Announcements for November 6

• Daylight Saving Time Ends
  Remember to turn your clocks back one hour this Saturday evening.
  
  
• All Saints’ Open House
  The annual All Saints Open House at the Rectory will be held this Sunday, November 6, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. All parishioners (and guests), including children, are welcome.
  
  
• Vestry Reflections on Stewardship
  During these weeks of the annual pledge drive several vestry members are sharing their reflections on stewardship and the nature of life within this parish community. Thank you to Wardens Cyndie Knoll and Frank So who have already shared their thoughts within the context of worship. This week vestry member Anne Edwards provides a written reflection, provided as the next blog post.
  
  
• Brunch Bunch Next Sunday
  Our annual pre-Thanksgiving Brunch Bunch will be Sunday, November 13, following the 10:00 a.m. service. We will provide the turkey and dressing. Those with last names that begin with A to F bring desserts and those with last names that begin with G to Z bring a side dish. Even if you’re not able to bring a dish, you are invited. We hope you’ll come.
  
  
• St. John’s Knitters
  The St. John Knitters are meeting this coming Monday, November 7, at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room at St. John’s. Bring your knitting or crocheting and join us.
  
  
• New Diocesan Executive Team
  Bishop Lee has announced the hiring of individuals to form the new executive team for the Diocese of Chicago: Director of Ministries – The Rev. Jim Steen; Director of Networking – The Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows; Director of Operations – Ms. Courtney Reid. More information is available here on the diocesan website.
  
  
• Print Evangelist: Call for Material
  The Advent issue of the quarterly Evangelist will be published in mid-November. Please send in material by November 15.
  
  
• Faith in Films: Dead Man Walking
  Faith in Films will view Dead Man Walking on Friday, November 11, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room.

Reflection for All Saints

In Remembrance of Past Worshipers
In our day of thanksgiving one psalm let us offer for the saints who before us have found their reward; when the shadow of death fell upon them, we sorrowed, but now we rejoice that they rest in the Lord. In the morning of life, and at noon and at even, he called them away from our worship below; but not till his love, at the font and the altar, had girt them with grace for the way they should go. These stones that have echoed their praises are holy, and dear is the ground where their feet have once trod; yet here they confessed they were strangers and pilgrims, and still they were seeking the city of God. Sing praise, then, for all who here sought and here found him, whose journey is ended, whose perils are past: they believed in the Light; and its glory is round then, where the clouds of earth’s sorrow are lifted at last (W. H. Draper).

Announcements for October 30

• Stewardship: Annual Fund Drive
  The annual pledge drive mailing, including pledge cards, has been sent out. You will have the opportunity to formally offer your pledge cards during worship on November 20. They may also be placed in the offering plate or returned to the parish office any time before then.
  
  
• Little Hands Work for Clean Water
  Thank you to all who have contributed to Little Hands’ effort to raise money for clean water wells. Over $50 has already been raised. The kids’ “praying” well is still in the undercroft. Please continue to offer your prayers and contributions to help people who do not have easy access to clean water.
  
  
• Prayers for the Faithful Departed
  It has long been the custom of the church to offer prayers for the faithful departed on All Saints’ Day. The focus is particularly on those who have died during the last year, but any prayers for the departed are appropriate. As has been our custom in recent years, we will offer these prayers by name at the Wednesday service closest to All Saints’ Day (November 2). Please call the parish office if you would like to add names to the list of All Saints’ Day prayers for the faithful departed.
  
  
• Prayers for the Parish
  Arising out of its discussion about stewardship, the vestry invites parishioners to share their own prayers for the parish. Praying for the parish is an act of stewardship. Look for sheets in the Sunday service leaflets, or you may e-mail your prayers to the parish.
  
  
• All Saints’ Open House
  The annual All Saints Open House at the Rectory will be held Sunday, November 6, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. All parishioners (and guests), including children, are welcome.

