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

Parish Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,    

THIS SUNDAY, 3:30 PM:

MEREDITH'S RETIREMENT PARTY! We are looking forward to welcoming all those who have made reservations, but we may not be able to seat last minute arrivals for whom we haven't ordered food! So please call the Parish Office today to make your reservation.

Also, please use either the office door or the handicap-accessible door to enter, but not the kitchen door.

The first half-hour will be social time and the dinner will begin at 4:00. Child care will be available in the Nursery if desired.

And remember to come prepared with a brief tribute or memory about Meredith that you'd like to share at an open mic.

OUR FINANCIAL STRATEGY FOR 2012-2013 PRESENTED AT THE QUARTERLY MEETING:

Dear Fellow Parishioners,            

I want to thank all of you for your support of St. Gregory's and all of our programming. I am very excited about 2012 and all of the work that the vestry is doing to better St. Gregory's mission and overall programming for us to enjoy. In the coming weeks there will be a flurry of touch points and discussions on events, campaigns, and missions. A lot of what I love about St. Gregory's is our ability to change with the needs and times of our members and all that is made possible through the hard work of our volunteers, worship, family, and your financial generosity. In the years I have been a member I have seen our parish take on tough issues constructively and move forward as a family unit together towards a positive change for the better. One of the most gratifying times is when I see the smiles and love of people that we welcome into our family home and who join our worship.

It's now 2012 and I have been a member here for 12 years. It feels like yesterday and my own children are growing up very quickly. When I first became a member the times were very exciting. The internet was new, the economy was good, there were plenty of jobs, and no wars. Today is quite different with new challenges. The world is struggling economically, jobs are hard to come by, and our dedicated and loyal military personnel are in many conflicts. Yet I feel when I enter the doors every Sunday it's the year 2000 all over again. I see many of the same people, with those same smiles, and I still appreciate the spiritual insights I take from here and which I love and depend upon in my life.

Many of you who know me personally understand that I am a fairly candid person and tend not to hold back my thoughts. This remains the case and I have tried to use that same approach in my position as your Senior Warden. 2011 was a year of retooling our operations. This included addressing lots of issues that have been lingering for a long time and never fully addressed. The Vestry implemented new processes, improved oversight and transparency, and reengineered a lot of our financial methods and ownership. I feel that will benefit future vestries, staff, and generations of members. We have recently concluded last year's pledge campaign and have a new budget that is balanced. Some of the highlights are:

• Full restoration of our Parish tithe (10%)
• New equipment purchase to replace some aging systems
• Added funds to perform outside financial audits
• Maintain our current staffing and programming

However it is important to note that overall pledge income was down from last year, even though we have an increase in new members. Certain members have acknowledged that due to employment loss and other financial obligations, they simply cannot give at the levels that they used to. Given the economic uncertainty this is no surprise.

Last year the parish was asked to help in the reduction of the Marian House debt accrued due to the emergency repairs that were made to it. Initially we had planned for a payoff of 5 years; however, with cost saving efforts through volunteers, your generosity, and extensive work by the finance committee's sharpening many pencils on the budget, we were able to pay that debt off early. This was a tremendous feat and we are all to be applauded for it.

Current and Post Campaign Budget

Although 2012 currently shows a manageable shortfall of $7,608, without a significant improvement in our financial picture 2013 will be a difficult year. Thus we started to take a hard look at our recurring expenses. We discovered that although the new boiler is paying for itself with savings in increased efficiency, the mechanics of the loan and how it was structured are hindering us. Let me clarify how this works.

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.

The outstanding balance on the boiler loan was $90,120 as of January of this year. As mentioned above, this loan is reducing the operating budget by a total of $27,700 ($14,500 on lost endowment income, and $13,200 in loan payments.)

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 financial healthy parish.

At our March meeting the Vestry approved a plan to use the carry-over Parish Tithe from 2010, the remaining funds from last year's Buildings and Grounds budget, and some initial generous donations from parishioners to reduce our outstanding boiler loan debt by approximately $38,000. This reduces the debt on the boiler loan to $52,120.

The vestry is asking your help to raise the other $52,120 in order to solidify our fiscal future. We ask every parishioner to consider this as a great challenge and opportunity to secure our financial future, and to make a heart-felt contribution towards this debt reduction in the spirit of our parish family. I urge all of us to work together to achieve the goal of freeing St. Gregory's from the debt which limits certain of our financial decisions.

Sincerely, Art Bielski, Senior Warden, on behalf of the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church.

After Art's address, I gave him Ingrid's and my check for $1,000 toward our beloved parish's financial future, and another $3,800 was raised by the end of the meeting. In the weeks to come I'll publish our progress toward reaching our goal.

REQUIESCAT IN PACEM: Frances Holly Norberg's letter:

"Dear Father Bill, at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church.

"It is my sad duty to tell you of the death of my mother, Frances Diann McDermott Fordham, on March 6, 2012. It was sudden and unexpected, a heart attack.

