News

Church Street News (see Past Issues)
The Newsletter of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church
Issue No. 4, Volume 98
April 2005

WORDS OF THANKS
Just after Easter, I was speaking with our parish secretary, Sue Montgomery, about our celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. As many of you know, she was hired just last summer, so it was her first Holy Week at St. Lawrence in this capacity. What a learning opportunity!

Once she began to get used to our routines, she told that she had figured she need to get through Advent to get over the hump. But then, as soon as Advent was begun, she discovered she needed to turn her attentions toward Christmas. Then it was January and the Annual Meeting (and the written report). Then she needed to get ready for Shrove Tuesday and Lent.

None of which really prepared her for Holy Week and Easter. In the Church, Holy Week and Easter is not like any other time of the year. And so much of what goes into getting ready for it is not like anything that anyone notices.

My thanks to Sue and to Deacon Mary-Jane, in particular, for their grace under the stresses of doing so much to get us ready. And to Wendy Unrath Young for all the extra planning, rehearsals and services taken on.

Members of the Worship Ministry Team, of course, spent a lot of time getting things ready. They utilized the efforts of so many members of the parish - Altar Guild, Acolytes, Lectors and Chalice Bearers, Choir members and other special musicians, and others I've likely overlooked. My thanks to all of them as well.

A special photo spread begins on page 6 of this issue of the newsletter, offering a chance for those who may have been away for spring break to catch a glimpse of the events. A photo display has replaced the sign-up sheets on a bulletin board at the church, so stop by and take a peek.

Not just a day but a season
What might be missed in the run up to Easter Day, is that Easter is celebrated in the Church as more than just a special day. The 2nd Sunday of the Easter season is often called “Low Sunday,” because the energy is typically so low - not to mention the attendance - as compared with Easter Day.

But for us, it's just the beginning of beginnings. This is not merely the first day of the rest of our life, it's the first day of all the days of our life. It's the one that gives them meaning. It's the day that gives us hope.

FROM THE WARDENS
In The Blithedale Romance, Nathanial Hawthorne writes:

The greatest obstacle to being heroic is the doubt whether one may not be going to prove one's self a fool; the truest heroism is, to resist the doubt; and the profoundest wisdom, to know when it ought to be resisted, and when to be obeyed.

We believe that the goals of a church should include the following:

(a) to help our youth discern their vocations;
(b) to help them determine how they can be heroic on their journey; and
(c) to instill in them the wisdom necessary to learn when to stand down.

The Church is an appropriate place for this discernment to occur because it is largely void of all of the outside influences that might corrupt the installation of an appropriate and faith based decision tree to make these vital determinations.

In its introduction to the Journey to Adulthood program, Leader Resources states:

Each and every one of us carries a memory tucked away some-place close to the heart of the first time someone, somewhere took us seriously, and gave us enough time to amaze and astonish them with our questions and insights. . . We, as elders, must be willing to sit and remain long enough with the young people in our care if we are able to find them and if they are to find themselves. . .

Amanda Hughes, Introducing the Journey to Adulthood

Ms. Hughes' introduction focuses on the time when Jesus as a teenager spent time in the Temple, undoubtedly learning about himself and his ministry.

As noted in our last message, the Vestry has made it one of its goals to focus on youth in the upcoming year. With each of our decisions, our goal is to ask how our plans and events might be friendlier and/or more meaningful to our youth. Further, we are reviewing ways to improve our youth programs.

Of course, no youth program is “separate” from its church. A good youth program incorporates all of a church's resources, including its human resources - from parishioners aged 9 to 99. While not everyone is called to lead a group on a weekly basis, we all have something to impart. Perhaps you have organizational skills or some special knowledge or wisdom relevant to our youth. Maybe you have ideas on how to make our events friendlier to our youth.

As the Vestry reflects on youth this year, we ask that each of you reflect on the programs as well, and provide us with any of your thoughts, comments or concerns. We also ask that you prayerfully consider how your gifts might be used to improve our programs.

Senior Warden Jeanne Murphy can be reached at Valentinejam@sbcglobal.net
Junior Warden Frank Top can be reached at theTops4@comcast.net

THANK YOU
The Lenten Season this year has been filled with challenges for our parish family: we lost two dear members of our parish; we grieved with and cared for their loved ones; and we faced major surgery and recovery with other dear friends. Along with these challenges came opportunities for the members of the St Lawrence Church to embrace and support those in need with caring, prayers, and food.

So many of you in our parish family stepped up to provide meals, food for receptions, transportation, and prayers. Your were called upon multiple times and in various capacities, and you all just kept giving, quietly and without reservation.

To all who helped surround the members of our parish family in their time of need with love, support, prayers, and food, thank you, thank you. You have been a part of something so special!

