Friday, March 27, 2015

Announcements for March 29

Palm Sunday This Sunday: Blessing of the Palms and Procession Begins Early
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. The liturgy for blessing the palms will begin at the outdoor altar at 7:55 AM for the early service and at 9:40 AM for the later service.

Sunday School Classes on Vacation
Sunday School classes for all ages, children and adults, are on vacation this Sunday and next Sunday. They will resume after Easter on April 12.

Holy Week Services
Worship services will be held daily throughout Holy Week. A full schedule is available on the parish blog HERE.

Sign Up for the Watch
Following the Maundy Thursday service prayerful watch is kept through the night with the Reserved Sacrament. Shifts are for one hour. A sign up sheet is available in the back of the church.

For Children and Youth: Stations of the Cross & Liturgy of Light
Children and young people are invited to a special liturgy Saturday, April 4, beginning at 3:00 PM. The event will include a version of the Stations of the Cross, the Liturgy of Light (celebrating the coming of the Easter light), and the raising of the A******* banner. We will also prepare Easter eggs for the Easter egg hunt.

Easter Flower Contributions
If you would like to contribute to the lilies and special flowers that adorn the church at Easter time, please look for special flower envelopes in the pews.

Good Friday Offering
Since 1922, Episcopalians in the United States have supported the ministries of the Episcopal Church in the Holy Land through the Good Friday offering. Special offering envelopes will be in the pews throughout Holy Week.

Yarn Ministry
The knitting group will meet Tuesday, April 7 (NOT Monday, as usual), beginning at 7:00 PM in the Guild Room.

Blue Jean Sunday
Mark your calendars for the spring clean-up landscape work day, coming Sunday, April 19. Wear casual clothes and stay after church to help prepare the church grounds for spring glory.

Reflection for March 29

And yet Easter comes. We believe that although bullies, thugs, and murderers seem to be winning, peace and justice will prevail at the end of the day. We dare to believe that the long arc of history, as Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, is toward freedom, equality, kindness, justice and love.

We become fools for Christ because Jesus was still loving and forgiving even as men were driving nails through his wrists and ankles. Because of Easter we dare to believe that the resurrection drama points to God’s ultimate authority and power. Death did not defeat Jesus. The power of empire, human hatred, cruelty, and bigotry did not prevail on that dark Friday because three days later, there was Easter (John M. Buchanan, “Reason for hope,” Christian Century, April 1, 2015).

Monday, March 23, 2015

Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - February 16, 2015

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 Diane Walsh-Madden; the junior warden, Anne Edwards; vestry members Bob Burgwald, Nichole Dailor, Cynthia Turnquest, Ted Stone, Jim Whitfield, and Hans Zigmund; the treasurer, Debbi Huggett; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Vestry members absent were: Rob Carrier, Bob DeOliveira, and Patti Pohrte.

Stewardship

Minutes
For the December vestry meeting minutes: Debbie Huggett noted that the heading “Information” was misspelled. Hans Zigmund moved that the minutes be accepted with the spelling correction. Jim Whitfield seconded, and the motion was approved. For the January budget meeting minutes: Hans Zigmund moved that the minutes be accepted. Jim Whitfield seconded, and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report
Debbi Huggett reported that January was not an especially notable month. The internal variances are due to timing in paying the bills. In a discussion about how the detailed reports can be set up to make them easier to read, Hans Zigmund suggested a one-page summary sheet as well as another sheet with more details, and a three-to-five year rolling average. Diane Walsh-Madden wondered about building maintenance and repair expenses. Debbi noted that such things as unexpected expenses, maintenance expenses, office supplies, utilities, and so forth are budgeted in the third month of the quarter. Nichole Dailor moved that the treasurer’s report be accepted. Anne Edwards seconded, and the motion passed.

Rector’s Discretionary Account
Vestry members received copies of a report on the Rector’s Discretionary Account for the fourth quarter of 2014. Jim Whitfield moved that the report be accepted, Cynthia Turnquest seconded, and the motion passed.

Bank Accounts
Church checks are approved by the rector, written by the office manager, and signed by a warden. Because the senior warden is also a money counter, she prefers that a third-year vestry member become a signer along with the junior warden. The Rector is also a signer, but only in emergencies. Hans Zigmund moved to authorize junior warden Anne Edwards and vestry member Jim Whitfield as church check signers. The Rector, Kristin Orr, continues as a signer. Bob Burgwald seconded the motion, which then was approved.
The rector noted that all church accounts have been held by Great Lakes Bank, which now has become First Midwest Bank.