"St. Gregory's was without an organist at the beginning of July, 1953. My mother took courage from her ten years of piano lessons, and offered to try to play the organ. Mom would have had 59 years as a Church organist at the beginning of July this year. She played the organ at the 3-4-12 Sunday service at St. Mary Of The Snows Anglican Church in Eagle River, WI, two days before her death.

"Mother had told me three of four times that she hoped to die in her sleep when her time came, and that is how she went. I have been told her death was painless and would have felt like a 'big hug.' It gives me comfort to know that God came down, gave Mom a big hug and took her home.

"St. Gregory's was my first Church home, and I will always wish the best for you.

"May God bless and keep you all,

"Frances Holly Fordham Norberg"

(Next week: some of Holly's reminiscences of St. Gregory's.)

COMMUNITY MEALS:

A huge thanks to all who helped with the Soup Kitchen this past Sunday: Anita and Bets Bukszar, Ida Butler, Erika and Lukas Hernandez, Anne Clark, Janet and Bill Foltz, Sue Koy, Marsh LeSueur, Tim Miller, Jim Mortell, Matthew, Scott and Barb Schaper, and Sybil Ten Eyck.

Thanks to those who provided desserts: Dori Carlson, Anne Clark, Janet Foltz, Mary Keller, Barb Schaper, Anne Simpson and Sybil Ten Eyck. Our next turn to serve dinner is on Sunday, July 8th. Barb Schaper, and Janet and Bill Foltz

BOOK CLUB NEWS:

The next book club meeting is Wednesday, May 16th when The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton will be discussed. A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book — a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dock master and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-first birthday they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered. "Nell" sets out on a journey to England to find her real identity. This is a novel of outer and inner journeys and an homage to the power of storytelling, filled with unforgettable characters who weave their way through its spellbinding plot to astounding effect. (From the publisher.)

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

In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially Diane Jones, Ryland Grum, Norman George, Paul Maraist, Jill Henrickson, Casey Henrickson, Bill Waltemath, Normand LaJoie, Paul Beuttas, Mike Wyatt, Joseph Reibel, Kimberly Newman, Ernest Singleton, Darrell Groves, Linnea Hotopp, 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 Herm Wille, Charlotte Roberts, and Arthur Roofing.

Faithfully yours,

 

Skeptical of My Skepticism, Scripturally Speaking

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

Please turn in your pew Bibles to this morning’s Gospel, Luke chapter 24, verse 36:

“While they were talking about this. . . .” Now, the “this” to which Luke is referring is the story that immediately precedes this morning’s Gospel. It’s the story about two disciples on the road to Emmaus. While they’re walking, a stranger joins them. In the course of their conversation, this stranger― who is in fact the risen Jesus― has something to tell them. Please go to verse 25:

“Then [Jesus] said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.”

Now skip down to verse 30: “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.”

(This verse was the inspiration for this morning’s Collect: “O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”)

And then the disciples say to each other (v. 32): “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”

Now go to verse 45 in this morning’s Gospel: “Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

As Luke is bringing his Gospel to its conclusion, he wants us to know two things― first, how important it is for us to understand the Scriptures; and second, that we can understand the Scriptures only when Jesus himself opens our minds to understand them.

In our Quarterly Meeting this morning we looked at the financial strategy for this year and the next that all of us on the Vestry have been working on these past few months.

While the Vestry has been working on our financial strategy, our Episcopal Spiritual Life Renewal [EASEL-R] Workshop Team has been working on our spiritual strategy. We’ve been guided by this book: Follow Me (and there are plenty of copies in the library if you’d like to get a head start on what’s coming up).

This book identifies a continuum of four spiritual segments which can be found in any church: those who are Exploring Christ, those who are Growing in Christ, those who are Close to Christ, and those who are Christ-Centered.

So part of our spiritual strategy will be help people move from Exploring Christ to Growing in Christ, from Growing in Christ to being Close to Christ, and from being Close to Christ to being Christ-Centered.

And the research from 200 churches and the 80,000 people who took the Spiritual Life Survey― as we did in late January and early February― indicates that “The Bible is the Most Powerful Catalyst for Spiritual Growth”:

“Everywhere we turned the data revealed the same truth: spending time in the Bible is hands down the highest impact personal spiritual practice. More specifically, “I reflect on the meaning of Scripture in my life” is the spiritual practice that is most predictive of growth for all three movements [from Exploring Christ to Growing in Christ, Growing in Christ to being Close to Christ, and Close to Christ to being Christ-Centered].”

The book goes on to make this important point:

“There’s great significance in the word reflection. Reflecting on Scripture implies a contemplative process, one of thoughtful and careful deliberation. This practice of “reflecting on the meaning of Scripture in my life” is about using God’s Word as a mirror that reflects back the truth of Scripture on the actions, decisions and events of one’s daily life. This is not about skimming through a Bible passage or devotional in a mechanical way. This is a powerful experience of personal meditation that catalyzes spiritual growth, starting at the very beginning of the spiritual journey.”

