Children’s Sunday School: Regular Classes Continue This Sunday
The Sunday School year has begun! Children ages Kindergarten through Grade 3 meet in the Atrium; Grades 4-6 meet in their classroom in the Education Wing; and Grades 7 and up meet in the Small Conference Room near the parish office.
Adult Sunday School: Sustainable Faith
This fall the curriculum will be “Sustainable Faith: God, the Environment and Human Responsibility,” with material drawn from the public radio series Krista Tippett On Being. You may join the class at any time.
Daughters of the King Collecting Winter Clothes for Respond Now
Throughout the fall the Daughters of the King will be collecting winter clothes. Please bring clean, lightly used coats, mittens, hats or other winter clothing. The clothes will be donated to Respond Now to be given to folks trying to keep warm this coming winter. Look for the collection table in the undercroft. Clothing will be collected through early November.
Pet Blessing October 5
The annual Blessing of the Animals service will be Sunday, October 5, beginning at 4:30 PM at the outdoor altar. Companion animals of all sizes and species are invited.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Reflection for September 28
John Bingham of the Telegraph writes: “Britain’s most senior churchman, who is effectively the leader of almost 800 million Anglicans worldwide admitted that there are moments when he asks himself “Is there a God?” and “Where is God?” Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury said, “The other day I was praying over something as I was running and I ended up saying to God ‘Look this is all very well but isn’t it about time you did something – if you’re there’ – which is probably not what the Archbishop of Canterbury should say” (The original post at Episcopal Cafe is HERE; an interesting follow up is HERE).
Friday, September 19, 2014
Announcements for September 21
Children’s Sunday School: Regular Classes Begin This Sunday
Children ages Kindergarten through Grade 3 meet in the Atrium; Grades 4-6 meet in their classroom in the Education Wing; and Grades 7 and up meet in the Small Conference Room.
2014 Window Mural
Thank you to St. John’s children and young people for painting this year’s window mural in the Atrium. The photo is from the outside, looking in. Crosses, crosses, and more crosses.
It’s On! High School Youth Group Kicks Off a New Season This Sunday, September 21
Bring friends, a camera and your favorite ideas for fun and service this year. Starting promptly at 4:00 PM in the youth room, ending at 5:30.
Adult Sunday School: Sustainable Faith
The Living Faithfully adult Sunday School class begins this Sunday, September 21. The curriculum will be “Sustainable Faith: God, the Environment and Human Responsibility,” with material drawn from the public radio series Krista Tippett On Being.
Daughters of the King Collecting Winter Clothes for Respond Now
Throughout the fall the Daughters of the King will be collecting winter clothes. Please bring clean, lightly used coats, mittens, hats or other winter clothing. The clothes will be donated to Respond Now to be given to folks trying to keep warm this coming winter.
Pet Blessing October 5
The annual Blessing of the Animals service will be Sunday, October 5, beginning at 4:30 PM at the outdoor altar. Companion animals of all sizes and species are invited.
Children ages Kindergarten through Grade 3 meet in the Atrium; Grades 4-6 meet in their classroom in the Education Wing; and Grades 7 and up meet in the Small Conference Room.
2014 Window Mural
Thank you to St. John’s children and young people for painting this year’s window mural in the Atrium. The photo is from the outside, looking in. Crosses, crosses, and more crosses.
It’s On! High School Youth Group Kicks Off a New Season This Sunday, September 21
Bring friends, a camera and your favorite ideas for fun and service this year. Starting promptly at 4:00 PM in the youth room, ending at 5:30.
Adult Sunday School: Sustainable Faith
The Living Faithfully adult Sunday School class begins this Sunday, September 21. The curriculum will be “Sustainable Faith: God, the Environment and Human Responsibility,” with material drawn from the public radio series Krista Tippett On Being.
Daughters of the King Collecting Winter Clothes for Respond Now
Throughout the fall the Daughters of the King will be collecting winter clothes. Please bring clean, lightly used coats, mittens, hats or other winter clothing. The clothes will be donated to Respond Now to be given to folks trying to keep warm this coming winter.
