Dearly Beloved,
Our Giving Campaign is drawing to an end as we begin receiving your Mission Pledge Cards.
This Sunday, November 21, we will hold our second Pledge Card Ingathering. Please consider your Mission and Pledge to St. Gregory's for 2011, and bring it on Sunday or mail it in this week.
THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
During this past week we lost two devoted members of our parish. Most of you have heard about Joe Schwarz' death through Vestry calls or the Prayers of the People and announcements last Sunday. We will celebrate Joe's life this Saturday, November 20, at 10 o'clock in the morning, with committal in our Churchyard immediately following the service.
Bill Phillips and his family became members of St. Gregory's in 1961. Although he moved to DuPage County in the 1990s, Bill would come back to worship here at his "home" church about every two or so months at the 11 am service. His service will be Monday evening, November 22, at 6:00 pm.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FAMILY SUPPORT MINISTRY CO-CHAIRS
A big THANK YOU to all our Family Support Ministry volunteers who have sustained this ministry by willingly providing meals and transportation services to members who needed support during a time of ill health.
Some of you have helped out repeatedly during the past few months, when we had multiple requests for meals on an almost regular basis. We are grateful for your willingness to help out over and over again.
We appreciate all our volunteers, because we could not carry on this ministry without your support. Our sincere thanks to the following members who have provided meals in the recent past: Alison Cioffi Brown, Anne Clark, Caroline DiNardo, Catherine Martin, Cyndi Millspaugh, Dorothy Collins, Ida Butler, Joan West, Lisa Halpin, Lorilee Bielski, Marmie Kiva, Mary Keller, Meredith Potter, Kathy Swager, Shari Benson, Shirley Traettino and Sylvan Hallet.
We are always looking for new volunteers. Please contact one of the co-chairs if you have an interest in volunteering for this ministry.
Brooke Fogt (847-945-1871/brookefogt@discover.com), Sharon Moceri (847-392-6433/sharmo1@aol.com), and Ishani Sinnaduray (847-634-9106/IshaniS@aol.com)
OUR LATEST HEROS
A huge round of applause for Julia Balmos and Kristi Leimbeck who began their "clean and organize the kitchen project" this weekend. They have done a great job, throwing out all kinds of "disgusting stuff," and washing the shelves, dishes, and utensils. They have also relabeled the doors and drawers with accurate descriptions of what lies inside.
With Julia's and Kristi's hard work accomplished, would anyone in the parish like to take on the role of "Kitchen Deacon?" We need someone (or someones) to take leadership in organizing and equipping this important center for parish activities.
AN EMAIL FROM MAJOR PAMELA AITCHISON (Part Three)
The next picture is of the Egyptian Nurses and me. I am the liaison officer for the Egyptian Field Hospital and they came for a visit here at the military hospital.
Last is LT G and a patient.
We have seen a lot of pediatric patients here. They are caught in the crossfire of this war. It has been a long summer and we all look forward to the winter, this stops the Taliban till Spring. Will keep you posted on life in Afghanistan. MAJ A
YOUR HOUSEHOLD'S PARISH DIRECTORY IS WAITING FOR YOU!—Please pick up your copy on the long table opposite Erica's Office.
Faithfully yours,
MANNA EXPRESS GIFT CARDS
Do you shop for groceries at Jewel or Dominick's? Do you need gas for your car― at Shell, for example? Do you ever dine out, buy coffee at Starbucks, or go to the movies? Purchase iTunes? Eat at Subway? Do you shop at Best Buy, Home Depot, JCPenney, Macy's, or Kohl's? St. Gregory's Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrichment is participating in a scrip (gift card) program called Manna Express. Families purchase all kinds of gift cards for all kinds of national vendors at face value and the school keeps the difference. You can see the large number of participants and the percentage return on the vendor list. This is a "pain free" way to support the school at no extra cost to you. And it's a great one stop shop for Christmas and other gifts.
To take part in the program, please stop at the Manna Express table following Sunday Services this month or drop your completed order form, along with a check made out to St. Gregory's Preschool, into the drop box across from the office. The December order will be due by 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 28, for pickup Sunday, December 12.
We are grateful for all your support. If you have any questions about the Manna Express program, please contact Ida or Debbie at 847-945-1678.
BOOK CLUB NEWS
The next meeting date is November 17th with a NEW TIME of 7:00 p.m. in the Library. This month's selection is The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman.
