Jubilation and Ministry Fair: September 13
The Jubilation, our fall program kick-off and celebration of the life and ministry of the people of St. John’s, will be held the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 13. Lunch will be served. Ministries and activities will have informational displays and Sunday School registration will be held.
Chad Senuta to Visit St. John’s
Chad Senuta, Associate for Youth and Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Chicago, will visit St. John’s on Sunday, September 20. He will present a forum for parishioners of all ages during the 9:00 AM hour and will preach at the 10:00 AM service.
2015 – 2016 Parish Calendar Available
Copies of the calendar of services and activities for the upcoming program year are available on the information tables.
Bowling League
Sunday Afternoon Church Bowling League is looking for bowlers for the 2015-2016 season. Teams of four (all men, all women, any mixture of men and women, your teenage children, too). Every other Sunday afternoon from 3 pm to 6 pm at Lynwood Bowl. For further information, contact Gale Michael.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Reflection for August 30
If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them with a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it (Lyndon B. Johnson).
Friday, August 21, 2015
Announcements for August 23
Blessing of the Backpacks – This Sunday, August 23
As students of all ages return to school after summer break we will bless their backpacks and pray for all who teach and all who learn during the 10:00 AM service this Sunday, August 23.
Looking Ahead to the Jubilation
The Jubilation, our fall program kick-off and celebration of the life and ministry of the people of St. John’s, will be held the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 13.
Chad Senuta to Visit St. John’s
Chad Senuta, Associate for Youth and Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Chicago, will visit St. John’s on Sunday, September 20. More details will be provided later.
Vestry Minutes
A reminder that vestry minutes are posted on this blog after they are approved by the vestry. For example, the June minutes (approved at the recent August meeting) are posted here. A paper copy is also posted in the glass-cased bulletin board near the parish office.
As students of all ages return to school after summer break we will bless their backpacks and pray for all who teach and all who learn during the 10:00 AM service this Sunday, August 23.
Looking Ahead to the Jubilation
The Jubilation, our fall program kick-off and celebration of the life and ministry of the people of St. John’s, will be held the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 13.
Chad Senuta to Visit St. John’s
Chad Senuta, Associate for Youth and Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Chicago, will visit St. John’s on Sunday, September 20. More details will be provided later.
Vestry Minutes
A reminder that vestry minutes are posted on this blog after they are approved by the vestry. For example, the June minutes (approved at the recent August meeting) are posted here. A paper copy is also posted in the glass-cased bulletin board near the parish office.
Reflection for August 23
Joy is the most infallible sign of the existence of God (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, via Stephen Colbert. More of Colbert reflecting on his faith is available here).
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - June 15, 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 junior warden, Anne Edwards; vestry members Bob Burgwald, Rob Carrier, Nichole Dailor, Patti Pohrte, Ted Stone, Cynthia Turnquest, and Jim Whitfield; the treasurer, Debbi Huggett; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Absent from the meeting were the senior warden, Diane Walsh-Madden; and vestry members Bob DeOliveira, and Hans Zigmund.
Parish Stewardship
Minutes from the May Meeting
Jim Whitfield moved to accept the minutes from the May vestry meeting. Cynthia Turnquest seconded, and the motion was approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Debbi Huggett reported that things are fine with the budget, with no unanticipated expenses, and with revenue coming in uneventfully. Anne Edwards moved to accept the treasurer’s report, and Patti Pohrte seconded. The motion was approved.
Information
Rector’s Report
• Pastor Orr reminded the vestry that she will be on vacation for four weeks, the time including the last two Sundays of July and the first two Sundays of August.
• Greg Knoll asked the rector to express thanks to the vestry for the gifts of a personal letter from the White Sox and a restaurant gift card that were given to him to thank him for the years that he donated his grass-mowing services to the parish.
• Thanks to the generosity of Bill Braker, the overgrown yews at the south end of the education wing have been removed. Pastor Orr and Lynn Ruschhaupt are working on ideas for new plantings in that area.
• Pastor Orr expressed gratitude for the vestry’s work on the day of Bishop Epting’s visit and the days leading up to it.
• The diocese offers at least three electronic newsletters on the topics of youth, general information, and leadership. The rector encouraged those on the vestry who have not done so, to go to the diocesan website and sign up for at least the general information newsletter. Nichole Dailor noted that the youth newsletter recently announced that the Associate and Assistant for Youth Ministry are available to come out to parishes to encourage kids to participate in diocesan youth events. Pastor Orr also had noticed this and will look into it further.
• Pastor Orr recently received a communication from Bishop Lee’s administrative assistant stating that the bishop is considering scheduling parish visits, starting next year, for events other than Sunday eucharists. The vestry should think about which events the bishop could be invited to visit at St. John’s.