Pet Blessing October 5
The annual Blessing of the Animals service will be Sunday, October 5, beginning at 4:30 PM at the outdoor altar. Companion animals of all sizes and species are invited.
Reflection for September 21
Our whole role in life is to give you something you didn't know you wanted. And then once you get it, you can't imagine your life without it (Tim Cook, Apple CEO, in an interview with Brian Williams).
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Minutes of the Vestry Meeting - August 18, 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 Nichole Dailor, Bob DeOliveira, Steve Hofer, Gale Michael, Patti Pohrte, Ted Stone, Jim Whitfield, and Hans Zigmund; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Vestry member Mark Moxley and the treasurer, Debbi Huggett, were absent. Two guests were present at the meeting, Dan Pohrte and Sebastian Koprowski, both of whom are architects from Product Architecture Design.
Stewardship
Minutes
After a motion by Bill Bestow and a second by Gale Michael, the vestry approved the minutes from the June 16th meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
Gale Michael moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Jim Whitfield seconded, and the motion passed.
Rector’s Discretionary Account
Prior to the meeting, Pastor Orr distributed to the vestry, a copy of the Rector’s Discretionary Account Report for the second quarter of 2014. Hans Zigmund moved to accept the report followed by a second from Bob DeOliveira. The motion was approved.
Information
Rector’s Report
--Pastor Orr expressed thanks to the senior warden for overseeing the parish while she was on vacation.
--A thank you note from the Diocese regarding the parish contribution to Places of Grace and Gladness was received and shared with the vestry.
Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations
Bill Bestow reported that all of the sidewalk coach lamps have been repaired and are functioning thanks to the work of Jim Whitfield and Harold Keene.
Upcoming Parish Events
--The annual Blessing of the Backpacks, which marks the beginning of the new school year, will be held during the 10 AM service on August 24th.
--The annual Ministry Fair, during which parish organizations have displays and representatives to explain their ministries and offer ministry opportunities to parishioners, is scheduled during coffee hour on September 7th.
Discussions and Decisions
Lighting Project
Most of the materials needed for new lighting in the sanctuary are here. Jim Whitfield and his crew will install the lights in the upcoming few weeks. A donor has covered the $1,500 to $2,000 expense.
Radiator Work
The radiator valve work in the education wing has been completed. The approximately $2,600 expense has not yet shown up in the financial reports.
Lift Project
Architect Dan Pohrte described the differences in lifts based on their types of drives and provided a handout that compared hydraulic versus screw drives. The hydraulic drive is a bit faster, but its main advantage is its ability to move the platform both up and down using an auxiliary battery power system in the event of a power outage. The two types are similar in price, the hydraulic being about $500 more.
Pastor Orr reported that she checked with the treasurer about funding, and found that the project could be largely paid for through memorial and accessibility funds. We also have other undesignated reserves, or we may be able to supplement with some congregational involvement. The cost of the lift plus construction costs appears now to be about $110,000.
Following a discussion, Jim Whitfield made a motion to accept the proposal for the hydraulic lift [submitted by Chicago Elevator & Lift, Inc.]. Steve Hofer seconded. Hans Zigmund amended the motion to state that the project would first be paid for through the memorial fund and secondly through the accessibility fund with any additional costs to be approved by the vestry. The motion passed.
Mr. Pohrte submitted requests for contractors’ bids, and two bids came in. Both bids were higher than anticipated, with one bid significantly higher.
At the vestry’s request, he will check to see if there are any parts of the bids that could be self-managed, that is, things that parishioners could do such as painting in order to cut costs.
Steve Hofer made a motion that we move forward with the Pathmann Construction Management proposal [which was the lower of the two bids we received from contractors] with the final contract negotiated to include the option of some self-managed work to be done by St. John’s, with any additional costs to be approved by the vestry, and with the work to be paid first from St. John’s memorial fund, and then from the accessibility fund. After a second by Diane Walsh-Madden, the motion was approved.
