Reflection for February 12

Do not think that saintliness comes from occupation; it depends rather on what one is. The kind of work we do does not make us holy, but we may make it holy (Meister Eckhart).

Announcements for February 5

Draft of New Parish Directory
We are working on updating the parish directory. DRAFTS are located on the information tables. Please check the accuracy of your information and add cell phone or email information if we don’t have it and you wish to share it. Thanks! The new directories will be available in a few weeks.

Embracing Forgiveness
The Daughters of the King invite all women of the parish to attend a five-part program “Embracing Forgiveness” by Barbara Cawthorne Crafton. We will meet the first and third Saturdays at 9:30am in the Guild Room. The first session is this Saturday, February 4. Call Cyndie Knoll with any questions.

Yarn Ministry
Knitting and Crocheting Group will meet Monday, February 6th at 7:00 PM in the Guild Room.

Black History Month: Annual Absalom Jones Celebration
The Union of Black Episcopalians Chicago will celebrate the annual Feast Day of Absalom Jones at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Chicago on Sunday, February 19 at 3 pm. This year's speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Walton, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church at Harvard University. All members of the diocese are invited to attend.

Book Study with Bishop Lee for Lent
During Lent, which begins March 1, Bishop Lee and other diocesan leaders will hold an online book discussion of Living into God's Dream: Dismantling Racism in America, a collection of essays edited by Catherine Meeks. Living into God's Dream combines personal stories and theological reflection with real-world examples of new conversations about race. The book is available online from Church Publishing, Amazon (book and Kindle formats), and other retailers.

Reminders from Last Week
1) Remember to check out the photos from the feast posted in the undercroft. 2) If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of the vestry introductions from any of the information tables. 3) And, if you’re interested in getting involved in public policy advocacy, one way is through the Episcopal Public Policy Network.

Reflection for February 5

Our public discussion is overpoliticized and undermoralized. We don’t have conversations of the sort that Reinhold Niebuhr or Billy Graham or Abraham Joshua Heschel were leading—at least not in the secular conversation—and therefore we use politics as a sort of symbol for what are actually moral disagreements and moral panics. As a result, our politics turns into a war of all against all, and we can’t face the underlying moral issues (David Brooks, in an interview with Christian Century, “Chasing beauty, finding grace,” February 1, 2017).

Announcements for January 29

Introducing New Vestry
At the annual parish meeting these individuals were elected to serve on the vestry: Senior Warden – Greg Lawrence; Junior Warden – Steve Hover; Vestry – Mike Bond, Shirley Reilly and Mary VanSwol.

Photos from the Feast
Photos taken at the parish feast are posted in the undercroft. If you wish to retrieve your ’70’s photo, look for them in a basket on the table in front of the bulletin board.

Episcopal Public Policy Network
The Episcopal Church maintains an Office of Government Relations In Washington. This office sponsors the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN). EPPN is a grassroots network of Episcopalians interested in the active ministry of public policy advocacy. EPPN provides information on the relationship between government actions and the baptismal covenant and the position of the Episcopal Church as expressed in General Convention. EPPN also provides easy tools and resources to be involved in particular issues of interest. Find out more or sign up HERE.

Reflection for January 29

When Jesus says, “Our Father, who art in heaven,” I listen. Even during my doubting days in college I listened, and carefully, because Jesus knew not only more about God than I did—that was obvious; he also knew more about the world. He could talk convincingly to me about a father in heaven because he took seriously the earth’s homeless orphans. He could talk to me convincingly about living at peace in the hands of love because he knew that the world lived constantly at war in the grip of hatred. He could talk to me of light, and joy, and exultation, because I knew that he himself knew darkness, sorrow, and death. That’s why, eventually, Jesus became for me too my Lord and Savior, and that’s why I think it right to say that the authority of the Lord’s Prayer stems from the reliability of the source (William Sloane Coffin).

Announcements for January 8

Celebrate the EpiphanyTo celebrate the Epiphany the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated Friday, January 6, beginning at 7 PM.


RSVP for the Feast (and bring photos from the 70’s!) 
Where were you when everyone had “Saturday Night Fever?” Were you sporting your brand new leisure suit? Sporting plaid pants, or bell bottoms? Were you still being dressed by your parents, growing up in an avocado and gold kitchen? Were you watching Star Wars for the 11th time? Or did you connect with the decade years later while dressing up for Halloween? Please bring a copy of your best 70's look to the Feast on Jan 14. Just put your name on the back of your picture(s) and we will try to guess who's who. Don't forget to RSVP for the feast. Please bring your reply card to church on Sunday or there are extras on the information tables. We need your reply by Wednesday Jan 11, but responses before Friday Jan 7 are especially appreciated.

Help Needed for PADS
We will be serving dinner at PADS on Wednesday, Jan 11th at St. Lawrence O’Toole at 7 PM. I need volunteers to help prepare and serve the meal beginning at 6 PM. Please see me at church or contact me by phone or email if you are able to help. Thank you. –Margi Strombeck

Sunday School is Back 
Sunday School classes for all ages will meet this Sunday, January 8.

Practicing Our Faith Book Club
The Practicing Our Faith Book Cub is reading Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hahn this month. Read the book, and then join us on Thursday, January 19 at 7pm in the Guild roon for the discussion. New members are always welcome.

Annual Parish Meeting
The annual parish meeting will be held Sunday, January 22. Loaves and Fishes will serve brunch following the 10:00 AM service. The meeting will begin around 11:30 AM. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Thank You for Christmas Flower Donations 
A list of people who contributed for the special Christmas decorations in the church will be included in this Sunday’s service leaflet.

Offering Envelopes are Available
2017 offering envelopes are available in the back of the church for people who primarily attend the 8:00 AM service and in the undercroft for people who regularly attend at 10:00 AM.

Reflection for January 8

Epiphany is the season of looking outward; it is the season when the mysterious visitors from the East come and pay homage to the Christ Child. It is the season of our Lord’s Baptism, when the identity of our Lord is affirmed in the words from the Father. It is the season of the transformation of the ordinary into extraordinary - water into wine - at the wedding in Cana…. Let us all live into the theology of this season - a theology that welcomes the other, a theology that witnesses to the significance of Christ, and a theology that believes God can take ordinary human beings and use us to create an amazing party to which all are invited (The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Dean and President, Virginia Theological Seminary).