We will take a break from Book Club meetings during the holidays and will meet again on January 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library to discuss Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a prosperous Syrian-American and father of four, chose to stay through the storm to protect his house and contracting business. In the days after, he traveled the flooded streets in a secondhand canoe, passing on supplies and helping those he could. But, on September 6, 2005, Zeitoun abruptly disappeared. Eggers' riveting nonfiction book explores Zeitoun's roots in Syria, his marriage to an American who converted to Islam, their children, and the surreal atmosphere in which what happened to Abdulrahman Zeitoun became possible.
NEXT TROOP PACKAGE EVENT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH
On Veterans Day, I was reminded of the importance of a commitment to support our deployed troops. While I am reminded of this each day in many ways, on Veterans Day it was especially meaningful for me to know that we continue our effort of this important work to send care packages to our troops. I wholeheartedly thank each of you for your support and belief in this mission.
After checking the deadlines listed by the U.S. Postal Service for holiday packages to arrive timely in Iraq and Afghanistan, Tuesday, November 30th has been set for the next package night to be held at St. Gregory's. Volunteers will also be able to write holiday cards, which will be mailed separately.
Setup will begin at 4:30 p.m. on November 30th and packing will start at our usual time of 7:00 p.m. It would help immensely if you are able to arrive early to help with the numerous tasks that need to be completed before we begin.
Donations can be dropped off in the box in Founders Hall. If you wish to donate by check towards purchases or postage, a check should be written to St. Gregory's Church with TROOP SUPPORT in the memo line. No matter how you support this effort you are vital to the success and I thank you. I hope to see you on November 30th. Cissy Singleton
3RD ANNUAL KNITWEAR SALE
On Sunday, December 5th, Lin Reichenbach will host the 3rd Annual Knitwear Sale in Founders Hall following all services. Hand-knit mittens, hats, scarves and ear warmers will be available. Prices range from $4 to $15 and Lin will donate all her proceeds to the Troop Support Ministry. You can purchase Ear Warmers for a soldier for $5.00 for our next Troop Care Package Event. They also make great holiday gifts for friends and family. For details, contact Lin Reichenbach at 847-945-6482.
A SPECIAL VISIT FROM THE PRESIDING BISHOP
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Ph.D., Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will give a talk "Health and Healing Across the World and Across the Street: Collaboration Between the Religious and Health Care Communities" on Friday December 3, 2010, Noon - 1:00 p.m.
The talk will take place in the Brainard Room, Searle Conference Center, 5th Floor of the Rush Professional Building, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Chicago. A box lunch will be provided for the first 200 people.
Following her talk will be a panel discussion, "Being a Just Health Care Organization in an Age of Health Disparities" with Larry J. Goodman, MD, CEO, Rush Medical Center; William T. Foley, CEO, Cook County Health System; and Bryan Becker, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital.
For more information or to register, call Cherryl Holt at 312-563-4825 or E-mail bpandersonhouse@aol.com.
OASIS FOR ORPHANS THANK YOU NOTE
Dear St. Gregory's Leadership Team, I am humbled again by your continued support of Oasis for Orphans and our work in Kenya. There are so many exciting things that are taking place, it is hard to know where to begin. Perhaps Jon [Dutcher] can share some excerpts from our newsletters. Please thank your entire team for their support. We would love to update you personally if you think that would be helpful. Blessings, Scott and Jill.
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In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, particularly Carrie McIntosh, Oksana Paffett, Erick Cerveny, Charles Woods, Tim Udd, Sue Nebel, Bernice Andrea, John Ham, Michael Brady, Keith Stewart, Tricia Evans, Steve Lake, and Jack Trapani;
our companion parish in Fort Dauphin, Madagascar, and its leaders, Rev. Donné and Evangelist Tomboasy;
the men and women serving in our armed forces and their families, remembering especially Mike Demmon, Ryan Krochmolny, Sarah Shirley, Jason Greenman, Jamie Hayes, Chris Meinhardt, Michael Molloy, Tom Samella, Robert Steere, Eric Cloe, Pamela Aitchison, Mark Kraus, Ilan Keldar, Robb Dunlap, Greg Hirsch, Jamie Mitchell, Chad Field, Brian Adamson, and Hunter Levine; and
for the faithful departed, especially remembering Joe Schwarz and Bill Phillips.
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