This morning I want to tell you about the beginning of my spiritual journey.

I have occasionally mentioned Father Hanner, my parish priest when I was growing up. By the time I finished high school, I figured I would go to college, go to seminary, become a priest, and live happily ever after. But by the end of my freshman year in college, my faith was gone.

So one of the subjects I turned to was psychology, and particularly non-verbal communication. And one of the most important means of non-verbal communication is eye contact.

For example, if I’m having a conversation with someone, and I need to gather my thoughts and don’t want to be interrupted, I look away― because if I’m not making eye contact, the person with whom I’m talking doesn’t exist. But when I stop talking while maintaining eye contact, that’s the other person’s non-verbal cue to begin talking.

And that’s why the speaker looks at the person to whom she or he is speaking only about 30% of the time, while the listener is looking at the speaker 70% of the time, waiting for her or his chance to start talking!

As another example, we all have a sense of our personal space, and if anyone invades that space we get very uncomfortable, especially when we make eye contact. And that’s why, whenever we find ourselves squeezed into a crowded elevator, everyone is always looking at the numbers above the door. The last thing we want to do is make eye contact while we’re inside other people’s personal space!

Well, in the fullness of time I graduated from college, and I went to work selling group insurance. My first assignment was in Richmond, Virginia. I didn’t know a soul in Richmond, but I knew I could meet people if I went to church. And what does a desperate church want to do with a young adult right out of college? Put him in charge of the youth group! So there I was, in charge of the youth group, even though I didn’t have any faith. So what to teach them?

Well, as it happened, Julius Fast had recently written a best seller titled Body Language, which showed an attractive woman on the cover with her arms crossed and various lines pointing to various parts of her body and suggesting what she was communicating non-verbally.

So I figured, I could tell them all the scientific stuff I’d learned about body language and eye contact.

But then I began to think that I ought to at least try to hook it up with the Bible. So I reached into my trunk― some of you will remember when we used to use trunks to haul all our worldly goods in!― and pulled from the bottom of my trunk my dusty old red-leather King James Version of the Bible. And here it is!

So I decided to begin reading at the start of the New Testament, Matthew 1:1, in the hope I would find something that would connect with body language.

And then I came to Matthew 6:22 and 23: “For the light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single”― I had to look that up; and I discovered that in King James English “single” meant “honest,” and “sincere”―, “thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness.”

Well that rocked me back! What was this 20th century psychological insight doing in this 2,000 year old book?! At that moment, though I wouldn’t have known the words back then, my heart “burned within” me.

After reading that verse, I decided that if I were going to be skeptical, then I should be a thoroughgoing skeptic and be skeptical of my skepticism! So the first thing I did was to go out and by a modern translation of the Bible so I could read it without having to go to the dictionary and look up outdated words.

And that was the beginning of my spiritual journey with Scripture― and I wasn’t even at the Exploring Christ level― I was simply exploring my way out of the jam I’d put myself in by agreeing to lead the Youth Group!

But in that moment, Jesus opened my mind to understand― or at least opened a desire to understand― the Scriptures.

Wherever we may be in our spiritual journey, whether Exploring Christ, or Growing in Christ or Close to Christ or Christ-Centered, may Jesus continue to open our minds and open the Scripture more and more, so that we might grow spiritually more and more, and follow him.

Amen.

Confirmation Sermon by the Rt. Rev. Christopher Epting on Easter Saturday

On this Easter Saturday, we have what is sometimes called the “Longer Ending” of Mark for our Gospel reading this morning. Most scholars believe that Mark originally ended his Gospel (which was the first one ever written) one verse earlier than our text today.

In keeping with the fast-paced, urgent account of Jesus’ life which Mark gives us, we think he originally ended his gospel on a note of suspense – with Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome coming to Jesus’ tomb to anoint his body, being confronted by a young man in a white robe who tells them that Jesus had been raised, that he was going before them to Galilee, and that they should go and tell the disciples (and Peter) that they should meet him there. The women ran away and, at first, told no one anything about this incident because, Mark says, “they were afraid.” (16:8)

But, of course, the other Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life – Matthew, Luke and John – know that was NOT the end of the story, so a later editor of Mark’s Gospel summarizes what those other writers (particularly Luke) have to say about the days and weeks following that first Easter Sunday.

Specifically: that Jesus had a special encounter with Mary Magdalene after that event at the empty tomb; that he was experienced by two disciples on the road to Emmaus when he opened the Scriptures to them and was eventually known to them in the context of a common meal (known to those disciples “in the breaking of the bread.”); and that there were other so-called “resurrection appearances” often around a common meal where they ate and drank together.

Finally, this editor of Mark finishes with what Matthew and Luke both include as a kind of “Great Commission” to the disciples, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) “And they went out and proclaimed (that) good news everywhere while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:20)

And it’s those last words of Mark’s “longer ending” that I want to concentrate on today.

