St. Blogory's: the internet café at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, Deerfield, IL

Irrespressable Mission!

Here is a wonderful conversation with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori on the topic of Mission in the Twenty-First Century.

Please click here to listen in.

Parish Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,    

ALMOST 40% OF OUR GOAL! BOILER DEBT RETIREMENT CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Last week we had individual contributions of $20 and $1,000 and several in-between― so every gift, large and small, is important; and between now and May 31, every $20 contribution is worth an extra $2 and every $1,000 is worth an extra $100.

Why the campaign? Here's what Senior Warden Art Bielski said at April's Quarterly Meeting:

"The loan agreement included a lien on our endowment fund. This lien prohibits us from drawing the investment income that we have historically used in our operating budget. Currently this amounts to about $14,500 dollars per year of income lost to our operating budget.

"Our current loan payments constitute another $13,200 in annual operating budget expenses.

"If we can pay off the boiler loan in its entirety within the next few months, we can enter 2013 with ZERO debt and a surplus of $8,000. This will help position us to be a financially healthy parish."

Initial Goal: $52,120

Raised As Of May 8: $16,255

Raised As Of May 15: $16,815

Raised Between May 16 and May 20: $2,720

Ingrid's and Bill's Matching Tithe: $272

Total Raised So Far: $19,807

Yet To Go: $32,313

Please consider a generous contribution before May 31 to increase your gift by a tithe (10%).

LAST SUNDAY AT ST. GREGORY'S!

We honored and thanked, at the Nine O'Clock Practice and at a Special Youth Ministries Luncheon, the following ministers extraordinaire for their service to our wonderful congregation:

Church School Teachers & Helpers:    

Sharon Henley-Gramer, Paula Hamilton, Cyndi Millspaugh, Shari Benson, Jean Cummings,

Julie Ann Ariano, Anne Neumann, Caroline DiNardo, Janet Foltz, Andrea Bozzano, Dan Best,

Leigh Stewart and Sarah Snyder.

Youth Commission:

Lauren Hill, Judy McCann, Tracy Webster-Babcock, Cherie Thompson, Annette Baez, Gail Bozzano, and Bill Foltz

Youth Group Helpers:

Bill Foltz, Barb Schaper, Catherine Martin, Judy McCann, and Teresa Benish

Children's Church Leaders: Annette Baez, Sharon Henley-Gramer, LoriLee Bielski

Acolyte Director: Barb Schaper

Acolyte Mothers: Damaris Boutros and Gail Bozzano

Christmas Pageant Organizer: Michelle Appelbaum and Helper: Lauren Hill

Parent Forum Leaders: Cyndi and Jim Millspaugh

And, please, a hearty round of applause to Gretchen Bayer, our Church School Coordinator, and

Bret Chandler, our Youth Minister, who work together so well to bring our parish such life!

And wouldn't you like to join their ranks next year and be recognized as a Minister Extraordinaire?!

Our Middle School students will need additional teachers, or adult helpers, starting next fall.

Please consider if you can join this teaching team. Contact either of our returning teachers:

Andrea Bozzano, 847-562-0071, andrea.bozzano@sbcglobal.net

or Dan Best, 847-948-0036, dbest@bestvantageinc.com.

It's a wonderful group of students!

 

Now that summer is upon us, we may not publish a Newsletter every week.

Be sure to worship every Sunday so you won't miss any important announcements!

 

YOUTH GROUP ON THE MOVE!

Youth Families Cookout at Marian House

On June 3 there will be a cookout at the Marian House for all the Youth Group Families.

This will mark the end of our year of regular Youth Group, so come and enjoy the time together with family as we close out the year!

I will be cooking burgers and hot dogs, please bring side dishes and/or desserts.

Incoming 6th graders and families are welcome.

Please let me know if you will be able to come so that we can prepare for everybody.

Date and Time: 10:30-1 pm, Sunday June 3

Bret

Graduating Seniors!

St. Gregory's has eight graduating seniors this year: Julia Balmos, Justin Bathelt, Julia Beinlich,

Hayley Beinlich, Louis Lovacheff, Zachary Johnson, Chloe Seghers, Andrew Zint.

To acknowledge their accomplishment we will be presenting them with their own Bibles. The Bibles will be placed in Founders Hall throughout May for everyone to sign and make a comment for our graduating youth.

Six Flags on Sunday, June 24!