Reflection for October 30

All Saints' Day
The Church is “the communion of Saints,” that is, a people made holy through their mutual participation in the mystery of Christ. This communion exists through history, continues in the present, and endures beyond the grave and gate of death into heaven, for God is not a God of the dead but of the living, and those still on their earthly pilgrimage continue to have fellowship with those whose work is done. The pilgrim Church and the Church at rest join in watching and praying for that great day when Christ shall come again to change and make perfect our common humanity in the image of Christ’s risen glory (Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints).

Announcements for October 23

• Little Hands Work for Clean Water
  In this photo, some of the children who participate in the Little Hands outreach ministry are posing with the model of a well they created. Similar to a wishing well, the well is a “praying” well. Toss in some money and say a prayer for people throughout the world who do not have access to clean water. The money will be sent to the Bishop’s water well project.
  
  
• All Saints Baptisms
  All Saints’ Day, or the Sunday after All Saint’s Day, is one of the times appointed for baptisms in the Episcopal Church. It is a wonderful time to welcome new Christians into the fellowship of saints. Baptism will be offered at St. John’s on Sunday, November 6. Please contact the Rector if you are interested.
  
  
• Prayers for the Faithful Departed
  It has long been the custom of the church to offer prayers for the faithful departed on All Saints’ Day. The focus is particularly on those who have died during the last year, but any prayers for the departed are appropriate. As has been our custom in recent years, we will offer these prayers by name at the Wednesday service closest to All Saints’ Day (November 2). Please call the parish office if you would like to add names to the list of All Saints’ Day prayers for the faithful departed.
  
  
• Presentation on the History of TV
  On Wednesday, October 26, 2011, parishioner Dr. Steve Hofer will present “The History of Television” at the South Holland Public Library, 16250 Wausau in South Holland. The presentation will begin at 7 PM and will discuss early mechanical tv, the development of electronic tv, networks and primetime programming. There will be a question and answer session after the presentation. There will be items of display of primetime tv programs from the late 1040’s to current shows. The program is free and open to the public.
  
  
• Prayers for the Parish
  Arising out of its discussion about stewardship, the vestry invites parishioners to share their own prayers for the parish. Praying for the parish is an act of stewardship. Look for sheets in the Sunday service leaflets, or you may e-mail your requests.
  
  
• All Saints’ Open House
  The annual All Saints Open House at the Rectory will be held Sunday, November 6, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. All parishioners (and guests) are welcome.

Reflection for October 23

[This exhibits] the perfect uselessness of knowing the answer to the wrong question (Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness).

Announcements for October 16

• Vestry Meeting
  The October meeting of the vestry is this Monday, October 17, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
  
  
• Little Hands Meets This Sunday Afternoon
  Little Hands is an opportunity for children to participate in outreach ministry. The projects are designed primarily for grade school aged children, but older and younger children are welcome. Little Hands will meet this Sunday, October 16, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. to work on a project about water.
  
  
• Electronics Recycling
  The H-F Green Team is offering a free, community-wide electronics recycling program Saturday, October 22, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot at Parker Jr. High School. Parker is 1.5 blocks west of St. John’s on the other side of Leavitt Park (2810 School Street); enter the parking lot from Flossmoor Road. Computers, TVs, Game Consoles, Handheld electronic devices and other items will be accepted. Look for posters around the church or call 708.957.0300 for more information.
  
  
• Field Trip to See Saint John’s Bible
  The St. John’s Bible (www.saintjohnsbible.org) is the first illuminated, handwritten Bible to be commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in modern times. It is a spectacular work. A portion is currently on display at the Loyola University Museum of Art downtown. Parishioner Steven Russell is coordinating a field trip Thursday, October 20. Please contact him if you would like to participate.
  
  
• Caregiving and Spirituality: A Quiet Day for Those Who Care for Others
  Offered by the Spirituality Network of Chicago, this quiet day will be led by St. John’s parishioner Dr. Anne Edwards, psychologist and director of the Gerontology Institute at Purdue University, Calumet. Saturday, October 22, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palos Hills. For more information or to register, call (708) 497-9699 or e-mail info@SpiritChicago.org.