Can you be a part as well?
As in any family, there is always room to include more people in the special ministry of supporting our parish family. We would love to add more members to the Pastoral Care Ministry Team, and we would encourage you to fill out the checklist included in the blue Pastoral Care Ministry Team brochures. These brochures are available on Sunday mornings (in the Narthex) or you can stop by the church office. Or just tell BJ Jones or Barb Lewis (who chairs the work of the Pastoral Care Ministry Team) that you would like to be a part of this ministry.

If you are interested in joining the Pastoral Care Ministry Team, please contact Barb Lewis.

ST. LAWRENCE BOOK GROUP
We are a group of people who love to read and to talk about what we have read. We meet the second Monday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Fireside Room to discuss books chosen by the group as a whole - Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett, for April.

A quick review:

Combining an unerring instinct for telling detail with the broader brushstrokes you need to tackle issues of culture and politics, Patchett creates a remarkably compelling chronicle of a multinational group of the rich and powerful held hostage for months. An unnamed impoverished South American country hopes to woo business from a rich Japanese industrialist. Patchett weaves individual histories of the hostages and the not-so-terrifying terrorists within a tapestry of their present life together. The most minor character breathes with life. Patchett grapples with issues of complexity and moral ambiguity that arise as confinement becomes not only a way of life but also for some, both hostage and hostage-taker, a life preferable to their previous existence. Brilliant.

reviewed by Betsy Swank

Book-of-the-month for April: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Coming in May: Saint Maybe, by Anne Tyler

For more information, contact Betsy Swank

Services on Palm Sunday with so many people needing to step into so many parts to play and people to choreograph.

Maundy Thursday is a service unlike any other in the church year, with a liturgical rite of foot-washing and a potluck supper thrown right into the middle of it.

A special thanks to Carol Keating for baking the wonderful and beautiful bread.

The solemnities of Good Friday give way to the wonder of stories told at Vigil Easter Eve.

A warm thanks goes out to the story tellers, Luke Lucas, Julie Quandt, Anne Malecki and George Greene, Mary Ann Seagrist and Tanya Fisher and to Dayna Moseley their director, stage hands Barb Morris and Doug Montgomery.

EASTER EGG HUNT ON THE 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
If Easter is more than a day, why should an Easter Egg Hunt be confined to a day. At St. Lawrence, we're having ours nearer the middle of the season than right at the beginning. On April 17, between the 9:00 and the 11:00 services, some of our youth (YAC members) will hide eggs for our Sunday School children. Don't miss it!

For those looking for a little background on the tradition of the Easter Egg, the following was taken from a website on the history of the Easter Egg:

The egg is nature's perfect package. It has, during the span of history, represented mystery, magic, medicine, food and omen. It is the universal symbol of Easter celebrations throughout the world and has been dyed, painted, adorned and embellished in the celebration of its special symbolism

Before the egg became closely entwined with the Christian Easter, it was honored during many rite-of- Spring festivals. The Romans, Gauls, Chinese, Egyptians and Persians all cherished the egg as a symbol of the universe. From ancient times eggs were dyed, exchanged and shown reverence.

With the advent of Christianity the symbolism of the egg changed. Christians embraced the egg symbol and likened it to the tomb form which Christ rose.

NEWCOMER BRUNCH
Are you new to St. Lawrence? Would you like to learn more about your new parish home? If so, we've got an invitation especially for you:

We promise to make it a casual time of fellowship and an opportunity to meet new friends, enjoy a yummy meal and get your questions answered!

ATTENTION GREETERS
Please make note of your scheduled volunteer commitment on the master schedule that is mailed to you. Two families are assigned each Sunday - one for the Narthex entry doors and one for the parking lot entry doors. If you'd like to help out, please let Liz Halbert know of your interest.

It seems like we are missing our greeters on many Sundays! This is an important ministry for our church - we want to be sure to welcome everyone who joins us for worship and be available to assist newcomers and introduce them to fellow parishioners. As always, thank you for volunteering.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
Daylight Saving Time begins for most of the United States at 2:00 am in the first Sunday of April. Clocks are turned forward an hour, effectively moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

Before you go to bed on Saturday, April 2, make sure to change your clocks. Otherwise, you might show up for a service or a coffee hour you were not expecting.

Also a quick note, there will be Sunday School on April 3rd. Sunday School will begin at 10:10 (CDT).

YOU CAN MAKE A DIIFFERENCE
What are you doing Sunday April 24? Probably going to church right? How about helping save 3 peoples lives while you are at church! This is what happens when you donate a pint of precious blood with LifeSource, Chicagoland's Community Blood Center, which supplies 160 hospitals and home health care centers.

Due to advances in component therapy, the blood is divided into red cells, for surgeries, platelets for cancer patients and plasma for burn and shock victims.