Sign up to go to Six Flags on June 24 to begin our summer Youth Group meetings. We will be spending the day at Six Flags from when it opens at 10 am and leaving at 4:30. The cost is $15 per person, which is a great deal for a day at Six Flags.

P.A.D.S. [PUBLIC ACTION TO DELIVER SHELTER] LAKE COUNTY

PADS Lake County will hold its 11th Annual Walk to End Homelessness on Saturday, June 9th from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Middlefork Savanna in Lake Forest (at the corner of Middlefork and Waukegan Roads, 1.3 miles north of Rte. 60).

Bill Foltz is looking for sponsors to support this worthy cause (contribution checks are payable to "PADS Lake County").

If you'd like to contribute or join Bill for the walk, please contact him at 847.548.2772.    

And you can visit the PADS website by clicking here. 

+ + +

In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially Audrey Nicolas, Richard Nicolas, Mary Dutcher, Janice Gaskill, Don Caldwell, Joan Wille, Martha Clarke Morris and children, Susan Browne, Joan Barr Smith, Keith Stewart, Kennedy Gerber, Luke Wiles, Diane T., Janet Anderson, Nancy Anderson, Tami and Anna Waltemath, Margaret Schalz, Diane Jones, Beverly Falbe, Luke Freeman, Stanley Demski, Sharon Moceri, and Andrew Zint;

our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné;

the men and women serving in the armed forces and their families, remembering especially Alex Meade, Brian O'Lavin, Jason Greenman, Jamie Mitchell, Bob Morrissette, Ilan Kedar.

Faithfully yours,

Always a Gamble!

+ In the Love of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What happened last Thursday in the Church Calendar?

{{Congregational Response}}

[the Ascension]

So please turn in your pew Bibles to the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles.

“In the first book, Theophilus,”―

What’s the “first book”?

{{Congregational Response}}

[The Gospel of Luke; Luke wrote two volumes, the first his Gospel, and the second The Acts of the Apostles]―

“In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.’”―

What is “the promise of the Father?”

{{Congregational Response}}

[The Holy Spirit]

“‘This,’ [Jesus] said, ‘is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”

And that’s the Ascension.

Now just a little further on, you’ll see where this morning’s first reading (Acts 1:15-17, 21-26) begins, but please close your pew Bibles right now  and go to the reading in your bulletin because it’s a sanitized version and I don’t want you to get sidetracked by the nasty bits. You can read the rest of the passage sometime later today!

“In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons). . . .”

Why 120 persons?

{{Congregational Response}}

[no responses]

What about the number 12?

{{Congregational Response}}

[The 12 tribes of Israel. The reason Jesus chose 12 disciples― or apostles as Luke likes to call them― is because he wanted to create a New Israel]

What about the number 10?

{{Congregational Response}}

[According to ancient Jewish practice, there must be a quorum― or minyan― of ten Jewish males in order to hold a public prayer service]

120 is the number of men required to establish a Jewish community large enough to have its own Sanhedrin or Council and make its own decisions for their life together.

“. . . and [Peter] said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus― for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’”

While the believers wait for “the promise of the Father” they have work to do, because now there are only eleven apostles, and they need to get the number back up to twelve.

“So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us― one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”

This is a passage about community discernment, about how the church makes decisions, and it has three elements:

Reflection on Scripture― “the scripture had to be fulfilled”;

Relationship with Jesus― “during the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us”; and

Reliance on Prayer― “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us. . . .”

Let me say a word about each of these elements of community discernment, beginning with Reflection on Scripture.

We can tell from this passage how deeply Judas’ betrayal affected the early church. By reflecting on Scripture, Peter found comfort when he understood Judas’ betrayal as the fulfillment of Scripture.

Reflecting on Scripture can comfort us in other ways, too, by showing us that others have experienced what we’re experiencing, and that we’re not alone.

Have you ever been betrayed?

Please turn in your Book of Common Prayer to Psalm 41:9:

“Even my best friend, whom I trusted, who broke bread with me, * has lifted up his heel and turned against me.”

Think of Jesus at the Last Supper, “on the night in which he was betrayed,” breaking bread with Judas; or others with whom you have broken bread at Communion.

Or reflect on Psalm 55:13-15:

“For had it been an adversary who taunted me, then I could have borne it; * or had it been an enemy who vaunted himself against me, then I could have hidden from him.

But it was you, a man after my own heart, * my companion, my own familiar friend.