First of all, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”

Christianity is a “missionary religion!” You are not “born” a Christian…you “become” a Christian. Now, you can be born into a Christian family or even into a society which considers itself Christian. But Christianity is not an inherited thing like the color of your eyes or the texture of your hair. At some point, one has to “decide” to follow Jesus (as the old Gospel hymn would have it).

That’s a very dramatic thing for some people; others simply grow into a commitment to Christ over the years, gradually. The important thing is not HOW conversion happens to you, but THAT it happens! The folks here today who are being confirmed are doing just that – they are CONFIRMING that the faith into which they were baptized is the faith they want to practice and to follow from this time forth!  As a verse from one of our hymns puts it: “Here, at your table, confirm our intention/ ever to cherish the gifts you provide/ Teach us to serve without pride or pretention/ led by your Spirit/ defender and guide.”

So, we are “sent forth” to proclaim the good news just as those early apostles were in the Gospel of Mark. But what is this “good news?” What is it that we are sent out to share? Basically, in its simplest and purest form – that God loves us! That’s what the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is all about. It’s a demonstration of the fact that the Creator of this Universe, the awesome Force behind it all is . . . “kindly disposed” towards us!

God is not some impersonal Power or, worse yet, some tyrannical, whimsical Puppet Master in the sky. This creator, redeemer, and sanctifier of the world, this Living and True God . . . loves us! And not only us but, as Mark’s Gospel reminds us, loves the whole Creation. “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to all CREATION!” The Force which created this Universe and all that is in it, including us, is none other than the force of Love!

You and I are supposed to tell people about that! Lots of folks just don’t believe it! They either don’t believe in God at all, or they think that God is an angry, punishing God, or perhaps even worse than that, they think that God just doesn’t care very much one way or the other. A kind of “watchmaker God” who created the world all right, but then stands far off and watches it tick its way to oblivion.

We know better than that. We know better than that because we have seen the Human Face of God in Jesus Christ and therefore we know what kind of God we have. A God of compassion, a God of mercy and loving-kindness, a God who desires nothing more or less than to have us as partners in the building up of a world of justice and peace where all people can be what God intended them to be. That was the message of the prophets, that was the message of the apostles and the early Church. It is the message you and I are to share with our families, friends and neighbors today.

“And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:20). That’s the last bit of good news I have to share with you this morning. We’re not in this alone. Christ has promised to be with us to “the ends of the earth.” And he will “work with us” (as the text says) to help us be faithful and to convince the world of his love!

The message will be confirmed, according to these verses, “by the signs that accompany it.” Those signs are the way you live your life! No one will believe in a God of love if that God is preached by an angry person. No one will believe in a God of forgiveness if that God is preached by an unforgiving spirit. No one will believe in a God of justice and peace if that God is preached by people who are bigoted and prejudiced and full of hatred and violence.

St. Francis once famously said, “Preach the Gospel always. If necessary, use words.” That means that the way you live your life will determine what kind of witness you will be for Jesus Christ.

In a few moments I will pray for each of these confirmation candidates using these words:

“Strength, O Lord, this your servant, with your Holy Spirit; empower them for your service, and sustain them all the days of their lives.”

That’s my prayer for all of us, dear friends. That we will each be strengthened by the Holy Spirit . . . empowered to serve our Creator God . . . and be sustained in that calling all the days of our lives.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sermon by the Rev. Leigh VanderMeer on the Second Sunday of Easter

Easter 2 B, RCL - April 15, 2012 Given at St. Gregory’s

Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 1 John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31

There’s a passage in the gospel of Mark in which a man brings his son to Jesus for healing.

The boy is unable to speak, has seizures, foams at the mouth and throws himself about . . . sometimes dangerously so . . . as if he’s caught fire, for example

The father asks Jesus if he could please help them. 

Jesus says to the man, "All things can be done for the one who believes."

Immediately the father of the child cried out "I believe; help my unbelief!"  

+++++++++        

I think this is what Thomas was doing…..He was asking for help. Thomas believed all right. . . . Sticking by Jesus throughout his three year ministry gives evidence to that.  Thomas believed . . . he just needed help with his unbelief.  

At that moment in the room with his fellow disciples, Thomas was being asked to swallow a particularly incredible claim . . . the claim being that Jesus, the teacher whom he loved and followed as a faithful disciple….the man whom everyone knew had suffered a horrible death on the cross and was buried in the tomb. . . .Thomas was now being asked to believe that Jesus had presented himself in person to the disciples. Thomas’ response makes perfect sense to me.

If I showed up for work one day and my colleagues told me that the person who’s funeral I’d attended the week before had appeared at the staff meeting that morning, My response would be . . . ”Yeah right!”

In fact, I’m not sure I’d even bother asking for proof considering it was such a ridiculous claim in the first place.  What I’d really be thinking was that my colleagues had finally gone off the deep end.

So when Jesus appeared a week later following his death and burial, Thomas essentially asked for the same thing that the man with the epileptic son had asked, “Lord, I believe . . . Help my unbelief!”