Upcoming Events
July 4th - St. John’s Annual Community Ice Cream Social
Discussion and Decisions
Columbarium Project
Last month the vestry decided to enter into an agreement with landscape architect Scott Mehaffey. He has sent a specific contract that formalizes what was in his previous written narrative. The contract covers an evaluation of our site, a local tour for the vestry to see other columbaria, Mr. Mehaffey’s research, and the presentation of three design options. Jim Whitfield made a motion that the vestry will engage in this contract as presented with funding from the Columbarium Fund. Nicole Dailor seconded, and the motion was approved.
Building Maintenance
• Since last month’s meeting the issue of a non-working outdoor faucet nearest to the community garden seems to have been resolved, perhaps by being forced on by the workers who removed the yews. In any event, there is no need for repair at this point.
• Anne Edwards continues to look into flooring options for the front undercroft stairs, sacristy, and rectory kitchen.
• Jim Whitfield has had people out to look at the door to the staff parking lot.
• Rob Carrier has received three tuck pointing estimates after having talked with at least four companies. The vestry discussed possible reasons why the bell tower tuck pointing that was done in 2006 has not held up. It could have been the result of faulty workmanship, but it also could have been due to such things as the building shifting, vibrations, or weather. Prior to the meeting, estimates from Bruno’s, Best Brick, and Steve Coleman were distributed to vestry members. Because the proposals were not specific on some issues, the vestry did not feel ready to commit to any company this month. Rob will check on issues with various companies such as who provides ladders and scaffolding, what will they do to protect the landscape, do they have bonding and licensing proof, how much is the down payment, what is the time line, and what is the description of the work. The vestry will re-address the issue at the August meeting.
Closing
Pastor Orr stated that she will notify the vestry when Scott Mehaffey has scheduled the local columbarium tour, and she encourages as many vestry members as possible to attend.
After prayer, the meeting ended at 8:35 PM.
As always, there will be no vestry meeting in July. The next meeting is scheduled for August 17th.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry
Approved: August 17, 2015
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 junior warden, Anne Edwards; vestry members Bob Burgwald, Rob Carrier, Nichole Dailor, Patti Pohrte, Ted Stone, Cynthia Turnquest, and Jim Whitfield; the treasurer, Debbi Huggett; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Absent from the meeting were the senior warden, Diane Walsh-Madden; and vestry members Bob DeOliveira, and Hans Zigmund.
Parish Stewardship
Minutes from the May Meeting
Jim Whitfield moved to accept the minutes from the May vestry meeting. Cynthia Turnquest seconded, and the motion was approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Debbi Huggett reported that things are fine with the budget, with no unanticipated expenses, and with revenue coming in uneventfully. Anne Edwards moved to accept the treasurer’s report, and Patti Pohrte seconded. The motion was approved.
Information
Rector’s Report
• Pastor Orr reminded the vestry that she will be on vacation for four weeks, the time including the last two Sundays of July and the first two Sundays of August.
• Greg Knoll asked the rector to express thanks to the vestry for the gifts of a personal letter from the White Sox and a restaurant gift card that were given to him to thank him for the years that he donated his grass-mowing services to the parish.
• Thanks to the generosity of Bill Braker, the overgrown yews at the south end of the education wing have been removed. Pastor Orr and Lynn Ruschhaupt are working on ideas for new plantings in that area.
• Pastor Orr expressed gratitude for the vestry’s work on the day of Bishop Epting’s visit and the days leading up to it.
• The diocese offers at least three electronic newsletters on the topics of youth, general information, and leadership. The rector encouraged those on the vestry who have not done so, to go to the diocesan website and sign up for at least the general information newsletter. Nichole Dailor noted that the youth newsletter recently announced that the Associate and Assistant for Youth Ministry are available to come out to parishes to encourage kids to participate in diocesan youth events. Pastor Orr also had noticed this and will look into it further.
• Pastor Orr recently received a communication from Bishop Lee’s administrative assistant stating that the bishop is considering scheduling parish visits, starting next year, for events other than Sunday eucharists. The vestry should think about which events the bishop could be invited to visit at St. John’s.
Upcoming Events
July 4th - St. John’s Annual Community Ice Cream Social
Discussion and Decisions
Columbarium Project
Last month the vestry decided to enter into an agreement with landscape architect Scott Mehaffey. He has sent a specific contract that formalizes what was in his previous written narrative. The contract covers an evaluation of our site, a local tour for the vestry to see other columbaria, Mr. Mehaffey’s research, and the presentation of three design options. Jim Whitfield made a motion that the vestry will engage in this contract as presented with funding from the Columbarium Fund. Nicole Dailor seconded, and the motion was approved.