We took sweet counsel together, * and walked with the throng in the house of God” (pp. 642 and 661, respectively).

Reflection on Scripture is important, but Relationship with Jesus is primary.

On one occasion in John’s Gospel, Jesus heals a man who has been paralyzed for many years. But when the Jewish authorities learn that Jesus healed him on the Sabbath, they accuse Jesus of breaking the scriptures.

But Jesus tells them, “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39-40).

One of the surest ways to keep our relationship with Jesus alive and healthy is by prayer, and Reliance on Prayer is modeled for us in this passage of Scripture, and prayer can be as simple and powerful as this: “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us. . . .”

And what’s truly wonderful is that this Reliance on Prayer is not only reliance on our own prayer, for as we see in this morning’s Gospel (John 17:6-19), we can also rely on Jesus’ prayer for us:

“Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one and so that they may have my joy in themselves. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. Sanctify them in the truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

This morning’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles is a model for how a church, any church, St. Gregory’s Church, may discern― discover― decide for its life together as a community by Reflection on Scripture, Relationship with Jesus, and Reliance on Prayer― our prayer and Jesus’ Prayer.

But specifically this passage is about discerning a new leader for the community. And after reflecting on Scripture, relating with Jesus, and relying on prayer, they cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias.

It might interest you to know that the Greek word for “lot” is “klēros, from which we get the word “clergy.”

Which just goes to show that even after reflecting on Scripture, relating with Jesus, and relying on prayer, although it may be the priest’s lot in life, for the congregation it’s always a gamble!

Second Tattoo

I am reading Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle, and discovering that my friend Tina is correct― there are many wonderful quotes.

On page 20 he quotes Anthony De Mello:

"Behold the One beholding you, and smiling."

 

Parish Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,    

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. GREGORY'S!

10:10 AM: Parent Forum in the Parker Room. Please come to talk about parent and child stress.

11:00 AM: The Annual Youth Ministries Lunch in Founders Hall. Everyone participating in a ministry that benefits our youth is invited to attend, share fellowship, and receive our heartfelt thank you!

Ministries include: Youth Commission, Youth Group Helpers, Church School, Children's Church, Christmas Pageant, Acolyte Director and Mothers, Parent Forum, Student Readers, and more…

Thank you to so many people who lead and assist in these ministries throughout the year!

Church School Volunteer Opportunity

Our Middle School students will need additional teachers, or adult helpers, starting next fall.

Please consider if you can join this teaching team. Contact either of our returning teachers: Andrea Bozzano, 847-562-0071, andrea.bozzano@sbcglobal.net  or Dan Best, 847-948-0036, dbest@bestvantageinc.com.

It's a wonderful group of students!

YOUTH GROUP ON THE MOVE!

St. Gregory's at the Chicago River Cleanup

Last Saturday, St. Gregory's Youth Group and leaders participated in the Chicago River Cleanup behind the Highland Park Target store.

To help keep the river clean, we worked picking up trash and pulling invasive weeds for two and a half hours.

We had a great experience outdoors being good stewards of the earth, and a wonderful time together as a group.

Thanks to our volunteers― Andrea Bozzano, Tracy Webster-Babcock, Judy McCann, and Bill Foltz and to all the youth who participated!

And here are some pictures by Bill Foltz:

Graduating Seniors!

St. Gregory's has eight graduating seniors this year: Julia Balmos, Justin Bathelt, Julia Beinlich, Hayley Beinlich, Louis Lovacheff, Zachary Johnson, Chloe Seghers, and Andrew Zint.

To acknowledge their accomplishment we will be presenting them with their own Bibles.

The Bibles will be placed in Founders Hall throughout May for everyone to sign and make a comment for our graduating youth.

Six Flags on Sunday, June 24!

Sign up to go to Six Flags on June 24 to begin our summer Youth Group meetings.

We will be spending the day at Six Flags from when it opens at 10 am and leaving at 4:30. The cost is $15 per person, which is a great deal for a day at Six Flags.

ANNIVERSARY!

Twenty-four years ago today (May 16, 1988), I began my ministry as St. Gregory's third Rector!

One of the first things I did was to suggest at the June 14th Vestry meeting that the "Vestry in Charge" on Sunday mornings should be called the "Vestry Greeter" in order for us to be a more "newcomer friendly" congregation.

If you would like to read the parish letter announcing my call, please click here.

And my first letter to parishioners written from our Manhattan apartment is here.