And Jesus did. 

Jesus met Thomas exactly where he was at…. just as Jesus had responded to the distressed father.

Therefore, in defense of Thomas - I think he’s gotten a bad rap.  All the guy did was ask for some concrete evidence. Not that he didn’t trust his fellow disciples… he simply needed a little extra confirmation. 

And look what happened because of it.

Pegged forever as a man of doubt.  To the point that he even got his own idiom…Doubting Thomas . . . a person with a lack of faith. Someone who refuses to believe until given proof.      

++++++++

The reality is that there are times in our lives when we too might need a little extra proof.  For many of us, even though our faith is constantly there…it doesn’t necessarily run at the same constant pace.  It waxes and wanes and we find ourselves needing different things at different times in order to nurture and sustain our faith.

Sometimes our faith can feel so strong that we live and breathe scripture passages like, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” These are those times when it’s easy to believe that with God all things are indeed possible.  Yet at other times in our lives we struggle wondering where the heck is God and why isn’t God here doing anything to help my unbelief!!

These are times when we want proof that Jesus is active in our lives.

These are times when we NEED proof.    

Experiencing doubt, asking questions or wanting more evidence doesn’t mean we don’t believe or that our faith is somehow lacking. A common misconception is that doubt is the opposite of faith.  It is not!

Indifference is the opposite of faith.

Frederick Buechner, a Presbyterian minister, theologian, and author, sees doubt as the “ants in the pants of faith.”  He suggests that doubt keeps faith awake and moving. . . . Active and alive.      

It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t rebuke Thomas over his request for more evidence.  Thomas was being true to who he was.  He was a man who didn’t blindly accept what others told him.  He questioned. He was human.

And Jesus was being true to who he was by graciously offering himself to Thomas in response.  Jesus gave Thomas what he needed to grow in faith just as Jesus had done so many other times with other people throughout his ministry.  Jesus helped people with their unbelief all the time.

Through the miracles he performed, Jesus revealed himself. He offered himself to others where they were at so they too could either come to believe for the first time or be furthered strengthened.

Think of the woman at the well, or the crippled man who didn’t have anyone to lift him into the healing pool.  Think of the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  All miraculous acts that helped people with their unbelief….to help people grow in their faith.

Besides, it’s not like Thomas was the only one doubting.  Today’s gospel begins by noting that the disciples had locked themselves in the room for fear of the Jewish authorities.  This tells me that they must not have fully believed all that Jesus told them.  Nor did they believe Mary Magdalene when she first reported back from the empty tomb that she’d seen Jesus, risen from the dead.

They didn’t fully come around to believing it for themselves until Jesus actually showed up in their midst in that locked room.  Then they believed – when they saw it with their own eyes.

There are other passages in John’s gospel that actually support the idea that maybe Thomas was more of a model disciple than the doubter that he’s been portrayed as.  In the 11th chapter for example, when Lazarus dies everyone else is afraid to make the journey to visit his family because they’d just had a run in with the Jewish leaders. The disciples were worried about Jesus placing himself (and them) in danger, but Thomas was prepared to go with Jesus and die with him too if necessary.

In the 14th chapter, at the last supper when Jesus is telling the disciples about the many dwelling-places in his Father’s house . . . how he has prepared a place for the disciples . . . and then tells them that they know the way to the place where Jesus is going. . . .

Thomas is the one who asks Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”  Thomas questions what Jesus means. Thomas may not get it, but he engages and tries to understand.  He is like the person in the classroom or small study group who is brave enough to ask the question that we know is on everyone else’s minds but we’re afraid of asking for fear of looking silly.

Maybe the model of discipleship that we can learn from Thomas is his courage.  His courage in not being afraid to ask questions and think things through for himself. His courage to say, “Jesus, I don’t get it. Can you help me out? Can you help me to understand.”

And Jesus responds.    

+++++++++

Jesus continues to work this way with us in our lives . . . meeting us where we are at. Responding to our questions. Giving us what we need at the moment to help us grow in faith. Presenting himself before us… graciously offering his wounds for us to touch . . . no questions asked… if indeed that’s what we need at the moment.

This gracious offering, this revealing of God’s self to us is what we know and experience as grace. The power of the risen Christ with us always . . . strengthening us, reassuring us, comforting us.

Helping ­us with our unbelief.  AMEN!

Parish Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,    

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. GREGORY'S

1. QUARTERLY MEETING:     

We will be introducing and discussing our Financial Strategy for 2012-13 in addition to our usual quarterly updates.

2. COMMUNITY MEALS:    

It's our turn once again to prepare and serve dinner at the Waukegan Community Meals Soup Kitchen and we need additional and new volunteers because some of our stalwarts have other commitments for this Sunday.

We meet at 12 noon and are done with clean up by 3:30 pm.

Please consider joining us for this important and fun ministry.

We are known for our delicious homemade desserts so if you are unable to join us, please consider baking a dessert or two. If you bring the desserts in to the church kitchen by 10 am, we will be sure to take them to Waukegan.