Parochial Report
Each parish is required to submit a report annually to the national church. The rector prepares the membership page, and the treasurer prepares the financial page. This year’s report documents membership numbers as steady or increasing slightly, while attendance has decreased. Pastor Orr said that this is typical of churches across the country. Faithful parishioners are not attending church as often, but they remain as committed as ever. Cynthia Turnquest moved that the Parochial Report be accepted as amended, Anne Edwards seconded, and the motion was approved.

Information

New Vestry Members
Newly elected members, Anne Edwards, Bob Burgwald, Cynthia Turnquest, and Rob Carrier (who was unable to attend tonight) were welcomed. Pastor Orr asked each person on the vestry to say something about his or her gifts, skills, and passions.

Rector’s Report
There was a major repair last week when the ejector pump in the boiler room failed resulting in three inches of water on the floor. It was repaired immediately at a cost of approximately $800.

Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Other Parish Organizations
There were no reports.

Upcoming Parish Events
--Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper tomorrow, February 17th. Any profits will be given to the youth group for their outreach projects.
--Ash Wednesday services on February 18th at 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM, and 7:00 PM.
 --Lenten Study Series from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM on February 25th, March 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th. The classes will focus on the book, The Last Week by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan.
--Bishop Epting will visit St. John’s on June 7th.
--The Big Awesome diocesan junior and senior high event, at Camp Wonderland on the weekend of April 24-26.
--Happening #99 youth event at St. Mark’s Glen Ellyn March 6-8

Discussion and Decisions

Columbarium Project
Pastor Orr said that the spaces in our current columbarium are over-subscribed. We need ideas and concepts about what we can do. There are no legal qualifications other than what would pass the Flossmoor Plan Commission. Former vestry member Mark Moxley has said that he would like to continue to work on this project. During the next month, Pastor Orr volunteered to check with lift contractor, Derrek Pathmann, for any ideas he has. Nichole Dailor and Diane Walsh-Madden volunteered to research styles and architects, with Nichole researching online and Diane making phone calls.

Facility Needs
Pastor Orr reported that Jim Whitfield is compiling a list of projects that need to be done throughout the facility.

Vestry Retreat
The vestry tentatively set the date of April 11th for the annual vestry retreat.

Closing
Following prayer, the meeting ended at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis, Clerk of the Vestry

Approved, as amended:  March 16, 2015

Friday, March 20, 2015

Holy Week Schedule


Palm Sunday, March 29
7:55 a.m. Blessing of the Palms; Outdoor Altar
8:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist; Church 
Christian Formation classes will not meet.
9:40 a.m. Blessing of the Palms; Outdoor Altar and procession around Flossmoor
10:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist; Church
Youth Worship will not meet on Palm Sunday. 
 
Monday in Holy Week, March 30
7:00 p.m. The Holy Eucharist 

Tuesday in Holy Week, March 31
7:00 p.m. The Holy Eucharist 

Wednesday in Holy Week, April 1
9:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist with Healing 
7:00 p.m. The Holy Eucharist 

Maundy Thursday, April 2
6:30 p.m. The Holy Eucharist (with foot washing for those who wish), followed by the agape meal and stripping of the altar
8:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Friday) Prayer Vigil and Watch at the altar of repose 

Good Friday, April 3
12:00 p.m. The Proper Liturgy for Good Friday 
7:00 p.m. Good Friday vespers 

Easter Eve, Saturday, April 4
3:00 p.m. Youth Liturgy: Stations of the Cross and Welcoming of the Paschal Light. Followed by the raising of the A******* banner and preparation of Easter eggs. Gather in the Church.
8:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter with Holy Baptism 

Easter Day, April 5
8:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist
Christian Formation classes will not meet.
Youth worship will not meet on Easter.
10:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist
Followed by an Easter egg hunt for children on the front lawn.

Announcements for March 22

Palm Sunday
Next Sunday, March 29, is Palm Sunday. The liturgy for blessing the palms will begin at the outdoor altar at 7:55 AM for the early service and at 9:40 AM for the later service. Sunday School classes will not meet on Palm Sunday.

New Parish Directories are Available
Pick up a copy of the newly revised parish directory from any of the information tables.

This Sunday: Sunday School Classes Commemorate the Last Supper
On March 22, during the Christian formation time, the children and youth of the church will be recreating the Last Supper. In order for the Last Supper to be successful, it is important that all who wish to participate arrive by 9:00 AM.