AND IN THANKSGIVING FOR YOU AND THESE 24 YEARS. . . .

Ingrid and I will contribute up to an additional $1,000 for our Boiler Debt Retirement Campaign by adding a tithe― 10%― to your contributions between May 16 and the end of May.

For example, if you can contribute $10 by May 31, Ingrid and I will add $1; if you can contribute $100 by then, we'll add $10; if you contribute $500, we'll add $50; and if you contribute $1,000, we'll add $100.

In other words, $10,000 by May 31 will become $11,000!

TROOP SUPPORT CARE PACKAGE NIGHT NEXT TUESDAY

Please mark Tuesday evening, May 22nd for our next Troop package night.

Our theme will be Memorial Day. We will line our boxes with red white and blue tissue paper and encourage everyone to write a note to the recipient thanking them for their service and sacrifice. You can write a note ahead of time addressing it to "Dear Soldier."

If you cannot make the event, you can leave your letter in the office ahead of time for inclusion. Our troops love to receive mail, especially letters.

Holidays are a lonely time for our deployed military, and Memorial Day is especially poignant.

As usual we need your support with donations for mailing and goodies. We are in dire need of books and current magazines. Come join in saying "thank you" to a soldier.

Thank you, Nuala Kurokawa and Cissy Singleton 

Would you like to know more about what's happening in the Diocese of Chicago? Then sign up for the diocesan online e-Newsletter by clicking here.

+ + +

In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially Janice Gaskill, Don Caldwell, Joan Wille, Martha Clarke Morris and children, Susan Browne, Joan Barr Smith, Keith Stewart, Kennedy Gerber, Luke Wiles, Diane T., Janet Anderson, Nancy Anderson, Tami and Anna Waltemath, Margaret Schalz, Diane Jones, Ryland Grum, Norman George, Beverly Falbe, Luke Freeman, Stanley Demski, Sharon Moceri, and Andrew Zint;

our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné;

the men and women serving in the armed forces and their families, remembering especially Alex Meade, Brian O'Lavin, Jason Greenman, Jamie Mitchell, Bob Morrissette, Ilan Kedar; and

for the faithful departed, remembering especially Bob Briskey, and Jim Morris.

Faithfully yours,

"Bear the Beams of Love"

I have just begun reading Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle.

In his Preface he quotes William Blake:

"We are put on earth for a little space that we might learn to bear the beams of love."

 

Parish Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,    

30% OF OUR GOAL! BOILER DEBT RETIREMENT CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Why the campaign? Here's what Senior Warden Art Bielski said at April's Quarterly Meeting:

"The loan agreement included a lien on our endowment fund. This lien prohibits us from drawing the investment income that we have historically used in our operating budget. Currently this amounts to about $14,500 dollars per year of income lost to our operating budget.

Our current loan payments constitute another $13,200 in annual operating budget expenses.

If we can pay off the boiler loan in its entirety within the next few months, we can enter 2013 with ZERO debt and a surplus of $8,000. This will help position us to be a financially healthy parish."

Initial Goal:       $52,120

Raised So Far:  - 16,255    

Yet To Go:         $35,865

Please consider a generous contribution.

YOUTH GROUP ON THE MOVE!

Chicago River Cleanup This Saturday!

We will meet at the church at 8:45 and try to be at the Highland Park Target by 9am. We will be working outside from 9-12 pm and then we'll get lunch.

Graduating Seniors!

St. Gregory's has eight graduating seniors this year!

To acknowledge their accomplishment we will be presenting them with their own Bibles. The Bibles will be placed in Founders Hall throughout May for everyone to sign and make a comment for our graduating youth.

(also: Parent Forum! The next Parent Forum will be on May 20 in the Parker Room at 10 am. Please come to talk about parenting issues. This particular Sunday we will be focusing on parent and child stress.)

Six Flags on Sunday, June 24!

Sign up to go to Six Flags on June 24 to begin our summer YG meetings.

We will be spending the day at Six Flags from when it opens at 10 am and leaving at 4:30. The cost is $15 per person, which is a great deal for a day at Six Flags.

Let Bret Chandler know ASAP so that we can get as many tickets as possible through the Preschool Manna sales.

THIS SUNDAY, MAY 13!

Manna orders are due for delivery on May 27.

This will be the last Manna order before September, so stock up now!—including for Six Flags tickets for your family!