Please sign up on the sign-up sheet across from the office.

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Schaper at bschaper7@aol.com, Janet Foltz at jfoltz1004@hotmail.com or Bill Foltz at wfoltz@comcast.net.

4. SIGN-UP FOR MEREDITH'S RETIREMENT CELEBRATION ON APRIL 29!    

Our own Greg Benish's Bridget McNeill's Restaurant will be catering our special event on Sunday, April 29, so be sure to secure your reservation this Sunday or by April 27.

In addition to the incredible food, Rob Cunningham, Bret Chandler, and Jim Swager are providing special music!

All this for a suggested donation of $20 for adults, $10 for kids from 6 through 12 years old, and free for kids 5 and under.

The donation is suggested because we want to encourage all parishioners and family members to attend, so please let me know if we can help financially.

3. SIX FLAGS:

How would you like to go to Six Flags Great America (or any other Six Flags) for only $35.00?! Yes, that's right, only $35 for a one day ticket― instead of $59.99!

The Preschool will earn 9% on these tickets!

Just write Six Flags Great America on your Manna order form!

This is the second to the last order before the end of the school year. Keep in mind all your traveling plans for the summer, as well as for wedding gifts or other summertime gift card needs, and order now!

April orders due April 22 with pick up on May 6.

May orders due May 13 with pick up on the Memorial Day weekend Sunday, May 27.

Order Form and Vendors available by clicking here.

EASTER IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR

WERE YOU AMONG OUR GENEROUS EASTER FLOWER DONORS?

Then please stop by Founders Hall and pick up one of the lilies or other gorgeous plants with our thanks.

EASTER EGG HUNT PICTURES

On Easter, eager and energetic St. Gregory's children searched and discovered 200 eggs all hidden outside by our Middle and High School youth.

These pictures were taken by Maddy Boutros and they capture some of the excitement of the hunt. Enjoy the photographs! Bret Chandler 

ERRATA!

Some of our Balloon Brigade participants were misidentified or unidentified!

Palm Sunday Ribbon Cutters also included Susan Lowman and her mother, and Sarah Snyder; and Easter Balloonists included Ericka Hernandez and Suzanne Francis. Thank you! (And thanks to sharp-eyed Ida Butler)

CONFIRMATION CONGRATULATIONS

Last Saturday, Saturday in Easter Week, the Right Reverend Christopher Epting confirmed Emily Catherine Zint, Myra Lee Peterson, Brian Michael Hill, Jacob Michael Hamilton,

Hannah Marie Benson, Ashley Elizabeth Benson, Katherine Jean Baddeley, Susan Renee Lowman, Bret Alexander Chandler, and Margo Ramtin who reaffirmed her Baptismal vows.

Shari Benson sent these pictures of Holy Confirmation and Sunday's Reception and Prayer Book Presentation: 

ALSO COMING UP ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29:

EIGHT, NINE, and ELEVEN O'CLOCK SERVICES―

YouTube Sermon by Bishop Todd McGregor and then, LIVE FROM MADAGASCAR! a Skyped Adult Forum featuring the Bishop and parishioners at our Companion Church, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro!

NINE O'CLOCK SERVICE―

St. Gregory's will offer an experimental FIRST COMMUNION rite at the Nine O'Clock Service.

If your child hasn't received Holy Communion before, and you are interested, please let me know.

(Two families have already contacted me about having their children participate; are there others?)

IT'S A GIRL!

Congratulations to Lisa and Ryan Bedtelyon, on the birth of their daughter Evelyn Rae, weighing in at 7 lbs., 9 oz.

She was born on Sunday, April 15, and their son Emerson now has a baby sister!

ONCE LOST, PERHAPS NOW FOUND?

Over the past couple of years, have you found yourself pondering the whereabouts of ONE teardrop earring?

What about the spare sunglasses that seemed to sprout wings?

Spend time chiding your teenager for losing her pink "Pink" hoodie a mere three weeks after you relented and bought it for her?

Perhaps your lost treasure is among the unclaimed items we have found in the Hall or the Youth Room or the Sanctuary or Nave or even the parking lot!

We now have quite the stockpile and we need to divest the church of it.

So for ten (10) days – and 10 days only- beginning April 18, all items will be displayed on a table in the Hall with a sign encouraging rightful owners to reclaim them.

After that point, they will be discarded, given away for re-use or recycled. GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE …..GONE!

REQUIESCAT IN PACEM:

Diann Fordham's daughter Frances Holly Norberg has written me about her mother's death on March 6, 2012. Her letter will appear in next week's Newsletter.

Diann was St. Gregory's organist from 1953 until 1969.

In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially Paul Maraist, Jill Henrickson, Casey Henrickson, Bill Waltemath, Normand LaJoie, Paul Beuttas, Mike Wyatt, Joseph Reibel, Kimberly Newman, Jane Hush, Jim Collins, Ernest Singleton, Darrell Groves, Linnea Hotopp, 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 Diann Fordham.

