Dearly Beloved,
Congratulations Part 1
Join us this Sunday, May 10, after the Nine O' Clock Service to honor our Confirmands with Cake and Certificates and Books of Common Prayer: Christopher Boutros, Martin Esgar, Derek Hill, Michael Hill, Grayson Peacock, Aurora Raimondi, Diane Rugen (received from the Roman Catholic Church, Chloe Seghers, Brian Stephens-Hotopp, Kelsey Travis, and Philip York (who was also baptized).
Congratulations Part 2
Join us this Sunday, May 10, after the Nine O' Clock Service to honor our Senior High School Graduates with Cake and Bibles: Logan Beinlich and Luke Peterson.
Sabbatical: Renewal for Priest and Parish
Come next week for pizza and salad and a second presentation either Monday, May 11 or Wednesday, May 13, from 7 – 8 pm, on "Building the Pathway: St. Gregory's Renewal. Susan Czolgosz will outline practical steps for congregational growth and development, with ideas to inform our sabbatical planning.
As our new Archacolytes, Ellie Christenson and Dimitri Sinnaduray will hold their first Acolyte Training on Sunday, May 31, immediately following the Nine O' Clock Service. All youth, from rising Fourth Graders through Senior High School. Please let them or me know if your son or daughter is interested in acolyting.
Convention Bishops Jeffrey Lee and Victor Scantlebury, and our Diocesan Deputies will preview the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Anaheim, California, from July 8-17. You are invited to attend any of three forums: Tuesday June 2 at St. James the Less Episcopal Church, 550 Sunset Ridge Rd., Northfield; Thursday June 4 at St. Edmund's Episcopal Church, 61st St. and S. Michigan Ave., Chicago; and Wednesday June 10 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 22W415 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn. All three meetings begin with check-in at 6:30 pm followed by the program at 7 pm. The forums end by 9 pm. Contact David Skidmore (312) 751-4207 for more information.
Contagion and Intinction It looks for now that the dire concerns about a pandemic of H1N1 have abated, at least for now. What may happen this coming winter along with the "normal" flu season is another matter. In the meantime, let me repeat here what I announced last Sunday about receiving Holy Communion from the Common Cup. First, there has never been a documented case of disease being transmitted from the Common Cup. Second, priests who have for centuries consumed what is left in the chalice after the last person has been communicated have the lowest mortality rates of any class of insured. Third, if however, you would rather receive the wine by intinction (by having the Eucharistic Host (or bread) dipped into the wine, then please keep the host in your open hand, and let the Chalice bearer take the host from your hand, dip it in the wine, and return it to your hand or place it on your tongue. Our hands are much more likely than our mouths to carry germs, and when many people are plunging their fingers as well as the host into the wine, that's a far riskier proposition! In addition, remember that wine is alcohol, and that the Chalice bearer wipes the lip of the chalice with a purificator after each use; taken together, these make using the Common Cup safe.
"April 26, 2009
"Dear Bill, Meredith, Vestry, and Members of the Parish,
"Here it is about twelve hours later and I'm still shocked (and smiling) by this morning's surprise. What an honor it was to be acknowledged and appreciated for my service to St. Gregory's. I thought I was just doing my job, but apparently you all thought I was doing more. I cannot thank you enough for the cards and camera― that latter is already safely packed and ready to go to Jordan and Israel with me tomorrow. Knowing my penchant for photography, I will have many pictures to share from this journey to the Holy Land and beyond.
"Faithfully yours,
"Sarah [Sr. Warden Emerita!]"
Faithfully yours,
"We are ambassadors for Christ, God appealing to the world through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20
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