BOOK CLUB NEWS

The next book club meeting is Wednesday, May 16th to discuss The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.

A look ahead… June 20: State of Wonder - Ann Patchett. Cissy Singleton

TROOP SUPPORT

Please mark Tuesday evening, May 22nd for our next Troop package night.

Our theme will be Memorial Day. We will line our boxes with red white and blue tissue paper and encourage everyone to write a note to the recipient thanking them for their service and sacrifice.

You can write a note ahead of time addressing it to "Dear Soldier."

If you cannot make the event, you can leave your letter in the office ahead of time for inclusion. Our troops love to receive mail, especially letters.

Holidays are a lonely time for our deployed military, and Memorial Day is especially poignant. As usual we need your support with donations for mailing and goodies. We are in dire need of books and current magazines.

Come join in saying "thank you" to a soldier. Thank you, Nuala Kurokawa and Cissy Singleton

A BIG COFFEE HOUR THANK YOU FROM PEGGI ADAMS AND ANNE CLARK!

A BIG thank you to all who have served so far and all who have signed up for May and most of June―

May 13: Bets and Ray Bukszar;

May 20: Julie Ann Ariano and Sarah Snyder;

May 27: Don and Phoebe Caldwell;

June 3: Sharon and Dan Moceri;

June 10: Marmie and Don Kiva;

June 17: Julie Ann Ariano and Art and LoriLee Bielski

ADDITIONAL EXCITING WORSHIP MINISTRY NEWS

I am pleased to announce that Chris Boutros will be joining Derek Hill in the ministry of Archacolyte beginning June 1.

If you have a child who will be in the third grade next year― or older― please encourage her or him to be an acolyte.

Prime seating on Sundays, an important ministry, learning social skills, exercising leadership in a public arena, and (eventually) resume-building! All good reasons for your children to participate.

A BIG MADAGASCAR THANK YOU!

Hi, Bill - just want to say "thank you" to the people of St. Gregory's for the opportunity to bring Todd and Patsy into your parish through our beta Skype test.

We hope to expand the use of global communications with other donor parishes to share the exciting work of spreading the Good News in southern Madagascar.

With thanksgiving and blessings, Syd Verinder

(Many of you will remember when Syd preached on behalf of FIVE TALENTS last year. Syd is also on the Board of People Reaching People.)

GIRL SCOUTS IN THE NEWS     

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, a former Girl Scout, preached at a packed April 28 interfaith service at Washington National Cathedral that celebrated a century of girl scouting.

Juliette Gordon Low, nicknamed "Daisy," founded the Girl Scouts in 1912 on the principle that all girls should have the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and spiritually. One hundred years on, there are 3.2 million Girl Scouts in the United States.

After Emily Quinn, a Girl Scout ambassador from Virginia, read the story of the Widow's Mite (Luke 21:1-4), Jefferts Schori got up to preach.

"I first went to Girl Scout Camp when I was 7 years old," Jefferts Schori said, noting that among the lessons learned there― identifying birds, learning to plant trees, tie knots or build a fire― the most important was how to live in community "and "those gifts of character, like dignity and respect."

Describing a group of students who recently raised $80,000 to help a classmate with a brain tumor― baking cookies, inviting people to sponsor them jumping rope and simply reaching out to ask― Jefferts Schori compared them to the widow in the Gospel of Luke, who was willing to share everything she had.

"She puts in her two cents, and it makes a world of difference," she said. "That's a big part of what it means to be a Girl Scout."

The foundation for a worthy, meaningful life, she said, is to "use what you have been given – who you are, and the gifts and skills you're developing – to make a difference. That is how we serve God and our neighbors – by loving them.

"Do that, and I expect that Girl Scouts will still be helping girls grow into mature and confident women, sharing and serving the world around us a hundred years from now." Episcopal News Service ― Washington, D.C.

ANGEL SIGHTING

Great thanks to the workmanship of Charlie Porter who transformed our Eucharistic Minister Coat Rack to accommodate all adult sizes, complete with a shelf for hats and other accessories.

+ + +

In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially Susan Browne, Joan Barr Smith, Keith Stewart, Kennedy Gerber, Luke Wiles, Diane T., Janet Anderson, Nancy Anderson, Tami and Anna Waltemath, Bob Briskey, Margaret Schalz, Diane Jones, Ryland Grum, Norman George, Beverly Falbe, Luke Freeman, Stanley Demski, Sharon Moceri, and Andrew Zint;

our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné;

the men and women serving in the armed forces and their families, remembering especially Alex Meade, Brian O'Lavin, Jason Greenman, Jamie Mitchell, Bob Morrissette, Ilan Kedar; and

for the faithful departed, remembering especially Ernest Singleton and Scott Clark.