Faithfully yours,

Saturday in Easter Week

Today we had a beautiful service of Holy Confirmation. The appointed Gospel for the day is the so-called "Longer Ending" of Mark's Gospel, probably supplied by an ancient scribe who didn't care for the canonical ending: "So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid."

Here's the Longer Ending:

"Now when Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

"Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it."

The last verse reminded me of one of the earliest Christian sayings I learned at seminary. Bob Shahan, then the Dean of Admissions and later Bishop of Arizona, reminded us that "Christians don't follow signs; signs follow Christians."

 

Friday in Easter Week

Here's a wonderful Welsh singing event on Britain's Got Talent.

The song is Calon Lân, or "Pure Heart." And you can read the lyrics here.

Thanks to fy ffrind (my friend) Joe for sending me the link.

 

Thursday in Easter Week

Dihareb Cymraeg/Welsh Proverb

Ni waeth beth fo lliw'r delyn os da'r gainc.

The color of the harp doesn't matter if the tune is good.

Parish Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,

WHAT MAGNIFICENT AND GLORIOUS EASTER CELEBRATIONS!

So many people to thank, and those thanks will follow, but first, because St. Gregory's never pauses, here's what's coming up!

SATURDAY, APRIL 14: 11:00 am― EIGHTH GRADE AND ADULT CONFIRMATION SERVICE.

Come and see and support our Confirmands and welcome our new Assisting Bishop, Christopher Epting.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15―

"Please contact me as soon as possible if you would like to give the altar flowers for this Sunday. Just provide the message you would like for the bulletin, and you will be billed later. Thank you!" Cathy Leimbeck (847-541-0058 or cleimbeck@comcast.net).

SUNDAY, APRIL 22― LOTS GOING ON:,

1. QUARTERLY MEETING:

We will be introducing and discussing our Financial Strategy for 2012-13 in addition to our usual quarterly updates and the latest recipient of the Rector's Point of Pentecost Service Award.

2. COMMUNITY MEALS:

April 22nd will once again be St. Gregory's turn to prepare and serve dinner at the Waukegan Community Meals Soup Kitchen.

We meet at 12 noon and are done with clean up by 3:30.

Please consider joining us for this important and fun ministry.

We are known for our delicious homemade desserts so if you are unable to join us, please consider baking a dessert or two. If you bring the desserts in to the church kitchen by 10 am, we will be sure to take them to Waukegan.

Please sign up on the sign-up sheet across from the office.

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Schaper at bschaper7@aol.com, Janet Foltz at JFOLTZ1004@hotmail.com or Bill Foltz at wfoltz@comcast.net.

3. SIX FLAGS:

How would you like to go to Six Flags Great America (or any other Six Flags) for only $35.00?!

Yes, that's right, only $35 for a one day ticket― instead of $59.99!

The Preschool will earn 9% on these tickets!

Just write Six Flags Great America on your Manna order form!

This is the second to the last order before the end of the school year. Keep in mind all your traveling plans for the summer, as well as for wedding gifts or other summertime gift card needs, and order now!

April orders due April 22 with pick up on May 6.

May orders due May 13 with pick up on the Memorial Day weekend Sunday, May 27.

Order Form and Vendors are available here.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29:

8:00, 9:00 AND 11:00 AM ―

We will have a YouTube Sermon by Bishop Todd McGregor and then,

LIVE FROM MADAGASCAR! ―

a Skyped Adult Forum featuring the Bishop and parishioners at our Companion Church, Santa Grégoire, Tolagnaro!

9:00 AM ―

FIRST COMMUNION:

Although all baptized children as well as all baptized adults are invited to receive Holy Communion in the Episcopal Church, some parents prefer that their children be older or confirmed before receiving the Sacrament― or participate in a ritual like First Communion as practiced in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran traditions.

On this Sunday, St. Gregory's will offer an experimental First Communion rite at the Nine O'Clock Service.

If your child hasn't received Holy Communion before, and you are interested, please let me know.

3:30 PM ―

RETIREMENT PARTY FOR OUR VICAR EMERITUS!

SATURDAY, MAY 12― CHICAGO RIVER CLEANUP

On May 12, from 9-12 pm, all youth from grades 6-12 are invited to participate in the Chicago River Cleanup which will take place at the River's Highland Park Target site.

Afterwards we will get lunch together.

Spend the morning outside cleaning up trails, planting seeds, picking up and separating garbage, and more.

Please let Bret Chandler know as soon as possible that you would like to participate!

