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News Church
Street News (see Past Issues) CHANGES
IN OUR WORSHIP In the preface to Enriching Our Worship (the resource for some of some of our alternative Eucharistic prayers), our Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold makes it clear that these changes are more than merely liturgical innovation. Rather, he says, it is “part of an ongoing process of listening to what the Spirit is saying to the Church through the diverse experience of those who gather to worship and to celebrate the sacramental rites which fashion and identify us as the People of God.” It’s in that same spirit that we’ve made the kinds of changes we’ve put in place this summer, both in terms of service times and especially the rearrangement of our furnishings. (With all of these other changes introduced this summer, the Worship Ministry Team opted stay with regular Prayer Book forms this summer and keep something in our experience of worship more familiar.) I remind you that the changes this summer are all temporary. At the end of August, we’ll put everything back the way it was last spring and then invite your fuller reactions. In the meantime, we’ve provided a feedback form for you to record your first impressions. At this time in particular, the Worship Ministry Team is looking for your compliments and constructive reactions. So please take a moment to fill out one of our forms. If you’d like to say more — or want to know how you can be a part of future conversations about our worship space and the ways we use it — I’d suggest you contact Mell Wishau, convener of the Worship Ministry Team. They developed this plan in place now and they will learn from your feedback as they make recommendations for the future. Speaking for myself, I will say that I’ve been gratified by the receptive responses and the patience of our members with the changes made. The most common responses I’ve heard have to do with seeing the faces of others as we gather together and with hearing our voices as we sing together.
Stability, of course, is important in our tradition. But so, too, is a change that gives a new perspective. So I encourage you to take come and worship, of course — and even more, I encourage you to take some time to reflect more deeply on the difference a different vantage makes for you.
FROM
THE WARDENS I took some time this summer to compete in a triathlon. I primarily entered it to encourage myself to get into better physical condition. It was a team event and I ran it with my brother. Of the many things I learned along the way - two things in particular were re-affirmed through the experience. First it is easier to train and compete when you have someone else to share your struggles and provide encouragement. Also, because the event (for me in any event) lasted for more than three hours, it is important to fuel your body at appropriate intervals. Companionship, hydration and fuel are the keys to successfully completing such a long event. As you go about your summer routines, vacations and camps, we remind you that St. Lawrence remains “open for business” and that we are here to share your summer journey and its joys and sorrows with you. Drop us a post card; we’d love to see where you’ve been. When you are back in the area, join us for worship — during our summer hours at 7:30 am and 10:00 am — to refuel your soul, and join us for coffee hour to gives us all of the details. St. Lawrence is always here to provide companionship, refreshment (hydration) and spiritual food for the marathon we call life. Hot
days, cold water Summer
worship changes What’s
new at www.stlawrencechurch.org Jeanne joins me in thanking all of you for making St. Lawrence all that it is. We remind you that we are always are interested in hearing back from as well. Enjoy the summer. Faithfully yours, Jeanne Murphy,
Senior Warden VESTRY
NOTES And if you have any thoughts or comments about upcoming events with respect to particular ministries, please contact the appropriate ministry team liaison (or one of the wardens). We’d love to hear from you! Diocesan
Convention The Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago brings together clergy, lay delegates and general church members for two days of learning, fellowship, worship, and transaction of the canonical business and legislation of the diocese. Highlights include the bishop’s address, Friday evening convention dinner, convention Eucharist, and 45 learning opportunity workshops offered in three sessions Friday and Saturday. This gathering of the diocesan community is a time to celebrate our faith and work as the Episcopal Church in Northern Illinois, to further our witness through our strategic plan and vision, to attend to the canonical business of the diocese, to deepen our connections with one another, and to cultivate new understandings and skills as ministers of the Gospel. As you consider this invitation to a new opportunity, here are some thoughts shared by Cecelia Secor, a fellow parishioner, who has participated in several conventions and both a delegate and non-delegate:
PROGRESSIVE
DINNER 2005 What’s more, we added a silent auction this year, which raised well over $2000.00. Auction highlights were a weekend getaway to Door County, Cubs tickets with parking passes, a Chef-prepared meal in your home for 6 and a keepsake box made out of “retired” St. Lawrence church pews. Many gift certificates and items were donated by local Libertyville merchants and church parishioners. The meal featured appetizers; a mixed salad course accompanied by Fresh Pear and Romano Ravioli; an entrée of Beef Wellington, sweet potatoes with Balsamic caramelized onions and asparagus; and a large assortment of desserts. Thank you to all who helped in the organization, planning, preparation and execution of this year’s successful event. Funds raised at this year’s event will go towards the general operating fund in St. Lawrence’s annual budget.