Faithfully yours,

Parish Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,    

THIS SUNDAY, MAY 6!

Spring Clean-up: Please come to the Nine O'Clock Practice dressed to clean and prepare for summer.

Manna pick-up for April preordered gift cards, plus Cash-and-Carry gift cards for Dominick's, Jewel, Starbucks, Regal Entertainment, AMC Theaters and Lettuce Entertain You!

You can also make orders for May (due by May 13) for delivery on May 27. This will be the last Manna order before September, so stock up now!—and which brings us to this announcement:

YOUTH GROUP TO SIX FLAGS ON SUNDAY, JUNE 24!

Sign up to go to Six Flags on June 24 to begin our summer YG meetings. We will be spending the day at Six Flags from when it opens at 10 am and leaving at 4:30.

The cost is $15 per person, which is a great deal for a day at Six Flags. Let Bret Chandler know ASAP so that we can get as many tickets as possible through the Preschool Manna sales.

Also this Sunday: Deerfield Park District's annual Deer Dash Race beginning at Jaycee Park. Please exercise caution as runners will be out on the streets from 8 am until about 10 am.

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FOR THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE AND A GREAT PARTY!

Especially I want to express my thanks and appreciation to the Altar Guild and their floral tribute that adorned the altar;

to the vestry and committee who made it all happen: especially, Cherie Thompson, Pam Dorband, Mary Furbush, Catherine Martin, and Cathy Leimbeck, as well as so many others working behind the scenes;

to Matthew, David, and Scott Schaper who set up tables, chairs, and tent, and then took them all down again;

to Teresa and Greg Benish for preparing such a magnificent meal;

to Peter Thompson for the wonderful salsa that he made himself;

to Michele Appelbaum for the creative centerpieces; to Jean Schwarz and Ida Butler for taking charge of the beverages;

to Bret Chandler, Rob Cunningham, and Jim Swager for their great music, and to Jim for MC-ing the event;

to Mary Furbush for gathering and compiling the wonderful signature photo and to Bonnie Travis and Anne Clark for presenting it;

to Jean Schwarz for Joe's beautiful painting of the parish;

to Bill Foltz, Damaris Boutros, and Ida Butler for the candid photos that seemed to be everywhere and for recording the event itself for posterity; and

to Jaine and Luke Peterson for their gift of childcare for the youngest guests.

I am especially grateful for the gathering of so many cherished friends― your outpouring of love by your presence, your toasts and roasts, and the many individual gifts and good wishes which I hope to acknowledge more personally; and especially for the most generous "purse."

I am still so overwhelmed by its magnitude that I intend to pray for special discernment about how I might use it in a special and memorable way― you will hear more about that in the future.

And finally I want to give special thanks to Bill Roberts for his generosity in sharing the mission and ministry of this special parish, and for being such a wonderful friend and colleague over the years.

With my gratitude, love, and prayers, Meredith+

And here are some pictures taken by Damaris Boutros:

UPDATE ON OUR BOILER DEBT RETIREMENT CAMPAIGN

Why the campaign?

Excerpts from last week's Letter from Senior Warden Art Bielski:

"The loan agreement included a lien on our endowment fund. This lien prohibits us from drawing the investment income that we have historically used in our operating budget. Currently this amounts to about $14,500 dollars per year of income lost to our operating budget.

Our current loan payments constitute another $13,200 in annual operating budget expenses.

If we can pay off the boiler loan in its entirety within the next few months, we can enter 2013 with ZERO debt and a surplus of $8,000.

This will help position us to be a financially healthy parish."

Initial Goal:         $52,120

Raised So Far:     - 11,400    

Yet To Go:           $40,720

Please consider a generous contribution.

And, as David Schaper notes, the sooner each debt retirement gift is deposited, the sooner our carrying and interest costs are reduced, which in turn puts more of our gifts toward reducing our debt!

CONGRATULATIONS CORNER:

to John and Debbie Welker on the marriage of their son Jonathan to Christina Ring-Hillard on May 4; and

to Peter Thompson and Kyle Neumann who made their First Communions on Sunday:

BOOK CLUB NEWS:

The next book club meeting is Wednesday, May 16th when The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton will be discussed.

