Dearly Beloved,
GREAT TO BE BACK, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO AN EXCITING NEW YEAR!
Ingrid and I had the most satisfying vacation in years! Highlights included visiting James for the first time on his California turf, Disneyland, San Pedro tidal pools, my dad's 87th birthday, hot air ballooning complete with certificate and the balloonist's prayer (The winds have welcomed you with softness, the sun has blessed you with his warm hands, you have flown so high and so well that God has joined you in laughter, and set you gently back into the loving arms of mother earth), and staying one night at the home of James' actor friend and mentor Doug Jones and his wonderful wife, Laurie.
Then after a few days' rest, we visited my St. Bartholomew's, Manhattan, rector and friend, and his wonderful wife Pam, for two days of great fun, marvelous stories, and culinary celebrations. Then off to southern New Jersey to be with Ingrid's side of the family, my sixth Cwrs Cymraeg (Welsh Course) in Winchester, Virginia, and an overnight with a college classmate and his wonderful wife.
(NB: all wives are wonderful!)
Finally, a night under the pavilion at Ravinia to hear the great Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel as Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca (and Timmy Cunningham, Rob's and Maggie's son and the Chicago Children's Choir!)
My thanks to all those who kept the home fires burning, especially Meredith and Art and Catherine; Pastoral Care Visitor Susie Dutcher; our Preschool 4th of July Paraders; those who contributed to the Soberano's generous purse; and everyone who welcomed our new Youth Minister Bret Chandler and his family, and helped them settle in to Marian House. And a special word of appreciation to Youth Commission member and nurse Judy McCann: she was among the parishioners who gathered early Sunday to send off our Youth Missioners and ministered emergency care to one of the participants.
Already we are gearing up for an awesome August and scintillating September and beyond! Bret Chandler is already off to a fast start as he and Catherine lead the Youth Mission Trip this week, and our Preschool Auction Committee has several new twists to ramp up the excitement for our sixth rousing event! So here we go:
YOUTH MINISTER'S INVITATION
Dear Parents and Youth,
On Saturday, August 20, my wife Meredith and I are going to host a cookout for the youth and all are invited to come! We will have music playing, burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, chips, and drinks. The idea is to have a time for fun and fellowship before school begins. It is between 12-2 pm in the backyard of Marian House, and parents are invited to drop off their kids, and they can pick them up at our place. If anybody would like to bring a dessert, favorite dish, or drinks that is also welcome-- just let me know.
Thanks, Bret Chandler
Sunday, August 14: 10 AM― Church School Teachers and Volunteers Meeting
Sunday, August 28: 9:00 AM to Noon― Mass on the Grass and immediately following. . .
. . . the Youth Commission's Second Annual Carnival and Picnic at Mitchell Field!
PRESCHOOL AUCTION COMMITTEE'S INVITATION
Program
6 to 7:30 PM Dinner (outdoor seating available, weather permitting)
6 to 8:15 PM Silent Auction
7:30 to 8:00 PM Live Auction
8:15 p.m.-9:15 p.m. Live Concert featuring "The Beggarmen"
9:15 p.m. Checkout begins
This year's Preschool Dinner/Concert/Fundraiser will be uniquely different, a fun evening of friends, food, music, and auction items. Please join us on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets will be available beginning this Sunday, August 7th. Ticket price is $30 per individual (includes food and live concert) or $50 per couple (bring-a-friend) or $75 per family.
This year, we will have a special concert performance by The Beggarmen. Among this Irish band's members are Joe and Tara Dutcher, son and daughter-in-law of Jon (Preschool Board) and Susie (Pastoral Care Visitor) Dutcher. You can sample their beautiful Irish music by clicking here.
For our live and silent auctions we really need your help to create some new and different offerings and experiences. Specifically, we are looking for the following donations:
- Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, and Bears tickets
- Gift/Dining certificates at local and Chicago restaurants
- Wine, wine, and more wine (can you donate a bottle or two of your favorite?)
- Themed baskets including an Irish Tea basket, Irish Fragrance basket, and other food/spa/coffee/tea baskets
- 1-2 night stays at downtown Chicago hotels (do you have a favorite?)
- Golf gift certificates for local courses
- Unique 'services' you or others can provide -- fall yard clean-up, holiday lighting, winter shoveling, house or babysitting, chef for a night, etc.
With your help we are hoping to create some unique packages and experiences. If you can solicit or donate any of the above, please inform Catherine Martin or Dave Wille (we can collect those items later, just need your donation ideas now!) as soon as possible.
Do you know any 'celebrities' who might be interested in our cause? We are looking for individuals to donate their time and be part of a live auction offering such as 'Dinner with Ditka' or 'Bowling with Bill Roberts' or 'Opera with Oprah' (you get it― national, local, or St. Gregory's celebrities!).
The Auction Committee will meet again on Sunday, August 7th at 10:00 a.m. Please join us!
If you have any questions, please contact Ida Butler at 847-736-0636 or ida_butler@att.net. Thank you!!!
THANK YOU NOTES RECEIVED
from Five Talents: "Thank you for your gift of $500 to help Five Talents continue its ministry to fight poverty, create jobs, and transform lives!" Craig Cole (who visited and preached for us last year).
from Episcopal Relief and Development: "Thank you for St. Gregory's generous contribution of $5,000.00 [for the Well Well Well Project]. Thank you! handwritten by Esther Cohen, Chief Operating Officer
In your prayers this week, please remember the sick and suffering, especially: Andrew Schwarz, Ben Flanders, Flo Foltz, Joanne Hanwell, Jackie Unger, Barbara Tate, Dorothy Collins, John Aberson, Feryal Kaya, Bill Thiel, Andrew Zint, Steve and Kristy Pokorny, Dot and Tom Elliott, Ted Repsholdt, Vern Vis, James Lilo, Kathy Christenson, Judy McCann, Joel Burrows, Kenneth Leech, and Alexandra;
Journey of Hope, especially Ethan Collins;
our youth on their mission trip to Mon Valley, PA;
our companion parish: Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro, Madagascar, and its leaders: Rev. Donné and Evangelist Tomboasy;
the men and women serving in the armed forces and their families: Ryan Redig, Timothy Welton, Ray Creevy, Cary Clark, Mike Demmon, Ilan Kedar, Sarah Shirley, Jason Greenman, Jamie Hayes, Robert Steere, Eric Cloe, Robb Dunlap, Greg Hirsch, Jamie Mitchell, Brian Adamson, Hunter Levine, Chad Field, Carl Best, Bob Morrissette, Doug Columbus; and
the faithful departed, remembering Doris Stewart.
Faithfully yours,
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