Steve Hofer volunteered to announce the lift project progress to the parish at the 8:00 AM service next Sunday, and Bill Bestow will make the announcement at the 10 AM service.
Closing
The meeting ended at 8:55 PM with prayer. The next vestry meeting is scheduled for September 15th.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry
Approved, as amended: September 15, 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 Nichole Dailor, Bob DeOliveira, Steve Hofer, Gale Michael, Patti Pohrte, Ted Stone, Jim Whitfield, and Hans Zigmund; and the clerk, Susan Marquis. Vestry member Mark Moxley and the treasurer, Debbi Huggett, were absent. Two guests were present at the meeting, Dan Pohrte and Sebastian Koprowski, both of whom are architects from Product Architecture Design.
Stewardship
Minutes
After a motion by Bill Bestow and a second by Gale Michael, the vestry approved the minutes from the June 16th meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
Gale Michael moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Jim Whitfield seconded, and the motion passed.
Rector’s Discretionary Account
Prior to the meeting, Pastor Orr distributed to the vestry, a copy of the Rector’s Discretionary Account Report for the second quarter of 2014. Hans Zigmund moved to accept the report followed by a second from Bob DeOliveira. The motion was approved.
Information
Rector’s Report
--Pastor Orr expressed thanks to the senior warden for overseeing the parish while she was on vacation.
--A thank you note from the Diocese regarding the parish contribution to Places of Grace and Gladness was received and shared with the vestry.
Wardens’ Reports and/or Reports from Parish Organizations
Bill Bestow reported that all of the sidewalk coach lamps have been repaired and are functioning thanks to the work of Jim Whitfield and Harold Keene.
Upcoming Parish Events
--The annual Blessing of the Backpacks, which marks the beginning of the new school year, will be held during the 10 AM service on August 24th.
--The annual Ministry Fair, during which parish organizations have displays and representatives to explain their ministries and offer ministry opportunities to parishioners, is scheduled during coffee hour on September 7th.
Discussions and Decisions
Lighting Project
Most of the materials needed for new lighting in the sanctuary are here. Jim Whitfield and his crew will install the lights in the upcoming few weeks. A donor has covered the $1,500 to $2,000 expense.
Radiator Work
The radiator valve work in the education wing has been completed. The approximately $2,600 expense has not yet shown up in the financial reports.
Lift Project
Architect Dan Pohrte described the differences in lifts based on their types of drives and provided a handout that compared hydraulic versus screw drives. The hydraulic drive is a bit faster, but its main advantage is its ability to move the platform both up and down using an auxiliary battery power system in the event of a power outage. The two types are similar in price, the hydraulic being about $500 more.
Pastor Orr reported that she checked with the treasurer about funding, and found that the project could be largely paid for through memorial and accessibility funds. We also have other undesignated reserves, or we may be able to supplement with some congregational involvement. The cost of the lift plus construction costs appears now to be about $110,000.
Following a discussion, Jim Whitfield made a motion to accept the proposal for the hydraulic lift [submitted by Chicago Elevator & Lift, Inc.]. Steve Hofer seconded. Hans Zigmund amended the motion to state that the project would first be paid for through the memorial fund and secondly through the accessibility fund with any additional costs to be approved by the vestry. The motion passed.
Mr. Pohrte submitted requests for contractors’ bids, and two bids came in. Both bids were higher than anticipated, with one bid significantly higher.
At the vestry’s request, he will check to see if there are any parts of the bids that could be self-managed, that is, things that parishioners could do such as painting in order to cut costs.
Steve Hofer made a motion that we move forward with the Pathmann Construction Management proposal [which was the lower of the two bids we received from contractors] with the final contract negotiated to include the option of some self-managed work to be done by St. John’s, with any additional costs to be approved by the vestry, and with the work to be paid first from St. John’s memorial fund, and then from the accessibility fund. After a second by Diane Walsh-Madden, the motion was approved.