Sign Up for the Watch
Following the Maundy Thursday service prayerful watch is kept through the night with the Reserved Sacrament. Shifts are for two hours. A sign up sheet is available in the back of the church.

Reflection for March 22

Confession
To confess your sins to God is not to tell him anything he doesn’t already know. Until you confess them, however, they are the abyss between you. When you confess them, they become the bridge (Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking).

Friday, March 13, 2015

Announcements for March 15

Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets Monday, March 16, beginning at 7:00 PM in the church.

Make Your Reservations Now for the Fish Fry: Friday, March 20
Once again blues musician Smiley Tillmon will be providing entertainment. The menu includes fresh fried whitefish, roasted potatoes, cole slaw and dessert (or mac and cheese for those who prefer). Dinner will be served from 5:30 – 7:30 PM; tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, paid at the door. Proceeds benefit South Suburban PADS. Please contact the parish office by March 17 to make reservations.

Loaves & Fishes Brunch This Sunday
Everyone is invited to brunch following the 10:00 AM service this Sunday, March 22. If you wish to bring a side or dessert to share, please do, but come regardless. The entrée will be provided and all are welcome!

Wednesday Evening Class for Lent: Reading Assignments
This year the Wednesday evening Lenten class is studying The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’s Last Days in Jerusalem by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan. Classes meet in the church from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Reading assignments for the remaining weeks are: March 18 – Chapters 6 & 7; March 25 – Chapter 8.

New Parish Directories are Available
Pick up a copy of the newly revised parish directory from any of the information tables.

Sunday School Classes Commemorate the Last Supper
On March 22, during the Christian formation time, the children and youth of the church will be recreating the Last Supper. In order for the Last Supper to be successful, it is important that all who with to participate arrive by 9:00 AM.

High School Youth Group Do-Over!
Let’s try shopping for supplies for the Humane Society this Sunday, March 15th. Meet at St. John’s at 4:00 PM, when we’ll depart for the store. (We’ll return by 5:30.) Please call or text Dee McManamy if you’re coming so we’re sure to have enough car space for you and any friends. Also, come prepared to discuss Youth Group Lock-in dates. Which Friday works best for you (and your family’s calendar): May 1, May 8 or May 29? We’re lining up a great roster of guests and activities for the lock-in. You really won’t want to miss it!

Reflection for March 15

I have heard from several people recently that have taken on a decluttering practice as a way of observing the forty days of Lent. There is even an official “40 Bags in 40 Days De-cluttering Challenge for Lent” program that one can join…. I know others who are observing Lent by practicing a different kind of decluttering. This decluttering is not related to material stuff, but to time. To declutter one’s life in terms of time is to become intentional about slowing down and even stopping for a period of Sabbath time each day…. The word clutter is closely related to the word clot, and it is easy to see why. A clot blocks the flow of something that is supposed to flow freely. And so it is with clutter…. Clearing a portion of our [life] creates an opening for spiritual energy and vitality to flow more freely (The Rev. Scott Stoner, The Living Compass Faith & Wellness Ministry).

Friday, March 6, 2015

Announcements for March 8

Daylight Saving Time Begins This Sunday
Remember to set your clocks forward one hour this Saturday evening, March 7.

Fish Fry: Friday, March 20 
Make your reservations now! Once again blues musician Smiley Tillmon will be providing entertainment. The menu includes fresh fried whitefish, roasted potatoes, cole slaw and dessert (or mac and cheese for those who prefer). Dinner will be served from 5:30 – 7:30 PM; tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, paid at the door. Proceeds benefit South Suburban PADS. Please call or email the parish office by March 17 to make reservations.

Wednesday Evening Class for Lent: Reading Assignments
This year the Wednesday evening Lenten class is studying The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’s Last Days in Jerusalem by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan. Classes meet in the church from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Reading assignments for the remaining weeks are: March 11 – Chapters 4 & 5; March 18 – Chapters 6 & 7; March 25 – Chapter 8.

Spring is Almost Here
Well, at least musically, as the Grande Prairie Singers present a love-themed concert featuring West Side Story and Henry Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas. It will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 8, at Faith United Protestant Church in Park Forest. Pianist is our own amazing Michael Soto. See Bob or Betsy Burgwald for tickets.

Reflection for March 8

Imagine that Christianity is about loving God. Imagine that it’s not about the self and its concerns, about ‘what’s in it for me,’ whether that be a blessed afterlife or prosperity in this life (Marcus Borg, Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most).