AND NOW FOR ALL THE WORDS OF APPRECIATION

To our Cast of Characters for the Passion Narrative (Part in order of appearance: 8, 9, and 11 actors respectively):

Narrator: Pat Auch, Ingrid Roberts, Lisa Halpin;

Jesus: Paul Maraist, Sarah Snyder, Hazel Aguirre;

Peter: Mary Maraist, Ashley Benson, Jim Mortell;

Judas: Lyle Ten Eyck, Derek Hill, Rob Cunningham;

High Priest: Al Bazzoni, Brian Hill, Hans Royal-Hedinger;

Servant: Marcia Bazzoni, Kristin Hill, Yvonne Masurat;

Pilate: Sybil Ten Eyck, Ashley Babcock, Normand LaJoie;

Bystander: Marilee Morrison, Bill Roberts, Pat Carroll;

Centurion: Chuck Morrison, Jim Collins, David Schaper.

For the Last Supper Re-Enactment:

to Shari Benson and Sharon Henley-Gramer, and the Deerfield Review, which carried a full page story on Maundy Thursday (appropriately!), headlined "Children reenact the Last Supper at St. Gregory's."

To read the main article, please click here.

To see the photographs, please click here.   

For the Liturgy of Water and Light:

"I would like to add a thank you to all who helped with the Holy Saturday service.

"A special thank you to Mother Meredith Potter, who helped not only with delivering the service, but with the program itself, including set up along with the Altar Guild.

"To Bret Chandler and Brian Hill for their gift of music with guitar and piano.

"To Annette Baez for her help with the pot-luck and Paula Hamilton for all her assistance with the worship.

"A special tribute needs to go to all the children who conducted all the readings, including Joe and Cate Ariano, John Arnell, Peter Thompson, Joshua and Leah Hamilton, Caroline Bielski, Noah Fishman, Kristin Hill, and Warren and Eddie Esgar.

"Many thanks to all who assisted with the clean up after our great potluck! Have a blessed Easter season!" Sharon Henley-Gramer

For the Balloon Brigade, especially Brigadier Diane Jones, who drew up the battle plan and lugged in the two helium canisters!

And Diane wishes to thank . . .

"The Ribbon Cutters who helped on Palm Sunday:

Julie and Cate Ariano; Jeanette and Walt Blanck (who took a ribbon spool home and cut together for two days), Ida Butler, Pam Dorband, Fran Ingram (who devised a mass-production team method), Diane Jones, Melly Peterson, Meredith Potter with Jaime and Elyse Chandler, Margo Ramtin, Sarah Snider, Dawn Hainsworth and Bill Theobald, Karen Nicholas, and Vanessa and Jacob Fjeldheim.

"And the Easter Day Balloon Brigade― "the Red-Eye helpers"― who rose early to greet the dawn and blow up the balloons and affix them to the pews:

"Leigh Stewart, Lyle and Sybil Ten Eyck, Erica Hernandez (who brought her friend, Susan Lowman, and they worked while Ida watched their children, Diane Jones, and Melly Peterson and Sue Koy, who helped her curl the ribbons.

"What a Community we have!" Diane Jones.

(Said one parishioner: "For some reason, this year those balloons looked especially wonderful.")

To Blanche Esgar: For baking 75+ delicious cookies, and three monster cookies to illustrate the Children Sermon:

Not only did she master the difficult ichthus shape― she hand frosted the five Greek letters flawlessly!

An incredible (and incredibly edible!) labor of love.

For the Vestry Coffee Hour:

Donna Shelton baked her scrumptious scones;

Michele Appelbaum made centerpiece baskets (from the Holy Saturday Potluck);

Ron Falbe and Mary Furbush helped with set-up;

Cherie Thompson and Catherine Martin served (and also brought bread and cheesecake cups, respectively);

Art Bielski provided the Starbucks Coffee; and

Cathy Leimbeck, Tim Miller, and David Schaper also helped in various ways.

CONGRATULATIONS CORNER:

The Deerfield Review also reported last Thursday on the Deerfield Optimist Club's annual Youth Appreciation Night at Deerfield High School on March 21st.

Awards for involvement in service to our community at the following places:

Caruso Middle School: Kate Baddeley, Ashley Benson, and Hannah Benson;

Deerfield Public Library: Hannah Benson and Ashley Benson;

St. Gregory's: Allison Appelbaum, Ashley Babcock, Ashley Benson, Hannah Benson, Andrew Boutros, Chris Boutros, Madeline Boutros, Mark Bozzano, Jacob Hamilton, Josh Hamilton, Brian Hill, Derek Hill, Louis Lovacheff, Philip Lovacheff, Philip Lovacheff, Grayson Peacock, Aurora Raimondi, Kelsey Travis.

In your prayers this week, please remember the sick, especially Paul Maraist, Jill Henrickson, Casey Henrickson, Bill Waltemath, Normand LaJoie, Paul Beuttas, Mike Wyatt, Joseph Reibel, Kimberly Newman, Jane Hush, Jim Collins, Ernest Singleton, Darrell Groves, Linnea Hotopp, Jim Brown, Ed Kussler, 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 Lillian Hathaway.

Faithfully yours,

Tuesday in Easter Week

Dihareb Cymraeg/Welsh Proverb

Melysaf y cân eos, ond nid erchis Duw i'r frân dewi.

Sweetest sings the nightingale, but God did not command the crow to be silent.