Steve Hofer volunteered to announce the lift project progress to the parish at the 8:00 AM service next Sunday, and Bill Bestow will make the announcement at the 10 AM service.
Closing
The meeting ended at 8:55 PM with prayer. The next vestry meeting is scheduled for September 15th.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Marquis
Clerk of the Vestry
Approved, as amended: September 15, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Announcements for September 14
Vestry Meeting
The vestry meets Monday, September 15, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the church.
Children’s Sunday School: Window Mural Painting
Children and youth of all ages are invited to help paint this year’s window mural in the Atrium. Painting takes place during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday School hour. Regular Sunday School classes begin next Sunday, September 21.
Wednesday Bible Study
Parishioner and deacon John Whennen will give a presentation on the creation story from the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. Everyone is invited to participate on September 17th at 10:00 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Youth Worship Begins This Sunday
Youth Worship begins this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Worship Chapel in the education wing. Youth worship is primarily youth led worship experience of prayer, music and learning. Participants join their families in church for Holy Communion. Participation in youth worship is optional; children of all ages are always welcome throughout the main church service.
Adult Sunday School: Sustainable Faith
The Living Faithfully adult Sunday School class will begin September 21. The curriculum will be “Sustainable Faith: God, the Environment and Human Responsibility,” with material drawn from the public radio series Krista Tippett On Being.
Practicing Our Faith Book Club
Our first meeting of the year is scheduled for Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room. We will be discussing T.M. Luhrmann's When God Talks Back. It’s not too early to start reading October’s book, Adam, Eve, and the Serpent, in which the author, Elaine Pagels, explores how the interpretation of this familiar story from Genesis changed as the Christian Church emerged. A list of the nine books we will be reading this year is posted on the undercroft bulletin board to the right of the fireplace. Readers will need to buy or borrow their own copies. With the exception of the March selection, all titles are available through the public library system. The discussions are always fun, and we’d love to have you join us.
Daughters of the King Collecting Winter Clothes for Respond Now
Throughout the fall the Daughters of the King will be collecting winter clothes. Please bring clean, lightly used coats, mittens, hats or other winter clothing. The clothes will be donated to Respond Now to be given to folks trying to keep warm this coming winter.
Last Call for Delegates to 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.
The vestry meets Monday, September 15, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the church.
Children’s Sunday School: Window Mural Painting
Children and youth of all ages are invited to help paint this year’s window mural in the Atrium. Painting takes place during the 9:00 a.m. Sunday School hour. Regular Sunday School classes begin next Sunday, September 21.
Wednesday Bible Study
Parishioner and deacon John Whennen will give a presentation on the creation story from the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. Everyone is invited to participate on September 17th at 10:00 a.m. in the Guild Room.
Youth Worship Begins This Sunday
Youth Worship begins this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Worship Chapel in the education wing. Youth worship is primarily youth led worship experience of prayer, music and learning. Participants join their families in church for Holy Communion. Participation in youth worship is optional; children of all ages are always welcome throughout the main church service.
Adult Sunday School: Sustainable Faith
The Living Faithfully adult Sunday School class will begin September 21. The curriculum will be “Sustainable Faith: God, the Environment and Human Responsibility,” with material drawn from the public radio series Krista Tippett On Being.
Practicing Our Faith Book Club
Our first meeting of the year is scheduled for Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Guild Room. We will be discussing T.M. Luhrmann's When God Talks Back. It’s not too early to start reading October’s book, Adam, Eve, and the Serpent, in which the author, Elaine Pagels, explores how the interpretation of this familiar story from Genesis changed as the Christian Church emerged. A list of the nine books we will be reading this year is posted on the undercroft bulletin board to the right of the fireplace. Readers will need to buy or borrow their own copies. With the exception of the March selection, all titles are available through the public library system. The discussions are always fun, and we’d love to have you join us.