COFFEE-IN-THE-PARK Something
New in 2005 Pennies
from Heaven The Outreach Ministry Team has initiated this wonderful opportunity for the greater community to help our support of the efforts of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), as our denominational relief agency responds to human suffering around the world. ERD provides emergency assistance after disasters, rebuild communities and help children and families climb out of poverty. Look for the five-gallon jug out on Church Street this summer during Coffee in the Park. (We’ll also leave it out in the Narthex on Sundays for your contributions.) Together we can make a difference.
Episcopalians from across the upper Midwest are sponsoring a two-day conference for those who work in formation ministry with children, youth, and adults. Learning experiences will be interactive and include workshops, hands-on use of resources, experiencing a portion of a specific curriculum or program, brainstorming sessions for exploring questions, and exchanging ideas and experiences — all aimed to help us figure out what fits the particular needs at our congregation. There will be over 50 learning experiences on topics related to adult learning, youth and young adults, children, lifelong Christian Formation, congregations, mission, peace and justice, technology, and stewardship. The conference will be held on August 26-27, 2005, and is conveniently located at the Conference Center at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. The registration deadline is August 1. Sunday
School Teachers and Youth Leaders needed for Fall “Our teachers share their gifts—loving hearts, listening ears, friendly faces and caring hands.”
Our next Market
Day pick-up date is Wednesday, July 13th. Order forms are available
in this issue of the Church Street News as well as in the church
office. Paper order forms are due back in the office by Sunday,
July 3rd. However, you may order online at www.marketday.com until
noon on Saturday, July 9th. We also need volunteers to assist with distributing the food on the dates of the sales. Contact Liz Halbert at 847 918-1363 or Julia Karnstedt at 847 549-7024 with any questions.
St. Lawrence has recently started an online Marketplace with close to 1,000 different stores to shop at, including major names like Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Orbitz.com for travel – all the way to sports, entertainment, food, pets, family stores … and more. Stores you probably shop at anyway! When you visit
our website — Please help St. Lawrence continue to grow and to carry on with our mission. Your everyday act of simply shopping for yourself, your family and your friends will be the easiest way to lend a hand ever! NEWCOMER
BARBEQUE
Welcoming is participating in God’s mission to reconcile all people to God and one another in Christ. Don’t just leave the welcoming to the designated greeters! We all should go out of our way to welcome guests to our church. Just remember – people become members of a church for a variety of reasons. One BIG reason that they stay is how well they feel welcomed and included in the life of the congregation.
The Book Group meets the 2nd Monday of each month (September through June) in the Fireside Room. We have designated a leader for each month to lead the discussion. Usually the discussion begins with a background of the author and then moves into questions regarding the theme and characters of the book. Please keep this book list handy as you are looking for a good read to take along on vacation this summer, and we hope you will join us in September!
THOUGHTS
FROM PLANNED GIVING Let’s say we have an individual who has, over some years, accumulated $10,000 worth of their company stock through a company stock purchase program. The stock is not held in a retirement account. The employee has paid a total of $2,000 for the stock. Consequently, they have a capital gain of $8,000 on this stock. Should they decide to SELL all shares of this stock, this individual would be responsible for paying capital gains taxes of $1,200 . (This assumes a 15% capital gains tax rate 8,000x15% = $1,200.) If this same individual were to DONATE the entire $10,000 to their church, for example, no capital gains tax would apply. The church would get the full $10,000 free from any tax obligation. The donor would also get a charitable deduction on their taxes for $10,000. Assuming a 25% tax rate, this would SAVE the donor $2,500 in taxes for that tax year. (At higher amounts, the entire gift may not be deductible all in one year.). These benefits really help to make donating assets easier than most people think. And let’s not forget the intrinsic reward of making such a significant gift to a worthy and appreciative cause! As always, please consult your tax advisor concerning your individual situation.
In June, Lake County United members took part in a New Citizens Initiative, to help legal permanent residents become citizens, keeping families together and improving living opportunities for our neighbors. The workshop offered legal services, citizenship classes and face-to-face help with the complex application forms. Action
Assembly on July 10 |
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| St. Lawrence Episcopal Church 125 West Church Street Libertyville, Illinois 60048 Phone: (847) 362-2110 Fax: (847) 362-2145 Email: info@stlawrencechurch.org |
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