A look ahead… June 20: State of Wonder - Ann Patchett; July 18: Cleopatra A Life - Stacy Schiff; August 15: The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Cissy Singleton

TROOP SUPPORT:

Please mark Tuesday evening, May 22nd for our next Troop package night.

Our theme will be Memorial Day. We will line our boxes with red white and blue tissue paper and encourage everyone to write a note to the recipient thanking them for their service and sacrifice.

You can write a note ahead of time addressing it to "Dear Soldier."

If you cannot make the event, you can leave your letter in the office ahead of time for inclusion. Our troops love to receive mail, especially letters.

Holidays are a lonely time for our deployed military, and Memorial Day is especially poignant.

As usual we need your support with donations for mailing and goodies. We are in dire need of books and current magazines.

Come join in saying "thank you" to a soldier.

Thank you, Nuala Kurokawa and Cissy Singleton

EXCITING WORSHIP MINISTRIES NEWS

1. Announcing our new Archacolyte: Derek Hill will be our new Archacolyte beginning June 1.

My thanks to Louis Lovacheff, who did an excellent job in training and supporting our newest acolytes.

As is our custom, Derek and the other Acolytes will be formally inducted on the Sunday after All Saints in November.

2. Announcing a new role for Youth Minister Bret Chandler.

On most Sundays at the Nine O'Clock Practice, Bret will be vesting in order to provide leadership and support for the acolytes, and to connect with our grade school youth as a prelude to his working with them as middle and high school students.

In addition to Bret's music ministry with The Gregorys, this will be another way for Bret to connect with our youth in a worship capacity.

3. Congratulations to Emily Craig who debuted as our newest Nine O'Clock Practice Reader last Sunday.

4. I am delighted to welcome our newest Eucharistic Ministers whom you have begun seeing at the Altar on Sundays:

Allison Appelbaum, Bret Chandler, Dave Rion, Dinorah Nazario, Ida Butler, Karen Nicholas, Margo Ramtin, Maryellen and Earl Davis, Robin Raimondi, Sara Lemrise, Sarah Snyder, and Susanne Francis.

HOLLY FORDHAM NORBERG'S REMINISCENCES

I have so many memories of St. Gregory's―

One of my earliest memories, in fact, was when I was 4 yrs old and leaving the Easter service at the Masonic Lodge in 1952― holding my 2 yr old brother's hand and running up the drive towards Waukegan Road!

And later, helping to set up the folding chairs for a service in the gym at Wilmot School (1953).

One Sunday, the entire Sunday School went on a "Field Trip" across the street from Wilmot School to see the new Church― it was almost completed, and we were so impressed! It seemed so big!

Of course, it didn't take long before we outgrew the Church― We even had a Sunday School class around card tables in the little entrance hallway, in front of Father Parker's office!

My Mother loved St. Gregory's dearly, and so did I.

In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially Janet Anderson, Nancy Anderson, Tami and Anna Waltemath, Bob Briskey, Margaret Schalz, Diane Jones, Ryland Grum, Norman George, Paul Maraist, Jill Henrickson, Casey Henrickson, Paul Beuttas, Ernest Singleton, Beverly Falbe, Luke Freeman, Stanley Demski, Sharon Moceri, and Andrew Zint;

our companion parish in Madagascar, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, and their leader, Rev. Donné;

the men and women serving in the armed forces and their families, remembering especially Brian O'Lavin, Jason Greenman, Jamie Mitchell, Bob Morrissette, Ilan Kedar; and

for the faithful departed, remembering especially JoAnne White, Mary Jo Kussler.

Faithfully yours,

The Good Shepherd calls his own by name-- from Madagascar via YouTube!

This morning, Bishop Todd McGregor preached at all three services from Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, to Saint Gregory, Deerfield.

And in our Adult Forum we enjoyed our first Skype venture, and members from each congregation had a chance to see each other and talk with each other.

Highlights included Santa Grégoire's choir, who sang two thrilling songs, hearing from Reverend Donné, and a thank you from the congregation's President, Hasina Ralaitsirofo, for our recent gifts― which will enable them to build the bell tower on their new church, and to purchase land for a sister church.

 

John Hunter on the World Peace Game

This TEDS talk was recommended by my friend and colleague Joe.

Mr. Hunter is a public school teacher of fourth graders.