The blood drive will be held in the Parish Hall and will take about 45 minutes total (the donation itself only takes 5 to 7 minutes). Watch for the signup sheet in the narthex. There will be sign ups available from 8:30 to 1:30. See Cecelia Secor for more information.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) NEWS
On Sunday, April 17, at 5:00 pm, we will gather in the Parish Hall, for a delicious meal and fellowship. Bring your favorite dish to share and join in on Bunco, an easy to learn, fun dice game with no experience necessary. Look for the sign-up in the Narthex. Everyone is welcome. For more information please contact Ann Leffler

United Thank Offering
The United Thank Offering (UTO), is a program of the Episcopal Church USA for the mission of the whole Church, founded by and administered by women since 1889. The mission of the UTO is to:

expand the circle of thankful people.
To achieve this mission, we encourage daily prayers, offerings and awareness of the abundance of God's blessings.

Look for your United Thank Offering Letter coming in the mail soon. Please bring your filled envelope to any service, Sunday April 17th. Monies collected will be presented at the Episcopal Church Women's Convention in April

You can pick up your blue United Thank Offering box, in the office or in the Narthex

CLOTHING DRIVE FOR ELIJAH'S MANTLE
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, in Grayslake has a clothing ministry for children. It is called Elijah's Mantle and located in their church. Gently used clothing is collected and then passed on to those in need at no charge. Since opening in May of 2004, over 400 people have received children's clothing.

St. Andrew's is asking St. Lawrence, once again to join in this ministry by sponsoring a children's clothing drive once a year. April is our month to participate. What a great time to do some spring cleaning and share your blessing with others in need. Here are the guidelines:

Clothing should be:

• Gently used
• Clean
• No tears, missing buttons or stains
• New underwear and socks are appreciated
• Sizes infant through child size 16

  Clothes can be dropped off at St. Lawrence, in the Narthex. Look the box labeled Elijah's Mantle. They will also accept cash donation. For more information contact Bob Klima at 847 548-5767

TAXES ARE DUE ON APRIL 15th
Well, its tax time again... that time of year that finds us all struggling amid mounds of statements, receipts and important documents. It is certainly a good time to review short-term and long-term financial goals. It is also an appropriate time to bring up the subject of our Ministry of Planned Giving here at St. Lawrence Church.

This article will be the first in a series of short messages designed to create awareness of the options and resources available to help members who wish to remember St. Lawrence in their estate plans.

While most people know they can take a tax deduction for our cash donations to charities, other gifting options exist. The donation of assets that have increased in value, such as stock and real estate, for example, can be used to create Charitable Trusts and Charitable Gift Annuities. These vehicles are designed to allow a donor to avoid capital gains taxes on appreciated assets, while creating an immediate current year tax deduction. An income stream can be generated for the lives of one or more people. After the donor dies, the asset avoids the legal costs of probate and passes directly to the church. In some instances, this strategy can turn a non-income producing asset, such as land, into a life-time income. A Charitable Gift Annuity is a similar strategy with a major benefit being a guaranteed dollar amount to be paid for the life of the donor.

Trusts and annuities are just two of the ways you can make plans now that will help you and your church. They show how it is possible to increase your income and reduce your income taxes now and minimize estate taxes (and probate costs) after you die and make provisions for gifts to the church - all at the same time! More information and details are available on these planned giving ideas. Please contact a member of the Planned Giving Committee with any questions.

Interested parishioners are requested to call Carolyn Finch or e-mail her at cwfinch1025@sbcglobal.net

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOLLOW-UP
Thanks to the generous gifts of our parish family and the diligence of our Capital Campaign Committee, last spring's capital campaign was highly successful.

But our work is not done! We have parishioners who asked to be contacted at a later date, some who asked to be contacted on a yearly basis, some who were never contacted, and a growing list of new families who might desire an opportunity to help us carry out God's work.

To that end, we are forming a “follow-up committee” to continue the process of funding the growth of St. Lawrence, and we would love your help. The requirements are only a willingness to contact your fellow parishioners and discuss the work we are doing in God's name.

Don Halbert had originally planned to chair this particular effort, working with Julia Karnstedt (chair of the Capital Campaign Committee) and the Oversight Committee. Due to a job change that is going to require a significant increase in travel, Don has had to resign the chair position of this committee.

Mark Feely, however, has stepped forward to assume the role of spearheading this effort. If you are interested in volunteering for this committee, please contact Mark. In the meantime, you can expect to hear more as plans develop.

For more information about the Follow-Up Committee, please contact Mark Feely

Summer Schedule
Sunday Services:
7:30am - Holy Eucharist Rite I Liturgy
10 :00am - Holy Eucharist Rite II Liturgy
Thursday Service:
8:30am - Holy Eucharist