Daughters of the King Collecting Winter Clothes for Respond Now
Throughout the fall the Daughters of the King will be collecting winter clothes. Please bring clean, lightly used coats, mittens, hats or other winter clothing. The clothes will be donated to Respond Now to be given to folks trying to keep warm this coming winter.
Last Call for Delegates to 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 September 14
Wishful Thinking
Christianity is mainly wishful thinking. Even the part about Judgment and Hell reflects the wish that somewhere the score is being kept.
Dreams are wishful thinking. Children playing at being grow-ups is wishful thinking. Interplanetary travel is wishful thinking.
Sometimes wishing is the wings the truth comes on.
Sometimes the truth is what sets us wishing for it (Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking).
Christianity is mainly wishful thinking. Even the part about Judgment and Hell reflects the wish that somewhere the score is being kept.
Dreams are wishful thinking. Children playing at being grow-ups is wishful thinking. Interplanetary travel is wishful thinking.
Sometimes wishing is the wings the truth comes on.
Sometimes the truth is what sets us wishing for it (Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking).
Friday, September 5, 2014
Update on Flossmoor Road viaduct closure
From the Village of Flossmoor:
Metra has informed the Village that their contractor is ahead of schedule with the rehabilitation of the viaduct. They expect Flossmoor Road to reopen by the end of the day on Friday, September 12, 2014.
Metra has informed the Village that their contractor is ahead of schedule with the rehabilitation of the viaduct. They expect Flossmoor Road to reopen by the end of the day on Friday, September 12, 2014.
Announcements for September 7
Jubilation and Fall Ministry Fair – This Sunday, September 7
The activities of our annual fall kick-off Sunday will be September 7, following the 10:00 am service. Loaves & Fishes will serve pulled pork sandwiches for brunch. If you wish, bring a salad or dessert to share. 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!
2014 – 2015 Parish Calendar Available
The annual calendar highlighting events of the coming year is available. A copy will be sent with the electronic version of the e-vangelist. Or look for paper copies (yellow this year) on the information tables.
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.
Daughters of the King Collecting Winter Clothes for Respond Now
Throughout the fall the Daughters of the King will be collecting winter clothes. Please bring clean, lightly used coats, mittens, hats or other winter clothing. The clothes will be donated to Respond Now to be given to folks trying to keep warm this coming winter.
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.
The activities of our annual fall kick-off Sunday will be September 7, following the 10:00 am service. Loaves & Fishes will serve pulled pork sandwiches for brunch. If you wish, bring a salad or dessert to share. 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!
2014 – 2015 Parish Calendar Available
The annual calendar highlighting events of the coming year is available. A copy will be sent with the electronic version of the e-vangelist. Or look for paper copies (yellow this year) on the information tables.
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.
Daughters of the King Collecting Winter Clothes for Respond Now
Throughout the fall the Daughters of the King will be collecting winter clothes. Please bring clean, lightly used coats, mittens, hats or other winter clothing. The clothes will be donated to Respond Now to be given to folks trying to keep warm this coming winter.
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 September 7
The Practice of Pronouncing Blessings
There remain a great many people who excuse themselves when asked to pronounce a formal blessing. They are not qualified, they say. They are not good with words. They would rather jump off a high diving board than try to say something holy in front of a bunch of other people. My guess is that even if you asked them to bless something in private—thereby separating the fear of public speaking from the fear of pronouncing a blessing—they would still demur. If you are one of those people, then only you know why. All I can tell you is how much the world needs you to reconsider (Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World).
There remain a great many people who excuse themselves when asked to pronounce a formal blessing. They are not qualified, they say. They are not good with words. They would rather jump off a high diving board than try to say something holy in front of a bunch of other people. My guess is that even if you asked them to bless something in private—thereby separating the fear of public speaking from the fear of pronouncing a blessing—they would still demur. If you are one of those people, then only you know why. All I can tell you is how much the world needs you to reconsider (Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World).
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