Building Maintenance
• Since last month’s meeting the issue of a non-working outdoor faucet nearest to the community garden seems to have been resolved, perhaps by being forced on by the workers who removed the yews. In any event, there is no need for repair at this point.
• Anne Edwards continues to look into flooring options for the front undercroft stairs, sacristy, and rectory kitchen.
• Jim Whitfield has had people out to look at the door to the staff parking lot.
• Rob Carrier has received three tuck pointing estimates after having talked with at least four companies. The vestry discussed possible reasons why the bell tower tuck pointing that was done in 2006 has not held up. It could have been the result of faulty workmanship, but it also could have been due to such things as the building shifting, vibrations, or weather. Prior to the meeting, estimates from Bruno’s, Best Brick, and Steve Coleman were distributed to vestry members. Because the proposals were not specific on some issues, the vestry did not feel ready to commit to any company this month. Rob will check on issues with various companies such as who provides ladders and scaffolding, what will they do to protect the landscape, do they have bonding and licensing proof, how much is the down payment, what is the time line, and what is the description of the work. The vestry will re-address the issue at the August meeting.
Closing
Pastor Orr stated that she will notify the vestry when Scott Mehaffey has scheduled the local columbarium tour, and she encourages as many vestry members as possible to attend.
After prayer, the meeting ended at 8:35 PM.
As always, there will be no vestry meeting in July. The next meeting is scheduled for August 17th.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry
Approved: August 17, 2015
Friday, August 14, 2015
Announcements for August 16
Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets Monday, August 17, beginning with Evening Prayer at 7:00 PM in the church.
Blessing of the Backpacks – August 23
As students of all ages return to school after summer break we will bless their backpacks and pray for all who teach and all who learn during the 10:00 AM service on Sunday, August 23.
Looking Ahead to the Jubilation
The Jubilation, our fall program kick-off and celebration of the life and ministry of the people of St. John’s, will be held the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 13.
Chad Senuta to Visit St. John’s
Chad Senuta, Associate for Youth and Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Chicago, will visit St. John’s on Sunday, September 20. More details will be provided later.
The vestry meets Monday, August 17, beginning with Evening Prayer at 7:00 PM in the church.
Blessing of the Backpacks – August 23
As students of all ages return to school after summer break we will bless their backpacks and pray for all who teach and all who learn during the 10:00 AM service on Sunday, August 23.
Looking Ahead to the Jubilation
The Jubilation, our fall program kick-off and celebration of the life and ministry of the people of St. John’s, will be held the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 13.
Chad Senuta to Visit St. John’s
Chad Senuta, Associate for Youth and Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Chicago, will visit St. John’s on Sunday, September 20. More details will be provided later.
Reflection for August 16
Over the next few hours, I went by the laundry room. Each time I meant to wash [my shirt recently stained with coffee], but there was always something else to do. So the shirt, my favorite shirt, just sat there. I really did mean to wash it, but it was two days before I actually got to wash the shirt. When the shirt came out of the machine, there was my shirt — and there was the stain. Washed, but not removed.
I had waited too long to remove the stain. The stain had set in. Oh my favorite shirt.
That’s when it came to me: our hearts are like this too.
Sometimes we get a stain on our hearts. An injury, an insult. A sadness, an anger. A frustration, a resentment. We could wash it away right then and there, with some kindness.
But we wait.
We postpone the washing, the cleansing, the forgiving. We move on to some other task, a new guest, a new emotion. The “stain” of that negative emotion sets in our hearts.
If something as simple as coffee can set in a shirt, how much more can anger and resentment set in our luminous hearts? Our hearts are the seat of the spirit, meant to hold God and naught but God.
Instead we stain our heart. We stain the hearts of others. We fail to remove the stain. We wait too long to remove the stain (Omid Safe, “We Wait Too Long to Remove the Stain, On Being blog).
I had waited too long to remove the stain. The stain had set in. Oh my favorite shirt.
That’s when it came to me: our hearts are like this too.
Sometimes we get a stain on our hearts. An injury, an insult. A sadness, an anger. A frustration, a resentment. We could wash it away right then and there, with some kindness.
But we wait.
We postpone the washing, the cleansing, the forgiving. We move on to some other task, a new guest, a new emotion. The “stain” of that negative emotion sets in our hearts.
If something as simple as coffee can set in a shirt, how much more can anger and resentment set in our luminous hearts? Our hearts are the seat of the spirit, meant to hold God and naught but God.
Instead we stain our heart. We stain the hearts of others. We fail to remove the stain. We wait too long to remove the stain (Omid Safe, “We Wait Too Long to Remove the Stain, On Being blog).
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