--The vestry took a walking tour of the three levels of the building where the lift is proposed to be installed, while the architects described the work that would be done, clarified the architectural drawings, and answered questions. Once back in the meeting room, Gale Michael made a motion to approve the project plan as presented. Diane Walsh-Madden seconded, and the motion passed.
--The architects will fine-tune the project as it progresses and will solicit bids for a contractor to oversee the work.
--In discussion the vestry decided to make the project drawings and photos available in the undercroft for the parish to see. Gale Michael volunteered to make an announcement about the progress of the project during the 8:00 AM service next Sunday, and Bill Bestow will do the same at the 10:00 AM service.
Closing
Following prayer, the meeting concluded. The next meeting is scheduled for August 18th.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis, Clerk of the Vestry
Approved August 18, 2014
Evening Prayer and Thanksgiving & Prayer Requests
The vestry assembled in the church for evening prayer at 7:00 PM followed by offered prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
Attendance
Present at the meeting were the rector, Kristin Orr; the senior warden, Bill Bestow; the junior warden, Diane Walsh-Madden; vestry members Steve Hofer, Gale Michael, Mark Moxley, Patti Pohrte, Ted Stone, Jim Whitfield, and Hans Zigmund; the treasurer, Debbi Huggett; and the clerk, Susan Marquis.
Vestry members Nichole Dailor and Bob DeOliveira were absent.
Two guests were present at the meeting, Sebastian Koprowski and Jim Lonergan, both of whom are architects from Product Architecture Design.
Stewardship
Minutes
Pastor Orr suggested that the minutes from May be amended regarding the motion to pay for the radiator work from the reserve fund. The addition of the parenthetical phrase “(rather than from the maintenance fund as an expense item)” will make the intent of the motion clearer to those who read the minutes in the future. Gale Michael moved that the minutes be accepted as amended. After a second by Patti Pohrte the motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Debbi Huggett reported that May was a good month for collections.
The recent tuckpointing project has been paid for from the Building Maintenance Fund reserve.
St. John’s donated $520 to the diocesan Places of Grace and Gladness fund drive.
The offering from Michael Soto’s June 8th concert provided $500 for The Night Ministry.
Bill Bestow made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as presented, and Jim Whitfield seconded. The motion passed.
Gale Michael moved to establish a Special Purpose Fund for maintenance of the parish food garden. Hans Zigmund seconded, and the motion passed.
Information
Rector’s Report
--Michael Soto’s recent organ recital was a wonderful musical event.
--Pastor Orr expressed personal thanks for the organizers and the parish support of the parish brunch that was held in honor of her tenth anniversary as rector of St. John’s.
--The rector is grateful to the Pentecost arm of the Altar Guild for their work on Pentecost decorations of the church. She heard many comments about the great “Spirit” of the day.
--The website is coming along.
--Pastor Orr was appointed to the Community Communications Commission for School District 161, which includes Parker Junior High and the Flossmoor elementary schools.
--The plumbers called and said that they will look at the two outdoor faucets that do not work.
--The Ice Cream Social is coming up, and Gale needs card tables and workers on July 3rd and 4th.
--We will be getting new lighting in the sanctuary. A private donor will cover most, if not all, of the costs. There will be new tracks with both spotlights and floodlights that will be soft-colored, dimmable LEDs. Hans Zigmund made a motion that we move forward with the lighting project, and Bill Bestow seconded. The motion passed.
Discussion and Decisions
Accessibility Project
--The vestry took a walking tour of the three levels of the building where the lift is proposed to be installed, while the architects described the work that would be done, clarified the architectural drawings, and answered questions. Once back in the meeting room, Gale Michael made a motion to approve the project plan as presented. Diane Walsh-Madden seconded, and the motion passed.
--The architects will fine-tune the project as it progresses and will solicit bids for a contractor to oversee the work.
--In discussion the vestry decided to make the project drawings and photos available in the undercroft for the parish to see. Gale Michael volunteered to make an announcement about the progress of the project during the 8:00 AM service next Sunday, and Bill Bestow will do the same at the 10:00 AM service.
Closing
Following prayer, the meeting concluded. The next meeting is scheduled for August 18th.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis, Clerk of the Vestry
Approved August 18, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
Announcements for August 17
Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets this Monday, August 18, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Evening Prayer in the church.
Blessing of the Backpacks Next Sunday
Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks or bookbags to the 10:00 a.m. service next Sunday, August 24, for a service of prayer and blessing as a new school year begins.
Respond Now Back to School Drive
St. John’s is participating in Respond Now’s Back to School Drive. Supplies needed: backpacks, 24-ct crayons, washable markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, Elmer’s liquid glue, 2-pk folders, spiral notebooks, blue/black/red pens, and pencils. Flyers are available in the undercroft or see Iris Bestow with questions. Please drop off your supplies by this Sunday, Aug. 17th. Thanks!
Flossmoor Road Closure
Flossmoor Road is currently closed between Brassie and Sterling (the viaduct under the railroad tracks). The closure is part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Flossmoor Metra Station and is expected to last approximately 8 weeks. If this affects your normal route to St. John’s, please find an alternate route and allow extra time. The “recommended detour” is 183rd Street, via Governor’s or Dixie Highway.
The vestry meets this Monday, August 18, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Evening Prayer in the church.
Blessing of the Backpacks Next Sunday
Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks or bookbags to the 10:00 a.m. service next Sunday, August 24, for a service of prayer and blessing as a new school year begins.
Respond Now Back to School Drive
St. John’s is participating in Respond Now’s Back to School Drive. Supplies needed: backpacks, 24-ct crayons, washable markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, Elmer’s liquid glue, 2-pk folders, spiral notebooks, blue/black/red pens, and pencils. Flyers are available in the undercroft or see Iris Bestow with questions. Please drop off your supplies by this Sunday, Aug. 17th. Thanks!
Flossmoor Road Closure
Flossmoor Road is currently closed between Brassie and Sterling (the viaduct under the railroad tracks). The closure is part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Flossmoor Metra Station and is expected to last approximately 8 weeks. If this affects your normal route to St. John’s, please find an alternate route and allow extra time. The “recommended detour” is 183rd Street, via Governor’s or Dixie Highway.
Reflection for August 17
For the Beginning of a New School Year
Holy God, as we begin a new school year, we ask you to: Give us your wisdom as we make decisions for our future; Give us your compassion in our relationships with family and friends; Give us your safety when we feel vulnerable or hurt; Give us your courage when anxieties and insecurities take control; Give us your grace in all that we do.
O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery and the pursuit of wisdom; grant that those who teach and those who learn my find you to be the source of all truth. Amen (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, A New Zealand Prayer Book and Call on Me by EYC Arkansas).
Holy God, as we begin a new school year, we ask you to: Give us your wisdom as we make decisions for our future; Give us your compassion in our relationships with family and friends; Give us your safety when we feel vulnerable or hurt; Give us your courage when anxieties and insecurities take control; Give us your grace in all that we do.
O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery and the pursuit of wisdom; grant that those who teach and those who learn my find you to be the source of all truth. Amen (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, A New Zealand Prayer Book and Call on Me by EYC Arkansas).
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